Sunday, November 25, 2018

Post-Olympic Skating Season – The Grand Prix series and Skate Canada International

Ladies Podium at Skate Canada International

During the last weekend of October, I flew north to Montreal to attend Skate Canada International (SCI), an ISU Grand Prix competitive event for top senior level figure skaters around the globe. The Grand Prix is a six series event held in countries around the globe every fall, culminating with the Grand Prix Final where the top six in each skating discipline compete for a spot on the podium.  Just making the final is a big deal for a skater, although a spot on the podium is even sweeter. This year’s event will be held in December in Vancouver, British Columbia.

This was my second time attending an SCI event, as I had traveled to Mississauga (outside of Toronto) two years ago (the host city changes every season).  Canadian competitions are fun for me to attend as an American because they are generally better attended than similar events in the US and the fans know their skating. (The event also fit my budget due to the favorable exchange rate). 

SCI was held in Laval, a suburb of Montreal at the newly built Place Bell arena.  Another plus of this event was that the Place Bell is located close to a metro stop so it’s easy to access and not have to worry about cabs or Uber costs.

I also had the opportunity to meet up with other skating fans that I’ve gotten to know through the online skating community and by attending live skating events. Several traveled from various North American locations (including Toronto and Seattle) and we met for a memorable dinner before the competition in Old Montreal, a beautiful part of the city that evokes Paris. 

Onto the skating itself.  This event had a particularly good lineup, despite the retirement of Canada’s top skaters post Olympics.  We got a chance to see some of the newer generation of Canadian skaters rising to the top of the ranks including the always entertaining men’s silver medalist Keegan Messing and the ice dancing pair of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier who rose through the ranks to claim the bronze medal after a major mistake in their rhythm dance.  Their skate to “Starry Starry Night” was one of the best of the event, full of emotion and intricate and creative moves.  



Other top skaters included US dance champions Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue (who train in Montreal), who claimed gold here and a trip to the Final.  They came off another win at Skate America the prior week, cementing their status as one of the top teams to beat, now that the Olympic dance podium is either touring (Virtue/Moir), taking the season off (Maia and Alex Shibutani), or temporarily sidelined by injury (Papadakis/Cizeron).

On the pairs side, Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France had an amazing long program to a cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game setting a record score under the revamped ISU scoring system.  James/Cipres are setting themselves up as the pair team to try to beat for this 2018-2019 season.  This French pair (who train in Florida under the tutelage of US pairs champion John Zimmerman) have made a name for themselves the past couple of seasons with their edgy programs to pop hits by Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd and Disturbed.



Other notable names who competed at Skate Canada in the ladies’ competition included 2015 World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Olympic silver medalist Evgenia Medvedeva, who recently made waves in the skating community by leaving her longtime Russian coach and moving to Canada to train with 1988 Olympic Silver medalist Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket and Curling club.  Orser is known for training Olympic champions including two time winner Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and Yuna Kim of South Korea, among many other top names in the sport. 

Medvedeva, known as Zhenya to her fans, had been unbeaten for almost 2 years until she was sidelined by injury and then beaten by her Russian teammate, Alina Zagitova at the Olympics earlier this year. She is developing into a more artistic skater on the ice at the age of 19 while struggling a bit with her jump technique.  She popped an important jump in her short program, leaving her in 7th place.  She came roaring back in the free skate, and while she was not perfect, her score was enough to get her on the podium for a bronze medal.  Alas, Medvedeva came in fourth place at her second assignment in France, not making the final.

Tuktamysheva is enjoying a comeback of sorts with renewed confidence and a pretty stable triple axel in her arsenal of jumps after struggling for the past few seasons against some younger Russian competitors.  Now at the ripe old age of 21, Liza (as her fans and friends call her) is having the last laugh, snagging a gold medal here (and a subsequent bronze medal in Japan) on her way the final.  She also made a splash during the post competition gala with her sexy performance to Britney Spear’s Toxic



Last, but not least, first year senior Japanese sensation Mako Yamashita won the silver medal with two stellar performances.  The Japanese ladies are making a statement this season with multiple podium finishes thus far. This year, three Japanese ladies are in the final; Satoko Miyahara, Kaori Sakamoto and 16-year old phenom Rika Kihira, who landed two triple axels at the NHK Trophy in Japan and earned two gold medals at her assignments.

Speaking of Japan, Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno took the gold medal here.  Although he was not perfect and had a scary fall on a triple axel in his short program, he bested the rest of the field here.  Another notable entry was 6th place finisher Jason Brown of the US.  Like Zhenya, he also made a coaching change and moved to Toronto.  Brown is also revamping his technique, but his skating skills and spins remain one the best in the field.  Brown is trying to master quadruple jumps and stabilize his triple axel. Brown had a much better result at his second assignment in France, earning a silver medal behind his teammate Nathan Chen, who is the only US man to make the final this year.

Another Cricket Club skater who did well here was Junhwan Cha of South Korea, capturing bronze.  Cha is a charismatic skater reminiscent of a young Hanyu and while he lacks sophistication, he is maturing into a contender, capturing another bronze medal in his second grand prix event.  His “Romeo & Juliet” program is turning into a fan favorite this season due to some interesting music edits from the Baz Luhrmann film’s often used soundtrack.  Cha also qualified for the final, squeaking by with some mathematical help from Brown’s 2nd place finish in France.



All in all, SCI was one of the best live competitions I’ve been to so far, with many memorable performances.  I’m looking forward to seeing some of these skaters in the final via livestream (alas, I am not flying to Vancouver).

We are in a post-Olympic year and a lot can happen between now and 2022’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, but I will sure to be watching and keep an eye on the veterans and the rising stars alike.


Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy 397th Thanksgiving America! November 22, 2018

This has been posted annually with minor revisions since the first 2012 Thanksgiving post! I guess this time of year, I'm just too lazy to create a new one. :) Enjoy and have a Happy Thanksgiving.



"My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor." 
~~ Phyllis Diller, American stand-up comedienne, actress, voice artist, and comedienne, best known for her eccentric stage persona and her wild hair and clothes.(b. July 17, 1917 – d. August 20, 2012)


Happy 397th Thanksgiving Day America!

Thanksgiving, referred to by many Americans as "First Thanksgiving" was originally celebrated by the Pilgrims and Colonists after their first harvest in the New World in the year 1621 when they invited the Wamponaog Indians to their autumn harvest feast. 
Photo above right of a food decoration for Erntedankfest, a Christian Thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated in Germany courtesy of Wikimedia.org.

AllThingsDigitalMarketing blog would not stand to it's allthingsdigitalmarketing motif without a collage of "Thanksgiving Google Doodles" past and analysis of Google's basic design structure over the years. Besides the Google logo differentiating itself from the other search engines (e.g., Yahoo, Lycos, HotBot, etc.) it symbolizes uniqueness and mold-breaking vision. Below are Google's Thanksgiving doodles from the very first doodle in 1998 through present. (This collage will be updated with the most current Google doodle asap, so bookmark and visit frequently). Interesting to see what Google will do this year.
The very first Thanksgiving doodle was posted in 1998 (see collage above, lower right). Note how the clean, conservative signature Google logo design breaks all the conventional rules of branding and logo design. Ruth Kedar, graphic designer of Google's doodle, created one of the most recognizable logos (within a few years, Google's logo became as popular as NBC proud peacock and the CBS eye, also known as the "Tiffany Network"). Below are examples of standard branding rules Kedar obviously ignored:
        •   Don't incorporate more than 2 bold colors (Google uses 4 bold colors, playing with colors created a very child-like, playful yet bold design);
        •   Never over-kern letters (Google has excessive, uneven spacing in-between letters. Even though they have made a few changes (the latest in May 2014) the spacing is way off and obvious to the naked eye);
        •   Stay away from simple, elementary fonts (The original choice was the world's most popular typeface -- "Times Roman;" However Google's simple, chisel-style "Catull" typeface was selected for the subtle, sophisticated sans-serif design which incorporated old world writing style (e.g.,chisel and quill) with new age digital.


Google signature brand elements remained unchanged for the first Thanksgiving doodle (1998) with the exception of an exclamation mark and cartoon-like turkey, respectively at the very end of the word Google.

From a market branding perspective, Google doodles illustrate how breaking rules can be very effective -- violating traditional guidelines of logo brand management yet not minimizing Google brand equity. Interestingly, Google's Thanksgiving doodles gradually integrate design motifs within the Google letters (e.g., doodles from 1999 through 2002).

Beginning with 2003 to the present, Google doodle design integration spread to multiple letters with some doodles entirely replacing actual letters -- particularly with the 2008 cornucopia and in 2010 Google doodle's entire letters were replaced with food servings from the design by Food Network's Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.  

Thanksgiving 2018 doodle marks the first use of a mouse family theme (maybe due to the fact that America’s Mickey Mouse turned 90 a few days prior, 11/18/1928). Thanksgiving 2018 marks the 2nd coldest Thanksgiving Day on record with a low of 19 and a high of 27; November 30, 1871 marked the coldest with a low of 15 and a high of 22



Can you think of other brands who have broken the rules with their logos and still maintained their brand?

Do you think breaking the rules for logos would work for other brands.


RESOURCES: Links to Thanksgiving doodles past

  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2018
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2017
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2016  
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2015
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2014
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2013
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2012
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2011
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2010
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2009
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2008
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2007
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2006
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2005
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2004
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2003
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2002
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2001
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-2000
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-1999
  • https://www.google.com/doodles/thanksgiving-1998

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Although Thanksgiving is celebrated by many in religion and cultural traditions, it is also a world-wide (non-religious) celebration. Photo right miniature pumpkins by Gloria Buono-Daly (taken at Stew Leonards, Yonkers, NY, October 2013). 

Our 16th President of the U.S.A., Abraham Lincoln, declared Thanksgiving Day a national holiday to be held annually in November during the Civil War (1863). Although New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday in 1817.

Not surprising, many Native Americans as well as other individuals disagree with the way Thanksgiving is mentioned historically particularly in text books, school classrooms and other periodicals. They believe millions of deaths resulted from the long and bloody war between Native Americans and European settlers and call Thanksgiving a "day of mourning." A History.com posting, reports that since 1970, protesters have gathered on Thanksgiving Day at the top of Cole’s Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, to commemorate a “National Day of Mourning.” Similar events are held in other parts of the country. 

Photo below left of Black Friday sale courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.

This Thanksgiving for sure many will eat, drink, and sleep while others will shop till they drop for many things especially electronics, smart phones and iPhones.
Samsung usually advertises their new products and for sure many will consider the latest Samsung Notebook 4 (released in mid October).

So be on the lookout for discounts if you are interested. Not surprising, iPhones will not have discounts.

Phone companies offer no-finance monthly plans with a slight discount if you lock yourself into a 2 year plan. Since many are not opting for cell phone lock-ins, you may find great deals for comparative, non-Apple products.
What will you be doing this Thanksgiving Day?

If you plan on being in New York City, there's always the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, this is the 90

th year.

This year, there are many performers including Mariah Carey, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, and Trey Songz. Click here to view the complete line-up for this year.

There are plenty of things to do on Thanksgiving -- see links below in the "Resources" section.

Thanksgiving Day (Jour de l'Action de grâce in Canadian French) is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations.

Resources: 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2014 R, TimeOut
 NEEDTOBREATHE to Play at 88th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade , Urban Christian News
Ruth Kedar On Designing the Google Logo Google BlogoScoped
10 Reasons Not To Spend Thanksgiving with your Family, Babble by Disney
5 Tips for Viewing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade , LuxeAdventureTraveler
How to do Thanksgiving without Family, Elephant 


Please remember to check out the links in the resource section above and share this on your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks you enjoy! Thanks! 

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org unless otherwise indicated.




This Thanksgiving post is a reposting of previous AllThingsDigitalMarketing annual Thanksgiving blog posts.

Visiting this blog frequently and sharing this with your social media and professional network is much appreciated. Thanks.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

America's most popular cartoon character reaches the BIG 090 today, November 18th, 2014 - Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse." 
~~ Walt Disney 
(December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) as said at Disneyland, October 27, 1954

The world's most popular cartoon character, and lover of everyone who became famous for he quote "Why because we love you," Mickey Mouse, also Disney’s mascot, turns 90 years old today. Did you know that Mickey Mouse is a native New Yorker? Mickey was born in New York City with the release of “Steamboat Willie,” an animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

Steamboat Willie premiered at Universal's Colony Theater in New York City on November 18, 1928. The original voice of Mickey was done by Walt Disney. The film was distributed by Celebrity Productions and its initial run lasted two weeks. Mickey’s girlfriend, Minnie, also debuted in the film.

Three days after it’s release, Variety magazine raved about the film, the review included “Not the first animated cartoon to be synchronized with sound effects, but the first to attract favorable attention. [Steamboat Willie] represents a high order of cartoon ingenuity, cleverly combined with sound effects. The union brought laughs galore. Giggles came so fast at the Colony [Theater] they were stumbling over each other." 

Mickey has met with practically every U.S. President since Harry Truman through George W. Bush and even Barack Obama, with the exception of Lyndon B. Johnson. As the official Walt Disney mascot, Mickey has played a role in the Disney parks since the opening of Disneyland in 1955.




Besides many animated film features, Mickey was most famously featured on wrist watches and alarm clocks.The first Mickey Mouse watches were manufactured in 1933 by the Ingersoll Watch Company. The seconds were indicated by a turning disk below Mickey. The first Mickey watch sold at the Century of Progress in Chicago, 1933 for $3.75.


Mickey Mouse has received nine nominations for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. These are Mickey's Orphans (1931), Building a Building (1933), Brave Little Tailor (1938), The Pointer (1939), Lend a Paw (1941), Squatter's Rights (1946), Mickey and the Seal (1948), Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), and Runaway Brain (1995).

On November 18, 1978, in honor of Mickey’s 50th anniversary, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located on 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

Among these, Lend a Paw was the only film to actually win the award. Additionally, in 1932 Walt Disney received an honorary Academy Award in recognition of Mickey's creation and popularity.

In 1994, four of Mickey's cartoons were included in the book The 50 Greatest Cartoons which listed the greatest cartoons of all time as voted by members of the animation field. The films were The Band Concert (#3), Steamboat Willie (#13), Brave Little Tailor (#26), and Clock Cleaners (#27).

All photos courtesy of Wikipedia.org and Wikimedia.org

Filmography SHORT FILMOGRAPHY
►Steamboat Willie (1928)
►Plane Crazy (1929)
►The Karnival Kid (1929)
►Mickey's Orphans (1931)
►Building a Building (1933)
►The Mad Doctor (1933)
►The Band Concert (19350
►Thru the Mirror (1936)
►Clock Cleaners (1937)
►Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
►Brave Little Tailor (1938)
►The Pointer (1939)
►The Nifty Nineties (1941)
►Lend a Paw (1941)
►Symphony Hour (1942)
►Squatter's Rights (1946)
►Mickey and the Seal (1948)
►The Simple Things (1953)
►Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
►The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
►Runaway Brain (1995)

FULL LENGTH FILMS
►Hollywood Party (cameo, 1934)
►Fantasia (1940)
►Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
►Who Framed Roger Rabbit (cameo, 1988)
►Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
►Fantasia 2000 (1999)
►Mickey's House of Villains (2002)
►Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
►Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004) 


Resources 

 Mickey Mouse on Wikipedia.org 
 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
 Mickey Mouse Discovers the Government Cartoon Conspiracy Against Glenn Beck 
 MickeyMouse.com Welcome! 




This post is a minor updated reposting of earlier ones from AllThingsDigitalMarketing. Please share this on your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks you enjoy! Thanks!

Friday, November 16, 2018

Happy 99th B-Day to America's first comic strip superstar, animated cartoon character and most wonderful, wonderful, Felix the Cat born November 16, 1919


"Cure for a red nose:   Keep on drinking, and it'll turn blue." ~~ Felix the Cat
From 1924 film release, “Felix Dopes It Out.” As Felix tries to help his hobo friend who is plagued with a red nose. By the end of the short, the cat finds the cure for the condition via this clever quote.


Today, Felix, the worlds first comic strip superstar and animated cartoon character to achieve popularity with full-house audiences at silent movie theatres, turns 99 years old. Happy B-Day to you! Only ONE more year till our famous Felix cartoon character reaches THE BIG 100. Felix is even older than the mighty Mickey Mouse born on November 18, 1928.
On November 9, 1919, Master Tom, a prototype of Felix, debuted in a Paramount Pictures short entitled “Feline Follies.”


Felix is also world reknown as the hardest thinking, Chaplinesque-like pacing, and longest lasting cartoon character in history.


Produced by the New York City-based animation studio owned by 32-year-old Australian-born cartoonist, pioneer animator and film producer, Pat Sullivan, the cartoon was directed by cartoonist and animator Otto Messmer. It was a success, and the Sullivan studio quickly set to work on producing another film featuring Master Tom, the Felix the Cat prototype in "The Musical Mews" (released 16 November 1919). It too proved to be successful with audiences and brought Felix greater popularity.




Many Felix silent short referenced alcoholism and Prohibition as commonplace and included dark humor particularly in “Felix Finds Out” (1924), “Whys and Other Whys” (1927), “Felix Woos Whoopee” (1930) to mention a few. Also in “Felix Dopes It Out” (1924), Felix tries to help his hobo friend who is plagued with a red nose.


By the end of the short, the cat finds the cure for the condition with social humor --"Keep drinking, and it'll turn blue."



Interesting Felix the Cat facts:

  • The question of how and who created Felix remains unclear. Sullivan once told The Argus newspaper in 1925 in Australia that "The idea was given to me by the sight of a cat which my wife brought to the studio one day." On other occasions he claimed that Felix had been inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "The Cat that Walked by Himself" or by his wife's love for strays. Sullivan's claim is also supported by the Australian Cartoon Association confirmation that Sullivan's March 18, 1917, release of a cartoon short entitled "The Tail of Thomas Kat", more than two years prior to
"Feline Follies" is authentic.
  • Felix is the oldest high school mascot in the state of Indiana, chosen in 1926 after a Logansport High School player brought his plush Felix to a basketball game. When the team came from behind and won that night, Felix became the mascot of all the Logansport High School sports teams.
  • Felix the Cat was the first balloon ever made for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927
  • In 1928 Felix was one of the first images ever broadcast by television when RCA chose a papier-mâché Felix doll for an experiment via W2XBS New York in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx
  • Most of the early Felix cartoons mirrored American attitudes of the "Roaring Twenties.”
  • In 2002, Felix was voted in TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time, ranking #28.
  • In 2004, Felix was voted among the 100 Greatest Cartoons in a poll conducted by the British television channel Channel 4, ranking at #89
  • In 2004 Felix was named #36 in Animal Planet's 50 Greatest Movie Animals
  • Felix is also a cat food in Europe


  • By 1923, the character was at the peak of his film career. Felix in Hollywood, a short released during this year, plays upon Felix's popularity, as he becomes acquainted with such fellow celebrities as Douglas Fairbanks, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, Ben Turpin, and even censor Will H. Hays.


    Felix's image could be seen on clocks, Christmas ornaments, and as the first giant balloon ever made for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

    Felix also became the subject of several popular songs of the day, such as "Felix Kept Walking" by Paul Whiteman, the most popular song in London in 1923.


    Sullivan made an estimated $100,000 a year from toy licensing alone.

    With the character's success also emerged a handful of new costars.
    These included Felix's master Willie Jones, a mouse named Skiddoo, Felix's nephews Inky, Dinky, and Winky, and his girlfriend Kitty.

    Felix the Cat sheet music, with music by Pete Wendling and Max Kortlander, featuring lyrics by Alfred Bryan, was published in 1928 by Sam Fox Publishing Company. The cover art of Felix playing a banjo was done by Otto and was subtitled "Pat Sullivan's Famous Creation in Song."

    Most of the early Felix cartoons mirrored social activism and American attitudes of the "Roaring Twenties". Ethnic stereotypes appeared in such shorts as Felix Goes Hungry (1924). Recent events such as the Russian Civil War were depicted in shorts like Felix All Puzzled (1924). Flappers were caricatured in Felix Strikes It Rich (1923). He also became involved in union organizing with Felix Revolts (also 1923). In some shorts, Felix even performed a rendition of the Charleston.

    Felix is also the oldest high school mascot in the state of Indiana, chosen in 1926 after a Logansport High School player brought his plush Felix to a basketball game.

    When the team came from behind and won that night, Felix became the mascot of all the Logansport High School sports teams.


    Among these, Lend a Paw was the only film to actually win the award. Additionally, in 1932 Walt Disney received an honorary Academy Award in recognition of Mickey's creation and popularity.






    Silent Short Filmography 
    Feline Follies (November 9, 1919)YouTube video
    ►The Musical Mews (November 16, 1919)
    ►The Adventures of Felix (December 14, 1919)
    ►Strikes It Rich (1923)
    ►Felix Revolts (1923)
    ►Felix Finds Out (1924)
    ►Felix Goes Hungry (1924
    ►Felix All Puzzled (1924)
    Felix dopes It Out (1924)YouTube video
    ►Whys and Other Whys (1927)
    Felix Woos Whoopee (1930)
    April Maze (1930) YouTube video 


    Voice Actors for Sound Filmography 
    Felix was silent until 1936 when the sudden popularity of Mickey Mouse prompted the animators to put Felix cartoons in sound.
    ►Mae Questel (1936)
    ►Jack Mercer (1958–1961)
    ►Chris Phillips (1988)
    ►Thom Adcox-Hernandez/Charlie Adler (1995–1997)
    ►Fred Newman (2004)
    ►Dave Coulier (official)
    ►Carlos Alazraqui (current voice)


    Felix's transition to sound was not smooth sailing. Sullivan was unprepared, and added sound effects into the sound cartoons as a post-animation process with disappointing results. Disney's mouse was drawing audiences away from Felix. Sullivan's plans to start a new studio in California never materialized. During this time, Sullivan's wife, Marjorie, was ill, and would die in March 1932 and Sullivan completely fell apart, slumping into an alcoholic depression, his health rapidly declining, and his memory fading. Sullivan passed away in 1933. Messmer recalled, "He left everything a mess, no books, no nothing. So when he died the place had to close down, at the height of popularity, when everybody, RKO and all of them, for years they tried to get hold of Felix ... I didn't have that permission [to continue the character] 'cause I didn't have legal ownership of it."

    According to Don Oriolo's Felix the Cat blog, as of September 2008 there were plans in development for a new television series. Oriolo's biography page also mentions a 52-episode cartoon series then in the works, titled The Felix the Cat Show, which was slated to use CG graphics

    Resources 
     Felix the Cat on Wikipedia.org 
     Felix the Cat on YouTube The Magic Bag



    Other Resources 
    ► Don Oriolo's Felix the Cat Blog on WordPress 
    ► Offical homepage of Felix the Cat
     Feline Follies 



    Please share this on your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks you enjoy! Thanks! 

    All photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org unless otherwise specified.

    Saturday, November 10, 2018

    Happy Veterans Day America! Let's give thanks to all our veterans and families November 11

    Happy Veterans Day America!

    Veterans Day honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. Last year the theme was

    Beautiful visual poster poppy and barbed wire, for the 2018 Veterans Day Poster themed:  "The War to End All Wars". 


    This year marks the end of World War I on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. - one hundred years ago!  

    Veterans Day coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Thank you to all of our Veterans and families.

    The United States originally observed Armistice Day and it was renamed to Veterans Day holiday in 1954.

    U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day as November 11, 1919.

    Seven years later, the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution (June 4, 1926), and requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11th.

    Photo right of soldier with folded American flag courtesy of wikimedia. Department of Defense. Defense Audiovisual Agency, Scene Camera Operator: Mickey Sanborn - National Archives and Records Administration.

    I was fortunate to receive this interesting article from one of my dearest cousins about my late father and his 3 brothers(total 7 brothers, 1 sister) who served during World War II.
    Coincidentally, major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.


    Do you plan on doing anything this Veterans Day?


    Many celebrate with family and friends, and there are so many special ways to celebrate.

    For example, sharing photos of loved ones who have served in the armed forces (I've just done that via the photo above), posting to your social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, blogs, etc. Also the traditional VD Parades, especially in New York City.
    Photo below right of bald eagle courtesy of wikimedia.

    Parades are wonderful especially for children. Being creative with children is also an excellent way to help them learn about history and Veterans Day. Have them read various periodicals (e.g., books, newspapers, magazines, internet, photos of soldiers, etc.) and ask them to draw pictures of various images that remind them of Veterans Day such as our American flag, relatives in uniform, Veterans Day Memorials, and our national emblem, the bald eagle. And you can also enjoy the parade at home with family by watching it on TV live or online  ~ Watch the Parade!

    If you happen to be in New York City, there's always the Veterans Day Parade, this year, the theme is “Honor and Remember, Home of the Brave” commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II and the 25th Anniversary of Desert Shield. Organized in New York since 1929 by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC) this parade is the largest Veterans Day event in the nation with over 25,000 parade participants, and this year marks the 87th year! 



    The wreath laying ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Eternal Flame in Madison Square Park (located in the Flat Iron district of New York City) and the parade begins at 11:25 a.m. and ends 3:30 p.m.


    Photo below left of Aviation High School at Madison Square Park during the NYC Veterans Day Parade courtesy of wikimedia.


    The parade goes up Fifth Avenue, from 26th to 52nd Street. The route is 1.3 miles (approx. a 35 minute walk).

    The Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard are also represented.

    If you can't be there, you can still see the parade live at PIX11 ~ America's Parade to Air on PIX11



    Resources:
    ▼   Visit this link and share the 2015 Veterans Day Teaser Poster http://americasparade.org/share-the-2015-teaser-poster/
    ▼   America's Parade to Air on PIX11 http://americasparade.org/pix11-to-air-americas-parade/
    ▼   Veterans Day 2014: Deals on meals for military personnel, New York Daily News,
    ▼   Veterans Day Parade in New York City,About Travel,
    ▼   America's Parade in New York City,About Travel
    ▼   Veterans Day Parade information on Wikipedia
    ▼   Office of Public Affairs http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

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