Donna Summer: Goodbye to Disco’s Queen

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Entertainment, Music, Tribute

May 21, 2012

Donna Summer, known affectionately as the Queen of Disco passed away this week but not without leaving behind a legacy filled with pulsating beats and catchy dance tunes.  Donna always felt her true roots were in the heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll and was uncomfortable and somewhat reluctant to wear the royal title as the Queen of Disco.   The decade of the seventies was defined, however, by the music of Donna Summer. Even when disco crashed and burned at the end of the dance-beat driven decade (the 70′s disco costumes continue to be a hit however), this woman still continued to reinvent herself. 

By far the most controversial song ever recorded by Donna Summer was the infamous and ultra sultry “Love To Love You Baby.”  The over the top sexual tapestry that is woven in the half-sung, half-moaned song came to fruition in a decade that was filled with completely new rules regarding sex, race, fashions and even drugs.  This sexually charged song was considered so racy at the time that it required significant editing for radio play.

Donna Summer: Video ‘Love To Love You Baby’ from 1975

Donna Summer had many big disco hits to her name including other favorites such as the likes of “I Feel Love” and “Last Dance”.  Even when the glory days of disco were beginning to fade away, Donna still cranked out some of her biggest hits such as “She Works Hard For the Money”, a women’s anthem that burned up the charts in the early 1980’s. 

Donna had many other lesser-known successes in her career, including being a successful writer in the country music genre.  Co-written by Donna and her husband, Bruce Sudano, “Starting Over Again” became a #1 hit for Dolly Parton in 1980 and once again hit the top 20 for Reba McIntyre in 1995.   Although Donna herself never recorded “Starting Over Again”, she has described having someone else record her song as “a life-changing experience”. 

Donna Summer’s career, her life, and her legacy–all have left her fans feeling their lives changed forever as well. You can’t have lived through the seventies without carrying one of her smoldering melodies with you.  This Disco Queen will indeed forever reign.

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The Avengers: Random Facts You Might Need to Know

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Entertainment, Movie Themes, Superheros

May 14, 2012

Last weekend, “The Avengers” hit theatres and easily took over the #1 box office spot by a landslide, grossing over $207,000,000 buckaroonies in one weekend.  Just in case you have been living under a rock and need to brush up on some of The Avengers basic factoids, here are a few random facts about this fabulous, action packed film, just so you won’t embarrass yourself.

  • The Avengers is based on the Marvel comic, which was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
  • The first Avengers comic was published way back in 1963.  The original superhero line up featured in the comic included: Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Ant Man and Wasp.  Captain America came along to join the team in issue #4, after being revived from being trapped inside a large block of ice. 
  • In the very first issue of the original The Avengers, it was Loki, the brother of Thor, who was being extremely problematic.  The Avengers then assembled themselves in order to deal with Loki and try to successfully defeat him. 
  • The Avengers movie sticks to the original themes and most of the cast members found in the first issues of the Marvel comic book.  Spider-man (rights owned by Sony) and Wolverine (rights owned by 20th Century Fox) were left out of the film.  Spider-man will be getting his own movie, however, later this summer. “The Amazing Spider-Man” is due to be released over the Fourth of July Weekend.
  • In order to play the part of the Hulk, Mark Ruffalo needed to lose 21 pounds (no wonder the Avengers costumes are so amazing).  In the Avengers, the Hulk stays in his fierce, huge (and green) state all the time.  This means all 8 ½ feet of him, no matter how pissed off he is.
  • Scarlett Johansson had to train heavily in the art of Wushu and other serious weaponry in order to prepare for her reprised role of the Black Widow.  Scarlett was thrilled to play the much fan-appreciated role, which had originated for her back in Iron Man II.
  • The infamous battle cry of The Avengers comic book is “Avengers, Assemble!”  Apparently during filming, Chris Evans (Captain America) would text his fellow cast mates with this battle cry included in the message in order to assemble them for a hot night and much needed break out on the town. 
  • It’s predicted that The Avengers, in all its beloved caped glory, will eventually surpass the one billion dollar mark in ticket sales.  Don’t be left out in the cold.  With all the hoopla this movie is creating, this is one superhero flick you won’t want to miss.

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Moms – The Ultimate Superheroes

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Current Events, Entertainment, Family Fun

May 7, 2012

Moms-The Ultimate Superheroes

Moms-The Ultimate Superheroes

The Avengers is thrilling moviegoer’s as well as rabid comic book hero fans this week with record breaking box office sales. This long awaited movie promises to bring together one of the most exciting group of characters ever with it’s eclectic all-hero cast.  The Avengers, a band of a half a dozen super heroes, essentially comes together because the world needs them to fight off a dastardly enemy, and of course, save the world.  One of the hottest superhero movies of the summer, The Avengers promises to be a huge hit with audiences everywhere.

Not all superheroes wear a cape, however.  In honor of who may be the biggest superhero of them all (and with Mother’s Day quickly approaching — this coming Sunday May 13th), we would like to honor the truly heroic figure that seems to have been left out of The Avengers and all other superhero references as well.  The true ultimate superhero: Mom.

Moms are Powerful:  You know what I mean.  Mom’s all have what’s known as “the look”.  When you get it, you know you are in for it and she didn’t even have to say a word.  It’s better than x-ray vision and it definitely gets its point across. She also has an eagle eye and see’s things you didn’t even know were there. 

Moms know Everything:  It’s an innate thing that is common amongst all moms.  It’s like built in inner radar that’s part of her psyche, or perhaps it’s truly a sixth sense  that is only given to mothers.  But moms know things.  Things you probably don’t want them to know but somehow they still do.  It’s all for your own good for the most part, but very little can slip past your mom.

Moms are Courageous:  There is nothing more powerful than a mama bear; everyone knows that.  Moms will fight off a band of robbers, bullies, bad guys; you name it, all in the name of saving the youngins.  You’d be much better off fighting off any assorted number of cretins than a pissed off mom, trust me on this.  You likely already know this, too.  Mom doesn’t need a large letter “M” emblazoned on her chest, or a fancy cape flying in the wind.  She can pack a wallop with a well-aimed shopping cart or even just her purse.

Moms have an Iron Gut:  There’s nothing squeamish about a mom.  She’s wiped up countless boogie noses, bloodied knees and elbows, and hundreds of blown out dirty diapers that would scare even the most seasoned HAZMAT crew.  The thanks she’s usually given comes in the form of some pretty sassy backtalk and by handing her stuff like banana peels and sticky candy wrappers.

Moms have a Cool Head:  Moms can think on their feet and in the moment of crisis seem to have the wherewithal to know exactly what needs to happen.  If something bad is happening, you naturally and almost always want your mom–there’s a reason for this because of course, she knows exactly what to do.  She always does. 364 days a year we take her for granted.  Make this Mother’s Day “her” day.  She’s your hero, after all.

Happy Mother’s Day to the greatest superheroes out there: Mom’s!  

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Halloween Express to be Featured on Making Monsters

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Press Release

May 1, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halloween Express, where America shops for Halloween, will be featured on The Travel Channel series, Making Monsters this fall. They will be filming footage for the series on Monday, May 7 from 3 pm til 10 pm at the Florence, KY location. The Florence KY Halloween Express store is located at 8145 Connector Drive, Florence KY 41042.

The show – Making Monsters, will follow the concept, design and installation of a custom Halloween “prop” that will only be seen at select Halloween Express locations across the United States during the 2012 Halloween season.

Halloween Express is one of the most aggressive and dynamic Halloween chains in the United States. Started in 1990, Halloween Express has nearly 200 company owned and franchised locations throughout the United States. Based in Owenton, KY they offer one of the largest selections of Halloween costumes and Halloween related items available. The website, HalloweenExpress.com offers seasonal costumes and accessories 365 days per year.

Making Monsters, a series on the Travel Channel, produced by Brian Leonard, will focus on Distortion’s Animatronics from Greely, Colorado who has been leading the way in the Haunted Attraction Industry for over 30 years. The show highlights the process, production and the final results for the movies, retailers and haunted attractions that feature their products.

Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and the network is available in nearly 96 million US cable homes. Its Travel Channel HD™ simulcast is distributed to almost 37 million viewers and is carried on every major provider. Travel Channel is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD, and maintains offices in New York and Atlanta. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country, is the manager and general partner.

Contact: Susie Merida at 859-338-7102 or baglex1@gmail.com

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Summer 2012 Movie Preview

Categories:

Entertainment, Movie Themes

April 30, 2012

By now you’ve felt it.  As the weather warms and winter begins to become another year’s memory, thoughts turn toward the summer months and all the fun that they always bring with them.  One of the most anticipated parts of summertime is the fabulous line up of new movie blockbusters that will be hitting the theaters for your hot-weather entertainment.  Just to whet your appetite, here’s a taste of what is coming down the pike this summer at a theater near you! 

The Avengers (May 4) - A team of superhumans combine forces to form “The Avengers,” and as superheroes tend to do: save the earth. 

Dark Shadows (May 11) - Barnabas Collins is a vampire that has been imprisoned for two centuries.  Once set free, he finds himself smack in the middle of 1979, where Barnabas now must deal with his posterity’s serious dysfunctions.

The Dictator (May 16) - The infamous Sacha Baron Cohen and director Larry Charles, of “Borat,” have returned with a new offbeat character.  “The Dictator” risks his life in order to ensure that democracy will never come to his country and that oppression will always reign supreme.

Battleship (May 18) - Based on the board game we all played as kids, a fleet of ships is forced into battle with an armada of aliens in order to try to counter their evil plans.  The talented Rihanna stars in this film in case that’s important to you.

Men in Black III (May 25) - An exciting time travel adventure coming out just in time to spice up your Memorial Day weekend.  Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return to reprise their original “Men in Black” roles.

Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1) - No more vampires for Kristen Stewart as this time she takes on the Evil Queen (Charlize Theron). 

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (June 8 ) - The lovable lost boys are still trying to get home.  This time Europe is in the way!

Prometheus (June 8 ) - Ridley Scott directs another long-awaited alien movie.  A team of explorers heads into the darkest corners of the Earth where they must battle in order to save the human race.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22)-Yes, this film is about THAT Abraham Lincoln.  The 16th President of the United States discovers that vampires are set to take over the country; good ol’ Abe makes it his mission to stop them.

Brave (June 22) - An exciting animated adventure featuring archery and a princess–how can you beat that chick power combination? Princess Merida defies the customs of her land and a predictable disaster ensues.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (June 29) - Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum star in this exciting action flick.  The Joe’s all band together to retaliate against the Cobra spy Zartan.

The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3) - This latest Spidey flick has a new star (Andrew Garfield) as well as a new love interest. (Emma Stone) This film promises to spin a web over audiences over the Fourth of July weekend.

Ice Age: Continental Drift (July 13) - Kids really can’t get enough of extinct animals in animation.  Manny, Diego and Sid have another adventure after their continent is suddenly set adrift.

The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)-This film promises to be the summer’s big Kahuna blockbuster and you won’t want to miss it.  Christopher Nolan has created the final chapter of his Batman trilogy.

The Bourne Legacy (August 3)-Without Matt Damon, who knows if movie goers will respond to the latest in the Jason Bourne adventure series.  A new CIA agent story based on the Robert Ludlum series of novels.

Total Recall (August 3)-Colin Ferrell stars in this latest translation of Philip K. Dick’s original story.

The Expendables 2 (August 17)-Sylvester Stallone and his band of AARP commandos are back in action.  They bring with them one of their grandchildren (Liam Hemsworth) in a quest for revenge that releases a surprising new threat.

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