Unwired Adventures

Week-end Things To Do With the Kids November 30th to December 1st, 2007

Out Of Thin Air: Caltech Beckman Auditorium, Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, 8 p.m. Magician Bradley Fields combines sleight-of-hand with mime and comedy in this family-oriented magic show. Tickets $25, $20 and $15; $10 youth. Senior rush tickets will go on sale for $10 beginning a half hour before the performance, subject to availability. 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. Map

58 Tons of Snow: West Covina Civic Center Courtyard, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, West Covina's Winterfest 2007 features arts and crafts, food booths, photos with Santa, and 58 tons of snow including a popular 80-foot sled run and two play areas. For more information call the West Covina Community Services Department at (626) 939-8430. 1444 W. Garvey Ave., West Covina, CA 91793. Map

KITE presents three magical stories, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, 3pm, One story each for the Sun, Moon, and Stars -- created by the KITE company. KITE is "Theatre For Kids By Kids," and is always gentle, kid-friendly, and FUN. Map

Glendale Centre Theatre - California's Family Theatre, Nov 23rd - Dec 23rd, A Christmas Carol – NOW PLAYING! Special Engagement. Spend an uplifting evening with us this holiday season as we present our 43rd annual showing of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Week-end Things To Do With the Kids November 23-25, 2007

Snow in Pasadena, 4- 9 p.m, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, Holiday festivities include performances, Santa’s arrival, live reindeer, real snow and a tree-lighting ceremony. Kids can play in 30 tons of trucked-in snow on Holly Street between Raymond and Fair Oaks, see live reindeer, ride a holiday train, draw in a kids’ art area and enjoy live music. At 6 p.m., Santa arrives to light the 35-foot Christmas tree in the One Colorado courtyard, accompanied by the Pasadena Tabernacle Children’s chorus. Bring an unwrapped toy or book for the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys toy drive, which benefits children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Children and adults who donate will receive a free photo with Santa. Information 626-546-1066. Colorado Boulevard, between Union, Fair Oaks and DeLacey streets, Pasadena. Map

Pacific Asia Museum is free to the public 10:00 AM, Friday, November 23, 2007. Sponsored by: Pacific Asia Museum Event Location: 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Cost: Free. For information, call: 626-449-2742  Map

Home, Home on the Sleigh, 1pm–4pm, Saturday, November 24, 2007,  The West Los Angeles Children’s Choir sings two of Gene Autry’s favorite songs: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Here Comes Santa Claus. A surprise guest from the North Pole is expected, dressed in a cowboy hat and spurs. 323.667.2000

Eaton Canyon Family Nature Walk, 9:00 AM, Saturday, November 24, 2007, Every Saturday morning, weather permitting, there is a guided walk in Eaton Canyon Natural Area. The walk is geared toward the family, including small children, and everyone is welcome. Walking shoes, sunscreen, water, and a hat are recommended. (Dogs not permitted.) The walk is open to the public. Walkers meet in front of the building. Map

Buck-a-Bag Booksale, 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 24, 2007, Get a jump on holiday shopping and escape the malls at the library's booksale. Fill up a paper grocery bag with fiction, non-fiction (especially biographies), paperbacks, and more for just a $1.00. Individual books available, too. Patrons can bring their own bags, or the library can provide them. Cost: Free For information, call: 626-744-7266 Map

Nature Hike to Eaton Canyon Falls, 9:00 AM, Sunday, November 25, 2007, On the fourth Sunday of each month, the public is invited to participate in a hike to Eaton Canyon Falls. The hike is geared toward anyone who's comfortable hiking 3.5 miles at a moderate pace, boulder-hopping, crossing the water several times, and doesn't mind getting wet. Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended. Hiking staffs are optional. Bring a snack for afterward. Reservations requested for groups of 10 or more. Dogs not permitted.  Map

SPOT Personal Satellite Messenger and Tracker

Imagine you are camping, hiking, mountain-biking, climbing or off-roading somewhere. Disaster strikes and you or someone with you is injured. Globalstar's SPOT is designed to help you in this situation and give you peace of mind  when traveling in remote areas.

I just activated my SPOT this evening. All that was required was to register the device and select the yearly subscription services. I recommend selecting all the yearly service options.

The unit is around the size of a GPS. They claim that 2 AA lithium batteries will last 14 days of use and a year without use.

Once activated, just turn it on press the button for track progress and users you give access to your account can track your progress on a map:

In the event of an emergency, press and hold the "911" button and emergency services will be summoned to your aid:

The "Help" button would be for non-emergency issues. You can setup a list of email addresses and cell phone numbers for text messages. Pressing this button would send a help message to your contact list that would include your latitude and longitude. You can pre-program this message in the SPOT website.

I like to go camping in remote areas where there is no cellular coverage. Sometimes I rent a satellite phone in case of an emergency. This unit will pay for itself the first time I don't need to rent a satellite phone.

I'll update my experiences with SPOT after my next trip.

You can buy them here: http://www.wlanparts.com/product/SPOT-1/

Week-end Things To Do With the Kids November 16-18, 2007

Elves’ Fair, Saturday November 17th 2006, 10am – 4pm, Free Admission. Amazing Music, King Arthur's Market, Hands-on crafts, challenging games, Holiday Gifts, dancing, puppets and music. Featuring the famous Angel Room. Taste the delights of the Bake Shop and the fabulous food. 209 E. Mariposa Street, Pasadena, CA

The Pasadena Laughter Club laughs every Friday, 6-7pm at 553 S Lake Avenue (inside Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary, Lake X California, parking in the rear). Free and public. All ages welcome. We use laughter as a form of exercise to strengthen health and feel good. No joke.

Weekly Folk Music Concert every Friday, 8-10pm. Experience traditional folk music from around the world right here in Old Town Monrovia! Kattywompus String Band gives FREE concerts every Friday night right in front of The Dollmakers retail store. Year 'round - rain or shine.

Old Town Monrovia's Family Festival street fair every Friday, 5-9pm. Street Fair and Certified Farmer's Market, with craft booths, kiddie rides, live music, food and family fun down the middle of Old Town's Myrtle Avenue. Free admission and always plenty of free parking.

20th Annual Kidspace Rosebud Parade, Register NOW for the 2007 Kidspace Rosebud Parade! The 20th Annual Kidspace Rosebud Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 8th 2007.

Things to Do This Week-end With the Kids November 9-11, 2007

The Pasadena Laughter Club laughs every Friday, 6-7pm at 553 S Lake Avenue (inside Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary, Lake X California, parking in the rear). Free and public. All ages welcome. We use laughter as a form of exercise to strengthen health and feel good. No joke.

Family Festival: Norton Simon Museum, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, 1 p.m. Travel to India and learn about Diwali, the festival of lights, through the Hindu gods and goddesses who are venerated during this fall celebration. Artist Katrina Alexei leads a drop-in mixed-media workshop in which participants construct a figure with multiple arms expressing its special identity, attributes and powers. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Map

Once Upon a Time: Norton Simon Museum, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, 2 p.m. Crispy and sweet, juicy and tart, red, green, yellow or something in between. There are more than 7,000 varieties of apples in the world. Discover all things apple and the joys of harvesting and selling this fruit with author Jody Fickes Shapiro. A workshop follows in which participants are treated to an apple tasting as they construct a mixed-media collage about apples and the harvest. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Map