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Schools Out, Youth Summer Camps Combine Golf and Tennis with STEAM Academics

July 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

 

TGA Premier Sports is the leading after-school youth sports enrichment program specializing in the life-long sports of golf and tennis, as well as a variety of team sports. Now that school is out, TGA is preparing for over 2,500 summer golf and tennis camps nationwide, including in your community.

What makes TGA such a special program and why parents and schools love it is because of how it has incorporated academics and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) into its programs and camps using golf and tennis as the conduit.

You might ask, how does it work?

TGA has created a curriculum that includes not only learning how to play the sports, but how the physics of these sports work with the balls and equipment through STEAM. Each student receives a student handbook that includes a variety of problems and worksheets that students will perform or answer at one of the curriculum stations. Next, in depth labs tackle multiple concepts and rest on the “scientific method” to form an inquiry and conclusion using interactive activities to help express a concept.

For more information about TGA, visit www.playtga.com.

Credit: TGA Premier Sports.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Spotting Giants

July 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Robin Riggs.

 Capable of growing bigger than an average-sized grizzly bear, and as imperiled as the black rhino, giant sea bass are the largest bony coastal fish in California. They can live to be 75 years old and can exceed 7 feet and 500 pounds. Most importantly, their ecological contributions as an apex predator in kelp forest ecosystems likely help to shape how these underwater forests work. UC Santa Barbara and the Aquarium of the Pacific today launched a citizen science program to help these endangered behemoths.

Harmless despite their size, these curious and gentle giants can be the highlight of a SCUBA dive. A previous UCSB study found that giant sea bass are worth more alive than dead: Their value as an ecotourism attraction outweighs their value when caught and sold by gillnet fishermen. Encounters with giant sea bass, however, are rare. In fact, a recent genetic study suggests that fewer than 500 breeding individuals may exist in California.

            To effectively recover this species, which is categorized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, marine biologists need more and better data. Enter Spotting Giant Sea Bass, a kind of Facebook for fishes, where citizen scientists upload photographs of fish and share information about where and when each individual was sighted.

“Spotting Giant Sea Bass is an example of how we can leverage the power of technology to help solve problems in the oceans,” said Douglas McCauley, an associate professor in UCSB’s Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology and director of the Benioff Ocean Initiative, which funded and designed the Spotting Giant Sea Bass website.

During the launch event, attendees were able to see giant sea bass that have lived at the Aquarium of the Pacific since it opened over 20 years ago and observe a demonstration scan of those fish into the database. As part of its conservation initiatives, the Aquarium of the Pacific was the first aquarium to be able to successfully breed giant sea bass in 2016. “We are pleased to partner with UCSB on this program to help this important and iconic local species,” said Dr. Sandy Trautwein, Aquarium of the Pacific vice president of animal husbandry. “The photos citizen scientists collect and share with UCSB will help us to better understand giant sea bass and to aid in conservation research.”

Photo: Courtesy of The Aquarium of the Pacific.

            The idea for the project was born when two UCSB undergraduates, Conner Jainese and Katelin Seeto, discovered that each giant sea bass carries its own unique spot pattern that can be read like a barcode to identify individuals. The Spotting Giant Sea Bass website makes matches by using pattern recognition algorithms first developed by astrophysicists to spot patterns in star constellations and later used by NASA on the Hubble Space Telescope.

            Giant sea bass spots form a miniature “constellation” on their flanks. The program leverages the unique spot pattern of each giant sea bass recorded to match up fish sighted on different days and in different places. For example, a giant sea bass named Nimrod was first photographed at a popular dive site off Catalina and then a year later was recorded at the exact same location.

In website testing prior to launch, more than 100 individuals ranging from the Northern Channel Islands to San Diego have been recorded on the website. Some observations have occurred within four different marine protected areas.

“By matching the unique spot patterns of individual giant sea bass in images submitted to the website we can begin to answer critically important research questions,” said ichthyologist Milton Love, a research biologist with UCSB’s Marine Science Institute. Data collected from the project help marine biologists better track the ups and downs of the giant sea bass population, determine whether they are using marine protected areas, identify their spawning grounds, calculate how far these fish move, and identify the threats they encounter on their travels.

            With California divers logging more than 1 million dives annually, Spotting Giant Sea Bass serves as a portal for citizen scientists to get involved in marine research and create data that could help with the recovery of an endangered species. Reporting data also gives citizen scientists a vested interest in giant sea bass conservation. Divers who upload a photo of a giant sea bass can receive notifications when “their” fish is spotted by another diver. As these fish can live to at least 75 years old, the architects of the Spotting Giant Sea Bass project hope many interesting stories will unfold.

“Staring eye to eye with a fish that is twice as old as you are and is big enough to swallow small sharks is a powerful experience,” McCauley says. “We are really excited about how Spotting Giant Sea Bass can help connect people around that experience and democratize the process of doing research that can help protect the future of this amazing species.”

            Additional support for the Spotting Giant Sea Bass project was provided by the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Santa Barbara Channel Marine Biodiversity Observation Network. The Aquarium of the Pacific’s dive team also participates in the program.

Credit: University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Mission: Impossible – Fallout: Full of Adrenaline-Pumping Action. Best MI Film Yet!

July 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryan R. comments, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout is … full of adrenaline-pumping action! I believe that this is the best summer action/adventure film of the year and the best Mission Impossible film to date.” Talia J. adds, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout is one of the most action-packed films of the year, and perhaps of the entire Mission: Impossible franchise. The legendary Tom Cruise never fails in making cutting edge films and surely he has not let his fans down in this one.” See their full reviews below.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

By Ryan Rivera, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

So far, this summer’s action and adventure films have been very boring. However, Mission: Impossible – Fallout is far from boring. It’s full of adrenaline-pumping action! I believe that this is the best summer action/adventure film of the year and the best Mission Impossible film to date.

In this film, we see Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as he receives a mission he chooses to accept, but fails to complete, because of an ambush. As a result, Ethan and his IMF team must work together with the CIA and other familiar allies to stop Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), John Lark (Henry) and his group, known as the Apostles, from trying to execute a nuclear threat to the world.

What I really enjoyed about this film are the sound designs, stunts, plot, cast and all the mind-blowing illusions IMF uses to trick the bad guys. I must say, the sound design is fantastic. The audio for explosions and gunshots sound authentic. It sounds so real that I felt as if I was in the scene. The stunts are intense because, if you don’t already know, Tom Cruise does all of his stunts. When he performs them, it is hard to watch since he jumps off of many things such as planes and buildings. I felt so nervous that these stunts are real. The stunts are so nerve-racking because most of the movie isn’t made with CGI’s, so most of the stunts are done exactly how the movie shows it. The story is very interesting. I like that you really don’t need to see the other films to understand what goes on in this one.

The cast overall is superb. Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are excellent as the IMF, since every delivery is spot on. I like that Benji is the most nervous character and you feel what he feels when a dangerous event happens. Also, I enjoyed the performance of Sean Harris, who really brings in the mystery of this character, since he doesn’t speak a lot until the end of the film.  Rebecca Ferguson, as Ilsa Faust, makes a great curious assassin, since she always goes the opposite way of the IMF and always finds something different and important, which helps the IMF. Also, Angela Bassett and Alec Baldwin’s performances as Erica and Alan are fantastic. I like how their relationship is shown as contradictors, because they both argue their own points. It is a shame we don’t get to see more of this in the film. Henry Cavill, as August Walker, is also fantastic. I like how Ethan and August have different ideas about what they should do in the missions and they both try to incorporate their ideas, but those ideas come at a cost.

I really like how each scene feels more intense than the last scene. At one point, I thought that the movie was going to end a certain way and I was so nervous about what was going to happen that I almost fell out of my seat. Finally, what I extremely like about this movie is the tricks the IMF use to trick the bad guys. In certain scenes I was surprised that it was an illusion. My favorite illusion is the masked one where Benxi wears a mask that allows him to look like anyone.

This movie had a lot of great things going for it. The only thing I did not like about it is that it shows way too much in its trailer. However, it is fantastic. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to people who like action/adventure and thriller movies. I recommend it for ages 13 to 18, as well as adults. Make sure to see Mission: Impossible – Fallout when it opens July 27, 2018.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

By Talia Jacnuk, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Mission: Impossible – Fallout is one of the most action-packed films of the year, and perhaps of the entire Mission: Impossible franchise. The legendary Tom Cruise never fails in making cutting edge films and surely he has not let his fans down in this one.

This film is a continuation of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. The story follows the agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as he embarks on another dangerous mission with his fellow teammates, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickle (Ving Rhames) to stop a catastrophic event from taking place.

I have been a very big fan of the Mission Impossible films for many years. I have watched them all and enjoy them very much. That being said, this film feels very different from the others. This storyline is very intricate and complex so, if you miss a piece of dialogue, it’s very easy to get lost. It has always been easy to grasp what’s happening in the other films in the franchise, but this one is quite overwhelming. There are a couple of new characters introduced including the spy August Walker (Henry Cavill) and they bring back characters from past films. If someone missed the last film, it will be almost impossible to keep up with the story line. I highly recommend rewatching the previous film, just to jog your memory.

One thing that makes this film different from past ones is the deep emotional connection Ethan Hunt faces in this film. It really goes deep into Ethan Hunt’s mind and shares his greatest fears with the viewer. I enjoy that this film gets more personal and cuts deeper into who Ethan Hunt really is as an individual and not just as an agent.

The action scenes are absolutely insane. There are car chases, motorcycle races, jumping off roofs, mountain climbing and way too many more for me to begin to describe. It’s a very big cliché, but I was actually on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film. The fighting scenes are very climactic and interesting. The scene I looked forward to watching most is the scene where Tom Cruise actually injured himself performing a stunt. Yes, he broke his ankle performing a stunt! And, the best part is, they kept that scene in the film. Tom Cruise has shown time and time again how he is devoted to this franchise. He is an extremely talented actor and makes the films jaw dropping. He brings much-needed humor and intensity to this film.

This film is one to definitely go see. It is entertaining with its captivating fight sequences, goes deeper into Ethan Hunt’s psyche, and still keeps the story light and fun to watch. I recommend it to ages 14 to 18, as well as adults. You should know that there is lots of rough fighting and bloody shots that are inappropriate for younger children. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. It opens in theaters July 27, 2018 so put it on your watch list.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Summertime Must-Have for Families!

July 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Have a problem with pesky mosquitoes this Summer?

Summer vacation is here and that means staying outside later! The only problem is that with hot summer days and standing water in pools means pesky mosquitoes!

Protect your family this summer with Dynatrap! It is an effective insect trap that is chemical and pesticide free.  I like that it is also an affordable, easy to maintain, environmentally friendly effective insect trap. I recently received the Dynatrap DT600 and was quite impressed with how well it works! It is super easy to set up and most importantly ..it really does work!

You can find it (and other products) at https://dynatrap.com/products/

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. The image was also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Big Fish & Begonia – An Emotional Masterpiece. Artistically Magical and Though Provoking

July 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

It is a world within our world, yet unseen by any human, and the beings here control time and tide and the changing of the seasons. On the day Chun turns sixteen, she is transformed into a dolphin to explore the human world. She is rescued from a vortex by a human boy at the cost of his own life. Chun is so moved by the boy’s kindness and courage that she decides to give him life again. But to do this, she must protect the boy’s soul, a tiny fish, and nurture it to grow. Through adventure and sacrifice, love grows, yet now she must release him back to the sea, back to life in the human world. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sahiba K. comments, “An emotional masterpiece, Big Fish & Begonia is an artistically magical and thought provoking piece of anime. The animation is beautiful. I felt as if I was watching a classic painting come to life.” See her full review below.

Big Fish & Begonia

By Sahiba K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

An emotional masterpiece, Big Fish & Begonia is an artistically magical and thought provoking piece of anime. The animation is beautiful. I felt as if I was watching a classic painting come to life. The story is unforgettable. Each scene left my heart yearning for the characters to succeed.

The story follows a humble, brave girl name Chun who dedicates her life to help a kind boy, Kun, who gives his life to save hers after she travels from her magical to his human world. She goes to great lengths to bring him back and gives him all her love and care. However, when a variety of obstacles threaten Kun’s survival, Chun risks everything to save him.

The animation is mystical and brings Chun’s fantastical land to life. The characters from Chun’s world are unique and their strange characteristics bring a special quality that is unlike other films. Many characters have a quirky addition such as antlers or a completely other-worldly face with multiple eyes. These subtle additions enhance the fresh and original elements the film specializes in. The backgrounds and scenery take the animation to the next level. The water and ocean play a huge role in the film and the animation transforms the water, displaying its beauty and importance. At night the ocean reflects the sky, its stars and the sublime hues present; while during the day it is almost invisible and many objects look like they are floating through the air. One of the most notable animation feats is the scenery. In many favorite parts, we see Chun running across landscapes and the camera captures her world in the most artistic way.

The emotions of this film left me in awe, showing the friendship and love these characters are capable of. In every scene, I was either smiling or in tears because of the sacrifices they make for each other and for each others’ happiness. The music enhances the mood of these scenes with a mysterious and peaceful quality.

The messages of Big Fish and Begonia are: 1. If your conscience is clear, it doesn’t matter what others think and 2. Follow your heart. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18. Check out Big Fish and Begonia on DVD August 7, 2018.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Universal Studios is the place to go this Summer!

July 27, 2018 By 1 Comment

   

Looking for a fun place to take the family this Summer? Universal Studios Hollywood is the place to go! There are some really cool new things this Summer! DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood as of June 15, 2018. With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” introduces the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure. You can also see a few Characters at Universal Plaza such as Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda. A replica of Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop, as featured in the film, is also set up, inviting guests to enjoy his authentic Asian fare and a selection of hot and cold Asian beverages.

 

My favorite place to visit is “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and I could stay there all day! There are New Wand Magic Experiences and with a gentle flick of the wrist and just the right touch, guests can cast spells throughout the land at dazzling wand magic locations. This summer’s installation of the Incendio fire-making spell and the Alohomora unlocking spell ups the tally to 15 thrilling wand magic experiences to practice. This really is a great addition for Harry Potter fans!

What else is really cool is the New Wizarding Apparel at Gladrags Wizardwear.

Guests can channel their inner wizards at Gladrags Wizardwear with a wide array of apparel inspired by the films. New this season is a high-end replica of Professor Severus Snape’s robe and a replica of Hermione’s Yule Ball dress, now available in adult and children’s sizes.

Some really Exciting news is that Butterbeer Ice Cream & Three Broomsticks Expands its Menu!

Butterbeer ice cream is now available and Three Broomsticks expands its lunchtime menu with a selection of traditional British fare, including Ploughman’s Lunch, Cheese Toastie with Chicken and Sunday Roast Sandwich. I still prefer the Butterbeer and it’s one of my favorite things to drink when I’m there!

Other things you do not want to miss:

“Jurassic Park—The Ride”

The countdown to the extinction of “Jurassic Park—The Ride” begins as Universal Studios Hollywood excavates the site in preparation for the 2019 arrival of “Jurassic World Ride.” “Jurassic Park—The Ride” will officially become extinct on September 3, 2018. The Jurassic Cove restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters retail store also will close with the attraction and reopen with the new experience in 2019.

My son and I love this ride! It’s one of our favorites and a must on a hot Summer day! You will get wet!

Blue at the “Raptor Encounter”

Blue, one of the most popular dinosaurs from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster Jurassic World franchise, is now part of Universal Studios Hollywood exciting “Raptor Encounter” experience inviting guests to brave the dangerous predator in daring face-to-face standoffs.

And of course…you won’t want to miss some of the things that make Universal Studios Hollywood one of my all-time favorite places to go!

  

I love the Studio Tour and always have to say “Hi!” to one of my favorite storybook characters..Curious George!

And…Don’t forget to wave to Norman!

   

Self Disclosure: I had the opportunity to visit Universal Studios Hollywood to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Travel

Summer Beauty Must-Haves from Olay!

July 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Olay Cleansing Infusion Hydrating Glow Facial Cleanser with Deep Sea Kelp and Aloe Extract is my favorite to-go-to Cleanser this Summer! I like it because it really hydrates my skin! It left my face feeling soft & hydrated and I really like that only a small amount is needed! The Olay Micropolishing Cleansing Infusion Hydrating Glow Facial Cleanser with Crushed Ginger and Citrus Extract is another one I recommend! I like that both are affordable and under $10 too!

The Olay Whips are another beauty must buy this Summer!

Olay Whips deliver powerful skin care with a smooth, matte finish. Olay Whips are available with and without SPF in Regenerist, Total Effects and Luminous. Each provides youth-restoring benefits, whether you’re looking for smoothness & firmness, tone perfection or overall nourishment. What I really like is how lightweight they are! My favorite is the Olay Total Effects Whip. It even has SPF 25 which makes it great for Summer (and all year round)!

 

Look for these products where Olay products are sold! 

 

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

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

Floor Sticky After Mopping? Here’s How to Fix It

July 26, 2018 By 1 Comment

Floors go through a lot. They’re walked on, scratched, and collect a lot of dirt and grime which can affect their shine and durability. Because of this, it’s important to mop one’s floor to help keep it strong and beautiful. However, one of the biggest problems that cause many to forgo mopping is that it can cause the floor to be sticky. This can make it not only awkward to walk on, but ruin the finishing of a floor, especially if it’s hardwood.

It might seem like fixing this is hopeless, but the good news is that you can prevent sticky floors easily. This article will explore more behind the many steam mops available and a cleaning solution you can use to help stop this. Keep reading to find out more.

What Causes a Sticky Floor?

The first important thing to consider is what exactly causes a floor to be sticky. The answer to this is that it’s simply left-behind chemical residue.

Cleaning solutions for mops often contain an assortment of chemicals. While these make your floor look shiny, they can leave behind the stickiness that many despise. The solvents might remove the dirt and grime from the floor, but they don’t react well with water. This in return causes the sticky floor problem.

It might seem like a sticky floor is just a hassle, it can actually be a bit dangerous. Because the residue is still on the floor, it can harbor bacteria. This can end up causing particles to collect there and can be irritating to pets or kids who like to play on the floor.

 

How to Prevent Your Floor from Being Sticky

To help prevent your floor from getting to be sticky, you’ll want to first take a close look at the type of mop you’re using. Consider the type of flooring you have as some mops work better on specific floors than others. You’ll also want to check for things like microfiber pads, which help to get deep into the crevices of the floor, as well as swiveling features in a mop. The swiveling will help you to better move the mop around in order to clean the floor. To check out what’s the best mops brand for you, learn more on thehousewire.com .

The next step is to find a good cleaning solution for it. Ideally, you shouldn’t buy pre-made ones which are usually made up of various type of harmful chemicals. These not only have an unpleasant smell, but can be damaging to your floor. You can actually mix some water and vinegar together to make a diluted solution. This works just as well as store-bought ones and can even work as a disinfectant thanks to the vinegar’s strong ingredients. You can also put some essential oils into this mixture to add a calming smell to your floors. This method is not only eco-friendly, but works well at helping to prevent sticky floors.

It can be a little overwhelming when you’re trying to clean your floors only to have the cleaning products make even more of a mess on them. While it might be easy to grab a bottle of chemical mopping solution, it’s a good idea to look closely at the ingredients to prevent you from making more of a mess on your floors. You can use the vinegar method mentioned above to help with this.

Mopping your floor doesn’t mean you have to leave behind a nasty residue on it. With the tips above, you can be sure that your floors will not only be free from stickiness, but shine. A natural cleaner will help to prevent strong odors. It will also eliminate the pesky stickiness that can linger around when you’re done cleaning.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week
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