Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in west la, CA

Santa Monica Pier Centennial

by Elise Crane Derby

September 08, 2009

Hi everyone,

I’m Elise Crane Derby and I will be taking over for Susan Choi. I look forward to helping you find some great things to do around town. So here we go.

If you grew up on the West Side of Los Angeles you have so many memories of the Santa Monica Pier, riding the bumper cars and the carousel and playing skee-ball in the arcade to mention just a few. I’m making new memories there now for my daughter, riding the ferris wheel, going to Twilight Dance Series  concerts, and watching the people fish off the pier. On Wednesday Septemer 9^th the pier will be celebrating her 100 year. Beginning at 6pm there will be the grand re-opening ceremomy with speeches, music, celebrities , a 100 foot cake, and a ribbon cutting re-opening the pier to everyone. From about 7pm on the 100 minute birthday party will begin with performances by Dick Dale (King of Surf Guitar), Vybrations (an a capella group) and The Big Bamboo Steel Band. All of this will be topped of by the first firework show at the pier in almost 20 years. I hope this experience will convince them to bring fourth of July fireworks back to Santa Monica pier. I’ve missed them. Happy Birthday Santa Monica Pier!

 

Here is the full itinerary:

6:00 p.m. - 6:25p.m.
GRAND RE-OPENING CEREMONY

Location- Pier Entrance

We re-dedicate the Santa Monica Pier for the next Century in this opening event at the Landmarked Iconic Pier

"A Century of Memories": Brief memories and historical milestones by those who have lived through each of the decades.

"Ribbon of Time" : A very special ribbon cutting ceremony begins

"For Future Generations": A keynote speaker presents a vision for the Santa Monica Pier in the next century as the ceremonial ribbon is cut!

Fanfares and Flourishes performed by the 14 member Los Angeles Brass Ensemble

"Portrait for the New Century": Re-staging of the historic photo at the Pier sign.

Procession to the People's Pier: Once the ribbon is cut we invite all to come onto the Pier and celebrate this historic occasion with us

6:45 p.m. - 8:25 p.m.
PARTY ON THE PIER

Location - Pier Parking Deck

"100 minute Birthday Party" with a concert featuring award-winning A Capella Group "Vybration",
"The Big Bamboo Steel Band" and the legendary "King of Surf Guitar" Dick Dale.

8:25 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.
"CENTENNIAL SOUNDS AND LIGHTS"

Find your spot on the beach or at one of the Pier's Restaurants and get ready for a once in a lifetime display.

8:50 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
GRAND FIREWORKS FINALE

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Weekend Warrior: Whale Watching

by Susan Choi

August 06, 2009

With the weather becoming more mild over the next few days, I hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy the weekend!

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting Rhythm Child on Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm. Rhythm Child leads families in an interactive drumming experience that my kids love! On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, Sunshine Storyteller, Ina Buckner-Barnette, is a masterful performer. She weaving together humor, songs, and games in her retelling of international folktales and poems.

Family Saturdays at the Ford Theatre has begun this month at 10 am and runs through the end of August. This year's theme is Big!World!Fun! DreamDance will be performing Dancing in the Rain. This Chinese dance troupe mixes ancient elements with contemporary styles to create of show bursting with lights, colors, and sounds. Children are free but reservations must be made for them. Adults are $5. This week's preshow activity is Junior Scientist Workshop--"Earth: Fossils." Explore and sketch Ammonite fossils. Each participant gets their own Junior Scientist Journal. Workshop begins at 9 am before the show, so get there early!

There is a lot of activities occurring at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. The Research Library is turning four! There will be stories, crafts and other activities to celebrate on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The aquarium is also hosting a blue and humpback whale watching expedition on Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon. The boat leaves from San Pedro and travels through the Catalina Channel. Registration is required.

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is hosting Shark Sundays. At 3:30 pm, they will feed the hungry sharks and make a short presentation. Short films are shown at scheduled intervals throughout the afternoon.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Today's craft will be designing your own Persian-style rug to make a magic carpet.

Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park is hosting a free summer concert series. It is a casual, open-lawn venue where you can pack a picnic dinner and enjoy an outdoor concert that is family friendly and free! Target is hosting the Children's Night concert series on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm. This Sunday, it is Aaron Nigel Smith and the FUNdamentals band. Mr Smith and his band brings upbeat sounds and fun dance moves to the stage in a program that the whole family will enjoy.

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Weekend Warrior: Farmers Market 75th Anniversary

by Susan Choi

July 16, 2009

Another gorgeous weekend with options galore for us Angelenos. Be adventurous! Do something different! There is so much to do, just a short car ride away.

The Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax (next to the Grove) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this week! They are hosting a big event all weekend long for families. On Saturday from 11 am to 3:00 pm, Radio Disney Street team, face painting and marionettes will be featured. On Sunday from 11 am to 5:30 pm, magicians, masamba marimba music, face painting and rain stick making workshop will be available. For more information on the specific schedule, please click here.

The Skirball Cultural Center continues its Family Amphitheater Performance series this weekend. On Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm, Wildlife on Wheels invites families to interact with a variety of exotic animals-from the scaly to the furry-and discuss the role these creatures play in their habitats. On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, Chinese Lion Dance will perform with intricate costumes and powerful drums. Watch and learn as the dynamic choreography tells a story about a wild Chinese lion that is tamed and taught to dance.

Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park is hosting a free summer concert series. It is a casual, open-lawn venue where you can pack a picnic dinner and enjoy an outdoor concert that is family friendly and free! Target is hosting the Children's Night concert series on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm. This Sunday, Bob Baker and his famous marionettes will be performing.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. In Mexico, artists make bright painted tin pictures of fish, lizards, hearts and stars. Paint your own tin while learning more about this beautiful work.






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Weekend Warrior: The Circus and Ford Family Saturdays

by Susan Choi

July 09, 2009

The weekend is upon us soon! There are a plethora of options for you and your child. With the weather so warm these days, you may want to skip all the special events and just head to the beach. You just might spot our family there too!

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town! Click here to find out more details on the circus, including a special ticket offering for Savvy readers!

Family Saturdays at the Ford Theatre has begun this month at 10 am and runs through the end of August. This year's theme is Big!World!Fun! This week's performers are the On Ensemble. This group of drummers infuse traditional taiko Japanese drumming with musical influences from hip-hop, rock and electronica. Children are free but reservations must be made for them. Adults are $5. Science-based arts and crafts session begins at 9 am before the show, so get there early!

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting the Taiko Center of Los Angeles on Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm. Come listen to the ancient Japanese drumming style. On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, you can listen to the LA Outback play Australia' most popular instrument, the didgeridoo.

The Craft and Folk Art Museum is holding a "Listen, Learn and Make Family Workshop" on Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. You and your child can make your own shadow-boxes using the images of birds and other items, inspired by artist Joseph Cornell. RSVP required. $6 per child.

Critter Club is for three to five years olds at the Natural History Museum. This Saturday at 10 am, the museum is celebrating the slimy and the scaly critters that call the Discovery Center home as well as their cousins from around the world. Listen to stories, play games, and make a scaly craft to take home. With special guests, the California Herpetological Association! Free with museum admission. From 12 noon to 5 pm, the celebration continues with Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day. Come to the Discovery Center in the museum to meet radical reptiles and fabulous frogs. Meet reptiles and take a picture with them too! There will also be crafts and activities and reptile story times.

The Japanese American National Museum is hosting a family day on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. You and your child can explore the colorful world of Asian-American books. Admission is free all day with special activities such as book readings and crafts. From 1 pm to 4 pm, you can make your own maple granola fruit parfaits with Kidding around the Kitchen. At 2 pm, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer will read and sign his book, "The Origami Master" with a special activity to follow.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. This week's theme is the Lion of Judah. Make a lion mask and learn about Ethiopia.


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The Greatest Show on Earth

by Susan Choi

June 23, 2009

The circus is coming to town again! The 139th edition of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to the Staples Center between July 8th to July 12th.

This year's theme is Zing Zang Zoom, featuring the magical Zingmaster Alex and a show designed to lift your spirits. Watch as a four-ton elephant disappears, two human cannonballs fly through the air, and the circus is turned literally upside down. And what circus would be complete without high wire walkers and trapeze artists? The show also features an array of exotic creatures from tigers to elephants to Arabian horses.

Each ticket gives you access to a pre-show as well which features interactive shows with clowns and Zingmaster Alex, a Chinese contortion group, and a chance to meet the performers and get their autographs. Starts one hour before show time.

Want to go to the greatest show on earth? Savvy readers have access to a special promotion which allows you to buy four tickets for $44 through Ticketmaster or the Arena Box Office. After selecting the date and time you would like to attend, you will be given a choice on seating. In the MC Promotion section, choose four (or more) tickets and use the code "MOM." Each additional ticket beyond four tickets is $11 through this special promotion (regularly $12-$15 per ticket).

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Weekend Warrior: Father's Day

by Susan Choi

June 18, 2009

This weekend is Father's Day! Celebrate the dads in your life with some homemade pancakes (courtesy of the kids), neckties (courtesy of Bloomie's), and a special activity to honor the superhero in your life.

The Craft and Folk Art Museum is holding a "Listen, Learn and Make Family Workshop" on Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. to create a unique gift for dad while reusing recycled materials. Bring in small objects and other forgotten treasures, and make something special for dad. A selection of materials with also be provided. RSVP required.

Lakeshore Learning Stores are hosting a free crafts for kids event on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. Your kids can make, what else, a tie for dad.

Come celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Santa Monica Pier with the School's Out Event on Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. They will feature a variety of top-notch activities and performances for families and kids of all ages including the Cirque du Soleil "Circus Play Area," a lot of different interactive dance activities and performances, a puppet show, and fitness and art activities. Also, check out a new interactive kid's guide of the pier.

The Rogue Artists Ensemble is performing The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone on Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. The story is brought to life by using music, puppetry and projections. "Pay what you can" for admission.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Your kids can make, what else, a tie for dad. Free admission for dads.

Kathleen Zundell will be continuing the Saturday Storytelling Series at Children's Book World this Saturday at 10:30 am. With her puppet pal, Philbert, Kathleen engages children with silly jokes, tales, and poems. Free to the public.

Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts, author of Amy Hodgepodge will be at the Central Library on Sunday at 2 pm. Amy Hodgepodge is a story of a multi-ethnic fourth grade girl and her adventures in a new city.

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Weekend Warrior: Ooooogy Green

by Susan Choi

June 11, 2009

Where did this week go? For me, it was consumed by the discovery of Twilight. Yes, I've become a Twilighter. My amazon.com shipment of books two and three are coming this weekend so I might be a little preoccupied. For those of you who wish to see the light of day and spend time with your non-vampire family, here is a round up of this weekend's activities:

Celebration Theatres' Familys at Play presents Ooooogy Green and Other Fables this Saturday and next Saturday at 10:30 am and 1 pm. This play is a story about accepting differences in each other, and self-acceptance, by using actors, puppets, sound and music.

Celebrate the beginning of LA City public libraries' Treasured Islands Summer Reading Club with a Library Pirates Storytime. Come to the Central Library KLOS Story Theatre on Saturday from 2 pm to 3 pm, for stories, puppets, and songs. To sign up for the summer reading club, click on this link.

The Japanese American National Museum is hosting a family day called Try This on for Size, hosted by Target. Enjoy free admission on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Make a paper doll and design clothes for the doll; make a wacky hat and design your creation using various materials; and make an origami shirt Father's Day card. Starting at 1 pm, listen to Ai-Ling Louie read her latest book: Vera Wang Queen of Fashion; listen to a special reading of Suki's Kimono; and get an airbrushed shirt made by Loud, Proud, and Wild (limited to first 60 children).

In honor of the new Sparkle and Twang exhibit, the Autry National Center is hosting a family event. After touring the new exhibit which includes some interactive portions, kids can craft a star on Saturday from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

McCabe's is hosting another Sunday matinee kid's show headlining Parker Bent. He is the preschool music teacher for the city of Beverly Hills. Children (and parents) adore him and his original songs. Show starts at 11 am.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Your children can help find and recover the Missing Blue Bagel!

Make a Bandolier (paper shoulder) bag at the Southwest Museum of American Indian on Sunday from 1 pm to 2 pm.







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Weekend Warrior: Last Weekend of May

by Susan Choi

May 28, 2009

It is the last weekend of May! Seriously, how fast is this year zooming by? I hope you are enjoying being outdoors as much as we are. My family has been spending a lot of time in our backyard: I planted my vegetable garden and it is growing well. We cleaned out the garage, and my husband made an elaborate fort out of the old boxes for the kids. The barbeque grill is back in service, and we have riding our bikes around the neighborhood. What have you been doing to enjoy the beautiful spring weather these days? This weekend there are a couple events worth checking out in the LA area. Hope you enjoy!  

Sesame Street Live is performing at Nokia Theatre LA Live on Saturday at 10:30 am, 2 pm and 5:30 pm and on Sunday at 4:30 pm. The story is Elmo's Green Thumb which is about Elmo finding a new home for his sunflower, with the help of many familiar faces. If your kids are Sesame Street fans (like mine), be sure to take them to a live show. They will love it!  

I have been wanting to visit the reDiscover Center in West LA for some time now. So I am excited that they have begun their Saturday morning drop-in art hours. Starting this Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon, you can create an original art project for $5, while teaching your kids about reduce, reuse and recycle!

Kathleen Zundell will be continuing the Saturday Storytelling Series at Children's Book World this Saturday at 10:30 am. With her puppet pal, Philbert, Kathleen engages children with silly jokes, tales, and poems. Free to the public.

McCabe's is hosting another Sunday matinee kid's show headlining Tom Freund and friends. Tom Freund wrote the songs on his album Hug Trees for his daughter Delilah, being inspired by the everyday delightful things. Show starts at 11 am.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Science and art is the theme this week. Your children will create paintings that explore the interaction between oil, wax and water.    

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The Show Must Go On: Local Theatre for Preschoolers

by Susan Choi

May 19, 2009

While we are on the topic of musicals, I thought I would share local theatre that is kid-friendly. I know this may come as a shock, but we have a ton of theatre available to us here in LA. After all, there are a handful of actors who live in the area. Luckily, some people actually want to put on plays for kids! On our trip to Disneyworld, we watched practically every live show that they had. Our children really love live theatre. There is something about watching the actors live on stage that just makes you feel a connection with them. Since these shows are geared for younger audiences, do not be afraid to take your children here (unless you know that they will be screaming five minutes into the show). So here are a few performances that are currently showing that your kids will most likely love:

School House Rock Live Too! Showing from May 30 to July 26th at Greenway Court Theatre in West Hollywood. Saturdays and Sunday, there are matinee performances at 4 pm.

Cinderella Santa Monica Playhouse is a nonprofit organization that puts on wonderful productions of family friendly theatre. This year, they are performing Cinderella. Saturdays and Sundays, show times are 12:30 pm and 3 pm.

The Pied Piper Theatre West in association with Storybook Theatre puts on interactive musicals for three to nine year olds. Showing at Theatre West on Saturdays at 1 pm until July 11.



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A Timeless Treasure: Musical Movies to Enjoy at Home

by Susan Choi

May 18, 2009

Raise your hand if you grew up singing, Do Re Mi and Let's Go Fly a Kite? Before every home owned a VCR (we had a beta play at first), the bi-annual network TV showings of Sound of Music were always a treat for me as a kid. My parents owned the LP of Sound of Music as well. Man, when that needle hit the record, I would dance around the house, reenacting the scene of Liesl in the gazebo, jumping between the sofas in the living room. Musicals were such a big part of my childhood and I am so, so happy that my children share my love. In honor of Mary Poppins coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in November 2009 (it is early but tickets are already on sale for this limited engagement), here is a list of our family's favorite musicals that are available on DVD.

1) Sound of Music--Of course, this is number one. In fact, we watched some scenes today. My kids can watch the whole movie in one sitting with no problem, and they love each song (and can practically sing each one from memory). It also gives us an opportunity to discuss treating families who have lost a parent and the idea that all step-moms are not bad (curse those Disney princess movies!).

2) Mary Poppins--Another Julie Andrews classic! The special effects on this movie are a treat, even by today's standards. Most of the songs are great and it also gives us an opportunity to talk about the fact that sometimes, we parents make mistakes too.

3) Annie--Okay, the girls love the songs from this musical. However, they seem to have issues with Miss Hannigan and the scheme she concocts. We have watched both the recent Disney remake with Victor Garbo and the 1982 movie, and both of them, we can only watch the singing scenes. We still watch it on occasion but not as much as the first two. But this musical still went over much better than My Fair Lady (they lost interest pretty quickly even though they love watching Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, go figure).


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Our Home is Green: Changes Made to Make Our Home Eco-Friendly

by Susan Choi

April 20, 2009

This week we are going to continue to focus on Earth Day. I am excited that we can raise a generation of eco-conscience people whose personal mantra is "reduce, reuse, recycle." I remember growing up with water shortages, and smog so terrible that it hurt my lungs. Now, thanks to major efforts to clean up our air and reduce our water usage, we can literally breath easier. Today, I wanted to share some things that I have been doing in our home to do our part to save mother earth.

1) No ziplock bags--We pack lunch for our daughters almost every school day and we used to go through boxes and boxes of ziplock bags. According to salon.com, "every year, Americans throw away some 100 billion plastic bags after they've been used to transport a prescription home from the drugstore or a quart of milk from the grocery store. It's equivalent to dumping nearly 12 million barrels of oil." It is causing an epidemic so I felt that we needed to be part of the solution. We bought containers that can accommodate sandwiches, cut veggies and fruit, and other lunch favorites. It is more dishes every night to clean, but so worth it.

I also take reusable tote bags with me to the store so that I don't bring home 20 plastic bags from my weekly grocery store trips. If I go shopping for other items and I forget to bring a tote bag with me, I'll either throw it into the bottom of my stroller or stick it inside my purse or diaper bag.

2) Cloth napkins--I just made the switch recently and it has been easier than I expected it to be. At first, I thought I would be doing more laundry (but is it possible to do more than 5-6 loads of laundry a week? I hope not...). Just don't expect my linens to be pressed and spotless when you come over for dinner. It is a bit of an investment but I bought four at a time and now, I have enough to get us through the week. Plus, my daughters love using them. It makes them feel fancy.

3) No paper towels--I bought some microfiber cloths to use in place of paper towels. I have two big ones designated for the floor and the rest for the counters. I also have hand towels for the kitchen and dish cloths. Again, an easier transition that I initially expected. If you are not ready to make the switch, consider buying recycled paper products. According to Ideal Bite, for every ton of 100% recycled paper that is bought, about 4000kWh of energy and 7,000 gallons of water are saved. It also avoids releasing 60 lbs of pollutants into the air.

4) Green cleansers--This switch was probably the easiest of all. I did have to try out a couple different brands to get the same results that I was getting with petroleum-based cleaners, but I think I found the best ones for our family. I like Method products for dish soap, hand soap, and all-purpose cleaners, Mrs Meyer's for biodegradable dryer sheets, and Costco's Kirkland brand for laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. Unexpected perks from using green cleaners: my dishwashing sponge doesn't smell after a few weeks of use, my hands don't dry out as much from countless hand washing throughout the day, and the laundry detergent is gentler on our skin (thus less eczema problems). Another important reason to getting toxic cleaners out of your home? According to worldwatch.org, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10 percent of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers in 2000, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, nearly two-thirds involved children under six, who swallowed or spilled cleaners stored or left open inside the home.

5) Energy efficient light bulbs/appliances--When my husband and I bought our first home, we were finally able to get our own washer and dryer (hallelujah!). I made sure we purchased a front-loading washer and energy efficient dryer. We haven't purchased too many more appliances but whenever we do have to buy one, we always make sure it is an energy star appliance. A great plus to being green are the rebates and tax credits. If you have to purchase an appliance in the near future or have bought one this year, be sure to look into the rebates offered by either the federal government or the electric company. We were able to get a $200 tax credit for the installation of our tankless water heater (wohoo!). Whatever bulbs could be replaced by compact fluorescent bulbs (CFBs), we have done that in our house. I really think it makes a difference since our gas and DWP bill is very low.

The best part of what we've done is teach our children that being green is a choice, and an easy choice to make. And knowing that what we do today, will ensure a better tomorrow for our children.

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Remembering Maddie

by Susan Choi

April 13, 2009

It is easy to take for granted giving birth to a full-term healthy baby. Most of us probably knows someone who gave birth prematurely. About 50% of babies born at 25 weeks survive, with the survival rate increasing sharply with each week of gestation. Even an extra day can help that much more in a baby's chance of survival. As mothers and fathers, it is hard to not empathize with families who have suffered through a premature birth. One local family endured a difficult pregnancy, premature birth, and an unexpected heartbreaking loss just last week. In light of the upcoming March of Dimes walks, I wanted to share their story in hopes that you will feel compelled to help give every baby a fighting chance, or even help on a local level.

Mike and Heather Spohr welcomed Madeline Alice Spohr on November 11th, 2007. She was born about 11 weeks early and through the extraordinary efforts of the staff at UCLA Mattel children's hospital (such as giving Maddie CPR for 12 hours straight), she went home a healthy, beautiful baby girl after spending two months in the NICU.
 
For the next 15 months of her life, Maddie was a happy baby who continued to have some health problems. The Spohr's were in and out of the hospital more than they would have liked to be, but still, Maddie had beat incredible odds with each day of her life. On April 6th, 2009, Maddie was taken to the hospital because she was not breathing properly and she began to have a fever. The next day, she passed away.

Even though I don't personally know the family, it doesn't make the passing of Maddie any less heartbreaking. No parent should have to suffer the loss of a baby. Through organizations like March of Dimes, research and programs are funded to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies have healthy lives.

Want to make a difference globally? Sign up to march with the Spohr's on April 25th at 8:30 am in Exposition Park.

Want to make a difference locally? Click here to help the Spohr's with all the expenses that are adding up. Funds received to be used at their discretion.  Read more...

Weekend Warrior: Dan Zanes

by Susan Choi

March 12, 2009

He's finally here!  Wohoo! Dan Zanes is back and ready to rock our socks off! Get ready to enjoy an amazing concert experience with the 2007 Grammy winner for best children's music album. If you can't get to the concert, there are other options for the weekend as well.

Dan Zanes will be performing at 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, and 11 am on Sunday at UCLA Royce Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger.

World City at the Music Center features world-renowned artists in free concerts at the W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Adjacent to the performance hall, family workshops are available both before and after the performances. The performance is outdoors so please be prepared for the weather (if it rains, performance will be moved indoors)! This Saturday, the program features The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre and Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble. Performances are at 11 am and 12:30 pm. Be sure to arrive early to get your free tickets before the show starts. Seating is limited.

Puppets are the theme at the Autry National Center this Saturday. Bold Caballeros y Noble Bandidas puppet show which highlights events of the Mexican revolution will be performed at 12:45 pm. Then make your own puppet from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

Baby Loves Disco is back and this month they are celebrating grandparents! Grandparent's admission is only $5. So bring your favorite pop-pop and nana to boogie with you. On Saturday, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Cinespace in Hollywood. $15 in advance, $18 at door.

Every culture celebrates New Year in a different way. To experience it Middle Eastern style (aka Norooz), visit the Craft and Folk Art Museum on Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Reservations are required.

Gustafer Yellowgold will be performing at McCabe's on Sunday at 11 am. Gusta who? Gustafer is a friendly creature who came to the earth from the sun and has made friends who some of the oddest earthy creatures. Story-songs and moving illustrations make the shows unique and fun.

Have a great weekend and congrats to our Dan Zanes giveaway winners!  Read more...

99 Things to Do with Your Preschooler

by Susan Choi

February 24, 2009

We are very fortunate that here in LA, there are probably a gabazillion things to do (my daughters are into making up numbers to one up each other and it is rubbing off on me).  There will never be a shortage of activities thanks to beautiful weather year-round, great playgrounds, innovative businesses that cater to kids, and awesome nature just a few steps or short car drive away.  Of course we are paying an enormously high cost of living to be here, but the perks make up for it, right?  Believe it or not, I really had to limit myself to 99.  Maybe one day, I will post 999 things to do...you know...when I have all this extra time on my hands.   

I included hyperlinks for each activity/location for addresses, directions, and more information.

Here are just 99 things to do, in no particular order, broken down by categories:

Neighborhood Parks--These are my kids' favorites and each are unique in their own way. (9)
Douglas Park in Santa Monica
Aidan's Place in West LA
Holmby Park in Westwood
Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica
Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey
Griffith Park in Los Feliz
Veteran's Park in Culver City
Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills
Stoner Park Pool in West LA

Hiking Trails--We've hiked most of these trails with the kids, some with a stroller. (6)
Solstice Canyon in Malibu
Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Point Dume in Malibu
Temescal Canyon Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades
Coldwater Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades 

Amusement Parks--Do I need to say more? (6)
Disneyland in Anaheim
Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park
Adventure City in Anaheim
Knott's Soak City in Buena Park
Universal Studios in Universal City
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia

Indoor Play Area--These are our favorites and all of them can be rented out for birthday parties. (6)
Under the Sea (many locations)
Giggles n Hugs in West LA
Treehouse Social Club in Los Angeles (Robertson Blvd)
Adventure Plex in Manhattan Beach
Child's Play in Westwood
Play in Mid-Wilshire
Naya's Garden in Silverlake

Beaches--I included the beaches that were more kid-friendly (bathrooms, nearby food vendors in the summer). (10)
Santa Monica Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Zuma Beach in Malibu
Venice Beach
Leo Carillo State Beach in Malibu (tidepools)
Redondo Beach
Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach
Paradise Beach in Malibu
Jalama Beach in Lompoc (beach camping)
Marina "Mother's" Beach in Marina Del Rey

Mountain Resorts--Most of these resorts have recreational activities all year long. (7)
Mt Baldy
Mt High
Lake Arrowhead
Big Bear Lake
El Capitan Canyon
Mammoth Mountain
Yosemite National Park

Theatres--El Capitan and Santa Monica Playhouse are geared more for children.  The others occasionally have programs that preschoolers would be interested in.  Check the schedule for upcoming shows. (5)
El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica
Mark Taper Forum in Downtown LA
Pantages Theatre in Hollywood
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown LA

Sports Teams--My husband and I are big sports fan.  We've taken the kids to Dodgers games a couple times and they had a great time. (5)
LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center in Carson
Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in LA
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Downtown LA
Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Downtown LA

Gardens--All of these gardens are a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it. (3)
The Huntington in San Marino
Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcardia

Aquariums--Big and small, all lots of fun! (3)
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

Local Attractions--An array of local venues that the kids are sure to love. (11)
The Grove in Mid-Wilshire
Santa Monica Airport
Los Angeles Zoo
Santa Monica Pier/Carousel/Paradise Park
3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica
Griffith Park--Travel town
Star Eco in Culver City
Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana
Culver Ice Arena in Culver City

Museums--All of these museums are kid-friendly and even have programs/exhibits specifically for kids! (11)
Getty Center in Bel Air
LA County Museum of Art in Mid-Wilshire
Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown LA
Autry National Center of the American West (across from the LA Zoo)
Zimmer Children's Museum in Mid-Wilshire
Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits in Mid-Wilshire
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena
Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County near USC
California Science Center near USC
Petersen Automotive Museum in Mid-Wilshire

Historic LA--Make it a really fun day trip and take the Metro!  You can take a bus to a station, or drive into Koreatown and park at the Denny's off Western. (6)
Olvera Street
Chinatown
Union Station
Grauman's Chinese Theater
Venice Canals
Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels


Farmer's Markets--These are my favorites.  We have a ton in the LA area but these farmer's markets really stand out. (5)
Culver City (Main Street, Tuesdays, 3 pm to 7 pm)
Brentwood (Gretna Green Way, Sundays, 9 am to 2 pm)
Santa Monica (three locations, four days, check schedule)
The Original Farmer's Market at Third Street and Fairfax (adjacent to the Grove, everyday, all day)
Larchmont Village (Larchmont Blvd, Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm)

Farms--Most of these farms have seasonal activities year round. (3)
Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark
Willowbrook Apple Farm in Oak Glen
Greenspot Farms in Mentone

Weekend Excursions--Just an hour or two away by car, a great family vacation awaits! (3)
San Diego

Legoland/Sea Life Park Aquarium
Sea World
San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park

Santa Barbara

Consider taking Amtrak Train
Santa Barbara Zoo
Solvang

Catalina Island

Feel free to leave a comment to add to this list!

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No Birds and Bees Please! Talking about Sex with Your Preschooler

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The other day my daughter said, "Boys' pee-pee comes out of their pen**." I am not even sure if I am comfortable writing the correct word there, let alone hearing my five-year old daughter use it. Needless to say, my husband and I were surprised because we always used Korean words to describe body parts. I was not prepared to have "the talk." It is too early! She's just a baby! She  Read more...

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On Sunday from 2-4pm, the Zimmer Children's Museum is hosting a family program called "Peace through the Eyes of Children." Children can help make the annual Martin Luther King Jr. mural for the museum. I love the idea of a diverse group of children from around the LA area coming together and painting this massive piece of art to symbolize the world of which Martin Luther  Read more...

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Like Susan, my husband and I are Korean American and we spent the new year seeped in Korean tradition - bowing to our family elders (and taking video of our three-year-old doing likewise), watching old men play baduk (or "go") and eating copious amounts of ddukguk . Susan and I hope your new years day was filled with happiness and that this year brings your family only joy, peace and prosperity.  Read more...

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What an amazing year it has been at Savvy Source West LA! The site officially launched in May with Nina Moon and she filled the treasure troves with tons of toddler-friendly times. Savvy source West LA has advice on what to do with your kiddies during sunny days , rainy days , weekend days , and special days . Interested in art ? music ? books ? No problem. We've got it covered. Want  Read more...

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What do you give to the family that has everything? How can you support local museums and other non-profit family attractions (and get a tax-deduction in the process)? Give the gift of membership this holiday season! Here are some of my favorite museums, where it pays to be a card-carrying member: 1) Natural History Museum --We come here at least a few times a year. My girls love butterfly  Read more...

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Ah...winter in LA. I love the crisp air, the bundled up bodies, and noses red from the chilly sixty degree weather... My children always point out the contrast between what we read in our Christmas themed books and the reality that is the Westside. " Is it going to snow on Christmas?" " Can we go outside and build a snowman?" Though they generally do not mind that we bypass all  Read more...

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When our weekends aren't already filled with kids' birthday parties or visits to the grandparents' house, my husband and I quite often look at each other dumbly, wondering what in the world we're going to do to fill the time. Half the time we just end up puttering around the house or maybe spending a few hours at the park. Sound familiar? Well, hopefully we'll be able to overcome our seemingly  Read more...