Cherry Recommends Places To Go
Special Events and Field Trips to Take...
Throughout the year, there are those one-of-a-kind special events that you should really
put on your calendar. They are the kinds of gatherings where you make life-long friendships and lasting memories.
As I have traveled along I have also encountered numerous special places that are near and dear to my heart.
They are places you should visit at least once in your life. So pack up the car and the kids and take a road trip!
Have a Palm Springs Weekend!
The annual Palm Springs Modernism Show features dealers from all over the world every Spring.
Even if you can't afford to buy - it's worth it just to look and get lots of good decorating ideas.
http://www.palmspringsmodernism.com
The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation features regular events.
http://www.pspf.net
Palm Springs ModCom hosts regular tours and offers a wonderful guide book at the P.S. Visitor Center.
http://www.psmodcom.com
The Indio Date Festival is a worthy event to attend complete with yummy date shakes!
http://www.datefest.org/
Miami Art Deco Weekend and MORE...
Is it raining or snowing where you are? Or just cold winter weather?
What a great excuse to take a last minute trek to Miami!!!
The Miami Design Preservation League holds tours and events including their infamous Art Deco Weekend,
and has great guides to the fabulous Miami architecture.
http://www.mdpl.org
The Hukilau is the biggest Tiki Party on the East coast. It happens in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The weekend long event includes TikiBilly, Hapa Haole and Tropical Music; Vendors of Tiki clothing and art;
and concludes with a Luau like no other at the Fabulous Mai Kai – one of the last and greatest Tiki Temples in the world.
http://www.thehukilau.com
Go for an L.A. Getaway...
Pasadena Doo Dah Parade... Yes I was once crowned the queen of the parade!!!
This wild and wacky celebration is a sure crowd pleaser for young and old alike.
I think of this festive procession as a celebration of character and color.
Because participants are so imaginative and silly and you never know what will be walking down the street next.
You just have to see for yourself.
http://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info
You can take an L.A. Conservancy architectural tour most any weekend.
And if you're in town on the third Monday of any month - you just might get insider priveleges
at an exclusive Modern building by attending the monthly Modern Committee (ModCom) meeting!
http://www.modcom.org.
When recently asked what my favorite local watering hole was, I didn't have to hesitate.
I said the Tiki Ti. It is located at 4427 Sunset Blvd. in the east end of Hollywood
just past the Hollywood/Sunset intersection.
This family run bar has been operating since 1961. The drinks are exotic
and sublime, the cast of characters engaging, and the atmosphere is cozy, delightful and authentic.
http://www.tiki-ti.com/
Viva Las Vegas
Mark your calendars for THE Rockabilly event of the year... VIVA LAS VEGAS.
This year marks the 7th year that literally thousands of rockabilly guys and dolls, teddy boys,
tattoo mommas, and other variations of 50's themed personalities descend
upon Vegas for four non-stop days and nights of partying.
Even if you don't officially attend the event, it's worth it to be in Vegas
on this weekend just for the Free pre-1963 Car Show on Saturday as well as the tremendous people
watching in the Casino as people float back and forth between the vendors and showrooms.
http://www.vivalasvegas.net
On the First Friday of every month, the art community of Downtown Las Vegas throws down a really sell party.
It all began around a hip little antique mall store called the Funkhouse on Commecial Center Drive.
What started out as a bunch of artist tents and kiosks and garage bands has turned nto a full blown produced party
- courtesy a lot of creative folks from the Burning Man Tribe.
http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com/
Top Notch Tiki Touring
When the humid days of Chi-town get you down… head up river to River Grove for a bit of Polynesian
paradise. The family run Hala Kahiki is one of the finest tiki bars in the country.
Since 1966 in the sleepy suburbs of Chicago, they have offered an indoor and outdoor tiki themed environment
for sipping exotic concoctions where you won't mind it feeling warm and wet like the South Pacific.
They also have a fabulous South Seas Shop where you can find new and vintage Aloha wear and everything
else you need under the Polynesian sun!
http://www.hala-kahiki.com
The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is in one of my favorite San Francisco landmarks, and it's center city in the Fairmont Hotel.
The Fairmont was actually built in 1906, but due to the great earthquake and fire did not actually open until 1907
after architect Julia Morgan supervised the restoration.
In 1929 a new owner did a major renovation adding an indoor pool called "The Plunge" in the basement.
Renovation in 1947 changed the Plunge from a pool into the S.S. Tonga – a nautical themed
restaurant that looked like the exterior of a cruise ship pool deck complete with life preservers and a bar serving
exotic drinks and Cantonese faire and Hawaiian pupus.
In the 1950s with the popularity Don the Beachcombers and Trader Vics at the Hilton Hotels, it was converted to the Tonga Room
and Hurricane Bar.
The pool became a shallow lagoon with seashells at the bottom. The ceiling was painted black and a floating band stand stage
and a dance floor was made from the deck of the S.S. Forester, one of the last tall ships which sailed between SF and the South Seas.
A later remodel was done in 1967 with Oceanic Arts.
Don't miss the half hourly rainfall which falls from the dark
ceiling into the pool complete with thunder and lightening.
http://www.tongaroom.com/
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Every June a fabulous festival is held at the Judy Garland Museum.
with educational sessions, live entertainment and of course… Munchkins!
Grand Rapids, Minnesota (Judy's birthplace) is the home of the world's most extensive collection
of Judy! Founded by local artist Jackie Dingmann, the Judy Garland Museum is one of the oldest
museums dedicated to a celebrity in the nation.
www.judygarlandmuseum.com
When late summer early fall roll around, it's time for you to visit your local county or state fair...
Every local county fair has it's own special theme and flavor.
The Sonoma County Fair in northern California is legendary for Elvis impersonators...
The Los Angeles County Fair has a legendary mascot, Thummer the Pig!
Wherever you go, make a point to visit the table settings and decorated cakes!
They will inspire you.
Los AngelesCounty Fair websiteAnd make it a point to visit the Texas State Fair once in your life just so you can see Big Tex. Big Tex is a 50+ year old 52 foot tall statue who actually talks! He wears size 70 cowboy boots and a 75 gallon Stetson hat. Big Tex State Fair website
The Madonna Inn is a landmark on California’s Central Coast just on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo.
Opened in 1959 this world-renowned resort is the personal vision of Alex and Phyllis Madonna.
Every room is uniquely decorated with a special theme and color scheme.
While everyone loves the Caveman Room, Kona Rock and Jungle Rock rooms, here's a few of my other favorites…
Of course, I do have a preference for the pink and red rooms!
The elegant Crystal room (#197)
is decorated with crystal chandeliers and done up in golds, pinks and reds.
Express your flower power in the Floral Fantasy Room. (#173) with a large rose sconce adorning the wall,
and floral light fixtures in the bath.
Staying in the Hearts and Flowers room (#155) is like having
Valentine’s Day every day! Lush red carpeting, flocked-on-foil wallpaper and one of those famous Madonna
rock shower and basins.
Of course I always love rooms with private balconies and the Tall and
Short Room (#182) offers just that.
Who needs the Poconos when you've got a room like the
Vous romantic blue room (#169) which offers the quintessential circular king-sized bed and a third floor view.
And lastly, the Just Heaven room (#184) All this room needs is a soundtrack playing…
"My Blue Heaven" while you climb the spiral staircase to a private cupola. Here you will end up “on top of the world!”
Even if you don't stay there, do stop in for a bite, a cocktail or a little shopping
when you're on your next road trip through town. It's truly tacky and terrific! Of course – don't miss the famous men's room
and its waterfall urinal downstairs. Adventurous girls are free to peek!
You can preview all 109 rooms on the Madonna Inn website.
http://www.madonnainn.com/
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