Celebrate With Dora DVD Giveaway

As you may already know McFarland, USA is based on a true story…It’s not everyday, you get to meet the people behind the inspiration. It was so awesome to get to meet and talk to Coach Jim White & the Diaz brothers.
When it came to portraying the life, the picking life that the Diaz brothers grew up in the movie did a good job at highlighting the way it really is.
We were about seven or eight years old when all that began. Um, and so for us, it was a way of life. Even some of us, after graduating college, like Danny, the day after he graduated from the university with the diploma, he was in the fields working, because that was, in our family, what was expected. Until he got hired and, and got his job. So, for us it was normal.
– DAMACIO DIAZ
So far not much has changed in McFarland since the movie was filmed…It’s grown a little in the last few years, but not much has changed. There’s just not much to do, so without sports their kids would be lost, because it’s either education & sports or the streets.
Right now our community is, uh, excited, uh, obviously with the movie and rightfully so. Uh, the — all the notoriety that they’re getting and, and what this, uh, man over here, Mr. White, our coach, has, has brought to not just, uh, our, our program but to our community. – DANNY DIAZ
While they see not much change in this busy little town, Jim White states that there has been a major change…The town is no longer the “Heartbeat of Agriculture”… Now they are a runner running through the field, a figure — silhouette of a runner.
And underneath — and this was given out to the high school and a high school girl came up with this logo — Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. So, that’s a big change. – JIM WHITE
While the boys don’t “train” anymore, David Diaz still runs competitively, and coaches while his brothers still run with their kids to keep in shape. The hills you see them train on in the movie don’t really do them justice, they were much worse…they are not rolling hills, they are steep.
You might be surprised the coming to life of the story of McFarland has taken about 15 years…They signed with several companies before Disney picked it up. Jim was excited because he didn’t want it to have sex, cursing or cigarretts..so they were very happy that Disney was taking it on. Even after the initial excitement, they had to nix the first script and higher a better writer, who wrote the one you will see on Friday.
When it came to making the movie, the Diaz brothers didn’t have much say in how it was portrayed, they were interviewed and told their stories, but that was pretty much it. But as you know from my interview with Kevin Costner, Jim White had much more influence on the story.
Q: I notice a lot of you became teachers. Did Coach White encourage you in being to like you use any of his style when you’re teaching or coaching?
He was a, a very inspirational part. You know, we, we are a God-fearing folks, so we were, we were teaching in Sunday school, you know, u– on Sundays. And we, we were part of the Royal Rangers. He wasn’t the only reason why we got into the education, but he was one of the two or three maybe. My parents definitely, pushed us to go to education, you know, go that route and not the route that, the wide road most people go to is other than college. Now college is very, very encouraged, but back in the day I wouldn’t say that a fifth of the folks in high school ended up, especially, uh, folks of our color and our culture, maybe started school, but hardly any of us finished. So, it was a big, big deal for us. – David Diaz
Playing sports in school was encouraged by their oldest brother David Diaz, it helped to teach them discipline and build character as well as teaching them the aspect of winning and losing. It was something to get them out of their environment and for some of them see the country and even the world competing. They all went to college and competed, and earned their degrees.
Listening to the Diaz brothers still can Jim White, Coach White, just shows how much respect they still have for him. I was thrilled to be able to hear them talk about their lives growing up and the portrayal of it on the big screen.
Follow McFARLAND, USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa
Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypictures
McFARLAND, USA is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on February 20th!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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But, with care, driving in the wintertime doesn’t have to be scary or dangerous. You don’t just have to survive. You could actually learn to love it. Here are some tips to help you.
Get Your Car Serviced
Service is more important in winter than at any other time. A full car service will check and top up fluid levels, check for engine issues, and look at your tires. It will also check all of your drive systems and brakes. After the service, you should know that your car is safe on the road. If there is anything wrong, or anything comes up during the winter, get it fixed as soon as you can.
Protect It
One thing that you might worry about in the winter is the weather damaging your car. You might worry about scratches from harsh weather, or chips from stone when you drive through mud. A ceramic coating can help to keep your vehicle clean in bad weather, and even protect it from some scratches and other damage.
You can also protect your tires, by swapping to winter options and adding mudguards.
Wrap Up Warm
Driving in winter doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. If you don’t like driving in big winter coats, just make sure you’ve got them, and other layers to hand for when you need to leave the car, or just in case you are forced to stop for any reason.
Pack Supplies
You might also want to pack other supplies, such as waterproofs, blankets, water, a thermos, and maps. Just in case you break down or get lost at any point.
Keep Your Car Clean
Cleaning your car might seem like such a small thing, that barely matters. But, driving a clean vehicle can actually keep you safer on the road. When your car is clean, you feel more confident driving, and other road users see you as someone who looks after and values your vehicle. This might be enough for them to be more careful around you, and give you more space.
Take Your Time
We should all be driving more carefully in winter when the roads are more hazardous. This means that you’ll need to give yourself more time for even shorter journeys. While you are driving, you should also give yourself more time and space on the road, helping you to avoid mistakes or slips.
Plan Your Routes
Take a look at an online map before you start a journey. Judge how the weather is affecting traffic and look for any signs of hazards or road closures. Plan your routes accordingly.

It’s that time of the year where I feel super generous, so I have teamed up with a few of my D23Expo Blogging friends to bring you yet another amazing Giveaway. This giveaway is for a Playmation Starter Pack and boy are you going to love this new interactive gaming system. The Playmation gaming system is so interactive, fun and enjoyable I had to write a blogpost all about it. Check out my Playmation review HERE.
We’ve had the privilege of playing this for weeks now and I can’t say enough on how much we enjoy Playmation. It’s a new experience being able to “be” an Avenger and take control in your own adventures.
After reading my review can you understand why I am eager to give one away? I can’t wait for someone to have just as much fun with their Playmation Starter Pack as my family is having with ours.
Playmation is the next step in the evolution of play, where digital gets physical and imagination gets real. Inter-connected products with embedded content let players step into the world of Marvel’s Avengers! Control the adventures with wearable gear that lets users feel the battle and puts them at the center of the action.
With the Playmation Marvel Avengers Starter Pack, players have the core products they need to carry out their first missions and fight alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the battle to defend the world from Ultron! The Starter Pack comes with four locations and 25 missions out of the box so that players can jump right into the action!
So what comes in the Playmation Starter Pack? It:
Includes Repulsor Gear, 2 Power Activators, 2 Smart Figures (Captain America and Iron Skull), instructions, and 25 embedded missions
Track progress and access new missions with AvengersNet app
Additional missions available for download for Gear registered with the AvengersNet app.
Plus you can collect additional Playmation Marvel Avengers Smart Figures, each sold separately
How can you enter for your chance to win your own Playmation Starter Pack? It’s super easy! Just enter the giveaway widget below and for extra entries encourage your friends to enter too. Fingers crossed and GOOD LUCK!!
Playmation Starter Kit Giveaway
Giveaway Disclosure: This giveaway will run from 12:01 AM CST on 10/19/15 and end at 11.59 PM CST on 10/26/15. There will only be ONE winner for this giveaway and the Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Giveaway open to US Residents 18+. Prizes will be shipped upon verification of the winner, and MUST be shipped to a valid US address. NO P O Boxes will be accepted. Winner will be notified within 24 hours of the giveaway ending and will have 48 hours to respond via email. If response is not received by the deadline, prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.
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