SPARKLING SHORES

Broke Girls Guide, 05/24/12

Co-founders Erin Bunch and Michelle Vick

Exhausted from dealing with the psychopath who calls himself your boss? Head to Culver City and grab a snack from Fraiche's secret menu. Then, catch an 8 p.m. screening of the classic (we're not kidding) film Center Stage.

Norm Stamper, 05/26/12

34-year veteran police officer who retired as Seattle's chief of police in 2000

There is much anguish at the plight of returning vets and their families, but as we enter the Memorial Day weekend, every vet and civilian in the country can take hope and inspiration from an amazing documentary released last year.

Michael Varrati, 05/25/12

Actor, writer, and pop culture enthusiast

The advent of the digital era has made the concept of disposable celebrity a living, breathing albatross around the neck of entertainment culture.

Terri Cole, 05/26/12

CEO, Live Fearless and Free; transformation coach and licensed therapist

This week, I want to explore how sleep and fear are related. Their connection is direct and undeniable, as lack of the prior leads to an increase in the latter.

Logan Nakyanzi Pollard, 05/25/12

findcreatejoy.com

It's not about carving out specialty justice for veterans, but rather about putting similar systems in place that help divert vulnerable populations who require services rather than incarceration.

Sheelah A. Feinberg, 05/25/12

Executive director, NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City

We were encouraged, if not surprised, that the mayor has stepped across the country to California to let Big Tobacco know we will fight them everywhere. It is literally a matter of life and death.

John Shore, 05/24/12

Author, 'UNFAIR: Why the "Christian" View of Gays Doesn't Work'

If you imagine American Christianity as a 1950s city in the Midwest, Biola University would be its Central High. Biola is the sort of place where the Church Lady would have been head cheerleader. So you can imagine my surprise when, on the afternoon of May 9, I received this email.

Xaque Gruber, 05/25/12

Writer

In the basement of Casita Del Campo, you'll find The Cavern Club, a haven of some of Los Angeles' most creative, colorful, underground theatre including the musical adaptation of the 1980s cult film The Legend Of Billie Jean.

Steve Parker, 05/25/12

Journalist/Broadcaster covering the auto industry and auto racing for 35 years

"Big" Willie Robinson, founder and president of the International and National Brotherhood of Street Racers, died this past Saturday. He was 69.

Bettina Korek, 05/25/12

Arts commentator and founder, ForYourArt

Sunday is opening day of a new exhibition that will focus on the emergence of land art in the 1960s and highlight the early years of artistic experimentations in this realm.

Jaimal Yogis, 05/25/12

Author, 'Saltwater Buddha' and 'The Fear Project' (out January 2013)

Fear can be extremely negative. Fear keeps us from living our dreams, makes us scared of people who are different, creating war and racism. It lies to us about our potential. We want to be fearless, right?

Marshall Fine, 05/25/12

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

Based on a true story, The Intouchables tells the story of Philippe, a quadriplegic who hires a Senegalese immigrant named Driss as his caregiver. Driss, just out of prison for robbery, seems an unlikely choice -- but he and Philippe develop a bond that goes beyond employer-employee.

Rep. Karen Bass, 05/24/12

U.S. Representative for California's 33rd Congressional District

President Obama's New Alliance announcement is an acknowledgment that the global community is capable of achieving an enormous impact even in an economic environment where many nations are being forced to retreat from their promises.

Chris Krapek, 05/25/12

Film Blogger

Full frontal male nudity is the manifest destiny of dick jokes. It's all the hard -- and sometimes flaccid -- work of our forefathers of comedy finally paying off. Charlie Chaplin would be so proud.

Matthew David Hopkins, 05/23/12

Creative Director, 360 Design Events

Want to throw the party of the season, but feel fresh out of ideas? With Memorial Day this weekend and many more reasons to celebrate this summer, try my "perfectly imperfect" approach to entertaining and your guests will remember your celebration for years to come.

Jordan Schultz, 05/24/12

The Huffington Post's sports columnist, The Schultz Report

In a new segment with Noah Coslov of CineSport, I break down why LeBron, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat remain vulnerable against Indiana in Game 6.

The Los Angeles Public Library, 05/24/12

There is still time to brush up on your hockey knowledge if you're a novice, or explore the game more in depth if you're a longtime fan with some books at your local library.