It's that time of year again: Old Pasadena's Film Festival. This year's line-up (July 9th - August 1st) is really quite impressive. Two of my absolute all-time favorite movies are being screened: 1973's Paper Moon, with Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal and Madeline Kahn, and 1962's To Kill A Mockingbird with the eternally sophisticated Gregory Peck. And in case you're forgotten, all films are shown for FREE. Just be sure to get there early to reserve a seat, or depending on the screening location, you may have to bring your own chair/blanket... and a jacket. As I look at the list again, I think I may also go see Field of Dreams, Sixteen Candles, West Side Story, Juno, A Room with A View, Tea with Mussolini... oh hell, if you're looking for me, on a Friday and/or Saturday during the month of July, come to Old Town.

A few more outdoor, summer movie locations throughout Southern California include: Cinespia (L.A.), The Americana at Brand (Glendale), Eat See Hear (L.A.)

Serenely nestled at the foot of the picturesque San Gabriel mountains in Arcadia, California, sits The Great Race Place: Santa Anita Park. With neighboring streets with names like Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard and Princeton, you should keep in mind that, if not careful, by day's end at this sportsman's paradise, the money potentially lost could very well pay for your child's tuition to any one of the similarly-named august institutions. 

While this December (the 25th), will mark the 80th anniversary of this venerable thoroughbred racetrack, which has hosted many champion racehorses and been the backdrop for numerous films, it is tomorrow, Friday, October 31st, and Saturday, November 1st, which are most important to the racing world at large. The Breeder's Cup World Championship With a purse of $5 million, it is touted as being the richest race in America. 

With the closure of Hollywood Park last December (after 75 years) and more recently, the Pomona Fairplex, just a few miles east of here, Santa Anita has pulled into the lead as the remaining true champion of West Coast racing. Of course, further south remains San Diego County's Del Mar, which was said to be a favorite of Old-Hollywood's crooner, Bing Crosby, but there's something special about Santa Anita. My late cousin, Barbara, (who celebrated her birthday here on several occasions and who passed away shortly before the ponies returned to Santa Anita last Christmas) loved going from Santa Anita to Hollywood Park to Del Mar and back again. As far as being dedicated to something or someone, she could have easily stood shoulder to shoulder with any diehard Grateful Dead fan.

I've lived in the Pasadena area all my life, and it wasn't until recently that I realized that The Park offers, every Saturday and Sunday during live racing season, a FREE, behind-the-scenes tour of the track's impeccable grounds  which covers the saddling paddock, stables, walking room and a few other points of interest. (When you first enter the main gate, I guarantee you'll be instantly reminded of Disneyland's front entrance, both in appearance and cleanliness.)

Our tour guide, Paige, who has worked at Santa Anita for over 30 years (she started at 16), definitely knows the ins and outs of The Park. The Seabiscuit Tram Tour leaves promptly at 8:30 & 9:45 a.m., on both days, and was more than worth the price of admission. (Oh wait, it was FREE! But you get my point.) The tour is about an hour and 15 minutes, after which you can have breakfast at The Clocker's Corner restaurant, just west of the Grandstand, or roam the grounds on your own and wait for the first race of the day at noon. I'm not much of a gambler, so I stayed for only two races, lost about $10 and swiftly left for fear of losing my shirt, as well as, my future child's college fund. Happy betting.

Santa Anita Race Track
285 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7223
www.santaanita.com
(Live Racing Resumes December 26, 2014 - June 28, 2015)

Seabiscuit Tram Tours:
(Saturday & Sundays, during live Racing Seasons)
8:30 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. 
626-574-6677

Who doesn't enjoy exploring a new or great museum? And as much as I enjoy going to the Getty Center in Los Angeles, I really do prefer going to the original J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Villa. I don’t know if it’s the proximity to the ocean, with its lulling sounds and perpetual breeze, but there is a certain tranquility I always feel while meandering through the museum and gardens at this Malibu institution. (Trust me, it is a perfect place to take a date.) And since its renovation and re-opening back in 2006, it’s even more sublimely spectacular than could might have imagined; having added an outdoor theater, for plays and concerts, and a café for lunch.

Built in 1974 (and fashioned, in part, after the Villa dei Papiri) this location, just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean (and Mr. Getty's former Pacific Palisades's home), is dedicated to the study of the arts and culture of Ancient Greece, Rome and Entruria. Even though the museum's layout is much smaller, as is the collection, than that of the Getty Center, there are more than enough exhibitions, films, lectures and concerts to make the journey up Pacific Coast Highway, well worth the drive. Plus, can you think of a better reason to pack a picnic and rent a convertible for the day?

The Getty Villa, Malibu
17985 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, California 90272
310.440.7300

HOURS:
Monday - Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesdays: CLOSED

ADMISSION: FREE
($15 Parking Reservation are required)

SIDE NOTE: 
If you visit both museums on the same day, (which can be done)
you only have to pay the $15.00 Parking Fee once.

The Ice Kingdom finally arrived at the world-famous Queen Mary, in Long Beach, last Saturday. Looking at the video it really looks like it will be great fun for the entire family or even as a date night. 

Having used three types of ice (crystal, white & colored), totaling 2 million pounds, to create this magnificent winter wonderland, ice artisans from all over the world have definitely given sunny southern Californians something unique to be overjoyed this holiday season. With Ice Skating, a Fairytale Castle, Santa's Toyland, Penguins, and a Nativity carved out of mammoth blocks of ice, the only visual drawback to this White Christmas may be the final tally printed on your receipt.

QUEEN MARY
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738 
QUEENMARY.COM
November 17, 2012 - January 6, 2013

PRICES:
Adults: $24.95
Children (5-12): $19.95
Children 4 & Under: FREEIce Slide (5 Runs): $12.95 Extra
Ice Skating: $12.95 Extra
Skate Rental: $2.95
(Day Visit To The Queen Mary included in Price)

I realize that this is very last minute, but if you're looking for something to do this evening, stop by the Santa Monica Pier to enjoy a free movie under the stars. Music starts at 6:00pm, with the movie starting at 7:30pm. So grab your date, a blanket (or lawn chair) and head out to the beach. Oh, and did I mention that's it FREE?  (Directions)

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-8901