RecipeMuncher

If you love cars and ice skating, boy have I got a weekend planned out for you! Check out all the new cars and auto gadgets at the LA Auto Show that starts this weekend. Then after your done, head on over to Downtown on Ice, Ice at Santa Monica, or Seaside Ice for some ice skating under the stars. If you like fake snow and fake people, check out the tree lighting ceremony at The Grove. Vote for your favorite play at Sacred Fools Theater or start your shopping early and buy someone something the earth could really use.

Nov 7 - Jan 19 - Ice at Santa Monica
Santa Monica (Times vary)
Brush the dust off those ice skates (what you don’t have your own pair?) and check out Winterlit in Santa Monica. Shopping along the promenade with Holiday events till the New Year with a snow hill, carolers, a Menorah lighting ceremony and Ice at Santa Monica presented by Starbucks. The rink is located at 5th Street and Arizona Avenue two blocks from the Promenade. Admission is and includes skate rentals.

Nov 18 - Jan 11 - Seaside Ice
Redondo Beach (Times vary)
Enjoy some cool beach skating at King Harbor in Redondo Beach. Seaside Ice will transform the Seaside Lagoon’s scenic beach area into a holiday wonderland. Included in the festivities will be live DJ music, movie nights, 50’s nights and more. Price is for adults, for kids. For event listings and more info check out their web site.

Nov 20 - Jan 9 - Downtown on Ice
Pershing Square, Downtown LA (Times vary)
Head on down to Pershing Square for a little ice-skating under the stars and sky scrapers. Skating sessions are in 1 hr increments and cost , plus skate rental. Every Thu starting Dec 6th, Spaceland starts their live music series. Skate to alternative, hip-hop, and world music. Parking located underneath the square is or take the subway to the Pershing Square stop.

*Downtown on Ice photo by Angelenic, used under Creative Commons License

Nov 21-30 - LA Auto Show
LA Convention Center (Times vary)
There is no doubting that people in LA are in love with the automobile. Now’s your chance to go car shopping without driving all over town. Ironic isn’t it? Take a seat in a new Porche, BMW, Toyota, Ford, Smart Car, Nissan, Audi, Mazda, Maybach, Saturn, VW, you name it. Plus, tons of accessories and car gadgets. Admission is and tickets can be purchased online.

Nov 22 - Serial Killers at Sacred Fools
Sacred Fools Theater, Hollywood (11pm)
The concept is familiar. 5 short plays, the audience votes for 3 of them to move on next week, where they get paired up against two new plays. This weeks challengers Good Cops Don’t Cry and MyFaceDotCom are up against last weeks champs Vatos in Space, Fresshhh, and The Mysterious Affair at Mr. Bendernagle’s Laua. Admission is only , for more info check out the web site.

Nov 23 - 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Grove
The Grove, Los Angeles (7:30 - 9pm)
Tis the season to spend money, falalala lalalala. If you find yourself in need of a xmas jump start check out the 7th Annual Grove Tree Lighting Spectacular at the Grove. There will be musical performances, celebrity hosts, the Top Hats, Snow, Santa, fireworks and more. Admission is free, get their early, it’s sure to be packed to the gills with strollers.

Nov 21 - Dec 9 - TreePeople Tree Dedication
Los Angeles
OK, so not really an event, but it makes a great Holiday gift. As opposed to spending cash to get something they will most likely return or re-gift, dedicate a tree in someones name. For they will send a card with a customized message with a note that you have planted a tree in their name. You can even participate in the tree planting. For more info check out their web site.

Maybe you want to relax this weekend as the Holiday season approaches. More than likely, soon you’ll be running around like a Turkey with it’s head cut off. But some of you will be looking to get out of the house. Unfortunately, I’ve been quite busy this week, and I couldn’t find a whole lot to do this weekend in the little amount of time I took to write the weekend guide up. So it is what it is this week, hopefully you find something that floats your boat.

Nov 12-16 - San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
San Diego (Times vary)
The largest luxury wine and food festival in Southern California, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival features 160 of the world’s top wine and spirits producers, 60 of San Diego’s award-winning fine dining restaurants, celebrity chefs, legendary winemakers, wine tasting and cooking classes, olive oil tasting and competition, a Reserve & New Release wine tasting, Embarcadero Bay Park Grand Tasting, ,000 “Chef of the Fest” Competition, and an AIWF Celebrity Chef Luncheon and Live Auction. Prices for the different events vary, so check their web site for more info.

Nov 14 - L.A. Earthquake: Get Ready Rally
Nokia Plaza L.A. Live, Downtown Los Angeles (4-9pm)
They tell us it’s coming, but they don’t know when. Sounds like the MTA doesn’t it? But better to be ready for the big one I guess. Get Ready Rally, features earthquake preparedness information, presentations by state and city government leaders, vendors (to stock up on Earthquake kits) and live entertainment. Admission is free!

Nov 14-16 - Greystone Mansion Tour
Greystone Park and Mansion, Beverly Hills (10am-3pm)
This is the final weekend of the Greystone Mansion tour until it closes it’s doors until this time next year. The Mansion was built in 1927 for the Doheny family by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann in an English Gothic Revival style. Enjoy the mansion and the 17 acres of surrounding landscaped gardens on guided tours every half hour for the steep price of . Advance purchase is recommended. More info on their web site.

Nov 15 - SouthPas ArtsFest
South Pasadena, along Mission Street (12pm-11pm)
The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and area businesses will host a day of world-class art, live entertainment, shopping and dining at SouthPas ArtsFest 2008. Spend the day strolling along historic Mission Street as South Pasadena transforms itself into an art lover’s village. Admission is free, take the Gold Line to the Mission Street exit. For more info, check out the web site.

Nov 15 - Wings over Long Beach
Long Beach Airport (9am-4pm)
A broad array of military and civil aircraft will be on display and available for tours, including the C-17, F-16, B-52, MQ-1 Predator, and more. The AF band of the Golden West and the AF Honor Guard Drill Team will be on stage to showcase their extraordinary performances. There will be many attractions at the Kids Zone like riding in a mini F-16 or climbing aboard the LA law enforcement Humvee. Tickets are only 5 bucks. More info here.

Nov 16 - The Ellis Marsalis Quintet
The Greek Theater (7:30pm)
This is where I will be this weekend, enjoying a beautiful Los Angeles autumn night under the stars, listening to some Jazz greats. Enjoy music from The Ellis Marsalis Quintet featuring Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, The McCoy Tyner trio featuring Gerald Cannon, Eric Kamau Gravatt and special guest Marc Ribot and Brad Mehldau(solo). Tickets start at and can be purchased online.