What’s Popping Up? Veterans Day Deals And A Hot Air Balloon Festival In The Desert
November 2, 2023
The Breakfast Bar and Beadel Family Foundation, through their Pancakes 4 Purpose initiative, will host a community block party in honor of Veterans Day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an afterparty from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3404 East Fourth St., in Long Beach. The event will benefit the Kind Acts Factory, a nonprofit focused on connecting veterans with community leaders and civic improvement. Pancakes 4 Purpose will feature food and drink from The Breakfast Bar, a dedication to honor veterans, raffles, a silent auction, games and more. The celebration will continue into the evening with karaoke, live music and dancing. Tickets cost $20 and are available here.
On Saturday, Nov. 11, all California-based Sizzler locations will offer a free lunch to any active duty military or veteran until 4 p.m. Each active duty military member or veteran can choose between a free half-dozen crispy shrimp, Malibu chicken, or 6 oz. tri-tip steak entree. Click here to find your nearest Sizzler location.
Strawberry Fields Salad (Courtesy Rock & Brews)
Eureka! The all-American restaurant serving scratch dishes, local craft beers, small-batch whiskeys and signature cocktails will offer a complimentary American cheeseburger to all active and retired military members, no proof needed, all day on Saturday, Nov. 11, at all locations. The burger is made with American Swiss, grilled red onion, butter lettuce, house pickles, tomato and special sauce atop a brioche bun.
All NORMS locations will honor those who serve and have served with a complimentary Four Deuces, complete with two eggs, two slices of bacon, two sausage links and two hotcakes. Those with a valid ID can enjoy the diner favorite on Nov. 11, for dine-in or to-go only.
As part of an annual tradition, since they opened their doors, Rock & Brews locations will offer army and military veterans as well as first responders select menu offerings completely free of charge. This year, the team will treat vets to the complimentary “We Salute You” pulled pork sandwich or strawberry fields salads. The sandwich comes on a sesame brioche bun with spicy sweet barbecue sauce and pickles and is served with coleslaw and natural fries. The salad is a mix of baby greens, strawberries, avocado, cucumbers, red onions, candied walnuts and feta cheese in a lemon pepper vinaigrette. Each time Rock & Brews opens a new restaurant location, it invites members of the military to be the first guests in the door. They also participate in donation campaigns throughout the year to raise funds for vets.
New sushi/tapas bar at West Edge (Courtesy Gelson's)
Westside Food Bank’s Hunger Walk returns for its 33rd year to Santa Monica’s Ocean View Park (2701 Barnard Way) on Sunday, Nov. 5:
Speaking of the Westside, the brand new Gelson’s grocery store at West Edgedesigned by the award-winning firm Shook Kelley, has opened its sprawling 33,000-square-foot market. From its polished concrete floors to hanging pendant lights throughout, the store is accented with geometric metal shapes, light wood slats and an abundance of wall art. The color palette is based on the Gelson logo with a spectrum of dark caramel, mahogany and taupe, accented by creams and blue greens.
The sleek wine and sushi/tapas bar serves as a communal hub and is anchored by a quartz counter and contemporary furniture, as well as an outdoor patio. Along with a Wolfgang Puck Express build-your-own pizza bar and a café and bakery with adjacent seating, Gelson’s West L.A. features serviced deli, meat/seafood, produce cutting/juicing, and floral sections, in addition to a self-serve salad bar, hot food and soup bar, poke bar, and dedicated wine and cheese section.
Strawberry Fields Salad (Courtesy Rock & Brews)
New sushi/tapas bar at West Edge (Courtesy Gelson's)
Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival and Food Truck Fiesta (Courtesy Agua Caliente Casino)