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Welcome to The Genre Traveler! Please sign up using the form to the right so that you'll get all the latest updates to the site. You also might want to sign up for the RSS feed, which you can do via email or your favorite RSS Reader. When I was in Las Vegas the other week, my husband and I went to The Original Pancake House in Henderson and tried out their German Apple Pancake. Trust me on this -- that pancake is too much for one person in one sitting. It absolutely delicious and will satisfy two people quite nicely. Anyway, the restaurant is next to an upscale shopping mall, where we parked. As we walked through, I noticed that the mall was hosting a special "safe" trick-or-treat event for kids. CityWalk and L.A. Parent Magazine are hosting one in Los Angeles. I'm sure that the malls in your area will be hosting one as well. When I was kid, I always looked forward to going trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. But after news started spreading that razor blades and poison were popping up in kids' treat bags, this tradition started dying a slow death. But marketing has come to the rescue. Now shop owners are banding together to provide safe trick-or-treating options, while introducing you and your kids to their wares. OK. It might not be the same thing, but for the youngin's -- it's just as much fun.

Check this out: A Tower To Change Its Shape Every Hour. Apparently, an Italian-Israeli architect, David Fisher is planning to create a tower in Dubai that will have rotating floors. Makes me think of that series of horror films about a people trapped inside of a Rubix cube like cage that would change and move at regular intervals. As cool as the idea sounds, it give me pause, too. For one, it seems that it could be rather dangerous to navigate inside the building, especially when its rotating. Also, in order to do this, the floors will be donut shaped, which means there will be wasted space on the inside of the building. At a time that global climate change is getting some serious press, is it really wise to be creating buildings that are so obviously wasteful? Just a thought.

What would happen if a photographer put on genre-colored glasses and headed out to American wastelands to take some pictures. Most likely, you'd get photos like those found in Lost America. Using time exposures and colored strobe lights, Troy Paiva created a collection of eerily compelling images of found objects. Some are sorrowful, others are subtly scary, but all make you want to stare. You can see a photos from his 2003 book Lost America: Night Photography of the Abandoned West here: www.lostamerica.com. If you really enjoy them, you might consider buying the book, which is back in print -- I know I'm thinking about doing just that.

I just got these road trip sanity tips in my email today and since they compliment the cover story of the July 2007 issue of The Genre Traveler, I thought I'd pass the information along. Of course I've added my two bits to their tips, and edited out the blatant commercial they were pitching.

• Keep some snacks on hand to curb those “I’m hungry!” chants. Bring small quantities of a variety of food to minimize multiple rest stop breaks.
  [Editorial note: Avoid sugary snacks or you'll just have a bunch of hyped up kids in the car. Bring healthy snacks that don't need refrigeration, such as fruit (fresh or dried), trail mix, granola bars, etc.]
  
  


• Pack games that can be played on the road. Crossword puzzles, Soduku and other games that can be played with paper and pencil or have electronic versions are good choices.
  [Editorial note: Mad Libs is always a fun game and can involve the whole family.]
  
  


• Keep supplies on hand such as a first aid kit, a tire jack, spare tire, and jumper cables -- you never know when you’ll be in an emergency situation.
  
  


• Bring a frisbee, football, or baseball and mitt for the kids to play around with while you have to make gas or bathroom stops. This will give antsy legs a chance to stretch.

These tips were brought to you by Franklin, and, of course, edited by yours truly.

I just read a story about how the Moscow Circus will be performing at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from July 8 to August 16, and it brought back memories.

I got my Bachelor's degree at U.C. Santa Cruz and lived in Santa Cruz for about 5 years. In fact, it was while I lived there I learned to belly dance, which is mentioned in the July issue of The Genre Traveler.

Anyway, after graduating I worked at a software company, The Santa Cruz Operation, which would hold its annual employee party at the Boardwalk. It was always a great time. People would come in jeans or cocktail attire, drink, ride the Giant Dipper and generally be merry. Fun was had by all.

So, one year, I wore this dress that I designed. It was made with wine-coloured satin, had one shoulder strap and black fringe draped along the torso. But, apparently it had a flaw. But I get ahead of myself.

Part of riding the Giant Dipper is standing in line and slapping the hands of those who are just coming back from riding the coast as the car comes back to the gate.

So here I am, wearing a nice satin dress, raising my right arm to slap the hands of the people in line, when I feel a breeze where a breeze shouldn't be. I look down and, yep, my right boob is hanging out of my dress.

Oops. I put it back where it belongs and laugh. Of course I had been drinking, so the embarrassment wore off quite quickly.

That story always brings a smile to my face. I don't know if anyone other than my girl friend's boyfriend saw it, because no one mentioned it to me.

Remember, everyone else had been drinking, too.

Anyway, I have a lot of great memories of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. So, if seeing the Moscow Circus can bring you to this special place to make memories of your own, so much the better.

DETAILS:
What:
The Moscow Circus

Where:
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, Calif.

When:
July 8 - August 16

For More Information:
www.beachboardwalk.com
The Moscow Circus
Moscow Visits Santa Cruz