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3 Signs That a Family Member Might Need More Care Than What You Can Provide at Home

February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment

We all love our family members and especially the elderly, and it would be a joy to take care of them within the comfort of one’s home. The trouble is that it can be quite taxing on your family to have another family member live with you. On the contrary, it is always emotionally frustrating to have your loved ones stay away from your home in a nursing home. There are some instances though, that caring for a sick or an elderly person tends to take a toll on ourselves or their health needs surpass what we can provide at home. It is at such a time that you are left with no other option than to seek assistance from an institution such as Escondido assisted living. Here are 3 signs that your family member might just require more care than you can provide at home.

Chronic Illness

Taking care of a sick family member requires not only resources in terms of money, but also in terms of time and expertise. Often, we take care of sick family members with the guidance of a physician. For instance, diabetes patients can stay at home and still get their daily injections with our assistance. The problem arises when such a disease advances and we have to seek specialized care. At such a time, it is not possible to keep such as a person at home. It would be safer and better to have such a person stay at a hospital or in a specialized institution. Another issue arises with time. When a person requires constant attention, and maybe you are not able to provide that since you are constantly at work, then you should take them to an institution where they can receive such assistance.

Mental Illness

In the case of mental illness, it will depend on the extent of that illness. A case of mild illness, you can have the patient stay at home but under a watchful eye. There are times though when such an illness may advance and you do not have anyone to leave at home to check on your loved one. Employing a caregiver at home is extremely expensive and is out of reach to many people. The only option you are left with in such a circumstance is admitting your family member to a facility no matter how unpalatable that may seem.

Risks of Injury

When you begin seeing signs of an individual becoming frail and taking falls or just forgetting to do some ordinary stuff, then it’s time for him or her to get personalized care. It is very risky to leave an elderly person or any other person for that matter alone at home when they are faced with such circumstances. You never know when they are going to injure themselves when there is no one around to respond immediately. If you can afford a caregiver to check up on them, then it would be nice, but if that is not within your reach, then you will have to admit them to an institution so that they can be looked after round the clock.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Queen Mary’s 26th Annual ScotsFestival Welcomes New All-American Professional Highland Games Feb. 16-17

February 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Jon O’Neil, North American record holder in Braemar Stone

The Queen Mary welcomes back the annual celebration of authentic Scottish heritage at ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI February 16-17. ScotsFestival will present the new All-American Professional Highland Games to this year’s festivities, welcoming internationally decorated athletes to compete for titles in traditional competitions such as caber toss, throwing the weight, the hammer throw, putting the shot, and the sheaf toss.

This year’s games welcome the highest level of Professional Scottish Athletics to compete in the new All-American Professional Highland Games. Professional, Amateur, and Master Athletes will compete in several categories of traditional Highland competitions with final scores entered into the North American Scottish Games Athletics database. Those scores generate the invitations to Professional Highland games, which are invitation only, based on success in competition.

“The Queen Mary is a fantastic venue to watch local and visiting athletes compete.  It has been our favorite place to begin the Highland games season in Southern California for many years.” shared Catherine Ballard, Athletics Committee Member for ScotsFestival.

Scots have been honoring ancient Celtic traditions with athletic competitions for centuries, testing physical strength, skill and technique. The All-American Professional Highland Games welcomes some of the most acclaimed athletes to the Queen Mary to demonstrate their ancient warrior skill set, including some local stars who are from Southern California.

Growing up Lake Forest, California, Jon O’Neil was an NCAA All-American Shot Putter and Discus Thrower in college before competing in Olympic trials in 2000 and 2004. He won the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) World Team Championship in 2012 and is the current North American record holder in Braemar Stone, who will be competing in the Professional division in the All-American Highland Games.  

Colin Dunbar graduated from Long Beach State University before becoming five-time USATF national champion competitor in the Olympic hammer throw and an Amateur World Record holder. In his first year as a Professional Athlete, Dunbar will be participating in all nine traditional Highland competitions offered at this year’s ScotsFestival.  

Ballard shared, “We have fielded dozens of international athletes and world record holders over the years, and 2019 is no exception. This year SAAA is very excited to expand the competition with the addition of a men’s IHGF professional class.”

ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI welcomes nearly seventy Scottish clans and vendors throughout the festival weekend with professional and amateur competitions in piping, drumming, massed bands, darts, Highland dancing, and the new All-American Professional Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a precursor to today’s Olympic Games, were designed to test the strength, skill and technique of ancient warriors through faceoffs in caber toss, throwing the weight, hammer throw, putting the shot, sheaf toss and more.

Tickets to the 26th Annual ScotsFestival & International Highlands Games are on sale now and start at $25 online (ages 12+) and $12 online (ages 4-11) for one day general admission. VIP tickets start at $45 online. Upgrades, ticket add-ons, and hotel packages will also be available. Discounts are available to military and seniors. Visit queenmary.com for more details and to purchase tickets online.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Eat Your Heart Out On Valentine’s Day at Little Tokyo’s Far Bar

February 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Go Little Tokyo for A Valentine’s Day full of good company and great eats prepared by an Award-Winning Chef.


Photos Courtesy of Far Bar

Great food and drinks make for the perfect pairing this Valentine’s Day at Far Bar in the heart of Little Tokyo! Whether visiting with a significant other, celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day or single and ready to mingle, Go Little Tokyo presents an endless evening for everyone on Valentine’s Day in the vibrant and energetic neighborhood of Little Tokyo!

Enjoy a colorful evening on Far Bar’s romantic skylit patio offering a deliciously special three-course $45 per person meal. Ignite the evening with a heartwarming bowl of lobster bisque, a choice of white bass and butternut squash or flank steak with chimichurri as the entrée, and finish off with a passion-filled slice of red velvet cake.

No partner? No problem. Grab a seat at the indoor lounge to enjoy drinks, laughs and Anti-Valentine’s Day single specials with friends including steak, fish and burger offerings. With over 34 different craft beers on tap and the largest Southern California selection of bottled beers from Japan, Far Bar’s great drinks parallel the versatile menu. A beer pairing special with Common Space Brewery will be offered exclusively for the evening.

Far Bar celebrates gastronomic love by inviting all foodies to savor delicious eats prepared by award-winning executive chef, Visoth Tarak Ouk. The acclaimed chef, with a heartfelt story from a distraught past, pursued his dream to cook at Creperie La Rue, Federal Bar, and several French-Pan Asian restaurants in Long Beach. Nicknamed “Chef T,” he’s studied the art of fusing street attitude and dining to create food for the moment, whatever moment you may hope to create at Far Bar on Valentine’s day.

A dreamy evening comes alive in Little Tokyo this Valentine’s Day. Whether it be spent with a bae, gal pals, or members of your bromance, Go Little Tokyo offers something for everyone in the heart of Downtown LA. Visit golittletokyo.com to find more dining experiences and exciting night entertainment offered in Little Tokyo.
Reservations for Far Bar are recommended, not required. Please call 213-617-9990 or email Kate@farbarla.com for reservations.

Credit: GO LITTLE TOKYO.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Summer, Fall, Spring and Winter Cabana Life has you covered in sunny California!

February 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment

It may be colder than we are used to in sunny southern California but we still have many days that we can head to the beach! Looking for a stylish way to keep yourself and your children safer out in the sun? Sure! You should use sunscreen but how about sun protective clothing? Cabana Life has the whole family covered with their sun protective clothing! I just love the Road Map Tunic for women and also the Male and Female Rashguards. I love the different styles and that they have clothing for the whole family!

This Rash guard for the Men in your family will be a hit!

Look for them at CabanaLife.com

Each rash guard comes with a built in 50+ UPF protection so it will protect your ocean lovers! It is also quick drying which is great for the Winter time! I love the big variety that this company offers!

And, remember…in sunny Southern California…we never have rainy days for long!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.



Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Share the Love with Cirque du Soleil’s Valentine’s Day Deal

February 7, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Beginning in March, Cirque du Soleil will be bringing not one, but TWO incredible shows to LA – Corteo at The Forum from March 27th – 31st and Amaluna at the LA Waterfront from April 25th – May 26th.For a limited time, Cirque du Soleil is offering special Valentine’s Day pricesso you can surprise your someone special with the experience of a lifetime. Whether it’s for Valentine’s or Galentine’s day gift, take the time to plan ‘Me Time’ with Cirque du Soleil and your favorite people.

Corteo is a joyous procession imagined by a clown that combines the passions and spontaneity of theater, with the power and grace of acrobatics. At times both playful and mysterious, this gravity-defying show will help audiences soar with them in the mysterious place between heaven and earth. Amaluna is a water-born tale of transformation and forbidden love, as a powerful Goddess guides audiences through the trials and tribulations of her island. A powerful coming-of-age story honoring femininity, renewal and rebirth that will surely dazzle all who behold it.

From now – February 15th, plan quality time with your sweetie for Valentine’s or a girls’ night out because no one deserves it more than you. For more information on this deal, head over to our website: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/los-angeles/deals. 

Credit: Cirque Du Soleil. SoCal City Kids will be featuring both shows as Featured events.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Best Televised Events to Attend This Year

February 7, 2019 By Leave a Comment

2019 looks set to be packed with exciting events in the world of sports, whatever you’re interested in. From football and golf to running and horse racing, there’s plenty to keep us entertained. But while all of these events will be shown on the TV, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the atmosphere in person.

FA Cup Final

Held in May at Wembley Stadium, the FA Cup Final was one of the first of the big football competitions and remains one of the most attended football events in the world with almost 90,000 spectators coming from across the UK to see the final match between 2 of the best teams in British Football. This is one that football enthusiasts won’t want to miss and is the culmination of an exciting competition, so the atmosphere is always buzzing, whether it’s through celebration or commiseration at the result.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival is four days of adrenalin-inducing excitement and is the highlight of Jump racing with a fantastic atmosphere. Day one is Champion Day, kicking off the event with a bang, followed by Ladies Day on day two – a combination of glamourous fashion and brilliant horse racing. Day three is St. Patrick’s Thursday followed by the final day, Gold Cup Day, where legends are created. Cheltenham Festival is an event that everyone should experience first-hand at least once in their lifetime, if not for the brilliant horse racing then definitely for the atmosphere this ever-popular event creates, as well as the thrill of having a little tipple with the bookies dotted across the festival, some even providing free bets for newbies, get yourself one free bet to see how you feel about it & maybe even place a few real bets when you feel comfortable.

London Marathon

The London Marathon takes place at the end of April and sees approximately 40,000 runners tackle the mighty 26.2-mile distance throughout the streets of London. In 2018, Mo Farah finished in third-place and will be returning this year to take on the marathon again. This is a lively and exhilarating event that is a must-see in person, particularly if you have friends or family who will be running. For those who won’t be able to make it, however, the race is always covered by the BBC with highlights being shown throughout the day.

Wimbledon

One of the highlights of the tennis season, Wimbledon is a great experience that’s steeped in history and tradition, held at the All England Club in London. It’s played on grass courts, compared to many of the other big tennis championships around the world, and takes place in July of each year. From the strawberries and cream to the strict dress code and Royal spectators, it’s a fun event that is quite different from other sporting championships, making it something really special to attend in person.

Formula 1 British Grand Prix

The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is held at Silverstone in July and has seen the likes of Lewis Hamilton become champions. With contract issues at large, 2019 could be the last year that the Grand Prix is held at Silverstone so it could be one for the history books – what better reason to attend this year? The Grand Prix is always packed with dramatic races and exceptionally fast racing, as well as plenty of entertainment in between the action on the track, so you’re sure to have a fun-packed weekend.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Valentine’s Day Book Suggestions!

February 6, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Looking for some great gift ideas for the kids? Especially the younger ones? Here are a few of my favorite choices!


IF ANIMALS SAID I LOVE YOU by Ann Whitford Paul; illustrated by David Walker

This is such an adorable board book for the younger kids! With signature gentle text and adorable illustrations, Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker’s books have broad appeal.

As in the other If Animals… books, this title features gorillas, whales, hippos, and many other parent/child pairs celebrating the holidays.

A great gift for the little loves in your life—on Valentine’s Day, or any time of year! I love the beautiful illustrations in this one and it’s a really simple story for ages 2-5.

This next one is another really adorable board book and I just love the main character in this one!


Where Birdie Lives

This one is a must for toddlers! The main character is an adorable dog on his quest to find a birdie! It is fun and interactive with a lift the flap format and amazing illustrations! This one is by Clever Publishing and illustrated by a young artist named Elena Tsvetaeva. I highly recommend for ages 3-5. You can find on Amazon.com.

This next one is not a book but young children will love to color these special Valentines by Clever Publishing!

so cute!!!

This set of 25 cards is so cute! I love the lovely pictures on the cards! My favorite is the two cats! I like the pretty colors of the cards and these are just perfect for ages 4+. Envelopes are also included. You can also find them on Amazon.com for under $10!

This next one teaches that even if you are little you can make a big difference!


Love Big (January 2019) by award-winning children’s author Kat Kronenberg

Love Big takes kids on an adventure through a once lush, thriving African savanna, which has turned dry and desolate. Hungry animals seek only their own interests, and Baboon watches as his friends begin to make poor choices instead of coming together to find a solution. But then Baboon witnesses something that fills him with hope! He watches as Rhinoceros gives Hare his snack and realizes that a transformative power exists between the animals once they realize that they are all on the same team. Using their newly discovered power, will these animals be able to band together to save the savanna?

I love the brightly colored illustrations and the many lessons in this book for young children! Just perfect for ages 3+.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above books/cards to facilitate this special holiday post. I only feature items under media reviews that I highly recommend! No other compensation was received. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Loretta, Feb. 7th Pet of the Week!

February 6, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Loretta is a 5-year-old black-and-white Australian cattle dog—with those ears, she can hear a stampede from miles away. She can also hear the approach of the person most important to her—her human companion. Loretta has a sweet disposition and for the most part gets along with other dogs. But as a cattle dog, she needs things to do and would do great in a home with someone who has experience with herding dogs. Meet Loretta on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A613469.

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Credit: Courtesy of the Companion Animal Village.

Filed Under: Pet Corner
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