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."