It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Skate the Coast

Boarders skate south on the Santa Monica Bike path during Boarding For Breast Cancer's (B4BC) 3rd Annual 'Skate the Coast' on Saturday, October 24, 2009. 'Skate the Coast' is a a longboarding marathon all in the name of breast cancer education and awareness. The boarders skated 19-mile from the Santa Monica Pier to Redondo Beach Pier. Since its inception this unique event has attracted over 200 participants, fundraised over $10,000, and gained attention from both Fuel TV and Grind TV.

 

Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 03:29PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

FORMATION OF ART


Crew sets up props for a Berkley anniversary party at the Casta Del Mar Hotel on  Friday, October 16, 2009.

Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 06:37PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

FREEZE FRAME

(top) Tourist from Slovenia, Dora Bozic, 25, takes a photo of Maja Fatur, 24, at Santa Monica Beach on Friday, October 16, 2009. (above) A throng of people looks at the sun sets  at Santa Monica Beach on Friday, October 16, 2009

 

Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 08:52PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | Comments1 Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

THE LOBSTER


The Lobster Restaurant - Images by fabian lewkowicz

 

Locals from decades past remember 'The Lobster' as a tiny shack that turned out 120 variations of seafood treats. Step back to the past and live the memories...


The original "The Lobster" opened in 1925, but it was the dreams of a dishwasher named Mateo Castillo that worked his way up to owner in 1950, that established "The Lobster" as the 'Seafood Shack' so sought popular through the 50's, 60's and 70's.

A family owned and operated venue, the modest structure only belied the strong attraction of location and real seafood. Their success was service and good food. A quality that holds true today. Rose Freeman purchased the property in the 80's. In the mid 80's, The Lobster closed its doors, leaving the property vacant for a decade.

"The Lobster" has long been an unofficial historical landmark, nearly as recognizable as the Santa Monica Pier sign. The original restaurant was built in 1923, and remained open until 1985. The 900 square foot seafood market style restaurant was very popular with the local Santa Monica residents and Pier visitors.  A constant out the door was a tribute to it's popularity. The restaurant had a menu that had over 60 fresh seafood items. The seating capacity was only 30 seats, most of which were countertop seating around the outside perimeter.

The menu is classic American Seafood featuring whole live Maine lobsters. Guests can sit at any seat in the restaurant or bar area and enjoy 180 degree views of the spectacular Pacific Ocean, accented by it's breathtaking sunsets, even celebrate the sea spun sunset phenomena called the 'Green Flash'. The terrace provides fresh coastal air for those who love to dine outdoors. At night, "The Lobster" enjoys the Santa Monica Pier aglow at it's feet. "The Lobster" re-opened with wonderful reviews. Now a years later, "The Lobster" has proved to be a memorable location to enjoy.

"The Lobster" stands as a tribute to the family that built its reputation. The remaining original structure within the foundation and walls of the main entrance and footprint still stand at the corner of Ocean Ave. and the Pier. "Established in 1923", recessed in the corner stone, greets guests in the spirit and heritage that only belongs to "The Lobster".

 

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 08:56PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | Comments2 Comments | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

ALL YOU CAN CARRY PUMPKIN PATCH 

For a mere $5 (Yes that’s FIVE DOLLARS – Cash only) you can wade into the huge market pumpkin patch and walk away with as many pumpkins as you can carry down a 25-foot runway. Balance them on your head, in your arms or dangle them from your teeth (at your own risk). Who has more fun – onlookers or participants – it’s hard to tell, but everyone is sure to have a wonderful time at the patch, which features the most beautiful, round, bright orange, California grown pumpkins you can find. Costumes welcome!!! Wednesday,  October 28  at the Downtown Farmers Market on Arizona Ave. and Second St.

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 03:35PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

WHISKY LIVE

(1) Vineenzo Marinella (left) and Michel Dozois mix drinks in the Iron Bartender challenge during Whisky Live at the Santa Monica Civic on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. (2) Vineenzo Marinella won the Iron Bartender challenge. (3) Lesley Balla, Merrill Shindler and Anthony Dias-Blue judge the Iron Bartender challenge during Whisky Live at the Santa Monica Civic. (4) (Left to right) Mary Dehoyos , Lynne Thomas and Megan Sheehy sample spirits during Whisky Live. (5) Diana Yanuarin from Taylor Cigar lounge lights David J. Castello's Padron 1926 Anniversary cigar during Whisky Live at the Santa Monica Civic on Tuesday, October 20, 2009.  Whisky Live is the world's premier whisky tasting and sampling show.

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 12:04AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

BOLLYWOOD

Nisha Ali (right) from Apt. E Productions gives a free Bollywood dance lesson to Maria Isabel, 31, while filming a music video at the Third Street Promenade on Sunday, October 11, 2009.

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 02:06PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

KING OF THE PARTY


(1,2) CNN talk show host Larry and Shawn King's children present her with a  one-of-a-kind custom doll made in her image to recognize her dedication to the hospital. during the 10th Annual 'Mattel Party on the Pier' at Pacific Park on Sunday, October 18, 2009. (3,4) Larry King and his wife Shawn are honored  during the 10th Annual 'Mattel Party on the Pier.'  (5,6) Shawn King sings a song she wrote for her husband Larry, "For the Long Run" during the party. (7) Abby, 12, pets Bender, 3, a Chocolate Labrador Retriever hospital therapy dog during the party. (8) Barbie visits Svea Peterson, 5,  during the 10th Annual 'Mattel Party on the Pier' at Pacific Park on Sunday, October 18, 2009.

CNN talk show host Larry King and his wife, Shawn, were honored at the 10th annual Mattel Party on the Pier, which benefits Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. The event was on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.
 
The Kings were each  presented with an honorary white doctor's coat during a special ceremony. In addition, Mattel Inc. presented Shawn with a one-of-a-kind doll made in her image to recognize her dedication to the hospital.
 
"Larry and I are thrilled to be honored at this year's event, as UCLA has a special place in our hearts," Shawn King said.  
 
The Kings' ties to UCLA date back to Sept. 5, 1997, when the couple wed in Larry's room at UCLA Medical Center (now Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) just before he underwent an angioplasty to unblock an artery in his heart. Their bond with the hospital grew stronger when Shawn returned to UCLA to deliver their two sons, Chance Armstrong King, in 1999, and Cannon Edward King, in 2000.  
 
As a result of his heart illness, the CNN host was inspired to establish the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. The Kings remain dedicated to "saving lives, healing families, strengthening communities, one patient at a time ... a heart a day."
 
"We are incredibly honored that Larry, Shawn and their children will be helping us celebrate our 10th annual Mattel Party on the Pier," said Dr. Edward R.B. McCabe, physician-in-chief at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "It will truly make a special milestone occasion even more memorable."
 
The Mattel Party on the Pier is one of the major annual fundraising events for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. As a state-assisted institution, the hospital has increasingly limited funding and must rely on the charitable support of private donors and community partners.
 
Mattel Inc. is the event's title sponsor. Additional major sponsors include the Thomas Spiegel Family Foundation, Beth and Dr. Neal Cutler, Disney Consumer Products, Shawn and Larry King, the Milken Family Foundation, Ellen and Richard Sandler, Liz and Evan Greenspan, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Maxine Dunitz, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Alexandra and Scott Lambert, Jonathan and Nancy Littman, Rosanne and Ed Rosen, the Ray and Janet Scherr Foundation, the UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Feet First Eventertainment, and L.A. Parent magazine. 
  
Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, one of the highest-rated children's hospitals in Southern California, is a vital component of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, ranked the third best hospital in nation and best in the western United States by U.S. News & World Report. Mattel Children's Hospital offers a full spectrum of primary and specialized medical care for infants, children and adolescents. The hospital's mission is to provide stateā€‘of-the-art treatment for children in a compassionate atmosphere and to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases.
 
For more news, visit the UCLA Newsroom or follow us on Twitter.
 

Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 02:00AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint