NEW YORK, March 5, 2010 – Romance in New York has been captured in countless Hollywood productions. Now, amateur filmmakers can have their love immortalized with I LOVE NEW YORK’s new competition to discover the best New York State love story. I LOVE NEW YORK (www.iloveny.com), New York State’s tourism promotion agency, and New York University’s Tisch Graduate School of Film are collaborating to sponsor a team of New York University (NYU) filmmakers to produce a movie about “Love in New York.”

To identify the best “Love in New York” story for NYU’s film producers, the Empire State has created a contest asking New Yorkers to share details on how the state played a role in meeting and falling in love with their significant other. Love story submissions can be unusual, funny, weird, romantic, and more, as long as encounters took place in New York State. Five love stories will be chosen and winning stories will be incorporated into a film promoting I LOVE NEW YORK and featured online at www.iloveny.com.

The submission deadline is April 1, 2010. To enter, contest participants must present a short video link (five minutes or less), or a brief essay with images to nylovestories@gmail.com.
For more information, visit http://iloveny.com/love.

The hotel is remarkable for several reasons: first, of course, the unique location. Secondly the hotel is located in a building which was erected to house Barclay’s Bank in 1985. So, you can actually sleep in a bank. Being an ex-bank means, that the rooms and particularly the bathrooms are extremely ample by New York standards.

Following the general trend, the hotel is minimalist, something I normally do not enjoy. I like a hotel to be a cozy home from home not a cold art exhibition where I have to sit on rock hard sofas and bang my knees on sharp steel edged tables. The Andaz’s style has rounded edges, warm gold and brown colors and feels very comfortable and welcoming indeed. That’s the general philosophy of the stuff too: make the guest welcome. There is no reception desk, arriving guests are personally greeted by an employee at the door who, from a hand held computer, can find all their details and then accompanies them to their room.

The rainshower in the bathroom is to die for and the contents of the minibar – with the exception of alcohol – is included in the room price as are all the goodies in the bathroom. A spa  provides 15 minute massages and other treatments as well as quick manicures and pedicures.

And the price? From $295 per night decidedly modest by New York standards. A great find. Even better is that the historical South Street Seaport is within walking distance in one direction and Ground Zero, where you can pay your respects, lies in the opposite direction.

Not far is the historical site of the buttonwood tree where the traders gathered and where in 1792 the Buttonwood Agreement came into being which later lead to the formation of the New York Stock Exchange. I looked, but couldn’t find a plaque for the original buttonwood tree. Another reason why, when I come back to New York, I’ll stay at the Andaz and look again.

Inka is German and used to be an international attorney with offices in London and Spain. Retired two years ago because I wanted to be a traveler and writer and now live between Didim/Turkey and Miami with plenty of travel in between. Next destinations: Istanbul, New York and Petra/Jordan. Inka’s first novel has just been published and can be found here

Circle Line cruises sail from Pier 83 at West 42nd Street and West Side Highway, close to the Lincoln Tunnel and Chelsea Pier where the unfortunate Titanic was supposed to dock had she ever finished her journey. The fare is $29 and whilst standing in line to board, some very funny ladies try to sell you huge mugs with the Circle Line logo on them, pointing out that you will get free refills on board if you brandish said mug and that “three hours is a long, long time!”

The three hours passed by like the proverbial New York minute because there is so much to see. The boat sails down the Hudson River with views of the New Jersey shore on your right and the Empire State building, Ground Zero and Battery Park on the left. Then Ellis Island and the Statue of Libery come into view. The boat goes around it and then up on the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge.

Our tour guide said that he did this tour for 25 years and was happy to answer any questions. Then came the photo op highlight of the cruise: the moment when, just under the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty is perfectly framed within the arches. We didn’t go much further than Roosevelt Island because the river further up was frozen solid, so we turned around and had a view of all the stunning sites in reverse.

It’s certainly the best way to get a feel for what Manhattan is all about, to realize that it is in fact an island and a small one at that. No more than 17 miles long and 2.5. miles across. Even without the mug you can get coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks and the covered deck was warm and snug. For me it was one of the best sightseeing tours ever.

Inka is German and used to be an international attorney with offices in London and Spain. Retired two years ago because she wanted to be a traveler and writer and now live between Didim/Turkey and Miami with plenty of travel in between. Next destinations: Istanbul, New York and Petra/Jordan. Inka’s first novel has just been published and can be found here

Featured at this nine-day festival are demonstrations of traditional crafts by 200 juried American craftsmen, folklore demonstrations, historical reenactments, antiques, and traditional music, dancing and entertainment running non-stop on six stages. Visit the largest Quilt Sale in the Nation, featuring over 2,000 American made quilts. Children experience traditional, hands-on enjoyment in exciting new ways. Noah’s World animal park, hay mazes, do-it-yourself mural paintings, rides, and their own children’s stage make this Festival a time to remember as a wonderful family experience for your kids. And last but certainly not least – the best Pennsylvania Dutch food to be had anywhere!

www.kutztownfestival.com

SEASON OVERVIEW
The 125th season opens on May 4 with a gala concert featuring multiple Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel and the inimitable Doc Severinsen, who holds the distinction of having performed under the batons of Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart—a perfect addition to a program honoring the leadership legacies of the three most famous Boston Pops conductors. During the season the Pops will present the world premiere of a new work in honor of the Kennedy brothers, mark the 10th anniversary of the popular radio and TV show “From the Top,” focus on esteemed artists from the fields of jazz, musical theater, and pop, including Dave Brubeck, Kelli O’Hara, and Maureen McGovern, and honor the legacies of such musical titans as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Daniel Bernard Roumain, who in concert melds his classical music roots with his own Haitian-American cultural references and vibrant musical imagination, and Ozomatli, the multi-Grammy award-winning, genre-defying sensation, join the orchestra for programs that continue the Pops tradition of focusing on the best and brightest new talent on the musical scene today. Returning to the Pops schedule is the legendary film music series under the direction of John Williams, this year marking his 30th anniversary with the Pops, and one of the newest Pops traditions, Gospel Night with Charles Floyd. To bring the 125th season to a close in June, the Boston Pops will present one of this country’s greatest living legends—the incomparable Arlo Guthrie. A complete program listing appears at the end of this press release.

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 18, 2010) – It’s one of the most highly anticipated theme park entertainment experiences of our generation and, for the first time, guests can now book an exclusive vacation package to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort with their families.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package” includes hotel accommodations and admission to both Universal Orlando theme parks – along with a wide-range of benefits available only by booking through Universal Orlando Resort. Benefits include early park admission, allowing guests to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter before other guests each day, as well as a traditional British breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, the signature eating establishment within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And by staying at an on-site hotel, guests get exclusive Universal Express Access to select attractions and shows, allowing them to bypass regular lines.

To best enjoy all Universal Orlando offers, guests may consider the four-night package featured below. Guests can add additional nights and also upgrade their theme park tickets to include park-to-park access, allowing them to go to both Universal theme parks each day. Additional packages are available with prices starting at $285 per-adult ($829 for a family of four) for four nights at a hotel near Universal. All packages and prices are available at UniversalOrlando.com. All travel begins May 28.*

“There has been worldwide anticipation for this one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, and we are thrilled to be offering families a way to experience the magic and excitement of Harry Potter’s world,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package – Four Nights On-site package starts at $645 per-adult ($1,548 for a family of four) On-Site Package Benefits
· Four-night accommodations at one of Universal’s three on-site AAA Four Diamond hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort
· Three days admission to Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks (park-to-park not included)
· Complimentary Universal Express access to bypass the regular lines at select theme park rides and attractions (a $70 value per person, per day)
· Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
· Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
· Commemorative ticket for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
· Good for travel beginning May 28, 2010

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant.

Universal has announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in Spring 2010.

Universal Orlando Resort
There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation – but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort. It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It’s the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D.

Guests Can Visit UniversalOrlando.com And Book NOW For Travel Starting May 28, 2010

For the second year, Oregon literary nonprofit Fishtrap teams up with Winding Waters River Expeditions to offer an adventure in writing on the Snake River in Hells Canyon. From August 26-31, 2010, Writing On the River floats members of a wilderness workshop through a classroom setting much larger than most students are used to. The visual aids are impressive, stretching for miles inside the deepest gorge in North America. Participants in the course will explore Hells Canyon, along with their writing craft, for five days on the Snake River with Montana author and film producer Annick Smith. Work will concentrate on connections among ‘Memory, Place and Story,’ in a canyon rich with all three. Play takes care of itself, as getting to your next classroom or campsite may involve running a series of whitewater rapids with a guide, paddling a kayak or hiking a rim of the canyon.

The trip includes catered meals closer to fine dining than what you might expect from an outdoor kitchen. Winding Waters River Expeditions of Joseph, Oregon, provides all camping and river equipment, along with experienced guides, a spotless safety record and transportation once you reach the town of Joseph.

Annick Smith brings a wide range of expertise to the course, as an accomplished memoir writer, essayist, editor and film producer. She is the author of the memoir Homestead, a collection of essays, In This We Are Native, and a history of the tallgrass prairies, Big Bluestem. She was co-editor with William Kittredge of the Montana anthology The Last Best Place, and her work has appeared in Story, Outside,
Orion, Audubon, Travel & Leisure, and the NY Times Traveler.

Smith was executive producer of the film Heartland, and co-producer of A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford. Her documentary credits include The Real People, a public television series about seven tribes in the Inland Northwest, and a portrait of poet Richard Hugo, Kicking the Loose Gravel Home. She has taught creative writing at the University of Montana as well as numerous writing workshops and conferences.

Writing On the River is sponsored by Fishtrap, the literary non-profit in northeast Oregon promoting “clear thinking and good writing in and about the West.” Cost for the trip is $1295 for adults, $1170 for children. A portion of the cost ($150) is a tax-deductible contribution to Fishtrap. For registration or more information, visit www.fishtrap.org or call (541) 426-3623. Winding Waters River Expeditions also has details at www.windingwatersrafting.com.

The Three Wise Men, Melchior, Baltasar and Caspar who followed the star to Bethlehem traditionally arrive on 6th of January, but Miami celebrates the event on the Sunday following the 6th. This year we had two additional “attractions”: it must have been the coldest 10th of January in many people’s memory and it was the 40th anniversary of the parade.

Although there is of course the religious background, Little Havana’s Reyes Magos only play a marginal role. It’s more carnival than wise men and more funny floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, displays of local businesses and everything in between that pass in front of the applauding spectators who line the length of Calle Ocho. Given the cold, most cheers went to the float with the boys and girls in swim suits, keeping warm with eggnog and dancing to Salsa rhythms.

Whilst the parade nears its end, party spirit erupts among the public. Not an English word is spoken, many stalls sell arepos, tortillas, Cuban coffee and empanadas with young and old keep warm dancing in the street.

Make a note in your diary for next year. Don’t miss Little Havana’s Reyes Magos if you happen to be in Miami. They may fulfill all your travel wishes too.

Inka is German and used to be an international attorney with offices in London and Spain. Retired two years ago because I wanted to be a traveler and writer and now live between Didim/Turkey and Miami with plenty of travel in between. Next destinations: Istanbul, New York and Petra/Jordan. Inka’s first novel has just been published and can be found here

Almost every national park in America has a line of hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other amenities leading up to the main entrance and even those not blessed with a sense of direction can fail to find a place to spend the night before heading into one of America’s great parks. Death Valley however is one of those exceptions, not surprisingly the desert environment, harsh conditions has not bread a bustling tourism industry to rival most other Californian parks. Even outside the Valley there is little to provide a living for anyone; only the occasional casino or hotel and the odd gas station break up the straight desert roads.

Lapthrop Wells was our last stop for gas before we went into the park; a billboard, with a large eyed, green skinned alien pointed right towards Area 51, and inside alien masks, posters and X file pictures plastered the walls.

“You get many visitors to the Valley?” I asked as I stocked up on water and gas.

“At this time of year we get more for Area Fifty-One than the Valley” said the attendant.

“Do they ever see anything?”

“Nope, nothing to see in the Valley,” he replied with a little smirk.

As I walked back to the car the oppressive heat, reflecting up from the ground as well as down from the sky reminded us that a night in a tent would be far from comfortable; we set about looking for a hotel.

Passing the alien billboard we turned left down a desolate road the lead 30 miles to the entrance of the park; a small casino 15 miles down was the only form of life, but the map indicated a small town; Death Valley Junction, a further 15 miles on. The Amarghosa Hotel and two small, apparently deserted, houses was that town.

The Amarghosa Hotel looked like it was built in the 1920s and looked as if there hadn’t been much work done since but with our tent poles rattling in the trunk, we were reminded that there was a worse option. Making jokes about Bates Motel and the Shining, Claire and I searched the hotel for an attendant, or even any evidence of guests; there were 20 open doors, leading to 20 open rooms. Perhaps we should have booked!

Despite its outward appearance, the Amarghosa Hotel is not without its charm or character. As we walked around, a peacock, which I assume calls this place home, followed us, with its long tail feathers trailing behind. Inside, murals covered the walls: cherubs and angels dance in the hall, while clowns smiled at us from the dining room. What I assumed to be the town stretched across one wall in the lobby and old pictures hung in the reception area. A glass cabinet holding various documents and artefacts sat next to the reception desk we were now waiting near: mementos from when the town was used as a base for borax mining, I later found out. Looking at the photos and comments in the Guest Book it appears that the hotel is a bustling place during the winter months. Opera performances are laid on in the old opera house, which takes up one corner of the building and the escape from modern life (there are no TV or phones in the rooms) receives rave reviews.
Right now that opera house looked as deserted as the rest of the town. July, it appears, is not the time to come.

It was after half an hour of watching, and attempting to feed, the peacock that someone appeared and gave us a room. ‘Quiet place hey’
“You bet! The population’s doubled” Mary, the cleaner, chambermaid, clerk said.

“Not many guests then?”

“I was talking about the town”

Making a mental note that this would not be the place to rush back to in an emergency we chose our room and went through our ritual of getting as close as possible to the large fan in the corner before we went off to find the dining room. There was not one. It looked as if even Mary had packed up for the day.

It was about 15 miles back to where we had seen the last form of civilization and well over 30 to the nearest town of Shoeshone (we knew the gas station wouldn’t reward us with any filling snacks). We’d had our fill of all you can eat buffets in Vegas and could not stand the thought of another one so we approached the surprisingly well-stocked vending machines that occupied part of the lobby.

Claire and I began to feed the machine quarters so we could feed ourselves. We found our own table, with the company of the clowns, angels and other figures that covered the hotel walls. A satay starter (peanuts) with an entree of beef (jerky) was accompanied by a bottle of the house vintage (out of date Pepsi) and a dessert of strawberry mousse (spoon in lid). Where else can you get dinner and drinks in California, with soft lighting and a room to yourself, for just four dollars? For two!

The Amarghosa is a relaxing break after the heady sights of Las Vegas, there is little to do in the evening except relax and stay close to the air conditioning. With nothing but mountains on the horizon it was a compelling yet eerie place. A cry from the peacock that walked around the hotel was the only form of visible life. Had some tumbleweed rolled past it would not have been out of place.

The next morning I opened up the door to find a mouse lying at the foot of the door, dead. I looked down the corridors and no infestation was following, out of the all the rooms available it had chosen ours to die next to. Carefully stepping over the corpse I caught a glimpse of the clown on our way, smiling in the first morning light as the peacocks cry echoed in the morning air. We drove towards the Valley, watching the silhouette of the hotel in the rear view mirror.

Matt Scott has spent the majority of his adult life working and traveling abroad. A keen writer and photographer his work has appeared on line and in print in publications around the world. He currently lives in Paris where he works for an active travel company.

Our first stop was the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, a city just outside of San Francisco but close enough to fit nicely into our quest for the sweetest weekend ever. Jelly Bellies are the natural-flavored jelly beans that achieved world recognition when then President Ronald Reagan took a fancy to Jelly Bellies and kept a jar of them on his desk at the Oval Office. With the President’s endorsement, along with my son’s — a self-proclaimed Jelly Belly fan — the free tour of the factory was a must do.

The factory tour is open both weekdays and weekends, but weekdays is when the employees are busy at work and the equipment is in operation. We learned a lot about the company’s history along with the surprisingly long (21 days!) process of making the gourmet beans. The sheer scale of the factory with bin after bin of colorful jelly beans left our mouths watering and our curiosity piqued. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Jelly Belly mosaic-styled portraits of everyone from Elvis to George Washington done entirely with jelly beans. My son’s favorite part: tasting the free samples and the complimentary bag he received at the end of the tour. We also loaded up on bags of “Belly Flops,” misshapen Jelly Bellies that don’t quite measure up to company standards and sold for less than half price at the factory store.

Once we arrived in San Francisco we knew exactly where to go: Ghiradelli Square! This landmark located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco is a prime spot for sweet lovers. Since operations for the candy making have long since moved to San Leandro, Calfornia, it could be argued that this is just another retail spot. However, visitors can still view the original candy-making equipment and appreciate the history behind the Square, a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1982.

Perhaps most important, there is still plenty to satisfy the sweet tooth. We treated ourselves to Ghiradelli’s World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae and indulged in the freely given samples of the chocolate. Since the Square was crowded with tourists, we headed toward one of its shops at the end away from the entrance where we could avoid some of the long lines.

As if chocolate and sundaes weren’t enough to satisfy, I needed to look no further than one of the Square’s sweet retailers, Kara’s Cupcakes. The divine cupcakes sold at the shop are handmade using ingredients from local sources, mostly organic and always delicious. Since they are baked throughout the day I had no trouble snagging a nearly straight-from-the-oven cake that was a treat for eyes as well as the taste buds.

Luckily, our final sweet destination was only a short walk to San Francisco’s famous Pier 39. The Fudge House is a small shop, but it boasts 25 kinds of homemade fudge, as well as caramel, dipped fresh strawberries, caramel corn, and chocolate treats such as truffles and peanut butter cups. The fudge making operation is fully visible from the windows in the shop, and the process is a lot like making fudge at home. Sweet! Or, rather, sweet weekend.

I have my degree in broadcast journalism from Cal Poly, Pomona and a teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton. I am presently a secondary school English teacher. Previously, I worked for CBS Television in the News and Entertainment Industries where I read, edited and synosized scripts as well as wrote news copy and press releases. My writing will appear in an upcoming issue of Women’s World and has appeared on MyHero.com. I am attaching a photograph of me.