Petting Zoo

Kindergartners scampered around inside a temporary pen Wednesday on the front lawn of Mark Keppel Elementary School. They inhabited the fenced-off area for close to an hour with animals of many shapes, sizes and textures. The visiting creatures were from Giddy Up Ranch in Acton, Calif., a petting zoo that brings animals on visits to schools, state fairs and birthday parties. Keppel kindergarten teachers invited the petting zoo to visit the school to give students an up-close look at animals, teacher Suzanne Buckhoff said.

Who says classical music has to be a formal affair? Not PROJECT Trio, a classical chamber ensemble fueled by the sounds of rock 'n' roll, hip-hop and jazz, from Guns 'N Roses to Duke Ellington. With some 66 million hits on YouTube, appearances on Nickelodeon and MTV and gigs in major concert halls, coffeehouses, clubs and classrooms around the world, this Brooklyn-based ensemble - Greg Pattillo on flute, cellist Eric Stephenson and Peter Seymour on bass - has electrified audiences of all ages with its virtuosity and wild enthusiasm for making music.

Fremont Elementary will host a family fiesta Friday, May 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will feature food, games, a petting zoo, bounce houses and a dunk tank. There will also be a cake walk and a bake sale. A silent auction will feature items from amusement parks such as Six Flags and Sea World, local businesses such as Joselito's, Once Upon a Time, and Tom's Toys. There are also items donated by the Magic Castle, Karl Strauss Brewery and Science Adventures, available for bidding.

Pony rides, a petting zoo and a plethora of activities made Saturday?s Dragon Faire the place to be Saturday as St. George?s Preschool parents put on the school?s annual fund-raising event. Hundreds of folks showed up to enjoy the Dragon Faire, which has been a part of La Cañada for the past about 35 years and helps pay for extras at the preschool. ?This is our only fund-raiser and it?s completely organized and run by the parents. It?s a wonderful event,? said Cherie McSweeney, who has been involved in the activity for the past 29 years, the last 10 years as the preschool director.

They closed their eyes and held out their arms on Sunday as Gomez, an albino Burmese python, was placed in the hands of four children who didn’t expect the snake surprise. The youngsters reacted with shock as they opened their eyes to find the python’s body in their hands. The Wild Wonders exotic petting zoo was one of the highlights during Montrose Shopping Park Assn.’s sixth annual Kids ’n Kritters Day in Montrose. Other animals, including a South American kinkajou named Kima and Cajun the alligator, also made appearances before a crowd of onlookers.

Ani Amirkhanian When local children, a porcupine, a crocodile and a python get together, it is time to celebrate the last days of summer with one last bash. The Fourth Annual Kids 'n' Kritters Day festivities kick-off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Montrose Shopping Park with a variety of activities ranging from an exotic petting zoo to a collector's market. "This is our nod to young families and children," said John Drayman, vice-president of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn.

Alecia Foster LOS ANGELES -- L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan was met by a loud "Thank You" from the children at Zoo Camp as he opened the doors of a new interactive center named after him. "I love Kids' Korner!" 8-year-old Anthony Montes said as he approached mayor. The Riordan Kids' Korner was one of the many new attractions unveiled Thursday at the new Winnick Family Children's Zoo. The new area of the zoo, which will also feature an animal care center, theater and petting zoo, was designed to give children the chance to get closer to some of the animals.

Amber Willard GRIFFITH PARK -- Visitors were allowed to get a little closer to some of the animals Thursday at the Los Angeles Zoo, with the opening of a petting area and other sections especially for children. After a 14-year absence of a petting zoo, the Winnick Family Children's Zoo opened Thursday morning on a two-acre site near the zoo's entrance. Five-year-old Rachel Trail was one of the first children into Muriel's Ranch, the petting area with goats and alpacas, as well as a miniature horse and donkey.

Who says classical music has to be a formal affair? Not PROJECT Trio, a classical chamber ensemble fueled by the sounds of rock 'n' roll, hip-hop and jazz, from Guns 'N Roses to Duke Ellington. With some 66 million hits on YouTube, appearances on Nickelodeon and MTV and gigs in major concert halls, coffeehouses, clubs and classrooms around the world, this Brooklyn-based ensemble - Greg Pattillo on flute, cellist Eric Stephenson and Peter Seymour on bass - has electrified audiences of all ages with its virtuosity and wild enthusiasm for making music.

The hairiest, smelliest barn animals are typically included in a petting zoo, but on Sunday, the Americana at Brand will host a more brassy, stringy zoo of instruments to pet instead. The Pasadena Symphony Assn.?s Musical Circus for children ages 3 to 8 is a free event and a symphony tradition that brings kid-friendly classical music to families. The Musical Circus is presented one week before the symphony?s classical music concert performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Pedestrians walking down Brand Boulevard on Friday were greeted with an unlikely sight ? two parking spots transformed into a recreational space. Protected from traffic with an orange safety barrier and surrounded by potted plants and cow balloons waving in the breeze, Osborn Architects co-workers Armen Isagholi and Brad Brewer lounged in lawn chairs, reading and occasionally chatting with passersby. ?I think it?s interesting to have a place or a time where you can take a break or relax,?

The 26th annual Montrose Arts & Crafts fair is taking place this weekend along Honolulu Avenue. According to organizers, the fair is one of the oldest events of its type in the state and the largest public event in the City of Glendale. The Montrose Shopping Park Association sponsors the two-day festival that takes place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. The fair features more than 400 fine artists, craftsmen, food vendors, California Certified farmers, musicians and entertainers who will be making their way to Montrose from as far away as Arizona and New Mexico.

Around 700 attendees filled Kenneth Road Saturday for the 17th Annual Kenneth Village Fall Festival, which included a costume contest, musical performances, face painting and other activities. The event, between Grandview and Sonora avenues, was organized by the Kenneth Village Merchants’ Association as an opportunity to bring the community together, bolster business and raise money for the Los Angeles County affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer, said Elyse Briggs, a member of the merchants’ association.

“Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.” — Author Unknown   Knock-knock. Who’s there? B-I-N-G-O, that’s who! Come and try your ‘luck’ and help the Crescenta Valley at the same time. This Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. is C.V. Chamber Bingo night at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club. Fabulous prizes will be donated by our sponsors: PartyLite Gifts and Candles, Silpada Jewelry, Bonners Rentals, Caspian Services, La Cañada Flintridge Country Club and more.

Kindergartners scampered around inside a temporary pen Wednesday on the front lawn of Mark Keppel Elementary School. They inhabited the fenced-off area for close to an hour with animals of many shapes, sizes and textures. The visiting creatures were from Giddy Up Ranch in Acton, Calif., a petting zoo that brings animals on visits to schools, state fairs and birthday parties. Keppel kindergarten teachers invited the petting zoo to visit the school to give students an up-close look at animals, teacher Suzanne Buckhoff said.

Pony rides, a petting zoo and a plethora of activities made Saturday?s Dragon Faire the place to be Saturday as St. George?s Preschool parents put on the school?s annual fund-raising event. Hundreds of folks showed up to enjoy the Dragon Faire, which has been a part of La Cañada for the past about 35 years and helps pay for extras at the preschool. ?This is our only fund-raiser and it?s completely organized and run by the parents. It?s a wonderful event,? said Cherie McSweeney, who has been involved in the activity for the past 29 years, the last 10 years as the preschool director.