Behind the Scenes with Barbara: 47O6: Year of the Rat

Thursday, February 7, 2008

47O6: Year of the Rat

The Year of the Rat has come! In places all over the world today people are celebrating the Lunar New Year (better known as the Chinese New Year) in several exciting ways. From Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing, to London and Los Angeles, there will be red envelopes passed out, dumplings served and tangerines at the table.

Image taken from the Internet.

Locally...

One vibrant Vietnamese community, Westminster's Little Saigon, is known for its elaborate celebrations during this time—dragon parades and all.

Go to their Tet Parade 2008 on Saturday.
Capture their culinary spirit here anytime.

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Mixed Media
The University Art Store (in the east side of campus) stocks up on the freshest art magazines. You’ll find: Giant Robot, Juxtapoz, CMYK, ArtForum, and Metropolis (to name a few). (5-14-08)

Absorb in Exorbitance
For a luxurious kind of shopping spree, indulge in the sweet styles found at Anthropologie, either for apparel or home décor. Point and click at Anthropologie.com. (5-14-08)

Pretty Good-Looking
Jeremy Kost is like the Patrick McMullan of our contemporary, dazed era. See Kost get in all the hot celebrity action with his Polaroid photography at RoidRage.com. (5-14-08)

Eye Work
“Lawrence Weiner: As Far As the Eye Can See” will stretch your vision (and knowledge) of this cool Bronx artiste’s world. Enjoy the examination at the MOCA Contemporary. (5-14-08)

Feast Your Appetite on This
Breakfast feast. Lunch feast. Dinner feast. Dessert feast! All at Babette’s Feast, the French Bakery Café at 4621 E. Second St. (5-14-08)

Easy on the Eyes
Top fashion designers, like Phillip Lim and Michael Bastian, redefine the classic white shirt in this season’s Gap Design Editions (Gap.com). (5-7-08)

My Love Hurts
Dr. Drew cures broken hearts and STD woes, while KROQ jockey Stryker lures fun celebrity guests on Loveline. Tune in at 10 p.m. to midnight on KROQ 106.7 FM. (5-7-08)

Fresh and Easy
Mark Hunter, better known as The Cobrasnake, wears funny glasses and has a goofy haircut, but he takes all the pretty people's pictures. Check it out at TheCobrasnake.com. (5-7-08)

West Side Story
Celebrate the night on campus at the Soroptimist House (7 p.m.) by getting high off sweet poetry and fiction work - it's all a part of the week-long Long Beach Celebrates: West Coast Writers. (5-6-08)

Rambling on Momofuku
Elvis Costello and the Imposters must really love the inventor of Top Ramen and Cup Noodles (Momofuku Ando). Will you love Costello's new record, "Momofuko?" (5-6-08)

¿Loncheras, Donde?
Stinky controversy might drift in East Los Angeles' air, but we can smell sweet hot taco sauce in our neighborhood. Skip loncheras and go to Taqueria la Mexicana, 3270 E. Fourth St. (5-5-08)

Hey, Mr. DJ
Flip through endless milk crates full of juicy vinyl at one of Long Beach's best kept secrets: Dizzy on Vinyl, at 3004 E. Seventh St. (They're so old school, they don't have a website.) (5-5-08)

These Kicks Are Ill
If you like your kicks to gleam like 14-karat polish, step right in to an urban utopia at Proper, 425 E. First St., in the East Village Arts District where Proper dwells. (5-5-08)

New Digital World
Combine MySpace and YouTube, you get Operator11.com. Get your own channel soon. (5-5-08)

Fluffy and Feathery
Find out why skater-dude Gabe Nevins and "Gossip Girl's" Taylor Momsen are so cool at Nylon TV (via NylonMag.com). Hint: "Paranoid Park." (4-30-08)

Pink and Stuff
Hearts, ruffles and flirty, fanciful apparel—all quite luxurious, and cute, cute, cute. So, shop, shop, shop at Juicy Couture at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (4-30-08)

Writing It Well
Of ergonomic and functional design, quality pens by Staedtler are the best in the world. Find them easily at the University Art Store in south campus. (4-30-08)

Chunky Strawberries
Sip up a nutritious, blended cocktail-like whirl of a smoothie at Jamba Juice. The drink's called Chunky Strawberry. It's on the Breakfast Meal menu. (4-30-08)

No Relation
Artist John Sander creates a lawn-full of bright, steel stars and calls the view "49." Visit this art show happening at Marymount College on the Palos Verdes hilltop. (4-28-08)

A Poet's Poet's Poet
"Elizabeth Bishop: Poems, Prose and Letters" is a nice enough reason to further celebrate National Poetry Month. (4-28-08)

Cool Cakes
Chocolate, peanut butter, chai latte ? what combination of $4 cupcakes will Zephyr Vegetarian Café bake today? Located at 340 E. Fourth St. (4-28-08)

Expanding Food Orb
A pleasant atmosphere with a pleasant new, expanded menu is now at Portfolio Coffeehouse. Located at 2300 E. Fourth St. (4-28-08)

Get Some Satisfaction
Satisfaction, an OC-based music act, opened for Matt Costa Thursday night at OCPAC's Samueli Theater. With their second EP "Cougars, Sharks & Flying Sparks," these boys show off their smoky arrangements, exploring a soundscape of wrangly guitars, smooth vocals and a sweet, lingering piano. See them tonight in Long Beach at the Prospector. (4-28-08)

Ditching Coachella
Warning: Coachella is, like, in the desert... Hot, expensive, far away. Go somewhere cooler (and cheaper!) this weekend, like the Kaleidoscope Festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival, or the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (and read investigations editor Lauren Williams' blog from the LA Times at Jacket Copy!). (4-25-08)

Polaroid Land
Echo Park photographer Marleah Tobin comes to Long Beach, so to speak, with her art show "Camera Eyes," now at {open} bookstore on Fourth Street. (4-23-08)

A Creative Cocktail
Get to the Student Art Galleries for a closer look at campus artists' works. A new show comes alive every Sunday evening, but closes down by Thursday. (4-23-08)

Flirty and Fantastic...
And flowery, fashionable, free-spirited. The Kartos stationery collection ($6.75, Barnes & Noble) is all that and perfect for spring fling correspondence. (4-23-08)

Shoe Lover
Explore the good glamour of Herman's Shoe Fashion on the Belmont Shore strand. Be prepared to find your favorite men in there, like Marc Jacobs, Franco Sarto. (4-23-08)

Long Beach is So Cool
Rock out with the latest Long Beach compilation record, "Trust Us." Find it at Fingerprints on Second Street. (4-23-08)

Poetic Murmurs
Get in touch with your inner poet, or get in tune with the Greats—April is National Poetry Month. (Where to start? We recommend Poets.org.) (4-14-08)

Deep Grooves
CSULB’s Dave Gerhart directs the New Music Ensemble tonight on campus at the Gerald Daniel Recital Hall. The show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $10 and $7. (4-14-08)

McQueen Awareness
Britain’s enfant terrible settles in West Hollywood with his sleek, future-mod ideals. Shop like you mean it at 8379 Melrose Avenue in WeHo. (4-14-08)

Tables, Chairs, and Charm
Meet the subversive, funny and sinister side of furniture in “Gord Peteran: Furniture Meets its Maker,” the new exhibit at the Long Beach Museum of Art. (4-14-08)

Getting It Right
Expand your everyday lingo with being a bright samaritan—visit FreeRice.com, a quiz site, where, by every word you define correctly, 20 grains of rice are donated to feed the world’s hungry. (4-14-08)

Ear-Bangers
Check out new music on The Raconteurs' CD "Consoler of the Lonely" and in Gnarls Barkley's CD "The Odd Couple," now selling at Fingerprints on Second Street. (3-25-08)

Oh Cap'n, Oh Cap'n
Cereal + ice cream = yum. Former captain to the USS Diversions, Adam Pringle, steers towards the District Weekly for a review on the new Cap’n Crunch Milkshake at Carl’s Jr. Read at TheDistrictWeekly.com. (3-25-08)

What's Happening?
Don’t just look at it, be a part of it! Allan Kaprow’s artwork inspires your participation and some performance. Now at the MOCA Contemporary in downtown Los Angeles. (3-25-08)

Unkempt, Urban, Ubiquitous
American Apparel. Get in on the Slim Slack phenomenon. Shop at AmericanApparel.net. (3-25-08)

Too Cool for School
Student artists produce this week's sculpture, drawing and painting pieces at the Student Art Galleries on display through Thursday. Located near the Art Department. (3-25-08)

Under the Radar
The Raconteurs newest record “Consoler of the Lonely” comes out today with almost little announcement, but Fingerprints on Second Street are all set for a listening party all day long with a sweet raffle happening at 6pm. (3-24-08)

Space Intruders
Make it to Westwood’s Hammer Museum for an exciting inaugural evening of Bjork’s 3-D “Wanderlust” video, then Q&A with directing duo Encyclopedia Pictura. RSVP at Flux.net. (3-24-08)

Let’s Get Physical
Sweat into rhythmic, sensual salsa dancing at Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art. Classes start at 6:30pm tonight. (Call 562-437-1689 if you need more persuasion.) (3-24-08)

The Lost and the Desperate
Make it out to East Hollywood's Pink Elephant, a real Charles Bukowski hangout. Or simply rent Barbet Schroeder's 1987 hit "Barfly," based on the author's era of insobriety. (3-17-08)

Going Out
For the ol' classy Buk, Sundays were meant for crab legs at the Glider Inn, now called Mahe, in Seal Beach. (3-17-08)

My German Buddy
Bukowski used to drink cheap domestic beer, but also enjoyed Riesling or Johannesburg, which are German white wines. (3-17-08)

Creative Writing Class
Remember Gerald Locklin? He is a retired CSULB English professor and was also a friend of Bukowski. Read Locklin's memoir pieces, "A Sure Bet," now in the library's special collections. (3-17-08)

Darkness and Ice
According to Locklin, he'd run into Bukowski at the 49'rs Tavern, at the intersection of PCH, Seventh Street and Bellflower. (3-17-08)

French Connection
Check Ed Banger's MySpace where he's just dropped a new Justice music video, "DVNO," directed by the über French "it" man So Me. (3-5-08)

Project Finale
Rami, Jillian or Christian-who will be the winner of "Project Runway's" season 4? Someone will be "in" tonight on BravoTV at 10 p.m. (3-5-08)

Cuts Across LA
You've heard UK's The Duke Spirit on the radio, now they bring their seductive swamp of emotions and blistering guitars to LA's The Echo, tonight at 8 p.m. (3-5-08)

I Wanna...
Convert to Buddhism! Live in Australia!! Cook Mexican food? OK. Start taking notes on SoYouWanna.com. (3-5-08)

Some Sweetness
From dainty stationery collections to plain ol' personal planners, SugarPaper.com has all the right eye-popping paper products for countless occasions. (3-5-08)

Take Your Pick
CSULB artists bring ideas back from Cambodia and more at this week's shows at the Student Art Galleries. (3-4-08)

Grunge Revival
Skate over to the Hammer Museum in Westwood where Gus Van Sant's latest, "Paranoid Park," screens tonight at 7:30 p.m. (3-4-08)

The Art of Amassment
"Collecting Collections: Highlights from the Permanent Collection of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles"- massive! Now through May 19. (3-4-08)

Trend Report
Jenny G on Second Street has all the latest, vibrant spring styles you'll need to cruise Belmont Shore and beyond. (3-4-08)

White Hot Lust
You want the candy and you want to blush-the Raveonettes visit the El Rey in Los Angeles tonight at 8 p.m. (3-4-08)

Say Steaz
Pick up a tall, slick bottle of those $2 "organic fuel" energy drinks by Steaz available at Robeks at the University Student Union. (3-3-08)

Surf On Over
Cruise over to Surf City Squeeze at the University Dining Plaza for a thirst-quenching chiller or smoothie. (3-3-08)

Stars in the Library
Yum ... Starbucks. That says it all. Located on the first level of the University Library. (3-3-08)

Switch It to Booze
The Nugget Pub & Grill, in the Campus Center (outside the UDP), is the only place on campus that serves beer. Go for the gold! (3-3-08)

Simply Soothing
Sit down on the patio or on comfy sofas near by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, while sipping on the tasty drinks they serve all semester. Located on the second level of the USU. (3-3-08)

Blushing a Fever
Fall in love with the store Romance, Etc. on Second Street for chocolates, fresh flowers and a large, lustrous collection of dreamy goods. (2-28-08)

Fast Forward
Always well-designed and well-versed, Anthem Magazine (formerly based in Long Beach) revamps its website at AnthemMagazine.com. (2-28-08)

Film and Fashion Frenzy
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) celebrates all the best wear in movies with "The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" exhibit through mid April. (2-28-08)

Vinyl and Fun
Steve Aoki loves to make young, bright kids dance. Be around for it at CineSpace in Hollywood, every Tuesday night, starting at 11 p.m. (2-28-08)

Art Stars by 22
What do Latinos and multiple personalities (in pictures), an adventure into the Salton Sea and some esteemed ads have in common? They're now on display at the Student Art Galleries. (2-27-08)

Fresh Season
Butter up in the best-smelling lotions, like La Source and Gardeners Hand Therapy by Crabtree & Evelyn. (Crabtree-Evelyn.com has the 411 on the nearest locations.) (2-27-08)

The Name Game
Koo's Art Center on Broadway is featuring a creative batch of artists who want their names known in "Hello My Name Is." Get names before March 15. (2-27-08)

Her Tehran and Vienna
Marjane Satrapi's novel got turned into a powerful little animated film called "Persepolis," which is now playing at the Art Theater on Fourth Street. (2-27-08)

The Campaign for Breakfast
Begin your days with a feast made for kings and queens; travel down to Eggs Etc on Redondo Avenue. (2-27-08)

Statuesque Success
The 80th Annual Academy Awards will go on, red carpet and all, Sunday (all day if you include the elaborate, semi-gossipy pre-shows). (2-21-08)

Short and Sweet
Loose lips might sink ships, but loose gooses take trips to see Kimya Dawson at Amoeba in Hollywood, Friday at 7 p.m. (2-21-08)

Deal or No Deal
Watch matchmaker Patti Stanger work her love magic with millionaires and everyday minions on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker;" new episodes every Tuesday night. (2-20-08)

Stripped Catharses
Gaze at the beauty of the nude without panic at the Getty Center’s “In Focus: The Nude.” The exhibit runs through Feb. 24. (2-19-08)

The Boy’s Club
Learn what to do with flowers ASAP. Go to www.SavedByTheBud.com for clear directions. (2-14-08)

Kiss and Smell
We are a people of hearts and desires; understand human tendencies from ritual to romances in Diane Ackerman’s “A Natural History of the Senses.” (2-14-08)

Get into the Groove
Anaϊs Nin, mother of eroticism explored in literature, will be honored tonight at the Hammer Museum in Westwood at 7p.m.. (2-12-08)

Look Smooth
Straight-razor shaves are all the craze at the very new, very trendy Flaunt Salon on Broadway. (2-12-08)

Sway it Your Way
Be pretty, be poetic and be swayed in a gondola all to yourself at Gondola Getaway. Visit www.GondolaGetAwayInc.com. (2-12-08)

Murmurs of the Heart
Balance your mind. Relax your fluttering heart. Be in control on Valentine’s. Do yoga first. Yoga World Studio is on Britton Drive. (2-12-08)

Where They Vacation
{open} bookstore on Fourth Street showcases a special retrospective called "Five Easy Pigliano Pieces" by Cold War Kids' Matt Maust. (2-10-08)

A Tingling Inside
The Museum of Latin American Art display a color-scorched exhibit "Urban and Rural Landscapes," now through July. (2-10-08)

Easy on the Eyes
Saturate in a pretty wealth of videos and pictures on www.Style.com. (It's Fashion Week in New York. Durrr.) (2-7-08)

Burps and Balls
You might have 99 problems, but on Sunday there ain’t gonna be one. Super Bowl XLII is on! (1-31-08)

Benchwarming Time
Derek Jeter and the rest of the pretty, sleazy or controversial will make their 30-second emergence during Super Bowl’s commercial time. (1-31-08)

Bono Binge
Immerse the marvelous IMAX experience at Irvine’s Edwards 21 with “U2 3D.” (1-31-08)

Beach Bolt
The ocean-front dash of the year, the Huntington Beach’s Surf City USA Marathon, starts fresh on Sunday morning. www.RunSurfCity.com tells you where to meet. (1-31-08)

A Smarter Lad
Ask anything you want and SmarterChild (send him a message on AIM or AOL) has the answer. (1-30-08)

A Sleepy Face So Sweet
Cory Kennedy is promisingly becoming an icon of this digital era. Know all about her at http://www.uber.com/corykennedy. (She blogs.) (1-30-08)

A Hot Mess
Perez Hilton, a.k.a P-Nasty and Peretzel, loves the dirt. Read at www.PerezHilton.com. (1-30-08)

Forever Fellini
Westwood’s Hammer Museum screens a rare 1978 film starring composer Nino Rota, where the message is: the orchestra is a metaphor for the world at large. Tonight at 7 p.m. (1-30-08)

Longer Lashes to Bat
Ethereal beauties, Bat for Lashes, are splashing onto the indie music award scene with dreamy ditties. Listen to "What's A Girl To Do?" at www.PlugAwards.com. (1-29-08)

The Weather Man
He makes bizarre movies, mixes organic coffee and now gives us the weather. Watch director David Lynch give us a daily report at www.DavidLynch.com. (1-29-08)

Dot Me Away
Start a chain reaction (but don't become too obsessed) with the online game Boomshine found at www.k2xl.com. (1-28-08)

Richly Rapturous
Stella McCartney announces plans of her first lingerie line. (1-28-08)

Decadent Hipster Gold
Steve Aoki likes bright colors and the coolest music, like Justice and the Klaxons, so you know "Pillowface and his Airplane Chronicles" is where it's at. (1-28-08)

Found in Fantasy
Twist your way to "mystery and whimsy" in Richard Bartoletti's art show at Portfolio Coffeehouse. (1-28-08)

Smoke and Dark Chocolate
There's no resisting Heath Ledger's deep voice and handsome looks. Remember the actor in some of his best work: "Brokeback Mountain" and "Candy." (1-28-08)

Gossip
What? Gossip? For real? JuicyCampus.com has officially added Cal State Long Beach to its lineup. (1-22-08)

Oscars de la Renta
Rent Oscar-worthy flicks, like "Zodiac" and "La Vie En Rose." (1-22-08)

Polish up with Preen
This glossy magazine gets it right - and that's partly because it's based in Huntington Beach. (1-22-08)

Art and Innocence
Starbucks juries the artwork of schoolchildren who piece sea shells and coffee beans for eco-inspired mosaics. See it now at the Long Beach Museum of Art. (1-22-08)

Extrasolar Extravaganza
Captain Kirk, Spock and the rest of the clan off the USS Enterprise are now at the Queen Mary Dome through mid-February for "Star Trek The Tour." (1-22-08)

Behind the Scenes with Barbara

Thursday, February 7, 2008

47O6: Year of the Rat

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