UtahLUG.org

Modular Western Town

StevePoulsen — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:15:32 +0000

Some Time ago this MOC was made by builder Marshall_Bannana for the EuroBricks Spaghetti Western Building Contest, It was then featured on the Brother’s Brick, and is Now up on CUUSOO just waiting for your votes so it can be turned into (a) real set(s).

I thought this set was awesome the first time I saw it, the details are stunning, the hues matted enough that it feels like a dust storm has rolled through the prairie and through town at least a couple times already. So when I saw it on CUUSOO about a month a go, Marshall_Bannana got my vote. And I still love it, enough so that If I could vote for it twice I would, but I can’t so I’m joining the throng and petitioning you for your votes as well.

If your some how still not swayed to support the project let me point out a couple of things: The two sets that have gone through CUUSOO so far have all come out better than they went in. The SHINKAI, and Hayabusa were good, but got even better.

This is the only Idea over 1,000 supporters that is not based on an existing licence, and really wouldn’t you rather have some sets that are not subject to the “liscenced” set price hike. Finally, It’s western, I’m imagining the specialty pieces that would be added when Lego turns it into a real set, cowboys Indians, Tumble weeds, lizzards, tan snakes, a whole mesh of sheriffs, and bandits.

So move that mouse on over and support the project

World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour

StevePoulsen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:26:58 +0000

This Year, The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour is Coming to Utah. And it promises some great excitement, and fun for the whole family.
The Show will have an indoor ride on Thomas Train, Model Railroads from many local railroading clubs, Trains that both adults and kids can control, and Coming in at 20′ x 30′, Utah’s Largest (and to my knowledge only Public Lego Train display) . So whether you want to see our Lego display again, or are looking for something to do with the kids this weekend, the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour promises to be a great time for one and all.

Here are the Details:
World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour
South Town Expo Center (9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070)
Registration — Registration purchased at the show (cash/check only)
Adults: $10.00 (good for both days)
Kids Under 16: FREE! (must be accompanied by a parent)
Saturday February 4th 10am to 6pm
Sunday February 5th 10am to 5pm

Ophir-Tintic and Western Wrap-Up

StevePoulsen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:59:54 +0000

The Ophir-Tintic and Western Railroad show has come to and end and it was great. With more floor space than we’ve enjoyed in the past there was plenty of room around the layout so that everyone could get a great view of the layout. Plus we got some great coverage of our LEGO ® section of the show. The Daily Herald calls it “The largest train set at the show — taking up nearly a quarter of the floor space”, and The Salt Lake Tribune article prominently features a picture of the Airport section of the layout begin set up at the top of the page.

It melts my plastic loving heart to see ULUG featured so prominently in the local news.

Ophir& TIntic Railroad show reminder

StevePoulsen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:55:54 +0000

So it’s Tuesday already, and you haven’t decided what you and the kids are going to do this weekend.

If I may make a suggestion, This weekend (Friday and Saturday) at the Red Show barn on Thanksgiving Point will be the Ophir & Tintic Railroad Show. It will have all sorts of good stuff for both kids and adults. Railroads, and More railroads Some small like the TT and Large like HO (my apologies to any train heads reading this, I’m not one and so don’t know how these translate just that HO is bigger that TT) and of course LEGO ®, of course you probably already knew that. But bring the kids (young or old) Mine will be there (you’ll see them running around inside and under ULUG’s Lego display like they own the joint which they don’t. Ask us questions, hang out, and just have a fun seeing what all the HYPE is about.

Then when it’s all said and done, come back here and tell us how we did.

LEGO Defends their Friends Theme

StevePoulsen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:41:49 +0000

Since the first volley was thrown by women’s groups characterizing the New Lego Friends theme as sexist, I have thought I missed something. Why is it sexist to cater to what consumers like. Being the father of 2 boys and 2 girls, I know very well that boys like guns, and dirt, space, and LEGO ®. While girls like Household toys, cribs, baby dolls, and Barbie ®. And with some limited crossover they like to stick in those areas. Yeah my boys will gladly pick up a Barbie doll to rip its head off in a Sid like fashion, and my daughters gladly throw dirt in my sons eyes.

So I was extremely happy, when TLG announced the Friends Theme, I would have an excuse to play with “dolls” with my daughters, and they to play LEGO with me and the boys. But alas, along came the angry mom’s who found it their job to inform me of all the evils of having girls play with something “girly”. Quite frankly I’m more concerned about boys donning earnings and skinny jeans But I digress.

Anyway all the hubbub has made it’s way to LEGO who are trying to defend the choice for a girls themed play line.

Commentary by Mads Nipper, Executive Vice President, Marketing, the LEGO Group:

We know that constructive LEGO play fosters positive, lifelong skills that are valuable to any child. More boys than ever before, and many girls, are engaged with the play experience we offer, however our active household studies indicate that we have not been as successful in drawing the interest of more girls with what we currently offer. For example, of the current active LEGO households in the U.S., only 9% of them report that the primary user of the product in that household is a girl. The totals in other countries reflect a similar opportunity to appeal to more girls. We embarked on four years worth of comprehensive, global research with 3,500 girls and their moms to understand what would make LEGO play more interesting for more girls, because we want to increase the number of girls who currently try and engage with the positive benefits of the construction play pattern.

The LEGO Group is globally known for its co-creation philosophy to ensure that we deliver the best possible products and experiences. We have achieved this distinction because we have a long history of listening very carefully to the opinions and requests of our consumers, just as we are listening to the conversation that is currently taking place about LEGO Friends. We heard very clear requests from moms and girls for more details and interior building, a brighter color palette, a more realistic figure, role play opportunities and a story line that they would find interesting. The result–LEGO Friends–was made with the goal of inspiring more girls than we currently serve to try their hand at building and experience the pride of accomplishment that LEGO play fosters.

We are compelled to clarify the incorrect information circulating about what we have developed:

• Children who find the LEGO Friends theme interesting will enjoy the exact same building experience and developmental benefits as children who choose any other LEGO theme.
• LEGO Friends products do require assembly. The collection delivers the same level, scale and detail of iconic LEGO building as any other LEGO theme and products.
• Like any other set, LEGO Friends leverages the tried and true method of packing LEGO elements in bags and the exact same building instructions for which we are known.
• Pink bricks and elements have been included in LEGO sets for decades. The new colors introduced to create the LEGO Friends collection are two blues, two purples and two greens, based on global research that indicated a wish for a bolder, more vibrant color palette to create the most interesting models.
• Our marketing program for LEGO Friends mirrors the model we apply to any LEGO theme.

We want to correct any misinterpretation that LEGO Friends is our only offering for girls. This is by no means the case. We know that many girls love to build and play with the wide variety of LEGO products already available. LEGO Friends joins this global collection of products as yet another theme option from which parents may choose the best building experience for their child’s skill and interest.

We listen very carefully to the opinions and input that people share. We will continue to do so as we develop the LEGO brand to deliver the best experiences with the strongest appeal, and we will review our communications to ensure that we represent LEGO play for all children. We are proud to have developed a collection that is receiving positive feedback and reviews from parents and children who are now trying it at home, and we hope that we will engage even more girls in the skill-developing experience of LEGO play.

If your still not convinced by a set for you daughter and see if your not more satisfied with LEGO friends than you are with all the Barbie ® and Bratz ® I know I am.

Lego Lord of the Rings Aragorn Poster

StevePoulsen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:23:22 +0000

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, or you just came out of you dark ages, you’ve heard by now that LEGO will be releasing Lord of the Rings (LOTR) themed sets beginning this summer.

Between now and then you can check Lego’s newly minted micro site LordoftheRings.Lego.com for more information and news, and check back here we’ll surely update you as news filters in.

And in case you need a reminder, or to show of your inner geek, LEGO has released a new Return of the King poster featuring Aragorn for you to download print, and enjoy.

Click the image to be taken to a full size image that you can download and print to your hearts content.

2012 Ophir Tintinc & Western Railroad Show

StevePoulsen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:22:19 +0000

It is time once again for Utah County’s Largest Railraod show. And as always ULUG will be there, with a new layout. For this years show we’ve added a new Airport section, and it promises to be AWESOME, how awesome, we don’t know yet, cause we’re still building it. But you can be among the first to see what happens when a bunch of guys who ought to be old enough not to play with kids toys decide to build an airport.

Plus it’s a train show, so you know we’ll have the trains, and rail yards, So come out and Join us.

2011 Lego Year End Clearance Sale

StevePoulsen — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:01:36 +0000

If you have young boys, or play with Lego yourself, you’ve spent some time in the LEGO Isle at the local toy store, and noticed all of the new Lego sets have begun to appear. As the new comes, the old must go away, and Shop.Lego.com is clearing out the old to make way for all that new LEGO, and to help entice you to buy a ton of it with whatever money you might have left after Christmas, they are offering upto 75% Off select sets, and really good discounts on a whole slew of other sets. Plus as an added bonus you can get a free Ninjago booster back with any order over $75.

Below is a lsit of all of the sale priced sets, and their respective discounts:

7591 Construct-a-Zurg -$19.01
3847 Magma Monster -$11.51
2114 Chopov -$7.51
7594 Woody’s Roundup! -$25.00
7596 Trash Compactor Escape -$25.00
7599 Garbage Truck -$25.00
7598 Pizza Planet Car -$20.01
7958 Starwars Advent calendar -$20.01
7553 Advent Calendar -$17.51
2115 Bonezai -$5.01
2116 Krazi -$5.01
3836 Magikus -$5.01
10215 Obi Wan’s Jedi Starfighter™ -$40.00
8041 Race Truck -$24.01
8128 Bounty Hunter Air Taxi -$20.00
2518 Nuckal’s ATV -$10.01
3850 Meteor Strike V92 -$8.01
8404 Fan Choice Public Transport -$30.00
5795 5795 Big City Hospital V39 -$27.01
5839 5839 World Grand Prix V39 -$12.01
7585 Horse Stable -$12.01
5659 The Great Train Chase -$10.51
2519 Skeleton Bowling -$9.01
8091 Republic Swamp Speeder -$9.01
3851 Atlantis Treasure V92 -$7.51
3180 Tank truck -$6.01
7587 Horse Jumping -$6.01
8423 8423 World Grand Prix Racing Rivalry V39 -$4.50
3179 Repair Truck -$4.01
7583 Playful Puppy -$4.01
8221 Storming Enforcer -$4.01
8227 Dragon Dueler -$4.01
8228 Sting Striker -$4.01
3852 3852 Sunblock V140 -$3.01
7165 Natalie Breez -$2.51
8129 At At Walker -$22.00
7327 Scorpion Pyramid -$20.00
8038 The Battle of Endor™ -$20.00
8053 Mobile Crane -$20.00
8078 Portal of Atlantis -$20.00
5893 Off-Road Power -$18.01
7066 7066 Earth Defence HQ V39 -$18.01
4841 Hogwart’s Express -$16.01
7597 Western Train Chase -$16.01
2505 Garmadon’s Dark Fortress -$14.01
7189 7189 Mill Village Raid V39 -$14.01
7985 985 City of Atlantis V39 -$14.01
8052 Container Truck -$14.01
8639 Big Bentley Bust Out -$14.01
10222 Winter Village Post Office -$14.01
4840 The Burrows -$12.01
5653 Stone Quarry -$12.01
5892 Sonic Boom -$12.01
7641 City Corner -$12.01
8096 Emperor Palpatine’s Shuttle -$12.01
8214 Lamborghini Policia -$12.01
8863 Blizzard’s Peak -$12.01
10216 Holiday Bakery -$11.00
2504 Spinjitzu Dojo -$10.01
2520 Ninjago Battle Arena -$10.01
6212 X-wing Starfighter™ -$10.01
7207 Fire Boat -$10.01
7326 Rise of the Sphinx -$10.01
7947 Prison Tower Rescue -$10.01
8077 Atlantis Exploration HQ -$10.01
8638 Spy Jet Escape -$10.01
5489 Ultimate LEGO® Vehicle Building Set -$9.01
3834 Good Neighbours at Bikini Bottom -$8.01
4643 4643 Power Boat Transporter V39 -$8.01

Lego Super Heroes are Here!!!

StevePoulsen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:26:59 +0000

What is probably the most anticipated LEGO them of 2012 has arrived early, and just in time for Christmas. Begging today LEGO Shop at Home has begun selling the first wave of the LEGO Super Heroes theme Starting with The Dark Night (Batman) is side kick Robin, and a whole host of classic villains from Two Face, The Joker, The Riddler, and Catwoman. And just in case the mini fig scale buildings and figures weren’t enough there are also pose-able figures of Batman, The Joker, and Green Lantern. If you order today you might just be able to get your order in time for Christmas, if not, you’ll definitely get it in time for the Christmas break. cause you can never have enough LEGO.

in order to link to find these hidden gems navigate to Shop.Lego.com, then in the search field type “Super Heroes” you’ll see an image for all of the currently available DC comics Super Heroes sets.

Via FBTB.net

New Polls

StevePoulsen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:36:29 +0000

In an effort to better understand you, the wonderful supporters of ULUG who make all the shows so much fun for us, we have added poll capabilities to our websites to help us better understand what it is that you like, and enjoy seeing from ULUG.

There are various poll questions available, that will change from time to time. Right now you can participate in our polls, and respond to poll Questions such as your favorite Lego them of 2011, the theme you are most excited for in 2012, what ULUG participating show you most enjoy going to, and what part of the ULUG layout you enjoy the most.

Note: Polls are at the bottom right hand side of the website
Happy Voting!!!