#Disney News Updates and a couple awesome causes

This week's Disney Updates is in two parts, both for awesome causes though so make sure you read the whole thing.

~Part I~
So, following the release of Chimpanzee, how special is it that Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, will be serving as the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Tournament of Roses festivities, a symbol of nature and beauty, New Year's Day in 2013. She'll be riding in the 124th Rose Parade® and then toss the coin before the 99th Rose Bowl Game®. The theme will be ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ and according to Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby, can be interpreted as a celebration of accomplishment, discovery and travel of course, and its call to action.

The 124th Rose Parade is presented by Honda and will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at 8 a.m. (PST). After the parade, the 99th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO starts at 2:10 p.m. and feature an exciting match-up between two of the top college football teams in the nation.

Some initiatives the Tournament of Roses is developing or continuing in 2012 include:
-developing greener strategies for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game and identify organizations to partner with and create sponsored recycling and greening efforts.
-Work in collaboration with Rose Parade participants to pursue alternative power sources in order to help reduce emissions.
-In collaboration with the City of Pasadena, enhance recycling efforts and diversion of waste material at Tournament of Roses-sponsored events.
-Provide Rose Parade band participants with reusable water bottles at the end of the Parade route.
-Provide event participants and attendees with recycling tips for their visit to Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

Find further greening strategies online at Tournament of Roses.
Visit Dr. Jane Goodall and find out more about Jane Goodall Institute, including Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots.

~Part II~
First time children’s book author Nick Dazé, is in the final 63 hours of fund raising to independently publish his children's book "Roger Nix President at Age Six". Interesting title, right?

Synopsis:

The story is about kindergartener Roger Nix, an ordinary boy: Roger loves kindergarten, playing make-believe, and hanging out with his imaginary friends (a baby donkey named Jack and a baby elephant named Abe). But when he learns about the plans of Old Man Plee, a perennial presidential candidate, to shut down schools and send kids to work in factories as an austerity measure; Roger decides to run against Old Man Plee as a defender of “school and summer vacation, learning and imagination”. Of course Abe and Jack are there to help him every step of the way.

Need a quick break from your work today, take a look at this cute exerpt:

Roger stood up quickly. He had something to say
With a wink from Jack and a trunks-up from Abe.
“I’ll run against him,” Roger said with a shout.
“I’ll run for president, have you no doubt!

To close school would be nothing short of a crime
You can't fool all us kids, not all of the time."

He stood on his desk and they all watched and wondered
As Roger kept talking, his voice boomed and thundered.
“We’ll beat him and keep all the schools as they are
Or make them way better. We’ll shoot for the stars!
We go to school so one day we'll go far,
Not because it is easy–because it is hard!

We are KIDS! The whole point is to learn and have fun
And to use our wee noggins...

THIS RACE HAS BEGUN!"

Amusing right? And I love the rhyming. Anyways, Nick Daze has already raised nearly $22,000 through his Kickstarter campaign and only needs $8,000 more. Everything is already prepared for the book, they just need the money to get it published. They even offer an incentive for your pledge. Each $30 pledge comes with a first edition hardcover copy of the book, delivered this fall. Give him some help and get a new book while you're at it.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

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                                                         Until next time,