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San Diego, CA
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February 2012
Posted on Feb 29, 2012.
As far as my tummy is concerned, the four-month break in Lawn Programs at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages is the longest four months of the year. Sure, there are plenty of other food-laden festivals in Balboa Park year-round, but nothing satisfies my gourmet palette quite as much as the smorgasbord of treats served up by 32 different cultures from March through October.
For those still groggy from hibernation, each Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. one of the International Cottages hosts a raging cultural festival featuring traditional music and dance, colorful costumes, arts and crafts, and, of course, food. The event is free, and if you walk on four legs and have mastered the fine art of festival foraging (and begging), so is the food (bipeds pay a nominal fee for each dish).
As in previous years, a culture very close to home, Mexico, presents the first Lawn Program of the year on March 4. As a pre-celebration to the April 30 Dia de los Niños holiday, the event includes a lively array of mariachi music, folklorico dance performers, and all the carne asada and other spicy Mexican dishes one can ingest in one hour.
As if that wasn’t enough, the following week, on March 11, the House of Ireland kicks off St. Patrick’s Day week by making the lawn even greener with authentic Irish step dancers, festive costumes, music, and an assortment of home-baked pastries, just like mom used to make in the old country.
There are more events to follow, 32 to be exact, so be sure to check the schedule regularly to see when scraps from your favorite ethnic cuisine will be dropping on International Cottages' lawn.
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Posted on Feb 21, 2012.
Riesling writes: Dear Cosmos, as much as I love sniffing around the historic buildings along Balboa Park’s Central Mesa, I’m getting a bit tired of the same sights and smells. Are there any paths nearby I can guide my human companions toward during our regular walks?
Cosmos: As our bipedal walking buddies tend to be drawn to the picture-postcard scenery around the Central Mesa, it’s easy for them to miss some easily accessible and equally scenic routes along the way. Sure they may see the alternate routes, but because they feel unsure of where it will take them, they stick to the tried and true trail.
But there are two paths in particular that even the most timid travelers should feel comfortable taking: Palm Canyon and Gold Gulch.
If you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond the wooden bridge and staircase behind the Mingei Museum, that would be Palm Canyon. This lush oasis was actually one of the first sections of the Park to be developed. Home to over 450 palm trees of 50 different varieties (hence the name), it’s a veritable cornucopia of trees, glorious trees—and other plants, too!
While more intrepid hikers may want to climb the steep trails at the opposite end toward the Old Cactus Garden, the main canyon-bottom path dead ends, at which point your pack can quickly return the way it came.
The Gold Gulch, which can be accessed via the Zoro (Butterfly) Garden next to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, is another shady tree-lined ravine. Walkers can follow its paved path through great views of the Japanese Friendship Garden’s cherry trees in full bloom come springtime.
Here too, there’s nothing in the canine code to prevent you from returning the way you came once you hit the cherry trees, but a more adventuresome walk will take you past the police horse stables and on to President’s Way.
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Posted on Feb 15, 2012.
Question: What do you get when you combine the resources of two dozen cultural organizations with free admission for children 12 and under and multiply it by an astronomically high fun factor? (Hint: You don’t need to be a member of the Canis lupus familiaris to know the answer to this one.)
Answer: The 3rd annual Balboa Park Science Family Day, of course!
Come a-wearing the green on Saturday, March 17, when Balboa Park museums and arts organizations present a pot of gold’s worth of science-themed activities from 11am to 3am—all included in the price of admission.
The park-wide Family Day event kicks off the weeklong San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering 2012. In addition to the hands-on activities, the day will feature free drawings for prizes at the Visitors Center and the unveiling and procession of one of the world’s longest DNA models ever made.
Almost every branch of science and engineering will be covered at the various venues, from checking out bones like a forensic scientist (best job in the world) at the Museum of Man to learning the finer points of aerodynamics by folding and flinging paper airplanes at the Air & Space Museum.
And did I mention free museum admission for pups 12 and under with a paid adult?
To start planning your day’s itinerary, be sure to check out the complete list of Science Family Day activities at balboapark.org.
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Posted on Feb 08, 2012.
While a pet’s love is always unconditional (though a steady stream of treats never hurts), sometimes human love needs a kick in the pants once the “taking each other for granted” stage sets in. Hence, the reason for Valentine’s Day.
Humans, being almost as clever as animals, however, can spot the obligatory, insincere Valentine’s gift of grocery store-bought flowers and chocolates a mile away. That’s why it’s important to find new, creative ways to share romantic moments together.
So instead of watching a dozen red roses wither on the dining room table, why not view together hundreds of fresh, live orchid flowers blooming inside the Botanical Building? The current display features dozens of varieties in an explosion of colors that should be seen to be believed!
And rather than a box of sweets and dinner at Chez Portions So Small You Need a Magnifying Glass, pack your own picnic of favorite finger foods and find a “booth” with the best view in town (no reservations required).
In addition to prime spots in front of the Botanical Building, there are a number of more secluded picnic spots with views of the downtown skyline in and around the Pine Grove Picnic Area, Bird Park, and Golden Hill Park.
If the relationship needs an extra special show of material affection, the Balboa Park museum gift stores offer a wide selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, scarves, men’s watches, and other accessories in the latest styles that you can’t find at the malls.
For locally handcrafted gifts and jewelry, the Spanish Village Art Center also offers truly unique items that will show you put real effort and thought into your gift—unlike last year’s stuffed teddy bear with “Be Mine” embroidered on its heart-shaped belly.
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Posted on Feb 01, 2012.
February, that sad little winter month sandwiched between New Year’s and the first day of spring. It’s only cause for celebration, for some, being Valentine’s Day—that is, if you don’t count the fact that it’s also MUSEUM MONTH!
For 23 consecutive years, Museum Month has given San Diego County residents plenty of reasons to not spend the entire month of February hibernating. And I can think of 12 reasons right here in Balboa Park—those being the 12 museums that will once again extend half-price admission to bearers of the Macy’s Museum Month Card (no purchase required).
“But Cosmos, I’ve spent the last 22 Februarys hibernating. How do I get in on this deal?”
So glad you ask, my seasonal affective disorder-afflicted friend. Just head on over to any San Diego County Macy’s Department Store and request a Museum Month Card. One card is valid for up to four pack members. Present it at any participating museum (12 in Balboa Park, as mentioned, and 40 total throughout San Diego County) in order to qualify for half-price admission.
As a special bonus this year, thanks to Leap Year, you will have one whole extra day this month to take advantage of the deal. But don’t delay, there’s still only 29 days, and they’ll go by very quickly if you want to fit in all 40 museums!
