Big-Screen Villains Haunt Universal Studios Hollywood

With the help of Hollywood special effects artists and a cast of thousands, Universal Studios Hollywood wants you to "Live Your Worst Nightmare" at the Bates Motel and 1428 Elm Street as part of "Halloween Horror Nights." During 13 fright-filled nights in October, guests to the theme park can experience an expanded "Terror Tram" that stops at the Bates Motel, a scare zone based on "The Strangers" and a "Nightmare on Elm Street: Home Sweet Hell" maze featuring a recreation of the infamous house at 1428 Elm Street and reenactments of never-before-presented nightmare sequences. Appearances by "Friday the 13th's" Jason Voorhees and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's" Leatherface add to the horror. The "Terror Tram: The Nightmare Tour," which is double the length of previous tours, includes spine-chilling mazes, treks through the "Psycho" set and a walk through the tortured landscape of "War of the Worlds." The entire park is transformed. "Halloween Horror Nights" is open weekends from Oct. 3 - Nov. 1. Group rates to Universal Studios Hollywood range from 10 percent off general admission for 10-20 people to 25 percent off general admission for 70 or more people.
www.universalstudioshollywood.com

LAX Galleries Showcase Local Artists

New art exhibits are on display at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) featuring works by LA artists that examine the city's natural and urban geographies. "Ocean Romantico," on display through Oct. 19 in the departures level of Terminal 1, captures the beauty and moods of the ocean through the experiences of 20 local artists. Curated by Giorgio Calevaro, the exhibit explores how the artist relates to the ocean's energy and eternal yet ephemeral beauty. "Alternative Places," on display through Oct. 19 in the Arrivals Lobby of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, features multimedia works by 37 local artists that reflect their personal explorations of LA. The exhibit was arranged by guest curator Jay Lizo to excite travelers about all the city has to offer. The purpose of the Art Exhibits Program at LAX and ONT is to educate and entertain travelers, while emphasizing a cultural experience highlighting what makes LA unique and interesting. The exhibits were developed in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Los Angeles World Airports.
www.lawa.org
www.culturela.org

The Farmers Market Celebrates 75 Years

The Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax will celebrate 75 years in business with a yearlong celebration beginning January 2009. The market opened July 14, 1934 in its present location -- the brainchild of entrepreneurs Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck -- and has been delighting generations of locals and visitors ever since. Ongoing festivities will include walking tours, commemorative merchandise, a Farmers Market photo history book, the new Farmers Market cookbook and expanded versions of market events including Mardi Gras, the Fall Festival, the Gilmore Heritage Car Show and the Summer Music Series. A highlight will be a weeklong celebration beginning July 13, 2009, which will include a public ceremony and party on July 16, 2009. In recognition of public affection for the market, the Farmers Market is offering opportunities throughout the year for customers to share their "market memories." There will be "memory boards" spread throughout the property and on the Farmers Market 75th Anniversary web page for local, national and international customers to share pictures or short stories about their experiences at the market.
www.farmersmarketla.com

Hollywood's Palladium Reopens with Jay-Z

Grammy award-winning superstar Jay-Z will be the first performer to take the stage at the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium on Oct. 15. Reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, who was the first performer on the legendary stage in 1940, Jay-Z will be backed by a 12-piece band. Built to showcase live music, the Hollywood Palladium opened Sept. 23, 1940, with a concert by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra. The yearlong, top-to-bottom Palladium re-do includes a new dance floor, new façade emulating the original architecture, expanded concessions, upgraded restrooms and improved interior lighting. Major infrastructure upgrades allow the venue to accommodate larger, modern productions, and revamped acoustics will give fans a memorable concert experience. A legendary venue from the start, the Palladium has hosted performers ranging from the Rolling Stones to James Brown. Upcoming shows include The Roots and Gym Class Heroes (Oct. 17), Flogging Molly (Oct. 25), Rise Against with Alkaline Trio (Oct. 31 - Nov. 2), Alejandra Guzman (Nov. 21) and Slightly Stoopid (Dec. 6).
www.livenation.com

Amtrak is a Great Option for Visiting LA

For travelers visiting Los Angeles, and for weekend and day-trip jaunts to LA's surrounding attractions, Amtrak offers a convenient, scenic and cost-effective mode of transportation. Visitors coming into LA from San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo can take the Pacific Surfliner trains, with 12 daily roundtrips between San Diego and LA, five from Santa Barbara and two from San Luis Obispo. The Coast Starlight service is also an exciting option for travelers from as far away as Washington State, Oregon and Northern California. With service from Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Barbara, LA-bound travelers can enjoy the stunning vistas, dense forests and Pacific Coast shorelines on their way to LA. Modernized and refurbished rail cars, new and improved services and newly enhanced amenities add to the fun. Taking Amtrak is also a "green" way to go, because traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than cars and airplanes. The popularity of Amtrak is evidenced in its ridership. More than 500,000 passengers rode the California rails in July; a record-breaking month for Amtrak California trains.
www.amtrak.com

Root for LA

American Express® Cardmembers can help bring more trees to LA's streets. Eight cities nationwide are competing for the largest portion of the American Express $1 million tree-planting grant. Simply pay with any American Express Card when you see the ROOT FOR LA tree icon displayed at participating businesses to vote for LA from Sept. 22 - Oct. 31. The city with the most votes gets the most green (funding for trees). So look for the tree, use your card and vote for Los Angeles. It's that easy to help make a difference. For more information and to view participating businesses visit the link below.
http://rootforourcity.amexnetwork.com/la?cid=grassroots08-ola-cvb-la