Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Enjoyable Cold Weather Attractions in Niagara Falls

January 31, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

naiagara falls at night

Home to one of the natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls is a famously busy tourist destination throughout the summer months. With half of the iconic falls in upstate New York and the other half in Canada, the area receives its fair share of snow and cold temperatures throughout the winter. However, as any Niagara native can attest, the onset of winter doesn’t mean the area goes into hibernation. No matter the time of year, travelers are sure to find a wide range of fun-filled attractions when visiting Niagara Falls.

Winter Festival of Lights

No one visiting Niagara Falls during the winter months can afford to miss the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights. A historic tradition dating back to the early 1900s, the Festival of Lights entails picturesque winter-themed lighting displays being placed all around the city. These displays grow more impressive by the year and ensure that anyone walking through key areas of Niagara Falls at nighttime is able to enjoy a fantastic show. The Festival of Lights lasts from November 3rd to January 31st, making it the perfect attraction for holiday travelers.

Niagara Icewine Festival

Wine connoisseurs won’t want to miss out on the Niagara Icewine Festival. Lasting from January 11th to January 27th, the Icewine Festival provides attendees with a prime opportunity to sample an assortment of delicious wines from the Niagara region’s world-renowned wineries. Of course, this isn’t to say that this festival only caters to wine lovers. In addition to showcasing a bevy of fine wines, the Icewine Festival also provides guests with world-class local cuisine and quality entertainment. Couples looking for the perfect weekend excursion are sure to have a ball.

Icebreakers Comedy Festival

Anyone looking to have their funny bone tickled should pay a visit to the Icebreakers Comedy Festival. Now entering its sixth year, this festival lasts from January 23rd to January 26th and is the largest comedy festival in the region. The organizers pride themselves on booking the hottest talent in Canada, so anyone who shows up can rest assured that they’re in for a good time. Additionally, since the Icebreakers Comedy Festival is considered part of the Niagara Icewine Festival, travelers who show up for one can easily attend the other.

Nightmares Fear Factory

Travelers who love a good scare will want to test their mettle at Nightmares Fear Factory. Regarded as one of the most frightening haunted houses in the world, Nightmares Fear Factory truly lives up to its reputation. Featuring a bone-chilling backstory and a plethora of intricate rooms to explore, this attraction will leave you screaming long after you’ve left. Over 155,000 visitors have been unable to make it all the way through without chickening out, so if you’re among the brave souls able to make it to the end, you’ll have earned your haunted house bona fides. Nightmares Fear Factory also offers convenient group discounts, making it the perfect attraction for large parties.

Journey Behind the Falls

No Niagara Falls vacation is complete without an up-close look at the iconic falls. Although many boat tours take the winter off, Journey Behind the Falls is open year-round. One of Niagara’s most popular walking tours, Journey provides travelers with the chance to see the falls from behind and below. After visitors have descended 150 feet via an elevator, they can make their way through two portals located right behind the falls. Throughout this walking tour, guests will find an informative assortment of falls-related facts posted on the walls and have ample opportunities to appreciate the visual marvel that is Niagara Falls. At the end of the tour, guests are granted access to two observation decks located at the foot of the falls. However, during the winter months, the lower deck is often closed due to icy conditions.

It’s easy to see why many travelers regard Niagara Falls as a warm weather destination. After all, it’s split between two areas that are known for famously frigid winters. However, unbeknownst to many wintertime vacationers, Niagara Falls is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year. Whether you’re traveling solo, looking for a romantic getaway, or on the hunt for a fun-filled family destination, Niagara Falls has something for everyone. The next time you’re bitten by the wintertime travel bug, chart a course for Niagara.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: check in, travel

St. Jude’s global childhood cancer initiative aims to cure 60 percent of the world’s children by 2030

January 31, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Over the past year, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has announced it’s expanding its international reach with St.Jude Global, a more than $100 million investment toward accelerating efforts to improve childhood cancer survival rates worldwide. In addition, as part of this renewed effort to prioritize the global approach to childhood cancer, St. Jude and World Health Organization announced a five-year collaboration – a multi-faceted, coordinated effort to cure 60 percent of children with six of the most common types of cancer by 2030.

In the United States, pediatric cancer survival rates top 80 percent, and most children have access to quality care, regardless of where they live. Around the world, however, the statistics are bleak. More than 80 percent of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, and the overwhelming majority will die from their diseases.

Video – Global Disparities in Childhood Cancer

“During this year’s World Cancer Day, we continue to make great strides in achieving St. Jude founder Danny Thomas’ dream of a world where ‘no child should die in the dawn of life,’” said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. “Global childhood cancer rates are on the rise as more children worldwide survive infancy. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of those new cases are happening in places where they lack access to adequate diagnosis and treatment.”

Young Syrian refugees living in Lebanese camps is one place where St. Jude Global has already made a difference that will be featured during the upcoming American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Annual Meeting – the world’s largest gathering of multi-disciplinary sciences – on Sunday, Feb. 17 in Washington, D.C.

A collaboration between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon at the American University of Beirut Medical Center has led to almost 600 non-Lebanese children receiving cancer-related evaluations, treatment, consultations and referrals. By sharing resources, best practices, insights and infrastructure, more refugees were treated who would have otherwise died because they happened to have cancer at a time when their family was displaced by war.

“During this year’s World Cancer Day, our work in Lebanon is a reminder that it is possible to save the lives of children who would have otherwise died simply because they happen to have cancer when their families were displaced,” said Sima Jeha, M.D., director of St. Jude Global’s East and Mediterranean Region.“Our experience in this region shows that effective pediatric cancer treatment is possible even in crisis situations.”

Jeha will lead a presentation, “Treating Pediatric Cancer in Crisis: Lessons for Delivering Care,” outlining lessons learned from this collaboration across borders and institutions and offering a blueprint to address the needs of children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries, even under the worst of circumstances. During the presentation, a panel of global medical experts will discuss lessons learned from the experience in Lebanon and how institutions and countries can work together to improve outcomes for non-communicable diseases in peace and in crisis.

Additional detail about St. Jude Global’s work to effectively treat young Syrian refugees can be found in St. Jude’s Promise Magazine, here.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, health Tagged With: children, health, not for profit

NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY Announce Guest Artist Line-Up for the Year of the Pig Celebration at NJPAC #Theater

January 29, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY
Announce Guest Artist Line-Up
for the Year of the Pig
Celebration at NJPAC
Sat February 2 and Sun February 3, 2019 at 2pm

NJ dance

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will celebrate the end of the Chinese Zodiac cycle with a special program steeped in symbolism and virtue, expressing the Company’s commitment to the art and the culture of the community. For the occasion, the company has invited several world-renowned artists to join its program.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company announces a colorful and vibrant special Chinese New Year Celebration at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102, on Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, 2019 at 2pm. Tickets are $17-35 and are available by phone at (888) GO-NJPAC or online at https://www.njpac.org/events/detail/year-of-the-pignai-ni-chen-dance-company.

This year, Nai-Ni Chen bring a new Bamboo themed production aimed to take audiences beyond cultural boundaries. Nai-Ni Chen chose bamboo as a theme to celebrate the Year of the Pig.

Why Bamboo? First, the Chinese phonetic sound for Bamboo is Zu, is similar to the sound for pig (Zu). Second, and perhaps more important, is because Bamboo is the most celebrated plant in Chinese culture. As far as 1000 years ago, during the Sung Dynasty (960-1269), noted for art and literature and philosophy, scholars have used bamboo as a symbol for the resiliency, humility, and honesty to inspire each other. The great poet and Literati, Su Dong Po said “I cannot live a day without bamboo”.

According to Nai-Ni Chen; in the current social and political climate, artists, like the scholar of the past generations, needs encourage their fellows and communities that moral character of humility, honesty and resiliency needs to be held at the highest no matter which way the wind blows. Art is what defines us as a society and civilization, and these traditional and contemporary dances she has created and choreographed, advocates for the cultural values and morality that she, as a female Chinese immigrant artist, brings to the United States. In this wonderful time of celebration of the end of the Zodiac cycle, she has prepared a festive and colorful experience that everyone can enjoy and yet carries the message of culture and value that we all share in common.

The Year of the Pig is expected to be a festival year of great abundance and prosperity. To celebrate the Year of the Pig, the Company has developed a rich and fantastic program that incorporates many positive aspects of Chinese and Chinese American immigrant culture in the program. Beside the remarkably acrobatic and beautiful dances, the Company has also invited special guest artists: Bamboo Flute master Tao Chen, Peking Opera artist Yun-Hong Jia, and paper cut master Hotien Cheng.

Tao Chen: An internationally acclaimed Chinese bamboo flutist, music educator, composer and

conductor of Chinese orchestra, is the founder and director of the Melody of Dragon, Inc.. He was the artistic director and conductor of the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York and conductor of New Jersey Buddha’s light Youth Chinese Orchestra. He is also the 27th generation musician of Zhi-Hua Buddhism Music. The New York Times called Chen Tao, a “poet in music” and his playing “a miracle of the oriental flute.” Conductor Herbert Von Karajan praises him as an artist who “performs with his soul.” Chen Tao is a graduate and former Associate Professor at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He was the winner of the 1989 National Folk Instrument Competition in China and has toured throughout U.S., Germany, Italy, France, England, Holland, Finland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. He has collaborated with the BBC Philharmonic and the Notional Orchestra of Lyon. His playing can be heard on several soundtracks of Hollywood movies including Seven Years in Tibet, Corrupter (with the New York Philharmonic) and on the PBS documentary Under the Red Flag.

Yong-Hong Jia is a professional Kunqu and Peking opera performer trained in the Beijing Kunqu Academy and performed principal roles in the Beijing Kunqu Opera Theatres in Beijing for many years. Ms. Jia was invited by New York Lincoln Center Festival to perform one of the principal roles in The Peony Pavilion in 1999 and performed in the subsequent tours, in France, Italy, Denmark, Australia, and Singapore. After the tour, she appeared in Beijing opera and Kunqu in major theatres and Chinese communities across North America. Aside from her stage appearances, Ms. Jia also starred in many award-winning movies and TV productions in China. She is currently serving as the President of Renaissance Chinese Opera Society in New York City.

Master Paper Cut Artist Ho Tien Cheng is oen of the few free-form style paper cutter Master in the world who can translate any three dimensional image onto the two dimensional paper. Hou-Tien Cheng has spent 50-years in his craft, and astonished millions of audience with his scissors. He has been featured on national TV commercials for Citigroup, and collaborated in the visual design of Nai-Ni Chen’s dance projects.

About the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Bringing the dynamic freedom of American modern dance together with the elegant splendor of Asian art, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is one of the most visible Asian American dance companies in America. Ms. Chen’s unique choreography transports audiences beyond cultural boundaries to the common ground between tradition and innovation, rising beyond form into the spirit.

One of the few Asian American professional dance companies with an extensive season of touring and performing around the world, Nai-Ni Chen has also developed Arts in Education residency programs in school districts to bring culture and arts into educational settings. Its colorful and engaging programs and workshops have reached over one million young audience members in the NY/NJ area. The Company is currently in residence at New Jersey City University and has been a Principal Affiliate of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center since its inception.

Filed Under: entertainment, theater Tagged With: dance, Entertainment, live show, NJ, NJ dance, NJ theater, theater

What to do When Injured on Vacation

January 29, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Not that the holidays are over, and the Super Bowl is right around the corner it can only mean one thing – the dark days of winter are. For many people, this means planning a holiday in the sun, maybe to an amazing beach or just to some place where you don’t need to wear an extra 10 pounds of clothing just to go outside.

However, one thing that should be on every travelers’ mind is what to do when injured on vacation. While everyone would think of this, the reality is that even experienced travelers often fail to get the appropriate insurance when heading away from home. This can lead to further complications, both financial and emotional, and with that in mind here are some tips on how to handle such a situation.

Before we get started, you should always consider getting a travel insurance policy. Most are inexpensive, and the additional coverage will help to fill the gaps in your current insurance. In addition, many health insurance policies don’t travel across state lines, so having the extra protection could help you and your family in the long run.

Emergency Contacts

Again, this is something that everyone should have in order before they travel but most people don’t. The good news is that this is an easy fix as all you need to do is put together a list of emergency contacts and then keep it on your phone – by the way, having a laminated list of the contacts in your wallet isn’t a bad idea either.

Along with having a list of emergency contacts, you should also think about sharing your itinerary with your contact. This way they know where you are supposed to be and when you are supposed to be there.

Another thing you might want to do is have a master list of secondary contacts. This will include your insurance company, doctor, and maybe even a lawyer – especially one who specializes in personal injury law.

According to Tony Seaton from the Law Offices of Seaton & Bates, PLLC, “most people just really want to get back to the life they had before their injuries and getting there is a process that requires access to proper medical care and financial resources that can help support you on that path” As such, having the contact details of a lawyer you trust nearby will help to ensure if there is an emergency that you are getting the support you need.

Contingency Planning

Granted, there is only so much you can do but when it comes to an extended holiday, you should have a plan in place for what to do if something untoward happens. This could be anything as mundane as losing your wallet – it happens – to having extra medicine with you in case you come down with a stomach bug or something along those lines.

In addition, you might want to bring along extra medicine if there is something critical that you need to manage. This is especially true when traveling overseas as you might not have a good idea where to get refills, etc.

Beyond this, you may want to consider what medical facilities are available where you are traveling and even how you would get treatment if you were in a remote area. While it might seem that this sort of preplanning is unnecessary, but you do need to consider that you are traveling to a location where you don’t know the doctors or other available services. As such it is better to know how to get the healthcare you need than to wait until the last minute.

Getting Home

We might take this for granted but in some cases getting home after being injured on vacation can be a massive logistical exercise. This could be due to several factors, including your ability to travel and what medical support you need during your journey.

Unfortunately, this is often overlooked when people are trying to deal with an injury away from home. While this makes sense, at some point you will want to map out how you can get back to your friends and family.

Depending on the nature of your injury, it might also mean that you won’t be in a condition to make the plans yourself. As such, a best practice is that you assign one of your contacts as the responsible party in case you are incapacitated. Doing so will probably mean setting up a limited power of attorney and making sure your living will is in order.

It doesn’t matter if you are traveling for work or for pleasure, you will want to follow these best practices to make sure that you will be in looked after when faced with a medical emergency on vacation.

Filed Under: health, traveling Tagged With: check in, travel

Awesome 60th Birthday Gift Ideas for Dad

January 25, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

The following is a guest post. All opinions are those of the author.

A father is always a pillar of the family so his 60th birthday it should be very special for him to be getting into his second phase of life.

A life journal

With age men do have various experiences which sometimes quite hard to share. So this 60th birthday why not add some happy and valuable thing in your dad’s life.

Gift him a life journal where he can pen down his experiences of life and the happy and sad moments and how and what they learnt from them. This way you would be encouraging them to write and this journal would not only be their asset but precious for you too as it would help you to understand and bond more close with him.

A fitbit wireless wristband

60 is an age when not only one grows old slowly but the body too starts weakening, so this 60th birthday bring fitness in your father’s life by gifting him some healthy gift. Go for a wireless fitbit wristband which would help him in checking his body and its fitness.

These fitbit bands help with the accurate reading of the physical fitness, the heartbeat and even can help in checking the pressure. So this way he would be able to check on his own health and follow a fit regime with walks and exercises. This will be one of the best 60th birthday gift ideas for dad.

A power bank pen

Technology is surely enhancing with time, so on the occasion of the 60th birthday of your beloved dad why not gift him some latest technology which would surely be useful for him.

Smartphones are now very common in use, and surely your dad too uses one of them, and the most common factor is charging them when you are outside, so the powerbank pen would the best solution for charging wherever he would be.

A gourmet basket

Food is the ultimate therapy of life and if your dad is a real foodie then the best gift for his 60th birthday would be a basket full of goodies, making his day more special.

Gift him with the ultimate gourmet basket which would have everything, like popcorns, to cookies, snacks, roasted nuts. So what are you thinking more. This gourmet basket would bring that broad smile on your dad’s face which he used to have in his youth.

Whiskey rock set

Drinking is a part of a man’s life so his 60th birthday gift your dad an unusual gift which he would cherish for lifetime. A set of whiskey rock which would enhance the drink better.

These are generally soap stones which help in reducing the room temperature of the drink and helps in proper digestion. There are few instructions to be followed, which are very simple.

So make your father’s drinking sessions more good and enhanced with these whiskey rocks. It is for sure that this would be quite an unusual gift for him as he would have never thought of having such a gift in his lifetime.

A zero gravity massage chair recliner

Your dad has always kept the happiness of the whole family and specially you before his needs all his life. So on his 60th birthday gift him something which would give him some me time with relaxation.

The zero gravity massage chair recliner is the perfect gift for him now. This would take away all the stress of the whole day out from his body and the time would be just for him. These chairs are very good as it restrains all the muscles making them active and energetic too.

Any form of pain would be instantly cured through the massage rhythm and would bring fresh energy with vitality.

Portable espresso maker

Coffee is surely a need for all so why not gift something which would help your dad on his trips outside be it a holiday or for work. The portable espresso maker is the answer for it.

They are available in a set and this would make espresso anywhere you are, so the next trip your dad is going to have, be it with his friends or for some official work, this espresso maker would keep you fresh in their mind and heart.

Filed Under: gifts Tagged With: gifts, guest post

It’s Important For Your Kids to Feel Safe on Winter Road Trips

January 25, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Winter road trips present a host of challenges. Of course, the weather can be a factor, considering where you’re driving, but there are so many other elements to consider as well. Especially when you’re traveling with your family and with your children, it’s important that everyone feels safe to have a smooth and seamless road trip.

Safety is one of the basic fundamental human needs, and children are especially affected by this need. Here are the main reasons why it’s important for your kids to feel safe on winter road trips.

Safety encourages rest

When kids feel truly safe, they are able to relax and rest. In the case of road trips, this means they’re able to sleep, or just relax to a level of calmness that keeps everyone happy. Especially when you are driving long distances, it’s necessary that kids find time to sleep – and this can only really happen if they are incredibly tired, as well as if they feel safe.

So, make some preparations to make sure that your kids feel safe and comfortable. Encourage them to bring along their favorite books and toys, bring some familiar snacks, play soothing and enjoyable music. Especially for the first hour or so in the car, creating an environment of safety and support is crucial. Bring travel-friendly pillows and blankets as well (or maybe their favorite pillow or stuffed animal), so your kids feel as safe and secure as possible.

Safety encourages happiness

When you feel safe, you are then able to experience a broad range of other emotions, including happiness. The same applies to children. While road trips, especially road trips with children, are not typically an experience that we associate with happiness, there’s no reason why your winter road trip can’t be a happy one!

Take extra steps to find the joy in embarking on a road trip as a family. Practice mindfulness and be open to making memories along the way. Safety is your primary concern, but don’t forget about happiness. Plus, if you have young children and can teach them early on that road trips are fun and something to look forward to, then this will help create a long-term positive association.

Safety creates a calm environment

There are many things you can do ahead of time to make sure your road trip goes as smoothly and calmly as possible. For example, when you plan out your route, make sure you have at least one or two backup routes in case of inclement weather and road closures. This will help prevent last-minute frustrations that can then stress all car passengers.

Another important thing to do before hitting the road is to make sure your car has been recently serviced and is fully prepared for any environmental hazards that may come up as a result of your winter road trip. Make sure that your tire pressure is sound, and that tire treads are up to par for winter conditions. Quality vehicles will set up you up for the best safety conditions, but even they need to be serviced regularly.

You should also bring necessary supplies with you: This means bringing tire chains, windshield cleaners, and even packing an emergency road kit like this one recommended by AAA just in case. Wherever you happen to be traveling, be aware of all potential winter elements that you could encounter, and prepare accordingly.

Another thing that’s important to do is not over-pack the car. This can be tough on winter road trips, especially if you are bringing along ski equipment or other winter gear, but you need to find a balance of how much stuff is “too much stuff” in your car. When you over-pack, stored items can impede on passengers’ personal space, which creates an underlying sense of annoyance and frustrations that are likely to bubble over at some point. Prevent this from happening by packing strategically, and investing in a rooftop carrier is needed to transport all your winter items safely.

When children feel safe, they are able to function, flourish and grow at their highest capacity. Prioritize safety as a fundamental need in life, and especially any time that you are traveling with your kids.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: car safety, check in, family road trip, road trips, safety, travel

ActiveWear for being Outdoors/Winter Elements #ActiveWear #GetActive

January 21, 2019 by Samantha 2 Comments

If you are an active family who likes to get outdoors no matter what the weather, we have some great options for you to check out this season.

Brooks Running, a favorite of ours, has recently put out the “Dash Hoodie”, which I am completely in love with. It has become a go to for me, one of those tops you reach for every time it is out of the washing machine. So soft (much softer then I’m used to in running gear and feather light) it is also warm and wicks moisture quickly. The material is breathable, and machine washable and dryer safe. It has a loose but flattering fit. I personally prefer to hand it to dry, I think it will last longer that way, but personal preference. It has thumb holes on the cuffs, and there is a storage pocket over the left hand that can hold your key, cash, or whatever your prefer. The hood is perfect for cooler weather, so you can use it until you get too warm on your run, then toss it off. Prices vary depending on what color you order (some of them are on sale), get yours at https://www.brooksrunning.com

Trek specializes in biking, bikes, and bike gear, and also has apparel for all sorts of active lifestyles. I’m currently loving the “Bontrager Vella Women’s Long Sleeve Thermal Cycling Jersey”, which is quite a mouthful. It’s a half zip, long sleeve collared top that is soft, lightweight, (are you seeing a theme here? Yes, really love soft workout gear) wicking, ventilated and offers the warmth you need with the comfort you want. It is very form fitting, really hugging your body. If you like streamlined gear, this is the top you will wear again and again. It also has reflective elements so that you can wear it day or night with added safety. Washing machine safe, and again, I’d hang to dry, but it dries very quickly. $89.99

Keep the hair out of your face and your ears warm with the “Bontrager Vella Women’s Thermal Headband”, which you can get to match your jersey in color if you’d like. It’s warm (but not suffocating) and stays put when you head out. It’s thin, so it can be worn under your helmet comfortably on a ride. Wash and wear. (I hang to dry.) $16.99

Get the gear at https://www.trekbikes.com

SAS shoes (this stands for San Antonio Shoemakers) looks to bridge the gap between comfort and style. These are orthopedic shoes, but not the ones that you are thinking of. When I think orthopedic shoes, I admit I think of those giant, black, clunky and awful things your grandparents would wear. SAS make shoes that are comfortable to wear, that offer support, but that are fun and funky as well. They make shoes for both men and women, from everyday sneakers to sandals and shoes for elegant occasions. Options are not few in number, and there is every color of the rainbow to choose from. We took these out to two 5K’s, as well as regular, random everyday use (like hanging a swing, messing around with the kids, etc) and can tell you honestly that they hold up extremely well, and do offer fantastic support and comfort.

Most of these shoes come with patented” SAS Comfort Outsole™, SteadyTrac Midsole, and Arcfit™ heel stabilizer work together to provide you maximum firm but gentle support (as well as the) Tripad® comfort system (which) adds additional support to the three main pressure points of the foot, while SAS CoolSTEP™ foot bed and a leather and mesh upper make for a light design with no heat build up underfoot”. (*As per the company)

Head to https://www.sasshoes.com to choose the shoes that speak to you.