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Monthly Archives: July 2011
Disneyland establishes machinist training program with Fullerton College
Fullerton College and the Disneyland Resort have joined together to create a unique machinist training program that prepares adults for successful careers as machinists. A total of six students were selected earlier this year for the program, four of whom are Disneyland Resort cast members and two who were recommended by the machinist union.
The four-year program, which is supported by the International Association of Machinists District Lodge 947, consists of full-credit courses on the campus in subjects ranging from blueprint reading to automotive fundamentals. The units attained through taking those courses can be applied toward an associate’s degree. Program participants not only receive a classroom education, but also paid hands-on training three days a week in various departments of the Disneyland Resort including overhaul and manufacturing facilities, attraction maintenance and transportation services.
“This collaboration helps to develop the talents and potential of our cast members,” said Rich Langhorst, vice president of facilities and operations services at the Disneyland Resort. “The hands-on learning environment supported by the Disneyland Resort and Fullerton College is a great way to further develop the skills of the craft workers in our local-communities.”
Upon completion of the program, all participants are eligible to be hired into permanent positions available at the Disneyland Resort. In addition, each candidate who successfully completes the program is awarded the Journeyman card, which certifies that the candidate performs technical work at an advanced level and is trained to use power tools.
“One of the primary missions of the California community college system is to advance the state’s economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous work force improvement,” said Dr. Rajen Vurdien, Fullerton College president. “Our partnership with Disney allows us to provide real world experience and training that will benefit Orange County.”
“Community colleges are uniquely designed to respond to the needs of our local work force through practical-based coursework,” said Dan O’Brien, Fullerton College machining instructor. “The students are dedicated to improving their skills and gaining real-world experience, which is a huge advantage in this competitive job market.”
Sir Patrick Stewart Slated to Appear at Hilton Walt Disney World Convention
Set for Halloween weekend and with more than a dozen confirmed stars, artists, and authors, this weekend-long sci-fi convention presented by Vulcan Events promises to be the sci-fi event of the year. Sir Patrick Stewart—also known as the serene Professor X from the X-Men films and the commanding Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation TV show and films—joins Jewel Staite of Firefly/Serenity and Stargate: Atlantis fame. They will be available all weekend for autographs and photo ops.
Rounding out the line up are Armin Shimerman and Max Grodénchik from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, David Nykl from Stargate: Atlantis, Sherry Jackson from the original Star Trek series, Phil Morris with a number of sci-fi credits to his name and the recently added Jennifer Hetrick from Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Files, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Representing the creative, behind-the-scenes life of sci-fi are Emmy and Hugo award winning illustrator Rick Sternbach and Star Trek screenwriter and historian Larry Nemecek.
As with Vulcan Events’ past conventions, this show is planned around providing a relaxed and sociable atmosphere where fans can mingle with stars and enjoy the many convention activities including auctions, a Halloween Bash on Saturday night, and special events for children. As a special treat on Friday night, Armin and Max will perform their newly revamped Brotherly Love Tour—about an hour of original Star Trek parody materials—and will host a chocolate dessert meet and greet with fans immediately following the show.
First-time convention goers will be pleasantly surprised at the ambiance and disposition of the average patron. “We may look like geeks in rubber masks but we are doctors, professors, and people from all walks of life. This is our fun; this is our escape” notes Javier Garcia, one of the promoters.
While the all-inclusive tickets are sold out, several ticket options are still available for advanced purchase. Bronze weekend tickets are $89 and single-day general admission tickets start at $20.
About the Celebrity Guests
Sir Patrick Stewart is best known as the Captain of the Enterprise–Captain Jean-Luc Picard–on the seven seasons of TV’s Star Trek: The Next Generation and the four subsequent feature films. He has also embodied Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films as well as countless other roles. His film and television credits include Dune, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Conspiracy Theory, Masterminds, Animal Farm, Jimmy Neutron, King of Texas, Gnomeo & Juliet, and American Dad! As a trained actor with the Royal Shakespearean Company, he has performed across the globe in Shakespearean plays such as I Claudius, Anthony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Tempest.
Jewel Staite’s most memorable role is Kaylee, the beloved mechanic on Fox’s Firefly, and the major motion picture Serenity. Since then, she starred in Bryan Fuller’s Wonderfalls, as well as Dr. Jennifer Keller in Syfy’s Stargate: Atlantis.
David Nykl is known to sci-fi fans as the recurring character on Stargate Atlantis, Dr. Radek Zelenka. Nykl has also made several guest appearances on television including Human Target, Fringe, Eureka, and Sanctuary.
Armin Shimerman is best known for his role as Quark on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Pascal on Beauty and the Beast. Shimerman has hundreds of TV credits including Hillstreet Blues, Remington Steel, The Paper Chase, Alien Nation, Seinfeld, Stargate SG-1, Alley McBeal, The Practice, Charmed, and Boston Public. Recently he appeared in episodes of Boston Legal, Numb3rs, and Warehouse 13.
Max Grodénchik is best known for his role as Rom on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Grodénchik has made several guest appearances on hit TV shows and films such as Apollo 13 and Bruce Almighty. Max also dabbles in singing, songwriting, as well as play writing.
Sherry Jackson played Andrea in the original Star Trek episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” She is most known for her role as Terry Williams on Make Room for Daddy. She also appeared in Batman, The Twilight Zone, Gene Roddenberry’s The Lieutenant, Barbary Coast, The Wild Wild West, Lost in Space, Barnaby Jones, Starsky and Hutch, and Fantasy Island.
Phil Morris’ first acting role was in the 1966 Star Trek episode “Miri”. He made his feature film debut in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and later guest-starred on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. On Seinfeld, he played the Johnnie Cochran-inspired defense attorney Jackie Chiles. Morris also co-starred in the remake of Mission: Impossible as tech wizard Grant Collier (son of Barney Collier, who was played in the original series by Morris’ real-life father Greg Morris). On Smallville, Morris portrayed The Martian Manhunter/John Jones, which became a recurring character in the series. His voice credits include Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Atlantis: Milo’s Return, and The PJs.
Jennifer Hetrick played the recurring role of Vash, Picard’s love interest in the Star Trek: The Next Generation. She reprised her role for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She also appeared in The X-Files, Sliders, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, L.A. Law, 24, Prison Break, Cold Case, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Close to Home, and Alias.
Also appearing all weekend are musical guest Sci-Fried and guest authors Glenda C. Finkelstein, William Hatfield, K.L. Nappier and William Mize.
About Vulcan Events
Focused on putting on great events for the fans, Fernando Martinez and Javier Garcia come together to produce intimate conventions offering refreshing alternatives to other convention styles that offer one long line after another. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, they bring trust and confidence back to the small-convention market.
Disney-Branded Pogo Sticks Recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of product: Pogo sticks
Units: About 159,000
Distributor: Bravo Sports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Note: Disney licensed its brand name to Bravo Sports
Hazard: The bottom rubber tip attached to the pogo stick frame can wear out prematurely, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Also, the end caps on the handlebars can come off, exposing sharp edges. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Bravo and CPSC have received 82 reports of the bottom tip wearing out on the pogo sticks, including five reports of injuries. A 9-year-old girl suffered a skull fracture and chipped a tooth. Another 9-year-old girl cut her lip and chin, requiring stitches. Other injuries included scrapes, hits to the head and teeth pushed in.
Consumers can visit the search page on SaferProducts.gov to view incident reports about Bravo’s recalled pogo sticks.
Description: This recall includes pogo sticks in various colors. The models included in this recall are the Disney Hannah Montana Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Toy Story Cruising Cool Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Cars Pogo Stick, the Disney Princess Pogo Stick and the Disney Fairies Cruising Cool Pogo Stick. The pogo sticks have Disney labels between the handlebars. The manufacturing date codes between 01/01/2009-022CO and 11/30/2010-022CO are on a clear label on the stem of the pogo stick near the foot pedals.
Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory, Kmart, Kohls.com, Target and Toys R Us from February 2009 through June 2011 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pogo sticks and contact Bravo Sports for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bravo Sports toll-free at (855) 469-3429 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT or visit the firm’s website at www.bravopogorecall.com.
Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11290.html.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (855) 469-3429
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Key to the Kingdom Cel Release and Artist Signing at Walt Disney World
Event: Key to the Kingdom Ink and Paint Cel Premiere
Special Guests: Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos and Ink & Paint Artists, James Bonserio, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger, Sharon K. Vincent
Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Event Times: 10:00am -1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Event Location: Studios Animation Gallery, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
Celebrate 40 Magical years with the newest commemorative release from the Disney Studios Ink & Paint Team!
Key to the Kingdom captures the essence of wonder and excitement that comprised the magical kingdom since it opened its gates on October 1, 1971.
The talented Ink & Paint team hand painted the iconic Mickey Mouse and loveable Pluto onto each Key to the Kingdom cel in this celebratory release comprised of 1500 cels.
An exclusively designed pin has been created to commemorate the release of the new cel, the pin is available with the first 750 orders placed for a framed cel only.
Brand New Phineas & Ferb: Across the Second Dimension Game Play Trailer
Here is an all new gameplay trailer for the all new Phineas & Ferb: Across the Second Dimension video game. Stay tuned to Chip and Co as I will have my review later this week!