Picks and Clicks for September 5-11, 2009

Shelley Berman, the first stand-up comedian to appear at Carnegie Hall and the first to win a Grammy for best comedy album, will star in the Celebrity Staged Play Reading of “Keep the Two Dollars,” by Bill Barnett. The comedy’s plot involves an expensive bracelet, a mystery man, a suspected love affair, an insurance company and a British bride. Produced and directed by Alexandra More. A Q-and-A with the playwright will follow the performance.

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Dikla Kadosh

September 2, 2009

SAT | SEPTEMBER 5

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(COUNTY FAIR)
The L.A. County Fair opens on Labor Day weekend and takes advantage of the dwindling days of summer to pack in new exhibits and classic favorites for the entire family. Stand face-to-face with animated dinosaurs at Jurassic Planet, watch the Extreme Canine Stunt Dog Show in Bark Park, learn about rainforests and how to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle in the Going Green: Making a World of Difference exhibit, sample fine wines and organic food, enjoy a concert, try your hand at milking a cow or a goat, and much more. Every Friday and Saturday night, a fireworks display will light up the sky. 10 a.m.-midnight. Wed.-Sun. Through Oct. 4. Weekends: $12 (children), $17 (adults); weekdays: $7 (children), $12 (adults). Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. ” title=”dignitymemorial.com”>dignitymemorial.com.

(MUSIC)
Extreme Klezmer Makeover, a quartet of local musicians who play traditional music from Eastern Europe and modern, progressive klezmer music infused with American folk, Middle Eastern and jazz rhythms, will provide the entertainment at a Labor Day Klezmer Brunch, hosted by Talking Stick in Venice. Enjoy two hours of energetic, exuberant klezmer tunes as you feast on salads, bagels, sandwiches and coffee from the restaurant’s menu. Sat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover and no minimum order. The Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Blvd., Venice. (310) 450-6052. ” title=”extremeklezmer.com”>extremeklezmer.com.

(OUTDOORS)
California Dreamin’, the 19th annual Mosaic International Event, hosted by the Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America, is a four-day conference that involves a variety of outdoor activities from hiking to horseback riding to mountain biking, along with seminars like organic gardening, workshops on massage therapy, and social activities, such as Israeli dancing, campfires and a Shabbat celebration. Mosaic is a network of more than 25 nonprofit clubs in the United States, Canada and Israel dedicated to organizing outdoor and environmental activities for Jewish singles, couples and families. Sept. 4-7. $344 (members), $364 (general). Brandeis-Bardin Campus at American Jewish University, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis. (954) 435-3388. ” title=”mccabes.com”>mccabes.com. ” title=”mishkon.org”>mishkon.org.

TUE | SEPTEMBER 8

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WED | SEPTEMBER 9

(LECTURE)
The American Israeli Medical Association is hosting an informative discussion on the topic, “Public Health in Israel vs. Private Medicine,” a particularly relevant subject as U.S. policy makers are debating the same options. Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, will conduct the lecture in English. Wed. 7:30 p.m. $30 (includes drinks, appetizers and dessert reception). Private residence in Encino. (888) 991-1212. {encode=”drben@a2zhealth.com” title=”drben@a2zhealth.com”}.

THU | SEPTEMBER 10

” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(COOKING)
Cookbook author and Jerusalem Post columnist Faye Levy will be the main dish at a luncheon featuring her nutritious kosher cuisine and a discussion during which Levy will introduce her new book, “Healthy Cooking for the Jewish Home.” Levy, who has published more than a dozen cookbooks and has written for numerous food magazines, will also suggest innovative menus for the Jewish holidays (just in time!), international ingredients to spice up traditional favorites and dishes that promote well-being. Thu. Noon. $28 (JCC members), $38 (general). Merage JCC, 1 Federation Way, Irvine. (949) 435-3400. ” title=”judaicworkshops.com”>judaicworkshops.com.

FRI | SEPTEMBER 11

(THEATER)
Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated comedy, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” is a classic Broadway hit about a middle-aged, upper-class wife of a doctor and her cushy-yet-restless life in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Plunged into a midlife crisis, the aspiring intellectual is saved by the unexpected arrival of a childhood friend. Produced by the Kentwood Players. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. Through Oct. 17. $18. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. (310) 645-5156. ” title=”attictheatre.org”>attictheatre.org.