Friday, May 22, 2015

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

Sunday, January 4, 2015

A review of The Marvel Experience in Scottsdale AZ

The Marvel Experience Review – Was It Worth the Hype?

📍 Location: Touring Event – Various Cities in 2015
🎟️ Ticket Prices: Starting at $27.50 (too expensive for what’s offered)
⏳ Total Experience Time: Estimated 90 minutes but actually took 6 hours due to long wait times

Is The Marvel Experience Worth It?

If you’re a die-hard Marvel fan, The Marvel Experience: The Hyper-Reality Tour sounds like a dream come true—a high-tech, immersive superhero adventure packed with interactive training missions, VR experiences, and 4-D attractions. However, after attending with my kids, I can confidently say that while it had exciting moments, the cost, long wait times, and lack of activities left us disappointed.

With ticket prices starting at $27.50 (plus $10 for parking), the value simply wasn’t there. The entire experience should have taken around 90 minutes, but we spent over 6 hours waiting in lines for short, underwhelming activities. While some of the interactive elements were enjoyable, this event needed better organization, shorter wait times, and more engaging content.

What’s Included in The Marvel Experience?

✅ Marvel Superhero Origins Briefing – A multi-screen intro covering the origins of Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Black Widow.
✅ Interactive "Training Missions" – Includes Iron Man Flight Simulation, Hulk Smash, Photon Blaster Training, Spider-Man Climbing Wall, and Black Widow Laser Maze.
✅ 3-D Dome Experience – A short, standing-room-only Marvel movie where guests spin in circles to follow the action.
✅ 4-D Ride Finale – The most immersive part of the experience, but lacked 3-D visuals, making it less impressive.
✅ Gift Shop – Limited merchandise with only posters, shirts, and hats—no Marvel action figures or comic books available.
✅ On-Site Café – Overpriced food ($7 for a basic hot dog, $3.50 for frozen bottled water).

Major Issues & Areas That Need Improvement

🚫 Excessive Wait Times for Minimal Experience

Most activities were less than 2 minutes long but required 30-60 minute waits.
The Black Widow Agility Laser Maze had a 1-hour wait—while fun, it wasn't worth the time investment.

💰 Ticket Prices vs. Value

$27.50 per person (plus $10 parking) felt overpriced. This event should have been $15-$20 max with free parking.
The RFID tracking bracelets didn’t enhance the experience, making them feel pointless.

🎮 Low-Tech "Training" Games

The Hulk Smash and Iron Man Flight Simulator were essentially Xbox Kinect games, which was disappointing given the "Hyper-Reality" promise.
The Photon Blaster Training (laser shooting gallery) had too many players at once, making it impossible to track your score.

🎬 3-D Movie & 4-D Ride Could Have Been Better

The 3-D dome experience was too short and required standing.
The 4-D ride was entertaining, but should have used 3-D visuals to be more immersive.

🛍️ Weak Merchandise Selection

The gift shop lacked variety, offering mostly shirts and posters—no Marvel action figures or collectibles.
The 3-D printed statue souvenir was a cool concept, but there weren't enough customization options.

How The Marvel Experience Could Improve

🎟️ Lower Ticket Prices – $15-$20 would be a more reasonable price for what’s offered.
⏳ Reduce Wait Times – Fewer tickets per time slot or more activity stations would prevent 6-hour experiences.
🚀 More Interactive Features – Additional VR elements, motion-sensor games, and better simulators would increase engagement.
💦 Fix Overpriced Food & Drinks – $3.50 for frozen bottled water is a gouge—offer affordable drinks or free water stations.
🛍️ Expand the Gift Shop – Include action figures, comics, and exclusive collectibles to appeal to Marvel fans.
🎬 Improve 3-D & 4-D Experiences – The 4-D ride should include 3-D visuals for a true hyper-reality experience.

Final Verdict – Would I Go Again?

I’m glad I attended, and my kids enjoyed parts of it, but I wouldn’t return unless they significantly improve the cost, entertainment value, and wait times.

If you’re considering going to The Marvel Experience, be prepared for long lines and limited activities. While it has potential, it needs major upgrades to be worth the price.

⭐ Overall Rating: 5/10 – Fun for Marvel fans, but overpriced and poorly executed.

🚀 Are you a Marvel fan looking for a better superhero experience? Consider visiting:

Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure
Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

27th annual Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Faire

Step Back in Time at the 2015 Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace

📍 Location: Gold Canyon, AZ
📅 Event Dates: Saturdays & Sundays from February 7 – March 29, 2015
🕰️ Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, rain or shine
🎟️ Special Opening: Presidents' Day – Monday, February 16, 2015

Experience the Magic of the Arizona Renaissance Festival

HUZZAH! The Arizona Renaissance Festival is back for another season of medieval merriment, thrilling jousting tournaments, live performances, and artisan shopping! This 16th-century village comes to life with over 2,000 costumed characters, interactive street performances, and 13 entertainment stages featuring sword swallowers, whip masters, comedic storytellers, and musicians.

With nearly 30% of attendees dressing in Renaissance costumes, why not join the Cosplay fun and don your best knight, pirate, or noble attire for an even more immersive experience?

World-Class Entertainment & Performers

✨ Whipmaster Adam Crack – Guinness World Record holder for whip artistry.
💀 The Ded Bob Sho – Hilarious comedy with Ded Bob and Sluj.
⚔️ Don Juan & Miguel – A mix of swordplay, whips, and outrageous comedy.
🏇 Jousting Tournaments – Watch knights battle in full armor for the Queen’s honor.
🤡 Thom Selectomy – Sword swallowing and side-splitting humor.
🧚 Twig the Fairy – Magical fairy performances full of whimsy and glitter.
📖 Zilch the Torysteller – Hilarious twisted fairy tales with a comedic twist.

Feast Like Royalty – Food & Drinks at the Festival

🍗 Indulge in hearty medieval fare, including:

Giant roasted turkey legs
Steak-on-a-stake
Bread bowl soups & stews
Handmade chocolates & cinnamon-roasted almonds

🍻 Quench your thirst at the festival pubs, offering:

Beer, wine, and honey mead
Signature medieval cocktails

🍽️ Looking for a royal dining experience? Enjoy an authentic medieval banquet with the royal court (reservations recommended).

The Artisan Marketplace – Unique Shopping Experience

🏹 Discover hand-crafted treasures, including:

Swords, armor, and chainmail
Renaissance dresses and custom leatherwork
Scented candles, handmade pottery, and masks
Henna tattoos, palm readings, and intricate hair braiding

Interactive Games & Rides – Test Your Medieval Skills!

🎯 Challenge your skills with festival games like:

Archery & axe throwing
Paintball siege battles
Climbing the Tower challenge

🎡 Kid-Friendly Rides & Attractions:

Da Vinci’s Flying Machine
The Enchanted Maze
Puppet shows & interactive storytelling

Save on Tickets – Arizona Renaissance Festival Discounts

🎟️ Discounted Tickets Available at Fry’s Food Stores:

Adults: $20.00
Children (5-12): $10.00

🎟️ On-Site Ticket Booth Prices:

$2 more per ticket at the gate

📢 Get your tickets online to secure your spot and skip the wait!

Make It a Weekend Getaway!

📍 Plan Your Trip: If you’re attending the Arizona Renaissance Festival, why not turn it into a weekend adventure? Look for hotels, resorts, or vacation rentals near Gold Canyon, AZ to stay close to the action! Contact us for accommodations.

Final Thoughts – A Must-See Event in Arizona!

Whether you're a history buff, fantasy fan, or just looking for a fun-filled family adventure, the Arizona Renaissance Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. With live jousting, hilarious performances, artisan shopping, and delicious medieval feasts, it’s one of Arizona’s top attractions each year.

🔥 Don’t wait—grab your Renaissance garb, plan your trip, and get ready for an unforgettable experience ate the 2015 Arizona Renaissance Faire!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The origins of Santa Claus

The Origins, History, and Global Traditions of Santa Claus 🎅

Did you know that Santa Claus has more than one Christmas Eve? Due to time zones and the rotation of the Earth, Santa actually has 31 hours to deliver presents if he travels east to west. Additionally, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th, giving Santa a second round of deliveries!

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Kris Kringle, is one of the most beloved holiday figures worldwide. But where did his legend begin? Let’s explore the origins, history, and global traditions of Santa Claus.

🎄 Santa Claus Around the World

🌍 Santa is known by many names globally, including:

Saint Nicholas (Western Europe & Christian traditions)
Père Noël (France)
Weihnachtsmann (Germany)
Babbo Natale (Italy)
Ded Moroz (Russia & Eastern Europe)
Papai Noel (Brazil & Portugal)
Julenissen (Scandinavia)

🎁 Not All Children Receive Gifts from Santa!
Santa only delivers gifts to children who believe in him, which means that approximately 50-55% of the world’s children—primarily in Christian communities—expect a visit. In some cultures, gift-giving traditions differ:

🎅 Poland: St. Nicholas Day (December 6th) is a day for gifts from Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas).
🎄 Spain & Latin America: Gifts are exchanged on January 6th for Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes Magos).
❄️ Russia & Ukraine: Santa-like figure Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) delivers gifts on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas.

🎅 The Origins of Santa Claus – From Saint to Mythical Gift-Giver

The story of Santa Claus traces back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern-day Turkey). Known for his generosity and devotion to children, his legend spread throughout Europe, making him the Patron Saint of Children and Travelers.

✨ Key Moments in the Evolution of Santa Claus:

12th Century: The Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) was officially established as a day of gift-giving and charity.
Protestant Reformation (16th Century): While devotion to Saint Nicholas declined in much of Europe, Dutch traditions of Sinterklaas survived.
17th Century: Dutch settlers brought "Sinterklaas" to America, where the name evolved into Santa Claus.
1822: Clement C. Moore’s poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ (a.k.a. The Night Before Christmas) shaped the modern image of Santa:
- “He had a broad face and a little round belly”
- “He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf”
19th & 20th Centuries: Santa’s red suit and sleigh-pulled reindeer became iconic, thanks to Coca-Cola ads and Christmas illustrations.

🦌 The Legend of Krampus – Santa’s Dark Companion

Not all holiday traditions are cheerful! In Austrian, German, and Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, demonic figure who punishes naughty children while Santa rewards the good ones.

🔥 Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) on December 5th is a spooky Christmas tradition where people dressed as Krampus parade through the streets, scaring misbehaving children before St. Nicholas arrives on December 6th.

🎁 Santa’s Christmas Magic – Myth or Reality?

Santa’s legend continues to evolve, blending history, folklore, and pop culture. Whether you believe in the real Saint Nicholas, embrace the magic of Santa’s Christmas Eve deliveries, or enjoy the spooky tales of Krampus, there’s no denying the enduring power of holiday traditions.

🌟 Want to learn more about holiday legends and global Christmas traditions? Stay tuned for more festive history and folklore!