4 Reasons To Add Arizona To Your Bucket List

January 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Arizona is one of the hottest destinations in the United States of America. It may fly under the radar when people are racking up their bucket list points, but it’s just as deserving as any other state. It’s an area that quite simply has something for everyone. With contrasting weather, landscapes, and food, you’re bound to find something that blows your mind. Tons of different types of people flock to Arizona every year to check out what the state has to offer. Here are a few of the best things to see during your visit.

Art and Culture

Although the arts may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Arizona, it sure has plenty to offer the art enthusiast. More commonly considered a place to see natural beauty, there is also more than enough man-made treasures to be uncovered. With a bunch of different galleries and exhibitions on display, you can be sure to find something for you. Be sure to check out the crafts of the Native Americans in the area if you’re a history buff.

Golf

You’d be hard-pressed to find more golf courses as diverse as those that Arizona have to offer. With terrain ranging from uncertain sand to steady grass, you can find an appropriate setting to get your game going. There are over three hundred different golf courses in the state of Arizona, so you won’t have any trouble finding them. This all adds up to make Arizona the perfect destination for a golfing getaway. Find the best gold resorts in Arizona at http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelsList-Arizona-Golf-Resorts-zfp438171.html.

Outdoors

Arizona is perhaps best known for its iconic landscapes, so why wouldn’t you do everything you can to take advantage of them? The weather is generally hot all year round, with a few exceptions, so it’s always perfect for you rambling boys. The sheer diversity of the landscapes around Arizona make it an ideal playground for you to get lost in your sense of adventure. Did we mention the small matter of the Grand Canyon? Voted the number one tourist destination in America by http://itsgr9.com/top-10-places-to-visit-in-the-us-in-2015-reviews/. Why wouldn’t you want to see that for yourself?

Shopping

If you like to do a spot of shopping on your holidays, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Arizona. There is a range of different stores all around the state, and they all cater to different audiences. Whether you’re looking for local boutiques, or giant chain stores, Arizona has you covered. With hundreds of shopping malls scattered around the state, you will never be too far from the nearest one. That means that you can take a well-earned shopping break. At least, if the thought of scaling the Grand Canyon doesn’t particularly fill you with confidence.
Next time you’re drawing up a shortlist of places to visit in the United States, don’t gloss over Arizona as a genuine contender. If you haven’t been before, resolve to give it a fair shake this time. It’s got everything it needs to rival its more glamorous cousins.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With:

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS TREASURE TROVE

January 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Discover endless riches when an extraordinary lineup of stories from the Disney animated film vault comes to life right in Newark in Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt!

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Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove is performing at Prudential Center in Newark, January 13 to 18.

pic 10Get tangled up in Disney’s 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White.  Ahoy, Mateys!  Set sail with Peter Pan, the always-sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land!  Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’  Tick-Tock!  Tick-Tock!  Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards. Set a playdate with Woody and Buzz Lightyear because the toys are back in town. Relive magical moments in this ultimate Disney animation celebration coming to Newark!

Regular Ticket Prices: Starting at $15

For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000.

*Ticket pricing is subject to change based on market demand. 

Show Times:

Wednesday, January 13, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, January 14, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.

Friday, January 15, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.

Saturday, January 16, 2015 at 1:00 P.M.

Saturday, January 16, 2015 at 5:00 P.M.

Sunday, January 17, 2015 at 1:00 P.M.

Sunday, January 17, 2015 at 5:00 P.M.

Monday, January 18, 2015 at 1:00 P.M.

To discover more about Disney On Ice Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, go to DisneyOnIce.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Filed Under: disney, entertainment Tagged With: , , ,

Chuck E. Cheese’s New Pretzel Dippers Will Please Every Palate

January 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The Country’s Family Dining and Entertainment Leader Debuts a Satisfyingly Salty Snack the Whole Family Can Share

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It’s a new year, so why not try new things? Now is the perfect time to try Chuck E. Cheese’s brand new Pretzel Dippers with delicious cheesy dipping sauce, at Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurants nationwide.

“Soft pretzels have been an American favorite for years, so we’re excited to bring our guests a dip-friendly, share-centric variety of this old standby,” said Chef Gregory Casale, senior director of culinary innovation for CEC Entertainment, Inc. “Our mom and kid-approved pretzel sticks are great for the whole family and a delicious treat to complement any of Chuck E. Cheese’s taste-test winning pizzas, salads or wraps.”

Pretzel Dippers will only be available until March 31, so don’t miss the chance to get your hands on these salty, cheesy treats before they’re gone. Balance out Pretzel Dippers’ savory flavor with something sweet, like Chuck E. Cheese’s churros with white chocolate and salted caramel dipping sauces.

About CEC Entertainment, Inc.

For nearly 40 years, CEC Entertainment has served as the nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment and the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®. Chuck E. Cheese’s goal is to create positive, lifelong memories for families through fun, food, and play. Each Chuck E. Cheese’s features musical entertainment, games, rides, and play areas for kids of all ages, as well as a variety of freshly prepared dining options. Committed to providing a fun, safe environment, Chuck E. Cheese’s helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®. As a strong advocate for its local communities and childhood education, Chuck E. Cheese’s has donated more than $12 million to schools through its fundraising programs. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 591 Chuck E. Cheese’s and 140 Peter Piper Pizza stores, with locations in 47 states and 11 foreign countries and territories. For more information, visit chuckecheese.com and peterpiperpizza.com or connect with us on social media:

Facebook: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Twitter: Chuck E. Cheese’s

YouTube: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Instagram: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Pinterest: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Foursquare: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Filed Under: kids

The Pajama Game at Merkin Concert Hall

January 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Kaufman Music Center Presents

BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE

*  2016 Season  *

Kids love musicals! The family-friendly Broadway Playhouse performances introduce young theater fans age 4-11 to Broadway classics through mini musicals, medleys, games and sing-alongs. This season, children will discover the great 1950s songwriting duo Richard Adler & Jerry Ross (Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game); the groundbreaking Dorothy Fields (Sweet Charity), Broadway’s first woman lyricist; and rock legend Elton John (The Lion King). Some kids will be invited on stage to roar with Simba from The Lion King or play baseball with the devil from Damn Yankees! Hosted by Sean Hartley, Broadway Playhouse features music director Jihwan Kim and stars Jason Robinson, Martin Landry, Kathryn Markey and Gabrielle Stravelli.

2016 Performances:

Sun, Jan 10, 2016, 11 am

Broadway Playhouse: Richard Adler & Jerry Ross

One of the great songwriting duos of the 1950s, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross hit the Broadway big time with three wildly successful shows in three years: Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game and John Murray Anderson’s Almanac. Their partnership was cut short when Adler died tragically in 1955 at the age of 29, but their shows have lived on in film adaptations as well as numerous revivals. Come visit the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, where Love is on strike, and find out if “Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets”!
Sun, Feb 7, 2016, 11 am

Broadway Playhouse: Dorothy Fields

Broadway’s first woman lyricist wrote more than 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films, paving the way for the likes of Lynn Ahrens (Seussical) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home). She wrote classics like “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and won the 1936 “Best Song” Oscar for “The Way You Look Tonight,” a collaboration with Jerome Kern. This family-friendly celebration of one of Broadway’s greatest woman writers features songs from the musicals Sweet Charity, Seesaw, Redhead and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, and the Hollywood films Swing Time and Roberta.

Sun, Mar 6, 2016, 11 am

Broadway Playhouse: Elton John

Broadway musicals are known for memorable songs that feature big production numbers with lots of glitz, glam and show-stopping moments. So it’s no surprise that when one of rock music’s most entertaining and successful performers turned his attention to Broadway, the results were phenomenal. Join the as we explore Elton John’s recipe for Great White Way success – inspirational stories that feature mega-watt style. Come roar with Simba from The Lion King and sing along to hits from Aida and Billy Elliot.

Kaufman Music Center is New York’s go-to place for music education and performance.

It’s where music lovers, from curious fans to renowned performers, come together to explore their musical passions. Founded in 1952 as a community music school, today’s Kaufman Music Center is one of the city’s most vibrant cultural organizations and home to Merkin Concert Hall; Lucy Moses School, New York’s largest community arts school; and Special Music School, a groundbreaking K-12 public school for musically gifted children.

Filed Under: theater Tagged With: , , ,

Disney Infinity 3.0 and The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

January 7, 2016 by 4 Comments

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Disney is on its third installment of the ever fun Disney Infinity line of games.  This most recent addition to the crew includes not only Marvel and Disney characters but also those of the Star Wars line of characters including Yoda, Darth Vader and Han Solo to name a few.  But this only scratches the surface for this game which is fun for everyone.  This game is great for beginner gamers because of this easy to pick up and play game play.  Each player picks their character from the Disney Infinity figures they own, characters for the previous 2 games work on the third iteration, and play as them throughout the game.  There are specific levels which work with specific characters and all characters can be used in the Toy Box, which is our personal favorite part of the game.  This portion of the game is player created.  People from all over the world can create and share their creations with others and the best are featured as such in the Toy Boxes section of the game.  These Toy Boxes show just how robust the game is as well as how creative the players of the game are as well.  The little guy loves Disney Infinity and the addition of Star Wars characters as well as new Marvel and Disney characters are an added bonus.  This is also a great jumping on point for new players of the series as well, as toys from the previous games in the series work in the Toy Box as well, which is a nice touch.

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We are also going to look at Tri Force Heroes from the legendary, The Legend of Zelda series.  This game has similar game play mechanics and visuals as A Link To The Past but also includes some new ideas like climbing on top of one of your fellow players in order to solve puzzles and attack enemies.  This game is built on the idea of team work, some levels giving each player a different tool, item or weapon in order to solve their own portion of the puzzle, while others have the players work together using the same items.  Either way the levels are a blast to play through and make for a fun way to spend time with friends and 3DS’s .  There are a total of thirty two levels to progress through each a different challenge then the last and each bringing your group closer together in their quest to save the princess from a fashion emergency.

Disney Infinity 3.0 is available for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, Wii U™, Xbox One, Xbox 360 in the Starter Pack which includes: 1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Video Game Disc,1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base, 2 Star Wars™ Figures: Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, 1 Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set Piece, and 1 Web Code Card and is available now retailing for $64.99.  The new Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is available only for the Nintendo 3DS and retails for $39.99 and is available at retailers everywhere as well as the 3DS eShop.

Filed Under: disney, gaming, technology, toys Tagged With: , , ,

Milk-Bone Survey Shows Americans Want More Quality Time With Their Dog in 2016

January 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
According to the 2016 Milk–Bone Canine Resolutions Survey — an original survey of 3,000 U.S. “pet parents” by Milk–Bone brand dog treats (in conjunction with Learndipity Data Insights) — more Americans than ever before have dog-related resolutions for the new year.
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TOP 10 MOST POPULAR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR PET PARENTS
(based on the percentage of dog parents who resolve to do each resolution)
1.  “I will spend more time with my dog.”  52%
2.  “I will help my dog to have better health and wellness.”  42%
3.  “I will take my dog on more trips with me.”  34%
4.  “I will brush my dog’s teeth regularly.”  31%
5.  “I will help my dog get essential vitamins and nutrients.”  30%
6.  “I will help my dog become less anxious and stressed.”  29%
7.  “I won’t feed my dog food from the dinner table.”  25%
8.  “I won’t leave my dog home alone for quite so long.”  23%
9.  “I will help my pet lose weight.”  21%
10.  “I will take my dog to dog training class.”  15%
Because New Year’s Resolutions (and doggy “Ruff-olutions”) are easier said than done, the Milk–Bone study also fetched the top five most effective ways for both humans and canines to actually stick with their new year’s goals — often by doing them together.
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TOP 5 WAYS TO REALIZE HUMAN + CANINE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
1.  Have a ‘Resolutions Buddy’
Because dogs follow through with rituals even better than humans – 55% of dog parents say their dog helps them exercise more, for instance — you can better stick to your personal health and wellness goals by including your “furry buddy” in them, too.
 2.  Say ‘Good Morning’
Since it’s easier to keep resolutions before you have other demands during the day, develop a morning routine that reinforces positive habits.  If you and your dog aren’t getting all of the important nutrients you need from regular meals, why not give yourself a morning vitamin and your dog a Milk–Bone Good Morning Daily Vitamin Treat?
 3.  Create Nighttime Rituals
Because nighttime rituals help calm and relax both you and your dog before bed, try to stick with a regular sleepy-time routine that focuses on stress-reducing resolutions (like a soothing petting session while watching your favorite program).
 4.  Think Healthy Fun
Make important health-related resolutions way more fun by exercising outside with your dog or even brushing your teeth together (with the help of a Milk–Bone Brushing Chews Fresh Breath for your pup).
 5.  Give Yourself a Reward
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Just like dogs love treats when they exhibit good behavior, make sure to regularly reward yourself and your dog with something pleasurable for following through on your resolutions.
Filed Under: animals Tagged With:

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

January 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The Ad Council and the U.S Department of Transportation to ask for your help to prevent drunk driving fatalities during the holidays.
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According to the National Safety Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the period between Christmas and New Year’s typically has one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities.

Fatalities related to drunk driving are 100 percent preventable and the spike in buzzed driving around the holidays is especially alarming.
Some stats:

  • In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for more 31% of the total motor vehicle traffic facilities in the United States.
  • Alcohol-impaired drivers were involved in 37% of traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday period and 44% of traffic fatalities over New Year’s – making the winter holiday seasons one of the deadliest times to be on the road.
  • Buzzed driving can cost around $10,000 in fines, legal fees and increased insurance rates.

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Filed Under: safety

4 Easy Ways To Make Your Anniversary More Fun

January 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment

If, over the years, your anniversaries have become a little stale, now is the time to change that. Perhaps you always head out for dinner at the same restaurant or maybe you don’t do anything at all to mark the occasion. Your anniversary shouldn’t be just another day; it should be a time when you bond with your partner.

Of course, after being together for a few years, it’s easy for your anniversary to be forgotten or treated as just another day. This year, aim to ensure that you make your anniversary a fun and memorable day when the two of you spend some much-needed quality time together.

Stuck for ideas – don’t worry, with these four easy ways to make your anniversary fun, I’ve got you covered.

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  1. Take a road trip

For an anniversary with a difference, why not plan a road trip? This doesn’t have to be anywhere far away; it can simply be to a beach, theme park or city that you’ve wanted to visit for a while.

There’s something incredibly relaxing about getting away from your hometown for a little while. If you want to spend some undisturbed one-on-one time with your partner, going away for the day is perfect. You can have fun exploring a new place or visiting an attraction while having some quality time as a couple.

  1. Recreate your first date

To make your anniversary extra special, how about recreating your first date? There’s nothing more romantic than going back to the place that the two of your first spent time together. Book at table at the place where you had your first date or go for drinks at the bar where the two of you met. Trust me, recreating your first date is the perfect way to mark your anniversary – it’s fun and romantic.

Even if you don’t live anywhere near where you first met, you can still recreate your first date. It’ll just take a little more creativity; that’s all. It doesn’t have to be the same restaurant; it just needs to remind you of your first date.

  1. Spoil each other

Your anniversary is the perfect time to spoil each other. Believe it or not, spoiling each other doesn’t have to break the bank even if money is tight, you can still make your significant other feel special.

While you could treat your partner to a lovely gift, such as one of Shinola’s watches. If money is tight, you can make them feel just as special with a homemade gift. How about baking them something yummy, like homemade bread, fudge or perhaps chutney? Or what about making them a DIY photo album of the two of you? Get creative and you can give your partner the most amazing pressie.

  1. Book into a fancy hotel and spa

What better way to mark the occasion than with a hotel and spa break? If you’re both in need of a little relaxation and pampering, a weekend away at a fancy hotel and spa could be perfect. You can explore a new place, have a pamper, and enjoy some quality time together, what could be better than that?

The good news is that booking into a nice hotel doesn’t have to be pricey, if you’re willing to shop around, that is. Browse discount sites, and you should be able to find some fantastic deals on hotels.
Want to make your anniversary more fun? Take note of these four awesome ideas for a more memorable day.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ,