VALENTINES DAY THEMED COMIC BOOKS

It is February and love is in the air with Valentine's Day approaching! Daredevil and Electra, Batman and Catwoman, Superman and Lois Lane, Archie and Betty (or is it Veronica), Snake Eyes and Scarlett ... what is your favorite comic book storyline romance? 

Enjoy the holiday with some Valentine's Day themed comic books hitting store shelves this month:

Archie Comics -- ARCHIE'S VALENTINE'S SPECTACULAR ($3.99)

You are cordially invited to join Hearts, Flowers, and Candies on a tour of the romance capital of the world... Riverdale?! Let the three Spirits of Valentine's Day sweep you off your feet and show you why, in Riverdale, EVERYONE gets a Valentine!

Skybound -- CREEPSHOW IN LOVE ($4.99)

Romance + CREEPSHOW? This three-course special is for all the lonely hearts out there! 

First, murderous MIRKA ANDOLFO (SWEET PAPRIKA) spins a horrifying yarn about the Valentine's Day Killer in "Madness of Two"! 

Then, petrifying PATRICK HORVATH (Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees) concocts a love potion for a "Cursed Casanova"! 

Finally, yelpin' YUL-PYEONG OH and paranormal PURÉ invite you to the zoo for the worst first date ever in "Penguin Avenger"!

Mad Cave Studios -- DICK TRACY: VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL ($6.99)

When a string of murders occurs on the set of a romantic movie filming in The City, Dick Tracy is on the case. In this world of glitz and glamour, where everyone tells a story but no one tells the truth, Tracy races against the clock to separate fact from fiction and stop this killer before they fulfill their promise to strike again — on Valentine's Day! PLUS: While investigating a series of bizarre deaths, Dick Tracy finds himself transported into the life of his dreams! But what is lurking behind this locus of love? Find out in the Dick Tracy Valentine's Day Special!

Dynamite -- POWERPUFF GIRLS VALENTINE'S KISSY FACE SPECIAL ($5.99)

It's almost time for the annual Valentine's Day card exchange in the City of Townsville — and when a cute boy in her class catches her fancy, Blossom starts getting into the spirit of the holiday in a big way!

Suddenly, every scenario she encounters — from going out for pizza to clobbering giant monsters — is an occasion for a swooning flight of fancy. Even Mojo Jojo's villainous schemes transform into fairy tale adventures through her newly heart-shaped eyeballs! Can Buttercup and Bubbles bring her back down to Earth in time to save the city from its inevitable attackers? Or will the Titans of Townsville succumb to the ultimate weapon — Cupid's arrow? 

Find out in this 40-page seasonal special, handwritten on rose-tinted paper by PAULINA GANUCHEAU and lovingly drawn by SAVANNA GANUCHEAU, featuring a bouquet of covers from both Ganucheaus as well as hopeless romantic NICOLETTA BALDARI.

VALENTINES DAY DINNERS IN HEATED IGLOOS

Looking for something out of the ordinary to do this Valentine's Day? Enjoy a romantic dinner with someone special in a heated igloo on the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Experience a sumptuous feast under the stars with their $200 per couple Valentine's Day dinner package which includes:

• Exclusive dining experience of a four-course meal in a heated igloos; 
• Complimentary bottle of Champagne (non-alcoholic beverages also available); 
• Two commemorative glasses for keepsake; 
•  A special gift for you and your loved one.

To view the menu and make reservations for your romantic rendezvous, click here. 

Dinner reservations are from 6 to 8 pm on the following dates: 

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 9th, 10th & 11th; Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13th & 14th; Friday and Saturday, February 16th & 17th.

EIGHT IDEAS FOR A ROMANTIC CODY YELLOWSTONE GETAWAY

Have yourself a wild adventure for Valentine's Day with your special someone by going on a getaway to visit the scenic territory of Yellowstone National Park and the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse that neighbor it. Without the summer tourist crowds, winter is a great time to experience this wonderland as if the place was your own personal playground. Enjoy some one-on-one time enjoying the sights and sounds of the region with your Valentine.

“Nature is the star performer in the winter, when couples can view the starry skies, wandering wildlife and winter landscapes in quiet solitude,” Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park, told ageekdaddy.com. “No matter what their shared interests, couples can find endless inspiration in the frosty quiet of the forests and valleys and the historic streets of downtown Cody.” 

In addition to the splendor of nature's scenery, couples visiting Cody during the pre-summer quiet season will find plenty of ways to enjoy each other’s company. Here are some ideas: 

• Sharpen skills together. Cody Yellowstone stages periodic special events such as this four-day Winter Photography Workshop in late February. Led by two celebrated outdoor photographers, the workshop includes accommodations at the historic Irma Hotel, instruction and field trips into the frosty wilderness. 
• Observe frosty critters at sunrise. Get up early, grab a coffee and drive along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway towards Yellowstone with binoculars handy. The early-morning hours and dusk are two of the best times to see animals in the wild. There are numerous places to pull off the road to scope for bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and even moose. 
• Act like a couple of kids in a candy store. Literally. The Cowtown Candy Company celebrates sweet nostalgia in the form of hand-dipped truffles, homemade fudge as well specialty sodas and unique gifts. Couples with a taste for authentic sweets will find a distinctive selection at the Meeteetse Chocolatier. Owned by a one-time cowboy, the store’s celebrated concoctions include raspberry, peanut butter and even jalapeno truffles. 
•  Cross country ski through the forest. Work off the calories along the classic tracks and skate lanes along the Shoshone River at Pahaska Tepee near the East Gate to Yellowstone National Park. Or head to the remote Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. Skis as well as snowshoes can be rented at outfitters in town or at the Sleeping Giant Ski Area. 
• Make it a Date Night at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The acclaimed museum stages periodic date nights such as a Sangria and Tapas evening. The celebrated museum also hosts Cody Culture Club evenings with talks about a variety of Cody topics. 
• Or make it a date night with a twist (or olive). Sip on a cocktail and listen to live music at the Chamberlin Inn. The romantic boutique inn serves inventive cocktails and snacks and stages live music on Friday nights in its cozy Spirits Lounge. 
• Shop for the perfect new painting. Art is a tradition in Cody, and couples will find numerous art galleries and one-of-a-kind stores and antique shops overflowing with a wide range of art and home décor. In addition, museums like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and By Western Hands have a wide selection of Western-style creations for purchase. 
• End the day with a beer crawl. Hops-loving couples can sample local brews at numerous downtown locations such as Pat O’Hara’s Brewing Company, Cody Craft Brewing and the Millstone Pizza Company and Brewery. Be safe! Stay at one of the many hotels right in downtown Cody and walk to each location.

DSO PRINCESS BRIDE VALENTINES DAY PERFORMANCE

Here is a fun musical serenade for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day...the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is performing the entire musical score live-to-picture of The Princess Bride. "As you wish…" Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, and miracles are sure to make for a fantastic Valentine's Day evening on the town. Dress up, go out to a nice dinner at a downtown Detroit eatery and enjoy the ambience of The Max as the DSO fills it with the soundtrack of this beloved movie about true love. Adventure, Comedy and Romance make this The Princess Bride performance a night to be geeked about. 

CLICK HERE for more information. Missing this cinematic concert experience would be inconceivable!

VALENTINE'S DAY BROWNIE GIFT BOX

A special thank you shout out to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for sending us their Valentine's Day Brownie Gift Box to taste test. It arrived as a pink, red, and white heart-themed purple gift box wrapped up in a red bow for some festive flair. Inside were twelve handmade in New Hampshire freshly baked delicious brownies in Butterscotch Blondie, Chocolate Chip Blondie and Chocolate Chunk flavors. A sweet treat for someone special in your life to celebrate Valentine's Day with ... plus there is more than enough brownies in this box to share!

These brownies are baked fresh without any added preservatives. Plus, they are individually wrapped for added freshness. Because they are freshly baked and sent out straight to you from GourmetGiftBaskets.com it is recommended that you don't wait around to eat them. For best flavor consume them within 7-10 days of receipt, even though from our experience these brownies are so tasty you'll probably devour them within a day of opening their box up. Note though if you have food allergies in the family that these brownies are manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts.

Butterscotch Blondie

Chocolate Chip Blondie

Chocolate Chunk Brownie

These brownies are so tasty! Absolutely earn a Geek Daddy nod of approval. Check out all the gift ideas for Valentine's Day and other special occasions available at GourmetGiftBaskets.com 

TRENDHIM JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

Accessorizing your wardrobe with jewelry isn't just for the ladies. While my wife has ear rings for any occasion, I have my own collection of wrist watches that are just as much a fashion statement as they are a practical device for keeping track of time. A bracelet or necklace can be a nice contrast piece for an outfit that can also be an expression of a guy's personality just as much as a tie or pocket square can be. It is not taboo for men to incorporate jewelry into their lifestyle. 

Trendhim, my go-to source for men's lifestyle accessories, has numerous options to incorporate jewelry into your wardrobe. Whether someone wants to show off bling or are more conservative and looking for a subtle touch of style there is sure to be something on trendhim.com that will be appealing to any type of guy. Cuff links that show off they are a comic book superhero fan, a wrist watch that adds some sophistication to the wearer's day, or rings that provide a glint of someone's personality can make a man feel good about himself and attractive to the people around him. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best and show off a sense of style! 

To share the great products and customer services, I've enjoyed from Trendhim, ageekdaddy.com is hosting a Valentine's Day Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a $75 voucher to purchase jewelry on trendhim.com. So, whether you are looking to give yourself some love or a gift for a special man in your life this is a giveaway you won't want to miss out on.

Participate in this TRENDHIM JEWELRY GIVEAWAY by participating in the rafflecopter form below. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate in this promotion. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 30, 2022. The winning entrant's email will be provided to the contest sponsor for prize fulfillment. The prize consists of a $75 voucher code for purchases on trendhim.com. Delivery of the prize is the responsibility of Trendhim and this blog is only responsible for randomly selecting the winner. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PINK MAC AND CHEESE

Who doesn't LOVE Kraft Macaroni and Cheese?! It was a regular side dish my mom included in our meals when I was growing up and we've been mixing it up for my own kids since I've become a parent myself. Have to admit the easy to make Kraft Mac & Cheese mix was a favorite dorm room snack during my college years as well and I still make up a batch now and then just for myself.

For everyone who LOVES Kraft's easy mix Macaroni and Cheese there is a special Valentine's Day treat for you. There is being released for Valentine's Day a limited edition pink, candy-flavored Mac & Cheese by Kraft. The catch is though you can't buy it ... you have to win it!

Kraft is giving away 1,000 candy flavored Mac & Cheese Kits in celebration of Valentine's Day. They know times are tough and they wanted to add some extra sweetness to the lucky randomly selected winners lives this holiday. CLICK HERE to toss your name in the hat for a chance to have it pulled out as a winner of a box of pink macaroni and cheese for Valentines Day.

You have until 1pm on February 8, 2021 to submit your entry. Prizes will be delivered from Kraft by Valentines Day. Good luck and Happy Valentines Day!

MAGICAL GIFTS FOR FANTASY LOVERS

Is there a special princess in your life for whom you are seeking a Valentine's Day gift she is sure to treasure? You can't go wrong with jewelry ... especially a replica of something worn in a favorite movie or television series. The Noble Collection has reproductions of rings and necklaces worn by actresses in The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies as well as the Game of Thrones television series that your lovely lady will be geeked to receive.

HARRY POTTER TIME-TURNER

Fans of JK Rowling's Hermione character in the Harry Potter novels and movies will adore a reproduction of her time traveling amulet. Available from The Noble Collection is a screen accurate replica of the Time-Turner featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Are you looking for a magical Valentine's Day gift?

The Time-Turner amulet is plated in 24 karat gold, is centered with a working miniature hourglass and its inner rings rotate. It includes an 18 inch chain for wearing your very own Time-Turner plus comes with a case to display it in. Tell your love that time freezes when you are together with the Valentine's Day present of an officially licensed Harry Potter Time-Turner.

EVENSTAR PENDANT OF ARWEN

Arwen the Elven Princess, known also to her people as Evenstar because of her unparalleled beauty, is destined to leave Middle-Earth and sail to the Undying Lands of the West in J.R.R. Tolkien's tales. While this fate looms before her, she falls in love with Aragorn, a mortal man, and is then faced with the heart-wrenching choice to leave Middle-Earth with her people or forego her immortality for the man she loves. 

Capture the brilliance of the Evenstar's enduring beauty with this replica of a necklace worn by actress Liv Tyler in the Academy Award winning Lord of the Rings movies produced by Peter Jackson. This screen accurate reproduction of the actual Evenstar Pendant of Arwen worn in the Lord of the Rings films is crafted in sterling silver. It measures 2.5 inches in length and comes complete with chain. Show your eternal love for someone with a fantastic gift like this!

TARGARYEN PENDANT 

By embodying the best of Daenerys Targaryen’s traits of determination, strength, confidence, power, and a need for justice, your Valentine deserves the Targaryen Pendant. Crafted in sterling silver, this pendant shows off the House of Targaryen’s sigil and is fit for a Queen.

Name a Roach for Valentine's Day

Julie Larsen Maher / Bronx Zoo

Looking for a funny way to show some affection for your mother-in-law, be goofy with your kids, or show a wacky love of nature to your significant other in celebrating Valentine's Day this year?  Or maybe you're looking for a way to let an ex know they did you wrong in a spirited but non-threatening way.  Name a roach after them.

The Bronx Zoo has an extensive number of Madagascar hissing cockroaches in its insect exhibit and they'll let you name a roach after someone for Valentine's Day.  Who wouldn't be endeared to know there is a hissing cockroach climbing around a display at New York City's famed Bronx Zoo sharing their name thanks to you.  By participating in this off-the-wall fundraiser you can have a bit of fun at someone else's expense. Well actually it will be at your expense because you need to make a donation to the Bronx Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Society to name one of the zoo's lovely Madagascar hissing cockroaches but hey it'll be a tax deductible Valentine's Day present.
 
For $10 tax deductible donation the Bronx Zoo will send out to your designated recipient a digital certificate like the one below letting them know the honor you've bestowed upon them.  If you'd like a personalized message can also be included within the certificate where you can wax poetic about your inspiration for the gift.

Want to be a bit more romantic?  For $25 the Wildlife Conservation Society will mail a printed roach certificate along with something sweet made by the Nunu Chocolate company in Brooklyn, New York.  Only $12 dollars of this gift is tax deductible but this option also includes chocolate being mailed to your special somebody.  If you want your gift to arrive in the mail by Valentine's Day orders must be placed by Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

To name a roach after someone for Valentine's Day, visit bronxzoo.com/roach

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, donations will help protect these misunderstood love bugs along with a lot of other animals big and small.  I'm sure you'll get some people hissing at you on Valentine's Day with this approach to showing your love, or disdain, for someone but if you are scampering around for something unique to do this year why not have some fun naming a cockroach.

OSRAM SYLVANIA Teams Up With Relationship Experts To Shed Light On How To Be A Valentine's Day Superhero

Whether you are newly dating someone or are in a long-term committed relationship, being a Valentine's Day superhero can often seem to be a daunting task.  This year, OSRAM SYLVANIA, a leading company in the lighting industry, has partnered with relationship experts Laurie Davis, Founder of eFlirt and author of Love @ First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating, and Thomas Edwards, Jr., Founder of The Professional Wingman, to offer some mood-setting tips.

OSRAM SYLVANIA's is the perfect side kick for setting the mood for a romantic evening with its LIGHTIFY portfolio of indoor and outdoor lighting products that can be controlled and automated via an app from your mobile device.  From changing lighting color to dimming to simply switching lights on and off, combining LIGHTIFY's features with these tips from Davis and Edwards, who are also a married couple, can make for a super Valentine's Day:

Tips for the Ladies from Laurie Davis

#1 When you change the body language between you and your partner, it creates a different mood and connection.  This Valentine's Day, instead of watching a movie on the couch together, grab cooking utensils and make dinner together!  Top of the night by slow dancing in your living room.

#2 Teenage traditions are still fun even when you're in a committed relationship and well past those teen years.  Thomas and I still ask each other out on proper dates.  Even though I know he will say yes, it helps build anticipation and reminds us to make each other feel young even when we've been together for ages.

#3 Think of your partner first if you are the one planning Valentine's Day.  While they might not be the most romantic fare, hamburgers really make Thomas happy.  I'll pick up greasy burgers and a nice bottle of red wine, and I'm always guaranteed a smile and a light-hearted mood for the rest of the night.

#4 As we all know, color can affect your mood and emotions dramatically.  Use LIGHTIFY smart connected lighting kits and app to set the color of your LED lights in your home to match the mood you want to be in.  On Valentine's Day morning, I'll want blue lighting to help us wake up and be alert, but then I'll switch to red lighting that evening when I want to evoke passion.

Tips for the Gentlemen from Thomas Edwards, Jr.

#1   Enhance the five senses.  Your partner can become fully immersed in the environment when each sense is stimulated, allowing them to feel the emotions that come with each sense and associate those emotions with you.

#2  Hearing music can put your partner in almost any mood, from relaxed to seductive to loving.  For our living room dances, Laurie and I will turn off the lights or change them to a soft red with the LIGHTIFY Flex RGBW and dance to a soundtrack that I carefully curated, highlighting our favorite songs since we've been together.

#3  Scent is very powerful because one whiff can tap into millions of memories.  If you and your partner have specific romantic memories tied to smell, it can really amplify the mood.  One day, Laurie noticed I was wearing cologne I used to wear when we started dating.  It made her reminisce about the early days of our relationship, which brought a smile to her face.

#4  Surprisingly, what you wear can be another way to help set the mood.  When you wear something that looks good on you, you will project confidence, alluring your date even more.  It's the subtle touches on Valentine's Day, those favorite cufflinks or that new necklace, that can take it from any normal night to a truly special one.

"The most important thing to remember this Valentine's Day is to have fun and enjoy your partner's company first and foremost," noted Davis.  "And keep the romance going after Valentine's Day too!" added Edwards.

As these relationship experts both mentioned, LIGHTIFY can help you set the mood with lights on -- flirty, fun, relaxed -- or off.  Check out this fun video to see how LIGHTIFY can set the perfect lightscape and help make you a Valentine's Day Superhero:

Put Some Sparks in Your Date Night with The Best of Me

With two young children at home and not a lot of family available to babysit for free, my wife and I really don't find ourselves getting out of the house that often without the kids tagging along.  A date night for us lately tends to be flopping on the couch after the kids have fallen asleep on a weekend night and throwing a disc into the dvd player to watch a movie.  My wife usually just goes along with my movie selection ideas which normally involve spaceships, super heroes, car chases or action sequences with lots of explosions and she is normally snoring next to me asleep by the midway point in the film.  Obviously, we may need to add a little bit of spark to our "date nights" so this year I'm going to be making an extra effort to have us watch some movies more regularly she really would enjoy and make things a little bit more special when we have some alone time.  Since it appears we won't be getting a babysitter for a Valentines Day getaway this year, I'm going to have us watch a movie called THE BEST OF ME based on a book by one of her favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks, while we enjoy some chocolate covered strawberries and drinks.  It can become easy to take a spouse for granted when you are engrossed with the hustle and bustle of work obligations and the commitments involved with raising children, but it is important to always be considerate of ways (even if they are small gestures like picking out a movie or providing a favorite desert)  to make your partner feel they are appreciated and special to you. 

Released 2/3/15 on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD

Based on the #1 New York Times best seller from celebrated author Nicholas Sparks comes this tender, romantic drama about the timeless power of love.  When former high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda (James Marsden and Michelle Managhan) meet at a loved one's funeral 20 years after tragedy separated them, their love is reignited.  As they recall and relive the past, they come to a deeper understanding about the choices they've made.  Also starring Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato, and featuring beautiful scenery along with music by Lady Antebellum, "The Best of Me" is a powerfully romantic story of love, hope, and second chances.

I want to thank my friends at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for providing me with a blu-ray of THE BEST OF ME as a Valentine's Day treat for my lovely lady and another one to giveaway to a lucky A Geek Daddy blog reader who would appreciate it for a date night with their special someone.  For a chance to win this prize pack you must be a US or Canadian resident over 18 years old and submit an entry prior to 11:59 pm EST on Thursday February 5, 2015.

UPDATE: Congrats to Austin from Mechanics Falls Maine who won The Best of Me movie prize pack.

Entry: E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com your name and mailing address.  Email subject line should be SPARK MY DATE NIGHT.

 All valid entries will be assigned a number in the order they are received and one number will be  selected to determine the winner using random.org.  E-mails will only be used to contact the winner and deleted following the selection of a winner.

DISCLAIMER:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but Fox Home Entertainment is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of the prize.  By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  If you win this prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be delivered by UPS or FedEx so no P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses. A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation but did receive a review DVD for the blog and the prize that is being awarded to one of our readers for this contest.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this contest as a benefit to our readers. Any opinions in this post are my own.

 #BestOfMeInsiders

Droids Need Hugs Too: R2-KT Valentine's Day Patch Raises Money for Make-A-Wish

When you see stormtroopers and other Star Wars characters at public events they are normally part of an organization of move fans called the 501st Legion whose members focus on creating authentic-looking costumes for cosplay, special appearances, and charitable work.  Since being formed by Albin Johnson in 1997 the group has expanded from a handful of people carefully recreating stormtrooper uniforms to having more than 6,500 active members with "garrisons" located throughout the world portraying Star Wars bad guys ranging from Tusken Raiders to TIE fighter pilots.  Locally, we have a very active group called the Great Lakes Garrison: 501st Legion - Michigan Chapter which is involved in events such as the Detroit Tigers Star Wars Night, Free Comic Book Day, Star Wars Reads Day, and the Great Lakes Comic-Con among numerous other appearances throughout the year.  Across the country you will also occasionally encounter a pink astromech droid named R2-KT making an appearance with members of the 501st Legion to meet with children in a hospital or promote the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

courtesy www.r2kt.com

For a $7 donation with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish you can purchase a R2-KT Valentine's Day embroidered patch designed by Juan José Matamoros featuring the little pink droid showing some love to the 501st Legion members who always wear uniforms of the color that symbolizes this special day.  There will be a limited number of these patches made and delivery is scheduled to be by Valentine's Day (Feb 14) so if you are interested get your order in now!  $7 via paypal to r2kt@r2kt.com  I know my daughter likes to have us sew patches like these on her backpack for school so this will be a special treat for her.

There is a special story behind R2-KT.  In 2005 a little girl named Katie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Katie loved Star Wars (like her father Ablin - the founder of the 501st Legion) and loved the color pink. When her health declined to the point she couldn't get out of bed, she said she wished she had a droid to watch over her like R2-D2 watched over a sleeping Padme in the Star Wars movie Attack of the Clones.  Word of Katie's illness spread throughout the Star Wars fan community and another club of fans that makes authentic recreations of droids from the Star Wars movies called The R2 Builders knew this was a job for them, and in mere months they constructed a custom R2 unit all painted in pink and dubbed her R2-KT. It rolled, it blinked, it even talked: Katie had a droid to watch over her! And she kept KT by her bedside through her final days.  Katie passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 9, 2005.

Katie's legacy lives on in her pink companion. R2-KT now tours the world, spreading the joy to Star Wars fans and a message of hope for kids who suffer childhood illnesses. R2-KT attends fan conventions, visits sick children in hospitals, appears in parades, inspires young girls that Star Wars has a place for them, and helps raise funds for a wide range of charities. In 2007 Hasbro produced an R2-KT action figure, which raised $100,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2008 Dave Filoni of Lucasfilm featured the droid in a cameo role in the Clone Wars animated feature film, making her a canon member of the Star Wars universe! In 2013 KT appeared in the Star Wars Weekends parade in Disney World, then traveled to be a guest of honor at Celebration Europe II in Germany. R2-KT has become a symbol of everything Star Wars fandom has come to represent: spreading the magic of hope. 

courtesy www.r2kt.com

For more information about R2-KT visit  www.r2kt.com

courtesy www.r2kt.com

Show some LOVE for people dealing with food allergies on Valentine’s Day

The first day of elementary school should be an exciting time for students and  their parents, unfortunately for the King family their daughter Amelie’s special day turned into a traumatic event that will be long remembered.  Like my daughter, Amelie is severely allergic to peanuts.  Her FIRST day of school ended early being sent home to her parents just after lunchtime with a face that looked like it had been used as a punching bag due to a food allergy reaction.  If there was any good news to the situation it was that Amelie had a somewhat mild reaction compared to what she could have had based upon her allergic diagnosis which may have included her throat swelling shut, cardiac arrest and organs shutting down from anaphylaxis shock…though looking at her picture from that day I don’t think many people would consider her reaction “mild”.

My own daughter went into anaphylaxis shock a few years when she was just 18 months old after eating some peanut butter which quickly became a very serious situation involving her face swelling up like Amelie’s but also her throat swelling shut resulting in a trip to the hospital where a great team of doctors and nurses in the emergency room saved her life.  Since that time, we’ve had to be very vigilant to protect our daughter from having another allergic reactions…it really isn’t as easy as some people think.  Preventing her from eating food with ingredients she can’t have is the EASY part…avoiding contamination from food that has been exposed to allergens while it is made or prepared or from residue that people have on them or may spill while eating something she is allergic too is the BIG challenge.

I didn’t realize until we had to deal with food allergies ourselves through our daughter’s diagnosis how much candy and food play a part in “celebrations” at schools, family functions, and community events for dates like Birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, and of course Valentine’s Day.   This year my daughter’s teacher invited parents to bake treats to bring in for the kids to have a Valentine’s Day Celebration.  I had to be the bad guy and complain saying that our doctor warned us not to let her eat treats baked at people’s homes that we didn’t know and could have potential contamination issues with allergens.  The teachers said instead of inconveniencing other parents they would give my daughter another treat we could bring ourselves.  That may seem OK until you take two things into consideration.

FIRST, treating a 5 year old girl different than her class mates can be very upsetting for her.  It also opens up the other kids to thinking of her differently which has contributed to what SCHOLASTIC MAGAZINE has reported is a growing trend of food allergy bullies at school.

SECOND, there is still a contamination issue in the class room from potential allergen exposure from contact with the other kids or spilled food.  When it comes to triggering an allergic reaction the cause can be microscopic in size and while the most common and dangerous exposure is through ingestion, reactions can also be triggered by inhalation or contact with the skin.

In the case of Amelie King a boy in her class was eating a bag of peanuts as a snack at lunch.  During recess he played with Amelie and the peanut oil on his hands transferred to her skin resulting in the reaction that occurred.  In another recent tragic case involving food allergies, 27 year old Chantel Giacalone from Metro Detroit, who had an allergic reaction while on vacation in Las Vegas with friends.  It appears that a scooper at an ice cream shop was contaminated from contact with a flavor other than the one she ordered with peanuts as an ingredient.  Chantel went into anaphylaxis shock resulting in her going into cardiac arrest twice until she could be stabilized.  This happened around Valentine’s Day in 2013, a year later this poor woman is still in a vegetative-state requiring around the clock care.

For parents with children who have food allergies, no matter what their age, you are always on edge waiting for an allergic reaction and always have to be vigilant in educating others to the seriousness of food allergies.  In my recent incident, after a lengthy “discussion” with school teachers and administrators, parents were asked not to bring in home baked snacks and instead could bring in prepackaged snacks that did not have food allergy warnings on them. 

If you child doesn’t have food allergies, please just keep into consideration that food allergies result in more than just a rash or sore throat and they can have a very severe and significant impact on a person who suffers with them; plus cause a lot of stress for their loved ones too, especially when dealing with young children.  Keeping in mind the spirit of the holiday, please show some love to people dealing with food allergies on this Valentines Day.  Take a moment to educate yourself on safety standards for people with food allergies and please be considerate when confronted with requests that you may think are inconvenient to your family but could save another family from a traumatic event like those suffered by Amelie King and Chantel Giacalone.

If you would like to learn more about the topic of food allergies, the Center For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has an excellent resources page:  

 http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/publications.htm.  

You can also visit the non-profit FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education at www.foodallergy.org for information.