BRITVIC TEAMS UP WITH TOUGH MUDDER INC. TO LAUNCH A UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S EVENT: FRUIT SHOOT MINI MUDDER

Britvic PLC launches a multi-territory partnership with the leader in adventure obstacle courses, Tough Mudder Inc., to introduce a custom obstacle course for children aged 7-12.  The partnership aims to inspire children to explore their adventurous side – and to get outside, get muddy and have fun.

As part of a three-year international partnership, the Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder events will be hosted alongside existing Tough Mudder events across the U.S. in 2015, along with events in the UK and Ireland. Expansion to additional regions and new event formats are planned for 2016/17.

According to Britvic’s research with children’s focus groups¹, children today have limited access to outdoor adventures, yet seek these kinds of activities that challenge them and provide a sense of achievement. The Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder courses offer kids a unique opportunity to make new friends, learn teamwork and tackle their very own challenge. Each course is a mile long, consisting of four laps around a loop featuring exhilarating obstacles designed especially for children, including:

• Gooey Shoes: Get your shoes tied tight and take a shot to walk across a slimy slippery surface without slipping, sinking or sticking to the ground! Move quick or you’ll be stuck behind.
• Secret Agent Squeeze: An international boy or girl of mystery? Sharpen your spy skills and get a super stretch to try and slip through the cracks of the ‘laser’ maze.
• Mount Mud: Watch your parents on the big course and want to get in the Mud? Climb, slosh, slip, and squirm your way over the grand finale Mount Mud Hill, featuring an exciting Fruit Shoot slide into the mud to claim your headband after finishing the course.

At the finish line, participants will be rewarded for their adventurous spirit and deemed “Fruit Shoot Mini Mudders” with an official headband and a Fruit Shoot beverage to refresh. Fruit Shoot beverages help keep active kids hydrated on-the-go to fuel fun and outdoor adventures. Made with real fruit juice, no artificial flavors and no high fructose corn syrup, in both Regular and No Sugar Added varieties, Fruit Shoot offers great tasting refreshments kids love, with a re-sealable sports cap that helps kids stay active for longer.

Following the Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder events, parents will be able to instantly download, email or share photos of their Mini Mudders’ favorite muddy moments.  The photos will be captured along the course via Gameface technology and available at www.fruitshoot.com/minimudder.

                                                                                                                             

Paul Basford, Vice President, Britvic Americas Ltd., commented, “Fruit Shoot is committed to fueling kids’ imaginations and providing them opportunities to develop their sense of adventure. The Tough Mudder partnership aligns with Britvic’s mission for Fruit Shoot and is a natural fit as we look for exciting ways to engage children in adventurous lifestyles. We’re thrilled to give kids a reason to get outside and get muddy as we kick off the events across the United States this spring and summer.”

“We are excited to announce our partnership with Britvic and to begin to roll out Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder courses at our events in 2015,” said Will Dean, CEO and Founder of Tough Mudder. “Given the high family turn out and participation at our events, it was a natural fit to work with Britvic to enhance the on-site experience for children and their guardians. Our obstacle innovation and engineering teams have worked closely with Britvic for the past year to perfect the event, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first Mini Mudders on course.”

The first Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder event will debut in the U.S. at Tough Mudder Gulf Coast on March 7 near Pensacola, Florida.  For more information on the event series, visit www.fruitshoot.com/minimudder. Participant and spectator registrations are now open for U.S. events, with more to open in the coming weeks. 

Las Vegas Road Rage Story 4.0

Today we learn that the daughter of the deceased, Kristal Meyers told police later that a 6-foot-tall man got out and warned: "I'm gonna come back for you and your daughter."

The suspect, Erich Nowsch is about 5-foot-3 and 100 pounds.  BIG difference.

NO ONE calls 911.  Instead Mom goes directly home to drop off her daughter and get her armed son in order to hunt this guy down.

There is a police station located about two miles away from where the "road rage" incident happened. Why didn't Kristal Meyers drive there when first confronted rather than to her own home?

We also learn that Nowsch told his friends he thought the people in the car in the school parking lot were looking at him, and said he called a friend with the silver Audi to come and pick him up, according to the report.

Nowsch displayed a handgun and .45-caliber ammunition to his friends and said he started shooting because he thought he saw a gun being pointed at him from the green car, according to the report.

"Got those kids," he told his friends, according to the report. "They were after me, and I got them."

Next we go to the "stand-off" with the police where Erich was allowed to get high before he surrendered. Is that Standard Operating Procedure?  Nowsch atty is trying to get his confession thrown out because.......wait for it.....he was under the influence of drugs.

We also learn that Tammy Meyers, who was described as a dedicated nurse who selflessly helped others in need was NOT a nurse as the family has claimed on numerous occasions. Why lie about that?

As to the GoFundMe site, why were the family members asking for funds to help with her burial when she was cremated for free?

Am I the only one who feels there are too many missing pieces to this story?  Why has the family of the deceased has changed their story so often?  I think there's still more to this story than what we have already heard. Stay tuned boys and girls.

Shoot 'Em Up Bang Bang Road Rage In Las Vegas

The story of the road rage incident that happened in Las Vegas recently gets" curiouser and curiouser."

Initially we are told that the victim Tammy Meyers takes her daughter for a nighttime driving lesson in a parking lot. So far so good but then we learn that this lesson was taking place around 11 PM.  Is it just me or does that strike anyone else as being odd? 

We then learn that Meyers is driving home and someone speeds by her. Her 15 year old daughter leans across to the driver's side and honks the horn.  The other car stops. Someone gets out and threatens Meyers and her daughter.  Frightened, Meyers drives away and goes home.

Myers drops off her daughter and convinces her son (who wanted to call 911) to go with her to look for the guy from the driving incident. He takes his 9 mm with him.

You heard me right, they left the safety of their home, armed and looking for a fight.  

According to the original version, Meyers and her son went looking for the vehicle, a grey or silver, four door sedan.  They locate the car they believe was involved and follow it.  They didn't get the license plate number and call the police instead she goes home where she is confronted by the "unknown" driver. 

A shootout occurs and Meyers is killed.

One would ask, how was it that this unknown driver was able to locate their home?  Turns out the shooter, Erich Nowsch, Jr went to school with Myers oldest son.  The family claims that they had tried to help him from time to time. Which begs the question, why was it that little sis and big brother didn't say to the cops, "Erich killed my Mom.   Erich lives just up the street from us."  Why indeed.  Instead the driver is "unidentified" and the police release a composite picture of the suspect?

Today we learn that Nowsch claims that Myers was the aggressor saying he saw someone in their car waving a gun out the window at him.

Even Mark Gergos and I agree that this doesn't sound like a case of road rage.

Humpback Whales in IMAX at Fernbank Museum

Audiences will splash into a new giant-screen adventure when Humpback Whales arrives at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s IMAX® Theatre on February 13—the nationwide release date. Under the helm of two-time Academy Award^®-nominated director Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphins, Everest), MacGillivray Freeman Films brings its legendary giant-screen storytelling to one of the most enormous and vastly fascinating creatures on earth.

Narrated by two-time Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor and presented by Pacific Life, Humpback Whales is an immersive ocean adventure that invites audiences to dive head-first into the mysterious realm of these 55-foot, 50-ton aquatic mammals. In a splashing, musical mix of stunning imagery, underwater splendor and scientific exploration, the film asks the compelling question: what might life be like from a humpback’s point of view.  Once feared as monsters, and very nearly hunted to extinction, today humpbacks are in the midst of a slow but remarkable recovery.

“People have a natural fascination with whales, whether it is because of their size, their intelligence or their mystery,” said Becky Facer, Fernbank’s environmental programs manager. “The popularity of last year’s special exhibition Whales: Giants of the Deep proved just that. This IMAX® film is a perfect follow-up, highlighting one of the largest and most breathtaking whale species through mesmerizing cinematography. Humpback Whales dives deep into the world of whales to discover what makes them so captivating.”

Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the remote islands of Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback and find out why humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all whales, why they sing their haunting songs, and why these intelligent animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year.

“Whales are awesome animals,” says director, Greg MacGillivray. “They are critical to the ecological health and survival of the ocean, and since they are among the largest animals to ever live on earth, there is no better subject for audiences to experience life-size on the giant screen.” 

Adds executive producer Tennyson Oyler, VP of Brand Management for Pacific Life: “Humpback whales are at the center of an environmental story that offers great promise. With the end of commercial whaling, humpbacks are steadily recovering from near extinction. This film transports audiences into their mysterious world for a close-up look at how truly remarkable these animals really are.”

Humpback Whales marks the prolific large-format film company’s first film focused exclusively on whales, following such giant-screen hits as The Living Sea, Dolphins, Coral Reef Adventure and To The Arctic. The MacGillivray Freeman Films team took it as an occasion to apply all of their cumulative cinematic experience to the telling of one of the most compelling wildlife stories of our time: how humpbacks were brought back from the brink of destruction to set off a new wave of scientific discovery and human fascination with their one-of-a-kind, gargantuan beauty. Humpback Whales is the third film to come out under MacGillivray Freeman’s One World One Ocean series, following To The Arctic and Journey to the South Pacific.

The film is family friendly and has a run time of 40 minutes.

Humpback Whales will show daily at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s IMAX® Theatre from February 13 until June 18, 2015. Humpback Whales will show in the IMAX Theatre opposite Galapagos: Nature’s Wonderland (Galapagos closes March 5). IMAX tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $11 for children 12 and younger, and $8 for Museum members. Upgrade to a Value Pass (includes IMAX and Museum admission) to see The Power of Poison and enjoy two great experiences with one visit. (See Value Pass prices at fernbankmuseum.org.)

About Humpback Whales

A MacGillivray Freeman film presented by Pacific Life, Humpback Whales is directed by Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphins, Everest) and produced by Shaun MacGillivray (To The Arctic, Grand Canyon Adventure). Filmed with 15perf / 65mm IMAX^® cameras, Humpback Whales is written by Stephen Judson (Everest, To The Arctic) with a musical score by Steve Wood (Journey to the South Pacific, To The Arctic).  A One World One Ocean production.

About Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s IMAX® Theatre

Fernbank Museum of Natural History and the 5-story-tall Rankin M. Smith Sr. IMAX® Theatre are located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Call 404.929.6400 or visit fernbankmuseum.org to purchase tickets.

Mommy & Me Mondays At Fernbank

Many moms wonder what they can do with 2 to 4-year-olds that’s fun, educational and tailored to this specific age group. Back by popular demand, Mommy & Me Mondays at Fernbank Museum of Natural History has the answer. Mommy & Me Mondays pairs a great discount with curated activities suited for the toddler set.

Mommy & Me Mondays, which is also available for dads and nannies, includes museum admission for one adult and up to two children ages 5 and younger for $20. The ticket also includes free parking. At the museum, they’ll be sure to enjoy the award-winning children’s exhibition, Fernbank NatureQuest as well as several activities that were developed by the museum’s educators specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.

Fernbank NatureQuest features more than 100 interactive elements, from a pier puzzle covered with sand dollars and starfish to “splashing” with fish in the virtual river. There are also several habitats of live animals, including baby alligators, for kids to observe. In addition, the exhibition features a connect-the-dots game, “night vision” goggles, magic mirrors, and many other surprises.

To enhance the toddler experience during Mommy& Me Mondays, Fernbank also has downloadable activities to enjoy during the visit and at home, including a connect-the-dots, dinosaur puzzler, leaf rubbing, several scavenger hunts, family exploration guides, and NatureQuest field guides and hunts focused on topics like animal tracks, colors, shapes, patterns, and more.  All activities are available to download in advance at www.fernbankmuseum.org/mommydeal, and some activities can be completed at home before or after the museum visit. Moms are encouraged to bring a tablet or smartphone so they can follow the activities without the need for printing. Some laminated exhibition activities are also available in the NatureQuest exhibit.

In addition to NatureQuest and the downloadable activities, the museum features several other ways for parents and toddlers to enjoy their visit. The world’s largest dinosaurs, giant bubbles, animal specimens ranging from a bear to birds, an incredible collection of seashells, a fiber optic ceiling of stars, listening dishes and several other unique experiences are all memorable highlights for young children.

  

The Mommy & Me Mondays promotion is available every Monday except holidays through March 30, 2015 at the Box Office or by calling 404.929.6400. The holidays when the deal is not offered are President’s Day on February 16. As always, Museum admission and downloadable activities are free for members.

Mommy & Me tickets include museum admission for one adult and up to two children ages 5 and younger. For more information, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org/mommydeal. Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. 

THE POWER OF POISON ON VIEW AT FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Fernbank Museum of Natural History (fernbankmuseum.org) announces the new special exhibition, The Power of Poison.  Exploring the role of poison in nature, myth and human health, the exhibition will be on view from February 7– May 3, 2015, marking the first travel stop on a nationwide, multi-year tour.

Visitors will encounter some of history’s most puzzling poisoning cases, step into the pages of fairy tales, use clues to solve poisoning mysteries, and take part in a live theater presentation to help unravel a real-world case of poisoning.

For as long as people have created myths, they’ve told stories about the mysterious powers of poison. But in the natural world, poisons are simply part of the daily struggle to survive. The astonishing variety of evolutionary adaptations among toxic plants and animals is at the heart of this intriguing exhibition, which also examines humans’ attempts to understand poisons’ potency, how the science of detecting poison developed, and how researchers today use venoms and other natural toxins to develop new medical treatments.

This new, family-friendly special exhibition creates an engaging and immersive environment through the use of interactive components, models, multimedia and live animals. Whether as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength, or a lifesaving medical treatment, story of poison is filled with mystery, intrigue, fascinating tales and surprising benefits.

“The exhibition is unique in its ability to present visitors with a perfect blend of content related to biology, pharmacology, toxicology, anthropology, folklore, history and literature,” said Bobbi Hohmann, an anthropologist at Fernbank Museum. “Fascinating and fun at the same time, the exhibition presents guests with a blend of content that leaves them wanting to learn more.”

The Power of Poison showcases the impact poison has had on the world, taking visitors on an adventure through various galleries that are fun for all ages.

Visitors can walk through a re-created Colombian forest in the Poison in Nature dioramas as they learn about poisonous insects and animals that use poison as protection. While plants produce toxins primarily to protect against being eaten, animals often make poison to deter predators and capture prey. Visitors will explore adaptations and encounter live species, including golden poison frogs. They’ll also learn that many familiar foods that we encounter daily — cinnamon, chili peppers, coffee, and tea — owe their taste, smell, or stimulant effect to defensive chemicals that can be toxic in large doses.

The exhibition’s Poison in Myth and Legend section explores how poison has impacted the stories that have shaped cultures. There was a time when magic— not science —was widely used to explain poisonings or sicknesses, a time when the lines between poison, magic, and disease were often blurred. Not surprisingly, poisonous plants and other toxins can be found at the core of countless fairy tales and legends from around the world. And some of the most unlikely often contain kernels of truth. Viewers will have the chance to glance into the Mad Hatter’s tea party from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, encounter the trio of witches from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and explore how poisons impacted the Harry Potter series through the use of antidotes. Visitors will also be able to examine an “enchanted” book that resembles an ancient botanical volume. Animations of well-known poisonous plant species, including belladonna and monkshood, “magically” appear with each turn of the page along with origin myths and annotations explaining how these plants were used in the past. 

Just as the source of disease was mysterious for most of human history, so was cause of death — especially those involving poison, which in many cases was difficult to detect. A gallery in the exhibition’s Villains and Victims section considers some of history’s most notorious poisoners and poisonings that still puzzle us today, offering a glimpse of the challenges of detecting poison. Visitors can explore some of the famous stories that have made poison such a prominent evil. Find out if that apple really could have poisoned Snow White, and learn about the possible fates of historical figures ranging from Napoleon, to Cleopatra, to Ponce de Leon.

The Power of Poison will reveals how experts undertake the role of Detecting Poisons in a live show that explores the ways that poisons affect the body. Additionally, an iPad game will let visitors play detective by finding clues about various toxins and poisonous creatures as they review victims’ symptoms to help solve three puzzling cases of accidental poisonings.

Finally, in Poison for Good the exhibition takes a closer look at how poisons have helped society through breakthroughs in medicine and prevention methods. The field of toxicology was born out of a specific and urgent need — to detect poisons and prevent illness or death. Over the past century, advances in cell biology have allowed scientists to discover different ways poisons affect human cells and figure out how to use that power for restoring health. Today, plant and animal toxins are being studied as sources for potential ingredients for life-saving new drugs. Many are surprising, including the saliva of vampire bats, which contains an anticlotting agent that could protect stroke patients from blood clots in the brain.

Fernbank Museum has also created a Story Corner, which will offer younger children an opportunity to role play inspired by literature and fairy tales highlighted in the exhibition. The Story Corner will include puppets, costumes, plush animals and a variety of fairy tale props that bring the myths and legends of the exhibition to life.

Surprising at every turn, The Power of Poison features fascinating topics and plenty of fun for all ages. The exhibition will be on view from February 7-May 3 at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

Fernbank will also host several activity days and events for The Power of Poison.

Opening-Day Celebration

February 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fernbank Museum will host an opening day celebration for families, which will include an exhibition-themed amulet craft, games and more. 

Witches & Wizards Day

February 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fernbank Museum will host a variety of fairy tale and mythology themed activities that explore how poisons have shaped stories throughout history.

Wild Poisons Day

March 14 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Encounter various plants, animals and fungi and learn about their connection to poison.

The Power of Poison is supported locally in part by The Marcus Foundation, Inc., the Principal Investor for this exhibition. The Power of Poison is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org).

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Hours and Ticket Information

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. The Museum is open daily, 10 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Power of Poison is included with Museum admission. Tickets are $18 for adults, $17 for students/seniors, $16 for children ages 3-12, and free for children 2 and younger. Tickets and visitor information are available at www.fernbankmuseum.org or 404.929.6300 (info) / 404.929.6400 (tickets).