Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

Tribute to Children, a sculpture that celebrates the enduring values of Fred Rogers, will be unveiled this fall on the north shore facing downtown Pittsburgh.

Cordelia May was a longtime friend of Fred and Joanne Rogers. After his death, she wanted to honor Fred — in the city that was his home — and at a location where all could be reminded of his messages and legacy of love. She began to collaborate with Joanne Rogers on the creation of a sculpture that would be entirely funded by her Colcom Foundation.

Tribute to Children was sculpted by Robert Berks, who has created fourteen monumental works and more than three hundred portraits of individuals in public and private life, including most of the world’s leaders of the 20th century.

Berks said of the project: “This sculpture is the summation of how I see Fred Rogers and his perceptive, loving openness to life. It is how I celebrate his particular genius in my own medium. His unique gifts will live on for future generations, and I am rewarded to play a part in that heritage.”

Tribute to Children features a walk-around platform — measuring approximately 96 feet by 59 feet — and will encompass the old Manchester Bridge pier which will be reconstructed into a dramatic portal. The floor design will be patterned after the colorful path in the part of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood known as the ‘Neighborhood of Make-Believe.’

“We are thankful to the local tradesmen, authorities and to our team of architects for their efforts in creating a very special place,” said Bill Isler, President of Family Communications, Inc. “The generosity of Colcom Foundation is making this gift to the region a reality,” added Isler.

At the unveiling, Colcom Foundation will give Tribute to Children to the City of Pittsburgh and will continue to provide funding for the site’s ongoing maintenance.

For more information, visit tributetochildren.org.

Gatherr round for not-so-spooky tales of adventure, learning and friendship with your favorite preschool pals Thomas & Friends™, Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Angelina Ballerina™, Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Fireman Sam™ in HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales on DVD September 1, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

The thrills start with Thomas & Friends™ in a ghostly adventure. Bob The Builder™ and Spud put on scary faces to protect a giant pumpkin pie from hungry crows. Barney™ and Fifi learn that there’s more to a costume than just dressing up. Angelina Ballerina™ sneaks into a costume ball and Fireman Sam™ saves a furry friend from a chilling experience. Enjoy the season’s sweetest collection of Trick or Treat Tales
· Thomas & Friends – “Flour Power!”
· Barney & Friends™ – “Guess Who?”
· Bob the Builder – “Trix’s Pumpkin Pie”
· Fifi and the Flowertots – “Pirate Primrose”
· Angelina Ballerina – “The Costume Ball”

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

· “Cat Magic” – a bonus episode of Fireman Sam

With a fresh new look, brave and resourceful Fireman Sam™ tackles problems big and small in the all-new Fireman Sam: Help is Here! igniting onto DVD August 25, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. In his first ever CGI adventure, everyone’s favorite firefighter teaches about fire safety, rescues those in need and demonstrates the importance of fire prevention.

Fireman Sam – the only children’s firefighter-themed show – originally launched in the UK and made its U.S. debut on PBS KIDS SproutSM in October 2006, and continues to air daily.
See Fireman Sam™ in action in this thrilling collection of firefighting adventures! Join Fireman Sam, Norman, Mandy and Radar as they make courageous rescues throughout the town of Pontypandy. Fireman Sam saves the supermarket on Fire Prevention Day, helps the rescue dogs find missing people, shares important safety tips and makes a daring helicopter rescue in the midst of a forest fire.

Episodes include:
· “Paper Plane Down”
· “Hot & Cold Running Sniffer Dog”
· “Hearts On Fire”
· “Perilous Path”
· “The New Hero Next Door”

Get a big scoop of fun with Bob the Builder™ and his machine team in the all-new Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew! available on DVD August 25, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Featuring never-before-seen episodes, the DVD is packaged with a free toy vehicle and is filled with action as Bob and his Can-Do Crew learn that good friends always work together to get the job done. Teamwork, positive thinking and problem-solving equip future builders with the right Can-Do attitude to tackle any project!

DVD SYNOPSIS – Join Bob, Muck, Scoop and Roley, in 5 exciting, action-packed episodes! Watch and learn as Bob and his Can-Do Crew build a house, open a new café, fix an old gate and help a family of ducks. See how teamwork and fun go hand-in-hand in these building adventures.

Episodes include:

· Massive Muck
· Roley’s Moleys
· Scoop Slips Up
· Scrambler’s Seaweed Delivery
· Muck’s Convoy

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

§ “Lofty the Painter” Game
§ “Skip’s Chute Rescue” Game

The first stage submissions period ends in less than two weeks. They are looking for the top five “Rough Cuts” (early-stage works ranging anywhere from basic sketches, storyboards, animatics to partial or full animations), which can be synched up to the free audio provided exclusively at Aniboom.com/History.

The top five are awarded an automatic $5,000 so that they may be further developed into final animations. Those final animations then go on to compete for a $25,000 development deal and national television exposure.

This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your style, win cash prizes, and show off your animation to millions. It’s simple—just download 30 seconds of exclusive free audio and show how you would animate it— sketches, drawings, and storyboards are all fully welcome! But don’t wait to the last minute—their servers get a bit overloaded when everyone submits all at once!

With the first stage of this competition ending August 31st, now is your time to win a cool $5,000 and get on the road to your big break!

Simpson fans, listen up!

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie return for more outrageous adventures when “The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season arrives on DVD August 18 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The longest running animated series in television history, “The Simpsons” latest DVD collection features all 21 classic episodes from the 2000-01 season including Bart’s boy band odyssey in “New Kids on the Blecch” featuring pop sensations ‘N Sync and the hilarious less-than-ordinary day in-store for Homer, Bart and Lisa in “Trilogy of Error.” The season also boasts an impressive line-up of talented guest stars including Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Justin Timberlake, Stephen King, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Daltrey, and many more.

“The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season is loaded with special features including an introduction from Matt Groening; audio commentaries on every episode with Groening and “The Simpsons” Executive Producers, Writers, Actors and Directors; deleted scenes; animation showcases; original sketches; special language feature; featurettes and more. As an added bonus, the set comes in collectible packaging modeled after the overweight and over opinionated retailer Comic Book Guy.

“The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season Special Features:

All episodes are compiled on four discs. Each episode is presented with English, Spanish and French and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The following is a breakdown of each disc:

Disc One:

o Treehouse of Horror XI
o A Tale of Two Springfields
o Insane Clown Poppy
o Lisa the Tree Hugger
o Homer vs. Dignity
o Additional Bonus Features Include:

§ Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
§ Illustrated Commentary: Lisa the Tree Hugger
§ Animation Showcase: Treehouse of Horror XI
§ Deleted Scenes
§ Special Language Feature: Homer Vs. Dignity

Disc Two:

o The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
o The Great Money Caper
o Skinner’s Sense of Snow
o HOMR
o Pokey Mom
o Worst Episode Ever
o Additional Bonus Features Include:

§ Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
§ Deleted Scenes
§ Comic Book Guy: Best. Moments. Ever. featurette
§ Illustrated Commentary: HOMR

Disc Three:

o Tennis the Menace
o Day of the Jackanapes
o New Kids on the Blecch
o Hungry, Hungry Homer
o Bye Bye Nerdie
o Simpsons Safari
o Additional Bonus Features Include:

§ Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
§ Deleted Scenes
§ Animation Showcase: Day of the Jackanapes

Disc Four:

o Trilogy of Error
o I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
o Children of a Lesser Clod
o Simpson Tall Tales
o Additional Bonus Features Include:

§ Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
§ Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Executive Producer Mike Scully
§ Global Fanfest
§ Sketch Gallery
§ Illustrated Commentary: I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
§ The Commercials

About “THE SIMPSONS” – Currently the longest-running sitcom on television, The Simpsons aired their historic 400th episode in May 2007, followed by the hugely successful The Simpsons Movie in July 2007. The critically acclaimed series features Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson who take traditional family life and turn them upside down. Exploding into a cultural phenomenon in 1990, The Simpsons has remained one of the most visible and marketable properties both domestically and internationally. The Simpsons is noted for its famous celebrity guest voices and received a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in January of 2000. In Spring 2008 The Simpsons Ride opened at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, CA.

This multi-Emmy Award®-winning series is currently in production of its 21st Season. The Simpsons is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the Executive Producers. The Gracie Films Licensing and Marketing Division develops and produces the DVD collection for the series. Film Roman is the animation house.