Welcome to Studio City Mom’s Word of Mouth 5! For those of you who don’t know this is my once a month column where instead of writing about me I shine a little light on some people and/or organizations I think are amazingly talented, hard working and inspiring. I hope you check them out!

1. FRIENDLY HOUSE LA:   

Friendly House was founded in 1951 and was one of the first treatment centers in the country for women recovering from substance and alcohol abuse. The organization is solely supported by private donations and grants, by the fundraising efforts of the Board of Directors, Grateful Hearts (former residents of Friendly House), and special events. One of those amazing events is the annual awards luncheon taking place in October at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tickets are on sale now! There are so many ways to be of service to Friendly House. Be part of the solution! Visit their website at www.friendlyhousela.org and like them on Facebook!

2. ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCES CALSTEAM: CALSTEAM

This fantastic new school just opened! Serving students in grades 4th-8th, with a pilot 3rd grade class, Calsteam is the brain child of the incredible Mrs. Farnaz Kaufman (who also happened to be my daughter’s fifth grade teacher and most influential teacher ever). Mrs. Kaufman was a key member of Carpenter Community Charter Committee and wrote the curricular portion of their Charter and start up grant. After years of teaching at Carpenter Elementary in Studio City, Mrs. Kaufman and fellow Carpenter teacher, Myron Breitstein, opened Calsteam. Located in Encino, Calsteam operates as part of AAS Los Angeles, an independent study charter. With a start-up population of 250 students, Calsteam’s program utilizes International Baccalaureate and STEAM curricula. If you are looking for an incredible, inspiring, dynamic, artistic school to send your child to you must visit their website at www.calsteam.org.

3. EASY LUNCH BOXES:  Best Lunch Boxes Lunchboxes

My dear friend, Kelly Lester, is the owner, creator, and mom behind Easylunchboxes.com. Kelly is a singer and actress but has also always been an incredible business woman, wife and mother of three. Easylunchboxes was born out of Kelly’s innate ability to do things efficiently while on a shoestring budget. Her desire to send her daughters to school with simple, healthy food that required little to no extra packaging led to Easylunchboxes. With school just starting check out Kelly’s website for not only products but great, healthy lunch ideas for the kids!  Check her out at www.easylunchboxes.com and on Facebook!

4. SIGRID MATTHEWS YOGA:     Presenting Focused Flow Yoga® with Sigrid Matthews!

Another dear friend of mine (and incredible wife, mother and business woman) Sigrid Matthews teaches an adaptable style of yoga that works with any level of student. Sigrid credits Viniyoga as the most influential lineage that she draws upon to create sequences that are both therapeutic for those suffering from chronic back pain and injuries to incredibly challenging practices that help the student create core stability, endurance, stamina and strength. Twenty-eight years of teaching Hatha yoga, as well as fitness training, massage therapy, and certification in Yoga Therapeutics at LMU and Yoga Anatomy, gives Sigrid an expertise in movement, anatomy, and correct alignment; keeping students safe and well informed. If you are looking for an incredible teacher you must visit her website at www.sigridmatthews.com.

5. MUSIC LESSONS WITH DEREK ANTHONY GRAY:IMG_5059

Okay, he is not only my amazing boyfriend he is also an incredible music teacher. Drums, piano, guitar, voice — he does it all and kids love him (mine included). Derek is a songwriter/recording artist with more than 20 years experience. Music is his  greatest passion in life and it shows in how he teaches kids. The goal is to have fun, be inspired, encouraged, uplifted and let the student dictate what they’re interested in exploring musically. He teaches private lessons, group lessons and will work with any budget. If you’ve been looking for a music teacher for your kids Derek is your guy (well, he’s my guy, but you can borrow him!). Check out his website at www.derekanthonygraymusicteacher.com.

And there it is! Another Word of Mouth 5! I hope you are enjoying these once a month lists as much as I am enjoying sharing them. We all need each other… XO