The City of Santa Monica will conduct its annual street-by-street enumeration of homeless individuals on the night of January 26, 2011. This annual counts helps assess the effectiveness of the City’s efforts to address homelessness. In addition, accurate information helps the City:

- Understand changes in trends among the City’s homeless populations;
- Adjust the types of programs and services available according to need and use resources as efficiently as possible;
- Comply with HUD and local stakeholder requirements; and
- Raise public awareness about the issue of homelessness.

This annual event is a collaborative, city-wide effort that everyone can be a part of – no experience required! So bring your friends, family, and co-workers and spend a night to help us address homelessness.

The City of Santa Monica seeks 200 volunteers to assist with the 2011 Count, which will take place Wednesday, January 26, 2011 from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. with training and a kickoff event at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, East Wing. Volunteers will receive training, and will deploy in teams from the Civic to cover every area of the city by foot and by car to conduct a visual count of people who are homeless. At the same time, homeless individuals will be counted in shelters, transitional programs, hospital emergency rooms and other overnight facilities.

Teams of 2-3 people will survey Santa Monica’s streets and note homeless individuals.

Interested volunteers can RSVP by completing a brief survey: click here or contact Dina Aubrey at (310) 458-8701 or dina.aubrey@smgov.net.

To learn more about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, click here

Coming to the city of Angels is a dream come true! Here are 7 things you cannot miss while visiting Los Angeles! Have you already been there?

#1. Universal Studios

Entertainment begins in Hollywood, Universal Studios, CA!

Why watch the movies when you can live them at Universal Studios Hollywood – the world’s biggest motion picture studio theme park? Enjoy exhilarating rides and tours, thrilling shows, amazing stunts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creation of movie magic.  Be a part of movie magic!

Every few years, Universal Studios Hollywood has added another feature ride or attraction based on a blockbuster film. From the original park shark attack by Jaws to Shrek 4-D, some of the biggest movies have become some of the most famous attractions.

Famous attractions and shows include Jurassic Park, The Curse of the Mummy, Terminator 2: 3D, The Simpsons Ride, Back to the Future, Apollo 13, Tokio Drift, Waterworld, Wisteria Lane, Back to the Future,…

NOW OPEN! King Kong 360 3D! Check this out!

#2. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hollywood

Discover L.A.’s biggest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood!

See Stars Waxed & get cool picts with favorite stars! Much fun!

NEW: Glee Star Jane Lynch gets waxed!

“Holy crap—unbelievable. This is too much. This is too weird. I feel like I’m seeing myself in a coffin or something. Thank you so much….it looks just like me!”- Jane Lynch

#3. Beverly Hills Tour

Going to Beverly Hills also known as “The Hills” is a dream come true… Beverly Hills ryms with prestige and wealth, as it is among the most desirable areas to live in the world. Beverly Hills shows the biggest and most expensive estates in the world! It’s home to most Hollywood celebrities, and many corporate executives and numerous other wealthy individuals and families. Sights may include the elegant shops of Rodeo Drive, stately neighborhoods, celebrity homes and famous and historic landmarks.

#4. Dodger Stadium

After more than 45 years of existence, Dodger Stadium remains one of the best ballparks in the U.S.A. Upon entering Dodger Stadium, fans encounter a massive stadium with stunning views. The atmosphere found at Dodger Stadium is hard to find anywhere else in baseball and although it is more than 45 years old, Dodger Stadium still ranks as one of MLB’s top ballparks.

The stadium has been the home to four Los Angeles Dodgers Championship teams and 11 National League West Division title teams. Dodger Stadium, just miles away from downtown Los Angeles, is located in the valley of Chavez Ravine.

#5. Venice Beach

Venice Beach is the #1 sightseeing and tourist attraction in Los Angeles County, California, visited by more than 5 million people each year. Discover the mystique that lured Jim Morrison to find ‘The Doors,’ and a Culture that gave birth to modern skateboarding. Venice Beach, California, is a unique destination unto itself, where shopping, dining, sports, recreation, and entertainment abound. Whether it’s the roller blading, street performers, Muscle Beach, guitar playing sihk, or the disco dancing roller skaters in the central park area; Venice Beach is a fun place to hang out to get a taste of the really wacko side of L.A.

“Go swimming in the ocean if it’s warm enough! Great skatepark and fun boardwalk. Everyone is accepted here….and seems to just want to enjoy that southern CA sunshine!” Aholmes

#6. Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard is the stuff of legends.  Hollywood Blvd is one of the most touristy spots in all of Los Angeles. It’s the home of the Walk of Fame, footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theater and Hollywood at Highland shopping/dining complex. From there you will also enjoy a great view of the Hollywood sign! Any time after mid-morning is exciting. During daylight hours, you get views and can enjoy the throngs of tourists. At night, the Boulevard is neon-lit.

#7. Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles is a paradise of art, architecture, and culture sure to be loved by all. Home to Western art dating from the Middle Ages to the Present, the Getty Museum houses European paintings, drawings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. While here, you can also enjoy a walk through the 134,000 square foot garden walk, and take the time to ponder the endless artistic treasures or just gaze into the reflecting pool adorned with Mickey Mouse-shaped azaleas.

“In my opinion, an individual without any love of the arts cannot be considered completely civilized” -J. Paul Getty

NEW: Exhibition “Imagining the Past in France 1250-1500″

Have you ever been to these places in California? Would you like to?  If yes, tell us so we can organize some cool excursions and explore California!

Please share your thoughts about it!

]]> http://www.uintheusa.com/blog/2010/11/7-great-things-to-do-in-los-angeles/feed/ 0 http://www.uintheusa.com/blog/2010/06/summer-events-in-los-angeles/ http://www.uintheusa.com/blog/2010/06/summer-events-in-los-angeles/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:40:40 +0000 Jean-Marc http://www.uintheusa.com/blog/?p=3833

Find here Summer Events in Los Angeles : free concerts, movies, free museum days and more.

Listings are provided by Travelin’ Local and Hidden Los Angeles

Calendar Color Codes :

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles

Hidden Los Angeles Calendar

HiddenLA List of Local Swap Meets and Flea Markets

Los Angeles 2010 Free Summer Concerts Calendar

Los Angeles 2010 Free Summer Movies

Every week, our friend Lisa Newton is bringing us the so many free events that are happening in and around Los Angeles. This Friday, she suggests that you explore these outdoor and cultural activities going on around town.

See a few hints below:

- Make Music Pasadena

- International Surfing Day

- Folk Art Everywhere Bike Tour

- Eat My Blog

Full story a Travelin’ Local

Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day in the United States, a time when Americans traditionally take time to honor those who have died in the nation’s wars.

While Memorial Day is often celebrated with flag-waving and patriotic ceremonies and parades, it can also be a highly personal observance: a time to grieve for comrades-in-arms and others who have lost their lives in military service. Continue reading here

Listen to the story here

Source : VOA News

More resources

Memorial Day Events Around Los Angeles 2010 here

Watch a slideshow tribute here

Memorial Day Moment of Silence (video) here

Veterans Fight to Keep 75-yr. old Mojave Desert Memorial cross  (video) here

Memorial Day History here

By Lisa Newton from Travelin’ Local.

Starting this Memorial Day weekend with The Twilight Saga: New Moon, you’re invited to The Backyard at the Westwood W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles. The doors open at 7pm, and even though this event is free, reservations are encouraged.

If you can’t make it this weekend, no worries.  The Movies Under the Stars takes place every Sunday night until September 5^th. Here’s the entire line-up:

• May 30^th – The Twilight Saga: New Moonl
• June 6^th – Almost Famous
• June 13^th – Adventureland
• June 20^th – Where the Wild Things Are
• June 27^th – Bring It On
• July 11^th – Julie and Julia
• July 18^th – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• July 25^th – The Proposal
• August 1^st – The Blide Side
• August 8^th – Best in Show
• August 15^th – 9
• August 22^nd – I Love You, Man
• August 29^th – Up
• September 5^th – September Issue

To make it easier for you, Travelin’ Local has added a 2010 Free Calendar on their site.  The concerts are purple and the movies are pink. Continue reading here



Monday, May 17^th, 2010 marks the start of Bike to Work Week here in Los Angeles.

It’s the time to be reminded just how easy using a bike can be to travel to work or to do local errands.

Why Bike to Work Week is Important

With statistics like these, it’s easy to see why:

• 25% of all trips are made within a mile of the home
• 40% of all trips are within two miles of the home

So the goal of Bike to Work Week isn’t only about biking to work, although that’s definitely important–it’s also about using a bike for short trips to the grocery store, dropping a letter off at the post office, or going to the bank.

In Los Angeles, driving to a location may be easy, but parking isn’t. It sometimes take longer to find parking then it does to get to where you’re going.

Thanks to my friend Lisa from Travelin’ Local, who wrote a great post about Los Angeles’ Bike to Work Week and the list of current events. Continue reading here

Interested in bike to work events around the world, click here

Interested in the  California Bike Commute project, click here

Bike Week LA with Metro, here

Art and culture can often be effective instruments of global diplomacy. They can transcend political and economic differences, winning hearts and minds of people around the world.

In Washington, a new exhibit celebrates one of the most successful U.S. public diplomacy efforts of the late 20th century. This program was known as the “Jazz Ambassadors”. Amra Alirejsovic at VOA News shows us how they celebrate this important milestone in musical diplomacy and why music has been an important part of U.S. cultural outreach.

Tel Aviv Jam Session: Celebrating Jazz Ambassadors here

Each year in late April or early May, more than 50,000 volunteers in Southern California help out at hundreds of non-profit organizations, from schools to community centers, at an annual event called “Big Sunday.” They paint, clean and garden to help local charities.

Find out how you can get involved  here

Last year, MTV Tr3s sent comedian Cristela Alonzo to Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street to report on the community’s deep understanding of Cinco del Mayo. While the holiday has historic roots, Alonzo acknowledged that many participants view Cinco de Mayo as “an excuse to get drunk and party.” But as Alonzo learned, enjoying the rowdier aspects of Cinco de Mayo doesn’t have to come at the expense of forgetting the holiday’s cultural significance.

“What’s important is to remember the meaning behind the holiday,” she reported of her findings. “It’s about freedom and to celebrate those who had the courage to defend it.”

So as you immerse yourself in today’s festivities, make sure to put your ice cold cerveza down long enough to acknowledge the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo, a holiday built on the foundation of freedom.

More Information about Cinco de Mayo

- Cinco History here

- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles here