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How To Plan A Winter Vacation With Your Children

November 12, 2018 By 1 Comment

Getting away for the winter is the perfect opportunity to escape the cold weather and bond with your children. You’ll have a much better experience and a more successful trip when you take the time to plan ahead.

Use this trip as a way to spend quality time with your kids and also to relax yourself. Keep in mind that it’s important to remain flexible both in the preparation stages and as you depart to your final destination. While it can be fun to have your children come along with you on vacation, keep in mind that it will be extra work on your part. It’s important to remain optimistic that all will go smoothly based on your preplanning and to simply be glad you’re all together.

Create A Budget

Your vacation will get off to a much better start when you take the time to create a budget in advance. Check out a company such as Bonsai Finance to help you get the financial tools and resources you need so that you can make your trip a reality. It’s a smart idea to figure out how much money you’ll require all together, so you can not only cover the costs of travel and hotel, but also any other miscellaneous or food expenses you’ll need once you’re at your destination. Use this budget as a guideline for helping you to select where you might want to go and what you might want to do.

Research Destinations

Where you decide to travel to on your winter vacation with your children is a major deciding factor in determining how much fun you’ll have as a group. It’s in your best interest to take the time to do your homework and research a lot of different destinations. You should plan to decide early on if you want to get away to someplace warm and be on a beach or rent a cabin in the snow somewhere and enjoy the season. Jump online and start scoping out the hot spots and what’s affordable so that you can begin to narrow down where you want to go. Also, read the reviews from other travelers to help you decide if it’s a destination worth checking out.

Confirm there are Children’s Activities to do

Since you’re traveling with your children, it makes sense you’d want to have a good idea ahead of time regarding what there is to do for people of all ages. As you figure out where you’re going to travel to, confirm there are children’s activities to do that will keep you all engaged on your vacation. The last situation you want is to head someplace that’s made for adults and have your kids feeling bored the entire time. Make sure your search criteria includes this detail so that wherever you’re going ends up being an excellent place for children and families to hang out. You want to confirm there are plenty of entertaining options available and at your fingertips before committing to a destination.

Shop for Appropriate Clothing

Packing is all part of the process when you decide to go on a vacation, especially with your children. Rummage through all of your closets and figure out what you already own and what you may need to purchase before you depart. Try to pack light, so you’re not all having to carry around heavy bags and assist your children as well as keeping an eye on your own belongings. Find out what the expected weather and temperature is going to be while you’re there and shop for appropriate clothing accordingly. Make it a point to only pack the necessities and what you need, instead of bringing along too much as to avoid unwanted headaches and frustration. Also, pack sunscreen if you’ll be out in the sunshine and warm clothes if you’re going someplace with colder temperatures to help protect everyone’s skin.

Outline Your Trip

You’ll have a much more pleasant and successful winter vacation with your children when you proactively outline your trip well in advance. Have a good idea of what you’ll be doing and a loose schedule you can all follow once you arrive. Your vacation will feel more organized and less chaotic when you all know what to expect and are sticking to an outlined plan. Remember to also pencil in some alone and downtime for your family to rest and relax without having to be anywhere in specific. Figure out where you’ll be staying, which attractions you want to see and book your reservations early for any activities you know you want to do.

Plan Ahead for Work & School

It’s possible you’ll need to take little extra time off or away from work and school as you plan out your winter vacation with your children. Make sure you all get the approval from the teachers and your boss before you invest the money in your trip. Also, it’s a wise idea to work ahead and get any tasks or assignments completed and out of the way before you all leave. This way, you can simply sit back and enjoy your time together without having to worry about your obligations back home. If you do need to check in to work while you’re away, set limitations, so you don’t become a distraction on your family vacation. Help your kids in advance as well, so they’re not feeling stressed out while on your trip thinking about schoolwork.

Conclusion

Follow these tips, and you’ll have a much easier time planning the perfect winter vacation for you and your children. Quit worrying about all that could go wrong and focus your attention on what you can do ahead of time to guarantee a seamless getaway for you and the ones you love. Start the planning process early on, so you’re not feeling pressured or rushed into making decisions at the last minute. Involve your family in the preparation process, so everyone feels like they have a voice, are looking forward to the vacation and know what to expect.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

5 Tips to choosing the best Christmas tree this year

November 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment

A Christmas tree is usually the epicenter of the festive season for most people. Everyone wants a perfect Christmas tree for a perfect Christmas holiday. The biggest mistake you can ever do when buying your Christmas tree is to skimp on quality and buy any tree you get to first. If you want the best Christmas tree this year, then there are a few things you should consider when shopping for it. The following are some tips to help you choose the right tree;

Have your measurements right

Before setting out to go get your Christmas tree, you should take measurements of the area of your house where you want to place it. The last thing you want is to have a tree bigger than the space you intended for it or have your tree smaller than you expected it to be. So, measure both the height and the width of the area you wish to place your tree and carry your measurements with you to the tree dealer. This way, you don’t have to start adjusting the tree size once you get it to your house.

Choose a dark green tree

When choosing your Christmas tree, you want to ensure that it doesn’t crunch when you hold it. Its branches need to be flexible so make sure the needles feel and smell fresh when you buy it. A dark green tree is a sign of freshness and this means that it is going to last for long. Avoid buying a tree if its color has slightly turned brown or if its leaves look brittle.

Check to see if it is shedding

A shedding tree is bad news for you because you will end up vacuuming all the needles from your Christmas tree at the end of the festive season. So, when buying your tree, run your fingers through the branches to see if it is shedding. If a tree is already shedding from the lot, you may want to look for another one because it will end up being a huge disappointment.

Look underneath it

Before you decide to buy your tree, make sure you check underneath the tree to see what color it is. A tree with a dark colored bottom is an indication of decay. This means that the tree was cut a few weeks ago which is the reason why it might have started decaying. When you notice a dark brown color at the bottom of the tree, it means that it has no sap.

Timing is key

One major mistake that a lot of people do when buying Christmas trees is buying too early. Most of the time, you want your tree to last long till the end of the festive season. If you buy a tree too early, then it may not look as fresh and beautiful when you want it to because heat from your house may dry it up. Find yourself a good tree dealer like the Escondido Christmas tree farm and get your tree just early enough to decorate it.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms – A Wondrous, Visual Experience

November 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

All Clara wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key-which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Arjun N., comments, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a wondrous, visual experience that is somewhat light on substance. Apt acting and sensational ballet dancing excel and make this something more memorable than the premise might suggest. Any Disney fans will want to check this out. Zoe C. comments, “This live-action film is absolutely stunning! The sets are rich and make you enter a fascinating world of four different, colorful realms. It is so beautiful, I did not want to leave the movie theater.” Kimbirly O., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer adds, “Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms has brought the magic of Disney back to the big screen. From the beginning of the film, your senses will be ALIVE! Every set looks edible with color and life. Truly, this live-action Disney film is a breath of fresh air.” See their full reviews below.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

By Arjun N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a wondrous, visual experience that is somewhat light on substance. Apt acting and sensational ballet dancing excel and make this something more memorable than the premise might suggest. Any Disney fans will want to check this out.

The story follows young Clara (Mackenzie Foy) as she recovers from her mother’s death. However, a spark of hope lightens Clara after seeing her late mother’s parting gift of a box with a hidden key. This key belongs to a parallel world, unlike anything, to which Clara must travel to obtain the key. With the help of budding soldier Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), Clara learns of all obstacles that await, especially in the form of the menacing Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), leader of the Fourth Realm. Most importantly is a looming war that could preside over the three Realms that are at peace – Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets and are threatened by the Fourth Realm. In the three Realms resides Sugar Plum (Kiera Knightley) who is on the same page as Clara and braves her up for the Fourth Realm as the fate of the Realms and her mother’s dying wish relies on it.

Mackenzie Foy, as Clara, well presents her character’s central struggle to find her inner place amidst all the tragedy, while also being hopeful and cheerful. The end result of this character development is a joy to watch and most definitely the movie’s best subplot, amongst all the other slumberous ones. Kiera Knightley, as Sugar Plum Fairy, regales with well-written comedic relief, but the timing of her intervention seems quite random and very over-the-top at times. Regardless, children, most of all, will find enjoyment with all the youthful energy. Jayden Fowora-Knight, as Philip, is my favorite character, despite this being only the second film he has appeared in. His charm and braveness add a relentless vigor to the character that never gets old. Helen Mirren, as Mother Ginger, likewise shines, despite her character suffering from a lack of screen time and character development. With what she is given, she shines with the menacing undertones that could mean good under the entire demeanor. Also, Misty Copeland’s cameo is full of entertainment with her ballet proficiency bringing a certain something to the stage without feeling like a forced addition. Instead, it feels more like a celebration of the Nutcracker’s roots and remains my favorite scene.

Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston expertly direct the visual flair with clear attention to every nook and cranny of the special effects and sound design. Despite this, the movie has flaws coming from the lack of a compelling storyline, aside from Clara’s inner struggles.  Everything feels introduced way too quickly and without clear meaning. This leaves the movie feeling rather inconsequential and just an excuse to put the Nutcracker on the live screen. Still, the movie delivers an amazing awe to each scene’s production.

The message of the movie is to never lose yourself in sorrow and always connect with your family and friends during times of grief. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. The movie releases in theaters on November 2, 2018 so check it out.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

This live action film is absolutely stunning! The sets are rich and make you enter a fascinating world of four different, colorful realms. It is so beautiful, I did not want to leave the movie theater. I want to see it again. The film is inspired by the original story from German author E.T.A Hoffman, written in 1816 and the ballet by Tchaikovsky (1892).

The story is simple, but powerful in concept. This is the journey of Clara (Mackenzie Foy) who is dealing with the loss of her mother, trying to reconnect with the world and with her family, especially her father. On Christmas Eve, she receives a special gift from her mother – a mysterious box. But, she is missing the key. With the help of Drosselmeyer (Morgan Freeman), her godfather, she enters a world of mysteries with characters that will help her find the key. When she first enters, a cute mouse has the key, but is impossible to catch. She meets a Nutcracker soldier, Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight) who tells her about the realm of Flowers, the realm of Sweets and the realm of Snowflakes, but warns her about the dangerous fourth realm and Mother Ginger. But, Clara is determined to find the key and will do what it takes to find it.

This film has the power of captivating you. There are moments I was really afraid and others I was delighted and amused, depending on the characters in the scene. It has the power to be frightening, like in the fourth realm, with all kinds of circus characters. All the performances are amazing. Mackenzie Foy conveys innocence and courage at the same time and is just perfect for this role. She has an ethereal look and is a brave actress who did as many of her own stunts as can could. I love that she is a princess and a hero at the same time. Morgan Freeman adds gravitas to his role and a sense of wisdom. Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez is so flamboyant and adds a nice touch to the cast. Keira Knightly is the perfect fairy. She has a special tone in her voice. Helen Mirren is also absolutely believable as Mother Ginger. There’s a mystery about her character and, despite her bad reputation, you want to know more about her. Actually, the only thing that bothered me in this film is that we don’t know her backstory and why she is a villain when we first meet her.

I love the ballet and the fact that the filmmakers decided to incorporate dance into the story. Misty Copeland’s dancing is flawless. She is the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theater. Although the story is simple, all the visual and camera work put you in a fascinating world you are excited to be part of. The costumes are beautiful and the art direction and production design deserve an Oscar nomination.

The message of this movie is about embracing your own courage and discovering yourself. I think this is very important for kids to learn and understand the answer to so many questions. So many times we underestimate the power we have to make the world a better place. I give this film 5 of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 4 to 16. Unlock the mystery!

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

By Kimbirly O., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

Do you remember The Nutcracker ballet? What about Cinderella? As I screened this film, both childhood memories came to mind. Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms has brought the magic of Disney back to the big screen. From the beginning of the film, your senses will be ALIVE! Every set looks edible with color and life. Truly, this live-action Disney film is a breath of fresh air.

While you may know the story of The Nutcracker, your senses will be awakened by the colors, costumes, and scenery in this film. As with most Disney films, there is a theme of loss, yet it is also so alive!

Clara (Mackenzie Foy) is an amazing young protagonist. I found myself drawn to her curious nature and determination to live up to her mother’s curious nature. As a young girl, she plays a curious and adventurous spirit, who is also very mechanically inclined. She amazed me by her desire to succeed, and her courage.  She walks into dark spaces knowing she is enough, and encounters creatures who challenge her along a path of discovery. She encounters toy soldiers and magical mice – some of whom are not kind! Clara’s quick mind and wonderful, kind skills help her get through a lot of sticky situations!

Without giving too much away, the gist of the story is about a gift, presented by her Father, but left to her by her mother at Christmas. Her second gift is from her godfather Drosselmeyer (Morgan Freeman) at his annual holiday party, which leads her to a coveted key – which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. From one world to the next, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets, Clara and a soldier she meets named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight) must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Sugar (Keira Knightley), we learn, is not to be trusted and at times, gets annoying with her over the top antics. But in the end, this film has all the feels (and reminds me of so many things) of a Victorian English Christmas, the beloved Russian ballet, lively forest creatures from Disney and the bond of family. Misty Copeland makes a magnificent addition to the film, showcasing her balletic perfection.

Hats off to the costumers and make-up artists! I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 18, as well as adults. You should know this film deals with the death of a parent. It opens in theaters nationwide November 2, 2018. Look for it! You’ll be glad you did.

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

The Grinch (2018) : Funny, Cute, Reminds Us of the Real Spirit of Christmas

November 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism. Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Whoville when he runs out of food. Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter, and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch … KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Damon F. comments, “The Grinch is a cute and funny movie that reminds us of the real spirit of Christmas. This film is based on the famous Dr. Seuss book about the Grinch who hates Christmas so much.” Nathalia J. adds, “Get ready to enjoy this perky piece of family entertainment, just in time for the holidays. It is filled with memorable and touching moments that catch you off guard.” See their full reviews below.

The Grinch

Damon F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Grinch is a cute and funny movie that reminds us of the real spirit of Christmas. This film is based on the famous Dr. Seuss book about the Grinch who hates Christmas so much. He tries to spoil it for everyone in the very Christmassy town he lives in, Whoville. Meanwhile, a small Who child tries to catch Santa, so she can talk to him about something very important that she wants for Christmas. The Grinch is an orphan and never had a family Christmas. He used to sit at his window watching all the Whos playing and celebrating outside. This made him hate Christmas. Years later, he decides to try to stop it. The Whos are a species that are always incredibly jolly around Christmas, so it will be hard to take it away from them.

I like how the music is the same music from How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), but modernized with a hip-hop beat, complements to Danny Elfman. The way the Whos move around the town quickly is quite unique. Instead of roads, the Whos get around on snowmobiles and sleds.  The main characters in this movie are, The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch), the only person that hates Christmas and Cindy Lou, (Cameron Seely), the little-girl that is trying to catch Santa and talk to him.

The Grinch lives in a cave north of Whoville that is full of rooms with inventive passageways and elevators to move between them. It is clear that the Grinch is very inventive. For example, in the music room there is a thin pathway that leads to a massive organ for the Grinch to play and a tiny drum set, for Max, his faithful dog. The Grinch is always telling Max to stop playing because he is ruining the vibe, but eventually gives in. He does this most times Max wants something, showing he is not as mean a character as he pretends.

Max is my favorite character in this movie. He goes about his day using Rube Goldberg machines to help the Grinch get ready for his day. My favorite scene is when Cindy Lou is sliding down the hill to get to the postman and crashes into the Grinch. That scene is hilarious and cool at the same time, featuring lots of fast action and comedy. Another good scene is when the Grinch is choosing his clothes. Inside his closet, he has clothes that have tags on them that read, “sad, very sad, miserable, very miserable, Christmas or happy.” The happy pants are super clean while the very miserable pants look old and worn. This shows that the Grinch has been extremely sad lately.

The message of this film is that being together with friends and family is the only gift you ever need. Cindy Lou shows this through how forgiving she is, even though he steals their Christmas.  I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 18, because it is a great family Christmas movie with a good message. This movie opens in theaters on November 9, 2018. Be sure to check it out.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
By Nathalia J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

What a touching moment! This full-length animated film intensely has you gazing at the screen, without a doubt. This enjoyable, wonderstruck, emotional, touching and kid-friendly movie is directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier. Get ready to enjoy this perky piece of family entertainment, just in time for the holidays. It is filled with memorable and touching moments that catch you off guard.

The story follows a mean-spirited, cynical and grumpy Grinch who sets his eye on a mission, with his energetic dog Max, to destroy Christmas for one deplorable reason. The Grinch really hates Christmas, especially the loud, bright celebrations in Whoville. In order to get some peace and quiet, the Grinch disguises himself as Santa Clause and you’ll have to wait to see how he steals Christmas from The Who’s. He doesn’t expect what happens when he meets a young girl named Cindy Lou. The Grinch realizes he is only afraid of one thing that has affected him his whole life.

The lead characters in this film are Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch), Cindy Lou (Cameron Seely), The Mayor of Whoville (Angela Lansbury), Izzy (Scarlett Estevez) and narrator (Pharrell Williams).

My favorite part of the film is when the grumpy and cruel Grinch changes his attitude and action choices. He has a change of heart and experiences his old ways to become happy and respectful as he feels valued (which is what everyone should feel). A quick theory of what happens is the small young girl changes the Grinch heart with a sentence, and that sentence changes everything.

This holiday film will definitely bring lots of laughs and humor. The film certainly provides positive messages about optimism, compassion and generosity. The animation deserves a big round of applause. It is jaw-dropping, extraordinary, realistic to the story theme, beautiful and vibrant. The amazing animation is brought to life by Cinzia Angelina (storyboard artist), Sylvia Deboissy (Character Designer/ Development Artist), Patrick Muylken (color designer) and many more.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 16, as well as adults. Truly, the whole family will enjoy the film. It is designed with so much reaction moments. Don’t miss this live-action film when it opens nationwide November 9, 2018.

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Child development expert offers free lectures Nov 13 & 15

November 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel, a longtime expert in child development and former parenting columnist for the Orange County Register, offers free parenting classes at Carden Hall in Newport Beach November 13, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Grades Pre-K–3) and November 15, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Grades 4–8).

Her lecture titled The 4 Rs of Parenting provides insights about how to raise reliable, respectable, responsible, resilient kids with simple key learning.

  1. Manage the pitfalls of social media
  2. Vacuum the chaos and anger out of your home
  3. Get children to mind without anger from you
  4. Teach your children to be kind and respectable to others

McDaniel’s seminar is based on her book, Don’t Feed the Dragon!

Sarah Peterson, an instructor at Carden Hall, says “Sandy McDaniel is an expert in the field of parenting and a prized member of our community. We’re excited to hear her latest teachings alongside parents who can benefit from her professional insight.”

Cindy Anderson, California mother of quadruplets raves about McDaniel’s guidance.  “She helps families create functional homes where sane parents raise reliable, responsible, respectful children. Her discipline system is easy to use and works so quickly, it will boggle parents’ minds.”

 

“I loved every minute of Sandy’s parenting seminar. She was very inspiring and had some great ideas for improvement on parenting. I had several friends attend with me and everyone was so pleased with her ideas and inspiration. We are excited to have her present in our community and I know she will have a captive audience.”  Tina Richards, Boise, ID

McDaniel has also launched parentingSOS.com and is the author of Don’t Feed the Dragon, Recipes from Parenting, and Leave Your Baggage at the Door,  and co-author of Project Self-Esteem which will be available for purchase after the seminar. McDaniel has successfully raised two children and brings over 50 years of experience in the field of child development.

The lecture series is being held in room 24 at Carden Hall located at 1541 Monrovia Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663.

Credit: Virginia Chavez | Publicist.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

San Pedro, CA To Host Digital Bookmobile National Tour Event

November 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Spreading reading happiness to communities across the nation, this unique traveling exhibit is an interactive experience to learn about and try ebooks and audiobooks available at libraries in California.

  • The Digital Bookmobile presents library lovers of all ages with an interactive experience exploring the digital services available at public libraries in the San Pedro area.
  • Equipped with interactive workstations, touchscreen activities, devices to sample titles and more, the Digital Bookmobile has everything a reader needs get started browsing the library’s digital catalog of ebooks and audiobooks.
  • Library staff and eReading experts will be available on the Digital Bookmobile to guide visitors through the easy process.
  • Interactive learning stations feature video tutorials that introduce readers to the seamless process of browsing and borrowing digital books.
  • The Gadget Gallery is filled with popular devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets, Chromebook™ and Kindle®, for visitors to browse the library’s digital service.
  • Tours are free and open to the community. View full schedule at digitalbookmobile.com.
  • Readers with a valid library card can borrow their favorite titles 24/7 by visiting https://lapl.overdrive.com by downloading OverDrive’s newest reading app, Libby.

 

When:                  Saturday, November 10 – 11AM-5PM.

 

Where:                San Pedro Regional Branch

931 S. Gaffey St.

San Pedro, CA 90731

Credit:

Digital Bookmobile

The 42-foot long traveling exhibit provides devices, internet connectivity and expert guidance to the local library’s digital collection of ebooks and audiobooks. This traveling exhibit first launched in 2008 in Central Park, New York, and has since traveled more than 200,000 miles and welcomed over 200,000 visitors at 900 events. For images and more information, visit www.digitalbookmobile.com. To browse libraries, ebooks and more, visit www.overdrive.com.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content

Spunky, Nov. 8th Pet of the Week!

November 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment

He’s called Spunky, and oh, he is, he is! You’d think that a doggie who’d had rotten luck with his previous owner and home wouldn’t be full of smiles and have a loving disposition! But Spunky sure does—his mettle’s been tested, and it’s darn tough! Look at that photo—it says it all! Spunky is 3 years old, which gives lots of time in a home that will give this most deserving boy a second chance to become a great friend. Meet Spunky on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A614577.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Credit: Courtesy of the Companion Animal Village.

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Aquarium of the Pacific and 21 Other Top Aquariums Up the Ante in National Push to Cut Plastic Pollution

November 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Twenty-two top aquariums across the United States–including the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California–have already eliminated 5 million straws in their coordinated campaign to reduce sources of plastic pollution. Now they’re upping their game by encouraging individuals, businesses and cities around the country to cut back on single-use plastic—starting with plastic straws—by Earth Day 2019.

Banding together in a joint #FirstStep to plastic-free waters, the aquariums seek commitments from 500 more businesses, pledges from individuals, and policy action by municipalities, all to reduce a growing source of single-use plastic waste that harms ocean and freshwater wildlife around the world.

The campaign will kick off during #NoStrawNovember, a nationwide movement asking people who don’t need them to refuse plastic straws for 30 days.

The #FirstStep campaign includes:

  • Recruiting 500 new businesses to partner with aquariums across the country by committing to offer straws only on request, for a total of 1,000 businesses committed by Earth Day 2019
  • An online pledge site (pledge.ourhands.org/) where individuals can commit to make the last straw their first step to plastic-free waters
  • Initiatives by partner aquariums to inspire cities in their regions to pass straws-on-request ordinances and other local measures to reduce single-use plastic
  • An opportunity for individuals to get tips via text message on ways to cut back on single-use plastic in their daily lives, by texting REDUCE to 49767.

Since the 2017 launch of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), 22 partner aquariums in 17 states – located on the coasts and in the heartland – have eliminated more than 5 million straws a year, stopped using plastic shopping bags, and have committed to significantly reduce or eliminate plastic beverage bottles by 2020.  Nearly 500 businesses—including United Airlines, the Chicago White Sox, Dignity Health hospitals and Farmer Brothers Coffee—have made plastic-reduction commitments in collaboration with ACP aquariums.

Municipalities in aquarium communities, and California on a statewide basis, have enacted laws either banning single-use plastic from many foodservice operations or requiring businesses to offer plastic straws only when customers request them. ACP partner aquariums are supporting these efforts in a variety of ways.

“There’s new scientific evidence, almost on a weekly basis, about the ways that plastic pollution is harming marine and aquatic wildlife,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard. “I find it so encouraging that people are responding quickly to the threat—by changing their habits, and asking businesses and governments to step up and take action.”

“The health of our lakes and rivers is important not only to the wildlife that live there – they are a recreation and economic resource for us all,” said Bridget Coughlin, president and CEO of Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. “Beyond inspiring the public to take action, it’s our duty to empower businesses and community leaders to raise the issue of plastic pollution taking place in both freshwater and marine habitats, lead by example and make long-lasting, impactful change.”

“A sea change is underway, and people want to do their part to ensure the future of our ocean planet,” said National Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer John Racanelli. “All 22 of the aquariums that make up the ACP are committed to reducing single-use plastics, and it is now our hope to inspire and serve as a model for other organizations and companies as well as individuals. The reality is that if everyone does their part, we can make a meaningful impact.”

ACP’s initiative has already expanded globally. Its work sparked the European Commission and United Nations Environment Program – with support from five international partners, including ACP – to announce a commitment by European Union Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella at the 5th international “Our Ocean” conference October 29-30 in Bali, Indonesia, to coordinate a global coalition of 200 aquariums by 2019 to raise public awareness about plastic pollution.

For more information about the #FirstStep campaign or to take the pledge, please visitpledge.ourhands.org/.

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About the Aquarium Conservation Partnership

The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a collaboration of 22 U.S. public aquariums in 17 states, all committed to advancing conservation of the world’s ocean, lakes, and rivers through consumer engagement, business leadership, and policy changes.  ACP was founded by Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, and National Aquariumin Baltimore, in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. More information at pledge.ourhands.org/.

 

 About the Aquarium of the Pacific

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 peoples. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, and the new Tentacles and Ink and FROGS: Dazzling & Disappearing exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. Field trips for schoolchildren are offered at a heavily discounted rate from $7 to $8.50 per student. The Aquarium has won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News
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