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Enjoy Travel Tips, Discounts, Specials, Restaurant Reviews, National Park Information and Much More… http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/things-to-do/feed/atom.html 2012-02-05T18:29:40Z Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2012 Gets Underway Feb. 28 2012-02-05T01:01:18Z 2012-02-05T01:01:18Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20120205605/things-to-do/rodeos/houston-livestock-show-and-rodeo-2012-gets-underway-feb-28.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo gets underway Feb. 28, 2012 and organizers of the charity extravaganza promise the best celebration yet for visitors and rodeo fans.<br /><br />Marking its 80th year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will run through March 18 and has plenty of entertainment and activities for the whole family.<br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo gets underway Feb. 28, 2012 and organizers of the charity extravaganza promise the best celebration yet for visitors and rodeo fans.<br /><br />Marking its 80th year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will run through March 18 and has plenty of entertainment and activities for the whole family.<br /> New Orleans To Launch War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations 2011-12-02T23:56:52Z 2011-12-02T23:56:52Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111202584/things-to-do/festivals/new-orleans-to-launch-war-of-1812-bicentennial-celebrations.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">New Orleans will serve as the inaugural city in a three-year national celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. <br /><br />The 2012 celebration will take place April 17 - 23, 2012, featuring a colorful spectacle of ships spreading on the East Bank of the Mississippi River from Erato Street to Upper Poland Avenue. <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">New Orleans will serve as the inaugural city in a three-year national celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. <br /><br />The 2012 celebration will take place April 17 - 23, 2012, featuring a colorful spectacle of ships spreading on the East Bank of the Mississippi River from Erato Street to Upper Poland Avenue. <br /> California Highway 1 to Reopen Mid-Week 25 Miles South Of Big Sur 2012-01-31T15:12:53Z 2012-01-31T15:12:53Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20120131603/things-to-do/scenic-drives/california-highway-1-to-reopen-mid-week-25-miles-south-of-big-sur.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong><em>UPDATE:</em></strong> Caltrans has reopened Highway 1 to traffic. The agency announced that as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, the coastal road is once again able to safely handle vehicles. <br /><br /><strong><em>ORIGINAL STORY:</em></strong> California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) officials said Jan. 30 that Highway 1, closed by a rock slide about 25 miles south of Big Sur, should reopen by midweek.<br /><br />When it does reopen, Highway 1 will remain under one-way traffic signal controls as it was prior to the slide. <br /> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong><em>UPDATE:</em></strong> Caltrans has reopened Highway 1 to traffic. The agency announced that as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, the coastal road is once again able to safely handle vehicles. <br /><br /><strong><em>ORIGINAL STORY:</em></strong> California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) officials said Jan. 30 that Highway 1, closed by a rock slide about 25 miles south of Big Sur, should reopen by midweek.<br /><br />When it does reopen, Highway 1 will remain under one-way traffic signal controls as it was prior to the slide. <br /> Colorado Snow Sculpture Competition Creates Outdoor Art Gallery 2012-01-09T04:39:00Z 2012-01-09T04:39:00Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20120109597/things-to-do/winter-fun/colorado-snow-sculpture-competition-creates-outdoor-art-gallery.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Fifteen teams with artists from 11 countries will compete in the 22nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan. 24-28, 2012 in Breckenridge, Colo. <br /><br />During the competition, each team creates an enormous work of art from 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made Colorado snow. Artists achieve finished pieces after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants. <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Fifteen teams with artists from 11 countries will compete in the 22nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan. 24-28, 2012 in Breckenridge, Colo. <br /><br />During the competition, each team creates an enormous work of art from 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made Colorado snow. Artists achieve finished pieces after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants. <br /> Ghirardelli Chocolate Coming to Disney California Adventure Park 2011-12-18T20:07:53Z 2011-12-18T20:07:53Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111218591/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/ghirardelli-chocolate-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-park.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. will open a soda fountain and chocolate shop inside Disney California Adventure park in late spring 2012, adding yet another layer of traditional San Francisco flair to the Pacific Wharf area of the park. <br /><br />"The addition of a world-renowned brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place - in this case to San Francisco," said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park. <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. will open a soda fountain and chocolate shop inside Disney California Adventure park in late spring 2012, adding yet another layer of traditional San Francisco flair to the Pacific Wharf area of the park. <br /><br />"The addition of a world-renowned brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place - in this case to San Francisco," said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park. <br /> Memories of a Squaw Creek Hunt Help Keep Out February’s Cold 2009-02-01T05:15:20Z 2009-02-01T05:15:20Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20090201185/things-to-do/kieser-outdoors/memories-of-a-squaw-creek-hunt-help-keep-out-februarys-cold.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For many of us, living with February's snow, ice and bitter cold means spending your evenings and weekends inside. Oh sure, there's odd jobs to do, and if you're lucky enough to be a hunter you have the pleasure of sorting through your gear, reboxing shotgun shells, maybe touching up your decoys with a dab of paint, or organizing your hunting photos.<br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For many of us, living with February's snow, ice and bitter cold means spending your evenings and weekends inside. Oh sure, there's odd jobs to do, and if you're lucky enough to be a hunter you have the pleasure of sorting through your gear, reboxing shotgun shells, maybe touching up your decoys with a dab of paint, or organizing your hunting photos.<br /> Trevor Brazile Again Clinches World Champion All-Around Cowboy Honors 2011-12-05T01:41:40Z 2011-12-05T01:41:40Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111205588/things-to-do/rodeos/trevor-brazile-again-clinches-world-champion-all-around-cowboy-honors.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Trevor Brazile once again is the World Champion All-Around Cowboy. <br /><br />Brazile clinched his record ninth world all-around championship and his 16th gold buckle overall on Dec. 4, 2012, which ties him with Jim Shoulders for second all-time in ProRodeo history. Only steer roper Guy Allen (with 18) has more.<br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Trevor Brazile once again is the World Champion All-Around Cowboy. <br /><br />Brazile clinched his record ninth world all-around championship and his 16th gold buckle overall on Dec. 4, 2012, which ties him with Jim Shoulders for second all-time in ProRodeo history. Only steer roper Guy Allen (with 18) has more.<br /> Marshall, Texas 25th Annual Wonderland of Lights Opens Nov. 23 2011-11-19T19:13:23Z 2011-11-19T19:13:23Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111119581/things-to-do/festivals/marshall-texas-25th-annual-wonderland-of-lights-opens-nov-23.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The 25th annual Wonderland of Lights, a Texas holiday tradition, opens with star-studded lighting ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 2011 in Washington Square in Marshall, Texas.<br /><br />More than a million lights will shine on Marshall's town square, historic courthouse and a wonderland of attractions planned in the 25th annual Wonderland of Lights, a 40-day festival of holiday lights and family fun Nov. 23 through Jan. 1.<br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The 25th annual Wonderland of Lights, a Texas holiday tradition, opens with star-studded lighting ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 2011 in Washington Square in Marshall, Texas.<br /><br />More than a million lights will shine on Marshall's town square, historic courthouse and a wonderland of attractions planned in the 25th annual Wonderland of Lights, a 40-day festival of holiday lights and family fun Nov. 23 through Jan. 1.<br /> Rock Slide Again Closes California’s Big Sur Coastal Highway 1 2012-01-24T04:48:57Z 2012-01-24T04:48:57Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20120124602/things-to-do/scenic-drives/rock-slide-again-closes-californias-big-sur-coastal-highway-1.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Mother Nature once again indefinitely closed the fabled California Highway 1 coastal route Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, due to a major rock slide 25 miles south of Big Sur.<br /><br />Heavy winter rains swept into Central California Sunday, drenching the rugged and steep hillsides, loosening tons of rocks and debris. This current major rock slide is near the small town of Lucia, and closed Highway 1 (Post Mile 22) near Limekiln Creek in both north and south directions.<br /> <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Mother Nature once again indefinitely closed the fabled California Highway 1 coastal route Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, due to a major rock slide 25 miles south of Big Sur.<br /><br />Heavy winter rains swept into Central California Sunday, drenching the rugged and steep hillsides, loosening tons of rocks and debris. This current major rock slide is near the small town of Lucia, and closed Highway 1 (Post Mile 22) near Limekiln Creek in both north and south directions.<br /> Halloween Weekend Launches Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Season 2011-10-26T04:25:19Z 2011-10-26T04:25:19Z http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111026571/things-to-do/winter-fun/halloween-weekend-launches-imperial-sand-dunes-recreation-season.html Mike Harris Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ghosts and goblins along with plenty of trick-or-treats will be evident during the upcoming Halloween weekend, Oct. 29-30, 2011, as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launches another recreation season at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) in Southern California.<br /><br />As visitors return from a summer off from dunes recreating, BLM officials are quick to emphasize key messages that ensure a safe visitor experience. <br /> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ghosts and goblins along with plenty of trick-or-treats will be evident during the upcoming Halloween weekend, Oct. 29-30, 2011, as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launches another recreation season at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) in Southern California.<br /><br />As visitors return from a summer off from dunes recreating, BLM officials are quick to emphasize key messages that ensure a safe visitor experience. <br />