Irene, Sept. 29 Pet of the Week

awww!

Irene’s beautiful orange eyes against her glossy midnight fur are like twin moons at night. They hold enough kitty mystery and misery to write a sad story, and she could do that if she had opposable thumbs. Irene belonged to an unhoused person whom shelter staff and spcaLA were trying to assist. The person was later found dying on the street. Irene was with the person, on a dirty leash but well groomed and fed. She had obviously been loved very much. Irene’s human would want to know that she’ll be likewise cherished by another person. To adopt Irene, ask for ID# or any pet in the shelter, visit Long Beach Animal Care Services and talk to a volunteer, or call (562) 673-5050. Please check out more pets who need to go home by accessing https://www.longbeach.gov/acs/our-animals/adoptions/. 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 any pet!

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Descanso’s Carved & Enchanted To Return, Featuring New Routes & Enhancements

Get ready for a holiday season like no other as Descanso Gardens announces the long-awaited return of two beloved events—Carved and Enchanted Forest of Light!

Mark your calendars because from October 6 to 29, 2023, Carved will light up Descanso Gardens with a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, new locations and even more pumpkin fun! As you stroll through the captivating displays, you’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, fallen tree sculptures and whimsical installations, including Tom&Lien Dekyvere’s glow-in-the-dark Rhizome installation in the Rose Garden Labyrinth and giant carved pumpkins under the Rose Pavilion. Don’t miss the expanded Día de los Muertos ofrenda altar, providing guests with a place to meditate and remember loved ones. The pumpkin house, hay maze, and fall food offerings will all be back to round out the fun, making Carved the perfect family-friendly adventure, bringing joy and wonder to visitors of all ages.

And the magic doesn’t end there! From November 19, 2023, to January 7, 2024, Descanso Gardens will transform into the breathtaking Enchanted Forest of Light, taking you on a captivating journey through stunning light displays set amidst the serene beauty of nature. This year, you can explore a new route through the Rose Garden, discovering exciting light displays that spark awe and wonder. Prepare to be amazed as the Rose Garden’s Labyrinth comes alive with HYBYCOZO’s 3-D geometric sculptures, and a glowing field of “meadow grass” sways amidst the rose bushes. Tom Fruin’s charming “stained glass” houses will create a village of their own on the Main Lawn, featuring new interactive lighting options. Plus, you can immerse yourself in a new hanging light installation under the oaks which evokes an ethereal ambiance that will leave you spellbound.

Ticket Information:

Tickets for both events will be available for purchase on the Descanso Gardens website, www.descansogardens.org. Mark your calendars:

  • Descanso Gardens members will have exclusive access to tickets starting August 23 at 10 am.
  • General admission sales open on September 6 at 10 am.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults:

  • Members: $30-$40
  • Non-members: $35-$45

Children 2-12:

  • Members: $20-$25
  • Non-members: $25-$30

Children under 2 are admitted free of charge.

For more information about Descanso Gardens and to purchase tickets, please visit www.descansogardens.org.

Rubio’s Announces Battle for the Next Fish Taco Winner

Coconut Shrimp Mango Salsa Taco On Menu Starting Today 

Rubio’s Coastal Grill announces the winner of the first-ever battle for the next fish taco. Cynthia Phillips, from Phoenix, Ariz., took home the winning title for her Coconut Shrimp Mango Salsa Taco, beating out hundreds of taco fans across California, Arizona and Nevada.

Rubio’s is featuring Cynthia’s Coconut Shrimp Mango Salsa Taco on the menu in nearly 150 locations, starting today, September 20–October 10. The Coconut Shrimp Mango Salsa Taco will also be featured for National Taco Day, October 4.

In celebration of Rubio’s 40th anniversary this year, and for the first time ever, Rubio’s encouraged fans to submit their original crave-worthy taco recipes. Three finalists were invited to Rubio’s San Diego Test Kitchen to cook their fish taco recipes live for a panel of judges, including Ralph Rubio.

Rubio’s has locations across California, Arizona and Nevada. Guests are encouraged to order through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’sFacebookInstagram and TikTok.

Credit: Rubio’s. Self Disclosure: Some form of compensation was received to post.

Brownie, Sept. 22nd Pet of the Week

sooo adorable!

Adorable, adoptable Brownie is a 2-year-old sweetie-pie! She was brought to the shelter by her human, an unhoused person who loved her very much but could no longer care for her. She’s been in the shelter since February, and because of overcrowding, euthanasia may be performed, which none of us wants. Brownie is spayed and ready to go to your house, gallop around and play with toys, which she loves to do with our volunteers. She has a smile that will brighten your day. Please brighten hers. You can speed the process to adopt or foster Brownie and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our new open walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A693980 to meet Brownie.

Alonzo, Sept. 15th Pet of the Week

Awwwww

Shelters everywhere have more dogs than they have room or the ability to care for, and Long Beach Animal Care Services is one of them. Alonzo has lived there for nearly a year. He came in as a stray last year in December, and at a year and a half, he’s spent about half his life in a shelter. No fair! Alonzo is a happy, playful boy with high energy and an athletic bent. His dream day would be an adventure walk with his person followed by a nap and then a toy session. He has this great tippy-toe dance when he knows a treat or a toy is coming! Please save his life—literally. You can speed the process to adopt or foster Alonzo and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our new open walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A690707to meet Alonzo.

Rocket, Aug. 25th Pet of the Week

awww…so cute!

Say hello to Rocket, a kitten who was brought to our shelter on May 7 as a stray at 5 weeks old and weighing only 2 pounds. At that time, he was terribly scared, distrustful and not ready to launch into the human world. Now, at almost 5 months old, Rocket has developed such a stellar personality! He orbits your hand for pets and attention, and he’s taken such good care of his black fur that it shines like the sun. Rocket is so ready to blast off to a forever home! Won’t you please jump in your spacecraft and comet on over to meet him? Ask for ID#A698431. To adopt Rocket or any other cat in the shelter, visit him at Long Beach Animal Care Services or call (562) 570-4925. 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 any pet!

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Crypto.com Arena Monster Jam® Tickets On-Sale Now

The most action-packed and full-throttle family fun motorsport in the world roars back into Downtown LA this summer for five adrenaline-filled arena events from August 25-27!

Credit: Feld Motor Sports.

This. Is. Monster Jam™!  The most unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Los Angeles this summer for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Crypto.com Arena from August 25–27, 2023.  At Monster Jam®, world champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. 

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.  Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™

SoCal fans will be on the edge of their seats as world-class drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship.  Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions. The Los Angeles events feature eight skilled athletes battling for the event championship while tearing up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining.

WHEN:           Friday, August 25, 2023

  • Event Time: 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 26, 2023

  • Event Times: 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, August 27, 2023

  • Event Times: 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:         Crypto.com Arena – 1111 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

TICKETS:      Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family!

Tickets are now available for purchase online at AXS.com or visit the venue Box Office.

*Ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply.

TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by Tyler Menninga; Megalodon® driven by Ashley Sanford; El Toro Loco® driven by Armando Castro; Scooby Doo® driven by Linsey Read; Monster Mutt Dalmatian® driven by Bailey Shea; Velociraptor driven by Dave Olfert; Vendetta driven by Mike Christensen;one additional truck/driver to be announced at a later date.                                                                        **Truck and driver line-up subject to change.

Credit: Feld Motor Sports.

What A Film! I Was Ecstatic About Seeing Barbie And It Definitely Exceeded My Expectations By Far!

Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “What a film! I was ecstatic about seeing Barbie and it definitely exceeded my expectations by far…For a film like this it’s very easy to create something corny, disappointing, or unappealing to viewers. I’m so glad that Gretta Gerwig stepped up to the plate and created an absolute masterpiece.” Sydney S. adds, “I love Barbie, the movie, and how it takes the magic of a childhood doll and brings it to life. It’s a very powerful and moving production, and yet also has bursts of comedy. This film has an interesting and clever concept that I really enjoy.” Ella S. wraps it up with, “Barbie has a few messages—it puts a playful spin on gender stereotypes, calling attention to the unfairness girls and women face in today’s world. The Barbies using themselves to try to turn the Kens against each other so they can regain power represents the way women are pitted against each other because of outdated beauty standards.” See their full reviews below.

Barbie

By Zoe C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 14

What a film! I was ecstatic about seeing Barbie and it definitely exceeded my expectations by far. As much as I was excited, I was a bit scared that the stakes were too high; after all Barbie is an icon and a part of so many people’s childhood. For a film like this it’s very easy to create something corny, disappointing, or unappealing to viewers. I’m so glad that Gretta Gerwig stepped up to the plate and created an absolute masterpiece. 

The film starts with showing the origin of Barbie in 1959. It explains how little girls used to play with baby dolls and commonly acted as their mothers, but wanted a doll that they could really play with instead of taking care of. And that’s how Barbie came about. Then we see the beautiful Barbie world where every Barbie is a part of something. We see Barbie doctors, Barbie novelists, Barbie astronauts, Barbie everything! And in Barbie’s world every day is perfect. The star of the show Margot Robbie plays “Stereotypical Barbie” and she starts to notice strange things happening to her. She has to visit the real world to see who was playing with her to discover why these strange things are happening. The rest of the film is about Barbie trying to find herself and discovering scary aspects of the real world that she was blinded by before.

There was so much love put into this film and you can really see that on screen. The comedy in this film is so on point that the whole theater was laughing when I went to see this film. Huge kudos to Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, writers of this incredible screenplay. The script is pure genius; I love how the film really honors Barbie and what she was made for. The cast of this film is exceptional. Margot Robbie was originally producing the film until she was cast as Barbie. Margot is the perfect Barbie; she plays this role so well she is like a real-life Barbie on screen. The way she embodies Barbie is just so perfect. I was really excited to see Ryan Gosling as Ken since he’s one of my favorite actors. There’s a lot of controversy as to why Ryan Gosling was cast as Ken but he makes perfect sense. He plays Ken so well he really nails what it means to be Ken in this film. America Ferrera plays a Mom named Gloria and she is such an interesting character. She plays a mom who’s going through struggles of just being a woman and I’m sure her character will speak to so many mothers. It would be a crime to not talk about the insane set. Funny enough, Greta Gerwig used so much pink paint for this set that it actually drained an entire company’s supply. The Barbie world is exactly as you’d expect it — from Barbie dream-houses to Barbie beaches — everything looks like it came right out of a toy store. Rodrigo Prieto shot this film and the cinematography is extraordinary. As someone who grew up with Barbie, this film really speaks to me. I am in love with the score of this film. Billie Eilish’s “What was I made for” is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard. This film is packed with so many great artists like Tame Impalla, Lizzo, Dua Lipa and many others. 

The film is packed with so many messages. I was surprised with how many topics this film covers — what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a mother, what it’s like to grow up in today’s society, what is love, and so much more. This film is a celebration of women and girlhood but I also love how it represents men. Ken is discovering how men are viewed in today’s society in a similar way to how Barbie is discovering who she is.

I give Barbie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Don’t miss Barbie in theaters July 21, 2023.

Barbie

By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I love Barbie, the movie, and how it takes the magic of a childhood doll and brings it to life. It’s a very powerful and moving production, and yet also has bursts of comedy. This film has an interesting and clever concept that I really enjoy.

Barbie revolves around the life of a stereotypical Barbie doll (Margot Robbie) living in Barbie Land. Everything seems to be perfect, until she starts to get human thoughts as well as features. To get everything back to normal, Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling) adventure to the real world to speak with Barbie’s owner.

The main characters are Barbie and Ken. And there are many “Barbies,” including those played by Emma Mackey, Hari Nerf, Nicola Coughlan, Alexandra Shipp and some “Kens,” such as Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, and John Cena. Other characters are Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), Gloria (America Ferrera), and Mattel CEO (Will Ferrell). These actors were absolutely convincing and exciting at portraying their characters and the relationship between them. Everyone in Barbie Land has some sort of connection, and I admire that. The characters’ costumes are vibrant, funky, and of course, some are pink! Every additional detail enhances the plot and makes me feel like I am in Barbie Land with the other characters. From Barbie’s plastic breakfast to her massive wardrobe, each part of this film is touched by Barbie’s magic. The subtle differences between Barbie Land and the real world add up, though, and it’s drastic enough to show that we don’t live in fantasy. That opens Barbie’s eyes and makes her see the beauty of our planet. It’s a positive reminder that life is beautiful. My favorite part of the film is the music. Well-known artists like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice composed songs to fit the plot as well as Barbie’s upbeat energy. Billie Eilish’s song gave me chills and fits the storyline perfectly! The way the film is directed keeps me engaged and entertained throughout the entire thing. I applaud the director, Greta Gerwig, as well as the whole crew that made this film incredible. Next, while Barbie connected with her owner, I had a rush of nostalgia. Barbie’s owner used to play with her a lot because she gave her a sense of empowerment and motivation, but our current society made her feel like she doesn’t belong anywhere. I think many people can relate to this, as it’s a reconnection with a past self. I like that it shows how much meaning a doll can have, and how Barbie has changed so many lives.

The message of this film is to never give up, but to always persevere. Barbie learns this as she’s about to give up. There are conversations regarding inappropriate body parts, so that’s something to look out for.

I give Barbie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Barbie releases exclusively in theaters July 21, 2023.

Barbie
By Ella S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Barbie is a sassy, funny movie with remarkable acting, gorgeous sets and costumes, and the ultimate summer soundtrack! I really enjoyed watching my favorite toys come to life in a world of pink and beaches, and the movie has some meaningful messages to deliver.

The film starts in glamorous Barbieland, where gender roles are reversed—all women are high-powered career Barbies who run the society, but men are just…Ken. They only exist for their Barbies. Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) has a perfect life—she parties every night and never has a bad hair day. But when things start to go wrong for Barbie, she and Ken (Ryan Gosling) must make the journey to the human world and find her owner, reconnecting a mother (America Ferrera) and her daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) and discovering their own purposes along the way.

The first thing I noticed in the movie was the whimsical, impeccably-designed set. Barbie’s dreamhouse is flawlessly recreated—and everything is pink! The roads are paved with pink bricks, and the beach has pink sand. There is a recreation of Mount Rushmore with the faces of four Barbies—and it’s pink! There are also some cute animated effects, such as a puff of pink dust. Margot Robbie is a perfect Barbie—with perfect outfits! She knows when to be shallow and superficial (without it looking like bad acting!) and when to go deeper. Throughout the movie, Barbie’s experiences in the real world transform her from a plastic doll to a human being, and Margot Robbie captures that perfectly. Barbie’s soundtrack is perfect for it, featuring songs such as “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa, which captures how fun, free, and glitzy Barbie is. “Just Ken,” sung by Ryan Gosling, brings some attention to the ignored Kens, putting them in the spotlight. Another thing I love about this movie is the amount of people it can reach—younger kids will immerse themselves in Barbieland and enjoy the toy aspect of the movie. Adults will appreciate the film’s messages about feminism, motherhood, stereotypes, and just being human and making mistakes. And everyone will feel recognized, regardless of their gender or ethnicity.

Barbie has a few messages—it puts a playful spin on gender stereotypes, calling attention to the unfairness girls and women face in today’s world. The Barbies using themselves to try to turn the Kens against each other so they can regain power represents the way women are pitted against each other because of outdated beauty standards. The movie also reminds us that we are all human, and we don’t always get it right. But that’s the beauty of life, because imperfection leads to change—new ideas and things we never knew we could have. Note that the film contains comical violence and mild language and suggestive material.

I give Barbie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It will be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.