Since it’s the last day of summer our magnificent cover photo/story, from LA Life Photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke, reflects LA’s head scratching atypical weather. LA Life Fashion Stylist, Felicia Arlin, blew me away with her Style Stories.  Theatre Maven, Laura Foti Cohen, has a soul shaking review in Theatre Buzz. LA Life Tasting Tomato, Molly Cheek, has a scrumptious recommendation in Tastes of LA. LA Life Poetess Lady Penelope’s Sonnets from Suburbia is a hoot. “Things To Do” abound and remember to check out Moi and the Head Tomato Cheryl Benton’s, appearance on Catherine Gray’s Invest in HER Podcast.

Fisherman in Fog: The Story Behind the Cover Photo

With the misty and foggy weather across Los Angeles lately I couldn’t help but choose “Fisherman in Fog” for this issue’s cover photo. The image, so beautifully captured by our LA Life Photographer, Lorraine Devon Wilke, is exquisite in its poetic gloominess.  The scene must have spoken significantly to Lorraine as you will see from her lovely & moving farewell to summer. And be sure to check out Lorraine Devon Wilke’s marvelous photos on her webpage and browse her entire website as it reveals the vast tapestry of Lorraine’s amazing talents.

Everyone’s version of summer is different. For some it’s family trips, weekend getaways, and bucket list activities. For others it’s re-doing the den, digitizing those old videos, and finally learning to play guitar. For all it’s discussions of weather—”the crazy heat,” the endless May Gray/June Gloom that slipped into August; the unexpected hurricane that got everyone’s attention. But no matter where you sit on the season, there ain’t a person in this world, I’m absolutely convinced, who doesn’t feel a tug of melancholy when summer slips away. That saying goodbye to lazy, hazy, crazy days; getting back to school routines, watching night come sooner. We look ahead to pulling out sweaters, and even (gasp!) the approach of holidays, but still… saying goodbye to summer brings a sigh. Today’s photograph, “Fisherman in Fog,” captures one of those unique “summer’s end” moments: a solitary fisherman hugs the shore of a now-empty beach, both he and the dim sun canopied by cool, rolling, autumn fog.     

LA Style Stories

I totally love how LA Life Stylist, Felicia Arlin, has mixed patterns simply and subtly that are flattering to her body type with an exquisite touch of class in her LA Story In the Mix. In the LA story Schoolgirl Sparkle (adore the name), Felicia focuses on fabrics that are normally meant for one style but used for something else. It’s fun to take chances like that. Remember I only highlight a snippet of Felicia’s amazing cur8edme posts so be sure to follow her on Instagram.  And she is the most amazingly insightful guide for helping you to find the right and most flattering style for you.  Just sayin’. GET THE DETAILS.

Theatre Buzz: Blood at the Root

According to LA Life Theatre Maven, Laura Foti Cohen, you do not want to miss the West Coast premiere of Dominque Morisseau’s Blood at the Root at LA’s Open Fist Theatre Company. If Laura says you should make time to see it then you can take that to the bank, Tomatoes. GET THE DETAILS.

Tastes of LA: The Bar by Seabutter

Molly Cheek, LA Life’s Tasting Tomato, has journeyed all across Los Angeles sampling sushi so she knows her stuff. Molly’s first visit to the fledgling sushi restaurant, The Bar by Seabutter, was sensational and she will definitely be going back.  Check out her descriptive review for yourself and you will be tempted to rush there for a top-notch meal. But walk…don’t run. GET THE DETAILS.

Sonnets from Suburbia

 In this week’s sonnet, Nailed It, Lady Penelope yearns to be praised with millennial (the young folks) compliments. However, she doesn’t understand them. I can relate. Don’t forget to order a copy of Penny Peyser’s (Lady Penelope) brilliant book, “Sonnets from Suburbia: More Candles Than Cake” .  GET THE DETAILS.

Through September 24. The Other Art Fair

Los Angeles’ favorite independent artist showcase, The Other Art Fair presented by Saatchi Art, caters to everyone, Tomatoes, with a carefully curated selection of over 140 independent artists. Thousands of art pieces all under the roof of Barker Hanger in Santa Monica along with unique immersive experiences. It’s a fab cultural experience.

Whether you’re a first-time art buyer, seasoned collector, curator, investor, gallery owner, art lover or anything in between, you are guaranteed to find something to add to (or start!) your collection. Plus, live DJ sets, event tours, conversations with some of the art scene’s leading names, live art activations and a fully stocked bar awaits you. Enjoy.

Every Wednesday.  Music in the Chinese Garden

There is an abundance of reasons to visit and love The Huntington Museum and Botanical Gardens but their Chinese Garden, aka the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Every Wednesday afternoon traditional Chinese music is performed with a different solo musician each week for Music in the Chinese Garden. OMG how magical is that, Tomatoes?!

Definitely going on my favorites list. The 12-acre Garden of Flowing Fragrance includes a lake, seven pavilions and five stone bridges, built by more than 60 Suzhou artisans from materials sourced, fabricated, and shipped from China. Add luverly melodies on classical instruments to this incredible landscape and you will be transported to a new dimension, Gals.

September 23.  Opera at the Beach

Tomorrow, The Los Angeles Opera will present Opera at the Beach a live simulcast of its opening night of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in high-definition video from nine cameras at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to large LED screens at the Santa Monica Pier. Wow! Watching opera at the beach is certainly a quintessential and wow LA experience.  And it’s FREE, Ladies.

Gather your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic and come experience the music and drama of Don Giovanni under the stars. This event is free to attend and open to all ages. RSVP HERE  but you do want to RSVP to receive the latest info, updates and a free gift at the event. The opera may have been composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but this epic multimedia production is being performed under the watchful eye of James Conlon, multiple Grammy Award-winning conductor who, amongst many impressive achievements, adapted, arranged and conducted the score for the 1995 film production of Madame Butterfly.

September 23 & 24. World Gorilla Day

It’s time to celebrate gorillas with World Gorilla Day at the Los Angeles Zoo with a full weekend of joy, inspiration, education, action and lots of special activities for all ages. They’ll spotlight their care of gorillas—including superstar toddler Angela and the urgent efforts to save them in the wild. Who doesn’t want to hang with gorillas and find a way to help them.

One simple way you can help gorillas is by donating your old handheld electronics.  Easy Peasy. During the World Gorilla Day celebratory weekend, the Gorilla keeper will talk about the seven gorillas that reside at the Los Angeles Zoo and what goes into caring for them. The L.A. Zoo and its partner, the GRACE Center, will showcase the urgent efforts to save gorillas, one of the most endangered species in the wild. The special activities will include much anticipated meet-and-greets with the author of “Angela & Lulingu: Two Gorillas, a World Apart,” the new children’s book starring Zoo’s very own three-year-old gorilla, Angela and West African musical performances with Masanga Marimba. All daytime activities and programming are free with paid admission and for GLAZA members.

September 30.  Anniversary Block Party

Mosey on over to the Autry, Tomatoes, because the Autry’s 35th Anniversary Celebration is going to be a blow out block party and the ticket prices will be the same amount as they were in 1988 (less than 5 bucks) which will also cover the museum admission! Ain’t that something!

Activities for families and kids of all ages, including food trucks, live music, carnival games, Native Voices Performances, a special PBS character meet and greet inside the museum, and more awaits you at the Autry’s 35^th Anniversary Block Party.

September 30 & October 1. Pasadena Greek Fest

Tomatoes can visit Greece without ever leaving LA. The Pasadena Greek Fest, hosted by the community of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena will be a ton of fun with a plethora of mouth-watering classic Greek dishes along with authentic Greek wines and spirits. Yum! Yum!

They’ll serve refreshing frappés and smoothies too and there will be live music by the Olympians for you to enjoy. Watch dance presentations from award-winning groups or join in and there will be plenty for the kiddoes to do in the fun zone with rides and more.

September 30.  Montana Ave Art Walk

150 + visual artists will be displaying and selling their work at Montana Avenue’s signature annual event, the Montana Ave Art Walk. And for the first time, the charming 10-block open air destination will be closed to cars transforming the street into an exciting experience that will be alive with color and sound. Time to go shopping, Gals.

Local vendors, thoughtfully curated wine garden, activities for kids, live music and more, round out that experience. The great shops and restaurants along the way will be open and available during the event as well. The ArtWalk begins on Montana at 9th Street and completes at 17th Street. It’s free, of course.