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Hunter, Dec. 2nd Pet of the Week

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Here’s Hunter, all leashed up and ready to go! Not hunting, of course, as he isn’t a hunter at all, but for a walk, after which he’ll lie on his side and gladly suffer an extended belly rub. Hunter’s just 2 years old and loves to be with humans. He’s also doing great with dog reactivity, on which the volunteers work with him daily. If you think that a German shepherd is not lap-dog material, think again! Adoptions are now conducted through appointment only, so call 562-570-PETS or email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to meet Hunter. Ask for ID#A665323.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Sunday, Dec 5: CicLAvia – South LA, Another Exciting Day of Car-Free Streets

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment

CicLAvia-South LA presented by Metro

On Sunday, December 5, CicLAvia will open up 5.3-miles of streets in South LA connecting the neighborhoods of South Central, Exposition Park, Leimert Park and Crenshaw. For all ages and abilities, the public is invited to bike, skate, scooter, run, walk, skateboard, hitch a free ride on a pedi-cab, spectate and enjoy the route. CicLAvia is a free, open event – show up anywhere along the route at any time, and have fun!

CicLAvia turns public streets into public parks for a day. Instead of building permanent infrastructure, CicLAvia builds unifying social fabric, joyously connecting culturally diverse neighborhoods and neighbors to each other through open streets. Whether one bikes, walks, strolls, skates, or jogs, CicLAvia creates more incredible moments and experiences enjoying our city streets together. Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía, CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angelenos to use as a public park.

Only people-powered vehicles allowed. No electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, unicycles, motorcycles and other non-people-powered vehicles allowed at CicLAvia. Class 1 e-bike pedal-assist allowed. Class 2 e-bikes allowed when throttle is powered off. Class 3 e-bikes allowed when pedal-assist is powered off. Motorized wheelchairs are allowed. Learn more here.

We’re closely following LA County Public Health guidelines as we approach the event. Masks are now required on public transit and in all indoor public places in Los Angeles County, as well as at events with over 10,000 attendees. If you forget your mask, we will have complimentary masks available at our Info Booths and CicLAvia branded masks for sale if you want to add one to your collection.

Participants assume all known and unknown risks of participation in CicLAvia. More information regarding participants rights can be found here: https://www.ciclavia.org/south_la21

Local Gems: Miles of Food & Culture in South LA Near and Along the Route:

·         Parks on and around – Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, Exposition Park, MLK Jr. Park, Gilbert Lindsay Recreation Center, Central Ave Jazz Park

·         Lula Washington Dance Theater

·         Vision Theater in Leimert Park Plaza

·         Museum of African American Art on Crenshaw

·         Golden State Mutual Life Insurance building for Architecture buffs

·         Ralph J. Bunche House, first person of color to win the Nobel Peace Prize

·         Thomas Jefferson H.S. which has produced more prominent jazz musicians and composers than any other public or private H.S. in California   

·         Dr. Maya Angelou Community H.S., the campus has become an outdoor art gallery of incredible ‘street artists’

·         California African American Museum, California Science Center, Natural History Museum and Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (under construction) in Exposition Park

·         University of Southern California

CicLAvia – South LA Hub Highlights:

·         Vaccination Clinic with Shared Harvest Fund, including boosters and shots for children 5-11

·         LACMA and Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to give out Art Kits

·         California Science Center hosting “Shell Stories” activity

·         A Place Called Home hosting art activity and photo opportunity

·         SoCal Gas hosting photobooth

·         CHP and City of LA’s Office of Traffic Safety to provide free bike helmets to children, while supplies last

·         Las Fotos Project hosting photobooth

·         Santa Monica Mountain Foundation

·         Community Services Unlimited to offer self-guided tours and mini-workshops at their Urban mini farm

·         Los Angeles Public Library giving away free books when you sign up for library card

WHO:

Free for all, CicLAvia connects communities to each other across an expansive city, creating a safe place to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through Los Angeles County. CicLAvia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia engages with people to transform our relationship with our communities and with each other.

WHERE & WHEN:

• CicLAvia-South LA; Sunday, December 5, 2021; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – The 5.3-mile open streets route connects the neighborhoods of South Central, Exposition Park, Leimert Park and Crenshaw, encompassing Crenshaw Blvd. between West Exposition Blvd. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., and along MLK, Jr. Blvd. to South Central Avenue.

  

HOW & MORE INFORMATION: 
• Visit https://www.ciclavia.org/south_la21 for more detailed information
• https://www.ciclavia.org/; info@ciclavia.org; 213-355-8500
• Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciclavia

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ciclavia & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciclavia/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CicLAviaLA

Credit: CicLAvia-South LA presented by Metro.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Celebrate the Holidays with OC Parks at Heritage Hill Historical Park

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of OC Parks.

Celebrate the holiday season at OC Parks’ Heritage Hill Historical Park over two weekends this December with Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights.

The 35th annual Candlelight Walk will take place over three enchanted evenings December 10-12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Stroll through the festive grounds and enter historical buildings adorned with décor fitting for the time period. Enjoy live musical performances, holiday-themed crafts for kids, and a visit with Santa! Light refreshments will be available for cash purchase.

The family-friendly fun continues December 17-19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with Holiday Lights. Immerse yourself in the twinkling lights as you walk along the grounds taking pictures at the various holiday-themed photo opportunities. Holiday Lights welcomes pets outdoors on leashes no longer than six feet. Please note that additional entertainment and refreshments will not be provided.

“We are very excited for the return of Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights to Heritage Hill Historical Park this year,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Orange County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District. “This is a wonderful way for families and friends to experience the magic and spirit of the holiday season as they stroll through one of our beautiful historic sites in Orange County.”

Both events are free, with free parking. Inclement weather may cancel the events.

Heritage Hill Historical Park

25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

http://www.ocparks.com/heritagehill/ 

(949) 923-2230 

35th Annual Candlelight Walk

Date: December 10, 11 and 12

Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

Holiday Lights 

Date: December 17, 18 and 19

Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

Credit: OC Parks.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Top Five Reasons To Go Little Tokyo This Holiday Season

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Little Tokyo Christmas tree in Japanese Village Plaza. Photo courtesy of Go Little Tokyo.

This season, Go Little Tokyo for the Holidays to shop and support one of Los Angeles’ most historic and iconic neighborhoods. Whether dining in or ordering takeout from Little Tokyo’s beloved restaurants, discovering one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list, capturing the perfect holiday moment in a photo with Shogun Santa, or enjoying the festive scene with roaming carolers and Christmas tree in Japanese Village Plaza, there are a number of ways to show love to Little Tokyo this season.

Skip the mall and shop small at Little Tokyo’s many historic small businesses by picking up or ordering unique items not available anywhere else in LA! Celebrate this special community and make new memories in the heart of Downtown LA with the top five reasons to Go Little Tokyo for the Holidays.

  1. Deck the Halls With One-of-a-Kind Gifts: Browse Little Tokyo’s annual Holiday Gift Guide for a convenient way to discover unique gifts while supporting beloved local businesses like Anzen Hardware with Sustainable Little Tokyo’s Annual Holiday Gift Sale. 
  2. Delight in the Spirit of Giving: Give back to the Little Tokyo Community Council with curated gifts from the LTCC Online Pop-up Shop including limited edition pins, totes, sweatshirts and greeting cards. Make a donation in your loved one’s name, and they will receive a limited Little Tokyo print in the form of a holiday greeting card on your behalf. Cards will be mailed out the first week of December to ensure that they arrive by the holidays.
  3. Make Your (Restaurant) List and Check it Twice: Use Go Little Tokyo’s online directory of restaurants to map out where you’ll be picking up holiday meals or refueling during your Little Tokyo shopping excursion. Pick up gift cards from favorite restaurants to check off gifts for all the foodies on your list. 
  4. Shogun Santa is Coming to Town: Snap the perfect holiday card photo with Shogun Santa next to the Japanese Village Plaza Christmas tree during his visits on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. For the health and safety of Santa and visitors, there will be a barrier around Santa, and sitting on Santa’s lap will not be permitted. Shogun Santa is brought to you by the Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA).
  5. ‘Tis the Season to be Festive: Take in the historic neighborhood’s magical atmosphere with twinkling lights and showstopping Christmas tree in Japanese Village Plaza. Enjoy the sweet sounds of roaming carolers, JTOWN JINGLES presented by Go Little Tokyo and East West Players, featuring Filosophy as they serenade the neighborhood on Saturday, December 4 and Saturday, December 11 from 2-4 p.m. Stay to experience the free, public full set performance at JANM Plaza at 5 p.m.

Shop and support Little Tokyo’s small businesses for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to your favorite Little Tokyo business. Simply submit your receipts from Little Tokyo businesses at GoLittleTokyo.com/Holidays/ to enter. Two winners will be chosen, and multiple entries are encouraged. Receipts must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on December 31.

Businesses in Little Tokyo continue to monitor and adhere to guidelines put forth by local and state agencies and the CDC. It is recommended that unvaccinated guests wear masks when not actively eating or drinking and that all guests, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when in line or when not able to maintain a six-foot physical distance from other guests. For more information about the holidays in Little Tokyo and to view the Little Tokyo Gift Guide, visit golittletokyo.com/holidays. 

Credit: GO LITTLE TOKYO

Go Little Tokyo is a community-led effort aimed at highlighting the unique cultural programs, community events, and dining and shopping experiences found in Little Tokyo. As one of Los Angeles’ most vibrant cultural hubs, there is an abundance of destinations and landmarks in and around this historic walkable neighborhood and Go Little Tokyo will help you uncover them. Go Little Tokyo is a Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) project developed and produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS) and made possible with support from Metro. For more information, visit http://www.golittletokyo.com/.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Encanto * Amazing Film Filled With Great Emotions And Lessons That Bring Big Surprises

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Anna Clara B. comments, “Encanto is an amazing film full of teachings that brings big surprises and great emotions to the public. You´ll be thrilled with the many beauties and magic in this film.” See her full review below.

Encanto

By Anna Clara B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Encanto is an amazing film full of teachings that brings big surprises and great emotions to the public. You´ll be thrilled with the many beauties and magic in this film.

The film tells the story of Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz), a girl who is part of  the Madrigal family, a family where everyone has super-magic powers. But, is Mirabel of the same alignment as they are? An unexpected event that puts the family in danger, can change everything.

The storyline is well written. I really love the characters. They are funny and nice and the kind of people that everyone likes. My favorite parts are when Antonio Madrigal talks to the animals. I love animals and have always wanted to understand them. Watching this film gave me a greater desire to communicate with animals. This is magical! I also like the part when Mirabel is going to save the family and she says something funny. The special effects are terrific. Everything is super colorful. The background music is extraordinary; the music I like most is the adventure song when Mirabel takes off on her adventure. I love the adventure genre and this music accentuates it. As for costumes, I particularly love the costumes that show their tradition, yet at the same time, are contemporary outfits. They are so beautiful!

The message of the film is that we need to believe in ourselves, Never give up, because in the end you’ll find a light.

I give Encanto 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Encanto releases in theaters and on Disney+ November 25, 2021.<p>By Anna Clara B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Filed Under: Media Reviews

King Richard * A Heart-Warming Bio-Drama About Family And Perseverance That Will Inspire The World!

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s neglected tennis courts–rain or shine–the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world, “King Richard” follows the uplifting journey of a family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately delivers two of the world’s greatest sports legends.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “You will experience many emotions while watching this film – pride, inspiration, sadness and happiness. My favorite part was watching the family support each other by making the best decisions for the overall family, whether it was getting mentors for Venus and Serena or just figuring out how to survive and strive in everyday life.” Katherine S. adds,” I have a million reasons why I feel this is an incredible movie. The first amazing thing is the acting, which is so believable and so natural that I felt as if I was watching a high-quality documentary. While all the actors have very notable performances, one of the strongest performances is from Will Smith, who plays King Richard. His struggles are so visible as he gets his girls to the top after being rejected so many times.” See their full reviews below.

King Richard
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST Film Critic, age 11

King Richard is a heart-warming bio-drama film about family and perseverance that will inspire the world! Director Reinaldo Marcus Green and Writer Zach Baylin deliver a great film about achieving the impossible when you don’t give up. It’s based on the true story about tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams and how they rose to fame and the role their father played. Tennis fans are sure to love this, but anyone that loves inspirational films will appreciate it.

King Richard follows the journey of Richard Williams (Will Smith), the father and coach of famed tennis players Serena Williams (Demi Singleton) and Venus Williams (Saniyya Sydney). It shows how, even without having a background in the sport, poor equipment, outdated tennis courts, and limited financial resources, he was able to guide his daughters’ careers and turn them into some of the best athletes in the history of tennis. Williams was an undeterred, driven father with a clear vision and plan to turn his girls into talented superstars using his own unusual methods.

The main characters are Richard Williams, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Demi Singleton, Oracene ‘Brandy’ Williams (Aunjanue Ellis), Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn) and Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal). While this film is two hours long, you can’t tell due to the amazing writing and the hilarious comedic delivery of two-time Oscar winner, Will Smith. You will experience many emotions while watching this film – pride, inspiration, sadness and happiness. My favorite part was watching the family support each other by making the best decisions for the overall family, whether it was getting mentors for Venus and Serena or just figuring out how to survive and strive in everyday life. The music is amazing and Beyonce’s feature song “Be Alive” really sums up the journey the girls went through on their rise to the top.

The message throughout King Richard is to never give up and believe in yourself and your family, no matter your circumstances or background. The Williams’ sisters came from a rough neighborhood and their family didn’t have the money and resources needed to properly train them, but did not let that stop them from working hard and eventually dominating the world of tennis. Their father, Richard Williams, had a dream and a plan and he stuck to it. He also taught his family to dream big, despite any obstacles. Parents should be aware that there is mild violence.

I rate King Richard 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 8 to 18, plus adults. King Richard serves up in theaters November 19, 2021 and on HBO Max for 30 days after the theatrical release.

King Richard
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

King Richard is one of the best movies of the year! The movie tells the incredible story of the childhood lives of two of the most famous female tennis players ever, Serena and Venus Williams. The acting is stupendous, and the portrayal of the Williams’ story is extremely accurate. I love how there is so much subtle humor that keeps you laughing throughout the movie.

This storyline follows the lives of the Williams’ family, specifically Serena (Demi Singleton), Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and their father, Richard’s (Will Smith) journey to the top of the tennis world. You learn about their home life, their victories and their struggles.

I have a million reasons why I feel this is an incredible movie. The first amazing thing is the acting, which is so believable and so natural that I felt as if I was watching a high-quality documentary. While all the actors have very notable performances, one of the strongest performances is from Will Smith, who plays King Richard. His struggles are so visible as he gets his girls to the top after being rejected so many times. Other strong performances come from Saniyya Sidney (Venus Williams) and Demi Singleton (Serena Williams) because they both portray their character very accurately and you really feel their passion for tennis. Another terrific thing about the movie is its accuracy. Almost every detail stays true to the real lives of the Williams family – from the dialogue, to the outfits, to the sets and locations. One more thing that stands out is the cinematography, which is breathtaking. There are many exceptional camera shots that show varied points of view and add to the film’s uniqueness.

The messages of the movie are that family is everything and you should always follow your passions. This movie will definitely inspire future tennis players, and other future athletes. There is some offensive language, mild violence and mention of drugs.

I give King Richard 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, plus adults. Tennis fans will most certainly love this. This movie releases in theaters and on HBO Max November 19, 2021.

Filed Under: Media Reviews