Long Beach Park Days

Deciding to homeschool brings up lots of questions and issues for new and veteran homeschoolers alike. Whenever someone asks for advice, the first thing I say is find a park day.  Naturally, we know our kids are going to look for friends, but we forget that homeschooling parents need support, as well.  Finding and committing to a weekly park day helps answer questions from local educational resources to navigating feelings of doubt and uncertainty.  It helps to talk to parents who have BTDT.

Dragontree
Wednesdays - El Dorado Park 3pm-dusk, then they move over to the local mall for dinner and more play till 10 or 11pm. Mostly unschoolers, though, all are welcome. They just don't sit around talking about curriculum. Contact Cindy at hijola AT yahoo DOT com for exact location.

Long Beach Homeschoolers
Wednesdays - College Estates Park 2pm-5pm. Sports class at 2pm. There is no designated leader of this group, so go ahead and introduce yourself.

Tuesday Park Day - Stearns Park 1:30pm-dusk
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1728205134068419/

Day of the Dead

This Mexican holiday is getting more and more popular in the US.  We didn't grow up with this tradition, because our family is from Northern Mexico where the native traditions were absorbed by the Catholic Church.  Therefore, I've had to learn about it myself.

While Halloween is on October 31st, Dia de los Muertos is November 1st & November 2nd.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (in Spanish calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for skeleton), and foods such as sugar or chocolate skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls as gifts can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

This is a well-done video for younger children:
https://www.facebook.com/delicias.prehispanicas/videos/514395435379092/

Another animated film is "The Book of Life".  The trailer is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBw5YScs8iQ

Archery!

The El Dorado Archers are proud to offer archery classes to the community. These classes are held on Saturdays at El Dorado Park. Classes may be canceled due to weather, other area events that shut down the archery range, and some holidays.

On your first visit,  you must take the safety class, taught at 11:30am. Sign up by at least 9am because it fills up fast. You can rent equipment for $5. 

Saturdays only
9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. - Advanced
10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. - Beginners
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Safety Class

Classes are one hour and twenty minutes long. You must have your safety card on you to take the beginning or advanced classes.

The archery range is off Spring St., north side, across the street from the nature center.  Parking fee is $7/car, annual pass is $50 (purchase at the nature center).  To avoid the parking fee, you can park in the neighborhood just west of the park. 

The safety class is held at 11:30 am on Saturdays and is open to anyone eight years old and up. We only have 15 spots available, and you must sign up the morning of the session. The sign up sheet is available at 9:00 a.m., however most people are showing up well before that time to make it on the list. If we are ready to open the sign up before 9:00 am and there are 15 people already waiting then we will allow them to sign up and not wait for 9:00 am, this is the case most Saturdays. Once we have 15 names on the list the class is closed.

After you pass the safety class, the beginner class meets at 10:30am. You achieve a score of 100 to move onto the advanced (at 9am).

The instructors are dedicated volunteers, very patient and knowledgeable.

El Dorado Archers
el.dorado.archers@gmail.com
657-222-0-BOW (657-222-0269)

http://eldoradoarchers.com/instruction.html

For regular classes, contact Janet Dykman.  Ms. Dykman is a 3 time Olympic archer.
Children must be at least 8 years old.  The first five weeks is geared toward getting the student to shoot safely and consistently while the sixth week is a private fun shoot for the class with fun activities.  The cost for the session is $75, but you can save $20 by prepaying the $55 before the first class.  Class fee includes all instruction, equipment use in class, program folder, and fun shoot.  Class members also have practice privileges and equipment use at the other class times for Int./Adv. archers on Wednesday & Thursday

Want to learn to shoot, but need flexibility and can't commit to six consecutive weeks?  Save $15 off the daily rate by buying a six class punch card for $75 and use it any day class is being held.

If you have questions call Janet @ 626.242.8870 or email to gotarrows@gmail.com

Map:

Jury Duty & Homeschooling

The long and short of it: I hope you live in OC.  Orange County excuses anyone who is a primary caregiver.  That's it.  You don't have to serve.

But if you live in LA County, it's not as easy.  First of all,  if your child is 5 and under, you can be excused.  Just say you are the full-time caregiver of a child under 5.  All done.

Unfortunately, if your child(ren) is(are) school-age, we don't have an automatic excuse.  The most that can be done is to get an extension to a more convenient time when you can arrange daycare.  (An isolated incident: when I was working, I went down to the courthouse and was going to ask for an extension.  As soon as I said, I couldn't arrange daycare that week, the clerk excused me completely.  This was in Long Beach and at the discretion of the clerk.)

So what happens with the rest of us homeschoolers?

1) You can roll the dice and hope you don't get picked the first day.  In LA, if you are not assigned to a court the first day, you are excused from further service that year.

2) Hope that you can call in each day to see if you have to report.  Perhaps they won't need you at all for the week you call in and then you're done.

3) You can plead your case to a clerk.  I wonder what they say if you can't afford day care?  Also, I think they are trained to ignore the words homeschooling.  They figure that all kids need a break from schooling, so they assume you can come during a school break.

4) If you are called into a courtroom, you can tell the judge that service is a hardship.  I've seen judges be VERY lenient in who they let go.  At this point, you can say you homeschool and can't afford day care, etc.

5) Finally, start a business quick!  I found that court personnel respond favorably if jury service would be a financial hardship.  When you arrive at the jury room, you fill out a form.  They go through a list and say that if your employer pays for jury service, write in the number of days.  If you own a business or your employer does not pay, enter 0.  Do you know what  the number is for retired folks and stay-at-home parents?  99  They assume you can serve indefinitely!

6) Schedule your jury service around the end-of-year holidays. They can't start a case if the judge or one of the lawyers is on vacation.

Even though we are not off the hook for jury service in LA, there is a good chance you won't have to serve at all.  Good luck!

Spring/Easter Events!

Spring Festival - LB

Saturday, April 4

10am-4pm

Mom's Beach House

5839 E. Appian Way, Long Beach

Free admission - activity passes for sale

Giant egg hunt, appearance by the Easter bunny, face painting, bounce houses, and more!

Spring Carnival - Los Al

Egg hunts begin 9:30am

Free!

Saturday, April 4

9am-11am

Little Cottonwood Park

4000 Farquhar Ave., Los Alamitos

Snowboard or Ski with HSC!

Come Snowboard or Ski with HSC!
 
HSC will be Snowboarding or Skiing at Mountain High (Wrightwood)

Cost-$155 (for six trips!)
Who-Everyone 5 yrs and older (even if you have never snowboarded or skied)

When-First Day will be on Tuesday JAN 13, 2015
This program includes-
-6 Lift Tickets
-6 Ski or Snowboard Rentals
-1 Skiing or Snowboarding Lesson for 1 hour and 45 minutes

Our first day is Tuesday, JAN 13. After that, you will be able to ski or snowboard any day, Monday-Friday excluding holidays, until the season ends. You will be able to snowboard or ski for a total of SIX times. This price includes your equipment (so you don't need to buy anything except a warm coat and gloves).
*This program is for school aged children and adults*

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.
http://www.mthigh.com/school-program
***IMPORTANT-Once you have registered, please e-mail Catherine at hsc-events@hsc.org and then join  the Facebook Page-HSC Mountain High SnowSports Program*****

{If you have a child who is a fifth grader (ages 9-11 yrs) then s/he can get a free season pass. You must either rent or provide your own equipment. This is separate of this program}

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A Long Beach Holiday 2014!

Time to plan your holiday calendar!

Until December 23:  Marionette show - free - 7pm - 3314 Country Club Drive, Lakewood

December 4: Artist in Residence - Stefan Meyer 11am-8pm - Free

Experience Stefan Meyer's fully immersive room size installation that explores the natural world in a whole new light. Come learn about the possibilities of digital fabrication in the Ralston Family Learning Center, LB Museum of Art

December 6: Winter Wonderland - Snow play! - Los Alamitos - Free

This winter season the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department and the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend Winter Wonderland at the Plaza. Held on Saturday, December 6th from 4:00 to 7:30pm at St. Isidore Historical Plaza, Winter Wonderland at the Plaza will feature an area to play in the snow, activities, Santa’s Village, a tree lighting ceremony, refreshments, and entertainment. The event is FREE, so be sure to bundle up and bring your family and friends along to join in the fun!

December 6-7: Victorian Christmas at the Banning Museum - Wilmington - Free

Join us on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7  from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we kick off the  holiday season in grand style at the Banning Museum’s Annual Victorian Christmas Celebration and Open House!  Due to the generosity of our sponsors, event admission is FREE! Visitors will enjoy period entertainment, tours of the Museum decorated in holiday splendor, refreshments, a children’s craft, a horse-drawn trolley ride between The Banning Museum and Drum Barracks Civil War Museum as well as local food and craft vendors. As a special treat, a Queen Victoria re-enactor will receive guests for the two days and Jolly St. Nick himself will pose for photos with the kids. This year’s event is even more special as we will unveil for the first time a full-size replica of the first Stagecoach Phineas Banning ever built. Imagine posing in front of an actual Banning Coach for your holiday greeting cards! Don’t miss out on the event of the season. No reservations needed.

December 11: Artist in Residence - Stefan Meyer 11am-8pm - Free - LBMA

Experience Stefan Meyer's fully immersive room size installation that explores the natural world in a whole new light. Come learn about the possibilities of digital fabrication in the Ralston Family Learning Center, LB Museum of Art

December 11: Holiday Sing - Cypress - 6pm - Civic Center - Free

Festival style seating, blankets and lawn chairs encouraged. $3 meal provided by YAC (cash only). Visits with Santa, Cookie decorating, Train rides.  In case of rain, event will be held at Cypress Community Center.

December 12-14: Prince of Peace Pageant - Wardlow Blvd between Bellflower & Spring - Free - 7:30pm

Enjoy the true story of Christmas with a candlelit outdoor walk.  Come follow the path through many scenes, complete with actors and animals.  Enjoy the choirs, musical groups, and refreshments provided by the churches. This 5-church pageant route begins at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, continues to the Neighborhood church, back along Wardlow and St. Luke's and our church, and ends at University Baptist.  Each church has additional music performances in their sanctuary.

December 13: Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade 6pm 

There will be three "groups of carolers" walking around the Island and singing holiday songs by the bridges.  Most of the homes in Naples have been decorated for the holidays in accompaniment of the Boat Parade theme. (we have a local competition for best decorated house).  Alamitos Bay Marina off 2 Street and Marina Drive offers substantial free parking just over the Davies Bridge from Naples. Mothers Beach off Revenna and Appian Way has some metered parking as well as Beach parking at Bayshore and Ocean Boulevard.

December 13: Holiday Living History - Dominguez Adobe - Carson - 3pm - Suggested donation $4/person

This holiday season the Adobe is adorned with lights and holiday decorations. This beautiful event offers fun holiday activities. The event includes tours led by the Dominguez sisters and their friends (no better way to spend the day than learning about the rich history of the area), holiday craft making (perfect gifts to give to loved ones), and music and dancing! Treat yourself to the appetizers and desserts from Mexico and Spain then of course, visit SANTA! Ask him for whatever your heart desires! But don’t forget the holidays are the perfect opportunity to give to those less fortunate, that’s why there will be a toy drive to help our local community. We hope to see everyone there to celebrate this wonderful time of year!

December 16: Free day at South Coast Botanical Garden - Rancho Palos Verdes

The South Coast Botanic Garden, "The Jewel of the Peninsula", is located on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, located 10 miles south of the Los Angeles Airport in California. Conveniently located to many South Bay communities, this 87-acre Botanic Garden has more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. Popular features include a small lake, Mediterranean Garden, AARS Rose Garden, Water-Wise Garden, Garden for the Senses, Cactus Garden, Children's Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Dahlia Garden, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. There is a picnic area located outside of the Garden gates. Free abundant parking available.

December 18-19: Holiday Open House at Rancho Los Alamitos - Free 4-7pm

Enjoy the Yuletide sparkle of the ranch house, the magnificently trimmed tree, mantles and hearths festooned with greens, holiday treats and strolling carolers.
The Ranch house will be decorated and ready for regular tours by Saturday, November 29 and decorations will remain up through Sunday, December 21.

December 21: Family Artmaking Workshop - LB Museum of Art - Free 11am-3pm

Artist in Residence Stefan Meyer will lead this many faceted workshop. Participants will be able to create their own rings using the 3D printer. There will be demonstrations on how to use a 3D scanner, and a table of materials you can use to create your own jewelry from found objects.

Ticket Giveaway for LA Opera's Family Program!

Domingo Family Program welcomes all ages to an exotic adventure with "Florencia en el Amazonas"

All aboard for an operatic adventure, as LA Opera's Domingo Family Program welcomes families to explore an exciting river journey along the Amazon River!

On Sunday, November 30, the matinee performance of Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas will feature themed activities for the whole family to enjoy while learning more about the opera and its fascinating Amazonian setting. The dynamic staging of the opera features a flying river spirit, intoxicating choreography, colorful projected animation and a 42-foot long steamship that rotates on the stage. Domingo Family Program activities are free with ticket purchases, with half-price tickets available for children from 9 to 17 when purchased with an adult ticket.   

"I love to see parents and grandparents with their children at the opera," said Plácido Domingo, the General Director of LA Opera. "It’s so important to introduce them early to the joy of the classical arts. From my own experience, I know that when families come to the opera together, it creates a special bond, with beautiful memories that last a lifetime."

Scenes from Florencia en el Amazonas

 

Pre-show activities begin at 12:30pm in the Fifth Floor Salons of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (located at 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012). Teaching artist Peter Kors will lead enjoyable and inspiring acting workshops that explore themes from the opera and help youngsters understand the elements of theater. Exhibit interpreters from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles will showcase specimens of flora and fauna relating to the opera's setting on the Amazon River. The performance itself will begin at 2pm and will last until approximately 4:10pm.

After the performance, participants will have the opportunity to meet the cast at a special Domingo Family Program reception in the Fifth Floor Salons.

Booster seats are available to help small children get a better view of the performance. Booster seats can be picked up from the coat check stand located on the Grand Avenue side of the main lobby. You can also reserve booster seats in advance to have them waiting in your seating locations when you arrive. To reserve booster seats, simply email Garrett Collins with your seating location at GCollins@LAOpera.org.

Tickets for the November 30 Domingo Family Program performance of Florencia en el Amazonas start at $17 for adults, and are now available for sale in person at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion box office or by phone at 213.972.8001. (No online orders.) Tickets can also be purchased for LA Opera's next Domingo Family Program performance: Rossini's rollicking comedy The Barber of Seville on March 8, 2015.

To enter the giveaway for 2 adult tickets and 2 child tickets for the November 30th show, please send an email to hijola AT yahoo DOT com with your name & cell phone.  Winner will be chosen Tuesday, November 25 at midnight.  Good luck!

Upcoming Events 2014

Cut a virtual snowflake!

Until December 23:  Marionette show - free - 7pm - 3314 Country Club Drive, Lakewood
Until December 24: Have Santa send a personal greeting to your child! - free
Until December 25:  ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas movies
Until January 3: Festival of Lights, Mission Inn, Riverside - ice skating
Until January 11: CHILL at the Queen Mary - $40/adults, $20/kids
Until February 15: Monarch butterflies in Goleta, CA

November 22-23: 46th Annual Pow Wow at OC Fairgrounds - $5 adults
November 30: Handel's Messiah Sing-Along - Nixon Library - FREE
December 1-30: See the lights at the Mission Inn
December 6: Winter Wonderland - Snow play! - Los Alamitos - Free
December 6-7: Victorian Christmas at the Banning Museum - Wilmington
December 11: Holiday Sing - Cypress
December 13: Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade 6pm
December 13: Holiday Living History - Dominguez Adobe - Carson
December 13-14: Prince of Peace Pageant - Wardlow Blvd between Bellflower & Spring - Free
December 16: Free day at South Coast Botanical Garden - Rancho Palos Verdes
December 18-19: Holiday Open House at Rancho Los Alamitos - Free
December 25: Christmas
January 1, 2015: New Year's Day
January 20: Free day at South Coast Botanical Garden - Rancho Palos Verdes
February 5: Homeschool Day at NHM & La Brea Tarpits - free
April 20: Homeschool Day at NHM & La Brea Tarpits - free
June 17: Homeschool Day at NHM & La Brea Tarpits - free
June 18-20: Great Homeschool Conventions - Ontario
June 25-28: CHN Family Expo - Torrance
July 17-August 16: OC Fair
August 6-9, 2015:  HSC Adventures in Homeschooling - San Jose

Logan's Candies!

This is a popular field trip during the holidays.  I would see it pop up each year and hear people raving about it.  So I was determined to go this year.  I have to say the procedure for securing a demo date is similar to making arrangements for a secret spy rendevous.  :-)  First, you call in July to get your instructions, then you send a postcard in August with all of the pertinent information.  Then you get a phone call in October.  That is when you actually choose your date & time.  And, then, you finally call back two weeks before your date to finalize your numbers.  Hijola!  And now I can say it's worth it. :-)

First of all, we had dinner at Vince's Spaghetti, a perfect spot for a big crowd.  They had no problem seating 16 people.  And by a miracle, we all arrived at the same time. (Photo by Kohl Tabori)

A handsome dad at Logan's.

(Photo by Kohl Tabori)

Our gigantic group enjoying the candy cane making demo.

Both colors of the candy cane start out the same, then color is added to the red part.

To make the white part, the candy is pulled over and over again.  It's amazing how it turns white with air is mixed in. (Photo by Kohl Tabori)

After the colors are arranged on the candy, the puller cuts off a small length to be bent into shape.

Freshly made candy canes!

Exploring Your Universe - UCLA

Sunday, November 17, Noon-5pm
Rain or Shine! (In case of rain, all outdoor activities will be moved indoors)
Free & Family Friendly!

http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~outreach/eyu2013.html

This is the most exciting day of science all year in Southern California.  They have many activities and demonstrations open to the general public, including outside groups like STAR Eco Station.  Activities for all ages include workshops, faculty and graduate student talks, planetarium shows, solar telescope viewing, comet making, weather tours, dinosaur fossils, physics demos, and more!

This event includes participation from Astronomy Live!, the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Earth and Space Sciences, and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, the Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology, and IEEE.  The program was developed by graduate students, faculty, and staff in each of these departments.

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

Astronomy (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (Court of Sciences unless otherwise noted):
- How the Sun works and solar telescope viewing
- Stellar Evolution
- Bottle Rockets
- Comet Making Demo
- Pocket Solar System and Asteroids
- Constellation Detectives
- Discovery methods for finding new worlds beyond our solar system
- Planetarium Shows (Mathematical Sciences 8th floor): Every half hour starting 12:30 pm! Pick up tickets to planetarium at the Information Booth.

Physics (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (Physics and Astronomy Building - PAB):
- Physics Demonstrations
- Lasers and Optics
- Waves and Vibrations
- Rotational Motion
- Electricity and Magnetism

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (12:00-5:00) (Court of Sciences):
- Exploding Marshmallows--Expand marshmallows using a vacuum pump!
- Can Crushing--See how pressure can crush soda cans!
- Tornado-in-a-bottle--See and create your own vortexes!
- Cloud-in-a-bottle--See clouds being made right before your eyes!
- Portable Weather Station--Talk with experts about conditions and get an updated forecast for the day!

Chemistry (12:00-5:00 pm) (Court of Sciences):
- Find out how to make a bubble bomb for baths
- Find out what floats on top of what... and what floats on top of that!
- Watch food get frozen with liquid nitrogen
- Eat liquid nitrogen ice cream

 

Art of the Brick - Glendale

 
We checked out the new LEGO exhibit at Forest Lawn Glendale.  It might seem like a strange place to have an art exhibit, but Forest Lawn has a long tradition of offering educational programs.  FL-Glendale also has an art museum where the LEGO exhibit is housed.



Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya
http://brickartist.com/ 
May 21, 2013-July 21, 2013
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA
http://www.forestlawn.com/EventDetails.aspx?ID=245&Park_id=3
Free admission and free parking
Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm



Nathan Sawaya has specialized in creating sculptures out of LEGO bricks.  Sawaya’s ability to transform this common toy into something meaningful, his devotion to spatial perfection and the way he conceptualizes action, enables him to elevate what almost every child has played with into the status of contemporary art.

There are about 25 sculptures in this exhibit, ranging from a multicolor peace sign to large crayons with the paper coming off of one.  Most of the sculptures are of the human form.  A bust removing his face from his head, a boy looking at his reflection in water, a figure in despair.

This is a small exhibit, so don't drive an hour to just see this program.  Like I said this location also has an art gallery and the current display "Light and Color" is a collection of remarkable stained glass.  There is also an impressive display of bronze statues.  And in the Hall of The Crucifixion-Resurrection next door are hourly showings of The Crucifixion and The Resurrection paintings.  Walk out the back of the museum for restrooms and an amazing view of Glendale.

But don't stop there.  Forest Lawn Glendale is 300 acres and has its own sights.  Check out the mosaic of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 13ft tall statue of George Washington.  There are, also, white swans on the lake.  Of course, many famous people are interned at Forest Lawn.  The mega famous like Michael Jackson are behind locked gates, but you can see the final resting places of such stars as Jimmy Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor.

And since you're already in Glendale, perhaps get a bite to eat at Americana at Brand.  This is a mall designed by the same firm as the Grove in LA.  I recommend the Granville Cafe on Brand Blvd outside of the mall proper.

Is someone in your family a science fiction fan or loves old bookstores?  Remember those old bookstores that used to be in every city?  Well, there's still one left in Glendale.  Mystery & Imagination is at 238 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bookfellows-mystery-and-imagination-glendale


If you're not tired, yet, you can end the day at the Griffith Observatory which is about 10 minutes away.

Blue Ribbon Festival - Music Center

The Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival is an annual admission-free program for fifth grade students to attend a live, professional performance at The Music Center, which has been running for 43 years.



The Children’s Festival is sponsored by The Blue Ribbon, a support organization of the Music Center, founded in 1968 by Dorothy Buffum Chandler.  The festival began in 1970 as part of The Music Center’s commitment to engage young people in the arts, and is one of California’s longest ongoing free arts education programs.  More than 700,000 children have participated in the festival since its inception, and for many, the festival is their first experience at a live performing arts event. 

I was blown away by this amazing opportunity for our students.  Individual homeschooling families may RSVP, but it's a lot more fun to attend in a group.  Reservations are accepted around the middle of January with materials being mailed out a month later.  Parents and students are free.  Although, the recommended age is 11 years old, they have no problem allowing 6-18 year olds enjoy the show.  Families also get complimentary parking.

There is an optional, audience participation portion so you may want to schedule in a rehearsal.  Families could also practice while they are waiting to enter the theatre.  After parking in the garage, you up the stairs or escalators to the plaza.  There are 3000 public school kids waiting for the show, but look for the information table in the middle of the plaza.  It is pretty easy to gather there while waiting for your party.

The cast of TRACES enjoyed the student performance

About 30 minutes before showtime, we were assigned a guide to take care of us.  She ended up telling us a bit of history about the Music Center.  The place looks completely different in the day time.  There was so much I never noticed before.

Finally, we got in line to wait to enter the theatre.  We were sent up to the Loge level and the show began.  The kids whooped and hollered and had a great time.  When the show ends, I recommend waiting until the last group leaves the theatre.  Because we were a small group, we ended up walking out to the front of the plaza to do our performance.  It was very relaxed, you could sit out the dance, but why?  The kids and parents had a wonderful time.

For more information, go to
http://www.musiccenter.org/education/Students-at-the-Center/Blue-Ribbon-Childrens-Festival/

The shuttle comes home

There's alot of excitement in the air as the shuttle prepares to fly over Southern California and land at LAX.  We would be in Seal Beach or on the Queen Mary to take in this once in a lifetime event, but as homeschoolers, we've been up early enjoying archery and the aquarium the past two days.  But this does remind me of the excitement of the shuttle program over the years. 

I remember when the first shuttle went up in 1981.  I can't believe it's been 30 years!  I had a part-time job at an aerospace company while I was going to school studying math and computer science.  The company set up TVs in conference rooms for employees to watch the historic moment.  One of our co-workers was actually on the program and he was more nervous than anyone.  As an engineer, you wonder if you've tested every possible scenario before you hand over your code/design.

Then my dad took us out to Lancaster to watch the landing at Edwards Air Force Base.  We had hoped the landings at Edwards would be commonplace, but soon the regular landing site was moved to Florida.

The shuttle was built in Southern California.  In college, we had a chance to tour a mockup of the orbiter (the part of the shuttle that goes into space and comes back) at Northrop.  An amazing piece of machinery.   It only makes sense for one to retire in Los Angeles.  The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey also plans to have a mock up of the shuttle for tours in the near future.

Because of my blogs, I've been getting invites to attend the press conferences regarding the shuttle arriving at the California Science Center.  I hope I will get an invite for it's arrival at the museum in October.

And the company where I worked when the shuttle first took off?  I joined them after graduating and we worked on the first GPS system.  Can you believe the smallest unit was the size of a backpack??  Now, we have it on our phones.  Incredible!

Free admission to the Columbia Space Center!

Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 10am-5pm.
People of all ages are encouraged to come out for a day of fun and festivity.

Columbia Memorial Space Center
12400 Columbia Way
Downey, California 90242

The Columbia Memorial Space Center welcomes young people to explore space science like they never have before. With hands-on robotics presentations and its very own Challenger Learning Center, the CMSC has become a staple institution in Downey, and the Los Angeles Area.

The Columbia Memorial Space Center is the only space science learning center in the Los Angeles area dedicated to hands-on robotics and boasts LA’s only Challenger Learning Center.  We are also dedicated to preserving the history of aerospace engineering in Downey.  During your visit, you will learn about Downey’s place in the exploration of space flight, from the Apollo capsules to the Space Shuttle Orbiters.

Our goal is to teach young people about careers in space exploration and aviation. We focus on engineering, technology and science. Our subjects include:

• Human and Robot Space Exploration
• The Principles of Flight and Aeronautics
• Current NASA Programs and Technology
• The Space Shuttle Columbia
• The Aerospace History of Downey
• Our Earth and Solar System

OC Fair!

The OC Fair starts this Friday!  Farm animals, carnival rides, chocolate-covered bacon, what's not to love?  Seriously, we go for our yearly fix of cotton candy, games of chance, and baby pigs!

OC Fair
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
July 13-August 12
Open Wednesdays through Sundays

Promotions:
Opening Day July 13 -  free admission and parking - Noon to 1pm
Thursdays - Food trucks and free admission for kids 12 and under
Fridays - $2 Taste of Fair Food - Noon to 4pm

Exhibits this year:
As the 2012 OC Fair celebrates Home Sweet Home, it welcomes a new exhibit to remind us of this great country we call home. Steel beam sections from the World Trade Center will be on display on Family Fairway between Green Gate and Park Plaza. The display will serve as an opportunity for fairgoers to remember both our strength and vulnerability as a nation.

Chocolate Bean to Bar
Discover how this rainforest plant transforms into a delectable treat. Your step by step guide begins with a full size cocoa tree replica and ends at theSweet Spot Stage where guests will see professional chocolatiers make tantalizing treats, many available for sale.

Yarn Bombing Day, Sunday July 15 10am-3pm
Inside Blue Gate
Yarn bombing, also called urban knitting or crochet, is another form of artistic expression. It can be thought of as graffiti with a softer touch. As with any other artistic medium Yarn Bombing themes range from the sublime to the ridiculous; understated to wildly embellished.

Cool Off!

We may be in the middle of June gloom here, but wait till July hits.  Everyone is going to be looking for somewhere to cool down.  Luckily, we live by the ocean - easy!  However, there are a couple of more wet & wild places for the little ones.

Lakewood residents are so lucky.  They have six parks with wading pools.  Good thing LB'ers can join in.
Open 11am-4pm for kids 3-7 years old from June 16 to September 3.
Open everyday: Mayfair, Palms
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Del Valle & San Martin
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday: Bloomfield, Boyar
Wednesdays: Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, San Martin will be open 5pm-7:30pm on Wednesdays
(June 29-August 29).
Weekends: all pools open 11am-4pm May 26-September 30

Splash Pad at Sigler Park in Westminster is free and open every day from Noon-5pm starting June 18 to September 3.  7200 Plaza St., Westminister.

Buccaneer By in La Mirada.  The family-fun “Buccaneer Bay” combines the excitement of a water park with pirate themed features throughout. Buccaneer Bay features a flowing river channel, three water slides, a children’s interactive play structure, zero-depth beach entry and two spray pad areas. Pirate themed elements include: a marooned ship, a dramatic skull rock, shade canopies that resemble sails, cannon walls, wharf plank benches, and crow’s nests.  Open daily till September 3rd. 10:30am-5:30pm.  $17.95/person, under 48" $12.95.  Family Friday Nights June 29-August 17 4pm-8pm. $14.95/person, under 48" $10.95.
13806 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (562) 902-3191

Free Summer Algebra Course!

http://www.mathinkers.org/sai-long-beach.html

A few gee! families took this course last year and said it was amazing.  Please only sign up if you can attend all sessions.  They only get the grant money if students attend at least 85% of the classes.

For Fall 2012  - Students entering grades 7 thru 9 Program Dates:  Monday, July 9 through Thursday, August 16
Day/Time:  Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Family of Faith Christian Center
345 East Carson Avenue (at Elm, near San Antonio and Long Beach Blvd.)
Long Beach

MANDATORY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Monday or Wednesday, June 18 or June 20 - 7:00 p.m.

Summer Fun!

Lots of fun in the LBC this summer: movies in the park, movies on the beach (Jaws, anyone?), $1 movies at the Towne Center.  Besides movies, the South Coast Botanical Garden is free every third Tuesday of the month.  Okay, you're asking, 'What's in our neck of the woods?'  The Pirate Invasion hits Belmont Shore June 30-July 1.  There is free Shakespeare By the Sea in Long Beach, Lakewood, and Rossmoor.  The Origiami Festival is at the Japanese Gardens at CSULB on July 15.  And the first ever OC Mini-Maker Fair is July 14!  And lots more, so get out your planners/iPhones. :-D

Garden Reciprocal Program

Did you know there's a garden reciprocal program in Southern California and across the country?

Join one of these local gardens as a member and get free admission to all for one year.

• Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge
• LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Arcadia
• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont
• South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Peninsula
• Fullerton Arboretum
• The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB

Membership to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is $40 for CSULB alumni and $50 for the basic membership.  This gives you admission for two adults and children at the same address.

The complete directory of participating gardens is at http://www.ahs.org/events/reciprocal