Roaming in Vegas...it can stay there.

Colleen and I drove to Las Vegas for three nights of play, and a conference for Colleen.  I am amazed that where ever we went there seem to be tens of thousands of people roaming around finding ways to give their money away....gambling, food, and shopping...many expensive...I didn't see a Ross or Marshall's store, only Chanel, Rolex, Louis Vutton, and Versace.  It was over 110 degrees there so inside roaming was recommended and each of the big casinos had there own "shops."

I did enjoy a few things in Bellagio with the Dale Chihuly blown glass flowers on the ceiling of the main lobby...2000 of them, and also in a vase in a bar with and an excellent piano and bass player.  Their Conservatory was beautifully decorated with flowers and such.  They also had an exhibit of statues by Richard MacDonald presented by Cirque Du Soleil which has a show at the Ballagio and several other places in town.  Colleen and I loved Cirque Du Soleil's "Love" with a Beatles theme at the Mirage...not so hot about the HOT fire and eruptions hourly on the waterfalls and mountains in front of the place.  Here are some of my pics from the trip.

Hail Caesar's Palace

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941 and went to school there and in Wisconsin and on a Fulbright Fellowship in Venice, Italy.  In 1971 he cofounded the Pilchuck Glass School near Stanwood, Washington  where he creates his works.  In 1976, while in England, he was in a head-on-car accident in which he flew through the windshield, where his face was severely cut by glass and he was blinded in his left eye.  Then in 1979 he dislocated his right shoulder in a bodysurfing accident.  Since he can no longer hold a glass blowing pipe, he hires others to do the work which he designs.  He says "I am more choreographer than dancer."  Chihuly has directed his art into a multimillion dollar enterprise with sculptures all over the world...you can buy some of his work at the Bellagio or see the largest collection at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.  I enjoyed many of his works with my friend Mary Lou when they visited the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Az a few years ago.  When I see his works, I utter an audible WOW.

Richard MacDonald was born in 1946 in Pasadena, CA and graduated from the Art Center College of Design.  He has done paintings and illustrations and began sculpting which led him to becomeing one of the most collected present-day figurative sulptors in America.  It has been said that MacDonald's work portrays "the beauty of the human body and the spirit that drives it."  He uses models in specific dance moves and gestures.  His  clay figures are then molded and editions of bronze sculptures are made.  He then creates the patina which is applied and then the figure is mounted on a marble base which he selects. 
MacDonalds works are at corporations such as AT&T, IBM and private collections.  He created "The Flair" for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, as well as at the Peter Hay Golf Course in Pebble Beach, City of Concord, CA, and others. 

A Fun Sunday

Colleen and I pedaled our bicycles down to Wilshire Blvd. and took part in a CycLAvia bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, skateboard, walking, running, roller blading, scootering event that closed down the Blvd from downtown to Fairfax Ave.  Over 100,000 people participated creating a real sense of community in this big city.  Here are a few pics from our experience.

Yes, sections of the Berlin Wall were on display bringing back memories of the 1960's when I walked along the West side of the wall late at night with friends and traveled through Check Point Charlie to visit East Berlin.

Then I went to the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles production of "Not Entirely Wicked" with the music of Stephen Schwartz at the Saban Theatre.  Stephen was there playing the piano and singing some of his music and joined by Liz Callaway who sang with Stephen and on her own. 

The program included a medley from "Pippin, and "Godspell," Schwartz at the Movies, "Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Pocahontas," "Enchanted," "Wicked," and a song entitle "Testimony" inspired by the "It Gets Better" project.  The afternoon was fun, moving and inspiring with over 100 talented singers and accompaning music.

And the grand finale of the day was a wonderful dinner with Judith and Stanley at their home in La Canada with great food and reminiscing with friends about the "good ole days."

Wow!  What a Day!

A Week of Roaming in So Cal

Friday the 14th was the Hope Council Spanish themed dinner at Scott's house.  The fantastic food brought by all the members included Paella by Peggy.  The evening included Spanish Guitar and Flamenco Dancing.  We all felt the great music and Loren was moved to dance with the beautiful Flamenco Dancer. 

Saturday the 15th was a day with friends Chris and Jeff, their daughter Kate and friend Tim.  Kate had just graduated with MS from UCSB.  We took off for the sunny Santa Ynez Valley and some wine tasting and lunch at Roblar Winery, then to Los Olivos for wine and cup cakes, then to Curtis for more sipping and then supper at the Firestone Walker Brewery.  'Twas a great day with friends....Chris and I began working together 36 years ago before she and family moved to Bellvue, Wash.

Roblar Winery where Brian takes good care of us.

On Monday Colleen and I returned to Santa Barbara with her sister Lucy and Mark from Philly.  Colleen and I became stoaways in their suite at the Bacara Resort on the coast in the Santa Barbara area.  Lucy was on a company sponsored award retreat and we enjoyed the benefits for a day.  Bacara is a beautiful place to hang out....especially as stoaways.

 On Tuesday evening I met friends and former colleagues, David and Bill at Ladyface Ale Companie - Alehouse and Brasserie in Agoura.  We sat outside, sipped and shared, ate, and enjoyed the beautiful setting with music and remberances of long ago.  I enjoyed the Trois Filles Tripel, a Belgian style.

If it's Thursday, it was a V.A. day with the class in Westwood and a field trip to the Norton Simon.  During the class we talked about Vincent Van Gogh and watched a video of his amazing paintings with Don McClean singing "Vincent...Starry Starry Night."  We then rode over to Pasadena in the V.A. van and enjoyed the Norton Simon collection including several paintings by Vincent Van Gogh.

"The Peasant," 1888

"The Mulberry Tree," 1889

Henry Moore's "Reclining Woman"

Henry Moore's "Girl Seated Against a Square Wall,"  1957-59

Henry Moore's friend and competitor, Barbara Hepworth gets the largest and most promenently displayed sculpture in the entry circle called "Four-Square (Walk-Through)," 1966

Roaming in Santa Monica with Chris

Thursday the sun came out at noon on Chris and me at Tiato's restaurant at 2700 Colorado in Santa Monica....I know it is hard to find, tucked into a modern office building, but it is worth it.  We sat out in the garden surrounded by herb plants used for cooking.

We then went to Bergamot Station to roam through galleries and we found amazing art.  Below are pictures of some favorites of mine.

Paris in the Springtime photos at the Peter Fetterman Gallery by Georges Dambier, 1925-2011

Sculptures by Herb Alpert at the Robert Berman Gallery

Herb Alpert without the Tijuana Brass

Creative work with photo of Hong Kong by Jeremy Kidd in his Temporal Excursions show.

These works are by Brendan Monroe in his "Melting Into The Floor" show at the Richard Hellery Gallery

TThese wall sculptures were created by David Buckingham and donated to benefit the Frostig Center's social skills program.  They are made of cut and welded found metal.

The above two paintings are by Bruce Everett and in the show called "North of Conception."  They are at the Craig Krull Gallery.

The painting is by Jennifer Wolf at the William Turner Gallery.  The show is called "Landscape."

G-DOG: The Movie

On Wednesday night I went to a screening of a new documentary on Father Greg Boyle and Homeboys services.  The movie was made by Freida Lee Mock, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker.  The screening was at the Aloud program at the Central Library.  This is where Mock first learned about Fr. Boyle and Homeboys three years ago.  At that time, Homeboys was going through a major financial crisis that resulted in layoffs of over 300 employees.  Mock immediately began working on the film and documented the crisis, the recovery, and the amazing work of Homeboys. 

Fr. Boyle began working with gang members while serving at the Delores Mission in the Boyle Heights section of East Los Angeles in 1986.  He is a Jesuit Priest who was raised in L.A.  He was doing funerals of gang members too often and discovered that you could stop a bullet with a job.  He founded Homeboys in 1988 and began adding programs including tutoring, education, counseling, tatoo removal, employment services, legal services, case management, mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services.  He funding this through donations and by the Homeboy Industries which provides jobs and training for "Homies":  T Shirt screening, training solar panel installers, Homegirl Cafe and catering, Homeboy farmers markets, merchandise, bakery and selling Homegirl Chips and Salsas in grocery stores.  The main location is at 130 W Bruno, just North of Union Station.  They also have a store in City Hall and now at LAX airport.

I was once again greatly moved by Father Boyle's messages.  I've heard him talk a number of times, and I continue to be amazed by who he is and how he lives his life.  Some call him a "living saint."  I think they are right.  Here are some of the messages I heard last night:  "Stay anchored in the present moment...now is all we have.  Change the metaphore from tough on crime to smart on crime.  Before Homeboy Industries there was no off ramp on the freeway of gangs and crime.  I stand in awe of the poor on what they have to carry, not in judgement on how they carry it."  Regarding a picture of two homeboys arm and arm smiling:  "Two souls feeling their worth."

Freida Lee Mock, Father Gregory Boyle and a Homeboy

Also with Fr. Greg last night was Fabian "Spade" Debora a counselor at Homeboys and an amazing artist. As a former gang member and drug addict who now leads Homeboy's drug and alcohol abuse program, he talked about how his life has been turned around and how he is making sure that his five children grow up to a better life.  Below are paintings by Debora including one of Fr. Boyle, "my father, my teacher, my mentor, and my friend."

The Chinese Garden at Huntington Gardens

Wednesday was a special day to have lunch and a walk with my friend John so we went to the Huntington Gardens in San Marino.  The June Gloom disappeared by noon so we enjoyed our lunch outside and then took a walk through the flowers and through the beautiful garden. 

I especially enjoy the new Chinese Garden with its serene design and great mix of flowers and trees around the pond.  An artist played Chinese music while we roamed.