Big & Digital to Distribute Giant Screen Film "In Saturn's Rings"

To contact us Click HERE
Henderson, NV, USA (December 18, 2012) -- BIG & Digital, LLC and SV2 Studios, LLC announced today that In Saturn's Rings will be distributed worldwide by BIG & Digital to the network of IMAX®, Giant Screen, and Full-Dome Theaters. The film will be released in early 2014.

In Saturn’s Rings is a non-profit giant-screen space art film, produced by SV2 Studios, that takes audiences on the ultimate journey of the mind and spirit from the big bang to the wonders of the Solar System climaxing with the Cassini-Huygens Mission at Saturn.

Over One Million photographs, manipulated to create full motion, make up the film's visuals for a photographic fly-through of deep space. Using innovative visual techniques developed by the filmmaker, In Saturn’s Rings lets audiences fly through space and time using real photographs, not CGI. The film will feature powerful music by Ferry Corsten, William Orbit, Samuel Barber and melds narrative visual poetry and science into a rich and emotional experience. The imagery, synchronized to powerful and moving music, provides a direct and powerful opportunity of exploring space.

“We're very excited to work with BIG & Digital to bring the film to the network of Giant Screen Theaters,” said Stephen van Vuuren of SV2 Studios. “In Saturn’s Rings is literally a big and digital film, so this is a perfect match for presenting the film in the best light to the industry.”

“I have been following Stephen's film for several years and I appreciate his passion for a unique and scientific space film that reaches an emotional level with audiences. The film is different than the space films that have come before it and we are looking forward to be bringing In Saturn’s Rings to theaters worldwide,” said Tina Ratterman, founder of BIG & Digital.

A one minute clip with millions of views on the internet was named one of NASA’s “Astronomy Pictures of the Day.” The online space and scientific communities support and endorse the project including resources and support from Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and The Planetary Society. Individual scientists from NASA, JPL, ESA and numerous other scientific institutions are active advisors and volunteers.

More than a dozen volunteer scientists, photographers and image processors are working directly on the production creating custom programs, processing lunar imagery, and creating stunning time-lapse of the dark sky at giant screen resolutions.

More information on the film can be found at www.in_saturnsrings.com and updates and announcements can be received through social media: Twitter - @in_saturnsrings, Facebook at www.facebook.com/insaturnsringsmovie

Distribution and leasing information is available from BIG & Digital. Contact: info@biganddigital.com or 702-932-4045.

About SV2 Studios
SV2 Studios was founded by filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren in 2000 to focus on digital cinema production.  SV2 Studios has produced a range of multimedia projects, including award-winning short and feature length films. The company also provides digital cinema mastering to independent filmmakers. Van Vuuren has become a leading photographic animation artist while creating the stunning visuals for In Saturn's Rings.

About BIG & Digital, LLC
BIG & Digital specializes in distribution of 15/70mm and digital giant screen content to museums, attractions and planetariums. BIG & Digital was founded in March 2009 by Tina Ratterman. Ratterman is a veteran in the giant screen industry with more than 15 years of successful marketing and distribution experience. More information can be found at www.biganddigital.com.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

To contact us Click HERE
Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

To contact us Click HERE
 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

it's been about a week since I last wrote

To contact us Click HERE
It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

Big & Digital to Distribute Giant Screen Film "In Saturn's Rings"

To contact us Click HERE
Henderson, NV, USA (December 18, 2012) -- BIG & Digital, LLC and SV2 Studios, LLC announced today that In Saturn's Rings will be distributed worldwide by BIG & Digital to the network of IMAX®, Giant Screen, and Full-Dome Theaters. The film will be released in early 2014.

In Saturn’s Rings is a non-profit giant-screen space art film, produced by SV2 Studios, that takes audiences on the ultimate journey of the mind and spirit from the big bang to the wonders of the Solar System climaxing with the Cassini-Huygens Mission at Saturn.

Over One Million photographs, manipulated to create full motion, make up the film's visuals for a photographic fly-through of deep space. Using innovative visual techniques developed by the filmmaker, In Saturn’s Rings lets audiences fly through space and time using real photographs, not CGI. The film will feature powerful music by Ferry Corsten, William Orbit, Samuel Barber and melds narrative visual poetry and science into a rich and emotional experience. The imagery, synchronized to powerful and moving music, provides a direct and powerful opportunity of exploring space.

“We're very excited to work with BIG & Digital to bring the film to the network of Giant Screen Theaters,” said Stephen van Vuuren of SV2 Studios. “In Saturn’s Rings is literally a big and digital film, so this is a perfect match for presenting the film in the best light to the industry.”

“I have been following Stephen's film for several years and I appreciate his passion for a unique and scientific space film that reaches an emotional level with audiences. The film is different than the space films that have come before it and we are looking forward to be bringing In Saturn’s Rings to theaters worldwide,” said Tina Ratterman, founder of BIG & Digital.

A one minute clip with millions of views on the internet was named one of NASA’s “Astronomy Pictures of the Day.” The online space and scientific communities support and endorse the project including resources and support from Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and The Planetary Society. Individual scientists from NASA, JPL, ESA and numerous other scientific institutions are active advisors and volunteers.

More than a dozen volunteer scientists, photographers and image processors are working directly on the production creating custom programs, processing lunar imagery, and creating stunning time-lapse of the dark sky at giant screen resolutions.

More information on the film can be found at www.in_saturnsrings.com and updates and announcements can be received through social media: Twitter - @in_saturnsrings, Facebook at www.facebook.com/insaturnsringsmovie

Distribution and leasing information is available from BIG & Digital. Contact: info@biganddigital.com or 702-932-4045.

About SV2 Studios
SV2 Studios was founded by filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren in 2000 to focus on digital cinema production.  SV2 Studios has produced a range of multimedia projects, including award-winning short and feature length films. The company also provides digital cinema mastering to independent filmmakers. Van Vuuren has become a leading photographic animation artist while creating the stunning visuals for In Saturn's Rings.

About BIG & Digital, LLC
BIG & Digital specializes in distribution of 15/70mm and digital giant screen content to museums, attractions and planetariums. BIG & Digital was founded in March 2009 by Tina Ratterman. Ratterman is a veteran in the giant screen industry with more than 15 years of successful marketing and distribution experience. More information can be found at www.biganddigital.com.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

To contact us Click HERE
Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

To contact us Click HERE
 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

it's been about a week since I last wrote

To contact us Click HERE
It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

it's been about a week since I last wrote

To contact us Click HERE
It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

Rabbit's Bakery, Lake City, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
One the second day of a vacation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, we crossed the border back into Minnesota to visit Rabbit's Bakery in Lake City. We got there just before noon, so that baking for the day was over, but the wood-fired oven was being heated up for the next day's baking.


There were lots of tasting things in case waiting to be chosen. We saw lots of people coming in to buy things or to have lunch at the bakery cafe.


There was some breads of the day on the rack waiting to be taken, a menu for drinks on the wall. You can also see a sign for pizza (lower right), which they currently make once a month.


They have their distinctive sign hanging outside their door.


Here you can see the chimney stack and cinder block addition for their wood-fired oven. It looks like they also added some additional venting.


Just in case you can't find it going by the address, they also have a distinctive sign on the exterior wall of their bakery building.

Everything we bought was good. I'll certainly stop by again if I'm in the area.

D'Amico & Sons, Golden Valley, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
While looking for a place to eat dinner after attending an art exhibition at the Perpich Center for Arts Education I did a "search nearby" and found that there was a D'Amico & Sons location at 7804 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55437, about a mile away. Looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for the restaurant, I saw one where it mentioned "wood fired oven" so that restaurant location seemed worth a try.

This time I didn't have my camera with me, so there are no pictures.

There is a menu that you can download from their page. The actual selections available in the restaurant were a bit broader.

The good news: They really do have and use a wood-fired oven to bake their pizza.

The bad news: They run their oven at a comparatively low 500 degrees or so.

As a result, their wood-fired pizza is just OK.

I ordered their Neapolitan (a highly ironic name considering the temperature of true Neapolitan pizza ovens), which had fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The pizza was thin crust, not overloaded, and had a bit of char on the bottom. It would have definitely benefited from some attention from a bubble popper. A couple of big bubbles had pushed the sauce and cheese away from substantial portions of my pizza.

Even with those problems, it was a pretty tasty pizza, and one I would order again.

Bill's Bread, Vashon, Washington

To contact us Click HERE
A friend on Facebook shared a link to video about a wood-fired bakery on Vashon Island in Washington State named Bill's Bread. The video link is here. Apparently Bill doesn't have a web site. I did find some information on a Manta page.

I also found an older blog post that mentioned Bill's Bread.

His story sounds like a real, down-to-earth guy who discovered his life's work making people's food lives a bit richer.

I'll have to see if I can meet him the next time I'm in Washington.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

To contact us Click HERE
 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

What to Get Him for Valentine's Day???

To contact us Click HERE

Are you thinking about Valentine's Day?  It's just around the corner!Women are easy to buy for: flowers, perfume, jewelry, dinner out...If you are really stuck, a spa gift certificate always works.

But what do you get for him?If I ask my husband what he wants (for any occasion) he always says for me to be happy.But I really want to get him something special and I'm sure you want to get your significant other something special too...So I went to my BBB (best blogging buddy) and CP (critique partner) for advice.Lenny gave me some super advice and I wanted to share it with you...
Lenny did a search on google  Most of the sites said guys  just want some love or made to feel special. But Lenny wrote down some ideas of other things they might like. 1. tickets to a sports event or the theatre or movie or concert2. tools3. regular date night4. cook him a special dinner and have a night alone at home if you got kids5. special hand made stuff. a handmade card and a poem you write youself. paint a picture or paint a little statue of something he likes. one guys wife painted a penguin for him cause he likes penquins and he said he just love it and keeps it on his desk and it always reminds him of how much she love him. 6. mostly all the guys said they could like a watch.7. a lot said they could like a belt with a cool belt buckle ...8. t shirts with stuff they like...like hunting or weightlifting or cycling or whatever...9. a lot of them said they could like flowers cause no one ever thinks guys could like to get flowers. for sure that could be a surprise.10. gift card for a massage or facial ..11. guys that got hobbies like stuff for that ... If none of those idea work, Lenny said, hop on to amazon and put valentines day gifts for men in the search box  you could get lots of ideas.
So....Do you have something special planned for your significant other or bestie?
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Rabbit's Bakery, Lake City, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
One the second day of a vacation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, we crossed the border back into Minnesota to visit Rabbit's Bakery in Lake City. We got there just before noon, so that baking for the day was over, but the wood-fired oven was being heated up for the next day's baking.


There were lots of tasting things in case waiting to be chosen. We saw lots of people coming in to buy things or to have lunch at the bakery cafe.


There was some breads of the day on the rack waiting to be taken, a menu for drinks on the wall. You can also see a sign for pizza (lower right), which they currently make once a month.


They have their distinctive sign hanging outside their door.


Here you can see the chimney stack and cinder block addition for their wood-fired oven. It looks like they also added some additional venting.


Just in case you can't find it going by the address, they also have a distinctive sign on the exterior wall of their bakery building.

Everything we bought was good. I'll certainly stop by again if I'm in the area.

D'Amico & Sons, Golden Valley, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
While looking for a place to eat dinner after attending an art exhibition at the Perpich Center for Arts Education I did a "search nearby" and found that there was a D'Amico & Sons location at 7804 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55437, about a mile away. Looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for the restaurant, I saw one where it mentioned "wood fired oven" so that restaurant location seemed worth a try.

This time I didn't have my camera with me, so there are no pictures.

There is a menu that you can download from their page. The actual selections available in the restaurant were a bit broader.

The good news: They really do have and use a wood-fired oven to bake their pizza.

The bad news: They run their oven at a comparatively low 500 degrees or so.

As a result, their wood-fired pizza is just OK.

I ordered their Neapolitan (a highly ironic name considering the temperature of true Neapolitan pizza ovens), which had fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The pizza was thin crust, not overloaded, and had a bit of char on the bottom. It would have definitely benefited from some attention from a bubble popper. A couple of big bubbles had pushed the sauce and cheese away from substantial portions of my pizza.

Even with those problems, it was a pretty tasty pizza, and one I would order again.

Bill's Bread, Vashon, Washington

To contact us Click HERE
A friend on Facebook shared a link to video about a wood-fired bakery on Vashon Island in Washington State named Bill's Bread. The video link is here. Apparently Bill doesn't have a web site. I did find some information on a Manta page.

I also found an older blog post that mentioned Bill's Bread.

His story sounds like a real, down-to-earth guy who discovered his life's work making people's food lives a bit richer.

I'll have to see if I can meet him the next time I'm in Washington.

it's been about a week since I last wrote

To contact us Click HERE
It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

Rabbit's Bakery, Lake City, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
One the second day of a vacation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, we crossed the border back into Minnesota to visit Rabbit's Bakery in Lake City. We got there just before noon, so that baking for the day was over, but the wood-fired oven was being heated up for the next day's baking.


There were lots of tasting things in case waiting to be chosen. We saw lots of people coming in to buy things or to have lunch at the bakery cafe.


There was some breads of the day on the rack waiting to be taken, a menu for drinks on the wall. You can also see a sign for pizza (lower right), which they currently make once a month.


They have their distinctive sign hanging outside their door.


Here you can see the chimney stack and cinder block addition for their wood-fired oven. It looks like they also added some additional venting.


Just in case you can't find it going by the address, they also have a distinctive sign on the exterior wall of their bakery building.

Everything we bought was good. I'll certainly stop by again if I'm in the area.

D'Amico & Sons, Golden Valley, Minnesota Field Report

To contact us Click HERE
While looking for a place to eat dinner after attending an art exhibition at the Perpich Center for Arts Education I did a "search nearby" and found that there was a D'Amico & Sons location at 7804 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55437, about a mile away. Looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for the restaurant, I saw one where it mentioned "wood fired oven" so that restaurant location seemed worth a try.

This time I didn't have my camera with me, so there are no pictures.

There is a menu that you can download from their page. The actual selections available in the restaurant were a bit broader.

The good news: They really do have and use a wood-fired oven to bake their pizza.

The bad news: They run their oven at a comparatively low 500 degrees or so.

As a result, their wood-fired pizza is just OK.

I ordered their Neapolitan (a highly ironic name considering the temperature of true Neapolitan pizza ovens), which had fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The pizza was thin crust, not overloaded, and had a bit of char on the bottom. It would have definitely benefited from some attention from a bubble popper. A couple of big bubbles had pushed the sauce and cheese away from substantial portions of my pizza.

Even with those problems, it was a pretty tasty pizza, and one I would order again.

Bill's Bread, Vashon, Washington

To contact us Click HERE
A friend on Facebook shared a link to video about a wood-fired bakery on Vashon Island in Washington State named Bill's Bread. The video link is here. Apparently Bill doesn't have a web site. I did find some information on a Manta page.

I also found an older blog post that mentioned Bill's Bread.

His story sounds like a real, down-to-earth guy who discovered his life's work making people's food lives a bit richer.

I'll have to see if I can meet him the next time I'm in Washington.

Resorts World Sentosa Grand Opening 7 December 2012 - PHOTOS

To contact us Click HERE
All photos courtesy Singapore Tourism Board. Click here for full story by InPark co-editor Judith Rubin.

Fireworks to celebrate the RWS grand opening. Crane Dance is in the background.

Crane Dance, with fireworks

PM Lee and Chairman Genting Group Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay with performers during the RWS Grand Opening celebrations

PM Lee visiting the S.E.A. Aquarium

Press conference

Big & Digital to Distribute Giant Screen Film "In Saturn's Rings"

To contact us Click HERE
Henderson, NV, USA (December 18, 2012) -- BIG & Digital, LLC and SV2 Studios, LLC announced today that In Saturn's Rings will be distributed worldwide by BIG & Digital to the network of IMAX®, Giant Screen, and Full-Dome Theaters. The film will be released in early 2014.

In Saturn’s Rings is a non-profit giant-screen space art film, produced by SV2 Studios, that takes audiences on the ultimate journey of the mind and spirit from the big bang to the wonders of the Solar System climaxing with the Cassini-Huygens Mission at Saturn.

Over One Million photographs, manipulated to create full motion, make up the film's visuals for a photographic fly-through of deep space. Using innovative visual techniques developed by the filmmaker, In Saturn’s Rings lets audiences fly through space and time using real photographs, not CGI. The film will feature powerful music by Ferry Corsten, William Orbit, Samuel Barber and melds narrative visual poetry and science into a rich and emotional experience. The imagery, synchronized to powerful and moving music, provides a direct and powerful opportunity of exploring space.

“We're very excited to work with BIG & Digital to bring the film to the network of Giant Screen Theaters,” said Stephen van Vuuren of SV2 Studios. “In Saturn’s Rings is literally a big and digital film, so this is a perfect match for presenting the film in the best light to the industry.”

“I have been following Stephen's film for several years and I appreciate his passion for a unique and scientific space film that reaches an emotional level with audiences. The film is different than the space films that have come before it and we are looking forward to be bringing In Saturn’s Rings to theaters worldwide,” said Tina Ratterman, founder of BIG & Digital.

A one minute clip with millions of views on the internet was named one of NASA’s “Astronomy Pictures of the Day.” The online space and scientific communities support and endorse the project including resources and support from Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and The Planetary Society. Individual scientists from NASA, JPL, ESA and numerous other scientific institutions are active advisors and volunteers.

More than a dozen volunteer scientists, photographers and image processors are working directly on the production creating custom programs, processing lunar imagery, and creating stunning time-lapse of the dark sky at giant screen resolutions.

More information on the film can be found at www.in_saturnsrings.com and updates and announcements can be received through social media: Twitter - @in_saturnsrings, Facebook at www.facebook.com/insaturnsringsmovie

Distribution and leasing information is available from BIG & Digital. Contact: info@biganddigital.com or 702-932-4045.

About SV2 Studios
SV2 Studios was founded by filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren in 2000 to focus on digital cinema production.  SV2 Studios has produced a range of multimedia projects, including award-winning short and feature length films. The company also provides digital cinema mastering to independent filmmakers. Van Vuuren has become a leading photographic animation artist while creating the stunning visuals for In Saturn's Rings.

About BIG & Digital, LLC
BIG & Digital specializes in distribution of 15/70mm and digital giant screen content to museums, attractions and planetariums. BIG & Digital was founded in March 2009 by Tina Ratterman. Ratterman is a veteran in the giant screen industry with more than 15 years of successful marketing and distribution experience. More information can be found at www.biganddigital.com.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

To contact us Click HERE
Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

To contact us Click HERE
 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

What to Get Him for Valentine's Day???

To contact us Click HERE

Are you thinking about Valentine's Day?  It's just around the corner!Women are easy to buy for: flowers, perfume, jewelry, dinner out...If you are really stuck, a spa gift certificate always works.

But what do you get for him?If I ask my husband what he wants (for any occasion) he always says for me to be happy.But I really want to get him something special and I'm sure you want to get your significant other something special too...So I went to my BBB (best blogging buddy) and CP (critique partner) for advice.Lenny gave me some super advice and I wanted to share it with you...
Lenny did a search on google  Most of the sites said guys  just want some love or made to feel special. But Lenny wrote down some ideas of other things they might like. 1. tickets to a sports event or the theatre or movie or concert2. tools3. regular date night4. cook him a special dinner and have a night alone at home if you got kids5. special hand made stuff. a handmade card and a poem you write youself. paint a picture or paint a little statue of something he likes. one guys wife painted a penguin for him cause he likes penquins and he said he just love it and keeps it on his desk and it always reminds him of how much she love him. 6. mostly all the guys said they could like a watch.7. a lot said they could like a belt with a cool belt buckle ...8. t shirts with stuff they like...like hunting or weightlifting or cycling or whatever...9. a lot of them said they could like flowers cause no one ever thinks guys could like to get flowers. for sure that could be a surprise.10. gift card for a massage or facial ..11. guys that got hobbies like stuff for that ... If none of those idea work, Lenny said, hop on to amazon and put valentines day gifts for men in the search box  you could get lots of ideas.
So....Do you have something special planned for your significant other or bestie?
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Big & Digital to Distribute Giant Screen Film "In Saturn's Rings"

To contact us Click HERE
Henderson, NV, USA (December 18, 2012) -- BIG & Digital, LLC and SV2 Studios, LLC announced today that In Saturn's Rings will be distributed worldwide by BIG & Digital to the network of IMAX®, Giant Screen, and Full-Dome Theaters. The film will be released in early 2014.

In Saturn’s Rings is a non-profit giant-screen space art film, produced by SV2 Studios, that takes audiences on the ultimate journey of the mind and spirit from the big bang to the wonders of the Solar System climaxing with the Cassini-Huygens Mission at Saturn.

Over One Million photographs, manipulated to create full motion, make up the film's visuals for a photographic fly-through of deep space. Using innovative visual techniques developed by the filmmaker, In Saturn’s Rings lets audiences fly through space and time using real photographs, not CGI. The film will feature powerful music by Ferry Corsten, William Orbit, Samuel Barber and melds narrative visual poetry and science into a rich and emotional experience. The imagery, synchronized to powerful and moving music, provides a direct and powerful opportunity of exploring space.

“We're very excited to work with BIG & Digital to bring the film to the network of Giant Screen Theaters,” said Stephen van Vuuren of SV2 Studios. “In Saturn’s Rings is literally a big and digital film, so this is a perfect match for presenting the film in the best light to the industry.”

“I have been following Stephen's film for several years and I appreciate his passion for a unique and scientific space film that reaches an emotional level with audiences. The film is different than the space films that have come before it and we are looking forward to be bringing In Saturn’s Rings to theaters worldwide,” said Tina Ratterman, founder of BIG & Digital.

A one minute clip with millions of views on the internet was named one of NASA’s “Astronomy Pictures of the Day.” The online space and scientific communities support and endorse the project including resources and support from Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and The Planetary Society. Individual scientists from NASA, JPL, ESA and numerous other scientific institutions are active advisors and volunteers.

More than a dozen volunteer scientists, photographers and image processors are working directly on the production creating custom programs, processing lunar imagery, and creating stunning time-lapse of the dark sky at giant screen resolutions.

More information on the film can be found at www.in_saturnsrings.com and updates and announcements can be received through social media: Twitter - @in_saturnsrings, Facebook at www.facebook.com/insaturnsringsmovie

Distribution and leasing information is available from BIG & Digital. Contact: info@biganddigital.com or 702-932-4045.

About SV2 Studios
SV2 Studios was founded by filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren in 2000 to focus on digital cinema production.  SV2 Studios has produced a range of multimedia projects, including award-winning short and feature length films. The company also provides digital cinema mastering to independent filmmakers. Van Vuuren has become a leading photographic animation artist while creating the stunning visuals for In Saturn's Rings.

About BIG & Digital, LLC
BIG & Digital specializes in distribution of 15/70mm and digital giant screen content to museums, attractions and planetariums. BIG & Digital was founded in March 2009 by Tina Ratterman. Ratterman is a veteran in the giant screen industry with more than 15 years of successful marketing and distribution experience. More information can be found at www.biganddigital.com.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

To contact us Click HERE
Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

To contact us Click HERE
 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

What to Get Him for Valentine's Day???

To contact us Click HERE

Are you thinking about Valentine's Day?  It's just around the corner!Women are easy to buy for: flowers, perfume, jewelry, dinner out...If you are really stuck, a spa gift certificate always works.

But what do you get for him?If I ask my husband what he wants (for any occasion) he always says for me to be happy.But I really want to get him something special and I'm sure you want to get your significant other something special too...So I went to my BBB (best blogging buddy) and CP (critique partner) for advice.Lenny gave me some super advice and I wanted to share it with you...
Lenny did a search on google  Most of the sites said guys  just want some love or made to feel special. But Lenny wrote down some ideas of other things they might like. 1. tickets to a sports event or the theatre or movie or concert2. tools3. regular date night4. cook him a special dinner and have a night alone at home if you got kids5. special hand made stuff. a handmade card and a poem you write youself. paint a picture or paint a little statue of something he likes. one guys wife painted a penguin for him cause he likes penquins and he said he just love it and keeps it on his desk and it always reminds him of how much she love him. 6. mostly all the guys said they could like a watch.7. a lot said they could like a belt with a cool belt buckle ...8. t shirts with stuff they like...like hunting or weightlifting or cycling or whatever...9. a lot of them said they could like flowers cause no one ever thinks guys could like to get flowers. for sure that could be a surprise.10. gift card for a massage or facial ..11. guys that got hobbies like stuff for that ... If none of those idea work, Lenny said, hop on to amazon and put valentines day gifts for men in the search box  you could get lots of ideas.
So....Do you have something special planned for your significant other or bestie?
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!