Monthly Archives: July 2009

Good, Bad, and Ugly

SEVERED WAYS: THE NORSE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA

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It is a real privilege and pleasure for me to bring you my review of  SEVERED WAYS: THE NORSE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, a film which debuted at Los Angeles Film Festival in 2007 and which was one of my “Must See Festival Films” as well as a hot contender in the Narrative Feature competition.   Just to show all you filmmakers out there that festivals do garner distribution deals, SEVERED WAYS now makes its way into theatres starting July 17, 2009.  

 

Slightly off-beat and definitely not what one would expect with a Viking movie, producer/writer/editor/actor and first time feature director Tony Stone brings us a rather unique perspective of the coming to America by Vikings in 1007 AD.   Shot over the course of almost 4 years (although not a 4 year time span in the film) using only natural lighting from the sun, the moon and fire, the results are at times magical.  

 

Obviously one with a fertile imagination, Tony Stone creates a fictional story drawn from the actual Vineland Sagas, stories which tell the tale of Viking and Norse exploration of the New World starting with Lief Ericson. Continue reading SEVERED WAYS: THE NORSE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA →

Sports

Man-o-Man – Manny and Company With Another Comeback

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Manny Ramirez is back! Oh, you’ve known about this. I wasn’t so sure myself until Friday night. Manny hit a two-run shot in the sixth, his 536th overall, good enough to tie Mickey Mantle for 15th on the all-time list. Impressive.

 

But it was not as impressive as the Dodgers’ team offense. In their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers hit five homeruns; one from Manny, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney and Russell Martin. With the 12-8 victory, the Dodgers bring their record to 55-31. 

 

The offensive showcase puts the Dodgers at 11th in the NL in homeruns. A romantic thought, but if the Dodgers played their remaining 81 games in Miller Park, they’d likely finish higher. Manny’s presence will do just fine and Dodgers fans should expect to see more long balls in the second half of play. Continue reading Man-o-Man – Manny and Company With Another Comeback →

What's happening

Hello Wine Lovers,

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Tonight is Friday, July 10th and from 5 pm until 8 pm Ralphs downtown is featuring the wines of Sebastiani, one of California’s noble winemaking families. The Sebastiani Winery is an historic landmark dating back to 1825, when it was planted by Franciscan monks to make sacramental wine.  It was purchased by Italian immigrant Samuele Sebastiani in 1904.  Upon Samuele’s passing in 1944 his son August, and his wife Sylvia, bought the winery from the estate and began using the family name.  It is located in what is today the heart of the town of Sonoma. Continue reading Hello Wine Lovers, →

Travel

SOCIETY CAFÉ ENCORE

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Foreword by Stan Lerner: it’s a working vacation in Las Vegas, so while this is a dining piece on http://www.blogsincity.com it’s a travel piece on downtownster—the job has its good points.

Because I was born and raised in Los Angeles it was only natural that Las Vegas became my second home. In 2003 I came for a weekend and stayed for a year—producing the “Night Tribe” show at the Rio Hotel and Casino—I love Vegas. So, when my writing career went on to encompass blogging, I started downtownster.com, I was sure that the next city after LA that I’d be blogging in would be Vegas Baby!

Now every good blog needs some regular characters, so let me take this opportunity to introduce Carlos Harper. I met Carlos when he was a young fellow working at the Rio’s pool. He was arguably the best pool guy at the Rio, which meant I was sure to recruit him to do some promoting for “Night Tribe”—he was good at promoting as well. Carlos went on to college, graduated, worked in real estate, and became a VIP host with Pure Group—a star on the rise. As you can imagine he knows Vegas and even though I used to be the boss I’ve come to rely on him to keep me up on what’s going in this great town.

The call went something like this: Continue reading SOCIETY CAFÉ ENCORE →

Thought Tools

$uccessful $piritual Parenting

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Dave had a fifteen-year-old son who dreamed of becoming a firefighter. Driven by the vision of his child taking over his law practice, Dave forcefully encouraged him to join the debate team, focus on academics and eventually get his law degree. His son did so, and joined his father’s firm. He did fine, but always regretted not following his passion.

For some parents it’s academics for others, sports.  People often drive their children to fulfill their own ambitions or force their children onto paths intended to enhance their own social aspirations.  Far too many parents don’t listen to the child’s soft voice trying to find expression.

Living our life through our child while remaining indifferent to his unique qualities is not right.  God granted us the privilege of nurturing one of His children to adulthood.  Part of the thrill of parenting is learning to know that little person and gradually guiding that child to achieve full potential in whatever he or she was created to do. Continue reading $uccessful $piritual Parenting →

Good, Bad, and Ugly

MOVIE REVIEW: HUMPDAY

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Lynn Shelton has managed to do what few of the fairer sex have accomplished – infiltrate the psyche of the male species.  (Yes, amazing as it may seem, men do have a psyche…and it may even be located above the waist!)  And thanks to this insightful wisdom, with HUMPDAY, Shelton brings us an uproariously funny, rollicking romp into the world of bromance by way of the fictional porn film festival known as  “Hump Fest”.

Now, I know, when you hear the word “humpday” you think of Wednesday, that day in the middle of the week.  That day where we actually see the light at the end of the tunnel of a hellacious work week.  Well, Shelton now sheds new light on the new meaning to the word with the story of Ben and Andrew.

Best friends in college, Ben and Andrew have each gone their separate ways, each living his own dream and with paths now crossing only by the occasional post card or phone call. Continue reading MOVIE REVIEW: HUMPDAY →

Dining

LET’S HYGGE!

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I had walked by the location of the highly anticipated bakery countless times—the corner of 11th and Hope. Hoping (cheap play on words I know) that it would open soon and wondering why the hell a bakery was named Hygge. I know both of the owners, Ray and Helen, and could have asked about the strange name for a bakery, but like that pebble in my shoe that I do nothing about until I get home and put on my jamys (ok I don’t wear pajamas but…) I let it alone and endured the annoyance.

Then came the email from Ray inviting me and the rest of the neighborhood to a Grand Opening Day of Danish Pastry eating. I should point out here, for those that are not familiar with the corner of 11th and Hope that Hygge is at the base of Luma, where both Ray and Helen also live upstairs. This little shindig was packed and I did try a few delicious morsels, but to do a proper story I decided to wait until I could come back, sit down comfortably, and try all eighty creations that are baked up fresh daily…The arrangements were made! (not really that dramatic I just sent Ray a text)

What would a Stan Lerner blog be if I didn’t say something like, “Hey business owners that aren’t downtownsters or happen to be big corporations (AEG) that just want to exploit our ever growing density to make a buck—take note that a little locally owned bakery invited everyone in the neighborhood over for some FREE DANISH!!!” Okay, I’m on vacation in Vegas so I won’t go dark, but seriously Hygge joins with Bottega Louie in making the big guys look silly. Better product, better price, and owners that care about the community. And for some reason my friend April The Stripper, who is looking at my screen as I write this masterpiece, has just informed me that Hygge means: to hang out in Danish. Now if she would just go back to rubbing oil on my back and let me finish my blog, she would know that Ray did tell me this very fact…But that’s still a bit further along in the story.

So knowing that I have blood sugar as volatile as Mount Saint Helens, I invited Shannon to write this piece—allowing me to gorge on Danish and not worry about being too shaky to take notes. And to call 911 in case I went into some kind of shock…I didn’t want Ray or Helen to have to deal with this if I hit the floor. So think of this as a blog about the writing of a blog. Continue reading LET’S HYGGE! →

Sports

Hot Dodger Dog! Los Angeles Fans Have Plenty to Smile About

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The Dodgers have another half dozen games on the road before getting a run on their home sod. However, several members of the Dodgers clubhouse will play an additional game before heading back to the West Coast. They will be making their way to St. Louis for the 80th All-Star Game on July 14.

In an announcement made Sunday, pitchers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton and second baseman Orlando Hudson have been selected to this year’s National League roster. The trio will join Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, the coach for the NL squad. Teams are selected by players, managers and coaches from across the league.

Billingsley ranks among league leaders in wins, ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts and lowest opponents batting average, as he did last season. Broxton is currently 6-0 with a 2.72 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 39 innings. He leads the league in lowest opposing batting average for a reliever (.132). He is 20-for-22 in save opportunities, including 9-for-9 at home. Although he is in a 0-of-22 hitting slump, Hudson already has 41 RBIs, matching his season total for last year. Perhaps the honor will fuel him past this difficult time.

One more Dodger may be added to the NL squad. Continue reading Hot Dodger Dog! Los Angeles Fans Have Plenty to Smile About →

Sports

Age Before Beauty – Lakers say Goodbye to Ariza, Hello to Artest

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Much to the dismay of Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, former Houston Rocket and Kobe Bryant’s true rival, Ron Artest is now a Laker. Likewise, Trevor Ariza is finally saying goodbye to sunny California and headed to Houston. Forward for forward. Is it that easy, Bill?

“They just won a title that would not have been possible without the strong defense and stunning shooting of a 24-year-old kid with a limitless ceiling.” Plaschke wrote. “Yet they send the kid packing for an aging nut whose greatest hits have occurred on the heads of fans.”

An aging nut who just might help the Lakers two-peat. Kobe yearns to have a fistful of rings. Artest – who as fans all remember knows a thing or two about heavy fists – is still hungry for his first.

“I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.,” Artest said in a statement. “For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align. I’m finally a Laker and I can’t wait to get on the court with Kobe, Pau (Gasol) and the rest of the team, and play for Phil (Jackson).”

Most coaches would quiver at the idea of a personality like Artest joining the roster. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson (returning for the 2009-10 season) is skilled enough to coach around it. Continue reading Age Before Beauty – Lakers say Goodbye to Ariza, Hello to Artest →