Southern California Guide

by Valerie Summers     The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has always been on my list of must see places each time I visit the city.   When I learned it would be closed for renovation I could not have imagined the scope of its new home which recently reopened.  I returned to the […]

By Valerie Summers More than 20 years ago, I traveled the Silk Road across China.  I was stunned by the many exotic sights but the one that captured my heart was my visit to the Mogao cave temples, Buddhist Art on China’s Silk Road…unforgettable. Situated near the town of Dunhuang at the edge of the […]

by Valerie Summers   Kinky Boots exploded onto the stage of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood to a packed house and did not disappoint.  The colorful, high energy performers introduced the audience to some unusual characters in the unlikely setting of a gentlemen’s shoe factory in England about to go out of business.  Winner of […]

by Valerie Summers Dr. Andrew Weil, long known as an advocate for a healthy lifestyle has added Vionic footwear products to his ever growing list for keeping fit.  A new technology helps align the feet from the ground up by helping to hug your arches and support your natural footprint. This orthotic technology often helps […]

by Valerie Summers The Old West burst into life capturing the story of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance now playing at the Rubicon Theatre. Written by Jethro Compton and adapted from the short story by Dorothy Marie Johnson, the action packed play follows the short story much more closely than did John Ford’s legendary […]

by Valerie Summers At long last, Los Angeles International Airport has unveiled a new and greatly improved Terminal 2 with an updated look and a plethora of new amenities.  Sustainable design is a key component of the improvements which incorporate new technology including lighting and decreased water consumption.  Passengers will enjoy major upgrades to the […]

by Valerie Summers Expertly choreographed to reflect the title of this high energy recreation of the 1987 film, Dirty Dancing exploded onto the stage of Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre.  The story takes place during the summer of 1963 in a Catskill Mountain resort where 17-year old “Baby” Houseman, her older sister and parents are vacationing for […]

by Valerie Summers Invented by Hollywood to perfect the appearance of the stars of stage and screen, Dermaflage scar cover and wrinkle concealer is now available to the public. Unbelievably easy to apply, this invisible silicone based waterproof product makes scars, frown lines and wrinkles disappear in less than two minutes. It is the perfect […]

Story & Photos by Valerie Summers I hoped that rerouting my trip to Washington DC through Philadelphia to make a single stop was going to be worth the inconvenience.  Having heard and read about the much heralded Barnes Museum and its unique beginnings, I decided to investigate for myself.  Upon my arrival, as I approached […]

by Valerie Summers When I overheard someone in the beautiful Los Angeles international Emirates airport lounge say that one of the best parts of their previous trip to Dubai was the flight, I found it hard to believe. However, from the moment I boarded the Emirates A380 airbus, my experience did turn out to be […]

By Valerie Summers Measuring just 2×3 1/2 inches and open on both sides, this cleverly designed and extremely compact minimalist wallet keeps cash, cards, ID and even a key secure.  Made of silicone and neophrene, it is a great accessory for water sports, cycling, fishing and all things active and it floats.  Fits into small […]

by Valerie Summers Situated on the most elegant stretch of Wilshire Boulevard across the street from some of the most exclusive department stores in Beverly Hills, a stunning new modern American supper club, open nightly, (also serving lunch during weekdays) has recently added its name to the list of upscale dining spots in the city. […]

by Valerie Summers It’s a one man show, written and performed by Brad Zimmerman at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. For an evening of laugh out loud good clean comedy, My Son the Waiter, A Jewish Tragedy can’t be beaten.  With the only staging, a simple table covered with […]

by Valerie Summers Strolling through Beverly Hills last night, I happened across a new yogurt shop and decided to check it out.  This is a yogurt eatery unlike any I have patronized before.  Very upscale and well worth the cost of a delicious authentic Greek  frozen yogurt — a choice of of four creamy flavors […]