This Weekend: Lobster Meal Deal, Micky Dolenz, Vintage Sale, Madison Sale, Free Movies & Concerts, Chinatown and more!

BY KAREN YOUNG

From Downtown to Calabasas — so much to do, so little time, and so much for FREE.  Micky Dolenz is going to be rockin’ the West Valley — do you know the words to  “Daydream Believer?” There’s vintage clothes to buy and a super sale of designer wear at Madison just a hop over the hill.  Valley Inn Restaurant and Bar is offering an incredible deal on a prix fixe three course lobster meal (and add a bottle  of vino for only $10). Free movies, like  Invictus and  Star Trek,  a symphony, a Neil Diamond tribute band perfect for a Hot August Night — and to wind it all down — if you can figure out how to do it all — a really happening evening in Chinatown.

Beam me up, Scotty: Get your lawn chairs and your picnics and come watch a FREE screening of Star Trek on Saturday, August 28 at Warner Center Park.  It’s the story of the early years of Dr. Spock, Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. 6 pm. 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 www.valleycultural.org

Used Book Sale: Come to the Studio City Library on Saturday, August 28  for a one of a kind book sale featuring paperbacks, hardcovers, CDs, videos, DVDs, 10:30 am Studio City Branch Library, 12511 Moorpark Street, Studio City.

Hey, Hey, It’s A Monkee!: It’s Micky Dolenz  and he’s in Woodland Hills this Sunday, August 29 at Warner Park’s Concerts in the Park. Don’t miss the final concert of the season at 6 pm! Warner Center Park  5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 www.valleycultural.org

Hot August Night: Take a musical journey through 40 years of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits on Sunday, August 29 at 6 pm. The show is a part of Summer Sundays at Calabasas Lake. FREE Concert. www.cityofcalabasas.com/sunsets.html Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, 23400 Park Sorrento, Calabasas

Vintage Clothing & Textile Show:  Now in its 26th year, the Vintage Clothing & Textile Show is a My Daily Find fave featuring 65 exhibitors showcasing textiles, clothing, linens, accessories, handbags, shoes and more. $6 general; $20 early admission at 8 am. Sun, Aug 29, 9 am – 3 pm – The Pickwick Gardens, 1001 Riverside Drive, Burbank www.caskeylees.com/Vintage/Vintage.html

Get Culture: Attend a free concert by the Topanga Symphony with works by Edward Elgar, Georg Philipp Telemann, and Antonin Dvorak. Featuring Jerome Kessler, conductor and Steven Gross & Julie Callahan on French horns. www.topangasymphony.com. For further details call (818) 591-8477 Sun, Aug 29, 7:30 pm – Topanga Community House, 1440 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. Topanga

Invictus: See the the Oscar nominated Clint Eastwood directed film “Invictus” starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon on Saturday, August 28 at 2pm.  The film tells the true story of Nelson Mandela and the South African rugby team. FREE  Sherman Oaks Branch Library, 14245 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks

WORTH THE DRIVE: Get down to Chinatown this Saturday for the LA Craft Experience (LACE) — an arts, crafts and design outdoor event featuring unique vendors from all over Los Angeles. It’s in conjunction with Chinatown Summer Nights which features site-specific public art and workshops; regional culinary demonstrations; large-scale, outdoor video projections; access to local stores and restaurants; a sampling of LA’s most popular food trucks and KCRW DJ Aaron Byrd rockin’ the dance floor.  Saturday, August 28, 8PM-11PM. Free Admission. Street parking and plenty of event parking available. Chinatown’s Central Plaza. 947 North Broadway Los Angeles, For more information: www.laceevent.com/

LOBSTER AND SURF & TURF DINING DEALS AT THE VALLEY INN: If you haven’t been to the Valley Inn  Restaurant & Bar in awhile or if you’ve never been, it’s about time you check it out. This 63 year old valley landmark has a feel of old Hollywood with its cozy booths and a bartender who stirs a mean martini. Coach John Wooden ate here often, so much so that memorabilia fills the interior hallway and a room is even named after him. Valley Inn prides itself on weekly specials and special events. Reservations are required. Tell owner Sophia My Daily Find sent you to get the deals!

This weekend they are offering different prix fixe three course dinners on each day: Friday, August 27, The Surf and Turf — Begin with Homemade Sangria and a choice of Homemade Manhattan or Boston Clam Chowders or Fresh Garden Salad, Charbroiled Flat Iron Steak with Pinot Noir demiglaze AND Lobster Tail, Valley Inn homemade potatoes and vegetable medley. Top off your meal and beat the heat with their newest dessert — a refreshing fruit sorbet. $32.00 per person. On Saturday, August 28, imagine you are on the eastern seaboard for a Lobster Dinner: Choose from the homemade soup of the day or fresh garden salad, 1 1/2 pound Maine Lobster, baked potato and vegetable medley and a Special Black Forest Chocolate Mousse for dessert. $ 29.95 person.

Want wine? Receive a bottle of Castle Rock-Sauvignon Blanc or Blackstone-Merlot for only $10 per bottle with the purchase of two entrees. Valley Inn Restaurant & Bar 4557 Sherman Oaks Avenue Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-3011 (818) 784-1163

OVER THE HILL SALE:  Madison on Melrose is having a huge sale in a new building in the back that has incredible deals on clothes marked down 50-70% from all locations. Alexander Wang, J Brand Jeans, Elizabeth & James, Splendid, Helmut James and YSL are just a few of the designers carried.  Also check out the online sale. Though September 7.  Madison Melrose 8115 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046 323.651.3662 11am-7pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun www.madisonloangeles.com

Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Email: Karen@mydailyfind.com

Vintage Clothing and Textile Show at Pickwick Gardens Sunday

BY CAROLE ROSNER

The Vintage Clothing and Textile Show is back this Sunday in its 25th year at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank. If you like browsing flea markets, hitting garage sales, shopping at thrift stores or just digging through your grandmother’s attic, this is the event for you.

Sixty-five exhibitors will be on hand offering a huge variety of vintage clothing, fabrics, and accessories from all eras. You never know what trinket or treasure you’ll find here—maybe the perfect cocktail dress, a gently used designer purse, or even beautiful satin shoes from the 1920’s. On my last visit to the show, my daughter scored 100 year-old knee high women’s leather boots for under $100.

There will also be booths with antique table and bed linens, Victorian lace, retro-style glass frames, antique postcards and much more.

Vintage Playclothes in Studio City is a big exhibitor at this show. Per Store Manager Phyllis Schaefer, look for a cross section of their merchandise this weekend, including cashmere and beaded sweaters, shoes, handbags, hats from the 1940’s and men’s wear. When I asked Phyllis why she likes this trade show, she said, “Where else can you find this much assortment in one place?”

Cash is king here and it may help you with some price negotiations, however most vendors do take credit cards. There’s also a small kiosk to buy food.

You never know what you’ll find at the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show, but you’ll have fun looking!

Vintage Clothing and Textile Show Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 Pickwick Gardens 1001 Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91506 Free parking in lot Hours: 9am-3pm SHOW ADMISSION Regular Admission $6.00 TO BE AN EARLY BUYER ARRIVE AT 8AM – $20.00

Carole Rosner is a native Valley Girl who took the school bus with Michael and Janet Jackson and worked at the Sherman Oaks Galleria in its heyday. She likes to spend her free time finding bargains at Crossroads Trading Company, eating Chinese chicken salad at Stanley’s and admiring the view from Fryman Canyon. Check out her new blog: www.anythinggoodlately.blogspot.com—reading, watching and eating.