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On the eve of the 2008 election, the debate over cowboys and presidents continues. Some of the new crop of presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, have already shown a willingness to identify with the cowboy by donning cowboy hats and/or boots on the campaign trail. Hillary Clinton seems to have, at least for now, rejected the heroic icon. On September 30, 2007, she told an audience in Oakland, California, that on her first day as president she would dispatch diplomats to countries around the world bearing the message that “the era of cowboy diplomacy is over.” Few symbols communicate the ideas of good and evil, common sense, resolute action–and America–more clearly or succinctly. Location: 4700 Western Heritage Way.
323-667-2000
www.autrynationalcenter.org
WOODLAND HILLS
Events at the Petersen Automotive Museum:
60 Years of NASCAR, through
Aug 31. NASCAR, now an extraordinarily popular form of oval-track racing, has roots that can be traced back to prohibition era rum running. This exhibit shows important cars, one from each decade, and illustrates how the stock racers of yesterday have developed into the sophisticated machines of the twenty-first century. See the trophies, helmets, and racing apparel of popular NASCAR heroes and audio/visuals that illustrate the excitement of this fast paced sport.
La Vida Lowrider: Cruising the City of Angels, through Jun 8. Originating with Chicano youth in 1940s Los Angeles, lowriding has come to be embraced by a wide variety of groups as an art form and a means of expressing cultural and individual identity. The new exhibit explores the gradual changes in the lowriding demographic over the years with the most representative historical examples ever put together for public display.
Hollywood Star Cars, ongoing. This exhibition features significant cars and memorabilia of Hollywood lore including the Batman showcase featuring a Batmobile, a 1966 Batcycle, and the official Batman suit worn by Michael Keaton in Batman (1989). The exhibit also features “Black Beauty” driven by Bruce Lee in The Green Hornet television series, the “Hannibal 8” driven by Jack Lemmon in The Great Race (1965), and the 1904 Winton Flyer, hand-built by Von Dutch and driven by Steve McQueen in The Reivers (1969).
The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax), Los Angeles. Hours: 10am-6pm. Admission: $3-$10.
323-930-CARS (2277)
www.petersen.org
LONG BEACH – Aquarium of the Pacific, Events:
Gulf of California Exhibit, opens
Apr 30. Discover one of the most ecologically significant places on planet Earth through the new Gulf of California exhibition at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Aquarium has partnered for the first time with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about this important ecosystem, the threats it is facing today, WWF and the Aquarium’s role in protecting it, and how each of us can help.
The new exhibition features the magnificent marine life found in this region, video exhibits, and a new film in the Aquarium’s Honda Theater. The Gulf of California lies between Mexico’s mainland and the Baja California Peninsula. It is home to one third of the world’s marine mammal species, over 170 seabird species, and over 900 fish species. Five out of the seven species of endangered sea turtles rely on the Gulf of California. The Gulf is also home to animals found nowhere else in the world, including the world’s smallest cetacean, a critically endangered animal called the vaquita marina.
Debut of the Aquarium’s Year-long Anniversary Celebration, Jun 14. The Aquarium celebrates 10 years of ocean adventure and education with their top 10 animals, top 10 most amazing experiences, and much more. There will be special days the Aquarium is open from 10am to 10pm and a variety of “10” promotions throughout the year. Location: 100 Aquarium Way. Admission: $11.95-$20.95.
562-590-3100
www.aquariumofpacific.org
 SANTA CLARITA
The Valley Fair, Jun 26-29. There is so much to see and do at the Fair! Headlining shows on the Main Stage will be 80s music icons Ambrosia and Juice Newton along with the Eagles, Queen, Journey and AC/DC tribute bands. New family attractions this year include The Nerveless Nock Thrill Show, Amazing Rain Forest Experience and Bengal Tiger show and famed animal trainer Kevin Keith’s “Wild About Monkeys.” Circus fun, a Thrill Section (with bungee jumping and rock wall climbing), kids activities, exhibits, shopping and more are all offered at the Fair. Location: Saugus Speedway. Admission: $4-$7.
818-557-0600
www.thevalleyfair.org
ANTELOPE VALLEY
Poppy Reserve Visitor Tours, ongoing.
The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is open and guided tours will be offered for the duration of the wildflower season. The visitor center offers wildlife and wildflower displays, a gallery, an orientation video, and gift shop featuring unique poppy and wildflower-oriented items. The Reserve is open year round from sunrise to sunset but the visitor center and activities are only available during the spring. Location: 15101 Lancaster Road. Wildflower updates:
661-724-1180
www.parks.ca.gov
LA CANADA/FLINTRIDGE–Descanso Gardens Events:
Carlsbad Flower Fields Tour, Apr 19. For about eight weeks each spring, giant Tecolote ranunculus flowers bloom on coastal farmland in Carlsbad. Descanso Gardens offers a tour which leaves at 8am. Take a guided wagon ride through the 50-acre flower fields that overlook the Pacific Ocean and learn about the flowers. The Flower Fields are also home to the rose walk of fame, a sweet pea maze, and a historic poinsettia display, as well as an arts and crafts festival being held the weekend of the trip.One stop, time-permitting, will be Roger’s Gardens, one of the largest and most beautiful home and garden stores in America. Cut ranunculus, bulbs, and many garden items and plants will be available for purchase. Participants should wear walking shoes. Arrive at the Descanso Visitor Center by 7:45am. Fees: $90 ($85 members). Reservations are required. Walk-in space is not available.
818-949-7980
Green and Gorgeous Weekend, Apr 19-20. You’ll find roses galore at the San Fernando Valley Rose Society Show and Sale on Saturday from 1pm-4pm and Sunday from 9am-3pm. Gorgeous rose garden tours take place both days from 11am-noon. Natural health seminars, herbs, nutrition, yoga, Tai Chi and more are offered from 11am-4pm on Saturday.
Celebrating Trees Weekend, Apr 26-27. Jon Sherman presents pentatonic eco-music performed on branch flutes made from California’s very own trees from 10am-3pm. A craft table for kids is offered from noon-3pm. Tree tours are led by Descanso’s horticultural staff at 1pm. Discovering Trees Self-Guided Walk is available anytime during the weekend; maps are available at the Visitor Center.
Edible Estates Demonstration Garden, through autumn. Artist Fritz Haeg challenges dwellers to rethink their idea of what a front yard should be. The Gardens’ Center Circle area presents two possibilities: a typical lawn and an edible garden. Visitors can watch the edible garden grow, evolve and produce a harvest while also monitoring the environmental and social effects of the lawn.
Descanso Gardens: 1418 Descanso Drive. Admission: $2-$7.
818-949-4200
www.descansogardens.org
SANTA CLARITA
15th Annual Cowboy Festival, Apr 23-27. This year, the best performers in western entertainment will help make the Cowboy Festival at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio one of the most memorable festivals to date. Several events occur throughout the Santa Clarita Valley including: an intimate concert at William S. Hart Museum, the unveiling of a few new stars on the Walk of Western Stars, a lunch and show at an old California Rancho, and a themed dinner train.
Visitors are invited on Sat-Sun to Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, a real working movie ranch formerly owned by Gene Autry. Walk through this authentic western movie set, enjoy performances including Don Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin, and the Quebe Sisters Band, dine on cowboy chow, experience living history, hands-on for children and adults.
661-286-4021
www.cowboyfestival.org |
