You are here: Home / Archives for 2018

Archives for 2018

AUTONOMOUS by Andy Marino is a Must-read for ages 14 and up!

April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

AUTONOMOUS by Andy Marino (Freeform | On Sale: April 3, 2018) Combines social media stakes with jaw-dropping, high-tech action for a road trip saga like no other. The Fast and the Furious meets Stephen King’s Christine in this story about a group of friends and a cutting-edge driverless car (OTTO) that taps into their online profiles, unlocking deep secrets that put the entire group in danger. Readers are encouraged to buckle up—once inside Autonomous, there’s no escaping until the finish!

William Mackler is about to go on the road trip of a lifetime. After winning a contest-and nearly dying in the process-he becomes the proud owner of Autonomous, a driverless car that knows where you want to go before you do. #Worthit! To sweeten the deal he gets to pick three friends to go with him on a cross-country trip. For William, a reckless adrenaline junkie, this is the perfect last hurrah before he and his friends go their separate ways after graduation.

But Autonomous is more than just a car without a steering wheel. It’s capable of downloading all of the passengers’ digital history-from the good, to the bad, to the humiliating. The information is customized into an itinerary that will expose a few well-kept secrets, but it will also force William to face some inner demons of his own. Think you know Autonomous? The real question is, how much does Autonomous know about you?

More about the Author:

ANDY MARINO was born and raised in upstate New York, and currently lives in New York City with his wife and two cats. He’s also the author of Unison Spark, Uncrashable Dakota, and The Door. You can visit him at andy-marino.com or on Twitter @Andy_Marino.

We have a special Guest post by the Author!

Question: Where do you think Otto would take you on a road trip if the car tapped into your computer?

Andy Marino’s answer: Otto would figure out pretty quickly from Instagram that I like playing music and going to shows, so he would probably start by planning a trip around those things. I think he would take me across the country to all the famous venues I’ve always wanted to see, like Red Rocks in Colorado and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

But that’s too easy for a sophisticated AI like Otto to be satisfied with for very long. He would dig a little deeper to find out that my musical hero is John Frusciante, the former guitar player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Our road trip would end at John Frusciante’s house in California—and in true Otto fashion, he will have failed to understand that you can’t just show up at somebody’s house unannounced, so Mr. Frusciante will probably be alarmed to find a total stranger in a prototype driverless car in his driveway.

Look for AUTONOMOUS at a store near you or online! 

 

Self Disclosure: I participated in a Blog Tour and received a copy of the book to participate. No other compensation was received and I only feature books that I recommend. This one is great for ages 14+.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

L.A. Times Festival of Books Will Feature Black Eyed Peas, Dave Eggers, Vivica A. Fox, Patton Oswalt, Jorge Ramos, Maria Shriver and Hundreds of Authors, Experts and Storytellers

April 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Los Angeles Times today announced the lineup for the Festival of Books, the nation’s largest literary festival, held the weekend of April 21-22 at the University of Southern California. More than 500 writers, musicians, artists and chefs, hundreds of exhibitors and an expected 150,000 attendees will transform the 226-acre campus into a vibrant cultural festival in the heart of the Downtown Arts and Education Corridor.

Laila Ali, Reza Aslan, Ed Asner, Mayim Bialik, Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, Roshani Chokshi, Junot Díaz, Kate DiCamillo, Dave Eggers, Jenna Fischer,Vivica A. Fox, Diana Gabaldon, Juan Felipe Herrera, Tayari Jones, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Dennis Lehane, Moby, Janet Mock, Natalie Morales, Walter Mosley, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Joyce Carol Oates, Leslie Odom Jr., Patton Oswalt, Jorge Ramos, Rick Riordan, Maria Shriver, Jake, Jazz, Jurnee and Jussie Smollett, Nic Stone, Gabrielle Union and Lawrence Wright are scheduled to appear with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Newstory, a series of multimedia programs highlighting creative forms of storytelling, will debut at this year’s festival.

“Los Angeles is the world’s epicenter of storytelling,” said Suzy Jack, Times vice president of public affairs and events. “We’re excited to launch our 23rd annual celebration of books and literature, and go beyond the book with Newstory, which will showcase some of today’s creative storytellers through alternative forms and unique experiences.”

BigSTORY, Creative Visions, Grammy Museum, The Second City, SeriesFest, Spotify, Two Bit Circus, the Universal Hip Hop Museum and Vortex Immersion Media are among dozens of Newstory programming partners and musician Beatie Wolfe has curated a day of talks and performance across music, art and technology.

“It’s such an amazing and fun time for storytellers, as well as for readers, viewers and listeners,” said Clint Schaff, Times vice president of strategy and development and, with Kim Garner, co-producer of Newstory. “Humans have always found shared meaning through stories, and now we can do that through not only books, but also video, audio and emerging platforms that incorporate new media that allow for new voices to be heard. That’s what Newstory is all about.”

Additional festival highlights:

  • Nine outdoor stages and activity areas: L.A. Times Central Stage, L.A. Times en Español Mommy & Me Time / Mama y Yo Pavilion, L.A. Times Main Stage, Newstory Stage, Pacific Sales Cooking Stage, Poetry Stage, Reading by 9 Children’s Stage, USC Stage and YA Stage presented by HS Insider
  • Newstory zone: virtual reality and 360 experiences, variety shows, live improvisation, television and film screenings, conversations and other creative forms of expression
  • Dozens of expert panels on a variety of subjects ranging from politics to pop culture
  • Spanish-language programming and English to Spanish translation services available in select festival venues
  • Art installations: a series of original murals curated by Branded Arts and the community Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project from artist Lauren Halsey
  • More than 200 exhibitors with books and merchandise for sale, activities and giveaways
  • Musical performances, food trucks and more

On the eve of the festival, Friday, April 20, The Times’ 38th annual Book Prizes will honor novelist John Rechy with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl, with the Innovator’s Award, and 11 outstanding literary works published last year.

The 23rd annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is presented in association with USC and Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The festival and Book Prizes are sponsored by Medium. Admission to the festival is free. Pre-sale passes (which provide advance reservations for up to 20 indoor conversations) and all-access passes (access to all indoor conversations, plus valet parking) are available for purchase now. Individual conversation tickets will be available Sunday, April 15. Schedule, location, ticket and transportation information can be found on the festival website, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram feed (#bookfest).

Credit: The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Images were also provided. 

 

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

How to Help your Family Unplug this Summer

April 4, 2018 By 1 Comment

We live in a world where technology affects every aspect of our lives. It is slowly but surely reducing the amount of face to face interaction we have. This kind of relationship with screens and electronic devices can not only negatively affect your children’s development, but also put a strain on the whole family as well. However, it is possible to get your kids to unplug and reconnect with the rest of the family by making a few lifestyle changes. Here are a few of them.

Go Outside

The simplest thing you can do is to encourage more outside play. Young children are naturally hyperactive and will gladly play outside if they haven’t already built an addiction to electronic devices. Go to a nice park with a good mix of activities. The more you participate in the fun, the more they’ll get involved and the more you’ll have a chance to bond and reconnect.

Brainstorm Activity Ideas

Get the whole family together and brainstorm activity ideas. You could get together and create a kind of bucket list for the summer and let every member pitch in. Try to introduce original ideas that they may have never thought about before.

For instance, you could go on a road trip and visit a Pittsburgh Escape Room along the way. Kids love puzzles and escape rooms are a great way for them to develop logical thinking while getting some much-needed activity. Each member could come with a few ideas and you could dedicate one day each week for activities. This is a great way to get the whole family involved so that no one feels left behind.

Participate in Organized Sports

Most children will have a sport of some kind that they gravitate towards. Whether it’s figure skating, swimming, soccer, hockey or gymnastics, try to get them to participate in organized sports. You don’t want to push them though since you still want them to have fun instead of seeing it as a chore. If you notice that they want to take things up a notch, you could get them to join a league. Not all sports leagues are ultra-competitive, so take things slow at first and see how it goes.

Do Things around the House

Try to get your kids involved in household chores as much as possible. If you’re going to do outside work, bring your kids with you so they can learn the ropes. They are more likely to participate and be cooperative if you work with them.

Consider planting a home garden and make them responsible for their own little plot of land. You’d be surprised at how much kids can get excited by the idea of planting their own crops and watching them grow. This is also a great way to teach them responsibility and give them a strong sense of achievement.

Conclusion

Getting your family to unplug can seem like a challenge, but the sooner you introduce them to a healthy and active lifestyle, the more they will be likely to grow up to be active, well-rounded adults. You’ll also form a stronger family bond as a result.

 

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Coco, April 5th Pet of the Week!

April 4, 2018 By 1 Comment

You can’t see it in black and white, but Coco has beautiful, sleek fur that matches her name! Coco is a 7-year-old darling pit bull who’s as mild mannered as a lamb and loves lying down in the play yard if it means getting a tummy rub from a volunteer or a visitor. She’s house trained and also knows how to shake hands, especially if she gets a treat afterward! Coco was an owner surrender, so she needs to go to a forever home that will appreciate her sweetness. Meet her at the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A603994.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Credit: Courtesy of the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village.

Filed Under: Pet Corner

5 Things a Family Can’t Live Without In the Winter

April 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Winter is a time of the year when it requires extra effort to maintain your home and stay comfortable despite the elements.

 

It’s always good to be prepared when the cold weather arrives to make sure your home is ready to get through the long winter.

 

Protecting against the cold is not the only task you and your family are going to be faced with during winter, as there’s always the possibility of winter storms and extreme winter conditions.

 

Here’s everything you need to know about what a family can’t do without in the winter.

 

A Garage Heater

 

Coldness can make your work in the garage during winter uncomfortable and it could also prevent you or your family members from using it for other activities.

Getting a garage heater can easily solve this problem so that you won’t have to worry about spending time in the cold.

 

A garage heater is a must if you own a garage workshop and can’t stop your work during winter. The good news is that garage heaters are pretty inexpensive so you won’t have to worry about spending extra money.

 

A Standby Generator

 

It’s always useful to have a backup power generator in case of power cuts, especially if there’s a winter storm coming and you need to keep your home warm enough until the shortage is over.

Smaller generators are useful for occasional power cuts, but they cannot satisfy the power needs of the entire home. Larger generators, on the other hand, are more costly to install and run and are only needed if you expect frequent power outages.

 

Tankless Water Heater

 

Unlike tanked heaters, tankless water heaters do not require the use of storage tanks to heat water.

The water is heated directly, last longer and you don’t need to wait to get hot water. Another important feature of tankless water heaters is that they save energy because the flow rate is limited.

Heaters can be either gas or electric powered, with the former being more effective and reliable.

 

Tip: Continue reading about the benefits of tankless water heaters by clicking on the hyperlinked text.

 

A Space Heater

 

Chances are that you will need a space heater at some point during winter, whether due to power cuts or simply the need to heat a smaller room inside your home. Space heaters also come in handy if, for some reason, your central heating breaks down.

 

Tip: We recommend you get a gas-powered heater as they are better at heating large spaces and are generally more cost-effective when compared to electric heaters.

 

First Aid Kit

 

In case you get caught up in a winter storm and are unable to leave the house, it’s essential that you have a first aid kit in your supply room. Make sure that the first aid kit contains all of the must-have items, such as antiseptic spray, tape, bandages and sterile gloves.

No one likes to think of accidents happening at home, but we recommend that you always be prepared.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Ready Player One – Takes You To a World You Would Never See Without VR

April 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

In the year 2045, the real world is a harsh place. The only time Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) truly feels alive is when he escapes to the OASIS, an immersive virtual universe where most of humanity spends their days. In the OASIS, you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. The OASIS was created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance), who left his immense fortune and total control of the Oasis to the winner of a three-part contest he designed to find a worthy heir. When Wade conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-aka the High Five-are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “This film remarkably resembles its subject. Like virtual reality, it takes you into a world which you would never see without the gear. Like VR, it shows the future of technology. Like VR, it has its ups and downs that can be improved upon.” Benjamin P. adds, “Ready Player One is a delightfully nostalgic, modern-day sci-fi classic filled with Spielbergian magic.” See their full reviews below.
Ready Player One

By Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

This film remarkably resembles its subject. Like virtual reality, it takes you into a world which you would never see without the gear. Like VR, it shows the future of technology. Like VR, it has its ups and downs that can be improved upon. Finally, like VR, Ready Player One has the potential to either change everything or to simply bring us back to the past. Ready Player One entertains the audience with its adventure-packed explosions that run the plot of the film and add a surprising amount of comedy, which the actors deliver perfectly.

Ready Player One’s adventure follows the quest to find an Easter Egg. This hidden object requires a lot of effort as it is hidden in the massive virtual world called The Oasis, which has a land size greater than Earth and access to multiple planets. The value of it makes it worth the search, as the finder gets half a trillion dollars as well as complete control of this massive online world. While many of the independent gamers fight for this egg, there is also a large corporation fighting to make it a money-making opportunity instead of a skill-based experience. To them, the richest should win. The race is on to get the egg and to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

My favorite scene is what should solidify this film’s nomination for an Academy Award in visual effects. This scene contains a challenge that unlocks another step in finding the Easter egg. The challenge takes place in the classic horror thriller, The Shining. Not only did I immediately love this scene, due to its dedication to the great mind and creator of The Shining, Stanley Kubrick., but I love it because it visually breaks all the boundaries. Despite The Shining being a much older film, with the sets that probably no longer exist, Ready Player One completely recreates the setting from the film and perfectly places the characters’ avatars in that world too. Just like the films Star Wars and Avatar, which took your breath away because of ahead-of-their-time visuals, this film and specifically this scene does as well.

Ready Player One excels at bringing the visual world that Ernest Cline describes in the book to the big screen. The surroundings and the story are packed with references to different movies, comic books, games and TV shows. It would take months of constant replay to catch every little detail, which defiantly will delight the fans that are craving nostalgia. The CGI really is what makes this movie stand out. Despite it being branded as live action, it has more runtime in the completely animated environment than it does in live action. However, these visual scenes do not look like the standard animation of Pixar. They look and feel, unmistakably like real life. In a way, Ready Player One fails to portray a virtual world, because it looks so real. The acting has its ups and downs. Inside the Oasis, where acting relies primarily on voiceover and basic body movement, it excels. Outside, where the actors are left to the task completely on their own, they feel rather flat and somewhat monotone. The romance that runs throughout the story feels somewhat forced, partly due to the acting and partly due to the story. Interestingly enough, the romance feels more natural in the virtual world, than it does in the real life. The score of the film is one of the many pleasant surprises. Without the video, the score would still leave audiences satisfied. It does not quite reach the masterful skill of John Williams, but Alan Silvestri, known for his soundtrack for the Back to the Future series, creates beautiful harmonies that sound incredible.

The book and film differ quite a lot in a positive way. While the book (one of my favorites) is a joy to read, in many ways it would not translate well into a film. For that reason, while the main story barely changes, the actual events are structured much better for the movie and make it much more interesting. Instead of watching a person playing a game, the viewer is offered an opportunity to watch someone jump over zombies in a ballroom. The book has mainly 80s references, but the film mixes it up much more to include references from the games and movies that became popular in the last few years, which really allows the nostalgic adults, as well as the kids, enjoy the film.

Even though the messages and possible future is shown in Ready Player One should be shown to kids, there are some things that are a bit mature. For that reason, I recommend this to ages 10 to 18. Despite some issues with acting, it makes for a great adaptation of the book while keeping important messages in place. The biggest accomplishment would be the mass scale of the lifelike CGI that truly makes you believe you’re in the virtual world of the Oasis. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.

Ready Player One

By Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Ready Player One is a delightfully nostalgic, modern-day sci-fi classic filled with Spielbergian magic.

Based on Ernest Cline’s bestselling book, Ready Player One follows Wade Watts, a teen living in dystopian Columbus, Ohio in the year 2045. Like much of the population, Wade plays the OASIS, a multiplayer game in an expansive virtual world created by the eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday died, he told players he left a hidden Easter egg that will win control of the OASIS and his shares in his company Gregarious Games. A malicious corporation called IOI wishes to turn the OASIS from an imaginative escape to an ad-filled wasteland. Wade’s avatar Parzival teams up with his friend Aech, his crush Artemis and a pair of best friends named Shoto and Daito, to take down IOI by finding the egg before the company does and foil its evil agenda.

Ready Player One, true to the book, is full of 80s pop culture references from Halliday’s early life and his icon status. At the same time, much of the film takes place in the video game and is visually vibrant and futuristic. Steven Spielberg brings the OASIS to life very well. He sneaks in visual gags from Robocop to Street Fighter. The OASIS has an insane color pallet that totally matches the idea of what that virtual world is. There is a lot of CGI used, but it is necessary to tell the story and the characters’ avatars look very realistic.

As a huge fan of the book, this film adaptation still holds up for me. Quite a bit of what happens in the book is different on the big screen, but fans should not despair because the film remains true to the book’s main themes. This film is also very funny. The entire ensemble gets great one-liners. This is refreshingly different from typical sci-fi and it makes the ride through Ready Player One even more fun.

I give Ready Player One an age rating of 11 to 18 for some language and heavily implied violence. Older kids and adults will enjoy the film’s crazy visuals.

I rate Ready Player One 4.5 out of 5 stars. This film is excellent and I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of anything pop culture. Whether it is music, film, video games or anime, Ready Player One has something for you. This film opens in theaters March 29, 2018 so check it out.

All photos courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

5 Things every camper needs to sleep outdoors

March 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Outdoor camping is an exciting activity. Time spent outdoors, especially around nature, is beneficial to your health. You get clean and fresh air, healthy and unadulterated sunshine, and you’re taken away from the stress and toxicity of the city. Sleeping outdoors may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and every camper needs to be prepared for it. If you’re planning for a camping trip to relax and unwind, take note of the following tips and must-haves in order to enjoy your sleep:

 

  1. Choose the right tent

Picking the right tent is important in ensuring you’re properly sheltered throughout your camping trip. There are many considerations in choosing the right tent. The most important is to check the capacity. How many of you are going to share the same tent? Are you sharing with your siblings who toss and turn at night? Do you have a companion that’s claustrophobic? The size of your tent is vital in ensuring you’re allocated enough space for you to sleep properly. Planet Camping offers some of the best brands when it comes to tents such as Easy Camp, Outwell, and Robens. Make sure to research well before buying. You want a tent that fits you and your companions comfortably, and at the same time is easy to set up and lightweight enough to carry during a hike.

 

  1. Invest in comfortable bedding

Sleeping in a tent is generally inconvenient. At the cost of being closer to nature you have to endure sleeping on the cold hard ground, with hardly any cushioning to give you a good night’s sleep. But don’t worry, the right bedding will solve that problem for you. Get a sleeping pad for your tent. You can get either a self-inflating one, an air pad, or a foam mattress. That’s the first layer. Then you can cozy in on your chosen sleeping bag for a good night’s sleep. Make sure that you got a sleeping bag that fits you right and has the correct temperature rating for your campsite destination.

 

  1. Bring appropriate clothes

Depending on the current weather on your campsite, the appropriate type of clothing may vary. But generally, make sure to have trekking boots or shoes, pants, shorts, t-shirts, and extra socks.  Extra underwear is a must. You may also want to bring a hat or a bandana, and rain gear in case the weather changes. Your sleeping clothes should be comfortable and light so that you can easily get warmed up inside your sleeping bag. And of course, for all the clothes you’re using up, pack them properly with a laundry bag.

 

  1. Don’t forget the food

Food is definitely important in any outdoor activity. Depends on the length of your adventure you may want to bring a portable stove for cooking. Fire starters such as matches and newspapers are essential as well. Don’t forget to bring your thermos too for a good ‘ol cup of hot chocolate. Water jugs, coolers, and plasticware for eating are also a must. And with all the food preparation you’re going to do, no doubt you’re going to leave a mess, so never ever forget to bring trash bags and take it along with you when you leave.

 

  1. Bring only the absolute essentials

It’s easy to get excited when adventure awaits, but don’t take your excitement to your luggage unless you want to end up slowing the team down due to your heavy bags. Stick to the absolute essentials when packing. Check your camping gear. Make sure you have a tent, sleeping bag, and all the tools you need to set up your shelter is present. Check your food and kitchen items – stove, matches, food, coolers, and water jugs. Try to delegate some items to some people to divide the load. Your personal items should be complete as well – clothes, toiletries, and first aid kit.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

National Burrito Day is next Thursday, April 5th! Celebrate at Rubio’s!

March 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Enjoy Globally Inspired Dishes with Popular Chimichurri Two Taco Plate, New Chipotle Chicken Ranch Burrito and More!

 Rubio’s® Restaurants, the brand known for its delicious coastal cuisine and popularizing the fish taco, is bringing back its Chimichurri Tacos with added variety and flavor, now available with Wild Alaska Coho Salmon, all natural steak and all natural chicken. The Coastal Grill chain is also expanding its craveable burrito line with Rubio’s new Chipotle Chicken Ranch Burrito. The new dishes will be available beginning April 4 for a limited time.

The Chimichurri Tacos feature Rubio’s chimichurri sauce – a savory blend of basil, parsley, garlic and olive oil – fire-roasted corn, Rubio’s signature white sauce, red chiles and mixed greens. Served atop flour tortillas, the Chimichurri Two Taco Plate is available with sustainable Wild Alaska Coho Salmon, all natural steak or all natural chicken. Guests looking for more variety also have the option to mix and match any two.

Rubio’s new Chipotle Ranch Chicken Burrito is loaded with all natural chicken, fire-roasted corn, Mexican rice, black beans, crispy tortilla strips for a craveable crunch and creamy chipotle ranch sauce all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla with melted cheese.

“Our culinary team creates recipes with global flavors that will resonate with our guests locally,” said Ralph Rubio, co-founder of Rubio’s Coastal Grill. “Inspired by traditional Argentinian flavors and spices, the Chimichurri Two Taco Plate with All Natural Steak and Chipotle Chicken Ranch Burrito feature bold, savory flavors that complement our land-based side of the menu.”

As part of the company’s “Made With a Mission”® commitment – to serve coastal food that not only tastes great, but that its guests can feel great about eating – Rubio’s is also introducing fresh greens drizzled with lemon agave vinaigrette as a new side option. Guests can now choose between the fresh greens or no-fried™ pinto beans and sea salted tortilla chips with any two taco plate or burrito.

For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill, visit www.rubios.com. Guests can also join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rubios, Twitter at www.twitter.com/rubiostweets and Instagram at www.instagram.com/rubioscoastalgrill.

Credit: Rubio’s. Images and information were provided. Some form of compensation may have been received and I will be reviewing again soon! SoCal City Kids loves Rubio’s! 

 

Filed Under: Featured Services
« Previous Page
Next Page »