Archives for November 2017

The public can find out how NOAA can keep them informed of the changing environment around them and how they can get involved

IMG_6526

On Saturday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Aquarium of the Pacific will host the eleventh annual National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) interactive event. The public can talk with real-life marine biologists and oceanographers while they learn about ocean habitat conservation, weather warnings, safe and sustainable seafood, aquaculture, ocean exploration, marine mammal strandings, and endangered species.

                        Learn more about NOAA and its efforts to protect the ocean, predict changes in the atmosphere, provide information about climate change, and impact everyday lives of people through science, service, and stewardship at the Aquarium during NOAA Day. In addition, representatives from NOAA’s National Weather Service and the Office of Aquaculture will use the state-of-the-art technology NOAA Science on a Sphere®, located in the Aquarium’s Ocean Science Center to visually highlight weather modeling, hurricanes, and seafood farming.

WHEN:            Saturday, November 18, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:         Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:             Included with general admission: $29.95 adult (12+), $26.95 senior (62+), $17.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members.

WHO:               The West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network

  • NOAA Fisheries’ Protected Resources Division (marine mammals, endangered species)
  • NOAA Fisheries’ Sustainable Fisheries Division (salmon and steelhead, clean watersheds, coastal resiliency )
  • National Weather Service
  • NOAA Corps
  • Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
  • NOAA Restoration Center
  • Southern California Ocean Observing System
  • Sea Grant
  • California Conservation Corps

INFO:              (562) 590-3100 or http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/noaa_and_our_planet_day/

 Credit:

NOAA:            NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. For more about NOAA visit http://www.noaa.gov/ or facebook.com/NOAA.

AQUARIUM:   The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among people. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, and the new FROGS: Dazzling and DisappearingOur Water Future, and archerfish exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers, and the 2017 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other benefits.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Aquarium of the Pacific.

It’s starting to look like Christmas at The Shops At Montebello!

IMG_7789

The holidays are here and it’s time for Christmas photos with Santa and Christmas shopping! The best place to go? The Shops at Montebello is a favorite of mine!

IMG_7797

Eager children and their families can experience the joy and magic of the holiday season with a visit to the Simon® Santa Photo Experience at The Shops at Montebello. Children can whisper wishes and capture photo memories with Santa which began on  November 10 and runs through Christmas Eve Day, December 24 at Center Court.

 Save time, avoid the line with Santa by Appointment! Now you can reserve your magical moment with Santa online at http://simonsanta.com.

For local pet owners, there is a  popular Pet Photo Night with Santa December 3 from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Many pet owners view their pet as an integral member of the family and are just as committed in caring for their pets as their “human” family members. Pet Photo nights are hosted after regular mall closing and the set gets an extensive cleaning following the event to remove any potential risk to allergy sufferers.

 IMG_7802

The Shops at Montebello will also host Breakfast with Santa and a Holiday Photo Booth on December 2. Breakfast with Santa is 9 – 10 a.m. Reservations are required. Seasonal carolers will delight children and families.

I just love shopping at The Shops at Montebello because they have the best shops! Some of my favorites are the following:  Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, and Cotton On! This is the best place to find Christmas gifts for everyone on your Christmas list this holiday season! They also have some great places to catch lunch or dinner such as Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que! On Black Friday if you spend $200 or more at the following retailers: Disney Store, Express, Hollister, New York & Company, Cotton On, Steve Madden, Victoria’s Secret, Vision Center, Zales Jewelers, Robert Wayne Footwear, Bath & Body Works, and the Children’s Place..you will receive a $25 voucher from Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que.  I’m sure that there will also be some great Black Friday deals! 

Don’t miss other holiday festivities, including:

  • Black Friday Fun on November 24 where shoppers can look forward to hot chocolate and desserts, holiday photo booth and entertainment.
  • November 15 – December 24 – Enter to Win 2 Disneyland Annual Passports.  Entry forms at Guest Services.  No purchase necessary.
  • MDA Fill the Boot from November 24-26 with Montebello Fire Department hosting a fundraiser for families with muscular dystrophy.
  • Join The Shops at Montebello for the puppy Pals Family Programming Event on December 1 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in Victoria’s Secret Court with activities for the kids and prize giveaways.
  • Don’t miss theVisa Gift Card Holiday Event with KOST 103.5 on December 2 from 2 – 4 p.m. The first 200 shoppers to receive a holiday scratcher.  Every scratcher wins a prize.  No purchase necessary.
  • The Holiday Photo Booth is December 2 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Countdown to Christmas from December 14 to 24 with Manny on the Streets from KIIS-FM.

Self Disclosure: I received some form of compensation to post. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids.

Holiday Cards from The Stationery Studio are a must-buy this month!

IMG_7824

It’s that time of the year! Can you believe it?! The holidays are here! It’s time to send out the Holiday/Christmas cards! I love the choices at The Stationery Studio! They have so many choices and I love how user-friendly their website is.  Their unique selection includes great die cut shapes on cards at with no extra fees, including scalloped edges, rounded corners, and medallion shapes. You are sure to find one that you like! The toughest thing was picking just one! I finally chose the Lagoon and Tan Seasons Greetings Holiday Photo Cards and I absolutely love them! The shipping is also pretty quick! So, what are you waiting for?

Check out The Stationery Studio for your holiday cards this season!

 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids.

 

How NestFresh is giving back to the community

NestFresh-NestFreshCares-Phase I VoteMemes-2017-A[3][1]

NestFresh, the leader in sustainable, local, humane and natural eggs, has pledged to support charitable efforts nationwide through a unique giving campaign titled NestFresh Cares. From October 15, 2017 through December 15, 2017, consumers are invited to nominate and vote for a charity or cause that demonstrates its genuine care for the community. One charity – voted on by consumers will win a $2,000 cash prize from NestFresh and the nominating consumer will win a year’s worth of NestFresh eggs. This special campaign not only reiterates NestFresh’s sincere care for local communities, but also gives consumers a voice in advocating for those communities.  Learn more about the campaign on Facebook @NestFreshEggs.

In kicking off this year’s NestFresh Cares efforts, consumers will be asked to visit the brand’s Facebook page where they will be directed to a tab designed specifically for the campaign. Upon submitting the charity or cause of their choice, they will be entered into the contest. Once the submission process comes to a close on November 15, a panel will choose the top submissions to be highlighted across NestFresh’s social media platforms.

 

After the nominations process has closed, consumers will be asked to vote for the charity they believe should win the grand prize of $2,000 with the nominating consumer ultimately winning a year’s worth of NestFresh eggs.

 

“We produce eggs with a conscience at NestFresh, which means that our eggs come from happy hens and are made for healthy humans. Everything we do is geared toward these two goals of providing a natural life for our hens while serving the folks in our community,” shares Brandy Gamoning, Marketing Manager at NestFresh. “NestFresh Cares allows us to further this very important mission while learning more about the ‘good eggs’ in our communities throughout the holiday and giving season.”

 

The NestFresh Cares campaign pivots on the values upon which NestFresh stands. From the company’s support of regional farmers nationwide to its insistence on transparency from farm to grocery store, this year’s giving efforts align with everything NestFresh has worked towards since the brand’s founding in 1991.

Credit:

About NestFresh

NestFresh Eggs was the first nationally distributed egg line to receive the Non-GMO Project Verified seal from the Non-GMO Project and to offer liquid and dry egg products that are also Non-GMO Project Verified for retail, food service and manufacturing.

Self Disclosure: I received a free coupon to facilitate this post. Images and information were provided.

 

Mozzy is Pet of the Week!

MOzzy, November 16 Pet of the Week

Ever been punished for something you didn’t do? Then you and Mozzy will have a lot to talk about. Mozzy, a pit bull terrier about 3 years old, was surrendered to the shelter by his owner. Why? The other dog in the house was a biter, so the owner was afraid Mozzy would be a biter! And not so——he’s a big lover and would rather lounge around with you than chase toys. He is good with children, the owner said, so he’d be a fine addition to your Thanksgiving get-together (keep him away from those table scraps!). Meet Mozzy on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A599173.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Courtesy: Credit of the Companion Animal Village.

The top 3 tips to teaching kids a new language

As parents, we all want what’s best for our kids and enroll them in anything especially if it contributes to their development. While we all want them to enjoy their childhood, we also want to get them ready for their growth into adulthood. In our modern age today, learning a new language has become an increasingly important skill. Not only does it provide you a great leverage when traveling, but it gives you education and social advantage. That is why a lot of parents are now trying to give their children a chance to learn a new language in preparation for their future.

 

Here are three tips for teaching kids a new language.

 

  1. Start them young.

 

One of the best ways for your kids to easily learn is to introduce the language as early as possible. Children tend to easily learn a foreign language when they are exposed to it at an early age. However, it does not mean that older children can’t learn a new language. Start now, no matter how old they are. It may not be as easy but the important thing is that children are usually more passionate and curious to try new things at their age. Starting them early will give them higher chances of mastering a new language as they get older. They will have plenty of time to practice the language and eventually get to that level of proficiency that will give them the education and social advantage.

 

  1. Make use of any foreign resources and expose them to different cultures.

 

The best way to learn a new language is when you actually get to live or experience the culture behind the language. Make use of any foreign resources that you can easily access such as language books and audio books, language programs, foreign-language games, and language apps. You can also enroll them in a foreign language class. For instance, there are a lot of spanish lessons for kids where you can enroll them to. You may also let them watch their favorite TV programs and cartoons in a foreign language. Try to expose them to different cultural backgrounds by letting them socialize with children from a different culture or by letting them join events and activities that will let them immerse in a new language.

 

  1. Find a way for them to practice.

 

It is one way to learn the basics of a new language and finally practicing it. Language classes and other resources are a great foundation for your kids learning but for them to actually master the language; they will need to find time to practice it. In order for them to practice a foreign language, it is not enough to just speak it; they will have to ‘think’ like that language. One way to do this is by traveling to a country where the language is spoken. You can also let them join social groups who are studying the same language or you can find them a friend from a foreign country whom they can write to so they can also practice the new language through writing.

Where to Celebrate National Happy Hour Day on Nov. 12

Cheddar Fries 2

This year, the celebration lands on a Sunday, and while most bars and restaurants limit happy hours to weekdays, Islands Restaurants will have specials all day in the bar area. Repeat: all day happy hour.

Specials include $5 mai tais, mojitos, margaritas, sliders and cheddar fries (everything on the menu is under $10), as well as two new cocktails: the Maui Mojito with Don Q coconut rum, Myers Rum, pineapple, lime and mint; and the Blue Hawaiian featuring blue Curacao, rum, piña colada and pineapple. Both were created by Islands employees and will be available for a limited time.

And, because National Happy Hour Day lands on a Sunday, football fans can catch all the games with NFL Redzone, Sunday Ticket and plenty of big screen TVs at every location.

Credit: Islands Restaurants.

Plums The Word for Fall!

Plum’s The Word for fall and what better way to create bold looks than with beautiful nails from Sally Hansen and the perfect lip color from Rimmel London.

RIMMEL LONDON STAY MATTE LIQUID LIP COLOUR ($5.79)

 unnamed

Get ready for a bold, matte lip-look that stays on. Rimmel London introduces Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour, a new liquid lipstick with high-intensity colour, a velvety matte finish and a long-lasting, comfortable wear.

I really love the color and that it goes on easily and stays on.

Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Color ($8.99)

The patented argan oil formula fuses intensive nourishment and instant moisture for healthy looking nails.Up to 10 days of fade-proof, chip-resistant wear.

I love that this one really does not chip easily!

unnamed (6)

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel ($9.99)

The #1 no light gel system!* In just two easy steps get up to 14 days of color and shine. More chip-resistant than regular nail polish!

 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ($7.99)

This all-in-one formula with keratin boasts 7 benefits in one bottle— base coat, strength, treatment, salon color, topcoat, chip resistance and gel shine finish.

Complete Salon manicure delivers up to 64% stronger nails and up to 10 days of chip-resistant wear.

unnamed (8)unnamed (10)

Look for all these Beauty Must-haves at Retailers that sale Rimmel and Sally Hansen Products! 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this beauty post. Info and images were also provided.