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Enjoy Your Summer Outings At Three Cultural And Historical Landmarks

2010-06-02T16:15:52Z

In today's segment of Treasures of the west, I took you on a tour to visit three locations for you to explore this summer. We first visited the Long Beach Aquarium, and took an ocean harbor cruise to see one of the largest Mammals on earth, the Blue Whale. Just off the coast of Long Beach, these magnificent whales migrate every summer, and can be spotted on a daily basis by taking a harbor cruise.
An educational experience for the whole family!
For information on the Harbor Cruises:
go to www.longbeachcruises.com.

We then drove down the coast to the town of Newport Coast, to visit a secret treasure by the sea. Crystal Cove is a hidden gem, slightly tucked away in a small cove, you'll find 22 rustic beach cottages to stay in for a special vacation getaway. They're all unique in their own way, and can be rented in advance on the first of every month.
This is truly one of our Treasures Of The West.
For information on Crystal Cove Cottages: go to www.crystalcoveallieance.org.

Our final stop was to the original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, and is one of our historical and cultural landmarks. Many of us natives know what it's like to visit this charming marketplace, where you can find every treat you could imagine, such as handmade toffee, chocolates from Europe, freshly baked pies, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and a choice of authentic food from almost every country.
Great stop for tourists, and locals can enjoy an
evening of live entertainment all summer long.
For information go to: www.lafarmersmarket.com .

Enjoy an evening of big band music in a historic art deco gem, at the luxurious Cicada Club Restaurant

2010-03-07T06:10:04Z

This segment took us downtown Los Angeles to visit the Cicada Club restaurant. Here you'll discover a 30's and 40's dance club, and hear some of L.A.'s top big bands performing on weekly basis. It's located in the historic 1927 Oviatt building, the first art deco designed building in Los Angeles. Come and spend an evening of dinner and dancing to big band orchestras, and enjoy the ambiance of a building that was once known as the "Castle In The Sky". You'll experience what it was like during Hollywood's golden age, where parties included guests such as Charlie Chaplin, Cecil B. Demille and many others.

For information on the Cicada Club or reservations, go to www.clubcicada.com

The Mayme Clayton Collection, A Cultural Legacy

2010-01-26T05:54:55Z

This month, "Treasures Of The West" spoke with Avery Clayton about the legacy he passed on for his mother, Mayme A. Clayton, a woman who collected one of the largest known cultural treasures of documents, photographs, films, music, and books on African American history. The Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum is the new home for the collection, and is located in Culver City, where programming and events are held to celebrate this rich collection.

This is truly a cultural gem in Los Angeles, and is now available for the public to view, by the passionate effort of Avery Clayton who was an artist by profession himself. He shared his mother's dream by bringing this extensive collection from out of her garage where it was stored for many years, and is now in a beautiful new facility for future generations to see. For information on upcoming events, or to visit the museum, you can go to www.claytonmuseum.org

or call (310) 202-1647.

Celebrate the Holiday Season on a romantic Gondola Cruise!

2009-12-02T20:53:36Z

This segment of "Treasures of the West" takes you on a sunset cruise
through the historic Naples Canals in Long Beach Italian Style!

Gondola Getaway is off the beaten path in Los Angeles, and has been a tradition of the canals for over 28 years. Here you can take a break from holiday shopping, and bring a loved one, a bottle of wine and some appetizers, and see a spectacular view of the decorated homes of the canals. Just bundle up and come spend an hour on the canals that are just 40 minutes out of Los Angeles, and enjoy this cultural treasure this season.

Reservations can be made by phone, and gift certificates are also
available.
For information call 562-433-9596


We also visited the Waldo Ward Farms in Sierra Madre.

Here you can create an easy gift basket filled with handmade
marmalades, jams, jelly's, and gourmet olives that are shipped
from Spain.   This family run business has kept the tradition of
making gourmet items from their own citrus farm since the early
1800's.   Today you can visit the farm and see the historic citrus
groves, or you can order on line from the catalog and choose from a
variety of gift basket ideas for the season.

For information call, 626-355-1218

Click here to visit Gondola Getaway Website
Click here to visit Waldo Ward Farms Website:

Click here to listen to show:

Celebrate California's Early Spanish Revival Architecture

2009-11-04T04:40:05Z

In this program "Treasures of the West" takes you to explore three historic sites in Los Angeles that were influenced by our early pioneers including the Spanish, Native Indian, and Mexican. The architecture is of the Spanish Mission Revival design, with features such as hand painted colorful tile, hand carved statues, antique fountains, and mission designed furniture.

We first visited the historic "Mission Playhouse" in San Gabriel, a performance theatre that was built in 1927 in early Spanish architecture. Here you can attend an event in an authentic playhouse that was created for the famous "Mission Play", a production that ran for over 20 years at the theatre. This historic treasure has ongoing cultural performances year round.

We then made a visit to the birthplace of our city. The Mission District in San Gabriel is where the first settlement of Los Angeles began, and the fourth Mission of California was established. The Mission San Gabriel Archangel is a part of our early history, where you can take tours of the mission, and walking tours to four cultural museums to learn about the oldest part of Los Angeles, and also see one of the first grape vines that was planted in the 1800's and is still growing!

Last, we took a trip to see a Spanish Villa by the sea, and learned about the history of the Adamson House. A gem that's located on the beach in the city of Malibu, and is a treat for those who have a love for the art of hand painted tile, mission furniture, and Spanish fountains. Here you can take docent led tours, and spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of a home that is an inspiration to those who have an appreciation for Spanish architecture.

Click here to visit the Mission Playhouse's Web site.

Click here to visit the San Gabriel Mission's Web site.

Click here to visit the Adamson House's Web site.

The Annenberg Beach House

2009-10-20T14:51:21Z

Here you can spend a day enjoying California's sunny climate in a beautiful historic sand and sea club swimming in a historic pool, take a docent led tour of the mansion's guest house, visit the art gallery, have lunch at the "Back to the Beach Cafe", or take a walk down to the sea to catch an afternoon sunset. This "Treasure of the West" is open to the public for you and your family to enjoy, and it offers community programs year round including lectures, musical concerts, and exercise programs for the whole family.In September, I took you down to the sea to explore "The Annenberg Beach House", located in Santa Monica, and was once owned by William Randolf Hearst and Hollywood silent film star Mariom Davies. This historic landmark was known as the summer hot spot for some of Hollywood's top celebrities during the 20's and 30's including Clark Gable, Betty Davis, Charlie Chaplin and many others.

Click here to visit the Annenberg Beach House's Web site.

A visit to the small historic town of Ojai

2009-10-20T04:34:51Z

This summer we took a drive through the country to visit the town of Ojai Valley, located less than an hour north of Los Angeles, and about a half hour east of the Ventura Coast. Here you'll find one of Southern California's historic treasures, a town where you can slow down and rejuvenate your mind, your body, and spirit. It's serene beauty and open valley is filled with acres and acres of citrus groves, and long roads that take you up the mountain where you'll find hiking, and trails leading to peaks with spectacular views of the valley.

This small historic town has a short street lined with art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and metaphysical book stores, as well as the hidden retreats and spas that are tucked away amongst hundred year old trees, and are spread throughout the valley.

Today we'll visit the Ojai Valley Museum of History, where you'll hear about the towns first visitors, the artists, and where the name Ojai came from.

We then made a stop at one of the largest outdoor bookstores in the state, and found Bart's Books that is stocked with rare and used books, some first editions, and you can sit in an outdoor courtyard while enjoying the comfortable climate of Ojai.

Finally, we made a special visit to the home of a world know spiritual teacher, who left behind a place to rejuvenate your mind and spirit. The Pepper Tree Retreat was the original home of Krishnamurti, who after 65 years of traveling and lecturing around the world, left his 1920's country style home as a retreat and spiritual center.

Here you can enjoy a peaceful and serene environment away from the busy life of the city, and today we'll hear the story and background by the man who was the personal chef to Krisnamurti.

Click here to visit the Web site for the Ojai Valley Museum of History.

Click here to visit the Web site for the Pepper Tree Retreat.

Click here to visit the Web site for Bart's Books.