Santa Zooms & More Virtual Holiday Events Kids Will Love

by Shannan RoussNovember 29, 2020

With the ongoing pandemic, 2020 will be a year to create some new holiday traditions. Sure, you can still chop your own tree and admire Christmas lights around town. But some of our other favorite festive events and activities are going virtual. From Santa Zooms to at-home Nutcracker fun, read on for all the virtual holiday fun coming your way.

Virtual Visits with Santa

While plenty of our favorite shopping centers are offering timed, contactless visits with Santa, you can also be opt for an online alternative. Here's all the info on scheduling a virtual one-on-one with the man in red.

Pawliday Kids Party

On Sat., Dec. 12, join the pets (both real and the puppet kind) of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace for an hourlong Zoom celebration. Party guests will enjoy watching Wally the Dog's latest adventure, meeting adoptable pets and cute critters, and participating in a variety of games and activities. More info.

Online: eventbrite.com/e/pawliday-kids-party-tickets-128550653465

Skirball Hanukkah Celebration

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with this one-of-a-kind live event from the Skirball Cultural Center, on Sun., Dec. 13. There will be a community candle lighting, followed by music, a retelling of the Chanukah story and more. Kids will love grooving to the klezmer beats of Mostly Kosher, and jamming to the psychedelic funk of Israeli superstar Gili Yalo. More info.

Online: skirball.org

Clara's Nutcracker Tea Party

Bring the Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker into your home with this live virtual event on Sun., Dec. 20. Join Clara for a Nutcracker Tea party with friends, Marie, Columbine, Snow and her Prince! Kids can also participate in interactive play with dancing, magic, music, crafts and more. Proceeds from this event will support Los Angeles Ballet.

Online: losangelesballet.org

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

Sadly, this year Debbie Allen Dance Academy will not be putting on its Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. But Netflix is here to bring some holiday cheer with its upcoming documentary on the performance, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, arriving on Nov. 27. This event may not be live, but we want to make sure you don't miss it. The film follows Debbie Allen and a group of young dancers as they prepare for the annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker production.

Online: debbieallendanceacademy.com

Hollywood Christmas Parade

This year's Hollywood Christmas Parade may be cancelled, but you can still enjoy the most memorable moments from years past. On Dec. 4, The Hollywood Christmas Parade – Greatest Moments airs on The CW network. The TV special will also feature celebrity appearances and brand-new performances from your favorite stars.

Online: thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

LA County Holiday Celebration

The 61st annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, which takes place on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage, will go on this year, according to organizers, though the details are still being sorted out. Stay tuned for more details on the free three-hour production featuring instrumental music, choral music and dance performances, set to air on Dec. 24.

Online: musiccenter.org

–Shannan Rouss

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Make Your Own Blue Milk with New “Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook”

by Karly WoodOctober 8, 2020

Disney parks were closed for quite some time this year and we’re all in need of a little extra magic. Luckily, Adams Media new cookbook is here to give us the Mickey fix we all want.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook is packed with 100 recipes and they’re all Disney inspired. From park classics like churros and Dole Whips to new offerings that include Star Wars blue milk, this book is a must for Disney foodies.

The cookbook is organized by park and includes Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and California Adventure. With whimsical maps that show your fave parks and gorgeous photos, The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook highlights some of the most iconic food spots and treats that every park goer loves.

Some of the tasty recipes include Mint Juleps, The Grey Stuff, Beignets and Campfire Chili. You can preorder the book now on Amazon for $21.99 for delivery on its release date, Nov. 10.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Adams Media

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25 Signs You’re an LA Parent (with Very LA Kids)

by Meghan RoseSeptember 30, 2020

There’s nothing quite like raising kids in Los Angeles. We can (in theory, at least) go to the beach in December, though we actually never would. Our kids have strong opinions about taking the freeway versus service streets, and they ask for sushi in their lunch box. And we worry about keeping up with the Kardashians, not the Joneses. Read on to see 25 signs that you are an LA parent.

1. You know that one of the perks of having a baby is finally getting to use the carpool lane on the 405.

2. You definitely had a babymoon at one of these nearby favorite destinations.

3. When you called the local preschool to get your 6 month old on the wait list, you were told you’re too late.

birthday girl pixabay — rosysmith581 via Pixbay

4. You’ve been to at least one first birthday party that was bigger and more expensive than your own wedding.

5. Stainless steel PlanetBoxes lunch boxes is the "it" accessory at your kid's preschool.

6. The local kid's boutique has clothes that are more stylish—and more expensive—than your own.

7. Your kid wears their winter coat when it's 60 degrees out.

8. You personally do not own an umbrella, but you have a color-changing Floss & Rock one for your kid.

9. You have literally never thought of taking a picture of your child by the Hollywood sign, or on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or really anywhere in Hollywood for that matter.

10. You've seriously considered getting an annual pass to Disneyland.

11. Your kid thinks the four food groups are sushi, burrito, power bar and green juice.

12. Also, your kid loves seaweed.

13. Your kids think snow is made in a factory and delivered by trucks to museums and parks.

14. And they think "Movie-Screener Season" is an actual season, falling between "Too Hot to Go outside for Recess Season" and "Holiday Season."

15. You politely decline any play date invitations located on the other side of the 10.

16. At 6, your kid announces their lactose intolerant and insists on drinking oat/almond/pea milk instead.

17. But they still happily eat fro-yo at Menchies.

18. You've spotted a celeb mom at your kid's ballet/music/swim/karate class.

19. The way you've stocked the car with snacks and toys to make a 5-mile trip across town makes it look like you're heading to the Grand Canyon.

20. You have been moved to tears when you've scored a parking spot in the actual parking lot.

21. You drive to the neighborhood park—even though it's only a few blocks away.

22. Your kid’s class is filled with names like Berlin, Indy and Ocean.

23. There's also at least 3 kids with “alternate spellings” of the same name.

24. The cost of your kid’s preschool tuition is as much as college tuition.

25. You have more playdates on the calendar than you had dates in all of high school.

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Apple TV+ Announces the Return of “Helpsters” with Season 2

by Karly WoodSeptember 17, 2020

Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Award and Common Sense Media Award winner Helpsters is back! Apple TV+ announced the celeb-studded show will be returning for season two on Fri., Oct. 16.

The educational and entertaining show comes from the creators of Sesame Street. Littles can tune in to learn lessons on communication, collaboration, pre-coding skills and more.

photo: Apple TV+

Season Two will include plenty of Hollywood faves, such as Terry Crews, Danny Trejo, Gabby Douglas, Christopher Meloni, Richard Kind, Michael Ian Black and Janeane Garofalo. Musical guests Talib Kweli, Matt Berninger, Jason Mraz, K. Flay, Norah Jones, and Ingrid Michaelson will also join in on the fun.

Kiddos will learn tons on the show’s second season, which will continue to explore teamwork and overcoming challenges with puppets Heart, Mr. Primm and Cody. Helpsters is only available on Apple TV+.

––Karly Wood

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“Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” Podcast Launches Season 4

by Karly WoodSeptember 16, 2020

Grab your headphones and settle in: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast season four is here! This season is bringing inspirational stories and Hollywood together as the podcast expands its message of cultural and global tolerance to young listeners.

Based on Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World which releases on Oct. 13th, the 14-episode season will dig deep into the women featured in the upcoming book. Each episode is narrated by pioneering women and will include a secondary interview piece with action items.

New episodes are available as of Sept. 15 and will start with the following:

Ep 1: Tereza Lee / Narrator: Laurene Powell Jobs

Ep 2: Alice Guy-Blaché / Narrator: Brenda Chapman

Ep 3: Samantha Powers / Narrator: Cecile Richards

Ep 4: Carmen Miranda / Narrator: Storm Large

Ep 5: Arianna Huffington / Narrator: Tanja Babich

Ep 6: Noor Inayat Khan / Narrator: Freida Pinto

Episodes can be found wherever you get your podcasts or on the Rebel Girls website.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Goodnight Rebel Girls

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Walt Disney World to Change Hours in September

by Karly WoodAugust 11, 2020

The magic is happening at Walt Disney World, but starting in September your visits may be cut a little short. The theme parks announced this past weekend that hours will be reduced beginning Sept. 8.

Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios Epcot and Animal Kingdom will all be losing an hour or two every day in light of the recent drop in attendance attributed to the pandemic.

photo: Cody Board via Unsplash

The parks are mostly closing earlier, with the exception of Animal Kingdom which is also opening later. The new park hours will be:

Magic Kingdom: 9 to 6 p.m.
Hollywood Studios: 10 to 7 p.m
Epcot: 11 to 7 p.m.
Animal Kingdom: 9 to 5 p.m.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Courtesy of Disney Parks

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Celeb Moms Who Had Difficult Pregnancies

by Jacqui BolandJune 25, 2020

Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Kate Hudson, what do these celebs have in common aside from their million dollar bank accounts, golden voices and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? All three celebrity moms had difficult pregnancies, like millions of other moms across the globe. Motherhood is the great equalizer, apparently. Dehydration, Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and hyperemesis gravidarum (acute morning sickness) are just a few of the struggles of pregnancy. What challenges did these celeb moms face in their pregnancy?

Kim Kardashian struggled with preeclampsia and placenta accreta making having any more babies after her first risky, which is why she used a surrogate for her following births.

Salma Hayek was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had several genetic risk factors that made it more likely that her child would have some disabilities.

Gwyneth Paltrow suffered a miscarriage with her third child, that also put her life at risk.

Jessica Simpson struggled with edema, sciatica pain, acid reflux during her pregnancy.

Kelly Clarkson suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (acute morning sickness) with both of her children.

Serena Williams difficulties began soon after delivering her daughter via c-section. “She suffered from a pulmonary embolism and the doctors also found a large hematoma.

Chrissy Teigen suffered a vaginal tear after the birth of her daughter Luna.

Motherhood unites us all and it’s nice to hear these celebs share their struggles as well.

Joffrey’s Introduces New Disney Coffee Subscription

by Karly WoodMay 29, 2020

While we are all waiting for the Disney Parks to reopen, the official speciality coffee maker of the Magic Kingdom is making this time a little sweeter. Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company has launched its very own Disney coffee subscription!

Joffrey’s is already the purveyor of all things coffee at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Vacation Club, and with this new service they’re coming to your home, too. Starting at $43.69 each month, subscribers will get three bags of coffee from the Disney Speciality Coffee Collection which is currently made up of more than 20 unique blends.

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A post shared by Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Co. (@joffreyscoffeeandtea)

Wondering just what kinds of coffees await you? Festive blends include Hollywood Brown Derby, Carthay Circle Restaurant, Steakhouse 55 and Flying Fish Cafe Espresso.

Customers can choose three, six or 12 month subscriptions, get up to 10 percent off plus reduced flat rate shipping.

––Karly Wood

Feature image: Courtesy of Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

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Steve Carell Teams Up with WHO to Deliver a Special PSA

by Karly WoodMay 28, 2020

We are all learning to navigate the new normal during the time of coronavirus, but luckily, Gru and his minions are here to help. In collaboration with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Foundation, Illumination has launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to help demonstrate safe and healthy practices.

Voicing his famous character, Steve Carell brings Gru to life to share how being kind to others, practicing social distancing and remaining active can save lives. The PSA is set to tons of scenes from the Despicable Me franchise, including plenty of minions!

The PSA will be translated into Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic as well as others. The company behind Despicable Me, Illumination, is the first Hollywood Studio to partner with WHO, the UN Foundation and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund as they work to promote health and protection efforts during the pandemic

President & CEO of the United Nations Foundation, Elizabeth Cousens says of the partnership, “As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of COVID-19, one of our most powerful weapons is kindness. We are delighted that the Despicable Me characters are letting their love show and showing ways to keep themselves and their communities safe during this unprecedented time.”

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: World Health Organization via YouTube

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Up Your Dessert Game with This Recipe for Disney’s PB & J Milk Shake

by Karly WoodMay 18, 2020

Disney’s Hollywood Studios just made dessert a whole lot sweeter with the release of the recipe for 50’s Prime Time Café’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake! This recipe is in a long line of Disney releases that are helping to bring the magic home while the parks are closed.

To make this sweet treat, gather some milk, vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and jelly. Toss everything in a blender and blend until smooth, adding additional PB and J if you’d like.

To see the detailed instructions and a video on how to make this mouthwatering milkshake at home, head to the Disney Parks website.

––Karly Wood

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Santa Zooms & More Virtual Holiday Events Kids Will Love

Virtual Visits with Santa

Pawliday Kids Party

Skirball Hanukkah Celebration

Clara's Nutcracker Tea Party

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

Hollywood Christmas Parade

LA County Holiday Celebration

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