East LA Meets Napa Returns July 20! A Preview, and Last Year's Recap

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East LA Meets Napa is a unique event in Los Angeles. This event showcases some of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, along with some of the best wines either owned or operated by Hispanics in Napa Valley. The proceeds go to benefit AltaMed, which provides free health services to those in need, and support for single teenage mothers in East LA. What was at first a small event has grown to one of the biggest and most anticipated event of the year, and there's now less than 300 tickets left for this year's event!

They held a press preview at John Sedlar's Playa Restaurant and featured food and wine from a few of the event participants.
Chef Rocio Camacho of Rocio's Moles de los Dioses served a Chapulines and avocado taco
This taco was my favorite of the day. If you can get past your reservations about eating grasshoppers, this is a simple but amazing taco.
Empanadas tres soles: huitlacoche, flor de calabaza (squash blossoms), y potosina

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What to expect When You're Expecting

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Last week I was invited to a screening of What To Expect When You're Expecting. I'll start out by telling you that I really didn't know what to expect. This film is based on the bible, of the same name, of almost every pregnant women. Truthfully, I didn't think it really lent itself to a screen play. But wouldn't you know it I was wrong.
Of course the film doesn't actually follow the book. There is no second act about the thinning of your cervix, or darkening of your nipples, at least not directly. The movie is about 5 couple and their journeys to parenthood. Personally I love these huge ensemble casts. Everyone is very funny and for me it never crossed the line into the ridiculous (or at least not ridiculously so).
I really enjoyed the large part of the film that focused on a group of dad's who walk as a group every weekend. It made me pity the poor husbands, just a little, don't tell any of the other mothers I said that. Anyway they were hysterical led by the incomparable Chris Rock.
The moms were great too. Jennifer Lopez was of course gorgeous. I loved watching the know it all expectant mother learn that it wasn't a pleasure cruise being pregnant. I always think this is the first parenting lesson. You never know what is going to happen so be prepared. Some what less fun to watch the mom who is completely unfazed by her pregnancy. 
I feel like there were lots of conception scenarios, if not every possible one. It would have been great to have a same sex couple, in there somewhere, but maybe in the sequel. Over all I would recommend this to pregnant ladies, and people with families. It's very fun with only brief moments of seriousness.
Opens this Friday 18th!!!

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS

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I just got back from PBS' Annual Meeting. They have so many great things coming up I hardly know where to start. Since I attended as a member of the PBS Kids VIPs I'll start with all the great kids programs.

Their big announcement was for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, a new show, that's a spin off of Mr Roger's Neighborhood. Daniel is the son of Mr. Rogers tiger friend Danny. He'll be continuing Mr Roger's work of empowering children and fostering their social emotional developement. Each half hour episode will have two segments that focus on a developemental issue. Just like Mr.Roger's show there will be lots of catchy songs with educational lyrics, to help children solve all their most pressing problems.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood premeires September 3 (my birthday) after Sesame Street and will continue daily in that time slot.

Other highlights for the coming year are:

The Cat In The Hat Know A lot About Christmas a one hour special Nov 21, 2012

Wild Kratts one hour special Jan 21, 2013

Dinosaur Train one hour special Feb 18, 2013

Curious George one hour special April 19, 2013

Stay tuned for my post on all the great adult programs coming our way.

Lastly don't forget to donate to your local PBS station.

The Closer's Final Six Episodes

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I'm so sad The Closer is starting it's final six episodes July 9th on TNT. I love this show.  I suppose 7 years is a good run. I'll be glued to these last few. Hope they find a good ending for our leading lady.

Still the show isn't totally gone. Because practically the entire cast will continue on a new show called Major Crimes beginning August 13th . We'll be trading Krya Sedgewick for the amazing Mary McDonnell. 


So a little good news with the bad.

Disney's California Adventure

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This past weekend Disney California Adventure invited my family to come experience all the exciting new lands and rides. I have to say I adore the new entrance into the park. The first thing you see is the replica entrance of the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Once through those gates you find yourself on Buena Vista Street, filled with classic Hollywood landmarks and characters.

Carthay Circle Theatre is a replica of the Theatre that Snow White premiered at and has a wonderful restaurant inside. It is a bit pricey but the interior is gorgeous, the food is delicious, and if you order the the full meal (including starter, entree, and dessert) you get VIP passes to the viewing of World of Color. Reservations are recommended for the Carthay Circle Restaurant


Next we found ourselves in A Bug's Land. This land has been open for a while. But is one of our family favorites. If you have bug lovers in your family, I'm sure they'll enjoy pretending to be a bug in the giant grass and clover forest, not to mention the bumper cars pictured above.


 Probably my little Dare Devils favorite ride at either Disneyland or California Adventure is California Screamin'. This Roller coaster has everything speed, loop, and huge drops. I spend a lot of time waiting on a bench while my family rides this one. They're lucky if they can get me on the ferris wheel.



Finally of course there was the piece des resistance CARS LAND! I can't believe how incredibly awesome this is. My 3 year old god son is going to lose his mind when he sees this place. It really is like walking through Radiator Springs.


There's so much great stuff to do I can't list it all here. But possibly the most important thing I want you to know is how great the food is and not just in the fancy Carthay Circle restaurant, Cars land has fun food in cones and a great restaurant, and there is some super food in Paradise Pier too.  But just a word to the wise if you're going to ride California Screamin', eat after.

Enjoy the park!

My PS Vita Favorite Features

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After a few months with my PS Vita I have definitely developed some strong feelings for many of it's features and games. I am so grateful to Playstation for having me on their PS Family board, and giving me the opportunity to explore this hand held gaming system that is so much more.
I know I've said this a bunch of times in a bunch of places but I still love Escape Plan. It it such a great game. It's main characters Lil and Laarg die often at my hands but they always bounce back up and are ready to go again and again until I can finally figure out how to clear the level. See the trailer below

Aside from games there are other uses for the PS Vita. I love to have it handy for watching movies on Netflix. Here's a picture of me watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. The picture is small but so so clear. 

The last feature I'm excited about is the new Skype app. You can contact anyone on skype and and have a face to face chat. You can even switch the camera to rear facing and show them your surroundings. It really is insanely cool. Here's a playstation video explaining all it's features.

With all of this you hardly need anything else. 
I really have enjoyed using the Vita and can easily recommend it to one and all.

The Closer's Final Six Episodes

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I'm so sad The Closer is starting it's final six episodes July 9th on TNT. I love this show.  I suppose 7 years is a good run. I'll be glued to these last few. Hope they find a good ending for our leading lady.

Still the show isn't totally gone. Because practically the entire cast will continue on a new show called Major Crimes beginning August 13th . We'll be trading Krya Sedgewick for the amazing Mary McDonnell. 


So a little good news with the bad.