The native Matilija Poppy adorning the LA landscape now is a wondrous site, Tomatoes. The empowering “She Angels Foundation” is hosting an online Salon that you do not want to miss.  The LA Zoo’s “Beastly Ball” will stream live honoring wildlife and human superstars.  Just a reminder that Tomatoes can still “drop-in” to meditate with “Mindful Awareness” sessions. The Getty Center on the westside and Echo Park to the east reopened this week with new offerings to enjoy.  Did I hear someone say Food Tour? Yep!  “Everybody Eats” in Long Beach, Tomatoes. Listen in to this week’s inspiring podcast. And sign up for June ZOOM event.

June 10.^. She Angels Foundation Salon

The “She Angels Foundation” is chock full of mighty and empowered women whose focus is to empower and encourage other women to make a difference in the world. Tune in to their online Salon where guest speaker Victoria Tilford will empower you in several amazing ways, Tomatoes. 

This Salon will empower women through mindfulness tools and self-care suggestions that can be used to improve emotional well-being, enhance work-family connections, and decrease burnout. Not only will it empower, but it will also inspire you.  Register soon to save your spot Tomatoes.  She Angels Salons promote community for its members as well as talking about issues that support women.  And thankfully the this Salon is open to the public.  But you might consider, becoming a She Angels Member because they do so much good. At the core of the She Angels Foundation is a simple mission as said by co-founder Catherine Gray, “Fund women, change the world.”. By giving grants to female founded nonprofit organizations that provide mentorship, funding, and resources to diverse women and girls you can make a huge difference in the world.”

This Week’s Podcast

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June 5. Virtual Beastly Ball

The Los Angeles Zoo’s “Beastly Ball” is L.A.’s biggest and most important fundraiser of the year and is wildly popular and fun.  With the brilliantly entertaining Joel McHale returning as host, celebrity honorees, star studded guests and animal superstars featured, there is no doubt the 2021 “Virtual Beastly Ball” will be a worldwide sensation that will raise tons of funds for wildlife conservation, Tomatoes. 

AND it is a FREE event!  The Virtual Beastly Ball fundraising gala will honor action superstar and global wildlife champion Jackie Chan and actress and philanthropist Leila George and most importantly celebrate and support GLAZA’s efforts to fund a myriad of programs, including global wildlife conservation, innovative animal care and health, and inspiring education programs at the Los Angeles Zoo.  It’s simply going to be a blast, so I hope to see you at the ball, Tomatoes.

The Personal Branding Event

The marketplace has never been more competitive — whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate executive, or one of the many people job searching right now, you need to distinguish yourself from the competition. Join us for a zoom event that could change your life with two top experts in personal branding. SIGN UP HERE.

Thursdays. Mindful Awareness Meditation

The Hammer and UCLA EDU’s hope is that “Mindful Awareness Meditation,” via Zoom, can be a refuge for you and help you to reduce stress, boost the immune system, reduce emotional negative responses, and promote a general sense of health and well-being. Sounds luverly to me, Tomatoes.

And it’s free and no need to register.  The weekly 30 minute “drop-in” sessions are led by UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center’s Diana Winston and other MARC-affiliated teachers.  You can attend for 5 minutes, or the full 30 minutes and sessions are open to anyone interested in learning how to ‘live more presently’ in life.  I might just drop-in too, Tomatoes!

The Getty Center Opens

The Getty Center just reopened on Tuesday. Can I hear a Hip Hip Horray?!  Finally… we can enjoy its magnificence again.  They have been busy bees during the pandemic closure with the planting of new plants, vines, trees and flowers across the Getty Center’s lush landscape . Not to mention acquiring art for 5 new exhibits that will tickle your fancy, Tomatoes. 

“We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the iconic Getty Center, one of Los Angeles’ most visited cultural destinations,” said Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. “As well as all the familiar highlights of the museum’s collections, gardens, architecture and vistas, we will be featuring our newly acquired painting of `Lucretia’ by Artemisia Gentileschi, and special exhibits of photography and other media. With both the Villa and Center opening, the staff are excited to welcome visitors back to their Getty.”  Side note: “Lucretia” by painter Artemisia Gentileschi happened to be one of the most celebrated woman painters of 17th Century Italy.  I love that! Capacity at the museum is very limited and reservations are required.  But be patient and persistent because new reservation space is released daily, so if your preferred day is booked, keep checking their reservations page.  It will be worth the wait, Tomatoes

Echo Park Reopened

And Holy Moly, Echo Park Lake reopened to the public Wednesday after a 2-month closure with $1.1 million spent on repairs, improvements, and an all-new playground. Heck that is a lot to do in a short time but very well-deserved for this beautiful and historic oasis, Tomatoes.

The newly renovated 29-acre park features an upgraded children’s play area, public restrooms, boathouse, lake bridge, landscaping work and security cameras were installed. Echo Park Lake with its view of the stunning DTLA skyline, abundant wildlife, great areas for picnicking and animal shaped paddle boats makes this park a real gem for friends and families to visit.  Time to take in all that’s new and spruced up at Echo Park Lake and make wonderful memories, Tomatoes.

May 29. Everybody Eats

“Everybody Eats” from Long Beach Fresh is a roaming community food tour of West Long Beach food and urban agriculture! Tomatoes can explore flavorful local restaurants and markets, urban farms and gardens, the diverse cultures of the neighborhood in the heart of the Long Beach’s Santa Fe Village.  Taste and eat away, Tomatoes.

During the “Everybody Eats” event, Tomatoes can enjoy free samples from local restaurants and snack shops. Visit gardens, local food businesses and urban farms and learn their stories. And learn about the hard work being done on Santa Fe to connect community through food. Even if you don’t live in the Santa Fe neighborhood there is lots to find yummy, interesting, and you’ll learn valuable lessons to take away with you for your own LA community, Tomatoes.