Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrak Hits Shelves Tomorrow, September 29, 2009!

We shared our excitement with you with our falling in love with All is Love, the first single to be released off of the highly-anticipated Where the Wild Things Are movie and sung by the dreamy-voiced Karen O and the kids. Now you can listen to the entire soundtrak on your computer while you are working or at home as delightful background music.

Listen to the Soundtrak on imeem HERE.  Enjoy!  The CD goes on sale tomorrow, September 29, 2009.  We bet you’ll want to own this one.  We do!

Book Club Storytime – Pottery Barn

The Grove at Farmers Market
189 The Grove Drive, L.A., 90036; (323) 549-9344
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: FREE

Toddler Totes: I’m All Ears

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4211
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
9:15 a.m and 10:30 a.m.
Ages: 2 with an adult (limit one)
Cost: Members: $10 per child/adult pair; Nonmembers: $13 per child/adult pair
Pre-Registration required. Confirmation letter required for class admission.
These playful, 45-minute classes include circle time, story time, and a special animal guest before heading out on a guided walking tour of the Zoo. (Strollers are not provided.)

Maisy Book Party

Hastings Branch Library
3325 East Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena, 91107; (626) 744-7262
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
4 p.m.
Ages: 3-8
Cost: FREE

Story Time and Art

Museum of Latin American Art
628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, 90802; (562) 437-1689
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 per child

Cookie Mouse Storytime

Barnes and Noble — Media City Center
731 N San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, 91502; (818) 558-1383
Thursday October 01, 2009
7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

L.A. Kids Consignment Sale

7733 Hayvenhurst Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406
Friday, October 2, 2009; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday October 3, 2009; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday October 4, 2009; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ages: Parents
Cost: FREE Admission

Underwood Family Farms Folk Festival

Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Road Moorpark, 93021
Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2009
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Music 10 – 5:30)
Ages: All
Cost: $10 General Admission; Children under 2 FREE; Free Parking

Kidspace Museum Pumpkin Festival

480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4. 2009
9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission

8th Annual Interfaith Blessing of the Animals

North Side of Marine Stadium
5225 E. Paoli Way (@ E. Eliot St.), Long Beach, 90803
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Noon
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Chinatown mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Chinatown Central Plaza
N Broadway and W College St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Saturday, October 3, 2009
5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Fun Ride with CORBA (Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association)

Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, 91302
Saturday, October 3, 2009
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Mar Vista Fall Festival

Mar Vista Park
11430 Woodbine St., Los Angeles, 90066; (310) 398-5982
Saturday, October 3, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

October Pumpkin Fest

La Habra Children’s Museum
301 S Euclid St. La Habra, 90631; (562) 905-9793
Saturday, October 3, 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

SouthPas ArtsFest

South Pasadena
Saturday, October 3, 2009
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Children’s Storytime with Special Guest Clifford the Big Red Dog

Barnes and Noble – Pico-Westwood
10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90064; (310) 475-3138
Saturday October 03, 2009
2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Brush and Ink: Korean Painting

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles Times Central Court
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 857-6000
Sunday, October 4, 2009 (Also offered October 18 and 25, 2009)
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Kidrockers

The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles,
Sunday, October 4, 2009
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ages: 3 -13
Cost: $9 in advance or $12 at the door.

8th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair

West Hollywood Park
647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood
Sunday, October 4, 2009
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

L.A. County Fair

Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
Wednesdays – Sundays (until October 4, 2009)
Wednesdays noon – 10 p.m.
Thursdays noon – 11 p.m.
Fridays noon – midnight
Saturdays 10 a.m.- midnight
Sundays 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Weekdays:Ages 13+ (Weekdays) $12 ; Ages 6 -12 (Weekdays) $7; Ages 60+ (weekdays) $9; Ages 60+ Senior Wednesdays $6; Ages 5 and younger (every day) FREE. Weekends: Ages 13+ (Weekends) $17; Ages 6-12 (Weekends) $12; Ages 60+ (weekends) $14; Ages 5 and younger (every day) FREE

Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum Grounds
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-DINO
Daily, Now – November 8, 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and $1 for children (Timed admission tickets; last tickets sold at 4:30 p.m.)

Children’s Drawing Lessons

San Rafael Branch Library
1240 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena; (626) 744-7270
Saturdays
10:30 a.m
And Hill Branch Library
55 S Hill Ave., Pasadena, 91106; (626) 744-7264
Saturdays
4:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-10
Cost: FREE

Noah’s Arc Permanent Exhibit

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Tuesdays – Sundays (closed Mondays)
Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum Admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12; Children 2 and under FREE) Every THURSDAY FREE for the whole family!

Family Nature Walk

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, 91107
Saturdays (Weather permitting. Call to confirm the week you want to attend.)
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

We encourage you to participate in National Family Day 2009 by having dinner with your kids tonight and every night! Family Day started out as a grassroots movement and today is a national effort to remind parents that frequent family Dinners Make A Difference! Family Day was launched in 2001 by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse of Columbia University after more than a decade of research found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.  A high return for an investment in time, energy and love for your kids, something you like doing anyway!

As part of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, several museums in Los Angeles will be offering free admission, tomorrow, Saturday, September 26, 2009. If you don’t already have plans, or even if you do, it’s worth fitting in a visit to one of these museums. One of our favorites, Skirball Cultural Center, will allow you to see the awesome Noah’s Ark exhibit for free. While Skirball is normally FREE on Thursdays, this weekend opportunity is great for working parents! The Getty Museum in West L.A. and The Getty Villa in Malibu always offer free admission, but these two venues will be also be offering free parking for the day.

To get into a museum, go to the Smithsonian website and print out your Museum Day Admission Card.  Then have a great time!

Corita Art Center

5515 Franklin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Museum of Neon Art (MONA)

136 W 4th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90086

Fowler Museum at UCLA

North campus, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Japanese American National Museum

369 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

California Science Center

700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037

Craft and Folk Art Museum

5814 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

6435 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

J. Paul Getty Museum

1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Santa Monica Museum of Art

Bergamot Station G1
Santa Monica, CA 90404

The J. Paul Getty Museum

17985 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, CA 90049

Skirball Cultural Center

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

The 8th Annual Precious Cheese Feast of San Gennaro, Los Angeles

1651 N. Highland Ave. (south of Hollywood Blvd) (818) 508-0082
Friday, September 25 – Sunday 27, 2009
11am – 11pm
Ages: All
Cost: $5 Admission; Kids under 12 free

Disney Live! Rockin Road Show

Nokia Theatre
777 Chick Hearn Ct, Los Angeles; (213) 763-6020
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Noon; 3 p.m.; 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Noon; 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $20-$65 (Ages 1 and older must have a ticket)

Dinosaur Encounters

Natural History Museum
North American Mammal Hall, 2nd Floor
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-DINO
Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2009
11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum admission (Cost: Free with Museum Admission: Children under 5 – FREE; Children 5 through 12 – $2 50; Children 13 through 17 – $6.50; Adults – $9; Seniors (62+) – $6.50; Students 18 and over with ID – $6.50.)

Sound of Music Sing-A-Long

Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, 90068; (323) 850-2000
Saturday, September 26, 2009
6 p.m. preshow; 7:30 p.m. movie
Ages: All
Cost: $6-$69

Red Bull Soap Box Races

5th Street & Grand Ave., Downtown Los Angeles
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Pits Open at 11 a.m.; Opening Ceremony at Noon; First Race at 1 p.m.
Ages: All (spectators)
Cost: FREE

Zoo Explorers: Awesome Apes

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Saturday, September 26., 2009
9:30 a.m – 11 a.m.
Ages: 7-10 (Children only)
Cost: $23 per child ($18 per child for members) Call (323) 644-4211 for more info and to register

Get to Know – Contest Launch

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Saturday, September 26., 2009
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Admission ($13 Adults ages 13+; $10 Seniors ages 62+; $8 Children ages 2-12; FREE Children ages 2 and under)

Geoffrey’s Birthday Party!

Participating Toys R Us Stores
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Noon – 3 p.m.
Ages: 3 and up
Cost: FREE

Sparky the Wonderfish: A Story of How Love Creates Magic – Author Reading and Signing

Barnes & Noble
189 Grove Drive Suite K 30, Los Angeles, 90036; (323)525-0270
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Noon
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Kids Rhythm Club

REMO Percussion Center
7308 Coldwater Canyon. North Hollywood 91605
(1/2 block North of Sherman Way)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Age: 2-12 (but all are welcome; parents must stay with children)
Cost: FREE

Family Nature Walk

Placerita Canyon Nature Center
19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA, 91321 (661) 259-7721
Saturday, September 26, 2009
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Harvest Wreaths

Zimmer Children’s Museum
6505 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Los Angeles, 90048; (323) 761-8984
Sunday, September 13, 2009
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: FREE for members and $3.00 per child for non-members in addition to the entrance fee. Entrance fee is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 3 and over. Children 2 and under and grandparents are free.

Celebrate Korea! – Andell Family Sundays

LACMA – Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles Times Central Court
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 857-6000
Sunday, September 27, 2009
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

2nd Annual Lineage Day of Dance

Kidspace Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103; (626) 449-9144
Sunday, September 27, 2009
11 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum entrance fee ($10 for adults & children age 1 and older)

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

L.A. County Fair

Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
Wednesdays – Sundays (until October 4, 2009)
Wednesdays noon – 10 p.m.
Thursdays noon – 11 p.m.
Fridays noon – midnight
Saturdays 10 a.m.- midnight
Sundays 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Weekdays:Ages 13+ (Weekdays) $12 ; Ages 6 -12 (Weekdays) $7; Ages 60+ (weekdays) $9; Ages 60+ Senior Wednesdays $6; Ages 5 and younger (every day) FREE. Weekends: Ages 13+ (Weekends) $17; Ages 6-12 (Weekends) $12; Ages 60+ (weekends) $14; Ages 5 and younger (every day) FREE

FIREFLY - A Charity Art Show and Sale

Monkeyhouse Toys & Art Gallery
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, 90026; (323) 662-3437
Until September 30, 2009
Tuesdays- Saturdays: Noon – 6 p.m.
Sundays: Noon – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE entrance

Children’s Drawing Lessons

San Rafael Branch Library
1240 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena; (626) 744-7270
Saturdays
10:30 a.m
And Hill Branch Library
55 S Hill Ave., Pasadena, 91106; (626) 744-7264
Saturdays
4:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-10
Cost: FREE

Noah’s Arc Permanent Exhibit

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Tuesdays – Sundays (closed Mondays)
Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum Admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12; Children 2 and under FREE) Every THURSDAY FREE for the whole family!

Family Nature Walk

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, 91107
Saturdays (Weather permitting. Call to confirm the week you want to attend.)
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Grand Central Public Market

Grand Central Public Market
317 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378

Once you resolve to explore this historic marketplace that has been a part of Los Angeles since 1917 and it’s potentially large crowds, you and your kids will have a marvelous adventure. The never-ending variety of ethnic foods, fruits and vegetables that await you make this the perfect place for a family with varying tastes and cravings.  The diversity of cultural ingredients also makes for a great educational experience for your worldly kid! Pick up dessert from one of several ice cream stands and bakeries and enjoy at one of the outside tables on Broadway while you admire the tragically inoperable yet beautiful Angel’s Flight Railway. The vibrant energy of this locale makes it a must-visit at least once, but we bet you’ll enjoy yourselves so much you’ll be back for more.

Engine Co. No. 28

Engine Co. No. 28
644 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 624-6996

This converted 1912 fire station will provide excellent food for thought, conversation and consumption. Recognized by the city of Los Angeles as an historic-cultural landmark, you will appreciate the original features including the red brick flooring, 18-foot pressed tin ceilings, and the elegant mahogany cabinetry. Your kids will appreciate that they are eating in a still-recognizable (once you point it out to them) fire station. How cool is that!  Engine Co. No. 28’s All-American comfort (read: kid-friendly) foods include meatloaf, mac n cheese, chicken pot pie and hot fudge sundae and will make your whole family feel at home.

Bottega Louie Los Angeles

Bottega Louie
700 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 802-1470

This restaurant, bakery and deli on the corner of Grand Avenue and 7th Street is listed on Yelp as a venue that is not for kids, but I have no clue why. Maybe the evening atmosphere is not kid friendly, but the last time we went for brunch there was no shortage of kids as well as strollers, and everyone looked happy to me! The high ceilings and magnificent features of this space beg to be experienced in the daytime anyway, when you can truly appreciate how the light fills the open area and lifts up your spirit! If you haven’t already noticed, we love buildings, architecture and design that make us feel good, and this is one of them. My daughter Jude instantly guzzled the whipped ‘green’ juice that included an unbelievably tasty medley of apple, arugula, celery, parsley, honeydew and lime while the fizzy water on tap tasted quite bottled! The service was as remarkable as the food, and no one even blinked when we asked for an extra side of crème fraîche for the potato pancakes. Dishes can be shared with your little one but there are plenty of skinny baguette “Ficelle” sandwiches in the bakery that seem tailor made for kids. At $4.50 per sandwich and a side, the price is right if you want to pop in and order this to go for an impromptu picnic before your show!  The bakery provides a large selection of desserts so don’t forget to try an assortment to go!

You think it everyday, but it’s that time of year again when you can prove it to the world: that your adorable kid outta be in pictures, or at least Gap pictures. The annual Gap Casting call wants to see your kids and entering is as easy as emailing a photo. Four categories include baby girl, baby boy, kid girl and kid boy. This year, the winners will get a Professional Gap photo shoot; their photo in Gap stores nationwide; $1,000 Gap GiftCard redeemable for a babyGap or GapKids wardrobe; VIP vacation to see Disney’s THE LION KING in New York or Las Vegas. Sp get the camera and those smiles warmed up and say “Gaaaap!” with a smile. More information on the Gap website.

Get outside with your Toddlers and help them develop a love for nature and the outdoors. Today and tomorrow are the first days of the Toddler Treks program at Descanso Gardens. The six-class series is perfect for parent and child age 2-4. Adults can join in the fun and help foster a love for the natural world with stories, crafts and walks in the Gardens. Each week will be a new and memorable adventure for your little one, while they make new friends with tots and parents who have the same interests in nature as they do! Call now to register — walk ins are not allowed.

Wear sensible shoes and outdoor clothing. Registration is recommended. Call (818) 949-7980.

Toddler Treks

Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 (818) 949-7980
Begins September 24 and 25, 2009
Thursdays and Fridays (6 weeks)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. OR 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages: 2-4 with parent
Cost: Adult/child pair $75 general public, $65 members, $50 each additional child. Reservations required.

Walk-in space not available. To register call (818) 949-7980.