Family Fun
Juicy Juice Launches ‘Happy Artist’ Contest for Kids
It’s a new year, but one thing that remains the same: parents continue to look for ways to keep their kids engaged and inspired at home. From DIY crafts to games and virtual activities, parents have tried it all and are still left seeking more. Juicy Juice is helping parents foster creativity within their little […]
5 Easy Steps to an Outdoor Home Theater
During these uncertain times, it’s important to find creative and safe fun for your family. However, after so many months of pandemic conditions, it’s easy to run out of ideas. Our family found one more source of fun by creating a cozy home theater in the comfort of our backyard. Here is a safe way […]
3 Ways to Start 2021 by Reveling in the Basics
As the year we’ll never forget wound down and we slipped (hopefully, cautiously) into 2021, my heart needed a break from the computer screen. For this month’s column, I took stock of some of the local treats I enjoyed in 2020 despite the pandemic. Without the hustle and bustle of in-person events, I was forced […]
Cover Kid Miya Cech Launches Into New Territory
At just 13 years old, this month’s Cover Kid, Miya Cech, has already experienced a career that is out of this world. Cech’s starring roles have included playing the young Ali Wong in the hit Netflix film “Always Be My Maybe”and ZhenZhen in Netflix’s “Rim of the World.” She graced the big screen as the character Zu, a […]
Registration for L.A. County Parks and Recreation Winter Classes is Open
L.A. County Parks and Recreation invites families to learn something new this winter, just in time for the new year! The county is offering a variety of virtual and online classes to help you get active, stay healthy and enjoy a new hobby. From yoga and sports to music and arts, there is a class […]
Enjoy a Safe Getaway to The Resort at Pelican Hill
In early January, my family and I spent a few wonderfully relaxing days at The Resort at Pelican Hill, and it was a luxurious way to ring in 2020. Little did we know that much of our world would change in just a few months. That unhindered time of rest and relaxation would become a […]
Three Fun Holiday Crafts for Kids
Whether you’re counting on the kids to handcraft a gift or two, or you’re just looking for a fun, quiet activity to fill a winter afternoon, check out these holiday crafts. The ornament and reindeer come from Gassia Mouradian, owner of Petit Bizoo Art Studio in Encino. The studio is currently offering in-person classes with […]
Santa Cruz Island: Social Distancing in Nature
For a family who ordinarily loves to travel, the pandemic has drastically limited our destination options. To make up for it, we’ve explored local road trips and day trips to bring a little bit of normalcy and family fun back into our lives. Recently, my 12-year-old, Elle, and I embarked upon our most adventurous pandemic […]
Try a Self-driving Tour for Safer Travel
While the mere thought of a crowded casino is enough to make one cringe in these times, consider using Las Vegas as a jumping-off point for an adventurous drive into nature. The adventure tour provider Bindlestiff Tours reopened this summer with new self-drive and private tour packages, as well as enhanced health and safety protocols. […]
L.A. Getaways From the Water to the Mountains to the Desert
Looking for a getaway close to home? We’ve got three great options that feel far away, but aren’t. Dana Point Harbor Just 59 miles south of L.A., Dana Point Harbor is the perfect beachside destination to celebrate Thanksgiving with shopping specials, waterfront dining and entertainment for the whole family. Take a whale-watching excursion with Dana […]
Amtrak Offers Options to Lure Holiday Travelers
With one eye on COVID-19 numbers and the other on the approaching holidays, many families are still planning to take some type of vacation this season, according to recent travel surveys. The latest survey findings from MMGY Travel Intelligence’s Travel Intentions Pulse Survey (TIPS) and MMGY Global’s Travel Safety Barometer show increasing confidence in the […]
Take a Glamping Vacation in Washington State
The COVID-19 pandemic has enveloped most of us in a fog of wanderlust, leaving us longing for our fading bucket lists of seemingly impossible destinations. But there’s one destination that will never be off limits: our wild side. Honor yours with a visit to Whidbey Island in Washington. This is a place where you can […]
With Safety Measures in Place, Los Cabos is Open
After our virtual workouts in the evenings, a few gym pals and I like to hang out in the Zoom-verse to catch up on each other’s lives. Before the pandemic, we had worked out together in the flesh for years, so we cherish these moments of chitchat as our sweat begins to evaporate. During a […]
Bob Baker Marionette Theater Delivers Dracula’s Disco Experience
The L.A. icon Bob Baker Marionette Theater has partnered with thematic party package service, Of the Night, on a Dracula’s Disco Halloween experience brought directly to front doors this Oct. 23 and 30. Of the Night has been dropping off colorfully themed at-home soirees to households across L.A. since early July. These party packages have […]
A Neighborhood Guide to L.A.’s Amazing Architecture
Need a study/work break? Let’s take the classroom into the city and explore our very own architectural treasures. A jaunt to Watts Towers can provide a lesson in engineering, art, local history and just plain wonder. The towers are closed during the pandemic, but a great deal is viewable from the street and merits a […]
29 Distance-Learning Field Trips in L.A.
Whether you vied for one of those few parent chaperone spots on your kids’ school field trips or actively sought to dodge them, we are all in this together (again). Only now, we must take the reins of field trip coordination like cruise ship directors channeling Julie McCoy from the 1970s sitcom “The Love Boat.” […]
Great Distance-Learning (and Work) Packages at SoCal Resorts
You’re intimately familiar with staycations – 2020 made sure of that – but have you heard of study-cations? Picture it. Fed up working and schooling at home while the fridge empties like water running through a sieve and dishes pile up like trash at a landfill, you and your family pack an overnight bag. You […]
Three Spooky Halloween Crafts for Kids
It’s time to get into the spooky spirit. With costumes to create, pumpkins to carve and spider webs to string as we decorate our homes, the Halloween season is the perfect time to put on our creative hats and use our imaginations with Halloween crafts. Spanish immersion early-education company Tierra Encantada created some spook-tacular Halloween crafts […]
Our Guide to Halloween Fun in L.A.
These are scary times, but that doesn’t mean your family can’t have some safe and spooky fun. Here are our picks for the best Halloween happenings in the Southland this year. All in-person events follow public health guidelines, requiring face masks and social distancing. Drive-through events require participants to remain in their vehicles. Pick a […]
Kids: Enter the FrightVision Spooky Writing Contest!
Just like everything in 2020, Halloween will likely look a little different this year. Culliver Crantz, creator of the FrightVision series of Goosebumps-meets-Stranger-Things books for tweens, is ready to help families make the most of it. Starting now, writers ages 8-12 can sharpen their quills, fill their ink pots and get to work on their […]
Our End-of-Summer L.A. Field Trips
A friend of mine calls them “field trips,” as a nod to the 12 years I spent as an elementary school teacher. She’s referring to the day-long outings my son and I engage in during breaks from school. Because there really is no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles with kids – of all […]
An Inglewood and Windsor Hills Date To-Go
Recently, my husband, Byron, and I got a little break when my mom volunteered to keep our daughters (12 and 3) for a few days. After months of being quarantined and not interacting with the public, we were happy to get a little break (that’s putting it mildly). We had so many elaborate plans, such […]
8 Things to Learn with Your Kids
You’ve baked muffins, walked the neighborhood, had Zoom parties and play dates, soaked in the kiddie pool, started virtual summer camp and driven around to every outdoor spot where you could keep your social distance. Somehow, there are still hours left in the day – and maybe a few days left until school starts – […]
5 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids
We’re all looking for ways to lure our kids away from their screens for a couple of hours. Why not ignite their imaginations through the wonderful world of stories? No, I don’t mean stories in the form of movies or video games. I’m talking about the old-fashioned written word. These five writing exercises, or “prompts” […]
Here’s Your Family Road Trip Safety Checklist
We all need to have an adventure this summer, and one of the safest ways to do that is to take a road trip! When planning your road trip with the family, adding certain items to your checklist is essential to keep you all healthy. All travel requires some thoughtfulness and pre-planning. Below are my suggestions on ways […]
5 Ways to Help Children Find the Path to Positivity
No question about it, we are living in challenging times. Several months into a quarantine version of family life, it is not just the adults who are feeling a little “off.” Staying positive when things are perfect is easy. Staying positive when things are challenging takes a lot of intention and practice, something the kids […]
A Family Takes Its First RV Road Trip
My husband Marcus, born on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and raised in apartments across L.A., is a bona fide city man. He loves the idea of nature, being particularly obsessed with astronomy, but I can probably count on one hand the number of times in our 14 years together that he’s suggested going hiking. Heck, […]
Kids can Earn Junior Wildlife Ranger Badges at Home
Junior Wildlife Ranger, an environmental education nonprofit working to get kids ages 7 and up outside and learning about their local ecosystems and public lands, is offering a free Neighborhood Badge Program designed to give children safe, engaging outdoor experiences this summer. Kids first need to sign up to become a Junior Wildlife Ranger and start their […]
How Families Can Safely Make Outdoor Play a Priority this Summer
As these first weeks of summer unfold, the American Academy of Pediatrics reminds parents of the benefits for young children of outdoor play. “Getting outside to play is good for children’s health on so many levels,” says AAP President Sally Goza, MD, FAAP. “Children play harder outdoors, and so getting them outside can help with […]
What Travel Might Be Like This Summer and Beyond
We can all agree travel will look different in the future. Even if we are wearing masks, covered in antibacterial, and can’t touch anyone, we will get back out there. Here are my predictions for this summer and beyond. Flexibility: We’re getting some power as we move into the future of travel, since airlines, hotels, car […]
Tune in to ‘Dads’ This Father’s Day
Just in time for Father’s Day, a new documentary called “Dads” will premiere on June 19. An official selection of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, “Dads” is a heartfelt and humorous film that celebrates the joys and challenges of parenting in today’s world. Featuring six fathers from across the globe, this film offers a […]
Bring Those Cool Summer Vibes Home
“School’s out for summer!” Yes, Alice Cooper! Could there be a better feeling than the last day of school? One of the things I savor about my kids’ childhood is the gift of experiencing summer vacation and summer fun again, but – as we are reminded over and over – the end of the school […]
It’s a Great Time to Garden
Spring has sprung and we’re all at home, which makes it the perfect time to start your own home garden – in your yard or in containers. “We have a really great climate for growing vegetables in Southern California,” says Brie Wakeland, a master gardener and garden educator at The Garden School Foundation. The organization […]
Reading at Home: Your Pets are All Ears!
You’ve heard that reading to pets is good for kids. That it’s encouraging for them to have a non-judgmental furry, finned or scaled friend as an audience. Maybe you’ve even taken your children to a read-to-a-dog event at your local library. But libraries are closed at the moment, and everyone is learning (and doing everything […]
A Quarantine Date with L.A. at Home
We Angelenos love to explore. A hunger for adventure courses through our blood. And with so much to do and see right here in our city, every weekend is a holiday. Just about every nook and cranny of L.A. is packed with great restaurants, unassuming holes-in-the-wall serving up mouthwatering food, cool bars, bookstores and record […]
Family Movie Night – At Home
Family movie time can be anytime while everyone is staying safer at home. Happily, you can find family movies on a wide variety of online platforms. Because it can be confusing when it comes to finding what film is playing where, we’re breaking it down for you (with age recommendations from Common Sense Media). Hulu […]
Bring the Outdoors Home, No Matter What Space You’ve Got!
We know time outdoors is good for kids’ wellbeing. It increases physical activity, reduces kids’ anxiety and improves sleep. Outdoor settings are also both stimulating and calming at the same time – perfect for learning. At times like these, we want our kids to reap the physical, mental, emotional and educational benefits of time outside […]
Dreaming of Future Travel Plans While Homebound
Despite being in the thick of a global pandemic, many people are still thinking about travel. In fact, as we nostalgically look back on a time when a lazy beach vacation or summer trip to Europe was easy, I would argue that society is thinking about future travel plans more than ever. Some of the […]
Why Pets are Great When You’re Stuck at Home
Having a family pet can be wonderful any time, but especially for families stuck at home. Here are some great activities for fun with your furry friends.
Bringing Joy and Finding Rhythm When Kids are Home from School
While kids are home from school, parents have an opportunity to teach their families how to weather adversity with love and civility.
Musical Activities to do with Your Kids during Coronavirus Shutdown
Musical activities have so many benefits for kids and families. Music therapis John Mews suggests 11 great ones to try at home.
#SupportingFamilies: Nature Activities to Do at Home
Nature activities need not require a trip far from home. There are plenty of fun ways to connect kids to the natural world in your backyard.
#SupportingFamilies: Stuck at Home? Take the Kids to a (Virtual) Museum!
Virtual museum tours won’t exactly get your kids out of the house, but they are a fun and safe way to explore and learn. Many L.A. venues offer them.
#SupportingFamilies: Kid Crafts to Keep You Busy at Home
These great crafts from our friends at Lakeshore learning will help you keep the whole family busy while you are stuck at home.
#SupportingFamilies: Tunes to Enjoy Together
Family music can be a real mood booster, offering peace and calm or an impromptu dance party to uplift everyone’s spirits.
This Nonprofit Takes Travelers with Disabilities in a New Direction
In the late 1970s, Dee Duncan worked at a Santa Barbara facility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program gave its residents plenty of chances to get out into the world, offering vacation trips three times a year, and Duncan helped arrange many of them. Still, when Thanksgiving and Christmas came around, some […]
7 Best SoCal Gardens for Kids
Southern California is a year-round outdoor kind of place, but spring is still a great excuse to visit our beautiful local gardens. Here are seven of the best L.A. gardens for kids. South Coast Botanic Garden This Rancho Palos Verdes oasis covers 87 lush acres with more than 2,500 different species of plants, plus rabbits, […]
Naughty is Nice on a Date in Culver City
My introduction to romance was dim and dusty. I was about 11, playing a solo game of spy, snooping around the house with my grandpapa’s magnifying glass. My mother’s closet was the last stop on my trail, and I decided to open one of the cardboard boxes she kept in the far corner. As I […]
Resort Living Just Down the Highway
My husband, Marcus, and I are running late for our couple’s massage at The Spa at Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. As we walk-jog down the small hill from our Bungalow suite, the heat rising from my neck to my face is induced more by stress and embarrassment than an elevated heartbeat. Earlier that morning, […]
Why Your Kids Will Flip for Carnival’s New Cruise Ship
Carnival Cruise’s newest ship, the Panorama, is taking cruising to new heights. Carnival has partnered with Sky Zone to create the first indoor trampoline park at sea. If you ever wanted to play trampoline dodge ball on a cruise ship, now is your chance. There is also trampoline basketball, digital rock climbing, jousting on a […]
Relax into Musical ‘MindTravel’
Murray Hidary is on a mission to help you release the worries and daily stresses that get tangled up in your head and trickle down to tense your neck and shoulders. A pianist, composer, visual artist and tech pioneer, Hidary’s antidote is his piano, a musical organ he hopes will help your brain, that overworked […]
Presidential Museums in Virginia – and Here at Home
When an American president is occupying the office, it can seem impossible to fully understand the person behind the suit and speeches. In the years and decades after each presidency, however, we gain a fuller picture. One window into these presidents’ pasts is the presidential museum. The homes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in Virginia are two of the most […]
Historic Filipinotown: Food, Stories, Entrepreneurship
I spent my first years in Los Angeles in Silver Lake and, like so many others in the area, I had little reason to cross over the 101 to explore the neighborhood immediately south. Although I didn’t know it at the time, that neighborhood is Historic Filipinotown, also known as HiFi. For me, it was simply an area […]
Youth Cycling Association: Paving a Road to Cycling for All
Royce Felten is an endurance cyclist. That makes sense for so many reasons. At age 14, he has already battled and beaten Hodgkins lymphoma. He has also faced the many challenges that go along with being a person with autism. So, what’s a 100-mile bike ride? “I just like being on the bike for long […]
Carnival Cruise Line Earns Certifications to Assist Guests With Autism, ADHD, PTSD, Down Syndrome and Sensory Issues
Carnival Cruise Line has become 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. Rollout of the program began in October with ships based in South Florida. It is scheduled to be implemented in the rest of the […]
Declutter During the Holidays
It seems that even before the Christmas songs start on the radio, the hourly emails come pouring in about the steals and deals for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Ads appear on TV for the must-wants and the kids start writing their lists for the must-haves. The messaging this time of year […]
How to Disconnect from Work and Reconnect with Your Family During the Holidays
We’re all guilty of it – only being half present when we’re with our families over the holidays. Maybe you’ve found yourself sneaking off to a quiet room to answer a few work emails or taking multiple work-related calls. If so, you’re not alone. Americans have a hard time disconnecting once on holiday vacation, and […]
History, Hiking and Good Times in Santa Clarita
After our third child, Megan, was born in 1995, we moved from Burbank to Valencia, one of four communities (including Newhall, Canyon Country and Saugus) in the city of Santa Clarita. Our kids grew up riding bikes on tree-lined paseos, hiking on local mountain trails and attending great schools within walking distance of our home. While Valencia […]
A Wonderful Life in Hollywood: How Dads Cope During the Holidays
Now that it’s dark at 5 p.m. and traffic seems to have gotten infinitely worse overnight, I find myself in the holiday mood. In L.A., there’s no apparent reason for this feeling. The weather is still sunny, the hills are still a bit fire-scorched, but some of the trees have fall colors and at least one radio station is playing nonstop holidays jams […]
Celebrating Without Stress
The wrapping paper, decorations and carols have been in the stores for at least a month, and even if you love the holidays, the approach of the season can feel stressful. That’s also true for your kids. “There’s just a lot of activity going on,” says Bhavana K. Arora, MD, chief medical officer of Children’s […]
A Dreidel in Time – A New Spin on an Old Tale
Fans of “Magic Tree House” will love “A Dreidel in Time” by Marcia Berneger with illustrations by Beatriz Castro (ages 7+), which transports readers via a magical dreidel to when Hanukkah began. When the grandparents of 9-year-old Benjamin and his 12-yearold sister, Devorah, visit on Hanukkah, the siblings hope to receive gifts. Instead, they’re offered a large, […]
Cayton Museum Launches Free Access Initiative
Through a partnership with Entertainment One (eOne), Cayton Children’s Museum has launched a free admission program for low-income families. The Free Access Initiative from eOne grants access for up to 10,000 visitors through July 31, 2020, and is part of eOne’s commitment to create everlasting childhood memories through its celebrated family-friendly brands, including “Peppa Pig,” “PJ Masks” and “Ricky Zoom.” Families (up to six people per group, per visit) […]
Smart Holiday Shopping for Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Parents and other loved ones who provide holiday gifts for children with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental challenges may or may or may not know that there is special care that can be taken when making gift choices. Those with children or relatives on the spectrum can follow a few guidelines to make the […]
Easier Holiday Travel with Disabilities and Special Needs
The season of celebrations is here, and traveling to visit family and friends can be part of the joy of the holidays. It can also be challenging for those with disabilities and special needs. With a bit of advance planning, though, families can smooth the path to holiday cheer. For those on the autism spectrum, […]
Cabin Fever Remedies
It’s the time of year when Angelenos long for a little cocoon time. Unlike most of the rest of the country, we sun-drenched SoCal residents actually crave cabin fever! But we like it in our particular way. Cabin retreats? Sure, if they include saunas, breathtaking views and enough comfort. We’ve got you covered with unique […]
Go With the Flow on a Family River Rafting Adventure
We Angelenos are always on the go, so whenever an opportunity to unplug from technology and spend a glorious day out in nature with my family presents itself, I jump at the chance. For this particular get- away, we decided to try an outdoor activity we had yet to experience as a family: white-water rafting […]
Family Exploration in the Yucatán Peninsula
About 65 feet underground in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, my family and I recently swam in a cold river flowing through one of the region’s many cenotes – collapsed portions of caves – considered sacred by the Maya people. As we navigated the cave single file through narrow passages, our guide explained that to the Maya, […]
Let the Birthday Parties Begin
My son Hank, who is in transitional kindergarten now, likes to ride his scooter to his new school. With our toddler, Leo, in tow, my wife, Kate, and I rush to keep up. On a recent morning, hot coffee spurted out of our mugs and onto our wrists as we raced after the 5-year-old. Hank […]
A Weekend Date in Carmel
On the second Friday of the school year, my husband and I hit the road for a 330-mile road trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, that jewel of California that sits on the Monterey Peninsula. It’s always hard leaving your kid, but we had equipped my mother-in-law with detailed instructions on afternoon pickup and our complicated TV remote […]
Playa Vista: A Date in the Neighborhood
The excitement leading up to my pre-planned solo date was pretty intense. Then again, it always is. I try to balance the demands of life with little local get-aways that allow me solitude and self-care. Usually, I go for lunch and a movie or visit a bookstore and a cafe. This time, I decided I’d […]
Spin Wax with DJ Blackarach
Even if it’s been eons since you were in the classroom, consider becoming a student of something new now that you’ve got the kids settled back into their school rhythm. For this year’s creative parenthood idea, we recommend you “be a DJ for a day” under the master-spinning tutelage of Burt Blackarach, a Grammy-winning engineer […]
6 Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Halloween
Despite the spooky décor, Halloween is supposed to be more fun than frightening for kids. But for those with sensory issues or on the autism spectrum, this isn’t always the case. To help families prepare for a fun and stress-free celebration, Paula Pompa-Craven, chief clinical officer of autism services at Easterseals Southern California offers these […]
What’s New on Catalina Island
Catalina Island is consistently named one of the favorite nearby island getaways for families— and for good reason. With a rich history and laid-back vibe, Catalina is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Always evolving to entertain visitors, Catalina is celebrating its 125th anniversary with new and improved restaurants, hotels, trailheads, museums […]
A Late Night in Alhambra
Alhambra and Monterey Park are both famous with foodies for having some of the best Asian eateries not only in Southern California, but in all of North America. Dispatches on these venues are part of what made Jonathan Gold the first food writer to ever win the Pulitzer Prize. My wife and I live in […]
From an L.A. Dojo to Japan
Our oldest daughter, Ava, was 5 the first time she noticed an upper-grade classmate wearing a crisp, white gi with a white belt as she hurried from school to karate class with her mother. Pointing in their direction and whispering, “Mommy, loooooook,” Ava was instantly transfixed. I figured she was more impressed with the gi […]
Labor Day Getaways
As summer draws to a close, many of us (kids and parents alike) have difficulty stepping into a routine once again. Luckily, there’s one saving grace for those of us who want to experience summer fun before it’s gone for good: Labor Day weekend. “Labor Day weekend is always a great time to snag deals on […]
Beat the Summer Heat … L.A. Style
For the first few days in July, summer in L.A. felt more like summer in San Francisco. Sometimes June gloom takes an unwavering hold over the city, continuing well into July. It’s all par for the course when you live near the great air conditioner unit, we call the Pacific Ocean. It can be a […]
Go Downtown and Take to the Skies
It started in modern-L.A. fashion. I was on time for 6 a.m. sunrise yoga at OUE Skyspace LA, having made the drive to downtown Los Angeles from Altadena in traffic-free time, parked in the convenient garage (Westlawn Parking Garage) on Flower Street next to Central Library and climbed one flight of the lovely Bunker Hill […]
Hot-Air Adventure at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
It’s 4:30 a.m., and the alarm is squawking. You are – on purpose – shaking the kiddos out of their warm beds as they moan and complain. Begrudgingly, they pull on warm layers and gloves while the grownups grab blankets and snacks. “Is this going to be worth it?” you wonder aloud as you cajole […]
This Boutique Airline is Autism Certified
A couple of years ago, Alex Wilcox was on a business trip when he encountered a family with a child on the autism spectrum. The child was so distraught by the sights, sounds and overall airport experience that it was impossible for the family to board the plane. As co-founder and CEO of airline JetSuiteX, […]
Tips for Healthy Summer Travel
Summer is the time to get outdoors and travel. Whether your family is headed for the beach, the mountains or even venturing overseas, smart preparation goes a long way toward helping to ensure a safe and healthy vacation. Here are some preventive health measures and treatment tips to help family members enjoy their time away […]
Taking the Road Less Traveled
We Angelenos love our cars (there are almost 8 million of them on our roads), but if you dig a little deeper, you can find many other fun ways to travel, particularly if you have a husband and son to entertain – and tire out. Here’s my take on anything but a road trip with […]
Smorgasburg LA: Opening Up Taste Buds and Business Opportunities
In 2009, my husband and I left our beloved West Adams neighborhood in L.A. and moved to the ’burbs so that I could be closer to a new job in Cerritos. I salivated over my 15-minute commute but desperately missed being in the “center of it all,” particularly the vibrant literary, artistic and culinary communities […]
Anthony Alabi: on Family, Fatherhood and Failure
For four years, Anthony Alabi lived what many would consider the NFL dream. He played offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. After those stints, another team was angling for him, but Alabi was already in L.A., pursuing a different dream that had been with him since childhood: acting. It was 2010 […]
L.A. by Foot: Exploring Walkable Neighborhoods
My boys are at the age now where we can take neighborhood walks without strollers. Hank, who’s 4, either runs at full velocity down the sidewalk or saunters at varying speeds, zigzagging this way and that as he checks out every flowery bush or squirrel-infested tree we pass. “Hey, Henry, try one speed and in […]
9 Family-Friendly Wineries
Separating “grown-up time” from parenting is crucial to creating a healthy life balance, but today’s busy parents often yearn to include their kids in their recreational activities. According to the Wine Institute, travel and wine-tasting with the little ones is on the rise. That’s good news for those of us who love wineries– and there are […]
Review: Disney’s ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’
Like so many Star Wars fans, I eagerly awaited the May 31 opening of Disneyland’s new “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” I recently got my chance to visit the park and its new land, set on the planet Batuu, a busy marketplace and trading post in an uncharted region called the Outer Rim. At the beginning […]
Legoland Turns 20; Still an Escape for Families
Legoland is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, and it’s still a perfect and fun weekend getaway for L.A. families.
Ladies’ Day Out at Third & Fairfax
One of my favorite lunch spots is The Original Farmers Market, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. No matter what food I’m craving, I usually find it there. With more than 100 grocers, retailers and restaurants, and year-round activities, it’s also where I like to bring out-of-town guests. My visiting friend Kim Orlando […]
Family Fun Around Orlando and Florida’s Space Coast
Think of Orlando and you might think of everything you can probably visit and do much cheaper right here in sunny, Southern California. Disneyland? Check. Universal Studios? Check. Surfing? Double check. Why go all the way to Florida to do what we can do right here? Two words: space coast. And that’s just the beginning. […]
Go Wild in L.A. This Summer With an NHM Guide
The words “wild L.A.” might conjure images of Hollywood celebrities and lavish parties, but this story is about the flora and fauna that exist in our urban sprawl. In the book “Wild LA: Explore The Amazing Nature In And Around Los Angeles” by Lila Higgins and Gregory B. Pauly with Jason G. Goldman and Charles […]
Marvels of Representation
When my son Noah managed to discover his early 5th birthday present, an authentic special-edition Miles Morales Spider-Man costume, the look on his face proved the costume was well worth the $40, plus shipping and handling. After seeing the animated movie “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” he came home and told me, “I really am Spider-Man, […]
A Day of Relaxation and Rejuvenation in Westlake Village
We moms know to-do lists well. Keep going, keep doing. Take care of everyone and every project – that’s the mom life. But recently, I’ve been granting myself permission to embrace a different mindset: Treat yourself; no guilt allowed. Trust me: Your mind, body and especially your family will thank you for it. For my […]
Leo del desierto: Toddlers in the Desert
Some kids don’t mind the heat. But mine, when the sun beats down just right on their porcelain little foreheads (we’re the descendants of peoples that dealt mainly with dark Brittonic clouds that nay bent to the sun’s relenting power), melt into cranky, lifeless puddles. This is what keeps us on the Westside. So why […]
HBO’s ‘FOSTER’ Reveals Complexity of Foster Care in L.A.
L.A. has the largest county foster-care system in the U.S., and an engaging new documentary explores it from the inside. “FOSTER” was written and directed by Mark Jonathan Harris and produced by Deborah Oppenheimer, the pair that worked together on the Oscar-winning documentary “Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport.” That movie told […]
See D.C. With the Family in Five Days
Washington, D.C. is well known for its monuments and lawmakers, but there’s much more to the area than its statues and politicians. Ask Washingtonians, and we’ll rattle off a list of our favorite bits of history, neighborhood restaurants, museums, theaters and parks. The Trust for Public Land’s 2018 ParkScore ranks Washington, D.C. third and nearby […]
Dodger Season! It’s Time for … a Date in Echo Park
Sometimes, as parents, we have to squeeze a quick date in after school drop-off. Such was my treat on a recent Wednesday after I dropped my son off at his school near Dodger Stadium. I used to work for the Dodgers, and one of my favorite ways to take a break from Blue Heaven was […]
Just Say Yes to ‘No More Poems’
Life on the road led Americana singer-songwriter Rhett Miller to write his first book, a collection of children’s poems entitled “No More Poems” The poems, however, weren’t inspired by wild rock band escapades (except maybe for “Stinky Mouth You”). They were created as a way for Miller to extend his Facetime conversations with his two […]
Good Food, Culture and Pampering on the Hill
Growing up with a mom who is a great home-cook-turned-chef, I learned not to be surprised when a restaurant’s food doesn’t stack up to Mom’s cooking. Still, even with our discerning palates, my little sister Bobbie and I were excited to visit the bustling intersection of Overhill Drive and Slauson Avenue for our Date with […]
A Parent’s Ode to Kidspace
L.A. isn’t often described as a “beautiful city,” which is to say that no writer would rank it among towns such as San Francisco or Paris. OK, sure, there’s the Riviera of Malibu, the exquisite beaches of the South Bay, the golden oak-laden hills of the Verdugos and the lush residential canyons that make up […]