Last Friday my son and I decided to watch Tim Burton's 2005 "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in order to refresh our memory. Since we planned to see the 1971 "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" with Gene Wilder on Saturday, we wanted to be ready to compare the two movies.

At a previous double feature at the Fox, the air conditioning was broken. Still, we were glad for the opportunity to see "The Wizard of Oz" on the silver screen! This time we enjoyed the Fox Theater in fully functioning air conditioning — thank goodness!

My son used to watch the Gene Wilder movie regularly when he was younger, but two years later all memories of the earlier movie seem to have been replaced with the Johnny Depp version.

Perhaps that was for the best, as the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka movie was as magical and fresh as seeing it for the first time. What could be better than seeing Violet Beauregarde blow up into a blueberry on the big screen?

We enjoyed the opportunity to compare the movies, though we have yet to compare both movies to the book by Roald Dahl. Both movies had the same characters and oompaloompas, a boat, a waterfall. They both movies had similar problems, such as being sucked up a pipe, going down a garbage chute, turning into a blueberry — but in the Gene Wilder movie, Charlie and his grandfather stole a drink that made them float up by a fan (but they burped and fell down just in time). What I particularly enjoyed about both movies was that each Willy Wonka seem benignly odd — perhaps just a bit disturbed.

I'm grateful that the Fox Theater is offering this free summer series of films — it's a great way to stay cool and share some local heritage with my son. Imagine if the Fox Theater offered a double feature every Saturday — or even some cartoons!

Last Saturday my son and I had a full schedule. Not only did we attend the Book Blast at Pioneer Village, we caught a double feature at the Fox Theater: "Madagascar" and "The Wizard of Oz."

What's great about the Book Blast is that kids can write down about 10 books they've read so far this summer, and they get into the event for free. At various spots throughout Pioneer Village, members of the community read books to small groups of kids. At the end of the story, each kid gets a ticket and can enter drawings for prizes at the end. It's pretty exciting when it's prize time!

At the Book Blast, we checked in with friends from work and rode the train. In between stories we mingled among the buildings of Bakersfield past. The weather wasn't as hot as it had been at previous Book Blasts, so everything was quite pleasant.

One of the neatest features of the event was the wandering magician. Several times we'd spotted him doing a show, but usually at the end. Finally we caught him and my son was amazed by the Chains of Doom.

Then we were off to the movies!

Finding parking near the theater was a bit tricky, so I was sure we'd have a hard time finding a seat. However, the air conditioning was broken, which must have deterred some of the crowd.

The house kindly offered a free soda per ticket stub, which went nicely with fresh popcorn - I'd forgotten how delicious theater popcorn can be!

We watched "Madagascar" from the balcony then switched to the first floor to watch "The Wizard of Oz" — and what an experience it was!

Both movies were fun to see in the theater, but "The Wizard of OZ" was magical! The special effects were excellent given the technology of the time, and the editing really is clean. Never before had I seen it on the big screen, and it made such a difference! Most of all, it was really fun to hear the audience around me reacting to the movie. (Plus the couple in front of us shared popsicles they'd brought along - just when I was really wilting!)

At the end of the movie, everyone clapped and it was applause full of excitement and appreciation for having witnessed such iconic American culture on the true silver screen. I am so grateful to have had the chance for Armand to see "The Wizard of Ox" in such a neat theater. Thanks Fox Theater!

larger view

These are the shoes I recently blogged about. I'll be going back to Plato's Closet soon and often! They made the outfit I wore to my friend's birthday party last weekend. You can sort of see them in this picture my son took of me.

Work on Wednesday was pretty hectic, and I had computer fatigue by the time I left to pick up my son. I then shuttled us off to Plato's Closet, since I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of shoes for my friend's birthday party on Saturday.

After browsing as long as my son would allow (and after finding a great pair of sandals), we moved a few blocks down Ming Avenue to try out Izumo Sushi. Their miso soup was so-so and their edamame seemed a bit over cooked, but it was yummy.

We ordered crab, tuna, and freshwater eel sushi. Armand quickly devoured his crab and enjoyed the tuna well enough, however, I couldn't help but be amused by the way he peered at the eel! It was quite delicious and I look forward to eating it again. Armand even tried a bite, but I think trying something so different and new was a bit overwhelming for him.

Overall, I'm glad to have tried a new restaurant with my son, and quite glad that we had a decent, healthy, very tasty meal for two that came to only $13. I didn't have to do dishes!

My Danish friends Jane and Jan (both sushi enthusiasts) emphatically recommended a place in town called Kato Sushi, which features a sushi happy hour. I'll have to take them up on that soon. Maybe Armand will like their eel — yearh right!