This past weekend, LA had three great festivals take place citywide. From the Grand Avenue Festival in Downtown to the San Gennaro Feast of LA in Hollywood and the Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice, Los Angeles was humming with African drum beats, Italian performers and the sounds of the LA Philharmonic. Celebs were sighted and pounds were gain.

Jonah Hill was among the mob that sauntered down Abbot Kinney on Sunday. However, he didn’t quite stand out as much as the Venice staple Snake Charmer.

September 26–28

Located across the street from Hollywood & Highland Center, this perennial event celebrates Italian culture while raising funds for children’s charities. Bocce ball, wine and live music are all part of the fun, and of course, what would an Italian feast be without tons of pizza, pastas and other great dishes from LA’s top restaurants?

Don’t miss the opening-night fundraising gala, hosted by funnymen Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. Cooking stages will also showcase recipes and Italian cooking techniques. www.feastofla.org

Don’t miss this chance to vote for the overall best city in the U.S. — Los Angeles! America’s Favorite Cities, the annual survey from travelandleisure.com, is an interactive game that pits 25 cities against each other in a head-to-head battle to the finish. Visitors to the site vote for their favorites; then each week, the losers of these competitions will be eliminated, while the winners will advance to a new round of voting. Come back on Oct. 15, when they announce America’s #1 city.

Check out this cool new promo happening at ONE Sunset every Saturday. The vibe is great, the music is European groovy and the good looking crowd is the younger version of those who frequented the ever-so-popular BARFLY (the places namesake back in the day - I know, I’m dating myself!). Check it out every Saturday and if you feel like going a little early for a nice dinner - the food is REALLY good. The Spicy Tuna over Eggplant Tempura is the chefs specialty and there’s a reason why - it’s awesome.

Check this link out for more info and guest list: http://www.mixnightlife.com/

The LA BBQ Fest is right around the corner and I’m fired up. This is the first year and some of the city’s finest BBQ pit masters will be on hand…including my new favorite - GUS’s BBQ from Pasadena. Be sure to make a “pit stop” at that one.

Loosen your belt buckles and bring lots of napkins! See you this weekend.

http://www.labbqfest.com/

Sept. 13 - 14 from noon to 6 p.m.

General admission is $10 (includes 1/3-1/2 lb of meat and a side item).

If you’ve never been to the LA Greek Fest on Pico/Normandie near the Byzantino Latino Quarter, you don’t know what you’re missing. The food is fanstastic, the OUZO and Greek beer is abundant and the dancing will get you kicking your heels in celebration. With over 20,000 visitors over the Sep. 5-7 weekend, the Greek Fest is one of the best around. Enjoy authentic Gyro sandwiches, famous Greek Honey donuts, souvlaki dinners and more. I’m so into it, that I’ll be pouring draft beers at the beer booth this year, so come by and say “YIASOU”!

Oh…and don’t be surprised if you see some celebs. Tom Hanks and his wife are honorary MC’s again this year and the Mayor loves to come out and enjoy the Greek tunes.

LA Greek Fest, St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Ave., Los Angeles — 323.737.2424

28th Annual Sunset Junction Street Festival
When: August 23–24
Where: Sunset Boulevard (between Hyperion and Fountain)
What: Celebrating and advocating diversity, the Sunset Junction Street Festival was originally organized to bring together the communities of Silver Lake, Echo Park and Loz Feliz. These days, the street fair provides an avenue for some 40-plus nonprofit agencies to reach out to the community. It also features live bands, a host of food stands and merchandise booths.
Scoop: Bands start playing at noon on both days and go into the night, with Broken Social Scene and Isaac Hayes generating much of the buzz. Tickets: $12–$15; children under 12 and senior citizens over 65 enter free. www.sunsetjunction.org.

Send in your best Los Angeles tale that involves alcohol and Los Angeles Nomad will select the winning story, publish it and send you a bottle of VeeV.

Though I wouldn’t call myself an alcohol connoisseur, I would have to say the story of VeeV is extremely appealing and the taste is supposedly intoxicating.

Started by two brothers, VeeV is the world’s first acai spirit (which only grows in the Amazon and has 57% more antioxidants than pomegranate). Having visited South America a few years ago with my brother, I can tell you Acai is just one of the amazing “ingredients” you can find in the Amazon.

According to VeeV officials, VeeV has a taste similar to a dark berry with a hint of chocolate.

Veev is Green:

The company donates $1 for every bottle sold, which goes back to the rainforest where the acai berries used in their product are grown.

Everyone in the company either drives a hybrid, or is carbon-neutral, and VeeV’s distillery is the only one in the U.S. that gets at least 25% of their power through wind generation.

*You can buy VeeV at bevmo.com or sample it at one of many bars, lounges or restaurants in LA, including Katsuya, Green Door, Goa, Beso, Hotel Bel-Air, Bella, Social Hollywood, Redwood Bar and Grill, Sushi Roku, X Bar at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Stone Rose Lounge at the Sofitel Hotel, Seven Grand, Parc, Palihouse, Opera, One Sunset, among many more.

*Age verification is required. You must be 21 to participate.

www.veevlife.com

If you’ve ever been to Wine Country in Santa Ynez — where Sideways was filmed — you’ve probably driven past a lake on the eastern side of the 154 highway and wondered what it would be like to camp out under the stars before a day full of tastings.

Well, if you’re interested in spending your money at the winery instead of at the B&B, Lake Cachuma is the ultimate solution.

Located 15 miles off the 101 freeway and within minutes of popular vineyards, Cachuma’s campsites are perfect for couples, families and a group of friends on a weekend adventure.

I spent this past weekend with nine close friends tasting California’s finest and relaxing for less than $7 a night.

Of course, when added up, the tastings are somewhat expensive. Yet, the majority are worth every penny. In total, the weekend shouldn’t cost more than $100 — that is unless you found the bottle(s) you were looking to bring home and couldn’t steer clear of Chumash Casino (where your money disappears while doing a rain dance for a potential blackjack hand … only to lose to a 21 after splitting Aces twice).

If you’re going to purchase a bottle or two, make sure to visit the following locales before making a decision:

Fess Parker (6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, 800.841.1104)

I am the newest member of this winery for two reasons…1) the pourers I met the last two times I’ve been. Part of the wine drinking experience is sharing it with others. Though they weren’t tasting, I felt like I stepped into a home with these folks and I’m proud to have them send me two bottles a quarter. I highly recommend becoming a member of the Parker family. If you do, I’ll see you at the annual Release Day BBQ. Don’t forget to enjoy the complimentary tastings. Ahhh…almost forgot to mention the second reason…the wine! From the Melange Blanc to the Pinot Noir to the heavenly Syrah, these modestly priced varietals weigh heavy on my heart.

Riverbench (6020 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, 805.937.8340)

After spending a lazy morning/afternoon at Fess, make your way up Foxen Canyon Road to Riverbench and enjoy tastings from their 220-acre Chardonnay harvest or 92-acre crop of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Viognier. The vineyard itself has been around since 1973, but the tasting room has only been open for a few months. Horseshoe, Bocce and Burgundian varietals will keep you busy for a few hours, and the soulful pourers will make it nearly impossible to leave.

Epiphany (2963 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, 866.354.9463)

There’s no comparison, the wines I tasted at Epiphany were absolutely my favorite. One after the other, they exemplified why Eli Parker was named Winemaker of the Year in 2006. Make sure to ask Tom Olmsted (Tasting Room Manager) for a pour of the Grenache Blanc, Petite Syrah, and my two favorites: Revelation (62% Syrah, 30% Grenach, 8% Petite Sirah) and 2005 “F Block” Syrah (only 143 cases made).

Before this weekend, all I knew about the Pacific Palms Resort was that it was located in the CIty of Industry or Industry Hills– according to their address– set high on a hill overlooking the city with 2 golf courses and a new spa. But after my stay, I have to say that I felt like I was on vacation at a tropical island.

As you drive up the hill, palm trees line the street, like a scene shot from Santa Monica’s Ocean Street. There’s a driving range, putting green and 2 lush, ESPN-rated golf courses (Ike and Babe). The hotel is newly renovated with a beautiful full-service spa and a restaurant called RED that serves lunch and dinner. There’s a huge fire pit outside of RED that’s popular to gather round at night. If pool is more your style, there’s a table inside or you can watch a pool tournament on one of their many flatscreen t.v.’s situated throughout the restaurant.

The rooms are comfortable with stunning views of the golf course and the San Gabriel Mountains. If you’re a lover of seafood, then check out CIMA on Saturday night with a buffet of lobster tails, crab legs, shrimp, sushi and roasted pig which rivals that of most Vegas buffets. Be sure to get there early and make a reservation.

Overall, my weekend stay was pretty amazing. I didn’t feel like I was in the city but rather at an oasis.