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Best Of LA: Week Of May 26

memorial day parade 610 header
(credit: istockphoto)

For the final week of May, Los Angeles is offering some great events. Start your week off with a salute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our great country with various Memorial Day festivals and events and spend the rest of the week kicks off this final week of May. The summer has officially begun, so here are a few events that should help you start the season right.

Queen Mary - Queen Mary
(credit: Queen Mary)

Monday, May 26

Queen Mary Salutes U.S. Military Personnel
Queen Mary
1126 Queen's Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738
www.queenmary.com

Tour the world-famous, and as legend will tell you, haunted Queen Mary with family and friends on Memorial Day. To celebrate the holiday, active military and veterans are welcome to enjoy free general admission with ID, which includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show. Hours of operation are 10am-6pm. The parking fee is $15.

Memorial Day Celebrations

Looking for other activities on Memorial Day? Find out the Best Ways To Celebrate Memorial Day or Restaurants Serving Up Specials for the holiday

(8) Franklin Canyon - Bridget B Yelp
(credit: Bridget B./Yelp)

Tuesday, May 27

Storytime in Nature
Franklin Canyon Park
2600 Franklin Canyon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 858-7272
www.LAmountains.com

If you have small children that love to hear stories, bring them to Franklin Canyon for a morning stroll and book session. From 11am-12pm, children aged 1-5 and their parents are invited to the park for storytime and a taste of nature. The event will start at Sooky Goldman Nature Center.

Pints & Puns - Angel City Brewery
(credit: Angel City Brewery)

Wednesday, May 28

Pints & Puns
Angel City Brewery
216 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 622-1261
www.angelcitybrewery.com/

Angel City Brewery invites you and your friends out to Downtown L.A.'s Arts District for a night of free laughs. Comedian Trent Bruce hosts Pints and Puns Comedy Night, which features several performers over the course of the evening. Try a couple of Angel City's brews while you release any Hump Day blues from the week. The show runs from 8-10pm.

adopt and shop
(credit: Adopt & Shop)

Adopt & Shop
4235 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 933-6863
www.adoptandshop.org/

Visit the brand new Adopt & Shop pet adoption center in Culver City to take home a new furry baby to love. Founded by Michelson Found Animals, Adopt & Shop is now LA's largest nonprofit pet adoption and retail center. This one-stop location provides adoptable pets from local animal shelters, guidance for the adoption process, daycare services, grooming, a fully stocked pet supply store, and dog training classes and academies.

americana_at_brand_FB
(credit: The Americana at Brand)

Thursday, May 29

Beer + Burgers + 500 Days of Summer
The Americana At Brand
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 637-8982
www.americanaatbrand.com/

On Thursday, stop by The Americana at Brand in Glendale from 6pm to 9:30pm for a movie night on the green. The movie of the night will be "500 Days Of Summer" and the $20 event will offer sliders and sweet potato fries by the one and only Katsuya as well as beers by Golden Road Brewing as part of the ticket price. Also, enjoy specialty cocktails by Katsuya at the bar.

cafe del rey Exterior - Christina Peters
(credit: Christina Peters)

Jordan Winery Dinner
CAFE del REY
4451 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 823-6395
www.cafedelreymarina.com/

Make a reservation now for Cafe del Rey's wine-paired dinner featuring Sonoma County's Jordan Winery. Select dishes from the menu include Carrot Salad with panna cotta, vinaigrette and walnuts, Black Truffle Ravioli, Maine Diver Scallops with hearts of palm, snap peas and cherry gastrique, and a Baklava Napoleon. The five-course dinner is $135, not including additional beverages or gratuity. Reservations recommended.

Coffe Bean & Tea Leaf
(credit: Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf)

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Summer Open House
Multiple Locations
www.coffeebean.com/

Two new Ice Blended drink flavors are now in stores at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations throughout Los Angeles. The Mud Pie (coffee with chocolate sandwich cookies)and Caramel Brownie indulgences are available now through September in addition to new Vanilla and Hazelnut Iced Coffees also added to the summer lineup. Visit today from 2-6pm at participating locations to enjoy their Summer Open House where you can try full sizes of these new beverages for just $2.

New Solar Powered Ferris Wheel Debuts On Santa Monica Pier
(credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

Friday, May 30

SummerFest Brea 2014
St Angela Merici School
575 S Walnut Ave
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-6372
www.summerfestbrea.org

This Friday, SummerFest in Brea kicks off. Drawing over 25,000 people with terrific rides, delicious food and fun live entertainment, this community event is a must. The event begins on Friday, May 30th and ends on Sunday, June 1st. Thrilling rides include coasters as well as ferris wheels and more. And, if that isnt enough of a draw to get you there, the event will offer an assortment of foods to fit any taste or appetite. From freshly grilled tri-tip sandwiches, asian food, mexican specialties and traditional Italian food, you can be surely cannot go wrong. All food is reasonably priced so it is the perfect place to bring your family for the day or night out. The event also features many concerts.

Dance Downtown - The Music Center
(credit: The Music Center)

Dance Downtown
Grand Park
227 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, 90012
(213) 972-8080
www.musiccenter.org

Dance Downtown is sponsored by the Music Center, but this time, Grand Park is the location. The sounds of Cumbia will fill the air, as people dance and strut under the stars of Downtown L.A. There will be DJs from Subsuelo and several food trucks. This is a free event, open to all ages, that starts at 6:30p and ends at 10p.

RedEyeBurger at the counter
(credit: The Counter)

The Counter
Multiple Locations
www.thecounterburger.com

On the heels of The Counter's 10th birthday, they've launched a "clipboard menu" redesign that offers a new selection of burgers, bowls, salads, sides, and more, plus more build-your-own ingredient possibilities including Ahi tuna, quinoa, coleslaw, and a new Hawaiian bun. New offerings include deviled eggs with cheddar, bacon, and parsley; a Kale salad with green cabbage, jicama, celery, and feta cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette; a brand new Veggie Club with grilled zucchini, roasted red pepper, grilled carrot, avocado, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and a basil pesto spread; and a Un-Brie-lievable burger with 100% natural ground turkey, soft-ripened brie, mixed greens, tomato, cranberries, and apricot sauce on a multigrain bun.

Eureka_Bloody Mary - Eureka
(credit: Eureka)

Saturday, May 31

Bloody Mary Saturday
Eureka! Tasting Kitchen
12101 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 331-8233
www.eurekarestaurantgroup.com

Eureka! Tasting Kitchen invites you out for a Saturday full of $5 Bloody Marys. The housemade blend includes fresh tomato juice, Tabasco, and horseradish and toppers that include jalapeño, olive, bacon, and celery. Unwind from the week with a couple rounds of Bloody Marys, and of course, try a bit of food while you're there. A Eureka! burger is the perfect companion.

LAWineFest
(credit: LAWineFest)

9th Annual LAWineFest
Raleigh Studios
5300 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90038
www.lawinefest.com

This Saturday and Sunday, Los Angelenos can get their wine on at the 9th annual LAWineFest, a weekend boasting samples and offerings from over 500 wines, brews, and spirits from around the world. You'll explore the world of wine through tastings, delicious food pairings, live entertainment, and interactive wine seminars. Admission also includes access to LA food trucks and plenty of shopping opportunities. Plus, you get to keep your glass!

Taste Nation 201349 - Taste of the Nation
(credit: Taste of The Nation)

Sunday, June 01

Taste of the Nation L.A.
Media Park
9070 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90232
ce.strength.org

This year, Share Our Strength will host its L.A. Taste of the Nation fundraiser in Culver City with Cooking Channel's Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark as the event's hosts. Participating restaurants include 800 Degrees, Border Grill, Church & State, FIG Restaurant, Plan Check, Superba Snack Bar, El Segundo Brewery and The Bruery, to name a few. There will also be a culinary competition and live and silent auctions. VIP tickets are $160, ensuring entry from 12:30-4p, while general admission is $110, and guests may not enter until 1p. Proceeds from ticket and auction sales will benefit Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, California Food Policy Advocates and No Kid Hungry Los Angeles.

Share your ideas for this events of the week in the comments below!
Chrystal Baker is a freelance food and events contributor for CBS Los Angeles, Basil Magazine and Frugivore Magazine. She is the co-editor of a recipe blog, The Duo Dishes, and manages her own lifestyle and travel blog, Any and Everywhere.

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.

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