Category Archives: Science

Aquarium of the Pacific Unveils Penguin Habitat

Today is the grand opening of Aquarium of the Pacific’s June Keyes Penguin Habitat.Most people expect penguins to be on ice, which is true of penguins from the Antarctic. The penguins in the exhibit are Magellenic penguins from the southern … Continue reading

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Around the world sky watchers scanned the night sky for a “Super Moon” rising in the night sky. The phenomenon known as the “Super Moon” is created by the moon coming to within its  closest orbit of the Earth since … Continue reading

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SuperMoon Saturday

Attention skywatchers, werewolves, and those looking for signs of the apocolypse. This Saturday night at 11:35pm the moon will be at perigee, which means it will be as close to the earth as it gets during its revolution. Coupled with … Continue reading

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Close Encounters with the Kurrajong

A slightly belated Arbor Day shout-out to trees everywhere. These remarkably sexy seed-pods are scattered by the thousands on the streets and sidewalks of Burbank, alongside the Chandler Bikeway. A friend of mine who is a botanist says that plants … Continue reading

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Object of Affection

  Yes, this is what you think it is. It’s a Dire Wolf Baculum, which is a bone found in the penis of a prehistoric canid, the Dire Wolf. Admiring it from afar, writing a hefty check ($1,500, or quarterly … Continue reading

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From Pet to Pest

Our attitude toward our fellow animals tends to be fickle. We may think they’re cute,  as long as we feel secure in our status as alpha predators, lording it over the rest of the food-chain. But when other creatures threaten … Continue reading

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Prepare to say, “Awww”: Rescued Sea Otter Pup at Aquarium of the Pacific

 A female sea otter abandoned by her mother was rescued in Northern California on Valentine’s Day. Government Wildlife officials determined she was unable to survive in the wild. The Aquarium of the Pacific stepped in and offered a home to … Continue reading

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Wisteria Festival in Sierra Madre Today

Today is the annual Sierra madre Wisteria Festival. The highlight of the festival is the viewing of a vine that was planted in 1894.  According to the Sierra Madre News, the first public viewing was in 1918. The festival will be … Continue reading

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A.A. Bondy at Natural History Museum’s First Friday: May 4

It’s that time of year again for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum’s First Friday concert series.  Coming up on May 4th is enigmatic singer/songwriter A.A. Bondy, whose latest album Believers is out on Fat Possum Records, along with my … Continue reading

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The Lair Opens at LA Zoo

Jim Stafford may not like spiders and snakes, but we do! The LA Zoo has just opened a new exhibit the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles). The Beat was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. Can I just say … Continue reading

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