OneDirectionToday I wanted to tell you about an incredible charity based in San Francisco called, ROCK. ROCK stands for Real Options for City Kids. The organization runs after school and enrichment programs for at risk youth in underserved communities in San Francisco. The organization’s executive director, Curt Yagi, contacted me because they are having an on-line fundraising auction soon with one item in particular that may be of interest to LACityMom’s and your families.

StubHub has donated a Luxury Suite for the August 10th One Direction Concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Luxury Suite comes with 12 tickets, 2 parking passes, plus food and drinks in adult and/or child varieties.

If you and your kids are One Direction fans, you can start bidding beginning on Tues, May 21st until Fri, May 31st. And if you win the suite, you will know that your contribution is going to a great cause that helps California kids stay off the streets,  and builds community. This event, which is sure to be a night to remember, would also make a great birthday party for some lucky fan and their friends.

 

 

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REDCAT Film Festival Reviewed

by leeroseemery on May 14, 2013

REDCAT Children's Film Festival LAThis just in from Beth who visited the REDCAT Film Festival last weekend.

“The REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival is one of those
events that makes me feel like a good parent on a few different
levels.   Exposing kids to the city: check!  Exposing them to foreign
cultures: check!  Exposing them to a famous landmark by a famous
architect:  Check check!
While I make the trek downtown regularly, I rarely bring my kids.  It
was especially fun to  bring them to someplace as visually interesting
as the Walt Disney Concert Hall.“That is where we’re going to see the movie,” I announced, pointing

as we approached.  My two boys, ages 6 and 8, had been skeptical about
the whole idea of movies from other countries, but when they saw the
undulating metal curves, everything changed.  Suddenly, the day was
interesting.
They settled into their seats eager to watch “Short and Sweet,” a
collection of eleven animated films that runs a total of 46 minutes.
The show started with a rousing musical called Stompy the Bear from
the UK.   A few of the shorts were mood pieces that didn’t quite
engage my kids’ interest, but thankfully, the short films delivered on
that simple promise:  they were short.  So when one didn’t delight, it
never took long to get to one that did.  One of their favorites was by
Canadian Tyler Nicolson, “No Noodles.”  You can watch it here:
The show finished with a thoughtful piece
that got me and my kids talking about being aware of the world around
us.
And to top it all off, the brave folks at Redcat gave every child a
beach ball as they walked out of the theater, something they do at
every screening.”

The festival continues next weekend, May 18 and 19th. Click here for show times. 

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Happy Mother’s Day

by leeroseemery on May 12, 2013

LACityMomHappy Mother’s Day from LACityMom. Being a Mom  is arguably the most valuable and meaningful job we can have, yet we can so often feel unappreciated or just plain exhausted. I was feeling quite frustrated when I read the Mother’s Worth Salary Wizard, on Salary.com and wrote the following article about it that was published on Business Insider.  Of course I know that you can’t put a price on the genuinely magical moments of parenting that we are sometimes lucky enough to experience. Still, when it comes to Moms being paid what they are worth in the workforce, the world has a long way to go.

My Mother’s Day wish to you is that you are celebrated in the way that makes you feel the most loved and valued for all that you do inside and outside the home. Or maybe you just want to ditch the family today and go to spa, and celebrate a little peace and quiet – that works too. Any way you celebrate have a Happy Day!

“In honor of Mother’s Day, once again, Salary.com, publishes the Mom’s Salary Calculator, which estimates the number of hours a week an average Stay at Home mom works (for her family) and what she is “worth” were she to do all the “jobs” she does daily by just being Mom.

This year’s earnings for a Stay at Home Mom would be $113,000.

What is supposed to make Stay at Home Moms feel validated for all their hard work in reality serves as a cruel reminder of how much Moms are still not valued in the work force or at home. Regardless of a positive April jobs report, many of these Stay at Home Moms, who left high paying jobs for a child rearing hiatus will never earn much again, when and if they are able to return to the workforce at all...to continue click here.  

 

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Orphans over Orchids for Mother’s Day this year?

May 2, 2013 Uncategorized

  What to give Mom for Mother’s Day? Flowers again? Here’s an inspiring idea. The Miracle Foundation is urging that folks, instead of sending orchids to Mom this year, send a donation to support improving the conditions of orphanages in India. I think the Mother’s Day idea of Orphans Over Orchids is a lovely one. [...]

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REDCAT Family Film Festival

April 28, 2013 Uncategorized

Here’s a great family friendly venue for culture. The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)  is hosting three weekends of exhilarating animation and live-action short-film programs. This global tour of charming, funny and poignant films —hailing from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Japan, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Spain and Taiwan, among others—is an [...]

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ONE-NIGHT-ONLY EVENT FOR CLASSIC FILM FANS & THEIR STARS at the ArcLight

April 15, 2013 Uncategorized

Here’s a great idea for a date night: Go see some classic movies with an intro from their stars at the ArcLight Hollywood. Here are the details below for this star studded evening of entertainment: A Special Evening of Film Classics Return to ArcLight Hollywood on Wednesday, April 24 Tickets on Sale NOW Click Here.  [...]

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Tip of the day: Five Ways Parents Can Prepare Their Kids for Financial Success

April 10, 2013 Uncategorized

Teaching kids about money is a challenge.  This guest post from Erica Tejedsa, Vice President for Wells Fargo in the Greater Los Angeles Region, and a mother of three offers some great tips. “If there’s a golden rule when it comes to savings and building healthy money management habits, it’s this: the earlier you start, the [...]

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Cabrillo Whale Watch

March 20, 2013 Uncategorized

It’s easy to get stuck in the carpool lane and forget that there is a big ocean right nearby. The end of March is prime season to see some Pacific grey whales migrating off the California Coast. We had great luck one morning when the kids were smaller actually seeing a whale leap through the [...]

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Cool Travel Gear – Color Coded I-Phone Cables

February 18, 2013 Uncategorized

We are slaves to our technology.  It is a fact of our generation, and also of our children’s generation.  I am constantly trying to set limits on my kids’ technology time, but now my son is reading so much and due to all the traveling we are doing the kindle and I –Pad are now [...]

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True Pablove’s Valentine’s Family Event, February 9th

January 24, 2013 Uncategorized

The Pablove Foundation’s Anual Family Valentine’s Celebration is taking place  soon, so book your tickets now. This day of family friendly crafting, music, food, and fun is so dear to my heart, and is one of Los Angeles’ most heartfelt, and fun filled events. Pablo Castalez was a pre-school classmate of my children. Three years ago, [...]

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