Anyone who has a neighbor – which is nearly everyone, really – knows the importance of getting along with those who live around you.
Let’s face it: having good neighbors can be great. Bad neighbors can make living conditions miserable. Regardless of the type of neighborhood you live in or how close your neighbors may or may not be, the ultimate goal for everyone is the same – to live in peace and harmony. It’s important to know that every neighborhood has its own personality and dynamics. By understanding your neighborhood and following a few basic rules of etiquette of how to be a good neighbor, you can build relationships with those who live around you. You can also make a positive impact in your community. Introduce yourself. Make an effort to get to know your neighbors by introducing yourself in passing or by knocking on their door to ask something simple like which local park is the best. Start by making new neighbors feel welcome, and let others get to know you to cultivate long-lasting relationships. Don’t bring the noise. It might be the simplest way to not make enemies. No one expects you to be silent, but follow general rules of thumb, like making an effort to be quiet between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., for starters. A lot depends on where you live, but don’t be the exception to the status quo in your neighborhood. Maintain curb appeal. Being a good neighbor includes maintaining your home exterior and/or yard to the same standards as the rest of the neighborhood. Keep up the maintenance basics to avoid being the homeowner on the street that brings home values down. If you live in an apartment or condo, don’t infringe on community space. Organize a block party or other events. Head up a block party without making others feel obligated to attend or contribute. Create an annual tradition as the catalyst that helps those around you get to know each other. If not a block party, try a neighborhood watch or community clean up. Coordinate exercise or community groups. Use exercise as an opportunity to meet your neighbors and find common interests. A running, hiking, swimming or cycling group is a great way to make friends and form relationships. If exercise isn’t your thing, create a group who volunteers at local charities. Take opportunities to be helpful. Doing a nice gesture for someone else, even if it’s small, goes a long way. There are countless ways to serve your neighbors, like mowing the lawn when they’re out of town, walking their dog, shoveling snow unexpectedly, bringing food when someone is sick, or donating a couple of hours to help with a project. Treat your neighbors how you want to be treated. Above all, this is the most important rule to remember when trying to be a good neighbor, and it’s a simple one. You never know when you might inadvertently be the neighbor who is disliked by others. You don’t have to be lifelong friends with every neighbor to be a good neighbor to everyone.
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It wasn't so long ago that the idea of an outdoor ice rink in Los Angeles would have seemed patently ridiculous, but the arrival of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL changed that notion completely. Combine that with the need to get a little bit of that traditional winter vibe in the heart of California and you are left with a desire to strap on the skates and hit the ice. The good news for those that want to do a little leisurely skating in L.A. is that there are a number of outdoor options available.
While many of the outdoor rinks here will shut down after the holidays are over, Downtown on Ice in Pershing Square will continue to operate through late January of next year. This is another incredibly cool setting, and there are usually some fun events held at the rink, such as spirited rounds of broomball. You can kill two birds with one stone by taking your skates to the Chill at The Queen Mary. The rink sits in front of the iconic ship and remains in operation through the early part of January. The tickets for this rink are a little pricier, but they also include admission to the ship. If you plan on skating more than once during the season, you also have the option of purchasing a season pass that gets you unlimited rink time. If you want to mix a traditional L.A. style party with a seasonal skate, you really can’t do any better than a visit to Ice at Santa Monica. The outdoor rink here is absolutely massive, coming in at over 8,000 square feet. It’s the ideal place to plan a party, especially since you can also rent a private cabana where you can chill by the ice. While not necessarily in L.A. proper, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the outdoor rink at Downtown Disney. You can celebrate the season, as well as the Disney movieFrozen by taking a spin around Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink. It’s a kid-friendly setting that the whole family is sure to enjoy, and it includes a 30-foot tree that adds a splash of color to the ice. 
Let’s face it: An organized kitchen can make life a lot easier for those of us who spend a lot of time in the most-used room in the house.
Of course, it’s not always so simple, because most kitchens hold a number of items that don’t always fit together. But there are a number of clever items and simple tips to make your kitchen great again. Beyond cleaning and re-organizing your kitchen to get rid of all the items you never use, here are nine additional organizational ideas for your kitchen: The Lazy Susan – Yes, it’s an old-school idea, but they’re still around for a reason. Whether it’s as a built-in lower cabinet or a smaller counter-top version, they’re the ultimate space savers. Drawer Organizers – When your drawers are full of things you can’t otherwise find or don’t use, it’s time to organize. From customized to removable, they come in a variety of sizes and materials that should be easy to clean. See these examples on Pinterest. Sliding Shelf Organizers – Divide what you keep in your lower cabinets and organize them on sliding shelves like these, which provide easy access for items you use often. Clear Containers – Group together similar, smaller items that come in packets or small boxes that are scattered about into clear containers like these. They can be stackable and are also great to keep cereals, spices and baking items fresh. Stemware Racks – Free up your valuable cabinet space by installing stemware racks below the cabinets to hang your wine glasses. Plus, some can hold other items like wine bottles. Hanging Pots and Pans – Anything you can hang somewhere else frees up cabinet space. Try wall-mounted pot racks or larger versions that hang from the ceiling to hang your biggest cooking items in easy-to-reach places. De-clutter the Counters – Get rid of all the items that clutter your counter with wall-mounted basics like mail slots, magnet boards, key holders, shelves and spice racks to maximize your wall space. Knife Storage – Storing your expensive knives on wall-mounted magnetic strips not only keeps them sharp, but makes them accessible when you need them and easy to reach without accidentally cutting yourself. Door Storage – Whether it’s simple hanging hooks inside cabinet doors under the sink ormore elaborate systems on the back of a pantry door, utilize the backs of doors to organize otherwise cluttered areas. 
Making a move to a new home can be a stressful experience for adults. But it’s tougher for your children, who may not understand the decision or feel a part of the process.
Your children may need some special attention from you through the moving process. Here are some great tips to help your children through a move: Keep them in the loop. The transition will go much smoother if your kids are in the know about the details. Openly communicate and keep a calendar about important dates, like when to pack. Level of involvement. Kids will feel less like a move is being forced on them when they are somewhat involved in the process. As much as possible, make them feel involved by bringing them along to look at potential houses or new schools. Planning their new room. Moving can also be new and exciting, so let your kids help plan how they would like to arrange and decorate their new room, making them feel involved. Bring familiarity to a new home. Even a new home can feel familiar for kids when some of your current furniture, accessories or even artwork make the move too. Try planting some of their favorite toys in the new home as a surprise for them to find when you arrive. Get familiar with new surroundings. Show them photos and videos of the new home, along with the surrounding area, to help them feel comfortable and familiar. Look at online maps together and pick out some local landmarks to visit. Get involved in the new school and the community. A move for kids is always easier with new friends. Instead of getting too sentimental about what was left behind, get positive about their new surroundings. Get your kids involved in new activities, sports teams, and church groups. Introduce them to neighborhood kids and meet new teachers and coaches so they get to know your child. Continue rituals and routines. Sticking to family rituals and routines – like game night or Taco Tuesday – will make kids feel at home and like the house is the only new thing in their life. Start new routines and pastimes that appeal to the new start. 
Perhaps you’re new to Hermosa Beach, or just researching schools to find out what options are in the area.
Hermosa Beach has a number of schools in both the private and public sector, including three high schools (one is K-12), five middle schools, and five elementary schools. Below is a list of all the schools located in Hermosa Beach. For more detailed information about each school, such as reviews, enrollment and test scores, try Education.com or Greatschools.org. Hermosa View Elementary School Type: Public Grades: K-2 Phone: 310- 798-1680 Website: hbcsd.org 1800 Prospect Ave Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Our Lady Of Guadalupe School Type: Private Grades: K-8 Phone: 310- 372-7486 Website: www.edline.net/pages/OurLadyofGuadalupeSchool 340 Massey St Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Hope Chapel Academy Type: Private Grades: K-12 Phone: 310- 374-4673 Website: Hopechapel.org/academy 2420 Pacific Coast Hwy Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Academy of the Two Hearts Type: Private Grades: K-12 Phone: 310- 832-3534 Website: Academyoftwohearts.org 406 33rd Pl Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Hermosa Valley Elementary School Type: Public Grades: 3-8 Phone: 310-937-5888 Website: hbcsd.org 1645 Valley Dr Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Fusion Learning Center Type: Private Grades: 6-12 Phone: 310-376-5139 Website: Fusionacademy.com 1601 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 260 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 |
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