Bowled Over

You saw that right, except for the date: It's Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl IV, airing all day Super Bowl Sunday. Not only is this a fun idea on their part (why subject your shows to poor overall ratings?), it's mesmerisingly watchable and a great way to keep the kids and pets occupied and away from your guests and food. Or maybe you're not (gasp) a football fan and just want to veg out? I wouldn't be surprised if Puppy Bowl had their own, Teletubby-like following among the tripping set. And yes, there is a "Kitty Halftime Show."

If footballs or puppies aren't enough to keep you entertained on Sunday, it's a great day to shop: stores are empty by game time and are having desperate sales, though supermarkets are generally plundered. Sephora.com offers free shipping over $25 during game-time (now that's smart strategy: "When the big game ends, so does this offer."). On the Beach in Toluca Lake has free tanning during the game as well as Double-for-Nothing packages. As a Boston Irish (writing about Super Bowl alternatives - heresy!), I can vouch for their non-orange Mystic Tans.

While most Super Bowl Sunday specials seem geared to women and children, other options abound. Head to Amoeba, where you'll have free roam of the stacks, or to a movie, where you won't have to worry about sold-out lines or crowds (unless you choose a kids' flick). The Grove and Farmer's Market are also prime spots on Super Bowl Sunday for the crowd-wary. Or you could try those publicly embarrassing things you've always wanted to do, but haven't for fear that you may be spotted: go to Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale (it's just like riding a bike!), head up to Sunset Ranch for a horseback ride through the Hollywood Hills, or go to Pickwick Gardens for a twirl on the ice topped off by a few strings of bowling. You could forget all of those and start the day off bright and early with my kind of brunch: Dearly Departed's Helter Skelter Tour beginning at 9:30 am.

As for me, I live in a mixed-household: Boston and the Bronx. We have enough to deal with during baseball season. Besides, my favorite sport? Boxing.

Amoeba Music: 6400 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood
Dearly Departed Tours: check website for times and info
Farmer's Market/The Grove: 3rd and Fairfax, Los Angeles
Moonlight Rollerway: 5110 San Fernando Road, Glendale
On the Beach Tanning: 10660 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake
Pickwick Gardens: 1001 West Riverside Drive, Burbank
Sunset Ranch: From Franklin, take Beachwood Drive all the way to the top.