Just because you're back from vacation doesn't mean the fun has to stop. Earth Day falls on April 22, but seems to get celebrated all month long, as folks search for ways to "green-up" their lives. In fact, many celebrations take place this week, and our picks are listed below. For a little spring fun, we have a ticket giveaway to Madame Tussauds. Finally, we take a moment to remember the work of director Sidney Lumet, who died two weeks ago.
Ticket Giveaway: Selena Gomez is the latest celebrity to be immortalized at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and we have 4 Family-Four packs for subscribers this month. In order to win, shoot us a note telling us which celeb your kids want to be photographed with, and we'll publish the winners' photos on our blog.
EARTH DAY is APRIL 22: Inspire your kids to action by introducing them to CNN video clip a 13 year-old German boy who is traveling around the world to get kids to plant a million trees. Ready to do something locally? Join a Heal the Bay Nothing but Sand Beach Clean-Up this weekend, and then enjoy special Earth Day activities at the Santa Monica Pier. Drop in on the celebrations at the Descanso Gardens, this Saturday, April 16 (best for younger kids). Celebrate community and the arts at a Park La Brea's Earth Day Celebration, part of the Miracle Mile Art Walk, by visiting the Craft and Folk Art Museum's table, Saturday April 16. Try not to drive on Friday, April 22 -- then celebrate at Wilshire Center's Earth Day and Car Free Day celebration, including a free outdoor screening of Avatar with a special appearance by director James Cameron at 7:30 PM.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Come meet another inspiring young person: an 11 year-old ornithologist joins a special exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday, April 17 at 10:00 AM when the museum partners with The Audubon Society and the LA Zoo for Family Fun with Fine-Feathered Friends, an afternoon where you'll learn about bird-watching and participate in some neat art projects. (Click here for our Popcorn Adventure about Birding at the Sepulveda Basin). If your family got a kick out of last month's Born to Be Wild 3D, they'll be glad to know another fun animal film is in theaters. African Catsopens on April 22 and is an extraordinary new film from Disneynature, the studio that presented Oceans and Earth. Catch the new film with a live animal show called Exotic Animals From Around the World at the El Capitan Theater through May 18.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: On Sunday, April 17, another fabulous FREE concert takes place at World City at the Music Center -- Sakai Flamenco & Vagabond Opera. Tickets are distributed on Grand Avenue at 2nd Street. Distribution for tickets begins at 11:30 AM for the 12:30 PM performance and 1:00 PM for the 2:00 PM performance. If your kids are counting the days until the last Harry Potter film is released (7/15) keep them busy with this: College kids have figured out how to play Quiddich, the game invented by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter books. Click here for a fun YouTube video that shows how the game has been adapted at UCLA.
TEENS and PARENTS: Sidney Lumet's very first film is a masterpiece that starred a young Henry Fonda, 12 Angry Men. Moments when an individual stands up to the system, as Fonda did against the eleven other members of a jury who wanted to convict a young man of murder, were his specialty. From Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon, to The Verdict and Network, he set the bar for socially conscious story-telling.
One More Thing: Looking for end-of-year Teacher Gifts? Check out Artisinal LA at Santa Monica Place this weekend.
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