Skee-Ball, The Original Family Friendly Game Leaps onto your Smartphone



**Disclaimer: Game code was provided to help facilitate the review of this game. 

After 100 years and 40 billion quarters, America's Favorite Alley Roller Game goes digital across all major platforms!  Skee Ball was my absolute favorite game as a kid!  This is the first game I would head towards anytime my family went to an arcade.   Totally loved it and my family would really get into where we would be pretty competitive and start some pretty good competitions.  So, needless to say, I was pretty excited to try this out.  Skee-Ball Plus, which captures all the fun of the original arcade game, features a host of new game variants and interactivity that are only possible on gaming devices.   I tested it out on my android phone.  It was okay and was something to keep me busy during down times and yes, it did satisfy my "Skee-Ball" craving.  Skee-Ball Plus app currently runs for $2.99.  It is also available on all major gaming systems, including Nintendo Switch, PC, Macintosh, Xbox One and the Sony Playstation 4.  I have not tested it on the gaming systems and cannot give an honest review on that side, but as far as playing it on my phone, again, it was just okay.  My daughter and I had fun passing the phone back and fourth seeing who could beat each other's score.  It's not a game you could sit there for hours with, but it is fun, competitive and of course a classic! 

Skee-Ball Plus, which captures all the fun of the original arcade game, features a host of new game variants and interactivity that are only possible on gaming devices.  Features include:

  • Classic layout with multiple game options including Call your Shot, Speedball, Horse, Hangman and Head to Head multiplayer modes like countdown.  
  • New layouts with different scoring circles and combinations including Pachinko style play. 
  • Dynamic layouts where the targets are moving, appearing and disappearing like Shooting Gallery, Ring the Bell and Wipeout (clearing the board) to challenge even the best players. 
  • Ticket redemption for power ups, score multiplier balls, magic balls, new game boards and other goodies that affect gameplay, instead of just being window dressing on your shelf.  
  • Global and Category Leaderboards, multiplayer options and social features.  

Since it was first introduced to the public in 1908, Skee-Ball has generated a remarkable $10 billion in arcade revenues.  Bay Tek Games acquired Skee-Ball Incorporated in 2016 and has since redesigned the game with updated alleys and a contemporary sensibility that still remains key elements of the brands classic look and feel.  



About Dimensional Branding Group, LLC 
The San Francisco Bay Area based brand extension agency that focuses on brand licensing, business development and promotion services with a unique emphasis on the interactive & digital channels. DBG specializes in developing toys & games, iconic brands & digital trademarks into entertainment placement and new extension markets. DBG’s clients include Miniclip (8 Ball Pool, Agar.io & Bowmasters), Temple Run, Skee-Ball, Chronicle Books, King Kong, Talking Tom, Jam City (Cookie Jam, Panda Jam), Malibu, John Wayne, Marlon Brando, Bay Tek Games among others.  www.dimensionalbranding.com


About Bay Tek Games, Inc.
Bay Tek Games is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of redemption games for the entertainment industry. Established in 1977, Bay Tek is based out of Pulaski, Wisconsin. With valued customer input and a team of vested developers Bay Tek Games puts passion into every single game they create. 








D-BACKS TO CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS WITH SERIES OF COMMUNITY EVENTS



Let's talk baseball! Oh how I miss it! In the spirit of the holidays, the D-backs have announced a series of community events that will take place beginning today through next week.

Homeward Bound Shopping Spree

Today, Dec. 6
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Target Arcadia Crossing
4515 E. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018

D-backs employees will join more than 30 Homeward Bound children ages 13-18 to shop for gifts for their parents and siblings as well as supplies for school or a warm outfit. The employees will be paired one-on-one with teens in Homeward Bound’s transitional housing program and will be given $250 to shop for needed items and to make the holiday season a little brighter.

D-backs Holiday Party at Boys & Girls Club

Monday, Dec. 11
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
MLB All-Star Arizona Diamondbacks Boys & Girls Club
548 W. Southern Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85041

Baxter, Bobby Freeman and D-backs staff will make this holiday season extra special for nearly 300 kids and their families at the MLB All-Star Arizona Diamondbacks Boys & Girls Club. The evening will consist of games, gifts, crafts and food courtesy of Streets of New York.

D-backs 20th Annual Winter Classic, presented by University of Phoenix

Thursday, Dec. 14
12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Chase Field
401 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

D-backs players and coaches will join D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall and will interact with nearly 600 children at the team’s 20th annual Winter Classic Holiday Party, presented by University of Phoenix. Each child will receive numerous gifts including a D-backs sweatshirt, backpack, new shoes and a couple of books, compliments of the D-backs and University of Phoenix. The kids will also be treated to unique Chase Field experiences such as photos with Santa, Phoenix Symphony Instrument “Petting Zoo,” Phoenix Herpetological Society Petting Zoo, Fitness Zone with D-backs trainers, D-backs Science of Baseball zone, Wiffle ball and run the bases, dance time with Bobby Freeman, interactive showcase from Dino Crew Entertainment, University of Phoenix Reading Center, Holiday craft station, lunch provided by Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and D-backs inflatables and games.

Smith’s Donates More Than 2,500 Thanksgiving Pies to Three Square Food Bank & How you can help!



On November 15, Smith’s Food & Drug Stores and Three Square Food Bank wanted to make sure the valley’s most vulnerable residents experience the joys of the holiday season.  Smith’s Southern Nevada grocery stores donated a total 2,500 pumpkin pies to Three Square Food Bank. These pies were distributed to Three Square’s network of community partners, who are able to reach families on the front lines of hunger.

“The holidays are a time for sharing food and enjoying the fruits of the season. We want to help spread holiday cheer by topping off their meal with pumpkin pie,” said Marsha Gilford, vice president of public affairs for Smith’s.

How can you help? Smith’s Food & Drug is again offering customers a convenient way to reach out and help others during the holiday season with its Bringing Hope To the Table donation drive. From now through December 31, customers may add a $1, $5 or $10 donation to their grocery orders. 100 percent of the contribution will then be converted into Smith’s gift cards for Three Square Food Bank to then purchase meat, grocery items, dairy or other needed items at cost.

“This is yet another way in which our resources, combined with the support of our associates and customers, work together to make a positive impact in our communities,” said Aubriana Martindale, division corporate affairs manager for Smith’s. “Just a few dollars can create a nutritious meal for another person who otherwise would go without.”

The Bringing Hope To the Table donation drive for Three Square ties into Smith’s newly launched Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, an effort aimed at ending hunger in the communities Smith’s calls home and eliminating waste across the company by 2025.

“No family in the Las Vegas community should ever go hungry, and no food in the stores we operate should ever go to waste,” said Martindale.

Smith’s helps fight hunger throughout its seven states of operation. In addition to cash support, each day stores donate nutritious but unsellable foods to local food banks. In 2016, enough food was contributed this way to create 1,650,427 meals through food bank and pantry networks in Nevada.

Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, operates 140 stores in seven western states including 7 in northern Nevada and 37 in southern Nevada.  Smith’s charitable giving, in partnership with more than 5,000 Nevada associates, generous customers and suppliers totaled $4.2 million in cash and food products to nonprofit organizations in 2015. More information may be found at www.smithsfoodanddrug.com.

Disney's Coco



**Disclaimer: We were invited to a preview of the movie. No compensation was provided. 

I have been waiting for this.  For both Coco and a good Disney movie, one that I feel comfortable taking my kids to and one that is good enough to purchase.  This is it! I am so in love with this movie, I can't say enough about it! This movie really warmed my heart.  There are points in the movie where it will take you places you didn't see coming. Plot twists, unexpected moments, moments where you will feel warm and fuzzy and moments when you'll find tears rolling down your face.  Definitely a movie the entire family will enjoy and will take home having a new appreciation for family.  Take a break from the hustle and bustle, from the shopping and electronics and take your family - I guarantee you will love this movie!  We give this movie five out of five stars!!

My 13 year old daughters review:
It was amazing! I really loved all the characters. My personal favorite was Hector. Even though he didn't know Miguel, he still treated him like family. I loved how he was so protective over Miguel. You really need to watch out for a big plot twist. I also loved how passionate Miguel's family is. They really look after Miguel and make sure he is independent and responsible of all his rules. Over all, this movie is probably one of my favorite Disney PIXAR movies I've ever seen.



SYNOPSIS:
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”)

Voice Cast:              Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Renée Victor
Director:                   Lee Unkrich
Co-director:             Adrian Molina
Producer:                 Darla K. Anderson



Happy Thanksgiving!



Thanksgiving; a time to be thankful, relax, enjoy family and reflect on life.  I am so thankful for my husband! He works so hard to provide for our family and although there are times when we get frustrated and short with each other, I could not be more blessed to have the family that I have.  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and takes time away from the electronics to really enjoy each other and the short time we have here!

D-BACKS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS



Everyone knows our family loves the game of baseball! There is not a better way for the family to spend time together! Shop for your baseball fans this weekend! The Arizona Diamondbacks Team Shop at Chase Field will offer several discounts for fans this Friday and will continue throughout the month of December. The Team Shop will have extended hours and will be open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Black Friday. In addition, while parents shop, kids can take part in an all-day D-backs Baseball Academy baseball and softball camp at Chase Field.

D-backs Team Shop Black Friday Deals
  • 50-percent off 2017 Postseason gear
  • Purchase a reusable bag for $50 and fill with selected product in store
  • Spend $19 in store and receive a 2016 batting practice cap for 98 cents
  • Spend $50 in store and receive a D-backs Christmas ornament
  • First chance to purchase D-backs 20th Anniversary season gear

D-backs Black Friday Youth Camp at Chase Field

The D-backs Baseball Academy will host a one-day camp for youth ages 6-14 at Chase Field. The camp lasts six hours (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and includes a T-shirt, cap, box lunch and free ticket to a 2018 D-backs home game.  For more information and to register, visit dbacks.com/academy.


December Discounts in the Team Shop
  • $5 Fridays - select products will be available for only $5
  • Sale Saturdays - fans can find sales in various categories throughout the store (men’s, women’s, youth, etc.)
  • December 2 – Select Youth Apparel 40-percent off
  • December 9 – Select Headwear 40-percent off
  • December 16 – Select Men’s Apparel 40-percent off
  • December 23 – Select Women’s Apparel 40-percent off
  • Baxter’s Holiday Magic Scratch Off – spend $100 and receive a scratch off ticket for prizes such as up to 50-percent off a future purchase, $500 shopping spree, bobblehead and replica jersey redeemable in January and February 

The December savings will kick off with a Baxter Party in the Chase Field Team Shop on Dec. 2 from 3-5 p.m. Fans will be able to get complimentary holiday photos taken with Baxter dressed as Santa and receive 40-percent off select youth apparel.

Playstation Plus One Year Membership Sale


 

GameStop is having a great sale on a one year membership to Playstation Plus. Anyone that has gamers in the family know what I'm talking about when I say this is a great deal! Normally $59.99 - now on sale for only $39.99!!  Jump on this one, now sure how much longer it will last! (click on the picture above to go directly there)