Tag Archives: Travel and Tourism

Cornerstone Ranch Expansion Preserves Land and More than Doubles Space

PRINCETON, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- Cornerstone Ranch started out 18 years ago with 24 acres in Princeton. A recent land acquisition of 31 acres in Rutland more than doubles the size of this woman-owned and operated business.

Susan Connell, Cornerstone's founder and owner, explains that not only was this land purchase a benefit to the ranch, but to the community as a whole. "The land is now preserved from future development. The scenic backdrop provides outdoor recreational activities for all ages. Trail rides, sleigh rides, riding lessons, pony rides, birthday parties and group outings are some of the many activities we host throughout the year," she says.

This expansion provides an increased ability to host more birthday party events, summer ice cream socials (each flavor is named after a horse on the ranch) and barbecues. There's a small animal yard for petting, horse-drawn wagon rides with a historical spin and accelerated "Learn to Ride" clinics for adult riders to improve and learn new skills.

There's even the "Wild Child Express Trolley" for kids to enjoy. The trolley was originally located at the University of New Hampshire and served as a concession stand outside of the college. It's an original from the Classic Trolley Company and today it serves as a place to get a cool ice cream on a hot day.

Connell is dedicated to educating people from all walks of life about the history and culture which makes people's love for horses so strong.

"I promote safe, humane equestrian activities by educating and engaging people in the sport of riding and driving horses in a safe, friendly and non-competitive atmosphere. Sharing the ranch with so many individuals and families traveling from far away and locally is very rewarding. Seeing joy on people's faces as they return from a trail ride, often on a horse we have rehabilitated, is truly a rewarding and heartwarming experience," Connell says.

For more information, visit: https://www.cornerstoneranch.org/.

Watch a video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/E-Uh8WYn-fA.

About Cornerstone Ranch:

This family-run business is opened year-round. Two of Connell's children, Julia and John, both work on the ranch in addition to many volunteers, some of whom have helped out for more than 10 years. Many of their horses have been turned in by people who could no longer care for them. Cornerstone devotes the time, patience and experience required to rehabilitate and retrain them.

Cornerstone Ranch started out 18 years ago with 24 acres in Princeton. A recent land acquisition of 31 acres in Rutland more than doubles the size of this woman-owned and operated business.

Related link: https://www.cornerstoneranch.org/

Celebrity Travel Mishaps: Even Music and Movie Stars Can Benefit from Travel Insurance

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Scrolling through the Instagram feeds of famous celebrities might lead to the belief that stars never experience the same travel mishaps that ordinary travelers do. According to TravelInsurance.com, we have more in common with famous jet-setters than we realize, in that celebrities face the same travel troubles that can derail anyone's vacation.

Over the years, unavoidable travel disruptions have affected some of the world's most famous individuals, all of whom could have benefited from a travel insurance plan.

"While celebrities add prestige to an industry where glamour has declined over time, no amount of designer luggage or first-class tickets can prevent common travel woes," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. "No matter how much you spend on travel, a travel insurance plan can protect your investment and is generally affordable, whether insuring yourself or an entourage of 10."

Flight Delays

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's international flight was forced to turn around and head home after four hours in the air, not even halfway to their destination. Bella Thorne's plane ran into a fence. Luke Evans got delayed by snow and was stuck in the airport for six hours.

Flight delays can lead to missed connections, missed pre-paid activities, and added costs while travelers await departure. A travel insurance plan, however, can kick in and cover any unexpected expenses incurred due to a covered delay. While some celebrities may have a personal chef in tow or a crash pad available in every city, the rest of us can benefit from having incidentals costs from food to hotel stays paid for in the event of a delay.

Lost Luggage

Celebrities like Liev Schreiber and Matt Damon have talked about their experiences with the lost baggage blues - the "Jason Bourne" star had to borrow a suit for his appearance at the World Economic Forum at Davos when his airline couldn't find his suitcase. And who can forget the unfortunate time when the official airline of the PGA accidently lost some golf clubs - before the big event?

Most travel insurance plans include baggage coverage in the event that personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged, even for those flying with hand-me-down luggage. Coverage limits in travel insurance plans are typically higher than the coverage limits set by the airlines, however most travel insurance plans have a maximum per article limit which can range from $250 to $1,000 per item.

While this may not be enough for celebrities, who might travel with a single outfit worth that amount, most plans offer an optional upgrade to provide additional coverage for the types of items more likely to be packed by those without a verified Twitter account.

Medical Care

Demi Lovato hurt her ankle in Bali. Nina Dobrev spent one of her holidays in the hospital. And George Clooney crashed his scooter in Italy.

While it's true that the chances of being injured when filming a movie around Lake Como are low for most, it isn't hard to imagine getting sick or injured during an upcoming vacation. Travel health insurance provides coverage for unexpected illness or injury while away from home. While it may be more likely to contract the flu than fall off a performance stage, ensuring proper care while traveling that doesn't break the bank is just as important.

"While some trips are run-of-the-mill weekend getaways, others - like milestone family vacations - require years of saving and planning," continued Sandberg. "Traveling for most people is very different from the glitz and glamour portrayed on the Instagram feeds of our favorite celebrities.

"Things can go wrong, flights can be delayed, luggage can get lost, family members can get sick. Protecting a trip investment if something happens is simply a smart idea. Not only can a travel insurance plan offer financial peace of mind, it can also have your back during medical emergencies."

For more information on travel insurance and travel tips, visit: https://www.TravelInsurance.com.

Scrolling through the Instagram feeds of famous celebrities might lead to the belief that stars never experience the same travel mishaps that ordinary travelers do. According to Travelinsurance.com, we have more in common with famous jet-setters than we realize, in that celebrities face the same travel troubles that can derail anyone's vacation.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

Bon Voyage! 5 Tips for Cruisers Purchasing Vacation Travel Insurance in 2019

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Wave Season, the time of year when the majority of cruise vacations are booked, is upon us and with it the need for cruisers to consider travel insurance, according to TravelInsurance.com. While most cruises go off without a hitch, Mother Nature can throw a variety of unexpected hiccups into a cruise vacation. This can include hurricanes or other storms, missing the ship due to travel mishaps either at home or at your destination city, or succumbing to an illness or injury on board.

"Cruise vacations continue to be one of the most popular travel options - every trip detail is taken care of by the cruise company, from food and lodging to entertainment and excursions at exotic ports of call," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. "However, with everything dependent on the ship sailing, an unexpected storm or mechanical breakdown can quickly ruin a vacation. A quality travel insurance plan can help protect against a financial loss when unexpected events happen. If you are considering booking a cruise, consider purchasing travel insurance as well for extra peace of mind."

Here are some key tips for cruisers to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance for their next cruise:

1. Find the best options through an aggregator site. By taking advantage of captive customers in the booking process, cruise lines may only offer limited insurance options at the time of purchase. The options may include only "one-size-fits-all" plans that offer few benefits or key exclusions. These plans may also only offer travel vouchers for future cruises in the event of certain types of cancellations. And most importantly, many standard travel insurance plans offered by the cruise lines will not cover any travel costs to and from the ship's departure ports and may not provide coverage for any travel booked outside of the cruise company's in-house reservations. Smart cruisers can find a wide range of more cost-effective options on comparison sites like TravelInsurance.com.

2. Consider cruise-specific coverage. Cruise ships run on tight schedules, and they will not cover any missed departures, despite the fact that the leading causes of missing a cruise ship include delayed flights or adverse weather conditions. Missed Connection coverage can reimburse the traveler for a set dollar amount to re-book travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed Port of Call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call on the itinerary due to adverse weather, natural disaster or mechanical breakdown. Or look for a plan with Cruise Disablement coverage, which pays a benefit if you are confined on board the ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restroom facilities.

Learn more about Missed Connection Coverage: https://www.travelinsurance.com/missed-connection-coverage/

3. Read the fine print on medical and evacuation coverage. Although cruise ships provide medical facilities, some ships may not be equipped to treat serious injuries or illnesses. For extreme medical emergencies, travel insurance plans with emergency evacuation coverage can cover the costs of transportation to evacuate a passenger to the closest adequate medical facility. Also, if during a cruise a passenger has to seek medical attention off the ship, travel medical coverage can reimburse the costs of those medical expenses.

4. Save money with group travel insurance. When ten or more people are traveling on the same itinerary or together as a group, group travel insurance can be an affordable and easy way to purchase coverage for each group member. Group leaders can offer the same coverage to each individual traveling, regardless of the traveler's age. This can be cost effective for "silver" cruise groups, since the cost of the insurance varies only by the costs of the trip insured and not the traveler's age. Group leaders can also purchase and manage the individual policies on behalf of the travelers, making for a more efficient, hassle-free process.

5. Purchase travel insurance early. It is important to purchase your travel insurance within 7-21 days of your first payment toward the trip. This is especially critical for those looking for a plan that takes pre-existing conditions into consideration or for those looking to upgrade to a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plan as the availability of these benefits is tied to purchasing the insurance within that time-sensitive window. And always remember to purchase early during the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June through November), since once a storm is named, it is too late to purchase a plan that would cover you for that storm.

For more information, or to search for a travel insurance plan, visit https://www.travelinsurance.com/.

About TravelInsurance.com:
TravelInsurance.com helps simplify the complicated world of travel insurance by providing consumers with the easiest way to compare and buy trip insurance coverage online. A member company of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, owned and operated by DigiVentures Holdings, LLC, a licensed agency that works with some of the largest travel insurers in the industry. Purchases can be made directly through the website, with policies sent via email within minutes.

Learn more at https://www.travelinsurance.com/.

'Wave Season,' the time of year when the majority of cruise vacations are booked, is upon us and with it the need for cruisers to consider travel insurance, according to TravelInsurance.com. While most cruises go off without a hitch, Mother Nature can throw a variety of unexpected hiccups into a cruise vacation. This can include hurricanes or other storms, missing the ship due to travel mishaps either at home or at your destination city, or succumbing to an illness or injury on board.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

2019 Predictions: Key Travel Trends That Will Drive Growth of the Travel Insurance Market

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- With almost all travel insurance providers reporting strong growth in 2018, TravelInsurance.com expects this momentum to continue into 2019, and has identified five key drivers. In recent years travel for many has become less about simply taking a break and more about connecting with loved ones, immersing ourselves into what we are passionate about and exploring places that surprise, delight and challenge our views of the world.

As the way we travel evolves, costs are increasing and itineraries are becoming more personalized to fit individual interests, needs and schedules. As a result, travel insurance is a more critical component in travel planning than ever before.

"In the last few years, travel insurance has become one of the most popular travel products available," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. "It can be indispensable in today's travel environment, and it is cost-effective for almost all types of travel. Travel insurance can give travelers more than just peace of mind - it can assist you in times of need when unexpected, costly events occur before or during a trip."

The following are the trends that TravelInsurance.com expects will be the key drivers of growth in travel insurance purchases in 2019:

An increased awareness of comparison shopping for travel insurance - While today's online shoppers use comparison shopping sites for almost every e-commerce purchase, shoppers using online travel sites - such as direct airline sites and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) - aren't given the same opportunity when it comes to travel insurance. The OTAs and direct airline sites typically offer limited options from a single company at checkout, with little transparency to give a consumer confidence in what they're buying. The failures of this "take-it-or-leave-it" approach took center stage in 2018 when the Hon. Senator Ed Markey released a report warning that consumers might not be getting the protection they think they've paid for. As consumer awareness continues to grow, more travel shoppers will seek out comparison shopping sites like TravelInsurance.com, which offer a way to compare from multiple travel insurance companies in an easy and transparent way, usually resulting in better and more affordable coverage. TravelInsurance.com expects online comparison sites to be the fastest growing sales channel for travel insurance in 2019.

More travelers to hit the high seas in 2019 - Cruise vacations will continue to be a top travel trend in 2019, with at least nine new cruise ships being launched in 2019. And with the introduction of ships across a wide range of travel categories, from affordable to luxury, there really will be something for everyone. In addition to the baby boomers and senior market, who represent the most active cruise travel group, new cruise offerings are expected to bring young families and millennials into the market in 2019. Growth in the cruise industry in 2019 will translate to growth in travel insurance purchases, as cruises come with a unique set of travel risks that travel insurance can address - from missed ports of call to illnesses on board.

Growth in highly curated travel experiences for groups - Genealogy-driven travel, undertourism, experiential learning, volunteerism, and agritourism are all expected to grow in 2019 as travelers pursue their passions. TravelInsurance.com saw strong growth in its group travel business in 2018 and expects the trend to continue in 2019. More travelers are seeking out travel companionship with those who share common interests to enhance their travel experience. Group travel insurance is an ideal way to provide coverage for a group and makes the administration of travel insurance plans streamlined and easy.

Millennial nomads more likely to purchase annual plans - Extensive travel by millennials, Gen Y and Gen Z has become more prevalent as young travelers prioritize exploring the world as digital nomads. Whether to seek out the most remote islands in the South Pacific or to claim the ultimate selfie, young travelers are hitting the road with their social media followers in tow - both on their own and with friends. As the desire and commitment to traveling the world increases, TravelInsurance.com forecasts growth in annual plans which are designed for travelers who take multiple trips per year. Annual plans provide a convenience and can be cost effective for frequent travelers.

Uncertainty over health insurance coverage when traveling abroad - With the future of ACA health plans uncertain and the general lack of understanding of one's health insurance coverage, more consumers will purchase travel insurance with travel medical and emergency evacuation coverage when traveling in 2019. A recent survey conducted by TravelInsurance.com showed that about half (47 percent) of respondents don't know whether or not their health insurance provided coverage while traveling, especially when traveling abroad. And most standard Medicare plans do not provide coverage when traveling internationally. TravelInsurance.com also expects more countries to require incoming travelers to show proof of health coverage as a requirement to obtain a visa. These trends will be key drivers of growth in travel insurance plans that offer travel medical coverage.

A travel insurance policy can protect travelers from a variety of unexpected circumstances while they are traveling. Whether you're looking for trip cancellation coverage to reimburse you for the costs of hotels, flights and other pre-paid and non-refundable trip expenses or if you need medical expense coverage to protect you from the extensive costs of overseas treatment and hospitalization, a travel insurance policy can drastically decrease your risks.

For more information, or to search for a travel insurance plan, visit https://www.travelinsurance.com.

About TravelInsurance.com:
TravelInsurance.com helps simplify the complicated world of travel insurance by providing consumers with the easiest way to compare and buy trip insurance coverage online. A member company of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, owned and operated by DigiVentures Holdings, LLC, a licensed agency that works with some of the largest travel insurers in the industry. Purchases can be made directly through the website, with policies sent via email within minutes. Learn more at https://www.travelinsurance.com.

With almost all travel insurance providers reporting strong growth in 2018, TravelInsurance.com expects this momentum to continue into 2019, and has identified five key drivers. In recent years travel for many has become less about simply taking a break and more about connecting with loved ones, immersing ourselves into what we are passionate about and exploring places that surprise, delight and challenge our views of the world.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

Unique Smartphone Gift under $20 with a 5 Star Review from Santa

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- If Santa Claus was an influencer he'd stick Selfie Stick-It(R) to his gift giving list. Everyone knows how difficult it is to capture group photos without leaving someone out of the shot. While different products have been engineered to solve this problem the smallest and most universal is the one from Fromm Works Inc.

Selfie Stick-It is a wireless smartphone mount that sticks virtually anywhere. It's brand agnostic, lightweight and compact for travel. Attach it to wood, metal, glass, mirror, marble, and more to help you take the solo selfie or group shot you desire in the most flattering way possible. Once you have attached it to your surface of choice, stand back and smile.

Click the button on the included Bluetooth remote (compatible with iOS and Android) to activate your smartphone camera shutter or video mode on your phone. Use your phone in portrait or landscape position. When you're all done having fun, just twist the Selfie Stick-It and it removes easily from the surface, damage-free.

It's washable, reusable and personalized as it is available in multiple colors. Perfect for all ages. Co-creator Sage Fromm describes it as "a pocket size photo booth."

Video link: https://youtu.be/_cYQJSrVum8

TOP REVIEWS:
"The makers of the selfie stick created a new, more convenient way to take a selfie and it's worth your attention." -- Mashable.

Inventions Insider: Insider Picks reviews Selfie Stick-It in a video that has gone viral, currently at 2 million views and counting. "The Selfie Stick-It is so good for when you don't have people around to take your photo. Selfie Stick-It is the least obnoxious way to take self-portraits with your phone. It's an affordable little smartphone-era novelty that solves a real problem without the deleterious societal ills of selfie sticks. It's great for when you have a big group of people getting together, rather than have that one person in your group get out there with a long arm or have to take the photo." -- Business Insider.

Inventor Insider Link: https://www.facebook.com/Insiderinventions/videos/296107007646250/

"It does the job it claims to do, and does it surprisingly well." -- Gizmodo.

ABOUT SELFIE STICK-IT:
From the creators of the original Selfie Stick, Fromm Works Inc. has been a trusted leader in wireless tripod and monopod phone accessories since 2006. U.S. Patent No. 9,606,424. Foreign Patents Pending.

At the low cost of $19.99 including shipping, Selfie Stick-It is available for purchase through Amazon and https://selfiestickit.com/.

For more information on the original patented selfie stick, visit: https://www.quikpod.com/ and https://twitter.com/quikpod

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfiestickit/
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/selfiestickit

If Santa Claus was an influencer he'd stick Selfie Stick-It(R) to his gift giving list. Everyone knows how difficult it is to capture group photos without leaving someone out of the shot. While different products have been engineered to solve this problem the smallest and most universal is the one from Fromm Works Inc.

Related link: http://www.frommworks.com/

Magnifi Group, Inc. Joins WYSE Travel Confederation

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Magnifi Group, a leading provider of educational technology solutions, has joined membership of the WYSE Travel Confederation. WYSE Travel Confederation is a world-renowned not-for-profit organization serving the youth, student, and education travel industry. WYSE membership enables Magnifi to serve the Student and Youth Travel Industry with its state-of-the-art eLearning platform, Learn-WiseGo.

"There is a significant opportunity within the Student and Youth Travel market," said Kristin Leeman, Managing Director, Magnifi Group, Europe. "We are seeing companies identify the value of eLearning; not only from a ROI perspective, but also to be compliant in critical areas such as Risk Management," Leeman added.

Magnifi Group is nearing completion of the most comprehensive and interactive curriculum developed specifically for the Youth and Student Travel Industry. This suite of courses will add significant value to the Learn-WiseGo platform and be a major benefit to travel companies using it.

Magnifi Group will be exhibiting with WYSE Travel Confederation at the largest travel-focused trade show, ITB Berlin, 6 - 10 March, 2019.

About Magnifi Group:
Magnifi Group is a developer of dynamic online training solutions for leading global corporations. The company also hosts live courses for surgeons including the Spine IEP Fellows and Young Surgeons' Course and the Lower Extremity IEP Fellows and Young Surgeons' Course.

The company was founded in 2002 and has offices in San Diego, California and Wiesbaden, Germany. Learn more at: http://www.magnifigroup.com/.

About WYSE Travel Confederation:
WYSE Travel Confederation is the only global not-for-profit membership organization representing the entire youth, student, and educational travel industry. WYSE promotes the youth travel industry and provides business development tools for members.

WYSE is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Learn more: https://www.wysetc.org/

Magnifi Group, a leading provider of educational technology solutions, has joined membership of the WYSE Travel Confederation. WYSE Travel Confederation is a world-renowned not-for-profit organization serving the youth, student, and education travel industry. WYSE membership enables Magnifi to serve the Student and Youth Travel Industry with its state-of-the-art eLearning platform, Learn-WiseGo.

Related link: http://www.magnifigroup.com/

New Survey Finds More Than 75-percent of Travelers Experience Travel Mishaps, Yet Few Protect Themselves with Travel Insurance

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- A new survey conducted by travel insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com found that even though travelers are concerned with travel disruptions and many have experienced mishaps while on vacation, fewer than half of those surveyed have purchased travel insurance. Of those who didn't purchase travel insurance, only a third even considered it.

"The results from the survey show a clear disconnect - respondents have real concerns about travel interruptions and have experienced them first-hand, yet they do not consider the many benefits of travel insurance," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.

"Our survey revealed that the most common reasons why travelers disregard travel insurance are: they believe it's too expensive; they don't understand the coverage or the rules of purchasing it; and they believe they just don't need it. By dramatically simplifying the travel insurance shopping experience - and giving travel consumers a transparent view of the value proposition of travel insurance - TravelInsurance.com is helping to educate travel consumers to shop and buy with confidence."

The survey asked more than 1,000 individuals who travel multiple times a year about their leisure travel habits in 2018, along with what concerns they have when booking their vacations. Below are some key findings.

Travel Spend:

The survey found that more than one in five (22%) will spend more than $5,000 on travel this year, with almost half (47%) spending more than $2,500. Older travelers tend to spend the most as they typically have greater disposable incomes, take longer trips and spend more on vacation travel than their younger counterparts.

Travel Concerns:

According to the survey, the top three travel concerns for travelers were weather-related disruptions, the possibility of illness or injury affecting a trip, and terrorism. These concerns are also the top risks addressed by most travel insurance plans.

The survey further drilled down into travelers' concerns about the weather. More than three quarters of respondents (78%) indicated that they're at least thinking about the weather at their arrival destination when booking a trip. However, more than half (52%) said they rarely or never take into consideration the weather in their departure city when booking a trip.

Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage is one of the most effective ways to protect an investment in non-refundable vacations year-round, but it can be especially important during the increasingly active hurricane season and during winter months when storms are more likely. These both coincide with some of the busiest leisure travel months of the year.

Travel Interruptions:

While many vacations go smoothly, survey results point to rampant delays. Three out of four respondents (76%) have experienced a flight delay in the past, and nearly half (48%) have had their luggage lost or stolen. Another third (35%) have experienced either getting sick or traveling with someone who has gotten sick while on a trip.

Flight was delayed	76%
Luggage/personal belongings were delayed or lost	48%
Flight was cancelled	40%
You needed to change/cancel your plans due to personal reasons	35%
You or someone in your party got sick or injured during the trip	35%
You missed your connection	31%
You are someone in your party got sick or injured before the trip	17%
You needed to change/cancel your plans due to work-related reasons	14%
You needed travel assistance (i.e., you needed a last-minute change, car rental, hotel accommodations, or you needed help with travel in a country where you don’t speak the language, etc.)	14%
Luggage/personal belongings were stolen	6%

Travel Insurance:

Most consumers are worried about travel disruptions, and most have experienced them in the past, yet more than half (54%) have never purchased travel insurance and two thirds (65%) of those have never even considered it. The survey also showed that about half (47%) of respondents didn't know whether or not their health insurance provided coverage while traveling, especially when traveling abroad. Travel insurance plans can provide medical and emergency evacuation coverage for international travel.

The reasons travelers don't purchase travel insurance show that there remains a number of misconceptions about the value proposition of travel insurance and the benefits it provides. TravelInsurance.com was founded on the primary goal of addressing those misconceptions. By offering a simple and transparent shopping experience where consumers can compare plans and providers quickly, TravelInsurance.com gives consumers an affordable way to protect against the travel disruptions that concern them the most.

"Many people don't think they need travel insurance or that it's too expensive. However, today's frequent travel disruptions and lost travel expenses would suggest otherwise," continued Sandberg. "Travel cancellation coverage can cost as little as four percent (4%) of a trip's total cost, which if something goes wrong and you have to miss your trip, can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Coverage for emergency travel medical and evacuations can cost even less."

For more information on travel insurance and travel tips, visit https://www.travelinsurance.com/

A new survey conducted by travel insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com found that even though travelers are concerned with travel disruptions and many have experienced mishaps while on vacation, fewer than half of those surveyed have purchased travel insurance. Of those who didn't purchase travel insurance, only a third even considered it.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

Vertical3 Media Launches Vertical3 Travel, a boutique agency dedicated to boost growth of the Miami Hospitality and Travel Business

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Vertical3 Media, the Miami-based digital advertising and marketing agency, announced today that it is launching a new division, Vertical3 Travel, to boost the already booming hospitality and travel sector in Miami.

V3T (vertical3travel.com) will assist hotels and other tourism-related clients looking to boost their bookings and sales with media and marketing services specifically tailored during years of experience optimizing results for the travel industry. Core Services include Digital Media Planning and Buying, Programmatic Advertising, Native Advertising, SEM/SEO and Social Media.

"At Vertical3 Media we are incredibly pleased to be celebrating 8 years assisting a select group of very successful clients from a wide array of industries, including travel and hospitality," said Juan Jos e Nunez, Founder & CEO of Vertical3 Media. "Through that work, we realized that there was an unmet need for a local, Miami-based digital media agency built specifically for the growing needs of the Tourism and Hospitality sector. We are excited to build upon that success and offer Vertical3 Travel to assist this important client base and help them thrive. As they grow, so does this beautiful community we call home."

Vertical3 Travel will draw on the insights and experience amassed by Vertical3 Media as it contributed to the success of clients like Melia Hotels, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sunny Isles Beach, Royal Caribbean International and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, to name a few.

"Through Vertical3 Travel, we will help clients optimize the return of investment of their marketing and branding efforts and more effectively sustain growth. Our team combines a deep knowledge of the hospitality audience and competitive landscape, expertise in all aspects of traditional and digital media, and an absolute dedication to the hospitality and travel sector. We are in a privileged position to provide our clients with effective solutions to reach potential customers and surpass their marketing goals while keeping costs at bay."

While V3T will be focused in the local hospitality market, as an integral part of Vertical3 Media it will offer advertising and marketing services within the U.S., Latin America and Spain through offices in Miami, Bogotá and Barcelona.

About Vertical3 Media:
Vertical3 Media is a Miami-based digital media marketing and advertising company specialized in providing solutions for rapid growth. The agency offers a wide array of services in the digital & traditional media fields to meet clients' needs and help them reach their goals in the U.S., Spain and Latin American markets. Vertical3 Travel (V3T) is the newly launched division of Vertical3 Media, designed to boost growth for the travel and hospitality sector.

Find out more at http://vertical3media.com/.

Vertical3 Media, the Miami-based digital advertising and marketing agency, announced today that it is launching a new division, Vertical3 Travel, to boost the already booming hospitality and travel sector in Miami.

Related link: http://vertical3media.com/

Holiday Travel 2018: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance When Booking Your Holiday Vacation This Year

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- For the best prices and travel options, October is an ideal time to book your holiday travel, whether it's a family gathering for Thanksgiving or a ski trip around Christmas break, according to TravelInsurance.com. It's a great time to take advantage of deals, which become harder to come by closer to the intended travel date.

However, with hurricane season not ending until the end of November, right around the time when winter storms tend to pick up, weather can have a huge impact on your holiday vacation plans. In fact, a recent survey from TravelInsurance.com found that more than 90 percent of travelers have experienced at least some type of travel mishap, with 3 in 4 experiencing a flight delay.

To ensure you are covered if something goes awry during your holiday travel this year, consider purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are protected. At just 4 percent to 8 percent of the total trip costs, travel insurance is an affordable way to gain peace of mind by protecting your investment. And when travelers compare rates online before purchasing a travel insurance policy, it's possible to save more.

TravelInsurance.com has the following tips for purchasing travel insurance for your holiday travel:

* Consider when, and where, you are traveling to (and from!). Hurricanes, storms and snowfalls are unpredictable and can derail holiday plans. Once a storm is named, you can no longer purchase travel insurance with cancellation coverage to protect your investment. If you are traveling to, or from, an often affected area, travel insurance becomes even more critical.
* Keep in mind who you are traveling with. Kids can get sick, and older travelers may need greater medical coverage while away from home. When reviewing travel insurance plans, be sure to know what is covered if you need to cancel or need assistance while away. Consider the likely scenarios specific to your travel companions before landing on a plan.
* Your activities matter. Will you be sitting around eating holiday cookies with grandma, heli-skiing with friends, or golfing with your brother in Florida? For the more adventurous traveler, look for a plan with hazardous sports coverage. And for the active traveler, look for a plan that will cover your sporting equipment such as skis or golf clubs. Some plans will even cover lost ski days or golf fees because of extreme weather.
* Use a comparison site. The two biggest benefits of purchasing a travel insurance plan through a comparison site are choice and savings. Travelers can compare ratings, quotes and features for a multitude of policies. Viewing a side-by-side explanation of benefits allows travelers to choose a policy that makes the most sense for individual needs and at the right price. A comparison site may also offer verified customer reviews to give prospective customers a clear picture of past customer experiences with various providers and plans. Potential buyers can select upgrades and see the price adjustments without hassle.
* Purchase insurance early. Many travelers are unaware of the importance of purchasing your travel insurance within 7-21 days of your first payment toward your trip. This is especially important for those looking for a plan that takes pre-existing conditions into consideration or for those looking to upgrade to a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plan as your departure date draws near.

For more information and travel tips, visit https://www.traveIinsurance.com.

About TravelInsurance.com:
TravelInsurance.com helps simplify the complicated world of travel insurance by providing consumers with the easiest way to compare and buy trip insurance coverage online. A member company of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, owned and operated by DigiVentures Holdings, LLC, a licensed agency that works with some of the largest travel insurers in the industry. Purchases can be made directly through the website, with policies sent via email within minutes.

For the best prices and travel options, October is an ideal time to book your holiday travel, whether it's a family gathering for Thanksgiving or a ski trip around Christmas break, according to TravelInsurance.com. It's a great time to take advantage of deals, which become harder to come by closer to the intended travel date.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

The Hyde Park Homes Tour for 2018 Showcases Century-Old Homes this October

KANSAS CITY, Mo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Eight historic homes, including three by noted architect John W. McKecknie, will open their doors for tours during the biennial Hyde Park Historic Homes Tour. The Tour hosted by The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) will be held Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and a Candlelight Tour of a Chicago-style influenced Italian Renaissance home on historic Janssen Place will be held on Friday, October 5 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The biennial tour showcases the architectural diversity and unique character of historic Hyde Park, which is nestled in the heart of midtown Kansas City, conveniently located between the Plaza and Crown Center.

The event includes a candlelight tour Friday evening, October 5, and the October 6 tour includes seven homes.

Saturday's tour homes include:
* 7 Janssen Place, an Italian Revival style home built in 1909, was designed by Kansas City Architect John W. McKecknie. The home is 3 full stories of brick construction with a tile roof.
* 3900 Holmes, a 2 1/2 story Colonial revival home built in 1909, was designed by John W. McKecknie. The home was originally built for Mrs. A. J. Cole and features stucco and stone with a Craftsman style.
* 717 Manheim, a 2 1/2 Colonial Revival built in 1908, was designed by architect E.P. Madorie. The home boasts original wood burning and coal burning fireplaces throughout the house.
* 3827 Harrison, a Craftsman style home, was built in 1911 and designed by architect E. P. Madorie. The stone and stucco home boasts original oak woodwork.
* 3820 Campbell, a Tudor Revival, designed by architect S.R. Frink was built in 1908. The meticulously restored house has original oak woodwork, and two original oil paintings signed and dated in 1909 by Lauck & Lauck which are incorporated into floor to ceiling fireplace mantels.
* 3530 Harrison, a 2 1/2 story stone house, was designed by Frederick C. Gunn and built in 1911. The exterior of the home has Craftsman style influences as evidenced by massive stone porch supports and natural building materials.
* 3653 Charlotte was built in 1908 and designed by John W. McKecknie. The home has a stone first story and shingles on the second and third. Brackets under the eaves and the porch give the home a distinct craftsman feel. First floor and garden tour only.

Climate-controlled shuttle buses transport visitors to each stop on the Saturday tour. The Saturday tour also includes food and beverage trucks.

For further details, and to purchase tour tickets, priced from $13 to $60, visit www.HydeParkTour.com.

"When you visit Hyde Park, the spirit of the neighborhood shines through in the pride neighbors take in these historic homes," said Allan Hallquist, HPNA's president. "Our neighborhood and community are evolving, and are still grounded in a desire to preserve the historic nature of the neighborhood."

In 2013, the Historic Kansas City Foundation recognized The Hyde Park Homes Tour with a Community Catalyst Preservation Award for the contribution the Tour made to the reinvestment and revitalization of a historic neighborhood. The HPNA is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation.

More information: https://hydeparkkc.org/homes-tour/

Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 32551 • Kansas City, MO 64171 • www.hydeparkkc.org

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/HjfXjHzbO9s

Eight historic homes, including three by noted architect John W. McKecknie, will open their doors for tours during the biennial Hyde Park Historic Homes Tour. The Tour hosted by The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) will be held Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and a Candlelight Tour of a Chicago-style influenced Italian Renaissance home on historic Janssen Place will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Related link: http://www.hydeparktour.com/

As Hurricane Florence Nears the US, Here’s What To Know About Travel Insurance Coverage

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- As one of the first major storms of the year looms over the East Coast, many travelers may be caught off guard if their vacations are impacted, according to TravelInsurance.com. But for those who purchased travel insurance already, many of their trip costs could be covered for travel interruptions or cancellations if directly impacted by Hurricane Florence.

"If you purchased a travel insurance plan with comprehensive trip cancellation coverage prior to a storm being named, in this case Hurricane Florence, your plan will most likely provide coverage for cancellations, delays or interruptions that could result directly from the hurricane," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. "This can include if your destination is severely affected before your departure, or if you are currently in an affected area and are required to evacuate early."

While it's still unclear what path and strength Florence will ultimately follow, the storm is a good reminder that now is the time to purchase insurance for travel during this year's hurricane season, which runs through November.

For those who do, here are the steps TravelInsurance.com recommends travelers take once they know their trip will be affected:

* Review your policy. Take the time to review the policy and note the covered reasons listed in the plan's trip cancellation section. If it isn't listed there, it likely isn't covered. Write down your policy number and keep a list of important contact numbers provided in your plan, including for 24/7 global assistance, customer service, and claims.
* Make contact. Most travel insurance plans provide 24/7 global travel assistance; travelers should take advantage of it. Typically, the plans include a wide range of assistance services to help get through travel delays, rebookings, and even emergency medical evacuations. Many plans also include concierge services and business assistance services.
* Keep relevant documents. Depending on the specific issue encountered, certain documents for verification purposes will be required. It is very important to insist on these papers and keep them safe, as it might slow down or impact the claims process without them. During a storm, official documents from the airline in the case of a delay or cancellation may be needed. If unsure of what documents will be needed, call customer service or review the claims procedures listed in your travel insurance documents. Create a folder to save all of your travel receipts including airline tickets, hotel bookings or cruise tickets. Also, make sure you document any loss. Having well documented travel receipts and proof of loss will save you time and hassle, which means you are more likely to have your claim paid quickly.
* Submit claim. Filing a claim is mostly about paperwork, filling it out correctly and professionally. If you are unsure of anything, it's best to ask questions directly before submitting. Most insurance providers require you to file a claim within a specific period of time from the event of loss. Some insurance providers may offer a period of a few weeks, while others may offer a period of one month to file a claim.

"It can be disappointing when your planned travel is impacted by the weather, however when you have travel insurance, one of those disappointments doesn't have to be losing your hard-earned money," continued Sandberg. "This is the type of storm that travel insurance is designed for - to protect your investment if, and when, something unexpected occurs. But remember to purchase before the storm is named."

For those who did not purchase travel insurance, contact the airlines, hotels and any pre-paid activity organizers to determine what, if any, refund policies they have. Once a storm is named, unfortunately, it's too late to purchase travel insurance coverage, unless you purchase a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade.

For more information and travel tips, visit: https://www.TravelInsurance.com/.

About TravelInsurance.com:

TravelInsurance.com helps simplify the complicated world of travel insurance by providing consumers with the easiest way to compare and buy trip insurance coverage online. A member company of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, owned and operated by DigiVentures Holdings, LLC, a licensed agency that works with some of the largest travel insurers in the industry. Purchases can be made directly through the website, with policies sent via email within minutes.

As one of the first major storms of 2018 looms over the East Coast, many travelers may be caught off guard if their vacations are impacted, according to TravelInsurance.com. But for those who purchased travel insurance already, many of their trip costs could be covered for travel interruptions or cancellations if directly impacted by Hurricane Florence.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

Running of The Bulls In New Orleans 2018 Whups Butts for Its 12th Year

NEW ORLEANS, La. /ScoopCloud/ -- Nola Bulls, LLC steps up to the big leagues for the 12th edition of the ever-growing San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO) presented by The Advocate, a.k.a. The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans. Los Pastores of Nola Bulls took a step forward booking a major music act, so 2018 promises to be an amazing year of music, food, drinks and what lovers of New Orleans like to do: Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Back in 2007 some friends dreamt up the idea of recreating the famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain by replacing the four-legged bovines with two-legged RollerBulls(TM) played by the Big Easy Rollergirls roller derby team. What has occurred since is nothing short of amazing. Each year hundreds of roller derby skaters (aka RollerBulls(TM)) from around the globe chase down and whoop willing runners through the streets of New Orleans. It's all part of a great three-day fiesta.

Friday July 13 at The Sugar Mill (1021 Convention Center Blvd) charity partners from Beth's Friends Forever (BFF) host El Txupinazo (choo-pee-NAHT-so). The proceeds from the ticketed event and the live auction go to BFF, an organization dedicated to assisting women with cancer. The ticket includes food, open bar and live music and flamenco dancers from Ven Pa'Ca. This year's restaurants include Atchafalaya, Bacchanal, Commander's Palace, Sobou and Tavolino Pizza & Lounge. The grand prize, live auction winner will take home a Lifetime VIP pass to San Fermin in Nueva Orleans!

Saturday's July 14 festivities start early and go into the afternoon! Doors open at 6:30 a.m. at The Sugar Mill for some early imbibing or stretching. A drum and trumpet led procession and the always anticipated invocation by the Reverend Psych Ward precede the 8 a.m. sharp release of hundreds of roller derby ladies with horned helmets armed with plastic bats onto the streets where the real fun begins. This has been called (by us) The Greatest Show on Skates.

Upon return to the Post Encierro registered participants will drink with their tormentors while enjoying DJ Otto followed by headliner The Crystal Method! VIP attendees enjoy food from The Halal Guys while others can purchase food from some great local food trucks. Nola Bulls famous sangria, beer, wine and lots of other refreshments are available throughout the festival site.

Head over to La Fiesta de Pantalones right after The Crystal Method wraps. The Rusty Nail (1100 Constance St.) once again hosts that after-party with DJs and drink specials for registered guests of SFNO!

Sunday July 15 is the finale, not just of San Fermin in Nueva Orleans 2018, but the World Cup. Doors open at 9 a.m. at Lula Restaurant Distillery (1532 St. Charles Ave) for the 10 a.m. game start. Immediately following is El Pobre de Mí. Brunch and absinthe drinks are available for purchase and guests are treated to an Ernest Hemingway themed burlesque show by Roxie La Rouge's Big Deal Burlesque. A Hemingway lookalike contest ends the show and the year for Nola Bulls.

Book your room at one of the festival's sponsor properties from The New Orleans Hotel Collection by visiting http://www.nolabulls.com/hotels. Be sure to tell them you are coming for SFNO!

Nola Bulls, LLC was founded in 2007 and is a provider and promoter of entertainment and cultural events in the New Orleans Area: Improving New Orleans one festival at a time. SFNO helps raise money for two local charities, visit http://www.bethsfriendsforever.org and http://bigeasyanimalrescue.org/ for info on these.

All trademarks and service marks are the property of the respective parties.

For more information on the event, and a link to registration, visit http://www.nolabulls.com

The Crystal Method (official): http://thecrystalmethod.com/

*VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/jUwOfT0Gy_E

Nola Bulls, LLC steps up to the big leagues for the 12th edition of the ever-growing San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO) presented by The Advocate, a.k.a. The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans. Los Pastores of Nola Bulls took a step forward booking a major music act, so 2018 promises to be an amazing year of music, food, drinks and what lovers of New Orleans like to do: Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Related link: http://nolabulls.com/

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn Tops ‘Best of’ Lists – Legacy Continues

OWENSBORO, Ky. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn has been in business for more than 55 years and continues to make headlines in the world of barbecue. While some may sit on their laurels after more than half century, Moonlite Bar-B-Que knows that you always have to be on top of your game.

"We don't take our reputation for granted," Patrick Bosley, co-owner of the Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn, says. "We have a legacy and heritage to maintain and we work on getting better every day."

And, those efforts pay off. Year after year, this western Kentucky establishment manages to top "best of" lists in multiple capacities.

For instance, just last year, it topped CNN's list, "15 of the World's Happiest Places" and this past March, it found its way to the top of Southern Living's "The South's Best BBQ Joint in Every State 2018" and MSN's "The 50 Best Barbecue Joints in America."

One thing that sets this barbecue joint apart from others is its buffet and long-standing tradition of barbecuing mutton. The Bosleys have been cooking it since 1963 in the old fashioned Kentucky tradition. The burgoo, a kind of regional stew, is also made with mutton.

So, while its barbecue methods remain the same, its ability to remain constantly relevant in a quickly changing world, have not.

With more than 120 staff members, Moonlite has grown as a family business from a 30-seat roadside restaurant to one that now accommodates 350 seats; a USDA inspected processing plant; and an extensive catering department, wholesale division and carryout department. The staff works together to keep things going and growing at a slow and steady rate.

"We couldn't be more pleased that our brand continues to get recognition - year after year. And, we're coming up on one of our favorite months - May - 'National BBQ Month.' Let's see what happens then," Bosley says.

For more information, visit: http://www.moonlite.com/ or like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoonliteBarBQ .

The Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn has been in business for more than 55 years and continues to make headlines in the world of barbecue. While some may sit on their laurels after more than half century, Moonlite Bar-B-Que knows that you always have to be on top of your game.

Related link: http://www.moonlite.com/

Entertainment Line-Up: Jaded Aerosmith and Deep Fried Funk Join the Dania Beach Arts and Seafood 6th Annual Celebration

DANIA BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Tribute band Jaded Aerosmith will light up the stage on Saturday, May 19 followed by a captivating performance by R&B band Deep Fried Funk on Sunday, May 20 at the 6th Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration. The 2018 lineup features an electrifying cast of performers and a diverse range of acts, including Classic Rock Therapy, Whipping Post and Latin group Catabella to name a few.

Join the FREE celebration on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Frost Park, located at 300 NE 2nd Street in Dania Beach. This event is the perfect getaway for music aficionados who prefer to "experience" live music and interact with artists amidst beautiful South Florida weather.

Jaded Aerosmith began one day in early February 2015 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as a bright idea by Guitarist Pete Lauria (Brad Whitford) after noticing that his main street band singer and fellow transplanted Bostonian Tommy Braga really loved imitating Steven Tyler during their shows.

With the lineup set, the band quickly devised a set list that encompassed enough of the 45-year history of AEROSMITH to be representative of the actual experience of seeing the band live on any given night. Jaded Aerosmith hits the stage at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"We have, through the study of the music being reproduced, discovered a genuine love for this first truly American Rock and Blues answer to The British Invasion's Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and feel that shines through in each of our performances. Most importantly, we are about having a good time with good music and good friends," states Braga.

One of the most sought after Drummers of this Generation deftly playing any genre, David "Jody" Hill is the C.E.O. and founder of his band Deep Fried Funk. Jody has earned himself 3 Grammy nominations with Joss Stone for the album "Mind, Body & Soul" and has had numerous television appearances. Jody and the Band were also given the opportunity of playing for the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and landed performances with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Jaguar Wright (known for Jay Z's hit song "A Song Cry"), Kindred Family Soul, Dwele, Peter Harder, Gloria Gaynor, RL, Bobby Valentino, Lloyd, Roscoe Dash, Flo-Rida, Rick Ross, Tank, Git Fresh, Trick Daddy, Big Brooklyn Red, D.Woods, Anthony David, Q. Parker and Eric Roberson.

Hill possesses infinite talent and maintains his status in the industry as a force to be reckoned with. Attendees won't want to miss jamming out to his soulful rhythms on Sunday evening beginning at 5 p.m.

"Each year we continue to push ourselves to bring attendees the very best festival experience. With some new changes and features in store for this year's festival, we are ready and excited to treat our fans to an incredible weekend of live performances," states Rickelle Williams, Executive Director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

This year has an incredible entertainment line-up. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday May 19, 2018:
Time / Group / Genre
12:30 to 2:00 - Jimi Ruccolo - Country
2:30 to 4:00 - Kedash and the Treasure Band - R&B
4:30 to 6:00 - Classic Rock Therapy - Rock
6:30 to 8:00 - Jaded Aerosmith (Tribute) - Rock

Sunday May 20, 2018:
Time / Group / Genre
12:00 - 1:00 - Hoodoo Blues Band - Blues
1:30 - 2:30 - Whipping Post - Classic Rock
3:00- 4:30 - Catabella - Latin
5:00- 6:30 - Deep Fried Funk - R&B

In addition to live entertainment, this free event is filled with beautiful art, delicious seafood, over 100 unique vendors, kid's activities and exciting interactive creative experiences. Plan to stay for the day - dance, sing and enjoy the live entertainment, food and magnificent art at your leisure at the Sixth Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration!

For more information please visit: http://daniabeachartsandseafoodcelebration.com/ and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DaniaBeachArtsandSeafoodCelebration.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/b5VGk9jwWeI

Tribute band Jaded Aerosmith will light up the stage on Saturday, May 19 followed by a captivating performance by R&B band Deep Fried Funk on Sunday, May 20 at the 6th Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration. The 2018 lineup features an electrifying cast of performers and a diverse range of acts, including Classic Rock Therapy, Whipping Post and Latin group Catabella to name a few.

Related link: http://www.daniabeachcra.org/

Sixteenth Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON)

PORTLAND, Maine /ScoopCloud/ -- Hundreds of international flags again will sway in the breeze and the summer will HEAT UP on Saturday July 28, 2018 at the Deering Oaks Park; a feast for your eyes and ears will be displayed throughout the Sixteenth Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON). FON proudly celebrates and highlights Maine's great ethnic diversity, perpetuates traditions, encourage ethnic understanding, and promote unity in Maine. FON's theme this year is "FROM MANY DIFFERENT NATIONS, TO ONE MAINE."

The coordinators of the FON are thrilled to again welcome back our Chair, the singing sensation and Portland's own Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo). Michael O. will take the stage as the main event. This is a homecoming for Michael O. who is now a singer, songwriter and actor in Los Angeles.

In 2013, Michael released his first EP, "In the Beginning." Within 24 hours of its official release, "In the Beginning" was #3 on the iTunes Soul charts, #4 on the iTunes R&B charts. In the state of Maine, the CD was the #1 selling local CD at Bull Moose for the entire year of 2013. In 2015, Michael O. appeared in the major motion picture "Pitch Perfect 2," and is featured on the soundtrack (which recently won the AMA for best soundtrack). Many other performers will also be showcased at the festival.

The participants at Festival will enjoy the beautiful Deering Oaks Park while sampling the exotic delicious food from diverse vendors - featuring foods from all around the globe, dancing into the night to drumming and music from diverse musicians on stage. Some of these ethnic and diverse vendors from different nations including African American, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Caribbean, Congolese, French, Finnish, Greek, Hispanic Nations, Irish, East Indian, Italian, Native American, Nigerian, Polish, Romanian, Somalia, Sudanese, Thai, Uganda and Vietnamese. FON offer its guests great opportunity to get an early and unique start on holiday shopping.

The exciting parts of the festival are two stages of non-stop music and dance performances that will thrill our audience of 5,000. The beautiful Deering Oaks Park that is a perfect venue for this family-friendly event, that offers a wide variety of entertainment for adults and children and the expanded children's entertainment area for the little one's enjoyment that will include face painting, exciting games, crafts, train rides, come, and taste the fantastic spices favors of Maine's ethnic communities.

The festival is FREE to the public and family oriented.

Come and taste the fantastic spices and flavors of Maine's ethnic communities.

COME, EAT, SING, DANCE AND HAVE FUN!
When: Saturday, July 28, 2018; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine
Admission is FREE - Music, Dancing and Much Fun (food and gifts are extra).

Learn more about Greater Portland Festival of Nations at: https://www.facebook.com/greaterportlandfestivalofnations/

Hundreds of international flags again will sway in the breeze and the summer will HEAT UP on Saturday July 28, 2018 at the Deering Oaks Park; a feast for your eyes and ears will be displayed throughout the Sixteenth Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON). FON proudly celebrates and highlights Maine's great ethnic diversity, perpetuates traditions, encourage ethnic understanding, and promote unity in Maine. FON's theme this year is "FROM MANY DIFFERENT NATIONS, TO ONE MAINE."

Exclusive Travel Site Gives Members Access to Wholesale Prices and Beats Competition Every Time

CARLSBAD, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Travel Transparency, a private wholesale travel platform, is creating a real buzz in the travel and tourism industry. It guarantees to beat any pricing on major Internet travel sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, Kayak, Travelocity, Hotwire and more.

The company's mission is to provide guaranteed lowest pricing on all travel in real-time with complete transparency; and it seems to be working. For four years in a row, the company's technology has been voted "Fastest Growing Travel Company in America" by Inc. Magazine; it has added more than one million users last year; and has saved members more than $40 million dollars since its launch.

Derek Gough, president, Travel Transparency, is a 25-year veteran of the travel industry who has directed close to a billion dollars in sales. He says that "consumers are conditioned to search for discounted travel through major Internet sites."

However, what most people don't realize is that many of these companies are owned by the same parent companies and are subject to restrictions on public pricing.

Travel Transparency provides its members direct access to wholesale travel and guaranteed lowest pricing for all travel including hotels, luxury villas, cruises and more.

In addition to receiving wholesale travel and a best-price guarantee, members also receive reward credits on anything they purchase. These credits can then be used for additional purchases on items such as hotels, airfare, car rentals, activities and gift cards.

So, how does it work? When a person becomes a member of Travel Transparency's private platform, he or she receives access to the industry's widest and most diverse lifestyle experiences and travel benefits. Concierge services are also available to assist with any travel needs.

Ashley Vincenti, Travel Transparency member, said she loves the program. "Last year we took the family to Santa Barbara, CA and not only did we save almost 70 percent, but we used reward credits to do a whale watching excursion which the kids are still talking about."

Another member was thrilled to book a trip to New York City for a New Year's Eve celebration because she saved nearly 50 percent when she compared the cost to what other travel sites offered.

For serious or beginning travelers, Travel Transparency saves time and money and people can feel confident that they have gotten the best deal possible.

"The bottom line is that the consumer profits the most," Gough says. "Today's travelers have options. Whether it's world-class hotels, timeshare resorts, or luxury vacation properties, the reality is that they're all available wholesale with minimal commitment."

For more information, visit: https://www.traveltransparency.com/.

Travel Transparency, a private wholesale travel platform, is creating a real buzz in the travel and tourism industry. It guarantees to beat any pricing on major Internet travel sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, Kayak, Travelocity, Hotwire and more. The company’s mission is to provide guaranteed lowest pricing on all travel in real-time with complete transparency.

Related link: https://www.traveltransparency.com/

Belamere Suites Hotel Wins 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Hotels

PERRYSBURG, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- Belamere Suites Hotel today announced it has been recognized as the overall winner in the Romance category of the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice(R) awards for Hotels, ranking #1 in America two years in a row. Travelers' Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. In the 16th year of the awards, TripAdvisor has recognized 8,095 properties in 94 countries and eight regions worldwide.

This year, the awards celebrate hotel winners in 10 categories, including Top Hotels Overall, Luxury, Bargain, Small, Best Service, B&Bs and Inns, Romance, Family, All-Inclusive and Value for Money. The hallmarks of Travelers' Choice hotels winners are remarkable service, value and quality.

"Belamere Suites Hotel is proud to be recognized as TripAdvisor's Best romantic hotel in America. Our unique suites with over the top amenities and careful attention to personal detail have given our couples memories to share with each other that will last them a lifetime. Thank you to all of our guests who have made it possible for us to be awarded this extraordinary recognition two years in a row," said John Kranjec, Belamere Suites Hotel.

"This year's Travelers' Choice awards for Hotels recognize thousands of exceptional accommodations that received the highest marks for overall experience, including service, amenities and value, from travelers worldwide," said Brooke Ferencsik, Senior Director of Communications, TripAdvisor.

"The global TripAdvisor community informed this list of winners that will inspire and help travelers find the hotel that's right for them as they plan and book their next amazing trip."

To see TripAdvisor traveler reviews and opinions of Belamere Suites go to: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50838-d308614-Reviews-Belamere_Suites-Perrysburg_Ohio.html

For the complete list of Travelers' Choice Hotel award-winners for 2018, as well as the latest reviews and candid traveler photos, visit: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels. Travelers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #TravelersChoice.

Travelers can read the latest reviews and compare prices from more than 200 sites to find the lowest prices on the right hotel for their trip at https://www.tripadvisor.com/.

About Belamere Suites:

Opened in 2003 with 18 suites in Ohio, Belamere Suites now offers 35 suites showcasing four suite styles: the Ultimate Jacuzzi Suite, a Presidential Pool Suite, a two-story Royal Pool Suite, and the two-story Grand Royal Pool Suite. Each Pool Suite includes a private, heated, indoor pool nestled in an expansive 1500 square feet of comfort and seclusion.

All suites feature exclusive amenities from oversized Jacuzzi tubs, luxurious Bela-Beds(TM), and fireplaces to catered European breakfasts and a-la-carte comforts including spa services, roses, wine, and champagne. Belamere pledges to care for an uncommon set of values: for marriage, romance, our guests, and for the community; where couples feel all they have to bring is love.

Learn more at: https://www.belameresuites.com/.

About TripAdvisor:

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site**, enables travelers to unleash the full potential of every trip. With over 570 million reviews and opinions covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide -- covering 7.3 million accommodations, airlines, attractions, and restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat.

TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 hotel booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel community of 455 million average monthly unique visitors*, all looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better.

The subsidiaries and affiliates of TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) own and operate a portfolio of websites under 20 other travel media brands.

*Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2017
**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, July 2017.

IMAGES FOR MEDIA:
(1) Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0124s2p-bsh-grand-royal-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Grand Royal swimming pool.

(2) Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0124s2p-bsh-bedroom-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Lush King Sized Bed at Belamere Suites Hotel.

(3) Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0124s2p-belamere-suites-jacuzzi-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Two person jacuzzi tub.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/NydZ27CDBPs

Belamere Suites Hotel today announced it has been recognized as the overall winner in the Romance category of the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Hotels, ranking #1 in America two years in a row. Travelers' Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide.

Related link: https://www.belameresuites.com/

Wine Lovers and Community Invited to Winegrowers Festival at The Farm

TUCSON, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Arizona Wine Growers Association today announced its 2017 lineup of vineyards for the Festival at the Farm, Saturday, November 11. The event will offer various wine tastings, displays and food from Arizona restaurants and retailers. Discussions will focus on how wine growers engage customers in their brands and enhance the shopping experience through innovation, technology and techniques for meeting evolving consumer preferences.

A gala, the Arizona Wine Founders' Dinner, will kick off the festival on Friday, November 10 from 6-pm at the University of Arizona's Student Union, where four founders will be honored for their dedication and service to the industry.

The festival will be held November 11 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the UA's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' "Farm," 4101 N. Campbell, Tucson, AZ.

This inaugural event will serve as a forum for emerging ideas in a setting that fuses passionate businesses and customers.

Wineries participating at the event include:
* Alcantara Vineyards
* Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
* AZ Wine Cellars
* Callaghan Vineyards
* Carlson Creek Vineyard
* Coronado Vineyards
* Dos Cabezas Winery
* Four Tails Vineyard
* Golden Rule Vineyards
* Keeling Schaefer Vineyards
* Kief Joshua Vineyards
* Lightning Ridge Cellars
* Pierce Wines Arizona
* Pillsbury Wine Company
* Sierra Bonita Vineyard
* Sonoita Vineyards
* Southwest Wine Center
* Su Vino Winery
* Wilhelm Family Vineyards
* Zarpara Vineyard

Founders being honored include:
- Dr. Gordon Dutt
- Al Buhl
- Bob Webb
- Kent Callaghan

Details on the event, including a complete program, are posted on Arizona Wine Growers Association http://arizonawine.org/, with pages on Facebook.com (facebook.com/ArizonaWine/) and Twitter at @AZWineries.

"We hope to have robust conversations around the new and dynamic directions of an industry that leads consumer preferences. The pace of change has never been as rapid as it is today. Leading wine retailers and brand marketers are looking differently at how they attract and retain customers, and how they develop the talent and technology needed for the future," said Brain Predmore, President Arizona Wine Growers Association. "This year's event will help to raise awareness of the vibrant Arizona Wine industry by showcasing our wines and interacting with our attendees. In addition, we hope to raise money for the Arizona Wine Library and Research Center."

Proceeds from the festival will go to creating the Arizona Wine Research Library at the University of Arizona.

"The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and its Norton School's Retailing and Consumer Sciences program, especially, is proud to partner with another Arizona industry that is transforming our food and tourism landscape," said Shane Burgess, UA vice president of agriculture, life and veterinary sciences, and Cooperative Extension.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-the-farm-founders-dinner-nov-2017-tickets-37572597651 for the Founders Gala and the Wine Festival.

For more information on attending the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaWine/ and follow to the registration page. Or email Mike Pigford at events@arizonawine.org .

The Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) serves grape growers and winemakers in Arizona, allying its members for representation, promotion and education. The association strives to advance with integrity, the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona-grown wines and increase awareness of the Arizona industry, which includes 104 licensed and bonded wineries throughout the state.

The John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona prepares the next generation to solve the global challenges of individuals, communities and the changing marketplace. We provide educational enrichment, professional development, world-class events and hands-on learning opportunities, ensuring that our graduates have the skill set, training and preparation to lead their companies.

The Arizona Wine Growers Association today announced its 2017 lineup of vineyards for the Festival at the Farm, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. The event will offer various wine tastings, displays and food from Arizona restaurants and retailers. Discussions will focus on how wine growers engage customers in their brands and enhance the shopping experience through innovation, technology and techniques for meeting evolving consumer preferences.

Related link: http://arizonawine.org/

The Event Planner Expo 2017 Presents Opportunities for New York City Event Planners to Make Connections and Increase Business

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- EMRG Media is excited to announce it's hosting the fifth year of the Event Planner Expo, a premier events and hospitality tradeshow. This year its speaker lineup is more impressive than ever and will take place on Oct. 4, 2017, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

"We're thrilled to celebrate our five-year anniversary of the Event Planner Expo," Jessica Stewart, vice president, marketing, EMRG Media, says. "This is one of the best places for New York City event planners and corporate decision makers to network and to make long-lasting connections and partnerships. We've got the best in the business in attendance. It's going to be an extraordinary event."

The Event Planner Expo connects corporate and independent event planners with key decision makers, vendors, venues and top hospitality professionals. More than 2,500 attendees and 150 vendors will have the opportunity to build strategic partnerships, get inspired by cutting-edge trends and close deals for the coming year.

Some of the top vendors in the event planning industry such as Espace, Marriot, Five Senses Catering, Statue of Liberty and Shiro of Japan will all be there. And, this year's Event Planner Expo even has an exclusive VIP networking lounge where people can form partnerships and take their business to the next level. To access, a VIP ticket or speaker series ticket is necessary. Building a killer contact list has never been easier.

Finally, keynote speaker, Martha Stewart, will share industry insights and additional speakers Colin Cowie, a well-known lifestyle guru and television personality, and Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media and former Marketing Director at Facebook, will also share their experiences.

Admission tickets range in price from $49 for general admission to $499 for the All Access Pass. For more information, visit: http://www.theeventplannerexpo.com/.

About EMRG Media:
EMRG Media is a premier, full-service marketing, event planning and publishing firm based in Manhattan. Over the last 16 years, it's garnered public acclaim and recognition as an innovative, corporate event marketer with an impressive roster of clients. Its exclusive corporate client base includes names such as Casio, Barclays, Ruder Finn, Conde Nast Publications and the Alzheimer's Foundation. Learn more: http://www.emrgmedia.com/.

*LOGO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-0918s2p-evplanexpo-300dpi.jpg

EMRG Media is excited to announce it's hosting the fifth year of the Event Planner Expo, a premier events and hospitality tradeshow. This year its speaker lineup is more impressive than ever and will take place on Oct. 4, 2017, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Related link: http://www.EMRGMedia.com/

30+ Vehicles on Display at the 2017 Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together in Asheville, NC for 76th Jeep Anniversary

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Old Willys Jeeps from 1941-1964 will be on display at the 2017 Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together including military, CJs, wagons, truck, and forward control. More than 30 Willys Jeeps will be on display representing originals, restorations and modified in varying conditions from "rust buckets to trailer queens."

The show opens to the public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the Grace Arts Center Pavilion in Mills River, near Asheville Airport. The show runs for one day only. More than 30 old Willys Jeeps will be in one location with something for everybody, including the popular World War II restoration and civilian models from 1941-1964. The show includes exhibitors from many different states.

The original Willys Jeep was created for the military during World War II (WWII) and is a great American success story. The original Willys Jeep was designed in only 18 hours and the prototype arrived only 30 minutes before the government deadline. 660,703 Jeeps were built for World War II. Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower listed the Jeep among the three primary tools that helped win WWII.

Willys was a record breaking independent auto manufacturer and was assembled in 22 countries. Jeep celebrated its 75th Anniversary just last year, with events all around the world.

Will Springer, event producer for the Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together annual auto event, said, "I was delivered from the hospital in a Willys Jeep. Some of us have owned Willys all our lives and others are newbies. All the different stories make it an interesting event, and Willys is a great American story."

SHOW HOURS:
Show hours are: Saturday - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

LOCATION:
Grace Mills River, Asheville, NC

TICKETS:
Public tickets can be purchased at the gate. Prices are $5; free for children under age 6.

For more information: (828) 687-0334 or http://www.SoutheastWillysJeepGetTogether.com/.

Twitter: @southeastwillys - https://twitter.com/southeastwillys

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southeastwillysjeepgettogether/

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/XLw7aC4rv5k

MEDIA CONTACT:
Will Springer
Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together
(828) 687-0034
wills@SoutheastWillysJeepGetTogether.com

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-0920s2p-swwillysgettogether-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Lively crowd and multiple models of Willys Jeeps on display.

Old Willys Jeeps from 1941-1964 will be on display at the 2017 Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together including military, CJs, wagons, truck, and forward control. More than 30 Willys Jeeps will be on display representing originals, restorations and modified in varying conditions from "rust buckets to trailer queens."

New AC Hotel Miami Aventura Offers Grand Opening Special Rates and Miami Football Packages

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The new European inspired AC Hotel Miami Aventura by Marriott(r), which opened last month, is offering introductory specials to welcome new guests. The 233-room property is located at 20805 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, steps away from world class shopping and dining options at Aventura Mall, the whirlwind energy of Gulfstream Park Racecourse & Casino and moments away from premier events held at Hard Rock Stadium, South Beach and the Wynwood art scene.

The Grand Opening Special, which includes Labor Day weekend, is priced from $127 - $169, through September 27, 2017. Use promotional code NEW when booking online, or call the reservation desk at 1.786.590.5100. For information and photos of guest rooms, dining, fitness, and local area, please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miaan-ac-hotel-miami-aventura/

Catch the home game action on the field, and make your reservations now with the AC Hotel Miami Aventura Tailgate package, valid from September 1 - December 31, 2017. Both the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes play at Hard Rock Stadium, a multi-purpose football stadium that offers a premier fan experience after a half billion- dollar renovation last year.

Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes Tailgate Package:
With our six miles (20 min.) proximity to the Hard Rock Stadium, the hotel offers Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes tailgate packages. The package includes daily breakfast for two at the AC Kitchen, and a welcome basket with six pack premium sodas, chips and salsa, beef jerky, nuts and candies. Rates begin at $154 - $264, when booking online with the promotional code SPO. More information: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/miaan-ac-hotel-miami-aventura/

Miami Dolphin's Home Games ticketing: Sept 10 - December 31 - http://bit.ly/2ww8A2i

Miami Hurricane's Home Games ticketing: Sept 1 - November 18 - http://bit.ly/2wCeTAz

"In our first month in the Aventura market, we've received a fantastic response from the local community, as well as from business and leisure guests," said Alan E. Pinado, Jr., General Manager for the AC Hotel Miami Aventura. "The current specials are boosting occupancy during what is typically a quiet time in South Florida."

The property, managed by Pyramid Hotel Group, offers numerous amenities including spacious and functional guest rooms, rooftop pool, fitness center, meeting space, co-working space, a lively lounge and breakfast.

The AC Hotel Miami Aventura, influenced by its European roots provides an energetic vibe punctuated with carefully curated contemporary artwork, grand metal sculptures, dramatic lighting, and whimsical custom chandeliers. The purposeful design carves away what is unnecessary, providing guests with thoughtfully designed moments of beauty; from the sleek, spacious guestrooms that embody design-led efficiencies, to masterfully designed collaborative co-working spaces, with high-tech amenities, a self-service business center and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Beverage and food options include the European-style breakfast featuring an assortment of artisan sliced meats and cheeses, tapas, yogurts, house-made breads, cereals, and savory egg tarts. Guests have a choice of home brewed Nespresso, or a variety of flavorful offerings from Starbucks. By evening, the AC Lounge is an inviting hub of social buzz for guests and locals. Expert mixologist creates innovative signature cocktails served with flair, and sharing regional knowledge on imaginative craft beers from local breweries for bar patrons. An inspired bar menu offers culinary light bites from select local ingredients by regional artisans, and delightful Spanish-inspired tapas.

Cozy cushions, luxurious lounge chairs, bright poolside umbrellas, and well-appointed bar, along with a large patio area that can be transformed into event space, surround the hotel's rooftop pool. A well-equipped health and fitness area overlooks the sun-drenched pool deck and features the latest equipment, wall bars, towels, water, televisions and music.

About AC Hotels by Marriott:
AC Hotels by Marriott(r), a lifestyle brand that celebrates a new modern aesthetic complemented by a European soul and Spanish roots boasts nearly 90 design-led hotels in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, France and the United States. Design-driven AC Hotels edit away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing thoughtfully designed moments of beauty, allowing guests to focus on what's important to them. Property highlights include design-savvy guest rooms with sleek furnishings and intuitive technology features. For more information, visit http://achotels.marriott.com/.

About Pyramid Hotel Group:
Pyramid Hotel Group, is a privately owned full-service hotel and resort company based in Boston. The company delivers superior results to owners by providing outstanding property management, asset management, project management, acquisition services and lender/receiver services. Pyramid manages hotels and resorts throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, delivering outstanding experiences to guests and strong returns to owners at properties ranging from small independent hotels to large branded resorts. Information: http://pyramidhotelgroup.com/.

AC Hotel Miami Aventura
20805 Biscayne Boulevard
Aventura, Florida 33180 USA
Phone: +1- (786) 590-5100

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acmiamiaventura/

Twitter/Instagram: @ACMiamiAventura

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Grace
The Buzz Agency
Elizabeth@thebuzzagency.net
561-702-7471

The new European inspired AC Hotel Miami Aventura by Marriott(R), which opened last month, is offering introductory specials to welcome new guests. The 233-room property is located at 20805 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, steps away from world class shopping and dining options at Aventura Mall, the whirlwind energy of Gulfstream Park Racecourse and Casino and moments away from premier events held at Hard Rock Stadium, South Beach and the Wynwood art scene.

NC’s Gorges State Park a Prime Viewing Location for Total Solar Eclipse

SAPPHIRE, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Friends of Gorges State Park is sponsoring "The Eclipse at Gorges," a 3-day celebration leading up the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. This free, family-friendly event, hosted by Gorges State Park, promises to be an unforgettable experience for park visitors. Attracting adventure seekers and astronomy enthusiasts from all over the country, The Eclipse at Gorges will feature live music, food trucks and educational talks/hikes with Park rangers.

The solar eclipse, frequently billed as an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, will travel a path of totality over the entire U.S. for the first time in 99 years. Everyone in the lower 48 states will get to see at least a partial eclipse but only those in the path of totality will experience the true total solar eclipse. Residing fully within the path of totality, Gorges State Park has been identified as one of the top ten viewing locations by CNNtravel (*note 1). Located entirely in Transylvania County, it is the only North Carolina State Park in the path of totality and is a center of eclipse activity.

Bob Andrews, president of the Friends of Gorges State Park, is eagerly anticipating the event. "We're proud of the collective efforts from volunteers, friends and Park staff that are culminating in three days of events to showcase the eclipse and the park itself," he said. "Thanks to the leadership from Gorges State Park Superintendent Steve Pagano, this extraordinary event is set to exceed all expectations for visitors."

EVENT DETAILS:

Saturday, August 19, 2017, Nature Day:
State rangers and naturalists will direct hikes from the Visitors Center to specific destinations in the park. Discussions will include flora, fauna, and geology.

Sunday, August 20, 2017, Fun Day:
Sharon Becker, Regional Director of Interpretation and Education Programming for N.C. State Parks, will offer a hands-on educational experience about the history of eclipses in the world and the actual science behind eclipses. Curtis-Wright Falconry will offer close-up experiences, educating participants about the ancient sport of falconry. Live music will be provided by Land of Waterfalls Dulcimer Players, Blue Ridge Bakery Boys and Tina Eno Music. On-site food will be provided by Lola's, Coffee Carts, Sugar & Snow Gelato and more. Exhibitors will include Let's Face It - Face painting, Paintings by Sharyn, Boutique of Blue Ridge, Mud Dabbers - locally produced pottery, North Carolinas Friends of State Parks, Rosman High School Seniors, and many more.

Monday, August 21, 2017, Eclipse Day:
Gorges State Park will open to the public at an unprecedented 5 a.m. Park staff recommends that all visitors be in their selected viewing locations by 11 a.m. The eclipse will begin at 1:07 p.m., with totality beginning at 2:36 p.m. and lasting for over 2 minutes. The eclipse will end at 4:01 p.m.

Safety is a priority for all. Safety glasses and an informational brochure will be shared with visitors, while supplies last, as they enter the park on eclipse day. The eclipse glasses are provided by the Friends of Gorges State Park and made possible through funding from the North Carolina Friends of State Parks.

This Eclipse at Gorges has been designated as an official "2017 Carolinas Solar Eclipse Party" through a joint effort between North and South Carolina, coordinated by the Morehead Planetarium and funded by the NC Space Grant and SC Space. For more information on the eclipse parties, please visit http://moreheadplanetarium.org/eclipse.

Along with the North Carolina Friends of State Parks, the Transylvania County Tourist and Development Authority has supported the efforts of the Friends of Gorges State Park in coordinating the weekend events.

For more information, please refer to the following resources:
Friends of Gorges, Eclipse at Gorges (http://friendsofgorges.org/eclipse-at-gorges/)
Great American Eclipse (https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/)
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) (http://www.pari.edu/things-to-do/2017-eclipse/).

*NOTE 1: Where to See the Total Solar Eclipse by CNNtravel (http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/where-to-see-total-solar-eclipse-2017/index.html).

About Gorges State Park:
Gorges State Park is set in Western North Carolina in upper Transylvania County, the Land of Waterfalls. The gorgeous park is punctuated by plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and a high concentration of rare species. Exploration of this unique environment often begins at the expansive, Gold Level LEED Certified visitors center with its educational exhibits, retail center, beautiful stone fireplace and unbeatable vistas. The center is surrounded by picnic areas that are perfect for a family pit-stop before hitting the trails.

About the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (TCTDA):
The TCTDA is responsible for promoting Transylvania County to the wider world. Funding for the organization is provided by a 5% occupancy tax on Transylvania County accommodations. The TCTDA's mission is to: "generate and enhance tourism opportunities in Transylvania County through strategic promotion coordinated with tourism-related businesses and local government and to contribute to a vibrant, sustainable economy." In addition to advertising and promotion, the TCTDA annually sets aside funds for marketing and sponsorship grants. Local businesses, civic groups and individuals can apply for the funds to help support their tourism-oriented events and programs. The TCTDA also manages a year-round Visitor Center, located at 175 East Main Street in downtown Brevard. For more information about the TCTDA, contact Clark Lovelace at (828) 883-3700 or clark@brevardncchamber.org.

About Friends of Gorges State Park:
Friends of Gorges State Park was formed in March 2011 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, tax-deductible public charity supporting Gorges State Park. FOG members develop, encourage and promote public awareness; serve as a philanthropic volunteer organization for support of programs, development of facilities, and promotion of recreational facilities for Gorges State park; solicit, hold, and expend funds for such purposes; and render assistance as requested by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. For more information, please visit our website at http://friendsofgorges.org/.

Media Contact:
Bob Andrews
President
Friends of Gorges State Park
info@friendsofgorges.org
(828) 419-0415

*LOGO/IMAGE for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-0807s2p-eclipse-gorges-300dpi.jpg

The Friends of Gorges State Park is sponsoring "The Eclipse at Gorges," a 3-day celebration leading up the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. This free, family-friendly event, hosted by Gorges State Park, promises to be an unforgettable experience for park visitors. Attracting adventure seekers and astronomy enthusiasts from all over the country, The Eclipse at Gorges will feature live music, food trucks and educational talks/hikes with Park rangers.

Related link: http://friendsofgorges.org/

Music, Wine and Good Spirits at 2017 Sonoita Wine Country Harvest Fest on August 26 in Arizona

ELGIN, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kief-Joshua Vineyards (KJV) will host its eighth annual Magdelena Bash & Harvest Festival on August 26, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their Elgin tasting room, located at 370 Elgin Road. This festival will feature live music all day long, food vendors and artwork, henna tattoo artists and more. 'Killer Wine,' Barrelhead Merlot, to be released at Fest.

KJV will be releasing several new wines including the 2015 Barrelhead Merlot, which is named in honor of the single barrel that fell off the rack, injuring and almost killing winemaker, Kief Manning.

"Only 270 bottles of the Barrelhead Merlot have been made," says winemaker, Kief Manning. "After all that happened, the wine turned out to be rich, dark and fruity with a dusty tannin. It truly displays the earthy characteristics of the Arizona terroir."

Since this accident lead to a series of events, such as a head-on auto accident that eventually led to a diagnosis of a rare lung cancer in December 2015, Kief decided that a portion of the proceeds from the 2015 Barrelhead Merlot will go to the non-profit organization carcinoid.org.

"The doctors told me that I most likely developed this rare cancer when I was 26 to 28 years old," said Manning. "I truly feel this wine barrel started the cycle that saved my life. I am forever grateful to Barrow's Neurosurgeon Brian Fitzpatrick, Md. for scanning below the neck and Doctors Kim Parker and Amir Awan of the Pulmonary Clinic of Scottsdale for their services."

This year's harvest festival will feature:

New wine releases include:
* 2015 Barrelhead, Merlot
* 2015 Magdelena, 80-percent Barbara 20-percent Cabernet Franc
* 2016 Viognier
* 2015 Late Harvest Zinfandel.

Live musical performances include:
- Caiden Brewer, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m .
- Cat Daddy & the 12 Barz Blues Band, 2-5 p.m.

Several Vendors include:
Henna tattoo artists, caramels & chocolates, pistachio farmers, goat milk soaps, photography artists, relishes, food trucks and more will be here for the enjoyment of the entire family.

Tasting fees:
$10 grants customers a souvenir glass and 5 (1oz) pours Or $7 if you bring a wine glass. For more information, please visit http://kj-vineyards.com/ or call 520-455-5582.

DIRECTIONS:
From Phoenix or Tucson: From Highway 10, take exit #281 - Rte 83 to Sonoita. Stay on 83 until you come to Elgin Road (mile marker 28) and turn left. Kief-Joshua Vineyards will be 3.7 miles on your left.

From Sierra Vista: I 90 to Rte 82 West, turn left on Upper Elgin Rd., the winery is 1 mile past the bridge on the right.

Save the dates:
*KJV is also celebrating the grand opening of the new vineyard and tasting room on September 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., located in Willcox Wine Country at 4923 E. Arzberger Road (a paved Road) in Kansas Settlement at the vineyard.

*The Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival, featuring 15 Arizona Wineries on March 10 and 11, 2018 at Kief-Joshua Vineyards-Elgin.

Media Contact:
Charlene Manning
Kief-Joshua Vineyards
kjvineyards@gmail.com
Phone: 480-650-8651

Kief-Joshua Vineyards (KJV) will host its eighth annual Magdelena Bash & Harvest Festival on August 26, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their Elgin tasting room, located at 370 Elgin Road. This festival will feature live music all day long, food vendors and artwork, henna tattoo artists and more.

Related link: http://kj-vineyards.com/

Vintage Event Coming to North Carolina State Fairgrounds Will Create Nostalgic Experience

RALEIGH, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The first-annual retro event, Vintage Fan Fair will be held on November 10-11, 2017 (Veterans Day holiday) indoors at the Holshauser Building at the NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Dr. Raleigh, NC. The event is produced by The Vintage Lifestyle Experience, LLC and Celebrating Nostalgia(TM) will be the theme. This special event features a marketplace of vendors, vintage camper showcase, pop-up entertainment and retro activities.

Vintage Fan Fair brings together a variety of vintage vendors offering products, services and activities representing many different eras from the 20th century. Jury-selected vendors will showcase wares in a variety of styles including mid-century, farmhouse and boho chic. A vivid array of home goods, clothing and furniture will be represented; as well as, providers to the vintage genre. Photography, hair & makeup stylist and architectural preservation will be showcased.

More than just a marketplace, Vintage Fan Fair will fully immerse attendees in a nostalgic experience with various activities, showcases, presentations and pop-up entertainment.

Highlights of the 2-day schedule include:

* Glamper Showcase - The first of its kind in the Raleigh area. Attendees will be able to tour 20+ vintage trailers during special open house hours. Peek inside these mobile tiny homes called Glampers (Glamorous + Campers) and see how each owner decorates to the nines!
* "Mayberry Modernism" presentation - George Smart, President of North Carolina Modernist Houses will share the story of how North Carolina became the third largest concentration of modernist houses in America.
* Tribute to our Veterans - Join us to honor our vets with a variety of presentations and entertainment. Also, throughout the 2-day show, vintage typewriters and stationery will be set-up for attendees to type out personal thank-you notes to vets.

Tickets:
- Purchase online by October 31, 2017 - $7.
- November 1 and at the door - $8.50.
- Special 2-ticket package - $12.50.
- Vets and children under 12 get in free.

Hours:
- Friday, November 10: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, November 11: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Glamper Showcase hours: Friday, November 10: 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, November 11: 1-3 p.m.

For tickets, event schedule updates and vendor application, visit http://www.vintagefanfair.com/.

NC State Fairgrounds information: http://www.ncstatefair.org/events/calendar.htm.

About Vintage Fan Fair:
Vintage Fan Fair is produced by The Vintage Lifestyle Experience, LLC, an experiential marketing company specializing in the vintage market.

Owner and event producer, Lisa Kamin, describes, "We are all about celebrating nostalgia - the feeling, not one particular era. We revel in creating an all-immersive experience for everyone to recollect their favorite memories. The beauty in reminiscing is revealed in the stories we all have from our uniquely personal histories and to share them once more. If it sparks a pleasant memory, Vintage Fan Fair celebrates it."

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VintageFanFair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagefanfair

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0713s2p-yellow-shasta-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Tour inside over 20 vintage campers during the showcase at Vintage Fan Fair.

The first-annual retro event, Vintage Fan Fair will be held on November 10-11, 2017 (Veterans Day holiday) indoors at the Holshauser Building at the NC State Fairgrounds. The event is produced by The Vintage Lifestyle Experience, LLC and Celebrating Nostalgia(TM) will be the theme. This special event features a marketplace of vendors, vintage camper showcase, pop-up entertainment and retro activities.

MAGLITE Declares July as ‘National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month’

ONTARIO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- MAGLITE wants motorists and pedestrians to be extra vigilant to save lives during the "vacation months" - July through October - which are the most dangerous months the year for traffic fatalities. So MAGLITE is launching a dedicated web page, and promoting a public education campaign, in observance of the newly minted National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month.

The goal is to reduce fatalities and injuries that occur on our roads and highways in vehicle traffic accidents, especially among pedestrians, who are far likelier to be fatally struck by vehicles at night than in the daytime.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicate that three of the four deadliest holiday weekends occur during the "vacation months" - Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Weekends. And while alcohol-impaired driving is a factor in 29 percent of fatal crashes overall, the rate at which a drunk driver is involved rises significantly on those holiday weekends.

The "vacation months" are also a time for special caution at night. Despite traffic volumes being far lower at night than in the daytime, more than 1/3rd of all fatal crashes occur during the hours of dusk, darkness and dawn. And crashes at night are significantly deadlier than daytime crashes: In the hours from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the rate of fatalities (per 1,000 crashes) is more than double the daytime rate, rising to nearly 4 times the daytime rate for crashes occurring in the after-midnight hours. And the later it gets, the more often alcohol plays a role: In after-midnight crashes, the likelihood of alcohol-impaired driver involvement rises to nearly 60 percent (compared to about 15 percent in the noon-to-3 p.m. time frame).

The NHTSA defines a pedestrian as anybody who is not in a vehicle - whether it's somebody just traveling in or near a road on foot or somebody who has gotten out of a vehicle on or near a road (e.g., because of a breakdown or a fender-bender). Pedestrians are especially vulnerable at night. Of the 5,376 pedestrians killed by vehicles in 2015 (amounting to 15 percent of all vehicle fatalities), 74 percent were struck at night (rising to 78 percent if you include dusk and dawn accidents).

When a car becomes disabled at night it is a much more dangerous situation then during the daylight hours due to the reduced visibility. A good flashlight with a traffic/safety wand (a plastic cone that fits on the flashlight and glows when the light is turned on), is an important safety item for anyone who drives at night, and even more important for anybody who walks along a road at night.

A series of statistics about the dangers faced by both drivers and pedestrians, and a series of life saving tips to avoid becoming a statistic of roadside dangers, is available at the National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness web page at http://www.nrtsa.org/.

Additionally, MAGLITE will be offering flashlights, traffic/safety wands, and mounting brackets through the http://maglite.com/ website.

* IMAGE for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0629s2p-maglite-nhtsa-300dpi.jpg
* Image Caption: MAGLITE Declares July "National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month."

MAGLITE wants motorists and pedestrians to be extra vigilant to save lives during the "vacation months" - July through October - which are the most dangerous months the year for traffic fatalities. So MAGLITE is launching a dedicated web page, and promoting a public education campaign, in observance of the newly minted National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month.

Related link: http://maglite.com/

The Running of The Bulls in New Orleans Turns It Up to Eleven

NEW ORLEANS, La. /ScoopCloud/ -- Nola Bulls, LLC announces the full lineup for the 11th edition of the world famous San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO), a.k.a. "The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans." Organizers say they are committed to transcending the farthest reaches of joy currently known to mortal men, taking this event it to the ultimate limits good times, great food, tasty drinks, and general feelings of "Por Que No?" or Why Not?

Since 2007, the streets of New Orleans have borne witness to the release of RollerBulls(TM) chasing runners and "goring" them with their bats. The festival known as San Fermin in Nueva Orleans is world renowned, and attempts are made across globe to mimic it. But, as most who have attended will attest, there's just no place like New Orleans to host such a bizarre good time.

The festival kicks off Friday July 7, 2017, with El Txupinazo at Seven Three Distillery (301 Claiborne Ave.) hosted by charity partners Beth's Friends Forever. One price gets you great food from New Orleans restaurants, live music from Vivaz! Latin Band, Abita Beer, and Marques de Cáceres wines. Both live and silent auctions crown the evening with items such as Lifetime VIP for SFNO and a judgeship for the Fried Chicken Festival in September.

The main event of the annual Running of the Bulls in New Orleans, is part of the Saturday July 8 festivities. Doors open at The Sugar Mill (1021 Convention Center Blvd.) at 6:30 a.m. Hordes of RollerBulls(TM), led by local stars, The Big Easy Rollergirls, will be released at 8 a.m. following the Procession of San Fermin. DJ RQ Away and The Zydepunks will entertain the masses.

Five of the area's finest food trucks will be on hand to feed the folks, and plenty of great Abita Beer, Seven Three Vodka, Backpack Wines and our famous sangria will slake their thirst and soothe their souls.

Following this fiesta on Saturday, the Fiesta de Pantalones (Pants Party) continues the day at The Rusty Nail. No need to siesta, just keep on with the fiesta!

Sunday July 9th's Pobre de Mi closes the festival. Big Deal Burlesque will provide the entertainment. A Papa Ernest Hemingway-themed variety burlesque show is sure to pique your appetite for Barcadia's (601 Tchoupitoulas St.) menu. The event closes with the annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike contest, where ANYONE can claim their resemblance to Papa.

Over the course of three days, attendees will meet countless bizarre and wonderfully colorful characters, and make many new friends. This truly is the greatest show on skates.

Hotel Partners, the New Orleans Hotel Collection, are providing special rates for attendees of the event. Visit http://nolabulls.com/hotels/ for links to these properties.

Nola Bulls, LLC was founded in 2007 and is a provider and promoter of entertainment and cultural events in the New Orleans Area: Improving New Orleans one festival at a time. SFNO helps raise money for two local charities, visit http://www.bethsfriendsforever.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/bigeasyanimalrescue/ for info on these.

All Trademarks and service marks are the property of the respective parties.

For more information on the event, and a link to registration, visit http://nolabulls.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0620s2p-nolabulls-300dpi.jpg

*PHOTO Caption: Krewe of the Rolling Elvi and Official RollerBulls ready for fun!

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/jUwOfT0Gy_E

Nola Bulls, LLC announces the full lineup for the 11th edition of the world famous San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO), a.k.a. "The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans." Organizers say they are committed to transcending the farthest reaches of joy currently known to mortal men, taking this event it to the ultimate limits good times, great food, tasty drinks, and general feelings of "Por Que No?" or Why Not?

Related link: http://nolabulls.com/

Craft Beers and Adult Summer Camp Combine at Camp Forever Fun

READING, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Five of Michigan's top breweries have come together to sponsor Camp Forever Fun, the Midwest's premiere adult summer camp. This year's camp will be sponsored by Arcadia, Atwater, Ellison's, Shorts, and New Holland. "The slogan of my camp is "Everything you loved as a kid, plus craft beer!" says Joel Paul Reisig, owner of Camp Forever Fun. "I want great beers at camp, and now we have five of the Midwest's best brewing companies!"

"Camp Forever Fun is a place for adults to be kids again. We'll sleep in bunk beds, wake up to the camp bells, eat together in the mess hall, then go outside to play.

"You set your own day, camp will have all kinds of fun activities for you to pick from such as the high ropes course, archery, giant climbing wall, waterfront, yoga, arts and crafts, sports, giant canoe races, capture the flag, tug of war, and bubble blowing. There's something for everyone, and we're all here to have fun!"

At night camp will become a little more adult, and that's where great craft beers come in. It's time to for moonlight beer hikes, s'mores, and theme parties! Not a fan of beer? That's ok, wine will also be available.

Reisig adds, "I'm not interested in running a frat party. I'm looking for a group of responsible adults in their 20s and 30s who want to unwind and have one of the best weekends of their life. Let's play hard all day -- then enjoy a few good beers at night."

The average age at camp is 23 - 39, but everyone age 21 and up is welcome. Camp Forever Fun is an all-inclusive experience with housing, food, alcohol, activities, new friends, and unlimited memories all included in the price of your ticket.

Registration is now open at https://www.campforeverfun.com/.

Also find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campforeverfun/.

Camp Forever Fun, we come as strangers but leave as friends.

Five of Michigan's top breweries have come together to sponsor Camp Forever Fun 2017, the Midwest's premier adult summer camp. This year's camp will be sponsored by Arcadia, Atwater, Ellison's, Shorts, and New Holland. "The slogan of my camp is "Everything you loved as a kid, plus craft beer!" says Joel Paul Reisig, owner of Camp Forever Fun.

Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., Purchases the Daleo Entrance to Mammoth Cave

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) announced today the purchase of the Daleo Entrance to the Roppel section of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the world. The land surrounding the entrance, now named the Elroy and Marilyn Daleo Cave Preserve, is one mile east of Mammoth Cave National Park and protects 88 acres of classic karst on the Mammoth Cave Plateau.

The Daleo Entrance is now the only entrance to the Mammoth Cave system outside the national park owned by a conservation organization.

The preserve includes a number of caves, most notably the Daleo Entrance to the Roppel section of Mammoth Cave. The Daleo entrance is a significant portal into much of the cave system, and its acquisition is important in the overall goal of protecting the unique resources of the longest cave on earth.

"With this acquisition, SCCi continues its mission of protecting significant caves in the southeast United States," said SCCi Board Chair, Brian Krebs. "Now, the Daleo Entrance to the Roppel section of Mammoth Cave will be protected forever and accessible for recreational caving and scientific exploration. It is with great pride we announce this purchase and look forward to working with the broader cave conservation community of Kentucky."

SCCi would like to recognize the National Speleological Society (NSS) for its gift of $5,000 toward the purchase of the Elroy and Marilyn Daleo Cave Preserve. The NSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration, study, and protection of caves and their environments, and foster fellowship among cavers.

Those interested in supporting the Elroy and Marilyn Daleo Cave Preserve acquisition and stewardship, can do so here: http://scci.org/daleo.

As part of National Park Week, SCCi held a formal announcement at the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor's Center. The Cave Research Foundation (CRF) hosted a reception and meet & greet with SCCi following the announcement.

About Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.:

SCCi currently protects 171 caves on 31 preserves in 6 states. Founded in 1991, SCCi is the world's largest land conservancy dedicated solely to cave conservation. SCCi conserves some of the Southeast's most significant wild caves, while protecting the habitat of many endangered animals, preserving historic artifacts, and providing some of the country's best recreational caving anywhere. Southeastern Cave Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For more information, visit http://scci.org

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0421s2p-caves-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Ann and Peter Bosted.

*LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0421s2p-scci-300dpi.jpg

Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) announced today the purchase of the Daleo Entrance to the Roppel section of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the world. The land surrounding the entrance, now named the Elroy and Marilyn Daleo Cave Preserve, is one mile east of Mammoth Cave National Park and protects 88 acres of classic karst on the Mammoth Cave Plateau.

Premier Vintage Motoring and Luxury Lifestyle Event, Concours d’Elegance of Texas, Announces its Relocation to Arlington, TX

ARLINGTON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- The Concours d'Elegance of Texas announced that it will hold its annual three-day vintage car celebration event in the Arlington Entertainment District (previously hosted in the Houston area). The Concours d'Elegance of Texas is one of the largest vintage motoring and luxury lifestyle events in the state, a world-class gathering of collector cars and vintage motorcycles in a wonderful park setting.

The term "Concours d'Elegance" means "contest of elegance" and dates back to the 17th century when the French aristocracy would meet in the parks of Paris during summer weekends and parade in their horse-drawn carriages, each decorated more elegant than the next! Over time, carriages became horseless and the gatherings became competitions among automobile owners.

Mike Ames, Chairman of the Concours d'Elegance of Texas commented, "We are genuinely excited about our move to Arlington and look forward to being part of the continuing development of the Arlington Entertainment District. The City of Arlington and the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau have been extremely helpful and we look forward to working together to make our Concours of Texas one of the top-tier exhibitions in the country."

Jeff Williams, Mayor of Arlington commented, "I'm very excited about Arlington's opportunity to host the Concours d'Elegance of Texas - it adds great emphasis to our automotive heritage and it will be another world-class event for our city on a national stage and a destination for the exhibition of amazing classic cars right here in the center of the country."

The 6th annual event will be held the weekend of April 21-23, 2017 at the Richard Greene Linear Park and the Arlington Convention Center. Events throughout the weekend Include:

Friday, April 21:
* Texas Tour d'Elegance - A motoring tour departing from Globe Life Park. This police escorted tour will take in the sites, history and beauty of North Texas and include lunch at a historically significant location.
* The Monical Collection Auction - Arlington Convention Center - Worldwide Auctioneers present this exceptional collection of cars Friday afternoon, prior to the evening's reception. Advance bidder registration available via http://www.WorldWideAuctioneers.com/ or 800-990-6789.
* The Texas Classic Auction Preview & Cocktail Reception - Arlington Convention Center - Enjoy cocktails and light fare as the Concours d'Elegance of Texas kicks off with an exclusive preview of the great motorcars lined up for Saturday's Texas Classic Auction.

Saturday, April 22:
* The Texas Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers - Arlington Convention Center - An exclusive offering of world-class motorcars will cross the auction block at Worldwide's 16th annual The Texas Classic Auction. Advance bidder registration available via http://www.WorldWideAuctioneers.com/ or 800-990-6789.
* Cowboys & Cars Charity Event - Richard Greene Linear Park - Open to all Concours and Auction participants and their families. Meet fellow automotive enthusiasts and enjoy live music in an informal and uniquely Texas celebration under the Texas stars. Silent and live auction items will be available with proceeds benefiting COT charities.

Sunday, April 23:
* Concours d'Elegance of Texas - Richard Greene Linear Park - Open to the public event, highly recommended for spectators of all ages featuring a world-class gathering of selected vintage motorcars in a glorious lakeside setting overlooking the Caelum Moor Sculptures.

The Concours d'Elegance of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is proud to support Make-A-Wish(R) North Texas, Arlington's River Legacy Foundation, Holy Angels Residential Facility, and Next Gen Education Program, as its primary charities. Since 2011, the Concours d'Elegance of Texas has raised almost $2 million for charity.

To become an event sponsor, contact Linda Booth at (214) 945-4190. To have a car considered for the Concours, please email Car Selection Committee Chairman Rod Egan at rod@ConcoursofTexas.org or visit our website: http://www.ConcoursofTexas.org/.

About Concours d'Elegance of Texas:
At the Concours d'Elegance of Texas, our mission is to showcase the finest examples of automotive art and engineering in an elegant setting, and the entire weekend supports three wonderful charitable organizations. It's a weekend experience dedicated to striking and unusual vehicles, fine dining, and renewing old friendships - all served up with old-fashioned Texas hospitality.

The Concours d'Elegance of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is proud to support Make-A-Wish(R) North Texas, River Legacy Foundation, Holy Angels Residential Facility, and Next Gen Education Program, as its primary charities. Since 2011, the Concours d'Elegance of Texas has raised almost $2 million for charity.

For more information go to http://www.ConcoursofTexas.org/ or call 817-695-5284.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kell Curtis
817-703-5394
kell@wheelhousepr.com

*IMAGE: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0220s2p-concourso-300dpi.jpg

*VIDEO (Vimeo): https://vimeo.com/196676963

The Concours d'Elegance of Texas announced that it will hold its annual three-day vintage car celebration event in the Arlington Entertainment District (previously hosted in the Houston area). The Concours d'Elegance of Texas is one of the largest vintage motoring and luxury lifestyle events in the state, a world-class gathering of collector cars and vintage motorcycles in a wonderful park setting.

Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn is one of 15 Happiest Places in World Says CNN

OWENSBORO, Ky. /ScoopCloud/ -- When Patrick Bosley, manager of the Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn, learned that their heritage barbeque restaurant was named as one of 15 of the world's happiest places in not just the state, but the world, he was equally surprised as he was thrilled.

On January 16, CNN released a list "15 of the World's Happiest Places" and Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn was among them. The writer, Griffin Shea, reported that this fourth-generation, family-owned barbeque joint quite simply "tastes like home."

"We have no idea how we came to be part of this list," Bosley says. "A CNN reporter contacted us a few months back, but I had no idea where it was going to lead. We're honored and I'm planning to reach out to others on the list to share my congratulations with them too."

And apparently Griffin is not alone in her opinion. The Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn has been making people smile for more than 50 years. It's become a Kentucky tradition that serves up a very non-traditional ingredient - mutton.

Mutton, or aged lamb, has declined in popularity over the years because it takes time - something many people are short on these days. However, the folks at Moonlite Bar-B-Q continue to rely on this slow-cook method which happens over its hickory burning pit. After 12 hours, guests enjoy fall-off the bone mutton - a signature item that has brought them to world fame.

What else sets this place apart? Its barbeque buffet. According to "Gourmet Magazine," it's "spectacular" and "puts Owensboro barbeque in a class by itself."

The restaurant seats 350 guests and serves about 350,000 meals per year and its hand-built barbeque pit is equivalent to the size of four mid-sized cars stacked together. Yet, despite the volume, the place maintains its family vibe and warm atmosphere.

"We've become a dining destination," Bosley, says. "It's pretty incredible. President Bill Clinton has even indulged here."

Bosley adds that it was pretty humbling to be included on a list of the world's happiest places. Others that made the grade included Health Land Spa and Massage in Bangkok; Mary, a chocolate shop in Brussels; Ulva Island in New Zealand; Casablanca Valley in Chile; and more.

For more information, check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoonliteBarBQ or visit: http://www.moonlite.com/.

View the CNN article here: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/16/travel/world-happiest-places/index.html

* Photo for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0125s2p-moonlite-b-b-q-300dpi.jpg
* Photo Caption: The Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn in Owensboro, Ky.

When Patrick Bosley, manager of the Moonlite Bar-B-Q-Inn, learned that their heritage barbeque restaurant was named as one of 15 of the world's happiest places in not just the state, but the world, he was equally surprised as he was thrilled.

Belamere Suites Hotel Wins 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Hotels

PERRYSBURG, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- Belamere Suites Hotel today announced it has been recognized as the overall winner in the Romance category of the 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice(TM) awards for Hotels, ranking #1 in America. In the 15th year of the awards, TripAdvisor has highlighted the world's top properties based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from travelers around the globe. Winners were identified in the categories of Top Hotels, Luxury, Bargain, Small, Service, B&Bs and Inns, Romance and Family. The hallmarks of Travelers' Choice hotels winners are remarkable service, value and quality.

"Belamere Suites Hotel is proud to be recognized as TripAdvisor's Best romantic hotel in America. Our unique suites with their over the top amenities and careful attention to personal detail have given our couples memories to share with each other that will last them a lifetime. Thank you to all of our guests who have made it possible for us to be awarded this extraordinary recognition." - Belamere Suites Spokesman.

"For the past 15 years, TripAdvisor has relied on the experiences and opinions of our travel community that has explored thousands of hotels around the world to determine these celebrated awards," said Barbara Messing, TripAdvisor chief marketing officer. "Travelers planning their trips for 2017 can find inspiration for some of the best places to book from this diverse group of outstanding accommodations around the globe."

To see TripAdvisor traveler reviews and opinions of Belamere https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50838-d308614-Reviews-Belamere_Suites-Perrysburg_Ohio.html.

For all 2017 Travelers' Choice Hotel winners, visit https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels. Travelers can follow on Twitter at #travelerschoice.

About Belamere Suites:
Opened in 2003 with 18 suites in Ohio, Belamere Suites now offers 35 suites showcasing four suite styles: the Ultimate Jacuzzi Suite, a Presidential Pool Suite, a two-story Royal Pool Suite, and the two-story Grand Royal Pool Suite. Each Pool Suite includes a private, heated, indoor pool nestled in an expansive 1500 square feet of comfort and seclusion. All suites feature exclusive amenities from oversized Jacuzzi tubs, luxurious Bela-Beds(TM), and fireplaces to catered European breakfasts and a-la-carte comforts including spa services, roses, wine, and champagne. Belamere pledges to care for an uncommon set of values: for marriage, romance, our guests, and for the community; where couples feel all they have to bring is love.

About TripAdvisor:
TripAdvisor(R) is the world's largest travel site**, enabling travelers to unleash the potential of every trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 390 million average monthly unique visitors*, and reached 435 million reviews and opinions covering 6.8 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 49 markets worldwide.

*Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2016.
**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, July 2016.

More information: http://www.BelamereSuites.com/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belameresuites
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBelamereSuites

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/NydZ27CDBPs

PHOTOS:
(1) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0124-01-belamere-suites-swimming-pool-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Belamere Pool Suites feature private, heated pools to experience the pleasure of lounging and deciding if, and when someone gets splashed!

(2) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0124-02-belamere-suites-jacuzzi-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Enjoy luxurious, oversized Jacuzzi tubs.

(3) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0124-03-belamere-suites-bela-bed-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Expansive rooms with inviting fireplaces designed to pamper and provide the ultimate comfort.

Belamere Suites Hotel today announced it has been recognized as the overall winner in the Romance category of the 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice(TM) awards for Hotels, ranking #1 in America. In the 15th year of the awards, TripAdvisor has highlighted the world's top properties based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from travelers around the globe.

Kazzit Announces Highest Quarterly Usership Growth to Date

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kazzit, the wine industry's most all-inclusive online community, has announced a bullish end of the year in terms of company growth. The fourth quarter of 2016 showed a 30 percent increase in unique visitors over Q3, and a 400 percent increase over the previous year. These results were fueled by a recently refreshed design, enhanced content and search capabilities, the launch of the Kazzit mobile app, and international expansion into 17 new countries.

In just three months, Kazzit has surpassed its established competitors in traffic and engagement according to global website rankings (*see NOTE 1). With over 50K unique users and 124K page views per month, Kazzit is now ranked at 342K globally, with a domestic ranking of 68K in the United States - a major feat for a wine-tourism website.

Still 100 percent free to consumers, wine lovers and curious epicurean travelers use Kazzit's dynamic search capability to seek out specific wineries, discover new ones based on region or preferences (i.e., wineries that specialize in specific varieties or styles), and also to find the perfect winery setting for events like weddings, corporate retreats, and educational seminars.

This micro-level of personalization to consumer search demand has positioned Kazzit as a leader in wine consumer data - a benefit that Kazzit's winery partners are beginning to capitalize on at a B2B level. Aside from the user reviews, Kazzit's elastic, open-ended search capabilities have unlocked an unprecedented amount of data that partner wineries can access; for example, the trendiest wine style in the month of September, the most popular types of winery events in the Finger Lakes, the demographic most likely to seek out white wine in winter, or the most searched wine regions overall. Founder Babak Motamedi has plans to publish some of this data in a regular quarterly industry report launching in 2017.

No single platform has ever had access to this level of micro-data in the wine industry, and Kazzit is thus poised to take wine marketing to the next level, as boutique wineries find themselves now capable of unlocking a new level of exposure and engagement never before seen. Kazzit's recently launched mobile app has helped facilitate more spontaneous searching on-the-go, and wineries can also now capitalize, publishing timely deals directly to the platform and utilizing Kazzit as a marketing partner arm to help opportunistically attract potential customers nearby.

Since its soft-launch in 2014, Kazzit now has a database of over 10,000 wineries (over 9,000 more than its closest competitor) across North & South America, Europe, Africa and Australia, and surpassed 60,000 unique users last month (adding 600+ per day on average). With its 92/100 Google experience ranking, wine lovers and industry insiders alike are drawn to Kazzit for its ease of use, online reservation system, detailed winery information and reviews, and educational wine blog, written by sommeliers, which is updated almost daily.

Since 2014, the average organic visitor to Kazzit spends over 4 minutes and 7 seconds on the site (58 seconds is the standard), with a return rate of 30-40 percent. Return users average 11.5 minutes on return visits, clicking an average of 8.6 pages deep reading about wineries (a huge number by any digital marketing standard).

About Kazzit:
Kazzit stands out as the world's most comprehensive online winery resource, serving as the ultimate all-inclusive online community, connecting wineries, vineyards, restaurateurs, collectors, sales people and enthusiasts, and helping them share services, products, experiences and consumer applications. Kazzit helps wineries connect with both trade and consumers by providing comprehensive winery profiles, winery ratings, photo galleries, maps, real-time social media updates, upcoming winery events and a means to book wine tastings and plan wine trips all in one place.

The brainchild of Phoenix restaurateur Peter Kasperski and serial entrepreneur Babak Motamedi, Kazzit was founded in February 2014 after the two wine-loving friends grew frustrated at the lack of comprehensive travel planning sites specifically built for wine tourism. The name Kazzit pays tribute to the friendship between founders Motamedi & Kasperski, which had its genesis at Kazimierz Wine Bar near what would become Kazzit's headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Learn more: http://kazzit.com/.

For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles or Alex Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.

*(Note 1: According to Alexa.com.)

- LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0914-kazzit-300dpi.jpg

Kazzit, the wine industry's most all-inclusive online community, has announced a bullish end of the year in terms of company growth. The fourth quarter of 2016 showed a 30 percent increase in unique visitors over Q3, and a 400 percent increase over the previous year. These results were fueled by a recently refreshed design, enhanced content and search capabilities, the launch of the Kazzit mobile app, and international expansion into 17 new countries.

Laguna Art-A-Fair hosts a Call for Artists Jury Day on Feb. 12, 2017

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Laguna Art-A-Fair announces a Call for Artists Jury Day on Sunday, February 12 with an opportunity to join one of California's premier summer fine art festivals. Artists and artisans may enter three pieces of their original artwork along with a $40 jury fee from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Artwork pick-up and jury scores are provided from 4 - 4:30 p.m. with a complete prospectus available at http://art-a-fair.com/call-for-artists-2/.

For over 50 years the Laguna Art-A-Fair has enabled established and emerging artists to display their best creations to the tens of thousands of art-lovers that visit Laguna Beach each summer. This year's festival runs from June 30 to September 3, 2017. Visitors can choose from a broad spectrum of affordable original fine art, crafts, and reproductions.

There are daily art workshop classes, frequent art demonstrations, and live entertainment on Thursdays through Sundays. Excellent cuisine and renowned margaritas are also available at Tivoli Too!, a restaurant retreat on the festival grounds.

Laguna Art-A-Fair
PO Box 547, Laguna Beach, CA 92652
Web: http://art-a-fair.com/ .

CALENDAR LISTING:
Event Name: Laguna Art-A-Fair Call for Artists Jury Day.
Event Date: February 12, 2017.
Event Location: Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
Admission: $40 jury fee with 3 original artworks per media
Contact: info@art-a-fair.com
Description: Call for Artists Jury Day on February 12, 2017, 8-11am at Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach 92651. Three pieces of original artwork and $40 jury fee per each media submitted for entry into Summer 2017 Festival. Prospectus available at: http://art-a-fair.com/call-for-artists-2/.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0112s2p-rivera-300dpi.jpg

*PHOTO CAPTION: Laguna Art-A-Fair artist Hugo Rivera demonstrates his signature technique on a portrait of fellow artist Victor Dworak. (Photo credit: Al Gerk.)

The Laguna Art-A-Fair announces a Call for Artists Jury Day on Sunday, February 12, 2017 with an opportunity to join one of California's premier summer fine art festivals. Artists and artisans may enter three pieces of their original artwork along with a $40 jury fee from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

The Dead of Winter: Mediums at Large Paranormal Seminar and Ghost Hunt Comes to the Plum Tree National Golf Resort

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- A host of famous mediums, psychics, ghost hunters, authors and more will gather January 28, 2017 for Chicago Hauntings' annual "Dead of Winter" paranormal seminar at the Plum Tree National Golf Resort in Woodstock, Illinois.

The popular event this year focuses on mediumship, the talent of talking to the dead, and stars Chris Fleming of the Travel Channel's smash hit, "Ghost Adventures." Five other mediums will be on hand for readings throughout the event, and other presenters include paranormal authors Ursula Bielski and Scott Markus and "ghost box" expert Daniel Reiter, who will demonstrate life after death communication via "spirit radio."

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food and drink will be available all day, and attendees may also purchase tickets to an evening bonfire and ghost hunt of the premises, guided by mediums and psychics. No experience is required, and all are encouraged to attend. An optional ghost tour of McHenry County will be given via deluxe coach bus on Friday, January 27, 2017.

Event organizer and owner of Chicago Hauntings Tours Ursula Bielski says that wintertime is one of the best times for paranormal investigation: "We usually associate ghosts with October and Halloween, but research demonstrates that the winter months are some of the most active times of year paranormally. Mediums tell us that, like the living, spirits also frequently 'come home' during the holidays and sometimes remain for months."

Bielski also says McHenry County, where the Dead of Winter event will be held, is one of the most haunted counties in Illinois, and that paranormal activity is currently being experienced by the workers rehabbing the old Plum Tree Golf Resort, which will be totally refurbished by the New Year holiday.

For further information and ticket purchases, please visit http://www.chicagohauntings.com/ or contact Ursula Bielski at ursulabielski@sbcglobal.net or 773-733-2711.

A host of famous mediums, psychics, ghost hunters, authors and more will gather January 28, 2017 for Chicago Hauntings' annual "Dead of Winter" paranormal seminar at the Plum Tree National Golf Resort in Woodstock, Illinois. Guest star, Chris Fleming of the Travel Channel's smash hit, "Ghost Adventures."

Electro Spa In The Sky

LAS VEGAS, Nev., April 5, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Madame et Monsieur, an Electro-Slim Therapy(TM) company, joins forces with NV Jets to offer its exclusive Electro-Slim Therapy treatments on their charter flights.

Private aircraft passengers will arrive at their destination relaxed, energized and rejuvenated after they've experienced cellular detoxification and muscle rehabilitation thousands of feet in the air. A one-hour treatment is equivalent to a six-hour workout.

The exclusive Electro-Slim Technology(TM) is a custom process designed to promote circulation, detoxification and muscle rehabilitation. The unique spa treatment uses FDA-approved equipment that specializes in area-specific body sculpting using skin contact electrodes.

These electrodes deliver rhythmic waves of pulses in three unique modes in 20-minute intervals and accomplish a non-physical, full body workout. The powerful muscle contractions result in muscle rehabilitation and overall circulatory benefits which combat jet lag, fatigue, and other stress-related issues that often occur during travel.

"We are excited to join forces with NV Jets to provide our exclusive service to their charter jet passengers," Robey Taute, co-founder Madame et Monsieur, says. "The future of private air transportation is rejuvenation and relaxation. Passengers will arrive at their destination ready to take on the world."

About Madame et Monsieur:

Madame et Monsieur ( http://www.madameetmonsieur.com/ ) was founded by Robey and Ria Taute in 1983 in South Africa. Currently, it has locations across the U.S., Europe, Australia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Clients include athletes, celebrities, pageant contestants and global business leaders.

About NV Jets:

NV JETS ( http://www.nvjets.com/ ) is the number one charter operator in Nevada with the highest safety ratings achievable in aviation and the cleanest aircraft in the state. They are the only ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, IS-BAO stage 1, and 9 or less Eligible On-Demand charter operator in the entire state.

Video Playlist: See Electro-Slim Technology(TM) onboard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhjVTbxTwno&list=PL22C34435E787F826 .

Watch a video about Electro-Slim Technology(TM): https://youtu.be/gjWBugUra_w .

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0405-Robey-Ria-Taute-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: (L-R) Robey Taute, London Jane (NV Jets), and Ria Taute.

Media Contact:
Robey Taute
of Madame et Monsieur
+1-702-444-0229
robey@metm.me

NVJets Contact:
+1-855-568-5387
Info@nvjets.com

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NEWS SOURCE Madame et Monsieur :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.