Christmas Giveaway Free Photography Session Photo Courtenay Fletcher

L.A. Kid Stuff Sixth Day of Christmas Giveaway: Professional Photography Session for the Family or Kids and an 8×10 Photo Keepsake

On the sixth day of Christmas, L.A. Kid Stuff is giving away a 30-minute photo session and 8×10 photograph from the session with professional photographer Courtenay Fletcher! One of our favorite Christmas giveaways, this prize will allow you to capture memories of your family or children through the eyes of a pro and then take home a complimentary 8×10 photo for you to keep!

Besides shooting book covers for publishers in New York, Courtenay also photographs families, infants/newborns, and lots of kids. She also does headshots, a not uncommon need for many Angelos.  She usually shoots at a location of the client’s choice to take advantage of natural light, which is the most flattering and interesting.  Courtenay’s style is photojournalistic, focusing on capturing the personality of her subject or subjects, especially when they are playing, acting goofy, pouting, etc.  Far more interesting than standard posed portraits!

L.A. Kid Stuff has had personal experience with the talented Courtenay as she photographed our L.A. kid’s fourth birthday party.  All we can say is that everyone who saw the photos reacted with nothing less than glowing compliments! And Courtenay was not only professional, but so pleasant to work with.   She was more like a friend, a guest with a camera, than someone coming in to document the event!  We are so pleased that Courtenay is donating her service and talent to L.A. Kid Stuff’s friends and members.  Thank you, Courtenay and good luck L.A. Kid Stuff members!

TO ENTER TO WIN THIS PRIZE:
1) To qualify to enter, simply “LIKE” the L.A. Kid Stuff Facebook Page HERE.
2) Comment on the Facebook post for this prize. Comments must be posted before midnight PST today, December 6, 2010.
3) Today’s winner will be chosen randomly and announced tomorrow morning. One entry per day per person. You must not have won an L.A. Kid Stuff giveaway contest within the past 90 days to enter this contest.
4) Good luck and have a great day in L.A.!

Posted December 6, 2010

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Olympic-Gold Medalist Teaches Kids to Swim

Lessons and Techniques of Safety from a Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist

Contrary to popular joking, throwing a kid in the water is not the quickest way for him to learn how to swim. But now that summer is here, and along with it the ubiquitous water sports and swimming pools, put your child in a swim program guaranteed to have you clapping when he is thrown in to the pool and then reacts instinctively to protect himself. This is part of the “survival test” that takes place in lessons at the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy using its Swim Right Method. Developed by four-time Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg. The Swim Right Method teaches safety in the water first, instead of immediately focusing on strokes and swimming, and includes mastering floating and water comfort. The survival test is conducted after an instructor deems the child is ready; and who wouldn’t want their child to be ready to react in this type of potential situation when each year, more than 830 children, ages 14 and under, die as a result of unintentional drowning in the United States.

Children as young as 16 months old have passed the Krayzelburg Swim Right Method survival test. “Our method is based on safety first,” said Krayzelburg. “In addition to making kids comfortable in the water, if they accidentally fall in the pool they’ll know what to do and it may give adults the precious few minutes to find the children and pull them out of the water.”

It’s refreshing that safety for beginners comes first for owner Krayzelburg, who has mastered every swim stroke there is and the Olympic medals to prove it. In the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, Krayzelburg represented the United States and at one point owned five world records in the backstroke, long course and short course. As expert as he is, Krayzelburg has learned that primary to skill development is comfort in the water. As a child in the Soviet Union, it was his own comfort level in the water from a young age that ultimately propelled him to excellence. At age 9, Krayzelburg was hand-picked out of large group of kids in his class, as one of the ones who had the potential to excel. The intense regimen he underwent as a youth and Olympic hopeful in the Soviet Union is something he appreciates but realizes is not for everyone. “It is a foundation that never left me,” he says. “But no way I would advocate the intensity and training at such a young age because children need to have freedom to have a life and enjoy things outside of competitive sports. Having said that, I don’t think I would have achieved all that I have if I had not had that foundation in Soviet Union. If you want to be great, there are no shortcuts, you have to work hard, you have to make some sacrifices.”

These days, his hard work continues as he shares his knowledge, expertise and life lessons with kids all over Los Angeles who want to learn how to swim. Two Krayzelburg Academies – one on the Westside and one in the Valley – make Krayzelburg’s Swim Right Method easily accessible to all L.A. kids. The success of the Krayzelburg Swim Academy is apparent in a third Academy in Brooklyn and the near-future plans to open up another Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy in New York. It is most evident though in the hundreds of children who have graduated and are now adept at swimming and water safety.

Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy Locations

Westside JCC
5870 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036
(323) 525-0323

New JCC @ Milken
22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, 91307
(818) 464-3315
Website

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Los Angeles 2010 Summer Concerts Guide Kids Families

Music in the Air, Everywhere!
Los Angeles Kids and Family Summer Concerts 2010

In every corner of the greater Los Angeles area, the summer season is coming alive with music. Concerts and festivals abound, and almost every park and facility has some kind of free or low-cost musical performance going on.  Many are family friendly and some are tailored just for kids.  One can easily fill every single day of the week with something musical!   It’s a special privilege that like clockwork comes around every year for us living in Los Angeles, and something we should absolutely take advantage of but never take for granted.

Here are a few of the music concerts and performances taking place around town this summer. Bookmark this page on the website for future reference throughout the summer months.W e will try to update it as much as possible, so check back for more word on low cost and free, al fresco performances right in your neighborhood!

Garden Concerts for Kids

The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Saturdays and Sundays, August 7 & 8, 14 & 15, and 21 & 22, 2010
4 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE; no reservations required.
MORE INFO

SummerSounds at the Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl
2301 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles, 90068
Mondays – Fridays (July 5-August 13)
10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-12 noon

Ages: 3-9
Cost: $7 per person (all ages)
MORE INFO

Big! World! Fun!

John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Los Angeles, 90068
Saturdays, July 3-August 28, 2010 (except July 17)
10 a.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE for kids; $5 for adults (Reservations required)
MORE INFO

Children’s Concerts at Levitt Pavillion (at Memorial Park)

85 E. Holly St., Pasadena
Children’s Entertainment
Wednesdays, June 23 – August 25, 2010
7 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

Music in the Zoo

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-6042
Fridays, July9, July 23 and August 6, 2010
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (animals on view until 8 p.m.)

Ages: All
Cost: Zoo members – $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 6-15; non-members – $16.50 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 6-15; Children under age 5: FREE (Food and beverage for sale)
MORE INFO

Free Monday Morning Concerts for Children

Madrid Theatre
21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 91303; (818) 347-9938
Mondays, June 14 – August 24, 2010 (except July 5)
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Ages: 6-9
Cost: FREE (Reservations required for parties of 10 or more)
MORE INFO

Sunday Kids Concerts

South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula, 90274; (310) 544-1948
Sundays, August 1 and 22, 2010
Concert begins 5:30 p.m.; Gates open for picnicking 4:30 pm; Garden closes 7:30 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: Admission (Advance Purchase: Children $7; Adults $9;
At the Door: Children $9; Adults $11)
MORE INFO

Summer Sunset Concert: Mr. Vallenato

Fowler Museum at UCLA
UCLA North Campus
405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, 90024 (Directions below)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
4 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

Family Amphitheater Performances

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049
Saturdays and Sundays, July 10 – September 5, 2010
Noon and 2:00 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: Included with Museum admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12; Free to Children under 2 and Skirball Members) No reservations necessary.
MORE INFO

Kids Koncerts & Creative PlayGround

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 90290; (310) 455-2322
Saturdays or Sundays, through October 2010
11 a.m.

Ages: All
Cost: $8 per person; $7 per person for groups of 5 or more. July 18 Benefit Concert $10/person; $9/person family rate. (Box Office (310) 455-3723)
MORE INFO

Sunset Concerts

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049
Thursdays, July 22 -August 26, 2010
All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE; no reservations necessary, but limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis (ALSO, all Skirball exhibits except Noah’s Ark are open during the concerts)
MORE INFO

Concerts in the Park

City of Lakewood De Valle Park
5939 Henrilee St., Lakewood, 90713
Thursdays, June 24 – August 12, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

South Pasadena Concerts in the Park

Garfield Park
Mission St & Park Ave., South Pasadena, 91030
Sundays, June 27 – August 8, 2010 (except July 4)
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

2010 Summer Concert Series

Natural Amphitheater at Conejo Community Park
1175 Hendrix Ave. Thousand Oaks, 91360; (805) 381-1247
Select Sundays through September 6, 2010
5 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

Twilight Dance Series 2010

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 90401
Thursdays through September 2, 2010
All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

Music by the Sea

Point Fermin Park
807 West Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, 90731 (Foot of Gaffey St.); (310) 548-7705
Sundays through August 1, 2010
Noon – 5 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

Farmers Market Summer Music Series

The Original Farmer’s Market – West Patio
6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles; (323) 933-9211
Thursdays and Fridays, Now – September 10, 2010
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
MORE INFO

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Learn How to Swim at the Lenny Kayzelburg Swim Academy

Learn How to Swim at the
Lenny Kayzelburg Swim Academy

What better person to inspire a desire to learn how to swim and a love of water that a four-time U.S. Olympic Gold medalist?   Gold medal swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg started the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy in 2005 to teach kids of all ages how to swim and water safety. “Our core purpose is to teach and inspire children to be water safe,” says Krayzelburg. Thousands of kids have benefited from the Krayzelburg Academy and SwimRight Method that focuses on the swim-float-swim technique as its foundation. Children learn to be confident and safe in and around the water.

From the basic skills of the SwimRight Method, students are taught beginning stages of swimming all the way to learning all 4 strokes, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

A variety of classes will meet every parent’s need. From parent-tot classes, private lessons, group classes and stroke development, you can find it all the two Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy locations in Los Angeles.

Lenny Krayzelburg Academy

Westside JCC
5870 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 525-0323
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ages: All
Website

Valley JCC
22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, 91307; (818) 464-3315
Hours: Monday to Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ages: All
Website

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Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue Bunny Basics

Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue Bunny Basics

bunny shelter 2It’s nice to know that every creature has its guardian. For rabbits, Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue has been playing the part since 1993 by being a no-kill rabbit welfare organization. Based in the City of San Gabriel, Zooh Corner rescues, treats, spays/neuters and places as house pets rabbits that have been abused, neglected, injured or abandoned. So if your family is ready for the responsibility,don’t buy one but adopt a bunny from Zooh Corner then learn with your kids at the free rabbit classes they’ll offer this spring at the San Gabriel Humane Society. You’ll learn what the best diet is for your pet rabbit, how to brush and groom your rabbit, how to trim his nails, the proper brushes, how to look for signs of illness and a rabbit vet, because not all vets treat rabbits.

bunny shelterFor older kids, instill the value of volunteerism and charity by bringing a bag of fresh produce to the bunnies, volunteer to help love and groom the rabbits, or help with cage cleaning, become an education volunteer, donating items to Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue such as litter; cages and hutches; litter boxes and toys or donating money to help with health care and administrative costs to run Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue.  Check out their website, call or email them for more information on how you and your kids can help the bunnies and Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue.

Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue

PO Box 2192, San Gabriel CA 91778
(626) 576-BUNI
E-mail alex@mybunny.org
Website

Zooh Corner Bunny Basics

San Gabriel Valley Humane Society
851 East Grand Avenue, San Gabriel, 91776
Saturday, March 27, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Learn the best way to house, feed and groom your bunny–and why it’s so important to have them spayed or neutered.

Zooh Corner Bunny Bonding

San Gabriel Valley Humane Society
851 East Grand Avenue, San Gabriel, 91776
Saturday, May 24, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

The importance of having a spayed or neutered friend for your rabbit, and how to go about safely bonding them.

Zooh Corner Summertime Special Bunny Class

San Gabriel Valley Humane Society
851 East Grand Avenue, San Gabriel, 91776
Saturday, June 25, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Heat is the number one killer of pet rabbits! Learn how to protect your bunny from the summer heat, plus how to deal with fleas and other issues that come after the Spring rains.

Zooh Corner The Well Groomed Rabbit

San Gabriel Valley Humane Society
851 East Grand Avenue, San Gabriel, 91776
Saturday, July 24, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Learn how to brush and groom your rabbit, how to trim his nails, the proper brushes and
necessities to have on hand. Will also discuss [briefly] giving your bunny the ”once over” to check for signs of health issues. Note: The Health topic will be discussed AT LENGTH in a later class.

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Free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream scoop today

FREE Ben and Jerry’s ice cream scoop today, Tuesday, March 23, 2010

free cone dayGet a free scoop of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream today from noon to 8 p.m. at any of their participating locations! Ben and Jerry’s has been around for more than 30 years and is known for the big chunks and swirls in ever bite!  From  Honey Apple Raisin Oreo to Mission to Marzipan to Dulce Delish they’ve got more than 100 crazy yummy options of ice cream and froyo to take home or enjoy right off the cone from the scoop shop.   Which one will you choose? 

Look for a Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop location near you HERE.

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Interactive Science Party deal offers a birthday celebration that will be a hit

Interactive Science Party deal offers a birthday celebration that will be a hit

green liquidHave you used Groupon yet?  It’s a website with daily deals at phenomenal prices.  The only caveat to actually receiving the advertised deal is that the required amount of people have to have purchased the offer.  Today’s side deal is a great offer for you parents in the Los Angeles area looking for a unique birthday party idea for your 4-14 year old!  For $150, you can purchase an Interactive Science Birthday Party from Mad Science (a $275 Value) that includes fun science and lab activities for up to 14 kids at your home before the end of 2010.  These hassle free parties will keep your kids entertained with things such as rocket launches, cotton candy-making, bubbling potions and neon green water.  The last time we checked 2 out of the 5 required purchases have been made, so hurry to the website and purchase your kids birthday party!  Groupon website is here.  Check out Mad Science here.

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How Creative Can You Get? These environmentally-conscious places will show you how.

How Creative Can You and Your Kids Get?

create studio 4We bet you didn’t know you have a magician living in your house. The latest trick we’ve seen from ours is making binoculars appear out of two toilet paper tubes, tape and string. But we’ve also witnessed her conjure an abstract building from misshaped wood blocks and cardboard, something we’re secretly hoping is the foreshadowing of her modernist architect future.

create studio 2There’s nothing more magical than seeing a work of art created, except maybe one that was created out of nothing at all. Well, almost nothing. Do double duty when you encourage arts, crafts and creativity in your child with supplies that are cast-offs from our daily lives, and the unwanteds of manufacturers and businesses. In the process, you’ll not just stimulate imagination and analytical thinking, but you’ll be green in the process, utilizing more-than-worthy goods that would otherwise be dumped into a landfill. So the next time you’re tempted to buy the latest fancy paper, stickers or art supplies from your big box retailer, consider a bottle of glue, scissors and the recycled treasures available from these environmentally-conscious groups. All host activities or workshops, and some even allow you to purchase their collected goods to continue the tradition at home.

create studio 3CReATE Studio

Westlake Village, 91361 (818) 522-5213
(call or email for exact address)
Drop-In Studio Days: Tuesdays,Wednesdays & Fridays
11a.m.-6 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: 5 and under $6; 6-12 $8; 13 and up $12 (Studio fee includes up to 2 hours of studio time and all materials made)

Rediscover_edwardandemmareDiscover

12958 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, 90066; (310) 393-3636
Warehouse Hours: Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday mornings by appointment.
Cost: Members can purchase materials. Membership starts at $20/year for individuals.

trash for teaching 3Trash for Teaching

Warehouse
2946 East 11th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023; (323) 262-3400
Warehouse Hours: Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 4p.m. or call in advance for an appointment – subject to staffing
Ages: All
Cost: Materials $2/pound for the general public (discounts for educators)

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Recycled art and supplies at CReATE Studio

CReATE Studio Makes Reusing Fun

create studio 4Mom Jemma Wilbermuth is a natural artist and a natural “saver” of things, so when she sought to re-enter the workforce, she combined her inclination for both to establish CReATE Studio, an art space dedicated to reusing materials that would otherwise be cast away. CReATE Studio recently celebrated its first birthday, and has already developed a steady following from people who want to combine arts and crafts with recycling. “The thing I love to see in kids is that they are really developing their problem solving skills,” comments Jemma on the impact CReATE Studio has on its young artists. “Kids will have this vision, and to create it they’ll have to see new things and new possibilities.”

create studio 3While larger reuse studios utilize items from businesses or manufacturers, CReATE Studio is more community-based, accepting donations from residents and their homes. A handy “starter list” of recycled materials on the website will help you begin amassing your own unique supplies for an arts and crafts corner at home, or give you a good idea of what to save and donate for use at CReATE Studio. How many times have you thrown away precious bottle caps, broken or chipped dishes, egg cartons, Kleenex boxes, mismatched socks or old cds? It’s a natural to try to reuse items from manufacturers, but says Jemma, “Sometimes people forget that there’s also so much at home that can be reused.”

create studioCheck out CReATE Studio online then take your kids and head to the Westlake Village location for two hours of walk-in studio time that’s offered three times a week.

There’s even an occasional Ladies’ Nights workshop – specifically for grown ups – where specific projects are completed, because, Jemma says, “Everybody needs a place to express themselves without boundaries.”

CReATE Studio

Westlake Village, 91361 (818) 522-5213
(call or email for exact address)
Drop-In Studio Days: Tuesdays,Wednesdays & Fridays
11a.m.-6 p.m.

Ages: All
Cost: 5 and under $6; 6-12 $8; 13 and up $12 (Studio fee includes up to 2 hours of studio time and all materials made)
Website

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Recycled art and supplies at reDiscover

reDiscover

Rediscover_edwardandemmaA community art center, reuse warehouse, gallery and event space, reDiscover on the west side of town recycles everyday discards donated by business and gives them new purpose as hands-on learning materials. An annual membership allows you to purchase materials from their warehouse, while Drop-in Workshops every Saturday morning will inspire your kids to create with a building full of recycled goodies. And each project is only $5! If you’re looking for a unique party space, their birthday packages with themes such as Spies, Robots, Animals and Make Your Own Fashion promise an event to remember, no matter how old the birthday celebrant is.

AaronKramer_HalfandHalf.180An art and community space as well, reDiscover will often host exhibits by artists who create works with found materials.  And their space is available for rentals, and has been used for music videos, photo shoots, art parties, childrens’ music classes, field trips, seminars, tango, yoga, and more.

reDiscover

12958 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, 90066; (310) 393-3636
Warehouse Hours: Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday mornings by appointment.
Cost: Members can purchase materials. Membership starts at $20/year for individuals.
Website

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