GO GREEN EXPO, the nation’s premier green business and sustainable lifestyle show known for its innovative and interactive programming, returned to the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 22-24, 2010 for the second year in a row as the first stop on a nationwide tour that also includes New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta.  Following last year’s show that reached more than 10,000 attendees, Go Green Expo 2010 focused on the next steps in environmental responsibility and the growing green revolution. 

Remember those old MGM Musicals, when Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney decided on a moments notice to “put on a show”?  They must have influenced actress/writer Renee Taylor to put on a fundraiser to assist the residents of the Motion Picture Home, and within two weeks, she hosted a luncheon/fundraiser right in her own backyard!

He has to be the busiest man in the world, but Placido Domingo never forgets his Latin heritage.  When Alicia Garcia Clark approached him 18 years ago to support the Hispanics for the Opera – his answer was: ¨”What can I do to help?” Today Latinos comprise more than 11% of the L.A. Opera’s audience, and the annual Hispanics for the Opera Awards dinner is one of the most spectacular events in town

How do you prepare your kids for a trip to Orlando?  How do you describe the wildly disparate attractions, the over-the-top mindset?  How to handle the uniform expectation that the entire Orlando economy is devoted to separating visitors from their dollars?  A couple Carl Hiassen books are a good start (Hoot, Flush and Scat are each excellent for readers of all ages). But mostly, it is best to just dive right in.

The pier at Redondo Beach has been something I have managed to miss for many years. My family discovered its allure during a stay at the lovely Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. As part of the Noble House family of resorts, the PH&YC offers a boutique luxury vibe on a quiet edge of the Redondo King Harbor.

Everything is different Down Under.  While most of America hunkers down for a cold winter’s onslaught by mid-December, in Sydney they are wearing skimpy light clothing and enjoying a lovely summer.  I should know, I was there recently just as the Christmas season was getting into gear.

The late Heath Ledger was an ambassador and supporter of Australians in Film. A Scholarship has been established in his honor, to enable Australian actors to pursue their career in the U.S.  Jude Law, a great friend of Ledger, who appears in his last film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, was named as one of the Judges, along with casting director, John Papsidera (who cast Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight) and Susie Dobson, chair of the AIF.

Stephen J. Cannell, best selling author of fifteen novels and writer/producer of such famed series as The Rockford Files, The A-Team, and Wiseguy to name a few, was named Producer of the Year at the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors at the Beverly Hills Hotel. This organization, founded 35 years ago by Producers Chuck Friesand Jerry Isenberg, provides grants to aspiring filmmakers, and provides mentorship to creative young students.

One of the greatest actors of our time, Al Pacino, and renowned ophthalmologist Gary N. Holland, M.D. received the prestigious Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

Trying to catch the holiday spirit in the Los Angeles area? Here are a few highlights of special celebrations, performances and things to do this December.