The Getty Center is helping to inspire a whole new generation of children to love the arts. At the Getty Center and Getty Villa, children are given the opportunity to take an interactive, hands-on role in the exhibits that they view.
You need only look at the 1.3 million visitors that walk through the front doors of the Getty Center each year to see that it’s a place that can pull in the crowds. One of the biggest selling points of the museum is the way in which they make everything on display interesting and fun for kids. This is achieved through a number of family events and activities that encourage education through fun and interaction. Let’s take a look at some of the programs available at the Getty Museum that are in place to bring around an appreciation of art, as well as to bring families together. One of the best ways to introduce children to art is to allow them the freedom to create on their own. That is what they do in The Family Room. Kids, as well as their parents, get to draw, create tube structures, and go on an art treasure hunt that is a ton of fun. While the programs here are all in place to make sure that the kids have as much fun as possible, they all contain elements that help to build a love for the world of art from a very early age. Inspiration is very much alive and well in the Getty Museum, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Art Adventures that families can go on. It all begins with a guided tour of a few of the exhibits in the museum, with the tour guide explaining a little bit about the creation of the art. Once the tour is over, the families are invited to create pieces of art inspired by what they were shown by the tour guide. There is also plenty of fun to be had on the outside, with festivals and concerts regularly held in the garden. Perhaps the most surprising part of all of this is that all of the aforementioned activities are totally free. The Getty family has always had a huge appreciation for art, which is why the museum and the Getty Villa were put together in the first place. The fact that children and families get to see the art collection and take future generations to see it is reward enough for the Getty family.
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Getting the entire family outdoors for a little adventure is not only be a healthy way to spend time together, but a nice change of pace from normal activities, especially during the summer months.
But where do you start? There are quite a few locations where you can get outside and enjoy family-friendly activities that won’t take you away for more than a day or a weekend. Some adventures are more on the casual side if your family likes to take it easy, others will get the adrenaline pumping if you’re more the thrill-seeking type of family. Luckily, SoCal has a lot to offer to everyone when it comes to outdoor adventure. Here are seven family outdoor adventure locations to take a look at in Southern California: Zip Lining on Catalina Island – If your family really likes a little adventure, head to Catalina Island for the Zip Line Eco Tour, where you can propel down five separate lines across 1,100 feet at more than 300 feet above the canyon floor. The total tour lasts two hours and offers amazing views. Whale watching off Dana Point – Whale watching is an underrated SoCal experience for both kids and adults, and this area is a landmark spot for catching the whale migration to Baja, California. Get your family out for a tour with highly-rated guides like Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, Davey’s Locker or Dana Wharf Parasailing in Marina Del Rey – Parasailing is both peaceful and exhilarating, and something a family can experience together. Plus it’s safe and offers great views. Try Marina Del Rey Parasailing. Kayaking off the Channel Islands – Kayaking is peaceful but also offers a workout, and is a fun family group activity. There are numerous options, but kayaking off the Channel Islands National Park might sit atop the list. Check out Aquasports, Blue Ocean Kayaking, or other local options on Yelp. Snorkeling off Catalina Island – The Channel Islands National Marine Park and Italian Gardens in the Long Point State Marine Reserve are well-known dive sites and home to some of the best snorkeling in the world. There are plenty of reputable tours, and your family gets an amazing outdoor –and educational – experience. Hiking at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park – This beautiful location in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve offers a nice tri-fecta for family outdoor activity – amazing views, good hiking and the chance to explore marine life in the tide pools and sea caves. Have you ever thought about getting your kids involved in dancing or gymnastic lessons, but didn't know where to turn?
The South Bay has several well-established studios and gymnastics gyms that will not only keep kids of all ages and skill levels active, but also offer a wide variety of classes, camps and performance options. School of Dance and MusicThe School of Dance and Music offers classes for all ages at all levels at locations in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. The wide range classes are divided by age, including ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz & contemporary, modern and even breakdancing. With small classes, year-end recitals and the option to join a dance company, the school has earned high marks on Yelp reviews. Dance 1 Located in Redondo Beach, Dance 1 offers classes from age 2 and up, ranging from ballet and tap to hip hop and jazz. All dancers can perform in the showcases twice per year, while the Performing Company has at least 18 community performances per year. There are also two summer camps, both half day (ages 5-8) and full day (ages 7-12). South Bay Gymnastics This year-round studio in Torrance offers both recreational and competitive team gymnastics on an approach that combines play with teaching. There are summer camps for different age groups, as well as boys and girls teams and a performance team all under the direction of Director Jerry Jackson, who has 20 years of experience. Fit Kids Gymnastics Center With locations in Redondo Beach and Torrance, this gym offers classes and camps for both boys and girls from ages 2-18 at state-of-the-art facilities. All of the summer camps have different themes and levels of instruction, and the gym has a Fit Kids Gymnastics Team that travels and competes in events. You can check out theirFacebook Page for more. The South Bay Adult School is focused on continual learning, which benefits the community. That focus has been intact for more than 90 years.
In its mission statement, the South Bay Adult School (SBAS) declares that “continual learning is essential to fulfilling human potential.” It strives to create a customer-centered environment and affordable classes that reflect the goals and interests of the community. To that end, the SBAS offers a wide range of classes that receive 10,000 annual registrations. There are no residency requirements, and anyone over 18 years of age may attend. Classes at South Bay Adult School include a full scope of hundreds of continuing education programs, with an emphasis on ESL classes, parent education, vocational training, GED preparation and a high school diploma program. There is such a wide range of options. You can learn to play the ukulele or cook Italian or receive computer training or learn one of five language classes. Click here for a full list of classes offered. The South Bay Adult School holds classes at six locations throughout South Bay. The main office is located in Redondo Beach, and classes are also offered in Manhattan Beach at Mira Costa High School, North High School, and Redondo Union High School Center. The South Bay Adult School has been in operation since 1918 and is the 11th largest adult education school in the state. For more information, visit its official website or Facebook page or view the reviews on Yelp.com. South Bay Adult School Phone: 310.937.3340 Fax: 310.937.3345 Online: SouthBayAdult.org 3401 Inglewood Avenue Redondo Beach, CA The advantages of cleaning the windows in your home are often obvious. But when staging your home for sale, the difference can often be in the fine details.
The concept of curb appeal is based on first impressions of the buyer, and the most astute buyers will notice clean windows. On the interior, clean windows allow bright, natural light show off the best features of your home. Outside, they will help create a clean and inviting view from the street. Sure, anything to help your curb appeal is worthwhile. But you might notice an actual difference in the value of your home and a return on the investment of simply getting your windows cleaned. Consider that 75 percent of people who first view a property online will drive by before they contact an agent, according to Homestaging for Dummies. Not only does curb appeal sell 49 percent of homes, per the National Association of Realtors, a good first impression of a home can actually add 5 to ten percent to the value of the home, according to the president of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. Money Magazine surveyed 2,000 real estate agents and found out the improvement that generates the best return on investment is clean windows, estimating the ROI on window cleaning to be an astounding 768 percent. We know curb appeal matters, and the lesson here is to not overlook your windows. For South Bay residents, you might want to consider Fish Window Cleaning, a local company established in 1978 that offers real estate specials. The advantages of cleaning the windows in your home are often obvious. But when staging your home for sale, the difference can often be in the fine details.
The concept of curb appeal is based on first impressions of the buyer, and the most astute buyers will notice clean windows. On the interior, clean windows allow bright, natural light show off the best features of your home. Outside, they will help create a clean and inviting view from the street. Sure, anything to help your curb appeal is worthwhile. But you might notice an actual difference in the value of your home and a return on the investment of simply getting your windows cleaned. Consider that 75 percent of people who first view a property online will drive by before they contact an agent, according to Homestaging for Dummies. Not only does curb appeal sell 49 percent of homes, per the National Association of Realtors, a good first impression of a home can actually add 5 to ten percent to the value of the home, according to the president of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. Money Magazine surveyed 2,000 real estate agents and found out the improvement that generates the best return on investment is clean windows, estimating the ROI on window cleaning to be an astounding 768 percent. We know curb appeal matters, and the lesson here is to not overlook your windows. For South Bay residents, you might want to consider Fish Window Cleaning, a local company established in 1978 that offers real estate specials. If you want the natural, authentic look of real stone in your next renovation or improvement project without many of the drawbacks, stone veneer siding might be your ticket.
Designed to replicate the visceral strength, quality and beauty of real stone, stone veneer sidings are made from natural stone as well as manufactured stone. The natural veneers are made from real stone and cut to a thickness and weight for use as a veneer. The manufactured style is made by concrete poured into molds, which is then painted to resemble the natural variation and weathering of stone. The benefits of stone veneer siding are numerous, and the biggest advantage is cost. At a fraction of the price of using real brick or stone, it can serve as a great alternative while offering the same feel of strength and durability along with affordability. Not only does stone veneer siding cost less than the real thing, it is also easier and less expensive to install. The veneer is typically 1 inch thick and weighs 15 pounds per square foot, so it does not require footings or structural support because of its light weight. There are only a few steps to installing stone veneer, and my online options for step-by-step instructions, including the DIY Network and Wikihow, just as examples. Just like real stone and brick, stone veneer siding can be used on the interior and exterior of your home. Outside uses have long been popular for doorway entrances, columns, half walls, patio bars, planters and landscape design among many other uses. Stone veneers are becoming increasingly popular for interior use, from the traditional places (fireplace surrounds) to others you might not normally think of like kitchen backsplashes, wine cellars, columns, accent walls and even bathrooms. The variety of colors, designs and uses for the different types of veneers are numerous, and the website Houzz.com offers more than 165,000 home design photos for ideas. As the New York Times once proclaimed, the Museum of Tolerance is “no ordinary museum.”
The only museum of its kind in the world, the Museum of Tolerance is self-described as “dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. “ A mix of history, education, discovery and empowerment, the museum examines racism and prejudice around the world – including atrocities in places like Cambodia and Latin America – but with a strong focus on the Holocaust. There are a number of ways to experience and engage in the Museum of Tolerance. The museum features four main exhibition areas, including a Holocaust section and a new exhibit dedicated to the life and legacy of Anne Frank. There are also rotating special exhibits, examining such topics as segregation in Southern California. You can also attend one of the many events, which include guest speakers and special film screenings. One of the unique experiences at the Museum of Tolerance is the opportunity to hear special guest speakers. For more than three decades, Holocaust survivors have volunteered their time to speak about their experiences during World War II. The museum offers a Holocaust survivor lecture every day, which are about an hour in length, and invites the public to submit questions via their official Facebook page. The museum offers many educational youth programs for students of all ages, from elementary through high school. In addition to the library and archives, students can take part in lifelong learning programs, after school programs, outreach programs, interactive tours and special speakers. In an effort to support active participation and education, the museum also offers teacher resources. The Museum of Tolerance, established in 1993, is the educational arm of the human rights organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center. To become a member, visit here. Or, to volunteer, get more information here. Museum of Tolerance 9786 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 Email: info@museumoftolerance.com Phone: (310) 553-8403 Online: Museumoftolerance.com When it comes to free activities to do with your children in Los Angeles that are not only educational but also entertaining, it really doesn't get much better than the Flight Path Learning Center-Museum.
It’s likely adults will learn quite a bit at Flight Path too. This hidden gem is located in the LAX Imperial Terminal holds treasures detailing more than 100 years of aviation history in Southern California with an impressive collection of aircraft models, historic photos, airline uniforms, mural timelines and other aviation artifacts. The wide range of collections and exhibits cover the history and development of LAX, from 1960's-era stewardess uniforms to large-scale models of biplanes and vintage aircraft instruments, painting a colorful picture of what flying used to be like. “This museum has to be one of LA's best-kept secrets,” said one Yelp reviewer. “Wandering around this old flight terminal and exploring all of the treasures this museum holds … is an intriguing way to spend an afternoon.” Of all the historical artifacts, models and collections at the museum, a must-see for all is the original DC-3 aircraft parked on the tarmac. Tours are available, where a volunteer will give you an up-close look and a chance to sit in the cockpit. Along with its artifacts and collections, the Learning Center and museum offer tours for students of all ages, flight simulation courses and an annual speaker series for students to learn more about aviation. Flight Path places an emphasis on encouraging the pursuit of aviation-related education and careers, and even offers scholarship opportunities for aspiring students. Flight Path is a non-profit, community-based organization, and runs the museum in conjunction with Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that runs LAX. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free, and donations are accepted. Flight Path Learning Center – Museum 6661 W Imperial Hwy Los Angeles, CA 90009 Phone: 424-646-7284 E-mail: flightpathguides@lawa.org www.flightpath.us A step into the historic beach cottage at Polliwog Park is a bit like a step back in time, and for good reason. The beach cottage, known as the “Little Red House,” is the home of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.
The Manhattan Beach Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Manhattan Beach, and to the collection and display of historical information and memorabilia about the city. A non-profit society with all-volunteer help, the aim of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society is to educate citizens on the history of Manhattan Beach through artifact and photo displays, books, videos, films, historic newspaper articles and historical recordings. The museum located at the historic 1905 beach cottage also includes a bookstore and gift shop. Quite simply, it’s a great place to learn about some of the Manhattan Beach icons, like the famous PE trolley and the different versions of the Manhattan Beach Pier, as well as the development of the area since 1875. The Society holds free quarterly meetings that feature speakers who cover various subjects on local history. They also publish a quarterly newsletter. The Society has published two hard cover pictorial history books: Manhattan Beach 90266 and I'll Take Manhattan, as well as a series of monographs and brochures that trace the growth of the city. The cottage itself has been involved in some Manhattan Beach history. The "Little Red House" serves as a tribute to the community's founders, as well as the Society's museum. A typical beach cottage of the time period, it was originally built at 205 Fifteenth Street and moved to Polliwog Park in 1986. While it was restored by the City of Manhattan Beach, the Neptunian Woman's Club (founded in 1909), and the Manhattan Beach Historical Society, most of the labor and materials were donated by the community. According to its website, the Society began as a committee in the early 1970s and incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization in 1977. The museum is open from Noon-3pm on the weekends, and donations are accepted. Memberships are also available, and if you’re interested in becoming more involved or just learning more about your local history, quarterly meetings featuring a lecture on local history are held on the fourth Saturday of each month starting at 11:00 a.m. Manhattan Beach Historical Society 1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: 310- 374-7575 www.manhattanbeachhistorical.org |
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