Green Home and Family Magazine

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony – Tuesday, December 1
Don’t miss the kick-off event for The 12 Days of Holiday Cheer in Downtown Burbank! The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the front steps of City Hall, 275 East Olive Avenue at 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call (818) 238-5300.

All-You-Can-Carry Pumpkin Patch at the Santa Monica Farmers Market

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: Santa Monica Farmers Market

200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Cost: $5.00

Why:Need a pumpkin for Halloween?
Why not grab a bunch while you're at it?

The state's largest farmers' market opens its "All-You-Can-Carry Pumpkin Patch" on Wednesday, October 28 from 8am to 1:30pm (or until all the gourds are gone!).

Put them in your teeth, balance them on your head and take
home all the pumpkins you can carry to the end of the 25 foot
long pumpkin patch lane.

Meanwhile, there's nothing really scary about this outdoor market's fresh produce, except for how much you might find yourself taking home.

Nike+ Human Race Los Angeles 5/10K

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 12:00 AM
Where: Sports Arena & Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial 

3939 S Figueroa St Ste A
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(213) 748-6131

 
Cost: $25.00  

What time is the race?
12:00AM midnight on Friday night before the USC vs. Oregon State Game on Saturday, October 24th. Warm up programming for the race will begin the evening of Friday, October 23rd at 10:30PM.

What is the distance of the race?
There are two race options, a 5K and a 10K.

How many miles is 5K?
3.1 miles.

How many miles is 10K?
6.2 miles.

Where will the race take place?
The race will start and finish at the LA Coliseum, near the grassy area in front of the Jack and Jill statue. The LA Coliseum address is 3939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.

How do I register and find out more about the race?
Click here to find out more.

How much does it cost to register for the race?
Race registration costs $25. This provides you entry to the race, entry to the Ultimate Nike Tailgate Party prior to the football game, a live concert experience and your race tee shirt.

Does this race benefit a charity?
Yes. Nike will donate $5 of each race entry to A Better LA, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded by Coach Pete Carroll. The organization supports Los Angeles communities in their goal to reduce gang violence, in part through sports programming. Find more info at http://www.abetterla.org.

Is the race chip timed?
This is a fun run! There will be clocks placed throughout the course and at the finish, but we will not have chip timing for this run. If you run with Nike+, you'll not only get your final race time, but you'll also be able to track your distance, time, pace and calories burned in real time during the race. Nike+ will also allow you to see a detailed graph of your race and all your stats after you're done.

What exactly is Nike+?
Nike+ is a device that measures your distance, pace, time and calories burned. See or hear your stats in real time with Nike+SportBand or Nike+iPod, then log on to http://nikerunning.com after you're done to track your runs, view your progress, set goals and challenge your friends.

Do I have to use Nike+ to participate in the race?
No, you are not required to use Nike+. We highly recommend it, however. Not only is Nike+ an inspirational and effective training tool, it will also allow you to track your distance, time, pace and calories burned in real time during the race on 10/24. After you're done, you'll be able to see a detailed graph of your race, and all your stats. Nike+ connects you to the world's largest running club--there are over 1.2 million Nike+ runners worldwide. Only Nike+ users can participate in Challenges and log miles toward special benefits on race day.

Do I need to be a USC student to participate in the race?
No, you are not required to be a student of USC to participate in the race, but currently registered USC students will have access to exclusive benefits, including race promotions, training runs, special programming and race-day rewards.

How do I train for the big race?
Nike will host training runs, starting in September. We also recommend you train with Nike+, which tracks your distance, time, pace and calories burned in real time during your run. You can log on to http://nikerunning.com to track your runs, view your progress, set goals and challenge your friends. You can customize a training plan, hear from real coaches, and more. Nike+ connects you to the world's largest running club--there are over 1.2 million Nike+ runners worldwide. Only Nike+ users can participate in Challenges and log miles toward special benefits on race day. Check back at http://nikerunning.com for details and a full schedule.

How do I find out more about the Los Angeles Nike+ Human Race?
Check out the Nike Hub at 728 W. 28th St., on the University of Southern California Greek Row (on W. 28th St. between Hoover and Figueroa). If you have any other questions, you can email the USC Nike lead ambassador at [email protected].

Los Angeles International Tamale Festival

When: Friday, November 13, 2009 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park

1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cost: Free
What/Why:Arranged to coincide with the famous Dia de los Muertos, the Los Angeles International Tamale Festival brings a touch of spice to MacArthur Park each autumn. Highlights include tamale cooking and eating contests.

Each year over 50,000 people turn out to take part in tamale cooking and eating contests, watch the tamale demonstrations and even take part in an altar-making competition. The Los Angeles International Tamale Festival has become a focal point for the city's Mexican community and is fun for everyone.

4th Annual Pasadena ARTWalk
 
When: Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Pasadena Playhouse District

46 N. El Molino Ave.,
Pasadena, CA 91101

Cost: Free
Between Colorado Blvd. and Green St.

Art lovers and visitors are invited to enjoy a celebration of art and culture in Pasadena's largest urban art festival


WHO:  The 4th annual Pasadena ARTWalk taking place on Saturday, October 10 from 11 am to 5 pm at 46 N. El Molino, Pasadena, will feature an art show and sale, a gallery walk, performances from jazz, trip-hop, and world music groups, interactive children's activities, free museum admission and more.  The event is free and all-ages.

The Pasadena ARTWalk is a juried fine art festival that offers attendees the opportunity to view one-of-a-kind art pieces and meet some of their favorite artists. This year more than 35 participating artists will showcase their work at the Pasadena ARTWalk. From painting to photography, woodworking and new media, the event will have something for all art lovers to enjoy.
 

Upcoming Date/Time(s):

• October 9, 2009
9:00 AM - 4:00 AM
• October 10, 2009
9:00 AM - 4:00 AM
• October 11, 2009
9:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Location: Descanso Gardens
Address: 1418 Descanso Drive , La Canada , 91011
Phone: (818) 949-4200
Admission: With Gardens admission Kid Friendly: Kids fun zone for imaginative play and crafts
Website: www.descansogardens.org
Description: Eye-popping horticultural delights are in store for gardeners at the Gardens’ first annual Horticultural Fair and Fall Plant Sale, sponsored by Monrovia Growers. Descanso’s Main Lawn will be transformed into a gardener’s heaven, filled with healthy plants, must-have garden accessories, farmer’s market goodies, knowledgeable salespeople and fantastically good prices. Saturday free workshops, Sunday bluegrass music, Kids Fun Zone all three

Date: April 24, 2010
Time: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Highland Hall Waldorf School
Address: 17100 Superior Street , Northridge , 91325 , Northridge , 91325
Cross Streets: Balboa Ave / Superior Street
Region: San Fernando Valley Area
Phone: (818) 781-8989
Admission: Free Kid Friendly: Entertainment (e.g. music, interactive games, story telling, etc.), enrichment village with hands on activities, play area and much more. Food Services: Organic foods, healthy treats, samples, restaurant booths (fee) Accessibility: Wheel Chair Access
Website: www.wcwpexpo.com
Description: The Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo is the premier natural parenting and family expo that introduces and educates families, professionals and friends about the benefits of sustainable living practices, non-toxic products, organic foods, holistic medicine and enrichment learning programs. Our mission is to educate the community about important health and environmental issues and provide them with the resources and tools necessary to protect their families, and the planet.<p> In honor of Earth Day's 40th Anniversary, WCWP Expo will be held on April 24th, 2010 as a FREE community event from 9:30am-6:00pm at Highland Hall Waldorf School (host sponsor) in Northridge CA! The honorary day will feature non-stop education for all those willing to learn - kids, students, parents, teachers, friends, grandparents - with FREE workshops throughout the day, an Enrichment Village with hands-on projects for kids, exhibitors, food, prizes, samples and a main stage with fabulous entertainment - for all ages. <p> Additional parking options will be available through some of the neighboring churchesThere will be a wide range of educational topics discussed - everything from sustainable practices, conservation, conscious parenting and vaccines, to natural solutions for autism and Attention Deficit Disorder and how media affects children (and adults) in our everyday life. Please sign up for the FREE workshops at on line.

9th Annual NoHo Children’s Art & Poetry Festival

Date: November 14, 2009 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00PM
Location: North Hollywood Recreation & Parks: NoHo Arts District
Address: Tujunga and Chandler Blvd , North Hollywood , 91601
Cross Streets: Tujung / Chandler Driving 
Region: San Fernando Valley Area
Phone: (818) 782-0470
Admission: Free
Kid Friendly: Arts activities for children age 3-12, and their families, plus family entertainment - music, dance, improv Accessibility: Wheel Chair Access,
Region(s): San Fernando Valley Area 
Description: The Festival is geared towards children and their families for a day long arts experience designed for parents to interact with their children and take home ideas on how to incorporate art into their daily lives. There are various cultural arts activities designed to help participants gain respect and understanding for other cultures while having fun, and in order to reduce violence in our community through arts.