Calendar of event for the weekend of September 14 and 15th, 2013

This weekend there are several places you can go to escape from the heat and have fun at the same time. I am sharing with you a few places that are family friendly and inexpensive for a family of four.

 South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa - Festival of the Children has free activities for young kids to enjoy. Along with an air conditioned area you have great shopping stores and food places to enjoy while you learn about nonprofit organizations related to children, featuring over 100 activities, workshops, performances and celebrity appearances for families. It is right off the 405 freeway off Bristol. Make sure you take your walking shoes. There is lots of things to see and do.

 

Lobster Festival Port of Los Angeles, CA is having it's annual lobster event. This event has been happening since 1999, so it is sure to be a fun place to listen to music and enjoy some lobster. Go early to avoid the crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and remember to eat and be merry.

 

Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona - There is no place like the Los Angeles County fair. The rows and rows of things to visit and see is long. Last year it took me two trips to see it all. My favorite was the farm animals. My kids got to pet goats, pigs and sheep on one visit. You will need to arrive early and wear comfortable shoes. Bring water with you as it can get very hot in Pomona. This year they have a Star Trek collection that is worthy of a visit. Lots of great comfort foods to taste and enjoy. Have fun and remember to take lots of pictures.

 

Elephant Parade in Dana Point - Go on a hunt for the beautiful Elephants and capture them with your camera. The collection of painted Elephants is here in Southern California. The collection will be auctioned off and won't be accessible to the public after November 17,2013. This event is being used to bring awareness to the extinction of the real live elephants. This is a problem that could effect our kids and the coming generations. Imagine not having elephants in our world. Please support this cause by visiting the elephants and spreading the word.

Have a great weekend exploring your city and your community. Stay safe and take lots of pictures for show and tell.  

Why do we call them ladybugs?

Why do we call them Ladybugs?  One story says that in the middle ages a large amount of bad insects were destroying valuable crops. Farmers were devastated and begin to pray to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon after prayers were said they witnessed hero bugs (Ladybugs) appear on their farms and began to  eat the harmful insects. The Ladybugs destroyed the harmful insects and saved crops. The farmers began to call the insects "The Beetle of Our Lady". As time went by the name stuck as Ladybugs.  The tale  further explains that the red wings represent the Virgin's cloak and the black spots are symbolic of both Virgin's Mary's joys and her sorrows.

Lucky Ladybug for you.

May you have many ladybugs in your garden today. Have a great Friday!

Pirate's Booty Facebook Contest ends September 12th, 2013 - #Photograph #contest

 

Disclaimer: This is not a paid sponsor post. The contest rules were taken from the press release. This an informational post. Comments and opinions are all my own.  

Are you creative and love to take photos? Could you use $500.00 American Express card? Then I suggest you enter the Pirate Booty Contest on Facebook. What is Pirate's Booty Snack? Pirate’s Booty is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack made from puffed rice and corn.  Pirate’s Booty has half the fat and fewer calories than regular fried potato chips, so it’s a great healthier alternative.  Pirate’s Booty is gluten, peanut and tree nut free and made without trans-fats and ingredients you can’t pronounce. This great snack product is hosting a contest and is giving prizes for your pirate inspired photos. The Grand Prize Includes: Pirate Loot ($500.00 American Gift Card), a 3 month supply of Pirate's Booty Snack and Pirate Swag. The 2nd prize is a 1 year supply. This is a perfect opportunity to have your photos voted on and viewed by thousands of people. Hurry and enter the contest now.

 

To enter the Pirate’s Booty “Talk Like A Pirate Day” Photo & Caption Contest, just follow the simple instructions below:   

1. Log onto www.Facebook.com/PiratesBooty and click on the “Photo & Caption Contest” app
2. Strike a pose with yarrr best pirate face (feel free to include some pirate gear!)
3.  Upload yarrr photo from now until September 12^th (photos must be in .jpg, .png, .gif format)
4. Talk like a Pirate (give us yarrr best Pirate speak when captioning yarrr photo)
5.  Rally yarrr Facebook crew to vote for yarrr photo during the Voting Period between September 13^th through September 17^th
6. The 3 submissions with the most votes by the close of the Voting Period will be considered Finalists. The Grand Prize Winner will be selected by Pirate’s Booty based on the photo and caption creativity.
7.  The winner will be announced on “Talk Like A Pirate Day,” September 19^th

Can't wait to see the creativity. Have fun taking your photos and may the best photo win!  

Toshiba Tall Ships at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.

UPDATED: Toshiba Tall Ships coming this September 11th, 2015. Don't forget to visit Dana Point and discovery something amazing. This is their 31st Annual event sponsored by Toshiba. 

There will be lots of vendors selling pirate, ocean themed items as well as food vendors near the baby beach. You can purchase tickets to ride the ships. There is an opportunity to watch ships sail from the beach area. Bring your swimming shorts and sunscreen to this event. 

If you decided to take an adventure on one of ships then purchase tickets before September 11, 2015 to reserve your spot. 

The fees are as followed to ride the ships: Date: Friday, September 11 Sail Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Check-in: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Boarding Time: 4:00 p.m. Cost: Members: $35 / adults, $25 / children (4-12 yrs.) Non-members: $45 / adults, $35 / children (4-12 yrs.) 

Group Rates Groups of 8 or more participants qualify for discounted pricing. Reservations must be made in one transaction. For pricing details, please email Tracy Kirby at tkirby@ocean-institute.org with the following info: your name, phone number, email, sail name/date/time, and number of participants. There is a transaction processing fee added to all credit card, phone, and internet orders. 

Note for the landlubbers… For those of you who can’t make it out to sea, you may view the parade from shore from the breakwater behind the Ocean Institute. We can’t guarantee what time the ships will pass by, but it’s safe to arrive around 5:30 p.m. Don’t forget your camera!

Please go to their website for more information 

http://www.tallshipsfestival.com/sunsetparade.html

http://www.ocean-institute.org/index2.html

“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”
― Mother Teresa

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. It is a community reminder. Please contact the Ocean Institute for more information. “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

TEDx: Orange Coast 2013 - Segerstrom Center for the Arts is this Septemeber 20 & 21, 2013

TEDX Beautiful Minds is coming to Southern California. You must come and hear first hand how to create a beautiful mind. I can't wait to see and learn about how the mind works. READ ON.....

 

Events Details

• Start Date: September 20, 2013
• End Date: September 21, 2013
• Location: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
• Address: 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

Segerstrom Center for the Arts on September 20 & 21, 2013

What is TEDx? The words stand for Technology, Entertainment Design. For me TEDx is a conference that opens your mind and brightens it. Short speeches given by thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives. Each presenter makes you feel like this world is  beautiful and adventurous. Every speaker is so different then the last that you forget about time. Last year I attended the conference and found out that I totally love it. One of the speeches I heard was of Nigel Nisbet , he opened my mind to think of math in a different way. He made me see a chocolate bar as a math tool.  I found so much value in his speech and from all the others who are changing our world through their work. Beautiful Minds will be this years theme at the TEDx Orange Coast conference. I am looking forward to learning so much from Technology, Entertainment and Design. I hope all of you get a chance to attend at least once a TEDx conference. I leave you with a video from last year to inspire you.

The tickets for this great event are on sale now at the Segerstrom Center.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I will be attending one day as a guest. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.  Posting video with permission.

Wordless Wednesday - #ThebookofSteak #carnivore #Mealplanning

Do you have an emergency contact list and a plan in place?

One thing that is very important to have this fall is your "In Case of Emergency Contacts" and "Emergency plan". What would you do in the event of an emergency? Do you know who you would call? Where would you go? It is important that you have a plan and that you communicate your plan to your family and friends.  This week I want you to think about what you would need to survive a long period of time without your car, home or just your daily commodities. 

Then put a plan in place. Start with where you would meet? Who is in your circle of family and friends that may help you or need your help. What canned foods in your pantry will help you stay nourished. Tools that will help you like a non electric can opener.  Do you have a bicycle if there is a gas shortage. Do you have a working radio with batteries and a flash light? How much water do you have in your house? Medicine for your illnesses. Just imagine there is no electricity, running water or Internet. Think of how to help your family and yourself through an emergency. Here in California we have a website you can go to for information on preparing for Earthquakes. Just go to Ready .gov and find out a family plan and video's to help you prepare. https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

REDCROSS

Start by making a list of things that are important in an emergency. Then put your plan together and share it with your family and friends. 

Here is a suggestion of what you should have in your home: 

Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Flashlight

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

Extra batteries

First aid kit – Anatomy of a First Aid Kit

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

Multi-purpose tool

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

Emergency blanket

Map(s) of the area - Know your location, School, Work or home area.

You can go to the Red Cross for more information on how to prepare for an emergency. Stay safe and remember to plan ahead. I leave you with a questions? Who is on your emergency contact list?
https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. All thoughts and ideas are all my own.