Marlee Matlin

Shooting the Showtime series “The L Word” in Toronto five months out of the year has been an adjustment for mother of four Marlee Matlin, yet there are advantages. “L.A.’s the movie capital of the world and there’s hardly a screen here with technology for people who are deaf,” says the actress, 42. “In Toronto I’m spoiled -- right across the street from where I film is a theater where they show current films with subtitles and RWC [Rear Window Captioning].”

CROWD CONTROL My husband and I start the weekend with our children’s soccer, baseball or football games. Afterward we might take the youngest ones to Kidspace Museum near the Rose Bowl; Kidspace has got everything from art classes to nature walks to yoga moves for kids! CONSUMER AFFAIRS Later I might head over to my favorite haunts on West 3rd Street -- which, when I moved to L.A., was this quiet street with one restaurant, Indigo! My first stop is the clothing racks at Polkadots & Moonbeams. I’ll also check out their vintage store for gift ideas, like the brooches I got for the makeup ladies on my last movie. Next stop, Cook’s Library for the latest cookbooks and maybe Flight 001 for travel gear. I never leave without a visit to Joan’s on Third. Her chocolate marshmallow cream cupcakes are to die for! DANCING WITH THE STARS You might also find me at Anisa’s School of Dance in Sherman Oaks, where I’ll be in the Cardio Ballroom class with Lisa Rinna and Louis Van Amstel. It’s like Pilates, running and spinning all wrapped into one. ADULTS ONLY Saturday night, my husband and I will go for the best sushi in town -- Katsu-Ya in Studio City. Or we’ll drive into Beverly Hills for green prawns and the flash-fried gambei at Mr. Chow. PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY On Sunday we head to the base of the San Gabriel Mountains for one of the many small waterfall hikes. Dinner is takeout from Zankou Chicken or Village Pizzeria in Sierra Madre, followed by worrying about how early I’ve got to be up on Monday.

-- Mark.Sachs@latimes.com