All Aboard The Griffith Park Express

Thankfully, all of the recent Griffith Park fires haven’t impacted the locale’s kid-friendly attractions (although this most recent one came close to Travel Town).

We frequently find ourselves at Travel Town, where a ride on the mini train around the attraction is standard. But to tell you the truth, the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, located in the south part of the park (near the Los Feliz entrance) offers the better ride.

Both are operated by the same entity… but while the Travel Town locomotive just does a simple two loops around the attraction, the Griffith Park & Southern takes a more scenic track — going over a bridge, passing by two crossings, looping past the busy street and going by a few simply constructed town facades.

A few pics from our recent visit:

The Griffith Park train has been in operation for 50 years. It’s open at 10 a.m. virtually every day; tickets are $2.50 each (babies under 19 months are free).

Whither the Shrine Auditorium?

(Flickr pic by Alan Light.)

Now that it’s official that the Emmys are moving to L.A. Live’s Nokia Theatre, that makes yet another major event that has vacated the Shrine Auditorium.

The Shrine first opened in 1926 as the headquarters for the Shriners’ Al Malaikah Temple. Architect G. Albert Lansburgh designed the building, along with local architects John C. Austin and A. M. Edelman, according to Wikipedia.

The Academy Awards, the Grammys and the Emmys all once made the Shrine their usual home. Slowly, that’s changed, as the Oscars moved to its signature Kodak Theatre home, while the Grammys (which used to swap coasts, but now mostly airs from L.A.) expanded into the Staples Center. Among the holy trinity of Hollywood awards shows, that left the Emmys.

Now, of course, the Emmys move to the Nokia starting this year (with the Governors’ Ball at the Convention Center next door). Another event that also broadcast from the Shrine, the American Music Awards, moved to the Nokia last fall.

To be sure, the Shrine still holds many big events, such as the SAG Awards, and is the venue for USC graduations, among other celebrations. The venerable auditorium isn’t going anywhere. And it’s not like the Shrine has always held these events anyway; the Oscars only moved to the Shrine in the late 1980s after a run at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Emmys just moved to the Shrine a decade ago after a stint at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

But at the same time, people in the rest of the country will be hearing those booming words — “LIVE! From the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles!” — less often in the future. And the Shrine may be destined to join sites such as the Forum, the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena and the Grand Olympic Auditorium as classic L.A. venues whose glory days may be behind them.

Whither the Shrine Auditorium?

(Flickr pic by Alan Light.)

Now that it’s official that the Emmys are moving to L.A. Live’s Nokia Theatre, that makes yet another major event that has vacated the Shrine Auditorium.

The Shrine first opened in 1926 as the headquarters for the Shriners’ Al Malaikah Temple. Architect G. Albert Lansburgh designed the building, along with local architects John C. Austin and A. M. Edelman, according to Wikipedia.

The Academy Awards, the Grammys and the Emmys all once made the Shrine their usual home. Slowly, that’s changed, as the Oscars moved to its signature Kodak Theatre home, while the Grammys (which used to swap coasts, but now mostly airs from L.A.) expanded into the Staples Center. Among the holy trinity of Hollywood awards shows, that left the Emmys.

Now, of course, the Emmys move to the Nokia starting this year (with the Governors’ Ball at the Convention Center next door). Another event that also broadcast from the Shrine, the American Music Awards, moved to the Nokia last fall.

To be sure, the Shrine still holds many big events, such as the SAG Awards, and is the venue for USC graduations, among other celebrations. The venerable auditorium isn’t going anywhere. And it’s not like the Shrine has always held these events anyway; the Oscars only moved to the Shrine in the late 1980s after a run at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Emmys just moved to the Shrine a decade ago after a stint at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

But at the same time, people in the rest of the country will be hearing those booming words — “LIVE! From the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles!” — less often in the future. And the Shrine may be destined to join sites such as the Forum, the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena and the Grand Olympic Auditorium as classic L.A. venues whose glory days may be behind them.

Observing the Griffith Observatory

Now that the noise surrounding the reopened Griffith Observatory has died down — and, more importantly, parking is once again allowed up on the hill — we finally visited the newly renovated, expanded building this week. Even Blogger Toddler enjoyed looking at the models of the planets — pushing buttons, standing on scales to see his weight on other planets… and snacking at the “Cafe at the End of the Universe.”

It’s a good looking upgrade. The downstairs space exhibit is simple yet well done; the upstairs “Hall of the Eye” and “Hall of the Sky” exhibits are well organized. (We didn’t go inside the new planetarium, as children under 4 are only allowed into the first show of the day.)

The gift shop offers up some great L.A.-centric gifts in addition to the usual touristy knicknacks… but the cafe, run by Wolfgang Puck catering, is as expensive and lackluster as I’d heard.

Some pics:

Nice to see some things haven’t changed: The pendulum located in the Central Rotunda.

The views are obviously still fantastic.

The new downstairs “Gunther Depths of Space Exhibits.”

Blast from the past: On display, the old projector that thrilled generations inside the Observatory’s old planetarium.

Photo op alert: Sit next to Albert Einstein.

Technical difficulties inside the Spock Theater already?

Evan was hungry, so we bought him a turkey and cheese sandwich. That’s two slices of bread, some turkey, and a slice of American cheese. For $3.50. Memo to self: Open catering service, secure contracts at tourist destinations. Watch money pile in.

The strangest feature at the new Observatory: The “Cosmic Connection,” a hallway decorated by thousands of pieces of cheesy celestial-themed costume jewelry. Seriously.

Griffith Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Rd.
Tuesday – Friday: Noon – 10 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Closed Mondays

The 64 Reasons You Love L.A.

Los Angeles magazine is getting interactive, asking readers to vote for their L.A. faves in a mock, March Madness-style elimination tournament.

Some of the matchups make sense: Disney Hall vs. the Magic Castle? Indie 103.1 vs. KCRW? Apple Pan vs. In-N-Out?

Others are purposely quirky: The Vincent Thomas Bridge vs. Trader Joes. Central Library vs. Vin Scully. 99 Cents Only Stores vs. Topanga Canyon. Rooftop Neon vs. Taco Trucks.

The idea is to get people talking about their Los Angeles faves. And the list purposely leaves out plenty. Our friend Mary Melton, who’s acting editor at LA Mag right now while Kit Rachlis is on sabbatical, writing a book, emails us with more details:

Out of this first round of voting, which lasts until February 25, we’ll narrow the field to 32 (to be announced in the April issue and on the web site), then 16 (May), 8 (June), the final four (July), and then one winner (August, in our Best of LA issue). Each month readers will be able to vote anew, and find out the results in the magazine and on the web site.

I’m already campaigning to make Langer’s the ultimate winner. And if you’re wondering why, then clearly you’ve never ventured to MacArthur Park for pastrami. Shame on you.

Go to lamag.com and vote right now. Your thoughts on the above face offs?

Total Eclipse of the Moon

(Flickr pic by Grzesiek.)

Turn around, bright eyes: Griffith Observatory will be open late tonight to celebrate this evening’s total lunar eclipse.

Event starts with moonrise at 5:30 p.m.; the Observatory will be open until 10 p.m. to mark the event. Totality begins at 7:01 p.m. and ends at 7:52 p.m.

Some details from the Observatory:

Griffith Observatory will celebrate the total lunar eclipse with special activities on the front lawn, including a star party co-hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., P.S.T.

Telescopes will be operated on the front lawn to provide the public with viewing opportunities of the Moon during the eclipse, as well as Saturn, Mars, and other astronomical objects. Griffith Observatory Director Dr. E.C. Krupp and Curator Dr. Laura Danly will provide a play-by-play report of the progress of the eclipse. All exhibits and telescopes will be open and free to the public. There will also be brief lectures inside the building.

Southern California won’t experience another total lunar eclipse until Dec. 21, 2010 — so if you miss tonight’s events, you have nearly three years to clear your schedule for the next one.

Total Eclipse of the Moon

(Flickr pic by Grzesiek.)

Turn around, bright eyes: Griffith Observatory will be open late tonight to celebrate this evening’s total lunar eclipse.

Event starts with moonrise at 5:30 p.m.; the Observatory will be open until 10 p.m. to mark the event. Totality begins at 7:01 p.m. and ends at 7:52 p.m.

Some details from the Observatory:

Griffith Observatory will celebrate the total lunar eclipse with special activities on the front lawn, including a star party co-hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., P.S.T.

Telescopes will be operated on the front lawn to provide the public with viewing opportunities of the Moon during the eclipse, as well as Saturn, Mars, and other astronomical objects. Griffith Observatory Director Dr. E.C. Krupp and Curator Dr. Laura Danly will provide a play-by-play report of the progress of the eclipse. All exhibits and telescopes will be open and free to the public. There will also be brief lectures inside the building.

Southern California won’t experience another total lunar eclipse until Dec. 21, 2010 — so if you miss tonight’s events, you have nearly three years to clear your schedule for the next one.

Weekend Pointers

Hollywood Santa Parade: If you like your stars D-list, your Kasems Casey and your parades in Hollywood, then the first annual Hollywood Santa Parade — the phoenix rising from the ashes of the now-defunct Hollywood Christmas Parade — is for you.

“Stars” include: Dancing with the Stars’ Edyta Sliwinksa, Louis van Amstel, Kym
Johnson, and Alec Mazo; High School Musical’s Kaycee Stroh and Olesya Rulin; Entourage’s Rex Lee; The Dog Whisperer’s Cesar Millan; Cheetah Girls’ Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams; Casey and Jean Kasem; Vicki Lawrence; Fred Willard; and Dick Van Patten.

Bob Barker is grand marshall. Parade takes place Sunday, Nov. 25, starting at Hollywood and Orange, traveling east to Vine, south to Sunset Boulevard and then west back to Orange.

Programming Notes: Check out the 1995 documentary “Things That Aren’t Here Anymore” Saturday night at 7 p.m. on KCET/Channel 28.

Hosted by the late Ralph Story, the program looks at a variety of vanished Los Angeles icons, from the Brown Derby restaurants to the Red Cars.

Also, fans of Ira Glass’ “This American Life” will want to check out KCRW/89.9 FM on Thursday and Friday. The station is running a marathon of “Life” episodes from noon to 5 on both days.

No word on whether any of those episodes will include the interview with Jonathan Gold, who recently recounted his culinary trek down Pico. (An inspiration, as you well know, for last Saturday’s Great Los Angeles Walk.

Finally, KTLA is going retro this weekend, with a 60-hour marathon of classic TV shows. Programming will include episodes of black-and-white entries such as “The Jack Benny Program,” “The Honeymooners” and “The Munsters,” as well as 70s fare like “CHiPs,” “Happy Days” and “Wonder Woman,” 80s entries such as “Charles in Charge” and “Doogie Howser,” and more recent shows including “Friends” and “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

Station will also air classic kids shows, including “Time for Beany, “Popeye & Friends” and “Underdog.” Marathon starts at 10 p.m. tonight and continues until Monday morning.

DWP Festival of Lights: I personally find the Griffith Park event rather sad; the lights are lackluster, particularly if you’re stuck in your car for several hours waiting to drive through the display. (I’ve seen better in small towns.)

Nonetheless, if you’re gonna check it out this year, go now, as cars aren’t allowed in until Nov. 25. The walk would do ya good, anyway. (BTW, Evan and I got a sneak peak the other day, as we were driving home on Sunday at around 5 p.m. after an afternoon at Shane’s Inspiration in Griffith Park. Many of the lights were on… and sorry to say, it looks the same as it does every year. Blogger Toddler was not impressed.)

A Very Ellroy Christmas

Of all the various holiday events in Los Angeles this year, Esotouric has come up with by far the coolest: The James Ellroy Digs L.A. Bus Tour.

The tour takes place Saturday, Dec. 22, and it looks like Esotouric added a second date, on Dec. 29. Sadly, it appears both events are already sold out; I’m sure you can at least get your name on the waiting list for one of the $60 tickets.

Here are the details:

Passengers on “James Ellroy Digs L.A.” will gather at Arnie Morton’s downtown bar (opened specially for our party), then accompany the author in a luxurious coach class bus on an uncensored time travel journey to tony Hancock Park, where he stalked his teenage classmates and later broke into houses. . . to the Hollywood flats to explore some of the heinous 1950s murder cases that fascinated him as a youth and continue to feed his obsessions. . . and out to El Monte, where his mother Geneva was murdered, the unsolved crime that runs through all his work, from “The Black Dahlia” to “My Dark Places.”

James Ellroy says, “I dig L.A. because I’m from here. My parents hatched me in a cool locale. I’m desperate to impress people, I’m a good talker, I know a shitload about L.A. and I want to share it. On this tour, you’ll get L.A. crime and social history on an unparalleled AND intimate scale.”

Sadly, I haven’t been able to take an Esotouric tour yet; that’s definitely on my list as a “must” for 2008.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like The Holidays: The Ice Skating Rink is Back

One of the sure signs that the holidays have returned to L.A.: Pershing Square’s Downtown on Ice outdoor ice skating rink is now open, and will remain open daily through Jan. 21.

Admission is $6, while the skate rental is an additional $2. From the promo materials:

It’s the coolest way to add a little winter chill to the holidays without breaking the bank. Special events like free youth hockey clinics, a free concert series, the free Winter Holiday Festival (December 7, 8, 9), weekend Kids Zone interactive entertainment, and others, make it the number one winter destination for families, thanks to sponsorship from the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the Los Angeles Kings, and Councilmember Jan Perry (9th District).

The rink is open every day, noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday thrugh Sunday. (From Dec. 14 to Jan. 6, it’s open 10 to 10 every day.)

In case you missed it, I recently posted video of us getting engaged right there at the downtown ice skating rink in 2001.