With all its sights and attractions, gay-friendly Los Angeles is the perfect gay and lesbian wedding destination. In a 4-3 decision on May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court declared that the state Constitution protects a fundamental “right to marry” that extends equally to same-sex couples. According to a 2006 Travel Industry Association survey, Los Angeles is one of the four top 10 gay destinations in the U.S. Home to one of the largest and most eclectic gay and lesbian communities in the world, LA will now be forever known as one of the top gay and lesbian wedding destinations. From a traditional ceremony at a Lloyd Wright-designed chapel to a marriage at sea or at a secluded ranch in Malibu, visit the link below for ideas, packages and venues.
www.discoverLosAngeles.com

Here are the top 10 free things to do in LA:

1) Head towards the ocean and park the car when the smell of incense becomes overwhelming…Welcome to Venice Beach!

2) The largest city park in the country – 4,107 acres – Griffith Park possesses several attractions. From a well-kept budget golf course to LA’s acclaimed observatory, a day adventure in Griffith Park can easily turn into an evening spectacular.

3) You might not know where to find all the famous celebrities in LA, but you are guaranteed to see a few legendary actors below your feet at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

4) Whether you have a convertible, motorcycle or VW Bug, Mulholland Drive is a cruiser’s glory road.

5) The richest discovery of Ice Age fossils in the world was unearthed in Los Angeles? Come see the active site at La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park

6) When traveling, there is no better way to immerse into the culture of the destination than by experiencing its rich flavors. Fortunately, LA is home to 4 million people who represent more than 140 countries. So there is no shortage of variety at Farmers Market.

7) The pinnacle of free finds in LA lies perched above the city peering down towards Westwood and Santa Monica.

Closed to the public in January of 2002, LA’s iconic Griffith Observatory is open and a must for both visitors and locals alike.

9) What may seem to be miles from civilization is merely knocking on your doorstep in Los Angeles.

10) Shopping and dining are at your fingertips everywhere in LA. However, Santa Monica’s car-less promenade draws the most traffic in LA’s Westside.

Below are examples of hotel rates recently available on Hotwire.com for Memorial Day weekend (May 23 - 27, 2008):

Chicago: $89/night, 3.5-star hotel, North Michigan Avenue/Water Tower/Gold Coast
Las Vegas: $114/night, 4-star hotel, Strip East
San Francisco: $109/night, 4-star hotel, Union Square East
New York City: $226/night, 4-star hotel, Downtown/SoHo
Seattle: $112/night, 4-star hotel, Downtown /Pike Place
Los Angeles: $96/night, 3.5-star hotel, Downtown
Washington DC: $99/night, 4-star hotel, Dupont Circle/Embassy Row
Toronto: $89/night, 4-star hotel, Downtown
Boston: $139/night, 4-star hotel, Waterfront Area/South Boston
Orlando: $45/night, 3-star hotel, Universal Orlando/I-drive North Area

It’s not even Friday and I’m already nervous for what’s sure to be the scariest press preview since skydiving in Argentina. But if $10 million worth of re-enforced steel, re-imagined special effects and 100% kick-ass, 360-degree rotating seats can’t hold me, I might as well fall out of a plane naked and smoke a red on the way down.

“FLASH!” … Sure, I’ll pay $20 for that photo I could never take alone on the timed Canon.

If you can’t wait for the scoop tomorrow, spin in your revolving chair at work 10 times with your eyes closed and then try standing up with your pride intact while your boss snaps a shot and puts it on the server for the company to see.

The Simpsons Ride is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood. The new mega attraction, based on the critically acclaimed TV series and movie, is showing a side of Springfield previously unexplored. Guests enter “Krustyland” (a fantasy theme park created by the show’s cantankerous Krusty the Clown) and are rocketed along with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on “Krusty’s Thrilltacular Roller Coaster,” where they rip roar at faster than lightning speeds on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure. The Simpsons Ride is an unprecedented collaboration between Universal Parks & Resorts and The Simpsons creators, Executive Producer Matt Groening and Executive Producer James L. Brooks. The ride features the show’s classic humor with 29 popular Springfield residents all voiced by the original talent. While Springfield is located near a Nuclear Power Plant, the ride takes energy conservation seriously and has been constructed to be eco-friendly.
www.discoverlosangeles.com
www.thesimpsonsride.com
www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Here’s a good opportunity to steer the future and provide feedback to LA’s public transit authority:

http://imagine-metro.blogspot.com/

Get your game face on and have some nachos and beer tonight with other Dodger fans at Chavez Ravine. They’re playing Los Mets at 7:10 p.m. Get your tickets now:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B004044F3D18016/

The Dude (Big Lebowski) would be starring in a Treehorn movie if he had to pay my absurd bill at Lucky Strike last night: $170. True, I did buy a round of shots. True, I did enjoy an app. But come on, $170? The issue is the waiting period without any definitive way of knowing when your group is up. They simply say 2.5 hours and that’s it. What am I supposed to do at a bar/bowling alley for 2.5 hours? DRINK! (obviously). Great way to rack in the dough LS, but invest in a few more lanes please!

When: May 1–18
Where: The McCadden Theatre
What: Two times a year, LA gets silly during this 17-day festival. Visit www.lacomedyfest.com or call 323.463.2942 for more information.
Scoop: LA’s annual comedy festival celebrates clowns, standup comedians and sketch artists.

Looking for a different spin on the City of Angels? Look no further. Esotouric Tours has drawn much praise for their off-the-”beaten”-path guided crime/literary/architecture tours of LA. I can honestly say their worth every penny!

On May 3, they’re offering their ever-popular Raymond Chandler tour. Click here for more information: http://www.esotouric.com/chandler-5-3-08

Contact me at billkarz@gmail.com if you’re interested in receiving a Family Guy prize pack, consisting of a t-shirt, Stewie football, Stewie Wacky Wobbler bobble-head and a Family Guy whoopee cushion. Reach me ASAP!

Additionally…

KTLA AND FAMILY GUY ANNOUNCE NINTENDO Wii GIVEAWAY

Los Angeles, April 28, 2008— Peter’s gotta Wii and beginning Monday May 5, 2008 KTLA/CW’s Family Guy fans will have an opportunity to win a Nintendo Wii during a five night, “Watch to Win” giveaway contest.

KTLA/CW viewers will be asked to participate by tuning to Family Guy between 6-7 p.m. A “code word” will appear onscreen during a pre-determined time in the show; viewers are to visit www.ktla.com and enter the code that will place them in a drawing for their chance to win a free Nintendo Wii. A Wii winner will be chosen every night that week.