OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE

Disney is celebrating the digital release of OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE starring the voice cast of Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Jonathan Groff. The digital copy of Olaf’s Frozen Adventure will also add six classic Disney shorts to your holiday digital collection. Take a look at the special Olaf clip below as well as a video of some of the Easter Eggs hidden in this special holiday featurette.

Synopsis: In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 21-minute featurette “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) teams up with Sven on a merry mission. It’s the first holiday season since the gates reopened and Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) host a celebration for all of Arendelle. When the townspeople unexpectedly leave early to enjoy their individual holiday customs, the sisters realize they have no family traditions of their own. So, Olaf sets out to comb the kingdom to bring home the best traditions and save this first Christmas for his friends.

Extras: 6 Classic Disney Holidays Shorts

• THE HOCKEY CHAMP - Donald Duck shows his nephews the moves that won him his hockey trophy, but the boys have a few moves of their own.
• WINTER - Silly Symphony - In this musical short - the last of the ‘Silly Symphony’ series - see wintertime from the point of view of our favorite woodland creatures. 
• THE ART OF SKIING - The first cartoon to use the now-famous Goofy holler, this short features Goofy learning how to ski at the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.
• PLUTO’S CHRISTMAS TREE - While picking out their Christmas tree, Mickey and Pluto chop down the perfect one, unaware that they’re bringing home Chip and Dale along for the ride. 
• ONCE UPON A WINTERTIME - While courting Jenny, Joe tries to show off on the ice, but events soon turn to a timely rescue in this musical December Valentine.
• POLAR TRAPPERS - The first cartoon to feature Donald and Goofy without Mickey; The duo are animal trappers in the South Pole with very different (and hilariously unsuccessful) approaches. 

Chappet

Unique, Interactive Gadget Enhances Experience With Stuffed Animals by Bringing Them to “Life”

Sparks Creativity, Vocabulary Building and Ongoing Learning in the Child

**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post provided by the client.

The holidays are around the corner and there are thousands of gift options for children, even for those who seem to have everything. The ideal toys parents want to give or have their child receive are usually educational ones that are infused with fun and develop their imaginations while also sparking their creativity.

Chappet is a Bluetooth speaker encased in a two-inch wide yellow button and is controlled by a smartphone app. It allows parents to interact with their children through their stuffed animals during creative playtime.

Chappet supports more than 1,000 prerecorded phrases, features 20 pre-recorded songs and stories, and its auto chat function can mimic the words a child shares with it in conversation, allowing children to interact with their favorite toy in an entirely new way.  “You can be in another room or right next to them on the couch,” said Naoki Ono, Chappet Development Team Leader. “They won’t know it’s you unless you tell them because Chappet allows parents or loved ones to become the camouflaged voice of the child’s stuffed animal that involves fun, responsive, back-and-forth social and creative interactions.”

Through the app, you have four interaction options:

1. Voice Chat: Where, through Chappet, parents pretend they are the stuffed animal to chat with their child. Imagine being in the kitchen and your child is in the living room. You will have a blast seeing and hearing your child’s reactions to the chats with his or her stuffed animal.
2. Text Chat: Where Chappet reads aloud what you type in a charming voice. You can be next to your child to teach him or her letters and numbers, or simply “chat” with your child through his or her favorite stuffed animal.
3. Tap Chat: Where Chappet allows you to speak pre-recorded sentences. You can choose from a list of more than 1,000 phrases across numerous categories that suit a variety of every day scenarios, and 20 pre-recorded songs and stories. You can also add new phrases via text with your own voice, and original songs and stories too!
4. Auto Chat: Where Chappet responds to your child’s voice by making affirmative sounds of agreement or mimicking phases. Your child will laugh out loud when he or she finds their best friend is mimicking him or her.

Chappet can also support parents as they help their children follow a daily schedule. It allows you to set up reminders for key daily events such as meal, snack, or nap times. It can also be a great tool to help parents with potty training, allowing them to program their own phrases that use specific words their children respond to or use related to potty training.

The 2-inch-wide button makes it safe for children. It can be sewn on or tightly attached with a string around the stuffed animal’s neck like a necklace. Chappet does not need a battery because it is rechargeable. To learn more about Chappet’s functionality, visit www.Chappet.com. It is available for purchase exclusively on Amazon.com. App is available for free on Apple Store and Google Play.

Family Holiday Activities at The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, will be hosting a first-ever family holiday experience on Saturday, December 16, and Saturday, December 23. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors to the Museum can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities, appropriate for all ages. Children 10 and younger always enjoy FREE admission to the Museum; all children must be accompanied by adults.

Fingerprint Ornament-Making – Fingerprinting has long been part of forensic science and crime scene investigation, and will be a tactic guests can explore in the Museum’s new Crime Lab (opening February 2018). This holiday season, however, children will delight in turning their own fingerprints into keepsake ornaments in the Oscar Goodman room on the Museum’s third floor. Free with Museum admission.

Photos with Santa at the Police Lineup Wall – Take home an extraordinary memento of a holiday season visit to The Mob Museum by posing next to Old Saint Nick against the iconic lineup wall; $5 per photo print with Museum admission.

Letters to Santa – Drop off letters to Santa in the Museum’s historic post-office boxes. The Mob Museum was once a post office and federal building. Its vintage post office boxes are the perfect place to send this year’s Christmas wish letters. Santa will pay a special visit to the lobby to gather all the last-minute requests and take them to the North Pole.

Complimentary Hot Cocoa ­­– Available for all ages; free with Museum admission.

Spiced Apple Cider - Adults aged 21 and older can enjoy a cup of this seasonal favorite December 16 - 31, which blends apple cider, fruit, spices and bourbon, concocted by Food Beverage Director Clint Thoman. A non-alcoholic version will also be available.

Buy One-Get One 50 Percent Off Premium Museum Memberships – Through the month of December, Museum fans can give themselves the gift of a Premium Museum Membership and purchase a second one for a friend or family member at half-price. Membership includes unlimited Museum admission, while supporting its community education programs throughout the year. Premium Memberships start at $50 per year and must be purchased onsite or over the phone by calling (702) 229-2734.

In addition, the Museum will be open on Monday, December 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class, interactive journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Whether you like it or not, this is American history. Since opening in 2012, The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of USA Today’s “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits,” “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times, one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by Fox News and Budget Travel magazine, “Best Museum” by Nevada Magazine and is a multi-year winner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” rankings. The Mob Museum has been awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded U.S. museums. Admission is $23.95 for adults ages 18 and over with special pricing for online purchase, children, seniors, military, law enforcement, Nevada residents, and teachers. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for up-to-date operating hours. For more information, call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org. Connect on Facebook at facebook.com/themobmuseum or Twitter @themobmuseum.

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

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