Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens’ New Guestroom

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 04, 2012

Rim Hospitality has announced that the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, located in downtown Los Angeles, has begun an extensive hotel renovation in anticipation of their upcoming conversion to the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown in Q3 2012. The multi-phase project will include significant design and service upgrades for the hotel’s 434 guestrooms and suites, public spaces and corridors, indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, business and fitness centers, and the legendary Japanese-style gardens. The majority of the hotel renovation is expected to be complete by the time the hotel debuts as the newest and largest downtown Los Angeles-area property in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels in Q3, 2012.

“The Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens has long been a landmark for hospitality in downtown Los Angeles, and our hotel team is excited to introduce the next chapter of this hotel’s history with a new look, new energy and rewarding new hotel experience as the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown this summer,” says Joseph Kuhn, hotel general manager. “While the inspiration behind the interior design will continue to pay tribute to the hotel’s longstanding history of celebrating the Little Tokyo community where the hotel resides, our renovation team is updating several service aspects of the hotel to reflect the needs of today’s business and leisure traveler to create what we envision will be one of downtown Los Angeles’ premier, upscale hotel destinations and gathering places.”

The redesign of the soon-to-be DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown will capture the dynamic energy and essence of downtown Los Angeles through a series of clean, contemporary design elements and vibrant color combinations set amidst a rich palette of wood tones and textures. Inviting, comfortable furnishings and guest reception areas will encourage a welcoming first impression for guests and continue through other public areas of the hotel.

Upon entry to each newly redesigned guest room and suite, guests will be delighted by the cheerful bursts of reds, soothing browns, and calming beiges through new carpet and wall treatments. New beds and bed linens; 42”, flat screen, LCD televisions; ergonomic work desks and chairs and high-speed internet access upgrades will provide business travelers with comfortable and efficient in-room working environments. Significant updates to guest bathrooms will include new wall treatments, granite countertops, custom-made vanity tables, and the DoubleTree by Hilton signature line of Citron personal care amenities by Crabtree & Evelyn.

The Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens’ beloved, half-acre gardens located on its third-level rooftop, is inspired by an ancient garden in Japan. In January, the hotel invested approximately $ 100,000 on substantial gardening and landscaping updates to return the site to its original splendor as a peaceful outdoor oasis and one of Southern California’s most sought-after social spaces for weddings, receptions and galas. The gardens present one of the most stunning views of the downtown Los Angeles skyline.

Additional hotel enhancements will include a fully renovated and expanded fitness center to keep guests on their daily workout routine, with the latest in Life Fitness™ cardio and weight-training equipment. During the fall of 2012, the hotel’s 12,000-square-feet of indoor event and meeting space will also receive substantial renovations and upgrades.

Situated one block from Los Angeles City Hall and Civic Center, the location of the soon-to-be DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown is within moments of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Japanese American National Museum, Chinatown, Olvera Street in a culturally, diverse downtown district in California’s largest city. The hotel is located at 120 South Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles, Calif., and is managed by Rim Hospitality. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit the hotel’s current website at http://www.kyotograndhotel.com or contact the hotel directly at +1 213 629 1200.

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 290 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 75,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveller feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at http://www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at http://www.facebook.com/doubletree, http://www.twitter.com/doubletree and http://www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at news.doubletree.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travellers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward programme Hilton HHonors. Visit http://www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at http://www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and http://www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Rim Hospitality

Rim Hospitality is a leading hotel management company with nearly 30 years of experience operating hotels throughout the US. Their portfolio includes over 90 hotels in several states, totaling approximately 13,000 rooms. Rim Corporate headquarters are located in Newport Beach, with Executive offices in Modesto and additional offices in Dallas and Washington DC. Since 1983, Rim Hospitality has provided complete management services including full construction services. As a leader in the industry and a preferred choice to major brands they are committed to excellent service ensuring every hotel reaches its full operating potential. Our team of seasoned veterans has comprehensive management experience and a wealth of knowledge and skill working with all hotels types including full, select, and boutique properties. In addition to traditional hotel management we provide receivership services and have a separate division fully staffed which includes a full time in-house Receiver. For additional information on Rim Hospitality, please visit us at http://www.rimhospitality.com

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Season 4 of ABC Television Series Shark Tank Presents Tougher Odds and Stiffer Competition.

Tewksbury, MA (PRWEB) May 16, 2012

For the ABC Television show that once faced cancellation, Friday’s turnout in Chicago for the first of 3 scheduled open casting calls was proof that the reality series Shark Tank has grown tremendously in popularity. Producers of the show are on a nationwide search to discover America’s most successful entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators.

Aspiring entrepreneurs had an early taste of what it takes to be a Shark, when the show’s producers adjusted the game plan and reduced the three person panel of judges to just one in order to accommodate a larger than expected crowd. The proverbial saying, “The early bird catches the worm,” rang true for those entrepreneurs who had registered for the casting call between 6am and 7am and were allotted a full two minutes to pitch their products and ideas. Others who arrived after 8am found their window of opportunity cut in half to one minute. Despite the early setbacks, in a true testament to the resilient nature of American entrepreneurship, participants with the innate desire to succeed adjusted their strategy and managed to impress Shark Tank producers and fellow entrepreneurs alike.

One such entrepreneur who would not let a reduced presentation time affect her chances at success was Poppy Collar founder and inventor, Beth Feeney. “After a good six hours of waiting, one minute seemed to fly by pretty fast but I used the time to get a lot of feedback from other groups of entrepreneurs after they had pitched.” A local Chicago resident, Beth Feeney was at the casting call to premiere the Poppy Collar, a fashion line of sweaters with interchangeable collars and cuffs that give a single outfit multiple looks. Always the optimist, Feeney remarked, “It was so inspiring listening to everyone’s stories and it was just such an exciting day because I felt like there was so much energy in the room.” Feeney added that amidst hundreds of innovative products, one invention immediately caught her eye. “I thought the ZipBoard was definitely the coolest product I had seen there all day,” stated Beth. “I have lots of friends who are high school football coaches. I was talking to them about The Zipboard and they all thought it was awesome. I can’t believe it hasn’t been invented already.”

The Zipboard is the first and only retractable portable whiteboard, coming in nine sports-specific styles and a plain white version. The product has unlimited applications and can be used as an effective communication tool for coaches, teachers, the hearing or verbally impaired, or even limousine drivers. ZipBoard inventor and founder, Rob Budryk, who has hopes of becoming a great American businessman, talked about his aspirations and experiences during Friday’s casting call: “I’m a big fan of the Shark Tank and when I heard about the open casting call, I immediately planned my trip out to Chicago from Boston to try and get on the show. The ZipBoard has received early support from professional sports franchises and media organizations such as the the Boston Bruins and ESPN, but I feel the exposure from the show and partnership opportunities with one of the established ‘Sharks’ would propel the company to the next level.” According to Budryk, one particular “Shark” is especially appealing to him as a potential partner: “I would be ecstatic if Marc Cuban showed interest. I see what he has done in the sports and business worlds and feel the partnership would be a perfect fit for our company. In the one minute I was given to pitch the ZipBoard to the show’s producers, I put my best foot forward. Now we wait and see.”

With 22 new episodes, more than double the number of shows that aired in Season 3, the odds for entrepreneurial hopefuls like Beth Feeney and Rob Budryk are looking bright.

Shark Tank airs Friday nights at 8pm PST on ABC.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Stephanie Wells’ Double Happiness gold tone cuff bracelet

Knoxville, Tenn. (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Jewelry Television® (JTV), the world’s largest broadcast retailer of jewelry and loose gemstones, has partnered with “The Wendy Williams Show” to provide gifts for audience members during a May 9 episode. The giveaway was part of a series of special events leading up to the syndicated weekday program’s 500th episode.

“The Wendy Williams Show” studio audience members were given jewelry pieces, including earrings and bracelets from JTV’s Double Happiness™ Collection, as a surprise gift during yesterday’s show.

“Since its launch in 2009, ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ has gained a loyal following in the daytime talk show arena,” said Pat Bryant, chief marketing officer at JTV. “Wendy Williams recognizes the importance of celebrating women’s unique style and we were delighted to provide gifts for the members of her show’s studio audience during this milestone season.”

An exclusive collection featured on Jewelry Television, Double Happiness™ includes jewelry with exotic gemstones such as turquoise, quartz and amethyst in gold-tone wire and other intricate settings. Inspired by designer Stephanie Wells’ world travels and extensive knowledge of the fashion industry, Double Happiness™ offers trendy design with an artisan flair.

The Double Happiness™ Collection, available at http://www.JTV.com, ranges from $ 24.99 to $ 149.99.

About Jewelry Television ®

Jewelry Television® (JTV) is the only broadcast shopping network that focuses exclusively on the sale of jewelry and gemstones. The privately-held company was founded in 1993 and broadcasts high definition programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to more than 80 million unique households in the U.S. Jewelry Television® was recently ranked the 14th largest retailer of jewelry in the U.S. by National Jeweler. JTV.com is the fifth largest jewelry destination on the internet according to Internet Retailer’s Top 500 Guide for 2010. For more information, visit JTV.com.

About “The Wendy Williams Show”

“The Wendy Williams Show” is a syndicated weekday program hosted by mother, wife and best-selling author Wendy Williams. Launched in 2009, the show is in its third season and has just been renewed on Fox through 2014. “The Wendy Williams Show” has been called a “breakthrough in daytime” by The New York Times and airs in 52 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.wendyshow.com.

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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

SAT II: Spanish guide on Shmoop

Mountain View, CA (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

The school year is almost over, and if that wasn’t enough of an excuse to celebrate, here’s some news to put one more feather in your party hat. Shmoop is here to help students get their prep for the SAT Spanish tests. Okay, so studying for an exam may not be some people’s idea of a rockin’ good time, but Shmoop is running with this bull. Toro!

June 2nd (aka the next time you can take the SAT Spanish exam) is right around the corner. But no miedo, por favor, check out our SAT Spanish and SAT Spanish with Listening exams, test practice that will keep students up at night. In a good way. Los invitamos.

Shmoop believes that test prep should be: a) boring; b) snooze-button boring; c) texting-and-on-facebook-boring; or d) fun and fast-paced. If students guessed “d,” they passed! They’re already 1-for-1 and they haven’t even sharpened your pencil yet!

Main stops on the SAT Spanish express:

1.    Have fun with examples that students won’t find anywhere else. Let’s see, how to write an essay. Step 1: Build their own Frankenstein monster. Step 2: Capture King Kong. Godzilla.

2.    Because the party never stops, Shmoop also has flying around hundreds of explanations, examples and exercises on every section and type of question that students need to know for the exams.

3.    Shmoop bets you could think of at least 238 things students would rather be doing right now. Hey – Shmoop came up with the same number! 8 Full-Length Timed SAT II Spanish and SAT II Spanish with Listening Practice Tests, 160 Practice Problems (with on-the-spot feedback and explanations) and 70 additional Grammar Problems (also with explanations).

4.    Students may want more coverage. Shmoop can help students ninja kick every section of the exams – 3 on SAT Spanish and 6 on Spanish with Listening. To keep them company, Shmoop has snuck in a grammar review with 15 categories to convert students into a grammar guru. Yep… some gurus do ninja kicks.

5.    Shmoop has designed their guides to be as flexible as students need them to be. Students can make their way through them at their own pace and at the times that work for them! And there is always a rewind button: students can retake any and all sections to mejorar their understanding and final scores.

Shmoop SAT II Spanish and SAT II Spanish with Listening. Time to get the fiesta started (without letting it turn into a siesta).

For more scoop on Shmoop’s SAT II Spanish and SAT II Spanish with Listening exams, visit http://www.shmoop.com/sat-2-subject-tests/.

About Shmoop

Shmoop is a digital curriculum and test prep company that makes fun, rigorous learning and teaching materials. Shmoop content is written by master teachers and Ph.D. students from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and other top universities. Shmoop Learning Guides, SAT Prep, and Teacher’s Editions balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous materials to help students understand how subjects relate to their daily lives. Shmoop offers more than 7,000 titles across the Web, iPhone, Android devices, iPad, Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader. The company has been honored twice by the Webby Awards and was named “Best in Tech” for 2010 and 2011 by Scholastic Administrator Magazine. Launched in 2008, Shmoop is headquartered in a labradoodle-patrolled office in Mountain View, California.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Todd Newton, host of The Price Is Right Live

IMMOKALEE, FL (PRWEB) April 26, 2012

Fans can “come on down” to The Price Is Right Live™ in The Pavilion at Seminole Casino Immokalee starting Friday, May 11. They’ll get a chance to win cash, prizes and those fabulous showcases. The acclaimed live version of America’s favorite and longest-running TV game show is hosted by TV personality Todd Newton.

Through Monday, June 18, matinees will be held on Sundays and Mondays at 2 p.m., with 8 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. shows on Sundays. Must be 21 or older to attend. General admission tickets can be purchased for $ 25 at the Casino Cage or by calling 1-800-218-0007.

The traveling show by FremantleMedia, which also produces “The Price Is Right,” “The X Factor” and other TV shows, features classic fan-favorite games including Plinko, Cliff Hangers, The Big Wheel and Showcase Showdown. Since 2004, one million fans have seen The Price Is Right Live, during which time more than $ 10 million in cash and prizes have been given away. The show recently completed two successful runs at The Palace Theater at Bally’s Atlantic City.

“We are excited to host what is probably the most iconic TV game show in history,” said Jim Gibson, director of marketing at Seminole Casino Immokalee. “Seminole Casino is always looking for ways to bring fun and entertainment to our guests, and we are glad they have the opportunity to win those amazing showcase prizes.”

The Pavilion is a 700-seat entertainment venue that opened in February 2009 as part of the casino’s $ 22 million expansion. Numerous concerts have already been held in it, including Blood Sweat & Tears and David Allen Coe.

The Price Is Right Live host, Todd Newton, is well-known to television audiences for his work as host on E! Entertainment Television. For nearly a decade, he provided an all-access pass to red carpet events, movie premieres, behind-the-scenes of TV shows and celebrity interviews. Newton has hosted “Hollywood Showdown,” “Whammy!: The All-New Press Your Luck,” “Gameshow Marathon” and “Instant Millionaire” and is currently the host of “Family Game Night” on The Hub, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host. Todd Newton has won over fans everywhere with his exuberant personality and high-quality showmanship as host of The Price is Right Live.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Hole in the Wall” (Cartoon Network), “Let’s Make a Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud”, “The Price Is Right” (CBS) and The X Factor (FOX).

About FremantleMedia Enterprises & FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, talkbackTHAMES, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.

About Seminole Casino Immokalee

Open 24/7, 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming destination, with 1200 Las Vegas-style slots, from high-paying progressives, video poker and the industry’s newest titles like Tarzan, Betty Boop, and Grease Video Slots, themed for the hit movie. The 75,000-square-foot plus casino offers 34 live tables games, including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em, Texas Hold ‘em Bonus, Blackjack Switch, Spanish 21, and Casino War. It is also contains the Zig Zag Blackjack pit, where the Zig Zag Girlz play. The new Paradise Room is a high-stakes gaming parlor with Blackjack and Mini-Baccarat pit and a separate area for high limit slot machine play. The new WPT Poker Room has both limit and non-limit games. No limit Texas Hold ‘em poker tournaments are held Wednesday through Sunday. Bonus Hand and High Hand of the Day are also featured. Seminole Casino Immokalee participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem points at all Seminole Casinos throughout Florida.

Dining options include 1st Street Deli, Southwest Florida’s only authentic New York-style delicatessen. This award-winning restaurant is open 24 hours, serving late-night breakfast, lunch and dinner. The EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill serves the best and freshest dishes in Southwest Florida, including its signature authentic Seminole fry bread and fresh-from-scratch classic favorites. And new to the grill is JABBA SUSHI serving fresh hand rolled sushi, sashimi and other delights. The Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, is “where the party never ends” with nightly live entertainment and no last call. Two, 42-inch HD televisions and a 103-inch screen at the Zig Zag bar air sporting events and other entertainment. A 10,000-square-foot Event Pavilion seating up to 700 guests is for large entertainment events, such as concerts, weddings, banquets, company outings and privately-held dances. With 1800 parking spaces, there’s always more than enough parking available at Seminole Casino Immokalee.

Seminole Casino Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75, and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it’s five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. For directions or other information call toll-free (800) 218-0007; fax (239) 658-0204 or write: 506 South 1st Street, Immokalee, Florida 34142; http://www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com.

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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Actress Charlene Amoia for designer emilie SLOAN.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 03, 2012

Local designer emilie SLOAN will host television celebrity Charlene Amoia at the company’s Spring rollout of its new handbag line. Ms. Amoia has appeared in a variety of television roles from “How I Met Your Mother” to “Glee,” and more recently on the big screen in “American Reunion.” She has been a fan of the fast-growing emilie SLOAN brand since its debut in 2009. The event will be hosted at Curtsy Bella, 2920 NE Blakely, in Seattle this Saturday, May 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

You may not recognize Charlene Amoia’s name, but you’ve no doubt seen her before. She’s been a nurse on “Glee,” a doctor on “House M.D.” and had the recurring role of Wendy the Waitress on “How I Met Your Mother.” She’s also had guest appearances on “The Finder,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “iCarly.” And more recently, you may have seen her as Kevin’s (Thomas Ian Nicholas) wife Ellie in “American Reunion.”

ABOUT EMILIE SLOAN

Each season, emilie SLOAN ushers in a fun mix of instant classics. Clean lines, vibrant color, quality and, of course, non-toxic rainproof fabric are the calling cards of the emilie SLOAN brand. Spring 2012 is all that and more, offering premium leather trim, a shift to canvas fabric, and a plated logo. There are also several new handbag styles with a twist on many of the emilie SLOAN Signature bags.

emilie SLOAN founder and CEO Lisa Murphy started designing her vibrant rainproof totes to cope with the constant Seattle rain in 2008. After numerous compliments and selling out quickly at a local boutique, which had a waiting list from instant fans of the new brand, the life-long seamstress started emilie SLOAN, naming the company after her two daughters. Today, emilie SLOAN is sold in more than 1,000 independent boutiques and stores across the United States and has been a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, including a fortuitous product placement on the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” when Taylor misplaced her favorite emilie SLOAN cosmetics bag and a frantic search ensued.

Retail prices for emilie SLOAN bags range from $ 20 to $ 175 USD and the complete Spring collection can be viewed at: http://www.emiliesloan.com.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Amherst, MA (PRWEB) April 28, 2012

AthFest Music & Arts Festival, June 20-24, 2012, Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia – AthFest, one of the south’s finest music and arts festivals, will be held in downtown Athens, Georgia, June 20th through 24th, 2012. Over the course of this four day festival, approximately 150 bands and artists will perform on the 3 outdoor stages and in a dozen venues. AthFest Mainstage headliners this year will be: Reptar, Atlas Sound, The Glands and Yacht Rock Revue. All performances on the outdoor stages are open to all ages and are free of charge to the public. Now in its 16th year, AthFest showcases all the best local, regional, and nationally recognized Athens-based talent. The festival includes live music, KidFest, a juried artisan market, film events, a comedy showcase, Flagpole Music Awards, Wired Dance Music Festival and more. DETAILS: http://www.athfest.com, Phone: (706) 548-1973

Tubs Set Sail during the Bathtub Regatta in Southern Belgium

Dinant, Belgium – Each year on August 15, the city of Dinant, in keeping with Belgium’s reputation for the quirky and unusual, hosts the Bathtub Regatta. The 2012 edition will mark the 30th anniversary of this beloved event. The regatta highlights the city’s joie de vivre and attracts as many as 25,000 visitors who watch this procession of bizarre boats racing down the Meuse River. In addition to bathtubs, visitors will see homemade rafts, floating waterslides and other curious boat-like creations. A theme is selected each year for the regatta and participants enthusiastically incorporate it into the creation of their boat with a heavy dose of humor. This year’s theme is “Films past and present,” so prepare for a walk down cinematic memory lane. Phone: 212-758-8130

DETAILS: http://www.visitbelgium.com/index.php/news/62/109/The-Bathtub-Regatta-in-Dinant-Aug-15

Fort Worth Opera Festival, May 12 – June 3, 2012

Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth Opera’s 2012 season has it all: a spellbinding love triangle and a white-knuckle thrill ride of corruption, deceit, and passion; a charming look at love, fidelity, and temptation; an attempt to stop a decades-old war by withholding “love”; and an aging Broadway star and her children who must learn to forgive despite decades of lies, disappointment, and grief. Don’t miss Puccini’s passionate blockbuster “Tosca,” Mozart’s effervescent romantic comedy “The Marriage of Figaro,” Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata and a new production of Jake Heggie’s “Three Decembers.” Performances at the renowned Bass Performance Hall and the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. May 12 – June 3.

DETAILS: http://www.fwopera.org; Phone: 877-396-7372.    

Chicago Area’s North Shore Chamber Music Festival July 6, 8 & 9, 2012

Northbrook, Illinois – One of the best ways to welcome summer in the Chicago area, The North Shore Chamber Music Festival (July 6, 8 & 9) offers an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary chamber music performed by some of today’s renowned artists, including The Pacifica Quartet, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, pianist Adam Neiman and violinist Vadim Gluzman. Located in Northbrook, Illinois, this season includes a special performance of Alan Ridout’s Ferdinand the Bull narrated in both the spoken and signed word. Pre-concert events include performances by young artists from ICODA (International Center on Deafness and the Arts), and young musicians from the Chicago area; plus a presentation by the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

DETAILS: http://www.nscmf.org; Phone: 847-370-3984

79th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, August 4-12, 2012, showcases one-of-a-kind craft, hand-made by master craftsmen

Concord, New Hampshire – Each summer, visitors come to the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair in the beautiful Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire to experience the fun and fascinating world of craft. Now in its 79th year, the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair (August 4-12, 2012) at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH, is a showcase for beautiful, one-of-a-kind craft that are functional, decorative, and built to last. All of the craft is made by hand by master craftsmen – juried members of the League – using traditional methods and locally sourced materials, including clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, and paper. Visitors can meet and talk to the craftsmen, learn about their techniques, and purchase from them.

DETAILS: http://www.nhcrafts.org, Phone: 603-224-3375

Culinary walking tours of Boston’s Little Italy and Chinatown with Boston Food Tours

Boston, MA – Guests on these culinary walking tours learn how the two cultures eat, how their food was adapted to this country and, most importantly, how to identify and where to buy the very best ingredients. Along the way, your guide will also share a bit of neighborhood history, simple but special cooking tips, tastes of specific food ingredients and the best-kept secrets of neighborhood restaurants. Participants get an insider’s view of these ethnic neighborhoods, alive with colorful immigrant history and undiscovered hidden gems and great food. Tours are offered to the North End on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and cost $ 50.00 per person. Chinatown tours are Thursday and Saturday and cost $ 65.00 per person.

DETAILS: http://www.bostonfoodtours.com, Phone: 617-523-6032

Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates a slice of the American West that’s still alive

Hailey, Idaho – The 16th annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival takes place October 11-14, 2012. Yep, trailing thousands of sheep from summer grazing to warmer winter pastures for lambing still takes place in the mountains of Idaho every year as it has for 150 years. Here in Sun Valley, Idaho, the sheep pass million dollar homes and even get a parade down Main Street. The Town celebrates the event by organizing a weekend filled with art, history, food and culture. The Festival preserves the stories and colorful history of sheep ranchers and herders, celebrates the rich cultures of the past and present and entertains and educates children, adults and families about the production of local food and fiber that sustain local economies and generations of hard-working families.

DETAILS: http://www.trailingofthesheep.org, Phone: 208-720-0585

Hawaii’s Big Island Film Festival, May 24-28, 2012, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Waikoloa, Hawaii – In addition to 57 narrative films from Hawaii and around the world, the Big Island Film Festival presents celebrity guests, the award-winning trio “Kohala” in concert and more, Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-28. Now in its 7th year, the Festival delivers unique entertainment, with free family films at the Shops at Mauna Lani, daytime movies and nightly double features, screenwriting workshops and stellar social events at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. Fans have the chance to see the Festival’s two celebrity guests Eloise Mumford (“The River”) and David James Elliott (“JAG”) at a special “Meet the Stars” event on Friday, or at their Receptions & Salutes, Saturday and Sunday respectively. The Big Island Film Festival takes place in several locations within Mauna Lani Resort, located on the Kohala Coast on the Island’s west side.

DETAILS: http://www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com, Phone: (808) 883-0394.

Florida’s Sarasota County Festivals Celebrate Chalk Artists, Sand Sculptors and Emerging Artists

Sarasota, Florida – From remarkable arts and culture festivals such as the Ringling International Arts Festival in October, the Sarasota Music Festival in June and the Sarasota Chalk Festival in November there is a reason why Sarasota County is known as Florida’s Cultural Coast ®. The annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival every 4th of July and the Sarasota Open Tennis Tournament every spring also call Sarasota home. For visitors who prefer something out of the ordinary, the annual Venice Shark’s Tooth Festival and the Siesta Key Crystal Sand Sculpting Contest on America’s #1 Beach, Siesta Beach, in November are worth a visit. Food and oenophiles will delight in Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week every June and Forks & Corks in January.

DETAILS: http://www.sarasotafl.org/events, Phone: 941-955-0991

Vermont Quilt Festival, New England’s Largest and Oldest, June 29-July 1

Essex Junction, Vermont – Treat your family to a visual feast of color and design in hundreds of quilts at the Vermont Quilt Festival. Contest quilts by adults and youth, antique quilts from the Pilgrim/Roy collection, and contemporary works by quilt artists will dazzle and delight you. Shop the bustling merchants mall with its colorful array of wares and enjoy free gallery talks and vendor demonstrations. Classes, lectures and quilt appraisals add to the excitement. Come early for the festive Champagne and Chocolate Preview Thursday evening, June 28, with chocolates by Vermont’s finest chocolatiers. The Festival takes place at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-3pm. Daily admission $ 12, seniors and groups $ 10, children under 14 free.    

DETAILS: http://www.vqf.org, Phone: 802-872-0034

View these stories online with photos here:

http://travelandleisurenews.com/news/1-issue/festivals-events/may-1-2012/index.htm


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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Wiley Cash is one of four SNHU MFA faculty to receive acclaim for a recently released publication

(PRWEB) April 27, 2012

The SNHU MFA faculty is making a splash in the publishing world this spring, as four newly released books are drawing critical praise and climbing bestseller lists.

Wiley Cash, Katherine Towler, Mark Sundeen, and Jessica Anthony all recently launched exciting new publications, including a Southern novel, a nonfiction story of a man who chose to live without money of any kind, a thoughtful essay collection about poets’ thoughts on spirituality and writing, and an innovative e-book that includes its own App.

The books are all enjoying national attention and acclaim – a testament to the prestige and talent of SNHU’s MFA faculty, said the program’s director, Diane Les Becquets. “We are proud to have such incredible, accomplished authors teaching in our program,” she said. “Our creative writing students are working with some of the best writers in the country.”

Even before its April 17 debut, Cash’s “A Land More Kind than Home” was already catching the eye of readers and critics across the country. The novel, published by William Morrow, is a dark and haunting mystery about the death of a disabled boy during a Pentecostal service in a small North Carolina town. Kirkus Reviews described it as “an evocative work about love, faith and redemption,” while Library Journal declared, “Lovers of Southern fiction should not miss this one.” Cash was also recently featured in a Q&A with Publishers Weekly. He will spend the next few months on a book tour through the South, a trip that he and his wife are also using to raise money for local literacy projects and public libraries.

In March, Tupelo Press published “A God in the House: Poets Talk about Faith,” edited by Towler and Ilya Kaminsky. The book, which debuted at number 20 on the national poetry best-seller list and was featured in the February issue of Poetry magazine, brings together nineteen of America’s leading poets in a collection of conversations about spirituality and the craft of writing. Since its publication, the book was also selected as a prose feature on Poetry Daily and caught the attention of the religion editor at The Huffington Post, who asked Towler to become a Huffington Post blogger. Towler, who is a founding member of the SNHU MFA faculty and author of the “Snow Island” trilogy, says she believes the book is appealing to a wide audience because many Americans are hungry for a dialogue about spiritual life. “The poets we spoke with addressed questions about doubt and faith so eloquently. The conversations are an exploration of the dimensions of faith without an agenda or dogmatic point of view. This seems to be resonating with people.”

Meanwhile, Sundeen’s “The Man Who Quit Money” landed on the Los Angeles Times Bestsellers list and enjoyed worldwide publicity through a feature in a mini-documentary on the BBC. The book, published by Riverhead/Penguin in March, is the story of a man who decided to live without earning, receiving, or spending a single cent. Daniel Suelo lives in caves in Utah, does not pay taxes or accept food stamps or welfare – and declares himself to be happy and free. The Philadelphia Inquirer described the book as “mind-blowing; an extraordinary and thought-provoking book,” while Kirkus Reviews called it “a modern picaresque … a sophisticated blend of memoir, biography, romantic travelogue, history and psychology.” Sundeen will embark on a book tour in May through the Pacific Northwest before joining the MFA program’s summer residency in June.

In February, Anthony brilliantly scaled the digital divide between print and e-books with her release of “Chopsticks,” in collaboration with designer Rodrigo Corral. An homage to multimedia storytelling, “Chopsticks” is a book, but it’s also an iPhone and iPad app filled with songs, videos, photographs and instant messages that bring the story of young love to life. In an interview with App magazine, Anthony said the project was an opportunity to experiment with traditional forms of character development. “If a character is watching television in a novel, then what they are watching is at a distance to the reader. When the reader has the chance to actually see what the character sees, the video itself becomes part of the narrative.” Published by Razorbill, the book was described by School Library Journal as “spellbinding and inventive” while Kirkus Reviews called it “eerie and edgy—and effective as Poe.” Anthony is also the author of the adult novel “The Convalescent.”

Students in Southern New Hampshire University’s low-residency MFA program work one-on-one with faculty members. All four authors are teach year-long in the program.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

(PRWEB) April 24, 2012

Released in early December 2011, HP has joined the ever growing trend towards Ultrabook computing. For those confused with all these different terms, the word Ultrabook describes a ‘laptop’ that is bigger than a tablet such as the iPad but smaller than a notebook such as the Compaq CQ61. This new HP Folio 13 Ultrabook promises to sit directly in this gap between the ultimate portability of a tablet and the computing power of a notebook.

So now that the HP Folio 13 has been on the market for a few months Laptop Power UK takes a closer look at some of the Pros and Cons of owning this new design Ultrabook. The HP Folio 13 is very thin – look at it side on and you may wonder how they have managed to cram all the technology inside. This reduced size also means it is very light. If you like to take your laptop with you wherever you go this Ultrabook will not leave you feeling like you are carrying everything but the kitchen sink with you in your carry case. The size of the laptop will not hinder the performance either as it incorporates a second generation Intel Core 2 i5 processor for rapid delivery of your programmes and applications.

As with all technology there are drawbacks and some compromises to make. Here, the HP Folio 13 is no exception. For those wanting a large display to watch DVD’s or to work away without straining to see the image the relatively small 13.3” screen may not suit everybody. The 128GB Solid State Drive may also prove to be a hindrance if you want to store much of your life on your laptop. The huge battery life of around 9 hours though must surely negate any drawbacks if you are looking for a sleek, lightweight, portable laptop computing experience. If you want to be able to spend the full day on-line without the need to be constantly attached to your HP Laptop Charger then this may be the right option for you.

About Laptop Power UK:

Laptop Power UK was launched by Andrew Roughley and Mark Roughley. As well as establishing itself and the leading distributor of OEM consumer electronic equipment, the Company has diversified into retail repairs, warranty management projects, reverse logistics and asset recovery.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg are featured in Secrets of Love

Los Angeles. CA (PRWEB) April 11, 2012

Love is beautiful and inspiring, yet one of the most challenging and perplexing human emotions that we experience in life. Until recently, only a handful of people have truly understood the life altering power of “real love.”

Secrets of Love, a newly released documentary, assembles the world’s leading experts on the subject of love who together represent a unique cross section of disciplines. The outcome is a feature length film that exposes never heard before information and new models for love, relationship and partnership for the 21st century. The Secrets of Love reveals this fascinating wisdom on a subject that has prompted countless hours of discussion, speculation and soul searching for people from each new generation and every walk of life for centuries.

“The feedback we’re receiving is extremely positive, people saying that this film is providing the kind of education and guidance that saves marriages and families” says Co-executive producer Jane Gehr. “It’s the fondest wish of our entire team that this enlightening information help people everywhere discover what real love is and experience all of the joy and satisfaction in life that is their birthright.”

The ‘heart child’ of Independent film maker and video journalist Bill Wade, Secrets of Love endeavors to empower each of us to unravel the tangled threads of misunderstanding, conflict, mistrust and infidelity, then reweave them into the soft and shimmering fabric of harmony, joy, and peace we all want our relationships to be. Wade spent over four years interviewing some of today’s best known experts in the field of human relations, seeking answers to questions that often haunt people’s hearts. The fascinating, sometimes funny, and always instructive dialogues in this film are the remarkable result of his inquiries.

According to Wade, Secrets of Love is for anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of a relationship and is seriously looking for the answers to lasting, soulful, and fulfilling partnerships. Viewers experience the exploration of the body, mind, and soul of love through the wisdom teachings of ancient and contemporary masters woven together into a seamless program by writer Lisa Vanco. Topics include Sexless Marriage, Soul Mates: Myth or Truth, Sacred Sex, Our Shadows, Intimacy, The Power of Love. Secrets of Love is a sacred journey to finding the keys to having, nourishing, and keeping Love in your life.

This long awaited, inspired film is hosted by NBC Today Show’s Love Doc Brenda Wade and highlights celebrity couple Catherine Oxenberg & Casper Van Dien sharing their deeply personal story of soul-mates united, struggling through sex addiction and betrayal, and finding their path back to Love. This odyssey is further enriched by the perspectives of modern luminaries Deepak Chopra, M.D., Marianne Williamson, Dr. John Gray, Katie & Gay Hendricks, Dannion Brinkley, Dr. Greg Baer, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Savitri & Aadil Palkhivala, Mimi Guarneri, M.D. and others.

The Secrets of Love, now available on DVD (Beyond Words Publishing) is already inspiring a global audience and is available directly for $ 19.95 at select retailers throughout North America. An iPhone App and an iPad App featuring over 80 two to four minute video clips, many not seen on the DVD, will be available on the iTunes App store. The digital release will be available in Spring and there is a six show broadcast series currently in development. For more information about Secrets of Love or to view the official trailers of the film, go to: http://www.SecretsofLove.tv.

Total running time: 83 Minutes + More than 50 minutes of bonus footage. Screener copies are available by request.

Media Contact: John Stellar or Kate Romero-Stellar / Stellar Communications (800) 858-2712.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.