Category: Community

News relating to important community issues and how we can help out to improve people’s lives.

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Oshogatsu Family Festival Celebrates 2015 Year of the Sheep in Los Angeles

On the first Sunday of 2015, residents of Little Tokyo came out to the Japanese American National Museum for a day of family time while they brought in the new year with the year of the sheep.

The festivities went from 11 to 5 and allowed all to experience the museum for free while remembering all that Japanese Americans endured over 70 years ago.  There was also the World of Hello Kitty which one could experience for an additional fee.

Outside the museum, there was still more fun with Lucky Soba noodles, which one could sample as a sign of good luck for the new year.

Kids had a variety of different crafts to experience including making their own Daruma Doll, learning the art of origami and even creating their own sheep out of colorful yarn, while they had a blow up sheep balloon that they could take home for the new year.

The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11-5 for just nine dollars.  For more information visit the website here.

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Near 30 Years of Christmas Fun in Chatsworth

On Dec. 7, 2014, residents of Chatsworth enjoyed music, fun floats and children that marched down Devonshire street from Topanga Canyon Boulevard toward Mason Street ending at the street festival on Canoga, between Devonshire and Lassen.

The Chatsworth Holiday Parade will be back every year on the third Sunday in December.

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4th Annual Luminaria Festival in Studio City

On Sunday December 7, 2014, hundreds of residents gathered at the historic Campo De Cahuenga as the sun set and over 4-thousand paper lanterns lit up the grounds next to the Universal Red Line for the 4th annual Luminaria Festival.

There was complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies courtesy of Smart and Final for all to enjoy on a winter night as they listened to select musical talents.

View a sample of the music including the Synchronicity Handbell Choir as well as the Voices of Christmas.

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31 years of Christmas Fun in Granada Hills

On Sunday Dec. 7, over 3-thousand participants marched down Chatsworth street to bring joy to the community in the Annual Granada Hills Christmas Parade.  The parade began at precisely 1:30 in the afternoon at Petit Park and traveled just under to miles toward Granada Hills Charter High School on Zelzah Ave.

The Largest Parade in the San Fernando Valley was lead by the Granada Hills Highlander Marching Band.
The Largest Parade in the San Fernando Valley was led by the Granada Hills Highlander Marching Band.

 

As tribute to the 73rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, members of the VFW also marched proudly to acknowledge soldiers of our country, many who came from Granada Hills.
As tribute to the 73rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, members of the VFW also marched proudly to acknowledge soldiers of our country, many who came from Granada Hills.
This year's grand marshall was Dallas star, Ken Kercheval who made his way down in the classic Cadillac provided for the parade by the Valley Relics.
This year’s Grand Marshall was Dallas star, Ken Kercheval who made his way down in the classic Cadillac provided for the parade by the Valley Relics.

 

And of course Santa Claus concluded the parade, signaling the christmas tradition on top of Classic Fire Truck
And of course Santa Claus concluded the parade, signaling the christmas tradition on top of Classic Fire Truck
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Remembering and Honoring Veterans in So Cal

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day on the eleventh month in 2014, the 55th annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Job Fair brought So Cal residents to remember those who have served and are still serving in the armed forces.

All five armed forces including the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps., Air Force and Coast Guard were honored by the Pasadena City College Marching band which played each anthem as veterans rose in respect.

And on the following day, at nine o clock at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Veteran’s Network honored Veteran’s with a special Color Guard Ceremony for its employees who also served in the armed forces.

The NBC Universal Veteran’s Network invites the Marine Color Guard for ceremonies honoring veteran’s twice a year.

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Annual Street Fair in Sherman Oaks

On Sunday October 19, 2014, the city of Sherman Oaks hosted the 24th annual Street Fair.  The fair consisted of a variety of booths sailing handmade products all along Ventura Boulevard from Van Nuys Boulevard to Kester as well as a collection of classic cars, pet adoption and much more.

Watch the video now, to see more of what this city and its fair had to offer to its residents.


 

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The “Original” Harvest Festival 2014

On the Second weekend of October, hundreds of vendors brought their own taste to the Anaheim Convention Center at the Original Arts and Crafts Harvest Festival.  There was thousands of handcrafted originals from a variety of food options to fashion and even a unique travel laundry bag that its creators hoped to entice crowds to purchase .  And artists like Duo Hijinx, Scott Land’s Marionettes and even a juggler showed up to offer their talents on the three day weekend while residents shopped for hours at the convention center.

To see more of what was at this year’s festival, click the video below.

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Celebrities Race For A Cause

On September 27th, 2004, celebrities took the driver’s seat at the Irwindale Speedway as they raced against each other while raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  The races started at 7 and continued on through the night with crowds cheering for their favorites, leading up to the celebrities battling against each other.

Watch the video now to learn who won.

The Irwindale Event Center holds races every weekend.  For a complete schedule, click here.

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HHN: 8 Years of Terror

IMG_1529Universal Studios Hollywood is pleased to welcome back its yearly Halloween Horror Nights as visitors walk through the haunted streets of the theme park.  The event opened to a sold out crowd of guests on Friday September 19 and Saturday September 20,2014 and will continue for 22 nights from 7 p.m to 2 a.m.

At the opening night, their annual Eyegore Awards, an event honoring the creators and designers of the featured mazes, saw roughly 500 fans of the genre who came out to recognizeIMG_1534IMG_1530 this year’s recipients, filmmakers Robert Rodriguez and John Landis, make up effects artist, Greg Nicotero and rock Guitarist Slash.

This years mazes include the return of the Walking Dead in terror tram as well as The Walking Dead: End of the Line, as well as 5 new mazes including Face Off based on the Sci Fi show, An American Werewolf in London, Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood,Alien Vs. PredatorIMG_1570, From Dusk Til Dawn and Clowns 3D inspired by the music of Slash.

In addition, all rides including Revenge of the Mummy, Simpsons, Transformers, Jurassic Park In The Dark and the newest attraction Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem are also open during the night time hours.

Halloween Horror nights runs through November 2 and tickets can be purchased for as low as 52 dollars online or 139 dollars for the front of the line pass.  Due to the event selling out, guests are advised to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.

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Watermelons at Santa Anita Park

The Watermelon Festival is back for their 53rd year, sponsored by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club.  This year, they were pleased be at the famous Santa Anita Park, home to the legendary horse racing stadium.  There was free watermelon and much more on the third weekend in July and hundreds came out to partake of the fun festivities including the royal court, featuring Watermelon Queen Calista Yakhamen, a junior from Verdugo Hills High School as well as Watermelon King Ruben Mendez, a senior also from Verdugo Hills High School.

And of course this year’s National Watermelon Queen, Brandi Harrison made her presence to support California Watermelons on behalf of the National Watermelon Association.

Watch the video below, to see more of the fun and festivities that this unique festival had to offer.