MARTINIS AND MAGNETS
Desperate parents with kindergarteners ready to start in fall 2009 (CHOICES applications are due Jan. 9th, 2009), can contact Tanya Anton, gomama@mac.com, to attend her extremely helpful LAUSD primer Sunday, Jan. 4 @ 5 p.m. at a Westside location TBA.
———-
An LA Weekly event pick http://www.laweekly.com/la-vida/hoopla/best-events-column-2006/14695/ and subject of an AP news story (google: “Martinis and Magnets, AP news”), “Martinis and Magnets” began as carefree soirees explaining the complicated LAUSD magnet system (to see how complicated, start at http://lausd.net) to confused LA parents while proferring icy cocktails to dim the pain. The first “Martinis and Magnets” was hosted by LAUSD mothers (and authors) Christie Mellor (“Three Martini Playdate”– http://christiemellor.com) and Sandra Tsing Loh (“Mother on Fire”– http://sandratsingloh.com) at 24th St. Theatre (http://24thstreet.org) in 2005. Other “Martinis and Magnets” have been held at Avenue 50 Studio (http://avenue50studio.com) in Highland Park and the Electric Lodge in Venice (“Martinis, Magnets and More” with Tanya Anton). The official vodka sponsor of “Martinis and Magnets” is Modern Spirits (http://modernspiritsvodka.com).
While the format (not to mention beverages and topics–we now cover charter and neighborhood schools, and don’t always ply alchohol) continues to vary, the festive, help-a-friend-in-need “Martinis and Magnets” spirit continues in Fall 2008 at:
Tuesday, September 16, 7 PM
SKYLIGHT BOOKS
Los Feliz MOMS Club “Mom’s Night Out” with Sandra Tsing Loh
losfelizmomsclub@gmail.com
Sunday, September 28, 5 PM
HERE (West Hollywood)
“Martinis and Magnets”
West Hollywood Book Fair After-Party hosted by The Burning Moms* (*some colorful links include: http://californiachildrensrally.com, http://www.latimesblogs.latimes.com/thehomeroom/2008/06/franny-freeman.html)
http://westhollywoodbookfair.org
(Cocktails by Modern Spirits Vodka–http://modernspiritsvodka.com)
Tuesday, October 21, 7 PM
Mount Washington PTA Magnet School Night*
* See Comment #4 below for more specific info
Or contact us directly if you have a group of Los Angeles area parents who need public school help. “Martinis and Magnets” is always free. (Although if an author/mother is hosting, it’s a nice gesture to buy some of her enjoyable books–typically funny ones on parenting!)
To contact us directly, write:
MagnetYentas@cs.com
25 Responses to "MARTINIS AND MAGNETS"
[...] column, “Ask a Magnet Yenta,” and thought about creating our own Providence version of Martinis and Magnets (carefree soirees explaining the complicated magnet school system). I identified with some of her [...]
October 21, 2008 at 9:06 pm
* Info for Mount Washington Elementary Magnet nite. . .
Tues. Oct. 21
7 p.m.
Mount Washington Elementary
Jack Smith Multipurpose Room
3981 San Rafael Ave.
LA CA 90065
September 24, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Thank you for posting this. Everybody is welcome at Magnet Night!!
Just to clarify the details, it’s actually Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30pm.
Anybody who needs detailed directions to the school should feel free to email me: kathryn_mcguire@sbcglobal.net
Kathryn McGuire
Mt. Washington PTA
December 6, 2008 at 4:19 am
Hi folks, I hope we get to meet many of you at the Martinis and Magnets event on December 14th. Since this is a school-related event, a little homework isn’t completely inappropriate. So for those who are coming for a little help, here’s your assignment:
Find out your neighborhood school. This might entail talking to neighbors, or contacting schools directly. Another option is to use the LAUSD SchoolFinder (and I’d look up the URL for folks). Bonus points if you ask the school if they are considered overcrowded by magnet point standards and/or are PHBAO.
Look up at least two magnets in which you’re interested in the Choices brochure, and go online. Find the school’s website, the PTA’s if they have a separate site, and hit GreatSchools and look at the parent reviews. Do NOT panic. Contact the schools and find out when they have tours. These may be over before M&M, so you may have to go on the tours before Martinis and Magnets.
Bring all your reconnaissance to M&M. Bonus points if it fits in a manila envelope or a folder. If you need a U-Haul, you’ve probably over done it.
December 7, 2008 at 12:38 am
The LAUSD Schoolfinder is located at http://search.lausd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=schfinder0
December 13, 2008 at 5:58 am
Where is the M&M 12/14/08 and what time? Looking forward to gathering more info in hopes of successfully navigating the magnet system.
December 13, 2008 at 7:25 am
Martinis and Magnets, hosted by the Magnet Yentas
6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14
Largo at the Coronet Theatre
366 N. La Cienega, West Hollywood
See Post #1 BURNING MOMS GALA on home page of
askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com
January 20, 2009 at 7:58 am
Our preschool would like to organize a Martini & Magnet event for families in our community. A few questions:
1) How long is the presentation and is there time for questions at the end?
2) Who will the speaker(s) be and what exactly will be covered?
3) As co-hosts, what are we responsible for besides location and invites?
4) How does it work with the vodka sponsor–is it donated, or is their a cost–and also do they handle misc martini supplies such as glasses, mixes, making them, etc.)
5) Should families attending pay $10 in advance, or at the door–and what payment is preferred? cash/check?
Thank you!
-Rose
January 21, 2009 at 8:33 pm
1) Presentation can run 30-45 min., followed by as long as an hour for questions, then we cut it off!
2) Our stable of volunteer Magnet Yenta folk rotate through as our schedule permits–it’s a primer on LAUSD magnets, charters, SAS programs and neighborhood schools. Sample magnet applications typically shown.
3) You can thank your volunteer Magnet Yentas afterwards as well!
4) If you request martinis, the vodka is typically donated by Modern Spirits and we’ll send a mixologist. We’ll give you a simple shopping list re: cups, ice, mixers, cut lemons.
5) At the door is fine, either cash or a check made out to our non-profit fiscal receiver, whose info we’ll give you that day.
February 1, 2009 at 12:16 am
Thanks Sandra! We’re excited about this event! Another question that came up… would it be possible for us to ask families to donate $15 or $20 instead, and have a split fundraiser? With $10 going towards the Burning Moms, and the remaining $5 or $10 towards our (non-profit) preschool? We’re hoping to draw in a large group since and also including the Culver City Moms club too. Thanks again!
-Rose
p.s. The possible dates look like: 2/28, 3/7, 3/21 or 3/28
February 1, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Sure–donation can be whatever you think will work. . . We just ask that you make the event available to the general public as well. . . Currently all those dates are fine by me personally except for 3/28.
February 24, 2009 at 5:20 am
“Martinis & Magnets” with Sandra Tsing Loh, Christie Mellor & Tanya Anton. Hosted by the Magnet Yentas & Venice Parents Daycare & Preschool (VPDP.org)
WHEN: 3 – 5 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2009
WHERE: 1222 Palms Blvd ~ between Walgrove & Penmar in Venice, CA 90291
$20 donation requested per family to benefit the Burning Moms (parent
supporters of LA public schools & VPDP (a parent-run co-op)
RSVP: rhfaissal@gmail.com by March 1st. Please put “M&M” in subject line
ABOUT:
“Martinis and Magnets” began as carefree soirees explaining the complicated LAUSD magnet system to confused LA parents while proffering icy cocktails to dim the pain.
The official vodka sponsor of “Martinis and Magnets” is Modern Spirits (http://modernspiritsvodka.com). While the format (not to mention beverages and topics–we now cover charter and neighborhood schools, and don’t always ply alcohol) continues to vary, the festive, help-a-friend-in-need “Martinis and Magnets” spirit continues.
SPEAKERS:
Sandra Tsing Loh, “Mother on Fire”– http://sandratsingloh.com
Christie Mellor, ”Three Martini Playdate”– http://christiemellor.com
Tanya Anton, “Westside Guide to Public Elementary Schools” Navigating Magnets, Charters, Permits & More” http://gomamaguide.com
March 11, 2009 at 2:33 pm
We live in Mt. Washington and my daughter can start Mt. Washington El. in the fall. I know it is a good school, but should I be accruing points to get her in the good magnet for the second portion of elementary, middle school, and highschool? Are there any more Martinis and Magnets in the near future, looks like I just missed the last one.
Also is there an area of your site that discusses the pros and cons of the school?
Thank you.
March 18, 2009 at 12:43 am
Quick answer–you won’t be able to accrue USEFUL for middle school points until 3rd grade due to a maximum of 12 waiting list points (4 per year for a max of 3 years). Since Mt. Wash. El. is a school every LA parent would kill for, no, we do not discuss the pros and cons of the school, because that would be a higher-class problem than most of us face! Good luck!
August 13, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Hi!
Do you plan on hosting M&M for the upcoming 2010 school year? I know the Choices brochure comes out in Dec. 2009.
Thank you!
August 14, 2009 at 3:07 am
Hi Debbie,
We’re always game to educate parents on the choices they have available. What area are you in, and are you interested in hosting (or helping us get a school to host)?
September 8, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Hi magnetangel
I live in downtown L.A. and would love to host a magnet education get-together. We have a community room and pool at my building that would be a great spot. Please let me know if the magnetyentas can come downtown!! I have a facebook group for parents downtown: “DowntownLAParents”, and I know a lot of parents would appreciate a tutorial.
Susana Benavidez
September 10, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Hi Susana,
I’m game. I’m from the SFV, so it’d be strictly logistical, so hopefully you can get some parents with more “area savvy.”
I’ll make sure Sandra sees this and hopefully we can work something out.
September 11, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Please let me know when the next martinis and magnets will be! thanks!
September 11, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Not sure where you’re located but it appears I will be speaking at the Mt. Washington PTA meeting on October 20th. I’ll post more details when I know them.
September 15, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Thank you so much Angel! I am in the North Hollywood/Valley Village area, my home school is Burbank Boulevard Elementary. Please let me know, I will go wherever you guys speak.
October 14, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Hi Angel,
Just wondering if the Oct 20th talk is still on. Any details you have would be great. Thanks
October 14, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hi there
Unfortunately we had to cancel the October 20th Magnet Night at Mt. Washington Elementary. If we reschedule in the future I will definitely post something about it!
Thanks
Kathryn McGuire
Mt. Washington PTA
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August 22, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m a local Realtor who is constantly harping about the correlation between good local public schools and real estate values. I just posted about “Mother on Fire” and STL’s website on my blog: http://sfvrealestate.blogspot.com. Thanks, Magnet Yentas and STL!