Positioned in the heart of Universal CityWalk Hollywood’s restaurant- and shopping-lined strip in the San Fernando Valley, you can find yourself skydiving in front of the masses. The setting is a tunnel, as opposed to the open skies, so no need to pack a parachute. However, the experience is quite similar.

The wind tunnel reaches wind speeds that exceed typical skydiving air speed (120 mph) though the difference being you’re never at risk of falling thousands of feet to your death.

Countless celebrities are flocking to CityWalk for probably their first time. In a recent GQ article, Robert Downey Jr. wouldn’t have conducted the interview, had the journalist not been willing to meet him at iFLY. It’s just one of those places, in my personal opinion, that keeps you coming back for more. You kind of get addicted to see what your body is capable of doing under extreme wind pressure. The slightest hand movement can turn you 360 degrees, and the way you position your body will either allow you to float high in the tunnel or drop like a pencil through the air.

Click here for pricing, as it varies depending on individual flights and groups.

iFLY Hollywood
Universal Studios City Walk
Hollywood - Universal City, CA 91608
tel: (818) 985-4359

*Located right off Metro’s Red Line at Universal City, take the Universal Studios Hollywood tram up to CityWalk for the most convenient, green, cost-effective form of transit to/from iFLY.

www.iflyhollywood.com

Not only were Dodger fans treated to a stellar bottom of the 9th walk-off home run on Sunday afternoon, they also may have been seated next to star Director, Producer, Writer, Actor — Rob Reiner. I saw him on the way to the Club level on the 1st base line. What a sighting! Gotta love LA sports.

Take it from me, poker is for amateurs. Pros don’t know what to expect. Whatever skills you may have, or may think you have, test them against the celeb set at the Fulfillment Fund’s “Summer Nights” fundraising event and No Limit Texas Hold ‘ Em charity poker tournament supporting disadvantaged youth on Aug. 3.

Up to 150 players will compete and the winner will receive a top ten finalist seat at the “Aces Full” three table invitational at the Bicycle Casino on Aug. 22, 2008, where they will play for 15K in cash and prizes including a seat at the 2009 WPT Legends of Poker Main Event.

Celebrities/Pros expected to attend include: Melinda Clarke (The OC, CSI), Jamie Gold (World Series of Poker Champion), Kelly Hu (X Men2, The Scorpion King), Maeve Quinlan (90210), Bailey Chase (Saving Grace), Tony Dennison (The Closer), Kristie Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Yancey Arias (Knight Rider), Victoria Pratt (Daybreak), Roger Cross (24, Caprica), Chris Harrison (Host of The Bachelor), Eric Woods (The Next Race), Tia Carrere (True Lies, Wayne’s World), Rosa Blasi (Strong Medicine), Justin Hartley (Smallville), Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill), Rikki Lake, Daisy Fuentes, Mark Thompson (That’s So Hollywood, Fox 11) and more.

Proceeds from the night will benefit the Fulfillment Fund Bright Future Scholarships.

Poker Package is $350 by August 1st including Tournament Buy-in for $250 and Gala Event Ticket. There is a late registration fee of $100 for registration at the door. Summer Nights Gala Event Fee is $125 for party goers by August 1st, or $150 at the door.

Location: RITUAL - 1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood

Check-in: begins at 3p.m. (Tournament begins promptly at 4p.m. Gala party to follow at 7p.m.)

For more information on the Fulfillment Fund, visit www.fulfillment.org.

Could this be the best 19th hole in Los Angeles? The Twilight at the Club put on by Ghettogloss is located at Griffith Park next to the pro shop and driving range at the Wilson and Harding courses. This Wednesday, the party will be hosted by American Pie’s Jason Biggs.

Here’s the image of how it goes down, according to Ghettogloss:

“Picture this…..
Hot summer twilight and ice cold drinks at the Clubhouse in Griffith Park. The hot summer sun is finally going down, our fine bearded 70’s dj is spinning some low tempo beats, you are sipping on an ice cold Bloody Mary and looking out into miles of green golf course in Griffith Park with a completely unobstructed view. As you sit under an umbrella at at table for four with a few of your rad girlfriends and check out the hotties at the table next to you, you can hear random caws of exotic animals from the L.A. Zoo in between beats and you think to yourself…………Holy shit, I love L.A.”

Twilight at the Club takes place every Wednesday night all summer long from 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Call Ghettogloss for more information 323 912 0008*

To get there:
Enter Griffith Park at Los Feliz.
Stay straight…past the Merry Go Round.
Go left at the third stop sign.
Go up the hill and park on the right or on the top lot.
If you pass the driving range, you have gone too far.
If you see the driving range, you’ve made it!!

Madame Tussauds has recently revealed the details of their newest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Located in the heart of Hollywood adjacent to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is scheduled to open in summer 2009 as the first Madame Tussauds to be built from the ground up in the 200-year history of the company. The 44,000-square-foot, $55 million, three-story building will be home to celebrity wax figures that can cost in upwards of $150,000 each to create. Set in 12 themed areas (The Red Carpet, Party, Spirit of Hollywood, Westerns, Crime, Modern Classics, Making Movies, Sport, Action Heroes, Behind the Scenes and Awards Ceremony), more than 80 figures will be on display. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the first three figures to be included in the new museum: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and the recently deceased Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. Hollywood prides itself on status symbols that celebrities thrive to attain; from getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to being the lucky recipient of an Oscar® Statuette. Having a wax figure created in your honor at Madame Tussauds Hollywood will soon be considered another preeminent mark of achievement for the celeb-set to earn and the public to admire. Not only will visitors be able to see their favorite celebs up close, the figures at Madame Tussauds can be touched and approached for photo opps.

www.madametussauds.com/hollywood

Instead of the usual fireworks extravaganza, why not check out Posh’s hubby on the pitch as the Galaxy take on the New England Revolution. A patriotic match for the ages. Think about it…a British sport on American soil with a Brit leading the charge for the Americans facing a militia from Massachusetts. Let’s hope our man Beckham doesn’t change his name to Benedict.

For $100, you and three others can see the fastest game in town (until Baron Davis goes toe to toe with Kobe). Fireworks will light up the night sky and cervezas will be had.

You may think of restaurants like Cut, the Ivy, Providence and Ortolan or hotels like the Beverly Wilshire, the Roosevelt and the Marmont as typical locales where you’ll find a-listers in their element. You’re right, but dropping $100 tabs might not suit your fancy. So if you’re looking for a quick fix, the red carpet isn’t always as unapproachable as you may think.

Standing outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is your best shot at spotting a celeb at the best value. Unlike a restaurant or hotel, the Grauman’s scene is 100% free. Not to mention, it’s located right next to the Metro subway station (Hollywood & Highland), and premieres typically take place early in the week (when flights are less expensive, hotel rates are lower and the weekend crowds are not as overwhelming). Hancock premiered on Monday and I saw Will Smith slowly parade down the red carpet with his family. Visitors to LA for their first time were in shock to say the least.

If you’re not the star struck kind of person and just trying to make your way down Hollywood during a premiere — when street closures kill the flow of traffic — I suggest walking/driving down either Franklin or Hawthorn.

Every Sunday in Hollywood there’s a farmer looking to sell off his best produce. Are you going to be the lucky recipient of a well-groomed crop, or is it going to be Mrs. Spice? Chances are it’s going to be you. Then again, Victoria Beckham appears to be keen on plant inspection. Posh was seen at the Hollywood Farmers Market last Sunday investigating a handful of lavender, and the London publication seen above mentioned our little old market outdates theirs — in a bit of a snobbish tone I might add. For the record, our city’s trendiness does not depend on Posh Spice!

Hollywood Farmers Market
1600 Ivar Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 463-3171
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=587

You never know who you’re going to see in Hollywood. However, you’re not usually going to find them in a grocery store. This past weekend, I saw John Salley at the new Fresh & Easy market at the corner of Hollywood and Sycamore. Located right off the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I guess the place is beginning to get some well-deserved star appeal. With prices similar to Trade Joe’s and variety comparable to Ralphs, you gotta love this new neighborhood grocer. Just be wary of the unusually high sodium content. Packaged goods come with hidden costs.

Who said girls can’t kick ass? The LA Derby Dolls match up in Downtown’s Toy District this weekend. Ticket will sell out to folks like Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, so be sure to get one ASAP.

Click here for tickets.

Click here to learn more about the LA Derby Dolls.