PR Newswire Entertainment Weekly RoundUp for Week Ending Friday, December 31, 2004

PR Newswire Entertainment Weekly RoundUp for Week Ending Friday, December 31, 2004 The following is a select summary of the top entertainment-related press releases transmitted this week by PR Newswire. The full text of these releases is available at no charge to journalists on PR Newswire for Journalists, http://www.prnewswire.com/media. Editors are also advised that high-resolution photos are available to accompany these previously transmitted releases. Members of the media may download the photos at no charge from the online archive links indicated below. Many photos are also available via the AP PhotoExpress Network, as indicated by the PRN# listed below. 1. Steve Irwin Headlines Aussie Travel Expo Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843388 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU5 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN5 Caption: Steve Irwin headlines Aussie Travel Expo. Australian Steve Irwin and some of his country's most famous animals will star in two special live performances at G'Day LA: Australia Week's Aussie Travel Expo on January 20th and 21st, 2005 in Los Angeles. The Aussie Travel Expo will also feature an interactive travel marketplace, The Ten Tenors and a real taste of Australia. With net proceeds benefiting the Steve Irwin Wildlife Fund USA, tickets are $25 per person and available on www.australiatravelexpo.com. Contact: Kristen Malaby, +1-310-695-3214, kmalaby@tourism.australia.com, for G'Day LA: Australia Week 2005 2. Manatees Are Among Sites to 'Sea' in Jacksonville Through Super Bowl XXXIX Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843302 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041229/FLW002 Caption: Manatees Are Among Sites to 'Sea' in Jacksonville Through Super Bowl XXXIX Contact: Bonnie Upright, APR, Otis Smith Kids Foundation, +1-904-880-6847, or mobile, +1-904-955-1278; or Stephanie Webb of St. John & Partners, +1-904-596-8567, or mobile, +1-904-476-6829 3. Reebok Teams Up With Lifetime Products Inc. - The World's Leading Manufacturer of Basketball Equipment - to Launch RBK Basketball Systems Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2842986 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU2 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN2 Caption: Reebok Teams Up With Lifetime Products Inc. - The World's Leading Manufacturer of Basketball Equipment - to Launch RBK Basketball Systems. Lifetime offers a full lineup of basketball systems that cater to all skill levels. More information on Lifetime basketball products available on: http://www.lifetime.com/Basketball/Default.aspx. Contact: Phil Mickey of Lifetime Public Relations, +1-801-728-1239; or Jenny Shanley, +1-781-401-4548, or Carla Stellman, +1-781-401-7731, both of Reebok Public Relations 4. Inflatable BodyWedge 21 Introduces A 'New Angle In Fitness' And Provides A Portable Fitness Center Everywhere You Go Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2842628 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041227/NYM037 Caption: The BodyWedge 21 will keep exercise simple and fun. The unit's versatility allows users to work their abs, buttocks, thighs, arms, chest and lower back. The BodyWedge 21 can be used by itself, using your own body weight and strength for resistance, or can be used with free weights. Contact: Lou Desiderio of BodyWedge 21, +1-917-627-0912, lou_desiderio@hotmail.com 5. Bowl Contenders Win the Checkers(R) Challenge Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843673 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041230/FLTH009 Caption: Bowl Contenders Win the Checkers(R) Challenge Contact: Lisa Tristano, MARC Public Relations, +1-412-562-1189, or ltristano@marcusa.com, for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. 6. Nutrition Author Reveals How to Quit the Soft Drink Addiction in Five Easy Steps Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843918 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU6 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN6 Caption: Nutrition author reveals how to quit your soft drink addiction in five easy steps. Penned by nutrition guru Mike Adams, this mini e-book, "The Five Soft Drink Monsters," offers a five-step action plan for conquering one of America's most prevalent yet overlooked additions: carbonated beverages. To assist soft drink addicts in overcoming their beverage dependency, this report is available for downloading at http://www.truthpublishing.com/ for $7.95. Contact: Jessica Smith, +1-520-390-7763, jessica.s@newstarget.com, for Truth Publishing 7. Sensi - Dining Drama Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2842708 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041227/LAM030-a Caption: Roasted Squab with Parsnip Puree. Contact: Media, Stephanie Davis of MGM MIRAGE, +1-702-891-7517; or Jennifer Baum of BULLFROG & BAUM, +1-212-255-6717, for MGM MIRAGE 8. Bayer Advanced(TM) Tries for Fifth Consecutive Trophy in the 2005 Rose Parade(R) Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2842454 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041226/NYSU001 Caption: Bayer Advanced(TM) Tries for Fifth Consecutive Trophy in the 2005 Rose Parade(R) Contact: Brian Pia, +1-205-877-9870, or cell, +1-205-821-3441, Lori Merricks, +1-205-877-9736, or cell, +1-205-422-5756, Angela Drinkwater, +1-631-477-1221, drinkh2o@optonline.net, Ruffin Flowers, +1-205-877-9795, or cell, +1-205-249-5285, Shannon Goff, +1-205-877-9705, or cell, +1-205-266-8409, all of Luckie PR; Mark Schneid, Bayer Advanced, +1-201-307-3368, or cell, +1-201-274-5176; Larry Palmer, Phoenix Decorating, cell, +1-626-375-1025 9. The Polar Express May Be Gone for Now but Many Tennessee Trains Are Just Heading Out of the Station Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843676 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU3 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN3 Caption: Not much has changed in the last hundred years when you experience the scenic beauty of East Tennessee by train. No matter what part of Tennessee you want to visit, there are trains, train rides, train museums and train people to make a part of your tour. For additional information on Tennessee trains, visit http://www.tenntravelnews.com/ . Contact: Mike Cohen of the Tennessee Department Of Tourist Development News Bureau, +1-865-584-2744 10. Disney's Magical Express Delivers 'Hassle-Free Travel' for Disney Hotel Guests Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843050 An accompanying high-resolution photos are available at: Photo #1 NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041228/FLTU007-b Caption: ON THE MOVE -- Rendering shows decor of the 37 state-of-the- art motor coaches owned and operated by Mears Transportation that will serve passengers using Disney's Magical Express between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort beginning May 5, 2005. The complimentary round-trip airport shuttle/baggage delivery service will be available for guests booking vacations with accommodations at 22 Disney hotels. Photo #2 NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041228/FLTU007-a Caption: Like magic, guests and their belongings will be whisked from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort when Disney's Magical Express begins operation on May 5, 2005. The complimentary round-trip airport shuttle/baggage delivery service will be available for guests booking vacations with accommodations at 22 Disney hotels. The new service also includes an expedited airline check-in process. Guests may begin booking vacations that include Disney's Magical Express on Jan. Contact: Walt Disney World Public Affairs, +1-407-828-3814 11. Apollo Theater Holiday eBay Charity Auction Offers Lucky Bidder the Opportunity to Have Lunch With 2004 Kennedy Center Honorees Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843801 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU4 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN4 Caption: 2004 Kennedy Center Honorees Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis have enriched and transformed American life as brilliant actors, writers, directors, producers, and passionate advocates for social justice, human dignity, and creative excellence. Contact: Andrew Emmett of JAMI Charity Brands, +1-212-497-7252 12. Become a Hometown Hero in 2005: Volvo For Life Awards' Nominees Provide Tips For Volunteering Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843740 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU1 AP PHOTOEXPRESS: PRN1 Caption: Do you know a hero? After losing her son in a drive by shooting, Lorna Hawkins, Lynwood, Ca., founded Drive By Agony, which educates people about violence in Los Angeles and allows parents of murdered children to discuss their loss. She is among thousands of heroes nominated in the Volvo for life Awards, a national search for everyday heroes, honoring local heroes with $1 million in charitable contributions. To nominate a hometown hero you know, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com by Jan. 10. Contact: Eric Davis of Haberman & Associates, +1-612-372-6447, eric@modernstorytellers.com , or Soren Johansson of Volvo Cars of North America, +1-949-341-6719, sjohan44@volvocars.com 13. KB Home's Jim Widner Named Builder of the Year Full text of the release is available at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=2843383 An accompanying high-resolution photo is available at: NEWSCOM: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041229/LAW021 Caption: Jim Widner, division president of KB Home, Nevada named Builder of the Year by Builder and Developer magazine. Contact: Sarah Thornton of The Firm Public Relations, +1-702-739-9933, saraht@thefirmpr.com, for KB Home For more information on any of the photos, or on gaining access to the archives, members of the media may contact the PR Newswire Photo Desk at +1- 888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840. PRNewswire -- Dec. 31 Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU5 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041229/FLW002 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU2 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041227/NYM037 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041230/FLTH009 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU6 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041227/LAM030-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041226/NYSU001 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU3 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041228/FLTU007-b http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041228/FLTU007-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU4 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041231/LAFRU1 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041229/LAW021 AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1, PRN2, PRN3, PRN4, PRN5, PRN6 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: PR Newswire ------- Profile: International Entertainment