DEC 12-13: CHEERS! at Environment Furniture, Free Holiday Event

Here is a message from the fine folks at EcoStiletto, an organization that specializes in eco-aware events in LA:

If you're in Los Angeles this weekend, take a break from shopping and join Anna Getty & eco-designer Heather Heron on Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th for a family weekend event with cookies and hot chocolate at Environment Furniture, inspired by Anna's new book I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More. Environment Furniture is located at 8126 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA 90048. The event is free and no rsvp is necessary.

FEB 16: FREE LACMA MUSEUM ADMISSION FOR PRESIDENTS DAY

LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is FREE this Monday. Yep. If you have the day off on the national Presidents Day holiday, there will be no need to spend your Abes and Georges to get in. Bring your friends and family to LACMA's Target Free Holiday Monday on February 16 for totally free admission, artists talks, and more.

TOP TWELVE CHRISTMAS SONGS OF ALL TIME (TLR LIST)

by Don Rose

In honor of the 12 days of Christmas (and of course the 12 disciples, and the fact that 12 is the last innocent year before the teen years kick in and many kids stop believing in, well, the power of believing), and in honor of the 12 hours after 12 noon that make up Christmas Eve on December 24 (12 + 12)), we humbly present the 12 songs that The LA Report considers the greatest Christmas tunes of all time (where "all time" means since the modern musical era began with Handy's "Memphis Blues" in 1912, which happens to be 12x8 years ago).

Now before you write in complaining or contributing (both of which we encourage): sure, there are hundreds of other Xmas ditties out there, and dozens of other great classic songs we could have chosen, but we at The LA Report feel the delightful dozen below stood out most. When we say "greatest" we mean that hard-to-define blend of concepts that mixes "most memorable", "most recorded/covered", "most played on radio", "most popular with a crowd of diverse people", and "most likely to be part of a desert-island dozen" if one had to pick only 12 tunes to live with on Gilligan's Island (once the Professor fashioned an iPod out of coconuts, of course).

Next to each of the twelve tunes below is the person who did the version we like best. Here goes:

WHITE CHRISTMAS (Bing Crosby)
BLUE CHRISTMAS (Elvis Presley)
ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE (Brenda Lee)
JINGLE BELL ROCK (Bobby Helms)
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (Andy Williams)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Nat King Cole)
THE CHIPMUNK SONG (Christmas Don't Be Late) (The Chipmunks & David Seville)
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE (Vince Guaraldi Trio)
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (The Carpenters)
JINGLE BELLS (Frank Sinatra)
SLEIGH RIDE (Ventures)
HAPPY XMAS (War is Over) (John Lennon and Yoko Ono)

Any alternate/dissenting opinions out there? Write in and let us know: info@thelareport.com.

NOV 22: Beverly Hills Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Celebration; Free; Fireworks Finale

November 22 brings a favorite festive fete back to Beverly Hills, as they kick off the holiday season with style. Partake of holiday shopping sure to suit every taste, and holiday tastes sure to satisfy every palette.

Holiday street festivities begin at 3:00 pm in the 200 and 300 blocks of Rodeo Drive where adults and children alike will enjoy musical entertainment, balloon artists, and face painters – and, oh yes, have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the big guy in the red suit.

The “big show” starts at 6:00 pm with a live stage show, culminating in the lighting of the spectacular UNICEF crystal snowflake and 20 one-of-a-kind Baccarat chandeliers along Rodeo Drive.

And if that’s not enough, you’ll be treated to the fireworks finale above the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It’s all free – including the two hours of free parking at the City parking structures on Beverly and Canon Drives.

Nov 22, 2008. Ring in the holidays in Beverly Hills. Free. Location: 200 and 300 blocks of Rodeo Drive. Rumor is that Joel Madden and Nicole Richie may be there (they are listed on the web as being part of this celebration), so there is even a celeb factor here. Heck, it'll be loads of fun no matter who shows up. www.lovebeverlyhills.org.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2007, Part 3: EPOXYBOX ECO-CONSCIOUS GIFTS (SOLIO MINI SOLAR CHARGERS AND MORE, 10% OFF)

Email from Epoxybox:

Eco-GIFTS additional 10% off @ EPOXYBOX, open thru Monday afternoon!

We have collected an array of green and conscious gift giving that will fit any budget and any age. Open Every Day 'til Xmas! Many artists. Solar Flashlights (this company will send one flashlight to Refuge camps for EVERY flashlight purchased!); Surf Monks Amazing Turkish Eco-Fiber Robes; Solio Mini Chargers on Holiday Sale! Water Filtration Systems; Organic Cashmire Rugs; Electric Retro Scooters. Many more stocking stuffers and fashion items...check out our holiday blog! www.epoxybox.blogspot.com

Epoxybox is located on the SE corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice Blvd. in Venice, CA. 310-578-2100 -- www.epoxybox.com

DEC. 15-16: ECO GIFT EXPO, SANTA MONICA CIVIC

Make 2007 the year your "gifts go green"! This should be a great show - get all your last minute holiday shopping done under one (large) roof. Highly recommended by The LA Report.

DEC. 8: VON DUTCH ART AND TOY FAIR

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2007, Part 2: OOPSIE BABY CLEANER

This is one of The LA Report's favorite online ads of the 2007 holiday season. Makes you wonder how they got this picture, doesn't it? More info at: http://www.oopsiebabycleaner.com/

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2007, Part 1: NAPSTER HOLIDAY OFFER: FREE 1GB MP3 PLAYER W/ 1 YEAR NAPSTER-TO-GO SIGNUP