The epic finale of the Harry Potter film series began when thousands of moviegoers across the country stood in line (some for hours) to experience Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. If you are anything like the devoted ‘Muggles’ who watched the critically acclaimed flick dressed in favorite Potter garb, I hope you were as pleased as I was when the end credits came onto the screen.
The movie picked up from where it left off with Voldemort in possession of the elder wand and Harry, Ron and Hermione at Shell Cottage. Part 2 flowed through the exciting Gringotts Bank break-in, the Hogwarts battle, the final fight between Harry and the Dark Lord, and the heart warming epilogue that left me fully satisfied (and a little sad that it was over).
I would consider the final movie the BEST of the eight films. Favorite and beloved chapters were met, with an incredible amount of emotion from the actors in the film. The epic battle scenes were fast-paced, thrilling and kept you on the edge of your seat for a good part of the movie. Director David Yates even found the perfect moments to add humor; the entire audience couldn’t help but laugh. Every moment from start to finish is filled with adventure and even some surprises that are a must-see! The final film will have you laughing, crying and wanting to break out a wand for some wizard fighting of your own.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is without a doubt ─ the movie of the summer the whole family will enjoy. I experienced all the action on a 6-story screen in IMAX® 3D, which made the movie all the more spectacular. I don’t think any movie like this phenomenon will ever come close to being as unforgettable.
Show Your Potter Pride
On Saturdays, attend the first showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 An IMAX 3D Experience at Whitaker Center, dressed as your favorite character from the movie series and you’ll be entered to win a Harry Potter Prize Pack!
posted on Tue Mar 15th, 2011 at 9:33 AM by Mike Rathfon
Ever wonder what it would be like to glide across the sky from a bird’s point of view? Well now you can, through Whitaker Center’s latest IMAX® flick, Legends of Flight 3D ─ A New Generation.
The IMAX documentary takes moviegoers through the process of constructing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner commercial airliner. The main challenge at hand, for these crafty engineers, was to produce a more energy efficient and longer lasting airplane. Keeping this in mind, they wanted to model its beauty and grace after the most aerodynamic creatures on the planet ─ the birds and the bees (with no reference to that familiar tale). Glimpses of a bird’s view soaring in the air over gorgeous landscapes were captured, making for what I found to be the most enjoyable parts of the movie.
Having never seen a 3D film before, let alone in IMAX, I was easily impressed by all the effects. I’m sure I was not the only audience member squirming in my seat, while trying to escape whipping propellers. It was especially neat how the filmmakers spiced up the appearance of the plane’s blueprints. These 3D drawings displayed the breakdown of the plane inside and out ─ with vibrantly colored lines to portray the carbon fibers. The array of colors entangled on the six-story screen was mesmerizing!
In relation to the new science gallery, Move It!, Legends of Flight clearly illustrates the importance of engineering; each step is just as important as the next. So if anyone needs a vacation without the stress of flying, I recommend booking your flight in IMAX 3D at Whitaker Center!
posted on Wed Mar 2nd, 2011 at 11:47 AM by Mike Rathfon
HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS CRACKED OPENED THE DOORS TO HOLLYWOOD FOR INDIE FILMMAKERS
On the wake of the Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest night, I find it very exhilarating that some of this year’s most acclaimed films were shot with cameras that I happen to own and are sitting in my office. No, I did not just win the Powerball or shell out a cool $75,000 on a Panavision camera that you might see on most Hollywood sets, but rather, I went out and purchased one in a series of new digital SLRs that Canon has put out.
Now for those that are not photo savvy, single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras are those that you see amateur and professional photographers use at weddings, sporting events, or photo-shoots.
Canon released a series of digital SLRs, starting in 2008, that not only take photos, but also record HD video. Why is this any different than shooting with a regular consumer brand HD camera? The image sensor size in digital SLRs is significantly larger than most regular HD cameras. This means that the camera can take in more information resulting in greater control of the subject matter that you are recording. Coupled with fast lenses you can shoot in low light situations and it doesn’t have to look grainy.
The other big difference is the ability to control the depth of field. This is a game changer for most as it literally gives a cinematic film look if done correctly. Trust me, as a director, this is the biggest selling point for many of our clients. We can give them a cinematic look for their project and they don’t have to bring in a huge crew or pay thousands of dollars for expensive gear and lighting.
Canon has a number of HDSLR cameras that range in price from about $700 to as high $5,000 depending on sensor size and certain functionalities. The sticking point for most people is that the cost is usually for the camera body alone, and you will need to go out and buy or rent lenses to fit your needs. Lenses can range from $100 to $10,000 depending on the type, and you will most likely need a few different lenses.
Now having said that, a creative filmmaker can go and shoot a film with the Canon T2i ($700) and a kit lens that comes with the camera body and still have a product that surpasses most HD consumer brand cameras. It just takes a little practice and some know-how.
Put your footage together in any easy to use editing system and upload it to an online video community like YouTube or Vimeo, and who knows, Hollywood could be knocking at your door.
Don’t believe me? I’m sure the directors of the Oscar nominated films, Black Swan, and 127 Minutes who both used the Canon 5D and 7D to shoot some scenes, will tell you otherwise.
posted on Wed Feb 23rd, 2011 at 1:58 AM by Mike Rathfon
KAPLOPPP! KAPLUNNK!
Is that what the Rockville Bridge sounded like when it was constructed in 1900?
If you visit Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, you can find out for yourself when you build a sturdy bridge resembling the longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world located just above Harrisburg. When I say sturdy, I mean you can actually walk over your creation!
Along with “Build It” you can also “Fly It”, “Crank It”, “Find It”, “Cut It”, and “Spin It” at Whitaker Center’s newest exhibit Move It!
I went to Whitaker Center to see the exhibit myself and boy was I in for a shock. After learning how to build a bridge, I moseyed my way over to “Crank It” where I arranged foam gears on a wall and turned a crank to make the gears spin and set off bells and whistles. It was a lot of fun but even I admit it’s harder than it looks. Well, unless you’re ten-years-old apparently.
Interested in aviation? Other than going to Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) to satisfy your aviation needs, you could also “Fly It” at Whitaker Center. Build your own paper airplane and launch it using this mechanical device. It’s the one time where you can make the ultimate paper airplane and have it actually fly without getting sent to the principal’s office! I know many of you are secretly excited to do this…
Stay tuned for my other experiences or visit Whitaker Center to find out for yourself!
posted on Fri Feb 11th, 2011 at 9:03 AM by Mike Rathfon
Become a Mini Manufacturer and Engineer for the Day!
I recently had the fun opportunity to preview the Center’s newest long-term science gallery, Move It! The concepts are cool, rewarding, interactive and fun!
Somehow my paper airplanes always end up resembling a towering Chinese take-out box. This thought instantly attracted me to the Fly It exhibit inside Move It! Visitors learn how to make a variety of paper airplanes … the right way. To test yours and your plane’s ability, this exhibit also offers flying assistance in the form of a reel; launching the plane up and out. Very cool!
I think a lot of kids will preoccupy themselves at Race It. This competitive display allows you to choose from a variety of car body types and parts. Piece them together in a few simple steps and race the dueling cars down a ramp! Check out some footage of us testing the course below (Luckily there wasn't a crash and our camera survived the test):
For quick and interactive fun, try the Fun Factory. Test your talent at the assembly line method of bead manufacturing. Sort the beads by color, shovel them into the bin and watch them travel up the conveyor belt. Run around the corner, spin the drop wheel to release the beads, and head to the next wheel to dispense the beads back out. It’s simple, but I think kids will get a kick out of it.
The outskirts of Move It! highlight our regional Pennsylvania manufacturers. It probably never occurs to us when we are eating Snyder’s pretzels that they came from the factory found right in Hanover. Next on my agenda: celebrate Herr’s Foods, Inc. with a bag of their chips!
More to come, Jamie
Jamie is a Junior Communications major at Elizabethtown College.
posted on Tue Jan 25th, 2011 at 12:39 PM by Mike Rathfon
On the heels of the announcement of the Oscar nominations, we thought we’d release the film version of our 2010 Year In Review blog.
In 2010, the highest attended movie was Titanica, followed VERY closely by Hubble 3D. On the ‘Hollywood Blockbuster’ side, A Christmas Carolwas our best IMAX blockbuster, but since that spanned 2009-2010, Alice in Wonderland took the prize for best IMAX Hollywood film at Whitaker Center.
Alexis Dow Campbell Director of Creative Programming, The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and Patriot-News writer Inception I loved Inception - I love a story that kind of folds in on itself, and Inception certainly does that. Joseph Gordon-Leavitt has really grown up since "Third Rock from the Sun."
Susan Ewing Social Media Manager, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau The Social Network This film is fresh, well shot, fast paced, and keeps the audience’s attention from start to finish. I especially enjoyed some of the hard-hitting, cut-throat deposition scenes that left the audience daydreaming about what it would be like to respond to their adversaries in the same bold manner.
Nicole Newkam Public Relations Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Toy Story 3 A memorable family film that completely lives up to its prequels, if not tops them. The new characters are a hoot and the sweet storyline is not just for kids. Leave it to Pixar to deliver, yet another fantastic flick.
Becky Weaver Writer, PennLive.com Tangled This is a hard one, but perhaps I’ll go with the ONLY one I actually saw in the theatre during the entire calendar year. And that would be Tangled. Hubby and I took our daughter to see her first movie in the theatre a few weeks back, and I absolutely loved it! (She did, too.) Maximus, the horse, made the whole movie! Go check it out, if you haven’t already!
Mike Rathfon Advertising & E-Marketing Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts True Grit A well acted, shot, written, edited Western starring some of my favorite actors, and directed by my favorite set of director-brothers.
Jane Suter Writer, Central Penn Parent The King’s Speech If you haven’t seen it, rent it. … you’re welcome.
Nate Kresge & Sovanna Mam Owners, GK Visual We are split on best movie between Inception and True Grit.
posted on Mon Jan 17th, 2011 at 3:37 PM by Mike Rathfon
2010 marked a very busy year in our Science Center. We had Halloween and Holiday events, new exhibits and lots of other very cool things. In Feburary of 2010 our third permanent exhibit opened called Carnival of Health. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you stop by to check out our giant sneezing clown, see what you’ll look like in 50 years, or work off that popcorn you just ate up in IMAX.
On the temporary exhibition front, our Science Center’s biggest traveling exhibit draw in 2010 was the return of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. It provided guests the opportunity to explore over 100 artifacts from the ship. We had the honor of showcasing, for the first time anywhere, some amazingly well preserved pieces, too.
We asked our online experts what their favorite Science story of 2010 was and they had some very neat answers…
Susan Ewing Social Media Manager, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau I'm going with the development of a brain-machine where participants use thoughts to control an image displayed on machine’s interface. Neural interfaces are one of the most exciting emerging technologies because they enable an alternate communication channel linking directly the nervous system with man-made devices. This research could lead to assisting spinal cord injury victims to breathe and fully paralyzed patients to move prosthetic limbs and send signals via electrodes and a computer to other parts of their nervous system…think Iron Man. Becky Weaver Writer, PennLive.com It was confirmed in late 2010 that Voyager 1 has finally made it to the edge of the solar system! And to think that it was launched 33 years ago, when I was but a babe. The sheer size of our solar system is mind boggling - especially to those of us (um, me!) who have always secretly wanted to “make the jump to light speed” aboard the Millennium Falcon (official Voyager site).
Nicole Newkam Public Relations Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts As an enthusiastic recycler, I was happy to learn that being ‘eco-friendly’ dates all the way back to ancient Roman times. British archaeologists found evidence of widespread recycling, after analyzing 1700-year-old samples of Roman glassware from 19 sites in the U.K. The proof was via their glass-making processes, leading scientists to conclude that the Romans mixed and melted pieces from a variety of sources, like modern recyclers do. Who knew ancient Romans were so green?!
Mike Rathfon Advertising & E-Marketing Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Though I did pretty well in 7th Grade health class, I still get confused with where everything’s laid out under my skin. Leave it to Google to present this info in a very easy to understand, interactive format (Google Maps the Human Body). Plus, the fact that it shows off some new web technologies makes it cool to see what capabilities may be coming to web sites in the near future.
Alexis Dow Campbell Director of Creative Programming, The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and Patriot-News writer The Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland started whirling ions around and didn't create the Black Hole That Ends the World. So maybe 2012 won't be so scary after all. The year, not the movie. Because the movie was pretty terrible.
Nate Kresge & Sovanna Mam Owners, GK Visual We are going with the discovery by scientists that introducing a magnetic field to the human brain can alter one's sense of morality.
Jane Suter Writer, Central Penn Parent I love nothing better than a good old fashioned mystery, so when the news broke that remains were found on Nikumaroro Island that could be those of Amelia Earhart, and her navigator Fred Noonan, I was hooked! We may find out soon, through DNA testing, the fate of this beloved aviatrix.
posted on Tue Jan 11th, 2011 at 9:59 AM by Mike Rathfon
12 days ago, 2010 officially came to an end. It was a really fun year here at Whitaker Center. We had a show that featured 5 pianos on stage at the same time (The 5 Browns), a movie about falling into a rabbit hole (Alice in Wonderland), and a new exhibit where the object of the game is to do nothing (Carnival of Health’s Mind Ball), among others. Since 2010 was such a blast, we thought we’d share with you our highest attending concert, film and science exhibit (since your attendance had a hand in doing so). And because we really rolled out our blog in 2010, we thought it would be neat to ask some local online heavyweights for their take on their favorite album, film, and science news of 2010. This post’s focus is on music.
Our top selling act for the year was Garrison Keillor as he sold out the Forum in February. Keillor takes the prize on a technicality though. Bret Michaels also sold out the Forum in November, but because Mr. Keillor doesn’t need giant speakers (that potentially obstruct the audience), he was able to sell more seats. We were ecstatic to have both of these high-profile acts. Mike Van Jura Rock and Roll promoter, Greenbelt Events Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More This album got the most play in my car, on my iPod and in-between sets at The Abbey Bar this year. Something about this record just hit the right frequency with me (and seemingly thousands of other music fans). They came almost out of nowhere and blasted onto the scene with a vengeance. Sold out shows led to venue upgrades which also sold out...This record reminds me of a Dave Matthews meets Frightened Rabbit meets The Low Anthem and I simply cannot get enough of it.
Susan Ewing Social Media Manager, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau John Legend and The Roots – Wake Up! Hip-hop Grammy Award winners The Roots in tandem with R&B singer John Legend shaped this album amid Barack Obama’s presidential campaign of 2008, a time of rising political awareness and empowerment in the African-American community. The album draws on socially conscious music with sounds of ‘60s and ‘70s soul, and my favorite – gospel. This album is sure to “move the spirit” of its listeners!
Becky Weaver Writer, PennLive.com Taio Cruz for One– Rokstarr My pick for album of the year.. Simple. Reason. My kids LOVE Dynamite! What respectable elementary-schooler doesn’t?!? It has to be the Feel Good Song of the Year! Watching my kids sin¬g and dance to it just plain makes me smile
Nicole Newkam Public Relations Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Bret Michaels – Custom Built As a BMB and Poison fan, I have to admit Bret’s new album is pretty good. Custom Built features a nice mix of his 80s rock roots, along with catchy modern tracks. You gotta give the bandanna rocker credit for putting out a Billboard Chart Topper after all these years. And not to mention, Bret and his band sound as good, if not even better, live!
Mike Rathfon Advertising & E-Marketing Manager, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Caribou – Swim My choice could have gone a lot of ways – Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor is a great, raucous album with a cool theme. The new Deerhunter, LCD Soundsystem, Spoon, The National, Abe Vigoda, and Arcade Fire are great albums that get repeat plays in my iPod, but I really can’t get enough of Caribou’s Swim. It sets a tone from the first note that carries throughout the last song. Plus, it’s shorter than most albums, so it’s easy to listen to it 3-4 times in a row without noticing.
Alexis Dow Campbell Director of Creative Programming, The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and Patriot-News writer Cee-Lo – The Ladykiller I cannot get enough of this one - CeeLo's like this weird mad scientist of soul that completely captivates me. I love every track, but my favorite has GOT to be his triumphant cover of one of my favorite songs, No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses. Nate Kresge & Sovanna Mam Owners, GK Visual Arcade Fire – The Suburbs "For best album I'm (Nate) taking executive license and saying Arcade Fire's The Suburbs. Sovanna would have fought me harder on this one had Gaga put an album out in 2010.”
posted on Fri Dec 10th, 2010 at 9:57 AM by Mike Rathfon
If you’ve recently spent any time at a movie theater or kept up with entertainment news, you’ve probably noticed that the Harry Potter hype is being overtaken by something much more bright and tech-savvy. TRON: Legacy has been on the radar of comic-con geeks and ‘80s movie fans, since the inception of the idea in 2007. With the public release of trailers and conceptual designs in late 2009, a much wider fan base has grown. TRON: Legacy is the follow up to 1982’s original release, which was the first movie to be produced by a major film studio, containing a storyline rooted in computer graphics. With the sequel premiering on December 17 (in full frame IMAX® 3D!), TRON fans can expect a visually amazing cinematic experience, featuring a distinct glow-in-the-dark digital landscape, never-before-seen dual 3D technology, laser-aligned digital sound, and a baffling field of view. Oh, and for those that have seen the original, you would be remiss to not eat your heart out over the gnarly new Lightcycle.
I don’t pretend to fully understand how exactly the filmmakers do it, but whatever it is ─ it’s simply mind-blowing! If you’re one of those people who want to see how the magic happened, here’s what you’re looking for:
Joseph Kosinki, the director, explains some of the ways the design team’s concepts came to life. With everyone from architects to Lamborghini designers, it’s no wonder why the end product is an artistic masterpiece. Read the interview at Fast Company's site here.
The following video is a must-see for sound design gurus. Between motorcycles, lasers, and semi-robotic humans, TRON’s digital sound helped create its captivating and original world.
If you’re a design geek like me, you’ll definitely find this article cool. The costumes in TRON are a huge part of the plot as well as the visuals. Learning how everything was created is incredible. Click here to read about some of the history of their costumes.
I have to admit, although I am excited to see the movie, there is one thing I am more excited about ─ the soundtrack. Since it was first announced that TRON: Legacy would be produced, everyone paying attention agreed that only one music group could do it justice. And lucky for all of us, the filmmakers agreed. Daft Punk is without a doubt the reigning royalty of electronica and the TRON soundtrack may become their best-known masterpiece yet. The band just released a video for the first song, Derezzed, and it rocks.
Don’t be fooled by the fakes all over YouTube — the real video has opening scenes from the new movie, but mostly pays homage to the original, with only a glimpse at one of TRON: Legacy’s stars. Check it out for yourself:
posted on Wed Dec 1st, 2010 at 3:30 PM by Mike Rathfon
For most artists and bands, the ultimate short-term goal is usually getting into some sort of studio and recording an album. While the costs and other barriers to recording that album are relatively low, there are still some very real costs involved. Those costs might involve studio time, paying an engineer and musicians, or just purchasing the equipment needed for a solid home recording.
Like most independent musicians you probably haven’t been blessed with a hefty trust fund, and therefore live your life on a shoestring budget, getting by from show to show. Plus, you might even have a day job (or two) to help make ends meet. Sound familiar? Read on. You’ve probably already gone back to your parents and other relatives time and time again, so what sorts of creative methods are there for funding a recording (or any other project, for that matter)?
Sometimes your best bet is to go to your best source; your most loyal fans. They already have a vested interest in your music, and by allowing them to purchase your recording BEFORE you even record it, they are, in a way, investing in your album. While this concept isn’t entirely new, there are now a number of online, social platforms give you the tools you need to do this in very effective and creative ways.
Perhaps the most popular platform is Kickstarter. You set a goal and then spread the word to your fans, who can then help spread the word even further. The key to this is setting up various levels of giving with incremental rewards. For instance, the lowest level of giving (perhaps $5 or $10) might merely come with the promise of an advance download of the finished product. Increased amounts of giving could have rewards like multiple copies of the album, autographed copies, getting their name in the liner notes, an extended version of the disc, a copy of the original artwork, or perhaps even a t-shirt. And to entice much higher levels of giving, you can really kick it up a notch with the promise of a private house concert or something of similar value.
And there’s really no limit to your creativity. For instance, Lancaster’s Kim Goss recently completed a campaign to record her first solo CD with some rather interesting rewards, from a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies or a song written and recorded just for you, to an in-home concert complete with dinner. Baking and meals may not be your thing, but feel free to be creative. Offer a car wash or some other incentive or service.
When it comes to funding your project, Kickstarter might be the most well-known, but it isn’t your only option.
One of these is PledgeMusic, which is very similar in structure to Kickstarter, with an added twist: in addition to raising money for your project, PledgeMusic gives you the chance to highlight your favorite charity and raise money for them at the same time.
The beauty of this sort of “crowdfunding” is that it gets your fans involved throughout the process, rather than just asking them to buy your CD once it is completed. And it’s a very “social” process, with integration of Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms to help you publicize your project. Your most loyal fans will help spread the word and will feel as if they are collaborators in the project. It’s a great way of building true community with your music at the center.
- Ken Ken Mueller is the owner of Inkling Media, a Lancaster, PA based Inbound and Social Media Marketing firm. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter. He has more than 30 years of media experience and often works with bands and musicians to help them “get found” online.
posted on Tue Nov 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 PM by Mike Rathfon
The holiday season is one of the toughest times to figure out just how to spend your hard-earned money. At the Weaver Homestead, we try to calculate how we’ll get the biggest “bang for our buck”... like everybody else these days, right? Well, Whitaker Center is helping families to do just that! Whitaker Center’s annual holiday display will be opening this weekend, and it is definitely worth the price of admission. FREE with paid admission to the Science Center, it makes a holiday visit to Whitaker Center a no-brainer! My kids and I were lucky enough to visit for a sneak peek! Someone has to try out everything and test the “ooh-and-ahh-worthiness” for the good of the general public! And just wait until you hear what we found...
This year’s display includes 14 theme trees including some old favorites, such as a Thomas the Tank Engine Tree, and new ones, such as the Colonial Williamsburg Tree. Each one is more gorgeous than the next! I have to be honest, though. What the kids really loved was the multitude of toy trains whizzing around each of the trees. The double tracks and fun tunnels at the Thomas Tree had my kids literally squealing with delight! Later, they giggled themselves silly trying to “say hello to the passengers” as a larger train went whizzing around another tree.
Of course, the kids were also quite eager to try out the KidSteam Locomotives. Talk about fun! They hopped right in and began to “bicycle” themselves around the track, laughing and grinning the whole way! After an incredibly fun afternoon, the “professional testers” agree that Whitaker Center’s Holiday display should be on everyone’s Must See list this year!
We certainly enjoyed kicking off our holiday fun at Whitaker Center and intend to follow up with some of our family holiday traditions that we think also provide big “bang for our buck.” So if you’re looking for new ideas this year, here are some the Weaver Family is happy to share! We highly recommend McCurdy’s Tree Farm in Dillsburg and the Christmas Cabin at Paulus’ Farm Market in Mechanicsburg. Both provide terrific family fun at a very reasonable price. Check out their websites for details.
Happy Holidays,
Becky
Becky Weaver is a music teacher turned stay-at-home mom who resides on the West Shore with her family - a music teacher husband and two kids (ages 6 ½ and 4 ½). Check out her mommy blog on Pennlive, where she writes about her daily experiences and conversations with her children, documenting everything from the sentimental to the sarcastic.
posted on Fri Nov 19th, 2010 at 11:24 AM by Mike Rathfon
Festive Holiday Fun is Here!
There is no better time of year to get creative than the holidays! I love making EVERYTHING ─ from snacks and gifts, to out-of-the-box decorations, you bet it is all on my to-do list. Here are a few favorites of mine to mix up your holiday season and maybe start some new family traditions.
First on my list is always treats. They make awesome gifts with a little wrapping expertise (if they last that long) and are cheap with basic ingredients.
My absolute favorite is chocolate pretzels. These babies are delicious, gorgeous, and really fun to make. All you need is a bag of long thick pretzel rods, a few bags of chocolate melting disks (via the candy aisle of your grocery store/craft store), and a whole bunch of sprinkles, crushed nuts, mashed up candy canes, and whatever other kind of mini toppings you can think of. Put all of your toppings and chocolates in separate bowls, and throw the chocolates in the microwave for a few minutes until they are fully melted and saucy. Then carefully dip, dunk, and cover your pretzels however you like and quickly sprinkle the toppings on before the chocolate dries! Chocolate pretzels require a little bit of supervision when the chocolate has been just melted, but aside from that they are easy and fun for all ages.
After eating, the best part of the holidays is decorating. The first is a craft that I actually learned as a camp counselor and then re-vamped for the holidays—ice cube candles. For a how-to-guide, click here. With supervision and some patience, I promise the kids will love this craft!
The other thing that I am obsessed with this year is paper snowflakes! I know, everyone thinks these are overrated and boring, but I have them hanging from the ceiling all the way up my staircase and it looks gorgeous. For new and festive ways to create these delicate works of art, check this out (disregard the dramatic music):
Happy holidays, decorating & eating,
Ali Ali is a Professional Writing major at York College of Pennsylvania. She will graduate in May 2011.
posted on Wed Nov 3rd, 2010 at 3:49 PM by Mike Rathfon
I recently had the awesome opportunity to see the new IMAX movie Bears. I’ve always found bears really awe-inspiring and interesting, and after getting glimpses of some in the wild this past summer during my trip to Yellowstone National Park (photos to the right are from my trip), I was excited to see some close-ups and learn more about furry friends.
What it comes down to is basically that I don’t know how anyone could not enjoy this movie. I sat entirely enthralled through the whole thing—slightly intimidated by the giant grizzlies taking up the entire screen with their rolling muscles, heart wanting to burst at the little black cubs trying to climb a tree for the first time, and just laughing at loud at the screen as momma bear went on an accidental sled ride down a snowy hill. The videography was absolutely amazing, and with the giant screen you feel like you could stick a hand out and bury it in some deep thick fur. I really think there is something to be said for seeing something so amazing in its natural habitat, be it on screen or not, so to me this was better than any trip to the zoo.
Aside from the great visuals, what I really appreciated about Bears was the information it provided. The producers didn’t make it so fact-filled that it distracted from just enjoying it, but they also managed to contribute a lot of information that a viewer might want to know when they become interested in the lives of these amazing creatures. I have seen too many nature-oriented movies or shows that resort to shock value of sad or gory scenes to push viewers to feel as if they need to take action on behalf of the animals. Bears avoided this completely while still giving enough information for viewers to learn about the threats to the worlds different populations of bears. They truly focused on what makes bears amazing and why we should care about them, rather than what mistakes we have made. It was appropriately educational for everyone at any age.
Bears was a great experience for me. It made me want to head home, make some hot chocolate, and snuggle up with a teddy bear. Grab your family and do the same!
Ali Ali is a Professional Writing major at York College of Pennsylvania. She will graduate in May 2011.
posted on Tue Oct 26th, 2010 at 8:14 AM by Mike Rathfon
This is the second in an occasional series of blog posts called "The Changing Face of the Music Industry." The focus of these posts is dealing with the changing face of the music industry, particularly in terms of how musicians, listeners, and others use and interact with the Internet.
The audio recording process has become so much more affordable, and now nearly anyone can produce a pretty darn good album, providing of course, that they have actual musical talent.
While audio is the stock and trade of the musician, video can also be an incredibly powerful tool. There are 7-gazillion bands out there trying to get found. They want to be heard. They want to play local clubs, Whitaker Center, and of course…100,000 seat stadiums. But the only way to do that is to make a name for yourself. One way to engage your fans, and perhaps create new ones, is through the use of video.
Consider: YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, behind Google. People are spending a lot of time on YouTube. They are watching 2 billion videos a day and uploading hundreds of thousands of videos daily. In fact, every minute, 24 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube.
You know what it’s like: you go to YouTube to watch a video that someone shared on Facebook or Twitter, and when it’s done, you find another video that you like…and another. And YouTube isn’t the only video portal, but it’s the most powerful. Another great place to upload videos is Vimeo.
But what kind of videos? Certainly a music video as seen on MTV (do they still even play music videos??) can be quite expensive to shoot. But there are a lot of different types of video as well.
First is the vlog, or video blog. And with cameras like Flip Mino HD, you can create Internet worthy videos to put on your site that can be distributed socially, and shared among fans and their friends. A vlog could be anything from you talking about your music, footage from on the road of a tour, behind the scenes/in-studio footage, to just…general life as it happens. The beauty of this is that it makes you more human and more accessible. You’re not just a pretty face with fashionable clothing and a good voice. Your fans get to see you when you’re not performing.
Here’s an example from my friend Hiram Ring, of Lancaster (with some great advice on how a touring musician can eat well on the road on a tight budget!)
Another example of this from Central PA’s Kingsfoil, shows how you can use a vlog as a promotional tool:
Posting footage from your studio recording sessions is also great way to keep your fans satisfied as they anticipate your next record, as well as help build that anticipation.
Then of course you can post footage from live shows. Fans are very forgiving if the video isn’t DVD quality. Here’s a good example from Pittsburgh’s Joy Ike:
The more creative you are, the better chance you have of that video going viral. Recently the band Atomic Tom had their instruments stolen, but turned a negative into a positive as they caught lightning in a bottle with this video (which accrued more than 2.5 million views in just two weeks’ time):
I would bet that most of those 2.5 million viewers had never even heard of the band prior to this video. Creativity can certainly pay off.
And then of course, there are bands like OK Go. They are good pop band with very catchy music. But they’ve made a name for themselves through some incredibly creative music videos, increasing their fan base exponentially. Here’s their latest viral success story:
The cost of recording a music video doesn’t even have to be prohibitive. There are plenty of talented local film companies that are capable of shooting a quality video for you, no matter where you are. Here’s an example from Lancaster based Meteor Tower Films, with a video for Central PA hardcore band Texas in July:
Or look for opportunities to showcase your talents on local web-video channels. Here in Central PA one example is Folktowne from area musician Steven Courtney. He often brings bands into his home-studio for performance and interviews, such as this video from Slimfit:
One more thing: you don’t have to be the sole source of all of your video. Social Media is about engaging your fans and having a two way conversation. I’ve seen plenty of bands reach out to their fans via Facebook, asking them to submit video footage that they have shot at concerts using cell phone cameras. Any time you encourage your fans to get involved, they love it. They are eager to be a part of your community, and may even post photos and video on your pages without being asked. Encourage this. An engaged community is a happy community. Recently the band Woven Hand used their Facebook Page and blog to ask fans to submit “the best video out there,” and then let the fans vote.
And don’t forget: if you ever appear on any sort of television, get a copy of the video and post it for your fans. They’ll be happy to share that great moment with you.
Have you started using video, and if so how? I’d love to hear your ideas regarding the creative use of video.
- Ken
Ken Mueller is the owner of Inkling Media, a Lancaster, PA based Inbound and Social Media Marketing firm. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter. He has more than 30 years of media experience and often works with bands and musicians to help them “get found” online.
posted on Wed Oct 6th, 2010 at 12:56 PM by Mike Rathfon
This is the first in an occasional series of blog posts dealing with the changing face of the music industry, particularly in terms of how musicians, listeners, and others use and interact with the Internet.
If you’re an independent musician, it is both the best of times, and the worst of times.
It’s the best of times because the barriers of becoming a self-sustaining touring and recording artist are much lower than ever before. Technological advances have made the recording process more affordable than ever. A big record deal and time in a high-tech recording studio are not as important as they once were. Computers and software packages make it possible to record a pretty darn good album in the confines of your bedroom.
And music distribution is also a lot easier. All you have to do is upload your music and offer it for sale in any number of configurations, from downloads to physical CDs. If you actually decide to press physical CDs, the process is cheaper now, than ever before.
With the Internet, you are no longer confined to your immediate geographic region. Fans can now be found anywhere the Internet exists. Social networks and alike, allow you tap into the relational and viral nature of the web, in hopes that digital word-of-mouth will get you noticed.
The playing field has been leveled. No longer must you, while away in the obscurity of your garage, hope for a chance to play in front of the right person at the right time, just to get that chance of stardom.
And yet, while you have the ability to record great music at a less of an expense price, those same things that make it the best of times ─ also make it the worst of times. Just head on over to iTunes or MySpace (you remember where that is, don’t you?) and start surfing through pages for random bands and artists. There are millions of artists to choose from…and they certainly can’t all be good!
So while it’s easier for you to record and distribute your music (and book shows), the odds are stacked against you in a different way. Every Johnny and Mary down the street is starting a band in their garage. They are recording their music in the basement, and releasing it on their own “indie label”. The waters are muddied and for every really good band you find online, there are thousands of others that are…um…worse than mediocre. How many of us are willing to sift through them all to separate the wheat from the chaff?
So it becomes important to do more than just make good music. You need to find ways to stand out from the crowd and get heard. In my next few posts I’ll be exploring some of the unique and exciting tools and methods that musicians, famous or not so famous, can use to get the word out about their music.
Ken Mueller is the owner of Inkling Media, a Lancaster, PA based Inbound and Social Media Marketing firm. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter. He has more than 30 years of media experience and often works with bands and musicians to help them “get found” online.
posted on Fri Oct 1st, 2010 at 11:59 AM by Mike Rathfon
Teachers amaze me. I honestly have no idea how they hang in there, every day, trying to get 20+ children to sit quietly and focus. They must have other-worldly powers. So I crashed the Educators’ Open House at Whitaker Center, hoping I could learn the Jedi mind-control technique they use to subdue their classes. But, instead of Star Wars training, I found something else.
Turns out, the teachers in attendance were there to preview the latest, enhanced learning opportunities for their students. You see, Whitaker Center has, like, a gazillion different labs and hands-on experiences for our schools to choose from. And, as I found out, these class trips they offer are genius-making adventures!
From Pre-K all the way through Senior High, students can learn about science, technology, engineering, astronomy, anatomy, math and more. And, it’s all designed to be crazy-fun and thoroughly interactive. Let me give you some examples:
Let’s say your high-school age child thinks she wants to pursue a career in the medical field. Then say hello to Surgery Live! Students can not only watch a real, live operation, but they can also talk to the surgeon while he’s performing it! The class sees everything the Doctor sees. Plus, they can hold and explore the instruments used in the procedure. Incredible, right?!
Have a budding paleontologist? Then check out Dinosaur Discoveries. Students in 1st through 2nd grades can excavate, document and recreate their favorite terrible lizards.
Want to blow something up? Third through fifth graders can mix up wild potions in Chemistry Concoctions. OK, so they don’t really let them explode anything, but it’s still a blast!
In Operation Outbreak, classes work to solve the mystery of a contagious disease eruption. Can they find the path of transmission? Will they be able to stop the disease from spreading before it becomes a pandemic? I sure hope so.
Now, that’s just a taste of the dozens of incredibly interesting experiences for classes to sign up for. (Kinda’ makes you want to go back to school, doesn’t it?)
As I left the Open House, I felt really lucky to have such amazing educators going that extra mile to turn our children into brilliant learners. I also felt spoiled knowing Whitaker Center offers such outstanding class trips. And even though I didn’t pick up any Yoda moves, I did see the IMAX 3D Hubble movie. Let me tell you, THAT was out of this world!
P.S. October 29th -31st is Spooktacular Science! Your kids can make their own slime, create a bio-luminescent haze, mix up glowing liquids, play with “boo bubbles” and do tons of other mad-scientist activities. It’s open to the public and included with your admission to the Science Center. It’s a “must-see” for Halloween!
posted on Thu Aug 19th, 2010 at 2:23 PM by Mike Rathfon
Wednesday, August 18 was my last day as a Marketing intern at Whitaker Center. Over the past three months, I’ve had a wonderful time learning various aspects of marketing communications.
Before I leave, I wanted to share my top three Whitaker Center experiences:
While on assignment, Graphic Design intern Amanda and I got a little carried away inside Carnival of Healthand Forces of Nature. From racing each other on tiny (and I mean tiny!) tricycles at the All-American Calorie Race ─ to getting our hair blown like crazy in the Hurricane Chamber ─ I felt like a little kid again!
I loved the opportunity to research and discover all the talented new performers coming to the Center. It’s amazing how many gifted artists there are that I haven’t heard of before. My new favorites are Spoon and Brandi Carlile; both coming this fall. I recently added some of their great songs to my ipod!
And last but certainly not least, going through the Titanic exhibit by myself for the very first time, is a moment I won’t forget. It was a chilling experience, especially seeing the living quarters of Third-Class passengers. As claustrophobic as I am, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what they experienced. Since I’ve gone through the exhibit numerous times, I still notice something different and fascinating each time.
It’s been such a quick but exciting summer thanks to all the great people at Whitaker Center! Now I’m off to my senior year at West Chester University.
posted on Thu Jul 29th, 2010 at 8:39 AM by Mike Rathfon
Yesterday, I took my kids (ages 5 and 7) to the Science Center at Whitaker Center. Talk about a crazy, fun time! It was three levels of kid heaven and a paradise for me; this place would wear them out for sure.
They nearly lost their minds when I told them they could touch absolutely everything; and touch they did. Giant bubbles were made, a tornado was grabbed and they dug in the sand. They climbed rock walls, rode bicycles and built structures to destroy in an earthquake. It was mad-scientist bliss. At one point, I had to bribe my youngest son with bubble gum, just so we could go to the bathroom. Thank goodness I did, because level three was spectacular!
To be honest, I had as much fun as they did. I aged myself on some crazy machine to 70 years old, and now have that horrifying image burned into my brain. I also moved a ball with my mind, which, was seriously, the coolest thing -- EVER. Too bad it doesn’t work without the strap on your head; I tried.
With shouts of, “Mom … Mom … look at THIS!” shouted at me the entire day, I was assured my boys loved this place. Who knew science could be so exciting? The next time we come here (yes, I promised) I’ll be sure to wear sneakers and allot more time. My kids did not want to leave.
Click here to see my son in a hurricane and more from our trip to Whitaker Center.
P.S. I also visited the Titanic exhibit. I should have done this alone, because I couldn’t enjoy it while yelling at my boys, “Don’t touch anything!” every five seconds. The best part of Titanic was this HUGE iceberg they had frozen in the middle of the exhibition. We were encouraged to touch it; to feel the temperature of the icy waters on that fateful night. It really brought it home for me. Oh, and they hand you a boarding pass at the beginning of the display with an actual passenger’s name and biography on it. At the end, you can look up this name, to see if you survived. I did … whew!
Other places I love:
Dutch wonderland – Young kids can ride EVERY ride in this beautiful, clean amusement park. FYI: The water play area is a blast! Hershey’s Chocolate World – Take a FREE ride on the chocolate factory tour and get a sweet treat at the end. Adventure Sports – Go carts, mini-golf and a kid’s game room make this family-friendly place a day of fun!
posted on Thu Jul 15th, 2010 at 4:08 PM by Mike Rathfon
While the Titanic exhibit and IMAX movie certainly captured the emotion and horror of the events that took place aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912 – I found myself most enthralled by the unimaginable logistics of creating the IMAX film and the technical details of this massive ship that was at its time considered to be a man-made wonder of the world.
The size and scale of the Titanic dwarfed all other ships of its day, while today’s largest super tanker "Jahre Viking” is almost twice as long as the Titanic and would probably weigh more than 12 times the Titanic when both were filled.
But in 1912, nothing came close to this massive ship that boasted over 50,000 lbs of horsepower, was 11 stories high, and stretched the length of two and a half football fields. It was powered by 29 boilers, 159 coal steamers and eight-foot high pistons - the largest ever built. In fact the ship had 4 smoke stacks although only 3 were functional as the rear most funnel was added to make Titanic look even more impressive.
For those treasure hunter romantics, it’s fascinating to imagine the Titanic left 5,000 tons of unused coal that powered those massive steam engines on the ocean floor along with the rest of its treasures, passenger belongings, and ornate decor. Each site of dishes, banisters, and even the starboard front rail had me imagining what it must have looked like for those first passengers. No wonder the first class tickets cost $150 for its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. A first class berth would have cost nearly 4-8 months pay for the skilled workers who built the ship. Today’s price would be $3,000.
At the time it was launched, headlines touted the Titanic to be the “largest object built by human hands.” This is why the 65-foot-high, 80-foot-wide IMAX screen at Whitaker Center was the ultimate way to experience the film that captured not only the enormity of the vessel, but really helped to immerse the audience in the heart-wrenching and heroic stories of the passengers and crew just as James Cameron’s original film did in 1997. (See Associated Press - Titanic an Early Favorite at 70th Academy Awards.)
Even the logistics and challenges of shooting the IMAX film captured my wonder and amazement. The film host, a Russian oceanographer, and his crew had to take the world’s longest decent over 16 hours to the Titanic’s remains for this film. I felt the claustrophobia creeping over me as filmmakers descended in a mini-submarine beyond 1,000 feet below the water where the sunlight vanishes. Then to realize the crew still had another 11,500 feet to go through pitch darkness in ocean water that was below freezing. I was thankful someone was willing to do it – as I surely would never.
At this depth, the movies narrator stated that there was approximately 6,000 pounds of pressure per square inch on their mini-submarine – enough pressure for one jet spray from the sub to cut a human body in half!
The movie visuals and story were astonishing. Recording such an extraordinary event in history to film was a huge accomplishment. Our future generations will now be able to look back upon what caused this unimaginable disaster and hopefully learn from the human errors* that led to the 2nd worst ship wreck of its time – and still considered the 5th worst in modern history.
Human Errors that Caused the Disaster/Deaths:
Titanic was designed to hold 32 lifeboats, though only 20 were on board; White Star management was concerned that too many boats would sully the aesthetic beauty of the ship.
Lifeboat #7 was the first to be launched at 12:45 AM (65 minutes after hitting the iceberg.) It carried only 27 people yet was rated to hold 65.
A ship, the SS Californian, was close to the stricken Titanic and might have rescued everyone. However its sole wireless operator, Cyril Evans, went to bed 10 minutes before Titanic struck the iceberg and did not receive the distress message.
Notes of Interest:
Director James Cameron, who directed the biggest grossing movie of all time, Avatar, announced a remake of Titanic in 3D (Cameron confirms Titanic 3D). The movie will not be released until 2012, marking the 100th Anniversary of the ship that “was built so strong, it was virtually unsinkable.”
The Titanic sank just 450 miles from its final destination in New York City.
The Titanic was rediscovered in 1985 by an expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel (Ifremer) and Dr. Robert Ballard (Woods Hole).
RMS stands for Royal Mail Steamer
The Titanic was never christened. It was not the practice of the White Star Line to hold such ceremonies. However, modern lore says the ship was cursed because when it was christened the bottle did not break.
One of the last songs the band reportedly played before their death was, "Songe d'Automne" (not "Nearer Thy God To Thee" as seen in the movies.)
Cost of a ticket (one way)
First Class (parlor suite) £870/$4,350 ($83,200 today)
First Class (berth) £30/$150 ($2975 today)
Second Class £12/$60 ($1200 today)
Third Class £3 to £8/$40 ($298 to $793 today)
In 1912, skilled shipyard workers who built Titanic earned £2 ($10) per week. Unskilled workers earned £1 or less per week. A single First Class berth would have cost these workers 4 to 8 months wages.
posted on Thu Jul 15th, 2010 at 3:45 PM by Mike Rathfon
I recently explored Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Whitaker Center and found myself completely immersed in the tale of the ship’s tragic maiden voyage in 1912 and the personal stories of its passengers and crew.
The story begins with each guest receiving a unique boarding pass profiling a real passenger aboard the Titanic. My passenger was George Hocking, a 22 year-old 2nd class passenger from Ohio, who was helping his family immigrate to America. I would not know the fate of my passenger until it was revealed at the end… and neither will you.
As the exhibit details the events surrounding the Titanic striking the catastrophic iceberg and sinking over a 3 hour period, the deeper I was drawn into the pending fate of my Mr. Hocking. As this massive vessel was sinking quickly into the deep Atlantic without enough life rafts to hold all of the passengers, it becomes quickly apparent that not everyone could be saved. This New York Times article details the acts of chivalrous men who sacrificed their lives for those of women and children.
My most emotionally charged moment during the exhibit was the iceberg replica that allows visitors to feel the bone chilling coldness of the Atlantic Ocean that awaited those unfortunate souls who were plunged into the sea that night. After touching the iceberg for mere seconds, I vividly imagined the terror those passengers like my Mr. Hockings must have felt as they floated hopelessly in the pitch darkness among the sheer chaos in the middle of the sea.
The overall experience is very hard to summarize succinctly as the exhibit taps such a range of empathy and emotion. I felt the fear and panic of when passengers and crew realized the ship was sinking. I felt sympathy for those who lost loved ones in the wreck. And I felt deep sadness for the 1,517 passengers who perished aboard this “unsinkable ship” on April 15, 1912 -- like my Mr. Hocking.
But the most powerful emotion throughout the exhibit for me had to be a renewed sense of hope and conviction in our human nature to do the right thing in the face of a great challenge – like those who put their lives on the line to help their 706 fellow passengers – men, women, and children - who survived one of the 5th worst shipwrecks in history*.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is on display until September 5.
Points of interest include:
One now famous name that may have been among those who perished on the Titanic in 1912 was Mr. Milton S. Hershey, who along with his wife “Kitty” had purchased tickets to be on this historic voyage. If not for urgent business matters that required them to return early, I wondered what this region, now famous for his chocolate creations, would be like today had they been aboard that fateful journey.
My favorite display of the 250+ artifacts was the Au Gratin dishes that were stacked in a ship cupboard and once the wooden cabinet rotted away over time the dishes remained stacked in a row, like dominos (shown above).
*In 1912 the Titanic was considered the 2nd most deadly ship wreck in history (and still the 5th in modern history) behind the Sultana - the Mississippi River steamboat that sank April 27, 1865 near Memphis, Tennessee when one of the ship’s four boilers exploded killing an estimated 1,800 of the 2,400 passengers.
Zach Chizar Public Relations Intern Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau (HHRVB) www.HersheyHarrisburg.org
The 
Canon has a number of HDSLR cameras that range in price from about $700 to as high $5,000 depending on sensor size and certain functionalities. The sticking point for most people is that the cost is usually for the camera body alone, and you will need to go out and buy or rent lenses to fit your needs. Lenses can range from $100 to $10,000 depending on the type, and you will most likely need a few different lenses.
If you visit Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, you can find out for yourself when you build a sturdy bridge resembling the longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world located just above Harrisburg. When I say sturdy, I mean you can actually walk over your creation!
Becky Weaver
2010 marked a very busy year in our Science Center. We had Halloween and 
Becky Weaver
Alexis Dow Campbell
12 days ago, 2010 officially came to an end. It was a really fun year here at Whitaker Center. We had a show that featured 5 pianos on stage at the same time (
Susan Ewing
TRON: Legacy is the follow up to 1982’s original release, which was the first movie to be produced by a major film studio, containing a storyline rooted in computer graphics. With the sequel premiering on December 17 (in full frame IMAX® 3D!), TRON fans can expect a visually amazing cinematic experience, featuring a distinct glow-in-the-dark digital landscape, never-before-seen dual 3D technology, laser-aligned digital sound, and a baffling field of view. Oh, and for those that have seen the original, you would be remiss to not eat your heart out over the gnarly new Lightcycle.
PledgeMusic
The holiday season is one of the toughest times to figure out just how to spend your hard-earned money. At the Weaver Homestead, we try to calculate how we’ll get the biggest “bang for our buck”... like everybody else these days, right? Well, Whitaker Center is helping families to do just that! Whitaker Center’s annual holiday display will be opening this weekend, and it is definitely worth the price of admission. FREE with paid admission to the Science Center, it makes a holiday visit to Whitaker Center a no-brainer! My kids and I were lucky enough to visit for a sneak peek! Someone has to try out everything and test the “ooh-and-ahh-worthiness” for the good of the general public! And just wait until you hear what we found... 
We certainly enjoyed kicking off our holiday fun at Whitaker Center and intend to follow up with some of our family holiday traditions that we think also provide big “bang for our buck.” So if you’re looking for new ideas this year, here are some the Weaver Family is happy to share! We highly recommend 
My absolute favorite is chocolate pretzels. These babies are delicious, gorgeous, and really fun to make. All you need is a bag of long thick pretzel rods, a few bags of chocolate melting disks (via the candy aisle of your grocery store/craft store), and a whole bunch of sprinkles, crushed nuts, mashed up candy canes, and whatever other kind of mini toppings you can think of. Put all of your toppings and chocolates in separate bowls, and throw the chocolates in the microwave for a few minutes until they are fully melted and saucy. Then carefully dip, dunk, and cover your pretzels however you like and quickly sprinkle the toppings on before the chocolate dries! Chocolate pretzels require a little bit of supervision when the chocolate has been just melted, but aside from that they are easy and fun for all ages. 
After eating, the best part of the holidays is decorating. The first is a craft that I actually learned as a camp counselor and then re-vamped for the holidays—ice cube candles. For a how-to-guide, 
I recently had the awesome opportunity to see the new IMAX movie Bears. I’ve always found bears really awe-inspiring and interesting, and after getting glimpses of some in the wild this past summer during my trip to 
Aside from the great visuals, what I really appreciated about Bears was the information it provided. The producers didn’t make it so fact-filled that it distracted from just enjoying it, but they also managed to contribute a lot of information that a viewer might want to know when they become interested in the lives of these amazing creatures. I have seen too many nature-oriented movies or shows that resort to shock value of sad or gory scenes to push viewers to feel as if they need to take action on behalf of the animals. Bears avoided this completely while still giving enough information for viewers to learn about the threats to the worlds different populations of bears. They truly focused on what makes bears amazing and why we should care about them, rather than what mistakes we have made. It was appropriately educational for everyone at any age. 
Yesterday, I took my kids (ages 5 and 7) to the Science Center at Whitaker Center. Talk about a crazy, fun time! It was three levels of kid heaven and a paradise for me; this place would wear them out for sure.
But in 1912, nothing came close to this massive ship that boasted over 50,000 lbs of horsepower, was 11 stories high, and stretched the length of two and a half football fields. It was powered by 29 boilers, 159 coal steamers and eight-foot high pistons - the largest ever built. In fact the ship had 4 smoke stacks although only 3 were functional as the rear most funnel was added to make Titanic look even more impressive.
As the exhibit details the events surrounding the Titanic striking the catastrophic iceberg and sinking over a 3 hour period, the deeper I was drawn into the pending fate of my Mr. Hocking. As this massive vessel was sinking quickly into the deep Atlantic without enough life rafts to hold all of the passengers, it becomes quickly apparent that not everyone could be saved. 
