Did you know that the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services will give each home up to seven free trees and deliver them to directly to your curb? They have a selection of one hundred and fifty different trees to choose from. And did you know the the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation has a free mulch program with half a dozen pickup locations that are open seven days a week? You can show up with a bin, bag or fill up the back of your pick-up with free mulch that is comprised of chopped trimmings from the trees that line the city’s parkways.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have a number of resident and non-resident programs, including a High-Efficiency Washing Machines Rebate Program (just be sure to print out their list of pre-approved machines before purchasing) and Refrigerator Turn-in and Recycle Program as well as a Low Income Refrigerator Purchasing Program for qualifying low-income households. They also have a number of state-subsidized Solar Incentives that essentially offer rebates on the installation of residential photovoltaic systems.

To help promote solar power in Los Angeles and decrease our dependence upon traditional, scarce energy resources, LADWP offers a solar incentive program to make solar power more affordable. Our goal is 20 megawatts of solar power in Los Angeles by 2010… the solar power program has been authorized a total budget of $150 million through June 30, 2011.” ~ LA Department of Water and Power

The LADWP has a special division allocated just for the California State Solar Incentive and I have spoke with them a few times. They are very patient and helpful, understanding that the technology is constantly evolving and the formulas used for understanding a home owner’s (system) needs are complex, they will take the time to help you get going on the right track and even provide lists of qualified state-approved contractors in your area.

And for those of us living in Southern California there is two unique programs offered in the spring by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) — Low Pollution Leaf Blower Incentive Program and the Electric Lawn Mower Purchase Program with are both designed to offer no or low pollution solution for home owners and gardeners.

These machines are a significant source of smog-forming emissions. In one year, the average two-stroke backpack leaf blower emits as much pollution as 80 new cars. The blowers in the exchange program, manufactured by STIHL Inc., are nearly five times cleaner than the California Air Resources Board’s most stringent standard for new blowers. By scrapping 1,500 old blowers and replacing them with low-emission STIHL blowers, the program will reduce at least 14 tons per year of smog-forming emissions.” ~ AQMD

These offers happen now and their availability is limited so sign up with the AQMD for a reminder to be sent when the programs start again in the spring. And if you are interested in the Solar Incentive Program call them on the sooner side since their allocations are based on yearly stipends, so when the incentive is used up for the year, you have to wait for the program to start up again the next calendar year (call them for details or go to the California State Energy Commission).

Related Links;
TreesAreGood.Com | Tree Care
California Energy Commission | Current Rebates and Residential Incentives

Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services | Free Trees Program
Los Angeles Department of Sanitation | Free Mulch Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Washing Machine Rebate Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Refrigerator Recycling Program
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | Solar Incentive Program
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Leaf Blower Incentive Program
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Electric Lawn Mower Purchase Program

   

My oldest son is three and a half. He doesn’t particularly like the swings. He is wary of ladders. He’s flat footed. He’s cautious and we love him for it, nonetheless. It was suggested to us to have him try gymnastics and we did reluctantly. Boy have we been surprised at how much he fully enjoys his classes at the Josephson Academy of Gymnastics (J.A.G.). The instructor-kid ratio is nice and low. They seem to keep the kids constantly engaged with good pacing and direction. Our son loves it. It’s located in the Hayden Tract of Culver City between Jefferson Boulevard and National, off Higuera.

The gym itself is an expansive space (over 24,000 square feet) with classes ranging from babies (Bears and Cubs, Frogs and Tadpoles) to toddlers (Camels, Elephants, Kangaroosand Joeys) through school-aged dance and gymnastics classes. For the younger kids they have parent/kid classes as well as classes with no-parent involvement. Of course they have a cafe style waiting area for the parents the tikes tumble around on the floor.

Parent Tip: If you do sign your kid up for a class and you stick around to watch, go upstairs to get a great bird’s eye view of the gym floor. Downstairs experiences heavy traffic and it gets kinda crazy.

Related Sites:
The Josephson Academy of Gymnastics
Meta-DAD Review @ Parentography

   

Always in search of the best beach, my wife and I with kids-in-tow recently rolled over to this wonderful state beach. It has a sharper than usual slope to the water but provides a fun and dramatic surf for the kids to play in. Boogie boards dash the horizon. You may see an occasional sea lion and if your lucky a starlet strolling the sands.

With a car full of all the necessary toys, food and equipment the paid parking is perfect. For eight dollars, we were able to park right up to the edge of the sand within fifty feet of our claimed spot in the sand (dads read: not too much schlepping for me!) and this was on a Saturday. You can park for free on the road leading up to the beach or back on the Pacific Coast Highway and hike it, but with kids and coolers and such, I highly advise the paid parking area.

The people watching is great, too - you have a wonderful cross-section of Angelenos enjoying the surf.

Related Links;
Parentography | MetaDAD Reviews
Overheard At The Beach
California Beaches | Dume State Beach

   

When Pumpkin Picking Season comes around, I always think of the Faulkner Farm. I’m not sure it is the most sincere pumpkin patch around but I’m sure the Great Pumpkin would approve. Through the month of October they have a Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival that is a great destination for those of us who are kid-strapped and looking for something fun to do.

They have all sorts of stuff going on besides the pumpkin patch - face painting, pony rides, live music, hay rides, the list goes on. Do yourself a favor and go on an empty stomach because the food is really good – fresh corn on the cob, tri-tip sandwiches, fresh lemonade, kettle corn, baked goods and so forth.

They’re located in Santa Paula, CA which is in Ventura County midway between LA and Santa Barbara. Coming from LA, we like to take the Pacific Coast Highway for obvious reasons - the view is a perfect way to end the day.

Related Sites;
Santa Paula Pumpkin Patch Festival
UC Davis | Faulkner Farm Story
Parentography | MetaDAD Reviews

   

The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino has a staggering 150 acres of gardens to experience with lots of themed gardens to choose from; Jungle Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Herb Garden, Camellia Garden, Japanese Garden, Palm Garden, Australian Garden Desert, Sub-Tropical Garden, the Lily Ponds, the Children Garden and of course, the upcoming Chinese Garden. The Chinese Garden is currently under construction as is the Gallery but the Tea Room located in the Rose Garden is open.

We set our sights on seeing the Japanese Garden and the Children’s Garden for this first visit, understanding that the kids may not last the whole time. It is not a cheap entry at $15 per adult but we were pleasantly surprised that the grounds are immaculately kept and the attention to detail and balance is striking when experiencing all the different views.

My wife put it best when describing it to her mother over the phone that night when she said, “it is basically the Disneyland of Gardens,” which is to say the themed gardens do a wonderful job at transporting you to another place. When you’re in the Japanese Garden you feel as if you are in the scene from the Last Samurai (I believe they may have shot some of it there but can not confirm it). The bamboo forest is fantastic! That’s all I’ll say…

If you’re traveling with small children consider leaving the Children’s Garden for last like we did. After walking a couple miles we were in desperate need of a bench and it worked out well that the northern point in the park has a water park (not in the traditional-sense) where the little ones can splash in the water fountains, bubblers and misters while the grown-ups rest their feet for a moment. On your way out, check out the Rose Hills Foundation for Conservatory for Botanical Sciences building to experience an amazing indoor rain forest.

On our list of things not to miss when going there, I would say here’s a short list to consider, a.) The California Juniper Bonsai Court at the far end of the Japanese Garden, b.) The Bamboo Forest mid-way through the Sub-Tropical Garden, c.) The waterfall toward the end of the Jungle Garden, and d.) The Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden (water park).

PARENT TIPS: The are water bubblers throughout the gardens but it wouldn’t hurt to bring a bottle or two of your own and for goodness sake remember the sun block and wear comfortable shoes! They do not allow picnics on the grounds (no tables or benches) which surprised us but we plopped down on the grass between the Jungle and Desert Gardens and had a needed break and a healthy snack and no one seemed to mind.

Related Links:
Huntington Gardens | Virtual Tour
Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens
The Huntington | On the Map
Parentography | More Reviews by Meta-DAD

   

My wife and I had been meaning to go to the Getty Villa for a while now. I must admit, the fact that you have to make a reservation to go kind of put us off, for some reason. It seems a bit snobby. We finally went with kids in tow, of course, and found it to be a surprisingly enriched experience.

Tucked away in a narrow ravine in the hills looming over the Pacific Coast Highway is the Getty Villa which is a meticulous and vibrant recreation of a Greco-Roman Villa served up as one part museum, one part archaeological dig and one part villa inspired from the ancient Roman Villa of Papyri which houses the private antiquities collection of oil mogul J. Paul Getty.

To set the mood for the experience, I recommend seeing the 12 minute introductory movie just inside the theater and then upon exiting I would sign up for one of the many guided tours offered. We did the Architecture and Gardens Tour and even though we did not last the full 45 minutes (actually the boys didn’t) we found the whole thing very fascinating. The guided tours are done with headsets and receivers that are linked the Tour Guide’s microphone which is nice because this allowed us to linger in the back of the group with the kids but still hear everything he was saying.

Depending on how old your kids are I would also recommend the Art Odyssey (ages 5+) where you can get a guided tour for your family or group or sign up for the Art Quest where kids and parents get to make jewelry inspired by the Greco-Roman styles (this is in the main courtyard). There is also a set of Art Detective cards in the family room which allow kids to identify certain pieces throughout the grounds (the Brentwood Getty Museum has the same kind of thing). The Family Room which is located right off the main peristyle is a great place to take a breather and let the little ones play in the shadow hall (their shadow is projected along-side over-sized Greco-Roman Soldier motifs you would find on the vessels and pottery of the time) or do some coloring.

**PARENT TIPS: You can only enter the Villa from the north-bound side of the PCH and the entrance is just before Coastline Drive (you can not enter it from Coastline so keep a sharp eye). If you are approaching it from the south-bound side go just beyond it (about a quarter mile) and do a U-turn at the intersection of Porto Marina.

The museum is free but the parking is $8 dollars. If you are going with kids (+ stroller) park on the top level of the parking facility since everything leading up to the main area is uphill when you arrive it will mean one less elevator to wait for.

Also, consider packing a lunch. There is a very nice shady picnic area next to the gift shop where you can find vending machines (the prices in these machines are surprisingly normal) and plenty of tables.

Related Links;
Parentography Review
The Getty Museum
Wikipedia - The Getty Villa

   

Now I have to admit, having my son’s second birthday party here was not our idea, we were inspired by friends who live in Los Feliz. I think it is fair to say that’s how the (kid’s) party train goes, right. Our oldest son’s birthday is in October and we decided to have it at the Travel Town Museum which is located on the north perimeter of Griffith Park (at the junction of the 5 and 134). We were a little worried because the day started out uncharacteristically overcast, but then it magically cleared up just as family and friends started to arrive.

I was over-prepared with collapsable tents and umbrellas and such. I say over-prepared because it was a very pleasant surprise that I was greeted by Travel Town staff that was ready and willing to help me and answer my questions (What?! Really?!), yeah like when does that ever happen? Now we payed like $75 to reserve the gazebo and a deposit of $25 which was promptly returned. I say, “what a bargain!” Seriously. Considering they were ready to help me set up additional banquet tables (part of the package) and get us matches for the BBQ pit.

The long and the short of it is - I would highly recommend this place for a kid’s birthday. The admission is free, as is the parking (which there is ample amount of parking) and there is even one of thos mini-railroads ($2 a ticket) that takes you around the perimeter of the park, which is a great photo-op. There is also a little museum in the center of the park that has some old vehicles and train cars and so forth. But the real treat is the miniature railway setup they have - the thing is huge.

The best part is there are antique train cars that you can rent for birthday parties (and other events I imagine) up to 40 people, how cool is that. I imagine these train cars would be a better bet in the heat of the summer (they’re air conditioned) or perhaps during the winter months.

   

I have to admit I was not sure if this trip was going to be worth it. I was worried that there would not be enough stuff to engage the attention span of my oldest son (2.5 yr old), but I was pleasantly surprised that I he had a fantastic time at the KidSpace Children’s Museum in Pasadena.

Like most kids his age it is all about the tactile experience and it seems this museum does a fit job at creating an all encompassing experience for all ages. Pictured above (left) is the kaleidoscopic entrance way, complete with prismic mirrors, lights and a goofy soundscape. There are lots of typical displays for the kids to learn from; cross sections of ant farms, an area where the kids can dig up fossils, live scorpions, and displays on the eating habits of cockroaches and such. As much as he enjoyed all of this stuff (the Climbing Tower was a big hit as well), the pinnacle of the visit for my son was the wet play area in the back of the 3.5 acre park. Fortunately my wife read their website and opted to bring a change of clothes for him. I guarantee we will be going back. It seems as if they’re in the process of expanding as well.

A friendly tip: pack a lunch and snacks. The Wolfgang Puck Cafe was understaffed and out of many items (and characteristically overpriced).