Bride Plans to Marry Her Bicycle

After 15 years together, Lisa Nelson has decided to marry Steel Spokes, her beloved bicycle. The next day, the Spokes shall depart on a six-month bicycle touring honeymoon. On March 2, 2014, the unusual couple will tie the knot in Pacifica, just South of San Francisco. The Hawaiian themed affair will have the bridesmaids dressed in hula attire, complete with a flower girl, and a ring-bearing pooch (also appropriately dressed). The wedding party and assorted guests will be on bicycle. The entourage plans to cycle along the ocean to the old Pacifica Courthouse for the marriage ceremony. A festive luau reception shall follow.

All right, so why is this gal marrying her bicycle? The bride states, “This is an attempt to accomplish a variety of ambitious goals from a bicycle that lead to ever bigger dreams.” She says that her ultimate dream is to create the "Semester on Cycle" university program, and this is the first phase of turning that dream into a reality. By moving her life to her bicycle, she hopes to lower her cost of living, complete her writing for her Ph.D. from Ohio University, and experiment with a bunch of collaborative arts, music, and service projects. The couple's new love nest will be primarily a tent, as they aim to keep to a $20 a day budget.

The bicycle marriage idea came to Lisa as a fundraising idea after reflecting on how many weddings and babies that she had helped fund. The project is posted on Indiegogo. In return for any support, the Spokes will provide an array of unique entertaining perks.

Lisa explains that this project is a culmination of her personal and professional experiences. She has led students from high school (delinquent to privileged youth) to college age on adventure and service experiences in the United States and Central America, for a non-profit organization, for-profit tour companies, and through a university. However, it’s been over 15 years since Lisa has done an extended bicycle trip, and she has never attempted to accomplish major tasks while living on a bicycle.

The newlyweds plan to depart from northern California and ride south, but the specific route is not planned, nor will it be. “We want to let fate take its course and see where we were meant to end up.” Having said that, they do hope to see the world. Everything they own fits into the bride’s car, which will stay behind at a friend’s home. Lisa has already begun blogging about the experience. She aims to blog throughout the bicycle adventure, and post entertaining videos along the way.

Lisa and Steel are originally from Willoughby, Ohio, but moved to San Francisco just over two years ago. They intend to continue making the Bay area their home, but are open to building their life elsewhere should the right circumstances present.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Spring44 Distilling and Big Head Todd Join Forces

Spring44, one of America’s fastest growing craft spirits brands, today announced a partnership with Colorado-based rock group Big Head Todd and The Monsters. Spring44 Honey Vodka was the perfect spirit to pair with Black Beehive, the band’s new album release date of February 4, 2014. Loveland, Colorado-based Spring44 Distilling will become the official Distillery of Big Head Todd and the Monsters during their upcoming concert tour stops in select cities, providing fans with the ultimate VIP experience.

Fans will also be challenged to create their own Black Beehive-themed cocktails, using Spring44 Honey Vodka, as well as other cocktail recipes using the Spring44 brands. Recipes will be submitted via Facebook for the chance to be part of the Spring44/Big Head Todd recipe booklet and to win Big Head Todd merchandise.

In conjunction with the tour, Sean Kenyon, Colorado based bartender and co-owner of Williams & Graham in Denver, created two signature cocktails featuring Spring44 Honey Vodka: The Black Beehive and the Big Head Mule. The cocktails will be featured at select tour venues as well as select Rock Bottom Breweries during the tour. Rock Bottom Brewery and local radio stations will team up to host lunchtime and Happy Hour events at select Rock Bottom locations.

The events will feature Q&A sessions with the band, Black Beehive-themed drinks specials, CD giveaways, exclusive download opportunities and chances to win Big Head Todd merchandise, all coinciding with the band’s concert tour dates. To further promote the release of Black Beehive, all 38 Rock Bottom Brewery locations will play tracks from the new album in-store for fans to enjoy. For a full list of events and updates, please visit RockBottom.com.

“Spring44 is thrilled to be a part of Big Head Todd and the Monsters new album and concert tour. ” said Spring44 CEO Jeff Lindauer. “We are proud to support one of Colorado’s best bands and look forward to symbiotically growing both of our fan bases.”

Abijack Management, a leader in partnership development, sponsorship, event marketing, artist relations and tour activation, is organizing the co-branded efforts. “We’re really proud of the work we’ve done with Big Head Todd and The Monsters so far,” said Brett Palmer, CEO of AbiJack Management. “Big Head Todd, Rock Bottom Brewery and Spring44 are premier brands with strong fan bases, and each also has strong ties to the state of Colorado, so it made perfect sense to bring them all together. We’re truly excited to be working with all of them.”

“We’re really psyched about the release of Black Beehive and this year’s concert tour, and we think that these new partnerships with Rock Bottom and Spring44 are a great way to help spread the word,” said Todd Park Mohr, lead singer of Big Head Todd and The Monsters. “Our goal is to bring our music right to our fan base in an exciting way, and our fans are really going to love all that we have in store for them. And with AbiJack leading the way, we know these events and promotions are going to be a huge success and will really help us promote the album and the tour.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Kuba Ka Celebrates Debut of 2014 Apollo Calendar at The Beverly Hills Hotel

Hosted by his close friend and actress Vikki Lizzi, Kuba unveiled the new Apollo Calendar at the posh Beverly Hills Hotel. Guests included Christina Fulton, Christina De Rosa, Damon Epps known for Flavor of Love and America's Got Talent, producer of Kuba's forthcoming television show and others.

"It was a magical night at a very special place for me - The Beverly Hills Hotel, with my dearest friends,” says Kuba. “I was very honored to celebrate my first ever calendar for the prestigious - Apollo Male Models.”

The private celebration included the 60th birthday of his mom, attorney/manager Tina Trozzo. Guests dined on champagne and cake and received free copies of the new calendar. The hotel was the first home for many months for the entertainer and remains one of his favorite hideaways. Kuba will be releasing his newest single, “Here We Go” and begin production of his television show this spring.

About Kuba Ka

Critics have dubbed Kuba Ka as a “stage-animal” – a moniker given to the budding star whose known for his high-octane live performances. “From my very early childhood, I felt the force of nature to become the entertainer. That’s who I am – driven by all parts of me,” says Kuba. “The stage is my life, show is my world!” As a teen, Kuba was featured in the Polish edition of ELLE magazine and has been highlighted throughout his native country of Poland for his contribution to the arts.

Discovered by the late Frank Dileo, one-time manager of the late Michael Jackson, Kuba is gearing up for his formal US debut. First, a largely anticipated album that includes the hot dance song, “Physical Attraction” and the popular club track “In The Streets” which features the work of four-time Grammy nominated producer and re-mixer Steve “Silk” Hurley. With the new album, “King of the Night” forthcoming, Kuba continues to stay busy with upcoming feature films, fitness modeling, and unveiling plans for his non-profit organization.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The LEGO Movie Wins Truly Moving Picture Award

“The LEGO Movie,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and LEGO System A/S, has been recognized with the Truly Moving Picture Award by nonprofit arts organization Heartland Truly Moving Pictures.

"The Truly Moving Picture Award jury has recognized 'The LEGO Movie' for its ability to inspire moviegoers of all ages," said Tim Irwin, Heartland's artistic director. "Combining a unique premise with humor and an engaging cast of characters, the film presents a great message for its viewers."

The first full-length theatrical LEGO adventure, “The LEGO Movie” opens in theaters on February 7, 2014 and stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie and Charlie Day, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.

Its original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

"The LEGO Movie” was directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, who also also wrote the screenplay, from a story by Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, based on LEGO construction toys. It was produced by Dan Lin and Roy Lee, with executive producers Jill Wilfert, Matthew Ashton, Kathleen Fleming, Allison Abbate, Zareh Nalbandian, Jon Burton, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Seanne Winslow, Matt Skiena and Bruce Berman; and co-producer John Powers Middleton.

The filmmaking team includes cinematographer Pablo Plaisted, production designer Grant Freckelton, editors David Burrows and Chris McKay, and composer Mark Mothersbaugh. Chris McKay also served as animation co-director. Learn more at TheLEGOMovie.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Denver Comic Con Increases Staff and Programming for 2014

Denver Comic Con and Literary Conference (DCC), a program of Comic Book Classroom (CBC) designed to help promote literacy through pop culture, today announced it will increase its volunteer force for the event by 300 percent and offer 300 hours of programming, up from last year’s 250 hours. The 3rd annual Denver Comic Con, held at the Colorado Convention Center on June 13 – 15, 2014, is expected to be one of the largest in the nation.

“As much fun as it’s been the first two years, we’re always striving to make Denver Comic Con better,” said Dr. Christina Angel, director, Denver Comic Con. “By putting the right people in the right positions we’re streamlining operations, and by adding more panels and speakers we’re delivering a world-class comic con and focusing on some things that set us apart—such as kids’ and under-20 programming.”

DCC promotes community arts and literacy at the con through its more than 300 hours of programming and the CBC Kids Corral, an 8,000-square-foot area providing educational, youth-based programming and fun activities for our younger attendees and their families. The Con is the major funding program of CBC, which applies its curricula in the community through schools and community organizations such as the Denver Public Library.

“Through our own experiences and listening to attendees, we’ve learned a lot during the past two years—and we’re applying what we’ve learned to this year’s Denver Comic Con,” said Dr. Angel. “For example, while lines are a part of any con, we’re working closely with the Convention Center to maximize line flow and adding efficiency to the badging process.”

“We encourage people to get signed up early,” said Beth Kovacs, Denver Comic Con’s volunteer director. “Volunteering with DCC is a lot of fun—our volunteers also have free access to the con the day of their shift—but it’s also a great resume builder for a lot of people. It’s not a surprise that most of the volunteers from years past are returning again for 2014.”

For more information about Denver Comic Con and to purchase tickets visit DenverComicCon.com.

About Denver Comic Con

Entering its third year, the DCC is Denver’s premiere fan experience, covering the worlds of comic books, film, and related media. It is also an extension of and an awareness builder for its parent organization, Comic Book Classroom. For the latest news and information, visit http://www.denvercomiccon.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Ice Chamber Hosts 2nd Annual International Kettlebell Competition in San Francisco Bay Area

Ice Chamber, an athletic performance training center in the San Francisco Bay Area, is hosting the 2nd annual West Coast Classic Kettlebell Championships (WCCKC) on Saturday, February 8, 2014. The inaugural competition in 2013 was the first international kettlebell competition of its kind hosted in the Bay Area, and this year’s competition is expected to double in size with over 100 athletes and as many as 500 spectators.

The kettlebell competition will feature international athletes from the USA, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and Australia, including World Record holder Svitlana Krechyk (formerly from Ukraine), the IUKL World’s Bronze medalist Melissa Swanson (USA), and many other World Class athletes, each lifting kettlebells weighing 24kg (53 pounds) or more. During the course of the competition, competitors will lift their kettlebell overhead several hundred times, totaling more than 10,000 lbs in volume.

“We are expecting a great turnout for the competition, especially on the heels of the World Championships in Tyumen, Russia several months ago,” said Steven Khuong, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and co-founder of Ice Chamber. “We’re excited to offer a world class event here in the Bay Area where international champions and beginners alike can compete together, get inspired, and have a good time.”

This year a new event will be added to the competition—a co-ed relay in which athletes will jerk the kettlebells overhead for two minutes before passing the kettlebells on to the next member of the team. The team with the most points—garnered by each repetition—will take home first prize.

In addition to food, music, and prizes, the competition will showcase performances from beginners all the way up to Master of Sport International Class attempts. Absolute male and female champions in each event will receive trophies and prizes from sponsors. Event sponsors include KettleGuard (custom wrist wraps for kettlebell lifters), Athleta, Annie’s Homegrown, Tencue, GU, Benchmark Pizzeria, Better Homes & Gardens Realty, Heroyk, Hylete, Celia’s, Cobalt LLC, Imperial Brands Vodka, Tacubaya, Iron Bell Fitness, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Malimar Skincare, Tileshop Inc., Bolt Keenley Kim LLP, and the UPS Store Berkeley.

Competition Events:
Men: Biathlon and Long Cycle
Women: Biathlon, Snatch, and Long Cycle
Co-Ed: Jerk Relay

Kettlebell Lifting is a national sport of Russia and one of the fastest growing strength sports in the world. The competition will be officiated by the American Kettlebell Association (AKA) and the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), whose officiates will regulate weight categories, rules, and rankings in accordance with the organization’s policies. For more information regarding AKA rules, regulations, and how to pre-qualify, please visit aka-sport.org.

For more information on the 2014 West Coast Classic Kettlebell Championships, please visit IceChamber.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Script for Star Wars Episode VII is Complete

While on a press tour to promote his new TV series Believe, J.J. Abrams confirmed recently that the script for Star Wars Episode VII is complete.

"We're working really hard and we've got our script and we're in deep prep...full steam ahead, y'know" he was quoted as saying.

It was also revealed that Abrams will be shooting the movie on real film and that he will not be using IMAX cameras.

The endless speculation on casting continues, but it's hardly worth mentioning since no-one really knows. Best to wait for some official announcements in that regard.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.