In an LA Minute

So...it's been a while. But it's seemed like about a week. However, in the four-months-that-felt-like-one-week that has passed, I've discovered some cool stuff in and around North Hollywood. So I thought I'd share.

Farm-Fresh Produce

A few weeks ago, I got a bag of produce from CSA California. CSA stands for community supported agriculture, and is "a program in which the community supports one of their local farms by joining together to purchase produce." I got a bag containing kale, romaine, avocado, garlic, bell peppers, plums, strawberries, nectarines, carrots, cucumber and possibly other stuff that I am forgetting. All the produce was delicious (the avocados and the plums were particularly spectacular), plus I felt good about myself for supporting a local farm and cutting down on the energy associated with buying food at the grocery store. Click the link above for more details.

Swing Dancing at Joe's

On Tuesday nights, a local bar called Joe's provides a live band playing swing/big band/rockabilly music (the music varies from band to band). There is no cover, but they do ask that you purchase at least 2 drinks and contribute to the "bucket of love," which is a tip jar for the band (they are playing only for tips). Watch out for the male bartender, or avoid him altogether. The female bartender/cocktail waitress is super nice; the male bartender called my friend a "c%nt." And she wasn't the only one who had an issue with him. The crowd is pretty varied in age and skill level, there are quite a few regulars (and I'm slowly becoming one of them).

Goldstar

If you haven't heard of Goldstar, you should definitely subscribe to their weekly email. They have discounted tickets for many shows and events (including Medieval Times, which I've been meaning to go to for, oh, about 4 years) and the service charges are much better than Ticketmaster's. I went to see Ultimate Mancini at the Hollywood Bowl last Friday - got tickets for 1/2 price ($28 tix in section M for $14 plus $4.50 service fee = $18.50 each) and had a lovely time. Plus I learned that Henry Mancini (or "Hank," as he was called throughout the night) wrote the score for "Mommie Dearest," one of my all-time favorite movies. Plus you can bring wine! And there were fireworks! I love the Bowl.

Wiltern/Palladium/Gibson Amphitheatre Box Office

Speaking of service fees - on Saturday, I went to the Hollywood Palladium box office to purchase a ticket to see Gomez (my favorite band!! sooooo excited!) with NO SERVICE FEE. If you go to concerts, you know that service fees are usually upwards of $10, which is absolutely ridiculous. Instead of paying that, I took a short drive into Hollywood, got my ticket for the $25 base price, plus the guy at the box office was cute. (Nice tattoos, Palladium box office guy.) He also informed me that there are a lot of tickets left for that show, so if you like awesome music (they seriously put on a stellar live show) and don't have plans on the 3rd of August, you should totally support this band. Love.

That's all I've got for today - I'm going to try to update more regularly, but sometimes life gets in the way. I hope the summer is treating you well!