Acts of kindness, big and small, have the ability to change the world, one community at a time. After more than a year of isolation for many people across the country, now is the perfect time to do good and build unity in your area. According to a national survey from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, more than 1 in 3 Americans (36%) faced “serious loneliness” during the pandemic, including more than 60% of young adults. You can help those craving a sense of connection with a few tips from SECU Maryland. The largest chartered credit union in the state continues to strengthen and enrich the lives of neighbors and communities, in this case aiming to inspire 70,000 acts of kindness nationwide. Use Your Voice Words have power, and you can leverage yours to uplift, support and offer love. Thank a teacher for making a difference in your life or your children’s. Send a “thank you” card to your local fire station or police department. Decorate your children’s bedroom doors with paper leaves, each featuring a reason you love them. Leave a positive online review for a company, business or organization in your community. Write an uplifting text message…

On this summer road to recovery, Santa Monica is recognizing and celebrating some of the businesses that are shining bright with the best of intentions and putting “good work” into their reopening efforts. While maneuvering the road to recovery, visitors are encouraged to vacation responsibly by planning ahead, traveling safely, setting expectations and taking appropriate precautions as they explore Santa Monica and beyond by using these helpful hints https://www.santamonica.com/travel-responsibly/. Santa Monica businesses shine with the best of intentions for locals and visitors alike with these examples: Shutters on the Beach – This summer, Shutters on the Beach has created Chrysalis kites to raise money and awareness for Chrysalis and the great things they do to create job skills and opportunities. Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. Chrysalis has five centers and locations in Southern California, including a Santa Monica center. Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar have been long time hiring partners with Chrysalis. Shutters on the Beach guests and locals can support Chrysalis by purchasing a kite for $25 and all proceeds will go to…

Nothing says romance quite like an evening stroll along a Southland Beach as the sun slowly sinks into the sea. The air is crisp, and the warm summer breeze feels refreshing and soothing. These are the moments that make milestones. The ones where couples find themselves away from the everyday, in surroundings that feel new, yet comfortable. So much of those experiences hinge on the ambiance. A perfect setting with ideal surroundings. For starry-eyed lovers seeking that romantic getaway, Newport Beach is where those memories are made. Couples seeking a magnificent waterfront experience in Newport Beach will want to visit Balboa Bay Resort, where long strolls along the harbor, great food, and boatloads of fun are at every turn. Located over the Balboa Bay harbor, the hotel is ranked the Number One Resort in Newport Beach by U.S. News & World Report.  There are 159 luxurious guestrooms and suites, and the Bayview rooms offer stunning panoramas of grand yachts and luxurious sailboats against a backdrop of people of all ages enjoying a variety of water sports. Balboa Bay Resort features everything an active traveler wants from a luxury hotel: A full-service 10,000-sq. foot spa, a fitness studio, a heated outdoor…

There are many treasures of this Mediterranean-style village that make La Jolla one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in Southern California: luxurious and historic hotels and resorts; fine dining with breathtaking ocean views; retail shopping that rivals northern neighbors Rodeo Drive and South Coast Plaza; sophisticated, world-class arts and culture, and a strikingly beautiful setting complemented by endless outdoor recreational activities. Add to this extraordinary mix a rich history with numerous famous residents, from Gregory Peck to Ted Giesel (aka Dr. Seuss), and some of the nation’s leading scientific research centers, including the internationally renowned Salk Institute and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and visitors can experience an unparalleled leisure holiday. The following are just some of the diverse offerings of La Jolla (pronounced “La Hoya”; translated from Spanish as “the jewel”) that guests can experience throughout the year. BEACHES AND WATER ACTIVITIES La Jolla’s beaches and coastline are considered to be some of the most beautiful settings in the world; its aqua waters provide endless options for fun and relaxation. Lifeguards watch over families splashing in the rocky shallows off La Jolla Cove, a small patch of sand tucked between weather-sculpted sandstone cliffs. This area’s breathtaking views are a favorite…

Family-friendly festival will be staged on the iconic Huntington Beach Pier and includes entertainment, amusements, vendors, and gourmet food trucks The City of Huntington Beach will kick off its Surf City Dreamin’ 4th of July Celebration with the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Festival from July 2-4, 2021! This outdoor Festival will offer nonstop activities for visitors of every age – all from the vantage point of the renowned Huntington Beach Pier. The Festival will run 9:30AM-10:00PM daily July 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and will play host to more than fifty local vendors and food trucks, games, and a 12,000 square-foot beer and wine garden that offers the best seat in the house during the July 4 fireworks show.   The City’s Pier Plaza, as well as the Beach Parking Lot at 6th Street and Pacific Coast Highway will host various vendor booths showcasing a mix of retail offerings including high end surfboards from the iconicHuntington Surf and Sport, island home décor, modern swimwear, children’s toys, pet products, handmade jewelry, and crafts. The area will also feature gourmet food trucks and carts, making this event a one-stop shop for all your weekend needs. Lastly, all vendors will be staged twelve feet apart in…

‘Drive to Change Lives’ encourages Greater Palm Springs tourism community to give back Prior to the pandemic, tourism supported over 53,000 jobs in Greater Palm Springs and contributed $7.5 billion to the local economy. While the past year has presented extraordinary challenges, Greater Palm Springs and the tourism industry are turning the page to a new chapter with the start of National Travel and Tourism Week, May 2-8, an annual tradition that spotlights the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry. May is also Visit California’s California Tourism Month, which celebrates tourism and hospitality across the Golden State.  To showcase how the power of travel will drive recovery, the Greater Palm Springs CVB will host a virtual town hall meeting, led by President & CEO Scott White, on May 4 at 10 a.m. to provide updates on consumer sentiment, highlights of state and regional destination marketing plans, and updates on the CVB’s newest programs. Other town hall speakers include Lynn Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing of Visit California, Erin Francis Cummings, President & CEO of Destination Analysts and Nick Forro, President of AHL Palm Springs and SVP of the Seattle Kraken. Guests can RSVP to attend the virtual town hall meeting here.  Additionally, during the…

5 Family Staycation Ideas That Won’t Break Your Budget Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, but sometimes time or money (or both) make planning an elaborate trip a non-starter. However, a staycation – a vacation you take right in your hometown (or nearby) – can be much less expensive and fit into nearly any amount of available time with the added bonus of skipping out on potentially stressful travel. Consider these staycation ideas to take advantage of your local area’s attractions and prove you don’t have to go far to spend quality time together. Visit local landmarks. Just because it’s not a traditional vacation doesn’t mean you can’t pretend to be tourists. Start by visiting the places you recommend to friends and family from out of town or pick up a city guidebook to uncover hidden spots you may not even know exist. Make a plan to seek out historic sites, visit local landmarks like museums or try an out-of-the-way restaurant (or two) you’ve never eaten at before. Camp out in the backyard. Camping doesn’t have to be done far from home. In fact, it…