The Aquarium of the Pacific invites parents and their young ones to discover the ocean with the Aquatot program. Children ages two to three accompanied by an adult can interact in a fun and dynamic learning environment at the Aquarium. Make crafts, take a guided tour, and explore the animals in the classroom touch pool in an Aquatots class. These classes are designed for parents and their children to explore the ocean world together. The next program will explore shoreline shapes. Parents and educators will interact and teach children about shapes, from the round eye of a whale to the spiral on a snail shell.

Saturday Family Fun is for children ages four to six years old and their parents, another in the Aquarium’s series of “parent and me” classes. Parents and their children can interact together and delve into the ocean world. Take guided tours of exhibits and explore the realm of sea life with your family. Upcoming topics include marine mammals—participants will explore the lives of seals, sea lions, and sea otters. Discover the differences between seals and sea lions, touch sea otter fur, and pretend to eat like a baleen whale.

WHEN:           Aquatots dates and topics:

Saturday, December 17, 2016, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Shoreline Shapes

Saturday, January 21, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Sounds of the Sea

Saturday Family Fun dates and topics:

Saturday, December 31, 2016, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Magnificent Marine Mammals

Saturday, January 28, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Sea Jellies and Other Incredible Invertebrates

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

COST:            $49.00 per adult/child pair; $20.00 per additional guest

$36.00 for Aquarium member pairs; $15.00 per additional guest

INFO:              For more information visit http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/education/programs/category/toddler_preschool_adventures

Credit:

AQUARIUM:  The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, and the new Horses and Dragons and Vanishing Animals exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. Charity Navigator awarded the Aquarium with a four-star charity rating in 2016. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits.

Photos provided courtesy of The Aquarium of the Pacific.

With the holidays being the most traveled months of the year, too often we find ourselves waiting in airports due to flight delays, or finding it difficult to purchase affordable tickets for last minute travel plans. megabus.com is the perfect option when deciding how to travel in upcoming months to avoid all the typical setbacks of holiday travel.

If you decide on bus travel for the holidays, here are a few tips on how to be prepared and ready to enjoy the hustle and bustle of holiday travel season:

• Book Now – why wait? Fares are as low as $1 (plus a reservation fee) on a megabus.
• Enjoy the Services – every megabus offers Free Wifi to riders.
• Bus Travel Can Be Better Than Airports – avoid the possible flight delays and waiting for hours in an airport, bus travel is the way to go.
• Charging Stations – working from a megabus is easy with outlets to power up on every bus.
• BYO Snacks– since you won’t have to deal with driving, bring a few of your favorite snacks to enjoy on your trip.

Credit: megabus.com

National Cookie Day is Dec.4, but Whole Foods Market is celebrating for an entire week by offering freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for 25 cents each from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. They are available daily while supplies last at all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S, limit three per customer.

“The holidays mean cookie season is upon us, and we think the best way to celebrate is with a sweet deal for customers,” said David Lannon, Whole Foods Market’s executive vice president of operations. “And don’t forget the 365 Everyday Value milk, soy milk or almond milk for dunking!”

All bakery items at Whole Foods Market are made with cage-free eggs and non-bleached or bromated flour, and they contain no artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners or hydrogenated fats.

Credit: Whole Foods Market. Info and photo was provided.

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month? I’m reaching out to you, my loyal readers, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AdoptUSKids, and the Ad Council to ask for your help in spreading the word about just how important it is for prospective parents to consider adopting older youth from foster care.
There is a stigma about older kids that make people shy away from looking at them for adoption, and it is sad, really. Older teens have lower adoption rates than younger children, and they often wait longer to be adopted. But no matter their age, all kids need a supportive, loving home, and the teenage years are a critical period.
Right now, there are 428,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system and 112,000 are waiting to be adopted. AdoptUSKids’ maintains a national photo listing service for children waiting to be adopted.

Since the project launched in 2002, more than 26,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org have been adopted and nearly 39,000 families have registered to adopt through the website. Nevertheless, older youth are disproportionally represented – approximately 43% percent of children and youth photo listed on adoptuskids.org are between 15 and 18 years old, but only 17% of those adopted have been in this age group.
Have you ever considered adoption? Here are a few key things to know and remember:
Adopting from Foster Care:
• Adoption isn’t expensive. Most adoptions from U.S. foster care are free. The minimal costs that can be associated with them are often reimbursable. In addition, the vast majority of youth adopted from foster care are also eligible for monthly adoption assistance up to the level of the foster care rate.
• Kids are in foster care through no fault of their own. Children and youth enter foster care not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by the people who were supposed to care for them. Over 100,000 are waiting for the love and security that a permanent home provides.
• Many different kinds of people can adopt:
o In most instances, you’re eligible to adopt regardless of age, income, marital status or sexual orientation.
o You don’t need to own your own home, be wealthy, or have a college degree to adopt. (However, you do need to demonstrate that you can support yourself without any additional income, such as adoption assistance.)
o You don’t have to be a stay-at-home parent or have children already. And you don’t have to be of child-bearing age—experienced parents and empty-nesters are encouraged to adopt.
o In most states, you do not have to be married to adopt. Many children have been successfully adopted by single parents.
o Even families living outside of the United States, including military families stationed overseas, are eligible to adopt from the U.S. foster care system.

For more information about adoption, or about becoming an adoptive parent to a child from foster care, please visit adoptuskids.org or visit the campaign’s communities on Facebook and Twitter.

Credit: Adoptuskids.org.

Disney has launched “Moana: Wayfinding with Code,” a free online tutorial that offers an introduction to the basics of computer science, featuring characters from the upcoming Disney animated film, Moana. In conjunction with the launch of “Moana: Wayfinding with Code,” Disney also announced activations across the world that invite millions of students to learn the basics of coding. Created in close collaboration with Code.org, the “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” tutorial will be available in more than 180 countries and 23 languages, including Samoan Polynesian, giving children all over the world the opportunity to learn the basics of coding.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s storytellers and with this tutorial we’re working to introduce them to the technological skills they will need to bring their stories to life,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI). “By bringing together Code.org and Disney filmmakers, we’ve created a program that we hope will inspire kids all over the world to try coding for themselves.”

Over the past two years, Disney has hosted two Hour of Code tutorials, featuring characters from Disney’s Frozen and from Star Wars. In total, almost 40 million students have participated in these tutorials to learn the basics of coding.

“We’ve found that kids are much more likely to try computer science if it contains topics they are interested in, like their favorite Disney stories and characters,” said Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org. “Our work with Disney over the past two years has helped Hour of Code reach record numbers, inspiring millions of children of all ages to try coding and pursue an education in computer science.”

Disney Hour of Code Events:

Disney is working with leading organizations to host events around the world in an effort to reach millions of parents and students during CS Education Week (December 5-11) to introduce kids to coding. These events include:

Apple Stores: All 487 Apple stores worldwide will host block-based coding for young coders workshops featuring the “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” tutorial during their Hour of Code session December 5 through 11.

Code.org: Code.org will feature “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” tutorial on its site and will educate thousands of teachers and community leaders about how to use the Disney tutorial in their lessons.  Register participation in a Disney Hour of Code here:  HourofCode.com/Disney.

Family Code Night:  “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” will also be part of direct family engagement in home and school learning.  Parents and educators eager to bring new coding education to their kids can sign up today to receive the free “Moana Family Code Night Event Kit,” shipping in January.  Family Code Night is a delightful high-impact elementary school event at which children and their parents do their first hour of coding, together, as part of a whole-school evening program that any school can put on.  Celebrating family engagement in CS education, the Moana Family Code Night Event Kit will let any parent help their principal and school or youth group put on this family computer science learning event with a theme inspired by the film. Sign up for the free Kit today at http://www.familycodenight.org/Moana.

Disney Network: Disney will promote the “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” tutorial across its global channels in an effort to reach millions of families.  Tutorial and toolkit found here: Disney.com/HourofCode.

Moana: Wayfinding with Code Tutorial:

The story of the “Moana: Wayfinding with Code” tutorial centers around Moana and Maui as they sail through unknown territory across the ocean. As students follow Moana and Maui’s travels, they learn basic coding commands that help steer the boat. Along the way, students are introduced to conditionals, sequences and loops while they master the art of navigation. When Moana and Maui are suddenly attacked by the Kakamora – coconut-clad warriors, they must use their coding skills to dodge their pirate projectiles and penetrate their defenses.

“The artistry and innovative technology used to create “Disney’s Moana” is rooted in the types of skills that kids will develop by learning the basics of computer science,” said Osnat Shurer, producer of Disney’s Moana. “We hope that Moana’s fierce determination and sense of adventure encourages children to try this tutorial and learn the skills they need to become future filmmakers and storytellers.”

Disney’s Hour of Code uses a visual programming language with “Blocks” that kids simply drag and drop to write code. This visual programming language is a fun and easily understandable way to teach basic coding skills. This type of visual programming lays the foundation for text-based programming.

For educators, parents and leaders looking to host their own hour of code event in their communities, they may access the tutorial and download the Disney Hour of Code Digital Toolkit at Disney.com/hourofcode in both English and Spanish.  Events may be registered at HourofCode.com/Disney.

Credit: Disney/Code.org.

The holidays are here! It’s almost Black Friday! Are you ready to hit the mall to go shopping?

The Shops at Montebello is the place to go! I just visited there this past weekend and loved checking out the Christmas decorations, Santa and they even had Christmas carolers!

I was also able to tour the New Cotton On store! This is the happening store this holiday season! This one is especially great for the 18-30 range but I also found a few sweaters I loved there so it really isn’t just for those ages! It is great for all ages!

Cotton On is a fast-fashion retailer specializing in affordable clothing for men, women, teenagers and children. Shoppers can snag the latest in fashion, accessories, home goods, gifts and stationary for unbeatable prices. The new, 5,527-square-foot Cotton On storefront opens Saturday, November 19, and is located on the lower level near Center Court.

You really will love Cotton On!

Black Friday doorbusters for Cotton On have already begun online. They have special sales on sweaters, scarves and other fall/winter essentials. Guests can expect similar Black Friday deals in-store on Friday. Website: http://cottonon.com/US/

Other participating event retailers included:

• Forever 21 had a mannequin display with holiday favorites
• Tabling by G by Guess, GAP, JCPenney

Happy Shopping!

Self Disclosure: I participated in a Blogger invite to facilitate this post.

This Wednesday, November 23^rd, isn’t just one of the busiest travel days of the year. It’s also National Espresso Day, and Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating the holiday by making it easy for guests to keep on running through the day with an espresso beverage in hand. On November 23, participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the country will offer any medium hot or iced espresso beverage for the special price of only $1.99.

Dunkin’ Donuts’ menu of rich and robust espresso offerings include Hot and Iced Macchiatos, Hot and Iced Lattes, and Cappuccinos. All Dunkin’ Donuts espresso beverages are made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified espresso and are sourced from the finest, high-quality Arabica beans. Dunkin’ Donuts’ Macchiatos, Lattes and Cappuccinos can be customized with a guest’s choice of dairy or sweetener.

Additionally, for the holiday season the brand is offering a sweet variety of seasonal flavors to help keep anyone dashing through their day, including new Crème Brulée Macchiatos and Lattes featuring the rich, creamy taste of crème brulée with a deep, caramelized sugar flavor. Other holiday favorites include classic Peppermint Mocha, which combines cool peppermint flavor with rich chocolate, and Salted Caramel, which offers sweet and salty notes with each delicious sip.

“With National Espresso Day coinciding with the one of the most active travel days of the year, it’s the perfect time to show appreciation for our guests by making it easier to enjoy any of our signature espresso beverages,” said Chris Fuqua, Dunkin’ Donuts’ Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing, Global Consumer Insights and Product Innovation. “We welcome everyone to celebrate National Espresso Day with a medium hot or iced espresso beverage for the special price of only $1.99, and we look forward to helping our guests stay energized with our full espresso lineup throughout the busy weeks ahead.”

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts), Instagram (www.instagram.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

Credit: Dunkin’ Donuts.

Brought to you by BoxLunch, the pop culture gift store with a cause, and Lyft, now it’s even easier to receive free ride credits to the malls listed below.

With no purchase requirement, you can enter code BOXLUNCH into your Lyft app to receive free Lyft ride credits for two rides, to or from the participating malls, up to $15 off per ride, between 11/25 – 11/27. We hope you’ll stop by BoxLunch and stock up on your holiday gifts before catching your Lyft ride home.

BoxLunch’s civic mission of “Get Some. Give Back” remains constant. For every $10 spent in-store or online, BoxLunch helps provide a healthy meal to those in need via its philanthropic partner Feeding America® and their nationwide network of food banks.

Hours of BoxLunch/Lyft Promo Operation:
· Friday, November 25 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
· Saturday, November 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
· Sunday, November 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Participating Malls:
· Brea Mall
1065 Brea Mall
Brea, CA 92821

Food Bank: Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618

· Del Amo Mall
3525 W. Carson St.
Torrance, CA 90503

Food Bank: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058

· Glendale Galleria
100 West Broadway
Glendale, CA 91210

Food Bank: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058

· Irvine Spectrum
670 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

Food Bank: Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618

· Los Cerritos Center
239 Los Cerritos Mall
Cerritos, CA 90703

Food Bank: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058

· Northridge Fashion Center
9301 Tampa Ave
Northridge, CA 91324

Food Bank: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058

Credit: BoxLunch and Lyft.