Tag Archives: los angeles

American Lung Association Releases the State of the Air Report

The American Lung Association (ALA) released its “State of the Air” report yesterday, which looks at the ozone and particle pollution levels across the U.S. for 2006, 2007 and 2008. As with most reports, there is good news and bad news. The year-round, annual particle pollution levels showed improvement. But, there are also more than 175 million Americans that are still breathing polluted air. In case you were wondering, that is about 58 percent of our total population. The ALA released a list of cities that are most polluted, based on ozone, short-term particle spikes, and long-term particle averages. Unfortunately … Continue reading →

GYM – The Green Youth Movement

We usually recognize the youth of today as our future, so it is important to teach them how to be green. Yet at the same time, we often criticize teens for being idealistic, but Ally Maize is one teen to put her ideals into motion with GYM, the Green Youth Movement. At the age of 15, Ally decided to make a difference after researching eco-friendly cars online. She started out small, switching to reusable grocery bags, and then having her parents use a tankless hot water system and add solar panels. Then, she decided to educate other kids on green … Continue reading →

Gathering Rainwater in Los Angeles

If you live in Los Angeles, harvesting rainwater is easier than ever! The city has started a new rainwater harvesting pilot program and the best part is, they will install the rain barrel for you. The one million dollar project was set up by the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 to preserve potable water as well as put a limit the amount of polluted rainwater that runs into the Pacific Ocean. The city has installed about 430 of the 600 available barrels. It is estimated that about 584,000 gallons of rainwater … Continue reading →

Spelling Family Home for Sale

If you happen to have $150 million lying around (come on, check those sofa cushions!), you can purchase a really lovely Los Angeles home. Aaron Spelling, known for such television hits as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Dynasty,” and “Beverly Hills 90210,” died in 2006 from a stroke at the age of 83. His widow Candy has now decided to put their lusciously extravagant house up for sale. She allowed her Wheaten Terrier Madison pick out the real estate agent for the job by seeing how the dog reacted. The job finally went to Sally Forster Jones, an agent for Coldwell Banker Previews … Continue reading →

Educational Fun

Do you have big plans for spring break? The weeklong vacation from school is traditionally a time when families hit the road for warmer climates, but with the economy tanking, an increasing amount of clans are planning to stay closer to home. If you live in a large metropolitan area like New York finding educational attractions to visit during spring break is a piece of cake. The American Museum of Natural History is a hit with kids of all ages, many who are impressed from the moment they step foot into the building. The museum’s entry hall is home to … Continue reading →

Athletes Stripped of Olympic Medals – Part 3

Here’s the final installment of Olympians stripped of their medals: At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, long distance runner Martti Sakark Vainio tested positive for steroids and lost his silver medal. Vainio claimed he thought he was getting testosterone shots instead of steroids, but allegedly, he had already tested positive for steroids at the Rotterdam Marathon earlier that year, but that information was covered up. In 1988, Canadian Ben Johnson was making a name for himself as a sprinter. He set the 100 meter world record at the 1987 championships and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. However, the records … Continue reading →

Summer Travel: A Saintly Destination

Have you ever wondered how city leaders decide what names to give the streets, roads and avenues we travel on day in and day out? I live near Titletown, U.S.A., home of the world famous Green Bay Packers, so it’s no surprise that the streets I frequent have names such as Brett Favre Pass, Bart Starr Drive and Reggie White Way. But in one of the country’s most populated cities, the art of naming streets has become the subject of a new museum exhibit. If you are looking for a family friendly summer travel destination that will provide more than … Continue reading →

Living Large in L.A. on a Budget

When I was planning our family’s annual vacation to Hawaii a few months ago I seriously considered breaking up the grueling 14-hour trip with a 3-day layover in Los Angeles. I figured it would be a great chance to visit friends and check out the local kid-friendly attractions. In the end I nixed the idea because I couldn’t find an affordable way (airfare-wise) to fit in the mini-vacation within our regularly scheduled vacation. However, I did find some great deals on hotel rooms in the Los Angeles area. If you looking for a place to stay in L.A. on a … Continue reading →

Planning a Trip To L.A.

If you read my previous blog then you know tourism officials in Southern California are desperately trying to get the word out to travelers that the region is on the road to recovery following the latest round of wildfires. In places like San Diego execs at the Visitors and Convention Bureau are going on the offensive actively encouraging visitors to stick with their original travel plans and not avoid the area. In Los Angeles where only a handful of major tourist attractions were shut down last week, the goal is to get back to business as usual. With that in … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Mod Mini-Golf and An Art Gallery Doing Double Duty

MOD MINI GOLF It may be the ideal destination on a multi-generation vacation… Miami’s newest tourist attraction combines mini-golf, a garden and contemporary art all on the same piece of property. Located in the city’s Upper East Side Garden, Back 9 features a mini-golf course that sits in a park filled with exotic tropical plants and spotlights a work of art at each hole. The pieces are colorful, whimsical and appeal to kids. Which is exactly what the course’s creator had in mind. The brainchild behind the mod mini golf course says he wanted to create a family friendly outdoor … Continue reading →