Pinot Days in Southern California...taste 90 Pinot Noirs! Thursday thru Saturday! Santa Monica!

 

Pinot days in Southern California is back with a vengeance!

Wine companies will be offering up Pinot samples during a three-day period at the Santa Monica Airport Barker Hangar this weekend (Thursday thru Saturday) alongside a handful of local restaurants on-the-ready to serve up a smorgasboard of delectable treats to pair with the stellar bill-of-fare.

You won't want to miss out on Saturday's Grand Tasting which will showcase over 90 phenomenal producers of pinot noir.

Consumers will be able to swill up to 300 pinots from all the important domestic pinot noir regions surrounding Southern California - for example - from the Russian River Valley to Oregon, Carneros to the Santa Lucia Highlands, and the Anderson Valley to the Sonoma Coast.

Hurry and snap up tickets now 'cause they're going fast!

See 'ya there!

Tickets & Info

http://www.pinotdays.com

http://www.thetattler.biz/

A Christmas Carol...Santa Monica Library free screening! December 18th!

In keeping with their continued efforts to provide a wide-range of programs for their patrons - from educational courses to upbeat entertaining outings on the premises - the Santa Monica Public Library will screen an updated film classic starring Jim Carrey.

A Christmas Carol!

In sum, the flick is an animated re-telling of the Dicken's best-seller.

Treat yourself to a madcap couple of hours - and in the process - learn all about the true spirit of Christmas as told through the character of Ebenezer Scrooge.

See 'ya there!

Date:
December 18th (2010)

Screening:
3 p.m.

Location:

MLK JR. Auditorium
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA

Gratis (free)

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Ken Russell...to appear at Aero Theatre! Devils & Altered States!

The first time I ever caught a screening of - "The Devils" - it was with a pal from Canada when we took a trek over to England and toured Paris and the South of France one sensual summer so many moons ago.

I vividly recall stepping out of the theatre into the picturesgue London Street around midnght, and remarking, how thoroughly disgusting I found the film to be.

But, I confess, over the years I have come to change my ideas about the Ken Russell masterpiece.

Russell will be forever remembered as a controversial and visionary artist with something of a third eye when it comes to making oddball dramas that have captivating images and themes, according to a Wikipedia biography.
Tomorrow evening - "The Devils" - will be on a double-bill with "Altered States" at the Aero Theatre as part of a tribute to the celebrated filmmaker.

Mr. Russell will be on hand to discuss his craft with the audience, so get there early, since I expect the special event will sell out quickly.

Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA

Tickets
$11.00

Curtain:
7:30 p.m.

Altered States

http:/www.julianayrs.com

Justin Bieber...walks into glass door - twice! Ouch...

Justin Bieber was in the throes of exiting a building when he walked smack-dab into a glass plate window.

Ouch!

In a second incident the outgoing Pop Idol started to facilitate a revolving door when - bang! - he hit his head on a glass panel.

Merely a case of Linday Lohanism?

Maybe the whirlwind tours and and exhausting stage performances are taking their toll.

Not to worry, Justin!

I suffered a similar accident a few years ago.

I was viewing an apartment in West Hollywood when the Manager gestured for me to check out the outdoor patio.

When I proceeded to step outside I ended up walking into the squeaky-clean glass door.

I was stunned (and shocked).

The manager thought it was an open door, too.

For starters, I suffered a concussion. 

Then, when I happened to glance in the bathroom mirror a short while later, two black eyes stared back at me.

Suddenly, I found myself embroiled in legal battle over damages.

The insurance carrier - Prudential - fought tooth-and-nail to avoid paying up.

The adjusters were positively evil!

It appeared that I was having a run of bad luck when the case was assigned to an incompetent boob by the name of Judge Shimmer (considered one of the worst Judges in Santa Monica Superior Court at that time).

The bench warmer didn't know his a** from a hole in the ground.

Needless to say, he was the first incompetent corrupt judge I crossed paths with in the Superior Court judicial system in Los Angeles.

Edmund Burke once opined:

"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods."

http://www.thetattler.biz

Santa Monica Library...homeless camping in stalls of toilets! Shame on City Council...

Santa Monica Library focuses on aesthetics

(not the needs of the residents)

Yesterday afternoon I was at the Santa Monica Library doing some research when I dashed into the restroom to take a whiz and blow my nose.

Unfortunately, when it came to relieving myself, it was not an easy task to undertake.

The three stalls were shut-tight - and in spite of a wait for about ten minutes - I was unable to take a turn because the individuals inside had obviously hankered down for the afternoon.

At one point, a middle-aged man - with shaving cream slapped  unevenly on his weathered face - slithered out, walked over to the basin and wet a paper towel - then mosied back into the water closet without so much as a backward glance.

The other two gents continued with their vigils (for whatever reason) with nary a rustle of toilet paper - or jangling belt buckle - signalling a change of guard was definitely not on the way.

All of the cross-legged patrons waiting in line proceeded to retreat one by one in disgust.

Nope!

There wasn't a staff member or guard in sight to monitor the situation!

At this juncture, I had to seriously consider that the employees had thrown up their hands in frustration - or, just maybe - were allowing the homeless folks to take a nap for an hour or two each day for a nominal fee.

Well, that's one way to dredge up some moolah, if the library is cash-strapped.

But, seriously, folks.

What a sad commentary on the library and the homeless situation in Santa Monica.

Are the City Fathers aware of the shocking events going down in their neck-of-the-woods?

Maybe, Council members just don't care.

The library employees obviously don't or they would have tried to rectify the problem by now.

Judging by what I witnessed, the individuals in question not only need a shelter to wash-up and rest their weary heads, but some psychological counselling as well.

Mental illness is a very serious problem in this country today, and the folks at the Library shouldn't take it all so lightly, or in their stride without conscience.

Shame!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Blog Action Day..."Heal the Bay" founder passes to spirit!

When I was at the West Hollywood Book Fair last week, I stumbled across the booth for the environmental activists - "Heal the Bay" - founded by nature-lover Dorothy Green (how apropos).

For blog action day (October 15th) I was planning to pen a post on the worthwhile contributions "Heal the Bay" has made to the "green" movement with additional background on Dorothy.

Well, I suppose my post tomorrow will now be part "blog action" and part "tribute" - in view of the announcement in the obituary column in the morning paper - that the likable gal just passed into "spirit".

Cruise by tomorrow and take a gander at my post - please - and learn about this great lady who was a pioneer in the movement to save the environment!

AltCar Expo...Future trends in smart vehicles & transport technologies. Free! Sept 26/27th. Santa Monica...

The AltCar Expo is sure to be a landmark event this year!

For starters, the main Exhibition Hall will feature an extensive representation of manufacturers experimenting with leading-edge choices in Electric, Hydrogen, Biodiesel, Natural Gas, Propane, Hybrid, Plug-in, Ethanol, and Cycling transportation technologies.

In addition, there will be a series of conferences, designed to enlighten the masses about innovative new products available in the marketplace.

So, expect a whirlwind of alternative transport discussions in the picturesque beach city this weekend, along with an environmentally-charged foray into topical issues of the day!

Speakers on Saturday include a handful of top design makers in the State who are keen to transportation trends, legislation matters, and all-important issues pertaining to all-technology debates.

Sustainable works will offer up an Ecological Footprint Chart, as well.

But, there is more!

Qualified experts will be on hand to explain tax rebates and credits available for those who opt to go the route of alternative technology choices in the near future.

"The Bus of the future & Transforming Transit Symposium" - featuring internationally-renowned speakers - is slated to offer up a fascinating peek into the future of public transit, here and abroad.

A large percentage of the consumer-oriented vehicles to be unveiled over the weekend are currently available for purchase.


So, saunter over to the "Ride & Drive Lot" for a hands-on experience with all the innovative new technologies.

There's a free bike valet for those who left their cars at home.

And, a sustainable food cafe, for the discerning "green-minded" palate.