tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12129976085624522962024-03-05T12:25:17.235-08:00Going on a Kidscapade!Discovering Los Angeles - especially the free parts! - with my two small kids.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-82761271114324022272012-10-02T23:30:00.000-07:002012-10-04T23:00:17.455-07:00Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday, October 2, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!<br />
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5801 Wilshire Blvd.</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90036</div>
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<a href="http://www.tarpits.org/">www.tarpits.org</a><br />
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By taking advantage of the free Tuesday, (first Tuesday of each month,) we completed our summer trilogy of LA County Natural History Museums! (See my previous blog posts on the <a href="http://kidscapade.blogspot.com/2012/09/william-s-hart-museum-hart-park.html">William S. Hart Museum</a>, and the Natural History Museum.) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNe8IMQvEByLaVNT7Bfb4I-upqJ5aH4E5G5v99Eq3lh6oiHzILhQSJ_Knb-VG4wPW2E0hLUZxzCeB3Mxe0vTYTiBNxf8MfOtGFCX0-eCsDmDUkJo6VOvIxPCAgtRKw8v-GhvCZ0zx3pYt/s1600/2012-10-02+14.02.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNe8IMQvEByLaVNT7Bfb4I-upqJ5aH4E5G5v99Eq3lh6oiHzILhQSJ_Knb-VG4wPW2E0hLUZxzCeB3Mxe0vTYTiBNxf8MfOtGFCX0-eCsDmDUkJo6VOvIxPCAgtRKw8v-GhvCZ0zx3pYt/s400/2012-10-02+14.02.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the museum peaks out above the mound that surrounds it on three sides. A walk around the top will give you a peek inside the central atrium of the museum, but you have to go inside to see all the bones!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3ptLS22AdkZDvSQMG5kJ_omRrFx1ThHXbTWivai_itWFY8Ih3kIgRFv5pj9EDSnDLVHRdF8AAPMuFYkIOQPrYirpVfSoXkrg-IzgHM1rJl1n2SDLj1yfVRBrfInSwenj5Q_CMxKESZSi/s1600/2012-10-02+14.05.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3ptLS22AdkZDvSQMG5kJ_omRrFx1ThHXbTWivai_itWFY8Ih3kIgRFv5pj9EDSnDLVHRdF8AAPMuFYkIOQPrYirpVfSoXkrg-IzgHM1rJl1n2SDLj1yfVRBrfInSwenj5Q_CMxKESZSi/s320/2012-10-02+14.05.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance is below ground level at the bottom of a long ramp - giving the feeling <br />
one is "sinking" into the past, to see the remains of animals that weren't able to free themselves.</td></tr>
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While a lot of the places we've been going lately are totally new to me, the Page Museum is actually one that I visited some years ago. I think it was back in 2007, but I can't remember for sure. (What <i>is </i>more memorable is the time in 2008 when my college roommate and her husband came for a visit and we decided to kick it at Hancock Park for a bit. We got a little silly and spent a while rolling down the grassy hills pictured above, and somehow I totally and completely lost my car keys, never to be seen again... Had to have a locksmith come and make a whole new key using the tumbler that was stashed in the car by the manufacturer.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF0tJK36QuTaVwel8IWQyMQQ6VzjkBkE5DY-52p72qi0GO40BKo9KbYhKG3TvprGYeympZuvknBu99_uEkXe3c1jNuJALKijaGDU0qG3wgAwyj9ph55lop4Vqy3D4rDtLRELpY43rZ5ii/s1600/2012-10-02+14.11.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF0tJK36QuTaVwel8IWQyMQQ6VzjkBkE5DY-52p72qi0GO40BKo9KbYhKG3TvprGYeympZuvknBu99_uEkXe3c1jNuJALKijaGDU0qG3wgAwyj9ph55lop4Vqy3D4rDtLRELpY43rZ5ii/s320/2012-10-02+14.11.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harlan's Ground Sloth is the first skeleton you see, and he's sort of the mascot of the museum. <br />You can't tell the scale from the picture, but this guy is over six feet tall!</td></tr>
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For those who have never heard of the Page Museum, <i>or </i>the La Brea Tarpits, it's a museum of Ice Age fossils that were retrieved from the area's asphalt deposits. Here's a quick rundown:</div>
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The land where the Page sits is oozing with asphalt deposits, which have come to be known as "tar pits." Although now hemmed in on all sides by urban development, this was once an enormous tract (4,400 acres,) known as Rancho La Brea, that was handed over by the Mexican government to Antonio Jose Rocha in 1828. A provision of this grant was that the native residents of the pueblo be allowed to use as much of this "pitch" or asphalt as they wanted, such as for waterproofing roofs. </div>
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While people had noticed the remains of animals in the asphalt deposits, they assumed the bones to be of livestock or wild animals who had met their demise fairly recently. The first published mention of ancient fossils being present in the asphalt was in 1875 by a man named William Denton. This mention went fairly unnoticed, but then in 1901 another man, prominent geologist W.W. Orcutt, became interested in the fossils, and spent a few years with a partner intermittently investigating. Finally, the fossil load they found in 1905 was enough to interest a U.C. Berkeley professor, J.C. Merriam. </div>
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From 1905 to 1915, large-scale fossil excavation took place by scientists from foreign and domestic institutions, plus a lot of amateur investigating. By this time, Rancho La Brea had been parceled up and sold, and George Allan Hancock had become the owner of the property where the deposits were located. In 1924, Hancock donated 23 acres to the County of Los Angeles to be used as a park, as long as the land was preserved and the fossils were exhibited.</div>
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The on-site museum was built thanks to the efforts and financial contributions of California shipping magnate George C. Page, and bears his name in tribute. Construction began in 1975, and the museum opened in 1977. Page didn't want the fossils to have to be transported to the Natural History Museum to be investigated, so today visitors can watch staff and volunteers prepare fossils in a Fish Bowl Lab inside the museum. It currently houses a collection of more than three million Ice Age specimens, with fossils on display from deposits that are 10,000 to 40,000 years old.<br />
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The specimens come from deposits found all around the park, not just in the park itself. Contractors from those building projects have cooperated with the efforts to preserve the fossils. The current big project - Project 23, that includes a near-complete Columbian Mammoth - was unearthed when LACMA was building its underground parking structure.<br />
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So, wandering through the museum you can see lots of skeletons retrieved from the asphalt. Here are some I snapped pictures of:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1TDB8qAxMQ8E1UrVCb1q7rih6BqZvJ9XJb9aHq55kxTvUSwD4VZA9gdbiCdwZ2Y7HWtNdd0ZXC9VHWM8kWLwMHpB7A8THYyzdLM6jodWT7pv3d7jTM6pRSp0AYsP2YGKM3nTuSfD1s5i/s1600/2012-10-02+14.19.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1TDB8qAxMQ8E1UrVCb1q7rih6BqZvJ9XJb9aHq55kxTvUSwD4VZA9gdbiCdwZ2Y7HWtNdd0ZXC9VHWM8kWLwMHpB7A8THYyzdLM6jodWT7pv3d7jTM6pRSp0AYsP2YGKM3nTuSfD1s5i/s320/2012-10-02+14.19.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xbu8LKWCv8wf88HQiMTtvBV8DrwxQ5lbunDMSXRplCcFOBgOL6UlM5zY5KWIXgipd_1zroCeswLEplFSibUAAUiqEvK1R7C2wt1BSap8HAve78msNLO7X6g2YPjNz-EY0ZKWvuQ-qz3_/s1600/2012-10-02+14.22.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xbu8LKWCv8wf88HQiMTtvBV8DrwxQ5lbunDMSXRplCcFOBgOL6UlM5zY5KWIXgipd_1zroCeswLEplFSibUAAUiqEvK1R7C2wt1BSap8HAve78msNLO7X6g2YPjNz-EY0ZKWvuQ-qz3_/s320/2012-10-02+14.22.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wooly mammoth skeleton is really awesome in size!</td></tr>
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There were a <i>lot</i> more bones that I didn't take pictures of, unfortunately. But I did get some pictures of their two very cool animatronic displays. I don't remember them being here the first time I visited, so I think they are fairly new. Vivi kept going back, over and over, and was less and less scared of them as she began to realize they weren't dangerous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiLC4ROrHZSSWBAUVDGC0wutFppfbYJWjrHrXRDY7TfQeRZ7XyTOlxlQIw1abvQumQAioRBcnD2qyZkpuZcUPx9bzta1OdqLdK57dA53e7yjoiOEVD9bxIuTUowxx6LDYma5qclNQRono/s1600/2012-10-02+14.20.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiLC4ROrHZSSWBAUVDGC0wutFppfbYJWjrHrXRDY7TfQeRZ7XyTOlxlQIw1abvQumQAioRBcnD2qyZkpuZcUPx9bzta1OdqLdK57dA53e7yjoiOEVD9bxIuTUowxx6LDYma5qclNQRono/s400/2012-10-02+14.20.53.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mammoth model rocks back and forth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dDmkhzMF1Q31nr4W-fCK1l-xEKXCvnIoyzySAUh41uyjkA1BU2WufEQ-iSAbsED6-yzE4r3CVLihYudzG8fIfg-fHXkVreO72ErWCQlmBrqjDUEnSWE5CjiojWVVEP3s77OTlYKane4j/s1600/2012-10-02+14.43.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dDmkhzMF1Q31nr4W-fCK1l-xEKXCvnIoyzySAUh41uyjkA1BU2WufEQ-iSAbsED6-yzE4r3CVLihYudzG8fIfg-fHXkVreO72ErWCQlmBrqjDUEnSWE5CjiojWVVEP3s77OTlYKane4j/s400/2012-10-02+14.43.13.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The saber-toothed tiger makes an attack on a ground sloth.<br />(Notice Vivi is taking a turn sitting in Alex's baby carrier that he has almost outgrown himself. Lol!)</td></tr>
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There are also lots of pictorial exhibits showing the history of the land, the ancestry of different species, the anthropological history of the area, etc. And a film plays regularly in a small auditorium.<br />
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Another nice feature of this museum is that it is built around a lovely atrium. There is water running through the atrium, including a waterfall and a bridge, and several lovely seating spaces. It can be accessed by two doors, and there's a third door that is exit-only. There are some steps that weren't stroller friendly for us, but it was still pretty. And turtles in the water! Everywhere we visit with an outdoor water feature seems to have turtles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1TZ_M-9pkGqkkCxaTZKluOZn5buE4dOMnxcIRbgmS0nkb0ciM5XkcmEL2Mq6rNTioxseZarEuCcsm1_rDiRjsxhDdTFe-ImgdufmDJNDYHdVui-sAq576BG_Ilv9h7GdcS2QUXyjRCez/s1600/2012-10-02+14.59.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1TZ_M-9pkGqkkCxaTZKluOZn5buE4dOMnxcIRbgmS0nkb0ciM5XkcmEL2Mq6rNTioxseZarEuCcsm1_rDiRjsxhDdTFe-ImgdufmDJNDYHdVui-sAq576BG_Ilv9h7GdcS2QUXyjRCez/s400/2012-10-02+14.59.28.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up to the sky, and the windows look out from the gift shop that arches into the atrium.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolEj5kZE1peZRRiTvSNOouXN-8b6a_5uWL-p5OsP11DtUO6BuMhQ0zFcu6MK1RO1L43OeHkhP8mN_T2lzqFeI2tfL8PTKougZtbRfpgIy6oWw1kZTkLrZZeY_mveAgL3pXMGqAq8btVdA/s1600/2012-10-02+14.59.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolEj5kZE1peZRRiTvSNOouXN-8b6a_5uWL-p5OsP11DtUO6BuMhQ0zFcu6MK1RO1L43OeHkhP8mN_T2lzqFeI2tfL8PTKougZtbRfpgIy6oWw1kZTkLrZZeY_mveAgL3pXMGqAq8btVdA/s320/2012-10-02+14.59.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turtles and koi!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI0HnhOWqdpCvd2E_WLEOpf8lv2Oi5jraIC0BY1lUu5Vp5klWVM8XfH2S8U-1AbXDQz-_l3zFkVN_PZyGdqxDsSJL5oO-x7TVbEo6E9C-17cQP2DemnGJl5AWgmDYHBGCtjIlsH1pmYtI/s1600/2012-10-02+15.00.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI0HnhOWqdpCvd2E_WLEOpf8lv2Oi5jraIC0BY1lUu5Vp5klWVM8XfH2S8U-1AbXDQz-_l3zFkVN_PZyGdqxDsSJL5oO-x7TVbEo6E9C-17cQP2DemnGJl5AWgmDYHBGCtjIlsH1pmYtI/s320/2012-10-02+15.00.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at the turtles with grandpa!</td></tr>
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Now, even though this is a fairly small, one-story museum, your visit doesn't have to stop once you exit the building. There are all the related sections of Hancock Park to visit. Here they are on a map:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTYsJXAfNBE705jOeqv39S9dq6-brE9Zg0g2e2yZEVkvZiYW7ygLlbp87hdLJYVJOINcF5kVu4wmOM9jBy3pgm0IEDtm0ETSb7029_riIbE5gGYSN1dtVqKnFk4m24BKEuxoyaotWT_If/s1600/2012-10-02+15.40.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTYsJXAfNBE705jOeqv39S9dq6-brE9Zg0g2e2yZEVkvZiYW7ygLlbp87hdLJYVJOINcF5kVu4wmOM9jBy3pgm0IEDtm0ETSb7029_riIbE5gGYSN1dtVqKnFk4m24BKEuxoyaotWT_If/s400/2012-10-02+15.40.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the blue areas are Page-related: Lake Pit, Pleistocene Garden, Pits 3, 4, 61, 67, the Pit 91 Excavation, the Project 23 boxes, Pit 9, Pit 13, and the Observation Pit.</td></tr>
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Not on the map are some life-sized statues of the Ice Age animals in the park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NFuIPMnP09HHRJC7At0RouOR17BCAfFrhfqObl7AgizL_5yRW90Nr5CIskqFk4dNNO3i9FOgfD55xqogxF4DQ3fNvz1h7MH33CiQ-nUF0rFGQkb_HMrjDhXMm1KPuRwZod-h2N6gKuAY/s1600/2012-10-02+15.33.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NFuIPMnP09HHRJC7At0RouOR17BCAfFrhfqObl7AgizL_5yRW90Nr5CIskqFk4dNNO3i9FOgfD55xqogxF4DQ3fNvz1h7MH33CiQ-nUF0rFGQkb_HMrjDhXMm1KPuRwZod-h2N6gKuAY/s400/2012-10-02+15.33.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth replicas in the Lake Pit evoke an earlier time, but the traffic and buildings in the background sort of spoil the illusion...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfG7rPzN3QwKVP6kWZLOOoPiFEzbLvZMg9aVG67f8ofQIvWtFixaEo4m34sKRu5q_xO9kIEqC5crpETXfdiHpMy8Uy4A6XIm10kpK5fh-ll1V5PK_Z2vRNJvr1rOhJoqIAATSJds_zEnh/s1600/2012-10-02+15.38.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfG7rPzN3QwKVP6kWZLOOoPiFEzbLvZMg9aVG67f8ofQIvWtFixaEo4m34sKRu5q_xO9kIEqC5crpETXfdiHpMy8Uy4A6XIm10kpK5fh-ll1V5PK_Z2vRNJvr1rOhJoqIAATSJds_zEnh/s320/2012-10-02+15.38.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pit 91 Excavation Viewing Station is open daily from 10am to 4pm.<br />Did you ever see the episode of "Dirty Jobs" from season 5 where Mike Rowe was in the pit slinging buckets of goop?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kwflDBSl3ymOu-BwLjjWo57ROgs7bbWrW4c3P1yCBvjQiEbDj4JdQf845tg7snRSZEcT63ByA1Cq_VuO9iDhQx0Mo4fhEOPeCEG5_mtRy74q6uKIk7ejrPKEd9lwFm2O4ZU12Kwchccn/s1600/2012-10-02+15.40.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kwflDBSl3ymOu-BwLjjWo57ROgs7bbWrW4c3P1yCBvjQiEbDj4JdQf845tg7snRSZEcT63ByA1Cq_VuO9iDhQx0Mo4fhEOPeCEG5_mtRy74q6uKIk7ejrPKEd9lwFm2O4ZU12Kwchccn/s320/2012-10-02+15.40.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the excavation, but no one was working today.</td></tr>
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And, as our final bonus for the day, we went and walked, (well, Vivi sort of ran,) under Levitated Mass, LACMA's new "Big Rock" installation. If you don't remember the 105-mile trip the rock made from Riverside to LACMA last February/March, you can read a recap on the LA Times Blog <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/02/lacma-boulder-levitated-mass.html">here</a>, including live tweets and behind-the-scenes photos from the first night of the 11-day trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbnjUyuC9_Nw1668s3L8PmfSh8FxAbNvsLQ4mVhNAs3iGmc_V0iYBOJskUB57PkMJr-e9_JcG0YgsDza9Okht221gNouqVRboQk4wpYW38JWsfj3IFPLJH4RXVqyW9FOTTkkWxPRW98m/s1600/2012-10-02+15.45.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbnjUyuC9_Nw1668s3L8PmfSh8FxAbNvsLQ4mVhNAs3iGmc_V0iYBOJskUB57PkMJr-e9_JcG0YgsDza9Okht221gNouqVRboQk4wpYW38JWsfj3IFPLJH4RXVqyW9FOTTkkWxPRW98m/s320/2012-10-02+15.45.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was not crowded at all on a weekday. I wonder if skateboards are prohibited?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYU0vk-2o1ji0UX2R0Cryqv9r0MABp7QGCZYogBwpcjYH0pc153OnrEUOLxiqrhTwOrXfWQ7qKYezU_cv5v2iq8zL6aGyxEdKIHC-USiI5lIS1IVEWQ3NRjB3mvhOE-WlGRVqNmqxb-Hn/s1600/2012-10-02+15.45.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYU0vk-2o1ji0UX2R0Cryqv9r0MABp7QGCZYogBwpcjYH0pc153OnrEUOLxiqrhTwOrXfWQ7qKYezU_cv5v2iq8zL6aGyxEdKIHC-USiI5lIS1IVEWQ3NRjB3mvhOE-WlGRVqNmqxb-Hn/s320/2012-10-02+15.45.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi really got a good lead - and lost her drink bottle, which rolled down the ramp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gh8bUeHy1O2tfjO0B14kuXIHswJCDiaesGlO1LXjc7EOrgaRSe7bBHg90btHS_fPv-0CLs-7Teg9hmxBOY1UC7f7NYI3oFbcqSBwJZzS9XQkVYo72VO1OKh0yfZGKVmmfxhVhHSkilFL/s1600/2012-10-02+15.46.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gh8bUeHy1O2tfjO0B14kuXIHswJCDiaesGlO1LXjc7EOrgaRSe7bBHg90btHS_fPv-0CLs-7Teg9hmxBOY1UC7f7NYI3oFbcqSBwJZzS9XQkVYo72VO1OKh0yfZGKVmmfxhVhHSkilFL/s320/2012-10-02+15.46.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming up the other side, I was wondering what my father-in-law thought of the installation, <br />or if he thought it was a waste of footsteps, lol! </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-87289017727183148262012-09-11T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-12T00:41:58.937-07:00The Autry National Center<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday, September 11, 2012</div>
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My Cost: Free!</div>
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4700 Western Heritage Way</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90027</div>
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<a href="http://www.theautry.org/">www.theautry.org</a></div>
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Before I get into the outing of the day, I just want to say that I did spend some time this morning reflecting on the events of September 11th, 2001. It's strange to think that my children will have no memory of the event - they will only learn about it as a part of history. My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, as well as the survivors of this traumatic event. In the summer of 1997 I went to the top of one of the World Trade Center towers. I looked across at the other and marveled at how high up we were. It must have been absolutely terrifying on that day.</div>
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Now, on to less serious thoughts - the outing of the day. The <a href="http://theautry.org/">Autry National Center</a> is free to the public on the second Tuesday of every month. I have looked at this museum many, many, <i>many</i> times as I drove up and down the I-5 freeway, every time I visited the zoo, driving past to other Griffith Park attractions, etc. I am now embarrassed to say that I didn't make it a point to come sooner. I even knew of childrens' programs that were promoted in partnership with the Ford Theaters, (thanks to my work with another LA County Arts Commission grant recipient organization: The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony,) and yet I <i>still</i> never really associated The Autry as a childrens' destination. Boy, was I wrong!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWttDmuNX6I7zG01sudSE5imQ09RU2eXWceMVjgMTrKhYFDoXBteDf5BFEpgm7op_a42B1w8vleX7xv4SJiUOJ9UVjo7Ft7gsuqootYHw2YZDDjmeLR1uNKmwc2wE7RqhSp8k1scO5ynD/s1600/2012-09-07+16.01.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWttDmuNX6I7zG01sudSE5imQ09RU2eXWceMVjgMTrKhYFDoXBteDf5BFEpgm7op_a42B1w8vleX7xv4SJiUOJ9UVjo7Ft7gsuqootYHw2YZDDjmeLR1uNKmwc2wE7RqhSp8k1scO5ynD/s400/2012-09-07+16.01.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting the zoo last Friday, I took a picture of The Autry, so you can see how the <br />
two places are basically connected across the parking lots by a big walkway.</td></tr>
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(Side note: another reason why The Autry wasn't as high on my list of places to go as it should have been was because I'd already "been there," as in, I played there during their 2007 Sizzling Summer Nights at the Autry series with the late, great Francisco Aguabella. Somehow, because I'd been in that courtyard entrance area, I thought there wasn't much more to the museum than a few hallways filled with some photographs and cowboy boots. Let me repeat, boy, was I wrong!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwUU4cMVocv7M00cv5n36saoG_H2IjMpthvQyD4cWEhjW2NHmHlTwncTT4PRFJ9Uu01L4kU_ceyhLGs8E-g60PcGYqdg6pNyHpjg-CGZvz4VeEuaivXpboNnV8W9H6wW9g6cUiLyuTs96/s1600/Aguabella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwUU4cMVocv7M00cv5n36saoG_H2IjMpthvQyD4cWEhjW2NHmHlTwncTT4PRFJ9Uu01L4kU_ceyhLGs8E-g60PcGYqdg6pNyHpjg-CGZvz4VeEuaivXpboNnV8W9H6wW9g6cUiLyuTs96/s400/Aguabella.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the band from that day, August 16, 2007. <br />
Francisco Aguabella is behind the red congas. I am at the far right playing trombone, (the only girl.) <br />
Jeff Goodkind on piano, Brian Wright on bass, Benn Clatworthy on tenor sax, and Brian Swartz on trumpet. <br />
I'm forgetting the guy on drums behind Francisco. If someone reminds me, I will add his name too!)</td></tr>
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We started our exploration on the Plaza level, (who knew this place had more than one level?) in the Norman F. Sprague, Jr. Gallery where they are currently showcasing "Katsina in Hopi Life." I would have loved to explore the exhibit, but I was horrified that Vivi almost ripped a leaf off a cardboard corn stalk, and then ran and smacked her hands against some of the pictures on the wall. Touching anything in a museum is usually super taboo, so I thought we were going to have to turn right around and leave. But then I spotted, down the stairs, the outdoor Trails West area. So we headed down there.<br />
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The lower level galleries are all built surrounding the Heritage Court, an open court whose walls are covered with murals of famous western figures and western scenes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CaxpZqbOFwXx8u6YWD79tN77LbAKhxnTA4-H8RUKIpuAzS3fh8-FNSxJg1iBcV4KAMWQHpzJhwcgqvb_ojyE2W3rv1Ukg_IglgnPdsThG0DJ5OwpOd0dFUxK43lJZCBaENL3EH33tMpR/s1600/2012-09-11+14.20.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CaxpZqbOFwXx8u6YWD79tN77LbAKhxnTA4-H8RUKIpuAzS3fh8-FNSxJg1iBcV4KAMWQHpzJhwcgqvb_ojyE2W3rv1Ukg_IglgnPdsThG0DJ5OwpOd0dFUxK43lJZCBaENL3EH33tMpR/s320/2012-09-11+14.20.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi was more interested in climbing up to say "hello" to her brother than the murals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjniIVnAUcanvhRjhaik_GLeeU02gS7GQhPq7t1b8Yrki_QmkB1XVp_z0hlT-nfd_Y902TM0leXMZymIQ-i4089ebSUe-ODlw9iSq87sMnBB8Eq6oRJFOR9MhjOe4NYyefLA0t3In3xBk/s1600/2012-09-11+14.20.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjniIVnAUcanvhRjhaik_GLeeU02gS7GQhPq7t1b8Yrki_QmkB1XVp_z0hlT-nfd_Y902TM0leXMZymIQ-i4089ebSUe-ODlw9iSq87sMnBB8Eq6oRJFOR9MhjOe4NYyefLA0t3In3xBk/s320/2012-09-11+14.20.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup.</td></tr>
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Then, before we reached the doors leading outside to the Trails West area, we passed through the Thunder Gallery, where you are invited to dress up in cowboy clothes and try sitting astride the saddle of a replica horse. I even climbed on myself, just to show Vivi that it was okay and she needn't be scared!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhSg3DHF2xdVFucbqZmZ8HASvh3Wygj5zAWlltnbnJG81jgepeTo4Zpf4TQL8FS4ByoIFliT3qp-GzyadaH5bbj3wpW_0I9VIaLVaewPuLAptu5TiEPRg0YpyNilvylo-Bq1gtddKgsWT/s1600/2012-09-11+14.23.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhSg3DHF2xdVFucbqZmZ8HASvh3Wygj5zAWlltnbnJG81jgepeTo4Zpf4TQL8FS4ByoIFliT3qp-GzyadaH5bbj3wpW_0I9VIaLVaewPuLAptu5TiEPRg0YpyNilvylo-Bq1gtddKgsWT/s320/2012-09-11+14.23.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thems the rules.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWBZl4-cOCyYWpWfUL55cI5EG_pBDionQg4AfVYU5vtpxvKMcpPgVW2L5KZmYvPD7K1VoyUrQjSqbAlpoJCpTEq823WE8z4oSmCKKAaq7sbk9-U4dkzfSw-Sj2FMbEsIPjcLlANwZtzr2/s1600/2012-09-11+14.24.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWBZl4-cOCyYWpWfUL55cI5EG_pBDionQg4AfVYU5vtpxvKMcpPgVW2L5KZmYvPD7K1VoyUrQjSqbAlpoJCpTEq823WE8z4oSmCKKAaq7sbk9-U4dkzfSw-Sj2FMbEsIPjcLlANwZtzr2/s320/2012-09-11+14.24.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi was a little cautious - I think she was having flashbacks of the Griffith Pony Rides we did ten days ago.</td></tr>
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Outside is even more fun, in my estimation. For one, they have a demonstration on how to pan for gold! But it's only offered to the public on weekends. Besides that, though, the whole outdoor patio was a neat manmade microcosm of different western regions, including mountains, deserts, and plains. I loved how the placards described how the terrain affected the paths and lives of the people of the nineteenth century. With all of our modern amenities, it can be hard to imagine that people would have to choose how they were going to cross a mountain range, or where they were going to find a source of water. Case in point - the landscape recreation includes a manmade waterfall! These days we don't have to search for water, heck, we can just install a waterfall just about anywhere!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZulOXVCfR4BwuQaP0CEwHIyCyuvTUtL_2G0q6RlbHc_nELgaXnXDPSPjlixQTcdvOols-d9Mq_o8G_IqVr0pqZPfYcTxJxhRIE4CuEUnldZ8Lf5mkslHTIVpRUAUlV8wZMPZwswwNgJ_F/s1600/2012-09-11+14.28.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZulOXVCfR4BwuQaP0CEwHIyCyuvTUtL_2G0q6RlbHc_nELgaXnXDPSPjlixQTcdvOols-d9Mq_o8G_IqVr0pqZPfYcTxJxhRIE4CuEUnldZ8Lf5mkslHTIVpRUAUlV8wZMPZwswwNgJ_F/s320/2012-09-11+14.28.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing on the bridge, watching the water flow from the waterfall under the bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_wnBMJ8E47y3Doti5I6SIfF9WPGgc28-hhfhilHGC_uRaM1hC3F6ggk3Oc6SNJ_8Pjn4XLA3ZGwtJYoVpwEbAMyZ0KON-FfRVpL8XdfK3EVjZHEjF5QqKqRERKXTznGtOMwFFWiOD4Zv/s1600/2012-09-11+14.26.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_wnBMJ8E47y3Doti5I6SIfF9WPGgc28-hhfhilHGC_uRaM1hC3F6ggk3Oc6SNJ_8Pjn4XLA3ZGwtJYoVpwEbAMyZ0KON-FfRVpL8XdfK3EVjZHEjF5QqKqRERKXTznGtOMwFFWiOD4Zv/s320/2012-09-11+14.26.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shallow pool at the end of the waterfall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFkhT28LY2qhwV9hrYjCRu069g50WGh3KDMirWpW6Wa-NSHCLcaWaioCJAkPgtxU2SYXhSBQfgQsjifxFbmm7PRWxpw-cTMeSliiScw9h60fcfA9eOGM-mMhStJnoSLQBdwenXagFh1nC/s1600/2012-09-11+14.33.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFkhT28LY2qhwV9hrYjCRu069g50WGh3KDMirWpW6Wa-NSHCLcaWaioCJAkPgtxU2SYXhSBQfgQsjifxFbmm7PRWxpw-cTMeSliiScw9h60fcfA9eOGM-mMhStJnoSLQBdwenXagFh1nC/s320/2012-09-11+14.33.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the very realistic looking rock formation replicas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_ZWRuuPtZK8sD8P48YVjHRAfFFf8wYI1GYuEb3PuaRufWVAvepuIH3Jp3hmKG4y0TAW_SWNhkSXnp1shlSRfxHR836kqwXbPOafmtm_WQDQ3PsR_H96dSs-1vBC_SZLAoCPEu7zQwJgD/s1600/2012-09-11+14.27.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_ZWRuuPtZK8sD8P48YVjHRAfFFf8wYI1GYuEb3PuaRufWVAvepuIH3Jp3hmKG4y0TAW_SWNhkSXnp1shlSRfxHR836kqwXbPOafmtm_WQDQ3PsR_H96dSs-1vBC_SZLAoCPEu7zQwJgD/s320/2012-09-11+14.27.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The informative placard on the Mountains region. I grew up very close to the Cascades up in Washington, and we learned a lot about Lewis and Clark, as their trail's end is up in that area.</td></tr>
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Back inside, we wandered through the rest of the lower level. There is, notably, a Family Discovery Gallery, where everything is hands-on, and kids are encouraged to use dress-up, and different play objects such as dishes and desks, to step into the lives of a family of Chinese immigrants - the See family - in the late 1930's.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeP7hFaBW5H9snYQFZM03QwAd07hIwVusYzfwicM_CdKjDY9PTy7DgbCdxdh7kGklPCo2deQMEtDxhTCaQ3-wyGPNHH4xi71fBL9TPZLqiFpnAB5xbLcB_47ou_63C0oSkb4b1pQT3udk/s1600/2012-09-11+14.39.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeP7hFaBW5H9snYQFZM03QwAd07hIwVusYzfwicM_CdKjDY9PTy7DgbCdxdh7kGklPCo2deQMEtDxhTCaQ3-wyGPNHH4xi71fBL9TPZLqiFpnAB5xbLcB_47ou_63C0oSkb4b1pQT3udk/s320/2012-09-11+14.39.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading in, the gallery is divided into a porch, a kitchen, an office, a bedroom, and a restaurant. <br />
(Maybe more, but that's what I remember.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4tl0Rr1_bNPmYFy_bK3scaszTcqky2gquUS2FasLYzPHAuNPk4ZMAxveuZJRdolbyz9BjcXjE2RukVKtz51GKv6WzN1GACntHgydzzzpF5KsIXZZkJuU3L3a1AqeM-N3RUyHZYu11Pg2/s1600/2012-09-11+14.41.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4tl0Rr1_bNPmYFy_bK3scaszTcqky2gquUS2FasLYzPHAuNPk4ZMAxveuZJRdolbyz9BjcXjE2RukVKtz51GKv6WzN1GACntHgydzzzpF5KsIXZZkJuU3L3a1AqeM-N3RUyHZYu11Pg2/s320/2012-09-11+14.41.31.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are traditional masks hanging in the bedroom area.</td></tr>
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We did take in the rest of the lower level, which flows from room to room in a U-shaped path with hardly any partitioning, but it is definitely grouped into distinct areas. Like there is a Colt Gallery with handguns on display, there is a Saloon gallery sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, and there is a law and order section with this very cool collection of badges:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y7_QYWgpi2KmHZoBZhAQw9MHLbb33qhK0os2bwEGhd4xGayMig1eneMa_vd_TfPSqKrlCUE-ZOa1xmBRl3GpMRGknvAL7P2rDV7l2oQVONThGW_8VkmiAPJ6b9pg8bz8m61xeIcRC6r3/s1600/2012-09-11+15.07.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y7_QYWgpi2KmHZoBZhAQw9MHLbb33qhK0os2bwEGhd4xGayMig1eneMa_vd_TfPSqKrlCUE-ZOa1xmBRl3GpMRGknvAL7P2rDV7l2oQVONThGW_8VkmiAPJ6b9pg8bz8m61xeIcRC6r3/s320/2012-09-11+15.07.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXeYR1jfu5m3UX0GXAgjawu_473FSGIeRKwmQhvpMKslUWjR4anLecHHwgy0NrPOGfAY8Z8AM36BXnsLGDlNmU7BvJ9NrMJT3gUVQhBcZoTCwFRSLP9AmLgM_RQ44VbpAsVwKxCZiShi6/s1600/2012-09-11+15.05.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXeYR1jfu5m3UX0GXAgjawu_473FSGIeRKwmQhvpMKslUWjR4anLecHHwgy0NrPOGfAY8Z8AM36BXnsLGDlNmU7BvJ9NrMJT3gUVQhBcZoTCwFRSLP9AmLgM_RQ44VbpAsVwKxCZiShi6/s320/2012-09-11+15.05.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi is looking at a recreation of the shoot out at the OK Corral, and the Saloon gallery is in the background.</td></tr>
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I didn't get too many awesome pictures, due to the fact that the galleries are fairly dim, and I can't hold my cellphone camera perfectly still when I'm holding a squirmy baby.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOz2ppAOYSEw09C5xE-gOkULbD-umO_SW6A_0Hr_9oUHp-pHIGMCB29aGyz0QYI1k9ux2DJngJ9u1uIqzXL98jO8UfKFqn6i0H8KegEfA1C-lQ_yUnhQrU2qYKkG43hFbNteRQeGSla238/s1600/2012-09-11+14.54.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOz2ppAOYSEw09C5xE-gOkULbD-umO_SW6A_0Hr_9oUHp-pHIGMCB29aGyz0QYI1k9ux2DJngJ9u1uIqzXL98jO8UfKFqn6i0H8KegEfA1C-lQ_yUnhQrU2qYKkG43hFbNteRQeGSla238/s320/2012-09-11+14.54.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She kept running around this statue and looks pretty blurry in all my pictures.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQzNpEHDEY_u7qROXGq41X8zLLU8qF5mhCUnvrO8hdC6ck1inSHmZTFhIIRzYFqKAE-TVBLaY-DZlW9MuFvq6Duurzriww4D8pN9-j33AsTPa_GM6sA2Y4_EFy8dsysu1hWY7UMaF6fOv/s1600/2012-09-11+14.56.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQzNpEHDEY_u7qROXGq41X8zLLU8qF5mhCUnvrO8hdC6ck1inSHmZTFhIIRzYFqKAE-TVBLaY-DZlW9MuFvq6Duurzriww4D8pN9-j33AsTPa_GM6sA2Y4_EFy8dsysu1hWY7UMaF6fOv/s320/2012-09-11+14.56.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the cornet on the left-hand side, there?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7x29IOq_vbMFy85OMpYC52FdV0hFFwYuEkhSRm1vToSyi23nJc8bYhujawTyIwUtSeOQS1mirir1_MkbROxJ9oQJZEFoDN0l-xe9yT6VtpjZE_VGCnIeUqBArMFdJ9iyBJzca-XFcG-_/s1600/2012-09-11+14.57.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7x29IOq_vbMFy85OMpYC52FdV0hFFwYuEkhSRm1vToSyi23nJc8bYhujawTyIwUtSeOQS1mirir1_MkbROxJ9oQJZEFoDN0l-xe9yT6VtpjZE_VGCnIeUqBArMFdJ9iyBJzca-XFcG-_/s320/2012-09-11+14.57.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An actual stagecoach.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XmKd8WMQnJFW6fAzb_3KgTi7mImoXT0bJcpu6wvCOtBxYvvpHmOgQHXGTm2xmHzJiQjaB5bSVWMqiwN0FrUcCb1cK_ScHHMquAo5mWo-_GgsWI8GwGLEeWb3NUPoBNe-xUx6IjtJNZRL/s1600/2012-09-11+14.58.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XmKd8WMQnJFW6fAzb_3KgTi7mImoXT0bJcpu6wvCOtBxYvvpHmOgQHXGTm2xmHzJiQjaB5bSVWMqiwN0FrUcCb1cK_ScHHMquAo5mWo-_GgsWI8GwGLEeWb3NUPoBNe-xUx6IjtJNZRL/s320/2012-09-11+14.58.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the Journeys gallery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWRjDNCoKNFFRl77G6QPh0i9Itkwj6gnU7JSa99u-u69ELhxcc3gatOPa5UrEwhKszr0vG_ZyUdOAhhGZJg-0k1JORSQQYC9r8vHEPSZ8JF_ZVlQMQO5-VzUspCNTuDzVBGcUcYFnjOdW/s1600/2012-09-11+14.57.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWRjDNCoKNFFRl77G6QPh0i9Itkwj6gnU7JSa99u-u69ELhxcc3gatOPa5UrEwhKszr0vG_ZyUdOAhhGZJg-0k1JORSQQYC9r8vHEPSZ8JF_ZVlQMQO5-VzUspCNTuDzVBGcUcYFnjOdW/s320/2012-09-11+14.57.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This taxidermy bison has very realistic glass eyes, and, projected on the wall behind it, is footage of actual bison running. The whole thing scared the daylights out of poor Vivi, who had to hide behind me <i>and </i>the stroller!</td></tr>
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Outdoors is nice too. Vivi found some benches, built next to square planters, that were tons of fun to run on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSnci7eN9y4gESq_V6IAGxImV0Ap8pUtcuFZcL0K0P-GnVEP4JQe0fbnMY7Ni5jeoRnRcOssGoAfqpjvajEUvsHcbetZdHOpWAaKKYRdBHk_ZpHNBHSt08EPPUBQfc757Mp5Ka69BrE4E/s1600/2012-09-11+15.54.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSnci7eN9y4gESq_V6IAGxImV0Ap8pUtcuFZcL0K0P-GnVEP4JQe0fbnMY7Ni5jeoRnRcOssGoAfqpjvajEUvsHcbetZdHOpWAaKKYRdBHk_ZpHNBHSt08EPPUBQfc757Mp5Ka69BrE4E/s320/2012-09-11+15.54.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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All in all a <i>lovely </i>place for a family outing. There is also a museum store and cafe, to make a day of it. And there are a lot of different events that happen, (including the Sizzling Summer Nights,) so check the website! The one coming up the soonest is this Saturday: the Kickoff Celebration for Latino Heritage Month at the Autry. To see the schedule, click <a href="http://theautry.org/programs/special-events/latino-heritage-month-at-the-autry-kickoff-celebration">here</a>.<br />
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Go visit The Autry, and don't wait seven years like I did!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-66796347353582760772012-09-10T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-12T21:50:59.420-07:00IKEA Burbank - New info!<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday, September 10, 2012</div>
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My Cost: $5.99 + tax for my lunch</div>
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600 N San Fernando Blvd</div>
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Burbank, CA 91502</div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/burbank">www.ikea.com/us/en/store/burbank</a></div>
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So I know I've blogged about IKEA twice already, but today we went again, (because kids eat free every MWF from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and every Tuesday from 11:00 am to close,) and I finally found a place to nurse! This little hidey-hole would have come in handy the last few times I was here when my baby was crying, and I didn't know where to take him to feed him. Today, wouldn't you know it, he didn't cry at all! But at least I know for next time, (because, let's face it, I'm going to keep coming here a lot...)</div>
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<i>The place you can go to nurse your baby is... drumroll please... </i><b>the family bathroom on the first floor, near the entrance!!!</b></div>
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It is a very nice family restroom - there are sinks at two levels (so little ones can wash their own hands,) a nice changing table stocked with disposable liners and a nice, convenient trash can, <i>and </i>there is a nice little chair with a rug where you can sit and nurse. It faces the door, though, so I would recommend locking it, and hopefully no other little families with kids who can't hold it anymore will show up. The only downside I can see of using this bathroom for nursing is there is nothing to stop Vivi from playing in the toilet while I nurse. But maybe she's moved past that phase...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96wxCadAyavmK_yB3hVfTewWa-39MpbpkulVDPaIZm4xYMoCJEjgJZK50aCK7KxnUs5x4BAPDtfAR51L_-Mktgit3j2Taz8rycQuTMzVVETXkNYwC1S4knlUEGdoyXkcfX70kZZ1S4ncK/s1600/2012-09-10+13.43.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96wxCadAyavmK_yB3hVfTewWa-39MpbpkulVDPaIZm4xYMoCJEjgJZK50aCK7KxnUs5x4BAPDtfAR51L_-Mktgit3j2Taz8rycQuTMzVVETXkNYwC1S4knlUEGdoyXkcfX70kZZ1S4ncK/s400/2012-09-10+13.43.09.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The secret nursing corner! Yay! I finally found it!</td></tr>
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After discovering that bit of exciting information, I also learned another important bit of info: Småland, (aka the playroom,) is being renovated this month. It was thoughtful of them to wait until school started, I suppose, but now all those moms with one or two preschool kids left who really want that hour of total solitude won't get to take their kids here for a few more weeks! It's supposed to reopen after September 25th.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXpgAm7kClPlH3LA1WilsyVYh3MiREegFccNMpWbNhPvzsXLCaWU5UWjDzEivm5hT4ZxFneqQ49foV40VaRLQTBOD0fsynBMPop6NFrn8f4OfPwA5WkjI5cWPPmU_KscRge37wQNtNEs-/s1600/2012-09-10+13.48.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXpgAm7kClPlH3LA1WilsyVYh3MiREegFccNMpWbNhPvzsXLCaWU5UWjDzEivm5hT4ZxFneqQ49foV40VaRLQTBOD0fsynBMPop6NFrn8f4OfPwA5WkjI5cWPPmU_KscRge37wQNtNEs-/s400/2012-09-10+13.48.49.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And the third new tidbit - speaking of the playroom - is that you can sign up for the new, (is it that new? I just found out about it myself,) IKEA Family program that will give you access to free coffee and tea in the cafe, special discounts on merchandise, and <b>an extra 30 minutes of time in the playroom</b>! Fantastic! I signed up today after getting home, so I can't say I've actually taken advantage of my new membership, but I'm looking forward to it. Here's the summary from their website. You can look up this info yourself and sign up <a href="http://info.ikea-usa.com/family/?src=on_we_locl_0000_160">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65MOPCkm0RXcOM176tA08JpXeF8A3_25n_5Yp1xaXtELYFKLnS7Mu5W72qb_nFpuzWKcQrVU8b0IskoVi470WmCh6X8jVzLUblXoy9peyiRoViJuoJJsOvTpRNFIJdnkwRzQ-JjvawOPd/s1600/Picture+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65MOPCkm0RXcOM176tA08JpXeF8A3_25n_5Yp1xaXtELYFKLnS7Mu5W72qb_nFpuzWKcQrVU8b0IskoVi470WmCh6X8jVzLUblXoy9peyiRoViJuoJJsOvTpRNFIJdnkwRzQ-JjvawOPd/s640/Picture+11.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another benefit not listed above is that now, through the end of the year, you can get $5 off regular adult admission, or $2 off regular child admission to the <a href="http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/">Aquarium of the Pacific</a>! Just show your IKEA Family card for the discount. Neat-o!<br />
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So the nursing corner of the family bathroom, the Småland renovations, and the IKEA Family program are the three new bits of information I wanted to share. Here are just some pictures of Vivi having fun in the store, since we actually explored the showroom today!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDv3cUVK0SIZSw0ciKq0hMcgNwJ83vOIdrtPA-6bRSZrgW8Z8D1FJmgwaFkmOg3U9BfOmgSIS-wK5gE2NKNaKenGmi9itEgohEfC5SBvczBNSZfwL2b1rKD0FR11RoCZbqA1ogVJ4zrME/s1600/2012-09-10+14.14.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDv3cUVK0SIZSw0ciKq0hMcgNwJ83vOIdrtPA-6bRSZrgW8Z8D1FJmgwaFkmOg3U9BfOmgSIS-wK5gE2NKNaKenGmi9itEgohEfC5SBvczBNSZfwL2b1rKD0FR11RoCZbqA1ogVJ4zrME/s320/2012-09-10+14.14.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi is becoming quite the independent eater! She can dip things in ketchup now <br />
without eventually smearing it all over her face! What a big girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQqAkb4-v3R1X4G2fu01rZVaZP0B7YAmeUTx1WRDL2d-NcPh92d_I6WjNWq9XV9SGKuVhDV71M9DotGDqVul59OvjrJntvPhv0bnwqPMRbFvwaXP0TOZGDoa2wdUvbs6RkzwCmmjCIt8z/s1600/2012-09-10+14.03.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQqAkb4-v3R1X4G2fu01rZVaZP0B7YAmeUTx1WRDL2d-NcPh92d_I6WjNWq9XV9SGKuVhDV71M9DotGDqVul59OvjrJntvPhv0bnwqPMRbFvwaXP0TOZGDoa2wdUvbs6RkzwCmmjCIt8z/s320/2012-09-10+14.03.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the cafe play corner to ourselves for a little while, and Alex got to practice a little crawling!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkueh-iyqWTeG8JrcBzA2FcuZkPmMGwyn_yeNFUbyCBA1wRVPLYBAbDoviqslSehu_lBZEhuGXmObg1kB5yLPqWOwg-hFj0qvYry_N0rbD72fdx-aYggBMz0gByLEU7Mw3FIwym_K4wiYV/s1600/2012-09-10+14.41.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkueh-iyqWTeG8JrcBzA2FcuZkPmMGwyn_yeNFUbyCBA1wRVPLYBAbDoviqslSehu_lBZEhuGXmObg1kB5yLPqWOwg-hFj0qvYry_N0rbD72fdx-aYggBMz0gByLEU7Mw3FIwym_K4wiYV/s320/2012-09-10+14.41.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">he always likes to try out the kids' display merchandise for a while. <br />(She can't go t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">o Småland yet because she's not potty trained, so this is the next best thing.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CrkwefWvwkwiwlbO81cMtQCSml8rE8FPXJ4qBvzXEE-gEI-2tAklxWROMlRVulrGF489SfpIl4VeifuKJ-BKc5e5GLSdyY9diqkdB7pU3nh2MZ_Np860niHPJfIlFNUMVVwKZNzc9NJ8/s1600/2012-09-10+14.50.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CrkwefWvwkwiwlbO81cMtQCSml8rE8FPXJ4qBvzXEE-gEI-2tAklxWROMlRVulrGF489SfpIl4VeifuKJ-BKc5e5GLSdyY9diqkdB7pU3nh2MZ_Np860niHPJfIlFNUMVVwKZNzc9NJ8/s320/2012-09-10+14.50.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More good times in the kiddie doorway! (She spent a good ten minutes here.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7DpJUfkmX7lq1JdUefHQS-qFmmoVA4TQFMEOoen4OecJX9qvKD9xiB8hKeOlzX9-FqA2r9946km3kU8TANjVWxgiE0UAEMl3UKGX3x1CpXAgxDvnrRGCPkrwaKJq9fwsLyFLNgEAJs8r/s1600/2012-09-10+14.57.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7DpJUfkmX7lq1JdUefHQS-qFmmoVA4TQFMEOoen4OecJX9qvKD9xiB8hKeOlzX9-FqA2r9946km3kU8TANjVWxgiE0UAEMl3UKGX3x1CpXAgxDvnrRGCPkrwaKJq9fwsLyFLNgEAJs8r/s320/2012-09-10+14.57.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These yellow play towers are stationed around the showroom at places where <br />
parents might want to take some time and do some ordering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCkVgPz2nTiKkmFocL_-WTVu7JSS6LjGqAbiKTtkPRru-MW35Hlzd87uk2tcjSEgNQWb1FRRbF8HaZ1VaRn7W5iE9XDbfSZ0en_M6Q6mEt8dGa5mdUzt_KWhQ34NLMxJm7uBP9IJK64So/s1600/2012-09-10+15.13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCkVgPz2nTiKkmFocL_-WTVu7JSS6LjGqAbiKTtkPRru-MW35Hlzd87uk2tcjSEgNQWb1FRRbF8HaZ1VaRn7W5iE9XDbfSZ0en_M6Q6mEt8dGa5mdUzt_KWhQ34NLMxJm7uBP9IJK64So/s320/2012-09-10+15.13.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, that's not someone's house, that's a display room. Letting her play "house" in these rooms reminded me of the commercials where people are actually living in IKEA.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Rp2JkbEVoEIslM-UskWkLsZVvnwEueuhWZkdEfmRihK4Ot4vBILnWOomCbCY0z336-orBzm_MX7tUj-PMvwAJcIbN9mVa4bOJoVKhmNf64xCBo9uOfGnhcCU0WCpV4iKMBS3AqxbRih/s1600/2012-09-10+14.41.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Rp2JkbEVoEIslM-UskWkLsZVvnwEueuhWZkdEfmRihK4Ot4vBILnWOomCbCY0z336-orBzm_MX7tUj-PMvwAJcIbN9mVa4bOJoVKhmNf64xCBo9uOfGnhcCU0WCpV4iKMBS3AqxbRih/s320/2012-09-10+14.41.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to include a picture of this little guy being a good sport!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-10669056599002528592012-09-09T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-13T01:38:45.912-07:00Mid Valley Family YMCA<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday, September 9, 2012</div>
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My Cost: monthly family membership rate*</div>
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6901 Lennox Avenue</div>
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Van Nuys, CA 91405</div>
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<a href="http://www.ymcala.org/mid-valley">www.ymcala.org/mid-valley</a></div>
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(*All YMCA's offer free 7-day passes, and income-based membership rates are available.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdUc2tVFwLH7BAqVSevVtDbPNVdxQjPpJOb9WYeapVOWZwd4P5MFo6hR_AkMeZ9rByekhhWqDRRy-ooDeejVmKdQ5Q2i9fglftQ-DoxSQq1DFU8Svhd5WS0sWbklYisKnxdQdTANTV0a5/s1600/2012-08-30+15.39.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdUc2tVFwLH7BAqVSevVtDbPNVdxQjPpJOb9WYeapVOWZwd4P5MFo6hR_AkMeZ9rByekhhWqDRRy-ooDeejVmKdQ5Q2i9fglftQ-DoxSQq1DFU8Svhd5WS0sWbklYisKnxdQdTANTV0a5/s320/2012-08-30+15.39.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior - this portion is actually the Beginning Workout room and indoor pool.</td></tr>
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We joined the Mid Valley Family YMCA in the fall of 2010. I was pregnant with baby #1 and thought I would do a lot of swimming to keep myself in better shape. Omar wanted a gym with a basketball court, (which is why we chose this YMCA over the West Valley Family YMCA where I had previously been a member.) I did do a fair amount of swimming, but after the baby was born, my visits to the gym seriously dropped off. I remember specifically asking an employee at what age their childcare service was offered, and they told me it was available starting at 18 months old. I remember thinking, "Great! It's going to be a year and a half before I can come to the gym!" And then I got pregnant with baby #2 like three months later, so I figured it would be just shy of eternity before I would ever be able to go back.</div>
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We kept up our membership because Omar was going by after work sometimes, and there was still the off chance that I could leave the kids at home with Omar or a relative and go by myself. However, now that Vivi is finally 19 months old, but Alex is still just 6 months and I was thinking I had to wait <i>another year </i>before I could use their childcare, I started investigating other gyms. I was jealous of my friends who were members at 24 Hour Fitness or L.A. Fitness and said they would watch babies from age 3 months and up.</div>
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I found an L.A. Fitness close to our house and called to confirm they would watch my kids for me starting at 3 months, and I even set up an appointment to take a tour. (Their childcare is $5 per child per day, by the way, unless you pay and additional $10 per month per child with your membership.) But I decided, just to be sure, to call and double check on the YMCA childcare policy. </div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">GUESS WHAT??? They actually have FREE childcare starting at SIX WEEKS OLD!!!</b></div>
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I was totally aghast! I mean, that means I actually <i>wasted </i>all that time I could have been going to the gym!!! I asked when they had changed their policy, but the person on the phone didn't know. My small consolation was the fact that I still have a ruptured disc that hasn't quite fully healed, so I probably shouldn't have been doing major workouts to begin with. <i>But I could have been swimming!</i></div>
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So don't make the same mistake I did, moms. Join the YMCA and let them watch your baby for you starting at 6-weeks old! At Mid Valley the service is free for an hour and a half, and if you are late, they will charge you a small penalty of like a dollar per hour you are late. (You're not allowed to leave the facility though, and they <i>will </i>come get you if your child is crying, or acting out, or needs to be changed or taken to the bathroom.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5ItgG6Vay8h86udKnDNeASFc5sItom_2r98SBSTqQNkD42P3zixp3VVkpONC8hYARtaRTaNyzVCQYxHn9ubkr_a87pBSGNdUPTUC1WdzgD-QxMklYXqamSzsivHXxJOIbNiRGvE4vub7/s1600/2012-08-30+15.52.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5ItgG6Vay8h86udKnDNeASFc5sItom_2r98SBSTqQNkD42P3zixp3VVkpONC8hYARtaRTaNyzVCQYxHn9ubkr_a87pBSGNdUPTUC1WdzgD-QxMklYXqamSzsivHXxJOIbNiRGvE4vub7/s320/2012-08-30+15.52.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the hours. It should say, "Ages 6 weeks to 12 years only."</td></tr>
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There are other perks of membership. As I mentioned already, Mid Valley has an indoor swimming pool, and a full-sized basketball court. Plus they have a Fit-Linxx system and the staff will help you set up a workout routine including customizing your proper positioning and range-of-motion on all the strength equipment. A monthly consultation is included in your membership. They have towels and basketballs you can check out, and a full schedule of group exercise classes, including water aerobics classes.<br />
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Kids' swimming lessons are offered in six-week sessions, so we're thinking next session we'll sign both kids up and take them into the pool for some family fun!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcprYtGo6CzyfTdrdAYW3OPcRDFAMQtwiaDHJOAmsxK-UD-sfTLxI-XMCoNfVc5qbROkrPHZre-0clxiJPTZv2G0l22EIUXMxPDoFfaQqPVaSOyCqmoKF1QvPc0_Du4g35-CyyAJzpLd3j/s1600/2012-09-09+12.06.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcprYtGo6CzyfTdrdAYW3OPcRDFAMQtwiaDHJOAmsxK-UD-sfTLxI-XMCoNfVc5qbROkrPHZre-0clxiJPTZv2G0l22EIUXMxPDoFfaQqPVaSOyCqmoKF1QvPc0_Du4g35-CyyAJzpLd3j/s320/2012-09-09+12.06.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omar was dribbling a circle around Vivi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_GDOICtbvXF5AcwM7T5vIDME7vYdmBfngEN2H-8C9iUEOA6UjwrMnNb8f1GQVB1lbwdJZPZ45lZKvNri0GGDpvF3hLBaVn82xl45ovICrtXWZDjunLqFr_gyi3CPD-JqNykGXZDGQYMA/s1600/2012-09-09+12.08.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_GDOICtbvXF5AcwM7T5vIDME7vYdmBfngEN2H-8C9iUEOA6UjwrMnNb8f1GQVB1lbwdJZPZ45lZKvNri0GGDpvF3hLBaVn82xl45ovICrtXWZDjunLqFr_gyi3CPD-JqNykGXZDGQYMA/s320/2012-09-09+12.08.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi even got to dunk on one of the lower baskets.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-65126586159206205992012-09-08T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-13T01:36:11.105-07:00William S. Hart Museum & Hart Park<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, September 8, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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24151 Newhall Ave</div>
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Newhall, CA 91321</div>
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<a href="http://www.hartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.hartmuseum.org</a></div>
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After Tuesday's visit to the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, I learned that there is a family of museums that includes the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/" target="_blank">Natural History Museum</a>, the <a href="http://www.tarpits.org/" target="_blank">Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits</a>, and the <a href="http://www.hartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">William S. Hart Museum</a> in Newhall. I have been to the Tar Pits a fair number of times, and I have also been inside the Page Museum, but I had never heard of the William S. Hart museum. So I had to do some investigating online.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9kXABFLLdDUjKsHqGgdjxGCtcjt6UvfFyH8MUJ5bS8Sm1OhreqYgb5Ff-ZbyImpOqn6-VBrdy0_vnRoIzFFFruVKfvu2ITOMFD4L5JNDptwNU_zeYz-8GfS1nypGyoDBtsAJFyPfdWdW/s1600/2012-09-08+13.25.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9kXABFLLdDUjKsHqGgdjxGCtcjt6UvfFyH8MUJ5bS8Sm1OhreqYgb5Ff-ZbyImpOqn6-VBrdy0_vnRoIzFFFruVKfvu2ITOMFD4L5JNDptwNU_zeYz-8GfS1nypGyoDBtsAJFyPfdWdW/s320/2012-09-08+13.25.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance off of Newhall Avenue.</td></tr>
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First, you should know that everything on the property - the former ranch of silent film actor William S. Hart (1864-1946) - is <b>free to the public</b> per instructions in Mr. Hart's will when gifting the land to Los Angeles County. He wanted to thank all the people that came to see his films and made him a success. Here is a description taken from the <a href="http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033273.asp&Title=William%20S.%20Hart%20Regional%20Park" target="_blank">LA County Parks</a> website: "William S. Hart, also known as 'Two Gun Bill', was the first cowboy movie star during the silent film era. He made almost 70 silent movies from 1914 to 1925, and donated his sprawling ranch for the public to enjoy. The park features Hart’s home which is now a museum filled with his personal effects and movie paraphernalia, along with Native American artifacts and Western American art."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNRNriSNYOkRrx15rAAhJMdsAyilctgJY7OQnkgm6eKloTa9f1JhxUERH22vJEh6BV_Kg4XH2dIxMQHO0uY5KJREH6qroXYuBJe9E9Mz5G05d4fZDV0-s5taVhaMoNJFRC8IIkZpwbMvE/s1600/2012-09-08+14.01.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNRNriSNYOkRrx15rAAhJMdsAyilctgJY7OQnkgm6eKloTa9f1JhxUERH22vJEh6BV_Kg4XH2dIxMQHO0uY5KJREH6qroXYuBJe9E9Mz5G05d4fZDV0-s5taVhaMoNJFRC8IIkZpwbMvE/s320/2012-09-08+14.01.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A painting of Bill Hart, astride his horse Fritz, that hangs in the museum. <br />
The artist was James Montgomery Flagg, of "I Want You for the U.S. Army" poster fame.</td></tr>
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There were a few other things on the website that piqued my interest (besides the fact that everything is free.) One was that the Hart Ranch, which is now Hart Park, has a herd of bison. I had heard about a park up in the Santa Clarita Valley area that had bison, so now I knew which one it was!<br />
<br />
Also, I was excited to see that the Hart Museum has a temporary display, (until mid-September,) called Taking to the Skies: Famous Aviators at the Hart. Apparently Bill Hart, (as the tour guide called him,) was friends with Amelia Earhart, and the display description promised, "To commemorate... the 75th anniversary of Amelia's disappearance," with, "a new temporary display on famous aviators." Omar is a pilot and loves all things aviation. Honestly, he would rather be flying for a living. So I thought he would really like the Taking to the Skies display.<br />
<br />
So, per my suggestion, we decided to go! We packed the kids in the car after Vivi woke up from her nap, and we headed up highway 14 into the hills. The park is not hard to find, it's just off of Newhall Avenue, but the Museum is a different story. There were all kinds of buildings and signs as we entered the park. Hart Hall, the animal barnyard, the gifts shop and the Ranch House are all very close together and near the entrance, so I assumed the museum wouldn't be far away. Boy, was I wrong!<br />
<br />
A woman sitting outside of the gift shop pointed us to the trail head that went uphill to the Museum, (which is the Hart Mansion, now converted into a museum.) I was to find out later that she possibly was having some fun at our expense sending us up a trail with a stroller. Read on to find out more...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5iLgx5i48nLOjIsKY1ekqjJmEkjeuTTF4vEaHrrzg3k-2ttjimIrS-fqBXyLqsXBK26nuDTJe2vBpXiE1Kbm2YGDzmOzfH_iZ0i1JeNXt8d0-zy0v4_4IHfOPKN4C4FGqMBMkpaJ7MTF/s1600/2012-09-08+13.31.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5iLgx5i48nLOjIsKY1ekqjJmEkjeuTTF4vEaHrrzg3k-2ttjimIrS-fqBXyLqsXBK26nuDTJe2vBpXiE1Kbm2YGDzmOzfH_iZ0i1JeNXt8d0-zy0v4_4IHfOPKN4C4FGqMBMkpaJ7MTF/s320/2012-09-08+13.31.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the start of the Museum trail.</td></tr>
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Our hike up the hill was a truly comical affair. First of all, it's important to note that Omar didn't even <i>want</i> to do anything out of doors today because of the heat, which was upper 90s, or possibly even triple digits. I had promised him that we would mainly be going to the museum to see aviator stuff, and we would be out of the heat as much as possible. We definitely did <i>not </i>anticipate a hike up to the museum! Second of all, we had the kids in a fairly heavy double stroller, and the trail is <i>not </i>paved. In fact, not only is it not paved, it's got a lot of big rocks that came close to breaking my stroller wheels, it's got some patches of sand that we got hung up in, and it's got some steps built out of railroad ties that took a team effort to lift the stroller up and over.<br />
<br />
We were taking our time and taking plenty of breaks in the shade, but we were both still breathing heavy, and I for one was sweating more profusely than I have all year! So let me save you some trouble - <i>if you have a stroller, <b>do not take the trail!</b></i><b> </b>There is a nice paved road to the museum that the volunteers and other authorized personnel are allowed to drive up, and though it is a longer distance than the trail, it will be <i>much</i> easier with a stroller. It's to the west of the trail head, between the Ranch House and the picnic area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8Efu0amCPhHgk6aXnx_XtQ0NfJG85z_SFaw7ElPKNCnWtgE0S-0gQ1kd6qE71DYExbgnPGJIQDCNtlawNBfB9j7ef10ftahbey2pZjJAq62N2occ-KEuDjJHkAAKhpn-4bXAYNrCnLR4/s1600/2012-09-08+13.33.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8Efu0amCPhHgk6aXnx_XtQ0NfJG85z_SFaw7ElPKNCnWtgE0S-0gQ1kd6qE71DYExbgnPGJIQDCNtlawNBfB9j7ef10ftahbey2pZjJAq62N2occ-KEuDjJHkAAKhpn-4bXAYNrCnLR4/s320/2012-09-08+13.33.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from partway up the hill down towards the barnyard area, etc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qPngeXXMG8m7jKb7AwtaGSjPq_zjku0f6cJ7ry_DnnKVoPPxh_kXiuG07D9PEUpJ_ITzcndKtYFvFqqdV9FgNQQs6felXsroNONDaLHXCrzBoLN42cjSXrYIzZLfEg5UVHee6mTeImo4/s1600/2012-09-08+13.35.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qPngeXXMG8m7jKb7AwtaGSjPq_zjku0f6cJ7ry_DnnKVoPPxh_kXiuG07D9PEUpJ_ITzcndKtYFvFqqdV9FgNQQs6felXsroNONDaLHXCrzBoLN42cjSXrYIzZLfEg5UVHee6mTeImo4/s320/2012-09-08+13.35.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bunk house is about halfway up. I, of course, had thought it was the mansion <br />
and was terribly disappointed to learn we still had a ways to go.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZTCtLTdsggVJsrqsTyd_XHYKNoerxAFEFEUjtfK3Nle0fjucIdSHkO9f_P1H0vBP9CclgEl9pwKeZeGSRhVpkrVdLc9LjfG17t6sUc9PRrjaYdhOBRzt6cLL_Rk8BqZIpNuzmZF03Lyx/s1600/2012-09-08+13.39.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZTCtLTdsggVJsrqsTyd_XHYKNoerxAFEFEUjtfK3Nle0fjucIdSHkO9f_P1H0vBP9CclgEl9pwKeZeGSRhVpkrVdLc9LjfG17t6sUc9PRrjaYdhOBRzt6cLL_Rk8BqZIpNuzmZF03Lyx/s320/2012-09-08+13.39.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down at the trails we had climbed while pushing a stroller.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrmDcuUzM4eV2Eryd1lTkuEb8a0l59JeLIm78XNIn3oSe3-6Dq1SO943KleyS897nBorKcpmKDcfNH_g21Bq7dr40kthenL8W8R1WryHZ85iHHAIkJxcLOv6sKWpp6lca9Wi4YJBa0N9C/s1600/2012-09-08+14.46.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrmDcuUzM4eV2Eryd1lTkuEb8a0l59JeLIm78XNIn3oSe3-6Dq1SO943KleyS897nBorKcpmKDcfNH_g21Bq7dr40kthenL8W8R1WryHZ85iHHAIkJxcLOv6sKWpp6lca9Wi4YJBa0N9C/s320/2012-09-08+14.46.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way back down the paved road I snapped a photo of what some of the railroad tie steps were like. <br />
Makes me tired just looking at it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, despite the unexpected difficulty, we did make it to the top in one piece, (or, four pieces actually - Omar, Vivi, Alex and myself,) and the museum is quite lovely, as is the view!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSps04BusspqMjElfbA_RfUohD1dUYH2cgWlVqTkvN_6G7wokUBFT1iBUPz-j_xnGNVoTJnFvR_o4dE8YDrpLueJsGHiWp1Np35Lz6malDpo0WkSBM1p68Hn1Cg3q19mYAz7XEIAt966Q/s1600/2012-09-08+13.41.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSps04BusspqMjElfbA_RfUohD1dUYH2cgWlVqTkvN_6G7wokUBFT1iBUPz-j_xnGNVoTJnFvR_o4dE8YDrpLueJsGHiWp1Np35Lz6malDpo0WkSBM1p68Hn1Cg3q19mYAz7XEIAt966Q/s320/2012-09-08+13.41.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost at the top, you can see Vivi was ready to make a break for it!<br />
(And Omar looking good in his aviation-themed Hawaiian shirt!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4xSqDRTyWl-I1c5xyzRIAqMxIMvFdikFKjzoNXoCtCSSUEkrQqTs48oLOO4GrEoxO67aa4pETB96nZflrbjjS2zVGvEEZeLSL9KoVf0LhSESc8ZatrdK_QFI0kyc976ul61IPUWJz8W4/s1600/IMG_8056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4xSqDRTyWl-I1c5xyzRIAqMxIMvFdikFKjzoNXoCtCSSUEkrQqTs48oLOO4GrEoxO67aa4pETB96nZflrbjjS2zVGvEEZeLSL9KoVf0LhSESc8ZatrdK_QFI0kyc976ul61IPUWJz8W4/s320/IMG_8056.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally free from the stroller, Vivi did a few laps in front of the building.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHH2Yqt2NCK7ro83CSADNjCVs9m9_y1SlaQ9aQLzk-_3IBJk7aXJ1gQS8GzCsLbl-8zyDNF2KJfJ3q-iIBajhwMwTf1-ynlmq8XotM-liqLrh1Y-e37VjFqBNUUp6TOJh0VHvkBqhnvau/s1600/2012-09-08+13.42.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHH2Yqt2NCK7ro83CSADNjCVs9m9_y1SlaQ9aQLzk-_3IBJk7aXJ1gQS8GzCsLbl-8zyDNF2KJfJ3q-iIBajhwMwTf1-ynlmq8XotM-liqLrh1Y-e37VjFqBNUUp6TOJh0VHvkBqhnvau/s320/2012-09-08+13.42.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hart Museum (formerly Hart Mansion,) was built in the 1920s with super sturdy construction. They cut into the hillside so it's on a solid foundation. It was not damaged at all during the Northridge earthquake of 1994 that took down whole malls in North Hollywood.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XKsL-dzyYHEgAGjwmlJQABt9m6dMRqTQx_8CwFAOyT_B4tTbaecvNB9Lt7Nptuli01ISx8a6wmNSE7dTiNdWopm9Vu0jUbrH2HLfvzbPDoksGqKCAtafz37XkAbv6unhdXjyAx200CCc/s1600/2012-09-08+13.43.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XKsL-dzyYHEgAGjwmlJQABt9m6dMRqTQx_8CwFAOyT_B4tTbaecvNB9Lt7Nptuli01ISx8a6wmNSE7dTiNdWopm9Vu0jUbrH2HLfvzbPDoksGqKCAtafz37XkAbv6unhdXjyAx200CCc/s320/2012-09-08+13.43.06.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the vantage point of the museum you can see down the south side of the hill to where the bison are kept.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7j3dpVmindCBhwHzgy5BIa2pDymKuOL5PCDTgdsCX9UXktwMSEwLBdxkEif2fDjWob3HjMIDcE9uM0S6-kEOr9rqkBhooSRpGjyMHOCB_71vVC940DogUNBqA2QW-bjY9i3yHSIaxRU-/s1600/2012-09-08+13.44.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7j3dpVmindCBhwHzgy5BIa2pDymKuOL5PCDTgdsCX9UXktwMSEwLBdxkEif2fDjWob3HjMIDcE9uM0S6-kEOr9rqkBhooSRpGjyMHOCB_71vVC940DogUNBqA2QW-bjY9i3yHSIaxRU-/s320/2012-09-08+13.44.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up above the house are some restroom facilities and another trail.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWVFKvi0OOtGF6FlepaYIyyP0YZRo_5PRfObidWogB0MCbniCIT-gMS1ogV2iDVsQDQc1VAiGeYbWPqVJzaeFsQeq2CzdPQmn6QiKspeKObuukjb6_gyYeSxRebbVa7ZDLc_xEumqxctb/s1600/2012-09-08+13.57.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWVFKvi0OOtGF6FlepaYIyyP0YZRo_5PRfObidWogB0MCbniCIT-gMS1ogV2iDVsQDQc1VAiGeYbWPqVJzaeFsQeq2CzdPQmn6QiKspeKObuukjb6_gyYeSxRebbVa7ZDLc_xEumqxctb/s320/2012-09-08+13.57.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and daughter coming down from the back of the house.</td></tr>
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Museum tours are offered every half hour, so we had to wait about 15 minutes to get inside. (If you have a large group, you have to make reservations in advance.) The docent-led tour was very informative, but they are also very careful about preserving the house. So much of it is original, that they really don't want you touching <i>anything </i>- not even walls - so that makes it not so kid-friendly. Thankfully, they did install railings and carpet to keep the tours on the right "path" through the house, so I didn't have to worry about Vivi touching <i>everything,</i> mostly just the walls and a few larger display pieces.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUjc1yUUH3e5aungNvBmfuy56oOdE0J8T8dgUiGV2bwnyMzSiJICm3FU20GMVPYys3mabvIWw8IOJU6KkOKCfp3b9L_NiAq0hz5B8bNldBaGPtjkv_LVxse8sKVJWKQbRLDrO2wIuhqI2/s1600/2012-09-08+14.08.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUjc1yUUH3e5aungNvBmfuy56oOdE0J8T8dgUiGV2bwnyMzSiJICm3FU20GMVPYys3mabvIWw8IOJU6KkOKCfp3b9L_NiAq0hz5B8bNldBaGPtjkv_LVxse8sKVJWKQbRLDrO2wIuhqI2/s320/2012-09-08+14.08.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rooms are still furnished as they were left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94B1I1PhkyuaoRor26NO7ZXtLm1PzCPztT3et6DrkGKnp63sUUPBtovgS0M7zF-SuTygVYYPJNV_Simp8siyX_kB0PIYxlt2jgoZdgwTPGyiPknFkPZnlUgdGpSiUWlj61C7j9IWIHSFc/s1600/2012-09-08+14.09.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94B1I1PhkyuaoRor26NO7ZXtLm1PzCPztT3et6DrkGKnp63sUUPBtovgS0M7zF-SuTygVYYPJNV_Simp8siyX_kB0PIYxlt2jgoZdgwTPGyiPknFkPZnlUgdGpSiUWlj61C7j9IWIHSFc/s320/2012-09-08+14.09.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure many meals were cooked on this stove.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzGQhL26a_Hwk5cnUCORUMeDUboGycFZigilG1o62vl8rWPZyZTVI0U94pXpHgL8q0JYLTiEhy4hmNUDnf4E86gpGYm9LnJlohBDJPuw92riT4yM22UglCTwRWwbwX3UmHLcBaSSW4p2A/s1600/2012-09-08+14.08.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzGQhL26a_Hwk5cnUCORUMeDUboGycFZigilG1o62vl8rWPZyZTVI0U94pXpHgL8q0JYLTiEhy4hmNUDnf4E86gpGYm9LnJlohBDJPuw92riT4yM22UglCTwRWwbwX3UmHLcBaSSW4p2A/s320/2012-09-08+14.08.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and I in the dining room. The floor is made of wood blocks (mahogany? I don't remember the variety,) that were simply laid together in a staggered pattern, and then the floor was covered in water so the blocks would swell and make a tight seal. Pretty ingenious method of doing a floor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0leroKR02nYpdljsYoY1oo2Bf1J4WercAWKGtmgTlNlUm_eD_Tb877GxYI2sognX4tC8Ck37OmYxgxty6JNa0RPcmAZfHH04YD_1o5cTZgWmZ5GIHaToLWH6d0xen8-RxDg_zUhQ2UPpf/s1600/2012-09-08+14.02.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0leroKR02nYpdljsYoY1oo2Bf1J4WercAWKGtmgTlNlUm_eD_Tb877GxYI2sognX4tC8Ck37OmYxgxty6JNa0RPcmAZfHH04YD_1o5cTZgWmZ5GIHaToLWH6d0xen8-RxDg_zUhQ2UPpf/s320/2012-09-08+14.02.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe tributes to each of Hart's horses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4F8ZUAI6HI0Fpe0pqpAFCNGlGgEbgJsrg2K25PA5M3vF0lojv8jS6YY_pSUfGqUo2J8mybSGabNsOMmWGDtsC2AgypH0Iraj3uM0YYfJv6iI5ZQNIBaaFIJYsFUks-A1UVAJ-5He2ZDD/s1600/2012-09-08+14.02.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4F8ZUAI6HI0Fpe0pqpAFCNGlGgEbgJsrg2K25PA5M3vF0lojv8jS6YY_pSUfGqUo2J8mybSGabNsOMmWGDtsC2AgypH0Iraj3uM0YYfJv6iI5ZQNIBaaFIJYsFUks-A1UVAJ-5He2ZDD/s320/2012-09-08+14.02.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted beams are just some of the fine touches of decoration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcGCtSiXERExChKBM0FyKAzyyhyphenhyphenVEIEQw8IOC1MwsNXgTU1kLaDmWk8ZYSzLwoQaQgVkNdEHEdnRWNGAW-khMy4ouWv7p3VeXe1dEJ6v6qXMHamM-L5uShCJO3g3rNurKQoUbMeD61jbn/s1600/2012-09-08+14.11.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcGCtSiXERExChKBM0FyKAzyyhyphenhyphenVEIEQw8IOC1MwsNXgTU1kLaDmWk8ZYSzLwoQaQgVkNdEHEdnRWNGAW-khMy4ouWv7p3VeXe1dEJ6v6qXMHamM-L5uShCJO3g3rNurKQoUbMeD61jbn/s320/2012-09-08+14.11.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful entryway. Note there are two bannisters and two rails - the original was at a height that just wouldn't protect today's tall people!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN3ji5Is35o2OXXmo7kt98fwIDK7CVjFzjqY3N-VfdGs-lbZ6CPEK6HlCxU_j3HXdPP6AH0jYIPz7mnNdqYWUBXk6e3VMRAeZQyatki-FS13tBg90vYy440duIb28YHjloNgktPkXvStp/s1600/2012-09-08+14.17.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN3ji5Is35o2OXXmo7kt98fwIDK7CVjFzjqY3N-VfdGs-lbZ6CPEK6HlCxU_j3HXdPP6AH0jYIPz7mnNdqYWUBXk6e3VMRAeZQyatki-FS13tBg90vYy440duIb28YHjloNgktPkXvStp/s320/2012-09-08+14.17.37.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upstairs great room has a bear skin rug!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPrHBA9j3hLhW10PjoDNdDbQwTVXG05LY8PzHT2YwqiOtb35YavDzKADYfNi0PIzAZB2R8aCKLmPioxYeTuaptqvMIDHnnXIklg-Ql-r-WM9EkLFxRfbyVRsMVk_rLezxqNxLyUipMk9-/s1600/2012-09-08+14.22.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPrHBA9j3hLhW10PjoDNdDbQwTVXG05LY8PzHT2YwqiOtb35YavDzKADYfNi0PIzAZB2R8aCKLmPioxYeTuaptqvMIDHnnXIklg-Ql-r-WM9EkLFxRfbyVRsMVk_rLezxqNxLyUipMk9-/s320/2012-09-08+14.22.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the temporary aviator displays. <br />
There were only about three cases like this, so not nearly as much as I had anticipated.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJzt-gOAVgsA9YPZ8kISM0cp86XMpyIoEF32mbxdLJAZRkCbbQKqM71dUm0IOEVLSPD0QpybX-MoA6XjuC2MDX6qaCFtctJa-KN2z6RbOcWGxZYVR-5vwRcrZrowNw1c908oqYctzEI55/s1600/2012-09-08+14.25.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJzt-gOAVgsA9YPZ8kISM0cp86XMpyIoEF32mbxdLJAZRkCbbQKqM71dUm0IOEVLSPD0QpybX-MoA6XjuC2MDX6qaCFtctJa-KN2z6RbOcWGxZYVR-5vwRcrZrowNw1c908oqYctzEI55/s320/2012-09-08+14.25.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view into the dogs' bedroom.<br />
(It had been Bill Hart's bedroom, until a new addition was completed. Then he gave it to his dogs.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JMRlHrGDja_FQKS0oSbyj6ANNhCDtkTL-pIMgxeFKJMRlX4KjVPESXpN0XAHXgrbv-ILeHv5DD15IF-BoyPGCg8jD-Cb-7lVqJv1ZIfusz3aPKqsXMok_qp6VYHtocGvg_c4Shq_rmhv/s1600/2012-09-08+14.25.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JMRlHrGDja_FQKS0oSbyj6ANNhCDtkTL-pIMgxeFKJMRlX4KjVPESXpN0XAHXgrbv-ILeHv5DD15IF-BoyPGCg8jD-Cb-7lVqJv1ZIfusz3aPKqsXMok_qp6VYHtocGvg_c4Shq_rmhv/s320/2012-09-08+14.25.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wheelchair belonged to Bill Hart's sister, who lived with him in the house. Beyond that is her bedroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkoN7PL6Rcvr6l_32_u3CcAvsupLHmJivfR71t4DvX-3_YoIngnYh3iqvRhcwR953LX-AyXCMXwMtVyOaKfC_7E8A1wvryKC4xPpXaVW80cVagdt3nlCd8F9aMj15HpydBmDuycQwypdc/s1600/2012-09-08+14.30.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkoN7PL6Rcvr6l_32_u3CcAvsupLHmJivfR71t4DvX-3_YoIngnYh3iqvRhcwR953LX-AyXCMXwMtVyOaKfC_7E8A1wvryKC4xPpXaVW80cVagdt3nlCd8F9aMj15HpydBmDuycQwypdc/s320/2012-09-08+14.30.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The desk inside William Hart's bedroom. It reminds me of my maternal grandfather, who always had a very neat desk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6A0w8brs6N6fHxs2pzY8tkOL9PMMmt2_C5pSE6h-zzxyy6IJC6Kpvq9HyobACSgrCy1roEHRl8TelDptUShSyDA0sfcK4f4r50M0GtZ4BLAAJJAYGcK0ubhdRl5OfhQbaA1wrvEiF5-C/s1600/2012-09-08+14.28.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6A0w8brs6N6fHxs2pzY8tkOL9PMMmt2_C5pSE6h-zzxyy6IJC6Kpvq9HyobACSgrCy1roEHRl8TelDptUShSyDA0sfcK4f4r50M0GtZ4BLAAJJAYGcK0ubhdRl5OfhQbaA1wrvEiF5-C/s320/2012-09-08+14.28.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enlarged photos of William S. Hart at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhh6qaaO961ea4rdWZwX-YmseoNuZQtj-HplCVfpMXPLz0rIO1ktbZ_7A_QXDUOc64WVFLm5biYa21areM-ACGhEWHA81AUc6OtBOlZnfQfupwv7liRS9OPT0gfgR7IVuYFvH3W_q8x3M/s1600/2012-09-08+14.28.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhh6qaaO961ea4rdWZwX-YmseoNuZQtj-HplCVfpMXPLz0rIO1ktbZ_7A_QXDUOc64WVFLm5biYa21areM-ACGhEWHA81AUc6OtBOlZnfQfupwv7liRS9OPT0gfgR7IVuYFvH3W_q8x3M/s320/2012-09-08+14.28.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was said to be the "good bad man."</td></tr>
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After our tour of the museum, we were ready to get back in the air conditioned van and head home, but I did take a peek inside the original 1910 Ranch House at the bottom of the hill. It is open for self-guided tours, (unlike the mansion,) and the park website explains it contains, "Hart's tack and saddle collection, personal furnishings, and additional Hollywood mementos. It was too dark for pictures inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx-GA9FBjxOiGjcKksisnBEECgAw5dt63266wXdKSyOD707ZXP9oSji6KCX_v5V45oAxmYbtbvQmZHf7uh59Cx83QePhXOvXD0tpg-_jOIiuq1_K3oNIZtxbFGYeuVPZOlClz03kYynIf/s1600/2012-09-08+14.52.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx-GA9FBjxOiGjcKksisnBEECgAw5dt63266wXdKSyOD707ZXP9oSji6KCX_v5V45oAxmYbtbvQmZHf7uh59Cx83QePhXOvXD0tpg-_jOIiuq1_K3oNIZtxbFGYeuVPZOlClz03kYynIf/s320/2012-09-08+14.52.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A description of the Ranch House and how it was used by Hart.</td></tr>
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There also is a barnyard, that Vivi and I did a loop through. There was a pig and a cow, and a lot of birds (chickens, geese, etc.) Here are some pictures:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-85483926355142638612012-09-02T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:18:17.026-07:00Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday, September 2, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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2200 Virginia Ave</div>
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Santa Monica, CA 90404<br />
<a href="http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS/content.aspx?id=32857">www.smgov.net</a></div>
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After breakfast and some morning naps for the kids, we were trying to decide where to go for the afternoon. Now there are plenty of days - today included - where I would love to stay at home being lazy and watching Redbox movies, (although there is plenty to be done around here in the dishes and laundry departments, and cooking, and de-cluttering...) But with the little ones, that just doesn't feel like an option anymore. Vivi will get restless, she'll end up somehow tormenting her brother for entertainment, someone will end up crying, and it won't be relaxing. Plus, it's way too hot in North Hollywood these days. So it's easier - and quieter - to go somewhere.</div>
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I considered just staying close and going to Woodbridge Park, which I blogged about previously (August 18th,) but we both thought a longer drive would be nice. (Kids asleep in car seats = quiet time!) Also, south of the "hill," (i.e. the Santa Monica Mountains,) it is almost ten degrees cooler. So we headed towards Santa Monica, because, in the course of my places-to-go research, I had read about a park there with a great splash pad.</div>
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We packed some towels and a small picnic of PB&J. (I also always bring the fully stocked diaper bag, including extra clothes and jackets, and bottles of water. And I keep certain things in the van at all times for outings: folding chairs, a picnic blanket, my hat, and sunscreen.) Then we just headed towards Santa Monica. Thank goodness for smart phones with web searches, and for GPS navigation! I didn't remember the name of the park, so I just searched the GPS for the parks in Santa Monica, and I searched Google to see if any of those parks came up when I searched "Santa Monica splash pad." I quickly found just the place I was looking for: <a href="http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS/content.aspx?id=32857" target="_blank">Virginia Avenue Park</a>.</div>
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There are two parking lots - one on the southeast corner nearer the lawn (it was being used for soccer,) and basketball courts, and the other on the northwest corner near the splash pad and playgrounds. We stuck to the playground area, but I did notice that these basketball courts are a nicer surface than asphalt, and would be great for a pickup game.<br />
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The parking lot closest to the playgrounds also provides access to three other Santa Monica Community buildings: the Patio, the Thelma Terry Building, and The Park Center. The Patio is a building that houses restrooms, (including a Family restroom!) the plumbing for the splash pad, and a space that is used for children's programs, cultural arts, and can be reserved for celebrations. (Today it was being used for a birthday party, and it looked like a nice space for a small group!) The Thelma Terry Building is used for child development and after school programs, and the Park Center is for meetings, fitness (dance, yoga, martial arts,) employment services, etc. Also, on the corner of Pico and 21st street is the Park Center's 2101 building that houses the Teen Center with art, computers, and even a recording studio!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyrSoxLjl6rHR2zdan1DOLBEvNTYGkZAcPxnITpyCE038vcOa7rZKPrrKY5jR6RT6gMO4jy11NbdgEbr55dg0-3Sx4BMrZPyzOyp1QB8EsUNu1mX8sLDusvB6Tu37BB20k9T1Zgjy5VW0/s1600/2012-09-02+14.27.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyrSoxLjl6rHR2zdan1DOLBEvNTYGkZAcPxnITpyCE038vcOa7rZKPrrKY5jR6RT6gMO4jy11NbdgEbr55dg0-3Sx4BMrZPyzOyp1QB8EsUNu1mX8sLDusvB6Tu37BB20k9T1Zgjy5VW0/s320/2012-09-02+14.27.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thelma Terry Building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcrOJmf6DxTTNMa_NTeUzDubDxwiB0tTByFk2e74xim_ka9TpHuF0NpBybS6k93KIBk-go49Z1EkMeQiXeqIvI0Q077WdgXqgg1itlYaRtyysj-QXDfZKEV2w_3gnveS5F7o6ZGdFF-f8/s1600/2012-09-02+16.11.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcrOJmf6DxTTNMa_NTeUzDubDxwiB0tTByFk2e74xim_ka9TpHuF0NpBybS6k93KIBk-go49Z1EkMeQiXeqIvI0Q077WdgXqgg1itlYaRtyysj-QXDfZKEV2w_3gnveS5F7o6ZGdFF-f8/s320/2012-09-02+16.11.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Park Center</td></tr>
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There are plans to build a Pico branch of the Santa Monica library adjacent to the Thelma Terry Building. It's projected to open sometime next year.<br />
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There is a Farmer's Market every Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm.<br />
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The playgrounds are nice, but the splash pad is really the star of the show here. It's got all kinds of rotating water jets and the kids can chase around to wherever the water squirts out next. Also nice is there is a good amount of shade around the perimeter, and low walls serve as benches for parents.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunRZIwc3_YlkznyynnrUIr_WrLILWGgjL8ZlGVk3YcMf3_ExIlmqlcJM_KU7Py_LpJhDrarGbJaA9iX8vspkpGPmZDYp8z79vbWjFWmCQeFA47m7pBFBBt5Xzx2-rl6DOsApEIeyfQZFM/s1600/2012-09-02+14.27.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunRZIwc3_YlkznyynnrUIr_WrLILWGgjL8ZlGVk3YcMf3_ExIlmqlcJM_KU7Py_LpJhDrarGbJaA9iX8vspkpGPmZDYp8z79vbWjFWmCQeFA47m7pBFBBt5Xzx2-rl6DOsApEIeyfQZFM/s320/2012-09-02+14.27.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the shade and the wall seating! Water sprays from the ground, and even three jets out of the wall to the right. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnDhb4uv0xqEt8Fm0ATq7AHaakWBMn_t63HNF4-4CCTOc8T7cKiRxtbe8-GBMSB76R4PTAY9N21BXf3FejEn9OJbe1RXaepyeTehYMTDCL-aAMGRYPJFbzHyz4Z1WvCwodV4rsbM9ljIN/s1600/2012-09-02+14.34.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnDhb4uv0xqEt8Fm0ATq7AHaakWBMn_t63HNF4-4CCTOc8T7cKiRxtbe8-GBMSB76R4PTAY9N21BXf3FejEn9OJbe1RXaepyeTehYMTDCL-aAMGRYPJFbzHyz4Z1WvCwodV4rsbM9ljIN/s320/2012-09-02+14.34.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi was very wary of the water. She didn't really want to play in it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSBgG2ID1ouhyphenhyphen4ATYUbgkQyQVU1ocbUU8SUciq-le9wSpn0cACfmwvQH7muZeFfgDto1m9GuFbhTF3wMQ2En5IgyVEUsC4azCjsTlrIfMl2ckB2X-Dd8FOX0zxAFVxbrEz5kC6ahCGeGU/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSBgG2ID1ouhyphenhyphen4ATYUbgkQyQVU1ocbUU8SUciq-le9wSpn0cACfmwvQH7muZeFfgDto1m9GuFbhTF3wMQ2En5IgyVEUsC4azCjsTlrIfMl2ckB2X-Dd8FOX0zxAFVxbrEz5kC6ahCGeGU/s320/IMG_1226.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She eventually got hit by an unexpected stream (because the water rotates through the different jets.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5gVP2jMYK2MlEsXdcwidjR6EuvUjclDD7pUBRpF6RC062inKZlsYaqwf-KE3j6YXGzsjEvp7Or2eG1bhURpRiTmCWcV85tC8ZxJAscpoouIJcUEC72NVhPm_A9ngHFfXrkhpjukogNXG/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5gVP2jMYK2MlEsXdcwidjR6EuvUjclDD7pUBRpF6RC062inKZlsYaqwf-KE3j6YXGzsjEvp7Or2eG1bhURpRiTmCWcV85tC8ZxJAscpoouIJcUEC72NVhPm_A9ngHFfXrkhpjukogNXG/s320/IMG_1331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But she was mostly content to watch the other kids get wet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhfXBpWUVgVZ1NUFfOpDN0vxM_dzWKSZ1RFnmUDraM-g8uhP0myo6gK6PR3TuFWqg2RJwJvggi179GZWL_gLBn59_HeC6EHpzmFt3J6Ou5kN2uo82Uu-4GbGQXmInTKaCrvys5pcbxkCd/s1600/2012-09-02+14.28.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhfXBpWUVgVZ1NUFfOpDN0vxM_dzWKSZ1RFnmUDraM-g8uhP0myo6gK6PR3TuFWqg2RJwJvggi179GZWL_gLBn59_HeC6EHpzmFt3J6Ou5kN2uo82Uu-4GbGQXmInTKaCrvys5pcbxkCd/s320/2012-09-02+14.28.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hours 9:00am to 7:00pm daily. Call 310-458-8501 if it's not working.</td></tr>
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The play equipment is separated into two areas. The toddler area includes two bucket swings. The older kids' area has mostly climbing toys. I wondered about the choice not to have any shade coverings over either set of equipment. Maybe because it's Santa Monica and the ocean breeze keeps it from ever getting too blisteringly hot. But the direct sun was pretty glaring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSf3TSpbFfN9ELJwOll1x9SCzTAcj0uy_3qjOcPO5RlnFjwS22isUDkbCGMk3z91bNkhkRP2aDWsGYusYwNLnHM6Fn2qx52KQGhADDUz8F45K3JCN12mqDQ06S1Nf5FjGHDxnL8HGxT_n/s1600/2012-09-02+14.39.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSf3TSpbFfN9ELJwOll1x9SCzTAcj0uy_3qjOcPO5RlnFjwS22isUDkbCGMk3z91bNkhkRP2aDWsGYusYwNLnHM6Fn2qx52KQGhADDUz8F45K3JCN12mqDQ06S1Nf5FjGHDxnL8HGxT_n/s320/2012-09-02+14.39.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toddler equipment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTMIWjnzVM-D_0onWeiiXTplKHKBh3X5n67pJGOh1anG_rMKk2bkcxdZTKTmeeJAmK2mzu6ojgQQ6BvL_Dey1bvcJtw4Fea9diJetVH8vkca5_iyS6F16DNxnLTgn3C8zdzYFRwrevJow/s1600/2012-09-02+14.50.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTMIWjnzVM-D_0onWeiiXTplKHKBh3X5n67pJGOh1anG_rMKk2bkcxdZTKTmeeJAmK2mzu6ojgQQ6BvL_Dey1bvcJtw4Fea9diJetVH8vkca5_iyS6F16DNxnLTgn3C8zdzYFRwrevJow/s320/2012-09-02+14.50.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi loves the swings - she'll swing every day if she gets the chance!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvzVK19VXRSaVz73e0N9UCxIdVNADx9UOcK79AHJVjzJNYuentInPEejydK2NnBCduKZrf1pp5OvRn3hLyv28jUdWKhhr0HHa-M7D-arJmkq-RADErLANA5r8Xocwwc172MhN9V6kTVzz/s1600/2012-09-02+15.25.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvzVK19VXRSaVz73e0N9UCxIdVNADx9UOcK79AHJVjzJNYuentInPEejydK2NnBCduKZrf1pp5OvRn3hLyv28jUdWKhhr0HHa-M7D-arJmkq-RADErLANA5r8Xocwwc172MhN9V6kTVzz/s320/2012-09-02+15.25.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the older kids' play equipment with the splash pad and Patio, (to the right,) in the background.</td></tr>
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I have to say, though, that the most fun Omar and I had today was just laying in the shade on the grass and enjoying the cooler weather and ocean breeze.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSRDWuKCY3GTlZvKv05IuG4D_IXIufhmHuPBYot_A-HKkL5Kehr2GttxeuK31H7TJe8KAld105pl15aQlhcAUN0O5OPe1rDMVJB9zL55LG1Dwk153KU-QRSciVKu0mEqnFS3TPCfRUYAa/s1600/2012-09-02+15.12.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSRDWuKCY3GTlZvKv05IuG4D_IXIufhmHuPBYot_A-HKkL5Kehr2GttxeuK31H7TJe8KAld105pl15aQlhcAUN0O5OPe1rDMVJB9zL55LG1Dwk153KU-QRSciVKu0mEqnFS3TPCfRUYAa/s320/2012-09-02+15.12.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The good life!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-5680766116258146592012-09-02T23:00:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:17:06.707-07:00Risn-N-Shine Cafe in Sunland<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday, September 2, 2012</div>
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My Cost: about $25 (cash only)</div>
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9685 Sunland Blvd</div>
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Sunland, CA 91040<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/rise-n-shine-cafe-sunland">www.yelp.com/biz/rise-n-shine-cafe-sunland</a></div>
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Because Omar had to work yesterday, today felt like the official beginning of our Labor Day Weekend. We kicked it off with breakfast at our regular place - the Rise-N-Shine Cafe in Sunland. It's a yummy little cash-only place with a Western theme, and tons of posters, photographs, standees, what-have-you, all over the walls. I found it through their <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/rise-n-shine-cafe-sunland" target="_blank">Yelp reviews</a>. We've been eating here whenever we go out to breakfast for at least a year now. It's not every weekend, but it's often enough that the waitresses have seen our family grow from one child to two, and have observed how fast they both are growing. (I feel like I should know the waitresses' names by now, but I don't. I do leave good tips though!)</div>
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This is the most recent photo I could find from the Rise-N-Shine, taken December 17, 2011.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-52771818851846916542012-09-01T23:36:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:16:26.756-07:00Hansen Dam Universal Access Playground<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, September 1, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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11770 Foothill Blvd</div>
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Lake View Terrace, CA 91342<br />
<a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/playground/facility/hansendamUAPRC.htm">www.laparks.org/dos/playground/facility/hansendamUAPRC.htm</a></div>
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After a fun morning at the Griffith Park Pony Ride, and the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, (see my previous posts,) we spent most of the day back at home because Daddy (Omar) had to work. No rest for the cheesecake bakers! But by late afternoon Vivi started acting cooped up and I wanted to take her somewhere she could run and climb a bit. And, luck would have it, Daddy came back just as we were heading out the door! So we all got to go to the <a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/playground/facility/hansendamUAPRC.htm">Hansen Dam Universal Access Playground</a>. (By the way, you can find out more information about this, and other Universal Access Playgrounds at <a href="http://shanesinspiration.org/content/view/2/69/">ShanesInspiration.org</a>.)</div>
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I had driven past this playground back on August 8th, (my previous post on Hansen Dam Recreational Center,) and thought, seeing as it isn't that far from our house, that tonight would be a good chance to check it out! You have to enter the park off of Osborne Street at Dronfield Avenue, and the playground is directly behind the Lakeview Terrace Library branch, (which I also posted about on August 8th.) </div>
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It wasn't super crowded, even for a holiday weekend, but I did notice some groups of kids there that seemed to be part of a camp or activity club. There are also private vendors here selling food and toys, (which I have seen at many other parks in the LA area,) but for some reason, at this park, contributes to a much bigger litter problem than I have seen anywhere else.</div>
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The litter issue is really a shame, because honestly, this is the <i>nicest </i>playground we have been to thus far in our exploration. It has a toddler area, an area for ages 2 to 5 years, and a third area for ages 5 to 12 years. Most places have only two separate areas. Plus, each of the areas was large by itself, so all combined this park had tons of space or playing! There are also plentiful low walls for supervising parents to sit, if not very many benches.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg274IJZt9S48-6IVetnb3-9JaqRPBj9CdLVMLYqd8uAXvhS3rUQtYZ4pNQdRTaEEMxjxj8cTH1nUl5NCAf7ZOf1J5doiGgYmKLBd84gfhdiTIlOXDFVTUpUDzeQHggwEmcK2HusmaAPI_k/s1600/2012-09-01+19.05.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg274IJZt9S48-6IVetnb3-9JaqRPBj9CdLVMLYqd8uAXvhS3rUQtYZ4pNQdRTaEEMxjxj8cTH1nUl5NCAf7ZOf1J5doiGgYmKLBd84gfhdiTIlOXDFVTUpUDzeQHggwEmcK2HusmaAPI_k/s320/2012-09-01+19.05.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Toddler Area. This is the only playground that includes sand. <br />
Maybe toddlers like playing in sand more than bigger kids? I wouldn't know, Vivi's not into it yet.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohwn0_wlButa5R3zMIUpBT4GwgJxk1leY_q9nF4UMW-yZZH8pMqwjnF0uQMrqLtVUGEYiQ5kq9LA_OrVAp6CvPieFW1WdIEQv_5nq_iLLRX5gMtZn0Xo3rsZInH0dpMWGuawx1fttPOjy/s1600/2012-09-01+18.54.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohwn0_wlButa5R3zMIUpBT4GwgJxk1leY_q9nF4UMW-yZZH8pMqwjnF0uQMrqLtVUGEYiQ5kq9LA_OrVAp6CvPieFW1WdIEQv_5nq_iLLRX5gMtZn0Xo3rsZInH0dpMWGuawx1fttPOjy/s320/2012-09-01+18.54.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area for ages 2-5 years. The slides weren't steep, and the bridges and things had a lot more guard rails.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QfC-JKp2pY9cMRLDc-BYJcvxlZZg_WTqWNJRaEpeasJDehAdwP0vTP8E8kFe44wG9CA2hjcQ7p9iC9BmXG_7MjL5OwHTHqKEbEp0x8Ck5BuVUh1UvgbFjUNjKPuN00D3AnlKwQ5wgvCA/s1600/2012-09-01+18.45.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QfC-JKp2pY9cMRLDc-BYJcvxlZZg_WTqWNJRaEpeasJDehAdwP0vTP8E8kFe44wG9CA2hjcQ7p9iC9BmXG_7MjL5OwHTHqKEbEp0x8Ck5BuVUh1UvgbFjUNjKPuN00D3AnlKwQ5wgvCA/s320/2012-09-01+18.45.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area for ages 5-12 years. Vivi actually really wanted to play here more than anywhere else, because she's adventurous like that. I had to steer her away to the 2-5 playground so she wouldn't be able to hurt herself as easily.</td></tr>
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Besides having the three large, separate areas for different ages, the different activities in each area were lots of fun for the kids.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnMqYYpdstRA5DYAyjmG2e9ySvTMwUlZYfVb0FrqMm0AT5PBBNCbambqyHK6qD_Kc4S73Eu3vWdICudzDu3RVY1mww_3btZI_Z_D6j0YATgoNQzml6LlI3-cTa_y-e2Tj6y0xVDAjm8Bq/s1600/2012-09-01+18.46.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnMqYYpdstRA5DYAyjmG2e9ySvTMwUlZYfVb0FrqMm0AT5PBBNCbambqyHK6qD_Kc4S73Eu3vWdICudzDu3RVY1mww_3btZI_Z_D6j0YATgoNQzml6LlI3-cTa_y-e2Tj6y0xVDAjm8Bq/s320/2012-09-01+18.46.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi taking BIG steps to try and cross one of the bridges on the 5-12 years playground.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz_ZtK1sk1qYYADRP8b6Jkr1ZZPqQIz0H-_nuoqMMSMPhj3rzfkPqKpQz05G1tn51Jd-Kdc55qr7Fo4cbgwvwR8jKYDqse67cee8Tmp5y3T171CDxuPfcH2hk3qT-yTNNtQFsilVI7W_O/s1600/2012-09-01+18.49.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz_ZtK1sk1qYYADRP8b6Jkr1ZZPqQIz0H-_nuoqMMSMPhj3rzfkPqKpQz05G1tn51Jd-Kdc55qr7Fo4cbgwvwR8jKYDqse67cee8Tmp5y3T171CDxuPfcH2hk3qT-yTNNtQFsilVI7W_O/s320/2012-09-01+18.49.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi at the top of one of the big, steep slides in the 5-12 years area. She loves to climb! <br />
(And keeps mommy hopping trying to follow and keep her safe!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLznEs0nk8nuL4oeBIJssT4wS-Purc40xXg_FJdXV_3M2Xy_qL1DfJQVafvN9R9wQw75LonVF7cZjawYGUecJGTgSk9-pfWL6wyEYGBz0oeLsn7nHnr932G-_0yNZvv-t_MPPw-ZoHmny_/s1600/2012-09-01+18.56.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLznEs0nk8nuL4oeBIJssT4wS-Purc40xXg_FJdXV_3M2Xy_qL1DfJQVafvN9R9wQw75LonVF7cZjawYGUecJGTgSk9-pfWL6wyEYGBz0oeLsn7nHnr932G-_0yNZvv-t_MPPw-ZoHmny_/s320/2012-09-01+18.56.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over at the 2-5 playground things were a little more her speed.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhV9nvwlnoz-Sou6RNo71E6ZWQ-p87jOjPYVUqNiuYcaflRCzUjEV9Z-GTw5LFiqRWA6a6u6qE_XkiW-yp1ZVEk_naZieGM_uEywJIsoMCxXLovUctDrkKDTWSmlyG4_jrCvYE6Nw2XvH/s1600/2012-09-01+18.58.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhV9nvwlnoz-Sou6RNo71E6ZWQ-p87jOjPYVUqNiuYcaflRCzUjEV9Z-GTw5LFiqRWA6a6u6qE_XkiW-yp1ZVEk_naZieGM_uEywJIsoMCxXLovUctDrkKDTWSmlyG4_jrCvYE6Nw2XvH/s320/2012-09-01+18.58.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up and down any kind of stairs is always a favorite for this girl!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJCnI_09KRMBtlg5GMAbQFLZv9FnEbxG9FOHFYdZ8erEcGVRNGdC24DqK5eEHoOoiS1q7I4mhsoVfa9Wn6cL9M5A1nOuVxy4JMjvb3gGR-Npa-lJxuLrh6y5u6aCYmjNWJPyR2mtgLBSl/s1600/2012-09-01+19.26.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJCnI_09KRMBtlg5GMAbQFLZv9FnEbxG9FOHFYdZ8erEcGVRNGdC24DqK5eEHoOoiS1q7I4mhsoVfa9Wn6cL9M5A1nOuVxy4JMjvb3gGR-Npa-lJxuLrh6y5u6aCYmjNWJPyR2mtgLBSl/s320/2012-09-01+19.26.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even plenty of room for my handsome baby to practice his crawling on a blanket, <br />
thanks to the fact that Daddy was here to split the child care duties with me!</td></tr>
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All in all a great playground, but I was just bummed about all the garbage. I literally wished I had a trash bag and a pair of rubber gloves so I could go pick it up myself. I don't know why, considering there were plenty of trash cans around, people would just toss their corn cobs and soda cans straight on the ground. But they did, and also left sticky residue on a lot of the play equipment, and big dirty splotches on the ground. And a little graffiti vandalism as well. A shame.<br />
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There also were some homeless individuals resting not far from the playground. They kept to themselves and didn't interfere with the kids in any way, but they were nearby.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-59256714822275381582012-09-01T23:35:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:15:40.854-07:00Griffith Park & Southern Railroad<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, September 1, 2012</div>
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My Cost: $2.50</div>
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4400 Crystal Springs Drive</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90027<br />
<a href="http://www.griffithparktrainrides.com/content/griffith-park--southern-railroad">www.griffithparktrainrides.com</a></div>
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After the Griffith Park Pony Ride, (my previous post,) I thought we would also go for a train ride! This would give little Alex a chance to ride something too, since he's not old enough for the ponies. Plus, it is free for kids under 19 months old, so it was cheaper than a Wagon Ride. (Vivi is four days away from turning 19 months old!) </div>
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The <a href="http://www.griffithparktrainrides.com/content/griffith-park--southern-railroad" target="_blank">Griffith Park & Southern Railroad</a> is just steps from the ponies. It has a long history, and I learned there has been a train ride in this location for over sixty years! In between the train and pony rides are two snack bars, picnic tables, and even a toy booth. It's a very carnival type atmosphere. And for families with bigger kids than my little tiny ones, they could spend a nice afternoon riding and eating. But I had one child in the front carrier, and I had to hold the other to keep her from running off while I stood in line, and they each weigh at least 20 pounds, so I knew we'd just ride the train and go home, to save me from too much extra stress. Here are the pictures that document the whole experience:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczGWNz05DgoImD5fpmGjP8cyLGEXI5RSzhCTM_uiL9LG_6y2DgvXGv1DbLa5Mucyn6vqkIt7dWAAcd2Rp8fjVIVrh2mGVessmzmNSwHlYtkRJ2FEx9_fvhQ_4v70Bo8xe2B780JBx4wca/s1600/2012-09-01+11.11.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczGWNz05DgoImD5fpmGjP8cyLGEXI5RSzhCTM_uiL9LG_6y2DgvXGv1DbLa5Mucyn6vqkIt7dWAAcd2Rp8fjVIVrh2mGVessmzmNSwHlYtkRJ2FEx9_fvhQ_4v70Bo8xe2B780JBx4wca/s320/2012-09-01+11.11.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to the train depot is the Pinwheel Palace toy booth, and there's a small scale water tower in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AaAc2KlLE7AmEDKA0eq6Al5AhpoWRdyQWDYzChyphenhyphen_MEqFhMDYte3PnUzLMGB1ankHm5ddG_sFLEjtENxzHcuS3QQvIlIPbBWIWzRjBz3gpmelfInW02fPqeohAYk6j3Q-gQ7i8JDueTXu/s1600/2012-09-01+11.12.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AaAc2KlLE7AmEDKA0eq6Al5AhpoWRdyQWDYzChyphenhyphen_MEqFhMDYte3PnUzLMGB1ankHm5ddG_sFLEjtENxzHcuS3QQvIlIPbBWIWzRjBz3gpmelfInW02fPqeohAYk6j3Q-gQ7i8JDueTXu/s320/2012-09-01+11.12.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cute Los Feliz Passenger Station, est. 1947, where you buy your tickets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHT8VXEa4Z3y8nixFuuygNDYogFyJdRafZmLu2cZyig18eS0lijN-Dmw7i6G3SRKB9UCjUxIetububX1l23owAHvCgDLJOtX3_DFTmdaWUG_v_Bg1uG5WBpGzwdtBXc0Uqy3KRFsjWDOZ/s1600/2012-09-01+11.12.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHT8VXEa4Z3y8nixFuuygNDYogFyJdRafZmLu2cZyig18eS0lijN-Dmw7i6G3SRKB9UCjUxIetububX1l23owAHvCgDLJOtX3_DFTmdaWUG_v_Bg1uG5WBpGzwdtBXc0Uqy3KRFsjWDOZ/s320/2012-09-01+11.12.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prices are the same here as at the train ride in Travel Town, and they <i>do </i>take credit, debit and cash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65gCJQwg907sJdfIzPrUACMEaixiNH-eQNTVE2-8afIvCM_A-bPe5xyX-k6qoc2w_sQuyXxcofgdg-Igz-tjPQwI4wRpL4JlaSVZOG9_-hQ4AXSMiGy55uNF28bCNmu16CE1Gbgm7G9F0/s1600/2012-09-01+11.11.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65gCJQwg907sJdfIzPrUACMEaixiNH-eQNTVE2-8afIvCM_A-bPe5xyX-k6qoc2w_sQuyXxcofgdg-Igz-tjPQwI4wRpL4JlaSVZOG9_-hQ4AXSMiGy55uNF28bCNmu16CE1Gbgm7G9F0/s320/2012-09-01+11.11.54.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The "Colonel Griffith" 2-8-0 locomotive built by Severn Lamb Ltd. in 1983.<br />
Severn Lamb are transportation replica manufacturers who have also built models for the Smithsonian!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCEzwC2xP_1kYRQq8Edy04XiM2SKinIE4h9rvMsD58JZP9B2GEZhfbiWSFDglEYd-HJR8b9YAsdDkLxZs7wyPFqnmP0X3qJNfC1Vub2dRvfTbhojvcj_LvTDlDrhNgs_Z-CcEitsyWPoD/s1600/2012-09-01+11.11.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCEzwC2xP_1kYRQq8Edy04XiM2SKinIE4h9rvMsD58JZP9B2GEZhfbiWSFDglEYd-HJR8b9YAsdDkLxZs7wyPFqnmP0X3qJNfC1Vub2dRvfTbhojvcj_LvTDlDrhNgs_Z-CcEitsyWPoD/s320/2012-09-01+11.11.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locomotive and the engineer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP_i2fbfELoPcETXRLNW83Uz3d8jRvbni6TsIyOPcbAJ1s5Gff8rGYoYoWgsBPH_V36YJAMP1nNn76EMaGM7NIX55hOSfFdUtsR9q00h4Zc0khnUnV-P_UQ4OfFzaoH1km6-lWlbGZWzV/s1600/2012-09-01+11.25.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP_i2fbfELoPcETXRLNW83Uz3d8jRvbni6TsIyOPcbAJ1s5Gff8rGYoYoWgsBPH_V36YJAMP1nNn76EMaGM7NIX55hOSfFdUtsR9q00h4Zc0khnUnV-P_UQ4OfFzaoH1km6-lWlbGZWzV/s320/2012-09-01+11.25.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A man in the train car in front of us took a nice picture - finally I get in a picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH40Yo5gKUlq9P_jw7lCQA_xd2XpbqEegHrU9ZrR6-cpD9M1bMW5q5iOBDFiDpXM9bTnC-nZA8N3XSQpZWS2Lx_f9OxG-V_pRsJQ2bv6EcB60QZba3YTG0flxKGvJ9lyUPIXu8cXK0ZZ8/s1600/2012-09-01+11.26.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH40Yo5gKUlq9P_jw7lCQA_xd2XpbqEegHrU9ZrR6-cpD9M1bMW5q5iOBDFiDpXM9bTnC-nZA8N3XSQpZWS2Lx_f9OxG-V_pRsJQ2bv6EcB60QZba3YTG0flxKGvJ9lyUPIXu8cXK0ZZ8/s320/2012-09-01+11.26.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the train platform from the train - a little tilty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO13ejU_L6VIVNc6oo3LrW8QGmYP-c11_p2CSTg63ftUrLEKnWbUP_fZJysXN_qWRo8wm1NL2Z4YXqUAwxyKiXT-x6Abb6hfKXtXTRDxNwI1cT08UGqSNebAB5EBq2npxy9xyDbxyVooV/s1600/2012-09-01+11.28.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO13ejU_L6VIVNc6oo3LrW8QGmYP-c11_p2CSTg63ftUrLEKnWbUP_fZJysXN_qWRo8wm1NL2Z4YXqUAwxyKiXT-x6Abb6hfKXtXTRDxNwI1cT08UGqSNebAB5EBq2npxy9xyDbxyVooV/s320/2012-09-01+11.28.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view as we passed the snack bars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DqIvQwkg28WaxazQVgwS92dcKSoiQkvDIu3vdm3CufsvwRzF-3Y2hm_cCLHgwxTdPP2tiHwY7o0Zku2Bcfn8oQe-w-7egR1jiUfXhinexJanmVVhV9EIOaabhJ9-kB9ooGz2kLHqw0wU/s1600/2012-09-01+11.32.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DqIvQwkg28WaxazQVgwS92dcKSoiQkvDIu3vdm3CufsvwRzF-3Y2hm_cCLHgwxTdPP2tiHwY7o0Zku2Bcfn8oQe-w-7egR1jiUfXhinexJanmVVhV9EIOaabhJ9-kB9ooGz2kLHqw0wU/s320/2012-09-01+11.32.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The engineer really sped up into this curve, which was pretty exciting! <br />
And he turns around and waves to the train passengers, which is fun for the kids.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KwdP2hz0tJABs8Kpiazg_lFxfxjdNUJpjXk8663LUIdUbCRKBKJdQGQtsUNhtbQrnG-Ib63Cv4oZSAjL3P83oNEyHVe2MypMvKHiTj08N70BRyIEUsLNNDgXZ_Abog7_ipR7LCjr6BKt/s1600/2012-09-01+11.32.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KwdP2hz0tJABs8Kpiazg_lFxfxjdNUJpjXk8663LUIdUbCRKBKJdQGQtsUNhtbQrnG-Ib63Cv4oZSAjL3P83oNEyHVe2MypMvKHiTj08N70BRyIEUsLNNDgXZ_Abog7_ipR7LCjr6BKt/s320/2012-09-01+11.32.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge over a tiny creek. (To the right there's a fence and then southbound I-5 traffic speeding by.) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVSClLcir-RSf2AxRf9W8TYG6gSK5F6vkHT26DM2DadXc_46qJOHEmq3QQZk2PW8Xkj6cyqD1LpY3QY1JrxtVgopVo4csD1oWk3cLOCyMqkqwprnYQ9iHpzztVAer_adNzhqeLFNyN9Oy/s1600/2012-09-01+11.33.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVSClLcir-RSf2AxRf9W8TYG6gSK5F6vkHT26DM2DadXc_46qJOHEmq3QQZk2PW8Xkj6cyqD1LpY3QY1JrxtVgopVo4csD1oWk3cLOCyMqkqwprnYQ9iHpzztVAer_adNzhqeLFNyN9Oy/s320/2012-09-01+11.33.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the manmade tunnel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe7cDrxMZKbZTRaPg5jO9HNUz-Pqtuhbgu5Rw3tlU-kkqJ1C0UgC9Y2MEgSDw-fSP3Puw52XuWjAEwylOZdBP4BMp8lUInW9nGYXizvWZEbyFTPq5NtJFbXk86guafrwlYrHNahp1u4Vn/s1600/2012-09-01+11.34.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe7cDrxMZKbZTRaPg5jO9HNUz-Pqtuhbgu5Rw3tlU-kkqJ1C0UgC9Y2MEgSDw-fSP3Puw52XuWjAEwylOZdBP4BMp8lUInW9nGYXizvWZEbyFTPq5NtJFbXk86guafrwlYrHNahp1u4Vn/s320/2012-09-01+11.34.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing this boxcar reminded me of the Boxcar Children books I used to read as a kid!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VAUJOZSjjue8Jh3YJXpFSyZF5Rq0-LqhSKa47QUvZ7DoEdyiI4ZQfy5u_iWDjfW-06wcLuhACzoOZTNKzwtxPZ1h7NycEAEmLn2Tg1dQb7D_y4DIsqTlkaZVqM6VE8rMXQYUj3NB7GOY/s1600/2012-09-01+11.34.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VAUJOZSjjue8Jh3YJXpFSyZF5Rq0-LqhSKa47QUvZ7DoEdyiI4ZQfy5u_iWDjfW-06wcLuhACzoOZTNKzwtxPZ1h7NycEAEmLn2Tg1dQb7D_y4DIsqTlkaZVqM6VE8rMXQYUj3NB7GOY/s320/2012-09-01+11.34.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The depot, Pinwheel Palace, and a snack bar as seen from the far side of the tracks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiARErxwBoNTJQaAAUQIzFRlozBIT9aNtw9azJtPU3ENoQx52LpBVzUMS4lgeCT3VnY6FZKnRZVUQmU0WtFVCBWmk6ZrwCgowbgD0Jr22_i5GQSHJMQt3CV_t4rbbMt04NGJDvo_TNKpKJ/s1600/2012-09-01+11.35.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiARErxwBoNTJQaAAUQIzFRlozBIT9aNtw9azJtPU3ENoQx52LpBVzUMS4lgeCT3VnY6FZKnRZVUQmU0WtFVCBWmk6ZrwCgowbgD0Jr22_i5GQSHJMQt3CV_t4rbbMt04NGJDvo_TNKpKJ/s320/2012-09-01+11.35.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train goes through this "Western Town," and there's even a cowboy mannequin coming out of the saloon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eJF_m0J2OBOI06x853VMd2KlqtIms6RFXsHBsvSqj_vnwG46IoteCqyq7suTzHveaNqO0R-6DdL065FJ02vaBlwIuAJw24yxJqVxWQqltezd7sbNUdXGgaST1GUEdgsAgx2ML6fp3unN/s1600/2012-09-01+11.35.26-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eJF_m0J2OBOI06x853VMd2KlqtIms6RFXsHBsvSqj_vnwG46IoteCqyq7suTzHveaNqO0R-6DdL065FJ02vaBlwIuAJw24yxJqVxWQqltezd7sbNUdXGgaST1GUEdgsAgx2ML6fp3unN/s320/2012-09-01+11.35.26-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the Western Town dappled in shadows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IkEKSHpK2ESP6sDn_E8UL83fhxvRvikKrZPmH18wECjQC3cMT4eo8hV2i5lqkU2L2FA5atNfopj53O08eMqFknunwntOqTELsU1eP57UkNuaoWjPj4pAT2BrAUKTb7DyAS38_NZUGKNO/s1600/2012-09-01+11.35.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IkEKSHpK2ESP6sDn_E8UL83fhxvRvikKrZPmH18wECjQC3cMT4eo8hV2i5lqkU2L2FA5atNfopj53O08eMqFknunwntOqTELsU1eP57UkNuaoWjPj4pAT2BrAUKTb7DyAS38_NZUGKNO/s320/2012-09-01+11.35.41.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming around the other big curve in the tracks, there's a cactus garden!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPpvEYPDupVmcznd64BxsLpMkQd4BmvjhpgnSX1bSLFy1cEhNyvCjA2Hwvvw5cxHV-9bHEvvK2pFezODP9_WaZeMn4q3oekMjWINKGQljmF0W3kz-xpj79jQfF6XWd-ZF6ILACjYVdqRA/s1600/2012-09-01+11.36.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPpvEYPDupVmcznd64BxsLpMkQd4BmvjhpgnSX1bSLFy1cEhNyvCjA2Hwvvw5cxHV-9bHEvvK2pFezODP9_WaZeMn4q3oekMjWINKGQljmF0W3kz-xpj79jQfF6XWd-ZF6ILACjYVdqRA/s320/2012-09-01+11.36.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The repair sheds at the end of the line.<br />
They make all the buildings look like part of a town, to fit the ride theme.</td>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-19322778239809724052012-09-01T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:14:27.303-07:00Griffith Park Pony Ride<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, September 1, 2012</div>
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My Cost: $3.00</div>
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4400 Crystal Springs Drive</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90027<br />
<a href="http://www.griffithparkponyride.com/">www.griffithparkponyride.com</a></div>
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It was such a bummer to me that the first day of the 3-day Labor Day weekend turned out to be a regular work day for Omar. They had to be closed on Monday, so they worked on Saturday instead, because I guess there is no such thing as a 3-day weekend in the cheesecake business! But the bummer didn't last for long because a friend texted me and asked if we'd like to meet her family (she has three kids) at the <a href="http://griffithparkponyride.com/" target="_blank">Griffith Park Pony Ride</a>!</div>
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I had never been to the pony rides - and honestly, I probably wouldn't have gone on my own. I would have thought my kids were too young! But it turns out kids are allowed on the ponies starting at 1 year old, and can ride all the way up until their weight passes 100 pounds! They have options of Slow, Medium, or Fast ponies. They also have a pony carousel, called the Pony Sweep, for those parents who want the option of walking alongside their children the first time. <i>And</i>, if you have an infant, you can always take the Wagon Ride, which has no age or weight limit. The whole family rides in a wagon, (with a covering for shade,) drawn by two mules, (I think they were mules.)</div>
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<b>All rides cost $3.00, cash only. </b>Hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, except for the warmer six months (March-August) they stay open until 4:30 pm. They are open Tues-Sat, and also all Mondays that are holidays. Here are the rules of the pony rides (click the photo to enlarge):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6T0I4G5FtWswEtds5VZO3aPtoCZYsI8DMPxYsiS3tkuP2rp5Ze_6WktOhwKKuDBugzmLYueE9rp69ZckC2C4WQYn9bDDZ96A5sNuUMx6qxKsqcvwjGWoMEThMhaoZL7WHdx7xS3kbYOX/s1600/2012-09-01+10.23.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6T0I4G5FtWswEtds5VZO3aPtoCZYsI8DMPxYsiS3tkuP2rp5Ze_6WktOhwKKuDBugzmLYueE9rp69ZckC2C4WQYn9bDDZ96A5sNuUMx6qxKsqcvwjGWoMEThMhaoZL7WHdx7xS3kbYOX/s320/2012-09-01+10.23.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here are some pictures of the track, and of my brave girl going on her first ride all by herself, (she probably would have done better on the Pony Sweep, lol!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6omRCPUlGZyU815NcBSueq35y6Yc4AQidQaR-rY0KwVyXvouOYKITG-zgTwwjt-Sy85sWV8Ojt9emGUy3K1-1Oklw0IOj1KS16NSOkHzbHEUKw52yz-33ajrVmtVE2sjbrgZ49qRSHCF/s1600/2012-09-01+10.24.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6omRCPUlGZyU815NcBSueq35y6Yc4AQidQaR-rY0KwVyXvouOYKITG-zgTwwjt-Sy85sWV8Ojt9emGUy3K1-1Oklw0IOj1KS16NSOkHzbHEUKw52yz-33ajrVmtVE2sjbrgZ49qRSHCF/s320/2012-09-01+10.24.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wagon Ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAt3-QvoZjaFWX3wgtrSYw4XKqi7LMJcky4ucyaQ_wEzRSvaLuhfvXNwQHz8QGriY39ibZS8NdLIjOiyRzcHhn-g5SafRO6idzCwOFplLM9CygLkPKMcLkuUgSPAgFvm6q2DwSAUdcBjz/s1600/2012-09-01+10.29.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAt3-QvoZjaFWX3wgtrSYw4XKqi7LMJcky4ucyaQ_wEzRSvaLuhfvXNwQHz8QGriY39ibZS8NdLIjOiyRzcHhn-g5SafRO6idzCwOFplLM9CygLkPKMcLkuUgSPAgFvm6q2DwSAUdcBjz/s320/2012-09-01+10.29.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi waving "bye-bye" to the Wagon Ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pony Sweep. (Everything is fenced off, so Vivi was okay to run around and enjoy all the animals, as long as we got out of the way of the Wagon Ride.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWJ94IVR-PpftdScjq4di0n3_-X9MBwk5Xwrt6ng40wnuin2dSiHOpQZmzc-4nDfB4czvYplr1sh_HOKO2Di2zQrigU4TuMrNMjHVD8ZsVQIz3o4I0TAAVZAfHhqsqRbte4SK92S6Cb_V/s1600/2012-09-01+10.52.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWJ94IVR-PpftdScjq4di0n3_-X9MBwk5Xwrt6ng40wnuin2dSiHOpQZmzc-4nDfB4czvYplr1sh_HOKO2Di2zQrigU4TuMrNMjHVD8ZsVQIz3o4I0TAAVZAfHhqsqRbte4SK92S6Cb_V/s320/2012-09-01+10.52.03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being saddled up by the Pony Ride employee. They put a secure belt around the kids so they won't slip off the side.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWKo5pqyrLGP3d_FRlM4j0rQ3cKpWTT4rK5AYaR4gWuxj9Mbuy88X5ngkp43wDMngV0Ze5xLY-72TsVxJqGnCB3_LBCHjtt_dxgJreMyZS9_shULER8M9UnjobI2XIt79xb_BhOLt8oR/s1600/2012-09-01+10.53.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWKo5pqyrLGP3d_FRlM4j0rQ3cKpWTT4rK5AYaR4gWuxj9Mbuy88X5ngkp43wDMngV0Ze5xLY-72TsVxJqGnCB3_LBCHjtt_dxgJreMyZS9_shULER8M9UnjobI2XIt79xb_BhOLt8oR/s320/2012-09-01+10.53.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have "spotters" in the middle of the track in case anything happens, and this man walked alongside Vivi as soon as she started crying, which I really appreciated!</td></tr>
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There are also other family things to do besides just the ponies. There are restrooms, two snack bars, picnic tables, and even a booth with toys for sale. The Griffith Park & Southern Train Ride is just steps away, so these amenities are shared by both attractions. Oh, and there are at least three parking lots available, so they really work to accommodate everyone!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6Rqtj3-fed95RGG_ArEW4d11GGtEFdi_rv2HDaixCK3kpCCykwxkyFdLK-jljA2R-tpn0LP7KHunXghoIlF1pwpTWV7wzk1gK678PcVH5XiHXFjZeTixKcpBPDbN8c1lc8ZFFMd-xzjH/s1600/2012-09-01+10.21.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6Rqtj3-fed95RGG_ArEW4d11GGtEFdi_rv2HDaixCK3kpCCykwxkyFdLK-jljA2R-tpn0LP7KHunXghoIlF1pwpTWV7wzk1gK678PcVH5XiHXFjZeTixKcpBPDbN8c1lc8ZFFMd-xzjH/s320/2012-09-01+10.21.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pony Ride Refreshment Stand. I thought I took more pictures of the other amenities, but I guess I didn't...</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-80287368849635167862012-08-31T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:13:42.044-07:00The Wende Museum<div style="text-align: center;">
Friday, August 31, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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5741 Buckingham Parkway</div>
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Culver City, CA 90230<br />
<a href="http://www.wendemuseum.org/">www.wendemuseum.org</a></div>
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This is a fantastic "secret museum" that I would recommend to anyone interested in 20th century history! <a href="http://www.wendemuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Wende Musuem</a>: a Museum and Archive of the Cold War, is not a super kid-friendly destination, but they were very accommodating of my little ones, so if this interests you, or possibly your children, I say go for it! Just be advised there are stairs and no elevator. </div>
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There is no charge for admission, and you can visit any weekday (M-Th) <i>with</i> an appointment, or on Fridays <i>without</i> an appointment. The hours are between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. (Because it is more of an archive and educational institution than a tourist destination, they are only open during typical work hours, and no weekends.) I did learn that there are plans in the works to move to the Culver City Armory, which would be a more permanent, visitor-friendly home for the archive. So if you want to be able to see it in its more "secret" or "hidden" stage, I'd suggest going sooner rather than later.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj801pp2XggU50mArDXvmfbQ9a1pYzp1mIgTBOGzlgafuJXsfU8CiR3moR7En4_VvsMOo2oloQppnLtTjRzlU_sfJ5i17C14Kam6B-mNhDB9X5K6DlgKgCRSktK_6q4qOGhJ88hbO2eyP58/s1600/2012-08-31+12.43.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj801pp2XggU50mArDXvmfbQ9a1pYzp1mIgTBOGzlgafuJXsfU8CiR3moR7En4_VvsMOo2oloQppnLtTjRzlU_sfJ5i17C14Kam6B-mNhDB9X5K6DlgKgCRSktK_6q4qOGhJ88hbO2eyP58/s320/2012-08-31+12.43.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite being the world's largest Cold War visual archive, not too many people have ever heard of The Wende. ("Wende," by the way, is German for "turning" or "turning point," which refers to the 1989 tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany.) I first learned about this museum, (which was incorporated in 2002,) back in 2006 via an email group I belonged to. Another member of the group advertised that the museum was looking for a Russian speaker to help them with their recent poster acquisitions, and I ended up with the job. So from 2006 into mid-2007, I would spend about 10 hours a week in the back of the vault unrolling tubes of posters, (some were very fragile,) repairing the tears, flattening them, photographing them, logging the description in the inventory database, and filing them away. It was a fascinating, albeit somewhat lonely pursuit, but since I was interested in the material, I enjoyed it! Back then I emailed myself a few pictures of some favorites, so here are a few (I put translations in the captions):</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIrLrCzaSJo36bll2s4ucrNfNBq4bTgzZEyl3ujykRhcpvaoV0Oa12tBTa7nXD4mfpLij7pekQgxvMOr8hWJaz0OgpcLKy4xKGskpH0-Ga-dZpICPDB_Dir9iJuRYLdKVEM-qUcozOQAI/s1600/2006.188.015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIrLrCzaSJo36bll2s4ucrNfNBq4bTgzZEyl3ujykRhcpvaoV0Oa12tBTa7nXD4mfpLij7pekQgxvMOr8hWJaz0OgpcLKy4xKGskpH0-Ga-dZpICPDB_Dir9iJuRYLdKVEM-qUcozOQAI/s320/2006.188.015.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We are the party of the future, and the future belongs to the youth." -Lenin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwSZuEA3USbYQmr7-U0guhygLCgFdXgm1cC7bklhfXSDalo9BMTCbrKVnbFsbMPVa8tqzKrHGa1ac-wNnRnyNp-uOIPpjAsjFRM1zLqhU68Gy6nUb5fgqn5W6F2TRdq6yl2b3pcqDfRQj/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwSZuEA3USbYQmr7-U0guhygLCgFdXgm1cC7bklhfXSDalo9BMTCbrKVnbFsbMPVa8tqzKrHGa1ac-wNnRnyNp-uOIPpjAsjFRM1zLqhU68Gy6nUb5fgqn5W6F2TRdq6yl2b3pcqDfRQj/s320/pic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Check out my work: at night with clients, three days home..."<br />
How did we make it, (this question isn't a joke,) so that an honest person lives worse than a prostitute?<br />
[Prostitution was a prominent theme - a big problem in the 1980's.]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv-LzkrOj18wzXlFcWEx6IOjGNCUt7QIEkGJhSyw_BYxs3hL_7WmZCjTGFreciaeLDxVPGot1iqak3XGFNynSbgI2ofxFHJchMitZYruqVAIKNdg7mgVWtLFigkiDDfJ_26lV3o9ttbn-/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv-LzkrOj18wzXlFcWEx6IOjGNCUt7QIEkGJhSyw_BYxs3hL_7WmZCjTGFreciaeLDxVPGot1iqak3XGFNynSbgI2ofxFHJchMitZYruqVAIKNdg7mgVWtLFigkiDDfJ_26lV3o9ttbn-/s320/pic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoker!<br />
Killing yourself with a cigarette,<br />
Remember:<br />
You're not only killing yourself.</td></tr>
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Since I had a work history here, (although there has been a lot of turnover in the staff, and no one remembers me,) I contacted them last week and asked if I could bring my two small kids and tour the vault. </div>
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I was realizing that, now that it's 2012, there are a lot of people already in their twenties who don't have any first-hand memories of the Cold War! In 1991, which was the official end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, I was one year away from starting high school. I remember having a subconscious fear of the Russians and of a nuclear holocaust as a child. I remember Gorbachev's grape juice-stained head. I remember that all the bad guys in all the movies were Russians (played by American actors with really terrible accents.) I remember the hammer and sickle being a negative symbol. I remember having an innate sense of pride in capitalism, although I probably didn't understand what it was. I remember Ronald Reagan saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." And I remember live coverage of the wall actually coming down! I visited Russia for the first time in 1998 and saw many remnants of the communist era - early morning calisthenics for children, brusque sounding radio broadcasts, and so many monuments! I visited Berlin for the first time in 2001 and saw Checkpoint Charlie and what is left of the Wall. I met a cab driver who told me that he had been working nights and sleeping days, so he had missed the big announcement. When he picked up his first fare of the night, and the young man asked to be taken to West Berlin, he thought it was a joke, but he was able to drive through and no one stopped him. It's all such an integral part of the era of my youth that I am so grateful that Justinian Jampol started to collect these items out of a personal sense of responsibility to the past. We often don't realize how easy it is for those ubiquitous objects to just, suddenly, vanish.</div>
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When you are trying to find the museum for the first time, you have to remember you are looking for a suite in a business park, not your typical museum. It is across and down from the Fox Hills Mall, and next to the Holly Cross Cemetery. The signs you are looking for are these: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6a-dVkwmD0HEywlUOXld4PB_F-_9u8ZeBMrVtaJSQYWeSDLNS3fUKUrFwEi5LnJJVDkQJs9R8SzAe3oCuZe38D2whLKf4-JMV1poe07BljQ3KZ8nVWZC0QZ6M8S7UJU8HuuMN_KoaQ5g/s1600/2012-08-31+12.38.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6a-dVkwmD0HEywlUOXld4PB_F-_9u8ZeBMrVtaJSQYWeSDLNS3fUKUrFwEi5LnJJVDkQJs9R8SzAe3oCuZe38D2whLKf4-JMV1poe07BljQ3KZ8nVWZC0QZ6M8S7UJU8HuuMN_KoaQ5g/s320/2012-08-31+12.38.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the entrance to the business park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelqIo0sMse2k1EJbOxhzY1rUlnBjdsVn656ofGHlUIRoZ3izWkhzIzUTPYHwqC0jyHQEGAlRHyB3kSLZltw5_Vow4oSTJl3Zru1Pfv3QnVJOyX3S0PA4Bctva8Wn-r2W8rLV-Ytzh-mEW/s1600/2012-08-31+12.41.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelqIo0sMse2k1EJbOxhzY1rUlnBjdsVn656ofGHlUIRoZ3izWkhzIzUTPYHwqC0jyHQEGAlRHyB3kSLZltw5_Vow4oSTJl3Zru1Pfv3QnVJOyX3S0PA4Bctva8Wn-r2W8rLV-Ytzh-mEW/s320/2012-08-31+12.41.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty nondescript bank of business suites.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUFipj0CfbIyER3CInO-5ACKZ8v_y7bPD29lz1dvAv8Y7yMV9rKKFLtp_13qZ5L2MRs5M_ZUMGx_HJATh1m5hMdauQNwPC99WYgYOPX88QO3xswHjjg5JQFaT1KCruBFZfuXJ1F3ET5Fd/s1600/2012-08-31+12.35.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUFipj0CfbIyER3CInO-5ACKZ8v_y7bPD29lz1dvAv8Y7yMV9rKKFLtp_13qZ5L2MRs5M_ZUMGx_HJATh1m5hMdauQNwPC99WYgYOPX88QO3xswHjjg5JQFaT1KCruBFZfuXJ1F3ET5Fd/s320/2012-08-31+12.35.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the bottom listing - Suite E is the Wende.</td></tr>
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Outside the entrance is a section of the original Berlin Wall. It was painted by an artist, Theirry Noir, who was also one of the original artists to paint the West German Wall in 1984. Oh, and FYI, they also have ten segments of the original East-German facing wall, (which was never painted the way the West German side was,) that have been painted by modern muralists and are on display directly across from LACMA at 5900 Wilshire Blvd. These segments were unveiled in November 2009 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Wall coming down in what was dubbed <a href="http://www.wallproject.org/" target="_blank">The Wall Project.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYzsevtLUaUQiEMjjmpwTfGHAjcyMrbQsG5OUq6xxH6eWRmLl53j9tjKRK2GJIFvac-mgo40kL6oKGDhHXdIrY1bTqYetJYhIkm8TPmg1vL5579bPDJLt-hFa1KsNxEoxnPNyRp2uKDhZ/s1600/2012-08-31+12.42.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYzsevtLUaUQiEMjjmpwTfGHAjcyMrbQsG5OUq6xxH6eWRmLl53j9tjKRK2GJIFvac-mgo40kL6oKGDhHXdIrY1bTqYetJYhIkm8TPmg1vL5579bPDJLt-hFa1KsNxEoxnPNyRp2uKDhZ/s320/2012-08-31+12.42.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wall segment at the entrance, with the stroller for scale reference.</td></tr>
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On the first floor is a room that displays a collection of items intended to recall Checkpoint Charlie and convey the feeling of what it was like for people to cross between the two halves of Berlin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYMYFaqcJxiTczkU2ZWwc2sFN5lMnt9CXYexUX9SqHyF_8Ek382npJDqgKZ6LIfJtpRkQlLWI36rA414erAY80HcoMRJVLl5zJ5H3uzcsDf_gUgpOyis-vIi1m5R4LfSSfcDRWZAKYWyc/s1600/2012-08-31+12.45.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYMYFaqcJxiTczkU2ZWwc2sFN5lMnt9CXYexUX9SqHyF_8Ek382npJDqgKZ6LIfJtpRkQlLWI36rA414erAY80HcoMRJVLl5zJ5H3uzcsDf_gUgpOyis-vIi1m5R4LfSSfcDRWZAKYWyc/s320/2012-08-31+12.45.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street signs from the Checkpoint zone. At the bottom is the model described in the next photo.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW4ka9gFtprtSLA8xjTdUpCAY4vl33hy3IRVj61GIkPlbZPtkzquuAGQ0yyJz0qx2uMOJXKMD-9idf6YNa4d4dYn0DW-IzEsVXpCAm_rNRoR9nVvGzXCvxFbbR-X05ZAonB9JkmapsOm2/s1600/2012-08-31+12.45.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW4ka9gFtprtSLA8xjTdUpCAY4vl33hy3IRVj61GIkPlbZPtkzquuAGQ0yyJz0qx2uMOJXKMD-9idf6YNa4d4dYn0DW-IzEsVXpCAm_rNRoR9nVvGzXCvxFbbR-X05ZAonB9JkmapsOm2/s320/2012-08-31+12.45.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lIODc6NoaodmItw4WmnXcZjWmDDODG4_W20SDvOih0L44h-dNwgdH7wT-gXEgmjXhGOMVjz8emEGAcTMtVcq6GaE-ikskO8HWflUwHEYlFT7L7WcM0UBhXCdsqAnOaZbJ71SP3d0NcHV/s1600/2012-08-31+12.46.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lIODc6NoaodmItw4WmnXcZjWmDDODG4_W20SDvOih0L44h-dNwgdH7wT-gXEgmjXhGOMVjz8emEGAcTMtVcq6GaE-ikskO8HWflUwHEYlFT7L7WcM0UBhXCdsqAnOaZbJ71SP3d0NcHV/s320/2012-08-31+12.46.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warnings posted in English, French, Russian and German.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKKQiW_xPGXQSos28l1_OywaQ0wjR4ApeNs6By_qIRNi7m7MYgXt9wSfc5QPUkEDJCIOc7pZkpkkCzBjOMhyTdTzf8ATani4I8dIXycmhOpT3K5Ah9H2pmK5nQsZJJyS-3xVnYSZNHQDM/s1600/2012-08-31+12.47.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKKQiW_xPGXQSos28l1_OywaQ0wjR4ApeNs6By_qIRNi7m7MYgXt9wSfc5QPUkEDJCIOc7pZkpkkCzBjOMhyTdTzf8ATani4I8dIXycmhOpT3K5Ah9H2pmK5nQsZJJyS-3xVnYSZNHQDM/s320/2012-08-31+12.47.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi and Alex absorbing the ambiance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKriCLv3kPs65r-lOib8WMfllouVw38mm2PZwtgGhlQ9Pj5fdOy2PJ3a-W8HdI33o_Gk1iCbpRB2gC-rX9vAH7CZNIKdEqesecapoCq82MrZfQ8lVwb7iYwSg84NLgBYEOVPTTTTCOgR0t/s1600/2012-08-31+12.44.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKriCLv3kPs65r-lOib8WMfllouVw38mm2PZwtgGhlQ9Pj5fdOy2PJ3a-W8HdI33o_Gk1iCbpRB2gC-rX9vAH7CZNIKdEqesecapoCq82MrZfQ8lVwb7iYwSg84NLgBYEOVPTTTTCOgR0t/s320/2012-08-31+12.44.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite objects - passports from an assortment of Soviet countries.</td></tr>
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The rest of the displayed items are not in such specific thematic groupings. There are assorted items which, save for the display case of books, are all upstairs. (We had to leave the stroller down below.) There is a large room that leads to a smaller room. Both rooms are filled with more or less permanent displays, (although the wall art is rotated, I understand,) and a side room (probably meant as an office,) that is a rotating display, currently on textiles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YfRWUU2xshANc6r7xJWq40IY_H4p7moP7Ye0LyBAt4wgy6FEdEporp71lBdswHLWu2OtMPp7opewVVeA0dFMu87iP2_ZdsW0aCFQedMm6rjkx8OZQpU7cVZj-jp5mRBXf4nQ0Eb44lOv/s1600/2012-08-31+12.50.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YfRWUU2xshANc6r7xJWq40IY_H4p7moP7Ye0LyBAt4wgy6FEdEporp71lBdswHLWu2OtMPp7opewVVeA0dFMu87iP2_ZdsW0aCFQedMm6rjkx8OZQpU7cVZj-jp5mRBXf4nQ0Eb44lOv/s320/2012-08-31+12.50.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's books from former Soviet countries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkhEYMirFVNCr7J5yHju4JR4GuuDztoEmxOcERyPvaMLJjAo9mByafjz46hmYwD7l0-LWLNLkZwmkP95yqVDktGtbKRZcnBqhsjwshMPq_qRyvUL79q2p8_INbxsT6ch0UxB9LtEd9mQA/s1600/2012-08-31+12.52.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkhEYMirFVNCr7J5yHju4JR4GuuDztoEmxOcERyPvaMLJjAo9mByafjz46hmYwD7l0-LWLNLkZwmkP95yqVDktGtbKRZcnBqhsjwshMPq_qRyvUL79q2p8_INbxsT6ch0UxB9LtEd9mQA/s320/2012-08-31+12.52.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main display room. Chairs are occasionally used for screenings, etc. I was told the way to find out about such happenings is to sign up for their newsletter. Contact them at <a href="mailto:info@wendemuseum.org">info@wendemuseum.org</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJDM3UoSenPArNcwPpPK7Qq_1hN96l2vGgSVY_orsAizlSuybbsOuMGtoD8fuzdRG6bZdczSYATYFb1KPhn2VFkn5sr7dzJ1dq8ZJnind5F2zj5sj9XJBjYcDx-hpIpojIdnueZ93gNss/s1600/2012-08-31+12.52.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJDM3UoSenPArNcwPpPK7Qq_1hN96l2vGgSVY_orsAizlSuybbsOuMGtoD8fuzdRG6bZdczSYATYFb1KPhn2VFkn5sr7dzJ1dq8ZJnind5F2zj5sj9XJBjYcDx-hpIpojIdnueZ93gNss/s320/2012-08-31+12.52.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative plates bearing different messages and themes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPseSJwkPF7rt74xmt8IiBXwIixAOZ-JZD3fXyalgLLme-AzCI8pimkcVv-535BekKpwo4iiccfjyd6VILbc8DXoKDtcYU1pMAh5yjcuwieHDzUQW0d_2qBzC6Mj-66Ma76OMHgBs_thwT/s1600/2012-08-31+12.54.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPseSJwkPF7rt74xmt8IiBXwIixAOZ-JZD3fXyalgLLme-AzCI8pimkcVv-535BekKpwo4iiccfjyd6VILbc8DXoKDtcYU1pMAh5yjcuwieHDzUQW0d_2qBzC6Mj-66Ma76OMHgBs_thwT/s320/2012-08-31+12.54.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plate close-up. It is German, and reads "25th Pioneer Birthday: 1947-1973". Pioneers were the Soviet's program for nearly all school children ages 10-15. It was training for their later membership in the Komsomol, ("KOMmunesticheskii SOiyuz MOLodezhei," which means "Communist Union of Youth.") </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWpk0Q2UWgRJckIs2oNnIS76AZkpa7NwUunMZ72UoBexTr-WO-DmHWhwmRl_-F3zhyphenhyphenK74hNiTiP4aMWr7sKglhYi5uccX3finwmS__Eue2gneEViK6xFE21rnRsLWqT0NZ6ZE-QYGRFbA/s1600/2012-08-31+12.53.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWpk0Q2UWgRJckIs2oNnIS76AZkpa7NwUunMZ72UoBexTr-WO-DmHWhwmRl_-F3zhyphenhyphenK74hNiTiP4aMWr7sKglhYi5uccX3finwmS__Eue2gneEViK6xFE21rnRsLWqT0NZ6ZE-QYGRFbA/s320/2012-08-31+12.53.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wall of other interesting Cold War objects.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YfRTe67ckhzm7ScaCe1r8RUH4IbfZUfAXZsSv5TBIn00SkF2kkHQimbqTdQX1u0toUCpiqJxpR_CbAHYYMpq085E2DCiAcMpWTl-SM8307dT5niCZxaRYNMjfpkZAYxuYU0TjWS7a_6_/s1600/2012-08-31+12.53.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YfRTe67ckhzm7ScaCe1r8RUH4IbfZUfAXZsSv5TBIn00SkF2kkHQimbqTdQX1u0toUCpiqJxpR_CbAHYYMpq085E2DCiAcMpWTl-SM8307dT5niCZxaRYNMjfpkZAYxuYU0TjWS7a_6_/s320/2012-08-31+12.53.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a trombonist, I am drawn to the horn - called a Schalmei. It has seven bells for each of the seven valve options. <br />
(There are six valves only, but the seventh option is to not press any valves.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhP4sSKMJ6noSHtLDD7dKLtU9zsr_1HBuP2hKOs8O69fCIAiylzGmFNwzdA6U4YbOxN162CvntiVRKxhm_9t5j3mjzmQ1pHWCk4eWLY4CW6nEiSnUn1FTiOenurkTAsFOMidildktbX3l/s1600/2012-08-31+12.55.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhP4sSKMJ6noSHtLDD7dKLtU9zsr_1HBuP2hKOs8O69fCIAiylzGmFNwzdA6U4YbOxN162CvntiVRKxhm_9t5j3mjzmQ1pHWCk4eWLY4CW6nEiSnUn1FTiOenurkTAsFOMidildktbX3l/s320/2012-08-31+12.55.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the textile room, a latch-hook rug depicting Soviet symbols. <br />
The hammer and sickle represent industry and agriculture working together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_GefMBLyBXdtk4vMrKwFneUiGi00uanLf1qWUd8gMjHl1vvNqd8kPnUwp7egWdmzXFr_cnnMXfoMu81s3gnynCkZnoe9mnYF1Eg0WOlh4ot3qrWincBc5QAk8nscn9q15zzsPVn90Csv/s1600/2012-08-31+13.05.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_GefMBLyBXdtk4vMrKwFneUiGi00uanLf1qWUd8gMjHl1vvNqd8kPnUwp7egWdmzXFr_cnnMXfoMu81s3gnynCkZnoe9mnYF1Eg0WOlh4ot3qrWincBc5QAk8nscn9q15zzsPVn90Csv/s320/2012-08-31+13.05.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "locker room" corner showing various Soviet sports items. Vivi was drawn to the ball in the bottom of the right locker. The CCCP emblazoned on uniforms, (and many souvenir items even now,) stands for "<b>S</b>oiyuz <b>S</b>ovyetskikh <b>S</b>otsialisticheskikh <b>R</b>espublic," only Russian "S"s look like "C"s, and Russian "R"s look like "P"s. It means "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqhvf4WwDmCHOdpqeZCk1OqPPEwHD6-hXCPplqOLYSS5-KHjkS8ilLWcPo15Isf2u_cqOw1JQ5p6Gj9-CEiO_X9TlG2PkHf2qmOpzjC8yXCXkffm2x5UmmQ6egX5Pa-cUcxWVcfr9G3sO/s1600/2012-08-31+13.05.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqhvf4WwDmCHOdpqeZCk1OqPPEwHD6-hXCPplqOLYSS5-KHjkS8ilLWcPo15Isf2u_cqOw1JQ5p6Gj9-CEiO_X9TlG2PkHf2qmOpzjC8yXCXkffm2x5UmmQ6egX5Pa-cUcxWVcfr9G3sO/s320/2012-08-31+13.05.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This painted Lenin bust is what you might call the "face" of the Museum. He is reproduced and used in much of their material.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57u11GDiJZ1uqnKO7Mku6tRjltU9dLuVRNhgnLsx4B69J43DN1FP2PRg4QitMkuzw8asVjHihAaDgeyPqJHLJcx0OjdHxT3ug7TaZBVyJC-wGbMzNxBHh_G96rKtHWvOWDDEtHeceG7Km/s1600/2012-08-31+13.05.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57u11GDiJZ1uqnKO7Mku6tRjltU9dLuVRNhgnLsx4B69J43DN1FP2PRg4QitMkuzw8asVjHihAaDgeyPqJHLJcx0OjdHxT3ug7TaZBVyJC-wGbMzNxBHh_G96rKtHWvOWDDEtHeceG7Km/s320/2012-08-31+13.05.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have always been drawn to sculpture that idealizes the working class. They always look so strong and mighty! Even this miner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG7Tqi5DTHEdGyz5_zCxM3bnzKL9YbvYe-u1yinbC_XYVkBCCmHCZz9lwdxcB-F_Yh_3wYdKmXPjiOsBzIsYsy_hQWlo4GcSjwJ5OdVX85A-l_OGqjr0N1xCC8gIkZIIrp_1ZEdLR7Oxf/s1600/2012-08-31+13.22.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG7Tqi5DTHEdGyz5_zCxM3bnzKL9YbvYe-u1yinbC_XYVkBCCmHCZz9lwdxcB-F_Yh_3wYdKmXPjiOsBzIsYsy_hQWlo4GcSjwJ5OdVX85A-l_OGqjr0N1xCC8gIkZIIrp_1ZEdLR7Oxf/s320/2012-08-31+13.22.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos and posters. The top poster explains how, in the United States, one in three children aren't going to school because we are spending so much (74%, I believe,) of our budget on the military. It's interesting to see things that paint the U.S. as the bad guys.</td></tr>
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The highlight for me, though, was stepping into the vault. I was anxious to see how much it had changed. In truth, the collection of "stuff" just got bigger. The tops of shelves are now official storage space, there are more wardrobe-type containers up against walls. There are also many more workstations. Several interns and other staff help catalog all the new acquisitions constantly coming in. I also learned they have two other off-site storage spaces! If you are looking for Soviet-era stuff, they are the people to see! The storage boxes have every kind of "thing" imaginable: typewriters, plates, cups, toys, books, art, postcards, etc.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKYdRovwpn_miT6CJMG9trOvvQSPQPiOjd7LYKwrntnGyTW77CbWumW5xhF-yFT_ZQc8xTI5utOB26KhmjbZYuviBDXn4u357CszyJBz7BgWOXIFI11WVf5datrwkYu4JdGiVnWzWirZx/s1600/2012-08-31+13.23.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKYdRovwpn_miT6CJMG9trOvvQSPQPiOjd7LYKwrntnGyTW77CbWumW5xhF-yFT_ZQc8xTI5utOB26KhmjbZYuviBDXn4u357CszyJBz7BgWOXIFI11WVf5datrwkYu4JdGiVnWzWirZx/s320/2012-08-31+13.23.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top of the stairs looking down, you can see how the top of shelving is being utilized. The furniture is an East German Design collection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXRlLpcbt2Gdls8PWG6Aq1IOwLO15-EjIqAO9OWlUhDlYkpkw4v7-OhcWEtnN0BuA2U9Pq5wb1b1F0SadAp6scVKdSw483z1VSdt5SXgETB-R__QsFM9a4rPEQgtuLGzUxEqYF8VM7O9t/s1600/2012-08-31+13.23.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXRlLpcbt2Gdls8PWG6Aq1IOwLO15-EjIqAO9OWlUhDlYkpkw4v7-OhcWEtnN0BuA2U9Pq5wb1b1F0SadAp6scVKdSw483z1VSdt5SXgETB-R__QsFM9a4rPEQgtuLGzUxEqYF8VM7O9t/s320/2012-08-31+13.23.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pile of uniforms on a work station next to a tidy collection of boxes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5Z23iNgPKuMRYVows47BRp5QYjhbdrsmFkAytrq5xmRdTB0hyphenhyphenwjwnCN6qIHYCS8_qWBQ9DodtZWfbOfTlz7lBZEFRBMQena8ZdJ8mn4FJKo6a74Ptfoa0Zq89u6dhUY1fndnllijPS6/s1600/2012-08-31+13.26.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5Z23iNgPKuMRYVows47BRp5QYjhbdrsmFkAytrq5xmRdTB0hyphenhyphenwjwnCN6qIHYCS8_qWBQ9DodtZWfbOfTlz7lBZEFRBMQena8ZdJ8mn4FJKo6a74Ptfoa0Zq89u6dhUY1fndnllijPS6/s320/2012-08-31+13.26.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These chairs resemble makeup compacts, and were designed to be used outdoors as they are waterproof when closed.<br />
(Although they were just too cool and were mostly used indoors.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwQW7P3yuaa-1Nm3hZVaoFsJRYNs-fi7QsxmiWFQf-jLHmRo4e6mLRm6_ZGuEvcC1lh_Yn-an0ViZMsf1MzWHtgnwWsiGcGEbtCdqTelx1rRa_HulwuVmC9jUwqP1B6ovfRPbrt5Z1X3t/s1600/2012-08-31+13.29.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwQW7P3yuaa-1Nm3hZVaoFsJRYNs-fi7QsxmiWFQf-jLHmRo4e6mLRm6_ZGuEvcC1lh_Yn-an0ViZMsf1MzWHtgnwWsiGcGEbtCdqTelx1rRa_HulwuVmC9jUwqP1B6ovfRPbrt5Z1X3t/s320/2012-08-31+13.29.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't get pictures of the enormous collection of busts, but I did get this one picture of Vivi squeezing herself in between Lenin heads.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4jPoDIU2xBxnlaYWcrCH2uPbB5GwmFEWha2mmUy1yw0mHhOkiTwSFEA1roFh2IHV0baHrCSaU2rMgyDy9tFbbaOxX5HxD_Xlw6MfypYVV4Kxk660Nrel5DAvRN6lNFf7nld8PgQHJmGQ/s1600/2012-08-31+13.37.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4jPoDIU2xBxnlaYWcrCH2uPbB5GwmFEWha2mmUy1yw0mHhOkiTwSFEA1roFh2IHV0baHrCSaU2rMgyDy9tFbbaOxX5HxD_Xlw6MfypYVV4Kxk660Nrel5DAvRN6lNFf7nld8PgQHJmGQ/s320/2012-08-31+13.37.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of film reels for mostly vocational or educational films. The amount of just this one type of item should give you an idea of how vast this collection really is.</td></tr>
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I was able to see a lot, but I would have loved to see a lot more. Unfortunately, when you have an 18-month old banging on boxes and twanging on bungee cords, and picking up hats and helmets, and almost stepping on flags, staying a long time is really not an option. But I would encourage anyone who has the option, to come, and stay, and look, and learn, and remember for a very long time.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-62695448764631807462012-08-26T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:12:16.929-07:00Reese's Retreat at Brookside Park<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday, August 26, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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360 N Arroyo Boulevard</div>
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Pasadena, CA 91103<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/reesesretreat">www.facebook.com/reesesretreat</a></div>
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My little boy is six months old today! He's so close to crawling (pushes himself up into a full push-up already!) and he is just a joy! A smiling, laughing, sweet, curious, strong, caring boy who, from the moment he was born, has never done anything to over-stress his mommy! My handsome man, Alexander, I love you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstURm3yjvgWHw3pv0hXgYRaRWAB1DBWZQQBFj_WEXPDzlLa52PSpC5ktIKMZclp8avt6Y5iXvGrP0hRV_y-_i6vkCA6WdrUfBJ04cklBLLkvr01XA5Oshfwv2r3VhFmDQxjqg5h-M6nCd/s1600/2012-08-19+12.15.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstURm3yjvgWHw3pv0hXgYRaRWAB1DBWZQQBFj_WEXPDzlLa52PSpC5ktIKMZclp8avt6Y5iXvGrP0hRV_y-_i6vkCA6WdrUfBJ04cklBLLkvr01XA5Oshfwv2r3VhFmDQxjqg5h-M6nCd/s320/2012-08-19+12.15.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Okay, I just had to brag about that for a moment. Now, on to the Kidscapade!</div>
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Today the kids have so much energy. I don't know if they're just excited that daddy is back, or if it's because the weather is cooler, or what, but they are Energizer bunnies today! They keep going, and going, and going... There haven't been any real naps today because they just aren't drowsy! So when they have more energy than I can handle, I think playground!</div>
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<h3>
Reese's Retreat</h3>
I decided today would be a perfect opportunity to try the "hidden gem" I had read about on Yelp! when I was doing some research for my Kidspace Museum post (see August 7th). That hidden gem is the fully accessible playground known as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reesesretreat" target="_blank">Reese's Retreat</a>. It's a pirate-themed playground situated directly behind the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. (It's so close you could possibly get splashed by a giant cannonball off the diving platform... maybe.)<br />
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There are plenty of shady trees to park a stroller or bike under. The surface under the play structure is that cushy rubber (soft enough for a falling child, but solid enough for a wheelchair,) and it is blue for water, with pictures of sea creatures, (mostly sharks.) The structure itself is designed as a pirate ship, complete with sails, a ship's wheel, cannons, and even a very low-to-the-ground "plank" for walking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5FqvOrPRwvvbajbOHinHGAznuCQNpEwpW4d4BuTHB4YYfyo182_ZfscW_uktHBCHsLdpETd3AejJ-GOLvatyWPGW9oABPp23SlK3KVpJ1G1uVASLqcGHXq2AVo0vXnpXELXve3kwk3mj/s1600/2012-08-26+12.11.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5FqvOrPRwvvbajbOHinHGAznuCQNpEwpW4d4BuTHB4YYfyo182_ZfscW_uktHBCHsLdpETd3AejJ-GOLvatyWPGW9oABPp23SlK3KVpJ1G1uVASLqcGHXq2AVo0vXnpXELXve3kwk3mj/s320/2012-08-26+12.11.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NUlPTYs-jlRYwfFNVyavhjMUXaWT1BFMsAi44iOjt5gYLkWGaLMOnd65k5G0GV-lsnqH1l7VvQmz64Vllf3l07LkVUCtx1T6sZZnqzFHD95Wj_wonaSyIf_ZxOTPfzzo4MfTyHTHWW_W/s1600/2012-08-26+12.12.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NUlPTYs-jlRYwfFNVyavhjMUXaWT1BFMsAi44iOjt5gYLkWGaLMOnd65k5G0GV-lsnqH1l7VvQmz64Vllf3l07LkVUCtx1T6sZZnqzFHD95Wj_wonaSyIf_ZxOTPfzzo4MfTyHTHWW_W/s320/2012-08-26+12.12.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the "plank" under one of the "cannons."</td></tr>
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I was excited to find the "splash pad" area I had read about, but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I was thinking of sprinklers squirting out of the sidewalk, but instead it operates more like a drinking fountain. There are two cement structures, one is a giant "treasure chest" and the other is a "shipwreck," and each has a big round metal button to turn on the water. Bigger kids can manage this themselves, but for smaller kids an adult would probably need to push it. And the "treasure chest" fountain wasn't working, today at least.<br />
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The two water fountain structures are next to each other and separated from the play structure by a sidewalk. The ground around them is covered in sand. When we first got there a group of older kids (maybe 6- to 8-years old,) had managed to create a pretty big puddle in the sand and were jumping off the "shipwreck" into the puddle. Fairly messy (wet sand everywhere,) and possibly dangerous, but they were all having fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xw5x-_OMjOjJTMoMAyL1so6c1FGuFvZGpqJjZ0WBEXkJ0ZZAaOSLkCHl5uCtMuH7bCePzfq7ufCvXfeBIGIf3ho-7moizMXi-CJwJFtX_Ch97jrm69XXvC6BEPazsF1VYtVfbEU6sqjm/s1600/2012-08-26+12.12.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xw5x-_OMjOjJTMoMAyL1so6c1FGuFvZGpqJjZ0WBEXkJ0ZZAaOSLkCHl5uCtMuH7bCePzfq7ufCvXfeBIGIf3ho-7moizMXi-CJwJFtX_Ch97jrm69XXvC6BEPazsF1VYtVfbEU6sqjm/s320/2012-08-26+12.12.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the "shipwreck" fountain. You can see the button for turning on the water to the right. The little boy in blue is getting ready to jump into the puddle. In the background is the Aquatic Center, and a dragon for climbing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFLsnXGzV0B-BOncwsiiinB8k0qjBs3kUarg3UiCrUZFLNXYf25FMPtLCI_6jY-srzgic_pRCfo5RjzrR7aBLxEN1KYOsbCBqdAW9d2Dd6GkBVgxaIVls3hw9y5IN-HszjtDqgZr2Jlgm/s1600/2012-08-26+12.13.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFLsnXGzV0B-BOncwsiiinB8k0qjBs3kUarg3UiCrUZFLNXYf25FMPtLCI_6jY-srzgic_pRCfo5RjzrR7aBLxEN1KYOsbCBqdAW9d2Dd6GkBVgxaIVls3hw9y5IN-HszjtDqgZr2Jlgm/s320/2012-08-26+12.13.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture of the dragon.</td></tr>
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There was also a nice set of swings - two bucket swings for toddlers, 4 regular swings, and two adaptive swing seats for kids that need different accessibility.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHPQreHD6uDbPVhN08ZYdlbfm5x9sRt7kmrTSbDu-nomNu3WdIas9DKMI3cHkA5CUGPnXQuVSkF5pf2C9kVPYifpVZGY4__9JxPcsbvSYot3lxXYKcv8ZDBydjPVS5g4VkCzS__LwnoV9/s1600/2012-08-26+12.10.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHPQreHD6uDbPVhN08ZYdlbfm5x9sRt7kmrTSbDu-nomNu3WdIas9DKMI3cHkA5CUGPnXQuVSkF5pf2C9kVPYifpVZGY4__9JxPcsbvSYot3lxXYKcv8ZDBydjPVS5g4VkCzS__LwnoV9/s320/2012-08-26+12.10.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omar is pushing Vivi in one of the bucket seats!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP_5AWr3AZP3CJ6nIUcWd40DHOgmOxM3J92fh9MTfUsTH-iJYgqi6Yn7j1kYI5GSknMi6N0Ycw9UBL2V_siDH11AJxbb-KyTMmNuE1z89HthWuSiVpgHF_xPAXd3aKBUlIzI6FzPY2fiB/s1600/2012-08-26+12.08.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP_5AWr3AZP3CJ6nIUcWd40DHOgmOxM3J92fh9MTfUsTH-iJYgqi6Yn7j1kYI5GSknMi6N0Ycw9UBL2V_siDH11AJxbb-KyTMmNuE1z89HthWuSiVpgHF_xPAXd3aKBUlIzI6FzPY2fiB/s320/2012-08-26+12.08.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the park the water play area is first, to the right of that is a shaded picnic area <br />
and then the swing set, and in the background is the pirate-themed play structure.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Brookside Park</h3>
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I was tempted to wander away from the playground a bit, especially since Omar was taking care of Vivi and I was just carrying around my little 6-month old man. (It's <i>so nice</i> whenever I have another adult around!) I was curious about a vine-covered, dome-shaped truss over an outdoor stage. To get to it I passed a ton of picnic tables behind the Rose Bowl Tennis courts.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgBELu_ElXuoNQgzvwJVw4bjy8PBktn0GQr_bRAOXSPf9c_lakl9OXkCIN5r2GcJIYG60tRjqm1JnzD-oAxeHUHwQ9QMy_oItXln9y7v0-kbIt7Keo77B6_HUUBveVb5Y1Ldt5N58ETfl/s1600/2012-08-26+12.20.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgBELu_ElXuoNQgzvwJVw4bjy8PBktn0GQr_bRAOXSPf9c_lakl9OXkCIN5r2GcJIYG60tRjqm1JnzD-oAxeHUHwQ9QMy_oItXln9y7v0-kbIt7Keo77B6_HUUBveVb5Y1Ldt5N58ETfl/s320/2012-08-26+12.20.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a great spot for a picnic party! There was a birthday party going on to my right, <br />
but I didn't want to include them in the picture without consent!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-djNLKN1-dmknpHwkuuxP85Q4qCK1BJDAU_pk47Guz8SmYBs-pTKDCv6p_WEbWS5xgmQfNqnz2JkmjbKgocjLfXLzP3-LUW5n1PTliy4E6DXgxKV2RXJQAuBQ3u9puC1jNV1yUySkGJE/s1600/2012-08-26+12.21.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-djNLKN1-dmknpHwkuuxP85Q4qCK1BJDAU_pk47Guz8SmYBs-pTKDCv6p_WEbWS5xgmQfNqnz2JkmjbKgocjLfXLzP3-LUW5n1PTliy4E6DXgxKV2RXJQAuBQ3u9puC1jNV1yUySkGJE/s320/2012-08-26+12.21.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning around from the picnic tables 180 degrees you can see the bathroom facility,<br />
with the Aquatic Center and playground in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2QFQeH2INhR-omxOob3dN8cxSNfYABweAO20PUcg0KvSNi7sC7f0GyCkCmnHNqu37xCnHMcmjVU6a_E06Ai-Vk_dmSElaGdCwt5ib81xpdVSixU6QrT8QifZ_lKSVTGU8gZAT2NDCBM4/s1600/2012-08-26+12.22.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2QFQeH2INhR-omxOob3dN8cxSNfYABweAO20PUcg0KvSNi7sC7f0GyCkCmnHNqu37xCnHMcmjVU6a_E06Ai-Vk_dmSElaGdCwt5ib81xpdVSixU6QrT8QifZ_lKSVTGU8gZAT2NDCBM4/s320/2012-08-26+12.22.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vine-shaded steps that lead up to the stage have the feeling of going through an enchanted portal! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneA5OLymAuQ4YdvYqDCc5g1AnrQ_f1WTc7yNSFOvRfaNHussRWlttNK204HkTt3A9aEOHcRusHqWeOzby8GgDFHBQ8nQF6qgpSMjpfQxMn5pX11DNE7SdQK598h-SJ0Sg8zC5GK9H7-7V/s1600/2012-08-26+12.22.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneA5OLymAuQ4YdvYqDCc5g1AnrQ_f1WTc7yNSFOvRfaNHussRWlttNK204HkTt3A9aEOHcRusHqWeOzby8GgDFHBQ8nQF6qgpSMjpfQxMn5pX11DNE7SdQK598h-SJ0Sg8zC5GK9H7-7V/s320/2012-08-26+12.22.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The audience benches, and the shaded stage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPWYFv-MUBCU2q421vY6pR6s1ucLxOQbTo_3MVBKTpiWovQ19XwzCMYP015PTRuMrBxaX0fKRtDZ0IAFcT0Dd0k7T7DKtPO5_H7eZCfD03UqZHPQRiQW7qbEfom4GI467o5YOT9yJ-FKn/s1600/2012-08-26+12.24.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPWYFv-MUBCU2q421vY6pR6s1ucLxOQbTo_3MVBKTpiWovQ19XwzCMYP015PTRuMrBxaX0fKRtDZ0IAFcT0Dd0k7T7DKtPO5_H7eZCfD03UqZHPQRiQW7qbEfom4GI467o5YOT9yJ-FKn/s320/2012-08-26+12.24.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying on stage with Alex on my stomach, looking up!</td></tr>
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I can't say if the stage is ever used for anything. I'd probably have to put in a call to the Pasadena Parks office. But two little boys did put on a cute show for their parents!</div>
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A little east of the stage was an old area for playing horseshoes, and next to that some broken stone terraces that appear to have once had fountains. I didn't get pictures of these interesting areas, because my camera battery died, sadly. But the history of the park does go back to the 1920's (the Rose Bowl was completed in 1922.) And I've not turned up any good sources online about the park's history, but the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy does have a good description of the modern park amenities on their <a href="http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=642" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-26175768546594456202012-08-25T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:10:52.665-07:00Griffith Observatory Public Star Party<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, August 25, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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2800 East Observatory Road</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90027<br />
<a href="http://www.griffithobs.org/">www.griffithobs.org</a></div>
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We took a few days off from the kids' outings so that mommy could do some trombone playing with my friend's band: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sangrenuevason" target="_blank">Sangre Nueva</a>. We did a show last night backing up singer Frankie Ruiz Jr. Here's a picture we took out front that got snazzily turned into a promo photo:</div>
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Today I wanted to get back out on the town, and was <i style="font-weight: bold;">sooooo happy </i>that Omar is finally back from his pool tournament!!! He was on a team that qualified for the APA National Team Championships, and they finished 45th out of 850 teams, so I think that's pretty awesome! But me and the kids sure did miss him the six days that he was gone! So today we headed out for an outing with the whole family, plus our beautiful niece Kelly.</div>
<h3>
Griffith Observatory</h3>
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When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2005, the <a href="http://www.griffithobs.org/" target="_blank">Griffith Observatory</a> was under the last stages of a four-year renovation. When it reopened in November of 2006, there was a lot of excitement all around the city, but I didn't quite "get it," as I had never been there. Today was only my second visit (I came here once on a solo exploration about five years ago,) and I am only starting to scratch the surface of <i>why </i>people were so excited. This truly is a public treasure! Admission to the building and grounds is always free. Tickets must be purchased for shows in the Planetarium, but it's a lot less than you would pay for an IMAX movie.</div>
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Dubbed as the most visited public observatory in the world, the Observatory is a beautiful and iconic part of Los Angeles, and one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the Southland, from Glendale, to downtown, to the ocean, and even the Hollywood sign!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6TIsdco0Pg0U896KJKNgGuJV5veXCk2DgeWBarO_HY_lCve7DxfwPk9C-rk2ZIubkO5TvQaQeGP4cG5_pq8GU_NnFQxi_RrZZjZAJgr14flcTH3SWgUm_U9wVpWchrDFoDPI7qdgS-08/s1600/2012-08-25+15.27.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6TIsdco0Pg0U896KJKNgGuJV5veXCk2DgeWBarO_HY_lCve7DxfwPk9C-rk2ZIubkO5TvQaQeGP4cG5_pq8GU_NnFQxi_RrZZjZAJgr14flcTH3SWgUm_U9wVpWchrDFoDPI7qdgS-08/s320/2012-08-25+15.27.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind Kelly is the sign. Click to see an enlarged view that will let you actually find it!</td></tr>
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It first opened in 1935, and the building itself is built, to quote the brochure, "With Art Deco, Moderne, Greek Revival, and Beaux Arts architectural influences." (If you are not familiar with these types of styles or aesthetic movements, may I recommend watching Woody Allen's award-winning 2011 film, "Midnight in Paris.") If you don't like views, and you don't like observatories, just come to see this beautiful building! Seriously, it's gorgeous! (I feel like my pictures below don't really do it justice, so there is a whole page on their website devoted to the exterior features <a href="http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/bexterior.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54I5BYNIiHSRTclzr3SBhyjEFR4BlQJSKDURyhShhMlk8MLatvCS6LeG-0oqfi7jcK79wNMjPsB86xfFScEhgnF7EA5Goy9UcBgZWCJp_lQVasTdA5mrFMeAlWYCw0QlYC0nYtlP0WgPA/s1600/IMG_2171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54I5BYNIiHSRTclzr3SBhyjEFR4BlQJSKDURyhShhMlk8MLatvCS6LeG-0oqfi7jcK79wNMjPsB86xfFScEhgnF7EA5Goy9UcBgZWCJp_lQVasTdA5mrFMeAlWYCw0QlYC0nYtlP0WgPA/s320/IMG_2171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An exterior shot taken on an evening hike with my little <br />
brother Justin back on October 22, 2007. It still looks the same.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQn9VQuiaVykbDX8TZCQX2kbWhLGqRjZzSTV2dBh5huKQxyLtYilw6Jx1rvH3G8puBASuNkVA5q5t9EQjT31pVWPCfncmiefYYdH7CBvbkb0MonQGehecThAo6-qv9vdsCyJehBp9WuP1/s1600/2012-08-25+15.25.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQn9VQuiaVykbDX8TZCQX2kbWhLGqRjZzSTV2dBh5huKQxyLtYilw6Jx1rvH3G8puBASuNkVA5q5t9EQjT31pVWPCfncmiefYYdH7CBvbkb0MonQGehecThAo6-qv9vdsCyJehBp9WuP1/s320/2012-08-25+15.25.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry this pic is more parking lot than observatory. I was trying to show how <br />
big the crowds were - today was a monthly Public Star Party day!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo49jqnrkw9I2Hjdcqs9MmW5P97a48Z5-7DGfoNbZrbF4tXoM8WZAaWbuPkFHf42PRL9FCP_L0LF5U4ooU0piX85WHFgDevjGesf-dwWfnzbT-eBkgcE3Qh2o_bYIX5A2w13wyam4fH9e6/s1600/2012-08-25+15.38.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo49jqnrkw9I2Hjdcqs9MmW5P97a48Z5-7DGfoNbZrbF4tXoM8WZAaWbuPkFHf42PRL9FCP_L0LF5U4ooU0piX85WHFgDevjGesf-dwWfnzbT-eBkgcE3Qh2o_bYIX5A2w13wyam4fH9e6/s320/2012-08-25+15.38.54.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omar is carrying Vivi off to see some views!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB9DgNZA2vS8cVqsPj31F5HZuejSIzcPQ0_Xb-RSt6sVI53QGSpJO4d-6mw0sGYd7yMp5-fP2J5Oxxwd4b4g4uTW1vYR5BK27rjznbVMtSvEUyU4Rqaiuj7WNcrz1naNju4zpISLi2X6i/s1600/2012-08-25+15.39.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB9DgNZA2vS8cVqsPj31F5HZuejSIzcPQ0_Xb-RSt6sVI53QGSpJO4d-6mw0sGYd7yMp5-fP2J5Oxxwd4b4g4uTW1vYR5BK27rjznbVMtSvEUyU4Rqaiuj7WNcrz1naNju4zpISLi2X6i/s320/2012-08-25+15.39.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful door. I loved it!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscles6VMIegpKCCJ1X-Yg5uogsU6KDYPEGbTx5oFMySxy3sbOS4EcruEGje-egLld3gfwjKpmEumYjsXUUe0phFBiZaN_Us-5qyWHtuJaK018Qs-HF7glX8DXFiAACODyO1kfFksiJ3Gz/s1600/2012-08-25+15.46.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscles6VMIegpKCCJ1X-Yg5uogsU6KDYPEGbTx5oFMySxy3sbOS4EcruEGje-egLld3gfwjKpmEumYjsXUUe0phFBiZaN_Us-5qyWHtuJaK018Qs-HF7glX8DXFiAACODyO1kfFksiJ3Gz/s320/2012-08-25+15.46.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Central Rotunda - murals painted by Hugo Ballin in 1934-35.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oHDu92MEMRtVcHdQj5VR0I33s-xy3fe4HSF67z3SOmbM7oF9Ak1P7UvRzFiY4TvH7jo3xlFYOx6w92o39BY7MrR9HFyTHWfc770sSWf6ajdGbuzT9yf50m9fLfsaF28NREVg7fsS7jsD/s1600/2012-08-25+15.46.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oHDu92MEMRtVcHdQj5VR0I33s-xy3fe4HSF67z3SOmbM7oF9Ak1P7UvRzFiY4TvH7jo3xlFYOx6w92o39BY7MrR9HFyTHWfc770sSWf6ajdGbuzT9yf50m9fLfsaF28NREVg7fsS7jsD/s320/2012-08-25+15.46.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling mural depicts Atlas, the four winds, planets as gods, and the constellations of the Zodiac.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLN1bo-AmPdgK-h0B-lriZbA0kWllYyU163Y-jtRtiU0kqv9hOvglrFK5W1OGpdknWyeTHs5T5baRiGi1rikh5qrJJKbHagn3gHj3Ui5zSPdt7Ttwl5Fk9AGGNdI1qvHGzYG46NrSTBAT/s1600/2012-08-25+15.54.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLN1bo-AmPdgK-h0B-lriZbA0kWllYyU163Y-jtRtiU0kqv9hOvglrFK5W1OGpdknWyeTHs5T5baRiGi1rikh5qrJJKbHagn3gHj3Ui5zSPdt7Ttwl5Fk9AGGNdI1qvHGzYG46NrSTBAT/s320/2012-08-25+15.54.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peek of the view looking past the Planetarium dome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK62bcthMJLzBkGlwj4zaQnIkXe4ZMjDcWYR6s78slcHmOpaz8dPIX5jWcDGPcHFgOc2KjmbSQa_IxDMNueITHJJrsN6DdzK3KnMwAQTjiPdVpDnkuo9DGxLS-ggYWPRUEPLmpmqZfzIz/s1600/2012-08-25+15.50.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK62bcthMJLzBkGlwj4zaQnIkXe4ZMjDcWYR6s78slcHmOpaz8dPIX5jWcDGPcHFgOc2KjmbSQa_IxDMNueITHJJrsN6DdzK3KnMwAQTjiPdVpDnkuo9DGxLS-ggYWPRUEPLmpmqZfzIz/s320/2012-08-25+15.50.51.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front lawn and Astronomers Monument.</td></tr>
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What you find inside the building is just as exceptional, and you should know that looks can be deceiving - it's a lot bigger inside than it looks! There are two main floor exhibits (the Hall of the Eye and the Hall of the Sky,) on either side of the Foucault Pendulum, which is a 240-pound brass ball that swings constantly in a back and forth motion while the earth rotates beneath it. (No, it's not the pendulum ball swinging around in a circle, it's the giant ball we're all standing on that's spinning!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZVjhBU1U8BsLlN3_RlECxGxgHYMcytuYA5LIB5vowCDD9ZAepKL2LQv3AGxSFmBFEPkTR_jSDil00AqXkx5wEtdURq3-PYRDi6CSkjK-tuVd5ogHkptmI9Cao0a6BV5CI-rYhgzyxT8X/s1600/2012-08-25+15.46.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZVjhBU1U8BsLlN3_RlECxGxgHYMcytuYA5LIB5vowCDD9ZAepKL2LQv3AGxSFmBFEPkTR_jSDil00AqXkx5wEtdURq3-PYRDi6CSkjK-tuVd5ogHkptmI9Cao0a6BV5CI-rYhgzyxT8X/s320/2012-08-25+15.46.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foucalt Pendulum in action (the back of Vivi and Omar's heads at the bottom)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4twvMi8eHephqoFkc2Oa_dTknNXTc2-31S8gygqdJIHi4_eL38BnW9581Pnv3r0tItAOpfY6sUnu9GqcehuKobYSKpuVKtsOYZ45sxkCMTYQtjVUt4Ed9OW6Z-xYWvBhRxEU0ykiwjLVh/s1600/2012-08-25+15.44.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4twvMi8eHephqoFkc2Oa_dTknNXTc2-31S8gygqdJIHi4_eL38BnW9581Pnv3r0tItAOpfY6sUnu9GqcehuKobYSKpuVKtsOYZ45sxkCMTYQtjVUt4Ed9OW6Z-xYWvBhRxEU0ykiwjLVh/s320/2012-08-25+15.44.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hall of the Eye Exhibit.</td></tr>
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Downstairs is a very large split-level exhibit space named "Edge of Space," and "Depths of Space." You can learn about meteorites, planets, stars, solar systems, galaxies, gravity, and take your picture with an Einstein statue!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE7s6S9J6jWj2w7itUNyxx3pu-EmX0oJxV2i51gm2nx_adtDiJCxiaiFR66k_2j5_wAMI0hznij-i4kDdhyphenhyphenWEbYkSIxSilv6zPZKngY1fDek9qZ7AipRa4UZxW8uKjxsdrAVm4GvM9_Ig/s1600/IMG_8929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE7s6S9J6jWj2w7itUNyxx3pu-EmX0oJxV2i51gm2nx_adtDiJCxiaiFR66k_2j5_wAMI0hznij-i4kDdhyphenhyphenWEbYkSIxSilv6zPZKngY1fDek9qZ7AipRa4UZxW8uKjxsdrAVm4GvM9_Ig/s320/IMG_8929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Albert is 'splainin' something to Vivi (who looks like she totally understands.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId6qTOKsXXtWpUgVSm4xLYBWJiBA65pO2cOwDvm0g7bm7tVaDB-T5cXawWFaljhYBZc2y8thrU9UV3EJY3XL9RedcOHuKX8XAomeAcwmBvW7MZLIkUIjf9bfuJ9ZpgKiFQS73as_-Nn9r/s1600/2012-08-25+16.19.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId6qTOKsXXtWpUgVSm4xLYBWJiBA65pO2cOwDvm0g7bm7tVaDB-T5cXawWFaljhYBZc2y8thrU9UV3EJY3XL9RedcOHuKX8XAomeAcwmBvW7MZLIkUIjf9bfuJ9ZpgKiFQS73as_-Nn9r/s320/2012-08-25+16.19.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Models of the planets show the relative size of each. FYI, for a model of their relative distances from the sun, there is one embedded in the sidewalk in front of the Observatory's front steps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqMOKiMVOAQSKUing7iFzkkUKxqNi1Ga24JPTUhwmpbq5Cw3Wq_OAlRiIoigMVAejcPn561FCjvtexMWYlzG0v6VfO_79Um2WvyAqVMC_Dw2Au9IvACkfcD8XfSNXa1J8lDThMpAQ8ImT/s1600/2012-08-25+16.34.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqMOKiMVOAQSKUing7iFzkkUKxqNi1Ga24JPTUhwmpbq5Cw3Wq_OAlRiIoigMVAejcPn561FCjvtexMWYlzG0v6VfO_79Um2WvyAqVMC_Dw2Au9IvACkfcD8XfSNXa1J8lDThMpAQ8ImT/s320/2012-08-25+16.34.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly is using the in-floor scale to see how much she weighs on Saturn.</td></tr>
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We didn't even make it to the new Gottlieb Transit Corridor, which I understand shows how the movements of the sun, moon and stars across the sky, (well, we know the sun and stars only <i>appear </i>to be moving as the earth rotates, but you know what I mean,) shaped our current reckoning of time and the calendar. But I think these concepts are a little outside the grasp of our toddler and infant!<br />
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One last thing that we did enjoy was the Zeiss telescope under the east dome. One of the things that makes the Griffith Observatory so popular, is that it is a place where a high quality telescope is available to the public. We didn't get to look through it, but we did get to see it, and listen to an explanation of how it works, (it can track an object across the sky all by itself using a tiny motor!), and Kelly even got to push the button to rotate the dome roof! (There is only one narrow strip that opens in the roof, so if need be, the roof can be rotated to expose the section of sky you need.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknSx0cJ2mf3hf5tWkfCFT5JzO4LFSUsx79_t0d0cPBfAaSdoHy196wIa_FIf_oR5fHkYBmz6QtTTbtYLM_eiiPcXX1Gqt6AmixGoU1_MNjVvV6CNpq_V090NiGMbtjsknawxBdgsPjnX0/s1600/IMG_7533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknSx0cJ2mf3hf5tWkfCFT5JzO4LFSUsx79_t0d0cPBfAaSdoHy196wIa_FIf_oR5fHkYBmz6QtTTbtYLM_eiiPcXX1Gqt6AmixGoU1_MNjVvV6CNpq_V090NiGMbtjsknawxBdgsPjnX0/s320/IMG_7533.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omar, Vivi and Kelly with the telescope in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ4axtT4HPDPJIrMrDKl7oy_9hSXng9CQis4XgZupJZyeJTWv1k-zm4fm5C-9i0VMKJN-OGoueyOE59VfWKYJe6m37NoH2aAK9hsvOt0S7o42QPVJ8_Aph2972aVUISjzDzHsf1sHdCWF/s1600/2012-08-25+15.50.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ4axtT4HPDPJIrMrDKl7oy_9hSXng9CQis4XgZupJZyeJTWv1k-zm4fm5C-9i0VMKJN-OGoueyOE59VfWKYJe6m37NoH2aAK9hsvOt0S7o42QPVJ8_Aph2972aVUISjzDzHsf1sHdCWF/s320/2012-08-25+15.50.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The telescope dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDm2PB3up-70k1b1aIypg54yXo-2STaipJSPP_GjoT20AhUveSsOfI_0W_eDcp8uRo4XrIQUc3s6PveVbG73n8ceYQLMyU6X7ozc6VdZWcISXQGvwOrHjhs10xrjMXVMKZttiR8msXRY-/s1600/2012-08-25+15.53.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDm2PB3up-70k1b1aIypg54yXo-2STaipJSPP_GjoT20AhUveSsOfI_0W_eDcp8uRo4XrIQUc3s6PveVbG73n8ceYQLMyU6X7ozc6VdZWcISXQGvwOrHjhs10xrjMXVMKZttiR8msXRY-/s320/2012-08-25+15.53.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that even the telescope is free to see!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhVhyphenhyphenjINdDotx9hhFxD2ZXNeVVDrjQ5C3mcl_6qlN6gBc9-1q4zmNmDfQmEN4fcItqS1kE2RapHIfWavDExcNwNElxxt1cHuBIks-34aeqxzuw6PIyA_PDSa-TzmMMlPOZXuXAMVJ0KT/s1600/2012-08-25+15.55.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhVhyphenhyphenjINdDotx9hhFxD2ZXNeVVDrjQ5C3mcl_6qlN6gBc9-1q4zmNmDfQmEN4fcItqS1kE2RapHIfWavDExcNwNElxxt1cHuBIks-34aeqxzuw6PIyA_PDSa-TzmMMlPOZXuXAMVJ0KT/s320/2012-08-25+15.55.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The telescope itself. For an idea of how big it is, this telescope is about three times as tall as <br />
the man explaining it to us, (who is standing underneath it out of the frame.) <br />
The tube is 16-feet long, and the entire thing weighs 9,000 pounds!</td></tr>
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<div>
All in all I'd say the Observatory is a must-see, (and I need to not wait so long before my next visit!) If you've got curious kids, they'll love it. If they're not that curious, this might encourage them to be more so. And if nothing else, you can always take cool pictures like this for your Facebook page:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCDrms2C19cRGXMRPUUS4FACMvylTApw1wyYkFjD2etD5ENSWhmLiOja7u7LJ3zNc5-EyNHYIumuZOWYEkJj-u3FbR3fEVN6FsIIaV6D5ITVQ9HAZABEDXtDjDLl2jaxrm7Rd36nZyv0L/s1600/2012-08-25+15.57.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCDrms2C19cRGXMRPUUS4FACMvylTApw1wyYkFjD2etD5ENSWhmLiOja7u7LJ3zNc5-EyNHYIumuZOWYEkJj-u3FbR3fEVN6FsIIaV6D5ITVQ9HAZABEDXtDjDLl2jaxrm7Rd36nZyv0L/s320/2012-08-25+15.57.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Parking</h3>
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Do be aware, however, that if you come on a busy day, there may not be parking available in the lot, and you will have to park along the street. This may leave you with a significant amount of uphill hiking to do to reach the Observatory! Today being a Public Star Party day, we were very lucky to find a spot in the lot. Cars were lining the street all the way down the hill for I would say at least a mile. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-86414766424330403122012-08-22T23:35:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:09:41.682-07:00El Cariso Regional County Park<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Wednesday, August 22, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My Cost: FREE!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">13100 Hubbard Street</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Sylmar, CA 91342</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.lacountyparks.org/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033256.asp&Title=El%20Cariso">www.lacountyparks.org</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">After visiting the Sun Valley Branch Library I decided to take a short drive up to Sylmar. It's not too far, but far enough to give the tired kids a little nap. And Sylmar is my old stomping grounds - the first place I lived (not counting my grandparents' guest room for three weeks,) when I moved to Los Angeles in 2005. I rented a bedroom in a manufactured home park on the hill that was so small I slept on an air mattress so I could prop it against the wall during the day and have room to play trombone. I used to jog over the Pacoima Canyon wash and around LA Mission College and the park. I remembered the park as large and grassy, and I thought, "what the heck - let's see how it looks now."</span><br />
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I was totally <i>not </i>expecting to find what I did - <a href="http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033256.asp&Title=El%20Cariso%20Community%20Regional%20Park" target="_blank">El Cariso Regional County Park</a> has undergone some <b><i>major</i></b> improvements! (Either that, or having kids has trained me to appreciate parks and their amenities much more than I used to, lol!) It... looks... <i style="font-weight: bold;">wonderful! </i>I know the Los Angeles area has some beautiful parks, and Griffith Park (famous for the Greek Theater and the Griffith Park Observatory,) and Brookside Park (which surrounds the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena,) are two of the largest and most well-known, if only for their famous landmarks. But what they have here in Sylmar is totally on par with those two parks as far as amenities offered, size, and space. The only thing it's missing is it's own famous landmark. (I suppose the closest thing to a landmark would be <a href="http://www.lamission.edu/" target="_blank">Los Angeles Mission College</a>, which is adjacent.)</div>
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From the moment we pulled into the driveway I kept looking around going, "Wow, they have that? And that? And they're building a new one of those? And there's <i>another </i>one of those? And the park keeps going?" Seriously, the park is so large that just strolling from our van to the toddler playground and back, (well, taking a small detour, but not much,) we saw:</div>
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5 baseball fields (one of which looks college-team worthy)</div>
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11 tennis courts </div>
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4 basketball courts </div>
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1 swimming pool</div>
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4 playgrounds</div>
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1 executive golf course (El Cariso Golf Course) and driving range next door</div>
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I'm looking at Google Maps Satellite View right now to see if I can tell what else I might have missed, and mostly seeing just tons of picnic areas. The website says its 79 acres and has a new Fitness Zone with outdoor exercise equipment. And there is a very long list of activities offered. Here is the <a href="http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033256.asp&Title=El%20Cariso%20Community%20Regional%20Park" target="_blank">link</a> again.</div>
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I don't know if all County parks are like this, because I can only find one other county park in a 10 mile radius. (Yes, out-of-towners, Los Angeles is the name of the City as well as the County.) So let me just show you a few pictures so you get the idea. This is a park worth going back to!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIMYL041bG8v0GIr2WO86kpsZH79UERwKOBOorJlNxT9CjZC0v9Vvt4QZVxNXVM9TVTQTcs4GefjswJY-e1S-ptFdNs6DMQvr_NZ7Kn2Gtx6ESGmHaMrYkjh7TiTb7OfrVdjwWlX96oOD/s1600/2012-08-22+17.06.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIMYL041bG8v0GIr2WO86kpsZH79UERwKOBOorJlNxT9CjZC0v9Vvt4QZVxNXVM9TVTQTcs4GefjswJY-e1S-ptFdNs6DMQvr_NZ7Kn2Gtx6ESGmHaMrYkjh7TiTb7OfrVdjwWlX96oOD/s320/2012-08-22+17.06.01.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looks like a beautiful new community center is underway!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1tD0bul-XkXL31MxWOokYwCHjkCMD3HNp8Bc5TqTLcAO7Ghu3lmMW07zVqpcUTYDfxzTP-U3U6CoauxNos2OuQbPAwTEa2QpumcvNQnZwTPnrB9NfwXICXzkvq2zqZAPVHUjsUKdrnS5/s1600/2012-08-22+17.08.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1tD0bul-XkXL31MxWOokYwCHjkCMD3HNp8Bc5TqTLcAO7Ghu3lmMW07zVqpcUTYDfxzTP-U3U6CoauxNos2OuQbPAwTEa2QpumcvNQnZwTPnrB9NfwXICXzkvq2zqZAPVHUjsUKdrnS5/s320/2012-08-22+17.08.29.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trying to capture a good view of the tennis courts, and not doing a great job.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv2GKx7ZeiLzccfR4KAAUJT_ooLrwNBRlCqEhL5FNIG4R3Xf9Fri-r8TWTwnimgRxJX7_qqj0HD9q-b3eToJEXwiGKiaf9Sb8mfmyYwP2ko0pOplDwe_sdr53UqAFAcv7uZa0UU0VGAFV/s1600/2012-08-22+17.08.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv2GKx7ZeiLzccfR4KAAUJT_ooLrwNBRlCqEhL5FNIG4R3Xf9Fri-r8TWTwnimgRxJX7_qqj0HD9q-b3eToJEXwiGKiaf9Sb8mfmyYwP2ko0pOplDwe_sdr53UqAFAcv7uZa0UU0VGAFV/s320/2012-08-22+17.08.41.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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More tennis courts with the new building in the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsPp1oC5Wybevs9TVRXPdFmhVisZR9FzzeCQKlsUmbK0_9pjFfCGo6gxc2WGRe5b8a0unIK9ZIXIIzlE51dSX3XoMCq9hoe1tLuq-FNIna6FR7k_T2eY_RqdVQwfNYdvC8GoEokSi4QEg/s1600/2012-08-22+17.12.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsPp1oC5Wybevs9TVRXPdFmhVisZR9FzzeCQKlsUmbK0_9pjFfCGo6gxc2WGRe5b8a0unIK9ZIXIIzlE51dSX3XoMCq9hoe1tLuq-FNIna6FR7k_T2eY_RqdVQwfNYdvC8GoEokSi4QEg/s320/2012-08-22+17.12.30.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Equipment on the toddler playground.</div>
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Vivi loves her some swinging!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCQek0R_52Z7gFr87qP4Yqeq0-HLCB46Mcne2Uv4sZmj_HVxBUtGm_TwhYKlBD9NQNm4Fu3Zy5fSUKiH2R5-LvAkdLjxWrYI2E94qN9Lq0rv4KrmtSk44Ro9QqUfVR7RRKICi_bhYkm7a/s1600/2012-08-22+18.11.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCQek0R_52Z7gFr87qP4Yqeq0-HLCB46Mcne2Uv4sZmj_HVxBUtGm_TwhYKlBD9NQNm4Fu3Zy5fSUKiH2R5-LvAkdLjxWrYI2E94qN9Lq0rv4KrmtSk44Ro9QqUfVR7RRKICi_bhYkm7a/s320/2012-08-22+18.11.59.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pool and adjacent locker-room building, plus beautiful mountains!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcSvqPhhh1ieWEjt7yMtmnEJQdNYUusbmm7-MxmcAPGnMTsYn0soiQP20cNNMIXNUsamNbtGznPyATSGxJmFmdIkLJagzF8dpD3NdWxIeZDmcu_TF3pfNmub__fZaaHIuvedbmSbzD3Z9/s1600/2012-08-22+18.12.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcSvqPhhh1ieWEjt7yMtmnEJQdNYUusbmm7-MxmcAPGnMTsYn0soiQP20cNNMIXNUsamNbtGznPyATSGxJmFmdIkLJagzF8dpD3NdWxIeZDmcu_TF3pfNmub__fZaaHIuvedbmSbzD3Z9/s320/2012-08-22+18.12.09.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trying to capture the massive feel of this park, plus the basketball courts are in the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtKKEHi_E1lz9dq3c98GVf4qpybNW_747jVb76zH1Yrx0hPu916rkx_1qvpFJeWqv65C3tiLgKEdNQUdOWsY8QkQ8zAsuSpiyJce3k6GBs0u16_UXbWJ8todHcocOAACxBFQQ-pnf-u3v/s1600/2012-08-22+18.15.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtKKEHi_E1lz9dq3c98GVf4qpybNW_747jVb76zH1Yrx0hPu916rkx_1qvpFJeWqv65C3tiLgKEdNQUdOWsY8QkQ8zAsuSpiyJce3k6GBs0u16_UXbWJ8todHcocOAACxBFQQ-pnf-u3v/s320/2012-08-22+18.15.03.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another of the playgrounds - this one with equipment for older kids.</div>
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Don't forget, I saw two others that I didn't even get close to!</div>
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<br />
This really is a wonderful park. It feels so wide open. There are plenty of sidewalks for tricycle training too! And I got to practice my Spanish with <i>una abuela</i> who was watching her granddaughters play on the playground with Vivi. All in all, turned out to be a pretty good day!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-88856388455261984432012-08-22T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:01:08.215-07:00Sun Valley Branch Library<div style="text-align: center;">
Wednesday, August 22, 2012</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My Cost: FREE!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
7935 Vineland Avenue</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sun Valley, CA 91352<br />
<a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/52.html">www.lapl.org/branches/52.html</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had to take my kids to the library today to track down a missing book. Last week I had a book to return, but hadn't wanted to go to the trouble to get both kids out of their car seats and into my heavy double stroller just so I could hand a book to the librarian and leave, so I had rolled the van window down and given the book to a woman who was walking into the library with her daughter. I was pretty proud of my inventive solution until this morning, when I got a notice that the book had still not been returned! Eek! I had some bad thoughts about the woman, and imagined her stealing a library book, but luckily I found it right on the shelf where it's call number said it would be. She must have just set it down somewhere, and not actually handed it to a librarian. But, at least it's solved now! (And now I know where the outdoor return slot is so I can return books myself without having to get the kids out of the car seats.)</div>
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As long as we were there, I let Vivi play for a bit in the children's book area. <a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=52" target="_blank">Sun Valley Branch Library</a> is the closest location to where we live (walking distance,) and it also has a decent children's area. There is a small set of risers (only two levels) for kids to sit on, an animal rug, an activity cube, several giant stuffed animals (that most parents seem to agree are probably filthy with germs,) and two small tables with chairs. It's not as awesome as Valley Plaza Branch Library (my current favorite,) but it isn't as bare as Sherman Oaks Branch Library (at the bottom of my list.) Here are a few pictures:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEcgm-T3xEbzoBHEeRmv7eWhu9xv-knPHFLXJnNMEsEK4t7zd6Un75nglG4mqSGX6OZY9QdUZ3e2OTivv34Sl3qHKGPSrBwEedwAD2awgXUwn4gy-IMSnf7OjZBU0wMRrUAzbxM2_r8a/s1600/2012-08-22+15.44.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEcgm-T3xEbzoBHEeRmv7eWhu9xv-knPHFLXJnNMEsEK4t7zd6Un75nglG4mqSGX6OZY9QdUZ3e2OTivv34Sl3qHKGPSrBwEedwAD2awgXUwn4gy-IMSnf7OjZBU0wMRrUAzbxM2_r8a/s320/2012-08-22+15.44.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex, who can almost sit up unassisted, enjoying the cube!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYcC7hwcIqhmY67TZVaiwl12XvndX8YAiAv9Phrw7EjuCzPLjRga_0BzQNeT-3OOlIgoujhJVj350yZII1DLDTeFRxnHATbam2Vo8SGipjCpzC3Z5lM06JXOD6YVMeK6pM0aF7MFS2t4h/s1600/2012-08-22+15.45.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYcC7hwcIqhmY67TZVaiwl12XvndX8YAiAv9Phrw7EjuCzPLjRga_0BzQNeT-3OOlIgoujhJVj350yZII1DLDTeFRxnHATbam2Vo8SGipjCpzC3Z5lM06JXOD6YVMeK6pM0aF7MFS2t4h/s320/2012-08-22+15.45.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi got to do some climbing up and down the risers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5ZyL0i7Iq9wEJ2psv2W70qhubS8fio7D0bb5uDIhb1QkrRUXete5J7Gs2jMY6tf5yaaO0V9wZb996XcPgvY_AH5JNT0qN2udplmVfnnbrABcJuTEUbG3Iz9huLjUTf3hQ9iZVlfwgf-S/s1600/2012-08-22+16.04.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5ZyL0i7Iq9wEJ2psv2W70qhubS8fio7D0bb5uDIhb1QkrRUXete5J7Gs2jMY6tf5yaaO0V9wZb996XcPgvY_AH5JNT0qN2udplmVfnnbrABcJuTEUbG3Iz9huLjUTf3hQ9iZVlfwgf-S/s320/2012-08-22+16.04.03.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing about how long the set of risers is. Glad there were <br />
no toe-holds anywhere or she would have climbed even higher!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKuJ-QulJkI517kGLWmEsM3pEl1LazyU3DH3yNDB_t9_XCwsWCQjM3mDMvARFBnaJtmBmaurTU-rJvJb9x0x7iXM1nZRJDhyOfaPVBiW6HfyI8FQqta2bfUwsvvQGacwPkZaroh3oaziy/s1600/2012-08-22+16.08.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKuJ-QulJkI517kGLWmEsM3pEl1LazyU3DH3yNDB_t9_XCwsWCQjM3mDMvARFBnaJtmBmaurTU-rJvJb9x0x7iXM1nZRJDhyOfaPVBiW6HfyI8FQqta2bfUwsvvQGacwPkZaroh3oaziy/s320/2012-08-22+16.08.02.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rug, some of the stuffed animals, and one of the tables & chairs.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-3158438337067338682012-08-21T23:35:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:00:22.327-07:00Musicians Union (AFM Local 47)<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday, August 21, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
817 Vine Street</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Los Angeles, CA 90038<br />
<a href="http://www.promusic47.org/">www.promusic47.org</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">After lunch at IKEA, the Hollywood Bowl Museum, and DeLongpre Park, we </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>finally </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">went to the Union to see my friend's band, and a lot of other friends playing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i> in</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> the band. </span><br />
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The building that currently houses the <a href="http://promusic47.org/">Professional Musicians Local 47</a> opened its Vine Street, Hollywood location in 1950. Back before kids, I used to spend many, many hours at the Union - pronounced like "onion", lol! - playing for various rehearsals. This includes rehearsals for the bands of Bill Holman, Mike Barone, Ron King, Geo Valle, Pat Longo, Francisco Aguabella, and more. Some of the biggest musical thrills of my life so far have happened there - like Bill Booth paying me a big compliment the first time I sat next to him in a section. (Who's Bill Booth, you ask? Well, to find out about him, and other musicians you have no doubt heard but never heard of, check out <a href="http://www.lastudiomusicians.info/">The Usual Suspects</a>.)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">We only stayed for the first song though, because it had already been a long day. The kids and I usually only go out for one or two hours, not four or five. But it sure was great to see everyone! Vivi got a good look at trombones, trumpets, saxophones, a clarinet, a bass, a drum set, and a piano. Everyone was sweet to her, and it was fun to see people that I miss now that I'm staying home with the kids. </span><br />
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Stopping by a Union rehearsal is sort of a "you gotta know somebody" experience, but when you <i>do </i>know somebody, you'll usually be welcome. Musicians are a great group of people for the most part. Go see live musicians perform whenever you can - their energy will infuse you with life, I promise!</div>
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And the rehearsal <i>was </i>for an upcoming gig. Here's the info:</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Paul McDonald Big Band</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sunday, August 26, 2012</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7:30 pm to 10:00 pm</div>
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<a href="http://www.cocknbullbritishpub.com/" target="_blank">Cock 'n Bull British Pub</a></div>
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2947 Lincoln Blvd.</div>
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Santa Monica, CA 90405</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Paul McDonald Big Band is back in Santa Monica, </div>
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this time with special guest singer the great Tim Nolan. </div>
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$10 cover</div>
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no drink minimum (or maximum)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjBg7vOQ4mDwne4ECQQPEPgI9eUirzhUal4jc_jvKNyuj2O5Uh6wYXTWQ7UFyjWTal6UlW2uBYOrjnU0Lo96fUHGTtClcAlszbyyzw311jmjhiTy1JFqC-U9CdelFgYue7FN_lfRuwjUI/s1600/2012-08-21+15.56.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjBg7vOQ4mDwne4ECQQPEPgI9eUirzhUal4jc_jvKNyuj2O5Uh6wYXTWQ7UFyjWTal6UlW2uBYOrjnU0Lo96fUHGTtClcAlszbyyzw311jmjhiTy1JFqC-U9CdelFgYue7FN_lfRuwjUI/s320/2012-08-21+15.56.47.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Vivi running away from Gary Herbig, and his famous jokes, from Montana!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhKYLFqyEADyXizlyIkSzjAfOQ4hE5tGPv-LmTyE0Bgd4jF2Us4NEZQwn-2GFBEb7ozrEhe61I07B54wMujtXCiqbgJATvQ05MsoMZHwf0cqfL-QMLVknvxvOt6e-C6oC-JFF7jCZFBEh/s1600/2012-08-21+15.57.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhKYLFqyEADyXizlyIkSzjAfOQ4hE5tGPv-LmTyE0Bgd4jF2Us4NEZQwn-2GFBEb7ozrEhe61I07B54wMujtXCiqbgJATvQ05MsoMZHwf0cqfL-QMLVknvxvOt6e-C6oC-JFF7jCZFBEh/s320/2012-08-21+15.57.46.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roy Weigand II saying "coochie-coo" to Alex</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnB8pHxpVnNv86JGMSzO0UlRVHxwhUVtP6-BDcQ4I6LMF_YHkY72A5Qb-hYCGp-1LNFGyN2i66zI5jBkPMKyxtRlduUZg74Se1_WVnzkYG9yI8q4t2mmc1KfzpttcyjW87eW654XRes5y/s1600/2012-08-21+16.07.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnB8pHxpVnNv86JGMSzO0UlRVHxwhUVtP6-BDcQ4I6LMF_YHkY72A5Qb-hYCGp-1LNFGyN2i66zI5jBkPMKyxtRlduUZg74Se1_WVnzkYG9yI8q4t2mmc1KfzpttcyjW87eW654XRes5y/s320/2012-08-21+16.07.44.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Vivi watching a <i>real </i>piano player, Paul McDonald</div>
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The Whole Band!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-82999640556402638312012-08-21T23:34:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:59:40.599-07:00De Longpre Park<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Tuesday, August 21, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My Cost: FREE!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1350 N Cherokee Ave</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Los Angeles, CA 90028</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/deLongprePk.htm">www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/deLongprePk.htm</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">After visiting the Hollywood Bowl Museum, we still had some time to kill before visiting my friend's 4:00 rehearsal at the Musicians Union. So I found a pocket park (using my GPS - comes in handy!) between the Hollywod Bowl and the Musicians Union. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/deLongprePk.htm" target="_blank">De Longpre Park</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> looked like it could be a nicer park than it actually is at the moment. The facilities are a little neglected, like the plants around the Rudolph Valentino Monument, (which was a surprise to see in and of itself.) Also, I really didn't appreciate the children's playground being used mostly as an after-school cafeteria for high school students, who leave their 7-11 junk food trash right on the playground equipment, and then loiter while exploring their hormones with each other. I was debating in my mind if the signage that prohibited any adults without children from being in the play area should apply to them. And there were no other children besides us. </span><br />
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We finally left when two men, each with at least two aggressive dogs, came into the park and each proceeded to yell loudly at their dogs. Some of the dogs were muzzled. It just wasn't a great park experience. But you couldn't tell from the pictures!</div>
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Aspiration - Rudolph Valentino Monument.</div>
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Swings are Vivi's perennial favorite!</div>
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One section of playground equipment.</div>
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The other section of playground equipment, and Alex parked in the stroller.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-59786153337140396592012-08-21T23:33:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:59:06.915-07:00Hollywood Bowl Museum<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Tuesday, August 21, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My Cost: FREE!</span></div>
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2301 North Highland Avenue</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90068<br />
<a href="http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/hollywood-bowl-museum">www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/hollywood-bowl-museum</a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I decided after lunch at IKEA that we would go somewhere for a few hours, then visit my friend's band rehearsal at the Musicians Union Local 47 in Hollywood at 4:00. </span><br />
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I tried to think of what might be a kid-friendly, free activity along the way - perhaps in Hollywood - and I decided on the <a href="http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/hollywood-bowl-museum" target="_blank">Hollywood Bowl Museum</a>. I had the idea that it was located somewhere across the street from the Bowl or tucked away somewhere in the neighborhood, but I was wrong. It is actually the first building you see when driving into the main parking lot for the Bowl, and not far past it is the Box Office. Unfortunately I was driving and didn't get a good picture of the exterior. But that's okay, just pull in to the main entrance and you can't miss it.</div>
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It's open year-round, but the hours are longer during the Bowl season (i.e. when the Bowl is open for shows.) From July through mid-September it is open from 10:00 am until show time Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday it is open from 4:00 pm until show time. In the off season (mid September through June) the hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment.</div>
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Walking from our van to the museum we took in a few sights:</div>
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An information directory.</div>
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The box office - not too busy!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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Next to the museum door - the hours.</div>
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We entered from the upstairs terrace, (because it is hilly terrain, and one of the driveways on the hill goes right past it.) The museum is two levels, the first floor being permanent exhibit, and the second floor rotates I think once a year. The current exhibit - which opened last month - is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><em style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Música y Sabor: Latin Artists at the Hollywood Bowl. On display are programs, photographs and posters chronicling the Spanish-speaking artists from Spain, Central- and South-America that have performed at the Bowl since the 1920s. There are also two interactive computer displays. One allows you to listen to musical samples of the more recent performances (sorry, no sound from the 1920s,) and I don't remember what the other </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><em style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">one showed, because I was chasing after Vivi. </span></em></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Had to get a picture of this display: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"><em style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Willie Colón and his trombone!</span></em></span></span></div>
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Vivi put the dance floor to good use!</div>
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It looks like she's popping and locking!</div>
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The interactive listening station.</div>
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As an 18-month-old, she's really more interested in the simple things - like windows...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJVpNTKsAPkPP27IYD_s7CNozCoJEFQ-z96cImecrrb0o2JKiLG016-l-Nd067p5T0ibT2ki_EE8hNDIgoD8IVJlyDE8HfV75ICBUq4BUQ4BTRlQrcZyk80lqVajEii0Dz5jLxkGim2E7/s1600/2012-08-21+14.26.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJVpNTKsAPkPP27IYD_s7CNozCoJEFQ-z96cImecrrb0o2JKiLG016-l-Nd067p5T0ibT2ki_EE8hNDIgoD8IVJlyDE8HfV75ICBUq4BUQ4BTRlQrcZyk80lqVajEii0Dz5jLxkGim2E7/s320/2012-08-21+14.26.43.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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...and stairs. She went all the way up and all the way down, then half-way up and half-way down. </div>
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And I got to follow her the whole way carrying her little brother. Whee!</div>
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My favorite part of the main exhibit on the first floor were the televisions showing clips. Some would be clips of shows, and one was even clips of different movie scenes filmed at the Hollywood Bowl. It was very interesting, and I could have stayed there a long time browsing (especially since we were the only people there,) but Vivi kept running out to the lobby to try and shoplift some of the souvenirs that were for sale.</div>
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The main exhibit hall on the first floor.</div>
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I dug these models of different stage shells they have had, including the current one (foreground.)</div>
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The view from the other side of the main exhibit.</div>
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Vivi was kissing each program one-by-one. Don't worry - they're under plexiglass.</div>
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I finally took the kids and hiked us back to the car. I contemplated walking up to the seating area, but I was, quite frankly, worn out already from carrying one baby in a front-carrier, and holding the other one to keep her from running out into traffic. This isn't a super kid-friendly place either, quite frankly, at least not for the really young ones.</div>
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I did notice that Diana Krall has two shows this weekend. That would be another great date idea! Or to go hear Orff's Cantata, Carmina Burana, next week. I think that's the classical piece most often used or immitated in action movie soundtracks, so you can go hear the original and say to yourself, "yeah, I've heard this before - on that one movie!"</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-72751629936363305762012-08-21T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:58:22.375-07:00IKEA Burbank<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday, August 21, 2012</div>
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My Cost: $3.99 + tax for my lunch</div>
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600 N San Fernando Blvd</div>
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Burbank, CA 91502<br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/burbank">www.ikea.com/us/en/store/burbank</a></div>
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I didn't feel like fixing lunch today. So, since it was Tuesday, I decided to take the kids out for IKEA lunch! Remember, kids eat free all day on Tuesdays! I'm not going to lie, we went last Tuesday too, I just didn't blog about it because it was really crowded, and Alex cried most of the time, and it just wasn't a great experience. But today was much better, and I even noticed a few *new* things about the Burbank IKEA Cafe, so let me just mention them quickly.<br />
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First of all, I had never noticed that in the far corner (away from the food service) is a children's play area! Check it out:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQFMfH1AoEZ_oFol6YW45Az1E21yGzqbsLYmBFQOBJqOcQNPgJ5s5RKg39xBrdvoJYoW_6J7WO4P55GnvsNYB5-gNcsk6_ykPNeONEtbfrMHzFEHV9hr4KUkZ0UU7QzbRb2gWQXG2X_eh/s1600/2012-08-21+13.08.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQFMfH1AoEZ_oFol6YW45Az1E21yGzqbsLYmBFQOBJqOcQNPgJ5s5RKg39xBrdvoJYoW_6J7WO4P55GnvsNYB5-gNcsk6_ykPNeONEtbfrMHzFEHV9hr4KUkZ0UU7QzbRb2gWQXG2X_eh/s320/2012-08-21+13.08.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugs, toys mounted to the wall, kid-sized chairs, and a nice, sturdy enclosure.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwGfWcgmNweQ4qkXjUoWZ8FIutx8YFFvELYk5BzsSbf67v_HJgYE_NfR4cAjs9jUKBYxp5hLRHuV-YNjR65urXmkFkN6qM3kl7dF1XcV3NOKEN1khLJqkNljMMB8Ww64TxqSQnWksGi9J/s1600/2012-08-21+13.06.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwGfWcgmNweQ4qkXjUoWZ8FIutx8YFFvELYk5BzsSbf67v_HJgYE_NfR4cAjs9jUKBYxp5hLRHuV-YNjR65urXmkFkN6qM3kl7dF1XcV3NOKEN1khLJqkNljMMB8Ww64TxqSQnWksGi9J/s320/2012-08-21+13.06.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even a TV with kids' movies! (This was a Chipmunks movie.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Second of all, there <i>are</i> booster seats as well as high chairs. The booster seats at this IKEA seem only to be near that play area. And third of all, near the play area is also a bottle warming station (aka microwave) and free bibs! I totally should use those free bibs!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqgXVGXXdhjkDFxvV_uveW5Ziya0TRtglHYQT8Gy2zRNlUqAIXb5DJdMES0IYL7q0jDUlJeF-5CLIdvSnnvTy53pTXwRDfXCq-2HlkC-8yPoaupYVLLkrqhiVHZh_cv2lE53Ptc9J44IQ/s1600/2012-08-21+13.12.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqgXVGXXdhjkDFxvV_uveW5Ziya0TRtglHYQT8Gy2zRNlUqAIXb5DJdMES0IYL7q0jDUlJeF-5CLIdvSnnvTy53pTXwRDfXCq-2HlkC-8yPoaupYVLLkrqhiVHZh_cv2lE53Ptc9J44IQ/s320/2012-08-21+13.12.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex is showing off the boosters, the bibs, the microwave, and even extra napkins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sadly, still no sign of a nursing lounge. I'm 99.99% sure they don't have one, and if they do, it is very inconveniently located! It might be lost somewhere in the labyrinth...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-22339946660896140082012-08-20T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:57:16.812-07:00Greystone Mansion<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday, August 20, 2012</div>
<div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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905 Loma Vista Drive</div>
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Beverly Hills, CA 90210<br />
<a href="http://www.greystonemansion.org/">www.greystonemansion.org</a></div>
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I typically do at least a little bit of research before setting off to an entirely new place that's not a park or library, but because I was so tired today I didn't really want to go out at all. We only ended up taking an outing because the kids seemed so cooped up in the house, and Vivi kept sitting on Alex, so I wanted to separate them and get a break from refereeing - yay carseats!</div>
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We piled into the van, and I used my GPS to direct us to a place I had heard about from acquaintances, but beyond the name, and the fact that chamber concerts are held there, I knew nothing about: <a href="http://www.greystonemansion.org/" target="_blank">Greystone Mansion.</a> I've been watching a lot of Downton Abbey lately, so that's probably why a formal mansion and grounds occurred to me. But I was expecting something different - less hilly.</div>
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I started to get a sinking feeling when the entrance to the parking lot took us nearly straight uphill. Once parked, I looked around me and almost didn't get out of the car! The parking lot looks like it is an overlook and the rest of the park and mansion are all downhill, and I didn't see anything but stairs to get down. I thought about leaving, because how was I to manage two small children in a park with no stroller? But I decided at the very least to take the stroller for a turn around the parking lot and get an idea of the layout. </div>
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There were indeed very few ramps and mostly stairs. But once we descended a bit into the formal gardens, Vivi seemed to be enjoying going up and down the stairs so much that I decided I needed to ditch the stroller and get my front carrier out for baby Alex. So that is how we managed for the rest of the afternoon. I definitely would NOT recommend this as a place to take your infants and toddlers. It would be lovely for older kids - maybe as a reward for reading The Great Gatsby? I think the ideal scenario is to come here on a date and just wander around looking at how beautiful everything is. (I seem to fantasize a lot about how nice places would be for dates. Perhaps Omar and I need to make it a more regular habit.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzDxJPpm4HzyvH7a_qGHCKN3Yr9Zzklyzk37VDyig27pLCpD3hmGsXDzFi16W84qoW1zoQlI6ggtTyMXgKoIH9gifwz5Lb54_I7cntme7X-A9WTCZNQQwm6U1ojxXy6zen0K4Orl0iEIl/s1600/2012-08-20+16.07.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzDxJPpm4HzyvH7a_qGHCKN3Yr9Zzklyzk37VDyig27pLCpD3hmGsXDzFi16W84qoW1zoQlI6ggtTyMXgKoIH9gifwz5Lb54_I7cntme7X-A9WTCZNQQwm6U1ojxXy6zen0K4Orl0iEIl/s320/2012-08-20+16.07.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decoration on the Pool House.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa8y4QdecHP1C-wisDcFSk25BONBbFeksTQq_18nfi2KzxuHX1vshHEZeDODqvpHmx1na9dUIC89sfZeqv3Mlih79gnG_tm8Sf2yBiLj5uqqu6y5LNafqbN0ilxd1qgT0TO1Qfqz5nWdT/s1600/2012-08-20+16.12.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa8y4QdecHP1C-wisDcFSk25BONBbFeksTQq_18nfi2KzxuHX1vshHEZeDODqvpHmx1na9dUIC89sfZeqv3Mlih79gnG_tm8Sf2yBiLj5uqqu6y5LNafqbN0ilxd1qgT0TO1Qfqz5nWdT/s320/2012-08-20+16.12.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Formal Garden fountain - boy did Vivi want to go up close, but <br />
they had placed new sod and the signs said "Keep off the grass."</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl-kDET8x2Pc-h4rEv647sO1TMX3yUlMNkQy_mr9QdAIuuwFyDnt2rBlC1hYAMGp_gBOY0c0I6DZv8JYwGZLFaXH2NxdBBasudDoaRZvM4RWbIpbicXsmCf48GWLKnGxq3lajSz4De4AP/s1600/2012-08-20+16.16.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl-kDET8x2Pc-h4rEv647sO1TMX3yUlMNkQy_mr9QdAIuuwFyDnt2rBlC1hYAMGp_gBOY0c0I6DZv8JYwGZLFaXH2NxdBBasudDoaRZvM4RWbIpbicXsmCf48GWLKnGxq3lajSz4De4AP/s320/2012-08-20+16.16.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is called the "Forecourt."</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgd2RHFYz77OEDajCzCtAkiPnYg13FAMN2Sdo1u1Hic7ks8eefs_J37ULGHIsy9j0RnaqUfNOXZP6gnASoAXN_VprXgk-pP9sxBTxcaZ8F8LTIGeayedzvMHImQLoLAuKccrw4hEBmYnT/s1600/2012-08-20+16.14.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgd2RHFYz77OEDajCzCtAkiPnYg13FAMN2Sdo1u1Hic7ks8eefs_J37ULGHIsy9j0RnaqUfNOXZP6gnASoAXN_VprXgk-pP9sxBTxcaZ8F8LTIGeayedzvMHImQLoLAuKccrw4hEBmYnT/s320/2012-08-20+16.14.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi is sprinting back to the fountain to try again - she can't read, <br />
so "Keep off the Grass" signs don't apply, right?</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_inqZ5Lx9nXPPp-Jq-qJDA6vZuqHowIDuFb6o1lPNO07mglPKqDrJU5yUKbnMvz1BJzRJYU8WZtzZjuq61tHJxNO00cJbKndt9Oqgp6fBz0kJgnbB0pBlIHg5K1gSH0yGtNsCRjqK-z2z/s1600/2012-08-20+16.16.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_inqZ5Lx9nXPPp-Jq-qJDA6vZuqHowIDuFb6o1lPNO07mglPKqDrJU5yUKbnMvz1BJzRJYU8WZtzZjuq61tHJxNO00cJbKndt9Oqgp6fBz0kJgnbB0pBlIHg5K1gSH0yGtNsCRjqK-z2z/s320/2012-08-20+16.16.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQBpQcwiyvWsbLZn4ScM3uht23MJzxQyLkELObuiH4bpkoUwicpGIPQhmBIFKs5uynkC8RDMPdYUmYZxXNFwXcHw9rO7KvmfajSaLJrKJv0UGlF3_LmILFSJcTHKGdBMkRO7ixazoQi7G/s1600/2012-08-20+16.18.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQBpQcwiyvWsbLZn4ScM3uht23MJzxQyLkELObuiH4bpkoUwicpGIPQhmBIFKs5uynkC8RDMPdYUmYZxXNFwXcHw9rO7KvmfajSaLJrKJv0UGlF3_LmILFSJcTHKGdBMkRO7ixazoQi7G/s320/2012-08-20+16.18.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between the Cypress Walk and the Wall.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdJwTYhfi0ZlB44GRltvSf9v1hXddQONABun7GlF0EnAeyf5cwJSGSYMHopwVQ3J17w_OrqpdnK83-D5AQoOb7CCpBTaUQhEzCw1kkxUa8G1YESZK8g_84JUVSleBomeWQZ1Yp8Df8fJG/s1600/2012-08-20+16.19.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdJwTYhfi0ZlB44GRltvSf9v1hXddQONABun7GlF0EnAeyf5cwJSGSYMHopwVQ3J17w_OrqpdnK83-D5AQoOb7CCpBTaUQhEzCw1kkxUa8G1YESZK8g_84JUVSleBomeWQZ1Yp8Df8fJG/s320/2012-08-20+16.19.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good shadow of me with the big hat, holding baby Alex!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The house is only open for special events and pre-arranged Ranger-led group tours. I did take a few pictures of the exterior, but we didn't get all the way down to the lawns to get a picture of the whole house, unfortunately. (I didn't want to have to walk back up that many stairs carrying over 40 pounds of baby, in case Vivi was uncooperative.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgY3_ZWaeMqGOdFiXhzr2gNIRADO5NRDdCGZVKxUEP3wq4f4ku9WNTv6iY39jqMT2uXkLP-zFCNHuW4ewnqK5wg-WR-hlyg9p5YDTt7thrkwcDNDs7qK_nzBdgmUqqyf1qyJix9i4Wfkt/s1600/2012-08-20+16.40.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgY3_ZWaeMqGOdFiXhzr2gNIRADO5NRDdCGZVKxUEP3wq4f4ku9WNTv6iY39jqMT2uXkLP-zFCNHuW4ewnqK5wg-WR-hlyg9p5YDTt7thrkwcDNDs7qK_nzBdgmUqqyf1qyJix9i4Wfkt/s320/2012-08-20+16.40.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the West Courtyard looking in.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm88WTDbAdSc5DGsGhrjy9enXQe2JB1nnFsyNoMZYkwKkVVx2zGZY0m0mPNyZRKp_C9jP4nEmzo6ze_xvX1lDYbiOyHKq64i5hoD8EMJ14csDdZ4wH0UV1EDDpg6pW6di-0UjeMEsT_ZZ/s1600/2012-08-20+16.49.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm88WTDbAdSc5DGsGhrjy9enXQe2JB1nnFsyNoMZYkwKkVVx2zGZY0m0mPNyZRKp_C9jP4nEmzo6ze_xvX1lDYbiOyHKq64i5hoD8EMJ14csDdZ4wH0UV1EDDpg6pW6di-0UjeMEsT_ZZ/s320/2012-08-20+16.49.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The southern<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><em style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">façade</span></em></span>.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYSgNJqC32j4jnA9bdLRaAtLznwNupLstzDvh-4-r5RONhK-dIxWulJYG6l5yLzXKC-54dIN4qXdx7NIzyU-dltd5b3T5eCRY1RQDC1bEj6Egs8DvyG_Tup638I0GEb6rco9B2uv6as21/s1600/2012-08-20+16.52.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYSgNJqC32j4jnA9bdLRaAtLznwNupLstzDvh-4-r5RONhK-dIxWulJYG6l5yLzXKC-54dIN4qXdx7NIzyU-dltd5b3T5eCRY1RQDC1bEj6Egs8DvyG_Tup638I0GEb6rco9B2uv6as21/s320/2012-08-20+16.52.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Inner Courtyard and another fountain Vivi was eager to get close to! <br />
It's sunken below the drive, so I was a little afraid she'd fall in!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpJtQm5o6aeQuNc2Vpjl9bd846Fl_adV2SSiAMQ85K0D21hOfaFqzFwQPK4YOTB73Nm8TT8Wfaqkg2Yv4hj6P4bkj5chl3mZrecgzWLTX-HBHAMyNMVkf7Nxe-CXPkKoKHVbym91At8a/s1600/2012-08-20+16.54.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpJtQm5o6aeQuNc2Vpjl9bd846Fl_adV2SSiAMQ85K0D21hOfaFqzFwQPK4YOTB73Nm8TT8Wfaqkg2Yv4hj6P4bkj5chl3mZrecgzWLTX-HBHAMyNMVkf7Nxe-CXPkKoKHVbym91At8a/s320/2012-08-20+16.54.36.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This staircase to the Recreation Wing became Vivi's <br />
favorite place for a good while - up and down, up and down!</td></tr>
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<h3>
Turtles!</h3>
<div>
The number one highlight was the Reflection Pond. There weren't as many reflections in it as there were swimming turtles, so I think they should rename it Turtle Pond. There were even turtles sunning themselves on a rock in the middle, and the way they stacked themselves on top of each other, I thought they were a statue until two of them slid into the water and swam away!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCetXZOlHgxhma-N_sz9M-bPUr6TuK6vVTVXehagIWpbpQDicf4aMqe8897puiqSU9tKFMDQNEJ5lbBFLfG7F7oWos2MxpPQ0e734hR6YMgQiRF_tujJxu1NYncrZwCHH0FuA_9jQjlIE/s1600/2012-08-20+16.44.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCetXZOlHgxhma-N_sz9M-bPUr6TuK6vVTVXehagIWpbpQDicf4aMqe8897puiqSU9tKFMDQNEJ5lbBFLfG7F7oWos2MxpPQ0e734hR6YMgQiRF_tujJxu1NYncrZwCHH0FuA_9jQjlIE/s320/2012-08-20+16.44.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rules</h3>
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Just so you know, these are the posted rules of the park: No film photography without permit, no dogs allowed, no smoking, and no picnics. I saw a family violating the no picnics rule, and I saw three young girls who wanted to change into different outfits and take each others' picture get busted for the no film photography rule by a Ranger. So be on your best behavior, and leave your dogs, toddlers and infants at home!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-52800021112877581082012-08-19T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:56:17.907-07:00The Japanese Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday, August 19, 2012</div>
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My Cost: $3</div>
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6100 Woodley Ave</div>
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Van Nuys, CA 91406<br />
<a href="http://www.thejapanesegarden.com/">www.thejapanesegarden.com</a></div>
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Today I took my kids to a beautiful little gem in the Sepulveda Dam Basin: <a href="http://www.thejapanesegarden.com/" target="_blank">The Japanese Garden</a>! I used to live a short bike ride away from this place, and it's one of the very nicest of all the nice places in the Sepulveda Dam Basin (such as Lake Balboa, the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, the Sepulveda Model Airport, the Archery Range, the Leo Magnus Cricket Complex, etc. etc. etc.) We tried to visit a few days ago, but it was closed for maintenance. I'm not sure exactly what maintenance they did, but it did look quite perfectly manicured and serene today.</div>
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I have visited the Garden several times in the past, but I realized that my last visit was in October of 2010 for the Origami Festival. My, how time flies! That was nearly two years ago, and neither of my children had been born yet! But I was about six months pregnant with Vivi, so in my mind I thought I remembered her being here before. (She didn't enjoy as much of the scenery from inside the womb, I'm sure, lol!)<br />
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When you visit the Japanese Garden, someone in the vehicle should be prepared to show their photo I.D. to a guard at the gate. This, I assume, is a safety precaution due to the Garden's location adjacent to the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. That is the only hard part, however. Admission is only $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and children under 10, (although I wasn't charged any admission for my 5-month-old or my 18-month-old.) Self guided tours are available Sunday through Thursday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pay your admission fee inside the Gift Shop.</td></tr>
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Here is an old aerial view (just look at those old cars!) printed in a pamphlet that I picked up today about the Plant. It shows just how adjacent we are really talking! The windy paths around all the water is the Japanese Garden part, if you couldn't tell.<br />
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One of my favorite things about this place is how neat and manicured everything is. There are so many different textures and contrasts as you look around, but everything is separate and nothing encroaches on anything else. Because I'm a mom it reminded me of nicely organized toy storage where all the toys are assembled and placed neatly side by side instead of a jumbled toy box where all the toys and their parts are mixed up in a pile. You could take the same plants and the same amount of space and not get anything half as beautiful without all the planning and maintaining the separate elements.<br />
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Here are some different textures. Vivi enjoyed feeling the plants and examining the surfaces (including scuffing her feet through the dirt of the path.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s8pLMDSYu2x9NFm6LmAZDcPX_451lJqMNC0oqsh5HiBKQ2yIsK9TJPvafGEP5xyiFFX9tocTW4F7Xw-P_rc-Wz1kaV9RGTzP6hQhXCKLZvD4kK4MRmm4xx_3OyCKLMjwdrttz_OMitmt/s1600/2012-08-19+15.01.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s8pLMDSYu2x9NFm6LmAZDcPX_451lJqMNC0oqsh5HiBKQ2yIsK9TJPvafGEP5xyiFFX9tocTW4F7Xw-P_rc-Wz1kaV9RGTzP6hQhXCKLZvD4kK4MRmm4xx_3OyCKLMjwdrttz_OMitmt/s320/2012-08-19+15.01.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pebble garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGmswp3jvRPhh8zp8wJJ6NgR5Nz1PXIH7seJlIunFleBhF-_eIbBHNrglc2dYBMSgDmSa2lCpJvxMf-5uSXyvZBTrXvqW5Rq4fpx_AeV1O5nY8JgGySk-Tj9iIXAS9A6i5Dp5TFD48jbj/s1600/2012-08-19+15.02.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGmswp3jvRPhh8zp8wJJ6NgR5Nz1PXIH7seJlIunFleBhF-_eIbBHNrglc2dYBMSgDmSa2lCpJvxMf-5uSXyvZBTrXvqW5Rq4fpx_AeV1O5nY8JgGySk-Tj9iIXAS9A6i5Dp5TFD48jbj/s320/2012-08-19+15.02.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wavy mane of hairy grass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_7MzSBO6g8pcftJv_ADfg0HzlSdXTu7ppgSKAXkt41l5g1kS76tiJ27hzTT43gJ7tKb1M0gEZxm0jmtO9rWXDqFP3l0_UjbfrL9Ce3zijsV1vvLC9zOZLG8QDcG5q9FWqwkYTlw7q_pc/s1600/2012-08-19+15.04.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_7MzSBO6g8pcftJv_ADfg0HzlSdXTu7ppgSKAXkt41l5g1kS76tiJ27hzTT43gJ7tKb1M0gEZxm0jmtO9rWXDqFP3l0_UjbfrL9Ce3zijsV1vvLC9zOZLG8QDcG5q9FWqwkYTlw7q_pc/s320/2012-08-19+15.04.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scuffling in the dirt on a hot day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYjI44uUI3bCZLrXWCnzOkjrtmYk3mS4I5v6VMB6Oyvw8DMLtTijnHO6aTamTosr6iekgLqTgcPBC_7mgYEvDkFE_8ay1RNNUF1hWKfi9LmpGMdY4DNDy-yzGaOA44WRuS7EwKbrCZroR/s1600/2012-08-19+15.10.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYjI44uUI3bCZLrXWCnzOkjrtmYk3mS4I5v6VMB6Oyvw8DMLtTijnHO6aTamTosr6iekgLqTgcPBC_7mgYEvDkFE_8ay1RNNUF1hWKfi9LmpGMdY4DNDy-yzGaOA44WRuS7EwKbrCZroR/s320/2012-08-19+15.10.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground cover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CP2KDvreUTfLN9Vk-H4RJ7TIqzHZBhvswrI0V51SR-Omz8dtAUyyVz_gCVXSQEo-ddYFNK6fSP5SA4uE5NIv-9JlhFOjKgvA8MmEtyLQVvC8x0ZiiVBdBhDnuZddyaGZrj8ZrF0L7SpV/s1600/2012-08-19+15.08.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CP2KDvreUTfLN9Vk-H4RJ7TIqzHZBhvswrI0V51SR-Omz8dtAUyyVz_gCVXSQEo-ddYFNK6fSP5SA4uE5NIv-9JlhFOjKgvA8MmEtyLQVvC8x0ZiiVBdBhDnuZddyaGZrj8ZrF0L7SpV/s320/2012-08-19+15.08.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These ground cover plants felt very firm, yet soft!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO8lm0UNdfU2q_fvGrhjOoQqne3OA6T2l2kY0Mmg_Lw8Q8WMkzHse3f7TygqAshklg4xzjjssNvNdSCm7646hEVBvfP76EJ9dSkusJXx6Zu5eS-k9924Whni3ducT-U3NoS6tiSC5-roR/s1600/2012-08-19+15.17.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO8lm0UNdfU2q_fvGrhjOoQqne3OA6T2l2kY0Mmg_Lw8Q8WMkzHse3f7TygqAshklg4xzjjssNvNdSCm7646hEVBvfP76EJ9dSkusJXx6Zu5eS-k9924Whni3ducT-U3NoS6tiSC5-roR/s320/2012-08-19+15.17.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're not supposed to leave the path, but I let her touch <br />
some bamboo for a minute, just to encourage her curiosity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXs-ixB3RYC6oxK5Uwev1EneqsxO_GAIcetuOi8aGVNuZu4O824it9SJjSb98vOPr4LFknAU_XKcuDEvJI3fpeWdmcHfypMZKgVyYr1DkhWS7WBg9FmuIB7Ge2fphUBS226eHfZjN34rz/s1600/2012-08-19+15.28.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXs-ixB3RYC6oxK5Uwev1EneqsxO_GAIcetuOi8aGVNuZu4O824it9SJjSb98vOPr4LFknAU_XKcuDEvJI3fpeWdmcHfypMZKgVyYr1DkhWS7WBg9FmuIB7Ge2fphUBS226eHfZjN34rz/s320/2012-08-19+15.28.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft mounds of mossy ground cover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZPinZvBV2xbJAGDNESuLr8wD3b29LTXcrc2C-9P26IyH3EuZqb42DBdec-JSoJu9Ag1L_WOaM8brsxgMmhFhARuoRJADoBp4Aipj9nTyrVZMihKoU7GuvaZV-BmcwiWWJ-3QAv0KSSnC/s1600/2012-08-19+15.29.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZPinZvBV2xbJAGDNESuLr8wD3b29LTXcrc2C-9P26IyH3EuZqb42DBdec-JSoJu9Ag1L_WOaM8brsxgMmhFhARuoRJADoBp4Aipj9nTyrVZMihKoU7GuvaZV-BmcwiWWJ-3QAv0KSSnC/s320/2012-08-19+15.29.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symmetrical steps along a path.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9fQeLlYGWxLhyphenhyphenurm_k7E1iy1jflV_64qYZ7vQHkRvLWl5sp2UoP8Opu5PpVF5FyoHRdfrclo2bCRBreC3sjMgPofEH_wKI7ARx4aDjYv7o6xsX2lO5dqjyvIc1eYzfGgF9BuD1zanStT/s1600/2012-08-19+15.30.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9fQeLlYGWxLhyphenhyphenurm_k7E1iy1jflV_64qYZ7vQHkRvLWl5sp2UoP8Opu5PpVF5FyoHRdfrclo2bCRBreC3sjMgPofEH_wKI7ARx4aDjYv7o6xsX2lO5dqjyvIc1eYzfGgF9BuD1zanStT/s320/2012-08-19+15.30.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A millstone path leading to dark grey river stones.</td></tr>
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And here are some other pictures of things I just found beautiful. Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of fish in the various watery areas of the Garden, I didn't get any pictures of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl-1qy3wvr8u4xrOI8NZ5muCmLMe3qRAjBJCeaJCu9PrLQ5JnJXrKsl0znw-c9TN7kmz8FPAGUbqcL-a3qDcwpLNewt4f6r47ohdG-7FKEOAT21zxK_TUUBn6vY9nUeP-cQdA6DIYUOHx/s1600/2012-08-19+15.03.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl-1qy3wvr8u4xrOI8NZ5muCmLMe3qRAjBJCeaJCu9PrLQ5JnJXrKsl0znw-c9TN7kmz8FPAGUbqcL-a3qDcwpLNewt4f6r47ohdG-7FKEOAT21zxK_TUUBn6vY9nUeP-cQdA6DIYUOHx/s320/2012-08-19+15.03.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Administration Building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVU5T_ojpufoFMO6AdM1LMCOA1G42lrM-r81reMeUK3tapQXu0YGHtfJ_q1hijEhs6aMI53FYpn0YUiwtx5wzMUW8pJHxix88XruRLxr15lxnHwkWDmCDQZm0VosxLkg-kSURzIvXn2T0/s1600/2012-08-19+15.04.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVU5T_ojpufoFMO6AdM1LMCOA1G42lrM-r81reMeUK3tapQXu0YGHtfJ_q1hijEhs6aMI53FYpn0YUiwtx5wzMUW8pJHxix88XruRLxr15lxnHwkWDmCDQZm0VosxLkg-kSURzIvXn2T0/s320/2012-08-19+15.04.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water's Edge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnAbmm2RwaFt1GDNATNmm8D0J-87OtrnRr8iQCg_hRz9Rs9zcZObGaKnw8K2hhWK-jnYEnQPpsb7nDPqiP9FoJHezoNYOD0EUj-T3-qfmD69JtMxK6bTrbUItUQKcYSK_MLA0yPFwMASV/s1600/2012-08-19+15.11.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnAbmm2RwaFt1GDNATNmm8D0J-87OtrnRr8iQCg_hRz9Rs9zcZObGaKnw8K2hhWK-jnYEnQPpsb7nDPqiP9FoJHezoNYOD0EUj-T3-qfmD69JtMxK6bTrbUItUQKcYSK_MLA0yPFwMASV/s320/2012-08-19+15.11.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly Pads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjSZcJW3PXgTz_zmG8vQeI5V715vSNerBKOweNxxGl4mzxwW-vFpB5GyddA-SbQ48Px9GKKSD1o_nGc7w9HLNpVrYclmzwXyof3k1q3QRc8HcMXr_46u9-o5wOTevGvg7OgTfPbBNOwoG/s1600/2012-08-19+15.20.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjSZcJW3PXgTz_zmG8vQeI5V715vSNerBKOweNxxGl4mzxwW-vFpB5GyddA-SbQ48Px9GKKSD1o_nGc7w9HLNpVrYclmzwXyof3k1q3QRc8HcMXr_46u9-o5wOTevGvg7OgTfPbBNOwoG/s320/2012-08-19+15.20.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping Willow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs8bcSlaceJShyphenhyphenneleXcpiil5BFJKUXVfV1HOS9b5QG_l3KNsADg6LkmOh29I26FocMOHMNKPZQ9SeBmxuIR9qyVMHpO6sO676X03VYCLOq4_PxtNRLRpNkNfr3mq9Mer93lluQlqzW_w/s1600/2012-08-19+15.23.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs8bcSlaceJShyphenhyphenneleXcpiil5BFJKUXVfV1HOS9b5QG_l3KNsADg6LkmOh29I26FocMOHMNKPZQ9SeBmxuIR9qyVMHpO6sO676X03VYCLOq4_PxtNRLRpNkNfr3mq9Mer93lluQlqzW_w/s320/2012-08-19+15.23.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks under the tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8P0bjjTznYhdpDKSeU1q_ecGqWUtIkcL9MTxNDSpusGPKbYORtlu89SyU03B98i1cSWSFGxf38RVBn5fmXO4E-ztipP0imUoMLXT7yM1qxPZoebiD98h7FMYVVPKZJeU5s7QYGSv5a3X/s1600/2012-08-19+15.27.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8P0bjjTznYhdpDKSeU1q_ecGqWUtIkcL9MTxNDSpusGPKbYORtlu89SyU03B98i1cSWSFGxf38RVBn5fmXO4E-ztipP0imUoMLXT7yM1qxPZoebiD98h7FMYVVPKZJeU5s7QYGSv5a3X/s320/2012-08-19+15.27.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A waterfall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Events</h3>
<b>EVENING TOURS: </b>Now through August 30th they are offering evening tours that start at 6:30 by appointment only. That sounds like a nice way to enjoy the Garden but avoid the hottest part of the day.<br />
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<b>IKEBANA EXHIBITION: </b>Sunday, September 9, 2012 is the Ikebana Exhibition showcasing the Japanese Art of Flower Arranging. This is a joint venture between the Garden and the Sogetsu San Fernando Valley Branch. There will be demonstrations at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm by the Branch director, Kyoko Kassarjian Sensei, and members of the Branch. Arrangements will be on display throughout the garden. Admission will cost a little more for adults ($5), but kids under 10 are free! They are warning people that if maximum capacity for the Garden is reached (200 people) they will suspend admission until it clears out.<br />
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<b>ORIGAMI FESTIVAL: </b>Sunday, October 14, 2012 is the Origami Festival. They are posting the hours for this day as 10:15 to 3:15, and the same capacity warning as the Ikebana Exhibition applies. It is a fun event where they set up stations around the Garden to demonstrate different techniques of origami in a range of difficulty levels. I can tell you from our experience two years ago that you are better off coming right at the beginning. We, and a lot of other people, tried to get through everything towards the end of the day, and we couldn't squeeze in at the tables that were still offering demonstrations, and other tables were closed. So we missed out on a lot of paper folding, but at least we got lemonade and cookies at the tea house! (For a fee.)<br />
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Here is a picture from that 2010 Festival:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbhKo4ZsidyHJB9-GjMVoMR4a3naWs30r6cT8BiSuu7SNuo5P9X3t-6KqdGP-NJJiKcRT0cGL464s3P5zGmgWVvwvOkYU1cop2unW6vDSdMqqD-_KojYwvzxVU5cHqaQwEIgzPHXozGwU/s1600/Origami+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbhKo4ZsidyHJB9-GjMVoMR4a3naWs30r6cT8BiSuu7SNuo5P9X3t-6KqdGP-NJJiKcRT0cGL464s3P5zGmgWVvwvOkYU1cop2unW6vDSdMqqD-_KojYwvzxVU5cHqaQwEIgzPHXozGwU/s400/Origami+Festival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-32041314103658053712012-08-18T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:55:19.533-07:00Woodbridge Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saturday, August 18, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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11240 Moorpark Street</div>
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Studio City, CA 91602<br />
<a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/woodbridgepk.htm">www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/woodbridgepk.htm</a></div>
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Today daddy left for a few days, so we spent the morning home with him getting packed. After dropping him off at the airport, (I love that the Burbank Airport is so convenient to us!), we kept it low-key and just went to another of the beautiful locations maintained by the City of Los Angeles' Parks and Recreation Department. Everyone in this city is so fortunate to have so many beautiful parks, and in my humble opinion we should all be using them more often!</div>
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Our original destination was the <a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/reccenter/facility/northWeddingtonRC.htm" target="_blank">North Weddington Recreation Center</a>. It is one of my favorite playgrounds because there is so much shade in the afternoon, and it is a good distance away from any traffic, being situated at the end of a residential street and in the corner of a freeway intersection. However, it was pretty crowded. There were basketball games going on in the gym, and someone was having a birthday party at the playground. So we picked another park - there are so many in close proximity to each other!</div>
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The park we went to instead was <a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/woodbridgepk.htm" target="_blank">Woodbridge Park</a>. It was a mere one mile away. Quite honestly, I think this might be my new favorite park in the Valley! Just check out the beautiful landscaping around one of the signs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMSQhu1xWu0wTU65JuYswAnwMtyQYtrswR4xs0LkvTZR7FiEryf5qcy4SloOiOLAp5yB90XBG9RS6IH5WxOY8HpYIClojO9GxlSsU2vV7eclz7dcURF2kPBSdJB_p1ylm2I0HDoczu3dU/s1600/2012-08-18+16.30.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMSQhu1xWu0wTU65JuYswAnwMtyQYtrswR4xs0LkvTZR7FiEryf5qcy4SloOiOLAp5yB90XBG9RS6IH5WxOY8HpYIClojO9GxlSsU2vV7eclz7dcURF2kPBSdJB_p1ylm2I0HDoczu3dU/s400/2012-08-18+16.30.56.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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There are 2 playgrounds here, like at many of the other parks, for toddlers and for older children. I must say, though, that the amount of activities in each area blows other playgrounds away! There were swings, slides, climbers, spring riders, monkey bars, a teeter totter, a straight track ride, a stand-up spinner, and my favorites were 1.) the multiple bridges including one made out of a wide rubbery sheet (durable like a tire) that was really wobbly to walk on, and 2.) the log roll toy! My kids are too small to try to run on a spinning "log," but I would have totally tried it if I hadn't been holding a baby! Plus, the surface of the bigger playground is sand, and one mother was smart enough to bring toys along for playing in the sand.</div>
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The pictures paint a better picture:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47eFQYvZT-C546kkO2BgeXlWkF_XrVldHUKYkV3Zr3QcrRPlPJM8XUaBuNLLpGWRosijG7m3r9wPURGuTKGkpNmjxovmQ10PWiQbytVpf2b9Hn9wEH0srRNAzuZy78P1Wq_hOeNwWEEus/s1600/2012-08-18+16.27.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47eFQYvZT-C546kkO2BgeXlWkF_XrVldHUKYkV3Zr3QcrRPlPJM8XUaBuNLLpGWRosijG7m3r9wPURGuTKGkpNmjxovmQ10PWiQbytVpf2b9Hn9wEH0srRNAzuZy78P1Wq_hOeNwWEEus/s400/2012-08-18+16.27.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toddler play area is starting to get a lot of shade.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntnIFMarLWuoHcQyUlSC_jQ06PNuMthHQPVL_Y50BfcIn8OcsbeVDqlv8a96yGVRLdEaJDajuibgtalQh4LnTXc5wQxMCSv0cQIUoVEBdoaJJHd5IkDXvG7JVGTn4dO7d7Si9e2hlpTum/s1600/2012-08-18+16.31.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntnIFMarLWuoHcQyUlSC_jQ06PNuMthHQPVL_Y50BfcIn8OcsbeVDqlv8a96yGVRLdEaJDajuibgtalQh4LnTXc5wQxMCSv0cQIUoVEBdoaJJHd5IkDXvG7JVGTn4dO7d7Si9e2hlpTum/s400/2012-08-18+16.31.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big kids' playground - see how shady!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH78h3L1FsjVSUNRdsqiyQTm7guDzZygdbhy8haMrl8J75gtnkBPv8SAuCNHGud8ZtTtZQy4He0tF6KXqShPNnZ5ieKlFT-QeRYlH_AkE_FO65POA8Z8yQxBc0-XUv6rk-YxyDWUQF1us/s1600/2012-08-18+16.30.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH78h3L1FsjVSUNRdsqiyQTm7guDzZygdbhy8haMrl8J75gtnkBPv8SAuCNHGud8ZtTtZQy4He0tF6KXqShPNnZ5ieKlFT-QeRYlH_AkE_FO65POA8Z8yQxBc0-XUv6rk-YxyDWUQF1us/s400/2012-08-18+16.30.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That bridge on the right is the wobbly rubbery one.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvNIwhqH1p_fAraxpjTQvMx19NoGNSGrKmWp10kle79O9W51Xt-jptJaRYnczEuTLIkB8dWcQedi6X5xfT0RHgjSmU4F240al-PvbvwRSDDIRHOFjjEYKwC4mzjRaemALtlF3tY1POhKk/s1600/2012-08-18+16.43.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvNIwhqH1p_fAraxpjTQvMx19NoGNSGrKmWp10kle79O9W51Xt-jptJaRYnczEuTLIkB8dWcQedi6X5xfT0RHgjSmU4F240al-PvbvwRSDDIRHOFjjEYKwC4mzjRaemALtlF3tY1POhKk/s400/2012-08-18+16.43.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The swings, plus notice all those benches!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWIxbetmcb091vTiVNoWzrlhZSvTCqaJCKNW3UeAWaLtf-pLuX5_dfklXQLtotHlvFWcigb1cZfVTIw_ZuDw6L8jGBOdnrq2zmer_dLWZB_qfbi8Yt3DuyPc2vt71Rp2RDt8IqP0r9Qk2/s1600/2012-08-18+16.39.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWIxbetmcb091vTiVNoWzrlhZSvTCqaJCKNW3UeAWaLtf-pLuX5_dfklXQLtotHlvFWcigb1cZfVTIw_ZuDw6L8jGBOdnrq2zmer_dLWZB_qfbi8Yt3DuyPc2vt71Rp2RDt8IqP0r9Qk2/s400/2012-08-18+16.39.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several spring riders with an adorable rider!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdyfPxHwqWCGw0g0me3q0G5cn7tDgYtJGZ0xBwbtCktgLWXzrNip0bKbOqTNz3J7vXkyhVdnJXSzhTsGHLir9J9wdgK4scg3RcLvVOajBynU-Cy4Efc7nK_cT_JmUFpb9ryTj0g2cpTFV/s1600/2012-08-18+16.42.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdyfPxHwqWCGw0g0me3q0G5cn7tDgYtJGZ0xBwbtCktgLWXzrNip0bKbOqTNz3J7vXkyhVdnJXSzhTsGHLir9J9wdgK4scg3RcLvVOajBynU-Cy4Efc7nK_cT_JmUFpb9ryTj0g2cpTFV/s400/2012-08-18+16.42.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some shady seats in between the toddler and older kids' play areas.</td></tr>
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Besides all the wonderful playground equipment, there were lots - and I'm talkin' LOTS - of benches and picnic tables. Another nice feature is that past the toddler playground is a stretch of park that goes back into a corner like an "L". It's walled in by trees on all sides and feels nice and secluded. A good place to go read a book! (Except during school hours, because it is adjacent to Oakwood Elementary School so I assume it gets noisy.)<br />
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Last, but not least, at the north end of the park close to Moorpark Street is some fitness equipment. A lovely setting for working out! And it's not the well-worn type of fitness equipment I'm used to seeing, this stuff looks brand new:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhHOo6rSeM72LbYCsd60Y6zOaCzFhnGTrYvULjYZYbfNPZgGLlD53id_ftBjtAC2HYxoebn4wSnbuknbmzupTxcKJhUmqoPy9DQmZ7ImyP4QHdVJeNYzbznTRz4bNyBK4F3W9U7z92IdT/s1600/2012-08-18+17.26.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhHOo6rSeM72LbYCsd60Y6zOaCzFhnGTrYvULjYZYbfNPZgGLlD53id_ftBjtAC2HYxoebn4wSnbuknbmzupTxcKJhUmqoPy9DQmZ7ImyP4QHdVJeNYzbznTRz4bNyBK4F3W9U7z92IdT/s640/2012-08-18+17.26.04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incline benches for crunches, and a couple Gazelle-style low-impact trainers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some upper-body presses and pull-downs, and pull-up bars, etc.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-20735113976318771692012-08-16T23:35:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:54:19.352-07:00Valley Plaza Branch Library<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Thursday, August 16, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My Cost: FREE!</span></div>
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12311 Vanowen Street</div>
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North Hollywood, CA 91605<br />
<a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/57.html">www.lapl.org/branches/57.html</a></div>
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After we left Travel Town, (previous post,) I decided we might as well stop by the <a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=57">Valley Plaza Branch Library</a> story and craft time, since it is so close to home. I wasn't sure if it would be a good fit for us because Vivi is only 18 months old, so a "craft" would probably be too hard for her, and she only pays attention to stories about half of the time. Plus, it was already 4:00, so I knew we would be late and probably miss the story, but there was a small chance that the craft would have been something Vivi was capable of. And at the very least I would get a look at the library, since we have never been there before.<br />
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It turned out we did miss story time, and the craft <i>was </i>too complicated, (making paper sack puppets,) but I was so glad that I got to see that children's section! Valley Plaza is now my number one favorite library (move over, Lake View Terrace.) </div>
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The children's section is in a separate space from the rest of the library. It is a round room, and you can even see the round roof of the round room from outside. The wall on one side is lined with nine computers just for the Kid's Path, and the opposite side is lined with cushioned benches. There are lots of activity cubes and bead mazes, and they do a great job of decorating! At the moment they have star-covered paper lining the walls for an outer space theme.</div>
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I also noticed they have a lot of activities at this library:</div>
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I'm sure we'll be back. Especially since I shop at the Smart & Final around the corner!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-4967298398484100122012-08-16T23:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T22:53:36.195-07:00Travel Town Museum<div style="text-align: center;">
Thursday, August 16, 2012</div>
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My Cost: Free!</div>
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5200 Zoo Drive</div>
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Los Angeles, CA 90027<br />
<a href="http://www.traveltown.org/">www.traveltown.org</a></div>
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Another hot August day. I woke up this morning with no plan or idea of where we might go, so I took to the computer to see if there were any events. I saw that there was a story and craft activity at the Valley Plaza Branch Library, but not until 4:00. So I put that idea on the back burner and went back to the drawing board.</div>
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I decided on the <a href="http://traveltown.org/" target="_blank">Travel Town Museum</a> in Griffith Park. I have driven past the trains on many occasions, and once several years ago I even stopped and asked about admission cost and hours. FYI, there is no cost. (Although back then there was someone stationed in the booth accepting suggested donations. I guess they have suspended that.) Weekday hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and weekends from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.</div>
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The best thing about this museum is that it is so wander-able! It's outdoors and you stroll, and there are lots of benches so you can sit and relax. There is an Exhibition Hall with some horse-drawn carriages and wooden cars that need more protection from the elements, but beyond that it is just a big park with trains in it! There are lots of picnic tables and even those built-in barbecues (though I'm not sure if we're allowed to use them when the fire threat is high.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of picnic tables are available - pack a snack!</td></tr>
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Inside the Exhibition Hall there was an area called "Holden's Corner: Travel Town Museum Children's Learning Center." I was pretty excited about the possibilities there. Maybe a train for the kids to climb on? Things to interact with like buttons to push, or a track to switch? Sadly, no. It was a big space with a small-scale train in the center that we weren't allowed to touch, and off to one side was a table with a toy train track on it, but you have to go check out a train to use with it. I think this area is more enjoyable if you check the <a href="http://traveltown.org/calendar.shtml" target="_blank">Travel Town Calendar</a> and come on a Play Day (the next one is September 2nd.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The untouchable model train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toy train tracks are on the table surrounded by the benches. I do love the mural!</td></tr>
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Steps away from the Exhibition Hall is the Gift Shop. We didn't go inside, so I can't comment on it's selection, but it looked quaint from the outside!</div>
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In between the Exhibition Hall and the Gift Shop is the Travel Town Railroad. They built it to resemble an old-fashioned train station with old-fashioned ticket windows and a waiting room with a heavy black safe and sparse furnishings. The rides are cheap (see below), but had already ended by the time we got there. The last trip of the day was going around the tracks and there were only two passengers: another mother and her toddler.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBNXjUj7F57-X3WZngHMsWB0MYldOTKoQneIINfIgr7jSvuWzVFliG22qDcJg4uj8gHyeGxHcL6-JNGsyC0VONIN9QBooywQ2o-vuAqVeaELF-J3yyaKw2BXIkjCHNretfRFuQ1HOUfza/s1600/2012-08-16+15.40.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBNXjUj7F57-X3WZngHMsWB0MYldOTKoQneIINfIgr7jSvuWzVFliG22qDcJg4uj8gHyeGxHcL6-JNGsyC0VONIN9QBooywQ2o-vuAqVeaELF-J3yyaKw2BXIkjCHNretfRFuQ1HOUfza/s400/2012-08-16+15.40.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last loop of the day! Can you see the conductor waving at us?</td></tr>
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It was not at all busy, perhaps because of the heat, or because this is the first week of school for LAUSD students, or maybe just because it was so close to closing. We did come across three other mother-and-toddler pairs, so I felt like I fit the visitor profile!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeXkPYoFJGF1xOcOt-BDfGTAhqM7_9bYu2_LCMk7O1yTZMuGpUJjzB3azZrySOnCx7XFY2R419WiJWSL8WrWEJEXV2YgqeSUirYBsCICA6CLeXWcjRVodp8aQYkQwY4kHki_P_BlDLqh0/s1600/2012-08-16+15.46.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeXkPYoFJGF1xOcOt-BDfGTAhqM7_9bYu2_LCMk7O1yTZMuGpUJjzB3azZrySOnCx7XFY2R419WiJWSL8WrWEJEXV2YgqeSUirYBsCICA6CLeXWcjRVodp8aQYkQwY4kHki_P_BlDLqh0/s400/2012-08-16+15.46.34.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I imagine Steam Punk types would love this place!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuY8nYlqBwl0W_7XPyXZOrVnFcsA5qs8g1MaYkQmVubdaOQt8CNfEDf6Mkir2rWIMsSyurhkhjooEMUQXV9RbkkLr5x2QzHFsNX53YDne1sdxwFYf_i3D94FDApXhy3_L08OLlF1FNuhU/s1600/2012-08-16+15.47.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuY8nYlqBwl0W_7XPyXZOrVnFcsA5qs8g1MaYkQmVubdaOQt8CNfEDf6Mkir2rWIMsSyurhkhjooEMUQXV9RbkkLr5x2QzHFsNX53YDne1sdxwFYf_i3D94FDApXhy3_L08OLlF1FNuhU/s400/2012-08-16+15.47.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stroller that I always say is like pushing a train, next to an actual train. Love Vivi's face!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8TTMCLhMB2-BuLOfjJB_Z9tykOBB3h6lFyGMk2wmJtjeKIi-TXa_H87twdpNc66muT0atE35vbCYLBcitlJt8FenlNsyynR-a5ra17EUCzFU4J5rXArLV6M7-StLgrc4jNhiVH8Bw9Bm/s1600/2012-08-16+15.49.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8TTMCLhMB2-BuLOfjJB_Z9tykOBB3h6lFyGMk2wmJtjeKIi-TXa_H87twdpNc66muT0atE35vbCYLBcitlJt8FenlNsyynR-a5ra17EUCzFU4J5rXArLV6M7-StLgrc4jNhiVH8Bw9Bm/s400/2012-08-16+15.49.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a good spot to wander!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBnop0abbuC3AqzYnxk-FQo0t8juAot39QD5acjca9lJaoTraJC6hdUCZC32PAHOaZkNIcCWIr1Hx1zQ_NP0M-hBIRUhlOhUjSQSsZkhlJI8fgwrTqbkvg_kZKIzV8uNOfMQRFh9YsYic/s1600/2012-08-16+15.58.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBnop0abbuC3AqzYnxk-FQo0t8juAot39QD5acjca9lJaoTraJC6hdUCZC32PAHOaZkNIcCWIr1Hx1zQ_NP0M-hBIRUhlOhUjSQSsZkhlJI8fgwrTqbkvg_kZKIzV8uNOfMQRFh9YsYic/s400/2012-08-16+15.58.20.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi is Miss Independent and exited the Museum all on her own.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212997608562452296.post-6359814179825813902012-08-15T23:14:00.004-07:002012-09-09T22:38:54.697-07:00Meet Miss Melodee at Sherman Oaks Branch Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012</div>
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My Cost: FREE!</div>
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14245 Moorpark Street</div>
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Sherman Oaks, CA 91423<br />
<a href="http://www.missmelodee.com/">www.missmelodee.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/51.html">www.lapl.org/branches/51.html</a></div>
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An added bonus of all these cheap outings is that the kids get nice and tired! Alex took a super long nap this morning, and Vivi went to bed <i>before </i>8:00 tonight! Gotta love that! So since we were all tired, we only took a very short outing today. We went to the<a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=51" target="_blank"> Sherman Oaks Branch Library</a> at 4:00 pm to see Miss Melodee. I learned about this activity using two of the sites I have linked under "Find Places to Go": <a href="http://www.freethingstodoinlosangeles.com/" target="_blank">FreeThingsToDoInLA</a>, and <a href="http://www.readysetgrowla.org/family-events/index.html" target="_blank">Ready. Set. Grow! Family Events</a>.</div>
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Meet Miss Melodee!</h3>
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The Meet Miss Melodee! activity was described on the library website as follows: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Miss Melodee is a fairy princess and loves to dance and sing. Join us in welcoming her to the library for the first time."</span> I wasn't sure what to expect, and I had never been to that branch of the library before, so I figured we'd be surprised! (Turns out I would have had a better idea of the activity if I would have read about it on Patch.com <a href="http://shermanoaks.patch.com/events/miss-melodee-live-performance" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We were a little late (maybe 10 minutes,) and I was afraid there would be no room for us, but the activity was held in the library meeting room, so there was actually plenty of room (which is great, because I roll with a pretty big double stroller!) It turns out Miss Melodee is a singing dance instructor who runs her own dance studio in Tarzana. You can check out the website at </span><a href="http://www.missmelodee.com/">www.missmelodee.com</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. She read from her own original children's book - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">"Adventures with Miss Melodee and Friends: Dancing In The Rain." It is illustrated with Miss Melodee's</span></span> photo superimposed over drawings, and the "Friends" are different dance shoes like a tap shoe and hip hop shoes. At different points in the story Miss Melodee would have all the children stand up and try the dance styles of the different dance shoes. She sang original songs whose lyrics would lead the children through the choreography in a fun, non-technical way. For example, she described classic ballet postures using the description of "having tea" at the ballet barre. I was quite impressed at the amount of preparation she put into designing these teaching aids!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She had several props for kids to try (silk flowers, handkerchiefs and pompoms,) and she brought her own sound system, (the conveniently portable Fender PA - musicians will know the one - and a headset mic,) to amplify her presentation, so all the kids could hear and participate. A man (her husband?) emceed the activity, and played all the backing tracks to her songs. I also thought the best part of the presentation was that he knew all the choreography and danced along! He wasn't as technically proficient as Miss Melodee, but he sure was fun to watch! I wonder if he teaches at the studio... There were also two older dance students in leotards on either side of Miss Melodee demonstrating the choreography along with her. There were large standing posters of Miss Melodee on either side of the "stage", and she had a sheaf of postcards available, so she did a great job of promoting her brand. Luckily, Vivi isn't old enough to beg me to enroll her in Miss Melodee's studio, ha ha! (Although there are classes for kids as young as 18 months, so it might be worth looking into.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my pictures of the afternoon:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Uu250kf6tz9vRwF_j3ENHu1__apNieGhYp-TzvJnwymVK3gSO3W5aMPPw4jx9cODUmQ0PINUt_PLrbULQGMGOWzKSaJwruCfpX3Bsg_J2OSYRsbeuB-v_crwZRhdB4cp-JtxJe6xl6s/s1600/2012-08-15+16.39.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Uu250kf6tz9vRwF_j3ENHu1__apNieGhYp-TzvJnwymVK3gSO3W5aMPPw4jx9cODUmQ0PINUt_PLrbULQGMGOWzKSaJwruCfpX3Bsg_J2OSYRsbeuB-v_crwZRhdB4cp-JtxJe6xl6s/s400/2012-08-15+16.39.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A page from "Adventures with Miss Melodee and Friends" and some of her props.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBiE9rGrgEqGXfhNx4zS9we5RVSoALR1pdlpnxavCpTBsvkGpIgirOWAxEOdKr9F0QBRlMjD6lVKGiYe_OPQ9yAWSKjJ9vYO6XLQRMFjKq-CcfK4o7hRbLdVaWVNI4jNwzd4WTZJjZuBw/s1600/2012-08-15+16.19.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBiE9rGrgEqGXfhNx4zS9we5RVSoALR1pdlpnxavCpTBsvkGpIgirOWAxEOdKr9F0QBRlMjD6lVKGiYe_OPQ9yAWSKjJ9vYO6XLQRMFjKq-CcfK4o7hRbLdVaWVNI4jNwzd4WTZJjZuBw/s400/2012-08-15+16.19.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi watching Miss Melodee read.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhEQ5mfm2grlHgR6qfir57IYWSrCyhlArQ8XvF7MaXo5Ebb5rEARp5KrDbDsM9wJCgOhXuVmJ69OQarYVDTcr1StzWyJT5qHVCdsZA3oLjEe2jMDigcKjQ0kaocxUzqbrZoniSmNiuUQQ/s1600/2012-08-15+16.19.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhEQ5mfm2grlHgR6qfir57IYWSrCyhlArQ8XvF7MaXo5Ebb5rEARp5KrDbDsM9wJCgOhXuVmJ69OQarYVDTcr1StzWyJT5qHVCdsZA3oLjEe2jMDigcKjQ0kaocxUzqbrZoniSmNiuUQQ/s400/2012-08-15+16.19.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi was interested, but obviously didn't understand a lot of what was going on, lol!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKmdxGRNZZw3zbEQK-JRB5agCray21YHaxp8rOGpULfarlyeWMlJde2nMyxZprq2jJsXlcrg4Okx5zCxgoPSbJVO3MSJKOxxeh50RSKXMQedld2NRP1ahRw4gTswcEGYPIWCGi6TUeuM4/s1600/2012-08-15+16.28.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKmdxGRNZZw3zbEQK-JRB5agCray21YHaxp8rOGpULfarlyeWMlJde2nMyxZprq2jJsXlcrg4Okx5zCxgoPSbJVO3MSJKOxxeh50RSKXMQedld2NRP1ahRw4gTswcEGYPIWCGi6TUeuM4/s400/2012-08-15+16.28.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids and Miss Melodee's helpers dancing with pompoms.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP8BU12OcFF2E-pv2IEc6WXwODtrlybWxfsvRmv9Va35ArS1PEFL4_9JK9cVIbiCY06gZfqvquqUVMQy8HattWuiEne7dpRUZueRs814gOqUc7_3CDTNB9fYd53xPX9sWgFcmmSkkxhTk/s1600/2012-08-15+16.29.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP8BU12OcFF2E-pv2IEc6WXwODtrlybWxfsvRmv9Va35ArS1PEFL4_9JK9cVIbiCY06gZfqvquqUVMQy8HattWuiEne7dpRUZueRs814gOqUc7_3CDTNB9fYd53xPX9sWgFcmmSkkxhTk/s400/2012-08-15+16.29.01.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Vivi? Standing in front of the Miss Melodee poster looking uncertain.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sherman Oaks Branch Library</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After Miss Melodee, we went to the library section of the building to survey the children's area. So far, my favorite is the Lake View Terrace Branch (see my <a href="http://kidscapade.blogspot.com/2012/08/hansen-dam-lake-view-terrace-library.html" target="_blank">August 8th</a> blog post), but I wanted to see how Sherman Oaks compared. In a nutshell, it's just okay. There are plenty of books, a long cushioned bench, and two kids sized tables with chairs, but I've seen several other libraries in the area with a lot more in the way of fun accessories like rugs, stuffed animals, and activity cubes. So I wouldn't go out of my way just to visit this library, although they did have a pretty full schedule of volunteer story readers.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIO_k61gYTbQG0FTeMS08qIFvAHuicEHIN8927VWWQR3PkJW-4EnhfsXLyVcfKDwjjBMuU1N3D328PMj0bBJOMtDf8EFt9RZI9zWDwJvNofTXWvwyV1devz5DiQvUXoMXS638VXKApbm4/s1600/2012-08-15+16.53.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIO_k61gYTbQG0FTeMS08qIFvAHuicEHIN8927VWWQR3PkJW-4EnhfsXLyVcfKDwjjBMuU1N3D328PMj0bBJOMtDf8EFt9RZI9zWDwJvNofTXWvwyV1devz5DiQvUXoMXS638VXKApbm4/s400/2012-08-15+16.53.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did like this sign - very cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfkwS51kA8QRxSew3qU33wgqymzboWCToBowJ_0fHbnq5cwnxKCL7jOm1nplyhkfOzXNo2YAIG2haa65xSdH4rtQqu_I2CHFtb5cxzYMZ_Vxc_8CdSuXoMl_awKuf7V159u1AzpkP2P-M/s1600/2012-08-15+16.48.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfkwS51kA8QRxSew3qU33wgqymzboWCToBowJ_0fHbnq5cwnxKCL7jOm1nplyhkfOzXNo2YAIG2haa65xSdH4rtQqu_I2CHFtb5cxzYMZ_Vxc_8CdSuXoMl_awKuf7V159u1AzpkP2P-M/s400/2012-08-15+16.48.51.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi perched on the end of the bench rifling through books.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303023103937933453noreply@blogger.com0