The Ferndell Experience, the cover photo and story from LA Life Photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke, highlights the botanical wonder we have in our midst in Los Angeles. Our LA Life Poetess, Lady Penelope, is waiting for an apology in Sonnets from Suburbia. LA Life Fashion Stylist, Felicia Arlin, is talking about “This or That” and much more in LA Style Stories. In Tastes of LA, Molly Cheek, the LA Life Tasting Tomato, discovers a very special, oh so yummy restaurant in DTLA. And there’s Fall fun galore for you, Tomatoes!

“The Ferndell Experience”: The Cover Photo and Story

How on earth have I lived in LA for most of my life and not known about the Ferndell Nature Museum in Griffith Park?! It boggles my mind.  Thanks to LA Life Photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke my eyes have been opened and I can’t wait to explore all that it has to offer.  A remarkable piece of heaven in LA as Lorraine so beautifully describes. Be sure to check out Lorraine Devon Wilke’s marvelous photos on her webpage and browse her entire website as it reveals the vast tapestry of Lorraine’s amazing talents.

Every great city has a collection of great parks, but there’s likely none other than Los Angeles with a historical botanical “museum” and rustic trail tucked into the environs of a much larger park. That would be Ferndell (or Fern Dell, as some spell it), a botanical wonder that’s part of Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Officially named “Ferndell Nature Museum” (the word “museum” referring to the sheer number of botanical specimens in the environs), construction on the park commenced in 1914 when the city’s park’s department decided to plant a rustic fern garden in a corner of Griffith Park.

Included in the design were fascinating water features — waterfalls, mineral pools, creeks and grottos, many of which remain — an astounding variety of flowers and foliage, so dense it’s said the park has its own ecosystem, and a series of trails and bridges that make for a charming, bucolic hiking experience. The history of the park (which I urge you to research… it’s quite magical!) includes tales of healing waters, both curative and youth-inducing; eclectic stonework designs, courtesy of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), and a hearty trail loop that starts at Fern Dell and gets you up to Observatory and back at about 3.5 miles. Of course, ending the experience with a great sandwich and some excellent pie at The Trail Cafe is definitely the way to go! I call this diptych, “The Ferndell Experience.”

Sonnets from Suburbia

LA Life Poetess, Lady Penelope (aka Penny Peyser), opines for a proper apology in… you guessed it…”Apologies”. She might be waiting quite a while for the one that satisfies. Don’t forget to order a copy of Penny Peyser’s (Lady Penelope) brilliant book, “Sonnets from Suburbia: More Candles Than Cake” . WATCH THE VIDEO.

LA Style Stories

Mindful choices will extend your wardrobe and give you more styling choices says LA Life Fashion Stylist, Felicia Arlin. I felt like swooning when I saw her patent leather leggings in “This or That”. Felicia is mixing patterns with nothing in common and that’s her kind of geography in… “Geography”.  As always Felicia showcases fab styles with a plethora of valuable knowledge imparted. Remember, I only highlight a snippet of Felicia’s amazing cur8edme posts so be sure to follow her on Instagram.  And she is the most amazingly insightful guide for helping you to find the right and most flattering style for you.  Just sayin’, Tomatoes. READ ON.

Tastes of LA

In Tastes of LA our LA Life Tasting Tomato, Molly Cheek, stepped out of her comfort zone to venture downtown to visit the Taiwanese eatery Pine and Crane, located in a charming DTLA neighborhood, and she was greatly rewarded. In making the journey Molly found the menu delightfully scrumptious at Pine and Crane.  She can’t wait to make the trip again, Tomatoes! READ ON.

November 4. Farm Day

Whoop-de-do! It’s Ventura County Farm Day tomorrow where you meet the people that feed us!  You might still be able to get tickets. Farm Day is full of free agricultural tours and activities hosted at a plethora of different farms, ranches and agricultural organizations across Ventura County.  Mr. Tomato and I have attended, and we adored it!

Visiting these agricultural digs was fascinating, educational and inspiring. It’s all about having fun, exploring the community food system, and learning about Ventura County’s rich agricultural heritage. The tours are self-guided. You travel in your own car, at your own pace, visiting the locations most interesting to you. Definitely perfect for a beautiful and rewarding day trip, Gals!

November 4. Los Angeles Pow Wow

The LA Pow Wow 2023 is open to the public so that everyone can enjoy the gathering of people for this one-day contest Pow Wow! The United American Indian Involvement (UAII) and their partners at the Autry Museum are throwing the shindig and no reservations are needed, Tomatoes!

The LA Pow Wow will feature a day full of culture amazing vendors, artists, musicians, community orgs, and some amazing drums and dancers all highlighting the best of Southern California. What a great way to spend an autumn day!

The Autry Museum of American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). They recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and they pay their respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

November 4 & 11 Forest Bathing

Huh….? Well, it certainly sounds healthy, and no previous experience is needed. Seriously, Restore + Explore: Forest Bathing with Debra Wilbur immerses you in the therapeutic energy of the gorgeous and lush Huntington Gardens where you’ll find healing among the trees, Gals.

Now I LOVE the sound of that. Debra Wilbur is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide who will lead the two-day forest bathing class and a guided nature experience that will help you discover pathways to restore emotional and physical well-being. What’s not to like?

November 5. Dia de los Muertos Family Festival

Enjoy Music, Food Trucks, Vendors, and more at Main Street Canoga Park’s 23rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival. Every year, the community of Canoga Park is joined by vendors, performers, and artists from all over greater Los Angeles and beyond to create and celebrate this memorable and massive festival.

It’s cultural, it’s educational, it’s a party! Aztec dance performances, beautiful alters, a classic car show, a talent show, food from all over the world and more. The Canoga Park Día de los Muertos Family Festival is organized by a small group of hardworking community members, local merchants, organizations and business sponsorships.  They do their very best to make the event a huge success with the resources available and they always accomplish their goal.

November 5. Rose Villa Oakdale Walking Tour

With the cooler temps of fall a walking tour this time of year is especially lovely. And what is especially lovely is the beautiful Rose Villa-Oakdale Neighborhood in Pasadena. This historic neighborhood has a variety of architectural gems ranging from the Arts & Crafts Period and the Period Revival Era that are worth seeing so check out The Pasadena Heritage Rose Villa Oakdale Walking Tour, Ladies.

Located just east of the Caltech campus, the district was a popular neighborhood for professors and others associated with the newly relocated Throop University (now Caltech) and Pasadena City College. Several significant architects were commissioned to design homes in the Rose Villa-Oakdale Neighborhood.

November 12. Making Memories

Did you know that November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Gals?  The Making Memories Festival was created last year to honor and celebrate Alzheimers LA’s 40 years of service to the Los Angeles community. 40 years! Wow! Please check out Alzheimers LA and their fun and educational multicultural event at LA State Historic Park. Tomatoes.

This year’s event will feature Ozomatli as the headlining musical performance and you can enjoy a variety of food trucks, games and activities and shopping along with informational booths focusing on brain health and other healthy lifestyle opportunities.

When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers, Alzheimers LA was there for me with free educational seminars at my Mother’s Memory Care Center. That helped bring me a deeper understanding of the condition as well as helping me cope.  Every day the Alzheimers LA organization delivers comprehensive programs, education and advocacy. Alzheimers LA definitely deserves to be celebrated this month for all the incredible work they do.

Exhibitions at The Skirball

The Skirball Culture Center just opened two very important exhibitions whose poignant stories and displays will enlighten the consciousness of every visitor.  Reclaimed: A Family Painting is on view till March 3rd and This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement will run through February 25.  These exhibitions take you on a remarkable journey, so it is definitely worth a visit to the Skirball, Tomatoes.

Reclaimed: A Family Painting tells the incredible story of three generations of women in one Jewish family from Czechoslovakia who spent over eighty years trying to recover what the Nazis had stolen from them in 1939. And This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement showcases more than 150 photos, highlighting the work of 9 photographers, taken from Movement insiders that reveal the vital work undertaken by a broad coalition of young organizers and everyday people whose collective action changed America.

Accessible Hiking Trails in LA

I saw this article, “8 L.A. trails Accessible to Everyone, from Wheelchair Users to Kids in Strollers” from the Los Angeles Times Travel & Experiences Section and just had to share it.

There are so few trails in LA built to be easy and to accommodate all Angelenos, so I love this valuable list.  Thank you, LA Times.