Events

So your kid didn't get that pony she so desperately wanted from Santa to bring them year? Why not make up for the disappointment by taking your mini jockey to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank this Sunday, December 28th for their annual Equestfest? From 11am to 3pm your family can "Meet many of the Equestrians you will see January 1st in the 2009 Rose Parade.

December 20th marks the beginning of winter. Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills is hosting a free family Winter Solstice Hike honoring the up coming season. Appropriate for families with children 4 years of age and up this guided moderate 2 hour hike in Franklin Canyon is the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and learn a little something about LA nature in the winter. Guides will be holding discussions on the seasonal changes and planets and constellations in the winter sky.

One Voice a non profit organization whose mission it is to help "families living at poverty level within our community" is preparing for their annual Holiday Food Program Giveaway

The Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center (SIJCC) whose mission it is to enrich "its community and foster a sense of belonging among Jews, mixed-faith families, and other interested people by providing educational, recreational, and social programs steeped in Jewish tradition, culture, and values" is holding a special fair in honor of Hanukkah. For $5 adults and children 6 and under free, families can enjoy holiday stories, games, music from LA's own awesome kiddie-folk band

The only outdoorsy thing you've been doing lately seems to be mad dashes from your car to mall entrances. The kids are on constant buzz mode which only seems to be growing in intensity with each passing day drawing you closer to winter break. The insane holiday kookiness is surly pounding you something wicked. Right now you could use a little break to center yourself and recharge before the main event pummels you into next year.

If you're like me you've been desperately wanting to stroll the grounds of the Getty Villa in Malibu exploring the Greek antiquities and such yet have hesitated since it's reopening over two years ago because you just can't shake the image of the havoc your tiny tikes are sure to wreck if cut lose on the villa's beautiful grounds.

Just in time to get us all revved up about the fast-approaching Thanksgiving holiday the Music Center in Los Angeles presents another wonderful morning for families to enjoy high quality, free performing arts as part of their popular World City series in their W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre.

This Saturday, November 8th from 11am to 4pm families can enjoy a free day dedicated to the art of drumming at the Japanese American National Museum. Sponsored by Target the event will include special performances by traditional drumming ensembles Progressive Taiko, an artistic group focused on sharing and educating communities about Japanese culture through the use of music in traditional and cutting edge ways, and UCLA's Poongmul group, an ensemble of traditional Korean drummers.

Our household is abuzz with election talk today. For the first time our 9 year old son has taken a fairly large interest in the voting process and we're actually having some pretty intense discussions about the candidates, propositions, historical significance, voting and even the electoral college. It's been very entertaining the last couple weeks listening to him conduct backseat debates with his close buddies over this election spouting regurgitated information they've no doubt picked up listening to us adult folk.

With Halloween falling on a Friday this year your family can continue the holiday fun throughout the weekend. One event that's totally family friendly and free and looks really cool is the Pumpkin Launch 2008 being held on November 1st at the Cal State University of Fullerton's Titan Stadium from 9am to 2pm.