It's quite infuriating and frustrating that there is only one legal, off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Rosie's Dog Beach from downtown Los Angeles, but the drive is worth it if you have a dog who loves to swim and run around in the sand as much as ours does. Nothing compares to her sheer joy when she is playing fetch, running freely along the shore and amongst the waves. It's such a great feeling to be surrounded by happy dogs. We even got to watch Sir Hollywood the bulldog skimboarding for a while.
Sir Hollywood anxiously awaits the drop of his skimboard.
Long Beach was allowed to launch a pilot program of daily off-leash access in August 2003, an effort led by a resident named Justin Rudd. The City Council unanimously approved the permanent off-leash dog zone the following year, and the area was officially renamed Rosie's Dog Beach on Aug. 3, 2010 in honor of Rudd's bulldog who inspired the entire campaign.
If you aren't lucky enough to find free street parking, there is a
metered parking lot at Bennett Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. They only
accept quarters, though, so come prepared. There is also a pay lot ($12)
at Granada Avenue. The leash-free zone is located between Roycroft and
Argonne Avenues; you will see orange cones delineating the area. Each
dog must be accompanied by an adult, and it's best to not bring a
picnic, just in case another dog accidentally runs onto your blanket.
Most of the people who come to Rosie's Dog Beach obviously love their
dogs a lot to make the trek down there, so there aren't too many
misbehaving pooches or instances of excrement being left behind. It is
less crowded than Huntington Dog Beach in Orange County, but it is not as clean, in terms of the water quality. There is a Tidy Dog at 4110 E. Ocean Boulevard where you can rent a station to self-wash your dog for $15 after they roll around in the sand.
To join the effort for an off-leash zone in Santa Monica or Venice Beach, please visit unleashthebeach.org.
Documentaries on the Rolling Stones @ Egyptian Theatre (Hollywood) A double feature of two new docs on the band. Go behind the scenes of with the early Stones as they tour Ireland in The Rolling Stones: Charlie Is My Darling, Ireland 1965. Experience the never-before-seen concert movie, The Rolling Stones: Some Girls Live in Texas, featuring the group in their prime.
FRIDAY, NOV. 9
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (Nataworry)
MUSIC
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion @ El Rey Theatre (Miracle Mile) The trio tears into the El Rey in support of their first studio effort in eight years, Meat And Bone. With blistering cuts like "Black Mold," "Bottle Baby" and "Danger," the tracks are sure to satiate fans who have anxiously been awaiting new material, as well as audience members who are seeing them perform for the first time.
FILM
In Theaters This Week The Comedy stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim from "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" and LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy; Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field in Lincoln; Patton Oswalt and Johnny Knoxville in Nature Calls; Daniel Craig's third turn as 007, Skyfall. Also in theaters: A Royal Affair
SATURDAY, NOV. 10
MUSIC
Marc Broussard @ Hotel Café (Hollywood) The Louisiana soul man performs two sets tonight, one at 7 p.m. and another at 10:30 p.m., as part of his fall tour. Expect to hear material from his upcoming 2013 album, A Life Worth Living, which is a tribute to his late grandmother.
Those Darlins @ Troubadour (West Hollywood) With the emergence of cold mornings and evenings, it's not as if we really need a reminder that summer has abandoned us, but just in case the three-piece offer up a new song and tour, entitled "Summer's Dead." The murder ballad is a perfect anthem for the season that represents approaching death.
SUNDAY, NOV. 11
FOOD
Free Pizza @ CPK To commemorate Veterans Day, the restaurant is offering a free meal to all veterans and active military. Just bring your ID or come in uniform to claim your free pizza and nonalcoholic beverage today or tomorrow.
MONDAY, NOV. 12
MUSIC
Ben Caron @ Rockwell: Table and Stage (Los Feliz) Celebrating the Nov. 13 release of his new EP, Love Me Too, the singer-songwriter returns to the recently re-opened and revamped venue. The multitalented Angeleno is also an actor, and it's clear from Love Me Too that he has no problem laying his emotions bare in each song.
TUESDAY, NOV. 13
FILM
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day Don't miss an encore screening of the 2007 tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun, with the legendary band performing songs like "Black Dog", "While Lotta Love" and "The Song Remains the Same." It's scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at IMAX theaters throughout the city, including L.A. Live, Citywalk and Century City.
FOOD
Who's Your Bubbie? @ Skirball Cultural Center (West L.A.) An evening of sharing recipes and stories with Jonathan Gold, David Sax, Evan Kleiman, Roxana Jullapat (Cooks County), Micah Wexler (Mezze) and Akasha Richmond. Bring your own favorite recipe and enter to win gift certificates from Akasha, Cooks County and STREET.
Clairy Browne & the Bangin' Rackettes (Pierre Baroni)
MUSIC
Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes @ The Mint (West L.A.) The Melbourne songstress and her band of rogue musicians combine soul, doo-wop, ska, R&B and jump blues on songs like "Love Letter," "Vicious Cycle" and "I'll Be Fine." Their dynamic musicianship and style are sure to transport the Mint to another era.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14
BOOKS
John Hodgman @ Amoeba Music (Hollywood) The actor (You would probably recognize him as the PC from the Mac commercials.), "The Daily Show" Resident Expert and bestselling author unveiled the third and final installment in his Complete World Knowledge Trilogy last month. Tonight he signs copies of That Is All at Amoeba.
FOOD
Behind the Scenes of What We Eat @ The California Endowment (Downtown) In the wake of Prop. 37's heartbreaking defeat, New York Times journalist and cookbook author Mark Bittman sheds light on the impact of our food choices on every facet of life. Find out what it really means to eat healthy from one of the most widely respected food writers of our time.
MUSIC
Petty Fest West @ El Rey Theatre (Miracle Mile) The NYC event raised over $15,000 for charity, and now the show travels to the left coast for the first time ever. With a list of special guests that includes the Black Keys' Patrick Carney, the Strokes' Nick Valensi and Fab Moretti, Matt Sorum, Bijou Phillips and Sarah Silverman, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund hopes to raise even more money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Also Nov. 15.
707 Stanley Ave., Los Angeles (Mid-City West) 323-655-7777
Cécile Hortensia's story so far is the epitome of the American Dream. Born in Nancy, France, she immigrated to Arizona hoping for change and the chance to explore a lifelong passion for music.
"It was a period in my life where I had a job for 10 years, and I wanted a change. My husband had the opportunity to get a job in Arizona, so we took it as a chance to get a fresh start somewhere. Arizona is perfect for that, all of the USA is perfect for that. As a migrant country, it attracts dreamers. The American Dream still exists," she says.
Last month, one of her dreams was fulfilled when the singer-songwriter released her debut album, Papillons. The word, which is French for 'butterflies,' is one that has several meanings for Cécile.
"The first song that I chose for the album was 'Les Papillons dans l'Estomac (Butterflies in my Belly),' and it's a love song about the way you feel when you meet a guy and it feels like there are butterflies in your stomach. For me, butterflies are what I call people that I love. They are my butterflies because they bring me butterflies in the stomach," she admits. "In a way, when I came to America I was in a cocoon, and I became a butterfly here. I like this metaphor as well. It's true, because I was not in music before. I always dreamed of being a musician and a songwriter, but I wouldn't dare before. It took some courage to say, 'OK, let's take this fresh start in America to give my music a chance.' That's the idea of the cocoon and becoming a butterfly. That's the reason why this record is my butterfly."
Coming to America from France to pursue a different life path is a commonality Cécile shares with Chef Michel Richard, the owner of Maison Richard, where we meet for a conversation the day before her first show in Los Angeles. The restauranteur opened his first restaurant and pastry shop on Robertson Boulevard over 35 years ago, garnering praise for his divine pastries. He eventually relocated to Stanley Avenue in 2010, and Maison Richard has been satisfying diners with everything from patés and delectable cheese plates to savory quiches and classic Roasted Chicken ever since. But the real stars here are the patisseries, such as chocolate or coffee custard-filled éclairs, various fruit tarts and buttery, flaky croissants.
Cécile points out a napoleon of chocolate, sponge cake and custard as her recommendation when we peruse the pastry-filled display case. As we enjoy a bit of sunshine on Maison Richard's patio, surrounded by lush green foliage and the soothing trickle of a water fountain, she tells me that this is her first trip to Los Angeles for professional reasons.
"Before, I came just as a tourist. I have kids, so we went to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Pier and the beach, the Walk of Fame in Hollywood – like all tourists," she says.
And like most newcomers to the country, she came with a few preconceived notions fostered from one of America's most well-known exports: films.
"I had all the pictures in my head of western movies. When you come from Europe, American movies are part of our culture as well," she shares. "I come from the mountains, I was living in the Alps. Now I'm glad to live in Arizona because the desert is really beautiful. I couldn't have written some of the songs [on Papillons] without living in Arizona. 'Cactus Road,' 'Coyote' and 'This Is My Home' – all those songs were inspired by my life in Arizona and the landscapes surrounding my new home."
As she eased into life in Phoenix, she made the acquaintance of producer Olivier Zahm, who, by chance, is also a French transplant. The pair collaborated by writing a few songs together, and he eventually assumed production duites on Papillons.
"We met by chance, but it has made things effortless to understand each other because we share the same culture, we are of the same generation as well and we have the same musical references. He also knows a lot of American musicians," she says. "I wanted to add an American feeling [to the album], and it was very interesting for me to work with them so they could bring their vibe, their culture. In a way, the aim of the album was to blend both cultures."
Cécile has indeed melded both her French heritage and adopted American culture into Papillons. She easily drifts from French to English throughout the 12 tracks, offering her stories through a refreshingly unique perspective in a medium that the world can understand: music. Her love of the art form began at a young age.
"In childhood, I was always singing. We went to church, and the only thing I liked in the church was the singing," she laughs. "My parents listened to French music, like Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel – all of the classical French standards – and also Simon & Garfunkel, artists like that. After I developed my own taste, it was Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos and some French rock bands. I was more attracted to folk music."
One of her current musical obsessions finds his way onto Papillons via an ode in which Cécile croons, "If I were a man, I would be Ray LaMontagne."
"I am a huge fan of Ray LaMontagne. I saw him when he played in Phoenix last year. He's got an amazing voice, and live it's even better," she gushes. "He's got such a presence. I really admire his music, but also that he is very reserved about his personal life. He's not a huge star, he's just really good at what he does."
Cécile is transforming into quite the talented songwriter herself. Writing is a skill she began honing when she was young, and it has become a source of great joy for her.
"I started with poetry. I was inspired a lot by French poetry like Arthur Rimbaud and all the classical French poets. That's how I started to write songs," she says. "First I started with lyrics and after that, I started to write complete songs, music and the lyrics together. It took a little bit of time, but finally I took so much pleasure in that. The creative part is really the most interesting for me. I couldn't just sing. The interesting part is the creativity from the beginning of the song and in the studio to the stage, the whole thing."
As she kicks off a performance schedule that reaches well into the New Year, Cécile has one fundamental hope for listeners of Papillons and audiences at her shows.
"What I like in music is when I can sing with the singer, when the song is catchy and you can recognize the melody pretty quickly. When I write, especially lyrics, I want to touch people's hearts in a simple way. I don't want to be too in control, just bring some images, some pictures so people are touched by something. They can take a word, a sound, whatever they want, just to be touched by something. I think every artist would just like to touch people with what they write, even if it's only one song that talks to them. I would be happy if I can do that, it's my goal."
Whether you're registered red or blue, there is nothing more important today than voting. If you still need to fill out your sample ballot to take with you to the polls, here's a list of all the measures with brief explanations of each (and links to pro and con arguments). I've also included info on places where you can view election night coverage and take advantage of some food and drink specials.
STATE MEASURES
Proposition 30* - Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. A seven-year tax increase on personal income for Californians who make over $250,000 and a four-year increase in sales tax by .25 of a cent to fund schools in this current school year. Guarantees public safety realignment funding. PRO and CON
Proposition 31 - State Budget. State and Local Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Allows local governments and school districts to create plans to coordinate how public education, social, economic development and health and safety services are provided, subject to approval by governing boards. PRO and CON Proposition 32 - Political Contributions By Payroll Deduction. Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute. Forbids government contractors to contribute to elected officials who were involved in getting them the contract, bans employee paycheck reductions for "political purposes" and prevents corporations and unions from making direct contributions to candidates/committees that fund them. PRO and CON
Proposition 33 - Auto Insurance Companies. Prices Based on Driver's History of Insurance Coverage. Initiative Statute. Changes state law so that auto insurance companies could determine prices according to a driver's past history of carrying insurance or not. Those who have had continuous coverage would receive discounts, while those who did not would pay higher rates. PRO and CON Proposition 34 - Death Penalty. Initiative Statute. Repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without parole. Directs $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases. PRO and CON
Proposition 35 - Human Trafficking. Penalties. Initiative Statute. Increases prison sentences and fines for convicted human traffickers and requires them to register as sex offenders. PRO and CON Proposition 36 - Three Strikes Law. Repeat Felony Offenders. Penalties. Initiative Statute. Revises the current law by imposing life sentence only when the new felony conviction is serious or violent. Authorizes re-sentencing for those with a non-violent/serious third strike. PRO and CON Proposition 37 - Genetically Engineered Foods. Labeling. Initiative Statute. Requires labeling of all food made from genetically-modified plants and animals. Prohibits marketing of such food as "natural." PRO and CON Proposition 38* - Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs. Initiative Statute. A 12-year personal income tax increase for Californians using a sliding scale (a .4 percent increase for those earning over $7,316 and 2.2 percent increase on those earning more than $2.5 million) to fund schools beginning in the 2013-14 school year. PRO and CON
Proposition 39 - Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding. Initiative Statute. Requires multistate businesses to pay income taxes based on how much of their sales are in California. Increased revenue goes to clean/efficient energy projects. PRO and CON
Proposition 40 - Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum. Approves the State Senate's redistricting plan drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission. PRO and CON
* EdSource has a great infographic comparing Prop 30. & 38
COUNTY MEASURES
A (Advisory Vote Only) The Office of the Assessor maintains the evaluation of real and personal property records in the county. This measure asks if voters prefer that it be an appointed or elected position.
B Requires adult film producers to obtain a county public health permit and performers to use condoms. PRO and CON J - Accelerating Traffic Relief, Job Creation. Accelerates light rail/subway construction and airport connections within five years (not 20). PRO and CON
ELECTION NIGHT EVENTS
Cafe del Rey (Marina del Rey) Election-themed drinks, like the Barockin' Bayonet and Not-So Radical Romney, are $6, and you can get them at 2-for-1 if you show an "I Voted" sticker after 4 p.m.
Canelé (Atwater Village) They're bringing in a projector and screen, and serving up a prix fixe special in addition to their regular menu: romaine hearts with blue cheese, Barack's meatloaf with mashers and buttered carrots and apple tart with vanilla ice cream for $35.
Hammer Museum (Westwood) Live coverage will be broadcast in Ammo and the Billy Wilder Theater, and you can check out Jonathan Horowitz's Your Land / My Land: Election '12 installation.
Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium (Elysian Park) The L.A. County Democratic Party's Election Night Celebration is free and open to the public, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Two hands present a heart to the outside world, while also sheltering it, in TipToe's Get a Rhythm. This piece by the Chicago-based artist is located on Pacific Avenue (at Rose Court) in Venice Beach.
2927 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles (Silver Lake) 323-660-8100
Because of its close proximity to Little Tokyo, there aren't many great Japanese restaurants in Silver Lake. There are pho and Thai soup joints aplenty, but even with the current rage over ramen there were absolutely no ramen restaurants in the neighborhood. Then, in September, Silver Lake Ramen finally opened in the Silversun Plaza.
Although the rich pork broth at places like Daikokuya or levels of spiciness offered at Orochon are what have catapulted ramen to popularity, I had been on the prowl for a good vegetable ramen for about a year. I tried every place in Little Tokyo that offered veggie ramen, even Shojin, which specializes in vegan cuisine. While those were OK, I hadn't found a bowl of vegetable ramen as delicious and fulfilling as the pork version until I tried Silver Lake Ramen's.
It's easily the best vegetable ramen that I've ever had. Their miso broth is hearty and satisfying, their noodles are cooked perfectly al dente and the array of vegetables topping the bowl – corn, bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli and, oddly enough, salad greens – keep it from being boring. The uniquely shaped bowls, resembling upside-down hats, are able to carry just the right amount of broth in relation to toppings and noodles so I don't leave a massive pool of plain broth at the end.
The tonkotsu ramen features a broth that has simmered overnight for 16 hours, and you can order it spicy, with a shoyu broth or even with pieces of chicken instead of pork belly. It's topped with spinach, green onions, bean sprouts and a square of nori, but you can order additional items, such as a soft-boiled egg, crushed garlic or extra noodles, as well. There is also a tsukemen option with slightly thicker noodles for dipping.
For an extra $3.50, you could add a salad and rice bowl with spicy tuna, chashu or ground pork to your ramen. They also serve some decadent oyster mushrooms sautéed in butter, a refreshing cucumber and crab salad and handmade pork gyoza. There are a few sushi items on the menu, a veggie roll, shrimp tempura roll or spicy tuna on crispy rice. But the main attraction is definitely the ramen, and the vegetable ramen easily makes Silver Lake Ramen one of my favorite neighborhood haunts.
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" @ The Roxy (West Hollywood)
Donovan Leitch reprises
his lead role in the John Cameron Mitchell musical. Follow the journey
of a German boy's transformation into one of rock 'n' roll's most
glamorously trashy frontwomen. A portion of the proceeds from the
production's week-long residency go to the Trevor Project.
FOOD
World Vegan Day @ Two Boots (Echo Park & Downtown) Quarrygirl and the pizzeria team up to celebrate the day with free slices of the new Quarry Girl vegan pizza (San Marzano tomatoes, shiitakes, artichokes, garlic and basil pesto) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Echo Park location also hosts a performance by Moses Campbell, and the official World Vegan Day L.A. festival takes place in Tarzana from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOV. 2
BOOKS
Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick @ Book Soup (West Hollywood) The Academy Award winning director collaborates with American University professor/historian Kuznick for The Untold History of the United States, the companion book to their Showtime documentary series, which premieres at 8 p.m. on Nov. 12. The duo discusses and signs copies of the book that released this week and is full of poignant photos and little-known facts surrounding the rise of the American Empire and national security state from the late-nineteenth century through current times.
Mariachi El Bronx (Ashley Maile)
CULTURE
Downtown Dia de los Muertos @ Grand Park (Downtown)
The inaugural Day of the Dead celebration in Downtown features altars designed by artists like Timoi, Germs and Yolanda Gonzalez, performances by Mariachi El Bronx, El Conjunto Nueva Ola, Upground, Trio Ellas and more. Plus there will be food trucks, a full bar and DJs spinning all night.
FILM
AFI Fest (Hollywood) Audi's annual celebration of international cinema returns with galas, screenings and panel discussions at the Chinese 6 Theatres, Egyptian Theatre and the Roosevelt Hotel. From Ang Lee's Life of Pi and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln to David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook and Dustin Hoffman's Quartet, there's something for ever cinephile at the festival. Through Nov. 8 Alien Quadrilogy Midnights @ The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre (Mid-City West) Every Friday in November, the Cinefamily presents a different film from the Alien series, starting tonight with the 2003 director's cut of Alien. Nov. 9 is Aliens, Nov. 16 is the Alien 3 assembly cut, Nov. 23 the 15th anniversary screening of Alien: Ressurection and Nov. 30 is a Doug Benson's Movie Interruption of Prometheus.
In Theaters This Week Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks and Laura Linney in The Details; Denzel Washington in Flight; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener in A Late Quartet; RZA's directorial debut, The Man with the Iron Fists; Wreck-It Ralph, with the voices of John C. Reilly, Sara Silverman and Jane Lynch; the Tony Bennett doc The Zen of Bennett. Also in theaters: The Bay; Jack & Diane; This Must Be the Place; Vamps
The Devil Makes Three (Anthony Pidgeon)
MUSIC
The Devil Makes Three @ House of Blues Sunset Strip (West Hollywood) The trio's next album won't be coming out until next year, but they'll definitely be playing some new tracks at this show. If you're a fan of the blues, their acoustic roots music will speak to your soul.
SUNDAY, NOV. 4
FOOD
Localicious @ Annenberg Community Beach House (Santa Monica) Thirty of the city's leading chefs, like Wilshire's Nyesha Arrington, Ammo's Benny Bohm and Public Kitchen's Vardan Abharyan, are paired with 30 farmers from the Santa Monica Farmers Markets in the culmination of the Good Food Festival & Conference (beginning Nov. 2). There will be live music, local wine and craft beers, a silent auction, and net proceeds benefit FamilyFarmed.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7
BOOKS
Kevin Pollak @ Barnes & Noble (The Grove) The comedian/actor celebrates this week's release of his book, How I Slept My Way to the Middle: Secrets and Stories From Stage, Screen, and Interwebs, with a special evening at the Grove location. Never-before-heard stories of legends like Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are interwoven with scenes from Pollak's life in stand-up and film and as a new media entrepreneur.
