What's Up For Kids, July/August 2012

www.WhatsUpForKids.com

What’s up What’s up

for kidsfor kids

Vol. 16— july/august 2012

www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com www.WhatsUpForKids.com

OrganizeOrganizeOrganizeOrganizeOrganizeOrganizeOrganizeOrganize School’s Out: School’s Out:

Now What?Now What?

Got Summer Got Summer Got Summer

Camp IssueCamp IssueCamp Issue

PLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUSPLUS …. …. ….

FIND OUR Daily FIND OUR Daily FIND OUR Daily

Calendar of Calendar of Calendar of

Things Things Things

to Do Around to Do Around to Do Around

Town!Town!Town!

Courteous Courteous Courteous Courteous Courteous Courteous Courteous Courteous

&&&&&&&&

CoolCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolCool

Beach EtiquetteBeach Etiquette

Cover Photo Courtesy of Fleur De Lis PhotographyCover Photo Courtesy of Fleur De Lis PhotographyCover Photo Courtesy of Fleur De Lis PhotographyCover Photo Courtesy of Fleur De Lis Photography

2 What’s Up For Kids July/August 2012

www.WhatsUpForKids.com 3

Saturday, September 8 10am—3pm

South Bay Galleria 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach

Family F

un

Family F

un

FestFest

Booths, Entertainment,




Giveaways and

Giveaways and

Giveaways and

Giveaways and

Total Family Fun

Total Family Fun

Total Family Fun

Total Family Fun!

HandsHandsHandsHands----On Activities

On Activities

On Activities

On Activities for Kids of All Ages!

for Kids of All Ages!

for Kids of All Ages!

for Kids of All Ages!FREE!FREE!FREE!FREE!


For more information or exhibitor registration, call (888) 544-1042.

Bring the Whole Family… Celebrate Back to School….

and learn about all the FUN & EXCITING

after school programs offered in the South Bay!


TABLE O

F CONTENTS

Calendar…………

………….. Page 2

0

Courteous & Coo

l……………..Page

8

Family Resource

Directory.. Page

23

Family Friendly T

ravel……..Page 10

Got Summer Cam

p Directory. Page

15

Quick Tips for Org

anizing….. Page 6

Receive the weekly

What’s Up For Kids EZ

INE with

all the latest things t

o do! Subscribe for

FREE at

www.whatsupforkid

s.com

Letter From The PublisherLetter From The PublisherLetter From The PublisherLetter From The Publisher: It’s summertime! Time for some fun in the sun! If you are still looking for a last minute summer camp idea, we have some here, in our final issue of Got Summer Camp! You can always visit our special camp website to—www.GotSummerCamp.com. Congrats to our Cutest Kid Cover Photo Contest Winner! We had oodles of kids come out in April and have their picture taken! Thanks to Cynthia of Fleur De Lis Photography for all the hard work (see her ad on the inside front cover—and pictures of ALLLL the kids who were entered)! It was so hard to narrow it down to 5 finalists—and then all of you voted! Congrats to our

winner, featured on the cover of this issue! We are always looking for the funnest (yes, I know it’s not a word!) events around town for you and your family! If you are hosting one or know of one, let us know! We’ll get it posted on our website calendar if the print magazine is already done! Lastly, we have some new and exciting “contests”! We are always being asked to review new products, toys, games, etc. And once we have a look, we are giving them away! We’ll post the giveaways on our website and Facebook page—(www.whatsupforkids.com and www.Facebook.com/WhatsUpForKids). But you can’t win if you don’t comment! Check our ezine and website for the latest give-aways! Until next time,


By Ann Gambrell It’s summer and the kids are home! Great! Not so great? Well, maybe because it seems you are constantly after them to pick up their stuff and clean their room. Right? During the school year, they were busy with after school activities, homework, etc. Now they are home all day…..need I say more? There is hope! Here are a few tips to make life easier and less stressful and the summer more fun. 1. Set up a list of chores/duties…if you haven’t already. If you have, then this is the time to

reinforce them as “we are all spending more time at home now”. Don’t forget to link a reward to their accomplishments. Even though we all know many duties in life do not reap rewards….it helps to inspire children. I know!

2. This method is one I share with my adult classes and works very well with children. I call it the “Supermarket Sweep”. Provide each child with a laundry basket and assign them a room of the house (it could be their room) and put everything in the basket that does NOT belong in that room. Then use the basket to return those items to where they belong…their rightful home. Just as you see in the Supermarket when shoppers leave items where they do not belong and a store clerk is returning them to their proper locations. When family members practice this simple organizing technique, daily or even every other day….you will see a remarkable difference in the appearance of the kids’ rooms and the entire house. Bonus: Less nagging and less stress…for all! This is a good one to use when they lament, “Mom…I’m bored!” How is it that parents are rarely “bored?”

3. Another favorite of mine, and one I use personally, is to set a timer for 5-15 minutes. Then challenge the kids and yourself to see how much can be accomplished in that amount of time. You will be amazed at what can be accomplished in a short period of time. With younger kids this could be an activity that warrants a trip to the park or library, etc, NOTE: Your teens may roll their eyes over this one, but link it to privileges or other activities and it may work. Try it…..can’t hurt!

4. One of my favorites is to remind all family members to take “their stuff” with them on their way to bed each night. Including toys, magazines, books, shoes, snack dishes, etc. This simple organizing technique could become a habit and allow you to wake up to a tidy environment. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Choose one or all of these tips to help create a more pleasant environment this summer. Sep-tember is a long way off … or is it? Have a great summer. Ann Gambrell is an organizational consultant and speaker available to inform and enter-tain audiences. She facilitates weekday and Saturday Clutter Support Groups and teaches organizing classes through the Torrance Adult School. To learn more, phone

Ann at 310-212-0917 or request her for FREE monthly email tips email [email protected]. You will be glad you did.

QUICK TIPS FOR ORGANIZINGQUICK TIPS FOR ORGANIZINGQUICK TIPS FOR ORGANIZINGQUICK TIPS FOR ORGANIZING School’s Out—Now What?

Get the Weekly Calendar of South Bay Activities in Your Email Inbox!

www.whatsupforkids.com

Geoffrey A. Groat, D.D.S. Dentistry for Children and Adolescents

1350 West Seventh Street

San Pedro

(310) 832-5133


Courteous & CoolCourteous & CoolCourteous & Cool

Beach Manners: Ensuring Everyone Has a Good Time! By Certified Etiquette Trainer, Kara Doody Living in the South bay has its perks and being able to go to the beach on any given day is definitely one of them. A few weeks ago my family and I decided to load up all of our gear and spend the day at the beach. While we were there it was brought to my attention that some people could use a refresher course on beach etiquette. This summer, avoid being one of those people, by simply following these rules:

1. Don’t sit too close to other people you don’t know. Give people as much personal space as possible.

2. Keep your noise levels down. If your kids like to play and chase their friends on the beach like my kids do, remind them that there are people who come to the beach to relax and having to listen to loud kids on the beach is not always pleasant. Remind your kids to be courteous of others around them. If they no-tice someone napping or reading a book near them, be respectful and move somewhere that they won’t be as disturbing.

3. Do not block other people’s views. If you have a tent or umbrella make sure that you put it in a place that doesn’t obstruct other people’s views.

4. Pick up after yourself. Leaving trash and unwanted food on the beach is a big no no. The birds may like the left over food, but the people who have to chase off the hovering birds will not be as pleased.

5. Flying sand! Remind your children to steer clear of other people’s towels. Kids don’t realize how much sand flies off their feet when they run by other people. In addition, make sure you teach your kid how and where to shake off their tow-els properly. Remind them that they need to drag their towel AWAY from others before they shake it off.

Kari Doody is Founder of the Courteous and Cool Etiquette School. After having three children and sharing stories with other mom’s, she realized that many role models that our children look up to were in the news – and not in a good way. We aren’t born with good manners, they need to be cultivated at a young age and reinforced throughout young adult-hood. Whatever level your

child is at, she can help them improve their skills and confidence – and they can have fun doing it with my age appropriate games and activities. For more tips and classes in your area, visit www.courteousandcool.com.

10 What’s Up For Kids July/August

By Karen Murphy Most Southern California natives admire this beautiful island in the distance but some have never experienced it. Catalina Island is a place to relax and explore a bit of paradise. Catalina Island visitors must first make their way to the island! You can take a helicopter flight or take your own boat, but many purchase a ticket on the Catalina Express. It has daily service from both Long Beach and San Pedro Harbors. The journey is just over one hour and can be a day trip or a long weekend. Pets are welcome aboard the Ferry, with some restrictions. Once you arrive you can experience many fun places to eat, stay and visit. For families there is so much to see and do. Catalina is excellent for water sports, such as scuba and wreck diving, fishing, kayaking and of course snorkeling. There are many affordable places to stay with your children and if your family enjoys camping there are great options for that as well. If you are thinking about planning a trip this summer, remember Catalina and you will not be disappointed. A local treasure that is closer than you think, just off our unique coastline! Family Friendly Travel Writer, Karen Murphy, is excited to help plan your next family vacation! Karen can be reached at the Travelstore in Palos Verdes, 310-922-6902.

Family Friendly Travel Catalina Island—A Unique Place to Discover

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On Dad’s Watch—11 Again! Michael Malgeri One thing that's cool about having kids is you can do some of the nutty things with them you wanted to do when YOU were a kid but weren't allowed. They also help to REMIND you what's REALLY cool. For instance when I was 11 years old, I'd have JUMPED like a wild spider mon-key at the chance to sneak out on a school night in March and go to the beach. Who cares if it was snowing in Brooklyn and the beach was five miles away...all the more adventurous. It all started one night when my daughter said, "Dad, let's box!" I knew she wasn't asking me to help her package something, so the thought of get-ting pummeled by her as an alternative to reading political blogs made me respond with a shifty eyed smirk in her direction. "COME ON, DAD! You're always WORKING!" Her enthusiasm and my now dam-aged left eardrum made me reconsider. "OK, let's go!" I jumped up and she clapped as I lead the way to the "man cave" where the 9 ounce red boxing gloves were waiting on the shelf. "POW! BANG! CRUNCH! SLAP!" I barely made it through a standard three min-ute round, ending the bout panting on my back begging, "Let's do something else now." "Like what!?" "Warm milk and bed?" I thought. Instead, I pushed the garage door button and reached into a storage closet. We boxed, so we might as well jump rope too. "Oh, cool!" she said grabbing a rope for herself. "Where are we going?" "I think there's a beach around here...let's go find it." Her eyes lit up. I'd like to tell you we jumped in the water, hunted for grunions and built sandcas-tles under the stars when we should have been brushing our teeth and getting ready for bed, but that was not the case. We did, however dance in the middle of the street, jump rope on the wall overlooking the waves and pretended a guy walking his poodle was Darth Vader. I was 11 again. After a short while we headed home, feel-ing naughty that we left the house barefoot.. "That was COOL DAD!" she said when I finally kissed her good night. "Can we do it again some time?" "Sure! Can we skip the mixed martial arts?" "OK. G'night" "G'night" I left her room thinking, "That was REALLY cool!" Editor’s Note: Along with “On Dad’s Watch” Michael writes a series of books he calls “Bedtime Stories about Capitalism,” which teaches kids about honest profit making. Visit http://www.kids4biz.com. You can write to him at [email protected]

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTS

Ongoing Weekly Activities

As Events Details May Change,

Please Call Ahead.

MONDAY Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd., R.H.E., hosts Babies in the Library, a storytime designed just for 6-23 month olds. No registration necessary. 10:15 & 11am. 310-377-9584, ext. 601. Miraleste Library, 29089 Palos Verdes Drive East, R.P.V., hosts storytime for ages 2-5. Free. 11:30am. 377-9584. Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Cam-pesina, PVE., hosts a storytime for ages 2-5 year olds. 10:30am. 310-377-9584, ext. 551.

TUESDAY

Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd., RHE, hosts storytime Ages 2-5. No registration necessary. 10:15 & 11am. 377-9584, ext. 601. Kids Music N Motion hosts classes for various age levels at 4 South Bay locations. Call for the details. 373-0280.

WEDNESDAY

Miraleste Library, 29089 Palos Verdes Drive East, R.P.V., hosts storytime for ages 2-5. Free. 11:30am 377-9584. Lomita Library, 24200 Narbonne Ave., Lomita, hosts preschool storytime at 10am. 539-4515. Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd., RHE, hosts storytime for ages 205. 10:15 & 11am. 377-9584, ext. 601.

THURSDAY Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd., RHE, hosts storytime for ages 205. 10:15 & 11am. 377-9584, ext. 601. Redondo Beach Library North branch, 2000 Artesia Blvd., hosts storytime for 1-5 year olds. 1pm. 318-0675

Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 NO. Pa-cific Coast Hwy., hosts Pajama story time. All ages. 6:45pm. 318-0675

FRIDAY Little Fawn, a parent participating nature program for children ages 2-5, takes place every Friday at Deane Dana Friendship Park, 1805 W. 9th St., San Pedro. 10-12noon. $5. (310) 519-6115. Kid Concepts, 22844 Hawthorne Blvd., Tor-rance, presents a special program every Fri-day night. 6pm. Free with paid admission to the center. 465-0075. Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina, PVE., hosts Babies in the Library, a storytime designed just for 6-23 month olds. No regis-tration necessary. 10:30am. 310-377-9584, ext. 551.

SATURDAY Barnes & Noble, 1800 W. Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, hosts Children’s Storytime. 11am. 310-725-7025. Madrona Marsh, 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Tor-rance, hosts habitat restoration every Sat. 9am-12noon. 782-3989.

SUNDAY Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier offers storytime every Sunday at 11:30am. 379-8117. Southern California Live Steamers offers free train rides the first Sunday of every month from 11am—3pm at the East end of Wilson Park in Torrance.

Information about many activities come

to us after our print deadline!

Visit the website for more

exciting things to do with your family!

www.whatsupforkids.com Print deadline for the Sept/Oct issue is

August 10, 2012.

Submit your event on our website!


TUESDAY, JULY 3

South Bay Galleria, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd.,

Redondo Beach, hosts Kids Club in the Kids

Club Food Court Stage, Level 3. 6:30pm.

310-371-7546.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

Happy 4th of July! Visit our website for all

the festivities around the South Bay!

THURSDAY, JULY 5

Madrona Marsh, 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Tor-

rance, hosts a tyke hike. 10-11am. $5 dona-

tion. 310-782-3989.

FRIDAY, JULY 6


rance, hosts Friday fun (all Fridays in Janu-

ary)! Learn about nature through crafts, sto-

ries and hands-on fun! 10-12noon. $5 dona-

tion. (310) 782-3989.

SUNDAY, JULY 8


rance, hosts 2nd Sunday Science 2-4pm. $5

per person. (310) 782-3989.

TUESDAY, JULY 10

MOMS Club of Hermosa Beach hosts a

meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

For information, email [email protected]

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11

MOMS Club of San Pedro meets the sec-

ond Wednesday of every month at Peck Park

Recreational Center, meeting room ABC,

San Pedro. 10:30am. Call Marcia at 310-

514-9825or saN-

[email protected].

THURSDAY, JULY 12

Providence Little Company of Mary hosts

a Supersitter Class for kids ages 11-15. This

2 session class is $30. To register, go to

www.providenceclasses.org or call (800)

618-6659.

FRIDAY, JULY 13

La Leche League of Redondo Beach hosts

a breastfeeding support group the 2nd Friday

of every month at Beach Cities Health Dis-

trict. 10am. [email protected]

CAMP ROCK will be presented by St. John

Fisher Summer Drama program, Barrett Hall,

5446 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes. Fri-

day at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7pm and

Sunday at 2pm. (310) 291-7630.

TUESDAY, JULY 17

The South Bay evening group of LaLeche

meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the

Beach Cities Health District. 7:00pm. Free.

[email protected]

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18

Mom’s Club of Palos Verdes in a non-profit

support group for moms. They meet the 3rd

Wednesday of every month at Mt. Olive Lu-

theran Church in Rolling Hills Estates. For

more information, visit

www.pvmomsclub.com.

THURDAY, JULY 19

El Segundo Plaza, corner of Rosecrans and

Sepulveda, hosts Mommy and Me & Daddy

too! 10am. Plazaelsegundo.com

SATURDAY, JULY 21


CPR/Heartsaver. 9am-3pm. Register at

www.providenceclasses.org or call (800)

618-6659.

CALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTS

July/August


SATURDAY, JULY 28

Madrona Marsh, 3201 Plaza Del Amo,

Torrance, hosts a nature walk 10am. Free.

310-782-3989

SUNDAY, JULY 29


Torrance, hosts a nature walk 10am. Free.

310-782-3989

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2


Torrance, hosts a tyke hike. 10am. $5

donation. 782-3989.

Manhattan Village, 3200 N. Sepulveda

Blvd, Manhattan Beach, hosts a special

kids event with Wonder Tree. 11am. Get

the details at

www.shopmanhattanvillage.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7

South Bay Galleria, 1815 Hawthorne

Blvd., Redondo Beach, hosts Kids Club in

the Kids Club Food Court Stage, Level 3.

6:30pm. 310-371-7546.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

MOMS Club of San Pedro meets the sec-

ond Wednesday of every month at Peck

Park Recreational Center, meeting room

ABC, San Pedro. 10:30am. Call Marcia at

310-514-9825or saN-

[email protected].

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9


a Supersitter Class for kids ages 11-15.

This 2 session class is $30. To register, go

to www.providenceclasses.org or call (800)

618-6659.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10


a breastfeeding support group the 2nd Friday

of every month at Beach Cities Health Dis-

trict. 10am. [email protected]

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14

MOMS Club of Hermosa Beach hosts a

meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

For information, email [email protected]

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15

Mom’s Club of Palos Verdes in a non-profit

support group for moms. They meet the 3rd

Wednesday of every month at St. Luke’s

Church in Rolling Hills Estates at 10am. For

more information, email Susan at

[email protected].

THURDAY, AUGUST 16

El Segundo Plaza, corner of Rosecrans and

Sepulveda, hosts Mommy and Me & Daddy

too! 10am. Plazaelsegundo.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21


a breastfeeding support group the 3rd Tues-

day of every month at Beach Cities Health

District. 7pm. (424) 634-2660.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22


CPR for family and friends. 9am-12pm. Reg-

ister at www.providenceclasses.org or call

(800) 618-6659.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29

South Bay Galleria, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd.,

Redondo Beach, hosts Kids Club in the Kids

Club Food Court Stage, Level 3. 10:30am.

310-371-7546.

(Continued on page 23)

Visit Our Online Calendar for Even More Fun Things to Do!



CLASSESCLASSESCLASSESCLASSES ClassesClassesClassesClasses————ArtArtArtArt KidsArt-Redondo Beach (310) 316-9331

1802 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach

www.kidsartredondobeach.com

Email: [email protected]

Fine art classes for students ages 4 and up. Students are

taught according to their individual skills and abilities.

Call today for FREE class.

ClassesClassesClassesClasses————DanceDanceDanceDance The Dance Factory School of Performing Arts

(310) 519-3600

28901 S. Western Ave., #113, Rancho Palos Verdes

www.Dance-Factory.com Where kids grow up and make

memories to last a lifetime. Ages 2 and up. University

trained teachers—limited class size.

Peninsula School of Performing Arts (310) 375-1398

2325 PV Drive West, PVE

700 Silver Spur Rd, RHE

Please check our website: pspadance.com, for class infor-

mation, teacher bios, calendar and fees. Ballet, Tap, Hip

Hop, Jazz and More! Tita Boulger,

director.

FAMILY RESOURCE

DIRECTORY

Founder/President/Publisher

Cathy Alessandra [email protected]

P.O. Box 3893

Palos Verdes, CA 90274

Phone & Fax: (888) 544-1042

Publisher/Editor: Cathy Alessandra

[email protected], ext 701

Sales: Cindy Donnelly

[email protected], ext 702

Website Design:

Jennifer Bourn, BournCreative.com

Photographer:

Cynthia Olkie,

Fleur De LIs Photography

www.fleurphoto.com


To place a listing or advertise-

ment, call our office at (310)

544-1042 or email the listing to:

[email protected].

Deadline for the Sept/Oct Edition

is August 10, 2012.

Disclaimer: What’s Up For Kids is published

bi-monthly by What’s Up For Kids LLC.

What’s Up For Kids expressly disclaims all

warranties as to the contents of this

publication and assumes no liability for

the contents, including but not limited to

any credentials stated or claims made by

persons or establishments included in this

publication. All rights reserved. What’s

Up For Kids copyright 2012. Reproduction

in whole in part without written permission

is prohibited.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25


rance, hosts a nature walk 10am. Free. 310-

782-3989.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26


rance, hosts a nature walk 10am. Free. 310-

782-3989.

As event dates and time change,

please call ahead!

CALENDAR CONTINUED

ONLINE….. List your event free of charge on our website.

Go to www.whatsupforkids.com, click on “submit

my event” and enter all the details. It must be

family friendly! Your event will be posted once

approved.

What's Up For Kids, July/August 2012

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