Chowhound is a good source for dining recommendations, as Ellen suggested. I lived in Venice for 15 years and still go back there for restaurants. We also frequently go to nearby Culver City (which is gaining a hip vibe) and Marina Del Rey, which is adjacent to my current neighborhood (as is Culver City). There are so many choices in Venice/Culver City/MDR that you really have to narrow it down to what you like or want to experience. The day before my birthday, we went to East Borough Fraiche Vietnamese in downtown Culver City (Washington Blvd & Culver Blvd), and there are a slew of new hip place clustered in that triangular block. It's next door to a sourdough pizza place that we want to try, and there are more great places around the corner and down the street. On my birthday, we went to Paiche in MDR, and it is a bit expensive, but extremely good if you are adventurous and want to try Peruvian Izakaya style food. Good for a group of 3-4 people (not children) who have small to medium appetites. Also in the area I mentioned, you have your choice many Middle Eastern restaurants, including Lebanese, Turkish, Persian, etc., and so if you are interested in that, I can recommend what I like. Also, if you like Japanese, you can go to the Sawtelle neighborhood on Sawtelle between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvds. Wharo is an excellent Korean Barbeque restaurant in MDR on Lincoln, just south of Washington Blvd, almost in Venice. Then there is Abbot Kinney Blvd, where Kevin and I used to live, which has several interesting restaurant and gelato shops. I highly recommend the French Market Cafe, where I have frequently seen TV stars dining on the patio, but the food is definitely worth it, if you like French Bistro style, and it is not expensive. It is one block from my old house and was our nearest market, and so we went there often. Further down the street is Joe's Restaurant - a great place for brunch, lunch, or dinner. I had another birthday brunch years ago when I still lived in Venice and a cooking forum member took me there. If you are interested in possibly seeing celebrities, you could try The Cat & Fiddle on Sunset in Hollywood. The food is British (not to my taste, but some people like it), and I have seen Keanu Reeves and Gina Davis there on the same evening, but that was 10 years ago. For better British food, I recommend Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, half a block from the Third Street Promenade. BTW, Abbot Kinney Blvd has been named the hippest street in L.A., taking over the title from Melrose Ave, which is still worth visiting. Another hip place on Abbot Kinney is Four Square Restaurant, about a block from Joe's. Another place to try for pizza is Pizzeria Mozza, but I also like Abbot's Pizza on Abbot Kinney - much cheaper and very good. For people watching on the Venice Boardwalk, try The Waterfront Cafe or The Sidewalk Cafe, which has a better view, although I prefer the food at the Waterfront. They are both good for boardwalk cafes. If you want, you can email me, and I will give you my phone number so that you or your sister could call if you want additional recommendations. It's really impossible to list all of them without narrowing down the selection. Lars This post was edited by publickman on Wed, Mar 5, 14 at 21:10

Those photos were very interesting, Jodi. Thanks. I can't believe how clean the water looks, although people should still not be wading in it. Hard to believe the pastry shop is allowed to stay open, doesn't seem very sanitary to me.

You mentioned you want to visit Murano. You may be aware of this, but it's a good idea to avoid the "free" trips to Murano. You'll end up at a glass studio that will try to strongarm you into buying something expensive, and it can be hard to escape without being rude. If you don't buy anything, and possibly if you do, the free ride does not include the trip back. Also, don't wear expensive jewelry when you go! Just take the vaporetto to the island. Read up on all the tourist semi-scams that go on -- sadly, they have reached their highest form in Venice. For example, if you take the water taxi back to the airport, there will sometimes be a van waiting at the dock to take you and your luggage to the terminal, which you naturally assume is paid for the by the water taxi pilot, since he is putting your luggage into it. Wrong. You will pay extra for it. Or at least you will, if you don't ask first. Always ask first before accepting anything.

Sorry if I am being to blunt...but....are you looking for a ready to 'plug and grow' BIG light garden...NOW? I have a brand new, never used, AeroGrow 'Farm Plus' garden. For sale. I dont know where to put it for sale on this garden forum. I JUST put up the question on here. I am trying to sell it ASAP. Do you need a BIG ready to go garden, with LED lights and, well, it is plug and grow. Hard to mess up. And it is about $300 less than buying it from AeroGrow. I tried to send you a private message, but I didnt see a way to do that. so. I am asking here. IF you have interest, let me know. Or if you know anyone else, I would be grateful!!!