LA Y Team Member Newsletter

Question 1: What are some of the books you have read that mean the most to you? What about music?

Victor: "I love to read books on leadership. There are so many and it's hard to pick just one. I rarely listen to music but when I do, I listen to country music"

Question 2: What are your hobbies outside of work?

Victor: "Spending time with my wife and 2 kids. I enjoy coaching football, basketball and baseball because I love coaching and teaching kids. I also love to watch and attend sporting events, primarily football (49ers), baseball (Dodgers) and basketball (Lakers)"

"Black Friday", the colloquial term for the day after thanksgiving, is often associated with the start of the holiday shopping season. While finding great deals on gifts is part of the fun, a great cardio workout after indulging on perfectly roasted turkey (or tofurkey!) can help to mentally prepare you for the day! Visit one of these 6 branches, all open on Black Friday:

Anderson Munger - 6:30am-9:00pm
Antelope Valley - 7:00am-12:00pm & 3:00pm-7:00pm
Collins & Katz - 8:00am-2:00pm
North Valley - 6:00am-8:00pm
Pasadena-Sierra Madre - 7:00am-1:00pm
Santa Anita - 8:00am-12:00pm

Please note that if a branch is not listed above, it's not open on Friday, November 25th. Please click here for branch location information.

Ingredients

1 16 oz. log of fresh mozzarella, cut into about 12 slices
3 large fresh tomatoes, sliced 1/4 thick into about 12 slices
fresh basil leaves, for garnish
2 Tb. balsamic glaze
olive oil, for drizzling
flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
toasted baguette, for serving

Instructions

1. Starting at the top end of the candy cane shape, layer slices of mozzarella and slices of tomato, alternating, until you get a candy cane shape.

2. Place fresh basil leaves around the board and a add a small serving bowl with the balsamic glaze.

3. Just before serving, drizzle the mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with additional olive oil and sea salt, as well as toasted baguette slices.

Facilitating classes for other team members at the Y is a one of the most gratifying ways to develop yourself. Leading a class is a great opportunity to infuse your own perspective into a learning experience while being a source of support for others. In addition, becoming a class facilitator is a fantastic way to help you further develop your presentation, public speaking and communication skillset. We have spots available for trainers for new employee orientation, Aquatics and other courses and will teach you everything you need to know! If this sounds interesting to you, please email ErinSacco@ymcala.org for more information!

With 1 in 5 people in Los Angeles experiencing food insecurity, food drives are a great way to help provide much-needed staples to those in need in our communities. Hosting a reverse advent calendar drive is a fun way to do something meaningful together, whether its with your Y team or other circles of friends and family.

To organize a reverse advent calendar drive, create a spot for the donations and circulate this donation list for reference. Each day, rather than taking something from a calendar, individuals can contribute something to the box which will then be donated to a local food pantry. Use the link below to locate the closest food pantry closest to your Y branch or home.

LA Zoo Lights

Head over to the LA Zoo in Griffith Park for its annual holiday light celebration for holiday animal-themed exhibits, seasonal treats, and more! This event will be taking place between November 18th, 2022 and January 22nd, 2023. TIP: While tickets for Zoo Lights are typically separate from tickets to the zoo, it's worth noting that admission to the LA Zoo is included for free with the Go City Los Angeles Pass.

Parade of Boats at Marina del Rey

Bringing Christmas to the water, this free event features all kinds of sea vessels lit up with dazzling lights. Reflecting off the water at night makes this event even prettier.

In 2022, it will be on December 10th from 6pm-8pm. The parade is followed by a grand fireworks show over the water. The theme this year will be "Joy on the Water."

Prior to the parade, there is usually the Annual Snow Wonder event at Burton Chace Park from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. which is great for kids. Kids can enjoy real snow, have their faces painted, and for adults, there's a live DJ and food trucks. See the website for details.

Enchanted Forest of Light

There is simply nothing like this light festival at Descanso Gardens. At $25-$38 per person, this event is not for everyone but if you can make it work, you won’t be disappointed. The Enchanted Forest of Light is a nighttime event featuring a one-mile walk through some of the most beautiful parts of the gardens. More than just lights, the forest has an array of large-scale light displays that are interactive. This event will take place from November 20th, 2022 - January 8th, 2023. Find out more information and purchase tickets here.

Tree Lightings in Los Angeles and Nearby

There are several public tree light ceremonies in Los Angeles, but the annual Tree Lighting at Union Station is one not to miss. Dates for the Union Station Tree Lighting have yet to be announced in 2022, but chances are it will either be at the end of November or the beginning of December. This is also a very family-friendly event. The South Patio of this historic station is turned into a winter wonderland, featuring thousands of sparkling holiday and a Christmas tree beautifully decorated. If they bring back everything from years past, there will be special musical performances, a "cocoa bar” with Elftenders, a kids zone with games and craft zone for kids to decorate gingerbread houses.

Festivals

The Hollywood Christmas Parade

Every year, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Hollywood Boulevard welcomes Santa, holiday floats, and marching bands. The Hollywood Christmas parade is an LA tradition. In 2022, the parade is on November 27th at 5 pm. You can watch for free along the Boulevard.

Las Posadas on Olvera Street

This Mexican-American Christmas festival will be taking place between December 16th and 24th, 2022. It's free to attend and people of all denominations are welcome.

On all nights starting at 6 pm, there will be traditional Mexican music and dance performances, all sorts of authentic food and a piñata-breaking at Olvera Street.

Pershing Square’s Winter Holiday Festival

It’s free, it’s fun and it’s snowy! Yes the Winter Holiday Festival at Pershing Square in Downtown L.A. will have craft booths, family entertainment and a chance to pose with Santa. You can also go ice skating. This event will begin on November 23rd, 2022. The opening ceremonies will take place from 11 am to 12 pm.

Day Trips Outside of LA

Festival of Lights – Mission Inn, Riverside

Kelly & Duane Roberts, owners and keepers of the Inn, continue the cherished annual tradition that they first created in 1992 as a gift back to the community. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. Every year, the Inn's festival gains new energy grows in popularity, and ushers in an increasing number of visitors to the Riverside area. This year's Festival of Lights takes place November 25, 2022 - January 6, 2023.

Balboa Boat Parade

The Newport Beach Boat Parade is the premier Christmas event in Southern California. With over 100 years of history, this parade is viewed by over a million people each year. Newport Harbor comes alive with decorations for the boat parade. Homes, yachts, docks and entire landscapes are transformed into a magical holiday experience. Newport Beach begins its holiday decorations after Thanksgiving and by the first of December, the harbor is richly illuminated with thousands of lights and hundreds of themed estates.

Tickets are not required so get there early for parking and walk the island.