I've Got Mail: Spreadable Sweets

Hmmm.... maybe today I'll have Brunette. Noir? OK, Blondie. It doesn't matter; they're all delicious.

Those names actually refer to flavors of the "spreadable sweets" that arrived in my mail from Le Pain Quotidien, L.A.'s hot spot for artisan breads.

Put a little Noisella-Belgian Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread on your croissant, and you've got a transcendent start to your morning. Or drizzle a bit of the Noir-Belgian Dark Chocolate Spread on some strawberries for a truly tantalizing dessert. And don't miss the Brunette-Belgian Praline or Blondie-Belgian White chocolate spreads. All are tasty – and organic.

Boo!

Yes, it's been awhile between posts. I've been busy with the November issue, and yes, of course, Halloween and all the events that go with it. 

This year, L.A. Parent sponsored the Scarium of the Pacific, which filled the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach last weekend with a smattering of little fairies, Power Rangers and even an elephant with its own toddling peanut (among numerous other darling costumes!). Managing Editor Christina Elston, who made her own treasure costume, came up with the bat mobile craft, which became a popular spot throughout the weekend. Michele Weiss, one of our account executives, went all the way with her Jack Sparrow costume by donning facial hair (which made for an interesting moment when we stopped at the drive-thru at Starbucks).

Other L.A. Parent staffers brought the Halloween spirit to help out at the event, including Publisher Maddie Calabrese-Nassaney, Suky De Bellis, Lillian Doshay, Helene Chemel, Michelle Marino, Jackie Kooper, Michael Berick, Terresa Burgess and Dean Gojobori. Silly Sally, who has brought her fabulous crew of face painters and storytellers to several events with L.A. Parent, brought her cheerful spirit and big shoes.

Our new associate editor, Ronna Mandel, was celebrating her birthday and couldn't make the event, but she helped to procure a custom Halloween wagon from West Coast Wagons to provide a fabulous giveaway at the event. Congratulations go to Patricia Murillo from Huntington Park on winning the wagon!

Check out these photos from the event:

      

From left: Michele Weiss as Jack Sparrow; Silly Sally brought a storytelling witch; Christina Elston is a treasure, and Carolyn Graham, the starfish, clings to the tank; Suky De Bellis, Michele and Lillian Doshay work the crowds.

Feeling Goofy

Nothing is more surreal than interviewing a fictional TV show or theme park character, either by phone or in person. But the starstruck side of me can't resist the opportunity to talk to these rock stars of kids' entertainment.

Today, I had the opportunity to chat briefly by phone with Goofy and Donald – yes THE Goofy and Donald – about the upcoming holidays and fall season on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Playhouse Disney.

Goofy was great in his goofiness, and Donald was characteristically as silly as you would expect, although he admitted to be a little embarrassed by his heavy duck-ish accent. Here are some highlights:

LAP: What are you planning for Halloween and the holidays? 

Goofy: Welp, there's going out and knocking on some doors and getting lotsa candy.

LAP: And Donald?

Donald: I'm going with Goofy.

Goofy: Yup. And then there's Thanksgiving. That's when you do a lot of eating. And Christmas is when you do all the dekky-rations. That's one of them big words.

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has a series of car- and racing-themed episodes planned for the week of Nov. 17, and there are other intriguing adventures ahead for Goofy.

Goofy: I get to go to Mars and, welp, get stuck on Mars. 

(Donald's "big episode" is "Donald and the Big Balloon Race." I think he said he likes the episode.)

Goofy: It's always fun to go places, and traveling is lots of fun."

LAP: What do you guys like to do in your spare time?

Goofy: I like to just hang out and greet people, and I have fun seeing people over at Disneyland. Oh, and I like to eat.

LAP: What are some of your favorite foods?

Goofy: Well, I like to eat broccoli, carrot sticks...

Donald: Hot dogs... and broccoli is deee-licious.

LAP: Anything else you want to say to L.A. Parent readers or let them know about you?

Goofy: Welp, we're just really happy that kids are enjoying the show and hope kids are learning stuff.

Donald: It's educational. (Again, I'm guessing...)

Goofy: That's what the show is about!

Jack is a big fan of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and I was impressed by the interactive quality of the show. So check it out next month.

Oh, and a big "thank you" to Goofy for translating for Donald!

Boogie Review

OK all you Wii-heads out there: Boogie SuperStar (Electronic Arts, $59.99) is officially out – and so are my bad dance moves!

Kate couldn't get enough of it (although I'd had enough of the "Bleeding Love" tune she selected after about the 30th time). The game basically takes a dash of So You Think You Can Dance and spices it up with an element of American Idol. Included is a decent karaoke microphone, and the dance moves are easily tacklable after spending just a short time at the Academy. 

Design your characters and clothes, like Kate did, and see if your singing and dancing can hit a high note with the judges. Then you can challenge pals or play together.

The game's targeted at girls in the 10-14 range, but Jack enjoyed shaking his groove thing along with Kate. (But if I catch husband Steve participating in this game, I'll be sure and post the video here.)

For even more gaming reviews, check out "Game On" at LAParent.com.

A Novel Way to Read

Because I don't always have time to hit the library or bookstore and leisurely stroll amid the stacks, I was intrigued by the new Amazon Kindle, a so-called "wireless reading device." It's basically like having electronic books, magazines and newspapers, all at your fingertips in a nifty and slender little package. I borrowed a review unit and shared it with fellow bookophiles. It's a nifty little gadget, weighing in at just 10.3 ounces and with enough memory to shelve 200 titles.

Check out the Kindle video.

In case you're thinking about investing in one for yourself – or have a lit lover on your holiday list who's not afraid of mixing a little technology with their romance novels – here's how the pros and cons broke down:

Hardcore Book Readers (Book Club Members, Library Lovers): For the traditional paper lover, the Kindle was a tough sell. These guys like the feel of a book and the ability to judge it by its cover. In short, they like the tactile nature of a good novel or self-help book. The Kindle was considered as a viable option for the traveler who might not want to be bogged down by the weight of the latest hardcover releases and who is probably OK with the transient nature of the computer-bound books.

Dedicated-But-Time-Starved Readers: Some of these guys were slow to warm up to the rather cold feeling you get from a piece of plastic but admitted that over time, they might make room for it on the nightstand. These are the guys who aren't the first to go out and buy the latest, greatest tech toy but will eventually work up to it.

Gadget Fanatics: OK, that's me. I liked the easy-to-read screen and loved the portability factor. Even more telling? The youngsters in the house loved it instantly. These are the readers of the 21st century who already have changed the way we listen to music, use cell phones and make friends in cyber circles.

My biggest beef? In this economy, the price. At $359, and titles costing $9.99 (I could go pick up a used paperback for a buck), even this tech toy devotee had to put on the brakes. But I'll be keeping an eye on the price point – and possibly adding it to my Christmas list if I feel I've been especially good this year.