Maria, Evan and I braved the crowds (and the rather windy, nippy Westwood weather) and checked out the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday. With an infant in tow, we passed on attending any panels and instead just wandered around (or more to the point, maneuvered Evan's stoller through) the UCLA grounds.
Quick memo to Festival organizers: You might want to let your information volunteers know where the first aid booth is. Evan somehow cut his finger, and although it was minor, we needed some band-aids. Thirty minutes and several frustrating conversations at three different information kiosks later, we finally found the hidden first-aid stand. Not surprisingly, they weren't busy.
Evan's finger patched up (although he quickly started sucking on the band aid, making it moot), we caught the tail end of Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis' demonstration at the cooking stage. Playing the gushing fans, we had her sign a copy of her latest cookbook after. She was pleased to hear we've tried several of her Italian recipes -- including the chicken with pesto dish I made Maria for Valentine's Day (which scored a handshake from an impressed Giada).
We also visited with LAObserved's Kevin Roderick, who was signing copies of his "The San Fernando Valley: America's Suburb" book at the Angel City Press booth (his take on the history of Wilshire Boulevard -- see above -- comes out in October); and also ran into a Variety colleague, Amy Dawes, who was selling copies of her ""Sunset Boulevard: Cruising the Heart of Los Angeles," also at the Angel City Press booth.
A few pointers for those planning to hit the annual event on Sunday:
:: There's no reason to pay $3 for a soda or $7 for a microwaved burrito at the festival's food stands. Soda machines are strategically placed around the campus, and UCLA's Ackerman Student Union boasts a food court on the first floor.
:: Parking at UCLA is $7; various lots around Westwood are offering all-day parking for a flat rate of $5. Sure, you're just saving $2, but the short walk will do you good.
:: UCLA is not a stoller-friendly campus. The Festival of Books is held above and below the hill near Royce Hall, and there's no easy way moving around without seriously going out of the way. If you're bringing a kid, I'd suggest a Baby Bjorn. Or, if they're old enough, make 'em walk.
:: You're in Westwood. If you leave without hitting Diddy Riese for some cookies (oh, just get the dozen for $3.75 already), then I'm not sure we can be friends.
Some pics:
Festival of Books grounds
Seeking agent representation
Giada at the Culinary Stage
Giada, Maria, Mike... and the back of Evan's head
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