ML Interest Tag: eye-candy

Beyond Books: Local Libraries with a Twist

by Jessica Smith

You go to the library to check out books. But you can spend just as much time checking out the scene. At certain extra-special libraries in Chicago and the suburbs there are educational toys, engaging activities and interactive atmospheres that entice kids to hang out for hours. Whether you need a rainy day getaway or want to make the case that reading is cool, these spots are great places to start.

photo: Chicago Public Library

Sulzer Regional Branch – Chicago Public Libraries
This Chicago Library branch has a kids’ section that really bustles first thing in the morning. Half of the ground floor is dedicated to little readers and offers not only books, but blocks, LEGOs and puzzles. Special programs include everything from toddler crafts to family game nights. More than 20 kids’ computers await hours of happy tapping in this warm environment where everyone is encouraged to take their time.

4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln Square
312-744-7616
Online: www.chipublib.org

Budlong Woods Branch – Chicago Public Libraries
The library named after pickle farm founder Lyman Budlong has become a stable of west Rogers Park, and its original kids’ programming makes it a standout. In addition to hosting story and craft hours, it offers field trips to Chicago landmarks like the Goodman Theatre (parents or caregivers must accompany children). Plus, on top of having computers and a great selection of picture books, Budlong Woods also has a picturesque outdoor reading garden.

5630 N. Lincoln Ave.
Rogers Park
312-742-9590
Online: www.chipublib.org

Bezazian Branch – Chicago Public Libraries
Multicultural resources abound at this lively branch. There is a particularly large Vietnamese, Chinese and Spanish language section perfect for families that enjoy expanding horizons. Occasional programs take place in the onsite auditorium, while the everyday hangout for little bookworms is the cozy kids’ corner. Packed story times are known to focus on multi-culti literature.

1226 W. Ainslie St.
Uptown
312-744-0019
Online: www.chipublib.org

photo: Evanston Public Library

Evanston Public Library
The kids’ room of this North Shore gem has the chill vibe and originality of your favorite coffeehouse. Kick back on an oversized cushion, play with puppets and toys, and chat with friendly employees. The nearly 5,000-square-foot space devoted to littles is set aside from the main library on first floor and makes all ages feel welcome. Its events calendar bubbles over with activities like programs geared toward STEM learning, scavenger hunts, The Young and the Restless sing-a-longs and more.

1703 Orrington Ave.
Evanston
847-448-8600
Online: www.epl.org

La Grange Public Library
When three-year-old Tyler Duelm lost his battle with brain cancer, his family created the Tyler Duelm Activity Room to facilitate fun and unique library programming in his memory. Thanks to the family, hundreds of kids have enjoyed story times, after-school programs and summer reading programs in a cozy, welcoming space. Besides the Tyler’s Time programming, the library has colorful wall murals depicting animals and a fish tank if you prefer gazing at the real deal.

10 W. Cossitt Ave.
La Grange
708-352-0576
Online: www.lagrangelibrary.org

Hanover Park Branch – Schaumburg Township District Libraries
As part of the Schaumburg library system, the Hanover Park branch gives you the benefit of shared materials yet it has its own engaging children section. Along with books and computers, there are fun surprises like a faux T-Rex protruding from the wall and a replica of a mummy coffin. You can also nose around the mini castle complete with a train set and king’s chair. Despite all the eye candy, this is a fairly quiet place to pass the hours.

1266 Irving Park Rd.
Hanover Park
630-372-7800
Online: www.schaumburglibrary.org

photo: Oak Park Public Library

Oak Park Public Library
With techie amenities like a wide-screen TV with video games, this family oasis is an easy win. Its vaulted ceiling and natural light help grownups relax, while kids love their own level that’s complete with a wooden toy boat climbing structure, art alcove, toddler tree house and three gerbil mascots named Henry, Ralph and Mudge. Right next to the library is Scoville Park, grassy plain perfect for post-reading romps.

834 Lake St.
Oak Park
708-383-8200
Online: www.oppl.org

Edgewater Branch – Chicago Public Libraries
After two years of constructions, Edgewater’s gem went up with the help of a $13.7 million budget in 2013. You’ll appreciate that they invested in the kids section: The entire first floor is devoted to young ones and is full of new materials. There are about 30 computers just for juvenile use, plus an impressive picture book area. Look for lots of games, with craft activities coming this fall.

6000 N. Broadway St.
Edgewater
312-742-1945
Online: www.chipublib.org

Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch – Chicago Public Libraries
The kids’ section, encompassing part of the first floor, has activities for all ages, including regular story times, LEGO story times where kids are read a book and asked to build a solution, and unstructured play days. Toddlers have their own area with LEGOs and board books, while older kids get their brainy fix with educational computer games. This is a calmer library that lends itself to a quiet afternoon in an active part of the city.

1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Wicker Park
312-744-6022
Online: www.chipublib.org

photo: Downers Grove Public Library

Downers Grove Public Library
Go here for the Early Literacy play area, where kids in second grade or below can learn about a special topic, which changes every two months. The library’s Mouse House is an inviting cottage nook with pint-sized furniture, providing a peaceful place for kids to kick back with a book. There are also two train tables and a story time room. There programming is robust, with activities liked guided STEM time, paleontology digs, Pokemon play days and more.

1050 Curtiss St.
Downers Grove
630-960-1200
Online: www.downersgrovelibrary.org

Skokie Public Library
This destination feels like a play space meets theater meets book nook — all with the cool vibe of an Apple store. Imaginations fly when kids set their sights on the puppet stage, craft room, computer lab and digital media lab furnished with Mac products. For littler ones, there is preschool play area surrounded by picture windows and outfitted with LEGO tables, a play kitchen, puzzles and educational games. A large world languages section offers books in everything from Hebrew to Hindi.  On Thursdays, they host POP! Parents of Preschoolers. While the kids get their story time fix, the library shares parenting resources and tips over coffee and cookies.

5215 Oakton St.
Skokie
847-673-7774
Online: www.skokielibrary.info

Harold Washington Library Center – Chicago Public Libraries
The crown jewel of Chicago libraries is known for both for its outstanding Postmodern architecture and breadth of programs. Its enormous second-floor Thomas Hughes Children’s Library is currently under construction, but keep your eyes peeled for the new and improved space expected to reopen in early summer.

400 S. State St.
The Loop
312-747-4200
Online: www.chipublib.org

photo: Palatine Public Library

Palatine Public Library
This treasure lures with a first-floor Early Literacy Area that’s interactive and welcoming. Go there for games, activities, puzzles, puppets and computers — all designed to encourage and develop learning skills. Be sure to check out the Museum Pass program, story times, drop-in craft projects, LEGO building sessions and kids’ chess matches.

700 N. North Ct.
Palatine
847-358-5881
Online: www.palatinelibrary.org

Lake Forest Public Library
This gorgeous domed building was dedicated in 1931 and has been continually renovated. The basement is where you’ll find the kid fun, including a beautiful tree-like structure to gather around, as well as a stage equipped with hand puppets. In addition to books, you can get lost in puzzles, educational computer games, craft projects and scheduled calendar events, like pajama story times.

360 E. Deerpath Rd.
Lake Forest
847-234-0636
Online: www.lakeforestlibrary.org

Arlington Heights Memorial Library
This is one of only five Illinois libraries to receive five stars, the highest of Library Journal’s national public library ratings. The first thing you might notice about it is its size — it’s huge, taking up almost an entire city block. A large portion of the first floor is for kids. Kids delight in the open puppet theater with audience seating for parents. There’s also a toy area for younger kids and computers for all age groups.

500 N. Dunton Ave.
Arlington Heights
847-392-0100
Online: www.ahml.info

Did your favorite public library make our list? If not, let us know what your favorite library is in the Comments section below.

— Maria Chambers & Jessica Smith

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Now Open: A New Family Pizzeria in the SFV

by jolie loeb

What do the makers of Menchie’s do when they get a little hungry for something that’s not a flavor of the month?  Open up a Neapolitan-style pizzeria!  At MidiCi in Sherman Oaks, beneath show stealing stovepipe ovens and meticulous ingredients lies a pizza spot that is worth traversing canyons and freeways.  Exceptional eating, awesome atmosphere, and the monkeys are as mad for it as they are for Menchie’s.

When Is A Date Night Not A Date Night?
When you bring the kids! Dine beneath a sprawling indoor olive tree, under soaring ceiling on sleek black barstools.  There’s an espresso machine aptly named after a Greek goddess and artisanal gelato that is destination worthy all by itself. It’s sure a far cry from the family pizza scene of yore: no TV set on a SpongeBob loop and/or oversized rodents coming over to force a photo. But this place, beauty notwithstanding, is designed for family. And the pizza?  It’ll blow you (and the kids) away.     

Step Back In Time
The scene here is less hyper-stimulating (not counting the pizza) and more sublime.  With culture creeping out of every corner, bring the kids around the restaurant for a look—even the condiment counter is a vision.  And mind the floor on the way there, it’s micro-cement, hand applied with a trowel, honoring the tradition dating back to the Roman Empire.  So you get a little art history alongside your artisan pie.

Speaking of history, MidiCi pizza makers have all endured rigorous training in authentic Neapolitan pizza gastronomy and they make the magic right in the heart of the restaurant.  The ovens, sand and stone hand hewn, are wood firing wonders, hand built by a third-generation family in Naples, burning at 1000 degrees the Neapolitan way.  Cool eye candy for kids, to see the way pizza was made when and where it was invented.  And then to taste pizza exactly how it should taste.

“Fast” Food, Not “Fast Food”
Get in line and pick your pizza pleasures (MidiCi literally translates into “You tell me”) and let the prized pizza makers top it with whatever you like you (there are plenty of kiddo friendly fixins). Got a kid with a penchant for pickiness? Not a problem—they’ll go as plain as they prefer.  If  you’re feeling too tired to make decisions, they offer classics and pre-created specialties and substitutions are delightfully accommodated.  Pies are one size and range in price from $7-$14.  If they can agree on toppings, kiddos can probably get away with splitting one.

Then sit and relax, but not too much, because these pies bake in 90 seconds, so before they can squeeze out even one verse of the “I’m hungry” blues, dinner is served. Dessert you can order when you’re done eating your meal; it’s at a separate register where you don’t have to wait in line with the pizza people.

Here’s what’s in your pizza dough: Non-GMO flour imported from Naples, pure water, sea salt, live yeast.  That is it.  And what they put on top is just as pure; crushed non-GMO Italian peeled tomatoes, “white gold” buffalo mozzarella; it’s all the stuff you’d use at home.  If you had a grandma from Naples coming over to make dinner.

Beyond the Pies
With a whole burrata section to delight in, this place makes introducing burrata to bambinos easy.  The Burrata with purple kale, grape tomatoes, and homemade pesto is kind of like pizza deconstructed.  So good that routine kale rejection won’t happen.  They may even try a bit of beet with the burrata.  Expanding palates, one bite at a time. 

Even if you think you’re too full for dessert, you need to try it.  The signature Nutella calzone is completely off the chain. All puffed up and bursting with berries and banana, doused in Nutella…fuggedaboudit.  The kids won’t even beg for Menchie’s on the way home.

While you’d happily eat here without the kids, the beauty of this place is that they’re not only welcomed, they’re wanted. It feels beautiful and bright and makes you linger and chat over an espresso, but service is also as fast and friendly as eating at your local neighborhood joint, or at a friend’s house.  MidiCi has created a space for congregating and reconnecting over manna from heaven, or Naples.  Same thing.  

MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza
14612 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks
818-788-2178
Online: www.mymidici.com

What’s your favorite dinner spot that appeals equally to adults and kids?  We’d to hear love your tips in the comment section!

—written and photographed by Jolie Loeb

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Get Your Kicks at This New Sneaker Exhibit

by Mimi O'Connor

The Brooklyn Museum’s new exhibit, “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” chronicles the evolution of the now commonplace footwear from a nearly unrecognizable version of the shoe to mid century signifier of youth and athleticism to highly-coveted collectors item, status symbol and cultural icon subject to haute couture designer and cutting-edge artist creative collaboration. It also covers the development of industrial and architectural design in relation to the shoe and the effects of social and cultural developments on who wore sneakers, and when and where they wore them. It’s also just a really cool, fun, good-looking exhibit the kids will dig, whether they absorb any of that or not.

photo: Brooklyn Museum/Jonathan Dorado

Sneak on in!
Originating at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto — where they know from shoes — “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” includes works (read: mostly sneakers) from Bata’s collection, the Kosow Sneaker Museum and the Northampton Museums and Art Gallery. You’ll also find pieces from the archives of all the big name manufactures such as Adidas, Converse, Nike, Puma and Reebok (and some little and forgotten ones), as well as kicks from private collections from the likes of Darryl “DMC” Daniels, sneaker guru Bobbito Garcia and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder.

The exhibit also includes video clips featuring cultural watershed moments for sneakers, ranging from RUN-DMC talking about and performing “My Adidas” on Yo! MTV Raps, to Missy Eliott’s 2005 video for “Lose Control”, to the debut of designer Rick Owen’s “Vicious” Collection as modeled by step dancers performing in Adidas By Rick Owen’s running sneakers. Longer-form video pieces include excerpts from the forthcoming documentaries Jordan Heads  (dedicated to devotees of Nike’s Air Jordans) and Just For Kicks, which examines sneaker culture from the 1970s to 2004.

photo: Brooklyn Museum/Jonathan Dorado

History, Hip-hop, High Fashion
Organized into six sections, the exhibit highlights some of the earliest examples of the form from the early to mid-1800s (when a slip-on rubber shoe was more expensive than those made from leather) to the debut of the Converse All Star/Non Skid sneaker in 1917 and a 1920s Keds rubber-soled, canvas top shoe, when an increasingly industrialized society provided people with more leisure time and playing sports recreationally became a more common pursuit.

Additional areas of the show address the democratization of the sneaker, the evolution of consumer culture and celebrity endorsements, the synergies between hip-hop culture and basketball, and more. Everyone from Chuck Taylor, tennis player Jack Purcell and Knick Walt Frazier to RUN-DMC, Kanye West and legendary sneaker designer designer Tinker Hatfield get their deserved moments in the spotlight.

photo: Brooklyn Museum/Jonathan Dorado

Major Eye Candy (and Flashbacks) Ahead
Forget the history and contextulizing, this show has tons of cool stuff small museum patrons will love. (Admittedly, it’s for older kids, as toddlers are still getting up to speed on the whole “sneaker” and “contemporary culture” thing.) A few dozen sneakers, representing all kinds of developments and trends in sneaker design are encased in Plexiglass to behold, with explanatory text if you want or need it (i.e., the ultra-rare Nike Air Max LeBron 7 All Black sneaker is inspired by a lyric from Jay-Z’s “Run This Town,” and is a tribute to the rapper mogul and Lebron James, listing the achievements of the two men on the insoles. )

Highlights (and there are many) include: a shiny gold sneaker worn when Olympian Michael Johnson won his  20 gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta; artistic/trippy/fun works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Staple and Kanye West, and one of the original pairs of “My Adidas” from Run-DMC. Additionally, “Shoefitti” — AKA sneakers hanging from faux telephone wires — looms overhead, and you can read about the origins and interpretations of this tradition from both academic and personal perspectives.

photo: Brooklyn Museum/Jonathan Dorado

From Jordan, with Love
Yes, there is an entire section devoted to Air Jordans, its fans and the shoe’s impact. (For the uninitiated: the introduction of the Nike shoe in 1985, named after then-rookie Michael Jordan was a huge deal.) “Jordanheads” will be pleased to learn that the display of every Air Jordan resembles a shrine of religious relics.

Share Your Sneaker Story
One of the overarching themes of “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” is that the shoes are deeply personal items. Throughout the show, quotes from various notable people in the sneaker culture community relay the importance of the shoe to them, and visitors are encourage to share their “Sneaker story” as well on social media.  As people exit the exhibit, they are encouraged to share their own sneaker story — with words, an illustration, or both — on slips of paper at a large bulletin board. (Or, they can tweet it with the hashtag #sneakerculture.)

The Rise of Sneaker Culture
Through October 4, 2015
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy.
Crown Heights
718-638-5000
Online: brooklynmuseum.org

Have you and the kids seen “The Rise of Sneaker Culture”? What did you think? Tell us in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

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A Ginormous LEGO Convention Is Coming to Town! Here’s the Scoop.

by Kelly Aiglon

Do your kids wish they lived in a LEGO universe? Good news: They can make it (almost) a reality at a mega LEGO convention coming to town. Brickworld, held June 20 & 21 at Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, has about 30 million LEGOs in one room, with displays built by LEGO master builders and former LEGOland designers. Read on for a sneak peek at what’s in store.

brickworld

Mini Worlds That Will Make You Smile
In 66,000 square feet, you’ll discover one colorful build after another. Instead of sculpture-like structures that you’d see at the LEGO store, the eye candy at Brickworld is highly elaborate minifigure environments. In fact, each is like a treasure hunt in settings ranging from medieval castles to space stations. You’ll catch movie scenes, replicas of buildings, re-creations of famous paintings and more.

Play “I Spy” with the kids and home in on micro details, like donut-eating policemen, piano delivery trucks and castles with moving drawbridges. Some things are downright silly, like a skyscraper on a train layout built by the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club; in it, there is a guy sitting on a copy machine making copies of his rear. (Yes, kids — giggle, giggle.)

brickworld-3

Museum-Quality LEGO Art
Some builds are like pieces of art — like the Albert Einstein “mural” made by Jeremy Moody from small tiles with letters and numbers on them. Another popular display is the Great Ball Contraption, a collaboration that values function over looks as it moves marble-sized soccer balls around a loop all weekend long; there will nearly 150 modules at this year’s event. Kids will be totally mesmerized!

Grownups, there are draws for you, too. While some big exhibits are highly guarded secrets, last year had several standouts, including a tribute to Homer’s “Odyssey.” All 10 islands from the epic book were re-created in LEGO form by 19 people from around the world who used roughly 1,000,000 pieces.

brickworld-2

Hands-On Activities for Lil’ Builders
Of course building is as much fun as looking, so Brickworld also lets kids use their imaginations and make their own LEGO creations. A big table with 20,000 pieces is open throughout the convention for free builds. You can also tinker with remote controlled LEGO robots, watch a stop-motion video made with LEGOs or use switches to operate LEGO trains. Toddlers and beginning builders will have their own kind of fun with a big pile of Duplos.

Yes, everything here is awesome. Just as a LEGO universe should be!

Brickworld
June 20 & 21
Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: $11; kids 3 & under are free
Renaissance Convention Center
1551 Thoreau Dr. North
Schaumburg
Online: brickworld.us/chicago

Will you attend Brickworld? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

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10 LA Parents You Should Be Following on Instagram

by Jennifer O'Brien

What makes an LA parent Instagram-tastic? Pics that perfectly capture a relatable slice of So Cal life; Vogue-worthy shots of hipster moms hugging hipster kids hugging hipster dogs; a sense of humor about raising little ones in the craziness of LaLaLand. Whatever it is, these folks have it. And many of them have devoted followings to prove it. We’ve filtered through to find ten Angeleno parents you should discover on Instagram stat.

                                                                        photo credit: Oh Joy via Instagram

Joy Cho
If you’re not already following this delightful mama mogul on Instagram, you will be soon. When Cho’s not busy running the Oh Joy juggernaut which includes an incredibly popular blog filled with colorful fashion, design and lifestyle videos, she’s launching her own whimsical product lines at Target and Land of Nod, authoring books and still finding time to post Instagram photos of the fun-filled adventures she shares with her two adorable daughters, Ruby and Coco. We’re exhausted just thinking about it, but thankful she finds the energy to do it all and share it with the masses.

Follow @ohjoy

                                                                                                     photo credit: Oh Joy via Instagram

Charlie Capen
As one of the founders of the hilarious and beloved fatherhood blog, How to Be a Dad, Charlie Capen uses Instagram to keep an extremely touching journal for his two young sons, Finn and Arden. Next to beautiful pictures of his brood, Capen dispenses heartfelt fatherly advice and logs memories of important family moments (both big and small), creating an intimate diary of their time together. Parents will love the relatability of Capen’s posts and may even be inspired to do something just as special for their own rugrats.

Follow @charliecapen

                                                                                        photo credit: Charlie Capen via Instagram

Rebecca Woolf
Writer and LA mom of four, Rebecca Woolf, started her crazy popular blog, Girls Gone Child, in 2005 after giving birth to her first baby, little Archer. Woolf’s hilarious wit and unmistakable candor about the highs and lows of parenting have garnered her a loyal following. That goes the same for her Instagram account. Filled with endless beauty shots of fleeting mommy moments, Woolf’s humor and heart shine through in every post – whether it’s a pic of her kiddos aiding in a last-minute primp for a night out or her daughter unexpectedly “fishing for gold” during a family portrait.

Follow @girlsgonechild

                                                                                    photo credit: Girls Gone Child via Instagram

Monica Rose
There’s a reason Monica Rose is one of the most sought after celebrity stylists working in Hollywood today – everything she does is glam to nth degree. Having styled everyone from the Kardashian klan to Giuliana Rancic and Mindy Kaling, Rose holds a PhD in what looks gorgeous and her Instagram is no exception. From editorial shots that ooze LA cool to incredible snaps of her kiddos, Alaia and Salvador—the two most trendsetting tots on this or any other planet (seriously), Rose makes us want to up our family’s fashion game pronto.

Follow @monicarosestyle

                                                                                          photo credit: Monica Rose via Instagram

Trevor Mulligan
OneS@HD blogger and co-organizer of the LA City Dads Group, Trevor Mulligan, perfectly captures the spirit of raising two energetic and fun-loving boys in the City of Angels—all from the perspective of being a stay-at-home dad. Mulligan’s Instagram features charming photos and videos of their daily explorations (and sometime tribulations) around town: from his son, Miles, learning to surf in Venice to his youngest, Mason, hilariously struggling to stay awake after refusing naptime.

Follow @onesahd

                                                                                     photo credit: Trevor Mulligan via Instagram

Emily Henderson
If you love ah-mah-zing interior design, adorable tots and witty play-by-play, Emily Henderson’s Instagram is a must-see. As a highly sought after designer, Target spokesperson, blogger and mom to little Charlie and one on the way, Henderson’s eye candy pics are the perfect way to while a way a few minutes of your day. Her humor and sunny personality shine through in every post and feel more like reading a good girlfriend’s Instagram than rifling through a stranger’s daily grind.

Follow @em_henderson

                                                                                  photo credit: Emily Henderson via Instagram

Morgan Shanahan
With her trademark cotton candy colored locks, you instantly know you’re in for tons of fun following Morgan Shanahan’s Instagram. This Buzzfeed Editor, popular blogger, screenwriter and San Fernando Valley mom (hence “The 818” title of her blog) delivers adorable posts of her babes, both furry and human, and daily LA living with unapologetic honesty and sass. This is one mom you know you can always count on for a great time.

Follow @the818

                                                                                photo credit: Morgan Shanahan via Instagram

Rupert Samuel and Sarah Sherman Samuel
This super adorable LA power couple are Instagram all-stars, each in their own right. As Executive Director of Global Content for ad agency powerhouse, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Rupert’s posts are filled with madman musings, husbandly sweetness and awwww-worthy snuggle shots of his newborn son, Archer. His beautiful wife, Sarah Sherman Samuel, is a creative director, designer and blogger for Smitten Studio where she shares stories about incorporating the joy of design into daily living. Sarah’s Instagram showcases stunning images of her family and gorgeous interiors that can’t help but inspire the designer in all of us.

Follow @rupertsamuel and @sarahshermansamuel

                                     photo credit: Katherine Rose via Sarah Sherman Samuel via Instagram

Laura Tremaine
Under the moniker “Hollywood Housewife,” Tremaine blogs about her daily life as just that: an accomplished housewife in Hollywood married to a filmmaker, working hard to raise two kiddos in the craziness of this kooky town. Tremaine’s Instagram reads like a love letter to LA, with breathtaking shots of sunny days splashing with her kids in the pool, checking out her fave haunts around the city, and a unique glimpse at life when your family works in the entertainment industry.

Follow @hollywoodhwife

                                                                          photo credit: Hollywood Housewife via Instagram

What standout LA parents do you follow on Instagram? Should we be following YOU?  Tell us your handle in the comment section!

–Jennifer O’Brien

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Unravel the Past at the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

by Erica Groten

Got a little Indiana Jones at home?  If your budding archaeologist likes to bury toys in the backyard and use a toothbrush to remove the dirt, the California Science Center’s newest exhibit is for you. From now until September 7, 2015 selections from the Qumran dig, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, pottery, and coins, are available for viewing. Step back in history with this trip to Exposition Park.

photo credit: Genevieve via flickr

Strolling To The Scrolls
Currently, this exhibit is the hottest ticket in town, so plan on long wait-times (even with a ticketed entry) to enter the exhibit during weekends and holidays. The long lines also extend to the actual exhibit with people jockeying for position to read the informational screens on the displayed items. Which leads us to Insider Tip #1: Go on a weekday!  If that’s not possible, try and get the first timed tickets of the day, when there’s less chance of a back-up inside the exhibit.

photo credit:  Jim the Photographer via flickr

After a quick and interesting introduction, you’ll be directed to enter the exhibit. Don’t miss the display of these tiny pottery faces, which kids can try making at home with clay!

photo credit: Jim the Photographer via flickr

This Roman bath includes a seat, which is an instant visual hit with the kiddos. Not to mention the parents. Insider Tip #2: Keep an eye on the little ones. Some of the displayed items, like this, are perfect height for wandering hands and bodies.

photo credit: Jim the Photographer via flickr

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in jars similar to the one displayed.

photo credit: Ken and Nyetta via flickr

Finally: the Dead Sea Scrolls! At last you arrive at a large circular table. The user-friendly display allows for amazing viewing. Some pieces of the scroll are hard to read but don’t despair, each piece is translated, in a section to the right of the actual scroll, and next to the translation is an enlarged picture of the actual scroll being viewed. Insider Tip #3:  Don’t be intimated by the crowds and take your time to read the informational material. Also, bring reading glasses if you need ’em, the room is dimly-lit.

But Wait, There’s More
So you completed your quest, and saw the scrolls.  But you’re not done! Head to the 10 Commandments section, in a corner nook by the Dead Sea Scrolls, and let little darlings push buttons that aren’t yours. This interactive demonstration speaks the commandment of the pushed button, and at the same time displays the piece of scroll where it is written. It’s a great set up for a Charlton Heston movie night, later on.

After you are buttoned out, make your way to the final section: Masada. A replica of the Jerusalem Western Wall appears to the right along with paper and pens. Pretend you are in Israel and leave a written note in a section of the wall. When the show closes, all notes will be collected by the Israel Antiquities Authority and delivered to Jerusalem. This section also hosts a live camera feed of the actual Western Wall.

Outside the exhibit an interactive section greets you. Try your hand at reassembling potsherds or be a scribe and practice Hebrew writing.

Wallets beware! The only way out is through the gift shop.

Post-Scrolls
Inside Tip #4: Don’t miss the IMAX movie, Jerusalem 3D, for a huge dose of eye candy.  For kids that  were bored by the pottery and papyrus, a 3D movie experience proves far more accessible.  And for kids that dug the exhibit, this reinforces all that they learned.

Still want more? Make it a day event and hit Endeavor and the ecosystems exhibits. The aquarium and touch ponds located on the 2nd floor are some of the favorite areas at the museum for kids of all ages.

The Parent 411
Ages: Open to everyone, but geared for kids ages 8 & up. While there are interesting bits for kids of all ages, toddlers and preschoolers will have a tough time keeping little hands to themselves and will be bored quickly, making the exhibit an exercise in herding, rather than learning, for parents.

Parking: Parking costs $10 per car, or choose the Metro Expo Line at the Expo Park/USC station. The Science Center is an easy walk (0.2 miles).

Potties: Potties abound throughout the Science Center and many offer diaper changing station.

Tickets & Cost: Tickets for this exhibit are required and can be purchased through the California Science Center’s website. Prices range from $12.75-$19.75 for the exhibition alone, or $16.25-$26 for the exhibition / IMAX movie combo.  Discounts are available for members.

Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through September 7, 2015.

Eats: Casual dining is located on the first floor. Choose from grilled items, fresh fruit, and salads. Plenty of seating, inside and outside, to choose from.  Or bring a picnic and dine al fresco in the Rose Garden.

California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Blvd.
Exposition Park
Phone: 323-724-3623
Online: californiasciencecenter.org

Have you been to see the Dead Sea Scrolls? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

—Erica Groten

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A New Burger Joint That’s Kid Paradise

by Kelly Aiglon

In Chicago, a good burger joint isn’t hard to find. The challenge is deciding which you’re in the mood for. Wonder no more: Shake Shack has just opened in River North. The cult fave will have you flipping for its famed burgers, “flat-top” dogs and crinkle-cut fries. But those are just the teaser to the real draws for kids — custard cups, cones, shakes and “concretes.”

photo: Sean P. Murphy on Instagram

What It’s All About
Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park in 2001. People loved it, lines formed and the word spread — fast. It expanded into a permanent location and set up shop across the U.S. and even abroad in Moscow, London and beyond. Finally it’s making a home in our fair city and won’t disappoint families looking for a relaxed, fast place to grab a bite. (We’ve been eagerly waiting, Shake Shack!)

photo: Shake Shack on Instagram

This spot doesn’t try to be anything but an honest burger shop, with friendly service and dang good burgers made from 100% natural Angus beef. Its rustic feel means anyone will feel at home, including squirmy toddlers, big kids and adults alike. The interior walls are outfitted with reclaimed local brown barn board, with tabletops made from repurposed bowling alley lanes. Also, there’s an outdoor patio with seating for 16, open on warm days.

photo: Shake Shack on Instagram

The Grub
There’s no separate kids’ menu, but littles can share with parents or tackle their own. The menu is focused on burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard and shakes. For a little local flavor, try the Shack-cago Dog, a Shake Shack spin on a Chicago classic; it’s all-natural Vienna beef topped with Rick’s Picks Shack relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and mustard, served on a Martin’s Potato Roll hot dog bun. And don’t forget the off-menu delight: grilled cheese sandwiches. Just ask, and they’ll melt one for you or your small fry.

As for those desserts — try a concrete with “mix-ins” like chocolate truffle cookie dough and marshmallow sauce. Local bakers and chocolatiers have a stake in things, too:  The Shack Attack is chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough and Vosges black salt caramel chocolate, topped with chocolate sprinkles; while Da S’mores is vanilla and chocolate custard with a slice of Bang Bang Pie s’mores pie.

photo: Evan Sung

Cool Extras
Shake Shack frequently surprises kids with birthday custard and fun giveaways. And, in the spirit of Chicago’s vibrant public art collection, it displays two life-size sliding puzzles illustrated by artist Noah MacMillan, creator of the Chicago Loop District’s “Float” mural. One of them depicts Millennium Park’s “Bean” sculpture, while the other features a design of the Chicago Theatre. It gives you a bit of alluring eye candy, while you have a burger binge.

Shake Shack
Open daily, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
66 E. Ohio St.
River North
312-667-1707
Online: shakeshack.com

What’s your favorite burger joint in Chicago? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

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Consignment Cool: The Country’s Best Kids Resale Shops

by Abigail Matsumoto

The start of each school year brings new clothes, new gear, and new growth spurts. But you don’t have to break the bank to refresh or restock your little one’s wardrobe. Kid-centric consignment is the new retail and we’ve gathered up some of our fave resources from coast to coast. Some are utterly unique (a resale boutique on wheels!), some have displays that rival grown-up stores, and almost all have cool kid and parent perks (think play spaces and free cupcakes). Click through the slideshow below and get ready to shop.

Little Birdies Boutique – Washington, D.C.

A lush Georgetown staple, Little Birdies Boutique has the stylish sensibilities of a grown-up store (think Anthropologie and other eye candy spots) but offers up new and consigned children’s clothes, shoes, and accessories. Everything is extremely well curated so it’s like browsing a really cool kid’s closet. In addition to consigned clothes, Little Birdies Boutique also sells original artwork for kids rooms.

Photo credit: Little Birdies Boutique

What’s your go-to consignment spot for kids stuff? Share it with us in the comment section below!

— Abigail Matsumoto

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Oakland’s Rising Star: Temescal

by rtsarahbossenbroek

Residents of North Oakland’s Temescal have major neighborhood pride, and for good reason: they’ll boast about how they discovered this slightly grittier area while nearby Rockridge real estate was exploding. They peruse the ultra-local Temescal Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning, nodding knowingly to the neighbors. And they love to support the small business that line Telegraph Avenue, the main drag. To get a taste of Temescal for yourself, drop in for a day trip (it’s conveniently located just off Highway 24) and check out the host of kid-friendly haunts.

Photo: Temescal Farmers Market by Rich R. via FourSquare

Explore

Temescal Farmer’s Market
There’s no better place to get the flavor of this neighborhood: a mix of hungover hipsters and bleary-eyed new parents flock every Sunday morning to stock up on seasonal organic produce, catch up with the neighbors, perk up with the help of some Blue Bottle coffee, bounce and groove to some live music, and nosh on everything from vegan samosas to wood-fired pizza. It’s in the parking lots of the Claremont DMV, and the Temescal creek area makes a picturesque picnic spot (and a fun place for kids to splash on warm days).

5300 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, Ca
Online: urbanvillageonline.com/markets/temescal/

Ruby’s Garden
This kids’ clothing consignment boutique gets a great selection of excellent condition fashionable duds from local families. It also features new designs from local “mom-preneurs” as well as a large collection of San Francisco-based Tea Collection. The owner and employees are helpful with ideas for picking out gifts, and even offer gift wrap.

5026 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-595-5325
Online: rubysgarden.com

East Bay Center for Creative Re-Use
A real-life treasure hunt, you literally never know what amazing things you’ll find at the East Bay Center for Creative Re-Use. Perhaps you’re looking for some random markers, collage materials, or other art supplies, or maybe you’ll score a sweet bicycle, an unopened OXO nightlight, a vintage lunchbox, or a barely-used bottle of Essie nail polish–all for incredibly cheap. If your little one appreciates the charm of older things and the hunt for something great, be sure to take a browse here.

4695 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-547-6470
Online: creativereuse.org

Baby World
With its row of cribs, carseats and strollers, as well as racks of layette essentials and shelves of baby books, Baby World is the one-stop shop in Temescal for those expecting. In fact, there’s even a registry available. Residents appreciate this locally-owned business saving them a trip to a big-box chain.

440 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-546-7040
Online: babyworldonline.net

Temescal Library and Tool Lending Library
This relatively small local branch of the Oakland Public Library hosts a toddler story time on Wednesday mornings at 10:30, as well as an after-school art program hosted by MOCHA. But the biggest perk for Oakland card holders is the tool lending library. To give your kids a real lesson in the meaning of being green, sip the weekend trip to Home Depot to pick up another new tool and check out the gear you need from this loaning program instead.

5205 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-597-5049
Online: oaklandlibrary.org

Photo: Frog Park

Play

Frog Park
Follow the creek and greenway up from the Farmer’s Market to this utterly wonderful playground…there’s truly something for everyone. A large wooden treehouse and train-themed play structure for older kids, some tot swings, a sandbox and smaller manipulative toys for smaller kids, and a pond for kids who would rather just explore and make messes. There are picnic tables and a restroom, as well.

5500 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, Ca
Online: frogpark.org

Photo: Homeroom

Eat

Homeroom
Picky little eaters will appreciate a restaurant that deals entirely in mac-and-cheese. Homeroom woos its clientele by offering the classic comfort dish with twists such as oodles of Gilroy garlic, or goat cheese, or Sriracha. They have add-ons just like you used to do as a kid (hot dogs, tuna, peas, broccoli), and a kid’s menu of basic macs. There’s even a Homeroom To Go location open now, so you can call ahead and take your noodles for a picnic.

400 40th St.
Oakland, Ca
510-597-0400
Online: homeroom510.com

Aunt Mary’s Cafe
A down-home southern brunch spot, Aunt Mary’s brings a familial vibe to breakfast. Post up with some of their provided crayons, books, and games, and order up some shrimp and grits or chicken and waffles. On the weekends, the pain perdu is a sweet tooth’s destiny fulfilled!

4640 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-601-9227
Online: auntmaryscafe.com

Bowl’d BBQ Korean Stone Grill
With the wealth of amazing Korean restaurants up and down Telegraph Avenue, relative newcomer Bowl’d had to offer something special to lure in the jaded locals. Two things that keep us coming back are the spicy Korean Fried Chicken (KFC, in their parlance), and the $6 kid’s bowl, which includes rice, seaweed, veggies, soup, and choice of protein. Kids love rolling up their own little bites in the seaweed–when they’re not ogling the dozen or small small kim chee dishes that come out with every meal.

4869 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, Ca
510-654-2000
Online: bowldbbq.com

Rosamunde’s Sausage Grill
The specialty sausage and craft beer’s latest location is set to open in this ‘hood in early 2015…keep an eye out for the big day!

4659 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, Ca
Online: rosamundesausagegrill.com

Burma Superstar
This ultra-popular outpost of the beloved Bay Area chain of Burmese restaurants is always busy, and everyone walks out smiling. Kids go nuts for the coconut rice and samusas, and we do not recommend leaving unless you’ve tried the unforgettable, 22-ingredient Rainbow Salad. Mixed tableside, it’s a feast for the senses, and creates a taste memory and lifelong craving at first bite.

4721 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-652-2900
Online:  burmasuperstar.com

Lanesplitter Pizza
Temescal parents of tots who still have a social life can often be found at Lanesplitter, enjoying New York-style pies (vegan or Heartstopper?) and California pitchers (Racer 5 or Trumer?) with other families. This ultra laid-back parlor has enough punk eye candy (including a vintage motorcycle) to keep little eyes entertained throughout a meal.

4799 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-653-5350
Online: lanesplitterpizza.com

Pizzaiolo
Charlie Hallowell’s first restaurant (which helped put Temescal on the map) is still going strong, and his Chez Panisse sensibilities will never go out of fashion, especially when the food’s this consistently wonderful. Baby’s first Romanesco? There’s no better place for an immersion in the wonders of local and seasonal produce. And fussy eaters can get a wood-fired plain margherita pizza. We recommend checking out the sunny bocce courts and fountain out back, it’s like a little slice of Italy.

5008 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, Ca
510-652-4888
Online: pizzaiolooakland.com

Photo: Doughnut Dolly

Treat

Doughnut Dolly
You’ve gotta love the moxie of a place like Doughnut Dolly: tucked back in Temescal Alley, this Kickstarter-funded pastry shop felt the love from locals enough to open a Berkeley location last year. Get there early if you want to sample the goods, then pick a cream filling, as well as a sugar topping. The naughty cream (French vanilla) is a perennial hit.

482 B 49th St.
Oakland, Ca
510-338-6738
Online: doughnutdolly.com

Bakesale Betty
You’ve seen the crowds lined up down the block at lunchtime for the totally-worth-the-wait fried chicken sandwich (as well as the cobalt-blue-haired proprietress), but if you hit up this Temescal institution before the lunch rush when strawberries are in season, the shortcake is a must.

5098 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-985-1213
Online: bakesalebetty.com

Photo by Jessamine L. via of Yelp

Curbside Creamery
From its start as a freezer on wheels (a fancy custom tricycle, to be more precise) to its current brick-and-mortar space at the entrance to the uber-hip Temescal Alley shops, this artisanal ice cream maker tempts with both vegan and traditional ice creams, in flavors like oatmeal raisin,  vanilla malt ball, and bourbon whiskey for your grown folks.

482 49th St.
Oakland, Ca
510-250-9804
Online: curbsideoakland.com

Tara’s Organic
When Tara’s opened another outpost besides its College Avenue, lovers of organic ice cream a few blocks south yelped for joy. The smaller storefront still hosts the same luscious and unique flavors that lure adventurous ice cream and sorbet fans to the original Tara’s.

4731 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca
510-923-1567
Online: tarasorganic.com

—Sarah Bossenbroek

Did we miss any local gems? Let us know in the comments!

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Painted Baby Names: Custom-Made Art for Baby’s Nursery

by Erin Lem

You want to decorate your baby’s nursery beyond the played-out pink and blue schemes without breaking the bank. For just the right flourish, check out Painted Baby Names, a fresh and artistic take on classic nursery decor. Custom-made by hand with pen, ink and watercolor, they’re a fun and affordable way to celebrate your little one’s birth, and add eye candy to what’s become the most important room in your house.

The artist behind them is San Francisco-based cartoonist Mike Capozzola, who has contributed to publications like Mad Magazine, TED Talks, McSweeney’s and the Bold Italic. Mike started making these beauties as a hobby for his friends’ children and now boasts a full-fledged Etsy shop and website where he posts videos chronicling his step-by-step process.

Think of Painted Baby Names as original works of art for your newborn. Simply tell Mike the name you’d like created and he will get to work. Each is hand painted, letter by letter, using pen and ink on textured white paper. Mike then finishes the work with watercolor, preserves it in a matte board and packs it up in a sleeve for easy shipping and delivery (which is free, by the way).

Each letter costs $7 with a maximum of $50. Since each piece is custom made, no name is too long or cumbersome for Mike to create.

Curious to see what happens once an order is placed? Take a look at the video below to take a peek at Mike’s creative process.

Sonya baby art clip from Painted Baby Names on Vimeo.

To learn more about Painted Baby Names and order your custom art, visit etsy.com/shop/PaintedBabyNames# or paintedbabynames.com

Would you buy a Painted Baby Name? Tell us in the comments section below!

— Erin Lem

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