Announcing the First Annual Loomy Awards!

The Loomy Awards are sponsored by The Original Loom Boom, a first-of-its kind product intended to organize, display, transport and share your loom bracelet creations. Winners will be chosen from four categories: Best Bracelet, Coolest Charm, Wackiest Wearable, and Best Loom Boom. Three winners will each receive a $250 gift card, and one grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift card! Plus, all winners will receive a special edition of The Original Loom Boom! Entries can be submitted on The OriginalLoom Boom’s Facebook page beginning on March 30, 2014, and winners will be announced on a live web award show April 30, 2014.

I tried out the Original Loom Boom with my daughters and have to say that I was completely impressed with hiw well this works to store, display and transport your bracelets. My daughters both love creating cool bracelets for themselves and their friends, but before the Loom Boom they simply tossed their finished projects into a box, which caused a bit of disorganization, and did not allow them to show off their work. This helps organize finished projects as well as allows for their room to be much neater in the end! If your kids are into making these bracelets like mine are, you definitely should check this out!



----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

The Walt Disney Studios Celebrates 17 Oscar Nominations!!!

As some of you may have heard, the Oscar nominations were announced this morning and The Walt Disney Studios’ earned 17 nominations!!! Lincoln received 12 nominations including Best Picture and is the most nominated film of the year! Brave, Frankenweenie, Wreck-It Ralph, Paperman and Marvel’s The Avengers all received one nomination each and below please find a total list of our nominations along with select nominee reactions.

LINCOLN (DreamWorks/Touchstone)

• Best Picture
• Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role – Daniel Day-Lewis
• Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role – Sally Field
• Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role – Tommy Lee Jones
• Directing – Steven Spielberg
• Adapted Screenplay – Tony Kushner
• Music (Original Score) – John Williams
• Cinematography – Janusz Kaminski
• Costume Design – Joanna Johnston
• Film Editing – Michael Kahn
• Production Design – Rick Carter, Jim Erickson
• Sound Mixing – Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins

“We are absolutely thrilled and astonished with the 12 nominations. It is such a tribute to the work of those who joined us in this 12-year journey to bring LINCOLN to the screen. We humbly thank the Academy members who honored so many of us.”

- Steven Spielberg (Director/Producer) and Kathleen Kennedy (Producer)

“I'm spinning and beyond thrilled on so many levels. To be included in this amazing group of extraordinary craftsman and exquisite talents has been an honor in itself. But now for us all to receive so much recognition from the Academy I'm deeply appreciative and overwhelmed, and basically, I still can't believe I got the role."

- Sally Field (Supporting Actress)

“I'm tremendously honored to be a nominee in the company of so many writers and filmmakers whose work I admire. I'm very grateful to Steven and Kathy, to Daniel, Sally, Tommy Lee and the whole cast, to Rick, Joanna, Janusz, Mike and John and everyone who made Lincoln happen. I'm overwhelmed by the Academy's response to the film. I heard that I'd been nominated while waiting to take off on a plane from JFK to LAX. James Gandolfini, who's sitting in front of me, gave me a hug and a kiss, so I'm about as happy as can be. ”

- Tony Kushner (Adapted Screenplay)

“I’m thrilled and honored to be nominated, it was an extraordinary experience with a remarkable team who are all part of this recognition. It is my first nomination and I’m so happy to be part of this unique body of talent.”

- Joanna Johnston (Costume Designer)

BRAVE (Disney•Pixar)

• Animated Feature Film

"We are incredibly honored by today's Academy Award nomination. 'Brave’ has been an adventure from the beginning - starting with our research trips to Scotland, the crew embarked upon a journey that inspired us all and forever changed our fates. Thanks to the Academy from all of us here at Pixar."

- Mark Andrews, Director, "Brave"

FRANKENWEENIE (Disney)

• Animated Feature Film

"’Frankenweenie’ is a very personal film for me. The idea of telling a feature length version was in the back of my mind for many years. Stop Motion was the perfect medium for this project, and one I've always loved for its expressiveness and dimensionality. I've worked with so many incredible artists: animators, cast members, set builders, and puppet makers, all who have helped bring this film to life one frame at a time. I'm so honored that the Academy has recognized this film as one of its nominees."

- Tim Burton, Director “Frankenweenie”

WRECK-IT RALPH (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

• Animated Feature Film

"To have the ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ team's passion and years of hard work acknowledged by the Academy is an honor like no other. We are so proud, so grateful - I can't wait to congratulate everyone in-person."

- Rich Moore, Director “Wreck-It Ralph”

PAPERMAN (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

• Animated Short Film

"It's beyond an honor to have ‘Paperman’ nominated for an Oscar. I can't thank everyone on the team enough for their passion and hard work in making this dream project a reality."

- John Kahrs, Director “Paperman”

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS (Marvel)

• Visual Effects – Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Vote Now to Help Make Jungle Speed the TIA's Game of the Year! #TOTY12

Giving families an exciting first-look at the most coveted toys and games of the year, 77 finalists for the 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards were unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) today in New York City.  Toy lovers of all ages who visit ToyAwards.org now through January 15, 2012, can vote for their favorite toys and register to win fantastic prize packages.

“The annual TOTY Awards celebrate and honor the creative spirit of the toy industry,” said Carter Keithley, TIA President. “This event also supports the important work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which annually distributes more than half a million new toys and games to deserving kids across the nation and around the globe.”

This year’s finalists – representing 67 unique products or properties from 51 companies – were selected from nearly 600 nominees submitted for consideration in eleven categories.  Nomination committees comprised of academics, journalists and toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers narrowed the field to the slate of finalists that were introduced today.

“From infants to adults, the toys and games in this year’s TOTY lineup inspire imagination and creativity, promote learning and active lifestyles, and create fun play opportunities for every member of the family,” said Stacy Leistner, TIA vice president of communications.  “They represent a broad array of price points and fantastic play value.   The TOTY finalists provide a great starting point for everyone’s holiday shopping list.”

Winners will be selected with the input of consumers, retailers (mass and specialty), media and members of the toy industry.  The five ballots – each launched during the press event and open through January 15, 2012 – will be weighted and used to determine the category winners as well as the overall “Toy of the Year” award. Winners will be announced during the an awards ceremony on Saturday, February 11, 2012, as the kick-off to the 109^th American International Toy Fair.

The Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards program is the annual Toy Industry Association-administered event in support of the inspiring work of the Toy Industry Foundation.

This year, TIA is inviting consumers to add their votes to the Toy of the Year Awards at toyawards.org.

http://www.toyawards.org/iMIS15/toyaward/custom/GameToy.aspx

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

CNN Announces More Celebrities to Fifth Annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"

Kid Rock to Perform a Special Version of "Care" and Miley Cyrus Added as a Celebrity Presenter

CNN, the worldwide leader in news, announced that Kid Rock will perform a special live version of "Care" from his platinum selling album, "Born Free", on CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA, on CNN, Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM ET. In addition, CNN announced that Miley Cyrus has also been added as a celebrity presenter along with Dancing with the Stars winner, J.R. Martinez, The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, global maternal health advocate and founder of Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington Burns, and NFL Super Bowl champ and MVP quarterback Kurt Warner, all of whom were confirmed last week.

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute honors individuals who are making extraordinary contributions to help improve the lives of others. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the multiple Emmy®-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, will be doing exclusive backstage interviews live on CNN.com during the show.

This news comes on the heels of CNN announcing that J.R. Martinez will also be co-hosting the live pre-show, Showbiz Tonight @ CNN Heroes, with AJ Hammer, host of HLN's evening show, Showbiz Tonight. Holly Robinson Peete will be hosting the social media suite on the red carpet. Showbiz Tonight's correspondent, Kareen Wynter, will also be part of the pre-show, interviewing the arriving celebrities on the red carpet. The Showbiz Tonight @ CNN Heroes pre-show will air live on CNN and HLN at 7:00 PM ET.

Fans are encouraged to vote up to 10 times a day, every day, for this year's "CNN Hero of the Year". Voting continues through Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at midnight PT, and the "CNN Hero of the Year" will be announced live at this year's CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute show. Fans can also make a direct charitable donation to their favorite Top 10 CNN Heroes' nonprofit using Google Wallet, through December 31, 2011. Google is waiving all transaction fees enabling 100 percent of the donations to go directly to the heroes' non-profit organizations. Visit CNNHeroes.com online or on your mobile device to learn more about the 2011 honorees, cast your vote and to donate.

Kelly Flynn is the Senior Executive Producer for the "CNN Heroes" initiative and CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. This year's show will be produced by Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done and Dusted.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

American Giving Awards Presented by Chase

Chase, dick clark productions and Intersport announced today their joint effort to produce the first ever American Giving Awards (AGAs). Hosted by 22-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas, the AGAs will be broadcast on NBC Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8:00pm/est, from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles.

“I'm happy to be a part of a program that promises some excellent entertainment in support of some very worthy causes,” said Bob Costas.

Chase will grant a total of $2 million to the five featured charitable organizations, which were selected from a list of 25 previous CCG grant recipients with the help of some of Chase’s online customers as well as Chase Community Giving (CCG) Facebook fans. The organization with the most votes will receive a $1 million grant, the runner-up will be granted $500,000, a third organization will receive a $250,000 grant and two will be given $125,000 grants.

“We are delighted to help create the first-ever American Giving Awards and celebrate these outstanding past Chase Community Giving winners,” said Kimberly Davis, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. “We hope this exciting television event will draw even more support for all of the causes featured and encourage Americans everywhere to get involved and support the thousands of local organizations making a difference in communities across the country every day.”
The five finalists to be honored at the AGAs each represent one of the five categories recognizing the “building blocks” of our communities:

Educators and Mentors

• Let’s Get Ready, Inc., of New York, NY, works to expand college access for motivated, low-income high school students by providing free SAT preparation and college admission counseling.

Champions of Health and Wellness

• To Write Love on Her Arms, of Cocoa, FL, is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

Heroes and Leaders

• Wish Upon a Hero Foundation, Inc., of Moorestown, NJ, utilizes social media and technology to connect those in need of support, including patients with long-term illnesses, military families, and natural disaster survivors, with people who can fulfill their wishes and truly change their lives.

Community Builders

• Move for Hunger, Inc., of Neptune, NJ, works with moving companies across America to pick up the unopened, non-perishable food items from people during the moving process and deliver it to their local food banks.

Youth Developers

• · Matthew Shepard Foundation, of Casper, WY, was created in the memory of anti-gay hate crime victim Matthew Shepard to encourage respect for human dignity and difference by raising awareness, opening dialogues, and promoting positive change.

Chase Community Giving leverages the power of social media to “crowdsource” how charitable dollars should be allocated. This program was developed by Chase to complement its charitable giving, which totals over $150 million annually. Chase Community Giving relies on its nearly 3 million fans on Facebook to help decide which local nonprofits should receive grant money from Chase. Since its inception in 2009, CCG fans have helped Chase award over $15 million to 400 local charities across the country representing causes such as building schools in Africa, providing food and shelter to the homeless, and supporting the performing arts.
The final round of voting for the American Giving Awards opens on December 1, 2011 and closes on December 8, 2011.

During the voting period, participants may vote for charities on Facebook and in some cases on the Chase.com platform. For more information on the program and how to vote, please visit http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving.

About Bob Costas:
Bob Costas, 22-time Emmy Award-winner is one of the most respected and honored broadcasters of his generation. He has been named “National Sportscaster of the Year” an unprecedented eight times. Bob has covered nearly every major sport, though most identified with the Olympics and baseball. He has been with NBC since 1979 and currently serves as the host of "Football Night in America." He began working for the Major League Baseball Network in 2009. He is also a bestselling author. Costas began his broadcasting career in 1973 at WSYR-TV and Radio in Syracuse, N.Y. He later joined KMOX Radio in St. Louis. One of television’s most gifted interviewers; Costas won acclaim as the host of HBO’s "CostasNOW," a monthly one-hour sports magazine program.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com