PA Commission for Women Kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Pink Fountain Tour

As many are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately we have someone in our family who has been battling this disease and has been an inspiration for us all as she daily fights this dreaded disease.

Three of Pennsylvania's most notable fountains will turn pink as the Pennsylvania Commission for Women kicks-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in honor of the women and families who have so valiantly fought the disease. The commission is coordinating the pink fountains as a reminder and as a tool to educate the public on the disease.

"Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Pennsylvania women," said Leslie Stiles, the commission's executive director. "Until we reverse that trend, we must continue to raise awareness about breast cancer; educate women about breast health; and support the women and families who are living with a breast cancer diagnosis."

The three fountain events held in advance of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month will feature remarks from Pennsylvanians whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. The fountain outside of the Capitol's East Wing in Harrisburg was the first to turn pink this week on Monday.

Yesterday, the Point State Park fountain in Pittsburgh (pictured above) and the Perry Square fountain in Erie turned pink at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

"The pink fountains inspire deeply emotional reactions," said Stiles. "These events are opportunities to communicate new treatment options, to talk about the value of early detection and, most importantly, to remind people there is hope. There are still women who we need to reach -- women who must be reminded to get that annual mammogram and to do their monthly breast self exam."

Tips on how to reduce the risk of breast cancer include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, knowing family history, understanding the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, limiting alcohol intake, and getting regular breast cancer screening whether through monthly self examinations or an annual mammogram.

Signs that a woman -- or a man -- may have breast cancer include a new lump, swelling, pain, irritation of the breast skin or nipple area, change in size or shape, or a nipple discharge other than milk. The Pennsylvania Commission for Women's mission is to identify and advance the diverse needs and interests of the state's women and girls; to inform, educate and advocate for its constituents; and to provide opportunities to empower women and girls to reach their highest potential.

I had the opportunity to see the fountain today while in Pittsburgh. It was both moving and touching, knowing what it symbolized and was so nice to see so many employees in the city wearing a pink ribbon.

Tinker Bell Fall Premiere Sculpture Release & Signing

Tinker Bell is both the Fall Premiere Event featured sculpture and First Release in the new Disney Artist Series.

Introduced in Walt Disney’s Peter Pan, Tinker Bell has a glowing nature that has made this pert little pixie a shimmering symbol of all things Disney. As feisty as she is cute, this bright little sprite sometimes gives off more heat than light, but there’s no denying her loyalty or her loveliness,especially as she fetchingly poses on a colorful Never Land leaf.

The Fall Premiere Event, Fall for Tinker Bell will be taking place worldwide on October 17-19, 2008. This sculpture ("Blithe Spirit") is a Limited Edition of 2000, sculpted by Margi Wray, who also sculpted the 2005 Tinker Bell Disney Bank One Visa Credit Card Exclusive, "A Touch of Magic".

The First Release from this new series will honor David Pacheco. The artists name will be included as part of the backstamp. Future releases will either be limited or subject to retirement. David will be special guest at a special signing at Disneyland® Park (details below).

Tinker Bell Fall Premiere Sculpture Release & Signing

Special Guest: Walt Disney Classics Collection Creative Director, Dave Pacheco
Date: October 18, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM to 10 AM
Location: Disneyana Shop, Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland® Park

Special Note: Merchandise available while supplies last. Only two (2) items be signed per Guest. No personal items to be signed. Event merchandise must be purchased on the day of release at the event location. Valid Disneyland® Resort receipt may be required. Artist signing is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed. Artists will only sign their respective merchandise purchased on the day of the event only. Event information subject to change without notice. Separate admission is required to enter Disneyland® Resort theme parks.

Additional Special Note: There will be no amenity gift from Aribbas Brothers for the Fall for Tinker Bell Event. For past sculpture events, a special gift with purchase was created by Aribbas Brothers for Walt Disney Classics Collection events held at Disneyland® Park.

For those unable to attend the special signing event at Disneyland® Park and still looking for Tinker Bell, click on Tinker Bell (at right) for a complete listing of Authorized WDCC Dealers who are participating in this sell-out event! This listing has been updated for the United States, United Kingdom and Europe who will be participating in the event. For dealers in Canada and Asia, please contact those dealers for availability. The dealers listed in those areas was based on the active authorized dealer listing as of February, 2008.

Swiss Family Treehouse Poll Results

We've just completed our first poll on Blogger! Thanks to everyone who participated! The participation was much larger than I expected, compared to participation on previous Delphi polls I've conducted.

I noticed throughout the poll, Bloggers results never added exactly to 100%, so the accountant in me will recalculate based on the number of people who voted in each category to the total :)

The results are as followed:

16% - Will purchase
10% - Plan to purchase
11% - Unsure
63% - No plans to purchase

Based on the above results, 26% plan to either purchase or will definitely purchase compared to 63% with no plans to purchase and 11% still unsure. Haven't heard how pre-orders are so far. Personally, am looking forward to seeing in person in a couple months.

Added a new poll today - Your Choice for 2009 Membership Gift. Matthew, thanks for your suggestion for this poll.

I will leave the results up for the Treehouse Poll for a few days for anyone who wants to see/compare the final results. Thanks again to all who participated!

New Feature at the Blog!

Prior to opening the Cafe in Duckburg, tested the survey/poll option offered by Blogger but at that time, there were glitches with it. Decided this morning to test it again and nice to see that feature is now working!

The first poll is on the upcoming Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. Currently, your polling choices are limited to four (4) options but still a nice addition, nonetheless. This current poll is set up for seven (7) days as a test.

In addition to this feature, we'll still continue to do surveys/polls at the Duckburg Cafe as well.

Let the voting begin! :)

All Hail the Pumpkin King is Sold Out!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection Jack Skellington as the Pumpkin King and the Behemoth (All Hail the Pumpkin King!) a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500 sculpted by Ruben Procopio is SOLD OUT!

What is meant by Sold Out? The edition size has been sold out at the retailer level and no more are available at the warehouse for order.

One of the most elaborate Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures ever released, this Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of only 500 was sculpted by Ruben Procopio and hand-crafted in fine porcelain. It is richly plussed with over twenty-five separate terrifying touches including elements of precious metals, wire, rope, and resin to bring the scene to three-dimensional life (all based on original animation film reference) and measures 16"H x 15"W x 15"D .

As a special limited release for the 15th Anniversary of Tim Burton's stop-motion animated masterwork, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Disneyland® Park plays host Saturday October 04, 2008 to a monumentally monstrous celebration! A portion of the edition size will then be made available after that event through select Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealers in a very limited supply.

This event marks the worldwide debut of a spectacular new Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture starring the Pumpkin King (Jack Skellington in his rarely seen Halloween night costume) and that briefly-seen-but-impossible-to-miss monstrosity, the Behemoth, just as they are seen at the beginning of the film before the town square sequence. Halloween brings out the best of the worst, as evidenced by the Behemoth ponderously pulling the oddly constructed straw horse on which the Pumpkin King rides through the night.

Walt Disney Classics Collection Presents

"All Hail the Pumpkin King!"

Sculpture Release & Signing

October 4, 2008
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Disneyana Shop, Disneyland® Park

Numbered Limited Edition of 500
$750.00 US

Sculpted by Ruben Procopio

It's Official! Bay Lake Tower is the next DVC!

Rumors have been circulating since construction began, if the new building replacing the Contemporary's North Garden Wing would be the next DVC (Disney Vacation Club) development? It's been dubbed Disney's Best Kept Secret.

When we were down in May, I did a blog entry on the Contemporary Resort Construction showing how far the construction had progressed plus photos that showed the addition of the walkway that was connecting the new building to the existing one. We talked to a couple DVC castmembers and all rumors were pointing to it becoming the next DVC but nothing had been confirmed.

The rumors can finally be put to rest! It's Official! Bay Lake Tower (about 300 units that will be linked to the Contemporary Resort by a fifth-floor pedestrian bridge) is the newest DVC hotel with an estimated completion in Fall, 2009. This will bring the total of DVC resorts at Walt Disney World to seven (7). Bay Lake Tower will join Old Key West Resort, the Boardwalk Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Animal Kingdom Villas.

The company also unveiled plans to sell 60 timeshare units at the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The 60 elevated homes of the Treehouse Villas will be built as a new phase of the Saratoga Springs resort near Downtown Disney. The Treehouse Villas will open Summer, 2009.

Update: Current DVC members will have the first opportunity to purchase these units, which will go on sale this Sunday. Prices for Bay Lake Tower begin at $18,000 -- the most expensive starting point of any DVC resort (for comparison, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, begin just below $17,000).

Check out AllEars.net for official photos from Disney that show proposed renderings of the outside during the day, night and interior shots of the one-bedroom living area, bedroom & bath plus Bay Cove Pool.

The news was broken by Deevy See (pictured above) regarding Bay Lake Towers, the First Lady of Disney Vacation Club! The Travel Channel will air a special on Thursday evening, September 18th at 8:00pm EST entitled Season of Disney: Disney's Best Kept Secret. The special will show viewers the newly unveiled resort.

Since Deevy See won't be in the special, she's taped her very own YouTube sneak peek:

Review: Mickey from Mickey's Christmas Carol

While working on updating the Secondary Guide with the 2nd and 3rd quarter releases for 2008, decided to get a start on the new Mickey's Christmas Carol scene featuring Mickey Mouse ("Earnest Employee"), Donald Duck ("Festive Fellow") and Scrooge McDuck ("Mirthless Miser") and purchased Mickey as Bob Cratchit. He arrived today!

Given the height of the sculpture (10-1/8") when the scene was announced, in no way was I prepared for the size of this sculpture! Mickey is friggin' huge! As I type this entry, have him sitting on top my roll top desk next to Elliott (from Pete's Dragon) and Mickey almost dwarfs him! I'm curious to see how the Parkwest/NALED version of Scrooge looks with Mickey as far as size comparison and if possible to work that sculpture into this scene. Would love to see Rat and Mole added to possibly work with that Scrooge and create another scene.

As others have said, Ruben did an amazing job! I like the added touch of the writing on Mickey's ledger and the word 'Notes' on some of the papers strewn on the floor. Using resin for the main parts of Mickey's desk, allows to capture all detail and wood grain effect in the desk and chair. Another thing I wasn't aware (unless I missed in the announcement information), the sculpture bears a 25th Anniversary backstamp.

The next release in this series is scheduled for next year. Am curious on what direction they're going to go. It appears this scene is doing quite well from talking to both collectors and dealers.

09/10/08 Update: Updated this entry to include the opening credits of Mickey's Christmas Carol (courtesy of YouTube.com) that open the movie to the sequence Jason described of the Big Bad Wolf and the 3 Little Pigs as Scrooge (in the Parkwest/NALED pose) walks by (1:59/2:06).


Mickey's Christmas Carol is ©Disney

A New NLE Unveiled in the Upcoming Sketches!

Unveiled in the upcoming Sketches, is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) from the epic live-action film, Swiss Family Robinson.

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, the resourceful Robinson family sets out to boldly turn a bad situation into a glorious escapade by building the most wonderful treehouse ever seen. This remarkable sculpture features living quarters with removable roof and detailed furnishings within.

The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse was sculpted by Larry Nikolai, a NLE of 750 with a SRP of $225.00. The Treehouse is plussed with 11 resin components, 32 metal components and string.

The Treehouse like previous Enchanted Places releases, includes an engraved brass nameplate on the base which was not included on the bases of the Cave of Wonders (2006) and/or the Old Mill (2007). The Treehouse is slated for an October 2008 release.

You can also join the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse Discussion at the Duckburg Cafe.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day to all who visit either the Blog, Website and/or Cafe today!

Labor Day is a national legal holiday that is over 100 years old. Over the years, it has evolved from a purely labor union celebration into a general "last fling of summer" festival.

Labor Day is observed not only in the U.S. but also in Canada, and in other industrialized nations. While it is a general holiday in the United States, its roots in the working class remain clearer in European countries.It has come to be recognized in the U.S. not only as a celebration of the working class, but even more so as the unofficial end of the summer season. In the northern half of the U.S. at least, the summer vacation season begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day.

State parks, swimming pools, and campgrounds are all quite busy on Labor Day, as vacationers take one last advantage of the waning hot season. September marks the beginning of autumn.

A Safe and Happy Labor Day to All!

Pick Me! Pick Me! for Retirement!!

Honored today as a dry retirement is the Alien from Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 2. The Alien made his WDCC debut in May, 2006.

Squeeze Toy Aliens are a bunch of three-eyed space aliens voiced by Jeff Pidgeon in the motion pictures Toy Story and Toy Story 2. These identical toys were prizes in a game of skill at the Pizza Plant Restaurant and each one believes that The Claw will somehow choose one of them to go on to a better place. Three of these toys are rescued by Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story 2 and become attached to him. Mrs. Potato Head chooses to adopt them.

A dry retirement means that there is no more product in the warehouse. Please check with your authorized dealer for availability.

Incandescent Magic in Whiteware!

Part of the process in creating memorable Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures is creating whiteware.

The final clay sculpt is cut into pieces and a plaster mold of each piece is made. The more complex and delicate the sculpture, such as the Blossom Fairy, the more pieces are needed. Special Note: Some Classics Collection sculpts have up to forty pieces.

Liquid clay called 'slip' is poured into the molds and partially air dried into 'greenware' pieces, which are then re-assembled using more slip. The greenware is sprayed with a translucent glaze and fired in a brick kiln, creating a glazed whiteware. The whiteware is then painted with a yellow dye to pick up any flaws within the whiteware.

The Blossom Fairy, a Numbered Limited Edition of 500 is plussed with a bronze fairy, bronze tree, wire flower pollen, brass wand and Swarovski Elements (Swarovski™ gems). If you click on the image at right, you will be able to see and study the amazing detail that went into this sculpture, sculpted by Master Sculptor, Kent Melton.

Tinker Bell Sold Out!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection Tinker Bell ("Blithe Spirit") a Limited Edition of 2,000 is SOLD OUT!

Tinker Bell (5") will be available through all Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealers and the Walt Disney Theme Parks, October 17-19, 2008 and is the First Release in the Disney Artist Series.

What is meant by Sold Out? The edition size has been sold out at the retailer level and no more are available at the warehouse for order. Be watching for the announcement of another sculpture that just recently sold out!

The first release in the series will honor David Pacheco. The artists name will be included in the backstamp. Future releases will either be limited or subject to retirement.

Tinker Bell was sculpted by Margi Wray.

Revisiting Monsters, Inc.

The childhood phenomena of imagining monsters lurking in one's bedroom closet or under the bed, is in actuality a reality that exists solely for the world of the monsters. They use all the energy extracted from a child's screams, as their natural resource, to power their communities and subsist in their parallel universe.

Specifically Scream Heat ("We Scare Because We Care"), the corporate entity that harnesses the youngsters' reactions to its hard-working crew of creatures including our heroes James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (marvelously voiced by John Goodman) and his best buddy Mike Wazowski (ditto for Billy Crystal). Sulley is a bear-like, blue and purple hairy and horned monster and Mike is a cyclopean lime green M&M clone. The two couldn't be more different yet both share their passion for their vocation and the only thing getting in their way is their rival colleague Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi, at his oiliest menacing), a reptilian nasty who wants to beat Sulley for the all-time factory record of most points racked up in a single day on the job … at any cost.

One day after work Sulley accidentally lets into their world a tiny 4 year old girl, a big no-no! Legend has it that one touch is toxic and fatal which causes mass havoc wreaked upon the populace as the authorities attempt to corral the tyke while decontaminating the infected workshop's workers (a running gag has the SWAT like DEA agents popping in at a moment's notice whenever a sign of human contact – i.e. a small cotton white sock attached to an unsuspecting monster – makes its ugly presence known!).

Mike is in a panicky sweat that they will lose their jobs and tells Sulley he can't hide Boo (the nickname the big guy dubs the adorable tot) and they must return her to her bedroom. Easier said than done when Randall gets wind of the partners abetting the unsuspecting crime and he too has his plans to use Boo for his own selfish endeavors…at any cost!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection released it's first scene from Monsters, Inc. in September, 2002. This scene consisted of the Opening Title, Sulley, Mike, Boo and Boo's Door Station. Sulley, Mike and Boo were sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and Boo's Door Station by Doug Hild. Boo was retired in August, 2007.

A second release in November, 2005 consisted of Boo (in Monster Costume) and Randall Boggs. This time around, Boo was sculpted by Bruce Lau. Both releases were released as Open Edition and the image above depicts all the sculptures currently available.

Today, I updated the Image Gallery and Secondary Guide with updated images of Boo's Door Station.

Sleeping Beauty Anniversary Hint in Newsflash!

As you are aware, Newsflash will no longer be mailed and is now included in the Members Only section of the Walt Disney Classics Collection section on the Enesco website and can now be viewed on-line.

The latest issue of Newsflash included the following Q&A:

Q. I'm delighted with your choice for the 2008 Disney Villains sculpture, as the Queen of Hearts is one of my favorite baddies. Now I'm wondering about next year. Is there any chance the 2009 Villain will be Maleficent, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Sleeping Beauty?

A. As you point out, 2009 is the Golden Anniversary of Sleeping Beauty, and to celebrate we're planning something very special. Keep your eyes open (even if you are under a spell) for a 50th anniversary Sleeping Beauty sculpture in fall 2009. We cannot awaken any details now, but rest assured this very special piece will capture the majesty and power of Walt Disney's magnificent animated masterpiece.

Thank You Matthew for the heads up!

Good Times: Weekend at the Shore

Last night Mary, Amanda and myself returned from an amazing weekend at the Jersey Shore with some very special Disney friends. It was non-stop fun from the moment we arrived. Needless to say, the trip went much TOO fast!

The weekend was a gathering from Pennsylvania (Mary, Amanda & myself, Babs and Carl), New Jersey (George and Jeff) and Virginia (Greg). Everyone driving anywhere from 1.5 to 8 hours. You couldn't have asked for better weather (or a better time). We were blessed with incredible weather. Sunny each day (except for an early morning storm on Saturday), a nice, consistent breeze and no humidity. Friday and Saturday were perfect days at the beach. After awesome breakfasts made each morning by Chef Babs, we headed to the beach (which was about two blocks away) with beach towels and chairs, sunscreen and coolers in tow.

Part of our Disney Family at Babs B&B By The Sea

Time at the beach was first priority and food was second (are you surprised?) If ever in the N. Wildwood area, I highly recommend the following (my personal favorites):

• Owen's Pub -- awesome fries (with cheese and bacon of course), burgers and cheese steak sandwiches. Great food, excellent service and reasonable pricing. My only complaint, they didn't serve Blue Moon :(
• Russo's Deli -- The largest hoagies I've ever seen! Highly recommend the Italian or Mom Russo's Special. Conveniently located on the way to the beach, so perfect to pick up and enjoy at the beach with a nice cold one!
• Curly's -- OMG! These french fries were amazing!! Don't waste time on the cup or bucket, go straight for the barrel :) Curly's is located along Morey's Pier on the Boardwalk.
• Other recommendations are Westy's, Flip Flopz and Mack's Pizza on the Boardwalk.
• A visit to the Boardwalk would not be complete without fudge and saltwater taffy. We sampled fudge up and down the Boardwalk and leaned towards Laura's Fudge and Douglass Fudge. I had my very first chocolate covered molasses pop and became hooked! Thanks Peter for telling me about these!

You can't put together a group of Disney fans and not do something Disney, right? We had our typical conversations about WDCC and even watched Cars, Finding Nemo and Frankenweenie (a bonus short on Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas).

After an evening on the Boardwalk, Curly fries and karoake, we decided to play a game of Disney Monopoly. Monopoly has always been a board favorite of mine since my youth. I've played the original, Italian, Disney and Rudolph versions in the past but NEVER did I laugh as hard and have so much fun as I did this past weekend. From Pinocchio unable to get past go and consistently going to jail, Sleeping Beauty trying to get her cottage back from that squatter Peter Pan and getting in trouble with Snow White each time after stopping by the Emperor's Place to everyone stopping by the Meadow and Pleasure Island, it was an evening that will be long remembered.

Sunday was a hard day as we had to say good-bye to Jeff, Greg and Carl as they had to head home. Our time together went entirely TOO fast :(

Since this was Mary, Amanda and myself's first time to this area, Sunday evening we drove down to Cape May with George and Michelle. What a beautiful area. The Victorian architecture was amazing. We visited Congress Hall and did a little shopping at the Washington Street Mall, stopped in Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church and had dinner at the Ugly Mug. Thanks George and Michelle, you were awesome tour guides!

I know I sound like a broken record but the weekend went too fast. It will be remembered with a lot of great memories, laughs and as the blog title says, good times!

Michelle, thanks again for not only being an awesome hostess but for just being you! You made us all feel so welcome and never will forget those awesome breakfasts you made us each morning. I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we hope you make this an annual thing.

To the gang, don't forget:

• IDK/IDC
• 2PPC
• George and I becoming BFF
• Jeetjet? No, J'ew? and Sammitch

Miss you guys and can't wait for the next time we're all together again.