Santa, Tamales and 'Holiday Road' at This Year's Los Feliz Holiday Festival

When it comes to neighborhood holiday events, the Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival is always one of our favorites. Now in its sixth year, the festival takes place this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year's festival kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony in front of the Los Feliz Library. The other major highlight: A live performance by the cast of "For the Record: John Hughes (Holiday Road)." Just a hunch, but I assume they'll be singing, yes, "Holiday Road."

Other features at Saturday night's event on Hillhurst: Photos with Santa at Coldwell Banker (1917 Hillhurst); Alphabet Soup Puppeteers at Dragonfly DuLou (2066 Hillhurst); Prudential Elves Holiday Workshop featuring bounce house, craft table, hot cider and cookies (1714 Hillhurst); Bring your pet dressed in their holiday best to Keller Williams (1660 Hillhurst).

On Hollywood: Decorate your own holiday stocking at Springer Chiropractic (4645 Hollywood); Holiday Party featuring Guitar Driven Jazz Holiday Music by Jonathan Stout Trio at Sweeney Todd's Barber Shop (4639 Hollywood); Join Father Xmas for refreshments at Ozzie Dots (4637 Hollywood); Astrology readings, Lavender Distillation Demonstration, DJ and for the kids....Candy Cane Reindeers at Primrose Organics Salon (4616 Hollywood); Free tamale samples & champurrado (Mexican specialties) and crafts from local artists at Yuca's on Hollywood (4666 Hollywood); View the newly completed mural at the Barnsdall/Metro Arts Corridor & enjoy hot cider and donuts with the artists.

On Vermont Ave.: Enjoy complimentary Glazed Pumpkin Cake and Hot Spiced Apple Cider at Vermont/Rockwell (1714 Vermont); Half Off Clothing Store will be serving refreshments, cookies and offering discounts throughout store (1748 Vermont); Enjoy your choice of Hot chocolate, Espresso or Cappuccino and cookies at Il Capriccio (1757 Vermont); Strolling carolers up and down Vermont Avenue.


From a few years ago, Yuca's owners party during the Los Feliz Holiday Festival.

Big Los Angeles Holiday: Parades, Festivals and More

There's never a shortage of holiday cheer in Los Angeles -- particularly over the next week. Among the neighborhood festivals, ice skating rinks, special holiday shows this weekend and beyond:

:: The Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival, now in its 5th year, takes place TONIGHT, Saturday, Dec. 4, starting with a 5 p.m. tree lighting ceremony at the Los Feliz library (at Hillhurst and Franklin).

Shops and restaurants up and down Hillhurst, Vermont and Hollywood Blvds. are open late -- including L.A.'s best taco stand, Yuca's (above, Yuca's owners boogie down at a past Los Feliz holiday event). And yes, Yuca's and other joints are offering free samples (enough of a reason right there to check it out).

The event also includes photos with Santa at Coldwell Banker (1917 Hillhurst); Alphabet Soup puppeteers at Dragonfly DuLou (2066 Hillhurst); Antique Car Show at Ise Automotive (1774 Hillhurst); live mariachi music at Yuca’s (2056 Hillhurst); ”Blushing Santa” house rum punch, classic Christmas music and delectable edibles at Sweeney Todd’s Barber Shop. (4639 Hollywood Blvd.); and hot chocolate stations and strolling musicians at various points on Vermont.


:: There's no better way to get in the holiday spirit than taking in Charles Phoenix's annual Retro Holiday Slide Show. (Check out our report on the show from last year here.

This year's show takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 12 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m., both shows at the Downtown Independent Theater (251 S. Main Street). Tix are $25; go here for more.

:: The 34th Annual Montrose Christmas Parade takes place Saturday night, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m.

Details:

We invite you to come early …do some shopping, enjoy one of our fine restaurants, and get a good spot on the parade route! The parade staging starts at La Crescenta Ave & Honolulu Ave, the parade itself begins at Honolulu Ave & Rosemont Ave and runs east towards Verdugo Rd. The center of the parade and the entire Montrose area is the intersection of Honolulu Ave & Ocean View Blvd Parking is available in the open city parking lots, on the open side streets and within the surrounding neighborhoods. Please plan to arrive early, set up some chairs and a blanket and get some dinner in one of our great Montrose restaurants.

:: The independent design and gift show Unique L.A. takes place next weekend, Dec. 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the California Market Center’s Penthouse (110 E 9th St.) Cost is $10 at the door.

:: The Casa Adobe De San Rafael holds its annual Fiesta de las Luminarias (Festival of Lights) this weekend. (1330 Dorothy Drive, Glendale)

Los Feliz Cancels Its Holiday Festival, But Atwater Village Carries On

One of our favorite neighborhood holiday events, the annual Los Feliz holiday festival, has been canceled this year.

According to the Los Feliz Business Improvement District, the festival was scrapped because the group is "re-evaluating our festivals and fairs." But it also came down to money: The city's no longer waiving its fees, and "street closures are expensive."


(Flickr pic by Jory.)

Good news now: The 17th annual Atwater Village Tree Lighting Ceremony is still on.

Event takes place this Thursday, December 4, 2008 starting at 6:30 p.m. Details:

The tree lighting ceremony will be accompanied by a Holiday Festival in the Wells Fargo parking lot at 3250 Glendale Blvd. The evening’s program will include children’s choirs from local schools, the world premiere of a new locally produced song, a fashion show featuring local merchants and citizens, a short film about the Atwater neighborhood, and traditional Christmas harmonies by the Tam O’Shanter Singers. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive on a Los Angeles Fire Department fire truck, heralding the lighting of the tree at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Also this year: The Old Bank District Holiday party takes place 6 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 6. It's free. Details:

- Main Stage presented by Little Radio with live performances from The Like, Whispertown 2000, The Afternoons, Restaurant, and special guest headliner performing from 6 pm - 12 am.

- An outdoor Beer and Wine Garden on 4th St., with seating for partygoers to enjoy the lights and entertainment.

- Harlem Place Alley will be transformed into an intimate Jazz Bar with performances by Pablo Calogero and band, hosted by Pete’s Café & Bar.

- Comme des Garçons, Blends, Orange 22, and Fremont Apparel, as well as other neighborhood retailers including those on Main St. like Banquette, Blossom, Raw Materials and others, will be offering specials and discounts for holiday shoppers.

- An Art Bazaar will be hosted in the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank, featuring the work of over 30 local artists. The Bazaar will be cash only and all work will be $200 and under.

Feliz Navidad in Los Feliz

Maria, Evan and I had a surprisingly good time last year at the Los Feliz Village's holiday festival. Held up and down Hillhurst, the event included free pics with Santa Claus, gratis food and wine at several establishments and a Christmas tree lighting in front of the Los Feliz library.

The event was successful enough that it's back for a second year on Saturday, Dec. 2. And it has expanded to include Vermont Ave. and Hollywood Blvd. in addition to Hillhurst.

According to the press release:

Featuring free rides on an antique trolley transporting visitors throughout the Village. Many shops along Hillhurst, Vermont and Hollywood will stay open late and offer complimentary refreshments and holiday cheer. Tree lighting ceremony with carolers in front of the Los Feliz Library at 6:00PM. The Fire Department will be collecting new toys for those kids in need. "Holiday Boutiques" with artist tables will be set up in front of local businesses to add to the festivities. Kids can also take a complimentary photo with Santa that evening.

The free event takes place Saturday, December 2nd, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. More info at losfelizvillageonline.com.

(Flickr pic by Glen Hentz.)

Our Favorite Holiday Festival Returns

Los Feliz's annual Holiday Festival is back, this Saturday night up and down Hillhurst Ave. (as well as Vermont). Why is it one of our favorite L.A. holiday events?

1. Free food from Yuca's. Above, Yuca's owner Dora Herrera and her mother Socorro last year grooved to the music while serving free tamales and a tasty hot chocolate drink. Let me write that one more time: free tamales.

2. Mini parties up and down Hillhurst. At Rosetta Stone Gallery, free wine and snacks flow. At Dragonfly DuLou, free popcorn for the kids, who last year also got to make Christmas tree ornaments.

3. Free pictures with Santa Claus, who is usually stationed in front of the Coldwell Banker building.

You notice a thread through all of this? Yes: Free. Sponsored by the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District, along with Los Feliz merchants and restaurants, the event is meant to drum up holiday business in the neighborhood.

Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. outside the library (Hillhurst and Franklin) for the lighting of the Christmas tree. The fest continues until 10 p.m.

Recap of last year's festival here.

Los Feliz Navidad

Above, the women who run Yuca's -- Dora Herrera and her mother Socorro -- groove to the music while serving free tamales and a tasty hot chocolate drink.

For the second year in a row, Los Feliz threw a fantastic holiday festival on Saturday night -- complete with music, lights, tons of free food, and yes, Santa. A holiday trolley bussed people up and down Hillhurst and Vermont. We didn't make it to Vermont, but Hillhurst teemed with families taking advantage of the late shopping and special holiday offerings.

The event started outside the Los Feliz library, where the neighborhood Christmas tree was lit and a children's choir crooned carols. City councilman Tom LaBonge was there, and he mysteriously disappeared before Santa arrived. (I'm not spreading rumor, I'm just sayin'.)

Then it was off to check out the stores on Hillhurst that were open late for the event. Many also had refreshments for shoppers, like the Rosetta Stone Gallery -- which offered up free wine (along with crackers, cheese, fruit and more ). Yes, that's my kind of store.

Children's boutique Dragonfly DuLou set up an arts and crafts table in the area behind the store, as kids could decorate Christmas ornaments while scarfing down popcorn.



Coldwell Banker sponsored the free Santa pix; above, Santa, an "elf" and another person. (Blogger Toddler was excited to see Santa... until he got up close. Then, not so much.) Below, a band plays Christmas music near Santa's station.

'Tis The Season in Los Feliz; Less So In Atwater Village

The Eastsider LA writes that the Atwater Village Christmas Tree -- an actual live, 50-foot redwood found in the Glendale Blvd. median, and decorated/lit up throughout the month of December -- isn't happening this year. UPDATE: The Christmas tree will be back after all! The Eastsider LA confirms that the city's Bureau of Street Services has agreed to lower the price to $6,000 to light the tree -- so it's happening. Whew!

The Eastsider notes that it all began when the city's Bureau of Street Services estimated it would cost about $11,000 to light the tree -- a big jump from last year. Atwater Village found a vendor that would do it for $5,000 -- but there wasn't enough time to pull the necessary permits. As a result, no tree this year:

Next Friday night will still find Atwater Village holding a Winter Wonderland celebration, compete with snow bubble making machines, carolers, live music, dancers and, of course, Santa. But, come around 6 pm, there will be no ceremonial flicking of the switch to turn on the Atwater tree.

In happier holiday news, Los Feliz's annual holiday festival -- which had been one of our favorites -- is back on this year, after taking a break in 2008.

The event's Hillhurst businesses in particular get into the festival in a big way -- some serve wine and cheese, others feature games for the kids and even Yuca's passes out free goodies. Free pics with Santa too. Event begins on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting outside the Los Feliz Library, at Franklin and Hillhurst.

A Farewell to the Good Luck Bar, Where It All Began

Maria and I were sad to read about the impending closure of the Good Luck Bar, a Los Feliz institution that has been at the intersection of Hollywood, Sunset, Virgil and Hillhurst, around the corner from the Vista Theatre, for at least 25 years. Apparently the landlord is looking to tear down the building to build either condos or a hotel — and the Good Luck Bar has been given notice.

With just a few weeks (or if we're lucky, another month or two) left before it disappears, we headed there on Saturday — for the first time in years — in order to pay our respects and also reminisce.

The Good Luck Bar is where we met, nearly 20 years ago, and although the world and L.A. have changed a lot since then (not to mention our lives — two kids later!), it was always comforting to drive by the Good Luck Bar sign and know that it was still there.

On Saturday, the bar was packed. Clearly, a lot of people had the same idea. A line snaked down Hillhurst and we had to wait a bit to get in. But I'm glad we did. It's hard to believe that a chance meeting at a bar all those years ago set us on this path.

In 2009, on the 10th anniversary of when we first met, I wrote this:

Ten years ago, on the evening of July 3, 1999, I was lounging in my West Hollywood apartment -- flipping through channels -- when the phone rang.

It was my friend Pang-ni. She and a few friends were heading to the Good Luck Bar on Hillhurst in Los Feliz. They were also hanging out with some off-beat guys, and well, they needed to be rescued. Would I join them?

Hmm. I was already in for the night. And Los Feliz was a hike from West Hollywood. But I had promised myself to make more of an effort to get out and meet new people. Plus, it was the July 4th weekend, I thought to myself, and I oughta be out having a good time.

So I got dressed, hopped on the surface streets and headed to this "Good Luck Bar."

Inside, Pang-ni and Brenda -- two friends from my college dorm -- were there.. and yup, I saw what they meant by these guys. It was a busy holiday weekend night at the Good Luck Bar, but the group had managed to snag one of the last seating areas -- which had just been occupied by two girls. Pang-ni had struck up a conversation with one of them, and I wound up sitting next to Pang-ni.

Before long, I was talking to Pang-ni and the new girl to her left. And later, I wound up talking to that girl a little bit more. She seemed pretty cool, and we talked about all sorts of nonsense. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Where we grew up. And what we did for a living. She told me she designed CD packages at Rhino Records. Oh -- and her name was Maria.

She was there, having a mini "girls night out" with her friend Andrea. (Turns out she was in a similar "what the hell, I'm gonna go out into the world, and if I meet someone, I meet someone" phase as well.) At the end of the night, she wouldn't give me her number. But I gave her my card. I was intrigued.

Later, while leaving the bar, Pang-ni asked me what I had thought about another one of her female friends who had been there that night. But all I could think about was this girl I had just met.

I didn't want to be too eager, and I didn't want to be Creepy McStalker. But I knew her first name, and I knew where she worked. I was going to wait a week, and then call Rhino. (Probably too long in hindsight -- but again, I wanted to play it cool and not scare her off.)

But before I finally got the nerve to call... I was in the office on Thursday night (back at my old gig at the now-late Electronic Media) when the phone rang.

"What were you doing giving your number to a drunk girl?" laughed the voice on the other end.

It was her. I couldn't believe it. Honest, to this day, she teases me that I was never going to call -- but I was. She just beat me to the punch. And thank God she did, because it gave me a bit more confidence to push hard for a first date. Soon.

We arranged to meet the following week at Lola's on Fairfax for drinks. And that led to our first full-fledged date: Drinks at 360 (now long gone) and dinner at the old Luna Park (also long gone), where Pancho Sanchez also performed. That led to another date at Campanile's Grilled Cheese night. And so on.

It all led to now -- marriage, home and Evan -- plus another addition, just a few weeks away.

And to think it all started that night, ten years ago. It's crazy to think how so much has resulted from that phone call from Pang-ni -- and that split-second decision to get off my lazy ass and drive all the way to Los Feliz. And ditto Maria's decision to meet up that night with a friend at a bar that, like me, she'd never been to. (And yes, we've felt cheesy for years that we met in such a cliched fashion -- at a bar, and a bar named "Good Luck," no less.)

We're hoping to visit the Good Luck Bar at least one more time before it closes — and buy a T-shirt too! 

Go before it's too late: 1514 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You: The Holiday Edition

We've found that several L.A. newcomers have found this site, so I do this as a public service announcement: Please, please, don't attempt a drive through the Department of Water and Power's Griffith Park Christmas lights display.

Unless you really enjoy being stuck in traffic. (And maybe that's why you moved to Los Angeles). Because if you're not forzen on the 5 just trying to get on the Los Feliz offramp, you'll be paralyzed on Los Feliz. And if you're not at a standstill on Los Feliz, you'll be creeping through Griffith Park -- unable to turn around.

But I know, it's easy to get caught up in the long lines: Clearly the DWP display must be awesome, if people are waiting hours in their car just to drive through, yes?

Uh, not quite. The lights are pretty elementary -- even Santos agrees. Yes, Maria and I braved the traffic one year -- but on a Tuesday, post-Christmas, when the line was shorter. Do yourself a favor and park at the zoo, then walk -- yes, walk -- down the pathway. (Two years ago we brought along our little nephew, who lost his favorite marble. And proceeded to complain that he'd "lost his marbles.") It's more festive anyway, and you'll get a better appreciation for the displays then you would from being cramped and drunk on car fumes.

If you must go, the 9th annual Griffith Park Light Festival runs November 24th through December 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Mike and Maria: The First Decade

Mike and Maria in the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel lobby, 2003

Ten years ago, on the evening of July 3, 1999, I was lounging in my West Hollywood apartment -- flipping through channels -- when the phone rang.

It was my friend Pang-ni. She and a few friends were heading to the Good Luck Bar on Hillhurst in Los Feliz. They were also hanging out with some off-beat guys, and well, they needed to be rescued. Would I join them?

Hmm. I was already in for the night. And Los Feliz was a hike from West Hollywood. But I had promised myself to make more of an effort to get out and meet new people. Plus, it was the July 4th weekend, I thought to myself, and I oughta be out having a good time.

So I got dressed, hopped on the surface streets and headed to this "Good Luck Bar."

Inside, Pang-ni and Brenda -- two friends from my college dorm -- were there.. and yup, I saw what they meant by these guys. It was a busy holiday weekend night at the Good Luck Bar, but the group had managed to snag one of the last seating areas -- which had just been occupied by two girls. Pang-ni had struck up a conversation with one of them, and I wound up sitting next to Pang-ni.

Before long, I was talking to Pang-ni and the new girl to her left. And later, I wound up talking to that girl a little bit more. She seemed pretty cool, and we talked about all sorts of nonsense. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Where we grew up. And what we did for a living. She told me she designed CD packages at Rhino Records. Oh -- and her name was Maria.

She was there, having a mini "girls night out" with her friend Andrea. (Turns out she was in a similar "what the hell, I'm gonna go out into the world, and if I meet someone, I meet someone" phase as well.) At the end of the night, she wouldn't give me her number. But I gave her my card. I was intrigued.

Later, while leaving the bar, Pang-ni asked me what I had thought about another one of her female friends who had been there that night. But all I could think about was this girl I had just met.

I didn't want to be too eager, and I didn't want to be Creepy McStalker. But I knew her first name, and I knew where she worked. I was going to wait a week, and then call Rhino. (Probably too long in hindsight -- but again, I wanted to play it cool and not scare her off.)

But before I finally got the nerve to call... I was in the office on Thursday night (back at my old gig at the now-late Electronic Media) when the phone rang.

"What were you doing giving your number to a drunk girl?" laughed the voice on the other end.

It was her. I couldn't believe it. Honest, to this day, she teases me that I was never going to call -- but I was. She just beat me to the punch. And thank God she did, because it gave me a bit more confidence to push hard for a first date. Soon.

We arranged to meet the following week at Lola's on Fairfax for drinks. And that led to our first full-fledged date: Drinks at 360 (now long gone) and dinner at the old Luna Park (also long gone), where Pancho Sanchez also performed. That led to another date at Campanile's Grilled Cheese night. And so on.

It all led to now -- marriage, home and Evan -- plus another addition, just a few weeks away.

And to think it all started that night, ten years ago. It's crazy to think how so much has resulted from that phone call from Pang-ni -- and that split-second decision to get off my lazy ass and drive all the way to Los Feliz. And ditto Maria's decision to meet up that night with a friend at a bar that, like me, she'd never been to. (And yes, we've felt cheesy for years that we met in such a cliched fashion -- at a bar, and a bar named "Good Luck," no less.)

Here's to decade number one -- and the awesome fact that there are still several more to go.

Another Holiday In Los Feliz

Santa Claus kicked off the 3rd Annual Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival on Saturday night -- and Franklin Avenue was there (both us, and literally, the street as well) to take in the festivities and the free-ness.

Free Santa pics (Blogger Toddler's finally a fan of the big guy in the red suit); free snacks up and down Hillhurst; free puppet show at Dragonfly DuLou. Yuca's new Hollywood location was passing out tamales. Even Starbucks got into the act, passing out coffee and scones.

This year's event was the biggest one yet, stretching up and down Hillhurst and Vermont, and Hollywood in between. Double Decker buses and motorized trolleys shuttled attendees around. Even the weather strangely cooperated: Yes, it was chilly -- but aren't holiday festivals supposed to be?

Some shots:


Mariachis perform at the new Yuca's on Hollywood location


Puppet show at Dragonfly DuLou (not to mention free popcorn and pepperminty hot chocolate!)


Santa Claus, with strings attached


No lie, shortly after this pic was taken, City Councilman Tom LaBonge (with scarf) hopped a ride in the carriage up the street with Santa.


Choir from nearby Lycee International school (singing "California Dreamin'," strangely enough), moments before the tree in front of the Leo DiCaprio library is lit.

Anyone Else Having A Hard Time Getting Into the Holiday Spirit?

Maybe it's the down economy. Perhaps I've been preoccupied with my office's recent move, and other things. Our Christmas tree's not up yet, so maybe that's it. Could it be the stress of the holidays -- get a tree, mail out cards, shop for gifts, attend a myriad of events -- that's turning me off? Then there's the fact that some of the annual holiday events we attend, like the Los Feliz Holiday Festival, have been canceled.

Whatever it is, I'm just not feelin' it. The holidays, that is. I haven't caught the bug, and Christmas is just 17 days away. Every year, I feel less prepared for the season... and every year, it feels like it creeps up faster on us.

Perhaps I'm not the only one. From Wall Street Journal:

y early this year, as the housing downturn accelerated and gas prices rose, the Cleveland-based company's research showed that consumers, spending more time at home, were focusing on personal relationships and reminiscing about happier times together.

"We could tell the mood was changing fast," says MJ Smith, American Greetings' director of consumer and cultural trends. "In the last few years, we've had cards with lots of glitter, but that's just not the mindset anymore -- people are more traditional now."

So American Greetings, which produced some 3,000 holiday-card designs this year, started to recalibrate. One of the first changes: deeper reds and greens.

"Santa is a true, traditional red, instead of the cherry red we've used in the past," says Susan Sliede, director of seasonal planning. "And instead of a shiny pattern on his coat, we're using flocking," she said, as she touched the velvet-coated paper.

Any of you having a hard time getting into the spirit this year?

Weekend in Los Angeles: Preschool Holidays and Unique L.A.

Anyone complains that L.A. doesn't put them in the holiday mood isn't trying hard enough. This past weekend alone locals could celebrate with the Atwater Village Christmas Tree lighting and festival, the Eagle Rock tree lighting, the Los Feliz Holiday Festival, the Montrose Christmas Parade and the Casa Adobe de San Rafael Open House and Fiesta De las Luminarias in Glendale, among other events. Then there's the ever-growing number of outdoor skating rinks in the area (including, of course, our favorite -- the Pershing Square rink).

We didn't get a chance to do half the amount of L.A. events we had hoped to hit this weekend. Part of the time we spent decorating our own tree. We also celebrated the Winter Solstice at Blogger Boy's annual preschool holiday festival:





Evan's preschool event included fake snow to sled on; train rides; Santa; plenty of food and games.

Later, it was off to the Unique L.A. craft show downtown (where we saw Friends of Franklin Avenue JustJenn and Emmie.)

A few pics:

Christmas at the Cathedral, and Denied at the Dorothy Chandler

After the church we usually attend -- Los Feliz's St. Casimir -- decided to move its Christmas Eve mass to 10 p.m. (waaay too late for us, as we had a family gathering that evening), we discovered that downtown's Cathedral had scheduled its family-targeted Christmas Eve mass at much more workable 4 p.m.



The $189 million Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, opened up in 2002. Erected to replace downtown's old St. Vibiana cathedral -- damaged in the 1994 Northridge quake, and now remade by Tom Gilmore into a special events venue -- came with plenty of controversy.

The high cost of some of the Cathedral's features led to the nickname the "Taj Mahony" -- a dig at Cardinal Roger Mahony, who heads up the Los Angeles archdiocese.



We briefly investigated getting married at the Cathedral back in 2002, but the timing didn't work (plus, we ultimately decided to go with the Plaza Church -- La Placita -- in El Pueblo de Los Angeles). As a result, we had never actually attended Mass at the Cathedral until Wednesday night. (Above, tapestries of saints by painter John Nava hang on the walls.)



I'm glad we did. Surprisingly, it was crowded, but not packed; there was plenty of room for attendees at the Cathedral (which holds 3,000). And because it was geared toward families with small kids, it wasn't an overly long service. Most interestingly, Cardinal Mahony was there (above, he greets folks after Mass) -- and while he didn't preside over the Mass, he did remain on the altar and give a blessing at the end.



The timing of the Mass was also perfect for several local TV news teams -- KCBS/KCAL, KABC and (I believe) KTTV were all there. (Above, a KCBS/KCAL cameraman does double duty.)



Meanwhile, the 4 p.m. time meant that we had time to stroll over across the street to the Music Center, with the hopes of checking out the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration.

Something else we've been meaning to do for years, the annual event -- which takes place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion -- features countless performers, and is free to attendees, who come and go throughout the show.



We naively thought we could stroll in and check it out. Uh, not quite. The line from the door snaked down the entire length of the Music Center.

We didn't have time to spend 45 minutes in line, and instead walked around the Music Center, where others who opted not to join the queue were milling about. A big screen erected in the Music Center plaza featured what was going on inside (via the live simulcast on KCET).



Even though we didn't get in, there was a jubilant mood there in the plaza, as we walked around with a few hundred other Angelenos on Christmas Eve -- the crisp air, the tall, sparking Christmas tree lights, the downtown skyline, the music piped outdoors from the stage. A pretty cool Los Angeles experience.