Archive for the 'News, Tips & Advice' Category
Be my guide: Eclectic duo on Albuquerque streets really clowns around
July 4, 2009 1:25pm
For my second-to-last stop before arriving in Los Angeles on my two-week, reader-driven road trip, I was in search of something different. I had hoped to find some traditional Spanish- or Mexican-inspired music or a country and western group — anything besides the usual cover bands and interchangeable rock acts.
Based on bars that readers had recommended in Albuquerque, I stumbled over the same old stuff. Just as I was about to give up hope, I came across two wonderfully eclectic guys performing in an unlikely venue.
Singing unusual tunes about clowns with a gruff yet compassionate voice, John Keith fingered the keys of his accordion in the doorway of an unoccupied office building. His partner in crime — well, it looked like you may not need a permit to play on the streets of Albuquerque, so what they were doing may not have been illegal— was Zoltan Szekely, a Hungarian musician who plays the Frankenstein of instruments.
How much is too much information on luggage tags?
July 4, 2009 10:18am
On The Spot By L.A. Times Travel editor Catharine Hamm
Question: What’s the recommended information to include (and not to include) on one’s luggage tags? I know people say you should put your cellphone number on them, but I don’t keep mine turned on.
– Richard Wylie, Torrance
Answer: Vacations are all about doing things you don’t usually do, so maybe this is the time to think about turning on the cellphone.
And it’s definitely time for travelers to rethink the luggage tag.We’ve all heard the bromide about not putting one’s home address on the tag because crooks will dash right over and break into your house. OK, could happen.
Statue of Liberty is on Twitter and offers insider’s e-tours
July 4, 2009 1:37am
How hip is this for a 122-year-old lady? The Statue of Liberty is tweeting on the social networking site Twitter.com (@statuelibrtynps) and giving e-tours of her innards, just in time for the Fourth of July, when the icon’s crown opens for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
So far, the tweets have been pretty tame, but they give useful tips, such as how to get through statue security (cleverly titled: “No bag ladies allowed” ). Tweeters include rangers and “associated staffers,” said Mindi Rambo, spokeswoman for the National Parks of New York Harbor.
The “Statue of Liberty National Monument eTour” is a good ride, with videos, 360-degree panoramas, ranger talks and fun facts. (This link sends you to a page that offers high-speed and dial-up options for downloading the “Virtual Tour” and tells how to navigate the tour.)
Fourth of July: Fireworks shows, parades & parties in L.A., Las Vegas, San Diego [Updated]
July 3, 2009 1:44pm
Maybe you have Fourth of July weekend plans, maybe you don’t. But these fun Fourth of July events in L.A., San Diego and Las Vegas might entice you to hop in the car after a cameo at your neighborhood block party.
Los Angeles Area
The Standard Hollywood is hosting a poolside Ping Pong Tournament. What to expect: hipster crowd, prizes, organic hot dogs, BBQ and cute referees. Doors open at 11a.m.-7p.m. DJ Max Vanville will be spinning. 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 650-9090
Go to the Rose Bowl if you want a great big fireworks show. Americafest is a local tradition and you’ll be joined by about 25,000 others. Tickets are $13, 7 and under are free. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Sat., 7 p.m. (626) 577-3101
Redondo Beach puts on a fun, free Fourth of July for families. There’s a kids parade, puppet shows, live music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. Sat., 2 p.m.
See a full hour of fireworks a the L.A. Coliseum. And the best part? Totally free. 3911 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
Rush Street in Culver City will be celebrating Independence Day all weekend long. The Doors cover band Peace Frog will be playing on July 3, the anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death. Expect drink specials and even a raffle for an electric guitar. 9546 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 837-9546. [Correction: An earlier version of this post said July 3 was the anniversary of Jim Morrison's birth.]
Be my guide: Crowded El Paso bars can make you loco
July 3, 2009 10:46am
Some of you warned me about El Paso, the latest stop on my two-week, reader-driven road trip. Reader Daniel Anaya e-mailed to say that the city “has little to redeem it in general.” Based on what I saw, I wouldn’t come to that harsh a judgment, but it’s certainly not the most lively city on a weeknight.
El Paso is very rich in its culture collision. Since it’s right on the border with Mexico, many immigrants find themselves in the city either temporarily or permanently. For some perspective on how densely populated the area is with Spanish-speaking people, 11 of its 26 FM radio stations are broadcast in Spanish.
Readers offered few picks for El Paso, and most of them were restaurants. Anaya mentioned two bars: King’s X and the Garage Tequila Bar, which I had trouble finding. Eventually giving up, I stopped at Club Dedo, where a few patrons were congregating outside for a smoke.
‘Bare essentials of safety’ video leaves Air New Zealand uncovered
July 3, 2009 8:28am
Next time you’re on a flight, what will it take for you to pay attention to the on-board safety demonstration — your flight attendant dressed in nothing but body paint? Air New Zealand, on a roll with clever marketing campaigns, is screening such a spectacle — er, safety demo — on its domestic 737 routes.
The people are certainly watching: The safety video, above, has garnered over a million views on YouTube.
Covering all the “bare essentials,” from oxygen masks to how to brace oneself for an emergency landing, the video is informative, hilarious (”Smoking is a big no-no”) and will no doubt keep your eyes on the screen: Just when you think you’ll get a peak at something scandalous, over comes a seat belt or a life jacket. But do keep watching till the end. Read the rest of this entry »
Hawaii: Pleasant Holidays $99 companion ticket from LAX to Maui
July 2, 2009 5:48pm
I thought the last Pleasant Holidays deal was incredible — three nights including air starting at $299 — but this new one is pretty irresistible too: Get a $99 companion ticket when flying between Los Angeles and Maui, or between San Francisco and Oahu or Maui, when you buy a Hawaii vacation package.
Deal: The $99 companion-air deal requires that you buy a hotel package or a fly-and-drive package through Pleasant Holidays. I was able to find a three-night hotel package (including a car) departing Los Angeles for travel to Maui on Aug. 24 to 27 and staying at Kaanapali Ocean Inn (just a one-star). The total came to $1,114 for two, including taxes. If you stay at a three-star beachfront condo, it would be $1,241.
Be my guide: Austin, Texas, music scene is packed with good, bad and weird bands
July 2, 2009 2:12pm
Readers seemed to have endless suggestions for my stop in Austin on my two-week, music-driven trip. No wonder. This city lives and breathes music. I tried to hit as many spots as I could, which made for a long night of good, bad and just plain weird performances.
The weirdest was Patrick Wolf at Antone’s. A slender man wearing a black, S&M-type get-up, he played guitar, pounded on keyboards and even whipped out a violin for a couple of songs. The blond-haired, glitter-covered British chap removed his chain accessories and rolled around in the mosh pit (see photo at the top) while the band performed very catchy dance-rock tunes.
His drummer was phenomenal, and the band’s violinist was a master of catchy riffs. Wolf, too, was talented and eccentric, with a voice similar to the lead singer from the Darkness and a demeanor on par with Kevin Barnes, the sexually ambiguous front man for the rock group Of Montreal. And the sizable young crowd joined in step, putting together a conga line at Wolf’s request.
Anime robot Gundam to hold court in Tokyo
July 2, 2009 10:23am
Attention, anime fans: The giant robot Gundam, from the Japanese TV series of the same name, will be standing tall in Tokyo this summer.
The 59-foot high statue — which will be able to strike a pose with its 50-plus moveable parts and eject mist and light beams — will hold court at the entertainment complex Odaiba in southeastern Tokyo from July 11 through Aug. 31, 2009.
The statue’s creation marked the 30th anniversary of Gundam, which got its start in 1979 with animated sci-fi series “Mobile Suit Gundam.” Since then, the pop-culture robot has graced more series, as well as movies, comics, video games and many a T-shirt.
If you can make it to Tokyo during the display’s run, note that tour operator Nippon Travel Agency is offering a “Green Tokyo Gundam Project” excursion. Read the rest of this entry »
Chicago O’Hare sees delays due to United Airlines computer problems
July 2, 2009 8:32am
It’s not a pretty sight at Chicago O’Hare. The Chicago Tribune reports that a United Airlines computer glitch has caused serious delays and grounded the airline’s flights at the airport. Look at the picture of passengers backing up at Terminal 1. The expressions on their faces seem a little bit tame to me.
United Airlines acknowledges the problem on its website and suggests that passengers check in online. It has also issued a travel waiver for those traveling to, from or through Chicago on July 2. The travel waiver page has links for you to check your flight status, reschedule your travel and get signed up for automated flight updates.
You can find some Twitter chatter under the hashtags #ORD and #United.
– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger
[Photo: Chicago: Travelers wait at Terminal 1 as a computer glitch grounds United flights at O'Hare International Airport this morning; Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune]
