Naomi and Andre’s Wedding day (video)

Naomi and Andre had been planning their wedding since summer of 2010.  By the time they finally walked down the aisle and made it officially “Husband & Wife”, we’d had 18 months of collaborating, plotting and planning their spectacular wedding day.  I’m so grateful to Charles Lauren Films – they captured the spirit, the emotion, and the wonder of this most special day.

Too often, videography is a category of wedding services that gets cut in the name of budget savings.  This is evidence that such a decision should be reconsidered.  When its your wedding day, and the months you spent planning and designing (and worrying and deciding) all come together in one, big emotional moment, you, too, will be grateful for the opportunity to watch your wedding day unfold in a way you never got to see (even though you were right in the middle of it.)  And hey -you’ll love it when your future kids say “I want to watch Mommy & Daddy’s movie!”

Thank you, Charles Lauren Films – you captured the magic beautifully…!

And kudos to all the event professionals featured – you made the day marvelous..!:

• Event Planner: Deanna Tat - Chic Ambiance Events
• Hotel: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
• Ceremony:  Wilshire United Methodist Church
• Ceremony Music: Elaine Norwood, Subito Stings
• Reception Venue: The Ebell of Los Angeles
• Florist: Jackie Combs Floral Design
• Lighting: Pacific Event Lighting
• Rentals: AFR Event Furnishings, Chiavari Chair Rentals, Elegant Design Specialty Linens, Classic Party Rentals
• Entertainment: Opa Opa, Night to Remember DJs, Cuban Cigar Factory, Dave Boatman Caricature Artist, ShutterBox Entertainment
• Cake & Desserts: Nancy Kay Confections, Fry Girl, New Frontier Coffee
• Photography: Kim Fox Photography
• Videography: Charles Lauren Films

Ebell Seminar: STEM role models for girls

This Saturday, February 4, The Ebell of Los Angeles presents an inspiring seminar focused on getting female students more interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Join us for “Engaging Girls in STEM”.  Six women who have excelled in the area of STEM will provide insight on the connections between STEM classes and the world beyond the school walls.  Panelists include

• Asia Joanna Baczyk – biological, ecological and biomedical sciences
• Gamynne Guillotte – architectural studies, design, project management
• Karimah Knowles – chemical engineering
• Jamie Montanio – accounting
• Arkova Scott – computer sciences and technology
• Mary O’Neill – electrical and computer engineering

Educators, parents and mentors, this is not to be missed!  Ticket price includes brunch.  Make your reservations today!

Ebell Members $30, Non-Members $35.  Ticket includes brunch and program.  To reserve your tickets, call The Ebell at 323-931-1277 x131 or order tickets online at www.ebelleventtickets.com

Breast Cancer Symposium featuring Dr. Susan Love

This Sunday, January 22, 2012, The Ebell of Los Angeles welcomes Women Aware, Inc, and Women of Color for a Breast Cancer Symposium, featuring special guest and renowned breast cancer expert, Dr. Susan Love.  Dr. Love is one of the “founding mothers” of the breast cancer advocacy movement and creator of the Love/Avon Army of Women Campaign whose mission is to accelerate breast cancer research.  Her book, Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book, is the definitive guide to breast health and treatments.

Breast Cancer Symposium featuring Dr. Susan Love
Sunday, January 22 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Ebell of Los Angeles
741 S. Lucerne Blvd., Los Angeles 90005
Email womenaware@yahoo.com to RSVP
Admission is free

Ebell Club Membership information

We had a phenomenal attendance at Sunday’s Open House, no doubt in part to a wonderful article in the Los Angeles Times that featured the Ebell.  Over 1,200 people attended, toured the facility and learned about the Ebell’s history, architecture, and vibrancy of its members.  Thanks to all who attended and those who sent well wishes.

(image by Martin Pitts)

Many have been asking about membership and being a part of the legacy of the Ebell.   “We invite women to apply to the club and request that you have two sponsors who are members in good standing”, says Member Chair Patty Lombard.  “If you don’t know any members we invite you to come to some of our upcoming Ebell events and meet us.”  Most Ebell Club events are open to non-members, so there are plenty of opportunities to join in!

Simply register for an upcoming event on our website. When you arrive at the event, tell the check-in table that you are a prospective member, and they will insure you are introduced to members.  The Membership Committee is available to answer your questions and facilitate the application process.  And remember: gentlemen members are welcome as well..!

Upcoming events at the Ebell include:

(image by Martin Pitts)

Breast Cancer Symposium – Dr. Susan Love
Sunday, January 22, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Monday Lunch:
Mimi Donaldson at The Ebell – Monday, January 23, 2012

Saturday Brunch Seminar:
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Topic:
Why Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math will be the future employment for our daughters

Assembly Dinner:
Mardi Gras Celebration, Saturday, February 18

PLAYdate: A reading of Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women featuring
Christina Pickles, Allison Janney, Sarah Thompson and Pressly Coker,
directed by Cameron Watson.  Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 5:00 pm

(image by Martin Pitts)

Ebell Open House: January 15 – you’re invited!

“What did this place used to be?”

That’s the question we are most frequently asked during tours of the Ebell of Los Angeles when guests are considering the clubhouse for a wedding or special event.  They marvel at the courtyard, ballrooms, Wilshire Ebell Theatre, the history of the club, favorite movies that have filmed here as we answer:

“Its always been The Ebell.”

Since 2012 marks The Ebell’s 85th Year on Wilshire Boulevard, Ebell President Shirlee Haizlip and the members of The Ebell Club invite you to come visit The Grande Dame for An Open House!  Tours, treats, and hospitality take place on Sunday, January 15.

The Ebell opens her doors at 1:00 p.m. with tours at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.  Enjoy cookies and coffee, learn about the history and what membership means today, tour the 3-story clubhouse and enjoy a tour of the Wilshire Ebell Theatre as you’ve never seen her before: with the pipe organ playing!!

It will be a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  We will look forward to seeing you there!

Ebell Chef offers Cooking Class, January 10

The Ebell is like a diamond; is it precious, multifaceted, brilliant, and unique. One of its many facets is the culinary excellence presented by Executive Chef Louis Pechan, who will present a cooking class on Baked Desserts on Tuesday, January 10 in the Ebell Kitchen.  You needn’t be a member to attend, but you do need to RSVP quickly as this class will sell out.  $25 per person and reservations are required.  Book your space online or by calling 323-931-1277 x131

This is the second in a series of classes launched in November, when the menu consisted of A Winter’s Feast.  Chef shared recipes and preparations for favorites such as Braised Short Ribs with Apple Horseradish Remoulade and Fresh Pasta with Morel Sauce.  And what’s the best part of a cooking class?  THE EATING!  Attendees enjoyed a fun evening, learned a few culinary tricks, and raised a glass of wine in dining celebration.

Here’s one of the recipes shared and prepared by Chef Pechan.  While the pasta on which it was served was house-made and prepared that night, this sauce will splendidly accompany your favorite pasta.

MOREL/CREAM SAUCE FOR FRESH PASTA

40 dried morel mushrooms (soak in hot water for 30 minutes, save liquid)
2 shallots, chopped
1 tbsp butter
2 cups mushroom soaking liquid
4 cups heavy cream
1 cup cognac

Sauté chopped shallots in butter.  When they’re soft, add the cognac and reduce until the pan is very nearly dry.  Add 2 cups of mushroom soaking liquid and the mushrooms.  Reduce by half.  Add cream and reduce by half.

See you in class..!

…let your heart be light…

The spirit of the holiday season provides an energy that fuels the drive to go shopping, do some baking, make the rounds of holiday parties and celebrations, and perhaps over-extend ourselves in the doing, the going and the spending (and the eating!)  Its easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle.  

So I offer the advice I give to our brides and grooms as they are approaching their wedding day: remember to take mental pictures, little Kodak Moments here and there, take a deep breath and look around: admire the decorations, the laughter of people, the music in the background, the scent of gingerbread cookies fresh from the oven, the chill in the air… take a mental snap shot of kids and puppies and parents – we all keep growing up!  Kids from 1 to 92 indeed: time stands still for no one…

It really is quite remarkable how quickly time passes by.  It didn’t seem that long ago when I hung this humorous calendar on the wall, and now here it is in its final weeks on its final page.   May the joy (and love, and community and abundance and celebration) of the season be with you all year long, if the fates allow…

“…so have yourself a merry little Christmas now…”

Holiday Cocktails, tried and true

We had a fun time coming up with cocktail ideas for a recent holiday party at The Ebell of Los Angeles.  Each room had a different feel, so naturally, we aimed for a different cocktail style to fit the design.  One was the tried and true Old Fashioned (with a slight alteration), another was a twist on a classic Champagne Cocktail.  But the one that was fun to finesse was the Spiced Cranberry Sparkle.  All three were so good, I offered them at my own holiday gathering!

• OLD FASHIONED  
• orange slice
• maraschino cherry
• simple syrup
• orange bitters
• bourbon
• club soda
• In a rocks glass, muddle one orange slice, a maraschino cherry, a dash of simple syrup and a couple generous dashes of orange bitters.  Add ice.  Pour 2 ounces bourbon (I’m enjoying Buffalo Trace, quite delicious) and add a splash of club soda if desired.

• CITRUS-KISSED CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL 
• citrus flavored sugar
• Grand Marnier
• Brut sparkling wine
• With orange wedge, moisten 1/4 of the rim of a champagne flute and dip in citrus-flavored sugar.  Add 1 ounce Grand Marnier to glass and top with sparkling wine.
  

• SPICED CRANBERRY SPARKLE  
  
• cranberry juice cocktail 
• zinfandel wine
• Rose’s lime juice
• Skyy Vodka Ginger Infusion
• ginger ale
• sugar spice rim*
• Batch together 64-ounces of cranberry juice cocktail with 750-ml zinfandel wine and 1/3-cup Rose’s Lime Juice.  When ready to make cocktail, pour 3 ounces of batched juice into a shaker with ice; add 1 ounce ginger vodka and shake to chill.  Pour into sugar spice rimmed martini glass. (*sugar spice for rim = 3 parts sugar, 1 part cinnamon, 1/2 part ginger.)

“Cheers!”

Ebell Donation Drive for St. Anne’s

Last holiday season, the employees of  The Ebell of Los Angeles collected donations to distribute to a local charity and its sparked the desire to make this a tradition.  Perhaps its the influence of the Ebell Women’s Club and its commitment to community; it could be a desire to help those who need a helping hand, it may just be the spirit of the holiday season – whatever the reason, we are at it again!!  And we need your help!

This year, we will be collecting donations for St. Anne’s, an organization that has provided a safe haven for young girls and women with children in abused situations when there was no such place back in the early 1900’s.   Their mission is to evolve and grow as needs and challenges change.  They currently have 85 girls on the campus, between the ages of 18 and 24.  There are about 50 apartments, fit for a mother and child and they are always in need of kitchen and bathroom essentials.

Some of the items of which they are in need of are:

• Wash clothes
• Sponges
• Dish racks
• Place mats
• Cooking utensils
• Cups
• Glasses
• Bathroom Towels (all sizes)
• Toothbrush Holders
• Soap Dishes
• Hair Products and Accessories
• Perfume
• New Cosmetics
• Bath/Spa Products
• Deodorant
• Cotton Balls
• Hand and Body Soap
• Detergent
• Shampoo
• Manicure Kits

Please bring your donations by The Ebell Offices (located at 743 S. Lucerne Boulevard)  no later than Tuesday, December 20th and we’ll take care of the delivery of your items.

Thank you in advance for giving back this holiday season!

Blissful: Giving Thanks

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  ~Melody Beattie

From all of us at The Ebell of Los Angeles

Happy Thanksgiving