Oh, you missed this one. Next year! Boo at the Zoo – Griffith Park The Los Angeles Zoo is transformed into themed areas for trick-or-treaters with performances, pumpkin carving, crafts and creepy crawlies. Location: the LA Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 in Griffith Park off the 5 Freeway. Dates: Oct 25-26, 2008 Hours: 10 am – 4 pm (Zoo is open until 5) Cost: Adults $12, Children 2-12 $7, under 2 free Info: www.lazoo.org Image ©CT Department of Environmental Protection. Ooh, looks like the scary part for this one is the parking. Ghost Train Haunt Griffith Park’s Travel Town 5202 Zoo Drive – Los Angeles, CA 90027…

I was going to write just the good things. I hate that German word that means happiness in the misfortune of others. And in general, I’m proud of living in a city with a well-regarded big paper. But something bad happened in the Sunday paper, so I’m including that, too. I’m sure the Times wouldn’t have it any other way. First off, I’ve noticed that in almost every issue now, they write something about animals or birds or the environment. They even had a Column One on the new director of the Humane Society, Wayne Pacelle! Ten years ago, if you picked up the paper, you would have thought we…

I have talked many times before about the bsa and her amazing work to keep the park free from riff-raff commercialization like trams and other icky things that certain people (Councilman Tom LaBonge) want to see in the park. Now’s the time to step forward. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THESE CANDIDATES: Proven heavy-lifters who are working to protect Griffith Park. Their presence on the Board helps advance a vision for the Park that is GREEN, OPEN and FREE. DISTRICT A Vote for Laura Howe and Bernadette Soter DISTRICT C Vote for Kathryn Louyse Official Polling Place: Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish Hall. One block south of Los Feliz…

I had to go see my dentist (just a checkup!) in Beverly Hills last week. (Sometimes I wish there was something ELSE I could do in Beverly Hills, because it’s a trek to get there, but WHAT??) Anyway, when I turned onto Beverly Blvd, there was one of those green electronic traffic warning signs, with a different kind of warning: “No Smoking in a vehicle when a minor is with you. Fines are enforced.” I couldn’t believe it! I hate smoking anywhere, and can smell a cigarette a block away, but isn’t this getting a little close to…home? In your private car? Where are the whiners libertarians on this? But…