BY KAREN YOUNG
Kingfisher Road: This ultra-cute gift shop on Topanga, south of Ventura in Woodland Hills, has got most everything marked down for their annual super sale to get ready for new inventory. Get 50% off on Friday, 60% on Saturday and 75% on Sunday. Choose from an array of unique gift items, home accessories, clothing, jewelry and more! No gift wrapping and all sales are final. 4922 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills.
Hotel Surplus Outlet: The year end clearance sale continues with discounts on prices already slashed 50%-90% on tables, chairs, sofas, tables, lamps, drapes, framed art and more…as low as $10! Brand new and slightly used (five star hotel) furniture and accessories. Need a crib? Slightly used Bellini cribs are now in stock for $150 (reg. $499 and up). If you don’t see what you want, just ask because there’s a good chance they can get it for you. Become a Facebook fan to keep on top of all the new inventory. 16625 Saticoy St., Van Nuys.
All Space Considered: This first Friday event at the Griffith Observatory is a free monthly public program held in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon. Join the Observatory’s curatorial staff as they examine and explain the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. They’ll be talking about special moments in 2012 and what’s upcoming in 2013. The special guest is Cal Tech Professor Richard Ellis who will discuss “baby galaxies from the first billion years.” Seating is first come, first served. Friday, January 4, 7:30 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Franklin’s Movie Magic: Take an easy two-hour morning hike up Franklin Canyon which been used as a backdrop for movies and TV shows since the 1930s. Meet at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, 2 hours. Saturday, January 5, 10 a.m.
Decades of Dissent at The Skirball: Tune into a gallery soundtrack featuring protest music from the 60s and 70s , including songs by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Marvin Gaye, while perusing this exhibit that features more than twenty-five original protest posters revealing the persuasive power of art to inspire ideals of democracy. Visually striking and often confrontational, the works call attention to critical social movements that were shaped by the principles, rights, and individual liberties expressed by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The exhibition spotlights California activism around diverse causes—including peace, ecology, labor, and civil rights—showcasing iconic images and slogans that served as vehicles for social change. Through February 17.
Family Art Stops at the Getty: Get up close and personal with a single work of art at this half-hour, hands-on gallery experience geared for families with children ages 5 and up. Sign-up begins 30 minutes before the program at the Museum Information Desk. Every Saturday through June 29 at 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Click here for more info.
Nature Trek: Get your new year off to an invigorating start with this moderate to difficult two-hour hike covering Franklin Canyon from top to bottom with shady green trails and sun-baked steep paths. Learn about canyon history and its habitat. Meet at Sooky Goldman Nature Center. Sunday, January 6, 9 a.m.
New Year’s Family Festival: The Japanese American Museum celebrates this Sunday, January 6 from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. It’s a free day of Japanese premium rice tasting, education, and onigiri making. 11:30am – 1pm: Japanese Rice Demonstration/Tasting and Sales. 1 p.m – 3 p.m.: Onigiri Making and Contest. Judges include: Evan Kleiman (KCRW Good Food); Betty Hallock (Los Angeles Times, food reporter); Naoko Moore (Toiro Kitchen Japanese cooking teacher); Joshua Lurie (Food GPS blogger); Roxana Jullapat and Daniel Mattern (Cooks County chefs). Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. More information
Spoken Funk in Noho: It’s where poetry and comedy meet on Sunday, January 6, 8 p.m. – 11 p.mS. at the Ha Ha Comedy Club. Special Guests: Comedians David A. Arnold & Tommy Chunn, Poets Thea Monyee & Ise Lyfe, Musical Genius Brutha Gimel, Host of all hosts POETRI. Presale Tickets are $10.00; $12.00 at the door. Get your tickets here. $12. 5010 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood.
And you if you haven’t had enough, you can still get some more holiday fun:
Trolls Stroll the North Pole at the Secret Rose: What’ll happen this year when Santa can’t deliver toys to kids because trolls stole the North Pole, and the materials to make toys haven’t yet arrived? This production is a family-friendly musical, with over 16 original songs. For kids 3-93. Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Secret Rose Theatre), 11246 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood, $12
Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS at the Falcon Theatre: It’s another hilarious production by the Troubadour Theater Company when our favorite reindeer meets up with the music of The Doors. Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS, directed by Matt Walker, the third production of its 2012-2013 Subscription Season. Celebrate the Season with the Ovation Award-winning Troubies as they give a wild, stripped-down, bare bones, rock re-telling of the classic holiday tale of Rudolph, with a sexy, sultry, scary soundtrack of DOORS style music – and snow. Through January 13
Ice Skating: Some outside skate rinks are still open! Check out the MDF list to see what’s open.
