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DOWNTOWN ON ICE

Right across from the Biltmore Hotel in Pershing Square

http://laparks.org/pershingsquare/doi.html

532 South Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Skating Session $6; Skate Rental $2

HOURS OF OPERATION
General Schedule: November 17, 2011 – January 16, 2012

Monday – Thursday: 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Friday – Sunday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

*Special Extended Holiday Hours
December 19 – January 2 from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily

Parking in the lot underneath.

TRAIN RIDE TO SANTA ( GRIFFITH PARK)

http://www.griffithparktrainrides.com/content/travel-town-santa-train

The Travel Town Museum has a magical Holiday Train Ride and Visit with Santa.  Santa, himself, will be on hand and each child will receive a candy cane and a special little gift.  Mrs. Claus will also be there to greet you and talk about life at the North Pole. If you wish, Santa’s helpers will happily take your picture with Santa for purchase as a keepsake of your visit. After visiting Santa you can board the Santa Express at Travel Town Station for a trip through a wonderland of holiday lights and scenery. If you prefer, you can get into the Holiday spirit by riding the Santa Express before you visit Santa.

The ride will continue on December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and December 14th through December 23rd.  The first train leaves about 5 pm each night and the last train will leave at about 8 pm, unless it sells out, in which case they may close earlier.

BILTMORE MILLENIUM HOTEL – Holiday Tea for Children

In conjunction with the City Ballet of Los Angeles’ annual performance of this time-honored classic, the Biltmore hosts a special tea for children and parents with holiday sandwiches and cupcakes! Event will feature special performances throughout the tea by real ballet dancers from the production, including the Sugar Plum Fairy herself!

Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 11:00am – 1:00pm in the Rendezvous Court

$38 per person

 Please call Smeraldi’s Restaurant at (213) 612-1562 for reservations.

LOS FELIZ 3 THEATERS 

Mommy and me Wednesday matinee at 10:30 am at 1822 N. Vermont Ave. Great to do when the kids are out of school.

Beautiful Holiday Lights

Los Feliz is the perfect place to view holiday lights and decorations.  When my daughter was young, we used to gather together as a family in my mom and dad’s camper with its big windows and drive the streets.  Armed with hot chocolate in Thermoses, we  drove the streets, oohing and aahing at the sparkling and colorful lights and inventive decorations.

Los Feliz  usually has the  DWP  Lights Festival but this year, due to prolonged construction, it is not open.   Hopefully the construction will be complete by next year.

Relatives in town/ Children Off from School

 TRY GEOCACHING

Geocaching  is a new way for family and friends to have fun and explore the Los Feliz area. It is  a fabulous blend of an old-fashioned treasure hunt and modern day technology. In our family, it appeals to my husband’s love of computers, his Iphone, and technology in general,  to my love of treasure hunts that take me back to childhood and college days, and to our children and grandchildren’s love of the hunt.

Here is how geocaching works. All over the world, people have hidden small boxes and other containers that contain a log for recording the finder’s name and often, little trinkets and trackers. Trackers are the official geocaching item that has a tracking number that keeps track of the travels of these items.

In order to find these caches, you go online to geocaching.com and look up an area where you want to search for a cache. I looked up 90027 and found many interesting possibilities. You make note of the area and the GPS coordinates, then off you go in search of the cache. Now these hiders are quite clever so you have to use the clues the other cache finders have left to solve the puzzle and locate the cache.

When you find the container, sign in on the log. If there is a tracker, you can take it and place it in a new cache that you find next time.  At the end of your caching day, whether you have one or several, log on and record what you have done at geocache.com.  It is nice to leave a clue on the computer record if you found that a cache was tricky to find. We ended up eating in a great restaurant right next to a cache, an added bonus to the experience.

So if you find yourself with family and friends looking for something fun to do that can take 20 minutes or several hours or you need everyone out of the house so you can cook or wrap packages, try geocaching. We have found that we learn something new about our Los Feliz neighborhood every time.

Happy Hunting!

Holiday Shopping for Chanukah and Stocking Treats

Holiday shopping is truly upon us.  I was raised in a traditional manner here in Los Angeles; Christmas shopping only began after Thanksgiving.  There were no early holiday purchases, decorations or holiday music. While times have changed now that I have grandchildren, I still leave the stocking presents for close to the holiday. In Los Feliz, there are many delightful places to buy great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers.

For the coffee or tea drinker:

• (Starbucks on Vermont and Prospect (http://www.starbucks.com/store/15113),
• Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Hillhurst (http://coffeebean.com/location.aspx?UserID=38650288&SessionID=iqKCsPjuBOLdZnkvRAld),
• Intelligentsia on W. Sunset (http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/locations/view/)

• A new book by a favorite or new author plus an interesting selection of books you might not find everywhere ( Skylight Books on N. Vermont (http://www.skylightbooks.com/))
• Theater tickets are a nice treat  at Los Feliz 3 on 1822 N. Vermont Ave.

When our grown children come with the grandchildren, it opens the door to much more shopping. Great toys and children’s clothes can be purchased at:

• Dragonfly Dulou on Hillhurst Ave. (http://www.dragonflydulou.com/contact)
• La La Ling on N. Vermont ) http://www.lalaling.com/e-store/cnt_store.asp).

Farmer’s Markets

• The Farmer’s Market on Hollywood just west of Vermont at Barnsdall Park on Wednesday from noon to 6 pm is a great source of food goodies and handmade items.

Los Feliz Library- A Jewel in the Crown

Remember the library; Los Feliz has a great one.

Los Feliz library (http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=36) is one of the jewels in the crown of the Los Angeles Public Library system.  Located at the corner of Franklin and Hillhurst Ave, it is a community center for much more than books. We are so lucky to have a beautiful building with natural light and wonderful spaces to enjoy many neighborly experiences.

As a preschool, we regularly uses this library to get books that  reflect  activities in the classroom and  children’s interests. The book collection offers so much to choose from; the  56,000 books is very thoughtfully  and well put together. This collection is loaded with current titles and excellent breadth of subjects. The librarians are very knowledge,  always able to guide with great suggestions. There are movies to rent and books on tape. They have a program that allows interlibrary

The library is much more than books. It offers a wide variety of programs such ascomputer classes, author program, architectural lectures, monthly book discussions, music performances, chess, and a quilting circle.

One of the lesser known treasures of the library that I have been wanting to try is the Scrabble Club. I love Scrabble but I am part of a family who are not enthusiasts. On Saturday morning, people with all levels of skills put their Scrabble boards under their arms and come to the community room to find a similarly skilled partner. I loved the friendships and goodwill that were evident the day I visited.

The children’s story hours are always lovely and many of the preschool families have enjoyed many hours with well-chosen books.

A library card and the Los Feliz Library are definitely a passport to hours of enjoyment.

For Last Minute Boxing and Shipping Needs

No matter how we try and how careful we are in our planning, there is always something that needs to ship at the last minute. Box Brothers on Hillhurst Ave (http://www.boxbrosla.com/boxtest/store-locations/box-bros-los-feliz-village) has everything you need. They can do any kind of shipping from electronics to antiques and also provide a valet boxing pick-up service if you aren’t able to get to the store (or want to avoid long lines).  They will also assist you in helping to find the exact size box you need so you can pay for only what you need. They have loads of packing materials as well. They save us every year.

I wish you a wonderful holiday and a great new year.

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I think this is true for the families of CCP. Especially at Thanksgiving, we want to give to our communities, to say thanks and to extend a hand. We can help our children to be thoughtful of our communities during this time by including them in our holiday outreach.

The book,  Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, offers a personal way for children to understand the concept of giving thanks and be aware of what they have to be thankful for. It is easier then to take the next step with them and look beyond their family.

Over the years, I have been involved with some excellent organizations that provide care, food, and other necessities all year to the many neighbors who need help.

Here are a few that may work for your family.

Firstly, you can bring canned food to the school and contribute to the ongoing food drive conducted through Temple Knesset Israel, the temple from whom we rent. They work with SOVA, a community food and resource program that is part of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. SOVA cares for 10, 000 people per month of all religions, ages,  and ethnicities.

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles is one of our closest neighbors and provides many services to children beyond health care. The Red Wagon Program, Toy donations, food, and money are welcome contributions. This link is to their “Giving” page, both for the holidays and all year.

Los Feliz Hope-Net is an interfaith and community effort to eliminate hunger and homelessness. Its founding premise is that ” none of our neighbors should go hungry”. It maintains food pantries and food deliveries as well as many other services.

Angel Harvest , is especially valuable to know about if you are in the Hollywood entertainment business or have dealings with companies that give  catered events. They have established an experienced organization that  picks up  leftover food  from events, cafeterias, and other catering venues and immediately distributes it to centers who feed hungry.

Los Angeles Regional Food Banks have a interesting way to donate that can include your family and friends. Virtual Food Drives are a great way to support the Foodbank’s hunger relief efforts. The Foodbank’s new website makes it easier to create and customize a Virtual Food Drive page to get your friends and family involved in the fight against hunger.

Silverlake MOM’s Club has Operation Sleep Tight that provides 150 backpacks filled with sleepwear, small stuffed animals, small toys,  and special treasure for young children.

We wish you all a happy holiday.Tweet

Natural History Museum Spider Pavilion,  www.nhm.org/site.

COOL THINGS

Spider Pavilion Nighttime Flashlight Tours

October 21 & 28

We‘re keeping the Spider Pavilion open late for exciting nighttime exploration and guided tours by flashlight. Complimentary flashlight and commemorative Spider Pavilion 2011 pin while supplies last.A great experience on Oct. 21 and 28th.  

Ivanhoe Public Elementary School- Fall HoeDown- Oct 29th- at 1 pm.- 2828 Herkimer St Los Angeles, CA 90039-4103 - (323) 664-0051

Larchmont Family Fair- Sunday, October 23, 12-5 pm. Larchmont Blvd.  between First and Third.

Self- Realization Center Halloween Festival  in Mt. Washington. It is always the Friday before Halloween. This year will be October 28th and it usually goes from 6-8, or around that time. It is open to the public. Kids can come dressed up. They have all kinds of wonderful Jack O’ Lanterns, lots of activities for the kids, a Halloween queen and several acts (singing, magician, dancers, performers, etc.) Highly recommended by some of our parents. 

Los Angeles Zoo- Boo at the Zoo

The 9thAnnual Rose Scharlin Halloween Hullabaloo is October 29th  from 4pm- 8pm. 2414 Lake View Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. 90039

Los Angeles Charter School of the Arts-

On Saturday, October 22, the annual LFCSA Halloween Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Come join the fun as we help raise needed funds for our school. Activities include a petting zoo, giant slides, a haunted house, dunk-your-teacher booth, great food, bake sale, Stewies shaved ice, facepainting, spray tattoos, games, crafts and some new surprises. Admission is free.

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We are very happy to be  a participant in the Jumpstart’s Read for the Record.  Our children love the whole Llama Llama Series and we look forward to being together with our children and their parents as the nation reads  in unison. We also plan on asking our children to invite the children they know to participate with us. We will keep track of where those children live so we can mark it on our US map.

The purpose of the nation-wide reading is to highlight and to receive support for the more than six million children who live in poverty and don’t not have access to quality early childhood care . These children are at risk for school failure before they even start kindergarten. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®, presented in conjunction with the Pearson Foundation, allows Americans to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve.

You can be involved  by going to Jumpstarts’ Read for the Record and pledging to read on Oct. 6th. You can also make a donation towards the improvement of early education for children in poverty.

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This family-friendly open-air festival at the LA Zoo has been delighting music lovers of all ages for more than a decade.  Thursday night July 28th from 6-9 pm. The zoo is also at its best in the early evening because the animals wake up from the warm summer.

The Gene Autry Museum  has a a summer of Music and Festivals featuring Latin and Country Music and a Cowboy and Cowgirl every few days.

The Descanso Garden Music on the Main Jazz Series  on Thursdays at 5:30 pm until Aug 25th.

For example, Mitchell Long and the Cafe Atlantico will be performing Brazilian Music on July 21st. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music for the price of a garden admission.

Summer Family Series at the Descanso Gardens

5:30 p.m. Tuesdays | Through Aug. 25

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum makes its second Descanso appearance of the summer when it performs “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on Tuesday, July 19. Free with admssion to the gardens.

      On Friday nights, LACMA has Jazz in the Courtyard for the rest         of the summer starting at 6 pm. Food and wine are available for          purchase.

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The director, producer, art director, and head of story went to visit Ashdown Foret in Sussex, England to traipse around the real place that inspired A.A. Milne’s wonderful books and capture the feel of where his son, Christopher Robin, played with his stuffed animals. They stayed away from all of the new technologies and realized the best way to retain all of the charm and character of the original characters was to continue Milne’s concept of beautifully drawn yet simple pen and ink illustrations.

The movie is based on three Milne stories and takes place over the course of one day in the Hundred Acres Woods. Each character has his own story but it is always the collection of friends together that makes the stories so great.

Have fun this summer with one of literature’s enduringly great stories for children. You will also  enjoy reading them to your children as they grow older.Tweet

It has everything you need to enjoy a delicious lunch and afternoon with your children. One end has a Color Me Mine and a baby and breast feeding store, and the other end has Doris’ Sweet Shoppe store with soft sugar- free”frosties”, McConnell’s Santa Barbara absolutely not- sugar- free delicious ice cream, and cupcakes.

Across the street, at 2207 Honolulu Ave.  is the Once Upon a Time family book shop with half of the store dedicated to children’s books.  Tom’s Toys has a good selection, friendly help,  and many quality items with real play value. Outside of Critters, there are  two of the old-fashioned moving cars that you put quarters in. My brother and I loved those when we were little; there were never enough quarters.

For summer fare, it has easy-going,  outdoor seating in restaurants  that offer appealing food for both parents and chldren. For Mexican, there is Pepe’s and Joselito’s;  for really great barbeque, Zeke’s is the place;  the Black Cow serves excellent breakfasts as well as lunches.

On Sunday morning and early afternoon, Montrose has a fabulous Harvest Market with organic produce, flowers, and interactive cheldren’s collectables. At the east end of the market, there is a bounce house and hand-led pony rides. There is live music to listen to.

Montrose is a great place for families to spend time, especially during these summer months. Enjoy!

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First the facts:

Dates & Location
The annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will be held:
Saturday April 30, 2011 from 10am – 6pm
Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 10am – 5pm at:
University of Southern California
Click here for map.
To locate USC on Yahoo! Maps or similar mapping software, you may use the intersection of Exposition Blvd and S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90089.

Tickets & Admission

General attendance is free! Parking is $10 if you want to be quite near the festival.

Now a glimpse of the wonderful experience:

If you are not familiar with the Book Festival, it is the Granddaddy of  all book festivals with hundreds of booths featuring a established book stores and many small presses. There are stages with authors reading from their books, and panel discussions on many genres and topics. It covers most of the USC campus.

The very large children’s area is wonderful and not only has an amazing selection of books but also has booths with self- publishing authors and specialy catgories.  There are performances and book readings for all ages of children.

Take your children and have a day the whole family will enjoy!

Check the LA Times, the sponsor, for details.Tweet