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Kids across Southern California ring in 2025 at 'Noon Year’s Eve' celebrations
Noon Year's Eve celebrations at Pretend City in Irvine.
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Courtesy Pretend City, Irvine
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Since becoming a parent five years ago, I have never made it to midnight on New Year’s Eve. Thankfully, I haven’t missed out on celebrations because of Noon Year’s Eve events at children’s play places like Looma Space in Lomita and Pretend City in Irvine. Children ring in the new year with apple juice in their hand as balloons drop at noon.
While people were steaming their bejeweled dresses and preparing for the night on Tuesday, I wore my comfiest button down and headed to Looma Space to hear from our littlest residents on their hopes and wishes for the new year.
There were no grand aspirations for career advancement, higher salaries, improved fitness or other grown up refrains. For these kids, it was all about toys and fun for 2025…
Nova Foryoung-Destin and Olivia Huynh
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Nova Foryoung-Destin and Olivia Huynh.
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Yusra Farzan
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Nova wants a Gabby Dollhouse toy and Olivia wants a Elsa dollhouse.
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Mark Rago spent three years of research and looked through thousands of photos for the passion project. Today, Venice-opoly is officially launching. -
They are part of Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew, a group of diehards combining their love for the team with the great outdoors. Their celebratory hike is this weekend. -
The park has been closed for the last 10 months because of damage from the Palisades Fire.
Kyle Malsbury and Wyatt Jones
Kyle Malsbury and Wyatt Jones.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Kyle wants to visit his family in New Jersey while Wyatt wants to visit Disneyworld with his friends and family.
Ellie Torres
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Ellie Torres.
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Yusra Farzan
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Ellie wants a Rapunzel dress.
Noah Bozin
Noah Bozin (in blue) with his family.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Noah wants a Peppa Pig toy.
Ace Pickett
Ace Pickett.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Ace wants a yellow racing car and a play Target shopping cart.
Charlotte Nazareth
Charlotte Nazareth and her mother.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Charlotte wants a Sky toy at her Elsa themed birthday party.
Allyson Sirin
Allyson Sirin with her mother Thania and brother Royce.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Allyson wants a beagle that she will name Snoopy. She also wants a unicorn with a pink tail and yellow horn that she will name Sparkles.
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Lucas Stella
Lucas Stella and his mother.
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Yusra Farzan
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LAist
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Lucas wants to have a good new year and make new friends.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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