March 6th, 2015 at 7:30 am
Image courtesy of Konstantin Sutyagin / Shutterstock.com
The Hollywood Sign has been an L.A. landmark since it was built in 1923. While millions have viewed it from the city below or Griffith Observatory a few miles away, getting close to the icon has been a challenge. Steep, narrow roads through residential neighborhoods with limited parking lead to several rugged hiking trails that don’t even come near the alarmed security fences surrounding the nine world-famous letters (formerly 13–it was Hollywoodland until 1949).
But online maps and smartphones now make it easy for gawkers and walkers to try to visit the 45-foot-high sign–perhaps to catch a glimpse of the ghost of Peg Entwistle, an out-of-work 24-year-old actress who committed suicide by jumping from the top of the letter H in 1932. (Ironically, soon after her death, a letter arrived from the Beverly Hills Playhouse, offering her the starring role in its next production: a story about a young girl who commits suicide.)
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March 5th, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Your Guide to the College Basketball Tournament
March Madness is another name for the annual NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Men’s Division I college basketball post-season tournament that takes place over the course of three weeks. This year, the games begin on March 17 and the national championship game will be played on April 6.
Sixty-eight teams are invited to the tournament, which is known for its chaotic pace (particularly in its first weekend), thrilling finishes, and upset victories. March Madness is one of the most-watched annual sporting events in the U.S.
Who to Watch For
The Kentucky Wildcats are the only undefeated team left in the field, and going into the tournament they’re the favorite to win it all. No team has completed a perfect season since Indiana went 32-0 and won the national championship in 1976.
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March 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Southern Californians can dine outdoors at home pretty much all year long. But now more of us are skipping the back-and-forth trip between the indoor kitchen and the patio by adding another kitchen outside.
The concept isn’t new, but outdoor chefs now cook, grill and bake with the latest in all-weather products, from pizza ovens to chilled wine racks to steam-spraying cleaning brushes. Stainless-steel cabinets, standard-size refrigerators and freezers, gas ovens, marble countertops, trash compactors and, of course, the kitchen sink, have all made their way outside for good.
Regulations covering electrical, gas and water lines vary from city to city, so it’s smart to check with the permitting department or a licensed contractor before considering your own outdoor kitchen. Large home-improvement centers offer most of the components, which have become sturdier and often less expensive in recent years. They can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or professionals. Add a dining area, a second patio slab, and a roof to shield everything from the elements, and you’re really cookin’.
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March 4th, 2015 at 10:00 am
What:
Are you a dog lover? If so, this Beverly Hills event is for you. Presented by the city’s Community Services Department, Woofstock 90210 is a daylong festival for dogs and their owners. The event features pet adoptions, food trucks, a pet parade, pet-related vendors, live entertainment, free parking, onsite veterinarians, and pet emergency-preparedness information. Please note, your pets must be current on all necessary vaccinations to attend, and retractable leashes are not allowed.
Where:
471 S. Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
When:
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March 3rd, 2015 at 10:00 am
Photo courtesy of Dobino / Shutterstock.com
What:
Tradition continues in Hermosa Beach during the 21st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join an estimated 30,000 attendees for a day of Irish celebration. Nearly 100 businesses, organizations, and local marching bands participate in the seven-block parade. Irish-themed festivities include bagpipers, floats, and even a few Irish Setters. Stop by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce office to buy a T-shirt for $15 to show your support the day of the parade.
Where:
Parade begins near city hall on Valley Drive, continues onto Pier Avenue, and ends at the corner of Hermosa Avenue and 10th Street.
When:
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