World Elephant Day

Did you know that World Elephant Day is August 12?  

World Elephant Day is August 12 & How You Can Help Save Elephants  | The Mama Maven Blog @BronxZoo #BeHerd @96Elephants #STAMPede

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s 96 Elephants campaign focuses on protecting forest elephants from extinction, through awareness and legislation. More than 35,000 elephants are killed by poachers each year for their ivory and the goal of 96 Elephants is to stop the killing, demand and trafficking of elephant ivory. Last weekend, President Obama announced his administration’s proposal to ban ivory sales in the United States. The public has 60 days to comment on the bill and then the administration can make changes.  We don’t want the bill to become less effective as a result, so we need your support! 

World Elephant Day is August 12 & How You Can Help Save Elephants  | The Mama Maven Blog @BronxZoo #BeHerd @96Elephants #STAMPede  The 96 Elephants campaign is named for the number of elephants currently gunned down each day by poachers. It focuses on: securing effective U.S. moratorium laws; bolstering elephant protection with additional funding; and educating the public about the link between ivory consumption and the elephant poaching crisis. You can learn more about 96 Elephants at the official site, http://www.96elephants.org.

World Elephant Day is August 12 & How You Can Help Save Elephants  | The Mama Maven Blog @BronxZoo #BeHerd @96Elephants #STAMPede

World Elephant Day is August 12 and the Bronx Zoo will be having many activities:

  • STAMPede activity. Kids will be encouraged to color in or use a hand stamp on an elephant foot print to #BeHerd and show their support for elephants.
  • Make a pledge to participate in #BeHerd comment days – your readers can go here immediately to sign a pledge: http://bit.ly/1UlvZpI
  • Take an #elphie with the World Elephant Day photo booth. Use props & frames to take fun photos to support elephants.  Remember to tag with #elphie & #BeHerd
  • Visit the World Elephant Day exhibit in Dancing Crane Pavilion
  • Sign letters to President Obama supporting the ivory Ban
  • Visit a 15 ton sand sculpture of an African elephant!

World Elephant Day is August 12 & How You Can Help Save Elephants  | The Mama Maven Blog @BronxZoo #BeHerd @96Elephants #STAMPede

 Please donate a tweet to save elephants:

Tweet: Join the #STAMPede! I want my voice to #BeHerd so elephants don’t disappear. Support the federal ivory ban. bit.ly/1T0hOng Click the tweet button to tweet this: Join the #STAMPede! I want my voice to #BeHerd so elephants don’t disappear. Support the federal ivory ban. bit.ly/1T0hOng

Follow 96 Elephants on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

 I am a WCS Zoo Crew Ambassador and all opinions are always my own. 

Protection You Can Trust

When it comes to finding the best broad spectrum sunscreen, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen is a name that you can trust. Your skin is one of the most important parts of your body, a defense against toxins and the elements. It’s also one of your most beautiful features. Care for it well and you can avoid signs of aging well into your advanced years. Most importantly, you can stave off the risk of skin cancer, a potential killer. Use one of the many products offered by Rocky Mountain Sunscreen to keep your skin safe and healthy.

Take Care of the Entire Family
Young and old can enjoy the benefits of Rocky Mountain Sunscreen. Whether you are protecting an infant, adults, or the elderly, every member of your household can be covered in any situation. From days when you are all heading to the beach to daily wear, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen offers you a range of sunscreen products. Begin with an SPF of 30 or go all the way up to 70. Your sunscreen needs to meet the demands of your day and any special concerns, such as a family member who has developed skin cancer in the past. Keep those burns and damage from UV rays from plaguing your loved ones by being prepared.

Sunscreen to Suit You
Rocky Mountain Sunscreen does not take a one size fit’s all approach to their products. You may be an extreme athlete who needs maximum coverage for your daily workout. Rocky Mountain Sunscreen has the right product for you. If you have severe allergies, you can try all natural sunscreen products provided by Rocky Mountain Sunscreen. You can also order in bulk, as well as travel dispensers, ensuring you have all of the sunscreen you need at any time. You’ll find that it saves you money as well.

Turn to a Company that Knows Sunscreen
With over two decades in the business, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen has discovered the secret to a sunscreen formula that works effectively. They are dedicated to excellence, providing consumers with protection from the sun on any occasion. From lip balm to a natural face stick and everything in between, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen has a comprehensive assortment of sunscreen products to meet your needs. The next time you are looking for your go-to source for sunscreen, go to Rocky Mountain Sunscreen.

Strategies For Success With Your Next Home Improvement Project

Home improvement projects are amazing endeavors because they ensure that your residential property looks incredible. If you’re currently preparing to launch a new project designed to get your private living space in excellent condition, know that preparation is the key to success. With that thought in mind, try implementing the following strategies to make your next home improvement project a smashing success:

1. Replace Your Cushions.

When your cushions grow old, the color is dull and they become too soft or dilapidated to sit on. To restore the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your cushions, it’s a good idea to find a high quality cushion replacement. Companies like The Foam Factory sell a wide range of these products, and you can shop online from the privacy of your home by visiting their website at www.thefoamfactory.com.

2. Update With Brighter Colors.

One great strategy you can implement for your next home improvement project is the use of brighter colors. This technique is effective in cultivating a light and breezy atmosphere that promotes a positive mood. It’s also important to note that brighter colors help create the illusion of more space, which is very helpful for individuals who feel that their rooms look too tiny or confining.

3. Use Natural Lighting.

In addition to updating your living space with brighter colors, make a point to use natural lighting in your home. Doing so is advantageous because it is linked to mood elevation. Also note that using natural light can have powerful health benefits. For example, opening your windows and letting light from the sun pour in can help you get life-enhancing nutrients from the sun.

A Recap And Final Suggestions

If you’re ready to take your residential property to a new level of visual appeal and functionality, having a game plan is important. And if you’re searching for implementable strategies that will yield substantive results, you should know that replacing your cushions, updating with brighter colors, and using natural lighting can help you accomplish your home optimization objectives. There are also several other techniques you can employ to get your home in great condition, such as hiring a professional interior decorator. These individuals will typically be able to offer you the customized, cutting edge services that give your home an incredibly compelling, contemporary look. Good luck!

Nintendo Celebrates July’s Anti-Boredom Month with Boredom-Busting Tips

As you know, school is out for summer, and kids across the country are screaming “We’re free!” With little to do, boredom can quickly creep in on their joyous celebration of leisure. And with July being Anti-Boredom Month, what perfect time for your friends at the house of Mario to create some fun Nintendo-themed boredom-busing tips to cure any kid’s boredom blues and help them stay entertained this summer.
20150723_113344
Tip 1: Backyard Gamping
What do you get when you combine gaming and camping? Well, gamping of course! Plan a Nintendo-themed camp out in your backyard for your kids and their friends. Pitch a tent and ask your kids to invite a few friends over for a video game sleepover. With a portable handheld that you can play indoors and outdoors, kids will have endless fun sitting around the “campfire” challenging friends with games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3DPuzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Tip 2: Pool and Beach-Time Fun with Your New Nintendo 3DS XL System
Keep your kids occupied at the pool or beach this summer with New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo’s latest portable hand-held device. With more power, built-in amiibo support, an improved camera, face-tracking 3D and better browsing for watching videos or surfing the Web, kids will quickly find themselves enjoying downtime waterside.
Tip 3: Join Camp Miiverse for Some Fun Summertime Challenges!
Sign your kids up for Camp Miiverse! Keeping your kids entertained via a service that lets them communicate with other players around the world through their New Nintendo 3DS XL and Wii U systems, Mii camp instructor NintendoTom will set weekly challenges for players in the Miiverse universe. The first Camp Miiverse challenge for the month of July is an online Splatoon battle! With so many fun online challenges, your kids will never be bored.
Tip 4: Create Some Fun Captain Toad Adventures
For hours of fun and the perfect summer activity to get your kid’s mind active, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will have your kids happily solving brain-busting puzzle games. For some added fun, head over to the Captain Toad website where you can download an adventure kit and trivia questions that your kids can play together. Just like in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, use the adventure kit to plan fun outdoors exploration for your kid. Ask them to solve Captain Toad trivia to find a secret location where you buried a gold star.
Tip 5: Join the Every Body Walk! Collaborative and StreetPass Outside
Join the  Every Body Walk! Collaborative with your kids! While walking and having fun in the sun, don’t forget to StreetPass with your New Nintendo 3DS XL system! Also, make sure to set your New Nintendo 3DS XL system to Sleep Mode to exchange certain game data like Mii characters, high scores and special items with other users you pass on the street. You can even earn up to 10 Play Coins a day by taking steps with the system in Sleep Mode. Coins can be redeemed in games that support the feature.
For some additional fun ideas, visit the Play Nintendo website at http://play.nintendo.com/themes/special/summer/.

Win Blu-ray / DVD “Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery!” #ScoobyDoo

Scooby-Doo Where Are You?

Everyone’s favorite crime fighting kids are back with their biggest mystery ever in Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery! To help them solve the case the Scooby gang teams up with Rock and Roll legends KISS for an all new Mystery Inc. adventure!

Check out the The Scooby Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Soundboard App:

Get ready to Rock! Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang team up with the one and only KISS in this all-new, out-of-this-world adventure! We join the Gang at Kiss World – the all-things-Kiss theme park, as they investigate a series of strange hauntings. With help from Kiss, they discover that the Crimson Witch has returned to summon The Destroyer from the alternate dimension of Kissteria! The evil duos ghastly plan, to destroy the earth! Can the Gang’s cunning and Kiss’s power of rock save the day?! Tune in to this Rock and Roll Mystery for some thunderous, heavy FUN!

BUY IT:  Check out the Scooby-Doo! & KISS: Rock & Roll Mystery

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Scooby Doo and KISS Rock & Roll Mystery Blu-ray Combo Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  Ends Aug. 10, 2015. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ice Cream Summer Fun

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.
twix2

With the summer in full swing, there is only one treat to beat the heat. Ice cream, of course. But what to do when that sweet tooth starts to crave something a little extra?

twix4
Why not grab an ice cream bar treat? Some of the most recent additions to the ice cream world are new Twix Ice Cream Bars, Snickers Ice cream bars, Milky Way ice cream bars, and Starburst Sorbet bars. All of these bars sound absolutely delicious and unique. We had the pleasure of trying a few of them, and my son and husband loved them all. Especially the Twix variety, those were gone in a flash. Each TWIX® Ice Cream Bar features vanilla ice cream, gooey caramel and TWIX® cookie bits covered in a delicious chocolaty coating. For a satisfying treat that is perfect for sharing, try TWIX® Ice Cream Minis. These bars have 90 calories per mini bar and are available in a 12- pack. In our house, ice cream is a must especially in the summer months when heavy baked desserts are the last thing one would want at the end of a long, hot day. These new ice cream bars are perfect.
The other interesting treats are Snickers and Starburst. Snickers is delicious ice cream treat with real peanut butter ice cream, fresh roasted peanuts, amazing caramel and a rich chocolaty coating – delivering an unforgettable SNICKERS® Bar taste. For a satisfying treat that is perfect for sharing, try SNICKERS® Brand Ice Cream Minis with 90 calories per mini bar and are available in a 12-pack.
The Starburst are a fruity treat which are available in two refreshing fruity flavors – Strawberry and Orange. Available in 2.6-ounce 4-Packs and 2.6-ounce singles, STARBURST Brand Sorbet Bars pack- an exhilarating burst of strawberry flavor in a light and delicious bar.

twix

Choose the Best Caster for You

When you need new casters, you are looking for more than just a wheel. You are looking for a tool that is dependable and works the way you need it to. Casters have become such and important and ingrained part o our daily lives, and many of us never even give them a second thought. To this end, there are several things that should be taken into account when you need casters for your business, office, or home.

Weight
The weight of the load to be carried is very important in choosing the perfect caster. Generally, the more weight you have on your loads, the larger the caster you are going to need. The easy way to determine the maximum weight of your casters is to multiply the capacity of each caster by the total number of casters to be used. This final number is your total weight and must be larger than your load weight. Be careful when looking at capacity ratings on some casters. These ratings were made using tests under much more ideal conditions than you will generally come across. It may be better to go slightly higher than what you expect to use.

Type of Flooring
Where your new casters will be rolling around will also play an important role in their dependability. If you will be working on smoother flooring free of spills and other obstacles, you may be able to get away with a smaller caster. If carpeting is present, you will want to make sure your new casters do not snag or rip up carpeting.

Another factor to look at with regards to flooring is damage to the floor. In warehouses and other businesses where concrete floors are more normal, a hard caster would be the better choice. Hard casters can scratch softer flooring types such as wood, but that concern is not as great with concrete. For wood floors, you may want to look at softer casters made with rubber. These casters cannot handle as heavy of loads, but they are much less likely to damage your flooring.

Work Environment
The area around your casters should be considered. In places where chemicals, steam, oil, animals fats, and other spills are present, stainless steel or even plastic casters should be considered.

Head to the Bronx Zoo

WP_20150411_15_45_25_Pro

This summer, the Bronx Zoo is strapping on their super hero capes, saluting Zoo Keepers and rocking out with Dan Zanes and other fabulous family performers. Now that school’s out, kids have plenty of free time to check out all that the Bronx Zoo has to offer. Don’t miss the newly renovated Children’s Zoo and say hi to the new animals in the petting zoo area.

Keep reading for information on some of the exciting and big events taking place at the zoo and be sure to check bronxzoo.com/events  for more information.

July 18-26 National Zoo Keeper’s Week  

As the need to protect and preserve wildlife and their vanishing habitats continues to increase, the animal care professional’s role as educators and conservation ambassadors has become essential. Zoo and aquarium professionals care for hundreds of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. A keeper’s day includes an array of tasks like cleaning, food preparation and feed out, medical treatment, training, enrichment, landscaping, exhibit design, animal introductions, public outreach and education, and much MUCH more. Don’t miss the variety of keeper chats and special animal enrichment taking place during this special week.   To celebrate National Zoo Keeper’s Week, join us at a Twitter Party, hosted by popular mom bloggers Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog and Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations

When: Tuesday, July 21 from 12PM – 1PM

Where: Twitter

Follow: @verasweeney, @audreymcclellan for the fun and prizes!

FEATURED SUMMER PERFORMERS:

July 25, 2015 DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS Concert 

Join Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and Friends at the Bronx Zoo for an outdoor, fun-filled dance-party, hootenanny for the 21st century! Called the “crown prince of contemporary kid’s music,” by People Magazine,  don’t miss his uncompromising vocal and instrumental artistry and muscular pop beat.  Zane’s globe-trotting music ranges from elements of Tunisian Sufi, the Louisiana bayou, Appalachia, the Caribbean and South Africa to making a CD completely in Spanish. He likes to call what he does “21st-century, all-ages, handmade social music,” Since his debut album, “Rocket Ship Beach,” in 2000, Zanes has recorded with top musicians, including Debbie Harry, Sheryl Crow, Natalie Merchant, Lou Reed, Ziggy Marley and Philip Glass.  Times: 11:30am and 2:00pm. Location: Astor Court.

August 22- 23 DANNY WEINKAUF AND HIS RED PANTS BAND

Grammy-winning artist and longtime bassist for They Might Be Giants, Danny Weinkauf is the man behind the wildly successful TMBG mega-hit “I am a Paleontologist.”  He’s just released his first solo album for kids, No School Today on TMBG’s own label, Idlywild Recordings.  The “shimmery, shiny pop” tunes include catchy gems about marsupials, archaeology, voting rights, and even a song about Ben Folds!  New hit “Champion of the Spelling Bee” reached #1 on Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live and was featured in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Times: 12:30pm, 2:00pm & 3:30pm.

Here’s a look at what else is going in this July and August at the Bronx Zoo:

July 11-12 Super Sprowtz Show: Super Hero Training Camp

Children of all ages will love watching Roger and the Super Sprowtz lead the audience through a high-energy super hero training camp featuring 4 levels of songs, dancing and games. Children will be led through an action-packed curriculum of health and wellness broken down into four easy-to-remember stages: Mind, Heart, Body, and Tummy! Their catchy music will have kids yelling “I want more broccoli!”, and their built-in games will teach the super-heroes in training which super powers come from which veggies! It’s all about learning to stay healthy and making smart choices. Times: 12:30pm, 2:00pm & 3:30pm. Location: The Tent at Grizzly Corners.

July 19 PLAY DATE Concert

Husband and wife duo Greg Attonito (The Bouncing Souls) and singer/songwriter Shanti Wintergate are the heart of the kindie music group Play Date. The goal of their music is to inspire children to use their imaginations — and their dance moves — to explore the world around them. Play Date’s aptly-named album Imagination won Creative Child’s 2014 Seal of Excellence Award. Called a “breath of fresh air” (swingwhistlezing.com), they’ll be bringing their guitars and infectious energy with popular songs “Dance Like a Monster,” “Anyone Can Sing,” and more! Play Date’s song “XYZ” was recently featured in a Nordstrom’s Back to School video called “The A to Z Life.” Date: July 19th, 2015. Times: 12:30pm, 2:00pm &3:30pm

August 2- 3 NATIONAL PARKS WEEKEND 

Explore nature and the sights and sounds of New York City’s Great Outdoors and the fun recreational activities visitors can participate in. Join Park Rangers and become a bird detective and even do some bird-watching. Learn how to pitch a tent, make a campfire and paddle on a real kayak. Then, experience what it was like to immigrant to our New York shores coming across the sea to Ellis Island. Times: 11-4:00. Location: Dancing Crane Pavilion.

August 2- 3 JUNGLE GYM Concert: A Live Rock-n-Roll Experience for the Whole Family! 

A Go “off the grid” with family rock act Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam as we celebrate the joy and energy of being outdoors among nature and give electronic gadgets a little break. With a Jersey rock vibe like Bruce Springsteen, they’ll sing about wonders in nature like ladybugs, sea lions, the beach and the moon. They’ll also take a very funny look at the wildest exhibit at the zoo– the people who visit! Times: 12:30pm, 2:00pm & 3:30pm.

August 29-30 HOT PEAS ‘N BUTTER 

Winners of the 2006, 2008, 2009 AND the 2012,”Parent’s Choice Awards”, Hot Peas ‘N Butter is a unique children’s musical group that incorporates elements of traditional Latin music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, folk, and rock. By combining an interactive, invigorating approach to performance with mature, multicultural music, Hot Peas ‘N Butter has developed a distinct way of inspiring care and creativity in kids and adults alike. These Bronx Zoo performances will be part of Hot Peas ’N Butter’s newest album video release party for “Amistad”! Times: 12:30pm, 2:00pm & 3:30pm.

Craft: Make Nature Inspired Hanging Mobiles: This July, inspired by nature, the artist Alexander Calder and animals throughout the newly renovated Children’s Zoo, young artists will create their own unique  hanging mobile using a variety of materials like paper, popsicle sticks, beads, as well as natural materials like sticks, pinecones, and leaves. Participants will be encouraged to include representations of their favorite animals from the newly opened children’s zoo in their nature-inspired mobile!

Don’t miss Re-Usable the Musical, a one-of-a-kind puppet show, where a young girl named Kazumi takes a musical journey to learn about protecting our animals in the wild with actions we take at home. This show teaches kids how to protect the planet using the five Rs: Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, and a very special and important R: Remember.  This show occurs in the Asia Theater at 12:30, 1:15, 2:00, 2:45, & 3:30pm.

How To Make Your Garden Grow

Come to our recycled garden and experience a pollinator garden, digging garden and vegetable garden. Every day there are games, activities and crafts to help your kids learn more about the importance of sustainable gardening and healthy eating for humans and wildlife. Open all summer, Daily 1pm4pm.

There will never be a dull weekend this summer with everything going on at the Bronx Zoo, so remember to embrace the luxury of living in (or close to!) a city with so much to offer all while encouraging outdoor exploration, connection to wildlife and nature and learning! What are you looking forward to checking out at the zoo? Share your thoughts with me in the comments section!