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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2012 Gets Underway Feb. 28

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:01:18 +0000

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.

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.

New Orleans To Launch War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:56:52 +0000

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.

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.

California Highway 1 to Reopen Mid-Week 25 Miles South Of Big Sur

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:12:53 +0000

UPDATE: 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.

ORIGINAL STORY: 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.

When it does reopen, Highway 1 will remain under one-way traffic signal controls as it was prior to the slide.

Colorado Snow Sculpture Competition Creates Outdoor Art Gallery

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:39:00 +0000

Fifteen teams with artists from 11 countries will compete in the 22nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan. 24-28, 2012 in Breckenridge, Colo.

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.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Coming to Disney California Adventure Park

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:07:53 +0000

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.

"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.

Memories of a Squaw Creek Hunt Help Keep Out February’s Cold

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:15:20 +0000

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.

Trevor Brazile Again Clinches World Champion All-Around Cowboy Honors

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:41:40 +0000

Trevor Brazile once again is the World Champion All-Around Cowboy.

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.

Marshall, Texas 25th Annual Wonderland of Lights Opens Nov. 23

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:13:23 +0000

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.

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.

Rock Slide Again Closes California’s Big Sur Coastal Highway 1

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:48:57 +0000

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.

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.

Halloween Weekend Launches Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Season

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:25:19 +0000

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.

As visitors return from a summer off from dunes recreating, BLM officials are quick to emphasize key messages that ensure a safe visitor experience.