Sunday June 5th - Los Angeles River Bike Ride - free for children under 12 - and adults can volunteer 4 hours to ride free

After 15 MILE FAMILY RIDE
Have you ever seen Los Angeles River up close?   Our family, with our cub scout pack, took a guided walk along parts of LA River.  We have also gone bird-watching at Sepulveda Basin which would be flooded in the event of a huge flood like the one along Mississippi River now.

On June 5th, Sunday, at 10am, children can register to ride free on a 15-mile family ride along the LA River bike paths with an accompanying adult on a special event! There is a $50 fee for adults and anyone over 12 to ride, but if the adult is willing to volunteer for 4 hours, you and your family can not only ride free, but also enjoy a free lunch and get a free T-shirt plus have all the fun and joy of volunteering, knowing that you have helped a good cause :)   You can email Martin Lopez-Lu at  martin@la-bike.org or RRvolunteer@la-bike.org ro call him at (310) 210-4865 to volunteer.   He especially need early-morning volunteers to come at around 5am or 6am to help set up, but he also needs volunteers to greet and welcome back the riders.  "You'll get free food and beer all day, a wonderful goodie bag and t-shirt, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are a part of the bicycle movement and more broadly, moving your city in the right direction for everyone."  Well said, Martin!

 If you aren't interested in riding at all but would like to volunteer, then come out for as long as you can, and enjoy a free lunch  and get free tshirts, and, as Martin puts it, "we can use all the help we can get!"  Here is the 2011 page: http://la-bike.org/riverride  and how you can find out what you can do to volunteer!

VOLUNTEER FOR THE RIDE:

Over 100 volunteers needed. Find out HOW YOU CAN HELP.
http://la-bike.org/events/los_angeles_river_ride_volunteer.html

11th Annual Los Angeles River Ride, June 5th 2011

March 8, 2011 Event

Sunday, June 5, 2011 - Riders doing the longer rides start as early as 7:30am, but the 15-mile family ride starts at 11am, with registration starting at 10am.  You can pre-register ahead of time.  Choose from 100miles, 70miles, 50 miles, 36miles, 15miles and a ride for the Kids. After the ride, browse the Expo, enjoy great food, live music and win prizes including a brand new bike! KIDS RIDE AND ACTIVITIES END AT NOON. PARENTS, YOU NEED TO REGISTER YOUR KIDS. THE RIDE IS FREE BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. PLEASE PRE REGISTER SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY KIDS TO PLAN FOR. HELMETS REQUIRED  All registration proceeds from the ride go to making LA County a Better, Bike-able Place to Live.

15 MILE FAMILY RIDE
This ride is perfect for families as the entire route is on a dedicated bike path on the river. For ages 7 and up. Kid's 12 and under ride for free thanks to Paramount City Parks and Recreation. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. Ride starts at 11:00 a.m. Park in Griffith Park.  The 15 mile starts at the same place, stays on dedicated bike paths and turns around at Crystal Park.
KIDS' RIDE AND FUN FAIR **
This year the Kid's Ride is FREE thanks to Paramount City Parks and Recreation. The ride will introduce young children to important bike safety lessons through fun, interactive activities. Kids 6 and under will practice their riding techniques on a festive bike loop. Bikes and trikes are welcome - all riders must wear a helmet. Prizes and t-shirts for all registrants. Registration and festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. to allow families the option to also join the Family Ride at 11 a.m. Park in Griffith Park.

Kids' Ride - festivities start at 10:00 AM and end at noon. If families are participating in both the kids' ride and the family ride, participate in the kids' ride first, then join up with the family riders. Kids will learn about bike safety and enjoy other activities. This is a very short ride, entirely within the start/finish area of the River Ride and appropriate for youngsters with training wheels. Riders over 9 years of age should probably ride (with an adult) on the 15 mile family ride.

Here's some relevant FAQ:

Should I bring my own water bottle?

Yes, this year Sparklett's is donating 5 gallon water bottles for participants to refill their own water bottles with at each pit stop. If you don't have a water bottle, we will have a limited number of re-usable water bottles available for purchase at the starting line.

Do I have to register before the ride?

No, you can do a late registration on June 5th at the start area in Griffith Park. However, there is an extra fee for late registration.

Registration opens at the following times
Century (100 miles) - 6:00 AM
70 mile & Half Century (50 Miles) - 7:00 AM.
36 mile ride - 7:30 AM
15 Mile Family Ride and Kids' Ride - 10:00AM.

Do I have to pre-register my child?

Yes, children 12 and under are free, but in order to plan for all the kids we need to have an accurate head count. Also, parents must sign a waiver on behalf of their children.

Do I have to ride with my child?

Children riding 15 miles or more must ride with a parent or other adult guardian. Adults and/or guardians riding with children must also register for the ride. Parents bringing their children to the kids' ride and activities don't need to register, but must stay at the event with their children.

All Rides start at The Autry Center, enter the LA River Bikeway at the 5 freeway overpass/Autry Museum and proceed downstream (south).  15 Mile Family Ride: Riders begin the ride just like the above rides. At a park approximately 5 miles down the River, riders will enjoy a pit stop then return to the Autry Center via the same route and exit the bike path near the Autry Museum area, and you're home. See route slip on the day for final details and last minute changes. 

15 Mile Family Ride - Fast paced riders will complete the 15 miles in less than 1-1/2 hours. Families with kids (and those of us who enjoy a leisurely bike cruise) should expect a 2-3 hour ride.

Kids' ride in the parking lot - The kids' ride takes 10-20 minutes. Stay to enjoy the festivities.

15 Mile Family Ride - The 15 Mile family ride is a lovely ride around beautiful Griffith Park and along the LA City LA River Bikeway in the Glendale Narrows. The ride is entirely separate from city streets, except for the area in Griffith Park itself.  Percentages are as follows: Bike Path: 50% (7.5 miles), Griffith Park: 50% (7.5 miles).    The Kids' ride is 100% flat and 100% separate from car traffic.

The 15 mile family ride is very flat. (It does feature two very small easy uphill sections at bridges: Alex Baum Bridge at Los Feliz and the Riverside/Figueroa.)  

How old do I have to be to ride the River Ride?

Kids' Ride: Minimum age for the Kids' ride is 2 years. Beginners with training wheels may have a difficult time on this year's grassy, off-road one mile course. Riders over 6 years old are not recommended for the kids' ride.

15 Mile Family Ride: Minimum age for the Family ride is 6 years. Riders over 10 years old are recommended for the 15 Mile family ride. All family riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

70 and 50 and 36 Mile: Minimum age recommended for the 70 Mile ride is 14 years. All 100, 70 and 50 Mile riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

To learn more about LA RIVER, check out these sites:

Friends of LA River (http://folar.org/)
http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/fieldguides/lariver/
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/01/local/la-me-river-20100729


To register, go to this link for instructions:

http://la-bike.org/events/los_angeles_river_ride.html#reg

For more info on flora and fauna of LA River, leave me a comment with an email address and I will send you several links.  SEE YOU AT LA RIVER at Griffith Park on June 5th.

Bill Nye the Science Guy at KPCC's Planetary Radio Live show on May 28 in Pasadena - RSVP needed

We are still energized from our JPL Open House adventure ... more to blog on that later!  But here's something exciting if you and your children are excited about astronomy, or followed the whole drama of Pluto being demoted from the rank of planet.

Have you ever made an effort to see in person someone whose ideas made an impact on you or your children?   

My oldest son and I used to watch lots of Bill Nye The Science Guy - the comedic science guy who does science experiments and demonstrations on PBS.  We caught sight of him in the audience when my younger 8-year old son and I were watching Tyson deGrasse at LAPL downtown in conversation about his Pluto Files in 2009.  It makes watching the Nova Science Now (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/) programs all the more interesting after seeing him in person.  

If you missed that live appearance at LAPL, here's the link to the whole LAPL event and will provide a nice background to this Live Planetary Radio event.  


http://fora.tv/2009/02/04/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson_The_Pluto_Files

We have never been to a Live Radio taping show but this one is especially fun .. next to seeing a live Prairie Home Companion :)

To see Bill Nye and other guests on this live program that includes a barbershop quartet, don't forget you need to RSVP at the link below.  You can ask for 4 tickets per RSVP and you will need to give your attendees names' and details.   If anyone wants to meet there, email me at familyfunlearning@gmail.com:)  

See you there,
GCP

To RSVP, go to this link:

http://www.scpr.org/events/2011/05/28/planetary-radio-live/

Join host Mat Kaplan and The Planetary Society's Executive Director, Bill Nye the Science Guy, as they welcome Caltech astronomer Mike “Pluto-Killer” Brown to the stage.
Dr. Brown is the discoverer of such faraway worlds as Eris and Sedna as well as the author of "How I Killed Pluto--And Why It Had It Coming." 

Other special guests will include popular space blogger Emily Lakdawalla and Bruce Betts, Director of Projects for The Planetary Society, who will tell us about the current night sky.


The icing on the planet will be barbershop quartet Hi-Fidelity. They’ll harmonize about Star Trek and more! 

Admission is FREE, but RSVPs are required.

Wednesday May 18th | Home » Events

Planetary Radio Live

Saturday, May 28, 2011
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Get directions
RSVP for this eventAdmission is FREE, but RSVPs are required.

1:45pm - Doors Open
2:00pm - Program
Photo Credit: Pluto and Charon lie close to each other in this view from the Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Camera. Created: 1990. Credit: NASA and ESA
Sponsor: The Planetary Society Type: Community Engagement

Get Directions to 474 South Raymond Avenue

The Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

This Sunday May 22 at 11am - enjoy classic movie LOVE BUG

Once a month, check out the family movie treat at Hammer Museum ... and catch the exhibits on free Thursdays :)

When a Volkswagen Bug follows him from the dealership, racecar driver Jim Douglas doesn’t know what to think but soon discovers this is no ordinary car! With the help of his equally eccentric mechanic, played with comic gusto by Buddy Hackett, Douglas takes his four-wheeled magical friend out on the racing circuit while trying to keep it out of the hands of an evil car dealer. The original big-screen incarnation of Herbie, “The Love Bug,” remains a timeless classic for the whole family. Get ready and start your engines for fun! (1968, 35mm, color, 108 min. DIR: Robert Stevenson) Learn more Hammer Kids and Family Flicks are made possible, in part, through the generosity of K.A.M.P. (Kids’ Art Museum Project) supporters and friends. K.A.M.P. is the Hammer Museum’s annual family fundraising event.

Free Family Flicks: The Love Bug Sun May 22, 11AM | HAMMER Kids Co-presented with the UCLA Film & Television Archive

More helpful tips and suggestions for this year's JPL OPEN HOUSE this weekend :)

More tips for this year's JPL Open House from a friend who is a Open House veteran as well as from a JPL employee.  Enjoy :)

From my friend, with her permission:

If we go, we want to see Stardust-NeXT, which just finished its comet-
visiting mission, see http://stardustnext.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html

We always go see the Mars rovers (there is one that is about ready to
be shipped to the Cape to prepare for launch, don't know if they are
letting the public see that one but there are others).
We also always go see Cassini http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
We go see the robot wars/battle bots/whatever they are calling them;
sometimes First Lego League but have been other groups.

Often we'll go see the Earth observation missions, just to see what
else they have figured out about our planet.
It's interesting to see what is happening with the holes in the ozone,
the carbon level in the atmosphere and the weather patterns.

We try to go see whatever is being built in the high bay, just because
it's interesting to see things being built.
We go to the store, just to see what they have, and often end up with
a DVD and/or a shirt or hat.

Sometimes we just look around to see where the lines are shorter!

For those who have not been --
* it's hot, bring some liquids or $$ to buy drinks (there are stands
and booths in the main quad, and a cafeteria-type place further up the
hill)
* bring a hat and sunscreen; you may want to bring a windbreaker or
sweater for the cold inside areas
* lots of walking required, and many stairs and hills if you venture
out of the main quad
* crowds are less first thing in the morning (9am), after noon it is
insanely crowded (think Disneyland in the middle of the summer, or the
Rose Parade route along Orange Grove on Jan 1st)
* you can drive north on Windsor St (Windsor/Arroyo exit from the 210)
to get to the back parking lot, but you will have to walk a fair
distance from there to get onto the campus
* no large bags are allowed including diaper bags, no backpacks, and
your bags will be searched before you enter
* if you or your family member needs accommodation (sight, hearing,
wheelchair etc) do ask a staff person, they are very helpful & have
resources

Finally, for those in the Pasadena-area, the marathon is happening on
Sunday, so some streets will be blocked. Go around via the 210 or go
north and travel across on Altadena Dr to avoid the blockages if you
can.

http://www.altadenablog.com/2011/05/plan-ahead-for-pasadena-marathon.html

From a JPL employee, friend of my friend above, and with permission to share:

> http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/open-house.cfm
> JPL Open House
>
> Come early, take your time.
> Please note all bags are subject to search.  I smile and work with
> security. They are there for your safety. And you will get your Open
> House map and start your adventure!
>
> When lines are too long, head to the robots in the south part of the
> lab (area 17 of your Open House map). They will have some really
> cool robots out running. The Mars area (area 8) is in the main area
> as you walk in from Oak Grove Drive.  Truly amazing stuff.
>
> My area is Solar System Missions (area 21), to be found in what
> JPL'rs call the 303 cafeteria building. We set up Friday. We are
> staffing all day Sat and Sun.
> At 5PM Sunday, my crew breaks everything down, puts it away, and it
> reopens at 7AM for breakfast on Monday.
>
> #1 Question: What must I see?  Depends on your interests, but do
> visit Mars (#8) and Mobility Systems (#17) and Solar System
> Missions (#21).  The new Earth center is small but cool.  Several
> missions have key events this year (launches and encounters)  and
> the best from my perspective is to talk to the folks on the missions.
> #2  Question: What is there for kids? Again, it depends on the kid.
> My kids loved the spacecraft fabrication area (#16) where hardware
> is made. They loved the robots running around (area 17)   3D
> pictures always a hit...watching a video and sometimes just sitting.
>
> PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites the
> public to its annual Open House on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May
> 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, themed "The Excitement in
> Explorations," invites visitors to share in the wonders of space
> through high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations,
> interactions with scientists and engineers, and a first look at
> JPL's new Earth Science Center.
>
> More info
> Dates: Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, 2011
> Time: 9am-5pm both days
> Admission and parking are free
>
> This popular event celebrates JPL's accomplishments with exhibits
> and demonstrations about the Laboratory's ongoing research and space
> exploration. Many of the Lab's scientists and engineers are on hand
> to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets,
> how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how
> researchers are searching for planets beyond the solar system.
>
> The Open House is a fun and educational experience for children too,
> with special hands-on activities designed for kids. Admission and
> parking are free.
>
> The following items are not permitted at this NASA/JPL Event:
> weapons, explosives, incendiary devices, dangerous instruments,
> alcohol, illegal drugs, pets, segways, and all types of skates
> including skateboards. No bags, backpacks or ice chests are allowed,
> with the exception of small purses and diaper bags.
>
> Your entry on NASA/JPL property constitutes your agreement that you,
> your vehicles and your personal belongings are subject to inspection.
> JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the 210
> (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit.
> Parking is available near the Oak Grove main gate and the eastern
> boundary of JPL, accessible from Windsor Avenue via the Arroyo
> Boulevard exit off the 210 Freeway.

Bring your family to JPL Open House this weekend - May 14 and 15

JPL Open House is one of our annual favorite events.  If you have never been to one before, don't be daunted by the long lines for many exhibits.  Over the years, we have seen many of the regular exhibits and now we just catch the latest.  There are some favorites which we do yearly.  Especially fun for kids is getting rolled over by a small rover while lying on your belly with others in a row creating a human terrain for the rover.  Adults can participate too:)  You can also have a 3-D photo of yourself with a space backdrop ... strike a Jedi pose and do something with your hands to get a focus for the 3D action ... and you will be able to see your photos online.  We love seeing all the documentaries and it is a good respite in between waiting in lines to get out of the sun and stay cool.  Get a map at the entry and plan your itinerary so you don't have to walk for miles :)  Just kidding ... look for the Mars Rover crossing sign :)

Here are my suggestions/tips for a manageable and happy day exploring the celestial fun at JPL Open House:

1.  Go the earliest you can ... we usually try to get there by opening time.  Bring friends along so you can have fun with friends while waiting in line.  Bring some toys or activities that your child will be happy to be immersed in.  My children like to look for bugs and we bring a bug box along. One year, we created a terrarium with a containers we had.  This year we might even bring watercolors for quick impressionistic watercolor painting while waiting in line.

2.  Bring sunscreen, hats/caps, snacks and water bottles -- we have never had problems bringing our own snacks and water bottles.  There will be plenty of food for sale.  But if you have a picky-eater or you are on a restricted diet, just explain to the security people at the entry checkpoints.  Despite the warning that "No bags, backpacks or ice chests are allowed, except small purses and diaper bags," we have never had a problem with bringing our own snacks (without an ice chest) in a bag subject to inspection.

3.  We have been bringing our kids since the little one was in a stroller .. and we still bring our smallest very portable umbrella stroller along - to carry our stuff (there will be lots of freebies, posters, etc) and it will be a place to sit in line if your child still fits into it.  Your shoulders will thank you for lessening your bodily burdens.

4.  Don't worry if you don't see everything  on your first trip ... pick and choose your favorites.  There are lots of little hands-on things here and there, but many JPL volunteers to explain what you don't understand.  Oh don't miss the education center either.

Have fun ... and we will be there on Sunday if anyone wants to meet up.    Leave a comment or email:
familyfunlearning.gmail.com.

GCP

JPL Invites Public to Open House

JPL's annual Open House on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15, themed "The Excitement in Explorations," will take visitors on a ride through the wonders of space via 3-D videos, live demonstrations, interactions with scientists and engineers, and a first look at JPL's new Earth Science Center.

PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites the public to its annual Open House on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, themed "The Excitement in Explorations," invites visitors to share in the wonders of space through high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations, interactions with scientists and engineers, and a first look at JPL's new Earth Science Center.

The Earth Science Center showcases our home planet and JPL's Earth science missions. Visitors will pass by two touchscreens located on opposite walls of the facility that control real-time views of "Eyes on the Earth," an interactive 3-D visualization website. Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch a movie in the 3-D theater, which seats up to 40 people.

Other Open House highlights include:

- A chance to see the most unique car in this world before it leaves Earth: The next rover bound for Mars, Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity, in the "clean room" before it is shipped to Florida for a November 2011 launch. Curiosity also stars in its own "reality TV show" via live-streaming webcam: http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl .

- Life-size rover models in a "Mars" test bed.
- A perennial crowd-pleaser, the Robo-Dome, where a pair of 700-pound robots glide in a high-tech arena under artificial stars. The Robo-Dome is used to simulate complex maneuvers that could be used for future space missions.
- JPL's Microdevices Lab, where engineers and scientists use tiny technology to revolutionize space exploration.
- Solar-safe telescopes that allow visitors to see the sun.

Selected locations at Open House will be featured live online, with a live chat available, on Ustream TV at: http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2 on Sat., May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon PDT (noon to 3 p.m. EDT).

JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Calif., 91109. Admission to Open House is free. Parking is also free, but is limited. To get to JPL, take the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit from the 210 Freeway in La Canada/Flintridge. All visitors should wear comfortable shoes -- no buses will be provided from JPL parking lots. JPL will provide vans for mobility-challenged guests.

Vehicles entering NASA/JPL property are subject to inspection. Visitors cannot bring these items to NASA/JPL: weapons, explosives, incendiary devices, dangerous instruments, alcohol, illegal drugs, pets, all types of skates including skateboards, Segways and bicycles. No bags, backpacks or ice chests are allowed, except small purses and diaper bags.

More information about JPL is online at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov . A full list, with links, is at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/social/ .

Celebrate this Mother's Day at Royce Hall with a free excellent AYS concert featuring Nigel Armstrong on violin and Indira Rahmatulla on cello

We have started going to American Youth Symphony performances at UCLA's Royce Hall.  We are very impressed by the excellent young musicians, most of whom go on to professional musical careers. This performance is the last appearance for these two leading members of the AYS who are moving on.   Click on the link below to see an interview with both musicians.

I have reserved 50 free tickets and please leave me a comment if you wish to have tickets held for you at Royce Hall.  We will be at the pre-performance talk at 6pm and will be out at the front of Royce Hall with your tickets from 6.30pm to 6.45pm if you don't see me at the talk.  I will have a sign for family fun learning.  If you are in West LA, you can also pick up your tickets from me starting from today.  Leave me your email address so we can connect.  Please note that my 50 tickets will be on the first come first served basis.

You can also order your own free tickets from their website:  http://www.aysymphony.org/

If you cannot make it to this performance, you can listen to all previous performance on their website.

Hint:  We tried both main hall seats as well as balcony seats ... see which you like best.  Royce Hall is historic and beautifully-ornamented ceiling.

Enjoy and be inspired!  Have a Happy Mother's Day this weekend :)

GCP

MAY 8, 2011, 7 PM
ROYCE HALL

Alexander Treger, conductor
Nigel Armstrong, violin
Indira Rahmatulla, cello

Brahms Double Concerto
Brahms/Schoenberg Piano Quartet, Op. 25

The hall will open at 6:30 pm.

Pre-concert talk in the West Lobby begins at 6:00 pm.

Click here to read an interview with the soloists!

May 7 Saturday is National Train Day - see East meets West and California Missions exhibits

This year's NATIONAL TRAIN DAY celebration from 11am to 4pm at Union Station in Los Angeles features two special exhibits ...about 19th century Chinese contribution to the development of the railroad and about the 21 California Missions along El Camino Real.   It is always fun to take the train as a family to San Diego, Santa Barbara or other city stops where are missions within walking distance from the train station.

You can also reserve free timed tickets to tour Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains, and notable private railroad cars.  For details on this Saturday's exhibit and to reserve your tickets, please go to:

http://www.nationaltrainday.com/events/la/

================================

East Meets West Exhibit:

This exhibit, created in partnership with local Asian community and cultural organizations, will display archived photos, facts and stories of the 19th century Chinese contribution to the development of the railroad.

California Missions Exhibit:

This exhibit will showcase the 21 California Missions along El Camino Real (also known as The Royal Highway, located between San Diego and San Francisco). A California Mission docent will be on hand to speak about the history of the Missions and their connection to the railroad. An Amtrak representative will speak about current travel routes and trips.

Union Station
800 North Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
FREE Fun For All!
$6 Parking available at E. Cesar Chavez and N. Vignes Streets in the MTA Lot

> Driving Directions

> Metro Trip Planner

LOS ANGELES

• California Missions Exhibit
• East Meets West Exhibit
• State Partnership Display
• Amtrak High-Speed Rail Display
• K-9 Unit Demonstrations
• Amtrak: Dining the Rail Way
• Train Equipment Displays
• Model Train Displays
• Amtrak 40^th Anniversary Display
• AmtraKids Depot
• Live Entertainment

Learn More