Trying to Make It Work

A hectic weekday schedule usually prevents parents from spending the amount of quality time they would like with their children. I’m no exception to this rule. With the holidays near, this past weekend I decided to spend some quality time with my girls exploring the festivities and activities Downtown offers to families and kids. Friday…More

Weathering the Holidays

Christmas week was hectic. The flu flew into our home and took a stronghold in each of us, one at a time. Los Angeles is notorious for having non-Holiday weather during December, sometimes causing confusion in out of state guests as to how anyone can celebrate Christmas on a 70-degree day. This year however, it…More

Negotiating an Education for Downtown Kids

Writing for blogdowntown has opened my senses to everything dealing with children in our neighborhood. Suddenly I am in the middle of a burgeoning cause of concern for the future education of Downtown L.A.’s youngest residents. I have been a loyal fan of blogdowntown and Downtown News since moving to South Park and I have…More

You Always Have a Choice: Charter, Magnet or Zoned School

The quest for a school in Downtown L.A. has brought me in contact with wonderful people. I met with Ted Morris, founder of FuturoPrep Charter School, who proved to be a wealth of information and a perfect source for little nudges in the right direction. I contacted Councilwoman Jan Perry, whom responded incredibly fast and…More

Taking a Break from the School Search to Party!

After the chaos of the Holidays — the flu, an infected tooth, way too many gifts and an empty wallet — we decided to raise the stress-o-meter by throwing a kid’s birthday party in Downtown! My daughter turned four and since she has been asking for a party since the day after she turned three,…More

Rumblings of Getting Older with Kids

Last week was my birthday! I know – how could you not know? The world must have felt a shiver of delight at knowing that such a wonderful being as myself turned another year older. The positive outcome of my increasing age is that I don’t feel uncomfortable when people ask how old I am,…More

A Rainy Sunday in LA

It rained in L.A. this weekend, which is news for most Angelinos. There was also the Firecracker Run in Chinatown, which I ran in. In the rain. I didn’t brave the 10K but I did complete the 5K—gasping to the end. A few friends signed up (at my pushy suggestion that they join an event…More

Getting Involved In Education Isn’t Just a Task for the Parents

Last week I went to my first Neighborhood Council meeting. In a surprise to me, no one bit my head off, cursed me, or drove me away. I have heard countless horror stories about Neighborhood Councils, not just in Downtown but also throughout the city of Los Angeles. Yet last week’s Education Committee meeting injected…More

The Puppeteer that Pulled My Heartstrings

Last weekend I had the pleasure and good fortune to attend the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre hosted by World City at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program is completely free and a true hidden gem in Downtown. Vit Horejs, the puppeteer and artist, was heart-warming, engaging and really funny – sometimes with a dry humor…More