Author: Mar Vista Mom

Grand View’s Dual Language Program Celebrates 20 Years Saturday, June 11th

20 years young and going strong! Grand View was the first Dual Language Program in LAUSD and is still the only 90/10 model Spanish Immersion Program going.

And Saturday they will celebrate with dance performances by all the students in the program, refreshments, T-shirts and Bilingual Books for sale, and will culminate with a special performance by José-Luis Orozco, noted children’s author and singer.

This event is free and open to the public, and all proceeds benefit the school. Saturday, June 11th, 11:30 am – 3pm.

Grand View Blvd. Elementary School, 3951 Grand View Blvd., Mar Vista 90066

June 7, 2011
Mar Vista’s Celebrity Crossing Guard: Henry Czerny

Award-winning actor and dedicated Mar Vista Dad, Henry Czerny, is seen here, as he is whenever he’s not on the set of a major motion picture, helping kids safely cross the street to Mar Vista Elementary School.

October 19, 2010
Ten Tips For a Great Block Party

In a word, my street rocks. We have had a block party for 6 years in a row, and they have all been awesome, so I thought I’d share some of the things we’ve learned and some of our favorite parts of the whole affair, the most important being to appreciate our neighbor Elise who does most of the prep work. We are so grateful to you, Elise!

1. Get the paperwork done for the City permits EARLY. It takes longer than you could possibly imagine for the permits to be approved, insurance secured, street signs posted and barricades issued. And you have to do all that and maybe more to get your street blocked off, a basic requirement of a block party.

Because you do NOT want this to happen:

2. Rent tents. It’s no fun to sit in the hot sun, or to have the food sitting in the hot sun. 3. You need tape and scissors — you just do. 4. A bouncy house is a must.

5. A Baking Contest is a fun competition for neighbors. But it’s a win-win; everyone gets great treats and I always make sure everyone gets some sort of prize. (Hint: each baked good can be a category of its own.)

6. A raffle is fun and helps raise money for next year’s block party.

7. A dunk tank can’t be beat.

8. A live band is a great addition, especially if one of the members is your husband. (On the left.)

9. It’s helpful to have a beer brewer (and his beer) at the party, especially if it’s great beer like Angel City.

10. Have great neighbors who all want to celebrate living in a great community!

August 6, 2010
Avatar: A Mom And Sons DVD Review

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Avatar was released on DVD on Earth Day, which you probably know unless you were out of town on Pandora last week, and my kids and I were given a copy to review. Well, here goes: We love this movie!!

Even on DVD, even on our puny TV set, even though it’s not in 3D. We all love this movie. We stood in line at the theater on opening day last December because we were so excited for it to come out and we were thrilled with the 3D — it was truly magical. And the DVD does not disappoint, even though it’s only 2D.

The story is still gut-wrenching (there are tears shed when Home Tree falls — and not just by me) and exciting (who among us can resist a blue guy flying in on a giant red dragon?). It’s sure to be watched many, many times in our house.

What’s very cool about the DVD launch is that Fox has also launched the Home Tree Initiative and aims to plant 1 million trees worldwide — here on Earth.

We were invited to watch James Cameron, the writer/director/producer, and Jon Landau, the producer, (among others, including CCH Pounder, pictured above) participate in the ceremonial planting of the first tree in North America as part of said initiative, and while there, Charlie got to ask them some questions.

He got to ask 2 questions of Jon Landau, the first was, “How did you like working with James Cameron?” And here is Mr. Landau’s response:

Then he got to ask James Cameron a question, “How’d you get inspiration for writing the script for Avatar?”

Great questions, Charlie! Nice job! And now it’s time for mom to Avatar-ize:

Photos provided by me and Fox Home Entertainment, video provided by Charlie.

April 27, 2010
Well Baby Center

The Well Baby Center is a non-profit parenting community center, founded out of a belief that every family with young children deserves to have a place to go to access a support system. Their aim is to strengthen family relationships by offering classes and family activities, as well as comprehensive counseling and consulting services. Staffed by family and early childhood specialists, the Well Baby Center offers Mindful Parenting groups, Reflective Parenting groups, Therapeutic services, Music Together, Infant massage, drop-in playgroup times and Special Needs programs, just to name a few. Please see their website for more details.

The Well Baby Center 12316 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista 90066 (310) 402-2229

Photo credit: Alan Shaffer

February 18, 2010
Santa Visited Mar Vista This Week

It’s true! Santa came to town! He and his sleigh, pulled by a very accommodating LAPD Pacific Division SUV, and with a police escort to boot, stopped several places all over town this week. It’s a show of community spirit on the LAPD’s part, and it’s a heart-warming event for the kids — and kids-at-heart. There are even elves. This year’s most requested items, according to Santa? Computers and video game consoles. I guess we have a very high-tech group of kids here in Mar Vista.

Thanks, Pacific Division! Bye, Santa! See you next year.

December 12, 2009
Mar Vista Makeover: The Floyd’s Mural Is Done!

Looks great! Thanks, Floyd’s Barbershop, for sprucing up the place!

Here’s the artist, Jonas Never, working on it back in the summer.

December 5, 2009
Mar Vista Business Profile: Celeste’s Tailoring

Celeste has been here in Mar Vista for 7 years, doing alterations and some basic seamstress work. She’s well-known for doing alterations on Burning Man costumes, just FYI.

Celeste’s Tailoring, 12028 Venice Blvd., open M – F 9am – 7pm, and weekends 10am – 5pm. (310) 391-4708.

November 5, 2009
Anatomy Of A Block Party

Our block has held a block party for 5 years in a row, and it is an Amazing Amount of Fun. It’s also an amazing amount of work to set it all up.

But it’s absolutely SO much fun, I thought I would let the community know the ins and outs of getting a block party off the ground, because it is tricky to figure out where to go and what to do.

I turn to my neighbor and blogger, Elise Derby, for expertise in this matter, since she’s been in charge of our block party every year. I like to think it’s a labor of love, but I know for sure it’s a of of labor. There are lots of us who try to help out, and on the day of the party, everyone always chips in, but all the prep work is handled, oh so capably, by Elise.

(I’m buttering her up because I never want her to stop being in charge. Keep the love flowing to Elise!)

*** UPDATE: My vacation has thrown my blog all out of whack! Let’s get it right this time! ***

Elise says every year has been slightly different, but there are some basic steps that have to be taken each time. First of all, between 3 and 4 months before you want to have your block party, the neighbors need to get together and decide what kind of party they want to have and how much money they want to spend on it. We started out with an all-pot-luck version to keep costs low. Everyone brought out their own tables and EZ-up tents. Now we rent those things and have them delivered. Plus we get a bouncy house and sometimes a dunk tank. But the rest is still pot-luck sharing.

In terms of official steps to be taken, it goes like this: Fill out the paperwork online here at the Bureau of Street Services website and download the petition form, which must be signed by 51% of the neighbors on the affected street. You then have to get insurance for the event, the price for which has gone up from approximately $100 5 years ago to approx. $250 now.

Once the petition is signed, insurance is purchased, and a Hold Harmless form is filled out, the entire packet gets sent to Street Services. Then there are City permit fees of approx. $300, which have been waived in the past by our great City Council members, but since LA is in a bit of a budget crisis, the fees may not be waived any more. (Check with your Councilperson’s office to be sure.) Then, finally, there are Temporary No Parking Signs that get posted a few days before the event, so people will know not to park in the middle of the party, and barricades that block off the street on the actual day.

Yes, it is a ton of work, but it is so worth it. I love our neighborhood and having the chance to hang out with my neighbors on a beautiful summer day is one of the best things about living here. I highly recommend it for your neighborhood as well!

August 6, 2009
Hotcakes Bakery

Hotcakes bakery is located on a super busy part of Centinela in Mar Vista, and let me tell you, parking’s a pain in the butt. I parked way down on a side street and walked back. But it was worth it!

PS — when I got there they told me it’s cool to park in B & B Hardware’s lot right behind them, which is really good to know and please take that advice when visiting, which you should definitely do, by the way. It’s very cute and the food is DEE-lish.

I had a little morsel of delciousness called a cannele, a tiny, carmelized custard baked in a mold, which comes both big and small. Either way, yummy!

Some of you know I’m not really into sugar anymore, but this was just faintly sweet and had more of a savory nature, perfect for me. I did also try a bite of their pecan squares, which are also not too sweet, like a regular big ole pecan pie — something my husband, who thinks pecan pie is way too sweet, would appreciate, I think.

Anyway, they have a full compliment of cupcakes, of course, which must be required for a bakery these days, but they looked adorable, just not on my list the day I was there.

And for the holidays they have a fantastic-looking yule log, even.

They also have a lunch menu, which I didn’t realize, so I’ll be back for an egg salad sandwich, which you know I’m fond of, one of these days.

I met the owner the day I was there, Elfie Weiss, and the manager, Barbara as well, both super nice and very friendly.

(Barbara on the left and Elfie on the right.)

If only they had a bigger area for sitting, it would be a great place to hang out. As it is, with only a couple of little tables, I’m perfectly happy to take my treats to go.

Hotcakes Bakery, 4119 Centinela Avenue, Mar Vista, 90066 (310) 397-2324

Open Monday – Saturday 9am – 7pm and Sundays 10am – 7pm

An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

December 24, 2008