BY KAREN YOUNG

There is no excuse to stay home this weekend. The problem is what to choose to do — food truck festival in Encino, Halloween festivals from the east to the west valley, artisan and food fests downtown and Santa Monica, a health fair with free immunizations, LAPD fun and  haunt, travel expo, LAPD Open House, outdoor concerts and a a “Glee” star leading an animal rescue event. And don’t forget the Halloween Haunts!

The Pumpkin Fair at Dixie Canyon

WHOLLY ROLLERS FOOD TRUCK EVENT: Finally in the 818! There’s a weekend of food truck frenzy happening in Encino with at least 15 trucks per day. October 22, 23, and 24.  Friday: 7 to 9pm, Saturday: 4 to 10pm, Sunday: 11 to 2:30pm 16206 Ventura Blvd. (between Libbet and Woodley). Check out www.whollyrollersevents.com/page-1 for the full list of trucks.  Admission is free. Pay for food only.

14TH ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR & FAMILY FESTIVAL: As part of Children’s Community School’s commitment to serving its surrounding Van Nuys community, CCS parents, students and teachers are presenting the 14th Annual Health Fair on Saturday October 23, 2010 from 10 am – 2 pm. Health professionals from greater Los Angeles will provide the following FREE services to any adult or child who attends the health fair:FREE “Seasonal Flu” Shots (180 available),Children’s immunizations (bring records),Blood pressure tests,Dental exams,Health education and information,Blood drive,HIV testing,Diabetes screening,Bone marrow registry. Children’s Community School (CCS) – 14702 Sylvan Street (at Cedros), Van Nuys, California – (818) 780-6226

TRAVEL ADVICE 101: Willett Travel in Studio City is having a Travel Expo on Saturday, October 23 from 11am-2pm at their new office. Free hot dogs, popcorn and lemonade. Learn about travel opportunities with 
Princess 
Royal Caribbean Cruises 
IsramWorld 
African Travel 
Abercrombie & Kent 
Apple Vacations 
Sagitar (Costa Rica Specialists) 12532 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 818-762-0676 ext 234 www.WillettTravel.com

HALLOWEEN BIG SCREEN EVENT: See Abbott and Costello’s classic comedy “Hold That Ghost” at the Alex Theater in Glendale on October 23 at 2pm and 8pm.  www.alexfilmsociety.org/schedule.php

LAPD ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND HALLOWEEN MAZE: Come down to the Annual North Hollywood Open House and Maze of Horrors on Saturday, October 23. Food, carnival games and arts and crafts for the kids. Also on display will be police cars from the North Hollywood Shootout, the Command Post, and the K-9 and the LAPD Dive Team. Station tours will be given every 1/2 hr. However, the main attraction is the “Maze of Horrors” which is set up downstairs in theparking structure (not for small kids). North Hollywood Station 11640 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood Open House 11-3, MAZE 11-5. For more info, 818-623-4001.

ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD AND MORE DOWNTOWN: Artisanal LA is a weekend long community shopping, tasting, and learning experience showcasing the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24 in the penthouse of downtown’s historic Cooper Building. Admission to the event ($10 pre-sale, $15 cash at the door) includes: Shoppig from over 70 selected vendors, Hosted beverages, Local craft beer and spirits tasting (21+), one-of-a-kind tote bag for the first 1000 attendees, workshops and cool handmade activities,Family friendly arts & crafts, Great speakers and chef demos,Giveaways and door prizes all weekend long,Unlimited re-entry all weekend long, Gift wrap hosted by Uncouth Gourmand benefiting the LA Regional Food Bank to help kick off holiday shopping. Partial proceeds benefit LAUSD Edible School Gardens. The Cooper Building 860 S Los Angeles St 11th Floor Penthouse Downtown LA 90014// Admission is $10 in advance online (tickets are available through Eventbrite) and $15 day of event at the door (cash only), capacity allowing. artisanalla.com

PUMPKIN FAIR AND CARNIVAL IN SHERMAN OAKS: The Pumpkin Fair at Dixie Avenue School is back on Saturday, October 23 from 11am-8pm. It is a treat for the whole family! Celebrate the season with a fun-filled day/eve of rides, gigantic bouncies, haunted house, carnival games, raffles, arts and crafts, silent auction, bumper cars, costume contest, kids hay maze, face painting, magicians, animal shows, special surprise guests, exciting music and entertainment! Over 75 local vendors plus tasty food from local restaurants and more! Free Admission – Food and drink for purchase. 4220 Dixie Canyon Avenue (just off Ventura Blvd.), Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 www.ThePumpkinFair.com

TASTE OF ABBOT KINNEY: Inside Out Community Arts will host the 2nd Annual “Taste of Abbot Kinney.” The event will take place from 3-7 pm on Sunday, October 24 featuring Abbot Kinney’s restaurants, drinking establishments, artists, musicians and merchants. Event highlights include food and wine tastings, samplings from local wineries and select gourmet food trucks, unique experiences from salons and retailers plus musical performances.Some unique experiences available: Haircuts from Floyd’s Barbershop, Spa services from Nite Spa, photographs from Erica Serress, Tarot readings and more. Tickets will be available on line at www.tasteofabbotkinney.com and at the event’s three entrances. Visitors can purchase $2 taste tickets, for $30, $50 and $100 packages.

11th ANNUAL OLD FASHIONED FAMILY FAIR: Brought to you by the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce on October 24 from 11am-5pm, it’s a fun-filled day of watermelons eating contests, cook-offs, hula hoops, tug-a-war, kid rides, contests, area restaurants, food and drink, arts & crafts and local businesses. Warner Center Park 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. www.woodlandhillscc.net.

FALL FESTIVAL IN CALABASAS: Chaparral Elementary in Calabasas is having their Fall Festival this Sunday, October 24 from 11am – 4pm. Carnival rides for all ages ages, fun games and activities including a Chili-Cook-Off, a Cake-Walk, a pumpkin patch, a live DJ and dancing and of course a costume contest. Salads, sandwiches, nachos, corn on the cob (“Kernal Spuds”), Rock and Roll Pizza and carnival faves such as cotton candy and caramel apples. 22601 Liberty Bell Rd Calabasas, CA 91302

HOUSE PARTY CONCERT: This Sunday, October 24, at 3 pm, MDF Fave “Concerts on the Lawn” will feature a very special performance by Lynda Kay Parker, who was recently on the cover of the LA Weekly, Visually, she appears to have stepped right out of a classic 60’s country LP cover – and vocally she’s in a groove reminiscent of Patsy Cline meets kd Lang. Suggested cash donation at the door is $12. Support “live” music and RSVP as quickly.  Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the great outdoors vibe in a non-commercial environment nestled in the Toluca Woods/NoHo area. RSVP for address. Side gate opens at 2:30 PM.  Plenty of free parking on surrounding streets … but remember to BYOC – “bring your own (lawn) chair”.  H20, fun beverages and “locally grown” gourmet chocolate will be available on site as well. A select exhibit of “roots” music photography by Sherry Rayn Barnett will be on display as well. Contact: gtrgrapher@aol.com for additional info and Paypal reservations.

ROCKIN THE RANCH IN MALIBU: Elsa’s Rockin’ the Ranch Adventure & Family Concert featuring award winning singer-songwriter Peter Alsop Sun, Oct 24, 11 am – 2 pm – Big Heart Ranch, Las Flores Canyon, Malibu. Meet and greet ranch animals. Hug a hen. Feed a deer. Hang with rescued horses. Rock-on with Peter Alsop whose music is fun and full of important messages. Enjoy the ocean view ranch. Bring a picnic or enjoy fresh fare from Greenz on Wheelz.  RSVP /www.elsainc.org/elsainc/Welcome.html

HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN AT LEONIS ADOBE: Get into the Halloween spirit at Leonis Adobe with an afternoon of family fun on Saturday, October 23 from 1 pm -4 pm. Live performance by “Dorothy” of Oz, pumpkin carving and decorating, face painting, games, crafts, music. Free if in costume or $4 admission. Each child receives pumpkin. www.leonisadobemuseum.org/

THE RESCUE TRAIN: Join Jane Lynch star of FOX’s “Glee,” on Sunday October 24th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as she helps the The Rescue Train host its 5th Annual 5K, 10K Run/Walk, Kid’s Fun Run, Race for the Rescues. Lace up those tennis shoes and bring your pooch to help raise funds for TEN Los Angeles animal rescues, all non-profit 501c3 organizations, who together help save thousands of animal lives! The top fundraiser will get to meet and have their photo taken with Jane Lynch, and take a home a one of a kind Megaphone autographed by the star! Registration begins at 7:00am and the race promptly kicks off at 8:30am. www.racefortherescues.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=347659

Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Email her with ideas and suggestions: Karen@mydailyfind.com

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