Pasadena California Real Estate Market Resource

Have you found a way to beat our lovely summer heat? If not how about taking a trip down to The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles where you can take in the cool air and some pretty cool exhibits too! Here are a few of the upcoming events the museum has in store.

Sunday, July 5th 2:00 p.m. B-Movies and Bad Science

Come Discover the “science” behind Hollywood’s creature films. You’ll learn what makes these big bad bugs and these movie plots implausible off screen, and get to see some of their live counterparts from the museum’s collection. The film for the day will be “he Beggining of the End” (1957). You will witness larger than life Grasshoppers causing mayhem on the streets, not to worry Entomology Curator Brian Brown will be on site to ease your worries.

Saturday, July 11th 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Critter Club: Slime and Scales Event

Bring your 3-5 year olds to come and experience the slimy, scaly critters that live in the Discovery Center. There will be story time, games and you will be able to make a scaly craft to take home. This event is free with paid Museum admission, but class sizes are limited. Check in at the Dueling Dinosaurs just inside the main entrance. For more information call 213-763-3230.

Saturday, July 11th 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day

For the young and the young at heart! Head over to the Discovery Center where you can meet reptiles and frogs, toads and turtles, and snakes and Skins from both the museum collection and around the world! The activities of the day will include live animal presentations, arts & crafts, and photo opportunities. There will also be a pair of American alligators, a 13-foot Python, all of California’s native rattlesnakes, Indian cobras and poison arrow frogs. There will be experts on site from both the California Herepetological Association and the California Turtle & Tortoise Society. You can’t miss out on all this slithering, slimey fun!

Sunday, July 12th 11:00 a.m. Scavenger’s Safari: Crazy Crustaceans

Research Scientist and Director of Marine Biodiversity Center Regina Wetzer invites you to come take a behinds the scenes peak at the extreme crustaceans that call the museum home. Get ready to see the most bizarre shaped and out-of-this-world crustaceans; they look quite unique compared to barnacles, crabs, and lobsters we are mostly familiar with. For more information and to RSVP call 213-763-3316.

Sunday, July 12th 2:00 p.m. SPARROWS -Screening at the Alex Theater in Glendale

(Offsite Event)
Mary Pickford’s silent classic Sparrows will be shown as a special screening event at Glendale’s historic Alex Theater. You will be celebrating the centenial of Pickford’s first movie and the newly restored short They Would Elope, which will be accompanied by a live organ performance. There will also be a one-day only display of Mary Pickford’s memorabilia from the Natural History Museum’s collection. NHM members will be offered discounted prices and early theater admission for a guided tour of the display. Come down and experience this unique cinematic display! Produced in Association with the Libray of Congress, Glendale Arts, the Alex Film Society, and the Natural History Museum. For Tickets contact the Alex at 818-243-2539. Make sure to ask for the Group Rate and have your NHM membership number ready.

Saturday, July 18th 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Curators Cupboard & Junior Scientist Event

Not only does the NHM have an exquisite collection on display. What we don’t usually take into consideration is that behind those walls there is an exciting world of research that takes place. The museum researchers and curators are examing over 35 million objects that are in their care and they are hard at work discovering secrets about our natural world. At the Curator’s Cupboard events, you are able to get a behind the scenes look at artifacts and specimens you wouln’t get to see on your average day trip to the museum, and you’ll get to meet the members of the museum curatorial team. The focus of this days event will be WATER. You will be able to view unique water specimens from the Anthropology and Ichthyology Departments. The Junior Scientist program is for 6-9 year olds and their families, where they are able to discover the world we live in through observations and experiments. You will be able to work alonside the Museum’s scientists to find answers to a world full of questions! For more information about the Junior Scientist program call 213-763-3230.

Saturday, July 25th 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Squirrels to Snakes: Discovering Southern California’s Wildlife

(Offsite Event at The William S. Hart Museum)
Come explore the beauty of Southern Californias local inhabitants throught a guided nature hike. You will see a wide variety of plants and animals through a live presentation, there will be crafts and other activities as well. The days events will take place outdoors at The Hart Ranch House. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 661-254-4584.

Sunday, July 26th 2:00 p.m. B-Movies and Bad Science

Once again join the Museum history and science departments for fun and unique exploration of the “science” behind Hollywoods creature films. this day will feature 1946’s “The Flying Serpent”. You will witness the wrath of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl after he has been resurected by an evil archaeologist. Anthropology Curatorial Assistant Jennifer Saracino will be on site to enlighten you on how this scenario woul be an impossibilty, and reveal some every cool Aztec facts. COme take and take a look at the creepy thrillers of old.

Looking for ways to entertain your little ones while school is out? Get them down to the Hollywood Bowl!

Each year the Hollywood Bowl presents Summer Sounds, a music festival for children in Los Angeles. Where they put on great concerts created for kids and exhibit an Outdoor Fine Arts Studio where kids can let their imaginations run wild!

This year children will be exploring ethnic Los Angeles. They will be immersed into the music, dance and cultures of Brazil, Mexico, and India.

Week 1 July 6th-10th & Week 2 July 13th-17th features Brazil on the Westside

The Swing Brazil Dance Company would like you to come down an experince the spirit of Carnivale with the sounds of the congas, keyboards, percussion and samba whistle. Be sure the get the moves down for the dance known as orixa! At the art workshop continue in the spirit of Carnivale by painting pictures and making a beaded necklace.

Week 3 July 20th-24th & Week 4 July 27th -31th features Mexico in East Los Angeles

Musician, instrument-maker, and teacher Cesar Castro will amaze you with musicians, dancers, and poets from his beloved East Los Angeles by leading a fandango.

Don’t forget to stop by the art work shop and make a beaded painting and a Day of the Dead mask!

Week 5 August 3rd -7th & Week 6 August 10th-14th features Little India in Artesia

Come dance and act out Indian folk tales and other amazing stories as the Shakti Dance Ensemble brings India to the Hollywood Bowl. Experience the origin of the Bharata natyam with its unique and difficult foot patterns and marvelous facial expresions. In the art studio you will be able to create a sculpture and make a sand painting.

Music Performances are held Monday – Friday at 10:00 a.m and 11:15 a.m. on the Summer Sounds Stage, located on the Museum Patio. Space is limited, advance ticket purchase is encouraged. Admission is $7 per person, regardless of age.

Fine Arts Outdoor Studio sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15. Admissions is $5 per child, children must be 3 years of age and older. Only participants need tickets.

For additional information call 323-850-2000.

What I love about living in Pasadena is that we can be by the beach in less than an hour. Today, we decided to drive down to Malibu and visit Zuma beach.

The day started at Wild Thyme in South Pasadena with Moulin Rouge French Toast. It was truly delicious and topped with chocolate shavings. And, off to the beach we went.

The weather was a bit on the cold side. There was at least a 20 degree drop, but it was still a beautiful day. We saw dolphins and found a beached baby seal.

Fortunately, it was in a protected animal area and the Marine Animal Rescue Team made it just in time and helped the little fellow.

Some brave souls were swimming, but the ocean was freezing! Overall, a great day!

And, just for fun, I wanted to see what Malibu has to offer as far as real estate is concerned. There are close to 350 homes for sale and the highest is $65,000,000! Take a look.

Interested in seeing property details? Take a look at Malibu real estate for more information.

Photo by Sasha Netchaev
Huntington Library, San Marino

The Pasadena Museum of History presents: A Peek at Family History

As the museum celebrates its current exhibition Family Stories: Sharing a community’s Legacy families are invited to enjoy 5 sesssions held every Wednesday this July that will feature games, activities, and arts & crafts that can be used to explore their very own family history!

July 1st, Family Holidays from many Cultures

Mark your calendar with holidays that you and your family can celebrate all year round. Take part in crafts and games related to Chinese New Year, Latin American Dia de Los Muertos, and Armenian Vardavar.

July 8th, Wrapped in Family History

Come explore family textiles such as quilts & Oriental Rugs. Have fun trying on silk pajamas, serapes, kimonos and other clothes. You will also be able to make a Memory Pillow to take home.

July 15th, Picturing Family History

Meet an old time photographer, see an early era camera and discover how historic photos tell family history. You will be ble to create a cyanotype blue sun print and a photo album to take home.

July 22nd, Climbing Family Trees & Jumping Into Family Timelines

Explore family relationships by learning about several types of family trees and make one of your very own! Journey through a musical timeline of popular songs and see if you can keep in step with an Irish Jig.

July 29th, Tastes of Family History

Satisfy your tastebuds with world cuisine by cooking baklava and sampling exotic fruits. Bring your running shoes for the tamle making relay! You will also be able to decorate and take home recipie cards so that you can fill them with your families secret recipies.

Location: 470 West Walnut St., Pasadena 91003
Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Children 4-8 and an accompanying adult are FREE
Advanced Reservations REQUIRED
For additional information please call 626-577-1660

YOUTH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Volunteers ages 12 through 18 can earn community service hours on this program and others. They must be available on a consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Volunteer orientation will be held on Friday June 26th 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Call 626-577-6100 ext. 20 or for more details.

Peek at Family History is sponsored in part by the California Council for the Humanties and is produced with assistance from the the Museum’s interns and youth volunteers, including Tick-Tockers from the San Marino Chapter of the National Charity League.