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Earth Month at the Getty

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Poetry in the Garden: Scores

Sunday, Apr 12, 2026

11:30am–6:30pm

Getty Center

FREE

During National Poetry Month and Earth Month, join us for a full day of live performances set among the Getty Center’s Central Garden, featuring poetic and musical collaborative soundscapes. The lineup includes DJs, musicians, and poets. Rest on a bench, lay on a blanket on the lawn, admire the view, or wander the pathways among the blooming spring plants!

Roman Garden: Seed Ball Workshop

Select Saturdays, Drop-in 11am–3pm

Apr 4 and 18, and May 9 and 30

Getty Villa

FREE

Celebrate nature and get your hands delightfully dirty in this seed ball-making workshop! Mix and mold seed balls filled with fragrant flowers and herbs once popular in ancient Roman gardens and kitchens. This event is presented in English and Spanish.

Superpower Portraits: Collage Workshop

Select Sundays, Drop-in 11am–3pm

Apr 12 and 19, May 3, and Jun 14

Getty Center

FREE

Explore creative collage techniques and transform recycled materials into vibrant Superpower Portraits. Layer colors, patterns, textures, and images that reflect your story. This event is presented in English and Spanish.

A Bouquet of Drawings

May 6 and 7, 2026 at 2pm

Getty Center

FREE

Join drawings curator Stephanie Schrader and Getty’s sustainability director Camille Kirk for a behind-the-scenes experience in the private study room of Getty’s drawings collection. Look closely and hear about works that depict nature and flowers in celebration of Mother Earth and Mother’s Day.

Filed Under: Featured Events

National Board Game Day April 11th

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Looking for some fun games for the Kids? These are sure to be ahit!

Cake-N-Bake Challenge (Hey Buddy Hey Pal | Ages 4+ | $27.99 | Amazon & Barnes & Noble) Cake-N-Bake Challenge brings cooking show excitement to your home. This fast-paced, color-matching, cake-building game with group playing cards, where the fastest baker wins! Using foam cake slices and icing cards, stack your cake correctly and watch out for Special Recipe Cards like the One-Hand Card or Candle Thief Card. Follow Group Challenge Cards together. Be the first to collect six candle cards to win the game – fun for all ages!

SmartGames Hansel & Gretel’s Candy Adventure by Smart Toys & Games (Smart Toys and Games | Ages 5+ | $27.99 | Available Spring 2026 at Amazon & Specialty Toy Stores) Build clever thinking skills through fairytale play with SmartGames Hansel & Gretel’s Candy Adventure, a magical sliding puzzle game designed for children ages 5–8. Young players help Hansel and Gretel escape the Witch’s enchanted garden by carefully sliding puzzle pieces across the board to solve each challenge. With 60 progressively challenging puzzles, the game strengthens logic, planning, and hand-eye coordination, encouraging kids to think before they act. The experience is enriched by a beautifully illustrated, family-friendly picture book that offers a modern twist on the classic Hansel & Gretel story.

Pokémon Trainer Expert (Ultra PRO Entertainment | Ages 6+ | $34.99| ultrapro.com & Walmart) An interactive electronic game with a double-sided board intended for 1-4 players, with beginner and expert gameplay modes. Players have up to 10 chances to correctly guess which Pokémon is hiding behind the clues. The sooner they guess, the more points they can earn for the correct answer. The first player to 25 points wins the game!

Also, check out this one: Spy X Family – Search for Seasons (KessCo | Ages 8+ | $14.99 | Available at Amazon and Target) Play the classic game of Memory with a SPY x FAMILY twist! Find the Forgers’ matching outfits to complete a set by turning over cards to find their match. But watch out for pesky Tonitrus Bolts! Keep away from them to avoid getting into trouble. If you can match the Forgers in a complete outfit and season set you get extra points. The player with the most matches and sets wins!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to feature these fun games! Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Books of the Week: April 11th, 2026

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Catclaw dreams that one day he will have the gift of prophecy, just like his Dreamkin ancestors. But many moons ago, the Dreamkins were exiled from the other noble moth clans for a crime too awful to even speak of, and their gift of prophecy was lost. No Dreamkin has seen the future in generations. So when Catclaw receives a vision telling him that all the moth clans are in terrible danger, he’s branded a liar and exiled.

Catclaw knows it’s the right thing to protect his fellow moths, even if his own clan doesn’t believe him, so he sets out alone on the long and treacherous journey back to Queen Adeia’s Kingdom to warn them.

But there is more to the moth clans’ history than Catclaw ever knew, and the closer he gets to the kingdom, the more the danger grows.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katharine Orton is the Branford Boase longlisted author of Nevertell, Glassheart, and Mountainfell, all published by Walker Books to glowing reviews from readers old and young alike. The Traitor Moth was inspired by her son’s fascination with moths and bugs and her love of classic fantasies such as Watership Down. She has previously worked as a copywriter and for an indie children’s publisher. She lives in Bristol, UK.

Now more than ever, it is important to be educated on our countries past or else we run the risk of seeing our future progress in our nation come to a halt. In recent news there has been a lot of political unrest and racialized discrimination, which makes Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutierrez’s picture book extremely timely. UNBREAKABLE: A JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY IN AN AMERICAN INCARCERATION CAMP (on-sale April 7, 2026), addresses part of America’s unfavorable past, and the strength of marginalized identities in the face of it. 

Unbreakable is a heart-wrenching but moving tale centered around the real-life experience of Japanese American, Minoru (Min) Tonai (1929-2023), co-writer of the book, and what he experienced in America’s World War II era concentration camps in the United States. An incredibly moving picture book contains extensive back matter covering details of the camps as well as the campaign to release Tonai’s father, timelines, a bibliography, author and illustrator notes, and discussion questions to engage younger readers with.

Co-writer Jolene Gutiérrez is an award-winning educator and worked with Min to deliver an uplifting and emotional story of survival in the Amache Incarceration camp. Emmy award-winning illustrator and animator, Chris Sasaki’s enriching artwork has made Unbreakable an inspiring and powerful picture book – perfect for introducing young readers to this part of American history where they will see the resilience of a people, the justice given to them, and the search for what it means to be American. 

UNBREAKABLE: A JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY IN AN AMERICAN INCARCERATION CAMP

  • CULTURAL PRESERVATION THROUGH ART: The great melting pot should be an infinity of diverse voices and representation. Japanese American history is as rich as it comes, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t also talk about the hardships of that history. Sasaki has woven the cultural significance of Japanese American heritage throughout his illustrations to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Asian American culture and history. Through these creators, we explore the unbreakable spirit of Japanese American communities in the face of injustice all while finding a story full of strength, hope, love, and empathy for those of all ages to read.
  • CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: The United States is a country forged by immigrants. As we look around us to see poltical unrest and our American neighbors being harrassed in the streets and their homes, it becomes more important than ever to remember our past. Gutiérrez and Tonai have recounted Tonai’s story of a family being torn a part by prejudice and injustice during WWII. This timely picture book is a great way to start this discussion with the younger generations and educate them about past and present issues we face in America.  
  • INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTOR: Minoru “Min” Tonai (1929-2023) worked with Jolene Gutiérrez to write the story. Min volunteered his time to various organizations and campaigned for the rights of all people. In 1975 Min founded the Amache Historical Society. He was also the president of the Amache Historical Society and board president of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Los Angeles. He was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun medal in 2015 from Japanese Emperpor Akihito for “promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. He was not afraid to speak up and his family and friends continue to tell his story long after he passed. 

 Cloud Puppy—part puppy, part cloud, and all adorable—goes on summer adventures with her friends in this third book in a delightful graphic chapter book series that’s Narwhal and Jelly meets The Amazing World of Gumball!

Cloud Puppy and her friends start their summer vacation at the local amusement park! When Mossquatch shares he doesn’t really like big roller coasters, Cloud Puppy makes it her secret mission to help him overcome his fear. After all, everyone knows roller coasters are fun, not scary!

But as Cloud Puppy, Jack, and Berry Rose line up for the biggest roller coaster, Cloud Puppy suddenly feels afraid—even wishing she were sitting out comfortably with Mossquatch. To keep spending time with her friends, she should act like she’s still having fun and conquer her fear…right?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelly Leigh Miller is an illustrator and author who loves everything cute and whimsical. She is the author of the Cloud Puppy series, I Love My Fangs!, I Love My Fur!, I Love My Magic!, and many more books. Visit her online at KellyLeighMiller.com.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature in my weekly book post. Cover images were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Dive Into Earth Day: The Shops at Rossmoor Hosts Ocean-Themed Family CelebrationSaturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment
Photo of previous Earth Day event, provided courtesy of The Shops at Rossmoor.

Celebrate Earth Day with a splash of family fun at The Shops at Rossmoor on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free community event invites families to enjoy an ocean-inspired afternoon filled with interactive activities and hands-on learning.

Kids can dive into ocean-themed crafts, face painting, games and balloon twisting, while also discovering ways to care for marine life. Plus, explore a Tide Pool Encounter, offering an up-close look at real sea life, and take photos with everyone’s favorite Shark Character for a memorable Earth Day moment.

Visitors are also encouraged to stop by the Ocean-Themed Earth Day Display from April 7 through April 26, to snap a selfie and share their commitment to protecting the planet. Post photos on Instagram tagging @Theshopsatrossmoor and using #thinkblueandgogreenshops.

The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

WHERE: 

The event will be located in the courtyard near ULTA Beauty. 

The Shops at Rossmoor is located at 12201 Seal Beach Blvd, Seal Beach, CA 90740.

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information and a full store directory, visit shopsatrossmoor.com

Filed Under: Featured Events

Earth Day volunteer river cleanup event with LA Waterkeeper

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Join us for a family-friendly event where we’ll roll up our sleeves and tackle the aftermath of the rains, clearing away debris and revitalizing the riverbanks.

Your help is crucial in making the LA River a healthier and more beautiful place for all to enjoy. Not only will you be removing harmful debris, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the river’s rich history, assist in water quality tests with LA Waterkeeper, and take home native seed bombs to support local pollinators.

Don’t miss out on this rewarding experience filled with community, learning, and making a real difference for our environment.

Please save your spot by registering at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/creekstocoastcleanups2026/event/earthday2026/

Learn more about Los Angeles Waterkeeper: https://www.lawaterkeeper.org/. For more information about this event, contact Kelly Shannon McNeill at kelly@lawaterkeeper.org.

Earth Day River Cleanup: Follow Clues. Find Trash. Show the LA River Some Love! with LA Waterkeeper 

Saturday, April 25, 9:00a-12:00p       Free event 

North Atwater Park, 3900 Chevy Chase Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90039 

Event link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/creekstocoastcleanups2026/event/earthday2026/

Registration required. 

Filed Under: Featured Events

Viral Skateboarding Dachshund Brings “Short Dawgs in Da House” Dog Racing Festival to Ventura Harbor Village

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment
Credit: Rowdy Dachshund

Dozens of dachshunds, corgis, and small dogs will race along the Ventura Harbor waterfront next month as the viral pup Rowdy Dachshund, a professional skateboarding dog and champion racer with over 304,000 Instagram followers, hosts “Short Dawgs in Da House” for the first time ever.

The dog-chella event of the year will take place on the Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn on April 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Completely free to attend and participate, guests will experience a full day of small dog races and family-friendly entertainment at the waterfront:

  • Dachshund, corgi, and small dog races
  • Best trick and best outfit contests
  • A harbor-wide scavenger hunt
  • Live music and photo ops
  • A community vendor village featuring pet accessories and treats
  • Dog-friendly boat rentals in the harbor

“We are so excited to host our first-ever Rowdy Dachshund Festival event at the Ventura Harbor,” said Ivan Cano and Kim Estrada, event promoters and owners of Rowdy. “Ventura is an incredibly pet-friendly town, and we can’t wait for dog lovers to enjoy and experience Short Dawgs in Da House.”

Short Dawgs in Da House will bring together over 15 dog-friendly vendors in the Community Vendor Village. Live music by “Blake Quake” and MC “John Wick” will keep the party going.

Pizzanista!, an iconic New York-style pizza shop based in Southern California, is Short Dawgs in Da House’s official race sponsor. Founded by Skateboarding Hall of Famer and legendary street skater innovator Salman Agah, Pizzanista! has released pro skateboards —of which Rowdy has one— and has hosted guest chef nights and artistic collaborations with brands like Vans, Patagonia, Nike, Volcom, and skateboard icons such as Christian Hosoi and Steve Caballero. Pizzanista! will be an on-site vendor where attendees can purchase Rowdy Pro Deck Skateboards and merch.

Food and beverages will be available at local Ventura Harbor Village restaurants and shops for attendees.

“Rowdy the Dachshund has become part of the Ventura Harbor family, and is the perfect ambassador for our pet-friendly Ventura Harbor Village,” said Brian Pendleton, Ventura Harbor Port District General Manager. “Short Dawgs in Da House, a new event for us, will be a great opportunity for our residents and visitors alike to enjoy some friendly dog competition, sample our seaside restaurants, browse our curated retail shops, and enjoy the many ways to get on the water. At the Ventura Harbor, anything is paws-ible!”

Attendees can extend their trip to the Ventura Harbor Village by staying at nearby harborfront hotel properties like Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, or Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor by IHG, and make it a weekend beach getaway. Other parts of Ventura also host a variety of pet-friendly activities and experiences.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs, get ready to meet other dog lovers, support local vendors, participate in contests, and enjoy a festival built just for them and their pup.

Rowdy is a longtime Ventura fan, promoting the new Westpark Skatepark in a social media video garnering over 216,000 views, and showcasing the pet-friendly boat rentals at the Ventura Harbor in a video that got over 117,000 views.

“We have all tails wagging to welcome Rowdy, her fans, and dog-lovers to Ventura’s first-ever Short Dawgs in Da House dog racing and festival,” said Marlyss Auster, President & CEO of Visit Ventura, a partner on the event with Ventura Harbor Village. “This is truly a dream come true. Our connection with Rowdy and her parents, Ivan and Kim, began two years ago at the X Games, and since then, Rowdy has helped us spotlight Ventura’s pet-friendly hotels, activities, and restaurants. Ventura is the perfect beach town to celebrate our four-legged friends who love a beach vacation just as much as their humans.”

The latest information and race registration can be found HERE.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Segerstrom Center for the Arts partners with OC Animal Care to help dogs find their forever home

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Segerstrom Center for the Arts partners with OC Animal Care, to host a special dog adoption event in conjunction with its upcoming family series production, New Owner. The performance follows Bart, an energetic shelter puppy, and Mabel, a lonely widow, whose lives are transformed when they find each other, capturing the unconditional love at the heart of every adoption story. Attendees can follow Bart’s journey to finding his forever home and then step outside the theater to meet real dogs on the same path.

This partnership brings together a love of live performances and a love for paws to help shelter dogs find their forever homes. This is a great opportunity for families to explore lessons in kindness and commitment, and give potential adopters the opportunity to begin a new chapter. Whether attending the show or looking to meet some furry friends, families are invited to come meet adoptable dogs, learn about the shelter’s mission, and support shelter pups by donating dog treats. To learn more about the adoption event or to purchase tickets for New Owner, visit www.scfta.org.

WHEN: April 25, 2026 from 12pm- 3 pm (New Owner performance at 1- 2 pm)

April 26, 2026 from 12 pm – 5 pm (New Owner performances from 1 – 2 pm, and 3:30 – 4:30 pm)

WHERE: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Filed Under: Featured Events

Phillip, April 10 Pet of the Week  

April 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Orange cats are special, and sometimes, they’re actual comedians! That’s Phillip, to a T. Phillip enjoys pulling faces at you to get your attention, and as soon as he gets it, he’s up to his tricks. Volunteer Janet said that Phillip’s a love and a half, but every time he suggests lap time to her, he tries to sneak past her lap to get to the floor. That’s pretty smart for 6 months old! Why not take silly Phil home to see how much smarter he’ll be in six more months? He’ll probably be ordering anchovy pizza and helping your fourth-grader with math homework by then. To adopt or foster Phillip, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, pay a personal visit to our shelter, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach (at entrance to El Dorado Park, no parking fee for shelter guests). Ask for ID#A757736.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner
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