Hello Dear Readers! Lots going on this week, everything from presidents to Mardi Gras so let’s get straight to our topics, which are:
• Re-creating LA • London Calling • Don’t Break That Egg
• At The Barn • Fat Tuesday • Presidential
• There’s Always Something To Buy
I ran across a fascinating KCET article yesterday about how the Disney Imagineers have gone about re-creating 1920’s-30s Los Angeles for the new Disney California Adventure entry complex. It’s full of period photos too, so you can compare then to now. Take a look, it’s worth your time:
Recreating prewar Los Angeles required meticulous research. A team of Walt Disney Imagineering architects, designers, and other creative types pored over archival photos and videos from libraries and private collections—resources that were particularly helpful in reconstructing the Carthay Circle Theater, demolished in 1969, and Pan-Pacific Auditorium, destroyed by fire in 1989.
The last Pacific Electric red car rolled down the streets of Los Angeles in 1961, but vintage photos—like those preserved at the Metro Transportation Library and Archive—helped the Imagineers faithfully match the cars' paint scheme and design flourishes.
Read the full article at this link.
If you’ve never been to London and want to go, now’s your chance to try and win a trip. For the upcoming 3D re-release of the film, Titanic, a search for the it’s biggest fan has been launched and the prize is a pretty nifty trip to London which also includes:
• Two tickets to the World Premiere in London on March 27
• Roundtrip coach airfare from the U.S. or Canada for two
• Three nights hotel stay
• Passes to a "hop-on-hop-off" city tour for two
• Round-trip transfers to/from hotel while in London
To enter you simply visit the Titanic Facebook page at this link where you will find the “Biggest Fan Contest” tab. Click “Enter,” submit a photo & jot down a few words about the first time you saw Titanic, give ‘em your contact info, and then hope you win. (There’s no purchase necessary, you must enter by March 13th, 2012, and the contest is open to US and Canadian (excluding Quebec) residents, age 13 and older.) And if you’re thinking, “Aw no one ever wins those things,” think again. A friend recently entered just such a contest and won a terrific trip to Wizarding World, so it can happen! So ... what are you waiting for? Enter already.
The 3D re-release of Titanic, also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the ship itself setting sail back on April 10, 1912. Written, directed and produced by James Cameron, it's the second highest grossing movie of all time and is one of only three to have received a record 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. To learn more about it, visit http://www.titanicmovie.com
Seems like every year I see a report on the news about students designing containers holding eggs that are dropped from a height with the goal of keeping said egg perfectly intact. Can you design such a container? The Discovery Science Center (just down the road from Disneyland), in conjunction with their upcoming National Engineers Week, wants you to join in on their very first Egg Drop:
On Saturday, February 25th, you be the engineer and join us as we welcome special guests from Boeing and Cal State Fullerton's Engineering Department and host our first Egg Drop Competition. Build your entry at home and compete to win a great prize. Kids and adults of all ages are invited to design and build a device that will house and protect an egg from breaking as it falls to the ground from various heights.
Competitors must create their entry ahead of time and bring to Discovery Science Center to compete. Entries will be judged and winners in each age group will be selected based on the lightest weight, the fewest number of parts, and the most accurate landing on the Drop Zone target. Prizes for the best Egg Drop device include a grand prize iPod Touch, iPod Nano and more. In addition, all competitors will receive a free general admission ticket to Discovery Science Center.
For age brackets, times, and entry info, visit this link. The Discovery Science Center is located at 2500 N. Main Street in Santa Ana, CA, for more information call: (714) 542-2823
He probably doesn’t remember me, from ages ago, but I sure remember him — that smart, polite, nice, kid who seemed to know everything there was to know about Disneyland. Now, he’s all grown up and writing books about Disneyland — Jason Schultz:
Jason Schultz has been researching Disneyland history (always with a strong chronological interest) since 1995. After a time in Disneyland Guest Relations (from Mickey’s birthday in 2000 to Disneyland’s birthday in 2003), Jason ventured to the University of Maryland for master’s degrees in History and Library Science. Since August 2007, he has been exhaustively researching a complete history of the Disneyland Resort.
Jason will be out at Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park this Sunday to sign copies of his book, Jason's Disneyland Almanac: 1955 - 2010. The book, co-written by MiceAge’s very own, Kevin Yee, is a unique collection of information on The Happiest Place on Earth in which you’ll find everything from park hours, to attractions openings and closures, to weather for every day from the years 1955 on up to 2010. For more information on Jason Schultz’s book-signing (including an email address to write to if you would like the specific time of Jason’s appearance), visit this link.
The third Sunday in each month, Walt Disney’s Barn Museum, the original Santa Fe & Disneyland Combine Coach, and Ollie Johnston’s Victorian Train Depot, are open for public visiting. It’s always terrific to visit the barn, and in addition to guests like Jason, you’ll find informative volunteer barn crew members are on hand to describe the history and contents. It’s also been known to happen that sometimes Disney veterans and Legends drop by for chats and autographs. Walt’s Barn is open this Sunday, February 19th, from 11:00 AM till 3:00 PM, it’s located next to the Los Angeles Live Steamers area in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Parking and admission are free. For directions to the barn, visit this link.
Okay, now let’s look at a few things going on for President’s Day and Mardi Gras. You can celebrate Mardi Gras at Disneyland … or how ‘bout something different? Head to the Farmer’s Market up in LA to laissez les bons temps rouler:
Mark your calendars for the best Mardi Gras Celebration in Los Angeles! Join Farmer’s Market for a weekend full of traditional New Orleans and Zydeco music, bead-throwing, strolling parade bands, arts and crafts and face painting for kids, authentic Cajun food, beer, and much more! Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley & The Zydekats return along with other Market favorites including, T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band, Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros and Lula Afro Brazil!
There’s lots more going on, including a “Mutti Gras” pet parade and contest and even additional celebrating on Fat Tuesday, February 21st. And best of all, all activities are free. For the whole scoop, visit this link. Farmer’s Market is located at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and 3rd Street in the city of Los Angeles, close to the Grove shopping complex, next to CBS Television City.
If you’re not planning on spending Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the park (by the park, I mean Disneyland) on Monday, within driving distance of Disneyland you’ll find two, count ‘em, two presidential libraries. And here are the very presidential activities you’ll find going on there:
The Ronald Reagan Foundation will be celebrating President’s Day from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM:
Come mingle with our Founding Fathers during the 20th Annual Presidents Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. This celebration includes musical entertainment, storytelling, and presidential and first lady look a-likes. Hot dogs, pie and other all-American food will be available for purchase. Presidents Day activities are free. Museum admission applies to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and Air Force One Pavilion.
The Richard Nixon Foundation celebrates President’s Day with free admission and a few Presidents too from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM:
Meet the Presidents — Come see Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt on Monday, February 20th and enjoy free admission all day . There will be free cherry pie to the first 100 guests and a special presentation on America’s Presidents in the East Room. Bring your entire family and don’t forget your camera!
The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, CA. For more information, visit this link. The Nixon Library is located at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., in Yorba Linda, CA. For more information, visit this link.
If presidential libraries aren’t your thing how about cowboys? I debated about including this because it seems somewhat tasteless to mention guns and JFK, but I can’t help myself as I find it interesting … so here goes — The Autry Museum, which is normally closed on Mondays, will be open for President’s Day this coming Monday and they have an exhibit containing Colt guns that were made to present to presidents — including a gun made for, but never presented to, JFK.
President Kennedy's gold-inlaid and engraved revolver was close to completion when Kennedy was tragically assassinated in 1963. All work on the revolver was then stopped, and it was soon polished and blued in an incomplete state:
Dating back to Samuel Colt, the Colt company has a long tradition of presenting Colt revolvers to important military and political figures, including the presidents of the United States. The first president believed to have received a presentation Colt was Andrew Jackson. In modern times the practice resumed with President Harry S. Truman, and presentation revolvers have been prepared for many subsequent presidents.
The Autry’s permanent collection includes presentation or prototype revolvers prepared for Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. This Single Action Army was the prototype for the presentation intended for Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States. The gift was being prepared in anticipation of a second term, but when Ford lost his reelection bid to Jimmy Carter in 1976, the actual presentation revolver was never built.
Besides guns, the Autry museum has many other truly wonderful things to spend an afternoon seeing. And as I found out on a recent visit, you just might spot a few Disney connections there too. It's located in Griffith Park, near the LA Zoo, at 4700 Western Heritage Way in Los Angeles, CA. For more information, visit this link.
We’ll wind things up today with a mention of of a few merchandise happenings at the Disneyland Resort — two imminent and one to put on your calendar.
Precious Moments Doll Maker Linda Rick will make an appearance this weekend, February 17th - 19th, at the World of Disney Store, in Downtown Disney:
Linda Rick’s new collection of dolls celebrates Cinderella as she transitions from her humble beginnings to her dramatic debut at the ball with the help of her fairy godmother, to her magical wedding to Prince Charming. Also available will be previous releases from Linda Rick featuring some of Disney's most beloved characters.
Linda Rick’s appearance schedule is February 17th & 18th from Noon to 10pm, then on the 19th from Noon to 9pm. For more information, visit this link.
Also Disney Vault 28 will begin their 'Sheer Romance' product launch on February 18th:
Love is in the air or perhaps it's 'Sheer Romance' . . . the newest Double 5 collection of ladies fashion tees, featuring some of Disney's most beloved princesses, including Snow White, Cinderella Aurora, and Belle. It’s a line designed to “celebrate classic art and high fashion with a little bit of humor.”
Each design has been embellished with little accents that add an extra special sparkle. A representative from Tailgate Printing Inc. will be on hand February 18, 2012 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, to share more details on this new collection.
For more information, visit this link.
And lastly, put this on your calendar if you’re a Dave Avanzino fan. He’s going to be at Disneyland where he’ll fashion one of his famous letter plaques just to your specification:
Known for his impressive and intricately detailed paper sculpture art, artist Dave Avanzino will be on hand for a special appearance at The Disney Gallery as we celebrate the premiere of his Custom Letter Plaques program at the Disneyland Resort. This program allows you to select some of your favorite Disneyland Resort attractions and icons to spell your name.
Avanzino will be at the Disney Gallery on Disneyland’s Main Street on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Prices for his custom letter plaque prices vary based on name length, ranging from one to twenty letters, with matting and framing included. The Custom Letter Plaque orders are limited and will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on the plaques including pricing, visit this link.
Okay, we’re all through here for today. If you want to know what I’m up to, you need to follow Pressing Matters on Twitter. You never know what you’ll find there — food, museums, shopping, Disneyland! Follow along as I search for the all the latest Pressing Matters & tweet about what I find:
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