.

With “Phineas and Ferb” being TV’s #1 animated series among tweens 9-14, I know they’ll be really excited to hear about their live touring stage show is coming to SoCal in January.

.

Performing live on January 14 – 15, 2012 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario!

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!, brings Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Isabella, Baljeet, Buford and friends to the stage as they make the most of the last day of summer by building an invention bigger, better and more amazing than ever. Before anyone can wonder “Hey! Where’s Perry?,” the pet platypus dons his Agent P fedora, and hilarious hijinks unfold as he battles Dr. Doofenshmirtz to save the Danville Tri-state area and audiences everywhere from the evil scientist’s most havoc-wreaking scheme to date.

Audiences will be whisked on a high-energy ride that is part action adventure and part rock concert, while they move it and shake it to the soundtrack of hit songs from the animated series, including “Gitchee Gitchee Goo”, “Squirrels in My Pants”, “Backyard Beach”, and “Busted”. This is definitely a fun live stage show you and your family don’t want to miss out on!

Show Location & Dates

Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario

Saturday, January 14 @ 1pm; 4pm; 7pm

Sunday, January 15 @ 1pm; 4pm

Ticket Information

-Regular ticket prices: $20, $25, $36 VIP Floor, $60 Front Row

-Save $5  on 1/14 – 4pm show and 1/15 – 1pm show ($15 & $20)

-Discount: Family-4-Pack-Tickets for $68 by using the code: MOM (valid until 1/15/12) *excludes front row & VIP floor seats. No double discounts.

-Tickets may be purchased at the venue box office, online at Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000.

(click to enlarge)

For more information on the show, visit www.phineasandferblive.com

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

We walked, ate, mingled, danced, sang and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves like never before and that’s why we’re going again this year.

This year’s OC Fair NYE Block Party will be held at the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa on Saturday, December 31, 2011 from 7:30pm – 1:30am

Unlike other New Year’s Eve celebrations, the New Year’s Eve Block Party is offering great fun in a very fun and casualsetting. No black ties here!  The OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party will offer a large selection of gourmet food trucks, will include full bars selling beer, wine and alcohol, lots of live tribute bands and DJ entertainment by the decade – from the ’60s to the ’90s.

Bands taking the stage will include:

-Britain’s Finest        -Wild Child      -The Who Revue       -Elton: The Early Years         -Space Oddity           -TNT           -Rio          -The Cured                                   -Flashback Heart Attack            -Green ToDay          -The Joshua Tree                   -Vitology

The fun doesn’t end there because this year’s event will also include Comedic team Project Dynamite, Dueling Pianos and a Casino (fundraiser for a non-profit, Centennial Farm Foundation). You can also count on there being a Clown Race Derby, Basketball Shot, Balloon Party, a mechanical bull, sumo wrestling, Jacobs Ladder, and some carnival rides.

Participating gourmet food trucks:

-Taco Maria         -Crepes Boneparte          -Brats Berlin        -Piaggio                     -The Greasy Weiner         -Calbi          -Rolling Sushi      -Rancho A Go Go BBQ                 -Sexy Burger           -California Grill Truck           -Sweet E’s                       -Bacon Mania           -The Burnt Truck          -M5         -Short Stop BBQ                         -TaNota           -My Tornado Potato

Ticket information:

Can be purchased at OC Fair box office or online.

General admission – $40 ; Groups of 10+ – $36 ; Block Party ticket + 2012 OC Fair Super Pass – $55

General parking –  $10 ; Preferred parking – $20 (near main entrance)

For more information on the event, visit OC Fair website.

* * * * * * * * * *

One lucky IEFamily reader will win a pair (2 tickets) to this years OC Fair NYE Block Party!

How to win:

Visit the NYE Block Party website & tell me what band you’re looking forward to seeing and/or food truck you can’t wait to try.

Giveaway will end on Monday, December 19 @11:59 pm (pst). Winner will be chosen at random, posted the following day and has 48 hrs to claim item via email response. If the item is not claimed, a new winner will be chosen.

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot Hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

It’s the season of giving and Lake Elsinore Outlets wants to help us help others.

In the true spirit of the holidays, Lake Elsinore Outlets is continuing its Season of Wishes campaign for The Make-A-WishFoundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire.

From December 1  - 19,  Lake Elsinore Outlets is helping raise money for this worthwhile cause that grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions throughout Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

And this is where you all come in to the mix…starting December 1 Lake Elsinore Outlet is accepting cash, gift cards or a new, unwrapped toy in the amount of $20. As a thank you, customers who make a donation will receive 2 free golf tickets to Mulligan’s Family Fun Center.

What a great deal! Give and you shall receive, right?

All donations can be dropped off at Customer Service in the Management office of the center, Monday – Friday 8:30am – 7:30pm or Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 7pm.

Lake Elsinore Outlets is located off Interstate 15 at Nichols Road or Central Avenue exits in Lake Elsinore.  For more information, please call (951) 245-0087 or visit www.lakeelsinoreoutlet.com.

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

Which is exactly why I’m super duper excited that Disney On Ice presents Pixar’s Toy Story 3 is coming to the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on December 28 – January 1.

The Blockbuster movie, Toy Story 3, and memorable moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are hitting the ice in this sensational live production coming to the I.E. Catch all the heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jesse and the gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home in their most daring adventure ever!

A few new faces join the fun including Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lots’-o’-Huggin Bear. It’s the biggest Toy Story experience on ice, jam-packed with fast-paced adventure such as Buzz’s galactic battle with Emperor Zurg and a hoe-down at Woody’s Roundup.

Rediscover the humor, friendship and charm of Toy Story when Disney On Ice presents Pixar’s Toy Story 3 on ice takes family fun to infinity and beyond!

Show Locations & Dates (see poster for times):

Staples Center, Los Angeles CA:   December 14 – December 18

Honda Center, Anaheim CA:  December 20 – December 25

Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario CA:  December 28 – January 1

Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA:  January 4 – January 8

Ticket Information:

- Ticket prices are as follows: $16, $21, $26, $45 VIP, $70 Front Row

- Discount: Save $4 on certain showtimes & get a Family-4-Pack for $48 by using the code: MOM (valid until 1/8/12)

- Tickets may be purchased at the venue box office, online at Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-300.

(click to enlarge)

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

“The customers always right”

I don’t necessarily believe that’s the best company motto because in my experience, the customer is definitely not always right. Having worked retail in the past and having had an office job where I deal with tons of people has given me a lot of experience in the customer service department.

I know that people want to be heard, have their needs met and not be made to feel as if their issue or want isn’t important. I know this because these are all things I want.

“Treat others the way you’d like to be treated” isn’t just something your mom used to tell you for kicks, it’s a life lesson.

Over the weekend the hubs & I went to one of the three local Sprint stores in Riverside and ran into a young lady that could have used a couple of serious tips in the customer service department. To be completely blunt, she was rude, condescending, unfriendly and outright bad at her job. Worst part was she wasn’t only this way to me, it was to everyone and she was still in “training”.

Obviously someone skipped the ‘how to make your customers feel comfortable’ chapter in the training manual.

It took me 20 minutes to find a phone and decide I wanted to give that store my hard earned cash and it took her less than 1 minute to change my mind.

Because of bad customer service I opted to make the 25 minute drive to another Riverside store and purchased my phone there instead. Why? Well, maybe a teensy bit out of spite but mostly because they made me feel truly welcome.

The associate’s great attitude and willingness to do whatever he could to get a great deal not only got us to purchase my new Android phone but also open an additional line and purchase an additional phone. Go him!

The lesson here? Be nice…it gets you more than just a paycheck and good karma.

Have you ever taken your business elsewhere due to bad customer service?

* * * * * * * * *

Note:   Fellow IE Sprint customers, if you’re in the market for a new phone & want great customer service you should totally go talk to Josh @the Sprint Store on Tyler St. in Riverside. He’s ubber nice & won’t roll his eyes when speaking to you…at least he didn’t to us.

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot Hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

Unlike last year, I’m ready for the trick-or-treaters. I’ve already purchased the candy we’ll be passing out on Monday and have it hidden from the hubs’ candy lovin’ hands but candy isn’t all it takes to be prepared.

Here are a few Halloween safety tips for you to keep in mind regardless if you’re passing out candy at home or going door-to-door with the kiddos.

1. Accompany children under 12.

2. Plan a safe route with good lighting. Give your children a flashlight with fresh batteries or a glow stick to increase visibility.

3. Treat your kids to a spooky Halloween meal before they leave. It will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it.

4. Inspect treats before eating. Throw out unwrapped or unpackaged candy.

5. Stay in familiar neighborhoods and only visit houses with lighted porches.

6. If visiting a stranger’s house, accept treats only at the door. Don’t go inside!

7. When passing out candy, consider the age of the child. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

8. Consider using glow sticks instead of candles in your jack-o’-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard.

9. Keep the porch light on to increase visibility.

10. Make sure your walkway is safe for children to enter and bring pets inside.

Halloween Event in the IE:

- City of Beaumont: Pumpkin Carve 10/27 @5pm

- City of Yermo: Ghost Hunt 10/28 – 10/30

- City of Chino Hills: Trick-or-Treat at the Shoppes 10/29 @2pm

- City of Claremont: Halloween Celebration 10/31 @1pm

- City of Corona : Halloween Spooktacular 10/20 @2pm

- City of Perris: Harvest Halloween Festival 10/29 @5:30pm

- City of Temecula: Halloween Fest at Longshadow Ranch Vineyard 10/30 @5pm

- City of Upland: Scary-A-Faire 10/31 @5pm

Hope you all have a fun & safe Halloween!

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot Hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

It’s one of our favorite holidays…and I swear it’s not just because of the massive amounts of candy floating around. Well, at least not for me but by the cost of my husbands dental bills I can easily tell you it’s his favorite for this very reason. Talk about candy junkie y’all.

Since we’ve had to tighten our cash belt this year we didn’t really give much thought to buying tickets to one of those large Halloween events at the big amusement parks, it’s definitively way out of our price range.

But my husband has made it clear that he’s not having any of that ‘no fright fest this year’ talk and is  dead set on still getting some thrills & chills somewhere. I didn’t want to be the one to break his little horror fest loving heart by telling him the only thing we could honestly afford was to pay the neighborhood children to put on hand-me-down masks and pop out of a closet a couple of times, so I scoured the net in hopes of finding something, anything, local that would at least get the heart racing and…

I found it!

This Friday the hubs and I will walking through all 5 of the mazes that the Coffin Creek Haunted Village in Corona has to offer. The reviews on this place are fantastic, which I know should make me happy but in reality are only causing me to have massive anxiety.

For someone who loves horror movies, reads everything and anything about ghosts and murderers, I sure am one ginormous scaredy cat.

Eek!…only a few more days. Save me.

Did you or do you plan on visiting any haunted houses/mazes this  year?

************

In other non-scary, somewhat related news, I will be participating in the upcoming Social Networking Mashup being hosted by the great people at 4G Wireless, Inc. at the new Verizon store in Riverside on Saturday, October 22 from 10 am – 2 pm.

This event is open to everyone & anyone with or without a wireless device. Come meet me (you know you’re dying to!), learn about new apps for Blackberry, Motorola & LG. You’ll also be able to enter a free raffle and hopefully win some awesome prizes!

Read more of Lin’s ramblings on her personal blog: Linny’s Vault and stay up to date on all the hot Hollywood gossip over at her celebrity gossip blog: In The Loop.

Labeling is something people of all ages have to deal but you’d never expect it from the people that are in charge of your child’s education.

As adults we’re often put into categories and  labeled as the ‘fun one’, the ‘smart one’, or the ‘quiet one’.  It’s something you’d expect from certain individuals but never from a school board. At least I wouldn’t.

Being a teenager was the pits, in my opinion. Top that off with having to deal with life changes, mood swings, attempting to have social life while maintaining at least average grades, and all the while trying to not be ‘labeled’…yeah, can you say handful?