West Hollywood...smoking ban @ outdoor cafes!



Butt out!

Well, all those trendy watering holes that cater to celebrities in WeHo may have to uproot - lock, stock, and barrel - if they want to hold on to a posse of their celebrity clientele come January (2012).

Uh-huh!

City Council has gone the way of a handful of communities across the Nation in recent days and has banned smoking alfresco (on patios at outdoor cafes and in bar stoops where patrons are inclined to sneak a quick toke) commencing in the near year!

A rag-tag band of locals are putting up a fight, though.

Meanwhile, for us "non" smokers, it is no big deal.

But, my heart goes out to those dudes (and dudettes), who like a puff now and then on city streets on the lone trek homeward bound or during happy hour.

By the way, in the event President Obama zooms into town - and descends on one of the classy WeHo "in" spots on Robertson Boulevard for a night-on-the-town - no problemo!

According to a news report this morning - Barack went cold-turkey - and hasn't had a ciggie-pooh in about a year or so.

Congrats, Mr. President!

The 1st Lady didn't fess up on how he managed to lick the dirty habit, though.

News at 11!

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CRUNCH...state-of-the-art gym in West Hollywood!

 

Exercise work-outs on tap!

I woke up this morning and my muscles were racked in pain.

Ah, that was a good sign!

My work-out last night did the trick and got me moving in the right direction body-wise.

Over the years, I have always endeavoured to keep in shape.

But, over the course of the past six months - things have been so hectic - that I let my gym membership slide!

Now, I am paying for it.

Until this week, when a couple of "trial offers" flew into my mailbox from a couple of the local body-building palaces.

As I noted in a post a couple of days ago - a 7-day free week at Gold's - was just a scam to get me in the door so their salesmen (and sales-ladies) could hit me with some fast-talking jive, and thus, manipulate me into a long-term contract at the trendy outlet on Cole (Hollywood).

Needless to say, I passed on that sleazy outfit.

Post:  12/18/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/12/golds-gymfree-pass-scam-consumer-alert.html

In contrast, it was smooth sailing when I sauntered into CRUNCH on Sunset Boulevard in WeHo to take a gander at their free trial offer.

Once I handed off a coupon I downloaded from my Yahoo mailbox, they waived me inside.

"Enjoy your work-out. We'll talk at the end of the week," a Manager beamed with no strings attached.

You got me at "hello"!

In fact, I was impressed with the lay-out of the gym right off-the-bat.

In spite of the fact CRUNCH has been a mainstay in the neighborhood for quite a few years, I didn't spy any worn carpets - or run-down work-out equipment - in a two-level environment that screamed out "class".

The black wall-to-wall floor mattes - which cushion and pamper underfoot - complement the state-of-the-art machines that are crafted in slate grey with cobalt-blue highlights.

And, the upbeat mood-elevating music piped in to the environment by a discerning hip DJ is a plus, too.

A bank of treadmills and cycles on one end of the facility is situated just below a row of wide-screen television sets so that members (and guests) may keep up on the news, or their latest episode of a comedy hit, as they burn off calories and get in shape.

By the end of the invigorating work-out - just betcha - most dudes will plop down in the steam room (or sauna) for a relaxing moment or two as well.

Two thumbs up!

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West Hollywood...City Council Members attend "Fresh East" Dragon Dance ceremony!

When Pavilions renovated their WeHo flagship grocery store this year, they also erected a row of spanking new retail outlets, to attract tenants along trendy Santa Monica Boulevard at Robertson.

Last night, as I was whizzing by the festive lot decorated for the Yuletide Season, I spied "Fresh East" (an upscale eatery featuring Asian Cuisine) tossing an opening-night party to kick-off their entree into the multi-cultural community.

Inside - as Council Members John Heilman and Abbe Land gazed on from the sidelines - a spectuacular Dragon Dance wowed all the guests ready to chow down on the delectable eats about to be offered up.

According to Eastern tradition, a Dragon Dance - replete with a riot of clanging bells and jolting percussion beats - is a ceremonial must to drive away evil spirits at New Year - and thus - bestow good fortune and blessings on the business establishment in the months ahead.

Judging by the festivities I was witness to last evening, Fresh East is off-and-running, to sure-fire success in WeHo!

Good fortune, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Don't Drink & Drive...cocktail napkins in WeHo bars! Free Metro rides!

In West Hollywood this Yuletide Season, Public Safety joined forces with the local Sheriff's Department to kick off a promotion to curb driving under the influence during the festive Christmas and New Year's celebrations ahead.

Cocktail napkins are being distributed in trendy watering holes around WeHo with a timely message emblazoned on their face.

"Don't Drink and Drive!"

The main purpose is to persuade revellers to take a taxi (cheaper that a DUI) or drag along a designated drive on the night locals and out-of-towners alike hit the strip for a madcap night out-on-the gay old town!

The Center for Disease Control has reported that motorists are killed every thirteen minutes in car crashes.

Non-fatal injuries occur every two minutes.

In the event a table-hopper is too blitzed to read the message, the Sheriff's Department has hammered the point home, by parking a slightly demolished SUV in front of the Station at San Vicente and Santa Monica Blvd in WeHo proper.

The Sunset Strip Business Association has hopped on the band-wagon, too.

Tipsy-tows are being offered to single drivers in need of a lift home on Christmas Day and New Year.

The rides are free including those who are non AAA Club members.

Metro Line bus services are also free on New Year's Day.

In addition, a free shuttle service will run along Santa Monica Boulevard from 8 p.m. on December 31st to 4 a.m. on January 1st (2011).

Info:  323.848.6414

Happy Holidays!

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