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A Harvest of Stories

September 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, in conjunction with the South Coast Storytellers Guild, presents “A Harvest of Stories,” a Family Festival on Saturday, October 26, between 1-4 p.m.   Come and be entertained!   The afternoon Festival is $3/person or $10/family, payable at the gate.  The historic Rancho Los Cerritos adobe home will be open throughout the afternoon for tours.

 

A Harvest of Stories features the following talented storytellers and themes:

 

Cynthia Callard

Stories of Africa and California history

 

Ron Chick

Multicultural folk tales and tales of heroes and adventures

 

David Chittenden

Personal tales with a slice of life

 

Bob and Linda King Pruitt

American folk stories, tall tales and Native American stories

accompanied by folk songs and guitar music

Ranger Jack

Interactive children’s songs

 

Diana SpiritHawk

California Native American stories

 

Debra Weller & Patti Christensen

Interactive folktales, Native American stories

and personal stories with guitar accompaniment

and family sing-a-longs

David Whiting

Animated multicultural tales

In addition, during the morning South Coast Storytellers Guild members will offer storytelling workshops designed for educators, families, museum docents, singers, actors and all who love stories.   Reservations are required by October 18 for the workshops, and there is a $25 fee; to register, call the Rancho at (562) 570-1755.

 

The South Coast Storytellers Guild celebrates the oral tradition of storytelling through entertaining performances, educational workshops, community service and the development of student storytellers.   Many of its members are educators themselves, who employ storytelling methods in the classroom to engage students.  Others accompany their stories with music and encourage sing-a-longs during their performances.  For information on the Guild, check their website at www.storyguild.com.

 

Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is located at 4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach and offers free tours Wednesday-Sunday afternoons between 1-5pm.  Built in 1844, the two-story adobe home and grounds echo with the rich history of Spanish, Mexican, and American California and with the families who helped transform Southern California from its ranching beginnings to the modern and urban society it is today. The Rancho, a National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark, also includes historic gardens and a research library and archives. For more information please call (562) 570-1755, or visit the website at www.rancholoscerritos.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.con/rancholosc.

Filed Under: Archived Content

LEGOLAND California Resort

September 30, 2013 By 1 Comment

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LEGOLAND® California Resort is getting ready for the biggest kids’ Halloween celebration in San Diego, Brick-or Treat and Brick-or Treat Party Nights, presented by Shutterfly.  Every Saturday night in October, the family theme park’s Brick-or-Treat Party Nights boasts a variety of family activities including a new Ghost Cruise Ride experience,  an expanded Brick-or-Treat Trail including a special station at SEA LIFE™ Aquarium and even the new LEGOLAND Hotel gets into the Halloween spirit with its own Brick-or-Treat entertainment.

Following last year’s valiant effort to break the World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires, the Park is kicking-off this year’s Brick-or-Treat celebration on October 4 with another attempt at breaking the record. Beginning September 28, guests help construct a giant 10 foot tall LEGO® Lord Vampyre statue one brick at a time.

Every weekend in October (Oct. 5 & 6,12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 and 27), children 12 and under can trick-or-treat on the new ten-station Brick-or-Treat trail gathering goodies, tasty treats and other surprises. The LEGO themed treat stations offer a safe, fun and entertaining trick-or-treating experience for all to enjoy.   Also new, the Park’s Coast Cruise boat ride becomes “Ghost Cruise”, featuring a special LEGO Monsters Scavenger Hunt and storytelling experience.

Every Saturday night in October from 5 to 9 p.m., the Park transforms into a not-too-spooky Halloween celebration. Brick-or-Treat Party Nights features costume contests, nighttime trick-or-treating on Brick-or-Treat trail, festive music, entertainment, interaction with the “Boo Crew”, the animated light show “Spirits of Halloween” after sundown and fireworks cap off the night at 9 p.m.

Several ghoulishly fun areas of LEGOLAND are open late for Party Nights on October 5, 12, 19 and 26, including Land of Adventure, Castle Hill, Imagination Zone and Park favorites: Coastersaurus, Safari Trek and Fairy Tale Brook. Kids can participate in fun activities like Hubble Bubble’s Ultimate Dance Party hosted by Hubble Bubble and Frank Rock, the Haunted Hideaways and a LEGOLAND pumpkin patch building activity with glow-in-the-dark treats for nighttime fun. As children “boo-gie” down during Party Nights, they will also love interacting with the “Boo Crew” including Silly Scarecrow, tap dancing skeletons, the amazing Brickzini, Dr. Hyde’s percussion cart plus the interactive show “Mail Order Monsters,” entertainment from the “Wichettes” and a splash artist creating Halloween-themed paintings to music.

SEA LIFE Aquarium offers guests a bonus Brick-or-Treat station filled with treats and other aquarium surprises. A special themed daily dive show featuring underwater pumpkin carving, a Halloween puppet show and daily creepie crawler appearances every Saturday and Sunday in October also add to the Halloween fun.

The new LEGOLAND Hotel is also getting into the Brick-or-Treat spirit with Halloween decorations, nightly entertainment from the Boo Crew’s Dr. Rodney Rathbone and his monster fighting crew and Halloween building activities for the kids.

In the Halloween spirit, community sponsor Union Bank is donating 300 tickets to local Boys and Girls Clubs allowing members to visit this year’s Brick-or-Treat festivities during the first weekend of the month-long celebration. All Brick-or-Treat and Party Nights festivities are included in the price of regular one-day admission to LEGOLAND California.  During Brick-or-Treat, LEGOLAND is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. SEA LIFE is staying open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays for those wanting to explore the Aquarium after dark. Guests planning to attend Brick-or-Treat Party Nights can only purchase special tickets online or at the front gate in advance for just $30 at www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-5346.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”

September 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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See some of your favorite foods come alive! 

Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader-Voice) is going back to his old island, with Sam Sparks (Anna Faris-Voice) to save the world. Flint discovers his machine still works and he thinks is creating deadly food monsters to attack Lady Liberty. He knows that this is really dangerous and needs the help of his friends to make it.  KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna B. says, “This is a great animated film that is funny to see and very enjoyable.” See her full review below.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
by Brianna B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
Video review available here.  

This is another film that I really like. It’s full of action, comedy and fun to watch. Some of my favorite foods come to life with names like tacodiles, shrimpanzees, cheesespiders and many more. Of course the 3D animation is amazing with great sights, and sounds bringing the magic of this story to life. The foods and vegetables are bigger than life and so exciting to see. One of my favorite scenes is when Berry tries to say Sam and it comes out anything but the name of Sam. Its sounds so funny! I have a lot of favorite foods in this film, but I must admit my ultimate favorite is the fluffy marshmallows. They are a family that is so cute and adorable.

In order for Flint and his friends save the world, they need team work, which is one big message in this film. Not only does Flint need the cooperation of his friends to make everything right again but he also learns a valuable lesson in doing so.

I like the way the story writers, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, writes a great script with such powerful messages that even young kids can understand, enjoy and put into practice in their everyday lives.

Other voice talents in this film include James Caan (Tim Lockwood), and Andy Samberg (Brent McHale). Also Will Forte (Chester V) plays a great villain and really makes it where you do not like him at all and wishes he would just go away!

I recommend this film for ages 6 to 18. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it has a great storyline, a great message and the comedy is really funny.

See some of your favorite foods come alive in “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” It’s in theaters on September 27th. So check it out!

Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Brianna

Filed Under: Archived Content, Media Reviews

Olay Teams up w/Comedy TV Stars for a Hilarious #NoFilter Video Response

September 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Olay Fresh Effects is encouraging women to live a life without filters (because you don’t need Valencia to look and feel your best). To spread the #nofilter message, the brand partnered with funny girl duo Carly Aquilino and Jessimae Peluso to create a short comedic video based on a @FreshEffects #nofilter Twitter campaign. Watch below as Carly and Jessimae discuss the woes of dating by finding the worst pick-up lines on Twitter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFzOWV8h-xk

Olay Fresh Effects is on a mission to embrace a world without filters, so you can celebrate who you really are, no apologies necessary. For two weeks in September, @FreshEffects Twitter fans had the opportunity to share their unapologetic, #nofilter moments (like how they love rocking a Canadian tuxedo #denimondenim). The submission that best embraced the #nofilter philosophy was brought to life in a sketch comedy short by comedians Carly Aquilino and Jessimae Peluso.

 

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

LEGOLAND® California Resort is Calling All Vampires To Attempt World Record!

September 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Vampires wanted! LEGOLAND® California Resort is inviting children and their parents to break a world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires. Following last year’s effort to break the world record, the Park is kicking-off this year’s Brick-or-Treat celebration presented by Shutterfly on October 4 with another attempt.

The world record attempt is a part of LEGOLAND California’s Brick-or-Treat, San Diego’s largest kids Halloween celebration. Every weekend in October (Oct. 5 & 6,12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 and 27), children 12 and under can trick-or-treat on the new ten-station Brick-or-Treat trail gathering goodies, tasty treats and other surprises.  The LEGO® themed treat stations offer a safe, fun and entertaining trick-or-treating experience for all to enjoy.   Also new, the Park’s Coast Cruise boat ride becomes “Ghost Cruise”, featuring a special LEGO Monsters Scavenger Hunt and storytelling experience.

In addition, every Saturday in October from 5 to 9 p.m., the family theme park transforms into a not-too-spooky Halloween celebration. Brick-or-Treat Party Nights features costume contests, nighttime trick-or-treating, festive music, entertainment, interaction with the “Boo Crew”, the animated light show “Spirits of Halloween” after sundown and fireworks cap off the night at 9 p.m.

WHEN: World Record Vampire Attempt
Friday, Oct. 4
4:00 p.m. Free Entry into Park
4:15 p.m Registration begins at. by Ghost Cruise
6:30 p.m.  World Record Attempt (In Miniland U.S.A. inside the Park)

WHERE: LEGOLAND California Resort – Media: please call Jake Gonzales at 760-429-3288 to coordinate coverage

DETAILS: As part of LEGOLAND California’s Brick-or-Treat Halloween celebration, the family theme park is inviting children and parents to help break a world record for the most vampires in one location at one time. All kids dressed as vampires receive a complimentary ticket to return to the Park between Oct. 5 and Oct. 31, 2013. All participants, including adults, will be entered into a raffle to win a family four-pack of tickets and a $100 LEGOLAND gift card.

What defines being dressed as a Vampire?
Men/ Boys:
Black cape
Black trousers
White shirt
Vest (black, gray, or red)
Neck frill or neck tie (black, gray, or red)
Black shoes
Vampire teeth		 Women/Girls: 
Black or red dress
Dark eye makeup

Red lips
Black shoes
Vampire teeth

 
Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Celebrate National Honey Month with these Beauty Mom-Must-Haves!

September 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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In celebration of National Honey Month, here are a few of Laura Mercier’s  honey-infused luxuries. Now that the weather has turned chillier, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a little extra pampering with one of the comforting products below:

Laura Mercier Honey Bath, $40

  •         This decadent, foaming honey moisture body bath leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and supple. Available in five delectable fragrances: Almond Coconut Milk, Crème Brûlée, Ambre Vanillé, Crème de Pistache and Fresh Fig.
  •       Available: www.lauramercier.com

 I received the Crème Brûlée Honey Bath and I love it! It smells so good and leaves my skin feeling soft! This one really is a Mom-must-have this Fall!

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nyakio Hydrating Lip Balm with Kola Nut, $20

·         nyakio™  Hydrating Lip Balm is infused with African Kola Nut, Marula Oil, Trichilia Oil and Honey to help relieve and hydrate dry lips. This unique fusion also provides superb antioxidant benefits, leaving lips immediately comforted and soft. Free of parabens and sulfates.

·         Available: HSN and www.HSN.com

Self Disclosure: I received the Crème Brûlée Honey Bath to review.

 

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

Torrance Halloween Carnival

September 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The City of Torrance Community Services Department invites the public to enjoy the annual Halloween Carnival on Thursday, October 31, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. A costume parade will take place at 6:30 p.m.

The Carnival is a safe, family friendly alternative to trick-or-treating and will feature games, crafts, face painting, a photo area, spooky music by DJ Ozzie and much more!

Unlimited use wristbands are $9.00 per child and are required to participate in carnival activities. Food booths will be available at an additional charge.

The event will take place, rain or shine. Dogs are not allowed at this event.

Filed Under: Archived Content

Have you ever wondered why kids are so enthralled with dinosaurs? R O A R ! ! !

September 23, 2013 By 22 Comments

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As any proud parent will attest to, kids as young as TWO years of age have been able to correctly identify a tyrannosaurus!

And older kids will organize backyard digs for dinosaur bones and beg to visit dinosaur exhibits at local natural history museums.

So what is behind kids’ fascination with dinosaurs? 

Freelance writer and book author Bob Strauss pondered this question for About.com and came up with some pretty solid explanations!!

·      For starters, he believes kids like dinosaurs because the huge, dangerous creatures are extinct, so kids know that dinosaurs are not a threat.

 

·      He also believe that dinosaurs are also role models for kids because dinosaurs are big and nobody tells them what to do – the exact opposite of a kid, who is small and is always being told how to behave.

 

·      Kids also like the size and scope of dinosaur skeletons, definitely a cool factor!

 

·      And they also like the possibility that, like Matt Larson, a paleontologist for the Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research, they too might be able to someday discover dinosaur fossils – as he did just this summer in the plains of northeast Wyoming!

 

It’s time for you and your kids to join in the prehistoric fun with Dino Dan, the award-winning live-action, CGI adventure series airing nightly on Nick Junior at 5p.m. (ET), which stars 18 true-to-life, photo-real dinosaurs alongside Jason Spevack (Fever Pitch; Sunshine Cleaning) as Dan “Dino Dan” Henderson.  Available on DVD from NCircle Entertainment, Dino Dan, was created by Sinking Ship Entertainment.

  

Dino Dan is an ordinary 10-year old boy with an extraordinary obsession: he eats, sleeps and breathes dinosaurs. A typical day for Dan isn’t complete unless he’s racing a T-Rex on his school track, finding a Pterodactylus in his attic or getting a baby Brachiosaurus back to its mom. But kids don’t need to imagine dinosaurs because in Dino Dan, dinosaurs lurk around every corner, they’re behind every mystery, they fuel every adventure, and they help answer questions, too!

 

Dino Dan also specializes in getting his contrasting crew of classmates and teachers engaged in his larger-than-life adventures. Not only are Dino Dan‘s adventures incredibly fun, they’re also incredibly educational, as each episode centers around a common kid issue like having to play with your little brother, going to the dentist, or trying to win at hide ‘n’ seek. These, naturally, lead Dan to wonder how the dinosaurs would act in a similar situation.

 

As Dino Dan comes up with a dino question or experiment to test his theories, he’s also teaching kids about science. If his first theory proves false, Dan comes up with a partial answer or discovers new information to help him resolve the question. Then Dan discovers a new way of tackling the experiment and the problem is resolved.  And since the dinos in Dino Dan don’t speak, high-five, or use deductive reasoning, Dan and his pals work with the dinos’ instincts as part of their scientific method for proving theories.

 

Dino Dan DVDs are now available in a special 4-pack through NCircle Entertainment beginning September 24, 2013.  With a suggested retail price of $24.99 for four DVDs – Ready, Set, DINO!; Dino Trackers; To Catch a Dino! and Cretaceous Creatures! – the Dino Dan 4-pack also includes a bonus augmented reality feature on the DVD package that, when the code is scanned, brings dinosaurs to life!  The four-pack is available at Target stores nationwide from September 24.

My son and I received the DVD set to review and loved the first one! We haven’t had a chance to watch them all yet!  It’s educational and fun! It’s great that Dino Dan is a 10-year old boy who kids can relate to.

To celebrate, NCircle Entertainment is providing one of our readers a Dino Dan DVD 4-pack! You must be a subscriber to enter! Next, leave a comment below telling us your child’s favorite dinosaur! Deadline to enter is September 29th, 2013 at midnight. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries.

And the fun doesn’t stop there!  Fans of Dino Dan can visit the dedicated Dino Dan website at http://dinodan.com/ to enjoy a number of fun and engaging online games including an interactive Dig Site, fun Dino Facts, information about Dino Dan’s friends and even download Dino Dan apps.Dino Dan fans can also visit the Dino Dan Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dinodantv.

Nick Jr. also has a Dino Dan website, http://www.nickjr.com/dino-dan/, offering everything to entertain your budding paleontologists, including downloadable prehistoric printables for coloring to engaging dinosaur games and crafty Cretaceous creations including instructions for creating your own dino 3D mobile, a Dino Dan‘s dinosaur nest and even Dino Dan binoculars.  The Nick Jr. site also has recipes for fun Mesozoic Meals like giant dinosaur track cookies and there’s even a dinosaur Fun Facts for Parents which includes a pronunciation guide for dinosaur names like Euoplocephalus!

Dino Dan Disk 1 Dino Dan Disk 2 Dino Dan Disk 3 Dino Dan Disk 4

Self  Disclosure: I received free 4-Pack DVD set to feature Dino Dan.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content
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