Penseys Spices up the Southland

The online spice dealer Penzeys now has locations in Torrance (21301 Hawthorne) and Santa Monica (1347 Fourth Street). As in the website, the stores have information about the spices and recipes to use them in. The aroma of all those spices in one place is awesome.

Books Offers a Step Up to Local Landmarks

Charles Fleming has a new book out called Secret Stairs, which describes the views from staircases in different cities like Pasadena, Echo Park and Santa Monica. The book includes maps and directions for getting to locations by bus.

Nola Lee Kelsey has published a new book based on her blog, Volunteer Before You Die Traveler's Network. It's called 700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die. She advocates "voluntourism" as a way to satisfy the thirst of seeing new places and doing new things by helping others.

Taking great photos

Westways October issue has some great tips for putting pizzazz in your pictures. Take pictures of the same subject from different angles and distances. Focus on a same detail. Use people to show scale or liven up a much photographed setting. Capture people doing something rather than posing. Take photos in early morning or late afternoon.

Progressive Diners Party On

The Progressive Dinner Party has been revived to offer people a chance to socialize and help a worthy cause at the same time. For $35, you can enjoy a good meal and good company in the home of one of the PDP organizers and the money will go to a local group. On October 17, the dinner proceeds will go to CANTO!, a downtown Long Beach afterschool program.