So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Hidden Gems In Los Angeles

By Debrah Elliot


In a metropolitan area with more than 18 million people, you won't find it hard to find things to do. Everyone knows that Los Angeles offers plenty of great beaches, as well as sites such as Disneyland and Universal Studios. But if you want to bypass the popular touristy sites and really find the best that this metro area has to offer, you have to dig a bit deeper. Here are a just a few places to visit that will showcase the wonderful, wacky and wild place we call The Southland.

When it comes to food, there are some legendary choices, such as Philippe's, which is located on Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant has been serving customers since 1908, and its claim to fame is the invention of the French dip sandwich. As the legend goes, back in 1918, a sandwich roll was accidentally dropped into meat juices. The customer decided to try the sandwich that way, he loved it and came back the Next day for another "dipped" sandwich, and the rest is history. In addition to roast beef dips, there are pork dips, ham dips, lamb dips and turkey dips.

If you want the best cup of coffee in Los Angeles, bypass the chain shops and head to Culver City. Island Monarch Coffee offers made-to-order espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and much more using only the finest fresh roasted beans from Kona, Hawaii and Colombia. Even the water has been filtered seven times to remove any impurities. The beans come to L.A. still green and are then roasted within days of use for maximum flavor. It's definitely the best way to start off any morning in Los Angeles.

There are some truly unique attractions in Los Angeles that even most locals don't know about. For instance, if you love going to the zoo, the L.A. Zoo is a great choice, located in picturesque Griffith Park. Both the park and the current zoo certainly are worth a visit, but for a little odd fun, try to find the Old Zoo, which is located nearby and includes all of the empty enclosures and cages. The Old Zoo is located a short hike from the Old Zoo Picnic Area, and there usually is parking available in this general area. After parking, head up a hill until you reach a giant stone animal enclosure with three door-like openings.

While L.A. Miracle Mile boasts a number of great museums, including the Petersen Automotive Museum, if you drive outside the city to Sylmar, there is another fantastic museum for car lovers. The Nethercutt Museum is filled with beautifully restored and maintained automobiles, most dating prior to 1940. There is a historic locomotive and a Pullman car, as well, and you can tour just about every inch of it. The museum also offers the Nethercutt Collection, which is available only with a guided tour. This portion of the museum has four sections that include everything from antique china dolls to an amazing assortment of antique musical instruments and plenty more.

There are plenty of other great places to visit in the Los Angeles area, from the antique stores located in the City of Orange down in Orange County to the donut shops that are shaped like giant donuts. There are hikes that take you to waterfalls, historic missions, whale-watching adventures and many other exciting options. You could fill weeks with great food and activities and never once pay an entrance fee to a theme park.




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