Archives for January 2015

Kohl’sCares

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Kohl’s Department Stores will be accepting nominations for outstanding young volunteers beginning next week for the 2015 Kohl’s Cares®  Scholarship Program.

 

Nominations for kids ages six to 18 will be accepted January 30 – March 13 at kohlskids.com, and nominators must be 21 years or older. Through the program, Kohl’s will award more than 2,500 young volunteers nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes to reward kids who have made a positive impact on their communities.

  • Ten national winners will each be awarded a $10,000 scholarship for higher education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf
  • Nearly 200 students will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward higher education
  • More than 2,000 local students will receive a $50 Kohl’s gift card

The Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares®, Kohl’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. Since the program began in 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 22,000 kids with more than $4.2 million in scholarships and prizes. To learn more about last year’s winners, visit kohlskids.com.

 

Credit: Kohl’s Cares.

Disney On Ice presents Frozen

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Must-See Skating Spectacular Featuring Dynamic Sisters Anna and Elsa,

Appearing for the First Time in a Live Touring Production

Feld Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide leader in producing live touring family entertainment, has launched its 34th Disney On Ice production that will bring the Academy Award® winning and beloved #1 animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen, to life. Enter a fantastical winter wonderland beyond all imagination at Disney On Ice presents FrozenPresented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, skates into Southern California playing STAPLES Center from Wednesday, December 9 to Monday, December 14; Honda Center/Anaheim from Wednesday, December 16 to Monday, December 21; Citizens Business Bank Arena/Ontario from Wednesday, December 23 to Sunday, December 27 and Long Beach Arena from Tuesday, December 29 to Monday, January 4, 2016.

 

Expected to be one of the most in-demand Disney On Ice shows for Frozen fans of all ages, tickets for Disney On Ice presents Frozen Presented by YoKids will go on sale to the general public next Tuesday, January 27th at 10:00am PT.  Tickets for this popular show will range from $30 – $100 (Front Row).

 

STAPLES Center & Citizens Business Bank Arena:  Tickets can be purchased online at AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or in-person at the venue Box Office.

Honda Center & Long Beach Arena:  Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the venue Box Office.

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The heart-warming and Academy Award® winning tale of love and friendship, capturing the incredible dynamic between two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa, has captivated audiences around the world will be told LIVE for the first time in this production.  Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers.

 

Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear.  Audiences will get to sing along with such “instant Disney classic” musical masterpieces as the “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

 

“In our more than 30 years of producing Disney On Ice shows, Feld Entertainment has been waiting for a film like this,” says producer Nicole Feld.  “While it might seem obvious that Frozen is well suited for the ice, thisDisney On Ice production will touch audiences emotionally through innovative show elements and world-class skating.”

 

Frozen directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee add, “Seeing audiences around the world embraceFrozen has been the experience of a lifetime.  And to now have the chance to consult with the talented team at Feld Entertainment and watch their creation come to life on ice, is thrilling.”

 

In Disney On Ice presents Frozen Presented by YoKids, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take the audience through the magical story based in Arendelle, with special appearances by beloved Disney Princesses and favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story and Finding Nemo and Disney’s The Lion King, who come together to prove that true love is the greatest power of all.  Director Patty Vincent says, “Our goal is to showcase these heartwarming characters in a way that allows the audience to cheer and sing along throughout this emotional journey.”

To create a completely immersive experience for the audience, the set design will encompass the space from the ice surface up through the air, drawing everyone into the story and closer to the characters. Families will feel that they are trekking up to the North Mountains with Anna, Kristoff and Sven, and they will tangibly experience the storm inside Elsa.  Elsa’s magic will be enhanced by state-of-the art special effects while her emotions will be conveyed through powerful skating.

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STAPLES CENTER SHOW SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, December 9       7:30 PM

Thursday, December 10         3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Friday, December 11              11:30 AM & 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 12          11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, December 13             11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Monday, December 14  7:30 PM

 

HONDA CENTER/ANAHEIM SHOW SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, December 16     7:30 PM

Thursday, December 17         10:30 AM & 7:30 PM

Friday, December 18              1:30 PM & 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 19          11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, December 20             11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Monday, December 21  3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

 

CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA/ONTARIO SHOW SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, December 23     7:00 PM

Thursday, December 24         4:30 PM

Friday, December 25              3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 26          11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, December 27             11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

 

LONG BEACH ARENA SHOW SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 29           7:00 PM

Wednesday, December 30     7:00 PM

Thursday, December 31         4:30 PM

Friday, January 1                     2:30 PM & 6:30 PM

Saturday, January 2                11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, January 3                   11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Monday, January 4                          7:00 PM

 

 

For a complete list of tour dates, visit the Disney On Ice website (www.disneyonice.com) and stay current on the latest developments through social media by visiting:

 

Credit: Feld Entertainment. No compensation was received to post.

 

GiftedandTalented.com

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It’s not easy to find online courses to meet the needs of a Gifted student. I know since my son was reading before he was 3 years old. We’ve been on a homeschooling journey ever since. He gets bored easily especially when things are too easy for him. What I like about GiftedAndTalented.com is that the courses are designed to meet the needs of advanced learners. If it is too easy or too difficult the grade level can be adjusted. They offer K-12 courses in Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Computer Programming.  It’s perfect for homeschooling but could also be used for enrichment for children in public or private school. They also offer Tutor Supported Courses. We tried out the Independent Study which includes the following:  Personalized Online courses, progress reporting and technical support.

There are more courses offered in the Tutor supported Courses but the Independent Study is quite impressive. The prices range $60 quarterly (3 months) for Math or Language Arts or $90 quarterly (3 months) for both Math & Language Arts. You can find out more about both the Tutor Supported Courses and the Independent Study courses on their website. The advanced learning courses are developed by Stanford University.

There is also a Challenge Zone where students can use their skills and have fun at the same time by playing games. I know games are always good when they are educational and fun. The games range from K-7th grade and I think that many students will enjoy them. This program really seems to be a great resource for advanced learning! I also like that there are special recommendations for special camps, websites, and even helpful apps for students in the Expert Picks section of the website.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free trial to facilitate this feature and any opinions expressed are my own. No other compensation was received. 

 

NYC New York Color Mascara is a Beauty Must-Have!

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Looking for Mascara that is long lasting and doesn’t seem to clump? NYC New York Color has you covered! I received samples of the City Proof Buildable Mascara and the Big Bold Volume by the lash Mascara and love them both!  My favorite is the City Proof Buildable Mascara.  It is very affordable and works great! I did not have any clumping and it looks so natural! Retails for $3.49. The Big Bold Volume by the lash Mascara is great especially for date nights! There is no smudging and really seems to make  my lashes look thicker! . This one  is a Must-Have for when you really want your eyes to be noticed! Retails for $4.99.

You can find out more on the website. Sold at retailers nationwide.

 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this feature. Photo Credit: NYC.

Special Event

Special Event- Mac Data Recovery Software

Get 40 % OFF on Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery Software (PLATINUM EDITION). It is a powerful software to recover the lost or deleted data from Mac drives based on HFS, HFS+, FAT, ExFAT and NTFS file systems. The tool allows you to get back your documents, pictures, and other multimedia files in its original format. http://www.macintosh-data-recovery.com/buy-now.php

 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received and no review was completed.

 

Sneaky Math Author Inventor Makes Math Easy and Fun for Children and Adults

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Mathematics is one of the most dreaded topics people have to learn. ( I have to admit it has never been a favorite of mine!)

 

Best-selling Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things author and real-life MacGuyver inventor Cy Tymony has just released a new book that uses graphics and hands-on projects to make learning math easy and fun.  Tymony takes the tough and turns it into triumph. He shows us how math is all around us through intriguing and easy projects, including 20 pass-along tools to complement math education programs.

 

Sneaky Math: A Graphic Primer with Projects is a unique do-it-yourself guidebook that uses fun, hands-on, build it at home projects made with everyday objects to teach yourself Fractions, Algebra, Geometry and Calculus and more.

 

“It’s easy to learn math when you build your own toys and devices,” says Tymony. “There are fun and practical ways to break through the mental blocks that keep one from understanding the basics.”

 

Each of these do-it-yourself creations uses simple everyday items from around the home to create accurate real-life tools you can use anywhere. Here is a sample of the amazing Math Gizmos you can create that focuses on one of the biggest math hurdles people encounter in school – fractions.

I received a copy of this book and I have to say that I am quite impressed! Math has always been a dreaded subject for me. My son also does not like Math! He really does not care for fractions at all!  This book really does make this subject more fun. I love the Sneaky Fraction Card that you can make. It is great to make and take with you when you are out and about. A great way to practice fractions without hearing “Oh…this is soooo boring!”  Finally a book that makes Math more fun! This book really is great for both adults and children. It is a Must-Buy! A great homeschooling resource. 

Sneaky Math includes projects like cup calculators for addition and multiplication, wheel cards for powers and square roots, algebra, temperature conversion, coordinate planes, geometry, trigonometry, height determinations, and even table-top experiments to help you learn about calculus including rates of change, differentiation and integration.

Available wherever books are sold. It is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. For more information visit  www.sneakymath.com and www.SneakyUses.com. 

More about the Author:

Cy Tymony is an amazing inventor.  By reading comic books and studying science as a young boy he amazed his friends with unusual scientific projects, demonstrations and ideas.  He is trained in auto mechanics, electronics, video and audio technology and computer science and has taken courses in martial arts, security and survival techniques.  For decades has focused his enthusiasm, creativity and imagination on educating people of all ages and walks of life.  He is the author of the Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things book series.

 

Cy Tymony is a real live renaissance man. He has lots of media experience.  He is a wonderful and inspiring guest with a childlike enthusiasm for science and technology.  His Sneaky Uses books explore the delight of finding.  He has an incredible and contagious energy who delights in sharing the wonders of the human potential. He also lives in Los Angeles.

Don’t forget to check out the website! Cy Timothy has recently posted  new projects that are fun!

Self Disclosure: I received a free book to facilitate this feature.

New PEG + CAT app from PBS KIDS

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PBS KIDS recently announced its first app of 2015, The Tree Problem, which follows Peg and her sidekick Cat as they embark on adventures, solve problems and learn foundational math concepts and skills. The app, designed for kids ages 3-6, extends the series’ preschool math curriculum through a new series of games in which players help Peg get Cat out of a tree in a variety of different locations from the show.

I received a free code to check this app out and I think that younger children will enjoy it! It’s fun and a great app to teach preschool math!   I give it 5 stars!

The Tree Problem App Features

  • 30 total levels: Cat sure has a knack for getting stuck in trees! Levels of increasing challenge motivate children to practice key early math concepts and skills.
  • 6 worlds: Grow plants on the farm, roll and stack snowballs at the South Pole, and arrange set pieces on Broadway! Each world offers new levels, giving children a variety of opportunities to solve the problem.
  • Curriculum focus: Peg and Cat’s spirited and playful antics engage children in learning foundational math concepts like spatial reasoning and measurement, practicing persistence, and having a totally awesome time doing it!

 

The Tree Problem App is available for $2.99 on the App Store for iPad or at www.AppStore.com/PBSKIDS.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free download code to check this app out but no other compensation was received. 

“Astroblast!” takes off with out-of-this-world new episodes – this January on Sprout!

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Are you ready for an out-of-this-world adventure this winter with 17 new episodes of Astroblast!, the hit CGI-animated series for preschoolers from Scholastic Media and Sprout? The fun blasts off beginning Monday, January 19, at 1pm on Sprout with the debut of two back-to-back, smoothie-powered stories – and kicks-off more than two weeks of brand-new Astroblast! escapades!

Astroblast! follows the zany adventures of Comet, Halley, Sputnik, Radar and Jet, a crew of animals who run the Astroblast Space Station, the coolest hangout in the galaxy, all under the watchful eye of Sal the Octopus. Along with a constantly changing cast of quirky visitors from other planets, the Astroblast Space Station gang cooks up the perfect recipe for promoting positive relationships, self-esteem, good nutrition and physical activity.

Astroblast! is inspired by the Scholastic books of the same name by award-winning author/illustrator Bob Kolar, and every episode offers fun stories with age-appropriate messages about friendship and self-awareness. Like many of Scholastic Media’s popular TV series, Astroblast! is also a perfect choice for kids and families to tune-in to together – and its humor will have viewers of all ages laughing along.

 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. Credit: Sprout and Scholastic Media.