Sun 10.72012AKFestivalFlyerThe Abbot Kinney Festival takes place today…

This is such a great event, I’ve played it many times. I attend it every year and love hopping around seeing all my Venice friends, the whole community comes out.

There are three musical stages and special food courts with food trucks and seating areas. For a full list of bands see http://abbotkinney.org/music-stages/

I will be doing some serious shopping….see ya out there.

 

What: Abbot Kinney Festival
Where: Venice Blvd to Brooks Ave.
When: 10:00 am till 6:00 pm
Website: http://abbotkinney.org/

Tonight in Santa Monica, support a wonderful cause…

Upper West Restaurant will host a special benefit for the non-profit, Junior Blind of America. 

The lowres UpperWest outsideorganization, Junior Blind of America aids children and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence.

One of their most successful programs, STEP, (the Student Transition Enrichment Program ) helps students, ages 16-22, develop work readiness skills. This is achieved through group classes, internships with supervised instruction, directly aimed at the individual interests of each student.

Ulowres ChefNickPhotocroppedpper West’s Chef Nick Shipp approached Junior Blind with the idea of hosting a special event. Together, Director of Marketing, (Junior Blind), Lisett Chavarela and Chef Nick created an interactive fundraiser.

Under the direction of Chef Nick, students will gain first-hand culinary knowledge and on the job training in a professional kitchen at Upper West Restaurant. In fact, reservations are being accepted now for the event and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Junior Blind of America.

Helping the blind is something that Chef Nick holds close to his heart, since he was born completely blind in one eye. He explains, “I do have sight in one eye and I’ve always felt blessed to have been given that.” He continues, “People have always asked me the question, how do you deal with that? I’ve never known what it’s like to have sight in both eyes, so I guess it’s pretty natural to me.” He laughs, “It might have made my senses stronger.”

The event taklowres 10.7 JuniorBlindes place Sunday October 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is limited space for this event, so be sure to make a reservation soon.

Upper West Restaurant has generously agreed to donate one hundred percent of all sales to Junior Blind of America.

What: Junior Blind Event, with Chef Nick Shipp
Where: Upper West, 3321 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica,
When: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone: (310)586-1111
Website: http://www.theupperwest.com/  http://www.juniorblind.org/

Enjoy your weekend…and enjoy the arts!