Archives for June 2021

pediped semi annual sale

Sale Schedule:

Dates: 

June 7-June 16

Offers:

June 7: 

-24 hour $40 Flash sale

June 8-11:  

 -Buy 2 pairs get 20% off

 -Buy 3 pairs get one free

June 12-14:

 -$5 of Originals with code

 -$6 off rubber sole Sandals with code

 -$7 off rubber sole maryjanes with code

June 15-16

-20% off sitewide code

Everyday Semi Annual Deals:

– Buy 2 socks or tights get one free (this is always existing, but we don’t usually highlight it in emails)

– Floral purse strap GWP(pediperk) when you buy Barbara White Floral, while supplies last.

– Sparkle Purse strap GWP(pediperk) when you buy Delaney Silver, while supplies last!

Credit: pediped.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Will Require Reservations for Peak Travel Weekends This Summer

Photo provided courtesy of LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency.

Reservations will be required on select weekends for Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® trains that travel between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Additional train cars are being added when possible to increase the number of available seats on select trains. However, the number of seats onboard each Pacific Surfliner train is limited. To safely manage capacity during periods when more travelers are anticipated, customers will need a reservation to travel on the following dates:

  • Fourth of July Weekend: July 2 – July 5, 2021
  • Opening Weekend of Del Mar Races: July 16 – July 19, 2021
  • Labor Day Weekend: September 3 – September 7, 2021

Additionally, the Rail 2 Rail program will be suspended on most of the dates above, during which monthly Metrolink and COASTER passes will not be accepted onboard Pacific Surfliner trains.

Amtrak monthly and 10-ride passes may still be used. However, multi-ride ticket holders will be required to confirm each trip (train and date) through the Amtrak RideReserve program on Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, or an Amtrak agent prior to traveling during the reservation period; thus, ensuring travelers have the safest and most comfortable journey possible. 
Passengers are encouraged to follow safety measures and any important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination. This includes wearing a mask at stations and onboard trains at all times, washing hands or using sanitizer often, and staying home if they are feeling sick. Per federal law and Amtrak policy, all customers and employees must wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations.  

More dates may be added where a reservation is required, depending on travel demand throughout the summer. For the latest information, please visit www.pacificsurfliner.com/schedules.

Credit: Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner ® and LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency.

Passport to the Arts Offers Unlimited Admission to Famed Laguna Art Festivals for Summer 2021

Access to 500 artists, live music, entertainment, and more at Festival of Arts Fine Art Show, Laguna Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Art Festival

Make Laguna Beach your summer destination all season long with a 2021 Passport to the Arts for only $29 per passport (a $66 USD value). This triple-value Passport to the Arts pass provides unlimited entry to the three premier art festivals located in Laguna Beach throughout the entire 2021 summer festival season: Festival of Arts Fine Art Show (July 5 to September 3), Laguna Art-A-Fair (July 2 to September 5), and Sawdust Art Festival (July 2 to September 5).

Re-discover the arts and artists in Laguna Beach with a 2021 Passport to the Arts pass. Delight in Laguna’s booming art scene and relish in the beauty of the beachside community with this single ticket that in essence acts as a season pass providing unlimited admission to the three popular art festivals.

“From the laid back atmosphere to the prestigious art, live performances, and perfect weather, Laguna’s art festivals offer families experiences you won’t find anywhere else,” shared Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR at Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach. “We hope patrons with a Passport to the Arts have a wonderful, memorable, exciting summer experiencing all the artistry offered in Laguna Beach.”

The 2021 Passport to the Arts special offers include:

  • Unlimited admission all summer long to all three Laguna Beach art festivals
  • Access to more than 500 artists and their work
  • Art workshops
  • Live music and entertainment at all three festivals throughout the season
  • One-time free parking at Lot #16 (Act V), 1900 Laguna Canyon Road
  • FREE Trolley service all summer long

The Festival of Arts, Sawdust Art Festival, and Laguna Art-A-Fair not only foster arts education, and creativity, but each festival also creates jobs and contributes significantly to the local and state economy. Each summer the festivals draw crowds from within and around the community, as well as attract new and visiting populations annually, creating economic support for the arts and overall local community. Together the festivals continue to provide a competitive edge improving Laguna Beach’s ability to attract economic activity and creating a climate in which innovation can flourish.

The 2021 Passport to the Arts may be purchased online at www.LagunaBeachPassport.com or at any of the three art festivals. Some restrictions apply. Offer excludes Pageant of the Masters. For information about overnight stays and things to do while in Laguna Beach visit www.visitlagunabeach.com.

Credit: Laguna Art-A-Fair.

Christmas in July 101

Christmas is a fantastic holiday, and a favorite time of year for many. A lot of people, especially children, wish that it came around more than once a year. Christmas day will only ever be on December 25th, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience that holiday joy more often. If you celebrate Christmas in July, you and your kids can have winter fun in the summer sun. Here are a few ways to celebrate.

One way to celebrate is to throw a Christmas party in July with family and friends. Summer is the perfect opportunity to party, and adding in a little holiday season joy will only make it more fun. For food, you can have eggnog, iced hot chocolate, hot dogs with cranberry sauce on the side, or peppermint shaved ice. You can also set up a side table for the kids to make their own desserts. They’ll love making smores gingerbread houses, or mini shaved ice snowmen they can decorate with sliced fruit. Both options make for a great treat when they finish making them. There are a ton of fun winter themed games you can play in summer. If you live near the beach or a desert, you can have everyone try sand sledding. Alternatively, you can have a tree decorating competition in your backyard, but use palm trees instead of pine trees. If you don’t have any live trees to decorate, you can also pick up a couple inflatable palm trees to use instead. Everyone will have so much fun at your Christmas party in July!

While you’re celebrating Christmas in July, you may also want to start thinking about Christmas and holiday cards. It may seem a bit early, but if you get your holiday cards ready now, you’ll have one less thing to worry about during the busy holiday season. Plus, with perfect sunny weather, you’ll be able to take amazing outdoor family photos. Or you can use some of the pictures from your summer vacation in your holiday cards. Once you’ve got your photos picked out, you’ll need to find holiday card designs you love. Basic Invite has a ton of options, you’ll definitely find the perfect card. All of their designs are customizable, so you can make sure the color scheme and font styles are just right. Their christmas cards and holiday party invitations are super cute. Check them out!

If you’re celebrating Christmas in July with kids, you’ll also want to make sure you remind them of the true meaning of the holiday season. While the holidays are fun, they are also a time to think of others and give back to your community. Ask your kids what volunteer activities they want to do to celebrate Christmas this summer. A few options are picking up trash at your local park, fundraising money to donate to an important cause, or spending time with an eldery neighbor or family member. Older kids can also try volunteering at an animal shelter, or working with a local organization to mentor younger children. Decide as a family how many hours in July you want to dedicate to service. If everyone does their part, you can do a small gift exchange as a family to finish out your summery Christmas plans.

However you decide to celebrate, I hope your Christmas in July is wonderful. Have fun doing service, getting a jump on holiday cards, and partying with your loved ones. Merry Christmas in July!

Credit: Basic Invite.

Introducing Jodea * Entertaining, Exciting, Light-Heart And Humorous

A struggling young actress’s fortunes change when a world famous movie director drives into the back of her car. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Josephine M. comments, “I love the romantic comedy Introducing Jodea directed by Jon Cohen and written by Chloe Tricos. It is completely entertaining, exciting and humorous. Its light-hearted, humorous plot lines center on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles.” See her full review below.

Introducing Jodea

By Josephine M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

I love the romantic comedy Introducing Jodea directed by Jon Cohen and written by Chloe Tricos. It is completely entertaining, exciting and humorous. Its light-hearted, humorous plot lines center on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles.


Introducing Jodea is a teen romantic comedy about a struggling young actress, Jodea Maxwell (Chloe Traicos), whose fortunes change when a world famous movie director Zac Kawalsky (Jeff Coppage) drives into the back of her car. Desperate, the actress uses the opportunity to beg Kawalsky for a role in his latest movie, but her audition is woeful to say the least. However Zac’s agent Grant tempts him with a bet he can’t refuse, the condition being that Zac has one week to make Jodea a brilliant actress. 


My favourite character is Chloe Tricos because she never gives up even when she is told that she cannot become an actress because she is ugly and she can’t act. Chloe keeps on trying and pushing until she succeeds. My favourite part is when Zac Kawaslky’s agent Grant (Kent Hatch) tells Jodea that she is a very bad actress, but Jodea still believes in herself and knows that she can do it, she just needs help.The production design and costume are on point and very well executed.  Introducing Jodea is very engaging and intriguing; it is definitely worth checking out. I can see it catching on with audiences. 


We all like to feel that dreams can come true and that true love does exist, which is the message of this film – the traditional Cinderella story that’ll make you laugh and cry. The idea that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind and soul to it; that you should not give up when you get bad feedback and that you should be resilient and determined – that is important.


I give Introducing Jodea 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Introducing Jodea releases in theatres Friday, June 4, 2021. Save the date!

Best Ways to Find Affordable California Theme Park Packages

California is home to some of the fantastic theme parks in the country. If you plan on exploring these attractions, affordable California theme park packages could help you do so. You can have fun at the Disneyland Resort and visit the Universal Studios Hollywood or enjoy the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Theme parks could become an expensive affair for families. Let us look at different ways to enjoy your vacation and also make it easier on your pockets.

Best Ways to Find Affordable California Theme Park Packages

Search for Ticket Combo Deals

Theme park tickets and hotel packages make up for incredible combo deals. Instead of individually booking theme park tickets and hotels, you could bundle them together and avail yourself of discounts of up to 20%.

Depending on the tour operators you book from, you could talk to vacation planning experts and know more about affordable accommodation options centrally located from the various theme parks.

These ticket combo deals help you save up on money and time. Your bookings are taken care of before you even leave for the vacation. By staying at a central location, you also save up on travel costs.

Explore with Multi-Day Passes

Instead of trying to cram all attractions in one day, plan a leisurely vacation and explore them over a few days. Getting discounts on single-day passes is pretty rare. On the other hand, you can always find good discount deals on multi-day passes. For example, Disneyland offers different ticket prices for 1 to 5 days of theme park tickets. You could also get hopper tickets and gain entry to both Disneyland parks.   

You Could Buy a CityPASS

With a CityPASS , you could explore all major theme parks in Southern California. With a single pass, you could visit Disneyland, Legoland, Universal Studios, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. Depending on the days you plan to spend, you could purchase a city pass for 2 to 5 days.

You Could Buy a Go Los Angeles Card

With a Go Los Angeles Card, you could explore over 40 attractions. You get to choose from two pass types:

  • All-Inclusive Pass
  • Explorer Pass

The All-Inclusive pass is better suited for families. You get to pick from a 1 to 7 days pass which you can use to visit any of the 40 attractions on the list. For example, you could choose a two-day All-Inclusive pass, visit eight attractions and save up to 35% on your spending.

Give Coupon Sites a Look

There are many third-party coupon sites available that offer discounted theme park tickets. You will have to invest some time on these sites, researching, to find any good deals. Ensure you thoroughly verify the terms and conditions of such deals when purchasing them from coupon sites.  

Theme parks can be both enjoyable and affordable. Planning a 3 to 7 days vacation would be ideal as you would get enough time to visit attractions and spend time rejuvenating at resorts or hotels. 

Explore different California theme park packages and other ticket combo deals that could help you get discounts and make your vacation all the more memorable.

Wankershim, June 3rd Pet of the Week!

Wankershim was found abandoned in Wardlow Park, left to fend for himself. Luckily, he’s under the loving care of shelter staff and employees. Like his “Bravest Warriors” namesake, Wankershim needs the power of the emotions of some superbeing—you, possibly—to bring him to awareness of his special catness and expand with joy! He’s neutered and is only 4 years old, so there’s plenty of time for him to take over your home. Shelter adoptions are conducted through appointment, so contact PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to meet Wankershim. Ask for ID A657891.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Explore the beauty of the world’s Coral Reefs in an exhibition at The Aquarium of the Pacific this summer

Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities features more than one dozen exhibits / Pictured: day octopus in coral reef habitat. Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Take a voyage around the world to explore colorful coral reefs, the animals that call them home, and the threats they face along with solutions in the exhibition Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Programming and exhibits include the reimagined Tropical Pacific Gallery, animals such as a green sea turtle and glowing corals, and films about coral reefs, including one for the immersive Honda Pacific Visions Theater. The Aquarium invites you to take in the majesty of coral reefs as you learn about their importance and how to protect them through the relaunch of Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities May 28, 2021 through April 2021.

While coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, more than 25 percent of all marine fish species depend upon them. Coral reefs are the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, filled with colorful fish and invertebrates that are found nowhere else on Earth. Tens of millions of people rely on them for their livelihoods, and billions of people could potentially depend upon them for the life-saving, medicinal secrets they may contain. But these important ecosystems are at risk. Coral Reefs examines this topic and what we can do to help.

To create the exhibition, the Aquarium redesigned its Tropical Pacific Gallery to focus on various aspects of coral reef habitats and showcase new animals. Some of the animals that are highlighted include numerous species of coral, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and diverse reef fishes such as pufferfish, filefish, parrotfish, and flashlight fish. The Aquarium has also added new animals to this exhibition for the relaunch, including sexy shrimp, the crown of thorns sea star, and pajama squid.

Learn how coral reefs form, how corals represent a mutually beneficial partnership between a colony-building ocean animal and algae, and discover the coral life cycle. Find out how so many animals live in close communities on coral reefs and how some species control the balance. Meet the seabird animal ambassador, Sula the red-footed booby, and find out about her species’ relationship to coral reefs. Sula is one of two known red-footed boobies living at a zoo or aquarium.

In addition to more than a dozen exhibits representing various coral reef habitats and species, guests can take a virtual dive with a new multimedia experience in the Aquarium’s Honda Pacific Visions Theater. The Aquarium will also offer a Great Hall film showcasing the beauty of reefs, an interactive exhibit where guests can digitally color a coral reef animal and add it to a virtual tank, a coral art installation, and informative displays where visitors can learn more about the importance of corals and reefs to animals and to people and what can be done to help protect them.

Coral reefs are highly valuable to communities around the world. Besides serving as beautiful places to explore while snorkeling on a tropical vacation, coral reefs and the marine life they support serve many important uses for humans. Reefs help protect coastal communities by reducing the impact of storm surges. Healthy coral reefs support a diversity of marine life and are an important source of food for many nations, including the United States. They may also have uses that are yet to be discovered. Some corals and sponges contain compounds that may hold the cures for human diseases, yet 95 percent of the ocean, where these animals may be abundant, remains unexplored.

The exhibition culminates with displays that show what people around the world are doing to help coral reefs and what each of us can do to join their efforts. The Aquarium of the Pacific has been involved in various programs to help coral reefs and promote coral conservation. Aquarium experts have traveled to places like Guam to assist with coral reef restoration as part of an ongoing effort with SECORE (Sexual Coral Reproduction) International, which the Aquarium joined in 2013. The Aquarium supported the CORALASSIST project in Palau in 2019 to help with efforts to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services in the face of climate change. The Aquarium also acts as a rescue facility for confiscated corals for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has a coral propagation area to grow and care for corals.

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.