Baby Steps to a Greener Life
Baby Steps to a Greener Life
Now more than ever is the call to environmentalism and conservation more crucial. From the world’s steady climate increase to the suffering Polar bear population, signs of global warming are too prevalent to ignore. Cause for even greater attention is the fact that the way we live our lives can contribute to, or help alleviate, the global warming phenomenon.
This year we hope to take real steps–even if they’re baby steps–to practice conservation, sustainability and environmentalism, and to bring our kids along during the journey. The earlier we cultivate a respect for our planet, the more routine green practices will become for our kids.
Here are some of our ideas to be more green, but don’t forget to also regularly check out the Green Living section of L.A. Kid Stuff for ongoing suggestions.
Educating Ourselves
Go Green Expo Los Angeles
Spend this weekend hearing suggestions on how to live more sustainable lives and what products are the most environmentally friendly, from baby and kid stuff to household cleaning supplies. (MORE)
Sustainable Sundays at the Natural History Museum
A monthly series at the Natural History Museum that brings together experts and the public to find green, innovative local solutions to far-reaching global problems, from climate change and water conservation to land use, preserving our environment and protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The first workshop for this year is this Sunday, Others planned include Waste Not, Want Not about recycling and World Water Day L.A. on water conservation. (MORE)
The Environmental Protection Agency Website for Kids
An excellent Global Warming primer for kids (and anyone interested in the simple lowdown on the topic, for that matter). Graphics, videos and colorful photos engage kids while educating them.
Nature.org
An excellent website that will explain, then help you calculate your and your family’s carbon output with a handy online calculator. carbon footprint calculator estimates how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases you create each year. Your average compared to someone in a developing nation will shock you.
TheGreenGuide
This site has real world tips on how to live more environmentally responsible lives, from using energy efficient light bulbs and recycling to rainwater harvesting and tips for greener travel.
Earth911.com
Want to know how and why things are recycled, from paper to plastic to electronics? This website will tell you. Get tips and how-tos on reusing everyday objects to composting in your backyard. News articles about everything on recycling. The best part of the site, a search engine that will connect you (your zip code) to the nearest location where you can recycle types of items that you specify (such as batteries, computers, glass, etc.)
Buying Local and Living with Less
Shop at Farmers Markets
Not only do Famers Markets offer locally grown produce which is good for the environment and our local farmers, but the prices on organic goods are often cheaper than what you’ll find at your local Whole Foods or specialty brick and mortar. Add to that the abundance of children’s activities at many of these Farmers markets and it’s a win-win proposition for the whole family. Check out our updated Kid Friendly Farmers Markets list HERE.
Be Green with a Green Thumb
The only thing better than buying from a local farmer is growing your own food. But in the concrete jungle that is L.A., not everyone’s dwelling is connected to a plot of dirt suitable for a garden. You can still teach your kids the importance and benefits of gardening at your local community garden. The Los Angeles Community Garden Council lists community gardens near you. Community Gardens are like public parks but are maintained by the public. For a small fee you can use a plot of land–designated for you–to grow your garden. You will tend, cultivate and harvest from your own plot. (MORE)
Kids Toy Making Workshop
What’s better than kids learning to make their own toys, teaching them creativity as well as self sufficiency. It may not make all of your family’s big retail box toy needs disappear, but an appreciation for and sense of pride in something made with their own hands may lengthen the time until your next stop at the toy store. (MORE)
Creative and Crafty Kid at Craft ‘N Sew Program
A do-it-yourselfer’s best resource is Hands on Third, where next week a six-week Craft ‘N Sew session will start for kids ages 5 and up. The session will include Puppet Making, Costume Design, Recycled Art, Decoupage, Make your own Robots, Monsters and more! (MORE)
Family Activities Fostering Love & Respect for Nature
Plant Trees Together
It’s not what you’re doing, it’s who you’re with…except sometimes it is what you’re doing, and who you’re with makes it that much better. It’s not written anywhere that volunteering as a family for activities such as community tree plantings can’t be fun as well! Next weekend join an Eagle Award prospect plant 34 trees along a business district in Long Beach. (MORE)
Whale Watching
The beauty and grace of creatures of the ocean can spur discussions on how they live, their habitat and the interconnection between people, animals and the earth. (MORE)
Restoration Parties at Ballona Wetlands
You don’t need a reservation to learn about birds and the importance of their natural environment at the Ballona fresh water marshes or to take an in-depth tour of the Ballona salt marshes and sand dunes. Do so on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, then understand the importance of what you and your family are doing when you help restore the sand dunes and trails at a Restoration Party. (MORE)







This holiday season while many of us are at home drinking eggnog and spending time with our families, Todd Straley will be hard at work making sure his own extended work-family brings extra cheer to your holidays. In fact, this is the way he’s been spending the majority of the past 13 Christmases: on the road with various traveling ice shows. But don’t feel sorry for Todd just yet, because this Company Manager of the Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy show loves what he does, and admits that its perks make up for any shortcomings us grounded mortals might recognize.
continue until April 2010. In June 2010, Todd and the unit will bring the show on a four month journey through China, Southeast Asia and Australia. If you consider all of Todd’s travels on his own time and add his travels for work, he’s pretty much been everywhere except Russia, Africa and India. Even that may soon change as he says Disney on Ice is looking into expanding to India.
Todd’s sense of pride and love of the show is evident as he recalls memorable moments from each country. But as the Company Manager, he must also keep in mind the happiness of 100 other people in the Unit who ultimately determine the quality of each performance. That’s why during the holidays, Todd ensures that there are enough activities to make any tour member feel right at home…on the road.
the stops. From talking, life-sized Lightning McQueen and Mater cars a soaring Tinkerbell high above the stadium to a Lion King ensemble and the Little Mermaid and her prince to a Princess pre-show with Cinderella and Tiana, this show is as good as it gets.
The Secret of Kells
subject matter concerning some of the greatest craftsmen and artists who ever lived we felt strongly that this film is one of those stories.” (Click 
For Canadian filmmaker and artist
LAKS: What is Tah-Dah about?
LAKS: Where did you get your inspiration for this film?
LAKS: Congratulations on the success of this film. Twenty-one film festivals – very impressive!
After ten summers attending Circus Camp in her native Peru, Indiana—the winter home for Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus before it moved operations to Florida—Tina Miser’s dream was to run away with the Circus. But her practical parents wouldn’t allow it, so they made her a deal: go to college, and if you still want to join the circus, go right ahead. Four years and one college degree later, Tina got her wish and more. She met and fell in love with her husband Brian, then a working circus trapeze artist, and they’ve been living happily under the big top ever since.