Summer sun

I love watching kids at the beach -

the feel of the water under one's feet and the warm breeze makes it a joyful playground.

It's a safe place just to scamper around....free to move and splash. But mothers always keep a watchful eye on the young, while catching up on their news.

In my day, we were used to seeing the Coppertone Baby ads for sun protection, and I was amused to see a towel with that cute baby on display.

Nothing but that stretch of ocean and the wind in your hair is all that you could ever need.

Harbor Fish Market and Maine Lobster

On  trip to Maine, you crave having lobster. Harbor Fish Market  with it's iconic red and green  storefront is a stop along the way.

You can order steamers and other delights. For lobster though, you can let them do all the cooking  and you buy by the pound, which can be expensive as seen here.

Lobsters can be bought by softshell or hardshell - the former offering a bit sweeter meat.

We chose well, softshells - bought them by the pound - at a price ranging from $3.90/lb to $5.50/lb which is a bargain at today's prices.

Needless to say, it was delicious - the pulling apart, cracking, and ritual of butter-drawn lobster is sublime.

Wish you were here.

:-)

Rodeo Drive by night

Lights and trees light up the scene

Robert Graham sculpture near the Rodeo Dr. enclave

Beverly Wilshire hotel

Hollywood Bowl - Nora Jones 8.10.12

Nora Jones filled the Hollywood Bowl with her magnetic voice and splendid accoustical sounds.

Nora won 5 Grammies in 2002 at that tender age of 23, and has a flurry of other successes. Her real name is Geethali Norah Jones Shankar...and is the daughter of Ravi Shankar - the noted Indian Sitar player who taught George Harrison a thing or two.

She infuses jazz, blues, pop vocals with a heavenly tone. And is probably the youngest old soul singer out there.

Needless to say, the crowd was filled with chicks....and a very tame but delighted crowd.

Venice BBQ - 8.4.12 - a community affair

Bring out the biggest bbq truck ever, and start up the grill.

Once a year the firefighters gather the community for a big picnic. Amazing that this is a no-holds barred free event - complete with tri-tip, the best ever chicken and hot dogs.

Venice Recovery Center and other volunteers help put up tents, chairs and serving.

The idea is to commune with your neighbor and help the community join in spirit with music, food and fun.

Addie who's been in Venice since 1962....raised 6 boys.

Concert by the Marina - Shelby Lynne & Lisa Loeb

Went out to enjoy the harbor lights and hear music from two incredibly talented singers

Shelby Lynne who won a Grammy for Best new Artist and known as a singer who can bridge the country, pop and rock threshold. She even played a small role in the film about Johnny Cash, "Walking the Line."

Lisa Loeb, known for her song "You Say" which was brought to the public's attention in the film - "Reality Bites." She is engaging and brought the crowd into song with campfire songs.

But the crowd and sumptuous setting were amazing.

Boats passing by were full of revelry and the wind off the water was super.

The sky light ever so brilliant under a cloudy sky. Wow, sure is nice to get out and be apart of a fun event.

Grand Performances - Accordian Night Downtown LA

Grand Performances brings musicians of all kinds to an open plaza throughout the summer in

Downtown Los Angeles.

Take the new MTA blue line a spell, and you are there in 30 minutes, avoiding the heavy traffic that exists in this car city.

And out onto the thriving scene that is the financial district by day, and a Bladerunner backdrop by night.

Excellent sculptural art and cool lighting makes the city come alive.

Talents like Gee Rabe - or Miss Accordian Diva from San Pedro lit up the crowd....

A huddle of dancers took to what looked like a Jetson's landing pad, with a reflective pool below.

My camera took over....trying to capture what is so elegant, and beautiful to watch....