Three Things to check out - August 11 - 17

Here are three things to check out this week

1) Did you know that 2008 is the centennial of the fabulous Gamble House in Pasadena? If you haven't toured this Arts & Crafts masterpiece, this is a great time to do it. Tours operate every Thursday through Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m. Tickets available at the on-site bookstore. And while you're in Pasadena, drop by the Pasadena Museum of History for their exhibit "Living Beautifully: Greene and Greene in Pasadena" - on architects Charles and Henry Greene, how they shaped Pasadena and were in turn inspired by the beautiful climate and lifestyle. The exhibit opens August 16th.

2) On Saturday or Sunday, head down to Little Tokyo to celebrate Nissei Week. There are a variety of events at the Japanese National Museum and the Japanese American Cultural Center, including a Show-Off Import Car show, Sumo demonstrations, a Gyoza-eating contest, and a parade. While you're there, see Living Flowers, Ikebana and Contemporary Art at the Japanese National Museum.

3) Go see some Shakespeare in the park. The Independent Shakespeare Company presents "Twelfth Night" and "Henry V" and a new production of Christopher Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus" throughout the summer. The show is free, and is presented in the fantastical setting of Barnsdall Park, site of Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House. What a great way to introduce your kids to live theatre - on the cheap.