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3 Best Happy Hours with Winter Olympics Viewing

February 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Looking for a place to go and watch the Winter Olympics and enjoy Happy Hour? Our top pick is Islands! I just love their appetizers especially their Spinach Artichoke Dip!

Here are three restaurants with the best places to watch The 2018 Olympics during Happy Hour:

  • Islands Restaurants is offering $3.95 16 oz. draft beers while The Olympic Games are on! Happy Hour runs from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm and includes seasonal brews and munchies like their famous cheddar fries, Hawaiian sliders, buffalo wings and more!

This one hands down is my favorite! I love their Hawaiian sliders and they have great drinks too!

  • Yard House offers a long list of half-price appetizers including spinach cheese dip, pizza, and buffalo wings from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday. Drink specials include $3 off 9 oz wine and $4 off all beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.
  • BJ’s Happy Hour is from 3:00-7:00 pm Monday-Friday with specials including $3 Domestic bottles, $4 BJ’s handcrafted beers and $6 BJ’s Brewhouse burger, appetizer or 1/2 off mini pizzas.

Self Disclosure: I received some form of compensation to visit Islands. Info and image were also provided. 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured Services

zulily Celebrates Love Your Pet day with a week of products, contests, and more!

February 22, 2018 By Leave a Comment

At online retailer zulily, they adore celebrating their loved ones and this week they are focused on their animal companions. Starting February 19th and running through February 25th, zulily is celebrating their first-ever Pet Week consisting of incredible pet product sales and a chance for you to win their #zulilypetweekcontest!

They’ve curated an assortment of fun and unique pet merchandise, including wearable pet apparel for owners like pet pouch hoodies and slings as well as pet selfie accessories and, of course, chic clothing for pets of all kind.

In addition to pawsome pet products, they’ve launched their official #zulilypetweekcontest in an effort to find zulily’s next pet model to star in an upcoming campaign! This is a chance for you to be entered to win one of five amazing prizes. Beginning February 19th and running through February 23rd (ending at 11:59PM PT), you can submit a photo of the family’s pet via Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #zulilypetweekcontest.

The #zulilypetweekcontest consists of five unique themes:

  • Biggest Baby – Do you have a dog and a puppy in the house? Share a photo of them together for a chance to win.
  • Cutest Puppy – If you just brought home a new fur baby, this is your chance to win with a photo of your new puppy.
  • Pet & Human Duo – Are you and your pet a dynamic duo? Show off your favorite photo together to win this category.
  • Coolest Cat – We know there are some cool cats out there – here is their chance to shine & take home a prize.
  • Most Unique Pet – This one is for those pets with scales, wings, feathers, etc.!

HOW TO ENTER: Submit your tagged photos starting today, February 19th!

  1. On Facebook : Post a photo of your beloved pet in the comment section of zulily’s Facebook Contest Announcement Post and include the hashtag “#zulilypetweekcontest” in your comment.
  2. On Instagram:  Post a photo of your furry, scaly or chirping friend on your personal account and include the hashtag “#zulilypetweekcontest” in the photo’s caption.

The grand prize winner of the #zulilypetweekcontest will receive:

  • A trip to zulily for a photo shoot with our expert Studio team!
  • A curated package of some of our favorite pet products.
  • Two (2) round-trip airfare tickets to zulily (Seattle, WA or Columbus, OH) and, hotel accommodations.
  • Images to take home and posts across zulily’s social media channels.
  • The chance to be interviewed on zulily’s Facebook Live and much, much more!

The four runners-up of the #zulilypetweekcontest will receive a curated pet product package worth $100 with some of our favorite items.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s still time to enter! 

 

Self Disclosure; Compensation may have been received to post. Images and info were provided and SoCal City Kids is not affiliated with the contest.

Filed Under: Pet Corner

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That: Season 2 – Where Learning is Adventurous, Upbeat and Engaging

February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Enjoy volume one of the second season of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! follows the adventures of 6-year-old best friends, Sally and Nick, as they are whisked off on extraordinary voyages of scientific discovery with the Cat in the Hat.  Thanks to the Thinga-ma-jigger and our friends, exploring has never been more exciting! In this season set, learn everything from space topics like gravity, what causes day and night, the planets, earth’s atmosphere to all about the human body like why do we sneeze, how and why the heart beats, why our stomach rumbles, how amazing our skin, and how important each different bone is in our body. The discoveries don’t end there though! Embark on more numerous adventures where we learn all about animals such as why animal ears come in many shapes and sizes, how different animals carry their babies, who are the fastest creatures in the world, why male crickets chirp, how polar bears survive the arctic winter, how a snow leopard balances, and so much more! So let’s go, go, go, go on an adventure, we’re flying with The Cat in the Hat today! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sahiba K. comments, “The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That: Season 2 portrays a dream-like world where learning is adventurous and engaging! Each episode takes you on a ride to a variety of places, some are even out of this world.” Jolleen M. adds, “Everything is upbeat and entertaining plus, you learn lots of new things. Even I learned some new things from these episodes!” See their full reviews below.

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That: Season 2

By Sahiba K., KIDSFIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That: Season 2 portrays a dream-like world where learning is adventurous and engaging! Each episode takes you on a ride to a variety of places, some are even out of this world. The animation brings you into the realm of Dr. Seuss. I did not want to leave.

The story follows Sally (Alexa Torrington) and Nick (Jacob Ewaniuk) traveling through everyday life, curious and eager to understand the ways of the world. The Cat (Martin Short) always pops in at the right time to help them find the answers to their dilemmas. Together they hop on the Thinga-ma-jigger and fly on adventures to discover wonders.

Martin Short, the voice of the Cat, uses the perfect accent and voice to compliment the Cat’s personality. He emphasizes certain words to achieve the goofiness in his voice. Alexa Torrington and Jacob Ewaniuk are the voices of the children, Sally and Nick, who grasp the innocence and youthful spirit by their voices. Rob Tinkler voices Fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2. The way he changes the tone and pitch of the various voices is quite unique. The voices for Thing 1 and 2 are high pitched and humorous, while the voice for Fish is lower and more serious.

The animation offers a portal into Dr. Seuss’s world. The houses are crooked, yet appealing. The background hills, bushes and trees are slim and tall. The abstract Thinga-ma-jigger flies through the sky with its misshapen helicopter blades and bright red and orange colors.

My favorite part of this show is the Cat’s personality. He brings fun to learning and, when explaining different conceptions, he adds a sense of humor. For example, when explaining that the brain receives and sends signals from the nose, a phone rings in his hat asking for his nose. He is clumsy and modest about being smart. He makes the children laugh and ends each episode with a joke.

The message of this DVD is learning can happen anywhere and is always an adventure. I give this DVD 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10. It is available now so, be sure to check it out.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Season 2
By Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That episodes are very colorful, exciting and educational. This season is no exception! Everything is upbeat and entertaining plus, you learn lots of new things. Even I learned some new things from these episodes!

Season 2 is mostly about science topics. These episodes have lots of songs, jokes and puns, and they can travel anywhere. They can shrink or enlarge themselves to learn about everything. Also, the characters are extremely energetic, which makes you feel energized and uplifted because they are having such a good time.

The voice acting is amazing. All of the characters laugh so much and have a great time. They all sound so happy and amazed at everything they learn. Martin Short, as the voice of The Cat is perfect. His laughs are so contagious and he laughs so often. The children, Sally and Nick (Alexa Torrington and Jacob Ewaniuk) are just as ecstatic and energetic. They laugh a lot as well and are very positive kids. Short, Torrington and Ewaniuk all have wonderful singing voices that enhance the episodes.

The animation in these episodes is bright, colorful and detailed. The animation perfectly suits the educational side of these stories, because you can learn about the object, while seeing it clearly. The music and songs are quite clever and pleasing. The music is a vital part to these episodes.

My favorite episode is “Bounce” because, in that episode they teach many different things besides the topic of rubber. It is interesting to learn everything related to and around rubber.

The message of this DVD is to go outside on adventures, after first asking your parents permission (of course) as Sally and Nick do, and to enjoy what’s around you. The Cat goes to Sally and Nick’s and makes them happy every time by teaching them about their surroundings and showing them around. These episodes inspire you to learn more and shows how learning about new things is fun and exciting.

I give this DVD 5 out to 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 13. It is available now so, definitely go check it out.

 

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Top 4 Reasons to Go Little Tokyo for the​ ​Allegiance Broadway Musical

February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Broadway musical, Allegiance, starring George Takei, will take center stage in LA’s most vibrant neighborhood, Little Tokyo, February 21 – April 1, 2018. Planning to see the musical? Go Little Tokyo, the community campaign offering top insights into Little Tokyo, presents countless opportunities to discover or re-discover one of Los Angeles’ most historically rich and energetic urban neighborhoods. From family-owned eateries, to traditional sweet shops and discounted tickets, Go Little Tokyo presents the top 4 reasons to experience a deliciously, authentic night in Little Tokyo, before and after the musical.

1. Tastes of Allegiance Time Period: Let your taste buds travel back in time and dine where the scent of nostalgia lives, at Little Tokyo’s classic Japanese diner, Kouraku. Located in the heart of Little Tokyo and open since 1976, Kouraku is a cozy mom-and-pop eatery offering an array of authentic Japanese comfort food dishes from ramen, curry, and their famous tenshin chahan ankake, a gravy covered omelet filled with pork fried rice. Awarded “Best After Midnight Snack” by Los Angeles Downtown News, Kouraku is open nightly until 3am.

 

2. Become a Sushi Aficionado: No tempura, no teriyaki, no noodles – no problem! Experience traditional, delicious sushi at Hama Sushi in an intimate, laid-back setting. Enjoy high-quality nigiri sushi and menu favorites like the sashimi platters, red snapper with a squeeze of lemon and brush of salt, and the spicy tuna roll. Pro tip: For the true aficionado experience, sit at the sushi bar and ask for the decadent off-menu item, Salmon Belly Nigiri.

 

3. Enjoy a ‘sweetened’ Encore: Continue the entertainment after the musical and indulge in your greatest dessert fantasies at Snowya. Offering sweet treats like croissant taiyaki with your choice of filling and their signature snowflake shaved ice bowls, Snowya offers melt-in-your-mouth goodness that guests can surely applaud. Capture the moment with an Instagram-able photo of the infamous fish-shaped cone topped with your favorite matcha ice cream.

 

4. Use code GOLITTLETOKYO for 15% off Allegiance tickets: Purchase tickets to the powerful and uplifting musical with Go Little Tokyo’s 15% off promo code: GOLITTLETOKYO. Allegiance is inspired by the true story of L.A.-based actor, director and author George Takei. The musical transports audiences back to a dark time in U.S. history when roughly 120,000 Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Experience the Los Angeles premier of the musical in Little Tokyo, where the story has it’s richest legacy. Promo code valid on performances 3/1–3/31, excluding Sundays, on sections A–D. Cannot be combined with other discounts or student/senior pricing. Maximum number of tickets is four per transaction. Ticketing fees apply.

Credit: Go Little Tokyo.

ABOUT GO LITTLE TOKYO
Go Little Tokyo is a community-led effort aimed at highlighting the unique cultural programs, community events, and dining and shopping experiences found in Little Tokyo. Designated by the California Arts Council as a California Culture District, there is an abundance of arts, culture and community destinations and landmarks in and around this historic walkable neighborhood, and Go Little Tokyo will help you uncover them. Go Little Tokyo is a Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) project developed and produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS) and made possible with support from Metro. For more information, visit: www.golittletokyo.com.

Filed Under: Announcements

Unwind with Snacks & Sips $6 and Under During All-New Happy Hour at House of Blues Anaheim

February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Find the perfect Happy Hour haven with a new selection of tasty snacks and sips at House of Blues Anaheim Restaurant & Bar. The brand new happy hour menu features delicious items priced at $4-$6, available from 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Head to the bar to indulge with delights like Bayou fritters, voodoo eggrolls, popcorn shrimp and much more. For refreshments, enjoy well cocktails, Fireball and Sauza Blue tequila shots and select beers for $4; call cocktails, sangria and house wines for $5; and house margaritas, Moscow mules and select 23-ounce beers for $6.

HAPPY HOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Bayou Fritters
jambalaya and cheese blend breaded and fried, served with remoulade, 4

Queso Dip
with andouille sausage, smoked pork and tricolor chips, 4

Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
with French fries, 5

Bayou Flatbread
andouille sausage, smoked chicken, red onion, mozzarella, smoked Gouda, remoulade, 5

Voodoo Eggrolls
crawfish, andouille sausage, corn, cheese, Cajun spices, served with remoulade sauce, 6

HOURS:
Monday – Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Available in bar only.

ADDRESS:

The new House of Blues Anaheim (at GardenWalk)

400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, CA

Free parking available at GardenWalk for the first hour.

 

RESERVATIONS AND CONTACT:

Call (714) 778-2583 or visit http://www.houseofblues.com/anaheim.

Credit: 

About House of Blues Anaheim:

The new House of Blues Anaheim at GardenWalk, marks the first new House of Blues to be built in the U.S. in a decade. The venue spans 44,000 square feet of space, with live music in four unique entertainment venues all under one roof including the main concert hall, the intimate Parish, the Foundation Room and House of Blues Restaurant and Bar. All four of the entertainment and food spaces offer the most advanced sound system of any House of Blues, and the location will feature live entertainment every night.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Black Panther – Pure Marvel Action/Adventure Steeped in Timely Political and Social Issues

February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan Special Forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, “Honestly, this movie is just amazing. There are so many things this movie does incredibly correctly. This might be one of the greatest Superhero movies of all time!” Kimbirly O., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror adds, “The film is pure Marvel action-adventure with a broad political and socially aware feeling. It is awake and unique. It may be a superhero film, yet it is also steeped in real political and social issues similar to those we face today, especially diversity and inclusion.” See their full reviews below.

Black Panther

By Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Honestly, this movie is just amazing. There are so many things this movie does incredibly correctly. This might be one of the greatest Superhero movies of all time!

The story is about T’challa, prince of the secluded, incredibly advanced nation of Wakanda, who struggles to defeat an enemy wanting to take his throne. He teams up with some phenomenal females to secure his role as King.

This film is just visually incredible, especially the city of Wakanda. The city looks so amazing. All the buildings and creations are so cool. But that’s not all. The designs of the weapons and spaceships look very realistic and straight up awesome! Kudos to the visual effects team! I also loved the Black Panther suit. I love the idea of the suit absorbing hits into stored kinetic energy and using it as a shockwave like blast. The movie starts with a re-telling of the creation of Wakanda, but it was made out of sand. It looked so cool. In general, the aesthetic nature of this movie is just marvelous.

The nation of Wakanda also has a very interesting culture. I like that it blends futuristic technology with a tribal feel, in terms of the fashions, locations and culture. It may seem like an odd blend, but it works well. Even the music reflects this combination. Speaking of which, the music is also fantastic.

The characters in this film are multi-dimensional. I really enjoyed Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and Black Panther himself (Chadwick Boseman). Plus, Sterling K. Brown (one of my favorite actors) is also in it and, while he has a small part, it is a key role. Hands down, the best characters are the female leads. The Future is Female! And there are some cool dudes. This movie has some wonderful female characters that everyone can look up to such as Danai Gurira, who I already love from AMC’s The Walking Dead, plays the highly skilled warrior Okoye. Letitia Wright plays T’challa’s tech-savvy little sister, Shuri and Lupita Nyong’o plays Nakia. I love these women and I’m sure many young kids will too.

This movie also has very interesting messages. The whole movie presents engaging thoughts on whether or not you should enter in other nation’s affairs and the possible consequences of doing so. This is a pretty intriguing and well done storyline. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18. It opens in theaters February 16, 2018 so go check it out!

Black Panther

By Kimbirly O., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

In the latest production from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), we see the original story of the Black Panther. We were introduced to the Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. This film depicts the story of King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and the Black Panther tribe.

When T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, beautiful and technologically impressive nation of Wakanda, a fictional country in Africa, he is named the new leader following the death of his father. True to custom, he is challenged by the tribesman and becomes the new King.

Elsewhere, a cousin unknown to him returns from the United States to challenge T’Challa’s reign, and chaos ensues. Warmonger (Michael B Jordan) and his political beliefs are diabolical and the opposite of T’Challa’s. As foes set forth to destroy Wakanda, Black Panther teams up with a C.I.A. agent and a neighboring tribe to prevent the country from a world war. The path from light to dark, and back to doing good in the world beyond Wakanda is refreshing.

The film is pure Marvel action-adventure with a broad political and socially aware feeling. It is awake and unique. It may be a superhero film, yet it is also steeped in real political and social issues similar to those we face today, especially diversity and inclusion.  The strong female characters – Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Ramonda (Angela Bassett) are phenomenal.

I love this film! From the casting, cinematography and directing, to the special effects and female empowerment, it is fulfilling. The action is believable, many of the fight scenes are based on African martial arts, although the CGI at times is a little whack. Overall, I was displaced, forgetting I was sitting in a theater. The costumes are fantastic with attention to detail befitting royalty. Wakanda forever!

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars for the cast, social and political awareness, technology focus and female empowerment. This film will appeal to ages 8 to 18, as well as adults. I caution younger viewing due to fight scenes which may be disturbing. It opens in theater February 16, 2018 so, check it out!

 

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Bophe, February 22 Pet of the Week!

February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Bophe (rhymes with trophy) wouldn’t have won any awards for beauty when she came in to the shelter, but it wasn’t her fault. Beauty lay within, and after grooming and surgery to remove both cherry eye and a tumor that was growing on her, she could have been a stand-in for Toto in The Wizard of Oz. Like Toto, Bophe is a female cairn terrier, and she’s been spayed and ready to go home. At 8, she’s considered a senior, but we think she has a lot of good years to enjoy! Meet Bophe at the shelter side of the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A459210.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Credit: P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village.

Filed Under: Pet Corner

3 Signs You Could Use Guidance from a Family Law Specialist

February 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Going through a relationship breakdown or a divorce can be such a daunting reality to face. There are a lot of emotions involved which can incapacitate your ability to make well-informed decisions. Concurrently, being in love is also another crossroad since the bloom might have not yet come off the ross, we are equally bound to make uncalculated moves during those times when all we see is either him and him alone or her and her alone. The three signs that there are legal matters you should refrain from tackling by yourself but instead seek the counsel of a Family Law Specialist include;

 

When he or she (fiancée) asks for prenuptial agreement or when your spouse asks for a distribution of family property

It is possible that your fiancée can ask the two of you to have a prenuptial agreement before you walk down the aisle. This is a legal consensus made by a couple, before they wed, concerning the ownership of their respective assets, should their marriage plunge into failure. Considering the weight bore by a prenuptial agreement, it is not a mere document that you can just draft all by yourself with the hope that it will work to your advantage when things get pretty rough. An aggressive and conscientious legal representation by attorneys such as Dean Hines, who have seen decades of proficient Family Law litigations, will ensure that both parties are well represented on the settled prenuptial agreement.

 

On a different note, your marriage might have unluckily come to an end without having a prenuptial agreement drafted before the commencement of your marriage. Still the guidance of a family lawyer can largely play a successful role in ensuring that each one of you gets a fair share of the assets during the separation process.

 

When one of you is overworking to steer the relationship towards the right course but the other doesn’t show concerns

 

Every form of human interaction is certainly unpredictable, it can always hit a bump and when it does, every party involved should take it as a personal responsibility to restore the relationship back to the levels they once enjoyed. For instance, if you have been attending marriage counseling sessions to seal the loopholes experienced in your marriage but you do not seem to make progress as a result of your spouse’s lack of interest, this might be your sign, you could benefit from the wisdom of an attorney who will help you keep vigilant.  

 

When you can no longer amicably agree on any matters concerning your relationship

Finally, perennial disagreements on any matters concerning both of you is an indication that things are heading in a bad direction. When every suggestion and decision is met by sharp criticism, including those aimed at improving your existence, it could be an indication that you have lost respect for each other as a couple, and once disrespect is displayed by one party, it will definitely erode to the other over time. When worse comes to worse and things can no longer work out, it is best that you seek separation assistance from a family law expert.

 

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News
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