Hello Dear Readers! From teddy bears to superheros with a little something nice thrown in for good measure, we have quite an assortment of items to mull over today. Here are our topics:
• Exploring The Parks • Dapper Subway Update • Vintage Clothing
• Studio Ghibli Retrospective • Free Cone • Knott’s — Passes — Mom
• Duffy Meetup • Bear Avengers • Avengers On Screen • Avengers Collectibles
In an immedate world where it’s so easy to criticize, the nice news often gets shoved aside. So today, we’ll start Pressing Matters off with a piece about something nice the Disney company has done — helping kids, who might otherwise not have been able, visit America’s National Parks:
In celebration of National Park Week, the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, received a $500,000 grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to help connect kids and families to nature through America's national parks. Disney's investment will go specifically to the National Park Foundation's “Ticket To Ride and “America’s Best Idea” programs, which will help kids explore the outdoors by providing transportation to and supporting community projects at national parks around the country.
"We realize that funding for transportation is one of the greatest barriers preventing children from experiencing a national park field trip," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "Disney's support has helped make it possible for us to engage thousands of young people in life changing park experiences, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of park enthusiasts."
The National Park Foundation launched "Ticket To Ride" earlier this year. Disney is the first corporate partner to join in the program's mission, allowing tens of thousands of young people to experience America's national parks this spring. The company's grant also supports the National Park Foundation's "America's Best Idea" program, which connects diverse, underserved and under-engaged populations throughout the country with their national parks through innovative and meaningful experiences.
For more information on "Ticket to Ride," "America's Best Idea" or any of the National Park Foundation's programs, visit this link.
Regular readers will remember a piece from this column posted a while back about a Dapper day event taking place on LA’s subway. Sounds interesting doesn’t it? Well, that day is almost here and I’ve got an update for you. Get your fancy duds ready because Dapper Day on the Subway takes place this coming Sunday, April 29th and the day’s organizers have posted a full schedule of the day’s events. For the whole scoop and the full event schedule, visit this link.
A little more to entice you to join in — the Dapper Day on the Subway organizers have produced a terrific, and truly fun, silent video illustrating the ins & outs of LA subway travel:
Dapper Dan Rides the Subway from railLA on Vimeo.
Dapper Dan comes from an era where rail was the dominant way to navigate Los Angeles. Watch what happens when he encounters our modern day rail system! If Dan can figure out how to use Metro Rail, so can you! Dapper Dan is played by Dickie Hearts, a deaf actor who is naturally very expressive! The director communicated with Dickie on set via an iPhone app called Big Words.
This next event comes a little late to shop for your dapper wardrobe for this week’s dapper event, but hey, shop now and get ready for the next Dapper Day — at the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show:
The Vintage Clothing & Textile Show in it’s 29th year, features 65 exhibitors selling and displaying a wide selection of antique textiles, vintage clothing and much more! Beyond the high fashion vintage and gently worn designer clothing, you will find an extensive array of other material from nostalgic eras including vintage table linens, bed linens, Victorian lace, draperies and cushions, a variety of wearable decorative trims, perfume bottles, jewelry boxes, buttons, shoes, handbags, jewelry, shawls, ethnic textiles and the list goes on.
The show takes place April 29th from 9:00 AM — 3:00 PM at Pickwick Gardens, located at 1001 W Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA. Entrance fee is $7. The show’s 65 dealers are known to save their finest and most unusual items for this event — so come early and check it out for the best finds. For more information, visit this link.
How does one describe the animation coming from Studio Ghibli? Beautiful. Interesting. Inspiring. Sometimes weird. Always intriguing. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I’m a fan. Throughout the month of May, Cinefamily will be screening a Studio Ghibli retrospective — 35 mm prints of ten different films including, My Neighbor Totoro, Castle In The Sky, Ponyo, and the Academy Award-winning, Spirited Away.
The screenings run $12 (free for Cinefamily members) and start May 4th at Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre, located at 611 N. Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. For the complete list of films and a link to purchase tickets visit this link.
Downtown Disney Anaheim currently has a few locations closed for refurbishment & new stores (Earl of Sandwich is sure gonna be a welcome addition, isn’t it) but one that’s open and always yummy to pop into on a hot afternoon has a nice treat coming up soon. I’m talking about Häagen-Dazs and what’s better than cool, delectable, ice cream?
Free ice cream, that’s what! In addition to the Downtown Disney store, all Häagen-Dazs locations will be hosting a free cone day — so mark your calendars and plan on standing in line on Tuesday, May 8th from 4:00 —8:00 PM to get your taste of free ice cream. For more information, check out Häagen-Daz’s Facebook page.
How old am I? I’m so old, I remember a time when it cost nothing to enter Knott’s Berry Farm. Of course, back in those days, Knott’s did not have all the rides and attractions it does today. It was a place my grandpa would take me to eat chicken, wander around Ghost Town, shop in the candy store and set a while in the covered wagons.
Though Knott’s is no longer free, it’s still a bargain — season passes cost just $64.99. But ... that bargain price is about to go up, so if you’re thinking of purchasing a Knott’s Berry Farm, pass do act soon, as prices go up May 1st. For more information on Knott’s Berry Farm season passes (or to purchase), visit this link.
And while we’re on the subject of Knott’s, how about taking Mom there for her Mother’s Day meal, Sunday May 13th. Call (714) 220-5055 for reservations.
Let’s talk a little bit about Duffy the Disney Bear. I have to say, I read a lot of Duffy-hate on the internet. I’m not too understanding of the Duffy-animosity and I don’t give much credence to what the Duffy-haters espouse.
As for me, I’m simply mad about the bear. I’ve had a ton of fun with my Duffy and his friend from Tokyo, Shellie May. If I was going to be anywhere near Walt Disney World on May 19th, you can bet I’d grab my Duffy (dressed to the nines, of course) and head over to EPCOT — where Duffy fans will get to show the bear some love at the Duffy Meetup at EPCOT:
Come meet other Duffy fans and show off your bears dressed in their finest or just their favorite outfits or costumes... but even "naked" bears are welcome... we don't discriminate! We'll meet by the main Duffy store at the entrance to World Showcase by the big cutout of Mickey holding Duffy. From there we'll go to Duffy's greeting gazebo at 11:30 AM, when Duffy starts his meet & greets for the day for a group photo with the Bear himself! From there we can play it by ear for those who want to hang out.
There’s so much Duffy-love going on in Japan, it’ll be really terrific to see photos of Duffy-love coming from America — because I know, despite the lousy marketing job of the American Duffy team, there are lots of Duffy fans here in the USA. I expect photos Duffy meetup people! The Duffy Meetup at EPCOT will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM. For all the details, visit the Duffy Meetup At EPCOT Facebook page.
Okay, so you’re planning on going to the Duffy Meetup and your pal needs to looks all fabu for his big moment in America, and your sewing skills are lacking, you say? Where’s an American Duffy fan to turn for clothes for their favorite bear? It sure isn’t Disney. Try Build-A-Bear Workshop. That company knows how to provide quality, au courant, priced-right bear wear. And they’re at it again, beating Disney at its own game with Avengers costuming:
Avengers arrives at Build-A-Bear Workshop April 27th. Turn your furry friends into super heroes with these new Avengers Costumes. As a bonus, get a free Avengers poster with your Avengers costume purchase. To celebrate the release of the Avengers movie on May 4 and the release of the new Avengers costumes, the Glendale Galleria Build-A-Bear Workshop will be hosting an Avengers Meet and Greet, with an appearance by Captain America, April 28, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Glendale Galleria is located between Broadway and Colorado Streets, Central Avenue and Brand Boulevard in downtown Glendale. Build-A-Bear Workshop is located on the lower level next to Nordstrom. For a look at Build-A-Bear’s Avengers outfits (most are priced at $15.00), visit this link.
Of course if you're gonna dress up Duffy in an Avenger outfit, you might as well show him off by taking him to the movie with you. And if you're looking for the closest to ground zero for Avenger-mania that you can get in the Los Angeles area, you should take note that Disney announced Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre will present “Marvel’s The Avengers,” from May 4 through June 21, 2012, featuring special “around the clock” screenings on Thursday, May 3.
The midnight show has already sold out, so due to popular demand, a 4:00am show Friday morning has been added. Those going to the 4:00 am show will receive a comic book exclusive to the El Capitan with a limited print run:
The comic book tells the seminal backstory to how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – The Avengers - came together for the very first time and will feature a cover by one of the biggest names in the business, John Romita Jr.
The El Capitan Theatre will also offer guests a peek into the private collection of Stan Lee, legendary writer of Marvel Comics. This exclusive display includes rare comic books, including “Tales of Astonish”-the very first appearance of Iron Man, original helmets of Thor and Loki from the film production of “Thor”, a statue of the Iron Man suit from “Iron Man 2”, mini busts of Marvel characters from Bowen Designs, and an array of action figures Lee has acquired throughout his storied career. Guests can also take their picture with the Tony Stark wax figure from Madame Tussauds Hollywood.
Daily showtimes are 10 a.m., 1:10 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:35 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, available at the El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group rates for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110. Show times subject to change of course. A special ’Marvel’s The Avengers’ Breakfast will be offered for one night only open to ticket holders for either the midnight or the 4 am show on May 4th.
We’ll end today with more Avengers news. If you’re a fan but you’re not into dressing up bears, there’s something for you too — eFX Inc has a new line of Marvel collectibles:
After making full-scale prop replicas and collectibles for some of the most iconic science-fiction, fantasy and action franchises of all time, eFX Inc. announced today that it will unveil an all-new line based on film and comics characters in the Marvel Universe. eFX, which has acquired worldwide rights to create Marvel collectibles. Included in its initial line-up of limited-edition Marvel collectibles are expected to be Captain America shield, Thor’s hammer and a full-scale Iron Man Mark V mask.
As fans worldwide anxiously await the May 4 theatrical release of The Avengers – which brings together some of the most famous Super Heroes ever created – eFX will continue introducing new Marvel-based collectibles based on these incredible characters. In addition to prop replicas and high-end collectibles, eFX will also offer a series of items inspired by Marvel characters and properties, which, like the replicas, will be available on its website and at select retail locations. Prices are expected range from $49 to $1,500 and more.
For more information, visit this link.
That does it up for another week, thanks for stopping by. I’ve got to go look into purchasing an Incredible Hulk costume for Duffy so I’ll leave you and say good-bye till next week. In the mean time, 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, Duffy! Follow along as I search for the all the latest Pressing Matters & tweet about what I find:
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