VStar Entertainment Group Debuts "Dinosaur Time Trek: Shark Edition" and "Dinosaur Time Trek: Dragon Edition," Two All-New Interactive Experiences Touring the U.S.

Dinosaur Time Trek (via dinosaurtimetrek.com)

Calling all budding paleontologists, shark lovers and dragon enthusiasts! VStar Entertainment Group, a leader in live family entertainment, today announced the debut of Dinosaur Time Trek, two all-new interactive experiences that begin touring the U.S. in December 2017: Dinosaur Time Trek: Shark Edition and Dinosaur Time Trek: Dragon Edition. 

Dinosaur Time Trek: Shark Edition features dinosaurs and life-sized shark models spanning from prehistoric to present day. Present-day shark content showcased is curated by tour partner, OCEARCH, a non-profit organization with a global reach for unprecedented research on great white sharks and other large apex predators. 

Dinosaur Time Trek: Dragon Edition features animatronic dinosaurs, and dragons from three different cultures. 

• To start trekking, guests can visit DinosaurTimeTrek.com for a list of upcoming Dinosaur Time Trek tour cities, dates, times and ticket information.

"More than ever, people are seeking immersive and experiential family entertainment, and specifically those experiences that engage the family as a whole," said Eric Grilly, CEO, VStar Entertainment Group. "Whether they're digitally scanning fossils to discover what dinosaur bone they've found, solving the Race Though Time Labyrinth or using our 'eggs-ray vision' technology to see inside a dinosaur egg, Dinosaur Time Trek is an interactive attraction that offers memorable experiences through genuine engagement, and it provides hands-on and educational fun for the entire family." 

Upon entry to both Dinosaur Time Trek experiences, Dinosaur Time Trekkers are invited inside a Time Lab, which instantly transports them to different periods of time, from the prehistoric era to modern day to a mythological time. Throughout the experience, guests can observe and interact with giant lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, build their very own dinosaur on the "Design-a-Dino" touchscreens, visit the Time Trek Stage where they can meet baby dinosaurs or test their dino-knowledge with family and individual trivia contests.

Dinosaur Time Trek: Shark Edition will feature life-sized shark models including the 16-foot OCEARCHGreat White shark, Mary Lee. Mary Lee is just one of the many real-life sharks that guests can track in real-time, using the interactive OCEARCH shark tracker. Dinosaur Time Trek: Dragon Edition will invite guests to meet multiple dragons inspired by folklore throughout history. Dragon lore is thought to have come out of early discovery of Dinosaur bones!

• Visit DinosaurTimeTrek.com for more information. 
• Follow DTT on social media at #dinosaurtimetrek.

Dinosaur time! (via dinosaurtimetrek.com)

About VStar Entertainment Group:

VStar Entertainment Group is one of the leading multi-concept entertainment platforms, producers and promoters of family-friendly theatrical productions, exhibits, installations and events. Headquartered in the Twin Cities, VStar has presented more than 36,000 performances worldwide over the past 38 years, touring across 40 countries and entertaining nearly two million guests annually. 

The company owns, operates and promotes tours across the U.S. and internationally, including PAW Patrol Live!, a high-energy musical adventure based on the hit animated series that airs on Nickelodeon and is produced by Spin Master and Cirque Dreams, which combines a cirque-style of performance artistry with Broadway theatrics; and Dinosaur Time Trek, an interactive prehistoric-themed educational exhibit with attractions for the whole family.

About OCEARCH:
OCEARCH is a recognized world leader in generating critical scientific data related to tracking (telemetry) and biological studies of keystone marine species such as great white and tiger sharks, in conjunction with conservation outreach and education at a measurable global scale. 

OCEARCH shares real-time migration data through OCEARCH's Global Shark Tracker. OCEARCH also inspires current and future generations of explorers, scientists, and stewards of the ocean through its STEM Learning Program. 

The free STEM Curriculum, available for grades K-8 and created in partnership with Landry's, Inc. enables students to learn STEM skills while following the real-time data on the movements of their favorite sharks. In partnership with Costa Sunglasses and YETI, the researchers OCEARCH supports work aboard the M/V OCEARCH, a 126' Cat-powered vessel equipped with a 75,000 lb. hydraulic research platform, where the ship serves as both mothership and at-sea laboratory. 

Scientists have approximately 15 minutes of access to live, mature sharks to conduct up to 12 studies. The sharks are measured, tissue and blood samples are collected, and satellite and acoustic transmitters are attached. More than 160 researchers from 89 regional and international institutions have partnered with OCEARCH.

SOURCE: VStar Entertainment Group

Tulsi Gabbard Calls For Real Reform To The Democratic Party

Tulsi Gabbard (via votetulsi.com)

Hawaii's Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard released a video today that criticizes the recent actions by Tom Perez and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which she says "cast out those who want to strengthen and reform the party, while continuing to allow lobbyists and consultants a prominent seat at the table."

As she has been for more than a year, Tulsi Gabbard, formerly a DNC Vice Chair, again called for ending the undemocratic system of superdelegates and putting a stop to the issues surrounding a lack of transparency and inclusion that has plagued the party. Instead, she says, "The party should be enacting open or same day registration in Democratic primaries to ease and encourage voter engagement."

In a Medium post released this morning, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard elaborates on the deep divides within the Democratic Party and the importance of reforming the DNC. In her video, Tulsi Gabbard says the DNC must put people over profits and progress over special interests.

Tulsi Gabbard (via votetulsi.com)

Background:

Tulsi Gabbard is a Democrat who has served as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii's Second Congressional District since 2013. She was Vice Chair of the DNC from 2013-2016, when she resigned to support Bernie Sanders for President. She has been calling for an end to superdelegates in the Democratic Party's nomination process and open Democratic primaries. Tulsi Gabbard is a Major in the Hawaii Army National Guard and has served on two Middle East deployments. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Video:

Full transcript of the video:

"Last year's presidential primary revealed deep divides within the Democratic Party that went far beyond substantive issue differences. I wish that I could say things have gotten better. But that's not the case.

Recently the DNC Chair, claiming diversity, removed a number of people from the Party's Executive Committee, including Jim Zogby, the only Arab American, while allowing lobbyists and consultants to keep their positions. What did those who were removed have in common? They either supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary, supported Keith Ellison for DNC Chair, or both.

The DNC's move to cast out those who haven't fallen in line with the establishment and who are actually demanding real reform, is destined for failure. We must make sure that our voices are heard now as we fight for a new path forward that is more inclusive and actually strengthens our democracy.

It doesn't matter who supported Hillary and who supported Bernie--it's long past time to end the counterproductive infighting and name-calling. What we're talking about here is fighting for an open, inclusive, transparent Democratic Party that best represents and serves the people.

We need to get rid of the undemocratic system of superdelegates, who literally have the power to swing an election, making up one-third of the votes any candidate needs to secure the nomination. We must enact open or same day registration in Democratic primaries to make it easier and actually encourage voter engagement, rather than making it more difficult.

We must put people over profits and progress over special interests. We cannot do this with a few power brokers making deals in a back-room. We cannot do this with a closed process or with superdelegates that can swing an election. Your support, our voices, right now, are critical. Join me by signing our petition at VoteTulsi.com/DNCReform to reform the DNC."

More Information & Updates from Tulsi Gabbard:

• twitter.com/tulsigabbard
• facebook.com/VoteTulsi
• Tulsi Gabbard YouTube Channel

SOURCE: Tulsi Gabbard

Bonus Videos:

UK: The People Vs. Fracking

Frack Free Zone (via Greenwire)

The following is an email from Greenpeace I've received this afternoon...  and it's definitely worth a read.

As usual  when I share those kind of emails, all I ask is that you guys feel free to have a look and act accordingly.

Thanks in advance

Stay safe!

Loup Dargent

No To Fracking (via Greenwire)

The Email:

Loup,

Next week, ten people just like you and me are heading to court. Their crime? Saying "No!" to fracking in Lancashire.

Abi, Barrie, Gillian, Hamish, Helen, James, Jane, Jeff, Liz and Peter weren't being listened to by Theresa May's government. Just like thousands of others who don't want fracking on their doorsteps.

So they took part in a peaceful protest. Now trial awaits.

Loup, will you help tell their story? 
 

Share on Facebook

• Not on Facebook? Watch it here on YouTube.

It's been a long road for the people of Lancashire and friends of the anti-fracking community. Back in 2015, after years of campaigning by local people, the council voted against plans submitted by fracking company, Cuadrilla, to frack at the site at Preston New Road.

But this victory for the people was turned into a bitter miscarriage of justice. Theresa May's government overturned the ruling of Lancashire County Council and put fracking back on the map.

The government chose to align itself with a polluting, uneconomic and unnecessary industry – and against the people, planet and local democracy.

If you think that's unacceptable, share the story of fracking at Preston New Road:
 

Share on Facebook

• Not on Facebook? Watch it here on YouTube.

The defendants heading to trial next week are ordinary people like you and me. After exhausting every possible route to get Theresa May and her friends to listen, they were left with no choice but to participate in a peaceful protest.

They stood up to fracking. Let's stand with them.

Thanks,
Nick 'Dikson' Monro

P.S: Want to get active in your area? Or just participate in conversations around our campaigns online? If the answer is yes, then join Greenwire – a community where people come together around the issues that will shape the future of our planet.

#WeSaidNoToFracking (via Greenwire)

The Video:

Bonus Video:

Pew Applauds Agreement to Protect Migratory Sharks

Shark (PRNewsfoto/The Pew Charitable Trusts)

The Pew Charitable Trusts today praised the 124 governments of the U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) for taking action toward protecting six shark species. The decision came at the end of the weeklong 12th Conference of the Parties (CoP12) in Manila.

The governments of Honduras, Israel, Mauritania, Monaco, the Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Togo proposed six species—whale sharks, angel sharks, white-spotted wedgefish, common guitarfish, dusky sharks, and blue sharks – for protection through addition to the CMS lists, known as appendices. Appendix I prohibits the catch of any of these endangered species from any place they migrate, and Appendix II identifies the shark species most in need of conservation action, encouraging cooperation to properly manage and protect the species throughout their migratory range.

Today's actions placed whale sharks, angel sharks, and common guitarfish in the Mediterranean on Appendix I and dusky, angel and blue sharks, white-spotted wedgefish, and common guitarfish globally on Appendix II.

KerriLynn Miller, a conservation expert on Pew's shark conservation project, issued the following statement:

"The momentum for protecting sharks continues to build, thanks to the significant step CMS members have taken toward better management of six at-risk shark species.

These species, like many others, are migratory, even those that spend part of their lives in protected waters, leaving them vulnerable to various types of fishing gear. In some regions, the newly protected shark species have experienced population declines of 50 percent or more. The commitment that CMS parties will work together to offer these sharks the help they need to recover is critical to their depleted populations, and is important for making the entire ocean safer for the species that migrate.

The CMS Appendix II listings allow for the sustainable fishing of sharks, but if management measures are not effectively implemented, species listed in Appendix II could qualify for the stricter protections of Appendix I. To ensure that these Appendix II listings have the needed impact, governments must follow through on their commitments to cooperate by developing stronger domestic shark protections, while considering international management through regional fisheries bodies and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

As for the species that were protected today, the CMS parties have shown that proper management for imperiled sharks and rays continues to be a global priority. We applaud governments for offering the highest level of protection for the whale and angel sharks and the common guitarfish in the Mediterranean, where urgent action is needed, and are encouraged to see additional species—blue and dusky sharks, white-spotted wedgefish, and common guitarfish globally—afforded an opportunity to recover before their populations require full protection. This is an important step toward safeguarding shark populations for generations to come."

• More information on Pew's global shark conservation campaign is available at www.pewsharks.org.

SOURCE: The Pew Charitable Trusts

Bonus Video:

Bonus Infographic:

How Illegal Fishing Threatens the Safety of Crews

Royal Canadian Mint Launches Justice League Coin Collection at 2017 Central Canada Comic Con

2018 25-Cent Lenticular Coin - The Justice League

The Royal Canadian Mint is celebrating pop culture with comic book fans from all over the country attending Central Canada Comic Con (C4) by introducing its new Justice League series of coloured coins, crafted in cupro-nickel, gold and silver, which feature artwork specially conceived by Canadians Justice League artists Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson. 

• Comic book super hero fans attending C4 from October 27 to 29, 2017 can be among the first to get their hands on these finely crafted collectibles.

2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin - The Justice League - Complete packaging -
The Flash and Wonder Woman

This 2018-dated Justice League collection consists of the following:

• a 25-cent cupro-nickel lenticular coin animating all six members of the Justice League
• a trio of 1oz. fine silver coins with a $20 face value, each featuring a pairing of super heroes (Cyborg and Superman; Batman and Aquaman; The Flash and Wonder Woman)
• a $30 fine silver coin celebrating "The World's Greatest Super Heroes"
• a $100 14-Karat gold coin entitled "United We Stand".

2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin - The Justice League - Complete packaging -
Batman and Aquaman

• Mintages, pricing and full background information on each coin can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin - The Justice League - Complete packaging -
Cyborg and Superman

Comic book super hero fans will be able to meet the artists at the Mint booth during the following times:

• Friday October 27, from 3 pm to 6 pm
• Saturday, October 28, from 10 am to noon
• Sunday October 29, from 10 am to noon

2018 $30 Fine Silver Coin - The Justice League - The World's Greatest Super Heroes

2018 $100 14-Karat Gold Coin - The Justice League - United We Stand

The Cards:

Cyborg, Superman and Aquaman

The Flash, Batman and Wonder Woman

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint