Hollywood Blog

The Walk of Fame in Hollywood

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Image: eatingtourists

Many stars and “non-stars” have managed to have their names placed on these 5-pointed terrazzo and brass embedded stars on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, California.  These stars are supposed to represent personal achievements of people, groups, and even fictional characters related to the entertainment industry.  The site referred to as Hollywood Walk of Fame is quite popular among tourists with estimated annual visitors of 10 million.

The Walk has about 2,484 occupied stars as of November 2012.  On closer inspection of the stars, an emblem would represent in which category the artists belongs to.  There are five categories namely Motion Pictures, Broadcast Television, Audio Recording, Broadcast Radio, and Theatre/Live Performance which was the latest category added in 1984.  Special stars are also found in the Walk consisting of entities, organizations, and special honorees that have made significant contributions.

Not all known celebrities have their stars on the Walk.  The process of having a star on the Walk starts with a nomination, so unless someone or an entity nominates a personality, there will be no stars forthcoming.  The nomination also has to be accepted by the nominee including the commitment to be present during the unveiling of the star.

There are however some concerns in relation to whether some stars are in fact deserving to be included, but then that is how show business is.  Every opportunity can be used to promote a star and the Hollywood Walk of Fame has apparently not been spared from it.

It is possible for a personality to have more than one star.  The Walk is supposed to be an Entertainment Hall of Fame.  So far it looks more like a tourist attraction

Originally posted on December 2, 2012 @ 9:31 am

Want To Go On A Toxic Tour?

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Year in and year out, people from all over the United States and the world come in droves to Hollywood. They all want to see a glimpse of the real Tinsel Town that they normally only see on TV and the wide screen. Hollywood already has tried and tested places that attract visitors like nothing else.

What we see on TV and the movies may not be reflective of the “real” Hollywood and the “real” Los Angeles, however. And this is exactly what Robert Cabrales wants to share to visitors. Together with the Communities for a Better Environment, he is organizing tours specially designed for eco tourists. This group is actually an advocacy organization that aims to give something back to communities.

So what does an eco tour of Los Angeles include? The answer is quite stark: a guided tour among the most “notorious environmental black spots” of the city. Dubbed Toxic Tours, these unique vacations are aimed to reveal the “dirty little secrets” of the city.

AFP reports:

“The purpose is mainly to let people know that there is something going on here, which is the dirty little secrets that pretty much most people don’t know about,” Cabrales says. “When we talk about tourism and people coming over to visit Los Angeles they’re not going to see the nasty parts.”

Launched in 2007, the tour departs several times a month, ferrying anyone from environmentally conscious tourists to schoolchildren, activists and even government officials.

Cabrales said the tour aims to shine a light on the “environmental injustices” of Los Angeles, where residents in poorer neighborhoods live in close proximity to heavy industry.

I admire the initiative and concept of the tours. However, I don’t know if I would want to pay to see these places. I mean, I might as well take note of the places and then go there myself. Then again, that wouldn’t mean much for the cause of trying to change things, would it?

How about you, would you pay to go on a Toxic Tour?

Originally posted on June 24, 2011 @ 6:18 am

Hollywood Farmers’ Market

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Do you like doing your grocery shopping on a regular basis? Do you feel a certain sort of despair each time you go to the supermarket and you find vegetables and other produce that are not up to your standards? Well, if you are ever in Hollywood and you want to do your grocery shopping, you might want to go to the Hollywood Farmers Market instead of Costco.

This market is a true blue outdoor street market which offers a wide variety of goods. To date, it has about 90 farmers, 30 artisans, and 30 food vendors. Read the description of the market from their own web site:

Besides offering a great variety of fresh California-grown fruits and vegetables, Hollywood Farmers’ Market offers other wares such as honey, fish, free-range poultry and eggs, meats, cheeses, olives, mushrooms, jams, jellies, fruit juices, sauces, dried fruit and nuts, espresso, ethnic foods prepared on premises, hot pancakes, bread, biscuits, clothes, jewelry, gifts and more.

Now isn’t that just enough to make you want to visit the market? More than the food and produce, however, you can also enjoy other activities such as live music from street musicians. There are other forms of entertainment, family-oriented activities, and more. As such, you can make your visit to the market more than a routine chore. Indeed, it can be a family event that can keep everyone busy and happy.

The Hollywood Farmers’ Market is held every Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm. You will surely find it easily on Ivar Avenue and Selma Avenue.

Originally posted on August 12, 2011 @ 4:41 pm

Musso & Frank: Authentic Hollywood Grill

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Millions and millions of tourists have set foot on Hollywood and have roamed the streets to discover what this amazing city has to offer. Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it is no wonder that Hollywood is home to all sorts of establishments catering to all sorts of tastes and preferences. There is one thing that will always be sought after: that authentic Hollywood feel; and if you are looking for the real deal, then you should pay Musso & Frank Grill a visit.

This is not your run-of-the-mill restaurant which tries to emulate the Hollywood in everybody’s dream. It IS part of Hollywood’s rich and colorful history. Founded in the early 1900s, this establishment was the regular haunt of many personalities – from actors to literary figures. It changed ownership in 1926, and has continued to cater to locals and visitors alike. Recently, Musso & Frank has undergone some radical changes yet again. Jordan M. Jones, a descendant of the owners, took over the reins and implemented improvements while at the same time sticking to old traditions.

It used to be that the grill was best known for its martinis. Today, they have expanded their menu to include excellent wines and other drinks. They have also started playing music late at night, which was something “unknown” in the past. Once you put your foot inside the door, however, you will not be able to deny that Musso & Frank has something that all the other establishments in Hollywood may not have. Whatever you want to call it, you’ll definitely get that feeling at this Hollywood fixture.

Originally posted on May 9, 2011 @ 8:30 am

Chateau Marmont: A Hollywood Icon

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180px-chateaumarmont_01It may not be the newest hotel in the area, nor is it the grandest, but the Chateau Marmont is the hotel steeped in authentic Hollywood history. Located at 8221 Sunset Boulevard, the hotel was built in 1927 by Fred Horowitz. It was modeled after the famed Château d’Amboise in the Loire Valley in France. Originally, though, the project was not meant as a hotel. In fact, it was opened in 1929 as an apartment building. Due to the high rent and the Depression, there weren’t many takes. As such, it was converted into a hotel in 1931.

In 1990, Chateau Marmont was bought and has since then been run by hotelier Andre Balazs. So what is so special about this hotel? Let’s just say that countless Hollywood (and non-Hollywood) celebrities have spent many a naughty time in this place. This hotel is perhaps the most discrete and most private that you can find in all of Hollywood. And, in a place where privacy is hard to come by, Chateau Marmont is a haven for many. Indeed, Harry Cohn (founder of Columbia Pictures) is quoted to have said that “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.”

This license for the naughty and the privacy does not come cheaply, though. The hotel has 63 rooms, cottages, and bungalows. The cheapest room – standard – will cost you a hefty $300++ per night. For the utmost privacy, the bungalows are what the stars choose. I can’t even begin to imagine how much these cost!

The next time you find yourself with cash – lots of it – to burn and you want a genuine Hollywood experience, check yourself in at the Chateau Marmont.

Originally posted on November 18, 2010 @ 12:45 am