Check It. Bukowski at the Huntington Library.

The Huntington Library has to be one of the prettier places in LA County. Gorgeous botanical gardens, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and home to the rarely-blooming Indonesian corpse plant, the library merits a visit despite any of their special exhibits.

Theydo however have a recently-opened Bukowski exhibit, featuring typescripts and early newspaper printings of the poet's work.

I became a big Bukowski fan after reading the autobiographical "Ham on Rye," which will also be on exhibit.

The exhibit will be running through Feb. 14, 2011.

The Huntington Library is located at 1151 Oxford Rd. in San Marino.

-- Lauren Williams

Do It. A Birthday Tribute to Charles Bukowski at Skylight Books.

Admittedly, I've never read much of Charles Bukowski's longer works and novels, but I am a huge fan of his poetry. His simple, blunt and honest observations about life were easy to understand and feel akin to, especially with him having been a proud L.A. resident often inspired by his surroundings. His musings on the city and its dwellers have proved to be one of the most memorable and influential, so much so that it can be hard to imagine L.A.'s identity with Bukowski.

Los Feliz's Skylight Books is a regular supporter of local writers, and so it would only make sense that they are set to celebrate of the greatest. This Saturday marks what would have been Bukowski's 90th birthday (he died in 1994), and Skylight will honor the author with a day of readings, screenings, giveaways and "of course drink." Bukowski undoubtedly lived a colorful life, so the stories to come out of this celebration are sure to be intriguing.

A Birthday Tribute to Charles Bukowski begins at 8pm on Saturday at Skylight Books, located at 1818 N. Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz. And if you're curious about his poetry, I'd recommend picking up at Skylight the awesomely titled posthumous collections What Matters Most is How Well You Walk Through the Fire and Sifting Through the Madness for the Word, the Line, the Way.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Reno Room [Thirsty Thursdays!].

If you love all things local, then you'll love Reno Room. This tiny bar captures a bit of L.A.'s past, once serving as the drinking home to famed-LA poet, writer, and all-around curmudgeon Charles Bukowski.

Now, the bar is a strange mix of college students and older locals, there are a few good beers on tap, including Blue Moon, pool tables in the corners, and strangely, a Mexican restaurant is both part and independent of the bar.
Coco Reno's is the wonderfully greasy Mexican restaurant within, but not really part of Reno Room. Serving up all the expected Mexican dishes, enchiladas, burritos, and hearty helpings of red rice, you can order a drink from Reno Room while still sitting in Coco Renos. They also have a nice margarita.

Reno Room is located at 3400 E. Broadway in Long Beach.

-- Lauren Williams