The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler, Tomatoes.  The timing is perfect because the spooky season is also upon us. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than “Nights of the Jack” or the one of a kind “Victorian Mourning Faire.”  The Makers Market features the finest artisans in the valley to satisfy your shopping cravings. Get the skinny on what LA youth are doing to make our world a better place with “LA Talks” from NHM. It’s time again to strut your stuff…or to be more precise “Strut Your Mutt” to raise funds to “Save Them All.”  Also check out this week’s podcast and our next book event (take note, Broadway lovers.)

Till November 1.  Nights of the Jack

It’s a Drive-Thru Halloween Wonderland, Tomatoes! Truly! NIGHTS OF THE JACK is a family friendly, Halloween themed show filled with thousands of hand-carved jack o’ lanterns and so much more!  This looks amazing and a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Halloween, Tomatoes.

The drive-thru and self-guided trail itself is approximately one mile long.  Visitors are welcome to experience the attractions and generally spend 35 minutes on the trail safely from the comfort of your vehicle. Expect to see some larger than life pumpkin installations as well as detailed artist depictions of your favorite movie stars, sports heroes and animated characters. All ages will be thrilled by the Nights of the Jack experience, Tomatoes!

Oct 24 & 25. Victorian Mourning Faire

All around town there is no lack of Halloween events, but I think the Annual Outdoor Victorian Mourning Faire at the Heritage Square Museum looks fascinating and, definitely, out of the ordinary. You can learn all about death and mourning etiquette during the Victorian era, the movement of Spiritualism, and how other cultures celebrate and remember their loved ones. May the spirits be with you, Tomatoes!

And believe it or not, it’s family friendly Tomatoes and packed with vendors to shop from, information booths to learn about Victorian Death Practices & Superstitions, prizes, music and spooktacular displays. There’s even Spirit Photography! And all proceeds from this event benefit the restoration and preservation work of the Heritage Square Museum and the marvelous work they do, Tomatoes.

Great conversation with Barbara Hannah Grufferman about positive aging, staying healthy during COVID, and her recently launched the Menopause Cheat Sheet for women of every age. Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts. LISTEEN IN.

Oct 23. Makers Market

Tomatoes will enjoy the 1-day outdoor pop-up market event, “Makers Market,” at the iconic Valley Relics Museum featuring some of the finest artisans in the Valley! This open-air event is a great way to shop the highest quality, locally handcrafted goods and to support amazing local makers & artists. And it is co-hosted by one of my favorite gift boutiques, “My Creative Outlet”, Tomatoes.

From 11 to 5pm you can browse to your hearts delight.  Of course, wearing a mask and socially distancing is mandatory.  Jump on getting your tickets today because there is a limited amount available due to Covid-19.  If you can’t attend, then you should check out “My Creative Outlet” online.  My Creative Outlet is a local creative space that has hosted artist exhibits, provides a plethora of creative classes and workshops for a myriad of mediums and has a small artist boutique as well. The shop is closed right now but they have a wonderful selection of gifts online https://www.mycreativeoutlet.net/online . 

October 28. LA Talks: Voting for Climate

I think it might give us hope and comfort, Tomatoes, to see our LA youth in action and hear their thoughts and plans for a better tomorrow.  This panel, hosted by the Natural History Museum, brings together youth climate activists organizing for climate change and environmental justice throughout Los Angeles. Join in to see how the future is in good hands.

The discussion will emphasize the importance of voting in the upcoming elections and how this generation’s voices and activism can make an impact. This event complements the Natural History Museum’s current exhibition “Rise Up L.A.: A Century of Votes for Women”. NHM’s Assistant Curator of Ornithology, Allison Shultz will moderate the conversation with L.A. youth organizer, Amelia Pinto, Statewide Board Chair of CALPIRG Students, Nic Riani, and Founder & Executive Director of OneUpAction, Kevin J Patel.

Oct 24. Virtual Strut your Mutt

It’s time again for the annual Strut Your Mutt LA Walk event Tomatoes! But this year it is a virtual walk and fundraising event that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home while snuggling your precious pet or you can still strut your stuff and your mutt around your neighborhood, proudly wagging your tails to raise funds and save lives, Tomatoes. Woof! Meow!

Even if you don’t have to have a mutt to strut it’s still okay to join in.  All strutters are welcome. Though Strut Your Mutt has gone virtual, they are still going to have a calendar chock-full of brand-new engaging events hosted virtually on social media.. You’ll be able to join us for events like “pig yoga,” Advocacy Day, the Bow Wow Film Festival and much more. Can’t make it? You can help to get the number of homeless pets down to ZERO by the year 2025 by donating to Best Friends Animal Society https://bestfriends.org/ . You can step up and strut to Save Them All, Tomatoes!