Originally called the Sugarloaf Casino, the Art Deco building on Catalina’s beach side town of Avalon went up in 1929. Originally owned by the Wrigley (chewing gum) family, despite the name, the Casino has never been an actual gambling hall.

It was first an early talkies movie house, vaudeville theater, concert venue and, on the second level, a dance hall. In the 1930s and 1940s, live radio broadcasts were beamed throughout America from the Casino. They featured music from Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Harry James and other famed bands of the era.

Today, the Casino continues to show first-run movies on its first level, while on the insulated floor above, concerts and dances offer a variety of entertainment. Many social, music and art events are scheduled at the Casino throughout the year.

As the old song goes, Catalina Island is 26 miles across the seas from Long Beach CA, a 15-minute flight or 60-minute ferry ride. The island was a famous destination for John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin and other movie stars of the 1930s through the 1950s, who often sailed their yachts from the California coast to Avalon. In 1981, actress Natalie Wood lost her life when she fell from a yacht into the harbor.

The average Catalina daytime weather temperature is 60 degrees in winter months, and 75 degrees in summer. For more information, go to www.catalinachamber.com/island/specialevents

This year, Graceland, the late Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion, marks his 77th birthday and the anniversary of his death by staging new exhibits, tours and other events.

A multi-media presentation, "Elvis…Though His Daughter's Eyes," is hosted by Lisa Marie Presley. As part of the Graceland VIP tour, it features vintage home movies and her childhood memories.

As you drive west along Santa Monica Boulevard from Hollywood, you know you’re in LaLa Land when you cross Canon Drive. You’ll see two miles of Beverly Garlands Park on the north side, backed by some of the famously and grossly overpriced homes of Beverly Hills.

You can park for free for a couple of hours near the south side of Santa Monica Boulevard at the city center lot, then go back and pose for pictures at the famed sign. If you make your visit on a Sunday morning, you can stroll nearby through the weekly farmers' market.

Now the California-based Legoland has a sister theme park on the other side of the American continent. At Winter Haven, on the property that once featured the famed water ski beauties, the new facility is now open. Just 80 miles from Orlando, it will display fun and games associated with the popular block-building toys.

Legoland’s 150 acres of Florida fun has all kinds of interactive games, rides and exhibits, most designed for kids between the ages of toddler and teen. Of course, parents and grandparents are welcome to join in, too.

In addition to the Florida and California Legolands, there are branches in England, Denmark, Germany. For more information, go to florida.legoland.com.