Fire in Griffith Park: Photos From the Scene

It feels like the whole state of California is on fire... and now even in our neck of the woods. While dropping the Blogger Kid 2.0 off at school this morning, a thick cloud of smoke loomed overhead. Turns out there was a brush fire in Griffith Park this morning. Here are some pics I snapped while driving by. Luckily, it's not close enough to the school, but they're keeping the kids indoors today just in case.

All Aboard! A Visit to the Los Angeles Live Steamers in Griffith Park

If you have a kid or know someone with a kid under the age of 10, chances are you've spent some time at Travel Town in Griffith Park. But right next door is The Los Angeles Live Steamers, which is open for the general public to ride from 10:45am to 3pm most Sundays.

Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific Railroad "Barn" is there, as are a Santa Fe Steel Caboose, Southern Pacific Steel Caboose and Union Pacific Steel Caboose. Steam, diesel and electric locomotives ride down the 1 1/2 mile track, through tunnels, old West re-creations and more. Riders even pass directly by Travel Town.

During the second half of October, a "Ghost Train" experience takes riders of all ages through a spooky course.

The railroad was established in 1956. Suggested donations are $3. Some pics from a recent visit with the Blogger Kids:

Free L.A.: Last Chance for Shakespeare in Griffith Park This Weekend

We finally made it to the Independent Shakespeare Co.'s free Shakespeare in Griffith Park (on the grounds of the old zoo, next to Shane's Inspiration park) last weekend, in time to see one of the final performances of "Much Ado About Nothing."



The free Shakespeare in Griffith Park has taken place since 2004. The "Much Ado" adaptation, set in 1945, was well-done, with sharp performances, some musical interludes and playful use of the audience. We brought along a picnic, and although it was a bit too long for the kids (thank goodness we had our phones for them to play with when they got antsy), I'm glad we got there. And best of all, of course, is it's free! (Donations, of course, are encouraged.)

Now it's your turn. The final performances of the summer are this weekend: "Romeo and Juliet" tonight and Sunday, plus Symphony in the Glen on Saturday. Details on "Romeo and Juliet":

Adolescent bliss spins out of control in this imaginative staging of the most famous love story ever told. This new adaptation incorporates an original rock score and design that is equal parts fairy tale and punk. A live band and athletic performances create a Romeo and Juliet that explodes off the Griffith Park stage.

More details about the organization:

ISC relocated to Los Angeles in 2001, producing several productions in small venues. In 2003, we partnered with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles to produce Free Shakespeare in Barnsdall Park. The first performance of the outdoor, free festival was attended by 14 people and a dog. By 2009, the summer festival performed for nearly 12,000 patrons, outgrowing Barnsdall Park.

2010 marked the start of a new chapter in our history: the summer festival moved to Griffith Park. It’s an ideal spot. It’s truly the park that’s for all Los Angeles, our stage is built in the gently sloping natural amphitheater of the Old Zoo, and the nights are peaceful. The 2014 season was our most successful yet: we performed for more than 43,000 people. The Festival has grown to include more than Shakespeare performances. Audiences enjoy pre-show performances by a variety of local artists, we host the Salon Series (conversations about the intersection of Shakespeare and contemporary culture), and families can attend pre-show workshops about the plays. All of our summer events are entirely free.

Go here for more information.

License Plate of the Day: Griffith Park Fan

Heart Griffith Park!

Pow! Bam! A Visit to Griffith Park's Bronson Canyon, a.k.a. Batman's Batcave

Sundance TV chose a unique spot on Monday night to throw the premiere party for its new series "The Red Road": The Bronson Caves in Griffith Park. Located up Canyon Drive above Franklin Avenue (yes, Franklin Avenue!), the Caves are a part of Bronson Canyon, and are famous for playing the Batcave in the 1960s "Batman" series:



Wikipedia gives some back story:

In 1903, the Union Rock Company founded a quarry, originally named Brush Canyon, for excavation of crushed rock used in the construction of city streets. The quarry ceased operation in the late 1920s, leaving the caves behind. The caves became known as the Bronson Caves after a nearby street, giving the area its more popular name of Bronson Canyon.

Scenes of the main cave entrance are normally filmed in a manner that shows the entrance at an angle. This is because the cave is actually a very short tunnel through the hill, with the rear opening easily visible in a direct shot. The most well known appearance of the tunnel entrance is likely as the entrance to the Batcave in the Batman television series of the 1960s.

For "The Red Road," Sundance brought in generators, set up bleachers and a large screen and ran the first episode. Border Grill and Vizzi food trucks catered. But one downside to throwing a party on park property: No alcohol allowed.



Here's a daytime visit to the Bronson Caves that someone filmed for YouTube:

FREE L.A.: Watch "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" at Griffith Park's Merry-Go-Round

Councilmember Tom LaBonge is sponsoring what he's calling the city's "1st Annual Family Holiday Movie Night," featuring "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" & "'Twas The Night Before Christmas." (Despite the movie night name, I've read elsewhere that they're actually screening the classic TV special, not the Jim Carrey movie. Whew.) The free event takes place Friday, December 20th, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. (Carousel rides are $2 per person.) Concessions will be sold, but bring your own blankets and picnic snacks. All proceeds will go to the Midnight Mission. For more info, contact Anne-Marie Johnson, 213-485-3337 or anne-marie.johnson@lacity.org

A Daytime Visit to L.A.'s "Haunted" Old Zoo

Just up a pathway from the Shane's Inspiration playground in Griffith Park lie the remains of the old Los Angeles Zoo. A popular place to hike, many of the old zoo's cages and other ruins remain, and the whole space has been turned into a picnic spot. But it's also utilized for Shakespeare in the Park -- and this month, it's the home of the Haunted Hayride.

This zoo lasted from 1913 to 1965, when the current, much larger Los Angeles Zoo opened a few miles to the north. Now, the old zoo's ruins serve as a popular sight for film shoots, such as "Anchorman." We visited during the day this weekend -- and yep, the bloody mannequins and other Haunted Hayride effects weren't quite as spooky, but still gave the zoo remains an extra creepy vibe. Some pics below.


The stockades!


Ritual sacrifice in one of the old zoo cages


Imagine the animals that once walked down these stairs.


Deep inside one of the old zoo cages


The "scary go round"


Creepy church




















Creepiest ice cream truck ever.