Guest Contributor

It could be the excess eggnog or frenzied shopping centers, but some people's careful judgment can be absent during the holidays. This week's Overheard in L.A. round-up includes overheard conversation on sailing, office holiday parties and Momento.

No matter what your New Year's Resolution is for 2012, there's an excellent chance that hiking can help you achieve it. Hiking has obvious benefits when it comes to health-oriented goals, such as losing weight, but it can play a role in many different kinds of resolutions.

This Saturday, LACMA will present the RODARTE: Fra Angelico Collection, a 10-gown installation that will be displayed alongside classic artwork from the Italian Renaissance. Rodarte designers, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, have drawn inspiration from Italian painter Fra Angelico among others for their Spring/Summer 2012 couture designs, using their signature dressmaking techniques, sculptural details and a soft fresco color palette to round out the refined collection.

Tailing on the impending release of “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” composer Trent Reznor (as well as corporate giant Sony Pictures) have decided to team up with L.A.’s own Gary Richards (LAist Interview) to sponsor a series of free electronic concerts all around the globe.

We've reached the time of year when ugly Christmas sweater parties are as ubiquitous as faux-snow and festive wreaths. This week's Overheard in L.A. round-up includes overheard conversation on mustaches, Dave Matthews and Siri.

If you’ve ever hiked in the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills area, chances are it was on a trail managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency. While these trails are most accessible to the residents of the Thousand Oaks area, they are also fairly close to the San Fernando Valley and Ventura.

As one of the most popular vegetarian proteins on the market, tofu is a common substitute for the holiday turkey. Angelenos eat tofu for many reasons, one often being the belief that this is better for the environment. Consider, though, that much of the soy used to make tofu is genetically engineered, also known as genetically modified.

Do you want to see genetically engineered foods labeled? Help get the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act of 2012 ballot initiative passed and attend a local training meeting this week.

Say what you will about professional sports teams in L.A., we attract players at the top of their game. This week’s Overheard in L.A. round-up includes overheard conversation on post-structuralism, upholstered furniture and movie plots.

This Sunday, Royal/T will host the Kimono Girl Retro Pop x American Vintage event to showcase Japanese kimonos past and present with a special fashion show and lecture. Kimono stylist/author Rinko Kimino will discuss the historical background from the Taisho era to modern-day kimonos that blend American vintage, retro, and pop fashion with the traditional style.

As popular as it is, Black Star Canyon Falls has an air of mystery about it. Some describe it as a routine, moderately challenging hike; others tell horror stories of rampant poison oak in the canyon and violent drifters who prey on hikers.

To please people, we sometimes have to soften the truth of our intentions. Our Overheard in L.A. round-up this Thanksgiving week includes overheard conversation on hair trends, exotic fish and Justin Bieber.