Autism Awareness Day!

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Our blog is not about April Fool’s Day today, but this is a fun day of the year so make sure you get out there and prank someone! ;) April is full of exciting events and “National” celebration days, like National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, which falls on April 2^nd. April is also National Gardening month, so head on over to your local flower mart and get gardening! There are some more serious events of April, however, that as a community, we should raise awareness, encourage, and support!

            April 2^nd is World Autism Awareness Day! Light It Up Blue is Autism Speaks annual World Autism Awareness Day Campaign. Every April, thousands of iconic landmarks, businesses, communities, schools, and homes unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families across the world that are affected by autism.

In the SFV, we can definitely get involved! Autism affects 1 in 68 children in the United States.

1. CSUN Alpha Xi Delta is a sorority that raises money for Autism Speaks every year! Contact this sorority to see how you can get involved, donate, or just have questions!

2. Saturday, April 2^nd is Autism Speaks Walk at the Rose Bowl Stadium! The walk is an inspirational, encouraging, and impactful opportunity to raise money and awareness to help change the future for all who struggle with autism! Participating in the walk empowers you to make a difference and allows you to honor someone with autism. The funds raised go to: fund biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and possible cure for autism; raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and societies; bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder; and bring together the autism community as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to take action. No fees to register!

3. Center for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (CABA) Autism Conference 2016. April 22^nd. Price for a ticket is $175. This conference is here to preserve quality ABA and the effective implementation of autism treatment. A wide variety of topics included will further education and awareness of autism! This conference is great for behaviorists, educators, psychologists, speech and language pathologists, parents, or anyone who wants to learn more about autism and get into a great discussion! Continuing education units are offered!

Remember to wear blue to Light it up Blue and support those affected by autism!

Happy Friday!

Easter!

Easter is a really special holiday for Christians. But what I love about Easter is that regardless of your faith or what you believe in, it’s still a day to gather with family and eat Peeps, chocolate, and open up Easter baskets. Easter is only 4 days away—this Sunday! We’ve compiled a list of cute DIY Easter baskets, Easter recipes, egg hunt ideas, and a different spin on the Easter egg hunt for adults!

1. For breakfast, make your kiddos a fun pancake bunny! Make pancakes of different sizes and shapes and top it off with some fruit to make an outline of a bunny! This is always such a hit with kids! And, if you’re feeling extra patient on Easter, you can even let your kids help you make the pancakes! It’s a great bonding experience on this holiday and a way to make a new tradition! 
   
2. Make an Easter bowling-esque game out of cardboard and giant bouncy balls! Cut out a mouth in the cardboard box to make the hole where the balls will be tossed into! Stand five feet away from the bunny box and toss or roll the balls! This is a super cute, fun, and easy game for the kids if you’re having an Easter party and need some last minute entertainment ideas! 
   
3. I don’t know about you, but I love glitter and confetti. This Easter egg hunt takes a different spin off the traditional—it’s a confetti egg game. Directions: hide your confetti eggs as you would for a normal egg hunt; once everyone as collected the eggs, kindly smash them upon each others’ heads! The person who gets the glitter egg smashes on their head goes home with the grand prize of the day! Easter candy is always a good prize, but you can also get creative! 
   
4. If you don’t mind getting a little bit messy, here’s another great craft for the kids! Fill up hollowed out eggs with paint and toss them at a canvas! Kids absolutely love this and it ends up looking really cool and abstract. The kids will love it and want to save it—a perfect new Easter tradition! 
   
5. For the adults: host an Easter beer hunt! Easter beers are actually a thing—Denmark, Sweden, England, and Belgium have a longstanding tradition of brewing special beers to go with Easter dinner. The point of the game is to decorate the beers in a way that the label is covered so that each person has to fill up their six pack with beer, taste and guess what each beer is, and then goes home with a prize. Get creative with the prize! And get praise for the best Easter hunt of all time. 
   
6. Maple Dijon Roasted Carrots. These are absolutely delicious and festive! Recipe here: http://www.closetcooking.com/2015/03/maple-dijon-roasted-carrots.html 
   
7. Delicious Easter Oreo Bark for any party or to give out as a gift! Recipe here: http://lilluna.com/easter-oreo-bark/ 
   
8. Carrot cake was my Grandpa’s absolute favorite dessert. My mom was always looking for new recipes and then we found this one…which totally changed the game. Not only is this carrot cake delicious and addicting, it’s beautiful on the outside! I almost didn’t want to eat it because of how pretty the frosting turns out! This is a great recipe for anyone celebrating a birthday on Easter or throwing an Easter party! Recipe here: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2012/01/best-ever-carrot-cake/ 
   
9. And last but not least, check out these adorable DIY Easter baskets! Every year my parents would put together an Easter basket for my brothers and me. In it, they would pack chocolate, jelly beans, an egg with a little bit of money, and either something to wear on Easter or a new bathing suit to kick off Spring Break. I always loved getting an Easter basket. I showed my mom these DIY baskets and she was so upset she didn’t think of doing anything like this when we were all little! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Top Easter Brunch Spots!

If you are a practicing Catholic, Easter is the day you get to feast and pig out on everything you gave up for lent. If you’re not, Easter is still an absolutely perfect day for a massive brunch. (Who doesn’t like to go brunching?!). 

We’ve compiled a list of the top Easter brunch spots this year that you have to check out. Easter is Sunday March 27^th, so make your reservations now!

1. Carousel in Glendale. This restaurant specializes in authentic recipes that have been passed down from generations and will be serving a prix-fixe meal of 13 hot and cold small plates, plus three kebab dishes. Adults: $29.95 Kids: $20.95. 
   
2. Bourbon Steak Los Angeles at The Americana at Brand. At Michelin-starred chef, Michael Mina’s contemporary steakhouse, the design-your-own three-course menu includes lots of meat options and a ton of add-ons like shellfish platters, lobster pot pies, and the famous Bloody Mary cart, which for $14 lets you pick your base and fixins. Price: $59. 
   
3. The Bellwether in Studio City.  Head to this restaurant for a seasonal American fare and classic cocktails for your Easter Sunday brunch! Plus, you know it’s going to be exceptional—this restaurant made it onto the Top New Restaurants of 2016 list! 
   
4. The Bistro Garden at Coldwater in Studio City. The tiny white lights twinkle in the ficus trees at this old-fashioned winter garden setting. The Bistro has great service and renditions of continental dishes. A complimentary mimosa with at least one entrée during Sunday brunch for guests 21 and over! 
   
5. The 94^th Aero Squadron in Van Nuys. A champagne buffet with breakfast items will be served until 3 pm! You can also get a visit from the Easter Bunny from 9am-5pm. This is a great spot for families! Adults: $46.95 Children: $20.95. 
   
6. The Castaway in Burbank! Champagne buffet with breakfast items, which includes: prime rib, ham, pork, tenderloin, snow craw legs, salmon, and more! The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance here as well! Brunch is from 9am-4pm! Adults: $46.95 Children: $20.95. 
   
7. Vitello’s in Studio City. The restaurant says: “there’s nothing better than celebrating Easter over a meal with family!” Join Vitello’s for Easter Sunday brunch starting at 10 am! 
   
8. For a vegetarian meal, head over to Follow Your Heart café in Canoga Park. This has been a SFV institution since 1970! Most dishes can be gluten free, dairy free, or vegan! 
   
   
   
9. Cici’s Café in Tarzana. This spot is known for it’s fluffy pancakes and is a great place to take kids! It has a warm, cozy, local feel to it. This is perfect for a low-key Easter Sunday brunch! 
   
10. Blu Jam Café in Sherman Oaks! Blu Jam is known for its crunchy French toast and is a perfect spot to spend your Easter Sunday brunch. The food is delicious and it’s all over instagram! Check them out! 
    
11. For the kids: Head over to the LA Zoo! Spring into action and this adorable bunny event that offers themed crafts, rabbit petting zoos, live music, and photo ops with Big Bunny and spring fairies! 
    

Irish Pubs, Festivals, Events, and Parades to Attend on Your St. Paddy's Day

Saint Patrick’s Day is just ONE WEEK AWAY! Being that I did my last semester of college abroad in Dublin, Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is probably my favorite holiday.

I have been pretty nervous for this holiday to come up because I spent it last year watching the parade and pub-crawling my way through Dublin. (Nothing will ever top that, just saying). BUT, since we can’t all rush over to Ireland to spend Saint Patrick’s Day in a pub decked out in green and orange, I have done my research and found some pretty exciting ways we can all spend Saint Paddy’s.

(Also, just a pointer—Patty is short for Patricia. Paddy is short for Patrick. It’s St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day).

1. This Saturday, March 12, is the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hermosa injects a bit of Irish spirit into the coast with bagpipers, marching bands, cars decked out in green, and festive pups from the Irish Setters Club of Southern California. The parade kicks off near City Hall on Valley Drive, heads west on Pier Avenue, and ends at the corner of Hermosa and 10^th. 

2. Also this Saturday is the Rock and Reilly’s Annual St. Paddy’s Day Block Party. At this annual bash, you will see green beer and pretty faces. Held in the lot behind the Sunset strip pub, you will find eight full bars and more than 100 kegs of Bud Light and Guinness. Eat some Irish nachos from some delicious food trucks AND a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pencils of Promise Foundation. Eat, drink, be merry, and it’s all for a good cause. (I dig it). 

3. If you want to stick to a beach town, head over to the Long Beach Irish Heritage Parade and Festival on Saturday March 12^th. Celebrate Long Beach’s Irish heritage during the parade and food festival! The parade steps off at 2 pm and runs down Pine Avenue from 6^th Street to Broadway with firefighter displays, marching bands, dancing groups, and more culminating at Promenade Park with a free all-ages festival!  

4. Sunday March 13^th is the St. Paddy’s Day at One Colorado in Pasadena. Head over to Pasadena’s shiny shopping plaza, One Colorado, for a kid-friendly St. Paddy’s Day bash. Stop in throughout the day for kids crafts, Irish dance lessons, and a set of traditional Irish music from the Bracken Band Quartet. (If you haven’t heard Trad Music, it’ll change your life. It’s beautiful). 

5. Sunday March 13^th is the St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Redondo Beach! This is a lively way to spend the Irish holiday. The 5K run/walk (8 AM) is followed by the Little Leprechaun Dash for the Gold (9:30 AM). Both races start near the intersection of Catalina and Elena avenues. All participants earn a festive T-shirt! 

6. ON Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17^th, head over to the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater to watch Flogging Molly play LIVE. (They’re an Irish punk-band). This is where you’ll find me. Decked out in festive attire. Tickets are still on sale and they aren’t very expensive!

Give them a listen here:

https://youtu.be/1AOp9c5DRzc

7. If you can’t make it to this concert, Sunday March 18^th is the Shamrock and Roll and the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Climb aboard for a night of Irish music, drinks and food. Grab a pint of green beer and sample a selection of Irish grub. 

And of course, here is a list of killer Irish pubs you can always spend your day in:

1. Tom Bergin’s Tavern in Central LA. 

2. Molly Malone’s in Fairfax District. (this is one of my favorite songs, so I’m partial to this pub).

3. Timmy Nolan’s in Toluca Lake.

 

4. Ireland’s 32 in Burbank. (If you didn’t know, this is called Ireland’s 32 because there are 32 counties in Ireland. Also, the owners are wonderful).

5. The Auld Dubliner in Long Beach.

6. Jameson’s Irish Pub in Hollywood.

7. The Irish Times in Palms.

And the top Whiskey bars in LA:

1. Seven Grand in Downtown Financial District.

2. Ten Pound in Beverly Hills.

3. The Blind Donkey in Pasadena.

4. The Daily Pint in Santa Monica.

5. The Pikey in Hollywood. 

Best places to get an Irish coffee:

1. Irish coffee at Tom Bergin’s Public House in Central LA. 

2. Irish Hello at Casey’s Irish Pub in the Financial District.

3. Coffee Nudgie at The Pikey.

4. Irish Coffee and Menotti’s and Townhouse in Venice. 

Hopefully you find something to do to celebrate this holiday. It’s always so much fun because the Irish do it best!

Sláinte! (which means cheers in Irish).