Well, Tomatoes, Woe is Me! Los Angeles is closed down yet again to flatten the curve that has spiked. We gotta do what we gotta do… to save lives and beat this horrible virus, so no complaining here. Just double check events I’ve written about to make sure they are still happening.  On the bright side, LA is still getting creative with new ideas on how to adjust and thrive during the pandemic.  The Gentle Barn has a brand-new and very clever experience. The museums are still closed but art is everywhere. The Music Center’s “Summer Dance DTLA” is back.  Feline Friends can be adopted. And the Natural History Museum has a favor to ask. Check out this week’s podcast. AND…the 3Ts now has a book club!

Sundays, July 19-Aug. 2. The Gentle Drive-Thru

You, Tomatoes, might be asking what’s a “Gentle Drive-Thru?!” Well, The Gentle Barn has announced that they are opening up to the public at their Santa Clarita location, with the brand new “Gentle Drive-Thru, COVID-SAFE experience”. Wow!

How Cool is that! And not only that, they asking for donations to restock the hay, feed and all things related to caring for their farm animals.

This sounds like a great way for the entire family and kiddoes to get out and enjoy a farm animal experience.  Hey, it might be from your car but in these difficult times it sounds like a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.  Even if you’ve been there before, this caravan tour takes you behind the scenes to areas of the California property that are normally not open to the public. And plenty more locations will be on your tour ending with you casting a wish in their wishing well. I’m sure the kiddoes will love that. 

I’ve mentioned The Gentle Barn before but, just in case you’ve forgotten, The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to severely abused animals. Through interaction with our animals, children learn reverence for all life.   And it it’s the time of year when all 3 locations in the US need to restock their supplies of hay, different types of grains, feed, supplements, and the veterinary care and staff to care for them. If you, Tomatoes, are moved to help them reach their $25,000 expense goal in funding, any donation will be deeply appreciated so they can continue their life-changing work, and all of animals will be grateful too. 

Listen in here.

Public City Art

Art is central to our Los Angeles communities, Tomatoes.  It’s who we are as Angelenos. We need the stimulation of Art to inspire our creativity and enhances our landscape. Did you know the city owns thousands of pieces of art, Tomatoes? And now, for the very first time the Public Art Database is available to the public and you can find these art pieces in the neighborhoods all across Los Angeles!  Wow! Oh Wow! 

You simply must check out “A More Modern Approach to City-Owned Art”.  For the first time ever, LA Controller Ron Galperin and his office have made the Public Art Database available to the public.  Yep! He did!  It’s all to encourage Angelenos to visit public art and ensure LA remains an arts and cultural hub and to provide a relief to art starved residents while our museums and cultural centers remain closed. All you need is a special map.  Users can navigate the map to see the name of the artwork, its location, the name of the artist(s) and what type of art it is. All you have to do is “Click”, Tomatoes, and a whole new world of art will open up to you. 

July 10-Sept 4. Digital Dance Series

You don’t have to get in the car and drive this summer season to The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Friday events. Yeah! Their free annual summer series “The Music Center’s Digital Dance DTLA” is… you guessed it…online this year with lessons from top L.A. dance instructors. There’s a session tonight, so grab your dancing shoes, Tomatoes!

This year’s Digital Dance DTLA features nine different dance styles for all ages if you love to dance, Tomatoes.  It all starts with a warm-up and a cool-down session with choreography and moves in between that promises to make you dance all your cares away. The beauty is that nobody will be looking at if you are feeling a little self-conscious about your moves so rock on Ladies. 

Jul 18 & Jul 19.  Su-PURRR Adoption Weekend

Hey, Tomatoes! Wonderful and loving kittens who are looking for a forever home are ready and waiting eagerly for you to adopt at the Best Friends Animal Society LA’s event, “Su-Purrr Adoption Weekend!”.  It’s all online and as easy as 1,2,3 and it’s FREE, Tomatoes!  Holy Moly!

Yes, you heard me correctly. Best Friends is waiving all adoption fees for all these precious furry kitties this weekend.  It’s the Purrr-fect opportunity to find your feline soulmate without breaking the bank during these tough times.  Even better…all the kittens are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, microchipped and ready for a lifetime of love!

The Voices of Los Angeles

The Natural History Museum here has been preserving the history of Los Angeles since 1913.  So, it seems vital that they document the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people in this region while the crisis is happening. There are a million stories to tell and they want to hear yours because your story and your voice during this historic and tumultuous time, truly and unequivocally matters.  Share your story, Tomatoes. 

NHMLAC is committed to be an institution of, for, and with L.A., and reflecting the present moment from your perspective, through your stories. As they say, “Your Story Matters”. But why?  Because stories and voices matter in a time of extraordinary crises and social change. Your story is also important because it will help learners, researchers, scholars and all of us to reflect and understand this historic time through your words and images. And I believe, Tomatoes, that it will, someday, matter to you and your family. For as long as this continues I hope for my own records, to find the words to chronical and express my thoughts during this very challenging time, Tomatoes. 

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