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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND by Laura Nickerson

6/25/2014

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Photo by Zet via Flickr.com

You’ve been to the beach already, you have seen the movies, and you have watched endless hours of TV shows that seem to have been written by someone even younger than the kids eagerly watching it. Need to get out? 

Here are some activities for you to try in the Valley this weekend:

1) Summer tends to bring out two kinds of people: Campers and Non Campers. But, there’s an event that can reach across the aisle and join the two...convenient, low pressure camping with the GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD CAMPOUT! On June 28th thousands of people across the country will camp in their backyards or parks while helping the National Wildlife Federation promote their mission: “Get Kids Outside”. Visit www.nwf.org for info on how to take part in this nationwide event and to sign the “Pledge to Campout for Wildlife”. Make sure you sign, because the NWF Board will donate $2 to support the organization’s wildlife work for each person who participates. Backyard camping is the best way to introduce kids and non campers to the joys of sleeping outside-clean bathrooms, easy packing, and you can’t beat the commute.

2) There’s always a great family evening out when you include the Bard. That’s Shakespeare, my friends. The Independent Shakespeare Company starts its summer runs of 12th Night and Taming of the Shrew at the Griffith Park Old Zoo. The shows are offered Thursday through Sunday evenings and there are added specialty shows added in there to keep the kids happy too. It’s a great location and picnic ready, which helps to keep the kids interested when the language gets...Shakespeary... Visit www.iscla.org for the schedule and keep in mind, it’s FREE. Just the way William himself would have wanted it.

3) Needing to feel a little peace, love, and rock and roll? Bet you will feel so groovy, man, at the PEACE, EARTH, AND ROCK N‘ ROLL FESTIVAL this Saturday the 28th at the Malibu Vital Zuman Organic Farm. Art, music, and veggies all for a very peaceful price of absolutely free admission and parking! Featuring music by: Freaks of a Feather, Jr. Lightspace, with special appearances by Bob Waters, Silke Berlinn, and the Addictions, Karma Dealers, and Lenny Goldsmith The New and Old. The festival runs from 11-6 and is full of fun for all ages. It’s at 29127 PCH in Malibu which I know isn’t the Valley...but a free event in a cool farm atmosphere? I feel the love for that...man...

4) Friday nights don’t have to be just collapsing on the couch after a long week of juggling kids/work/spouse/fitness/healthyeating/tweeting/onlyhavingdowntimewhileyouarestuckintraffic. If you are in the Westlake Village Area you can take the whole family for some Art Projects that will give you a quiet activity together that might even start your weekend off right. It’s from 4-5 at the Westlake Village Library, and you can call (818) 865-9230 for details. Who knows, you might even check out a book and do quiet reading too! That will help with the decompression, I promise.

5)  Something that can fill a ton of summer hours with kids? Make your own movie! Sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. Most of you have iPhones, right? So record a movie with your kids, let them create the plot, costumes, and characters and even do the filming. Then teach your kids (and yourself) how to do basic editing on a simple program like iMovie. Add music, and voila-a summer project that you will all get excited about! My 5 year old and his friends made a superhero movie that I SWEAR will be hitting the festival circuit soon.

You can always get more LA Kids Activities by following me on Twitter @nickerberger and checking out the hashtag #buzzLA. Also check out my show “The Buzz” at www.cityofcalabasas.com or on Channel 3 in the West Valley. I’ll be back next week with more fun family activities!




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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND by Laura Nickerson

6/15/2014

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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND by Laura Nickerson



It’s summer and it’s a great time to reach out of your kid comfort zone and do something new. Here are some activities for you to try in the Valley this weekend:

(Photo by Flavijus via Flickr.com)

1) One of my favorite events of the season is started last week, the Evening Campfires at King Gillette Ranch! Happening this Tuesday the 24th at 7pm and continuing through the summer, you head to the park to roast marshmallows and sing some campfire songs. Close by, free, family fun plus all the marshmallows. Did I mention marshmallows? ‘Cause those things are fluffy heaven.

2) Your kids love playing at the beach, right? But they wouldn’t be so into it if it was filled with garbage, so help keep it clean by heading to the Beach Clean Up at Will Rodgers Beach in Malibu on Saturday the 21st from 10 to noon. Kids are welcome but anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult (that’s a no-brainer) and you should bring gloves and a bucket or bag. Info is at www.healthebay.org. Special Bonus? Teaching your kids to take care of their environment. I mean, don’t tell THEM that because then they won’t like it. But YOU will know.

3) When you are having your first baby you are chomping at the bit to get cute new Maternity clothes, but when you go for that second or third baby, your old clothes start to lose their appeal. Ditto for your kids clothes (leg warmers aren’t so precious the third time-for anyone). Here’s a great idea for you to try-the Maternity and Kids Clothing Swap in Pasadena. It’s on Saturday, June 21st, at Chirp Kids Karaoke & Cafe, 2302 E. Colorado Blvd, and costs $4.50 pre-paid, $6 at the door. Bring in your old gently used maternity and kids clothes, and leave with a whole new “New to You” wardrobe! 

4) Back in the old days, “Partying” consisted of dancing in high heels and staying out all night thanks to the toxic mixture of Red Bull and Stoli, but now post kids you might be more excited about this party: The 3 ring Toddler Circus and Luau in Agoura Hills. Sunday 6/22 from 10 am to noon get crazy with your little ones at the Play Destination as they do the limbo, dance, and play games. Nice benefit to this kind of party? The only “tossing” you will do is the ring toss. 

5) If you want a free and simple excursion, you can take your kids Birdwatching at the Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Sunday at 10 on the 22nd meet up at the shaded viewpoint. Binoculars will be provided, which on their own are hours of entertainment for anyone under the age of 7. Well, 47...

You can always get more LA Kids Activities by following me on Twitter @nickerberger and checking out the hashtag #buzzLA. Also check out my show “The Buzz” at www.cityofcalabasas.com or on Channel 3 in the West Valley. I’ll be back next week with more fun family activities!


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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEK 6/5/14

6/5/2014

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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEK by Laura Nickerson 

(photo by Jim via Flickr.com)

For most of you Valley families, school is out for the summer this week. After that first few days of sleeping in and doing nothing you are going to start hearing the most dreaded phrase in parenting besides “I’m quitting college to play in my friend’s band”, which is...”I’m BORED”.
I can help prepare you for this. The “I’m bored” question, not the future rock star/living with you until they are 30 one. Here are my top 5 family activities for this weekend in the Valley:

1)  There’s a fun way to get exercise and culture this weekend, the Conejo Valley Art Museum’s ArtWalk 2014. Saturday and Sunday, June 7th & 8th, visit the festival at the Bank of America Building in Thousand Oaks for the live music, food, and artwork from artists all over the state. Visit www.cvam.us  for the info on this free festival. Go, because the only other way to exercise and get culture at the same time is to put your treadmill in front of a TV playing Downton Abbey, and you could drop your ice cream doing that!!!

2) Do you ever go through your smartphone pictures to find your kids have secretly taken a zillion shots of the wall, the floor, or your butt? Here’s a fun way to teach them how to shoot something more viewable: join up at the King Gillette Ranch on Saturday the 7th at 3pm for Capture a Nature Moment, a walk that will give coaching on how to photograph nature. Bring your own cameras, and teach your kids how to use it for good, and not for evil.

3) Do you know any of the constellations besides the Big and Little Dippers? And be honest, can you tell the difference between the two? You might need a little help. Saturday, June 7th, head to the Griffith Observatory Public Star Party from 2-9:45 pm and the whole family can try out a variety of telescopes and talk to volunteer astronomers about what you see. It’s free, fun, and will clear up the whole Dipper Debate.

4)  Do you like to “Shoop a Doo” like the Temptations, “Hey” like James Brown, or “HOO HOO” like Stevie Wonder? You are in luck because the Summer Sun Sets Concert Series at the Calabasas Lake is kicking off it’s summer season with a performance by Stone Soul-the best of Classic Soul & Motown. This free concert is on Sunday the 8th at 6pm. Make sure to bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic, and groove.

5) I went hiking with my considerably cooler than me sister-in-law and her kids. She had the most amazing way of keeping the kids moving in the forward direction with minimal whining, so I have to share. She grabbed a brown lunch bag for each child and put a checklist on the front with a marker of things easy to find on the hike: a feather, yellow leaf, round stone, etc... and had them gather the items while we walked. So simple, yet genius. We actually went for more then 20 minutes without a whine!

You can always get more LA Kids Activities by following me on Twitter @nickerberger and checking out the hashtag #buzzLA. Also check out my show “The Buzz” at www.cityofcalabasas.com or on Channel 3 in the West Valley. Here’s this week’s episode with all these events and more: http://youtu.be/KLCo2QUkh9k. 

I’ll be back next Thursday with more fun family activities!


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THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

5/21/2014

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It’s Memorial Day Weekend and the weather should be good enough to head outside and create a little family fun. Or at least go somewhere else and listen to your kids argue... 

Here are my top 5 family activities for this weekend: 





(Photo by Mitchell Joyce via Flickr.com)

1) Do you ever feel like it’s getting harder and harder to put down the electronics and have some old fashion family fun? Well this Memorial Day weekend head out to Topanga Days in Topanga Canyon for 3 legged races, pie eating contests, water balloons, and more. The 3-day festival starts on Saturday, May 24th, and runs through Monday, May 26th. Visit www.topangadays.com for info on parking and hours. There’s even a PARADE!!! Plus something they call a “Baby Derby”. Not sure what that means, but I know I have GOT to see it. And possibly bet on it.

2) WHO DOESN’T LOVE A PARADE? If you can’t make it over to Topanga for their Monday morning event, head east instead and hit the Memorial Days Parade held in Canoga Park. Monday the 26th find your spot on the parade that runs from Sherman Way and Owensmouth and ends on Sherman Way and the First Baptist Church of Canoga Park. The parade jumps into full gear at 10 am. http://cpwhchamber.org/25th-annual-memorial-day-parade/ has the details. 

3) The 25th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival provides family fun, May 24-25, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., in Simi Valley. Both days feature nonstop music from noon to 7:30 and Mardi Gras Parade at 4, plus two full stages full of music and FREE PARKING! Sometimes the parking situation can make or break an event for me....Tickets are $22 adults 13+ ($20 online until May 1) and $15 children 7-12, and are available online at www.simicajun.org or at the gate. 

4) Northridge is getting GREEK Saturday through Monday, 1-9 pm at 9501 Balboa Blvd when they celebrate the St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival. There will be amazing Greek food, music, dancing, vendors, and fun. They had me at Greek food... Head to www.valleygreekfestival.com for details. And save me a gyro, would ya?

5) Sometimes you need an event that’s just a little less overwhelming than a big parade. So here’s a fun idea, head to Travel Town in Griffith Park and then keep driving to the next driveway and you will see the Live Steamers. Take your kids riding on these miniature trains that are open to the public on Sundays from 11-3 only and run by volunteers. It’s a suggested donation of $3 and is close enough to the park to visit other activities there or just head home and call it a day. Either way, you will feel like the dad on “Silver Spoons” (high five if you know what I’m referring to!). Info at www.lals.org.

You can always get more LA Kids Activities by following me on Twitter @nickerberger and checking out the hashtag #buzzLA. Also check out my show “The Buzz” at www.cityofcalabasas.com or on Channel 3 in the West Valley. Here’s this week’s episode with all these events and more: http://youtu.be/MYIDtbrVt28. I’ll be back next Thursday with more fun family activities!


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Top 5 things to do in the Valley this Week 4/24/14

4/29/2014

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What to-do this weekend? Help is here! Meet your family's new social planner..

Meet my friend Laura Nickerson who you've seen on your TV all over SoCal hosting, reporting, interviewing & entertaining (She is one of the funniest ladies I know.) Laura is the fun behind The Buzz which finds the best of what's happening in Calabasas each week. Being a fellow mommy, I asked her if she would expand her list to include the whole valley, and if she'd give us a cool hit-list of great family idea each Thursday. Here it is! Please add to the list by leaving a comment below & add what you may have heard of, or an event from your organization. We always love hearing from you. And have fun!

THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEK by guest blogger Laura Nickerson, host of “The Buzz”:

Turn off your phones/tablets/televisions/googleglasses and take your kids someplace fun this weekend around the Valley! Here’s my top 5 Free or Cheap family activities to try this week:

1) Celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th Birthday with “A Noise Within” Theatre Company Thursday April 24th from 5:30-7pm at 3352 E. Foothill in Pasadena. It’s a free event where your kids can see sword fight demonstrations and take a lesson, leave an insult on the Shakespearean Insult wall, try on period costumes, and meet the Bard himself. This will make you and your kids instantly more cultured, guaranteed. Visit www.anoisewithin.org

 
2) All you dog lovers will go bonkers for the Canine Classic in Calabasas on Sunday April 27th 9-2:30 at the Juan Batista De Anza Park. You can bring your dogs and kids for the 2 mile Walk-a-thon, then visit dog adoptions, watch pet shows and entertainment with celebrity judges, play in the kidz zone, and check out tons of vendors. Go to canineclassic.org Make sure to leash your dogs, leashing your kids is optional. 

3) As part of National Parks week the Science Festival is being held on Saturday April 26th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. It’s free and will have hands on activities for all ages, animal displays, and even the chance to chat with real scientists!  www.nps.gov/samo/sciencefestival.htm has the scoop. A Scientifically Proven good time!

4) The Leonis Adobe Museum in Old Town Calabasas is having a Folk Music Festival Sunday the 27th 10:30-6:30 and your kids and you can groove out to some amazing folk bands in the old ranch setting of the museum. All proceeds benefit the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation, visit www.jeniferdiamondfoundation.org


5) Last but not least head to the tropics of the LA Zoo!
The Rainforest of the Americas Exhibit is opening on April 29th and is free with paid admission to the Zoo. Your kids will get immersed in the theme...

“Everything has a Home” while they wind their way through each layer of the forest, meeting all sorts of critters on the way. Go to www.lazoo.org

I’ll be back next Thursday with more fun family activities!

You can always get more LA Kids Activities by following me on Twitter @nickerberger and checking out the hashtag #buzzLA. Also check out my show “The Buzz” at www.cityofcalabasas.com or on Channel 3. Here is this week’s episode featuring these events and more, plus some great Summer Camp ideas: http://youtu.be/V9LWvj0OO-A




Read more: http://www.kost1035.com/onair/i-heart-moms-kristins-mommy-blog-42002/what-todo-this-weekend-help-is-12287711/#ixzz30LJh0CiX
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    Laura Nickerson, Queen of cheap and local family activities, Momblogger of 2, Host of CTV's The Buzz and KHTS AM 1220's SCV Buzz, visit #buzzLA for daily tips.

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