Did You Know?

HawaiianShavedIce.com has a Facebook fan page and we'd really like it if you'd join us as a fan if you're on Facebook. If you're not on Facebook yet...what are you waiting for? :)

Our fan page allows us to interact with people all over the world. Occasionally we offer special discounts on products through our fan page too. It's definitely worth following!

Here's the link: HawaiianShavedIce.com Facebook Fan Page

Thanks!

"Let's Be Careful Out There"

Does anyone remember where that phrase was made popular?

We're quickly approaching one of the busiest travel seasons of the entire year. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day people all across the US pack up their bags and travel. They travel by plane, train, bus, ship, and automobile in order to spend time with friends and family during these special holiday times.

This isn't a normal part of the blog here, but this season, I feel like posting links to some good articles that offer tips for traveling during the holidays may be helpful to you.

So, without further delay, here are some suggested articles pertaining to traveling during the upcoming holidays.

1. My Turkey IS my Carry-On. A humorous, but informative article about what may and may not be allowed through the security checkpoint at the airport when you're flying.
2. 10 Tips for Holiday Travel
3. 5 Tips for Traveling by Car During Thanksgiving
4. Thanksgiving Travel Tips
5. A Collection of Articles about Traveling with Kids can be found here. There are several good tips here.
6. Top 10 Stress Free Holiday Travel Tips

I hope that from one of these articles, you'll be able to use a couple of tips to make your travel during the upcoming holiday season much more enjoyable and rewarding.

By the way, the phrase "Let's Be Careful Out There" was made popular by the classic televisions drama "Hill Street Blues."

So, let's be careful out there and let's have an enjoyable holiday season!

Newton Grove Movie Night Oct. 17th, 2009

All of us here at HawaiianShavedIce.com are excited and pleased to be involved in another Newton Grove Movie Night. We love the opportunity to work with, serve, and enjoy spending time with our friend and neighbors. So, if you live in the Newton Grove, NC area, you are invited to join us for:

What: Outdoor Movie Night, featuring E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, a Universal Pictures Film starring Drew Barrymore rated PG.

When: Saturday, October 17th 2009 at 7:00 PM Gates will open at 6:30 PM. The movie will start around 7:00 PM

Where: Weeks Park in Newton Grove on Hwy 701 S, on the baseball field

Admission: FREE to all

Concessions: FREE Popcorn, snow cones and drinks to all those under 18 years of age. Adults will be able to purchase concessions.

What to Bring: Blankets, Chairs and Bug Spray

Additional Information: Please call 910-594-0827

Please visit www.NGMovieNight.com or visit the Facebook page.

Cotton Candy Toothpicks?

I don't normally feature things like this, but I'm making an exception due to the 'uniqueness' of the product and the fact that we don't offer anything like it at CottonCandyExpress.com.

So, the title says it all...cotton candy toothpicks. Now, you can take that carnival atmosphere with you where ever you may roam. Hey, some people love cotton candy. I do. My kids do. My wife does. So...why not try some cotton candy toothpicks? If you have to pick something out of your teeth, it might as well be an enjoyable experience, right?

Check them out and feel free to order some! If you do purchase them...let me know if you like them!

There Has to Be a Story Behind This Somewhere

I came across this article a couple of weeks ago. As many of you know, I like to look for shaved ice, snow cone, and cotton candy information that appears in the news media and then post it here.

This article and the local ordinance it discusses was amusing, but at the same time slightly annoying. Who in the world decided it was a good idea to set an arbitrary date for when a business could start selling snow cones and shaved ice. My first reaction was..."hmm...do they have a date for when ice cream sales can begin? what about hamburger and hot dog sales?" Anyhow...I thought it was interesting and worth posting a link to the article here in the blog.

Personally, I have never heard of a law like this being enforced. Have you? If so, please share the story with us!

Thanks!

Snow Cone Mojitos in California

Just in case you're in Santa Monica and you're looking for a refreshing adult-oriented frozen beverage, check out this place. Snow cone mojitos...sound pretty tasty! If any of you snow cone or shaved ice business owners happen to possess a liquor license, then this may be something to consider offering at your own location...just as long as your business isn't a drive thru location! Ha.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

From all of us at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, CottonCandyExpress.com, and HawaiianShavedIce.com we hope your business experiences a successful spring, summer, and fall season!

And don't forget...after reading this, look around your office for someone to pinch if they aren't wearing green!

Cotton Candy & Medical Science...Strange Bedfellows

Cotton candy is a treat enjoyed all over the world by folks young and old. But now, cotton candy has taken on a new role by contributing to developments in medical science. Who would have ever thought that the simple little sugary treat would ever be capable of something so significant? Well, it's true:

The flossy stuff may be just right for creating networks of blood vessels within laboratory-grown bone, skin, muscle or fat for breast reconstruction, researchers suggest.

Dr. Jason Spector of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York and Leon Bellan of Cornell University present their preliminary research in a paper published online this week by the journal Soft Matter.

Here's how their technique would work:

First, you pour a thick liquid chemical over a wad of cotton candy. Let the liquid solidify into a chunk, and put that in warm water to dissolve the candy. That leaves tiny channels where the strands of candy used to be. So you have a chunk of material with a network of fine channels within.

Next, line these channels with cells to create artificial blood vessels. And seed the solid chunk with immature cells of whatever tissue you're trying to make. The block is biodegradable, and as it disappears, it will gradually be replaced by growing tissue. In the end, you get a piece of tissue permeated with tiny blood vessels.

So far, the researchers have made these blocks of material and run rat blood through the channels within. While they may eventually switch to something other than cotton candy as the research proceeds, Bellan said he hopes to stick with the inexpensive stuff as long as possible.

Spector, who keeps a jar of jelly beans on his desk, said he enjoys cotton candy and that with this project, "it's taken on a whole new meaning." Source: Fox News

Snow Cones in Superbowl XLIII

Snow cone vendors everywhere should be proud! Snow cones were featured in a prime time commercial during this year's Superbowl.



2009...I sense it's going to be a good year for the snow cone (and shaved ice).

Just for Fun

Is your cotton candy good enough to drive pets crazy?



Check out all of the great equipment and supplies at CottonCandyExpress.com. We feature only the best equipment and top quality supplies!

Shaved Ice Enjoyed by Our Nation's President

Well, it looks official to me. Shaved ice is getting the presidential treatment now.



Even though these photos were taken prior to Barack Obama becoming the President of the United States, I'm sure that we'll see him treating himself and his girls to another round of shaved ice in the near future. Because, as all of us know...shaved ice is ADDICTING and DELICIOUS!

Spinning Cotton Candy is an Acquired Art!

Not just anyone can spin up a perfect looking serving of cotton candy. It takes practice (as many concessionaires can attest)! You don't believe me? :)

Check out this pitiful attempt at spinning cotton candy!



See what I mean??

Check out CottonCandyExpress.com for all of the best cotton candy equipment and supplies!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our customers and readers! From everyone at 1-800-ShavedIce.com, HawaiianShavedIce.com, and CottonCandyExpress.com, we wish you all a successful, profitable, and enjoyable 2009!

For those of you in the shaved ice and snow cone business, "may your summer be warm, long, and profitable!" We appreciate your patronage during 2008 and look forward to the opportunity of serving you in the coming year.

Remember This Ad at the Drive-In?

This advertisement ran a bit before I can remember it (1960's), but it just goes to show that snow cones have been a popular treat for a long, long time!



Summer can't come quick enough again! It's 4 degrees outside where I am today. It's too cold for a tasty snow cone...so I need warmer weather!

Another Unique Take on Cotton Candy

I also found this interesting blog post at Annna.net discussing cotton candy. Not only does she have some great cotton candy pictures (check out the huge witch hat), but some cool video as well.

Enjoy!

A Unique Version of Cotton Candy

Here's a twist on normal cotton candy that sounds pretty tasty to me! Check out this article about Maple Cotton Candy that is sold in North Carolina at the State Fair. It may just inspire you to get creative with your products and menu!

Ingenious Method of Making Cotton Candy

I found this article today over at Gizmodo. Someone snapped a great picture of a cotton candy vendor in China. Apparently, the floss head spins via pedal power. Pretty clever idea huh? To read more about it and see the full picture, please go to Gizmodo.

If you're interested in viewing cotton candy equipment that is less 'labor intensive', please go to CottonCandyExpress.com. We feature the best machines available on the Internet!

Funny Article about Snowballs and Snow Cones in the St. Louis Area

I found this article this morning while perusing the World Wide Web for interesting tidbits about the world of shaved ice and snow cones (and snow balls). If you have a moment, check out the article in the River Front Times. My suggestion to the writer...skip the therapist and just order a few more snow cones and snow balls. It's cheaper, much more refreshing, and certainly less irritating! Have fun! ~~

Found a Cool Old Snow Cone Commercial

I found this old commercial on YouTube this past week and thought it was fun to watch. Did anyone have one of these machines at home? Just curious...

Reflections on the Snow Cone

I found this clip from an NPR radio broadcast that I thought was pretty entertaining. You know, you're never too old to enjoy a good snow cone or shaved ice treat!

Take a couple of minutes and enjoy Nancy Baggett's description of a recent trip to a local snow ball stand. Her journey down memory lane is also a lot of fun as it brings back memories of my own involving snow cones and hot, lazy summer days.

Then, as soon as the radio clip is done, go find a local shaved ice or snow cone stand and order up your favorite!

Enjoy!