Archives for April 18, 2023

South Coast Botanic Garden has a New Exhibit, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea

Washed Ashore Exhibit

Sixteen giant creatures made from beach debris have landed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula through September for South Coast Botanic Garden’s latest exhibit, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea.

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea is a non-profit organization committed to combating plastic pollution through art and education.

The 16 sculptures making up the Garden’s exhibit, which are primarily sea creatures, were built by the organization and its volunteers to inspire and spark positive change in consumer habits. The Garden, built atop a sanitary landfill, has proven throughout the past 60-plus years that beautiful things can come from trashy pasts. With this exhibit, the Garden will further explore the concept, as well as the education, behind what we can ALL do to limit waste, particularly our single-plastic use.

Some of the sustainable changes the Garden has made will be seen by Washed Ashore guests,
including:
● Selling water in aluminum bottles instead of plastic bottles. The aluminum bottled water
has a screw-off cap, making it reusable.
● Having an electric-vehicle fleet, including golf carts and the Garden’s shuttle. The
Garden’s Tram is currently undergoing a conversion to electric.
● Serving food and beverages out of compostable containers and offering compostable
utensils.
● Placing 4 new recycling bins throughout the Garden and adding a composting bin where
the Garden’s food and beverage is served.
● Replacing the drinking fountain with one that allows guests to refill reusable water
bottles, saving plastic bottles from entering a landfill or waterway.

Washed Ashore also marks a new program for the Garden – the Washed Ashore Adventure Tour.
This non-stop shuttle tour is unlike anything Garden guests have ever experienced. To start,
guests will meet Defender of the Garden, Sage, or the spirited and mischievous Blossom.

Both characters take turns hosting the tour, providing humor and fun along the way.

The whole experience is about 45 minutes, including an exclusive photo opportunity at one of the sculptures.

Lastly, tour guests get to take home a reusable SCBG water bottle to help reduce
their carbon footprint.

This Jellyfish is one of my favorites! Creamsicle the Jellyfish.

While Washed Ashore is included with Garden Admission (free for Members, up to $15 for
non-members), the Washed Ashore Adventure Tour is an additional $29 per person.
Washed Ashore opened on April 1st and will run daily through September.

I had the opportunity to check it out and recommend it to everyone! Both children and adults will enjoy it!

Credit: Information was provided by South Coast Botanical Gardens. Photos taken by SoCal City Kids.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Los Angeles Zoo

Credit: the Los Angeles Zoo

Join the Los Angeles Zoo for Wild for the Planet this Earth Day to learn about and remember the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife habitats and the planet we all share. This Earth Month event—now in its final two weekends for 2023—creates consciousness around the issues that affect Mother Earth through a myriad of fun and engaging programs including animal demonstrations and feedings, nature-inspired performances and book readings, hands-on activities, a community-focused Earth Expo, and more. 

Go wild for the arts with community- and nature-inspired entertainment and performances each happening twice daily. Wild About Storytelling will feature the Korean Cultural Center on April 22 and Dancing Storytellers: Indian Mythology and Meon April 23. Wild About Dance will feature Philippine folk and dance arts organization Kayamanan Ng Lahi on April 22 and 3rd Rock Hip Hop performing its inspirational hits that help increase kids awareness of sustaining the environment on April 23. Wild About Art will feature Hand Follows Eye Mobile Art Studio on both days from 11am-2pm.

For a full lineup of performances, programming, and activities: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/wild-for-the-planet/map/

Connect with community and conservation organizations at the Earth Expo to learn ways to make a positive impact on our planet and defend our natural resources. Learn how to protect plants, birds, and bees at the Planting for Pollinators Station or visit the Upcycling Inspiration Lab for fun, no-waste activities. Sample something sustainable and sweet at the honey tasting booth hosted by the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association, tastings include samples of five different types of all-natural honey ($3 per person). Learn more about the animals and their unique biology and habits through special feedings and enrichment demonstrations happening twice daily.

All month long, donations of unwanted handheld electronics will be accepted at the Zoo through recycling partner ECO-CELL.  Proceeds will go to conservation nonprofits like Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE), which works to safeguard the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla. Share about your donation on social media and be entered to win an L.A. Zoo Family Membership!

For details on donation tips and guidelines, visit https://lazoo.org/save-wildlife/take-action/eco-cell/.  For official sweepstakes rules, visit https://lazoo.org/rules/

This event runs weekends through Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All activities except honey tastings ($3) are free with paid admission and for GLAZA members. 

On the evening of Earth Day, the Los Angeles Zoo will light up its front entrance green to illuminate its commitment to the planet. The Zoo’s iconic monument sign gleams with ultra-efficient LED lights that were installed as part of its sustainability efforts.

“Earth Month (April) and Earth Day (April 22nd) are particularly important to the L.A. Zoo because of their ability to magnify the opportunity for people to take action that saves wildlife – from reducing our use of plastic that pollutes oceans, driving much less, growing drought-tolerant native plants, and purchasing sustainable products that don’t harm forests and other threatened habitats,” states L.A. Zoo Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs Carol Armstrong. “Humans have more power than any species to save our planet and we must take advantage of times like these to stand up for wildlife and recruit others to join us,” she goes on to say.

Credit: Los Angeles Zoo.

Luca, April 20th Pet of the Week

Luca, a year old, loves his “baby,” but as you can see by the expectant look in the corner of his eye, he’s hoping for a kind human who wants to take him home forever. He doesn’t love being confined to a kennel, but when he goes for a walk, he curls up on a bench with the volunteer and happily chomps on his toy. Can you make the “happily” part of this story an “ever after” one? Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting or fostering Luca. Ask for ID#A677511. Our shelter is overflowing with dogs, and they all need to go home.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Bewilder Basecamp: Earth Day Extravaganza

Guests experience Bewilder Basecamp, a family adventure with puzzles, games, and snacks, at the Culver Steps in Culver City, California Feb. 26, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice

Location

The Culver Steps

9300 Culver Blvd

Culver City, CA 90232

Date & Time

Saturday, April 22, 2023

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Description

Bewilder, a nonprofit on a mission to inspire more families to fall in love with nature and get outside, will be hosting the Bewilder Basecamp: Earth Day Extravaganza in partnership with premium kids’ bike brand woom. Parents and children are invited to join Bewilder’s adorable mascot Bezzi the Yeti in a variety of kid-friendly activities intended to cultivate a love of the outdoors and celebrate planet Earth. Attendees will have opportunities to:

  • Learn how to garden and plant flowers
  • Design crafts around the Magic Campfire
  • Pedal a woom bike through Rainbow Tunnel
  • Enjoy munchies at the Snack Station
  • Enter a raffle to take home a NEMO car camping kit

To support their mission of redefining “outdoorsy” and making outdoor activities more accessible to urban families, Bewilder is collaborating with woom to sponsor this event. With their ultralight, seamless design, high-quality components, and child-specific ergonomics, woom bikes are designed to give children the perfect introduction to riding a bike and spark a life-long passion for cycling.

This event is free and open to the public. Raffle winners will be announced by Monday, April 24th.

The Art of Avatar: The Way of Water – An Immersive Experience

Disney Invites Fans to “Step Inside” Pandora Through a One-of-a Kind Exhibition that Transports Visitors With State-of-the-Art
Technology and Breathtaking Effects
.

In celebration of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water now available on Digital only, Disney will be offering a special exhibition at Lighthouse Artspace in Los Angeles where fans can step into the stunning world of Avatar. Combining the groundbreaking technology of the Lighthouse’s experiential art exhibits and the remarkable Oscar® award-winning visual effects of the film, this immersive experience will showcase some of the most stunning scenes featured in Avatar: The Way of Water, including underwater at the Metkayina Clan village. Additional elements of the event will include props and costumes from the film, as well as life-size statues.

“The Art of Avatar: The Way of Water – An Immersive Experience” will be available for free to fans over Earth Day weekend to commemorate the annual event that demonstrates support for environmental protection. Free tickets are first come first serve, and available through Universe.com or directly at bit.ly/Avatar_Immersive.

Lighthouse Artspace LA is the premiere experiential and private event venue located in the heart of Hollywood’s Vinyl District. Home to the Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit and Leonardo: The Universal Man, this immersive venue features cutting edge experiences through the best in sound and visual technology.

WHEN:
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Sunday, April 23, 2023
10am-6pm

WHERE:
Lighthouse Artspace Los Angeles
6400 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Credit: Lighthouse ArtSpace Los Angeles.

Chupa * An Entertaining And Enjoyable Film That Definitely Captivated Me With Its Imaginative Story, Lovable Characters And Stunning Visuals

Shy 13-year-old Alex flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his extended family for the first time. There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava, energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo, and fearless, hip cousin Luna. But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock. Alex soon learns that his new friend “Chupa” has a secret history with his family, and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that will push the bonds of his newfound family to the brink, and remind him that life’s burdens are lighter when you don’t have to carry them alone.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “Chupa is an entertaining and enjoyable children’s movie that definitely captivated me with its imaginative story and lovable characters… The film boasts stunning visuals, with vibrant colors and creative creature design that I love and believe that they are perfectly suited for young viewers.” See her full review and interviews below.

Chupa
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 19

Chupa is an entertaining and enjoyable children’s movie that definitely captivated me with its imaginative story and lovable characters.

The movie follows the adventures of Alex (Evan Whitten), a young boy who discovers a mysterious creature known as the chupacabra, AKA Chupa, when visiting his family in Mexico. Alex quickly befriends Chupa and, with the help of his new friend, Alex embarks on a wild and exciting journey to protect Chupa from those who would harm him.

Chupa is a must-see film for children and families looking for an entertaining and meaningful story. The film boasts stunning visuals, with vibrant colors and creative creature design that I love and believe that they are perfectly suited for young viewers. The cast is fantastic, with Evan Whitten delivering a standout performance as both a shy and adventurous Alex, and Christian Slater and Demián Bichir lending their talents to the supporting cast. What really sets Chupa apart from others is its heartwarming message about the importance of accepting and protecting those who are different. With its captivating visuals, talented cast, and important message, Chupa is sure to become a new favorite among young viewers.

The movie teaches children valuable lessons about empathy and kindness, while still making its mark as a fun and exciting adventure. Note that this film does contain violent themes and some inappropriate language.

I give Chupa 4 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Chupa release on Netflix on April 7, 2023. Don’t miss it!

Jane * Full Of Imagination, Thrills, And A Whole Lot Of Education, Inspired By Conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall

Jane, a 9-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her powerful imagination, Jane takes her best friends David and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Dominic D. comments, “To all nature and environmental enthusiasts, sit tight because a great mini-series is coming your way! Jane, a new 10-episode action adventure series is the “complete package” full of imagination, thrills, and a whole lot of education, inspired by the work of famous conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall.” See his full review below.

Jane

By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

To all nature and environmental enthusiasts, sit tight because a great mini-series is coming your way! Jane, a new 10-episode action adventure series is the “complete package” full of imagination, thrills, and a whole lot of education, inspired by the work of famous conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall. Viewers are in for a real treat.

The series takes us through the imaginative short journeys of Jane Garcia (Ava Louise Murchison) and her best friend and partner-in-crime, David (Mason Blomberg), who set out to save the world’s vanishing species.  While on their quest to help these species, this dynamic duo educates viewers about threatened wildlife and explains the importance of making a change for generations to come. Following each journey, these young environmentalists are joined virtually by a research scientist who not only shares so much information about specific species, but also shares their own experiences, which adds excitement to each episode. From bees to bats and bears, the Jane series is exceptional!

Each episode is so inspiring which is what I like most about Jane. Of course the adventure, action, and creativity are also enjoyable, but what makes this series stand out is the education we get about diminishing species and what can be done to save them.  The visual effects also deserve a mention. The live action/CGI-blended scenes are outstanding. Set locations are perfectly chosen, allowing viewers to feel they are right there alongside the animals.

The Jane series delivers a message of hope. Each of us, no matter what age, needs to be committed in order to make positive change for our ecosystems. Every species is important on our planet, and if we can gain a better understanding of the problems that exist within nature, maybe we can fix them.  We’re all in this together, and together we can make change –future generations are counting on us!

I give Jane 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12.  Jane makes its global debut on April 14, 2023 on Apple TV+.  Mark your calendars—this series is great!

Trailer: