It's a Caruso Christmas!

The Grove and The Americana at Brand will be lighting their trees later this month and you are all invited!

The Grove will feature a white fir from Northern California that will be elaborately decorated with more than 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments in time for the holiday tree lighting show at on Sunday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m.

As for TAAB, a stunning Christmas tree as well with 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments will be unveiled during the public tree lighting and holiday show at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.

The weather may not be frightful, but the holidays will still be delightful!

What's Hot!

Get treated like one of The Grove’s many celebrity visitors by using its must have One Touch Concierge service on your smart phone. Forget putting your name in to wait for a table, let your phone do it for you. Don’t want to lug your packages around? Have your phone call for someone to carry them for you. The only thing you need to worry about is keeping the paparazzi from snapping a bad photo!

The One Touch Concierge is also available at The Americana at Brand!

Climatini Anyone?

Climate Registry is hosting the Los Angeles Climatini downtown as an opportunity for the public to learn more about climate change in a fun and engaging environment.

The event will be held at Café Pinot (adjacent to the LA Library) where food and drinks will be offered at a special price and there will be eco-giveaways and raffles as well. The event is free and open to the public. www.theclimateregistry.org/climatini.

Thursday, October 22
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Wink If You Wear Glasses!

Wink Optometry at The Commons at Calabasas is celebrating its recent grand opening by hosting a reception on Thursday, October 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. At the reception an experienced eyewear specialist from Oliver Peoples will give customers free consultations to help choose the perfect frame shape and refreshments from Marmalade Café next door will be served. Wink (which opened on October 1) brings exceptional eye care to the Calabasas area with an experienced staff and the most exclusive eyewear brands.

More information about The Commons at Calabasas events go to: http://www.shopcommons.com/

Hilton Foundation announces 2009 Humanitarian Prize

Steven M. Hilton, president and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (left) announced the 2009 Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million, largest in the humanitarian world, goes to PATH, a Seattle-based organization that develops innovative technologies such as single-use, disposable syringes that prevent needle reuse to solve global health problems for the poor. Joining Steve at the Seattle press conference is Dr. Christopher J. Elias, president and CEO of PATH, and at right is William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Melinda & Bill Gates foundation, PATH’S largest funder.

Ashely Tisdale Performs Free Concert at The American at Brand

Tonight at 8 p.m. Ashley Tisdale, from the mega-hit High School Musical franchise will perform songs from her newly released album, Guilty Pleasure, live at the Donate Life Concert Series at The Americana at Brand. Released by Warner Bros. Records, the album has an edgy, guitar-driven pop-rock sound sure to have fans at The Americana at Brand rocking out to the music.

The concert is free, so bring the whole family!

Ashley Tisdale Performs Live at The Grove

On Saturday, June 27, Ashley Tisdale, from the mega-hit High School Musical franchise will perform songs from her new album, Guilty Pleasure, live at The Grove. The album, being released by Warner Bros. Records on July 28, is an edgy, guitar-driven pop-rock sound, a creative and mature leap forward for this appealing young singer and songwriter, sure to have fans at The Grove moving along with the music.

The free concert will also feature an opening performance from Reprise Records’ young and talented singing and dance group, V Factory. Always a fan-favorite, Ashley received a 2009 MTV Movie Award in the “Breakthrough Performance, Female” category for her role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The albums catchy first single, “It’s Alright, It’s OK,” has been aired on MTV and featured on hit shows such as, The Hills and So You Think You Can Dance. More information about The Grove can be found online at www.thegrovela.com.

Casey and Sayre's Executive V.P. to Chair 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Karen Diehl, pictured above behind Kevin and Kyra, will head up the 50th Anniversary of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.

New Architecture Prize From China to Spotlight Young Architect of Great Promise

The Ordos Prize, a new international architecture prize from China, the first ever from Asia, will honor a young architect at a pivotal point in his or her career. Qingyun Ma, dean of the University of Southern California School of Architecture, is the Founding Director and he has brought together leading global architects to serve as nominators and jury members.

“Unlike other major prizes that recognize an architect for a significant project or body of work, The Ordos Prize is the first to honor emerging young talent,” says Rem Koolhaas, chair of The Ordos Prize Jury and principal of Office of Metropolitan Architecture based in Rotterdam. “The Ordos Prize winners will be our next generation of great architects,” he adds.

Candidates for the prize are being nominated by preeminent global architects: Ben van Berkel, Stefano Boeri, Liz Diller, Jacques Herzog, Thom Mayne, Pierre de Meuron, Enrique Norten, Kazuyo Sejima, Wang Shu and Robert A. M. Stern.

Cars of the Stars on Display at The Americana at Brand

On Sunday, May 31, Caruso Affiliated will host its second annual Concours d’Elegance presented by the prestigious Petersen Automotive Museum at The Americana at Brand in downtown Glendale. From 11a.m. to 4p.m. visitors will get an up close look at 25 rare and classic convertibles many of which have either been owned by celebrities throughout Hollywood history or have appeared in major motion pictures.

One main attraction will be a 1949 DELAHAYE Type 178 Drophead Coupe formerly owned by the legendary Elton John. Other cars of the stars include a 1956 Jaguar XKSS, formerly owned by Steve McQueen; 1965 Imperial Convertible formerly owned by Katherine Hepburn; and a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible, formerly owned by Jack Nicholson and used in the movie, "The Two Jakes"; the 1951 Mercury Kustom from David Lee Roth's "California Girls" video, and the "Speed Racer" Mach 5 prototype.

Hollywood's 16th Annual Women of Distinction Awards

The Hollywood Chamber's 16th Annual Women of Distinction Awards luncheon will take place tomorrow at The Globe Theatre at Universal Hollywood.  KTLA's Cher Calvin will be emceeing the event where the following people are being honored.

Mary Pickford Award

Marlee Matlin

Golden Award for Community Service

Oscar Arslanian

Women of Distinction

Chanell O'Farrill - Hollywood Forever Cemetary

Judy Kloner - Assistance League of Southern California

Leslie Lambert - Community Redevelopment Agency, Hollywood Region

Sarah MacPherson - Hollywood Property Owners Alliance

All proceeds from this luncheon will go to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, which supports Hollywood charitable organizations advancing initiatives such as the arts, education and affordable housing.

The Grove Partners With Third Street Elementary School For The Second Annual Olympic Games

Students will compete in an Olympic-themed athletic competition when Third Street Elementary School, in partnership with The Grove, hosts its 2nd annual Olympic Games on Saturday, May 2 at the school’s 201 South June Street campus.  From 10a.m. to 1p.m. students in grades K-5 gain admission to the event by donating backpacks filled with new school supplies purchased at their own expense, which will later be distributed to homeless kids in Los Angeles by “School on Wheels,” a tutoring service for the underprivileged. 

In addition to support from The Grove, the Tiger Woods Foundation awarded Third Street Elementary a $2,500 grant in an effort to help the students meet their fundraising goal for this year's event -- 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies and $12,000 raised for some of the school's key programs.  

No Surprise here -- We Are the Center of the Universe!

This new opus, "Smile Southern California, You're the Center of the Universe" by James Flanigan, hit the shelves this week letting Americans know the obvious... we are the center of the Universe!!  The book argues that Southern California is the economic model for the U.S. and the world!  Again, no surprise there.  

The book covers everything L.A. including our strides in technology, the entertainment business as well as our fast paced entrepreneurship.

For over 50 years, James Flanigan has been a renowned journalist, columnist, editor and storyteller for Forbes, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and the Herald Tribune. 

Pick up your copy today: http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Southern-California-Center-Universe/dp/0804756252/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240341804&sr=8-1

Virgin America Goes Green!

In honor of green week, Virgin America announced it's going to be the first U.S. airline to join the nationally-recognized greenhouse gas emissions monitor, The Climate Registry.  It's a giant step for Virgin America to reduce their carbon footprint and raise awareness about the impact the industry has on the environment.

"We are very pleased to welcome Virgin America as our first airline Member.  The company is known for being a pioneer in delivering innovative service.  Being a pioneer in environmental responsibility, though, makes a significant impact in addressing our very urgent issue of climate change," said Diane Wittenberg, Executive Director of The Climate Registry.

The Americana at Brand bringing Europe to Glendale

This Saturday, April 18th, The Americana at Brand will become home of the European style Farmer's Market!  A fantastic addition.

Every Saturday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. more than 30 vendors will line Caruso Avenue stretching from Brand Blvd. to the park offering a bountiful array of locally grown and produced delicacies.  Shoppers will stroll among the charming and cheerful stalls displaying an enticing selection of tempting sweets, such as unusual preserves honeys, and savories, with flavorful olives and nuts, as well as authentic crusty European breads and artisan cheeses, a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh cut flowers, seafood and wines.       

Thomas Properties Group to Build a Downtown Centerpiece!

Korean Air has retained Thomas Properties Group, Inc. to buikd a one billion dollar mixed-use redevelopment plan for  the nearly three-acre Wilshire Grand Hotel and office site on the southwest corner of Wilshire and Figueroa in the heart of the city’s financial district.  The proposal envisions a nearly two million-square-foot signature development adding new Class A offices, condominiums and hotel space to the city’s urban core.  

Mayor Villaraigosa expressed his enthusiasm for the project -- "This exciting and bold new project is a major step forward in our efforts to add green, multi-use developments to the center of our city.  Standing just a few blocks from Staples Center and L.A. Live, the Wilshire Grand redevelopment effort will help revitalize downtown, and we look forward to seeing this proposal proceed through the public review process and produce a new landmark that benefits Los Angeles, the community, and the local economy."