February 2 is the day those of us in the northern climes of North America anticipate in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will winter end early or will we endure another 6 weeks of freezing temperatures, snow and ice?

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

What Does the Groundhog Have to Do with Spring?

The history of Groundhog Day in the US is traced back to Pennsylvania Germans during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. The groundhog, which the German immigrants thought to be quite similar to the European hedgehog, who would fortell the weather on Candlemas Day. The Germans would recite:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until the May.

The groundhog, being a sensible animal, would venture forth if he saw no shadow, which foretold an early spring. Seeing a shadow would cause the wise groundhog to return to his warm burrow for 6 more weeks of hibernation.

Where to Celebrate Groundhog Day in North America Read More »

Festival of Childhood

The Echo Parenting & Education Foundation, a 10 year old organization, is holding their annual Festival of Childhood: Peace through a Child’s Eye in Los Angeles, CA. The event will be held this Saturday, April 30th from 1 to 5pm in the neighborhood of Echo Park. The idea behind this festival is to promote positive parenting with the notion that parents who raise their children with care and kindness will give them the incentive to display the same characteristics as adults.

The event is free (including admission & activities) and open to anyone who wants to enjoy a day of fun games and entertainment. The activities will include a rock climbing wall, face painting, live music, expert speakers and much more for both parents and children.

“This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to connect with one another and for Echo to share their parenting philosophy,” says Erica Knutson, an Echo Parenting & Foundation intern.

More information: Azucena Ortiz, Festival Coordinator (aortiz@echoparenting.org or 213.484.6676 ext. 311)

Where:  Reservoir Street will be closed at Alvarado Street
(one block north of Sunset and Alvarado, in Echo Park)

Chino Y Nacho and other Latin stars heat up SeaWorld's spring event!

SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego, and Tampa (Busch Gardens) are heating up spring with their Latin festival, Viva La Música. This event combines live performances from Latin artists with popular Hispanic cuisine and authentic arts and crafts.

SeaWorld Orlando will feature Latin artists every Saturday from March 12 through April 2, including Manny Manuel on March 19 and Ednita Nazario on April 2. The Orlando event will also highlight foods from the park’s new Executive Chef Héctor Colón. A full schedule for SeaWorld Orlando’s festival can be found on their website.

Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay will also feature concerts from Latin artists in March, but on Sundays. Artists appearing in Tampa include Elvis Crespo, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Angel Y Khriz, and Ismael Miranda. The Sunday night concerts will begin each Sunday from March 13 to April 3rd at 5:00pm. Doors open at noon.

SeaWorld San Diego’s Viva La Música festival is scheduled to run every weekend between April 30 and May 22. Concerts will take place on Saturdays and Sundays and will highlight local performers as well as international, award-winning acts like Intocable. Popular Mexican cuisine will be highlighted throughout this event.

As always, local residents can enjoy the festivities and save by purchasing a Fun Card 2011 pass. The Fun Card pass covers single day admission and entrance to the park for the remainder of the year.

Photo provided by SeaWorld Orlando

Looking for something fun to get you through the end of winter in Central Florida? (Yes, even in Florida the winter can get long!)

Head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for Bands, Brew & BBQ – a festival that combines good food, good beer, and good music every Sunday through March 6th to help ease you into spring.

The Bands

Every Sunday night at 5pm, a new concert will be available to guests of the theme park for no additional costs.  The scheduled line-up for the remaining three weeks of the festival includes:

• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – February 20
• The Commodores & The Pointer Sisters – February 27
• Travis Tritt & The Charlie Daniels Band – March 6

The Brew

During the Festival, guests can access the Festival Beer Garden, which boasts more than 50 specialty and craft beers among 14 different beer tents. Guests can get unlimited access to all tents  and a five-ounce pilsner for unlimited sampling with a $25 Beer Festival Wristband for $25.

Beer tents open at noon every day.

The BBQ

Along with the beer tents, the festival will also include several food tents in the park that offer a variety of smoked, grilled and barbecued items. Sample plates can be purchased for $4-8. Featured vendors include Outback Steakhouse, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, and Grill Smith.