Visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped child’s toy or unopened pet food/toy/supply, as donations will be made to local charities.

Heal – Art – Peace: A Collection of Art Chronicling Life’s Journeys will take place at Peachtree Pottery on Sunday, October 24th, from 1 -5pm, featuring the work of Sudie Cunnane and Linda Mechanic. Peachtree Pottery, 3795 Boise Ave., Mar Vista 90066 (310) 567-2708

Looking for something fun to do this evening or tomorrow? If comedy is your thing, check out The Fanatic Salon. Friday night there’s Improv with Pangea for only $7 – show starts at 8pm. Saturday night is comedy chock full of hilarious people with a Benefit – the proceeds will help pay one of the comedian’s medical bills. $20 & show starts at 8pm as well. Both shows include free booze.

The Fanatic Salon, 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Mar Vista 90066 (310) 622-4026

If music is more your thing, you have two options: Club Good Hurt’s got Rock/Pop Punk Friday, October 8th with The Killbirds, Covering Fire, Later Days, Clean Corruption, and Dead Letter Six – all starting at 8pm.

Saturday, October 9th it’s GnR and Skid Row tributes with Murder at the Well, Machine Empire, EdStanley, Riot Act ~ Skid Row Tribute, and Guns For Roses Tribute — doors open at 8pm.

Club Good Hurt, 12249 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, 90066 (310) 390-1076 Timewarp music presents a night of surf ~ garage ~ punk with: Keepers of the Sun, Tropical Fish, Breakfast, and The Lovely Bad Things will all be appearing Saturday night, October 9th. Doors open at 8pm for this All-Ages show. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Timewarp Music, 12257 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, 90066 (323) 600-5050

I’m posting this for all the foodies out there in Mar Vista: Earl’s Gourmet Grub is turning into a Tapas Bar for one night only, Saturday, September 25th. And Shhh… It’s a secret… SURPRISE PARTY… And only the first 25 people to respond can come! See below for how-to. Yvonne, our local favorite chef at Earl’s, is having a birthday this weekend! And to celebrate, the staff at Earl’s is throwing her a little surprise party and turning the kitchen into a Tapas Bar. Aside from her friends and family, we’d like to open it a little and share the evening with her customers in the neighborhood.

A little sampling of the planned dishes to get you in the mood:

Spanish Mezza Platter, with basil hummus, roasted red peppers, eggplant-fennel fritters, and fried sardines

Steamed mussels and clams in Verdujo

Stuffed empanadas, both meat and vegetarian

Salt baked fish served with creamy risotto and fried potatoes and Harisa

When: Saturday, September 25th, from 8-10

Where: Earl’s Gourmet Grub, 12226 Venice Blvd.

What: prix fixe tapas bar, byob. $30 per person. But, as Sarah knows, Dean’s always got a bottle or two up his sleeve, too…

How: We’re limiting service to the first 25 people to rsvp to yvonnesbday@earlsgourmetgrub.com. Please include your phone number so we can contact you to get a credit card confirmation. And please DO NOT CALL THE SHOP – it’s a surprise!!!

{There is no affiliation between me and Earl’s Gourmet Grub, other than the fact that I like to eat their food.}

Finish August with a bang! Catch TubaCzar at the Fanatic Salon this Saturday night 8/28 at 8pm. Showcasing the talents of Mark Beltzman, Mark Nutter, Cynthia Carle and Fred Kaz, TubaCzar is different each time, but funny every time. If Back-To-School season is making you tense, take yourself to the Fanatic Salon for some laugh therapy. Tickets are only $10.

The Fanatic Salon, 3815 Sawtelle Blvd. (310) 795-7469