EAT – Akasha
Culver City’s rebirth as an artist destination is under full swing, and that means new innovative restaurants are popping up in the area too! Akasha is an eco-friendly restaurant whose décor is completely organic and sustainable, as is the food! Akasha in Sanskrit means ether and in Hindi means sky, which could be an allusion to their sky-high prices, but either way it’s nice to see a restaurant that has the environment in mind!

9543 Culver Blvd. 90232
(310) 845-1700

PLAY BALL! – Dodgers
Ok, so maybe Monday isn’t technically the weekend, BUT it is the day that major league baseball returns to Dodger stadium, and they’ll be playing the San Francisco Giants… so watch out!

For more info go to: www.dodgers.com

LISTEN – Gina Saputo at The Edison AND 35-cent Martinis
Young jazz singer Gina Saputo will be singing this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at The Edison. She is an up and coming jazz vocalist from the Los Angeles area who attended USC’s Thornton School of Music. If you aren’t into jazz, why not head downtown for the 35-cent martinis – served 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. See you there!

108 W. 2nd st. #101 10012
For more info go to: www.edisondowntown.com

EXPLORE – The Museum of Jurassic Technology
This “museum” located in Culver City is a wonderful place to go and discover the bizarre in Los Angeles. I don’t know exactly how to describe it, except to say, don’t expect technology per se, but a mix of things that are peculiar and wacky. The museum is only open Thursday through Sunday, and with just a suggested donation of $5 for admission it will definitely fit in almost anyone’s budget.

9341 Venice Blvd. 90232
(310) 836-6131
For more info go to: www.mjt.org

CONTRIBUTE – Lights Out!
Last year 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney Australia turned off their lights for one hour reducing the greenhouse effect and making the world take notice. This Saturday, March 29, America is doing the same. So, turn off your lights for one hour starting at 8 p.m. Saturday and become part of a movement that actually makes a difference. Light some candles and enjoy the atmosphere and the knowledge that you are contributing to something worthwhile. Sign up and send out an email to your friends to get more people involved!

For more info go to: www.earthhour.org

Related Articles

• Andiamo Italian Restaurant
• Santa Monica Classic Run

LISTEN – Blues

Babe’s and Ricky’s Inn is the oldest blues bar in Los Angeles, and has a rich history of performances from musicians like B.B. King and Eric Clapton. Monday nights, Mickey Champion (a blues legend who has performed with Billie Holiday, among others) performs, and a free soul-food dinner comes with your $8.00 admission price. Thursday, Friday and Saturday offer up a variety of acts at this hidden gem in downtown Los Angeles. So ch-ch-ch-check it out!

4339 Leimart Blvd. 90008
For more info go to: www.bluesbar.com

FUN – A day at the races!

It’s Dollar Day at the Santa Anita racetrack this Saturday March 22nd. Hot dogs, beer, soda, popcorn and admission are all only $1.00. With 10 races and a first post time of 12:30, it could be a wonderful day of racing. It’s a little trek out to Arcadia, but well worth it… just think Seabiscuit…. I got you with that last line didn’t I? See you there!

285 W. Huntington Dr. 91007
For more info go to: www.santaanita.com

MEDITATE – Self-Realization Fellowship Lake

Hidden in the Pacific Palisades is this temple and meditation center founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950. While there is also a temple and ashram in Hollywood (if the Palisades sound like a stretch), the Lake Shrine offers beautiful gardens on a 10-acre stretch of land that can really make you forget you are in Los Angeles. So if you have been looking for a quiet place to meditate, or would just like to explore a new locale, head out to the Palisades and visit the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. I like to call it: “The temple with an absolutely ridiculously long title for a shrine and or temple.” Or TTWAARLTFASAOT for short.

17190 Sunset Blvd. 90272
For more info go to: www.yogananda-srf.org/temples/lakeshrine/

WATCH – Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus

The Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax offers up a mixture of actually silent films and classi as we know them now daily. This Sunday at 4:00 p.m. they will be showing one of Mr. Chaplin’s best works, the movie that won him an Oscar for “versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing.” Since this movie is in fact silent, the theatre will have a live organist playing along.

611 N. Fairfax Ave. 90036
For more info go to: www.silentmovietheatre.com/

CONTRIBUTE – Plant trees!

Million Trees LA is having a community planting this Saturday, March 22nd starting at 9 a.m. in East Hollywood. The program helps create a greener Los Angeles and has community plantings often, but always needs more volunteers!

To get involved contact Lisa Sotelo: (818) 623-4879
Or email: volunteer@treepeople.org

Related Articles

• Taste of Thailand: North Hollywood

ATMOSPHERE – Bordello Bar

Whenever I yearn for a locale that makes me feel like I’m in a 1930s brothel I head downtown to Bordello Bar. The newly renovated club/bar now features musical acts each night of the week and also dabbles in burlesque shows. There is a rich history that goes along with Bordello Bar: it is the oldest bar in Los Angeles, was formerly Little Pedro’s, and was once actually a brothel. Sacrebleu!!!

901 E. 1st St. 90012
For more info visit: www.myspace.com/bordellobar

DINE – Cinespace

This Hollywood club is a wonderful place to go for a unique Los Angeles experience. Cinespace’s “Dinner and a Movie” is one of my favorite events around. Not only is their food well priced and delicious (I must insist you try the spinach dip), but there is also something inexplicably fun about watching a great film while being served tasty libations. This week’s movie is Into the Wild, a must see in my book!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
For reservations call: (323) 817-3456
6356 Hollywood Blvd. 90028
For more info visit: www.cinespace.info

CONTRIBUTE – Beach Cleanup

This Saturday, Heal the Bay is hosting its monthly beach cleanup in Playa del Rey. The weather should be nice and picking up trash on the beach is like giving the earth a big kiss. And we all know it needs a kiss, so come out and help!

Saturday March 15, 10:00 a.m. – noon
11999 Vista del Mar, Tower 49 90293
For more info visit: www.healthebay.org

WATCH – Unforseen

This documentary is playing at the Nuart theatre for one week only! It tells the story of a community that comes together as they fight to protect a limestone aquifer and swimming hole from becoming a housing development. It explores the struggle America now faces as pressures to develop and outcries to maintain and save our natural landscapes go head to head.

11272 Santa Monica Blvd. 90025
For more info. visit: www.landmarktheatres.com

CULTURE – Peru Negro

This Grammy award-winning Peruvian song and dance team is performing this Saturday, March 15th at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The Afro-Peruvian dancing and music will make you want to move to South America, and will most definitely inspire you to at least go dancing yourself once this week. But if you are interested, purchase tickets now as the event is sure to sell out!

For more info. visit: www.uclalive.org

Related Articles

• Cinespace