Jacqueline Stansbury

A native Angeleno, Jackie enjoys revisiting her childhood as a mom and writer for Mommy Poppins. She did a lot of cool stuff as a kid and has newfound respect for her own mom who made that happen without the internet! Today in Los Angeles, some things are gone, some have changed and some, like the grunion, remain exactly the same. In her former life, Jackie was a development executive on the Fox Studios lot where she rounded up writer/director lists and covered screenplays. Mommy Poppins is much more fun. Jackie's kids, Benjamin and Juliet, agree.

Latest posts by Jacqueline

Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Everything's Coming Up Roses December 29 - January 2

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 12/29/2014 - 8:01am

Happy New Year! As 2014 turns into 2015, the best place to be is Pasadena and its environs. There is a unique way to celebrate the historic 126^th annual Tournament of Roses Parade each day this week.

Of course every family should try to get to the parade at least once, but if you’ve already done it, or crowds aren’t your thing, there are multiple opportunities before and after to see the floats, meet the horses, and enjoy the marching bands. Though perhaps more of a grown up holiday, we also have lots of ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve with the kids; and of course there are many non-parade activities on our event calendar, including a holiday opportunity to check out the Bunny Museum - which also happens to be in Pasadena.

Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanzaa! December 15-26

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 12/22/2014 - 4:22am

Christmas is nearly here. If, like me, you enjoy catching a Nutcracker during the holiday season, there are still a few opportunities to do that. For families who celebrate Hanukkah or something else and do not consider December 25 a reason for everything to be closed, head to the Zimmer Museum. It’s open. Meanwhile, the winter holidays continue with the commencement of Kwanzaa on Friday. This is a week-long celebration of African American culture and identity. Your kids have probably learned all about it at school, but if they want to know more or if this something your family observes, check out Pretend City on Friday.

Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Happy Hanukkah & Downtown Sing-Along, December 15-19

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 12/15/2014 - 4:00am

The trees are lit; now it’s time for the menorahs. The eight crazy nights of Hanukkah commence Tuesday, and there are festive lighting ceremonies all over town. Meanwhile, on Olvera Street, the story of Joseph and Mary’s search for an inn is recreated nightly through Christmas Eve. This is the week to celebrate all beliefs and cultures. The kids love it because no matter which direction they turn, a present is involved. It may also be time to check out some giving opportunities. There are many holiday gift drives. While our kids may need a little prompting when it comes to giving, children usually enjoy an opportunity to be benevolent, particularly if it involves choosing a cool toy.

This Week's Picks: Presents and Presence, December 8 - 12

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 12/08/2014 - 3:28am

With Christmas a mere three weeks away, it is hard to keep the greed in check. My children, who tend to be fairly reasonable beings eleven months of the year, are suddenly adding to their Christmas Wish Lists on a daily basis. “Maybe” and “We’ll see” have become my stock responses. Of course, our family talks about the spirit of the season, giving as opposed to receiving and thinking about those who are hungry or otherwise in need, but after a while, even these sentiments seem trite.

Time to re-set and make parenting about presence. A perfect place to start is in the Magic Forest, at its workshop on Mindful Parenting. Now that your parenting is centered, celebrate at SoCal Moms holiday party on the Pier, or check out our Holiday Fun Guide for other ways to enjoy the season.

This Week's Picks: Guilty Pleasure and Lights, Lights, Lights December 1-5

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 12/01/2014 - 9:15am

'Tis the season. Christmas is officially a fall holiday these days, and Black Friday was really Thanksgiving Thursday. The madness has begun. I say mom deserves a break in the form of a Monday Morning Mommy Movie. If you cooked last week and start shopping this week, give yourself a break on Monday.

For those of you who love holiday cheer but refuse to celebrate on the merchants’ accelerated schedule, your patience has been rewarded. Though much of the Southland started lighting up in November, there are still a few tree lighting events for those of us who prefer to celebrate Christmas in December. Sherman Oaks, Culver City, Hermosa Beach, Burbank and Long Beach all illuminate this week. What else is on the calendar? Read on for our picks.

This Week's Picks: Turkeys, Trees, LEGO, and Lights, November 24-28

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/24/2014 - 9:12am

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, it is inevitable that our attention be drawn to the multitude of Christmas Holiday events. Trees continue to be lit; Santa is starting to make appearances, and this is the week that some people start putting up their extravagant light displays.

For those of you who would prefer to be thankful for what you have before focusing on what you can get, the Salvation Army kicks off holiday giving on Monday, and the Turkey Trot downtown is a great way to celebrate health and fitness while donating to causes that support some of our less fortunate Angelenos. Read on for all of our picks this week; and if you need extra ideas for fun this holiday week, remember that most of LA's outdoor ice rinks are open on Thanksgiving, as is CHILL at the Queen Mary.

This Week's Picks: Oh Tannenbaum, November 17-21

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/17/2014 - 8:34am

There are some things that only come around once a year, and sometimes we miss them every time. One minute the local promenade is an ordinary shopping street; the next it is a winter fairyland. How many times have you meant to be there when they turn the lights on?

This week trees and streets are illuminating all over the LA basin with events in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Glendale, El Segundo, and Westlake Village. Mark your calendar and put some cocoa in a thermos. Nothing says “holiday” like a good tree lighting celebration.

If miniature trees in HO Scale are your thing, don’t forget to check out another rare event, The Pasadena Model Railroad Club Fall Open House. And of course, for those of you who may be allergic to conifers, there are plenty of non-Christmas tree activities to be found on our event calendar. Read on for our weekday picks this week...

This Week's Picks: Veterans Day Mid-Week Holiday, November 10-14

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/10/2014 - 9:26am

What? The kids don’t have school on Tuesday, but they do have school on Monday and Wednesday and the rest of the week? Who knew, but apparently World War I came to an end on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In other words, Veterans Day is one day off that can’t be neatly tied to the weekend.

If you are home with your kids, make Tuesday a train day with Thomas the Tank Engine. If you work (and a mid-week day off is a huge inconvenience), how ‘bout sending them to beach camp? But if your plan involves a day out at a museum, be sure to call first; some spots are closed for Federal holidays. Have a great week!