About Twentieth Century Fox Home EntertainmentTwentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

 About Operation Homefront Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors. A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with a national presence and has met more than 590,000 needs since 2002. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to support service members and their families. For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit www.OperationHomefront.net.

 About Relativity Media Relativity Media is a next-generation studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale film and television production and distribution, the co-financing of major studio film slates, music publishing, sports management and digital media. Additionally, the company makes strategic partnerships with, and investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets.

 As many of you know there was a huge fire in Bastrop Texas not too far from where I live. I could see the smoke from my home. The smoke billowed over my parents house and it as a terrifying moment I will not soon forget. However there were 100’s of people who were directly effected and 2 lives were lost.

TPWD Historic Sites Receives Grant to Study Effects of Bastrop State Park Fire National Park Service Awards $25,000 to Examine Damage to Historic CCC Structures

AUSTIN, TX – As one of only 11 recipients nationwide, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Historic Sites branch was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Park Service to study the effects of the Bastrop fire on Bastrop State Park’s historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corp.

Despite that almost all of the park’s CCC-built structures, which date back to the 1930s, survived the worst fire in Texas history, the lethal flames and smoke came within feet of these invaluable buildings and may still have caused long-term or even unforeseen damage—hence the reason for the evaluative study.

“With the recent wildfires, I’ve learned to appreciate these historic structures even more,” said State Parks Regional Director Todd McClanahan, who was also the Bastrop State Park Complex Superintendent at the time of the fire last Labor Day. “Knowing just how close we came to losing these buildings forever forces me to admire their beauty with a different perspective. They are so much more than historic buildings, they are historic treasures.”

In addition to TPWD staff, Fran Gale, who teaches in the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Texas School of Architecture and is director of the UT Architectural Conservation Lab, and Casey Gallagher, who is a graduate of the UT program and is now an independent conservator, will help administer the program study.

Results from this research are expected to serve as an application model nationwide for other historic structures and cultural resources facing potential wildfire damage. For more information, contact Angela Reed, CCC Initiative Coordinator for TPWD, at (512) 389-8818.

Photo Cutline: TPWD Historic Sites Branch received a $25,000 grant from the National Park Service to study the effects of the Bastrop fire on historic structures, such as this pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s inside Bastrop State Park, which was damaged during last year’s wildfire. Results from this study are expected to serve as data that can be applied to other historic structues impacted by wildfires nationwide.

Hailed as “a crime twist worthy of Hitchcock and dialogue worthy of the Coen Brothers” (Screen Daily), Thin Ice arrives on Blu-ray and DVD June 12 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  Starring Oscar®-nominee Greg Kinnear (As Good AS It Gets, Little Miss Sunshine), Academy Award winner® Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine), Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Jesus’ Son) and Lea Thompson (Back To The Future), this intriguing caper premiered to critical praise at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

Mickey Prohaska (Kinnear) is a small-time insurance agent looking for a way to jump-start his business, reunite with his estranged wife (Thompson) and escape the frigid Wisconsin weather. This self-proclaimed master of spin believes that salesmanship is about selling a story — all he needs is a sucker willing to buy it.  He hits pay dirt with a lonely retired farmer (Arkin) who is sitting on something much bigger than an insurance commission.  But Mickey’s attempt to con the old man spins out of control when a nosy, unstable locksmith (Crudup) with a volatile temper dramatically ups the stakes, trapping him in a spiral of danger, deceit and double-crossing.

The Thin Ice Blu-ray and DVD offers three bonus features including a behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and a look at the Sundance premiere.  The Blu-ray will feature both the theatrical and Director’s cuts of the film.   Prebook is May 16.

Thin Ice Blu-rayand DVD Special Features
·      Behind-The-Scenes of Thin Ice
·      Deleted Scenes
·      Sundance Premiere Featurette

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

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Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Sunday, May 13, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Private Reception

Eva’s Heroes was co-founded by actress Eva Longoria so it is only natural to commemorate the end of her show “ABC’s Desperate Housewives” with a San Antonio extravaganza.  The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 13 at the Palladium Theater in San Antonio. The upscale celebration includes a Red Carpet, fine cuisine, and silent and live auctions.  After which everyone will enjoy watching the Desperate Housewives finale in a theater setting. Join us for this worthwhile extravaganza!

$75 General Admission
$100 VIP Tickets

Reservations Are Very Limited
Get tickets here!!!

Santikos Palladium IMAX Theatre
17703 W IH-10

Cocktails & Hors D’ Oeuvres
– Provided by San Antonio Celebrity Chefs
Silent & Live Auction
Celebrity Red Carpet

Followed by complimentary big screen viewing of the Desperate Housewives series finale

All proceeds will go toward scholarships for Eva’s Heroes Summer Enrichment Program that is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with intellectual special needs.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evas-Heroes/80075284462

http://www.evasheroes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165&Itemid=170

Eva’s Heroes was co-founded by actress Eva Longoria and Christiane Perkins-Garcia.

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 9, 2012 – Following its debut in 1993, Saban’s iconic live-action pop culture series, Power Rangers quickly became the most watched children’s television program in North America. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, responsibility and helping others by following the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morphed” into superheroes, this long-running series has been seen in more than 60 countries, translated into numerous languages, and remains a mainstay in children’s programming blocks. For 19 years, the highly entertaining saga and fan favorite characters from Power Rangers have captivated children and adults alike and are beloved by legions of fans worldwide.

Now you can return to where the phenomenon began and re-live these thrill-packed adventures when Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Saban Brands, unleashes a cornucopia of home entertainment offerings, many of which have never been released on DVD, from the original series Power Rangers. Through unprecedented access to Saban Brands’ vast archive of content, many of these DVD collections produced by Shout! Factory boast extensive bonus materials and collectible packaging, making them must-haves for loyal fans and collectors.

The first multi-disc set to be released will be the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season One, Volume One 3-Dvd set, which will arrive in stores and will be available through select digital entertainment platforms on August 21, 2012. Marking the DVD debut of the original Power Rangers series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season One, Volume One features the first 30 original episodes from the first season and delivers over 10 hours of high-energy, family friendly entertainment. Poised to attract a new audience of kids as well as young adults who grew up with this popular series, this 3-DVD set is priced to own at a suggested retail price of $19.93. Pre-order is now available at Amazon.com and ShoutFactory.com.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season One, Volume Two 3-DVD set is slated to arrive on store shelves Fall 2012. Featuring the subsequent 30 original episodes, this DVD set continues more action-packed adventures of five teens, who quickly learn the full impact and awesome responsibility of their new powers and weapons. The evil villain, Rita Repulsa and her henchmen prove to be very worthy adversaries for the young super heroes, and they are challenged at every turn.

In an effort to provide avid collectors with an exclusive first-to-own experience, fans will have the first opportunity to collect upcoming box sets through a Time Life direct-response television and online campaign. Shout! Factory has teamed up with Time Life to make Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season One 6-DVD set and the 40-DVD collection of Power Rangers: Seasons One – Seven directly available to fans starting July 30, 2012 through Time Life’s direct-response on-air TV campaign, as well as online.

The Power Rangers: Seasons One –Seven 40-DVD collection will include:

All 145 original episodes from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Seasons One, Two and Three, plus the ten-episode series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Alien Rangers. It then continues on with Power Rangers: Seasons Four – Seven, featuring all of the original 183 episodes spanning the seasons entitled Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers In Space and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. In-depth bonus content includes: a retrospective featurette on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers phenomenon, brand-new interviews with members of the cast and the creative team and much more! 

As excitement builds for these anticipated home entertainment releases, Shout! Factory, Saban Brands, and Time Life will announce additional news and activities for fans in the upcoming months. Meanwhile, fans will have the opportunity to learn more about upcoming collections by following us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/powerrangers) and Twitter (@shoutfactory). Join the excitement and relive the action on DVDs!

About Saban Brands

Formed in 2010 as a subsidiary of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company’s experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands.  SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages.  The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions.  SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing and finance. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY^®-nominated box sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

Extended Edition
Debuts on DVD + Digital Copy – August 7, 2012

BURBANK, Calif. May 4, 2012 – The energetic and music-driven Disney Channel Original Movie “Let It Shine: Extended Edition” featuring an exclusive extended music scene arrives as a 1-Disc DVD (DVD + Digital Copy on the same disc) on August 7, 2012. Set in the world of hip-hop, rap and gospel music, the uplifting modern day story inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac stars Tyler James Williams, Coco Jones, Trevor Jackson, Brandon Mychal Smith, Nicole Sullivan, Dawnn Lewis, Alex Desert and Courtney B. Vance.

  “Let It Shine” will premiere Friday, June 15 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

 Celebrating family and friendship, the story unfolds in Atlanta, Georgia, as Cyrus DeBarge (Tyler James Williams) and his best friend Kris McDuffy (Trevor Jackson) reunite with their childhood friend, teenage singing sensation Roxanne “Roxie” Andrews (Coco Jones), whose music label is sponsoring a songwriting contest at a teen club. Cyrus, who writesmusic under the name “Truth,” crafts a heartfelt and contest-winning rhyme about Roxie but to his dismay, his work is mistakenly attributed to Kris. Lacking the confidence to step forward, Cyrus stands by while Kris not only takes credit for the lyrics, but ultimately begins to win Roxie’s heart too. Now, it’s up to the true poet to overcome self-doubt, seize the opportunity to reveal his authentic self, and pursue his dreams. At the same time, Cyrus must convince his preacher father (Courtney B. Vance) that hip-hop music can convey a positive message.

 Available only on the “Let It Shine: Extended Edition” DVD is the exclusive extended scene featuring Cyrus in his first-ever rap battle of the rhymes against his nemesis, Bling, to establish which performer is the more talented verse master. The truth is in the music!

 The 12-song “Let It Shine” soundtrack, from Walt Disney Records releasing on June 12^th features tracks by songwriters Antonina Armato, David Banner, Andy Dodd, In-Q, J-Doe, Toby Gad, Adam Hicks, Tim James, Steven Jones, Jay L’Oreal, Justin Mobley, Tocarra Phillips, Lindy  Robbins, Thomas Armato Sturges, Dapo Torimiro, Anya Vasilenko, Jon Vella, Lambert “Stereo” Waldrip and Adam Watts.

 “Let It Shine” is directed by two-time DGA award winner Paul Hoen (“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” “JONAS”), written by Eric Daniel and Don D. Scott (“Barbershop,” “Barbershop 2: Back in Business”) and choreographed by Danny Teeson (“American Idol”) and associate Brandon Shaw (“So You Think You Can Dance,” NAACP Image Awards). A production of G Wave Productions, LLC., the movie was shot on location in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia.

Available at all participating Greater Austin Area McDonalds restaurants, McDonald’s new McCafe Cherry Berry Chiller is made to order with 100 percent fruit juice with natural flavors that combine the sweetness of cherries and raspberries in a refreshing, sippable icy blend.  The McCafe Cherry Berry Chiller is available all day at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide through September 3, while supplies last. At suggested retail prices of $1.69 (small, 12 oz.), $1.99 (medium, 16 oz.) and $2.29 (large, 22 oz.), new Cherry Berry Chiller is a convenient and affordable way to refresh, relax and “chill” this summer. Cherry Berry Chiller is the latest new beverage to join the McCafe menu, which features a variety of delicious offerings including McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies and McCafe espresso drinks such as Frappes, Lattes and Mochas, Brewed Iced Coffees and Premium Roast Coffee. McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade has also returned for a limited time this summer. The Cherry Berry Chiller adds yet another refreshing option to the McCafé Real Fruit Smoothie line, joining Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry flavors. For more information on McCafé Cherry Berry Chiller, nutritional information, and the entire Real Fruit Smoothie line, visit www.mcdonalds.com.

It’s all about choices—so to learn more about McDonald’s nutritional information, please visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/nutrition_choices.html.

About The Meat House

In 2003, after many years of success in the restaurant industry, lifelong friends Justin Rosberg and Jason Parent founded The Meat House – opening their first store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The partners’ aim was to revive the art of the neighborhood butcher – and the superior level of personalized service and satisfaction of by-gone days. Their focus was on high quality products, community involvement and unparalleled customer service.

The Meat House offers everything you need to prepare a complete gourmet meal that your family and friends will rave about. We offer a wide selection of expertly butchered premium beef, poultry, veal, lamb, pork and exotics along with fine cheeses, fresh produce, day boat seafood*, hearty breads, prepared side dishes, Boar’s Head Deli products, specialty beers*, delectable desserts and other gourmet grocery items. We also carry over 200 varieties of wines from around the world, which are hand selected by The Meat House’s Certified Wine Educator.*

As a result of our continued efforts, The Meat House has received numerous community and critics’ choice awards. For the past 4 years, The Meat House was voted Best Butcher Shop by the readers of New Hampshire Magazine and has been the recipient of GMK Marketing Survey’s “Best of the Best” Award. The Meat House now operates a family of 29 gourmet butcher shop locations across the United States is planning on opening many more within the next year. Our mission is to provide genuine hospitality to every customer, in every store, every day!

To learn more about The Meat House or to shop online, visit www.TheMeatHouse.com.

*Available at select locations.

Review

For my review I visisted The Meat House located in Austin, Westlake on Bee Cave Road. It was really easy to find. If you look it up on Google you can see it in the street view.Which helped a bunch because I am not familliar with this area of Austin.

As soon as we walked in we were greeted. The staff there was really nice and ever so helpful. We just wondered around trying to soak up every thing. When that say “The Meat House has everything a “Foodie” could ever want!” they are so incredibly right. It was overwhelming, exciting and so educational. We were able to sample locally made popcorn, chips and salsa, marinated meat sampling, pasta and more. It really stimulated all your senses. One of which I did not like so much, lol the hot sauce was a bit too hot for me. One of the staff came up and gave me a free bottle of water. That was really kind! Keep in mind, they had no idea who I was other than the woman tries things and asks questions later. 

The Meat House has every food you could imagine, and not just meat! Cheese, wine, hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, sausage, gourmet popcorn, sweets (including pie from Texas Pie Company, I love them), fresh veggies and so much more. They has a lot of local food and drink there and I really loved that. I buy local and think it is great that they support other businesses in the Austin and surrounding areas!

Visiting The Meat House was a great experience. I will for sure be returning in the very near future!

One thing I want to point out is they have many items that are vacuum sealed so that you can run in, grab what you need. Throw it in the ice-chest and not worry about any mess at all!

The Meat House on Facebook 

The Meat House on Twitter 

The Meat House Blog 

The Meat House on Youtube 

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary gift card to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

 I was excited and overwhelmed when I was contacted to interview actress and singer Lisa Hartman Black. I have never interviewed any one before. One of my friends April told me “Just remember that she’s a person, the same as you. She’s probably nervous before every interview too! :)” She was so right! Mrs. Black could not have been nicer. I am just sad it was such a short interview.

Interview

CTM: I think it is great that you, your husband and daughter could work together in this movie, did that work well?

 Lisa Hartman Black: It did. You know, the studio really developed it for Clint (Black). He was in the second Flicka. Every one really loved the character Toby. I can’t blame them. They created Flicka: Country Pride for him. Then they offered the role to me. Then our daughter asked if there were any kids parts in it. We said yes so she learned the script and had a screen test and got the role. It ended up really being the Flicka 3, we all called it the Flicka 3, we were the Flicka 3. It all just ended up working out beautifually. Like it was ment to be. We all had a great time. Our daughter’s school was very supportive. We had a teacher on location that was brilliant. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

CTM: Sounds like a dream situation for a mom. Being able to work with your whole family.

Lisa Hartman Black: It was, it was really great!

CTM: Your character was a mom of a teenage daughter. Could you relate to your character Lisa?

Lisa Hartman Black: Absolutely! You know, I have played a lot of mom’s and now that I am one in real life it just deepens every thing. Reading the script I was crying through the whole thing. However emotionally loaded I was was, it from life experiences. Loving Kelly (Kacey Rohl ) was very easy. She is a very lovable young woman in real life. So, that made it even better. You never know who you are going to be working with. She was just lovely in every way.  

CTM: This movie has some really great messages for kids and famies in general. What is the one message you hope they get from watching Flicka: Country Pride?

Lisa Hartman Black: You know, there are so many, I think staying true to who you are. This young girl loses her dad, it’s unimaginable. But she came back around and stayed true to her self. And got back on the horse and got back into her life.

Flicka: Country Pride

From the pages of Mary O’Hara’s popular novel My Friend Flicka, the year’s most inspiring coming of age story arrives just in time for Mother’s Day when Flicka: Country Pride gallops on to Blu-ray and DVD May 1 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  Directed by Michael Damian (Flicka 2, Marley & Me: The Puppy Years), Flicka: Country Pride stars country music superstar Clint Black (Flicka 2), Lisa Hartman Black (“Knots Landing”) and Kacey Rohl (“The Killing”).

When Toby (Black) takes on a job at a stable with Flicka in tow, the owner’s teenage daughter Kelly (Rohl), quickly bonds with the wild horse. A budding equestrian rider, she hopes to break Flicka for an upcoming competition, despite her mother’s (Hartman Black) disapproval. With the competition approaching, a rival trainer stealing business, and a growing fear they may be forced to sell the stable, Toby steps in to turn things around for Kelly and her mother. 

Lisa Hartman Black – Bio

Lisa Hartman Black made television history as the only prime-time TV character to be killed off one season and brought back by popular demand to the same series as somebody else—on “Knots Landing.”

Hailing from Houston, Texas, her first series was “Tabitha,” a spin-off from “Bewitched,” which she followed up with the mini-series Valley of the Dolls, then moving on to “Knots Landing.”

After “Knots Landing,” she brought her acting prowess and high TVQ to a formidable array of network movies-of-the-week and mini-series, starring in The Operation, Roses Are For The Rich, Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues with James Brolin, Not of This World, Fire! Trapped on the 37th Floor, The Return of Elliott Ness, 2000 Malibu Road for producer Aaron Spelling, Without A Kiss Goodbye, The Search for Grace, Someone Else’s Child, Judith Krantz’s Dazzle, Have You Seen My Son, and, with her husband Clint Black, Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack, on which she played the wife of rodeo champion Jack Ponder and was also executive producer.

She took time off to give birth to a daughter, Lily Pearl, in 2001, and then returned to acting, starring in Back To You and Me for Hallmark. Nowadays she can sometimes be seen on tour with her husband performing their Grammy-winning duet “When I Said I Do” and the duet “You Still Get To Me.” She is based in Nashville and Los Angeles.

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza, is the original coal fired pizza restaurant in Austin.  It is located in the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave.  I was really surprised that is was actually really easy to and find. We just entered it in to gps and it led us the way. Parking was not an issue for us either. Although we went on a Sunday night.

When we entered, it almost looked like a really upscale club, but  kid friendly. The greeter was really nice. She asked if we wanted downstairs, upstairs or outside. They have a really nice outside area with tables and shade. We opted for upstairs.

The waitress we had was amazing. We ordered a Mama Mia Pizza, Lemon & Herb Wings, Baked Mozzarella & Chicken Parmesan. I would say aside from the great service, the view was amazing. From upstairs we could watch down below as they made our food. We watched the guys toss the pizza in the air that was really cool. The kids loved watching. My youngest said that is what she wants to do when she grows up lol.

We were really happy to see appetizers when they came out. There was plenty for the 4 of us. The wings came with blue cheese but I requested ranch. The ranch was great with the wings. We decided to all share the  Mama Mia Pizza and Chicken Parmesan. Every thing was really good. I am not a huge pizza eater and I liked this pizza. Then we could not avoid but ordering desert. We got the Lava Cake but not with the berries on it. That was AMAZING! It was so good. We were fighting for the last bite. I actually wished I did not have to share it.

We had a great time at Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza. We will for sure be back! And I also want to tell our wonderful waitress thank you. Thank you for dealing with us lol and for the 4 chocolate milk refills.

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza Website
Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza on Facebook
Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza on Twitter

12800 Hill Country Drive, Bee Cave, TX
(512) 263-3473

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary gift card to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

In February I was contacted by Chevrolet; they offered me the opportunity to borrow one of their 2012 vehicles for Spring Break. In addition, they offered to send my family and me to Sea World, San Antonio. This was a really exciting opportunity.

Our trip started early in the morning. We used the amazing OnStar system in the 2012 Equinox to tell us how to get to Sea World, San Antonio. This was the first time I had ever used the OnStar system. It was really cool. All you do is push the OnStar call button and someone talks to you over the car’s sound system. You tell them you want directions and they automatically download the navigation information to your car’s GPS. It’s that simple.

What I really liked about the navigation system in the 2012 Equinox was that you could listen to the radio and when the navigation system needed to tell you something, the volume of the radio would go down on its own. This has always been an issue with other navigation systems we have used. A lot of the time if you are talking or listening to the radio you would miss details.

Getting to Sea World, San Antonio was a breeze. We got there about 10am and parking was not an issue. We opted to pay for regular parking ($10) as opposed to the closer parking that costs more.

When we walked up to Sea World, San Antonio ticket book I was a bit in shock. There were probably over 200 people waiting in line. They did have a bit of shade, but it was a pretty hot day. We were in line to get our tickets for an hour and a half. By then it was getting hotter and the kids were annoyed.

The first thing we did was find a drink. If you buy the huge cup for $12 you can get 99 cent refills.  Which is a pretty good deal, considering.Then we got to stand in the security line. This line moved faster, however, my husband forgot to remove his pocketknife when we left the house and Sea World confiscated it. My husband was really mad about that. Yes, I know, you are going to ask why he had it. It honestly was a mistake. He is so used to having it in his pocket that he just did not even think about it. It was a really nice knife that was a gift from my father, so I am sure there is a Security Guard enjoying it now.

I was honored when I was contacted at the beginning of February by Chevrolet, offering me the opportunity to borrow one of their 2012 vehicles for Spring Break. A whole 7 days in a brand new Chevrolet! They provided me a list of vehicles and I did a  lot of research to select the one I thought would work the best for my family, an Equinox. To be honest, before Chevrolet contacted me, I had not heard of the Equinox, but I was thrilled when it arrived. WOW!

First of all, it’s pretty. Yes, I said pretty. It’s an appealing vehicle. Trust me, there are cars out there that I think are ugly. It has a sleek design and the tented windows are a great bonus which I compared by going in this car and then my husband’s car–which does not have tented windows–and could tell a huge difference in the interior temperature! The Chevrolet Equinox was much cooler inside.

The inside was even more amazing. The sterio / navigation area was by far the best I have ever seen in a car. It also came with XM Radio and OnStar. To be honest, the XM Radio was confusing and I would need more time to figure out all the stations than the 7 days I had the car, but the OnStar was so amazing (I will talk more about that later).  You can also control some of these functions from the steering wheel itself which is great. It allows you to change stations or songs without removing your hands from the wheel.