Discover Engineering Day at Iridescent Science on Feb 19th and March 19 - 10am to 1pm

We have been to Iridescent Science Studio several times and it is a wonderful place for kids and adults alike to learn about science and engineering with hands-on learning.  Come and discover for yourself .... check out the links!!

Location:

LOS ANGELES SCIENCE STUDIO
553 West 23rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 

<http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=34.030619,-118.273837&spn=0.009674,0.013797&z=16>
Parking <http://iridescentlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IridescentScienceStudioDirections.pdf>

http://iridescentlearning.org/la-calendar/

Discover Engineering Day at the Iridescent Science Studio! February 19th 10:00am-1:00pm
Join us on this very special day and experiment with:

Stomp Rockets
Models- for our wind tunnel
Building Bridges
Bristle Bots- If you would like to create a bristle bot please bring $3.00 to cover the cost of materials

Join us for this free event-tell your friends!

Check the bristle bot out here!  <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSTXUis_ys>

Simple Bots Workshop! March 19th 10:00am-12:00pm

Build a BeetleBot

The Beetlebot is a very simple robot that avoids obstacles on the floor. In this workshop, children will be introduced to basic electronic components: switches, motors and batteries. Each child will build and decorate their very own BeetleBot. This workshop is a perfect way to introduce a child to robotics. All materials are included with registration fee.  Sign Up Here! <http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/refer.php?s=2655174405&u=22834381&v=3&key=dd85&skey=22737ec61d&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspreadsheets0.google.com%2Fa%2Firidescentlearning.org%2Fviewform%3Fhl%3Den%26hl%3Den%26formkey%3DdE81Y1l0ZVNSTWF6Q3NacUJHZmNITlE6MQ%23gid%3D0>
Cost: $20.00

Check the Beetlebot out here! <http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/refer.php?s=2655174405&u=22834383&v=3&key=263f&skey=22737ec61d&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Ds6X6d-RXNps>

Sunday Feb 13, from 1pm to 4pm FOWLER MUSEUM family art

Kids in the Courtyard: Walking Sculptures

Design and build large masks that reach towards the sky, inspired by the masquerade arts of Central Nigeria. At this drop-in art-making session, families will use cardboard and raffia to create walking works of art!

EVENT DETAILS

Kids in the Courtyard: Walking Sculptures
Sunday, February 13, 2011
1-4 pm
Fowler Museum Courtyard
Free Family Event

Related Exhibition

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7.30pm - LOS ANGELES RIVER STORIES

Tuesday, February 15, 7:30 pm
River Stories in Los Angeles

Not only does Los Angeles have a river, it has a storied past with a bright future. Jenny Price, renowned environmental writer and dedicated LA River advocate, is returning to the Chautauqua Series with her passionate perspective about the ebb and flow of our local river. She will bring us up to date on the nature stories, history, and hopeful stories of what the river is and could be. There is still a big life left in Los Angeles' famous or infamous river.

The program and parking are FREE for the evening (1.5 hours). Meet at Woodland Hall.

Sponsored by Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and presented by Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

We hope you will join us for a slice of Culture in the Canyon with the 2011 Chautauqua Series at Temescal Gateway Park. Temescal Canyon was the West Coast center for the early 20th century Chautauqua movement. Both the canyon and the movement have a long history as gathering places for learning and enjoyment. Culture in the Canyon at the Chautauqua Series continues this tradition monthly by offering free, quality entertainment in a great atmosphere at Temescal Gateway Park. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn something new, meet your neighbors, support your community, and enjoy a cup of coffee with regional and national talents.

Temescal Gateway Park
15601 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA. 90272  

Directions

For more information:  

(310) 858-7272 ext.131

or Joel.Cordeiro@mrca.ca.gov

February 3rd - Chinese New Year begins - some festivities for this and next weekend

If you haven't seen the Los Angeles Chinatown Golden Dragon Parade, it is on Saturday, February 5th, this year beginning at 1pm.  Free parking is available at Dodgers Stadium, but it is also good to take the metro train downtown.   You will see many splendid long dragons as well as acrobatic lion dancers .... and many floats, of course.  If you would like a lion dancer to stop to endow you good luck for the year, show your favorite dancer a red packet (it doesn't have to contain more than a dollar or two) and the lion dancer will stop to take it from your hands with its "mouth."  After the parade, check out the rest of the Chinese New Year festivities ... celebrations last 15 days!

For more details, check out:
http://lagoldendragonparade.com/index.html

LOS ANGELES CHINATOWN GEARS UP FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR

Jan. 18, 2011 Contact: Linh Ho
(323) 206-6491
linh@ideationagency.com

“LOS ANGELES CHINATOWN GEARS UP FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR—THE LARGEST FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR FOR THE DISTRICT”

(Los Angeles) – The New Year marks the most important time of year throughout most of Asia and this tradition of ringing in the New Year is also celebrated in the U.S. with lots of fanfare and celebration. There’s no better place to experience this unique time of year than in Los Angeles’ Chinatown District.

The festival begins with a Midnight Ceremony to usher in the New Year at Thien Hau Temple on Feb. 2, 2011 from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The temple is located at 750 Yale Street, Los Angeles, 90012. Thousands will gather to make offerings to the deities, set off firecrackers to awaken the spirits, and burn incense to usher in good fortune for the New Year. Participants include lion dancers, Buddhist and Taoist monks, the heads of family associations, and many others from the Southern California Chinese community.

The festivities kick into full swing the weekend of Feb. 5th & 6th, 2011. On Saturday, Feb. 5th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the 112th Annual Golden Dragon Parade returns with colorful splendor as over 100 floats, marching bands, performers, dignitaries in cars, and costumed organizations with Chinatown roots parade through Chinatown. The parade can be viewed from both Broadway and Hills streets.

The entire weekend of Feb. 5th & 6th offers attendees a chance to participate in plenty of activities, do some shopping and eat to their hearts content. Central Plaza in Chinatown will host some of the best performers outside of Cirque du Soleil—from acrobats, lion dancers, contortionists to performance troupes never seen before in Southern California. Also in Central Plaza is the LA Craft Experience market which showcases over 40 unique vendors from Los Angeles selling original art, fashion, gifts, toys, collectibles, home accessories and much more. West Plaza will offer cultural workshops suitable for adults and children of all age groups as well as a Ping Pong Tourney for casual and avid players. A prize schedule determines giveaways for Ping Pong tournament participants. Artisans will be stationed at both plazas for face painting by Tai Ling Wong, dough sculpture demonstrations by Chris Lee and as well as others.

Attendees should prepare to eat their hearts out during the weekend-long event. Most Chinatown restaurants and merchants will be open that weekend and are serving up favorite Chinese delicacies. Some of Los Angeles’ favorite gourmet food trucks will also be in attendance to serve unique food truck cuisine.

On Sunday, Feb. 6th, “The Great Chinatown Hunt”, organized by Race/LA returns. Teams of 2 to 4 players will have a total of three hours to solve a series of clues leading them around Chinatown. To register or for more info, visit www.racela.com or call (310) 360-6950.

The festivities continue the following weekend, Feb. 12th and 13th with the annual Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Walk/Run. The weekend will feature entertainment both days, a carbo-loading event on Saturday, the walk/run on Sunday, and a 20-mile bike ride. After thirty-one years of existence, the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker run is the longest running Chinese New Year athletic event in America. For additional information, or to register for the run/walk/bike ride, visit www.firecracker10k.org or call (323) 256-1363.

Schedule:
2/2 (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
* Midnight Temple Celebration at Thien Hau Temple

2/5 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
* 112th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
* Entertainment and Cultural Activities at Central and West Plaza
* LA Craft Experience Market

2/6 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
* “The Great Chinatown Hunt” by Race/LA
* Entertainment and Cultural Activities at Central and West Plaza
* LA Craft Experience Market

2/12 & 2/13
* LA Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Walk/Run

All events are free and open to all ages. For information on all upcoming events in Chinatown, visit www.chinatownla.com or call (213) 680-0243.

Sunday February 6th - free admission to Bowers Museum in Santa Ana - Chinese New Year of the Rabbit

If you have never been to Bowers Museum, go on February 6th, 2011, and enjoy a free admission day to all its exhibits and enjoy an afternoon of Chinese cultural events to celebrate Chinese New Year ... it is the year of the rabbit.  Free admission opens at 10am and there is free parking - first come first served :)

TARGET FREE FIRST SUNDAY

 Sunday, February 6, 2011, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

On the first Sunday of every month, the Bowers invites you to bring your family to the museum for a free afternoon of cultural fun! This month`s spotlight shines on the music, dance, arts, and food of China! Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

		Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique Back by popular demand, Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique presents the Bowers’ most popular American quilts. To satisfy the curious and creative visitor, emphasis is placed on the quilts` construction techniques.
		Spirits and Headhunters: Art of the Pacific Islands Experience exquisite masterpieces and dynamic objects from the vast and diverse Pacific Islands in this special exhibition guest curated by Chris Rainier.
		Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy Curated by authorities of Chinese history and culture from the Shanghai Museum, this incredible collection portrays the evolution of Chinese art and culture.
		Masters of Adornment: The Miao People of China This important collection of exquisite textiles and silver jewelry on loan to and from the Bowers Museum’s permanent collection highlights the beauty and wealth of the Miao peoples of southwest China.

Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt Saturday, July 17 - Sunday, May 01, 2011
Thousands have admired the work of Harold Van Pelt who, along with his wife Erica, are considered the best gem and mineral photographers in the world. Few know of Van Pelt’s extraordinary ability as a fine art gemstone carver, and nobody has ever seen his entire body of work assembled in one place. Bowers Museum is proud to present the first comprehensive exhibition of the extraordinary artworks of Harold Van Pelt.

For over 35 years Van Pelt has quietly been perfecting the art of carving quartz, rock crystal and agate gemstones. Hundreds of hours go into each multi-faceted, fluted, and textured vase, hollow container, sculpture and vessel, many of which are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. Working the stone down to paper-thin walls brings out the gorgeous natural quality and colors of the agate and gives quartz the transparency of glass. Transformed by one man’s vision and skill from a solid stone to an incredibly delicate work of art, the gemstone carvings of Harold Van Pelt have to be seen to be believed.

Sponsored by the Nicholas Endowment.

Sunday, February 6, 2011, 10 AM – 4 PM The Bowers Museum offers free admission to the museum on the first Sunday of every month. Sponsored by the Target Corporation.

Thursday, Jan 27, at 7pm - free UCLA research-based presentation for parents to improve friendship and bully-prevention skills

A public announcement!  This should be a great parent presentation.  Please RSVP to Lynda Auer at her email address below so she can anticipate a more accurate audience size.  Should dovetail with "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" very well.  Enjoy!

=========

Thursday, January 27, 7pm
St. Monica's Catholic Elementary School Auditorium
1039 7th St. • Santa Monica, CA 90403 • (310) 451-9801

Presented by: Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, PhD, the Director of The UCLA Family Commons in Santa Monica. She is also Professor of Clinical Psychology at UCLA and Director of the UCLA Global Center for Children & Families. Dr. Rotheram-Borus has developed evidence-based interventions to improve the lives of children and families. The American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the Centers have recognized her programs as landmark models that are grounded in the latest science about parenting and healthy child development.

Get tools and information to foster children's developing social skills and help them build healthy connections, like:
*How to tell when someone is a good friend.
*How to be a good friend to others.
*What to do when someone makes a mistake in friendship.

Learn about parents' role in protecting children, such as:
*How to tell if a child is bullying or being bullied.
*Understanding how friendship styles differ for boys and girls.
*Knowing when to notify parents, teachers or administrators.
*Creating a "bully-free" home environment.

Please RSVP to lynda.auer at stmonicaelem dot com

All are welcome!

Saturday January 29 - Chinese New Year free family festival at Pacific Asia Museum

Welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit!

Saturday January 29, 2011 from 11am-5pm

Free Family Festival
Celebrate the Lunar New Year!
We’re starting our 40th Anniversary year in style! Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Wells Fargo, the Lunar New Year celebration on January 29th will be a FREE, fun-filled day for the entire community. Held throughout the Museum including a fully tented parking lot, all the galleries will be open to enjoy along with crafts, demonstrations and hands-on activities, food and gift vendors, plus live music, dance, martial arts, acrobatics, magic and more! Come help welcome in the Year of the Rabbit. Free and fun for all ages!
Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. The Year of The Rabbit is on its way.

Get an early hop on the Chinese New Years' celebrations at this family festival. Free. www.pacificasiamuseum.org.