Turkey Day Feast

The Rescue Mission, which has just undergone a $10 million renovation, was unusually oversubscribed when more than 300 guests turned up for the Thanksgiving Feast.

The non-profit’s intrepid new chef Freddie Rashad acquitted himself admirably cooking 90 turkeys, 120 pounds of potatoes, 75 pounds of carrots, and 120 pounds of green beans, for the occasion which saw yours truly and my intrepid shutterbug, Priscilla, volunteering for the 11th year, along with Congressman Salud Carbajal and travel writer Bonnie Carroll.

“It was a little bit overwhelming, but we got there,” said Freddie.

Rolf Geyling, mission president, says they plan to serve more than 10,000 meals between now and the end of the year.

A great deal to be thankful for…

Cuckoo for Cocoa

You will have to fork out a few beans if you fancy this chocolate, as it is said to be the world’s most expensive bar.

To’ak chocolate, which translates to “earth” and “tree” in ancient Ecuadorian dialects, costs a hefty $218 per bar.

Despite its whopping price tag, the handmade treat is surprisingly light. In fact, it is so delicate that each bar weighs just 1.5 ounces.

Rare cacao seeds are first harvested from the coast of Ecuador, before they are fermented and turned into liquid chocolate.

Then it is hand-moulded and a single, hand-selected, hand-measured and shelled cacao bean is placed in the center – this must fit perfectly and measures just slightly more than a quarter of an inch.

Though there are other chocolates with higher price tags, To’ak claims their chocolate is the most expensive pure chocolate – with no expensive additives.

And just in time for Christmas, with it being available at Harrods, the top London department store, Wally’s in Beverly Hills, and The Market in San Francisco.

As for me, I think I’ll stick to M&M’s.

Glove Story

In an unusual “sequins” of events, actor Johnny Depp is producing an unauthorized musical about the late Michel Jackson told from the perspective of the King of Pop’s iconic glove.

The wild show – “For the Love of a Glove: An Unauthorized Musical Fable About the Life of Michael Jackson, as told by his Glove” by Julien Nitzberg, debuts in Los Angeles on January 25.

It’s described as a look into the strange forces that shaped Jackson and the scandals that bedeviled his reputation as narrated by a talking, singing glove.

Actors will star as life size puppets of the Jackson Five, Donny Osmond, Emmanuel Lewis, Corey Feldman, and Bubbles the Chimp.

Can’t wait…

Up for Auction

A six-litre Aston Martin which was driven by Prince Charles for nearly 15 years can be yours at a very majestic price.

The 1994 Virage Volante convertible that can reach 175 mph, which the Prince of Wales drove until 2008, is being sold for $353,000 with only 34,000 miles on the clock.

It will go under the hammer at the London auctioneers Bonhams at the weekend.

Sightings: Rocker Jon Anderson of Yes at Olio e Limone… Actor Antonio Banderas at the Riviera Theatre… Singer Beyoncé at Paseo Nuevo

Pip! Pip!