After taking a few weeks off in July ----WOW!!!!---- how fast we manage to just jump right back into things with a vengence. July.....wha-a-a-????? and there it goes...and it's gone...just like that! With August comes some hotter weather, some beach days, BBQ's, and of course, back-to-school. Remember when it used to be right after Labor Day? Â I will never get used to going back-to-school in August; it's just not right because it's still summer. Â Anyway, preparing for back-to-school can take the fun out of August for some (or put a skip in your step for others). Â August makes me think of friendship because if you haven't seen friends since school ended, now is the time to get together to re-connect and talk about what you did over the summer. Â Soon it will be time to focus on a new year and make new friendships. Â Talk to your kids about what friendship means to you and how important it is to take care of your friends and to always be kind.
With more than 30 years of rich storytelling founded in the values of kindness and acceptance, the MY LITTLE PONY franchise from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) continues to illustrate the power of friendship and fun that resonates with fans around the world. To celebrate this yearâs International Day of Friendship which was on July 30th, the MY LITTLE PONY franchise kicked off a global social movement with the release of two beautiful video montages and on-ground events around the world that focus on the socially relevant message of friendship. Â
Making the most of International Day of Friendship, the MY LITTLE PONY brand also hosted friendship day events around the world in 12 different markets including the United States, Italy, Brazil, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Russia, Mexico and Singapore. Â âFriendship transcends age, gender, geography and background,â said Tyla Bucher, VP Franchise Lead, My Little Pony, Hasbro. âAs we work to celebrate friendship across every aspect of the MY LITTLE PONY brand, weâre proud to continue to support and celebrate the International Day of Friendship. We hope this program brings people together as they are reminded of how special and important friendship is to everyone around the globe.â
Giving fans even more reasons to celebrate the International Day of Friendship, Hasbro released its new line MY LITTLE PONY toys. Inspired by characters and adventures from Lionsgateâs upcoming MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE, the new line of toys and figures features the beloved Mane Six as well as new characters. In MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE, a new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane Six â Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity â embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home. The film opens in theaters on October 6 and features an all-star cast with Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Liev Schreiber, Michael PeĂąa, Sia, Taye Diggs, Uzo Aduba, and Zoe Saldana, and Sia who also performs an original song for the movie.
For more information on the International Day of Friendship celebration with MY LITTLE PONY, please visit www.mylittlepony.com.
Plan to take some time to smell the roses before school starts and new friendships begin... you can plan a playdate with some old friends while at the same time it will be a great bonding experience with your kiddos before the craziness of the year begins. Â
If you are going to do ONE thing this month before school starts, be sure to go to the Zoo. So many fun exciting things happening there including a new baby Giraffe! Â The Los Angeles Zooâs animal community soared to new heights with the birth of a female Masai giraffe on July 11. The unnamed calf, weighing in at 156 pounds and standing at around six feet tall, is the second baby born to both five-year-old mother, Zainabu, and five-year-old father, Phillip. Zainabu and Phillip were paired together through a Species Survival Program (SSP) that breeds Masai giraffes in order to ensure the survival of a species that is threatened in the wild.
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Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and Masai giraffes can grow up to 17 feet tall and weigh 2,700 pounds. The largest of the nine subspecies of giraffe, Masai giraffes are found in East Africa, namely southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. All giraffe populations throughout Africa are under threat and declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, and disease.
Giraffe Feedings Now at the L.A. Zoo! Guests are encouraged to come see the calf while sheâs still young because giraffes can grow to be nearly 10 feet tall by their first birthday! While youâre observing the new calf bonding with the herd, be sure to check out the Zooâs interactive giraffe feedings. This face-to-face experience allows guests to get up close and personal with the adult Masai giraffes while feeding them their favorite greens and learning fun facts about the herd from Zoo education staff. Giraffe feedings take place twice daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and are $5 per person with paid Zoo admission. Tickets can be purchased (cash only) at the giraffe exhibit. Giraffe feedings are subject to weather-related changes, especially on rainy days.  Â
Also, there are special feedings, intriguing talks and guided experiences which are a chance to learn about some of the zoo's most playful residents at the OTTER TALK, daily at 3 pm, as the giant river otters swim, slip, and slide around their exhibit. Come on a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday at 10:30 am for GOOD MORNING GORILLAS at the Campo Gorilla Reserve, where a Zoo Education Specialist helps guests get to know the gorillas, learn about their behavior and find out how gorillas, just like humans, go through a morning routine. With one of the largest chimpanzee troops in the nation, the Zoo's CHIMP CHAT, 12:30 pm daily at Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains, features a Zoo staff expert to chat about these great apes as they go through their midday routine. A special SEAL TALK at Sea Life Cliffs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 am, provides a chance to say hello to the Zoo's seals and learn firsthand about the care they receive from their devoted keepers. Meet Reggie the Alligator and his new companion Tina on Saturdays at 11:30 am during an ALLIGATOR TALK, or join keepers who share insight on tomistomas at the TOMISTOMA TALK, Sundays at 11:30 am, near the LAIR. GOOD MORNING FLAMINGOS, at 10:30 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, offers an opportunity to observe as one of the largest flamingo flocks in any of the world's zoos greets the day while a Zoo staff expert shares fascinating facts about these boisterous birds. Experience the Zoo's Aviary sights and sounds on a BIRD WALK, daily at 2 pm, that explores the immersive exhibit with an Education Specialist. And embark on an Aussie adventure, daily at 1:30 pm, with the AUSTRALIA WALKABOUT, which features a rotating slate of daily programs including animal feedings, tours and keeper talks.
An exceptional ELEPHANT TRAINING DEMONSTRATION at Elephants of Asia's Wasserman Family Thai Pavilion, offered daily (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) at 11 am, features a training session with the Zoo's beloved Asian elephants and a chance to learn how keepers use positive reinforcement to build bonds with them to keep them healthy and safe. The free-flight WORLD OF BIRDS SHOW at the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater, which has been delighting audiences for nearly 40 years, spotlights the natural behaviors and amazing abilities of its stars and takes place daily except Tuesdays at 12 and 2:30 pm. Meet the animals that live on Murielâs Ranch daily at 11:30 am at a RANCH DEMO and experience firsthand what it takes to be a ranch hand. Gather âround for CAMPFIRE STORIES IN THE CCRZ, an interactive story time featuring condors and their animal friends daily at 1 pm.
A complete schedule can be viewed at http://www.lazoo.org/daily/. Programming subject to change.
The Zoo is located at Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
