Best Places to See Holiday Lights in Los Angeles Area

Published October 3, 2024

By Nina Harada

The Original Farmers Market hosts its annual menorah lighting.
PHOTO COURTESY THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET

The earlier setting of the sun during the winter season is always balanced by the onset of twinkling of holiday lights. Here’s a roundup of some of the best places in the area to bask in the warm glow of festive illuminations.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
L.A. Zoo, Nov. 15-Jan. 7

For the ultimate, immersive holiday adventure, visit the L.A. Zoo, where lantern sculptures of animals, a magical alpine forest and glowing rivers illuminate the night. This all-ages enchanting evening includes seasonal treats, photo ops and the return of Santa. lazoo.org

Enchanted Forest of Light

Descanso Gardens, Nov. 17-Jan. 5

Descanso lights up its gardens for another holiday season, featuring returning favorites like the “stained glass” houses by sculptor Tom Fruin, geometric installations from HYBYCOZO, illuminated Ancient Forest and the Flower Power installation on the promenade. New this year, the nostalgic model trains of the Descanso Railroad will be all lit up for the holiday season. descansogardens.org

Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting

Manhattan Beach Pier, Nov. 20
The 34^th annual pier lighting at the Manhattan Beach Pier and 29^th annual holiday open house in Downtown Manhattan Beach will kick off the holiday season with live music, a toy drive, live reindeer, face painting and more. manhattanbeach.gov

Winterfest OC

OC Fair & Event Center, Nov. 22-Jan. 5

Southern California’s largest winter festival is back for its 10th anniversary. This one-of-a-kind winter wonderland experience features more than a million lights, a holiday market, live shows, a 150-foot ice tubing slide, new snow play area and more. winterfestoc.com

Holiday Lights Train Ride

Griffith Park, Nov. 29-Jan. 3

Experience a magical train ride through Travel Town or Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, where a one-mile track will be decorated with thousands of lights. There will also be a holiday gift kiosk, open-air photo booths and hot beverages and treats available for purchase from family-run Griffith Park Cafe. griffithparktrainrides.com

Lighting of the Bay and Fire & Light Festival

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, Nov. 29-Jan. 5

The 34^th annual celebration opens Nov. 29 with crafts, food, holiday movie on the beach, photo ops with Santa, a fire dance performance and more family-friendly activities. The holiday light display, which features more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations on the water, continues every evening at dusk through Jan. 5.

newportdunes.com

LA County Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, Dec. 2
Kick off the season with this very L.A. holiday tradition. The free, annual community celebration features live music, festive activities, holiday treats and the majestic lighting of the tree. musiccenter.org

Grand Illuminations

The Yard at Cal Plaza, Dec. 4-Jan. 8

Local artist Abram Santa Cruz and his L.A.-based arts collective Liquid PXL, transform The Yard at Cal Plaza into a dazzling holiday light display. Featuring Electric Dandelions, Lumiverse and a 25-foot holiday lights tree, Grand Illuminations makes the perfect DTLA family photo op. downtownla.com

Hanukkah Celebration

The Original Farmers Market, Dec. 10

Celebrate the magical Hanukkah holiday at the market with the annual giant ice sculpture menorah carving demonstration. Enjoy musical performances and craft activities throughout the day. Once the sun sets, get ready for the grand finale, the lighting of the ice sculpture menorah. farmersmarketla.com

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights

Ventura Harbor Village, Dec. 13-14

The 48^th annual Parade of Lights’ theme is Candyland, featuring a parade of sweet and colorful boats throughout the harbor. Each night will begin with kids’ carnival rides, faux snowfall and live entertainment, followed by the parade at 6:30 p.m. and ending with a fireworks finale. venturaharborvillage.com

Suicide Prevention: Life-Saving Tips for Parents

Published September 30, 2024

By Kelly Hwang

Suicide is a complex issue affecting countless families, making awareness essential for prevention. Kelly Hwang, LMFT, the director of Intensive Behavioral Health at Children’s Institute, shares about how recent societal changes have impacted suicidal ideation, particularly among youth. She highlights two major influences, including the pandemic and social media. While both issues are attributed to rising mental health concerns, they also provide opportunities for dialogue and support.

The Impact of the Pandemic

The pandemic has profoundly affected youth mental health, resulting in alarming increases in suicidal ideation and self-harm. A key driver of this crisis is social isolation including lockdowns, which stripped youth of social interactions, leaving many feeling lonely and disconnected.

Kelly Hwang, LMFT.
PHOTO COURTESY CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE

Additionally, the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic shifted conversations about mortality into the forefront of young minds. Children, who may have previously been unaffected by death, were suddenly inundated with news about COVID-related hospitalizations and fatalities, heightening their anxiety and contributing to feelings of despair. Some even experienced the death of a family member or friend as a result of COVID.

The pandemic also sparked a cultural shift towards open discussions about mental health and wellness. The stigma that once silenced these conversations quickly began to dissipate, creating an environment where people felt more comfortable opening up about their struggles. While this openness may explain the uptick in reported rates of suicidal ideation, it also facilitates supportive dialogue.

The Role of Social Media

Social media serves as a double-edged sword for youth. On the negative side, it perpetuates unrealistic standards, leading to unhealthy comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. Social media users tend to showcase their “best sides,” which skews perceptions of reality and can exacerbate underlying anxiety and depression in some users.

Social media can also promote harmful behaviors in schools including bullying and harassment. Additionally, easy access to content about suicide poses risks to youth.

Despite these challenges, social media can be a source of information for mental health and suicide prevention. Online resources can be life-saving — including for parents, who can benefit from increased awareness of warning signs and strategies to support their children.

Tips for Parents

If you’re a parent concerned about your child’s mental health, consider the following tips:

Recognize Depressive Symptoms

Loss of interest: If your child no longer engages in activities they once enjoyed.
Loss of enjoyment: Notice this sign in activities and things previously enjoyed.
Changes in eating and sleeping: Deviations in usual patterns should be noted.
Preoccupation with death: Frequent talk about death or suicidal thoughts should not be dismissed.
Low energy or fatigue: Persistent low energy levels.
Depressed moods and/or tearfulness: Persistent feelings of depression.
Traumatic exposure: Past traumas that may affect their mental health.
Encourage open dialogue: Engaging in conversations about mental health and suicide is crucial.
Ask directly: Ask if your child has thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Validate their feelings: Listen empathetically and acknowledge their emotions.
Connect them with trusted adults: Encourage seeking support from other family members, mentors or counselors.
Consult a mental health professional: If concerns escalate, don’t hesitate to involve a professional.

Resources

For additional support, organizations like Children’s Institute offer resources and counseling for qualifying families. For families under Medi-Cal with youth 0-21 years of age who are seeking resources, please see here.

Additional resources:

Call 988 – SAMHSA’s Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call 211 for essential community services

LA County’s Department of Mental Health – 1-800-854-7771 (24/7 hotline)

Kelly Hwang, LMFT, is director of Intensive Behavioral Health at Children’s Institute.

Should My Child Play Different Sports or Specialize in One?

Published September 30, 2024

By Elena Epstein

Editor’s Note: This is part four of our seven-part series on sports burnout and kids.

I recently turned to Bianca Edison, M.D., a sports medicine specialist with the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, for some insight on how to prevent our kids from experiencing sports burnout. In this nine-part series, we explore the pressures to excel that kids in L.A. face, how to recognize burn out, what to look for in a team and much more. In this segment, she discusses sports specialization.

How do you feel about kids who compete in several different sports?

There is increased pressure currently to participate at a high level, to specialize in one sport early and to play year-round, often on multiple teams. This increased emphasis on sports specialization has led to an increase in injuries, overtraining and burnout.

I applaud young athletes who play and participate in multiple different sports. This allows the child to experience many different options and figure out what is right for them individually, not what they think others around them may want. The myth that young kids need to specialize in one sport early on in order to be a successful athlete needs to be perpetually debunked.

The data exists to do so, but we need to disseminate that date more broadly and publicly. Most experts agree that sports specialization in general should not happen until much later. There have been numerous studies conducted that reveal that elite professional athletes and Division I NCAA athletes are more likely to have played multiple sports in their youth and underwent sports sampling and cross-training. Intense single-sport training did not begin until late adolescence.

Current evidence suggests that delaying sport specialization for the majority of sports until after puberty (late adolescence, around 15 or 16 years of age) can minimize negative risks (physical, emotional and mental) as well as lead to a higher likelihood of athletic success.

Playing multiple sports and at different seasons can make for more well-rounded athletes and also helps the athlete rest certain muscle groups while honing skills for other muscles, which can decrease injury risk.

Furthermore, experiencing different sports facilitates a much broader support network; the athlete can experience different coaches and different teammates, which expands learning even more.

Read parts one, two and three of the our sports series.

A Guide for Parents: ‘Raising LGBTQ Allies’

Published September 30, 2024

By Chris Tompkins

Earlier this week, a friend sent me a recent video clip of a well-known openly gay comedian being interviewed about her experience of coming out. During the interview, she talked about feeling ashamed about being gay, but what struck me most was when she said, “I’m gay and ashamed till the day I die.”

Along with the video, my friend, who is an openly gay man and in a long-term relationship with his partner, wrote, “We went from being afraid to come out to this kind of overexposure that, in reality, makes many uncomfortable.”

I was surprised by my friend’s response. While the conversation is certainly nuanced, whenever I hear someone say that being LGBTQ “isn’t for kids” or that “they’re too young to understand,” I get curious about the messages they internalized as a child and how those messages have affected their worldview. This curiosity drove me to write my book, “Raising LGTBQ Allies: A Parent’s Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground.”

It’s easy for the comedian to say, as an adult, that she’s “gay and ashamed till the day I die” and wear it as a sort of badge of honor. But as children, we want to belong and be a part of the larger community.

As a therapist, I sit with LGBTQ clients daily and hear their stories of feeling misunderstood as children, which has created lasting sexual identity development challenges.

I understand that sometimes the pendulum can swing far in one direction when it comes to cultural shifts, but visibility is important and heteronormativity is a powerful force that causes negative consequences in our psyches.

I sort of joke that I wrote myself into graduate school because halfway through working on my book, I applied to grad school to become an LGBTQ-affirming therapist. In graduate school, I often shared my book’s message in classroom discussions because many of my childhood-development classes were taught through a heteronormative lens.

Heteronormativity — the belief, conscious or unconscious, that being heterosexual is the only natural or “normal” sexual expression — often shows up in the conversations we don’t have about the communities we don’t include. Heteronormativity is in everything from the songs we hear on the radio to the greeting cards we shop for at our local Target and the images we see in the articles we read on the internet.

Heteronormativity is especially prevalent in the textbooks that young people read in school and in the examples their teachers may unknowingly use in everyday classroom conversations.

Challenging heteronormativity in the classroom

Not everyone is heterosexual or cisgender. Yet we live in a heteronormative world, and many young people spend their days in classrooms and homes that are extensions of the world outside them. Through everything from pop culture to K–12 materials, the messages children receive inside and outside the classroom often put forth a heteronormative worldview.

According to an article from the American Marketing Association, the average consumer in the United States is exposed to 10,000 brand messages a day. In addition, research from Michigan State University Extension’s Stress Less With Mindfulness program, finds that the average person has 80,000 thoughts per day. Because we live in a heteronormative world, from the moment a child is born, families can unintentionally pass along anti-LGBTQ beliefs and encourage heteronormativity simply by the toys, books and movies their children are exposed to at home.

It’s made me wonder how many heteronormative messages, images and impressions an average youth receives on a daily basis in the United States — from both the media and their environment. Compounded with the number of thoughts the average person has per day and the intersectionality of familial, religious, cultural and societal beliefs (and just by doing basic math), we have an overwhelmingly heterosexual and cisgender equation.

Challenging heteronormativity at home

In math, if you want a different outcome, you have to change the equation. If we want to help create an affirming world for all children, we have to proactively challenge harmful social norms.

To help, here are six steps:

Consider that at least one child in your class or family could be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.
Practice proactive self-introspection.
Be inclusive and incorporate LGBTQ examples in discussions and everyday conversations.
Show support by having LGBTQ-related books, signage, stickers or resource materials.
Create an open, safe and affirming space (containment).
Be vulnerable, ask questions and have authentic conversations (attunement).

Whether inside the home or classroom, challenging heteronormativity can prevent anti-LGBTQ bias from taking root inside a young person’s belief system. And giving all young people the space to discover who they are, while encouraging them to authentically share their lives with us, helps raise a new generation of LGBTQ allies.

Chris Tompkins is an author, therapist and educator. Learn more about Tompkins at linktr.ee/aroadtriptolove.

Best Tips for Planning a Kid’s Birthday Party

Published September 27, 2024

By Lisa Lafferty

A Shrek-themed birthday party. PHOTOS COURTESY LISA LAFFERTY

Planning a kid’s birthday party can be both exciting and overwhelming. Should you invite your child’s whole class? Which extended family members should you invite? Should there be a theme? What food to serve…the list goes on.

But to make the celebration unforgettable, focusing on the following elements can make sure that the kid whose birthday you’re celebrating has the time of their life, that guests of all ages enjoy themselves and that you can still enjoy the day without getting too stressed.

Step 1: Pick your theme

The first step in planning an amazing birthday party is selecting a theme that resonates with the birthday child. Whether they are fascinated by dinosaurs, enchanted by fairies or obsessed with superheroes, a well-chosen theme will set the tone for the entire event.

Once the theme has been selected, try to bring every element of the party into it. For example, if the theme is “under the sea,” make sure all décor carries a water or sea life theme, that desserts pay homage to the theme and that any goody bags have something tied back to the celebration.

Step 2: Get creative with the food

While the bowling alley parties that we grew up with that served pizza, cake and soda may have been fun, we know we can do better! Serve food that can tie into the theme you’ve landed on — and it doesn’t have to be kitschy or cheesy. For example, having little tea sandwiches for a princess-themed party is fun for all participants, whereas pink cupcakes might not be a hit for every single guest.

Step 3: Be mindful of dietary restrictions

While sugary treats are often a staple at parties, not everyone gives their kids sugar (or can eat the dairy or eggs that are often in desserts). Ask about any restrictions in advance so you can make sure there is food everyone can enjoy without feeling left out.

Step 4: Organize photo moments

Even if you don’t post your child on social media, you want to have photos that you can treasure in the future. Décor is key to making a party come to life — and can be as simple as banners and balloons or as built-out as creating your own bayou and New Orleans experience (which is something that I just created for a quinceañera)! And don’t just set up a nice backdrop; take time to get the photos.

Step 5: Make goody bags

Goody bags are a great way to thank guests for coming. Step them up a notch by including a practical item or activity. A small toy related to the theme, stickers and a healthy snack can be a big hit.

Step 6: Provide entertainment or an activity

Entertainment is crucial for keeping kids engaged and happy — and it also helps the parents have some adult time. There are countless options for activities at kids’ parties, and what you plan depends on your child’s age and interests. These could range from having their favorite characters attend and put on a show, making pizzas together, watching a magician, going swimming and much more.

Step 7: Get extra help so you can be present at the party

Hosting a party involves a lot of moving pieces, so don’t hesitate to enlist help. Hiring a helper or babysitter can take some of the pressure off you and allow you to enjoy the party as well. This is especially helpful for set-up and breakdown after the party ends.

It goes without saying that throwing a great party for kids takes a lot of planning and can create stress, but if you go step-by-step, you can make it something amazing that everyone will love!

Lisa Lafferty is an elite event and wedding planner, creative director and culinary curator. the Southern California native has worked in some of the most lavish venues and resorts with top corporations, brands and A-list celebrities.

A Couple’s Getaway at Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Published September 26, 2024

By Stacy Suaya

“1-0!” hollered the ref — a hotel employee named Karla — after a sleeve-tattooed dad spiked the ball. Water splashed from the blue raspberry ICEE-hued infinity pool at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. The mom yelled, “Get it, Axel!” and “Esther, pass!” Excitement was high at the “Ambassador” infinity pool at as a raucous family of 10 played water polo.

“It’s a battle! Shoot, shoot!” shouted the grandmother. Later, the grandmother, Lynette, told me she was part of a multigenerational band of three families traveling together. Aww, I thought as I passed a child wrestling an inflatable alligator and two little girls eating potato chips and giggling, in tot-sized cabanas.

With visions of a slower-paced, child-free vacation, my boyfriend and I had left Los Angeles for this all-inclusive luxury resort in Mayan Riviera, located on the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. And while we were certainly romanced through spa treatments, a meal from a Michelin-starred chef and a choice of three pools, the hotel’s flurry of adorable family activities and amenities made us wish at times that our three children were with us.

A grand entrance

Located off Highway 307 is a mammoth, cream-colored wall that has a bridge jutting from the middle of it. On the afternoon of our arrival, it looked so otherworldly that my boyfriend commented that it looked like the “Jurassic Park” opening scene. We crossed the bridge and entered Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s 206-acre compound of jungle and mangroves. “We don’t want you to walk on the grounds. Call a shuttle, and we’ll take you if you need to get anywhere,” our driver said, alluding to the vastness.

Mom and dad get away without the kids. PHOTOS COURTESY STACY SUAYA

We parked at the hotel’s check-in area. Bright letter statues the size of children spelled “SALINAS DAY” before a soaring palapa. Under that was a living room with air gently flowing through it. Our greeter, who offered us champagne, told us that Salinas was the “Jeff Bezos of Mexico.” Business people in tailored suits and lanyards streamed past as we sipped our bubbles and then hopped in a shuttle to see our room.

Exquisite moments

A wooden door the size of a castle’s gate swung open, and the end of the room looked so far away that my boyfriend joked, “Maybe we should call the shuttle if we need to get over there.” The bellhop pointed out the No Me Olvides mezcal on the dresser and told us it was made exclusively for the resort and not for sale at stores or bars. We fell onto the bed and did not miss the bleep-bloops of our kids’ iPads or having to say, “What should we cook for dinner tonight?”

That question was being asked, instead, by Michelin-starred chef Nahúm Velasco one short shuttle ride away at Cocina de Autor. We arrived there for our dinner reservation by walking through a Y-shaped corridor of covered walkways flooded with golden light. In those corridors and at several dinners, we noted that attire rises to the occasion at Grand Velas Mayan Riviera; women wore designer dresses dripping with golden jewels and men sported tailored clothes with freshly shined shoes. Everyone held hands, and so did we.

Cocina de Autor’s all-white décor — from linens to Carrara marble to a midcentury-style screen — lets the dishes take center stage. Our eight-course tasting menu surprised and delighted us, and the results of my request for an all-plant-based course sometimes left my boyfriend jealous. Years ago, when I ate meat, I lived part-time in Buenos Aires, where morcilla is king. Cocina de Autor’s vegan version, which was made with portobello mushrooms, was a divine reproduction.

Mayan traditions

During a property tour the next day, Kevin, the resort’s tour and travel manager, filled us in on some local lore. He divulged that the property was rumored to contain some aluxes, or “little people” of the Yucatan Maya, akin to gnomes or leprechauns. Apparently, the aluxes liked to play tricks. Kevin told us that the workers’ tools went missing for three days when the Grand Velas began construction on the land. Thinking the aluxes might be behind it, the workers built them a little house. “The next day, the tools were back,” Kevin said. Our kids would have liked to hear that story, I thought, wishing they were with us in that moment.

That afternoon, during my 80-minute “Bacal massage” at the two-story, 90,000-square-foot Grand Velas SE Spa, an angel woman named Sim Duy exfoliated my body with honey and rolled me into bliss with an ear of maize. My boyfriend was in another treatment room being massaged with calabash gourds. The spa rooted our treatments in the Mayan and Aztec traditions of using sacred plants to heal.

Family fun

A popsicle cart wheeled by us the next day as we read novels and napped by the “Ambassador pool.” I imagined our kids choosing their flavors and finishing with sticky red and blue fingers and mouths, then rolled over and blissfully fell asleep on my boyfriend’s chest. This was a weekday. The kids were in school, and we were in paradise. We’d won a lottery, I reminded myself.

I forgot about our kids all through lunch at Azul, a buffet-style, tiered restaurant on the beach hugged by a panoramic curve of open windows. With bellies full of plant-based sushi, tiny veggie tacos and personal Crème Brulés the size of arcade tokens, my boyfriend and I headed over to the Zen pool near our room for more quiet catnaps.

On the way, we noticed an on-site karaoke lounge big enough to be a standalone bar if air-dropped into any U.S. town. Its liquor shelf, mammoth TV screen and soft leather sofas created a flirtation between us public-singing newbies (at least around each other): “Would you?” I asked. “Maybe,” he said. “Let’s put a pin in this,” we both said. Then, a little girl in a flouncy dress walked up to the stage, and the lyrics to Frozen’s “Let It Go” rolled down the screen behind her. The performance, of course, melted the girl’s family.

Enjoying refreshing cocktails and ocean breezes.

Sing your heart out

We did karaoke the next night. My boyfriend sang Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” and I rapped De La Soul’s “Magic Number.” I sang my song as an homage to my 10-year-old son who performed it weeks prior at his school talent show, and I couldn’t wait to see how cool or uncool he would think it was when we got home (flash forward: I got neither answer, but when his face broke into a Cheshire cat grin, it was worth emotional millions).

Our romantic getaway ended the following day, and as we passed the Margaritaville restaurant inside the Cancun airport en route to LAX, we enjoyed one last meal that didn’t require three children squabbling and dragging us all over the food court. We asked ourselves, “Was something missing all along, or did we get the experience we needed?”

Let’s just say we’re bringing them next time.

Stacy Suaya is a Los Angeles-based writer who focuses on travel, art, design and architecture.

How to Teach Teens Radical Self-Responsibility

Published September 20, 2024

By Tracy Crossley

When a young teen hears, “You can do what you want, but be a good person doing it,” they are handed a heavy burden. As a parent, it’s important to recognize the implications of this statement. Rather than building self-trust, independence or intrinsic motivation, it inadvertently puts external approval at the center of your teen’s decision-making process.

You can support your teen in developing self-responsibility.

What this actually teaches is that your child’s worth is tied to doing things that others will judge as “good.” It pressures them to conform to expectations, often leading them to worry more about others’ opinions than about their own genuine choices. It doesn’t lead to self-responsibility; if anything, it creates fear of it as a burden.

It can suffocate their development and lead to confusion about why they want to do something in the first place. Are they pursuing an activity because it truly resonates with them, or because they feel compelled to meet someone else’s standard?

When a teen learns that the “right” choice is whatever pleases others, they miss opportunities to take emotional risks, explore their interests and make decisions based on internal motivations. They begin to worry more about disappointing their parents than following their own path, even when their choices aren’t harmful.

Parenting on Autopilot

Parents often repeat patterns from their own upbringing without realizing it. Some common phrases, while well-intended, can hinder a child’s growth. For example:

You may think you’re protecting your child by discouraging risk-taking, but in reality, you could be instilling fear and self-doubt.
You might feel you’re offering guidance by telling your teen to “be good,” but this vague standard often creates confusion and anxiety.
By giving them a broad directive like “Do what you want,” you might expect them to act as their own moral compass. However, without clear parameters, this can lead to uncertainty and dependence on external approval.
When you try to control their actions with guilt or shame, you unintentionally teach them to base their choices on what others think, rather than on their own inner values.

This pattern of external validation doesn’t just affect childhood — it follows them into adulthood, making it harder for them to trust themselves and their decisions.

Teach Radical Self-Responsibility

Radical self-responsibility means owning every thought, feeling, action and statement.

It’s about acknowledging that your choices are yours and making them from a place of emotional safety and well-being. When teens learn to take responsibility for their decisions — whether they lead to success or failure — they build resilience and self-confidence. Even when things go wrong, they know they have the strength to navigate the consequences and make different choices in the future.

As parents, it’s essential to allow your teen to experience life fully, even the parts that might be emotionally challenging. You cannot save them from every hardship, and when you try, you rob them of the opportunity to learn and grow. True self-responsibility is synonymous with emotional maturity. The opposite, blame, leaves your teen powerless, constantly looking for external scapegoats instead of owning their choices.

How to Shift Your Approach

Tracy Crossley, M.A. PHOTO COURTESY TRACY CROSSLEY

Rather than trying to control your teen’s behavior, consider these approaches to create self-responsibility:

Get to know your teen’s motivations. Ask them why they want to do something and listen without judgment. Understanding their internal drivers helps them connect with their intrinsic motivation, making them more confident in their choices.
Encourage emotional risk-taking. Instead of labeling their decisions as “good” or “bad,” ask them to pay attention to how their choices make them feel. The benefit is growing self-awareness and discernment, skills that will serve them in the long term.
Trust their decision-making process. If you’re worried that they might make the wrong choice, check whether your fear is based on reality or your own insecurities. Trust your child to learn from their experiences, just as you did.
Be specific in your communication. Vague directives such as “Do what you want” can be confusing. Offer clear and thoughtful guidance that encourages self-reflection without imposing your own expectations.

Modeling Self-Responsibility

As parents, you have the opportunity to model radical self-responsibility in your own actions. Blame can be sneaky, so be mindful of statements such as, “I’m upset because he/she is the problem” or “I lashed out because I always have to fix everything.” These comments deflect responsibility for your reactions. Instead, recognize that you always have a choice in how you respond, no matter what someone else says or does.

Being a model of self-responsibility means showing your teen how to speak their truth and express their emotions without blaming others. You can say, “I’m feeling frustrated” without making it someone else’s fault. When things don’t go as planned, take the time to reflect on your role in the situation. What could you have done differently? What might you try next time?

By taking responsibility for your own emotions and actions, you show your teen how to do the same. You demonstrate that while external circumstances may not always be within their control, their choices and responses are. Moving to radical self-responsibility can enable both you and your teen to grow with confidence and trust in yourselves.

Tracy Crossley, M.A., is an author, Trainer and Behavior Expert. For more information on how you can help your teen, visit growtrinsic.com.

How Parents’ Insecurities Can Impact Their Kids

Published September 20, 2024

By Tracy Crossley

Melissa had been through three interviews for a job she really wanted. Despite making it this far, she felt insecure about being chosen, especially since the other two applicants had more education and experience.

As she shared her worries with her husband, she expressed a sense of desperation: “Why does it always feel harder for me? What’s wrong with me? I know I’m capable, but I still doubt myself and believe the others I am competing with have some secret sauce that I’m missing because I don’t have a graduate degree.”

Although her husband reassured her, the feeling of inadequacy sat tied like a knot in her gut. What Melissa didn’t realize was that her 13-year-old daughter, Sophia, was listening.

Sophia could relate.

She was running for student body president, and while she knew she could handle the role, another girl was running — one who was far more popular and who Sophia felt was good at everything she tried to do.

No matter how often her parents reminded her of how competent she was, Sophia didn’t feel she measured up. She realized that, just like her mom, you can appear competent but still lack confidence on the inside.

Insecurity in children doesn’t just appear out of thin air.

It’s often a reflection of the insecurities they observe and absorb from their parents and the world around them. Think about it — when a parent constantly doubts their decisions or speaks negatively about themselves, children pick up on these cues. They start to mirror these attitudes, thinking it’s the “normal” way to behave.

Reassurances didn’t seem to make a difference for either Melissa or Sophia.

Melissa was unaware of the unconscious impression she was leaving on her daughter. She felt she made a point of positively cheering her on, so her daughter wouldn’t feel the limitations she had faced her entire life. It’s a great idea, but in reality, it’s empty words coming from her own state of lack.

Every time Melissa spoke poorly of a family member, but then went out of her way to please them, Sophia observed this and internalized the belief that sometimes, you have to do things against yourself — even when it feels wrong — because it’s the “right” thing to do. Sophia noticed that if there was a chance of being rejected by someone, she rushed to please them, just like her mom.

The connection between parent and child, and the lack of awareness many parents have, isn’t about taking a class in confidence.

Become aware of mixed messages

The first step for any parent is recognizing that perfection isn’t the goal. Without realizing it, we often project the expectation of perfection onto our children. Kids want to “do the right thing,” and by modeling certain behaviors — consciously or unconsciously — we create patterns that our children follow.

Children are deeply tuned into their parents’ insecurities, often more than parents realize.

Many parents, feeling insecure in their own roles, may not be aware of how their behavior and self-doubt impact their children. Often, our insecurities become fears about our children experiencing the same disappointments we faced in the past. We fear their failure, believing they are too fragile to handle it, instead of recognizing that failure and disappointment build resilience.

In the case of unconscious insecurities we pass on, our children build their sense of self through the lens we provide, as described by Social Learning Theory.

So when Melissa thinks, “Oh, Sophia loves to play sports and is competitive just like I was,” the question becomes, “Is Sophia happy and feeling intrinsically connected to how she sees herself and expectations that feel good? Or is she acting from a place of insecurity and a feeling of not being enough, just like me?”

Parenting tips

Own your words, actions, feelings and thoughts. It means seeing yourself and understanding why you do, say, think and feel the way you do — and sharing it. Just be honest. “Ya know, Sophia, I used to worry so much about not being good enough. I would try to make everyone like me and accept me. I realize I still do it, and I am working on being more aware of when I do it so I can ask myself, ‘What is my motivation?’”
Examine your expectations. What expectations do you feel you have to live up to and could be passing on to your child? Get to know where they came from and whether they are about making you feel worthy or helping your child feel worthy. Could these expectations be dropped? Since the goal is “you are worthy because you breathe,” letting go of these expectations won’t make your child lazy; it will help them define their own goals without worrying about disappointing you.

These tips are just a starting point and are meant to help ease the insecure feelings you may have as a parent. By approaching what you do and how you see yourself through a more compassionate lens, you create a healthier environment for both you and your child. No one benefits from holding themselves to unrealistic expectations based on a sense of lack.

Tracy Crossley, M.A., is an author, trainer and behavior expert. For more information on how you can help your teen, visit growtrinsic.com.

How to Choose the Best Sports Team for Your Child

Published September 17, 2024

By Elena Epstein

(This is part three of our seven-part series on sports burnout and kids)

What should parents look for in sports team?

Ideally, sports teams should foster a love of sport while cultivating the whole athlete with proper physical and social-emotional development. Coaches play a key role in that. The way a coach approaches their particular sport and their role in a young athlete’s life can make all the difference when it comes to that athlete’s value system with regards to sports and their safety risk profile and ultimately, future outcomes.

Coaching is a different sort of mentorship and leadership role. Often players can spend more time with their coaches than anyone else outside of the home environment. Those coaches who recognize, respect and honor that role tend to experience healthier and more positive players on their team.

A great sports team not only fosters an environment to positively contribute to physical fitness and develop both basic and higher-level skills but also elevates a child’s capabilities to develop leadership skills, boost self-confidence, learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship and help them deal with both successes and failures. In addition, before your child joins a youth sports team, evaluate both their short and long-term goals as well as your own so that you can compare against the motivation and goals of that particular team.

Read parts one and two of the our sports series.

What Does Burnout Look Like in Kids and Tweens?

Published September 11, 2024

We like to think of childhood as idyllic and carefree, but the reality is that our kids are actually dealing with a lot of stress. As parents, we often talk about burnout and how to know it’s time to take a break and recharge. It turns out our kids need the same knowledge and tools so they can better navigate the challenges of growing up and the pressures that are part of their childhoods — social media, competitive sports, getting into the “right” schools and peer cliques.

I reached out to Sabrina Renteria, M.D., a child and adolescent board-certified psychiatrist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to gain more insight into how we can help our kids manage burnout.

What does burnout look like in elementary and middle school students?

Burnout in elementary and middle school children can manifest in various ways. As a parent, you might notice your child showing signs of stress. In elementary and middle school children, stress can look like snappiness or irritability, lack of energy or fatigue or tearfulness. Children might even express frustration or that they feel like giving up.

What are some of the main situations that cause burnout in elementary and middle school kids?

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), here are four top causes of burnout in elementary and middle school kids:

Academic pressure: High expectations and a heavy workload can overwhelm children, leading to stress and burnout.
Extracurricular overload: Participation in too many activities, especially when combined with schoolwork, can exhaust children physically and mentally.
Social stress: Difficulties in social relationships, such as bullying or peer pressure, can significantly contribute to emotional distress.
Lack of down time: Insufficient time for rest and relaxation can prevent children from recovering from daily stressors, leading to burnout.

The first step to addressing burnout is understanding the main causes. Then, you as a parent can work on ways to help your child cope and find a more balanced and enjoyable routine.

What should parents look for?

Parents know their children best, and should look out for changes in their behaviors and mood. If your child starts to have a drop in grades, irritability that comes out as easily frustrated or often being in a bad mood, it could be a sign of stress. Sometimes, children demonstrate stress by developing aches and pains.

Sabrina Renteria, M.D., is a psychiatrist with Cedars-Sinai.
PHOTO COURTESY CEDARS-SINAI

Frequent complaints of aches like headaches or stomachaches can be a red flag. They can also lose interest in their previously cherished pastimes; for example, not wanting to do favorite hobbies or activities. Lastly, look out for sleep issues like trouble falling or staying asleep, or even sleeping too much.

What tools can parents provide their children to help manage burnout?

Most kids like to be active and busy, but it’s all about striking a balance. Finding the right amount of organized activity and free time can help promote social and emotional growth and development in your child. Parents can help children combat burnout by encouraging them to engage in physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, establish a daily routine, set realistic goals, practice relaxation techniques, limit screen time and seek professional help, if needed.

Growing up in big cities like L.A. can put a lot of pressure on kids — school, tests, competitive sports, social pressures. How can we best address these issues with our kids?

Listening attentively and offering empathy and support are paramount for parents helping their children navigate the pressures of growing up, especially in a demanding environment like L.A.

Maintaining open, honest communication allows children to express their feelings and concerns without fear of judgment. Teaching them healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, equips them to manage stress effectively. Encouraging a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise, a nutritious diet and ample sleep fosters overall well-being.

Moreover, guiding them to set realistic goals and prioritize tasks instills a sense of control and prevents feeling overwhelmed. Reminding children that mistakes and setbacks are natural parts of life encourages resilience and a positive outlook on learning and growth.

California Gets a new HBCU

Published September 10, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

My first encounter with the term HBCU — the acronym for historically Black colleges and universities — came on Thursday nights with the sitcom “A Different World,” which aired from 1987-93. A spin-off of “The Cosby Show,” it followed Denise Huxtable’s journey at Hillman University (a fictional HBCU in Virginia) and it planted in me and many Black students across the country the desire to attend an HBCU.

But for California students, going to an HBCU means costly travel expenses and out-of-state fees, which for some families (like mine) made attending an HBCU nearly impossible.

This year, the possibilities have opened up — with satellite campuses of Huston Tillotson University, an HBCU in Austin, Texas, opening in Los Angeles and San Diego. Theresa Price, CEO of the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) and Melba Wallace, president of Huston (HTU), partnered with the University of La Verne and San Diego County of Education to bring this new HBCU to California. Notably, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the Watts-Willowbrook area (founded in 1966) is classified as an HBCU, but while it trains health professionals, California’s newest HBCU confers undergraduate degrees in a variety of fields, including environmental studies, music, communication, psychology and more. It also offers graduate programs in business administration and educational leadership.

“We are so excited to partner with NCRF, the San Diego County Office of Education and the University of La Verne to open an HBCU in California,” Wallace says.

For more than 25 years, Price, a Compton native and graduate of California State University, Long Beach, has worked to give students access to HBCU culture, as well as many other higher-education institutions. She founded NCRF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in 1999 in response to the passing of California’s proposition 209 that banned affirmative-action programs in public California colleges. Since its inception, the organization has secured and distributed more than $3 billion in scholarships and grants, helped more than 600,000 students get into college and hosted more than 200 college expos produced by NCRF. The expos, held across the country, give students a chance to meet one-on-one with admissions counselors, have their transcripts evaluated and, in some cases, gain immediate acceptance, forgoing application fees.

Theresa Price, who helped bring a new historically Black university to California, appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
PHOTO COURTESY THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW

Students enrolling in HTU’s 2024-25 school year were required to attend I.D.E.A.L Summer Academy, a six-week program that was held this summer on HTU’s campus in Austin. The immersive program gave students a taste of the culture of an HBCU — and they earned nine college credit hours. After the program, students could then enroll at HTU’s satellite California campuses in Los Angeles/Inland Empire or San Diego.

The program is designed for incoming college freshmen or transfer students with no more than 60 credits. Price says, “This is what our youth need — to see others that look like them in an environment that is cheering them on…”

I remember “A Different World” brilliantly providing an inside peek at college life for young Black students while tackling tough themes such as colorism, civic engagement and activism, community and sexism. While at the time college seemed like a distant future, what I took away from that show were representations of myself and people I knew, our stories mirrored in these fictional narratives.

Ask any HBCU alum what they love about attending an HBCU, and you’ll hear a repeating theme: the sense of community, familiarity and family.

When asked what it is that drives her mission, Price says: “Growing up in Compton, especially how it was when I grew up, I knew it was important for young people to know I see you — and you matter.”

Cherie Cofer is a writer, mom, educator and frequent contributing writer for L.A. Parent.

The Preschool Puzzle: A Look at Teaching Philosophies

Published September 9, 2024

By Chelsee Lowe

There are more preschools in greater Los Angeles than there are days in a year, and it’s not hyperbolic to say that no two schools are exactly alike. This plethora of options is both a luxury and a challenge for local families. How are parents to know which preschool would be a good fit for their child?

There aren’t standards in place for preschools — there are ideal components, yes, but no requirements. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a successful early childhood education consists of encouraging and nurturing adults who guide children in a space where fun and joy reign and where young learners can be active. Teachers support those children emotionally as they learn self-regulation skills (which help with everyday actions such as taking turns and solving problems with peers) and more. In turn, those teachers are supported by their school via professional development, planning time and a living wage.

As parents, we must swim through a sea of preschool options, gathering knowledge and then making an educated choice. To that end, parent and early childhood educator Jenna Jansen says her top suggestion for fellow caregivers is to tour every school that piques your interest.

“You have to get in and see the program in action, preferably when children are there,” Jansen says. “You can read all you want online, and you can see the pictures on the website, but also you have to go. The second we walked into [our son’s preschool], we could feel that it was so full of care and love, and that’s what we wanted.”

Parents might also zero in on a school’s curriculum or philosophy. There are Montessori schools, Reggio Emilia schools, Waldorf schools and more. While an educational philosophy can’t be encapsulated in a single paragraph, here’s a little more information on the above pedagogies. We hope further research — and a school tour — helps you find a setting in which your child will thrive.

Montessori philosophy

Montessori classrooms are student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, according to the American Montessori Society. Spaces are child-centric (child-size tables and chairs, low sinks) and conducive to practicing independence at every turn, such as allowing children to pour water from real glass pitchers and put away their own learning materials after each activity. Multi-age classrooms are a critical facet of the philosophy, too, says Montessori educator Nicole Sloan.

“At our school, we have students who are 2 years and 10 months old, up to 5 1/2 years old,” Sloan says. “These 5-year-olds have been through the program, and they learn leadership skills by mentoring others. And the younger children have aspirational relationships with the older children. Dr. Montessori understood that, since children qualitatively learn differently than adults learn, a child would be a better model for a child than a teacher or adult.”

A Waldorf education

Erin Semin-Walsh, pedagogical administrator at Pasadena Waldorf School, says “there’s a lot of space given to imagination” in a Waldorf day. Children have plenty of free time outside, exploring and playing and developing their social senses. Stories, fairy tales and folk tales from around the world inspire play, as does a vast collection of “unscripted” toys. Instead of a rack of specific costumes (firefighter, princess, doctor), for example, a Waldorf setting would have a basket of various pieces of cloth that children might imagine as capes, blankets or shawls.

Janine Harrison, a preschool teacher at Highland Hall Waldorf School, says the Waldorf environment honors the idea that “a child is a being of will and movement.”

“Physical work and physical play is primary,” she says. “The children spend most of their day in movement. After really outward, physical activities, we come back in and have a quiet activity. And so, the day unfolds, in a predictable and rhythmic way.”

Overt lessons are far less common than teacher-guided activities, during which children absorb (and later imitate and practice) new skills, from setting a table to baking bread.

Reggio Emilia approach

The Reggio Emilia approach spread internationally from Italy in the 1990s. Schools in the U.S. that follow its tenants are known as Reggio-inspired schools. According to the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, “We hold a strong and optimistic image of the child who is born with many resources and extraordinary potentials.”

The classroom is considered “the third teacher” (parents and teachers are the first and peers the second), so much care goes into curating spaces within the room (and outdoors) for individual and collaborative creativity.

Schools such as the Reggio-inspired Silver Lake Center for Creativity Preschool are multi-age, and the children wear different hats as they age, learning and guiding their classmates and practicing patience with one another. The students regularly engage in activities that employ their imaginative and problem-solving skills. “We now know that creativity can be measured in the brain and [has] a major impact on later academic success and prosocial skills,” Silver Lake Center for Creativity Preschool founder Chiara Angelicola says.

Nature-based education

After more than a decade teaching preschool in Los Angeles, Jansen took a managerial role with retailer Patagonia, overseeing its childcare center in Ojai. Though it is not called a preschool, Jansen incorporates much of what she’s learned observing nature-centric schools, or forest schools, into this setting.

“We spend a majority of our day outside,” Jansen says. “We’re located in Southern California, where the weather is really conducive to being outside most of the day and spending as much time immersed in nature as we can.”

Risk-taking is a key tenet in nature-based education philosophies; young children are allowed to explore their environments through climbing, building, balancing, moving heavy objects and more.

“Our philosophy is: ‘As safe as necessary, but not as safe as possible.’ There’s a difference between a risk and a hazard,” Jansen says. “Our teachers are trained in the outdoor classroom and to be completely engaged observers. As parents, we can take a step back, too, and allow our children to gain confidence, to be self-sufficient and to learn their own limits.”

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of the various preschool teaching philosophies that L.A. parents might find near them. There are also schools using the HighScope curriculum, schools focused on project-based learning, cooperative preschools (at which parents spend hours or days as facilitators) and more.

A former teacher, Chelsee Lowe is a travel and food writer and frequent contributing writer for L.A. Parent.

Preschool Resources

For more on preschool philosophies, explore these websites.

American Montessori Society

amshq.org

Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America

waldorfearlychildhood.org

North American Reggio Emilia Alliance

reggioalliance.org

Forest School Association
forestschoolassociation.org

HighScope
highscope.org

National Association for the Education of Young Children
naeyc.org

Bank of America’s New Student Leaders for Los Angeles

Published September 9, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Bank of America Students Leaders from across the U.S. stand in front of the nation's Capitol. They are wearing red shirts and holding a sign that bears the program's name. — Students from the Bank of America Student Leaders program traveled to Washington D.C. for a national leadership summit. PHOTO BY JOEL PLOTKIN

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Bank of America Student Leaders program, and the four Los Angeles County teens the bank chose as leaders are passionate about advocating for immigrants, studying civil law, increasing opportunities for underserved students and journalism.

Over the summer, the selected students participated in an eight-week paid summer internship. They worked with local nonprofits Archdiocesan Youth Employment Services, Koreatown Youth and Community Center and The Salvation Army Southern California Division to learn about local community needs while developing leadership and workplace skills and earning competitive wages. The students also received financial education coaching from Bank of America’s “Better Money Habits” curriculum.

The 2024 Los Angeles Bank of America Student Leaders are:

Jayla Burton of Paramount is a graduate of Gardena Senior High School. Jayla has volunteered with the Community Youth Health Advocates Program with Charles R. Drew Medicine and Sciences to learn about health disparities within her local community and served as student ambassador for College Track Crenshaw to help local youth overcome barriers to higher education. She hopes to have her own nonprofit one day to provide higher education resources for foster youth in South Los Angeles. She is attending Tuskegee University on a full scholarship and hopes to become a veterinarian.

Lucia Gomez of Los Angeles is a senior at RFK Los Angeles High School of the Arts. Inspired by her parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Oaxaca, Mexico before she was born, Lucia strives to be a voice for the underrepresented people of her indigenous community. She is involved in numerous leadership roles within her high school and local community, including as senior president for her high school’s student body.

Josiah Hankerson of Compton is a rising senior at Verbum Dei Jesuit High School. Growing up in Compton and Watts and raised by his community-minded great-grandmother, he was inspired to help empower young people through leadership and advocacy work, which has sparked an interest in civil rights law. He’s served as associated student body vice president, tutored other students as part of his National Honors Society officer duties, served as vice captain of the school’s cross country and track and field teams, participated in the Kino Border Initiative to learn about promoting fair immigration policies and more.

Linda Yun of Rosemead is a rising senior at South Pasadena High School. Moving to the United States from China at a young age and hearing her parent’s stories of censorship sparked her passion for journalism. Linda helped her school newspaper win a gold medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and is serving as editor-in-chief in Fall. She also founded a book review club and leads monthly book drives for unhoused people in the community, served on the Library Advisory Youth Council and is part of the TrialTracker editorial team, a short-form unbiased journalism platform for prominent court cases.

Learn more at bankofamerica.com.

Parenting Milestones

Published September 6, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Cassandra Lane and Sol in 2012. PHOTO BY TAMEKA CAGE CONLEY

Lately, I’ve been watching (and reading) the “Bridgerton” series on repeat. Since romance isn’t my usual genre choice, I’ve assumed that my obsession with the Regency-era drama is related to some need to escape the realities that flood our screens: a presidential election year, wars and debates about wars, inflation, a divided nation.

But as the 2024-25 school year cartwheeled into our summer, slicing it in half, I realized that my compulsive indulging is also linked to another anxiety lurking just beneath the surface.

My son Sol, the first and only child to whom I’ve given birth, is preparing to fly the nest. My son, that bright-eyed baby who was born on a Saturday night in 2007 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downtown L.A., is now a high school senior.

As I dropped Sol off at school the morning of Aug. 12, I asked him if I could take a photograph of him in front of his school. He rolled his eyes to the top of his head.

“Come on,” I whined. “Put yourself in your parents’ shoes. This is historical.”

“Alright,” Sol said. “But just snap it real fast as I’m walking in.”

“Will you turn around and give a smile or a thumbs-up?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Nope,” he promised.

And so, from the driver’s seat of my car, I aimed my cell at his retreating back and clicked. Within seconds, his tall and lanky frame folded into the crowd — and then was gone.

I drove to a side street, parked the car and texted my husband the photo of our son’s back. “He’s off!” I wrote. Because I had taken the day off, I drove to Venice Beach to let the ocean’s waves mirror my emotional ones. As I journaled and fawned over photos from Sol’s baby, toddler, preschool, elementary, middle and high school years, I fondly recalled his milestones and accomplishments.

But I also remembered our parental worries: What is the best preschool we can afford? Should we put him in speech therapy at 2, or is that too young? If private school is out of reach, the neighborhood school is struggling and charter schools are embroiled in an ongoing battle with public schools, what is the right option for our child? These philosophical and practical quandaries mingled with smaller (but no less pressing) concerns about bullying, school lunches, afterschool programs and more.

The language of parenting deserves to be rooted in our collective consciousness. We should never feel alone while navigating the nuances of caretaking and educating our children. Whether your children were just born (I started calling preschools when Sol was still in utero!), have just entered preschool or are heading for college, we put together our September/October education and enrichment magazine with you in mind.

Stories in this issue explore preschool teaching philosophies, parent-teacher communication strategies, career and support options for neurodiverse students, college admissions essay writing tips and more, including an exciting calendar of fall events. Don’t forget to have fun this school year.

It really will be over before you know it.

A Jewish Teen Choir Finds Connection through Music

Published August 30, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

There is nothing quite like music to uplift our individual and collective spirits. And HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir aims to give young people an outlet to celebrate their Jewish heritage and feel a sense of belonging and pride through the creative outlet of music.

HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir performed at Carnegie Hall in the spring. PHOTO COURTESY HAZAMIR

Designed for students in grades 9-12, there are 26 HaZamir chapters across the U.S., plus nine in Israel, and an upcoming Carnegie Hall gala will feature hundreds of HaZamir singers. Rehearsals for the 2024-25 season will begin in September, culminating in a gala performance at Carnegie Hall in the spring.

The HaZamir Los Angeles and HaZamir L.A. Valley chapters combine teens from different
congregations who alternate hosting duties and join once a month for a joint group gathering with members of both LA chapters, rehearsing together and fostering an even greater sense of community. Dor Kaminka, an Israeli-American singer, composer and pianist, serves as conductor for the L.A. group.

New members are welcome, and local teens can join the local HaZamir Los Angeles chapters. For more information, email hazamirla1@gmail.com or Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot at awissot@templejudea.com.

‘My Daddy Needs a Gift’ — A Young Girl’s Search for a Kidney Transplant

Published August 22, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

“My name is Naomi, and my daddy needs a gift,” 11-year-old Naomi S. DeBerry writes in her semi-autobiographical children’s book, “My Daddy Needs a Gift.” “It’s not his birthday, Father’s Day or a holiday. My daddy needs a new kidney.”

Book cover for "My Daddy Needs a Gift" shows a family in the hospital. — “My Daddy Needs a New Gift” chronicle’s a young girl’s search for a kidney transplant for her father.

With this heart-ripping opening, we’re pulled into Naomi’s journey to help her dad (based on the author’s real-life dad, journalist Jarvis DeBerry) find a kidney transplant donor after learning that kidney dialysis is not enough to keep him healthy and alive. While even imagining a young child navigating hospital visits and the medical uncertainty surrounding a parent is a hard pill to swallow, such stories are vital. “This book is for children everywhere who have a sick parent and are scared,” Naomi writes in the dedication.

Aided by Jasmine T. Mills’ vivid illustrations of a Black family hoping and searching for a kidney donor, “My Daddy Needs a Gift” balances the drama of the DeBerrys’ dilemma with an easy-to-understand education about organ transplants. August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, and “My Daddy Needs a Gift” is an excellent tool parents and educators can use to educate themselves and children about the organ transplant crisis.

Young Naomi likens her father’s diseased kidney to a battery that needs charging up again — and she explains that people only need one healthy kidney to live. She contrasts the activities she used to be able to enjoy with her dad (riding her bike in the park, for instance) with his weakened state as he awaits a donor.

Finally, Naomi embarks on a personal journey to help her dad, making signs that she asks her school and community to share: “Dear World…Give the Gift of Life.”

“My Daddy Needs a Gift” is a beautiful example of how adults can empower children by sharing age-appropriate knowledge about a sick loved one, rather than trying to hide the illness. Children are perceptive, and the stress of managing an illness eventually impacts them.

The book includes a glossary to explain words such as nephrologist and dialysis, as well as the roles of donors and donor organizations. While Naomi’s dad eventually receives his “gift of life” (a cousin donates a kidney), the story is a reminder of how difficult it is for people to receive the tissue and organ donations they need. According to Donate Life America, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are awaiting lifesaving transplants. Other disheartening stats:

Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney donation.
3-5 years is the average waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor.
Every 8 minutes, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.

“My Daddy Needs a Gift,” published June 2024, is available in paperback and hardcover.

Prosperity Market Hosts Black Business Month Event at Hilltop

Published August 22, 2024

A Prosperity Market event. PHOTOS COURTESY PROSPERITY MARKET

Prosperity Market — the mobile farmers market spotlighting Black farmers, food producers, chefs, and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles — will conclude its 4th annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt with a pop-up farmers market and block party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen in View Park/Windsor Hills.

In honor of Black Business Month (August), Prosperity Market founders Kara Still and Carmen Dianne created an interactive map with 100+ Black businesses, encouraging Angelenos to visit and support as many locations as possible in order to earn points and win prizes. The winners of the Black Business Scavenger Hunt will be announced and given their prizes during the pop-up market.

Prosperity Market and 50+ local vendors and farmers (including Compton Vegan, My Daddy’s Recipes, Ace Naturals and Chef Brandi Biggles) will take over Hilltop’s parking lot, alongside a DJ, wine garden by 1010 Wine, Tammi Mac of KJLH Radio, community resources, a kids’ area by Teach to Reach, photo booth and more. Special activations include Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, the award-winning ready-to-drink premium gin-based cocktail from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s new spirits company, plus Hulu will be on-site with a coffee giveaway and swag bags promoting “Reasonable Doubt.” Neighborhood businesses on Slauson Avenue, including Supervsn, Pamper U and Mae’s Skin & Body, will take part in the celebration by activating in their respective locations with music, promotions and activities. This event is free and open to the public.

Envisioned by Prosperity Market as a farmers-market-on-wheels, the long-awaited mobile trailer will make its public debut at the pop-up market. Attendees will be able to explore and shop the inside of the 48-foot trailer, stocked with goods from local and national businesses like Ghetto Gastro and Gloria’s Shito.

Location and Parking

Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen

4427 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles

Limited free parking will be available in a lot on Overhill Drive. Ridesharing is encouraged, as street parking is limited.

Spectrum Awards $10,000 to Help Single Mothers in Santa Clarita

Published August 5, 2024

Through its employee-driven Spectrum Employee Community Grants program, Spectrum has donated $10,000 to Single Mothers Outreach, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower single parents and their children by providing hope, support and resources so families can become self-sustaining and thrive.

Single Mothers Outreach accepts $10,000 grant from Spectrum at Santa Clarita event. PHOTOS COURTESY SPECTRUM

Financial assistance and more for single mothers

Serving the Santa Clarita Valley area, Single Mothers Outreach helps single parents find jobs, get educated, secure housing, stabilize their children’s emotional states, manage their finances and help one another. This year marks the third Spectrum Employee Community grant for Single Mothers Outreach, bringing the total donation to $25,000.

The Spectrum Employee Community Grant award was presented to Single Mothers Outreach at its annual back-to-school giveaway event on Aug. 1. “On behalf of the many families that we serve, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Spectrum for the generous $10,000 donation that will allow our organization to provide mental health services and other essential care to moms and children in need,” said Yorleni Sapp, executive director of Single Mothers Outreach.

At the event, Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth praised the work that Single Mothers Outreach does. “Through their extensive services, classes and resources for single parents, Single Mothers Outreach is providing the vital support and care needed to help families in need build happy and healthy lives,” he said.

Employees give back to the community

“Spectrum Employee Community Grants support local nonprofits that hold a meaningful connection to the Spectrum employees who nominate them, and to the communities they serve,” said Wally Bakare, regional vice president of Field Operations at Charter Communications Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity products and services. “Looking forward to the next five years, we’re increasing our investment in the program, in support of our employees’ dedication to volunteer work and vital community organizations that enhance the lives of local residents.”

Earlier this year, Charter announced its commitment to award $2.5 million over the next five years to local nonprofits through Spectrum Employee Community Grants. Charter pledges to support a minimum of 500 nonprofit organizations across its 41-state service area, impacting more than 70,000 community members, through 2028.

Launched in 2019, Spectrum Employee Community Grants support nonprofits nominated by employees with a personal connection to the organization through at least one year of their own volunteer work, including nearly $200,000 in grants in California to date. Recipients deliver a broad range of critical social services to underserved community members, including food pantries, homeless shelters, clothing distribution, job training for veterans and paying overdue rent and utility bills for those in crisis.

Learn more about Spectrum Community Employee Grants here.

The Allure of Elite Club Teams: What You Should Know

Published August 1, 2024

By Elena Epstein

(Part two of a seven-part series on sports burnout and kids)

In L.A., kids are joining competitive club teams at much younger ages. How do you feel about kids as young as 8 or 9 competing at this level? When is a good time to join these types of rigorous programs?

Young children (to include ages 8 or 9 years) are still working on the basics of movement, attention and understanding that may not match up with the demands of competitive club sports teams.

In order to succeed for life, children must learn foundational motor skills (gross and fine) and technique. Club teams that focus on competition tactics and strategy early on without the basic fundamentals pose a risk to that athlete from an injury and burnout perspective. Instead, children should have the opportunity to gradually develop these essential building blocks for themselves.

The U.S. Olympic committee, along with National Governing Bodies [of Sports], such as U.S.A. Hockey, have adopted a long-term athlete development model to create the American Development Model in 2014. Within this model, they recommend that between the ages of 0-12 years, children participate in activities that promote discovery, learning and fun play. As the young athlete learns the basic movement foundation and rules of a particular game, fun and free play opportunities exist in this stage. Free play is valuable for all children, as it complements more structured learning, fostering a love for lifelong recreational physical activity and staying active.

During this stage, children also engage in a low-pressure setting for practicing and learning new skills, as well as honing their skills for problem solving, confidence boosting and conflict resolution. It is not until after age 10 that this model recommends more challenging skill development — and not until age 13 that one should train at higher levels and compete.

This is the second story in a seven-part series. Read part one here.

Elena Epstein is Creative Director of L.A. Parent.

Puerto Vallarta: From Mountain Thrills to Beachside Bliss

Published July 15, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

An RZR from Canopy River. PHOTO BY KARA THOMPSON

As I gripped the handlebars of the RZR, a red-and-black sports UTV built for off-road driving, I could feel my heart knocking in my chest. A glossy red helmet covered my head, goggles protected my eyes and a green bandana wrapped my nose and mouth. I was ready, but I threw a glance full of glee and panic over at Kara, my fellow passenger. “What are we doing?”

Off-Road Mountain Driving

The Jurillo Bridge. PHOTOS BY CASSANDRA LANE

But there was no turning back, so I yelled “Yahooooo!” through the thick layers of fabric covering my mouth and pressed my foot on the pedal in pursuit of our Canopy River guide, who sped away on his ATV, leading us on a thrilling ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains surrounding Puerto Vallarta. Our vehicle revved and roared, sending camel-colored clouds of dust flying around us as I navigated rugged trails.

At some points along the path, we had to inch our way around wandering cattle — brown, black and white bulls whose lazy gazes contrasted sharply with our adrenaline-fueled excitement. When a particularly languishing bull blocked our path, our guide patted her backside to coax her to move over just a little. She slowly rolled her eyes our way and, in even slower motion, moved a few inches. We slipped by carefully, in awe.

As we wound our way through the mountains, our guide pointed out termite nests that looked like oversized straw hats perched high in tree branches. He told us about El Cuale, a former old Spanish mining town nestled in the mountains, where gold and obsidian were once extracted from the earth.

We stopped at Jorullo Point, which includes a unique glass-and-concrete platform from which you are gifted 360-degree views of the mountains and the valley below. It’s breathtaking and a little unnerving to stand perched in the sky (1,377 feet above sea level) and watch the ground below. Your head might go woozy for a moment, but if standing on a glass floor suspended in air is not on your bucket list, you can keep your feet planted on the concrete portion of the platform.

Other Canopy River adventures include hiking zip lining, horseback riding, stops for cocktails or beers at bars that look like expansive tree houses. One of the highlights for me was driving our RZR across what Puerto Vallarta claims as the world’s longest vehicular suspension bridge, Jurillo Bridge, a 1,542-foot-long contraption that stands over the Cuale river at nearly 500 feet high. On the other side of the bridge ride was El Salto (“the jump”) waterfall, a gorgeous canyon full of cool, citrine-colored water and fish. A friend challenged her fear of heights and jumped from the rocks and into the water below for a refreshing swim.

Scenic City Hike and Taco Tour

But Puerto Vallarta isn’t just about pulse-pounding adventures. It’s a place where excitement and relaxation coexist in perfect harmony, making it an ideal destination for families seeking a memorable getaway.

After our mountain escapades, we embraced the city’s softer side with a scenic hike to Cerro de La Cruz. To be sure, the climb from the bottom of the hill to the top is strenuous — those 333 concrete steps are no joke — but the panoramic views of terracotta roofs, mountain range and the vast Pacific Ocean made every bead of sweat worthwhile.

Walking through the town, I was struck by the charm of the cobblestone streets, made from stones from the Cuale River. Heading back down the hill, we shared pathways with residents, neighborhood dogs, donkeys and roosters. A colorful mural of Frida Kahlo blowing a big pink bubble gum balloon caught my eye, and a little bit of Hollywood lore was a fun stop, too: the former homes of the late actors Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. You’ll find images — including sculptures — of Taylor and Burton around town.

As the sun began to set, we embarked on a different kind of adventure: a nighttime taco tour — or “full taco immersion” as the guides like to say — with Vallarta Eats Food Tours. Strolling along cobblestone streets, we sampled an array of mouthwatering tacos, from succulent al pastor to crispy potato tacos. We learned that most seafood and fish tacos are reserved for breakfast and lunch, a tradition born from the days before refrigeration when the catch of the day had to be cleaned, cooked and eaten quickly.

Indulge in the Vallarta Eats walking taco tour.

Delectable taco tastings included:

· Tacos Sahuayo

· Tacos de Cabeza el Chulo

· Fonda Cucon

· Taqueria Las Güeras

· Doña Chela

· El Moreno

And because you must always pair the savory with the sweet, the tour included stops at La Michoacana for ice pops and paletas and freshly made churros from the Churro Man stand or “church of the churros.” The churro station sits outside the Aguacate Church of Santa Cruz. As I stood sandwiched between the churro maker and the church walls, I bit into the warm, cinnamon-sugar coated dough and felt immersed in the flavors of the culture.

Where to Stay

Every day is always the best time to visit Puerta Vallarta. Pictured: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

Our home base for this whirlwind of activities was the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. Mornings began with coffee on my balcony, gazing at the curve of Banderas Bay and the lush mountains beyond. The hardest decision each day? Whether to lounge by the infinity pool that seemed to melt into the ocean or stretch out on a hammock and read.

Families with young children can take advantage of the resort’s kids’ club, which includes trips to the playground, picnic tables and a shallow pool. Kids can learn about Mexican culture, take Spanish-language lessons, get creative with barro-clay pottery painting, engage in bilingual folktales and take cooking lessons. The cost is $30 per day and includes lunch, a t-shirt and discovery adventure booklet.

Ohtli Spa. PHOTO COURTESY MARRIOTT PUERTO VALLARTA RESORT & SPA

Parents, take note: While the kids are having a blast, you can indulge in some grown-up pleasures. The “four-hands” massage (two people working on my aching muscles at once!) at Ohtli Spa left me feeling rejuvenated and blissful.

Tequila Tasting

Speaking of adult time, don’t skip the tequila tasting with the resort’s resident sommelier — it’s an educational and flavorful journey through Mexico’s iconic spirit. Did you know that Marriott Puerto Vallarta grows its own blue agave on the property? It’s one of the few resorts in the world with a proprietary brand of tequila, CasaMagna, available in five varieties. Our sommelier also introduced us to raicilla, a local liquor made from agave that’s giving tequila a run for its money. If you’re planning a small private tasting, request to book it in the herb garden.

One of my favorite evenings was spent here, where twinkling lights created a magical atmosphere for the “Recetas de Abuelas” dinner spread out on a long oak table. Each dish, inspired by the chefs’ and grandmothers, was a loving tribute to Mexican home cooking — one that featured a creamy tortilla soup, poblano peppers stuffed with potato and cheese, skirt steak sope, chicken mole and rice pudding.

The “Churro Man” stand outside a church in Puerto Vallarta.

Planning Your Own Adventure

Now is always the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta. Whenever you visit, consider these tips:

Pack for both the beach and mountains: swimsuits, hiking shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty on off-road rides.
Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent.
Encourage kids (and picky adults) to try local dishes – it’s a delicious way to expand palates.
Balance adventure days with relaxation time at the resort.

Whether you’re seeking pulse-pounding thrills or serene moments by the sea, Puerto Vallarta delivers. It’s a destination that invites you to be fearless in your pursuits, whether that means riding on mountain trails on an ATV or simply taking an extra hour by the pool. In this vibrant corner of Mexico, where the mountains meet the sea, every moment is an opportunity for family bonding and unforgettable memories.

Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent.

L.A. Teen’s Story Featuring A Woman’s Caretaking Robot Wins First Place in Sci-Fi Contest

Published July 9, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Ariel Preston is the 2024 Tomorrow Prize winner. PHOTOS COURTESY OMEGA SCI-FI PROJECT

Editor’s note: Each year, I am blown away by the Los Angeles County high school students who enter their science-fiction short stories into the annual Omega Sci-Fi Project’s writing competition: The Tomorrow Prize. L.A Parent is one of the proud sponsors of this sci-fi writing contest, and it was my honor to present the first-place prize to this year’s winner, Ariel Preston, a student at Port of Los Angeles High School, for her chilling yet beautiful story, “‘Goodbye,’ Said the Machine.”

The Tomorrow Prize encourages young writers to use sci-fi “to explore the diverse issues humanity wrestles with, spark creative solutions, and unite the worlds of art and science,” says Rosalind Helfand, Omega Sci-Fi Awards director.

At the awards ceremony each year (this year’s was held again in the courtyard of Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena), professional actors perform the finalists’ stories. “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Kali Rocha brought the characters to life in Ariel’s story, which includes a caretaking robot. Rocha’s robot voice was a hit.

Tomorrow Prize winner Ariel Preston and actress Kali Rocha.

Ariel was astounded to hear how Rocha animated her characters. Below is Ariel’s original story, with a few words from her on how she hopes readers engage with it:

“People are inspired by the world around them, even if they don’t realize it,” she says. “Movies, literature, news or simply the peers around them…anything can light up the spark of curiosity and wonder within a person. They only need to be willing to take that spark and light a grand blaze with it. As you read the story, think and ask questions. Allow that spark to light within you and let the flames of curiosity and wonder consume your being. Ask why these events happened, ask why characters made certain choices, ask if another path could have been taken. No grand blaze can start without a spark — and no spark can be made without the motion of still striking against still.”

“Goodbye,” Said the Machine

By Ariel Preston

As Ethel lay helpless in her bed, not one regret infiltrated the thoughts of joy and peace that flooded her mind. No longer was there pain in her chest. No longer did her limbs continuously ache. No longer was Ethel sorrowful. Rattles and pulses that traveled through her body were discomforting no more. How could Ethel be discomforted when PAIA sat right beside her, speaking as if the day was ordinary?

“… And there is only a seven percent chance of rain. It sounds like today will be a good day. Are you ready to have breakfast, Miss?” PAIA asked.

Ethel would’ve waved the caretaker off if she’d been able to lift her arm at all. Strangely, that immobility didn’t bother her in the slightest.

“No,” Ethel wheezed.

“Perhaps some water?”

“No, I would like to wait for a bit.”

Then they were submerged in silence, only the faint humming of PAIA’s machinery and the traffic outside filling the air. A peaceful moment.

“Very well. However, you will need to take your first round of prescriptions in about two hours. I will assist you when the time comes.”

Ethel scoffed at the words. Was PAIA actually being serious? In two hours, she would be no more. She could feel it in her bones — the way death surrounded the room like a predator…no. That heavy feeling was no predator; it was a call. A call to come when the clock finally stopped.

If Ethel closed her eyes for long enough, she could see a soft hand reaching out from the darkness toward her, moving closer and closer. But it stopped just before it touched her frail figure — and it waited. It waited for Ethel to grab ahold when she felt ready. How polite, she thought, for death to join the two and wait during her last moments.

PAIA’s automatic voice suddenly cut through the dim silence, and Ethel saw that soft, polite hand retreat swiftly back into the darkness.

“My apologies, Miss, but I am curious. You have woken up especially early. Is something bothering you?”

Ethel was sure PAIA already knew the reason. The caretaker was intelligent and programmed to know the symptoms of passing. Ethel was curious, though, as to what PAIA would do. What would a robot say to her in the presence of death?

“Nothing too troubling, dear. I just…want to think.”

PAIA let out a strong huff of hot air and nodded her head in understanding. After several seconds that felt like eternities, PAIA spoke once more.

“Tobias and Laura may still be asleep, but Joseph begins work in half an hour. If you would like, I can call for him to stop by. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

Ethel sighed. She knew what would happen if PAIA were to try to call him. The woman knew her children better than anyone, and there had been numerous times Ethel had been sent to voicemail. Joseph had a bad habit of ignoring calls that weren’t career-related.

“No, dear,” Ethel gasped, swallowed and continued. “We both know he won’t answer.”

She smiled anyway, for it always amazed Ethel how sweet PAIA could be. In the past, PAIA would never bother to contact her children when Ethel wasn’t feeling well, most times because the woman instructed them not to. She didn’t want her sweet children to see what their mother had been reduced to since they last saw her over a year ago.

“Very well,” the machine replied.

And nothing else was said.

As the minutes flew by, so did Ethel’s strength. Her chest felt so heavy, yet lighter than ever before and so free. The peaceful ambiance of city life crawled back in through the window and flooded the room once again. But her thoughts became haunted at the mention of her children.

A small fragment deep down within her soul believed she should be happy. All three had well-paying jobs, a roof over their heads, and two even had their own families. Still, Ethel couldn’t help but feel betrayed whenever she thought of them. It was Joseph who painted her the most beautiful Mother’s Day cards, and it was Joseph who told her that some “Personal Artificial Intelligence Assistant” would be taking care of her instead of a human being. Then, he had left. It was Tobias who helped Ethel in the kitchen when he was a kind little boy, and it was Tobias that rolled that damned machine into her house and left. It was Laura who was in Ethel’s arms after the girl’s cat passed away, and it was Laura who had actually purchased the faceless monstrosity and left her alone with it.

It would take a very long time for Ethel to forgive them for leaving her alone, and she did not have a long time. The woman scrunched her nose and forced all sorrow, anger and hurt away. She was not going to leave feeling sorry for herself. She may not be able to forgive the three fast enough, but she could forgive PAIA.

“PAIA, dear,” she whispered.

The machine swiftly spun their circular head to face Ethel.

“Yes, Miss? Is there something you need?”

Using her fingers, Ethel dragged her arm across her bedsheets and grabbed hold of PAIA’s cold, metallic appendages. “Do…Do you remember that time when I locked myself in the closet? What was it for…? That’s right. It was when the injections arrived. How did you convince me to unlock the door again?”

PAIA tilted her head, recollecting the aged memory.

“If I recall this correctly, I threatened to throw out all the lemon drops hidden behind the sink.” PAIA looked back at the old woman in her bed. “That was a very long time ago.”

“Yes,” Ethel coughed out. “It was… Would you have tossed them if I didn’t come out?”

“No, because I knew you would.”

Ethel smiled. PAIA had curled their appendages around the woman’s hand and held on firm.

“I assumed so. You don’t seem like the type to do something so horrendous.” A deep but light chuckle escaped her wrinkled lips.

That was the moment PAIA established the fact they were in charge now and that nothing was going to work out if she kept fighting. It was also the moment when Ethel finally accepted help from a stranger, and the first time in a long while that she’d made a friend.

“PAIA, could you please… tell me the daily news?” The caretaker released another puff of air and grasped Ethel with her other metal palm.

“Of course. Mayor Helen Sandoval announced she plans…”

Ethel closed her eyes, listening not to the words, but to PAIA’s consoling voice. “… to which the Hollywood actress Fabian Yola accepted his proposal…”

Death’s polite hand reappeared from the warm darkness, moving closer and stopping so patiently.

“… They intend to hold a remembrance ceremony at Caddel Park on the first of…”

Ethel reached out, grabbed hold and didn’t let go.

“Goodbye, Miss, and rest well,” PAIA said. “I will remember you.”

Omega Sci-Fi Project contest winners, finalists, runner-ups, sponsors and staff pose for a photo at Vroman’s Bookstore.

How to Prevent Sports Burnout in Kids

Published July 9, 2024

By Elena Epstein

(Part one of a seven-part series)

Learn how to prevent sports burnout in your kids.

Both of my daughters became interested in sports at an early age. They loved gymnastics, tried dance, took tennis lessons and swam. By early elementary school, they joined our local recreation league in softball and soccer. My eldest daughter continued with softball through her sophomore year in high school, and my youngest daughter played soccer all four years of high school and joined a club team in college.

I saw firsthand the benefits and the challenges of team sports, especially as kids moved beyond rec leagues. We had friends whose kids joined elite club soccer teams in early elementary school, requiring practices three times a week and travel on the weekends for tournaments. We saw kids excel and we saw kids who wanted nothing to do with the sport they once loved.

As parents, how do we know what’s too much? I recently turned to Bianca Edison, M.D., a sports medicine specialist with the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, for some insight. In this seven-part series, we explore the pressures to excel that kids in L.A. face, how to recognize burn out, what to look for in a team and much more.

What would you like parents to know before they sign their kids up for a sports team?

Before signing your child up for a sports team, take some time to truly assess if your child is ready for an organized sports team — or if they should continue engaging in recreational play and learning opportunities with different sports exposure.

Every child is different, and each one grows and develops according to their pace and pathway. There is no standard approach to determining readiness, but there are some key areas to think about. It is important to see if your child is ready physically, mentally and emotionally.

On average, before the age of 6, most children do not possess the basic and fundamental movement motor skills for organized sports. Each sport has varied basic movement requirements for team play (soccer is different from water polo). It is important to ask, “Does my child possess the gross and fine motor skills, as well as body coordination to perform at a certain level for team play?”

Developmentally, the balance for a child younger than 6 is still at its early stages. Furthermore, their ability to track objects while moving, or stationary for that matter, has not matured to a level required for team play.

Between the ages of 6 and 10, most children have basic motor skills for simple sports movements. However, they may not have mastery of eye-hand coordination or dual-task performance.

Regarding mental readiness, assess if your child has the appropriate attention span (limited in children under 6) and ability to be coached or follow multiple directions. Children between the age of 6 and 10 vary in their ability to understand and remember concepts like strategy, teamwork and goal setting.

By the age of 10-12, most children have a foundation of basic and more complex motor skills as well as the cognitive aptitude for more complex tasks, adopt characteristics important for teamwork and exert effort for goal attainment and strategy. At this age, the fun should still be emphasized in fundamentals. Children should not participate in competitive sports teams until they understand and truly believe that their self-worth is not tied to the outcome of a game or their team’s standing in a league.

Elena Epstein is Creative Director of L.A. Parent.

July/August L.A. Parent Magazine

Published July 8, 2024

What do you love most about long summer days? This issue of L.A. Parent is our love letter to everything we adore about summer in L.A.

Let these pages of fun-filled ideas count the ways you’ll savor these months with your loved ones. We curated roundups on fairs and festivals, farms, cool escapes from the heat, nighttime events, Venice Beach staycations, studio tours, local stadiums, water play and more.

On the Cover

This month’s cover model is Victoria Garcia. Photographer Jevone Moore photographed Victoria at Malibu Country Mart, a seaside shopping experience with upscale boutiques, restaurants, personal services and play areas. Learn more about Jevone at fullimage360.com and @fullimage360 and Malibu Country Mart at malibucountrymart.com.

Where to Read

You can pick up the print magazines at these locations.

Or, read individual stories.

Or, read the full digital edition!

Enjoy — and have a blissful summer!

Carnival Firenze: A Family-Friendly Vessel of the Sea

Published June 28, 2024

By Dahvi Shira

Carnival Firenze in Long Beach. PHOTOS COURTESY CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

When Carnival Cruise Line said “benvenuto” to its latest vessel, Carnival Firenze, this spring, I watched about 5,000 eager passengers of all ages hop aboard the Italian-themed ship. Proudly wearing their Carnival merch from past travels, self-proclaimed “cruisers” set sail for seven nights from Long Beach to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

These excited voyagers — who wholesomely embodied kids at summer camp — were greeted with an array of ‘round-the-clock options to enjoy as a family or with an adult partner. Kicking off the festivities a night prior was former “Mean Girls” star and Hallmark Channel heartthrob Jonathan Bennett, who was given the honor of “Godfather of the ship.”

“Fun is at the heart of all our Carnival cruises, offering a variety of activities to suit every type of traveler,” Joey Boyes, cruise director of Carnival Firenze, told me. “From adventurous ropes courses to comedy shows and thrilling musicals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. On Carnival Firenze, guests can experience all the fun Carnival is known for, but with fun Italian twists during their cruise, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.”

Rest assured, adults have their own options to enjoy when they need a break from the little ones. A hair salon, full-service spa, 21+ bars, specialty high tea and more are at the fingertips of travelers. Should you need more convincing, see my list below that breaks down even more reasons why children and parents alike will want to set sail.

Mini water park

Waterparks are typically reserved as a once-a-year privilege, yet imagine having access to one for an entire week. That’s what the kids on Carnival Firenze got to experience. From a massive yellow water slide (and a smaller slide for the young ones), to a dumping water bucket and small cannons, it really feels like a day off from school. I can say, firsthand, it was a refreshing escape for adults, too. Anything goes on the boat!

“The slides are very comparable to a land-based water park,” said Jay Thomas, a 56-time Carnival cruiser who enjoys setting sail with his family. “The slides are fun during the day when it’s so hot out, and you see adults and children sliding together.”

Centrally located kid-friendly pool

If you don’t hear “Marco Polo,” did it even happen? Luckily, chipper sounds (and splashes) filled the air during Firenze’s debut at sea, as I, myself, got a glimpse of the action. The kids’ pool is also centrally located to the main theater, where guests can catch family-friendly films either on chaise lounge chairs or in the water. The area also surrounds several dining options, including JavaBlue Café, which serves up a mean gelato.

Disability care

In 2019, Carnival earned a special certification to assist guests with autism, ADHD, PTSD, Down Syndrome and sensory issues. In fact, they became the first cruise operator to be certified “sensory inclusive” by KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities.

“Our son has cerebral palsy (CP), and he feels so independent on the Carnival cruises,” Thomas said of his oldest child, who has been cruising since he was 7. “So many crew members know him, and they’re always looking out for him. Carnival has something to do for all ages. When our kids were younger, they loved going to the children’s programs and have made a ton of friends there. There are so many crew members who we feel are part of our extended family. As the kids grew older, they continued to love the fun atmosphere Carnival has, and we felt they were safe.”

The family is so impressed that Thomas’ daughter is attending college with the hopes of getting a job on the ship — and eventually working her way up to cruise director.

Curated summer camp-like activities

Because Firenze is centered around all things Italy, young cruisers have a chance to opt in for daily summer camp-like activities. Centered around Italian geography, culture and history, trivia and hands-on experiences will help kids gain international knowledge while interacting with other passengers on the boat. For example, there are five macro-regions of Italy, and throughout the day, kids and teens can learn about the regions and get acquainted with the culture of each. Each day ends with a celebration of Italy.

Activities include building a volcano, safely racing scooters, recreating landmarks, designing art and getting schooled in fashion. Oh, and there just might be a pizza party involved.

Seuss-a-Palooza story time

Dr. Seuss classics come to life on the stage.

Carnival’s interactive trademarked story time experience brings Dr. Seuss classics to life on stage. This new addition uses LED screens, which serve as a changing backdrop to each story and features images from the actual book. Further immersing guests into the world of Dr. Seuss, it’s led by the cruise director and gets the whole family involved.

Family trivia

Don’t cross Thomas or his family at a trivia competition on the boat, because there’s a good chance they’ll come out on top. “They have tons of trivia for everyone,” he said. “There are different subjects for just about everyone’s interest.

Just a few of his favorites? Music, slogan, cartoons, TV shows, superheroes. Did you know there’s even Carnival trivia? If a family cruise is on your wish list this summer, start brushing up on your trivia skills now!

Dahvi Shira is an L.A.-based writer with a background in journalism, travel and lifestyle reporting.

Stroke for Change: What You Need to Know About Pediatric Stroke

Published June 20, 2024

By Elena Epstein

I met Salini Bowen in graduate school at Pepperdine back in the mid ‘90s, and we’ve have been friends ever since. We have shared a lot — deep conversations about our careers, marriages, kids, aging parents, relocations and everything in between. As we all know, life can take lots of twists and turns, but hearing that Salini’s healthy, athletic 13-year-old daughter had a stroke was beyond anything we could have imagined. Strokes happen to older people, not kids.

The Bowen family. PHOTOS COURTESY SALINI BOWEN

But the fact is that strokes do happen to kids, and Suriya has recently launched an awareness campaign to equip parents and caregivers with critical information to spot the signs of pediatric stroke and to act fast in seeking medical care.

I’m happy to share that Suriya is currently a junior in high school in San Diego, plays on her high school’s tennis and lacrosse teams and just completed her first half marathon. She is also an avid board game and pickleball player and plans to study neuroscience in college.

Here’s our recent chat with Salini and Suriya, who are bringing awareness to pediatric stroke through Suriya’s program Stroke for Change:

Salini, tell us a little about the day the stroke happened.. What were you doing and what were your first thoughts?
It was a normal weekday like any other weekday for an 8th grader. Suriya was home after school, eating a snack before we had to leave for lacrosse practice. She suddenly leaned forward, frantically pointing towards her head and kept saying, “Hurt, hurt, hurt.” She said that she had a really bad headache and felt nauseous. She started to vomit. At first I thought it was Covid because headaches, nausea and vomiting are some of the symptoms. Suriya felt incredibly tired and had difficulty getting up from the couch. She said that she couldn’t move her left arm or leg. Initially, I thought the left side of her body fell asleep. Then I started to wonder, “Is this a stroke?” But strokes do not happen to 13-year-olds. They happen to older adults, elderly people. At this point, we called our pediatrician, who advised us to take Suriya to the closest emergency room asap.

How long did it take for doctors to determine that this was, indeed, a stroke. What was going through your mind at that time?
Once we got to the ER, the doctors immediately ran a CT scan, which showed that Suriya had a brain bleed or rupture as a result of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVMs occur when a group of arteries and veins incorrectly connect in utero — typically in the brain or spine. In her case, the AVM was in her brain. When we heard the news, we were in shock and disbelief. And then we were scared for our daughter. We saw that one side of Suriya’s face had started to droop. Suriya was transported to Children’s Hospital ICU and stayed the next several weeks. She had brain surgery to remove the AVM (known as AVM resection) and then intensive rehabilitation and physical, occupational and speech therapy for weeks thereafter.

Suriya, what do you remember about that day?
I remember it being a completely normal day up until it wasn’t. That evening I was supposed to go to lacrosse practice. I told my mom I didn’t want to go because I had a really bad headache, and headaches weren’t common for me prior to the stroke. I ended up staying home and resting on the couch, and just under an hour after the initial headache, I started feeling sick to my stomach and began throwing up. I thought I had a normal stomach bug, so I slept it off and thought nothing of it. My dad came home and woke me up when we noticed that I was slowly sliding off the couch. That’s when I fully realized I had no control over the left side of my body, no matter what I tried to do. We immediately called my pediatrician, and she advised us to go to the closest hospital. I was awake and aware during the majority of this period despite the fatigue and drowsiness; however, my pediatrician had stressed not to fall asleep: “Stay awake for as long as you can until you arrive at the hospital!” After my first CT scan, the doctors determined that I had a stroke. I was completely terrified, full of questions and unsure what was going to happen to me within the next day, next several days, my future. Will I be in a wheelchair? Will I walk or play sports again? In the back of my mind, I was thinking that I do not want to be paralyzed for the rest of my life. The fear of being paralyzed was one of my biggest motivators to keep me going through all the therapies, the mind-splitting headaches, the nausea and doubts.

Suriya, tell us a little about the recovery and how this process has affected your daily life.
The recovery was very difficult. There were bad days — and really bad days — with constant headaches, pain, nausea and vomiting, especially during all the physical, occupational and speech therapy post-surgery. I knew I couldn’t give up because I had already gotten this far. However, I was still feeling so fearful that I wasn’t going to make a full recovery and get back to my normal life. I had to give it a shot and keep going every day in an attempt to make a full recovery. After three years, I am almost there.

Are there lingering effects from the stroke that you’re still dealing with?
I still have daily headaches that range from mild to intense in severity, and some minor left-side weaknesses. And while there are physical effects that you can see, there are some lingering effects that you don’t see. I’m working on both as part of my journey.

Do you feel comfortable talking to your friends about it?

I don’t necessarily bring it up unless my friends ask about it. I don’t always talk to them about the raw emotions and experience surrounding what happened. Mostly because I don’t want to feel like a burden to them or don’t want them to listen to me complain.

What inspired you to start this program called “Stroke for Change – Raising the Awareness of Pediatric Stroke”?

I want to bring more awareness about pediatric strokes, because my family and I had no idea strokes could ever happen to people at such a young age. I had always assumed it happened to older people. I want to help other kids so there is no delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis, and they can get immediate medical care. A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can result in more severe neurological damage and lifelong disabilities.

What do you hope to accomplish through this program? To raise the awareness of pediatric stroke to more people, parents and caregivers so if they are ever in a similar situation, even if it wasn’t their child, they would know that strokes can happen to kids, recognize the symptoms, and take action. Like adult strokes, immediate medical attention is critical for diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Thanks to the tremendous amount of information and awareness created to educate families about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), thousands of lives have been saved. However, pediatric strokes happen to more kids under 17 years of age than the incidences of SIDS, but so few of us are aware of this fact. Pediatric strokes happen and I want families to know the signs and take action.

What would you want others your age to know about pediatric strokes?

Although it doesn’t occur often, there is always the possibility of it happening. We should recognize the symptoms if they happen to one of us or our friends and seek immediate medical attention.

What would you share with another teen who had a similar stroke and is now going through the recovery process?

I would say that I know it is really challenging and it always feels like you’re not making any progress, but there is progress and it’s all worth it in the end. I’m sure you are tired of hearing “There’s light at the end of the tunnel” but it’s true! You got through some of the toughest moments of your life, and you’re are almost there. You can do this. You have so many people around you — family, friends, doctors, nurses, therapists — who are there to help you. And I am also here to be of any support if that’s helpful.

Salini, what would you want parents to know about pediatric strokes?

When I was a new parent, I was so hungry for any information related to being a parent. Everyone hears about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) however one doesn’t – or at least I didn’t – hear about pediatric strokes. I want parents to know that strokes can happen at any age – from in utero, infants all the way to adults and this information should be part of any parenting class.

Use the American Stroke Association’s easy mnemonic of F.A.S.T. to recognize symptoms and then seek immediate medical attention.

F = FACE DROOPING. Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

Is the person’s smile uneven?

A = ARM WEAKNESS. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does

one arm drift downward?

S = SPEECH. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the

person to repeat a simple sentence.

T = TIME TO CALL 911. If you have any of these symptoms or see someone else having them,

call 911 immediately!

What would you tell another mom whose child has recently experienced a pediatric stroke?
First, you are not alone. Your child is getting the best care possible, and your love and support will help buoy their spirits and help him/her weather this situation and their road to recovery. While there may be difficult days, hopefully the good days will outnumber the challenging ones. Also seek support group(s) through your medical team, American Stroke Association and your community.

We were very lucky. The outpouring of love and support from our community and her medical team helped Suriya on her road to recovery. While we are still on this journey, every day we are one step closer to full recovery and we are proud of Suriya and the young adult she is becoming. One who is a stronger version of herself because of her challenges.

Check out Suriya’s story at strokeforchange.com . For more information on pediatric stroke, check out the American Stroke Association at StrokeinChildren. To connect on social: @strokeforchange on Instagram and Facebook.

L.A. Teens: Grab Your Free YMCA Get Summer Pass for Fitness and Fun

Published June 13, 2024

Teens ages 12 – 17 can enroll now for a free membership to YMCA-LA locations throughout L.A. County as part of the YMCA’s GET SUMMER teen initiative. The program runs from June to Aug. 16.

Teens can sign up for the YMCA-LA GET SUMMER initiative now.

The YMCA-LA GET SUMMER teen initiative is designed to keep teens active, engaged and safe while school’s out for the summer. Individual branches will provide youth with academic support, college and employment readiness, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings and exclusive programming with local partners. Last year, more than 3,000 teens participated in the program; 5,000 L.A. teens are expected to get involved this summer.

Teen memberships include access to designated teen centers equipped with computers, free WiFi, games and entertainment systems. Their membership also gives them access to swimming pools, basketball courts, fitness classes and more.

Teens will also have access to leadership development, academic support, college and employment readiness, life skills education and fun activities that promote physical activity. The program provides social responsibility, community-service opportunities and guidance to support effective and positive change. In addition, the YMCA and IBM SkillsBuild have joined forces to help students enter the workforce with industry credentials and classes.

GET SUMMER offers teens the chance to hang out with friends and meet new people in the Y-dedicated teen centers and host special “Teen Nights” and special events. The teen centers also allow youth to showcase their talents or try a new class in music, art, writing and photography.

“GET SUMMER is focused on providing teens innovative ways to support their personal development, enhance their motivation and give them the tools to reach their full potential. This free Y program elevates the summer experience for teens with fun opportunities to socialize, better their overall health and wellness, as well as give back to the community,” said Christopher Jefferson, senior vice president and chief youth development program officer.

Teens can stop by any YMCA-LA location with a parent or guardian to sign up for the free summer membership. For more information, visit ymcala.org/programs/teen-programs/get-summer-teen-initiative.

Enchantment Resort: Sedona Hotel Adds New Pool and Restaurant

Published June 12, 2024

Sedona hotel update: Enchantment Resort’s new pool. PHOTOS COURTESY ENCHANTMENT RESORT

Looking for a Sedona hotel? Enchantment Resort, a 218-room resort nestled amidst red rocks of Boynton Canyon, announces the completion of its new 9,300 square-foot pool deck featuring custom cabanas and an all-new poolside restaurant, The Edge. Just in time for summer, the redesigned experience beckons travelers to bask in a serene sanctuary complete with 360-degree views

“At Enchantment Resort, we take pride in curating well-rounded amenities in a one-of-a-kind setting,” said Managing Director Stan Kantowski. “With the introduction of a new pool space and culinary outpost, we continue our commitment to crafting an unforgettable guest experience.

Designed by Frank Trujillo with Design One Studio, the resort’s new pool features a reimagined signature aesthetic as well as a dedicated pool host and comfortable seating for up to 60 guests. The space features three cabanas with natural wood finishes, ample seating with plush couches, personal safes to hold guests’ belongings, coolers, built-in fans and overhead lighting. Slider doors are placed on the side walls to allow larger groups to combine cabanas for an expanded space, with rentals available for half and full-day reservations.

Enchantment Resort is surrounded by the beautiful red rocks of Sedona.

The Edge is the newest concept to join Enchantment Resort’s culinary collection. The $3 million addition features an all-new kitchen, bar and dining area. Menu highlights include summer classics with a twist such as a shrimp and crab poke bowl with quinoa, cucumber, radish, avocado, sesame and tamari glaze. Signature cocktails include the Pink Cadillac crafted with Don Julio reposado, lime, prickly pear and Grand Marnier float and the Pineapple Spice with habanero tequila, Banhez mezcal and pineapple. Located outside The Edge, the pool’s new firepit lounge provides additional space for guests to unwind and enjoy a cocktail fireside.

“The Edge takes our food and beverage programming to the next level with an extensive list of refreshing bites and sips utilizing local ingredients and flavors from the greater Arizona region,” said Nathan Rich, culinary director of Tanzerra Resorts. “From the kids’ menu for our smallest travelers, to an inspired cocktail or seasonally-themed dessert, guests have the opportunity to dine by the pool or in the comfort of one of our new cabanas.

For more information, visit enchantmentresort.com.

And check out our Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane’s story on her past stay at Enchantment Resort, where she writes about the Sedona vortex, celebrating the solstice and self-care.

Legoland Celebrates Its 25th Birthday with New Parade and Dino Adventures

Published June 7, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Legoland California Resort celebrates its 25th anniversary. PHOTOS COURTESY LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT

Filled with anticipation, one half of my family loaded up our car and ventured south on the I-5 Freeway to Carlsbad. Destination: Legoland California Resort. As first timers, we were excited to see some of the Lego-inspired creations, the new Lego World parade with its hosts of beloved characters and Dino Valley.

My daughter Quinn, who lives for a birthday cake and rainbows, was looking forward to celebrating Legoland’s 25th birthday bash and, of course, the magical wizard! Armed with a bag full of snacks and coloring books, we were off to see the wizard. One hour and 45 minutes later, we turned onto Legoland Drive and were welcomed by little Lego statues — certainly the byproduct of a master builder’s vision. We unloaded and crossed over a trumpeted capped drawbridge into our home for the weekend, The Magic Castle Hotel.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of families wrangling kids was a pool full of Legos waiting to be clicked and clacked into some innovative mind’s masterpiece. Children poured in to build, while waiting for their adults; others slid down the slide alongside the stairs or played in the pretend holding dungeon. My husband Cory and I looked at each other with silent words and loud thoughts, “We definitely are not in Walnut anymore.” Somewhere between home and Oz, we had teleported into a world of make-believe.

As we pushed the button of the elevator to get to our floor, the wizard himself narrated our ride as we “levitated and flew” between floors. Gems and crystals lit up on the walls of our magic ride until we reached our destination.

In our room, the medieval and digital world coexisted as purple regal tapestry adorned walls and plush beds. Requests are at your fingertips. With one swing of the magic wand (via QR code), your wish is granted — per the digital magic genie. My favorite part of the room was the message on the wall: “You are far more powerful than you can ever imagine.”

Off to Dino Valley

Well-rested and caffeine-fueled, we set out for our first adventure: Dino Valley! As we walked through the land where dinosaurs roam, we caught our first dino sighting: a T-Rex! When navigating from one adventure to the next, sensory guides pose as yellow brick roads for parents. I found this a very helpful tool while exploring activities.

We boarded Coastersaurus, the roller coaster that matches the thrill seeker’s quest for fun, and then Explorer River Quest, a tranquil boat ride for dino seekers. Also new to Dino Valley is Dino Outpost, where little paleontologists get to uncover fossils and build their own dinosaur creations. This was a sensory level 5 for touch and deeply satisfying for my 6-year-old explorer. After a quick wash off of sand, sand and more sand, we stopped off for a quick bite to eat at The Market, a cafeteria style marketplace that offers a variety of food options (great for picky eaters), then it was on to the parade.

Lego World Parade

The anticipation of the parade was felt throughout the park as onlookers began to line the streets. I, too, sat amongst the spectators, between a veteran and his great-granddaughter. The old and the new, united in our excitement. The doors opened and the parade began with flags, bubbles and a celebratory song. The Lego World parade featured the Lego City Fire Truck with a dancing Fire Chief Freya, a swashbuckling ship with Scallywag Pirate, plus Lloyd, Scuba Diver and Hopsy.

Capping off the festivities, we had to take a selfie with the 25th birthday cake Lego model. This cake took 400 hours to build, and it consists of more than 200,000 bricks! Finally, now joined by the other half or our family, we wound down with a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium. Here, we encountered sharks, octopus, star fish and other sea creatures enclosed in varying shades of indigo waters.

The beauty of the aquarium, and perhaps Legoland, is that it gives permission for all to simply be. Our little family dined on our last meal at the Dragons Den Restaurant before hitting the road again. Our Legoland adventure is now tucked away as a sweet memory — somewhere over the rainbow, where builders click-clack, kids slide downstairs, elevator rides are magic and dreams come to life.

Cherie Cofer, an editorial fellow for L.A. Parent, is a writer, mom and educator who lives in Walnut, Calif.

Embark on a Creative Journey with Apple Camp

Published June 5, 2024

The summer is coming, which means Apple stores are offering the free Apple Camp once again. Camp begins June 19.

Apple Camp is part of Today at Apple, a free complimentary educational initiative that transforms Apple stores into vibrant hubs of learning and creativity. Celebrating its 22nd anniversary, Apple Camp is designed for children aged 6 to 10 and their families, aiming to help the next generation of creators dive into immersive experiences, learn new skills and express their creativity using the iPad.

Apple Camp starts June 19. PHOTOS COURTESY APPLE

Guided by Apple’s Creatives and Creative Pros, families embark on a journey where the magic of Apple is not just observed but experienced firsthand. These dedicated team members are the heart and soul of Today at Apple sessions, bringing each participant’s creative vision to life.

2024 Apple Camp Program: A Story of Kindness

This year’s theme, “Create an Interactive Story of Kindness,” invites campers to explore the depths of their imagination in a 90-minute storytelling odyssey. Armed with the all-new iPad Pro and the innovative Apple Pencil Pro, campers will craft their very own storybooks. From drawing enchanting illustrations to recording whimsical sounds and shaping fun 3D objects, the Pages app becomes a canvas for young minds to express their unique interpretation of kindness.

Unleashing Creativity Across the iPad Universe

At Apple Camp, children learn that storytelling knows no bounds. With a variety of iPad models at their disposal, campers can mix and match drawings, shapes, colors and sounds to weave tales of characters exemplifying kindness in myriad ways. It’s a hands-on lesson in creative storytelling and visualizing ideas that resonate with the heart.

Interactive Tools for Interactive Minds

Exclusively for Apple Camp, the Today at Apple team has crafted custom templates within the Pages app. These templates serve as a playground for interactive storytelling, allowing kids and families to collaborate on filling out their story pages with acts of kindness. Adults are more than spectators; they’re active participants, lending their voices and sounds to enrich the narrative, even in multiple languages.

A Celebration of Creativity

As the session draws to a close, a celebratory moment awaits. Families gather to share their digital masterpieces, using AirDrop to showcase their stories on a communal display. The culmination of their efforts is not just a shared experience, but a tangible memory: Each family leaves with a special Apple Camp t-shirt and a digital copy of their book, exported as an EPUB file for the Books app — a keepsake to cherish and a story to share for generations.

Join the Adventure

Apple Camp sessions are set to commence on June 19, first gracing Apple Stores in the US, Canada, and select European locations, with the rest of the world soon to follow. To stay abreast of the latest updates and information on Apple Camp, be sure to visit apple.co/apple-camp.

Playa Vista’s Westside Neighborhood School Expands

Published May 30, 2024

Westside Neighborhood School is expanding with a new building and land. PHOTOS COURTESY WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL

Westside Neighborhood School (WNS), an independent preschool-8th grade school located in Los Angeles’ Playa Vista neighborhood, is expanding. The school purchased a 132,000-square-foot building that sits on more than five acres of land just 600 feet from the school’s current campus, which comprises three buildings.

The new acquisition, located at 5340 Alla Road, will be transformative for the school with double the programmatic spaces of its current facilities. The new building includes:

Additional classrooms for the elementary school, enabling smaller class sizes by providing three classes for each grade in kindergarten-5th grade.
Relocation of the developmental kindergarten (DK) classrooms to the Alla Road building, creating a dedicated DK/K educational center and opening up additional space in the Early Childhood Center for preschool students.
Larger DK-8th grade classrooms. Current classrooms average 400-600 square feet. Classrooms in the new building will range from 700-1,000 square feet.
Programmatic expansion including the addition of a dance center, photography and digital arts, ﬁlmmaking, robotics, instrumental music and community meeting rooms.
The 5.13 acres of land will yield twice the outdoor space the school currently has, and will include lunch tables and playgrounds, as well as additional parking.

“We have worked for over 10 years to position WNS to take advantage of a unique opportunity if and when it might occur to own our school property, and this opportunity exceeds all of our expectations,” says Brad Zacuto, WNS’s Head of School. “This is a transformational moment for WNS that will help secure the ﬁnancial sustainability and capacity for essential programmatic growth of the school for generations of preschool-8th grade students to come.”

WNS has partnered with architectural ﬁrm Smith-Clementi on the site’s renovation with an anticipated opening date of fall 2026.

Learn more at wns-la .org.

Gloo Books Navigate Diverse Worlds Through Inclusive Stories

Published May 28, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Story time in our household is a sacred time. Through books, my daughter and I get to set sail and embark on countless adventures, exploring the lives of beloved characters and discovering new ones.

Gloo Books navigate diverse worlds. PHOTOS COURTESY GLOO BOOKS

Perhaps the magic of story time is looking at the world through the eyes of our children. Books are an incredible tool that can help foster self-esteem when children see themselves reflected in characters. Stories also teach children tolerance and compassion by exposing them to other cultures. A flagship for such incredibly diverse stories is the publishing company Gloo Books.

After she noticed the lack of representation and inclusion in children’s books, Karen Chan, mom of two, decided to write her own children’s book, “What’s That.” This turned into a larger vision to create a publishing company. With a mission to “empower little readers everywhere,” Gloo Books champions the change we want to see in the world one story at a time.

Representation and inclusion are reflected not only in the stories featured in Gloo Books, but also your storytellers. Why is this important to you?

Our mission at Gloo is to publish children’s books for a more just, compassionate and inclusive future, and this really all starts with the authors and illustrators behind each story. After the birth of my son, I learned that 71% of children’s books feature characters that are animals or are white. I, like so many other parents, value compassion and inclusivity, and had to actively seek out books in an effort to diversify his bookshelf to ensure that these values were reflected in the books he read.

Unfortunately, and problematically, this lack of diversity is an issue throughout the publishing industry, and it shapes who gets published and the characters within stories. I wanted to start a publishing company with books that accurately reflect the world around us today. Our books are known for depicting a wide range of stories and identities — including race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion and ability — in creative, colorful and meaningful ways. And we can achieve this because of the experiences, ideas and passion our authors and illustrators bring to the stories. They themselves represent the vast range of identities that are present within the books we publish.

I understand that picture books were among your favorites as a child. What are some of your favorite stories from childhood?

Anything by Shel Silverstein: “Miss Nelson is Missing,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “The Magic School Bus” series.

You have described yourself as a creative person. Other than writing children’s books and cooking, what are some other ways you express your creativity?

Art and photography. I studied art history in undergrad and love painting in oils and watercolor. My entire childhood, I was always drawing or painting. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do much of either since having children and starting a business, but they’re both creative outlets I plan to return to one day.

As a self-described lover of food, what are your picks for the top three places to eat in Los Angeles?

It’s so hard to pick only three! But my top three around my old neighborhood are Bacetti, Night + Market Song and Seong Buk Dong.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Los Angeles with your family?

Karen Chan.

My kids are 5 and under, so we love going to the beach and exploring the cliffs and tidepools in Palos Verdes. Griffith Park, Silver Lake Meadow and Huntington Library are great outdoor places to spend time when the sun is out. For little ones, Southern California Children’s Museum is a fun indoor place to explore. My 5-year-old is at the age where he has the interest and patience for museums, so we’ve been enjoying the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center and the Broad. Lately, we’ve been taking our kids to our local skate park and open fish market at the Redondo Beach pier. It’s a fantastic place to spend the day, pick up some oysters and seafood and let the kids run around. And last but not least, our local library — nothing better than a long afternoon reading books with my kids at our library!

The desire for social justice seems to be a theme throughout your life. How does this now show up in the work you do with Gloo Books?

I am a lawyer by trade; I’ve worked pro bono on asylum cases, immigration issues and more — and ensuring people feel seen, respected and represented has always been important to me. In addition to our books representing a range of stories, backgrounds and cultures, our books showcase narratives that empower not just little readers, but anyone reading them. Our book “Composting for Community” teaches readers how to compost and how everyone plays a role in caring for our earth and combating the climate crisis. “A Life of Song: The Story of Ella Jenkins” shows how we can use our passions to push for a better, more equitable world.

I want our books to inspire little readers and give them tools to create change, because they’re never too young to dream of — and start building — a better future.

Deciding to start a business, become an entrepreneur and even tackle the traditional publishing industry takes a level of courage and relentlessness. Where does this come from for you?

I’ve always been a pretty determined person. My family likes to remind me how I was a very stubborn child. My parents immigrated here in the ’70s and started a life for themselves in a totally new country. After years of working, my mom went on to start her own business, and I saw how much gumption and bravery is required to start your own business, especially as an Asian woman immigrant. I’m very motivated when I’m doing something that benefits or helps others, whether it’s for the kid that gets to see themselves on the pages of a book or creating more equity in an often unfair industry. It’s a big motivation when I see so many people, especially younger generations, fighting to create change. It gives me so much hope for the future. So, I’d say it’s a mix of a genetic predisposition, my upbringing and hope for the future.

Learn more at gloobooks.com.

A New Hotel on Venice Beach: The Redline Venice Confronts Racism, Offers Luxury

Published May 24, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

L.A.’s “red car” trolleys make up the wallpaper in one of The Redline Venice Hotel’s suites. PHOTO COURTESY THE REDLINE VENICE HOTEL

On my desk, a brick-shaped hunk of glass sits squarely under the glow of a brass lamp. Etched onto its surface are the phrase “In our neighborhood, everybody’s welcome,” a row of bungalows and cottages and a pair of clasped hands — one frosted, one clear.

I remember clasping the hand of the representative from a nonprofit civil rights organization, The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, who gifted me this glass brick at a ceremony on April 23, 1999. The honor was in recognition of a newspaper column I had published about my personal experience with housing discrimination. In that column, I linked the experience of being denied a desired apartment once the owner saw the color of my skin to a rejection my parents had undergone nearly 30 years earlier. When they arrived at the house they had scheduled by phone to tour, the owner, who was standing on the porch, shook her head vehemently, then retreated back into the house and slammed the door.

“We couldn’t believe it,” my mother says, her incredulity still as sharp as broken glass even when she retells the story today. I know exactly how they felt because I felt it, too. Absolutely gutted. And within those guttural sensations: a mixture of fury, pain, humiliation, shame. I turned to writing to transmute my emotions, an act of internal and external reporting.

While my favorite novelist Toni Morrison once said that “the function…of racism is distraction,” I keep the brick on my writing desk as a tactile reminder of the power of words to highlight and chisel away at injustice. A current example of this power of language is poured into the foundation of the newly opened and only Black-owned hotel in Venice, The Redline Venice Hotel. “Yes, that word, redlining, does mean what you think it means,” co-owner and founder Kamau Coleman told a crowd at the hotel’s grand opening ceremony this spring.

What’s in a name

At the grand opening ceremony. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

From the early 1930s to the late 1960s, redlining was the orchestrated and federal government-backed practice of denying Black people and other minorities access to mortgage loans and other forms of credit, even when they qualified for it. In fact, the Federal Reserve and local lenders used red-lined maps to indicate what they deemed “risk areas.” Redlining, the Los Angeles Public Library’s “Undesign the Redline” exhibit said, is how “structural racism was designed.”

Without access to substantial credit like other neighborhoods, redlined communities flailed economically. And while the racially motivated practice was outlawed under the 1968 Fair Housing Act, the economic and public health repercussions of such rampant disenfranchisement still resound.

I was intrigued that Black entrepreneurs would intentionally choose to name their hospitality venture after such an inflammatory word, but as my husband and I walked up to the apartment-style hotel that sits right on the Venice boardwalk at the corner 17^th and Pacific avenues, I sensed something even more poignant than I imagined was at play.

While I had read on the website that the founders’ reclamation of the term symbolizes a form of “resistance and empowerment,” I hesitated as we stood outside a metal gate painted a deep crimson, but the hosts warmly ushered us to go in. As we stepped into the breezeway, I marveled at this red gate that swings open to welcome people from all over the world.

Confronting redlining, offering luxury

The whimsy of words is that they can become putty in our human hands, changing shape and meaning over time, allowing us to craft new definitions and even to travel deeper into the past to retrieve positive connotations of words gone awry. Indeed, in The Redline’s name lies a double helix of significance: The name also refers to Los Angeles’ “red cars,” the trolleys that ran from Downtown L.A. to Venice in the 1920s until the 1960s, ferrying residents and tourists to and from the beach.

Committed to weaving fraught, rich and lost histories into their project, The Redline team (which also includes co-founder/owner Michael Clinton, creative director Sophea Samreth and director of guest experience Destinee Sales) transformed this four-apartment building into not only a luxury vacation-home-style hotel, but also a museum, art gallery and, dare I say, a classroom.

At the grand opening, we gathered on the hotel’s rooftop just as the sun was setting. We noshed on peach cobbler, shrimp and grits and other Southern-inspired cuisine as The Redline team introduced their mission and paid homage to Black and Brown families whose roots in Venice run deep. When the founders hired Sales, her first mission was to delve into the history of Venice, so she reached out to what the team calls “local legends.” “These families were foundational to the inspiration that came to this hotel,” Sales says.

The Canvas suite. PHOTO COURTESY THE REDLINE VENICE HOTEL

On the website, you can find the stories of some of Venice’s local legends of color. And the four apartment suites that make up The Redline Venice Hotel are named in honor of some of them:

Escape, a one-bedroom suite, pays homage to Nick Gabaldón, the first documented surfer of African American and Mexican American descent in California’s Santa Monica Bay. This suite also celebrates the skating and roller-dancing culture that continues to be the bloodline of Venice Beach.
12 Miles West, a two-bedroom, one-bath suite, is dedicated to the legacy of designer and inventor Arthur Reese, who helped Venice founder Abbot Kinney build Venice Beach.
Beat By The Sea, a studio suite, honors jazz artist and activist Horace Tapscott, as well as the many young people who were dissatisfied with social injustice and found a sense of belonging in Venice.
The Canvas, which features three bedrooms, is inspired by Venice’s overall origin story.

Each suite includes a kitchenette or full kitchen, work space, stylish yet comfortable furnishings, luxurious bed linens, smart TVs, Bose soundbars, air conditioning and striking bathroom designs. A narrative runs through each suite, curated through artwork and books that don the tables and walls. Future plans include installing QR codes to expand ways to tell narratives.

Even with the scent and sound of the ocean just outside the windows, it’s easy to get lost in the waters of history, luxury and art the hoteliers have created here.

The hotel is Samreth’s first interior design project; she’s a fashion designer. But when the owners asked her to join them, she dove into the challenge. To get her creative juices flowing, she started with the kitchens. “I love to cook, and when I travel, I want to cook.”

Getting it right

Historian Alison Rose Jefferson wrote “Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites During the Jim Crow Era.” PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

Initially, Coleman wasn’t so sure that buying the building, which was in possession of another Black owner who had inherited it from family (and had been trying for years to sell it), was a good idea. “It was the beginning of the pandemic, and Venice at that time was a mess,” Coleman says.

“I didn’t want to do it. But then, I said [to Clinton], ‘Bro, look at where we are. Now, we’ve just got to find a way to wrap a business model around it.’ We’re both in real estate, and what we realized is that Venice is very different from other parts of L.A. Built into the family documents was the ability to turn the property into a hospitality business, and that was what we knew we had to do. Then, the question was what’s the theme, and that’s where Sophea [creative designer] really came in, but she said, ‘What’s the glue, what’s the story that I’m designing this around?’

“I said, ‘One thing that I’ve always wondered about Venice is where did all the Black and Brown folks in Venice come from?’ As a kid at John Burroughs [Middle School], and then when I went to Fairfax [High School], we always came here and felt comfortable, but it never crossed my mind why it felt different from Malibu or Marina del Rey. So Sophea did a bit of research and came back quickly and said, ‘[Black people] have always been here and, by the way, there was this redlining going on, and I think the name of the hotel should be Redline.’ And I thought, ‘Oh my God, what we need to do is draw the line in the sand right here, ourselves. Take that negative and turn it into a positive.’”

The Redline Venice Hotel team (from top left), Kamau Coleman, Michael Clinton, (from bottom left) Destinee Sales and Sophea Samreth. PHOTO COURTESY THE REDLINE VENICE HOTEL

Alison Rose Jefferson, an independent historian and author of “Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites During the Jim Crow Era,” was one of the quintessential collaborators during the staff’s research process. Jefferson was a critical advocate for the public commemoration of Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan Beach. Once owned by a Black couple named Charles and Willa Bruce, the beach operated as a successful seaside resort for Black Californians during the Jim Crow era. But white officials drove the Bruces out of town. In 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially transferred ownership of the property back to the legal heirs of the Bruces, who sold it back to the city for $20 million in 2023.

“Alison Rose Jefferson…has been our north star, our conscious,” Coleman says. “We thought it [redlining] was all about Black folk, but she said, ‘No…at the end of the day, everybody was redlined.’ We wanted to make sure that we were accurate historically, and we wanted to figure out what are the narratives that we’re going to tell. So, we had to readjust and say, ‘We can tell these stories as long as we can do it authentically.’ What this little team is incredible at doing is sucking the marrow out of the history and creating a narrative around it.

“We knew we needed community support, so we early on started reaching out,” Coleman says. “There’s no way we could have done this on the shoestring budget that we had without the community buy-in.”

“And all of our guests are part of the buy-in,” Sales says. “We’ve had nothing but five-star reviews.”

Watching the sunset from the rooftop at The Redline. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

Brick by brick

My grandfather, Oscar Lane, was a mason, a bricklayer. Born in 1911, he certainly experienced injustice, yet in his hands, bricks became homes — sanctuaries that housed dreams and sheltered generations.

Such stories of empowerment run right alongside devastating ones. And the successful opening of their contribution to telling a full history gives The Redline Venice team hope that they will be able to open other Redline hotels across the country, pushing the harmful legacy of “redlining” further into the past and creating opportunities for deeper economic empowerment, connection and, yes, leisure.

Our Memorial Day Roundup of Events in L.A. and Beyond

Published May 22, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Looking for great Memorial Day ideas for the entire family? Whether you choose to spend the day grilling or in search of a perfect spot on the beach — look no further.

In this roundup of memorable Memorial Day hot spots, we’ve got you covered — from the San Fernando Valley all the way down to the coast of San Diego.

PHOTO COURTESY CENTRAL COAST OCEAN ADVENTURES

All aboard

Set sail as the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler makes its voyage into Ventura. The ship will dock at Ventura Carver Dock from May 23-30. You can book a tour of the boat from 1-5 p.m. on May 25-27.

Sea lovers of all ages will have an opportunity to learn all about the boat as the CCOAF will give detailed informational tours. The little ones can enjoy plenty of fun-filled activities. To book a tour and for more information visit centralcoastoceanadventures.org.

Whale-watching opportunities

Discover some majestic views and whales as Dana Wharf hosts whale-watching tours all weekend. Enjoy a whale safari as Captain Dave’s offers year-round boating tours. Get up close and personal with whale-watching field trips.

Shopping sprees

Dana Point Harbor has plenty of year-round fun with its scenic views, plus plenty of delicious dining experiences. There’s also plenty of shopping to experience at Dana Point Harbor. Speaking of shopping, Paseo 17 in Costa Mesa is a shopper’s dream, featuring various newly branded boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants and fitness studios. At the center of the courtyard, take a break and take in the lush landscapes and fountain.

Rest and relax

For some down time, check out Evenings at Glen Ivy, where guests can book an evening admission for May 27 from 4-9 p.m. Guests can enjoy the amenities Glen Ivy is known for, including 19 healing mineral pools, Club Mud and Ivy Kitchen. Evenings at Glen Ivy will run Friday through Sunday and Memorial Day.

Get creative

Artists of all skill levels can join OC Parks at Irvine Ranch Historic Park for “Create in the Park.” Make a masterpiece or a fun memory as a professional artist guides you through a program focusing on urban sketching techniques using pen and watercolor. You must bring your own materials.

Bowling and burgers

Let someone else grill at Pinstripes Topanga, the ultimate “eatertainment” hub. Pinstripes normally combines an Italian-American bistro with first class bowling and bocce. In honor of Memorial Day, Pinstripes will boast a brunch buffet featuring juicy burgers, brats, watermelon and a live band.

Memorializing our heroes

On May 24, Sea World will launch its Memorial Day celebration with a flag ceremony to honor our fallen heroes of the U.S. armed forces. There will be live music and a fireworks celebration.

The newly opened Gypsum Canyon Wilderness. PHOTO COURTESY IRVINE RANCH CONSERVANCY

SeaWorld San Diego will also honor Military Appreciation Month with free one-day admission for U.S. military veterans and up to three guests. U.S military veterans and retirees can register for complimentary single-day tickets for themselves and up to three dependents before May 27 at WavesofHonor.com.

Nature hikes

Walk off some of that great food and barbecue at the Family Hike Dilley Sunday May 26. This hike will be moderately easy with some uneven terrain.

The trek does involve steep climbs and descents, so do make sure to bring your hiking shoes.

For the early bird hikers, Irvine Ranch Conservancy will have an early morning hike at the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. May 2. Go and discover the newly opened Gypsum Canyon Wilderness.

Take in its panoramic views of Fremont and Weir Canyon Nature Preserves and beyond to bask in beautiful wildflowers, rock formations and potentially get a glimpse at some wildlife. You will need to register in advance, as there will be no walk-up registrations permitted.

For more events check out our Memorial Day Weekend calendar.

Pixar Fest kicks off at Disney’s California Adventure

Published May 20, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

This year’s Pixar Fest kicked off at Disney’s California Adventure with a lot of sunshine and a parade called “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”

During the parade, familiar Pixar pals danced to an anthem designed just for the occasion. “We wanted to go into this parade with a message [that] friendship matters, friendship is a great thing and when we have friends we are better together,” says Robin Trowbridge, show director at Disney Live Entertainment. The parade featured new floats, including “Turning Red,” Luca,” “Soul,” “The Pixar Lamp” and the oldie-but-goodies “Toy Story” and “The Incredibles.”

Taste buds are not excluded from enjoying the festivities, as there are six marketplaces featuring Pixar-themed delights. Some of the notable mentions are The Jolly Holiday Bakery, which will feature a “Luca”-inspired parfait. Rancho Del Zocalo has a Marigold tres leches cupcake, and the Carnation Cafe will have the fried bologna sandwiches inspired by “Up.” There will also be 50 Pizza Planet trucks.

Pixar Fest created a truly immersive experience with other exciting additions, including Club Pixar. Here, the young and the not-so-young can learn dances taken from scenes in “WALL-E” and “Up.” All ages can enjoy a PixarPals Playtime Party at Disney’s Fantasyland Theater. Kids can make crafts and take photos with Pixar characters.

When you need a break, there is a “Short Stop” area where you can watch Pixar shorts and play games. In the evening, get wowed by “Together Forever, A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” with new pyrotechnic enhancements for greater detail and color.

The projection characters even interact with onlookers down Main Street. Pixar Fest will run through Aug. 4.

The City of Los Angeles Proclaims ‘Father Greg Boyle Day’

Published May 17, 2024

For 36 years, Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, has had a transformative impact on the lives of thousands of individuals, families and organizations around the world. And now, the city of Los Angeles has proclaimed May 19 as “Father Greg Boyle Day.”

Father Greg Boyle. PHOTO COURTESY HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES

Hundreds of community members attended the Los Angeles City Council ceremony. Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and other guests joined Boyle for a private luncheon hosted by Homeboy Industries at city hall.

The proclamation comes on the heels of the recognition of Boyle as a 2024 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor. The White House ceremony led by President Joe Biden took place on May 3.

In 1988, Boyle and the mothers who were part of the Dolores Mission parish created Jobs for a Future, a place where formerly incarcerated people could find a second chance and the opportunity to break generational cycles of violence and trauma through job placements and employment. Jobs for a Future and Proyecto Pastoral launched the first social enterprise in an abandoned bakery that donors helped them purchase. They called it the Homeboy Bakery.

Thirty-six years later, that first social enterprise has expanded to 13 social-enterprise businesses operated by Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. In addition to the job training and purposeful work model trainees experience, Homeboy Industries provides critical and holistic services including housing, educational and legal services, tattoo removal, substance use disorder support, mental health sessions, classes and programs promoting whole person healing.

For more information on Homeboy Industries, visit homeboyindustries.org and follow them on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Giving voice to women whose children were adopted

Published May 10, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Recently, I was watching an episode of a popular counseling show where the therapist asked a mother, “Does your daughter know your story?”

I thought this was such a powerful and important question to ponder — one that removes the mommy veil and invites us in to see the person behind the title. As we continue to explore motherhood issues, it’s important to acknowledge the myriad stories that surround it, including the stories of women whose children were adopted.

In her book “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood,” researcher and author Gretchen Sisson exposes the unseen and marginally represented side of adoption as told from the women who have “relinquished” their children.

“Relinquished” does an excellent job of telling the stories of mothers leading up to and beyond their decision to relinquish a child. Why was it so important to you to tell their stories — and what drew you to this particular area of research?

I was drawn to these stories after working with young mothers — pregnant and parenting teenagers — and seeing the ways that their parenthood was marginalized. As a researcher, it made me want to look more deeply at the social myths and underlying structural inequities that shape who we, as a country, support in parenting — and who we stigmatize. That’s when I began looking at adoption more deeply.

I was also volunteering at the local abortion fund, and I had just finished my master’s thesis on infertility. In each of these roles, I was seeing the ways that adoption was framed as a solution; it was the “answer” for limited abortion access, for lack of affordable infertility treatments, for poor families who struggled to care for their children the way they wanted. I was continually confronted with the idea that transferring children from one family to another would be the answer and would avert the need for public investment or accountability. I wanted to interrogate this more deeply, but focusing on the stories of the women who were impacted by systems of adoption.

It seems that one of the intentions of the book is to reframe the way we look at building families. How have your perceptions and ideas changed regarding family building since telling the stories of these women?

The book is less about how we build families and more about how we support (or fail to support) certain families over others. I don’t think that framing adoption as “family building” is the right paradigm, because it centers the desires of adults (as prospective parents) and erases families that are separated by adoption. Even those who advocate for adoption would, I believe, say that adoption is supposed to be about finding families for children, not about finding children for adults that want them, and the language of “family building” is more about the latter. Understanding the stories of relinquishing mothers — the women who are separated from their children through adoption — forces you to acknowledge [what] it means when babies and children are made available for adoption, and the hard circumstances that lead to those fractures.

You do a remarkable job of weaving stories of the women featured together, uniting them in the pivotal decision to relinquish. How has the decision to focus on their experiences shaped your research and the telling of their stories?

This book, and my research and work more broadly, are all entirely rooted in the telling of women’s stories. So many of our cultural ideas about adoption are based on social myths, misinformation and antiquated ideas of worthiness, as well as straightforward racism, classism and heteronormativity. These understandings of adoption do not consider and are not accountable to relinquishing parents (or their children). It’s only by considering their own stories — why they relinquish and under what circumstances, how they feel about it over the course of their lives and how it serves (or doesn’t) them and their children — that we can begin to develop an understanding of adoption that is rooted in lived reality and complexity.

You present adoption in a manner that few have done — revealing some of its dark history and the politics of relinquishing. How has the decision to remove the veil impacted you or any of the women interviewed?

Many of the relinquishing parents and adopted people who have reached out to me about the book have found it validating to understand their stories as part of a larger system and bigger historical arc. The way we practice adoption today has been shaped by older systems of family separation. For white women and babies, family separation has been rooted in the market demand for white children; for Black families, it has been rooted in the policing and regulation of families and communities of color; for Native families, it has been about challenges to tribal existence and assimilation. These older practices continue to shape adoption today, as both a marketplace and a system of social control. You can’t always see these roots in individual stories (though sometimes you can), but when you see patterns of practice, you can better understand how adoption functions on a social and cultural level. I think these broader frameworks can then be valuable to those who have lived these stories to better understand what happened to them.

Your research spans the course of a decade. In what ways has the conversation changed around adoption?

After the Dobbs oral arguments and decision [the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 that abortion is not a constitutional right] both drew on ideas of adoption — adoption as a meaningful alternative to abortion and adoption as primarily about ensuring a supply of children to prospective parents — people who had never thought critically about adoption became willing to consider it more deeply. I think that was the biggest conversational shift, and I wrote this book to respond to this specific cultural and political moment.

You break down some of the stereotypes people have about relinquishing mothers with some contemporary references, from “Friends” to “Juno” and even an “ER” episode. According to the women you’ve interviewed, have any modern-day portrayals of this process come close to getting it right?

The portrayal that most mothers were drawn to wasn’t about adoption, per se. Many of them mentioned “The Handmaid’s Tale” as reflective of their experiences: a class of women obligated to supply a higher, more “deserving” class of families with children. That this show — meant to portray a patriarchal, theonomic dystopia — came the closest to getting contemporary adoption right, in their opinion, tells you most of what you need to know.

In describing the politics of adoption, there is a united theme of parenting within the constraints of poverty. Would you cite this as the central determining factor for mothers who decide to relinquish?

Lack of financial resources was the overwhelming reason that women relinquished their children. Often this meant living in poverty, but not always; it just might mean they were dependent on their own parents or a partner for their financial stability and didn’t have the power to shape the circumstances that would have allowed them to parent. For some, they couldn’t afford the security deposit on a new apartment so that they could move out of their unsupportive parents’ home, or away from an unsafe partner. For others, they couldn’t afford a car seat and crib that would have helped parenting to feel feasible. A few mentioned that they just couldn’t afford six weeks of unpaid postpartum leave or couldn’t take the risk of not having a job to return to. These mothers needed support in lots of ways, but the core challenge was financial constraint.

Ideas behind adoption can be very layered. what are some of the things you would like the reader to take away from “Relinquished?”

I hope readers will take away a deeper sense of the complexity of adoption and more nuanced ideas of how the system works and who it is designed to center. Most importantly, I hope they will continue to seek out the stories of adoption and family separation from the perspectives of birth families and adopted people to better understand how their experience fit more broadly with values of autonomy, family and reproductive justice.

For more information about Gretchen Sisson, or to get a copy of “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood,” visit relinquishedbook.com.

May/June Magazine: Family Travel

Published May 8, 2024

Welcome to our May/June magazine!

The L.A. Parent team loves covering travel — family excursions, solo journeys, couple and friend voyages. We travel to expand our understanding of people, place and history.

What is just as essential is acknowledging that, wherever we go, we are bringing our foundation — our childhood dreams, accomplishments, wisdom, assumptions and limitations — with us. To travel is to navigate this two-way relationship. Whether we are visitors or the ones being visited, we are simultaneously students and teachers.

In our May/June magazine, come along with us as we explore, play and make life-long memories. In addition to the individual stories here under “Current Issue,” you can check out the full digital version or pick up a print copy near you in L.A. County.

May/June magazine cover. PHOTO BY ROB FLATE

On the Cover

Our May/June magazine cover models this month are writer and journalist Emily St. Martin and her 10-year-old twins, Penny and Layla. Photographer Rob Flate photographed them around the rooftop pool at Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood (everlyhotelhollywood.com). You can find Rob at robflatephotography.com.

On LAParent.com

Get our newsletters every week! Sign up at laparent.com to receive our two weekly newsletters. On Mondays, we highlight some of our most useful (and fun) articles. And we round up the very best events of the weekend on Thursdays!

In Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton Beckons

Published May 3, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Zip lining over the South African protea flowers at Highline Adventures. PHOTO COURTESY HIGHLINE ADVENTURES

Whenever I travel, near or far, I like to bring home a little taste of the place I will inevitably leave behind.

This morning, I opened a small glass jar of tea I purchased during a quick zip to Santa Ynez Valley a few weeks ago. I inhaled deeply, wistfully. The flavors — sweet and earthy mixed with a peppery bite that some might consider a bit risky — carried me back to the memories my husband, teen son, mother-in-law and I created in just a day-and-a-half visit to Santa Barbara County’s parcel of the Central Coast.

As we drove north on the 101, I played my mother-in-law’s favorite artist, Smokey Robinson, who is still performing, hip gyrations and all, at 84 (sweet, earthy, risky), and tried to teach the teen a thing or two about the music legend. Sitting in the backseat with his grandmother, Sol hummed along politely (or placatingly), but when I glanced back a few moments later, he had slipped his headphones on, listening to the music of his choice.

That’s all right, I thought. We’ll find a way to bridge our three generations — and our different tastes and interests — over the weekend.

‘Sideways’ legacy

We rolled into the Santa Ynez Valley just as rain clouds were rolling out, and we cheered over a weekend forecast of clear skies. But even though we Californians are “sick of all the rain,” the constant deluges have left us with verdant hills and vineyards that gleam like emeralds in the sun.

And while Napa Valley is always the popular kid of California wine country, a little time in the Santa Ynez Mountains quickly uncovers why it’s considered the “hidden treasure of world wineries.” “The hills are so lush and green right now that it reminds you of a countryside in Italy or Ireland,” my husband, Marcus, said as he drove. With my cell, I captured some of the greenery as we zoomed past.

Santa Ynez envelops the towns of Danish-inspired Solvang, Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez, but our focal point this trip was Buellton. Located at the junction of the 101 and State Route 246, this gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley used to be a place folks just “passed through,” one of my coworkers told me, but Buellton has blossomed into a mini mecca of luxury camping, shopping, wine tastings, dining and adventure.

Long known as the “Home of Split Pea Soup,” a reference to the 100-year-old Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant (which closed earlier this year for redevelopment), Buellton has also had its brush with the kind of fame that only Hollywood can bring. The 2004 hit movie “Sideways” was shot in Buellton and Solvang. The film tells the story of frustrated writer and wine connoisseur Miles (Paul Giamatti), who heads to this part of wine country with his friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church) for a male-bonding trip before Jack’s wedding. A wine snob, in one scene Miles uplifts pinot noir as the quintessential red while lambasting merlot, and this swift moment in the film led to what became known as the “Sideways Effect.” After the film, merlot sales plummeted while pinot noir sales skyrocketed.

Whatever your wine tastes are, it’s fun to see cultural references to “Sideways” throughout the area.

A fancy RV park

It was inching toward dinnertime when we arrived at Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, a Highway West Vacations properties dotted with an eclectic mix of accommodations —modern RVs, vintage campers, glam safari tents and 52 charming cottages named after wines and horse breeds.

Retro campers. PHOTOS COURTESY FLYING FLAGS RV RESORT & CAMPGROUND

Named after the elegant Hanoverian horse, our cottage came with a furnished porch, a patio featuring a barbecue grill, a full kitchen that opens to a generous-sized living room, a loft bedroom, bathroom and a master bedroom with a hearty barn door. Across from this home-away-from-home was a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and around the corner: a recreational area with bocce, a basketball court, meeting rooms and a playground.

Another perk of staying at Flying Flags is that its sister property, Sideways Inn, a Scandinavian-style hotel, sits right next to the campgrounds. I grabbed a coffee from the well-stocked coffee bar in the hotel’s lobby, caught up on emails, then got in a quick workout inside the chic Sideways gym. If you’re staying at Flying Flags, you can exchange your driver’s license for a key to the gym.

Back at the cottage, we hashed out who would sleep where and which movie we would watch after dinner. I surrendered to a blockbuster number that was a far cry from my cup of tea, but some give and take on family vacay is par for the course.

Feathers, fires, farms and fantastic food

One activity the four of us can all always agree on is indulging in some good food. Since the cottage kitchens are stocked with cookware and utensils, you could whip up your own meal, but whenever I can take a night off from my kitchen, I grab it.

For our first grub, we walked over to Feather & Fire, an onsite outdoor restaurant. Under the string lights, a guitarist was serenading diners with country songs, which launched my family into a discussion about Beyonce’s new “Cowboy Carter” album.

We envied the people who’d arrived early enough to gather around the big fire in a circular brick pit, but since they let us pet their dogs, we forgave them. We ordered half of a rotisserie chicken, brick-oven pizza with truffle oil (sweet tooths might want to try the s’mores pizza) and roasted vegetables. Charmaine (my mother-in-law) and I rounded off the flavors with cocktails: the “Buellton Sunrise” and “Santa Ynez Sangria.”

Feast at Vega Vineyard & Farm. PHOTO COURTESY VEGA VINEYARD & FARM

The next morning, we fired up our adrenaline for a first-time adventure (more on that later), and that revved up our appetites again. With each crunch of our car’s tires over the rocky path leading to Vega Vineyard & Farm, I anticipated the first bites of fresh farm food we’d soon sample.

Vega, which includes a winery, restaurant, farm animals, a historic adobe you can rent on Airbnb and even a market and clothing shop, is a place I could imagine staying forever — or at least for a few weekends out of the year. Established as Rancho de Vega in 1853, the 208-acre property is surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest Range. In a wide-open meadow, the restaurant’s rustic wooden tables are spread out far enough that it feels like each family is having its own little private picnic while gazing out at the rows and rows of vineyards.

We sat under an olive tree, where Demetrios “Jimmy” Loizides (who bought the farm with his wife Karen two years ago) joined us. Loizides has owned multiple restaurants (and a country bar), including four Greek restaurants in Long Beach, but he sold most of those businesses to invest in this ranch that reminds him of his ancestry rooted in the grape-growing village of Kathikas, Cyprus, as well as the place in which he spent most of his childhood, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

“My dream was always to do something that felt European, or that reminded me of where I grew up in Zimbabwe,” Loizides said. “This place does that for me. We first moved to the area 11 years ago, and we love it.”

Instead of just putting some “red wagons all over the place” as her husband had envisioned, Karen designed it like a spread you’d find in an interior design magazine.

The couple hired Christopher Rossi as the executive chef and Steve Clifton as the winemaker to lead Vega’s tasting experiences.

As we relished the first forkful of the roasted golden and red beet salad, Loizides said, “This truly is a farm-to-table experience.” The salad was a masterful medley, with the sweetness of the maple vinaigrette accentuating the beets, the arugula adding a peppery bite, the toasted pistachios a nutty crunch and the goat cheese a creamy, tangy finish, all coming together for a delightful symphony of flavors and textures.

Hungry ostriches at Ostrichland USA. PHOTOS BY CASSANDRA LANE

In between bites, Sol inscribed the inside cover of a new Moleskine journal. Loizides asked him what he was writing. “This is going to be for my book of soliloquies,” Sol answered, and the lunch conversation turned philosophical. We four adults were dazzled by the 16-year-old’s reflections on the modern and ancient philosophers he’s been reading on his own, by his thoughts about his generation and by his expressions of how he uncovered his dormant leader self while working at Moonwater Farm as a junior counselor the past two summers.

“You should apply to UC Santa Barbara and come work for me,” Loizides told him.

I’m not sure Sol’s future is in agriculture or the culinary arts, but it’s always a joy hearing him express his innermost self as he continues to uncover who and how he wants to be in the world. Away from the hustle and bustle of our regular routine, he was chatty, relaxed and (as we all were) delighted by the food that kept coming — Hamachi crudo, deviled farm eggs stuffed with lush chunks of blue crab, grilled jumbo shrimp with Israeli couscous, a perfect bowl of cacio e pepe…

From the day’s flight of wines, I most enjoyed the local Barbera; low in tannins, it leaves a velvety slip of dark cherries on the tongue.

Ostriches and Hitching Post wine

When our bellies could stretch no more, we followed Loizides to feed the farm animals and then sauntered into the market to buy olive oil the color of liquid gold and hailing from Mani, Greece.

Sol feeds an ostrich at Ostrichland USA.

While you’re feeding bellies other than your own, be sure to include a visit to Ostrichland USA when you’re in Buellton. The ostriches, the world’s tallest and heaviest birds, were curious and full of personality, even when they didn’t feel like pecking at the bowls of feed we offered them. More than 100 ostriches and emus roam this prairie-like space that’s similar to the savannas of their native habitats in Africa.

By dinner time, I was still stuffed, which was a shame since we had reservations for a wine tasting and meal at the popular Hitching Post 2, where the author of the novel “Sideways,” Rex Pickett, used to hang out and where, later, the filmmakers of the movie adaptation filmed several scenes. Today, the Hitching Post winery produces about 17,000 cases of wine a year.

While my family sliced their steaks, I spent most of my time with a glass of Hitching Post’s flagship wine, a pinot noir called Highliner, and thought back to the “Sideways” character Miles’ words about the flavors: “…they’re just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and ancient on the planet.”

You only live once

The crème de la crème of our trip had nothing to do with food or wine. On a late Saturday morning, our stomachs were somersaulting for another reason: We — Baby Boomer, Gen X and Gen Z — were zip lining for the first time.

That wasn’t the plan when we arrived at Highline Adventures, which features some of the longest and fastest zip lines in California and an adventure park course with more than 80 tree-high challenges.

The plan was for Marcus and his mother to hang out and enjoy nature while Sol and I rode the zip lines. And, truth be told, I was more than a little nervous about letting my child, no matter how “grown” he thinks he is, join me in the sky. But as we checked in at the basecamp, I could see a glint growing in Marcus’ eyes. We had reservations for two, but a Highline Adventures staffer told us they had room for two more zip riders that morning.

“You should go, Son,” Charmaine told Marcus.

“I can’t leave you down here by yourself, Mama,” he said. But his little boy and long-grown man selves were shoving against each other. While his words were supporting his mother, his body kept turning toward the check-in desk.

“You could go, too,” I told Charmaine. “You only live once.” I was only half serious. Besides riding in airplanes, my mother-in-law is not one to “let her feet leave the ground.”

She let out a hysterical laugh. “Ok, you’re right,” she said. “I’ll go!”

“Oh my God, what?” I sputtered. “Are you sure you’ll be OK?”

“You’re the one who said, ‘You only live once.’ If I die, I’ll blame you.”

“Well,” Marcus drawled, “since you only live once, I don’t think that’ll be possible.”

We all laughed. Hysterically.

We hiked up a short hill to a station where our guides discreetly weighed us (required weight range: 75-275 pounds), gave careful instructions and helped us pull on our gear. Helmets are optional, but since the guides were required to wear them, I told a slightly resistant Sol, “We’re wearing them, too.”

He smirked. “If we fall, how do you think the helmets are gonna help?”

I swallowed and looked away.

Charmaine Richardson prepares to take off for the first time.

We hopped in the Highline Adventures Hummer, which carried us up 1,000 vertical feet and to the first zip line station. Since I had at least gone (tandem) skydiving before, I urged Sol and Marcus to go first so I could take a video of their (double zip line) launch. “There go my babies,” I yelled as my husband and son shot off and into the sky until they were tiny dots…and then invisible to us.

I looked at Charmaine as we strapped ourselves into place. She pulled on the overhead bar. “And you’re sure everything is sturdy?” she asked Sarah, our guide.

“Yes,” Sarah said. “You’re all set.” She counted “Launching in 3, 2, 1,” and then, we, too, were off — sailing over robust hills as green as any I’ve ever seen, ending in a burst of orange and red that are the South African protea flower fields. To the right of me, I heard deep and guttural screams I didn’t know my mother-in-law’s small body could make.

We rode two more zip lines after that, and while Charmaine’s screams spilled out with each one, she was, in the end, glad to get her feet off the ground.

“Boy, I would’ve regretted it if I hadn’t gotten on that zip line with you all,” she said on our drive back to L.A. “It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Look at her. At 74, she’s sweet, earthy and a little risky.

Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent.

David Rocklin on discovering stories, building community and raising kids in L.A.

Published May 2, 2024

By Chelsee Lowe

David Rocklin is author of the new novel “The Electric Love Song of Fleischl Berger.” PHOTO COURTESY DAVID ROCKLIN

On Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, there’s a little storefront you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. Its sign reads “The Echo Park Time Travel Mart,” and while it does stock UFO stickers, levitating moon lamps and rocket ship patches, it’s actually the eastside home of 826 L.A., a non-profit writing and tutoring organization. 826 L.A. has served local youth since 2005, but adult writers gather here, too, and David Rocklin is among them.

Though he grew up in and around Chicago, Rocklin has called Los Angeles home for years now, and he’s raised his two daughters here as well. I recently spoke to him about his work, parenting in these times and how his monthly reading series, “Roar Shack” (which takes place at Time Travel Mart), continues to help build and support a local community of writers.

What is one of your earliest memories of being a writer?

In grade school, I had an English teacher named Mrs. Luxembourg. I vividly remember that one day she assigned me some extra reading. I took the short story home, and I was just undone when I read it. It was Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”

Looking back, it was one of the earliest pieces I read that showed me how powerful writing can be, and how subversive it can be. I went back to Mrs. Luxembourg and went on and on about the story, and she told me that she gave it to me knowing she’d see my name in print one day. And it was a seminal moment for me. It meant a lot to me that somebody saw a writer in me long before I saw a writer in myself. This was 3rd or 4th grade. She gets thanked in every acknowledgement section of every novel I’ve been lucky enough to publish.

How did you make it out to L.A.?

One of my close childhood friends always wanted to be a director. He found resonance in comedy and human drama, while I found resonance in horror films and martial arts films. When he graduated from NYU, he moved to L.A. to pursue directing, and the first film he got a chance to direct was a vampire kung fu movie, which I found hysterical. He’d call me from Thailand, where he was shooting, to ask about roundhouse kicks and what they look like. At around that point, I was in Chicago and toying with the idea of writing; it took me a while to turn fully toward it. But my friend invited me to L.A. to write screenplays together. I threw everything I owned in the back of my car, drove to L.A. and had some adventures along the way. We wrote four scripts together, one of which was optioned. But during that process, I learned that that was not the kind of writing I wanted to do.

And you turned to stories. You have two novels out, and a third arrives this summer. What can you tell us about this new novel?

It’s called “The Electric Love Song of Fleischl Berger” and it is heavily fictionalized but based on a moment in the life of an actual person. It’s a moment that’s lost, a life no one knows. I seem to take great pleasure and care in excavating these moments and then creating a story around them, sort of giving someone a life they didn’t get to live.

This book stemmed from an article about a near-death experience. There was a footnote, and I followed it down a rabbit hole, [discovering] a German gentleman born before the turn of the 20th century, who, in his 18th year, had an unexplainable near-death experience that he spent the rest of his life trying to prove. That takes the characters through the silent film era, through the first world war, to the eve of the second world war. It’s really about [wanting to know] if the love of his life truly experienced this with him or not. And what does it mean if she did, and what does it mean if she did not? And it’s about hearing those who have passed and living in the shadow of people who are no longer with you.

In addition to writing your own work, you guide fellow writers via your Roar Shack reading series, as well as other programs. Can you tell us a bit about this work?

Whether in a retreat setting, one-on-one or in a group, I always talk about permission, because one of the things that stopped me from beginning to write was the thought that I wasn’t worthy. I didn’t come up in an MFA [master of fine arts] program, and so, I didn’t feel like this was something I could do — it was something other people do. The process of giving yourself permission, of saying, “My way may not be Walter Mosley’s way or Ann Wright’s way or John Irving’s way, but there’s room for me, too.” If your way allows you to find your way in and out of a story and develop it, maybe it’s worthy. And then it’s a question of making the book as good as you can.

Sign at Time Travel Mart in Echo Park. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

And to that end, my reading series, Roar Shack, has been running for about 10 years in L.A. It really stemmed from my tour for my first book; that was the first time I’d been in the company of other writers on an extended basis, and I missed it. I missed talking with other people who get it. So, Roar Shack was born from that, and everybody is invited — published or unpublished. I’ve had people create things on the fly that they go on to publish, which is the coolest thing. It’s the third Sunday of each month, and I mostly advertise it on Facebook. There are five featured writers each month, and at every show we also do a “live write,” or an on-the-spot writing improv game, and the winner comes back the next month as a featured writer.

Work with writers one-on-one has become a really treasured part of the whole writing experience. Right now, I’m working with a writer with a story collection, another with a memoir and another with book-length fiction. And I lead retreats as well, where we bounce ideas, brainstorm, and I hope to give participants a perspective on their work that they don’t see themselves, because we are so close to our own work that it’s hard to see sometimes.

You nurture all of these writers, and you are a parent. Your daughters are now 16 and 24. Let’s talk about parenting.

In the context of parenting while writing, that is a challenge, no question. And then parenting while in Southern California is quite an obstacle course. We’re trying to support a developing sense of self while up against everything from social media to entitlement. Fellow parents and I talk about how, at a certain point, you don’t have control. They’re going to step out into that world, and all you can do is hope that you’ve given them everything you can possibly give them to be OK out there. It’s a mine field.

Every day, you just try to be as grateful as you can for the time to be there for them and make them feel safe and secure.

Any suggestions for readers who are working on writing themselves? Do you think anyone can be a writer?

Like anything, there are some of us who may simply be a little more naturally inclined to this form of expression, while others of us will have put in the butt-in-seat work. The earliest way the world is rendered to us is through stories — the result of questions like “How was I born?” or “When did we move to this house?” or “Why is the sky blue?”

We all know how to hold a pen. We know how to type on a keyboard, so it feels like it’s the most accessible way to express yourself. Then you sit down and you find out that it’s every bit as demanding as any other form of expression. But we all feel the need to do it — we all fall in love, we all lose someone, and expression is how we make sense of it. In that way, anybody who wants to make sense of the world through writing is a writer. It’s available to anyone, if they put the time in. And if people approach writing in even a semi-regular way, they’re going to see something happen.

Find Rocklin and his work at davidrocklinauthor.com.

Meet Mia Armstrong: Young Actress with Down syndrome adds author to her resume

Published April 4, 2024

By Elena Epstein

Mia Armstrong. PHOTOS COURTESY CARA ARMSTRONG

Simi Valley teen Mia Armstrong made history as the first child with Down syndrome to voice a cartoon character on Netflix. The 13-year-old actress, model and voiceover artist starred as the superhero EON in “Action Pack.” And she recently added author to her resume.

“I Am a Masterpiece!” is a story about acceptance and belonging. We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Mia and her mom, Cara Armstrong.

Please tell us a little about your new picture book, “I Am a Masterpiece.” Why did you decide to write a book?

I wanted to write a book to inspire kids and parents with and without disabilities to be proud of their stories. I am proud of mine, and I want you to be proud of yours, too!

You and your mom have been wonderful at sharing your story to change the way differences are viewed in our society. Please tell us what you wish everyone knew about having Down syndrome.

I want people to know that I love my life and I love myself just as I am. I don’t see Down syndrome as a disability’ I see it as a “different” ability.

Cara, as a mom, what would you want other moms to know?

I want to emphasize to all moms that each parenting journey is distinctly individual, and every child holds inherent worth. From the moment we discover our pregnancy, as parents we create hopes and dreams for our children. Though my aspirations took a slight turn upon learning Mia’s Down syndrome diagnosis, my commitment to envisioning a bright future for her never wavered. I did, however, undergo a period of mourning for the path I had anticipated, eventually embracing the unique path that had been chosen for us. In the realm of parenthood, unforeseen challenges often arise, demanding our resilience and adaptability. It is in our response to these challenges that our true strength is revealed. Remember to extend grace and patience to yourself as you navigate the unforeseen. Every obstacle encountered builds resilience and imparts invaluable lessons.

Mia, tell us about your hobbies and what you enjoy doing?

I’d say I’m definitely a daredevil! I love surfing, rock climbing, swimming and rollercoasters. I want to be an American Ninja Warrior one day. I love to draw and I’m really good at puzzles.

What are some of your favorite spots in and around Los Angeles? Where do you enjoy going as a family?

Cara: We are definitely a beach family. My son, Mia’s brother Jack, plays water polo, which brings us to lots of beautiful beach towns. We enjoy beaches in Malibu, Ventura, San Diego and Santa Barbara as a family. We also love to visit the magical Ojai Valley.

Mia, what is your superpower?

In my book, “I Am A Masterpiece,” I say that my superpower is that “mean words bounce off of my super shield!” Which means I don’t allow mean people to have power over me. I also love myself exactly as I am, and I never give up.

Cara, what is your superpower — and what do you think Mia’s is?

Mia and I share the superpower of persistence. We embrace the cycle of trying, failing and trying once more, refusing to give in to the obstacles that stand in the way of our dreams. Witnessing Mia confront tasks that are effortless to others has amplified this superpower within me over the years. Her unwavering determination serves as a constant reminder that if she can persevere through her trials, so can I. The perspective she imparts is a precious gift.

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a parent?

As a parent, I’ve encountered numerous hurdles — from juggling family and work responsibilities to managing time effectively, addressing behavioral issues, ensuring safety and supporting my children’sacademic journeys. However, navigating a world often insensitive to the unique needs of a child like Mia has proven to be the most daunting challenge. Every parent desires their child to be embraced and valued, and overcoming societal barriers to ensure this acceptance remains an ongoing struggle.

How has motherhood changed you?

Motherhood has reshaped my priorities. With Mia in particular, small triumphs have become monumental and celebrated victories. I now have an unwavering determination to protect and nurture with an unyielding love. I have also discovered depths of patience I never knew existed, as each challenge becomes an opportunity for growth and understanding. I’m also tired almost all the time…just keeping it real.

Our readers are all parents. What can we do as a community of parents to show support?

One of the most meaningful ways to support a family with a child who has special needs is to actively invest in the lives of their typical siblings. Often overlooked, these siblings navigate their own unique challenges silently, hesitant to burden their already busy parents. They may downplay their own needs, recognizing the demands placed on their family. Offering special gestures and attention to these siblings can bring immense joy and relief to families like ours. In cases where there are no siblings, wholeheartedly engaging in the life of the special needs family and demonstrating genuine love and support is a profound gift. Your kindness and understanding mean the world to a family like ours.

AXS TV, SPECTRUM, SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION

Published April 1, 2024

In an era where arts education is deeply underfunded, AXS TV and Spectrum continue to partner to increase access to music education. The AXS TV Band Together For Music Education initiative recently awarded 10 more $10,000 grants to music education programs across the country.

Since its inception in 2022, AXS TV Band Together For Music Education has connected the network with affiliates, local communities and schools nationwide in support of vital music education programs and the vast benefits they provide students. From building confidence and creativity to improving reading, math and communication skills, boosting classroom attendance, instilling a lifelong appreciation for music and even potentially laying the groundwork for a career in the arts, exposure to music throughout their development can give children invaluable skills, techniques and habits that will last a lifetime.

AXS TV, Spectrum and special guests celebrated alongside student alumni from the Heart of Los Angeles organization, as part of “AXS TV’s Band Together For Music Education” initiative. PHOTO BY ANNA KHARCHENKO/AXS TV

The first grant this year was awarded to Heart of LA (HOLA) in a special ceremony held at the AXS TV Studio on March 29. Putting music education into action, Spectrum and AXS TV hosted a visit to the Grammy Museum following the grant presentation with more than 75 HOLA students, where they learned how to put a beat together in an interactive lesson at the Clive Davis Auditorium and toured some of the museum’s finest exhibits.

Founded in 1989, HOLA provides underserved kids an equal chance to succeed through a comprehensive array of after-school programs, including a dynamic music and youth orchestra program, an intensive and sophisticated visual arts department, premiere sport leagues and clinics, leadership and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) classes, wraparound and counseling services, alumni support and scholarships, as well as parent and family resources.

“At Heart of Los Angeles, we feel that the importance of music education cannot be understated,” said Tony Brown, CEO of Heart of LA. “These free music programs are essential to ensuring equitable access to quality music education for all students across L.A. We simply could not offer these without partners like AXS TV and Spectrum, and we are so grateful to be recognized again by the AXS TV Band Together for Music Education initiative.”

“We welcome this opportunity to join together with AXS TV for a new round of grants supporting music and arts education,” said Adam Falk, senior vice president of State Government Affairs for Spectrum. “As a company with a large local presence, we aim to invest in initiatives that benefit the communities we serve. Band Together does this by providing much-needed funding to underserved programs so students can access the instruments, instruction and equipment they need to appreciate music.”

Miracles for Kids Celebrates 20 Years of Community Support

Published March 8, 2024

The only way an organization can continue helping others and serving its mission is through support from others. Individuals, businesses and organizations in the community choosing to support the non-profit charity help make it possible for them to continue their work. Miracles for Kids is celebrating 20 years of community support that has helped the organization continue its mission of helping children with life-threatening illnesses.

“The ongoing support we get from the community is everything,” explains Autumn Strier, co-founder of Miracles for Kids. “We could not do what we do without the support we have received over the last 20 years. We are grateful for so much support that we have had the opportunity to help so many families.”

Launched in 2004, Miracles for Kids was created to help families who are struggling due to their child’s life-threatening illness or condition. Over the last 20 years, they have helped families by helping them pay essential bills, providing pro-bono medical care for uninsured family members, providing long-term housing assistance, delivering monthly baskets and boxes to help supply families with basic food needs and hosting wellness activities for families.

The organization has helped more than 2,100 families in the last 20 years. Efforts have been possible through donations from more than 10,000 donors and 30 corporate partnerships. Some standout supporters include:

Assistance League of Orange. Since 2018, this organization offered community partnership that brings volunteers to Miracle Manor twice monthly. The volunteers help provide dinner, activities and cleanup days to those using the housing program. Every summer, they give the families catered lunches, face painting, balloon animals, ice cream and more. During the pandemic, they delivered groceries to families and provided emergency rental assistance to families.
Ashmore Construction is an instrumental donor for the operations of Miracle Manor, Basket of Miracles and storage for the organization. Based in the city of Orange, the company has donated countless hours to assist with property maintenance and repairs at Miracle Manor to ensure families a safe and stable living environment. Every year, it donates to provide Halloween costumes to every child, treats for the families and to decorate the property for the holidays.
National Charity League. This organization has been a pillar of support, from delivering food and essential household items throughout Orange County with the Basket and Box of Miracles programs to heart-warming holiday decorating, family movie nights, game nights and cleanup efforts at Miracle Manor to celebrating birthdays with critically-ill children at Birthday Bash of Miracles and summer Surf & Paddle camp. In addition, volunteers donate wellness kits, birthday goodies and kindness cards. Miracles for Kids stands hand-in-hand with five esteemed chapters of the National Charity League – Orange/Villa Park, North Tustin, Capistrano Coast, Laguna Beach and Saddleback Valley.
Lion’s Heart. The bond with this organization is one of camaraderie and compassion. High school volunteers dedicate time throughout the year to help families in various ways, including Miracle Manor family board game nights, which foster shared moments of friendly competition, engaging in fun outdoor sports, doodling chalk masterpieces or simply sharing a laugh to providing invaluable assistance with setup, support and deliveries at Basket of Miracles.

“What we do is truly a community effort, and we are humbled to have had such amazing support for two decades,” Strier says. “We look forward to many more years of being able to help people.”

Miracles for Kids relies on volunteers, financial contributors, corporate partnerships and community programs. To discover more about its work and how to contribute or celebrate its 20 years in service, visit Miracles for Kids.

5 Family-Friendly SoCal Harbor Havens

Published March 8, 2024

By Tonilyn Hornung

Ventura Harbor Village is your one-stop destination for harbor fun.
PHOTO BY DAN HARDING

If you’re looking for a summer adventure that incorporates play, learning and much-needed cool breezes, look no further than some harbor-based family fun. Nearby harbors are a special way to create life-long memories while exploring nature on land and on sea — with some museums, shopping and eating thrown in for good measure.

Here are five of the best the region has to offer you and your family.

Road trip

Take a picturesque drive an hour up the coast to Oxnard and Channel Islands Harbor. Enjoy classic water activities such as cruising in a duffy boat (it’s like a golf cart on the water), paddle boarding, sailing and kayaking. Then grab your binoculars and take an Island Packers boat ride from the Channel Islands Harbor over to Anacapa Island. There, you can watch awesome wildlife, including seabirds (pelicans are a favorite with the kiddos), seals and sea lions. Pack a picnic lunch to eat on the island or head back and choose from an array of family-friendly restaurants right on the harbor.

If you need a break from the sun, go indoors to learn all about maritime history at The Channel Island Maritime Museum. “The museum has an incredible collection of exhibitions including art, model ships and more,” says Brittney Hendricks, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Oxnard. Don’t miss the Mystic Whaler tall ship permanently docked behind the museum. When you step aboard, you’ll step back in time to view the life of a sailor in the 1800s. To end your day with a big splash, Hendricks says, “Take a cruise in an authentic Venetian gondola in Seabridge Marina with Gondola Paradiso.”

Backyard adventure

If you’re ready for a harbor adventure located (almost) in your own backyard, then the Marina del Rey harbor is here for you. A few short miles from Venice Beach, what this harbor isn’t short on is fun for your family. For one whole dollar, hop aboard the Marina del Rey Waterbus at any of its eight stops around the marina. This open-air water pontoon glides along at 5 mph and runs throughout the harbor. Kat Jacob, director of marketing and communications for the Marina del Rey Tourism Board, reminds us to look out for the sea lions hanging out on the dock and for the unique and clever names of boats along your way.

Family-friendly activities abound at Oxnard Beach Park.
PHOTO COURTESY VISIT OXNARD

The calmer waters of Mother’s Beach is a family favorite and a favorite for the littles. This 12-acre lagoon includes a gentle entry into the water, a playground, picnic tables and access to bathrooms. For the older kiddos, this is a perfect place to work on stand-up paddling or kayaking skills. If you and your crew need a little pick-me-up snack, then Fisherman’s Village has all the food options. “These family-friendly activities are special because it truly allows both parents and kids to reconnect and enjoy the outdoors,” Jacob says.

Wet and dry

If you and your family love the salty sea air as equally as you enjoy the benefits dry land offers, Dana Point Harbor strikes the perfect balance. Known as the “Whale Capital of the World,” this harbor is nestled on a cliffside 58 miles south of Los Angeles. With no shortage of explorable nooks and crannies, Dana Point Harbor has breathtaking views, hiking and bike trails, paddle boarding, sailing, harbor cruises and, of course, whale watching. Public and private charters are available for both whale watching and cruising out of Dana Point Harbor.

For more fun in the harbor sun, Michele Whiteaker, founder of FunOrangeCountyParks.com, says the Baby Beach is where the little kids have a calm swim area inside the harbor. Year after year, families return to the tranquil waters of the Baby Beach and take in the refreshing views. If you’re looking to add a little learning to your getaway, Dana Point’s iconic Ocean Institute provides a deeper understanding of ocean life with kid-friendly tours and exhibits. The tide pools out back are worth stopping by, and the Institute also offers boat tours along with a bioluminescence night cruise. And there are plenty of restaurants on the harbor where you can sit outside, enjoy the weather and snag free parking.

One-stop shopping

Ventura Harbor Village is your one-stop destination for summer harbor fun times. An hour drive north of L.A., you’ll find 35 shops, harbor-side restaurants, live music, movie nights and more. Jennifer Talt Lundin, marketing manager of Ventura Harbor/Ventura Harbor Village, says Ventura Harbor Village is distinctive because it’s nestled between the harbor and the ocean. “On one side of the village you have the marina side, and a few steps to the other side are those beautiful beaches,” she says. Park for free and check out the marine life with family-run boat company the Island Packers, or visit the Harbor Cove beach with its small waves and sand dunes.

Sunset over boat harbor in Marina del Rey. PHOTO COURTESY MARINA DEL REY TOURISM BOARD

The Channel Islands National Parks and Visitors Center is a short walk from the village and is filled with exhibits and a small aquarium. For the tweens and teens, there’s kayaking and paddle boarding, but if your kids enjoy a challenge, send them to The Ultimate Escape Rooms at Ventura Harbor. Get ready for some fabulous family selfies when you climb onto a character pedal boat rented from the Ventura Boat Rentals in the village. It’s first come, first served, and you can choose from animals like purple dragons and yellow ducks. “Be ready for a wonderful time and the good vibes,” Lundin says.

Quiet throwback

Step back into a simpler time when you visit Huntington Beach Harbor. A little less than an hour south of L.A., this harbor was built in the 1960s. Located on the northwest corner of Huntington Beach, it borders Seal and Sunset beaches. Choose from private charters by Prince Charters, stand-up paddle boards or rent a kayak to view more than 500 charming bay-front homes and boats lining the harbor. If you’d prefer to catch a wave instead of a boat, these award-winning beaches won’t disappoint. There are spaces for surfing, volleyball, biking (you can rent bikes here) and an all-inclusive playground accessed from the beach path on the north side of the pier.

“The electric duffy boats are a favorite because you can drive them yourself through the calm waters,” says Claire Muranaka, public relations coordinator for Visit Huntington Beach. With three different sizes to accommodate your family, rent your duffy boat with Huntington Harbor Boat Rentals and don’t forget to pack snacks for an unforgettable sea voyage. Still, if you’d prefer to eat your meals on land, don’t worry: You’ll find plenty of family-friendly options oceanfront and further along the boulevard.

Tonilyn Hornung is an author and freelance writer who lives with her husband, son and many furry friends.

March/April L.A. Parent Overview

Published March 7, 2024

Welcome to our March/April 2024 issue of L.A. Parent magazine, which is all about fostering a love of nature and nurture!

In this issue:

Five Animal-Themed Summer Camps: Your kids will learn how to care for animals and the environment

Grooming Young Birders: How birdwatching can transform your child’s life and family bonding

Cooking through Grief: Navigating loss one recipe at a time

Scenic River Cruises: A family-friendly adventure in France

Napa Valley: Wine country is best savored slowly and with family

Editor’s Note: Mothering is always in season

We Love It: A few of our editors’ favorites

Community News: New PBS art show with John Lithgow; a hiking adventures camp; Chef Roy Choi partners with LAUSD

Health & Wellness: Helping your kids navigate friendships

Family Recipes: Nong Lá’s pork loaf

Chat Room: Private School Village expands access for underrepresented students

Calendar: Our roundup of spring events

On the Cover

Jevone Moore (fullimage360.com) photographed this month’s cover model, Niriko Lolis Elie, as he fed celery to a sulcato tortoise named Clark at STAR Eco Station, the environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue facility in Culver City.

Check out your digital copy. Pick up print copies near you!

Reimagining the Griffith Park Pony Rides Site

Published March 7, 2024

Los Angeles city officials are working to reimagine the now-closed pony ride site at Griffith Park that, for 74 years, was a beloved place for kids and families. And they are looking for input from the community to help with this mission.

The Griiffith Park Pony Rides program was the largest pony ride operation in the U.S., offering pony rides for children aged 1-14, as well as a party corral for private events. That all changed when, in December of 2022, a contract between the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) and the concessionaire who oversaw the operation expired and RAP decided not to extend the concession agreement.

The Pony Rides were one of the park’s most popular attractions because they provided a low-cost family activity that was accessible to locals and visitors. Based on feedback from the L.A. City Council, the RAP has initiated a new process to re-imagine the potential recreational and educational activities that could be offered there in the future. In response, RAP has retained the consulting firm PlaceWorks to conduct a public engagement process and perform other related tasks to provide the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners and the city council with information for future decision making.

Future use of the pony ride site

Over the past year, RAP has been meeting with focused community groups, conducting community pop-ups, hosting online and telephone surveys, and conducted a community open house early this month as part of the city’s efforts to envision the future uses for the area.

The board will review the public’s feedback and provide direction to RAP staff to initiate the process of selecting a preferred new use or pursue further study, if necessary, officials say.

Priorities include ensuring that the Pony Ride site offers activities that are:

Youth and family-oriented
Affordable and accessible (for all ages and abilities)
Educational
Fun

Visit this website to read more about additional considerations that will be assessed while planning for future uses.

Online survey

An online survey is available now! This survey provides an opportunity to share your thoughts about the future of the pony ride site. Fill out the survey by March 22 to share your point of view and help “reimagine” the Griffith Park Pony Ride site. Click here to take the survey.

Community Input

RAP has been reaching out to the community in many ways. Either in person, online, at the park or as part of a focus group, the team has been busy gathering information about what matters most to people as it relates to the reuse of the pony rides site. Take a look at what the community is saying here (or Spanish version) and to get involved yoursel.

John Lithgow Explores the Power of Arts Education in L.A.

Published March 4, 2024

Cassandra Lane

In the forthcoming PBS special “Art Happens Here with John Lithgow,” actor, author, humorist and renowned performer John Lithgow will share his passion for arts education by joining students and teachers at four organizations in the L.A. area. Lithgow and the participants will dive into four arts disciplines: dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing and vocal jazz ensemble. Celebrating how arts education nurtures and inspires the hearts and minds of students of all ages, the show follows Lithgow as he tries his hand at singing, dancing, printmaking and pottery, working alongside and learning from young people whose lives are being transformed by art. The one-hour special premieres at 10 a.m. on April 26 via PBS.org and the PBS app.

Growing up, Lithgow wanted to be an artist and was inspired and encouraged by his public-school art teachers. Today, he calls those teachers his heroes — heroes who instilled in him confidence, curiosity and a sense of self.

“Art Happens Here with John Lithgow” premieres April 26 on PBS. PHOTO COURTESY PBS.

“Education involves much more than just the basic academic subjects and preparing kids for being tested and evaluated,” Lithgow says. “Arts education is an anchor that provides a child emotional and social development and a sense of who they are in the world.”

Lithgow visits four organizations Self Help Graphics & Art, a Chicano community organization at the intersection of arts and social justice; the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a nonprofit dance school; the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, home of a nationally renowned ceramics studio, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, a specialized public school open to aspiring young artists throughout L.A. County.

To learn more about John Lithgow and his work, visit johnlithgow.com

La Quinta Resort & Club: Majestic Mountains and Old Hollywood Charm

Published February 8, 2024

By Elena Epstein

As my husband and I were looking at the menu of the Adobe Grill at La Quinta Resort & Club, Victor brought us his specialty — the signature guacamole he has been creating on the spot for 22 years.

“No one makes it better than me,” he said with a charming laugh. As we started chatting, we learned that he has served his guac to numerous celebrities and guests over the years.

Victor does it right. We could not stop dipping our chips into his perfect combo of fresh avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and salt. As we learned more about Victor and the resort, our conversation naturally veered to family. “I always tell my kids, whatever you do, do it right,” he said. Great advice for guac and life.

“Working here is like a big family,” Victor said as he introduced us to two other gentlemen working at the restaurant. Each had been with the resort for more than 20 years.

This is La Quinta Resort & Club — a luxurious desert getaway where old world Hollywood charm, cozy family vibes, orange groves, white-washed casitas and the majestic Santa Rosa mountains comingle to create a place unlike any other.

The resort first opened its doors in 1926 and quickly became a haven for movie stars such as Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. The city of La Quinta is actually named after the resort. You can still feel that old Hollywood glamour and romance throughout the 45-acre property with its terracotta roof tiles, colonnades, bell towers, fountains and bougainvillea arching over doorways.

The grounds are filled with colorful flowers and fragrant orange, lemon, tangerine, tangelo and grapefruit trees. A zesty, fresh scent streams throughout the resort, thanks to these magnificent fruit orchards.

Vintage photos and quaint Talavera ceramic tiles are decorate the buildings. Walking up our stairs adorned in these colorful Spanish tiles to our second-story casita transported us to another time. Opening the azure blue wooden gate to discover our private, enclosed mountain-view patio with an outdoor fireplace was love at first sight.

Throughout our two-night stay, I kept wishing we had more time here. There was a part of me that wanted to explore the expansive grounds with all the different beautiful, tucked-away spots, but I also wanted to retreat to our own patio, relax on our lounge sofa and just gaze at the palm trees and the mountains. The resort is built at the foot of the Santa Rosa mountains, and these rugged ranges rising from the desert surrounded us with a distinct calming energy.

The colors and flavors of the desert

We arrived at the resort in the late afternoon and, after pre-dusk stroll, we had dinner in the fire-lit courtyard of Morgan’s in the Desert. While savoring our moonlit dinner, we had the pleasure of meeting Chef Rene Reyes who came to chat with us for a few minutes. He told us how he loved to watch cooking shows as a kid growing up in Indio. He fondly recalled his 8-year-old self watching Chef Jacques Pépin sharing favorite dishes on his long-running PBS cooking show. “I told my mom, ‘I’m going to be a chef and take care of you,’” Reyes told us with love and pride. “And now, I’m doing it.”

La Quinta developer Walter H. Morgan first invited the Hollywood elite to share some good food with friends at his resort on Christmas 1926. Today, Reyes, along with Executive Chef Andrew Cooper, are continuing the resort’s culinary tradition in this elegant hacienda with a contemporary California focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients celebrating the bounty of the Coachella Valley. Their farmers market soup changes regularly based on what’s in season. Our winter dinner options included quince and persimmon salads, Chilean sea bass with a smoked hazelnut crust, eggplant risotto with maitake mushroom and braised short rib with roasted celery root puree.

After dinner, we relaxed under the stars and palm trees back in our patio. The warm desert sun had set, and the cool night air provided the perfect backdrop for our cozy outdoor fireplace.

We started the next morning early with a private pickleball lesson with Marcus, a tennis pro from Munich who fell in love with a girl from Cali and has been teaching tennis and pickleball at the resort for the past eight years.

Elena and Marcus during pickle ball instructions. PHOTO BY RON EPSTEIN

“I was just here for some sun and met my wife and didn’t want to leave,” Marcus said with a smile. “Look at this place.” He motioned to the mountains on view in every direction of the courts. “It’s spectacular.”

It was Marcus who told us about the sunrise here. He took out his phone and showed us the tennis courts with the backdrop of the mountains lit up with a reddish-golden hue. “This is a regular morning here,” he said.

Guess what we did the next morning? Got up at 6 to see the magic happen. As we strolled through the property in the quiet of the early dawn, the moon was still glowing above the mountain peaks. Then the sky glimmered with strokes of pink. An orange glow slowly blended in and then the Santa Rosa mountains took on their signature reddish morning radiance. It felt peaceful and inspiring, as though these mountains were gently welcoming the new day for us all.

Pools and spa

What makes La Quinta truly unique is its charming architecture and winding paths and courtyards with individual pools. Every turn we made, there was another pool surrounded by a cluster of casitas. The resort has a total of 41 pools and 53 hot spas. The main pool near the spa and tennis courts features cabanas, food service and a children’s pool. There is also a 21+ plunge pool.

Spa La Quinta lobby. PHOTO COURTESY LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB

We spent some time at the pool near our casita, which was intimate and private, as well as at the larger main pool, where we could order drinks and lunch. Then I headed to Spa La Quinta while my husband hit the fitness center.

Simply walking toward the spa will calm all your senses as rows of palm trees and cascades of bougainvillea welcome you. I smelled the resort’s signature citrus blossom as soon as I walked in the 23,000-square-foot spa. I poured some tea in the sage room and found a peaceful spot to unwind in the Sanctuary Courtyard, which features an outdoor wading fountain, a fireplace and a fabulous view of the mountains framed by a whitewashed archway.

My Spa La Quinta Signature Massage began with a grounding ritual where I picked my intentional word to focus on this year: faith.

As Kristen dripped essential oils onto my back, I breathed in and allowed my mind and body to relax. Every time I found myself drifting back to my to-do list, I re-centered my thoughts back to faith and this moment. This is where I wanted my mind to be — in a dessert oasis, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of ancient mountain ranges.

Elena Epsten is Creative Director of L.A. Parent.

Resort Overview

The historic property boasts five golf courses, as well as tennis and pickleball facilities, a fitness center and a variety of boutiques and shops.
Features 21 tennis courts with both hard and clay surfaces and eight pickleball courts.
Located 140 miles southeast of L.A. and 20 minutes from Palm Springs. The resort has 617 guestrooms and 161 villas with views of the gardens or mountains.
Nearby you’ll find Old Town La Quinta, scenic hiking trails, restaurants, shops and museums.
Pets are welcome.
The Marketplace offers quick bites, snacks, breakfast sandwiches and wood-fired pizza to go. Other restaurants on the property are the Adobe Grill, Morgan’s In the Desert , Twenty6 and Centre Court Café.

A few highlights of our weekend at the La Quinta Resort & Club

Brussels sprouts: A Love Story from Shirley Brasserie Chef

Published January 25, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Shirley Brasserie’s Chef de Cuisine Craig Hopson loves to make his special Brussels sprouts recipe. PHOTO BY JAKOB LAYMAN

For a date night several Saturdays ago, my husband and I settled into a booth at the newly reimagined Shirley Brasserie, a French-Californian restaurant tucked inside the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. My memory of the food still wakes up my taste buds.

That night, a refreshing prosecco brightened my tongue, prepping it for flavors that pleased, especially the smoky and creamy chicken liver mousse, layered over in a duck gelee that we spread on thick cuts of grilled artisan bread. The ribeye was as tender as it was savory. And the whole grilled branzino confirmed why this is my favorite fish. Here, the flaky, mildly sweet fish bears a subtly crisp skin and sits atop a small pond of a chimichurri sauce bursting with more flavor. We rounded out our palettes with two of the restaurant’s French desserts — sticky toffee pudding (rich and addictive) and vanilla mille-feuille (fluffy, flaky and fresh).

Also on the dinner menu: an impressive raw bar and hearty entrees like lobster pasta and duck leg confit. On Sundays, brunch features French pastries, salads, crab cake benedict, a Keto option and much more.

Chef de Cuisine Craig Hopson, whose two decades of culinary experience includes working at Michelin-starred restaurants, helms the ship that is Shirley Brasserie. Hopson oversees all culinary operations and says he is committed to sourcing fresh, sustainable ingredients from local purveyors, elevating the dining experience and ensuring that each dish bursts with the authentic flavors of the region, combined with modern French cooking techniques.

A native Australian, Hopson began his career in his home country before relocating to Europe, where he was trained in the art of French cuisine at renowned institutions including three-starred Restaurant Guy Savoy and Lucas Carton in Paris. While in Europe, he was mentored by the late legendary chef Alain Senderens. From Europe, he moved to New York City, ascending the ranks of Manhattan’s culinary scene including Picholine and the critically acclaimed Le Cirque by Sirio Maccioni, opening outposts in India, Dominican Republic and the Holland America cruise lines.

Seven years ago, Hopson moved to L.A., most recently serving as executive chef at The Strand House in Manhattan Beach.

When it comes to his favorite dish — roasted Brussels sprouts with maple black pepper, vinaigrette and pomegranates — Hopson offers us something not on his menu at Shirley Brasserie, but generously provides step-by-step instructions on how to bring the goodness to your own dining table.

“Unlike a lot of chefs you see on TV, I don’t have a lot of childhood food memories as I didn’t grow up in a ‘food family,’” Hopson says. “ I didn’t learn how to cook at my grandmother’s knee. I don’t have a family recipe in my little black notebook. What I had is British parents whose repertoire was what you’d describe as basic English cooking. Still to this day, my mum’s claim to fame is ‘Well, I didn’t kill anyone with my cooking!’

“On a typical Sunday, as a second-generation Australian boy in the suburb of Perth, I ate roasted meats and plain vegetables boiled to death,” he recalls. “One of these vegetables was Brussels sprouts. They were plain boiled until [they were] grayish light green and maybe served with some butter. I still remember the smell of boiled sprouts and how unexcited I was to shovel them in my mouth to be polite. So naturally, Brussels sprouts went out of my mind for many of my formative years — until they made an odd but decisive comeback early in my career in the kitchen.”

Hopson credits the surge of gastropub culture, where it seems every chef was whipping up bowls of “crispy roasted Brussel sprouts” with re-introducing him to this mini member of the cabbage family. “And this time, they were light years away from those of my childhood,” he says. “Charred and crunchy. With bacon, chilis and nuts. Glazed in some exotic vinegars and molasses. It was amazing how flavorful and exciting they could be, and I fell in love with them just like everyone else. We, former Brussels sprout haters, collectively set the record straight then. Good Brussels sprouts are great!”

If your kids don’t like vegetables, Hopson says, don’t give up. “Cook it differently — or wait 20 years,” he says. “No worries, mate! You never know how they might fall in love with it in the future.”

Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Roasted Brussels Sprouts (with maple black pepper, vinaigrette and pomegranates)

1 pound Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed and halved

One pomegranate, seeds removed

6 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon coarse cracked black pepper

2 ½ tablespoons sherry vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons olive oil

To make the vinaigrette

Mix the maple syrup with the black pepper for around 3 minutes until it starts to change color. Remove from the stove add the vinegar. Whisk in the salt and the olive oil.

To cook the brussels sprouts

In a bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with a teaspoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Place the sprouts on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350° Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place back in the bowl. Toss with the maple vinaigrette. Add the pomegranate seeds and toss some more.

Now they’re ready to serve in your favorite serving bowl.

Napa Valley: Best Savored Slowly and with Family

Published January 19, 2024

By Elena Epstein

The Grand Reserve. PHOTO COURTESY MERITAGE RESORT AND SPA

One of my fondest experiences while growing up in Iran was watching my grandmother and aunts sitting around the kitchen table mixing basmati rice, raisins, barberries, dates, herbs and meat and then spending hours stuffing and rolling them into grape leaves while they chit-chatted about life. These layered flavors of my Persian family’s sweet-and-sour dolmeh were savored — slowly — and always with the people you loved.

The Epsteins. PHOTO COURTESY ELENA EPSTEIN

After immigrating to Los Angeles and settling into the Mid-City neighborhood in the 1980s, my mom started growing grapes in our backyard. Despite the small size of her mini vineyard, there was beauty and a trace of home in each vine. Driving around Napa Valley on a recent family trip brought back a lot of these old memories.

There is something enchanting about grapevines, whether in a perfectly manicured vineyard spanning acres of rolling hills or along a wooden fence on the side of the yard of a family yearning to hold onto its traditions. Maybe it’s because these vines have a story to tell, too.

During my family’s Napa visit, I overheard a sommelier explain how the best wines typically are made from grapes that flourish in the toughest conditions. I’ve always been drawn to narratives of resiliency, of finding beauty in the storm. So being in Napa Valley in January, when all the vines are resting for the winter months, was magical for me. There are no leaves or clusters of grapes, but there is so much elegance and strength in these woody vines.

Our stay

Hotel balcony. PHOTO COURTESY MERITAGE RESORT AND SPA

The Grand Reserve at the Meritage was our vineyard home for a few days as we explored this beautiful region that’s just a short flight from L.A. All guests are welcomed with a complimentary glass of bubbly upon arrival, and my family and I were especially enthralled by the “resident” cats that have found a home under the shady trees just outside of the resort’s entrance. We loved driving by just to see them lounging on a luggage rack or simply relaxing along the walkway.

The Meritage Resort and Spa and the Grand Reserve at the Meritage are sister properties, offering expansive walking trails through the hillside vineyard, restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, an adorable village grocery store, a full-service spa, pools, fitness center and classes, plus seasonal activities onsite. A morning walk through the hillside vineyard surrounding the resort is a great way to start the day. Make sure to stop at the vegetable garden and the adorable chicken coop, Sunny Side Up Ranch, and hike up to the iconic The Grape Crusher statue.

“The Grape Crusher.” PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN

During our stay, we experienced all the festivities of Merry Meritage, complete with a giant Christmas tree donned in twinkling lights, a holiday village, outdoor ice skating in the middle of the resort and fire pits with our very own s’mores kit. The luxurious suites are perfect for families, offering a full kitchen, large living room and balcony, allowing ample space to read, play board games or watch movies together.

The resort boasts several dining options. The Village Bistro is French inspired with a wine country twist. Parisian gnocchi with delicata squash and baby turnips, pan-seared organic salmon with stewed lentils and roasted cauliflower are just a few items on the menu. Crush Lounge is a six-lane bowling alley on the property that also serves up spiked milkshakes, nachos, wings, fish tacos, salads and other bites to share. Olive & Hay offers a farm-to-table Italian-inspired seasonal menu that included fall specials such as a cranberry burrata and panzanella salad with heirloom apples, focaccia croutons, farm-picked greens, Humboldt fog walnuts and apple-cider vinaigrette.

You can also grab a quick bite, coffee or create a picnic basket from Fivetown Grocery on the resort property. There is house-made pasta, sandwiches and salads and freshly baked bread.

Relaxing at Spa Terra

The resort is home to one of the most unique spas I have experienced. Spa Terra is built inside the 22,000-square-foot underground Estate Cave. The sprawling nine acres of hillside vineyards sit right above the spa.

Upon arrival, my daughters and I were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine and a tour of the facilities. Offerings include hot stone and aroma wellness massages and facials featuring organic herbs and botanicals. After our relaxation massages, we headed to the sauna and whirlpool bath and then read in a cozy stone room. It was the perfect respite from work and school.

The towns and the food

Napa Valley is a celebration of nature’s bounty and splendor. A feast for all your senses with spectacular vistas, charming towns, farm-to-table food and, of course, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Fivetown Grocery. PHOTOS BY ELENA EPSTEIN

What’s great about staying at the Meritage is that you’re just 10 minutes from downtown Napa Valley, and from there you can explore the other nearby towns of Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.

On our first night, we headed to Grace’s Table in downtown Napa for dinner. The recognized Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serves comfort food from around the globe. On a cold, rainy night, the Model Bakery baguettes with sweet butter were a warm and comforting starter to our meal. You can also visit Model Bakery, which has three locations in Napa. We picked up a few of the bakery’s famous English muffins one afternoon for a cozy snack.

We continued our lovefest with artisan breads and pastries as we headed to Yountville, about 20 minutes from the resort, for breakfast at Bouchon Bakery. This charming spot was opened by renowned Chef Thomas Keller in 2003, next door to his Bouchon Bistro and just down the road from his famous, three Michelin Stars French Laundry.

After our coffee, almond and chocolate croissants, we wandered around the quaint town, stopping at Kollar Chocolates to sample some uniquely created confections designed like miniature art pieces. Just before heading back, we made the very wise decision to pick up a baguette from Bouchon for the road. No regrets.

We spent the next afternoon exploring more of downtown Napa — its cute boutiques, wine-tasting rooms, restaurants, galleries and coffee shops. We continued our chocolate tasting at Annette’s Chocolates on First Street, browsed Copperfield’s Bookstore (a local favorite for 40 years), stopped in Wine Girl simply to admire the pink holiday décor and then worked our way to Oxbow Public Market for lunch. This is a great spot to sample local flavors. The 40,000-square foot marketplace has lots of outdoor seating, including a deck along the Napa River. We opted for Gott’s Roadside, recognized as a James Beard America’s Classic. The chicken schnitzel with turmeric-spiced mayo and fries hit the spot before we headed to our afternoon of wine tasting.

Later that evening, we enjoyed a great dinner at Mustards Grill in St. Helena, where two acres of the chef’s garden in the back provide seasonal inspiration for this popular spot. Another wonderful oasis where you can stroll through vegetable and fruit gardens is the Culinary Institute of America at Copia, located next to the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. Inside, you can visit the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum, a unique space devoted to the history of culinary tools and appliances. You can grab sandwiches and salads from the Lunch Box at Copia or dine under the olive trees at The Grove at Copia.

The vineyards

Napa is home to more than 400 vineyards, with many family-friendly options, as well as adult-only choices. You can bike through vineyards, take a bus or train tour or explore on your own. Most places do require reservations, so I recommend figuring out how many and which wineries you want to visit ahead of time. We chose Domaine Carneros and Castello di Amorosa. In addition to tasting great wines, we wanted grand vistas and European castle vibes.

Domaine Carneros is known for its sparkling and estate Pinot Noir, and guests can sample these varieties in the chateau overlooking 138 acres of rolling hills. The four of us sat in the salon at our own table, sipping each of our wines in front of a cozy fireplace and magnificent views. Even though the weather was too chilly to sit on the terrace, we did go out a few times to enjoy the views and the sunset.

Castello di Amorosa is a 14^th century style Tuscan castle winery. The medieval architecture was designed to be an authentic replica of a bygone era with ancient bricks shipped from Europe, hand-painted Italian frescoes, 500-year-old Umbrian fireplace, Roman cross-vaulted brick ceilings and a magnificent courtyard with Tuscan-style breezeways and loggias.

The seasons and transportation

While fall is harvesting season and the busiest time to visit, there is beauty here throughout the year. During our winter visit, the vines were dormant — resting for the season ahead when spring brings buds and green leaves and the summer heat sweetens the clusters of grapes. We loved the cooler weather and the cozy holiday decorations and lights.

There are several options to reach Napa from L.A. We opted to fly into Oakland, a 50-minute flight from LAX, rented a car and drove one hour to the Meritage Resort and Spa. You can also fly into San Francisco or Sacramento. The drive from San Francisco to Napa is about two hours and about one hour from Sacramento. Napa is about a seven-hour drive from the L.A. area. Whichever route you choose, I recommend having a car while visiting this region. Each of the towns has its own unique charm with scenic roads connecting them.

The showstopper

It’s all about nature’s beauty and bounty here. You’ll marvel at the spectacular landscape of vineyards surrounding you in every direction. You’ll enjoy artisan breads, perfectly grilled meats and seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a “foodie,” farm-to-table is at its best here, and your taste buds will rejoice with every bite. And whether you’re just starting to learn about different types of wines or you’re a seasoned connoisseur, you’ll discover the perfect bottle here with its own story to tell.

A few highlights of our magical visit to Napa Valley and the Grand Reserve at The Meritage.

Elena Epstein is Creative Director of L.A. Parent.

Helping Your Family Set and Achieve New Year Goals With Confidence and Ease

Published January 17, 2024

By Arlene Hollingsworth, Ph.D.

Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth with her family. PHOTOS BY CECILE BOKO

As a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and families, I witness many parents trying to make positive changes in their family’s lives with the start of each new year.

And those attempts start at the end of the preceding year, when they are worried about how to help their kids get the most out of the long winter break. This desire for improvement and productivity is understandable. However, the number one thing I remind parents of is that breaks are crucial. A great analogy is that of a vehicle. Imagine what would happen to a vehicle if it ran nonstop without a break for maintenance. It is imperative that children have some fun and give their bodies and brains some rest. There should be a noticeable difference from the everyday hustle and bustle they are accustomed to during the rest of the year.

Easing back into routines

To help your child get back into a routine and keep that spark of energy throughout the school year, encourage curiosity and be sure to always reinforce engagement in learning and working toward goals.

Emphasize that even with mundane activities, there are opportunities to absorb new information and apply it. For example, you and your child can watch fun, educational content together. In fact, my family created Gracie’s Corner TV to provide learning content that is fun and engaging for younger children. At its core, it is inclusivity and “edu-tainment” for children from all backgrounds. It allows families to bond and have “dance parties” while their child learns.

Setting SMART goals

I encourage setting goals for the new year, but I emphasize goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-based). Goal setting is particularly important because research suggests that preset goals lead to increased output, versus starting something without a target goal in mind.

It’s important to not overwhelm your child. Have them work on no more than two things at a time. Start small so children can easily achieve success, which research indicates reinforces them to work toward more challenging goals.

While your child works toward goals, make your support for them obvious. Provide frequent encouragement. Observe your children and let them know you are paying attention. While doing so, comment on what you observed and reinforce/praise the things they are doing well or you would like to see more of (e.g., making an attempt at something challenging).

They don’t have to complete a task or get it all the way right to receive positive feedback. It is just as important to reinforce approximations toward a target outcome. Doing this consistently not only helps to shape behaviors, but will build your child’s confidence and sense of self-efficacy, which are both positively correlated with mental health.

Your kids are watching you

Finally, remember that children are always watching. One of the best ways to help your child start the year out strong is to model the behavior you hope to see in them. Research suggests that modeling is a major way that children learn behavior. This is why it is important that you set a good example. Let your child observe you set and strategically work toward goals daily.

Remember that in addition to goal setting, productivity can be greatly increased by previewing the process and organizing resources and materials before you get started, self-monitoring and adjusting to feedback. Make your process as explicit and overt as possible so they can pick up on it.

And it’s OK to let your child see you fall short, so long as you also demonstrate the process of coping and trying again with a new plan of attack based on what you learned from the first attempt.

Gracie’s Corner is a YouTube animated sing-along series featuring an adolescent Black girl named Gracie singing and dancing to fun tunes on topics ranging from the ABC’s to loving one’s hair. The series was created by father and daughter duo Javoris Hollingsworth, Ph.D., and Graceyn Hollingsworth. Arlene Hollingsworth, Ph.D., uses her psychology background to aid in the development of programming.

Parents Anonymous Now Offers a Free National Parent & Youth Helpline 24/7

Published January 17, 2024

Thanks to a $10 million federal grant, Parents Anonymous, Inc. has expanded its ability to help parents and youth dealing with emotional and mental challenges. The organization’s National Parent & Youth Helpline is now offering immediate emotional support through calls, texts and chats answered by trained and caring staff 24 hours a day and seven days a week to parents, caregivers and youth up to 25 years old.

The expanded services are supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $10 million, with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS.

Aiming to save lives

Because of the favorable results and positive impact achieved by the California Parent & Youth Helpline and the National Parent Helpline, this five-year grant will provide essential resources for the helpline’s services to more than 174 million parents and youth seeking life-changing support in the U.S. Before now, the National Parent & Youth Helpline, formerly named the National Parent Helpline, focused on parents and caregivers. However, after the overwhelming rise in youth suicides and depression rates, Parents Anonymous prioritized its evidence-based services to address the urgent mental health needs of young people and their parents across America.

“This vital partnership with ACF, will offer critical emotional support and information for both parents and youth 24/7 as they navigate life challenges,” says Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of Parents Anonymous.

Oldest helpline boasts successful track record

Parents Anonymous launched the National Parent Helpline with the backing of the U.S. Congress in 1969. It was the nation’s first responder system designed to support the empowerment journey of parents and caregivers. Over the decades, the Parents Anonymous helplines have consistently demonstrated their capability to mitigate crises and provide vital emotional support with an inclusive, anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-classist approach to family support, devoid of blame or shame, Parents Anonymous officials say.

In harmony with the objectives of the ACF, Parents Anonymous will continue to advance the vision of establishing a National Parent & Youth Helpline as an invaluable resource to all U.S. families with a compassionate and well-trained staff dedicated to prioritizing mental well-being.

“I know as a psychologist how mental health disorders are increasing for young people across the country and how essential this new National Parent & Youth Helpline tool will be in addressing the acute needs of young people and improving their well-being,” says U.S. Rep. Judy Chu. “No one should feel alone, and I strongly urge parents, caregivers and young people themselves to spread the word about the helpline and use its call, text or chat services when navigating difficulties. I promise I will continue to fight constantly in Congress to support efforts like this and increasing funding for services to improve the emotional, mental, and physical health of all our young people.”

Those needing emotional support can call or text at 855-427-2736 or live chat 24/7 through nationalparentyouthhelpline.org.

For more information about Parents Anonymous and its programs, visit parentsanonymous.org.

West Valley Synagogue to open Jewish after-school program in Fall

Published January 17, 2024

West Hills Hamakom is one of eight synagogues nationwide to receive a grant to launch an interactive camp-like Jewish after-school program to support busy parents. Enrollment for The Spot is now open for the 2024-25 school year with flexible scheduling options for parents looking for after-school care or quality Jewish programming, according to Sara Price, program director. The Spot offers after-school care for as few as two days a week or as many as five days, with care going until 6 pm. The Spot also offers transportation from several local elementary schools.

Parents yearning for Jewish connection will find it and more at The Spot, where Jewish values and Hebrew are woven into every part of the day. “Our goal is for Judaism to come alive for your child by personally experiencing the joys and wonder of being a part of Jewish culture,” Price says. “And while we’re at it, we’ll make sure homework gets completed and your child receives nutritional snacks — all this and tons of fun in an upbeat camp-like environment!”

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in and around Los Angeles

Published January 11, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Monday, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and celebrations honoring the civil rights leader will take place throughout the Los Angeles region.

Kingdom Day Parade

The “world’s largest and longest-running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King” — the Kingdom Day Parade — returns for its 39th year. The parade will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevard in L.A. The annual parade features floats, performances, community groups and more.

MLK Parade — Long Beach

Long Beach’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration will take place Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, located at 1950 Lemon Ave.

The 2024 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street, followed by the park celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors and information booths.

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and celebration has become a longstanding tradition that celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach. This festival serves to honor and keep alive the many values of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and meaningful perspectives. Learn more at longbeach.gov.

Music at the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center will host Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 for an uplifting evening honoring King and his work. This event is free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A.ocated at Learn more at skirball.org.

Also at the Skirball Center, see more than 150 photos (“This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers”) taken by civil rights movement insiders that reveal the vital work undertaken by a broad coalition of organizers and everyday people whose collective action changed America. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 25.

A flowering honor

On Jan. 15, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the California Botanic Garden will host a free admission day, opening its doors on a non-museum day to celebrate the legacy of King. A limited number of free tickets are available for public general admission. Members may enter the garden without a reservation. California Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Learn more.

Walking for unity

Santa Clarita will host its Unity Walk at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15. The event will feature a brief program focusing on King’s legacy and contributions to our nation, all centered around this year’s theme — “It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.”

Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the SCV Food Pantry. Following the program, participants will embark on a quarter-mile walk through Central Park. There will also be a community art project and other community organizations present. The event is free. Learn more.

An extra “day of play”

Cayton Children’s Museum will host an extra day of play in honor of King on Jan. 15. The Cayton will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and to members from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pop in and be bubbled over with joy as kids create bubble monsters and celebrate with a bubble dance party.

Warm coats of service

One Warm Coat, in partnership with Americorp, will donate coats to communities in need on Jan. 15, which is also known as National Day Of Service.

Since 1992, One Warm Coat has collected eight million coats, distributing them through more than 1,500 nonprofit partners.

Over the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact has increased, One Warm Coat organizers say. One Warm Coat and Americorps aim to build on King’s dream through unity, service and transformation.

One Warm Coat encourages participating in a coat drive as a powerful way to make a positive impact on financially disadvantaged communities.

January/February 2024 Magazine

Published January 8, 2024

We’re thrilled to bring you our first issue of the new year, where you’ll dive into articles on topics such as what it’s like to parent young kids when you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, how to use astrology and play as guideposts through the parenting journey and finding a sense of whimsy and surprise in our everyday routines.

We asked the experts on how to start journaling and the immense emotional benefits of simply putting our thoughts down on paper. Plus, a new art studio where making a mess is part of the fun, a delicious Italian dish from a local chef, our editor’s top calendar picks and much more.

Allow these voices to steady you as you kick off another year of parenting. May your 2024 be filled with joy and new adventures.

Editor’s Note

Published January 8, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Creative Director Elena Epstein, Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane and Digital Editor Nina Harada celebrated the holidays with the rest of L.A. Parent staff at the J. Paul Getty Museum.
PHOTO BY CINDY HADASH

For years, I despised my father nearly as deeply as I needed him. I could not forgive him for neglecting my sister and me after my mother divorced him, and yet that 5-year-old girl I had been at the time of their split still ached for his love and guidance.

Eventually — (that is, on the other side of 30 and with the assistance of therapy and other self-help practices) — my anger and longing cooled to indifference. In this new state, I felt level-headed and mature. “I no longer hate my father,” I told my husband and friends with a tinge of surprise. I had released him from the prison of my disappointments.

When, some years later, he reached out to me through Facebook, I treated him like a stranger — with pleasant and guarded responses. He was like he always has been — jovial and full of shiny words that, even so, fell flat against my screen. Phrases like, “my darling daughter” and “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”

If he’s not even interested in explaining his past choices or asking for forgiveness, I thought, I can’t take this man seriously. In one message, I told him as much, and I could hear his Zeus-sized laughter in my mind, the kind of boisterous roars you can pinpoint in a crowd.

“Oh, my daughter,” he shot back, “cheer up.”

His response seemed both light-hearted and reprimanding. I felt old flames of resentment igniting. Later, while trying to return to my neutral state, I recalled a soft side of him my memory does not own. Instead, it comes from a story my mother told me about a year ago. In the delivery room, on the afternoon of my birth, she said, my father had cradled me and cried.

When I try to imagine that moment, a part of me wishes I could go back in time and carve out that piece of him that wanted to be a dad. How I wish I could incubate that parcel of him until it grows muscle and gristle and, eventually, bone, strong enough to emerge from its encasing and step into the role of father. Wholly.

But there is no certainty in parenting. As much as I cherish being my son’s mom, I have not gotten it all right. I love that through the work we do here at L.A. Parent, we get a front-row seat to the many Angelenos who share their parenting joys and challenges, the experts who guide us in our blind spots and the writers who pull the veil back on their own parenting foibles and discoveries.

In this issue, you’ll dive into articles on topics such as what it’s like to parent young kids when you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, how to use astrology and play as guideposts and finding a sense of whimsy and surprise in our everyday routines. Allow these voices to steady you as you kick off another year of parenting.

I hope your 2024 is filled with the kind of laughter that bridges even the most impossible divides.

Happy New Year!

Cassandra Lane is Editor in Chief of L.A. Parent.

Transforming Teacher Lounges into Zen Retreats

Published January 8, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

Dara Segbefia poses in the KIPP Comienza Public School teacher lounge she designed. PHOTO COURTESY DARA SEGBEFIA

Dara Segbefia believes all teachers deserve to relax in style.

As founder and lead principal designer of the L.A.-based interior design firm The Zen Experience Interior Design, Segbefia has been developing teacher lounges throughout Los Angeles with a focus on enhancing mental health, building community and increasing overall well-being for teachers and staff. Her most recent designs include the KIPP Compton Community School’s teacher lounge renovation and a lounge design at KIPP Corazón Academy that was inspired by the teachers’ dreams of visiting Tulum, Mexico.

Segbefia believes that every school, regardless of its location or demographics, should include designs that serve as a kind of oasis — for meetings, eating, communing and even naps — and she hopes her work will help ease the extreme burnout many teachers say they experience.

The Tulum-inspired lounge, for instance, seems perfect for meditating. To this Zen-inspired space, Segbefia incorporated neutral tones, organic materials and biophilic design, which includes elements — such as plants, lighting and materials — that echo the natural world.

SPLAT: An Art Studio Where Making a Mess is the Masterpiece

Published January 8, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

The founders of a new art studio In South Pasadena want you to embrace your inner chaos.

SPLAT Action Art Studio founders Juan Carlos Franco and Michael Chavez. PHOTOS COURTESY SPLAT ACTION ART STUDIO

Located at 1020 Mission St., SPLAT Action Art Studio is a new concept in the do-it-yourself art space, providing a place for artists of all skill levels to try out “action” art techniques such as splatter painting, acrylic pouring, pendulum painting and more.

This is no “wine-and-paint” experience where you dutifully mimic the instructor’s slow-paced movements on your own canvas. At SPLAT, when you enter the studio, you’re never quite sure exactly what you’ll make that day, say longtime friends and first-time business owners Juan Carlos Franco and Michael Chavez.

“I think that as adults, we often have trouble being satisfied in the creative process,” Chavez says. “We are conditioned to think, ‘There needs to be an end product, there needs to be an ideal state I’m working toward.’ But we are encouraging people to shift their focus to the fun and the experience of making art.”

SPLAT is an acronym for Splatter Painting Learning Art Therapy. “It’s the idea of art as self-care, as a type of therapy,” Franco says.

After a studio tour and overview of painting techniques, visiting artists pick their colors, find a painting station and unleash their inner creative for the next 60 minutes. Video monitors at each station offer technique instruction and inspiration if needed. A one-hour session starts at $55 and includes paints, canvas, tools and brushes, protective gear and a take-home box. The studio also offers group sessions for people who want to collaborate on a large-scale canvas.

“We want people to feel welcome to just come, have fun and do their thing. To know that they can come as they are and trust that that’s enough,” Chavez says.

For more places serving families in the greater Los Angeles area, check out our “New in Town” section on laparent.com.

From Landfill to ‘Composting for Community’

Published January 8, 2024

By Luke Perez

Growing up, Michael Martinez lived near one of the nation’s largest landfills. While this was an unpleasant experience, Martinez also witnessed how his family was able to repair and create things from everyday items that had been thrown away.

These childhood experiences sparked his fire for composting and inspired him to found LA Compost, a community-based nonprofit that has created compost hubs throughout L.A. County. And recently, Martinez added the role of author to his environmental work, publishing “Composting for Community,” a children’s picture book that shares the importance of reducing waste, taking care of communities and our environment.

Martinez says his time as an elementary school reading teacher and being a father of two inspired him to create the book. “The joy that my students and children have shown while in the garden and around the compost pile has been infectious, and I wanted to do my best to trans- late that into a book,” he says.

Martinez’s goal was to help children of all ages, as well as their families, appreciate the connection between humans and the Earth’s soil. The book exemplifies that message by following Mateo as he learns about his father’s job as a composter, his family’s heritage and what it means to be a steward of the environment. Martinez wanted to show this lesson in a family dynamic because he believes it is the most effective way to teach the next generation about the climate emergency.

Michael Martinez

“It’s like passing on a cherished family recipe,” he says. “Every family may have a story from their ancestors about how they respected the land and the importance of preserving it. Additionally, it’s always valuable to learn by doing. Can you collect food scraps and take them to a community composting location as a family? Can kids get involved in adding compost to their garden to see how well things can grow when it’s added? Can you start a worm bin or backyard bin on your own or with a neighbor? These are all great ways to get kids involved in everyday practices that positively impact the environment.

“By engaging in these activities, families not only contribute to their community’s efforts, but also bond over shared experiences and values, creating a stronger connection between generations and a deeper appreciation for the planet,” Martinez says.

Family Holiday Cards: Mom Stays in the Picture

Published December 28, 2023

By Elline Lipkin

Holiday cards are flying thick and fast. Despite my grumbling about the long lines at the post office, seeing a handwritten envelope — better yet in a friend’s handwriting — always brightens my walk back from the mailbox.

As I climbed into my 30s and felt more certain about wanting a family of my own, my mailbox suddenly filled with holiday cards from friends who had forged ahead — thick-stocked, glossy rectangles (sometimes with beveled edges!) showcasing their newborns. Yet, one of the things that always confused me was why the cards didn’t include a picture of my friend or a partner. To my surprise, they were often devoid of any kind of personal message beyond the pre-printed greeting. I chalked this up to the new parent exhaustion I’d heard about, but didn’t really believe (little did I know).

I’d look at the cards and wonder where my friend was. Were they so entirely subsumed into their kids’ lives that they didn’t feel a need to represent themselves — literally? Or did they see their kids as the entire message, hence there was no need for their familiar faces? Were they hiding the pregnancy weight that hadn’t left or the dark circles their darlings imposed? How much time would it take to scribble “I miss you” or “XO” and their name at the bottom? Where had they gone, I wondered, besides into this land where their child planted in a flowerpot (à la Anne Geddes) seemed to be all they wanted to present.

Years later, when I was finally trying to have a child, and realized I wouldn’t magically be exempt from the difficulties waiting so long meant, I couldn’t bring those cards into my house. There was one especially difficult holiday season, after my third miscarriage, when I tore each into tiny shreds just inside my front door then put the scraps into a garbage bag that I immediately tossed into the outside bin. Every montage of a party-dressed or grubby-overalled toddler felt like an arrow stabbing at what I might not ever have. It felt brutal to see these images, even though I knew they were a shutter’s-long mask pasted over the messy realities of their parents’ lives.

When I finally had a pregnancy that looked like it would stick, as some solace for all my husband and I went through, we indulged in a two-part “maternity shoot.” I’m still struck by how happy I look in these pictures — my husband’s hands wrapped around my pregnant belly in an embrace I never thought I’d feel. When our little person was 9 months old we redeemed the second part of our package. Being able to take those pictures felt like a balm to me, a drop of honey over salt, an elixir for a grief I thought would never be cured.

We hadn’t planned on using the pictures for a holiday card. But, in the end, we did, partly with the desire to share the happiness we felt with those who knew how much we had gone through. And I had to admit it brought some satisfaction to partake in a parenthood ritual from which I had thought I would be permanently excluded.

Yet, I can’t but wonder who I hurt with these cards. My single friends weren’t printing up selfies of themselves looking adventurous during far-flung trips. And I knew of other married friends who were struggling to conceive. What I couldn’t know was who might have just had a miscarriage, or was told her eggs were too old, or was crying in the bathroom that month when an unwanted period arrived again.

A few years ago, the hashtag #MomStaysinThePicture went viral. The point was that mothers were too often behind the camera taking pictures of their kids to be included or were deliberately avoiding being seen. Having their kids recognize them as not flawed in that moment, even if they looked tired or were carrying extra weight or didn’t “look their best,” was the message behind this movement. It was a message I embraced. I thought about that when I sent out cards that year. Yes, I want to share how my son looked so that distant friends and family could see his growth (and, I’ll admit it, those chubby cheeks), but I made certain there were also images of my husband and myself. That’s who our family is —not just him to represent the three of us.

Motherhood, I’ve found, is an exercise in layering — the 20-something I was once is still in there and, at the same time, I am utterly transformed. I want to be honest in my friendships and not reinforce a ritual that alienates some of my dearest friends or disguises who I am now. So, I send selectively, trusting that distant friends know how important it is to me to share my son with them. And I sent non-photo cards to those friends I knew were silently mourning not having a child, at least, at this time. I trust that these friends know that I grieve with them as they are denied what they most want.

A few years ago, the Wall Street Journal ran an intriguing piece about how the holiday card has evolved and the visual rhetoric of announcing life changes without words. During the pandemic, I was glad to see more honesty revealed, even in the templates that were offered on photo sites. “Good Riddance!” was the stock phrase offered on the template I picked as I uploaded pictures of Zoom school, home haircuts and the porch portrait a friend snapped as we chatted with the prescribed distance between us.

Last January, I met up with a friend for an afternoon’s “map-your-year” planning session. My notebook filled rapidly with gallant ideas for various quadrants of my life — writing goals, health, travel, exercise — much of which didn’t pan out due to unexpected health crises in my immediate family and the passing of my mother-in-law. If there’s been one major lesson of this past year, it’s how easily my grandmother’s favorite Yiddish expression, “Man plans, God laughs,” is applied. I want our card this year to reveal the range of emotion this year has forced — plans dissolve in a second. No filtered Insta-washing can change that.

The holiday photo card (the visual evolution of the holiday letter) has always seemed to me in the same category as the alumni magazine entry — a snapshot highlighting the person’s best, most recent accomplishments. Where were the pithy comments about career angst or personal disappointment? Perhaps honesty just never was the point. But when the Photoshopped portraits start filling my mailbox in matching envelopes (those inside often in matching sweaters), it can take a minute to remember that just seconds before and seconds after the click, someone’s hair was a mess and the baby started having a tantrum.

I’m sure there will be some windswept beach scenes, everyone in matching white, at least in southern California. I’ll include a hopeful message in my cards (which I usually get out in January), but I will also acknowledge that 2023 was hard. I hope to see my friends in their holiday cards, and not just their kids, to witness their changes as well.

Elline Lipkin is a poet, writer, editor and academic. Learn more at ellinelipkin.com.

Bed-and-Breakfast Vibes at Hideaway Santa Barbara

Published December 22, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

Hideaway Santa Barbara. PHOTO COURTESY KIRKWOOD COLLECTION

In mid-December — that middle-of-the-road time between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the start of a fresh new year — my family and I were feeling anything but fresh.

Dec. 17 kicked off my son’s three-week winter break from school. After the kid (a.k.a. Sol) and my husband walked into the house that evening, I could hear Sol dropping his overstuffed backpack to his bedroom floor with a thud. His shoes followed suit. How many times must I remind him to discard them in the entryway? But as I wrapped up a deadline at work in my office next door to his room, I refrained from yelling out my broken-record reminder, choosing, instead, to inject my tone with sweetness: “Hey, Love! Congrats on the last day of school!”

He slid in a few minutes later and gave me a peck on the cheek. I swiveled in my chair to face him. I could see the jubilance in his eyes. And I could see the fatigue, too, in the darker-hued skin beneath those eyes. He’s an 11^th grader, and as a former high school teacher and college admissions advisor, I promise you junior year is the toughest year of our kids’ K-12 schooling. It’s a year piled with hours of homework and studying each night, after-school tutoring sessions with teachers and hired tutors, a steady stream of projects, AP and SAT exam prep, college research and tours…

Sunset at Hendry’s Beach. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

He deserves a break, I thought. Heck, we all do. And though my husband and I will work most of the time our kid is on holiday, our plan is to squeeze in a little more rest, some decluttering and quality family time as often as we can.

Our first opportunity was the next day. I was scheduled to drive to Santa Barbara to meet with my creative writing workshop. Our group launched as a quintet of women authors who live in the L.A. area, but one of our writers bought a house in the Santa Barbara area about a year ago. Since she’s always making the trek to L.A. for our meetings, we promised her we’d spend our annual holiday workshop at her new place. Instead of a day trip, I decided to make it an overnight stay and bring my guys with me for a quick family road trip. My goals included indulging in delicious food somewhere overlooking the ocean, followed by a stroll along the water, curl-up time in our hotel, a mini writing retreat and my workshop’s holiday gathering. I had a mere 24 hours to pack all of this in, but I’m a mom, and that’s what we do.

Escaping the frenzy of holiday obligations

Since hotel check-in time wasn’t until 3:30 p.m. Saturday, we spent the morning in L.A., running around doing our usual routines, then packed our overnight bags minutes before heading out the door. As we backed the car out of the driveway, I felt a mixture of guilt, mischief and rebellion. I had not yet bought plane tickets to see extended family, a task I’d usually have completed by now. And I had not bought holiday cards or gifts, except for the white elephant gift I was expected to bring for my writing workshop’s gift exchange.

Of course, the usual obligations and expectations would greet us upon our return, but there’s nothing like a road trip to evoke a sense of freedom. Maybe, the highway whispers, you could just keep driving and driving and driving…

Google Maps estimated our drive right under 2½ hours, and I’m pretty sure it’s the longest time the three of us had been in the same place together in months. There was much to catch up on — those two teachers Sol started the school year disliking but now found redeemable; our lovely new tenant who moved into our backyard apartment earlier in the month; our worries about a troubled family member; our dreams and plans for the new year.

Our chatter faded as the ocean came into view and we slipped into the dreaminess that makes Santa Barbara the “American Riviera.” It’s the stuff of landscape paintings: the continuity of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture nestled against thick greenery, immaculate gardens, vineyards, the Santa Ynez Mountain range and beaches that feel more accessible than most.

A Hideaway in the trees

If you’ve only got a day to get away from it all, at least make it beautiful. Make it magical.

These are the thoughts I had as we pulled up to the boutique hotel Hideaway Santa Barbara, tucked into a cozy enclave of the West Beach neighborhood, an area that allures with both its quaint neighborhood feel and proximity to the happenings at the beach (three blocks away) and the popular Funk Zone (where hip art galleries, restaurants and cafes proliferate). Aptly named, Hideaway is one of the newest boutique hotels in the L.A.-based Kirkwood Collection, a luxury hotel brand with a portfolio of 10 boutique hotels and residences sought-after California locales. The brand opened the doors of the Hideaway in 2019 after renovating the property, originally a private 1908 California craftsman and carriage house (a type of outbuilding that was originally built to store horse-drawn carriages).

In an area where cream-colored Spanish stucco reigns, this Cape Cod-blue bungalow (think high-end yet casual bed-and-breakfast) simultaneously exudes elegance and homeyness. We parked our car in one of the slots of the former carriage house and headed for the lobby, where holiday lights added to the whimsy of the living room-styled common area.

King bed in the Luxury Suite King. PHOTOS COURTESY KIRKWOOD COLLECTION

We climbed a flight of stairs to reach the property’s largest offering, the “Luxury Suite King,” designed in a breezy coastal style with a king bed, two single beds, a living room and two quaint writing areas with small desks and lamps fashioned like lanterns.

“It feels like a treehouse,” Sol said. “It’s refreshing.”

In just a few words, Sol’s capture of the room was on point. Perched among the trees, the room overlooks the garden, the vaulted ceiling creates an A-frame structure, giving the area height and depth, and the white walls reflect the natural light so that it feels like part of the room’s décor. The king bed beckons tired muscles, but I was equally enchanted by the almost cove-like section with two single beds stationed under a circus tent-shaped part of the ceiling. Sol’s quarters.

As we headed out to grab dinner and catch the sunset at Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach, Sol opted to stay in his home-away-from home to relax. We brought him back a takeout meal, plus photos of a sunset that cast a glorious orange-red glow across everything and everyone in its reach. “Lovely pics,” he said, not seeming the least bit bothered that he’d missed it.

Holiday milk and cookies tradition at Hideaway Santa Barbara. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

Around 7:30 that evening, we returned to the hotel’s lobby to enjoy a sweet Kirkwood family tradition — nightly servings of chocolate-chip cookies based on Kirkwood Collection founder Alex Kirkwood’s grandmother’s recipe and baked on site, with options of whole milk or spiked eggnog to wash them down. The cookie service for guests is a nod to Santa this time of year, but even grinches will love these fresh and slightly gooey treats. Back in our sanctuary, I joined my husband on the sofa to sip my eggnog and watch a movie about magicians.

Savoring Sunday

My favorite part of the Hideaway’s common areas is the solarium-styled breakfast room, where sunlight streams in from triple-height windows, and the seating — wicker chairs and built-in benches covered in cushions — is intimate. Each morning, the chef prepares a different (and hot) breakfast. The guys and I sauntered down at the start of breakfast since I would leave them for my workshop gathering, which was scheduled for noon.

The solarium. PHOTO COURTESY KIRKWOOD COLLECTION

Remember the white elephant gift I was supposed to bring? I didn’t realize until Sunday morning that I had left it behind in L.A.! And so, after breakfast, I was forced to join the holiday-shopping frenzy, after all. Except, as we drove around the Funk Zone and surrounding areas, there was no frenzy. It was a sleepy Sunday morning, where a few people jogged or walked their dogs, but the gift shops were not slated to open until 10 or 11.

To my delight, we ran smack dab into the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, which takes place on Cabrillo Boulevard between Stearns Wharf and Calle Cesar Chavez every Sunday and on Saturdays of major holiday weekends and features more than 200 local artists and artisans. I bought a jade-green bowl sculpted like a flower by an artist, Jerry Kry, who has been making and selling his pottery in Santa Barbara for more than 40 years. He’d just returned from Thailand, where he read three books while resting on a beach. His book talk and pottery inspired me to get in a few words of my own, which I did at one of the writing desks back in our Hideaway room.

That afternoon, I showed up to my workshop with the replacement gift, notes on one of the writer’s novel-in-progress and a last-minute dessert pickup from Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro, but I wasn’t feeling my usually harried self in the never-ending juggling. I chalk that up to a few peaceful (and refreshing) hours sequestered in Santa Barbara’s gift of a hideaway.

Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent and author of “We Are Bridges.”

Seaweed Revolution: Saving the planet from dairy-methane emissions

Published December 12, 2023

By Taylor Nelson

Methane gas lingers in our atmosphere for a fraction of the time that carbon dioxide does, but it is indubitably more potent, trapping up to 80 times more heat than its better-known counterpart in the first two decades after it is released. Today, with animal production on such a massive scale, research has estimated that 37% of methane emissions are the direct result of animal agriculture practices. But the future doesn’t have to remain dire.

In the last 200 years, Earth’s atmospheric methane concentration has increased by more than double. However, methane’s ability to rapidly damage global climate means that this gas also has the potential to lower Earth’s atmospheric warming potential just as quickly.

Asparagopsis taxiformis in powder form. PHOTO COURTESY GOOGLE IMAGES

West of Los Angeles, across the Pacific in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, one group of researchers is using seaweed to produce a new kind of livestock feed additive that, if distributed to the U.S.’s major animal husbandry operations, could cut global methane emissions drastically. Since it was founded in 2019, Blue Ocean Barns has studied the seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis and shown it to be an unprecedentedly efficient bio-filter compared to previously studied seaweed species. Studies showed that including one ounce of Asparagopsis taxiformis in dairy cows’ 45-pound diet reduced methane emissions by up to 98%, with no impact on meat quality or flavor.

California farms answer the call

In 2022, when Blue Ocean Barns’ Asparagopsis feed additive Brominata was authorized for commercial use by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, two dairy corporations were quick to align themselves with the product. Clover Sonoma and Straus Family Creamery signed deals to start feeding Brominata to a portion of their cows, making good on their commitments to farm sustainably and reduce farm emissions.

A Clover Sonoma dairy cow. PHOTO COURTESY CLOVER SONOMA

Clover Sonoma was well aware of the emission-reducing potential of Asparagopsis because its producer relations manager, Hannah Stefenoni, who oversees Clover Sonoma’s 30 family-owned dairy farms, was one of the first to formally study the red seaweed and assess its impact on dairy cows’ emissions. That being said, the company saw the value of joining forces with Blue Ocean Barns to work towards its ultimate goal of climate neutrality, which seems to be within reach. Clover Sonoma believes that the key to finding climate solutions in the industry lies in a willingness to adopt farming new practices such as using Brominata and is hopeful that other dairy farms will be keen to do their part in contributing to climate solutions when given the chance.

Straus Family Creamery, another dairy company that has partnered with Blue Ocean Barns, was eager to test the methane-reducing potential of red seaweed. CEO Albert Straus has announced that the creamery aims to be carbon neutral by 2030, and he believes that Brominata, in conjunction with its methane biodigester and carbon-neutral farming practices, will make that goal achievable. Now, Brominata is commercially available in the U.S., and Blue Ocean Barns is working to produce enough of it for farms across the country. Once their production is to scale, Straus plans to incentivize all 12 of its certified organic family farms to incorporate it into their feed, guaranteeing them money on their milk check per pound of it they use.

American dairy farms are estimated to be responsible for just 2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. This is because in the last 60 years, without red seaweed, improvement in animal and on-farm management efficiencies caused the industry’s emissions to fall by 45%. The scientific and corporate communities are in agreement that Brominata will play a crucial role in getting those emissions to zero and ensuring a climate-friendly future for dairy farming.

Taylor Nelson is a student at Scripps College and a former L.A. Parent intern.

How to Achieve Your New Year’s Goals Without Stressing Out

Published December 11, 2023

By Risa Williams

Every year, we tend to make extreme New Year’s resolutions on Jan. 1, only to abandon them by February or March. Even the word “resolution” can make you feel guilt or anxiety. So how do we lighten up a little, and get into an easier mindset that makes us feel motivated to start some new goals in the new year?

In my experience as a therapist and time-management consultant, the main way that people tend to go wrong with goals they’re setting is that they want to go too big too fast. They want to accomplish a very stressful sounding goal in a very short time frame. This tends to raise our stress levels, which can cause us to want to avoid getting started altogether. In other words, we overwhelm ourselves before we’ve even started moving.

So, how do we avoid doing this to ourselves, especially at the start of the new year?

Here are some easy ways to ease into your goals, while not raising your own stress:

Stretch out your timeframe. If you’re saying, “I’m going to finish organizing the spare room by next week,” this might be too short a timeframe to do that easily. Try saying, instead, “By the end of the month, I’m going to organize the spare room.” Now, you’ve given yourself four weeks instead of one. Already, there is probably a feeling of relief about starting this particular goal!
Break the big goal down into small steps. Now that you’ve stretched out your timeframe, how can you break the task you need to do down into very tiny steps? For example, with cleaning out the room, how many boxes would you need to donate each week? One to two boxes? If you want to write a novel by the end of the year, how many pages would that be per week? Perhaps five pages? This helps us enlist the logical, problem-solving parts of our brain and can help us feel less anxiety about starting the project.
Identify the first step. The beginning of any new goal is often where people tend to feel the most stuck. Because it involves learning or tackling a new task and figuring frustrating problems out, many will procrastinate moving forward to avoid this step. An easy workaround is to make the first step so tiny and manageable that your brain won’t feel that much resistance towards doing it. If you want to paint a painting, maybe the first step is just to put the paintbrushes out on the table. If you’re organizing a room in your house, maybe the first step is just to tackle one very small corner of it.
Find accountability. Studies have shown that when we have to tell someone our goal and report our weekly progress to them, that we have a 95% chance of completing it. Find a friend who wants to work on a goal together and report your weekly progress to them while listening to their progress each week as well. When it comes to supporting other people on goals, it can be helpful to simply listen and provide encouragement, no matter what stage of the process they’re in. Just keep cheering them on, even on the slow weeks. You’d be surprised how motivating this can be for people who are feeling stuck.
Track your progress. If you can’t find someone to hold you accountable for your weekly steps, you can track them on a calendar or in a journal. You can mark off days that you take steps towards your goal on a calendar. Seeing our progress in a visual way that we’re using consistently can give us that motivation we need to keep going with our goals. You can also look for goals groups or work on goals with therapists and coaches who specialize in goal-setting.

When it comes to goals, it’s about keeping a long-term perspective. Don’t get stuck on days that were slow or weeks where not much happened. Ease up a little on your own expectations. Just know that if you keep taking small steps over time, you will get to where you want to go.

Risa Williams, a licensed therapist, mom of two kids, podcast host and psychology professor, is the award-winning book author of “The Ultimate Toolkit Books,” including “The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit.” Her newest book, “The Procrastination Playbook,” will be in stores soon.

The Ups and Downs of Becoming a Journalist

Published December 6, 2023

By Luke Perez

Luke Perez is a student journalist at Azusa Pacific University and L.A. Parent editorial intern. PHOTO COURTESY LUKE PEREZ

Although this is my sixth year studying journalism, my journey into the media industry took its time to develop. It started with my interest and skill in creative writing in elementary and middle school. I would write my heart out and loved dissecting the meaning of whatever book my teachers assigned.

For whatever reason, I never thought much of that skill at the time. I guess I was busy with sports and just being a kid.

My senior year of high school is when I got a real taste of the career that I now want to be a part of. That year, I was participating in an academy that taught us different skills that could get us into the sports workforce. Our program was tasked with helping the athletic director run the school’s sports page. Responsibilities ranged from writing game recaps, taking pictures at games, interviewing various student athletes and updating teams’ schedules and records.

That class was a highlight for me that year, and yet I still didn’t get that this was what I was supposed to do. After graduating, I enrolled in community college and chose business as my major.

I figured I would use this education to get into the sports business, but I quickly learned I could not commit to learning the amount of math required for a business major. I started stressing about the mistake I’d made in choosing a major and felt the uncertainty of starting at square one again.

One day, I visited a counselor to see what my possible next steps could be. Out of nowhere, journalism came to my mind, and I remembered how many teachers told me I was a good writer. As luck would have it, there was an introduction-to-journalism course held at the same time as the business class I was in the midst of dropping. “This has to be a sign,” I thought.

The following day, I sat in on that class. I explained my situation to the professor, who kindly let me officially enroll in the course. During her lecture, it hit me. Deep inside, I had peace in finally knowing that this was what I’m meant to do. I then spent the next two-and-a-half years writing for the college’s digital newspaper, working on a YouTube show and producing my own podcast.

After I graduated, I transferred to a four-year college, and it was full steam ahead. Once I joined my college’s newspaper, I strove to produce as much work as possible to work on my craft. This hard work paid off as I am now the news section editor for my newspaper.

While I am in a good place before graduating in the spring, this journey has opened up my eyes about the current state of journalism. When I was applying for an internship in the field, a common response I received was, “Need more experience, but you’re on the right track.” “Strange,” I thought. Isn’t the internship part of the antidote to gaining experience?

Other early disappointments have included the stumbling blocks I’ve run into when doing research for an article or project and attempting to gather sources. Often, when trying to access an article, I’m faced with a paywall. I know news outlets are businesses, but paying to access news online doesn’t seem right, especially if journalism is the profession to serve the people.

When it comes to social causes and politics — and sometimes even in the sports world — it seems that many of today’s journalists have already taken sides. They produce work for whomever their allegiance is to and push their talking points. And even when a journalist simply reports the news objectively, the audience is quick to bash and accuse the journalist of being on the left or right.

While I am still on the outside looking in, I can see that this world I want a career in can be brutal and tough to navigate, but I still have some hope. So far, I’ve had many mentors, peers and professors who have shown me that it isn’t all bad. There can be some positive change.

Luke Perez is a senior at Azusa Pacific University, an editor for his campus newspaper, and a recent editorial intern at L.A. Parent.

A Date with Downtown San Diego

Published December 6, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Aerial of Manchester Grand Hyatt and surrounding areas. PHOTO COURTESY MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO

There is a part of me that loves the city vibe — cool restaurants and coffee shops, a skyline lit up at night, streets buzzing late into the evening. But I don’t usually find city getaways to be relaxing. Until I discovered the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

Enjoying a cruise. PHOTOS COURTESY ELENA EPSTEIN

A recent weekend getaway with my husband proved you can find that chill SoCal waterfront vibe while staying at a spectacular high-rise hotel that’s walking distance to the downtown Gaslamp Quarter with a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, comedy clubs and live music venues.

And the best part is that when you need a break from the action, you’ll have lots of choices for relaxation and harbor views. Seaport Village is just steps from the hotel, offering great walking and biking paths along the marina with views of Coronado Island just across the water. You can also tour the USS Midway Museum, which is on my list of things to do next time I’m down here.

We started our date with pumpkin pancakes, scrambled eggs and hash browns at Richard Walker’s Pancake House on Front Street, a few blocks from the Grand Hyatt. It’s an easy walk from the hotel and just up the street from the newly renovated Children’s Park and next door to the New Children’s Museum (in case you brought the kids on your date, which we have done many times.)

The rooms come with spectacular views at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. PHOTO COURTESY MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO

After breakfast, we took a long stroll along the bay, walking south to have a closer look at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, an open-air music venue operated by the San Diego Symphony. There was a holiday show and fireworks on Saturday night, which we got a glimpse of as we walked along the Marina.

Just behind Seaport Village is the grassy oasis of Embarcadero Marina Park North, another great walking and relaxing spot. One of the perks of staying at the Grand Hyatt is the easy access to everything along the water. The hotel offers vouchers for free 1-hour bike and kayak rentals and harbor tours. We opted for the Flagship Cruise’s North Harbor Tour. We relaxed on the upper deck enjoying the sun, the breeze, the views of the downtown skyline, navy ships, sail boats gliding by and sea lions sleeping cozily on top of each other.

We then decided to venture back into downtown and headed straight to Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in the Gaslamp Quarter for peppermint hot chocolate and a caramel crunch ice cream sundae.

Post sugar rush, we discovered the fitness area on the 4^th floor of the Grand Hyatt, where you’ll find the rooftop pool, fitness center, shuffleboard, basketball and pickleball courts, all with skyline and harbor views. While my husband and daughters have been playing pickleball for a while, I picked up the paddle for the first time and, I have to say, I loved it and definitely want to play more.

Just in time for the sunset, our date took on a festive vibe as we headed to the 40th floor to the Top of the Hyatt, which was transformed into a winter wonderland for the holidays with twinkling lights and holiday decor. The Over the Top Holiday Lounge features festive cocktails and appetizers with floor-to-ceiling windows — the perfect spot for watching the sky turn golden orange.

Before driving back to L.A. on Sunday, we spent a few more hours on the rooftop, enjoying the fitness center, swimming, soaking in the Jacuzzi and reading on a lounge chair.

In 48 hours, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego gave us just the date we needed — city cool and seaside chill.

Elena Epstein is Creative Director of L.A. Parent.

Why ‘Good-Enough’ Parenting is Better Than Perfect Parenting

Published November 30, 2023

By Elena Epstein

You mean we don’t have to be perfect parents? According to Aliza Pressman, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based mom, developmental psychologist and author of “The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans,” the answer is no.

We spoke with Pressman recently to get some insights on her parenting philosophies.

Please tell us why you wanted to write “The 5 Principles of Parenting.”

My hope was to bring relief and support to parents. Relief from having too much or inaccurate information and support from getting just enough information to actually knowing what really matters when it comes to raising resilient humans. In all my work, I try to find ways to deliver the real science while not fixating on minutiae that causes more stress and little payoff.

That’s what this The 5 Principles of Parenting book is: the good-enough parenting book for good-enough parenting. And if that doesn’t sound like enough, spoiler alert: “Good enough” is actually better for kids than “perfect”.

As a mom and a developmental psychologist, why do you think “the need to be perfect” is such a struggle for all of us moms?

It is developmentally appropriate to want to be “perfect” when you are charged with raising a human. After all, this is the most important human/s in your life. Add to that the fact that perfectionism does run stronger amongst women, the overwhelming amount of information to sift through and the piles of perfect-within-reach portrayals of parenting on social media, and it is no wonder moms feel overwhelmed.

Have you personally struggled with being “the perfect mom?”

One of my strengths is that I am not a perfectionist…to a fault. According to my kids, I could use a dose of perfectionism. I have other struggles, but I for sure benefitted from truly believing the science that good enough is better than the impossible perfect. That said, like any mother, I have moments of absolute shame at my shortcomings. I have seen through my work with so many mothers that perfectionism comes in so many shapes and sizes, and mine may very well be that I am perfect at being the “I’m so imperfect and self-compassionate — aren’t I perfect at it” kind of perfectionist. I need to reflect a bit more on that!

Do you see unique challenges that parents face raising kids in Los Angeles?
L.A. is a pretty heavy Hollywood industry, and the biggest challenge is keeping kids with the values you hold and not the values Hollywood holds. I think you can have an appreciation for the business and the art of it all, but it’s so much more challenging to help kids stay grounded.

One of the five principles is “reflection.” Can you give us some examples of “micro-moments” of meditation and mindfulness that you practice?

Meditation does not have to take on the form of a lone meditative monk sitting still, contemplating for hours on end. You can have micro-moments of meditation and mindfulness that can foster reflection. Make yourself comfortable and set your timer or mindfulness app for two or five or 20 minutes — whatever amount of time you have. Inhale through your nose for a four-count, hold the breath for a six-count and exhale through your mouth, lips slightly puckered, for an eight-count. Ask yourself: What really matters to me in my parenting?Allow any answer to bubble up from your body. Notice this answer.

Inhale for another four-count, hold the breath for a six-count and exhale, lips slightly puckered, for an eight-count. Ask yourself again: What really matters to me?Continue breathing and asking yourself this question until your timer dings or gongs or does whatever it does. No judgments on the answers that come up. Just notice.

You also mention “repair,” which I think is so important in a parent-child relationship. Can you give us an example of what this looks like in real life?

Repair isn’t about fixing mistakes that never should have happened; instead, it is the space in which we grow. Mis-attunement is a necessary part of a healthy relationship. Making repairs as soon as we become aware of them is important — and doing so is much easier than we think.

Pressman has worked with actress Drew Barrymore on parenting guidance.

I don’t love scripts because they can make some parents feel inauthentic and beholden to them, but here are examples parents can use and adjust the wording to make them feel more authentic.

“My reaction was really big, and I am sorry. That must have felt scary. I love you even when I get angry. I will work on responding better next time.” This validates how your actions may have made them feel and shows them you know how to be accountable, all while reiterating that you are a safe, loving parent.
“Whoa, I really blew that moment. That was not your fault. Can we have a do-over? If I could say that again, I would not yell.” Here, you’re again demonstrating your accountability while also acknowledging that parents are fallible, too, and sharing how you’d handle things differently next time.
“Hey, I just want to say I’m sorry for how I reacted. I want you to know that you can come to me for anything, and I will work on hearing you rather than jumping in with anger. I care much more about the fact that you came to me than anything I could be upset about. I love you so much.” In this example, you are reinforcing that your child can trust you and come to you for anything. Remember, you can’t help a child that hides from you, but you can help one that feels safe talking to you.

How has parenthood changed you personally?

Parenthood has deepened my relationships and helped me have a handle on what really matters, including laughter. It has made me reflect on my own experiences and current experiences so that I move through the world more intentionally. It has given me the motivation and capacity to build my self-regulation. I actually breathe more and move more slowly. It has made me determine what rules I uphold. Finally, it has given me a deep sense of hope because I have been able to repair and grow from the inevitable ruptures of growing this relationship. For sure, in becoming a mother, I am evolving into more of who I want to be as a human.

Best life advice you received growing up?

My grandmother collected all sorts of frog figurines and stuffed animals. She told me frogs only jump forward. I think of it always.

Best parenting advice that you use yourself and you would like to share with all parents.

All feelings are welcome, all behaviors are not. And you just need to be the parent you want to be more often than not. That is good enough. I whisper that to myself a lot.

When not working, where will we find you?

I really enjoy hiking and hanging out with my family and friends.

What are some of your favorite spots and activities in and around L.A. to enjoy as a family?

We love a game night with other families. That’s our most happy place together. We love hiking Fryman Canyon (OK, I drag my teenagers, but they will appreciate it in the future, I just know it), and we love going to the theater. We will go to a big show at the Pantages or a tiny sketch comedy at UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre].

For more information on Pressman, her new book and her podcast, Raising Good Humans, visit, draliza.com

A Holiday Wish

Published November 30, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

The holidays can be wonderful and stressful all at the same time. Our wish for you this season is to slow down and focus on what’s most important—your time with the people you love.

Our holiday issue is filled with ideas of places to go, yummy food to make or buy and ways to find contentment and joy in the midst of all the frenzy.

Wishing you a meaningful holiday season!

On the Cover

This month’s cover models are actor Rushi Kota (“Make Me a Match,” “Never Have I Ever,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and his son, Rushi. You can find Kota on Instagram at @rushikota.

The cover and Chat Room photos were shot by photographer Philicia Endelman, who is on Instagram at @philiciaendelman.

Spotlight: Meet Dylan Davies, CEO of LIFT Society

Published November 22, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Dylan Davies owns LIFT Society. PHOTOS COURTESY DYLAN DAVIES

Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, Dylan Davies, a mom and co-founder and CEO of LIFT Society, a boutique lifting gym in Culver City, Hollywood and Studio City, talked to us about entrepreneurship, a family legacy of fitness and balancing it all with parenting.

Please tell us a little about how and why you decided to open LIFT Society?

Before opening LIFT Society, I was working hourly as a personal trainer and earning commission on sales as an independent contractor. With my first pregnancy, I was incredibly sick and nauseous all day, and my husband/business partner and I decided we needed to have passive income. Using both of our skills, we created our first gym concept in 2012, which evolved into and relaunched as LIFT Society in 2016. While our initial reason for opening a membership-based gym was to have recurring income, building the brand quickly became a passion and identity for both of us.

Your parents owned one of the first Pilates studios in L.A. Was fitness a part of your life growing up?

I was dancing competitively all through high school and staying active in that way. After many injuries and realizing that I wasn’t able to dance long term, my dad made me use a personal trainer for strength and for Pilates, while also becoming Pilates-certified. I didn’t really have an option to not be active, which I hated at the time but now am very grateful for. I didn’t know what I wanted my career path to be, so the Pilates certification was meant to be a fall-back plan. I started teaching Pilates at the age of 17, and at that time, everyone I worked with was in their 30s, transitioning from corporate jobs to pursue careers in fitness teaching. The fitness market in 2005 was very different from today. I really witnessed the boom of boutique fitness to its current state where people can now have a high-earning career in fitness, which was not always the case. To come full circle, my dad now works out at LIFT Society and has trained over 400 hours in my gym.

What are your favorite memories of growing up in L.A.?

Disneyland, beaches, when L.A. didn’t have mosquitoes, the weather.

You’re a mom and a business owner, how do you juggle both roles?

Dylan Davies with her children, Charlotte and Theo.

When we started our first gym in 2012, ignorance made us think we would be wildly successful and stress free by the time our kids were young…that is surely not the case. As a business owner, I am constantly changing, adapting, covering and dealing with every little thing that comes up, no matter the day or time. My job has a lot of flexibility, but it also doesn’t end at 5 p.m., but I’m glad my kids can see that. They know how much work it takes to be an entrepreneur and they will have the tools to open their own businesses if they decide that’s what they want to do. As far as balance, I’ve mostly created my work schedule around their school and sports schedules, and we’ve done that since they were little so we don’t miss out on time with them.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Right now my typical day looks like this: Wake up at 6:15, start their breakfast and my coffee. They get up at 6:30, and we’re off to school by 7:30. After drop-off, I either go straight to the gym or head out for an hour-long walk, but I always take an hour for myself from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday. Then I’m working from about 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., when I leave to pick them up from school. We come home, have snacks, do homework and then sports practice. We have dinner and shower, and they get to bed by 9 p.m., and me by 10 p.m., then it’s rinse and repeat. Weekends, we relax, see family, do events, etc.

What are the benefits of strength training for moms in particular?

All women can benefit from strength training, but specifically moms because it’s extremely metabolic, meaning strength training raises your resting metabolic rate. Strength training is very effective for building lean tissue, burning fat and the ability to sculpt your body in the way that you want to look. When it comes to building strength, it’s important that moms can lift their kiddos, strollers and everything else without getting injured. Having a baseline of strength keeps us healthy and moving well!

What would you tell your middle school self?

You won’t be working in fashion.

How has parenthood changed you?

The amount of love for your children is something that can only be experienced. Parenthood has made me more generous and patient with all things.

Best life advice you received?

Show up on time. Be consistent. Do more than the bare minimum and you’ll be wildly ahead of most people.

Best parenting advice you received?

Take time and space for yourself, whether it’s a nap, a workout [or] a day with friends. That time is so crucial for mental health and brings you back to your kids feeling refreshed.

When not working, where will we find you?

Doing my own workouts, relaxing at home or at happy hour. It’s all about balance.

Tell us some of your favorite spots in L.A. that you enjoy with your family.

They love the mall, laser tag, Starbucks… tween things. We’ll catch a movie screening at Soho House, and they’re just starting to love fine dining, which I love.

For more information on LIFT Society, visit liftsociety.com .

Understood.org Resources Support Children with Learning and Thinking Differences

Published November 13, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Four years ago, Karen Wilson, Ph.D., a clinical neurologist, left a coveted university job to take a position that would help her more urgently support the caregivers and educators of the 1 in 5 children in the United States with learning and thinking differences.

Wilson became an expert with Understood.org, a nonprofit that provides resources and support for the parents, because “it is dedicated to shaping the world for difference,” she says. “They want everyone to be able to thrive in school, at work, and throughout life.”

We recently learned more about Wilson, who is also founder of West LA Neuropsychology, PC, and ChildNEXUS, and her role at Understood.org.

How did you become interested in research, specifically learning and thinking differences?

I’ve always been passionate about helping children who struggle with learning or social-emotional challenges get the support they need to thrive and achieve their full potential.

I also love research — uncovering life-changing insights into learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia. But I was frustrated. Did you know that it takes about 17 years for hospitals and clinics to start using research that has shown a practice or treatment is effective? I wanted to make a bigger impact by helping parents understand and support their kids who learn and think differently. Right now.

What are the top three things you wish all parents and educators knew about neurodivergence?

Unfortunately, more than half of Americans say they don’t have a clear understanding of neurodivergence. We need to take this as a moment in time to realize that now, more than ever, it’s vital that we are educating parents and teachers about neurodivergence.

Here are the three things all parents and educators should know:

Students with learning and thinking differences have a number of strengths!
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach for parents or educators.
Have a desire to learn — educating yourself on learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia will help neurodivergent students and children and, in turn, reduce stigmas.

Please share with us how mental health and learning and thinking differences overlap.

“Is my child dealing with anxiety or dyslexia? Is this low self-confidence or ADHD?” As a clinical neuropsychologist, I often hear questions like these from parents.

Karen Wilson, Ph.D. PHOTO COURTESY UNDERSTOOD.ORG

The short answer: It could be both. Mental health and learning and thinking differences have a significant and complex overlap. We need to know the underlying issue when deciding how to address a child’s needs.

Kids who are struggling in school often feel inadequate and frustrated. This can make them more vulnerable to anxiety, depression and disruptive behavior disorders. These issues can further hinder their ability to learn, build relationships and cope with setbacks.

Struggling teens who don’t have enough academic support are at higher risk for substance abuse, dropping out, engaging in illegal activities and developing aggressive or defiant behaviors.

What are the common misconceptions?

Misconceptions and stigmas around neurodiversity are all too common today. Nearly half (48%) of parents of children under 18 say that the stigma surrounding neurodiversity is stronger than ever. For example, 33% of classroom teachers and other educators believe that challenges in the classroom are sometimes just laziness and 48% of parents believe incorrectly that kids grow out of learning differences. These misconceptions can be harmful. In addition, 69% of parents of kids with learning and thinking differences say that the stigma/misconceptions associated negatively impact their child’s mental health and well-being.

How can parents be better advocates for their children?

Every step taken by individual families and parents creates progress toward a more empathetic and informed society — communities and schools where every child is understood, supported and empowered to reach their full potential. Parents should make efforts to educate themselves and their peers — and continue to have open dialogue with their children who have learning and thinking differences.

Please share 2-3 actionable steps that parents can take.

Parents can learn more about learning and thinking differences and mental health in the following ways:

Get educated. Using free resources like Understood.org, parents can read a library of accessible, expert-vetted resources to help understand and address their kids’ challenges — without having to wade through academic journals.
Communicate, In order to create a community where children who are neurodiverse can thrive, it’s important that parents have an open dialogue with their child’s educators to ensure they are in a safe space at school and in an environment where their needs are accommodated.
Find a community. It’s important to connect with other parents and caregivers who understand what you may be going through. Through the free app Wunder by Understood, parents can connect with other parents of neurodivergent children, learn from experts, and access information from Understood.

Understanding the Signs of Epilepsy in Children

Published November 13, 2023

Parents often miss the signs that their child has epilepsy, according to Deborah Holder, M.D., a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s and pediatric epilepsy expert.

“Every day in clinic, I see children who have had for years what many people call ‘funny spells,’” Holder says. “Sometimes I start talking to a parent and find out the parent has had ‘funny spells’ for years, but had no idea they were epileptic seizures.”

That’s because many people with epilepsy experience subtle symptoms, such as not being able to talk for a few seconds, Holder says. When the momentary symptoms disappear, people tend to forget to look for the source.

“Sometimes children experiencing seizures will see flashing lights or have temporary blurred vision, which leads them being misdiagnosed with migraine,” Holder explains.

About 1 in 26 Americans are thought to have epilepsy, a neurologic condition in which a person experiences seizures or episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

To mark National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Holder shares what seizures can look like — and why it is important that children get help as soon as possible.

What does a seizure look like?

A seizure can look like anything, depending on where in the brain the seizure comes from. A lot of people think a seizure is a convulsive seizure, where there’s a loss of consciousness and the person falls down to the ground and the whole body experiences convulsive activity. That’s actually the rarest type of seizure.

The most common seizures are barely noticeable. Sometimes a patient will just sit and stare and be unresponsive for three or four seconds. A child may have an uncontrollable motor activity, such as twitching of an arm or one leg or twitching of one side of the face that lasts for 30 seconds.

Patients may get a feeling of numbness or tingling in a part of the body, or get a funny smell or taste in the mouth that comes and goes. Sometimes they’re not able to process language, and their speech is garbled.

If a child has the same feeling or sensation or behavior that happens over and over again, that is a sign the child might be having seizures.

How do you diagnose epilepsy in children?

We rely a lot on information we gather by talking to families. Often, we can make the diagnosis without any diagnostic test, although we still do an EEG, an electroencephalogram, to see if we can gather any further information. For this test, we place electrodes that look like little stickers on the head so that we can monitor brain waves.

How have smartphones changed how pediatric epilepsy is diagnosed?

I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years, and one of the things that has been most helpful to me is the advent of cell phones with video recording. I advise families, if you see a child having a funny spell, get it on a video camera. We are very good at being able to tell by looking at the recording if the event is a seizure or not.

How do you treat epilepsy?

Most children are able to be seizure-free on medications alone. As the brain grows and develops, many children will outgrow seizures and not need to take medication long term.

More than a third of patients have seizures that are more difficult to control. For those children, we typically do advanced diagnostic testing to see exactly where the seizures are coming from. We then remove the part of the brain causing the seizures. Nowadays, this can be done by making a very small opening in the brain and treating the affected area with a laser. The opening is closed with just one suture and the patient usually goes home the next day.

What is the epilepsy diet?

If medications aren’t working, we can use special diets, and the diets we use are primarily in the field of what’s called ketogenic diet.

Generally, our brain uses sugar for energy, which is brought into the brain by the breaking down of carbohydrates. In epilepsy, we want to use ketones, which is a breakdown product of fat. So what we do is we switch the child’s diet to a low-carb, high-fat diet.

This is all managed by a specially trained dietitian, which we have here at Cedars-Sinai to help the child switch their eating habits to be high fat instead of high carb. This switches the brain from using sugar for energy into using fat for energy. When we do this, the seizures come under control.

it’s a very innovative way of treating seizures using the food that you eat to control your seizures.

Is epilepsy genetic?

Scientists have identified more than 500 genes that are associated with epilepsy. When we do genetic testing, we can tell not only what causes the epilepsy, but also which medications to use. We do genetic testing by swabbing the cheek. It takes five minutes.

We have a very strong genetics program at Guerin Children’s. The really exciting news is that we have, for the first time, a gene therapy in trials in patients with epilepsy. We may one day be able to treat children with this therapy.

Learn more at here.

L.A. Parent Wins 8 PMA Editorial & Design Awards

Published November 7, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

A mother wrestles to come to terms with the music dreams she has for her sons. A TV journalist takes an almost yearlong sabbatical from her busy life in Los Angeles to tour Europe — with her husband and three small children. A poet and historian teaches us how to immerse ourselves in our city’s public art. These stories — and more — recently garnered gold, silver and bronze awards for L.A. Parent’s editorial and design team. The media company won eight awards at the annual Parenting Media Association (PMA) Editorial and Design Awards ceremony on Nov. 3.

Each year, faculty members at the University of Missouri School of Journalism judge the rigorous competition, looking for the best in local and regional parenting publications, special issues, websites and social media.

The competition period covered September 2022 to August 2023. Here are the winning entries, with judges’ comments following each win:

Gold Award: Personal Essay for “Violin Visions” by Lisbeth Coiman

Judges: “Dream on and on and on, this essay commands, but don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get what you want from your children. It’s not your fame and glory at stake. Instead, treasure what you get. The lessons are conveyed in amusing anecdotes — practicing the violin in the bathroom because it sounds better, quitting violin lessons after an unasked-for haircut, French horn lessons instead of the violin, but all the while keeping the violin for its sentimental value. The best lesson, though, wasn’t about music, but about parenting and raising two honorable men and telling a story filled with sweet remembrances.” Read Lisbeth’s essay here.

Gold Award: Service Feature for “Immerse in Public Art” by Mike Sonksen

Judges: “The writer quickly establishes their background and expertise in this topic, then leads readers on a wonderful tour of various public art installations throughout Los Angeles. The feature is packed with reporting about each piece’s history and significance, and all the information parents need to hop in the car for a day – or more – of art adventures.” Read Mike’s story here.

Gold Award: For Overall Writing

For this overall writing category, the entries were the July/August 2023, September/October 2022 and November/December 2022 issues. Writers in these issues: Cassandra Lane (editor in chief), Elena Epstein (creative director), Teena Apeles, Tracy Martin, Cherie Cofer, Sherri McGee McCovey, Jamie Mayes, Anna Gregory, Sehba Sarwar, Katie Moore, Chelsee Lowe, Mike Sonksen, Tonilyn Hornung, Gregory Keer, Thea Fiore-Bloom, Lisbeth Coiman, Margot Black, Nina Harada (digital editor).

Judges: “The writing is so comfortable and easy to manage for busy readers that browsing through the magazine is definitely a pleasure. Interesting angles, compelling leads and inventive personal touches give both blurbs and stories a stylish edge.” Stories in these magazines can be found throughout the website.

Gold Award: For Website General Excellence

“This encompasses content and design, and it’s a huge win, given the competition,” says Publisher Ron Epstein. The L.A. Parent website is laparent.com.

Judges: “With colorful photos, on-brand creative advertising and innovative design, this website is a place where an audience would want to stay and engage. From features on banned book authors to articles on gender diversity and artificial intelligence, parents can keep coming back to learn more about the topics they care about. The website is user-friendly and has an overall great balance of different kinds of stories.”

Silver Award: Travel Feature for “Postcards from Europe” by Annette Arreola

Judges: “This is an engaging first-person account of traveling to Europe as a family, with a wealth of useful tips to pass along to readers. The good advice covers juggling multiple bags, finding well-stocked grocery stores, and navigating public transportation in major cities. Examples of child-friendly attractions are a bonus, including the best playground in Paris. It is altogether a worthwhile read.” Read Annette’s story here.

Bronze Award: News Feature for “Addressing Youth Violence” by Sehba Sarwar

Judges: “This thoughtful essay about youth violence is backed by solid reporting and telling statistics.” Read Sehba’s feature here.

Bronze Award: General Feature Writing for “Plant Tats” by Michelle Dowd

Judges: “Men may have worn the first tattoos, but this group of women has found that inking their bodies with images of nature is a spiritual pursuit that centers their life. This tale unfolds as a personal journey and broadens to include the stories of other women who have used tattoos to redefine their lives.” Read Michelle’s essay here.

Bronze Award: Special Section within a Publication for Family Travel Coverage

Writers in this May/June 2023 issue: Elena Epstein, Cassandra Lane, Nina Harada, Annette Arreola, Wendy Paris, Margot Black, Chelsee Lowe, Mia Taylor.

Judges: “This package about the restorative joy of travel shines thanks to stories that share first- person experiences, including tips and tricks for family travel. The anchor story comes from a broadcast reporter who spent several months traveling with her family through Europe. Other stories include spotlights on travel locations such as Vancouver and Vail. The writing in these pieces are descriptive and informative, with lots of actionable insights included along the way.” Stories from this issue can be found under “family travel” on laparent.com.

Congratulations, L.A. Parent team! Always, we’re eternally grateful to our staff, contributors, readers, sources and partners.

Cassandra Lane is editor in chief of L.A. Parent.

When the Turkeys Get to Feast

Published November 5, 2023

Cassandra Lane

It’s turkey time again, and at Farm Sanctuary that means turkeys get to feast instead of getting gobbled. The farm will give rescued turkeys a seat at the table as their human counterparts go vegan during this year’s “Celebration for the Turkeys” on Nov. 18.

Since 1986, the world’s first farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization has flipped the script on Thanksgiving by hosting an event that honors the famous birds while they’re still alive and clucking.

This year’s celebration comes at a time when bird flu, officially known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, has resurfaced on commercial poultry farms in the U.S. after being absent since April. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 58.8 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been wiped out by the disease since 2022, with nearly 46 million more turkeys slated to be killed in the U.S. for Thanksgiving.

“It’s more fun and more compassionate to celebrate the holiday with turkeys as our friends, instead of eating them,” says Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s president and co-founder. The event will feature plant-based food, a virtual turkey feeding (because of the bird flu), speaker presentations and open sanctuary time with other rescued animals. “Celebration for the Turkeys” will take place 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 18 at Farm Sanctuary, 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, Acton.

You can also “adopt” one of the birds through the organization’s Adopt a Turkey campaign. More at farmsanctuary.org.

Sweet Serenity: Student Wellness Rooms Get Upgraded

Published November 4, 2023

Cassandra Lane

Cucumber water on tap. Soft, fluffy bean bags that feel like body hugs. The sound of a soothing waterfall. The serene spirit of the spa has slipped into schools in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), and officials say these expanded “wellness rooms” have created a wave of calm in students across the district.

PHOTOS COURTESY PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

“A campus wellness room staffed with a qualified, caring wellness teacher creates an
immediate response to students’ social-emotional needs,” says Julianne Reynoso, PUSD’s assistant superintendent of Student Wellness and Support Services. “These rooms invite students to relax for a short time and reflect on how to improve school interactions.”

PUSD schools have repurposed pre-existing spaces into rooms that include aromatherapy, soothing sounds, calm lighting, kinetic sand, slime, fidget toys, lemon or cucumber water, bean bag chairs and murals. Experienced Response to Intervention (RTI) teachers and behavior specialists staff the peaceful rooms. While PUSD has provided wellness professionals at all sites for years, previously these calm rooms were also used for discipline, whereas the current spaces are not.

McKinley School specialists handle a wide range of issues for elementary and middle
school students. Behavior teacher Linda Ortega says the rooms offer a safe place for kids to regroup, usually for 10-15 minutes. “I have seen some positive changes in the students,” Ortega says. “They’re taking a minute to think about how they should react when someone is making fun of them or when they’re getting bullied on the playground. I’m working with them on coping strategies, [such as asking], ‘What can you do in lieu of putting your hands on another child?’”

“I think it’s really cool,” says Kai, a 5th grader at Sierra Madre Elementary School. “ I really like the bean bags and the lights and the smell…and all the stuff you can do when you need to get your energy out or calm down.”

All PUSD Student Wellness and Support Services can be found at pusd.us/wellness.

HyperX Gaming Lounge: A Gamer’s Paradise in Cancun

Published November 3, 2023

By Terance Gerard Joseph Jr.

I flew into Cancun for one reason and one reason only: to test out the new HyperX Gaming Lounge in Hard Rock Hotel’s Riviera Maya in Cancun.

I didn’t know what to expect, and I actually preferred it that way. Taking gaming seriously since my father brought home Super Mario Brothers in the ‘80s, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

As my cab sped past the beautiful Cancun landscape, I talked on the phone with my teenage son, onto whom I have successfully passed the gamer bug. We talked about Apex, Fortnite and all the other games that we would compete in online once I arrived at the HyperX Lounge. “Just give me a few minutes to get settled in,” I assured him. “Then, we can play!”

As we arrived onto the hotel grounds at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the resort. From the fountains to the lush greenery to the many pools and saunas, paradise feels tangible.

But I was a man on a mission: “Focus, Terance!”

Overview of the resort. PHOTO COURTESY HARD ROCK HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA

While checking into my room in one of the hotel’s two massive lobbies, I was instantly drawn to the smells of delicious Mexican cuisine. A number of restaurants and bars are hidden amongst the classic Rock n’ Roll memorabilia, including a jacket actually worn by Elvis, one of Elton John’s many gaudy head pieces and a custom guitar designed and used by Carlos Santana.

I didn’t even make it to my room before I was sipping a cappuccino and chatting it up with fellow music lovers admiring a classic guitar amp near a vest Jimi Hendrix once wore.

After about an hour, I hurried to my room to put my bags down, fighting to ignore the spacious balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the complimentary wine and hot tub in the room (because what’s more Rock n’ Roll than that!?). I skimmed it all and headed to the HyperX Lounge. A man on a mission!

En route, I passed three different pools and two beaches with numerous canopies and each with its own bar and music playing. I stopped to grab a drink and take in the majestic view. It would have been rude not to, right? The tropical climate makes even the ocean water warm. Warm enough to sit and put your feet in. You see where I’m going with this?

After about three drinks, four sing-alongs and toes shriveled to raisins, I finally check the time. At this moment, I remember I have a dinner reservation at Frida, the Mexican restaurant I smelled earlier. This is OK. My reservation is at 7:30 p.m., and the HyperX Lounge should still be open after. No sweat.

Cue sweat.

After indulging in wines and tequilas native to the region, I enjoyed chicken flautas that rival any I’ve ever tasted. For the main course, I had barbacoa de res, Hidalgo-style shredded beef cooked slowly with avocado leaves. I capped these flavors off with a sweet house wine. “Perfecto!”

After a few photos with the staff, more tequila and a delicious chocolate dessert, I glanced at my watch to discover that the HyperX lounge would close in one hour — definitely not enough time to take in the true gaming experience. I instead retired to my room for the night — tanned, stuffed and absolutely disappointed with myself…but the free drinks (found at numerous locations around the resort) help.

Day 2: A Man on a mission (again)

The next morning, alarm set, clothes set aside, breakfast ordered for the room, I was, again, a man on a mission. HyperX Lounge opened at 10 a.m. Coffee in hand, I arrived at 10:01 a.m., alert and ready.

The HyperX gaming Lounge is part of a larger entertainment experience known as Vibe City, which includes not only the gaming lounge, but also laser tag, a bowling alley, an area for small children known as Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club and a giant acrobatic foam pit (which was still under construction when I was there in October). The building housing Vibe City is squarely pressed against a self-contained water park, Rockaway Bay Water Park. As a parent, I thought, “Oh, this is where you can drop your children off for a while!” We love them, but squeezing in a little child-free vacation time is always a bonus.

A staffer named Charl greeted me at the gaming lounge. We joked about me trying to stop by the previous day but getting distracted by so many amazing amenities. He was, in fact, surprised that I arrived so early on day two. He figured I would have spent all night at one of the resort’s nightclubs. The resort is split into two sides — Heaven, which has night clubs and bars and an aesthetic designed with adults in mind, and The Hacienda, the side design with families in mind.

The first thing noticed in the gaming lounge are the high-performance gaming PCs (personal computers). Nine of them to be exact. PCs are the future of gaming, and HyperX’s are top of the line!

The lounge also includes:

Three Xbox Series X.
Two Nintendo Switches
A VR station with the latest HyperX peripherals (Here is where I spent most of my time!)

This latest VR (Virtual Reality) addition offers an enhanced experience for any type of gamer. For example: After playing a game called Propagation, a first-person Zombie shooter, I, dripping sweat, retired only to sit for the next hour watching children ranging from the ages of 9 to 13 play more age-appropriate VR games such as Gorilla Tag and ROBLOX (ask your kids about these titles). I spent the rest of the afternoon playing Fortnite with my 16 year old son, still in Los Angeles, and challenging other hotel guests to Mario Kart races.

Rockaway Bay Water Park. PHOTO COURTESY HARD ROCK HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA

Another fun activity put on by the lounge are weekly video game tournaments held on a giant screen in the main lobby of the hotel. That same night, I participated in a Mario Kart tournament. Trophies and prizes are handed out to the winners and even onlookers are met with an incredible gaming experience. I was beaten by a 10-year-old girl and her father who were visiting from England in the semi-finals.

There really is something for all gamers, casual and pro. Hyper X’s motto is “We’re all gamers and HyperX is always ready to game. See you in the queue.”

Day 3: The return

Coffee in hand, I returned to Vibe City the following morning, 10 a.m. sharp. I played a few rounds of Halo on the Xbox X series and chatted more with HyperX staff. What started off as me inquiring more about the layout of the lounge evolved into us geeking out over all of the available games in the lounge. We eventually exchanged gamer tags for battles in Fortnite and Mario Kart. I spent the rest of the morning taking in the amenities of Vibe City, including laser tag, bowling with my new banner buddies and a slipping in a few slides down the water slide at the water park.

The writer with his new friends. PHOTOS BY TERANCE GERARD JOSEPH JR.

That evening, I made reservations at Toro, the hotel’s steakhouse. I enjoyed a rare steak with vegetables and red wine before heading back to my hotel room to change clothes and head over to the adults-only side of the resort. I spent my last night at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya dancing the night away.

After taking the tram that runs back and forth between both sides of the hotel, I retired to my room for one more night in the hot tub and a good night’s rest.

I awoke the next morning to room service and messages from all of my new friends, including the family from England that kicked my butt in Mario art.

As I headed to the airport, I sent text messages and pictures to my partner and kids exclaiming how we had to take a family trip to the resort, which, in my opinion, is the best review any getaway can garner.

Creating a World Where Everyone Can Have Friends

Published November 2, 2023

My twin, Troy, can make anyone laugh, especially me. But at school, he often sits isolated. To address the isolation that Troy and so many other kids experience, my sister and I co-founded Friend in Me, a social group that connects kids with disabilities and neurotypical student volunteers through weekly conversations and fun and free online games via Zoom.

We drew inspiration for the name from the iconic theme of my brother’s favorite movie, “Toy Story,” which he calls “Troy Story.”

Troy loves knock-knock jokes. Zach is obsessed with the 50 states game, while Azzie is fascinated by black holes. Yet, in Friend in Me, they all find connection. I love hearing from parents how Friend in Me has given their children their first friendships.

It’s equally rewarding to transform the thinking of our volunteers. Their perspectives about the neurodiverse community change as they get to know their buddies’ unique personalities and strengths. Mine did, too.

“My son, Jack, is nonverbal and speaks by typing into a voice generator,” a parent explained. Since I partner with kids that need the most support, I volunteered to take him. I’m so glad I did. Jack blew away all my preconceived notions. He had a sharp wit, a girlfriend before I did and the skills to beat me at chess almost every week.

From Alec’s epic Scrabble victories to Gilberto’s hilarious Zoom names to Wyatt’s beatboxing in the main room, our sessions have been the highlight of my week. Starting with only six members, now more than 800 kids have joined nationwide. However, over the last year I learned how much our service is needed outside our borders.

Near the beginning of this year, an email arrived from Marguerite Biboum, president of Fondation Les Anges du Ciel, a Cameroonian nonprofit for disabled kids, asking about our service. I was shocked to learn that the neurodiverse there are considered possessed by the devil or a divine punishment for their parents’ sins, resulting in their isolation, mistreatment or worse. I had planned to expand Friend in Me internationally, but not in a developing country with another language. However, hearing these stories inspired me to expand Friend in Me to help dispel these dangerous myths.

After seven months of preparation, we launched Angeti, the first service of its kind in Cameroon. Like Friend in Me, Angeti offers kids with disabilities free online games and conversation once a week with a volunteer or therapist over Zoom. We also offer free education and training from U.S. experts to help their parents manage behaviors and participate in our service.

Learning about the deep-rooted prejudices neurodiverse kids face there was deeply humbling, leaving me with both guilt and gratification. Their struggles, amplified by intense stigmas and misconceptions, are a grim reminder of how society fears the unfamiliar. Yet, I’m optimistic that our efforts will help change perceptions and champion neurodiversity there and beyond.

Before Friend in Me and Angeti, my sense of friendship had been largely limited to kids from my school and neighborhood. I now realize, in the most personal way, that the human need for connection knows no borders.

Drew Sansing, along with his sister, Julia Sansing, is a co-founder of Friend in Me. To learn more, or sign up to participate or volunteer, visit friendinmegroup.org.

Memories in the Making

Published November 1, 2023

By Chelsee Lowe

As parents, we experience the holidays through a double lens — how we celebrated when we were children and how we orchestrate festivities for our own families now. Sometimes, we replace childhood traditions with ones that resonate more deeply with who we are today, but the focus remains the same: spending time together to create memories full of love and joy for all.

And what do the kids think of our potlucks and parties and family activities? We asked 12 local kids to share — in their own words — one of their favorite holiday traditions. Perhaps they will be the ones that stick around for years to come, and maybe they’ll inspire you to incorporate something new into your seasonal celebrations.

12 Kids, 12 Traditions

Starting on Dec. 1, instead of using a chocolate advent calendar, my family and I use a kindness calendar. Every day in December, we pick out a card, then we read it, and there is a kind deed, like, “Bake sweets for neighbors” or “Call a grandparent.” The fun part is we all help write the cards. Each of us writes a few, then we shuffle the cards and put them in. This activity is really helpful, yet it is still fun. I would suggest it to families that love to help out or love the spirit of the holiday season. –Rose S., age 9

Every Christmas, my parents and I go to Mumbai, India, the place where my extended family lives. I spend the holiday in sunny 90 degrees Fahrenheit, not in freezing, white, [blanket of] snow. I eat saffron-cardamom-infused mithai (Indian sweets) instead of gingerbread cookies. But one common theme is making amazing family memories. Laughing around at dinner, eating saag paneer, playing cricket or watching Bollywood movies are all bonding moments. I look forward to India and Christmas, and I hope to continue this tradition for generations to come. –Shaan D., age 10

A spinning candy bowl. PHOTO COURTESY OLIVIA L. & FAMILY

My favorite family holiday tradition is the food my family cooks, particularly the candied yams. Ever since I’ve been alive, I’ve remembered my mother or grandmother cooking this dish every Thanksgiving and Christmas. I truly feel like our family’s recipe is the best out there, and no soul food restaurants can compete. This recipe has been passed to family members throughout the generations. Earlier this year, my grandma flew from the South to California, and while she was here, she taught me how to cut and cook the yams. There is a special ingredient in the way we prepare the yams, the secret behind why it is so good. While I was born and raised in L.A., I always feel like I have dual citizenship because my mom and grandma are from Louisiana. –Solomon R., age 16

The night before Lunar New Year, we take out a special red dish that spins like a lazy Susan. We fill it up with candy, but it is not the candy you would see on Halloween, like M&Ms or Nerds; it’s Asian candy like White Rabbit, Hi-Chew and these Japanese rice paper jelly squares that are a personal favorite. In the morning, everyone wakes up to the smell of sweets, and me and my sister each take one candy (though it’s more like six) to bring a sweet start to the New Year. I really enjoy this tradition because it’s something that feels special to my family, and I get to start the day (and year) with something tasty and sweet. –Olivia L., age 11

My family celebrates Swedish Christmas with our grandparents and uncles and aunts because my grandfather, who I call PopPop, is Swedish. We get together and eat Swedish pancakes. They’re like a mix of the pancakes you know and crepes. We put whip cream and strawberries on top. My grandfather also makes limpa, a Swedish bread with raisins in it. It takes him days to make, and it’s very tasty with butter on top. It’s nice to celebrate his culture. –Ava C., age 12

One holiday tradition I enjoy is collecting handmade papier-mâché Santas with my mom. We started collecting them seven years ago on a trip to New York City. We saw a beautiful display of Santas in a shop. The first one we bought wore a pretty red velvet coat with faux fur around the edges. Every December since then, we have picked out a unique-looking Santa to add to our collection. I love this time of year because it’s fun to get the Santas out of the attic and rediscover the ones we picked from all the years before. We place them on the mantle or in the living room. –Ensley B., age 10

A kindness-themed advent calendar. PHOTO COURTESY ROSE S. & FAMILY

My family celebrates Chinese New Year every year, and before we celebrate, we clean our house. What I do to help Mommy and Daddy is to throw away trash and objects that we don’t need. By cleaning the house, we sweep away old frustrating problems. Also, it’s important to shower before midnight, because when your hair falls out, it means you will lose money (the Chinese word for “hair” also means “fortune”). If you’re bald, you’re considered safe because you have no hair. –Ayden T., age 10

This Japanese tradition at the new year is special to many Japanese people, including my family. It starts by buying mochi (not mochi ice cream) with a figurine on top. The figures change with each coming year; for example, the snake, cow, rabbit, et cetera. On Dec. 31, we stay up until midnight. While the anticipation rises, we cook soba, which is seen as a sign for a long life, and we cook mochi, douse it in a sweet sauce and wrap it in seaweed to serve. We have a late-night dinner and rejoice with the coming of the new year. –Olive S., age 11

Book holiday tree. PHOTO COURTESY BODHI S. & FAMILY

In our home, there is always something new and interesting to read, and the majority of our free time is spent curled up on the couch with a good book. Our family tradition for Christmas truly showcases our love for reading. We have made a Christmas tree out of books for about eight years, first in 2015 because my mom didn’t want to buy a live tree. Instead, she suggested that we build a tree together out of something we already had plenty of, like books. Each year, our tree looks a little bit different, but walking into a room and seeing it with all of its shining lights and ornaments gives us so much pride and joy. It’s a tradition we are very proud to call ours. –Bodhi S., age 12

Dec. 5th is Saint Nicholas Day, and we leave wooden shoes by the fireplace. They are clogs from our amma (grandma), whose ancestors are from the Netherlands. Santa comes and stuffs the shoes with candy and toys. We usually get chocolate coins and a chocolate orange, and we like it because it is basically candy after Halloween! –Liam & Hunter P., ages 7 and 8

Wooden Shoe Day. PHOTO COURTESY LIAM & HUNTER P. & FAMILY

Every Hanukkah, my grandparents come to visit from New York. We have dinner, and it’s really fun, and my grandma from here comes, too. My favorite thing we eat is latkes. I put applesauce on top. Safta, which is “grandma” in Hebrew, makes them, and they’re so good. And on the first day of Hanukkah, I light the candle. I go first because I like to, and I help my little brother Dean “help” with the lighting. –Izzy M., age 10

One of my family traditions is the Greek Vasilopita bread. The Vasilopita is a New Year’s tradition, when a Greek grandmother bakes a sweet bread, placing a coin in the dough before the bread is baked. The bread is divided into pieces, starting with Jesus, then the house and then oldest to youngest. Everyone gets a piece, and they rapidly search through their piece of bread. Whoever has the coin is going to have a lucky year. If the house or Jesus gets the coin, everyone is blessed. I’m fortunate to have gotten the coin twice, and so far it’s worked out! –Madeline K., age 11

Chelsee Lowe is a travel and food writer and frequent contributor to L.A. Parent.

How to Survive the Holidays

Published November 1, 2023

By Lisbeth Coiman

The last time I hosted a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I almost lost my oldest son’s respect. After two glasses of wine, my tongue unleashed itself in front of my two adult sons, my new daughter-in-law, my husband, his relatives and their young children. The next day, my eldest son and his wife rose before dawn and left the house unannounced. When I reached him over the phone, he swore never to sit with me at a table again.

I was devastated. But I already knew that the holidays are not always cheerful, especially when on the verge of divorce.

According to Fernando Burgos, who served as a police officer in Santa Ana before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist, “Thanksgiving is by far the busiest day of the year for law enforcement. People who barely tolerate each other sit around a table and start drinking. By 10 p.m., they want to kill each other. That’s when domestic violence calls start pouring in.”

Managing children’s expectations

After her daughter was born, Alice used to go all out for the holidays. She would decorate her house in Palos Verdes, cook lovely Chinese meals and lavish everyone with gifts. However, behind the glittery façade, Alice hid the burden of an emotionally abusive relationship.

“He is so charming [that] nobody would believe he had this other personality when it was just the two of us,” she says. When Alice filed for divorce, she and her now-ex-husband were cordial with each other, but their daughter didn’t take the separation well. Because her parents had kept the abuse hidden from her, she blamed Alice for the failed marriage.

Sofia Mendoza, a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of experience, says that in these cases, validation is key in the parent-child relationship because:

1. We are helping children learn to identify their emotions.

2. Being validated helps them feel connected and listened to and

3. It fosters a healthy response to communication between

the family.

To help manage our children’s expectations of the holiday season, Burgos suggests pre-planning. There is some certainty in telling the child, “I understand you are upset because Mommy/Daddy is not going to be here for Christmas, but we are going to do ABC, and we are going to have a good time,” he says. In addition, communicate with the other side of the family about their plans to spend time with the child.

Such clear-laid plans are reassuring for the child and can pave the way for creating new family traditions — watching Christmas movies together or skating at the rinks in Santa Monica or Pershing Square, for instance.

Mendoza also has a workbook with a curated list of family-friendly activities for those on a low budget. These activities are meant to promote connection while celebrating the holidays. Whether creating a happy memory/gratitude jar or watching the Christmas tree lighting at the Music Center or menorah lighting at the Culver Steps, allow your child to participate in the decision making.

Both Burgos and Mendoza stress the importance of being ready to soothe the children if they are upset about the reality of the holidays. Alice, for instance, understands that she can’t tie her emotions to her daughter’s outbursts, so she gives her permission and space to express herself.

Radical acceptance of my new reality

I left my ex-husband soon after that “memorable” Thanksgiving. Then, I went through a period of reflection.

Those were lonely years I spent hoping my son would forgive me for showing the ugly side of the family to his

new bride. One year, I rented a cabin in the San Bernardino mountains and spent New Year’s Eve hiking. Another year, I was alone and cooked an elaborate meal all throughout Christmas Eve. Now, I have a long list of strategies to compensate for the cultural demand for joy during this part of the year.

On Thanksgiving in 2020, my children and I shared a dinner over Zoom. Awkward and delayed, it was the best

we could do in the dire circumstances of that first pandemic year. I keep the screen shot of the occasion: four smiling faces framed in three rectangles, champagne flutes raised. The image captures the resilience of a family who didn’t succumb to despair and kept a bright spirit through a dark period.

The word ‘family’ is fluid

When my children were young and we lived in a small town in Oklahoma, we invited other immigrant families or people who were alone for the holidays.

Guests poured in dressed for a party, carrying their own traditional dishes and sharing their own holiday stories. The children received a free lesson in multiculturalism while we provided an international version of an extended family. At the very least, we all learned that the dinner doesn’t have to include turkey — and it doesn’t have to be handmade.

Carolina Solorio, an Angeleno with more than a decade of experience in entertainment, knows about having a good time with or without family. She gets emotional recalling her cherished childhood memories of Las Posadas for Christmas. In Mexican tradition, a group of friends will knock on the door on Christmas Eve and ask if they can stay there. The host must answer, “I give you Posada,” and a potluck party ensues. Las Posadas have been part of Olvera Street since 1930.

If you find yourself alone for a holiday (perhaps the kids are with their other parent), attend events and gatherings without worrying about being the odd one out. Last year, I felt honored to be invited to a friend’s Thanksgiving dinner, and all I had to do to have a good time was bring a present and watch my manners.

Get rid of toxicity

After my unleashed-tongue lesson, I became adamant about curating my personal space. Nobody sits with me at a table who doesn’t have the intention of sharing joy. There might be 100 excuses to accept meeting with toxic in-laws, but there is no better excuse than “I don’t want to.”

If your partner doesn’t understand, then there is something fundamentally wrong in the partnership that needs revisiting. But that’s a topic for another article.

Plan ahead

I don’t wait until the third week of December to think about what to do. That’s how people get depressed. I am proactive in the pursuit of joy. In Los Angeles, the possibilities of multicultural experiences are endless.

Instead of Black Friday, a nice day at the beach with the kids or at the park to test that new bike are excellent choices for a family who needs to watch their expenses. Last year, I went hiking with a Sierra Club group to La Puente Hills in Hacienda Heights. It was totally free, and I made a new group of friends.

In Lynwood, Plaza Mexico celebrates Christmas with dancers and musicians. Solorio’s eyes sparkle when speaking about the colorful parades in L.A. County. From Pasadena to San Pedro, there seems to be a parade in every area of our city. They are not all affiliated with Christmas. The Crenshaw District often fills with music and color for a Kwanzaa parade and the Skirball Center has hosted Hanukkah festivals.

For adults on their own, like me, Solorio says many venues celebrate during the entire season. SoHo Dance LA has a Christmas gala. The Golden Rose in Buena Park celebrates Christmas with a big party. Steven Steakhouse in Commerce City serves dinner and has the best salsa party in town.

This year, Alice’s daughter will join her father and his extended family for Thanksgiving in another state — and Alice welcomes the opportunity to reflect and plan her next steps.

On Christmas in 2022, both my sons and my daughter-in-law came to visit. We went to a bar to enjoy a conversation over cocktails before picking up my daughter-in-law’s mother at the airport. Then, we had a non-traditional Christmas dinner at a Thai restaurant in Long Beach. They left the next day for their home cities. All the sorrows I had endured in the years following my divorce were worth every second of that unassuming familial moment.

Burgos says that the antidote for the holiday blues is to “enter the experience without expectations. Be present, witness and participate fully, thinking, ‘We are going to have a good time.’”

When the fireworks in my neighborhood announced the start of 2023, I poured myself a glass of champagne and said a toast, wishing my children and myself prosperity and health in the year to come. Then, I sat down and read a book.

I am content.

Lisbeth Coiman is a bilingual writer from Venezuela. She is the author of “I Asked the Blue Heron: A Memoir” and “Uprising / Alzamiento” (Finishing Line Press).

Oui, Oui: French Food in Inglewood

Published October 31, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

Cynthia Wiley with her daughter, Sacha, who also loves to cook. PHOTOS COURTESY CYNTHIA WILEY

You know the drill. Your workday has just ended, and you are now spinning inside the usual kaleidoscope of evening duties — homework help, the kids’ sports practice, your own workout (if you’re lucky) and OMG-what’s-for dinner panic.

On one such frenetic evening, I rushed to a little strip mall in Inglewood because it’s where I can find the closest Thai food. My eyes scanned the couple of Ethiopian and Jamaican restaurants, nail shop and hip fashion boutiques also housed in the strip mall before falling on a new sign with a photo of the Eiffel Tower and the words “Crème Brulee LA” blazoned across it. The smaller words underneath confirmed that this storefront is, indeed, a new French bakery, café and restaurant. And it is the first and only of its kind in Inglewood, the owner and chef, Cynthia Wiley, told me after I all but skipped over.

French music bubbled out of the speakers. Chalk menu boards promised croissant sandwiches, omelets, chouquettes, pain au chocolat, Moroccan couscous, jambon beurre and more. Because I had preordered the Thai, I opted for just a couple of madeleines — pillowy, buttery goodness — from the pastry case. I vowed to return, but before I left, Wiley slipped a sliver of her quiche Lorraine, flaky and tender, creamy with just the right touch of smokiness, onto a saucer for me, and I ate it standing in the middle of the small café.

When I returned a few months later, she whipped me up a serving of crème brulee (a customer favorite) and cappuccino, and it was through this sweet portal that I learned more of her culinary story, which started in Paris, where Wiley was born and grew up. While she is not a classically trained chef, she was raised by an immaculate home cook who had a deep curiosity about the world and its food stories. “My mother was from Guadalupe,” says Wiley, “but she worked for Air France and came to Paris, where she met my father, who was a professional boxer from Africa. France is where I consider people to be culinary privileged. You know, we’re surrounded by a lot of great food, the art of cooking, really.

“My mother used to watch all these cooking shows, like the French equivalent of Julia Childs, and cooking was our thing to do together, she says. “She always was interested in trying anything. She had mastered all the Caribbean recipes. Then, she learned a lot of the French recipes — all the classics, like coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, all of that. And she learned recipes from my dad’s country.”

When Wiley moved to Los Angeles in 2007, becoming a restaurateur was nowhere on her goals radar. But in 2013, after having cooked countless meals that filled the bellies of her friends, those friends started pestering her about opening her kitchen up to a wider audience. “I had divorced. I was 33 and was working at an office job at a shipping company. Somebody asked me: ‘What were you doing when you were 5?’ They say whatever you were loving to do at 5 is what you are meant to do as an adult, because at 5, your mind is still free.

“When I was 5, I used to bring food from my house in those little [empty] sour cream containers for my friends to try even before first grade. I was doing that: bringing food for my friends to share.”

Shortly after her reflections on her childhood, a friend hired Wiley to cater a meal at his company, launching a side hustle that morphed into more jobs, renting booths at farmers markets, landing a role as the chef for a rehab treatment and wellness center in Malibu for teens (where she made them, among other goodies, a ratatouille they devoured) and, eventually, to opening inside her first brick-and-mortar location last year.

“I ended up finding it through Craigslist,” says Wiley, still incredulous. The rent was steep for her at $3,000 a month, but a friend lent her $10,000 and she started a fundraiser. (At press time, Wiley was faced with negotiating to purchase the building where Crème Brulee LA is located — or the possibility of having to find a new location).

Crème Brulee LA’s grand opening was Nov. 5, the third anniversary of the day Wiley’s mother died. And while business has seen its ups and downs, Wiley has expanded by offering summer cooking classes for kids and private cooking classes for families, couples or anyone interested in learning how to prepare French dishes. Email cremebruleela@gmail.com to sign up.

Wiley’s daughter, 14-year-old Sacha, sometimes serves as her mom’s sous chef for the classes. Sacha speaks French fluently and started cooking on her mother’s stove when she was 3, continuing — and expanding — her family’s culinary traditions.

The recipe Wiley shares here, Gratin Dauphinois, or scalloped potatoes au gratin, is a perfect holiday side dish that Wiley promises “anybody could do even if they’re not a big cook.”

Gratin Dauphinois

Serves 4-6

6 large russet potatoes

1 ½ pint heavy cream

1 cup shredded mozzarella (or any

cheese of your choice)

1 garlic clove

1 tablespoon grated parmesan

1 teaspoon butter

Salt

Pepper

Ground nutmeg

Chopped parsley or chives for garnish

Equipment:

A large bowl of cold water

A saucepan or small pot

Ideally, a 9-inch cast iron skillet; otherwise, any oven-safe dish (ceramic or glass over metal dish)

Foil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peel and slice the potatoes (no thicker than ¼-inch slices). As you go, reserve in cold water to prevent browning.

In a saucepan, mix heavy cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg, Heat to medium; it doesn’t need to boil.

Butter your skillet or baking dish, rub your crushed garlic glove on it, then sprinkle the grated parmesan.

Put the sliced potatoes in the buttered pan, then pour the heated cream over it. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese.

Cover tightly with the foil and bake in preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until potatoes are tender. Remove the

foil, then place the pan back in the oven, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until cheese is browning.

Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes for any liquids to set. Serve with freshly chopped parsley or chives.

Bon appetit!

A Holiday Wish

Published October 31, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

So far, the 2020s have been no cakewalk. Or, as one of my favorite podcasters (who’s usually a bouncing ball of optimism) said: “The world’s a freakin’ dumpster fire floating down the river.”

She was discussing the Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed thousands of lives on both sides — fresh atrocities on top of ongoing ones in the Ukraine and other parts of the world. I saw a professor of history tweet that she was finding it increasingly difficult to “just carry on as if it’s another day.”

Yet time marches on, and here we are, approaching another holiday season. How do we celebrate when dread invades the place where anticipation used to reside?

By late October, I had nary a plan set for the holidays and harbored a sneaky suspicion that it might stay that way. Months earlier, my youngest sister, who recently built a beautiful farmhouse in the middle of a bunch of acres in the middle of nowhere in rural Maryland, begged the family to come visit for Thanksgiving. But another sibling and I, who disagree profoundly on some
political and ideological issues, had a spat, and that drained my enthusiasm over getting together.

We love to wax with perplexity over war. “I just don’t understand it,” we say. But conflict starts in each individual person. Inside that word — individual — hides another: divide. And within the coldness of division, we can fall prey to cutting “the other” off, shutting them out. I have done it. You have done it.

Consider that family member you don’t like. Or neighbor. Or at colleague. What was the conflict that broke the camel’s back? In my case, I can tell when I feel thoroughly justified in my stance. A wall goes up. A door closes. A line in the sand is drawn.

For this issue, I asked poet Lisbeth Coiman to write a different kind of holiday story than what we usually explore. I asked her to write about how tough this holiday season can be for some, whether dealing with a nasty divorce, difficult in-laws (and there’s always multiple sides to a story), financial struggles or unmet expectations. I assigned the story before this most recent war, yet it inspires self-reflection that can be applied to a variety of conflicts.

When war is raging in another part of the world, it’s easy to stay absorbed in our “safe” corners and assume such unthinkable horror will never touch us. That history will never repeat itself. The history professor knows better.

Believing we can save the world is the stuff of childhood dreams. But perhaps this is a holiday season where we can take at least a step in opening a closed door — even if that door is inside our minds and hearts. And I do hope it’s a season where weapons are laid down and peace talks step up — across dinner tables and borders.

You know who doesn’t care about our feuds? Our children, the unborn and those who are already gone.

Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent.

How to Help Kids Overcome Stage Fright

Published October 30, 2023

By Sarah Garcia

With Halloween coming up, there’s no better time than to address a very real fear for many kids: stage fright. Even if kids aren’t actively in involved in the arts, stage fright can still be a regular occurrence for kids, whether they’re giving a class presentation, have a role in church — or even knocking on someone’s door during trick or treating.

Here are six tips to help your kids overcome stage fright and other times they’re in front of audiences.

Host mock auditions: Have your child perform all of their audition materials in front of you, other family members and/or friends. Mock auditions are great opportunities for them to experience running through everything with a little bit of nerves, but in a supportive environment. (And mock trick-or-treating? How fun!)
Teach easy-to-learn breath work. This may sound simple, but taking deep breaths helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. Have your child breathe in for a count of four seconds, hold for a count of four seconds, then breathe out slowly for four seconds. Repeat four times.
Ahead of time, have them envision a safe place that they can close their eyes and retreat to before the performance. They can imagine their favorite beach or being at home, surrounded by their family.
Monkey around, and have them eat a snack of a banana before their audition. The potassium in the banana will help stop muscles from shaking. (And I recommend no caffeine before performing!)
Continue to reiterate the power of positive thinking. Remind them that this is something that they truly love to do! Be their biggest supporter. There are critics everywhere — you might be surprised. Make sure that you are their biggest advocate, supporter and fan. Stay positive!
Focus on the art vs. the stage. Making music is such a beautiful opportunity to step into connection and communication, to become a vessel for a lyric, a conduit for a melody. Stage fright has less of an opportunity to interfere with a person who is more concerned with telling a story than being on stage. When the act of performance becomes secondary to the practice of sharing art, we can release fear.

We all want our children to be confident, and studies repeatedly demonstrate music education can help a child build confidence and their own unique identity. Though never required, performing in front of peers and at recitals provides a great opportunity to practice public speaking, presentation and communication skills. If you have children in your life who struggle with “stage fright,” encourage these small steps that will lead to big effects, boosting their confidence while building resiliency.

Sarah Garcia is session vocalist and guitarist, music teacher at Green Brooms Music Academy. An L.A. native, she is passionate about making music and creating space for others to do the same in supportive and joyful community. A lifelong student herself, she began piano lessons at 4 and guitar lessons 10 years later, picking up other stringed instruments along the way, including bass guitar, ukulele, mandolin, fiddle and banjo.

Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Published October 12, 2023

By Kjirsten Carlson, M.D.

Breast cancer surgeons like me have noticed a startling trend lately: Younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer more often. I’ve seen it in my practice, and it’s been backed up by recent data.

According to a new population-based study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network, the incidence rates of early onset cancers — in women younger than 50 — increased substantially from 2010 to 2019, and breast cancer had the highest number of cases.

Unfortunately, being diagnosed at younger ages means that a woman may be diagnosed during her reproductive years — specifically during pregnancy or immediately after giving birth (postpartum). Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is defined as breast cancer diagnosed either during pregnancy or within one year of giving birth. It accounts for approximately 20% of breast cancers diagnosed in women 25-29.

These more advanced and aggressive pregnancy-associated cancers pose many challenges for me and my medical colleagues. They also give rise to many fears and anxieties for young mothers who ask, Which treatments can I undergo while pregnant or breastfeeding? What effect will this have on my baby? Did I do something wrong to cause the cancer?

First of all, knowledge is power. I share these statistics not to impart fear but to raise awareness.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and you feel a breast mass, promptly get it checked out! No matter the results, there are options. Undergo evaluation by your OB/GYN or primary care provider who can perform a physical exam and help you get the appropriate workup. Breast imaging is indeed possible and safe during pregnancy.

Breast ultrasounds pose no risk to the fetus or the breastfeeding infant and are a very good initial study. Mammograms have been deemed safe in pregnancy because the pregnant belly can be shielded with a lead apron during the exam and the total dose of radiation exposure is significantly lower than the threshold deemed harmful to the baby.

It is important to note that the pregnancy-related changes of the breast tissue may decrease the sensitivity of these studies and thus can be difficult to interpret. Breast MRI, however, cannot be obtained during pregnancy because the contrast used for the exam could be harmful to the developing baby. It can, however, be performed in a postpartum woman who is breastfeeding. We just ask that you pump immediately prior to the exam to optimize the ability to interpret the study.

If a cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, there are treatment options. Patients can undergo surgery and anesthesia safely at any trimester. Even many chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of breast cancer can be given during the second and third trimester. Treatments like radiation therapy are not recommended until after delivery.

So, if you’re thinking of starting a family or newly pregnant, make sure you have a thorough discussion with your OB/GYN about any family history of breast cancers, especially those diagnosed in young family members. If you’re due for your breast exam or breast imaging (like your screening mammogram), I’d advise getting it done before you start trying to conceive.

Kjirsten Carlson, M.D., is a breast surgical oncologist at Cedars-Sinai practicing in Marina del Rey, Tarzana and Santa Monica.

Q&A: The executive producers of DreamWorks’ new ‘Dew Drop Diaries’ Netflix series

Published October 10, 2023

By Renee Elefante

Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the “Dew Drop Diaries” series focuses on a trio of tiny fairies who are in training to earn their fairy wings. PHOTOS COURTESY DREAMWORKS

Fairy lovers, rejoice! DreamWorks, the beloved animation company behind the hit franchises “Shrek” and “Kung Fu Panda,” has a new series on Netflix for preschoolers and their families.

“Dew Drop Diaries” is created and executive produced by Rick Suvalle, who previously developed and produced the “Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go” series and also wrote for several other animated series including DreamWorks’ “Doug Unplugs” and Disney “Jr.’s T.O.T.S.” Aliki Theofilopoulos, who also serves as executive producer, is known for her work with “Doug Unplugs,” Netflix’s “Harvey Girls Forever” and Disney’s “Descendants: Wicked World” and “Phineas and Ferb.”

Suvalle says the series is inspired by his two daughters. Both have Type 1 diabetes, but were taught that they could still accomplish anything they wanted to. “Dew Drop Diaries” follows a trio of “Dew Drop” fairies-in-training, Eden (Scarlett Estevez), Phoebe (Sydney Mikayla) and Athena (ViviAnn Yee) as they work to earn their wings by helping out the human families they’ve been assigned to, including helping a family prepare for their kids’ first sleepover or making sure their kids have the right shoes for soccer practice.

The series also features voice acting by Brec Bassinger, who played the titular character in CW’s “Stargirl,” and Dee Bradley Baker, who is known for his roles of Squilliam Fancyson in Nickelodeon’s “Spongebob Squarepants” and Perry the Platypus in Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb.”

Season one consists of 28 episodes where the fairy trio is presented with a different scenario in each episode and must use their problem-solving skills for any issue that arises. The fairies also have their own individual “fairy-bility” that they can use when the situation calls for it.

Through “Dew Drop Diaries,” Suvalle and Theofilopoulos hope to teach their preschool audience to look at the positives of their day or a situation, even when things don’t go as intended. To accomplish this, they introduce the idea of gratitude journals, which are used by each of the fairies to commemorate something they’re thankful or grateful for based on events occurring earlier in the episode.

We chatted with Suvalle and Theofilopoulos about the inspirations for the fairy trio, what brought about the series’ gratitude journals and more.

Where did you get your inspiration when writing the characters of Eden, Athena and Phoebe and figuring out their “fairy-bilities”/designs?

Suvalle: I’ll leave the design and physicality part to Aliki, but as for the characters’ inspiration, I’ve got two very different daughters, so I wanted to make sure each Dew Drop felt different and unique and that extended to our characters’ “fairy-bilities.” We wanted each Dew Drop’s magical power to be tied to their personalities and their environment, while also being something that would benefit someone that tiny. So, with Eden living in a house filled with pets, it made sense for her to be able to speak to animals. And with Athena having three rambunctious kids to look after, giving her super strength would definitely come in handy. Phoebe lives with a daily of musicians and inventors, so we made her a DIY crafter who has a magical melody that can brighten your mood. And while each power can help the individual Dew Drops, it’s really when they come together as a team that the real magic happens.

Theofilopoulos: Design-wise, it was really about designing them in a way that reflects who they are, being that they have such wonderful and distinct personalities. There was a lot of great development artwork that had been created before I came onto the show, so for me, it was about honing in even more on their personalities and a design style that was reflective of the type of animation we were hoping to achieve. The goal was to have designs that could bring as much life, appeal (and) snappiness, —with a blend of realism with fantasy — as possible. We also knew that we wanted to make sure we kept representation in mind when developing our main fairy friends.

Why did you decide to make the main trio fairies?

Suvalle: Believe it or not, when I first pitched the show, they weren’t actually fairies. They were just these tiny characters who secretly helped the human kids they lived with. But during the development process, we started to discuss the possibility of making them fairies. I was initially reluctant because to me, these tiny characters were a metaphor for being little kids and being resourceful and creative in their problem solving. And I felt that if you gave them magic and flight, it would take all that childlike ingenuity away. But after some thinking, I said, “What if we make them fairies-in-training? They have wings, but they can’t fly yet, and we’ll give them one magical power each.” That way, they would still have to use a kid-like resourcefulness to solve their problems. DreamWorks loved the idea, and we were off and running.

Theofilopoulos: And it really was just such a brilliant choice, as we had a lot of fun telling stories with these little characters in situations that seemed impossible to solve for beings so small. Since they can only flutter [and] not fly, they have to use their ideas and each other to find solutions. However, we still get to have the fun of seeing them use their magical “fairy-bilities” which is something special for kids to see!

Where did the name “Dew Drops” come from?

Suvalle: We went through a lot of potential names before we landed on “Dew Drops,” but what we all liked about the name was that it symbolized something small and from nature, and those are both things that people typically associate with when they think of fairies. So, it felt like a good fit.

Theofilopoulos: Title-wise, I love that the word “Diaries” was added, as I think what makes our fairies or “Dew Drops” so extra special is that they all have their own unique practice of how they express gratitude with their “diary moment.” So we have this unique name for our fairies, but also a unique show attribute that really makes it stand out.

How did the idea for gratitude journals come about?

Rick Suvalle

Suvalle: After we locked in the title “Dew Drop Diaries,” we knew we wanted to showcase a “diary moment” in each episode, and we quickly decided that gratitude would be a nice way to thematically tie these moments together. It felt like a natural fit because the show is about helping kids, and being thankful for that help really felt organic. And building on that, the Dew Drops themselves would also be grateful for the help they got from their fellow Dew Drops, whether it was help recovering a lost toy or helping lift each other’s spirits in a difficult moment. But there was an initial concern that “journaling” wouldn’t resonate with our young audience because they’re just barely starting their reading and writing journeys. Then I remembered that my own daughter would sketch and draw when she was stressed out, and I thought maybe there’s a way other than writing to show and commemorate our characters’ gratitude. So, one of our characters draws what she’s grateful for while another puts a memento from the day’s adventure in a memory box, and Eden, who likes to bake, turns her gratitude into a recipe: “And a funnel of friendship saved that day.”

Theofilopoulos: It’s great that our episodes really do stand alone as these wonderful stories, with take-aways baked right in, but by having a moment at the end to reflect and acknowledge something that our characters are grateful for really adds this special layer and depth to our show. We get to not only help a child hone in on our episode’s important take away, but also hopefully inspire them to express gratitude in their own lives [and] in their own way.

How have your experiences as parents influenced your approach to this series?

Suvalle: I think being a parent is a huge asset when you’re writing preschool television. You have this built-in Geiger counter as to what will resonate with little kids or what will be too scary for them. I work with a lot of younger writers who don’t have kids yet, and they bring in some amazing story ideas, but by being a parent, I’m able to help guide those stories into a place where the themes will connect with our youngest viewers. Beyond that, a lot of the individual story beats and funny moments, and even some stories themselves, come from experiences my own kids encountered or how they reacted to a given situation.

Theofilopoulos: I think what Rick said is so 100% spot on. I’ll add that even on the visual side, there are so many expressions, mannerisms, body language, even outfits that are direct inspiration from one of my kids! When talking about story ideas, we often end up sharing some sort of anecdote about one of our kids, whether it be from when they are very small to just this week, and it ends up in the episode. Being a parent has totally enriched my storytelling in every way, and it certainly did for this series.

Which of the fairies resonate with you the most and why?

Suvalle: This is like asking me to choose my favorite child! But seriously, I really do love all of our Dew Drops equally. That said, I’m definitely most like Phoebe, who is the most cautious and level-headed of our trio. But I aspire to have the optimism of Eden and the zest for life of Athena.

Theofilopoulos: Oh my, this is a tough one! I’d have to say Athena. I love dancing and being silly, yet athletic and tough, but I also like rainbow hair, knee socks and tulle! I love a girl that can rock opposite ends of what the world might say it means to be a girl, and then just completely own it. But I do love Eden’s empathetic nature and identify with Phoebe’s tendency to overthink.

What is a favorite memory you have from working on the show? Do you have any favorite episodes?

Suvalle: One of my favorite memories is also one of my most embarrassing moments on the show. Aliki was going to do the voice of a cat on one of our episodes, and I was listening back to her test track, and I was like, “This…isn’t good.” So I had to call her up and have this awkward conversation where I had to tell her I wanted to recast the role. Aliki handled it like a total pro, but then asked if we could listen to the track together so she could understand what wasn’t working. We took a listen, and she said, “Um, that’s not me. That’s you, Rick.” And it was! I think we both peed our pants laughing at that one. As for a favorite episode, there are so many, but one I especially like was written by our awesome story editors, Becky Wangberg and Sarah Eisenberg, called, “Dew Drop Swap,” where the Dew Drops switch families for a day and everything that can go wrong does go wrong. But they ultimately learn that their original family is exactly where they’re supposed to be.

Theofilopoulos: I think one of my favorite memories is the first time our team got to hang out together in person. We had mostly worked together remotely due to the pandemic and really had grown fond of one another. It was so unfortunate that we couldn’t walk to lunch and chitchat in the hallways like we would have normally done on a production. Once things started to settle a bit, I had our team over to my house, and we sat outside eating snacks and treats, and it was just such an absolute joy to spend time in person. Plus, Rick surprised me for my birthday with my favorite lemon cake! As far as a favorite episode, that’s a tough one. I think one that is special for me is called “Fairy of the Teeth,” as we are introduced to the Tooth Fairy in this episode. After getting to know new fairies like the Dew Drops, I felt like it was really special to highlight a fairy that we all know like the Tooth Fairy. It’s a great story, but also, it was such a joy to come up with her design.

What do you hope kids take away from this series?

Suvalle: With the theme of gratitude running through our show, it’s our hope that kids will want to share what they’re grateful for. And by seeing our Dew Drops using their unique gratitude journals, maybe our viewers will find a similar way to commemorate what they’re grateful for, too.

Theofilopoulos: Yes, being able to look back at your day and see the silver linings. There is so much negativity in the world right now, [and] I think our show can help kids and families focus on the positive.

Did you encounter any challenges/difficulties that your previous projects didn’t really have?

Theofilopoulos: A unique challenge on this show was making sure we used scale properly to help with storytelling. We essentially needed to create a world within a world. We would have these wider scenes where the humans would mostly interact, but then we wanted to create a world where we would see things from a fairy’s point of view. So that meant using the size of objects next to the fairies to remind us of how small they were, even if we were in a closeup. We needed to create camera moments that felt like we’re seeing things from a fairy’s eye level. It took some thinking and figuring out, but our team in France at TeamTO was so great in helping us achieve what we were looking for.

If the show gets renewed for another season, would Eden, Athena and Phoebe get to meet other fairies/families or visit other places in the world? Or would they mainly be worrying about “The Big City?”

Suvalle: At the end of this season, the Dew Drops meet their “Glitter Guide” named Willow (Brec Bassinger) who is like a fairy big sister. She is a full-fledged fairy who can fly and do magic. So, we’ll get a chance to see what our Dew Drops aspire to. I’d love to explore more of the city, visit the kids’ school and maybe get a glimpse of the Fairy World and see where the Dew Drops come from.

Theofilopoulos: We do really feel like we have so much more we can explore with other fairies, their families, their history and their relationships. Plus, it would be so fun to see our Dew Drops “level up” and see what the next phase of their “fairy training” means!

All 28 episodes of “Dew Drop Diaries” are now streaming on Netflix. Check out a clip here.

Renee Elefante is a student journalist based in Orange County and former editorial intern for L.A. Parent. A senior at Chapman University, she serves as editor-in-chief of her campus newspaper.

Making ‘Marvelous Miracles’ for Critically ill Children and Their Families

Published September 26, 2023

Miracles for Kids, an organization that provides support to children with life-threatening illnesses, is hosting its 19^th annual Night of Miracles Gala on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Guest can attend the gala, dubbed “Marvelous Miracles” this year, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. The mission is to raise money that is used to help provide support for struggling families with children who have life-threatening illnesses and conditions.

“Our annual gala is a very important night for the organization, bringing together valued supporters who invest in our mission and ability to affect change for families in crisis,” says Autumn Strier, co-founder and CEO of Miracles for Kids. “We are honored to have the continued support of our presenting sponsor Xponential Fitness, who stands beside us as we work to raise funds for families in desperate need of support.”

The gala will feature live entertainment, a sit-down dinner and a live and silent auction with more than 200 items for which people can bid. The night will raise money for the cause, with proceeds going to programs that support children with life-threatening illnesses or conditions and their families. Entertainment for the evening will feature an opening number by British singer/songwriter Alice Chater and an acoustic set by Andrew McMahon, former frontman for Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin. McMahon, a cancer survivor himself with a charity that benefits those with leukemia, is a Dana Point native and active musician still on tour.

Tickets, tables and sponsorship packages are available, along with underwriting opportunities and more. Live auction items include a five-night stay for up to 14 at a beachfront luxury villa in Punta Mita, Mex., a VIP red carpet experience for two at Marvel Hollywood 2024 premieres, a four-day luxury golf and spa getaway to Kiawah Island for eight, a French bulldog puppy and more.

To get more information, purchase a ticket, see a list of sponsors or otherwise support the 2023 Night of Miracles Gala, get more information online.

The organization raised nearly $4 million during the 2022 gala, which featured hundreds of auction items and had more than 500 attendees. The organization, co-founded by Strier, is based in Orange County, but supports families throughout the West Coast and beyond. It has helped provide long-term stability for more than 2,000 families.

Union Station goes Choo-Choo at Train Festival

Published September 13, 2023

Attendees at this year’s Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival. PHOTO COURTESY LOS ANGELES UNION STATION

Los Angeles Union Station, in partnership with Metro, Amtrak and Metrolink, kicked off “Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present & Future” on Sept. 9 and 10.

Railroad train representative attends Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival.

Metro COO Conan Cheung, Amtrak Vice President Jeanne Cantu, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle and California High-Speed Rail Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo encouraged attendees to enjoy the festivities ranging from vintage rail equipment on the tracks to rare model train displays in the historic Ticket Concourse of Union Station.

“Train Festival is a wonderful celebration of America’s most endearing mode of transportation — one that has endured and continues to be an essential means of transportation throughout the region for today and into the future,” Cheung said.

Cantu added: “This station represents a vital landmark to our community but it continues to welcome visitors every day to the heart of one of the greatest cities in America.”

Attendees were given access to view rail equipment on the tracks from various decades since the opening of the Station, marvel at the rarest of model train exhibits, participate in tours about the history, restoration and art throughout the building and experience other unique activities celebrating the legacy and future of Union Station and Southern California’s rail systems.

PHOTOS BY PHILLIP FARAONE/GETTY IMAGES FOR LOS ANGELES UNION STATION

Las Flores Park in LaVerne In Running for Niagara Bottling Grant

Published September 13, 2023

Niagara Bottling, a family-run beverage company launched in 1963, in partnership with National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the nation’s leading advocate for parks and recreation, has announced the nine finalists for the 2023 Perk Your Park Project, and Las Flores Park in LaVerne is among the finalists.

Members of the public are invited to select their top three parks to receive a grant. Each recipient will receive a $75,000 grant toward a park refresh. The submission period ends Sept. 18.

The Niagara Bottling Perk Your Park Project empowers communities to enhance their local parks, creating vibrant outdoor spaces for families to enjoy. By partnering with local municipalities and organizations across the country, Niagara Bottling is committed to investing in sustainable initiatives benefiting the environment and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Since 2016, Niagara Bottling and NRPA have perked 17 parks, giving $2 million in grants to date. Through the Perk Your Park Project, they have made park dreams come true by focusing on improving access to community spaces, nature, and healthy living in under-resourced communities.

Following a nationwide call for park nominations, Niagara and NRPA have selected the following finalists:

● Lancaster City Park, Lancaster, Texas

● Phoenix Trail Park, College Park, Ga.

● Las Flores Park, La Verne, Calif.

● Fowler Field Park, Douglasville, Ga.

● Rebel Valley Park, Atlanta

● Sara Babb Park, Dallas, Ga.

● Max Starcke Park, Seguin, Texas

● Woodland Park Nature Preserve, Houston

● Beach City Community Building and Park, Beach City, Texas

“The Perk Your Park Project aligns with our company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable practices. As an organization, Niagara Bottling is dedicated to environmental stewardship, striving to make a positive difference in the communities we serve. By supporting local parks, we aim to encourage outdoor activities, promote community engagement and create lasting memories for families,” said Ann Canela, director of corporate giving for Niagara.

“The Perk Your Park improvement grants symbolize an invitation for all to come together and bring transformative change to their communities,” said Ayanna Williams, NRPA director of community and environmental resilience. “The parks that receive these grants will have lasting impact, so we encourage everyone in these areas and beyond to select their favorite park to be improved. Through their support, everyone can enjoy the outdoors and all the benefits local parks and recreation bring to communities.”

Past projects include more accessible trails through nature parks, and the installation of interactive exhibits such as bird blinds and outdoor classrooms. For nearly a decade, Niagara has been perking communal spaces, inviting families to play on upgraded equipment, socialize under new shaded picnic settings, and spend time closer to nature.

How to show your support for the 2023 finalists:

● Submit your entry for your chosen project once per day at NiagaraPerkYourPark.com. Polls close Sept. 18, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific time.

● Complete all required fields on the form, including a valid email, and choose the listed Park you believe should receive a $75,000 charitable grant.

● Complete the entry by agreeing to the Official Rules and submit.

Grant recipients will be announced on or after Oct. 20.

September/October Issue

Published September 12, 2023

Our favorite social media holiday is back-to-school time — when our feeds are flooded with photos of your kids’ first day of preschool, elementary, middle and (if they let you take a photo) high school. We also delight in the images of parents dropping off their new college students, though we do choke up a bit with you as we imagine you driving away.

We know the frenzy of a new school year is filled with activities, lunches to pack, homework and projects to get done. But even though our time with our school-age kids is limited, we can squeeze in light and heftier lessons about life, the world, history — and we can open ourselves to what they have to teach us as well.

Our L.A. Parent Education issue captures this two-way street of learning. Beyond the stories featured below, we have so much more inside this issue, including our chat with Abby Ryder Fortson, the “Are You There God? It’s Me” star featured on our cover, a yummy vegan recipe for the lunchbox, clever ways to weave math and literacy, self-care for parents and our community news spotlights.

On the Cover

This month’s cover model is “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” actress Abby Ryder Fortson, who spoke with us about playing Margaret, coming-of-age and how she caught the acting bug at 4 years old. Photo courtesy Lionsgate.

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What’s Up at Disneyland This Fall

Published September 11, 2023

By Lolis Eric Elie

Tiana’s Palace opening ceremony. PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/DISLAND RESORT

New seasons bring new reasons to visit Disneyland Park, and this fall the offerings are particularly rich.

The theme park is drawing inspiration from the films “Coco” and “The Princess and the Frog,” as well as the traditional holidays of Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Guests will be able to dine on dishes and visit attractions that reflect LatinX and Creole traditions.

“What brings family together? Food,” pastry sous chef Gracie Gomez said during a recent interview near the new “Coco”-inspired Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park. “It’s a really big celebration that honestly celebrates family.”

Niriko Elie relishes in his favorite Disney character, Lightning McQueen. PHOTO BY BÉATRICE ELIE

Visitors to that section of the sprawling entertainment complex can listen to the music of the Mariachi Divas while feasting on elote (grilled Mexican street corn), carnitas burritos, beef tacos with rice and pinto beans, as well as plant-based “chorizo” quesadillas. For a sweet ending, try the pumpkin churro funnel cake or candy corn Minnie apple.

Taking its inspiration from the New Orleans themes of “The Princess and the Frog” and the late Leah Chase, the real-life chef who inspired the character of Tiana, Tiana’s Palace offers the tastes of Crescent City Creole cooking. Its architectural stylings resemble the buildings of the Vieux Carré. As for the food, there is a 7 Greens Gumbo, an interpretation of a dish Leah Chase helped popularize. Additionally, guests can order roast beef po’boy sandwiches, muffuletta sandwiches, shrimp and grits and a lemon curd-filled beignet. To finish, there is iced chicory coffee and, at a takeout window around the corner, fresh fried, mouse-shaped beignets.

A word to wise diners: Don’t wait until the end of the day to eat. By evening time, food lines get long, food booths get busy and wait times can be as long as an hour.

7 Greens Gumbo (plant-based) – white beans, okra, yams, sweet potatoes and heirloom rice. PHOTO BY DAVID NGUYEN/DISNEYLAND RESORT

For more details, visit DisneyParksBlog.com.

A Sweet & Healthy Treat for the Lunch Box

Published September 5, 2023

By Julia Hansen

When it’s time to fix school lunches, there’s nothing more challenging than striking the right balance between preparing nutritious meals and snacks and packing foods the kids will actually want to bring to school and eat. To explore some recipes that offer the best of both worlds, I reached out to chef Dante Gonzales for his take on healthy, kid-friendly recipes perfect for packing in a lunch box.

Chef Dante Gonzales (right) in the kitchen. PHOTOS COURTESY DANTE GONZALES

Gonzales is the owner and head chef of Dante Fried Chicken (DFC), which he initially launched in 2001 in Brooklyn as a catering company hosting eclectic dinner parties and running an underground delivery service. It was during these private dinner parties that Gonzales started introducing vegetarian and vegan alternatives to popular food dishes. “I served free granola-fried tofu nuggets,” he recounts. “Partygoers didn’t even realize the ‘chicken’ was plant-based.”

DFC is now an L.A.-based food truck or, as Gonzales puts it, “a roaming fried chicken (and tofu) concert.”Born and raised in L.A. for the first 10 years of his life, Gonzales has also lived in Seattle, St. Louis, Phoenix, Chicago, London and Stockholm. And while this diversity in geographies has impacted his worldview, Gonzales credits his family — rich with many skilled cooks and a grandmother who is a professionally trained chef — for influencing his decision to pursue a career in the culinary arts. “My grandmother’s Southern and Creole heritage is a core influence on my cooking,” says Gonzales, who began his own career working as a full-time chef while he was in college.

“Cooking is in my DNA,” he says. “I often cook proteins like gumbo and fried chicken, along with vegetables such as beets, collards, green leaf salad and sautéed cabbage.”

In addition to his DFC food truck and events, Gonzales wrote and published a cookbook, “Ride or Fry: The Dante Fried Chicken Experience,” and many of the book’s recipes are vegetarian and vegan-friendly. His “Tomatillo Collard Greens” is one example. They taste “like traditional greens with smoked bacon and turkey neck, except they’re vegan,” Gonzales says. His philosophy is to prepare vegetables without using animal fats. In the collard greens recipe, for instance, he smokes cherry tomatoes to attain that desired smoky bacon flavor in the collards.

Dante Fried Chicken’s plant-based take on fried chicken.

Gonzalez also works at Moonwater Farm’s summer camp program in Compton, making delicious and nourishing vegetarian meals from the produce grown at the farm. Moonwater Farm aims to promote sustainability, community and connection through engaging with farming and agricultural practices. Gonzales was inspired by the farm’s co-creator, Kathleen Blackistone, and her aim to serve the Compton area.

Moonwater Farm believes in a “veggie-forward concept and nutrition,” Gonzales explains. “The kids enjoy foraging the garden for berries, veggies and fruit, which we prepare together.”

Although the children enjoy being involved in the cooking process, Gonzales says, “it can be challenging to introduce fresh vegetables and plant proteins to kids who don’t have a palate for these foods. However, we try to approach cooking with creativity and fun.” He recalls some kids’ hesitancy in trying his tempeh tacos, but after tasting that first bite, they were more than happy to devour the flavorful dish. “Sometimes, we have to obscure the good-for-you ingredients,” he says. “It’s all about balancing texture and taste.”

In the recipe he shares here, your kids will love this vegan take on a caramel-apple treat — and you’ll love the ingredients.

Dante Gonzales’ Vegan Caramel Apple Pops

Vegan caramel:

Skewers or popsicle sticks

4 room-temperature apples (Granny Smith or Honey Crisp are best)

10 Medjool dates, pitted (if Medjool dates are not available, use regular dates soaked in warm water for at least 30 minutes to soften)

⅓ cup creamy plant milk

⅓ cup maple syrup or honey (or to taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon superfood powder (optional)

Toppings:

½ cup crushed peanuts (or any other kind of seeds/nuts)

½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Coconut sugar (to taste)

Chocolate chips (as desired)

½ cup melted dark chocolate (for drizzling over apples)

½ cup crushed freeze-dried fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries or pineapple (for adding color, fiber and fun)

Place all caramel ingredients in a high-powered food processor or blender. Add a little water if the caramel is too dry.

Slice apples into four even sections. Discard or compost the core.

Skewer each apple slice and place it slice side down. Arrange apples on a sheet pan or baking dish lined with parchment paper.

Use a spoon or spatula to spread the caramel sauce onto each apple slice.

Press crushed toppings onto the caramel-coated apple slices.

If using chocolate, melt it and drizzle over the caramel apples, ensuring a liberal coating to help the toppings stick. Sprinkle the dry toppings (coconut, freeze-dried strawberries, pumpkin seeds). Let the chocolate and toppings set.

Cover the apples with a lid, plastic wrap or an eco-friendly alternative and chill for an hour. These apples can last up to three days when refrigerated.

Wrap each apple in beeswax or parchment paper (or use your own novel storage solution) and place in a lunch box.

Abby Ryder Fortson on Acting, Adolescence

Published September 5, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon, Amari Price as Janie Loomis, Elle Graham as Nancy Wheeler, and Katherine Kupferer as Gretchen Potter in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. PHOTO CREDIT DANA HAWLEY

While we’re busy figuring out school supplies each fall, another kind of back-to-school issue is top of mind for our kids: What to wear the first day of school?

And if this preoccupation with outerwear seems frivolous to you (how quickly we forget!), kids and teens understand a truism we’d like to pretend is no longer true: People are always judging you by your cover. On the school grounds, the right look might land you in the in crowd (or evoke envy) and the wrong look can keep you on the outside looking in — until you find your tribe.

This universal adolescent angst has been captured in stories the world over, and one of the most renowned arbiters of the genre is Judy Blume. When Lionsgate brought Blume’s beloved middle-grade novel, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” to the big screen earlier this year, I wrote about it in a column. Now that Abby Ryder Fortson, who plays 11-year-old Margaret in the film, is gracing this month’s cover, I’m delighted to share more of my conversation with her here.

Tell us a little bit about you — where and how you were raised, siblings, hobbies.

I’m L.A.-born and -raised. I have one little brother. Both of my parents are actors; my brother is as well. When I was little, my parents would take me to all of their auditions, and I would sit on the producer’s couch. One day, I kind of just said to them, “When can I do this? This is so fun. I want to do this now. When can I get an audition?”

Abby Ryder Fortson. PHOTO COURTESY LIONSGATE

I booked my first commercial and I shot it on my fourth birthday, so I always say that my birthday is my acting anniversary as well.

Both of my parents are my coaches, and they’ve worked with me on every single thing I’ve ever done.

What is your why behind wanting to act?

I love bringing characters to life, honestly. I love being able to read a script and know instantly, “Oh, this is how that character would say something.” And I love working on every little thing, from how they roll down their socks to the biggest thing, like how their emotions are in a specific scene.

I would love to continue acting, but I would also love to direct a project of my own one day. I write as well. I would love to write and direct and branch out into other areas of filmmaking.

What did you think about the book version of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?”

I read it as soon as I got the audition. And I remember turning to my parents and saying, “How did someone write down this experience? This is the experience. How did Judy Blume write this down?” It was so beautiful and so honest. [She wrote it] so long ago, when there was such a taboo talking about things about puberty and growing up — and body changing and periods and all that.

The book and the film bring back so many memories from sixth grade — and sixth grade, for a lot of us, was tough. What did you most relate to when reading the book and making the movie?

Honestly, I related to Margaret quite a lot because I was going through the exact same stuff that she was at the exact same time that she was! I’m figuring myself out. I’m awkward, I’m messy, I’m weird.

I think I most related to her journey of finding herself, because that’s something that I’m still doing every single day. I think that’s a thing that most of us are still doing, no matter if you’re 80 or 8.

I think Margaret’s relationship with her friends is certainly complicated, because she moved and she’s thrust into a world of all this new stuff that she’s still figuring out. And with her parents, I think she really loves them. They’re always supporting her, but as any teenager knows, your parents are always the last people you want to take advice from.

Weaving Story Time & Math

Published September 5, 2023

By Tarana Khan, Ph.D., and Rosemary Miller, Ed.D.

PBS SoCal families read together with their children. PHOTO COURTESY PBS SOCAL

“Tacos are semicircles,” my 2-year-old announces as we are cuddled on the couch reading “Round Is a Tortilla” by Roseanne Greenfield Thong. The book says tortillas and tacos are round, and the folded crunchy tacos illustrated on the page catch her attention.

When my daughter and I read together, it’s common for us to extend beyond the words on the page. We describe the images by their shapes, colors and sometimes even the sounds we think they would make. Along with helping us make connections to our own lives and experiences, reading together allows us to explore other concepts, such as math, science and art.

Books like “Round Is a Tortilla” make finding the bridge between reading and math easy by encouraging readers to seek round, square and triangular shapes. But any book we choose to read with our little ones can give us the chance to easily weave in conversations about math topics such as counting or patterns.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) suggest that preschoolers’ foundational math knowledge is best supported when math becomes holistically integrated with other daily activities and subjects, including literacy. When children see how math can be used in real-world contexts and situations in the books they are reading, they begin to recognize that math is a part of their everyday life. As a result, children’s interest in math may grow and they may become motivated to learn other types of math concepts.

–Tarana Khan, Ph.D.

Show your kids that math is everywhere

So how do you interweave math during story time with your child, especially if the book is not as explicitly about math concepts as “Round Is a Tortilla?” Making observations about the position of objects in pictures, the lines and curves in letters and the patterns in words models for your child that math truly is everywhere.

When we think of math, our mind often goes to numbers and equations first. While understanding numbers and counting is an important part of a child’s math development, equally as important is their exposure to patterns, shapes, spatial relationships (where objects are and how they move), measurement and sorting. These six concepts form the basis of more advanced math topics such as algebra and trigonometry, as well as a child’s understanding of how the world around them works.

Here are some sample discussion openers:

“The girl is hiding behind the bush. Do you see her?”

“What does the silly monkey have on top of his head?”

“I noticed that some letters have curves like C and some have lines like A. Let’s see if we can find another letter with curves.”

“The noise the dog is making is a pattern: ‘Woof! Woof! Yap! Yap!’”

Research shows that math understanding at school entry is the strongest predictor of later success in math and, in some cases, reading.

–Rosemary Miller, Ed.D.

Make an illustrated counting book

For more fun, hands-on ways to continue exploring math and literacy together, try making a version of PBS SoCal’s illustrated counting book.

Illustrated Counting Book

Learning Goal: Practice counting with words and numbers

What You’ll Need:

Sheets of paper
Hole puncher or scissors
String
Markers

Steps:

Make the book. Fold three sheets of paper lengthwise in half. Make three small holes along the fold. Loop a piece of string into each hole and tie the ends.
Write the book. Title the book and number the pages 1-10. Go back to page 1 and write the word “ONE” on top so both the number and the word are on the page. Repeat on all the pages.
Illustrate the book. Draw the objects, such as 1 pear, 2 pencils and 3 cars, on each page.
Read the book. Count out loud together as you touch each object. What happens if you read the book backward? Try to count from 10 to 1. Count how many pages are in the book and try reading the book from big numbers to small numbers.

Check out the Family Math Book List for some great book recommendations that make it easy to practice math while reading together.

Tarana Khan, Ph.D., is the Education Research and Evaluation Analyst at PBS SoCal. She received her Ph.D. in education with a specialization in human development from UC Irvine. Rosemary Miller, Ed.D., is Senior Director of Early Learning for PBS SoCal.

Should You Battle Over Bedtime?

Published September 5, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Doctors advise avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime.

Back-to-school season ushers in earlier alarms, busier schedules, homework, after-school activities and that old familiar battle: bedtime.

The question is: Should getting our kids to sleep really be a nightly battle? After all, how much shut-eye do they actually need?

We reached out to Brittany N. Middleton, M.D., FAAP, who is medical director of pediatrics at Huntington Hospital, to answer some of our questions.

How important is sleep for kids, tweens and teens?

Brittany N. Middleton, M.D., FAAP
PHOTO COURTESY HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL

Sleep is incredibly important for children of all ages (all people, really!). We have a circadian rhythm in which melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep, is released when it is dark and not released when we are exposed to daylight. During sleep, our bodies and minds are in a crucial recovery state. Insufficient and poor-quality sleep can cause problems with mood, behavior, learning, attention and physical health. Irritability, tiredness, hyperactivity and poor school performance may all be signs of poor sleep. Too much sleep has been linked to diabetes, obesity and mental health problems. Parent surveys have shown that sleep problems may affect 25-50% of preschoolers and up to 40% of adolescents. The more common complaints include insomnia, daytime sleepiness, snoring and things like nightmares, sleepwalking and bedwetting.

Should kids have a bedtime? And what do you recommend that time be? How about tweens and teens?

Yes, kids should have a bedtime. Children thrive with some structure in place, and a consistent bedtime — even on weekends — is a healthy sleep practice. The bedtime will depend on the age of the child. No two kids are the same, so within the range suggested, the parent will have to identify how many hours are ideal for their child and set their bedtime accordingly. The bedtime will depend on the desired morning wake-up time and consider any daytime naps the child will take. Newborn and young infant sleep is unique, as they do not have established circadian rhythms, require significant help from the caregiver to sleep and naturally have frequent night waking. Adolescents have a naturally delayed circadian rhythm — a naturally later bedtime — that can make it difficult to get enough sleep with early school start times and other social and academic demands, so adhering to a routine is even more important in this age range.

General sleep requirements by age:

Ages 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)
Ages 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)
Ages 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)
Ages 6-12 years: 9-12 hours
Ages 13-18 years: 8-10 hours

How can parents help transition kids from a summertime sleep schedule, which can be more flexible, back to the school year schedule?

The most important and effective thing you can do is set an earlier bedtime. If there is a large time gap between the current bedtime and the desired bedtime, walk the bedtime back by 15 minutes every few nights until you arrive at the desired bedtime. Pay attention to how much sleep your child has gotten when they act and feel well rested and try to match their regular sleep duration with that. A nap can help restore some of the sleep debt, but regular napping in a child who does not usually nap can interfere with night sleep, so an earlier bedtime is a more appropriate long-term solution.

What can parents do to improve their kids’ quality of sleep?

Set a bedtime that allows them to sleep within the recommended time range for their age, ideally even on weekends. This is the most important thing you can do.
A bedtime routine can help them “take off the day” and wind down for bed. It should be relaxing, not stimulating, long or complicated. This prepares the body and mind for sleep and, eventually, their body will know that sleep is coming based on the sequence of events. In younger children, bath, brushing teeth, book and then bed is a common bedtime routine. In older children, the routine can include things like journaling, stretching or a body-scan meditation to relax the body and mind.
Avoid screens for an hour before bedtime.
Avoid stimulants like caffeine (including chocolate) several hours before bedtime.
Foster good physical and emotional health. For example, be physically active and teach processing of emotions and coping strategies.
Assess the sleep environment for excess light, temperature extremes and excess noise.
Consistently enforce limits on bedtimes and bedtime routines. Offer positive reinforcement for compliance.

What’s one thing you wish all parents knew about sleep?

With the abundance of screens, demanding school schedules, extracurricular and other social activities, you will likely have to take a more active role in making sure your child gets enough sleep. Each child is different, so tune into your child as you assess and make changes. Speak with your pediatrician for specific strategies to improve your individual child’s sleep and to help identify causes of poor sleep that might require medical intervention.

Local High School Students Awarded Bank of America Internships

Published September 5, 2023

By Chelsee Lowe

This summer, five local teens were selected for the Bank of America Student Leaders program, an honor bestowed on approximately 300 U.S. high school juniors and seniors annually since 2004.

Tyler Chiu of Porter Ranch, Ricardo Cuautle of La Puente, Lizette Gonzalez of Inglewood, Alexis Martin of View Park/Windsor Hills and Troy Miyazato of Torrance served their communities through eight-week-long internships with community nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity of the San Gabriel Valley and the Discovery Cube Los Angeles.

Designed to help build a sense of civic-mindedness, these internships also give students the opportunity to gain first-hand job skills. Selected participants also traveled to Washington D.C., to attend a week-long, all-expenses-paid, national leadership summit that included a chance to meet with members of Congress.

“The teens selected for this year’s program are truly extraordinary and already are inspiring their classmates to higher levels of achievement and community involvement,” said Raul A. Anaya, president of Bank of America Greater Los Angeles. “The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources, while also instilling the importance of giving back to your community.”

Applications for the 2024 Bank of America Student Leaders program cycle are expected to be available in October. Eligibility information is available online.

Free Your Mind on St. Croix

Published September 1, 2023

By Cassandra Lane

The Caribbean Dance Company (above) and Hiplet Ballerinas (below) helped tell the freedom stories of Crucians through dance. PHOTOS BY GARRY ANTHONY/OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, USVI

“Freedom is doled out, or taken, in slices,” I wrote in “We Are Bridges,” a memoir that explores the impact of lynching on my Southern family and follows my journey to becoming a mother to a Black child in America, this land where liberty and bondage continue to clash.

After nearly two decades of writing, researching and revising, my ultimate thesis was that no one is fully free, and that we — country and individuals alike, Black, Brown, Asian and White, rich and poor and everything in between — carry the ghosts of our pasts within us, as invisible and certain as the blood running through our veins. And yet, even after coming to some semblance of acceptance, I remain obsessed with this notion of freedom. The umbilical cord should be the final “chain” to ever bind anyone — not iron links trans-Atlantic slave traders used to shackle the wrists and ankles of Africans, not the rope some White Mississippians used to swing around my great-grandfather Burt Bridges’ neck.

As a parent, journalist and teacher, I’ve maintained that it’s vital to teach our kids all of history, right alongside urging them to fully embrace the present and prepare for the future. We do that by delving into our personal and collective histories. While I haven’t yet had the privilege of stepping foot on African soil, each time I visit the Caribbean, I meditate on how it is a gateway to my ancestors’ motherland in both geographical and metaphorical ways. This summer, I visited St. Croix (the largest but less touristy of the U.S. Virgin Islands) to cover the commemoration of its 175^th “Emancipation Day,” and my odyssey into the history of slavery deepened.

Self-emancipation

From 1672 to 1917, St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas were part of a Denmark colony dubbed the Danish West Indies. According to the History Channel, Denmark was among the countries — behind Portugal, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. — to enslave the highest number of Africans. And the site of these dreamy islands, to which we flock from around the world to soak up the sun, swim in gemstone-hued waters, savor island flavors and sip Caribbean rum-infused cocktails, is where the Danes exploited the labor and lives of enslaved Africans to produce sugar, rum and molasses for a burgeoning and demanding European market.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard students, friends, family members (and myself) say something along the lines of “I couldn’t have been a slave. I would’ve fought back.” Easy to spout off on this side of history.

But on a hot and humid day in 1848 – July 3 – fighting back is what more than 8,000 enslaved Crucians did, brandishing sugarcane knives and machetes. Organized by John Gottlieb (or “General Buddhoe”) and other leaders and activated by the blowing of conch shells, the Black islanders marched en masse to the very point of their arrival on the island, Fort Frederik. They far outnumbered Danish soldiers and plantation owners, so in a swift attempt to avert massive bloodshed, Governor-General Peter von Scholten abolished slavery immediately, 17 years before the end of our civil war and the passing of the 13^th Amendment officially abolishing slavery throughout the U.S.

The U.S. purchased the islands as unincorporated territory from Denmark in 1917, and the mainland would do well to look to this “cradle” of emancipation as we approach our own 175^th anniversary of emancipation (in 2040).

PHOTO BY GARRY ANTHONY/OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, USVI

“Freedom Week” on the Virgin Islands kicked off just after the U.S. commemorated Juneteenth and just before Independence Day. Sandwiched between these holidays, I boarded a plane to Miami, then changed planes to fly into St. Croix, carrying with me a bag of thoughts about America’s promises of liberty and justice. Would spending time off the mainland to celebrate freedom with the Crucian people boost a sense of renewed hope? And can introducing my child to the bravery, pride and self-determination of the Crucian people, as well as the way they honor and commemorate their history, help balance his understanding of the people who endured and overcame slavery?

“People all over the world ask us what is it that makes us who we are,” said Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett, who represents the Virgin Islands and introduced legislation in Congress for the 175^th commemoration. “I’m always asked where I get my confidence. It’s because I know who my ancestors are. We’re grateful that the Danish were very meticulous about making money, and so we have records that many Africans of the diaspora don’t have — church records, slave and runaway records…”

Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. urges people from all over the country to visit the islands and learn about its history. “To be a Virgin Islander is to carry within us the flame of hope and the spirit of liberation,” he said. And yet, “while we have come a long way, the emancipation of our minds, especially towards education — which is truly the enlightenment and the freedom that people of color really need — must continue. As the Supreme Court has made this announcement on [ending] affirmative action…, it’s signaling that things are equal now, but the inequality range throughout the United States, one of the most free countries in the world, is a constant reminder that there’s still so much work to do.”

Under the cover of night. In the light of day.

The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort is a family-owned hotel in Christiansted. PHOTO BY STEVE SIMONSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Entering a new territory in the black of night piques the imagination. As my plane hovered over this cluster of islands that emerged from the Atlantic Ocean some 70 to 50 million years ago, the fruit of volcanic eruptions, I wondered how indigenous people felt as they arrived on these strips of land surrounded by the turquoise jewels of the Caribbean Sea. Through some bioluminescent kayak tours, you can explore the sea and its creatures as well as the history of early indigenous people on the island.

I stayed at The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, a family-owned and -operated hotel in Christiansted, where the Caribbean Sea and the golf course were visible from my hotel window and where a couple of large blue land crabs scuttled across my path in the early morning hours. A large green iguana lingered just behind some trees near the pool area, minding his business as I minded mine.

Desert plants dot the landscape in parts of St. Croix. The Caribbean Sea sparkles in the background. PHOTO BY ROB DEROCKER

The quest for freedom is ongoing

As I made my way around St. Croix, from the arid, desert-like geography of the east end, where the town of Christiansted sits, to the lush and rain forest-like west end, where the town of Frederiksted is nestled, reminders of islanders’ resilience and fight abound — in art galleries, murals, museums, busts of freedom fighters and even a Pan-African-colored road sign — Emancipation Drive — that made me smile with delight.

A sugar mill ruin. PHOTOS BY CASSANDRA LANE

Other signs are reminders of the atrocities that made the fight for emancipation necessary. For example, one hundred sugar mill ruins — great, cylindrical limestone reminders of a bygone era — still dot the island. Many of the Africans the Danes brought to the islands toiled to plant, harvest and extract a substance that was as backbreaking for them as it was lucrative for their enslavers: sugar. I climbed up a small hill to enter the hollowed-out remains of one mill. My guide, Rob DeRocker, a writer and businessman who splits his time between New York and St. Croix, pointed to an opening that looked out over the sea. “It looks like the profile of a woman’s face,” he said, and from the right angle, it does. A reminder: They were here.

Carol Burke, who can trace her ancestry on the island back seven generations, served as this year’s emancipation commemoration committee chairperson. Its theme, “Remembering Our Past, Celebrating Our Future,” she said, is a reminder that islanders “have a responsibility to build on the foundation our forebears laid.”

With this missive, on July 1 Plaskett led a townhall meeting at the University of the Virgin Islands. Comprised of panels and dramatic performances, the event drew a standing-room-only crowd, with people hungry for next steps toward deeper empowerment. Panelists talked about how, even though their ancestors won their freedom, the fight for fair treatment was long, eventually leading to another uprising, the Fireburn of 1878, followed by a labor union strike in 1916, just before the U.S. government purchased the area. Those ghosts of economic and political inequality (unincorporated territories cannot vote in presidential elections, for instance) still haunt the island today, speakers said. An echoing sentiment rang out like the call of their ancestors’ conch shells: “Freedom is a daily act” and “The revolution is incomplete.”

On that day of so much reckoning, DeRocker drove us along East End Road until we could go no farther. We got out of the car to gaze up at another collection of structures made of stone, the Millennium Monument at Point Udall. This sundial monument marks St. Croix as the easternmost point in the United States (by travel, not longitude) and the peace and panoramic sea views this location offers are a gift, an invitation to rise with the sun and start anew, no matter what happened the day — or the years — before.

Emancipation Day

Emancipation Week culminated in a burst of celebrations that began with an early freedom march in Frederiksted that followed the footsteps of those marching for their freedom 175 years ago. I didn’t make the freedom walk, but I did get to trail the parade after DeRock