L.A. Students Launch Second TREEAMS Nursery in Pacific Palisades
Students from across Los Angeles planted the region’s second TREEAMS (Trees + Dreams) nursery at Seven Arrows Elementary School’s Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, expanding a student-led wildfire recovery effort inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall. The model lets students grow native trees on school campuses now, care for them for 1 to 2 years, and later plant them permanently when fire-impacted neighborhoods are ready. PHOTOS COURTESY TREEAMS TREEAMS is working to plant 5,000 trees across Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and surrounding areas following last year's wildfires. Because many fire-impacted properties are not yet ready for replanting, EF Academy, one...
First-Place Tomorrow Prize Winner Imagines Grief in a Future Shaped by AI
Abigail Lee is the 2026 Tomorrow Prize winner. PHOTOS COURTESY OMEGA SCI-FI PROJECT Science fiction has a way of helping young writers ask the biggest questions about technology, loss, power and what it means to be human. That spirit was on full display at this year’s Tomorrow Prize ceremony at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, where professional actors performed Los Angeles County high school students’ finalist stories and the teens were honored in front of family, mentors and supporters. Presented through the Omega Sci-Fi Project, run by the LightBringer Project and founded by Sci-Fest L.A., the project once culminated with a reading ceremony at...
Nancy Silverton Joins Ancestry’s ‘The Stories of Us’ at L.A.’s Original Farmers Market
As a Louisiana-raised girl who learned to cook from my grandmother and went on to write a book about my ancestors once I migrated to Los Angeles, I'm drawn to any event that blends flavor, family and memory. This Memorial Day weekend, Ancestry’s “The Stories of US: Generations at the Market” will do just that. The free, self-guided walking tour will take place May 23-25 at one of the most iconic and family history-steeped landmarks in L.A. — The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. Using Ancestry’s collection of historical records, the tour traces the origins of the market’s multigenerational...
Helping Kids Shape Their Identity Through Music and the Arts
P.S. ARTS was founded more than three decades ago with the mission to provide arts education in public schools in California. Today, it serves more than 30,000 students in 90 schools across Los Angeles County and California’s Central Valley. I recently chatted with one of their teaching artists, Jason Shepherd, about the importance of music and art in our kids’ daily lives. Tell us a little about yourself and how you became involved with P.S. ARTS. I’m a professional songwriter, musician, producer and music educator with more than 20 years of experience. I was born and raised in Chicago, and my foundation in...
Altadena students get a boost as U.S. Soccer and Bank of America launch youth soccer initiative
Students line up to receive soccer gear during the launch of Soccer at Schools at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena. PHOTO COURTESY BANK OF AMERICA Altadena students recently got a hands-on introduction to soccer when U.S. Soccer (through the Soccer Forward Foundation) and Bank of America launched their new Soccer at Schools initiative with a kickoff at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena. The program is designed to expand access to the sport in schools across the country by 2030. Students at Odyssey Charter got to participate in a soccer clinic with soccer superstar David Beckham and received soccer equipment and Angel...
Navigating Modern Motherhood: Permission To Feel It All
Sanam Shamtobi, Ph.D., PMH-C, founder of The Mother Hood, with her family. Clinical psychologist Sanam Shamtobi, Ph.D., PMH-C, founder of The Mother Hood based in L.A. is on a mission to help moms know that it’s normal to deeply love your baby and struggle with the transition. The Mother Hood offers therapy for women in various stages of their motherhood journey. They focus on postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD, identity shifts and career transitions, parenting stress and overwhelm, lack of connection with partner, fertility challenges and pregnancy loss, mom guilt and many other issues that affect moms. Please share with...
Meet L.A. Teen and Founder of a Unique Start-up Theater and Film Company
L.A. teen Samantha Leeds is an actor, writer, filmmaker and founder of The Riot Stage, a theatre and film company. Samantha Leeds is a 15-year-old student from Crossroads High School in West L.A., with a passion for acting, writing and filmmaking and a love for Shakespeare. Two years ago, Samantha created The Riot Stage, a theater and film company. She brought in her beloved drama teacher and mentor, Zoey Zimmerman, who had recently retired from Crossroads, to help with creative direction on the plays. You can see The Riot Stage's original play, which Samantha describes as “in vein of School of...
2026 Memorial Day Weekend: Your Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Events
Smorgasburg BBQ Invitational & Memorial Weekend Carnival May 23-25 at Santa Anita Park Join Smorgasburg LA for a 3-day BBQ showdown at the Smorgasburg BBQ Invitational, featuring delicious BBQ, from Filipino-Texan fusion to California style and more. The winner secures a free spot at Smorgasburg’s BBQ Day later this summer. Come for the BBQ and stay for the Memorial Weekend Carnival, also happening May 23-25, with inflatable jumpers, games, carnival rides, pony rides and arts and crafts. Free for ages 17 and under; $5 admission. Fiesta Hermosa May 23-25 along Pier Ave. and Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach An annual fundraiser...
The Dad Group Helping Los Angeles Fathers Feel Less Alone
A group of dads and their kids during a Dad's Little Sidekick meeting. PHOTOS BY JARED PODOS Becoming a dad changes everything, especially your social life. As father of two sons, I absolutely love being a dad, yet having a kid or two flips your life upside down. Your friendships change, plans fall through, conversation topics shift and your community diminishes. But here’s the good news: It doesn't have to. When my older son was born in 2023, my wife joined a mommy-and-me group and loved the opportunity to chat with other moms going through the trenches just like she...
A Fresh Start in Venice: Former Lifeguard Gifted Fully Furnished Home for Mother’s Day
Jessica Avalos and her daughter with Holliday's Helping Hands founder and CEO Katina Holliday. PHOTO COURTESY HOLLIDAY'S HELPING HANDS Just ahead of Mother’s Day, Jessica Avalos, a 36-year-old mother and former lifeguard, received a life-changing surprise: a fully furnished home for herself and her 10-month-old daughter, Pearl. The emotional homecoming took place May 7 in Venice, where Holliday’s Helping Hands unveiled the newly decorated space, marking a major milestone in Avalos’ journey from homelessness and substance dependency to stability and sobriety. Avalos credits the nonprofit not only with securing her housing, but with helping her rebuild her life from the...
Disney Cruise Line Is Doubling San Diego Sailings — and That’s Great News for L.A. Families
If you've been thinking about taking a Disney cruise but have been dreading the time, exorbitant cost and general hassle of flying your family across the country, here is some genuinely exciting news: Disney Cruise Line just doubled down on San Diego as a home port. And it fundamentally changes the cruise game for those of us living in Southern California. Disney Cruise Line and the Port of San Diego recently announced a new partnership through at least 2031 that will approximately double the number of annual Disney sailings from San Diego. Translation: more ships, more departure dates and more...
Downey PTA Event Promotes Digital Safety and Distributes 200 Laptops
PHOTOS COURTESY AT&T Downey families recently got hands-on support for navigating the digital world at Ed. C. Lewis Elementary, where a PTA Connected event offered them online safety guidance, screen-readiness resources and 200 refurbished laptops for preselected attendees. According to Pew Research, 4 in 10 parents feel they could do better at managing their kids screen time. “We believe in empowering parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge and confidence to support healthy screen readiness and digital well-being at home,” said Yesica Vasquez, vice president of the Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA. “We are bringing families together to learn, grow and...
When Kids Gain Agency, Motivation Grows
It usually starts subtly. A child who once moved easily through school begins to hesitate. Homework stretches longer than it should, and mornings feel heavier. Eventually, a simple assignment turns into a negotiation, then a standoff. Teachers describe the child as “capable, but not meeting their potential.” Parents hear, “They just need to try harder.” Over time, the language shifts: “I can’t do this.” “It doesn’t matter.” “I don’t care.” At first, it sounds like frustration. Eventually, it starts to sound like something else entirely. For many families, this is the moment when they realize this isn’t just about school anymore. What is agency? In my work as a pediatric neuropsychologist, I spend a great deal...
Mother’s Day Mini Retreat
Getting ready for our sound bath. For the last few years, I’ve had a Mother’s Day solo staycation ritual. I find some sweet, local hotel and “clock out” of my mothering duties for 24 hours. But this year, life has been so busy much because I am a mother, that the thought of leaving home for a day itself felt incredibly stressful. When Momcozy invited me to a Mother’s Day Mini Wellness Retreat, I thought this is the perfect way to get a little “me” time without missing anyone’s bedtime. Christina, a professional sound healer, welcomed us moms and moms-to-be...
How to Be a Tourist in Your Own City: L.A. Edition
Little Tokyo. PHOTOS BY FRANK ISHMAN As travel costs and complications rise, the most rewarding summer adventure might be right here at home. And it’s easy to be a tourist in Los Angeles County, which comprises 88 cities and dozens of enchanting neighborhoods rich with unique foods, shopping, history and culture. I encourage you to explore some new-to-you parts of our region this season. Here are a few local ideas to help you introduce the kids to the deeply diverse range of cultures right here at home. A Taste of Japan: Little Tokyo Starting off with one of the more popular...
Cultural Summer Camps in Los Angeles
Crown Me Camps. PHOTO COURTESY CROWN ME Before becoming a parent, I loved exploring everything L.A. has to offer. I gladly drove across town for delicious food, vibrant festivals and music that transported me somewhere new. But after having two kids, our world — and our driving radius — seemed to shrink. Between school schedules, extracurricular activities and the everyday logistics of family life, it became easier to stay closer to home. That’s why I’ve come to see summer, and especially summer camps, as an opportunity to bring that sense of discovery back. In Los Angeles, cultural exploration is always within...
A 48-Hour Family Reset in Carlsbad
Take a break in Carlsbad. PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CARLSBAD “No, we don’t have time!” is a refrain that echoes through my family’s days more than I’d like to admit — when the girls want one more outfit change before we’re out the door, when they beg for one more book at bedtime or when the idea for a vacation pops up. What parent of young children enrolled in karate, piano lessons and theater — and a house overrun by dishes and laundry — has time to take off for 48 hours, no matter how badly their kids want to just...
MAY BOOK CORNER: Mother’s Day Inspired Reads
In honor of Mother’s Day, our May Book Corner highlights books by, for and about mothers. From comics to memoir, picture books to practical guides, each book captures a distinct facet of the modern parenting experience. BURY ME ALREADY (It’s Nice Down Here) By Julia Wertz California-based cartoonist, writer and parent Julia Wertz wanted to write about pregnancy and becoming a mom. But becoming a mother amidst a global pandemic, California’s worst wildfire season on record and family trauma, Wertz’s latest memoir is about so much more. A follow up to her memoir “Impossible People,” BURY ME ALREADY is a...
Faith, Curiosity and a Mother-Daughter Trip to Italy
In third grade at my Protestant elementary school, my teacher said that unbaptized people would be damned to hell. “Even babies?” a student asked. “Yes,” the teacher answered. But we had also been taught that God was a loving god, so this did not make sense to me. How could a loving god condemn innocent babies? Madonna de Idris in Matera. PHOTOS BY MELISSA M. MONROE “What about people in [other places] who have never heard about God?” another student asked. “That’s why we have to support missionaries,” the teacher responded. I raised my hand and said, “But we believe what we...
Central Oregon: The Ultimate Family Road Trip
Because flying is beyond gnarly these days — long lines, delays, exorbitant costs — road trips have become the go-to for L.A. families. And for a getaway that delivers incredible nature, delicious food and endless kid-friendly outdoor adventures, Central Oregon is hard to beat, especially during the summer and fall months when the weather is idyllic, offering a welcome respite from L.A. heat waves. My family of five made the 13-hour drive from L.A. to Central Oregon last summer, and we're in the middle of planning our next trip. You can make the drive a straight shot or break it...
Screen-Free Fun for Family Travel
When my two boys were between the ages of 3 and 10, I had some great success along with some not-so-great success providing creative activities when traveling that did not include screen time. Whether a road trip or flight, I came to realize the more prepared I was with “insta-activities,” the better the trip was from beginning to end. After years of trying different things, the one activity that really became a favorite was what we called “The Awesome Drawing Kit.” Here are a few quick ideas to create your own Awesome Drawing Kit that will make your trip not...
Your Family Travel Survival Guide
Family travel goes a lot smoother when you plan with purpose. I spoke with a Los Angeles-based pediatrician about the essentials that can help parents stay prepared, whether they’re flying, driving or heading abroad with kids. Pack like a pro To increase your chances for a family trip filled with happy memories, Leian Chen, M.D., a pediatrician with UCLA Health in Marina del Rey and a mom of two (ages 12 and 9), urges us to plan well, yet always expect the unexpected. “On my family’s trips, we’ve gotten stranded in sand dunes and snowstorms, used the first-aid kit more...
Flying While Pregnant: What to Pack for Comfort
Flying while pregnant is considered safe (unless there are pregnancy complications), yet it can be uncomfortable, especially in the first trimester, which is when many people experience morning sickness. Increasing your comfort during the flight starts long before you board the plane, but what you pack in your carry-on bag can make your time in the air much more bearable. As a journalist who takes more than 100 flights a year, I continued flying frequently during my pregnancy. With the right prep, you, too, can jet set around the world … within reason. After 28 weeks of gestation, airlines may require a doctor's note to confirm a...
We Love It: Fun Finds for Families
Lady of the Rings Jeweled Hair Ties A dazzling fusion of jewelry and functionality. Featuring cubic zirconia-encrusted rings and plated with 18K gold, this versatile accessory holds your ponytail with a polished touch. Perfect for busy moms, it effortlessly transitions from ponytail or bun to your wrist as a bracelet. $85, jealoushelen.com Mom and Me Long-Sleeve Distressed Denim JacketsCrafted from breathable, allergy-safe fabric, these jackets are comfortable, durable and fade-resistant — ideal for those photo-ready moments. $29.99-$39.99, kids up to age 9, patpat.com Greatfull Mail A digital platform that turns appreciation into a lasting keepsake. Friends, families, classmates and communities create heartfelt collections of...
Airhart Aeronautics Innovates in Long Beach
Linda Sollars, ASTM F37 lead, speaks at Airhart’s Hangar Day. PHOTO COURTESY AIRHART Long Beach continues to be a hub for bold innovation, and Airhart Aeronautics is one of the city’s emerging companies. Known for its growing aerospace ecosystem and entrepreneurial energy, Long Beach provides a fitting backdrop for Airhart’s ambitious vision. The company is developing next‑generation avionics and laying the groundwork for what it envisions as the safest, most accessible airplanes ever engineered. Founded by former SpaceX engineer Nikita Ermoshkin, the company is pioneering an avionics‑first approach to modernizing personal aviation. Airhart’s newest innovation, Airhart Avionics, is a modular, touch‑driven...
How Los Courage Camps Transforms Local Youth
A Los Courage Camps staff member teaches a camper how to surf. PHOTOS BY LOS COURAGE CAMPS/EMMA SHARON Giselle Carrillo and her nonprofit Los Courage Camps have been transforming the summer experience of children from underrepresented communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties since 2017. Los Courage Camps’ mission is to teach the diverse children of Los Angeles who have not experienced the ocean how to surf and, consequently, connect them to their courage, potential, inner strength and leadership. With grant funding from Go Campaign, the camp is expanding access to include surfing opportunities throughout the year. Carrillo blends her background in...
Best Of L.A. Parent Gift Guides: Summer, School, Baby & More
Easter 2026 2025 Baby 2025 Summer Fun 2025 Holiday 2025 Back to School
Students Leading with Service: Angelinos of Hope in Action
During Thanksgiving, Angelinos of Hope brought hope to the homeless one meal at a time. PHOTO BY ANGELINOS OF HOPE/SANDRA FLORES In a time when families are looking for meaningful ways to give back, Angelinos of Hope teaches that empathy and leadership start at an early age. This student-led nonprofit is dedicated to supporting local communities in need by organizing donation drives and assembling care kits for individuals and families facing hardship. The organization started as a grassroots effort to help victims of the Altadena and Palisades fires and quickly expanded beyond disaster relief to provide ongoing support to families in need...
Time to Get Away: A Mini Road Trip to Ojai
PHOTOS BY SOLOMON RICH My son was two days into spring break before I was able to hit pause on work deadlines and figure out a quick getaway. As a college student, Sol was content to lounge around at home, but I knew he — all of us — needed a change of scenery. Mini road trip to the rescue! By the time we prepared for bed that Tuesday night, my husband and I had narrowed our choices: Drive south to stay on a friend’s ranch in Jamul or north to relax in Ojai. “Did you text your friend to...
A Taste of Little Tokyo: Mama Izuhara’s Salmon Steaks
Alyson Iwamoto is an arts educator and ceramicist. PHOTO BY NICOLE HANSON I’m a third-generation Japanese American, or sansei, born and raised in Los Angeles. I don’t speak Japanese, but through art and cooking, I stay connected to my culture and my ancestors. Whenever we cook at home, my 9-year-old daughter Aiko always reminds us that the special ingredient in every meal is love. Beyond our individual homes, food is also vital for community building. This was the idea at the heart of a community cookbook I helped create, “Belly Like Drum,” with Nikkei Progressives, a grassroots intergenerational activism organization. “Belly Like Drum”...
Watch Elephants Live: San Diego Zoo Safari Park Launches New Elephant Cam
A new window into the lives of elephants is now just a click away. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has launched a live elephant cam inside its newly opened Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, giving families and classrooms across the country a front-row seat to watch a thriving herd and learn how these animals shape entire ecosystems. The new elephant cam offers a live look at the herd inside Elephant Valley. PHOTO COURTESY SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK Park officials hope the project inspires a deep appreciation for elephants and ignites in students and adults a desire to protect elephants and...
A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe Online in Today’s Digital World
By Jatin Suri The internet is now almost indispensable in people's lives. Kids nowadays count on it not only for their homework, but also for their amusement, staying in touch with friends and finding new hobbies. Of course, the virtual world has many advantages, but alongside these, it also has a few dangers that parents should know about. Besides the exposure to inappropriate material, cyberbullying and online scams, children may be put at risk by certain situations without even realizing it. In fact, it is hardly the best idea to deprive kids of internet access altogether. The issues of concern...
