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Fun Travels Across the United States

See our Index of Travels in the United States

ALABAMA

The Official Alabama Vacation Guide is in the Montgomery office and ready for distribution. More than a thousand places to visit and a thousand places to stay are listed in the new guide. The number of hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and campgrounds numbers 1,172 and includes many new hotels and attractions.

ABTT Publications Coordinator Marilyn Stamps said the new vacation guide features two different covers: golf and the beach. She said, in keeping with ABTT's theme for 2007, the Year of Alabama Arts, the magazine-size guide contains articles on historic movie houses and annual theatre productions such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Miracle Worker." A feature section on Alabama's Art Ambassadors lists their accomplishments.

The guide also contains feature articles on Alabama's Civil Rights Museum Trail, Civil War History, golf, and shopping as well as special sections on each of the state‚s four regions -- Mountains, Metro, River Heritage, Gulf Coast-- and sidebars on art-related trivia. A new section is the Alabama Trail Quail.

The guides are available free by contacting the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel at 1-800-ALABAMA (252-2262) or check web site www.800Alabama.com

BIRMINGHAM

Alabama Folk Art Exhibition Opened

The premiere event of the Year of Alabama Arts is open in Birmingham and can be seen through December 30, 2007. The Birmingham Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel, have opened the doors of a newly-designed annex to feature the most comprehensive exhibition of works by Alabama's premier folk artists including internationally-recognized artists Bill Traylor, the Quilters of Gee's Bend, Thornton Dial, Lonnie Holley, Charlie Lucas, Jerry Brown, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Mose Tolliver, Nora Ezell, Yvonne Wells, Benjamin Franklin Perkins, and Howard Finster, among others. Alabama, recognized as the epicenter of the 20th -century folk art movement, boasts more folk artists than any other state in the country.

This rich artistic legacy will be celebrated throughout The Year of Alabama Arts, 2007, and will be represented by more than 100 paintings, drawings, sculpture, quilts and pottery. The exhibition, Alabama Folk Art, will be installed in 10,000 square feet of gallery space in the historic Young and Vann Building in downtown Birmingham. The art will be drawn from the Museum's permanent collection and loaned from private collections, from within Alabama and without. New objects will rotate into the exhibition during the year to explore multi-layered relationships between artists and works.

For more information on the exhibition, check web site www.artsbma.org

Birmingham picked as one of 12 top places to visit for Black History Month

Birmingham joined the likes of Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. as the Top 12 Travel Destinations for Black History Month as selected by SoulOfAmerica.com. The Web site noted that Birmingham is "a major backdrop to the civil rights struggle," has the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and is also home to the Eddie Kendricks  Temptations Memorial.

First Lady to Host Garden Tour

This event is not to-be-missed -- for the First Lady will be hosting garden tours of the State Capitol when the bulbs she previously planted are in bloom. Save the dates -- March 31-April 1, from 1-4 P.M. each day.

HUNTSVILLE

Huntsville Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights

The 2006 Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden set records for number of cars, visitors, and gate receipts. Additionally, a record number of display and event sponsorships allowed the Garden to raise more money than ever before.

"With over 23,000 cars and multiple tour buses going through the display, we estimate that we entertained over 123,000 visitors this year", said Lynn Carden, Chairperson of the 2006 Galaxy effort. "We are so pleased to be able to provide a record contribution for the Garden. The volunteers and staff at the Garden have done a spectacular job ensuring the success of Galaxy," she continued.

MOBILE

This 300-year old Port City has an aura of excitement year round. Why? Because the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Mobile and Fowl Rivers provide not only great natural resources to the area, but great educational and recreational activities for visitors. With three adventurous sightseeing cruises, the historic Cotton Blossom Riverboat, the fun and fast Wildland Expeditions, and the soothing and romantic Southern Belle at Alabama Cruises, Mobile is the perfect place for adventure by boat. The Cotton Blossom Riverboat, an authentic paddle wheeler and one of only four boats featured on the National Register of Historic Places, propels guests up the Mobile River for relaxing sightseeing and discovery cruises. Tour Twelve-Mile Island, where Mobile was founded in 1702 and view the unique natural resources of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Also explore one of the unique ecosystems here and view wildlife, such as dolphins, alligators and an occasional bald eagle, all native to this area. For an evening away from the crowds, The Fowl River also sets the stage for romantic dinner cruises featuring a three-entrée buffet and live music for listening or dancing. Every Friday and Saturday night, year-round, guests can enjoy great food and music along with the tranquility of nighttime on the river.

For more information on these and other Mobile cruises, contact the Mobile Convention & Visitors Corporation, One South Water Street, Mobile, AL 366091; 1-800-5-MOBILE or web site www.mobile.org.

Alabama'sFirst Lady Gets Her Hands Dirty for State Capitol

Alabama's First Lady, Patsy Riley, doesn't mind getting a little dirt on her hands when it comes to making the State Capitol a more beautiful place for visitors. Mrs. Riley got on her hands and knees to assist in planting 3,000 spring bulbs on the Capitol lawn. Many of the bulbs were donated to her beautification project by spouses of state legislators, State Treasurer Kay Ivey and members of her staff, staffers in the Governor's office, Elmore and Autauga County gardeners, and the Xi Beta Chi chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. The bulbs include daffodils, Dutch iris, hyacinths and tulips. They'll bloom in the spring.

For more information check web site www.al.com.

Alabama's Wide Variety of Offerings During Year-long Celebration

 Travelers often search for the intangible "something" that makes each trip unique. Most often it's found in one special moment - a musician humming a folk tune, the sun reflecting the brilliant colors of blown glass in a shop window, a quiet corner in an art museum gallery. The sights and sounds that stay with you for years or bring you back to a place again and again are those that embrace a specific culture. They lift the spirit and renew your interest in traveling.

This year search out those special places in Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley has announced 2007 will be the Year of Alabama Arts, and the focus will cover an enormous range of activities. Why the arts? Tourism director Lee Sentell said, "Art and culture are what sets various regions and states apart from one another. In choosing this year's theme, we looked for arts exhibitions and music as specific subjects to highlight all year long. "When people ask what is our definition of arts, it's everything from architecture to dance."

Sentell said his staff and statewide tourism representatives discussed which arts are most abundant in Alabama . "We selected folk art as a focus because many of our folk artists are internationally known from the artists at Gee's Bend to Mose Tolliver and others." Visitors to the state in 2007 can choose from hundreds of arts events and attractions. They will be guided by arts ambassadors who will attend public functions throughout the year.

Arts ambassadors include singer Taylor Hicks, actress Courtney Cox Arquette, ballet stars Wes Champman and Roger Van Fleteren, novelist Fannie Flagg, Pulitzer Prizewinning author Rick Bragg, novelist Winston Groom, singer Lionel Richie, painter Dale Kennington, artist and photographer William Christenberry, folk artist Thorton Dial, furnishings designer Raymond Waites, bronze sculptor Frank Fleming, writer and storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Windham, the women quilters and artists of Gee's Bend, and members of the band Alabama.

Gov. Riley also announced that state has named Artists of the Month. A different artist and his/her work will be featured each month on the Alabama Arts section of the state tourism Webs site. They include: painter Even Wilson, recording artist Eric Essex, Willie King, photographer Chip Cooper, sculptor Casey Downing, classical music artist Rebecca Luker, architect Paul Rudolf, country music legend Hank Williams, writer Zelda Fitzgerald, musician and composter W.C. Handy, painter Betty Grisham and satirical painter Woodie Long.

Complete and detailed information and a new state guide, Must-see Arts Destinations in Alabama , including 100 art destinations, can be obtained on the state tourism at www.800alabama.com.

Alabama's Great Things to Do

A trip to Alabama can include everything from deep sea fishing at Gulf Shores to mountain hill climbing near Scottsboro. Crisscross the state on major highways and back roads, and you'll also find incredible cornucopia of arts. If your time is limited, check out the "must see" sights marked with a star in the new guide. Highlights of the 2007 Year of Alabama Arts include: Berman Museum of World History, Anniston , a collection of sacred and secular Asian art, 18th-century European Sculpture, decorative swords and other exotic objects once owned by an American husband- and-wife spy team, 840 Museum Drive, Anniston, (256) 237-6261.

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, with works by Audubon, O'-Keefe, Chagall, Renoir, Dala as well as the Advancing American Art Collection and Carlisle Collection of Irish Belleek porcelain, 901 S. College St., Auburn, (334) 844-1484.

Alabama Folk Art Exhibition by the Birmingham Museum of Art opened in February and features works by the folk artists from all regions of the state. Young & Vann Building at First Ave. N. and 18th St. , Birmingham , (205) 326-0863.

Alabama's Official Folklife Play, Come Home, It's Suppertime, at the We Piddle Around Theater on Main Street in Brundige, (334) 735- 3125.

Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman, featuring 125 detailed architectural miniatures of sites such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Roman Colosseum, covering a hillside at St. Bernard Abbey, 209 Claiborne St., (800) 722-0999.

Kentuck Art Center at Northport on the banks of the Black Warrior River celebrating artistic styles ranging from folk to contemporary.

And the Kentuck Festival of the Arts the third weekend in October, Kentuck Park , (205) 758-1257.

Panoply in Huntsville, an arts festival with five performance areas, a juried marketplace and global village, the last weekend of April in Big Spring Park downtown, (256) 519-2787.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery, attracts 300,000 visitors a year and produces 14 shows annual, including three works by William Shakespeare. The Palladian-style theater with two stages is set in a pastoral English park. 1 Festival Drive. (334) http:// www.asf.net.

Music fans will enjoy following the Hank Williams Trail crisscrossing U.S. 65 from Mount Olive where Hank was born to Birmingham. Included is the Hank Williams Boyhood Home and Museum in Georgiana. 127 Rose St.

Another fascinating music stop is FAME Recording Studio at Muscle Shoals. Established in 1959, FAME is world-famous for creating the "Muscle Sound" created by a large group of background musicians in the 1950s, '60s and '70s that influenced the music of the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Cher and others. Originally built as a casket warehouse, the studio has been restored is active studio and museum, 603 E. Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, (256) 381- 0801.

Information on the Year of Alabama Arts as well as details on outdoor sports, gardens, hotels, restaurants and other attractions is available at web site www.800ALABAMA.com or by calling (800) ALA- BAMA (252-2262).  

ALASKA

FAIRBANKS

The 2006-2007 Fairbanks Winter Guide is now available for free. The 32-page, full-color booklet with winter activity listings and a full slate of events offers a lighthearted and informative look at winter in Interior Alaska and the Arctic.

Fairbanks is one of the top spots in the nation for cross-country skiing. As host to the likes of the US Ski and Biathlon teams and national championships, Fairbanks has world-class facilities for world-class skiing. With a six-month season, enjoy recreational and competitive programs for all ages including group tours, youth programs, instructional clinics and races. 2007 marks the 20th Sonot Kkaazoot, a 20K to 50K race beginning and ending on the Chena River downtown.

The Greatest Show in Ice marks this year’s theme of the World Ice Art Championships and Kids Park happening through March 25, 2007. Be amazed at the artistry of world-renowned ice sculptors as they take the “Arctic Diamond” and create larger-than-life-sized ice sculptures in three sculpting competitions. Kids Park is a winter favorite for families with slides, twirlees and mazes all crafted from pure crystal blue ice.

As a bonus, Fairbanks provides one of the best spots on the globe to see the Northern Lights for it sits beneath the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped region around the North Pole, with displays visible an average of 243 days during the year when there is sufficient darkness and clear skies. No guarantees, but visitors that are in Fairbanks for four days, have a 97% chance of seeing an aurora.

For a free copy of the 2006-2007 Fairbanks Winter Guide, contact the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, 550 First Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, 1-800-327-5774 or 907-56-5774; or order the guide on line at web site www.explorefairbanks.com.

THORNE BAY

Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge is a fishing paradise supplemented with multi-sport adventures. Located on Prince Wales Island, the unique setting creates fantastic saltwater fishing in the calm, protected waters of the famed Inland Passageway and offers exhilarating freshwater fishing in up to 23 lakes, streams, and rivers; all accessible by auto and within a one hour drive of the lodge. Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge offers both excellent Freshwater and Saltwater fishing experiences and is one of only six lodges in Alaska that carries the famed Orvis Endorsement. Whale watching, mountain biking, kayaking and ice cave exploration are just a few of the additional adventures available. The luxurious rooms, amenities and gourmet dining also set the lodge a step above the norm.

The all-inclusive packages include lodging, gourmet food, most beverages, round-trip float plane (Ketchikan to Boardwalk Lodge dock), guided adventures, fishing licenses, fishing guides, waders, outerwear, plus all salt and freshwater fishing gear. Not included are gratuities, liquor and taxes. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and four guests per saltwater cabin cruiser or two guests per freshwater guide. 2007 rates range from $3995 for three nights to $6395 for seven nights. Additional nights are $900 each night. There is a per night surcharge for single occupancy. Discounts are available for non-fishing partners. Children under 12 receive a 25% discount; ages 12-15 receive a 10% discount. Children under 10 must have proper parental supervision. With accommodations for up to 20 guests, Boardwalk is the perfect family or corporate retreat, offering special, exclusive use booking prices.

For more information, check web site www.boardwalklodge.com.

Anchorage Brand Unveiled After Year-Long Development

After a year of development, a new Anchorage brand designed to appeal to residents, visitors and the business community was unveiled today before a crowd of more than 1,000 Anchorage civic and business leaders.

The brand, “Anchorage Big Wild Life,” seeks to express the unique, larger-than-life lifestyle of Anchorage residents. Whether skiing the Coastal Trail on a lunch hour, summer fishing for wild Alaska salmon at Ship Creek, hiking Flattop, enjoying a fine dining experience with a view of the Chugach Mountains or taking in a First Friday art exhibition, Anchorage residents lead a life that’s bigger and a little wilder than most. 

The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), Anchorage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB) and the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) announced the new brand at AEDC’s 2007 Economic Forecast Luncheon at the Egan Convention Center. It was followed by a community celebration in Town Square featuring Alaska wildlife, Native American Music Award recipients, Pamyua, a figure skating exhibition by 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships bronze medalist Keegan Messing and complimentary T-shirts hung in Town Square trees for the public. Two advertising firms, the Nerland Agency, Anchorage, and Stone Mantel of Colorado Springs, Colo., used existing research on Anchorage and new research including phone interviews with visitors, decision-maker interviews, a facilitated public forum and other research to help create the brand. The MOA, ACVB and AEDC spent $80,000 on developing the brand and the two advertising agencies donated $20,000 in work.

AEDC President/CEO Bob Poe explained that the brand was created with three concepts in mind: first, to reinforce for residents their choice of Anchorage as home – as a special place like no other; second, to answer for visitors, their call for an exotic, “wild” destination with accessible, one-of-a-kind adventures mingled amongst sufficient urban amenities and conveniences; and third, to relay to people and organizations looking to do business here that Anchorage can provide a high level of business infrastructure and convenience as well as a quality of life that attracts and keeps employees.

“Anchorage residents are fortunate to be able to live extraordinary lives in an unmatched setting which appeals to locals and visitors alike,” said Mayor Mark Begich. “This new brand captures that notion and will help us attract even more tourists and business investment to our community.”     

Anchorage brand research results showed that Anchorage offers a unique, larger-than-life lifestyle. Nerland and Stone Mantel explained that extensive brand research unveiled the many benefits that Anchorage provides: Its functional benefits (convenience, access, beauty), social benefits (community, opportunity) and emotional benefits (wild, unpretentious, spirited, open-hearted) are all essential to the brand. And, though these are just a sample of the benefits offered, investigative conversations with the focus groups made clear the final brand strategy that inspired “Anchorage Big Wild Life” – abundance permeates everything here.

Anchorage residents, visitors and the business community can learn more about the brand and submit stories about how they live big, wild lives at web site www.BigWildLife.net .

“Residents in Anchorage have access to incredible, scenery, adventures and activities year-round that make living life on a grand scale a daily experience,” says Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “An average weekend in Anchorage is the dream of a lifetime for many and the city and surrounding wild amenities provide a highly unique opportunity to translate this personal experience to visitors.”

ARIZONA

LAKE POWELL

 Go hassle-free on a houseboat vacation with new free VIP Concierge Service, including groceries and equipment loaded ahead of time and boats fueled up and ready to go upon your arrival with a new program. All you have to do is arrive at Lake Powell, step aboard with your friends or family, and with the cupboards already stocked, water skis and inner tubes ready, and the fuel tanks full, leave the experienced employee assist you with anchoring, and off you’ll go for a trip of a lifetime. Lake Powell concessionaire ARAMARK has introduced its Concierge Service for those who rent an Admiral Class (59-foot) houseboat from Wahweap Marina this summer. So, where is this Lake Powell? — it’s located on the border of Utah and Arizona in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area between the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks to the west, and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks to the east. It is the second largest man-made lake in the US, boasting more than 90 major red rock canyons and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas provides houseboat and powerboat rentals, lodging on the lake, and tours to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.  More information about Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas can be found at www.lakepowell.com.

PHOENIX

The world-famous Heard Museum always has something exciting on tap for visitors and locals. Upcoming exhibits include:  

Life in a Cold Place: Artic Art from the Albrecht Collection --- On display through July 2007; Through a selection of prints, drawings and sculpture from the Albrecht Collection, this exhibit will examine the ways that artists depict their lives and survive in a cold environment. The art depicts themes of land, family, housing and traditional ways of getting food through hunting and fishing.

Sole Stories: American Indian Footwear --- On display through October 2007: Shoes as footwear and as art serve as the departure points for this exhibit about American Indian culture. The exhibit traces the history of shoes in American Indian culture utilizing early examples of shoes from the Heard Museum collection as well as contemporary art and footwear from a wide range of accomplished American Indians like Sioux medicine man Sitting Bull.

For more information on additional events, contact the Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix; 602-252-8848 (between McDowell and Thomas). Fee charged.

Phoenix Golf Resort Specials

If you missed the Greatest Show on Grass tournament, don't worry! For those who want to live like a pro for a week-getting tips from renowned instructors and partaking of quirky indulgences like a warm golf-ball massage-this is the place to be.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

A massage with hot stones? That’s for cavemen. Serious golfers (and not-so-serious ones, too) prefer a more unique spa treatment after a day of hunching over putts and trying to drive par 3s. For them, the Four Seasons Spa has devised the “Golf Specialty Massage.” During this 50- or 80-minute treatment, guests relax as a therapist rolls warm rolls golf balls along the large muscles of the spine and neck. The massage also incorporates stretching and therapeutic massage techniques that relieve muscle tension and stress.

Pointe Hilton Resorts

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak and Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resorts, two mountainside resorts in Phoenix, offer customized golf-vacation packages that allow visitors to select from 33 courses in the area. And as long as golfers are in town for the FBR Open, they might as well work on their game at the Hilton Golf Academy, located at Lookout Mountain Golf Club at Tapatio Cliffs. The instruction team there will be offering a Skills Challenge for junior golfers on Feb. 3. During the training session a team of professionals will review participants’ driving distance and accuracy, as well as provide lessons in chipping and putting.

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

The 77-year-old Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is known as the “Jewel of the Desert” because of its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture and 39 acres of picturesque grounds. The resort’s Golf package includes one-night accommodations, 18 holes of golf at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club and breakfast. Golfers who want to be pampered might want to try the Golf & Spa package, which adds a 50-minute massage to the aforementioned mix.

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is a luxurious resort located within two miles of the FBR Open. It is offering a 10 percent discount off the total bill at The Rim lounge to anyone who presents his or her FBR Open ticket. The resort is home to Kierland Golf Club, which features three distinct nine-hole courses that are recognized by Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa

The venerable Wigwam Golf Club, built in 1929 and recently spruced up with a $15 million renovation, offers two exclusive golf packages-the Classic and Timeless. The Classic package includes one round of golf per day and unlimited use of the club’s practice facilities. The Timeless package includes unlimited use of practice facilities and bag storage. Golfers might also to enroll at Jim McLean Golf School, which features instructors who have worked with players such as Ryan Armour, Jerry Kelly, Chris Perry, and Chris Smith-all of whom have a chance of competing in the FBR Open. U.S. News and World Report, CNN, and Travel + Leisure magazine have all praised the school, which features flat-screen monitors, JC Video swing-analysis computer software, and club fitting and ball-flight analysis in its Superstation instruction bays. Instruction rates start at $95 per hour.

SEDONA

Guests at L’Auberge de Sedona can experience the newest spa in the southwest. This new spa complements the romantic, secluded and naturally spectacular environment of the intimate creek side retreat. Offering Institut Esthederm, L’Occitane and ElizabethW products, guests of L’Auberge de Sedona can experience treatments in one of the spacious new spa treatment rooms or enjoy their sessions creek side in an airy spa cabana. For a more romantic experience, an in-cottage treatment allows guests to let the therapists come to them, bringing (upon request) such sumptuous goodies as chocolates truffles and champagne.

“L’Auberge de Sedona is a naturally beautiful place set in a lush forest, on the banks of Oak Creek and surrounded by Arizona’s famous red rocks,” said Spa Director Lisa Theriault. “People come here primarily for romance, relaxation and to take part in the outdoor adventures Sedona has to offer. We wanted The Spa at L’Auberge to enhance those experiences for all of our guests. The spa is a place for them to reconnect, unwind and be pampered.”

Special Signature treatments include “Deep Blue Lavender Embrace.” Locally grown lavender accompanies you through a gentle sequence of buffing, followed by a wrap of shea lavender, paraffin for the hands and feet and scalp massage. This treatment finishes with a 30-minute essential lavender oil massage. Also offered are Signature seasonal massages with aloe vera for optimal hydration, perfect after an active day in the outdoors of Sedona.

To ensure that The Spa at L’Auberge establishes itself as one of the most memorable in the southwest, Theriault and General Manager Joe Mottershead recruited the “Elite Eight.” These elite eight estheticians and massage therapists will provide guests with an experience that combines their first-rate professional expertise as well as the philosophy of the spa: reconnect, unwind and be pampered.

To reserve accommodations and spa appointments, call L’Auberge de Sedona at 800-420-1806.

Wintertime in Sedona is Perfect for a Vacation & Spa

The Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa has been awarded AAA's Four Diamond Rating and is one of Arizona's Best. To obtain the AAA Four Diamond rating, hotels must have refined and stylish surroundings and an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.  More than 50,000 establishments throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean are inspected each year and yet, of those, only three percent of the lodgings are recipients of the Four Diamond Award.

Centrally located, Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa is minutes from Uptown Sedona, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and Gallery Row. Sedona Rouge is also the ideal home base for exploring Sedona’s world of outdoor adventures where 1.8 million acres of the adjacent Coconino National Forest offer unlimited opportunities.

Each of Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa’s 77 richly appointed guest rooms, suites and spa rooms have been designed in the spirit of Andalusian luxury, with dramatic colors and richly textured fabrics. Rooms are appointed with custom king or double queen beds, goose down feather duvets, a chaise lounge, ornate desk and Syrian chest. Additional amenities include 32” LCD flat screen televisions and spacious walk-in showers with overhead rain-shower sprays. Many rooms feature vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and balconies with delicate ironwork from Tunisia.  Complimentary wireless and high-speed Internet access are available throughout the property. 

Additional amenities include the lavish Spa at Sedona Rouge, set apart from the main hotel, where guests can create their own custom treatments from cutting edge modalities in a luxurious setting.  

Reds is Sedona Rouge’s cosmopolitan American bistro and bar known equally for its gourmet cuisine as for its delicious comfort foods. The extensive wine list features new and old world wines that will please the most discriminating of palates. Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa offers conference and event planners 4,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event facilities, including a fully appointed executive boardroom, a 2,000 square foot conference room, and a raised observation deck offering stunning Red Rock views, that can accommodate receptions of up to 50 people. 

Additional event spaces, such as the Terrace and the Column Garden, have been designed as private oases for smaller gatherings, from business mixers to family parties, enhanced by dramatic vistas of brilliantly sunlit Red Rock outcroppings and lush green canyons. An executive chef and banquet and catering staffs are available to prepare full course breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa is located at 2250 West Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona. The hotel can be reached by calling 928-203-4111 or toll free at (866) 312-4111. E-mail inquiries can be sent to info@sedonarouge.com. Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa or check web site www.sedonarouge.com.

ARKANSAS

FORT SMITH

If you want to be where the New South meets the Old West, plan a trip to Fort Smith -- famous for its hospitality, Blues, barbecue, Bach, broncos, belles and beautiful scenery. It's a city with a colorful and historic past which has grown into a meetinghouse for the past, present and future with its well-preserved frontier spirit. Arkansas's second-largest city, Fort Smith is located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border and near the junction of Interstates 40 and 540. Named after General Thomas A. Smith, commander of all military forces west of the Mississippi River in 1817, the city's birth year, Fort Smith is nestled along the banks of the Arkansas River and at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. While there, don't miss stopping in at "Miss Laura's." Once called the 'Riverfront Hotel" - just to be proper - this is the only former bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built just before 19090, it was once the most popular place on the city's bawdy Front Street along the Arkansas River. The "house," later renamed "Miss Laura's," has been magnificently restored in Victorian splendor. You won't see the original 'ladies,' but you will be treated royally. (Located at 2 North B Street. Call 1-800-637-1477 for hours/admission.

After touring the house, check out Miss Laura's Players. Formed in early 1993, this talented local group presents an original musical comedy skit spoofing life in early Fort Smith during the time of "Hangin' Judge" Isaac Parker and "Miss Laura" herself. It's entitled "Medicine Show on Hanging Day," and the performers are dressed in colorful period costumes entertaining visitors in the dinner theater with a variety of songs, dances, and laughter. (Located at the above address. For hours/admission, call 1-800-637-1477).

At the Belle Grove Historic District, a 22-square block area bounded by North 5h Street, North H Street, North 8th Street, and North C Street, this area is near the downtown and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in the early 1970s. Since then at least 40 homes that span 130 years of varying architectural styles have been restored, with some open for tours.

At the Fort Smith National Historic Site, you'll find two walk-in recreated frontier jails, and new displays and exhibits. The site also contains he remains of two military posts built to keep pace on the frontier when southeastern Indian Tribes were relocated to Indian Territory. The Visitor Center had served as the former barracks building for the second fort, built in the 1830s on the Belle Point area overlooking the Arkansas River. Later, the barracks housed the courtroom of the federal judge for the Western District of Arkansas. The courtroom has been completely restored, and visitors can walk around inside the early basement jail once considered so horrid it was called "Hell on the Border." Adjacent to the restored barracks building is the Commissary Building -- a major military supply center during the mid-1800s. Later, it was used as Judge Parker's chambers. During his 21-year tenure on the bench beginning in 1875, Parker was known as the "Hanging Judge." He presided over 13,000 cases and sentenced 160 men to hang. Of those, 79 died on the gallows which were capable of hanging more than six men at one time. (Located at Third Street at Rogers. For information/hours, call 479-783-3961.

There are many more sites and attractions. Contact Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901; 1-800-637-1477 for more information and free brochures.  

HOT SPRINGS

Garrison Keillor’s Jazzman, Andy Stein, and His Blue Four
Will Perform at Hot Springs’ Horner Hall on Saturday, April 28

Andy Stein, the eclectic musician who has appeared with Garrison Keillor in two Hot Springs performances, will bring his band, Andy Stein’s Blue Four, to Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Saturday, April 28.

The performance will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets will be $10 each, with all seats reserved. They will be available through Ticketmaster locations and at www.ticketmaster.com

Stein’s resume shows him to be a master of musical styles that encompass rock, country, jazz and classical. In Blue Four he fulfills a lifelong dream of merging his two favorite musical activities: playing swing and playing chamber music.

The group comprises accomplished musicians on violin, guitar, piano and reeds. Everyone takes a turn a being a soloist and everyone is in the rhythm section, since there is no bass or drums. In addition to Stein, members include guitarist Matt Munisteri, Scott Robinson on horns and pianist Conal Fowkes. Their repertory ranges from novelty tunes to hot jazz to beautiful jazz and popular ballads from the 1920s and ‘30s.

“Andy knocked people out with his playing when he was here twice before as part of Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion performances,” said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, “so when we had a chance to have him bring his own band to town we jumped at the chance. Andy’s music covers every musical style, and I know his April 28 performance will be a knockout.”

Besides freelancing as a violinist/violist in chamber and orchestra groups in his native New York, Stein has recorded with Itzhak Perlman, Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Frederica Von Stade, toured China with a string quartet, and performed concertos with orchestras in New York, Chicago, New England, Pacific Northwest, and the South. He was a founding member of the legendary rock Band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

Stein has appeared on numerous television programs including Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Great Performances (PBS) and As The World Turns (CBS). He has also been a featured soloist in a number of Broadway shows, including the Lincoln Center production of "Anything Goes," and the 1990s Broadway revivals of "Guys and Dolls" and "Fiddler on the Roof." He has produced records of rock 'n' roll and jazz, and conducted on radio and television.

With Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen, his distinctive style on violin and saxophone added a swing element to this beloved rock 'n' roll band of the early '70's. He subsequently worked with Asleep at the Wheel, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker Band, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Alan Menken, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Smashing Pumpkins, Grover Washington Jr., Chakka Kahn, Diane Reeves, Barbara Cook, Audra McDonald, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, B. B. King, Memphis Horns, Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston, Kathie Lee Gifford, Manhattan Transfer, Tony Bennett, Carol King, James Taylor, Michael Jackson and others.

He won a Grammy award for Best Country Instrumental in 1978. He has performed for two presidents of the United States, the president of the Dominican Republic, four mayors of New York, and for the Native American occupying force on Alcatraz.

In the jazz field Stein has been a featured soloist with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Paquito D'Rivera, Phil Woods, Manhattan Transfer, Jon Faddis, Dick Hyman, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Daniels, Turtle Island String Quartet, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, Ken Peplowski, Bob Wilbur, Harold Ashby, Andy Bey, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli and others.

For the last 18 years his violin and saxophone have been heard weekly on public radio nationwide, as he performs in the "house band" of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. He is also featured prominently in the Robert Altman film of the same name, both in the sound track and on screen, performing with Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan and others.

For more information contact Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

In-Woods Expo 2007 Hosts Prentice Loader Championship

In-Woods Expo 2007 will host the first of this year’s Prentice Loader Championships April 26-28 at its in-woods fairground near Hot Springs, Ark.

In-Woods Expo 2007, following up on the very successful 2004 event, will come back to Hot Springs this time on a 300-acre managed forest owned by Weyerhaeuser. Join 5,000 forestry professionals —-loggers, foresters, and landowners —- to interact with manufacturer and dealer representatives in a situation in which equipment can be demonstrated, in action, in a full-scale harvesting situation.

The Loader Championship will begin at noon on Thursday, April 26, and continue until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. The top five finishers from the regular contest will compete at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Championship Trophy Run to determine the final top five winners.

Several of last year’s Grand National competitors may try to continue their winning streaks at In-Woods Expo. At least one, Brent Hill of Lillington, N.C., who placed third in the Grand National, says he is going to go for the “Triple Crown” and try to win all three competitions this year.

In addition to live demonstrations of timber harvesting and processing equipment, and other product exhibitions, the three-day In-Woods Expo, a joint project of the Forest Resources Association and the Arkansas Timber Producers Association, will hold practical educational sessions directed to both loggers and landowners. The Southern chapter of the Council on Forest Engineering will hold its annual meeting, with seminars, on In-Woods Expo’s opening day, April 26. A Log A Load For Kids® fundraising dinner will be held in Hot Springs that evening.

For a registration form, contact FRA at 301/838-9385, fra@forestresources.org. A video preview is loaded at www.in-woods-expo.com.

In-Woods Expo 2007, April 26-28, 2007 in western Arkansas, is a joint project of the Arkansas Timber Producers Association and the Forest Resources Association. Please visit www.in-woods-expo.com.

2007 Timberwood Concert Series at Magic Springs

Sixteen blockbuster concerts, including performances by Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Blues Traveler, Jo Dee Messina, The Manhattans and John Kay & Steppenwolf, will thrill fans this summer when Magic Springs & Crystal Falls presents its 2007 Timberland Amphitheater concert series.

“We have a great lineup of concerts for our fans this season, with outstanding groups representing classic rock, country, Christian rock, R & B, blues rock, Hispanic and other styles of music,” said Aundrea Crary, marketing manager at Magic Springs. “And the great thing is that all 16 concerts are free for our 2007 season pass holders. For only $49.99, you can get unlimited visits to the Magic Springs ride park, the newly expanded Crystal Falls water park, plus 16 evenings of musical excitement. That’s an entertainment bargain that can’t be beat anywhere in America.”

Season passes are available for purchase at the park, at web site www.magicsprings.com or by calling 501-624-0100.

The concerts also are included as part of a daily admission ticket, Crary said.

She said regular single-day admission is $44.99; children under 52 inches tall and seniors 55 years or older $34.99; admission after 5 p.m. is $34.99, and children 2 years and under are admitted free.

Reserved seating for the concerts is $5 per concert, and reserved seats may be obtained now by calling the park at 501-624-0100 or by visiting the park ticket Sales office.

The 2007 Timberwood Concert Series will kick off on June 2 with a performance by rising country star Jason Aldean, who was named the Top New Male Performer of 2006 by the Academy of country music.

Here is the 2007 Timberwood Concert Series lineup. All concerts begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of the two Christian concert dates that begin at 7 p.m.

•June 2 — Jason Aldean, named Top New Male Vocalist of 2006 by the Academy of Country Music, for No. 1 hits, “Hicktown” and “Amarillo Sky.”

•June 9 — Heartland, a hot young country band from Alabama, which had a No. 1 single in 2006, “I Loved Her First.”

• June 16 — Christian Family Day at the park winds up with a concert by Point of Grace, the famed Christian music group that has been producing outstanding Christian music since its formation in 1992.

•June 23 — Loverboy, the classic rock group with such mega-hits as “Working for the Weekend” and “Queen of the Broken Hearts.”

•June 30 — Legendary R&B stars, The Manhattans, famous for such classic hits as “Kiss and Say Goodbye” and “Shining Star.”

•July 7 — Arkansas-reared country legend Tracy Lawrence, famed worldwide for such hits as “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis” and “If the Good Die Young.”

•July 14 — Blues rock stars Blues Traveler will perform hits such as “Run-around” and “Hook.”

•July 21 — Classic rock superstars Creedence Clearwater Revisited will reprise hits from one of the best-known repertoires in music history, including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Born on the Bayou.”

•July 28 — Little River Band, creators of such classic rock standbys as “Lady” and “Lonesome Loser.”

•August 4 — Christian Youth Day concludes with a concert by Christian rock stars Third Day.

•August 11 — Country star Neal McCoy, whose hits include “No Doubt About It.”

•August 18 — The Platters, one of the greatest R&B groups in the history of American music, will be the performers. Reminisce with tunes such as “Only You.”

•August 25 — John Kay & Steppenwolf who are out on their“farewell tour,” will perform their smash hits, “Born to Be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride,” “Monster: and others from a repertoire that sold more than 35 million records.

•September 1 — Jo Dee Messina, the country superstar, will perform hits such as “Heads Carolina Tails California” and “Bye Bye.”

•September 8 — The Memphis Soul Review reprises legendary R&B hits from the Memphis sound, including “Soul Man,” “Respect” and “Dock of the Bay.”

•September 15 — Spanish Heritage Day features a concert by Hispanic stars Sisters Morales and John Arthur Martinez. Martinez was a runner-up in the nationally televised show, “Nashville Star.”

Magic Springs opens for the 2007 season on April 7 and will be open weekends until May 26, when seven-day-a-week operations begin. Weekend operations resume from August 25 through October 28 on Saturdays and Sundays only (except for a three-day weekend for Labor Day).

Magic Springs & Crystal Falls is located at 1701 East Grand Avenue in Hot Springs, a 45-minute drive from Little Rock and within easy driving distance from Memphis, Shreveport, Northwest Arkansas and Tulsa.

For more information about the park or the concerts call Aundrea Crary at 501-624-0100.

Hot Springs National Park Season Tickets Now on Sale  

Season passes for the 2007 Magic Springs & Crystal Falls season are now on sale.
“The Magic Springs season pass already is the greatest entertainment bargain in Arkansas, and we are maintaining the price for a regular pass at $49.99, the same low price as 2006,” said Dan Aylward, president and general manager of the park. “The pass allows unlimited visits to the park, which features some of the greatest thrill rides and family rides in America, plus the Crystal Falls water park,” Aylward said. “In addition the pass allows free admission to the nationally acclaimed Timberwood Amphitheater summer concert series: 17 exciting performances by world-famous performers in every facet of music.”

“We have been voted one of the top three family-friendly attractions in America by Better Homes & Gardens Magazine,” he said, “and we are constantly improving our product to make the season pass an unsurpassed bargain.” Aylward said the Magic Springs Gold Pass will cost $69.99, a $10 increase from last year, “but still an excellent way to add even more value to your entertainment dollar.”

The Gold Pass allows free admission to all rides, shows and attractions, including
17 concerts, plus free parking and a $200 coupon book for in-park offerings. Magic Springs is located on Highway 70 East in Hot Springs, 45 minutes southwest of Little Rock.

For more information and to purchase passes, call 501-318-5370 or check web site www.magicsprings.com . Magic Springs & Crystal Falls will open the 2007 season on April 7, operating weekends only through May 21 and opens daily on May 26.

EAST Returns to Hot Springs Convention Center for Nationally Recognized Conference

High-Tech Students Exemplify the Theme of “Limits Not Included”

Hot Springs Upcoming Events

March 31 — USARPS-Bud Light Garland County Rock Paper Scissors Championship at the Convention Center. Semifinals begin at 5:30 p.m., finals at 7:30 p.m. Sixty-four players throw down rock paper or scissors for the chance to go to Las Vegas for the national championship and $50,000 in prizes. Anyone is welcome to come and watch for free. Entrants must be 21 or older and pay a $3 entry fee, which will be donated to the Garland County Relay for Life. For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

Through April 14 — Live racing at beautiful Oaklawn Park. America’s top Thoroughbreds compete in the nation’s most beautiful racetrack setting. Live racing is Wednesdays through Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. Fine dining, electronic games of skill. Call 1-800-OAKLAWN or visit web site www.oaklawn.com

April 6 – 14 — Hot SpringFest, featuring concerts, horse racing, springtime activities. Call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

April 11 — KC & The Sunshine Band and Village People in concert starting at 7:30 p.m. at Summit Arena. Call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

Through April 18 — Tulip Extravaganza at Garvan Woodland Gardens. More than 93,000 tulips commingle with the springtime beauty of the woodland arboretum, including thousands of redbud trees and azaleas. Call 501-262-9300.

April 13 — Derby Dance featuring the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in Horner Hall at the Convention Center. Classic Big Band dance begins at 7:30 p.m. All tickets $20. Call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

April 19 – 22 — Classic Corvette Weekend brings hundreds of the sporty cars to Hot Springs for car show, exhibits, scavenger hunt and more. Call Teresa Perciful at 501-851-8550.

LITTLE ROCK

Although the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is well worth visiting, there's much more to see and do in Little Rock, the state capital. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the public parks, zoo, public and private golf courses, and the numerous hiking and biking trails. Sports persons will enjoy the professional basketball, football, NCAA Sun Belt Conference competition, and Ray Winder Field, home to the Arkansas Travelers AA baseball team. History buffs can check out the Old State House Museum, the Historic Arkansas Museum, the Arkansas Arts Center, and many more museums and historical landmarks. If music is your love, check out the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Ballet Arkansas and the Arkansas Arts Center.

For more information, contact the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Statehouse Plaza, P.O. Box 3232, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203; 501-376-4781, or check wet site www.littlerock.com.

CALIFORNIA

ENCINITAS

Quail Botantical Gardens is always worth a half or full day. Here, among 30 acres of gardens in Encinitas you'll find unusual plant displays from all over the world and the Seeds of Wonder garden, specially designed for children. The price is $40 per person for an annual membership but day passes are given as well.

ESCONDIDO

Legoland is a definite adventure where you can be a kid again.

Experience the more than 50 rides, shows and attractions with a special VIP Tour with a personal guide, front-of-the-line privileges, and special front-row seating at all shows. The price is $200 per hour in addition to admission.

Escondido Children's Museum

Escondido Children's Museum is where you can explore, experiment, and learn with an annual membership to the Escondido Children's Museum. Choose from a grandparent, family or patron membership starting at $25.

Wild Animal Park

Plan on a sleepover and spend the night listening to a pack of snoring rhinoceroses or wake up surrounded by sharks. These unique accommodations, available at many of the area attractions such as the Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld and the Birch Aquarium, provide overnight programs for visitors looking for a different way to experience these popular points of interest. Prices are from $50 up.

At the Cheetah Run Safari at the Wild Animal Park, journey to a rustic camp where you can witness the cheetah's explosive sprint reach up to 60 miles per hour, while chasing a mechanical rabbit lure. Price is $69, plus admission.

Or, at the Wild Animal park, take the Photo Caravan Safari. This is an intimate adventure inside the park's field habitats in open-air trucks. Close-up photography opportunities are the norm when Indian rhinocerros lumber alongside vehicles and giraffes peer into the camera lens from inches away. Price is $90-$130, plus admission.

LAKE TAHOE

Lake Tahoe: America’s Premiere Ski Destination

Record snowfall and ubiquitous sunshine left skiers and snowboarders worldwide salivating for more snow days last winter at Ski Lake Tahoe’s seven premier resorts. Good news: the 2006-07 winter season will be better than ever at Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Squaw Valley USA.

Bridging the border between California and Nevada, the Tahoe region isn’t just a ski destination, it’s a winter paradise with more rideable acreage in close proximity than any other U.S. destination, more than 300 days of sunshine per year, easy access from anywhere in the country through the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and more dining and entertainment outlets to appease all interests from the young-and-beautiful to families and empty nesters.

Resort Events - More than 400 events listed from pray-for-snow parties and rail jams in November to snow golf, wine festivals and swimsuit slaloms in May.

Deep Snow Phenomenon - Tahoe’s resorts average 35 feet of snow per season - an insane amount that dwarfs all other major ski destinations - yet the region gets extraordinary amounts of sunshine. Learn why this phenomenon exists and why bluebird days are the standard.

Expert Terrain - Steeped in powder and powered by steeps, Tahoe’s resorts offer a lifetime of challenging terrain for thrill seeking riders.

Travel Tips - Lake Tahoe’s resorts start at only 30-minutes up the road from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. The region is easy to access and package deals are available at the click of a mouse.

Family Fun - kids and parents don’t have time to be bored in Tahoe. Ski Lake Tahoe’s resorts offer extensive kids on- and off-hill programs to ensure everyone has fun.

Terrain Parks - Tahoe’s resorts feature 20-plus world-class terrain parks and halfpipes frequented by the ski and snowboard world’s top athletes.

Dining and Entertainment - Tahoe never sleeps. The North and South shores offer rock star night clubs, top-name entertainers, 24-hour casino parties and an equal amount of family friendly alternatives that complete the Ski Lake Tahoe experience.

Lake Tahoe continues upgrades and improvements from new construction and shopping villages to new clinics, backcountry tours, lifts and park and pipe features on the Hill. With more than $300 million in improvements and upgrades within the past few years and even more in store for the next five years, Lake Tahoe has gained international attention by balancing one of the world’s most naturally beautiful geographical regions with a state-of-the-art winter vacation experience. 

All seven of the Ski Lake Tahoe Resorts (Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA) offer a view of the “Big Blue,” along with resort improvements ranging from entire town remodel projects at Heavenly and Northstar to new groomed trail patterns at Alpine Meadows and Mount Rose, to new ski and snowboard clinics at Squaw Valley USA and snow cat tours at Kirkwood. Terrain park lovers will be impressed with Sierra-at-Tahoe’s endless top-to-bottom runs touting features for all ability levels. Born from the vision of intrepid ski pioneers, Olympic competition, and San Francisco area outdoor enthusiasts, authentic roots prevail in the mountains of Lake Tahoe; and that traditional spirit of winter play has been enhanced by top-notch lift systems, the country’s best snowmaking facilities, lavish mountain villages, and a local culture unto its own. Winter 2006/2007 plans to welcome visitors from around the globe with new amenities that will perhaps play a hand in turning some of those visitors into the area’s newest locals:

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
Internationally renowned for its hike-to backcountry terrain, Alpine Meadows plans to add a little yin to its yang by enhancing and adding signature groomed runs. With the purchase of an additional grooming machine (called a winch cat), guests can experience different areas of Alpine’s wide open bowls and steeps on new, high-speed groomed routes. The new groomed trails (called high-angle groomers) will cater to everyone’s inner Bode Miller. Alpine Meadows will reinvent the definition of “terrain park” by offering features for all skiing and riding ability level from the very top of the mountain to the base lodge. Various table tops, roller jumps, rails and boxes will be designated to unique trail locale. In addition, the superpipe will move to a new location, offering a perfectly maintained feature for all jibbers on a daily basis.  The second phase of Alpine’s base lodge remodel project will be finished for the start of winter 2006/2007, adding the same warm alpine lodge ambiance of the first floor foyer to the second floor fireplace and restaurant area. 

Heavenly Mountain Resort
Over the past few seasons, more than $200 million were poured into Heavenly’s mountain and village improvements – a gondola, new resort hotels, new lifts, better snowmaking, improved grooming, extensive lodge renovations, a world-class ski school facility, and a family adventure center that lets non-skiers join the fun! And Heavenly's not done yet. The resort is currently in the approval phase for a Master Plan that will bring a number of new improvements, beginning with a new lift on the Nevada side and an on-mountain, day-use lodge. The town of South Lake Tahoe continues to make improvements as well, and will break ground in spring of 2007 on a new development across the street from Heavenly's Gondola which will feature a 4,000-person convention center, 250 luxury hotel rooms and a pedestrian bridge to connect it with the Heavenly Village.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort
If a visitor is looking for mind-bending steeps, groomed runs with exceptional pitch, and the area’s deepest snow, Kirkwood is a must-ski. The only resort to offer snowcat-only accessible terrain, winter zealots and powder hounds will appreciate the resort’s ability to serve up a bounty of fresh snow on off-the-beaten-path terrain. Part of the Expedition: Kirkwood series of backcountry tours, clinics, and educational camps, Kirkwood’s Powder Cat Tours are available twice daily to skiers and snowboarders of strong intermediate ability and above.  In partnership with Burton Snowboards, Kirkwood is pleased to introduce the region’s first Women’s Learn to Ride Center. Specially designed equipment and proven teaching techniques help women start to link turns faster than ever before. Kirkwood’s incredible learning terrain offers perfect fall line and gentle graduated pitch, with the added bonus of not having advanced skiers and riders whizzing by. 

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
Allowing early season access to the Slide Bowl, Mt. Rose has expanded its snowmaking system to include Silver Dollar run. Other improvements for 2006/07 include major parking improvements with 400 new spaces complimenting both the Main & Slide Lodge facilities. Knowing that one day is simply not enough, Mt. Rose has created a three day learning package appropriately titled the “Flight Plan.” Stemming from the already screaming $49 First-timer package, this all inclusive, multi-day product is only $99 and virtually ensures the guest will be well on their way towards achieving intermediate ability skills after three days of on snow experiences.

Northstar-at-Tahoe™ Resort
Continuing its destination development that has turned heads for the past two winters, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort has begun the next phase of its state-of-the-art project. Northstar Resort is investing $10.5 million in the next phase of mountain improvements which will result in the completion of two new Doppelmayr lifts for the 2006/07 winter season. The planned lifts include a high-speed six-pack which will dramatically improve access to Lookout Mountain and the Backside. The new lift will whisk riders up nearly 1,050 vertical feet in just five minutes. The new six-pack will access 13 total trails and 137 acres of total terrain, including 60 acres of new intermediate terrain. The second lift is a European-style surface lift to replace Salmon Tow, which transported guests over to the resort’s popular advanced terrain on Lookout Mountain. Phase One of the new Village at Northstar will be complete this upcoming winter, breathing a vibrant energy into the new Village. New shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants will complement the ice skating rink and nine fire pits located at the heart of the Village. Upon completion, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort will have invested a total of $30 million into these commercial improvements.

Boasting the largest snowmaking system on the North Shore, over 50 percent of the developed mountain is now covered with snowmaking, with expanded coverage off of Vista Express and the new six-pack lift. Northstar’s expanded cross-country center will be relocated to make room for the new Ritz-Carlton Highlands resort being built and will now offer more convenient and direct access to the resort’s scenic cross-country trails. Northstar plans to add a new parking lot containing 600 spaces and additional shuttle bus schedules will improve access to and from the resort.

Sierra-at-Tahoe
Receiving top accolades from Transworld Snowboarding, Sierra-at-Tahoe’s six terrain parks will continue to offer new features at its top-shelf jibbing scene; however, the South Lake Tahoe youth action mountain will entice beginner park users with the all new Burton Progression Park. Simply put, the Progression Park is for all who have always wanted to try skiing or boarding in a terrain park, but haven’t quite worked up the nerve and/or shed their inhibitions.  Sierra-at-Tahoe will team up with Burton Snowboards to introduce its Progression Park this season with boxes, jumps and rails all located mere inches from the ground, in a non-intimidating fashion. This will be the perfect training ground for those who have always wanted to test gravity, one inch at a time. Sierra-at-Tahoe will also offer lessons on these mini freestyle terrain features so that skiers/riders learn the proper technique when getting started.

Squaw Valley USA
Squaw Valley USA is once again gearing efforts toward improving the overall guest experience for the 2006/07 winter season. Environmental sustainability remains a primary focus; in an effort to preserve the area’s precious ecosystems, Squaw Valley is refraining from expansion beyond the natural footprint. With the ever changing daily conditions and events, a ski resort can be a confusing place. To ensure every guest gets the most out of their visit, Squaw Valley is introducing Squaw Valley TV. There will be plasma TVs placed in areas like the Cable Car lobby and the rental shop. At these Squaw Valley TV terminals guests can view real time lift updates, info on conditions and upcoming events and activities to ensure that they are dressed for the weather and never miss out on what’s going on at Squaw. On Squaw Valley TV, skiers and snowboarders can also learn tips from pros about anything from making powder turns to waxing their skis or boards. 

Squaw Valley is stepping it up for the 2006/07 winter season with an increase in snowmaking. The Papoose beginner area at the bottom of the mountain and the popular Gold Coast intermediate area up top will both see increased snowmaking. Squaw Valley is expanding snowmaking efforts from 400 acres and 10 percent of terrain to 600 acres and 15 percent of terrain for the 2006/07 season. Squaw Valley USA is proud to introduce Squaw Sessions, a ski and snowboard camp for teens, offered during holidays and peak periods. Not your average ski school, Squaw Sessions will teach teens about the origins of the freeride movement at Squaw Valley, as well as tools to master terrain park and big mountain skiing and riding. Beginners need not apply; Squaw Sessions is for burgeoning rippers who are not afraid to shred off-piste. Specifically designed for ski and snowboard crazed 13 to 17 year-olds, Squaw Sessions will provide the newschool breed with the opportunity to experience Squaw Valley’s rich freeride culture firsthand. Teens will meet their coaches in the morning and be placed in groups based on ability. As a group, the teens will decide together what they want to work on that day. Whether they fantasize about conquering steep “big mountain” lines, like Shane McConkey or Jeremy Jones, or jibbing and jumping in one of Squaw Valley’s three terrain parks, like CR Johnson or Eric Messier, Squaw Sessions is the open window into a young shred-dog’s dream. 

Last season Squaw Valley introduced an on-mountain Demo Center located at the top of the Funitel in the Gold Coast Lodge. The popularity of this convenient amenity has prompted additional improvements to the Demo Center including a new women-specific line to cater to the distinct intricacies of the female body. There will also be a brand new fleet of skis including the newest models of K2, Atomic, Volkl, Rossignol, and Salomon. From the shaped beginner ski for easy turning, to the fat ski for the frequent deep Squaw Valley powder day, to the twin tip park ski for rail sliding and “dropping in” switch, the Demo Center allows skiers to choose the perfect ski to fit their tastes and ability.

About Ski Lake Tahoe
Surrounding North America’s largest alpine lake, the seven resorts that make up Ski Lake Tahoe are Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA. Lake Tahoe boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and last winter the region had the most snowfall in North America. The seven resorts, all offering unparalleled scenic vistas of panoramic mountain and lake views, are located less than an hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and two hours from Sacramento International Airport.

For further information, check web site www.skilaketahoe.com.

Lake Tahoe Greets Up to Five Feet of Snow

Lake Tahoe received abundant snowfall with a winter storm dumping an average of nearly three feet of powder on Ski Lake Tahoe resorts since Thursday with snowfall continuing today. Reporting up to five feet of powder at the highest elevation, resorts were blanketed in fresh snow, sending out the reminder that in Tahoe, snow is measured in feet, not inches.

With top-of-the-line snowmaking systems in place, Ski Lake Tahoe resorts have entertained skiers and snowboarders this season with snow packs offering amazing groomed runs and wide-open terrain parks as the sun continued to shine over the past several weeks. Sun or snow, Ski Lake Tahoe resorts continued to offer visitors great mid-winter conditions and scenic lake views that make Tahoe one of the world’s most unique ski destinations.

Those looking to spend their upcoming President’s Day weekend and spring break on excellent terrain, surrounded by sun and snow, should simply come to Tahoe. Unparalleled entertainment will keep visitors going all night, while the culture and relaxed and friendly attitude around the Lake will keep them going all day. Nowhere else can you be on the snowy mountains all day, enjoy world-class entertainment all night, and start all over again the next day, with so many nearby resorts to choose from.

About Ski Lake Tahoe

Surrounding North America’s largest alpine lake, the seven resorts that make up Ski Lake Tahoe are Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley USA. Lake Tahoe boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and last winter the region had the most snowfall in North America. The seven resorts, all offering unparalleled scenic vistas of panoramic mountain and lake views, are located less than an hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

For further information and to directly book travel, lodging and transportation for Ski Lake Tahoe resorts and its travel partners all in one web site, visit www.skilaketahoe.com.

LOS ANGELES

Visit Los Angeles’ contemporary art scene

The Millennium Biltmore offers a Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) package, offering accommodations and two admission passes to the museum. Guests can view WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution (through July 16, 2007), billed as "the first comprehensive, historical exhibition" of feminist art. Rates begin at $189, valid through July 31, 2007.   

American Girl ® At The Millennium Biltmore With A Special Package

Now every young girl’s dream of taking a vacation with their “best friend” is just a phone call away: The Millennium Biltmore is introducing its inaugural “American Girl” package. 

The package features overnight accommodations for up to four persons (two adults and two children), American Girl amenities (bath/body product and story book), American Girl doll bed for in-room use, complimentary transportation to the American Girl store at the Grove Los Angeles Shopping Center and complimentary breakfast for up to two children in the hotel’s Smeraldi’s restaurant. The package is based on availability, valid through the end of 2007 with rates beginning at $249.

For reservations check web site www.millenniumhotels.com or call 800-245-8673.

The Millennium Biltmore is also displaying an American Girl doll which can be won by guests who book the “American Girl” package. Guests will be entered into a special drawing to win the American Girl prize.

About the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles

A landmark since its completion in 1923 and the “star” of numerous movies and TV shows filmed at the property, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, has long been the “host of the coast” for high society, celebrities and conventioneers from around the globe. Renowned for its exquisite Spanish-Italian Renaissance-style architecture, the stately 683-room property includes 48 suites and 70,000 square feet of elegantly designed meeting space with five ballrooms.

The Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom was the site of several early Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banquets, and the 11,546-square-foot Biltmore Bowl recently reopened after a $3 million renovation to prepare the grand venue for another century of memorable events. The hotel also features an Art Deco-inspired fitness center and indoor swimming pool, three restaurants (including one serving modern Asian cuisine), two lounges and 24-hour room service.

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, was designated a historical landmark in 1969 by the City of Los Angeles. The hotel showcases numerous fine works of art, including a ceiling masterpiece in the Crystal Ballroom painted by Giovanni Smeraldi of Vatican fame. Located just 30 minutes from LAX and Burbank airports, the property is conveniently located in the heart of Los Angeles amid the city’s business, financial and cultural centers, including the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL

American Girl, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com), the world’s leading toy company. Since American Girl’s inception in 1986, the company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to create, and to imagine through a wide range of engaging and insightful books, age-appropriate and educational products, and unforgettable experiences. In meeting its mission with a vigilant eye toward quality and service, American Girl has earned the loyal following of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.

American Girl dolls, books and related products are sold exclusively through the company’s consumer catalogue, online at www.americangirl.com, and at American Girl Place®, its proprietary retail stores in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. To learn more about American Girl or to request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit www.americangirl.com.

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), established in the United States in 2000, is the North American arm of London-based Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc (MLC). The MHR portfolio includes 20 holdings in The Americas, and the company operates properties including: Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York City; Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City; Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo, New York; Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago; Millennium Bostonian Hotel, Boston; Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis; Millennium Hotel, St. Louis; Millennium Hotel, Cincinnati; Millennium Harvest House, Boulder; Millennium Hotel, Durham; Millennium Alaskan Hotel, Anchorage; Millennium Resort, Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch; and the Millennium Maxwell House, Nashville.

MLC holdings outside of the Millennium brand include the Millenium Hilton Hotel in New York City. For further information on Millennium Hotels and Resorts, call 866-866-8086 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels comprises over 100 four and five star hotels with 24,681 rooms worldwide in 16 countries. Our World of Hospitality marketing alliance partner Maritim Hotels has 45 hotels with 13,069 rooms in 9 countries.

MALIBU

The celebrated Malibu Beach Inn will re-open in May 2007 after undergoing a multi-million dollar, head-to-toe remodel that will make it the only luxury hotel destination in Malibu.

The renovation, which began in October 2006, includes completely refinished interiors and exteriors, as well as the addition of a new dining room, expanded meeting space and a members-only beach club. While the hotel is closed, it is accepting reservations for its grand re-opening in late May.

“The hotel will offer a true Malibu experience,” says Managing Director Alan Goldschneider. “It will have a more sophisticated feel, but will also be the relaxed beach retreat our guests have come to know and love.”

The new Malibu Beach Inn is designed to complement its location on the sands of Malibu’s exclusive Carbon Beach by featuring clean-lined architecture and interiors, a beach-inspired color palette and natural materials. Rich woods, elegant stone, sleek glass and polished steel will be used throughout the hotel to create an organic indoor/outdoor experience that utilizes the setting’s unique marine assets.

At the heart of the renovation is a new guests-only 44-seat dining room, which will feature indoor and oceanfront terrace seating, both of which boast breathtaking views and the sound of the tumbling surf below. The hotel will offer a unique food and wine experience featuring an extensive list of hand-selected small-production wines from California’s premier wine regions paired with Mediterranean tapas and coastal California cuisine.

The hotel’s 47 guest rooms, including six suites, each with ocean views, balconies and fireplaces, will feature custom-made furnishings, luxurious fabrics and the latest communications and entertainment systems. In-room amenities will also include a mini-bar stocked with Dean & Deluca favorites, wine rack with hand-selected California vintages, and skin and hair care products from Molton Brown.

Plans for the hotel also feature an expanded lobby and 5,000 square feet of oceanfront meeting space with state of the art technology and full catering capabilities, as well as high-speed wireless and cable data connections throughout the hotel, making the Malibu Beach Inn a perfect destination for meetings and intimate corporate retreats.

Upon its opening, the Malibu Beach Inn will debut its Carbon Beach Club, an exclusive limited-membership experience that offers residents and non-hotel guests access to the hotel’s private beach with luxurious amenities and services.

About the Malibu Beach Inn

The privately owned Malibu Beach Inn is the only luxury oceanfront hotel destination between Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. Located on famed “Billionaire’s Beach,” the 47-room hotel was built in 1989 and has become a beloved destination for both leisure and business travelers. After a complete contemporary makeover, the property will feature a guests-only dining room, private beach club and attentive European-trained staff. The Malibu Beach Inn Carbon Beach will offer guests the ultimate Malibu Experience.

For reservations or other inquiries about the Malibu Beach Inn and Carbon Beach Club, check web site www.malibubeachinn.com or call (800) 562-5428.

MONTEREY COUNTY

Captain's Inn at Moss Landing Celebrates Historic Centennial of Pacific Coast Steamship Company Building :

The Pacific Coast Steamship Company Building was built in 1906 following the big 1906 earthquake. This building is one of the oldest buildings in Moss Landing and is currently owned by Captain Yohn and Melanie Gideon. The Gideons are planning a series of centennial celebrations for the building in 2006 and 2007. Bed and breakfast guests can also choose to join in the celebration with special packages and weekly birthday cake.

For more information, call 831-633-5550 or e-mail res@captainsinn.com

Carmel Plaza

New stores are now open at Carmel Plaza, just in time for the holidays
including J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Wilkes Bashford. Tommy Bahamas will be
opening soon. Girlfriend getaway packages are also now available through
Carmel plaza. Spend a weekend with just the girls, and pamper yourself with
this indulgent Carmel vacation package. Allow your stress to melt away during
a 50-minute spa treatment, or reinvent your image with a personalized
makeover. After a wonderful day of shopping together, enjoy a delicious wine
and cheese tasting.
For more information, call 831 624-0138 or e-mail Ryan.Williams@Macerich.com

Carmel Valley Ranch Offers new Wine Focused Package

Carmel Valley Wine Experience draws Guests to Experience Flavorful Regional Varietals while Enjoying the Beauty of "Steinbeck Country". Located in the heart of Carmel Valley, Calif. -- a region renowned for its majestic landscapes and abundant wine offerings -- the Carmel Valley Ranch resort has created a package designed for guests wishing to sample the best of the area's bountiful offerings.

The Carmel Valley Wine Experience Package includes:

Luxury suite accommodations and daily breakfast for two. A welcome amenity
consisting of locally harvested Robert Talbot Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay
accompanied by artisan cheese and regional organic fruit. A tasting
experience in the resort's Lobby Bar comprising three locally harvested
vintages. A map of Monterey and Carmel wine tasting rooms. A half bottle of
Chateau Christina Pino to take home as a souvenir Through Dec. 21, 2007,
the package is priced starting from $259 per room, per night based on double
occupancy.
For more information, call 310 358-7744 or e-mail Acampbell@LuxuryResorts.com

Casa Munras Begins Hotel Restoration

Casa Munras, one of the oldest properties in Monterey, is in the midst of a
more than $7 million renovation to update the hotel's entrance, lobby,
meeting rooms, restaurant, pool area and bar and guest rooms. The
renovation will preserve much of the hotel's original style along with its
distinguished spacious gardens while implementing dramatic upgrades to its
existing facilities. The renovation is scheduled to be completed on June 1,2007.

For more information, call 831-375-2411 or e-mail rstark@larkspurhotels.com.

The National Steinbeck Center Hosts "The Forgotten Village."

The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas will showcase "The Forgotten
Village" photography exhibition from October 28, 2007 through April 29, 2007
in the center's Pearl Gallery. The exhibit consists of 13 original photographs
taken by Rosa Kline and Alexander Hackensmid while on location in Mexico
filming "The Forgotten Village" documentary with John Steinbeck in 1940.
Artifacts from the National Steinbeck Center archives will supplement the
exhibition and will include The Forgotten Village book, originally published in
1940. Clips from the film's location will be permanently on view inside the
museum.
For more information, call 831-775-4725 or e-mail aholder@steinbeck.org

Fairmont Hotel Coming to Seaside

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Seaside Resort Development, LLC are pleased
to announce a new luxury mixed-use development in Seaside on the Monterey
Bay in Northern California. Fairmont will manage the resort, scheduled to open
in 2009. The hotel will feature 330 rooms and suites, of which 160 will be
situated in bungalows secluded amongst the trees, 24,000 square feet of
meeting space, a 14,000 square-foot Willow Stream spa, dining outlets, an
outdoor pool and the existing 36-hole championship Bayonet and Black Horse
golf course facility that the property will manage. In addition, a residential
component is planned with 170 condominiums and 125 single-family lots.
for more information, call 212-715-7098 or e-mail lori.holland@fairmont.com

Renovation Planned for Hyatt Regency Montery

The Hyatt Regency Monterey recently commenced a $40 million renovation
project scheduled for completion in early 2008. Upon the property's
transformation, it will proudly become Hyatt Regency Monterey on Del Monte
Golf Course Resort and Spa. The new Hyatt Regency Monterey -- the only
hotel in the city of Monterey located adjacent to a golf course - will remain
the largest hotel between the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles. It will
feature a stunning new full-service spa and world-class amenities for guests'
enjoyment. Highlights of the renovation also include luxurious guestrooms
outfitted with new elegant furnishings and modern amenities, a new signature
restaurant, and upgraded on-site activities.

For more linformation, call 831-647-2001 or e-mail tstatz@hyatt.com

NAPA VALLEY

Westin Opens Condominium-Hotel in Napa Valley

The whole-ownership condominium-hotel is the latest development to break ground in the emerging Oxbow District in the heart of America's wine capital. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE: HOT) and Intrawest ULC announce the ground-breaking of The Westin® Verasa Napa Residences, one of the largest private developments in the city's evolving riverfront community. The property is owned by Intrawest and will be managed by Intrawest Hospitality Management Division under a long-term management agreement.

"The Westin Verasa represents a tremendous win as it further expands the hotel base in the downtown area, both in the Oxbow District and the Napa Valley. Visitors will now have one more reason to stay and play in America's wine capital," said Benno Nager, Vice President of Development for Intrawest. "We are grateful for the support of the community and the City who have supported this condo hotel and our efforts to contribute to both the downtown and Oxbow District story."

A rare real estate opportunity such as The Westin Verasa Napa Residences is the fruition of countless hours of planning and collaboration by the City of Napa and two industry leaders - Intrawest, a world leader in developing resort destinations and Westin Hotels and Resorts®, with world-renowned service executed with effortless style and a gracious attitude. This exceptional partnership between Intrawest and Westin once again brings together the visionary innovators of successful hotels and residences throughout North America.

The Westin Verasa Napa will serve as a vital cornerstone for the development of an exciting new district in downtown Napa. The riverfront development will serve to enhance the rich diversity of Napa's surrounding wineries, growers and culinary culture. The Oxbow Public Market - located next to the development - broke ground on September 28th and is a testament to the emerging region. The 40,000 square foot marketplace, which includes a scenic outdoor deck with seating along the Napa River, will feature a diverse tenant mixture of local food vendors, artisan cafes and organic farm stands. Steve Carlin, founder and CEO of the Oxbow Public Market confirms the significance of the partnership, "We welcome The Westin as a wonderful new addition to the community. Their exciting project is further evidence of the Oxbow District's growing attraction as a destination for tourists and locals alike."

"The Westin Verasa Napa's architecture, design and its infusion of surrounding natural elements into the property are reflective of Westin's goal of ensuring that guests feel renewed and at their personal best," said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. "The hotel's location allows owners to experience and become a part of a truly unparalleled piece of Napa Valley."

Construction on the hotel will begin this year, with a planned opening in 2008. The Westin Verasa Napa will be the first full-service property to come to Napa in nearly five years. The property will also add 5,320 square feet of conference space to the Napa Valley. A downtown Napa presentation center showcases architectural models and interior design samples.

For more information about The Westin Verasa Napa, check web site www.westinnaparesidences.com.

OXNARD

This city that began as a small farming community, has blossomed into the largest town in this county and celebrated its 100th year birthday on June 30, 2003. Among the treasures to be found here is the Fillmore & Western Railway, (located in the eastern end of Ventura County), having introduced its new Antique Treasure Train.

You'll also find displays of classic, milestone and special interest vehicles at the Murphy Auto Museum, but it now couples the collectible cars with vintage clothing from all decades. Mannequins are dressed in clothes within the particular era and are placed at the vehicles side with a historical description.

If you're ready to explore the waters deep below in Oxnard, check out Sunfish Diving. Operated by Michelle & Andy Volaski, it's available for open parties and full and half-day charters to both Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, as well as for coastal dives. The fee includes air fills, fresh hot water shower, private dressing areas, and a self-service galley.

Contact the Railway at 800-773-8724 for train information. For more information on the area, contact the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-269-6273, or web site www.oxnardtourism.com.

Contact the Murphy Auto Museum, located at 2230 Statham Boulevard, for hours and suggested donation, or call 805-487-4333.

For diving reservations, call Sunfish Diving at 805-644-1499.

For the 2006-2007 Oxnard Visitors Guide containing the latest information on Oxnard's hotels, attractions and restaurants, call 1-800-269-6273 or download the guide from web site www.visitoxnard.com

Oxnard Chosen As Designated Site for a California Welcome Station

Visitors travelling along the Central Coast will now be able to find out all they need to know about Oxnard, Ventura County, the Central Coast region and California as a whole -- because Oxnard now has a new California Welcome Center.

The Center is located at the Town Center Building at 1000 Town Center Drive, off Interstate highway 101 at Oxnard Boulevard, and this site will join 12 other similar agencies strategically positioned across California. The Oxnard Welcome Center offers a myriad of complimentary services and information about Oxnard, Ventura County and regional destinations, in addition to general information on California itself. Oxnard was awarded the designation by the California Travel & Tourism Commission after going through a lengthy bid process.

The new Center is open Monday through Thursdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Fridays from 8:30 am to 6 pm; Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.

For more information on the Welcome Center, contact the Oxnard CVB at 805-385-7545, ext. 224.

New Eatery Offers Tempting Selections in Historic Setting

The historic Woolworth building in downtown Oxnard has been transformed into a new bakery and cafe. Fresh & Fabulous offers classic bakery goods such as cookies, biscotti, bundt cake and muffins in addition to several Mediterranean inspired selections such as Baklava. The cafe portion of the restaurant features homemade soup, specialty salads, gourmet sandwiches, panini grilled sandwiches as well as a variety of quiche and homemade Mediterranean-style choices including hummus, bruschetta, baba ganoush, tabbouleh and more.

In addition, the new eatery offers ready-to-cook meal kits to easily preapre gourmet meals within 30 minutes. The decor plays off the art deco style of the historic Woolworth building that was built between 1949-1950.

For more information, call 805-486-4547 or visit web site www.myfreshandfabulous.com.

More on tap at Oxnard Area

Thunderbirds Take to the Sky in March

The Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will headline the 2007 Naval Base Ventura County Air Show scheduled for March 31 and April 1. The NBVC Point Mug gages will open at 8 am both Saturday and Sunday, with flight demonstrations starting at 10 am. The Thunderbirds have appeared in past Point Mugu air shows in 1973, 1989, 2001, and 2002. Free and open to the public, the Air Show features the latest in aviation with both current and vintage aircraft on display, food & beverage booths and great sourvenirs.

For more information, call the Naval Base Ventura County Information Line at 805-989-8786 or visit web site www.nbvc.navy.mil.

Scarlett Belle Paddlewheeler to Make its Debut this Spring

Oxnard's new Paddlewheeler, the Scarlett Belle will make its debut in Oxnard this spring. The 149-passenger paddle wheeler will be available for weddings, corprorate events, themed parties and family reunions.

--- New Grand Stay Residential Suites Opens:

The newest hotel in town is the GrandStay Residential Suites at 2211 East Gonzales Road. The 57-unit hotel offers all the comforts of home combined with the services of a grand hotel. Visitors are offered one and two-bedroom studio suites with full kitchens, each completely furnished to meet ones needs while traveling away from home. Besides offering comfortable accommodations, the GrandStay will be serving Afternoon Tea the first Sunday of the month, and will be offered to residents and visitors from 3-5 pm. The cost is $20 per person and will include a variety of tea, delicious scones, tea sandwiches, and an assortment of desserts.

For more information, call the GrandStay Residential Suites at 805-983-6808.

--- Play Detective in Historic Heritage Square:

Featuring some of the best Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in Ventura County, La Dolce Vita di Mare, located in the McGrath House in historic Heritage Square, is puttig a whole new spin on the term, "dinner and show." Joining forces with Whim Custom Adventures, La Dolce Vita offers "Heritage Haunts," consisting of a series of clue-laden dinners, in which guests can participate in after they dine. Patrons are given clues pertaining to Heritage Square and surrounding attractions including the Murphy Auto Museum, Herzog Wine Cellars, and GrandStay Residential Suites. The final clue directs the guest back to La Dolce Vita where they have an opportunity to win a grand prize consisting of an overnight stay at GrandStay Residential Suites, a wine basket from Herzog Wine Cellars, theater tickets to the Elite Theatre in Heritage Square, and dinner for two at La Dolce Vita. In addition to the mystery dining, La Dolce Vita also offers Cooking Classes the fourth Saturday of the month at 1 pm. Participants make four different types of food and enjoy their creations at the end of class. The cost is $40 per person.

For more information, call La Dolce Vita at 805-486-6878 or check web site www.ladolcevita.com.

--- New Eatery in Oxnard:

Visitors will now have another dining option in Oxnard as Ruby's Cafe has opened. The new restaurant, located on Fourth Street near the Oxnard Transportation Center, offers Mexican and other cuisines such as seafood, chicken and pastas. In addition to a wide menu, Salsa classes are offered on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights, and Salsa music on Fridays and Sundays.

For more information, call Ruby's at 805-486-2169.

--- New Art Museum Opens in Oxnard:

Featuring works by individuals as well as thematic shows, the Plaza Art Gallery has opened up in downtown Oxnard located on the historic plaza adjacent to the Carnegie Art Museum. Housed in an Art Deco buyilding at 329 North 5th Street, the new gallery presents works by both contemporary and modern artists, with an emphasis on Latino Art. Special exhibitions are offered on a rotating basis. Plaza Art Gallery is open Wednesdays thorugh Sundays from oon to 6 p.m.

For more information, call 805-486-6947 or visit web site www.plazaartgallery.com.

--- Sunfish Diving:

Explore the Pacific Ocean and take in the sights and sounds of sea life, sea birds, and sea breezes on a three hour sightseeing cruise with Sunfish Diving. While on board, view the beautiful topography of the Pacific Coast and the historical points of interest. Guests can also see all the sights of the busy Pacific coastal industry filled with fishing boats, beautiful yachts, sail boats, cargo boats, and more. The tour will also meander through Channel Islands Harbor and cruise by the luxurious homes while keeping an eye out for various bird species along the beaches, river and jetty's.

For more information, call 805-644-1499.

 Get Ready for Whale Watching Season in Oxnard!

Grab a front row seat and get ready for an exciting opportunity to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard. The season officially began the day after Christmas.  Both Island Packers and Channel Islands Sportfishing offer daily excursions from Oxnard to view these magnificent mammals that grace the ocean as they migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel.

Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, offers 3 1⁄2 hour non-landing trips through early April.  The fare is $26 for adults, $22 for seniors ages 55 & up, and $17 per child ages 12 and under.  Trips are provided at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.  Island Packers also offers regular full-day excursions to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, which include whale watching along the way.  For information and reservations, call 805/382-1779 or check web site www.islandpackers.com.   

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center in Channel Islands Harbor also offers whale watching excursions from January through March 2007 aboard the vessel, the Speed Twin.  Two trips will be offered daily, Monday through Friday departing at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m.  The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (55 and over), and $15 for juniors (12 and under).  And, if no whale sightings occur on a particular excursion, Channel Islands Sportfishing Center will provide a Free Pass, good for another outing!  For more information, call 805-382-1612 or check web site www.speedtwinsportfishing.com.

Several hotels are offering whale watching packages and discounted hotel rates during Whale Watching Season.  The Casa Sirena Hotel, located in picturesque Channel Islands Harbor, offers visitors a $135 overnight stay in the Marina View accommodations, which includes two adult whale watching tickets. 

For information, call the Casa Sirena at 805-985-6311. 

The Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort, located directly on the beach, offers a whale watching package that includes either a one or two night stay in a deluxe suite, cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, hosted beverages in the evening, two half-day whale watching tickets with Island Packers, overnight self-parking and wireless Internet access.  The one-night package is from $215 and the two-night starts at $384.  The offer is valid through April 8, 2007. 

For more information, call Embassy Suites at 805-948-2500.

 The new GrandStay Residential Suites offers a “landing” whale watching package with Island Packers, (landing & hiking on Anacapa Island) consisting of a one bedroom suite with two adult whale watching tickets for $200, plus tax, or a two-bedroom suite with two adult whale watching tickets for $255 plus tax. A “non-landing” (North Shore Cruise of Anacapa Island) whale watching package is also available consisting of a one-bedroom suite with two adult whale watching tickets for $165 plus tax, or a two-bedroom suite with two adult whale watching tickets and two child whale watching tickets for $220.  Each package consists of a one night stay and additional nights and tickets are available upon request. 

For more information, call GrandStay Residential Suites at 805-984-6808. 

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. The pregnant females lead the southern migration, passing by the Channel Islands in late December and early January.  The mature males and nonpregnant females follow the pregnant females.  The juvenile whales are last to head south, usually in February.

The average length of a Gray Whale male is 11m (36 ft), maximum 15 m (50 ft).  Females are 12m (39 ft), maximum (50 ft).  Average weight for males is 26 metric tons, and females are 31 metric tons with the maximum for the species at 34 metric tons.  One of the few whales that lack a dorsal fin, the Gray Whale is a dark charcoal color at birth, but eventually turns a mottled gray due to the large number of barnacles and lice on their bodies.

For more information on Whale Watching Season in Oxnard, or to receive visitor or hotel information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-269-6273 or check web site www.visitoxnard.com.

Strawberry Festival

The 24th Annual California Strawberry Festival gets underway May 19-20 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park (3250 S. Rose Avenue) in Oxnard, California's Strawberry Coast. The event ranks among the nation's premier outdoor weekend celebrations and includes scrumptious strawberry foods, the Strawberry Promenade with cooking and berry decorating demonstrations, live concerts on two stages, the Strawberryland for Kids Fun Zone with jest in Time Theatre, gooey contests, the Star Berry Hunt, and an award-winning Fine Arts & Crafts showcase with more than 300 artisans!

Proceeds benefit over 15 southland charities. All-day fun is available for the geeral admission of $12, with seniors 63 and over at $8 and children ages 5-12 at $5. Kids 4 and under are free. Active military and dependents with ID are $8. The hours are 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 6:30 pm on Sunday. Parking is free, but visitors can use the handy Park & Ride4 Strawberry Express Shuttle from convenient locations off the 101 Freeway.

The California Strawberry Festival Information Line is 1-888-288-9242 or visit web site www.strawberry-fest.org.

Historic Wagon Wheel to Get New Look

The Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Motel, a roadside landmark in Oxnard for years, will soon be taking on a new look and feel. As part of a redevelopment plan, it is proposed that the site be rebuilt to include two 20-story residential towers, 1200 row houses and condominiums, and about 47,000 square feet of retail and commerical space. According to officials, the proposed development would transform the aging industrial and commerical property into a mixed-use community of high-density housing called, The Village. The updated European-style village design would encourage walking, interaction among neighbors and use of mass transit.

PASADENA

Nestled at the base of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, just 9 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena is the city that feels like a village. From mountains caressed by the sun, through gardens radiant with roses, to extraordinary turn-of-the-century architecture, there is nowhere else quite like Pasadena. It's truly a pedestrian-friendly city. Visitors can stroll along beautiful tree-lined South Lake Avenue, known as Pasadena's premier shopping district. Old Pasadena, a 22-block historical area featuring 19th century structures and quaint alleyways, is one of Southern California's hottest main-street entertainment districts. With 200 specialty shops, antique havens, boutiques, bistros and entertainment venues, Old Pasadena offers something for everyone.

Paseo Colorado is Pasadena's three-block open-air urban village. With its Mediterranean architecture, lush pedestrian promenades, courtyards and terraces, it is anchored by Pacific Theatre's 14-screen cinema complex, Amadeus Spa and Salon, Macy's Department store, and Equinox Fitness Club. Its 65 distinct specialty retail shops and restaurants include Coach, BCBG Max Azria, J. Jill, Tommy Bahama, and the Yard House.

Drawing from its rich cultural heritage, Pasadena features numerous world-class museums and historical sites. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens offers an extensive collection of literary classics, 17th and 18th century British and French art, and 150 acres of lush gardens. Highlights include an original Gutenberg Bible, Ellesmere's manuscript of Canterbury Tales, the famous Pinkie and Blue Boy paintings, and an authentic Japanese garden.

Seven centuries of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century are on display at The Norton Simon Museum, including masterpieces by Van Gogh, Degas, Rembrandt, and Picasso. The Pacific Asia Museum is dedicated to the promotion and understanding of the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific, while the Pasadena Museum of California Art features California art, architecture and design from 1850 to the present. In contrast, the Gamble House, built in 1908 is an architectural masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts era.

Pasadena's Rose Bowl is famous for championship events including five Super Bow football games, the 1999 Women's World Cup Soccer Championship, and the Rose Bowl Game. Today, the Rose Bowl is home to the UCLA Bruins football team.

After dark, the village takes on a whole new flavor. As the birthplace of Julia Child, it is home to some of Southern California's finest restaurants with over 500 to choose from, including Madre's, the chic Latin-style eatery owned by singer/actress Jennifer Lopez. Exciting nightlife ranges from hot jazz clubs and cool comedy at the Ice House to theater at the Pasadena Playhouse and musical performances at the renowned Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

A vast array of shops, restaurants and recreational opportunities lie within walking distance of Pasadena's hotels, with accommodations ranging from intimate inns to luxury resorts. Favorites include the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa, the Westin Pasadena, Hilton Pasadena, Sheeraton Pasadena, and the Old Pasadena Courtyard by Marriott.

With a population of only 140,000, Pasadena offers visitors a friendly and safe enclave. The city's mild Mediterranean climate also makes for ideal sightseeing conditions. Year-round temperatures average 76 degrees F.

For more information, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau; 626 795-9311
or check web site www.pasadenacal.com

PASO ROBLES

Hotel Cheval, New Stylish Boutique Inn, to Debut in April 2007

Paso Robles welcomes a new downtown luxury property with the opening of Hotel Cheval in April 2007. Influenced by the surrounding countryside and situated in America’s new prized food and wine region, Hotel Cheval will offer well-traveled guests an experience unlike any other in the Central Coast area featuring old-world hospitality and exceptional personalized service amidst thoughtfully designed and refined accommodations.

Proprietors Robert and Sherry Gilson spent two and a half years refining the concept and location of Hotel Cheval. With a passion for good design, more than 20 years of experience in real estate and an interest in the hospitality industry, the Gilson’s were inspired to open their first hotel in downtown Paso Robles. Robert’s background in business finance coupled with Sherry’s talent for style and design makes these new hoteliers a dynamic husband and wife team. From the original blueprint, to the décor and selection of the amenities, they have immersed themselves in its development to create a memorable destination for their guests.

“We are inspired by the many properties we have visited and are drawn to the romanticism of hotels. The idea of giving guests a surprising and delightful experience is very exciting and fulfilling, especially in this new American wine country.” says Robert Gilson.

Each of the property’s 16 rooms is thoughtfully and individually composed with a classic and stylish flair featuring a hint of contemporary design. Cozy windows seats, fireplaces, outdoor patios, fountains and European artifacts are complimented by original artwork by Richard Tullis. Additional amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, flat screen televisions, complimentary Ethernet and wireless internet connections, DVD players, luxury linens and bathroom amenities by Temple Spa.

In keeping with an equestrian theme - “cheval” is French for horse - the rooms are named after famous racehorses throughout history. Guests can unwind in front of the fireplaces in the courtyard, curl up with a book in the library or have an early evening glass of wine in the Pony Club – the Parisian inspired horseshoe shaped zinc bar. For a unique and unparalleled experience, guests can enjoy complimentary carriage rides to dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings with Chester, Hotel Cheval’s Belgian draft horse.

Hotel Cheval is a stylish and sophisticated 16 room luxury Inn located in the superior downtown location of Paso Robles.

For more information on Hotel Cheval, visit web site www.hotelcheval.com .

SAN DIEGO

San Diego Natural History Museum

There's lots going on at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Check Out the Great Hikes . . .

FREE GUIDED NATURE HIKES

Horsethief Canyon

Take a 400-foot descent to the canyon floor. A flat trail to Pine Valley Creek will lead you through live oaks, sycamores and wildflowers. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 5, 2007; 9 AM–1 PM

Torrey Pines State Reserve Extension

See rare Torrey pines, native chaparral plants, and wildflowers on this easy walk to a vista point overlooking Peñasquitos Lagoon and the ocean. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 6, 2007; 9–11 AM

Florida Canyon

Enjoy this central canyon preserved by Helen Witham Chamlee. Together with Docents of the San Diego Natural History Museum, Chamlee founded the Canyoneers in 1973. Learn more about the Canyoneers history. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 12, 2007; 5–6:30 PM

Iron Mountain

A steady uphill climb takes you through exceptional native vegetation. At the summit trail junction, choose to return (3 miles round trip) or continue to the summit (an additional 3.5 miles round trip) for a magnificent view of the mountains and valleys. There is a 1000-foot gain to the summit. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 13, 2007; 8 AM–12:30 PM

Agua Dulce Loop

This walk starts on the Old County Rd. then continues along the Aqua Dulce Creek to Laguna Meadow. There are a variety of unusual plants to be found on this loop. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 19, 2007; 9 AM–2:30 PM

Old Banner Road

This site offers a wide variety of wildflowers on a downhill walk to the Warlock Mine. Re-energize at lunch break before you begin your return, which is uphill all the way. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 20, 2007; 9 AM–1 PM

Crestridge Ecological Reserve

Join this pleasant hike in the community of Crest. The 2600-acre parcel, controlled by the Department of Fish and Game, includes coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and oak woodland habitats. Cross a year- round stream then stroll under mature oak woodland habitat. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 26, 2007; 9–10:30 AM

Cottonwood Creek Falls

On this 2-mile hike in the Laguna Mountains, with a gain/loss of 500 feet in elevation, follow a draw to where the creek emerges from a narrow canyon to create waterfalls. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 27, 2007; 9 AM–noon

The museum is located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park. For details, call 619.232.3821. Admission is $11 for adults; $9 for seniors; $7 for military, youth 13–17, students; $6 for children 3–12. Free for members.

EXHIBITIONS AND GIANT-SCREEN FILMS at the SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM:

Permanent exhibition—Fossil Mysteries From dinosaurs to mammoths, discover the rich fossil history of our region. In this major exhibition created by the Museum visitors can play the role of paleontologist: ponder a mystery, examine the strong fossil evidence from the Museum’s collection, and use scientific tools to discover answers.

Traveling through a 75-million-year timeline, from the age of dinosaurs to the Ice Ages, visitors will experience an unfolding of the prehistory of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico.

Developed by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Major funding provided by the California Cultural and Historic Endowment; National Science Foundation; Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation; an anonymous donor; and generous support from the J. W. Sefton Foundation; the San Diego Foundation: Weingart-Price Fund and Carol and Henry F. Hunte Fund; San Diego County Supervisors Pam Slater-Price, Ron Roberts and Greg Cox; The Legler Benbough Foundation; THE PARKER FOUNDATION: Gerald and Inez Grant Parker; Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation; Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan; Carol and Dennis Wilson; Rice Family Foundation; Samuel and Katherine French Fund; Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation; and Sony Electronics Inc.

Through May 31 Art gallery and sale—VISIONS of the NATURAL WORLD through the LENS of the MASTERS Discover brilliant fine-art photography! VISIONS is a collaborative effort between the Museum and The Ordover Gallery, and is presented in a series of eight shows that feature nature-based photography of nationally recognized artists; sculpture and glass will also be exhibited. All of the artwork will be for sale, and a substantial portion of proceeds will benefit the Museum. For more information, visit www.sdnhm.org/exhibits. The last show in the series, open May 5–May 31, is titled Contemporary Expressions and will feature artists Art Myers, Nancy Keating, Lisa Ross, Lew Abulafia, Bill Evarts, Abe Ordover and Charles Sherman. For imagery, visit www.ordovergallery.com.

Through June Giant-screen film–Too Hot Not to Handle Heat waves. Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Catastrophic storms. Migrating viruses. Population displacement. Over the past 100 years, the mass consumption of fossil fuels, especially in America, has contributed to a dangerous warming of the earth that has adversely impacted the way we live. The cautionary documentary Too Hot Not to Handle offers a guide to the effects of global warming in the United States.

Ongoing Giant-screen film—Ocean Oasis Take a fascinating journey into Mexico’s beautiful Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. Ocean Oasis is the winner of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the International Wildscreen Film Festival. For more information visit www.sdnhm.org. Produced by the San Diego Natural History Museum, Summerhays Films and PRONATURA A.C. Sponsored by Sempra Energy.

PROGRAMS

Sunday, May 6; 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM Free family performance—Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic School Bus© Wahoo! Join us for live performances EVERY Sunday at the Museum. Get ready to explore the wild and wacky worlds of mysterious creatures, fascinating habitats, and phenomenal hands-on science! FREE with

Museum admission. Call the Frizzle hotline 619.232.3821 ext. 8 or visit www.sdnhm.org/frizzle for the latest information.

Tuesday, May 8; 6:30–8 PM (Orientation) and Friday, May 18; 8 AM to Sunday, May 20; 6 PM Overnight expedition—East Canyon of the Sierra Juarez The east escarpment of the Sierra Juarez in northern Baja California has more native palms, pool-filled canyons, and greater contrasts of elevation than all the palm canyons in the U.S. combined! On this car-camping trip, explore the geology, archaeology, and natural history of two palm oases. Visit rock art sites and a garnet mine. Member $75 per vehicle; Nonmember $85 per vehicle. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Thursday, May 10; 11 AM Family program—Nature, Mommy, and Me Calling all budding naturalists! Come enjoy an imaginative journey into nature through dynamic readings and visits to exhibitions. Storytime is held every second Thursday of the month. Open to all ages with a parent (recommended for ages 1–5). FREE with Museum admission. For more information, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 12; 8–11 AM Adult program—Birding by Sound One of the most important and interesting aspects about identifying birds is the ability to distinguish different species by their sounds. Hike into the eastern portion of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Park, through oak and willow woodland and past sage scrub and chaparral, and utilize popular birding field guides. Participants will meet at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Park. Member $15; Nonmember $20. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 13, 2007; 9 AM--–1:30 PM Family Program—Mother’s Day Glorietta Bay Kayak Open to ages 8 and up. Bring Mom and meet at Glorietta Bay on the Silver Strand for an introductory paddling lesson. Then launch for a scenic paddle under the beautiful Coronado Bridge to the Coronado Ferry Landing. Member $55 per adult; Nonmember $65 per adult. $20 per child age 6–12 paddling in a double kayak with a parent. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 13; 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM Free family performance—Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic School Bus© Wahoo! Join us for live performances EVERY Sunday at the Museum. Get ready to explore the wild and wacky worlds of mysterious creatures, fascinating habitats, and phenomenal hands-on science! FREE with Museum admission. Call the Frizzle hotline 619.232.3821 ext. 8 or visit www.sdnhm.org/frizzle for the latest information 

Monday, May 14; 8 AM to Thursday, May 17; 6 PM Overnight expedition—Yosemite’s Water Works: A Natural History and Photography Tour In mid-May, waterfalls are vigorously flowing, there are juxtapositions of light and shadow, and a natural sense of form and texture. Photograph breathtaking Half Dome and El Capitan, watch for animals, look for wildflowers, and see yourself in a reflecting pool. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, May 19; 8 AM–7 PM Adult Program—Delicias de México: Tequila and Barbacoa Tequila, the national drink of Mexico, is an important ingredient in elaborate barbacoa (lamb barbecue). Spend the day in the garden of a beautiful Baja California restaurant and witness the preparation of this delicious meal. After lunch, learn about the agave plant, its uses, and the history of tequila. Then taste varieties of tequila to distinguish flavors and qualities. Member $82; Nonmember $92. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, May 20; 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM Free family performance—Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic School Bus© Wahoo! Join us for live performances EVERY Sunday at the Museum. Get ready to explore the wild and wacky worlds of mysterious creatures, fascinating habitats, and phenomenal hands-on science! FREE with Museum admission. Call the Frizzle hotline 619.232.3821 ext. 8 or visit www.sdnhm.org/frizzle for the latest information.

Sunday, May 27; 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM Free family performance—Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic School Bus© Wahoo! Join us for live performances EVERY Sunday at the Museum. Get ready to explore the wild and wacky worlds of mysterious creatures, fascinating habitats, and phenomenal hands-on science! FREE with Museum admission. Call the Frizzle hotline 619.232.3821 ext. 8 or visit www.sdnhm.org/frizzle for the latest information

Museum's JUNE 2007 FREE GUIDED NATURE HIKES

William Heise County Park

An uphill walk will take us through a mix of pines and oaks. Stellar’s and scrub jays, juncos, acorn woodpeckers, and gray squirrels can be seen and heard in this woodland. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, June 2; 10 AM–noon

San Elijo Lagoon County Ecological Preserve

This is an easy walk along the lagoon, except for a few steep steps down a small hill at the trailhead. Search for water birds at this marsh habitat and estuary. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, June 3; 5-7:30 PM

Garnet Peak

Garnet Peak offers dramatic views of the desert and the Laguna Mountain Range. On a clear day, the eastern view may include the Salton Sea. This trail takes you through Jeffrey pines to high chaparral. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, June 9; 9 AM–1:30 PM

Tijuana Estuary

Revel in one of the few remaining salt marshes in southern California. Endangered bird species, including the Clapper Rail, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, and the California Least Tern, may be seen during this walk on level terrain. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, June 10; 8–9:30 AM

Stonewall Peak

Enjoy the shade of oaks on this switchback trail to the 5730-ft. granitic Stonewall Peak. Take in views of the lake and forested peaks of the Cuyamaca Mountains. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, June 16; 4–7:30 P 

Torrey Pines State Reserve—Sorrento Valley

Join us on this easy walk through chaparral among a variety of plants, birds, reptiles, and butterflies. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, June 17; 9–11 AM

Silver Crest Loop

This loop has excellent views along the trail at Boucher Hill. Two species of wild orchids and ripening berry plants make this hike a winner! For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, June 23; 9 AM–1 P 

Doane Pond

Palomar Mountain is known for Sierra Nevada-like growth with the large pine, fir, and cedar trees. In June, berries are ripe and we will look for the coralroot orchids under the oak trees. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, June 24; 10 AM–2:30 PM

Wooded Hill Nature Trail

An easy 1.5-mile walk on a gradual slope through oak-pine woodland leads to a panoramic mountain view. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, June 30; 4:30–7 PM

San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego

Take time out this fall to enjoy a stay at a charming hotel located from San Francisco to San Diego.

Hotels include:

Bay Area

Lighthouse Hotel, Pacifica

Half Moon Bay Lodge, Half Moon Bay

Central Coast

Fireside Inn, Cambria

Fog Catcher Inn, Cambria

Holiday Inn Express, San Luis Obispo

Spyglass inn, Pismo Beach

Cottage Inn, Pismo Beach

Sandcastle Inn, Pismo Beach

Pacifica Suites, Santa Barbara

Los Angeles Area

Carlyle Inn, Los Angeles

Inn at Venice Beach, Venice Beach

Holiday Inn Express/Marina del Rey

Jamaica Bay Inn, Marina del Rey

Quality Inn and Suites, Hermosa Beach

Sunrise Hotel, Redondo Beach

San Diego Area

Empress Hotel, La Jolla

Blue Sea Lodge, San Diego

Sommerset Suites Hotel, San Diego

What’s New in San Francisco

"What’s New" is a listing of new venues, attractions and activities compiled by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB).

City News

The Piers Project Transforms Piers 1, 3 and 5 Near San Francisco's Ferry Building

Within the last 15 years much of San Francisco's waterfront has gotten a new point of view. With the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway starting in 1991, the transformation of the Ferry Building into a bustling marketplace in 2003, and the restoration of Piers 7 and 14, the public was given unprecedented access to more and more port property. As of Nov. 15, 2007 with the opening of The Piers, a $54 million, mixed use project at the foot of Washington Street, three condemned, unoccupied piers at Piers 1 ?, 3 and 5 with only "location, location, location" going for them have been transformed into 60,000 sf of office space, approximately 17,000 sf of restaurant, café and retail space. When combined with the Bayside History Walk and PortWalk stretching along the entire bayside perimeter of the project, nearly an acre of public access has been added. Pier 1 ? was once the passenger waiting room for the Delta King and Delta Queen steam wheel paddle boats that ferried passengers between San Francisco and Sacramento. Berths for water taxi service and private yachts (for up to two weeks) will also be available. For more information, check web site www.thepierssf.com.

Family Fun

Experience Life Aboard a 19th Century Sailing Ship at San Francisco's Maritime Park

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers daily guided tours of the historic sailing ship, Balclutha, berthed at Hyde Street Pier. Learn how sailors adapted to harsh conditions, dangerous storms, poor food and little pay. After the guided tour, descend below deck to experience the sights and sounds of "Cargo is King," a new exhibit that tells how the Balclutha, an 1886 square-rigged ship once known as the Star of Alaska, contributed to the social and economic development of the Bay Area, California and the world packing coal, lumber, wool, wheat, rice, Scotch whisky and the mineral nitrate. The program is included in the cost to board the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier; admission is $5 for adults, children under 16 free.

For more information, telephone 415-447-5000 or check web site www.nps.gov/safr. .

Attractions and Events News

July 6-10, 2007 -- Major League Baseball All-Star Week at Bat

Baseball's midsummer classic is coming to San Francisco and will bring exciting activities for fans of all ages. Moscone West Convention Center will be the site of a five-day celebration of the national pastime with an unparalleled interactive baseball festival known as Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest. There will be exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions, live entertainment, memorabilia and much more. For information about FanFest and other All-Star Week activities, including the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game, Taco Bell Legends/Celebrity Softball Game, Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring Home Run Derby, the Red Carpet Show and other events, check web site www.sfgiants.com. .

Tours and Activities

Stroll San Francisco's Story-Tours Offer "The Whole San Francisco Shebang"
No San Francisco stone is left unturned in the self-guided, MP3/iPod-based Stroll San Francisco story-tours. Featuring professional actors portraying historical characters, San Franciscans telling their own stories, city historians bringing the past to life, music, sound effects and a lively narrator, Stroll San Francisco has 33 different tours of major San Francisco landmarks and neighborhoods. Tours can be purchased individually ($4.99-$9.99) or the "whole shebang" for $14.99.

For more information and to sample a tour, call 415-665-8911 or check web site www.strollsanfrancisco.com. .

In The Kitchen With Lisa Culinary Excursions Whet Appetites in San Francisco

Twice a week, Epicurean Concierge Lisa Rogovin leads tours of the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace and Farmer's Market. After a morning sampling olive oil varieties, chocolate confections, delicious cheeses and gathering goodies for home and garden, the culinary adventurers are then treated to a sumptuous lunch at a restaurant known for high quality food and the use of local and seasonal ingredients or can opt for a hands-on cooking class and sit-down lunch in a private home.

By reservation only; fees range from $125-$500. For more information, call 415-806-5970 or check web site www.inthekitchenwithlisa.com.

American Institute of Architects San Francisco Celebrates 125th Anniversary

San Francisco is home to the third largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects in the United States. In October, 2006 they opened a new home in San Francisco's historic Hallidie Building, 130 Sutter St. Designed in 1917 by Willis Polk, also the designer of Filoli, it is one of the country's first glass-curtain-wall buildings. The organization's new home is one of the city's premier LEED-certified spaces open to the public. The opening coincided with AIA San Francisco's 125th anniversary. Throughout the month of September, 2007 AIA San Francisco will be celebrating the fifth annual Architecture and the City festival with a series of architectural tours, film screenings, exhibitions, design lectures, home shows and more.

For complete details, including information on a podcast "walking tour" of the new facility, call 415-362-7397 or check web site www.aiasf.org. .

"Felicitous Digressions" Spark Historic Walking Tours of Downtown Sonoma

On any given day visitors to Sonoma's historic Town Plaza may be greeted with a "Howdy Buckaroos! This here is Samuel Clemens." George Webber, a self-confessed multiple personality "artiste" slips in and out of character on a series of tours lead by historic figures. Webber's repertoire includes Samuel Clemens, whose pen name was Mark Twain, and General Vallejo, one of the early Californios. The 60-minute tour/performance begins at the plaza's Bear Flag statue and can be tailored for school children and/or adults only as evidenced by the 90-minute saloon tour which takes in some fine "waterin' holes." Reservations required. For more information on tours and other personae in Webber's repertoire including Luigi, the singing Italian chef; Professor Vine, Wild West Willie and Fred, the step-on guide, call 707-694-5097 or check web site www.georgewebber.com. .

New Ingredient for Building Teamwork: The Kitchen Challenge

Using elements from the popular Iron Chef cooking competition and The Apprentice, San Francisco-based Parties that Cook™ has developed a new product called Kitchen Challenge, a timed cooking competition where a group is divided into teams and each team must prepare an entrée focusing on three ingredients. Teams are given recipe guidelines, a pantry of ingredients and one hour to meet, create, prepare and make a plated presentation to a panel of judges. Available for corporate groups and private celebrations, the Kitchen Challenge offers "exercises in the kitchen that can be taken right back to the office," notes Bibby Gignilliat, founder of Parties That Cook.

For more information, call 888-907-COOK (2665) or check web site www.partiesthatcook.com. .

Museum News

Legacy of Life in Internment Camps Captured in Exhibits, New A.C.T. Drama

In 1942 following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, some 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast were interned in detention camps for the balance of the war. The remembrances of those internees, the art they created and their reactions to returning to San Francisco after World War II form the basis for several new exhibitions and a new play produced by the American Conservatory Theatre.

Among the exhibits:

If They Came For Me Today: The Japanese American Internment Project, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St., 415-557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Opened on Jan. 13, 2007 the new exhibit at the Main Library highlights the stories of 15 local Japanese American citizens interned during WWII. On view through March 18, the multimedia exhibition organized by Community Works and students from three local schools, draws on oral histories of internees or the children of internees. A special program on Jan. 20 will honor 13 of the individuals profiled and include student presentations as well as Jeff Adachi, public defender for the City and County of San Francisco, who will discuss the impact of his parents interment on his life; playwright Philip Kan Gotanda, who will read from his play After the War; and poet Janice Mirikatani, who was born in an internment camp. .

Philip Kan Gotanda's new play After the War, is onstage March 22-April 22, 2007 at the American Conservatory Theater. Described as a "powerful valentine to San Francisco," the world premiere coincides with the 100th anniversary of San Francisco's Japantown. Directed by Carey Perfloff, the drama portrays an unexpected grouping of characters trying to restore balance to a community that went from being almost a ghost town with the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans to an area with a burgeoning African American population. For more information, call 415-749-2250 or check web site www.act-sf.org.

SF Cameraworks Opens New Gallery on San Francisco's Mission Street

Mssion's Street's "museum row" in downtown San Francisco has gained another tenant: SF Cameraworks. Located just above the Cartoon Art Museum at 657 Mission St., it is the fifth museum to open in the 600 block of Mission Street, also home to the Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Historical Society and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society. Just a few steps away are the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Zeum and the future homes of The Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Mexican Museum. SF Cameraworks, the Bay Area's only non-profit photography gallery focusing on emerging artists, was founded in 1974. In addition to a 3,000 sf gallery, the site is home to an education center and 3,000-volume library which includes many rare and out-of-print publications.

For more information, call 415-512-2020 or check web site www.sfcamerawork.org.

Major Art Exhibits on the Horizon at SFMOMA, Asian Art, MoAD and de Young Museums

The Museum of the African Diaspora (www.moadsf.org) hosts a traveling version of Slavery in New York Jan. 24-April 30, 2007. The landmark exhibit, shown at the New York Historical Society in 2005, features images of the history of slavery in New York and the fight for freedom. Picasso and American Art runs Feb. 23-May 28 at SFMOMA (www.sfmoma.org). Some 40 works by Picasso and more than 100 works by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns among others examines Picasso's role in the development of American art in the 20th century. From March 3-June 10 Vivienne Westwood, a retrospective exhibition organized by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, makes its only U.S. stop on an international tour at the de Young (www.thinker.org). A celebration of Westwood's 40-year-long career, the show honors her fearless non-conformity and singular sources of inspiration which are often found in the past. Original drawings, covers and posters by Osamu Tezuka, one of Japan's foremost manga (graphic novel) artists will be highlighted in Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga, June 2-Sept. 9 at the Asian Art Museum (www.asianart.org).

Restaurant News

Bistro 1689, 1689 Church St., 415-550-8298, www.bistro1689.com, located in Noe Valley, debuted during the summer with its refined French/California cuisine emphasizing the rustic flavors of southwest France and cooked with produce from small farms, delivered daily from organic sources whenever possible. Bistro 1689, known for their Monday and Tuesday $39 three-course prix fixe menu which features "bottomless wine by the glass" (not available for wines sold by the bottle), is open for dinner nightly; closed Sunday.

Bushi-Tei, 1638 Bush St., 415-440-4959, www.bushi-tei.com, located in the heart of San Francisco's historic Japantown, combines wood paneling dating back to 1863 from Nagano, Japan with edgy modern touches. Launched in 2005 the restaurant's fusion cuisine got a coveted one star in the new Michelin San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country guide. Chef Seiji "Waka" Wakabayashi's three-course Omakase tasting menu with wine pairing for $50 is a favorite of patrons drawn to his melding of French, Californian and Japanese influences. Dinner nightly; closed Monday.

Pres a Vi Global Cuisine & Wine Bar, One Letterman Drive, Building D, Suite 150, 415-409-3000, www.presavi.com, opened in November, 2006 at the Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco's Presidio. This casual restaurant and wine bar serves an eclectic array, some 20 to 30 choices, of international small plates. Chef Kelly Degala's commitment to global cuisine is reflected in dishes that reflect Spanish, Filipino, French, Italian and Latin American influences. To encourage wine and food pairings, the restaurant also offers guests the opportunity to sample single three-ounce tastes. Lunch and dinner daily.

Sam's Chowder House, 4210 North Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay, 650-712-0245, www.samschowderhouse.com, opened in October, 2006 -- a sister restaurant to Cetrella, quickly became a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Set on the magnificent California coastline in Half Moon Bay, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Sam's Chowder House offers a casual and authentic New England-style seafood experience. The menu will feature a daily selection of fresh fish - grilled, broiled or sautéed to perfection, an array of delicious seafood dishes, live lobsters and crabs, a raw bar, and a variety of local specialties, all priced to coincide with the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Lunch and dinner daily.

SAN DIEGO

2007 San Diego North Travel Planning Guide Now Available

The 2007 San Diego North Travel Planning and Conference Guide, a 160-page resource for the leisure travel and meeting and convention industry, is now available from the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau. Designed to provide planning tools for both the leisure visitor and business traveler, the comprehensive guide features detailed information on the coastal, valley, mountain and desert areas of the 2,000 square-mile San Diego North region.

Featuring essential travel planning details while offering a valuable insider's
perspective, the user-friendly guide provides an overview of each of the 19 communities within the region including color photos and vivid descriptions of the region's accommodations, attractions, activities, and amenities.

New for 2007 is the inclusion of valuable "Insider's Tips" and "Itinerary Ideas"
to help visitors customize their visit to San Diego North and create a more
personal experience while visiting the region. "Tips such as what side of the tram to board for best viewing at the Wild Animal Park or the best spot to view leopard sharks in the shallow waters of La Jolla Cove, is invaluable information to visitors," said Cami Mattson, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego North Visitors & Convention Bureau.

"Our research shows that leisure visitors want to experience destinations in more depth, discover the back roads and out-of-the-way places and feel as if they have discovered the area's local secrets," said Mattson. "Our annual guide gives both the leisure visitor and meeting planner the valuable tools to plan, explore and experience San Diego North".

San Diego North, known as the resort region of San Diego with a year-round temperate climate and 36 miles of beaches, world-renowned resorts, spas, and golf courses, is also home to popular attractions such as Legoland, the Birch Aquarium, and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park.

To obtain a complimentary 2007 Travel Planning & Conference Guide, check
web site www.sandiegonorth.com or call 800-848-3336.

Located in Escondido, the Bureau's Visitor Information Center provides visitor
information and discount tickets to area attractions, as well as half-price
tickets to performing arts events throughout San Diego County at the ARTS
TIX North ticket outlet located inside the Bureau. The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau provides visitor information from La Jolla north to Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside to the inland, mountain and desert communities of Escondido, Julian and the Anza-BorregoDesert.

SAN MATEO COUNTY

You're missing a lot if you haven't vacationed in San Mateo County. What's to do and see? Plenty! Start with the gardens. The Japanese Tea Garden (located in San Mateo Central) is reputed to be one of the finest tea gardens in California. Landscape architect Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo designed this stunning retreat graced with a granite pagoda, a teahouse, lanterns, and bamboo groves. The garden, containing harmoniously arranged trees, waterfalls, Koi ponds, lotus flowers, different seasonal blooms and rare plants provides a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in the busy downtown area.

The Allied Arts Guild is an enchanting complex of shops, gardens, artists' studios, and a restaurant. The gardens were designed to resemble the famous Alhambra and Generalife gardens of Granada, Spain. The walkways feature beautiful flowers and foliage that change colors according to the season, and the shops and studios feature arts and crafts of artisans of San Mateo County.

Stop in at Sunset Magazine's experimental gardens which are part of Sunset's laboratory for Western living where editors and staff test their ideas in an environment that reflects the history of California and the West. There are various climate zones to geographical areas of the United States for growing almost every plant available in the nursery trade.

If you love Mom Nature, you'll love the nature tourism spots in San Mateo County, too. The Ano Nuevo State Reserve is a thrill -- for here you can witness the incredible spectacle of thousands of elephant seals converging annually. The 4,000-acre reserve is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal (along with sea lions and other marine mammals)( that come ashore in staggering numbers through April each year for their annual mating/calving ritual and remain in smaller herds throughout the year.

At the James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, you'll find a complex marine habitat where scientists have discovered 25 new marine invertebrae and plant species (several that live nowhere else but at the preserve), and it offers one of the most diverse tide pool systems in the state, including a variety of seaweed, crabs, sponges, sea anemones, mollusks, starfish and an assortment of other fish.

Like wine? Five wineries to whet your taste buds are located here. Among them are the Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyard where twenty-five acres of Burgundian-style varietals are planted on the 325-acre estate. The mountain top setting has sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay area, while the crushing, barrel aging and bottling are done on the premises. The tasting room offers tasting menus that include a souvenir glass.

At Savvy Cellar Wines in Redwood City, you'll be seated at a comfortable wine bar where you can try wines by the glass before your wine shopping experience. There is a weekly tasting menu with daily wine specials, a daily European lunch plate with appetizers, cheeses and sweets, and live jazz every Saturday night. All the wines are rated 90 points or higher by the leading wine critics.

La Nebbia Winery at Half Moon Bay has been in business for over 25 years and features an award-winning wine list, gourmet food products, private events, custom wine labeling, a scenic picnic area, and Bocce Ball courts. Several times a year, the winery holds its "bottle and cork your own wine" events at which the general public is invited to bring their own bottles and move through the pouring, corking and labeling lines.

For more information on the above and additional attractions and events, contact the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 650-348-7600, or check web site www.visitsanmateocounty.com.

San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets 

Now that the word is out, “foodies” and gourmets of all kinds are heading to San Mateo County, San Francisco’s closest neighbor that offers two sides of a gorgeous peninsula – the Coastside and the Bayside.  Already known for its convenience (SFO is there), its sunshine, scenic beauty, 90 miles of beaches and proximity to San Francisco, the area is now touting the incredible fresh produce grown in the southernmost part of the county, the fish, crab and prawns caught off the Pacific side, and the locally produced wine and microbrews.   The county is making a name for itself as a world-class tourism destination.

San Mateo County offers dining at its best.  Locally grown produce and fresh seafood, multi-ethnic cuisine, and local wineries make dining on the Peninsula a truly fine culinary experience.  A new “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” awards program recognizes local restaurants, hotels and caterers that make an effort to buy and serve produce from local San Mateo County growers, seafood caught off San Mateo County’s coastline, and beer and wine made in the county.  The San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCCVB) and San Mateo County Farm Bureau created the ongoing award program in cooperation with the San Mateo County Harbor District.

Chefs have been taken right onto the farms and docks to learn first-hand how to find the freshest products and how to serve them so that they are at their peak. Culinary teams have been trained to give diners little known facts, such as how a Dungeness crab develops and becomes so sweet.  Arrangements have even been made for groups to hear presentations by farmers, fishermen and/or winery owners as they enjoy a particular meal.   Group tours of a working goat dairy farm (milk the goats and see how gourmet goat cheese with edible flowers is made) is an option, along with behind-the-scenes farm and dock tours, meetings with growers, fishermen, and award-winning chefs, winery and brewery tours, and even self-bottling of wine.

Visitors and residents will also be informed of not only the venues that are participating in the program (a plaque in the establishment and a window sticker), but also which local products are used in the menu (special labels), the health-conscious aspect of certain dishes (heart stickers), how to take some of San Mateo County’s freshest products home (a guide of growers/fishermen who will ship their goods to visitors’ homes), and how to enjoy local wine and food pairing events and celebrations of special foods (San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets Calendar of Events).

The “San Mateo County:  Fresh as it Gets” program has enjoyed a tremendous welcome within both the local restaurant and agricultural communities.   The California Secretary of Food and Agriculture made a point of coming to present the very first “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets Awards” at a reception in Half Moon Bay.  The campaign was also the featured cover story of the California Country magazine’s May/June issue.  The program continues to grow exponentially, with increasing numbers of restaurants now serving products picked or caught the same day. The San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to be involved in a campaign that will clearly benefit the local lodging and dining establishments, the agricultural community in the county, the tourism industry in our area, and will promote economic growth and media recognition for San Mateo County. 

For more information, contact the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 111 Anza Blvd., Suite 410, Burlingame, CA 94010, 650-348-7600 x 111, or check web site www.visitsanmateocounty.com.

 Group Tour Suggestions for "As Fresh As It Gets"

*Tours of private farms with the farmers/growers themselves, to see the produce growing in the fields;

*Tour of goat dairy farm that makes gourmet goat cheeses covered in edible flowers (This private tour can include trying one's hand at milking a goat!)

*Tour of Pillar Point Harbor with our Harbor reps/top fishermen, learning first-hand about our incredible Dungeness crab, halibut, etc. (Deep sea fishing may also be arranged, and whale watching through April)

*Tour of private wholesale nursery operation (our area is also a cut flower capital!)

*Tour of area wineries, which may also include self-bottling at one of them;

*Tour of local brewery

*Berry picking

*Private luncheons/dinners using the products seen that day--caught/picked that day;

*Appearances by farmers/fishermen at an event to describe the products

*Lunch/dinner on a farm or on winery grounds

*Chef's kitchen dinners

*Cooking classes using the local, fresh products

*Tour of fresh (Casa Sanchez) salsa operations

Latest Events at the San Diego  Natural History Museum

 Exhibitions and Giant-Screen Films:

Permanent exhibition—Fossil Mysteries From dinosaurs to mammoths, discover the rich fossil history of our region. In this major exhibition created by the Museum visitors can play the role of paleontologist: ponder a mystery, examine the strong fossil evidence from the Museum’s collection, and use scientific tools to discover answers. Traveling through a 75-million-year timeline, from the age of dinosaurs to the Ice Ages, visitors will experience an unfolding of the prehistory of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico. Developed by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Major funding provided by the California Cultural and Historic Endowment; National Science Foundation; Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation; an anonymous donor; and generous support from the J. W. Sefton Foundation; the San Diego Foundation: Weingart-Price Fund and Carol and Henry F. Hunte Fund; San Diego County Supervisors Pam Slater-Price, Ron Roberts and Greg Cox; The Legler Benbough Foundation; THE PARKER FOUNDATION: Gerald and Inez Grant Parker; Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation; Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan; Carol and Dennis Wilson; Rice Family Foundation; Samuel and Katherine French Fund; Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation; and Sony Electronics Inc.

Through April 29 Traveling exhibition—Playing with Time Ever wondered what life would be like if you could control time? Now you can! Discover a hidden world where events happen too slowly or too quickly to see: hummingbird wings beating, climates changing, popcorn popping, the universe expanding and more. Through playful hands-on stations, natural objects and stunning displays, experience natural phenomena that occur over vast timescales-from billionths of seconds to billions of years. Get a new appreciation for your ever-changing world. Playing with Time is a co-production of the Science Museum of Minnesota and Red Hill Studios. The exhibit was made possible with support from the National Science Foundation.

Through April Regional exhibition—Earth, Wind & WILDFIRE Fire, people and nature are powerful forces that shape the ecosystem. How can they coexist? Why should they coexist? Through objects, videos, photographs, and interactives, experience the beauty of southern California and examine the complex relationship between fire, people and nature.

Explore the power of fire, its historical context, and present challenges. Take a close look at ways to best manage wildlands based on sound science. Connect with the unique diversity of this region and find hope in the regenerative forces of nature, visible in this innovative exhibition. For more information check web site www.sdnhm.org. Developed by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Sponsored by Sempra Energy, US Bank, and 10News.

Ongoing Photography exhibition—Desert & Sea: Visions of Baja California A photographic survey of the Baja California peninsula and southern California through the eyes of six outstanding photographers tells stories of forces of change that have shaped this region—the geology, climate, and the diversity of living things.

Ongoing Giant-screen film—Ocean Oasis Take a fascinating journey into Mexico’s beautiful Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. Ocean Oasis is the winner of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the International Wildscreen Film Festival. For more information visit www.sdnhm.org. Produced by the San Diego Natural History Museum, Summerhays Films and PRONATURA A.C. Sponsored by Sempra Energy.

PROGRAMS:

Through April 1; 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM Whale-watching Cruises Don’t miss your chance to watch whales migrate past San Diego! Museum members receive special discounts on whale-watching cruises! Also, nonmembers may purchase museum/cruise combo packages at a discounted price. Call the Museum’s Visitor Services Desk for more information at 619.255.0217. Tickets are available at the Museum’s Visitor Services Desk.

Friday, March 23; 7–10 PM; Saturday, March 24, 7–10 PM; Sunday, March 25, 7–10 PM Film festival—Banff Mountain Film Festival This year’s films will take you to the ends of Earth and into your own backyard. These stories explore virtually every corner of the globe and are brought to life on the giant screen. Tickets go on sale February 1 at all Adventure 16 locations and the Museum. Film lists, which include different films each night, will be posted on the Museum’s website in late January. Advance purchase for each night recommended. Cosponsored by Adventure 16. Presented by Dunham Boots and National Geographic. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, March 24; 9 AM–noon Family program—El Capitan Reservoir Kayaking El Capitan Reservoir, located on the San Diego River, has the largest capacity in San Diego’s lake system. When full, the reservoir has 1562 surface acres, a maximum water depth of 197 feet, and 22 miles of shoreline. It is a known nesting site for Spotted Sandpipers, Willow Flycatchers and Great Egrets. Price includes equipment and paddling instruction. Open to ages 6 and up. Member $55 per adult; Nonmember $65 per adult; $20 per child age 6–12 paddling in a double kayak with a parent. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Saturday, March 24; 10 AM–noon Youth program—Nature’s Timetable Have fun while you explore concepts of Mother Nature and Father Time. We will look for clues that tell us when seasons change and Earth moves. How would you calculate time in remote areas without a clock? Make your own sundial to bring home and explore the exhibition, Playing with Time. Open to children grades 1–3. Members $12; Nonmembers $15. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Sunday, March 25; 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM Free family performance—Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic School Bus© Wahoo! Join us for live performances EVERY Sunday at the Museum. Get ready to explore the wild and wacky worlds of mysterious creatures, fascinating habitats, and phenomenal hands-on science! FREE with Museum admission. Call the Frizzle hotline 619.232.3821 ext. 8 or visit www.sdnhm.org/frizzle for the latest information. Made possible by an anonymous donation. 

Saturday, March 31; 8 AM–6 PM Adult program—Artistic Expressions of Tecate Tecate is home to some of the most creative artists in Mexico. Meet artists Salvador Magana, a ceramic professor at the University of Baja California, and Alvaro Blancarte, a well-known painter. Visit an art-tile factory where each tile is hand-painted. Watch hands-on pottery making while admiring expert craftsmen at work. Delight yourself with the art of cooking a gourmet meal. Price includes transportation and a meal. Member $82; Nonmember $92. For more information or to register, visit www.sdnhm.org or call 619.255.0203.

Through April -- Traveling Exhibition -- Playing with Time. Ever wondered what life would be like if you could control time? Now yu can. Discover a hidden world where events happen too slowly or too quickly to see: humminbird wings beating, climates changing, popcorn popping, the universe expanding and more. Through playful hands-on stations, natural objects and stunnig displays, experience natural phenomena that occur over vast timescales from billionths of seconds to billions of years. Get a new appreciation for your ever-changing world.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

  Santa Clarita Valley is a great destination for recreation, history, adventure - and more - for the entire family. Located just 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Santa Clarita Valley is home to two Southern California premier attractions - Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Magic Mountain delivers 15 world-class roller coaster rides, including Riddler’s Revenge, the world’s tallest and fastest stand-up roller coaster, while Hurricane Harbor contains a family water park with a tropical pirate theme, exciting water slides, and two of the tallest fully enclosed speed slides in Southern California.

History buffs will enjoy Santa Clarita Valley’s historical attractions, including the William S. Hart Park and Museum where you can tour the estate of legendary silent film star, William S. Hart, the first cowboy movie star from 1914 to 1925. Free guided tours are available from Wednesday through Sunday, including Hart’s personal effects and movie paraphernalia, along with Native American artifacts and Western American art. Hart Park also includes hiking and nature trails, a large picnic area, campground, and a wilderness area where bison roam. A barnyard in the park contains goats, horses, sheep, deer, ducks and geese. Adjacent to the park is the 19th century Saugus Railroad Station along with several historical buildings from old Newhall. Tours of the train station are available on weekends. Or, take a trip back in time with a stop at Mentryville with guided tours of this historic town that once welcomed young oil men and their families seeking a fresh strike.

There’s more to do -- Check out Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio and Museum (the Ranch still in operation once served as the stomping ground for many actors, including Gene Autry, John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Elvis Presley); or enjoy the outdoors in and around the Valley. Beautiful lakes include Castaic Lake Recreation Area, and there’s golf, hiking, biking trails and horseback opportunities.

In nearby Agua Dulce sits the geological formations of the Vasquez Rocks, a place to hike, explore, enjoy nature, and down the road, you can wine taste at the Agua Dulce Vineyard, or be transformed into another world at the Casa Dulce Riding and Guest Ranch.

For more information or to receive a visitor packet, call the Santa Clarita Tourism Bureau at 1-800-718-TOUR or visit web site www.VisitSantaClarita.com.

THOUSAND OAKS 

The Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market Is Relocating Temporarily

Normally, the Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers' Market meets on Thursdays -- at the The Oaks Shopping Center -- East End Parking Lot, Wilbur Road & Thousand Oaks Blvd. with Summer hours from 3 PM to 7 PM. However, due to an extensive renovation, itmoved on February 1 to the parking lot of the former City Hall building, just upthe hill from the Oaks Shopping Center at 403/401 Hillcrest Drive.  The new Farmers’ Market site will share the parking lot with the Conejo Recreation & Park District, the Arts Council and the National Park Service Visitors Center.  “The Farmers’ Market is veryexcited to work with these three groups at City Hall to help promote each others programs,” stated Karen Wetzel Schott, Operations Manager of the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association.  “The Farmers’ Market managers are encouraging their customers to be patient with the new move as the site is not visible from Hillcrest with lots of signage needed to get people used to driving up the hill,” she continued.    

       Once the east end of The Oaks Shopping Center is complete with a new parking structure, the Farmers’ Market will move back to its original parking spot, estimated for Spring of 2008 or earlier depending on the progress of the new structure.  “We have been extremely fortunate to have such a fantastic working relationship with the Oaks Shopping Center since 1994,” stated Karen Wetzel Schott.  “Julia Ladd, the Senior Property Manager has been instrumental in helping us secure a location close to our former site to keep the disruption to our customers minimal,” she continued.  “We are looking forward to all the new amenities coming to The Oaks and moving back into a former location as soon as possible,” she added.

The Farmers’ Market will continue with its same day and time of operations – Thursdays, winter hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the hour extended to 7 p.m. in March when the time changes. To get to the new location, shoppers will take Hillcrest Drive to McCloud Avenue north to Civic Center Drive, which is immediately on the right.  Patrons will continue up the hill and the Market will be located on the rooftop of the Conejo Recreation & Park District, 403 Hillcrest.

The temporary location will have a beautiful panoramic view of the Conejo Valley.  “The Farmers’ Market has some very loyal customers who will follow the Market wherever it needs to go in order to continue and we appreciate that support,” stated Schott.

The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is part of the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, a non-profit cooperative. The Market is open rain or shine the rest of the year. 

For more information, call 805-529-6266 or check web site www.vccfarmersmarket.com.

SONOMA COUNTY 
 
Barrel Tasting Month in California's Sonoma Wine Country

Get the wine before the bottle in Sonoma Wine Country this March, during “Barrel Tasting Month” which offers wine tasters a chance to try new wines before they are aged, and meet the people who make them. More than 150 wineries will participate over the entire month of March.

Wineries throughout Sonoma County will open their cellar doors for a chance to sample upcoming vintages. Wines are typically aged in barrels for several months to allow the wines to age and the flavors to mature and integrate into a fully developed wine. Barrel tasting allows wine drinkers to experience young, unfinished wines before they are aged, blended, bottled and released to the public.

“Sonoma County Barrel Tasting Month is a terrific winery experience for visitors,” says Honore Comfort, executive director of Sonoma County Vintners. “It’s a unique opportunity to discover the art of winemaking, talk with the winemakers, and taste wine straight from the barrel. No other wine region has dedicated an entire month to barrel tasting.”

Tasting from the barrel allows wine drinkers to better taste the individual characteristics of wines, before they are blended in a finished product. This allows for differentiation between wine from grapes from different vineyards, or even parts of the same vineyard.

For consumers, barrel tasting is a chance to buy “futures” in a wine that has not yet been released to the market. If tasters buy a wine before it is released, they can have access to a hot vintage that may never make it to the buying public, and at a cost below what the finished wine would be.

Winemakers look forward to Barrel Tasting Month as a chance to talk with the wine-buying public in a relaxed, informal setting. “Barrel tasting is the only time you get to taste wine while it is still in the process between the grape and the bottle,” says Lindley Bynum, retail sales manager at Davis Bynum Winery, a Sonoma County pioneer of Russian River Pinot Noir. Bynum offers this tip to barrel tasting visitors: “Go to the barrel tasting web site to check out wineries and plan your route. Many will be offering special tours, winemaker dinners, music and other fun things along with the barrel tasting.”

For a list of Barrel Tasting activities and a calendar of events, visit www.sonomacounty.com and click on the Barrel Tasting icon.

Sonoma County, located 30 miles from San Francisco, is America’s premier wine, spa and coastal destination, featuring more than 250 wineries and 76 miles of stunning Pacific coast.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 800-576-6662.

COLORADO

ASPEN

If you haven't been to Aspen yet, plan on going soon. You won't be disappointed. It's a mountain town like no other and flourishes year-round. While the Aspen name is well known, there are many untold stories. It offers a unique vacation of adventure by day and luxury by night. Its arts and cultural calendar rivals that of a big city, and Aspen offers unique learning vacations for children and adults. Summer weather offers warm days and cool evenings, making it ideal for a romantic getaway or honeymoon; a family vacation, or a corporate retreat.

It's a historical fact that Aspen boasted one of the largest silver veins the world has ever known, and the largest nugget of pure silver ever mined (2,350 lbs) was extracted from the Smuggler Mine right in Aspen. Rugged miners spent their days scouring the insides of the surrounding hills and their nights bellied up to the J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome, which remains today as one of Aspen's favorite bars.

With peaks over 14,000 feet, you can hike in the morning and then relax at the new Remede Spa at the St. Regis Resort in the evening. Or paraglide over Aspen Mountain, relax with a picnic at the famed maroon Bells, and stay at the five star Little Nell hotel, a historical bed and breakfast, or a luxury home fit for a Hollywood celebrity. Also, Aspen Expeditions is offering new guided tours in the Aspen area, including the moderate "Tour des Belles Bordeaux," a hike around the spectacular Maroon Bells, or the more difficult "Seven Summits," a take on the classic seven summits of the world, incorporating the classic 14ers in the Aspen area's Elk Mountain Range.

Want more? Largely unknown as a mountain biking destination, there is huge diversity of the biking terrain, from the moderate Hunter Creek Valley single track to Government Trail to Hay Park or Richmond Ridge. From beginner to expert, Aspen's biking terrain has been called the best by Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong's coach.

Aspen is also known as the intellectual and cultural capital, making it a playground for the mind and body. Summer brings a diverse mix of cultural events and festivals, along with classical music offerings by the Aspen Music Festival and School. And, if you love to eat, Aspen has more than 80 restaurants with choices from moutain picnics, to lively sushi bars and elegant restaurants. Some of the newest additions here are D-19 and the Wine Spot. The annual Food & Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen locks off a summer of culinary offerings (June), and Aspen leads the organic food trent with the Healthy Gourmet Festival held in July. The Aspen Saturday Market displays organic produce and meals every Saturday from mid-June through October.

For more information, contact web site www.aspenchamber.org.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS

What's new and to do at Glewood Springs? Plenty!

Hotel Colorado Lobby & Restaurant Renovation

The historic Hotel Colorado has undergone an extensive $2 million restoration that revitalized the restaurant and lobby areas back to their 1890s grandeur when fine dining and socializing were the feature attractions. The restaurant, formerly in the lobby, is now located in the interior area of the hotel between the two grand staircases, along with the new lounge. An updated rendition of the historic waterfall once again serves as the centerpiece for the new dining room. A new private dining area has also been created to be used for private parties, meetings, rehearsal dinners, and other special gatherings. The new lounge features signature Tapas, wine flights, martinis, cigars, desserts, and cordials reminiscent of the early 1900s where Teddy Roosevelt and Al Capone spent their holidays.

For more information, call 800-544-3998 or 970-945-6511, or check web site www.hotelcolorado.com

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

You and your family will enjoy spectacular views while riding the Iron Mountain Tramway. Take a guided walking tour of the Glenwood Caverns where you will see amazing formations. Play on the new thrill rides – Alpine Coaster, Zip line, Giant Swing and 35-foot climbing wall. Exclamation Point Restaurant and Bar serves lunch in the cozy comfort of a Colorado rustic interior or al fresco on expansive viewing decks.

Open year round, the Winter Hours are:

Park Hours: Park & Attractions: 10 am - 5 pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
Park Attractions: 10 am - 5 pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun

Cave Tours

Cave Tour: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
Wild Tour: Saturday. 10:30 a.m. by reservation only
Adventure Tour: Saturday 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. by reservation only
Spring Break Hours 2007    March 10-May 18

Park Hours: Park: 10 am - 6 pm, Daily
Park Attractions: 10:00 am - 6 pm, Daily
Exclamation Point:
•Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm.
Cave Tours:
•10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Daily, every hour
•Wild Tours & Adventure Tours available Wed., Saturday & Sunday (reservations required)
•10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Only one tour per time slot.

Exclamation Point Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant and Bar: closed January 22 through February 28 for remodeling.
Re-opening March 1, 2007

Horseback Riding: closed for the season 

Dinner Show: closed for the season 

Remember, the tram ride takes about 10 minutes, and there may be a line, so allow yourself plenty of time to get to the top.

*For more information, visit www.glenwoodcaverns.com or contact the business office at (970) 945-4228 x11 or call 1-800-530-1635 x11

Segway Tours

Why walk around town when you can ride a cool Segway? Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse & Delicatessen rents Segways for two hour intervals for $70.00 per person. Price includes operating instructions. 725 Grand Avenue.

For reservations, call 970-928-8804.

Mechanical Bull Ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Demon, the park's new mechanical bull ride, bucked his way to the top of Iron Mountain. Riders can choose the intensity of their ride on the bull, from mild to wild. The cost is $3 for one ride, $5 for two rides, and $7, or one token, for three rides.

For more information, contact Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, 970-945-4CAV (945-4228) or 800-530-1635, or check web site www.glenwoodcaverns.com

New Shopping and Dining at Glenwood Meadows

A brand new shopping experience has arrived. Dining options include Chili's Bar & Grill, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Magoo's Bar and Grill, Smoothie King and Russo's Pizza. Retailers include chain stores such as Pier One Imports, Target, Lowe's Home Improvement Center, Bed Bath & Beyond, PetCo, Sports Authority, and Vitamin Cottage. Glenwood Meadows also features smaller, boutique type shops, such as Passion for Picnics, Gracy's and Red Mountain Wine.

New American lodge & Suites at the Caverns

The new 73-room AmericInn at Glenwood Caverns hotel is located at the base of Iron Mountain Tramway which leads to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The exterior is well-appointed with log and stone fascia and rustic timbers. It also features an indoor pool with a three-story water slide. Their motto is "quiet nights, rest assured".

DENVER

Grand Hyatt Denver Package Provides No-Wait Admission to Denver's New Art Museum

As the official partner hotel of the new Denver Art Museum, the Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown presents a package that includes two untimed, undated VIP admission tickets, a real value as well as convenience. The Denver Art Museum Package pricing starts at just $141 per room per night and varies by date of stay, weekday or weekend. It is offered through March 30, 2007 and is subject to availability (terms and conditions apply). The Grand Hyatt package packs a premium including an overnight stay in a spacious Grand Hyatt accommodation and two untimed tickets to the internationally renowned Denver Art Museum, which opened on October 7, 2006. In addition to the two VIP tickets that allow a quick admission, Grand Hyatt guests receive a commemorative silver Denver Art Museum notebook, magazine published by the Denver Newspaper Agency and a discount at the museum gift shop. Those who need additional tickets may purchase them through the Grand Hyatt’s concierge (dated, but not timed) for $15 per person.

Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Denver Art Museum’s Frederic C. Hamilton Building spans a city block and is an explosion of angular forms clad in titanium. The 146,000 square foot building includes permanent gallery space, special exhibition venues and a rooftop sculpture garden. From the Grand Hyatt Denver, located at 17th and Welton Streets in the heart of Denver’s business district, The Art Museum is a short, scenic walk through Civic Center Park, past the gold domed State Capitol.

With services designed for the convenience of busy business and leisure travelers, the Grand Hyatt provides 24-hour room service, an exercise facility available around the clock, an indoor heated pool and outdoor whirlpool. The hotel has one of downtown Denver’s only roof-top tennis courts and jogging tracks, complete with a view of the skyline and the nearby Rocky Mountains. Each room features high-speed internet access, a pillow-top mattress and massaging showerheads among its long list of comforts. For those traveling by air, the Grand Hyatt has FastBoard, a lobby kiosk that allows the guest to print his boarding pass while still at the hotel, without standing in line at the airport.

Reservations for the new Denver Art Museum package at the Grand Hyatt Denver may be made by calling toll-free 800-233-1234 or checking web site www. granddenver.Hyatt.com.

SNOWMASS

Almost veryone's heard of Snowmass, Colorado. It's that family ski mountain near Aspen with all the nice, easy groomers, right? Well, sort of. Snowmass is a thriving year-round community of over 1,800 mountain-loving souls and a ski area so huge it defies belief. With over 3,100 acres, the mountain is larger than the other three Aspen/Snowmass mountains combined. 

Stats lovers take note: Snowmass has the longest lift-served vertical rise in the U.S. and was the first in the country to have a lift operated solely by clean, renewable wind power. Chris Davenport, World Extreme Skiing Champion, says, "the fact is, Snowmass has some of the best steeps, cliffs, couloirs, backcountry, terrain parks, and powder anywhere in North America. Like meeting the girl of your dreams, I'll stick with Snowmass forever."

Ninety-five percent of accommodations are ski-in/ski-out, and that means slopeside, not walk 5 blocks through town in ski boots. This convenience is only amplified by the free Snowmass Shuttle which can take you around town any time of day.

Snowmass just has more, from the largest hotel and conference facilities in Pitkin County at the Silvertree Hotel to the biggest hot tub in the valley at the Timberline Condominiums. We've got the only winter zipline in Colorado, and it's a one-of-a-kind ride you won't find anywhere else on earth. From the historic Anderson Ranch Arts Center to the exciting new Base Village project, it's time to take a new look at Snowmass.

 There's lots going on in Skimass this winter. Check web site www.snowmassvillage.com for the lastest information.

CONNECTICUT

LAKEVILLE

If you've ever dreamed of communing with literature greats such as Edith Wharton and Herman Melville, The Interlaken Inn has the next best thing – a package that includes a visit to their most intimate of spaces, their homes. Located in one of Connecticut’s most pristine regions -- in the foothills of the Berkshires where the mountains have been the setting for some of America’s greatest novels and were where renowned pieces of literature were born--as an Autumnal treat, The Interlaken Inn is offering a special package, called the “Edith Wharton & Herman Melville Writers’ Excursion,” which includes visits to both great American authors’ homes and gardens. At Wharton’s masterpiece of design, architecture and landscape, The Mount, located in Lenox, MA, just north of The Interlaken, visitors will experience the visual and aesthetic pleasures of the grand house that she designed, lived in, and received such noted guests as the great American author and her good friend, Henry James. Wharton put into practice classic architectural and interior design principles she laid out in The Decoration of Houses, which she co-authored with Ogden Codman, Jr., in 1897 (still in print today). Wharton’s mansion was recently restored along with her breathtaking gardens, which were originally designed with the assistance of her niece, the renowned landscape designer, Beatrix Jones Ferrand. For the first time since Wharton left the estate in 1911, her original library has been returned to The Mount and is on display, having just arrived from a collector in England.

Following the visit to The Mount, guests can proceed to Herman Melville’s home, “Arrowhead,” located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Here they will receive a glimpse into life in the 1850’s, see how Melville and his family lived their daily lives, and discover where he consulted with his close friend Nathaniel Hawthorne. This is also where Melville wrote his masterpiece, Moby Dick. Visitors are sure to enjoy the natural scenery and historic collection at Melville’s Arrowhead.

The Interlaken Inn Resort, established in 1891, is located in historic Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the foothills of The Berkshires between two picturesque lakes. The property offers 80 first-class guestrooms, banquet & private dining rooms, and award-winning cuisine in Morgan’s restaurant. It also features extensive meeting, recreation and fitness facilities, is located adjacent to Hotchkiss Golf Course, and is near Route 7, Connecticut's antique route. On the property, you'll find tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming, canoeing and boating, fishing, hiking, biking, walking paths, executive ropes course, golfing, caving, skiing & snowshoeing in season, and much more. The Berkshires, litchfield County, and the Hudson River Valley are renowned for superb dance, theater, and music festivals.

For more information on the “Visit with Edith Wharton & Herman Melville” Package, contact The Interlaken Inn at 800-222-2909, or visit web site www.interlakeninn.com.

Spend a Romantic Valentine’s Interlude in the Litchfield Countryside

Lovers seeking the perfect countryside escape this Valentine’s Day need to look no farther than The Interlaken Inn of Lakeville., Connecticut. Nestled within historic Litchfield County, Lakeville is a charming New England village situated near the Massachusetts border.

Don't want to spend Valentine's Day here? Then plan a weekend or weekday any time because it's always great. One of the wonderful things about The Interlaken Inn is the rich choice of accommodations. Select from five unique dwellings that make up the country Inn: the historic Victorian named Sunnyside for the vast expanse of sunshine that has beautifully weathered its cedar shake siding; the Tudor-style Countryside; the contemporary and roomy townhouse suites; the charming Woodside which offers maximum privacy and a honeymoon suite (for an additional amount); and the beautifully redecorated main lodge with easy access to the restaurant and bar and other amenities. Original artworks from local fine artists decorate the main lodge, as well as the lovely and expansive grounds & gardens of The Interlaken Inn.

For more information on The Interlaken Inn’s packages, or to make reservations, call 800-222-2909 / 860-435-9878 or check web site www.interlakeninn.com. Packages are subject to availability.

From One Horse Open Sleighs to Norman Rockwell: Americana Weekends in The Berkshires!

The Interlaken Inn Resort has announced the return of the popular Americana Winter Weekend Package called "Dashing Through the Snow."   The package includes sleighing through the Berkshires countryside in a one-horse open sleigh and a visit to the renowned Norman Rockwell museum in nearby Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

The “Dashing Through the Snow” sleigh package includes deluxe guestroom accommodations at The Interlaken Inn – a slice of Americana itself tracing its origins to 1891, dinner for two in the award-winning Morgan's restaurant, a hearty New England breakfast for two the next morning served in the Interlaken’s solarium, a pair of tickets to the Norman Rockwell Museum (web site www.nrm.org) ... and sleighing through the rolling Berkshires countryside. The “Dashing Through the Snow” Americana package is from $299 per couple, and is available through March (snow permitting). 

Guests of the “Dashing Through the Snow” package will enjoy an old-fashioned sleigh ride over pastoral Berkshires country roads and covered bridges. Guided by a single horse and driver, the sleigh ride is surely the way into the hearts and memories of all present. Sleigh blankets are provided to keep everyone toasty warm. Afterwards, there are hot toddies by the fire!

What’s Americana without Norman Rockwell and so the package includes a tour of the renowned artist’s historic studio and museum. It was here that Rockwell painted many of the covers for The Saturday Evening Post and here that many of his popular paintings were created using neighbors as models. The Norman Rockwell Museum houses the world's largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art, including the powerful “Four Freedoms” and the nostalgic “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas.”

For more information on the “Dashing Through the Snow” Americana Package, contact The Interlaken Inn at 860-435-9878 / 800-222-2909 or visit web site www.interlakeninn.com/

About The Interlaken Inn Resort

The Interlaken Inn Resort, established in 1891, is located in historic Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the foothills of The Berkshires between two picturesque lakes. The property offers 80 first-class guestrooms, banquet & private dining rooms, and award-winning cuisine in Morgan’s restaurant.

The Interlaken Inn features extensive resort, meeting, recreation and fitness facilities. It is located adjacent to Hotchkiss Golf Course, which is recognized as one of Connecticut's most scenic and challenging courses, and near Route 7, Connecticut's renowned antique route. The resort offers a host of leisure activities available on property or nearby, including, tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming, canoeing and boating, fishing, hiking/biking/walking paths, executive ropes course, golfing, caving, skiing & snowshoeing in season, and much more. Renowned cultural and entertainment opportunities abound. The Berkshires, Litchfield County and the Hudson River Valley are renowned for superb dance, theater, and music festivals.

The Interlaken Inn is 100 miles directly north of New York City on Rt. 112 (Interlaken Road) in Lakeville, Connecticut. Recently the historic property completed an extensive renovation of all its facilities, including its century-old original Victorian building.

For more information on The Interlaken Inn Resort, visit web site www.interlakeninn.com.

Romance Packages in the Litchfield Hills

Riverton Romantic Overnight

The innkeepers love lovers at the Old Riverton Inn, a country classic dating to 1796. Their romance package includes cozy accommodations complete with flowers, candy and a split of champagne, a candlelight dinner for two and full breakfast in the morning. From $195 to $215.

For more information, call 800-EST-1796, or check web site www.rivertoninn.com..

 

Interlaken Romantic Interlude

Movie lovers take note. You can pick your night, midweek or weekend, and enjoy a romantic room, complimentary cocktails, two dinners for the price of one and two tickets to the movies, plus breakfast the next morning, all for $179 at this classic Lakeville resort. Spa treatments add to the possibilities. Stay an extra night for just $119.

For more information call 800-222-2909, or check web site www.interlakeninn.com.

The Heritage Spa Getaway

Everyone deserves a little pampering after battling winter winds.  At  the Heritage Resort in Southbury couples can enjoy a deluxe room and full breakfast, as well as an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, and a choice of two treatments at the Tres Jolie Day Spa, a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure, from $329. Not into spas? Chose a Rendezvous for two package with a deluxe room, dinner in the resort’s Eight Mile Brook, restaurant, a buffet breakfast and use of the resort health club starting at $219.

For more information, call 203-264-8200; or check web site www.heritagesouthbury.com

 The Inn at Kent Falls Timeless Romance

Lovers who love country inns can enjoy two nights in a beautifully appointed guest room or suite at this luxurious bed and breakfast inn in Kent. The package includes flowers, chocolate dipped strawberries, wine and a champagne brunch. 

From $310. For more information, call 860-927-3197; or check web site www.innatkentfalls.com.

For more information on winter activities, skiing, sleigh rides, antiquing and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills of Northwest Connecticut, contact the Northwest CT Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506 or check web site at www.litchfieldhills.com.

For information on the ski jumping competitions, see www.swsa.info.  To receive a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and other attractions, contact the Northwest CT Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506 or check web site at www.litchfieldhills.com.

The Eagle Watch Is On In Connecticut's Litchfield Hills

The eagles have landed! Come winter, our national bird, the great American bald eagle,looks for feeding spots where rivers are not frozen, and one of their favorite havens is theShepaug Dam on the Housatonic River near Southbury, in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. The dam, where running water prevents icing, provides a ready supply of fish, the eagle’s favorite dish.     

Spectators can have a front row seat to watch the birds in action at the Bald Eagle Observation Site operated by NE Energy Services, near the Shepaug Hydroelectric Station. The viewing station is located 1000 feet from the river, insuring safety for the eagles while providing an excellent vantage point for visitors. This is the only enclosed viewing station in the state as well as the only place with staff on hand to explain what a juvenile eagle looks like, compared to an adult. Volunteers from Connecticut Audubon are present to help spot the eagles and to answer questions about the birds.

As many as eight eagles may be seen on an average day, swooping from perches in the trees to feed at the dam. With a wingspan that can be in excess of seven feet, they are fascinating to observe as they soar overhead to spot their prey with eyesight many times stronger than human. Eagles can fly between 36 and 44 miles per hour and may move even faster when diving for their dinner.

This is the 22nd season for the organized eagle watch. The station is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Telescopes are set up in the viewing area and viewers also are welcome to bring their own binoculars. Warm clothes are suggested for visitors, since the shelter area, while protected, is not fully heated.

Sponsored by NE Energy Services, admission to the Eagle Observation Area is free but because of limited space, it is by reservation only.

Information, driving directions and reservations are available by phoning (800) 368-8954 from Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To ensure as many people as possible get the chance to view the eagles, families are limited to one viewing session per season. While groups of children are welcome, one adult chaperone must be provided for every 10 children. 

For more information on winter activities, skiing, sleigh rides, antiquing and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills of Northwest Connecticut, contact the Northwest CT Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506 or check web site at www.litchfieldhills.com.

MYSTIC

There's always something on tap at the Mystic Arts Center.

For more information and hours, contact the Mystic Arts Center, 9 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355; 860-536-7601 or check web site www.mysticarts.org.

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Mystic

Experienced guides will take up to twelve participants on a guided tour of Historic Mystic and you will see the homes of the founding artist of the Mystic Arts Center. The one-hour program includes interesting history, artwork and biographic stories of these artists, along with an architectural treasure hunt. The tours leave from the Center at 1:30pm on Fridays till the end of September, weather permitting, $5.00 per person.

Or arrange a special time and place for your group by calling Geri Winslow at 860.536.7601 or email her at studio@mysticarts.org.

Window on the Mystic River Community Field Trip

Take a trip to the Mystic Arts Center with your class and learn about the history of this unique community's art, artists and architecture in a fun and entertaining journey. This guided program, which takes approximately two hours, will take you and your class on a tour of Downtown Mystic and our galleries on an architectural treasure hunt.

This trip must be scheduled two weeks in advance for as little as $240 per class of twenty four students.

For more information about this great program contact Tamara Rich, Education Director, at 860.536.7601 or email her at education@mysticarts.org

Exhibitions

Elected Artist Show
Thursday, April 19th, 2007 - Saturday, June 2nd, 2007
Liebig , Terrace Galleries

Red, White and Black
Thursday, April 19th, 2007 - Saturday, June 2nd, 2007
Davis Gallery

Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts 96th Annual Juried Show
Friday, June 8th, 2007 - Saturday, July 21st, 2007
Davis , Liebig , Terrace , River Galleries

Peter McLean One-Man-Show
Friday, August 3rd, 2007 - Saturday, September 22nd, 2007
Schuster Gallery

51st Regional Show
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 - Saturday, September 22nd, 2007
Davis , Liebig , Terrace , River Galleries

Connecticut Women Artists
Friday, September 28th, 2007 - Saturday, November 10th, 2007
Davis , River Galleries

Photo Show XXIX
Friday, September 28th, 2007 - Saturday, November 10th, 2007
Liebig , Terrace Galleries

Holiday Fine Art Show
Friday, November 16th, 2007 - Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Davis Gallery

Artisan Guild Sale
Friday, November 16th, 2007 - Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Liebig , Terrace , River Galleries

Beginner Figure Sculpture with Christopher Long

Learn the traditional methods of modeling the human form with structure and rhythm. No prior experience required. Students will work from a nude model as reference. Thursdays, 4/12, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $120, NM $145, Materials fee: $30

Paint in Any Medium with Jennifer Wheeler

Learn the techniques to dramatically improve your composition while implementing color theory in paint. Students will work from direct observation to enhance their own individual styles. Mondays, 4/9, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $100, NM $125

Monitored Figure Drawing Draw

from a live nude model in a modern studio setting. Mondays, 3/26-5/21 (skip 4/16), 6:30-8:30 pm; M $60, NM $85, or drop in for $10/class

Drawing a Portrait from a Model

with Jack Montmeat Work from a live model while receiving instruction from an award-winning artist/teacher in a modern studio setting. Students of all ability levels are welcome. Tuesdays, 4/10, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $120, NM $145

Re-Seeing the Landscape with Diana Baker

Students will "re-see" the landscape and observe the evolution towards abstraction. Work on color, composition, and texture techniques in oil or acrylic. Please bring three photographs to class to reference. Tuesdays, 3/13-4/10, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $105, NM $125

Painting from Photographic Reference with Sarah Stifler Lucas

Work from your own photographs in the medium of your choice while enjoying a relaxed studio environment. Demonstrations and critiques will focus on design, composition, value, and space. Wednesdays, 3/14-4/11, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $100, NM $125

Drawing from A to Z with Jack Broderick

Drawing is a learned skill, not necessarily an inborn talent. If the desire to draw is present, all that‚s needed is the basic information on how to construct a drawing and how basic shapes relate to everything around us. Topics will cover line, value, perspective and more. Work with pencil and charcoal in a friendly studio setting. Wednesdays, 3/14-4/11, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $100, NM $125

Pastels for All Abilities with Jacqueline Phillips

Improve your drawing skills while working with pastels. Demonstrations conducted by an experienced artist/teacher. New still life compositions and techniques will be introduced to challenge beginners and returning students. Thursdays, 3/15-4/12, 6:30-8:30 pm; M $100, NM $125

Register online at web site www.mysticarts.org

Art History Events

Art historian, Noelle O'Connor, will be returning to the Mystic Arts Center with a new and exciting series of art history lectures. These spirited multi-media presentations will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 2-3 pm and will be followed by a brief question and answer session. Participants may register for the whole series as a package or register for individual lectures. Tuition is $60 for members, $85 for non-members or $15 per lecture.

Noelle O'Connor received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and her M.A. in Art History from Columbia University. She has worked for many years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, taught Art History at Pace University and F.I.T., and continues to teach seminars for credit at the Great Neck L.I. Teacher's Center as the Art and Museum Specialist. Her publications include articles in the Encyclopedia of Modern Asia (2005) and the Columbia Encyclopedia (3rd edition). Her goal as a teacher is to make the Art History accessible, entertaining and irresistible.

The Grand Chasm: Fine Arts vs. Crafts

March 21st
Artists vs. crafts persons, inspired genius vs. technical competency; these supposed dichotomies have been the basis for lively debate for several centuries. What is the difference between a masterpiece and a utilitarian object of painstaking technical expertise? Michelangelo ˆ architect or master builder? Josiah Wedgewood ˆ artist or entrepreneur? This lecture will explore this age-old debate, tracking developments from the Medieval Guilds to the modern day artist‚s cooperatives. On which side of the grand chasm do you stand?

Urban Legends: The Cityscape

March 28th
From Vermeer's View of Delft to Edward Hopper‚s stark city blocks, the urban landscape has interested artists as a visual echo of contemporaneous society. Charles Scheeler‚s precisionist skyscrapers, Maurice de Vlamink‚s fauve boulevards, and Sassetta‚s sophisticated renderings of architecture in Sienna not only delight the eye but inform us as well. We gain insight through the cityscape into Monet‚s London, John Sloan's New York and Georgia O‚Keefe‚s Taos. Choosing iconic references and introducing lesser- known works, this illustrated lecture will develop the theme of cityscapes.

Connoisseurship: Conversations with Quality

April 4th
Why do certain works of art endure, why do certain artists works effect us even centuries after their creation? What makes something a masterpiece, a major work, a classic? This illustrated lecture will endeavor to explain the elusive topic of artistic greatness, focusing on connoisseurship, looking at past masters and current new stars of the art world. Well known artists and their works will be discussed in the context of their times, their vision and their artistic goals. From the Mona Lisa to Christo‚s Gates, from Monet's Water lilies to Keith Haring, issues of connoisseurship will be developed and discussed.

Inventing Environments: Maya Lin

April 11th
A young student at Yale University wins the competition to design one of the most important memorials in American history; the Vietnam Veteran‚s Memorial in Washington D.C. From there to ever increasing fame and commissions, her work has matured and developed into new areas, including installation art, garden design and her own particular blend of architecture and landscape. Her works draw on various source materials filtered through her own idiom, and, in her own words "Ask you to think." This illustrated lecture will showcase her work and chronicle her continuing development into one of America‚s premier contemporary artists.

Turning over a New Leaf: Nicholas Baute, Emerging Artist

April 18th
Originally from Kentucky, and now living in New York, his work shows proficiency with difficult technical media while expressing a natural lyricism. Baute uses natural imagery in his clear and beautiful prints of trees and leaves in the challenging medium of wood engraving, rarely practiced in the modern digital age. His use of an age old technical process enables him to reference the past as well as develop his own contemporary vision in his work. This illustrated lecture will introduce the artist and his prints. Meet the artist during the lecture and select his prints for your very own. Learn more about Nicholas' printmaking techniques the following day in his special workshop.

Printmaking Demo and Workshop with Nicholas Baute

Join Nicholas Baute in the studio to learn about historic and current printing methods in the morning, then make your own prints in the afternoon under the artist's instruction. Thursday, April 19, Demo: 9-11 am, M $25, NM $50; Workshop: 1-3 pm, M $30, NM $55; Demo and Workshop Package: M $50, NM $100

Register for these classes on line at the above web site

Children's Classes

Paper Art with Jennifer Wheeler (Ages 7-11)

You'll cut, fold, curl, decoupage and paper mache to make colorful paper sculpture projects! Tuesdays, 3/13-4/10, 4-5 pm; M $60, NM $80

Cartoon Creatures with Conam Lee (Age 6-8)

Learn basic drawing skills while creating original comic characters from your imagination! Tuesdays, 3/13-4/10, 4-5 pm; M $60, NM $80

Studio Art Sampler with Elise Sousa (Age 6-8)

This is the class for artists who want to try everything! Each class will focus on a different medium. For returning students, new techniques will be explored. Wednesdays, 3/14-4/11, 4-5 pm; M $60, NM $80 Pears by Elise Sousa pictured above

Nature Art with Jennifer Wheeler (Ages 7-11)

Using nature as an inspiration, learn about patterning as camouflage, practice printmaking with insects, make an imaginary clay bird, and more! Wednesdays, 3/14-4/11, 4-5 pm; M $60, NM $80

Draw, Paint, Create! with Fran Baldwin (Ages 6-9)

Each lesson is a new adventure as you draw, paint, and create your way to becoming an multi-media master! Thursdays, 3/15-4/12, 4-5 pm; M $60, NM $80

Art for All Youth with Christopher Long (Age 10-14)

Work independently and in groups in a variety of art media to express ideas, create attention and improve your art skills. Thursdays, 3/15-4/12, 3:30-5 pm; M $85, NM $105

Register on line at web site www.mysticarts.org

Saturday Funshops for Kids

A new topic with a different instructor each class!
Ages 6-10
10 am - 12 noon
M $25, NM $45

Making Clay Faces 3/10
It's A Jungle Out There! 3/17
Journal Making 3/24
Fishing in Clay 3/31

Wonders in Watercolor 4/7
Accordion Books 4/14
People Portraits 4/28

Sculpty Pets 5/5
Painting Pots and Planting 5/12
Wonders in Watercolor 5/19

Register on line at web site www.mysticarts.org

Mystic Arts Center Holiday Arts Gathering

Come to the Mystic Arts Center on Friday, November 16, 2007, to enjoy an evening of merriment featuring music, delicious food and drink, and the first opportunity to shop tax-free from a fabulous selection of fine art and one-of-a-kind gifts made by talented local artists and artisans.

For more information, contact Mystic Arts Center, 9 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355; 860-536-7601; Fax: 860-536-0610, or via Email: events@mysticarts.org

NEW HAVEN

The Yale University Art Gallery is featuring

Jasper Johns: From Plate to Print Exhibit to April 1, 2007

Printmaking has been integral to the work of preeminent American painter Jasper Johns throughout his career. he approaches each project with a thorough knowledge of the medium, exploiting its intrinsic characteristics -- mark-making, replication, reversal, layering, fragmentation, and memory. Jasper Johns: From Plate to Print focuses on an untitled 1999 intaglio print by the artist, featuring the working proofs, trial proofs, and progressives leading up to the final print, as well as the five plates used in its creation. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the artistic and mechanical process of printmaking while providing a glimpse into the artist's creative process - his development of motifs, color choices, and graphic enhancement.

The exhibition is on the Fourth floor. The Gallery is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm (Thursday until 8 pm, September-June); Sunday 1-6 pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays, and it is located at 1111 Chapel (at High Street), New Haven, Connecticut.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON

Celebrate Thai New Year with traditional & symbolic offerings at Bangkok Joe’s

Join Chef/Owner Aulie Bunyarataphan as Bangkok Joe’s celebrates Songkran, the Thai New Year, with a menu of traditional Thai dishes designed to usher in the New Year on a positive, and delicious note.

Honoring the Year of the Pig, the menu features symbolic dishes such as Meang-Kum, often offered when welcoming guests this dish is believed to grant good health to those who eat it; Thai New Year Spaghetti to promote longevity and festive, multi-colored dumplings, Tri-Color Gems, offered exclusively for this celebration. Dishes are priced from $6.95 - $24.95 and are available during lunch and dinner from Friday, April 13th – Sunday, April 22nd.  The regular menu will also be available.

Also known as the “Festival of Pouring Water,” a traditional element of this New Year’s celebration includes the “throwing of water.” Guests at Bangkok Joe’s are invited to partake in this symbolic ritual by pouring water over a ceremonial Buddha, an act which the Thai people believe washes away back luck and inspires cleansing, renewal and prosperity. Patrons may also shake a “Ziem-Zee,” a container full of Thai fortune sticks, to discover their fortune for the New Year.

“I love sharing the Thai culture and traditions with the people of Washington,” said Chef/Owner Aulie Bunyarataphan, “and invite them to take part in this ritual to refresh and renew their spirit for the New Year.”

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL MENU

APPETIZERS
MEANG-KUM $6.95
Made with shrimp, toasted coconut, ginger, shallots, roasted peanuts, lime and Thai pepper, served on collard green bites with lemon grass-coconut-palm sugar sauce.

TRI-COLOR GEMS $7.95
King Rama II style dumplings, each stuffed with different variety of meat-minced pork loin, crabmeat and shrimp stir-fried with salted turnips, roasted peanut and Thai herbs.

YUM GOONG POW $9.95
Grilled shrimp with lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, mint, red onions and scallions. Topped with a spicy fresh mango-lime dressing.

ENTREES
THAI NEW YEAR SPAGHETTI $24.95
Wok-fried lobster with spaghetti, Thai anchovies, oven roasted tomatoes, basil, sweet peppers, onions and scallions in our roasted chili and garlic sauce.

CRYING TIGER $22.95
Grilled marinated NY steak Essan style with red onions, basil and tossed rice powder. Served with sticky rice in banana leaf and spicy green papaya salad.

KAO SOI NOODLES $17.95
A popular Chiang Mai Curry Noodles with shrimp and longevity noodles, a touch of coconut milk, shallots, sour cabbage, bean sprouts and scallions. Topped with crispy noodle sticks.

DESSERT
THAI CUSTARD $5.95
Traditional steamed coconut custard and sweet black sticky rice, served with caramel sauce.

Happy New Year
pronounced sawatdee pi maï

Since opening in September 2003, Bangkok Joe’s has attracted celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, first daughter Jenna Bush and Miss Universe Natalie Glebova. Chef Aulie has been seen sharing her Thai cooking and dumpling techniques throughout the DC metro area, and is a featured chef in the cook book “Best American Recipes 2005-2006.”

Located at 3000 K Street in Georgetown’s Washington Harbour, Bangkok Joe’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 10:30pm, Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30pm, Saturdays from Noon to 11:30pm, and Sundays from 11:30am to 10:30pm. For reservations, please call 202.333.4422.  Bangkok Joe’s sister restaurant, T.H.A.I. in Shirlington, is located in Arlington.

To make reservations 703.931.3203. For more information, visit web site www.bangkokjoes.com.

Cherry Blossoms Peak At Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.      

Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. overlooks the Tidal Basin that is home to the famous cherry trees. To celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, Mandarin Oriental will offer an exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom overnight accommodation package and a Cherry Blossom Bliss spa package, available from March 23 to April 29, 2007.

Cherry Blossoms Bloom

As the only hotel in the District to overlook the Tidal Basin, Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. offers the exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom package that features overnight accommodations, valet parking, a trio of cherry treats including a homemade cherry dessert from our pastry department, cherry-flavored chocolates and gummy cherries, and American breakfast for two in Café MoZU.

The rate is USD 379 for a water deluxe weekend room or USD 979 for a one-bedroom suite. Rates are per room, per night, based upon double occupancy and are subject to availability and change. For reservations and further details on Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., call 1 888-888-1778 or check web site www.mandarinoriental.com/washington .

Guestrooms and suites at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. will delight visitors with décor marrying Asian elegance with stylish traditional touches, set against a backdrop of breathtaking water and city views. Rooms feature luxurious Fili D’Oro linens, customized furnishings, high-speed Internet access, three dual-line phones with voicemail, flat screen televisions and lavish marble bathrooms, many with views from generous soaking tubs. Guest rooms range from a minimum of nearly 400 square feet to more than 700 square feet. At 3,500 square feet, the three-bedroom Presidential Suite offers panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows. The additional 52 spacious luxury suites feature a variety of configurations and amenities.

Cherry Blossom Bliss

The two and a half hour “Cherry Blossom Bliss” spa journey is designed to exfoliate and soothe the skin after the harsh winter weather with a cherry sugar scrub, hydrating body wrap and an 80-minute Aromatherapy massage. The cherry scrub is high in antioxidants which helps strengthen the immune system and also removes dead skin cells and stimulates circulation. The wrap plumps the skin cells with hydration, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth and looking radiant. The cherry blossom bliss spa journey is USD 420 plus gratuity. To reserve this treatment or another spa experience, call 1 (202) 787-6100.

National Cherry Blossom Festival ®

This year’s 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival® marks the 95th celebration of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees in 1912 by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. For two weeks, March 31 to April 15, 2007 , Washington, D.C. will explode with beautiful pink blossoms. Come and enjoy the spirit of the season; for a complete list of events visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

About Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C

Recently ranked the #1 hotel in Institutional Investor’s “Top 100 Hotels of the World” survey, the 400-room urban resort sets new luxury standards in the nation’s capital. The hotel’s unique location on the southwest waterfront makes Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. the only hotel offering views of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument, Potomac Tidal Basin and Washington Marina. In addition to exceptional accommodations and gracious service, the hotel features 38,000 square-feet of meeting space, the Mobil Four-Star Spa at Mandarin Oriental, and two restaurants – the Asian-inspired Café MoZU and the AAA Five Diamond CityZen.

Mandarin Oriental Sponsors“East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art” at The Smithsonian

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the prestigious new exhibition “East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art” at the Smithsonian Institution’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, on view through May 13. Set to coincide with Washington D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, this iconic exhibition will highlight the rich visual culture of garden imagery in Asia through 65 works of art from the 12th century to the present day.

To celebrate the exhibition opening, Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. is delighted to offer the “Fantastic Freer and Sackler” travel package, featuring luxurious accommodations, indulgent Spa treatments and special access to the “East of Eden” exhibition at the nearby Sackler Gallery.

The “Fantastic Freer and Sackler” package includes:

One night accommodation for two in a Deluxe City View room or Executive Water View Suite

American breakfast for two at Café MoZU

Guided docent-led tour of “East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art” at Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and special admittance to the Gallery during designated preview hours*

Two customised, one-hour spa treatments with massage and specially-crafted Cherry Blossom Scrub

Access to pool and athletic club facilities

Valet Parking

Rates for “Fantastic Freer and Sackler” package begin at $729 for a Deluxe City View room or $1,329 for an Executive Water View Suite and are valid February 24 through May 13, 2007.  Rates are per room, per night, based upon double occupancy and are subject to availability and change.

For reservations and further details on Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., call 1-888-888-1778 or visit web site www.mandarinoriental.com.

* Private tours of the exhibition will start March 12 and are available from 9:30 a.m. until close. Special tours must be booked at least a week in advance.

About The Freer Gallery of Art / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Ave. S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., steps away from Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. For more information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 357-1729, or visit the exhibitions section of the galleries’ Web site: <http://www.asia.si.edu/>www.asia.si.edu

About Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

Recently ranked the #1 hotel in Institutional Investor’s “Top 100 Hotels of the World” survey, the 400-room urban resort sets new luxury standards in the nation’s capital. The hotel’s unique location on the southwest waterfront makes Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. the only hotel offering views of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument, Potomac Tidal Basin and Washington Marina. In addition to exceptional accommodations and gracious service, the hotel features 38,000 square-feet of meeting space, the Mobil Four-Star Spa at Mandarin Oriental, and two restaurants – the Asian-inspired Café MoZU and the AAA Five Diamond CityZen.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 14 under development in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China (2007), Barcelona and Boston (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman (2009) and Guangzhou, Taipei and Paris (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, more than 9,000 rooms in 20 countries with 15 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

The Willard Intercontinental Hotel's Springtime National Cherry Blossom Festival Specials for Guests

Anticipating the majestic beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival® from March 31 through April 15, visitors who flock to Washington's Willard InterContinental will be treated to stunning live floral displays, overnight packages, spa treatments and tasty Cherry Blossom Tea in Peacock Alley.

Guests who reserve the hotel's Very Cherry Willard Package starting at $329
will receive a special cherry amenity, plus the choice of one of the following;
American breakfast for two, a second room at half price for children under 18,
upgrade to a Deluxe room, or parking. This package reflects savings of
$250. Prices are per room, plus tax, based upon availability and are available
from March 16 through April 15, 2006.

Conveniently located near the tree-lined Tidal Basin, the Cherry Blossom Parade route and other festival events, the Willard is the perfect choice for festival enthusiasts. Guests can raise their glasses at the historic Round Robin Bar with cherry cocktails, like the gin and orange-blossom water-based, Blooming Flower or the fizzy Vodka-based, Shimmery Sakura, priced at $14 each. Guests can also sip on cherry-infused teas as the opulently decorated Peacock Alley surrounds them during the hotel's Cherry Blossom Tea. Offered seven days a week from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. throughout the festival, guests can nibble on festive themed edibles such as Petite Cherry Custard Tarts, Dry Cherry and Vanilla Scones with Homemade Cherry Marmalade and Devonshire Cream, and Hand Made Cherry Candy, while listening to the soothing sounds of a live Kyoto player. Price is $37.00 per person, and $47.00 with a glass of Champagne. For reservations call 202.637.7350.

At the luxurious I Spa at the Willard, guests can prepare for the Cherry Blossom festivities with an invigorating Green Tea facial or a revitalizing Shiatsu Massage. Priced at $140, the 60-minute Green Tea facial combines Green Tea and cucumber to soothe sensitive skin, while the Shiatsu Massage, priced at $125 for 60 minutes stimulates acupressure points throughout the body. To make a spa appointment, call 202.942.2700.

Each year, the Willard's lobby and Peacock Alley promenade is festooned with live Cherry Blossoms and a display including historic renderings of the first Japanese delegation to America. Three ambassadors and their entourage of 74 stayed at the Willard in an historic visit to Washington to ratify the nations' new Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1860. The Japanese delegation stayed at the Willard for a month in a cross-cultural experience learning about America while enjoying Washington and the Willard's renowned hospitality.

For information and reservations call the Willard InterContinental Hotel, 202-628-9100, or 1-800-827-1747, or check web site www.washington.interconti.com. For National Cherry Blossom Festival® details check web site www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

FLORIDA

BOCA RATON

Boca Raton's Largest Spa - The Maui Spa & Wellness Center - Opened

"Enter a soothing Hawaiian oasis January '07 with the arrival of The Maui Spa & Wellness Center to Boca Raton. Be greeted with genuine flower leis and exotic herbal tea upon your arrival. Valued at over $3 million, this idyllic 7,000 square foot, standalone spa will become Boca Raton's paradise escape, providing patrons with authentic, holistic wellness therapies true to the island of Maui to foster total mind-body healing and pampering from within.

"The Maui will be unique to itself and incredibly unique to Boca Raton. While many area spas tend to focus on 'outer beauty' treatments such as Botox or permanent makeup, The Maui will emphasize 'inner healing and harmony within the entire body' by relying on authentic therapies to restore the natural balance, beauty, and health," says President Gayle Wentworth.

"This state-of-the-art spa and wellness center combines eastern and western influences, offering guests 10 private spa treatment rooms, a Hana hydrotherapy room, a Kipahulu relaxation room, a full-service salon, spa retail, and a private, Asian-influenced rooftop garden amidst a Feng Shui balanced environment," explains Wentworth. The wellness aspect offers visitors the complete healing experience with the professional services of an
Acupuncturist, Chiropractor and Psychotherapist.

The Maui's exclusive Hana Room, named after the rainforest area of Maui, is a water-focused retreat inspired by the 7 sacred pools found on the Island. Two private copper soaking tubs, two wet tables for exfoliating body treatments, Deluge waterfall showers and Swiss needle showers, steam and state-of-the-art infrared saunas provide deep healing and detoxification of the body and senses. A Feng Shui designed cold plunge pool is featured in the Hana Room to refresh and awaken the body post-treatment.

Rooftop at The Maui will offer an inviting, Asian-themed garden providing a private space for guests to enjoy energizing fitness classes such as sunrise/sunset Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and cultural Hula. A Tea Bar will also be housed here, supplying spa guests with whole leaf signature tea elixirs, combined with a light Spa cuisine menu, to complete the ultimate escape and revive the mind, body and spirit. Rooftop at The Maui presents a unique and serene backdrop for private events, spa party bookings and corporate functions.

Wentworth further remarks, "The Maui strives to make every visit an experience and every experience a remarkable rebirth of mind and body." She hopes her lifetime of detailed research towards the design and creation of the spa will result in guests enjoying
the experience of feeling "at heart-at mind" with Maui upon their visit.

Located at 2100 NW Boca Raton Boulevard in Boca Raton, The Maui Spa & Wellness Center is the aspiration of Gayle Wentworth, a former resident of the Island of Maui. She believes the influence of east meets western philosophy will find a balance right here in Boca Raton, Florida.

To request a current spa menu or media kit, Michelle Soudry at The Gab Group, 561-750-3500 or email msoudry@thegabgroup.com>msoudry@thegabgroup.com

BONITA SPRINGS

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs announces its 2007 Valentine’s Day Package, which includes a complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, an 80-minute couples massage and manicures, a romantic sunset cruise, dinner for two, and breakfast in bed. The all-inclusive rate is $1,500.

For more information, contact Kelly Olsen (kolsen@hyatt.com), 239-390-4278, or check web site www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com.

CAPTIVA

Offshore Sailing School at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has lowered its entry level age from 12 to 9 for family units that “buy the whole boat” and offers them a discount of 18 percent off the total package cost. “Buying the whole boat” means families of up to six sail and learn privately together with a certified sailing instructor. For more information, check web site www.offshoresailing.com.

'Tween Waters Inn Special Deals

'Tween Waters Inn, through June 2007, offers guests two free tickets to any spring 2007 production of their choice at the Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers. The promotion, a $70 guests-only added value, is limited to two tickets per guest room per stay.

 For more information contact Jennifer Carey (jenniferc@make-noise.com), 414-226-4900, or check web site www.tweenwaters.com.

'Tween Waters Inn and USA3000 Airlines Partners in Contest

‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island and USA3000 Airlines have partnered in a promotion that will award a grand prize with an estimated retail value of $3,500. The prize offers one person two round-trip tickets from any USA3000 service city to southwest Florida. Accommodations at ‘Tween Waters Inn will include a three-night stay in a seaside cottage, eight hours of chartered fishing, a gourmet dinner for two, and a sunset cruise.

For information contact Jennifer Carey (jenniferc@make-noise.com), 414-226-4900, or check web site www.tweenwaters.com.

CORAL GABLES

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is pleased to present Fairchild’s International Orchid Festival March 30 through April 1. Select from eight acres of orchid vendors, attend orchid lectures and demonstrations or simply take in the beauty of Fairchild’s collections with a walking tour.

For more information, call (305) 667-1651 or check web site www.fairchildgarden.org.

CYPRESS GARDENS

Lush green lawns blanket this lush botanical park from February 1 through April 30, and everywhere you turn, the vista is sure to awaken all the senses. Animated sculpture can be found amid twinkle-lighted live oaks, shrubs, landscaped stream beds, and a signature waterfall, while frogs, hummingbirds, butterflies, rabbits, and more critters liven the area with their antics. Cypress Gardens, encompassing 200 acres, is a tropical theme park noted for its beautiful plants and flowers and its world-famous water ski shows.

Located off U.S. Highway 27, just 22 miles south of I-4 between Orlando and Tampa on the shores of Lake Eloise and Lake Summit near Winter Haven. For hours and fees, call 1-800-282-2123.

DELRAY BEACH

nReagan Spa Is Open - and Fantastic!

After much anticipation, the new nReagan Spa, located inside the Delray Beach Marriott, is officially open for business. The 11,000 square foot facility is comprised of 12 treatment rooms, salon, fully equipped fitness facility, steam rooms, locker rooms, consultation area, pool, Jacuzzi, his and her lounges and ocean view terraces.

A whimsical ocean side party marked the official grand opening of the locally renowned spa and invitations to the event arrived in the form of a boarding pass; promising to take attendees to 'Destination: Cloud 9'. 350 guests arrived to tour the new facility and sample the new spa's signature services. The entire event was elegantly drenched in white with royal blue accents throughout. Guests enjoyed exquisite cuisine, prepared by Adam Savage, the Marriott's executive chef, from the spa's new food menu while dainty ballerinas danced through the evening.

nReagan Spa features award-winning services such as hair design and coloring, signature skin treatments, microdermabrasion, revitalight, massage therapy, body exfoliates and polishes, manicures, pedicures, custom make-up and makeovers, and facial and body waxing. In addition to traditional spa options, unique choices like the nReagan Green Tea & Cucumber Signature Facial and the "Wassage" waterbed massage are offered. The Spa now provides a variety of fitness classes including Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Aqua-fit and Beach Fun and Fitness. Personal trainers are on staff to provide private fitness instruction catered to your body's needs. Examples of nReagan Spa's personalized fitness programs, include 'Fit to a Tee' and 'Love to Ace' conditioning that focus on exercises designed to improve your tennis and golf skills. Guests may sign up for individual classes or enroll in a Spa or Fitness membership.

Founded in 1995, nReagan Spa goes the extra mile to provide the area's finest skin treatments, massages, technologically advanced skin care and cosmetics. Located in a two-story, 11,000 square foot facility inside the Delray Beach Marriott, nReagan Spa has 12 treatment rooms, a salon, a fully equipped fitness facility, locker rooms, steam rooms, his and her lounges, ocean view terraces, a consultation area, a pool, and a Jacuzzi. nReagan Spa serves clients seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

About the Marriott Delray Beach Hotel:

Located on Florida's Gold Coast, overlooking the sandy beaches on Ocean Drive, the Marriott Delray Beach is midway between the excitement of Fort Lauderdale and the glamour of Palm Beach. The Hotel is within easy walking distance to Atlantic Avenue's shopping boutiques, bistros, outdoor cafes, art galleries, restaurants and nightlife. With 268 rooms including 88 suites, its amenities include a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and health club with spa services, as well as a selection of restaurants and lounges.

For reservations or more information on the Marriott, call 877-433-5729 or 561- 274-3200, or check web site www.delraybeachmarriott.com, or contact your travel
professional.

For more information on the Spa, check web site www.nreaganspa.com.

About Grace Wilson

Over the years, serving as the Director of Spa Training and head massage therapist for The Chopra Center for Well-Being, Grace has touched thousands of people from all over the world, including spiritual and political leaders, celebrities, socialites and professional athletes. Her first book, 'Massage in Minutes: Simple Techniques for Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere, came from her desire to create something more user-friendly than the 'do it yourself' massage books currently out there. The techniques in 'Massage in Minutes' are simple to learn, easy to perform, feel great and are incredibly effective. She re-educates readers that, if they have ten minutes and a little bit of floor space they can give or receive a great massage. 'Massage in Minutes' is available online and in bookstores everywhere.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is pleased to present Origami Extravaganza March 24 with demonstrations and instructions for all levels of interest and expertise.

For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or check web site www.morikami.org.

ESTERO

A developer has teamed up with theater director Kristen Coury to plan Gulfshore Playhouse, a 35,000-square-foot, $20 million theater they hope to open by 2008 in a new urban-style village called Estero on the River.

For more information, check web site www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org.  

Coconut Point Town Center has recently opened in Estero. The 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center features movie theaters, luxury restaurants, a 1,000+-square-foot castle-themed children’s play area, wireless Internet access, a fountain court with turtle pool, and outdoor performances.

For more information, check web site www.simon.com.

Miromar Outlets

Miromar Outlets in Estero recently celebrated the opening of Phase 5 with more than 140 new stores. They include Aeropostale, ecko unltd., Eddie Bauer, Lacoste, Pacific Sunwear, and more. The complex hosts free concerts every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information contact Jeff Staner (jstaner@miromarfl.com), 239-948-3766, or check web site www.miromar.com.

FORT MYERS

The Fort Myers-Estero Embassy Suites has recently opened just off Corkscrew Road, near the airport and Interstate 75. The 150-suite property holds the distinction of becoming Hilton’s 1,000th hotel to open since its merger with Promus Hotel Corporation.

For more information, check web site www.fortmyersembassy.com.

Fort Myers and Sanibel Beaches Highly Ranked

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel rank on the Top-10 list of U.S. travel destinations for 2007, according to the bookings of 507 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Agencies throughout the country. Placing at #9, Fort Myers ranked above San Francisco and was preceded by traditionally popular destinations Las Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu, Maui, and New York City. 

For more information, check web site www.leevcb.com.  

InterContinental Hotels Group to Break Ground for Hotel Indigo

InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, plans to break ground on Hotel Indigo in the downtown Fort Myers River District in the next few months. The hotel, which is scheduled to be open by the end of 2007, is the first new hotel construction within the historic district in 20 years. The hotel will house 62 guest rooms featuring changeable elements such as photographic murals, area rugs, duvets, and slip covers.

For more information, contact web sites www.ichotelsgroup.com or www.ichotelsgroup.com, www.hotelindigo.com.

Watch the World Series Champions at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

Boston Red Sox fans can watch the 2004 World Series Champions prepare for the upcoming season with a package that includes preferred seating at a spring training game along with dining and luxury accommodations for two at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, available through March 31, 2007. Rates begin at $465 per night.

For more information, contacxt Wrenda Goodwyn (wgoodwyn@gravinasmith.com), 239-949-1808, or check web site www.sanibel-resort.com.

Fort Myers named a Tree City USA

The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Fort Myers a Tree City USA community to honor, for the 15th year, its commitment to its community forest. Fort Myers also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program.

For more information, contact Jennifer Hobbic (jhobbic@cityftmyers.com), 239-461-7162.

Walking tour of historic Fort Myers

Southwest Florida Museum of History in Fort Myers again hosts its seasonal Walking Tour of historic Fort Myers every Wednesday and Saturday through April beginning at 10 a.m. See where the old fort was located, hear the legends surrounding Fort Myers, view the restored buildings that house the stories of yesteryear, and witness the renaissance taking place to keep local history alive.

For more information, contact Helena Finnegan (Hfinnegan@cityftmyers.com), 239-332-5955, or check web site www.cityftmyers.com/museum.

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Dedicated

Following a $1 million contribution to renovate downtown Fort Myers’ historic post office-federal building as an arts facility, Florida Arts dedicated the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in January 2007. The Florida Arts Festival, a series of art exhibit and live performance events, will be open there through March 23, 2007.

For more information, contact Florida Arts (info@fl-arts.org), 239-337-1933, or check wweb site www.fl-arts.org.

Shell Factory & Nature Park Adds New Feature

Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers will be adding a new feature of mammoth proportion in March 2007. Twelve life-size dinosaur models will tower over the attraction’s nature park, including dinosaur eggs into which kids can climb and emerge for photo opportunities. The tallest dinosaur, a T-Rex, will measure 27 feet high.

For more information, contact Pam Cronin (pam@shellfactory.com), 239-995-2141, ext. 116, or check web site www.shellfactory.com.

New Exhibit at the Art of the Olympians Museum

Olympic discus gold medalist and artist Al Oerter along with fellow artist and Olympic athlete Lin Bochette move forward on an Art of the Olympians Museum in downtown Fort Myers. The exhibit featuring sculpture, photography, and abstract works by Olympic athletes debuted at Lee County Alliance for the Arts last March and traveled to the United Nations in November.

For more information contact Al Oerter (olympicart@earthlink.net), 239-332-5055, or check web site www.artoftheolympians.com.  

Chocolates by Norman Love Selected As Among Americ's Best Chocolate Producers

Consumer Reports magazine selected Chocolates by Norman Love Confections for the third time in less than a year as among America’s best chocolate producers. The Fort Myers-based chocolate-maker’s selection of gourmet chocolates appears in the February issue of the national publication, which asked eight of its specially trained tasters to identify “the most delectable gift-boxed confections.”

For more information, contact Sharon Arnold (sarnold@gravinasmith.com),  239-275-5758, or check web site www.normanloveconfections.com.

Upcoming Fort Myers/Sanibel Events

Through April 14, 2007
DAMN YANKEES
Fort Myers
239-278-4422
www.BroadwayPalm.com

Through April 22, 2007
ROBOTS: THE INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT
Fort Myers
239-337-3332 
www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium

Through March 24, 2007
SANIBEL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sanibel Island
239-336-7999
www.sanibelmusicfestival.org

March 23, 2007
GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL
Estero
239-590-7145
www.fgcu.edu/uls

March 31, 2007
CHILDREN’S SPRING FESTIVAL
Sanibel Island
239-472-4538

March 31, 2007
SPRING EGG HUNT
Fort Myers
239-338-2287

FORT MYERS BEACH

Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach has more than romantic appeal. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says it also has economic appeal. It rated #1 income generator among Florida state parks, having contributed $40 million to local coffers. Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin and John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo rank second and third.

For more information, check web site www.floridastateparks.org.

Imaginarium Hands-On Museum Exhibits

The Imaginarium Hands-On Museum in Fort Myers unveiled a new permanent exhibit on Dec. 5, 2006, titled The Sporty Science Exhibit. A collaboration between the Florida Everblades hockey team, the Fort Myers Miracle baseball team, and the Imaginarium, it illustrates, using interactive elements, how science affects sports. For more information, check web site www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium.

Robot's Entrance

Through April 22, 2007, Imaginarium Hands-On Museum & Aquarium in Fort Myers will be the exclusive host in Florida of Robots: The Interactive Exhibit. The exhibit will not return to the state until 2010. Based on the hit movie Robots, the exhibit reflects its fun and imagination with 15 different hands-on educational experiences. For more information, check web site www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium.

Hammond Stadium

Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, spring league home of the Minnesota Twins, is receiving a $1.2 million makeover in time for spring season. Improvements will add a sports-bar area and three new seating sections including the Dugout Box, where $35 tickets buy a seat at field level behind home plate. The changes will increase stadium seating capacity from 7,500 to 7,910. For more information, check web site www.mntwins.com.

Upcoming major events/festivals: (For details, access the online calendar at: www.FortMyersSanibel.com.)

Through March 31, 2007
MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL
Fort Myers
239-278-4422
www.broadwaypalm.com

Through Apr. 22, 2007
ROBOTS: THE INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT
Fort Myers
239-337-3332 
www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium

Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World Fort Myers held its Grand Opening Sale & Celebration at its newest location at Gulf Coast Town Center.

For more information on this great store, check web site www.basspro.com.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS (near Jacksonville)

The International Garden and Flower Show begins March 17 and features a variety of garden themes from all continents as well as Florida trees, plants and flowers of the season. The clusters of flowers will form into flower carpets.

For more information, call (904) 448-9247 or check web site www.claytourism.com

LITTLE TORCH KEY

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa Has Reopened

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa reopened December 16, 2006 after being closed since Hurricane Wilma hit South Florida in late October. The island sustained landscaping damage due to storm surge, destroying much of the resort's landscaping. Management and staff have spent the past six weeks bringing the island back to its beauty with massive landscaping efforts, adding over $500,000 of lush landscaping to the 5.5. -acre tropical private island.

Celebrating the island's reopening and the start of the season, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is launching 'Island Enticements', a selection of signature arrival amenities and luxurious romantic turndowns that offer unique ways for guests to indulge their senses and create romantic memories which will be cherished forever. Some examples of the services offered when guests book their escape to the "Best Resort in the U.S." (according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler) are as follows:

Picture Perfect

A pitcher of Little Palm Island's famous cocktail, the Gumby Slumber, is on hand in the bungalow to help guests relax from the moment they arrive. A disposable all-weather camera and an exquisite, custom-engraved cherry wood Little Palm Island photo album are also included to capture and display everlasting island memories.
The cost of this package is $135.

You Had Me At Hello

What better way to start a life of eternal bliss together then returning after dinner to a gently candle-lit boudoir enhanced by one dozen gracefully arranged red roses? Set amongst silky rose petals, is a chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier-Cuvee Rose, complemented with two custom etched Little Palm Island champagne glasses (yours to keep.) Satin sheets sprinkled with rose petals complete the perfect setting.
Cost of this package is $400.

La Crème de La Crème

A tiki torch illuminated porch that tenderly lights a path of rose petals into the bungalow. Inside are three-dozen divinely arranged red roses enhanced by velvety candlelight. By the bedside is a chilled bottle of Crystal Rose Champagne that perfectly harmonizes the sumptuous chocolate truffles. A selection of SpaTerre massage oils and bath salts accompanied by signature Little Palm Island bathrobes and slippers (yours to keep.)
Cost of this package is $1,000.

ABOUT LITTLE PALM ISLAND RESORT & SPA

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is an intimate and romantic tropical hideaway.
The resort's 30 thatched-roof bungalows are discreetly nestled throughout the island and offer private sundecks and ocean views. This secluded hideaway, nestled amid hundreds of Jamaican coconut palm trees, provides the ideal location for guests to completely detach themselves from everyday life. The resort offers an Indonesian-inspired SpaTerre, a private marina and acclaimed dining. Little Palm Island provides guests with complete privacy and luxury.

Andrew Harper's Hideaway, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and others
have rated Little Palm Island as one of the top resorts in the United States.
The resort has been recognized in the Zagat "Top 50 Small Hotels in the US"
and "Top Hotel in Florida" and is a member of Virtuoso and American Express
Fine Hotels & Resorts.

Located three miles off-shore in the Lower Florida Keys, Little Palm Island is only accessible by boat or seaplane. For more information or to make reservations, call (305) 872-2524, (800) 3-GET-LOST or your travel professional (Chain Code NC) or visit the hotel online at www.littlepalmisland.com.

MIAMI

The Mandarin Oriental Introduces Health-Conscious Accommodation With New 'Spa Lifestyle Guestrooms."

Mandarin Oriental, Miami is delighted to debut a selection of “Spa Lifestyle Rooms,” specifically designed for the healthy-minded guest. Complete with an air purification system, in-room fitness program, personal lifestyle consultant and spa cuisine offerings, the new Spa Lifestyle Rooms aim to provide a balanced, stress-free environment for guests.

“We are delighted to offer our guests this innovative, wellness-focused option in accommodation,” said Jill DeMone, Director of Sales & Marketing. “The Spa Lifestyle Rooms are ideal for guests wishing to eat healthier, maintain their exercise routine, sleep more soundly and unwind and relax while away on vacation or a business trip.”
Each of the 16 Spa Lifestyle Rooms is equipped with an air purification system to breathe air free of allergens. The rooms receive a seven-step cleaning process, developed by Pure Solutions N.A., which treats the walls, the bedcovers and air itself. As a result, all Spa Lifestyle Rooms are certified as “allergy-friendly.” Guests will breathe easier and wake up more refreshed. The rooms also feature a selection of pillows from a “water pillow” to memory foam pillows to ensure guests’ total comfort.  

The in-room fitness program includes wellness dumbbell racks and wellness balls from Technogym, a world-class provider of fitness equipment.  Eco-Yoga mats, organic cotton yoga straps and yoga blocks are also provided for guests to enjoy a fitness class or workout in the comfort of their room.  A selection of fitness-themed TV channels, available 24 hours a day, offer classes of Pilates, Yoga and Body Sculpting as well as Guided Relaxation for Sleep.  Private yoga and meditation classes can also be arranged in-room or in The Spa’s Chi Studio by expert instructors from The Spa.  Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness centre which has been entirely renovated, with innovative equipment from Technogym.  It showcases The Cardio Wave, an innovative machine offering a similar motion to rollerblading or skiing. The gym is a high-tech, luxurious space, with stunning views across Biscayne Bay.

To address health and wellness concerns, Lifestyle Consultant Michelle Menendez will meet with guests and provide recommendations on various topics from nutrition and fitness to relaxation. Ms. Menendez can also arrange nutrition consultations, personal training classes, in-room massages, treatments at The Spa or bespoke spa experiences for guests.

Upon arrival, guests will be offered welcome green tea and a variety of organic foods including raw natural bars, all natural granola, dried fruits and dark extra fine chocolate to enjoy in the comforts of their Spa Lifestyle Room.  A special spa cuisine menu is available 24 hours a day through in-room dining.  Spa cuisine selections are also offered at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Café Sambal or at the poolside bar.
The Spa Lifestyle Rooms are located on the sixth floor of the hotel and each feature an expansive, private veranda with views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, a marble bathroom with separate glass shower, cherry wood furniture and a choice of king size or two double beds. Rates begin at $735 per room per night.

For reservations, please contact the hotel directly on +1 (305) 913-8288, toll free +1 (866) 888-6780; or Mandarin Oriental’s direct on-line reservations service at web site www.mandarinoriental.com

.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 11 under development in Riviera Maya-Mexico and Hainan Island-China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Grand Cayman (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech and Turks and Caicos (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, almost 9,000 rooms in 18 countries with 13 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and six in Europe and North Africa.

NAPLES

Benchmark Hospitality International Opens The Cottages at Naples Bay Resort

Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the opening of Phase I of its new resort in Naples, Florida: The Cottages at Naples Bay Resort. The cottages include 108 spacious and luxurious resort dwellings.  Roy A. Young, Benchmark's managing director for Naples Bay Resort, made the announcement. 

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the opening of The Cottages at Naples Bay Resort,” said Mr. Young. “Naples Bay Resort is Benchmark's newest Personal Luxury Resort and The Cottages are the first phase of this spectacular property to open. Upon completion, the resort will feature magnificent bay vistas, lush tropical foliage, private concierge service, and a pool complex with a resort pool, lazy river pool, whirlpools and a lap pool.” Young concluded with, “We will also offer a marina, tee times at local championship golf courses, a fully equipped fitness center -- and be a short walk from the finest shopping, dining and entertainment in downtown Naples. This will truly be a vacation paradise!”

The luxurious Cottages at Naples Bay Resort are available in two and three bedroom units (each with two baths), making them ideal for couples, families and groups. Exquisite appointments define the luxury and include a gourmet kitchen, screened lanai, along with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, flat screen television & wireless Internet access as well as a personal grocer. The Blue Water Bar and Grill will open poolside in February.

Reservations are being accepted for The Cottages at 1-866-605-1199 or by visiting web site www.naplesbayresort.com.

The Cottages at Naples Bay offer a minimum rental period of one week with prices starting at $1700 weekly.

Benchmark expects to open Phase II -- The Club at Naples Bay Resort – in February 2007. The Club will feature a state of the art gym and fitness center, aerobics studio, Pilates/yoga studio, water aerobics, intimate Euro-style Spa, an extensive aquatic environment, six lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, poolside refreshments in season, a beach shuttle, 97-Slip Marina, and yacht club.

About Naples Bay Resort

Upon opening in November of 2007, Naples Bay Resort (web site www.naplesbayresort.com) will be a Four Star, 193-key destination resort. The property will feature an 85-key hotel with 65 condominium suites, 108 spacious resort cottages, and a contemporary gourmet restaurant and bar offering magnificent views of the bay. Thirty townhomes and flats will round out the residential mix at the resort.

The property will provide 2,500 square feet of comprehensive meeting and special event space serviced by Benchmark’s signature Conference Concierge. Recreationally, Naples Bay will feature a 97-slip marina, comprehensive fitness facilities with a Pilates Studio, an international tennis center and a masterfully designed, foliage-laden resort pool complex with a meandering lazy river pool, lap pool, children’s pool, expansive sundeck and poolside cabanas. Championship golf will be available nearby at several well-known golf courses. Adding to the resort experience will be a retail promenade, located adjacent to the marina. Featured in this space will be boutique specialty retail, entertainment and casual dining opportunities.

The resort will offer The Yacht Club and Captain's Lounge, as well as an amenity-rich residents’ club, The Club at Naples Bay Resort, with a specially-designed clubhouse and up to 750 members. The two clubs will be private. Both members and resort guests will have access to Keewaydin Island (subject to final regulatory approval), a private barrier island featuring a beach club. Benchmark Hospitality International will operate the resort.

Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally.

For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's web site at www.benchmarkhospitality.com. 

NEW PORT RICHEY (near St. Petersburg)

The 86th Annual Chasco Fiesta will bring music, carnival rides and parades to downtown New Port Richey and Sims Park. This traditional family event will be March 22 through April 1 honoring all Native American tribes. For more information, call (727) 842-7651 or check web site www.chascofiesta.com.   

ORLANDO

Rosen Shingle Creek's "Easter Symphony" Package

This will celebrate the resort's first Easter Holiday. The Easter celebration is a symphony of sight, sound and taste featuring an Easter Sunrise Service with spectacular views as the sun rises over the resort's golf course and historic Shingle Creek, headwaters to the Florida Everglades, and sumptuous fare (and a few jelly beans) accompanied by an Easter symphony orchestra. An Easter Egg hunt, poolside games and activities and dive-in movies round out the Easter weekend‚s activities.

Available April 1 - 8, 2007, the "Easter Symphony" package starts at $169 (plus appropriate taxes) per night, double occupancy, based on availability and includes:

Luxury accommodations (among the largest guestrooms in Central Florida at 436 sq. ft.)

Complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults at Café Osceola ($16.50 per each additional adult, children 3 and under are complimentary, children 4 ˆ 12 are half adult price)

25% off Sunday, April 8, Easter Brunch at Café Osceola

25% off spa services at the Spa at Shingle Creek

25% off golf at the award-winning Shingle Creek Golf Club

Complimentary shuttle and discounted tickets to Sea World and Universal Orlando

Complimentary self-parking at the resort

Guests staying over Easter weekend, will also enjoy a host of complimentary holiday-themed events including:

Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, 8:00 pm, Dive-In Movie at the Family Pool (contingent on weather)

Saturday, April 7, 1pm-5 pm, Live Entertainment and Kids‚ Games at the Family Pool

Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007:
8:30 am, Continental Breakfast in Rose Garden by resort pools
8 am, Sunrise Service overlooking the resort‚s golf course and unique landscaping
10 am, Easter Parade and Egg Hunt, The Easter Bunny will meet with kids up to age 12 and their parents in the resort lobby and lead a bunny hop trail to a secret Easter Egg hunt.
11:30 am ˆ 7 pm, Easter Sunday Brunch, Café Osceola, Children can guess the amount of jelly beans to win prizes and will receive coloring books and crayons. $49.00 for adults/$21.95 for children ages 4 ˆ 12 (overnight guests purchasing the Easter Symphony package receive 25% discount).
1- 4 pm, Easter Symphony will perform and entertain Easter Sunday brunch diners.
5:30pm ˆ 10:00pm, Traditional Italian Easter Dinner, Cala Bella, fine dining Italian bistro, (overnight guests purchasing the Easter Symphony package receive preferred seating), $46.50 per person, children‚s menu available, reservations required.

Rosen Shingle Creek -- The lush backdrop of early 1900s Florida with the turn-of-the-century splendor of grand hotels sets the tone for the elegant Rosen Shingle Creek resort, uniquely located on Shingle Creek, the headwaters to the Florida Everglades. With its natural charms and Spanish-revival flavor, the Rosen Shingle Creek offers spacious guest rooms (among the largest in Central Florida at 436 sq. ft.) with plush Creek Sleeper beds, carved and burnished chestnut headboards and dressers, soothing deep cinnamon, gold and aqua fabrics, crown molding and custom art of the area‚s lush, natural surroundings. High-tech conveniences include 32-inch flat screen TVs featuring NXTV technology, allowing for high-speed Internet access.

Amenities include the award-winning Shingle Creek Golf Club, 13,000-square-foot Spa at Shingle Creek with nine treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, four outdoor swimming pools, two lighted tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, nature trails, fishing and more.

The 1,500-room resort, is conveniently located at 9939 Universal Blvd., just off the International Drive tourist district and ten minutes from the Orlando International Airport.

To book this offer, guests can call the Rosen Shingle Creek reservations line at (866) 996-6338. For more information, visit www.rosenshinglecreek.com or call (866) 996-9939.

Rosen Plaza Considers Family First With Signature Family Reunion Service

For many people, family comes first.

The 800-room Rosen Plaza hotel in Orlando feels the same way, which is why it's fast becoming a top family reunion location in the world's number one family destination.

The Rosen Plaza is the hotel of choice for families looking for the best that Orlando can offer in a family-friendly environment. The entire package of location, cuisine, price and of course, the Rosen service has patrons who have stayed at the Rosen Plaza for their family reunions raving about the hotel.

First, there‚s the famous Rosen Plaza service. Gerrie McCottri of Washington, DC acclaims the Rosen Plaza for the way it handled her family's reunion ˆ which had 50 people ˆ a recent Thanksgiving weekend.

"We had an extraordinary Thanksgiving buffet and a Thanksgiving dinner with a personal feel. The banquet manager was just like my daddy," adds McCottri. "In the 20 years we've been doing family reunions the one at the Rosen Plaza is the best we've had. The quality of service far exceeded the price that was charged."

"From the moment we stepped in, we were treated so wonderfully," says McCottri. "The prices were better than most other hotels. Sometimes people do things on the sales end just to get your business, but from day one, every request was accommodated."

The Rosen Plaza‚s stellar service has earned the hotel numerous awards from industry peers including the Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award, Meetings & Conventions Gold Key Award and Meeting News Planner‚s Choice Award.

Second, there's sumptuous, yet affordable, fare. Of course, all the activity at a family reunion will leave family members hungry ˆ particularly those enjoying a big reunion -- and the Rosen Plaza knows how to satisfy any ravishing or miniscule appetite. The Rosen Plaza offers a variety of very affordable family reunion buffet-style menus. Menu fare features everything from bar-b-que style lunches to home style cooking featuring Southern favorites like seafood gumbo or fried chicken to ethnic fare specially prepared to order by Chef Michael McMullen.

For attendees dining on their own, the hotel features several award-winning restaurants. Jack‚s Place offers top-class casual fine dining. Café Matisse is a buffet-style restaurant that has a wide variety of fare as well as full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Rossini‚s Pizza serves fresh pizza and Italian specialties to go. The Lite Bite, a 24-hour deli located in the hotel lobby, can quash a case of the munchies at any given moment. Kids eat free and there are discount group meal prices are available in the restaurants.

"The 24-hour deli was great," adds Annie Gray of Kissimmee, Fla. who will be returning to the Rosen Plaza for her second family reunion on Memorial Day weekend. "We could all hang out at the Lite Bite with the kids and get refreshments whenever we wanted."

Next, there's the location. Another reason Annie Gray is returning is because of the location.

"Everything is right there," says Gray. "The location and extras are bringing us back again this year. We gave attendees a free day because there were so many activities to do right there during the day, like swim, shop and site-see. The hotel's complimentary shuttle to area attractions was a big hit."

The Rosen Plaza is situated on Orlando's famous International Drive, right in the heart of the tourist district. That makes it convenient to every major attraction Orlando has to offer, plus some superb shopping and dining. When you arrive in Orlando, the hotel is only 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport. Because the Rosen Plaza is easily accessible to all major highways in the Orlando area, it's just minutes away from Orlando‚s world-famous theme parks, including Universal Studios Florida®, Sea World® and Walt Disney World®. The Rosen Plaza even offers free transportation to such major attractions as Universal Studios and Wet 'n Wild.

If you want to get away from the family for a few hours and play a round of golf at a great venue, Shingle Creek Golf Course, recently named a "Top 40 New Course" by Golfweek magazine, is just minutes away. The Rosen Plaza offers free transportation to Shingle Creek and preferred tee times for hotel guests.

Finally, there's price. The Rosen Plaza also meets the needs of families ˆ and family reunions ˆ that are on a budget. The Rosen Plaza offers outstanding and highly affordable rates, in addition to free transportation to attractions and golf. Depending on the number of attendees, the hotel may offer a free hospitality suite that many family reunion committees use for registration.

Combine impeccable service, sumptuous meals, convenient location and affordable pricing with the hotel's stellar amenities -- outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, the complimentary Fitness Center with "Life Fitness" cardiovascular and exercise machines including a full-range of free weights and live bands playing favorites from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s that can be enjoyed nightly at Backstage, International Drive's original nightclub and you have a family reunion location to provide memories for years to come.

"We're incredibly proud of our family reunion service," says Victoria Hall, Director of Sales and Marketing, Rosen Plaza. "The Rosen Plaza staff is like a big family and we embrace families like our own. We take great pride in providing friendly service where families feel embraced and welcomed from check out to check in."

Harris Rosen's Commitment to Family. One final factor that truly makes the Rosen Plaza a family-friendly hotel is the family values that come from the top down in owner Harris Rosen. Rosen's commitment to family values and service extends beyond families visiting his hotels to families in the Orlando community and beyond.

In February 1994, he initiated the Tangelo Park Pilot Program, transforming one of Orlando's most disadvantaged neighborhoods into a community of choice by providing a free pre-school program and creating full-paid college scholarships for high school graduates (more than 200 have been awarded so far).

Through the Rosen Foundation, several tons of medical and school supplies, as well as much needed water, have been delivered to Haiti. In addition, the foundation supports English literacy programs that has taught thousands of Haitians to speak, read and write English. Finally, Rosen serves as honorary chair with Dr. Dorothy Height of NCNW for the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Bronze Statue Project.

Located on International Drive adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, the 800-room Rosen Plaza provides its guests with resort-style luxury in a world-class vacation destination. Guests of the Rosen Plaza may utilize a TSA approved remote skycap service, BAGS, that allows them to receive their airline boarding passes and check their luggage directly from the hotel. Details are available at web site www.airportbags.com.

For more information about family reunions at the Rosen Plaza, call the Sales Department at 800-366-9700. For more information, go to web site www.rosenplaza.com.

Rosen Plaza Celebrates Couples Year-Round with Romance Package

Valentine's Day doesn't need to become a distant memory. Rosen Plaza in Orlando is offering couples a chance to keep love alive throughout the year and make any day Valentine's Day with the hotel'‚s "Romance Package"

The award-winning Rosen Plaza's "Romance Package" starts at $169 per night and is available now through Dec. 31, 2007. A romantic evening begins with checking into a deluxe room followed by a romantic dinner at the hotel's fine dining restaurant Jack's Place.

One of Florida Trend's top recommended restaurants in Orlando and Orlando magazine's 2006 Best Restaurant on International Drive, Jack's Place is named for owner Harris Rosen's father who during his 30-year tenure at the Waldorf Astoria sketched over 100,000 warm and humorous caricatures of visiting celebrities and VIPs, including Jackie Kennedy, Hank Aaron, Indira Ghandi and Henry Kissinger, to name a few. In Sardi's-like style, the restaurant is adorned with selections from this impressive collection and has been enjoyed as part of the sophisticated ambience among patrons for years.

Couples can then visit the hotel's nightclub Backstage Lounge, International Drive's original nightclub, for entertainment and dancing. The following morning, a sumptuous breakfast buffet awaits at Café Matisse. The rate is based on double occupancy; tax and gratuity are extra and subject to hotel availability. This offer cannot be combined with other offers or for group rates.

For reservations and information, go to www.rosenplaza.com or call 1-800-627-8258.

Conveniently located on International Drive, the Rosen Plaza offers free transportation to and from Universal Orlando® Resort. Reservations are required at least three days in advance, and can be made through the hotel prior to arrival.

The 800-room Rosen Plaza provides its guests with resort-style luxury in a world-class vacation destination. Ideally situated just minutes from Orlando‚s world-famous theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort®, Sea World® and Walt Disney World®, the Rosen Plaza is only 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport.

Four on-site restaurants include Jack's Place, voted the number one restaurant on International Drive by Orlando Magazine, with casual fine dining. Café Matisse offers buffets as well as full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Rossini's Pizza serves fresh pizza and Italian specialties to go. The Lite Bite is open 24 hours a day and serves deli sandwiches and snacks.

Guests are invited to enjoy a variety of amenities such as the outdoor heated pool and whirlpool and the Fitness center with "Life Fitness" cardiovascular and exercise machines and a full-range of free weights. Live bands playing favorites from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's can be enjoyed nightly at Backstage, International Drive's original nightclub. The Shingle Creek Golf Club, recently named a "Top 40 New Course" by Golfweek magazine, is just minutes away and offers free transportation and preferred tee times for hotel guests.

NASA’S Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex set to unveil ‘shuttle launch experience'

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the opening of Shuttle Launch Experience, slated for May 25, 2007. This authentic $60 million launch simulation will take visitors on their own journey with the sights, sounds and sensations of the space shuttle’s voyage to Earth’s orbit. Designed in consultation with NASA and space shuttle astronauts, this unprecedented experience inspires visitors’ spirit of adventure and exploration of our final frontier.

Shuttle Launch Experience will take visitors from around the world through the sensations of blasting into Earth’s orbit from the birthplace of U.S. space exploration – Kennedy Space Center. A team of astronauts, NASA experts and renowned attraction designers conceived this authentic ride experience, deploying sophisticated motion-based platforms, special effects seats and high fidelity visual and audio presentations.

“Shuttle Launch Experience will forge a lasting impression for everyone, especially those who have ever imagined the adventure of space travel,” said Daniel LeBlanc, Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Not only will guests experience the thrill of launching into space, they will marvel at the view of Earth from space, through state-of-the art technology.

Three years in the making, Shuttle Launch Experience combines the perspective of detailed astronaut experiences with the expertise of premiere ride engineers to produce a ride that rivals leading theme parks around the world. Nearing completion, the attraction’s technical highlights include authentic simulation of the space shuttle’s launch into orbit, custom-designed motion platforms with unprecedented vertical range, high-definition audiovisual effects, and advanced seating effects to maximize the reality of the experience.

The journey begins as visitors enter the Shuttle Launch Simulation Facility, architecturally inspired by space shuttle facilities at Kennedy Space Center. As visitors rise along the gantry, astronaut testimonials set the stage for what is to come. Visitors enter the heart of shuttle operations for the pre-launch briefing, guided by veteran Shuttle Commander Charlie Bolden. He leads the process, going step-by-step through the launch sequence soon to be witnessed first hand. Passengers enter the crew pod in the shuttle’s cargo bay and strap in for launch. For the next five minutes, the pod’s 44 passengers feel, see and live the trip to 17,500 mph. What follows, as the shuttle bay doors open, is a breathtaking view of Earth seldom seen in the first person.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Inspired by real NASA initiatives and fueled by the human spirit, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is charting a new course to bring far-reaching NASA exploration events and triumphs to visitors -- up close and personal. The journey takes NASA’s space exploration story to the next level through new technology and interactive experiences.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts on behalf of NASA since 1995. More than 1.4 million visitors annually tour Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the gateway to a working space center and one of Florida’s most popular destinations. Admission includes inspiring tours venturing deep into NASA’s spaceport facilities, daily Astronaut Encounters, towering rockets, IMAX space films and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

For more information, call 321-449-4444 or visit web site www.KennedySpaceCenter.com

PENSACOLA

The University of West Florida Main Campus will hold its annual Festival on the Green March 30-31. The celebration will excite guests of all ages with an arts and crafts show, sports tournaments, music, Native American heritage theatrical performances, children’s fair, dog show and a variety of food.

For more information, call(850) 474-3000 or check web site www.uwf.edu/festival.

PINE ISLAND

The Bridge Water Inn on Pine Island was recently honored as a "One Palm" Florida Certified Green Lodge. It is the second lodging facility in southwest Florida to be recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging program. Hotels receiving "one palm" recognition have made a commitment to environmental performance in the areas of water and energy conservation, waste reduction, and indoor air quality. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs was the first hotel to receive a “Green Lodge” certification in southwest Florida.

For more information, check web site www.bridgewaterinn.com.

SANIBEL ISLAND

Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island has announced its line-up for the 2006-2007 season. Musical comedies and revues will include You’re The Top!, Moments To Remember, Run For Your Wife, Let’s Fall In Love!, Fuh-ged-about-it!, and Las Vegas Legends.

For more information, check web site www.theschoolhousetheater.com.

SARASOTA

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

In March, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens welcomes visitors to view the Sumi-e Oriental Brush Painting Exhibition. With Sumi, the painter's goal is to use a few free flowing confident strokes to produce the essence of the landscape, the flower, the tree, or the scene; not an exact copy. The exhibit will include excellent examples of various Oriental Brush Painting "schools" as well as Chinese and Japanese calligraphy.

For more information call (941) 366-5731 or check web site www.selby.org.

Ringling Museum

There's always lots going on at the Ringling Museum. Here is a listing of the latest events:

EXHIBITIONS IN THE NEW ULLA R. AND ARTHUR F. SEARING WING

Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum, Through May 27; Exquisite jewelry from as late as 3,000 B.C. through the early 20th century. For details, check web site www.ringling.org/exhibitions

Encouraging American Genius: Master Paintings from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 

Through - April 29; An impressive collection of more than 70 paintings including works by Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt and others. For more information, check web site www.ringling.org/exhibitions

Masterworks Exchange Featuring Frans Hals

Through - April 29; A pendant painting to our Hals Portrait of Pieter Jacobsz. Olycan, ca 1639 was found at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, view them both together. For more information, check web site www.ringling.org

Asian Art on Display

Ongoing; magnificent 19th and 20th-century jades, 12th and 13th-century Cambodian stone figures, 18th and 19th-century Southeast Asian bronze sculptures, contemporary Asian art and elegant blanc-deChine. For more information, check web site www.ringling.org/exhibitions

THE FESTIVAL DELL'ARTE ITALIANA IN THE HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER 

EDUCATION: SPOTLIGHT SERIES

THE RINGLING MUSEUM/FSU CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Florida Architecture: From Mediterranean to Modern

EVENING EVENTS

Dreamgirls

March 8-24
Evening Performances: 8 p.m., Thursday - Sunday
Matinees: 2 p.m., Saturday
Tickets: $22-$28
Presented by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. For more information, check web site www.ringling.org

OTHER SHOWS AT THE HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER

Jie Chen on the piano, March 25 and 27, For more information check web site www.ringling.org/theater

Monday Night Movies with the Sarasota Film Festival----continues with Treasures From the Jannus Collection. Monday nights at 7:00 in the Historic Asolos Theater.

Sarasota POPs Extras - Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

The Life and Times of John & Mable Ringling Now Showing
Follow John & Mable’s uniquely American rags-to-riches story while experiencing this film in the Historic Asolo Theater. Produced by WEDU and narrated by Hal Holbrook. website www.ringling.org/theater

VISITOR INFORMATION

General Information: 941.359.5700
Education Programs: 358.3180
Historic Asolo Theater Box Office: 941.360.7399
Hours & Admission: 941.351.1660
Treviso Restaurant: 941.360.7390

ST. AUGUSTINE

There's always something going on in St. Augustine, America's oldest city -- and, no wonder, because it offers something for all ages.

For more information on events and special accommodation packages for St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau’s web site www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.418.7529.

Uptown Saturday Night

Enjoy extended shopping hours, live entertainment, book signings by local and regional authors, performance art, refreshments, and original works of art, as the quaint shops along San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine extend their hours for an evening of entertainment and shopping. Uptown Saturday Night is free to the public and takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. along San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine.

For more information, call .824.9357.


For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, contact the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 904.829.1711 or go to: <http://www.getaway4florida.com/>www.Getaway4Florida.com .

LATEST EVENTS

Saturday & Sunday: March 24 & 25

limelight theatre presents “the tale of peter rabbit and benjamin bunny”

Enjoy this children’s classic, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny”, a musical comedy by R. Eugene Jackson. Directed by Trina Myers, Children’s Education Coordinator at the Limelight, and starring Sean Sacco as Mr. McGregor, whose film credits include ‘The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles’, this adaptation of the Beatrix Potter stories is for the entire family to enjoy.   Show times are Saturday at  10 a.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Limelight Theatre. General admission tickets are Adults $15 and Children $10. The Limelight Theatre is located in the Joukowsky Family Foundation Center for the Performing Arts at 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine. For more information, please call 904.825.1164 or visit www.Limelight-Theatre.org.

A Walk Back In Time: "Life and Times on the Old Kings Road"

Take a "Walk Back in Time" and visit historic camps as they might have existed along the Old Kings Road. You will meet and talk with Timucuan Indians, Spanish settlers, British colonists, Seminoles, and Florida pioneer cowhunters. As part of the Archaeology Month celebration, state archaeologists will be present to discuss Florida archaeology. Saturday will also include an Old Fashion Barn Dance from 3 to 5 p.m. A ”Walk Back in Time” is held both days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Agricultural Museum located at 7900 Old Kings Road -- the intersection of Old Kings Road and U.S. 1 South in Flagler County. All day admission is $5 for adult and $3 for children. Please wear walking shoes. For more information, please call 386.446.7630.


Saturday: March 24

EMMA CONCERT SERIES – RENAISSANCE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA

Enjoy an evening concert when the Renaissance Classical Orchestra, a virtuoso string ensemble, performs a rich repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century periods. The performance is at 8 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium on Granada Street in St. Augustine.  Tickets are $18 adults, $5 students and free for Flagler College students. For more information, call 904.797.2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com .

March 31

SPANISH NIGHTWATCH WILL REVIVE OLDEST CITY’S COLONIAL MILITARY TRADITIONS

The glories and hardships of nearly 250 years of loyal service to the King of Spain will take center stage on Saturday, March 31, when St. Augustine presents its annual Spanish Nightwatch. A full day of activities will remind visitors and residents of the city’s long history as an important military outpost guarding the Spanish Empire.

Military activities begin at 10 a.m. with musketry demonstrations on the South Lawn of the Castillo de San Marcos, the massive Spanish fort that has protected the city since 1695. Cannons will be fired from the Castillo at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m. At 1 p.m., a ceremonial changing of the guard will take place at Government House.  All of the events are free to the public and located within convenient walking distance of each other.

Nightwatch gets underway at 8 p.m. when the soldiers gather at Government House and begin a torch-lit parade through St. Augustine. Heading up St. George Street, the military procession will turn on to Cuna Street and march to the Castillo de San Marcos where artillerymen will fire a salute with cannons. The next stop for the soldiers will be the City Gate where a ceremonial changing of the guard will take place. Returning to the Plaza, the torch-wielding soldiers will load their muskets and fire a volley of joy in honor of the King of Spain. The public is encouraged to bring a candle and join the parade. For more information, call 904.825.1004.

Spanish Nightwatch is supported in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.

For more information on events and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, contact the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1.800.653.2489 or go online to <http://www.getaway4florida.com/>www.getaway4florida.com .

St. John's County Tourist Development Council to Hold Event Funding Workshops

The St. Johns County Tourist Development Council (TDC) will hold two (2) workshops on April 2 to assist not-for-profit groups in applying for funding support for special events. The available funding, called Category Two, comes from the three percent tax collected by the county on short-term accommodation rentals. Category Two funds are used for arts, cultural, and other special events conducted in the county.

The workshops will provide a detailed review of the application guidelines for Category Two funding. Applications for the Fiscal Year 2008 funding program will also be distributed.  The deadline for submitting applications for funding support from the county is 4 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Groups applying for Category Two funds must have at least one representative attend the workshop.  Funding applications from groups not represented at the workshop will be disqualified.

Last year, approximately $476,000 was provided from the program to support more than 45 special events. Since the program was initiated in 1989, nearly $5.5 million in Category Two funding has been awarded to not-for-profit groups staging special events in St. Johns County.

The first workshop will be held on Monday, April 2, 2007 at the County Auditorium located at the County Administration Complex, 4020 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. The second workshop will also be held on Monday, April 2 at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library located at 1 Library Blvd, in Ponte Vedra Beach. This workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.  For more information, call Dena Masters at the TDC at 823.2680. 

MUMMIES: SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS AT THE IMAX THEATER
Follow researchers and explorers on the giant IMAX screen as they piece together the archeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies.  Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs will be shown through October 31.   World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is conveniently located along Interstate 95, exit 323, at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. For show times and more information, please call 940.4123 or visit www.wgv.com.

“Wings over Florida” Kayak Tour
Want to learn more about the world of birding and kayaking? Then take this leisurely paddle through one of Northeast Florida’s most beautiful landscapes. While observing the area’s migratory and resident birds, fish populations, and common aquatic plants, you will discover how they interact with the environment and maintain a vital balance. The tour will launch from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park at 10 a.m. and will last two hours. The tour fee is $40 per person, which includes all needed kayaking equipment, kayaking instruction, park entrance fees and bottled water. Spaces are limited and deadline for registration is 24 hours prior to date. To register, call the Coastal Outdoor Center at  471.4144.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, contact the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 904.829.1711 or go to: www.Getaway4Florida.com .

St Augustine Welcomes Motorcoaches to New Parking Facility

Since July 1, tens of thousands of vehicles have used the City of St. Augustine’s new Historic Downtown Parking Facility’s nearly 1,200 spaces.Now the facility is able to welcome the thousands of motorcoaches and school buses that arrive in St. Augustine each year.

With easy access off West Castillo Drive near its intersection with San Marco Avenue, the transit reception area features loading areas where passengers will disembark under an all weather canopy. The transit reception area is located on the north side of the parking facility which is adjacent to the St. Augustine and St. Johns County Visitor Information Center. 

The Visitor Information Center, which has undergone a complete renovation, offers plenty of restroom facilities, a wealth of information on the area’s attractions, restaurants, museums, historic sites, recreation and lodging opportunities. The center also serves as a transportation hub where visitors may choose to explore St. Augustine by foot, horse carriage or motorized sightseeing tours.

After unloading, motorcoaches and buses will stage in the conveniently located bus parking area on nearby Riberia Street until their passengers are ready to depart, and then return to the transit reception area to pick-up their guests.

For more information regarding the Historic Downtown Parking Facility’s transit reception area, please call 904.825.1000. For general information about the parking facility and a map to the Visitor Information Center, visit www.vicparkingcom.

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SARASOTA

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, Florida 34243; 941-359-5700. Plan on attending one or more of the following programs:

Exhibitions In The New Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing

Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum, through May 27; Exquisite jewelry from as late as 3,000 B.C. through the early 20th century. For more information, check web site www.visitors.ringling.org

Encouraging American Genius: Master Paintings from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, through April 29; An impressive collection of more than 70 paintings including works by Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt and others. For more information, check web site www. visitors.ringling.org

Masterworks Exchange Featuring Frans Hals, through April 29; A pendant painting to our Hals Portrait of Pieter Jacobsz. Olycan, ca 1639 was found at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, view them both together. For more information, check web site www. <http://ringling.org

Asian Art on Display, Ongoing; Magnificent 19th and 20th-century jades, 12th and 13th-century Cambodian stone figures, 18th and 19th-century Southeast Asian bronze sculptures, contemporary Asian art and elegant blanc-de-Chine. For more information, check web site www.visitors.ringling.org

At The Historic Asolo Theater

The Life and Times of John & Mable Ringling Now Showing
Follow John & Mable’s uniquely American rags-to-riches story while experiencing this film in the Historic Asolo Theater. Produced by WEDU and narrated by Hal Holbrook. For more information, contact web site www.visitors.ringling.org

Visitor  Information

General Information: 941.359.5700
Historic Asolo Theater Box Office: 941.360.7399
Hours & Admission: 941.351.1660
Treviso Restaurant: 941.360.7390

TALLAHASSEE

During Springtime Tallahassee celebrates the charm and coziness of this southern city. With spreading oak trees and lovely parks it’s a fine time to enjoy one of the finest parades in the southeastern United States, a collection of artists and artisans, delicious food, great entertainment and a kids park that will delight children of all ages.

For more information, call (850) 606-2305 or (800) 628-2866, or check web site www.seetallahassee.com.  

The Field of Dreams

Like many travelers, the dream for every National Football League team has been to travel to Florida. In Florida, all the plays involved in scheming a good vacation are in the playbook. Below is a portion of the Florida travel playbook.

For a full listing for use in your travel game plan, check web site www.VISITFLORIDA.com.   

TAMPA

What's New in Tampa Bay     

Spring brings some of the best weather, foliage, animal sightings and great deals to Tampa Bay. There’s a lot going on in this vibrant destination and there’s no better time to visit.

ATTRACTION NEWS

The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is preparing for the March return of the stingray touch tank which will be located at the main aquarium entrance. The new and improved tank is quite a dramatic change and has become a center piece for the lobby featuring acrylic viewing windows and a floor-to-ceiling mural of swimming Cownose stingrays in a deep blue ocean.

On April 13, The Florida Aquarium will host its second annual All-Release Fishing Tournament and Anglers Kick-Off Dinner. If visitors love fishing, this is the “can’t miss” tournament of the year. Not only will guests be teamed up with some of the best fishing captains in the Bay, they’ll also be promoting responsible fishing practices and helping Tampa’s waterways in the process. For more information check web site www.flaquarium.org.

The Lowry Park Zoo

In spring of 2007, the zoo will open a planned expansion of the Safari Africa habitat area with a collection of new exhibits named after the Ituri Forest, a dense tropical rain forest in the northern part of the Congo, River Basin. This exciting area adds 1.5 acres of animal exhibit space and several new African species including cheetah, okapi, pygmy hippo, red river hogs and shoebill storks. Also this spring, the zoo will welcome a colony of African penguins to a spacious new outdoor exhibit presently under construction near the entrance to Safari Africa.

The zoo has recently re-opened its Asian habitat area after extensive renovations nine months in the making. This area, now known as Asian Gardens, is a beautiful, lush forest with exotic animals, a new free-flight aviary themed after the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, waterfalls and incredible palms, bamboos and other tropical plants. For more information on this and much more, check web site www.lowryparkzoo.com

MOSI

A powerfully moving IMAX® Dome Theatre film like none other, MacGillivray
Freeman’s Hurricane on the Bayou carries audiences behind today’s news headlines on a journey deep into the soul-stirring heart of Louisiana — before, during and after the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane on the Bayou is presented by HSA Engineers & Scientists.

Unfolding against the poignant backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and featuring state-of-theart CGI special effects depicting its fury, Hurricane on the Bayou follows a group of four musicians, both legendary and rising, as they uncover the electrifying culture of New Orleans; explore the beautiful alligator-filled bayous on airboats; recount their personal stories of Katrina; and most of all, bring the focus to the rapidly disappearing wetlands that are New Orleans’ first line of defense against deadly storms.

For more information on the IMAX® Dome Theatre film, Hurricane on the Bayou, visit www.mosi.org. Now Showing!

Busch Gardens

Two years ago, Busch Gardens Africa introduced the world to a one-of-a-kind
experience: 200 feet up, 90 degrees straight down. And that was just the beginning. On June 16, the adventure park will reintroduce SheiKra to the world with a new twist: “floorless” cars that allow riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush. Mechanically, SheiKra’s track will remain unchanged, with its combination of drops, inversions and a water feature finale. Psychologically, though, the effect of the floorless cars will be
intense: SheiKra’s cars will continue to seat eight passengers across, three rows deep, but riders will no longer be able to brace themselves for Florida’s No. 1 thrill ride against the floor of the car. With the front rail gone, passengers in the first row, especially, will be completely exposed as they come over the crest of SheiKra’s signature 200-foot, 90-degree plunge.

Guests’ last day to experience SheiKra in its current form will be Memorial Day, May 28. The following day, America’s first dive coaster will close for approximately three weeks for the floorless conversion. The coaster’s existing seats and shoulder harnesses will be fitted into new chassis that support only the chairs above and the wheels below. Between each row of seats will be nothing but open air.

The bulk of the changes occur at the loading platform, where retractable floors and handrails will be installed. As each floorless car comes into the station, the floors will raise into position, filling the gaps between the rows so that passengers may board. A pivoting handrail will swing into place in front of the car to assist those boarding the first row.

For more information on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, call 1-888-800-5447 or log onto www.buschgardens.com.

The Yacht StarShip

The Yacht StarShip is proud to announce the “Sea of Wine Celebration Cruise” during all dinner cruises through April 8, 2007. Cruises will feature: a one hour wine reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and six free wine tastings, free wine paired with each dinner course (three courses) and a free wine gift.

Also, the Yacht StarShip will have a “Mac Dill Airfest Brunch Cruise” on March 31 and April 1. This patriotic cruise will feature brunch buffet, coffee and iced tea, and an up close view of the MacDill Airfest and the Blue Angels.

Easter Brunch and Dinner cruises will also be available on April 8, 2007.

Book online at www.yachtstarship.com or call 813.223.7999

ART & CULTURE NEWS

The Salvador Dali Museum

The Salvador Dalí Museum, which holds the pre-eminent American collection of the artist’s work will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2007! For more information about the Salvador Dalí Museum, visit the Museum web site at www.SalvadorDaliMuseum.org or call (800) 442-3254.

The Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art will host Pride & Passion 2007: A Celebration of Identity on Friday, June 8, 2007 from 8 p.m. to midnight. The event is designed to engage current members and broader segments of the community with the museum. Proceeds from the event will support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.

The museum will showcase several special exhibitions during Pride & Passion 2007, including Eberhard Havekost 1996-2006: Paintings from the Rubell Family Collection, Memorials of Identity: New Media from the Rubell Family Collection, both on view April 14 – July 8, 2007, Purvis Young from the Tampa Museum of Art’s Collection, April 28 - July 22, 2007, VSA Arts of Florida: Through My Eyes, May 12 – June 17, 2007, as well as its permanent collection of contemporary art and Greek and Roman antiquities entertainment, including a live DJ and musical performance, along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages, will be featured throughout the evening. Admission to Pride & Passion 2007: A Celebration of Identity is $45 for single tickets, $65 for couples/households and $20 for current
museum members. Admission includes a one-year membership to the Tampa Museum of Art.

For more information about the Tampa Museum of Art, call 813/274-8130 or
visit www.TampaMuseum.com.

HOTEL & RESTAURANT NEWS

Wyndham Westshore

Wyndham Westshore – The newest upscale hotel in the Westshore business and
shopping district of Tampa will feature superb customer service with a contemporary and comfortable feeling, reflective of the Florida seaside, while maintaining the sophistication of a business hotel. The remodel will reflect a luxury style and will feature 323 richly appointed guest rooms and suites with over 21,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces.

The hotel was acquired by an affiliate of Lowe Enterprises Investments in March, 2006. A commitment of more than $18 million has been made by the new owners to remodel and reposition the hotel under an upscale brand.

All public areas, meeting space and guest rooms will be renovated in a sophisticated, yet casual style. Also, the hotel will offer more than 21,000 square feet of event space following the addition of 2,500 square feet of meeting space and an additional 7,000 square foot atrium venue and half of the hotel’s 17 junior suites will be upgraded to business suites with ergonomic chairs, meeting tables and outfitted for technology. The remaining junior suites will be designed for leisure travelers with comfortable living space. What’s more the lobby will receive a fresh new look while maintaining the elegant atmosphere of a fine business hotel.

The Days Inn Port of Tampa/Ybor City

Newly renovated Dec. 2006 and now has suites available with a king bed and two full beds. New landscaping and a fresh look will enhance guests stay at the Days Inn Port of Tampa/Ybor City. Continental breakfast from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. so bring your apatite!

The Embassy Suites Hotel

Tampa/Brandon
The Embassy Suites hotel in Tampa/Brandon is scheduled to open this fall, 2007. It will be our fourth White Lodging Services hotel in the Tampa/Brandon area. Its sister properties include the Courtyard by Marriott, the newly renovated Fairfield Inn & Suites and the new Homewood Suites by Hilton. All four hotels are located on Palm River Road; exit 257 off of I-75 and the Falkenburg exit off of the Leroy Selmon Expressway.

The Resort & Club at Little Harbor

Little Harbor, the biggest waterfront resort and residential living experience on Tampa Bay, is adding a brand new $48 million resort/condo tower, which is scheduled to open this summer. In addition, they recently completed a $4.5 million renovation of The Resort and Club at Little Harbor.

The luxury resort/condominium called Harborside, will offer a collection of 158 waterfront studios, as well as one, two and three bedroom condominiums in its vacation rental accommodation program. The renovation of the AAA Three Diamond resort hotel included the 94 hotel rooms, lobby, and meeting, convention and banquet facilities, as well as the Sunset Grill restaurant.

“Little Harbor is the most unique beachfront resort and residential community on the West Coast of Florida,” said Oliver Kugler, marketing director for The Resort and Club at Little Harbor. “With the recently completed renovations to The Resort and Club, the addition of 60 new two and three bedroom townhomes and the upcoming grand opening of the Harborside resort/condo tower, Little Harbor now provides an accommodation for every type of visitor whether individuals, couples or families. Our convenient, yet secluded beachfront location between Tampa and Sarasota makes us Florida’s undiscovered, best kept secret.”

Interior design on both projects was done by Hallock Design Group, an interior design company that specializes in design concepts for luxury residential, resort and commercial developments.

Little Harbor is a Caribbean-style residential and island resort living experience on Tampa Bay. This one-of-a-kind seaside village presents an enchanting combination of beach, bay, river and harbor-front residential homes and resort-style residences, along with a colorful mix of amenities that evoke images of a bygone Caribbean lifestyle. The project is being developed by EarthMark Companies, a real estate development company known for creating resort-style, amenity-rich and environmentally sustainable communities. For more information, call (800) 327-2773, visit www.StayLittleHarbor.com or drop by the resort at 611 Destiny Drive in Ruskin.

Hampton Inn & Suites

The Hampton Inn & Suites is very excited to be creating a package that includes three of Tampa’s favorite theme parks – the Lowry Park Zoo, The Florida Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) for the “Tampa Triplet Ticket.” The package will cost $189.00 plus taxes and includes a one night stay and two adult tickets to all three parks. What’s more, once guests pick up their Triplet Ticket it will not have an expiration date so they are able to come back another time if they were unable to visit every attraction at no additional cost.

The package will be available from March 17 2007 - September 30, 2007.

The Hyatt Place Tampa Busch Gardens

A new kind of hotel that puts style, innovation and The Hyatt Touch® within
everyone’s reach. Each guestroom has a 42” flat panel HD TV and our Hyatt Grand Bed™. Free Wi-Fi is available throughoutthe hotel, a complimentary continental breakfast is offered daily and freshly prepared entrees and snacks are available 24/7 in the Guest Kitchen or Gallery Café. Business meetings, corporate events and private functions are comfortably accommodated in our 1,200 square feet of flexible meeting space.

Hyatt Place Tampa Busch Gardens and Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore
provide a contemporary and innovative hotel experience soon to be offered at more than 120 Hyatt Place locations nationwide. Discover just how perfectly a hotel can fit your lifestyle.

For more information visit www.hyattplace.com.

The 717-room Tampa Marriott Waterside
Hotel & Marina will be renovating all of their meeting space in the summer of 2007. The Grand Ballroom, 3rd floor meeting rooms, The Florida Ballroom and meeting rooms 1-7 will all undergo improvements. The property continues to provide elegant and sophisticated accommodations for convention & leisure travelers.

EVENTS

Bern's WINEFEST
April 28, 2007 - May 1, 2007

Legendary Tampa restaurant, Bern's Steak House, sister SideBern's and Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, will hold its 10th Annual Winefest event April 26-29, 2007. At this four-day event, guests will have the opportunity to experience extraordinary food and wine tastings and attend winemaker dinners and educational seminars with special guests.

Spectacular winemaker dinners begin and end the Winfest weekend. Friday evening dine at SideBern's with some of the most cutting edge wine on the planet and wrap up the weekend on Monday evening with a classically styled dinner at Bern's Steak House. These dinners feature five-courses of Executive Chef Jeannie Pierola's award winning cuisine, paired with some of the most highly rated wines in the world.

Saturday evening the 2nd Annual Winefest Cocktail Event will be held. Launched at the 2006 Winefest, the cocktail party features passed appetizers, drink stations and live entertainment with a special spirits tasting inside the Wine Shop. There is no wine at this event – just cocktails – Bern's & SideBern's-Style!

On Sunday, at the VIP event, guests have the opportunity to sip an exclusive champagne cocktail and enjoy passed bites before the Grand Tasting opens for one hour – just for them! Tickets for this event go fast – make sure you don't miss it! The Grand Tasting will again feature nearly 200 wines and bites from Bern's and SideBern's along with artisan cheese and dessert. As always, there will be featured guests during the educational seminars and the silent auction will return. Portions of each ticket will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For more information call (813) 253-0358 or visit www.bernswinfest.com.

Ruskin Tomato Festival
May 5, 2007 - May 6, 2007

All of Tampa Bay is seeing red during the Tomato and Heritage Festival at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, a small historic coastal community south of Tampa. The delicious Ruskin tomato is undoubtedly the star of the festival and highlights include "The Great Tomato Cook-off," the crowning of the "Ruskin Tomato Festival Queen" and the all-you-can-eat sliced tomatoes. Live entertainment, a farmer's market and a Street Rod Show.

Ruskin is located in Southern Hillsborough County, on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay. The community was settled in the late 1800's by followers of John Ruskin, a writer from England. Today, the town is famous for Ruskin tomatoes and other agricultural crops.

Visit http://ruskintomatofestival.org/ for more information.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 2007

The Columbia Restaurant and Bern’s Steak House

The Columbia Restaurant and Bern’s Steak House, two venerable restaurants located in Tampa, Fla., have both received the “Award of Ultimate Distinction” from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Only 29 restaurants in the United States received this award in 2007, and the Columbia and Bern’s were the only restaurants in Florida to earn this honor.

This is the highest level of award given by the magazine and is earned by restaurants that excel on all measures, offering the ultimate experience in wine with imagination and passion. The Columbia has earned this honor for the third year in a row, beginning in 2005, the inaugural year for this award. Bern’s has earned this honor for the second year in a row, beginning in 2006.

Wine Enthusiast states regarding the Columbia, “4th generation co-owner Richard Gonzmart is in charge of the wine program, which features an awe-inspiring selection of Spanish wines, with an emphasis on verticals, plus wines from California with connections to Spain, and bottlings from Chile. One of the most complete collections of Torres Mas la Plana in the world, including some Torres made expressly for the king of Spain. Verticals of Vega Sicilia Unico dating back to 1960. Plus CUNE and Alejandro Fernandez’s Pesquera.”

Wine Enthusiast says about Bern’s, “With a staggering 500,000 bottles in its cellar, Bern’s Steak House does wine in a big way.” Bern's houses the most extensive selection of wines of any restaurant in the world.

The wine list of the Columbia has also been recognized by many of Spain’s leading winemakers as having “he most complete and the world’s best collection in the world of wines from Spain.” The Columbia's wine list contains more than 1,000 wines with an inventory exceeding 50,000 bottles.

A wine cellar seen from the Don Quixote dining room, Tampa's first air-conditioned dining room in 1935, holds over 15,000 bottles of wine -- showcasing some of this extensive wine collection.

For more information, check web sites www.columbiarestaurant.com and
www.bernssteakhouse.com.

Boizao Steakhouse

Enjoy authentic Brazilian cuisine - without the jet lag! Boizao Steakhouse serves up 14 perfectly grilled cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage carved tableside by their Gaucho chefs. Each premium cut is seasoned, skewered and slowly roasted over an open fire. The fixed price menu includes an elaborate appetizer and salad buffet offering fresh greens, premium and exotic vegetables, imported cheeses and traditional Brazilian accompaniments.

Offering an array of internationally acclaimed fine wines, a full bar and the notto-be-missed Caipirinha, made of Brazilian Cachaca, sugar and fresh lime, Boizao is certain to be a welcome addition to the area. Lunch weekdays/dinner each evening. Private dining for 20 – 125. Gift cards available.

Located at 4606 W. Boy Scout Blvd., across from the International Plaza. For reservations call 813-286-7100; for more info, visit www.boizao.com. Major credit cards accepted.

Tampa International Airport

The Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) presented Tampa International Airport with its 2006 Top North American Airport Efficiency Award and Global Top Efficiency Award among airports with less than 20 million passengers. Tampa International Airport's rating indicated that it is 37 percent more efficient than the average North American airport.

TIA is also pleased to announce the arrival of two new art exhibits – all part of the Airports’ on-going public art program. Reflections of Tampa Bay highlights the Tampa community with a focus on its diversity, culture and history through the eyes of student artists. The exhibit, located in the Arcade, the walkway between the Landside Terminal Building and the Marriott Hotel.

For further information call 813-289-5488 or go to www.TampaAirport.com.

Tampa Port Authority

In 2006, the Port of Tampa greeted 908,647 cruise passengers, which represents a 12 percent increase over 2005. The Port of Tampa is one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the U.S.

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Florida Blocks

Blocks are the foundation for any play in the game. Florida is lined with several spectacular ones that lead the way to great shopping, dining and attractions. These include Miami’s culturally rich Calle Ocho, upscale Brickell Avenue, trendy South Beach’s Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive (www.gmcvb.com).

Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Blvd. offers stellar shopping and culinary treats (www.sunny.org). Further along the Gold Coast, Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue offers signature boutiques and galleries (www.palmbeachfl.com).

In the center of it all, Orlando’s International Drive (I-Drive) offers attractions, shopping, dining, entertainment, lodging and more. Some of I-Drive’s attractions include five of the world's greatest theme parks - SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Wet 'n Wild, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (www.orlandoinfo.com).

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa’s Bayshore Blvd. offers the world's longest continuous sidewalk stretching four and a half miles as it passes modern condominiums and historic homes on one side and offers a spectacular view of Tampa Bay on the other (www.visittampabay.com). Also on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota’s St. Armand’s Circle offers sidewalk cafés, fine dining and boutique shopping (www.sarasotafl.com).

Spectacular Florida Runs

Beach Run

The sun’s run across the state enables you to see it rise over the horizon on one coast and set, twelve hours later on the Gulf Coast. The run on sand is far reaching as Florida is blessed with numerous varieties of soft sand on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as well as rare freshwater beach sand. The state’s run on award-winning beaches includes several number one beaches on Dr. Beach’s annual lists over the years. These include Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys, St. Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach, Grayton Beach State Park near Destin, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park near Apalachicola, and Fort DeSoto Park near St. Petersburg (www.drbeach.org, www.floridastateparks.org, www.floridasbeach.com). At Blackwater River State Park (near Pensacola), visitors see beautiful white sand contrasted with black tannin water (www.beaches-rivers.com).  

Golf Run

Runs taking you from hole to hole are endless in Florida, the national leader in golf courses. The run on golf courses is so long that you could play a different course every day for three years before repeating a course (www.playfla.com). Golfers with the most celebrated runs in history touchdown at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine (www.wghof.org). 

Spring Run

Spring runs are abundant among the world’s largest collection of freshwater springs which have been enjoyed by visitors and filmmakers for years. From the popular tubing destination Ichetucknee Springs State Park (near Gainesville) to Tarzan’s set at Wakulla Springs State Park (near Tallahassee) opportunities to float the day away abound in Florida (www.floridastateparks.org and www.springsrus.com).

Spirals and easy catches

With so many water-related recreation options in reach, catches are easy to make. With easy access to salt- and freshwater bodies of water, Florida is easily the fishing capital of the world and the leading site of world-record catches of fish. From thousand-pound marlin to challenging tarpon and largemouth bass, you can successfully go deep from the Florida Keys to Pensacola (www.fishingcapital.com). 

Your feet may lead you to spirals to be caught by hand and foot. For scores of years, feet have climbed the spiral staircases of lighthouses that guide ships along Florida’s coasts. Many of these beacons welcome visitors for birds-eye views and museum tours (www.floridalighthouses.org).

Spiral gazing is not just towards the heavens in Florida. The state’s beautiful sand is home to some of the best shelling in the world. The posture for collecting spirals and otherwise shaped shells in Sanibel is so common that it’s named the ‘Sanibel Stoop’ (www.fortmyers-sanibel.com).  

Special Florida Draws

From a seashell-shaped performing arts center (www.sarasotafl.org) to talking murals (www.lpfla.com), Florida’s works of art have drawn many with what is shown outdoors as well as indoors. From West Palm Beach’s Norton Museum of Art (www.norton.org), the state’s largest museum, to St. Petersburg’s Salvador Dali Museum which houses the largest collection of his work outside of Dali’s native Spain (www.salvadordalimuseum.org) and the renowned John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota (www.ringling.org).

GEORGIA

ATLANTA

Atlanta's extensive art scene and rich history create cultural offerings unmatched in the South. From historic to modern, visitors can enjoy art, performances, beauty, and education throughout the city.

If you like museum hopping, try:

Woodruff Arts Center: Now the largest performing and visual arts center in the nation, encompassing the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Hall, the High Museum of Art (hosting world-renowned exhibits with works by Van Gosh, Norman Rockwell and Michelangelo, with a permanent collection of more than 11,000 works of art including African, American, decorative, European, folk, modern, and contemporary art, plus photography), Young Audiences, the 14th Street Playhouse, and the recently added Table 1280.

Atlanta History Center: Explore Atlanta's story - the Civil War, civil rights and the antebellum South through two historic homes -- the 1928 Swan House and the Tullie Smith House, an 1840s plantation farmhouse with outbuildings, beautiful gardens, and nature trails.

Michael C. Carlos Museum: This hidden jewel features the art of the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and the Americas, including Egyptian mummies, pre-Columbian pottery, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, artifacts from the Middle and Far East and European and American works on paper.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum: Carter's life and administration and the Oval Office are portrayed through films, videos, and displays. Popular exhibitions are also shown here, such as First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image, developed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Behring Center, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum: The largest museum of its kind in the Southeast, the Bremen museum offers two core galleries depicting "Creating Community: The Jews of Atlanta from 1845 to the present" and "Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years." Also featured are special exhibitions, archives, a hands-on Discovery Center, library and museum shop.

There are several more museums in addition to theaters including Performance Arts (The Atlanta Ballet is the longest continually operating ballet company in the United States. Catch presentations of classical and contemporary works are presented at the Fox Theatre and the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts); the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (performing over 250 concerts a year, many with the world's most prominent musicians, soloists and conductors); and the Atlanta Opera, (presenting full-staged grand opera performances in the Boisfenillet Jones Civic Center).

Cultural sites include the Atlanta Botanical Garden (a 15-acre oasis bordering Piedmont Park featuring outdoor display gardens, five acres of shade-loving ornamentals from around the world and walking trails. Across the Flower Bridge is a two-acre Children's Garden; Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, where you can visit Dr. King's grave, the King birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached.

Events are held year round, such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival; National Black Arts Festival; and much more.

For more information, contact the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, 233 Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404- 521-6600, or check web site www.atlanta.com.

8th Annual Wine South Selects New Venue

Wine lovers across the globe are marking their calendars for the 8th Annual Wine South, which will take place from September 28 to 30, 2007, and will make its debut at the Georgia World Congress Center. The South’s premier wine and food festival will showcase another year of fine wines and an assortment of food from some of the city’s favorite restaurants, but new features promise to attract a more diverse crowd and generate much enthusiasm.

The Grand Festival Event, a two-day format, will be held inside the perimeter at the Georgia World Congress Center. Wine South’s Reserve Sampling Event will be held Friday, Sept. 28, and the location has yet to be determined.  Drawing a range of connoisseurs and novices alike from 25 states across the nation, Wine South 2007 is sure to surpass all expectations.

Wine South was founded in 2000 to promote the wine industry, increase attendee knowledge and appreciation of wine and food and raise funds for local charities. Each year, with the help of numerous volunteers, wineries and corporate sponsors, the festival has grown, allowing larger amounts to benefit charities and the community.

For more information and to purchase tickets, check web site www.winesouth.com.

Exciting Events Taking Place in Atlanta

2007 Events

Through June 3

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center: The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center plays host to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, bringing to life the tragic sinking of the legendary RMS Titanic through objects and stories. Visitors are drawn back in time as they step into fully reconstructed replicas of Titanic's first and third class rooms. Visitors will also view more than 300 actual artifacts recovered from Titanic's debris field including personal items as well as a three-ton section of the ship’s hull. For more information, call 866-640-0303 or check web site www.atlantaciviccenter.com.  

Through Sept. 7

Louvre Atlanta: Kings as Collectors at the High Museum of Art: In the first of a three-year partnership with the High Museum and Paris’ Musée du Louvre, Kings as Collectors is the first central exhibition and will be composed primarily of paintings, sculptures and antiquities from the collections of Kings Louis XIV and Louis XVI. The exhibition will feature paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Murillo, Poussin and others. At the center of the exhibition will be a special presentation of Raphael’s Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione, one of the top treasures from the Louvre’s permanent collection. For more information call 404.733.HIGH or check web site www.louvreatlanta.org. Also check web site www.atlanta.net/louvreatlanta for information on hotel packages.

Through May 13

I Have a Dream: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Estate Collection of Morehouse College at the Atlanta History Center: The Atlanta History Center is the first venue to exhibit selections from the estate collection recently acquired by the City of Atlanta. The exhibit displays Dr. King’s personal papers in his handwriting, documenting the progress of his campaign for human justice from his education and earliest sermons through his most enduring political speeches. Highlights of the exhibition include Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, sermons from his ministry, personal notes he maintained in hundreds of his books, and his celebrated “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Admission to this exhibition is free the first weekend of every month and every Monday. Otherwise, this exhibition is included with general admission. For more information, call 404.814.4000 or check web site www.atlantahistorycenter.com.  

Events

Through April 29

Eyewitness American Originals from the National Archives at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, Feb. 7-Apr. 29

Eyewitness accounts in the form of letters, diaries, audio and film recordings chronicle dramatic moments in U.S. history. Highlights of the exhibit include: George Washington's 1775 report on a threat of bioterrorism; testimony of President Lincoln's doctor describing his patient's condition after he was shot on April 14, 1865, and the message telecast from lunar orbit in 1968 by the crew of Apollo 8. An audio tour of the exhibit is available free of charge.

For more information, call 404.331.3942 or check web site www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/events.

Through Aug. 12

Lizards & Snakes: Alive! at Fernbank Museum of Natural History:

More than 60 live specimens from around the world will welcome visitors in this engaging new exhibition. Lizards & Snakes: Alive! introduces visitors to a diversity of legged and legless lizards, including a snake group known as squamates. Numerous interactive stations throughout the exhibition will invite visitors to listen to recorded squamate sounds, get a close up look at live geckos, test their knowledge about lizards, explore the inner workings of a rattlesnake on the hunt, and view videos of lizards and snakes in the wild.

For more information, call 404.929.6300 or check web site www.fernbank.edu/museum.

More Events

Through Sept. 2

Louvre Atlanta: Decorative Arts of the Kings at the High Museum of Art:

Continuing a three-year partnership with the High Museum and Paris’ Musée du Louvre “Decorative Arts of the Kings” is the second central exhibition and will feature decorative arts commissioned for the courts of Kings Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. This exhibition will explore works that convey the royal and princely tastes for the decorative arts during the last 100 years of the Ancien Régime. The presentation includes fine examples of furniture, tapestry, ceramics and silver by manufacturers such as Les Gobelins and Sèvres and by artists such as Germain and Auguste.

For more information, call 404.733.HIGH or check web site www.louvreatlanta.org.  For information on hotel packages, check web site www.atlanta.net/louvreatlanta.

March 24, 31

Stone Mountain Park’s Lasershow Spectacular:

Guests can relax on the lawn as it is transformed into a natural amphitheater for the world’s largest lasershow. The show includes a dazzling display of neon laser lights, characters, stories, graphics and fireworks – all choreographed to music favorites.

For more information, call 770.498.5690 or check web site www.stonemountainpark.com.

March 20-27

Sweet Charity at the Fox Theatre:

This Broadway musical offers fun, laughs, good times and stars Molly Ringwald of Broadway's Cabaret and such memorable films as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. Ringwald takes center stage as Charity Hope Valentine who's a true eternal optimist and the unluckiest romantic in New York City.

For more information, call 404.881.2100 or check web site www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Mar. 27

Schwartz Center for Performing Arts presents the National Philharmonic of Russia:

Composed of Russia's leading symphonic virtuosos and led by conductor and violinist Vladimier Spivakov, this orchestra is the preeminent musical symbol of the new Russia, a major musical institution and cultural ambassador. Spivakov upholds the standards of Russia's great symphonic traditions while performing rarely heard works.

For more information, call 404.727.5050 or check web site www.emory.edu/arts.

HAWAII

THE BIG ISLAND

The Big Island is home of the most active volcano on the planet and, as a destination, as a land of legend, as a truly Hawaiian place, the Island of Hawaii stands apart. This tropical island is one of diversity, both old and young, exciting and tranquil, with volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, ancient stone altars and tasteful modern resorts. As the largest of the Hawaiian chain, it is often referred to as the “Big Island of Hawaii.” It is more than 4000 square miles overall, 93 miles long and 76 miles wide at its extremities, and lies at the southern most point in the US at Kalae, South Point.

For more information, contact web site www.bigisland.org

The Hilo Coffee Mill on Hawai'i's Big Island offers families a complimentary 'behind the beans' peek into Hawaiian coffee production, from plant to cup and every step in between. Free tastings of 100 percent East Hawai'i coffee grown in the lush, volcanic districts of Ka'u, Hamakua, and Puna are included, and children will love the free samples of 100 percent Ka'u coffee ice cream!

For more information, check web site www.HiloCoffeeMill.com.

In a unique new activity, visitors can take a special guided tour of Kahua Ranch and Honopua Farm on Hawai'i's Big Island to learn about the island's rich agricultural resources. The visits are followed by a special four-course dinner at the award-winning Merriman's Restaurant in Waimea. Dinner will be prepared by chefs using fresh produce from the farms.

For more information, check web site www.MerrimansHawaii.com.

Abhasa Waikiki Spa at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel recently introduced new health activities including Pilates, fitness stretching, and power walks. Abhasa, which means "illusion" in Sanskrit, is located in a garden setting and offers treatments using state-of-the-art equipment.

For more information, check web site Abhasa.com.

Adventures, Activities and Events on the Big Island

Hershey’s has unveiled a sweet new treat for the holidays: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Kisses. The scrumptious new tropical Kiss features macadamia nut nuggets enrobed in a creamy milk-chocolate dome, and wrapped up in blue foil. The white “rip cord” that unwraps the Kiss is stamped with the word Aloha. Available exclusively in Hawai`i at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitors Center in Hilo, and select retail outlets. Call (808) 966-8613 for more information.

Kona Honu Divers was selected by readers of Scuba Diving magazine as one of the Big Island’s best dive operators in their annual Reader’s Choice issue. Readers cited the friendly personalities and professionalism of the dive staff, and raved about Big Island dive sites like Suck ‘Em Up, Turtle Pinnacle and Manta Ray Heaven, a popular night dive. Check web site www.konahonudivers.com or call (888) 333-4668 for more information and reservations.

Na Mea Hawai'i Hula Kahiko - Traditional hula and chant are performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking K'lauea Crater at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Hawaiian crafts demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (Park entrance fees apply). Performances set for March, May, June and August. Call (808) 967-8222 or check web site www.volcanoartcenter.org.s

Hawai`i’s Big Island – Hotels, Resorts & B&Bs

Mauna Lani Resort Announces NEW 2007 Room Packages

Kohala Coast

"The resort's pool, beach, golf, spa, restaurants and other amenities are operational. We are thankful that our guests and employees are safe," said Kurt Matsumoto, Mauna Lani's General Manager. Renowned for its longstanding devotion to preserving and enhancing the cultural history of Hawai'i, Mauna Lani Resort offers unrivaled hospitality in a serene, oceanside environment. Nationally recognized for its successful honu (green sea turtle) program, full-moon Twilight at Kalahuipua'a talk-story series, Hawaiian inspired resort spa, and 36 holes of oceanside championship golf, Mauna Lani Resort offers a unique combination of luxury, culture, adventure, and nature that capture the essence of Hawaiian hospitality.

For the second consecutive year (2005/2006), Mauna Lani Resort has been ranked #7 among the top 25 Hawai'i hotels in Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Awards." The unparalleled Mauna Lani Spa was honored as the #4 Top Resort Spa in North America in Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Readers' Spa Awards and received a Wave Award for Best Full Service Spa in Hawai'i by TravelAge West. Adding to its accolades, Mauna Lani and its picturesque golf courses were ranked 25th among the top 100 golf resorts in North America in the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Reader's Poll.

Discover all the wonders of Mauna Lani Resort: white sand beaches, championship oceanside golf, award winning cuisine, children's day camp and activities, Hawai'i's premier spa and gracious service with the following new packages for 2007:

"Mauna Lani - Shaken, Not Stirred"
Package Rates from $390* per night includes:

* Two Pineapple Martinis
* Daily buffet breakfast for two
* Daily use of snorkeling equipment
* Access to the Mauna Lani Sports & Fitness Club
* Nightly Hawaiian entertainment
* Tours of Mauna Lani's historic fishponds and petroglyph fields
* Cultural activities and much more!

Guests can also enjoy Mauna Lani's 36 holes of championship golf, a Hawaiian inspired Spa, oceanfront dining at the award-winning CanoeHouse, spectacular Kohala Coast sunsets and miles of white sand beaches.

Rates start from $390 per night, plus applicable taxes, based on single/double occupancy. Room categories are subject to availability upon check-in. The "Shaken, Not Stirred" package is available through December 19, 2006. Packages cannot be combined or used with additional special rates and/or promotions. Restrictions apply.

For reservations: call Mauna Lani at 800-367-2323 or 808-885-6622, or consult with your travel professional. To book online, check web site www.maunalani.com.

Additional Mauna Lani News and Packages

Heralded for its dedication to preserving and enhancing Hawaiian culture and history, Mauna Lani offers the comforts of world-class hospitality in a relaxed, oceanside setting. In 2006, Mauna Lani Spa was ranked #4 Top Resort Spa in North America in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Spa Awards and received a WAVE Award by TravelAge West for Best Full Service Spa Resort in Hawaii. Mauna Lani was rated #3 on the Big Island in Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Awards" while the resort's Mauna Lani Spa was named one of the World's Best Spas in Hawaii. Mauna Lani Resort was ranked #25 among the top 100 golf resorts in North America, according to the 2006 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Poll. In addition to award-winning cuisine, a myriad of complimentary services and activities make Mauna Lani Resort the perfect island destination.

Pick Your Passion

Experience Mauna Lani with a choice of spa, golf, fitness, snorkel or sunset cruise, scuba or a volcano helicopter tour from $640 per night for Ocean View accommodations (select months)

Mauna Lani Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy daily breakfast and Ocean View accommodations starting from $480 per night (select months)

Mauna Lani Ohana (For Families)

Explore the resort as a family or chase your own adventures with complimentary fish-feeding tours, snorkeling and other activities from $375 per night for Ocean View accommodations (reservations must be for a minimum of two guestrooms; select months)

Mauna Lani Golf

Play unlimited golf and enjoy Ocean View accommodations starting from $665 per night (select months)

Mauna Lani Spa

Indulge with a spa treatment per person per paid room night and enjoy Ocean View accommodations starting from $665 per night (select months)

Mauna Lani Romantic Interludes

Share the romance with a loved one with champagne, daily breakfast, a dinner or sunset sail, spa treatment, circle island tour, and Ocean View accommodations starting from $3,320 (five-night package)

All packages at Mauna Lani include a bounty of complimentary services and activities (there is no Resort Fee at Mauna Lani): aloha welcome with floral lei greeting and tropical fruit juices, morning Kona coffee and tea in the hotel atrium, valet and self-parking services, shuttle service throughout the resort, nightly Hawaiian entertainment, fish-feeding tours throughout the resort's ancient fishponds, use of snorkeling equipment, access to the Mauna Lani Sports & Fitness Club and lap pool, and beach amenities, including, hammocks and beach cabanas.

The Kohala Coast's most luxurious and private accommodations, the Bungalows at Mauna Lani Bay, include butler service, private pool and jacuzzi, and over 4,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space - all in either Ocean View or Ocean Front settings.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is a member of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts (www.panpacific.com) and Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (www.preferredhotels.com), a global brand of 110 of the world's finest and most distinctive independently owned luxury hotels and resorts. Live images of Mauna Lani can be seen at www.maunalani.com. For reservations or information, check web site www.maunalani.com, consult a travel professional, or call Mauna Lani direct at 1-800-367-2323 or 1-808-885-6622 in Hawai'i.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Renovation

The Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawai'i's Big Island has completed the first half of a $61 million renovation. The three-phase resort enhancement project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2007. Completed renovation includes refurbishment to most of its 1,240 rooms, Kohala Tennis Gardens, the 25,000 square-foot Kohala Sport Club and Spa, three signature restaurants, and the addition of high-speed Inernet access in meeting facilities.

For more information, check web site www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage.com.

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KAUAI

The Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort, previously known as the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, is slated to become the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort this fall upon completion of the resort’s $14 million renovation project. The resort will undergo extensive property upgrades, as well as the addition of new facilities and services to the property, including a 24-hour business center, executive club floor, Hilton Serenity Collection bedding and bath items, expanded fitness center and the implementation of the Hilton HHonors guest reward program. All 350 rooms will be completely renovated and refurbished, along with the resort’s four-pool complex and meeting and banquet rooms to the Hilton brand standard.

For more information, visit KauaiBeachHotelAndResort.com.

Congratulations, Kauai

Travel + Leisure 2006 World's Best Awards recognized Kaua'i as the second best island in the world. Maui followed in third place and Hawai'i's Big Island ranked ninth. The survey targeted traveler from around the world. The islands were judged based on natural attractions, activities, sights, restaurants, food, people, and value. For more information, check web site TravelandLeisure.com.

Kaua'i Marriott Resort and Beach Club Completed Renovations

The Kaua'i Marriott Resort and Beach club has completed its multi-million dollar capital improvement project. Indigenous ha'upu ferns, ornamental pineapple plants and exotic tropical hawaiian flora help the redesigned pore cochere and entryway set the toe for a Hawaiian vacation. There is also a new separate area for arriving group tour buses and coaches.

For more information, call 800-220-2925 or check web site www.MarriottHawaii.com.

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MAUI

The next time you're vacationing on Maui, don't miss stopping at the Maui Ocean Center. I originally planned to spend one hour here, but ended up staying the entire day! There's plenty to see and, whether you're young or old, you'll be amazed at how entertaining and educational it is. Learn how to identify Hawaii's more common reef fish. For example, the triggerfish has a diamond-like shape and a dorsal spine on its head. Its spine can be raised and locked into position with a 'trigger,' allowing the fish to wedge itself into a safe position on the reef. Triggerfish also have high-set eyes, long snouts, and small mouths. Filefishes, named for their tough, finely abrasive skin, are similar in appearance, but have more compressed bodies and longer, more slender dorsal spines. Many filefish can alter their coloring to match their surroundings and, they are secretive and not as distinctively marked as triggerfish, with the exception of the blue-spotted loulu, or scrawled filefish. On the other hand, members of the goatfish family can be recognized by the apir of long barbels at the front of the chin that is used to probe the bottom of the ocean floor in search of food.

Each time I visit the Ocean Center, I spend at least an hour admiring the Green Sea turtles. The display is excellent, and the turtles come close-up, so have your camera ready. When you feel like taking a break, enjoy lunch at the Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant. With an exquisite ringside view of the harbor, you can watch sailboats go in and out while munching on the Oriental Chicken Salad, Lobster Roll, Crab Cakes, or a number of other items.

Shark Dive!

And, if you want to do something really unique, try the Shark Dive at Maui Ocean Center!

You'll be guaranteed shark sightings! Descend into the depths of a 750,000 gallon Open Ocean exhibit and become immersed in Hawai‘i’s rich underwater world with over 20 sharks, stingrays, and thousands of tropical reef fish. Prices begin at $199 plus tax. SCUBA certified divers ages 15 years and up are welcome to join experts at the Center by reservation only for a 2.5 hour orientation and dive. SCUBA tank, weights, and admission to the Maui Ocean Center for one viewing guests are included. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For reservation information, hours and fees, contact Maui Ocean Center, 192 Ma'alaea Road, Wailuka, HI 96793; email: info@mauioceancenter.com, or check web site www.mauioceancenter.com.

Don't want to swim with a shark? Then try one of the exciting tours, below:

Private/VIP Tours

Guided Group Tours

Maui Ocean Center is designed as a self guided tour complete with Marine Naturalist throughout the park to answer questions and an audio guide with individual exhibit information. Dedicated tours by Marine Naturalist are available during park hours for $60 per hour plus tax in addition to regular admission rates. Recommended is a one (1) Marine Naturalist per 25 guests.

For reservation information, call 808-270-7000.

Private After Hours Tours

Private tours before or after park hours can be arranged within two hours prior to opening or closing. All exhibits will be available along with a dedicated Marine Naturalist tour. Prices are $500.00 plus tax plus admission (see below) based on a maximum of 25 people. Additional time will be charged at $75 plus tax for every additional 1/2 hour.

For reservation information, call 808-270-7083.

Admission Fees

Adults: $22.00 plus tax
Seniors: $19.00 plus tax
Children 3-12: $15.00 plus tax
Children under 3 are FREE

For reservation information, call 808-270-7000.

Latest Events

Turtle Tracking

For new updates on Maile and Kimo, check web site www.mauioceancenter.com

Kimo is the intrepid traveler and Maile seems to still be enjoying the south Maui area!

Spring Break Camp and Sleepover

Children's Activities in March

Camp
March 19 - 30, Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm.

This hands-on camp will have kids using all of their senses to explore the magnificent ocean and its creatures! Activities will include crab-fishing, exploring the shore, ocean games and much more! Open to ages 7-12. Come for a day or for two weeks!

Sleep with the Sharks

Saturday, March 24, 5:30pm to 8am

While exploring the aquarium at night, kids will get a chance to feed the hammerhead sharks and the green sea turtles, discover how some animals make their own light and much more!

For more information on the camp and Sleeping With the Sharks, check web site www.mauioceancenter.com

Call for Entertainers!
Youth Groups to Perform for our 9th Anniversary Celebration!

For our 9th Anniversary coming up this month , we are looking for youth groups to perform at the aquarium in exchange for admission for the group and chaperones for the day!

Available dates are March 18 through 26 (9 days of celebration!) - during Spring Break for most Hawaii's schools!

If your ukulele band, dance troup, group of mimes or other performance group would like to apply, please email prr@mauioceancenter.com.

Maui Ocean Center's 9th Anniversary
9 Days of Special Activities- March 18-26

Join Maui Ocean Center for its 9th Anniversary Celebration, with various activities and entertainment provided by local non-profit organizations each day! For each Family Membership Pass sold, a $5 donation will be made to the non-profit of the day! $1 will be donated for each Weekly Pass as well! Non-Profits include Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Boys and Girls Club, Hawaii Nature Center, Project SEA-Link and more! Other activities during the 9 day long celebration include kids camp and sleepover, behind-the-scenes tours and more!

Complete Schedule of Events for 9th Anniversary coming soon!

Family Membership Pass
Back by Popular Demand!

A new version of the Family Membership Pass is available for purchase on March 1! Sign up two adults and two children for only $135! Enjoy unlimited admission for one full year, 20% discount on general admission tickets for visiting family and friends, discounts in the Store and food and beverage purchases and more!

Check web site www.mauioceancenter.com to learn more about the membership and benefits...

Spring Break Camp and Sleepover

Children's Activities in March

Camp
March 19 - 30, Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm.

This hands-on camp will have kids using all of their senses to explore the magnificent ocean and its creatures! Activities will include crab-fishing, exploring the shore, ocean games and much more! Open to ages 7-12. Come for a day or for two weeks!

Sleep with the Sharks
Saturday, March 24, 5:30pm to 8am

While exploring the aquarium at night, kids will get a chance to feed the hammerhead sharks and the green sea turtles, discover how some animals make their own light and much more!

Space is limited, sign up soon!

Check web site www.mauioceancenter.com for more information on Camp and the Sleepover...

New Menu items at the Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant
Starting March 1!

The 9th Anniversary Celebration is kicking off with new menu items!

New Starters

Pele's Wings- Named after the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire, these spicy buffalos-style chicken wings are served with a Hawaiian Hot Sauce and a side of Ranch or Bleu Cheese dressing
Coconut Shrimp-Coconut crusted shrimp served with a spicy Mango Chutney

New Salads
Ma'alaea-Premium-grade Seared Ahi Tuna, locally harvested and Pole-caught served with French Beans, Nicoise Olives, Tomatoes and Kula Greens
Caesar and Neptune-Caesar Salad topped with US Wild Caught Bay Shrimp

New Sandwiches
Southwestern ClubCajun chicken, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, cheddar and jack cheese All rolled in a tomato Tortilla wrap and served with Chipotle sour cream

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich-Crispy Breaded Chicken Patty topped with lettuce, tomato, and Spicy wing sauce. Served with a side of Ranch dressing.

Build-A-Burger-Start with either a char-grilled 8oz Hamburger or a 7 oz Veggie Burger served with Lettuce, Tomato, and Pickle and go from there! Additional Toppings Include: Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Bacon, Grilled Onions, Jalapenos, Onion Rings and Guacamole

New Entrees
Island Style Fish Tacos- Fresh, grilled Mahi Mahi, cabbage, tomatoes, and shredded cheese served Inside Flour tortillas and served with a side of guacamole and sour cream

Teriyaki Chicken- Boneless, Grilled Teriyaki chicken served with steamed Kula vegetables And Jasmine Rice

Chicken & Vegetable Marinara- Tomato Cream Sauce topped grilled chicken and Kula Vegetables served over a bed of Farfalle Pasta.

New Desserts
Lilikoi-Mango Cheesecake- Passion Fruit Cheese cake with chunks of Mango in a graham cracker crust Topped with a Mango Puree

Key Lime Pie- A Tropical Favorite!

The Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant follows Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Guidelines, and all menu items are trans-fat free!

Maui Ocean Center Store

As if King Neptune himself assembled the riches of the sea, the Maui Ocean Center Store is a veritable treasure chest filled with the island’s most unique and inspiring gifts and collectables. Located in the heart of the Hawaiian Aquarium, a visit to this exciting 6,000 square foot shopping destination can be an unforgettable experience.

A popular attraction for visitors of all ages, the Maui Ocean Center Store complements the marine park’s overall experience. A myriad of plush and collectable animal species, postcards, and nature books become the perfect souvenir of one’s visit. So too, are the dazzling array of fine artwork, jewelry and Hawaiiana created by some of the island’s most prominent artists.

Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily, Maui Ocean Center Store is a must-visit for those seeking the ultimate island gift. Access to the Maui Ocean Center Store is available without admission to the park through the front gate.

To contact the Maui Ocean Center Store, call toll free 1-800-350-5634 or email: shop@mauioceancenter.com.

Honua Kai Plans on a Residential Spa at Ka'Anapali Beach

Authentic and extraordinary define an exciting collection of international spas being introduced by Intrawest, a world leader in destination resorts and adventure travel. One of the first American spas in its collection is planned for Honua Kai; a new whole ownership beachfront property being offered to upscale vacation home buyers on Maui's fabled Ka'anapali Beach - the first such offer in more than twenty years.

Drawn by the irreplaceable beachfront location and exceptional services - including the full-service residential spa -- influential realtors and discerning clients gathered this past week in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Huntington Beach and Beverl Hills to discover details and place reservations for the ultimate luxury condominium at Honua Kai. Important because it represents one of the last chances to own on the famous Ka'anapali Beach, Honua Kai is a luxury, full-ownership condominium now accepting priority purchase reservations for the final condominium offering.

Four-star amenities - the spa, room-service, pools and water features, culturally inspired activities and events catered to families and couples who appreciate the best of Hawaiian culture - paired with the new, luxurious beachfront setting are calling cards for mainland buyers eagerly anticipating their Honua Kai purchase.

The spa will crown Konea, the final condominium tower at Honua Kai. Fittingly, Konea translates as restored to health. Last year, Hokulani, the first tower at Honua Kai, achieved sell out success in a mere eight hours. Promising Honua Kai residents and guests unforgettable Maui experiences - from surfing and horseback riding, golf to dining at Duke's new restaurant at Honua Kai - a high point of every visit will surely be time at the spa.

The intimate sanctuary, overlooking the grand lawn and tropical native healing gardens, will comprise serene private treatment pavilions, locally inspired products and therapeutic rituals. The ultimate complement to time spent at Honua Kai will be a visit to its intimate spa. Owners and guests will be pampered with their choice of therapeutic, restorative or invigorating treatments inspired by this beautiful land and its people. Professional services and products offered at the Honua Kai spa will focus on physical and spiritual care augmented by design elements inspired by the marriage of people and place. Immersion into a complete, holistic environment means a Honua Kai spa visit will be anything but cookie-cutter.

Offering luxury studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums with open floorplans, Konea suites and residences feature exquisite interior appointments such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and frameless glass shower enclosures. Living rooms open to spacious lanais, taking advantage of Hawaii's gentle climate while providing commanding ocean and mountain views. Honua Kai amenities include expansive pools, beguiling waterfalls, a beachfront boardwalk, the spa and the recently announced Duke's Maui beachside restaurant. Off-resort parks, championship golf courses, shopping, dining, and sporting attractions abound. Completion is scheduled for late 2009. Playground Destination Properties Inc., an Intrawest company, is the licensed broker managing the sales and marketing campaign for Honua Kai.

For more information about Honua Kai, call 1-866-678-1310 or visit web site www.honuakai.com.

Honua Kai is a whole-ownership condominium resort along Ka`anapali Beach on Maui's western shore. Developed by Intrawest, the resort will reflect meticulous masterplanning with deference to the land and its Hawaiian people. Upon completion, the approximately 40-acre beachfront resort will feature 700 luxury tower residential condominiums and townhome units with ocean and mountain views, lush gardens, water-rich landscaping, several recreational pools, a luxurious spa and fitness center, a beachside restaurant and one of the island's best snorkeling and dive beaches. .

Playground

Playground Destination Properties Inc. is one of the Playground group of real estate sales and marketing companies. The Playground companies are the premier provider of real estate sales and marketing services for destinations world-wide. With offices spanning the globe in Vancouver, Montreal, Orlando, Reno, Denver, and Lausanne, Playground is dedicated to fulfilling its mission of "connecting people with the ultimate places to play". Playground provides a unique breadth of offerings from beach and mountain destinations, to golf and urban locations. Playground is currently offering ownership opportunities in world-renowned Whistler Blackcomb-North America's most popular mountain resort; Honua Kai; and Florida's Sandestin - 2,400 acres including white sand beaches and world-class golf. Playground Destination Properties Inc. is proud to be the licensed broker for the Westin's properties in Orlando and Napa Valley, and for the Hard Rock Condo Hotel in San Diego - the hottest new urban location destination.

To learn more about the Playground companies, check web site www.playground.com.

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OAHU

While addressing the changing interests and needs of guests, Halekulani (located in Waikiki ) has introduced the concept of “Halekulani Living,” a luxury series of initiatives to enrich guest experiences. The series offers three distinct initiatives: Halekulani Masterworks, Halekulani Wellness, and Halekulani Connoisseurs. Some events featured throughout the summer include Escoffier Month at La Mer, Gourmet Weekends featuring top chefs from Hawaii, a La Mer Ultimate Dinner, and a variety of seminars that feature Aromatherapy and holiday cocktails.

For a complete listing of events, contact Halekulani at 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815; 808-923-2311, or visit web site www.Halekulani.com.

New Embassy Suites Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk Features New Touch

Outrigger Enterprises Group is adding a special Hawaiian touch to the new Embassy Suites Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk. Hawai'i's first nationally branded 'all-suite' hotel will feature an exterior painted with a customized tapa design created especially for Outrigger by Kaipo Ho and Kehau Kruse, two of the company's cultural consultants. Construction and painting on the final tower is slated for completion during Fall 2006.

For more information, check web site www.Outrigger.com or www.WaikikiBeachWalk.com.

Pacific Aviation Museum -- Fly into the new Pacific Aviation Museum on your next trip to Pearl Harbor. Located on Ford Island, the museum made its debut on the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The museum is housed in a World War II-era hangar that still bears the scars of the December 7, 1941 attack and features restored vintage WWII aircrafts, interactive displays and a theater. Also on display is an aviator-style restaurant and a gift store. Future expansion to the museum includes Hangar 79, dedicated to the Pacific battles of WWII, and Hangar 54, with a focus on the Korean, Vietnam, and the Cold Wars. For more information, check web site www.PacificAviationMuseum.org.

New Developments

The Waikiki Beach Walk is taking shape as visitors to Waikïkï are starting to see, taste, and hear what is just the beginning of the spectacular and highly anticipated retail development by Outrigger Enterprises Group. A dozen shops are now open in the 93,000-square-foot retail complex, complemented by strolling musicians playing the classic, lilting tunes of the islands. Also open is the first of two towers comprising Hilton’s Embassy Suites ® –Waikiki beach Walk. Most of the remaining 30 restaurants and retailers will be open by May 2007 including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Crazy Shirts, and Na Hoku. For the most updated information and a complete listing of tenants, check web site WaikikiBeachWalk.com.

Royal hawaiian Shopping Center Renovation

The revitalization of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is scheduled for completion this summer. The comprehensive renovation will add 310,000-square-feet of restaurant and retail space that will feature the largest collection of flagship stores in Waikïkï. Residents and visitors will have much to choose from, including more than 100 shops and restaurants, free cultural classes and entertainment in an outdoor landscaped plaza, along with Waikïkï’s newest show, nightclub and ultra-lounge. For more information, check web site www.RoyalHawaiianShoppingCenter.com.

Ala Moana Center Offering Exclusive "Hello Kitty" Products on Oahu

The world’s most infamous cat, “Hello Kitty” has made her way to Hawaii again and now features a number of exclusive products sold only at Ala Moana Center and are sure to put a smile on any keiki’s or lifetime collector’s face.

Just introduced to the islands is a variety of “Ala Moana Center” Hello Kitty lanyards and charm straps complete with the renowned cat posing in Aloha attire with her Hawaiian ukulele and flowers. A variety of specially designed flower charms accompany each piece with an imprinted metal tag that says “Ala Moana” – highlighting Hello Kitty’s favorite destination on the island of Oahu. The items are a perfect accessory for any camera or small electronic device – especially cellular phones. 

“We’re very excited to have these exclusive Hello Kitty products sold at Ala Moana Center,” said Sharon James, Regional Vice President of Marketing for General Growth Properties of Hawaii. “Hello Kitty is a very popular and positive family brand and we know it will be a hit among our International travelers and Kama‘aina residents who are enamored by the product line.”

The line-up of products include three different charm straps and one neck lanyard, each sold separately with a flower accent in your choice of pink, yellow or blue. Items include:

Charm strap featuring Hello Kitty with Ukulele and Mango Charm and says “Ala Moana” on the Ukulele and a Special Tag -- $7.99 each.

Charm strap featuring Hello Kitty with Ukulele and Hibiscus Charm and says “Ala Moana” on the Ukulele, back of Hello Kitty’s Shirt and a Special Tag -- $7.99 each.

Charm strap featuring Hello Kitty with a larger Ukulele and Hibiscus Charm and says “Ala Moana” on the Ukulele and a Special Tag -- $9.99 each.

Lanyard featuring Hello Kitty in a floral motif with Hibiscus and Mango Charms and says “Ala Moana” on the back of Hello Kitty’s Shirt and a Special Tag -- $10.99 each.

The full line will be sold year-round exclusively at Sanrio’s Ala Moana Center store (Street Level, near Foodland) and the mall’s Customer Service Center near Centerstage.

In addition, Build-A-Bear Workshop features another Ala Moana Center exclusive product – the Sun-Kissed Hello Kitty plush toy – a beautifully bronze-tanned version of the character sporting a cheery, Hawaiian floral lei. The product, selling for $23 each, was introduced in November 2006 and has been very popular among Hello Kitty enthusiasts – especially island children.

A myriad of Hello Kitty merchandise from key chains and toys to backpacks and clothes can be found at various retailers throughout Ala Moana Center. 

Hello Kitty was first introduced in 1974 by Sanrio Co., Ltd. of Tokyo as a coin purse product. The adorable, white kitty character with the big head, button eyes and nose, and signature bow in her ear quickly became a world phenomenon among young children and collectors and has grown throughout the decades as a cultural icon. In 1976, Hello Kitty was introduced in the U.S. and in the 90s she was catapulted to new level of fame as a number of American celebrities publicly sported her merchandise. Today, thousands of Hello Kitty products are sold worldwide with collectors and enthusiasts closely following the lines’ additional product.

For more information on Ala Moana Center, check web site www.AlaMoanaCenter.com or contact the Customer Service Center at (808) 955-9517.

ABOUT ALA MOANA CENTER

Ala Moana Center is the world’s largest outdoor shopping center and Hawaii’s premier shopping, entertainment, and dining destination with 260 stores, including nearly 70 dining options. Ala Moana Center features a diverse collection of stores including locally owned boutiques and national retailers. For more information check web site www.AlaMoanaCenter.com.

Segway Has come to O'ahu

Segway of Hawaii is offering the newest form of personal transportation, called the Segway HT. Located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa in Waikiki, Segway of Hawaii offers daily historical tours, glide rides, as well as leasing and sales of Segway HTs. This is a self-balancing, personal transportation device designed to place the rider in the same space as pedestrians and provide the same enhanced ability to move, navigate and stop as people walking or jogging. Tour rates range from $49 to $125 per person.

For more information, check web site www.SegwayofHawaii.com.

Take a Ferry from O'ahu to Kaua'i or Maui

In July 2007 the Hawaii Superferry will begin daily ferry service from O'ahu to Kaua'i and Maui. Families will have the alternative to travel interisland with the convenience of their cars including baby seats, surfboard racks, luggage and pets. One-way passenger fares purchased online range from $42 to $62. Fares for travelers wishing to bring their vehicles with them range from $55 to $75 one way for a car or SUV and $90 to $110 for a full size pickup, limo or van.

For more information, check web site www.HawaiiSuperferry.com.

IDAHO

CASCADE

If you've never been to The Ashley Inn, go! At the Inn, time seems to stand still and images of Old Fashioned Thanksgiving dinners and Victorian Christmas decorations abound.
 
Holiday travel is slowly but surely growing in popularity as more and more travelers are realizing they can spend time with family and friends in a stress-free atmosphere. The Ashley Inn strikes the perfect balance between the incredible richness of outdoor adventure and an intimate atmosphere to relax, unwind, and spend time with loved ones. The Inn provides an elegant, friendly atmosphere with first-class services and amenities to make the holiday season even more memorable.
 
While the beauty of the Inn may tempt some guests to stay inside, the calm and serenity of the mountains awaits those that want a weekend packed with adventure. Nestled in the mountains of Idaho, just 90 minutes hours north of Boise, the Inn is located just miles from Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain Resort, and the Payette National Forest. Snow tubing can be found at the south end of Lake Cascade, and hikers can trek the magnificent mountainous landscapes. Skier and snowboarders rate the area “superb” and snowmobilers delight in more than 800 miles of territory to roam.
 
For information on holiday packages, pricing, and booking information, check web site www.theashleyinn.com or call 866-382-5621.

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO

Knitting Takes Center Stage at Winter Delights Stitching Salon

The Salon features Knitting Circles; Knitting Experts; Local Designer Trunk Shows; Yarn Spinning, Quilting, and Jewelry-Making Demos; and Movies to Knit By Knit one, purl two in a lunchtime knitting circle at the Winter Delights Stitching Salon.

Hours for the Winter Delights Stitching Salon, located at 72 E. Randolph St. across from the Chicago Cultural Center, areMondays-Fridays, 10 am- 6pm; Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and holidays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Most events are free; some have a fee for supplies. Highlights of programs include:

Daily Exhibition of work by Chicago artists and artisans including quilting by Trish Williams; crochet sculptural installation by Mike Andrews; handmade, hardwood eyeglass frames by Scott Urban; hand-dyed, hand-printed T-shirts by [Im] Perfect Articles; jewelry crafted from recycled eyeglass lenses by Maggie Joyce; and an oversize knitting installation by Pate Conaway.

The Stitching Salon is part of Chicago’s Top Ten Winter Delights 2007, a two-month celebration of 100 events in 10 categories featuring the best in Chicago handmade arts; dance; theater; jazz, blues and gospel; opera and classical music; culinary arts; international culture; history; fashion arts; and family fun.

For more information about events at the Winter Delights Stitching Salon, call 312.744.2400.

Free Winter Delights Guidebook Available

This year everyone is a winner during Winter Delights. Pick up a Winter Delights Guidebook and Find Your Lucky Number. Bring your lucky number to a designated Lucky Event to automatically receive a free gift and be entered in a grand prize drawing at each Lucky Event.

To get a Winter Delights Guidebook with Your Lucky Number and for information about Chicago’s Top 10 Winter Delights, stop by the Visitors Information Centers at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., and at Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St., call 1.877.CHICAGO or check web site www.877chicago.com.

Chicago's Hidden Gems and Neighborhood Tours

Summertime Samplers and More Returning Favorites

The Chicago Office of Tourism is proud to announce its 2007 season of Chicago Neighborhood Tours with motorcoach tours departing from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue, on Saturday mornings throughout the year. With its core Neighborhood Tour series, its popular Special Interest Tours, along with the new Summertime Sampler Tours, the Chicago Neighborhood Tours calendar offers more in-depth perspectives of the city‚s neighborhoods and cultural offerings than ever. The 2007 tour schedule follows:.

The heart of the program is the Neighborhood Tour series. Here guests have a chance to take an insider's look at Chicago‚s neighborhoods and communities with local residents as tour guides. Each tour takes visitors off the beaten path and provides a look at the traditions, stories and people of the city. Returning Neighborhood Tour favorites include Devon Avenue, Historic Bronzeville, Hyde Park and Kenwood, Little Italy, Pilsen and Little Village, the Pullman Historic District, South Shore Neighborhoods, Ukrainian Village, Uptown, and Wicker Park and Bucktown.

The Special Interest Tours are better than ever as visitors venture into a specific topic of interest. New this year is the Chicago's Magnificent Churches Special Interest Tour. Tour goers gain insight into the city's past and present at the historic Second Presbyterian Church and other great historic churches, led by architectural expert Thomas O‚Gorman. Other Special Interest Tours explore the Great Chicago Fire, historic cemeteries, Literary Chicago, and the history of Greek, Polish and Irish culture in Chicago. Returning this year is The White City Tour, where  once a month beginning in February and continuing through November, visitors travel to the original site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

The Summertime Sampler Tours are a way to spice up your summer. Taking place every Thursday from May 31 through August 30, each three-hour tour visits three neighborhoods. Tours include Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village; Little Italy, Little Village and Pilsen; Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Uptown; or Greek Town, Chinatown and Little Italy.

The great flavors of the city have not been forgotten! Guests can taste their way through Chicago's neighborhoods on a mouthwatering Taste of the Neighborhoods Tour.  Formerly known as Neighborhood Sampling, this popular Special Interest Tour takes place every month except in December, as guests go on a culinary safari to numerous ethnic restaurants throughout the city.

To make reservations for Chicago Neighborhood Tours, call 312-742-1190 or check web site www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com.  Neighborhood Tours, Special Interest Tours and Summertime Sampler Tours depart by motorcoach from the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue at 10 a.m. (check-in at 9:30 a.m.). The cost for each Neighborhood Tour is $25 for adults ($20 for seniors/ students), and includes refreshments.  Special Interest Tours are $50 ($45 for seniors/students), and include lunch. All Summertime Sampler Tours are $20 (no discounts) and include a snack.

To receive a 2007 calendar of upcoming Chicago Neighborhood Tours, call 312-742-1190 or check web site www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com. For information about group tours, call 312-742-1190. Gift certificates are also available.

For information on Chicago's many exciting events and activities, to request a Chicago travel planning kit or to book hotel rooms at special rates and weekend packages, including Immersion Weekends, call toll free, 1-.877-chicago or check web site www.877chicago.com. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, call 1-312.201-8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1-866-710-0294. Chicago tourism information is also available on the Internet at www.cityofchicago.org/ExploringChicago.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS OFFER SPRING EXCURSIONS

April and May Tours Feature Wicker Park & Bucktown, Hyde Park & Kenwood, Ukrainian Village and the New Magnificent Churches Tour Chicagoans and visitors can dive into spring with Chicago Neighborhood Tours, a division of the Chicago Office of Tourism. Nine half-day excursions invite visitors to explore the rich historic, artistic and cultural heritage of the city’s neighborhoods and communities.

Neighborhood Tours include Hyde Park & Kenwood, Ukrainian Village, Little Italy, Pullman Historic District and Wicker Park & Bucktown.

Special Interest Tours feature the new Chicago's Magnificent Churches tour and the delicious Taste of the Neighborhoods.

Tours are scheduled each Saturday throughout April and May. (Please note: "The White City Tours" scheduled for April 21 and May 12 are sold out.)

Neighborhood Tours

During the Wicker Park & Bucktown Neighborhood Tour on April 14 take a closer look at these side-by-side historic neighborhoods. After touring St. Hedwig’s Church in Bucktown, enjoy a guided walking tour to view many of the Victorian mansions in Wicker Park. Time is allotted to roam the shops throughout the neighborhood.

On April 28 learn about the architectural styles of two neighboring lakefront communities on the Hyde Park & Kenwood Neighborhood Tour. Highlights of the tour include a visit to the Oriental Institute Museum, a short walk through the University of Chicago's Quadrangle, a visit to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and a drive past some of the historic mansions and homes in Kenwood.

The Little Italy Neighborhood Tour on May 5 includes an in-depth walking tour of the Taylor Street area, home to generations of Italian families and businesses. Visit The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and continue on a guided tour of the national historic landmark, The Jane Addams HullHouse Museum, the nation's first social settlement house where early Italian immigrants received English language instruction and day care for working mothers.

Enjoy the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Tour on May 12 and journey to this quiet, Old World neighborhood filled with magnificent churches, ethnic museums and Eastern European restaurants. Stop first at the Ukrainian National Museum and Saints Volodymyr and Olha Church. Continue on to the magnificent Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1899.

On May 19, learn the story of this urban historic district built by railroad magnate George M. Pullman to house workers from his legendary rail car factory on the Pullman Historic District Neighborhood Tour. Highlights of the day will be a guided walking tour of the Pullman Historic Landmark District, including a visit to the Hotel Florence and the Pullman United Methodist Church.

Special Interest Tours

Delve into the great flavors of the city on April 21 and May 19 during the mouthwatering Taste of the Neighborhoods Tour. Visitors join ethnic food guide Evelyn Thompson as she leads them on a culinary safari to numerous ethnic restaurants, delis and bakeries throughout the city to sample delectable dishes.

The new addition to the Chicago Neighborhood Tours line-up this year is the Magnificent Churches Tour on May 5. Visit the historic Second Presbyterian Church for insight into the city’s past and present. Observe its elaborate Victorian architecture and examples of sacred artworks, including several Tiffany stained glass windows, and Arts and Crafts period interior. Stops at two or more other churches complete this fascinating tour, led by architectural expert Thomas O’Gorman.

The first of the Summertime Sampler Tours begins on May 31 with Uptown, Andersonville and Lincoln Square Tour. Learn about the culture and history of these three distinct neighborhoods on one three-hour tour.

To make reservations for Chicago Neighborhood Tours, Chicagoans and visitors can call 312.742.1190 or visit web site at www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com.

Tours depart by motorcoach from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue, at 10 a.m. (check-in at 9:30 a.m.) and return either at 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. The cost for each Neighborhood Tour is $25 ($20 for seniors/students) and includes refreshments. The cost for each Special Interest Tour is $50 ($45 for seniors/students) and includes lunch.

Summertime Sampler Tours depart by motorcoach from the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue, at 10 a.m. (check-in at 9:30 a.m.) returning at 1 p.m. every Thursday from May 31 to August 30. The cost for each Summertime Sampler Tour is $ 20 (no additional discounts) and includes a light snack.

To receive a calendar of upcoming Chicago Neighborhood Tours, call 312.742.1190 or visit www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com. For information about group tours, call 312.742.1190. Gift certificates are also available.

Devon Avenue June 16

Visit Chicago's International Marketplace, an enticing blend of Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian cultures, as well as Jewish and Russian cultures. Stops include a visit to the Indo-American Center, a chance to browse through the shops and a lecture about the neighborhood's Indian history and cuisine.

Historic Bronzeville August 4

Get an in-depth look at Chicago's African American heritage in this historic neighborhood of parks, museums and cultural centers. Stops include the renowned DuSable Museum of African American History, the Little Black Pearl Workshop and time to explore 47th Street in Historic Bronzeville.

Hyde Park and Kenwood April 28, June 30, November 3

Check out one of the most popular Neighborhood Tours to see the distinct architectural styles of these two neighboring Lakefront communities. Tour highlights include a visit to the Oriental Institute, a walking tour of University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus, a visit to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and a drive past some of the historic mansions and homes in Kenwood.

Little Italy May 5, July 14, September 29

Join our neighborhood guide for an in-depth walking tour of the Little Italy Taylor Street area, home to generations of Italian families and businesses. Stop first to visit The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and continue on a guided tour of the national historic landmark, The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.

Pilsen and Little Village June 9

Tour by foot and see the local shops and stores in these two neighborhoods that celebrate both Mexican and Mexican American culture and heritage. Learn about the local murals that adorn the streets, stop in East Pilsen and visit a local art gallery. End the day with a visit to the nation's largest Latino museum, the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.

Pullman Historic District May 19, July 21, September 15

Learn the story of this urban historic district built by railroad magnate George M. Pullman to house workers from his legendary rail car factory. Highlights of the day will be a guided walking tour of the Pullman Historic Landmark District, including a visit to the Hotel Florence and the Pullman United Methodist Church.

South Shore Neighborhoods             November 10

Take a trip to one of the city‚s largest African American communities, alive with cultural, historical and architectural treasures. Highlights include a visit to the sprawling South Shore Cultural Center, a visit and discussion at St Philip Neri Church, and a tour of one of Chicago's leading African American theaters˜the eta Creative Arts Foundation.

Ukrainian Village             May 12, August 19

Journey to this quiet, Old World neighborhood filled with magnificent churches, ethnic museums and Eastern European restaurants. Stop first at the Ukrainian National Museum and Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral. Continue on to the magnificent Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1899.

Uptown March 10, August 25

Learn about the glamorous jazz-age history of the Uptown neighborhood on this tour of the Broadway and Lawrence Avenue area. Visit the romantic Aragon Ballroom, stop at one of the oldest jazz clubs in the U.S. and conclude the tour with a short discussion and musical performance at The People‚s Music School.

Wicker Park and Bucktown             April 14, July 28

Visit these side-by-side neighborhoods and stop to visit Bucktown's beautiful St. Hegwig's Church. Continue with a guided walking tour for a close-up view of the many mansions and stunning Victorian architecture and shops in Wicker Park.

IMMERSION WEEKENDS THIS SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL

Delve into Art, Museums, Food & Wine, Theater, World’s Fairs, Cycling, and Green Lifestyle Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences in Chicago by booking a themed 2007 Immersion weekend. Guests go behind the scenes and get insider takes on art, food and wine, Chicago World’s Fairs, museums, theater, cycling, and the green lifestyle. Each preplanned weekend experience includes hotel accommodations and represents an aspect of culture unique to Chicago.

Immersion weekends fuse the best of Chicago’s diverse hotels with the city’s arts and culture to bring the visitor distinctive presentations, behind the scenes experiences, and VIP access to events, activities and special guests.

Spring and Summer Immersion Weekends

GREEN CHICAGO IMMERSION WEEKEND Friday, April 20–Sunday, April 22, 2007 Allerton Crowne Plaza Chicago Hotel SINGLE: $720 DOUBLE: $910 Discover a leader in environmental innovation—Chicago. At Friday evening's private reception and cocktails, overlook the awardwinning Millennium Park, the country’s largest “rooftop” garden. Join City environmental leaders for a brief greening discussion including citywide Earth Day (April 22) programs. Start Saturday with continental breakfast. Tour the Chicago Center for Green Technology to learn about new green building technologies transforming the city. Visit the new, environmental award-winning Christy Webber Landscapes, designer of many Chicago landscape projects. After a riverside lunch at Smith & Wollensky, savor a rare, private tour of City Hall's Rooftop Garden. Follow Sunday's continental breakfast with an exclusive, guided Millennium Park walking tour. All-expense passes to Chicago’s GreenFest, Earth Day Celebration complete this weekend.

ARTROPOLIS IMMERSION WEEKEND Friday, April 27–Sunday, April 29, 2007 Radisson Hotel & Suites Chicago SINGLE: $680 DOUBLE: $935 Celebrate art and antiques in Chicago. Begin with a private tour of the Roger Brown Study Collection, a study collection and archive of the Chicago Imagist artist. Dine at Nacional 27 restaurant in the River North gallery district. Breakfast on Saturday, continental style, at the hotel and then spend the day at Artropolis, featuring Art Chicago, The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, The Artist Project, The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art, and the Bridge Art Fair at The Merchandise Mart. Lunch on-site in the private VIP Room. After Sunday's private breakfast, view the Art Institute of Chicago's Zero Gravity exhibition with a guest lecturer, and then visit the premiere exhibition, Cézanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde.

CHICAGO’S FOOD & WINE SCENE IMMERSION WEEKEND Friday, May 4–Sunday, May 6, 2007 The Talbott Hotel SINGLE: $785 DOUBLE: $970 Savor Chicago's remarkable food this weekend! Come hungry and ready for remarkable food experiences. Begin with an amazing Asian-inspired three-course dinner, including wine and sake, at one of Chicago's finest restaurants—Aria Restaurant at the Fairmont Hotel. After Saturday's continental breakfast, take the Chicago Food First Tour led by the city's culinary arts director and the city's cultural historian. Get the "inside scoop" on foods invented in Chicago with the opportunity to taste them all. Toast the late afternoon with a wine tasting at Randolph Wine Cellars. Following continental breakfast on Sunday, take a cooking class led by the City's culinary arts director. The class culminates in a brunch that you make yourself. A late hotel checkout makes the weekend perfect. Bon appetit!

BIKE THE DRIVE IMMERSION WEEKEND Friday, May 25–Sunday, May 27, 2007 SINGLE: $795 DOUBLE: $1035 Check into the lovely Fairmont Hotel on Friday afternoon. Walk to the nearby landmark Chicago Cultural Center for a cocktail reception with fellow bikers and City officials to discuss Chicago’s biking initiatives. After a bike and helmet fitting on Saturday morning (bike and helmet rental included), join Chicagoland Bicycle Federation volunteers on a 15-mile bicycle tour. This exclusive ride is limited to Bike The Drive Immersion Weekend guests and travels through a variety of Chicago neighborhoods. At the halfway point, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Handlebar, a bicycling-themed restaurant in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Afterwards, view several historic buildings and mansions on a guided architectural walking tour. In the evening, enjoy a threecourse diner at Aria Restaurant and Bar at The Fairmont Hotel. Rise early Sunday morning for one of the nation's biggest recreational bicycle rides, the sixth annual Bank of America Bike The Drive. Choose your own pace and distance, and enjoy a blissful ride along a car-free Lake Shore Drive with amazing views of Chicago's lakefront and skyline. All ages are welcome to join this nearly four-hour ride, which supports the nonprofit Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and includes a T-shirt, access to three rest stops, a post-ride festival and the support of hundreds of volunteers. For more information, visit www.bikethedrive.org.

Friday, June 29 - Sunday, July 1, 2007 The Palmer House Hilton Hotel SINGLE: $620 DOUBLE: $830 This unique exploration of two pivotal world's fairs begins with cocktails at the landmark Chicago Cultural Center. Historian Bill Hinchliff will show a fascinating slide presentation on the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and provide little known facts about the Fair. On Saturday, after a continental breakfast, join World's Fair historian Diane Dillon for a special guided tour. Visit the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition site. Tour Jackson Park, site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Lunch at the Chicago Fire House restaurant. After Sunday's continental breakfast, enjoy an extraordinary behind-the-scenes viewing of artifacts from both fairs at the Museum of Science and Industry.

INSIDE CHICAGO MUSEUMS – A SPECIAL VIEW Friday, July 13–Sunday July 15, 2007 The Talbott Hotel SINGLE: $785 DOUBLE: $ 1008 Take an intimate look at Chicago museums. Begin Friday evening with private tours of Glessner House Museum, architect H.H. Richardson's masterpiece in the Prairie Avenue Historic District, and Clarke House Museum, Chicago's oldest home. Dinner follows at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, originally an area firehouse. After Saturday's continental breakfast, visit diverse neighborhood-based museums including: the International Museum of Surgical Science, The Oriental Institute Museum, the Smart Museum of Art, the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and the Ukrainian National Museum. Chat over a leisurely lunch at Greek Town's Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna. Sunday morning, enjoy continental breakfast at the world-renowned The Field Museum of Natural History. Following a special behind-the-scenes museum tour, view the Darwin exhibition on your own.

CHICAGO THEATER IMMERSION WEEKEND - THE COLOR PURPLE Friday, August 10-Sunday, August 12, 2007 Palmer House Hilton Hotel SINGLE: $635 DOUBLE: $925 Starring Chicago theater, this weekend opens Friday evening with an engaging play at Tony® Award-recipient Victory Gardens Theater's latest offering, VGT Greenhouse. Awaken Saturday to continental breakfast. Afterwards, join Broadway in Chicago for an intimate behind-the-scenes tour of two historic Chicago theaters-the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre and the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Dine on delicious classic Italian cuisine with a contemporary flair amid an elegant decor at award-winning restaurant Trattoria No. 10. From main floor seats at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, applaud the powerful Broadway hit, The Color Purple. Savor continental breakfast Sunday morning or add a matinee pre-arranged on your own at one of Chicago's more than 200 theaters.

CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIRS IMMERSION WEEKEND, #2 Friday, August 31–Sunday, September 2, 2007 The Allerton Crowne Plaza Chicago Hotel SINGLE: $750 DOUBLE: $975 This unique exploration of two pivotal world's fairs begins with cocktails at the landmark Chicago Cultural Center. Historian Bill Hinchliff''s fascinating slide presentation on the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition includes little known facts about the Fair. On Saturday after a continental breakfast, join World's Fair historian Diane Dillon for a special guided tour. Visit the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition site. Tour Jackson Park, site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Lunch at the Chicago Fire House restaurant. After Sunday's continental breakfast, take an extraordinary behind-the-scenes viewing of artifacts from both fairs at the Museum of Science and Industry.

CHICAGO THEATER IMMERSION WEEKEND - JERSEY BOYS Friday, November 9-Sunday, November 11, 2007 W Chicago City Center SINGLE: $795 DOUBLE: $1080 Spotlighting Chicago theater, this weekend opens Friday evening with an engaging play at Tony® Award-recipient Victory Gardens Theater's latest offering, VGT Greenhouse. On Saturday, join Broadway in Chicago for an intimate behind-the-scenes tour of two historic Chicago theaters-the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre and the Cadillac Palace Theatre. At the award winning and visually stunning Vivere, enjoy an exquisite four-course Italian dinner featuring exotic ingredients and adventurous presentation. From main floor seats at LaSalle Bank Theatre, applaud the 2006 Tony® Award-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys. Have Sunday brunch at the hotel's Ristorante We or add a matinee pre-arranged on your own at one of Chicago's more than 200

Booking Immersion weekends is easy. Visitors can call toll free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visit www.cityofchicago.org/tourism. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, call 1.312.201.8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294. Visitors can also receive information about Chicago events and attractions at one of the City’s official Visitor Information Centers, located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street, and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street.

THE SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS

Chicago's Magnificent Churches             May 5, July 7, September 29

Visit the historic Second Presbyterian Church for insight into the city's past and present. Observe its elaborate Victorian architecture and examples of sacred artworks, including several Tiffany stained glass windows, and Arts and Crafts period interior. Stops at two or more other churches complete this fascinating tour, led by architectural expert Thomas O'Gorman.

Great Cemeteries of Chicago June 9, August 11, September 8

Join noted historian Albert Walavich and see where some Chicagoans˜both famous and infamous˜have left their mark on Chicago's history. Visit the magnificent Graceland Cemetery on June 17th, Rosehill Cemetery on August 12th and the Bohemian National & Montrose Cemeteries on September 9th.

Great Chicago Fire October 14

Relive Chicago's most celebrated disaster˜the Great Chicago Fire. Tour guide Herman Schell retells the story that every school child knows by heart when he takes the group to the original site of Mrs. O'Leary‚s homestead, then to the surviving Historic Water Tower landmark and finally to the fire exhibit at the Chicago History Museum.

Greek Chicago                    March 18, September 22

Delve into the history and heritage of Chicago's Greek citizens. Learn about early immigration, customs and religion during this half-day excursion led by Harold and Faye Peponis. Enjoy a guided tour of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center in the heart of Greek Town, visit Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and end the day with a guided tour of The Jane Addams Hull House Museum.

Literary Chicago October 20

Celebrate Chicago Book Month in October by discovering how several of Chicago's well-known authors, playwrights and poets left their mark on American literature as the tour travels through neighborhoods that influenced their literary impressions.

Polish Chicago March 24, August 11

Take a trip to Old Polonia and learn about Polish immigration, history, architecture and more. Jan Lorys, Executive Director of the Polish Museum of America, will lead a tour of the museum and the St. John Cantius Catholic Church.

Taste of the Neighborhoods                                     March 18, April 21 May 19, June 23, July 28, August 18, September 2 October 27, November 17

Join ethnic food guide Evelyn Thompson traveling to various communities to sample delectable offerings at a few of Chicago's ethnic restaurants, bakeries and delis. Learn the differences, similarities and preparation of entrees and desserts on this popular monthly tour.

Threads of Ireland            August 25

Learn the history, legend, lore and the luck of the Irish on this popular tour. Join author Tom O'Gorman for an exploration of Chicago's Irish history. Stop at Holy Family Church and enjoy a drive through the historically Irish Bridgeport neighborhood to learn how and why Irish immigrants settled in the community. Later, stop and tour the Irish American Cultural Center.

The White City Tour March 31, April 21, May 12, June 16, July 14, August 4, September 15, October 6

Relive the excitement of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, which brought 27 million visitors to Chicago to marvel at The White City. Noted historians and guides, Bill Hinchliff or Diane Dillon, begin with a fascinating narration and photographic slide presentation at the Chicago Cultural Center. Travel by motorcoach to Jackson Park, the original fairground, stopping at Wooded Island, the Statue of the Republic and other related sites along the way. Complete this tour with a visit to the Chicago History Museum.

THE SUMMERTIME SAMPLER TOURS

Every Thursday beginning May 31 through August 30

Chicago Neighborhood Tours presents the newest way to see three neighborhoods in three-hours! Choose from a list of Chicago's unique neighborhoods:

Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village July 5, August 16

Greek Town, Chinatown and Little Italy June 7, June 28, July 19, August 9, August 30

Little Italy, Little Village and Pilsen June 14, July 26

Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Uptown May 31, June 21, July 12, August 2, August 23

Chicago Neighborhood Tours 2007

MARCH

24 Polish Chicago 9:30am-2:00pm

31 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

APRIL 14 Wicker Park and Bucktown 9:30am-2:00pm

21 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

21 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

28 Hyde Park and Kenwood 9:30am-2:30pm

MAY 5 Little Italy 9:30am-2:30pm

5 Chicago‚s Magnificent Churches 9:30am-2:30pm

12 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

12 Ukrainian Village 9:30am-2:00pm

19 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

19 Pullman Historic District 9:30am-2:30pm

31 Uptown, Andersonville & Lincoln Sq. 9:30am-1:00pm

JUNE 2 The Great Chicago Fire 9:30am-2:00pm

7 Greektown, Chinatown& Little Italy 9:30am-1:00pm

9 Great Cemeteries of Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

9 Pilsen and Little Village 9:30am-2:00pm

14 Little Italy, Little Village & Pilsen 9:30am-1:00pm

16 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

16 Devon Avenue 9:30am-2:00pm

21 Uptown, Andersonville & Lincoln Sq. 9:30am-1:00pm

23 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

28 Greektown, Chinatown& Little Italy 9:30am-1:00pm

30 Hyde Park and Kenwood 9:30am-2:30pm

JULY 5 Ukrainian Village, Humboldt & 9:30am-1:00pm

Wicker Park

7 Chicago‚s Magnificent Churches 9:30am-2:30pm

12 Uptown, Andersonville & Lincoln Sq. 9:30am-1:00pm

14 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

14 Little Italy 9:30am-2:30pm

19 Greektown, Chinatown& Little Italy 9:30am-1:00pm

21 Great Cemeteries of Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

21 Pullman Historic District 9:30am-2:30pm

26 Little Italy, Little Village & Pilsen 9:30am-1:00pm

28 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

28 Wicker Park and Bucktown 9:30am-2:00pm

AUGUST 2 Uptown, Andersonville & Lincoln Sq. 9:30am-1:00pm

4 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

4 Historic Bronzeville 9:30am-2:30pm

9 Greektown, Chinatown& Little Italy 9:30am-1:00pm

11 Great Cemeteries of Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

11 Polish Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

16 Ukrainian Village, Humboldt & 9:30am-1:00pm

Wicker Park

18 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

23 Uptown, Andersonville & Lincoln Sq. 9:30am-1:00pm

25 Threads of Ireland 9:30am-2:30pm

25 Uptown 9:30am-2:00pm

30 Greektown, Chinatown & Little Italy 9:30am-1:00pm

SEPTEMBER 8 Great Cemeteries of Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

8 Pilsen and Little Village. 9:30am-2:30pm

15 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

15 Pullman Historic District 9:30am-2:30pm

22 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:00pm

22 Greek Chicago 9:30am-2:30pm

29 Chicago‚s Magnificent Churches 9:30am-2:30pm

29 Little Italy 9:30am-2:30pm

OCTOBER 6 White City 9:30am-2:30pm

14 The Great Chicago Fire 9:30am-2:00pm

20 Literary Chicago 9:30am-2:00pm

27 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

NOVEMBER 3 Hyde Park and Kenwood 9:30am-2:30pm

10 South Shore Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

17 Taste of the Neighborhoods 9:30am-2:30pm

Instagreeter to begin for Fall/Winter with NEW DAYS AND TIMES

Chicago Greeter's "on the spot" greeter service, InstaGreeter, now offers extended days and times during the winter due to its increasing popularity and the anticipation of an influx of visitors to the city during the winter months. The new InstaGreeter hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors interested in InstaGreeter may register on a first come, first served basis at the InstaGreeter booth in the Visitor Information Center at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.  InstaGreeter visits are limited to families or groups of six or less.

Launched in 2003, InstaGreeter is a condensed form of Chicago Greeter, which offers visitors a free one-hour walking visit of downtown Chicago with a volunteer greeter. Visitors can explore Millennium Park, the Loop, Chicago History, Public Art and Architecture through the InstaGreeter Service.

The Chicago Office of Tourism launched Chicago Greeter in April 2002˜a free visitor service of local volunteers who share their knowledge and love of the city with visitors through a free two - four hour visit to Chicago‚s sights. Greeters and visitors are matched based on special interest and language. Travel parties of six or less can register for a Chicago Greeter visit two weeks in advance online at www.chicagogreeter.com, or by calling 312.744.8800, Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Chicago Greeter and InstaGreeter visits depart from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.

Millennium Park Greeter, offering twice-daily walks of Millennium Park will take a hiatus for the winter season. Volunteers for the Chicago Greeter service will refocus their efforts toward Instagreeter and continue conducting regular Chicago Greeter visits. Visitors interested in touring Millennium Park may do so with an InstaGreeter. Millennium Park Greeter will resume in late Spring 2007 with hours subject to change seasonally. 

American Airlines and United Airlines are proud sponsors of Chicago Greeter.

Visitors to Chicago and Chicagoans who are planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or checking web site www.877chicago.com. Brochures and information on Chicago‚s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico, and Canada, please call 312.201.8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294. Chicago visitor information is also available online at www.cityofchicago.org/exploringchicago.

Breathtaking contemporary art in Chicago

The Millennium Knickerbocker is offering a Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) package which offers accommodations and two admission tickets to the MCA.

Rates for the MCA package begin at $169, valid through December 31, 2007.

INDIANA

BROWN COUNTY

Celebrate Spring in the Beauty of Brown County - Spring Events and Festivals

Art galleries, studios and over 205 artists are celebrating the Art Colony Centennial with open houses, special showings and tours. Highlights include:

Spears Gallery 10th Anniversary Show opens the season on March 30 & 31 featuring new work by potter Larry Spears and photography by Kyle Spears.

13th Annual Victorian Tea at the Brown County Art Gallery April 1st.

Annual Spring Tea at the Brown County Art Guild April 22nd.

The Art Gallery & Studio Candlelight Stroll, a monthly event begins Friday, May 4th in the Village of Nashville from 5:30-8:30 pm. Enjoy arts, crafts, refreshments, live music and special promotions at participating galleries and studios.

“June On Stage Art”, every weekend in June at Fig Tree Gallery and Coffee Shop, showcasing various artists and craftsmen with demonstrations, music and education.

29th annual Brown County Historical Society Quilt Show June 1-3 at the Brown County Historical Society.

34th annual Brown County Log Cabin Tour June 2 & 3, a self-guided driving tour of log and country homes in the backcountry of Brown County.

29th annual Indiana Heritage Arts Show June 9-23 at the Brown County Art Gallery.

9th annual Brown County Studio and Garden Tour June 22-24, a self-guided driving tour of artist’s studios and gardens throughout Brown County.

4th annual Tall Tale Tell-Off June 23 at the Brown County Public Library.

     T.C. Steele State Historic Site will host two major events in the Spring
T.C . Steele State Historic Site is where the founding impressionist artist T.C. Steele built his home and studio beginning in 1907.

Festival of Flowers Paintout May 19th from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm.

Sunday At Home June 17th featuring music, refreshments, fellowship, house and studio tours and hiking from 1:00-5:00 pm.

     Music fills the air in Brown County!

The Chamber of Commerce will host a new outdoor event “Downtown Saturday Night” every Saturday night beginning March 31st from 4:00-7:00 pm. Live bands, show cars and children’s activities will fill the streets for everyone’s enjoyment.

The Little Nashville Opry is in full swing every Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7:00 pm, bringing some of Nashville’s greatest country performers to southern Indiana.
The Brown County Community Band and Choir will open their season on March 31st with their annual Spring Concert held at the Brown County High School Auditorium featuring music by Hoagy Carmichel and Cole Porter. June 16th they will present a Sweetwater Concert at the Sweetwater Lake Beach Pavilion.

The Peaceful Valley Chamber Players will present “Brahms and Beyond”, a Chamber Music Concert on May 6th at 3:00 pm in the Nashville United Methodist Church.

41st Annual Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival June 9-16th, the largest and oldest continuous bluegrass festival in the world held at Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground.

Coachlight Musical Theatre presents 5 original plays:

“America the Music”, a celebration of the spirit of the American people.

Mystery, Mayhem and Music”, mystery and music from the 1940’s including the Andrew Sisters, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.

“Frankie, Annette, Elvis and Me”, flashback to the great 1960’s.

“The Road to Gnaw Bone”, vaudeville humor and melodrama at its best.

“The Higher the Hair, the Closer to Heaven” I & II, join the girls at the Heaven Beauty Barn and Boutique, parts I & II.

Brown County Playhouse, the longest-running professional theatre in Indiana, opens their season June 7th and continues through October 20th:

· “Pump Boys and Dinettes”, a foot-stomping musical June 7-July 1.

· “Lend Me A Tenor”, a hilarious farce that will leave you in stitches July 6 – 29.

· “The Glass Menagerie”, a classic American drama by Tennessee Williams, August 3-19

· “Plaza Suite”, a comedy by America’s master, Neil Simon Sept. 21-Oct. 20.

     Family Events and Activities

Brown County offers events for the entire family.  

Family Movie Night every Friday night at the Brown County Public Library 7:00 pm

19th annual Antique Tractor and Farm Machine Show May 4-6 at the 4-H Fairgrounds.

Lions Spring Blossom Parade May 5th, featuring floats, marching bands, antique tractors, flea market, food and much more!

7th annual Spring Dance Performance May 5th at the Brown County High School.

Lions Club Spring Pancake Breakfast May 12th at Brown County Fairgrounds 4-H building.

All-Year Class Reunion June 29 & 30 Brown County High School

     2007 Events Guide now available

A complete 2007 Events Guide is available from the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau on their web site at www.browncounty.com or by request at 800.753.3255.

LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS

At the Louisiana Nature Center (Joe Brown Memorial Park on Nature Center Drive, New Orleans) you'll find more than “just a walk in the woods.” Opened in 1980 and recognized as one of the top five urban nature centers in the country, is a natural science museum; peaceful nature preserve with fine walking trails in the middle of a city; a place to check out the sights and sounds of Louisiana in a 7400 square foot Interpretive Center - filled with live animals and educational displays; naturalist-conducted programs about birds of prey, reptiles, mammals, the state’s wildlife; and trails that lead to a bottomland hardwood forest. And, at the Judith W. Freeman Astronomy Center (open weekends), you can explore and discover using supplied binoculars, field guides, dip nets and magnifying lenses; glimpse a butterfly or hummingbird; admire wildflowers; touch a snake, alligator, rabbit or opossum; enjoy lunch at the picnic area; make a craft inspired by nature; and take home a special book, birdhouse, or science toy from the gift shop.     

For further information, call 504-246-5672 or check web site www.auduboninstitute.org.

Iberville Suites Hotel Reopens

March 2007 signaled the reopening of The Iberville Suites and the addition of two hundred and thirty rooms to help meet the City's growing demand for room inventory, truly a suite success! The hotel is part of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans complex, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (452 rooms), The Maison Orleans (75 rooms) and The Iberville Suites (230 rooms). The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and Maison Orleans reopened on December 4, 2006 after a fifteen month, $100M renovation and restoration effort.

The Iberville Suites originally opened on February 14, 2001 at 910 Iberville Street in the French Quarter. Closed since the storm (18 months), the entire hotel, including all 230 suites, has been renovated. The grand lobby is adorned with fine antiques, fresh flowers and spectacular art, all of which was purchased at local estate sales and art auctions. The entire hotel has an elegant residential-style setting. Each room at The Iberville Suites features distinct living and sleeping areas, like most all-suites hotels. However, the décor, amenities and superior service offered at The Iberville Suites are what set it apart from typical limited service hotels. With all the grace and charm of old world New Orleans and all the modern world amenities guests require such as high-speed Internet access, dual-line phones, an in-room safe, a wet bar, a mini refrigerator, a coffeemaker and two televisions, the hotel offers the best of both worlds. Unlike other suites products, the hotel offers valet parking, laundry service, room service and meeting space for everything from corporate meetings to intimate receptions. Additionally, a newly installed elevator on The Iberville Suites' lobby level allows direct access to the spa, restaurant and lounges at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

The Iberville Suites was originally designed as a hotel-within-a-hotel concept, fully housed within the main hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. It is managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. and shares the same magnificent building as the "Crown Jewel of the Crescent City‰ a title that was given to The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans when it first opened in 2000. With a lower price point than the main hotel; guests of The Iberville Suites enjoy the best all-suites product in the City, featuring Ritz-Carlton trained staff, access to Ritz-Carlton services and a prime French Quarter location. Situated one block from Canal Street and one block from Bourbon Street, area attractions are within walking distance. For families, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and IMAX Theatre are just steps away while adults can stroll the streets of the French Quarter to discover unique boutiques, art galleries and antique dealers. Located only minutes from the convention center, cultural landmarks, museums and the airport, The Iberville Suites is ideally situated for both the business and leisure traveler.

The Iberville Suites is referred to as "golden" since it is the hotel where Halle Berry stayed when filming Monster's Ball, the movie for which she garnered a golden Academy Award. We promise to make each of our guests stay memorable, if not golden.

Next month, in April, The Ritz-Carlton Spa will reopen with additional treatment rooms, a new spa café and retail store. The spa's fitness center was completed in December and opened at the same time as the main hotel. Formerly one of the most award-winning spas in the hotel company, it will feature a new menu of services including the Prada treatment line, exclusive to Ritz-Carlton.

For more information on The Iberville Suites, call reservations at (866) 229-4351 or go to web site www.ibervillesuites.com. To book a meeting at the hotel, contact Group Sales Manager Renee Parks at (504) 670-2836 or via e-mail to renee.parks@ritzcarlton.com. The hotel is located at 910 Iberville Street on the edge of the infamous New Orleans French Quarter.

Romance, Reconnect and Revel in the Big Easy - Now and YearRound

Falling just five (5) days before Mardi Gras this year, Valentine's in New Orleans can be a romantic respite, an opportunity to reconnect for those without a paramour or a cause for revelry and celebration.

Valentine, a priest in Rome during the third century under the Emperor Claudius, is credited with the holiday known as Valentine's Day. Jailed for his tireless commitment to secretly marry young couples in love, an act which was forbidden by the emperor at the time, Valentine achieved martyrdom. On the day he was to die, February 14, 269 C.E Valentine left a friend a note and signed it, "Love from your Valentine," thereby starting the custom of exchanging messages of love on Valentine's Day.

In case there is no paramour in your life this Valentine's or should you just want to reconnect with friends, reserve one of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans' mancations, girl's getaway or voluntourism packages. Select Sportsman's Paradise for the ultimate mancation, a charter fishing excursion in the Gulf of Mexico replete with a meal featuring the spoils of the day, prepared by the hotel's Executive Chef. The package price is $18000, non-inclusive of tax and gratuity.

For the ladies, there is the Steel Magnolia Sojourn, perfect for the hardworking lady who yearns to be pampered. She may start off steely, but she will emerge as beautiful and tender as a Southern magnolia. The package price is $1100, non-inclusive of tax and gratuity. For those who want to reconnect and give something back, they can reserve the Night of Jazz or the Crescent City Comeback room package. Both packages have voluntourism aspects, a new trend whereby travelers engage in volunteer work as part of their tourism experience. Priced at $519 and $1100 respectively, these packages are non-inclusive of tax and gratuity.

Carnival comes but once a year, so instead of giving your Valentine candy and flowers, give them the gift of revelry with the Lundi Gras Ride of a Lifetime just four days later. Lundi Gras falls on Monday, the day before Mardi Gras. This package includes a two night stay in the Ritz-Carlton Suite, named as one of the "Top 10 Presidential Suites‰ (USA Today), an in-room butler-drawn Mardi Gras bath, a Mardi Spa package in the interim spa for two, float ridership for two in Harry Connick, Jr.'s Krewe of Orpheus parade plus all throws and costumes, videographer services for twelve hours of the experience and forty-eight hours of on-call limousine service. The Lundi Gras Ride of Lifetime is not just a package, it is an experience of a lifetime. In order to be in a parade, riders must typically be members of a carnival organization, also known as a krewe. Krewes are rooted in tradition and are typically all-male or all-female organizations. That is why the opportunity to ride in a parade as a couple is such an exclusive gift. The package is priced at $20,000, non-inclusive of tax and gratuity.

With year-round festivals like the Tennessee Williams Festival (March 28 ˆ April 1), French Quarter Festival (April 13 ˆ 15), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 27 ˆ May 6), the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May 23 ˆ 27) and Essence Festival (July 5 ˆ 7), New Orleans is one of the country's top destination cities. In fact, Travel + Leisure's February 2007 issue featured New Orleans in the "Where to Go Next" column. Orbitz named the city as one of the top seven travel "hot spots." In the February 4, 2007 edition of the Los Angeles Times, Jane Engle wrote that "Tourist touchstones such as the Ritz-Carlton and Commander's Palace have finally reopened as last year's Jazz & Heritage Festival proved, (New Orleans) can still throw a heck of a party, Tim Zagat said that coming to New Orleans is "vital for two reasons: It's good for the city and it educates America".

The city's premier luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans reopened on Monday, December 4, 2006 after being renovated from the first to the fifteenth floor at a cost of $100M. The hotel's spa will reopen this spring, formerly the most award-winning in the company. Over 8,000 square feet of meeting space was added to the hotel's first floor and a new restaurant concept compliments the new lounges and live local entertainment while providing a smoke-free environment.

Rack rates for 2007 start at $409 with prices dipping as low as $209 during the summer. Room packages range from $249 - $20000. All prices are non-inclusive of tax and gratuity. All room package reservations are subject to availability.

For detailed room package information, check web site www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/new_orleans/packages.

SHREVEPORT

The world's only open-access interactive laser space planetarium has opened on the banks of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana at Sci-Port Discovery Center. This hands-on science center will have some of the most amazing exhibits that can't be found anywhere. Visitors can create their own astronomy experiences at five computerized “Navigation Stations,” in this 25,000-square-foot, $11.6 million Space Center which expands the hands-on math and science entertainment center into a 92,000-square-foot attraction. The Space Dome Planetarium is adjacent to a two-story lighted Foucault Pendulum, Solarium with Sundial, rooftop observatory, and 90 hands-on astronomy, space science, and applied mathematics exhibits. 

“The new Space Center elevates Sci-Port’s impact and appeal on many fronts, including education, entertainment, economic development, and tourism,” said Al Najjar, Sci-Port President & CEO.  “The combined Sci-Port experience will offer a tremendous resource for visitors and students of all ages to stretch the way they think about space, science and mathematics. There’s nothing else like it anywhere.” 

Live programs, space shows, and interactivity in the Space Dome Planetarium are included in the general admission fee as part of the whole Sci-Port experience. One type of interactivity provides five computerized “Navigation Stations” where visitors control the action on the planetarium screen with desk-like kiosks outfitted with pushbuttons and touch screens. Teams will work together to dock a shuttle at the International Space Station or discover the position of the stars on the day of their birth. “This Space Dome Planetarium is much like having the universe at your fingertips,” said Najjar. “The openness to wander freely under the dome, participate in a program, or just contemplate the heavens will be available to everyone.”

Sci-Port’s Space Center exhibits are complemented by a full range of demonstrations and hands-on workshops for visitors of all ages. Curriculum-based school programs will include all grade levels, with an emphasis on middle school through college. New programs will also be unveiled in the science center’s original Discovery Areas, featuring newly refurbished exhibits exploring the Red River, physiology, technology, physical science, and children’s science.                                                            

Other Sci-Port Space Center features include:

--The 32-foot-long, lighted Foucault Pendulum that rings individual chimes, set on the circumference of a circle, which “turn” into the pendulum’s swinging path.  The fascinating-to-watch concept proves that the Earth rotates.

--The Solarium with Sundial combines scenery with science – an elevated view of two cities, Shreveport and Bossier City, the Red River that separates them; and a unique 20-foot sundial that also functions as a skylight.

--60 interactive astronomy and space science exhibits that are presented in clustered themes, including Exploring Space, The Solar System, The Sky, Flight, and Deep Space. 

--The Rooftop Terrace and Observatory’s Hydrogen Alpha and White Light Telescopes, safely viewing spots, prominences, the corona, and the photosphere of our Sun.

--30 hands-on applied math exhibits in two clusters - Go Figure and Measure Up - that focus on measurement, logic, and statistics. 

 The Sci-Port's original building, which includes 200 interactive science exhibits, Louisana's only IMAX Dome Theater, a gift shop and cafe, have been completely refurbished. Since opening in November 1998, Sci-Port has served more than 200,000 visitors a year with daily-changing public and school programs, IMAX films, exhibitions and community events—plus teacher workshops, camp-ins, birthday party programs, guest speakers and traveling science carnivals. Of these visitors, 80,000 per year have been students and teachers who have used Sci-Port as a curriculum-rich laboratory for maximizing student preparation for standardized assessment tests now required as part of No Child Left Behind. 

Location:

Sci-Port is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the Downtown Shreveport-Bossier Riverfront. For hours, price and program information, or to arrange a student or group visit, call toll-free 877-7224-7678 or check web site www.sciport.org.

CAMDEN

The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville region offers visitors majestic views of the autumn foliage. Hikers can ascend the summit of Mt. Battie, Ragged, Hatchet, Bald or Young's Mountains, and enjoy an awe-inspiring, panoramic view of the entire region. Another popular way to view the change of seasons is from the water. For those who wish to make their own way, canoe and kayak rentals are available throughout the CRL region. Pack a picnic lunch from one of the area's markets and make your way along the coastline, around Megunticook Lake and Hosmer Pond, or travel up and down our rivers, brooks, and streams for a closer look at the region's unspoiled beauty. If you want someone else to navigate, take in the autumn coastline from the deck of a windjammer. Have someone else make lunch, take a turn at the helm, or just relax and absorb the season's colorful splendor.

The region's diverse geography treats visitors to colorful sightlines from virtually every vantage point.. Browse local shops as leaves drift from trees and swirl about your feet. Take a walking or bicycle tour of historical communities. Explore by Land and Sea Hike to a mountaintop for a spectacular panorama of the changing colors, lakes, sea and islands, or test your technical climbing skills on rugged stone cliffs. Come aboard one of the historic windjammers for a multi-day cruise - or an afternoon tour of Penobscot Bay and the islands. For those who want a closer look, kayak rentals, tours and lessons are also available for exploring our harbors and lakes.

Arts Abound during autumn, including arts and craft shows, arts and artisans tours, live theater, and musical performances. Visit the Bay Chamber Concerts web site for their fall schedule of events, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art web site to see their schedule of events, and check out the Camden Opera House schedule for a variety of great live performances. Pack a picnic lunch and take a two-wheeled tour of the countryside. Bring your own bikes or rent them locally, where you'll also get tips on the best routes to explore. Visit a local farm to say hello to the livestock or pick your own apples.

Are you into shopping. If so, you'll find finely crafted Maine-made products, books both used and new, unique toy shops, amazing antiques, and clothing for everyone in the family. If you love dining out, the area has really good seafood, steaks, and the freshest produce from local gaden harvests.

For more information, contact the Camden/Rockport/Lincolnville Chambes of Commers, P.O. box 919, Camden, ME 04843; 207-236-4404, or check web site www.camdenme.org or web site www.VisitCamden.com.

KENNEBUNKPORT

Village Cove Inn

Tom and Angela Murphy purchased the Village Cove Inn in the heart of Kennebunkport back in 1996 Continuing to make improvements each year, the Murphys have recently remodeled the on site restaurant The Changing Tide.

Featuring elegant dining for guests and residents in the Kennebunkport area, the restaurant serves fresh Maine seafood and offers specialty holiday dining packages throughout the year. "Tom and I are in the midst of planning a ten-year anniversary celebration for our guests," says Murphy. More casual dining is available in Jaxon's poolside pub and children's menus are always available in both restaurants. The restaurant is Chef owned and very popular with the locals.

The outdoor pool patio was another renovation, which took place last spring. "The patio area was renovated for the summer season. Landscaping the property will continue to be an on-going project," says Tom. Charming with all the amenities of a larger facility, the Inn features outdoor dining on the patio, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, and a fully equipped fitness facility. With close proximity to area beaches and other outdoor activities, such as boating and tennis, the Village Cove Inn is a popular family retreat in the summer. The Family Fun Package is always a big hit every summer, tailored with kids in mind . Most popular for couples in off-season are our Getaway Packages or Spa Packages with breakfast and dinner included.

The Village Cove Inn is unique in its style and location. It is a small property, not quite a hotel and not quite a motel. It is hidden away on a small tidal cove but only a mile from the town of Kennebunkport, a 15-minute walk is all it takes to get back to tranquility after a days shopping in town. "We have recently added a fitness centre and a Spa Therapy Room for treatments, which we offer as part of our Spa Packages", says Angela, "we work with 4 therapists who all specialize in several Therapies such as Swedish massage, Hot Stones, Deep Tissue and Pregnancy massages. We will soon be adding body wraps and facials to our list of Spa Therapy Services. We are looking to make these services affordable for everyone".

Tom and Angela have been in the hotel and restaurant business for years, running a Vermont hotel for four years before deciding to purchase the Village Cove Inn. "We came to visit family here and just fell in love with Maine and the Kennebunkport area. I grew up in England and my parents were in the hotel business," says Angela Murphy. Prior to working in Vermont, Tom Murphy managed Restaurants in New York City's theater district for twenty years where the couple met.

Today, Tom and Angela are proud proprietors of the lovely Village Cove Inn in the heart of Kennebunkport. The Inn's secluded location on Chick's Cove is off the beaten path but only minutes from famous Walker's Point, home of the Bush family, and within walking distance to world-renowned Dock Square.

For more information, call 207-967-3993 or toll free (800) 879-5778 or visit web site villagecoveinn.com.

ROCKWOOD

Winter fun at The Birches Resort

Get out your skis, snow shoes and ice fishing gear. Winter at The Birches Resort is now in full swing. There's 10 inches of snow on the ground and more in the forecast. Forty miles of trails have been professionally groomed for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The snowmobiles are gassed up and ready to go. Moosehead Lake has frozen over and is prime for ice fishing. At the end of the day, warm up by the fire in your cozy cabin, before heading to the lodge for a scrumptious New England dinner.

The Birches Resort is set in the picturesque setting of Maine's Great North Woods. Situated on the western shoreline of Moosehead Lake it features 15 rustic waterfront cabins, 6 exclusive private home rentals, cabin tents, wilderness yurts, rooms in the main lodge and rooms at The Riverview. Dining is casual by lakeside with a lounge for guests and visitors. Bountiful activities for all seasons offer you and your family the fun and flexibility you deserve! There is a beach, large hot tub, dry sauna and a new fitness center for our guests.

For more information and reservations, check web site www.birches.com.

BALTIMORE

  There's lots to do and see here throughout the summer months. The National Aquarium's new exhibit, Sea horses: Beyond Imagination, reveals the truth about these enchanting sea creatures; their real-life existence is more unbelievable than any fantasy the imagination could suggest. Showcased are hundreds of extraordinary sea horses of all sizes, shapes and colors, affording visitors a unique journey to sea horse habitats around the globe, from the Australian Bay to the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to exhibiting more than 18 species, this exhibit will use dramatic video, engaging interactive displays, and high-tech graphics to reveal the truths about sea horses and educate visitors about threats to their real-life existence. Scientists at the Aquarium have joined an international effort to breed and protect sea horses by raising selected species in their new breeding lab and are working with conservation groups to restore local sea horse habitats. In addition to this exhibit, you'll be thrilled with over 12 more at the Aquarium.

 Stretch your legs at the Mount Vernon Cultural District, only a few steps north of the Inner Harbor. It’s filled with fun things to do, and you’ll find at least 100 exciting things to fill your day in the district’s new brochure, 1 Neighborhood, 100 Things to Do! Suggestions range from visiting the Peabody Library to seeing the original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Maryland Historical Society, to dining at fantastic cafes and restaurants.

 The Baltimore Museum of Art has undergone big changes, especially in the redesign of the galleries housing the famed Cone Collection of post-impressionist and modern art. See the incomparable holdings by the French master, Henri Matisse, and peek at more than 100 paintings, sculptures and works on paper by many of the world’s greatest artists. This collection is distinguished by an exceptional group of 500 works by Matisse, which is considered one of the most important holdings of the modern master outside of France. The installations showcase the unique depth of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s holdings and centers around well-known masterpieces such as Blue Nude (1907); Purple Robe and Anemones (1937).

For more information to help plan the perfect Baltimore vacation, visit www.baltimore.org or call 1-888-Baltimore.

BOSTON

 
Boston Ballet School Students to Model in Freedom Trail Foundation’s American Girl Fashion Show®     

The Freedom Trail Foundation announced today that Boston Ballet School students will be the models for the first-in-Boston American Girl Fashion Show. A rigorous audition and interview process gleaned 43 young dancers from the ballet school who will participate in the fun, engaging program that showcases historical and contemporary fashions for girls and their dolls. The Freedom Trail Foundation is hosting the event and proceeds benefit the Freedom Trail Scholars program, an in-school and out-of-school history education program.

Demand for tickets to the American Girl Doll Fashion Show on March 31 and April 1 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel has been overwhelming. Nearly all 2,500 seats for five shows have been scooped up. There are a limited amount of tickets still available.

Purchase raffle tickets at TheFreedomTrail.org for a chance to win coveted 4 tickets (and a seat for your doll) to the Saturday March 31 4:00 PM show. The raffle tickets also include a chance to win one of three fabulous trips to American Girl Place in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Fly on American Airlines to Chicago or Los Angeles, take Amtrak to New York, stay 2 nights at an Omni Hotel and enjoy a $100 shopping spree at American Girl Place. Fashion Show raffle winners will be announced March 16. Trip winners will be announced on April 1 and need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are limited (2,500) and can be purchased for $25 online at TheFreedomTrail.org.

The selected Boston Ballet School models will be donating their time and talent to the event. Many of these young students juggle six or more hours per week of dance classes and appearances in company productions, such as The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with homework assignments and other school demands.

"Our students bring stage experience, poise and high energy to the program," said Elizabeth Benjes, managing director of the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education. "We are always pleased to be able to partner with other Boston cultural institutions such as the Freedom Trail while giving our young dancers an opportunity to practice their performing skills."

Audiences will delight in historical clothing from daywear and sleepwear to special-occasion clothing that resembles what the popular American Girl characters Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, and Molly might have worn. Contemporary “Just like You” outfits for older girls and sweet Bitty Baby fashions for little ones complete the program. The day also includes a delightful tea, door prizes and a gift for everyone.

"This is going to be a great production," said Mimi LaCamera, President of the Freedom Trail Foundation. "Lights, sound, action and a cast of lovely models showing off American Girl historic costumes and the latest spring line. It's an elegant tea, too. No one with a little girl between the ages of five to 11 should miss it."

Shailene Woodley, the young actress who starred in Felicity: An American Adventure will attend the American Girl Fashion Show for personal photos with fashion show guests.

"The fashion show is the ultimate all-American girl experience," continued LaCamera. "It's a wonderful and memorable gift to give to your special little girl, as well as to children at underperforming local schools who will benefit from a great history education program.”

About the Freedom Trail Foundation

The Freedom Trail Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to marketing, promoting and preserving the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path that leads to 16 of the country’s most significant historical landmarks. The Sites are not adaptations or re-creations, they are real and each one played a pivotal role in America’s rebellious beginning – familiar events such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s role in the first battle, the Battle of Bunker Hill – and the growth of the young nation. Marked by a red brick path or a painted red line, the Trail weaves its way through Boston’s proud past in the midst of this vital, modern city. The Freedom Trail Foundation offers an extensive in-school and out-of school education program, daily guided walking tours, a rentable audio guide and a downloadable MP3 audible tour of the Freedom Trail.

For more information, contact the Freedom Trail Foundation, 617.357.8300, or web site
TheFreedomTrail.org

Boston Ballet School was founded over 50 years ago by E. Virginia Williams and is now the largest ballet school in North America. Thousands of students participate in its year-round dance classes and community outreach programs, Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance, all of which operate under the umbrella of the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education. The Center’s mission is to inspire a life-long love of dance through superior and accessible ballet training. High quality programs for students of all levels, ages 3 through adult, are offered alongside intensive training for aspiring professionals. The internationally renowned faculty is led by Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, and classes are held in state-of-the-art studios located in Boston, Newtonville, and Norwell. A North Shore location in Salem is under construction and scheduled to open in 2008 in partnership with the YMCA. Students from all locations enjoy the many advantages of the School’s association with Boston Ballet Company, recognized as one of the leading professional dance companies in the world. For more information about Boston Ballet, please visit www.bostonballet.org.

TOMB Entertainment A Huge Success

5W!TS, a unique-to-Boston interactive, physically-immersive entertainment venue, has successfully launched TOMB, a 40-minute adventure of sights, sounds and action set in an archaeological dig site in ancient Egypt. A slice of a theme park here in Boston open since October of 2004, TOMB combines the best elements of video game, a haunted house, a museum exhibit, and a choose your own adventure book all rolled into one.  

Groups of up to 15 explorers armed with flashlights and accompanied by a costumed guide weave their way through an intricate, museum-quality set of stunning computer-controlled special effects, booming multi-channel audio, laser lighting and visual illusions to test their wits, unravel the mystery and meet the challenges presented by the Pharaoh. TOMB has alternate plot elements, allowing guests the possibility of a different experience each time through their adventure.  In addition to the adventure experience itself, each 5W!TS location offers group party facilities, a Café where tired explorers may refresh after their adventure and a themed Boutique that provides a wonderful assortment of merchandise matching the current show. Guests will delight in the selection of unique handmade Egyptian gifts available throughout the TOMB show.

5W!TS is open to the public Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m. (last show at 10:00 p.m.); Friday and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (last show at 11:00 p.m.); and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (last show at 7:00 p.m.).  5W!TS will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of major holidays. Discount rates are available to private groups. Additionally, 5W!TS has different versions available to accommodate educational or corporate groups. TOMB will be made available for private parties during closed days.  5W!TS is located at 186 Brookline Avenue, next to the Landmark Center in the Fenway. For more information, call 617-375-WITS- 9487 or check web site www.5-wits.com.

More on Boston

If you're planning a trip to Boston, make one of your stops The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. Here, savor the special autumn menu, ideal for upcoming cooler temperatures and colorful views of the Public Garden. This menu celebrates seasonal fruits and spices in dishes like Sweet potato bisque with smoked maple syrup and Bosc pear chutney; Baby arugula salad with candied cranberries, black walnuts, blue cheese and Ceylon cinnamon vinaigrette; and Slow-roasted Vermont chicken with butternut spoonbread, wild mushrooms, rainbow chard and herb broth.

After dinner, comforting desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Tim Fonseca tempt the sweet tooth and warm the tummy with Carmelized Apple Millefeuille with cranberry cider sorbet and Warm Pumpkin-Ginger Bread Pudding with maple walnut ice cream. If you've never been to The Bristol Lounge, you're in for a treat for it has a lovely lounge-like atmosphere and an impressive menu. Executive Chef Brooke Vosika creates upscale comfort food and traditional New England favorites inspired by local, seasonal and artisanal products. The restaurant regularly receives awards from local and national publications for service, atmosphere, food and cocktails including Improper Bostonian "Best Power Lunch," and Zagat Survey "#1 Décor." It's open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner seven days a week.

Reservations are recommended. Call 617-351-2037.

Currently, the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts manages 70 hotels in 31 countries with more than 20 properties under development. Open since 1985, Four Seasons Hotel Boston provides a preferred address for both business and leisure travelers, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world. The 273-room Four Seasons Boston has been honored with top rankings in international surveys including the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award, Mobil Five Star Award, Conde Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List, Travel + Leisure Top 500 Hotels in the World and the 2006 Zagat Survey No. 1 Hotel in Boston.

Information on the company and on Four Seasons Hotel Boston can be accessed through the Four Seasons Web site at www.fourseasons.com.

Four Seasons Hotel Boston "Do Not Disturb" Romantic getaway Package

Boston winters have a reputation for being unbearable, but that's only if one ventures outside. Four Seasons Hotel Boston advises visitors to check in and stay in by offering a package that lets you get away with your sweetie without ever leaving the hotel.

A weekend trip to a cozy B&B sounds just dreamy until faced with icy mountain roads for three hours. This winter, Four Seasons Hotel Boston encourages couples to head to the city where intimate rooms, 24-hour room service, two of Boston's best restaurants, spa services, sauna, steam room, and a whirlpool await. The real bonus? Aside from easy access from any Northeast location and a 10-minute trip from Logan airport, guests receive a complimentary reservation for two to the Bristol Lounge Viennese Dessert Buffet, two free movies with popcorn and soda and a "lazy morning in bed" late check-out. Room rates are for weekends only and start at $375 based on season and availability.

About Four Seasons Hotel Boston

As the world's leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently manages 73 hotels in 31 countries with more than 25 properties under development. Open since 1985, Four Seasons Hotel Boston provides a preferred address for both business and leisure travelers, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world. The 273-room Four Seasons Boston has been honored with top rankings in international surveys including the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award, Mobil Five Star Award, Conde Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List, Travel + Leisure Top 500 Hotels in the World and the 2006 Zagat Survey No. 1 Hotel in Boston.

Information on the company and on Four Seasons Hotel Boston can be accessed through the Four Seasons web site at www.fourseasons.com.

1st Annual Boston Antiques Market

Taking place Saturday, March 31st, and Sunday, April 1st, BAW will feature up to 200 fine quality antiques dealers from all over the eastern U.S., up to 75 top textile and fashion dealers, and up to 75 top book and ephemera dealers.  These dealers will showcase a wide diversity of fine antiques, fine art and prints, silver, porcelain, decorative accessories, jewelry, art glass and pottery, art deco, fine American and European antiques, period furniture, Americana folk art, garden and architectural artifacts, garments & accessories from the 1900’s thru the 1980’s, and a wide range of antique books and printed items. There will also be a free seminar series sponsored by the Journal of Antiques and Collectibles.

Ticket price is $10 and includes admission to all 3 events and more than a dozen seminars.  

The show will include:

Jewelry of The Arts & Crafts Movement -- A Seminar by Elyse Zorn Karlin
This lecture will trace the origins of Arts & Crafts jewelry first made in England at approximately the same time the Art Nouveau movement and then later in the U.S. and other countries.

Creative Decorating with Antique Tiles -- A Seminar by Wendy Harvey
In addition to touching on traditional uses for antique tiles, this seminar will reveal interesting and creative ways to incorporate tiles into any design scheme. Included also in the talk will be a brief introduction to antique tiles, how to tell new from old tiles, where to find antique tiles, and what are they worth.

Telling Time --A Seminar by Bob Frishman
In a 40-minute talk, Bob Frishman will present an overview of clock history, styles, makers, maintenance and cultural importance. He will show slides of American and European clocks from three centuries, including inside views of what makes them tick. On display will be clock movements and a sampling of the large amount of horological reference materials now available to researchers. Those attending are invited to bring an antique clock or watch for identification and informal appraisal.

Restoration, Conservation, and Repair of Your Antiques -- A Seminar by Jennifer Burt
Wiebold Studio, a company with more than sixty years experience in restoration, conservation and repair of antiques, will address the question "When should I fix it myself and when should I call a professional?" Wiebold will explore the myriad of "do it yourself" solutions. They will show what works and what you can do yourself and talk about when you really do need to call a professional.

The Charm of American Samplers 1620-1840 -- A Seminar by Henry Callan
Samplers are pieces of needlework or embroidery, made for the preservation of some pattern or as an example of the ability of a child or a beginner. Henry Callan will take a look at their variety and significance.

Treasures from Old China: Export Porcelain for America, 1785-1835 -- A Seminar by Henry Callan
Chinese Export Porcelain include ceramics produced specifically for export to the West. During the 18th and into the early 19th century, English potters duplicated the decorations of this type of porcelain, while the Chinese duplicated some European artwork, making it difficult to ascertain the origins of certain motifs. The voyage to China: the fabulous early years; life in Canton; patterns dated and identified, Guidelines for collecting.

What Makes an Antique an Antique? -- A seminar by John Fiske
An antique is something special, but the qualities that make it special have come under question in today's rapidly changing market place. This seminar will discuss the traditional qualities of Age, Beauty, Heritage, Construction and Authenticity, and will look at the way they are changing as we speak. It will also address the relationship between antiques, collectibles, nostalgibles, revivals and reproductions.

Boston Antique Textile & Vintage Fashion Show
Featuring up to 75 top textile and fashion dealers plus the following seminar:

Twentieth Century Vintage, the revolution and evolution of style --A Seminar by Melody Fortier
This 45 minute seminar will explore fashion styles from the early 1900's thru the 1980's. The seminar will chronicle the dramatic changes in fashion throughout the 20th Century and touch on the historical events that inspired these changes. We will look at trends and designers as well as the culture of the day.  Actual garments and accessories from each decade will be modeled and displayed. At the end we will take a look at how these distinct and wonderful styles influence today's designers AND how genuine vintage is being worn to add spice to wardrobes everywhere.

The Boston Antiquarian Book & Ephemera Fair -- Featuring up to 75 top book and ephemera dealers and the following seminars:

Reports from the Field: Continued Adventures Among the Gently Mad -- A seminar by Nicholas Basbanes
Nick Basbanes will entertain with stories about some of the exciting collectors and collections he’s come across since the publication of his last books, and what we can glean about collecting in the 21st century by looking at the examples of some of the best practitioners.

Everything you wanted to know about Collecting Old Maps of New England -- A Seminar by Michael Buehler
In this one-hour seminar, Michael Buehler of Boston Rare Maps will offer a brief introduction to the collecting of New England maps. Topics covered will include a brief history of mapping the region, common subjects for collecting, map condition and valuation, purchasing from dealers and at auction, and conservation and storage. The presentation will be heavily illustrated by examples from Boston Rare Maps inventory and major public and private collections.

For more information, check web site www.bostonantiquesweekend.com.

Historic Holiday Stroll on the Freedom Trail   

The Freedom Trail Foundation is offering a NEW historic tour for the holiday season and winter months. Walk with a costumed guide, take advantage of discounts at a Freedom Trail museum shop, and round off the tour with hot chocolate, tea or wine and crumpets at the Omni Parker House Hotel. Staring at Faneuil Hall, costumed tour guides in 19th century Dickensian garb lead visitors along the historic Freedom Trail. Hear the story of how Christmas and holiday traditions evolved in Boston, the highlights of the American Revolution as it happened just 75 years earlier, and end at the Omni Parker House Hotel.

“Here’s a new way to do holiday and Christmas shopping while taking in the excitement of American History” said Mimi La Camera, president of the Freedom Trail Foundation. “We’d like everyone to enjoy the Freedom Trail in what was once thought of as the ‘off season.’ The escapades of Boston patriots and the Tory soldiers happened all year, so why not be immersed in the tangled, history-making adventures all year long?”

About the Freedom Trail Foundation

The Freedom Trail Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to marketing, promoting and preserving the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile path that leads to 16 of the country’s most significant historical landmarks. The Sites are not adaptations or re-creations, they are real and each one played a pivotal role in America’s rebellious beginning – familiar events such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s role in the first battle, the Battle of Bunker Hill – and the growth of the young nation. Marked by a red brick path or a painted red line, the Trail weaves its way through Boston’s proud past in the midst of this vital, modern city.

Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)

Education Programs at PEM

Proceeds from this event support educational initiatives and school outreach programs offered by the museum. The Peabody Essex Museum has initiated the development of new models for museum educational programs, such as the Museum Action Corps (MAC) internship program, which incorporates museum studies with leadership activities for youth from Salem and other communities on Boston's North Shore. Additionally, the museum works with elementary schools and school groups to incorporate art and culture into the classroom.

LENOX

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club Garners Multiple Travel Awards

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club, which has been rated Four Diamonds by the AAA for the five past years and features one of the largest full service spas in New England, recently received top honors from two of the industry's most prestigious organizations: The World Travel Awards, which has named Cranwell the "Best Resort in Massachusetts" and SpaFinder, whose millions of readers named Cranwell the "Best Spa for Golf."

These awards are in addition to a number of accolades Cranwell received in the past year, including the Best Resort in Massachusetts by Boston Magazine's New England Travel and Life. Cranwell Resort was also featured in the book "100 Best Spas in the World," and its golf course was included in "America's Top100 Golf Courses," by Zagat's reader survey.

13th Annual World Travel Awards

The highly prestigious World Travel Awards; recently called the "Oscars of the Travel Industry" by the Wall Street Journal; are granted annually by leading travel professionals around the globe. This year 167,000 voters, including 110,000 travel agents, participated in the balloting, and Cranwell was chosen Best Resort in Massachusetts from among an elite crop of finalists.

Since 1993 the World Travel Awards have recognized the best the travel industry has to offer, and clearly Cranwell Resort fits the bill. Distinguished as one of the Historic Hotels of America, Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club sits on a 380-acre site landscaped by Fredrick Law Olmsted, the famed designer of New York City's Central Park and Boston's Emerald Necklace. The elegant mansion, centerpiece of the Resort's grounds, dates back to the Gilded Age of the late 19th century.

SpaFinder Readers Choice Award

Spafinder.com and Luxury SpaFinder attract millions of spa consumers annually. To construct their Best of List, patrons of both the magazine and website cast ballots for what turned out to be more than 1,000 different spa properties worldwide. Voters were asked to vote only for spas they've personally visited within the past three years and, as one of the most popular spots for golf in New England.

Cranwell boasts a 6,200 yard, 18-hole golf course, and a 12-acre driving range, with breathtakingly beautiful views of the bucolic Berkshire hills. The course winds throughout the resort's 380 acre property, and the golf course itself was designed and built in 1926 by Wayne Styles and John Van Kleek. Styles and Van Kleek were responsible for over 60 golf courses between 1924 and 1932, most of which were in New England.

Additionally, Cranwell runs a prestigious Golf Digest school on its grounds, and top-tier instructors are available for private and group lessons. The golf course offers state-of-the-art amenities like GPS equipped carts, which provide golfers with yardage calculation and other resort communication.

About Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club

Cranwell's renowned spa is the only facility in New England that features the Carita Paris facial "The Renovateur", as well as its signature treatment, "The Grand Mosaic Dry Float," an ethereal two-hour body wrap, warm water immersion, and full body massage. The Spa also offers classes in Pilates, Yoga, Body Conditioning and Aerobics, as well as specialized yoga and other conditioning classes specifically for golfers. Additionally the resort provides an ideal setting for outdoor activities, including tennis, biking, hiking and Nordic walking, with the majestic Berkshires as your personal playground.

The award-winning, 107-room, 380-acre resort is located at 55 Lee Road in Lenox, Massachusetts, approximately two and one-half hours from New York and two hours from Boston.

For information about rate packages, of which Cranwell offers a variety, and reservations, call (800) 272-6935 or visit www.Cranwell.com

SALEM

Peabody Essex Museum Events

Joseph Cornell: Navigating the Imagination
April 28, 2007 ˆ Aug. 19. 2007

Joseph Cornell is one of America‚s most innovative modern artists, known for his distinctive box sculptures, collages and experimental films that continue to influence many artists, writers, poets, filmmakers and designers. Co-organized by PEM and The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and curated by PEM chief curator, Lynda Hartigan, the exhibition represents the first major retrospective of this American master in 26 years. It features 180 of Cornell‚s artworks—making PEM the largest venue for this touring exhibition, including 30 pieces on public view for the first time.

Perfect Imbalance, Exploring Chinese Aesthetics
May 19, 2007 ˆ May 17, 2009

This exhibition illuminates the visual fundamentals of a complex culture by displaying Chinese art from the Neolithic period up to 2004. In juxtaposing paintings, prints, jade, textiles, and porcelain, Chinese aesthetic values become manifest; the art of China is distinguished from art made by neighboring regions or objects made in China for the export market. The exhibition features 30 objects, including new acquisitions never before on view.

Origami Now!
June 16, 2007 ˆ June 8, 2008

Originally developed in Asia, origami has evolved into an international art form. Featuring 40 works by more than 20 of the world's foremost origami masters, Origami Now! demonstrates the remarkable breadth of this ancient art form—from depictions of animals and nature to portraits and abstract geometric forms. On view in the museum‚s Art & Nature Center, the exhibition includes interactive stations where visitors of all ages can engage in the artistic process of paper folding as well as activate "action" origami models, a recent innovation in origami art.

Accidental Mysteries
June 23, 2007 ˆ Jan. 27. 2008

Accidental Mysteries presents over 65 vintage snapshots from the collection of John and Teenuh Foster. Vernacular photography refers to the scope of photography taken for personal use: family portraits, travel albums, holiday photos and more. Many of the images contain accidental double exposures or other darkroom mistakes, creating unintentionally idiosyncratic compositions. Presented outside their intended context, the photographs become pieces of larger historical and social movements. They also take on the reflections of the viewer, who is left to ponder the mysterious circumstances in which these photographs came to be.

Gateway Bombay
July 14, 2007 ˆ Jan. 2009

Bombay has served as home and vibrant inspiration for many artists, including Atul Dodiya, M.F. Husain, Bhupen Khakhar, Nalini Malani, Gieve Patel, and Sudhir Patwardhan˜artists well-represented in the Museum‚s contemporary Indian art collection. This exhibition features works from the Herwitz collection and a dynamic installation in the Atrium by Bose Krishnamachari of video-enhanced tiffin carriers (Bombay's famous and ubiquitous lunch-boxes).

Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style
Oct. 13, 2007 - Feb. 24, 2008

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth, the Peabody Essex Museum presents the first major exhibition to showcase the career of Salem‚s renowned architect and carver. It features more than 200 objects˜including original architectural drawings, neoclassical carved ornaments, sculpture, and examples of extraordinary furniture creations with McIntire's carvings˜drawn from both public and private collections. Dean Lahikainen, curator and author of a book accompanying the exhibition, has also selected a range of paintings, decorative art objects, prints and books to provide a contextual understanding of McIntire's work.

OPENING SPRING 2008

Wedded Bliss, The Marriage of Art and Ceremony
April 2008 ˆ Sept. 2008

Wedded Bliss, The Marriage of Art and Ceremony explores the wedding ceremony as an impetus for the creation of art in cultures around the world. Spanning three centuries, this ambitious show presents diverse aesthetic and cultural themes: the dynamics of identity; tradition and changing societal values; ritual and ceremony as performing arts; artistic expressions of spirituality and religion, and displays of status and prestige. The multiple stages of the matrimonial process, including courtship and engagement, prenuptial preparations, wedding rituals and celebrations, honeymoons and newlyweds, and anniversaries, are richly represented.

ONGOING IN 2007

The Emperor Looks West
Through March 25, 2007

The Yachting Photography of Willard B. Jackson
Through May 20, 2007

Epic India: Paintings by M. F. Husain
Through June 3, 2007

A Sense of Place: An Artist's Tribute to the Seven Continents
Through June 3, 2007

Sketched at Sea
Through Jan. 6, 2008

Of Gods and Mortals, Traditional Art from India
(Ongoing)

Intersections, Native American Art in a New Light
(Ongoing)

All of My Life: Contemporary Works by Native American Artists
(Ongoing)

About The Peabody Essex Museum

The recently transformed Peabody Essex Museum presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings) and outstanding Asian, Asian Export, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime, and Photography collections. In addition to its vast collections, the museum offers a vibrant schedule of changing exhibitions and public programs, plus a hands-on education center. In 2006, PEM was named one of the nation's "Top 10 Art Museums for Kids" by Child magazine. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens, and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture in the United States. The Peabody Essex Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. General museum admission: Adults $13; seniors $11; students $9 Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang: $4 Members, youth 16 and under, and residents of Salem enjoy free general admission and free admission to Yin Yu Tang. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee. Location: East India Square, Salem, MA 01970. Call 866-745-1876 or visit our Web site at www.pem.org.

For more information, call 866-745-1876 or check web site www.pem.org.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Offer Guests Exclusive Visual Arts Programming

Millennium Hotels and Resorts in the U.S. is unveiling art-themed packages for its 2007 Millennium on View (MoV) program, providing guests with access to exhibitions and museum events across the country. Millennium on View is a unique visual arts program that sponsors the art of our time at partner museums.

To learn more and sign up for a complimentary membership to Millennium on View, check web site www.millenniumhotels.com/onview.  You may reserve packages on the web site or by calling 866-866-8086. All packages based on availability; blackout dates may apply.

See over 400,000 works in Boston

The Millennium Bostonian offers a Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) package, supporting this major cultural institution which features nearly 450,000 works of art. The MFA package includes accommodations with a balcony overlooking Faneuil Hall Marketplace, two admission passes to the MFA, American breakfast for two and turndown service. Rates begin at $199, valid through March 31, 2007. 

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), established in the United States in 2000, is the North American arm of London-based Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc (MLC). The MHR portfolio includes 20 holdings in The Americas, and the company operates properties including: Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York City; Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City; Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo, New York; Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago; Millennium Bostonian Hotel, Boston; Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis; Millennium Hotel, St. Louis; Millennium Hotel, Cincinnati; Millennium Harvest House, Boulder; Millennium Hotel, Durham; Millennium Alaskan Hotel, Anchorage; Millennium Resort, Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch, and the Millennium Maxwell House, Nashville. MLC holdings outside of the Millennium brand include the Millenium Hilton in New York City.

For further information on Millennium Hotels and Resorts, call 866-866-8086 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

MICHIGAN

KALAMAZOO

Plan now to come to Kalamazoo in May! You don’t want to miss this exciting event! On May 17-20, 2007, independent, professional and student animators will be competing in the Kalamazoo Animation Festival International, located at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Many activities are planned for this event including screenings, professional workshops, seminars, social events, informal discussions, portfolio reviews, and much more.

To find out about more upcoming events and attractions that make it worth a trip to Discover Kalamazoo, check web site www.discoverkalamazoo.com. For details about entering or obtain more information about the event, check web site www.kafi.kvcc.edu.

Festival of Sacred Music

The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music will be held at various locations including The Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Miller Auditorium and Chenery Auditorium, Nov. 8-11, 2007. The event will feature such artists as the Tibetan Monks from Deprung Loseling Monastery, Capriccio, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Singers and Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus along with many others.

The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music is a biennial event. The first festival of its kind was held in Nov. 2001 supported by numerous grants and individual contributions. The festival is now an independent organization run by a board and advisory council made up of community leaders and representatives.

The mission of the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music is to offer events which represent diverse religious traditions, promoting mutual respect and understanding through sharing the music treasured by these traditions.

For more information on the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music visit web site www.mfsm.us or call 269-382-2910.

The theme of this year’s show is, Ouiatenon on the Ouabache: 1717-1791, the most southern outpost colony of New France. This was the first European settlement in what is now the state of Indiana. Situated across the Wabash River from a large Native village, Ouiatenon played an important role in the struggle of the French, British, Native tribes and Americans for control of the North American continent.

Fort Ouiatenon was established in 1717 to offer trade and protection to the large Native population living along the Wabash River, and to insulate them from the influence of the British. While many similarities exist between Fort Ouiatenon and such contemporary posts as Michilimackinac and St. Joseph, Ouiatenon’s material culture was more distinctively French, and is regarded by some as the purist of any French Colonial archaeological sites in the United States.

The Tippecanoe County Historical Association, Lafayette, Indiana, is the owner of the site of Ft. Ouiatenon and its archaeological collections, and each year produces the internationally renowned Feast of the Hunters’ Moon, the largest 18th Century living history event in the Midwest. The association will host a large display of artifacts from the Ouiatenon collection in Room C of the Kalamazoo County Expo Center both days of the show.

The 32nd annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™ was created in 1976 to bring history alive and entertain, as well as expose the general public to some of the most fascinating times in our history. Each year the show’s focus changes, allowing various historical re-enactment groups, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to host the show. Dressed in period clothing, the hosts share their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, history with us all.

The Kalamazoo Living History Show™ is open to the general public Sat., 9 am to 5 pm and Sun., 9 am to 4 pm. Admission is $5. Children 12 years of age and under admitted free when accompanied by a parent. Please, no strollers are allowed.

For more information about the Kalamazoo Living History Show™, contact Leslie Martin Dotson, Executive Director, P.O. Box 2214, West Lafayette, IN 47996, telephone 765.563.6792 or visit website www.KalamazooShow.com.

National Street Rods make 21st Appearance in Kalamazoo

The National Street Rod Association’s (NSRA), Street Rod Nationals North, will take place for the 21st consecutive year, at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds. The 28th annual event featuring more than 3,100 modernized and refined automobiles, manufactured prior to 1949, will be held Sep. 14-16, 2007.

According to Jerry Kennedy, Special Events Director for the NSRA, The Street Rod Nationals North is the largest annual automotive event in the region. The event features more than just beautifully painted and chromed street rods; commercial exhibits, vintage parts swap meet, art and crafts fair and live entertainment will also add to the fun for all ages.

In addition, the NSRA Super Prize giveaways will continue, with over $100,000 in merchandise certificates presented to lucky participants throughout the weekend, plus a brand new Chevrolet HHR. Special awards for the favorite entries and more will be given away.

According to the Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Street Rod Nationals North generates an annual income of $3.5 million to the Kalamazoo County economy. The event has contributed more than $64 million to the county since its arrival in 1987.

For more information please contact the Kalamazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-530-9192 or log on to the official NSRA web site at www.nsra-usa.com.

MACKINAC ISLAND

Situated on 18 acres where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet at the Straits between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mission Point Resort offers everything from a Kids' Club to fully automated Meeting Planner Suites, plus the only 500 seat theatre on the entire island. Relax, play golf, croquet, tennis, swim in the outdoor heated pool, pamper yourself with a massage at the 7th Heaven Spa, rent a bike, or dine at several restaurants right on the premises. Arrive here via direct ferry service from the mainland (available from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City) and vacation on these lovely 18 acres. Or, plan your next meeting here. A total of 33 meeting rooms offer over 35,000 square feet of group meeting and function space, and 7,500 square feet of sound stage can be used for exhibits, large banquets and Theme parties. The Conference Center features an Executive Board room, various size meeting rooms and a full service Business Center.

There's more, too. . . Lake cove swimming, outdoor hot tubs, volleyball, and an executive 18 hole putting course. Not enough? Try the fitness center. It includes a stream room, dry sauna, tanning, massage therapy, and hair salon. Nearby attractions if you feel like exploring, include Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, Marquette Park, Indian Dormitory, St. Anne Catholic Church, Mission Church, Mission House, downtown shopping, restaurants, Historic Market Street, and more.

Children 12 and under eat free from a special menu, when accompanied by an adult in the Round Island Bar & Grill (Casual, fun, flip flop earing crowd), Lakeside Marketplace (Grab a picni basket filled with gourmet sandwiches and chilled wine), and The Epicurean (Five star fine dining at its best). At the Bistro on the Greens, adults can enjoy the fresh catch of the day every day, with outdoor dining and live music.

Nearby attractions include Fort Mackinac, Arch Rok, Marquette Park, Indian Dormitory, St. Anne Catholic church, Mission Church, Mission House, Downtwon shopping, restaurants, Historic Maret Street and much more.

For more information and reservations, contact mission Point Resort, One Lakeshore Drive, P.O. Box 430, Mackinae Island, MI 49757; 906-847-3312, or check web site www.missionpoint.com.

GREAT LAKES REGION

Michigan was actually shaped by the Great Lakes. Carved by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago, its two peninsulas are visible from the moon and instantly recognizable on any globe or atlas. What's equally amazing is that these two peninsulas are dotted with more than 11,000 inland lakes, laced with 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and defined by a 3,200-mile Great Lakes coastline. Along this coastline are more than 100 public beaches, some of the highest freshwater sand dunes in the world, multi-colored sandstone cliffs, two National Lakeshores and the only national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes -- the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. In this area, you'll also find more than 100 lighthouses, numerous maritime museums, ten shipwreck-diving preserves, and historic military fortifications dating from the American Revolution and the Civil War.

It's no wonder that people plan vacations here, particularly sunbathers and swimmers -- for there are dozens and dozens of miles of blond-sand beaches, numerous state parks, a National Lakeshore, lakeside villages, artists' colonies, golf courses, and world-class resorts. Almost anything you love doing, you can do here - from the lakes, campgrounds, wildlife refuges, rivers for canoeing, kayaking, fishing and miles of hiking, biking, riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling trails.

For more information and a variety of vacation planning tips, contact Circle Michigan, Inc., Grand Rapids Office, 3665 28th Street SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49512; 1-800-513-6424, or check wet site www.circlemichigan.com.

MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS

View incredible works at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis

The Millennium Hotel Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center package offers accommodations, American breakfast for two and two admission passes to the museum, one of the country’s foremost cultural institutions for contemporary art. See special exhibition Kara Walker: My complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love (through May 2007), showcasing the artist’s signature black-paper silhouettes, film animations and more than 100 works on paper. Rates begin at $139, valid through March 31, 2007.

Weisman Art Museum Welcomes Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956-1966

This is the first comprehensive exhibit dedicated to Dylan’s early career, and it will run through April 29, 2007.

Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956-1966 examines the critical 10-year period that
coincides with Dylan’s transformation from folk troubadour to rock innovator during a
momentous, turbulent period of American history. This highly anticipated retrospective traces Dylan’s personal and artistic development from his teenage years in Hibbing, Minnesota, to his debut on the national stage of the Greenwich Village folk scene, to his massive fame as one of the first true rock stars and the man who “electrified” contemporary songwriting.

The exhibit showcases a blend of more than 150 historic artifacts including handwritten
lyrics and letters, instruments, rare memorabilia, and photographs. In addition, the exhibit features four mini-films and a collage of rare, early television and concert film footage. It also includes interviews with Dylan reflecting on this intensely creative period in his early career for the first time on film. Few musicians in the history of popular music have shaped the face of American music and culture the way that Dylan has. The Weisman showing of Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956–1966 includes key additions to the
exhibit from the musician’s home town of Hibbing, Minnesota, and from Dinkytown, the small business district near the University of Minnesota where Robert Zimmerman transformed from a shop keeper’s son into “Bob Dylan,” folk singer and American icon.

Drawn from the Bob Dylan Archives, EMP’s permanent collection, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, The Civil Rights Museum and private collectors, this collection encompasses the release of some of Dylan’s seminal albums, including The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Bringing it all Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and
Blonde on Blonde. Also available are excerpts from the Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back and the unreleased film Eat The Document.

Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956-1966 also includes interactive listening kiosks and an audio tour feature of Dylan and other key artists sharing stores and insights about folk music and the Sixties. Educational material for teachers is also available.

Additional materials on Dylan’s life in Hibbing and Dinkytown will be added to the exhibition at the Weisman. Among the additional items are:

•A street sign that marked the corner where the Zimmerman family lived in Hibbing

•A movie marqee from the Lybba Theater in Hibbing, owned by Dylan’s great-uncle and named after his great-grandmother

•A large snapshot of a 17-year-old Dylan, taken by his mother, proudly posing with his guitar in his Hibbing living room

•The desk on which his high school English teacher B.J. Rolfzen graded thousands of students papers, (one of Robert Zimmerman’s term papers on John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, is featured in the EMP show)

•Photograph of the teenage Bobby Zimmerman in his first rock and roll band

•Audio recordings of the young Dylan singing in his Hibbing living room and a segment of a 1960 recording of the singer in a Dinkytown apartment

Exhibition Dates

Through April 29, 2007

General Museum Information

The Weisman is located at 333 East River Road in Minneapolis. Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays.

Public parking is available in the museum ramp at a rate of $2.50 per hour or a flat rate of $5.00 on Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission fee to the Weisman.

For more information call 612-625-9494. For full details about other events visit web site www.weisman.umn.edu

Macy’s and Bachman’s Spring Flower Show Present Gadina Africana

Announced Flowers of Africa are inspiration for multimedia celebration of African music, art and life - Gadina Africana. The flowers of Africa will bring light and warmth to the Midwest this year, when Macy’s and Bachman’s present Gadina Africana, an exotic African flower garden and celebration of the art, music and life of Africa.

The display will run from March 21 to April 7. The African theme was inspired by Macy’s “Path to Peace” project, in which Macy’s offers exquisite handmade peace baskets made by 2,000 women genocide survivors in Rwanda (available in select stores and at www.macys.com). The fresh flower show will include African art, music, photography and sculpture. Keith Kirsten, often called “South Africa’s favorite gardener” and a popular media personality, is a special consultant for the show. “Gadina Africana is going to be educational, interactive and unpredictable.

It’s a mélange of art, photography and philanthropy, exhibiting a serious side to the color and beauty of the African garden,” said Michelle Mesenburg, divisional vice president of marketing events and communications with Macy’s North. “The African continent is filled with thousands of species of plants, many of which the world has yet to experience.” The flower show, celebrating 44 years, will move from the 8th floor auditorium to the 1st floor of the downtown Nicollet Avenue store. Macy’s and Bachman’s will be transforming the entire 1st floor and one corner window into an African garden. “Macy’s is proud to carry on the tradition of the spring flower show,” said Frank Guzzetta, chairman and CEO of Macy’s North. “Customers will find that experiencing the show on the 1st floor will be a unique and immersive experience.”

The 1st floor location will provide an engaging and interactive experience with a variety of sensory events that play on scent, sound, taste and imagery inspired by Africa. The many facets of African life will be featured through two photography exhibits. Michael Clinton’s world-renowned landscape photos and Willa Shalit’s documentary-style photos of Africa will be integrated into the show. Macy’s Culinary Council member and acclaimed Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson will do a cooking demonstration and sign his new book, The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa.

A large gift shop will include African art, music and gifts. About Bachman’s Based in the Twin Cities, Bachman’s is one of the world’s largest retail floral and nursery operations. Bachman’s has been in business since 1885 and has 19 retail floral stores in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud, including six floral, home and garden centers. Bachman’s operates an outdoor landscape design and installation service; an indoor landscaping service and floral specialties for weddings and special events.

Their 629-acre production facility near Lakeville, Minnesota, includes eight acres of greenhouses and provides many of the plants and flowers sold through Bachman’s locations and online at Bachmans.com.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Federated Department Stores, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions – Macy’s East, Macy’s Florida, Macy’s Midwest, Macy’s North, Macy’s Northwest, Macy’s South, and Macy’s West – and an online store at macys.com. Macy’s North is based in Minneapolis and operates 63 stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Freewheel Bike announces Midtown Bike Station to open Spring 2007
 
Whether they need an extra tube or an extra shot of espresso, Twin Cities bicyclists will soon have an oasis to enjoy as they ride the Midtown Greenway.   Freewheel Bike in conjunction with the Midtown Greenway Coalition, City of Minneapolis, and Allina Hospitals and Clinics will operate the Midtown Bike Station along the trail’s second phase.
           

The Station is the fruit of a long conjunctive effort between Freewheel, the hospital, the city, and the Coalition to offer commuters and recreational riders a stop in the center of Minneapolis.  “It’ll be a place to stop for on-the-spot repairs, bike rentals, even order a favorite drink from the barista,” said Kevin Ishaug, owner of Freewheel Bikes.
           

The Midtown Bike Station will also offer memberships and membership will have its privileges.    Members will get discounts on parts, repairs, accessories and valet parking.
“The Station will have a hundred or so parking spots for bicycles, and rather than stop and lock up your bike, you can hand it over and the staff will hang it up and watch it for you,” Ishaug said.   
           

However, membership isn’t required, and all riders will be able to use the center.   Cyclists can meet for group rides, learn how to fix their bikes, and attend a spinning class.   Unlike traditional bike shops, the Center will be open during peak commuting hours. Riders will find an open door early in the morning on their way in to work and, in the evening, a shop ready to help them out as they head home.   “The ride home can seem like a long haul,” Ishaug said, “so why not have a comfortable stop on the way?”
           

The Midtown Bike Station will be located next to the renovated Sears building now owned by Allina Hospitals and Clinics.     The station was made possible by a federal grant plus capital investment by Freewheel Bikes, Allina Hospitals, and the Midtown Greenway Coalition.

MONTANA

BIG SKY

Big Sky’s River Rock Lodge Announces the Ski, Stay & Romance Package!

Big Sky’s River Rock Lodge announces its new Ski, Stay & Romance package for the late winter & spring season.  The charming Montana-style lodge is situated within quaint Meadow Village in Big Sky, just down the mountain from world-class skiing. The package includes a pair of lift tickets to the slopes at Big Sky, luxurious guestroom accommodations, generous continental breakfast, and more. 

It’s a romance package, and so a full-hour His & Her massage is included – either in the couple’s guestroom or at OZssage Ltd, a serene spa located nearby in Meadow Village. Guests of the package can also indulge in the full use of River Rock’s bubbling outdoor hot tub spa, as well as endless relaxation in front of the roaring fireplace in the lodge’s living room lobby. Of course, turndown service each evening is offered as well as a celebratory bottle of champagne and the ultimate aphrodisiac – chocolates! A generous continental breakfast is provided the next morning in the lodge breakfast room.

The Ski, Stay & Romance Package at River Rock Lodge is priced from $394 / couple / night, based on double occupancy. The package is available through April 14, 2007 (two-day advance reservation requested to arrange for his & her massages).

To learn more about the Ski, Stay & Romance package at River Rock Lodge or to make reservations, call (866) 995-4455 or visit web site www.riverrocklodging.com. The offer is based on availability.

About River Rock Lodge

River Rock Lodge is a charming and welcoming Montana-style inn located in Meadow Village, Big Sky, Montana. The lodge features an invited living room lobby with a fireplace and soaring cathedral ceiling, a breakfast room, library, and 29 large, well-appointed guestrooms with wet bars, refrigerators, down comforters, Pendleton Wool blankets and plush terry robes. The luxurious Vista Suite offers a double sided fireplace, jetted tub, double walk-in shower and private balcony. In season, ski shuttles are available to the slopes at Big Sky and Moonlight Basin. The Lodge is located 45 miles from Yellowstone National Park and 40 miles from Bozeman, Montana and the Gallatin Field Airport.  To discover more about River Rock Lodge or to make reservations, visit web site www.riverrocklodging.com. 

River Rock Lodge’s sister company, Resort Property Management, offers a large selection of luxurious vacation homes available for rent in Big Ski’s Meadow Village and up on Lone Peak Mountain. Many offer ski-in, ski-out opportunities.

To learn more about the vacation homes available through Resort Property Management or to make reservations, call 866-995-4455 or visit web site www.rpmbigsky.com.

The 320 Guest Ranch Great Value Ski & Stay Packages

This includes the sought after Lone Peak Pass, which provides a full day lift ticket to both Big Sky and Moonlight Basin with seamless skiing in between (23 lifts, over 220 runs on 5300 acres). Also included is access to the free shuttle that takes skiers to the ski mountain, lodging in cozy, modern cabin accommodations, a nightly bonfire, taxes, and a continental breakfast each morning. Children 10 and under stay free and ski for free!

The Big Sky Great Value Ski & Stay Package is priced from $150 for single occupancy; $234 double occupancy; $318 triple occupancy and $402 for quad occupancy. 

Montana's premier year-round ranch destination, the 320 Guest Ranch (web site www.320ranch.com) is a historic property situated along two miles of the famed Gallatin River near Big Sky, Montana. Begun in 1898, the 320 Guest Ranch offers 87 sleeping rooms within 59 luxurious and modern cabin accommodations, log homes and a mountain chalet. Many accommodations feature wood-burning fireplaces.

The property offers superb dining at the 320 Ranch Steak House, with an emphasis on big game cuisine exquisitely prepared. The 320 Saloon is perfect for after-hours activities, such as Aprés Ski.

The ranch provides facilities and concierge support services for corporate events, social and leisure activities. Close to world-class downhill and cross country skiing at Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin, 320 Guest Ranch offers a full range of seasonal recreational activities, such as horseback riding, trail hiking, rafting, sightseeing, mountain climbing, fly fishing (some of the world's best), hayrides, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and many more. Each night guests gather around a roaring bonfire to conclude their day, spring through fall.

On staff are experienced wranglers and horse experts, as well as a team of professionals who can assist in making a guest's experience highly memorable.  

320 Guest Ranch is located 12 miles from Big Sky, 5 miles from the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and 52 miles from Bozeman, Montana, and the Gallatin Field Airport.

All 320 Guest Ranch Ski & Stay Package rates are per night and based on availability. To learn more about 320 Guest Ranch and the Great Value Ski Package, call 406-995-4283 or 800-243-0320, or check web site www.320Ranch.com.

Skiing at Big Sky

As if 5,300 acres were not enough terrain to explore in a day, Big Sky has announced it will open the Dakota Territories for the 2006-07 season. Dakota is accessed from the Lone Peak Tram and is located directly west of Liberty Bowl. The addition will bring the official acreage between the Big Sky, Moonlight Interconnect to 5,512 acres and Big Sky's terrain to 3,812 acres. Dakota Territories is primarily open bowl, above tree line skiing at an intermediate angle. The run out includes well-spaced, natural glades that border Bavarian Foret. After the giant weeping open bowl turns, the run contains plenty of natural rollers and kickers before reaching the exit. At the bottom there is a path through the forest that connects with the Hippy Highway, the road that leads to the bottom of Shedhorn. From there skiers and riders will be able to go back to the front of Lone Mountain. The new terrain compliments the healthy doese of some of the most varied lift accessible terrain in North America. Big Sky's beginner area underwent extensive reconstruction this summer with the addition of a third magic carpet and a tube park. Intermediates have their hands full with access to Andesite Mountain which offers three high-speed lifts with big, wide, blue intermediate cruisers that are regularly groomed.

The real treat is for the adrenaline-fueled advanced and expert skiers who can explore the steeps on the Challenger chair and the Lone Peak Tram. The 11,166 foot tall Lone Peak offers neverending, Alps-like terrain between a series of open bowls, tight couloirs and technical gullies. The steepest parts of the south wall of Lone Peak are 50 degrees where the next turn requires faith and skill instead of vision. Dakota Territories will fit snugly in the overwhelming menu of choices for Big Sky skiers psread over three mountains and 5,512 acres.

For more information, check web site www.bigskyresort.com.

The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

More like a fairytale than reality, the setting of The Resort at Paws Up in wintertime is truly magical. Here, in addition to unrivalled downhill and cross country skiing you can enjoy an abundance of other enchanting winter excursions. From sleigh rides through the woods, dog sledding in the Blackfoot Valley to ATV snow adventures and ice-skating, this wilderness sanctuary delivers a traditional and truly unforgettable experience. The hotel’s tented Spa Town serves as a wonderful place to relax and unwind at the end of an invigorating day, while the restaurant promises a feast for the senses with delicious cuisine made from the freshest local produce.

For more information, check web site www.slh.com/pawsup) (All ski lifts running)

NEVADA

LAKE TAHOE

Lake Tahoe Greets Up to Five Feet of Snow

Lake Tahoe received abundant snowfall with a winter storm dumping an average of nearly three feet of powder on Ski Lake Tahoe resorts since Thursday with snowfall continuing today. Reporting up to five feet of powder at the highest elevation, resorts were blanketed in fresh snow, sending out the reminder that in Tahoe, snow is measured in feet, not inches.

With top-of-the-line snowmaking systems in place, Ski Lake Tahoe resorts have entertained skiers and snowboarders this season with snow packs offering amazing groomed runs and wide-open terrain parks as the sun continued to shine over the past several weeks. Sun or snow, Ski Lake Tahoe resorts continued to offer visitors great mid-winter conditions and scenic lake views that make Tahoe one of the world’s most unique ski destinations.

Those looking to spend their upcoming President’s Day weekend and spring break on excellent terrain, surrounded by sun and snow, should simply come to Tahoe. Unparalleled entertainment will keep visitors going all night, while the culture and relaxed and friendly attitude around the Lake will keep them going all day. Nowhere else can you be on the snowy mountains all day, enjoy world-class entertainment all night, and start all over again the next day, with so many nearby resorts to choose from.

About Ski Lake Tahoe

Surrounding North America’s largest alpine lake, the seven resorts that make up Ski Lake Tahoe are Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley USA. Lake Tahoe boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and last winter the region had the most snowfall in North America. The seven resorts, all offering unparalleled scenic vistas of panoramic mountain and lake views, are located less than an hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

For further information and to directly book travel, lodging and transportation for Ski Lake Tahoe resorts and its travel partners all in one web site, visit www.skilaketahoe.com.

LAS VEGAS

Mirage News

Inspired by the spirit of The Beatles and created by Cirque du Soleil, The Beatles Revolution Lounge opened in December at The Mirage. Opening its doors only six months after the high-profile launch of The Beatles Love, Revolution will offer an extended experience before and after the show.

Revolutionary in design and atmosphere, this ultra-lounge will feature cutting edge, interactive experiences to create a psychedelic sensory environment and a contemporary interpretation of The Beatles era. Each night will be an evolutionary journey, where both the music and interior transform, resulting in an eclectic nightlife adventure at The Mirage. “The inspiration for REVOLUTION began with The Beatles’ message of love but the atmosphere will be a modern twist on their era of freedom, self-expression and free-love,” said Jean-Francois Bouchard, Creative Director, Cirque du Soleil Experience.

Scott Sibella, president and COO of The Mirage, said “The Beatles Revolution Lounge is the next dynamic step in the continuing transformation of The Mirage.  Revolution will bring an even higher level of energy and excitement to the resort.”
This is the first time Cirque du Soleil draws upon their innovative talent to create a unique nightlife experience in Las Vegas. Revolution will be operated by INK, the premier nightclub operator in Toronto, currently managing seven highly successful nightlife complexes in Canada.

Facts:

Revolution will hold 400 persons.

Hours: The Abbey Road Bar, located in front of the main entrance of Revolution, will be open from 11am daily. The Revolution Lounge will be open 7 nights a week from 5pm until 5 am.

Music: Each night will have a specific musical direction. DJ’s will make a musical progression through the evening from strictly Beatles music, to funky lounge remixes, house , rock, electro, new wave and Brit pop.

World Series of Golf® Reinvents Amateur Tournaments With Innovative New  Format
- "Texas Hold 'Em" Hits The Links -

The World Series of Golf tees off May 13 – 17 in Las Vegas, introducing the most exciting golf wagering tournament since the Skins Game. To be played at the Tom Fazio designed Primm Valley Golf Club, the tournament combines the skill of golf with the wagering savvy of poker and gives amateur players the thrilling opportunity to compete for $750,000 in prize money on NBC national television.

The World Series of Golf will be played in a patent-pending method of play that allows for high stakes to ride on each and every shot of the tournament. Similar to poker, players must ante up before teeing off at each hole. Depending on the outcome of the tee shots, the player can then raise, call, check or fold on subsequent shots, with the winner of the hole collecting the pot. Wagers on each individual shot will depend on the player’s position, their confidence to make the next shot, and the position of their opponents. The result is a dramatic competition in which every shot counts, and wagering strategy is just as important as skill. As in poker, when a player no longer has any chips to ante up, that player is eliminated. The winner of each group moves onto the next round until the final group yields the golfer who is crowned the champion of the World Series of Golf. With a maximum field of 180 golfers, the tournament will take place over three rounds. To win the first prize of $250,000 golfers need only to defeat 14 other players in head-to-head competition.

“The World Series of Golf is a completely new way to experience the game of golf. It demands skill on the links, betting savvy and nerves of steel,” said Terry Leiweke, president of the World Series of Golf. “For any golfer who has ever said ‘I’d bet anything that I can make this shot,’ now is his chance to prove it.”

Registration for up to 180 amateur players is now open at web site www.worldseriesofgolf.com.

The buy-in for the tournament is $10,000, which is immediately won back by every player who wins their initial pairing and advances to the second round. Due to the large purse of the event, and the unique method of play, participants must go through an accreditation process to substantiate their golf handicap.  This ensures an even playing field with golfers competing against others of similar skill.

The World Series of Golf not only promises high drama and high stakes, but as part of the buy-in, participants will enjoy a VIP stay at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, the official host hotel of the event. In addition to world-class accommodations and amenities, participants will enjoy an opening night pairings party, pre-arranged transportation to and from the course, special entertainment and a closing night awards banquet in which the winner of the event is crowned and the $250,000 first place prize is awarded.

Scott Sibella, president of The Mirage, said, “The Mirage is pleased to be the first Las Vegas resort to partner with the World Series of Golf. We are excited to continue our tradition of hosting some of the city’s most dynamic events. As one of the leaders in the entertainment industry, we look forward to combining the elements of poker and golf and believe this event will create a unique experience for the competitors and our guests.”

In addition to The Mirage, the World Series of Golf has assembled a dream team of partners that have a proven track record of producing exceptional golf and sporting events.

The event will be produced by Octagon, the global sports and entertainment marketing arm of the Interpublic Group. Industry pioneers in the field of sports and entertainment event management, Octagon has a presence in 23 countries in six continents and manages more than 3,200 events yearly. Octagon’s Dan Baker has been named Tournament Director of the World Series of Golf. Mr. Baker has 16 years experience in sports event management, and has served previously as tournament director for such high profile golf events as the Walker Cup, the Ryder Cup and the PGA TOUR Greater Hartford Open.

The World Series of Golf is scheduled to be televised nationally on NBC TV on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. NBC Sports embodies excellence in sports broadcasting, and is the network home to such marquee golf events as the Ryder Cup, the Players Championship, the U.S. Open, the U.S. Seniors Open and U.S. Ladies Open. In addition, NBC is also home to the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, and the Olympic Games, among other major sports broadcasts.

Van Wagner Sports Group, LLC. is also a partner to The World Series of Golf. A leading national sports media sales organization, Van Wagner Sports Group, LLC. worked with Mr. Leiweke to secure the NBC relationship and will handle all of the integrated media and sponsorship sales for The World Series of Golf.

About World Series of Golf®

The World Series of Golf is a privately held company, based in Las Vegas, it was conceived and founded by Mr. Kenneth L. Maul and Mr. John Slitz. Mr. Terry Leiweke of the Leiweke Holding Companies, serves as president of the company. Mr. Leiweke has more than 30 years in sports and entertainment event management, marketing and business development.

Las Vegas Treasures Abound for Sophisticated Travelers - notes The Ultimate Las Vegas Insider --- Steven Striker

World-class sommeliers. High-end designers. Culinary gurus. Luxury rides. Personal shoppers. Las Vegas has all of this and more. Indeed, this "Jewel of the Desert" has transformed itself into a region abundant with hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered by the seasoned, sophisticated traveler - even the traveler with the most discriminating taste and one who has come to expect the extraordinary.

By offering the ultimate luxury getaway experience, Las Vegas has reached the pinnacle among the world's leading jet-set destinations with tastes, sights, sounds, and amenities that are sure to delight. This legendary town is replete with lavish goods and services, which are presented with glitter and grandeur. In today‚s Las Vegas, you‚ll find the best of everything available, and you'll be treated like royalty as you experience the flair and retro-elegance that sets this city apart from anywhere else in the world.

Well-Traveled

From private Lear jets in and out of McCarran International airport, well-stocked limousines, stretch Hummer transports, exotic Ferrari and Lamborghini rentals for cruising the infamous strip, to helicopter sky tours, Vegas can deliver in spades. In Las Vegas, getting there - and getting around - is half the fun!

Relax and Unwind

There's nothing like a personalized spa experience and Vegas takes this to an artistic extreme, whether it's at a five-star facility or within the privacy of your own suite. Visit incredible on-site spas like the Mandalay Bay Hotel Spa, where personalized spa menus tempt you with exotic massage techniques, lavish body wraps, facials by world-class aestheticians, make-up and hair artistry and Pilates, and Yoga sessions with gurus. Indeed, Las Vegas boasts an array of world-class spas ready, willing, and able to cater to your every whim. For those looking to add a little adventure to their relaxation, take personal fitness to the next level at the Venetian's Canyon Ranch Spa which has a rock climbing wall and other fitness options. For the adrenalin junkie, try outdoor and indoor (yes, indoor!) skydiving, mountain biking, and hiking.

Links to Love

From novice-friendly, to those that meet scratch standards, world-class golf resorts abound in Las Vegas, with attentive staff and high-end amenities. A private car can escort you to Dragon Ridge or the Jack Nicklaus-designed Reflections Bay Golf Club in the enclave of Lake Las Vegas near Henderson. Rhodes Ranch, designed by Ted Robinson, has four sets of tees that provide challenging and satisfying courses for men, women, new players, and professionals. Within city limits is Walters‚ Golf-owned Bali Hai Golf Club, a championship course and tropical delight on the Strip. Owned by Troon Golf Courses, the Royal Links Golf Club has holes that reflect those from the courses of the British Open rotation. A stay at the Wynn Hotel can be even more enjoyable given the chance to play at the resort‚s exclusive golf course - a true desert oasis.

Vegas is for Dining

Las Vegas is a culinary wonderland with epicurean delights created by a "Who‚s Who" of world-class chefs. An extravaganza of five-star international cuisine is available, and highly trained sommeliers are at your beck and call. Sit down for a seafood dinner like none other, created by Executive Chef Tom Maloney at the Venetian's AquaKnox, view priceless art with your meal at Picasso in the Bellagio, and sit down for fresh sushi at the Hard Rock's ever-trendy Nobu, created by renowned master chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Cut into a savory porterhouse at Charlie Palmer, a 40-day aged New York cut with a blue-cheese crust at Boa Steakhouse, or an unbelievably tender bone-in rib-eye at STRIPSTEAK by Michael Mina at Mandalay Bay.

For the ultimate gourmet dining experience, try the 1940s ballroom-inspired Alex Restaurant at the Wynn Hotel. You‚ll have four or five personal wait staff members ensuring that your food is appropriately seasoned, your wine glass is full, and there's nary a crumb in sight Take a trip out to Terra Rosa at Summerlin's Red Rock Hotel and dine on the fine cuisine created by Senior Chef, Heather West, recent winner of FOX TV's "Hell's Kitchen." New York's legendary Old Italy throwback restaurant, Rao's, is now in Caesar's Palace and offers extraordinary Neapolitan cuisine.

Spend one evening "dining in" and have a movable feast in the comfort and privacy of your own suite where a culinary master can create either a personalized romantic meal for two, or a feast for fifty. Set the mood with a private violinist, pianist, or classical guitar player who will serenade you and your guests while you dine. Follow your amazing dining experience with a cognac and hand-rolled cigar night cap.

Designers DeLuxe

Fashioning itself after such designer destinations as New York, Paris, and Milan, Las Vegas has all the elite designers ˆ Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Chanel, Prada, and Tiffany & Co. Dress like the stars of the HBO hit series, Entourage, with a personal outfitting by London "fashionisto" Ted Baker at his boutique in the new palatial Forum Shops II at Caesar's Palace. With the right amount of "pull," these stores will open after hours just so you can shop while assisted by your own personal shopper, without having to fight for elbow room. For that personalized touch, opt for a private fashion show. A tailor can even custom fit a suit or dress in your suite that will be personally delivered to you less than 24-hours later.

Entertainment with a Twist

Looking for some night life without the rap, hip hop, or techno? Las Vegas has a number of clubs and lounges that have recaptured the flavor of the city's golden era, but with a modern twist. With beautiful women lounging in rose petal baths, Tao at the Venetian offers a Zen-like vibe. A 90-foot waterfall that ends in a secluded lagoon and intimate seating areas, make Tryst at the Wynn the spot for a romantic rendezvous. The House of Blues‚ Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay infuses your nightlife with a little spirituality with an eclectic blend of imported fixtures, furniture, and rugs from Tibetan monasteries, with a cool cigar lounge and awe-inspiring views of the Strip.

If you would like a burlesque with your nightclub, stop by Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay. It has the look, feel and sounds of a 1940s club with club leather sofas, mood lighting, and authentic and tastefully delivered burlesque performed to the sounds of an amazing three-piece band on a revolving stage. A bevy of beauties perform nightly at the Pussycat Doll lounge in Caesar's Palace next to the trendy Pure Nightclub. For a heavenly experience, stop by Aureole at Mandalay Bay for a glass of wine delivered to you by a wine angel suspended on wires who delivers the bottle of your choice from a four-story wine tower. Escape the Vegas heat by hitting the Ice Bar at Red Square and select from over 200 types of vodka. From mixing it up on the dance floor to "owning" the prime seating at your location of choice (that super-exclusive VIP enclave everyone at the location covets), the nightlife in Las Vegas will take you straight through to breakfast in style.

Show Stoppers

Take one part Moulin Rouge, add a dash of Broadway, and combine with powerhouse performers. In Vegas, the entire world becomes your stage. Enjoy front and center seats at Celine Dion or Elton John at a specially constructed auditorium in Caesar's Palace that replicates the Coliseum in Rome. Celebrate the musical legacy of The Beatles in the new show LOVE, staged by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage Hotel. For an edge-of-your-seat experience, see Cirque du Soleil‚s $200 million production KA, at the MGM. From there, take in some of the nation‚s leading theater productions, including Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, Mama Mia, and The Producers.

Extraordinary Experiences and Priceless Custom Packages

Then there are ultimate experiences that only Vegas can deliver, making you feel that your social "insider" status has just been elevated to new heights:

Red carpet access to the Billboard Music, Country Music, and other hot award shows and events.

VIP privilege for the town's most exclusive private after parties.

Grand Canyon helicopter excursion tours with champagne and caviar.

Romantic dinners for two, such as window seats overlooking the Bellagio water show.

Nighttime helicopter "sky tours" over the Strip.

Top-Gun style mock "dog fights" in fighter jets.

Private and group NASCAR experiences at the Las Vegas Speedway with helicopter service to get you there in style.

A Red Rock hike with a gourmet picnic set up in cabana-style tents.

Ringside seating at professional boxing and UFC fights with access to after parties.

Private dinners, events, and gambling with celebrities and professional athletes.

Exclusive accommodations at corporate high-rise condos and mansions.

Customized VIP poker and golf tournaments.

Personalized security services

Because You Deserve It

Unlike other travel destinations, the best of what Vegas has to offer quickly sells out ˆ often months in advance. In a town built on connections, it's not what you know, but who you know. Individuals should seek out a five-star host, concierge, or event services provider who will make them feel like royalty. Such high-class services can intensify the "wow" factor and offer a level of exclusivity that removes you from the "rest" of the crowd. It also means being treated in "old school" Vegas style where all you have to do is ask and a hand shake or pat on the back means it's as good as done.

Your stay in Las Vegas can be among the most spectacular, memorable and hassle-free luxury travel experiences of your life. The impossible is possible - with the right connections.

Steven Striker, "The Ultimate Las Vegas Insider," is the Founder and CEO of Striker VIP, Inc. a Five-Star Las Vegas Host, Concierge and Event Services Provider. The company creates exciting, extravagant, once-in-a-lifetime Las Vegas experiences for those for those seeking to gain access into Las Vegas' notorious inner circle, or generally enjoy a spectacular, memorable and hassle-free luxury travel experience.

"Striker" can be reached through his web site at www.StrikerVIP.com or toll-free at 866-VIVAVIP.

LAKE LAS VEGAS

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas ebuts Lucky 7's Packages

Las Vegas is all about luck.  With the unique date July 7, 2007 coming up, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas is debuting two packages designed for guests to enjoy the kitsch of this auspicious date. 

The price for the first package, “Seven Ways of Wonderment” will be $7,707.  The second package, “Savory Sensations of Seven” begins at $777. 

These packages will be available beginning March 1, 2007 and will run for seven months, through the end of September.  These packages to include:

“Seven Ways of Wonderment” at $7,707

• Two-night stay in The Ritz-Carlton deluxe room on the 7^th floor
• Tour of Hoover Dam, one of the seven wonders of the world, with transportation and a private driver and picnic
• Seven hours of treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa for two
• 7-course dinner with wine pairings at the hotel’s restaurant, Medici Café and Terrace
• 7 a.m. tee time for two players at either Reflection Bay or The Falls Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas
• $777 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus
• $777 line of credit at MonteLago Casino
• Seven Sisters Constellation Stargazing with night-time picnic and resort’s signature s’mores
• 7-themed breakfast for two
• Round-trip transportation to and from McCarran International Airport
• Resort fee
• Valet parking

“Savory Sensations of Seven” at $777

• One-night stay in The Ritz-Carlton deluxe room on the 7^th floor
• 7-course dinner at Medici Café and Terrace
• 70-minute spa treatment for two
• 7-themed breakfast for two
• Resort fee
• Valet parking 

For more information regarding reservations, call (702) 567-4756 or (800) 686-2759.

Hours: The Abbey Road Bar, located in front of the main entrance of Revolution, will be open from 11am daily. The Revolution Lounge will be open 7 nights a week from 5pm until 5 am.

Music: Each night will have a specific musical direction. DJ’s will make a musical progression through the evening from strictly Beatles music, to funky lounge remixes, house , rock, electro, new wave and Brit pop.

                 SUMMER SIZZLES AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE LAS VEGAS

WITH THREE NEW PACKAGES

Now that it is the time of year to book summer vacations, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas is debuting not one, but three new packages, designed to maximize the fun of the summer season.

For boating and outdoor enthusiasts planning their vacation at Lake Mead, the “Lake Lovers” package is ideal.  For guests bringing coolers for the boat, the hotel will not only store the cooler, but will also replenish with ice and refill the cooler with selections from the hotel’s brand new “Cooler Menu.”  The menu will include sandwiches, chips, cookies and an assortment of beverages.  The package will be available beginning April 16, 2007.  Pricing begins at $169 per day.  The package includes:

• Traditional resort room accommodations for one evening
• Daily maintenance of cooler
  • Daily replenishment of ice
  • A la carte selections from the Cooler Menu*
  • Nightly storage
• Lake Mead entrance pass
• Complimentary boat parking
• Resort and valet fees 

“The Choice is Yours” package gives guests the flexibility to literally choose how they will spend their time while at the resort.  The package will be available beginning April 16, 2007.  Pricing begins at $279 and includes:

• Traditional resort room, Club room or executive suite accommodations for one evening
• $100 resort credit that can be used throughout the hotel, including The Ritz-Carlton Spa, food and beverage and retail**

• Breakfast for two
• Resort and valet fees

Finally, The Ritz-Carlton’s signature package, “Reconnect” is now designed for guests planning to make the most of the summer sun during their trip.  The package will be available beginning May 29, 2007.  Pricing begins at $209 and includes:

• Traditional resort room, Club room or executive suite accommodations for one evening
• $25 resort credit to be used at either the Poolside Café and Grill or any of the resort’s retail boutiques
• One in-room movie
• Breakfast for two
• Resort and valet fees

For reservations, call (702) 567-4700 or book online at www.ritzcarlton.com.

* A la carte selections from the Cooler Menu will be an additional fee to the daily package price; that fee will include menu items, taxes and service charges.  These charges can be applied directly to the guest’s room.

** $100 credit cannot be used toward room rate, room tax, resort fee or gratuities.

 

ABOUT THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE LAS VEGAS

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas golf and spa resort is nestled on the shores of the largest privately-owned man-made lake in the United States, 17 miles southeast of the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip.  The AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Four Star resort consistently receives extraordinary rankings and accolades for its service, dining, spa and accommodations.  Recent awards include Travel + Leisure magazine naming the property one of best hotels in the world; Conde Nast Traveler ranking The Ritz-Carlton Spa #7 amongst the best U.S. spas; and the 2007 Zagat Survey bestowing high ratings to Medici Café and Terrace for cuisine and décor, as well as ranking the restaurant #2 for “Best American Cuisine” in Southern Nevada.  For more information, go to http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/lake_las_vegas/.  

 

Winemaker Dinner Series at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas has announced the 2007 spring dates for its Winemaker Dinner Series.  Every month, guests will feast on a five course tasting menu developed by Chef de Cuisine Truman Jones of the resort’s Medici Café and Terrace. 

While they are dining, winemakers will be present to pair each course with the finest selection of their wines and discuss the production behind each bottle.  Furthermore, guests will have the rare opportunity to interact on a one-on-one basis with the winemakers, as well as meet Chef Jones.  Reception and passed hors d’oeuvres begin at 6 p.m.  Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. 

The 2007 spring schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, April 18                      Rodney Strong

Wednesday, May 2                        Rudi Wiest German Riesling

Prices range from $140 to $180 per person, depending upon the featured winemaker.  Price includes tax and gratuity.  Seating is limited.  The dates for the summer Winemaker Series Dinners will be announced this spring.  For reservations, call (702) 567-4700. 

Ritz-Carlton Spring 2007 Tasting Menu Series at Lake Las Vegas

Only at Medici Café and Terrace at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas will guests find the restaurant’s unique tasting menu, highlighting one seasonal ingredient each month.  Chef de Cuisine Truman Jones’ menu features a six-course meal and wine pairing. 

The meal consists of an amuse-bouche (the small bite of food or appetizer-sized portion), followed by four courses and a dessert.  The menu is executed by Chef Jones who joined The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas in 2006.  Chef Jones attended the Baltimore International Culinary College.  He has extensive experience in AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star-rated restaurants.  Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Chef Jones served at numerous prestigious restaurants.  Prior positions include executive sous chef at the Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco and Cascadia Restaurant in Seattle, as well as chef de cuisine at The Dining Room at Salish Lodge and Spa and Gerard’s Place in Washington D.C.  Additional notable positions include chef de partie at Lespinasse and Seeger’s in Atlanta, Brubeck’s in Dublin, Ireland and Mas de la Bertrand in Provence, France. 

The 2007 schedule is as follows:

March’s theme: “Come to the Islands, Mon”

Ingredient: Tropical Fruit

April’s theme: “Rhapsody in Rhubarb”

Ingredient: Rhubarb 

May’s theme: “All About Asparagus”

Ingredient: Asparagus

The price is $80 per person excluding wine or $110 per person including wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity.  

For more tasting menu information or for reservations, call (702) 567- 4700. For more information, check web site www.ritzcarlton.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE

DIXVILLE NOTCH

Located on 15,000 private acres in the Great North Woods high in New Hampshire’s majestic White Mountains, The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel offers a world-class experience to Nordic skiers due to its unique geographic location and surrounding wilderness. Ninety-five kilometers of cross country ski trails – including 77 kilometers of impeccably groomed trails on diverse terrain – and New England’s most dependable snow conditions create the ideal experience for cross country skiers of all ages and abilities. The cross-country skiing sport is taken quite seriously here, with trails winding through an awe-inspiring landscape that varies more than 2000 feet in elevation and professionally groomed to 16-feet wide, and double tracked with a wide skate lane down the middle. Trails are well-marked and rated for level of difficulty. One-third of trails are designated for beginners with heated shelters along the way, allowing families to ski together all day. While almost half of the trail system is labeled blue for intermediate and black for advanced skiers, The Balsams' system is unique in that it includes a  rare double-black diamond with some of the steepest terrain in New England. With the opening of the Nordic Center last year, novices and more advanced cross country skiers alike can arrange for lessons with certified pros. In addition to skis, rental equipment includes pulks, pull-behind sleds designed for touring with younger children. For added convenience, a waxing station is available. During winter, the Balsams boats New England’s most dependable snow conditions, with precipitation rarely changing from snow to rain. In addition to Nordic skiing, The Balsams is known for its alpine ski area featuring 14 trails on two slopes with runs up to two miles long. Families in particular will appreciate that all trails begin at the top of the lift and end at the base lodge, making it easy to reconnect after runs. Other winter activities include skating on the resort’s private rink and snowshoeing on designated trails. For the more adventurous, touring by dog sled or horse drawn sleigh may be arranged through the concierge.

The Balsams is a four-star destination that boasts 202 individually decorated guestrooms and suites; four dining venues, including the Dining Room renown for its sumptuous table d’hote culinary presentations; over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space; and unparalleled year-round recreation including nightly entertainment and children’s programs. The resorts famous “Ballot Room” serves as the polling place for the nearly two dozen area residents who are the “first in the nation” to report the results of their voting in national elections. Serving guests since 1866, the resort is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and is part of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts family -- one of the nation’s foremost hospitality and entertainment veterans.

For reservations and information about The Balsams, call 1-866-380-6798, or check web site www.TheBalsams.com.

NEW JERSEY

Special Shows:

19th Annual Pet Industry Spring Tradeshow & Educational Conference

March 30 through April 1, 2007

 (Atlantic City, NJ, March 21, 2007)From holistic grooming products to organic cotton hoodies and Pup-Casso paint kits for four-footed artists, the 19th Annual Pet Industry Tradeshow and Educational Conference spotlights new and emerging trends for pet industry professionals at the Atlantic City Convention Center from Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, 2007. 

The industry-only show speaks to just how wild Americans are for their pets.  Pet owners spend billions of dollars on their animals annually.  And an increasing percentage of those billions is spent on products and services usually reserved for humans, including massage and alternative therapies, couture clothing and gourmet and organic food.

Products just like Yucca Intensive, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent. Or the retro Disco Diva Dress, sized for teacups to Great Danes (pleather go-go boots are extra). Then there’s the Sleepypod car seat/bed/carrier combo for cats and dogs up to 15 pounds. These are just a few of the types of items that will be featured at the Product Showcase, located at the beginning of aisle 1700, home to the trendiest and newest products. Some 600 exhibitors will be strutting their furry, feathered and finny stuff in Atlantic City for this show, which draws some 8,000 pet store owners and managers, groomers and kennel operators, primarily from the East Coast.

Pet lovers aren’t just interested in furry companions. With some 13 million U.S. households home to ornamental fish, aquatic pets are more popular than ever, a hobby second only to photography, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. This year, for the first time, aquatic retailers can visit the Aquatic Answers pavilion, where they can shop for targeted products and get expert advice.  The pavilion, located in the center of the trade show floor, will feature aquatic exhibitors, fresh- and saltwater tank displays and one-on-one sessions between aquatic experts and store management/employees.

Educational seminars, from how to run a profitable aquatic department to best practices in retail pet management, are on the schedule all weekend, featuring industry experts like certified master groomer Diane Betelak and Joe Olenik, of Hoffer’s Tropic Life Pets in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The popular Backer Cash Bonanza Big Cash Giveaway returns in 2007, with distributors, pet store owners and managers given chances to qualify for the $10,000 grand prize cash drawing. Entry forms for the daily qualifying drawings will be distributed at registration and in participating sponsors’ booths. Contestants must be present to win.

The show hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

For more information, visit www.hhbacker.com, or contact Amy LaTessa, CEM, Assistant Show Manager, alatessa@hhbacker.com; or David Harvey, Trade Show Department Assistant, dharvey@hhbacker.com.  Phone 312-663-4040 through March 27; call 609-449-3942 from March 28 through April 1.

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 Together at 2007 B.B. King Blues Festival Saturday, August 4

BRE Presents brings BB King, Al Green and Etta James together on stage for the first time in the only area appearance of the B.B. King Blues Festival, in the Mark G. Etess Arena at Trump Taj Mahal on Saturday, August 4, 2007.  Doors are at 7:00pm and show time at 8:00pm.  

Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues, the legendary B.B. King is without a doubt the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century. A contemporary blues guitar solo without at least a couple of recognizable King-inspired bent notes is all but unimaginable, and he remains a supremely confident singer capable of wringing every nuance from any lyric.  

B.B. King is a definitive blues musician with over 50 albums and a recording career that started in the late 1940’s.  King notched an amazing 74 entries on Billboard's R&B charts.  His albums stand the test of time, like 1965’s Live At The Regal, which is still considered one of the best. With his guitar Lucille, named after a woman at the heart of a dance hall fight, King has toured across the globe, playing an average of 275 concerts yearly. Made famous with hits like “Three O’Clock Blues,” “You Don’t Know Me” and “The Thrill is Gone,” he has influenced such modern masters as Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix. King’s complex technique has won him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and 6 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed in 1987. His music is traditional blues, but he mixes it with jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump to form a unique sound. King has lent his richly melodic playing and singing to many television specials, television programs, special albums and collaborations, like U2’s “When Love Comes to Town.”
http://www.bbking.com.

In 2007, Al Green is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his soul-transcendent music career with Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits, a new career-spanning collection of his most beloved and enduring hits.  The collection’s 21 tracks, all 24-bit digitally remastered, include six classic Hi Records-era Number One hits, “Let’s Stay Together,” “I’m Still In Love With You,” “L-O-V-E,” “Livin’ For You,” “You Ought To Be With Me,” “Full Of Fire,” and other career-defining tracks Green recorded for Hi and Blue Note.  During the course of his career, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer, nine-time Grammy winner and ordained minister Al Green has racked up seven number one albums and 16 Top 10 singles in the U.S. alone.  Green’s recordings have earned a bevy of gold and platinum sales awards around the world, including, in the U.S., eight gold singles, five gold albums, one platinum album, and one triple platinum album. Green’s recordings are transcendently brilliant, at once definitive of their time and relevant for the ages. His illustrious career has been chronicled in more than 30 albums and an autobiography, Take Me To The River. Still actively recording and performing, Green’s concert tours take him to cities around the world every year for roof-raising shows.

Etta James is truly an artist of genuinely legendary stature. She is a two-time Grammy award winner, NARAS Lifetime Achievement and W.C. Handy Blues Foundation honoree, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Her career began in the early Fifties when the Los Angeles-born singer was first discovered by Johnny Otis while still a teenager. It was the bandleader and talent scout who produced her first hit, the saucy "Dance With Me Henry," which immediately topped R&B charts nationwide. Her tenure with Chess Records began in 1960 and would continue for sixteen incredible years with a string of landmark hits including her signature version of "At Last," "All I Could Do Was Cry," "My Dearest Darling," "Trust In Me," "Something's Got A Hold On Me," "Tell Mama," "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby." Together they comprised a run of charting records that ranked Etta third, just behind Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, as the most prolific female R&B vocalist of her era. http://www.etta-james.com

Tickets are on sale now and priced at $89 and $65.  They can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, on line at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the Taj Box Office. For box office hours and more information call (609) 449-5150.  

For more information on all Trump Taj Mahal events and promotions, visit www.trump.taj.com.

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Tantalize Your Taste Buds At Great Grapes . . . . .

You are invited to celebrate the taste of over 100 unique, diverse and flavorful wines! The New Jersey Wineries want you to sample the essences of their best grapes while expanding your tongue's tastes.

A full palette awaits your arrival to Great Grapes! While mastering the art of wine tasting, be sure to attend our wine seminars, Gourmet Live! cooking demonstrations & shop amongst the unique artists!

Don't turn down this invitation! You are guaranteed to leave the festival as one of the newest wine connoisseurs!

Dates & Place:

Saturday, September 22nd
Sunday, September 23rd
Noon-6pm
ETS Chauncey Conference Center, 660 Rosedale Road, Princeton, NJ 08541

One Adult Admission Includes:

Souvenir Wine Glass, Unlimited Wine Sampling, Gourmet Cooking Demos & Live Music

Pricing:

•$20 Onsite
•$18 Advanced Purchase off this website or by phone 800-830-3976
•$16 (per ticket) Group of 20 or more (must order by phone 800-830-3976)
•$10 Designated Driver Ticket (Includes admission into the event).

Online Ticket sales will close Wednesday, September 19th at 5pm.

Ticket Sales Information:

•ALL TICKETS SALES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - NO EXCEPTIONS
•Advance tickets WILL NOT be shipped.
•Tickets will be available at the WILL CALL BOOTH at the show site on the day of the event.
•Please bring photo identification (driver's license) to pick up ticket.
•Group Rate Tickets: Group Rate Tickets at $16.00/each for groups of 15 or more may be ordered by TELEPHONE ONLY at 800-830-3976.

Children 12 and under are FREE. Show is rain or shine. Chairs and blankets welcome! No outside food or beverage allowed. No coolers allowed. No pets please.
Tickets are Non-Refundable

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Spa Week New Jersey's Answer to a National Health Crisis

Health care in the greatest country in the world is a disaster, and it's only getting worse. Adult obesity has hit epidemic proportions in America, while childhood obesity threatens current and future generations. 46 million of our citizens are without health care, and fewer and fewer physicians are accepting the health insurance we do have, resulting in costs that are spiraling out of control. We hear about these issues all the time; they are hot topics on talk shows, and make the front pages of our newspapers. Politicians talk, talk, and talk about them, but there‚s little or no action. With the days of lifetime-guaranteed jobs˜with guaranteed healthcare˜long gone, an individual's health and wellness is now in her own hands. Our healthcare system is broken and the government can't, or won't, fix-it. America needs help˜and America needs choices. 

So where do we start? The answer lies within the basic core of what makes America great, its entrepreneurs. Spa Week has heard the cries for help and answered the call. 

This Spring, Spa Week will be bringing $50 spa treatments to consumers at over 400 spas across the United States and Canada in an effort to introduce a new generation of consumers to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and to open up the spa industry to the masses.

In New Jersey participating day spas include: Lancôme The Boutique, Red Door Spa Seaview Marriott Resort & Fairway Villas, Spa H, Sahana Spa, Edamame The Maternity Spa and Fusion Spa and Salon. Our goal is to make "wellness" more than just a word˜we intend to do our part and make it a reality. By educating and introducing the health benefits of the "spa lifestyle" to as many people as possible, Spa Week is taking a leadership position in the campaign to change the unhealthy course the country is navigating.

Spa Week is slated for April16-22, 2007 and will take place in over 400 spas in 22 markets across the United States and Canada including New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Virginia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Tampa, Oregon, Denver, Minnesota, Seattle, Arizona, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Toronto. A list of participating spas will be posted on www.spaweek.org.

Spa Week is encouraging participating spas to develop wellness packages and campaigns, but of course, the spas will continue to offer their signature $50 treatments, along with enough pampering to please even the most discriminating spa enthusiast.

Motivated by the $13 billion annual North American spa industry, Spa Week was developed by C & R Media's Cheryl Reid and Christina Castro, who hail from successful careers within the luxury spa industry and publishing spheres.  Spa Week offers corporate and spa partners a vital niche marketing platform as Spa Week builds as an international brand. Along the way, Spa Week has attracted the attention and participation of many corporate sponsors including Saab, eBay, Conair, Jane Iredale, CEW, Essence of Vali, Los Angeles Magazine, Xela Aromasticks and Cancer and Careers. Allure Magazine has been the exclusive media partner since 2005. 

A portion of all Spa Week proceeds benefits Cancer and Careers (web site www.cancerandcareers.org), a non-profit organization for working women with cancer.

For more information, visit www.spaweek.org or call (212) 352-8098.

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ASSUNPINK

New Boat Ramp Opened at Assunpink Lake

Delivering on her commitment to offer New Jersey residents and visitors first-rate recreational opportunities, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today (December 11, 2006) announced the opening of a new public boat ramp at Assunpink Lake in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County.

"This new facility greatly improves public access to Assunpink Lake and will enable more people to enjoy fishing and boating in New Jersey," Commissioner Jackson said. Funded through the New Jersey Green Acres Program, the $458,000 facility replaces a small, gravel ramp and parking area at the end of Imlaystown-Hightstown Road, on the grounds of the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.

The new recreational facility at the 225-acre lake is concrete and features a 50-foot-long fixed dock and paved parking area to accommodate more than 40 vehicles with boat trailers. The site is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and portable restrooms also are available. The DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife oversees the operation of the boat ramp and manages the 6,300-acre Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.

For more information about fishing access, public boat ramps and wildlife management areas in New Jersey, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com.
 

ATLANTIC CITY

Golf Pass for 2007 Now Available to Purchase Online

It’s easier than ever to experience the award-winning championship golf courses in Atlantic County thanks to the new 2007 Golf Pass, available to purchase online at www.gacga.com for the first time.

“We’ve had many requests from people asking for the ease of purchasing the Golf Pass online,” said Brian Hoey, golf tourism marketing manager for the Greater Atlantic City Golf Association. “We incorporated all the requests we received in the past in order to make this year’s Golf Pass the most efficient. As a result, 2007’s Golf Pass also includes a pass available during the peak summer months of June through August, and each pass is available for both two and four players.”

The 2007 Golf Pass is available for only $40 and is essentially 35 individual coupons, saving the user more than $1,000 if used at each course. Participating golf clubs include: Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, The Links at Brigantine Beach, Harbor Pines Golf Club, Mays Landing Golf and Country Club, Sand Barrens Golf Club, Shore Gate Golf Club, and Twisted Dune Golf Club.

Coupons are available for 11 months of 2007 and include Buy One Get One Free, Four Play Only Three Pay and $20 Off Your Round Of Golf coupons.

To purchase a 2007 Golf Pass online, log onto www.gacga.com, click on the 2007 Golf Pass logo at the top of the home page and enter your information and payment method. The 2007 Golf Pass will be mailed directly to you.

The Greater Atlantic City Golf Association is made up of championship golf courses, casinos and hotels located around the Atlantic City region. Members offer a wide range of accommodations, specials, golf and vacation packages, tee-times, and entertainment options – all accessible through the Web site www.gacga.com.

For more information, contact Brian Hoey at 609-449-7133 or bhoey@accva.com.

GACGA course members currently include the highly rated Golf Digest’s Places to Play: Blue Heron Pines West Course – 4 stars; The Links at Brigantine Beach  - 3 ½ stars; Harbor Pines Golf Club - 4 stars; Mays Landing Golf and Country Club – 3 stars; Sand Barrens Golf Club – 4 stars; Shore Gate Golf Club – 4 1/2 stars; as well as Twisted Dune Golf Club, rated #1 Public Golf Course in NJ by Jersey Golf Magazine. Casino and hotel partners include Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Tropicana Casino & Resort, Comfort Inn North, Comfort Inn Victorian, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn Boardwalk, Ramada Limited and Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. Visit www.gacga.com.

Rock and Roll, Free Appraisals and a World of Antiques Come Together in "Atlantique: City!

Hop on the band bus and head for the Atlantic City Convention Center on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25, 2007.  That’s where you’ll find a museum-quality rock and roll memorabilia show, during the Spring 2007 Atlantique City extravaganza. 

The centerpiece of this 10-acre event is a collection of autographs, instruments, records and acetates, concert posters, artwork, personal effects and photographs relating to dozens of rock groups from the 40s to the 80s.  The exhibit is a collaboration of rock memorabilia experts It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll and Gotta Have It!, and features an extensive Bruce Springsteen collection.

Atlantic City is the largest indoor antiques and collectibles show in the U.S., featuring more than 600 dealers from throughout the country and from Canada, Great Britain, Europe and Asia.  Antiques and fine art from the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th Centuries will be for sale, with free furniture delivery within a 200-mile radius.

The show also features nine guest and celebrity appraisers who will offer free appraisals (one item appraised free, $10 for each additional item), from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.  Appraisers include experts in sports cards, fine jewelry, pop culture, animation, textiles, celebrity memorabilia, glass, toys, New Jersey memorabilia, maps, prints, books, autographs and general antiques appraisals.

Atlantique City offers a free shuttle to and from convenient locations throughout Atlantic City, ten restaurants within the Convention Center, hospitality centers, storage and pickup areas for purchases, discount accommodations, shopping discounts and many other conveniences.

Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tickets purchased prior to March 23 are $15 for a single day and $25 for both days.  Advance tickets are available online at www.atlantiquecity.com or by calling 1-800-526-2724.

Tickets purchased at the show are $20 for a single day or $30 for both days.

VIP Early Entry Tickets are available for $59.95 until Friday, March 23, and include admission on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus a free subscription to Antique Trader magazine, a ticket to a VIP cocktail party on Friday night, a VIP gift bag and complimentary coffee on Saturday morning.

For additional information, visit the www.atlantiquecity.com or call 1-800-526-2724.

Remembering Atlantic City’s Vibrant Kentucky Avenue Nightclub District

Casino showrooms aren’t the only places where African American entertainers command the spotlight. There was a time when any black entertainer who was anybody performed in a vibrant Atlantic City nightclub district. From Sammy Davis Jr., to Nat “King” Cole, Moms Mably, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles and James Brown, African American performers worked the dozen or so clubs that dotted Kentucky Avenue, places like Grace’s Little Belmont, Le Bistro, the Paradise Club, and the most famous of them all, the 900-seat Club Harlem, with its high-kicking chorus line and headline entertainment. Grace’s Little Belmont featured organist Wild Bill Davis and his jazz trio, and Le Bistro booked the likes of Jack Jones, Belle Barth, Vic Damone, Jackie Mason and a young comic named Lenny Bruce onto its stage.

“You must remember that, long before casino gambling was legalized, Atlantic City was the only city in New Jersey where bars were permitted to stay open 24 hours,” said Bill Kent, author of “Atlantic City: America’s Playground” (Heritage Media Group, $39.95). From the 1920s through the early 1960s, Atlantic City was home to a thriving and co-existing white and black nightclub scene, complete with unions representing each group.  “The white nightclubs, of which the 500 Club was the most famous (it was here that Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin first teamed up) would stay open until 11:30 p.m., which was the latest the union permitted white musicians to work,” said Kent.  “The black union had no such prohibitions, so the scene would shift after 11:30 p.m. to Kentucky Avenue, where a half-dozen black nightclubs would stay open very late.”

Club Harlem was famous for its Breakfast Show at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings.  Although Frank Sinatra worked the 500 Club on Missouri Avenue, when he and his pals wanted to party, they’d come to the Breakfast Show after the other clubs closed down.  During its heyday, especially in the summer months, Kentucky between Arctic and Atlantic Avenues was so jammed with revelers that cab drivers couldn’t navigate the crowds, and would pick up and discharge fares a block away.

 A fire that burned everything but a picture of Frank Sinatra destroyed the legendary 500 Club in 1973, while a gang shoot-out shut down the Club Harlem in 1968. The Club reopened infrequently and was eventually torn down. Today, 500 Club Lane, a portion of Mississippi Avenue between Pacific and Atlantic Avenues, marks the “Five’s” location, while Kentucky Avenue now forms the side wall of a supermarket. The neighborhood’s glory days are recalled by a huge mural on an Arctic Avenue wall, and by a series of sidewalk plaques along the west side of the unit block of North Kentucky Avenue that honor such businesses as Club Harlem and Ike’s Record Shop.

Club Harlem may be gone, but it’s not forgotten. The Atlantic City location of House of Blues at Showboat named one of its show rooms the Club Harlem Ballroom in honor of Atlantic City’s most famous black nightclub.

Events Commemorating Black History Month in the Atlantic City Area

Atlantic Cape Community College - Call 609-343-5010 or check web site www.atlantic.edu for details. Most events are free of charge.

The Underground Railroad Lighthouse -- On display Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ongoing. “C” building in front of the Walter Edge Theater.

Atlantic City Art Center – Garden Pier, New Jersey Avenue and the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ. Call 609-347-5837 or visit www.acartcenter.org for details. The center offers free admission and parking.

Atlantic City Free Public Library – One North Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ.  Call 609-345-2269 or check web site www.acfpl.org for details. All events are free and open to the public.

Dante Hall Theater of the Arts – 14 N. Mississippi Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ. Call 609-344-8877 or check web site www.dantehall.org for details.

The Noyes Museum - Lily Lake Road, Oceanville, NJ. Call 609-652-8848 or check web site www.noyesmuseum.org for details.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Jim Leeds Road, Pomona, NJ. For information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at (609) 652-9000 or check web site www.stockton.edu/pac.

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts - Cape May, NJ. Call 609-884-5404 or check web site www.capemaymac.org for details.

Small Towns, Black Lives: African American Communities in New Jersey -- A photographic and multimedia exhibit of the works of Wendel A. White. White’s images help to rediscover some communities lost to time and forgotten elements of “community” that, while unique, transcend race, social status and geography. Through May 13, 2007.

African American Heritage Museum – 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, NJ. Call 609-704-7262 or check web site www.aahmsnj.org for details

Portraits of a People - Genealogist Walt McClister researched this collection of African American portraits chronicling residents of the Atlantic City area.

Zelphys’ Liberation Center for the Arts - 530-532 N. High St., Millville, NJ. Call 856-327-9333 or check web site www.zelphys.com.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination’s principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development.  The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

 Couture at the Shore -- Planning the Perfect Date

How about planning a romantic getaway? For twenty-five percent (25%) of the country, it takes less than a tank of gas to get to Atlantic City, and in case you didn’t know, AC is “Always Turned On”. So no matter what your idea of a perfect date is, The Pier Shops at Caesars offers something convenient, accessible and exciting for every couple’s style. Stroll the beach or boardwalk, hit the slots or tables, see a show, or impress your valentine with one of these date ideas -- priced according to any budget.

For High Rollers: The Shopping Spree

Shower him or her with lavish gifts from some of the finest shops and boutiques that the Northeast has to offer. Ladies go ga-ga for rose gold and chocolate pearls from IRIDESSE or Juicy Couture’s Limited Edition charms and bracelets and guys feel pampered with the luxurious ultra Sterling Silver Shaving Set from The Art of Shaving.

For Aspiring Players: The Dinner Date

Make reservations at one of Atlantic City’s newest dining hot spots. The Pier Shops at Caesars offers seven diverse and delectable restaurants, like Stephen Starr’s Buddakan, Patrick Lyons’ Sonsie, and Phillips Seafood, all set three levels above the Atlantic Ocean.  After dinner, kick back on the Adirondack chairs surrounding Level 3 and soak up the beachfront views before sipping a signature cocktail at Continental, Souzai or The Trinity Pub.

For the Low on Dough: The Sweet Surprise

Take your date to the make-your-own candy bar at IT’SUGAR and exchange personalized candy bars filled with all your favorite sweet treats. Afterwards, catch “The Show,” a complimentary water, light and sound extravaganza on Level 1, before heading up to Level 3 to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean at sunset.

Use any of these — or make your own combination — to woo your valentine without breaking the bank.

For more information about The Pier Shops at Caesars,check web site www.thepiershops.com .

Experience Atlantic City For Less With Shopping, Dining, Entertainment and Room Discounts the Beginning of Each Month 

The fun continues when First Wednesday AC takes place on Wednesday, March 7, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Start the month with savings at The Pier Shops at Caesars. Featuring authentic comfort footwear, The Walking Company is offering free Umberto Raffaello socks  (a $15 value) with the purchase of any regular priced shoe purchase, excluding flip flops. Simply mention First Wednesday AC at the time of your purchase.

If you want to stay late for First Wednesday, then the First Wednesday AC special offered by Fairfield Inn by Marriott is just the thing for you. The Fairfield Inn, located on Route 30 in Absecon, is offering a free upgrade to a suite, consisting of a two-room bedroom suite or a whirlpool suite, at a savings of $50 to $140 per night. The offer is not available on discounted room rates and is subject to availability through May’s First Wednesday. For reservations, call 609-646-5000.

One can always find a deal in any of the retail outlets and restaurants in Atlantic City Outlets – The Walk, but the deals offered during First Wednesday AC are extra special. If you haven’t already, now is the time to check out Jay Z’s 40/40 Club. For First Wednesday AC, 40/40 Club is offering 50 percent off your food bill, excluding tax and gratuity (see location for details).

Offering women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and fragrance products, Liz Claiborne is giving a discount of $15 off a $75 purchase or more during First Wednesday.

The newly opened Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on North Arkansas Avenue hasn’t wasted any time joining First Wednesday AC. Stop in during First Wednesday AC and receive 15 percent off a gift box assortment.

Last but not least, Atlantic City Harley Davidson, offering Harley Davidson logo clothing and gift items for men, women and children, is giving away a free tote bag with a $100 purchase or more during First Wednesday.

Red Bull Energy Drink is a partner of First Wednesday AC, along with Samuel Adams, which serves the following locations: Ducktown Tavern, House of Blues, Opa Bar & Grille, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Corky’s Ribs & Barbeque, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Ri Ra Irish Pub, O’Grady’s and Irish Pub.

Visitors participating in First Wednesday AC are invited to park in the South Jersey Transportation Authority lots on Fairmont Avenue and Atlantic Avenue for a nominal fee and hop aboard the free First Wednesday AC shuttle to the various participating locations. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes until 10 p.m.

Created by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Atlantic City Outlets – The Walk, South Jersey Transportation Authority and Tropicana Casino & Resort, First Wednesday AC is a monthly program that provides a night to dine, party, shop and stay with discounts and packages offered at businesses throughout the Atlantic City area.

For more details about participating businesses and First Wednesday AC specials, visit www.firstwednesdayac.com. 

Fashion & Fun Meet at The Pier Shops at Caesars

Counting down until Friday at 5 p.m. Why wait until the weekend when you can shake off the midweek blues at The Pier Shops at Caesars? Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., the seven new bars and restaurants on the third floor, Promenade Level of The Pier Shops will offer samplings of food and drink specials, while the retailers showcase various designers, host trunk shows or sample sales and participate in informal modeling.

Seven restaurants are now open at The Pier Shops: Buddakan and Continental from Philadelphia’s famed Stephen Starr, Sonsie, Game On and Trinity Pub from Boston nightlife guru Patrick Lyons, Phillips Seafood from Maryland’s beloved Steve Phillips and Souzai Sushi & Sake. They each offer a diverse menu and breathtaking sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean. Guests are invited to stop by the 60+ retail stores at The Pier Shops, before or after heading to the Promenade to taste signature drinks and dishes from the newest additions to AC’s dynamic dining scene.

Try a signature cocktail like the Buzz Aldrin or 5-0 at the fun-loving Continental or a Thai Coco from Stephen Starr’s sophisticated mega-hit Buddakan. For the more adventurous, take a ride on Game On’s wild mechanical bull or down a pint of stout at the traditional Irish Pub, Trinity Pub and Carvery. Souzai boasts the best views in the building, as well as a vast sushi and sake menu that shouldn’t be missed.

With so many dining and shopping choices, The Pier Shops at Caesars has something to suit any taste and style.

For details on Sample Sale Tuesdays or Sunset Happy Hour Wednesdays, check web site www.thepiershops.com.

Couture at the Shore. Where? The Pier Shops at Caesars

If you love to shop till you drop, The Pier Shops at Caesars, Atlantic City's luxury shopping, dining and entertainment destination is the place to be year-round.

Shopping

Dress up for the season and, in fact, any time. Turn your shopping chores into a full-fledged weekend getaway. Spend the night at Caesars and you’ll receive a $100 gift card. You can shop for everyone on your list, then enjoy the time away to check out one of The Pier’s newest hot spots. Relax at the spa. Hit the tables. Or take in a show. Whatever you do, forgo the stressful trip to the mall and discover the treasures awaiting you at The Pier. Shop. Dine. Now you can shop, dine, and play like an A-lister!

With a variety of mid-to high-end stores, The Pier Shops’ first floor Boardwalk Level has something cool for everyone on your list.  Make your own candy bars at IT’SUGAR. Check out the latest gadgets at Apple. Head upstairs to the couture floor on the Bridge Level to peruse the latest fashions from brands like Burberry and Louis Vuitton.  Pick up some chocolate pearls at IRIDESSE.  Laura Mercier’s Beauty Book is available at Cos Bar and The Art of Shaving has lots of fun gifts for the guys on your list.

At Your Service

The Service Station on the first floor at The Pier Shops has you covered!  Attendants are always available to make your excursion special. Need dinner reservations? Want a personal shopper? It's all here. Gift wrapping or help with a gift card for your hard-to-please friends can all be arranged. Just stop by or phone 609.345.3100 and you'll receive movie star treatment. Car service to pick you up and package delivery to simplify your trip home can also be arranged. And, if you find wrapping gifts to be a chore, let The Pier Shops at Caesars pamper while you shop, dine, and play like an A-lister. At The Service Station on the first floor, a customer service representative will arrange your door-to-door car service and package delivery, plus make restaurant reservations or even personal shoppers can guide you to find the perfect gift -- leaving yu time to enjoy all the great dining and entertainment that The Pier Shops has to offer.

Head up to Level Three of The Pier Shops to experience seven new restaurants, like Stephen Starr's celebrated hotspots. Sip a sake cocktail and enjoy the view at Souzai or go to Game On for a frosty pint and a few minutes of football. If you love seafood, plan on dining at Phillips; I did and it's fantastic with great service.

After purchasing all your gifts, let volunteers from Gilda's Club, an organization that supports people touched by cancer, wrap your packages as you relax your weary feet in the luxe Gift Shopping Lounge. With over 60 shops and boutiques, seven restaurants and bars, and jam-packed schedule of holiday entertainment you can shop like a star at The Pier Shops at Caesars.

Check web site www.thepiershops.com for more information or call 609-345-3100.

New Accessory Alternatives

Several new stores opened at The Pier last month, offering shoppers exciting, new venues filled with exceptional jewelry and accessories. Dandelion opened its second location at The Pier Shops and features wearable art by some of the finest jewelry designers in the world.  Michal Negrin also joined the luxe line up and offers handmade jewelry created from exquisite raw materials, such as Swarovski crystals, lace, beads and metal. Part of the Tourneau brand, the largest watch store in the world, Watch Gear offers shoppers a unique selection of styles.

Finish Line, Steve Madden and The Walking Company also joined the retail line up this month. So, make your list, check it twice, and schedule a treasure hunt at The Pier. Gather the troops and make a reservation at one of the area’s hottest new shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. Shop like a rock star at The Pier.

For more information, check web site www.thepiershops.com.

It's Easy Finding Great Gifts at The Pier Shops at Caesars

The search for the perfect gift is on! But rather than settling for something you half expect your loved one to return, get some personalized help from The Pier Shops at Caesars. This season, The Pier Shops will take the worry and hassle out of shopping so that you can give your gift with confidence.

How?

At Erwin Pearl, a leading fashion jewelry retailer, trained consultants will help men find exception accessories for the women in their lives. Just bring in a photograph of your leading lady and Erwin Pearl experts will choose the perfect piece based on her hair style, face shape, favorite neckline and colors. You’ll leave with a personalized gift you can be sure she’ll love! Erwin Pearl is located on Level1 of The Pier Shops at Caesars.

Hate the thought of finding something for everyone else on your gift list? The Pier Shops offers a personal shopping service to help you find the right gifts for all your friends and family, without racking your brain or putting a dent in your wallet. Your personal shopper will interview you to find out who you need to buy for and purchase items based on their likes/dislikes and your budget. Call 609.345.3100 or stop by The Service Station for more information or to make a reservation. The Service Station is located on Level1 of The Pier Shops at Caesars.

Gift-wrapping can be a difficult feat for many men. But at The Pier Shops you can kick back in the luxe Gift Wrap Lounge, while volunteers from Gilda’s Club of South Jersey beautifully wrap all of your perfectly chosen packages. And since the money goes to charity, you can actually feel good about taking the easy way out! The Gift Wrap Lounge is located on Level3 of The Pier Shops at Caesars.

For more information check web site www.thepiershops.com or call 609.345.3100.

Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Gift Certificates Available

Look no further for the perfect gift because Boardwalk Hall Gift Certificates are now available and are great for all ages and all occasions. And, you don't have to waste time wrapping it! The gift certificates are redeemable at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office toward the purchase of tickets for any of the Hall’s great events. From the action-packed thrill of professional boxing to magical family shows and premier concerts, Boardwalk Hall has an event for everyone to enjoy. Valid for one year from the date of purchase, Boardwalk Hall gift certificates allow your family, friends, co-workers and clients to select the event they’d like to attend. Boardwalk Hall gift certificates can be purchased at the Box Office, which is located on the Boardwalk in front of the facility. They are available in increments of $10, $20, $30, $50 or $100. The Box Office accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Complimentary short-term parking is available in the Mississippi Avenue garage for guests purchasing gift certificates or tickets. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and four hours prior to all events (two hours before afternoon matinee shows).

For more information about Boardwalk Hall, check web site www.boardwalkhall.com.

Upcoming Boardwalk Hall events include:

2007

March 31 --- Christina Aguilera

April 15 --- Andre Rieu

New Events to Atlantic City Convention Center

With Atlantic City’s popularity growing among trade and public show planners, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority’s (ACCVA) convention development staff announced several first-time events coming to the Atlantic City Convention Center in 2007, as well as returning annual events.

            The lineup of new events includes:

·      Society of Government Meeting Professionals, May 2 through 6, 2007, a convention bringing together thousands of meeting planners from various levels of government;

·      American Massage Therapy Association, May 18 through 20, 2007, an annual spring educational conference for the profession;

·      Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, June 24-28, 2007, an annual conference of health officers from around the country;

·      NBM Shows, September 8 through 12, 2007, an automotive aftermarket trade show;

·      National Association of Elevator Contractors, September 19 and 20, 2007, a group of 6,000 members returning to Atlantic City for the first time since 1999.

 

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development.  The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.   For complete Atlantic City information, check web site www.atlanticcitynj.com. 

Ron White Brings “You Can’t Fix Stupid” Tour To Trump Taj Mahal

Live Nation presents Ron White in the Mark G. Etess Arena at Trump Taj Mahal on Friday, April 20, 2007.  Doors are at 7:00 pm and show time is at 8:00 pm.  

Ron White made a name for himself performing in The Blue Collar Comedy Tour from 2000 to 2003.  He broke out on his own in the fall of 2003 with the release of his debut album "Drunk In Public."  "Drunk in Public", showcased the insightful and hilarious White, who manages to be both razor-sharp and blunt. The comedy CD has been in the Top 10 of the Billboard Comedy Charts since February 2004 and has sold over 450,000 copies. Ron’s "Drunk In Public" tour was ranked in the top 50 in Pollstar Magazine 2004 and #63 in 2005.

His first one-hour comedy special, "They Call Me Tater Salad" earned Comedy Central the highest rated Sunday in its history and the DVD companion has sold more than 1.3 million copies to date and has been certified multi-platinum.  "The Ron White Show", a comedy special for the WB network, was filmed in Las Vegas and aired in April 2005 with 4 million viewers.

Ron’s second and current one-hour special, "You Can’t Fix Stupid" was filmed in January 2006 at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, TX . The special aired on Comedy Central to 4.5 million viewers to make it the 3rd largest audience in Comedy Central’s history and the #1 show in prime time on basic cable. The comedy CD of the same name was released on February 7, 2006 by Image Entertainment and premiered at #14 on Billboard’s Top 200 and has ranked #1 on the Billboard Comedy Charts for the last 9 weeks.

He most recently released a comic biography of his life entitled Ron ‘Tater Salad' White: I Had The Right To Remain Silent... But I Didn't Have the Ability. http://www.tatersalad.com

Ticket prices are $59.50 and $49.50.  Tickets will go on sale Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 10:00am.

Tickets can be obtained by either calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, on line at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the Taj Box Office. For box office hours and more information call (609) 449-5150.

For all Trump Taj Mahal entertainment and promotional events, visit www.trumptaj.com.

CAPE MAY

Cape May always has something exciting going on. Here are the events for 2007: 

Through May 13

Small Towns, Black Lives: African American Communities in New Jersey: An exhibit of the work of photographer Wendel A. White, through May 13, at the Carriage House Gallery, Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. The exhibit presents the artist’s exploration of several historic black communities in Southern New Jersey. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children (ages 3-12), or free with any tour of the Physick Estate. Days and times vary. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Center for Community Arts. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 13

British Beer Tasting Dinner: Celebrate Spring with a four-course dinner featuring a different beer from the British Isles with each course. 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 13, at the Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St. Limited to 60. Admission $55. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Mad Batter. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 20-22

Spirited Cape May Weekend: Triple your enjoyment by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour, and Wine Tasting Class for a weekend of total indulgence. The weekend begins 6 p.m., Friday, April 20 with a four-course dinner at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., with wines themed to the Sunday Wine School Class (Fantastic Wines from the Western Coast of South America). Guests will be treated to individual attention from the wine steward. At 3 p.m., Saturday, April 21, visit the award-winning Cape May Winery for a tour of the vineyard, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel-tasting with cheese and fruit. At 1 p.m., Sunday, April 22, attend the Wine School Class at the Washington Inn. The complete package is $125 per person.  Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 22

Cape May Wine School—Cold Yesterday, Chile Today—Fantastic Wines from the Western Coast of South America: Learn to discern and appreciate fine wines in this informative class,

1-3 p.m., Sunday, April 22 at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. $25 per person. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 27

Springtime in Paris Dinner: Swing into the Spring Festival and enjoy a four-course dinner featuring the freshest seasonal French cuisine. Feasting begins 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 27, Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St. Limited to 60. Admission $50. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Mad Batter. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 27-May 6

Cape May’s Spring Festival: Celebrate the arrival of springtime in America’s first seaside resort with house tours, food and wine events, outdoor crafts and collectibles shows, a Chef’s Dine-Around, Murder Mystery Dinners, living history programs and much more. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

April 28 

Chocolate Fantasy Buffet: Indulge your sweet tooth with a decadent dessert buffet, with chocolate the main ingredient in each treat, 2 p.m., Saturday, April 28 at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. Pastry chefs Kathleen Pastiu and Paul Dicken will be on hand to divulge their sweet secrets. $35 per person at this adults-only buffet. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

Spring Festival Crafts Show: The region’s top craftspeople come to Cape May to share their special hand-made items in this free outdoor show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 28 on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
 
April 28-29

Vintage Dance Weekend: Kick up your heels as they did in Cape May 125 years ago with vintage dancing followed by a costume ball and tea dance. Instructors will teach traditional dances of the 19^th century at a Vintage Dance Workshop, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 28. Then, put your new dance steps to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period, 8 p.m., Saturday night. Enjoy a Tea Dance with live music, 1 p.m., Sunday, April 29. Victorian dress encouraged but not required. All events take place at the Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 4-6

Spirited Cape May Weekend: Triple your enjoyment by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour, and Wine Tasting Class for a weekend of total indulgence. The weekend begins 6 p.m., Friday, May 4 with a four-course dinner at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., with wines themed to the Sunday Wine School Class (Fantastic Wines from the Islands). Guests will be treated to individual attention from the wine steward. At 3 p.m., Saturday, May 5, visit the award-winning Cape May Winery for a tour of the vineyard, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel-tasting with cheese and fruit. At 1 p.m., Sunday, May 6, attend the Wine School Class at the Washington Inn. The complete package is $125 per person.  Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 5

Spring Festival Antiques & Collectibles Show: The Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., becomes an outdoor marketplace as vendors from throughout the Northeast display their wares. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, May 5. Free admission. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information or to make reservations, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 6

Cape May Wine School—Cruise the Islands: Great wines from Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, Crete, New Zealand. Learn to discern and appreciate fine wines in this informative class, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, May 6, Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. $25 per person. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 19

Spring Arts & Crafts Festival: Visit Cape May Convention Hall on Beach Drive for some great spring shopping. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 19. Admission $1. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

Delaware Bay Lighthouse Adventures: Cruise the Delaware Bay aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher. View nine lighthouses on this seven-hour trip, including pedestal lighthouses standing offshore in the Bay’s mid-channel. Hear Bay lore on fishing, spawning grounds and more. The cruise includes complimentary coffee and danish in the morning and a lavish complimentary cold luncheon buffet including shrimp, finger sandwiches, cheese and fruit trays and dessert. A cash bar is available. Limited to 175. Tickets $99. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Cape May Whale Watcher. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 20-June 14

18^th Annual Cape May Music Festival: Four weeks of classical and classic music by the sea, including orchestra, chamber and world traditions performances. Held Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights. Times and venues vary. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 

Food and wine events abound during Cape May’s Spring Festival

 

Spring Festival, co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, offers food lovers plenty of opportunities to indulge in the pleasures of the palate, Saturday, April 28 features perhaps the most indulgent event of all – a Chocolate Fantasy Buffet. Chef Kathleen Pastiu of the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., prepares tables filled with decadent milk, dark, and white chocolate desserts. Chef Pastiu will be on hand to share the secrets of her trade and to answer any questions. Coffee, tea and milk will also be served. The buffet opens at 2 p.m. and admission is $30. Advance reservations are strongly suggested.

For those who are on a quest for more than chocolate, the Chef’s Dine-Around offers a unique chance to dine at five of Cape May’s premier restaurants, all in one night. This is a five-course gourmet feast, with each course served at a different restaurant.  Wine accompanies each course and a trolley shuttle is provided between restaurants. The evening begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. Reserve early, space is limited. The Dine-Around lasts approximately four hours and the cost is $100 per person (gratuity included).

The Victorian Murder Mystery Dinner is sure to appeal to those who like some intrigue with their meal. On May 5 and 6 at 7 p.m., diners are invited to join the “Not Quite Ready for Victorian Times Players” and use your noggin to solve this mystery involving snake oil, quackery and phrenology. The evening includes a three-course dinner at Aleathea’s Restaurant, 7 Ocean St. Cost is $40 per person.

Wine lovers can get an up-close look at the vintner’s art with a Winery Cellar Tour and Tasting at the Cape May Winery, offered Saturdays, April 28 and May 5, plus Wednesday, May 2. Tour the vineyard and learn how the grapes are grown and then visit the winery and enjoy a barrel tasting accompanied by cheese and fruit Tickets are $20. On Sunday, May 6, you can “Cruise the Islands,” and explore the wines of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, Crete and New Zealand during the Cape May Wine School, held at the Washington Inn at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25. You can also triple your experience with a Spirited Cape May Weekend, May 4 through 6, which includes a Friday night dinner at the Washington Inn with wines featured in Sunday’s Wine School. In between, you’ll enjoy a Winery Cellar Tour and Tasting on Saturday. Tickets for this weekend package are $125.

The Carriage House Tearoom & Cafe on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., will be serving its elegant tea luncheons and afternoon teas throughout Spring Festival. It offers tea enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a meal in a truly Victorian setting and the new café menu also offers heartier fare with a selection of entrée salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage.  MAC also fosters the performing arts and membership is open to all. 

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. 

For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

Kick up your heels during Cape May’s Vintage Dance Weekend                                                                                                    

Learn the popular dances of the Victorian era and ragtime, many of which can still be seen in ballrooms throughout the country, during the two-day Vintage Dance Weekend, April 28 and 29. The Vintage Dance Weekend is offered as part of Cape May’s Spring Festival, a 10-day celebration of Spring and Victoriana co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, running April 27 to May 6.

The Dance Weekend begins Saturday, April 28 as instructor Susan de Guardiola, an independent dance historian, teacher and caller from Connecticut, conducts three dance workshops on quadrilles, 19^th century waltz and polka and ragtime era dances. That evening at 8 p.m., dancers have the perfect opportunity to show off their new Victorian steps during the Vintage Ball at the historic Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Live music from the years 1860 to 1890 will be played by Spare Parts, and dancers are encouraged to wear vintage costumes.

On Sunday afternoon, at 1 p.m., it’s time for an elegant Tea Dance at the Chalfonte Hotel. Live music with an accent on ragtime, light refreshments, and great company await as participants conclude their weekend.

Gender balance will be observed throughout the Vintage Dance Weekend. An all-inclusive package (three workshops, Vintage Ball and Tea Dance) is $75. Purchased separately, the three workshops cost $45; the Vintage Ball is $25 and the Tea Dance is $15.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage.  MAC also fosters the performing arts.  MAC membership is open to all. 

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. 

For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

Cape May’s Spring Festival offers something special for shoppers and gardeners

The arrival of spring is eagerly awaited by every gardener, and spring in Cape May is a true delight. The 10-day Cape May Spring Festival, co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, offers gardening enthusiasts the opportunity to visit local gardens for inspiration and to learn more about gardening. It is also the perfect time of year for antiques and crafts collectors to hunt for new collectibles, and Spring Festival offers no shortage of opportunities to do just that.

On Saturdays and Sundays, April 28 and 29 and May 5 and 6, 60-minute Secret Garden Tours will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This guided walking tour takes participants through Cape May’s Historic District, where they will learn about the backyard beauty secrets of local garden authorities. The ticket price also includes admission to the “Small Towns, Black Lives” exhibit at the Carriage House Gallery on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. While at the estate, tourgoers are invited to stroll the beautifully restored Victorian landscape, which includes a traditional oval garden, a manicured herb garden, and much more. Tickets are $10.

A marketplace of ideas for the home and garden comes to Cape May Convention Hall with the Spring Home and Garden Show, Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’re sure to find plenty of garden gadgets and items to brighten up your home for spring at this show. Admission is $2 for adults; children under age 12 are free.

Those who visit the Physick Estate on Saturday, April 28, will find the grounds transformed into an open-air marketplace of one-of-a-kind handmade goods and unique accessories during the Spring Festival Crafts Show. The following Saturday, May 5, brings the Spring Festival Antiques and Collectibles Show to the Physick Estate lawn, with vendors from throughout the Northeast displaying their wares. You can also watch as the Wheaton Arts Glassblowers work on the grounds turning molten glass into works of art.  Their hand blown glass items will be available for purchase.  Both of these events are free, and both run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage.  MAC also fosters the performing arts and membership is open to all. 

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. 

For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

Experience the “spirited” world during Cape May’s Spring Festival

This town is famous for its Victorian buildings, but it is also garnering attention for the Victorian residents who have not left yet. Psychic medium and author Craig McManus has investigated the ghostly presences in more than 75 of Cape May’s homes and hotels, and he claims it is one of the most haunted towns on the East Coast. Visitors who enjoy feeling that chill going up their spine will find many events during Cape May’s Spring Festival, co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, to satisfy their craving for spookiness.

The Historic Haunts Tour on Saturday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. lets visitors get into the spirit of things with a tour of some of Cape May’s Victorian treasures reputed to have paranormal activity. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 3 to 12.

Friday and Saturday evenings, April 27 and 28, and May 4 and 5 at 7:15 p.m., you can add even more thrills to your ghostly pursuits with the Historic Haunts Combination Tour. First, it’s an evening trolley ride through Cape May’s gaslit streets to learn about the town’s spirit activity. Then it’s on to the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., where the family parlor is set for a séance and you’ll learn about the Victorian fascination with spiritualism. Tickets are $20.

One of the most popular tours in town is the Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour, which takes you through the gaslit streets of Cape May with a guide pointing out some of McManus’ paranormal discoveries. The tour runs nightly during Cape May’s Spring Festival; times vary. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. 

Spring Festival marks the debut of the new Ghosts and Goodies Tour, which combines the Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour with a stop at the famous Mad Batter Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy dessert and a ghostly tale of Cape May’s spirit world. The tour is offered Saturdays, April 28 and May 5 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $22. 

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage.  MAC also fosters the performing arts and membership is open to all. 

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. 

For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

See Cape May’s Victorian treasures during Spring Festival House Tours 

Spring is a perfect time to enjoy the picturesque streets of Cape May, which is well-known for its Victorian architecture. During Cape May’s Spring Festival, co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, running from April 27 to May 6, visitors also have plenty of chances to take a look inside some of the city’s most magnificently restored buildings.

New this year is the Baker’s Dozen House Tour, offered Saturday, April 28 and May 5 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. This tour opens the doors to 12 of the city’s charming inns and homes, as well as the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. At each stop, you’ll enjoy a sweet treat or baked specialty and learn about Victorian etiquette and table customs. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 3 to 12.

Also popular is the Private Homes Tour, which showcases Cape May homes from the Victorian era to the present day, not normally open to the public. This tour is offered Sunday, April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 3 to 12.

The Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., is a must-see for those interested in Cape May’s unique history and architecture. Tour this painstakingly restored 18-room house museum, and experience the lifestyle of the Victorian era. New in 2007, tours of the Physick Estate will focus on the theme of Victorians and their food.  On Saturdays, April 28 and May 5, the “Doctor is In” during special guided tours at 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m., where Dr. Physick himself will welcome guests to his home and chat with his visitors. Self-guided tours are also offered Saturdays during Spring Festival from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the estate is open daily on other days of Spring Festival for guided tours; times vary. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, ages 3 to 12.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage.  MAC also fosters the performing arts and membership is open to all. 

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. 

For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

BASKING RIDGE

Relax, Replenish & Rekindle in the New Jersey Countryside --- Introducing the “Basking in Romance” Couples Escape Packages

North Maple Inn, the Four Diamond hotel located in the beautiful countryside of Basking Ridge, has announced a luminous weekend escape package designed to rekindle the romance in every couple’s relationship.

Entitled “Basking in Romance,” the couples weekend escape includes luxurious guestroom accommodations at the award-winning North Maple Inn, an exquisite five course Epicurean Experience food & wine tasting menu Saturday evening, chilled champagne delivered to the couple’s guestroom, chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival and the full use of plush his & her bathrobes throughout the weekend. Also provided is a delicious breakfast in bed and late check out the next day! The Basking in Romance package is from $229 per couple per night.

If a couple is feeling particularly romantic, they many wish to consider the Inn’s over-the-top weekend escape, called “Basking in Bubbles.” The Basking in Bubbles romance package provides the couple with a deluxe whirlpool suite and accompanying bubble baths and bath oils. Included in the package is the Chef’s five-course Epicurean Experience food & wine tasting menu Saturday evening and the renowned Jazz & Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the elegant lobby living room. Luxurious his & her bathrobes are theirs to enjoy throughout their stay and then to take home. The Basking in Bubbles package is from $349 per couple per night.

North Maple Inn is renowned for its gracious hospitality and superb cuisine prepared by its highly skilled hospitality and culinary team. The popular five course Epicurean Experience food & wine tasting menu pairs wines from around the world with five sumptuous courses designed to tantalize even the most sophisticated palate

Those couples who choose the Basking in Bubbles package will also savor North Maple Inn’s Jazz & Champagne Sunday Brunch.  The elegant brunch features live jazz and a vast array of superb culinary delicacies as well as the Inn’s signature Bellini Aperitif. Champagne Brunch is a perfect conclusion to a weekend of romance.

North Maple Inn is located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, near exit 30 of I-287, equidistant between I-78 and I-80 and comfortably accessible from all points in the state. The Inn is 50 minutes from Manhattan. A Four Diamond property, North Maple Inn offers 171 well-appointed guestrooms with 16 spacious suites and 20,000 square feet of event space. The hotel also offers Coasters, a casual lounge; Cuisine, a restaurant serving eclectic American fare in an open-hearth kitchen; and an elegant ballroom. North Maple Inn provides complete fitness and recreation facilities for hotel guests. The property is one of the finest hotels in New Jersey.

For more information on North Maple Inn’s Basking in Romance and Basking in Bubbles romance packages or to make reservations, call 908-953-3000 or check web site www.northmapleinn.com.
  

EGG HARBOR CITY

Renault Winery Resort & Golf Club Three Course Gourmet Dnners for $19.95

Appetizers

CHOOSE ONE
Oven Baked Provolone on a Garlic Croustini, with Asiago Cheese, and Fresh Herbs

Chorizo Sausage Quesadilla with Carmelized Onion, and Fontina Cheese

Prince Edward Island Mussels in Garlic, White Wine, Leeks,and Tomatoes

Caprese Salad Roma Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken

EACH GUEST ENJOYS

Soup of the Day  

Entree
CHOOSE ONE

Flat Iron Steak Rubbed with Chimichurra, and Cumin Dusted Onion Rings

Pork Porterhouse with Carmelized Apples and Candied Walnuts

Morrocan Beef Brochette with Citrus Couscous

Grilled VegetableTower with Orzo Fennel Compote,Grilled Polenta, Tomato Basil Sauce

Rigatoni with Grilled Chicken,

Portobello Mushroom

and Parmesan Cream

CALL 609.965.2111 TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County Executive Divincenzo Announces "Early Bird" Discount for Golfers to Renew ID Cards

The “Early Bird” discount of $5.00 is being offered to golfers who renew their County Golf ID Cards before Thursday, March 15th. Golfers who currently pay the “adult” rate can renew their Golf ID Cards by mail or in person to lock in the reduced adult rate of $35.00. (The regular adult rate is $40.00.) All other rates are not discounted.

Essex County has three public golf courses: Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange, Hendricks Field in Belleville and Weequahic Golf Course in Newark. Current rates are as follows:

Adult $ 40.00 ($35.00 Early Bird Special)

Senior/Junior/Disabled $ 25.00

Senior Seasonal Permit $400.00

Replacement Card $ 25.00

Out of County Cards $250.00

(Out of County Cards enable non-Essex residents to reserve tee times five days in advance. It also entitles golfers to play at in-county rates daily at Weequahic and after 1 p.m. at Byrne and Hendricks.)

To renew in person, golfers must bring their current Golf ID Card and two proofs of residency (such as copies of their current Driver’s License, Voter Registration Card, or bill from PSE&G, phone or cable), along with their check, money order or cash to the Essex County Parks Administration Building, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark. The Golf ID Unit is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Golfers can also renew their Golf ID cards at each of Essex County’s three public golf courses on selected evenings and Saturday mornings. Extended registration hours are as follows:

Francis Byrne:
Tuesday, April 10th 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 12th 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 14th 8:30 a.m. to 12 Noon

Hendricks Field:
Tuesday, April 17th 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 19th 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturdays, March 24th and April 21st 8:30 a.m. to 12 Noon

Weequahic:
Thursdays, March 29th and April 26th 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturdays, March 31st and April 28th 8:30 a.m. to 12 Noon

To renew by mail, golfers must send their current Golf ID Card and two proofs of residency (such as copies of their current Driver’s License, Voter Registration Card, or bill from PSE&G, phone or cable), along with their check or money order to: Essex County Department of Parks, Attn. Golf ID Unit, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104. Letters must be postmarked by March 15th to receive the early bird discount. New golfers and those who are changing their status or address must renew their Golf ID Cards in person.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Essex County Department of Parks.” Cash will only be accepted when Golf ID Cards are renewed in person.

For more information, call the Essex County Golf ID Unit at 973-268-3500, Ext. 235.

The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 17 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range and two off-leash dog facilities.

HOWELL TOWNSHIP

A visit to the Manasquan Reservoir is a must, for being there - whether you wish to hike, fish, boat, bicycle, or just relax - is an absolute joy. As a source of water for surrounding municipalities and utilities, the reservoir offers visitors numerous recreational opportunities, and is part of 1,200 acres that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, a Visitor Center, and a nearby Environmental Center featuring interactive exhibits, multi-media presentations, wildlife observation areas, and learning and discovery related to wetlands ecology and wildlife. Just the view alone from the Visitor Center's second level observation deck is worth the visit. The building offers a lounge area with fireplace and rest rooms, and is accessible to persons with disabilities. There are also numerous patio areas, lots of parking, and a boat rental and bait shop. Boating is allowed from the boat launch area for a nominal daily fee from March 1-November 30. Boats with electric motors, sailboats, kayaks and canoes at least 8' long are permitted, while sailboats cannot exceed 20' in length. One of the joys is taking the seasonal guided boat tour, especially when osprey and eagles can be spotted over the 40-foot deep reservoir.

Manasquan Reservoir is located in Howell Township east of Route 9. The entrance for the Visitor Center and boat ramp is on Windeler Road. The entrance for the Environmental Center is on Georgia Tavern Road. For more information, contact the Monmouth County Park System at 732-842-4000, Ext. 4256 or 4237, or check web site www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

SOMERSET

2007 Paddlesport Show

It's back! One of the best shows of the year --- the 2007 Paddlesport Show presented by Jersey Paddler of Brick, NJ. Mark your calendar for the following dates and times:

Friday, March 23 - Noon to 9pm
Saturday, March 24 - 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday, March 25 - 9 am to 4:30 pm

Location:

Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

What's Happening?:

Paddlesport 2007 - The largest canoe & kayak exposition on the East Coast featuring over 100 exhibitors. Leading manufacturers will present their latest boats and accessories at special show prices. Attendees will be able to participate in free seminars, meet with top
instructors, plan a paddling trip with outfitters from around the world or find a paddling club that's right for them!

For more information, call 1-888-225-2925 or check web site www.jerseypaddler.com

In addition, throughout the year The Jersey Paddler is hosting a series of events (classes, seminars, etc.) Following is information on the upcoming seminar that will be held at the store in Brick, NJ.

Location: The Jersey Paddler - 1756 Route 88 West, Brick, NJ. For more information, call 1-888-22-KAYAK or check web site www.jerseypaddler.com

SOUTH ORANGE

Take the kids to the South Orange Fire Department where, on February 2, 1891, some 45 villagers got together to form the Department. At that time, it consisted of two hand-drawn hose carts and one hand-drawn ladder truck, both of which were housed in Phillip Dietrich’s Living Stable on Vose Avenue. After construction of the Village Hall in 1895, the Fire Department relocated its fire equipment to the South Orange Avenue side of Village Hall. In 1898, Patrick McCahrey was appointed the first paid firefighter in South Orange, as a driver of the horse drawn hose carriage. By 1913, the village trustees saw the need for round the clock fire protection and a paid fire department was organized along with the purchase of the first motorized fire department ladder truck.  With a growing village, fire department, and motorized equipment, the village hired architects, Arthur Dillon and Henry L. Beadel to design a new fire station. In 1926, the fire department took possession of the fire station located on Sloan Street, where it remains in operation today. It consists of a 32-man department, with two engine companies, one ladder company and a rescue utility truck. The South Orange Fire Department has provided 245 hour fire protection 365 days a year to the residents of the Village of South Orange for the last 108 years. (South Orange F.M.B.A. Local 40.

For more information, contact the South Orange Fire Department at 378-7715 Ext. 7751, or check web site www.southorange.org.

NEW MEXICO

ACOMA SKY CITY

Acoma Sky City Named National Trust Historic Site

Sixty miles west of Albuquerque, atop a sheer-walled, 370-foot sandstone mesa, Acoma Sky City has remained suspended in time for hundreds of years. With an eye toward the future, North America's oldest continuously inhabited community in North America, Acoma Sky City is now the 28th National Trust Historic Site, named by the National Trust.

Overlooking a vast desert-and-mountain sweep of northern New Mexico and dating back to 1150 AD, Acoma Sky City is a vibrant community characterized by its adobe houses, plazas, walkways and the San Esteban del Rey Mission Church, completed around 1640. The Acoma people have long welcomed visitors to their community, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and a Save America's Treasures site in 1999. Today, approximately 15 families live year-round atop the 70-acre mesa.

"The Pueblo of Acoma tribal community is honored to enter into this important partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation," said Jason Johnson, Pueblo of Acoma Governor. "As our country's 28th National Trust Historic site, we continue to fulfill our inherent responsibility to preserve and perpetuate our traditional way of life while implementing practical and sustainable historic and cultural preservation initiatives centered on safeguarding the integrity of Acoma culture, language, history, and arts for future generations. We wholeheartedly embrace this designation and look forward to attaining the objectives of this momentous partnership."

The Pueblo of Acoma owns Acoma Sky City, and the tribal council is responsible for all decisions and operations. By entering into the agreement with the National Trust, the pueblo will avail itself of the National Trust's expertise in preservation, conservation and interpretation as well as national standards, best practices and legal advocacy. Furthermore, the agreement allows Acoma Sky City access to technical services, special grant funds and cooperative marketing programs available only to National Trust Historic Sites.

"Native American villages, homes and ways of life are of great interest to our visitors," said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. "Acoma Sky City's designation as National Trust Historic Site makes it unique among New Mexico's pueblos. It is truly one of the most visited and photographed landmarks in New Mexico and a beautiful destination. We congratulate Tribal leaders on their efforts to ensure Acoma Sky City will remain sacred for all New Mexicans and their visitors for centuries to come."

For the National Trust, the addition of Acoma Sky City adds to an ever expanding group of diverse and cherished pieces of American heritage. From a massive castle overlooking the Hudson River to a tenement on Manhattan's Lower East Side, from Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio to Philip Johnson's Glass House, National Trust Historic Sites are both a legacy from the past and a gift for the future.

"The sovereign nation of the Acoma Pueblo has been an exemplary steward of Acoma Sky City, and, as the owners of the mesa, it will continue to preserve this captivating community," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. "Acoma is living history - not a museum - and nowhere else can you better appreciate the full breadth of the American experience. We're delighted to work with the Acoma people to bring even more attention to this irreplaceable piece of Pueblo Indian heritage."

Hour-long tours of Acoma Sky City are offered throughout the year. Guided by Acoma residents, they provide an introduction to the history and culture of the pueblo as well as an exploration of the church, plazas and residential areas.

The mesa-top village is known worldwide for its unique art and profoundly rich culture. Potteryˇhand coiled and tempered with walls so thin that they ring with the clarity of a bellˇhas been revered by art collectors for more than a century. Visitors can see examples of the pottery at the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum or purchase pottery directly from the artists along the tour route in the village or from the expansive gift shop at the Sky City Cultural Center.

For more information, contact Brian D. Vallo, Director of the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum, at 800-747-0181 or visit web site www.skycity.com or www.nationaltrust.org .

SANTA FE

It is rare to stand at the summit of Ski Santa Fe, at over 12,000 feet, and see nothing but a white landscape within the 8,000 square mile view. But right now, from the Truchas Peaks in the north to the Sandia Mountains flanking Albuquerque in the south out to Mount Taylor near the Arizona border in the west, it's nothing but snow as far as the eye can see.

And good snow makes for great skiing. This winter Ski Santa Fe already has 95 percent of its terrain open with excellent coverage on everything from the smooth cruisers to the steep bowls to the perfectly spaced trees. The mountain is evenly split between blue and black runs so there are plenty of comfortable trails for intermediates while the steep fall-line runs, glades, and moguls are ideal for experts. Heavy and frequent December and January snowfalls have provided outstanding conditions area-wide.

Ski Santa Fe offers a highly-regarded children's program and ski school, indoor and outdoor dining at the base and mid-mountain, and over 660 acres of Rocky Mountain terrain covered with more than 4 feet of dry, New Mexico snow.

A new lift, the Millennium Lift, began running this season to serve a new, higher summit (12,075 feet) accessing 2 new intermediate and 4 new advanced trails. The new quad (four place) lift adds an extra dimension to the area with faster access to the northern runs and a greater variety of ways to get around the mountain.

For non-skiers and boarders, or at day's end when the lifts close, all the legendary amenities, culture, and comforts of charming Santa Fe are at the end of a short, scenic drive back into town. Winter is Santa Fe's slowest time of year so while museums, shops, restaurants, and attractions are open, the price of lodging is typically less, and town is at its most leisurely. There is still a busy calendar of events throughout this low season and reliable sunshine makes even the chilliest day comfortable. But in the winter, skiers and visitors will feel like they have Santa Fe all to themselves.

A number of Santa Fe properties offer package deals for skiers and snowboarders with combinations of multi-night rates, value priced lift tickets, and ski area services. Which makes any Santa Fe winter getaway a real value for skiers and snowboarders looking to play in the snow and spend a little time in one of America's great small cities.

Sample Packages:

Eldorado Hotel & Spa: $255 nightly/double occupancy with lift tickets at Ski Santa Fe for each guest and continental breakfast.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa: $190 per night per guest for two night stay, spa treatment, two half-day lift tickets each day at Ski Santa Fe, and lunch for two at the property's Fuego restaurant.

Hotel St. Francis: $435 for two nights in a deluxe guestroom, 2 all-day lift tickets at Ski Santa Fe, full American breakfast each morning.

The Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau web site -- www.santafe.org -- can help with hotel bookings and general information. Ski Santa Fe's web site -- www.skisantafe.com -- has the latest grooming reports and snowfall totals as well as lift ticket prices, trail maps, and services.

New Mexico's Renewable Feast

Preserving the world's natural energy resources is unquestionably one of the most important issues facing humanity today. It ranks alongside developing alternative and renewable energy sources. As one-time U.S. Secretary Of Energy, New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson is more informed and passionate than most about the issue. It's why it is his goal to make New Mexico a leader in renewable and clean energy technologies and why he has christened it the "Clean Energy State."

This campaign, when combined with New Mexico's natural beauty and places of interest, has created a new initiative dubbed Eco Tourism. "There's a wealth of environmental and energy-related activities that one can experience while they are here," according to Scott Fischler, president of energy technology consulting company, Netozoic. New Mexico's vast resources and exciting possibilities first attracted Fischler to the state. "My wife and I moved here a few months ago recognizing the great potential of New Mexico as a renewable energy state - one that provides enormous opportunities to promote environmentalism and eco tourism - and this led to the concept of energy tourism."

Examples of the type of energy-conscious amenities available to visitors include the newly launched Rail Runner Express, one of the country's first commuter trains to run on bio-diesel. "I am committed to promoting clean renewable energy in New Mexico," said Governor Bill Richardson. "The Rail Runner is fast and clean, and -- with the switch to biodiesel -- it will be green as well."

Other "green" transport enterprises include the biodiesel-powered Santa Fe Southern Railway, a piece of living history carrying passengers through high desert scenery on a 4-hour round trip from the historic depot in Santa Fe to Lamy, a sleepy little village 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe and reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Wild West days; Santa Fe's extensive network of compressed natural gas fueled buses; and Taos' Chili Line pilot program for bio-diesel powered buses. But, when it comes to transportation, the most ambitious project yet is New Mexico's partnering with Virgin Galactic to create the first spaceport for civilian spaceflight . Virgin Galactic creator Sir Richard Branson declared, "New Mexico will be known around the world as the launch pad of the new space industry." Scheduled for completion in 2009/2010, the environmentally friendly spaceport, largely to be constructed underground, will extensively use solar energy and an advanced water collection system.

New Mexico boasts a number of museums that are devoted to or include energy-related exhibits, including the Bradbury Science Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science and the National Atomic Museum. Visitors to the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo can learn all about hydrogen fuel cells and the hydrogen used for spaceflight.

The more adventurous eco tourist can enjoy such activities as gliding and hot air ballooning, with both holding the promise of magnificent views of New Mexico's spectacular landscape. Ballooning enthusiasts can also visit the dramatic Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum in Albuquerque.

Another area in which New Mexico is leading the way with its environmental and energy conscious approach is the construction industry. Santa Fe was the first city to sign the 2030 Challenge, a proposal adopted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to incrementally reduce green house gas emissions from new construction, with a goal of eliminating the carbon footprint of new buildings by 2030. The 2030 Challenge is being advanced by Architecture 2030 Founder and recognized Santa Fe green design expert, Ed Mazria. For Santa Fe, this pioneering spirit dates back to the 1970s when the city was a leader in solar design during the energy crisis. Santa Fe's progressive attitude continues today with its extensive green-oriented housing developments.

With Angels Nest and El Monte Sagrado, Taos showcases two pioneering examples of green construction. Angels Nest Retreat is an off-the-grid sustainable building that harnesses wind and solar energy for its power. Angels Nest is developing energy systems to harness renewable resources to produce hydrogen for powering the building and fueling the vehicles of its designers, Robert Plarr and Victoria Peters. Angels Nest, which offers public tours, utilizes rainwater and recycles wastewater to become what Plarr considers a model for off-the-grid buildings. "You have no other needs," Plarr told a local newspaper. "You don't have to worry about the outside world." A perfect place for the eco tourist to relax is El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa. Built in the shadow of the beautiful Sangre de Christo Mountains, El Monte Sagrado is an eco-friendly boutique haven which utilizes geothermal heating and recycled wastewater to pamper its guests.

Fischler forsees the myriad ways in which industry and tourism can cross-pollinate in the advancement of new renewable energy and environmental enterprises, with the emphasis on "tourism driving this forward as a catalyst for economic development as a complement to economic development being a catalyst for tourism." Amongst the areas of opportunity, Fischler envisions "tours of green homes and communities, solar and wind generating facilities, and waste-to-energy facilities, to name but a few. There's a whole facet of attractions that would appeal to an industry person, a lay person, a casual observer, a student or a family that is interested in learning more about renewable and sustainable energy."

In an effort to extend the progress being made by Santa Fe in green construction to the rest of the state, Governor Richardson has introduced a plan that includes building codes that promote lower energy and water use, and a tax credit to encourage the building of green homes and offices. There's also a $2.5 million program to give impoverished families low and no interest loans to make their homes more energy-efficient and an investment of around $9.5 million towards building public schools that can show a 50% increase in energy efficiency. The Governor's plan also incorporates several regulations aimed at reducing the level of greenhouse gases emitted by new trucks and cars.

Fischler was drawn to New Mexico's potential while attending the Southwest Renewable Energy Conference in Santa Fe. It's one of a number of energy-related conferences that New Mexico has hosted recently including the Border Energy Conference, the National Hydrogen Association's Renewables to Hydrogen Forum, and the New Mexico Hydrogen Business Council Annual Conference. These conferences bring in delegates from all over the world. What they, along with the millions of other visitors to New Mexico, find is a beautiful, unspoiled landscape, state of the art amenities, a wealth of attractions and also a state determined to do everything possible to be deserving of the title, the "Clean Energy State."

NEW YORK

NEW YORK CITY

America's Next Top Artist

Manhattan's Park South Hotel will become the art lover's and collector's dream for four days later this month when more than 40 galleries vetted from across the country and abroad display their newest, favorite artists in hotel rooms and suites reserved for this first-ever New York event. Exhibitors are coming from London, Calgary, San Francisco (art above is by Jake Watling, Bucheon Gallery) , Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami and, of course, New York, among others.

Free Attractions and Tours

You don't have to pay huge fees to our New York City. In fact, lots of the good things are free, as follows:

Brooklyn Brewery

The Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours on Saturday, including free tastings, starting at 1 PM.

Central Park

Free performances, skating, a boat basin, miles of trails, sculpture are just a little this vast park has to offer. The Central Park Conservancy Tours are a great way to discover the history of the park, plus garden tours, Belvedere Castle tours, and free events most days.

At the Dana Discovery Center (212-860-1370) in the northeast corner of Central Park, loan a pole for lots of fun engaging in their catch-and-release fishing in the Harlem Meer, a beautiful lake also frequented by numerous species of wild birds. The Center also sponsors educational workshops for children, or loan a pair of binoculars to enjoy birdwatching. Open daily, April to October, from 10am to 5pm (4 pm in winter).

City Hall

This, the oldest City Hall in the nation, houses its original governmental functions, and is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of the early 1800s designed in the Federal style, with French influences.

Featuring a formal staircase that sweeps up to the one-story portico fronting the building, the Governor’s Room has served as a museum and reception room celebrating the civic history of New York and the nation. It houses one of the most important collections of 19th century American portraiture as well as historic furnishings, including pieces by Charles Christian and Honoré Lannuier, and other notable artifacts, such as George Washington’s desk. Many distinguished guests have visited the Governor’s Room, including the Marquis de Lafayette and Albert Einstein. The Room hosted President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and then served as the backdrop for his coffin in 1865 as he lay in state. For more information call 212-NEW-YORK.

Fashion Institute of Technology

This famous school has thousands of designer costumes and accessories, fabrics from around the world and the work of renowned fashion photographers in the institute's free museum. For more information, call 212-217-5800

Federal Hall National Memorial

One of Downtown's most historic landmarks, has reopened to the public after a 16-month, $16 million restoration. The Birthplace of American Government, it was here on the corner of Broad and Wall Street, that General George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Home to the first congress, supreme court, and executive offices, the original Federal Hall was trully the birthplace of the current government of the United States. The current structure, a Greek revivial style Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. The building still serves the Federal Government as a museum and memorial to the first president and the beginnings of the United States of America. For more information visit NPS.gov/FEHA, or call the Ranger Desk at 212-825-6888. The Memorial is located at 26 Wall Street

Forbes Magazine Galleries

Enjoy toy boats and soldiers, presidential papers, paintings, Fabergé Imperial Easter eggs, objets d'art and other memorabilia. Entrance is free and the gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Guided tours of the collection are available free of charge, but reservations must be made one month in advance by calling 212 206-5548

Gracie Mansion

This museum is administered by the Gracie Mansion Conservancy and is open to the public from the end of March through mid-November. Tours on Wednesdays, by reservation only. For more information, call (212) 570-4751.

In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie decided to build a country house overlooking a bend in the East River. At the time, the location he selected was five miles north of the City that was clustered at the lower tip of Manhattan. However, two decades later, his finances took a turn for the worse and Gracie had to sell his house to Joseph Foulke. Eventually the City of New York appropriated the estate in 1896, incorporating its 11 acres of grounds into the newly-formed Carl Schurz Park.

The building itself didn't fare very well, ending up as a concession stand and restrooms for the park. Happily, Gracie Mansion was restored and became the first home of the Museum of the City of New York, then a historic house museum run by the Parks Department. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses convinced City authorities to designate it as the official residence of the Mayor, and in 1942, Fiorello H. La Guardia moved in. The house was enlarged in 1966 with the addition of the Susan E. Wagner Wing, which includes a grand ballroom and two intimate reception rooms.

Restoration in 2002 transformed it into the People's House with increased accessibility to the public and to City agencies. Today the Gracie Mansion Conservancy is a private not-for-profit corporation established to preserve, maintain and enhance Gracie Mansion - one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Manhattan and a member of The Historic House Trust. The main floor is open to the public and is a showcase for art and antiques created by New York designers, cabinetmakers, painters and sculptors. Several pieces belonged to the Gracie family. At the center of the faux-marble entryway floor, a painted compass recalls the ships that built the Gracie fortune.

Grand Central Terminal

The Municipal Art Society offers a free tour of the magnificent Beaux-Arts Grand Central Terminal Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Tours depart from Grand Central Terminal''s information booth. Although the tour is free, consider making a donation (they do pass a hat at the very end) to support their excellent work.

The Juilliard School

Great performers have and do train here, but it's also a great venue for free performances, including a great library for rare and special collections. The Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections Room includes hundreds of individual manuscript scores and autograph letters including two songs by Johannes Brahms, almost 200 first and early editions of Franz Liszt’s original piano works, transcriptions, and arrangements. The school's web site lists dates and times of free performances.

National Museum of the American Indian

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, this is said to be the largest collection in the world devoted to North, Central, and South American Indian cultures. Opened in October 1994, the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian is in lower Manhattan at the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, a truly gorgeous building on the water. Permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as public programs — including music and dance performances, films, and symposia. Admission is free. For more information, contact the museum at One Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004; 212-514-3700

New York Public Library

Located at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, this majestic Beaux Arts building opened in 1911 with over one million books available to the public. Besides admiring the building (inside and outside), the Library offers some wonderful biblio treats. Free exhibits, concert, films and other special events in Bryant Park which has become one of midtown's best urban parks.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

Located at 550 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-833-8100 -- this hands-on communication technology and entertainment museum is for all ages. Admission to the Lab is free to be enjoyed by both adults and children. Occupying four floors and 14,000 square feet, from the very beginning visitors know this is something special. In the lobby there’s an robot who actually interacts with the children waiting to enter the Lab. It’s not until later in the visit that the secret is revealed. The robot is actually controlled by an unseen master using goggles and gloves to make the robot an extension of operator’s own body.

Visitors start at the fourth floor by logging into the computer network. The sophisticated computer system records your face and voice when you first log in (all of the logs are wiped clean every evening) and codes it on a plastic card you swipe at each of the exhibits. This enables the personalization of their displays. Walking along the history of communication bridge for example, which provides 150 years of communication and entertainment history, you may see your face on the video displays. Although all the exhibits are fun and informative, there is a particularly special experience called Shadow Garden and Sand Interactive. A very long and fancy name for playing with shadows, with a twist. Visitors stand in front of a translucent wall which displays the image of cascading nuggets. But the wall interacts with shadows cast by visitors, and the sand nuggets accumulate on visitors’ shadows, pooling on shoulders, heaping in cupped hands. Soon visitors discover that they can link shadows and strangers learn to work together to pass the sand back and forth. There’s also movies screened in their High Definition television theater. All exhibits are wheelchair accessible and the Lab also offers American Sign Language tours. Reservations for these ASL tours are available for individual families and groups.

Staten Island Ferry

Runs 24 hours a day and is free at all times. Enjoy the ride to and from Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, the visit to Staten Island, and the spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Ferry information: 718-815-BOAT.

Tweed Courthouse

The Old New York County Courthouse, better known as Tweed Courthouse, is the legacy of Tammany Hall boss William M. Tweed, who used the construction of the building in the mid 1800s to embezzle large sums from the budget. Boss Tweed was tried in 1873 in an unfinished courtroom in this building and was convicted and jailed. After the Tweed Ring was broken up, work stopped on the building from 1872 to 1876. Construction progressed slowly after the Tweed years, and it was not until 1881 that the building was finally completed.

In 1999, a comprehensive restoration began to return Tweed to its original grandeur and today Tweed is home to the Department of Education. The first floor features the City Hall Academy, which serves approximately 200 elementary and middle school students each day from schools throughout the City. The school offers public school children an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of New York City and its history.

Union Square Tours

On Saturdays at 2 pm, take a free walking tour offered by the 14th Street-Union Square Business Improvement District including stops at New York's first film studios, opera houses, grand theaters and nickelodeons, "Ladies' Mile" and Union Square Park. Call first at 212-460-1204

QUEENS

Socrates Sculpture Park

Located at 21-01 Vernon Boulevard at Broadway, Long Island City, NY 11106; 718 956-1819 presents exhibitions of sculpture and multimedia installations as well as a variety of community events and an outdoor summer film series. As a free outdoor museum located on the East River in Long Island City, Queens, it serves as both a major art institution and reclaimed open space allowing public access to the waterfront with impressive Manhattan views. Open daily until sunset.

Hilton Hotel Special Package Deals

1. PARKING OR BREAKFAST PACKAGE*: Pack up the family and take off for New York City!  Select Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City are offering complimentary parking for one car during your stay, or a scrumptious breakfast for two – included with your overnight stay.  Our parking or breakfast package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT, and requesting plan code RS/RS1.   This offer ends June 30, 2007. *Embassy Suites Hotel NYC package includes breakfast (as a standard) and parking.

 

2. SUNDAY NIGHT PARKING OR BREAKFAST PACKAGE*: All the conveniences of our standard “parking or breakfast package,” plus special rates for Sunday nights!  Pack up the family and take off for New York City!  Select Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City are offering complimentary parking for one car during your stay, or a scrumptious breakfast for two – included with your overnight stay.  Our parking or breakfast package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT, and requesting plan code RS/RS1.   This offer ends June 30, 2007.  *Embassy Suites Hotel NYC package includes breakfast (as a standard) and parking.

 

3. BLOOMINGDALE’S SHOPPERS PACKAGE: Here’s your opportunity to stay overnight at one of our participating Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City, while receiving special discounts so that you can “Shop til’ you Drop”!  Package includes room or suite accommodations plus one $50 Bloomingdale’s gift card, one 15% Bloomingdale’s savings certificate, one complimentary Bloomingdale’s signature gift, Bloomingdale’s package delivery from the store to your hotel on purchases of $250 or more, and one $250 gift certificate to Tourneau (valid on purchases of $1000 or more, certain brand exclusions apply).  Guest must request Plan Code B2 (four Hilton Hotels) or B21 (Doubletree & Embassy).  This offer ends June 30, 2007!

 

4. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART VIP TICKET PACKAGE: – Visit the world-famous Museum today and enjoy this fabulous VIP package exclusive to select Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City!  Package includes room or suite accommodations plus two VIP tickets to The Museum of Modern Art and 10% savings certificate to dine at Beacon, midtown’s hip restaurant and bar.  These special VIP tickets allow guests to skip anticipated lines and enter MoMA at any time.   And families, don’t forget - children 16 and under are admitted to the Museum free of charge! Guest must request Plan Code LI (four Hilton Hotels) or LI1 (Doubletree & Embassy). This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

5. WOODBURY COMMON PREMIUM OUTLETS SHOP & STAY PACKAGE – WITH SELECT HILTON FAMILY OF HOTELS IN NEW YORK CITY: -  Stay in the city that never sleeps at one of seven participating Hilton Family Hotels & enjoy discounts to shop at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets - the country's largest designer outlet center - where you will find extraordinary bargains at upscale designer outlets. Package includes room accommodations for two plus two transportation vouchers worth $5.00 each off Short Line/Coach bus fare to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (via Port Authority Bus Terminal), one complimentary Woodbury Common Premium Outlets VIP Coupon Book (offering an abundance of savings at participating stores), one 20% savings certificate valid off dinner for two at Positano Grill located at the Woodbury Common Food Court, and one savings coupon book each for both South Street Seaport and Grand Central Terminal. Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is just a short bus ride from Manhattan! Guest must request Plan Code WOO. This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

6. NYC ADVENTURE PACKAGE: Explore the best attractions that Manhattan has to offer with select Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City’s NYC Adventure Package.  This fun package includes overnight accommodations plus discounts to some of Manhattan’s most popular attractions, including Circle Line & The BEAST speedboat ride, On Location Tours (including the official Soprano’s and Sex and the City tours), Top of the Rock Tour, Citysights NY Double Decker Bust Tour and more!  Plus, after all that adventure – relax and unwind while enjoying dinner aboard the famous World Yacht Dinner Cruise, where you will enjoy $30 off dinner for two.  This package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT and requesting plan code YW/YW1.  This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

7. BROADWAY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE: - No New York experience is complete without a trip to Broadway!  Members of the Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City offer two ways to plan your own personal Broadway experience.  Select the show of your choice, and then select one of our six fabulous hotels.  Terrific seats and luxurious accommodations – all customized in just a few easy steps.  This offer ends December 31, 2007, and must be booked online at www.HiltonFamilyNewYork.com/broadway or by calling our Broadway Experience Hotline at 1-800-916-6101.

 

8. DISCOVER DOWNTOWN PACKAGE: Head downtown and explore the rich history and attractions that lower Manhattan has to offer!  Select Hilton Family of Hotels in New York City are pleased to offer the Discover Downtown Package, which includes room accommodations one $50 Century 21 gift card – so that you can shop til you drop in this Downtown superstore, one coupon booklet outlining 2-for-1 admission to nine lower Manhattan museums (including Museum of Jewish Heritage, Police Museum, South Street Seaport Museum & more), buy one CD/get one CD free voucher valid for Walkabout NY’s personal audio walking tour CD of NYC, voucher for one complimentary champagne toast at Thalassa Restaurant - an upscale, historic Greek restaurant in the heart of TriBeCa, ,and one 15% dining certificate for Church and Dey Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  All of the above is provided upon check-in!  This package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT and requesting plan code NX/NX1.  This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

9. BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP PAWSITIVELY FUN PACKAGE: Create a Beary Best Friend for life and stay overnight at select Hilton Family Hotels in New York City.  Our Pawsitively Fun Package will allow you to experience interactive entertainment at its beary best – and create a new best friend and memories for a lifetime!  This package includes room accommodations plus one Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Bunk Trunk® filled with lots of fun items for your bear provided upon check-in.  This cool case includes official Build-A-Bear Workshop stuff that your bear will need for an overnight stay at one of seven fabulous hotels including one Blanket and Pillow Set (so that your bear can hibernate in comfy style while in New York City!), one Dental Kit (which includes plush toothpaste, toothbrush and floss), one bear-sized tee, and one $5 gift card to use at the Build-A-Bear Workshop® store!   The Bear Bunk Trunk also folds out and serves as a bed for your bear.  This package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT and requesting plan code BL/BL1.  This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

10. BROADWAY AT YOUR DOOR PACKAGE:   This fabulous package includes all you will need  to enhance your trip to Manhattan.  Package include room accommodations for two at special rates plus one 10% savings certificate for Café Des Artiste, 10% savings certificate for Beacon Restaurant, one 20% savings certificate for Planet Hollywood, one 10% savings certificate to the Old Castle Restaurant and Pub, two tickets to Walkin’ Broadway™ (a self guided audio tour of the Great White Way), and two savings certificates each valid for 50% off a future Walkin’ Broadway™ tour – all provided upon check-in.   Guest must request plan code SB (four Hilton Hotels) or SB1 (Doubletree and Embassy) in order to book the reservation.  This offer ends June 30, 2007. THIS PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE TICKETS TO ANY BROADWAY SHOW.

 

11. AMERICAN GIRL PLACE PACKAGE: Spend a day that you’ll never forget…a day at American Girl Place® is a day your daughter will remember for a lifetime.  Package includes room accommodations at either Doubletree Guest Suites® Times Square – New York City, Hilton New York or Doubletree® Metropolitan Hotel New York City – and one American Girl Place Hairdo Helper Kit for Dolls, which will hold everything your American Girl needs for a night away from home.  This package can be booked online at www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com or by calling 1-877-NYC-HILT and requesting plan code NZ or NZ2.  This offer ends June 30, 2007.

 

12. TRIPLE HILTON HONORS POINTS WITH A SUNDAY NIGHT STAY!: Triple Hilton HHonors when you stay on Sunday night!  Earn triple Hilton HHonors Base Points for stays from now through June 30 2007, when Sunday night is included in your stay.  Guest must request Plan Code HS or HHS.  For more information, to check availability and rates, or to make your reservation, visit http://www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com/hhonors.php or call 1-877-NYC-HILT. 

For information on the latest events, log on to www.nycvisit.com or visit NYCs Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street.

New Downtown Information Center Opened

On December 7th, Wall Street Rising's new Downtown Information Center opened - a state-of-the-art space and the newest must stop destination for tourists and New Yorkers alike.   

The Info Center features a one-of-a-kind interactive model of Lower Manhattan that uses video projections, photographs, text and a historical narrative to tell the compelling story of Lower Manhattan’s past, present and future. The Model's installation is a key addition to Downtown for tourists, school groups, New Yorkers and others to learn about the storied community in an innovative and exciting way--a true must stop destination for anyone in the area!

This never before seen model had its debut with narration by three-time Peabody Award winner, four-time Emmy award winner and Dateline NBC correspondent, John Hockenberry, and will be updated periodically to keep up with the blossoming renaissance of Lower Manhattan. 

For the ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve parties check out web site www.newyears.com where partygoers can search for a variety of parties and purchase advance tickets. Other top party resources are noo.com, clubplanet.com and joonbug.com offering information and tickets to the city’s hottest New Year’s parties.

Sensational Savings
Carnegie Hall hosts the New York Pops Holiday Celebration December 15 to 16 and the renowned Vienna Boys Choir will pay their annual visit to the legendary landmark in December. For information, call 212-247-7800, or check web site www.carnegiehall.org.

It’s easy to plan a visit to the Big Apple during the Paint the Town promotion through February 28, with hundreds of special offers at New York’s finest hotels, restaurants, Broadway shows, celebrated museums and attractions. For more information, call 212-484-1222, or check web site www.nycvisit.com.

For more information about all there is to see and do in New York City, log on to nycvisit.com or visit New York City’s Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, the kiosks located in Lower Manhattan at City Hall Park, and in Chinatown at the triangle where Canal, Walker and Baxter Streets meet.

Beat Soaring NYC Hotel Prices With A Metro-Home Guest Apartment

As Manhattan hotel prices continue to surge upword, consumers and business travelers might wish to experience New York from a neighborhood perspective -- and get a price Deal in the process. Metro-Home is a premier provider of short-term and extended stay apartment accommodations in New York. The company offers an inventory of 200 master-leased units (studios, 1 & 2-bedrooms) in neighborhoods throughout Manhattan.

The Deal

Metro-Home's value-based pricing from $209 per apartment per night represents a 20-25 % savings, on average, over traditional hotel pricing. That's $100 in potential savings for a two-night weekend stay over a traditional hotel, $350 in possible savings for a weeklong reservation and $1500 + in potential savings for a month-long stay! Unlike many extended stay providers, with Metro-Home guests can stay the night, the weekend or for the month - there is no minimum number of nights required for a reservation. With Metro-Home's Concierge, guests can experience New York like a New Yorker with an apartment in their neighborhood of choice -- and still enjoy the hospitality services of a first rate Concierge.  Metro-Home's Concierge can do everything from securing dinner reservations in that hard-to-get-into restaurant, get tickets to the latest Broadway Show, make airline or charter reservations, find a qualified baby sitter, provide business services such as fax and Internet access, order and deliver up everything from flowers to Chinese and nearly anything in between!

Metro-Home has more than 200 fully furnished guest apartments, from budget to luxury. Studio, one and two bedroom units are available. The apartments are located in quaint Manhattan neighborhoods, each offering a unique mix of amenities to discover and enjoy, including fabulous restaurants, art & antique galleries, museums, boutiques, wonderful shopping and more.

To learn more about Metro-Home or for guestroom reservations, contact 212.813.2244 or toll-free 800.987.1235, or visit <mip://02d1e750/www.Metro-Home.com>www.Metro-Home.com.

CityPass® , a discounted ticket book packed with loads of discounts to cultural experiences in America’s most popular cities is just the ticket for travel this year. There’s even one for New York City’s fun places. This is a one-stop approach to outstanding museums, science centers, harbor cruises, and panoramic views and, best of all, it saves time, with no waiting in main entrance ticket lines. Now including the Circle Line Harbor Tour for a two-hour day cruise around the Statue of Liberty or a city lights cocktail cruise of the Manhattan skyline, it also includes admission to the Whitney Museum of American Art, celebrating American talent and adding a new dimension to the booklet. In the New York City collection you’ll find the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, and the Empire State Building Observatory.

Check out other opportunities to save money when sightseeing by checking web site www.citypass.com, or purchase passes at participating attractions. Once used, ticket booklets are valid nine days (except Hollywood, which is valid for 30 days) and are transferable if unused tickets are left inside the booklet. Each ticket allows one visit per venue, and insider tips offer the best times to visit. For recorded telephone information, call 707-256-0490.

Bloomingdale's NYC Hosts Launch of Kenya's Sandstorm Bags
 

Sandstorm Bags, an eco-friendly Kenyan travel bag maker, was recently picked up by the large retailer Bloomingdale’s who became the first large retailer to sell the bags in the United States. On November 30, 2006, Bloomingdale’s hosted a variety of Kenyan activities on their 6^th floor to promote the official launch of these totes.  Additionally, consumers can register for a chance to win an Abercrombie & Kent luxury Kenyan safari for two*!

These rugged and distinctive bags, are hand-crafted by the Luo tribe who come from the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya and are known for their traditional handicraft skills learned from years of sewing fishing  nets and traps.  The bags were originally the by-product of a luxury safari tentage business; which Sandstorm founder Keith Steel – born and bred in Kenya himself – created in 2002. By joining luxurious and rugged materials, Sandstorm has been able to offer a quintessential safari tote with a classic Hemingway air. A percentage of the sale of every Sandstorm Bag goes to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Lewa)-- one of the most well-known conservation reserves in Kenya. Lewa currently has 65,000 acres of land set aside for the conservation of Kenya’s most endangered species like the white rhino, black rhino, grevy’s zebra and the sitatunga (a rare aquatic antelope).  With a clear focus on maintaining this fragile environmental balance for which each species can thrive, the reserve has been extremely successful in raising animal populations which are most at risk.

The bags retail at $119-$799 and are crafted from various materials – unique camel leather, mocha cowhide and  safari-grade canvas  in tan or olive green . Each bag carries a lifetime guarantee and comes in a variety of styles -  all-leather purses,  rugged briefcase bags, large carry-ons, wine coolers and hanging vanity sets.

For more information on Sandstorm Bags, check web site www.Sandstormbags.com or visit your local Bloomingdale’s retailer. For more information on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Abercrombie & Kent or the Kenya Tourist Board visit the following respectively: www.lewa.org, www.Abercrombiekent.com, www.magicalkenya.com or call toll-free 866-44-KENYA. 

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will unveil Spectacular New Greek and Roman Galleries on April 20, 2007.

The Len Levy and Shelby White court will provide a dramatic centerpiece for display of the Metropolitan's World-Renowned Classical Art Collection n April 20, 2007. A spectacular “museum-within-the-museum” for the display of its extraordinary collection of Hellenistic, Etruscan, South Italian, and Roman art – much of it unseen in New York for generations – will open at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this April in its New Greek and Roman Galleries.

After more than five years of construction, the long-awaited opening will conclude a 15-year project for the complete redesign and reinstallation of the Museum’s superb collection of classical art. Returning to public view in the new space are thousands of longstored works from the Metropolitan's collection, which is considered one of the finest in the world. The centerpiece of the New Greek and Roman Galleries is the majestic Leon Levy and Shelby White Court – a monumental, peristyle court for the display of Hellenistic and Roman art, with a soaring two-story atrium.

“The New Greek and Roman Galleries are a milestone in an unprecedented building campaign – more than a dozen years in the making – to construct anew within the framework of our historic building, to make use of new methodologies while honoring the old, and to encourage our visitors to look at ancient art in a new way,” commented Philippe de Montebello, Director of the Metropolitan Museum. “Some 6,000 works previously in storage, many of them collected in the earliest years after the Museum's founding in 1870, will now be installed on two levels of commodious new galleries by our brilliant team of curators under the leadership of Carlos Picón, Curator in Charge of the Department of Greek and Roman Art, and with the outstanding organizational abilities of Collections Coordinator Bill Gagen. As we celebrate this landmark event, we remember with gratitude the generosity of our many friends, past and present, who have made this possible – among them Shelby White and her late husband Leon Levy, and our dear friends the late Bill Blass and the late Frank A. Cosgrove, Jr., whose generous gifts have made possible this glorious new exhibition space for Greek and Roman art.”

Shelby White commented: “My late husband, Leon Levy, believed that by studying past civilizations we would better understand ourselves. What better setting to do that than these magnificent new galleries. I am thrilled.”

“The fashion designer Bill Blass was a collector of truly discerning taste,” noted Carlos Picón, “with a passionate interest in the ‘classics’ of many time periods – including antiquities. Although he had been a loyal and active member of our departmental friends group for many years, the bequest of half of his estate to the Department of Greek and Roman Art was immensely gratifying and a complete surprise.” He continued: “Similarly, Frank Cosgrove – who had an interest in Greek and Roman art – also made a very significant bequest to the Metropolitan, which was made known to the Museum following his death in 1992. We feel certain that he would have been delighted to see these new galleries. It is with great pleasure that the Museum places the names of these two men in the galleries that contain superb examples of art that they both esteemed.” The New Greek and Roman Galleries, located in The Lamont Wing at the southern end of the building, will house art created between about 900 B.C. and the early fourth century A.D., tracing the parallel stories of the evolution of Greek art in the Hellenistic period and the arts of southern Italy and Etruria, culminating in the rich and varied world of the Roman Empire. On the first floor, contiguous to the central Leon Levy and Shelby White Court on three sides, are galleries for Hellenistic and Roman art.

The installation continues on the wholly redesigned mezzanine level, where galleries for Etruscan art and the Greek and Roman study collection overlook the court from two sides. Together, the astonishing assembly of works on display – some never before seen by the public – will bring to life the visual and conceptual roots of Western civilization.

LEON LEVY AND SHELBY WHITE COURT The focal point of the new galleries is the spectacular Leon Levy and Shelby White Court for Hellenistic and Roman art, which occupies an area created by the renowned architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White between 1912 and 1926. The atrium, which evoked the ambulatory garden of a large private Roman villa, has been transformed through the addition of another story and a dazzling colored marble floor into a much grander space befitting its location as the culmination of the Museum’s display for its outstanding Greek and Roman collections. The McKim, Mead and White atrium served to display Roman art for a mere two decades before being converted into the Museum's restaurant and cafeteria. Although the new design introduces several features, it remains faithful to the architects’ original concept: a classically inspired architectural style and a glass roof that allows the objects below to be viewed in natural daylight.

On view in the center of the court will be nearly 20 Roman sculptures created between the first century B.C. and the third century A.D., that demonstrate a range of materials, styles, and subject matter. The Old Market Woman (Roman, first century A.D.) is a realistic study in marble of an elderly woman in an elegant dress, thong sandals, and a crown of Dionysiac ivy leaves. She is dressed for a festival, and the chickens and basket of fruit she carries are probably offerings for Dionysus, god of wine. The life-size bronze Portrait Statue of a Boy (Roman, Augustan period, late first century B.C.early first century A.D.), depicts a youth on the threshold of adulthood. Treasured more highly than marble, bronze statues were common in the Hellenistic and Roman periods but were routinely melted down in later periods. Thus, life-sized Roman bronzes are rare in modern collections.

Roman admiration for Greek culture is evident in the marble statue of Dionysus, god of wine and divine intoxication (Roman, first century A.D., copy of a Greek original). He wears a panther skin over his short chiton and high sandals, with animal heads on the overhanging skin flaps. He stands beside an archaistic female image, whose pose and dress imitate those of Greek statues carved in the sixth century B.C. This work is known as the Hope Dionysos, after the prominent collector Thomas Hope, who acquired it in 1796. Two larger-than-life-size statues of Hercules face one another from either side of the court (both Roman, Flavian, first century A.D.) A lion skin is draped over the left arm of the young, beardless Hercules. The older, bearded Hercules wears the lion skin across his shoulders, with the lion’s head and mane forming a hood on his head. Both works were part of the Giustiniani Collection in Rome, first published in 1631.

The purple stone called porphyry (from the Greek word for purple) was especially prized for monuments and building projects in Imperial Rome. A decorative support for a basin (Roman, second century A.D.) owes its appeal as much to the vibrant color of the stone as to the bold, clear carving. The stone was imported from quarries in the eastern deserts of Upper Egypt. The support formed part of the collection of William Waldorf Astor, later Baron Astor of Hever, who assembled his collection of antiquities between 1890 and 1905. The Met’s representative collection of Roman portrait busts depicting emperors, other members of the imperial family, and private individuals will be displayed in chronological order along the perimeter of the court. Included will be two statues of members of the Julio-Claudian family, shown in heroic semi-nudity, that are recent bequests of Bill Blass. Returning to view will be an impressive grouping of some two dozen Roman portrait heads, including a number of Roman emperors.

The dissemination of imperial portraits in sculpture, gems, and coins was the chief means of political propaganda in the Roman empire. Although the marble portrait head of the Emperor Augustus (Roman, ca. A.D. 14-37) incorporates individualized features, the overall effect is one of elevated dignity that recalls Greek statues of the fifth century B.C. The fine marble bust of Caligula (Roman, A.D. 37-42) adheres to the basic imperial image established by Augustus, to which the artist has added a proud turn of the head that conveys something of Caligula’s personality. His reign of extravagance and oppression ended in his assassination in A.D. 41. The marble portrait of Antoninus Pius (Roman, A.D. 138-161) shows the emperor with a thick, curly beard and a frame of hair around his face – similar to portraits of Hadrian, his predecessor and adoptive father.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Paul Poirer Exhibition --May 9 through August 5, 2007

This exhibition will take place on the Special exhibition galleries, first floor, with a Gala Benefit to take place on May 7 with Honorary Chair Francois-Henri Pinault and Co-Chairs Cate Blanchette, nicolas Ghesquiere, and Anna Wintour present.

Paul Poirer - who at the height of his career in pre-World War I France was the undisputed "King of Fashion" and whose sweeping vision led to a new silhouette that liberated women from the corset and introduced the shocking colors and exotic references of the Ballets Russes to the haute couture - will be celebvrated with this landmark exhibition. "The historic significance and influence, up to the present day, of Poiret's work is breathtaking, " said Harold Koda, Curator in Charge of the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. "He pioneered a self-confident modernity based on woman's seductive feminity, and envisioned a total lifestyle that extended from how she should dress, to what fragrance she should wear ad how she should decorate her home - an approach reflected in the strategies of many of today's fashion houses."

Presented in a series of tableaux, the garments on view will highlight the multiple facets of his astonishing inventiveness - icluding the beauty of his draped, unstructed fabrics and his fascination with the Ballets Russes, the Wiener Werkstatte, Orientalism, and the 1001 Nights - and will be complemented by paintings, illustrations, sculpture, and other objects that explicate his much broader artistic vision. At the core of the exhibition will be a grouping of the stunning creations acquired by the Metropolitan in the much-hearlded 2005 sale of clothing form Poiret's estate."

For more information, check website www.metmuseum.org or call 212-535-7710.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Presents Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudí to Dalí Exhibit

Scheduled through June 3, 2007, at The Tisch Galleries, second floor, visitors can view
Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudí to Dalí — the first comprehensive exhibition of its type ever mounted in America — which explores the diverse and innovative work of Barcelona’s artists, architects, and designers in the years between the Barcelona Universal Exposition of 1888 and the imposition of the Fascist regime of Francisco Franco in 1939. Barcelona and Modernity offers new insights into the art movements that advanced the city’s quest for modernity and confirmed it as the primary center of radical intellectual, political, and cultural activities in Spain. Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and Antoni Gaudí are among the internationally renowned artists who contributed to the creative vitality of Barcelona and the flourishing of Catalan culture. On view at the Metropolitan Museum through June 3, 2007, the exhibition will feature some 300 remarkable works in a range of media: painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, posters, decorative objects, furniture, architectural models, and design. La Vie and Blindman’s Meal, two of the greatest paintings from Picasso’s Blue Period; portraits by Ramon Casas; Isidre Nonell’s depictions of gypsies; Miró’s The Farm; Dalí’s surrealist paintings, as well as furniture designed by Gaudí and an original BKF (“butterfly”) chair are among the masterworks gathered from museums and private collections around the world for this major exhibition.

The exhibition is made possible by the Caixa Catalunya. Obra Social and the Generalitat de Catalunya. Additional support is provided by Angelo, Gordon & Co. The exhibition is also made possible in part by Jane and Robert Carroll and The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation. It was organized by The Cleveland Museum of Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in association with Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona. The exhibition opened at The Cleveland Museum of Art on October 15, and it will remain on view through January 7, 2007.

Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudí to Dalí presents Barcelona as a booming industrial city with conflicting politics and revolutionary works of art, architecture, and design. To explore the relationships among the visual arts, broader cultural activity, and political events of the era, the exhibition is organized in nine thematic sections, beginning with the origins of the Catalan Renaissance. The remaining sections focus on the major artistic movements that followed: Modernisme, Noucentisme, and other avant-garde idioms such as Surrealism, with a final section on works of art influenced by the Spanish Civil War.

Renaixença: The Catalan Renaissance (Section One)
The exhibition begins with an introduction to the revival of Catalan culture in the 19th century, when Barcelona expanded rapidly, becoming the largest, most industrialized, and most culturally advanced city in Spain. This set the stage for Barcelona’s transformation from a provincial city into one of the most dynamic center of modernist art and architecture in Europe. Following the destruction of the city’s medieval walls in 1856, the city expanded into an area known as the Eixample, home to most of the innovative Catalan modern architecture. In 1888, Barcelona celebrated its rising economic power and artistic growth by hosting a Universal Exposition of fine and industrial arts.
Highlights in this section of the exhibition include: Ildefons Cerdà’s (1815-1876) Plan for the Enlargement of Barcelona (1861); and Lluis Domènech i Montaner’s (1850-1923) iron sculpture Rooster Greeting the Dawn (1892), designed for the Café-Restaurant of the Universal Exposition.

Modernisme: Painting and Sculpture (Section Two)
Modern art in Barcelona originated with Modernisme, a broad Catalan cultural movement that emerged in the 1880s and lasted into the 1910s. During this period, progressive artists and intellectuals in Barcelona opened up to foreign influences and embraced radical new ideas and art forms, especially contemporary French art. Ramon Casas (1866-1932) and Santiago Rusiñol (1861-1931), the key founders of Modernista Catalan painting, turned to themes and subjects that reflected the new realities of modern urban life. They were followed by a second generation of Modernista artists led by Joaquim Mir (1873-1940), Isidre Nonell (1876-1911), and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Also featured are notable Modernista posters and graphic works by Alexandre de Riquer (1856-1929) and Adrià Gual (1872-1944). Highlights include: Rusiñol’s painting Café de Montmartre (1890); Mir’s painting The Rock in the Pool (c. 1903); and Josep Llimona’s (1864-1934) sculpture Grief (1907).

Modernisme: Els Quatre Gats (Section Three)
In 1897, Casas and Rusiñol joined with others to establish Els Quatre Gats (“The Four Cats”), a legendary café that became the focus of bohemian artistic activity in Barcelona and was the site of meetings, exhibitions, poetry readings and puppet theater performances. Picasso, at age 18, became a regular member of the group and held his first solo exhibition there in 1900. Highlights include: Casas’ painting Ramon Casas and Pere Romeu on a Tandem (1897) and Picasso’s portraits of his fellow artists at the café (1899-1900).

Modernisme: Art and Society (Section Four)
At the turn of the 20th century, while the rapid industrialization of Barcelona created new fortunes and allowed for wide patronage of the city’s artists and designers, poor immigrants worked in harsh and unjust conditions, leading to social conflict, labor strikes and anarchist bombings. Although artists rarely made overtly political statements, they did look closely at both the wealthy bourgeoisie and the working poor. Paintings and drawings by Isidre Nonell and Picasso’s Blue Period depictions of beggars, prostitutes, and the disenfranchised reflect on the striking differences between Barcelona’s economic and social classes. Highlights include: Ramon Casas’ The Garroting (1894), as well as Picasso’s 1903 oil paintings La Vie (Life) and The Blindman’s Meal.

Modernisme: Architecture and Design (Section Five)
Modernisme also found expression in architecture, design and the decorative arts. Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Josep Puig i Cadafalch (1867-1957), Josep Jujol (1879-1949), Gaspar Homar (1870-1953), and Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) designed Modernista buildings and interiors, which, while concurrent with Art Nouveau in northern Europe, were of considerable originality, often expressing aspirations towards a Catalan national style. A renewed interest in local traditions was responsible for remarkable works in wrought iron, stained glass, and ceramics. Among the masterpieces of the period are Domènech’s Palace of Catalan Music (1905-1908); Gaudí’s Casa Milà (1906-1910); and Gaudi’s iconic church, the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Família (begun 1883), which has since become a symbol for the city itself. These and other buildings are represented by drawings, models, and original fixtures and furnishings. Highlights include: Puig i Cadafalch’s Ceiling Lamp from Casa Amatller (1898-1900) and Gaudí’s Dressing Table from Palau Güell (c. 1899) and Two-Seat Sofa from Casa Batlló (c. 1907).

Noucentisme: The New Classicism (Section Six)
During the 1910s and 1920s, art and design in Catalonia was characterized by a return to order known as Noucentisme or “Nineteen-hundreds Style.” Reacting against the perceived aesthetic excesses of Modernisme, Noucentista artists sought to revive the spirit of Catalonia’s classical past through forms and themes infused with the timeless values of Mediterranean civilization. Joaquím Torres-García (1874-1949), Joaquim Sunyer (1874-1956), and Feliu Elias (1878-1948) led the way in Noucentista painting. The movement also influenced decorative art and architecture, encouraging a revival of interest in traditional handcraftmanship, especially in ceramics, such as those by Josep Artigas (1892-1980). Works by Picasso and Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) are featured in this section as well. Highlights include: Torres-García’s Project for the Fresco “The Eternal Catalonia,” (1912) and Enric Casanovas’ (1882-1948) sculpture Persuasion (1912-1913).

Avant-Gardes for a New Century (Section Seven)
Barcelona’s Dalmau Gallery, established in 1912, was crucial in introducing avant-garde art to Catalonia. Beginning around 1916, international artists flocked to Barcelona and began to pursue inventive new art forms influenced by Cubism and Surrealism. Torres-García, Pablo Gargallo (1881-1934) and Joan Miró (1893-1983) were Barcelona’s leading avant-garde artists. Paintings by Picasso, Miró, Dalí, and Francis Picabia (1879-1953) and sculptures by Julio González (1876-1942) are featured in this section. Original manifestos, calligrams, and magazines are also exhibited. Highlights include: Miró’s paintings Self-Portrait (1919) and The Hunter (Catalan Landscape) (1923-1924) and Dalí’s paintings Accommodations of Desire (1929) and The Dream (1931).

The Rational City (Section Eight)
In the late 1920s a new movement emerged in architecture and design that rejected historically rooted styles in favor of starkly minimalist rationalism. The innovative group GATCPAC (Group of Catalan Architects and Technicians for the Progress of Contemporary Architecture) dedicated itself to relieving social problems, such as overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, through architecture and functional objects designed for the masses. The German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) also graced the city with one of the most celebrated buildings in the history of modern architecture, his pavilion for the Barcelona International Exposition of 1929. Architectural models will be the centerpiece of the section, supplemented with drawings, period photographs, and period journals. Highlights include: models of Casa Bloc (1932-1936) by GATCPAC and the Central Antituberculosis Clinic (1934-1938) by Josep Lluís Sert, Joan B. Subirana, and Josep Torres Clavé; and the BKF (“butterfly”) chair by the Grupo Austral.

The Spanish Civil War (Section Nine)
Artists in Barcelona reacted to the crisis of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) with a powerful wave of paintings, sculptures, posters, films, and photographs. This section will feature a selection of important works responding to the horrors of the conflict, including paintings by Dalí and Miró, sculptures by González, and Picasso’s studies for Guernica, his famous painting commissioned by the Spanish Republican government. Josep Lluís Sert’s Pavilion of the Spanish Republic for the Paris International Exposition of 1937 — at which Guernica was first shown publicly — will be represented with a large architectural model.
Highlights from this section include: Dalí’s 1936 painting Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War); Miró’s painting Still Life with Old Shoe (1937); and prints from Miró’s Black and Red Series (1938).

Barcelona and Modernity has been organized by William H. Robinson, Curator of Modern European Art, and Jordi Falgàs, Cleveland Fellow in Modern Art, of The Cleveland Museum of Art; Magdalena Dabrowski, Special Consultant, and Jared Goss, Associate Curator, of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Nineteenth-Century, Modern, and Contemporary Art.

The exhibition is accompanied by 540-page catalogue by William H. Robinson, Jordi Falgàs, and Carmen Belén Lord. The publication features 600 illustrations, a preface by Robert Hughes, and essays by Magdalena Dabrowski, Jared Goss, and 27 other scholars. The catalogue is published by The Cleveland Museum of Art in association with Yale University Press ($65 hardcover, $40 paperback).

The Met will present an array of educational programs in conjunction with the exhibition, including gallery talks, lectures, and films. Gallery talks will include: two by Jared Goss on the architecture and design of the Catalan Renaissance; two by Magdalena Dabrowski on the paintings and sculptures featured in the exhibition; and a general talk that will be interpreted into sign language. In addition, an Audio Guide will be available for the exhibition. (Fees for rentals will be $6 for members of the Museum, $7 for nonmembers, and $5 for children under 12.)

The exhibition will also be featured on the Museum’s web site at www.metmuseum.org/>www.metmuseum.org.

Visitor Information for the Metropolitan Museum:

Hours

Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sundays, Tuesdays–Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Met Holiday Mondays in the Main Building:
January 15, February 19, and May 28, 2007
Sponsored by Bloomberg 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
All other Mondays closed; Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 25 closed

Recommended Admission (Includes Main Building and The Cloisters on the Same Day)
Adults $20.00, seniors (65 and over) and students $10.00
Members and children under 12 accompanied by adult free
Advance tickets available at www.TicketWeb.com or 1-800-965-4827.
For More Information call 212 -535-7710 or check web site www.metmuseum.org. There is no extra charge for any exhibition.

Closed Circuit: Video and New Media at the Metropolitan

Exhibition Dates: Through April 29, 2007
Exhibition location: Lila Acheson Wallace Wing, North Mezzanine Gallery and The Gioconda and Joseph King Gallery


The first multi-artist exhibition of video art and new media at The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be presented from February 23 to April 29, 2007. Drawn entirely from the collection of the Museum’s Department of Photographs, Closed Circuit: Video and New Media at the Metropolitan features video and new media works made between 1994 and 2004 by eight American and international artists: Darren Almond, Lutz Bacher, Jim Campbell, Omer Fast, Ann Hamilton, David Hammons, Maria Marshall, and Wolfgang Staehle. These highly respected figures in contemporary art will be represented in Closed Circuit by some of their best-known and most celebrated works, only one of which has been on exhibit before at the Met.

The exhibition is made possible by Diana Barrett and Robert Vila, Marlene Nathan Meyerson, and Robert Yaffa and Jennifer Saul Yaffa.


In recognition of the increased fluidity between photography, video, and new media since 1960, over the last five years the Met’s Department of Photographs has expanded its collection to include recent video and new media works. The first of these acquisitions was the hypnotic work abc (1994/99) by Ann Hamilton (American, born 1956). The video shows a wetted fingerprint slowly erasing inked letters of the alphabet on a pane of glass and then “writing” the letters in reverse. “Small in scale and unobtrusive in presentation, Ann Hamilton’s abc seemed to us almost like a still photograph come to life,” said Doug Eklund, Assistant Curator of the Department of Photographs and curator of the exhibition.

Malcolm Daniel, Curator in Charge of the Department of Photographs, added: “The works we have acquired thus far constitute a natural outgrowth from our traditional interest in the still image. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Henry Nias Foundation, who contributed the funds for acquiring all or part of five of the eight works on display.”

Several of the works in the exhibition explicitly blur the lines between still and moving images. Closed Circuit (1997-2000) by Lutz Bacher (American) creates a composite portrait and affecting narrative from thousands of individual video frames selected from 1,200 hours of footage of the late art dealer Pat Hearn at work in her office. Taking as his subject the same Hudson River Valley that inspired Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, Wolfgang Staehle’s (German, born 1950) Eastpoint (September 15, 2004) uses more than 8,000 still images, synced to real time, to depict the landscape’s subtle changes over the course of a single day. “Situated at the crossroads of painting, photography, film and new media, Eastpoint resonates especially beautifully with the Museum’s collections,” Doug Eklund noted.

Other works in the exhibition relate video to more traditional forms of moving pictures. Schwebebahn (1995) by Darren Almond (British, born 1971) is a mesmerizing ride via suspended rail—shot in crudely beautiful super-8 film and shown upside-down and in reverse—that is a hallucinatory vision of the past melding into the future. In Spielberg’s List (2003), Omer Fast (American, born Israel, 1972) brilliantly deconstructs Steven Spielberg’s Holocaust epic Schindler’s List through interviews with Polish locals who appeared in the Hollywood film as extras. The LED work Motion and Rest #2 (2002) by new media pioneer Jim Campbell (American, born 1956) is a digital update of Eadweard Muybridge’s celebrated motion studies from the 1880s.

Also featured in the exhibition are provocative and important video works of the 1990s: David Hammons’ (American, born 1943) haunting and humorous Phat Free (1995/1999), which plays on metaphors of invisibility and death; and Maria Marshall’s (British, born Bombay, 1966) disturbingly seductive When I Grow Up I Want to Become A Cooker (1998), a vision of maternal dread that employs digital effects to make it appear as if the artist’s young son is confidently smoking a cigarette.

Closed Circuit has been organized by Douglas Eklund, Assistant Curator in the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Photographs.

The exhibition will also be featured on the Museum’s web site www.metmuseum.org).

As a complement to Closed Circuit, the Met is presenting a related selection of photographs dating from 1969 to 1993 on the first floor of the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing. Entitled Series and Sequence: Modern Photographs from the Collection, this installation features multiple-image works by Vito Acconci, Chris Burden, Sophie Calle, Jack Goldstein, David Lamelas, Allen Ruppersberg, and Christopher Williams.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Hours

Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sundays, Tuesdays–Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Met Holiday Mondays in the Main Building:
May 28, 2007
Sponsored by Bloomberg 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
All other Mondays closed; Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 25 closed

Recommended Admission (Includes Main Building and The Cloisters on the Same Day)
Adults $20.00, seniors (65 and over) and students $10.00
Members and children under 12 accompanied by adult free
Advance tickets available at www.TicketWeb.com or 1-800-965-4827.
For More Information call 212-535-7710 or check web site www.metmuseum.org

Neo Rauch at the Met

Exhibition Dates: May 22 – September 23, 2007

Exhibition Location: Lila Acheson Wallace Wing, The Gioconda and Joseph King Gallery

Neo Rauch at the Met presents six new paintings made specifically for this exhibition by the artist Neo Rauch (b. 1960, Leipzig, Germany), one of the most widely acclaimed painters of his generation. The exhibition — on view from May 22 through September 23, 2007 —is the third in the Museum’s series dedicated to artists at mid-career, following exhibitions featuring Tony Oursler in 2005 and Kara Walker in 2006.

Shaped by the experience of growing up in East Germany, Rauch’s paintings teeter between Surrealism and Social Realism, defying easy interpretation. Viewers are drawn into scenes replete with strange beings and ambiguous landscapes. Full of activity yet mysteriously static in feeling, Rauch’s paintings are fantasy painted as fact, and many of his large-format works are populated by figures that are connected spatially, yet remain alienated and unaware of each other. With a distinctive palette of bright acidic colors contrasting with deep shadows, the artist’s paintings conjure up an atmosphere of confused nostalgia and failed utopias.

Trained at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, Rauch continues to live and work in the city of his birth, and has inspired a younger generation of painters in Leipzig’s thriving artistic community. Rauch’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, Germany (2006); Musée d’art contemporain de Montreal, Canada (2006); Albertina, Vienna, Austria (2004); Saint Louis Art Museum (2002); and Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin, Germany (2001), among other museums.

Neo Rauch at the Met is organized by Gary Tinterow, Engelhard Curator in Charge of the Metropolitan’s Department of Nineteenth-Century, Modern, and Contemporary Art.

The exhibition will also be featured on the Museum’s web site, www.metmuseum.org.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Contemporary Photographs from the Collection

Exhibition Dates: May 15 – September 3, 2007

Exhibition Location: The Howard Gilman Gallery, second floor

Hidden in Plain Sight: Contemporary Photographs from the Collection, on view from May 15 through September 3, 2007, features the work of artists who use the camera to call our attention to the poetic richness latent in ordinary things. Often deliberately understated, these photographs are filled with everyday epiphanies, inviting us to look more closely at the world around us. The exhibition will feature approximately 35 works by American and international artists, including Walker Evans, Stephen Shore, William Eggleston, Jean-Marc Bustamante, Patrick Faigenbaum, Gabriel Orozco, Damián Ortega, Daniel Faust, Mitch Epstein, Lewis Koch, Bertien van Manen, Carrie Mae Weems, Rachel Harrison, and Shomei Tomatsu.

The photographs featured in Hidden in Plain Sight encourage a heightened awareness of the fleeting beauty to be found in simple objects and chance occurrences. In his photographs of empty tree planters, Damián Ortega (b. 1967, Mexico) finds geometric patterns and entropy in the pavement cracks and sprouting weeds that appear on barren patches of Mexico City sidewalks. The slightly melancholy photographs of Jean-Marc Bustamante (French, b. 1952) evoke magical moments in commonplace settings. In an untitled 1998 photograph from his series Something Is Missing, Bustamante records a “found sculpture” he discovered on the street: an orderly newspaper stand with stacks of papers fluttering at the corners.

A 1992 photograph by Carrie Mae Weems (American, b. 1953), taken in Sea Island, Georgia, depicts a mattress spring mysteriously hanging from a tree — a purposeful intervention by residents of the local Gullah community, who believe it will ensnare evil spirits. Rachel Harrison (American, b. 1966), in her Perth Amboy series, photographed the window of an ordinary-looking house in New Jersey where it was believed that the face of the Virgin Mary had appeared. The pictures focus on the accumulated fingerprints left by the faithful as they touched the pane of glass.

A particular focus of the show will be the work of Gabriel Orozco (b. 1962, Mexico), whose Cemetery (2002), captures an unassuming yet surprising landscape that the artist encountered on one of his travels: dozens of round terracotta pots, used as grave markers and receptacles for offerings, lay scattered across on the desert sand of Timbuktu. Since the 1980s, this peripatetic artist has used photography as a form of visual note-taking, as well as to document ephemeral sculptures he makes on his local walks and world travels.

Hidden in Plain Sight is organized by Mia Fineman, Senior Research Associate in the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Photographs.

The exhibition will also be featured on the Museum’s web site, www.metmuseum.org.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Location 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028-0198

Hours

Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Sundays, Tuesdays–Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Met Holiday Mondays in the Main Building:

May 28, July 2, September 3, October 8, 2007

Sponsored by Bloomberg 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

All other Mondays closed; Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 25 closed

Recommended Admission (Includes Main Building and The Cloisters on the Same Day)

Adults $20.00, seniors (65 and over) $15.00, students $10.00

Members and children under 12 accompanied by adult free

Advance tickets available at www.TicketWeb.com or 1-800-965-4827.

For More Information call (212) 535-7710; or check web site www.metmuseum.org

METRO-HOME'S MANHATTAN MAKEOVER PACKAGE

What better place than New York to "freshen up" or get a whole new look! Metro-Home’s “Manhattan Makeover” package offers the perfect solution with your own guest apartment accommodations selected from neighborhoods throughout Manhattan, a bottle of champagne upon arrival – to get the makeover celebration launched properly, fresh flowers and scented candles in the apartment to help set the mood, and best of all a $100 gift certificate to Cornelia Spa, the luxurious spa located on fabulous Fifth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan. The Manhattan Makeover package is an ideal girlfriends getaway and terrific for a couples weekend. Truth be told, it’s great as a guys getaway too – for all those metrosexuals out there. The package is from $409 per night.
For those who want to make over their wardrobe too ... Metro-Home offers a fashion consultant and limousine transportation for an afternoon shopping excursion in New York. The Manhattan Makeover package with the addition of a personal shopping consultant and limo transportation is from $469 per night. 

MAD FOR MANHATTAN SHOPPING EXCURSION

New York offers some of the world's most exciting shopping -- from Fifth Avenue to Soho. It's all here and at every price point! Metro-Home has the perfect tonic for those who just can't get enough ... it’s the "Mad for Manhattan Shopping Excursion" package.
This package includes guest apartment accommodations, fresh flowers in the apartment and a three hours of limousine transportation for a shopping excursion around Manhattan – no need to let boxes & bags get in the way of indulging in serious shopping! The Mad for Manhattan Shopping Excursion is from $369 per night for a studio, which comfortably accommodates up to 3 people, or from $469 per night for a 1-bedroom unit, which comfortably accommodates up to 4 people.

METRO-HOME'S GIFT OF MANHATTAN PACKAGE

Who wouldn’t want Manhattan wrapped up and tied with a bow? Metro-Home is offering the perfect holiday gift -- whether for yourself or someone precious to you: the “Gift of Manhattan” package. This extraordinary package includes a choice of luxury apartment accommodations in neighborhoods throughout Manhattan, a bottle of champagne upon arrival, fresh flowers in the apartment, a gift certificate for dinner for two, pair of Broadway theatre tickets based on availability, tickets to the “Top of the Rock” observation deck in Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building, a romantic carriage ride in Central Park, passes to MOMA or the Metropolitan Museum, a $100 gift certificate to the luxurious Cornelia Spa on Fifth Avenue, and limousine transportation around Manhattan for an afternoon shopping excursion in the city. And, the Metro-Home Gift of Manhattan package certificate can be boxed up and wrapped in holiday colors, and FedExed to the recipient for delivery by the holidays. The "Gift of Manhattan" package is from $890 per night for studio accommodations, $990 per night for 1-bedroom accommodations. Special value rates are available from $690 per night for Metro-Home's "Gift of Manhattan" packages purchased for arrival through March 2007, and from $790 per night for packages purchased for arrival April - August 2007.

With Metro-Home's new Concierge Service, guests can experience New York like a New Yorker with their own apartment accommodations -- and still enjoy the hospitality services of a first rate Concierge. Metro-Home's Concierge can do everything from securing dinner reservations in that hard-to-get-into restaurant, get tickets to the latest Broadway Show, make airline or charter reservations, find a qualified baby sitter, provide business services such as fax and Internet access, order and deliver up everything from flowers to Chinese and nearly anything in between!

Metro-Home has more than 200 fully furnished guest apartments, from budget to luxury. Studio, one and two bedroom units are available. Metro-Home's apartments are located in quaint Manhattan neighborhoods, each offering a unique mix of amenities to discover and enjoy, including fabulous restaurants, art & antique galleries, museums, boutiques, wonderful shopping and more.

To learn more about Metro-Home's "Mad About Manhattan” Seasonal packages, or for guestroom reservations, contact 212.813.2244 or toll-free 800.987.1235, or check web site www.Metro-Home.com. 

The Carlton Hotel Special Value-Added Packages

The Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue, has unveiled value-added packages available now through April 1, 2006. Ranging from $259 to $1399 per room, per night, the Girl's Night Out and Winter Wonderland packages include luxury accommodations, a three-hour car service, a $50 coupon for use toward final bill, a discount coupon to Macy's and a host of amenities.

After completing a multi-million dollar renovation and refurbishment process, the 316-room Carlton has opened its doors with a completely new look that combines old world elegance with a modern New York feel. The luxury accommodations feature mahogany furnishings and are detailed with rich soothing earth tones that exude serenity and tranquility with a touch of elegance and modern luxury. Plush new bedding adds an element of comfort, drawing guests into the warmth of beautiful duvets and soft pillows. The spacious bathrooms help to create an ambiance of refinement. Guest amenities include luxury Penhaligon's bath products and Apple iHome alarm clocks that offer guests the convenience to listen to their personal music library by docking their Apple ipod.

The Girls' Night Out Weekend Package, offered this fall and winter, is ideal for a long, relaxing weekend of indulgence. Guests will start each day with a complimentary breakfast a the hotel's signature restaurant, County, owned and operated by renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian. They are then free to take advantage of a complimentary three-hour car service, either to tour New York City's historic Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods, or to explore the opulent shopping and entertainment opportunities available in New York. A complimentary massage or facial will complete this weekend hiatus.

The Winter Wonderland special is ideal for those desiring to experience New York City dressed at its best for the holiday season or those looking to simply enjoy the Big Apple beyond the New Year. Stroll past historic homes on the beautiful tree-lined streets of the city -- the hotel is located in the heart of the city's business, shopping and entertainment districts, where guests may enjoy visits to nearby attractions, such as the Empire State Building, or a show at Madison Square Garden. A discount coupon to Macy's is included, plus one $50 coupon per stay to use towards the room as well as welcome amenity.

For further information on rates and reservations, contact the Carlton Hotel at 212-532-4100, 1-800-542-1502, or check web site www.carltonhotelny.com.

Spas Are No Longer Just For Pampering

From LED Light therapy, to disposable paraffin gloves, one thing was certain at the New York 2006 Spa & Resort and Medical Spa Expo and Conference, September 17 and 18 at the Jacob Javits Center - spa owners and managers want to see cosmetic and health benefits. With the convergence of the spa and medical spa industries, spa goers will increasingly see the pampering benefits of spas combined with the health benefits of medical spas.

"Spas owners and directors are progressively more concerned about a client's overall well being, and are offering products and treatments that are designed to improve and maintain health," said Dr. Fred Pescatore, author of The Hamptons Diet Cook Book and speaker at the event. "This is not a passing fad. This is clearly the direction the industry is headed and this was exhibited on the show floor."

The Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference ˆ the fastest-growing series of events in the spa and medical spa industries ˆ has a distinguished history of monitoring trends that will affect the spa and medical spa industries. The meeting once again attracted thousands of attendees that visited the Jacob Javits Center to view the cutting-edge exhibitors. An audit for total number of attendees at the 2006 Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference will be available in the coming weeks.

"This year, the New York Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference saw a definite increase in the number of treatments and products targeted at health and wellness," said Eileen Baird, group vice president and show manager. "This is not only a strong indication that the medical spa industry is the fastest growing business sector, but also shows the rapidly growing popularity of results-oriented treatments at traditional spas. Another interesting trend was the return of relaxation treatments to the spa world. While certain treatments, facials for example, might not have an immediate impact on one‚s health, they reduce stress, and that is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

From vibrafusion which reduces skin inflammation and free radicals to skin imaging systems which analyze and monitor clients‚ skin conditions, the 2006 Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference showcased a comprehensive sampling of the most advanced treatments, technology, new products and hands-on demonstrations in the industry. The prominent number of results-oriented treatments and products that debuted at the conference speaks to the fact that, increasingly, people are visiting spas to not only be pampered, but to reduce stress and improve and maintain health. This fact was on display at the meeting, with trends including:
·       

Products that promote better overall oral health supporting the growing dental spa industry
·       

Skin tightening lasers, creams and treatments
·       

Medi Pedi's, which focus on repairing the stress, wear, and tear on feet
·       

Spas target hair. Hair is another trouble spot that spas and medical spas are addressing
·       

The return of aromatherapy to keep pampering alive in the spa industry with products that are both therapeutic and fragrant
·       

Vinotherapy, which uses wine and grape seed extracts, nourishes the body from the outside in and fights the causes of aging
·       

Energy medicine, bioenergetics, gem therapy, and chakra balancing

"It's clear that spa-goers are combining cosmetic and health treatments," said Glenn Hogle, president, PerfectSense Paraffin. "A treatment like ours that offers cosmetic and health benefits to the hands, as well as a more youthful appearance, a reduction in aches, and the ability to soothe, is perfect for this new breed of spa-goers."

Attendees to 2006 Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference were pleased with the large number of exhibitors and the wide variety of new products and treatments that were on display. "There‚s so much going on this year," said Gregory Lewis, nutritionist at Long Island College Hospital, Long Island, NY. "The show floor is packed with exciting new products. If it's going to break into the market, you‚ll find it here."

"This is my first spa show and I‚m extremely impressed," said Ann Petrick, consultant, Boiron. "There‚s a wide variety of exhibitors and I would definitely do this again next year. It‚s been a positive experience."

"This is my first and it's excellent," said Mazanne Smit, esthetician, Laserderm. "I‚m from South Africa and we do not have any trade shows that come close to matching the sheer size and scope of this event. The large variety of spa equipment on display here is truly amazing."

Exhibitors were also quite pleased with buyers traffic and the quality of sales leads. "Our experience at this show was wonderful," said Dr. Richard C. Mauer, founder of d'vine, a new line of vinotherapy products for men and women. "We feel that it was a great decision to have sponsored the Press Room at the conference, because it allowed us to showcase and demonstrate to so many influential members of the media how d'vine is paving the way with vinotherapy."

"We only do four trade shows a year, and the Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expos & Conferences are two of them,"said Allen Klevins, CEO, Prescriptive Music. "As always, the show was a very positive experience. In terms of networking, this spa show is incredibly beneficial as the Spa & Resort and Medical Spa Expo and Conference."

The 2006 Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference made its popular educational program more beneficial with the New York debut of the Massage Therapy track. Developed in conjunction with the Medical Spa Society, the educational program featured courses segmented into Spa, Business, Medical, Trends ˆ Health & Wellness, and the new Massage Therapy tracks. Participating medical professionals were eligible to receive Continuing Medical Education credits and Massage Therapy Continuing Education credits.

The educational courses, which were lead by many nationally-prominent industry experts, opened with two eminent keynote speakers. Dr. Max Gomez, New York's News Channel 4 health and science editor, hosted the "Medical Spas: Opportunity and Danger" opening session on Sunday, September 17, which examined how medical spas must regulate or police industry standards. The event's other keynote speaker, Bryan Durocher -- author, television personality, beauty industry expert, and founder of Durocher Enterprises -- shared international beauty/spa trends during the Monday, September 18 keynote session that was geared toward the professional interested in the continually evolving global beauty economy and its cutting-edge business developments. 

For the Trends ˆ Health & Wellness Track, Dr. Vincent Giampapa, one of the first board certified anti-aging physicians in the world and director of the Giampapa Institute for Anti-Aging Medical Therapy, discussed the use of individual gene tests to derive a gene-directed, personalized, nutrition program to improve health and quality of life during the aging process. Susanne Warfield, president/CEO of Paramedical Consultants, Inc., led an in-depth discussion for the Business Track which focused on the legal and liability issues of owning a medical spa. Spa & Resort Track speaker Rohit Medhekar, Ph.D., director of scientific affairs, National Enzyme Company, discussed the research and development of new enzyme products along with the nutritional benefits of digestive enzyme supplementation during the "Supplemental Oral Enzyme Therapy in the Spa" session. Also, Dr. Bruce Katz offered his insights on how to effectively run and build a cosmetic practice for the Medical Spa Track.

Once again, several hundred decision makers ˆincluding owners, buyers, consultants, and publicistsˆ from the nation‚s most successful spas, hotels and resorts, medical spas and medical practices participated in the Spa Partner VIP Program. Spa Partner participation benefits included complimentary and discounted education sessions, complimentary exhibit hall admission, access to an onsite private relaxation lounge with complimentary spa treatments, as well as a Spa Partner gift bag full of the newest spa products donated by exhibitors.

The expos and conferences are produced by Reed Exhibitions, the world's largest organizer of business-to-business events. The next Spa & Resort/Medical Spa Expo & Conference will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, March 4-5, 2007. For more information about the show check web site www.spaandresortexpo.com or www.medispaexpo.com. For information about becoming an exhibitor, contact Bill Butler at 203-840-5350.

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading organizer of exhibitions and conferences. Reed brings together over 90,000 suppliers and more than 5.5 million buyers from around the world every year generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 33 fully staffed offices. Reed's portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier, a FTSE 100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider, with revenues in excess of $ 8.4 billion) (2004)

Millennium UN Plaza ----- Celebrate culture, steps from the United Nations

The Millennium UN Plaza is helping celebrate the 2007 centennial of the Japan Society, a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that offers arts programming to help visitors experience Japanese culture. The UN Plaza’s Japan Society package features admission to special events at the Japan Society, continental breakfast for two and accommodations. Please call for specific information about exhibits. Rates begin at $264, valid through March 31, 2007.

The Millennium UN Plaza is also offering a MoMA package with two VIP passes, accommodations and complimentary breakfast for two at the hotel’s Ambassador Grill. Rates begin at $244, valid through March 31, 2007.

New York State

BUFFALO

Kids Eat For Free at the Millennium Airport Hotel

Nothing warms the heart and lifts the spirits in the midst of winter than a great meal in cozy surroundings, especially when it’s free. That’s the heart of the “Kids Eat Free” package at the Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo, where children can eat for free and the entire family can frolic in the resort-like indoor garden atrium with its heated indoor swimming pool, dash across the street for great shopping at Walden Galleria Mall or explore the abundance of kid-friendly attractions in Buffalo.

Priced from only $99 per night, the “Kids Eat Free” package – an excellent value for families visiting the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area – is valid through April 30, 2007, and includes overnight accommodations, free use of hotel facilities including the swimming pool, and free dining for children during the stay. Reservations can be made by calling 800-323-3331 or logging on to www.millenniumhotels.com.

The hotel’s concierge is also available to assist guests with planning their visits to the city’s family-friendly attractions which are considerable. Adjacent to the Millennium is the Walden Galleria Mall featuring such stores as Abercrombie Kids, Children’s Place, GAP Kids, Gymboree, The Disney Store and Pottery Barn Kids.

The Buffalo Zoo, the third-oldest in the country, is as much fun in winter as summer and features fun-loving otters and sea lions in a brand new, state-of-the-art aquatic habitat. Martin's Fantasy Island offers more than 100 rides, shows and attractions; highlights of the Buffalo Museum of Science fossils in the Dinosaurs & Co. exhibition and five astronomy-themed areas of "Our Place in Space." Other attractions include the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and the Toy Town Museum, which preserves the toy heritage of Western New York through exhibits, educational and toy making programs, an annual toy festival, a research library and a gift shop specializing in collectibles. For more information on Buffalo’s family-friendly attractions please visit www.buffalocvb.org.

About the Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo

The Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo, is located three miles from the Buffalo-Niagara Airport, 15 minutes from downtown Buffalo and 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. The hotel’s 300 rooms and suites feature all the latest amenities, including high speed Internet, voice mail, a coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. The courtyard rooms offer balconies overlooking a serene tropical courtyard setting. In addition to the accommodations, the hotel offers over 12,000-square feet of meeting space with ten rooms, making it particularly appealing to corporate and social groups. Meeting facilities include a Presidential Ballroom, several flexible meeting rooms and a beautiful tropical courtyard with retractable domed ceilings. Other facilities include the highly regarded Waldens Restaurant and Twigs Sports Lounge, a fitness facility with an all-season pool and a private executive clubroom for the business traveler. The hotel is adjacent to the Walden Galleria, the largest and most upscale shopping mall in the region, and the New York Thruway, making it one of the most convenient and efficient properties in Buffalo.

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), established in the United States in 2000, is the North American arm of London-based Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc (MLC). The MHR portfolio includes 20 holdings in The Americas, and the company operates properties including: Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York City; Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City; Millennium Airport Hotel, Buffalo, New York; Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago; Millennium Bostonian Hotel, Boston; Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis; Millennium Hotel, St. Louis; Millennium Hotel, Cincinnati; Millennium Harvest House, Boulder; Millennium Hotel, Durham; Millennium Alaskan Hotel, Anchorage; Millennium Resort, Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch; and the Millennium Maxwell House, Nashville. MLC holdings outside of the Millennium brand include the Millenium Hilton in New York City. For further information on Millennium Hotels and Resorts, call 866-866-8086 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels comprises over 100 four and five star hotels with 24,681 rooms worldwide in 16 countries. Our World of Hospitality marketing alliance partner Maritim Hotels has 45 hotels with 13,069 rooms in 9 countries. For more information please visit www.millenniumhotels.com or www.maritim.com.

CORNING

Corning Museum of Glass

Here, you can explore the history, technology and artistry of glass year-round. If you never worked with glass as hot as olten ava, bent glass, without breaking it, or have seen an 11-foot tree of swirling green glass, this is where you can experience it - and more - right in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

See the world's largest collection of glass, spanning 35 centuries of art and history; watch live, narrated glassblowing demonstrations, all day, every day; get hands-on with the science of glass as you bend light, bend glass and bend your imagination; and try it for yourself by making your own glass experiences in making glass.

Hours are 9 am-5 pm, 7 days a week.

Open daily 9 am-8 pm during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

For more information, contact Corning Museum of Glass, I-86/Rt. 17, Exit 46, Corning, NY, 800-732-6845, or check web site www.crnog.org.

LAKE GEORGE AREA, WARREN COUNTY

Lake George

This isn't just a summer paradise -- for when it snows, the area turns into a wonderland for winter adventures, activities and events. Set in the Adirondacks, you can enjoy a cozy Bed & Breakfast accommodation, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or ski, snowmobile, skate, sled, snowshoe, go ice fishing, or just admire the snowflakes. If you're daring, join others as they plunge into the icy waters of Lake George during the New Year's Day Polar Plunge Swim, part of the annual lake George Winter Carnival. Other carnival events include snow volleyball, hockey, shoot-outs, snow sculpture contests, and outhouse races. Check with the Lake George Recreational Park for cross-country skiing, ice skating and snow tubing all winter long. When it's time to warm up, check out the Lake George Factory outlets with more than 70 name brand stores to choose from.

Queensbury

Just off Interstate 87, this town offers an extensive list of lodging establishments and restaurants, making vacationing in the Southern Adirondacks most enjoyable. At the Gurney Lane Recreational Area, you'll find ice skating, sledding and cross-country skiing. After, relax at a local cafe or restaurant over a cup of tea, coffee or soup. Or, shop at the Aviation Mall.

Brant Lake

Here you can opt for a guided snowshoe tour through Up Yonda Farm Environmental Educational Center. Track animal prints in the snow, visit wildlife exhibits inside the museum, and enjoy the day exploring the Adirondack wilderness as well as spectacular views of Lake George.

Stony Creek

This town boasts a winter ranch resort offering sledding, horseback riding, ice skating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and plenty more. Each March, a Blizzard Blast is held where you can indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet while listening to live entertainment.

Thurman

Rev up the snowmobile engines and set out on the 118 mile trail system made possible by the Thurman Connection Snowmobile club. Experience the pristine wilderness of Thurman's backcountry, stimulated by the thrill of soaring through the snow.

Glens Falls

History buffs will totally enjoy the rich history of this area by visiting the museums and galleries. Make a stop at the Chapman Museum and learn about domestic life in the late 19th century. Or, visit The Hyde Collection, a world-class art museum complex, and gaze at the works of Degas, Picasso, Homer, Rembrandt, and Renoir. After, if you desire lots of thrills and chills, head over to West Mountain where you can ski, snowboard, or tube down lighted trails - just ten minutes away from the city center.

For more information, contact the Warren County Tourism Department, 1340 State Route 9, Municipal Center, Lake George, NY 12845; 1-800-95-VISIT, Ext. 143, or check web site www.visitlakegeorge.com.

SARATOGA

Lots of great events are scheduled in this area where the tradition in horse racing continues. Examples include:

Thoroughbred racing at the Saratoga Race Course on September 1 (Union Avenue). Details at web site www.nyra.com or call 518-584-6200.

For details, contact the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, 28 Clinton Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; 518-584-3255.

WESTCHESTER

WHITE PLAINS

A new era in luxury living in Westchester was ushered in on October 2, 2006 as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and Louis R. Cappelli celebrated the "topping off" of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, a new 44-story residential tower featuring 213 distinctive residences, and The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, the county's first luxury hotel.

Guests and VIPs were treated with a trip to the top floor of the concrete structure that affords breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, the Hudson River Valley and beyond. The topping off ceremony, which marks the completion of the building's highest floor, was celebrated with cannons showering the crowd with confetti, colorful balloons floating in the air, and members of the cast of the new Twyla Tharp/Bob Dylan Broadway Musical "The Times They Are A-Changin" performing songs from the show. The event also featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester Sales Presentation Center at 227 Main Street.

According to Mr. Cappelli, "The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for homebuyers who are seeking an ultra-luxury lifestyle never before available in this market. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester will set a new standard for luxury hotels in the area." The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester includes 181 condominium residences and 32 Atelier suites. The residences range in size from 1,200 to 5,200 square feet and offer spacious floor plans from 1-bedroom, 1 1/2 baths to 3-bedroom, 3 1/2 baths. Also planned are Penthouse and Sky Club levels. The Atelier suites are fully furnished residences with built-in features that are ideal for corporate executives. Prices of residences start at $700,000 and go up to $3.5 million. The opening date is anticipated in early 2008. Owners at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester will have exclusive access to a wide array of The Ritz-Carlton's legendary five-star amenities and services including maid service, room service, concierge and luxury spa, to name a few. Owners will also benefit from The Ritz-Carlton privileges around the world.

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester will feature a 10,000-square-foot luxury spa and fitness center and 10,000 square feet of meeting and special event space. It will also include two fine dining restaurants ˆ a two-story "wintergarden" restaurant fronting on Main Street and a rooftop restaurant at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester tower. At 400 feet in height, the rooftop restaurant will offer a spectacular dining experience unrivaled anywhere outside of Manhattan. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is one of only three suburban hotels in the company's present portfolio.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, MD., (USA) currently operates 61 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa Over 20 projects are under development around the globe with hotel openings planned for Moscow, Ireland, and two in Beijing over the next year. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service.

NORTH CAROLINA

RALEIGH/DURHAM

National Apitherapy Conference to Be Held in North Carolina

The American Apitherapy Society has named the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina as the location of its April 26-29 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & International Conference (CMACC).

Now in its 12th year, the annual apitherapy training course focuses on the therapeutic use of products of the beehive, including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom. One of the most ancient of all healing modalities, apitherapy is gaining increased attention worldwide from medical professionals, academic researchers and lay practitioners as the efficacy of the hive products and treatments becomes better known.  

Course: An in-depth course running from Thursday night through Saturday morning will provide a comprehensive training by AAS faculty in the use of beehive products and bee venom therapy; includes extensive course manual. Those who pass a final exam will receive a Certificate of Knowledge.

Conference: Recent advances in apitherapy worldwide will be presented from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

Venue: Radisson Hotel Research Triangle Park, 150 Park Drive, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.

Fees: Course and Conference: $225 by March 26, Late Fee: $275; Students with Valid ID: $175. Fees include a one-year, $45 AAS membership.

For more information, call 1-800-333-3333 for reservations worldwide and mention the American Apitherapy Society’s CMACC for a discounted rate; complimentary airport shuttle available. Check web site www.apitherapy.org for updated conference details as they become available.

OHIO

CINCINNATI

Experience Cincinnati’s contemporary art and architecture

The Millennium Hotel Cincinnati offers a Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) package offering accommodations and admission tickets to see contemporary art in a ground-breaking building designed by Zaha Hadid, one of the world’s greatest female architects. Check our Web site for more details about an upcoming special tour of sponsored exhibition Highlights in Contemporary Art from the Fabric Workshop and Museum in February. Rates begin at $109 (weekends) and $149 (weekdays), valid through August 31, 2007. 

Tour Europe . . . . Visit Cleveland

Some of Europe’s treasures are visiting Cleveland. Why don’t you?
Explore Claude Monet’s rugged coasts, picturesque villages and lush fields at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Monet in Normandy exhibit (Through May 20, 2007).

Remember the life of the beloved Princess of Wales during the blockbuster exhibition Diana, A Celebration (Through June 10, 2007) at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Can’t afford Cannes? See a Czech, Hungarian or other foreign language masterpiece at the Cleveland International Film Festival (March 15 – 25, 2007).

For more information, check the Cleveland Museum of Art/University Circle, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106-1797, 216.421.7340; web site www.clevelandart.org

Monet in Normandy is the first scholarly exhibition celebrating the intimate relationship between Monet and his native landscape. Born in Paris, when he was a small child Monet’s family moved to Le Havre, a charming town on the Normandy coast, and the artist’s enduring relationship with the region began. Throughout his career, rugged coasts, shingled beaches, stunning cliffs, countryside and picturesque villages populated his paintings. In several deeply personal canvases of 1870, Monet recorded his honeymoon (with new wife Camille) in the Norman seaside resort town of Trouville. In the 1880s, the spectacle of cliffs and sea exposed to the elements became the artist’s most frequent subject matter. And, as he spent the last 30 years of his life in the village of Giverny, the misty Seine, lush fields, gardens and a water lily pond dominated his later work.
Although the CMA is in the process of a massive renovation and expansion project, portions of the museum remain open and major exhibitions and outreach continues.

Located in University Circle, a stunning concentration of arts, culture and educational institutions in one park-like square mile, the CMA is within walking distance of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Institute of Music, The Cinematheque, Severance Hall and other treasures.

Ohio's premier film event features more than 200 new films from more than 40 countries on six continents. Visiting directors, panel discussions, student screenings and a conference for area filmmakers are all CIFF highlights. The Cleveland International Film Festival specializes in foreign films and shorts, but includes everything from family features to documentaries.
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DIANA, A CELEBRATION (through June 10, 2007)

Diana, A Celebration enables visitors to share in the milestones of the many roles of the “people’s princess”—the schoolgirl and athlete, the shy kindergarten teacher who captured the hearts of the world, the young, ravishing royal bride, an icon of fashion and style, a devoted mother, sister and daughter and a tireless charity advocate and spokeswoman.

This 10,000 square-foot exhibition tells Princess Diana’s story through nine galleries: Tiara, The Spencer Women, Childhood, Engagement, Royal Wedding, Charity, Tribute, Style and Condolence. The centerpiece of the show is the glorious Royal Wedding gallery, featuring Diana’s resplendent gown from her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles, along with her diamond tiara, veil, 25-foot-long train, shoes, parasol and bridesmaid’s dress.

Other major highlights of Diana, A Celebration include:

•28 dresses, suits and evening gowns by such noted designers as Versace, Azagury, Valentino and Chanel
•Two diamond tiaras and other priceless family jewels
•The original hand-edited text of Charles Spencer’s moving tribute to his sister delivered at Diana’s funeral in Westminster Abbey
•The musical score and handwritten lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition dedicated to Diana and adapted from Candle in the Wind
•Home movies, childhood photographs and personal correspondence
•17th- and 18th-century paintings from Diana’s ancestral home, Althorp Estate

AND EXPERIENCE SOME OF CLEVELAND’S OTHER EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS . . .
DOWNTOWN

Trolley Tours of Cleveland
216.771.4484
www.lollytrolley.com
Catch Lolly the Trolley and take a narrated tour of the city. There are a variety of tour options, but stops on the two-hour tour include many European landmarks such as the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Little Italy and inspired architecture including several beautiful churches.

Hungarian Heritage Museum/Galleria at Erieview, 1301 E. Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
www.jcu.edu/language/hunghemu.htm
Explore the beauty and diversity of the cultural of Hungary and Hungarian-Americans through colorful and educational exhibits and special programs.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum/One Key Plaza, 751 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
www.rockhall.com

Americans lay claim to rock and roll, but where would we be without out the British invasion and The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones or Dusty Springfield? Trace the roots of rock and roll, check out musicians from around the world, watch groundbreaking performances and explore seemingly endless memorabilia at the one and only Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Mallorca Restaurant/1390 West Ninth Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
216.687.9494
www.clevelandmallorca.com
A restaurant specializing in the finest of Continental, Spanish and Portuguese cuisine.

Osteria Di Valerio & Al/408 W. St. Clair Avenue, Box 110, Cleveland, OH 44113
216.685.9490
The authentic flavors of Northern Italy are woven into sophisticated contemporary dishes.

Ponte Vecchio/2100 Superior Viaduct, Suite 520, Cleveland, OH 44113
216.556.8200
www.pontevecchioristorante.com
Transport your palate to Northern Italy! Enjoy grand Italian fare and a breathtaking view of Cleveland.

Sans Souci Restaurant/Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
216.696.5600
www.renaissancehotels.com
Hearty, country fare of the Provincial region in France.

Vivo Restaurant Bar/347 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
216.621.4678
www.vivo-cleveland.com
Tuscan summer meets urban loft party at this downtown hot spot. Rustic contemporary Italian fare featuring creativity with seasonal ingredients in a historic Cleveland landmark.

NEAR WEST SIDE

Westside Market/1979 W. 25th Street (at Lorain Avenue), Cleveland, OH 44114 216.664.3387 www.westsidemarket.com
The West Side Market is a cultural and culinary experience. Opened in 1912, the West Side Market has both an indoor market with a distinctive clock tower and a semi-enclosed "outdoor" market. The outdoor market has fresh produce and flower vendors, while the indoor portion features cheeses, dairy products, meats and ethnic specialties. From pierogi to fresh Hungarian sausage and designer pastas to croissants, there is something to suit every taste. Check website for dates and times.

Johnny's Bar/3164 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109
216.281.0055
Northern Italian and Continental cuisine.

The Harp/4408 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
216.939.0200
Old World charm meets city life. Menu includes traditional Irish favorites such as boxty & shepherd’s pie.

EAST SIDE

Lake View Cemetery/12316 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4393 216.421.2665 www.lakeviewcemetery.com
Founded in 1869, Lake View Cemetery sits on 285 acres of land and was modeled after the great garden cemeteries of Victorian England and France. The final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, President Garfield and others, the monuments and landscape in this outdoor museum are stunning.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage/2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, Ohio 44122
216.5923.0575
www.maltzjewishmuseum.org
The Maltz Museum showcases the history of Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community through artifacts, unique exhibits and interactive displays including sacred books and fine art from around the world. Threads of Remembrance: Artistic Visions of the Holocaust (Dec. 13, 2006 - Feb. 18, 2007) features Holocaust wall hangings by Judith Weinshall Liberman and portraits by Herbert Ascherman, Jr. in a stirring and visually powerful exhibition that addresses the horrors of the Holocaust as seen through the eyes of survivors and their families.

Little Italy
216.791.4907
www.littleitalycleveland.com
Just up the road from the cultural gems of University Circle is Little Italy, one of the city's best-known and geographically distinct neighborhoods. First settled in the late 19th century by skilled Italian artisans, Little Italy (also known as Murray Hill) has retained much of its Old World charm and sense of tight knit community. The area is home to a blend of art galleries and shops, offering a wide variety of crafts, paintings and sculptures. (Murray Hill Art walks are held the first weekend of June, October and December.) As its name might suggest, Little Italy offers some of the finest Italian dining in the Greater Cleveland area. Whether it's pizza or pasta, calzone or calamari, if it's Italian, you'll find it in Little Italy's ristorantes. The Feast of the Assumption is a weeklong street festival that begins and ends with a traditional procession in August.

Sergio's In University Circle/1903 Ford Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106
216.231.1234
www.sergioscleveland.com
Inspired cooking in Cleveland's cultural playground. Global menu features Brazilian, coastal and Asian flavors as well as many classic dishes.

Guarino's Restaurant/12309 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
216.231.3100
www.guarinos-restaurant.com
Celebrating 83rd year - Est. 1918. Cleveland's oldest located in the heart of Little Italy.

Marbella Restaurant/29425 Chagrin Boulevard, Pepper Pike, OH 44122
216.464.9939
www.marbellarestaurant.com
Specializing in the finest Continental Spanish and Portuguese cuisine and featuring wonderfully prepared seafood and fish.

For an expanded “European Tour” itinerary, visit web site www.travelcleveland.com/EuropeanTour.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), the city's preeminent presenter of contemporary and cutting-edge visual art, has announced the selection of the London-based firm, Foreign Office Architects, to design the Museum's new and expanded permanent home. The facility will be located in the city's cultural hub, University Circle, where it will be a centerpiece of a planned cultural and retail corridor adjacent to the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Since 1991, MOCA Cleveland has occupied galleries on the second floor of the Cleveland Playhouse complex on Carnegie Avenue, where space for the Museum has been constrained. MOCA Cleveland Executive Director Jill Snyder noted, "MOCA Cleveland has undergone tremendous growth in recent years, and is now poised to become a national and international destination for audiences interested in contemporary art. In looking to the future, we have been engaged in a strategic-planning process that, like MOCA itself, embodies a twenty-first century vision of contemporary creativity and innovation. We are confident that Foreign Office Architects will produce a design that will add a new perspective to the contemporary dialogue about how we view museums.

The Museum's new building will be an iconic structure in one of the Cleveland area's most important redevelopment programs - the eight-acre University Arts and Retail District (UARD). The District will be designed to enhance existing historic qualities of the area and serve diverse populations, including residents of nearby neighborhoods, visitors, and Case students, staff, faculty, and alumni. MOCA is the only museum in the greater Cleveland area exclusively devoted to the presentation and interpretation of contemporary art. First known as The New Gallery and located in University Circle, the Museum, which is not a collecting institution, later changed its name to the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art, and in 2002 adopted its present name. Each year, the Museum presents approximately ten exhibitions, which have been acclaimed for their quality, scholarly standards and innovation. In addition, its experimental and cross-disciplinary public programming, including many activities for families, and its far-reaching partnerships with the region's other cultural organizations, have made the Museum a national leader and model in the exploration and presentation of contemporary art.

For more information, contact Jeanne Collins & Associates at 646-486-7050.

There is lots, lots more. Check web site www.travelcleveland.com for additional events.

OREGON

CENTRAL COAST

In an effort to spread the word about Oregon’s Central Coast, the Central Oregon Coast Association has released its first map-guide for travelers to Lincoln County and the Central Oregon Coast. This guide is designed to answer all sorts of visitor questions, including costs to stay at certain places; where good hunting and fishing can be found; and where camping is available near the beach. The 48-page booklet includes community maps, attractions, annual events listings, emergency numbers, a local business directory, and information for overnight lodging locations between Yachats and Pacific City, with most along US Highway 101. Cities and communities throughout the region are mentioned, with annual events and key visitor attractions, indoors and outdoors. Home to deep-sea and freshwater fishing, whale watching, art galleries, fantastic shopping, scenic recreation areas, miles of public beaches, numerous attractions, and a wide range of community events, the new Map-Guide includes a solid sampling of what visitors will experience in Lincoln County.

Free copies are available by calling 1-800-767-2064; via e-mail (coca@orcoast.com; or web site http://www.orcoast.com/coca.

REDMOND

Good Sam Camping Rally

It's a pretty good bet that every time you hit the road in your RV you want to make the most of your time. Since every destination has its share of things to do, how do you choose the right things to match your particular interests? Easy! Rely on the experienced Rally staff. The Rally 2007 in Redmond, Oregon, July 19–22 is a great example of why you can rely on the professional planners that coordinate this exciting annual event. They have created the ten very best optional tours you can take while visiting Redmond; you need only choose.

The Rally is planned every year with not only the event itself in mind, but with the availability of interesting optional tours that make the overall experience enjoyable. And, when the locale is one with abundant natural beauty, as in the case of Redmond, there are dozens of choices that appeal to all ages. Each optional tour at The Rally has been specifically created to give Rally attendees the chance to explore this amazing area.

There are ten outstanding optional tours available for attendees at The Rally 2007. Redmond provides the ideal home base from which to experience everything from the Old West and cowboys to the finely handcrafted ales at the Deschutes Brewery.

•Tour A: Travel to Mt. Hood Railroad
•Tour B: Fort Rock Basin & Cowboy Dinner Tree
•Tour C: Deschutes Brewery
•Tour D: Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Crater
•Tour E: High Desert Museum
•Tour F: Smith Rock State Park & Antique Shopping in Prineville
•Tour G: Shaniko Ghost Town & Fossil Beds
•Tour H: Sisters – A Great Western Experience
•Tour I: Scenic Cascade Lakes Highway
•Tour J: Dine at the top of Mt. Bachelor

Astounding scenery and a wide variety of things to see and do underscores the fun at The Rally 2007. And don't forget the fabulous programs and displays and stellar lineup of entertainment. No wonder it is called the "Greatest RV Rally in the World."

So rely on the experience of the Rally staff, and choose any of the optional tours with assurance. Space is limited for these optional tours – don't delay your decision. Call (877) 749–7122 to confirm your space at The Rally 2007 and register for one or more of the tours.

PENNSYLVANIA

BEDFORD

Bedford Springs Resort Searching for Oldest Living Guest to Share in Grand Opening Festivities 

Currently undergoing a $110 million restoration and expansion, with a re-opening date slated for mid-2007, Bedford Springs Resort has launched an extensive search for the oldest living guest of the vintage Pennsylvania “springs hotel” that captivated American society for three centuries. When identified, this person will be the Resort’s guest for a weekend of grand opening festivities this fall.

In 1796, Dr. John Anderson discovered the medicinal curative powers of the Bedford Springs. The elite of Colonial America immediately began to congregate at the “springs” which necessitated the opening of the first hotel rooms in 1805. From then on through the 1970’s the Bedford Springs Hotel was one of the preeminent destination resorts in this region of the country. The property is a convenient two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Over 10 million people live within this two hour drive market.

Among some of the letters already received by the resort was from a couple that spent their honeymoon at the Bedford Springs Hotel in 1952 as a gift of CBS Television. The couple had been married on the television show, Bride & Groom, and last year renewed their vows on The Early Show.

With a rich and storied heritage, Bedford Springs was a favored retreat for U.S. Presidents, numerous diplomats and politicians, the United States military, captains of industry and high society. The hotel’s keepsake mementos were circulated by well-heeled guests and traveled the mails and rails spreading word about the destination’s fine lodging and the curative powers its seven surrounding natural springs.

The resort is also seeking memorabilia of any kind, including ledgers, especially water bottle ledgers because Bedford Springs was known for bottled, healing spring water. The created Bedford Springs Historical Society also wants to find old photographs, documents, books, brochures, newspapers and maps; Bedford Springs Hotel stationary, envelopes and postcards; furniture, paintings, dishes and silverware, water bottles, menus, napkins and table linens.

Bedford Springs Resort welcomes information regarding earlier guests up through the hotel’s closing in 1989.

Please contact the property directly at (814) 623-8100 or email Todd Gillespie at tgillespie@benchmarkmanagement.com .

Bedford Resort Partners, Ltd., is the owner and developer of the Bedford Springs Resort project. The partners include The Ferchill Group of Cleveland, Ohio, a real estate development company that specializes in historic rehabilitation projects, Chevron TCI, Inc., a leading investor in tax credit rehabilitation projects in the United States and The Bedford Springs Company, LLC.

Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally.

For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's web site at www.benchmarkhospitality.com .

CAPITAL REGION

Thinking about vacationing in Pennsylvania’s Capital Region? Wise choice, because encompassing the serene beauty of the countryside and mountains, the quaint appeal of small-town America and the pizzazz of city life all in one, this region offers one of the most varied selections of recreation and attractions in the Northeast. Contact 1-800-995-0969 for a free 64-page Visitors’ Guide offered by Pennsylvania’s Capital Region Visitors Bureau for descriptions of this diverse region, lists of attractions, accommodations and events, plus a map highlighting nature centers, state parks and camping areas, hiking and equestrian trails; lakes and rivers for boating and fishing; outlook/natural attractions marked as excellent photographic opportunities, covered bridges; public swimming spots; and areas designated for hang gliding.

Nestled among the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, the Cumberland, Susquehanna, and Lebanon Valleys of the Capital Region are also within an hour’s drive of Lancaster, home of the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish; and Gettysburg, site of one of America’s largest Civil War battlefields.  Nature enthusiasts can take one of 16 trails including the Appalachian and Tuscarora which cross the area, fly fish some of the nation’s best limestone trout streams, or indulge in the many wonders of the Susquehanna River where canoe and kayak trips are available. Theme park lovers will love Hersheypark, billed as ‘the cleanest and greenest theme park in America,’ with 110-beautifully landscaped acres, nine roller coasters, and six drenching water rides. Here, too, is Zooamerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-though zoo home to over 200 animals representing five regions of north American and a new American crocodile exhibit. Of course, Chocolate World is fantastic - offering a free simulated chocolate making tour and the Northeast’s only immersive, three-dimensional musical adventure, the new Hershey’s Really Big 3D Show.

If you golf, pack your clubs and reserve time on the region’s picturesque championship courses, or pitch and putt with the whole family. Catch a professional baseball game at City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, take a river cruise, use City Island’s batting cages, arcade, mini water golf, take a train ride circling the island, or go roller blading or for a stroll with a view of the river, the Harrisburg skyline, and mountains beyond. The list goes on and on and on.

For more information and a free visitors' guide, call 1-800-995-0969 or check web site www.pacapitalregions.com.

CHALK HILL

Frank Lloyd Wright’s magnificent architecture can be enjoyed during the winter months at Kentuck Knob while snow clings to the fieldstone walls and sheets of the copper roof. The woods and sculpture park are stark and hushed, the crowds of summer are gone, and the house and grounds are incredibly beautiful and serene. The views are even more spectacular through bare trees. Weather permitting, join a guided tour, bring your cross country skis for a delightful way of touring the grounds and sculpture park located six miles north of Route 40 at Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania.                   

For more information, hours and fees, call 724-329-1901 for reservations between 10 am and 4 p.m.

EAST KANE

Flickerwood Wine Cellar’s Always a Great Day Trip

Come experience award winning wine at Flickerwood Wine Cellar. Established in May of 2000 by the Ron Zampogna family, Flickerwood Wine Cellars is McKean County’s first and only winery. A yearly winner at the Pennsylvania Winery Association’s Wine Competition, Flickerwood’s latest winner in 2006 is the Grandview White Niagara, which won the Best of Show and the Keystone Wine Cup. Upcoming events include the addition of a wine lounge and Flickerfest on May 26th, 27th and 28th.

Flickerwood Wine Cellars is located at 309 Flickerwood Road in East Kane, just two miles south of Kane. Taking Flickerwood Road, it is only a fourth of a mile off Route 6.

For more information contact Flickerwood Wine Cellars’ (814)837-7566, e-mail them at info@flickerwood.com, or visit web site www.flickerwood.com.

Store hours are Monday through Thursday 11-7, Friday and Saturday 10-7, and Sunday 12-6; winter hours (January through March), Monday through Thursday 11-6, Friday and Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-6.                    
                                            

GETTYSBURG

The Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Releases New Visitor Guide

The new 72-page Official Gettysburg Visitor Guide for the Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania is now available through the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau (GCVB).

All new photography supports the new magazine format. New copy describes the visitor experience of the Civil War history, the agricultural setting, shopping, dining, outdoor recreations, and award-winning accommodations. A ten-page section presents a variety of events through December, 2007. This expanded calendar replaces the annual event calendar printed in years past.

“We are thrilled with the New Visitor Guide and how early it is in the market,” said Andrea Proulx, Chair of the GCVB Board of Directors. “The 2007 guide presents our entire destination as more than a Battlefield experience.”

In addition to the printed edition, visitors will be able to download the guide as a PDF file on the Bureau’s new website, www.gettysburg.travel. Visitors can request a guide online through the web site or by calling 1-800-337-5015 or 717-334-6274.

Contact the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau for additional information on visiting Gettysburg and Adams County, PA.

KUTZTOWN

Kutztown Festival Is Pennsylvania Dutch Fun for the Whole Family

Nine days of wholesome family fun with a distinctive Pennsylvania Dutch flavor awaits visitors at the Kutztown Festival June 30 – July 8, 2007 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds.

Now in its 58th year, the Kutztown Festival is the oldest, continuing folklife festival in America. It is one of the largest too, and in 2006 drew well over 130,000 visitors. In addition, it is one of the most celebrated festivals in the nation. Among many honors, the festival has been twice selected as one of America’s Top 100 events by the American Bus Association, and was named by the Washington Post as one of three “must see” festivals in the region.

“There is so much to do at the 2007 Festival. There is literally something for everyone, including our famous folklore programs, the huge quilt show, folk art and crafts, music, dancing and entertainment running continuously on six stages, an expanded program of children’s activities and, of course, the best Pennsylvania Dutch food anywhere,” according to Festival Executive Director Dave Fooks. 

Folk Art and Traditional Crafts

Traditions and skills that date to the early 19th century are found in the folk art and crafts at the festival. Many of the techniques used in wood carving, metal crafts, and other specialties have been passed down in families over generations. Some 200 Pennsylvania German and other early American folk artisans demonstrate their skills in diverse crafts including fine furniture, miniatures, pottery making, clothing, musical instruments, hand-painted art, iron ornaments, weavings, brooms, cut paper art known as “scherenschnitte,” Pennsylvania German calligraphic writing called "fraktur", beeswax candles and more.
Eastern Pennsylvania’s finest traditional hex sign painters – in fact the last hex sign artists in the nation - are among the folk artists at the 2007 festival.

For decades, Ivan Hoyt and Bill Schuster have demonstrated and sold their barn signs, milk cans, and decorative miniatures at the Kutztown Festival. Eric Claypoole carries on the hex art painting traditions learned from his late father, Johnny Claypoole, who in turn learned hex sign painting in the 1950’s from the legendary Johnny Ott.

Festival Quilt Sales Largest in America       

An art show in itself, the 2007 exhibition and sale of nearly 2,500 beautiful, hand-made Pennsylvania German motif quilts is one of the most popular events at the festival. These masterpieces represent countless hours of dedicated work by quilters in the region. The quilt show and sale have become famous across the eastern United States. Now the largest quilt sales event in the nation, the show draws the attention of thousands of visitors each day at the Festival.

“For the serious quilt collector, this is a major event .“The colors, designs, and originality are very impressive every year, and also every year fresh ideas are incorporated into the quilts while they retain the basic Pennsylvania German theme,” Fooks said. From 100 outstanding quilts in the show, twenty-four are awarded top honors, and from these quilts four are designated as the best of the show. Visitors can view the prize-winning quilts during all nine days of the Festival. The quilt auction on the second Saturday of the festival is the highlight of the show and is attended by large numbers of bidders from the Middle Atlantic region and beyond. Each year over the past five years, records have been set for the highest price paid for an individual prize quilt.

Music in the Air Everywhere!

Again this year, live music ranging from folk singing and country fiddling to the sounds of brass bands will be heard from one end of the festival grounds to the other. The Heidelberg Band and the Sauerkraut Band will return to provide lively oom-pah sounds for appreciative audiences throughout the fairgrounds. Familiar folk music will come from the Blue Mountain Gospel Express, Echoing Heart, and the Mountain Folk Music Duo. Keith and Karlene Brintzenhof will invite their audiences to join with them in singing songs in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. Again this year, the quiet, centuries-old Mennonite music sung by a capella choir will be a special treat. Acoustic Roadshow will display the talents of local musical performers and also provide visitors with the opportunity to play simple melodies on the guitar.

Everyone knows that they are near the hoedown stage when they hear the foot-stomping music of Lester Miller and the Country Folks. More or less continuously over the past 40 years, Lester Miller has gotten his children, grandchildren and friends on the festival stage for jigging and hoedown dancing which he describes as “Pennsylvania Dutch aerobics.” Visitors are invited to join in a square dance “free for all” Friday evening.
Pennsylvania German Living History.    The traditions of the Pennsylvania Germans are found everywhere at the festival, and history comes alive especially on the seminar stage with speakers on topics ranging from religion and family life to clothing and folk medicine. In the Neighborhood House, members of the Grundsow Lodge carry on conversations in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, and invite visitors to sit down with them to ask questions and learn more about the Pennsylvania Germans.

Traditional religious practices are reflected in the Mennonite meeting house services held each day, in presentations on the Mennonites and Plain People who are an important component of the Pennsylvania German population, as well as the Reformed and Lutherans, who formed the majority of the settlers in southeastern Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Pennsylvania German farm life is reflected in demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool carding, spinning, soap making, candle making, blacksmithing, and furniture making. The farming heritage is also shown in exhibits of antique farming equipment, and the family farmstead is represented in an old-fashion summer kitchen where family meals are prepared.

Celebrations, Kids’ Activities, and More

Everyone loves a colorful 4th of July parade and the parade at the Kutztown Festival is one of the best. Just the way it has been for more than 50 years, all of the Festival’s craftsmen, entertainers, and presenters, along with two brass bands and a color guard with both the American and Pennsylvania German flags, will march along a route to the main stage where the traditional Independence Day ceremony will be held.

Kids find all the interactive fun they want – real, live entertainment that holds their interests. Ed and Brenda Hanna’s puppet barnyard theatre gets them involved in the goings-on around Farmer Brown’s barn, and sing-alongs led by Karen Terry Ludwig are a big favorite with the younger set. At the Noah’s Ark farm petting zoo, kids can see, touch, and feed cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and turkeys. Then pony rides are available next to the zoo. A mule-drawn carousel called “the flying swing” - the only one of its kind in the nation- is another favorite with children. There’s much more. Traditional children’s folk songs by the musical duo “Echoing Heart,” the HexExpress (a unique train made of 55-gallon oil drums,) Der Korn Box (the Pennsylvania Dutch equivalent of a sand box – this one is filled with corn kernels), the hay maze, make and take crafts, and Pennsylvania Dutch games are among the myriad of children’s activities.

Good news for parents, too. Children 12 years of age and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by adults.

Did We Mention Food?

The Pennsylvania Germans are famous for their culinary creations and some of the best are served at the festival. From one end of the festival grounds to the other, there seems to be no end to the ham and chicken dinners, home-made soups, chicken pot pie, corn fritters, funnel cakes, shoo-fly pie, strawberry shortcake, and apple dumplings. The famous Pennsylvania Dutch ox roast has been a festival tradition for decades.

Thousands of hungry visitors sit down for a leisurely meal at the dining hall sponsored by one of the local churches. The all-you-can-eat fare features some of the best basic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, all served family-style. Then, there is bread fresh from the Festival’s real 19th century outdoor bread oven, and home-made apple butter that is brought in fresh daily. It’s all scrumptious and plentiful. Kids are not forgotten, either. Kinner Eck (children’s corner) offers food just for them – pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and hot dogs, to name a few items. 

To learn the secrets of traditional home cooking, visitors stop by the Festival’s summer kitchen. Meals at the summer kitchen are created from generations-old Pennsylvania Dutch recipes and cooked on an authentic, turn-of-the-century wood fired stove and other old-fashioned appliances. The summer kitchen is where everyone gets truly authoritative answers to their questions on all aspects of Pennsylvania Dutch food and cooking.
Before leaving for home, visitors often stop by the farmers’ market and butcher’s shop for Pennsylvania Dutch take-home delicacies such as hams, smoked sausages, cheeses, homemade pies, fruit and nut breads.

A True Community Event

The Kutztown Festival is a partnership of the Kutztown University Foundation, Inc. and the Kutztown Fair Association, Inc. Two dozen community organizations and nearly 400 volunteers from the surrounding area help to make the festival possible. The spacious, clean fairgrounds has paved walkways, indoor and outdoor exhibit areas.

Admission prices are adults, $12, seniors, $11, children 12 and under, free. There is plenty of free parking in the festival parking lots, and free shuttle service is also available. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is easily accessible from PA Route 22, mid-way between Allentown and Reading.

For additional information on the 2007 Festival, visit web site www.kutztownfestival.com The festival office telephone number is 610-683-1597.

POCONO MOUNTAINS

The 2006-07 Pocono Mountains “Skiing Guide and Map” is now available free of charge by calling 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667) or by ordering online from web site www.800poconos.com. The brochure is a one-stop source for planning a ski and stay trip to the Pocono Mountains.

The “Skiing Guide and Map” gives descriptions of seven major ski areas and one resort tubing park in the region including Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, Big Boulder Ski Area, Blue Mountain Ski Area, Camelback, Jack Frost Mountain, Shawnee Mountain, Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain and Fernwood Hotel & Resort Winter Fun Center. There are listings for accommodations, attractions and restaurants, so visitors can make the most of their trip to the Pocono Mountains.  A map pinpointing the ski areas and resort tubing park is also included.

The guide provides information on the region’s premier ski, ride and stay web site featuring comprehensive ski-related information.  Site visitors can view special ski & stay packages as well as ski conditions at web site www.poconoski.com. Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at web site www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

What’s New at the Pocono Mountains’ Ski Areas

From upgrades and new facilities to technologically advanced grooming equipment, fully-stocked rental shops and better trails, the Pocono Mountains’ ski areas are offering winter visitors a new and thrilling winter recreational experience.  The following list gives visitors an insight to what is new at Pocono Mountains’ ski areas for the 2006-07 season:

Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, in Analomink, has gone through major upgrades for this winter season. Upgrades included adding state of the art tower mounted snow guns, maximizing snowmaking capabilities and producing outstanding snow. Alpine’s rental shop has been re-stocked and upgraded with the latest equipment from Élan, Salomon and Vans. Snowboarders’ Haven has again been improved to include two additional terrain parks. The new design, along with new grooming equipment, Alpine’s 400’ long redesigned and reshaped Half-Pipe is now a snowboarder’s delight. The new freestyle terrain parks have added rails, boxes and a whole selection of challenges. Along with Rainbow Rails, Kink Rail, Battleship Rail, a gnarly 15’ long single Barrel C-Rail and custom boxes from 6-12 feet will provide riders with awesome tricks and runs.

Blue Mountain Ski Area, in Palmerton, will be making history in the Pocono Mountains as the first ski area with a new high speed detachable Six Passenger Lift that has replaced the Challenge Chair. Other new features include a 2,400 foot addition to the Valley Lodge offering more seating and a larger parking lot. The upper portion of Sidewinder Park has been widened for the installation of new snowmaking, as well as on nearby Tut’s Lane. A new Piston Bully Park Groomer has been purchased to continue shaping a mountain with terrain for all abilities and grooming with the largest grooming fleet in the area.  In the rental shops, 800 pairs of Salomon and Head skis were added. In addition, Blue Mountain purchased 600 pairs of new ski boots plus 1,000 pairs of Flow snowboard bindings for the Valley Lodge. When entering both lodges, visitors will notice many improvements, including high speed wireless Internet access. Combined improvements total over five million dollars in upgrades throughout the mountain.

Camelback, in Tannersville, is continuing its commitment to its terrain parks and Half-Pipe. The ski area is participating in the Burton Progression Park Program, requiring both a learning and an advanced park. The Laurel Glade Park has been re-configured as a learning park and Rhododendron Glen has been widened by over 70 feet to accommodate new rails and features in the advanced park. To accompany the terrain park improvements is the Zaugg Groomer – sure to keep the Half-Pipes competition ready. Also new for this winter is the introduction of the Explorer Card and Junior Nights Only Pass.

Jack Frost Mountain, in Blakeslee and Big Boulder Ski Area, in Lake Harmony, (JFBB) offer new features for this winter season including 150 SMI guns, nine pumps between both ski areas, five terrain parks with 30 new box and rail features, as well as the Pisten Bully Edge and 10,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe. A 600 foot conveyor lift, 400 new single tubes and 2.25 hour sessions, give snow tubing a new edge. Improvements allow for each tuber to have their own tube. Both main lodges have been designated as smoke-free and equipped with free wireless Internet service. In addition, new rental equipment has been purchased for the newest rental system from Head/Tyrolia and the strap-in binding system from Rossignol Snowboards. Also new this year, JFBB offers debit cards that can be used to purchase everything from snopasses to food and retail items, which also make great gifts. Both mountains will feature a variety of midweek specials including Military Appreciation Week, Family Night, Civil Service Mondays, College Days, Ladies Night, Learn to Ski Days, Midnight Madness and much more.

Shawnee Mountain, in Shawnee on Delaware, features the New SKIwee Bowl Teaching Area, an exclusive contoured teaching terrain featuring two 70’ carpet lifts, colorful teaching aides, permanent fencing and automated snowmaking. Complementing Shawnee’s huge 3000’ Bushkill Super Park, the new Incubator Terrain Park offers beginner/novice skill level rails, boxes and snow features. The terrain park serves as a learning area for those riders and skiers not yet at a comfortable skill level to challenge the Bushkill Park. Shawnee’s Pocono Plunge Snow Tubing Park added a limited number of two person snow tubes able to accommodate one adult and one small child in the same snow tube. Totally replacing paper gift certificates and eliminating the need to carry cash, the new prepaid debit cards will be accepted at all Shawnee Mountain points of sale, including ticketing, lessons, food and beverage stations and the Shawnee Ski Shop.

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, in Lackawaxen, introduces its brand new lodge with restaurant, food court and bar. In addition, a new magic carpet lift has been added to the beginner hill. Other improvements include new rental equipment and additional snowmaking guns.

Snow lovers can call the Pocono Mountains’ 24-hour snow info hotline at 570-421-5565 or go online to web site www.poconoski.com for information on ski areas, ski & stay packages, ski conditions, snowboarding, snow tubing and cross-country skiing. Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at web site www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available by calling 800-762-6667 or online at web site www.800poconos.com.  The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTON

10th Annual Palmetto Pump & USA Climbing Competition

On Saturday, March 24, James Island County Park will host the largest outdoor climbing competition in the southeast, the Palmetto Pump & USA Climbing Competition. The competition takes place on the 50-foot climbing wall within the park. 

This competition is designed for climbers of all ages and abilities.  No competition experience is necessary.   

Categories are determined by age and gender. Sign up today -- space is limited!  

Registration is from 8am – 9am and the competition begins at 9:30am and goes till 12:30pm. On-site registration for competitors is $35. This competition is FREE for spectators. Door prizes and raffles will be given away. Rain date is Sunday, March 25. For more information, call The Wall (843) 406-2003 and to register call (843) 795-4FUN or visit web site www.ccprc.com.

 Spoleto Festival USA 2007 Season

The 2007 Spoleto Festival USA program will boast an impressive array of American premieres and debuts including a rarely performed opera by the Baroque composer Christoph Willibald Gluck, a new concert work by Philip Glass and the first American performances of Nina Ananiashvili’s State Ballet of Georgia.  The 31st season will take place May 25 through June 10. 

Some of the major highlights of the 2007 season include The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s sharply satirical 1930s opera directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, well known to festival audiences for their productions of Jenůfa and Rusalka, among others; the American premieres of two French operas from opposite ends of the spectrum – Gluck’s comic Baroque opera L’ile de Merlin (ou Le monde renversé) and contemporary composer Pascal Dusapin’s Faustus, the Last Night, the performances of which will mark the first time a Dusapin opera has been produced in the US; the return of the beloved Gate Theatre of Dublin in W. Somerset Maugham’s comedy of manners The Constant Wife; the festival debut of Batsheva Dance Company, headed by distinguished choreographer Ohad Naharin alongside the American debut of ballet superstar Nina Ananiashvili’s State Ballet of Georgia with Swan Lake; and the first US performances of Book of Longing, a new 12-part music cycle by Philip Glass based on Leonard Cohen’s recently released poetry collection of the same name.    

Artists making Spoleto Festival debuts include Rubberbandance Group with Elastic Perspective, a suite of dances combining the energy of urban hip-hop with ballet technique; Dood Paard, a contemporary Dutch theater company making its American debut with medEia, a postmodern version of the Medea myth; African American griot/storyteller Sekou Sundiata in his poignant solo work blessing the boats and performer Aurélia Thierrée in the imaginative circus theater spectacle Aurélia’s Oratorio.

Returning festival favorites include New York-based contemporary dance company Shen Wei Dance Arts in Connect Transfer; virtuoso pianist Andrew von Oeyen leading members of the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1; legendary American jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal; the Westminster Choir in their traditional a cappella concerts along with two other concerts featuring the women of the choir; and the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra led by Music Director for Opera & Orchestra Emmanuel Villaume in performances of Mahler’s and Brahms’s Fourth Symphonies.

Rounding out the festival are the popular Intermezzi and Music in Times series; the twice daily Bank of America Chamber performances led by Charles Wadsworth, Artistic Director for Chamber Music; and conductor and Artistic Director for Choral Activities, Joseph Flummerfelt, leading the Westminster Choir, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da requiem.   

Conversations with/spoleto at the avery

In addition to more than 125 performances, the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA offers a wide range of artist talks and post-performance question and answer sessions.  Always stimulating and lively, the Conversations With series, hosted by Martha Teichner, will offer behind-the-scenes discussions with festival artists:  Participating artists in 2007 include Batsheva Dance Company Artistic Director Ohad Naharin, cast members from the Gate Theatre’s production of The Constant Wife, stage directors Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier of Mahagonny, and composer Philip Glass.  In addition, Spoleto Festival USA will again partner with the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture for artist dialogues with Wachovia Jazz vocalist René Marie and poet/playwright Sekou Sundiata of blessing the boats.  Both Spoleto at the Avery and Conversations With are free of charge and open to the general public. 

 
Special Events

Spoleto attendees also may wish to indulge in one of the post-performance benefit parties such as the Opening Weekend Gala or the Spoleto Soirée.  One of Charleston’s premier social events, the 2007 Opening Weekend Gala, sponsored by Wachovia, will be held directly following the opening night performance of Batsheva Dance Company on Saturday, May 26.  For the younger set, the Spoleto Soirée will be held just following Brazilian jazz vocalist Renato Braz’s performance in the Gaillard on Friday, June 1.  

Sponsors

Spoleto Festival USA 2007 is made possible in part by: Bank of America; Wachovia; Carolina First; Ginn Resorts; BMW Manufacturing Co.; Post and Courier Foundation; Charleston Place Hotel; South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism; City of Charleston; South Carolina Arts Commission; Arthur and Holly Magill Foundation; Christel DeHaan Family Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; The Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Charitable Trust; County of Charleston; BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Bloomberg; The Brand Foundation; The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation; City of Isle of Palms; Altria Group, Inc.; American Express Company; Cambar Solutions; The Eleanor Naylor Dana Charitable Trust; Delta Air Lines; Merrill Lynch; NBSC; Safe Ports/CaroLinks; Sherman Capital Markets, LLC; South Carolina Bank and Trust; STEALTH Concealment Solutions, Inc.; and SteelFab.

Ticket Information

Tickets range from $10 to $130.  To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit Spoleto’s official website at www.spoletousa.org. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Spoleto Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007. 

 

2007 Spoleto Festival USA Opera Program will Introduce American Audiences to new works 

***Opera programming to feature

Weill and Brecht’s The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny,

and American premieres of Gluck’s L’ile de Merlin (ou Le monde renversé)

and Dusapin’s Faustus, the Last Night (An Opera in One Night and Eleven Numbers)***

 

Renowned for an adventurous approach to opera programming, Spoleto Festival USA will produce three operas for its 31st season – the American premiere of two French operas from different ends of the spectrum alongside one of the great operas of the 20th century.  In one of many firsts for Spoleto Festival USA, the Spoleto production of Faustus, the Last Night (An Opera in One Night and Eleven Numbers), marks the first time an opera by contemporary French composer Pascal Dusapin will be produced in the United States.  In another first, Christoph Willibald Gluck’s rarely produced L’ile de Merlin (ou Le monde renversé) will receive its American premiere in Charleston.  Rounding out the program is Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s satirical spectacle, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.  The 2007 Spoleto Festival USA will be held May 25 through June 10.    

The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

After its Leipzig premiere in 1930, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny was subsequently banned by the Nazis, not to be seen again until the 1950s.  Though never achieving the widespread popularity of Weill and Brecht’s Threepenny Opera, Mahagonny is considered a work of remarkable stature with a beautifully haunting score and strong operatic structure.

First staged at Opéra de Lausanne, this production will be directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier.  Renowned for their unerring theatrical sense and keen musical insights, Leiser and Caurier have directed multiple productions at Spoleto Festival USA including Rusalka, Jenůfa, and Iphigénie en Tauride among others.  Their many productions have been seen at the world’s leading opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Maryinsky Opera, Opéra National de Lyon, and the Welsh National Opera.     

Maestro Emmanuel Villaume, the Christel DeHaan Music Director for Opera & Orchestra, will conduct Mahagonny for six performances over the course of the festival in the Sottile Theatre.  The sets and costumes are designed by Leiser and Caurier’s longtime collaborators Christian Fenouillat and Agostino Cavalca with lighting by Christophe Forey. 

Mahagonny is sponsored by BMW Manufacturing Co.

 

L’ile de Merlin (ou Le monde renversé)

Many of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s operas such as Orfeo ed Euridice and Iphigénie en Tauride are performed regularly by opera companies all over the world.  Less frequently produced however, and in fact never before seen in America, is Gluck’s slyly comic one-act opera L’ile de Merlin (ou Le monde renversé), which will at last receive its American premiere at the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA. 

A lighthearted fantasy, L’ile de Merlin revolves around the improbable world of Merlin’s Island, where wealthy women are required by law to marry poor men, all lawyers are honest, husband and wives are always faithful, and disputes are settled by games of chance as fighting is forbidden. 

Christopher Alden – one of the foremost stage directors in America and whose work was last seen by festival audiences in Luisa Miller – will direct this delightful Baroque opera in the intimate jewel-box setting of the Dock Street Theatre.  Alden’s striking contemporary productions have been seen on opera stages throughout the world including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, English National Opera, the Opera Comique in Paris and New Israeli Opera.  Harry Bicket, widely acknowledged as a leading Baroque music interpreter, whose recent Metropolitan Opera debut with Renée Fleming in the title role of Rodelinda attracted significant critical attention, returns to Spoleto to conduct. 

L’ile de Merlin is sponsored by NBSC, with additional support by the Brand Foundation.     

Faustus, The Last Night (An Opera in One night and eleven numbers)

French composer Pascal Dusapin is widely considered one of the foremost European composers of his generation but his operas have yet to be produced in the United States.  In 2007, Spoleto Festival USA will offer the first American production of a work by Dusapin – Faustus, the Last Night (An Opera in One Night and Eleven Numbers.)  Inspired in part by Christopher Marlowe’s 16th century morality play, The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, but citing a range of other sources as disparate as Shakespeare and Gertrude Stein, Faustus recently received its world premiere in early 2006 at the Berlin Staatsoper to critical acclaim.  Beautifully crafted, the score for Faustus contains Dusapin’s signature full-throated, sweetly angular melodies, shared by a harmony of strings.  The libretto – also by Dusapin – follows the mythical hero through his last night on earth as he searches for answers to existential questions from a blind angel and a mocking Mephisto.   

David Herskovits, artistic director of Target Margin Theater, who recently completed a critically acclaimed trilogy of plays on the Faust myth, will direct.  Herskovits is fondly remembered by festival audiences for the highly successful production of Mamba’s Daughters in 1999.  John Kennedy, Artistic Associate of Spoleto Festival USA and director of the festival’s Music in Time series, will conduct.

Scheduled for three performances in the Sottile Theatre, Faustus, the Last Night is sponsored by BMW Manufacturing Co.

To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit Spoleto’s official website at www.spoletousa.org. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Spoleto Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007.

 

Spoleto Festival USA Announces 2007 Music Series

Program Highlights include:

*US Premiere of a New Concert Work by Philip Glass*

*New Concert Series by the Women of Westminster Choir*

*The Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra

performing Mahler and Brahms’s Fourth Symphonies*

*Virtuoso Pianist Andrew von Oeyen in the Intermezzi Series*

 *Bowed Piano Ensemble on the Music in Time Series*

*The Return of Welsh Harpist

Catrin Finch to the Bank of America Chamber Music Series*

*And More*

Along with a full schedule of opera, theater and dance, the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA will feature an extraordinarily diverse music program with over 50 concerts from May 25 through June 10 in the historic churches and theaters of downtown Charleston.  Repertoire will range from symphonic performances of Mahler and Brahms’s Fourth Symphonies led by the Christel DeHaan Music Director for Opera & Orchestra Emmanuel Villaume to a quirky program, The Well-Tampered Accordion by experimental composer and accordionist Guy Klucevsek on the eclectic Music in Time series.  From Charles Wadsworth, the Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Artistic Director of Chamber Music, offering daily doses of wit and musical insight as host of the Bank of America Chamber Music Series to the esteemed Joseph Flummerfelt, Spoleto Festival USA’s Director of Choral Activities, conducting Giuseppe Verdi’s magisterial choral masterwork Messa da requiem, Spoleto Festival USA’s music program offers a wealth of performances for the music lover.

Bank of America Chamber Music

The inimitable Charles Wadsworth once again returns as director, pianist, and host of the 2007 Bank of America Chamber Music series.  Wadsworth brings together musical virtuosi each year for this beloved series in the Dock Street Theatre.  Featuring 11 distinct programs performed twice daily over the course of the festival for a total of 33 performances, the chamber music series is one of Spoleto Festival USA’s most enduring traditions.  Welsh harpist Catrin Finch returns for her second appearance at the festival joining soprano Courtenay Budd, who is returning to the series after a short hiatus.  Other returning artists include violinist Chee-Yun Kim, violist Daniel Phillips, pianist Wendy Chen, cellists Alisa Weilerstein and Andrés Díaz, flutist Tara Helen O’Connor, clarinetist Todd Palmer and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.  

Book of Longing, a new concert work by Philip Glass

Book of Longing, a new concert work by renowned minimalist composer Philip Glass, will make its US premiere in the Sottile Theatre during the second week of the festival.  This 12-part music cycle is based on Leonard Cohen’s recently published poetry collection by the same name – his first in over 20 years.  The score, enigmatic and playful, will be performed by an ensemble of singers and musicians drawn from indie rock, classical and new music circles – and will include Glass on the keyboard.  Enigmatic charcoal drawings by Leonard Cohen will be incorporated into the scenic design by Christine Jones, well-known to Spoleto Festival USA audiences for her work on The Silver River (2000.)

Westminster Choir

Noted for their “velvety, perfectly blended sound” by The New York Times, the Westminster Choir is widely considered one of the best choruses in the United States.  Accompanied by the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, the Westminister Choir will join forces with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus to perform Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da requiem in the Gaillard Auditorium.   Joseph Flummerfelt, Spoleto Festival USA’s distinguished Artistic Director for Choral Activities, will conduct this beloved choral masterwork.  Verdi’s brilliant orchestration and ability to write melodies perfectly suited for the human voice are enduring qualities that make the Requiem a perennial favorite with both choirs and audiences.

The Westminster Choir concerts, held in the Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul, have long been a festival favorite with full houses year after year.   Leading these concerts will be Westminster Choir College’s newly appointed Director of Choral Activities, Joe Miller.  In addition to two a cappella concerts by the full choir, Miller has also planned a new series of concerts of choral music for women’s voices only.  These two concerts will be held in the serene setting of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston. 

The Ginn Resort Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra

Every year, over 1,000 musicians from conservatories and top music programs across the country apply to audition for the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra; from these auditions, 110 musicians are selected for this truly exceptional orchestra. 

Following his brilliant conducting of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony last season, Maestro Villaume again leads the orchestra in a work by Gustav Mahler.  The composer’s lyrical Fourth Symphony is one of his most popular with passages of great intensity juxtaposed with peaceful intermezzi.  The program will also include Richard Strauss’ tone poem Till Eulenspiegel and Paul Dukas’ well-loved The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.    

The Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra will perform a concert in the Sottile Theatre featuring Johannes Brahms’s beautiful Symphony No. 4 and Maurice Ravel’s sprightly Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose) which will be performed in its entirety.

Music in Time

Music in Time, a series of ground-breaking new music concerts directed by John Kennedy, consistently brings today’s leading composers and emerging talents from around the world to the festival.   The 2007 series will offer a variety of exciting pieces including a program offering a new perspective on the festival’s operas.  The series begins with the Bowed Piano Ensemble conjuring ethereal sounds from the strings of a grand piano followed by a program of work by experimental composer and accordionist Guy Klucevsek.  The Music in Time series will host a number of American premieres including Himmels-Tür (Heaven’s Gate) by Karlheinz Stockhausen and the first American performance of the Morton Feldman arrangement of “Alabama Song” from Kurt Weill’s Mahagonny.  Rounding out this eclectic series is a performance of intimate chamber works by Pascal Dusapin as well as Violin Futura, a program of new and innovative works for solo violin. 

Intermezzi

Spoleto Festival USA’s popular early-evening series of chamber orchestra concerts and vocal recitals will move from Grace Episcopal Church to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church located at 405 King Street.  The series will include a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 by the American piano-virtuoso Andrew von Oeyen and members of the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra; The overture to Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri, Bottesini’s Grand duo concertante and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings conducted by Anthony Barrese and performed by members of the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra.  Next on the festival calendar is a program of rarely heard ensemble works, including Chausson’s enchanting Poème, performed by festival opera artists and members of the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra.  The exceptional young baritone and recent winner of the prestigious Lotte Lenya Competition, Jonathan Michie, along with singers from the cast of Mahagonny, will offer a lively recital of works by composer Kurt Weill.  Completing the series, Marc Williams will conduct members of the Ginn Resorts Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in a program featuring Haydn’s Symphony No. 82 in C Major “The Bear”, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite and the chamber version of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.

To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit the official website at www.spoletousa.org.  Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Spoleto Festival Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007.        

  

The 2007 Spoleto Festival USA’s Carolina First Dance Series Takes Center Stage:

*American Debut of Nina Ananiashvili’s State Ballet of Georgia*

*Festival Debut of Batsheva Dance Company*

*Canadian Victor Quijada with his Rubberbandance Group*

*Shen Wei Dance Arts in Connect Transfer*

 

From the graceful athleticism of Rubberbandance Group’s Elastic Perspective to the tragic beauty of prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvili in the role of Odette/Odile in the State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake, dance enthusiasts will enjoy a rich and varied program as the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA presents the Carolina First Dance Series.  2007 marks the inaugural year Carolina First joins the festival as title sponsor.

The festival’s opening weekend will mark the Spoleto debut of Tel Aviv-based Batsheva Dance Company.  Considered one of the most important contemporary dance companies in the world, Batsheva has been seen throughout the world at such major arts festivals as Lincoln Center Festival, the Lyon Biennale, Montpellier Danse and Melbourne International Festival of the Arts. 

 Batsheva Dance Company’s 22 extraordinary dancers will perform Deca Dance—a collage of excerpts from nine dances by choreographer and former Batsheva Artistic Director Ohad Naharin that will showcase the range and breadth of Naharin’s masterful dance making.   Set to music ranging from resonating Hebrew chants and excerpts from The Beggar’s Opera, to cocktail lounge favorites like Dean Martin’s rendition of “Cha-Cha de Amor” and pop music tunes, Naharin’s choreography has garnered significant critical acclaim:  Deborah Jowitt recently wrote in The Village Voice, “If you could hold one of Ohad Naharin’s dances in your hand, it would feel smooth.  Think of a polished stone.  It looks like a piece of secret sculpture, but hurl it and it becomes a weapon.”  Batsheva Dance Company, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, will offer five performances at the Gaillard Auditorium.           

Ballet superstar Nina Ananiashvili, perhaps best-known for her career as the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet, entranced Spoleto Festival USA audiences in 2004 with her elegance and limpid technique as the featured dancer with Moscow Ballet Theatre—an ensemble company made up of soloists from the Bolshoi and corps de ballet from the State Ballet of Georgia.  Since that captivating appearance, Ananiashvili returned to her native Tbilisi at the behest of the President of Georgia to take the helm as artistic director for the State Ballet of Georgia.  Since her assumption of the directorship, the company has garnered significant acclaim for the powerful dancing of the corps de ballet and the increasingly intriguing work being created on Ananiashvili’s watch.  The company now makes its American debut with five performances of the timeless classic Swan Lake at the Gaillard Auditorium with Ananiashvili in the title role of Odette/Odile.  The Charleston Symphony Orchestra will provide accompaniment.  Swan Lake is sponsored by SteelFab with additional support provided by the City of Isle of Palms and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Southern Arts Federation and the SC Arts Commission.         

Also returning to Spoleto Festival USA is the New York-based contemporary dance company Shen Wei Dance Arts.  First seen at Spoleto Festival USA in 2003 with an unforgettable duo of works Folding and Rite of Spring , the company has enjoyed presentations across the globe including appearances at the Edinburgh and Sydney Festivals, Sadler’s Wells in London and numerous Asian festivals.  Artistic Director and Choreographer Shen Wei’s work has been described as “richly imagistic” (The Washington Post) and “surreal and dreamlike, distinctive in its startling originality” (The New York Times).  For their second Spoleto appearance, the vibrant 11-member company will perform Connect Transfer—a exhilarating piece in which the dancers use their bodies as paintbrushes, tracing patterns on a canvas floor to create a stunning visual effect.  Shen Wei Dance Arts, sponsored by Charleston Place Hotel, will offer two performances during the festival’s second weekend in the Gaillard Auditorium.

Formed in 2002 by Artistic Director/Choreographer Victor Quijada, the Montreal-based  Rubberbandance Group has forged a new path with its fusion of the seemingly disparate worlds of breakdance and hip-hop with classical ballet.  Quijada’s first exposure to dance was through the hip-hop clubs of Los Angeles.  He then trained formally with the celebrated modern dance choreographer Twyla Tharp before going on to dance professionally with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal.  This unusual combination of dance experiences inspired Quijada to create a hybrid style of choreography that is very much his own.  Powerfully athletic and visually appealing, Rubberbandance Group has been praised for its energy and “unexpected moments of tenderness and humor” (Dance Magazine).    

Rubberbandance Group will offer Elastic Perspective, a suite of dances including Secret Service, a hip-hop interpretation of a Sergei Prokofiev score and The Traviattle, a playful battle of the sexes set to Verdi for four performances over opening weekend in the Emmett Robinson Theatre.  Rubberband Dance Group is sponsored by Sherman Capital Markets, LLC.

Additional support for the Carolina First Dance Series is provided by The Harkness Foundation for Dance and Altria Group, Inc. 

To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit the official web site at www.spoletousa.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Spoleto Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007. 

The 2007 Spoleto Festival USA Offers  an exciting and vibrant theater lineup 

*The Return of Dublin’s Gate Theatre in The Constant Wife *

*Foundry Theatre’s Major Bang or: How I Learned to

 Stop Worrying and Love the Dirty Bomb*

*The American debut of Dood Paard with medEia *

*Sekou Sundiata’s poignant solo work blessing the boats*

*The circus theater spectacle Aurélia’s Oratorio*

 

The Gate Theatre’s return to Charleston with a stylish production of Somerset Maugham’s The Constant Wife; the American debut of the experimental Dutch theater company Dood Paard with their production of medEia, a compelling postmodern version of the Medea myth;  African-American writer/performer Sekou Sundiata’s poignant solo work, blessing the boats; Foundry Theater’s darkly comic Major Bang or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dirty Bomb; and Aurélia’s Oratorio, a charming circus theater spectacle, will comprise the theater selections of the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA, scheduled from May 25 to June 10, in historic Charleston, South Carolina.     

The Gate Theatre of Dublin, much beloved by Spoleto Festival USA audiences, returns to Charleston with a sparkling production of W. Somerset Maugham’s clever comedy of manners, The Constant Wife.  Scheduled for 19 performances at the historic Dock Street Theatre, The Constant Wife, which recently enjoyed a sold-out Dublin run was directed by Alan Stanford, with elegant sets by Eileen Diss and stylish costumes by Peter O’Brien.  The cast will feature such Gate Theatre stalwarts as Paris Jefferson in the role of Constance, Susan FitzGerald as Mrs. Culver and Stephen Brennan as Bernard. 

These performances of The Constant Wife will mark the Gate Theatre’s sixth Spoleto Festival USA appearance.  Previous Gate Theatre productions in Charleston have included Oscar Wilde’s Salome, Lady Windermere’s Fan and Brian Friel’s critically acclaimed Two Plays After, among others.  The Constant Wife is sponsored by the Post and Courier Foundation with additional support provided by Mary Margaret McLernon and Stealth® Concealment Solutions, Inc.

Another international company, Dood Paard will make its American debut with medEia, an inspired take on the Medea myth as derived from the many different iterations of the myth by everyone from Euripides and Pasolini to Seneca and Müller.  Formed in 1993 in Amsterdam by three actors, Dood Paard defines itself as an experimental avant-garde collective, working without a director.  In medEia, the collective nature of the work is apparent as the three cast members assume multiple roles and also act as narrators, propelling the story forward while offering commentary as the piece moves to its anguished finish.  Performed in slightly broken English (coined Euro-English by Dood Paard), medEia is sponsored by Delta Air Lines and will run for four performances over the second weekend of the festival.

Described as “sheer joyousness…that is warmly uplifting” by The Irish Times,  Aurélia’s Oratorio, a 70-minute circus theater spectacle, will transform the stage of the Emmett Robinson Theatre into a dream-like world in four performances over the final weekend of the festival.  Employing a variety of illusions passed down through the traditions of music hall and European circus, Aurélia’s Oratorio combines elements of physical theater, circus arts, magic and dance, all set to a quirky soundtrack of accordions, chamber music, and gypsy jazz.  The work boasts an impressive artistic pedigree with direction and design by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, daughter of screen legend Charlie Chaplin.  The central performer and namesake of the piece – Aurélia Thierrée –is Victoria’s daughter.  Highly renowned in the nouveau cirque world, the Thierrée family’s works have been produced in many of Europe and the United States’ most prestigious venues.  Aurélia’s Oratorio is sponsored by Cambar Solutions and will be seen for five performances over the final week of the Festival.   

Also on the adventuresome side is Foundry Theatre’s political cabaret Major Bang or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dirty Bomb.  Directed by Paul Lazar of Big Dance Theatre and featuring the stellar downtown performers Steve Cuiffo and Maggie Hoffman, Major Bang offers a darkly humorous take on the 21st century’s concepts of fear, both real and manufactured.  Inspired by the contents of a backpack left on the subway, the darkly witty work combines elements of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove with the true story of David Hahn, a Boy Scout who built a nuclear reactor in his parent’s garage to earn his Atomic Energy badge.  Major Bang or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dirty Bomb plays for three performances over the second weekend of the festival.

A prominent New York-based performer making his first Spoleto Festival USA appearance is Sekou Sundiata, called “one of America’s most gifted poets of the African-American consciousness” by The New York Times.  This powerful solo performance, blessing the boats, recounts Sundiata’s experience with life-threatening kidney disease and his recovery through organ transplant.  Told with honesty and humor, blessing the boats blends elements of monologue with stand-up comedy, spoken word performance and griot storytelling.  blessing the boats will run through opening weekend for three performances and is sponsored by American Express Company.  

To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit the official website at www.spoletousa.org.  Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Spoleto Festival Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007.        

 

Spoleto Festival USA Offers Global  2007 Wachovia Jazz Lineup

Including:

*Pianist Ahmad Jamal*

*Vocalist René Marie*

*Brazilian Vocalist Renato Braz*

*Italian Pianist and Composer Stefano Battaglia*

*Italian Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi*

*The American Debut of Argentinian Guitarist Agustín Luna*

*Master Bandoneón Player Dino Saluzzi and Cellist Anja Lechner*

 

The 2007 Spoleto Festival USA Wachovia Jazz series is the largest in recent years with seven jazz ensembles/artists and 16 total performances, featuring vocalists René Marie and Renato Braz; the duo Dino Saluzzi (bandoneón) and Anja Lechner (cello); critically acclaimed pianists Stefano Battaglia, Enrico Pieranunzi and Ahmad Jamal; and Argentinian guitarist Agustín Luna.  Jazz performances will fill Charleston’s theaters and enchanting outdoor spaces—from the Sottile Theatre to the Cistern on the College of Charleston campus—throughout the 31st annual Spoleto Festival USA, slated for May 25 to June 10. 

Virtuosic jazz pianist and returning festival favorite Ahmad Jamal has performed and toured around the world for nearly fifty years, but he is most noted for innovative orchestral approach to composing music for small jazz ensembles.  He considers his trio an orchestra and has the unique ability to achieve a unified sound with his music, while subtly inserting independent roles for the bass and drums.  Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jamal was a child prodigy who began playing the piano at age three and received formal piano training at age seven.  In 1951, Jamal performed with his first trio, The Three Strings, at The Embers’ Club in New York, where they were spotted by a record producer and signed to Okeh Records (a division of Sony Records).  Since then, he has produced 69 albums, performed at Carnegie Hall numerous times, received the American Jazz Masters fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and was named a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University.  In addition, two of the tracks from his album But Not for Me were featured in the soundtrack for the 1995 Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County.  For his third Spoleto Festival USA appearance, Jamal will perform over the festival’s second weekend with members of his trio—James Cammack (bass) and Idris Muhammad (drums).

René Marie is one of the most gifted and dynamic jazz singers to emerge in the last decade.  With her impeccable pitch, velvety tone and lively rhythm, she performs traditional jazz standards alongside original compositions.  Marie began pursuing a music career in her 40s, which has heightened her passion to perform and inspired her to produce several award-winning albums.  She released her first album, How Can I Keep From Singing? in 2000.  Attention from critics quickly followed, when she was named the Best Jazz Vocalist in 2001 and 2002 by the Association for Independent Music Critics.  Her second album, Vertigo, was named Jazz Times magazine’s Best Jazz Vocal CD of 2002.  Later that year, she was lauded with the Billie Holiday award for best international jazz vocalist.  Jazz Times described her as “one of the most sensuous songbirds ever captured on disc.  Marie’s torch burns hotter and oft-times brighter than any of her peers.”  For her Spoleto debut, Marie will perform two concerts at the Cistern over the festival’s opening weekend with members of her quartet—Kevin Bales (piano), Rodney Jordan (bass) and Quentin Baxter (drums). 

Unlike singer René Marie who began her career later in life, Brazilian singer/guitarist Renato Braz knew from an early age that music would be his life-long passion and career.  Braz returns to the 2007 Spoleto Festival, following the success of the 2004 festival performances that marked his US debut.  Singing in Portuguese with a clear tenor voice, Braz has recorded five solo albums, including Por Toda a Vida, his most recent album released in 2006.  In 2002, he received the prestigious Prêmio Visa da Musica Popular Brasiliera prize in Brazil.  With an eclectic repertoire spanning the history of Brazilian music from various traditional forms to the works of contemporary Brazilian artists, his music captures the soul of his native country.  Braz will perform during the festival’s second weekend with four band members:  Gerson Oikawa, guitar; Jose Luiz Bré, percussion; Guello, percussion and Sizão Machado, bass.   

Stefano Battaglia and Enrico Pieranunzi, both celebrated pianists and composers, will offer jazz lovers an in-depth perspective into the contemporary Italian jazz scene.  Battaglia will perform the American premiere of Pasolini in Music with his ensemble at the Cistern over the festival’s opening weekend.  In Pasolini in Music, Battaglia has created a wide-reaching project that imaginatively celebrates the multi-dimensionality of Pier Paolo Pasolini's work.  Poet, novelist, filmmaker, columnist, actor, painter and political activist, Pasolini (1922-1975) was – in the words of Susan Sontag – "indisputably the most remarkable figure to have emerged in Italian arts and letters since the Second World War."  Battaglia will perform with members of his ensemble—Michael Gassmann (trumpet), Mirco Mariottini (clarinet), Aya Shimura (cello), Salvatore Maiore (double-bass) and Roberto Dani (drums).   

Enrico Pieranunzi has recorded more than sixty CDs for solo piano, trio, duet and quintet, and written more than 200 compositions.  Pieranunzi has performed and recorded with notable jazz artists such as Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Marc Johnson, Joey Baron, Paul Motian, and Charlie Haden. The Musica Jazz critic’s poll named him the “Musician of the Year” in 1989 and 2003, and he received the coveted Django d’Or Award for best European Jazz Musician in 1997.  He has toured internationally and performed at prestigious jazz festivals such as Copenhagen, Berlin, Madrid and Montreal.  At the 2007 Spoleto Festival, Pieranunzi will offer two solo concerts on May 30 and a pair of duo concerts with bassist John Patitucci on May 31 in the Recital Hall at the Simons Center.  In addition, he will perform with members of his American trio, consisting of Patitucci and drummer Joey Barron, in one concert at the Cistern on the College of Charleston campus on June 2.  

Similar in approach as virtuosic Brazilian solo guitarists Marcus Tardelli and Guinga who performed at Spoleto during the last two years, Argentinean guitarist Agustίn Luna will make his American debut at the 2007 festival.  Born in La Plata, Luna began studying the guitar under Marcelo Iglesias and Julio Azcano followed by a year at the Conservatory of Mar del Plata with Silvia Castro.  He completed his studies at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata.  A genuine musical discovery, Luna is only 25 years old, but his sophisticated interpretations and the passion in his playing reach far beyond his years.  In his first performances outside of his native country, Luna will play a series of seven solo concerts during the festival’s final weekend in the Recital Hall of the Simons Center at the College of Charleston. 

From neighboring Buenos Aires, South American composer and bandoneón player Dino Saluzzi is arguably one of the foremost innovators of the instrument since his late friend and mentor, Astor Piazzolla.  His music combines elements of jazz, tango and classical music.  Under the skillful guidance of his father, Saluzzi began to learn the rudiments of the bandoneón at age seven and joined his first band at age 14.  As a teenager, he studied in Buenos Aires where he began to play professionally and met Astor Piazzolla, who at the time was defining a musical style called “tango nuevo.”  Saluzzi has reworked elements of the tango and pushed the boundary of the style’s fixed structure with uneven meters, blue notes and unique jazz phrasing. 

Sharing an interest in “tango nuevo,” German cellist Anja Lechner first heard Saluzzi in 1984 in Munich and was inspired by the bandoneón master.  They met over a decade later, when Saluzzi wrote music for the “Kultrum” project, a collaboration with the Rosamunde Quartet, which Lechner co-founded.  Over the last decade, the duo has performed many concerts including the Dornbirn Festival in 2003, where a writer from Jazz Review described their performance “as close to perfection as any music-making I can recall.”  Saluzzi and Lechner will release their first CD in 2007 and will begin a tour of North America in April.  The duo will perform one concert at the Sottile Theatre during the festival’s first week.          

             Wachovia Jazz is sponsored by Wachovia.

To purchase tickets, call (843) 579-3100 or visit the official website at www.spoletousa.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Spoleto Box Office in the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street, beginning Monday, April 9, 2007.

 

SOUTH DAKOTA

BLACK HILLS

If it’s springtime, you must be thinking of chasing toms in the middle of the Black Hills. Stretching 125 miles from north to south and 65 miles east to west, the Black Hills boast 2.3 million acres of prime Merriam’s terrain. Here, more than 80% of that land is open to public hunting, mainly in the Black Hills National Forest, which is 1.4 million acres! Thick stands of ponderosa pine, aspen, burr oak and white spruce make the scenery just as appealing as the high number of turkeys strutting about. With a success rate of approximately 40%, almost any good hunting area can be reached by pickup truck, while there are a few areas with limited access where a hunter can walk in and be alone. The spring turkey season runs from early April through mid-May, and licenses are available through the Game, Fish and Parks licensing office in Pierre. Campgrounds, as well as motels, are plentiful in Custer, Deadwood, Lead, Hill City, Rapid City, Spearfish and Hot Springs.

For more information on accommodations, check www.travsd.com or 1-800-S-DAKOTA. For information on spring turkey hunting, contact South Dakota Adventures, 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, S.D. 57501 or the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks at www.sdgfp.info.

George S. Mickelson Trail

Hiking and biking in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a joy, particularly since 109-miles are available which enables enthusiasts to see the Hills from a different perspective. Try the George S. Mickelson Trail in the heart of the Black Hills, for here one can experience landscapes and wildlife that can’t be seen from the highway. The trail’s gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty, and the trail is a Rails-to-Trails project that follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line. There are more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four hard rock tunnels along the trail which was originally named the Black Hills Burlington Northern Heritage Trail and supported in its infancy by the then South Dakota Gov. George S. Mickelson. Mickelson played an integral role in the trail’s early success, and he dedicated the first six miles of the trail in 1991. Following his untimely death in 1993, the trail was renamed in his honor.

The trail is rider- and user-friendly, and according to Jessica Andrews, Information Specialist with the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation, recent improvements include potable water sites, interpretive panels, and 13 new shelters. The panels focus on the history of the rails-to-trails trail project, including information on plants, wildlife and the history of Black Hills mining, logging, and the Burlington-Northern Railroad. An annual Mickelson Trail Trek is held each September when riders can receive information.

Write to 11361 Nevada Gulch Road, Lead, SD 57754 or go online at www.mickelsontrail.com for information on the Trek, and for more details on bicycling and hiking in South Dakota, contact South Dakota Adventures, 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501; 1-800-S-DAKOTA.

RAPID CITY

The Black Hills Underground Wilderness

 Deep in a limestone labyrinth below the Black Hills of South Dakota lays a vast underground wilderness where no man has yet walked. Even as explorers map new passageways through these caves, the National Park Service offers family adventures that provide a glimpse into these unique and fascinating attractions. 
 
Wind Cave National Park, the first cave ever protected by the federal government, now ranks as the fourth-longest cave in the world and includes the world’s best example of a rare calcite formation called boxwork. Boxwork, a honeycomb formation that hangs from the walls and ceilings, is composed of thin calcite fins. Nearby Jewel Cave National Monument ranks as the second-longest cave in the world with an underground maze of "jewel-like" Dogtooth and Nailhead Spar crystals. 
 
"Air volume studies reveal that the known portion of the passageway in Wind Cave may constitute less than five percent of what is actually there," said Tom Farrell, chief of interpretation for Wind Cave National Park. "Two of the largest caves in the world are located here in the Black Hills, making this a great place to experience some spectacular caves."
 
Visitors of all experience levels can enjoy adventures ranging from tours to caving expeditions that last several hours. Wind Cave National Park is situated on 28,295 acres of rolling grasslands, home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs, and is located 65 miles southwest of Rapid City on Highways 385 and 87. Jewel Cave National Monument is located 53 miles southwest of Rapid City on Highway 16.
 
For more information, check web site www.nps.gov/wica or contact the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau at 605-718-8489. For details about the surrounding areas and other vacation opportunities, check the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at www.visitrapidcity.com or email Media@RapidCityCVB.com. 
 

Taking Turkey and Geese in South Dakota

When spring comes around, think goose and turkey because hunters are anticipating another bountiful season. 2007 should provide fun-filled, action-packed hunts because this previous season was so excellent. Tony Leif, game harvest surveys coordinator for Game, Fish and Parks, feels that "An increase in statewide turkey numbers will make it easier on hunters this spring. More turkeys are being released in the eastern part of the state, and the Black Hills always presents opportunities for hunters looking to bag a turkey." He also feels that the spring season is "very weather dependent, but with the mild weather experienced so far, he's anticipating another outstanding spring for geese. Hunting dates for these two seasons should be similar to those of recent years, with turkey season beginning in April and ending in late May, and light goose season beginning in February and running until early May. Specific dates will be announced this November.

For more information, check web sites www.TravelSD.com or www.HuntinSD.com.

Free Bird Spotting Brochures Available for South Dakota

Birdwatching is a continuously growing pastime in South Dakota each year. Each of the state's 54 state parks and recreation areas offer bird-watching opportunities, but several parks consistently produce those rare sightings sought by the avid birder. Birdwatching changes with the seasons. Enthusiasts can spot the greatest diversity of species in state parks and recreation areas during the spring and fall migrations. Spring migration, however, is a time when the male b irds can be spotted displaying their colorful breeding plumage. Union Grove State Park, northeast of Vermillion, is known as one of the best areas to observe the spring migration of wood warblers and other Neotropical migrants. Male birds will be actively singing during the summer breeding season running late May through early July.

The time of day is also important. The peak period of activity for most species is from one hour before to two hours after sunrise, although some species are most active just before sunset. The South Dakota office of Tourism and the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, have developed several helpful books and brochures to aid birders throughout the state. The "Bird Watching Guide for South akota State Parks" is a useful tool for beginning birders, highlighting birdwatching basics and the best locations to spot rare species. The Glacial Lakes and Prairies, and Southeast South Dakota Birding Trail Guides provide visitors with maps, hot-spots, and tips on how to have an excellent birding experience in the state.

A wide variety of programs are also open to birding enthusiasts, and normally host about 30 to 40 people and each highlights a different interesting aspect of birdwatching.

For more information, check web site www.TravelSD.com, or to request these and other free publications.

UTAH

HEBER VALLEY

Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, Heber Valley is a picturesque slice of western life with plenty of fun to heat up the winter. Only one hour from Salt Lake City and adjacent to Park City, Heber Valley offers myriad opportunities for family fun. A recreational playground for everyone, winter fun includes snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and tubing. The valley offers convenient access to several Utah ski resorts including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and the Canyons Resort.

Soldier Hollow was one of the busiest venues during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as the host for 18 events, biathlon, cross-country, and the skiing portions of Nordic combined. It continues to host people from around the world at its facilities. In addition to having the longest tubing lanes and beautifully manicured cross-country ski trails, Soldier Hollow now hosts a variety of activities throughout the winter. Athletes of world-class ability and weekend recreationists as well enjoy the facility on a year-round basis.

Spectacular mountains and scenic open space make the Heber Valley area a snowmobiling paradise. Miles of groomed trails wind through mountains and forests, opening onto delightful meadows and vast plateaus. Snowmobiling opportunities abound in Wasatch County, whether it's groomed trails or untracted isolation. Several area businesses offer snowmobile rentals and guided trips. Groomed trailheads are located throughout the valley.

To plan a winter vacation get-away in beautiful Heber Valley, contact the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Center at 435-654-3666 or check web site www.hebervalleycc.org.

PARK CITY

No more wishing for the ski season to be upon us, it's officially here. Sionce November 18, 2006, the Flight of The Canyons gondola has been loading passengers and The Canyons was opened. Skiers and boardershave access to the Flight of The Canyons, Saddleback Express, High Meadow and Sweet Pea lifts with additional terrain and lifts opening in the days and weeks to come.

Scott Pierpont, President/Managing Director of The Canyons, commented, "We had a busy summer around the resort with the construction of a new lift, opening up of new terrain, upgrading Tombstone to a 6-pack, remodeling of Red Pine Lodge at mid mountain and numerous other projects that we are eager to show off to our guests in the weeks to come.‰

Highlights to look for at The Canyons in June 2007

Brand new quad, DreamCatcher, offering access to 200+ acres of never-been-skied terrain

Tombstone, formerly a high speed quad, has been refitted as a high-speed 6-pack, increasing uphill capacity by 52%

The Cabriolet at the Base Camp parking lot now has an additional 12 cabins

Red Pine Lodge has been remodeled and the menu revamped, offering more seating and greater dining options, as well as the new Red Pine Draft House

Additional rails, hits, and boxes in the Terrain Park

Numerous events including two Nickelodeon Family Fun Fests, Roxy Snow Camp for women, Vertical Vibe and much more, updated on web site www.thecanyons.com/events.html

Pre-School and Perfect Youth programs for local kids available through The Canyons Ski & Snowboard School on web site www.thecanyons.com/localkids.html

A new Executive Chef at the Grand Summit Hotel and a new Executive Chef for on-mountain dining

New Cabriolet Café in the Resort Village serving coffee, breakfast items and lunch

Silverado Lodge (scheduled to open in February 2007) will have an additional 265+ rooms

The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah is the largest single ski and snowboard resort in Utah and one of the largest in the United States. Located just four miles from Park City's historic Main Street, The Canyons offers 3,700 acres of diverse terrain over eight separate mountains, accessing 150+ trails.

Much anticipated new lift DreamCatcher opens

DreamCatcher the new lift and terrain officially opened at The Canyons

The Canyons Resort officially opened the newest area in the 3700 total acres of terrain at the resort. Over 200 acres of never skied before runs, and the newest lift on the mountain, DreamCatcher, came on line. Vice President of Marketing for The Canyons, Todd Burnette commented, “It’s going to be mostly upper intermediate to expert terrain. We did some glading in order to open up some paths for some serious tree skiing. It’s all north-facing so the snow will hold there very well.”

DreamCatcher is on the southern end of the resort directly adjacent to veteran lift DreamScape. It is one of the best options for tree skiing at any of the resorts in Utah. The brand new quad lift services 8 new runs.

The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah is the largest single ski and snowboard resort in Utah and one of the largest in the United States. Located just four miles from Park City's historic Main Street, The Canyons offers 3,700 acres of diverse terrain over eight separate mountains, accessing 150+ trails.

Additional details are available at web site www.thecanyons.com.

Canyons Resort's Olympian First Tracks Program is Set

The Canyons Resort’s Olympian First Tracks program for the 2006-2007 season. Brand-new this year, in addition to exploring some of The Canyons 3,700 acres before the runs open to the public, guests will have the added thrill of being accompanied by some of the most impressive names from the world of Olympic skiing. 

The list of athletes who will be joining guests on their own private tour of The Canyons reads like a whose who of Olympic and Para-Olympic skiing, among the athletes guest might be skiing with are:

Kris “Fuzz” Feddersen, a pioneer in the sport of freestyle skiing, stood atop the podium over 30 times in his World Cup career and also competed in three Olympic Games.. In addition to competing in the 1988, 1992 and 1994 Olympics, he was the coach for the 1998 US Olympic Aerial Team that brought home two gold medals. Fuzz now resides in Park City with his wife, LeeAnne and their two children.

Holly Flanders, a competitor at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, was also a three-time World Cup downhill winner and a two time national downhill champion. Holly is no stranger to The Canyons as she has been hosting women’s ski clinics for the past several seasons. The workshops are unique because they enable women to improve their skiing in an atmosphere of support and friendship. These days she races after her three children at their home in Park City. 

Skiing Magazine has named Chris Waddell one of the 25 greatest skiers in America, the Dalai Lama honored him as an Unsung Hero of Compassion, he was one of People Magazine’s “Fifty Most Beautiful People in the World”, and Outside Magazine asked, “Could this be the World’s Greatest Athlete?” The Canyons is proud to include Paralympian Chris Waddell as part of our Olympic Athlete Ambassador program. He has 12 Paralympian medals, 6 World Championship medals, 5 World Cup wins, and 32 National titles and also calls Park City home

One of the most decorated American skiers of all time, (37 World Cup victories and 11 National titles) four time “US freestyle Skier-of-the-Year” (Ski Racing Magazine), Trace Worthington was recently inducted into the US Ski Hall of Fame. He competed in the 1992 and 1994 Olympics in freestyle aerials and moguls as well as the 1998 and 1999 X-Games in skiercross. These days, Trace continues to be in the spotlight as a broadcaster on numerous networks and has covered the past three Winter Olympics and the 2004 Summer Olympics for NBC. Trace lives with his wife, Trisha and their two children here in Park City.

Carrie Shineberg started racing in Vermont at the ripe age of seven. By age 17 she was on the U.S. Ski team and headed to the 1994 Olympics where she was the top American finisher in the slalom. She went on to win three U.S. National titles, including a 1995 and 1997 overall title as well as a 1997 Giant Slalom championship. Carrie now splits her time between New York City where she works in journalism and Park City where her parents live.

The wildly popular First Tracks program got underway Wednesday, December 20 and will be held every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the season. Be the first on the lifts and on the slopes with a resort insider and one of our Olympian Ambassadors as your guide. “It is like having your own private mountain.” Comments Todd Burnette, VP of Marketing. “The addition of our Olympic Ambassadors makes an already great program even better. Our ambassadors are not only incredibly accomplished skiers, but they are also really fun people to be around, anyone booking the First Tracks program, will have a morning they won’t soon forget.”

The twice-weekly sessions are $100 a day plus the price of a regular day pass. The price also includes breakfast at Red Pine Lodge.

The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah is the largest single ski and snowboard resort in Utah and one of the largest in the United States. Located just four miles from Park City's historic Main Street, The Canyons offers 3,700 acres of diverse terrain over eight separate mountains, accessing 150+ trails.

Additional details are available at web site www.thecanyons.com, or call 435-615-3449 for times, reservations and details.

Sky Lodge, Park City's First Five-Star Condominium Resort Features New Luxury Concept

With its strategic location in historic Old Town, at 201 Heber Avenue and Main Street, and access to world-class skiing and Park City’s unique blend of rustic sophistication, The Sky Lodge emerges as this resort city’s premier address.

A venture of CloudNine ResortClubs, which is redefining the concept of luxury resort vacation home ownership, The Sky Lodge offers 22 exclusive residences, loaded with traditional craftsmanship and high-tech conveniences. This new condominium ResortClub presents guests with the finest amenities in Park City, including an opulent spa, superb dining, and pride of ownership in the magical setting of the Wasatch Mountains.

Debuting in November 2007, after five years of meticulous planning and design, The Sky Lodge is the vision of CloudNine Founder and Managing Director Bill Shoaf, a renowned hospitality industry leader who has reinvented such celebrated destination resorts as Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows in Hawaii; Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort in Utah; Santa Barbara’s historic San Ysidro Ranch; the acclaimed Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas; L.A.’s exclusive Hotel Bel-Air; and Bermuda’s idyllic Elbow Beach Resort.

With The Sky Lodge, Shoaf is introducing a new concept of luxury vacation home ownership while unveiling Park City’s newest five-star resort. Shoaf’s philosophy of hotel services revolves around the Guest. “Every one of our guest come to us to renew themselves and to live out a life story where wonderful memories are created. It is our job to make sure those stories play out perfectly,” he explains. CloudNine’s focus on boutique properties reflects Shoaf’s belief that guests deserve a “one on one, personally satisfying relationship with the hotel staff, in which we satisfy their needs on their schedule, not the other way around.”

The new destination resort occupies what had been the last major vacant parcel in Park City’s historic Old Town and will become the anchor of the vibrant pedestrian-oriented district. The Sky Lodge addresses the city’s needs with a project that includes 40 percent open space, an inviting public plaza, and environmentally sensitive “Rocky Mountain Loft” architecture. Designed by Elliott Workgroup Architecture, the prominent Utah firm responsible for some of the key venues of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games, the $36 million six-story structure is inspired by the Rocky Mountain lifestyle that defines Park City, integrating state-of-the art modern amenities, a reverence for local indigenous materials, and green building standards that meet or exceed the international LEED requirements.

As a result, the resort—set back from the street to create a lively pedestrian gathering place that preserves the character of the historic Old Town district—captures the essence of the Park City experience. The Sky Lodge’s interior, designed by Nola Chase, further embraces the spirit of Park City as the primary inspiration for the resort’s look and feel. Her firm, Chase Associates, has been instrumental in creating the prestigious Sundance Resort; Vail’s The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera; Snowbird Resort; and Deer Valley’s Goldener Hirsch. Chase describes The Sky Lodge design “as if you took a New York loft and moved it to Park City and changed the colors and textures to match the Rocky Mountains.”

The Sky Lodge resort residences range from 1,260 square feet to over 2,700 square feet of living space (plus decks with private hot tubs), all with spectacular views of Old Town and majestic mountain peaks. Standard features in The Sky Lodge residences include grand-entry foyers, open designer kitchens with granite slab countertops and commercial-grade appliances, spacious living areas with fireplaces, and decks with relaxing hot tubs. Bedrooms are appointed with Anichini Egyptian cotton 400-count bed linens, custom beds and multi-level lighting, while master baths feature indulgent Kohler designer style soaking tubs, double vanity sinks, European glass showers with multiple shower heads, and stone flooring. Residences are equipped with multiple flat panel HDTV’s and Bose surround sound systems with iPod cradles. Selected three-bedroom units feature theater dens—reflecting Park City’s contribution to the world of cinema—that include wet bars and 40-inch flat panel screens.

Among the rich repertoire of world-class amenities provided at The Sky Lodge is the Amatsu Spa, specializing in the ancient ritual of the Japanese bath known as ofuro. The luxurious 5,500-square foot spa, designed to serve only a handful of guests at any given time to ensure highly personalized and customized service, features a reception area with tea & tonic café, retail area, posh locker rooms for women and men, and a Zen-inspired meditation room. A ground-floor fitness center offers cutting-edge cardiovascular equipment with individual TVs and attentive private instructors.

Overlooking Main Street, the spectacular Wasatch Mountains and the local ski runs is The Sky Club, reserved for the use of members and guests. Resembling an urban rooftop retreat, the Club features a soaking grotto, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and comfortable lounge chairs designed to help guests enjoy the brilliant Utah sun by day or romantic stars by night. Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served at 5:00 p.m. every evening. In addition to accommodating its guests and members in extraordinary luxury, The Sky Lodge also offers state-of-the-art conference facilities for discriminating corporations and organizations.

The Sky Lodge property is home to three restaurants, including Easy Street Brasserie, featuring contemporary bistro cuisine. Downstairs from the Brasserie is Bar Bohème, a popular gathering spot for local skiers and artists, featuring an extensive wine cellar, live jazz, and a laid-back deck with fire pit. Adjacent to The Sky Lodge is the exterior pedestrian plaza that houses the Flying S coffee shop, as well as neighboring Zoom Restaurant, which has been operated by Robert Redford’s Sundance Group for over 13 year.

CloudNine’s proprietary ResortClub ownership program, conceived by Shoaf, offers a totally new concept for luxury vacation resort living that promises to revolutionize the hospitality industry. Each ResortClub member at The Sky Lodge owns a deeded one-eighth fee simple interest in one of the luxury residences on the property, including its elegant furnishings and accessories.

To ensure highly personalized guest services, the resort consists of only 22 exclusive residences, including a variety of two- or three-bedroom flats or two-story townhouses (“SkyHomes”), and a three-bedroom penthouse occupying the entire top floor. Each one of the 22 units at The Sky Lodge accommodates eight owners, all of whom (or their family or friends) are entitled to 35 nights per year in their own residence. Unlike traditional fractional ownership arrangements, where services and amenities are often compromised and reservations are cumbersome, ResortClub members possess a deeded interest in a specific residence and enjoy all of the personalized services and amenities that would be expected at a five-star hotel.

For members, the lifestyle offered at The Sky Lodge far eclipses the experience of staying at an off-site luxury condominium or even a lavish home in Park City. In its first year of release The Sky Lodge has enjoyed vibrant market response with 65 percent of the shared ownership interests already sold.

The Sky Lodge honors the traditions of the finest boutique resort hotels throughout the world, where a limited number of rooms and an ample, superbly trained staff combine to deliver a highly personalized experience that consistently exceeds the expectations of even the most sophisticated travelers. The Sky Lodge is located at 201 Heber Avenue, in the heart of Park City’s historic Old Town district.

For additional information on ResortClub membership opportunities, or to make hotel reservations, call 435.658.3336 or visit web site www.theskylodge.com.

VERMONT

  Summer’s great in Vermont, especially if you have the Vermont Chamber of Commerce “Top 10 Summer Events’ at your fingertips. Among the “Top 10” is art, agriculture, music, history, and adventure and all are featured in the Chamber’s Traveler’s Guidebook which includes “Exploring Vermont by Bike” and Green Mountain Steeple Chase,” an article about historic Vermont country churches. Families can also peek at “Mom’s Choice: Top 50 Picks for Kids,” complete with hundreds of classic Vermont inns, B&Bs, resorts, campgrounds, restaurants, attractions, and ships.

All of this is available free of charge by calling 1-800-VERMONT, or checking the Chamber’s web site at http://www.vtchamber.com.

Free "Vermont Winter Guide" and "Ski Vermont Map"

No matter which season you choose to vacation in Vermont, it's the right one! Winter is especially exciting - since it brings delicious comforts and exhilarating pleasures. Celebrate this time of year with a well-planned visit to the Green Mountain State, using the Vermont Chamber 2006-2007 Vermont Winter Guide and the Ski Vermont Map. Combined, these two publications will point the way to Vermont’s hot spots, on and off the slopes. Learn where to feel the freedom of Vermont’s most thrilling trails, the best places to shop for everything from treats to antiques, and to locate the spas services winter bodies crave. The Guide will help you know what to expect from the lodging you choose - perhaps slip into an outdoor hot tub while relaxing at a Vermont country inn, or find a resort or hotel. The Map will bring you there safely. Whether you like Alpine and Nordic ski opportunities, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, maple sugar houses, museums, or galleries, this is the place to be.

Available free of charge, the Guide and Map can be obtained by calling 1-800-VERMONT or order online from www.vtchamber.com.

  If you’ve been to Smugglers’ Notch, you know that family fun is guaranteed. If you book a summer vacation, you’ll receive great rates, plus qualified families vacationing with at least one child 12 and under can save lots of money.  Winner of the Family-Friendly Travel Award from FamilyFun Magazine, there’s lots on tap during the summer. Goodtime Charlie and his friends will entertain the family for a good old-fashioned block party near the Mountainside Pools and Waterslides; hike as far as you wish on the Brewster Gorge Trail weaving your way along the banks of the Brewster River and the rugged natural area of the Brewster River Gorge; check out the Birds and Bloomers along this morning walk, bring binoculars and learn how to identify and recognize the sounds of regional birds as well as various wildflowers in the woods and meadows; and experience even more of this little corner of Vermont on a 3 hour hike among the rustling leaves, the babbling brooks and the fresh air; or look for signs of your favorite animals and discover how woodland creatures survive the long winters and warm summer sun.

Winter is fantastic - especially this year - for the Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To prove how great it is to vacation here, Smugglers' Notch Resort is not only nationally recognized for its ski instruction and family programs - with 78 trails for all levels of ability - but it has been recognized this anniverary year by SKI Magazine for the resort's winter family programs -- voted #1 in North America for the eighth time! The resort has also been designated an Environmental Leader in Vermont, and is only the second company in the state to receive such an honor!

So, what's to do in this resort that's one of my favorites during any season? This winter, enjoy a cozy, family-style ondominium accommodation where you can feel right at home, complete with a lovely fireplace, full kitchen, and huge rooms. The Resort Village is nestled into the base of three big, interconnected mountains where all of the condominium accommodations are first-class units. Choose from studios to 5-bedroom townhouses, most with fireplaces and balconies, each with a fully-equipped kitchen and beautiful views of pristine woodlands or mountain peaks. Ski all day or relax. Explore the Resort Village in a guided Winter Walk, or by soaking in one of the hot tubs.

If you're into skiing, Madonna Mountain, which opened in 1963, is Smugglers' signature peak at 3,640-feet high and is among the biggest in the East. Here you can tackle classic New England-style terrain with both groomed and natural snow surfaces. The intermediate, expert and super-expert trails include the "Fab Five" -- single and double black diamond trails - and "The Black Hole" -- the only Triple Black Diamond trail in the East. Or, skiers and riders can test their skills on the Family Fun Race Course or step up to the challenges of "Prohibition Park's Superpipe.

The gentle trails of Morse Mountain is a great place to learn for skiers and riders. Three separate beginner learning areas for those who have never skiied or notices, will ensure that you feel safe and comfortable. There's Sir Henry's Hill with a urface lift; Morse Mountain with two chair lifts; and Morse Highlands which features a chairlift with beginner and intermediate terrain as well as The Highlands Lodge and Learning Center.

Although it snows an average of over 24 feet a year in Vermont, Mom Nature sometimes needs help -- and this resort has top-to-bottom snowmaking coverage to blanket all three mountains from top to bottom.

Feel free to bring the children - because Smugglers' Notch Resort has earned it's family-focused reputation. The caregivers are well-trained to care for kids of all ages; and if you are worried about what's going on, view the kids through the one-way mirrow! There are giant fish tanks in every room to keep their interest; radiant floor heating; 5400 square feet of indoor pace; and heated snowmelt walkways. Children are grouped by age. The Fireflies are from weeks to 17 months old; Little Dippers are 17 months to 2 1/2 years; and the Little Rascals are from 2 1/2 years to 3 years of age Even if your child is still in diapers, they're ready for the slopes! The Treasures program offers youngsters a unique program designed around fun and play.

Have teens? Believe me, you won't even see them during most of your vacation - because there are two teen centers. There's lots more to do here and special packages to save you money.

For more information, contact Smugglers' Notch Resort at web site www.smuggs.com or call 1-800-451-8752.

Virginia

Virginia Restaurants Cultivate Culinary Excellence from the Farm

Serious travelers as well as serious country cooks have always known that a great meal is closely tied to having a great garden in the backyard - and, as recent consumer research by the Travel Industry Association of America showed, Virginia is one great backyard for
traveling and eating. TIA's report revealed that consumers rank Virginia among the top 15 food-related destinations in the United States.Culinary travelers recognize that Virginia restaurants are designing entire menus around the finest local ingredients at their peak of
flavor.

In the summertime, juicy homegrown tomatoes cry out to be paired with freshly caught catfish. In the fall, butternut squash and pumpkin are right at home nestled next to roasted game and chicken. Choosing everything from homegrown produce to Virginia-raised meats to local cheeses and wines, diners can savor combinations of tastes like no other region in the country.

Fresh-Picked Menus

Virginia restaurants offering an emphasis on local foods range from crystal and candlelight to casual neighborhood bistros to trendier, ultra-sleek environs. Many blend fresh picks from the garden with organically raised meats, then pair Virginia's renowned wines with dishes for the full regional dining experience.

Cooper's Landing Inn and Traveler's Tavern (Clarksville) - This charming
1830s inn located in a quaint lakeside town combines seasonal vegetables and fruits from the area with high quality beef and seafood. (434-374-2866)

Graves Mountain Lodge (Syria) - Made-from-scratch comfort food like pot roast, catfish and country ham is served up with local vegetables at this rustic mountain retreat. (540-923-4231)

The Inn at Little Washington (Washington) - Sumptuous and decadent doesn't begin to describe this world-renowned inn and restaurant. A palette of locally grown produce and meats is always on the artfully crafted menu for an unforgettable culinary experience. (540-675-3800)

Oddfellas Cantina (Floyd) - Serving a fusion of Latin, Southern and vegan cooking, this cozy neighborhood eatery and music spot works with local organic growers and Virginia seafood as well as preparing savory meatloaf and rib-eye steaks from locally raised buffalo. (540-745-3463)

One Block West (Winchester) - The culinary focus of this relaxed, yet elegant, bistro is to seek out the finest Shenandoah Valley ingredients at their peak of freshness and pair them with the best Virginia wines. All ingredients are carefully selected by the chef and prepared to perfection in dishes such as roasted breast of duck with Bosc pear and grilled lamb loin chops with pesto. (540-662-1455)

Millstone Tearoom (Bedford) - Locally grown organic vegetables and Virginia meats are served at this cozy dining room off the Blue Ridge Parkway. (540-587-7100)

Southern Inn Restaurant (Lexington) - The best local ingredients are combined to create contemporary dishes on a changing menu that features everything from rainbow trout to peak-of-season pears to locally ground grits. Nineteen Virginia wines are featured, including four by the glass. (540-463-3612)

Staunton Grocery (Staunton) - The culinary philosophy at this downtown Staunton dining experience is to combine Virginia ingredients at their peak of freshness in adventurous and innovative dishes. Diners can savor local pork, beef, chicken, produce, cheese, herbs, ham, baked goods, tea and even locally roasted coffee in a modern, yet casual, setting. (540-886-6880)

The Swan Terrace at the Founders Inn (Virginia Beach) - Diners enjoy
Smithfield ham, local oysters and other seafood as well as seasonal produce throughout this menu inspired by Colonial dishes. (757-366-5700)

Todd Jurich's Bistro (Norfolk) - Culinary excellence at this gracious setting is tied heavily to the use of local, seasonal ingredients such as yellow fin tuna, crab and collards. An expansive wine list features many Virginia wines, some by the glass. (757-622-3210)

Tuscarora Mill (Leesburg) - Located in a 19th-century grain mill in Leesburg for more than a decade, the "Tuskies" menu always features seasonal specials tied directly to local produce and meats (703-771-9300)

Vintage Kitchen (Norfolk) - Stunning views of the Elizabeth River provide the backdrop for old-world cuisine with modern artistic twists capitalizing on Virginia's freshest ingredients and finest wines. (757-625-3370)

For more information on these restaurants with fresh-picked menus, go to
www.Virginia.org/Fresh-Picked.

Fresh Catches

Seafood caught off Virginia's coast from the Hampton Roads, Chesapeake
Bay and Eastern Shore regions is expertly prepared at many area
restaurants.

Aqua (Cape Charles) - Striking blue tile work and a spectacular Bay view set a sleek, sophisticated mood at this Eastern Shore seafood venue serving fresh local catches and complemented by homegrown fruits and veggies. (757-331-8660)

Bill's Seafood House (Newport News) -Virginia oysters, shrimp, crab, flounder and trout prepared any-way-you-like-it are served family-style near the Mariners' Museum. (757-595-4320)

Eastville Inn (Eastville) - Affordable Chesapeake Bay seafood dominates the menu at this inn and restaurant on the Eastern Shore. (757-678-5745)

Harpoon Larry's Oyster Bar (Hampton) - Popular local spot for fresh
oysters, spiced shrimp, clams, crab legs, mussels and crawfish. (757-422-6000)

Island House Restaurant (Wachapreague) - The house favorite is crab cakes at this casual restaurant overlooking the barrier islands of the Eastern Shore. (757-787-4242)

Lowery's Restaurant (Tappahannock) - No fuss, family-style seafood is the fare at this Virginia institution. (804-443-2800)

Lynnhaven Fish House (Virginia Beach) - This landmark, resort-area spotoverlooks the Chesapeake Bay and boasts one of the largest selections of fresh local seafood in the area. (757-481-0003)

Rockafeller's (Virginia Beach) - Rockfish, flounder and yellow fin tuna are caught daily and served up in a lively, casual setting. (757-422-5654)

Rose's Crab House and Raw Bar (Kilmarnock) - Casual Northern Neck seafood setting for Chesapeake Bay fish, clams, crab and oysters. (804-436-8439)

Surf Rider Restaurant (Hampton, Virginia Beach, Norfolk) - This Hampton
Roads-area chain serves fresh local seafood in a casual setting. (757-497-3534)

Tides Inn (Irvington) - Chesapeake Bay fish and oysters, Virginia pork, in-season produce and many Virginia wines by the glass are offered throughout this classic waterfront resort, including aboard their posh 1920s touring yacht. (804-438-5000, 800-843-3746)

For more information on these restaurants featuring fresh catches, go to
www.Virginia.org/FreshCatches.

Virginia's Culinary Secrets Revealed

Culinary pros throughout the state participate in special programs giving guests the opportunity to learn cooking techniques and tricks of the trade. Chefs give advice on selecting fresh ingredients, wine-pairing and party-planning with a behind-the-scenes perspective.

Boar's Head Inn (Charlottesville) - A highly trained culinary team presents full-fledged gourmet cooking classes, as well as private instruction for birthdays and other special events. (434-972-2229, 800-476-1988)

First Colony Winery (Charlottesville) - The relationship between food and wine is the focus of monthly gourmet cooking classes at this award-winning winery. (434-979-7105, 877-979-7105)

Keswick Hall at Monticello (Keswick) - Imagine you are the chef's apprentice at a luxurious mansion as sources are revealed for the finest local ingredients. Individual and group classes include cooking with chocolate and preparing for a fabulous dinner party. (groups 434-923-4370, individuals 434-923-4372)

Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (Roanoke) - Imaginative and practical culinary training is available at this landmark Tudor-style hotel. Classes for couples include preparation of romantic meals, instruction on grilling and barbecuing, cooking lighter fare and preparing for the holidays. (540-985-5900)

Lansdowne Resort (Leesburg) - The resort's executive chef and sommelier offer food and wine demonstrations with indispensable culinary tips and secrets. Guests can sample favorite dishes and enjoy a wine-pairing demonstration. (877-509-8400, 703-729-8400)

Tides Inn (Irvington) - Aspiring chefs can challenge their friends to a culinary duel when they take part in unique cooking demonstrations orchestrated by the Tides Inn's talented staff. After a 30-minute crash course in technique, teams race against the clock to prepare a complete meal using the region's seafood and produce. (804-438-4416)

Wade's Mill (Raphine) - Learn to whip up perfect biscuits, breads and cakes in an unusual setting. This 1750s working grist mill is the charming locale for classes using the mill's stone-ground flour. (800-290-1400)

For more information on these culinary secrets, go to www.Virginia.org/CulinarySecrets.

Pick Your Own

Farmer's markets and produce stands are located in virtually every corner of the state. Many also offer Virginia-made food products such as jam, honey, nuts and cider alongside the squash and rutabagas. For a complete list of farmer's markets in the state, go to virginia.org. Want it delivered to your doorstep? Order virtually any Virginia food product you can imagine at shopvafinest.com. A sampling of markets includes:

Olde Towne Curb Market (Smithfield) - This busy growers market operates May through August and offers specialty items September through November. (757-357-3502)

Southwest Virginia Farmers' Market (Hillsville) - This state-owned facility is open each spring until December offering fresh locally grown produce and related products, such as jams, honey and jellies. (276-728-5540)

Williamsburg Farmer's Market (Williamsburg) - Travelers to Colonial Williamsburg can take home a taste of Virginia at this conveniently located market in Merchants Square. (757-259-3768)

For more information on these farmers' markets, go to www.Virginia.org/PickYourOwn

For comprehensive Virginia travel information, go to www.Virginia.org;
for a free Virginia Travel Guide and official highway map, call toll-free 1-800-932-5827

HAMPTON

If you love vacationing near the water, you'll love Hampton. Located in Southeastern Virginia between the cities of Williamsburg (Jamestown) and Virginia Beach, this destination boasts over 100 attractions within a 30-minute drive, including the Cousteau Society U.S. Headquarters, the Virginia Air & Space Center, The American Theatre, and St. John's Church, the oldest continuous English-speaking parrish in the United States. In 2007, Hampton will also play a major role in the Jamestown Celebration.

What else is here? The Hampton University Museum (the oldest African American Museum in the U.S.), Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe (the site where Confederate President Jefferson avis was imprisoned), harbor cruises, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Festivals include the Hampton Jazz Festival, Hampton Blackbeard Festival, and Hampton Bay Days.

For more information, contact the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, 1919 Commerce Drive, Suite 290, Hampton, VA 23666; 800-487-8778; or try web site www.hamptoncvb.com.

2007 African American Heritage Events in Hampton

Reflecting the city’s colorful heritage tapestry, Hampton attractions and entertainment venues present a brilliant list of 2007 events to enrich, educate and inspire.

The culturally-enriching roster includes fine art exhibits such as AfriCobra: Contemporary American Works Rooted in Africa and Hampton Institute and the Gilded Age: African-American Furniture Making in Virginia, both at Hampton University Museum, through July 31, 2007.   

The annual International Children’s Festival, taking place April 28 at Mill Point Park in downtown Hampton, is one of several multicultural events held in conjunction with the year-long 400^th Anniversary of America celebration.

The American Theatre, located in Hampton’s historic Phoebus district, will showcase an array of multicultural performances throughout the year. Children will enjoyfanciful presentations such as tales of legends from the past including Frederick Douglass & Honest Abe, March 17; while adults will enjoy a March 16 performance by Bettye Lavette, heralded as the greatest unrecognized soul singer of the past 40 years.

Hampton traditions for which to make travel plans now include the 40th Annual Hampton Jazz Festival at Hampton Coliseum scheduled June 22, 23 & 24, and the 17^th Annual Afrikan American Festival to be held in Mill Point Park on June 22 & 23. The Hampton Jazz Festival presents the nation’s top rhythm & blues, pop, soul and jazz artists in an event that’s as much a social custom as it is entertaining, consistently filling the 11,000-seat arena for each performance during the three-day event. The Peninsula Society for Sickle Cell Anemia entertains by day during the same weekend with the Afrikan American Festival, an alcohol-free affair with clothing, art, crafts, musical entertainment, African dancers and incredible food!

The event experience is enriched by Hampton attractions and historic sites, such as the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe, Little England Chapel, Emancipation Oak on the Hampton University campus, and Aberdeen Gardens Historic Museum, each available year-round, some by appointment.  Established in 1868, Hampton University Museum is the nation’s oldest African-American museum and maintains a collection of 9,000 artifacts and fine art representing African, African-American, Oceanic, Asian, and Native-American cultures. For more information on Hampton heritage attractions and landmarks, read Family Tree:  A guide to heritage sites in Hampton, Virginia.

Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the new 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.  Hampton is the site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX ® Theater, the Cousteau Society, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others. Hampton was twice-named All-America City, the nation's oldest and most prominent community recognition award.

2007 Calendar of African-American Events in Hampton

 

March

 

22-25 Hit Musical “Grease” Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Hampton University Little Theater, Thur-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm.   $10.00.  757-727-5402.

 

April

2  Port Hampton Lecture Series features James Horn, Bill Kelso and Thad Tate discussing 17^th century Virginia Hampton History Museum, 7pm.   Members, Free; Non-members, $3.  757-727-1610.

 

6-8 Boo Williams Spring Invitational Tournament-Boys This Nike-associated basketball tourney will feature the top 1500 athletes from around the world. Hampton and Newport News,   757-825-8027.

 

13-15 Boo Williams Spring Invitational Tournament-Girls This Nike-associated basketball tourney will feature the top 1500 athletes from around the world. Hampton and Newport News,  757-825-8027.

 

19-27 From Abraham to Jesus  This groundbreaking touring exhibit features the largest, most breathtaking collection of Holy Land antiquities to ever hit the U.S. soil. The multi-media exhibit combines the awe of over 240 priceless artifacts, some dating back to the time of Abraham, original video footage shot throughout the Holy Land, and modern multimedia technology, will take visitors on a landmark walk through 2,500 years of Biblical history they will never forget. This event will also feature the U.S. inaugural visit of some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Ossuary (bone box) of Simon the Cyrene, the man who carried the cross for Jesus.  www.fromabrahamtojesus.com Hampton Roads Convention Center, Open daily.   $19.95.  757-315-1611.

 

20 Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars and Beyond Opening Gala Celebrate the spirit of exploration with the opening of the Virginia Air & Space Center’s new Space Gallery. Virginia Air & Space Center, 7pm.   Fee.  757-727-0900.

 

21 Space Gallery Grand Public Opening Be one of the first to travel to Mars, the moon and beyond! Opening Day activities. Virginia Air & Space Center, 10am-5pm.   Fee.  757-727-0900.

 

28 International Children's Festival Prepare yourself for sensory overload at the 2007 International Children's Festival as you experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of over twenty-five countries and cultures. In order to live in today's global world, it is important that our children learn to recognize and respect different cultures. This unique festival provides an opportunity to experience this diversity as participating countries showcase their heritages through educational exhibits, entertainment, food and fun. Travel won't get any easier than this -- no luggage, no layovers, no jet lag -- so make plans to attend this exciting festival in downtown Hampton. Mill Point Park, 10am-5pm.   Free.  757-727-8311.

 

May

13 Hampton University Graduation 2007, Held at Armstrong Stadium or at the Convocation Center in the event of inclement weather. Speaker to be announced. Hampton University, Free.  757-727-5495.

 

June

3-8 Hampton University Ministers' Conference 92nd Annual conference held for ministers and religious leaders at Hampton University. Hampton University Convocation Center. 757-727-5340

 

22-23 Afrikan American Festival An outdoor, non-alcoholic, family-oriented event that features nonstop entertainment. A marketplace with over 70 vendors displaying & selling their art, crafts etc. Live entertainment throughout the day. Food vendors selling plenty of ethnic foods. Mill Point Park, 4pm-10pm.   $2 donation.  757-838-4721.

 

22-24 Hampton Jazz Festival Celebrating 40 years of music, the Hampton Jazz Festival attracts the nation's top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers. Music lovers from all over the country make a pilgrimage every year for this talent filled weekend. Hampton Coliseum.    757-838-5650.

 

23 Aberdeen Gardens Heritage Day  Aberdeen Gardens Historic & Civic Association celebrates its unique heritage with entertainment, food and festivity.  Built by blacks, for blacks, Aberdeen Gardens remains a close-knit community, proud of its heritage and determined to share its history with rising generations.  Aberdeen Gardens Historic Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  757-826-8231

 

July

4 Fourth at the Fort  Fort Monroe’s celebration of our nation’s Independence Day. An entertainment program begins at 4 p.m. at the installation’s Walker Airfield and culminates in spectacular fireworks. Fort Monroe, 4pm-11pm.   Free.  757-788-3151.

 

August

23-26  Hampton's African-American Family Reunion and Cultural Festival  Celebrates Hampton's African American History and Culture, and encourages visitors to “Come HOME to Virginia,” the original landing site of the first Africans in 1619.  Hampton is the birthplace of the first African-American child born in the New World and is the home of Freedom's Fortress.  Bring the family and enjoy an incredible weekend of fun and excitement.  Learn to trace your family roots at the American Legacy Magazine Genealogy Workshop . 

 

September

21-12/8  David Driskell: Painting Across the Decade 1996 – 2006 Trained as a painter and an art historian, this exhibition will contain approximately forty paintings and works on paper from the years 1996- 2006. Dr. Driskell works principally in collage and mixed media. His paintings and prints have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States and as well as internationally.  He has been the recipient of several foundation fellowships among which are the Harmon Foundation, three Rockefeller Foundations Fellowships and the Danforth Foundation.  Hampton University Museum, Open daily, Free 757-727-5308

For more information, contact the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, 1919 Commerce Drive, Suite 290, Hampton, VA 23666, 800/487-8778, 757/722-1222, or check web site www.visithampton.com,

 

For a free copy of both brochures, call 804-371-7127 or e-mail mainstreet@dhcd.state.va.us.

JAMESTOWN

America’s 400th Anniversary Weekend

WHAT:         America’s Anniversary Weekend, the premier event of America’s 400th Anniversary, will be held May 11-13, 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown, Va., America’s first permanent English settlement. The three-day salute to Jamestown and its enduring legacies includes world-class entertainment, historical attractions and special commemorative programming offered each day at three Anniversary Weekend sites. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and actor James Earl Jones will participate in weekend festivities. Additionally, Grammy winning artists Bruce Hornsby & The Noise Makers, Chaka Khan, and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and thousands of performers from across the nation will delight attendees at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Detailed program information can be found at www.Americas400thAnniversary.com www.Americas400thAnniversary.com.

WHEN:         Friday, May 11 - Sunday, May 13, 2007

WHERE:         Three Virginia sites: Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, and Anniversary Park. 

ADMISSION: Date-specific, single day tickets: $30 for adults and $15 for children 6-12. Children younger than six receive free admission. Anniversary Weekend tickets provide parking, shuttle transportation and admission to all Anniversary Weekend sites. Tickets sales are limited to 30,000 guests per day, ensuring a comfortable visit 400 years in the making. Anniversary Weekend tickets may be reserved by phone at (866) 400-1607 or online at www.Americas400thAnniversary.com .

Additional     
Information: Three Anniversary Weekend Sites

Anniversary Park - across Route 31 from Jamestown Settlement, will feature a festival atmosphere where visitors can enjoy shows, learn about exploration past and present, visit with modern day explorers and enjoy Jamestown-related exhibits developed exclusively for the commemoration. The site will feature multiple stages with continuous cultural and entertainment programming throughout the weekend. It will also feature Anniversary Village, an area offering information about destinations and history throughout the Commonwealth.

Highlights include:

·       Bruce Hornsby & The Noise Makers will host an evening of rock, R&B and progressive bluegrass on Saturday, May 12. A three-time Grammy winner, Hornsby will be joined by some of his Grammy winning friends, including legendary funk and R&B artist Chaka Khan and progressive bluegrass master Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder.

·       The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of JoAnn Falletta, and Richmond Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mark Russell Smith, play separately and then combine - for the first time ever - to premier new works by John Corigliano, John Duffy, Adolphus Hailstork and Jennifer Higdon written especially for the commemoration. 

·       Anniversary Weekend concludes with the performance of a 400-Piece Orchestra and a 1,607-Voice Choir created especially for the commemoration and representing most of the United States.

·       Corning Hot Glass Road Show, Corning, the world’s largest manufacturer of glassware, brings its Hot Glass Road Show to the place when glassmaking in America began. Corning’s artisans have demonstrated the art and science of glass making to audiences all over the world. They join Historic Jamestowne’s glass blowers in honoring America’s first business enterprise by exploring its glass making tradition.

·       Crafting A Nation, This artisans’ village features Indian flute makers, African-American basket weavers, English potters, fiber spinners and weavers, all demonstrating tools and techniques used in Colonial America and still in use today. Artisans were selected for their ability to interact an audience as well as mastery of their craft.

·       NASA and America’s Exploration of the Next Frontiers, Being aboard the Godspeed in 1607 and exploring America’s next frontier are similar in more ways than you might think. NASA joins America’s 400th Anniversary in honoring four centuries of continuing exploration with interactive displays and educational opportunities that compare the voyage of 1607 to today’s and tomorrow’s explorations of the moon, Mars and beyond.

·       Visions of Democracy traces the development of democratic ideals as viewed by presidents representing three centuries of Americans: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. These leaders invoked an ideal American democracy to heal discord and unite opposing points of view. While entertaining, the program is intended to offer a primer on American democracy and reinforce this Jamestown legacy - importance of representative government - to the 21st-century Americans.

Historic Jamestowne - the site of the original James Fort and ongoing archaeological excavation, offers visitors a glimpse at the nation’s beginnings. New at Historic Jamestowne are a visitor center with exhibits and multimedia introductions opening in the fall of 2006 and an “Archaearium” and museum displaying a thousand artifacts unearthed at 1607 James Fort. Anniversary Weekend activities include guided tours, re-enactments and musical programs. Saturday’s commemorative ceremony features descendants of Jamestown’s founders and Virginia Indian tribes.

Jamestown Settlement - details about how Jamestown made democracy, free enterprise and cultural diversity defining characteristics of American society are brilliantly conveyed at newly opened world-class museums and exhibits at Jamestown Settlement, an adjacent living history museum. Improvements have been made to its re-creations of James Fort and Powhatan Indian village, and visitors will find new replicas of Godspeed and Discovery ready to board. Jamestown Settlement is also hosting an important new exhibit assembled expressly for the commemoration. “The World of 1607,” which features artifacts loaned from collections around the world, puts Jamestown in global context by highlighting events on many continents in the early 1600s

LEESBURG

Site of First Americas Polo Cup

Virginia will host the CSPA Polo Team of England, patroned by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, as they play the United States in the first ever Americas Cup of Polo. The match is an official Jamestown 2007 partner event and will be held on May 12, 2007 in Leesburg, Virginia. This will mark the 400th anniversary of Jamestown and celebrate the continued partnership and friendship between the United States and England. The Americas Cup of Polo will showcase the Journey that Changed the World, and will feature a special performance by the band Journey and appearances by polo players from England and the United States. Event proceeds will benefit the Journey for the Cure, a nonprofit foundation that provides grants for the MS Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Historic Morven Park, one of the last bastions of 1,000-acre country estates, will host the Americas Cup of Polo. Located in Leesburg, Virginia, Morven Park is just a 20-minute drive from Washington Dulles International Airport.

For more information on this event, including sponsorship opportunities, call 540-622-2505 or check web site www.AmericasCupofPolo.om. For Virginia travel information, check web site www.Virginia.org.

Mariners' Museum

The Mariners’ Museum latest exhibition, the America’s Cup: There Is No Second Place, takes maritime and history enthusiasts sailing through 148 years of the America’s Cup. Visitors travel from the first race in 1851 to the New York Yacht Club’s loss in 1983 after 132 victorious years of defending the Cup, up to 1995 when New Zealand took the Cup home. Through 134 photos, paintings, engravings, lithographs, and artifacts,

The Mariners’ Museum captures the true essence of the America’s Cup in its new exhibition.

Highlights include the skylight from the schooner yacht America, for which the Cup was named; the stern section from the yacht Volunteer; sixty-five images from the Edwin Levick Collection; and current Cup contender images taken by Daniel Forster.

In addition, the museum’s collection is composed of more than 35,000 maritime items including ship models, scrimshaw, maritime paintings, decorative arts, intricately carved figureheads, navigational instruments, working steam engines, and more. Permanent galleries include Defending the Seas, Age of Exploration Gallery, Chesapeake Bay Gallery, Crabtree Collection of Miniature Ships, Great Hall of Steam, Ship Models Gallery, Small Craft Collection, “William Francis Gibbs: Naval Architect” Gallery, plus a research library and archives house.

For further information, call 800-581-7245 or 757-596-2222; send e-mail to info@mariner.org., or check the website at www.mariner.org.

RICHMOND

Southwest Virginia’s enduring legacy as the wellspring of old-time mountain, bluegrass and country music is widely acclaimed. Congress designated Bristol in 1998 as ‘the Birthplace of Country music,’ for in 1927, Victor Records came here and recorded 19 regional performers such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. These recordings marked the beginning of commercial country music, and their resulting widespread popularity led these ‘Bristol Sessions” to become known by many as the “Big Bang of Country Music.’ The Carter Family soon became the largest-selling artists on the Victor and RCA labels.

If you're looking for a great autumn destination, Richmond is the ticket. With 15.8 million acres of trees waiting to show off their colors, combined with over 2,500 miles of scenic byways and more than 100 festivals and events, a trip to Virginia is a guaranteed fun time.

And if you want a great place to pick your own pumpkin, try the Chesterfield Berry Farm or take in Octoberfest at AmRhein Wine Cellars. The below web site will highlight lodging, dining and nearby attractions, plus you can create detailed driving directions and determine the exact mileage between points.

For information on where to catch the brilliant fall colors, check out web site www.FallInVirginia.org for weekly foliage reports starting in October, or call 1-800-932-5827 and ask for a Virginia Scenic Byways Map to start planning.

For more information on how to explore the musical traditions of Southwest Virginia, visit the Virginia Tourism Corporation web site, www.Virginia.org or call 804-545-5500 for a free Virginia Travel Guide.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) recently unveiled travel maps for Capt. John Smith's Trail -- a boat and auto tour along the James River. Developed to complement Jamestown 2007 - America's 400th Anniversary, the route includes 40 parks, historic sites and museums between Richmond and Newport News. The trail, divided into three loops and dubbed Oxbow, Cypress and Oyster, can each be toured in a day by boaters and motorists alike. In addition to a compelling narrative that tells the story of John Smith and the Jamestown settlement, the maps provide travelers with information on the amenities available at each site and the location of boating ramps and piers. The Trail is a great way to discover Virginia's beauty, for along the way there are verdant marshes and towering forests. You'll also learn about the native Algonquians who first canoed the James River.

Maps of the trail are available at sites along the route, from Virginia Welcome Centers, and regional visitor centers. You may also order maps from the trail's interactive web site at www.JohnSmithTrail.org.

Free Virginia/Maryland Civil War Trails Map

History buffs will find Virginia a great destination for Civil War history. Now you can experience more than 500 Civil War sites throughout Virginia and Maryland -- many not previouosly marked or interpreted -- with the help of a new map and guide from Civil War Trails, a 13-year-old organization that began with a single trail in Virginia and grew to a multi-state initiative. The free Virginia-Maryland Civil War Trails Map includes close-up maps of cities and regions in which multiple sites exist along with a text summary of the war in the Mid-Atlantic. Also included is contact information for the Civil War Trails organization and for state and regional tourism offices. Sites with important Civil War history are marked by interpretive waysides telling the stories of what happened and why, who was involved, and why it was important. Maps are ably supplemented by roadside directional signage making it easy to create impromptu side-trips or plan one's own driving itinerary.

The free map can be obtained by calling the Virginia Tourism Corporation at 1-888-CIVILWAR or by checking web site www.Virginia.org/civilwar. More information can be obtained on the Civil War Trails web site www.civilwartrails.org, including downloadable maps and audio files.

Free Virginia Bicycling Trails Map

If you love to bicycle while on vacation, Virginia's new trip-planning guide is perfect. The Commonwealth has released its first statewide bicycling map, Bicycling in Virginia, a full-color map geared to both avid and leisure cyclists. It includes a statewide map of bicycle trails, regional insets, and a guide for riding safely and legally in Virginia. It's a great guide to the hundreds of miles of trails that can be enjoyed by families, couples, groups of friends, or bicycling clubs. There are 838 miles of the U.S. Bicycle Routes (Routes 1 and 76) running through the state and can be found nearly everywhere weaving through green spaces in the midst of urban settings, to pastoral woodland routes and winding mountainside trails.

Seven featured trails or trail systems are highlighted in the map's regional insets. These include the Virginia Capital Trail, linking Jamestown, Williamsburg and Richmond, the Virginia Creeper Trail, one of Virginia's most popular, running from White Top Mountain to Abingdon; the Tobacco Heritage Trail, connecting South Hill and Brodnax in Southern Virginia; U.S. Bicycle Route 76 and the Blue Ridge Parkway, running along the mountain range south of Waynesboro; the Heart of Appalachia Bike Route, a picturesque Southwest Virginia trail between Coeburn and Burkes Garden; the New River Trail, a riverside route connecting Galax, Fries and Pulaski; and the Northern Virginia Trail Network, highlighted by the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park.

Each inset contains a thorough narrative describing trail highlights, notable features, and things to see and do along the way. A handy elevation guide for each of the seven featured trails gives riders a chance to determine what to expect before starting out. Many miles of Virginia's bicycle trails are laid out on the abandoned beds of old railroad lines, providing grades manageable for most bikers. The Virginia Creeper Trail is the best-known of these while others include the New River Trail, the Tobacco Heritage Trail, and portions of the Northern Virginia Trail Network.

For more information, check web site www.Virginia.org/bikemap. The web site contains information on special events, lodging, dining, attractions and things to do as well as up-to-date weather forecasts for each locality.

Bicycling in Virginia is available at all Virginia Welcome Centers and at local visitor centers. You can also obtrain the map and a Virginia Travel Guide by checking www.Virginia.org or by calling 1-800-932-5827.

Virginia Earns High Marks as National Food and Wine Destination


For years people have traveled to places like California and New York in search of great food and wine, but a recent national travel study indicates that Virginia is among the top culinary travel destinations in the country. The first-ever national culinary tourism report from the Travel Industry Association (TIA) rates Virginia 8th for wine tourism and 15th for food-related travel.

Culinary tourism is a growing travel trend according to TIA, with 27 million travelers, or 17 percent of American leisure travelers, engaged in culinary or wine-related activities while traveling within the past three years. The new TIA report surveyed more than 2,300 U.S. leisure travelers.

The TIA study ranked Virginia 8th for wine-related travel visited by the U.S. respondents in the survey. Wine travelers spend, on average, $973 per trip, with about one-fourth (23% or $219) of their travel budget going towards wine-specific activities, according to TIA.

Wine travel is a fast-growing tourism trend for Virginia. The state is home to nearly 120 wineries and is 5th in the nation for number of wine producers. Wine tourism is so important that the state designates October as Virginia Wine Month each year and celebrates with special events, tastings and tours. Virginia’s picturesque wine trails across the state make visiting wineries easy and fun. All Virginia wineries that are open to the public are marked from the road with a designated Virginia Wine Tour road sign.

“The beauty of the Virginia wine experience is its diversity,” said Ann Heidig, president of the Virginia Wine Association. “Travelers can find excellent wineries in every region of the state, with award-winning varietals and tasting rooms where guests can savor the Virginia wine experience.”

Virginia ranked 15th for food-related travel. On average, food travelers spend $1,194 per trip, with over one-third (36% or $425) of their travel budget going towards food-related activities, according to TIA.

“Virginia is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the increased appetite for food and wine travel,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Our wineries and locally-owned restaurants are unique travel destinations in their own right and are gaining a national reputation for excellence.”

The survey’s top rankings for wine tourism are as follows: California (31%), New York (10%), Missouri (5%), North Carolina (5%), Oregon (5%), Pennsylvania (5%), Washington (4%), Virginia (4%), Texas (4%), Florida (2%), Michigan (2%), Ohio (2%).

The survey’s top rankings for food-related travel are as follows: California (14%), Florida (10%), New York (7%), Texas (6%), North Carolina (4%), Georgia (4%), Louisiana (3%), Illinois (3%), Nevada (3%), Pennsylvania (3%), Washington (3%), Hawaii (3%), Michigan (2%), Arizona (2%), Virginia (2%).

For more information about the TIA culinary tourism report, check web site www.tia.org or call 202-218-3630. To plan a trip to Virginia to experience the state’s restaurants, wineries, food festival and cooking schools, check web site www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-932-5827.

WASHINGTON

LEAVENWORTH

Ale-Fest to be Held in April

The first annual Leavenworth Ale-Fest will be held at the Festhalle on Friday, April 27 from 4 and 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be music by local bands, food, soft drinks, and beer tasting from many Northwest micro-breweries.
Price of the tickets which includes a tasters notebook, souvenir Pilsner glass, and 4 drink tokens, will be $15.00 for advance ticket sales, and $20.00 at the door. Participants must be 21 years of age.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, and KPQ Cares. Coming all the way from Germany to attend the event will be Karolin Steinbach, grand daughter of the famous German nutcracker maker, Christian Steinbach.

For more information, contact the Ale Fest Coordinator, 509-548-7021
or check web site www.leavenworth.org

Upcoming Leavenworth Events

  

April Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. 4/20 Dorian Michaels. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

April – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

April 7 – COLLABORATIVE CHARM:  MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO

Icicle Creek’s own Sally Singer and Oksana Ezhokina collaborate in a duo concert of music for cello and piano – the season finale of the 2006-07 Canyon Wren Concert Series.

LOCATION:  Canyon Wren Recital Hall, Icicle Creek Music Center, 7409 Icicle Rd.

FEE:  General $12, Seniors $10; Students $5; Children (age 12 and under) FREE!

INFORMATION:  509-548-6347 www.icicle.org

 

April 8 – LIONS EASTER EGG HUNT

Annual Easter Egg Hunt for all children 2 through 12. Easter Bunny there for photos & fun. Lots of prizes!

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

April 13 & 14 – LEAVENWORTH CHORAL FESTIVAL

April 13: A Concert of classical music featuring a Major Choral Work directed by Dr. Fredrick Lokken, Conductor of the Bellevue Chamber Chorus.  April 14: A Concert featuring six fine Northwest Choruses in individual performances, with a grand finale of three massed choir numbers, featuring the combined choirs under the direction of Dr. Fredrick Lokken.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Festhalle, 1001 Front Street

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

FEE: Friday or Saturday Concerts: $14 Adults, $12 Seniors and Students / Special Two Night Ticket Package: $20 Adults, $18 Seniors and Students

TICKET INFORMATION AND SALES: 509-548-5807
CONCERT INFORMATION: 509-548-9168 or www.leavenworthchoralfestival.org

 

May – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

May Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

May 11-13 – MAIFEST MAYOR’S WALK (10K) - BAVARIAN VOLKSSPORT ASSOCIATION

Start off MaiFest with an exciting guided walk with Leavenworth’s mayor.  3 more walks to enjoy on the weekend

LOCATION:  Lion’s Club Park – 5:30

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084 or www.ava.org/clubs/bva/bva.html

 

May 11 - 13 – MAIFEST

Celebrate spring in Bavaria! Enjoy entertainment all weekend. Experience the Grand March and Procession including townspeople and visitors in Trachten (Traditional Bavarian Garb), horses and carriages, Leavenworth’s Bierwagen, Bernese Mountain Dogs and more! Join Maifest dignitaries and special guests in a salute to and celebration of Maifest in Leavenworth with great live entertainment and traditional German dancing including the Maipole Dance. Stroll through the Bavarian Village of Flowers, visit all of our great shops and restaurants and tap your toes to oompa music! Sponsored by the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org

 

May 11 - 13 – CHUMSTICK GRANGE MAIFEST BAZAAR

Enjoy a spring bazaar celebrating Maifest weekend. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange Hall, 621 Front Street

INFORMATION: 509-548-7853

 

May 11, 12 & 13 – BAVARIAN VOLKSSPORT’S SPRING WALK

Celebrate Leavenworth’s Centennial with a Historical Spring Walk sponsored by the Bavarian Volkssport Association.

START TIME: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Finish 4 p.m.

FEE: Free for casual walkers, $3 for Volkssporters

STARTING LOCATION: TBA

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084 or www.ava.org/clubs/bva/bva.html

 

May 12 – LIONS ANNUAL MAIFEST BREAKFAST

Enjoy a beautiful morning in the park with an “all you can eat” breakfast. 7 – 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Adults - $5, Children (12 and Under) - $3

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

May 12 – CASCADE GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE

Great buys on beautiful plants for your garden! 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Community United Methodist Church, 418 Evans

INFORMATION: 509-548-6784

 

May 12 – MAIFEST SPAGHETTI DINNER

A Spaghetti Dinner for $6. 4 – 7 p.m.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Senior Center, 423 Evans

INFORMATION: 509-548-6666

 

May 17 - 20 – LEAVENWORTH SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL

Celebrate birdsong and explore the natural world! The Leavenworth area features spectacular habitats, attracting a wide variety of birds. Activities also include science programs, wildflowers, conservation, multicultural and arts events. Professionally guided trips and activities range from leisurely strolls to active hikes. Fun for experienced and novice birders of all ages! Sponsored by North Central Washington Audubon, Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Icicle Arts, and Barn Beach Reserve with generous help from the Icicle Fund.

LOCATION: Throughout the Wenatchee River Watershed

FEE: Most Events are Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

 

June – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

June – GRUNEWALD GUILD SUMMER PROGRAM

The Guild’s 27^th year of summer classes continues to explore the relationship between art and faith. Offerings include painting, ceramics, weaving and printmaking.

LOCATION: Grunewald Guild, 19003 River Rd., Leavenworth

FEE: Varies – Contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-763-3693  www.artfaith.com

 

June 2 – THE GREAT BAVARIAN WALK

The Great Bavarian Walk raises awareness and money for autoimmune disease research. The 5K, 10K and 1Mile walks are for families, organizations, teams and individuals. People of all ages are encouraged to join the fun! Several lengths of walks are offered with education, contests and food events as part of the day. Entry Forms available beginning In January. Sponsored by Pat's Fund.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

FEE: $24

INFORMATION: 509-763-4333 or www.patsfund.org

 

June 2 – BAVARIAN BIKE & BREWS FESTIVAL

IMBA sanctioned XC bike race, a spectacular, rigorous 8.6-mile race with 1,800 feet per lap. A beer festival with many breweries attending follows the race.

LOCATION: TBA

FEE: TBA

INFORMATION: 509-548-5615 www.dasradhaus.com

 

June 2 & 3 – LEAVENWORTH WINE WALK

Stroll through Leavenworth, enjoy entertainment at the gazebo. Sample wines from many of the premier Northwest wineries.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807

 

June 18 – 5^TH ANNUAL CASCADE GOLF CLASSIC

A fund-raising event to purchase a bone densitometer for Cascade Medical Center.  Everyone is welcome to be a community supporter for healthcare by being a sponsor, player or volunteer.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Golf Club

FEE: Sponsorship and/or Player Fee – contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-548-5815 ext 3656 (Terry)  www.cascademedicalcenter.org

 

April Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. 4/20 Dorian Michaels. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

April – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

April 7 – COLLABORATIVE CHARM:  MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO

Icicle Creek’s own Sally Singer and Oksana Ezhokina collaborate in a duo concert of music for cello and piano – the season finale of the 2006-07 Canyon Wren Concert Series.

LOCATION:  Canyon Wren Recital Hall, Icicle Creek Music Center, 7409 Icicle Rd.

FEE:  General $12, Seniors $10; Students $5; Children (age 12 and under) FREE!

INFORMATION:  509-548-6347 www.icicle.org

 

April 8 – LIONS EASTER EGG HUNT

Annual Easter Egg Hunt for all children 2 through 12. Easter Bunny there for photos & fun. Lots of prizes!

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

April 13 & 14 – LEAVENWORTH CHORAL FESTIVAL

April 13: A Concert of classical music featuring a Major Choral Work directed by Dr. Fredrick Lokken, Conductor of the Bellevue Chamber Chorus. 

April 14: A Concert featuring six fine Northwest Choruses in individual performances, with a grand finale of three massed choir numbers, featuring the combined choirs under the direction of Dr. Fredrick Lokken.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Festhalle, 1001 Front Street

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

FEE: Friday or Saturday Concerts: $14 Adults, $12 Seniors and Students / Special Two Night Ticket Package: $20 Adults, $18 Seniors and Students

TICKET INFORMATION AND SALES: 509-548-5807
CONCERT INFORMATION: 509-548-9168 or www.leavenworthchoralfestival.org

 

May – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

May Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

May 11-13 – MAIFEST MAYOR’S WALK (10K) - BAVARIAN VOLKSSPORT ASSOCIATION

Start off MaiFest with an exciting guided walk with Leavenworth’s mayor.  3 more walks to enjoy on the weekend

LOCATION:  Lion’s Club Park – 5:30

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084 or www.ava.org/clubs/bva/bva.html

 

May 11 - 13 – MAIFEST

Celebrate spring in Bavaria! Enjoy entertainment all weekend. Experience the Grand March and Procession including townspeople and visitors in Trachten (Traditional Bavarian Garb), horses and carriages, Leavenworth’s Bierwagen, Bernese Mountain Dogs and more! Join Maifest dignitaries and special guests in a salute to and celebration of Maifest in Leavenworth with great live entertainment and traditional German dancing including the Maipole Dance. Stroll through the Bavarian Village of Flowers, visit all of our great shops and restaurants and tap your toes to oompa music! Sponsored by the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org

 

May 11 - 13 – CHUMSTICK GRANGE MAIFEST BAZAAR

Enjoy a spring bazaar celebrating Maifest weekend. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange Hall, 621 Front Street

INFORMATION: 509-548-7853

 

May 11, 12 & 13 – BAVARIAN VOLKSSPORT’S SPRING WALK

Celebrate Leavenworth’s Centennial with a Historical Spring Walk sponsored by the Bavarian Volkssport Association.

START TIME: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Finish 4 p.m.

FEE: Free for casual walkers, $3 for Volkssporters

STARTING LOCATION: TBA

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084 or www.ava.org/clubs/bva/bva.html

 

May 12 – LIONS ANNUAL MAIFEST BREAKFAST

Enjoy a beautiful morning in the park with an “all you can eat” breakfast. 7 – 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Adults - $5, Children (12 and Under) - $3

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

May 12 – CASCADE GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE

Great buys on beautiful plants for your garden! 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Community United Methodist Church, 418 Evans

INFORMATION: 509-548-6784

 

May 12 – MAIFEST SPAGHETTI DINNER

A Spaghetti Dinner for $6. 4 – 7 p.m.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Senior Center, 423 Evans

INFORMATION: 509-548-6666

 

May 17 - 20 – LEAVENWORTH SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL

Celebrate birdsong and explore the natural world! The Leavenworth area features spectacular habitats, attracting a wide variety of birds. Activities also include science programs, wildflowers, conservation, multicultural and arts events. Professionally guided trips and activities range from leisurely strolls to active hikes. Fun for experienced and novice birders of all ages! Sponsored by North Central Washington Audubon, Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Icicle Arts, and Barn Beach Reserve with generous help from the Icicle Fund.

LOCATION: Throughout the Wenatchee River Watershed

FEE: Most Events are Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

 

June – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

June – GRUNEWALD GUILD SUMMER PROGRAM

The Guild’s 27^th year of summer classes continues to explore the relationship between art and faith. Offerings include painting, ceramics, weaving and printmaking.

LOCATION: Grunewald Guild, 19003 River Rd., Leavenworth

FEE: Varies – Contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-763-3693  www.artfaith.com

 

June 2 – THE GREAT BAVARIAN WALK

The Great Bavarian Walk raises awareness and money for autoimmune disease research. The 5K, 10K and 1Mile walks are for families, organizations, teams and individuals. People of all ages are encouraged to join the fun! Several lengths of walks are offered with education, contests and food events as part of the day. Entry Forms available beginning In January. Sponsored by Pat's Fund.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

FEE: $24

INFORMATION: 509-763-4333 or www.patsfund.org

 

June 2 – BAVARIAN BIKE & BREWS FESTIVAL

IMBA sanctioned XC bike race, a spectacular, rigorous 8.6-mile race with 1,800 feet per lap. A beer festival with many breweries attending follows the race.

LOCATION: TBA

FEE: TBA

INFORMATION: 509-548-5615 www.dasradhaus.com

 

June 2 & 3 – LEAVENWORTH WINE WALK

Stroll through Leavenworth, enjoy entertainment at the gazebo. Sample wines from many of the premier Northwest wineries.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807

 

June 18 – 5^TH ANNUAL CASCADE GOLF CLASSIC

A fund-raising event to purchase a bone densitometer for Cascade Medical Center.  Everyone is welcome to be a community supporter for healthcare by being a sponsor, player or volunteer.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Golf Club

FEE: Sponsorship and/or Player Fee – contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-548-5815 ext 3656 (Terry)  www.cascademedicalcenter.org

 

June 21  - 23 – LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION

Accordion music at its finest: jazz, popular, classical, ethnic and everything in between pulses through the village as musicians (children through seniors) and music lovers flock to Leavenworth to compete for awards and cash, attend workshops, jam sessions, a film/video series, parade down Front Street and enjoy three nights of concerts and dances with world class musicians.

LOCATION: Various Locations in Leavenworth

FEE: Registration fee for competitors

TICKETS: TBA

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 www.leavenworth.org

 

June 29 & 30 – PETER PAN III

Presented by Upper Valley Connection’s Icicle Players.

LOCATION:  Cascade High School

FEE:  Donation

INFORMATION:  509-548-2168 or anderman1@nwi.net

 

July – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

July – GRUNEWALD GUILD SUMMER PROGRAM

The Guild’s 27^th year of summer classes continues to explore the relationship between art and faith. Offerings include painting, ceramics, weaving and printmaking.

LOCATION: Grunewald Guild, 19003 River Rd., Leavenworth

FEE: Varies – Contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-763-3693  www.artfaith.com

 

July Weekends – 13^th ANNUAL ICICLE CREEK CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Critically acclaimed international guest artists and resident musicians perform chamber music Friday/Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.  For detailed programming information call festival office.

LOCATION: Chapel Theater at Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat, 7375 Icicle Rd.

FEE: $10 to $20

INFORMATION: 509-548-6347 www.icicle.org

 

July 4 – KINDERFEST AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

A festival for families and children in the pursuit of fun with lots to see and do for everyone. Face painting, hands-on exhibits, giant inflatable games and surprises. Free popcorn, snow cones, balloons and beverages for all children.

LOCATION: Front Street Park

INFORMATION 509 548-5807

 

July – LEAVENWORTH SUMMER THEATER

The highly acclaimed Leavenworth Summer Theater presents three classic musicals each summer.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - July 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, at 8 p.m.

Live, Outdoors and Under the Stars! At the Spectacular Ski Hill Amphitheater. A Bavarian Village Classic.

Location: Ski Hill Amphitheater

Ticket Prices:  $14, $22, $28 (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted)

Information/Tickets:  509-548-2000

WILL ROGERS FOLLIES - July 18, 20, 25, 27 at 8 p.m.

Live, Outdoors and Under the Stars. The story of America’s beloved cowboy humorist.

Location: Hatchery Park Stage

Ticket Prices: $14, $22, $28 (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted.)

INFORMATION/TICKETS: 509-548-2000, www.leavenworthsummertheater.org

 

Aug. – GRUNEWALD GUILD SUMMER PROGRAM

The Guild’s 27^th year of summer classes continues to explore the relationship between art and faith. Offerings include painting, ceramics, weaving and printmaking.

LOCATION: Grunewald Guild, 19003 River Rd., Leavenworth

FEE: Varies – Contact for information

INFORMATION: 509-763-3693  www.artfaith.com

 

Aug – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Aug. – LEAVENWORTH SUMMER THEATER

The highly acclaimed Leavenworth Summer Theater presents three classic musicals each summer.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC – Aug. 2, 4, 7, 10, 16, 18, 22, 25, 29, 31 at 8 p.m.

Live, Outdoors and Under the Stars! At the Spectacular Skill Hill Amphitheater. A Bavarian Village Classic!

Location: Ski Hill Amphitheater

Ticket Prices:  $14, $22, $28. (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted)

WILL ROGERS FOLLIES – Aug. 3, 8, 11, 14, 17, 21, 23 at 8:00 p.m.

Live, Outdoors and Under the Stars! The story of America’s beloved cowboy humorist.

Location: Hatchery Park Stage

Ticket Prices: $14, $22, $28 (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted.)

CAMELOT – Aug. 1, 9, 15, 24, 28, 30 at 8:00pm and Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 at 2:00pm

Magic and great music bring to life the timeless tale of King Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere

LOCATION:  Leavenworth FestHalle

Ticket Prices: $14, $22, $28 (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted.)

INFORMATION/TICKETS: 509-548-2000, www.leavenworthsummertheater.org

 

Aug. 4 – ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

Acoustic folk, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic and more is performed in a beautiful outdoor setting. Bring a blanket, a picnic lunch and enjoy a day of music for all ages. Sponsored by the Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

LOCATION: Waterfront Park Bandstand

FEE: by donation

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Aug. 18 – LEAVENWORTH WINE TASTING FESTIVAL

Sponsored by the Cascade Foothills Farmland Association. Enjoy tasting the wines of premier Washington State vineyards while browsing art booths and listening to great live music.

LOCATION: Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat, 7375 Icicle Rd.

INFORMATION: 509-548-4196 or www.visitwashingtonfarms.com

 

Sept. – LEAVENWORTH SUMMER THEATER

The highly acclaimed Leavenworth Summer Theater presents three classic musicals each summer.

WILL ROGERS FOLLIES – Sept. 1 at 8:00 p.m.

Live, Outdoors and Under the Stars! The story of America’s beloved cowboy humorist.

Location: Hatchery Park Stage

Ticket Prices: $14, $22, $28 (Infants and children under 5 are not admitted.)

INFORMATION/TICKETS: 509-548-2000, www.leavenworthsummertheater.org

 

Sept. 5 - 9 – QUILT SHOW Meander through Quilts in the Village

Family Events of Leavenworth is hosting the 12^th annual Quilt Show. Quilts will be displayed in shops all throughout the village, September 5 – 9, 2007 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The Finale is in the Festhalle on Fri., Sat. and Sun., 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday and Saturday & 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. Merchants Mall and Demonstrations.

LOCATION: Throughout Leavenworth

FEE: Meander Free and Grand Showing $5

INFORMATION: 509-548-5311 or info@quiltersheaven.com

WEBSITE: www.quiltersheaven.com

 

Sept. – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Sept. Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Sept.  8  – LEAVENWORTH FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Come to the spectacular Ski Hill Amphitheater for an afternoon of fantastic music.  Concessions include BBQ. A Fund-raiser for the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.

LOCATION: Ski Hill Amphitheater

INFORMATION: 509-548-5477 www.skileavenworth.com

 

Sept. 9 - 12^TH – ANNUAL CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION HOME & GARDEN TOUR

Annual tour of custom homes and gardens presented by the Cascade Medical Center Foundation from 1-5pm.  Funds raised benefit improvements in health care at CMC.

FEE: $15

INFORMATION: 509-548-5815 ext 3656 (Terry) or www.cascademedicalcenter.org

 

Sept. 15-16 – BAVARIAN VOLKSSPORT ASSOCIATION – 10K MILL CREEK

Join us for a great scenic 10K walk at Mill Creek.

LOCATION:  Steven’s Pass Nordic Center

INFORMATION:  www.ava.org/clubs/bva/bva.html

 

Sept. 20 - 23 – WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

Celebrate the annual return of the salmon to the Wenatchee River with hands-on activities, educational exhibits, entertainment, arts and crafts and more! September 28 & 29 are School Days and September 30 – October 1 are open to everyone.

LOCATION: Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery

FEE: Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-6662, www.salmonfest.org

 

Sept. 28 - 30 – WASHINGTON STATE AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL

Celebrate the area’s spectacular fall foliage! Enjoy the Grand Parade at noon on Saturday. Continuous entertainment, food booths and activities for the whole family.

LOCATION: Downtown Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-0466 or www.autumnleaffestival.com

 

Sept. 28 – KAY KOENIG MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Past Royal Ladies of the Autumn Leaf Festival host this annual golf tournament.

LOCATION: Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-4781

 

Sept. 28 - 30 – CHUMSTICK GRANGE AUTUMN LEAF BAZAAR

A bazaar celebrating the changing of the colors. Fri. and Sat.: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front Street

INFORMATION: 509-548-7853

 

Sept. 29 & 30 – LIONS ANNUAL AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL BREAKFAST

Enjoy a beautiful morning in the park with an “all you can eat” breakfast. 7 – 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Adults - $5, Children (12 and Under) - $3

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

Oct. 5 & 6; 12 & 13; 19 & 20 – OKTOBERFEST

Celebrate in Leavenworth, the ideal setting for you and your family to enjoy the great tradition of Oktoberfest! Live music, German food and beer, Arts and Crafts, used Bavarian clothing sale, musical groups from Germany and the US and a traditional Oktoberfest Procession.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Festhalle

FEE: TBA

INFORMATION: www.oktoberfestleavenworth.com

 

Oct 6, 7 & 13 – LIONS ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST BREAKFAST

Enjoy a beautiful morning in the park with an “all you can eat” breakfast. 7 – 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Lions Club Park on Highway 2

FEE: Adults - $5, Children (12 and Under) - $3

INFORMATION: 509-548-4084

 

Oct. – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Oct. Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Oct. 13 – LEAVENWORTH OKTOBERFEST MARATHON

A Marathon and Half-Marathon the course runs on a combination of scenic country roads around Leavenworth bordering the Wenatchee National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Each course is about 10% dirt trail along the Wenatchee River in Waterfront Park. The course is mostly rolling with one, two-mile ascent to a turn-around near the Snow Lakes Trailhead on Icicle Road. The course is a 2-lap course, so the first mile hill is done twice for the marathon and once for the half-marathon.

LOCATION: Leavenworth

FEE: $45 to $90

INFORMATION: 509-662-2066 or www.leavenworthmarathon.com

 

Oct. 21 – ANNUAL PUMPKIN RUN

The Pumpkin Run is a run / walk held on the Leavenworth Ski Hill cross-country ski trails. Great prizes, including best costume prize for adult and kids.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Ski Hill

TICKET PRICE: See Website

INFORMATION: 509-548-5477 www.skileavenworth.com

 

Nov. Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Nov. – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Nov. 23 - 25 – CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Leavenworth’s Annual German style Christmas Market for the whole family offering continuous entertainment, 20 Vendor Booths, children’s activities, lantern decorating and writing letters to Santa. A Lantern Parade will follow a special Welcoming Ceremony each evening. Sponsored by Projekt Bayern www.projektbayern.com.

LOCATION: Front Street Park

FEE: Free (Donations accepted for Lantern Making)

INFORMATION: 509-548-5517 or www.christkindlmarktleavenworth.com

Nov. 30 - Dec. 2; Dec. 7 – 9 & 14 – 16 – CHRISTMAS LIGHTING FESTIVAL

Visitors come back year after year for this famous Leavenworth festival. Fridays the town is in darkness awaiting Saturday’s Lighting festivities – everyone gathers at the Gazebo to greet Saint Nicholas. On Saturday the aroma of food booths and roasting chestnuts fills the air; holiday music from the gazebo encircles the village while youngsters sled in the park; holiday personalities stroll the streets; Santa, St. Nick and Father Christmas provide photo opportunities and sleigh rides are minutes away. At dusk everyone gathers to sing “Silent Night” and witness the lighting of the village and park as they are transformed into a magical wonderland of lights. On Sunday visitors enjoy entertainment and the lighting of the park trees.

LOCATION: Downtown Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org

 

Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15 – CHRISTMAS IN THE MOUNTAINS CONCERTS

Village Voices (Leavenworth’s community chorus) along with talented guest artists and friends present their Annual Holiday Concert.

TICKET PRICE: TBA

INFORMATION: 509 548-5807 www.leavenworthvillagevoices.org

 

Nov. 30 - Dec. 2; Dec. 7 – 9 & 14 – 16 – CHUMSTICK GRANGE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

A winter bazaar featuring wonderful gifts. Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front Street

INFORMATION: 509-548-7853

 

Nov. - Dec. – CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION – HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES

Light the Tree with a Memory – “Purchase” blue lights on the memorial tree in the name of someone special.

Leavenworth Holiday Cards – Custom photos of a Leavenworth Holiday – benefit CMC.

LOCATION: Cascade Medical Center

FEE: $20/Box

INFORMATION: 509-548-5815 ext 3656 (Terry) or www.cascademedicalcenter.org

 

Dec. – LEAVENWORTH CHRISTMAS CONCERTS with BRONN JOURNEY

Renowned harpist Bronn Journey’s holiday concert is a delight for all ages. His wife Katherine adds her exquisite voice to the program for a Christmas concert that will warm the heart.  Phone the Chamber Office for dates, additional information and reservations.

LOCATION: United Methodist Church.

TICKET PRICE: TBA

INFORMATION: 509 548-5807

 

Dec. 1 & 8 – METHODIST CHURCH BAZAAR & LUNCHEON

Luncheon: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2 varieties of soup, sandwich, homemade fruit pie, coffee, tea, hot cider or hot chocolate. Bazaar, Bake Sale and “New to You” Sale 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Our sanctuary will be open to “pause and reflect”.

LOCATION: United Methodist Church, 418 Evans

FEE: No Admission Charge

INFORMATION: 509-548-5695 or 548-6222

 

Dec. 1 Psychological Impairments of Pa & 8 – BAZAAR AND CHILI DINNER

Warm up with a chili dinner and a bazaar.

LOCATION: Leavenworth Senior Center, 423 Evans

INFORMATION: 509-548-6666

 

Dec. – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Dec. – CHRISTMAS HANDBELL CONCERTS

The Marlin Handbell Ringers present Christmas Concerts with traditional and unique Christmas selections. Check website for information.

INFORMATION: www.marlinhandbells.com or 509 548-4319

 

Dec. Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Dec. 15 – STARLIGHT LANTERN PARADE

Make or buy your Bavarian lanterns and gather at the gazebo in Front Street Park at 6 p.m. and proceed to the Nazarene Church for a performance of the Living Nativity.

LOCATION: Gazebo to the Nativity

INFORMATION: 509 548-5292

 

Dec. 21 - 24 – LIVING NATIVITY

Enjoy an outdoor live enactment of the nativity complete with live animals. Open to the public at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Nazarene Church, 111 Ski Hill Drive

FEE: Free

INFORMATION: 509-548-5292, www.leavnaz.com

 

Dec. 24 – TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE MUSIC SERVICE

Enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve celebrating the joy of the season with music, readings and prayers delivered by local community members and artists.

LOCATION: Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat

FEE: No Charge

INFORMATION: 800-574-2123 OR 509-548-6344 www.sleepinglady.com

 

Dec. 31 – NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA AT SLEEPING LADY

Bring in 2008 at a traditional Sleeping Lady New Year’s Eve celebration with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, dancing and a no host bar.

LOCATION: Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat

FEE: TBA

INFORMATION: 800-574-2123 OR 509-548-6344 www.sleepinglady.com

 

Winter 2008 January

 

Jan. Two Fridays – LEAVENWORTH COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE

The Coffeehouse brings a variety of musicians from all over the country to play in a congenial candlelit setting that’s open to people of all ages. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available.

LOCATION: Chumstick Grange, 621 Front St.

FEE: $2 Cover Charge & “We pass the hat.”

INFORMATION: 509-548-7374 or www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com

 

Jan. – Heritage Program, UPPER VALLEY MUSEUM AT LEAVENWORTH

Enjoy a monthly Heritage Program from the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

INFORMATION: 509-548-0728 or www.uppervalleymuseum.com

 

Jan. 19 - 20 – ICEFEST

Winter play day for all ages with an invigorating grab bag of outdoor events, NW Dog Sled Pulling Competition, fireworks.

LOCATION: Downtown Leavenworth

INFORMATION: 509 548-5807

WASHINGTON

SEATTLE

For information about Seattle events year-round, contact the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau, One Convention Place, 701 Pike Street, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101; 206-461-5800; or check web site www.seeseattle.org.

Olympic Sculpture Park Grand Opening

On Jan. 20, the Olympic Sculpture Park opened to the public, unifying the Belltown neighborhood in downtown and the Seattle waterfront. The nine-acre sculpture park features a 2,500-foot, descending, z-shaped pedestrian path connecting downtown Seattle with a beach on the waterfront. With sweeping views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, the path takes visitors past sculptures and major works by world-renowned artists such as Richard Serra, Alexander Calder and Mark di Suvero.

The park also features the PACCAR Pavilion, a glass and steel structure with space for art, performances and educational programs, as well as the Gates Amphitheatre, an outdoor structure that will host performances and films.

Open to the public and free of charge, the Olympic Sculpture Park was commissioned by the Seattle Art Museum to create a green space in the heart of the city for the public to enjoy.

For more information, check web site www.seattleartmuseum.org.

One Stop for the Past, Present and Future of Flight

The Flying Heritage Collection (FHC) of rare, historic aircraft and artifacts will relocate to Paine Field, 20 miles north of Seattle, this summer. Formerly located in rural Arlington, Wash., Seattle investor Paul G. Allen’s collection of operational WWII and Cold War aircraft will be housed in a hangar adjacent to the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour. The move will allow the collection room to grow and increase public access to the vintage aircraft. The close proximity to the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour will make Paine Field a one-stop destination for visitors to experience the past, present and future of aviation.

More than just relics from a bygone era, the aircraft in the FHC are kept in flying condition and are flown semi-regularly during the summer months to keep them operational and allow the public a chance to see them in action.

For reservations with the FHC tour coordinator, call 360-435-2172 Thursday through Saturday between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific time. For more information, check web site www.flyingheritage.com or call 360-435-2172.

Seattle Hotel Values Available Through March

Seattle Super Saver's Value Season is still in full-swing until March 31, providing travelers with discounts at approximately 60 attractions, restaurants and retailers around the region in addition to the best year-round hotel savings of any third-party booking program. The Seattle Super Saver Value Guide is filled with two-for-one offers, percentage discounts and gift certificates provided to Seattle Super Saver customers upon check-in at their hotel. Other advantages to the Super Saver program include no booking or hidden fees, no pre-payments and no cancellation fees (up to 24 hours prior to check-in).

Travelers may book at web site www.seattlesupersaver.com or by calling toll free within the U.S. and Canada at (800) 535-7071; from outside the U.S. and Canada, the number to call is (206) 461-5882. Reservation lines are open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Moisture Festival Brings VarietÈ to Seattle

The fourth annual Seattle Moisture Festival runs through Apr. 1, 2007. A combination comedy/varietÈ festival, the line-up of performers includes dancers, musicians, comedians, acrobats, jugglers and magicians. Among the acts featured at the festival will be local Seattle artists such as Du Caniveaux, Circus Contraption, the Aerialistas and Fyodor Karamazov. The Moisture Festivalís unique brand of "Burlesque meets comedy/varietÈ," will be presented in a weekend of shows in the festivalís Traveling Liberty Theater.

Throughout the run of the festival, more than 125 artists from around the world will entertain audiences at Haleís Palladium, a 250-seat theatre located in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.

For more information, check web site www.moisturefestival.com.

WENATCHEE VALLEY (Central Washington)

For a place that 'rocks,' head to the Wenatchee Valley ice Age Floods Geological Trail. Here, you'll find some of the extraordinary geological features created by the Lake Missoula Floods that washed over the area approximately 13,000-18,000 years ago. The entire terrain -- hillsides, cliffs, valleys and canyons -- seen as you drive through the area, and created over millions of years, was dramatically reshaped by an unusual series of events which took place during the last Ice Age. This drivable geological trail is self-guided and takes in the remnants from the Glacial Lake Missoula floods, which scoured the central Washington landscape thousands of years ago, leaving the awe-inspiring geology visible to this day. You'll be following the route illustrated in the Trail map showing each of the 40 sightseeing stops along the way. The trail is divided into two routes on the map; a 30-mile loop around the Wenatchee Valley that lies within the other, a 164-mile loop around central Washington.

Along with the Ice Age Floods came the Ice Age hunters and the subsequent discovery of a cache of enormous spear points and knives known as Clovis Points in May 1987 in the Wenatchee Valley. The cache consisted of 69 artifacts within a contained area and, in July 2006, six of these pieces will be shown in the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center.

For more information, contact the Wenatchee Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, 25 North Wenatchee Avenue, Suite C-111, Wenatchee, WA 98801, or check web site www.wenatcheevalley.org.

WISCONSIN

June - August   Tours available Monday - Friday   10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Guided Group Tours

Make a visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens part of your group’s itinerary with a personal guided tour through the outdoor gardens. Olbrich offers 45-minute narrated tours through the Sunken, Rock, Herb, Perennial, Rose, and Thai Pavilion Gardens. Enjoy the seasonal beauty with a guide who can highlight the features of the individual gardens. Tours will vary somewhat according to season. Advanced registration is required by calling 608-246-4550. Tours of ten or more people can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at $3 per person.

June - August   Tuesdays and Thursdays   1 - 3 p.m.

Garden Answer Service

Do you have spots on your tomatoes, critters eating your blooms, or want to know about native plants for rain gardens? Have your problems solved by the Garden Answer Service at Olbrich Botanical Gardens every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m., during June, July, and August. A trained garden resource volunteer will be ready in Olbrich’s Schumacher Library to provide one-on-one assistance. Inquiries can range from choosing good plants for your yard’s conditions, to landscaping design options, to learning some of the basic gardening how-tos. There is one problem the Library resource volunteers can’t tackle: Please don’t bring diseased or infested plant materials to Olbrich. Questions can also be phoned in at 608-246-5805 or e-mailed to ljacobson@cityofmadison.com. The library is open to the public for reference. Olbrich members may check out materials.

April 1 – June 30

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit - Light Gaps

The trees are trimmed, the bushes pruned, and it’s time to see the light in the forest. Learn about light and how plants develop and change in the forest as light fluctuates. The Conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $1 for the general public. Admission is free for Olbrich Botanical Society members and children 5 and under. Admission is free for the general public on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.

Ongoing:

May 6 – September 2  Sundays  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Art Exhibit:  Wisconsin Gardens

Wisconsin garden flowers and wildflowers bloom on the canvases of Patrice Procopio. Colorful gardens from many of Procopio’s travels are featured in this spectacular show of vibrant colors. Free. Gallery Sundays are made possible by a gift from William Wartmann. Check web site www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

Ongoing:

Yoga in the Gardens

Mondays 5 – 6:15 p.m. OR Thursdays 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Held in the Conservatory or outdoor gardens when possible. The cost is $10 per class, no registration required. Check web site www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

Olbrich Botanical Society members are admitted free. Parking is free.  Bus tours are welcome. The Bolz Conservatory will be closed Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17 in preparation for Olbrich’s Blooming Butterflies. For more information visit Olbrich’s website at www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.  

July 24  Tuesday  7 p.m.

Concerts in the Garden

Enjoy the evening with a concert on the Great Lawn of Olbrich’s outdoor gardens. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnics are allowed in the Gardens for Tuesday concerts only. In case of rain, concerts will be held indoors. Concerts are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., June 5 – July 31. Concerts are sponsored by the Olbrich Botanical Society. A $1 donation is suggested. For more information, visit Olbrich’s website at www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550. 

July 31  Tuesday  7 p.m.

Concerts in the Garden

Enjoy the evening with a concert on the Great Lawn of Olbrich’s outdoor gardens. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnics are allowed in the Gardens for Tuesday concerts only. In case of rain, concerts will be held indoors. Concerts are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., June 5 – July 31. Concerts are sponsored by the Olbrich Botanical Society. A $1 donation is suggested. For more information, visit Olbrich’s website at www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

Ongoing:

May 6 – September 2  Sundays  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Art Exhibit:  Wisconsin Gardens

Wisconsin garden flowers and wildflowers bloom on the canvases of Patrice Procopio. Gardens from many of Procopio’s travels are featured in this spectacular show of vibrant colors. Free. Gallery Sundays are made possible by a gift from William Wartmann. Visit www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

June - August   Tours available Monday - Friday   10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Guided Group Tours

Make a visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens part of your group’s itinerary with a personal guided tour through the outdoor gardens. Olbrich offers 45-minute narrated tours through the Sunken, Rock, Herb, Perennial, Rose, and Thai Pavilion Gardens. Enjoy the seasonal beauty with a guide who can highlight the features of the individual gardens. Tours will vary somewhat according to season. Advanced registration is required by calling 608-246-4550. Tours of ten or more people can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at $3 per person.

June - August   Tuesdays and Thursdays   1 - 3 p.m.

Garden Answer Service

Do you have spots on your tomatoes, critters eating your blooms, or want to know about native plants for rain gardens? Have your problems solved by the Garden Answer Service at Olbrich Botanical Gardens every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m., during June, July, and August. A trained garden resource volunteer will be ready in Olbrich’s Schumacher Library to provide one-on-one assistance. Inquiries can range from choosing good plants for your yard’s conditions, to landscaping design options, to learning some of the basic gardening how-tos. There is one problem the Library resource volunteers can’t tackle: Please don’t bring diseased or infested plant materials to Olbrich. Questions can also be phoned in at 608-246-5805 or e-mailed to ljacobson@cityofmadison.com. The library is open to the public for reference. Olbrich members may check out materials.

Mondays 5 – 6:15 p.m. OR Thursdays 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Yoga in the Gardens

Held in the Conservatory or outdoor gardens when possible. The cost is $10 per class, no registration required. Visit www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

Ongoing:

September 5 – January 5, 2008

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit – Mystical Medicine

Some rainforest plants can work on the brain in seemingly mystical ways, such as creating zombies and hallucinations as well as providing actual medical cures.  Native medicine people, or shamans, hold the knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants, which is important information as the fragile native cultures and biodiversity of rainforests are threatened. The Mystical Medicine exhibit in the tropical Bolz Conservatory will explore the traditional native uses and beliefs surrounding these psychoactive plants that affect the brain and mental processes through the work of several famous ethnobotanists, people who study cultural plant customs.

Ongoing:

September 9 – December 2  Sundays  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Art Exhibit – Fabric Landscapes

Natalie Sewell and Nancy Zieman “paint” with fabric in beautiful landscape quilts.  Free. Gallery Sundays are made possible by a gift from William Wartmann. Visit www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550. 

Ongoing:

Yoga in the Gardens

Mondays 5 – 6:15 p.m. OR Thursdays 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Held in the Conservatory or outdoor gardens when possible. The cost is $10 per class, no registration required. Visit www.olbrich.org or call 608-246-4550.

 

Native American Casinos

Wisconsin’s Native American casinos offer visitors Vegas-style gaming – but that is just the beginning. Many of these state of the art facilities have “upped the ante” by adding attached hotels or resorts, live performance venues, gourmet restaurants and even meeting and convention facilities. With its urban location, expansive gaming floor and Vegas-style cabaret theater, its not surprising that Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Bingo Casino (1-800-PAYSBIG; www.paysbig.com) is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the state, drawing nearly four million visitors per year. The casino offers an 80,000 square-foot gaming floor, including table games such as poker, blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as more than 1,600 slot machines, a separate bingo hall and the non-smoking Sky Lodge gaming area. In the casino’s Northern Lights Theater, visitors can see some of America’s most popular contemporary musicians and comedians including acts like Lily Tomlin, Bonnie Raitt, David Lee Roth and Natalie Cole, along with impersonators, and holiday specials. Potawatomi Bingo Casino also features a Vegas-style sports book area, The Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill, as well as one of the state’s only four-star, four-diamond restaurants, Dream Dance. Dream Dance offers upscale dining featuring 100 percent true Japanese Kobe beef, Maine lobster and the restaurant’s own farm-raised venison – not to mention a 500-bottle, retail-priced wine list. For a Vegas-style, all-you-can-eat feast, The Buffet offers the best of American and ethnic cuisine.

Las Vegas-style revues and country stars such as Dwight Yoakam draw a wide range of audiences to the newly remodeled Ho-Chunk Casino (for information, call 1-800-746-2486, or check web site www.ho-chunk.com) in Baraboo, just outside of Wisconsin Dells. The Wo-Zha-Wa Sports Bar and Grille serves up traditional bar fare along with daily live music acts, while the gourmet Copper Oak restaurant offers a full range of delicacies and wines for every course. Guests can wake up to the family-friendly Sun Rise Café for hearty breakfasts (as well as standard sandwiches and salad fare all day) or indulge their appetites at The Stand Rock Buffet, which features weekly seafood and prime rib nights. The Ho-Chunk Casino complex, which features the state’s largest gaming floor, also includes a 300-room attached hotel with multiple meeting rooms, as well as The Wellness Center, a tribal-owned facility that operates as a combination private fitness center and medical facility.

Chart-topping acts like Aretha Franklin, Sawyer Brown and the Brian Setzer Orchestra headline the Oneida Casino (For information, call 1-800-238-4263, or check web site www.OneidaBingoAndCasino.net) in Green Bay. Located on the main gaming floor, the Casino Lounge offers a variety of country, rock and blues shows free of charge. Oneida Casino also offers two restaurants, the Standing Stone Buffet and the Pine Tree Grille.

A natural playground awaits guests at the Lake of the Torches Resort Casino (For information, call 1-800-25-TORCH, or check web site www.lakeofthetorches.com) in Lac du Flambeau. Set on the shores of a 10-lake chain, the casino attracts anglers in search of muskie and walleye as well as paddlers who canoe and kayak the silvery waters to the calls of the loons. Inside, the Eagles Nest restaurant serves up fish frys every day of the week, while the daily buffet features “Big City Brunches,” a Sunday special, and weekly seafood nights. Lake of the Torches also features the Woodland Oasis water recreation area, which has a 19-person hot tub and a kiddie pool. The resort’s theater hosts regional and national musical acts throughout the year. During the summer months, the resort holds outdoor concerts by the lake.

The Menominee Casino-Bingo-Hotel (For information, call 1-800-343-7778, or check web site www.menomineecasinoresort.com) in Keshena, hosts free live music every Wednesday through Saturday. The casino also offers The Forest Island Restaurant, which specializes in Native American cuisine. Visitors can embrace the Native American spirit in the Five Clan Gift and Smoke Shop.

At the St. Croix Casino and Hotel (For information, call 1-800-U-GO-U-WIN, or check web site www.stcroixcasino.com) in northwestern Wisconsin, complimentary live entertainment is offered every Friday and Saturday night. These free concerts, along with special events like onsite pow-wows, add variety to the already wide range of gaming opportunities at the casino. For an elegant, full-service dining experience, visitors can try an authentic Native American meal in the Me-Ki-Noc Restaurant. If visitors are looking for something more low-key they can partake in the TLC Buffet.

The Mohican North Star Casino (For information, call 1-800-775-CASINO, or check web site www.mohicannorthstar.com) in Bowler, offers entertainment by major national and regional acts. At Bayfield’s Isle Vista Casino (For information, call 1-800-226-8478, or check web site www.islevistacasino.net) the entertainment is strictly local: its popular Thursday night karaoke provides visitors with alternatives to traditional gaming. The Isla Vista Lounge also hosts occasional live musicians on weekends.

Native American fare tops the menu at Café Manoomin at Mole Lake Casino
(For information, call 1-800-236-WINN, or check web site www.molelake.com). Guests can dine on venison chili, try Indian tacos served on homemade fry bread, a tribal tradition, or sample manoomin (also known as wild rice). Local musical groups and celebrity impersonators also provide entertaining and often humorous reasons to leave the bingo halls or slot machines.

The Rainbow Casino (For information call 1-800-782-4560, or check web site www.rbcwin.com) located in Nekoosa offers over 650 reel games, progressives, video poker and jumbo games. Located on site is the Rainbow Grille & Banquet Center which can accommodate up to 250 people. Along with its casual dining atmosphere, the Center also offers a fine selection of steaks, seafood, salads, appetizers, Wisconsin cheese soup and other delectable entrees as well as a full service bar. Visitors can also take pleasure in a mid-day or late-night snack from the snack bar, without interrupting their winning streak. This quick-stop offers a variety of tasty sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts.

In northeastern Wisconsin, Carter’s Potawatomi Bingo Northern Lights Casino (For information, call 715/473-2021, or check web site www.cartercasino.com) offers live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, wide-area progressives, video poker and bingo. Visitors looking to spend the night can stay at the Indian Springs Lodge and Restaurant located adjacent to the casino. The Northern Lights Casino is also home to the Fire Keeper Café and a convenience store located across the road with native tobacco products and groceries.

Just outside Madison, DeJope Gaming (for information, call 1-888-248-1777, or check web site www.dejope.com) offers class II slot machines. The casino also hosts a daily buffet from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. which features a traditional Wisconsin Friday night fish fry.

Nestled in Wisconsin's beautiful Lake Superior region, Bad River Lodge & Casino (For information, call 1-800-795-7121, or check web site www.badriver.com) features big-city casino action while offering all the comforts of home. The lodge is attached to the casino and is equipped with 50 rooms of standard double queen, king and Jacuzzi suites and is also handicap equipped. The casino’s Manomin Restaurant offers an array of ethnic foods, while its Gitchee Gumee Convention Center can seat up to 500 for banquets and 750 for theater-style occasions.

Hole in the Wall Casino and Hotel (For information, call 1-800-BET-U-WIN, or check web site www.stcroixcasino.com/HoleInTheWall) in Danbury, offers everything from sandwiches to steaks in the Loose Change Café. Guests can also satisfy their taste buds in the Hole in the Wall Saloon or the Happy Snapper Bar which serves drinks and snacks to those in the gaming room. The Hole in the Wall Hotel features 46 double queen rooms, a video arcade, a hospitality center, indoor pool and a Jacuzzi room.

Located in beautiful Jackson County Forest near Black River Falls, Majestic Pines Casino (For information, call 1-800-657-4621, or check web site www.mpcwin.com) offers a range of gaming opportunities as well as a popular snack bar and the Majestic Pines Buffet, which is open seven days a week.

Weekly Wisconsin snow conditions reports and free travel-planning guides, including the Wisconsin 2006/2007 Winter Event & Recreation Guide, are available by visiting travelwisconsin.com or calling the Wisconsin Department of Tourism at 1-800-432-TRIP/8747. Travelers can also obtain free guides and information at the Wisconsin Welcome Centers, located in select state-border cities.

Milford Hills Hunt Club

If you want to hunt or try a couple rounds of sporting clays, this is the place to be. Located at W5670 French Road, Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, it has phenomenal facilities, shotgun rentals, and lots of events -- in addition to a Wobble Trap, fully Automatic Traps, and Five Stand..

For details, contact the club at 920-699-2249.

Wild Eagle Lodge

Located at Eagle River, Wild Eagle Lodge is a place I can return to again and again because it's so enjoyable -- as well as being the largest resort along the river's chain of 28 lakes. Standing along the bays of duck and Lynx Lake, the accommodations are deluxe and there's lots to do here. Relax and watch the boats going by; try to catch a tasty fish for dinner; rent a motor boat, canoe, kayak or waterbike; swim off the private sand beach; splash around in the protected cove-like area with the kids; play tennis or basketball; or spend time with your spouse while the children engage in a variety of fun programs at "Camp Run-a-Muk." Three nights a week, you can take the free ferry ride to nearby restaurants, or simply soak in the hot tub or sit in the sauna.

Or, stay in your luxury uit in one of four buildings along Duck Lake, have concierge service for whatever you desire; rent a DVD; grill a steak on the gas grill; or stretch out and read a good book.

The resort also accommodates meetings, conferences, or special occasions at the Lodge, with an outdoor tent ready to accommodate up to 400 guests. Don't feel like cooking? Go down to The Lounge and order a pizza, sandwich or a drink.

For more information, check web site www.wildeaglelodge.com.

 

WYOMING

BUFFALO

Paradise Guest Ranch Celebrates 100 Years of Fun in 2007

Few places remain that embrace the days of old, offer wholesome family fun, and celebrate the West as it once was. Among these precious few is Wyoming’s Paradise Guest Ranch, which will celebrate its 100th year as a guest ranch in 2007.
 
“Paradise Guest Ranch sits smack-dab in the middle of the Old West,” say owners Clay and Leah Miller. “This is the perfect year to sample the rich western history, and to share in our little piece of Paradise in Wyoming’s scenic and un-crowded Bighorn Mountains.”
 
This area has drawn visitors, some famous, some infamous, for more than 100 years due to its unmatched beauty, Miller says. Owen Wister once paid the ranch a visit to gain inspiration for his time-honored book The Virginian. The Johnson County Cattle Wars took place just outside nearby Buffalo, Wyoming. And most notably, the infamous Hole-In-The-Wall hideout of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lies just down the road from the ranch in the southern Big Horn Mountains.
 
Modern day visitors leave with the same lasting impression that inspired Owen Wister. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "There is a paradise that can claim the name without blushing or apologizing. It is a nearly mystical niche where the owls call at night and the eagles soar over the peaks in the cool clearness of the day.”
 
The ranch will mark its 100th year beginning May 28, offering visitors a selection of weekly special activities including a period-dress western fashion show, old time cowboy music, western swing dance instruction, cowboy poetry, a historical multi media slide show and surprise events throughout the week.
 
These special celebrations are in addition to some of the best hiking and fly fishing in the country, not to mention overnight camp trips, wildlife viewing, and one of the top horseback riding programs that the ranch already boasts. The ranch is also known for its comprehensive youth program, so parents can take part in all of these activities with the peace of mind that their children (infants to teens) are being well cared for and having the time of their life.
 
Together the family can enjoy outdoor cookouts, bonfire sing-alongs (complete with marshmallow roasting), talent shows, square dancing, a Kid’s Rodeo, a heated pool, and much more.
 
The rustic elegance of Paradise Ranch's one-, two-, and three-bedroom cabins offers the perfect complement to the ranch's genuine western atmosphere. Complete with cozy fireplaces and many modern conveniences (such as full baths, kitchenettes, and washers and dryers), the accommodations create the ideal place for families to simply hang out and wind down.
 
Nestled between the cabins, the dining room offers three hearty meals a day with gourmet flair. Guests can choose from a unique array of wines and pair their selection with dinner on Gourmet Night.  
 
And, as the week comes to a close, the family can take home a piece of Paradise with them. Cowboy singer Dave Munsick has been working on an original music CD in collaboration with photographer Diana Volk featuring gorgeous Paradise Ranch photography. This and other commemorative items will be available in the ranch General Store.
 
With flights offered to Sheridan and Casper, Wyoming and nearby Billings, Montana, the ranch is easily accessible. Early booking is recommended as the ranch will quickly fill for the Centennial Celebration.

For more information visit web site www.paradiseranch.com or call 307-684-7876.
 

JACKSON TOWN

Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, Wyoming

In the heart of Jackson Town at the foot of the Grand Teton Mountain Ranges of Wyoming, Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa is ideally located for you to enjoy the atmosphere of an American Ski Resort while still offering a peaceful respite after a long day in the snow. This charming, rustic lodge indulges in spacious, sumptuous rooms with open fireplaces and decadent bathrooms. With three fantastic ski fields in close proximity you have a variety of different ski terrain to choose from. If you need a day’s rest from the slopes embark on a wildlife expedition, snow shoe tour or spend the day snowmobiling nearby. The hotel’s award winning Wild Sage Restaurant offers exceptional regional cuisine paired with your choice of wine from the hotel’s extensive cellar. To top off an unforgettable stay, relax in the outdoor hot tub under the stars or indulge in a reviving treatment at the highly acclaimed Body Sage Spa.  

For more information, check web site www.slh.com/rustyparrot. (All ski lifts running)

SHOSHONE NATIONAL FOREST 

Family Fun at Brooks Lake Lodge

Located at 9,200 feet, and within the Shoshone National Forest, nestled in a valley between the Pinnacle Mountains (part of the Absaroka Range), the Continental Divide to the west and the Wind River Mountains to the South, Brooks Lake Lodge offers the perfect escape for families looking to break out from everyday life. Families are welcomed during either season at Brooks Lake Lodge but summer is a special time for children. Brooks Lake Lodge present summer children’s programs that include horseback riding, canoe trips, fishing lessons, story telling around the camp fire, and arts & crafts. Families are invited to Indulge on the gourmet meals prepared by only the finest chefs, or pamper mom at the complete Spa which features massage, facials, body treatments guaranteed to relax, refresh and rejuvenate! Amazing activities are ever present at Brooks Lake Lodge. Hike thru the wilderness surrounding the Brooks Lake Lodge, take a historic tour of the area, challenge the sense of nature by perfecting casting techniques with expert fly fishing instruction, and witness the incredible world of Wyoming wildlife on horseback. If a rustic wilderness experience in the West is desired, family horse pack trips are available with profession guides leading guests to the wonderful wilderness camp in the backcountry of Wyoming.  Winter also offers an array of activities for families including Skiing, Dog sledding, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling,  and the newly added Ice Fishing, that includes a personal guide escorting guests to Brooks Lake, drilling the hole with an auger, and even supplying the cocoa or coffee to see that everything is in perfect order for an ideal day on the ice.
 
The upscale accommodations include family vacation cabins as well as luxuriant lodge rooms. Winter season runs through March 15, 2007. Children receive discounted rates. Rates vary; please click here to view. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Brooks Lake Lodge combines history and luxury to provide the perfect retreat for families.
 
For more information, call Theresa King at 307-455-2121 or e-mail her at theresa@brookslake.com.
 

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