Events

With a freshly-minted middle schooler and kindergartener at home the days are now numbered for our well-loved (worn out) board books. And although we're sure to find good homes for many of our cherished page-turners there are a few in our collection that just won't make the cut.

Yup, the Vancouver Olympic Games open this Friday with promises of a spectacular ceremony. We've made it a tradition to gear up for the games by having a small-scale opening ceremonies watching party. As the event unfolds we wait and watch with excitement for our favorite parts, the parade of athletes (my son hopes to spy Shaun White) and lighting of the torch.

So we're a bit behind on our coverage, but we spent 3 glorious days in San Diego for Comic-Con 2009. And while it certainly lived up to its reputation for a mecca for general geekery, it was also apparent that it's in a schizophrenic crisis: is it a "popular arts" festival as the organizers have tagged it, or is it a comic convention? What does "Twilight" have to do with comics? or "Fringe?" Is 120,000+ people just too many, even for the massive convention center? Yes. The average wait for the main hall was 2+ hours.

It's almost total solar eclipse go time. If your family is fortunate enough to be within range of observing this event be prepared for one crazy show. However, if you're not then you're still in luck. There are some pretty impressive sites dedicated to bringing up-to-date webcasts and information about this natural phenomenon.

Comic-Con 2009 has released its geek-eriffic lineup for this year's fest in San Diego, and Sunday July 26 is officially dubbed "Kids Day." There are panels galore, including discussions about what's hot and trending in kids' graphic novels, a Jack Kirby tribute and Q&A with animated filmmakers, as well as producers and voice talent from television and movies. There's also a Manga workshop, a live old-timey radio program broadcasts, a peak into the world of Sccoby Doo, Wonder Pets, Muppets, Spongebob and Emily Strange -- and that's all before Noon!

The Music Center's family series World City is back this Saturday with a special program showcasing artists from our friends to the north. Join in on the fun when folk music group Le Vent du Nord and French-Canadian circus performance troupe Circo Comedia hit the W.M. Keck Amphitheatre stage with the sounds and silliness of Quebec, Canada.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, we schlepped down (or up -- it's atop Mulholland) to Skirball Cultural Center's ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950, an exhibit which explores the genesis of cultural icons such as Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America and more.

LA Kids Consignment is back this weekend with a massive Spring sale boasting, "Over 40,000 amazing kids' items from 375 families--All at 50-70% off original retail prices!" This is one of three sales held throughout the year which began as an idea over four years ago by Kristin Nelson who, wanting to make a little extra money to help support her family while she stayed at home with her young son, started having sales with her friends in her driveway.

If you believe in fairies or happen to be raising a petite pixie of your very own come to the Grove in LA this Sunday for a full day of "magically delicious" fun. This free family event is sponsored by The Grove, Barnes & Noble, Faeryworlds, and Noesis Publishing and boasts activites galore including contests, author readings, magic, music, fairy parades, puppets, a free screening of Labyrinth (go Bowie) and more. Check this out:

The Music Center in Los Angeles has a pretty fabulous educational programs they offer to families throughout the year. One of the series they offer through this program is Pillow Theater.