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Family Fun Announced at SkyPark at Santa’s Village

October 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Southern California Theme Park Offers Fall Guests Mountain Biking, Pumpkins, and Fantasy Fun.

SkyPark at Santa’s Village today announces its Pumpkins in the Pines October festivities lineup. After its busiest summer ever, SkyPark at Santa’s Village welcomes Fall guests to a variety of fun weekend activities, from pumpkin patches to cookie decorating and crafts, to a community sponsored trick-or-treat event and costume party.
“This isn’t your average Pumpkin Patch,” says Michelle Johnson, SkyPark at Santa’s Village’s Creative Director. “We love Fall and it’s reflected in our changing-of-the-seasons Fall decor and pumpkins throughout the park. We’ve made Pumpkins in the Pines the mountain top day-destination, family friendly Fall festival with special characters, seasonal food, and Fall themed activities you won’t find anywhere else!”
The Coachworks Pumpkin Patch will give guests a chance to find the perfect pumpkin. Choose the perfect pumpkin and paint it in Santa’s Workshop. The Monster Mash Light Show will enchant guests throughout the park with colorful lights and Halloween music. In the evening, the Fantom Forest will thrill guests with a unique walk-through haunted hike. Seasonal characters and special shows and experiences will also be featured throughout the park, including Wacko the Magician, the Sleepy Hollow Puppet Show, and much more! Seasonal treats will be available throughout the park.
“We just had our best and busiest summer ever,” says Bill Johnson, Co-Owner of SkyPark at Santa’s Village. “SkyPark at Santa’s Village is all about outdoor adventure in an alpine setting, and we’re providing that experience through Fall and into Winter. Our unique combination of outdoor fun and generally pleasant weather is really resonating with guests who still want to have family adventures. As far as I know, we’re the only park that offers mountain biking, forest hiking, Santa, skating, axe throwing, archery, and pumpkins in a winter wonderland theme park. We even do weddings and forest conservation. If you’re looking for a unique theme park and Fall activities, come check us out.”
When to Experience Pumpkins in the Pines:
Pumpkins in the Pines starts Saturday, October 9th and runs every weekend through October 31st.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is open Wednesdays through Sundays, please check the website for times of operation.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
– Coachworks Pumpkin PatchSaturdays 10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSundays 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
One of the season’s greatest pleasures is loading up the van (or trendy SUV) with the little ones and heading to the pumpkin patch. Head over to the cozy Coachworks Pumpkin Patch or stop Santa’s Workshop to paint your favorite pumpkin find.
– ParkwideTrick-or-TreatingSaturdays 3:00 PM – 9PMSundays 3:00 PM – 5PM
Make your way around to each original Santa’s Village building for treats! Santa’s helpers will be passing out candy so be sure to bring a bag to collect as many treats as you can!
– Cookie Decorating at the Sky Trading Co – $6
Saturdays 10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSundays 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hungry for something sweet? Join us for some Fall-themed sugar cookie decorating.
– Pumpkin Painting in Santa’s Workshop – $4 Plus Pumpkin
Saturdays 12:00 PM – 9:00 PMSundays 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Get crafty with a pumpkin and set your creative side free.
– Themed Skate Nights
October 30th Monster Mash Skate Party
Rock n’ ROLL on the Silver Bells Arena with themed skate nights every Saturday night from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM! Join us for a Halloween Contest at the Monster Mash Skate Party. Snacks & drinks available for purchase. Skate rentals are complimentary with park admission, though you’re welcome to bring your own!
– Fantom forest
Saturdays October 23 & 30th only 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SkyPark’s unique Fantom Forest is a walk-through haunted forest complete with characters and spooky sightings. This short family-friendly hike is a guest favorite, so be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss it!
– Entertainment and NorthWoods Characters
Saturdays and Sundays (please see Entertainment Schedule upon arrival for various showtimes and character appearances)
Enjoy a puppet show featuring the classic story of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, hear the Stories of the Northwoods and be entertained by Wacko the Magician in the Sky Pavilion. And get your wish list to Santa early when you meet him and the beloved Northwoods Characters at his home.Saturdays and Sundays (please see Entertainment Schedule upon arrival for various showtimes and character appearances)
Enjoy a puppet show featuring the classic story of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, hear the Stories of the Northwoods and be entertained by Wacko the Magician in the Sky Pavilion. And get your wish list to Santa early when you meet him and the beloved Northwoods Characters at his home.
– Monster Mash Light Show
Saturdays 5:00 PM and 8:00 PMSundays 5:00 PM
Wow the family with SkyPark’s one-of-a-kind round-the-park Halloween light show.
– Face PaintingShow your festive side and get your face painted! The talented SkyPark artist will paint faces of all ages, so bring out your inner child and use your face as a canvas for some festive Fall art.
– Halloween PartyClose out what some call the best holiday of the year with a bang! The SkyPark at Santa’s Village Halloween Party is on Friday, October 29th. We’ll be giving out a $100 CASH PRIZE for best costume so be sure to dress your best for a chance to win! Boogie to the sounds of The Sixty Grit Band, who will be playing a special Halloween concert from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Some activities may be subject to change, in order to comply with updated CDC guidelines. Please check the SkyPark at Santa’s Village website for the most recent updates.
To purchase tickets, visit: https://skyparksantasvillage.com

Story and photo credit: SKYPARK AT SANTA’S VILLAGE.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Spooky Seas: Haunted Tales at the Ocean Institute (Oct. 29 & 30)

October 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment

On Oct. 29 & 30, with two ticketed timeframes at 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m., the Ocean Institute invites visitors and locals alike to join its “Spooky Seas: Haunted Tales Evening Adventure,” for a Spooktacular evening of all things mysterious and enchanting. Families can enjoy a variety of interactive activities, such as: 

  • Spooky sailor myths, legends and superstitions from the day of Richard Henry Dana Jr., whom the beach town is named after;
  • Conjuring with ghost bubbles and fizzing eyeballs at the Mad Scientist Lab;
  • Competing in a sea monster scavenger hunt; 
  • Touching slimy and squishy creatures in the intertidal touch tank.
  • Other activities include story time with a mermaid (exclusively on Friday), ghost pirate school for pirates-in-training (exclusively on Saturday) and much more.

The event is free for children under two, $15 for children and $20 for adults. Learn more and purchase tickets here: https://oceaninstitute.org/event/spooky-seas-evening-adventure/2021-10-29/.

Credit: Ocean Institute.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Temecula Terror Announces 2021 Mazes and Attractions

October 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment

This October the Inland Empire is offering a hauntingly-good time with the all-new, hair-raising, horrifying haunt: Temecula Terror. Open for 19-days, October 1- 31, Temecula Terror is pleased to announce its line-up of terrifying mazes, scare zones, bars, and more for the first-year event in the wild, shadowing hills of the Temecula Valley Wine Country at Galway Downs. Tickets start at $20 USD for adults and are on sale today at www.temeculaterror.com. 

Dubbed an Indie-Style Haunt, Temecula Terror invites thrill-seekers to visit a creepy, small town, off a back road in the Temecula Valley, and step into a Halloween Harvest Carnival… with a sinister intention. Thrill seekers can test their fears in The Crypt where brave guests will lurk through a graveyard scene and venture beyond the shadows, deep into the damp twists and turns of the forgotten catacombs. Lit only by the stars in the sky and the outside event’s carnival lights, visitors are certain to lose their way in the darkness and experience a brush with a tormented and beckoning afterlife.

Already attracting interest on social media with #HydeOrDie, 301 Hyde Street is anticipated to be a fan favorite for the all-new haunt. Home to fictional notorious social pariah Otis Hatcher, 301 Hyde Street invites haunt lovers to knock on the “haunted house” door this Halloween season for a twisted, dark, game as visitors try to find their way to escape (or should we say hide) in the maze. Seeking twisted revenge on Temecula Terror’s small town enthralled with a new Halloween attraction, Otis will unleash the darkest corners of his mind, luring in trick-or-treaters for a deadly game of cat-and-mouse…Can you make it out alive?

Tiptoe into Butterfield Asylum, a maze named after the real-life Butterfield Stage Trail that runs through Temecula. History claims that in the mid-1800s Temecula hosted a mail stop on the national Butterfield Stage route, bringing messages from home to the brave pioneers forging life in the California wilderness, while prisoners and convicts forged the railroad that would eventually replace the Butterfield Stage route. Temecula Terror is bringing to life the dark side of Temecula history with frights from the “outcasts” of society who have endured hard labor from sun-up to sun-down. At Butterfield Asylum, the victims’ bodies aren’t the only sufferers of the sun’s tireless gaze, but their minds were too lost, eaten away by the excruciating heat, leaving nothing but their most primal deviant inclinations behind for ticket holders to dare to survive.

In addition to the trio of mazes, a fog-filled scare zone will entice ticket holders with the sounds of chainsaws echoing through the secluded wine country valley as creepy carnival clowns await and hide within the depths of the dark hazy shadows. Have youngsters and kiddos who also love a good ‘ween scene? Inclusive of haunt-lovers of all ages, Temecula Terror offers Family Frights starting at 5 p.m. with kid-friendly fare, before the real scares begin at 7 p.m. 

Bringing to life the biggest “haunt” Temecula has ever seen this spooky season, Temecula Terror tickets are on sale today and start at just $20 per adult (12+ years) and $10 for children (Family Fright). Local event production companies Bloodshed Brothers and Clever Coven have banded together to create the first-year haunt with an emphasis on involving local companies, brands, and stories from the heart of Temecula Valley. Visit www.TemeculaTerror.com for more information, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on Temecula Terror announcements, sales, and more. 

Credit:

About Temecula Terror

Bringing terror to Temecula October 2021, Temecula Terror was created by the creative minds of Local event production companies Bloodshed Brothers and Creative Coven. Banded together to create an indie haunt with local roots in the heart of Temecula Valley at Galway Downs, the event will bring to life the biggest “haunt” Temecula has ever seen this spooky season. More than just a collection of “haunted houses”, Temecula Terror dives deep into the history of the Temecula Valley and the small-town characterization that many locals and visitors hold dear, to create a spooky alternate reality, a trip back in time to a small-town Halloween experience unlike any other. 

About The Bloodshed Brothers

What started as twin brothers having fun scaring the local kids in their front yard as a Halloween pass-time, has evolved into a full-fledged haunted attraction production company, taking their marquee vintage aesthetic with them everywhere they go. The Bloodshed Brothers delved into the world of professional haunting in 2011 with The Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium. From there, the company has produced two other short-term events: The Hyde Street Haunt at Galway Downs, and Terror in Train Town at the Perris Railway Museum. Now, the company is working behind the scenes on its newest project Temecula Terror, bringing scares to Galway Downs October of 2021.

About Clever Coven

Forged from friendship between three like-minded creative women, Clever Coven is a brand-new Creative Haunt Agency, specializing in Event Conceptualization, Marketing, Design, and Community Partnerships. Hailing from backgrounds in both the Corporate and Small Business Industry sectors, Clever Coven boasts over 25 years of collective experience in Event Production and Marketing.  Join the coven on Instagram at @CleverCoven!

About Galway Downs
Located in the beautiful, rolling hills of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, Galway Downs is a 242-acre premier multi-sport and special event facility located in Temecula, CA right off Highway 79 and a few miles from Interstate 5.  Historically known as a host to international and national equestrian training and championships, it has now become one of the top wedding venues in Southern California and is busy host to sports and special events.  For more information, please contact us at info@galwaydowns.com   

Filed Under: Featured Events

Scarium of the Pacific returns: Celebrate Halloween at the Aquarium Oct. 30 & 31

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Photo credit: Robin Riggs
 

Discover the creatures lurking in the depths at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s twenty-second annual Scarium of the Pacific—a spooktacular educational Halloween event for the whole family. During this event, the Aquarium will host Halloween-themed programs, like the annual children’s costume contest, magic shows, and storytelling. You can even pick up supplies for creepy crafts and coloring sheets to complete at home.

Advance reservations will be required for attendance, as capacity is limited and walk-ups will not be accommodated at this time. Masks are required for entry at the Aquarium of the Pacific for everyone age 2 and older.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, October 30 and 31, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

WHERE: In person: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 

COST: Included with general admission: $36.95 per adult (ages 12+), $26.95 per child (ages 3-11), $33.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three 

Advance reservations are required for everyone.

INFO: (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/scarium_of_the_pacific/

SPONSORED BY: 

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Aquarium launches 2nd African American Scholar program and invites students to apply

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Newton Zachary Hood, a recipient of an award from the program’s first year, visits the Aquarium’s behind-the-scenes abalone lab.
Photo credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific is now accepting applications for its African American Scholar program, which is now in its second year. The program awards funds to support African American students who demonstrate a commitment to studies related to careers in the aquarium field, including ocean education, animal husbandry, water quality, building maintenance or facilities, microbiology, and business management. Through this program, the Aquarium hopes to bring meaningful opportunities in the marine sciences to African American students and to bring diverse minds to solving the issues facing our planet and its inhabitants.

“The Aquarium of the Pacific is committed to creating pathways for African American students to pursue careers in our field, and it has been very gratifying for us to collaborate with the first group of scholars from this program as they engage in the Aquarium’s work. This has included developing new initiatives and serving as a platform for the scholars to connect with other scientists and the next generation of students,” said Anthony Brown, chief financial officer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. “As the African American Scholar program enters its second year, I hope to see an even larger pool of candidates and encourage other zoos and aquariums to undertake similar efforts to diversify our industry.”

In addition to receiving scholarship funds through this program, the recipients are invited to engage in various Aquarium programs. Past recipients have written for the Aquarium’s member magazine and served as judges in an environmental film festival for high school students. At a symposium this fall, the scholars will have more opportunities to meet with Aquarium staff members, hear guest scientists speak about their careers, and connect with high school students from the Long Beach Unified School District.

Applications for the 2022 African American Scholar Program are due by December 31, 2021. Recipients will be notified by February 1, 2022, and awards will be presented to the individuals selected for the program at the Aquarium’s twentieth annual African American Festival on February 27, 2022. For program details and submission guidelines, please visit pacific.to/africanamericanscholar.

This program is possible thanks to funding from individuals and corporate supporters, including Aquarium Board members, staff members, The Boeing Company, and Poms & Associates.

“Poms & Associates is delighted to support the Aquarium of the Pacific’s African American Scholar Program, which not only provides opportunities to African American students committed to the marine sciences, but also encourages diversity in the field,” said David Poms, president of Poms & Associates.

The public is also invited to support the Aquarium’s African American Scholar program. Thanks to an anonymous matching gift, all donations will be matched up to $10,000 dollars. To make a donation, you can visit pacific.to/africanamericanscholarfund.

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Santa Monica Place to Host Seasonal Retailer Job Fair Oct. 26

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Santa Monica Place to Host Seasonal Retailer Job Fair
October 26 from 11 am – 4 pm


Santa Monica Place will host a center-wide seasonal job fair for job seekers interested in a variety of employment opportunities on October 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Participating stores and restaurants will have a table displayed at their storefronts to meet candidates, accept applications and conduct interviews as desired. Please visit the Concierge Desk in Center Plaza for a list of participating retailers, where to apply, and for more information regarding Santa Monica Place’s job fair.

WHEN

Tuesday, October 26

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE

Santa Monica Place is located at 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, at Broadway and Third Street Promenade.

Credit: Santa Monica Place.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Busy school days? Meat District has you covered for no-stress meals for dinner!

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Busy school days sometimes mean that it’s best to have easy-to-cook dinners! Luckily, Meat District can help with their selection of burgers, wings, tri-tip, and more! Many of which are preseasoned, Meat District’s selections are tender and bursting with flavor. Perfect after a long day of school and work, you can easily toss these on the grill or in the oven for a barbeque feast for the whole family. 

I had the opportunity to try a few of their delicious products and I was very impressed! My favorite was the Angus Tri-Tip Beef Patties and honestly, I really do not eat beef that often but every once in a while I love to have a burger and these are delicious! Meat District offers butcher-crafted, premium burgers, party wings, tri-tip, sausages, and more. With chef-inspired recipes and premium ingredients, Meat District unlocks more flavorful choices when it comes to your favorite meats. Produced and packaged locally in Los Angeles, Meat District promises all the quality and flavor without hormones or antibiotics. Meat District products can be found at all major retailers and club stores and are distributed nationally on a weekly basis.

They are super easy and fast to cook and tasted so fresh!

Find out more at https://eatmeatdistrict.com/

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

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Language Arts * Emotionally Compelling Film With Impeccable Performances And Superb Cinematography

October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment

A student project abruptly forces an emotionally stunted high school English teacher to confront his demons–past and present–taking him on a powerful journey of connection and redemption. Based on the novel, starring Ashley Zukerman, Sarah Shahi, Elliott Smith and Lincoln Lambert. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “An emotionally compelling film, with impeccable performances and superb cinematography, Language Arts provides viewers with a glimpse into the lives of parents of children with disabilities as well as the children themselves.” Kyla C. adds, “Language Arts is an emotional film that covers a wide variety of heavy, yet entertaining topics. This film has talented actors, great sets, relatable storylines, strong characters and fabulous cinematography. The creativity of this film is so cool, although it is sometimes a little bit confusing.” See their full reviews below.

Language Arts

By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Kid Reporter, age 15

An emotionally compelling film, with impeccable performances and superb cinematography, Language Arts provides viewers with a glimpse into the lives of parents of children with disabilities as well as the children themselves.

Language Arts follows a man on his life journey. As a student, he befriends Dana, an autistic boy who is part of a program at his school. Dana is bullied by other students every day and, after an especially horrid incident involving a pen and a pantsing, Dana’s life is in danger. The film fast-forwards and the young man is now an English teacher with an autistic son named Cody and a strained marriage. Over the duration of the film, life comes full circle for him as he reconnects with his past and comes to terms with the struggles he faces through his student’s photography project.

The film’s director, Cornelia “Corrie” Duryée, is part of the disabled community herself, as she suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia and severe multiple chemical sensitivity. Her youngest son, who makes a cameo in the film, has ASD. Four actors in the film also have ASD, including Mickey Rowe , who is an incredible actor with great depth of emotion and, evidently, personal experience that fuels his conviction to the role. Lincoln Lambert plays Dana, and his portrayal of an autistic student is very compelling. The cinematography accents the turmoil faced by the characters, with many crisp and evocative close-ups, and music accents every poignant moment. Some of the cuts between years and ages of characters make the film tough to understand at the start, but the story unrolls as it develops in a magnificent fashion.

Language Arts promotes accepting each other for who they are; making friends with those that are different from you; and working together, which can help people overcome what may seem like an insuperable hurdle. The film does contain some profanity, portrayals of fights, and various instances of ableism. There are also some graphic scenes where Dana is violently bullied.

I give Language Arts 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. The film will resonate with parents of disabled children. It is available now on VOD.

Language Arts

By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Language Arts is an emotional film that covers a wide variety of heavy, yet entertaining topics. This film has talented actors, great sets, relatable storylines, strong characters and fabulous cinematography. The creativity of this film is so cool, although it is sometimes a little bit confusing.

The storyline follows Charles Marlow (Ashley Zukerman) as he deals with family issues and connects with differently abled people throughout his life. As some young autistic patients start sparking memories of his childhood, we travel back to those times with him. As we visit his past, we see young Charles Marlow (Elliott Smith) and Dana McGucken (Lincoln Lambert) in elementary school, meeting and marrying Allison Forche-Marlow (Sarah Shahi) and then dealing with his disabled son, Cody Marlow (Kieran Walton). We get even more backstory about young Charles as kid and observe his life with his constantly arguing parents.

Language Arts has many fantastic elements; one of them being the incredibly well-chosen actors. The emotional story leads to deeply developed characters, which requires talented actors to pull off. Each actor portrays their character very well. Some of the best performances are from Elliott Smith as young Charles Marlow and Sarah Shahi as Allison Forche-Marlow. Young Charles Marlow deals with many challenging situations, including distant parents and bullying. Elliott Smith captures his character so well that I believe he is Charles. Sarah Shahi clearly connects with her character, Allison. She shines a light on Allison’s real desires and personality, despite her actions telling a different story. Most importantly, the storyline is relatable and written strong enough to give actors the opportunity to shine. Each character has its own subplot so that every character is important. Learning about the secondary characters’ backgrounds and deepest desires through the subplots adds to the film. The sets are another standout part. I particularly liked the set in the art studio which features beautiful artwork. The camerawork is also outstanding, using a variety of angles to draw you into the scenes. I love the creativity of the film jumping back and forth in time, allowing us to see the characters when they were younger, which helps us understand their current point of view. Yet that gets confusing at times. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if I’m watching something from the past, present or future and that makes the storyline hard to follow. However, once you get accustomed to those time changes, which includes change of wardrobe and period-specific sets, the film is easier to follow.

The message of this film is to treat people with disabilities with the same respect as anyone else. There are other important themes that are shown such as being kind and living life to its fullest. Language Arts does address heavy topics, contains some profanity and is a sad story in many ways.  

I give Language Arts 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Language Arts now on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.

Filed Under: Media Reviews
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