El Cariso Regional County Park

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

13100 Hubbard Street
Sylmar, CA 91342
www.lacountyparks.org

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."

I was totally not expecting to find what I did - El Cariso Regional County Park has undergone some major improvements! (Either that, or having kids has trained me to appreciate parks and their amenities much more than I used to, lol!) It... looks... wonderful! 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 Los Angeles Mission College, which is adjacent.)

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 another 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:

5 baseball fields (one of which looks college-team worthy)

11 tennis courts 

4 basketball courts 

1 swimming pool

4 playgrounds

1 executive golf course (El Cariso Golf Course) and driving range next door

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 link again.

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!

Looks like a beautiful new community center is underway!

Trying to capture a good view of the tennis courts, and not doing a great job.

More tennis courts with the new building in the background.

Equipment on the toddler playground.

Vivi loves her some swinging!

The pool and adjacent locker-room building, plus beautiful mountains!

Trying to capture the massive feel of this park, plus the basketball courts are in the background.

Another of the playgrounds - this one with equipment for older kids.

Don't forget, I saw two others that I didn't even get close to!

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 una abuela who was watching her granddaughters play on the playground with Vivi. All in all, turned out to be a pretty good day!

Sun Valley Branch Library

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

7935 Vineland Avenue

Sun Valley, CA 91352
www.lapl.org/branches/52.html

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.)

As long as we were there, I let Vivi play for a bit in the children's book area. Sun Valley Branch Library 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:

Alex, who can almost sit up unassisted, enjoying the cube!

Vivi got to do some climbing up and down the risers.

Showing about how long the set of risers is. Glad there were
no toe-holds anywhere or she would have climbed even higher!

Rug, some of the stuffed animals, and one of the tables & chairs.

Musicians Union (AFM Local 47)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

817 Vine Street

Los Angeles, CA 90038
www.promusic47.org

After lunch at IKEA, the Hollywood Bowl Museum, and DeLongpre Park, we finally went to the Union to see my friend's band, and a lot of other friends playing in the band. 

The building that currently houses the Professional Musicians Local 47 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 The Usual Suspects.)

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. 

Stopping by a Union rehearsal is sort of a "you gotta know somebody" experience, but when you do 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!

And the rehearsal was for an upcoming gig. Here's the info:

Paul McDonald Big Band

Sunday, August 26, 2012

7:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Cock 'n Bull British Pub

2947 Lincoln Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA  90405

The Paul McDonald Big Band is back in Santa Monica, 

this time with special guest singer the great Tim Nolan. 

$10 cover

no drink minimum (or maximum)

Vivi running away from Gary Herbig, and his famous jokes, from Montana!

Roy Weigand II saying "coochie-coo" to Alex

Vivi watching a real piano player, Paul McDonald

The Whole Band!

De Longpre Park

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

1350 N Cherokee Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/deLongprePk.htm

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. De Longpre Park 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. 

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!

Aspiration - Rudolph Valentino Monument.

Swings are Vivi's perennial favorite!

One section of playground equipment.

The other section of playground equipment, and Alex parked in the stroller.

  

Hollywood Bowl Museum

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

2301 North Highland Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90068
www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/hollywood-bowl-museum

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. 

I tried to think of what might be a kid-friendly, free activity along the way - perhaps in Hollywood - and I decided on the Hollywood Bowl Museum. 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.

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.

Walking from our van to the museum we took in a few sights:

An information directory.

The box office - not too busy! 

Next to the museum door - the hours.

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 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 one showed, because I was chasing after Vivi. 

Had to get a picture of  this display: Willie Colón and his trombone!

Vivi put the dance floor to good use!

It looks like she's popping and locking!

The interactive listening station.

As an 18-month-old, she's really more interested in the simple things - like windows...

...and stairs. She went all the way up and all the way down, then half-way up and half-way down. 

And I got to follow her the whole way carrying her little brother. Whee!

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.

The main exhibit hall on the first floor.

I dug these models of different stage shells they have had, including the current one (foreground.)

The view from the other side of the main exhibit.

Vivi was kissing each program one-by-one. Don't worry - they're under plexiglass.

 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.

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!"

IKEA Burbank

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

My Cost: $3.99 + tax for my lunch

600 N San Fernando Blvd

Burbank, CA 91502
www.ikea.com/us/en/store/burbank

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.

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:

Rugs, toys mounted to the wall, kid-sized chairs, and a nice, sturdy enclosure. 

Even a TV with kids' movies! (This was a Chipmunks movie.)

Second of all, there are 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!

Alex is showing off the boosters, the bibs, the microwave, and even extra napkins!

 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...

Greystone Mansion

Monday, August 20, 2012

My Cost: FREE!

905 Loma Vista Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.greystonemansion.org

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!

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: Greystone Mansion. 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.

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. 

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.)

Decoration on the Pool House.

The Formal Garden fountain - boy did Vivi want to go up close, but
they had placed new sod and the signs said "Keep off the grass."

I believe this is called the "Forecourt."

Vivi is sprinting back to the fountain to try again - she can't read,
so "Keep off the Grass" signs don't apply, right?

Between the Cypress Walk and the Wall.

A good shadow of me with the big hat,  holding baby Alex!

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.)

View from the West Courtyard looking in.

The southern façade.

The Inner Courtyard and another fountain Vivi was eager to get close to!
It's sunken below the drive, so I was a little afraid she'd fall in!

This staircase to the Recreation Wing became Vivi's
favorite place for a good while - up and down, up and down!

Turtles!

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!

Rules

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!