The Judson Studios provides stained glass manufacturing and design services. Judson Studios specializes in everything from residential projects to work on large churches and more.
Standing on the perimeter of Lake Merritt, Cathedral of Christ the Light serves as the home of the Diocese of Oakland as well as members of the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, which was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Since its dedication in 2008, the visually stunning cathedral offers weekday and weekend masses, as well as concerts and guided and self-guided tours.
Parking and Public Transportation at Cathedral of Christ the Light
$5 parking for tour participants; free for Mass attendees. The 19th Street BART is about six blocks from the cathedral. AC Transit lines 11 and 12 stop at the corner of Grand and Harrison.
Best time to go to Cathedral of Christ the Light
On the second and fourth Tuesday Cathedral organist Dr. Rudy de Vos gives a demonstration of the Conroy Memorial Organ as part of the docent-led tour. If inspired, attend Sunday Mass to hear music and a message.
Admission to Cathedral of Christ the Light
Free. The Cathedral offers guided tours daily at 1 p.m. There are no walk-in guided tours on Saturdays or Sundays. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour departure.
Must see/do at Cathedral of Christ the Light
Attend one of the evening concerts, held several times a month. Recent guests include the Pacific Boychoir Academy and organists Ryan Enright and Bryan Dunnewald,
Other places to visit near Cathedral of Christ the Light
Take a stroll around Lake Merritt, or explore some of the many shops and restaurants around bustling Uptown Oakland.
Insider tip for visitors to Cathedral of Christ the Light
During the week, stop by for a quick bite or an espresso from Verve coffee at City Lights Café, located outside the cathedral. Its outdoor seating offers sunny views of Lake Merritt.
Author's bio: Heather Johnson is a freelance writer based in Oakland, California.
Villa Aurora is a Los Angeles historical landmark and artist residence. Originally built in 1927, it was home to émigré German-Jewish novelist Lion Feuchtwanger and his wife Marta. It was once a magnet for socializing among L.A.'s European émigré artists, writers and composers, including Bertolt Brecht and Thomas Mann as well as movie greats Fritz Lang and Charlie Chaplin. After undergoing restoration, Villa Aurora reopened in 1995 as an artist residence and houses Feuchtwanger Memorial Library, fostering German-American exchange in the fields of literature, music, art and film. The villa offers various cultural events during the year. Tours of the Villa arranged by appointment show the home's major rooms, the installed organ and its pipes and the front and rear patios.
If you appreciate flowers, plants, trees, and their relationship with the environment, consider visiting the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. This is a 127-acre space with fountains, lagoons, strolling peacocks, and peaceful trails that will fill your senses with color and aromas.
Must see and do at the Arboretum
Queen Anne Cottage – This Victorian style house that was built in 1885 by Elias Jackson Baldwin can be toured on Fridays and Saturdays. Other than its architecture, this house is famous for being in the opening credits of the TV show "Fantasy Island" and for the everlasting rumors that it may be haunted.
Hugo Reid Adobe – The original adobe was built in 1840 using the labor of Native Americans that had lived in the area for many years prior. It was reconstructed in the mid-1900s using their original techniques. You can learn about its history, and of the Tongva Indians, by walking about the structure.
The gardens – They are organized geographically so that you will appreciate the differences between the flora from the Mediterranean, for example, to that of the Americas, Africa, Australia, and more.
Best and worse time to go to the Arboretum
Admission is free on the third Tuesday of the month. However, there are no tram tours on that day.
You may want to catch a lecture, a workshop, or a music concert. There are many listed on the park's calendar at Arboretum.org. On the flip side, if you are not interested in a concert, plan your visit on a different day. They fill up the parking lots to capacity and what is usually free becomes pricey.
Admission to the Arboretum
Admission is under $10. You can pay with cash or with credit card. Some workshops and lectures may have an additional cost.
The Arboretum is located in the City of Arcadia, about 30 minutes northeast of downtown LA. There is public transportation available. You can plan your visit on metro.net.
Wildlife at the Arboretum
Hundreds of peacocks live at the Arboretum. Take some time to admire them as they walk freely throughout the park. They are unafraid of humans because Arcadia has been their home since the late 1800s. You will be amused.
Insider tip of the Arboretum
Wear comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking. California's sun is often bright so a hat and sun glasses may be useful.
From June through September the Pasadena Symphony and Pops holds its season at the Arboretum. It is a fabulous way to enjoy a classical music concert under the stars of a balmy California evening. See if your visit matches one of their dates at PasadenaSymphony-pops.org.
Author's Bio: Dena Burroughs has lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years. She loves palm trees, peacocks, and dancing Salsa. VidaSalsera.com is her own website.
