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Dinos on Display
Two Southland museums are transporting visitors to prehistoric times with new permanent exhibits. Here are five great reasons to visit each.
|
Discovery Science Center's
"Dino Quest"2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana(714) 542-CUBE [2823]; www.discoverycube.org
— Susan Lendroth |
San Diego Natural History Museum's
"Fossil Mysteries"1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego(619) 232-3821; www.sdnhm.com
—-Kendra Strey |
The Scenic Route
Santa Barbara County's varied landscapes and historic landmarks have been featured in films from early classics, such as Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1923), to modern-day box-office hits, such as Sideways (2004). Want to visit sites made famous on celluloid? Request a free Lonely Planet/Santa Barbara County Film Tour guide by calling (800) 676-1266 or visiting www.santabarbarafilmtour.com.
— Danielle Pedersen
On the Money
Card Smarts
You shred your credit card receipts and statements, and you limit online shopping to secure sites. But does your credit card company also take steps to protect you from fraudulent charges? Many companies screen the use of account numbers and alert cardholders to any unusual spending patterns; some will waive liability if you immediately notify them of suspicious charges. For more information, ask your credit card company about its policies.
— Brenda Tabor
You Said It
The Westways editors are already thinking about the holidays — yes, in July! Tell us about your favorite local winter-holiday tradition, and you could receive a free Westways T-shirt. For details, go to "You Said It".
Build Your Own Castle
As summer beckons beachgoers to the shore, competitors in the 26th Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition (619-424-6663; www.usopensandcastle.com) slather on sunblock and prepare for the annual event, held at Imperial Beach in San Diego. This year’s challenge, on July 23, will draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to cheer on master and amateur teams. But why let the competitors have all the summer fun? Step up your sand-sculpting skills with these tips from Leonard Gonzales of the 10-man IB Posse, last year’s master-category winning team:
— K.S.
Sky-High Tours
At Mount Wilson Observatory, perched above Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains, docents lead free 90-minute walking tours every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Highlights may include a visit to the observing room of the 150-foot solar tower telescope, where you might see an image of the sun, and the visitors’ gallery, which overlooks the historic 100-inch Hooker telescope. From the mountaintop, you can revel in a spectacular view of the city below. No reservations are required, but sometimes the U.S. Forest Service closes access roads due to adverse conditions. Tours are offered through November 26. For more information, visit www.mwoa.org/tour.html.
— S.L.
Sweet Treats
By now, most Southern Californians have come across artisanal bread, cheese, and chocolate. But artisanal marshmallows? That’s right — an increasing number of candymakers and bakers are making the fluffy treats in small batches, by hand. In Van Nuys, for example, Roger Navas-Balladares of Split Bean Coffee (818-448-5185; www.splitbeancoffee.com) even creates marshmallows in special flavors for every season (pictured). This recipe, offered by Split Bean customer Kelly Spann, calls for the vanilla variety, available year-round.
— Robin Jones
Southern Fudge
- 2 c. powdered sugar
- 2/3 c. heavy cream
- 1/4 c. butter (softened)
- 3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 c. Split Bean Coffee gourmet marshmallows (cut into small pieces; use kitchen scissors)
- 2 tbsp. vanilla
- 1 c. chopped almonds
Combine powdered sugar and cream in a heavy-bottom pan. Stir constantly and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 90 seconds. Stir in softened butter, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and vanilla. Mix well. Slowly stir in chopped almonds. Pour into a lightly buttered 8-by-8-inch pan. [Editors’ note: For easier serving, butter the pan, then line it with wax paper prior to pouring in the mixed ingredients.] Chill and cut into small pieces.
Photographs by Eric Van Eyke, top; Melissa Jacobs (sandcastle); Todd Masinter (sweet treats); MWOA (Mount Wilson).
You are reading the July/August 2006 issue of Westways. Some information contained in this publication is time-sensitive, and the terms of some offers (cruise or vacation packages, for example) or services (provisions for roadside assistance, for example) might have been superseded by subsequent information and might no longer apply.