Universal Studios: A Universal Place to Play

I had the opportunity to go to Universal Studios for the first time a few weeks ago and it was an amazing experience. Universal Studios is for all ages, and there is so much to do. You have to make sure you arrive there early to get the full experience.
The Studio Tour was a highlight and a must do. When I heard studio tour, I thought it would be a boring ride through the studio, but actually it was a amzing ride. You have to be prepared for a bit of a wait; like a 45 min wait. If you don't want to wait you can always purchase "the front of the line pass", which provides you with a one admission plus access to all rides and attractions, reserved seating to all shows and behind the scences access to attractions such as Water World.The tour is an hour; they take you around the studio and tell you interesting facts about the studios. For instance the Desperate Housewives homes were also used in several other movies and TV shows. And it’s funny how, what you see on the lot, looks totally different on the screen. For instance for those who are movie buffs and watched the Back to the Future series remember the clock tower. Which also have been in several movies and TV shows as well, most notably Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt.  Close to the end of the tour of  you enter the King Kong in 360 3D experience, created by Peter Jackson; and   is the world largest 3D experience in the world. You basically feel like you’re caught in the jungle amidst a huge fight going on between King Kong and a dinosaur

 

Another attraction we went too was the WaterWorld stage show. Note if you like the excitement of getting wet, you should sit in the front rows if not stay as close to the top as you can. The WaterWorld show was great. A little light on the scripted side but on a whole a great action packed show with guns, bombs and stunts.

With other attractions such as Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park, Terminator, House of Horrors, The Simpson Ride, The Adventure of Curious George and The Blue Brothers you have plenty to choose from.

After a day of adventure you might want to go to the City Walk to wind down eat and have drinks with some friends. There are restaurants such as Hollywood Rock, Wolfgang Puck’s Bistro, Johnny Rockets restaurant and sports bar, and so many others to choose from to satisfy whatever you have the appetite for. At the City walk you can also shop, and go to the movies.

Universal Studio is a universal experience for all who come no matter  your age sex or adventure appetite.

So if you haven’t been get some friends and make a date to go.

For more information go http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

Down Low Report for October 26th

This is your Wednsday October 26 2011 wrap up!

President Obama wants to give cash-strapped students and graduates a break on their college loans. The White House says the moves will help some seven and a half million students lower their payments and consolidate loans. The average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public college’s have risen by more than 8 percent compared to a year ago. Young voters were an important tool in Obama's 2008 Campaign,and Occupy Wall Street protesters have expressed concern about student loan debt. Outside of mortgages,student loans are the number one source of household debt.    Speaking of Occupply Wall Street. More than 100 people were arrested last night in Occupy Oakland and 53 including a state sentor were arrested in Atlanta.  The total number of arrests are between 1, 500 and 2,000 since September.

From arrest to bailouts.There are talks of a global banking lobby group to negotiate on behalf of private investors to have a new offer to Eurozone governments to help reduce Greece’s debt.

 Going from Greece to Turkey. Two teachers and a university student  were pulled out of the rubble after Sundays 7.2 earthquake in Turkey. More than 460 people are reported dead.

A former patient of Dr. Conrad Murray says Murray treated him for a heart attack 11 years ago and  he is caring and not motivated by money. Murray has pleaded not guily to involuntary manslaughter. Five character witnesses will be called today

A corener says Amy Winehouse  died by "misadventure" of drinking way too much alcohol. Winehouse had fought drug and alcohol abuse for years and was found dead in bed at her London home on July 23 at age 27.                                           There are Hollywood Icon Barbies, tattoo Barbies and royal Barbie-like dolls, the one thing they have in common is the tiny wait.So what aboutplus size barbies? Daily Venus Diva did some research and found that yes there a few plus size barbies to be had. There are a lot of thin celebs walking around, but 33.8 percent of adults and 17 percent of kids and teens in the US are obese. Do you think this society needs a plus size Barbie?

The normally red Coca Cola cans will be turning white during the holiday season to call attention to the protect the polar bear and their habitats campaign. The company is giving 2 million dollars to the World Wildlife Fund to support its work on polar bear protection.

 In the wide world of sports:

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is schedule to stand trial on misdemeanor charges accusing him of threatening two homeowner association security guards in October 2010, outside his Las Vegas home. Mayweather could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine if the judge finds him guilty.

 From boxing to football 37 year old Terrell Ownens has overcame his knee injuryand is ready to play his 16^th year of football. Only problem is there is no takers at the moment. Owens has played for five NFL teams  and caught 72 passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cicinnati Bangals.The six time pro bowler said he wasn’t bothered by the fact NFL scouts didn’t come to watch him work out.

And President Obama wants candy to be given away on Halloween.  Obama poked at his wife on "the Jay Leno" show  last night  and how she likes to promote  healthy nutrition and fight against childhood obesity by handing by handing out fresh fruit and raisins to treat'o'treaters. He said he told her, that the White House is going to get egged if this keeps up you need to throw some candy in there.

Balling Abroad

It is now day 103 of the NBA lockout. The NBA season usually begins in October but owners and players have failed to see eye to eye on a new labor agreement. The NBA on Tuesday cancelled the rest of its exhibition schedule and is on the brink of scrapping the first two weeks of the regular season which is suppose to start November 1st. The league locked out players on July 1st after the expiration of the old collective bargaining agreement. After losing $300 million last season the league is seeking big changes, owners want a new salary cap structure and are seeking to reduce the players' guarantee of basketball revenue from 57 percent, to perhaps 50 percent or below.

As the lockout continues to drag on, it seems that the NBA owners have opened a pandora's box and now NBA players', rookies and veterans are looking at their options. Either stay home and relax or go overseas.

Kobe Bryant, who is the NBA's most notable player said that he's considering playing overseas. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar told the Associated Press on the side lines of a youth basketball clinic in Singapore, that he didn't know if there will be a 2011-2012 season and hasn't ruled out playing abroad. The italian team, Vitrus Bologna wants to sign Bryant during the lockout if they can solve their scheduling problems. The $3 million, 10 game contract hinges on other clubs changing their schedule to ensure Bologna has five home games during the period.

There are around 30 teams in the NBA with about 360-450 players who play in the league in any given year; 105 of them are interested in playing abroad. And now there are 58 NBA players committed to player overseas.



Tony Parker

There are several contract options for players who didn't want to wait on the lockout talks. Some high level players have a opt out deal. Others have signed one or multiply season contracts such as Wilson Chandler, J.R Smith, Kenyon Martin; all Denver players and all signed to go to China. San Antonio Spurs', Tony Parker just signed to a team in Villeurbanne, France. New Jersey Nets All-Star Deron Williams and Sasha Vujacic signed to teams in Turkey. Leandro Barbosa from the Toronto Raptors is going to France with an opt out deal. Nicolas Batum from the Trailblazers is going to France and Jordan Farmar from the New Jersey Nets is going to Israel.

The question is, how does this affect overseas basketball?

When I spoke to overseas ball player, Angelo Tsagarakis who plays for Bourg-en-Bresse in France. He said, "the lockout will help people look at the Euro League as a viable basketball option". The lockout has open up possibilies for players to think beyond the NBA.

With the exodus of NBA players going overseas, what happenes to the players already playing overseas? Well they have to become better or move out of the way. Even if the NBA lockout were to end tomorrow, 30 out of the 57 players are in one or mulitple year contrracts with no opt out deals. And for NBA and graduating college players who thought the NBA was the end all of basketball, they might see Europe or China as another option.



Angelo Tsagarakis (R)



True NBA fans love basketball at any level and will watch and read about quality play anywhere in the world. The league owners overseas will gain more profit through tickets and merchadise sales; by having NBA players playing for them during the lockout and if the season is cancelled.

Where does that leave the NBA owners?

Well they just lost a few good players because of greed and possibly stared awhole new basketball outlet.

 

 

 http://soundcloud.com/torkwase-trinidad/balling-abroad

  

Monte De Oro: Vine, Wine and People

The fairly new Monte de Oro Winery is tucked away in Temecula’s wine country and is already steeped in tradition and awards. A group of 68 families from across American, South Africa and the United Kingdom came together with a passion for wine and the principle “Vine, Wine, People”, and founded “One Great Blend” OGB in 2002.

In 2007, the 68 family members broke ground on an 18 acre site for developing Monte de Oro and it was completed in 2009. Monte De Oro provides a splendid backdrop of mountain ranges and a great view of the Temecula’s wine country  that reminds of the “old” country with a 21st century feel. This winery is also the perfect place for weddings, birthday parties or corporate events.

The main goal of the facility is “to educate and teach about wine and have you come and try new things”, Director of Hospitality, Amber Nelms says.  And in fact you will get an education in wine tasting.  In the tasting room, Monte De Oro has experts telling you about the wines and how it’s made. You have 12 great wines with a mix between tart and sweet to choose from. What makes Monte de Oro stand apart from other wineries is the number of awards they have received for different wines in the last few years. The 2006 Synergy 65 is the 2011 San Diego International Wine Competition gold medal winner and 2011 California State Fair silver winner. Synergy 65 is named after the number of owners of the winery and is a red blend and a fan favorite; with a light and soft taste that produces a velvety and smooth finish. The 2007 Cabernet Franc is also a gold medalist in the 2011 California State Fair, and Riverside International Competition; it’s a dry wine with a deep plum color.  If you are looking for a sweet wine try the 2010 Muscat Canelli which is smooth crisp wine with a taste of honey, fresh white peach, nectarine, apricots and pear. If you prefer something that’s not to dry or too sweet then try the 2009 award winning Viognier. It has a light, honey color and tastes of pear, honeydew and tropical citrus. Monte De Oro also has a wine club for those wanting to take their wine tasting to the next level.

If you want something great to eat to go along with your wine, then the Monte De Oro Bistro is the place to go. They have meals such as the Turkey Panini and the Chicken Lettuce Wrap that will satisfy your taste buds.

Another great thing about this winery is that it’s a green facility.

And just when you thought there is nothing else to do at Monte De Oro, they supply you with great events such as the 2^nd Annual Rocky Horror Halloween Bash on Oct 22.

So if you’re looking for something different to do on the weekend and want to experience the great outdoors with class the Monte de Oro winery is the place.

Monte De Oro Winery

http://www.montedeoro.com/

35820 Rancho California Road

Temecula, CA 92591

Phone: 951-491-6551

Email:info@montedeoro.com

Hours of Operation: 10am to 5:00pm, Monday through Sunday