Celebrate the Lunar New Year a bit differently this year when you go on a Monkeyshines hunt to find hidden art around the city

The Year of the Rabbit is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for a new way to celebrate, we’ve got just the thing. Monkeyshines is a secret art scavenger hunt that gives families a reason to get outside and explore. Plus, if your hunt is successful, you’ll take home a gorgeous glass orb as your prize. Ready for a new kind of hide and seek game? Here’s what you need to know…

Go Bananas for Monkeyshines

Guerrilla art. Hidden treasure. No matter what you call it, Monkeyshines is a beloved Tacoma tradition. It’s a citywide scavenger hunt that starts around the Lunar New Year—the exact start date is a secret—that anyone can join. Seekers are on the lookout for blown glass floats or medallions, stamped with a Lunar New Year animal design. This year, there are two new Year of the Ox designs, in addition to a historical one (a stamp used 12 years ago) hidden around the city. Where you’ll find them? Nobody knows. That’s sort of the point. Seeking a Monkeyshine is about getting out and exploring T-town with your kids. If you find a hidden treasure along the way, you’re one of the lucky ones.

In the Beginning

Monkeyshines started 18 year ago by Ms. and Mr. Monkey as a way to bring joy to the community. In an effort to cheer themselves up during the gloomy winter months, they organized a whole hot shop’s worth of artists and volunteers to make 200 Monkeyshines they then hid around the city. Now Ms. Monkey and her band of mischief makers spend the better part of the year designing and producing the 2,000 glass orbs they eventually hide. It’s a true labor of love and a gift to the city; a way for people to make their own fun, explore Tacoma and connect with community.

Going Rogue

The excitement surrounding Monkeyshines is contagious. In fact, years ago it inspired Marble Man to hide colorful marbles in anticipation of the big hunt. Now “going rogue” is kind of a thing. Area makers create Lunar Near Year art and hide it in the weeks and days leading up the official Monkeyshines hunt. So while you’re out seeking orbs, keep your eyes peeled for other guerrilla art (think: wood ornaments, stamped paper, metal coins and more) you may find tucked into trees, hanging from sculptures or carefully placed along popular paths. How will you know if you’ve found a Rogue? All this art incorporates this year’s lunar animal as well.

The Heart of the Hunt

Ms. Monkey says it best. At its core, Monkeyshines is about the hunt more than the find. It’s about creating a positive experience in the community and finding wonder along the way. Whether you find an orb, or someone else does, it’s the memories of your time together that matter. There’s an ethos that guides the hunt. For starters, Monkeyshines find you. That’s why you never know when you’re going to stumble across one. Seekers are asked to only take one Monkeyshine per year. And trade-ups are allowed. So if you find a Monkeyshine medallion and later come across an orb, leave one so you can take the other. Our favorite part of the hunt? There’s no way to know what’s been found any given year, so it's possible to find Monkeyshines hidden years ago at any time.

Where to Seek & (Hopefully) Find

Amy M. via yelp

Only the volunteers who hide the Monkeyshines know exactly where they are, but if your family is ready to head out in search of this coveted treasure, these spots are always worth exploring. Try looking in…

Wright Park is a 27-acre oasis in the middle of the city. While you’re looking for your Year of the Ox treasure, wander the winding trails, play at the playground and stop in to smell the azaleas, cyclamen and orchids at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory with a timed ticket.

Downtown Tacoma is another great spot to happen upon elusive art. While the usual haunts aren’t currently open, families can still walk around the UW Tacoma campus, cross the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and walk the Prairie Line Trail near TAM in search of Monkeyshines. Also consider exploring Old Town Tacoma if you’re still on the hunt.

Dune Peninsula Park and Point Ruston have lots to do in addition to seeking hidden treasure. The playground, trails and amazing views will keep the kids busy for hours. It’s a bike and scooter paradise on a sunny day!

Wherever you plan your hunt, remember that Monkeyshines are hidden all over, and never on private property. Don’t forget to look for them in trees and ponds (Ms. Monkey’s favorite hiding spot is in the water), as well as on the ground.

Insider tip: Check out #Monkeyshines on Instagram and Twitter to see where people have found treasures in past years for inspiration.

Good to know: The pandemic has been especially tough on local artists, including many who volunteer their time to put on the Monkeyshines hunt. That’s why this year Ms. Monkey is working to pay artists for their time and talent. If you’d like to show your support, it’s as easy as donating to the Monkeyshines fund.

All photos courtesy Sierra Hartman, unless otherwise noted

One of the loveliest elements of the holiday season, the Christmas tree, can lose its luster pretty quickly once the new year arrives. Good news! The city’s Mulchfest program makes it easy for you to recycle your Christmas tree and do some good for the city’s parks and young trees. Here’s how to get rid of your Christmas tree and do a little green good this year. (Plus: the last day for sanitation tree pickup and recycling!)

Treecycle it: MulchFest2021

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

MulchFest is back! NYC’s own “TREECYCLE” tradition is taking place from December 26, 2021 to January 9, 2022. Last year the city mulched more than 29,000 trees, and it's pumped to set a new record for 2022!

Bring your tree (free of all decorations, netting and wrapping) and it will be recycled into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on NYC streets and gardens. Drop it off at one of the many Mulchfest locations around the city (there are many in every borough), or bring it on "Chipping Weekend", January 8 and 9, to see your tree reduced to bits live.

Bonus: If your own backyard needs some sprucing up, you can get a free bag of mulch to take home with you after your tree is chipped. (Locations marked with an asterisk have mulch for the taking.)

Click here to find all Mulchfest info, including chipping and drop-off locations.

distelAPPArath via Pixabay

Spread the Love — and the Mulch!
Feel like spreading some of that green love around? You and the kids can volunteer to add that awesome mulch to city trees.  (The mulch helps protect young trees, shrubs and garden beds from the winter cold, helps plants retain moisture and provides a nice decorative touch.) Sound like the green, civic activity your family's been seeking? Events are happening in all boroughs on weekends in January. Click here to see locations, dates, and times and to register! (And remember, dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes and a mask!)

Kick it To the Curb — and Still Recycle It!

Dates for Department of Sanitation Pick-Up
Bring your tree down for curbside pick-up by the Department of Sanitation from January 6-15. Trees will be recycled into compost for NYC’s public spaces (parks, gardens, etc.). Be sure to remove all decorations from the tree and do not place the tree in a plastic bag.

Note: trees left curbside with holiday decorations of any kind remaining on them will be collected as garbage. If your metal or plastic imitation tree has worked its last holiday season, dispose of it with your normal recycling and it's off your hands.

Have Someone Else Do the Heavy Lifting — and Still Recycle It!: Removal Services

If you’re unable to physically take your tree down to the curbside or to a MulchFest chipping location or drop-off site, don’t worry. Services like NYC Trees can come to your home, remove the tree, and take it directly to a recycling location for you. Starting at $80 for a four-to-five-foot tree, NYC Trees makes the tree removal process (and clean up!) about as easy as it gets. (If you want them to take off your lights, ornaments, etc. expect to pay more.)

908-318-4220
Online: nyctrees.com

—Ilyssa Smith

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Over the past few months, theatre camps all over the country have had thousands of kids come through their doors to rehearse and perform a summer musical. They arrive day one with no knowledge of the script or characters, and, two or three weeks later, they are in costume under stage lights singing and dancing their hearts out. 

Years ago, when I used to direct these shows, I would look at the kids on their first day, their eager eyes looking up at me, and tell them, “You are about to embark on an adventure that most adults would NEVER EVER be able to do. In fact, if I were to tell a group of adults that, in 11 days, they would be presenting an entire musical fully memorized and fully choreographed, they would run out of the room screaming. But you guys, you can do it! You have the power to see that it is possible…possible with the power of teamwork.” 

And then they do it. They rehearse the show, memorize their lines, create their characters and, as a group, tell a story. 

I can’t help but think about the skills that we are looking for in our modern workforce. Let’s look at a couple of the big employers in my home of the SF Bay Area:

Google: ”If you’re looking for a place that values your curiosity, passion, and desire to learn, if you’re seeking colleagues who are big thinkers eager to take on fresh challenges as a team, then you’re a future Googler.”

Apple: “This is where some of the world’s most passionate people create the world’s most innovative products and experiences.”

Want to know what the “job description” looks like for the kids in theatre camp? 

“Wanted: An employee with a positive, can-do spirit of optimism. Strong teamwork skills required. Looking for passionate commitment to projects. Job requires creative thinking and attention to detail. Self-starters encouraged to apply. Public speaking and quick learning is a regular part of this position. Excellent communication skills a plus and the ability to think outside the box encouraged.”

Who doesn’t want that employee? 

 

 

This post originally appeared on Piedmont Post.

Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).  

   

What is systemic racism, or anti-racism? Tough questions that even adults can struggle to answer. American Girl has released a new advice book, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion that will help readers 10 and up understand these concepts and more, plus help normalize the conversation around race.

You can buy the book online today for $12.99 and the it’s more than 100 pages, with full-color illustrations, tips, quizzes and challenges. It’s written by Deanna Singh, a highly respected thought leader and diversity and inclusion expert. Plus it benefits from expert advisors who reviewed the manuscript: Traci Baxley, Ed.D., a professor of multicultural education and curriculum and instruction at Florida Atlantic University; and Deborah Rivas-Drake, Ph.D., a professor of education and psychology at the University of Michigan, who works to disrupt racism and xenophobia.

“We’re proud to add Race & Inclusion to our popular Smart Girl’s Guide series, which has served as a trusted resource for our readers and their families for nearly three decades,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “It’s our hope that the age-appropriate information and real-life guidance found in the book will be an important step for all those seeking to create a more compassionate world where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.”

Today’s release is part of American Girl’s commitment to engage more diverse voices and create new content to help advance racial equality. Among other initiatives, the brand recently launched Conversations for Change, a series that amplifies young women of various backgrounds and experiences making a difference in their communities. American Girl strives to help girls be their best and this new book will certainly make a difference!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of American Girl

 

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Tabletop game lovers are in for a treat as two of the classics collide! Monopoly Dungeons & Dragons just launched and it’s a new way to play for D&D fans. It features artwork from the popular universe as well as 22 of the infamous monsters as property spaces.

The premise? Traveler and storyteller Volothamp Geddarm is seeking explorers to capture creatures of Forgotten Realms for research purposes. At the same time, you’ll try to accumulate the most riches to come out on top. Look for the Bugbear, Demogorgon, Beholder and many more and try not to be enchanted by the fiery battle at the board’s center.

A few other swaps keep the game on theme: Treasure and Encounter cards replace Chance and Community chest piles. Expeditions and Bases take the place of the houses and hotels. And if you’re looking for railroad spaces, you’ll instead find the Tomb of Horror, Castle Ravenloft and more. Otherwise the Monopoly gameplay holds true, as you accumulate properties for currency and bankrupt your foes.

Designed for family play, Monopoly Dungeons & Dragons is ideal for two to six players ages eight and up. You can buy it now at your local game store for $39.99 or online. Good luck to Dungeon Masters everywhere as a new adventure begins!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of The OP Games

 

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Photo: Samira Soto

To the mom going through a diagnosis during a global pandemic, I know right now your world feels like you’re walking a new planet. It feels scary, isolating, and so lonely. 

It feels like you’re drowning in the depths of the biggest oceans, gasping for air each time you come up to the surface, only to be pulled right back down by its powerful current. Screaming for help each time you reach to the surface, only to see there is no life raft in sight. There is no help coming, there is no one to rescue you. The extensive waitlists, the endless amount of phone calls with no responses for weeks on end, and don’t get me started with the amount of hours on Zoom.  

I promise you are not alone. You see, my son Kanen is almost 3 years old. He has the biggest brown eyes that light up like the Aurora Borealis anytime a truck, plane, or bus passes by. He has a smile that shines as bright as a full moon on a dark and cold winter night. He also was diagnosed with severe, non-verbal autism in September of 2020. Going through the diagnosis process at any point in life is not for the weak hearted, but especially not during a global pandemic. While others are fighting for toilet paper off the shelves, and others are angry that their travel plans have come to halt, our worries become much bigger, and yet feel so little to the rest of the world. One day, we went from mom’s chasing our children on the playground, to the next day becoming camerawoman for what feels like a reality TV show. But instead shooting MTV’s next biggest show of rowdy 20 year olds living in one house, we’re chasing children around our homes using our computers and phones, praying that the person on the other side can get an appropriate evaluation. Hoping that they’ll catch a glimpse of all the hard we witness everyday. The hard that lead us to this point in our life, seeking a diagnosis.  

One might assume after a diagnosis that your days of being camerawomen would be over, but in all honesty they might have just began. Thearpy that was once in person is now all via Zoom. For most of us, we don’t have the option of in person or Telehealth. We are given what we are given, and are expected to not throw a fit.  At first you are going to ask yourself more than you want to admit if you’re capable of this. If you are capable of not only being your child’s mother, but their teacher, their therapist, their advocate, and most importantly their camerawoman.

I want to let you know you are capable, you are the only one who is. You will learn through this journey that you are your child’s person, you are their safe space. When their world feels too overwhelming and chaotic, only you mama will know how to center them. And you might learn along the way they are all that for you to, and even more. You will become a jack of all trades, master of none, but better than one.

I never imagined a time in my life where I would be seeking a diagnosis for my only son during a pandemic, but I’m thankful I did. I’m thankful I didn’t give up when I felt like the rest of the world was. When the rest of the world was giving up on the services he most needed, I didn’t. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but now a year into this, I promise it does get better because you mama will become stronger through the process. You will find a strength in you no others before or after us will ever experience, because we have faced a global pandemic while fighting for a diagnosis for our child and all the services they need after. Wear that badge of honor with pride! I want to remind you that you are never alone I see you, I hear you, and I’ll always be here to throw a life raft whenever you need it.  

With love,  

A fellow Mom

Samira is a 25 year old single mom to a 2 year old son Kanen Arley. Her son Kanen was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism in September of 2020, which inspired her to start sharing their journey through My Charming Arley on Facebook and Samirasstella on Instagram.

Are you an amusement park enthusiast to the max? If you’re a carousel connoisseur or rave about roller coasters to no end, Clementon Park in New Jersey has a deal you’ll want to learn more about.

The park, which was founded in 1907, is for sale—and now you can live out your daydreams and become its sole owner!

photo courtesy of PRNewswire/CRG

So how does one go about buying an entire amusement park? Clementon Park in Clementon, New Jersey will hit the auction block on Mar. 23. Capitol Recovery Group (CRG), a global private equity firm, is auctioning the park as a whole or split into individual parts. This means you can score an entire amusement park with everything you need included or just buy the land, amusement equipment, rides, buildings, or liquor license.

CRG President Bill Firestone said, in a press release, “We are actively seeking a buyer for this iconic park located outside of Philadelphia and expect significant interest in the auction.” Firestone added, “The property includes a 25-acre lake, dam, amusement rides, a water park and a full liquor license.”

Way back in 1907 Clementon was founded by Theodore Gibbs and his sons as a “trolley park.” Located at the end of a trolley line, the park was initially built to encourage weekend ridership. Clementon was family owned until 2011. The park closed its doors in 2019.

If you’re ready to turn your dreams into a reality—bidders can register for the auction on CRG’s website here.

—Erica Loop

 

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As a brand, Nike has always been a forerunner of innovation. In 2015, the company launched the first products in its FlyEase line that was largely inspired by teenager Matthew Walzer who was seeking an easy way to put on shoes.

Now the collection is expanding not only with a new style, but one that is completely hands off. So how does the new Nike GO FlyEase work? Check out the amazing video below.

Nike uses a bi-stable hinge that allows the shoe to be secure in fully open and fully closed states. The shoe also used a signature Nike GO FlyEase tensioner which uses the motion of kicking off a shoe to redefine function.

The innovative new footwear is perfect for athletes, people on the go and especially moms who have their hands full. The initial launch comes in three colorways: white, Celestine Blue and Volt, black, Dynamic Turquoise and Hyper Crimson, and black, Anthracite and Racer Blue.

For now, the Nike GO FlyEase shoes will only be available by invite for select Nike Members, but the brand will roll out to the general public within the year. Stay tuned for pricing and availability.

––Karly Wood

 

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Adopting a child into your family is an incredibly emotional process that requires a great deal of time. There will undoubtedly be days where you question your aptitude, which is yet another reason why the proceedings are so extensive. The truth is, adoption is not black and white. Many grey areas can play into each situation that can easily take a toll on adoptive parents if they have not done their due diligence. While it will be well worth the effort once you have a baby in your arms, it is essential to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Here are a few ways you can develop your mindset and get your life ready for adoption.

Research Agencies

The first step in adopting a child is to find an agency in your area that aligns with your needs. There are many options to choose from, all of which do things a little differently. Take your time in discovering the distinctions between your possibilities to help narrow down your list. You may even make a list of pros and cons to tangibly see what you are working with and what each alternative offers. This is a huge decision, so it doesn’t hurt to speak with all of your final choices to get a better understanding of what to expect.

Take Advantage of Resources

Once you have finalized a decision about your adoption agency, they should provide you with many resources to assist you in coming to terms with the next steps. These resources may include information about financial assistance, adoption training and more about the approval process. Because you took your time in finding a trustworthy agency that works well with your family, it will be a no-brainer to follow up with every recommendation that will encourage a smooth transition.

Talk with Your Family

It can be nerve-wracking to talk with your close friends and family about your decision to adopt, but it is crucial to have a strong support system while you endure this process. It takes a village to adopt a child. Everyone from the birth mother to the friends of the adoptive parents plays a role in the process, and you will need to have someone (or a whole group of someones) to depend on and trust with your emotions. If you already have kids at home, it is imperative to talk with them about what adoption means and how it may differ from their expectations of getting a sibling—adoption is unique because it gives you the means to gain a child overnight!

Practice Patience

Before you walk into an adoption situation, you know it will be time-consuming. Still, it is hard to fathom how much a setback along the way can affect you until you are in the moment. There is no shame in seeking pre-adoption counseling (actually, it’s recommended) to guide you through the process. It is also beneficial to join an adoption support group to talk with other families who can relate to your feelings. This type of support gives you a place to freely speak about your troubles with people who can provide sound advice based on experience. It is challenging to manage your emotions during such a volatile time. Having individuals to rely on who have felt your pain is a great way to deal with the difficult days and keep an optimistic mindset.

Ready the Home

As a part of your home study, a social worker will visit your place to ensure a suitable living situation for the adoptive child. As you move further along in the process, you will need to start thinking about sleeping arrangements, clothing, and food preparation for your newest addition. Some situations can provide more information in terms of the sex of the child and other needs, but you don’t want to be worried about making these changes as the delivery date approaches. Your agency will also help you with things around your home and offer remedies for any challenges that arise.

Hire a Lawyer

It is recommended to hire an adoption attorney to help finalize the adoption and handle the legal side of things with the courts. You are better off letting a professional take the reigns on the legality of your adoption to ensure everything is completed in a timely manner and to avoid any major issues going forward. It is smart to take every avenue possible to make certain every detail is handled by the book and in the best interest of your child.

Families who choose to adopt are giving a second chance to a child who may not have gotten the best first try. While adoption is by no means an easy undertaking, there is nothing quite like the feeling of expanding your family in such an honorable way. You may be surprised by how your choice to adopt will give you a fresh perspective on life, even more so when you take the steps to make it easier on your family.

featured image: SarahX Sharp via Unsplash

I am a mom of three children and I love to write in my free time. I have loved to write about my trials and success of being a mom as well as the different tips, tricks and hacks I've learned for raising kids.

Hawaii has been off limits to most of the world during the pandemic, but a new program is changing all of that.

The 50th state in the U.S. just launched a new “travel” program and it’s all about remote work from the Hawaiian Islands. “Movers & Shakas” is a state/private-supported program that is offering 50 free roundtrip flights to Oahu to pre-employed people. Keep reading to get all the deets!

photo: Tatonomusic via Unsplash

Recipients must stay and work on the island for at least one month and in exchange they must give a few hours a week to a nonprofit organization. The program is also offering discounted rates at hotels and restaurants to make the program even more enticing.

Jason Higa, CEO of FCH Enterprises says “Working from Hawaii can provide a much needed respite from the isolation and burnout caused by remote work. With the lowest rate per capita of COVID infections in the country, and an abundance of social distancing activities and dining experiences, Hawaii is ideal for those seeking a safe place to work and play.”

Interested people need to apply by Dec. 15 at the Movers & Shakas website.

––Karly Wood

 

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