L.A. Parent’s Best of 2008

LET'S CELEBRATE!


BIRTHDAY CAKE SOURCE

• Big Sugar Bake Shop – How about picking up a greeting card, hostess or birthday gift (and having it wrapped for you) along with a box of the most delectable sweets you’ve ever tasted, all in one shop? Mary Odson and Lisa Ritter started Big Sugar Bake Shop with this idea in mind. It’s no wonder the Studio City neighbors are consultants and stylists for film and television. Their store, location and friendly atmosphere make this specialty bakery great for all your sweet needs!
12182 Ventura Blvd Studio City; 818•506•5855; www.bigsugarbakeshop.com

• Sweet Lady Jane – Sweet Lady Jane is a legend, and it is only fitting that in its 20th anniversary year, it is part of L.A. Parent’s Best of 2008 book. The cakes, pastries and lunches that are beautifully crafted in their Melrose Avenue shop are as famous as their location. They are known for their incredible list of celebrity wedding cakes as well as their beautiful specialty cakes, which are created for every event you can imagine. These cakes are not to be missed and will be the talk of your party!
8360 Melrose Ave., L.A.; 323•653•7145; www.sweetladyjane.com

• Whole Foods – Whole Foods is your spot if you are health conscious, even when it comes to birthday cake. The cakes are all natural (naturally sweetened and nothing artificial), and the store also cater to you vegans out there with cakes, brownies, cookies and muffins (provided by Fabe’s All Natural Bakery). Got a wheat allergy? No problem. They have flourless cakes, and even gluten-free pre-packaged pies, cookies and brownies.
www.wholefoods.com

PARTY ENTERTAINERS

• Animal Guys – A great way to get in touch with the environment is by meeting some of the wildlife we are working so hard to protect. So why not incorporate a birthday party with a live animal show and lessons about each little critter. The Animal Guys will bring 12 to 15 exotic animals to your party, and their professional team will teach the children about each of them and answer all their questions. Getting up close and personal with a lynx, alligator, hedgehog, python or tarantula will be an event your guests will not soon forget! They are fully permitted, licensed and insured.
Parties for 40 guests and under cost $475 (and travel fees may be extra)
2746 Porter Ave., Altadena; 626•791•0471; www.theanimalguys.com

• The Game Coach – If video games are your kids’ thing, then this is sure to blow them away! The Game Coach was dreamed up by Steve Marcy and Rodney Jones, who took their love of video games and then took a chance. When it’s party time, they pull up in a 24-foot-long custom-built racing trailer specially equipped with all the top video games on the market. It’s loaded with five X-Box 360s, the Wii, four 26-inch individual LCDs and a 50-inch plasma screen TV. Combined with leather bucket seats, it will make you feel like you are really in the driver’s seat.
$395 for two hours of play, additional hours $100 each
877-511-GAME; www.thegamecoach.com

• Magic Castle– As kids get older and you feel like you want to put some heat in their birthday party, how about hosting it at a 100-year-old castle? Yes, we mean Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, where they continue preserving the art of magic. The super haunting comes in the evening for guests 21 years and older, but call for information on their weekend brunches with magic for all ages ($35 per person, $19.95 for kids 10 and under). Since this is a private club, if you don’t know a member, be prepared to pay a $15 door charge for anyone over 8 years old. Call for more details on birthday packages. It’s a frightful good time!
7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood; 323•851•3313; www.magiccastle.com

PARTY PLACES

• El Capitan Theater – There is something so majestic about this landmark theater. The El Capitan was built in 1926 as a live theater and movie house. Eighty four years later, it still entertains. When The Walt Disney Company took over, the theater underwent renovations and reopened in 1991 as a Hollywood Boulevard family fun spot. Known for premiering family films, this is a party spot that is sure to have kids giggling in their seats. The fun starts with their award-winning organist followed by a live performance and then a film. Afterwards you can head downstairs for more entertainment in your very own party room. Don’t forget to pop in next door at the Studio Store and be sure to visit the Soda Fountain!
6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; 800•DISNEY•6 (800•347•6396); www.elcapitan.com

• Fairies & Dragons – Ever imagine crawling inside one of your kids’ fairytale books? Fairies and Dragons can make this fantasy feel real. But you won’t have to travel to another kingdom, since this magical haven, located in Encino, gives you and your guests the Fairy Treatment. Kids are dressed up in costumes from head to toe and are entertained by fellow fairies with stories, games, face painting, arts and crafts, a treasure hunt and a tea party!
$400 for a two-hour fantasy event; 8-child minimum
16733 Ventura Blvd., Encino; 818•783•8488; www.fairiesanddragonsparties.com

• Scribble Press – As a writer this place warms my heart! Scribble Press allows us all (no age limit) to write, illustrate and publish our very own books. This brand-new company, the first of its kind, was started by two moms who met on an airplane. This is a great place to host a party that encourages the imagination with a creative and unique result. You’ll have to bring your cake with either package, but the Basic Package ($500) will place your 15 partygoers in the lounge area with a party leader where everyone can create their own book, notebooks or note pads. To get more information on other packages and offers contact them at www.scribblepress.com.
Westside Pavilion, #219, 10800 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; 310•446•6154

• NEW: Danny's Farm – Relatively new on the birthday bash block is Danny’s Farm, one of the sweetest, most gentle places you’re likely to find for a party. Tucked into a corner of the Altadena hills, the farm was founded by L.A. Dodger pitcher Jim Gott and wife Cathy, and it’s a labor of love from red barn roof to hay-strewn corral. The corral boasts goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs, chickens (and roosters!) a miniature horse, bunnies, a guinea pig, a tortoise and kittens. The Gotts founded the farm in honor of son Danny, who has autism, and when they aren’t hosting birthday parties or other events, they’re helping kids with special needs get up-close with the animals. Most of these animals have been rescued, or have special needs themselves. Norman, the resident steer, for instance, was rejected by his mother and bottle-fed back to health by the Danny’s Farm staff. The entire facility is wheelchair accessible, and the staff is fluent in sign language.
Parties run around $15-$25 per person. The farm is also open to the public by appointment; suggested donation $5 per person.
3064 Ridgeview Dr., Altadena; 626-797-FARM; www.dannysfarm.com