Best Of October, Southern California Events

We've added nearly 200 events to the October calendar! With so many cool things to do, these are some of my favorites. (Click on the links to get more information.)

Courtesy of Pacific Asia Museum

• Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration -- Enjoy Traditional Dance and musical performances, Shaolin Kung Fu, crafts, painting demonstrations, Tea and Mooncake samples, plus historical Chinese Costumes.
• Alpine Village Oktoberfest -- Perhaps you’re recalling Oktoberfest as the rather drunken way you passed a month in those long ago, pre-kid days. No more Oktoberfests for you! But wait: Yummy Food, people who wear Lederhosen, Oom-Pah Bands, Crazy Chicken Dancing! That sounds like something the kids could love! (And, yes, there is Beer.)
• Artisanal L.A. Fall Show -- Taste, shop and sample at this seasonal show that celebrates the city’s finest local Artisanal Vendors and Handmade Edibles. Kids can learn the difference between handmade delicious and mass-produced blah (and do come Cool Crafts themselves); you can get a jump start on Holiday Gifts and pantry staples.
• Autumn Sea Fair -- It’s an autumn fair without a pumpkin in sight, a welcome relief this time of year! Instead, this unique event offers Ocean-related activities for every age, including Face-Painting, an exciting marine life Puppet Show, and a Giant Origami demonstration. 
• 1st Annual Haunted History at Los Encinos -- A family friendly Haunted History program at Los Encinos State Historic Park. Activities include Pumpkin Carving, Trickhistory-or-Treat, Ghostly Noise contest, Jake Storyville Ghost Story Time, Haunted Tours, Unliving History costumed characters, twilight Blacksmith demonstration, and a screening of the spooky silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Go Camping! And Fishing!

Anyone receiving SSI (or meeting certain other low-income requirements) is eligible for free vehicle entry and parking at any California State Park. The Golden Bear Pass is only good for one calendar year, so we're either very late or very early with this information.[1]

In addition, California State Parks provide a 50% discount on most facilities (including campgrounds and boat use), parking and entries to Regional Center clients and others with disabilities. See Disabled Discount Pass Application. The pass costs $3.50 and is good for life. Regional Center clients and people with mobility impairments (among others) also may get free fishing licenses. See "Free and Reduced Fee Sport Fishing Licenses". (Application form available for download at the site.)

Available to SSI recipients and anyone with a documented permanent disability is an Access Pass for free entry to U.S. National Parks, as well as discounts to some "expanded amenities" (campsites, swimming, boat launching, etc.). See "Access Pass Benefits". (Apparently, not all parks offer discounts on expanded amenities to Access Pass holders, or discounts may vary, so ask ahead.)
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[1]  Also, the Golden Bear Pass does not apply to campsites, boat launching, and other special uses.

More Great Ideas!

North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) is working with Disneyland to offer discounted admission tickets to NLACRC clients. Applications must be completed and approved this fall, and the tickets are good for certain weeks in January and February 2014. The exact application due dates, Disneyland visit dates and discount prices are not yet finalized, but you can start the application process now by completing a Release of Information Form (required). More information is at NLACRC's Disneyland Community Involvement Program site. Do you know of other regional centers offering the same program?

Happy New Year! Vista Del Mar is offering a New Year's Deal for its new Sundays at Vista Judaica program: The entire first term, starting 9/29, is free to any registering by break fast or 9:00pm on Yom Kippur (9/14), a $270 value. Sundays at Vista Judaica is a new, fully inclusive program offering camp-style arts and recreation infused with Jewish themes and celebration. For ages 8-14. (Registration form is at the website.)