December 2010: Marina del Rey FEATURED LOCAL - Peter Ellis

For our December edition of our Featured Local blog series, we’re introducing you to the face of a Marina Holiday favorite tradition: this year’s winner of the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, Peter Ellis. Enjoy our holiday-inspired posting and interview with Peter.

Remember: Each month, we feature a Marina del Rey local to give you a peek into the Marina’s many diverse, one-of-a-kind personalities. If you have someone you’d like us to consider featuring here, please drop us a note!

Name: Peter Ellis

Years Participated in the Boat Parade: Sporadically since 1992

What makes the holiday season so special in Marina del Rey?: When you drive down the street in the Marina, you can’t help but feel the holiday cheer. From the lighted houses and ornamented shops, to the decorated street and boats with lights ablaze, Marina Del Rey is a pleasant reprieve in the middle of an otherwise hectic holiday shopping season. (We swear – he wrote that himself!)

How did you prepare for this year’s Boat Parade?: No matter how long we plan, we never seem to be fully prepared for the parade. As soon as the theme “A Rock ‘N Roll Christmas” was announced, we began to float ideas (no pun intended). We decided, who better than The King of Rock and Roll to lead a Rock ‘N Roll Christmas? So, with that, our primary objective was to create the “Big Elvis,” which was the oversized Elvis made of Christmas lights. On the day of the parade, we still had a number of items to complete before show time so, as a team, we worked together and had the boat ready just in time.

Any behind the scenes drama that we don’t know about?: There was a water skiing Santa Claus in the works, but he wasn’t ready in time for the parade.

Tell us a bit more about what appealed to the judges about your boat?: Well, the major concept behind our boat design was that the large “Elvis Rocks” sign would be switched by an animated elf to read “Elves Rock.” The boat was filled with live, singing elves and Elvises. In the spirit of the holidays, I really think the judges enjoyed the humor behind the design.

If Elvis were to come back to life for the parade, what would you tell him?: Of course, I would let him know that he is still The King (and that he, and elves, rock!). I would then take him to dinner after the parade, his choice, as he was always keen on finding the best eateries– which the Marina is known for. I reckon he’d be particularly fond of The Counter and Warehouse Restaurant.

Marina del Rey Is (Finish the Sentence): An oasis in an otherwise hectic world. (We couldn’t agree more!)

Okay – enough about the parade! What else do you love about the Marina year-round?: I’m an active participant in the boating community of the Marina, and enjoy the many opportunities to get on the water from the Marina. And, I love the many great restaurants across the city – from Fisherman’s Village to Admiralty Way, there are so many great options. 

Thanks, Peter, for being the Marina’s own rock star for more than 15 years. On behalf of the community, we thank you and all of the boat parade participants for making the holiday season so special in Marina del Rey. If you’d like to get in touch with Peter, send a note to our team at marinadelreycvb@gmail.com and we’ll make sure to share your feedback with Peter. Or, nominate someone for a future featured post.

Happy Holidays to All!

November 2010: Marina del Rey FEATURED LOCAL

For our second edition of the latest Featured Local blog series, we’re re-introducing you to one of the Marina’s most beloved faces.

Remember: Each month, we feature a Marina del Rey local to give you a peek into the Marina’s many diverse, one-of-a-kind personalities.  We hope to cover everyone from sea-faring captains and seasoned executive chefs to your everyday Joes and Janes who live, work and play in Marina del Rey and the surrounding areas.  If you have someone you’d like us to consider featuring here, please drop us a note! And, as always, feel free to let us know if this blog post gives you warm fuzzies about the wonderful locals of Marina del Rey!

 

Name: Maya Diamond

Occupation: Event Sales Manager at Café del Rey

Years in the Marina: Almost two years!

If I could do one job for the rest of my life… it would be: An astronaut! Okay, realistically, I love my job. The marina is truly a hidden gem of Los Angeles. It’s such an ideal place to hold an event because of its gorgeous views, year-round activities and easy accessibility. I love that my job is to sell events in a place that even I think of as paradise.

You have 24 hours to live.  What are you going to do?: Spend a perfect day in the marina.  Brunch at Café del Rey, featuring all-you-can-drink mimosas and sparkling wine and a jazz trio, followed by a stroll through Chace Park, then a sunset cruise, ending with a ride on the water taxi to eat dinner at Jer-ne.  That would be a perfect day!

You have one last meal.  What’s it gonna be?: The truffle pizza with caramelized onion, black truffle cream and reggiano at Café del Rey!

What things should we add to our growing bucket list for Marina del Rey?:  Take a sailing lesson.  Participate in the Holiday Boat Parade.  Go on the Friday night Blues Cruise from Hornblower Cruises & Events.  See a concert/movie at Chace Park. 

That last part sounds a bit biased ;-) But definitely not untrue, residents and visitors alike love Café del Rey for its gorgeous waterfront views and fine dining choices!  The holidays are coming up…are there any specials for residents and visitors to take advantage of?:  Definitely!  We will be open Thanksgiving day, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.  On Thanksgiving, we are offering a three-course meal (prix fixe), with some great selections for everyone in the family, from crispy calamari and Kumamoto oysters, to venison tenderloin, pumpkin brulee, donuts and hot chocolate. And, to add to the growing list of reasons to visit, we recently welcomed a new executive chef, Daniel Roberts!

That’s all work talk.  Let’s talk about what you do outside of work!:  When I’m not enjoying my work in the marina, I enjoy being outdoors and experiencing new things.  I enjoy hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains and biking down to Hermosa Beach.

You work at a restaurant, so is it safe to assume you’re a foodie, too?: I am a huge foodie and am constantly trying all the new restaurants around town. 
 
One last question… If you had to describe Marina del Rey in less than 10 words, you would describe it as: a truly special hidden gem of Los Angeles

As you can see…it’s Maya who’s the truly special hidden gem of the Marina – and she’ll plan the event of your lifetime! Drop by and say hello to Maya at Café del Rey located at 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292. Here’s a little tip: Even their cocktails are handmade to reflect what’s in season. Check out the menu when you pop in for a drink by their oversized fireplace, and take a look at what the chef has picked up at this week’s farmer’s market.