What to do this weekend in L.A.

There is a lot going on this weekend; here are two of our favorites for your to do:

Go the LA Greekfest at St. Sophia's in the Latino-Byzantine Quarter all weekend.

Go on a walking tour of Western Heights on Sunday, September 9th.

We're sure there is more to do in LA - what are you going to do?

Free Rosetta Stone Language skills

Everyone knows that a good establishment in the City will be active in the community. Well, Dora Herrera of Yuca's in Los Feliz (and now, in Hollywood) takes it a step further. She has a page on their site that recommends things in the community and that she likes. Well, she also clues in any vistor to her site of a secret in learning languages with the Rosetta Stone method for free:

Do you remember taking languages in high school? Some of us did great with the textbook/classroom method. Others did not do so well. Now, using the power of the internet there is a new way. Rosetta Stone almost tricks you into learning a language quickly and easily. Want to try it out? Well, normally the software would be about $200 per level. However, thanks to our incredible LA Public Library you can use Rosetta Stone for free. What is the catch? All you need is a library card.

To begin, visit http://www.lapl.org/, click on “Adult Literacy”, then click “Enter”, and then click on “Learn Online.” Here you will find the Rosetta Stone online program. After you complete the short registration, you will be ready to begin learning German, Spanish, Farsi, Greek, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, English, Pashto and other languages. On this web page you will also find other resources, such as practice exams that are focused in improving your job skills, Plato, a self-paced learning program to improve in math, reading, writing, and social studies skills, amongst many more learning links. Explore the free online resources available through http://www.lapl.org/. Please also consider supporting the library .

This little tip could save lots of money for folks looking to learn or improve their language skills - especially in our City where multiple languages are spoken in so many communities. Rosetta promotes their library feature, and not having the means to spend hundreds on their full system, we're not sure if what's online at the LAPL is not as good as the home edition. Either way, here is a great resource from the City that everyone should take advantage of. Thanks, Dora, for the recommendation.

Note: if you've not gone to the library in a while, you may want to visit. As of August 1st, they've updated their online system as follows:

Effective August 1, 2007 - Anyone using LAPL online services requiring validation (e-Media, Your Library Account, Databases) will need to enter their LAPL library card number and the last 4 digits of their telephone number, instead of their zip code. If you do not have a phone number in your LAPL library card record, or if your phone number has changed, please visit any circulation desk to update your record.

So, you may need to update your records in person if you've not submitted a phone number when you applied for your library card.

Happy Birthday, LA!

Happy Birthday, Los Angeles!

Yes, today is the City's birthday. (She looks good for 226!) To celebrate, here are a few of our favorite pieces on the City's history. Hope you enjoy them...

The City's Historic-Cultural Landmarks

"In this town, you feel free."

LA's Civic Center PlanS

ZIP Code History of LA

Why Silver Lake is TWO words

First City Hall

First Municipal Services

Recent History (11 years ago)


Here's to another great year in a great City; here's to Los Angeles!