Kids Off The Couch - The May Radar Screen

May is for Mothers

Here's what we want for Mother's Day. You can forget the spa, or the brunch at a fancy restaurant (we'll be full from breakfast in bed, after all). Just get us out of the house for some Q-time all together as a family.

As for the rest of May, get your teacher gifts together, finalize those summer plans and then... put your feet up. You're going to want to rest up for the schedule-jangling, camp-trunk-packing and medical-form-filling out days of summer.

Mother's Day: Our favorite Mother's Day gift is to have a tree planted in our honor by TreePeople.

It's a good, green way to express your enduring love - any time of year. We also love the idea of spending Sunday morning at the Hammer's free screening of Little Women, and catching an al fresco brunch at Wolfgang Puck's Hammer Cafe. If you want the more traditional fete, click here for a list of brunch specials around town, or go to tea at a fancy Beverly Hills Hotel (Hotel Bel Air is still closed for renovation so try Tea at the Montage or Afternoon Tea at Bazaar by Jose Andres). For a truly memorable afternoon, get some fresh air at The Descanso Gardens where Mother's Day will be celebrated all weekend. Kidspace also has a Mother's Day Spa and activities for youngsters.

Weekend Highlights - May 8-9: The Santa Monica Festival takes place this Saturday, from 11:00am to 6:00pm at Clover Park. Come listen to music, eat local food and relax. If you bike to the event, you can be entered to win a new set of (two) wheels - and there is a free bike valet to help you keep your day green. Families with younger children will prefer motoring over to the National Train Day, celebrated this Saturday at Union Station. Free, all day long.

Strawberry Festival: If you are a Farmers' Market groupie, you know it's strawberry season, and time to celebrate all things berry at the California Strawberry Festival. Festivities take place over the weekend of May 15-16 in Oxnard and Strawberry Shortcake is the Official BerryFest Princess of Strawberryland for Kids (the theme park portion of this foodie-fest).

One Better than Baywatch: A national arts project called Portraits of Hope is working with local schools to transform the lifeguard stations along our CA coastline. Starting May 10, you'll find cheerful, flowery guard stations sprinkled along the beaches. Click here for information about this public art project.

What's Up, Chuck? The Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences has a fun new exhibit about the prolific genius who created Bugs Bunny and his friends. Chuck Jones: An Animator's Life from A to Z-Z-Z-Z is free, and opens May 14. Worth a browse with your animaniacs.

Art Watch: The new

Monsters and Miracles show at the Skirball Cultural Center presents classic illustrations by beloved artists such as William Stieg and Maurice Sendak, with iTouch stations where children can hear celebs reading books aloud -- this is a gorgeously presented show for anyone who loves to read. If photography is your thing, check out the Annenberg's Water: Our Thirsty Planet, and don't miss Tasteful Pictures at The Getty Center, scrumptious images of food, glorious food!

KOTC Reader Suggestion: A KOTC subscriber, Laura Sympson, came up with this clever idea for a Popcorn Adventure. Take in the new animated film, The Secret of Kells and embark on a weekend at LA's Renaissance Faire. The Renaissance Faire takes place each weekend in the spring (until May 23); here's our take on bringing kids to these fairs. We've had our eye on this film for some time (the film's website is worth a visit) and will alert you when it's on DVD.

Creature Comforts: The Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum is a leggy extravaganza with special programming throughout the weekend of May 15-16. The Pavilion of Wings will be open as well (it's a rite-of-spring in our home) so while you're looking at the spiders, don't miss the chance to have thousands of butterflies land on your shoulder and head - a blissful experience. And, before it gets too hot to hang out in the deep valley, check out the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar.

For Parents With a Moment to Spare: The Venice Art Walk and Auction takes place over the weekend of May 22-23 and offers wonderful Art and Architecture tours of Rustic Canyon and areas of Venice and Santa Monica. Ticket prices apply; event benefits the Venice Family Clinic.

Concert Watch: Lots of great music coming our way in the next few months, especially for tweens and teens. There's Glee - Live In Concert at Universal Amphitheater, May 20-22. South Pacific opens on May 27 and runs through mid-July. And Rent comes to the Hollywood Bowl for three nights, August 6-8. It's a good time to look over the whole summer schedule for the Bowl. Kids will love the Bugs Bunny at the Symphony and a sing along Sound of Music (September 25).

Please Give: Nicole Holofcener's new film, Please Give, captures the mood of mothering a teenage girl better than anything we've read or seen. You'll never be able to purchase a pair of blue jeans for your daughter without thinking of Catherine Keener's struggles with parenthood and... liberal guilt. Presuming that some of you worry about these things, check out Women for Women International, a phenomenal organization that pairs women like us with women in war-ravaged countries; our financial and emotional support can help another woman change her own destiny. Click here for more information about a Mother's Day gift that really counts.And, Mom? No one appreciates all that you do more than we do. (With gratitude and apologies to our male readers!)
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Water: Our Thirsty World + Donating to Water Charities = Kids Off The Couch

To commemorate Mother Earth on her birthday (April 22), we turn to one of the planet's most pressing issues - the availability of fresh water. The current National Geographic magazine, Water: Our Thirsty World, explores the social, religious and cultural uses of water around the globe, and demonstrates how diminishing water supplies affect communities, people and animals. Our kids are pretty good about basic earth-friendly practices but the disparity between the abundance of water in our lives and the shocking lack of clean water for many families around the world made our household conservation efforts feel like a drop in the bucket. How could we redouble our efforts to help others? With the help of the National Geographic website, we found fabulous charities deeply committed to helping those in need and set about trying to raise funds to make a difference. From organizing school fund-raising efforts to substituting a birthday gift with the gift of clean water for someone else, we are trying to incorporate an awareness of this pressing need into our daily lives. Now, that's something to think about in the shower. (Click here for more on the magazine and for our list of charities that specialize in water issues).

Kids Off The Couch - The March Radar Screen

We were mourning the end of the Olympics ("Oh, Canada!"), but now that the weather has changed, we're all about finalizing spring break plans!

All About Alice: Tim Burton's 3D extravaganza, Alice in Wonderland, is turning the competition topsy-turvy at the box office, and we're having some fun examining why Lewis Carroll's nonsense has enjoyed such longevity in the public's mind. We loved hearing an NPR story over the weekend about the mathematical metaphors in the children's tale. Turns out, Carroll used a story he'd written about a girl called Alice as a diatribe against the increasing abstraction in Algebra. Funny - our tweeners complain about that, too! For more on Carroll (whose real name was Charles Dodgson), we love Dreamchild, an elegant film that imagines the famous story's creation from Alice's point of view, and includes characters like the Mad Hatter played by Jim Henson puppets. While you're engaged in all things Alice, why not take the chance to compare Burton's film with Disney's classic 1951 animated version? Or a wonderful adaptation from 1933 that stars Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and W.C. Fields -- in heavy costumes -- considered by many to be the truest adaptation of the novel. If you're interested in a literary approach to the text, try The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition and, for an old stand-by birthday gift for the wee set, we love the Pop-Up version of the book.

Water, Water, Everywhere: Did news about our near miss with a tsunami make you think about surfing? Check out a new film starring Kelly Slater called Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D, playing at the California Science Center's IMAX theater. While you're there, check out museum's completely re-figured Ecosystems exhibit -- opening March 25. (Tickets required, so click here for Timed Entry passes).

Seasonal Eating: Sunday marks the start of Persian New Year, so grab some yummy rice and kabobs at our favorite spot, Javan. If your household is trying to consume less meat, you'll appreciate the exuberance of March 20th's Meatout.

Dance at the Music Center: March 20 marks the latest free Family Programming at the Music Center with

Bolivian and Equadorian dancers. Get your tickets on the plaza downtown for 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM shows -- free!

LA Story: The story of high school math teacher (and local hero) Jaime Escalante was made famous by the film Stand and Deliver. Click here for our Popcorn Adventure on this excellent film, that stars Eddie Olmos. Escalante has recently contracted bladder cancer, and has been back in the news lately as his current and former students are rallying to support him, both financially and emotionally.

His Beak Can Hold More than his Belly-Can! Our boys were doing a beach clean-up for Heal the Bay last weekend, and were startled to see so many dead Brown Pelicans. We turned to the International Bird Rescue Research Center and discovered that recent storms have, for some reason, affected this breed in staggering numbers. The IBRRC has been treating hundreds of pelicans but needs help feeding them while they're under care -- pelicans eat a lot of fish! You, or your child's classroom, can help them by adopting a pelican.

Manuscripts Are In: The Secret of Kells was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, and we suspect it will make a brief stop in local theaters soon. We recommend it as a cool introduction to The Getty Center's latest manuscript exhibit Building the Medieval World (March 2 through mid-May), which explores architecture -- castles! -- in the medieval world.

DVD Notes: Three fun films came out on DVD recently. We liked Disney's Ponyo, and thought Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs was a fun take on one of our favorite books. Coco Before Chanel tells the story of Coco Chanel's rise to fame, and Audrey Tautou is a perfect fit to play fashion's original and most famous icon -- best for teens or adult fashionistas.

More Ice and Snow! Kids love tracking the Iditarod, Alaska's famous sled-dog race, online and TODAY marks the day when the first mushers cross the finish line. Click over to read our

Popcorn Adventure - we paired it it with the fabulous animated tale Balto -- or go to the official Iditarod Race site. Or, if your kids revved up about ice hockey during the Olympics, be sure to check out Miracle, based on the US v USSR game in the 1980 games.

Finally: If you liked the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, check out the movie - it opens on March 19. Click here for our Popcorn Adventure about the books.
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Kids Off The Couch - Helping Kids Help Haiti!

It's not easy for children to understand the devastation that has been visited upon the people of Haiti. Most of us are wondering how much to share with our kids, or how to react to whatever news they are getting at school and from the media. Here is a helpful article to help you decide how to discuss the Haitian crisis with your family. In general, it's best to be honest about how you are feeling, keep the explanations simple and focus on the positive stories of how people all over the world are raising money to help.

It's a powerful lesson for kids to learn that they can help, too. Just in our neighborhood, kids are organizing parties and charity walks to raise awareness and funds, and our school is sending shoes this weekend to Sports Chalet (click here for details). Tune in on Friday night for a Haiti Relief concert on MTV organized by George Clooney but don't wait until the weekend to make your donation.

Here's how to give: KCRW has a full listing of all the organizations that they recommend, with a helpful description of each. Choose the one that touches your heart, and give generously. Our researchers tell us that The Red Cross is the best place to give, and we also always support Doctors Without Borders.

Text Your Donation: Since the devastation just a week ago, a record amount of money has been donated through text messaging. This technology was used by Europeans during the tsunami relief, but is just now being used in America. It's so simple, it's revolutionary for the world of giving! Simply text the words below to the numbers listed, and the charges go to your phone bill. The Red Cross - Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10Yéle Haiti - Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 (Haitian Hip Hop star Wyclef Jean's charity)

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The Best DVDs of 2009 from Kids Off The Couch

Let the Gifting Begin!

It's Cyber Monday -- so, cross a few names off your holiday gift list with a few simple clicks. And thanks! Kids Off the Couch receives a portion of your Amazon sale.

Must Have for the Home Library: Up, Monsters, Inc., Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition; Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Edition; Gone With the Wind 70th Anniversary Edition, The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Edition

Action Lovers: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Star Trek, Twilight, Wolverine, Taken, Quantum of Solace, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Songs and Stars Mamma Mia!, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Hannah Montana The Movie

Your Classic Collection: The General, James Bond 10 pack, North by Northwest, The Mel Brooks Collection

Documentary Lovers: Ken Burn's The National Parks: America's Best Idea, The Cove, and Food, Inc., Valentino; The Last Emperor

Indie Choices: Sunshine Cleaning, 500 Days of Summer

Vacation Reading List Tip: While you have some downtime, peruse this parenting tome -- we promise, it will affect your New Year's Resolutions: Po Bronson's

NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children

Must Have Stocking Stuffer: Nobody doesn't love the new Scrabble-Like word game, Bananagrams. Good for anyone who can spell!

Embrace the Season!
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The Blind Side + Thanksgiving Volunteering = Kids Off The Couch

In The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, a Memphis society woman whose decision to bring a homeless teenager into her home on a cold, rainy night is a transformative event. Based on a true story, the film traces the journey of an over-sized and neglected kid as he becomes one of the most stalwart linemen in the NFL today. Michael Oher survived a terrible childhood, learned to be a student and an athlete under Tuohy's steel magnolia tutelage, was recruited to college in the flurry of a national spotlight and currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Everyone over ten will love The Blind Side (currently in theaters) which is the perfect holiday film -- and not just because of Bullock's knock-out performance. Kids giggle at the the comedic antics of Michael's adopted brother SJ, teens relish the cameos by college football coaches and parents appreciate that the popular film offers a meaty subject to discuss around the Thanksgiving table: race and poverty in America. The sad fact is that not every foster child's story ends as nicely as Michael's. Since charitable donations go down during a recession, it's more important than ever to reach out to those in need this year, so grab the kids and do some volunteering this week. Leigh Ann says it best when she tells her husband how happy her commitment to the boy has made her. It feels good to help others... all year long.

Click here for our advice on the film's Red Flags and for links to our past Thanksgiving posts about how to teach children about values while you teach them about money.

Anne Frank - The Whole Story + Jewish Holocaust Museum = Teens Off The Couch

While Stephanie Meyer and Dan Brown's latest tomes might be on your teen's holiday reading list, Anne Frank can give these best-sellers a run for their money. In Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl, the young author's description of being thirteen captures readers with the same heart-stopping directness today that it did when we raced through it decades ago. In fact, the original film adaptation (based on a popular stage play) was produced fifty years ago and has just been re-released on DVD. Our kids found ABC's 2001 mini-series, Anne Frank - The Whole Story more compelling, for it portrays Anne's entire life with equal weight given to her childhood, her time in hiding, and the end of her life in the concentration camps. (An added bonus is Ben Kingsley as Otto Frank). Although the subject matter is tough, our kids loved Anne from her book because they are aware that despite the difference in country, culture and time, Anne was just like them—interested in movies, boys, and clothes, while frustrated with the adults around her. That frustration with parents extends to knowing that such horrors as the Holocaust have happened in their world, so a visit to a Jewish Heritage Museum helps kids to see how one person can effect change. At the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, our teens pored over a few Anne Frank artifacts, and then took an intense, guided tour through an interactive exhibit that simulates being in a concentration camp. (This is not an adventure for young children!) To resenstitize our teens, we attended a talk by a Holocaust survivor who is alive because the woman who found her hiding in a barn chose to give her food and a jacket rather than call the Gestapo. Our excursion allowed us to share our closely held values with our teens on topics that remain relevant today and hopefully will help to cultivate righteous values and actions in our lives. (Click here for links to the best Jewish Heritage museums around the US, and to learn how Hilary Swank's Freedom Writers is related to Anne Frank.)