Archives for May 2022

Celebrate National Shrimp Day at Rubio’s with $6.99 Shrimp Entrées

Celebrate National Shrimp Day at Rubio’s on two days this year, Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10, when all Rubio’s shrimp entrées are just $6.99 with the purchase of any drink. Simply enter the coupon code TASTY with your order through the Rubio’s app, or online at Rubios.com. Or, scan the coupon https://www.rubios.com/coupons/national-shrimp-day when ordering at any Rubio’s.

Rubio’s guests can visit locations across California, Arizona and Nevada and enjoy any shrimp entrée on the menu, including seasonal favorites, the Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp bowl, burrito or two taco plate. Available for a limited time, the wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp features a sweet-spicy kick of honey and chipotle peppers. With its large size, bright color and exceptional flavor, wild Red Argentinian Shrimp is a Rubio’s fan favorite. Guests can also choose other popular shrimp entrees including the Salsa Verde Shrimp two taco plate, the Shrimp and Bacon burrito, or the Mexican Street Corn bowl with grilled shrimp.

Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’sFacebook and Instagram

Credit: Rubio’s Coastal Grill.

8 Best Slow Pitch Softball Bats

Little things have been more complex than choosing a slow-pitch softball bat when purchasing sporting items online. Space-age substances, proprietary formulations, a wide variety of pricing, and an alphabet soup of regulating organizations that determine what is or isn’t allowed can transform a pleasurable experience into a grind. Understanding what you’re searching for is essential when selecting a bat. To begin, just first comprehend yourself as a hitter. Are you a large, powerful power hitter looking for the most leverage? Is there a speedier middle infielder that can leg out grounders? Or would you like to frustrate the opposing team by hitting them where they aren’t supposed to be due to your better bat regulation?

The bulk of bats may be classified according to design, Construction, and resources.

Design:

Bats are usually classified into one of two kinds based on how the bat is constructed. One-piece bats are made of the same substance altogether, and the complete assembly is made up of simply one workpiece. These bats are a touch harder and more robust, and they’re ideal for hitters looking for more straight energy transfer to the shot.

Two-piece bats are made up of two pieces: a grip and a muzzle linked together. This increases the bouncing effect at impact by allowing the bat to bend more throughout the swing.The flexible structure also reduces resonance, which means you’ll feel less sting if you smash a pitch shot later on down the road.

Construction

Inside the barrel of contemporary bats, there is either a solitary or a double-wall design.

The bouncing effect is accentuated with the double bats because the external wall flexes until being strengthened by the interior layer, which creates a potent energy transfer to the ball. As a result, several leagues have banned them, so double-check with those before purchasing.

The bat’s components will significantly influence its effectiveness and longevity.

Aluminum is combined with other metals to form thin, sensitive walls in alloy bats.

Aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used in almost all one-piece bats. These are the most affordable, but they are often the most lasting.

Carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and even Kevlar make composite bats. They depend on the elasticity of these components to boost the barrel’s bouncing effect. Please note that composites bats require some break-in time until you can get the most out of every substance, and they wear out faster than metal bats because the barrel’s flex strength diminishes over time.

Wood is the preferred material for a conventional league or a genuine striking artist.

How to Select the Correct Size

Because practically all slow pitch softball paddles are 34 inches in diameter, a hitter’s primary consideration in selecting a bat size is heaviness. While a giant bat allows a stricter player to produce more force, thinner bats in the 26 to 28-ounce range are best suited for u-trip softball and also to mediocre players or those looking for more excellent bat management.

DeMarini Juggy

DeMarini’s legendary juggernaut style is back, with a ZnX Alloy grip for greater rigidity and longevity and ultra-soft compressing for a match feel right out of the box. This final stage bat, developed in consultation with Dale Brungardt, one of professional slow-pitch softball’s best power hitters, has a 12-inch overall length and is excellent for professionals who want the most range from every moon mission.

Dale Brungardt Signature

This bat is a remake of the DeMarini Nautalai that arrived in 2019 and quickly became a slow-pitch sensation. It has more bulk in the muzzle (a plus if you can swing it) and a fiber-reinforced construction for ultimate longevity.

Easton Fire Flex IV

Easton’s flagship Fire Flex model for 2020 is available in various settings to suit your swinging style, namely balanced, mid-loaded, packed, and extra-laden. Each of the three overloaded models has a 13.5-inch barrel, whereas the flat model has a 13.75-inch barrel.

TPS Power Load Lousiville Slugger

Louisville Slugger collaborated with Jeff Hall to rethink its famous TPS model, incorporating a newly designed energy recovery mechanism that promises to give maximum force every time you hit. The bat has one of the lightest shells in the brand’s history, resulting in a super-duper and hence simple to swing, stick with an additional half of finish. The TPS is supposed to be hot right out of the box, but some early testers have reported that it can take up to 100 strokes before something feels available to compete.

AXE Bats Avenge Blackout

AXE bats have a unique grip that aids in getting into the proper hitting stance during impact. The grip for the 2020 version of the Avenge Blackout is somewhat narrower to match slow-pitch professionals’ frequently unconventional grips better. The bat has a graphite fiber composite head known for its toughness but may miss the pop that slimmer versions provide. However, this is an excellent pick for casual gamers who need something to last for several seasons. Furthermore, it has been authorized for usage by all central regulatory agencies.

Easton Salvo

The Salvo is a canceled mid-range bat with a single composite body with a 13.5-inch barrel hailed for its mix of pop, toughness, and pricing. Both the equitable and final stage variants are still available at various vendors.

Miken Freak

The Miken Freak is a two-composite construction with many different weights, including “X Maxload,” which adds a half-ounce of finish. Bats in the Freak series feature a 12-inch barrel and weigh between 24-and 28 ounces.

Miken Izzy Psycho

Originally launched in 2015, the Miken Izzy Psycho was re-issued in 2019 with the same components and specs. It was resurrected due to a public request that should speak volumes about its reliability: After four years of progress, there is still much work to be done. Notwithstanding four years of technological and creative advancements, this one-piece composites bat with a full pound of end packing is still known for its sturdiness and hot straight out of the wrapping.

Conclusion

One of the most excellent ways of spending a Saturday with relatives and friends is to play slow pitch softball. Yet unless you go up to the bat, it’s all good and dandy. The most passable dead pitch softball bat should offer you an advantage over your opponents and allow you to smash for the bleachers easily.

Robby May 5th Pet of the Week

Robby is a delightful little pit bull mix, a senior at 10 years old. He was turned in by his owner and has been with us for a while. He has a gimpy knee but it doesn’t affect his health, and he’s now ready for something he hasn’t thus far experienced: a forever home to spend the rest of his sunny days enjoying. Shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting Robby. Ask for ID#A671976.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

2ND & PCH Celebrates Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day Events in May   

Photo provided courtesy of 2ND & PCH.

2ND & PCH, Long Beach’s premier outdoor shopping center, welcomes the community to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day at the center in addition to complimentary community events for all to enjoy throughout the month of May. 

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the center will host live music and dance performances Thursday, May 5th on the grand staircase. Thee Academy will provide ballet folklórico dancing, rope tricks and live mariachi music from the company’s youth group Mariachi Garibaldi Juvenil de Jaime Cuellar and Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos dancers 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be present in Ballet Folklórico attire for dancing and a meet and greet 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm followed by a performance from premier mariachi group Mariachi Corazon de Maria 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

The outdoor movie series, PCH Movies & Moonlight, continues on Friday, May 6th at sunset with a showing of The Goonies. Movies are complimentary for the community to enjoy, weather permitting. Self-seating will be available along Seaport Way on a first come first serve basis. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. 2ND & PCH offers an array of restaurants, retailers and specialty services within the center for the community to enjoy before, during or after the movie.

2ND & PCH is a perfect place to spend Mother’s Day weekend from an array of brunch options, cocktails and shopping to enjoying live music on the grand staircase from local musician and composer Evyn Charles on Sunday, May 8th 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Follow 2ND & PCH on Instagram and Facebook to participate in a special Mother’s Day social media giveaway for the opportunity to win a giftcard from participating tenants. Giveaways are hosted monthly; follow the center’s social channels to learn more and participate. 

Shop for hand-crafted treasures and support local artisans at the Creative Communal Makers Market on Sunday, May 15th 11:00 am – 6:00 pm along Seaport Way. The unique open-air market features a curated assortment of vendors, kids activities, a photo op and live music.

Young adventurers are welcome to an interactive Pop-up Kids Club on Wednesday, May 25th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm featuring performances from CoComelon character JJ, storytime and crafts at the picnic benches nearest Johnny Was. All are welcome to participate; Kids Club is ideal for ages 2 to 10 years. 

For additional event information and a complete list of tenants visit 2ndandpch.com or interact with us via Instagram or Facebook.

Credit: 2ND & PCH

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Suggestions!

Mother’s Day is almost here! Don’t forget to get Mom something special! Here are a few more of my favorites!

Moms need to have time to relax! They spend a lot of time taking care of everyone! CBD Living Relaxing At-Home Spa Kits are the perfect way for a tired parent to relax and have some “me time.” Each curated kit contains a bath bombbath saltslotion and soap in one of four luxurious scents (Relaxing LavenderSoothing EucalyptusRefreshing Coconut Lime and Zenful Amber Bergamot).

I absolutely love this Spa Kit! I had the opportunity to try out the Relaxing Lavender Kit and I highly recommend it! My favorite item is the Bath Bomb but I can’t wait to try the Bath Salts! Any of these kits will be a hit with Mom!

I love MyBevi!

A while back I featured MyBevi and they absolutely are one of my favorites! You may remember that one of their water bottles is one that I take to the gym with me! I actually take it everywhere because I love it especially because my water stays cold. Well, I love the new Hollywood Tumbler as well! It’s so stylish!



Price: $25.00
Every mom on the go needs a sturdy water bottle! Fill up their new Hollywood Tumbler and enjoy your favorite drink that stays cold for hours while you run errands, pick kids up from practice, etc. All MyBevi
products are vacuum insulated and stainless steel, keeping your drinks hot or cold for hours. Plus, it’s splash resistant so no more stains in your car or couch.

Love these shoes!

Famolare shoes are a must-buy! These totally take me back to the 70’s and the 80’s!

Price: $128.00 – $188.00
The iconic sustainable fashion brand from the ‘70s is back! Women who wore Famolares in the 70’s and 80’s shared an identity, supporting peace, pushing for civil rights and rallying to
protect the environment. Now 50 years later, not much has changed. The world needs Famolare now more than ever to continue to make waves together. That’s why owner Victoria Staten is bringing back the brand that supports what you stand for and what you stand in! These are so cool, stylish and so comfortable! These are a must for this Spring and Summer!

Love this Face Cleanser!

ATTITUDE Living – Micellar Foaming
Cleanser
Price: $9.95
ATTITUDE’s facial cleansing foam is made with natural ingredients containing a gentle surfactant (disodium cocoyl glutamate) that deeply cleanses and detoxifies your skin without irritating it, while reducing the adhesion of pollutants. The vegan formula contains
watercress and Indian cress super leaves, known for their regenerative properties and high vitamin and mineral content. Designed for all skin types, this dermatologically tested EWG VERIFIEDTM micellar cleanser can also remove light makeup. I love how refreshed my skin feels after I use this product!

Wildwood Grilling- Does mom like to grill? Wildwood Grilling’s brand-new Hamburger Grilling Gift Set includes everything mom needs to make the perfect burger! Each set includes a smoker box, smoking chips, spices, grilling planks, patty press, grill scraper and more. It’s available on Amazon, for less than $50! I also love that this one is available on Amazon.com.

Wildwood’s products (in a variety of wood like cedar, hickory, cherry, alder etc.) pair wonderfully with anything you put on top (meat, vegetables, fish, etc.). Their rubs like chicken spice, rib rub, hippie gold spice and American jerk taste great on a variety of protein and veggies. Made in the USA, and all products are 100% pure and clean with no pesticides, herbicides or foreign matter. Available nationwide at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Amazon, Albertson’s, Hy-vee and www.wildwoodgrilling.com.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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


























Celebrate Mother’s Day With These Children’s Books

NANA LOVES YOU MORE by Jimmy Fallon; illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez (Feiwel & Friends, on sale March 29, 2022, Ages 1-3): Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and #1 New York Times–bestselling author, is back with a book that pays tribute to all of the NANAs out there. Whether you call her Grandma, Gram, Gammy, GiGi, Meemaw, Abuela or Bubbie – there’s nothing like a NANA’s love.

LET’S DO EVERYTHING AND NOTHING by Julia Kuo (Roaring Brook Press, on sale March 22, 2022, Ages 3-6): A lush and lyrical debut picture book about the marvels—big and small—of childhood.

MY PARENTS WON’T STOP TALKING! By Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden (Roaring Brook Press, on sale April 5, 2022, Ages 3-6): A girl’s plans are ruined when her parents have the audacity to stop to talk to the neighbors in this laugh-out-loud picture book about patience. This is a clever, irreverent take on a universal childhood dilemma, written and illustrated by two stars in the comics world.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Self Disclosure: I received copies of one of the books to facilitate this post. Images were also included.

5 Activities That Will Bring the Generations Together

It isn’t always easy to keep several generations of the same family together and create a bonding experience that everyone can enjoy. Your older family members might not be able to get about as well as they once could, while your kids never want to sit still. It might be tricky to keep everyone happy but here are five activities that will bring the generations together.

Crafting

Crafting is a dying art and things like knitting, crocheting, and sewing will become obsolete if nobody teaches these skills to the younger generation. In times gone by, children were taught these skills from a young age and there is nobody better than your older relatives to teach the young ones how it is done. Making something together is a fantastic bonding experience and it will give them something they can keep.

Cards

Cards are an easy game to play, and they don’t take up a lot of space. For example, if your elderly relatives have moved into a Huntington assisted living facility such as Brandywine, you can pop a deck of cards into your pocket before you visit and this will keep all the generations occupied for hours without needing a lot of room. By the end of your visit, you will all know some new games or card tricks.

Board Games

Board games are a fantastic idea if you want to bring the generations together. Make sure that everyone is sitting comfortably and then play an old favorite such as Ludo or Monopoly or let the kids introduce you all to a brand-new game. Just remember not to get too competitive or it might not be as good a bonding exercise as you thought.

Create a Family Tree

A family tree is educational and children will love learning about their relatives as much as the older generation will enjoy reminiscing about them. There are lots of facilities online that can help you to trace your ancestry back hundreds of years and discover who lived before you and learn their stories. This may turn into a large-scale project which is great because it will keep the whole family busy for months and give them time to bond well.

Reading

Reading is a great challenge for kids whatever their age. A young child will enjoy looking at picture books with an older relative whereas a child who is learning to read can practice and be guided. This will be great for your elderly loved ones too as they will feel that they are helping and getting involved. An older child who can read well can discover new books to read while they are listened to. This will be relaxing for your elderly relative, and they will enjoy hearing new stories or re-discovering ones they loved when they were young.

The age gap between the generations does not have to be a barrier to them enjoying spending time together. Use these five activities to unite the generations and have fun.

Mother’s Day Gift Suggestions

Looking for gifts for Mom this Mother’s Day? Here are some of my favorites this year!

Spring is here and soon it will be Summer! Mom will love these new sandals!

Aren’t these so stylish?

Empty Provisions Footwear

Price: $135.00 – $155.00

The perfect sandals for any adventure this season! Empty Provisions Footwear is an ethical line of footwear that is committed to designing and producing items that are sustainable, comfortable, and stylish. After noticing a gap in the market for shoes that are modern, cute, and durable while being kind to the environment, founder Chrissy Durden sought to create a brand that followed these goals and ideals. Every shoe is designed in Somerville, MA, and crafted by hand in small batches in central Maine with the materials also being sourced locally. 

This next gift idea is pretty unique! I like that it is portable and easy to travel with!

City Bonfires

Price: $21.95 to $64.95

Warm hearts and make memories during your picnic extravaganza with your loved ones enjoying a City Bonfires kit. It’s easy, fun, and yummy! Elevate any mood with these special editions of their mini bonfires, perfect for romantic evenings, family fun, and gift-giving. All safe and cozy for roasting marshmallows and keeping warm this Spring, made with love from Maryland.

Does Mom like chocolate?

RED Chocolate Truffles

Price: $14.99

Give mom chocolate without the guilt! RED Chocolate has all the guiltless indulgence of regular chocolate, but with up to 50% less calories and 30-40% less fat! Formulated by European Master Chocolatiers, their truffle gift boxes are a scrumptious delight. Filled with either a smooth nut or a coconut filling, you would never guess that there’s no added sugar.

Available through their website or on Amazon as well as national drug and grocery retailers.

I like this next one because it’s different and would make a really special gift!

Well Told – Custom Night Sky Mason Jar

Price: $19.95

The day you were born made your mom a Mother. You can capture that moment in time by customizing Well Told’s 16oz mason jar with a vision of the night sky from the place and time she was at when you entered the world. Featuring the stars, constellations, and planets as if she was looking up into the sky again. I received a sample and chose my son’s birthday and this truly is one of my favorite gifts to myself this Mother’s Day!

Most Moms love coffee, right? This is one of my favorite brands and I am sure it will be a hit with your Mom!

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Fire Department Coffee has a great option for anyone who wants a non-alcoholic alternative while still enjoying the special holiday. Their Irish Whiskey Infused Coffee is the headlining ingredient in this popular recipe for non-alcoholic Irish Coffee. I also love their Vanilla Bean Bourbon Spirit Infused coffee! I think that is my new favorite! You can find all their coffee choices here.

This next one is a great product to keep Mom fit! I actually found this one to be a lot of fun!

It’s fun to do with your little ones too!

Whirly Board
Price: $129.95+
Affiliated with Amazon
Whirly Board makes for a great Mother’s Day gift if she works from home or loves fitness!
Use it at home or while working (perfect with standing desks) and keep moving for better
overall health. With 500+ positive reviews on Amazon, join the movement to put the fun
back into exercise! Add a little fitness, agility, and fun with Whirly Board! The Whirly Board
allows you to spin 360 ̊ and engage all your body’s core muscles. An excellent training
tool for any skill level (even kids), it’s the ultimate accessory for your home, office, or
gym. Whirly Board is a great option for core training and home fitness without the need for
bulky gym equipment that takes up space. An indoor training tool, it improves strength, balance, and agility. Practice spin and tricks and take your twirl to a whole new level! Find out more here. Look for them on Amazon.com too!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above items to facilitate this post. Images were also provided. Stay tuned! More gift ideas will be posted tomorrow!