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Archives for April 2023

Segerstrom Center for the Arts Announces the Return of Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the heavily anticipated return of the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. This free family event is supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, and is a celebration of the connections between arts and science. The festival will be 3 hours in length and will feature performances and an assortment of engaging activities for the entire family. Visitors can expect to experience workshops, exhibits, roaming engagement, and performances by Doktor Kaboom, Circo Etero, Dancing Storytellers, and The Alley Cats.

The festival will feature engaging exhibits, workshops and hands-on activities presented by community organizations including Santa Ana Zoo, Shared Science, Kids@Science, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Girls Inc. of Orange County, Irvine Public School Foundation, Columbia Memorial Space Center, Bytes and Bots, Brain Builders STEM Education, OC STEM initiative, Environmental Nature Center, Orange Coast College Astronomy, Science Heads Inc., Newport Bay Conservancy, Urban Workshop, Mesa Water District and Kaiser Permanente.  

The festival will also feature a building area, a designated space for creative play, featuring Segerstrom Center’s oversized building kits. (Imagination Playground, Rigmajig, and Panelcraft builder sets)

Food will be available for purchase at George’s Café on-site, and at food trucks Cali Delight (https://www.calidelights.net/, INSTA @CALIDELIGHTSTRUCK) and Kala (https://www.kalatruck.com/, INSTA @KALA_TRUCK).

Credit: Segerstrom Center.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Experience Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park May 6th

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Enjoy vibrant Folklórico dance performances at Rancho Days Fiesta. Credit: OC Parks.

The County of Orange and OC Parks invite you to experience the annual Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event celebrates the history of the rancho and Native American cultures through hands-on activities, music, dancing and more in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

Rancho Days Fiesta will feature activities for all ages including exhibitors, vibrant performances, crafts, piñata breaking and more. Folklórico and Native American dancing will be showcased, along with Charro horse riding and roping demonstrations. The historic buildings at Heritage Hill Historical Park will be open for tours, courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents.

“We look forward to another year of celebrating Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park,” said Donald P. Wagner, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “This event is a wonderful way for guests of all ages to learn about and commemorate the rich history of Orange County.” 

Heritage Hill Historical Park represents distinct eras in the early development of Saddleback Valley and the town of El Toro. Experience the excitement and activities of the rancho era with OC Parks at Rancho Days Fiesta. Pets are welcome outdoors only on leashes no longer than six feet. Admission and parking are free.

May 6 – Rancho Days Fiesta 

Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Website: https://ocparks.com/events/rancho-days-fiesta

Contact: (949) 923-2230

Credit: OC Parks.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Book of the Week: Corso’s Kids Children’s Book

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Corso’s Kids Children’s Book

The Corso’s Kids Children’s book series will serve to inspire kids, parents, and adults alike to stir up their own adventures, bringing families/friends together to unlock the magic in every cookie… that very same magic that can be found in you. 100% of the book’s profits are donated to the Corso’s Kids foundation, which is dedicated to supporting educators, healthcare professionals, and organizations that work with and support children suffering from mental illnesses.

I recommend this book to all families with young children.

Available for pre-order at Amazon, Target, Walmart.com, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Bookshop.org 

Price: $16.99

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Healthier Snack Option

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Must-Have pantry item!

Chickpeas are a great substitution for losing weight and getting healthy in the new year because they are low in calories and high in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are also a great source of plant-based protein, which can help support weight loss and overall health.

Chickpeas are versatile and can be easily added to a variety of dishes, making them a convenient and healthy option for those looking to make healthier food choices in the new year.

Festive Chickpeas have reinvented the chickpea, unhusking it to give it big crunch and even bigger flavor! All while being packed with protein and unbelievably goo food you!

Festive Chickpeas have ZERO preservatives, are non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free and are 100% vegan to accommodate every snacker’s lifestyle. Aside from being plentiful with protein and nutritious, they’re exploding with flavor. Each pocket-sized bag is abundant in fiber, iron and potassium, has 10 grams of protein and no trans fats. The crispy chickpeas are dusted with ocean-fresh sea salt – making them an easy and equally satiating alternative to potato chips.

Think you’ll still miss out on your favorite sour cream and onion indulgence? Think again! Festive Chickpeas are celebrating snack time one step further with new fun flavors, including Sour Cream and Onion, Sweet & Smoky BBQ and Ranch – because who wants to live without such tangy, savory flavor in their life?

I had the opportunity to try these and I love the Sweet & Smiky BBQ flavor the best! I also took a few to my other job and they quickly disappeared! The Sour Cream and Onion was definitely the biggest hit with my coworkers!

Festive Foods is introducing chickpeas to a new generation of people making it crunchy, crispy full of protein and fiber; satisfying flavor.

Find Festive Chickpeas at www.feelfestive.com and available on Amazon.

Festive Chickpeas are available in variety packs of 1-ounce and 2-ounce snack bags.

Save 10% when getting them on auto ship!

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

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

5 Fun Ways to Use a Spinner Wheel with Kids

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment

As parents, we are always looking for fun and interactive ways to engage our children in learning and creativity. A spinner wheel can be the perfect tool to keep them entertained while also promoting important skills. In this article, we’ll explore five creative ways you can use a spinner wheel to engage your kids, making the most of this versatile and exciting tool.

  1. Storytelling Prompts

A spinner wheel can help spark your child’s imagination and encourage them to create their own stories. Divide the wheel into different segments, each featuring a unique storytelling prompt like characters, settings, or themes. Let your child spin the wheel and use the chosen prompt to weave a tale. This fun activity not only promotes creativity but also helps to expand their vocabulary and communication skills.

  1. Chore Roulette

Turn daily chores into an entertaining game with Chore Roulette. Make sure you’re giving your kids age-appropriate chores and do it in a responsible manner. Allocate specific chores to the segments of the spinner wheel, such as putting toys away, clearing the table or watering flowers. Have your child spin the wheel and complete the chore it lands on. This adds an element of excitement to routine tasks and teaches your child the importance of responsibility and teamwork.

  1. Learning Games

The spinner wheel can be transformed into an engaging learning tool. Divide the wheel into sections with various educational categories like math problems, vocabulary words, or historical events. Encourage your child to spin the wheel and answer questions related to the selected category. This interactive approach to learning makes education more enjoyable and encourages active participation.

  1. Fitness Challenges

Promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle with fitness challenges using a spinner wheel. Create segments on the wheel that represent different exercises or physical activities, such as an obstacle course, jumping jacks, a jumping rope, or “The Floor is Lava”. Your child can take turns spinning the wheel and performing the chosen activity. This game encourages physical fitness, boosts energy levels, and helps to develop motor skills.

  1. Art Projects

Unleash your child’s creativity with an art project spinner wheel. Divide the wheel into segments, each featuring a different artistic approach or technique like painting, collage, or drawing. Your child can spin the wheel and create artwork using the selected input. This activity fosters creativity, self-expression, and fine motor skills development.

Setting Up Your Spinner Wheel: A Quick Guide

Here’s a brief guide on setting up a spinner wheel to implement the creative ideas mentioned above. You don’t need to purchase a physical spinner wheel or make one yourself – a digital spinner wheel can be just as exciting and enjoyable for your kids.

First, pick a spinner wheel website. Make sure to choose one that suits your preferences. I often use a spinner wheel named HeySpinner. Once you’ve selected a website, you’ll typically find a wheel editor near the wheel display. Use this editor to add your custom inputs to the wheel. You can adjust the size of each segment based on the likelihood you want it to be chosen – larger segments have a higher chance of being picked, adding an extra layer of fun to the activity.

Before you finish, be sure to save your customized wheel. You’ll likely need to create an account on the spinner wheel website to store your creations. By saving your wheel, you can easily create multiple wheels with your children and reuse them in the future. This fosters a sense of familiarity and anticipation, making the spinner wheel an activity your kids will eagerly look forward to.

Conclusion

A spinner wheel is a versatile and engaging tool that can be used in countless ways to entertain and educate your children. From storytelling prompts and chore roulette to learning games, fitness challenges, and art projects, the possibilities are endless. Encourage your child to participate in these activities, helping them develop essential skills while having a great time.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Melon, April 27th Pet of the Week

April 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment

The 14 cats removed from a hoarding situation and brought to our shelter were each given the name of a fruit to put some sweetness into an otherwise doleful, pun intended, situation. Melon is one of the picks from the basket, and you musk—er, must meet him! This 3-year-old orange guy likes to hang out with his upstairs littermate, Apple, and is as sweet as his name implies. He be shy at first but comes out of his shell quickly when pets are liberally applied. He’s a great favorite of the volunteers, who call him Melonhead out of silliness. He’ll be a pawsome playmate for another cat or a great solo cat for you. Meet Melon, and you’ll say, “Honey, dew be mine!” 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 or fostering Melon. Ask for ID#A695636).

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Filed Under: Pet Corner

South Coast Botanic Garden has a New Exhibit, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea

April 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Washed Ashore Exhibit

Sixteen giant creatures made from beach debris have landed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula through September for South Coast Botanic Garden’s latest exhibit, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea.

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea is a non-profit organization committed to combating plastic pollution through art and education.

The 16 sculptures making up the Garden’s exhibit, which are primarily sea creatures, were built by the organization and its volunteers to inspire and spark positive change in consumer habits. The Garden, built atop a sanitary landfill, has proven throughout the past 60-plus years that beautiful things can come from trashy pasts. With this exhibit, the Garden will further explore the concept, as well as the education, behind what we can ALL do to limit waste, particularly our single-plastic use.

Some of the sustainable changes the Garden has made will be seen by Washed Ashore guests,
including:
● Selling water in aluminum bottles instead of plastic bottles. The aluminum bottled water
has a screw-off cap, making it reusable.
● Having an electric-vehicle fleet, including golf carts and the Garden’s shuttle. The
Garden’s Tram is currently undergoing a conversion to electric.
● Serving food and beverages out of compostable containers and offering compostable
utensils.
● Placing 4 new recycling bins throughout the Garden and adding a composting bin where
the Garden’s food and beverage is served.
● Replacing the drinking fountain with one that allows guests to refill reusable water
bottles, saving plastic bottles from entering a landfill or waterway.

Washed Ashore also marks a new program for the Garden – the Washed Ashore Adventure Tour.
This non-stop shuttle tour is unlike anything Garden guests have ever experienced. To start,
guests will meet Defender of the Garden, Sage, or the spirited and mischievous Blossom.

Both characters take turns hosting the tour, providing humor and fun along the way.

The whole experience is about 45 minutes, including an exclusive photo opportunity at one of the sculptures.

Lastly, tour guests get to take home a reusable SCBG water bottle to help reduce
their carbon footprint.

This Jellyfish is one of my favorites! Creamsicle the Jellyfish.

While Washed Ashore is included with Garden Admission (free for Members, up to $15 for
non-members), the Washed Ashore Adventure Tour is an additional $29 per person.
Washed Ashore opened on April 1st and will run daily through September.

I had the opportunity to check it out and recommend it to everyone! Both children and adults will enjoy it!

Credit: Information was provided by South Coast Botanical Gardens. Photos taken by SoCal City Kids.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

Celebrate Earth Day at the Los Angeles Zoo

April 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Credit: the Los Angeles Zoo

Join the Los Angeles Zoo for Wild for the Planet this Earth Day to learn about and remember the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife habitats and the planet we all share. This Earth Month event—now in its final two weekends for 2023—creates consciousness around the issues that affect Mother Earth through a myriad of fun and engaging programs including animal demonstrations and feedings, nature-inspired performances and book readings, hands-on activities, a community-focused Earth Expo, and more. 

Go wild for the arts with community- and nature-inspired entertainment and performances each happening twice daily. Wild About Storytelling will feature the Korean Cultural Center on April 22 and Dancing Storytellers: Indian Mythology and Meon April 23. Wild About Dance will feature Philippine folk and dance arts organization Kayamanan Ng Lahi on April 22 and 3rd Rock Hip Hop performing its inspirational hits that help increase kids awareness of sustaining the environment on April 23. Wild About Art will feature Hand Follows Eye Mobile Art Studio on both days from 11am-2pm.

For a full lineup of performances, programming, and activities: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/wild-for-the-planet/map/. 

Connect with community and conservation organizations at the Earth Expo to learn ways to make a positive impact on our planet and defend our natural resources. Learn how to protect plants, birds, and bees at the Planting for Pollinators Station or visit the Upcycling Inspiration Lab for fun, no-waste activities. Sample something sustainable and sweet at the honey tasting booth hosted by the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association, tastings include samples of five different types of all-natural honey ($3 per person). Learn more about the animals and their unique biology and habits through special feedings and enrichment demonstrations happening twice daily.

All month long, donations of unwanted handheld electronics will be accepted at the Zoo through recycling partner ECO-CELL.  Proceeds will go to conservation nonprofits like Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE), which works to safeguard the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla. Share about your donation on social media and be entered to win an L.A. Zoo Family Membership!

For details on donation tips and guidelines, visit https://lazoo.org/save-wildlife/take-action/eco-cell/.  For official sweepstakes rules, visit https://lazoo.org/rules/. 

This event runs weekends through Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All activities except honey tastings ($3) are free with paid admission and for GLAZA members. 

On the evening of Earth Day, the Los Angeles Zoo will light up its front entrance green to illuminate its commitment to the planet. The Zoo’s iconic monument sign gleams with ultra-efficient LED lights that were installed as part of its sustainability efforts.

“Earth Month (April) and Earth Day (April 22nd) are particularly important to the L.A. Zoo because of their ability to magnify the opportunity for people to take action that saves wildlife – from reducing our use of plastic that pollutes oceans, driving much less, growing drought-tolerant native plants, and purchasing sustainable products that don’t harm forests and other threatened habitats,” states L.A. Zoo Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs Carol Armstrong. “Humans have more power than any species to save our planet and we must take advantage of times like these to stand up for wildlife and recruit others to join us,” she goes on to say.

Credit: Los Angeles Zoo.

Filed Under: Featured Events
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