Do It. The New Santa Monica Place.

The New Santa Monica Place is really something. Showing absolutely no signs of its 1980's-style former self, it's a fresh, clean, ocean breezy, very 2010 and beyond place to stroll, shop, and eat.

The grand opening was yesterday, although all the shops and restaurants aren't yet open. I went this afternoon with my mom and it was really busy, and everyone seemed impressed with the new center. The third level is dedicated to dining, and has six sit-down restaurants, as well as even more fast-casual choices. We had a great Mexican lunch (after a 45 minute or so wait) at Richard Sandoval's La Sandía.

The Nike Store was the most impressive, but I'm still waiting for Nordstrom and their Blue Stove restaurant to open (August 27 at 10:00 a.m.)!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credits: the BEAT

Check It. World Cup commercials [The Monday Download].

Football (or as we Yanks would call it, 'soccer') isn't much of a big deal here in Los Angeles or in the U.S., but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the fun promotion and hype coming out of the upcoming World Cup. To wit, both sports apparel empires Nike and Adidas have recently put out creative and amusing ads--with cameos to spare--that'll make everyone feel like a sports fan.

First up is Nike's 'Write the Future' commercial, or rather, near-cinematic masterpiece. The three-minute piece was helmed by 21 Grams and Babel filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, who definitely leaves his dark and swift-moving directorial mark as he takes you on the field for the ultimate football star match-up: Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba versus England's Wayne Rooney versus Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (swoon). Throw in some fun cameos by Kobe Bryant, Roger Federer and Homer Simpson, plus the thrill of football fanaticism, and you'll be confused why you never followed the sport in the first place.

Then we have Adidas' input, which really has nothing to do with football at all--although it is apparently "an intergalactic 2010 FIFA World Cup viewing party that you'll never forget," and does features a bit role by David Beckham. Either way, the ad creates a fun game of I Spy by mixing actual footage from the original Star Wars' famous Cantina scene with interactive appearances by Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, Noel Gallagher and Jay Baruchel, among others. Definitely wish my World Cup viewing party were this fun (Chewbacca included).

The World Cup begins this Friday.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Manny Pacquiao gear at Niketown.

The pound-for-pound champion has created a clothing line for Nike, and it's selling like hotcakes!

Niketown in Beverly Hills has a wide selection of T-Shirts, athletic shorts, track pants, hoodies, and now this week, the Manny Pacquiao n98 jacket and SC2010 trainers. All of the clothing items have the "MP" logo, in addition to Nike's famous swoosh, and the color scheme (white, red, blue, and yellow) is based on the flag of the Philippines, Pacquiao's home country. Getting a piece of the exclusive line will get you ready for the Saturday March 13 Pacquiao vs. Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas (and broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View).

The current issue of Los Angeles Magazine includes a feature on Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, "L.A.'s Lord of the Ring".

Niketown Los Angeles is located at 9560 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: www.nikeblog.com