CASA of Los Angeles will open early bidding online (https://one.bidpal.net/casala) to several of their auction items this week as part of their 10th annual fundraising event, the Reimagine Gala on May 10 at the Skirball Cultural Center. Funds raised through the auction will help continue CASA/LA’s established mission of providing advocacy for children in the foster care system as well as establish new programs aimed at impacting youth justice. Pre-bidding on two exclusive, premier experiences include a VIP package to the Indy 500 with access to the pit, courtesy of veteran IndyCar driver Conor Daly and a pottery lesson in Los Angeles with Seth & Lauren Rogen that will close on May 9 at 11:59 PM and reopen for live and virtual bidding on the night of the gala.

Other featured one-of-a-kind items include a meet & greet with LA Chargers’ Corey Linsley, Olympic Gold Winner Chloe Kim’s autographed snowboard, and a week stay at a brand-new mountain chalet in Telluride, Colorado and much more.

POT with Seth Rogen
This pottery package includes a beginner’s ceramics class for three at Bitter Root Pottery in Los Angeles taught by Seth and Lauren Rogen. The winner will also go home with one of Seth’s original ceramic creations. 

INDY 500 VIP Access Package
Courtesy of veteran IndyCar driver Conor Daly, this special package for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, slated for Sunday, May 29, 2022, contains the following items.

• Two reserved seat tickets in the Paddock Penthouse Grandstand
• Two Miller Lite Carb Day Concert VIP Deck Wristbands
• Two complimentary credentials for pit and paddock access

For more information about the event or to buy tickets/sponsorships, please visit  www.CASALA.org/gala or contact Marie Carpenter (323) 859-2888 x 6328 or MCarpenter@casala.org.

Credit: CASA LA.

Every weekend in April, the Los Angeles Zoo hosts Wild for the Planet, a combined celebration of the spring season and Earth Month, a month-long emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. This fun, educational, and impactful event will feature an Earth Expo, twice daily animal feedings, hands-on springtime activity for children, spring photo ops, all-natural honey tastings, a book talk with music legend and children’s book author Ziggy Marley and his wife and collaborator Orly Marley on May 1, and more.  This event runs on weekends from Saturday, April 2 to Sunday, May 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All activities except honey tastings are free with paid admission and for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members.  
 

Wild for the Planet features an Earth Expo where guests can learn what environmental actions that communities and individuals can take to protect animals, wild habitats, and the Earth we all share. Springtime activities include planting a California native plant to take home and grow at the Planting for Pollinators Station and learning some creative things you can do with recycled materials at the Upcycling Inspiration Lab. The Condor Station, open from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., allows guests to step into the world of a wildlife biologist to learn firsthand about the effort to save critically endangered California condors, one of the Zoo’s most successful conservation programs. The Los Angeles Beekeeper Association will be offering a honey tasting of six different honeys for an additional fee of $3.00.  
 

Special programs and activities will be happening the week of April 11 with Kinder Joy hosting an egg-themed self-guided tour, and April 23-24, which will feature Earth Day-themed animal enrichments and an ECO-CELL handheld electronics drive where guests can bring an old cell phone (or other device) to recycle in exchange for a free carousel ride, while supplies last. By recycling old cell phones and handheld electronics, you can help protect gorilla habitat in Africa. On the final weekend, Ziggy and Orly Marley will host a book reading of their children’s book Little John Crow. 
 

For more information on Wild for the Planet programs and weekend activities and schedule, as well as green tips and conservation resources to help make every day Earth Day, please visit www.lazoo.org/wildfortheplanet. 

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo.

The Aquarium of the Pacific will be celebrating Earth Day on April 23-24, 2022. At the Aquarium’s twenty-first annual Earth Day Celebration, guests are invited to explore their relationship with our ocean planet through the visual and performing arts. Visitors can also meet Aquarium educators and learn about what the Aquarium is doing to help protect local endangered animals and ocean habitats. In addition, everyone is invited to join the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) to help local species through a clean-up on Saturday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Participation in the clean-up is free and no reservations are required to help. Registration for the clean-up opens at 8:30 a.m. that Saturday in front of the Aquarium. Participants will walk to nearby habitats for migrating birds and marine life to remove trash, and clean-up supplies will be provided.

The clean-up is part of AZA’s Party for the Planet ®: Spring into Action, a nationwide celebration taking place at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums from Earth Day through World Ocean Day in June. “Party for the Planet connects families to nature through volunteer opportunities that better our environment for people and wildlife to thrive together. We hope you join us as we partner with the Aquarium of the Pacific and other AZA-accredited zoos, aquariums, science centers, and nature centers as we work to improve our planet,” says Dan Ashe, AZA president and CEO.

The Aquarium’s weekend Earth Day Celebration festival begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. You can visit the Aquarium’s front plaza and take part in painting ocean animals and seascapes. You can also participate in a short craft session called “Draw with Us: Earth” in the Ocean Science Center. Guests can hear performances by the Long Beach Symphony celebrating Earth Day throughout the Aquarium. This festival will also feature the winners of the Aquarium’s annual contests for art, poetry, and fashions made from recycled materials. Those visiting the Aquarium that weekend can view the Earth Day Art Contest exhibit, then meet the artists during their talks in the Ocean Theater. The Aquarium’s Poetry Contest winners will read their poems accompanied by live music from the Long Beach Symphony at the Honda Blue Cavern exhibit. Fashion created from recycled materials by the winners of the Trashin’ Fashion Contest will also be on display. The festival is included with general admission to the Aquarium and advance reservations are required for everyone.

WHEN:           Festival: Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

                       Clean-up: Saturday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)

WHERE:        Festival: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Clean-up: Located at wildlife habitats, walking distance from the Aquarium

COST:            Festival: Included with general admission: $36.95 per adult (ages 12+), $26.95 per child (ages 3-11), $33.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three / Advance reservations required.

                       Clean-up: Free

INFO:              (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/earth_day_celebration/

CONTESTS:

Trashin’ Fashion Design Contest

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its Trashin’ Fashion Design Contest during its annual Earth Day Celebration on April 23-24, 2022. The public is invited to enter for a chance at cash prizes that will be awarded to the top three designers with the most creative eco-friendly designs. The top designs will be showcased at the Aquarium throughout the Earth Day Celebration. The goal of the contest is to draw awareness to issues of pollution and create a sustainable relationship with our ocean. Details on entering can be found at aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/trashinfashion.

Earth Day Poetry Contest:

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its annual Earth Day Poetry Contest, which invites poets of all ages to submit their poems celebrating this year’s theme, “saving local species.” The top three entrees as judged by the Aquarium’s panel of experts will be eligible for cash prizes and will be presented during the Aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Details on entering can be found at aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/earthdaypoetry.

Art Contest:

The Aquarium’s Earth Day art contest, managed in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach, will celebrate our ocean planet. The Aquarium seeks entries from artists working in drawing, painting, collage/mixed media, sculpture, digital art, and photography. Three winners will be selected to display their artwork at the festival on April 23 and 24, 2022. Winners will receive cash prizes and will have the opportunity to participate in short artist talks during the festival. For rules and submission guidelines, please visit aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/art-contest.

FESTIVAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Earth Day fun happening at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach, on Saturday, April 23rd from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Bring the kiddos to enjoy entertainment and meet and greets with Tinkerbell, complimentary face painting and crafts provided by Able ARTS Work.

Credit: The ACE Agency.

Saturday, April 23, 9:00a-1:00p Free event  (not actually on Earth Day which is Friday, April 22nd)

9a at North Atwater Park, 3900 Chevy Chase Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90039 

11a-1p at The Pub at Golden Road-Atwater Village (for participants 21+) 

Event link: https://app.mobilecause.com/e/kVdV_A?vid=r1y29 

RSVP required, space is limited. 

Description: 

Join LA Waterkeeper and Golden Road Brewing on Earth Day to help gather litter along the LA River and prevent waste from polluting our waterways! Participants will use the Litterati app to capture critical data on plastic waste through geo-tagged photos. We’ll be ending the morning at The Pub at Golden Road-Atwater Village! Come by the pub and relax with a cold one courtesy of Golden Road (for participants 21+) from 11 AM to 1 PM. Space is limited; please save your spot by registering at https://app.mobilecause.com/e/kVdV_A?vid=r1y29. 

This Thursday, April 7, is National Burrito Day and Rubio’s Coastal Grill is celebrating by offering every burrito on the menu for $6.99. Guests receive a once-a-year deal on all the popular burritos today, including the California Burrito, Shrimp and Bacon Burrito and the Chicken Burrito Especial.

Simply order online at Rubios.com, or through the app, and enter coupon code BURRITO at checkout, or scan the QR code on the coupon in restaurants. Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook and Instagram.

Credit: Rubio’s. Some form of compensation was received to facilitate this post. The image was also provided.

Family Festival: Persia

Saturday April 9 to Sunday, April 10 from 10am to 5pm

The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades presents a free two-day festival, Family Festival: Persia. Experience the sights and sounds of ancient Iran through music, dance, storytelling, hands-on workshops, and interactive events. Make your own puppet inspired by Persian stories, forge a set of golden wings, or craft jewelry based upon examples from 2,500 years ago. Discover the wonders of this enduring culture in this daylong festival inspired by the Getty Villa exhibition Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World.

Credit: The Getty Villa.

 Caruso is teaming up with its favorite furry friend, the Easter Bunny, to welcome the community back to its famed Bunny Bungalows at its iconic shopping and dining destinations, The Grove and The Americana at Brand, from April 1-17.

Adorning The Grove’s Park and The Americana at Brand’s Green with fresh florals, painted eggs and pastel décor galore, the Bunny Bungalows will serve as picturesque settings for families and friends to meet the Easter Bunny and partake in a professional photoshoot to capture the day’s memories and create a memento to cherish for a lifetime. Featuring three kid-friendly photo packages to choose from – the “VIB” Very Important Bunny ($70), the Happy Hopper ($55), and the Little Bunny ($45) – the bungalows offer guests a magical way to conveniently capture the joy of the spring season.

While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are encouraged. Head to the reservation sites for The Grove and The Americana at Brand to complete your advanced booking and learn more about what Caruso has in store to celebrate the season.   

WHEN:               April 1-17

10am-6pm Daily

WHERE:            The Grove (in The Park) 

189 The Grove Dr. 

Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Americana at Brand (near The Green) 

889 Americana Way 

Glendale, CA 91210 

ADMISSION  
INFO:                 Open to the public, reservations recommended.

Credit: The Grove.