Master Carolers Serenade Our Cafe Sierra

The glow of the seasonal decorations gleam as you walk into Cafe Sierra. You will be greeted with a warm smile as you are escorted to your table. As you pass through the buffet, delicious aromas fill the air. Grab a plate and pile it high with culinary delights.

As you sit down to enjoy your delectable plate, Holiday Carols fill the air. Our Master Carolers serenade you with your favorite carols so sing along.

Sugar plums will dance in your head tonight after a trip to the dessert table. Cakes, pies, and holiday chocolate treats will bring your night to a sweet end.

Join us for Holiday cheer at Cafe Sierra’s Mater Carolers event on the 22nd thru 25th from 5pm to 10 pm. We would love to have your table waiting so contact us at 818-509-2030 and let the Holiday magic begin.

Staying in Los Angeles This Season? Check Out the Top 6 Things to do in LA for the Holidays

by F. Ron Smith on December 6, 2010 (TRAVEL TUESDAY)

“Stuck in LA for the Holidays?” You hear that phrase all of the time because people assume the best way to spend the holidays is back east where it is snowing or somewhere in a log cabin with a working fireplace.

The truth is, you can find many things to do in Los Angeles to get that good old holiday spirit while staying warm!  If you don’t want to make the drive to Anaheim and pay the admission price to celebrate the Holidays at Disneyland, check out six things to do in the local Los Angeles area that are just as fun and exciting.

1.  Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood- Sing along with the Whos of Whoville in this musical festival full of holiday cheer. Experience Universal’s winter playground of real snow,celebrity readings of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, live performances and a spectacular tree lighting ceremony. Universal Studios Hollywood knows that the holidays are a time for giving, so they are currently offering a deal where if you buy a day, you get a 2nd day for free! For hotel packages, visit HiltonUniversal.com

2.  Outdoor Ice Skating- This is the 13th season for the LA“Downtown on Ice” skating rink at Pershing Square which is the heart of Los Angeles. You can ice skate in this beautiful outside skating rink every day through January 17th, 2011 for the amazingly low admission cost of $6.

3. The Grove- Enjoy the beautiful Holiday lights, enormous lit Christmas tree and Santa’s house at The Grove Shopping Center. Visit and take pictures with Santa (right in front of Barnes and Nobles) and listen to Christmas Caroling at the LA Farmers Market. This will help put you in the mood to do all of your Holiday gift shopping!

4.  Los Posada on Olvera Street- From December 16th to December 24th, you can participate in this historic and beloved Mexican Indian fiesta on Olvera Street. This is the perfect event for your entire family or a group of friends as you indulge in multiple cultures while enjoying a variety of holiday displays and entertainment. If you have children, make sure you do not miss the children’s piñata breaking, which begins at 6 p.m every night.

5.  Christmas Boat Parades- The cool thing about the holidays in LA is that we have more than just our houses to decorate…we have boats! Enjoy extravagant fireworks and amazing holiday light displays on the evening of December 11th at either the King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach, the Naples Christmas Boat Parade in Long Beach, or the annual Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade where the theme for the boat parade is Christmas in Paradise.

6.  Bob Baker Marionette Theater- This is the perfect event to take your youngsters to during the holidays. Located in Silver Lake, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater has been operating since 1963 and is considered to be a true Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark. Bob Baker, the ultimate puppet master, has been crafting his marionettes since the 1930s all over Hollywood and the big screen.  The show has been called the “Best Children’s Live Theatre.”

Now, why would you want to spend your holidays anywhere else besides LA when we have it all here? What are some of your favorite LA holiday activities and events? Please share your opinions below and share with us some other great ideas you may have. Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Kevin Cole’s Flickr and Falling Sky’s Flickr

F Ron Smith is a founding partner at Partners Trust Real Estate and lives with his family in Brentwood. He can be reached at Fron.smith@thepartnerstrust.com.

Celebrate ‘Grinchmas’ in the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

FUN FRIDAY:

“Grinchmas” time is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood as The Entertainment Capital of L.A. prepares for a lively holiday season with the Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow and a “Whoville Whobilation” at the original movie sets where the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was filmed.

Nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, celebrity readings of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and encounters with a “Who’s Who” of Whoville characters will be part of the celebration, which expands this year to 18 days, beginning on December 11 and 12 and continuing daily from December 18 through January 2, 2011. “Grinchmas” is included in the price of theme park admission.

Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: “‘Grinchmas’ has become a true holiday tradition, an event where families can enjoy a slightly irreverent approach to the season while still being thoroughly immersed in holiday spirit. Because we expect very strong attendance during Christmas week, we’re adding five dates to this year’s ‘Grinchmas’ schedule in response to the event’s growing popularity.”

Guests will find an immersive holiday atmosphere. A whimsical, curving “Grinchmas” tree will tower 60 feet above the center of a snow-covered “Grinchmas” winter wonderland and will be lit in a nightly ceremony that will feature a colorfully costumed “Whoville” choir caroling and spreading holiday cheer. The Grinch and his faithful dog Max will be on hand to meet fans and take memorable holiday photos. Families will also be able to enjoy traditional winter fun, romping together in a playground of snow and building their own snowmen.

“Grinchmas” will also provide fans of the blockbuster movie a close-up view of the original “Whoville” film sets, featured in the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” aboard the world-famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. As the tram rolls to a stop amid the fanciful “Whoville” buildings, guests will experience a one-of-a-kind performance by “Whoville’s” residents re-enacting favorite scenes and songs from the film.

Guests who attend Universal Studios Hollywood‘s “Grinchmas” celebration will be able to stay at one of two local Universal City hotels.  Hotel packages and holiday deals enable each guest visit to become a full seasonal experience, with additional time to liesurely peruse CityWalk’s shopping and entertainment, among other treasured Hollywood highlights. The Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City hotel offers all the best of the Hilton brand in a convenient location with a complimentary shuttle to and from the theme park and nearby CityWalk.

More information, including holiday promotional offers and information regarding celebrity readings of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” will be available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.