Results tagged “thanksgiving”

'Tis the season to give thanks for what so many of us have, and to take some time, effort, and, if possible, funds to help out those who may be less fortunate. Right now organizations focused on feeding those who are in need are in need of donations from those who can afford to spare, and this includes our local LA Regional Foodbank.

Time to get in that luscious Thanksgiving mood with the Sexy Pilgrim. You may recognize the wearer of this doublet and breeches as none other than JR Reed (AKA Darryl Donald) from Trainwreck.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the airports fill up. Officials at LAX today are warning passengers of the expected increased traffic at the airport for a ten day period, beginning tomorrow. Of those ten, the three busiest are expected to be tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 25; and Sunday, Nov. 29 because "airlines are forecasting passenger load factors approaching 80 percent on most flights and some flights fully booked."

Well, it's not a full-on holiday meal, but a pretty sweet tasting is going for a cheap ten bucks over at the locally-sourced, from farm-to-table themed restaurant, Akasha in Culver City. For two Saturdays, the restaurant will feature different menus for the price. On Saturday, there will be desserts and hors d'oeuvres like Pear and Cranberry Tart with Cinnamon Crumble, Bacon-Cheddar Biscuits, Wild Planet Tuna with Housemade Bread & Butter Pickles and Pomegranate-Jalapeno Jelly.

The Office of the President-Elect previewed Barack Obama's weekly address on Thanksgiving Day. He speaks about the holiday, but also the economy: "This Thanksgiving, we are reminded that the renewal of our economy won't come from policies and plans alone -- it will take the hard work, innovation, service, and strength of the American people."

Pumpkin, the turkey pardoned by President Bush on Wednesday in Washington DC, was honored as the grand marshal at Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade today in Anaheim. He, along with Pecan--the backup turkey--will now be part of the park's holiday display of live reindeer. After that, the two will retire to Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland.

Maybe the best thing about writing for LAist is that we are constantly encouraged by our extraordinarily generous editors to reach out into the scary ether and be personal with our stories. Sure, it doesn't always work out as we intended--we always eventually, clumsily embarrass ourselves a bit by being too personal--but it's great that we have such a liberal outlet for our thoughts. Earlier this week, we are all encouraged to share with our readers the things that we were thankful to have in our lives this year. This is my piece.

Cliched, but true: I have so many things to be thankful for this year. Here’s a random sampling because there are way too many to list:

Happy Thanksgiving!

There’s so much to be thankful for this year, as I celebrate my first anniversary of being in Los Angeles. I’m thankful my house got robbed. Now my Luddite existence enables me to understand the joys of pen and paper, and what it means to have to get your porn from a liquor store and not a website.

Reverend Maurice Chase, best known as Father Dollar Bill, often can be seen throughout the year handing out dollar bills to those in need. And Christmas and Thanksgiving are no different, except a bigger wad of cash. Today he handed out $15,000, mostly in dollar bills in amounts up to $20. The first ten people he saw in wheelchairs received $100 bills. Chase has been criticized for giving money to people who might spend it on drugs or booze, but he says that's not the point. The point is to show them that they are not forgotten, not invisible. "The annual tradition is supported by the widows of Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra, along with comedian Bob Newhart and philanthropist Eli Broad," reported ABC7 who sent cameras to scene in the streets of Downtown LA.

Yesterday, thousands of homeless were served at the Los Angeles Mission, home of the Anne Douglas Center for Women. Actor Kirk and Anne Douglass hosted the Thanksgiving dinner with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Cindy Crawford, Corbin Bleu, Jennifer Love Hewitt and other notable names joining in on the serving line.

A rainbow over Burbank/ Photo by Julie Wolfson/LAist

Mark Horvath, who was homeless in Los Angeles fifteen years ago, now runs a vlog where he interviews Los Angeles homeless and posts the raw and unedited videos every Friday. Today over at Change.org, he reflects on shopping carts:

Whenever we cook, there is a little voice that occasionally admonishes, reminds, and keeps us from cutting off a finger. (What? You guys don't hear the voices too???). Whether it was your mom, dad, neighbor or Hints from Heloise, or if you had to learn the hard way, these tips are invaluable and keep the ambulance away. Here are a few tips from LAist to you.

The Los Angeles/Long Beach average price of regular gas today is 2.069, 4-cents lower than yesterday and over a dollar less than a month ago. “Gas prices have never come down by more than a dollar in a one-month period, so this should bring good cheer to travelers this holiday weekend,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring in a statement. “The last time Thanksgiving travelers paid less than this for gas was in 2003, when Los Angeles gas prices averaged $1.73.” Statewide, gas is even cheaper at $2.031.

One of the greatest moments of WKRP in Cincinatti. In fact, one of the greatest moments in Thanksgiving television history. Yes, it's in terrible taste, but that is part of what makes it so hilarious. Enjoy Les Nessman's play-by-play. Happy T-Day!

Donna Wares is a travel writer, a former editor at the LA Times and most recently, a neighborhood blogger in Seal Beach. Her enthusiasm for California is evident in her projects and it was thanks to her book that we participated in Santa Barbara Car Free. With a long weekend ahead and many people sticking around instead of traveling, we decided to ask Wares her suggestions on what to do. Holiday weekend or not, these tips will work for those looking to explore the Los Angeles region any day.

Waking up early for Black Friday's "doorbusters" sounds like the anti-fun. So here are some of LAist's Holiday Picks for the philanthropist in you, none of which involve any malls, massive stores or long lines. All of these gifts have a charitable element to them, benefiting mostly local or national organizations so you're really giving two gifts and making lots of people happy. And you feel good. Everybody wins! Onto the gifts that keep on giving...

Did you just remember that you promised to bring a "side dish" to Thanksgiving dinner? Don't even think about green bean casserole. People will snicker at you behind your back. I'm sorry, but it's true. I've witnessed it on more than one occasion. Even if you tell them you were being ironic. So here are a few ideas for side dishes that will save your reputation. Bring along a chilled bottle of champagne and you will really outshine that annoying cousin who is always sooooo perfect...

With one of the best holiday time videos, the LA Fire Department reminds us of the annual deep-fried Turkey danger. Then, after you survive the tryptophan nap, you hopefully have the KCAL9 Yule Log to look forward to in December.

Yes, alas Jones Soda isn't doing its special turkey and gravy soda for Thanksgiving this year. But never fear, you'll still be able to drink your mashed potatoes, and in a martini glass at that, or one of the following holiday specialty cocktails. BTW, not all places are open on Thanksgiving so call ahead if you're really counting on that après-dysfunctional-dinner drink.

This year, with the official start of the holiday season tragically mired in a financial fiasco, the fires and soaring temperatures feeling more Summer than Fall, and Prop 8’s passage reminding us all we’ve still a long way to go, it’s enough to think drowning your sorrows in gravy and cheese balls is the answer to all of life’s problems. So, as tempting as it is to stress eat (think Jack Donaghy of "30 Rock") and entirely abandon 2008’s diet and exercise resolutions, a recent and highly publicized article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is reminding us yet again that it’s crucial to be smart about food choices. With the belly fat-wielding juggernaut of Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, and the Holiday Party on the horizon, we here at the ScientIST bring you a helping of science and common sense to successfully navigate the next few months. Your waistline can thank us later.

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant in downtown LA is trying to get into the holiday spirit by combining its fusion motif (Japanese Tacos, Deep Fried Cheese on a Stick with Shrimp, anyone?) with Thanksgiving.

If you've ever traveled northbound on Interstate 5 Freeway the day before Thanksgiving, you know it will take hours just to get out of Los Angeles, into Santa Clarita Valley and over the Grapevine (same goes for the Sunday after coming back into the city).

Call 626.240.4550 x542 or email for more details; families and children welcome.

In the midst of a worsened economy and as LAX approaches one the busiest travel times of the year, they are announcing that they expect to see a 14.3% decrease in passengers in the airport between the "10-day Thanksgiving travel period from Friday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 30." That equals out to a quarter million people, but the 1.6 million expected to pass through is still a sizable amount. If you're traveling, plan ahead, especially if you're flying on the busiest days the airport will see: Friday, Nov. 21, Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 30.

                      

Last Friday, local indie favorites The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra (MySpace), Xu Xu Fang (MySpace), and Castledoor (MySpace) -- all three of whom have been previously featured here, here, and here -- performed in the courtyard of USC's Fisher Museum of Art.

Tonight LA will be taken over by folk-driven rock. As you very well know, we already doled out the opportunity to witness the Experience Hendrix concert at the Greek Theatre. But Maine-based singer-songwriter Ray Lamontagne will be concluding a two-night stint at the Wiltern. And we never thought we'd find ourselves saying this, but Portland's own folk troubadour Adrian Orange, or rather Thanksgiving, will be performing at Echo Curio with experimental rockers White Fang. Also, our favorite children's show host Lance Rock will be taking over Amoeba Records on Sunset for a Yo Gabba Gabba! session of sorts. However, we suggest catching Whispertown 2000 (LAist Review, #2), who will be playing an early show at the Echo with another Rilo Kiley-related act, the Elected bassist Michael Runion.