Category: News

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9-11: 13 Years Later

Nearly 13 years after the devastation of 9-11, Americans come together to celebrate and remember those that lost their lives.  Pepperdine University, located in Malibu, Calif, was one of the University that lost a large number of students and alumni in the terrorists’ attack, including one of the heroes aboard the United Airline Flight 93, Thomas Burnett.

In 2002, Heroes Garden was created to honor the memory of Pepperdine’s Alumni and now the memorial has become a tradition that won’t be forgotten.  Additionally, in 2008, the Wave of Flags was created on the corner of the campus, as a representation of the nationality of the nearly 3-thousand victims that parished in the attacks.  The flags will remain  on display until the 22nd of September.

Watch the video now to see how residents are remembering at this year’s memorial.

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Universal’s House of Horrors Closes on Labor Day 2014

On September 1st, 2014, the cast of Universal Studios’ House of Horror, a live action walk thru of haunted movie sets has finally closed it’s doors for the last time.  The seven year maze has seen many changes in being transformed for Halloween Horror Nights as well as the previous Van Helsing- Fortress Dracula, Mummy Maze and the Chicken Run Maze.

See the maze below from the guests perspective.

It was an emotional closing for performers and cast members alike as a rare last walk thru brought more than just scares.  Watch below as employees made their final walk thru the maze that paid homage to some of Universal’s Classic Monsters.

Universal’s House of Horrors will be used one last time for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights and then will be transformed into another unique dining, retail and entertainment experience.

 

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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.

 

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The Lotus’ Return To Local Park in Los Angeles

After several years of abandonment, the precious flowers return to the lake that is just a few miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
After several years of abandonment, the precious flowers return to the lake that is just a few miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
After a three year hiatus, the festival is back with the help from the Asian Pacific Community as well as the country of the Phillippians, the free festival allows residents to enjoy a weekend in the park.
After a three year hiatus, the festival is back with the help from the Asian Pacific Community as well as the country of the Philippines, the free festival allows residents to enjoy a weekend in the park.
On the second weekend in July, music echoed throughout Echo Park Lake as various bands performed from noon till sundown.
On the second weekend in July, music echoed throughout Echo Park Lake as various bands performed from noon till sundown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put on by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, the free festival was held on July 12 and 13 from 12 til 8 at  Echo Park Lake, near downtown Los Angeles.

With the return of the lotus', the wildlife also made their return, including White Cranes, Ducks and Baby Sea Turtles.
With the return of the lotus’, the wildlife also made their return, including White Cranes, Ducks and Baby Sea Turtles.
More wildlife
The ducks enjoyed the bread that residents through to them.
Look carefully
Residents gathered on the dock in search for the wildlife in the lake like this baby sea turtle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apart from the festival, residents could also rent pedal boats to further enjoy the beauty of the lake.

The art of meditation was shared with residents as these characters were marched solemnly around the lake.
The art of meditation was shared with residents as these characters were marched solemnly around the lake.
There was even more entertainment for children with bounce houses for a small fee as well as arts and crafts to teach them more about the Asian Pacific culture.
There was even more entertainment for children with bounce houses for a small fee as well as arts and crafts to teach them more about the Asian Pacific culture.
This dragon statue stood at the entrance to the festival as a friendly welcome and reminder of Asian Pacific heritage.
This dragon statue stood at the entrance to the festival as a friendly welcome and reminder of Asian Pacific heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echo Park Lake is open every day from morning until dusk.

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23 Years of Bringing Holiday Cheer to Low Income Families

On the last Saturday in May, low income families are invited to celebrate Christmas in Spring at the largest food bank on the West Coast, Mend.  The event was hosted by Universal Studios Hollywood and the Discover a Star Foundation.

For 23 years, volunteers at Universal Studios Hollywood, in connection with the Discover A Star Foundation has brought Christmas to Low income Families at MEND.
For 23 years, volunteers at Universal Studios Hollywood, in connection with the Discover A Star Foundation has brought Christmas to Low income Families at MEND.
Families pose for photos with Santa Claus as part of the Christmas In Spring celebration.
Families pose for photos with Santa Claus as part of the Christmas In Spring celebration.
New Universal Characters like the popular Minions from Despicable Me entertain kids as they dance and have their pictures taken with the characters.
New Universal Characters like the popular Minions from Despicable Me entertain kids as they dance and have their pictures taken with the characters.
600 pounds of Chicken, Veggies, and Salad was served to roughly a thousand less fortunate families.
600 pounds of Chicken, Veggies, and Salad was served to roughly a thousand less fortunate families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Games
Kids had the opportunity to try their hands at Carnival games similar to the ones at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Kids stood in line waiting to get either part or all of their face painted for the occasion.
Kids stood in line waiting to get either part or all of their face painted for the occasion.
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Running for Strawberries in Garden Grove, Calif.

On the four day Memorial weekend, Garden Grove held their 56th annual Strawberry Festival, complete with a parade of celebrities as well as the first ever 5K Strawberry run.  This year’s theme was “honoring our exceptional educators” and teachers and staff members were honored with the strawberry parade as well as the pancake breakfast.

To learn more about this festival, watch the video below.

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World Fest is Back For Another Year

As previously reported last year, at Woodley park residents came out to experience the vegan lifestyle with sample foods, great music and more.

Watch the video to see what was new at this year’s festival.

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31st Annual CA Strawberry Fest in Oxnard Calif.

As Previously reported last year, the California Strawberry Fest brought hundreds to Oxnard California for the two day festival in the Strawberry Meadows.  New recipes were introduced and great fun as the beloved strawberry was celebrated.

For more information, watch the video below.

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Pet Expo 2014 in Costa Mesa, Calif.

On the last weekend of April, So Cal Residents came out to the America’s Family Pet Expo, the largest Expo dedicated to all types of animals located in Costa Mesa Calif. There was nearly every breed of dog, including Chihuahuas, Great Danes, Collies and even the American Pitbull breed and residents could learn just a little bit more about their favorite breed. Leading up the largest pet adoption weekend, there were also local shelters and groups offering an opportunity to adopt one or more of the dogs or cats. In addition to dogs and cats, there was also a variety of donkeys, llamas, alpacas, reptiles of all shapes and sizes, brightly colored birds and even Baxter the potbelly pig, who made his appearance known at the Expo.

Watch the video below to see more of the exhibits at the largest expo in So Cal and remember to comment below.

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Wondercon 2014

The 26th annual WonderCon saw sold out crowds as thousands of Pop Culture fans flooded the Anaheim Convention Center over the three day Easter holiday.   There were various new as well as classic comic books on display for all to see and purchase as well as the latest Wii and Nintendo 3ds games for the crowds to play.

To see even more of what WonderCon had to offer including exclusive interviews with several of the authors, click the video below.