Editor's Note

More changes for The Letter Home! It has become increasingly more difficult to send large quantities of newsletters from my email address without it getting tagged as spam. I have looked into some of the email newsletter services, and am testing one of them on a target group this month. Regardless of which newsletter service I decide upon, it will require that I transfer my mailing list. All of the available options do have privacy policies that indicate email addresses are not sold or otherwise shared. However, if you receive TLH as an email, and you do not want your email address transferred to the new newsletter service, please let me know ASAP! You can also join TLH yahoogroups. Finally, "The Letter Home" will continue to be available here, online.

Lenore Colacion Hayes
Publisher/Editor

About The Letter Home

The Letter Home is published monthly by BayShore School & Educational Services. The newsletter is only available through email and on our webpage. Many of you have asked if it is ok to share this email newsletter with others ...most certainly, YES!! If using material from this newsletter for another publication, please cite "The Letter Home" as your source and list our website, email and/or mailing address.

The events listed in this newsletter are not planned by BayShore (unless otherwise noted). Questions about events/activities should be directed to the person/organization cited in each item.

The views expressed in articles and advertisements in The Letter Home belong to the authors and advertisers, not necessary to The Letter Home, BayShore Educational Services or its owners and staff.  

Edited by Lenore Colacion Hayes and two cats, Fig and Max who try very hard to get this in your email box by the 10th day of each month.
Extra special thanks to Thea Teeter for rummaging through the internet in search of interesting tidbits!

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May Historical Events

1: Empire State Building opened, 1931
3: DC incorporated as a city, 1802
4: Dutch explorer Peter Minuit landed on Manhattan Island, 1626
5: John Scopes arrested in Tennessee for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution, 1925
6: Hindenberg crashed in Lakehurst, NJ 1937
8: First transatlantic flight, 1919
9: First U.S. newspaper cartoon published in Ben Franklin’s PA Gazette, 1754
- Transcontinental Railroad completed, 1869
10: First Mother’s Day observance in WVA & PA, 1908
15: Truman Doctrine approved 1947
16: First Academy Awards held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 1929
17: NY Stock Exchange established in 1792
18: TN Valley Authority created, 1933
- Mt. St. Helen’s volcano (WA) erupted, 1980
20: Charles Lindbergh began historic solo flight, 1927
21: Lindbergh completed flight in Paris, 1927
21: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, 1881
24: Samuel Morse transmitted first message as America’s first telegraph line was opened, 1944.
- Brooklyn Bridge, linking Brooklyn and Manhattan opened to traffic, 1883
25: Babe Ruth hit home run #714 and the last of his career, 1935
27: First recorded execution of a witch in MA, 1647
- Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public, 1937
28: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in France, 1431.

This Weekend!

April 28: The Eighth Annual Home’sCool Dance for Homeschooled Teens and their guests (ages 12-18). This year’s theme is “Morp” (Prom spelled backwards). Modest Dress is a must, your choice of casual, dressy, or Couture Thrift Shop!! Cost $15.00/person (discounted to $10.00 if dressed in theme attire). Time: 7 - 10 PM. The dance will feature a professional DJ, refreshments, and fun! Modest dancing: no freak dancing, moshing, grind dancing. Modest Clothing & respectful behavior/language are required. Dances are fully chaperoned. Professional DJ featuring cleaned-up versions of all your favorites! Locked-down dance. Dance will be held at Temecula Community Center 28816 Pujol Street in Temecula. Questions? Email Brindi.

April 28-29: 12th Annual Festival of Books on the UCLA campus. This annual event is not to be missed! Two days of workshops, activities, and vendors. Even if you don't attend any of the workshops (with many notable writers!), it is worth the trek to UCLA to book shop. Parking on the UCLA campus is $8.00. Visit the L.A. Times website for updates.

April 29: Art on the Waterfront Festival (Port of Los Angeles Harbor Boulevard between Santa Cruz and 3rd Streets, San Pedro). The first annual event will feature six commissioned art installation in 20-foot cargo containers against the backdrop of the nation’s largest container port. This free event will run from 11 AM to 5 PM and will also include skateboard demonstrations; artist-led children’s activities; 30 artist booths; cultural dance performances; and chalk artists. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, go to the festival website.

May 2007

May 3: A Visit with Montezuma at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills)· History Comes Alive when a professional actor portraying Montezuma, the last great Aztec Emperor of Mexico, shares interesting facts about his life, the conquest of his land, and the history of Mexico from the earliest of times. Plaza of Mesoamerican Heritage. Time: 11 AM (9:30AM program is full). This free event requires reservations, which can be completed online.

May 4 - 6: Cinco de Mayo Festival at Olvera Street (El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park, 845 N. Alameda Street in Los Angeles). Celebration of Mexico's victory over French forces in Puebla, Mexico in 1862 with popular and traditional music, cultural presentations, festival, dance, food and live entertainment. Workshops for children include coloring portraits of the Mexican heroes, storytelling about the important battle, learning to make piñatas and Mexican flags. Entertainment will include traditional folkloric music and dance, piñata breaking, and a display of traditional Mexican dresses. Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM. Click here to read more about the history of Cinco de Mayo. Event information: 213/628.1274.

May 5: Speedcubing at the Cube Discovery Science Center (2500 N. Main Street in Santa Ana). Witness history as the world's most masterful minds assemble at to showcase their Rubik's Cube expertise. The day-long (10 AM - 5 PM) event will feature speedcubing world record holders striving to solve the Rubik's Cube in record fast times. With the assistance of Tyson Mao (one of the Worlds' fastest and most prominent Rubik's Cube solvers) there will be at least three events open to competitors: speed solving, one-handed speed solving, and blindfolded competitions, along with a possible surprise challenge. Spectators will have the unique opportunity to become a part of the current speedcubing craze by witnessing these extraordinary minds and agile hands at work. Admission: $12.95 adults; $9.95 children 3-17. For more information call: 714/913.5018, or visit the website.

May 5: May Faire at the Waldorf School of Orange County (2350 Canyon Drive, Costa Mesa). An old-fashioned May Faire with Waldorf students demonstrating Maypole dancing, including the weaving of the ribbons.
All are invited to make crafts and floral hair garlands, join in folk dances and games. The day’s events will also include food, music, and dance. This free event runs from 10 AM - 2 PM. Call 949/574.7775 for more information.

May 5: Creative Careers Day at the Tiger Woods Learning Center (520 N. Gilbert, Anaheim). Disney art designers will demonstrate how shows come to life, from concept to the finished design. Then, Art Center instructors and transportation designers who have designed many of the cars you see on the road today will demonstrate how creativity makes all the difference in vehicles of the future. After a dynamic and fun presentation on design basics, audiences will be invited to take part in creating their own designs, including a futuristic vehicle and Disney art project. Recommended for ages 12 – 18. Presented by : Disney Entertainment and the Charter Development Alliance & Art Center College of Design. This free event requires RSVP by calling 714/556.5160 extension 16. Times: 11 AM - 1 PM; another session at 1 - 3 PM.

May 5: HEART Seminar: Successful Junior High and High School at Home
(held at the Village Bible Church, 12671 Buaro Street in Garden Grove). This all day seminar features Mary Schofield, experienced home educator, speaker and author of The High School Handbook, who will discuss such topics as emergency quick start to homeschooling teens; educational goals; choosing subjects to study; designing courses, grading; record keeping and transcripts; and graduation requirements. Cost: $39.00/person (if pre registered by April 20); $49.00/person at the door; $10.00/per each additional family member. Lunch is provided. Registration opens at 8:30 AM; the seminar runs from 9 AM through 4 PM. This seminar is from a Christian perspective, however, regardless of faith, the information provided in the HEART seminars, and by Mary Schofield are exceptionally helpful for all homeschoolers interested in this topic. Online registration is available through the Biola College website, or call 562/777.4087 for more information.

May 6: Spring Festival at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens (CSU Long Beach campus, 1250 Bellflower Blvd.). Enjoy a live Japanese taiko drum concert along with a stunning ensemble of Asian drum and dance performances in the spectacular garden setting. View fabulous displays that enrich your understanding of these magnificent art forms. Art projects appropriate for all ages will be ongoing throughout the festival. Remember to eat lunch before you arrive. Tea, bottled water, and treats will be available for purchase at the festival. Admission: Adults $7, Seniors & CSULB Students $6, Friends of the Japanese Garden Members $5, Children 12 and under free. Hours: 12 - 4 PM. For more information or driving directions, visit the Gardens website.

May 6: Romance of the Ranchos Festival at the Homestead Museum (15415 East Don Julian Road, City of Industry). Journey back to the days of early California with such events as music, demonstrations of blacksmithing, pottery making and woodworking; adobe-making, historic house tours; crafts, including papel picado; and period games (horseshoes, Monte, and Faro). This 1 - 5 PM event offers free admission; food and shopping will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, the festival will be canceled. Call 626/968.8492 or visit the Rancho website.

May 6: Soul Inspiration: Nourishment for the Soul at the California African American Museum (600 State Drive in Exposition Park, Los Angeles). A day filled with soulful performances, inspiring artists and a "healthy eating" workshop featuring one of our community's top chefs. Museum opens at 11 AM; live program begins at 1 PM (until 5 PM). Admission to this event is free; parking at 39th and Figueroa Streets is $6 per vehicle.
Call 213/744.7432 for more information, or visit the Museum website.

May 12: 24th Annual Family Fun Fest celebrating Children’s Day at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (244 S. San Pedro Street in Los Angeles). Spend time at the Asian Pacific Arts & Crafts Faire where children can enjoy games and crafts; handcrafted arts items and food will be available for purchase. Taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese classical and Hawaiian dances will be performing throughout the day on the JACCC Main Stage. Cultural discovery workshops, such as sushi making, Manju making, and Taiko will be led by local artists and professionals. Pre registration is recommended for the workshops. Call 213/628.2725 or visit the JACCC website.

May 12: How to Grow a 500-Pound Pumpkin The Huntington Library & Gardens (1151 Oxford Road in San Marino). Ever wonder how a giant pumpkin gets so big? Learn what it takes to grow one at home in this presentation by master gardener Stuart Shim of the U.C. Cooperative Extension. Participants will take home seeds, and the know-how, to grow their own giant pumpkins to harvest next fall. Appropriate for children ages 5 and up, with one accompanying adult. Time: 11 AM - 12 noon. Cost: Adult: $15. Child: $10. Call 626/405.2128 to register.

May 14 - 20: Bike Week in Pasadena.
This grass roots initiative organized in cooperation with the city of Pasadena that brings together "everything bike" for a weeklong salute to the bicycle and its many uses, from commuting, to exercising, to just plain having fun. More than 15 free events are planned during the week, including the Mayor's Bike to Work Brigade led by Mayor and bicycling enthusiast Bill Bogaard; the Sunset Sonata Ride, touring the enchanting overlook on the Arroyo Seco, complete with a live violin and cello duet as well as hors d'oeuvres; and free bicycle-related films and documentaries screened outdoors nightly in the One Colorado Courtyard. An Urban Bicycle Commuter Expo will feature folding and electric bicycles, accessories, cargo bikes and trailers that handle everything from shopping trips to hauling lumber. This weeklong salute is presented by city of Pasadena Department of Transportation, One Colorado, Cyclists Inciting Change through Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.), Patagonia and Metro. For more information call: 323/478.0060 or visit the BikeNow website.

May 16-31: Scholastic Warehouse Book Sale at the Anaheim, Culver City, Irwindale, and San Diego warehouses. Customer Appreciation Warehouse Sales are exclusively for Book Fair Chairpeople and Volunteers, Registered Homeschoolers, and School Personnel: Principals, Administrators, Faculty, Teachers, Librarians, and Media Specialists. Northern CA dates are May 12 - 25. For more information, including individual warehouse hours and driving directions, go to the Scholastic website.

May 18: Preparedness Depends on You: Disaster & Emergency Training Fair at the Norma Kershaw Auditorium at Bowers Museum (2002 North Main Street in Santa Ana). A free public service program with presentations and information in English and Spanish on what citizens can do to be prepared in the event of a disaster. Participants include the American Red Cross, Orange County Public Health Department, California Governor's Office of Emergency, City of Santa Ana Office of Emergency Management, Orange County Office of Emergency Management, and United States Geological Services. Time: 10 AM - 4 PM. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Program subject to change. Various cultural events and additional programs are also listed. For more information, please visit the Bowers website at or call 714/567.3600

May 19-20: Annual Open House at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena). View exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory's ongoing research in new technologies, solar system exploration, spacecraft communication and much more. Many JPL scientists will be available to answer questions about these projects, and other aspects of their work. Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM (both days). Please visit JPL’s website for more detailed information about restrictions (no backpacks, ice coolers, etc.), rules, and driving directions. You can also call 818/354.0112.

May 18: Preparedness Depends on You: Disaster & Emergency Training Fair at the Norma Kershaw Auditorium at Bowers Museum (2002 North Main Street in Santa Ana). A free public service program with presentations and information in English and Spanish on what citizens can do to be prepared in the event of a disaster. Participants include the American Red Cross, Orange County Public Health Department, California Governor's Office of Emergency, City of Santa Ana Office of Emergency Management, Orange County Office of Emergency Management, and United States Geological Services. Time: 10 AM - 4 PM. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Program subject to change. Various cultural events and additional programs are also listed. For more information, please visit the Bowers website at or call 714/567.3600

May 19: Third Annual Kidspace Flea Market at the Kidspace Museum ( 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena). Kids (ages 4-12) can bring gently used toys, or homemade treasures to sell, shop, or barter at this 10 AM - 4 PM event. Talents such as face painting, or presenting a puppet show can also be shared. To participate as a vendor, or a performer, please visit the Kidspace website, or call 626/449.9144 after May 1 to register for this free event.

May 19: Marine Fish Parasites: Is Your Sushi Safe? workshop at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro). Delve into the wonders of parasites from miniature to magnificent. Learn about the parasites found in fish and along the shore and how various infections occur; with CSULB professor and CMA Educator, Dr. Juli Kalman. Fee: $5 ($4 CMA Friends members). Hours: 10 AM - 12 noon. For more information, call 310/548.7562 or visit the CMA website.

May 19: Second Annual Celebrating Words: Written, Performed & Sung Festival at Sylmar Park (13109 Borden Avenue in Sylmar). Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural will sponsor the 2nd Annual "Celebrating Words: Written, Performed & Sung". This literacy and arts festival will feature live music, an Aztec dance group, poetry readings by the Poets of the Round Table, and the Enlightenment Project, theater performers. Vendors and community service groups will be on hand to sell books, food, and provide public service information to the community. This free event will run from 12 noon to 7 PM, and is hosted Tia Chucha's Centro Cultura. For more information, call 818/896.1479 or visit Tia Chucha's website.

May 19: The Square Foot Gardener at the Huntington Beach Central Library.
(7111 Talbert Avenue in Huntington Beach). Friends of the Library presents Mel Bartholomew, The Square Foot Gardener, in an interesting presentation, box lunch and hands-on demo. Mel's years speaking about Square Foot Gardening have taken him all over the world, teaching an easy-to-understand gardening system that requires 20 percent of the space, 10 percent of the water, 5 percent of the seeds and 2 percent of the work over a conventional garden - all without fertilizer or insecticides. Books to be sold and autographed. Cost: $25 for program, lunch and beverage. The presentation will be at 10 AM, box lunch at noon and demo from 1-2 PM. RSVP required by May 11. Call: 714/375.8429. For more information about Square Foot Gardening, go to the SFG website.


May 19-20: Malcolm X Festival at Audubon Middle School (4120 11th Avenue in Los Angeles). The day’s events will feature workshops, a film festival, musical and spoken word performances as well as youth programming to further its theme, “Mentoring To Save a Generation,” from 12 noon - 7 PM. The event is free, but donations are much appreciated. Celebrating the life of slain civil rights leader, Malcolm X who knew the importance of education and our youth, the festival will also feature a Youth Success Camp. Food will be available for purchase. For more information visit the festival website or call 323/446.7151.

May 19 -20: Fun with Chalk Festival (Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo). Feature the age-old Italian art of street painting using chalk as the medium during this weekend festival. Artists from around the globe travel to Orange County to participate. There will also be art workshops, live music and entertainment, strolling performers, hands-on art programs, and international food court, and many unusual art and craft booths. An artists’ village will feature the works of fine artists using oil, watercolors, sculpture, and photography, for viewing and sale. Festival hours: 10 AM - 6 PM. For information call 877/932.4255 or 949/367.1222, or visit the website . A downloadable form is also available online for those interested in showing artwork.

May 19-20: 21st Annual Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum (900 Exposition Blvd., in Los Angeles). This largest Bug Fair in North America is the Museum’s biggest weekend attraction. From 10 AM - 5 PM, more than 60 unique vendors will display everything from rare specimens of butterflies to entomological equipment to insect tattoo art. Private collectors will show off their exotic collections, and "pet" insects. Interactive, educational booths, will provide opportunities for kids to handle insects and talk to Museum scientists. Also look for demonstrations by NHM’s Insect Zoo Coordinator, Brent “The Bug Guy” Karner; tarantula and assassin bug feedings; and cooking seminars with visiting insect chefs. The Bug Fair is free with Museum admission. Parking: $6.00 (may be higher if an event is at the Coliseum). For more information, call 213/763.3466 or visit the museum website.

May 20: Mosaic Workshop at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills). This 1:30 PM event, held at the Hall of Liberty requires reservations. Call 800/204.3131 or visit the Forest Lawn website to register.

May 20: Rancho Spring Festival: A Visit to Old California Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach). Step back to the days of early California when Rancho Los Cerritos was headquarters of Don Juan Temple's prosperous cattle ranch. Visitors can participate in period activities such as bull roping, butter churning, Mexican-era games and crafts will be available for children’s pleasure. Food and snacks, as well as period-inspired merchandise and books will be available for purchase. Admission for the afternoon festivities (12:30 - 4:30 PM) : Adults $5.00, children 4-12 $3.00. For more information, call 562/570.1755 or visit the Rancho website.

May 20: 33rd Annual Spring Plant Sale at The Huntington Library & Gardens (1151 Oxford Road in San Marino). Thousands of rare and beautiful plants will be offered at this popular annual sale, including many uncommon varieties that are hard to find at commercial nurseries. Look for a wide assortment of roses, camellias, orchids, bromeliads, palms, cacti, herbs, trees, shrubs, perennials, and much more. Admission is free. Hours: 10 AM - 4 PM (parking lot opens at 8 AM). Preview sale for Members of The Huntington will take place the day before, Saturday, May 19. Call 626/405.2100 or visit the website.

May 20: Santa Monica Festival at Clover Park (2600 Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica). The Santa Monica Festival is a celebration with a purpose, highlighting the dynamic connection between the City’s communities, culture, business, environment and art. The 10 AM - 5:30 PM event aims to inspire participants to live a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Aside from the explosion of activity and artistic expression, much of the electricity required for the event is generated on-site with solar panels, the rest is generated by clean power sources like geothermal. This Zero Waste event will be composting scrap food, as well as providing all biodegradable and plant based utensils and serving pieces. All cans, bottles and paper materials will be recycled. The Festival will feature a bike parade, at 9:30 AM. Participants will be able to park cars at a nearby school, participate in a bike decorating workshop, then bike to the Festival. Bikepalooza will continue throughout the festival with stunt bike demonstrations, along with more practical safety tips and basic bike repair assistance. Call 310/458.8350 or visit the festival website for more information.

May 26: Family Fun Days: Family Literacy Book Fair at the Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center. Family Fun Days offer a free, arts-centered activity every 4th Saturday afternoon for children and their families. Every child attending will receive free books to take home to help build their family library art activities, music, healthy snacks, face painting, story circles, and more. Hours: 1 - 4 PM. Contact: Jonnie Owens by email or call 909/869.4689 for more information.

May 28: The 18th Homeschool Fair at Ontario Christian High School. A day of showcasing homeschoolers’ skills, as well as enjoying a variety of activities. Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM. For information about registering for activities or to volunteer (badly needed!), visit the fair website.

Through September 2007: Spy-Fi Exhibit at the Queen Mary (Long Beach).
From the private collection of Danny Biederman, the exhibit provides an entertaining look at how Hollywood viewed the cloak and dagger world of spies. From license to kill Bond to lethal by accident Smart, the 400+ collection contains some of the most infamous items from TV and film lore, such as Maxwell Smart's shoe phone, Dr. Evil's ring, U.N.C.L.E. pen communicator and clothing from the Wild, Wild West, The Avengers, and I Spy TV series’. Individual Spy-Fi tickets are $10.00 and do not include access to the ship. For more information, visit the Queen Mary website.

Contests for Kids

Mother's Day Essay: Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (CAT) are sponsoring a Mother's Day essay contest and $500 will be awarded, in addition to dinner for two at the critically-acclaimed Anaheim White House Restaurant. The contest is free to enter and essays must be e-mailed. All Long Beach area students (LA & Orange counties) are invited to submit 250-words-or-less essays on the topic "Why My Mom Should be Mother of the Year." Essays should be e-mailed to organizer JustinRudd@aol.com by Tues., May 8 at midnight. Non-electronic formats can not be accepted. Essays will be judged on theme, content, clarity and appeal. Near the top of your e-mail... Entries must include: the Mom's name and phone number, as well as the student's name, age, school, grade, and teacher's name. Please write "Mother's Day Essay" in the subject line. Finalists will be notified by e-mail no later than noon on Thurs., May 10. Finalists will be invited to read their essays to their Moms in front of a panel of judges and other guests at a public afternoon reception to be held in Belmont Shore in Long Beach on Sat., May 12 -- the day before Mother's Day. The event will be free and open to the public. Event details TBA. Finalists and their moms must be present to be considered for a prize. For more information, go to the CAT website.

June 2007

June 2: Fun with Flowers Workshop #2: Roses, Roses, Roses at the Homestead Museum (15415 East Don Julian Road, City of Industry). Celebrate America's National Flower during June, the National Rose Month and a perfect time to showcase your newfound floral skills. Using a variety of garden and florist roses, create your own design in a bubble bowl vase. Roses, filler flowers, foliage, and vase provided. Bring a sharp florist knife or small paring knife and light gloves. This 1 - 4 PM workshop is designed for ages 12 and up. The registration fee is $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Space is limited, and registration is required. Call 626/968.8492 or visit the museum website for more information.

June 3: Family Festival at the Getty Center Museum Courtyard (1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles). Medieval beasts and animals of all kinds are the inspiration for this day-long (10 AM - 6 PM) festival featuring fantastic stilted creatures, tales from Aesop's Fables, hands-on workshops, music, and dance. Complements the exhibitions Medieval Beasts and Oudry's Painted Menagerie. For more information call 310/440.7300 or visit the Getty website.

June 25-29: Destiny and Karma: Why do children come to the Waldorf School? The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) Summer Conference 2007 will feature a variety of focus groups, and artistic workshops. This event is hosted by Highland Hall School (17100 Superior Street in Northridge). Click here for more information and registration materials.