Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Top 10 Montebello Mom Facebook Posts of 2014

It has been a wonderful year at MontebelloMom.com!
 
Hundreds of new readers have discovered this little blog and they are all welcome to join the MontebelloMom Facebook community.
 
I read the comments of every post and my favorite are the support and words of advice readers give to each other.
 
Listed below are the top 10 posts from MontebelloMom's Facebook page of 2014 as judged by total number of likes, comments, and shares.
 
Happy New Year!
 
 
 
2. Half-off backpacks at Spencers at the
Shops at Montebello

 
 

4. Lala's Free Christmas Trees 


 
5. Free Admission for Teachers at the Aquarium of the Pacific 



 
 
7. New Part Time Jobs in the Montebello area 



 


9. Costco Secret Code: the Asterisk 


 



Thanks for a wonderful 2014 everyone!
-Montebello Mom & Mr. Montebello Mom
 


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Free College Level Art Classes for High School Students!

I came across this program at the Downtown Bookfest. The Ryman Arts program offers high school students who are serious about a future in art to take college level classes and explore possible careers in art. Students take 3 semesters of college level art drawing and painting courses on the weekend, are mentored by Ryman alumni & Disney artists, and build their professional portfolio. 
 
I met Francisco, a Montebello High School graduate, class of 2008. He is a Ryman Arts alumni who will graduate with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from CSULB. In the fall he is continuing his studies on full scholarship in China. He says the program is a strong stepping stone for any student interested in art.
 
The entire program is offered free of charge. Interested high school students can find more information about the program and apply at:


 
Posted by Picasa

Artwalk: City Park, Montebello

Big Chill Festival: City Park, Montebello


Sunday, December 28, 2014

New Year's Eve Waterfront Family-Friendly Celebration: Long Beach

Rainbow Harbor at Pine Avenue
Long Beach
5pm-10pm

From the event website:
"Family-Friendly Waterfront Celebration (Free) Beginning at 5 p.m., Downtown’s waterfront amphitheatre will come alive with a flurry of activities. Live bands...and children's activities including face painting, balloon artists and a trackless train will keep the whole family entertained. At 9 p.m., the sky will light up for an East Coast countdown with a ten minute fireworks spectacular...from Rainbow Harbor’s lighthouse peninsula."


Noon Year's Eve: Kidspace Museum

Kids can celebrate "Noon Year's Eve" at Kidspace Museum!
Kidspace Museum is open on Wednesday, December 31, from 9:30am-3pm, and admission include a Noon Year's Eve celebration. The event includes a countdown to noon with sparkling cider and noisemakers.
 
 
480 North Arroyo Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103
 

New Year's Eve Celebration: Grand Park, Downtown L.A.

Wednesday, December 31
7pm-12:30am
Grand Park
210 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
 
Free admission. Three stages with live entertainment. Food vendors. Projections onto city buildings. New Year's Eve photo booth. Countdown to the New Year.
 
Visit Grand Park's N.Y.E. L.A. webpage for more information and to review the list of prohibited items prior to attending the event,

New Year's Eve Countdown Event: Monterey Park


From the City of Monterey Park website:

"The multicultural street fair-style event will begin at 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will feature live entertainment, a variety of foods, and over 50 vendor booths...Other highlights include carnival rides, an auto show, flower market and much more...the evening will conclude with a countdown to the New Year 2015. Admission is free.

Large crowds are expected to attend this event, which will impact parking in the immediate areas. The public is encouraged to carpool to the event."

Community Weight Loss Event: Queen of the Valley Hospital, West Covina

Join the 4th annual "Lighten Up San Gabriel Valley" event, sponsored by Citrus Valley Health Partners.

Participants must pre-register by telephone and be 12 years old or older to enter the year long weight loss contest. The grand prize is a $250 gift card,  and everyone who loses 10% of their body weight will win movie tickets.

There are two additional weigh-ins in June and November where prizes will be determined and awarded. Voluntary monthly workshops & weigh-ins are provided for participants.

 
 

Pompeii Exhibit: California Science Center

Open now through Sunday, January 11, at the California Science Center, Pompeii: the Exhibition is a must see for anyone interested in ancient civilizations.

I toured the exhibit and was awestruck at the idea that the frescos and artifacts on display were nearly 2000 years old. The seven room exhibit features artifacts of life in Pompeii and the final room reveals a simulated volcanic eruption and casts of individuals caught in the ash.




 I recommend this exhibit for ages 12 and up. The tour includes an audio-tour handset, however the descriptions include sophisticated language that kids may not understand. The exhibit lights are dimmed throughout and I overheard a young child as she was walking into the exhibit say she was scared.

There are a lot of representations of breasts and male genitalia throughout the exhibit which may make children and teens uncomfortable. There is also an erotic portion of the exhibit depicting sex lives of Pompeii citizens, that can be bypassed if desired.

If possible leave the kids at home or have another adult come to watch the kids in another part of the science center while you enjoy the exhibit at your leisure.



 
At the end of the Pompeii exhibit is a large room with blocks for kids to create an arch and simulate a volcanic eruption on a tablet. The room is the perfect getaway for parents of antsy kids. One parent can take the kids to the room and switch off with the other parent as needed.


The Pompeii exhibit ends in a gift shop where replica jewelry, art, and other souvenirs can be purchased.


Pompeii tickets start at $12.75 for children (4-12 years), $16.75 for seniors/students, & $19.75 for adults. Enter the promo code GOLD to save $5 off adult admission.

Allow 1 hour to tour the exhibit. Tickets include admission to Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit. Parking at the California Science Center is $10, cash only. Admission to the California Science Center is free.

Now-January 11
10am-5pm
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(323) SCIENCE

Friday, December 26, 2014

Bike Train: Community Bike Ride with Bike SGV

Join San Gabriel Valley's Bike Train!
 
Bring the family out on a Sunday morning for some sunshine, exercise, and fun! Join a group of riders who tour bicycle paths in the San Gabriel Valley in a Bike Train.

The group meets the last Sunday of the month at BikeSGV Headquarters in El Monte, Wilderness Park in Azusa, or Legg Lake in South El Monte. Rides are 15-20 miles.
 
For more information visit the Bike SGV website or the Bike San Gabriel Valley Facebook page.




 

Thursday, December 18, 2014

A Christmas Carol: Belvedere Park


Christmas Toy Give-a-Ways for Families in Need

A question was brought to me by one of my readers asking, "Where can families on a tight budget go to sign up for holiday food and toy giveaways?" I posed the questions to my readers and the response was overwhelming!
  • Pico Rivera has a Christmas Basket program
  • Christmas at the Cannon occurs every year in Montebello for families in need
  • Boys & Girls club in Boyle Heights hosts giveaways
  • King Taco Toy Giveaway
  • Hearts of Compassion
  • Visit MontebelloMom's Facebook page and see the original post and responses published on 11/13/13.








 

 

Shops at Montebello Mall Holiday Shopping Hours

The Shops at Montebello Mall offers extended hours holiday season.
 
Now through Christmas the mall is open every night until 11pm, and it's open New Years Day!
 
  
 DECEMBER 2014
 
For more information, click here.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

FREE Winter Break Teen Membership at the YMCA!

Free Teen Membership!
December 19th - January 12th.


Open to all teens ages 13-18!
 
Parents can sign up for a free 7-day pass.
 
 Montebello-Commerce YMCA
2000 W Beverly Blvd
Montebello, CA 90640
323-887-9622

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Breakfast with Santa: Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church

This is a great event for the family organized by OLMM parish school.
 
Full breakfast for only $5 and kids 6 and under eat free and get a free photo with Santa.
 
Interested in attending services? Mass times are 8:30am, 10:30am, and in Spanish at 12:30pm.
 
 

99¢ Child Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo

Bring a 99¢ Only store receipt to the L.A. Zoo,
purchase a regular adult admission,
& receive a child's admission for only 99¢!
 

Regular zoo adult admission is $19, seniors $16, and children $14. Children 2 and younger are free.

Families also have the option of investing in an Los Angeles Zoo annual membership for the special Montebello Mom price of $95 that allows for unlimited visits for 2 adults & all the children in a household, and has the bonus of providing two free guest passes to use throughout the year.
 
Thanks to reader, Joanne K. for sharing this offer!


 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Covina Christmas Parade


Covina Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2014
6:30pm

Parade begins at Citrus and Badillo St, travels west on Badillo and turns south on Hollenbeck.  Click here for more information..

This parade is fun! It lasts about 2 hours and there was plenty of room to find a decent place to view the parade.

Sensitive Santa, Holiday Photo Event: Puente Hills Mall

 
Sensitive Santa: Holiday Photo Event
for Children with Autism
Sunday, Decemeber 7
8:30am-10:30am
Puente Hills Mall
1600 S Azusa Ave, City of Industry, CA 91748
 
The poster reads,
 
"This is a special time to visit Santa, which is reserved just for children with Autism. Puente Hills Mall will make it's Santa Area 'sensory friendly' with lower lighting and quieter surroundings.
 
Each family who attends will receive a free Santa photo and enjoy festive giveaways to commemorate this magical holiday season.
 
For more information, please visit www.puentehills-mall.com."

Photos with Santa Claus: Wal-Mart

Photo Credit: Tiffany Espinoza
A special thanks to Tiffany for sharing the event!
Click here to find out if Santa
is coming to your local Wal-Mart!
 
 
 

Farmer's Market: Monterey Park, Fridays 4-8pm


I enjoy taking my kids to local Farmer's Markets. To make it interesting I give each of them $5 & permission to buy any fruits and vegetables they want. They like the idea of having money to spend and since they made the purchase they usually eat what they buy. Try it with your kids!

The city of Monterey Park hosts a Farmer's Market every Friday from 4-8pm in the library parking lot. Parking is available on the street or behind the library in the parking lot.


For more information visit: http://www.montereyparkfm.com/
 or visit the

Monterey Park Farmer's Market
Every Friday
4:00PM - 8:00PM
318 S. Ramona, Monterey Park, CA 91754


One Friday a month the Farmer's Market turns into the "Night Market" featuring extra entertainment and later hours.
Upcoming dates TBA
http://mpknightmarket.com/