Desert Diamond Casino - West Valley Wins and Will Open in Glendale 12/20/15

Glendale Arizona and Metro Phoenix Area local Gamblers will have a new venue to shake hands with Lady Luck starting December 20th, 2015 when the Tohono O'odham Nation opens a casino in the West Valley.

The Tohono O'odham Nation is a southern Arizona tribe who is scheduled to unveil its fourth casino in Arizona in Glendale, about a mile north of the Westgate Entertainment District near the University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley marks a turning point regarding the limits of gaming compacts that have governed American Indian casinos in Arizona since the 1980's. The tribe has prevailed in a ruling over opponents that include other casino-operating tribes, city, state and federal officials and entities which have used the courts and public opinion to challenge the new casino.

Those that sought to quash the casino, claimed that agreements reached by the state and tribes during the purchase of the land don't allow the Tohono O'odham to open a casino on the land it purchased miles outside of its reservation boundaries. The Tohono O'odham fought back claiming that federal law allowed it to replace flooded reservation land and the state agreements do not prevent the tribe from building a casino on purchased land.

The tribe has prevailed in the legal battle and the tribe's temporary casino is set to open to the public on Sunday 12/20/15 and will remain open 24/7 while the fight continues to go from Class II Bingo Style Gaming Machines to a Class III Vegas Style gaming facility.

The concessions were made in part because the Arizona Department of Gaming withheld a full Class 3 gaming license, claiming the tribe committed fraud by not disclosing plans for the West Valley casino while negotiating its state compact.

Currently 16 different tribes operate 24 Class III gaming facilities in Arizona. Those Class III casinos may offer “Las Vegas style” gaming activities (slot machines, house-banked poker, and blackjack).

The Desert Diamond West Valley Casino and Resort will be built in phases. The Tohono O'odham are developing 135 acres at Northern and 95th avenues.

The first phase of the development is a low-profile building that will serve as the Class II casino.

The temporary casino is set to open with 1,089 gaming machines, which by cosmetic appearances look and operate like slot machines. The devices' mechanisms differ from true slot machines internally. They're actually bingo-based gambling devices, but the odds of winning are approximately the same as the odds of winning on traditional random number generated slot machines.

Some few machines in the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino will be linked to a network of other casinos nationwide and offer $1 million jackpots, which tend to pay out somewhere in the country 4-6 times a year.

Later, the tribe will convert the current building into a warehouse and a larger permanent Class III casino, hotel, shopping and convention center complex will be developed. If it is successful in court in overturning the state's ruling.

The Arizona Department of Liquor also has not yet granted a liquor license, it is expect to obtain it's liquor license around February 2016.




Get Free Casino Comps

Little known Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival Facts and History

Thanksgiving is an combination of many different traditions and later additions, including ancient Native American and British Harvest Festivals with New England Puritan religious aspects.

The story actually begins in 1614 when a group of English explorers sailed back to England with a ship full of Patuxet Native Americans bound for slavery and having left behind a smallpox plague which virtually wiped the rest.  When the Pilgrims of the “first” Thanksgiving arrived in the Massachusetts Bay they found only one living Patuxet Indian, a man named Squanto who taught them to grow crops and fish. He also negotiated the peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation. He may have later been poisoned by the Wampanoag.

The Harvest Festival we know of as the “first” Thanksgiving was not about family or religion, if it had been about family or religion the Pilgrims never would have invited the Native American to join them. What we think of as the “first” Thanksgiving was really a Harvest Festival, an actual "Thanksgivings" was a Puritan religious affair where everybody spent the day praying. Not all pilgrims were Puritans.

The Wampanoag had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year at the Plymouth Colony, so the approximately 50 surviving colonists invited a group of around 90 Wampanoag to the Harvest Festival honoring Squanto and the Wampanoag. This was to celebrate in part, simply having survived. The Wampanoag brought deer to the pot luck.

The Thanksgiving we learn about in school and celebrate today is based on this 3 day celebration of the Harvest that was a feast between the Pilgrims and the Native American, It occurred sometime between September 21 and November 1 in 1621. Like then, today we celebrate with a huge feast, though the menu was different.

Did you know? Mashed Potatoes were not part of the first Thanksgiving, as Irish immigrants had not yet brought them to North America. Unlike the 20 pound Thanksgiving Turkey of today, turkeys then were smaller and weighed around 8 pounds and may not have even been part of the meal. Seafood and other meats like venison and birds like pigeon probably were. Since pies were a way to preserve fruits and meat, both were probably also on the menu. Pumpkin Pie we know today is based on a 1653 French Recipe, and wasn't part of the feast, though pumpkin in some form may have been.  Cranberries were used by Native Americans to treat wounds and to dye clothes, but may have been eaten in some manner. The Victorian Era brought the turkey and cranberry sauce we now know to the menu. The South viewed Thanksgiving as a New England “Yankee” celebration and did not participate, until the end of the 19th century at which time sweet potatoes and pecan pie would  join the Thanksgiving menu.

Many American Thanksgiving traditions revolve around a huge meal, usually with Turkey as a centerpiece (a Roast or Prime Rib is also common). For many families, a special prayer of thanks may precede the meal or family members will simply mention something they are thankful for.

After the “first” Thanksgiving, the observance became sporadic and nearly forgotten and losing nay religious overtones until the early 1800's. The idea of the “first” Thanksgiving as we know it today came from Alexander Young, who referenced an account of the 1621 three-day festival from a letter of Edward Winslow, a senior leader of the Plymouth Colony.

According to historian George Willison, the pilgrims did not even land at Plymouth Rock, this story was introduced a century after the Mayflower actually made landfall at Provincetown.

El Paso Texas area residents claim the first Thanksgiving in America which took place in little San Elizario, (near El Paso) on April 30, 1598. This Thanksgiving celebrated the arrival of the Spanish explorer Juan De Oñate on the banks of the Rio Grande. Juan De Oñate is said to have held a Thanksgiving festival after having lead hundreds of settlers on a 350-mile long trek across the Mexican desert. The modern event was first observed in April 1989.

In Virginia, the Berkeley Plantation on the James River also claims the first Thanksgiving in America which was held on December 4th, 1619. In their view it's not the Mayflower that should be remembered, it's their ship the Margaret; which brought 38 English settlers to the plantation in 1619. The settlers had apparently been ordered by the London company that sponsored the voyage to commemorate the ship's arrival with an annual day of Thanks. It wasn't until, that 1963 President Kennedy officially recognized the plantation's claim.

Lincoln was the first President to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday, This happened in 1863 when the date was set as last Thursday of November. The tradition of pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys is often said to have began with Harry S Truman: Though evidence says John F Kennedy officially started the tradition and Abraham Lincoln is said to have started the practice when he pardoned his son’s pet turkey.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday because stores hope the beginning of the holiday shopping season will put them “in the black”. Black Friday has been a tradition since the 1930s. In 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt fumbled Thanksgiving, as it was currently being celebrated on the last Thursday of November, but Big Business and their Lobbyists convinced FDR to proclaim Thanksgiving to be on the fourth Thursday, rather than the last since retailers during the Great Depression were concerned consumers would not have a full month's pay to shop for Christmas.

Other Little Known Facts About Thanksgiving:

• There are actually 12 claims to where the “first” Thanksgiving took place: 2 in Texas, 2 in Florida, 1 in Maine, 2 in Virginia, and 5 in Massachusetts.
• The famous “Pilgrim and Indian” story featured in the modern Thanksgiving narrative was not initially part of earlier Thanksgiving stories  due to tension between Native tribes and the colonists.
• Americans eat over 530 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.
• Every Thanksgiving, a group of Native Americans gather at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, MA to commemorate a National Day of Mourning.
• Thanksgiving football tradition began with Yale versus Princeton in 1876.
• In 1920, Gimbels department store in Philadelphia held the nation’s first Thanksgiving Day parade. 
• Established in 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade comes in second as the oldest Thanksgiving parade.
• The earliest Thanksgiving in Canada was held in 1578. Martin Frobisher held a celebration for arriving safely in Newfoundland. 
• In 1879, Thanksgiving in Canada was set to November 6th, but since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has been held on the second Monday in October.
• Jewish people around the globe celebrate Sukkot, a festival of thanksgiving that lasts nine days.
• In Great Britain a Harvest Festival is observed in late September or October and special services of thanksgiving are held at local churches to honor the day.
• In southern India, people in Kerala hold a harvest festival called Onam, where good samaritans deliver food to the needy.
• Zhong Qui (Festival of the Autumn Moon) is the Chinese celebration of thanksgiving and is held on the eighth month of the Chinese calendar.
• In 1953, Swanson had an extra 260 tons of Frozen turkey, they placed it it aluminum trays with sides and sold them and the TV Dinner was born.

Remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot

Remember, Remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot

When Protestant King James I took the throne, Catholics unsuccessfully petitioned him for toleration as they had been persecution for over 45 years under Queen Elizabeth. Tired of this treatment, a group of English Catholics attempted regicide and to assassinate his ministers by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the state opening of Parliament in hopes to replace him with his daughter Princess Elizabeth.

The scheme began to unravel when an anonymous letter that was sent to the Catholic William Parker, the 4th Baron Monteagle, warning him to avoid the House of Parliament. The letter (which is believed to have been sent by his brother-in-law Francis Tresham, one of the conspirators), was made public and this led to a search of Westminster Palace in the early hours of November 5th. Other reasons contributing to the plot failure are explained in below video.

When the plan failed, members of the public celebrated by lighting bonfires around London. November 5, Bonfire Night is when the English celebrate the night Guy Fawkes was caught attempting to blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament. In 1605, he was found with a large amount of gunpowder, and to have been involved in a detailed plot to kill the monarch with 13 conspirators.

The other Gunpowder Plot conspirator: Guy Fawkes (explosives expert), Thomas Bates, Robert Wintour, Thomas Wintour, Thomas Percy, Christopher Wright, John Wright (persuader/recruiter), Francis Tresham, Everard Digby, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, Hugh Owen, John Grant and Robert Catesby (who organized the plot).

Guy Fawkes day, sometimes called Bonfire Night on November 5th is celebrated still, with the lighting of bonfires, fireworks and even the burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy. The Houses of Parliament are also still ceremonially searched by the Yeomen of the Guard before the state opening.

The traditional death for traitors in 17th-century England was to be hanged from the gallows, then drawn and quartered in public. As Guy awaited his punishment on the gallows, he leapt to his death and broke his own neck rather than let them. His body was subsequently quartered, and his remains were sent to "the four corners of the kingdom" as a warning to others. His head was placed on a spike above the London Bridge’s stone gatehouse where other figures from history like Jack Cade, Thomas More, Oliver Cromwell and William Wallace who was the first ever to be placed there in 1305.

The movie V for Vendetta made common the Quote "Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot! ". V for Vendetta uses the Gunpowder Plot as historical inspiration, contributing to the choice of time, place, language and appearance.

A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian government. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds an ally. V uses a Guy Fawkes mask and his persona functions with both practical and symbolic elements of the historical event. "Who is but the form following the function of what; and what I am is a man in a mask."

The names of Ambrose 'Rookwood', Thomas 'Percy' and Robert 'Keyes' which were used in the movie, were also the names of three of the Gunpowder conspirators.

Watch the below video for a more detailed narration of events.

Review of October 2015 Comic Nerd Block Subscription Box

This box Comic Block subscription box from Nerd Block was purchased by me to review for you.

The Cost starts at 13.99 per month (plus Shipping) and gets cheaper based on the length of subscription. You currently get a welcome box with a new subscription.

This month box included a shirt, 3 comic books and an art print.

The Spawn Shirt has an Ebay value of around $10 dollars. It is a fairly heavy cotton, unlike some of the exclusive t-shirts I have received from various subscription boxes. The eyes glow in the dark and looks a little eerie in the mirror. Not necessarily a Spawn fan, but did keep this shirt for myself and have gotten multiple compliments.

Heroes Vengeance #1 - Comic Block Variant – Cover value $3.99

"NBC Reborn Prelude" Heroes Vengeance from Titan Comics, which will serve as an origin story for one of the new characters. The series will consist of five issues, and will be written by Heroes Reborn supervising producer Seamus Fahey. Selling on Ebay for around  $5-13. I have not watched the show, and have little interest in the comic and know no one to gift it to for Christmas, so it is in my sell pile. Although I have no doubt this comic was well accepted by some fans.

Lara Croft Frozen Omen #1 – Cover value $3.99

Dark Horse Comics features an exclusive variant cover! It’s up to Lara to stop a cult from causing worldwide devastation! Selling on Ebay for around  $12-20. I enjoyed the Lara Croft Tomb Raider games and movies. I have kept this comic for my collection.

Back To The Future #1 –  Cover value $4.99

IDW Back To The Future features an exclusive variant cover. In "Back to the Future Part II," Marty McFly travels to October 21, 2015 which was just last month and there was a lot of hype for 'Back to the Future Day'. Not sure of the story line, but enjoyed the movies so am keeping this for my collection. Selling on Ebay for around  $9-25.

Venom Print – Ebay Value $5-12

The last item this month is a Venom art print! A 100 lucky people (not I) got one that was signed by the artist. This was also something I kept for my personal collection.

Over all this month's Comic Nerd Block subscription box gave me a Spawn shirt to wear, 2 comics to add to my comic book collection, a comic to sale and a Venom print worth framing. Thumbs up on quality verse cost.

Boost your Halloween knowledge - All Hallows Eve facts & legends

All Hallows Evening facts and legends of Halloween

Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.

Halloween goes by multiple names: All Hallows’ Eve, Samhain, Lamswool Snap-Apple Night, Guy Fawkes Night and more.  Ireland is typically believed to be the birthplace of Halloween. Halloween has been estimated to have started approx 2,000 years ago, Halloween was partially influenced by the ancient Roman festival Pomona, which celebrated the harvest goddess. Many Halloween customs and games such as bobbing for apples come from this influence. 

It was believed that the boundary between the living and dead was thinly veiled on Halloween. So, humans would wear ghoulish masks and dress up so the spirits would not recognize them.  Trick-or-treating itself might have started from a superstition that ghosts would also disguise themselves as humans and knock on doors of houses that did not leave out wine or other spirits. If they were denied, the spirit would haunt the person who refused it. The earliest known reference to “trick or treat” was printed in the November 4, 1927 edition Alberta Canada Herald.

In 1950, trick-or-treaters in Philadelphia went door to door and collected change for children overseas and sent it to UNICEF in lieu of candy. Subsequently, the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program was born.

In many countries, such as France and Australia, Halloween is an unwanted and overly commercial American cultural influence. Per the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend an estimated $6.9 billion on Halloween with its vampire costumes, treats and spooky household decorations, it's the second-largest commercial holiday in America. Only Christmas surpasses it in sales. 

Children are more than twice as likely to be killed in a pedestrian/car accident on Halloween than on any other night. Due to this safety concern, trunk-or-treating was introduced in 2000 as an alternative to hitting the streets for candy on Halloween night. Cars are parked in a circle at a school or church parking lot, decorating their open trunks and dressing in costume to hand out treats.

Other dangers are touted each year about poison or razor blades because of stories like a five-year-old boy who allegedly ate Halloween candy laced with heroin in 1970. Investigators later discovered that the heroin belonged to the boy’s uncle and was not in his Halloween candy. Another story in 1974, where an eight-year-old died of cyanide poisoning after eating Halloween candy. Investigators later learned that his father had taken out a $20,000 life insurance policy on the child and that he had poisoned his own son and failed to poison his daughter. And this year, where a recent drug bust went viral with Some pictures of Ecstasy that are brightly colored and look like certain candies. These forms of Ecstasy are not "new" nor intended to appeal to children (teens at raves, more so), and are not likely to end up in kids' Halloween trick-or-treat bags. 

Now the above is not to say there are not creeps that do cruel things with little common reasoning, but that your kid is far more likely to be hit by a car before they get home to have you check their candy, YES you should check their candy.

Some cities across the USA have adopted age limits (usually around 12) for those who can Trick or Treat. Such laws may rarely be strictly enforced, but if your kid is 13 or older and chooses to trick, teen violators could face jail or fines.

Some Other Facts worth noting.

• Irish legend says that one day the devil came to take the soul of a not so law abiding man named Jack. But Jack managed to trick the devil, making him promise to never take his soul to hell. After living a long life, eventually Jack tried to enter Heaven, but could not, for he had lived a life of ill repute. He then attempted to enter Hell, but the devil kept his word. When Jack complained, the devil laughed at him and threw him a glowing ember, which Jack used to light a lantern he made using a turnip that was in his pocket. He became Jack of The Lantern and doomed to aimlessly walk the Earth.
• The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with an 836-lb. pumpkin.
• Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds, smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds. The rules of the competition state that the pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and be carved in a traditional way, which requires at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.
• Harry Houdini (1874-1926) is one of the most famous and mysterious magicians. He died on Halloween night in 1926 from appendicitis after he suffered stomach punches. Harry spent most his life proving psychics were scammers. But he made a promise to contact his wife from beyond the grave if anyone possibly could.
• Because the movie Halloween (1978) had such a tight budget, they chose to use the cheapest mask they could find for the Michael Meyers character, which turned out to be a William Shatner Star Trek mask. 

Monthly Subscription box of geek, nerd and gamer loot

Loot Crate Loot Crate was founded in 2012 by an entrepreneurial team of geeks and gamers and has gained a lot of attention as the subscription service to get a bunch of geek toys sent to you every month for $19.95 or less.

But, it’s not the only game in town, Geek Fuel launched as an alternative to Loot Crate. It’s basically the same deal. For $23.90 or less per month you get a box full of stuff every month that’s pretty close to Loot Crate. Geek Fuel includes a Steam downloadable game code worth around ten dollars.

Both offer a T-shirt which in reality almost covers the cost of the box, especially if you signed up for a year subscription to save a couple dollars per box.

I'll tell you though, Geek Fuel's "3 bonus mystery items" you get for signing up for a year, the first one did not seem very awe inspiring to me. Especially since the sign up bonus for the Wizard World Presents Comic Con Box sells on Ebay for about $150 dollars (the box also cost about 50% more). I'll get the next bonus item in the next box and the third in my 3rd box and have hope for something more intriguing.

By being an active Loot Crate subscriber you're automatically entered to win a monthly Mega Crate VALUED AT OVER $2,000+!

SUPER Geek Box is yet another Monthly Box of nerd and Gamer Gear you can subscribe to, it is a little cheaper than the others if you use the promotional discount coupon code (Use Code: CHAOS). I have not received my first one yet so can't speak to how happy I am with it.

The Comic Con and Nerd Comic Block subscription boxes are probably the best options if you are interested in comic books, especially those with variant covers.

Loot Crate, Geek Fuel or Super Geek monthly subscription boxes are probably the best option for general movie and video game type gear and exclusive T-shirts.

Nerd Block also has boxes targeted at specific things like SCI-FI, HORROR and KIDS and you can save a few dollars with the discount code  MEGTURNEY. Meg Turney is a cosplayer and Nerd Block unboxer .

Outer Places is Launching 'Supply Pod' Inspired by the movie "The Martian"

Outer Places is launching their first mystery box and I don't have one to review, but I am happy to offer a discount code to my readers to save 10%.

Supply Pod discount code: MAVERICK10 

Here is the link to the Supply Pod site.

Outer Places, the digital media company that explores the science in science fiction, is launching its Supply Pod mystery box program on October 2 2015.

Supply Pod is a box of Sci-Fi loot that delivers unique products themed around upcoming Sci-Fi releases and scientific events. The first box is based on the real-life science behind Andy Weir's novel, The Martian, which inspired the movie starring Matt Damon about an astronaut stranded on Mars.

One lucky Supply Pod purchaser will win an exclusive The Martian movie poster, signed by Matt Damon and other cast members as well as author Andy Weir.

The Essential Pod ($29.99 plus 7.99 shipping, handling and tax) contains science and sci-fi items that would be great to have if you were stranded on Mars.

The Deluxe Pod ($39.99 plus 7.99 shipping, handling and tax) contains all the items in the Essential Pod plus a paperback version of The Martian by Andy Weir. 50 random Deluxe Pod customers could receive an autographed copy of The Martian.

The company is expanding its list of partners and will be adding new boxes in the coming months.

Supply Pods are currently only available to ship within the continental United States.

Click to read more about mystery boxes like Supply Pod

SUPER Geek Box Monthly Box of nerd and Gamer Gear Coupon

SUPER Geek Box - Monthly Box of nerd and Gamer Gear

$40+ Value in each box! Receive exclusive Shirts! or something 2x Epic!   

Super Geek Box connects it's subscribers to the best gear, snacks, toys, art, and much more fantastic merchandise. Each month they assemble a mystery collection of 5-8 items, all of which are kept secret until the boxes are delivered!    

Save $4! Use Code: CHAOS          

Loot Crate Geek and Gamer Gear! Promo code $3 off subscription

Check out Loot Crate - for the Geek & Gamer in you! 

Use Loot Crate promo code SAVE3 for $3 off any subscription box!

JOIN LOOT CRATE

• Select your plan and cancel anytime.
• $13.95 /mo + $6 S/H - Total Price: $19.95 for recurring 1 month plan Cancel Anytime
• 3 month plan $13.25 /mo + $6 S/H  - Total Price: $57.75 for recurring 3 month plan - You Save $2.10!
• 6 month plan $12.95 /mo + $6 S/H - Total Price: $113.70 for recurring 6 month plan - You Save $6!
• 12 month plan $11.95 /mo + $6 S/H - Total Price: $215.40 for recurring 1 year plan - You Save $24 and receive a Bonus Gift!

THEY CURATE EPIC and exclusive ITEMS for your inner nerd

• Loot Crate partners with great brands to deliver an great experience every month!

YOU GET geeky and gamer LOOT!

• Unbox your crate
• There are many cool things in the Loot Crate nerd box including a T-shirt (each valued around the same as what you pay for the whole box), exclusive variant cover comic books, toys, collectibles and other items. 

Plus, by being an active subscriber you're automatically entered to win a monthly Mega Crate VALUED AT OVER $2,000+!

Here is an example of past crates:

Geek Fuel Subscription Box

There are many cool things in the Geek Fuel nerd box including a Steam video game, T-shirt (each valued around the same as what you pay for the whole box), comic books, toys, collectibles and other often exclusive item.  $50+ Guaranteed Value in Every Box.

Be sure to take a look at Geek Fuel’s website for more information about getting your own Monthly Geek Subscription Box for Gamer or Nerd in you.

The geek subscription box is packed with exclusive t-shirts, toys, collectibles, & all things geeky delivered every month. sample box, below)


They even occasionally have items specifically for the ladies!


These crates of nerd loot make great Christmas and birthday gifts.

 $50+ Guaranteed Value in Every Box Current subscription prices are:
- Monthly $23.90 monthly (1 box) - Cancel Online Anytime
- 3 Month Plan (3 boxes) - $68.70 every 3 months - Save 4%
- 6 Month Plan (6 boxes) - $131.40 every 6 months - Save 8% + 1 Bonus Item
- 1 Year Plan (12 boxes) - $238.80 every 12 months - Save 17% + 3 Bonus Items! 

Wet n’ Wild Water Park Review - Glendale Arizona

Wet n’ Wild is the largest waterpark in Arizona and my kids and I have been a season pass holders since 2012. I have become increasingly more and more disappointed as the years go by.

Here are a few of the things that annoyed me this season, especially since they had made some changes. I also have listed some tips to improve the day.

A plus is the water park is 35 acres and has lots of fun rides for 'scaredy cats' and the brave.

The dive in movie is a good idea. Relaxing in the wave pool on a tube ($6) watching a family friendly movie is kind of nice at the end of the day.

Single entry is very expensive, get a season pass and go at least twice to save money.

The Crazy Cactus Roaring River is still lazy. If you call it a roaring river, I expected some kind of small rapids for a more real salt river tubing experience. This disappointed us after all the hype of the remodal.

Food is way overpriced (bring your own food in an ice chest and eat at the car). I get making money, but not gouging your customers. We get hand stamps and run to mcdonalds about a mile down the road.

The ground is very hot, you have to wear shoes. And the ground is not non-slip in most places so flip flops are dangerous. I would expect some kind of coating to prevent the scorching slippery cement from being a problem. Bring slip on shoes with some kind of traction.

There is plenty of shade and misting systems. Although depending on time of day, ride lines are not always shaded well, nor are the misters ever on.

Lines average 45 minutes. though it sucks getting near the top after 30-40 minutes just to have the ride shut down. Twice today this happened because the conveyor belt that brings the tubes to the top and the third time someone got hurt when they fell off the tube going down.

With entry cost and food cost so high, I do not see why they gouge you $8 to park. With the Gold season pass, parking is free.

Golfland Sunsplash water park has free parking.

Small locker is also $8, which is really to high for a place to stick your wallet, purse or phone.

You can easily spend $75-100 bucks a person between single day ticket, food, drinks, parking, tube rental and lockers.

In short, not real thrilled this year. With the remodel, I expected so much more.




Wet 'n' Wild is now Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the water park was bought by Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: SIX) in May 2018.

Press Release – DBacks Super Hero Night & Phoenix Comicon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Superhero charity explodes in May with site launch, D-Backs game and Comicon

May, 2015

Phoenix, AZ– Arizona nonprofit group COMICARE stays extremely busy throughout the year visiting nearly every children’s medical facility in the valley.  This May, the Comicare superheroes will find themselves extra busy.  On top of celebrating the launch of their revamped website (www.comicare.org) they are joining the Arizona Diamondbacks for “Superhero Night” on Friday, May 22nd at Chase Field.  Families will be able to meet and take pictures with their favorite comic book superheroes.  The Diamondbacks organization is planning a variety of specials and activities.

Phoenix Comicon 2015 is right around the corner (May 28- 31) and COMICARE brings an exciting presence at their booth (#6017): games, prizes, giveaways and photo ops with top level superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman and Spider-man.  COMICARE will also be accepting comic book donations that they pass on to children in valley hospitals.

“It is a big month for us,” explains Joe “ZEFF” Hyde, director of Comicare.  “We have been working extremely hard visiting hospitals around the valley- and that is what we enjoy doing.  It is sort of ‘icing on the cake’, to have three events like this where we get to mingle with the public and thank our community for their support.”

About Comicare

Comicare is an Arizona based 501(c)(3) nonprofit group that brings costumed ‘superheroes’ to children in hospitals.  They deliver comic books to provide a happy distraction while encouraging a love of reading.  They schedule as many as fifty visits a year in Arizona and neighboring states.  Comicare is proud of their role as a conduit for the generosity of the comic book collecting community as the books they give away are all donated by enthusiasts.   They not only visit medical facilities, but also support the philanthropic endeavors of those associated with the medical community.

www.comicare.org                                                    www.facebook.com/comicare

Contact

For more information about this event or general details about the charity, please contact

Joe “Zeff” Hyde, Director, Comicare

zeff@comicare.org    602.501.9817

ERICJDEWEY


You can buy Value Pack Grab Bags with 25-40 comics, to donate and ship them to: COMICAREP.O. Box 7317Goodyear, AZ 85338

A review of The Marvel Experience in Scottsdale AZ

Review of The Marvel Experience

Overall I am glad I went and my kids were glad they were taken. However I highly doubt I will return next year if it comes back to town. The cost is too high for what you receive and the lines are to long for what you are waiting for.

With the ticket cost starting at $27.50, there is not nearly enough to do. Add that to the $10 dollars they charge for parking, which was an unnecessary gouge. The value of this event is really more of a $15-20 dollar entry fee with free parking.

I do not know exactly how many people are let in every half hour, from what I saw, I guess it is about 50 that entered with my group. I suggest buying tickets on line to reserve your preferred entry time. As we arrived to the gate at 1100 hours and even though they let another group in every 30 minutes could not get tickets until 1630 hours.

They also were out of the RFD tracking bracelets; however whether you have one or not, did not seem to make any difference except your scores can be pulled up online after the event. The way the website made me think was the tracking would make you a part of the show, it does not.

First you are let into a tent where they have screens briefing you on each hero’s origin story: there is a green screen photo op as well. You then receive a brief from Nick Fury on why you are being recruited and what your mission is. They let you into this room approx 10-15 minutes before your ticket time.

At the time of your “showing” for your tickets you are then let into another room where you assist in assembling an Adaptoid and have the opportunity to review museum style displays of the hero’s and villain’s weapons. This is basically another holding area. After you have spent a few minutes here you enter the area where the interactive “training” begins.

The Hulk Smash and Iron Man Flight Simulator are basically Xbox Kinect games. For these two you can expect about a 30 minute line for what seemed like a 1 minute experience.

There was no line for the “calling a superhero to duty” activity. This is also basically a Kinect games where you pose like the hero you want to pull up on the screen to stand next to you for a quick photo op.

The Photon Blaster training allows 24 participants in at a time, which is the main issue I found with this training exercise. This is basically a laser shooting gallery. The issue I found was that with 24 people in there who all had little tiny circles with their number on the screen you could not see where your number was to tell how far off the target you were. So you basically just pint and pull the trigger with no real idea what you are hitting if anything and not really able to compensate because you cannot see your dot amongst the 23 others. The line for this was approx 45 minutes for what seemed like a 2 minute experience.

The Spider-Man Climbing wall and the Black Widow Agility Laser Maze are both over an hour wait. The Spider-Man Climbing wall has a 50lbs weight minimum and so smaller kids are not heavy enough to move the vertical treadmill. The wall is also only about 10 feet tall so if you are a full grown adult, especially above average height this rock wall limits you on foot and hand placement because you pretty much cover the spread of the wall.

Black Widow’s Agility Laser Maze was in my opinion the best training activity there. You enter a room and like Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment maneuver your body through a room of lasers. It is like playing Twister, as you circumvent the alarm and try to reach the check point without breaking a laser and “setting off an alarm”. You are scored on time and for every Laser you break you receive a time penalty. With an hour wait though you do not really want to have a second try.

In the training area there is also a “café” basically hot dogs, chips, chili and mac n cheese. It is $7 dollars for a decent tasting hot dog with a bag of potato chips. For another $2 you can add mac n cheese or chili to the hotdog. I do not usually purchase food at these events but as we had been inside for 3 hours already and about 1/3 of the way through the training activities, the kids needed food and drink. $3.50 for a bottle of water is a needless gouge they can sell them for $2 and still more than triple their cost. Also the bottles they gave us were frozen so we could not even drink them.

After you are done with all the training activities (or before if you are tired of waiting in lines) you move through the Quinjet into a 3-D movie dome. The movie was not bad; you are standing and have to turn in circles to follow the action. It could have been longer felt like maybe 3 minutes. If you get motion sickness you might have a little issue with the hyper reality wreaking havoc on your senses.

Then you move into the 4-D ride, there is a little bit of a neat surprise here. This also was not bad but could be improved upon with making it a little longer and making the movie aspect 3-D.

All in all what should have taken about 90 minutes to be a worthwhile experience took us 6 hours; 4 extra hours of waiting in lines that needs resolved. They need to figure out how to shorten the lines, either by setting up more stations or by letting fewer people in at a time and only letting more in as more leave. The second solution however just means you would wait at the gate in line instead of inside in a line.

After the 4-D ride you exit through a gift shop. You expect gift shops to be overpriced, so no real complaint there. They offer a 3D printed statue of you with your favorite hero, kind of neat souvenir. Overall the gift shop was sad; for being a Marvel event you would expect more figures and maybe even comic books available. It basically had posters, hats and shirts.

Like I said at the beginning, I am glad I went. However, I will not return without significant changes in cost and entertainment value as well as a solution for the excessively long lines.

Suggestions to improve the Marvel HyperReality Experience:

• They should sell less tickets per show, to cut down on lines.
• Tickets should cost about half for what is offered.
• They should also have more training stations so more people can participate at once, cutting down on lines.
• They should have more entertainment or a movie on the dome in the training area to keep you occupied while in line.
• The 4-d ride should have a 3-D movie, not a 2-D movie.
• Should not charge for parking.
• More, More, More in the gift shop.
• Cheaper, unfrozen bottles of water or available drinking fountains.

The tour will stop at 14 + cities over 2015

Dallas , TX - January 15th - February 1st 2015
Del Mar, CA - February 7th - February 22nd 2015
San Francisco, CA - February 27th - March 22nd

27th annual Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Faire

Join in the raucous revelry of the 2015 annual Arizona Renaissance Faire and Artisan Marketplace.

HUZZAH! The Arizona Renaissance Festival opens every Saturday and Sunday from February 7 through March 29, 2015. Hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, rain or shine, also open Presidents’ Day Monday February 16. 

The medieval village comes to life with costumed characters recreating a 16th century marketplace, where nearly 30% of Festival's visitors also dressed in costume! Thirteen Festival stages have performances by the talented entertainers listed below and others.  

• The Whipmaster Adam Crack - Adam Winrich holds multiple Guinness World Records for skill with a whip.
• The Ded Bob Sho - Ded Bob appears with Sluj for a show that will tickle your funny bone.
• Don Juan & Miguel - Stories, comedy, whips and sword play.
• Jousters - Knights in armor perform daring deeds of bravery and skill for the Queen's honour.
• Thom Selectomy - Comedy & Sword Swallowing!
• Twig the Fairy - Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom spreads whimsy, wonder, and the occasional glitterbomb.
• Zilch the Torysteller - Tairy Fales from Terry Foy

A day-long feast awaits your appetite at the Renaissance Faire! With hearty foods to satisfy any appetite; giant roasted turkey legs, steak-on-a-stake, bread bowls, hand made chocolates and cinnamon roasted almonds! Pubs throughout the shire serve beer, wine and honey mead as well as the shire's Cocktails. There is even a medieval banquet with the royal court, reservations suggested.

The artisan marketplace gives you a shopping experience you'll not forget. Full of hand crafted swords, masks, toys, chain mail, dresses, scented candles and more. You can get your hair braided, a henna tattoo, or even have your palm read. 

Test your warrior skill at the Faire's many games: archery, paintball, Climbing the Tower, throwing a battle axe.

Kids will love the interactive games rides like Da Vinci’s Flying Machine and the Maze.

• You can save with discount tickets at Fry's Food Stores - $20.00/adults and $10.00/children (5-12). 
• Tickets purchased at the Festival Ticket Booth are $2 more. 

Purchase tickets online or for Arizona Renaissance Festival directions

If you’re headed to the Arizona Renaissance Festival this year, find a place to stay  nearby and make a weekend out of it!