Like any good Italian Catholic family, mine has always celebrated Easter by attending mass and then spending the day over-eating together while watching the entire “Godfather” epic from start to finish.

Okay – maybe it’s unconventional, but it’s more about the time spent with family than the activity itself that makes our Easters together a fond memory for me. Perhaps it’s also dad’s breadcrumb spaghetti or some fried eggplant lasagna dish he’s invented that make me reminisce most about happy times together on Easter weekend.

This year, I’ll be staying in Los Angeles for Easter weekend and won’t be trekking home to Arizona for the holiday because of a number of commitments that I can’t break, but I’ll definitely be trying to fit in some fun things too.

• On Thursday evening, my running coach is performing at the Hollywood Improv. His wife bought him a 6-week standup comedy class this year for their anniversary and it culminates in a live performance. My friends and I don’t want to miss it!
• On Friday evening, I’m attending the DOMA Theatre’s production of Tommy by The Who, I mentioned wanting to see this in an earlier blog post – so now that I’m getting to attend, I’ll be sure to give my review in a future post.
• On Saturday morning the Hollywood Half Marathon traverses from Universal Studios City Walk down to Hollywood Boulevard and across to Sunset Blvd at Maltman Ave and back. There’s also a 5K and 10K being held along the same course. A number of my friends are participating so I would like to join the other spectators and cheer them on. Check out a course map.
• On Saturday afternoon, LA Beer Fest is being held in two sessions from 12pm to 3pm or 5pm to 8pm at the Paramount Studios / The Sony lot. The festival will feature live music, beer and food trucks.  Tickets will not be sold at the door – so visit the site to purchase your ticket if you plan to attend.
• On Sunday morning in Santa Monica, my team’s weekly practice continues for the San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon/Full Marathon and Mayor’s Half/Full Marathon to be held in Alaska. As you might know, I’m a captain on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training – we train for marathons while fundraising to cure blood cancer. This week – our training run is scheduled to be 6 miles for our half marathoners and 14 miles for our full marathoners.
• Open Houses will be in full swing on Sunday afternoon and I’m going to be attending a number of them previewing properties for buyers that I am working with.

If you’re stuck in town, I’d encourage you to take advantage of the idea that a number of people are starting to adopt – the “staycation”…use this opportunity to stay in town and take a vacation in your own city…explore the local area and try something new:

• Check out a comedy show, a musical or a play
• Take a hike
• Attend services at a familiar or new place of worship
• Lay on the grass or play Frisbee in a park
• Head to the beach
• Check out a music or beer festival
• Be a spectator at the Hollywood Half Marathon – I guarantee the runners will appreciate you cheering them on and you’ll get a great feeling about the human spirit watching the race
• Volunteer – whether you visit a dog rescue organization, help at a food kitchen, or pick up litter – just try something!

What are you going to do this holiday weekend? I want to hear your comments below!

Photo courtesy of Frank3.0′s Flickr