The Help is produced by Nate Berkus??

Hi everyone, I have taken over my husband's blog because I know most of you are family or friends. I loved the book The Help, and am so excited for the movie, which is coming out in August. Well, since I know many of you probably read this book, I thought I'd share this tidbit - Nate Berkus, as in design guru/Oprah friend - executive produced the movie. I found this so surprising. Who knew he did this sort of thing?

Cool Cake Pops and Delicious Food at Olive & Thyme

Cupcakes were cool a year ago, now cake pops are all the rage. Check out this one I got today for my son at Olive & Thyme. I don't know how the cake doesn't fall off the stick, but my son enjoyed it without having it fall on the floor. Speaking of Olive & Thyme....i went there for a lunch meeting in Burbank. It's incredible how much that area has changed and Olive &Thyme is leading the charge. It's this sophisticated, family owned restaurant and market that is the size of a small cafe that is reminiscent of a Santa Monica eatery, mixed in with a hip New York cafe with all the extras - oils, cookies, etc. The place was full of Burbank entertainment folks adding to the trendy atmosphere. The servers could be pretentious given the scene, but they were so nice - greeting everyone, attending to each of their guests. It was a very pleasant place with the understanding of the quick-in-and-out lunch crowd. I had a cobb salad - i never turn down items with bacon - and my colleague had a pulled pork sandwich. Both looked delicious. I wished I had ordered the pulled pork as soon as it arrived. it was stacked with meat on a delicious thick, barbecued bread. I'm going to have to find a reason to go back for the sandwich! In fact,

I can actually say that if I'm ever in the area, Olive & Thyme would be my place of choice.

Pasadena's Turning 125 Years Old This Weekend

Hi everyone,

The city we live in and love with all our hearts is turning 125 years old!! On Saturday, June 11, from noon to 7 p.m. the Pasadena Museum of History will be hosting a celebration! There will be birthday cake with the Mayor, nonstop music and entertainment, children's activities, Pasadena's untold stories from local centenarians, fire trucks and more. There will even be food from local restaurants and signature drinks - hmm, think there will be an Old Town? A Pasadenan? An Arroyo Seco? You don't want to miss out! We'll be there for sure!

Sony Playstation Unveils PS Vita at E3

Tonight kicks off the Oscars of the video game industry, E3, the Electonic Entertainment Expo. I was fortunate to attend the Sony Playstation Press Conference where they unveiled their latest games and gaming products. The show included an appearance by L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant who was on-hand to demonstrate the new motion sensor product while playing himself in the new 2K NBA basketball game. The star of the show was the brand's next generation portable device called PlayStation Vita which will go on sale this holiday season at $249 with Wi Fi or $299 for 3G Wifi. This device is amazing - touch screen playing, rear touch pad, front and rear cameras and analog mini "joysticks."

Now, I like games, but since having my son, we haven't had time to play anything. And, although I like graphics and design, I do not prefer shooter games since having my child. However, what makes this conference so amazing is the glimpse it provides into next generation technology. For example, more than two-thirds of the new video games were presented in 3D. Sony even launched a new 3D display at the press event. They also talked about how easily you can move from your PS Vita portable to your Play Station console, literally showing game continuation that was as simple as turning on a TV screen. The future of the well-connected home is here, and as usual, the gaming world is leading the charge.

Pasadena Police Provide Quite a Show

When I heard there would be an open house at the Pasadena Police Heliport, I assumed it would be like any other affair. Parked police cars, a helicopter, etc. Boy was I wrong. The Pasadena Police Airborne unit put on quite a show - in fact, it was an experience. Sure they had about % helicopters parked for viewing, but they also had police cars, police motorcycles, swat mobiles and their K9 unit. They also were barbecuing hot dogs free to the public. But the really amazing part of the day was the dramatized swat team reenactment. Two cop cars and a swat team of about 12 reenacted a typical felony traffic stop. Yes, the reenactment included the swat team telling two men in a car in front of them to put their hands out the window and give up. They, of course did not, so the swat team through a fake bomb-type thing. The driver of the car emerged from the car, but began to shoot back (fake bullets that appeared to be nerf-like). The swat team fired a few as well, then took the man into custody. At that time a helicopter pulled into the field and out popped the k9 unit! The dog ran behind the police cars and arrived just in time! The second criminal opened the car door and tried to run, but the police k9 unit caught him and brought him down. It was the most exciting reenactment I've ever seen and the most fascinating police open house that I've ever been to. What an amazing day. Pasadena Police, sign me up for more open houses in the future!

I miss the old El Cholo

My family's favorite Pasadena restaurant, El Cholo, moved from it's old location on Raymond to the El Paseo shopping center and I'm afraid that something was lost in the move - the chef. My family loves El Cholo, but we've been to the new restaurant and the food is just not the same. The guacamole and margaritas are still delicious as are their basic combos - the one taco, one enchilada types. But my wife loves their enchilada suizas. She's tried it twice in the new place and found the chicken is rubbery and the sauce resembles something closer to a frozen alfredo sauce you buy in the grocery store - not the creamy flavorful sauce of the past. This is just one example. I've tried other plates like carnitas and they don't taste the same either - as if they are using less quality meats. We're not sure what happened, but we're hoping they'll find their way back to the deliciousness of before!!

Lots of Fun to be had in Pasadena this weekend!

Hi everyone,

Wanted to hop online to share a couple cool things that are happening in Pasadena today and this week:

The 102nd Annual Dog Show sponsored by the Kennel Club of Pasadena, Sunday, June 5, 2010, at Brookside Park in Pasadena. There are 150 different breeds competing including several new breeds approved for admission to AKC this year. Take little ones and pet lovers - they'll love it!

Saturday, June 4 - the Pasadena Police Air Operations division are having an open house from 11-2. Complete with snacks and helicopters, SWAT and k9 demonstrations! Location is at the Benedict Heliport - 2175 Yucca Lane, Altadena 91001. Call 626-744-4606 with questions.

Okay, so after all of that activity, I bet you'll be hungry! Well, this week Old Pasadena is celebrating Old Pasadena Restaurant Week. More than 20 of Old Pasadena's finest restaurants have joined together to offer you several delicious options for three-course lunch and dinner menus at one great fixed price and the good news is that 10% of event proceeds will benefit Union Station Homeless Services, celebrating 37 years of helping those in need. Click here for information on participating restaurants - I bet your favorite is included.

Have a great weekend!