Silent Film Version of A Christmas Carol

While watching today's Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion I saw a group perform in front of a projection of an early silent film version of "A Christmas Carol."

A quick Google search turned up the entire film on YouTube and I have embedded it below. Enjoy!

Event: LA2600 Meeting Tonight - Segwii

Image via Wikipedia

More information on LA2600

"2600 meetings are open to anyone with an interest in technology: our attendees come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and all are welcome."

6 February 2009: Arko gives a talk on the Segwii.

The Segwii is a self-balancing robot that is remotely controlled by a Wiimote. The goal of this project is to educate robot enthusiasts, share ideas, and to improve on designs. There are many things to learn and help out in, including open source software and hardware, complementary filtering, PID (Proportional Inegral Derivatives), and embedded systems programming.

Arko will be bringing the prototype Segwii for all to play with.

For more information on the Segwii project, visit http://www.segwii.com/

Will the Segwii become self-aware and enslave all humanity? Come to February's LA2600 and find out.

Event: Machine Project Workshops - Ghosts and Robots

These sound like really cool workshops, although they do cost a few dollars. I wish I had the time and money to go. -- Douglas

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We have two new workshops this month involving motors and mechanisms. The first is an Animatronic Ghost Workshop this Sunday. Based on a project featured in the upcoming Halloween special edition of MAKE Magazine, you’ll be building your very own pulley-and-motor-driven ghoul to scare your neighbors with. Sunday Oct 7th, 12-4pm, $150. Limit to seven people, registration now open.

http://machineproject.com/2007/10/03/pulleyghost/

The second is a hands on workshop about robotic art with Dorkbot founder Douglas Repetto. Please join us for an introduction to the wide world of motors and mechanical systems for use in kinetic and robotic artworks. We’ll cover basic motor and solenoid types, play with examples of each type of motor and talk about which ones are suitable where. We’ll look at some basic mechanical parts and systems like shaft collars, slip rings, gears, belts, and pulleys. We’ll also talk about sourcing components, creative reuse of found materials, material selection, and building for durability. Participants will build a variety of adorable mechanisms using discarded electro-mechanical devices (printer, scanner, fax machine, blender, anything that moves!) Sunday Oct 14th (12pm-4pm) and Saturday Oct 20th (11am to 6pm). $185. Limit to ten people, registration now open

http://machineproject.com/2007/10/03/robotorama/

Event: Friends of the Island Fox and Jane Goodall - Sept 23

Friends of the Island Fox and Jane Goodall


Friends of the Island Fox is proud to join our friend Dr. Jane Goodall at the

5th Annual Day of Peace

sponsored by Roots and Shoots and the Jane Goodall Institute

Come Join in the Fun at this FREE event:

Sunday, September 23
at GRIFFITH PARK (by the merry-go-round)
11 AM - 4 PM

There will be:

• Live Music
• Arts & Crafts
• Wildlife Displays
• Pet Adoptions
• and the inspiring Parade of Giant Peace Doves

Hear Jane Goodall speak and help celebrate the community and conservation work accomplished by local Roots and Shoots youth groups.

Visit Friends of the Island Fox at our booth. We will selling “Friends of the Island Fox” T-shirts and offering stuffed toy foxes for a $10 donation.

We’ll be raising funds for fox radio collars and looking for schools willing to meet the conservation challenge of becoming Fox Ambassadors.

Come by and say “Hi.”

For more information: rootsandshootsla@aol.com
or www.janegoodall.org/peace-day

(Via Friends of the Island Fox.)

Technorati Tags: animals, art, california, children, communitybuilding, cool, crafts, environment, event, events, free, fun, losangeles, outdoors

Douglas E. Welch Events, Speaking and Appearances Calendar

Event: Write that Script! - Join Script Frenzy in June!

(As seen on blogging.la)

Write that Script!

Cybele:You live in LA ... one of these days you're going to get pulled over and someone's going to ask to see your screenplay. No more looking at the floor, ashamed.

Take June and write your script!

I'm again serving as web community hostess for a writing challenge (in November it's National Novel Writing Month).

The Challenge?

Script Frenzy

Write a screeplay (or a stageplay) in June.

It's a contest ... every winner gets a screenplay!

Sign up online. Join the web community. Take over your local coffee house. Hold you head up high at summer barbecues.

(Via Blogging.LA.)

Technorati Tags: build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, creativity, events, write, writer, writing

Douglas E. Welch Events, Speaking and Appearances Calendar

Music Unwrapped - May 19 - Long Beach

The Music Unwrapped series is the ideal way for the family to spend a
Saturday morning learning about a wide variety of great music. The
Grammy Award-winning Southwest Chamber Music presents an enter-
taining and enjoyable learning experience, including interaction with the
audience suitable for all ages. Experience three intriguing programs
while traveling to wonderful venues around Southern California. The
event will feature Mexican composer Carlos Chávez.

WHEN: May 19, 10:00 a.m.

SITE: Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach

COST: Free

SPONSOR: Southwest Chamber Music

INFO: 1-800-726-7147, www.swmusic.org

From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs

Technorati Tags: california, events, losangeles, music

Events: Ranger guided hike - Vasquez Rocks Natural Area - Every Sunday

Ranger guided hike

Contributed by: Vasquez Rocks Natural Area

What: A park ranger will lead a nature hike through the park the second, third, fourth (and sometimes fifth) Sunday of each month. The hikes last approximately one hour. Meet at the park office. For information, call (661) 268-0840.

Where: Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce

When: 11 a.m.

(Via Valley News.com)

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You can get WelchEvent updates directly to your email Inbox with a FREE subscription to the WelchEvents Mailing list. I also regularly post events here on the My Word blog.

If you are already a subscriber to WelchEvents, and find it useful, please consider a donation to help defray the costs of researching and posting the events. Visit the WelchEvents page to donate.

Donate Now!

Western Family Fun Day - May 12 - Eagle Rock

Western Family Fun Day

Date: May 12, 2007
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM; Doors open at 12:30, Carnival Games 1:00 - 2:00, Live Musical Performance 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Location: SW Hill Country Western Store and Museum
Address: 1412 Colorado Blvd , Eagle Rock , 90041

Cross Streets: Colorado / Mt. Helena

Region: Downtown LA

Phone: (323) 256-2500

Admission: Free For Kids; $2 for Adults

Kid Friendly: Carnival Games and Live Western Music for Kids

Food Services: Drinks and snacks for sale to benefit local equestrian group

Accessibility: Wheel Chair Access

Website: www.swhillcountry.com

Description: Western Family Fun Day. Includes Carnival Games from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM; Musical Performance: The Hollow Trees from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Adults are $2 and children are free.

(Via ExperienceLA.com)

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Do you find WelchEvents useful? Please consider a donation using Paypal.

Visit the WelchEvents Site

Technorati Tags: california, outdoors, events, losangeles, eaglerock

Event: Brewery Art Walk - Spring 2007 - April 21 & 22

It's time once again for the twice-yearly Brewery Art Walk in Downtown Los Angeles.

Head down to the Brewery Art Lofts and check out the art and lofts of more than 50 artists. Food and Drink are available and Barbara's at the Brewery will be serving complete meals.

Plenty of parking is available in the UPS lot, just to the West of the Brewery Complex.

I always have a great time and recommend the Art Walk to everyone I know.

Technorati Tags: california, creativity, events, losangeles, free, art, drawing, photo, photography

Event: “Q”ing at the Autry - April 14

“Q”ing at the Autry

Who makes the best barbecue in Los Angeles? Join us for the premiere barbeque festival in Southern California. Come see a barbecue champion crowned and learn some tricks of the trade as you enjoy food, music, and family fun.

WHEN: April 14, call for times

SITE: Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles

COST: Free

SPONSOR: Autry National Center

INFO: 323-667-2000, www.autrynationalcenter.org

From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Festival Guide

Technorati Tags: california, outdoors, parks, events, losangeles

Event: Birdwatching -- Outdoor Adventures 2007

Date: Fourth Thursday, of every month, March 22, 2007 - June 28, 2007

Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; March 22 at 4:00pm; April 26 at 9:00am; May 24 at 4:00pm; June 28 at 9:00pm. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

Location: Burton Chace Park: Meeting place is the Community Room

Address: 13650 Mindanao Way , Marina del Rey , 90292

Cross Streets: Lincoln Blvd. / Mindanao Way

Transit Tips: A 15 passenger van will transport the group to the wetlands.

Region: North Beach Area

Phone: (310) 822-8530

Admission: The Birdwatching is free but you must pre-register.

Website: www.labeaches.info

Description: Burton Chace Park is offering a birdwatching experience in
various sites of the Ballona Wetlands. Outings begin with a brief lecture;
then the group will get the opportunity to observe various bird species
compete for resources in the shoreline and vegetations habitat. You may also
be taken to nesting sites of the Great Blue Heron and Black Crowned Night
Heron.

This activity is planned for adults but older children (not requiring a car
seat or stroller) will be allowed to participate if accompanied by an adult.

Recommended items to bring are: water, snack, sunscreen, appropriate attire
and binoculars. Meeting place is the Burton Chace Park Community Room, were
a 15-passenger van driven by a California commercial license driven will
take the group to the wetlands.

Free Walking Tour

Submitted By: Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau

Source: ExperienceLA.com

Tags: event losangeles birds birdwatching outdoor california marinadelrey

Event: Tomato class @ CSUN - March 11

From The Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2007...

Scott Daigre, author of "Tomatomania! How to Grow Tomatoes in Southern California," shares his strategy for planting and selecting the best varieties, 9 to 10:30am and 11am to 12:30pm.

FREE

Cal State Northridge Botanic Garden, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.

Registration required due to limited seating.

Email botanicgarden@csun.edu or call 818-677-3496.

Tags: garden gardening gardener csun northridge tomato southern california event

Event: Urban Garden Talk - Downtown Mar 14

It looks like I might actually make it to this one, as I am downtown on jury duty for quite a while and in the courthouse right across the street. Cool! -- Douglas

Photo: "A Rose for Lily" fountain in the Disney Hall Garden

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The Urban Garden Talks

This is a series of informative lec- tures led by hand-selected experts designed to provide everyone from garden aficionados to curious beginners with tips on creating and main- taining healthy and vibrant home gardens.

The lecture Attracting Birds and Butterflies will be followed by a tour of the garden.

WHEN: March 14, 12:00 noon

SITE: Walt Disney Concert Hall Garden,
111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown Los Angeles

COST: Free

SPONSOR: Music Center

INFO: 213-972-4311, www.musiccenter.org

From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Festival Guide

Tags: losangeles event disney los angeles garden gardening gardener downtown

Event: Annual Wilmington Wisteria Festival - Mar 11

Annual Wilmington Wisteria Festival

A horticultural celebration that includes a walking lecture while visitors traverse the century-old Chinese and Japanese vines in the museum’s garden. Guests will also be able to njoy floral and gardening displays from local designers. Lunch will be available for purchase on the park grounds of this Victorian-era home of General Phineas Banning and entertainment will be provided.

WHEN: March 11, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

SITE: Banning Residence Museum, 401 East ‘M’ St., Wilmington

COST: Free

SPONSOR: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

INFO: 1-888-LA PARKS (527-2757), www.laparks.org

From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Festival Guide

Photo: Douglas E. Welch, Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, California, 2003

Total Lunar Eclipse - March 3

Update: (3/3/2007 8:35pm): More info from LAist, blogging.la, and Flickr pictures from flyinfoxymama

Update 3/3/07: 9:52pm: Eclipse photos in the Make Photo Pool on Flickr

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While we here in California will only be able to see part of the eclipse cycle (if I read the chart linked below correctly), it should still be a neat site. The moon will rise in near totality and then we will see it uncover as the evening progresses. I think I enjoy lunar eclipses more than solar eclipses because they are much more easily observed and present such an odd viewpoint of the moon.

To do March 3: look up in night sky, see total lunar eclipse

Xeni Jardin: Link to details at NASA website. Depending on where you are on earth, you may be able to see a red glowing moon during the total lunar eclipse next week, on Saturday March 3. I predict that it will be beautiful.

[Boing Boing]

Tags: : moon eclipse event site losangeles california science astronomy lunar

Event: AnimalBytes at Sepulveda Wildlife Refuge - This Sunday

My friend, Keri, posted this event to her blog and podcast, Animalbytes. We attended last year and had a great time. Heck, it's so close we could ride our bikes there. Watch the video from last year's walk! -- Douglas

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AnimalBytes at Sepulveda Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 8:00 AM

This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count. AnimalBytes will be at the Sepulveda Wildlife Refuge.

Bring your binoculars and Come Join Us.

We will be counting birds for Cornell University Lab of Ornithology. Last year we documented over 100 double-crested cormorants, flocks of red-winged blackbirds and a kettle of turkey vultures. The Sepulveda Dam area brings together water fowl and song birds. This year we hope to tally even more individual birds and species.

We will meet at the cement sign at the north entrance to the wildlife area between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM.

The Sepulveda Wildlife Refuge is accessible from the 405 FWY, the 101 FWY and the Metro Orange Line (Woodley Station).

To access the parking area, enter the park from Woodley at the same driveway as the Japanese Gardens. Stay to the right and follow the road east along the wall. The road ends at a parking area with a public restroom. The cement sign and the entrance path are just before you come to the public restroom. Well-behaved children are always welcome, they have the best eyes and are our next generation of conservationists.

You can count at home in you backyard too.

Remember Every Bird Counts.
For more information about GBBC and to enter your own bird counts go to the GBBC Website

(Via AnimalBytes.)

Event: Geek Dinner February @ El Chollo

Heathervescent just sent out the notice for the next Geek Dinner. These get-togethers are a great way to meet other tech-minded folks here in LA and grew out of BarCampLA.

You can find photos from previous Geek Dinner and BarCampLA in my Flickr Stream.

Come and join us sometime! -- Douglas

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Greekings g33ks!

Yeah, yeah, you're over the holidays and almost ready to dive into the insanity that is March. For now though, let's have a nice relaxing evening of talk and margaritas at El Cholo. Feel free to bring your laptops and other gear to show off (or just stay connected). It won't be the first someone someone was "working" from the g33k dinner.

Date: Feb 20th, 8pm dinner, come early for drinks
Location: El Cholo, 1121 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006,(323) 734-2773
Reservation under "Heather"

Pass on the invite to your g33k inclined friends/colleagues. Come early for a margarita. RSVP here: http://barcamp.org/BarCampLA-Geek10

Also, note, March 24/25 is the next LA Barcamp. We will be discussing what needs to be done for it, so come if you would like to help coordinate.

Note: March g33k dinner will be back in Santa Monica/West side. So send those restaurant suggestions.

Event: Free Admission at the Norton Simon Museum

Free Admission at the Norton Simon Museum

Date: February 5, 2007 - February 11, 2007
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Norton Simon Museum

Address: 411 W. Colorado Blvd , Pasadena , 91105 [Map]

Cross Streets: Colorado Blvd / Orange Grove

Region: San Gabriel Valley Area

Phone: (626) 844-6840

Admission: Free

Accessibility: Wheel Chair Access, Hearing Devices Available,

Website: www.nortonsimon.org

Description: In honor of the 100th anniversary of art collector, entrepreneur and museum founder Norton Simon’s birth, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is extending free admission to all patrons from Monday, February 5th through Sunday, February 11th. While the Museum will be celebrating the centennial throughout 2007 with an exhibition, special public programs, a brochure, and more, the free week of admission commemorates Simon’s actual birth date (February 5, 2007).

Info courtesy Of ExperienceLA.com