Rabbit's Bakery, Lake City, Minnesota Field Report

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One the second day of a vacation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, we crossed the border back into Minnesota to visit Rabbit's Bakery in Lake City. We got there just before noon, so that baking for the day was over, but the wood-fired oven was being heated up for the next day's baking.


There were lots of tasting things in case waiting to be chosen. We saw lots of people coming in to buy things or to have lunch at the bakery cafe.


There was some breads of the day on the rack waiting to be taken, a menu for drinks on the wall. You can also see a sign for pizza (lower right), which they currently make once a month.


They have their distinctive sign hanging outside their door.


Here you can see the chimney stack and cinder block addition for their wood-fired oven. It looks like they also added some additional venting.


Just in case you can't find it going by the address, they also have a distinctive sign on the exterior wall of their bakery building.

Everything we bought was good. I'll certainly stop by again if I'm in the area.

D'Amico & Sons, Golden Valley, Minnesota Field Report

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While looking for a place to eat dinner after attending an art exhibition at the Perpich Center for Arts Education I did a "search nearby" and found that there was a D'Amico & Sons location at 7804 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55437, about a mile away. Looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for the restaurant, I saw one where it mentioned "wood fired oven" so that restaurant location seemed worth a try.

This time I didn't have my camera with me, so there are no pictures.

There is a menu that you can download from their page. The actual selections available in the restaurant were a bit broader.

The good news: They really do have and use a wood-fired oven to bake their pizza.

The bad news: They run their oven at a comparatively low 500 degrees or so.

As a result, their wood-fired pizza is just OK.

I ordered their Neapolitan (a highly ironic name considering the temperature of true Neapolitan pizza ovens), which had fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The pizza was thin crust, not overloaded, and had a bit of char on the bottom. It would have definitely benefited from some attention from a bubble popper. A couple of big bubbles had pushed the sauce and cheese away from substantial portions of my pizza.

Even with those problems, it was a pretty tasty pizza, and one I would order again.

Bill's Bread, Vashon, Washington

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A friend on Facebook shared a link to video about a wood-fired bakery on Vashon Island in Washington State named Bill's Bread. The video link is here. Apparently Bill doesn't have a web site. I did find some information on a Manta page.

I also found an older blog post that mentioned Bill's Bread.

His story sounds like a real, down-to-earth guy who discovered his life's work making people's food lives a bit richer.

I'll have to see if I can meet him the next time I'm in Washington.

it's been about a week since I last wrote

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It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

SEGD to Hold Accessibility Webinar January 10

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 Washington, DC, USA -- Two months after the release of the SEGD 2012 ADA White Paper Update, SEGD is continuing its Accessibility webinar series with a focus on the White Paper and Signage Requirements in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design. Join the chief authors of the 2012 ADA White Paper Update—Ken Ethridge, Chris Calori, and Teresa Cox—at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 10, for a discussion of the primary changes to the previous accessibility guidelines. This webinar will focus on the three remaining sections of the document: Calculations, FAQs, and Appendix (Acceptable Typefaces).

Fees
SEGD Members $75
Non-Members $200

To register for the webinar on Thursday, January 10, click here.
To download the SEGD 2012 ADA White Paper Update, click here.
Sponsored by Nova Polymers.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

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 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

PGAV Destinations Marks 2012 With Over $1 Billion in Projects

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St. Louis, MO, USA -- PGAV Destinations, home-grown and based in St. Louis, is pleased to announce that another banner year has secured it as the world’s largest independent destination design firm in the world.

PGAV’s 2012 year-in-review report offers a glimpse of the work that talented architects, designers, and specialists have been developing around the world, leading to more than $1 billion in project openings, groundbreakings, and announcements this year alone. Many more projects are in development, but here is a sampling of the projects from PGAV Destinations’ year.

PROJECT OPENINGS

Turtle Trek opened at SeaWorld Orlando in April, with a reimagining of the existing manatee area with two new naturalistic saltwater and freshwater habitats for manatees and turtles, new retail space, interpretives, and interiors all leading guests through the lives of sea turtles and an important conservation message.

The new front gate entry experience opened this December at the Kennedy Space Center. Including brand new services, ticketing, retail, and a renovated restaurant, the front gate project brings color, excitement, and a new sense of anticipation to the entry experience and welcomes visitors to explore.

Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, opened in San Antonio this spring, the second of three SeaWorld Aquaticas (San Diego was announced this November). Inspired by the setting and atmosphere of the South Sea Islands, the 42,000 sq. ft. park offers a blend of up-close animal experiences, calm and exciting water attractions, and sandy beaches.

Sea Lion Sound opened this summer at the Saint Louis Zoo, featuring a 35-foot-long walk-through tunnel, the first of its kind in North America. The Pacific Northwest-inspired design by PGAV Destinations also incorporates grounds for an award-winning Sea Lion Show and plenty of habitats for California sea lions and harbor seals.

Verbolten opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in May, the most technologically advanced roller coaster ever built at Busch Gardens. With a storyline inspired by Grimm’s fairy tales, riders’ journey through the Black Forest includes an 88-foot drop and nearly 3,000 feet of track.

The Kennedy Space Center stores opened this year at the Orlando Airport, serving as ambassadors to NASA, inspiring customers to support the exploration of space and technology. The retail space provides a clean, modern and comfortable environment in which to promote the authenticity of Kennedy Space Center as a unique Orlando destination.

Also opening in May was Manta at Sea World San Diego. The multi-sensory attraction features a 270-degree projected media experience at launch, multiple coasters, and the Forbidden Reef exhibit, a one-of-a-kind home to hundreds of fish including bat rays, guitar fish, and more.

PROJECT PROGRESS

Construction began on two exciting PGAV Destinations projects in 2012. In January, ground was broken at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the new home for the space shuttle Atlantis began. The shuttle safely arrived at the site in late October, and the new attraction is slated to open to the public in summer 2013.

This fall, the Columbus Zoo broke ground on Safari Africa!, the new 43-acre African Savannah that will include a marketplace, restaurant, art-making hub, and a host of animals in close encounters and open grasslands, from monkeys to lions. Safari Africa! is slated to open in spring 2014.

Construction continues on the world-class Chimelong Hengqing Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China. The 50 hectare marine theme park, full of rides, shows, and animal exhibits, is being developed by the Chimelong Group, owners of Chimelong Paradise and Chimelong Waterpark, the third-largest waterpark in the world.

AWARDS

Five attractions received top industry awards in 2012. The Louisville Zoo’s Glacier Run, an immersive exhibit which recreated a Churchill, Alaska-like outpost on the fringe of the arctic wilderness, won the AZA’s top honor in “Exhibit Design Excellence.”

This year’s Golden Ticket Awards, hosted by Amusement Today, granted its “Turnstile Award” to Manta at SeaWorld San Diego and its “Best New Amusement Park Ride of 2012” to Wild Eagle of Dollywood, just as both coasters obtained their one-millionth rider. Manta was recognized for its innovative incorporation of an action-packed roller coaster and a powerful marine education component, while Wild Eagle served as the world’s first “winged coaster.”

The Industrial Fabrics Association International this year recognized the Saint Louis Zoo Sea Lion Arena with an Outstanding Achievement Award, and the new Boeing Hall at the St. Louis Science Center an Award of Excellence. Boeing Hall was also recognized by Engineering News Record as the “Best Small Project” in the Midwest for 2012.

INSIGHTS AND RESEARCH

In 2012, PGAV Destinations published its latest research project, “The Art of the Family Vacation.” The study demystified recent family vacation trends, investigating the inner workings of the family mind-set as they plan, enjoy, and process their vacations and staycations around the country and world. The firm additionally shared its insights around the country by providing keynote speakers and panel facilitators at the Missouri Governors Conference, Illinois Association of Museums Annual Conference, the Association of Partners for Public Lands, and the national conferences of AZA, AZFA, SATE, and IAAPA.

2012 has been a record year of successes for PGAV Destinations, and 2013 will provide many new openings, project announcements, ground breakings, master plans, and research.
About PGAV Destinations PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the practice has evolved to become the ideal destination-consulting partner, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. No other firm offers such an integrated approach to destination planning.

PGAV’s key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North Companies, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, The National Aviary, and many others. Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Kennedy Space Center, Hearst Castle, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks. www.PGAVDestinations.com

Thank You My Dear Bloggy/Tweety Friends!

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I'd like to thank everyone who joined in on International #bepositive Day last Thursday.  It was a lot of fun.
I'd also like to thank everyone for the surprise birthday wishes.  I'm not good at birthdays....I know that sounds strange, but it's true.  I mentioned to a little birdie that I took my birthday off Facebook  he was horrified.  So he and his friend emailed everyone to tell them it was my birthday.  So thank you for showing me you care about me.  Some of your emails or comments on my blog or Facebook brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you for making my heart fill up with happiness.

A lot of you know I have been working on a historical fiction middle grade novel, now named SURVIVING OPERATION PIED PIPER, for most of this year.  It was sent out to Beta readers and they tore into it (in an awesome way) and it is now soooo much better.  I'm finishing typing my revisions and hope to have it finished in the next couple weeks, so I can send it out again for one last set of eyes....Then I'll be ready to submit.   (SO excited!)
I won't be posting for a while, but I will be reading your blogs....
(((HUGS))) to all.....

Operation Help the Elf

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 Operation Help the Elf (Pete) is the brainchild of Angela and Becca.. What a wonderful way to end 2012!  We're supposed to let Pete know someone who been especially good this year....Now I know a lot of you have been really good, so it was really hard to chose one person to tell Pete about, in fact I couldn't chose one person.  I settled on telling him about two people.

Robyn Campbell and Theresa Milstein

 Robyn is an amazing woman and a great writer and critique partner.  She is one of the most positive people I "know."  She has lifted my spirits so many times over the past twelve months.  I don't usually talk about my religious beliefs, but let me tell you...Robyn is an amazing prayer.  She has prayed for someone I love daily.  In return I do the same for her family.  This year her family has been through a lot of things and even through everything, Robyn, kept a positive outlook on life and continues to work on her writing goals.

I am so proud to call her my friend....Robyn, be watching your mail for a little something from me.  (wink)  Be sure and hop over to Robyn's blog and meet her.

I "met" Theresa a couple years ago.  She was a struggling substitute teacher.  A position I had been in many times.  I tried to comfort her and encourage her not even thinking about the writing side of her life.  Her blog was just one of those blogs I had to visit to see is she was okay.  Over the past year we've become closer, trading manuscripts (OMGoodness she is SO helpful), emails and even a phone call.  I know my mg novel will be better because of her.  Not only has she ripped my manuscript to bits (LOL), she gave me suggestions on how to improve it, and she has encouraged me so much this year.

I am grateful to consider her one of my friends and a critique partner.  If you haven't met Theresa (or T, as I call her) please hop over to Theresa's blog and check her out.  T, keep an on your mail a little something should arriving in a couple days from me.

Our writing community is full of selfless people and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

If you didn't join in on Operation Help the Elf and you'd like to give props to one of the people who have influenced, helped you or made a difference in your life...feel free to do so in the comments.  (It will make you feel good, whether they see it or not.)

Have a wonderful holiday and I'll be back on schedule after the new year.
(((HUGS))) to everyone!

GSCA Announces 2013 Officers and Committee Chairs

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Lake Anna, VA, USA (December 19, 2012) -- The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) 2013 board of directors has elected officers, Executive and Governance Committee members, as well as committee chairs and co-chairs.

Kim Cavendish (Museum of Discovery and Science) will serve a two-year term as GSCA chair. Vice chair, also a two-year term, is Glenn Shaver (Ontario Science Centre). Don Kempf (D3D Cinema and Giant Screen Films) will continue to serve as secretary for the remaining year of his term. Berend Reijnhoudt (Omniversum) will continue to serve as treasurer for the remaining year of his term.

GSCA’s bylaws require the Executive Committee to be made up of the four officers, plus three other individuals representing specific segments of the industry. In addition to officers Kim Cavendish, Glenn Shaver, Berend Reijnhoudt, and Don Kempf, the Executive Committee will include Mark Katz (National Geographic Cinema Ventures) representing production/distribution, and Toby Mensforth (Mensforth and Associates) representing manufacturers/suppliers/other related businesses. Michele Canto (Canadian Museum of Civilization) will continue to represent institutional and commercial theaters in the remaining year of her two-year term.

GSCA’s bylaws also require the board to appoint a Governance Committee. New members of this committee include Gordon Stalans (Tennessee Aquarium), who will chair the committee, and Jonathan Barker (SK Films). Laurent Dondey (La Geode), Paul Fraser (Blaze Digital Cinema Works), Jeffrey Kirsch (Reuben H. Fleet Science Center), and Mike Lutz (IMAX Corporation) will continue their roles on this committee.

Per GSCA’s bylaws, committees must have at least one co-chair who is a board member. Committee chairs, co-chairs, and staff liaison are as follows. Technical Committee: Co-chairs Tim Hazlehurst (Marbles Kids Museum) and Rick Gordon (RPG Productions), with Tammy Thurmon as staff liaison. Marketing and Member Services Committee: Chair Mike Lutz (IMAX Corporation), with Kelly Germain as staff liaison. Conference Committee: Co-chairs Glenn Shaver (Ontario Science Center) and GSCA Executive Director Tammy Thurmon. Lifelong Learning Committee: Co-chairs Shaun MacGillivray (MacGillivray Freeman Films) and Mary Nucci (Rutgers University), with Kelly Germain as staff liaison. Professional Development Committee: Co-chairs Paul Fraser (Blaze Digital Cinema Works) and Daniel Ferguson (Cosmic Picture), with Tammy Thurmon as staff liaison.

Winners of the 2013 election, as voted by GSCA members, were announced in November and take office effective January 1. The full 2013 board is as follows:

Representing Institutional theaters:

• Steve Bishop, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
• Michele Canto, Canadian Museum of Civilization
• Kim Cavendish, Museum of Discovery and Science
• Tim Hazlehurst, Marbles Kids Museum
• Jeffrey Kirsch, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
• Glenn Shaver, Ontario Science Centre
• Gordon Stalans, Tennessee Aquarium 

Representing Commercial Theaters:

• Mark Bretherton, World's Biggest Screens
• Laurent Dondey, La Geode
• Berend Reijnhoudt, Omniversum 

Representing Distributors:

• Bob Harman, MacGillivray Freeman Films
• Mark Katz, National Geographic Cinema Ventures
• Don Kempf, Giant Screen Films

Representing Manufacturers/Suppliers/Other Related Businesses:

• Paul Fraser, Blaze Digital Cinema Works
• Rick Gordon, RPG Productions
• Mike Lutz, IMAX Corporation
• Toby Mensforth, Mensforth and Associates 

Representing Producers:

• Jonathan Barker, SK Films
• Daniel Ferguson, Cosmic Picture
• Shaun MacGillivray, MacGillivray Freeman Films
• Lisa Truitt, National Geographic Cinema VenturesEuromax Ex-Officio Director:
• Dennis Laws, BFI IMAX

Visit www.giantscreencinema.com for more information
About the Giant Screen Cinema AssociationThe core purpose of the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA®) is to advance the business of producing and presenting educational giant screen and immersive cinema experiences globally. GSCA's membership includes more than 250 organizations in nearly 30 countries. Member organizations include giant screen filmmakers, distributors, theaters, suppliers, manufacturers, and students from around the world.

GSCA was founded in 2006 with the unification of the Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) and the Giant Screen Theater Association (GSTA).

The Association holds two annual events--a 2-day Film Expo in February/March and a 4-day International Conference and Trade Show in September.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

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Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Moscow City Government Approves Construction of Universal Studios Moscow

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by Joe Kleiman, InPark News Editor

Moscow, Russia (December 20, 2012) -- Various Russian news agencies are reporting that the Moscow city government has approved construction of a Universal Studios theme park and resort to be built in the southern part of the city.  In April, 2012, Gazeta.ru, a Russian online newspaper, reported that Russian real estate development company BIN Group had announced development of a themed resort called "Galaktika Park," which would include an indoor Universal Studios theme park.  The resort was projected to be 650-700,000 square meters, with 150,000 square meters being allocated to the park.  Estimated project cost was $2.8 billion, with $500 million going to the park.

The Gazeta.ru article stated that Universal would not have any financial investment in the park.  It quoted Michael Silver, Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at NBC Universal as saying, "Russia is a very significant and attractive market for us, we see big potential for amusement parks here."  InPark Magazine has confirmed that much like it did in 2010 with a potential Korean park operation, NBC Universal registered a foreign limited-liability company in Delaware on March 19, 2012 - Universal Studios Moscow Planning Services LLC.

Both Pravda, the paper of the country's Communist party, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Russian government's official newspaper, are reporting that approval for construction was given on December 13, 2012 by the city’s commission for urban planning and land.  Vedomosti, a Russian business journal, reports that the resort will now encompass 1.2 million square meters (150,000 still be allocated to the Universal Studios theme park), and will will also entail "three-and four-star hotels (120,000 sq. m.), an office complex (160,000 sq. m.), as well as retail space, a winter garden, a water park, a conference center, a music theater, etc. In addition, the investor is obliged to organize parking for at least 10,000 cars." Vedomosti adds that Silver has "confirmed that [NBC Universal] has reached a preliminary agreement with [BIN Group]."

Hlas Ruska ("Voice of Russia"), the national radio broadcasting company, reports that the Moscow park will have the lowest ticket price of any Universal theme park - at US$30.  Universal Studios Moscow is projected to open in 2018.

it's been about a week since I last wrote

To contact us Click HERE
It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

To contact us Click HERE
It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

Universal Orlando Celebrates Five Million Servings of Butterbeer

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Orlando, FL, USA (Dec. 13, 2012) /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Orlando Resort and its guests yesterday celebrated the five-millionth serving of Butterbeer – the incredibly popular themed beverage sold within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

One thousand guests were given complimentary Butterbeers to mark the moment, with many of them sporting "Butterbeer mustaches."

Since first being served to guests in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in June 2010, Butterbeer has become one of the most anticipated and popular guest experiences at Universal Orlando Resort. Since the grand opening, Universal has added a fourth Butterbeer serving location within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to accommodate the high demand by guests.

Butterbeer appears as a favorite drink in the Harry Potter books and films, and Universal's creative and culinary teams set out to create the beverage as yet another authentic experience within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The recipe for the non-alcoholic drink is a closely held secret – but the taste is reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch and the beverage is served cold or frozen.

"We created an authentic taste experience for our guests to complement all of the other immersive experiences The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would offer them," said Ric Florell, senior vice president of resort revenue operations and the executive who oversaw the development of Butterbeer. "We knew we had created something that tasted great and would be popular – but we have been surprised by just how popular."

Inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life. For more information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Universal Orlando Resort
There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation, but there is only one place where vacation becomes adventure: Universal Orlando Resort. It is a unique destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It's the only Orlandodestination where you are not just entertained – you become part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, be transformed into a banana-loving minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D.

Universal Orlando Resort is an NBCUniversal company.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About Harry Potter
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold approximately 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

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Resources For Helping Children Cope with Tragedy

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by Joe Kleiman, InPark News Editor

(December 14, 2012) -- Each year, museums and other centers of learning are responsible for the safety of millions of school children attending on field trips or at museum sponsored events or camps.  In light of today's horrific attacks on elementary school students in Connecticut and China, the Association of Children's Museums recommends that museum professionals and members of other community organizations visit their web section on helping children cope with disaster.  Links on the site include:

• Helping Young Children Cope with Disaster, by Please Touch® Museum - A guide for children's museums to utilize in order to help families with young children.
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children - Resources to help families give children emotional support and assure them they are safe during a crisis. Note: there is a small fee for this resource.
• The Family Readiness Kit - A tool developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics designed specifically for families. 
• Helping Children After A Disaster - Information from the American Academy of Child Adolescent and Psychiatry about how to identify and cope with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in children.

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), which also recommends museum professionals visit the above page, has resources available about museum security on its website for AAM members (membership required to access).

Learning Science the SOS Way: Science On a Sphere Celebrates 10 years

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Seattle's Pacific Science brings the Eye of Sauron to life on Science on a Sphere to celebrate the opening of "The Hobbit" in IMAX.  Courtesy Pacific Science Center.

By Sara Summers, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
“Science On a Sphere® was amazing. I can’t believe I got to see real clouds, hurricanes, airplanes, tsunamis, Mars and Facebook friends all in one stop!”
—Paul, 5th grader from Colorado
click to expand imageYoung students getting a geography lesson at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (Credit: North Carolina Aquarium)One of the major challenges facing earth scientists is how to make their research interesting, understandable and memorable to people of all ages. Science On a Sphere® (SOS) is an exhibit that uses video projectors to shine images of the earth onto a giant globe. Scientists can choose to show different types of movies on the globe, displaying weather patterns, hurricanes, and even the shift of the continents. Instead of looking at a flat surface, viewers can see these changes as they actually appear on Earth. Science on a Sphere® gives visitors a chance to walk around the world to observe for themselves the changes on our planet.
More than 90 SOSs are installed in science centers, museums, visitor centers, zoos, aquariums, laboratories, and institutions around the world. Interest continues to grow steadily both from the United States and international communities — the number of visitors to SOS locations reaches 24.5 million viewers annually.
An invention for all ages
Science On a Sphere was invented by Dr. Alexander E. (Sandy) MacDonald in NOAA Research.. Dr. MacDonald came up with the idea for SOS as a data visualization tool in 1995 in his garage at home, experimenting with the family beach ball and a home movie projector.
System designer David Himes led a creative team of scientists and engineers in the development of the SOS software, hardware and system architecture. SOS debuted at the NOAA Science Center in Silver Spring, MD, in December of 2002, and a patent was awarded to NOAA for SOS in August 2005, with Dr. MacDonald credited as the inventor. In 2006 SOS was featured in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions 2006 List. The program is managed by Dr. William B. Bendel in the Global Systems Division Technology Outreach Branch.

Blue Marble dataset from NASA's MODIS, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (Credit: NOAA)How it works
Animated datasets are projected on to a six foot sphere creating a seamless global image, using an external projection system made of four projectors and one Linux computer. The sphere is suspended from the ceiling with invisible wires providing a view of Earth as it would look from outer space. The result is a versatile educational device with over 360 datasets, including 42 real time datasets that show the impact of human activity and natural events on a global scale. In addition, the SOS Program has posted a series ofYouTube SOS videos on the web, including a video of real-time satellite images of Hurricane Sandy as she ravaged the Atlantic Coast in late October. The SOS data catalog also includes an impressive library of 79 animated datasets of our solar system.
click to expand imageCumulative domestic and international SOS installations from 2004-2012 (Credit: NOAA)SOS News
The 5th SOS Users Collaborative Network Workshop “Science & Storytelling,” recently held in Long Beach, CA, enjoyed record attendance. A range of keynote speakers from across disciplines including a Hollywood director, a writer, a scientist and an artist helped to further reinforce the theme. The workshop was co-hosted by NOAA and the Aquarium of the Pacificwith support from the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation and organized by NOAA Office of Education. Participants were introduced to newly released software designed to improve the display on the globe and to increase audience interaction by adding new features such as zooming, layering and more notes.
SOS will be the center display of the NOAA exhibit at the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, January 2013. A portable SOS, available for large-scale events such as this, has put on many miles over the past few years. Heading to the Supercomputing Conference three times, the United Nation Convention of Climate Change in Denmark as the centerpiece for the US exhibit, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) annual conference, the World Expo in Shanghai, the G8 summit, the French Embassy in Washington DC, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) annual meeting, and other large events. A SOS display will be installed in Silver Spring, MD, at NOAA headquarters in 2013.
click to expand imageChildren around the world learning about science, the SOS way (Credit from left to right: North Carolina Aquarium, NOAA, Orlando Science Center)
This piece previously appeared on the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research website December 12, 2012

it's been about a week since I last wrote

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It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business

it's been a while

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It's been a long while since my last post. But I am back and ready to tell you everything you need to know about travel.
I will tell you a story. I had a call from a past customer telling me that the upcoming trip they had booked was a destination wedding and the travel agent the bride had chosen had held no rooms for the guests. In my mind, that is unheard of..but without knowing who the agent was, I made phone calls to find out if any rooms were being held by this agent. The answer was no. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor and many guest were not going to be able to go to the resort. The resort was sold out. The agent they had used was inept.
Did I mention that this was a Sandals resort and when I checked there were absolutely no rooms available. So I did what I do best..I work for the customer..my customers who chose the wrong travel agent for their special day.
I was not going to let them pay for it by having this wedding turn into a disaster.
I was able to find 5 rooms for these customers and they considered me their savior. I am no savior; I am just a knowledeable travel professional who knows what I am doing.
Be careful when planning a very special destination event. Make sure the travel agent knows what she is doing. Make sure you get everything confirmed ..do not take the agent's word for it, or you do can have a disaster in the making.
Hopefully the upcoming wedding will be perfect...
Congratulations to the bride and groom

So much to say, so little time

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Well...Hi everyone. I am going to try to post everyday and encourage you to respond to my posts. If there is anything you would like to know, I can help.

I just came back from the newly renovated Sandals Royal Bahamian after being there for a week with Hedy. We were there for the Sandals Star Awards.

First two days...cloudy..no sun..no sun tan. Dinner at one of my favorites, Baccarat..always impeccible and very fine dining.
Day 2 ..dinner at gordon's on the pier (I must tell you this is only for Butler guests) but the lobster was amazing. The company was wonderful and the ocean breeze was great.
Hit the piano bar that night and I never sing or do anything like that but along with some of my dear travel agent friends I found my voice... to the tune of sweet caroline...

Of course this was Sandals Star awards time and Thursday there was a beach party on their private island Sandals Cay which requires us to take a boat. Did I tell you it was windy as hell and the waves were so bad they closed the island for their guests..But their travel agents...we are brave..we can brave the storm...
They put us on their dive boats..and after needing 3 people to help me on because we all know how clumsy I am..They started moving when a large wave decided to make its way on board..towels were given to everyone. It was an adventure.

The beach party was simply amazing...out of a magazine. Everything you could expect for a Bahamian Junkanoo party..A good time was had by all until raindrops were falling on my head.  Hedy and I headed out and back to the boat. Quite a few other people had the same idea..So we had a full boat and headed back to the mainland..Getting off of the boat was an experience to say the least when an even bigger wave came on board and we all slid to the back of the boat..I was wet head to toe.

Day two of star awards, Hedy and I went shopping in town taking our friend the number 10 bus for $1.25. Success for me..Found just what I was looking for...Shh..don't tell..

Dinner day two was with our fellow travel agents in the same region. Great food..even better friends..Steve and Debbie..I just love to death.

Finally sun..day 3 of the awards. Gotta get that last minute tan so I can look good in my gown.
The awards portion started and I sat..and I sat...and I sat...
Then I saw the screen(they had two screens plus the stage) and my name was on there.
For the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
Shocked to say the least I made my way to the stage and took a group photo with the other winners along with Butch Stewart and Adam Stewart. A memorable night.

The next day...Sun and saying goodbye to all of my friends for another year.

You must go to this resort. The Balmoral Tower rooms are fabulous..we had a wonderful beachfront room...the building to the right beachfront. You can have it too..
Just call me ...954 575 6101
honeymooncaribbean@gmail.com

Information from FTC regarding online hotel reservations

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I always warn my customers if they book on line this is what they might find!!!!
FTC Warns Hotels on Hidden Fees
by Michèle McDonald
December 03, 2012  A common complaint, the FTC said, concerns the mandatory “resort fee” charged by many hotels that cover the use of swimming pools, exercise rooms and other services regardless of whether they are used. Those charges can add as much as $30 a night to a room’s cost, a sum that could affect a customer’s purchasing decision.


“Hidden fees” in the airline industry has been a hot-button issue for several years. Now the federal government has broadened its inquiry into hidden fees in the hotel industry.

The Federal Trade Commission warned 22 hotels that they may be violating the law if they do not include mandatory fees and surcharges in their price quotes.

Unfair business practice
The FTC considers so-called “drip pricing” – a pricing technique in which firms advertise only part of a product’s price and reveal other charges as the customer goes through the buying process – a deceptive and unfair business practice.

A common complaint, the FTC said, concerns the mandatory “resort fee” charged by many hotels that cover the use of swimming pools, exercise rooms and other services regardless of whether they are used.

Those charges can add as much as $30 a night to a room’s cost, a sum that could affect a customer’s purchasing decision, the FTC said.

Resort fees excluded from quote
In its warning letter, the FTC said it reviewed a number of online hotel reservation sites and confirmed that some hotels exclude resort fees from the quoted reservation price, citing a “total price” or “estimated price” that includes only the room rate and applicable taxes.

“At some of these sites, the applicable resort fee is listed nearby, but separate from, the quoted price,” the letter said. “In others, the quoted price is accompanied by an asterisk that leads consumers to another location at the site – sometimes on the same page, sometimes not – where the applicable resort fee is disclosed, typically in fine print. A few sites fail to identify applicable resort fees anywhere, and instead inform consumers that other undefined fees may apply.

The FTC told Travel Market Report that the letters were sent to individual hotel properties, many of which were part of large chains.

“The FTC’s hope is that others in the travel industry such as online travel sites take note of our position on mandatory fees being included in total cost quotes,” the agency said.

GDS programs
The major GDS companies have “total pricing” or “transparent pricing” programs that are popular but voluntary among hotels.

A Sabre spokeswoman said that “if a hotel participates in Hotel Total Pricing, the price quote that the agent sees will include resort fees if there is one.” She said more than 90% of hotels in the Sabre GDS participate in the program.

Rabbit's Bakery, Lake City, Minnesota Field Report

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One the second day of a vacation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, we crossed the border back into Minnesota to visit Rabbit's Bakery in Lake City. We got there just before noon, so that baking for the day was over, but the wood-fired oven was being heated up for the next day's baking.


There were lots of tasting things in case waiting to be chosen. We saw lots of people coming in to buy things or to have lunch at the bakery cafe.


There was some breads of the day on the rack waiting to be taken, a menu for drinks on the wall. You can also see a sign for pizza (lower right), which they currently make once a month.


They have their distinctive sign hanging outside their door.


Here you can see the chimney stack and cinder block addition for their wood-fired oven. It looks like they also added some additional venting.


Just in case you can't find it going by the address, they also have a distinctive sign on the exterior wall of their bakery building.

Everything we bought was good. I'll certainly stop by again if I'm in the area.

D'Amico & Sons, Golden Valley, Minnesota Field Report

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While looking for a place to eat dinner after attending an art exhibition at the Perpich Center for Arts Education I did a "search nearby" and found that there was a D'Amico & Sons location at 7804 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55437, about a mile away. Looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for the restaurant, I saw one where it mentioned "wood fired oven" so that restaurant location seemed worth a try.

This time I didn't have my camera with me, so there are no pictures.

There is a menu that you can download from their page. The actual selections available in the restaurant were a bit broader.

The good news: They really do have and use a wood-fired oven to bake their pizza.

The bad news: They run their oven at a comparatively low 500 degrees or so.

As a result, their wood-fired pizza is just OK.

I ordered their Neapolitan (a highly ironic name considering the temperature of true Neapolitan pizza ovens), which had fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The pizza was thin crust, not overloaded, and had a bit of char on the bottom. It would have definitely benefited from some attention from a bubble popper. A couple of big bubbles had pushed the sauce and cheese away from substantial portions of my pizza.

Even with those problems, it was a pretty tasty pizza, and one I would order again.

Bill's Bread, Vashon, Washington

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A friend on Facebook shared a link to video about a wood-fired bakery on Vashon Island in Washington State named Bill's Bread. The video link is here. Apparently Bill doesn't have a web site. I did find some information on a Manta page.

I also found an older blog post that mentioned Bill's Bread.

His story sounds like a real, down-to-earth guy who discovered his life's work making people's food lives a bit richer.

I'll have to see if I can meet him the next time I'm in Washington.

UK Paramount Themed Resort Developer Hires Chris Townsend as Commercial Director

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London, UK (December 10, 2012) -- London Resort Company Holdings has appointed Chris Townsend as Commercial Director.  The company is currently developing a  £2 billion resort in Kent themed to Paramount Pictures and its motion picture and television properties, set to open by 2018.  

In his previous position as Commercial Director for the London 2012 Organising Committee, Mr. Townsend oversaw all aspects of sponsorship, marketing, ticket sales, and merchandise for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

MORE TO COME . . .

Electrosonic Acquires Global Immersion, a Leading Digital Immersive Theater Designer and Integrator

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Martin Howe, CEO of Global Immersion and Jim Bowie, President of Electrosonic Group 

Los Angeles (December 11, 2012) – Electrosonic is pleased to announce its acquisition of Global Immersion, a leader in the design and integration of high performance digital immersive theater attractions. Global Immersion will continue to serve the planetarium, institutional theater and giant screen markets.

The acquisition, completed on December 10, 2012, positions Electrosonic as the only company to offer digital immersive solutions across the theme park, museum, giant screen cinema and planetarium markets.

Related stories from InPark:

• Interview with Martin Howe of Global Immersion (Judith Rubin)
• Giant screen industry works toward digital standards (Joe Kleiman)
• "The Hobbit" released widely across conventional and nonconventional screens in multiple 2D and 3D formats
• IMERSA's International Ambassadors of Fulldome  
• Bayley Silleck explores the world of digital dome cinema 

 
“This is a significant strategic move for both companies, and I am excited by the prospects presented by the acquisition,” says Jim Bowie, President of Electrosonic Group. “As a single operation, we will service an even broader range of markets, bringing further innovation and an expanded offering to our customers. Our goal to attract and develop the best industry talent has been one of the drivers of the acquisition. Together we will lead by consolidating our strengths and delivering the best visual systems in the world.”

Founded in 2007, Global Immersion is renowned for its work with highly specialized and technically-complex digital immersive theaters. The company has won multiple project and business awards, and has established a solid base of digital immersive theater attractions worldwide. Its project portfolio includes the California Academy of Sciences, Adler Planetarium, Moscow Planetarium, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Peoria Riverfront Museum and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Martin Howe, CEO of Global Immersion comments “I am delighted with this transaction with Electrosonic. It allows us to further expand our activities and develop our product and service offering, opening up new doors and bringing with it many synergies. The planetarium and giant screen markets are undergoing significant change as the digital revolution pace quickens. Electrosonic offers a range of benefits that our customers can immediately enjoy. Its international reach and broad technical expertise and capacity mean that we can more cost-effectively service a wider range of customers in more locations, while building upon our shared reputation for quality, performance and support.”

About Electrosonic Electrosonic is an international audio-visual company that creates tailored, state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of markets including theme parks, museums, control rooms, and corporate meeting rooms. Since its founding in 1964, Electrosonic has built a strong reputation for working on complex projects, both large and small, and has developed lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers. Beyond complete integrated systems, Electrosonic provides a comprehensive scope of services including technical design, projector lamp sales, maintenance and operational support.

Learn more about Electrosonic. Visit www.electrosonic.com

About Global Immersion Founded in 2007, Global Immersion is an award-winning team dedicated to the unique and innovative medium of digital immersive theater. Global Immersion specializes in the design and integration of highly customized and technically complex planetarium, giant screen, 3D and 4D environments - serving a range of digital immersive attractions industries with superior innovation and performance on an international scale.

For further information about Global Immersion and its range of leading immersive theater solutions, please visit www.globalimmersion.com/

IAAPA Invites Submissions for 2013 Attractions Expo Education Program

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Alexandria, VA, USA -- IAAPA extends an invitation to submit a proposal to present a seminar at the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 education program. The IAAPA Attractions Expo is the world’s largest gathering of amusement and attractions professionals.

The deadline for the 2013 Call for Presentations is Monday, January 21, 2013.

The education program is the major platform in the amusement industry for sharing ideas, exploring new concepts and introducing attendees to the latest knowledge, trends, technology and best practices in the attractions business.

Audience
Education program attendees are owners, operators, and key staff members of amusement parks and attractions. The majority of attendees are also buyers at the trade show. Other audience members will be staff from various departments and responsibilities within the facility. Generally, they are full-time employees. Occasionally manufacturers, consultants and vendors attend programs of special interest to them.
Attendees may be further characterized by level of knowledge as well as specific types of facility operations. As you develop your presentation concept, please consider which of these primary member facility types you will predominantly address. Generally, these are as follows:

• Amusement Parks
• Theme Parks
• Family Entertainment Centers
• Water Parks
• Zoos
• Aquariums
• Museums
• Attractions (Haunted Attractions, Piers, Natural Parks, etc.)
• Resorts, Hotels, Campgrounds, and RV Parks
• Casinos

For more information or to submit, visit http://www.iaapa.org/expos/resources/cfp

ABOUT IAAPA
Founded in 1918, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,300 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 97 countries

Goddard-Designed "Do You Speak Beluga" Interactive Attraction Continues Lotte World Expansion

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Seoul, Korea (December 10, 2012) -- Seoul-based Lotte World has announced that its newest attraction, an interactive theater show called “Do You Speak Beluga?”, will open to the public in January 2013. Located in the “AquaPlaza” section of the park, the experience will immerse guests in an animated undersea environment , in which they’ll be able to interact, one-on-one, with a digitally-created Beluga Whale.

The new project marks the second recent attraction resulting from a multi-project collaboration between Lotte World and Hollywood-based design firm the Goddard Group. The first, a family flat ride called “Jumping Fish,” debuted to an enthusiastic response in October.

“The ‘Beluga’ project comes at an exciting time of growth for Lotte World,” according to Taylor Jeffs, the Goddard Group’s Director of Design. “More guests are coming to the park than ever before, so we’ve been actively working with the Lotte team to find fresh and exciting ways to increase capacity while bringing the guest experience into the 21st century.”

W.G. Choi, the attraction’s producer, agrees. “Do You Speak Beluga?’ will not only be among the most technologically-advanced attractions in the park, but in all of Korea. We anticipate this to be a very popular experience with guests both young and old”. Korea-based Rayglyph is providing the show’s technology and content.

The new attraction will replace a food court that has existed since the park’s opening in 1989. However, to coincide with the attraction’s launch, a new undersea-themed food court, located just steps away from both the “Do You Speak Beluga?” and “Jumping Fish” attractions, is also scheduled to debut later this month.

Minsung Kim, Lotte World Manager of Attraction Development, adds, “With the new food court, our guests will be able to enjoy a modernized dining experience, as well as an environment filled with original characters and artwork created by animation legend Phil Mendez.”

The openings of the new “Beluga” attraction and food court will complete the year-long Aqua Plaza renovation project.

www.lotteworld.comwww.garygoddard.com

ABOUT LOTTE WORLD
Lotte World is a world-class theme park located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Since its opening in 1989, the park has consistently ranked among the world’s top-performing theme parks, consistently drawing between 5 and 7 million visitors each year. Located in Seoul’s Jamsil district, the park is divided into two main themed areas- Lotte World Adventure (indoor theme park) and Magic Island (outdoor attraction area).

The park features a number of heavily-themed attractions including “The Adventure of Sinbad,” “Pharaoh’s Fury,” and “Atlantis Adventure,” in addition to a number of classic family rides, shows, and attractions.

ABOUT THE GODDARD GROUP
Currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Goddard Group, launched by Gary Goddard in 2002 in Los Angeles, has grown to become one of the most successful independent entertainment design firms working in the industry today, having designed and opened over two-dozen currently-operating attractions and destinations all over the globe for a variety of clients, including Universal Studios, Six Flags, Lotte, Galaxy, and Melco-Crown.

If you’ve ever been to New York’s Times Square, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Sydney, Cape Town, Jakarta, Hollywood, Shanghai or the Philippines, chances are you’ve personally experienced one of the themed entertainment attractions, hotels, resorts, aquariums, retail outlets or visitor centers designed and produced by Gary Goddard and The Goddard Group.

While best known for theme parks and attractions, Goddard and his company also specialize in a broad range of mediums, having also designed resorts, casinos, museums, and retail malls, as well as having produced Broadway shows and creating outstanding 3D/ 4D attractions.

Empex Watertoys Introduces Product Line for Preschool Water Playgrounds

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Markham, ON, Canada -- Empex Watertoys® has introduced a new line of water features to accommodate the growing need for water features in preschool water playgrounds.

Aquatots™, are a series of small childlike spray people in the form of pirates, cowboys, firefighters, police, nurses and more. Well suited for daycare centers and preschool areas in water playgrounds for hotels and resorts, water parks and amusement parks the new features add a new interactive play theme to the standard water play designs.

New Aquadek™ play structures designed for the preschoolers will be available to accompany each Aquatot theme to create a playful and educational water playground for this young age group.

Empex water features are fabricated of non ferrous materials and offer a lifetime corrosion warranty.

www.watertoys.com