SKID ROW LADIES WALK THE RED CARPET AS DOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER PREMIERES ITS NEW HOME IN RESTORED HISTORIC BUILDING

Walking the Red Carpet for the premiere of the Downtown Women’s Center’s new home will be dozens of Skid Row women during a grand opening celebration starting at 10:00am on Friday, December 10th. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilwoman Jan Perry and other VIPs will roll out the Red Carpet to welcome the DWC ladies to their new home.

The festivities will kick off with a Mardi Gras-inspired procession of DWC ladies and staff, accompanied by dancers and drummers from musical group Viver Brasil, from DWC’s original building on Los Angeles Street to its new location on San Pedro Street via Winston Street.

A community festival throughout the day will include performances from a diverse group of local musicians and performers including the DWC D.I.V.A.S. (Dames Investing in Very Authentic Storytelling) and an all-female Mariachi Band, as well as tours of the new building, public mural painting, holiday crafts and food.

Friday, December 10th from 10 am – 2 pm

• 10-10:30 am: Procession from original DWC facility at 325 S. Los Angeles Street (at 4th St.) to DWC’s new home at 442 S. San Pedro Street (at 5th St.) via Winston Street
• 10:30 am: Grand opening ceremonies featuring Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilwoman Perry and DWC’s Lisa Watson
• 10:50 am: Ladies walk the Red Carpet
• 12:30 pm: Performances by the DWC D.I.V.A.S. and the all-female Mariachi Band; additional speeches by VIPs
• 11:00 am-2 pm: Public invited to take tours of the new building, enjoy food, participate in holiday crafts, listen to musical performances

http://www.dwcweb.org/

NEW HOLIDAY PRODUCTION MAGICALLY TRANSFORMS THE AMERICANA AT BRAND INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND – MAKES U.S. DEBUT BLACK FRIDAY

“Winter Wonderland”– Step inside a magical world of light and sound as The Americana at Brand transforms into a virtual winter wonderland — an original program, never before seen in the U.S., only at The Americana at Brand.
Guests will gather on The Green to witness the transformation of the four-story building to the east into a holiday showcase. The narrator tells the simple tale of a child’s wish that when he awakens it will be Christmas, as the scene begins to change with elves climbing up the building, icicles forming, the appearance of holiday trimmings and finally a snow fall. The original “Winter Wonderland” show, only at The Americana at Brand, will leave the audience wondering, “How did they do that?”
Following the Black Friday debut, visitors will be able to enjoy the show nightly at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. through Christmas Eve.


WHEN: Friday, November 26
Show begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Americana at Brand, on The Green

http://www.americanatbrand.com/


Happy Thanksgiving!

Tree Lighting at The Americana at Brand was a total success!!

It was a really cold night at The Americana at Brand.... but that didn't stop thousands of people waiting to get the perfect spot to see the Christmas Show.
The show was a total success culminating with the visit of Santa Claus at the end of the evening. An amazing burst of fireworks colored the night sky just moments after Santa's announcement of the lighting of the 100-foot Christman tree. It was a magical moment.

Seems like Christmas is here! but before it officially comes: Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.americanaatbrand.com/

WONDERLAND BAKERY -- OPENS SECOND LOCATION AT THE GROVE

Popular southern California confectioner, Wonderland Bakery, opened its doors at The Grove on Monday, November 8, bringing its one-of-a-kind goodies—custom-made cupcakes, cakes and cookies—to the greater Los Angeles area. Along with providing tasty treats in the bakery’s signature whimsical style, The Grove location features a private party room and the first-ever Enchanted Garden where guests can design their own cookies and cupcakes.

Launched in 2005 in Newport Beach by mother-daughter team Sondra and Allyson Ames, Wonderland Bakery offers customers more than 21 delicious flavors of cupcakes from traditional favorites to the more adventurous such as Cookies & Crème and S’mores and cookies in more than 1,000 imaginative shapes, sizes and themes. The Party Room is the perfect place to host a birthday party, shower or other special occasion and the first-ever Enchanted Garden will debut at The Grove location providing the perfect back-drop for tea parties, cookie and cupcake decorating, date nights and other special events.

With its eye-catching storefront featuring two towering pillars topped with colorfully decorated cupcakes, the Wonderland Bakery is located across the street from the Whisper Restaurant and Lounge at The Grove.

Store hours are:
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

http://wonderlandbakery.com/

http://www.thegrovela.com

THE MAGICAL OUTDOOR ICE RINK RETURNS TO THE LAKES AT THOUSAND OAKS

On Tuesday, November 16, Southern Californians will once again enjoy the enchantment of the holiday season when The Lakes Holiday Ice Rink, the only outdoor ice rink in Ventura County, returns for another season. Surrounded by snow, festive garlands and glistening lights, the rink will stay open through Monday, January 17. One-hundred percent of proceeds from admission and skate rentals on opening day will be donated to the Conejo Schools Foundation.

The expansive 60 x 60 feet ice rink, surrounded by bustling holiday shops and restaurants, is open daily with one-hour skate sessions starting Sunday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 9:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Starting December 16 through January 1, the rink will operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (On December 24th, Christmas Eve, the last session is 11 p.m. and on December 25th, Christmas Day, the first session is 10 a.m.)


Admission to The Lakes Ice Rink is $9.00.

Skate rentals are $3.00 for figure skates and $4.00 for hockey skates.

http://www.shoplakes.com/

http://www.thousandoaksicerink.com/

http://www.conejoschools.org/

LANVIN FOR H&M DEBUTS AT THE AMERICANA AT BRAND

The Americana at Brand will host hundreds of early morning shoppers clamoring to be among the first to own pieces from the new Lanvin for H&M line when the doors open at 8:00 a.m, on November 20.

Shoppers have previously slept out overnight to be the first in the door for other exclusive H&M designer collections.

The Americana at Brand offers a beautiful outdoor setting with scores of shoppers, an ideal backdrop for reporting on the Lanvin for H&M debut as we dive in to the holiday shopping season

Remember: Saturday November 20, 2010
Throngs of Fashionistas will be waiting for doors to open at 8:00 a.m!!






http://www.americanaatbrand.com/

REGAL HOLIDAY TREE ARRIVES AT THE PROMENADE AT WESTLAKE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

The Promenade at Westlake’s beautiful 65-foot Christmas tree will arrive on Monday, November 8 at 6:00 a.m. The white fir tree from Victor’s Strictly Custom Christmas Trees of Southern California will be delivered on a flatbed truck, hoisted by a large crane and inserted in the ground adjacent to the popular Farfalla Trattoria restaurant.

The installation will take approximately two hours. The tree, brought from Mt. Shasta, will later be decorated with 4,000 sparkling lights and 2,500 holiday ornaments and make its grand debut on Friday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. when the community is invited to The Promenade’s yearly spectacular holiday celebration. The festivities include the dramatic lighting of the tree, live musical performances, surprise guests, the arrival of Santa Claus and a breathtaking fireworks show.DON'T MISS IT!

http://www.shoppromenade.com/