Category Archives: Metro Lifestyle

Rock the 1st of July at East L.A. Civic Center

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Sadly, we won’t be getting a government mandated three-day weekend this Fourth of July (if you’re taking three days off work anyway, good for you!), but that doesn’t mean the weekend is a total bust. There’s the Orange Line Extension opening events to look forward to on Saturday, and ArtsFest 2012 kicks off on Sunday with Rock the 1st of July.

Rock the 1st of July takes place at the East L.A. Civic Center, just steps from the Metro Gold Line station of the same name. The event includes a bike clinic, artwalk, food and refreshments, a veterans tribute and concerts. The day starts at 12 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks show.

Then, every Friday from July 6 to August 24, you can hit up the East L.A. Civic Center for a J.A.M. Session. Each Friday night J.A.M. Session features dancing and mucis from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A movie will be shown afterward, with additional movie showings on June 29 and August 31.

Other parks participating in ArtsFest 2012 include:

  • Rimgrove Park, July 10 and Aug 7 at 747 N. Rimgrove Drive, Valinda 91744
  • Valleydale Park, July 6, July 27 and Aug 24 at 5525 N. Lark Ellen Avenue, Azusa 91702
  • San Angelo Park, July 13 and July 27 at 245 San Angelo Avenue, La Puente 91746
  • Pellissier Village, Aug 11, location to be announced

 Use Trip Planner to plan the best route for you. The Metro Gold Line connects with the Red and Purple Lines at Union Station.

On Transportation column: June 27 edition

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Measure R Extension: The big-ticket item at Thursday’s Board of Directors meeting is a scheduled vote on whether the Board wants to ask voters to extend the half-cent sales tax beyond its mid-2039 expiration date.

Metro staff is proposing to extend the tax as a way to possibly accelerate all of the Measure R transit projects as well as help advance the construction of some of the road projects. Here’s last week’s post looking at the staff proposal.

I anticipate a lot of questions from the Board, with most of them involving the following:

•How would a Measure R extension deal with funding gaps in many of the projects? Does it fill those gaps or merely supply the money needed to build projects now instead of many years from now?

•If the Measure R transit projects are successfully accelerated, when would funds be available to begin building other projects in Metro’s long-range plan and which projects would be built first?

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Celebrate the opening of the Orange Line extension on June 30!

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Metro will celebrate the opening of the Orange Line Extension with fun-filled family events at two stations on Saturday, June 30. Festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include food trucks, live music and much more.

Canoga Station

Chatsworth Station

  • ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.
  • community booths
  • food trucks – Fry Girl, The Lobos Truck, Just for the Halibut
  • petting zoo and pony rides for children provided by The Farm, first 20 children get a free pony ride
  • Iron Horse motorcycle and rider dress up competition at 12 p.m., first prize is a trophy and $100
  • live performances presented by Cowboy Palace – Country Gone Awry and Coldwater Canyon – and Metro Express
  • raffle to win bikes hosted by Cycle World
  • free bike valet provided by Cycle World
  • blood drive hosted by the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Providence Blood Donor Center

Rides on the Orange Line Extension from Canoga Station to Chatsworth Station will be free both Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regular fares will apply on all other Metro Rail, Metro Rapid and Metro Local lines and the rest of the Orange Line. Buses will only run on the extension from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. this weekend,the regular schedule starts on Monday, July 2.

Go Metro to X Games and Anime Expo

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And that’s just a few of the attendees at AX! Photo via Anime Expo Facebook

This year, Anime Expo and the X Games - both events that bring thousands to downtown Los Angeles – overlap for three days. Anime Expo takes place June 29 to July 2 at the L.A. Convention Center and the X Games take place June 29 to July 1 at L.A. LIVE and Staples Center. This means there will be tons of cosplayers, skaters, bikers and fans of all ages converging in downtown this upcoming weekend, not to mention street closures around the L.A. LIVE area to accomodate the outdoor ramps and bleachers.

Grab some big air right next door to AX. Photo via X Games Facebook.

To avoid traffic and parking frustration, why not take public transportation to both events? Plus, if you go Metro to the X Games you can pick up a free tote bag from the NAVY booth.

• The new Expo Line runs from Culver City to 7th/Metro Center at the intersection of Figueroa and 7th streets, with a stop at Pico — two short blocks from the L.A. Convention Center, L.A. LIVE and Staples Center. There is free parking available at the Metro garage at La Cienega/Jefferson, Crenshaw station and at the Culver City Station, as well as many paid parking options at Exposition Park.

• The Red Line subway runs from North Hollywood to Union Station. There is free parking at the North Hollywood Station, Universal City Station and numerous paid parking lots around stations in Hollywood. There is also paid parking at Union Station — it’s $6 for the day.

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Cheap and tasty eats on the Expo Line from the 99 Cent Chef

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Blogger Billy Vasquez — aka the 99 Cent Chef — has a great review of all the delicious and cheap food you can find within walking distance of the Expo Line. It’s a handy guide for those thinking of going Metro to explore some of the newest neighborhoods to have a Metro Rail station.

Here’s Vasquez’s video recap — a montage of scenes from the train ride and the tasty eats that he tracks down.

I’d like to echo the India Sweets & Spices recommendation. It’s some of the tastiest Indian food in L.A., period. Plus you can stuff yourself for about $8! Be sure to try the samosas.

H/T to Culver City Patch.

Go Metro Weekends, June 22-24

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Photo from Grand Performances Flickr.

Now that Culver City Station is open, take the Expo Line to The Jazz Bakery, currently holding court at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Go enjoy some amazing, innovative jazz.  Friday’s performance stars Mary Stallings while Saturday features Dori Caymmi. General admission tickets are $30 and $25 respectively. Both shows start at 8 p.m. (Metro Expo Line to Culver City Station, walk about 15 minutes southwest on Washington or transfer to Culver City Bus 1.)

Grand Performances are back at the California Plaza and kicks off with some dirty dancing this Friday. Dance along to the cult classic film at this free event. Pre-show salsa lessons start at 7:45 p.m. and professional dancers will be performing on stage as well. Don’t miss the special appearance by Kenny Ortega, the original choreographer of Dirty Dancing. Take Metro to Grand Performances and receive a free fountain drink from Starry Kitchen or Johnnie’s NY Pizza. (Metro Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, Angels Flight to the top of Bunker Hill, Metro Bus 14 to Grand/3rd.)

The Look East: Korean Film Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Check their schedule of events for screening times. On Saturday at 1 p.m. Byung-hun Lee and Sung-ki Ahn will become the first Asian actors to cast their hand and footprints outside of the theatre. Go Metro to the film fest and get 15% off tickets. (Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station, Metro Bus 212 to Hollywood/Orange.)

And for a peaceful start to your weekend, check out this gorgeous video showing the various forms of transit in Tokyo by Pat Leezy.

Go Metro to the Hollywood Fringe Festival

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Photo courtesy of Hollywood Fringe Festival

Celebrate theatre, dance, art, comedy, film, cabaret and much more at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, which continues until June 24.

With more than 200 different shows scheduled at the Fringe Central Mainstage at Open Fist Theatre and dozens of other venues in Hollywood, you’ll find yourself entertained for days. The Fringe provides a framework for producers to present an incredible variety of work in an accessible and festive environment and is dedicated to creating a forum for local, national and international artists.

Go Metro and receive $2 off a Fringe Button when purchasing tickets at the Open Fist Theatre box office. A Fringe Button gets you $1 off every Fringe show and additional discounts around Hollywood.

The Hollywood Fringe Fest is easily reached from both the Red Line’s Hollywood/Vine Station or Hollywood/Highland Station. For the best bus route or connections, check the Trip Planner.

Go Metro to live music: honeyhoney

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honeyhoney - ”Little Toy Gun”

With a half-dozen stages set up for Make Music Pasadena 2012 within walking distance of the the Del Mar and Memorial Park Gold Line stations, it doesn’t get any easier to Go Metro this weekend to enjoy a piece of what summer is all about: outdoor shows. Though there are a host of artists and stages worth visiting throughout the day Saturday, when the clock strikes 6 p.m., make sure you’re in front of the Levitt Pavilion to check out honeyhoney.

Their sound is often described as a mix of soul, rock, folk, jazz and country, among others, but since I’m not one to split hairs, I’ll just define their sound as “great tunes” and call it a day. The band was formed in 2006 by Suzanne Santo, an actress and solo performer at the time, and Ben Jaffe, who was recording music for TV and film. After meeting through a mutual friend, the duo cultivated their creative chemistry for a few years and then released “Loose Boots EP” in 2008, which was followed by their first full-length album entitled “First Rodeo” that same year. After three years of performing and writing, they most recently released their second full-length studio effort “Billy Jack” just last fall.

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Go Metro Weekends, June 15-17

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The early bird gets the free sandwich! Diners enjoying their free #19 at Langer's. Photo: Anna Chen/Metro

Reminder: Langer’s 65th anniversary celebration is this Friday and Saturday. Find a seat in the restaurant on Friday and get a free hot pastrami sandwich. The same goes for Saturday, except make sure to Go Metro to enter in the hourly drawings for $100 Langer’s gift certificates. Langer’s Deli is open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Drawings on Saturday start at 9 a.m. (Metro Red or Purple Line to Westlake/MacArthur Park Station, Metro Bus 51 to Alvarado/7th.)

The line outside Langer's Deli. 7th Street is closed to accomodate more people. Photo: Anna Chen/Metro

Get out and move on Saturday with Let’s Move California!: Fitness Feria. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools. Learn about nutrition, get free health screenings and participate in fun sports activities led by the L.A. Sparks, L.A. Galaxy and Crossfit. Go Metro and get a free raffle ticket for a chance to win some great prizes. (Metro Red or Purple Line to Wilshire/Vermont Station, Metro Bus 66 to 8th/Catalina.)

Pasadena is hosting two great events this weekend. Make Music Pasadena is on Saturday, with over 150 performances throughout Downtown Pasadena. All ages are welcome and admission is free. Visit their website for the full line up and schedule of performances. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. Visit the Luckman booth at 1 E. Colorado Blvd. and show your valid Metro Pass or Rail ticket to receive a 20% savings pass for tickets to see Lila Downs in September, plus get free tickets to another upcoming show at the Luckman. (Metro Gold Line to Del Mar Station, Memorial Park Station or Lake Station. The Pasadena ARTS Bus 10 runs throughout the area.)

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Culver City bus connections with the Expo Line

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Click above for a larger image.

With the Expo Line’s Culver City station opening at noon on Wednesday, June 20, Culver City bus has issued the above map showing bus connections from the station.

Two Culver City buses stop near the Expo Line station:

Culver City Line 1 runs along Washington Boulevard from Venice Beach in the west to Washington and Fairfax in the east.

Culver City Line 7 runs east/west from Venice & Culver to Marina del Rey primarily along Culver Blvd.

In addition, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus has service changes going into effect June 17 in part to help with connections to the Expo Line. This includes the 12 and Super 12 line running between the Culver City station and UCLA. The entire Big Blue Bus system map is here.

Also stopping near the Culver City station are Metro’s 33 and 733 — the local and rapid bus that run along Venice Boulevard — and the 220, which runs between Culver City and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. In addition, the 534 line stops on Venice Boulevard; the 534 runs between the Washington/Fairfax transit hub and Santa Monica and the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu.