Thursday, April 19, 2012

San Antonio Military River Parade Honors Military on May 19, 2012




San Antonio has long been christened “Military City USA” and on Saturday, May 19, 2012 the Military City will have its own parade celebrating our servicemen and women! The inaugural MilitaryRiverParade—Here’s to our Heroes will be held on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Arneson River Theatre and the Horseshoe Bend of the River Walk.

The parade will feature 25 professionally decorated river barges with participants from all branches of military service, veterans of recent conflicts, military support groups and live entertainment from military groups and local artists.

San Antonio is home to over 36,000 active military personnel and some 113,000 military retirees and their families. The goal of the new parade is to unite the city to corporately honor our servicemen and women and to help support those who are currently deployed.

The public is encouraged to participate by purchasing yellow ribbons in honor of their deployed loved one to adorn the trees lining the River Walk (Ribbons can be purchased for $5 online at http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ or by calling 210-227-4262).

The parade is FREE to view from the patios and balconies of Riverwalk restaurants, but for an unobstructed view of the Parade and to avoid the crowds seats are available for purchase in the Arneson River Theatre ($15), along the extension of the River Walk (near the Chamber of Commerce Building, $10) and the Rivercenter Mall lagoon ($10). These areas of the River Walk will be open to Ticket Holders only.

For more on The Military River Parade—Here’s to our Heroes or to purchase tickets visit http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/military-river-parade-heres-to-our-heroes/ or call 210-227-4262.

To explore other San Antonio events, go to http://www.visitsanantonio.com/

More on the parade, including photos, after the event!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives coming to The Reagan Library




D23 PRESENTS TREASURES OF THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES, which encompasses more than 500 historic artifacts from nearly nine decades of Disney history, opens at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum on July 6, continuing through April 2013.

Presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, D23 PRESENTS TREASURES OF THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES is the largest exhibition ever curated by the Walt Disney Archives, at 12,000 square feet. From Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse to Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain America, the exhibition features more than 500 artifacts, at least half of which have never been seen by the public— including models, props, costumes, set pieces, and artwork from throughout Disney history.

“Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney were longtime friends, two optimists who shared an unwavering belief in the essential goodness of the American way of life,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re proud to partner with the Reagan Library and the National Archives to showcase Disney’s rich entertainment legacy. This extraordinary exhibit will offer visitors an unprecedented look into Disney’s history and celebrate the connection between these two American originals.”

Among the extraordinary items to be featured are:
· The original script, written by Walt Disney, for Mickey Mouse’s film debut in 1928’s Steamboat Willie;

· A faithful recreation of Walt’s formal office from the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., including original furnishings and many of his personal items;

· Hand-drawn artwork and hand-sculpted models used in the production of some of the most beloved Disney animated film classics ever created, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi and Sleeping Beauty;

· Props from classic Disney live-action productions, including Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Shaggy Dog, Babes in Toyland Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and more;

· Breathtaking props, costumes, and set pieces from recent Disney classics, including the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, TRON: Legacy, National Treasure and Captain America;

· Intricately sculptured busts of all 44 U.S. Presidents that were created for Audio-Animatronics® figures seen in the The Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort;

· A salute to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, showcasing theme park artwork, Audio-Animatronics® characters, memorabilia and authentic attraction vehicles

The exhibition also pays tribute to the long personal friendship and professional collaboration between Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan, which began many years before President Reagan’s political career.

On July 17, 1955, Ronald Reagan was one of the co-hosts of ABC Network’s live coverage of the opening of Disneyland, and as governor of California, he frequently visited Disney’s first theme park. After leaving the Oval Office, one of his first public events was a return to Disneyland, where he officiated at the park’s January 1990 35th-anniversary celebration, proclaiming it “one of America’s national treasures.”

“Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan shared a passion for America, a belief in the human spirit, and an innate optimism that, in both men, galvanized the public,” said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “President Reagan was a great admirer of Walt Disney, and we are tremendously proud to host this wonderful exhibition of Disney treasures, and to honor the bond between Walt and President Reagan.”

For exhibit hours and additional information, visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum online at www.reaganlibrary.com, or www.Disney.com/D23. Admission to the exhibition is included with the purchase of admission to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. Through April 2013, when the exhibition is scheduled to end, members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club also save $2 on every adult admission.

“At 12,000 square feet, this is the largest special exhibit the Reagan Library has ever put on,” said Duke Blackwood, director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. “It is a testament to the relationship between Walt Disney and our nation’s presidents, as well as the story of Disney, itself. The Reagan Library and National Archives are honored to host this extraordinary exhibit.”

The Ronald Reagan Library & Museum is located in Simi Valley, Calif., about 60 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles and approximately two hours north of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Muppets Receive their Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame








The world-renowed Muppets received a star on the Hollywood Walk ("Wocka Wocka") of Fame today from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in celebration of the release of Disney's "The Muppets" on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The celebration was emceed by Chamber President and CEO Leron Gubler, with special guest speakers Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios and Lisa Henson, CEO, The Jim Henson Company. Several Muppets were on hand to receive the star including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, Pepe, Sweetums, and Walter, the newest Muppet, who made his debut in Disney's 2011 film. The Muppets' star is the 2,466th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is located in front of the historic El Capitan Theatre.

One of the year’s best-loved family comedies and among the best reviewed films of 2011, Disney’s “The Muppets,” starring Jason Segel, Academy Award®-nominee Amy Adams, and favorite celebrity couple Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy -- debuts March 20 on Blu- rayTM Combo Pack, DVD, Digital Download and On-Demand formats. A must-own movie the entire family can enjoy, Disney’s “The Muppets” in-home release includes the DVD and digital soundtrack packaged together and also offered as the ultimate Muppets experience, a ‘WockaWocka Value Pack,’ which contains the movie on Blu-ray high definition, DVD and Digital Copy (three discs), plus a download card which allows fans to own all the songs including Bret McKenzie’s Oscar®-winning “Man or Muppet,” from the film’s hugely popular soundtrack from Walt Disney Records.

Review coming tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Moving Blogs...

As of August 22, 2010, you can find us at http://www.militaryfamilyradio.blogspot.com. See you there!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Come Visit Us

We have launched a new family travel blog - http://www.travelswithsam.com/.  We invite you to come visit us and learn more about our traveling family. We are hoping that with the creation of a personal family blog, you will be given a closer look at our family. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Continental Airlines - Military Baggage

Just found out some great news for those traveling on Continental Airlines.  Continental Airlines do not charge active duty military and their dependants baggage fees on the first two bags if traveling together on leisure travel.  From what we understand, the active duty member must be traveling with the family in order for the offer to be valid. Our calls to Continental's PR office have not yet been returned to verify all the details. As soon as we have more information, so will you!

Also, in all but one of our flights to Orlando, we were also extended the courtesy of pre-boarding just for being an active duty family. Nice touch, Continental!

Without baggage fees, Continental is often one of the most affordable airlines - something to consider while traveling this holiday season.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Is the Recession Making Businesses Friendlier?

I stopped by two take-out restaurants yesterday (everyone in my family wanted something different and I was in the mood to please them) and both restaurants wowed me with their customer service.  This normally doesn't happen.  You see, I consider my self an expert in TWO things and TWO things only - TRAVEL and CUSTOMER SERVICE.  I use to give trainings in customer service and soft skills many moons ago.  I'm from the Disney school of service. Going above and beyond what a customer expects is the only true way to know you've got the best service around. 
With that said, both restaurants I stopped at truly went above and beyond in their service, and this got me thinking - Has the recession made hospitality businesses friendly and better at service? The fact that both places employed young kids (17, 18 maybe) that excelled in their service skills leads me to believe that companies are going out of their way to make sure their business stands out so that you come back (and they in turn survive the recession). 

Have you had similar experience where you eat, shop and stay? Tell us about it.