Whenever I travel I like to purchase a Christmas ornament that reminds me of the location.  It’s even better if the ornament has a story besides “um, yeah, I grabbed this in the airport in Honolulu on my way home from Hawaii.”  Boring.

So when you’re in Los Angeles, why go shopping on Rodeo Drive?  The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley (just north of Los Angeles) will hold its 8th Annual Festival of Trees November 19-21, 2010.  Chock full of Christmas shopping goodness, the Festival of Trees takes place in a huge empty building that The Club transforms into a holiday wonderland.  Elaborate professionally decorated trees will be on display and also for sale.  Local donors provide stockings stuffed with goodies from $15 to $1500.  There will be a boutique offering smaller trees and gingerbread houses.

During the festival there will be live performances, photo ops with Santa, and even a teen dance on Friday night.  Tickets for the festival range from $3 to $6, and a special formal gala on Saturday evening is $75 per person.  All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls club, which provides low-cost services to area young people from ages 7 to 17.

Check out a new area (where hotel rates are very reasonable), get some Christmas shopping done, and help somebody while you’re at it.  There‘s a souvenir ornament to be proud of.

[photo by Desiree Tonus via Flickr]

Two species of gibbons at the Gibbon Conservation Center

First of all, what are Gibbons?  No, they’re not a BeeGees cover band, and you don’t actually have to sing with them if you don’t want to.  Gibbons are tree-dwelling apes native to rainforests, which according to gibbon activists, are being destroyed at the rate of 32 acres per day.  Luckily, somehow there is a gibbon sanctuary in the dry mountains north of Los Angeles! Read More »

Best Female Soccer Players in the World

Got soccer fever?

The World Cup is over, the Europeans won, and you’re sad because there’s no longer a reason to get up at 5am to drink beer and watch TV?  Well, if you’re in the Los Angeles area on July 29 & 30, you can capture a bit of that football magic at the USL Women’s League Championship Games in Santa Clarita (near the famous Magic Mountain amusement park).  Sure, it’s female soccer.  Sure, it’s at a high school.  And sure, there are only four teams in the two-day tournament.  But!  They are the best female soccer players in the world!  And Canyon High School is really pretty!  And, a full pass is only $10, which is a great deal considering that single-day passes are $8 each!

Who said the only sports in Los Angeles are basketball and baseball?

by Eric Carle

If your travels find you in the Los Angeles area this weekend then you need to do yourself a favor and visit the annual Festival of Books on the UCLA campus.

The festival is sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and runs Saturday (10-6) and Sunday (10-5) with free admission (and  $9 parking).

Meet the authors!

Among the offerings are over 100 author panels, numerous readings and hundreds of book signings – including celebrities from Michael J. Fox to Tori Spelling (also, actual writers).  There will be tons of other events, including cultural and musical presentations and some pretty good eats.

There are two areas for children which feature storytelling, crafts and more.  According to the L.A. Times, DJ Lance Rock and Brobee from “Yo Gabba Gabba!” will be present, which excites me more than it probably should.

Things to know before you go:

It is supposed to be quite cool, relatively speaking, with highs in upper 60′s/lower 70′s, which means dress in layers or bring a sweater, but this is L.A. and plenty of water and sunscreen are still good bets.

Bring cash.  There are ATMs available, but not readily.

Directions to the UCLA campus from where you are! Yes, I see you.

Allow for distance and lines:

• Parking – Chances are you’re going to be a decent walk from the festival.  Shuttle available.
• Lines – Hard as it is to believe, you may not be the only person interested in meeting your favorite author.  Get to panels and signings early and be prepared to stand in line.  They can get ridiculous, but the front of the line is much more fun than the back.
• Overall area – The festival is HUGE and there is literally much ground to cover.  You will be walking.  A lot.

It’s definitely a good way to spend the day, expand your personal library and meet some of your favorite authors (if you see me, say hi!).  Support the arts, people!

While you’re out and about in the Los Angeles area check out the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival or get some exercise for a good cause with the March of Dimes (not just in L.A.).

Happy reading!