Mag-Neato

I'm always looking for a cool way to display the kids' artwork – or just something special to hang on the wall.

One artistic mom took that concept to heart when she created Magnetic Interactive Art (or MIA) Canvas. The 11”x14” canvases add flair to a nursery or kids' room with their cute but simple designs; the sheet-metal backing makes them magnetic, adding another level of functionality.

Choose from collections including the Barnyard (Boris the Cow and Felix the Sheep are just a few), Family Tree (provides space for family pictures), Starry Skies (complete with horoscope artwork) and School Skills (with interactive Tic-Tack-Toe art and ample space for a child’s own creations).

Each canvas is created by hand using nontoxic acrylic paints and can be cleaned with a soft cloth. The art comes with its own little magnets, from bugs and clouds to fruit and stars. Prices range from $39.95-$59.95 and can be customized for an additional $8.

Ziggy Winner!

Congratulations to Jill Kola-Ines, who won the tickets to see Ziggy Marley on Sunday! And thanks to everyone who entered and for sharing your favorite Reggae songs.

Follow me on Twitter, too. I'm hoping to soon start offering some mini-contests to followers. I'll be giving away cool stuff like the latest Boom Blox for Wii from Entertainment Arts and a variety of DVDS. Stay tuned!

Growing a Grocery

I'm trying to clean up the dietary act, and I've found a few simple ways to do it. One, try to squeeze into a dress I wore to a friend's wedding just two short years ago. Two, watch Super-Size Me or other documentary detailing what's really in some of our processed foods and the corporate nature that drives our food chain. Third, have one really great homegrown tomato.

I have friends who have carved out little patches of yard, battling gophers and earwigs for a shot at their own bell peppers and beans. Heck, even the First Family has dug in, so to speak. And what a blessing it is that we live in a place with a seemingly endless growing season. While I'm a bit short on time and energy for my own Green Acres, I am surrogate mom to one precious tomato plant, heaping the kind of attention and maternal energy on it that my children have yet to see directed their way.

Another way to learn about or live vicariously through the gardens of others is to check out Nature's Table, the new permanent edible garden at Descanso in La Cañada-Flintridge. Here you'll find a garden variety of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. One area is referred to as the "pie garden," seeded with pumpkins, rhubarb (does anybody really eat that?), blueberries and other future fruity fillings. The harvests will be donated to a local food bank.

The garden design was the project of the Cal Poly Pomona's Landscape Architecture Design Studio, where students hope to inspire all of us to grow something healthy.

What Is Reggae? Contest!

OK, faithful I Don't Have Time for This readers, this sweepstakes is just for you!

Send me an email at carolyn.graham@parenthood.com with the subject heading "Ziggy," and I will randomly pick one name to win a family four-pack of tickets to see Ziggy Marley this weekend at L.A. Live's Club Nokia. This one has a really quick turn-around, so please make sure your schedule is clear before you enter! Here are the details:

To Enter:

• Email me at carolyn.graham@parenthood.com


• Make sure the subject heading says "Ziggy"


• Include your name, address and daytime phone number (if I can't reach you by noon on Friday, I'll have to pick another winner)


• Include the name of your favorite Reggae tune. It's not required for the contest; I'm just curious

The Concert:

• When: 11 a.m., THIS Saturday, June 6


• Where: L.A. Live's Club Nokia

Don't miss four-time Grammy-winner Ziggy in his first-ever children's concert, presented in conjunction with the Grammy Museum's monthly "Musical Explorations" family program. Want to know more? Read Calendar Editor Michael Berick's interview with Ziggy about his new children's album, Family Time. L.A.-based Rhythm Child opens the show with its rousing percussion-heavy performance.

And while you're there, you might want to check out the Grammy Museum, the latest cultural destination in this cluster of musical venues where you'll find 30,000 square feet of interactive and multimedia exhibits as well as a variety of children's programs.

If you just want to buy tickets ($15 per person or $50 for a family four-pack), get the online at Ticketmaster or call 800-745-3000 (or in person at the box office).

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Your entry must be received no later than 12:00 pm (PST), June 4, 2009. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. One (1) winner will receive the prize noted above. Winners are chosen at random from all eligible submissions and will be notified by email. If the winner cannot be reached, then a new winner will be chosen. You may request the name of the winner by contactingmarketing@parenthood.com. The retail value of the prize is as is noted above. This prizes are not redeemable for cash. Dominion Enterprises is not responsible for and does not warrant the safety or quality of the prize, and is not liable for any injury, damage or death related to the prize or its use.

Eligibility: You must be age 18 or older to enter. Only residents of the state of California are eligible to enter this contest. Residents of Florida, New York and all other states are NOT eligible to enter. Employees of Dominion Enterprises and their immediate families may not enter. All applicable laws apply and this contest is void where prohibited By participating in this promotion, you become a Parenthood.com site member. Parenthood.com intends to send regular email updates and occasional promotional offers that may be of interest to you. You may opt-out of these mailings at any time upon receipt.

Step Up for Dress Up

Gosh, I love it when America's youth steps up and does something really cool.

Woodland Hills-based teens Megan and Phoebe Stoeckel just launched an amazing new nonprofit called Operation Dress Up!. They started the organization to collect gently used clothing throughout the school year and find a way to get it to homeless children enrolled in LAUSD schools.

How great is that?

The girls are holding their very first clothing drive from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 6, at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt (at the Fallbrook Mall, 6731 ½ Fallbrook Avenue in West Hills). Take some stuff to donate, and you'll receive a coupon for a free 10-oz. frozen yogurt. It's a delicious way that you and the kids can do something for children in need.

The clothing collected from this drive will be delivered to Beyond Shelter, an organization that provides aide to L.A.'s homeless families.