Magic Castle

I've always wanted to visit the Magic Castle. The problem is in getting the invite. (Well, you can stay at the nearby hotel to gain entrance.) The Magic Castle Hotel is right next door. Otherwise, people can only attend if they get a special guest pass from a member of the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. The Academy is a non-profit organization that devotes itself to the advancement of magic. They decorated the Magic Castle for the month of October. The Magic Castle is basically a … [Read more...]

Wordless Wednesday: Giant Snow Globe

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The Getty Villa

"A pleasant surprise is in store for you." The Getty Villa Located in the Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa boasts beautiful views of the nearby Malibu coastline. Its architecture, though, remains strictly ancient Greece and Rome. (The villa is not to be confused with its sister site, the Getty Center, which houses more modern acquisitions.) Meant to emulate a Roman-style villa, the museum was inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum. The Getty Villa first opened in 1974. Its … [Read more...]

Mercado La Paloma

"You are broad minded and socially active." I love living in Los Angeles because of its multitude of cultures. One lively gathering place is the Mercado La Paloma. This area in the South Figueroa Corridor historically suffers from a lack of business opportunities and community spaces. The Esperanza Community Housing Corp decided to renovate an old garment factory to revitalize the area, and this project finished in 2001. The Mercado La Paloma is now home to yummy eateries and unique retail … [Read more...]

Renn Faire

"You will step on many soils of many countries." Yes, I've been living in L.A. for years, but I never visited the Renaissance Faire until now. Located in a vast recreational area in Irwindale, the official name is The Renaissance Pleasure Faire. I admit it. The word "pleasure" threw me off, and I wondered if the festival would be too risque for me. Well, there is a pub crawl and corseted ladies walking about, but it was actually quite family-friendly when I went. Festival-goers dressed up … [Read more...]

Downtown Los Angeles

"Each bird likes his own nest best." I took a little jaunt to explore my own backyard. Amidst the towering skyscrapers, there shines a gleaming, curved metallic building. Yep, I got to tour the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Walt Disney Concert Hall Instead of choosing the guided tour, I opted for the audio version, complete with headphones and the narration of John Lithgow. The bright side of walking at my own pace was being able to soak in the experience and take all the pictures I wanted. I … [Read more...]

George F. Canyon Nature Trail

"Life always gets harder near the summit." I've been wanting to do a quick hike. It's nice to find nature spots close to Los Angeles. The George F. Canyon Nature Trail is located in Rolling Hills Estates near Palos Verdes. Besides 36 acres of Preserve, it also has an educational nature center that's open on the weekends. Parking can be found in the nature center lot or on dirt areas near the trailhead. Near the center is also The Learning Tree, a shaded place where groups can sit and be … [Read more...]

LA Times Festival of Books

"A thrilling time is in your immediate future." The last time I went to the Festival of Books, it was held at the UCLA campus (go, Bruins!). Most recently, though, the event occurred at USC. A weekend-long event (April 22&23), it gathered together readers, writers, and book-lovers. There were sessions for listening to speakers and opportunities to get signed books. Rows of booths (I was at the SCBWI one) provided a chance to hobnob with authors and also seek out services: the library … [Read more...]