Well, Tomatoes, we are now knee deep into the holidays! “The Pasadena Museum of History” is always luverly but during the holidays it is extra special.  Lights and more lights are what the “Long Beach Parade of 1,000 Lights” delivers. Get your glow on with the “Winter Glow” DTLA event in two locations this year. Buying a quality gift for a good cause does everyone’s heart good and DWC’s “MADE” does just that. The “Snowy Plover Beach Walk” is calling all Tomatoes who love nature, birds and the beach. If you are looking for special ornaments look no further than the “Unique, One-of-a-Kind, Handmade Ornaments Show. 

Dec 8. Pasadena Museum of History Open House and Free Day

I adore the delightful Pasadena Museum of History and during the Holidays this gem of a museum is especially enchanting. It is a great way to celebrate the season with the Fenyes Mansion and their Finnish Folk Art Museum decked out to perfection with Edwardian Christmas Trimmings. And the Free Open House is this Sunday! Take advantage of it, Tomatoes.

Plus, there is a wonderful exhibition, “Starting Anew: Transforming Pasadena, 1890-1930”that you can explore during the open house. This landmark exhibition examines the 40 years of Pasadena’s private and public sector development. The area changed rapidly from a small agricultural community to a renowned winter resort and bustling young city. Historic images, documents, artwork, and clothing, many selected from the Museum’s collection – along with research compiled over decades by scholars, PMH staff, and volunteers – illustrate the scope of these vibrant decades in Pasadena’s history. There’s also a lovely garden to sit and reflect about everything you have seen and done. It’s a must-see Tomatoes!

December 7.  Long Beach Boat Parade of Lights

Tomorrow’s 36th annual “Long Beach Boat Parade of 1,000 Lights” starting outside the Shoreline Marina, is literally 1,000 lights Tomatoes.  A plethora (I mean A LOT!) of colorfully lighted boats and yachts will be sailing for your pleasure Tomatoes. Gotta love those Holiday Boat Parades!

The Long Beach Boat Parade of 1,000 Lights is one of South California’s most magical Holiday boat parades. The parade route begins outside Shoreline Marina, heads past Parker’s Lighthouse Restaurant, and eventually passes by the Queen Mary. They say the best viewing locations are in Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and the Queen Mary in Long Beach… of course. Get there early Gals to get parking and, perhaps, grab a table with a view at one of the Shoreline Village restaurants.  Enjoy the colorful illumination of boats Tomatoes!

Dec 6 – 25.  Winter Glow

For its second and fab year Tomatoes, this immersive nighttime holiday art experience, in DTLA’s Music Center Plaza and Grand Park, not only celebrates the holidays but celebrates light as a giver of warmth, a source of beauty and for bringing people together in the winter months. Great way to make new LA holiday memories Tomatoes!

Stroll through the 12-acre art, projection and light display exhibit and see the wonder of Grand Park and the Music Center Plaza, shining in marvelous ways. Familiar pathways and historic fountains will lead to exciting discoveries as the latest in light and projection technology transforms spaces on The Music Center Plaza and in Grand Park.Yep, Tomatoes, it is a Downtown Holiday Treat!

MADE by DWC

The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in LA focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and was the first in the U.S. to do so.  Wow! DWC created MADE to sell their signature line of unique gifts items created in collaboration between DWC program participants and community artists. When you purchase a handmade gift from MADE, Tomatoes, you directly contribute to ending women’s homelessness in Los Angeles. Brilliant!!!

I just purchased a couple of items from their online Home Collections Store and I’m so excited to receive them and then gift them…if I don’t decide to keep them myself…Tee Hee.  I just love giving gifts with such purpose and meaning behind them. What a smart and wonderful social enterprise the DWC created.  MADE products are produced by women transitioning out of homelessness in a creative workspace, generating economic and social capital that enables the women to overcome employment barriers. All products are made from ethically sourced materials by women who are paid a living wage for their work.  Please check them out Tomatoes. Maybe someday every woman in Los Angeles will have a job and a home.

Dec 15. Snowy Plover Beach Walk

Did you know, Tomatoes, that the precious Snowy Plovers make the area around the Annenberg Beach House their winter home? It is news to me and also tickles me pink.  You can learn all about it with the free & guided “Snowy Plover Beach Walk”, hosted by the Annenberg Community Beach House and the LA Audubon Societies. It requires reservations so register now.

Till December 22.  Unique, One-of-a-Kind Handmade Ornament Show

 “The 6th Annual Handmade Ornaments Show”​ just opened at the Iam8bit Gallery, Tomatoes and it features hundreds of top-notch, original Tree Ornaments handmade by incredibly talented artists from around the world. Sounds absolutely charming and festive. 

A one of a kind handmade ornament by an amazing artist would make any tree very special and what a great gift to give as well, Tomatoes.  In an assortment of mediums from fiber and metal arts and ceramics to painting and sculpting, artists translate their unique styles and approaches into ornaments and holiday décor and… wait for it…at affordable prices. The show is free and open during gallery hours, Tomatoes.