Community | Julie Moree's News Watch

June 17, 2018

Summer Concert Series in North Hollywood

As summer kicks off, various cities around the San Fernando Valley begin hosting their annual concert series at local parks. This year, the Valley Cultural Center put together a special line up for the residents in and around the city of North Hollywood and hundreds of residents showed up to kick off the first of the concerts by paying tribute to the legendary Queen.

Queen Nation, for the first time, performed at the park located on Magnolia Blvd and Tujunga, in walking distance to the Metro Orange line. The concert kicked off at 7 p.m. with an opening act, a woman born in Russia who has been performing around the world for years, Marina V.

Later, Queen Nation, rocked the park with a 90-minute concert playing iconic songs including Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You to close out the show.

The next concert will be Saturday June 23 with Billy Mitchell and his circle of friends performing at 7 p.m. All concerts are free with donations made to the Valley Cultural Center. For a complete list of concerts, visit the No Ho Summer Nights page.

June 5, 2018

LA County Salutes Recreation

LA County brought back the Salute to recreations the first three days in June this year.

The three day event was held at the Northridge Aquatic Center beginning at 5 p.m on Friday until 10 p. m Sunday

And Valley Relics promoted its free tours offered every Saturday to the public.

LADot was among the various booths set up with information for all.

Being a hot day, bubbles made the difference.

Of course the Hawaiian theme was a popular attire.

Various bounce houses and carnival rides entertained the kids in the park.

And one district even had wash off tattoos for all.

The various districts offered free crafts for the kids.

As part of the valley region, areas from as far north as Chatsworth to Granada Hills represented at the celebration.

The festival also contained various musical performances including an all girl sister act from Palmdale, Sledge Grits.

And in the Hawaiian village various themed acts attracted crowds over the weekend.

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018

Largest VegFest at Lake Balboa

Vegan pastries enticed crowds to a sweet treat.

And cold brew lemonade and coffee samples were given out.

Sol Good shared the benefits of going solar.

And people could sample a vegan organic protein shake of vanilla, chocolate or even peanut butter.

Evil spirits were snuffed out with burnt sage.

In the mind body and soul area, meditation sessions put people at ease.

Instructors led in various seated yoga positions.

Messages were given to further the relaxation process.

Animal adoptions from groups including Best Friends in Mission Hills brought dogs for adoption.

And this calico kitten was the talk of the festival as cats of various ages were up for adoption as well.

And a tiny duck, showed that even the smallest needs a home.

The Cancer Control Society showed their alternative therapies by promoting their convention on Labor Day weekend in Glendale.

Various booths promoted Climate intiatives.

And of course Peta was there with their causes including National Animal Rights Day on June 3.

A gopher showed its head as it took away from the festival and crowds gathered to watch the little guy under a chair.

Handpainted pictures of whales were sold to benefit the causes.

The Oasis next to the concert stage provided 21+ with a little adult fun of beer and wine.

Rock and Roll Pizza had Vegan Pizza sold by the slice for five bucks.

May 3, 2018

29th Annual Pet Expo In Costa Mesa

Adoptions for even rabbits were available at the expo

And a bird show enticed crowds to learn more about the birds of prey.

Various Cat Litters like Neon, was on sale at fair prices.

As well as bags of cat and dog food for people to try for their four legged friends.

The spokesdog for “Lucy” Pet Products poised for photos.

As well as the spokescat who rode around in a pet stroller for safety

And the donkey sanctuary had information for all.

4 year old turtle siblings showed the difference in their sizes.

And the largest St Bernard allowed people to see at the expo.

Blue Buffalo dog food gave free samples for a small dollar donation.

And vendors like American Mutt sold handcrafted apparel custom made for the occasion.

Small parakeets stared off in the center.

And handicapped birds, showed that they can also be happy and healthy with special care

There were even new additions with 6 week old puppies at the breed booths to educate on the various breeds of dogs.

And Kost 103.5 played music for the event.

New this year, in the aquatic experience, spectators could gently touch starfish as well as sharks in the touch tank.

And Preston Speaks make his appearance in one of the halls as people saw the dog that is becoming an internet sensation.

Dogs made a splash in the popular Splash dogs.

And household cats were shown inside at the annual cat show.

April 27, 2018April 27, 2018

22 Years of Books At USC

As previously reported, the University of Southern California invited thousands of various authors in nearly every genre to a

And still more books were available for as little as five dollars at various stands throughout as well as authors who offered festival sale prices for new and recent books that they released in the past year.

In addition, the students of USC’s medical department offered complimentary health screenings including vision and dental this

year.

Check out the video below, for exclusive interviews with various authors including a book by the director from the “I Love Lucy” sitcom.

The next festival of books is scheduled for April 13 and 14, 2019.

March 12, 2018

Indian Tradition Comes To LA

The annual Festival of Colors was back again at Whittier

Narrows Park in El Monte, California and young and old welcomed in the spring on a somewhat cloudy day on Saturday March 10 and Sunday March 11. Admission to the festival was just eight dollars, which didn’t include if one wanted the color. The tradition of the Holi

people is meant to chase away evil spirits with the throwing of colors on people, creating harmony and unity for all.

There was also calming yoga demonstrations that people could take advantage of to clear the air and relax in the park.

Color was available in packets of 8 for 20 dollars at the table as people entered the festival. The color took away the race and ethnicity and made everyone the same for one day.

Mantra Bands had people in the center of the park throwing color as they listened to positive encouraging music all day long and everyone embrace in free love and hugs.

February 26, 2018

75th Annual Camellia Fest in Temple City

Rides filled the Temple City Park over the three day weekend from February 23-25 as residents descended for the 75th Annual Camillia Festival in Temple City.

There were test your luck games where one could win a variety of different size prizes.

And on Saturday was the primary day complete with a pancake breakfast and parade.

The local performing arts advertised their upcoming production of the Little Mermaid with a roadshow performance.

Iconic songs including Part of your World and Poor Unfortunate Souls teased the full length productions.

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018

72 Years of Dates in Indio, Calif.

Fair season kicks off early in Indio, Calif as residents travel down southeast to the largest Date Festival to enjoy ten days of music, fun and of course the popular date.

Inside the Taj Mahal, it was the highlight of the festival as the popular Date was displayed for all to see the various types as well as being able to sample and even take unique styles home by the box which can not be down at the regular grocery store. The most popular, Medjool Dates were the prominent, but people could also learn about the other types as Chef Matthew from Mario’s Place showed different recipes each day to create taste creations with the Dates.

Animals were also another much see with unique to Riverside, Hendrick’s Camels and Ostrich Races which are held daily in the Grandstands and pets showed off their skills with Marvelous Mutts as they performed for the fun with frisbees, as well as splash dogs.

Camel Racing

Ostrich Chariot racing

Ostrich Racing

zebra racing

Marvelous Mutts

And of course the Fair concludes each day with their highly anticipated salute to america and Nightly musical pageant by the students of the local high schools.

And the Queen Shaharazad and her royal court was

alive and active at all parts of the fair including the Queen’s Gallery of photos judged for the past year.

And the court made an appearance at the performances including the Santana Tribute band that rock the Magic Carpet Stage at 5 p.m before the nightly pageant.

The Fair is open until February 25, 2018 from 10- 10 and is located in the city of Indio just south of Palm Desert in Southern California. Don’t miss the excitement especially if you’re in the area.