Downtown Hotels and Events

PEOPLE PLACES PHENOMENONS

Salt Lake City : Utah Jazz and The Backyardigans

Posted by admin on Oct 21, 2008

Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City is the gateway to the state’s renowned ski resorts, scenic national parks and recreational areas. Well-known as a ski destination it has the credentials for hosting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Skiers continue to flock here to enjoy world-class facilities and the “greatest snow on earth.” With close proximity to several world-class ski and summer resorts, including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, and Snowbird the place attracts tourists from all over. Resorts here cater to them each year besides offering year-round activities. The scene gets so hectic that its best making reservations early on through Salt Lake City Downtown Hotel site to get a foothold.

This populous mid-west city christened S.L.C. for short is also known as the Crossroads of the West. Besides its strong outdoor-recreation tourist industry backdrop it is famous as an industrial banking center. SLC’s modern economy has turned service-oriented with trade, transportation, utilities, professional and business services besides tourism, conventions, and its suburban call centers. Tourism has increased rapidly here over the years having brought many hotels and restaurants in wake. The convention industry has also expanded considerably since the construction of the Salt Palace convention center, holding trade shows and conventions. This aside the historic Mormon Temple Square is a popular tourist attraction and the city also offers lively entertainment and nightlife.

Salt Lake is home to several museums. Near Temple Square is the Museum of Church History and Art. Operated by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the museum contains collections of artifacts, documents, art, photographs, tools, clothing and furniture from the history of the LDS Church which spans nearly two centuries! The Great Salt Lake is separated from Salt Lake City by extensive marshlands and mudflats. The Jordan River flows through the city and is a drainage of Utah Lake that empties into the Great Salt Lake.

The highest mountaintop visible from Salt Lake City is Twin Peaks, which reaches 11,489 feet. Twin Peaks is located southeast of Salt Lake in the Wasatch Range. The second-highest mountain range is the Oquirrhs, reaching a maximum height of 10,620 feet at Flat Top. The Traverse Mountains to the south extend to 6,000 feet connecting the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. The mountains near Salt Lake City are easily visible from the city and have sharp vertical relief caused by massive ancient earthquakes.

The Salt Lake Valley floor is the ancient lakebed of Lake Bonneville which existed at the end of the last Ice Age. Several Lake Bonneville shorelines can be distinctly seen on the foothills or benches of nearby mountains. The climate of Salt Lake City is characterized as a semi-arid steppe climate with four distinct seasons. Both summer and winter are long, with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters, and with spring and fall serving as brief but comfortable transition periods. Salt Lake City features large variations in temperatures between seasons. During mid-winter, strong areas of high pressure often situate themselves over the Great Basin, leading to strong temperature inversions. Aside from occasional heavy snows in winter, severe weather is very rare.

Tourist attractions in Salt Lake abound. Museums here include the Utah State Historical Society, Daughters of Utah Pioneer Memorial Museum, Fort Douglas Military Museum, and the Social Hall Heritage Museum. Salt Lake City provides many venues for both professional and amateur theater. The city attracts many traveling Broadway and off-Broadway performances. Local professional acting companies include the Pioneer Theater Company, Salt Lake Acting Company, and Plan-B Theater Company. The Off Broadway Theater, located in Salt Lake’s historic Clift Building, features comedy plays and Utah’s longest running comedy troupe, Laughing Stock.

Salt Lake City has begun to host its own events in the last few years, most notably the Friday Night Flicks, free movies in the City’s parks, as well as the Mayor’s health and fitness awareness program, Salt Lake City Gets Fit. To add variety and an international taste to the music fans, events such as the annual Thyagaraja Music Festival of Utah are held in Salt Lake City. First Night on New Year’s Eve, a celebration emphasizing family-friendly entertainment and activities held at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, culminates with a fireworks display at midnight.

The Olympic Cauldron Park, located at Rice-Eccles Stadium, features the Olympic Cauldron from the games, a visitor’s center, and the Hoberman Arch. The Olympic Legacy Plaza, located at the Gateway District, features a dancing fountain set to music and the names of 30,000 Olympic volunteers carved in stone. The Utah Olympic Park, located near Park City, features the Olympic ski jumps, as well as bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton runs. Today, the Olympic Park is used for year-round training and competitions. Visitors to the park can watch the various events that occur and even ride a bobsled. The Utah Olympic Oval, located in nearby Kearns, was home to the speed skating events and is now open to the public. Other popular Olympic venues include Soldier Hollow, the site of cross-country skiing events, located southeast of Salt Lake near Heber City.

Visitors can go through the story of Salt Lake city’s settlement and growth thats written on the historic buildings of its downtown. The Historic Downtown Salt Lake city Walking Tour identifies 58 historic buildings and sites encompassing over 100 years of the City’s history and architecture. Each building or site is identified with a numbered sign explaining its significance. A recommended route for seeing all the buildings and sites in shown on the map. However, one can start at any point and view the buildings and sites in any order. Also at hand are free downtown buses or the TRAX light rail on Main Street to return to the starting point. Coming attractions for the next few weeks include Utah Jazz with their series of Basketball Games and the Backyardigans showcasing Celine Dion in Salt Lake City, Utah on Nov 21, 2008 at the Capitol Theatre.

Visiting Vancouver : Enjoy John Reischmann and the Jaybirds

Posted by admin on Oct 21, 2008

It was a port call that took me flying all the way from Mumbai to Vancouver. As an executive with the Shipping Corporation of India I was attending a conference at the famed Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center. VCEC the largest convention center in all of Canada is located at Canada Park and shares a cruise ship terminal besides the Pan Pacific hotel and the 3D IMAX! I was in a fit of excitement.

The Port of Vancouver is one of the world’s finest natural, deep-water harbors. Covering a coastline of 247 kms it runs along from Roberts Bank at the U.S.-Canada border, along the south shore of Burrard Inlet, upto Indian Arm and the north shore of Burrard Inlet. The Vancouver Port Authority with 6,000 hectares of water and 460 hectares of land controls the cargo terminals and shipping Industry operations here.

The Port of Vancouver is actually North America’s gateway for Asia-Pacific trade. Extremely large it ranks number one in the world in foreign exports, besides being ranked number one for total containerized cargo handling in Canada. Trading an astounding $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies worldwide the Port of Vancouver is also home port to the Vancouver Alaska Cruise, one of the world’s premier cruise routes. One day, I promise to my self,one day I am going to be on it!

The shipping conference was to cover the economic Impacts of the shipping trade along with the operations at the Port of Vancouver involving many different enterprises. Cargo terminals, cruise terminals, tidewater access, shipyards, tugboats, railways, trucks, shipping agents, freight forwarders, suppliers, builders, and administrative agencies et all were involved. In fact the whole works to be worked out.

Besides understanding the finer points of international trade my mind was set on undertaking as much sight seeing as possible. Some bit of research on the internet had already familiarized me the facts and attractions. I was fascinated by the fact that the name Vancouver itself originated from the Dutch language van Coevorden denoting somebody from Coevorden in Netherlands had crossed over to this side of the Pacific. Also the port city had become internationally strategic since the Panama Canal having considerably reduced freight rates making it a viable shipping trade route. Today its the busiest seaport in Canada.

Historically the city developed from a small lumber mill town into a metropolitan center to go on to become the nations largest industrial center. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the three most livable cities in the world as also the 10th cleanest city in the world. It’s a great city to live, work and play! I can vouch for that. Its a city that I will not forget and would like to come back again anytime. The wonderful things I enjoyed here – from live music performances to the fair at PNE have etched some remarkable memories for me.

I was amazed at the high quality of living and it comes as no surprise that it ranks only behind Zurich and Geneva in terms of quality of life. Like them the city’s scenic location makes it a major tourist destination. I made it a point to visit the city’s gardens – both Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. It was awesome to see the mountains, ocean, forest and parklands that surround the city, along with beaches, parks, waterfronts. Its a heady combination of being in the vicinity of a mountainous backdrop along with a sea coast. Plus the cultural and multi-ethnic character of the city holds a charm all its own. Vancouver, I learn is the favorite haunt of stylish tourists. Also many people pass through Vancouver en route to the cruise ship vacation over to Alaska.

The mild climate of the city and close proximity to ocean, mountains, rivers and lakes make the area a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Its a fact that Vancouver has a low adult obesity rate. And if truth be told I did manage to shed off my extra flab over a ten day extended stay. Perhaps it was all that walking about! Downtown was the place to stroll along and enjoy the marvelous sights. There are several striking modern looking buildings in the downtown area, like the Harbour Centre, Vancouver Law Courts and surrounding plaza known as Robson Square. Also the Vancouver Library Square stands out since it appears as a replica of the Colosseum in Rome! Some other notable buildings of the city that have some impressive architecture include Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver Art Gallery and the unforgettable Vancouver Hotel.

Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver proved the tourist destination of my dreams. With one of the mildest climates in Canada along with spectacular natural scenery with the bustling metropolitan ambiance it provided an ideal relaxed vacation after a hectic conference. City guidelines have succeeded in preserving mountain views by restricting building heights but of late some leeway allows an element of visual interest to enhance Vancouver’s skyline. For my part I simply enjoyed walking in the parks or biking around the seawall that gave me an uncommon thrill after a long long time. Moving about is one way to keep discovering something more to do and enjoy in Vancouver, all the time.

Doing the museums was de riguer for me, an avid arts buff. Vancouver is the home to museums and galleries. The Vancouver Art Gallery has a permanent collection of over 7,900 items valued at over $100 million. Also of interest to me was the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, a leading museum of the First Nations culture. The Vancouver Museum is the largest civic museum in Canada. However it was also the Vancouver Science Museum with its interactive exhibits that had me enjoying the experiments.

My Vancouverite delights ended with the Harrison Festival of Arts performed by John Reischmann and the Jaybirds. Performed at Harrison Hall, the Jaybirds give their elegant bluegrass sounds new meaning. It was Canadian folk music at its best with teh rendition of original songs from an acoustical power house. My Vancouver rhapsody was over in no time making me aware that there are places to be seen that this world has never dreamt of. At least my part of the world. For all of those with the travel itch of visiting far away and distant places unseen, I would say the Vancouver Downtown Hotel site is your best bet to enjoy the City of Vancouver that lives by the motto : “By Sea, Land, and Air We Prosper”.

Fall For Toronto In The Fall

Posted by admin on Oct 20, 2008

Each year Torontonians await expectantly for peak fall colors to arrive around this time of the year. Keyed on to news they keep track of the information pouring in readily regarding the fall foliage. Responses vary depending on the source of the destination, the amount of rain, the first frost, the temperature of nearby bodies of water and the fullness of the foliage on the trees. Enthusiasts gather facts on a daily basis by logging on for the latest information. Which is why October is the time to plan out for a rendezvous with nature. The fun and enjoyment in the riot of autumnal hues has you actually  enjoying a symphony in colors.

Autumn trips north of Toronto turn out to be a colorful experience.The fall color leaf changes that take place in autumn in North America and Canada are truly spectacular. Its an awesome sight seeing the outstanding colors in every detail on the many tree varieties and color-changes that occur so dramatically. The geographic terrain over which the colors seem to appear as if painted by a master strokesman over acres and acres of rolling land is mind boggling. Its a sight not to be missed. If you get a high being in the midst of unadulterated natural panoramas then the stunning display of leafy timbre in all shades of ocher to russet and in between, will have you feeling quite exhilarated. Watching this dazzling scene from a tower, a hill, an aircraft or even from a running vehicle will obliterate your troubles and woes.

Fall colors change in Nova Scotia, Quebec and New Brunswick besides Ontario. Maple tress are the ones that dominate the landscape with brilliant fall colors throughout the provinces. The Ministry of Tourism provides a fall foliage color progression report each Tuesday and Thursday from mid September to the end of October. The most spectacular colors are located in the northern part of the province and the website Ontario Travel North of Toronto provides a number of fall color drives and road trips with suggestions about Ontario fall fairs, fall festivals and artist tours along with getaway fall color packages.

Living in clean, safe, cosmopolitan Toronto that has excellent parks and open spaces, even so the lure of traveling on highways to see the natural seasonal transition is a yearly ritual for most people. Located on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the largest city in Canada and capital of Ontario. As the economic capital of Canada its a global city as also one of the top financial cities in the world. The Fall colors are a perfect excuse to come to Toronto and head North. Toronto covers an area of 630 square kilometers with a 46-kilometer long waterfront shoreline, on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Its borders are formed by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River to the east.

Toronto’s climate is moderate for Canada due to its southerly location within the country and its proximity to Lake Ontario. It has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and generally cold winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons with considerable variance in day to day temperature, particularly during the colder weather season. Accumulating snow can fall anytime from November until mid-April. Which is why a Fall vacation is eagerly awaited by families and friends providing them with a getaway just in time before the real cold sets in. With winter around the corner it is just the right time to view the beautiful Fall colors that are still showing north of Toronto even as some bit of leaf fall has occurred in many areas. The best thing is to check the fall color report for up-to-date information before heading out on your October getaway.

Lake Simcoe for round the lake fall colors is a great place to head out to. Lake Simcoe area is easily accessible from Highway 400, or 404 from Toronto. A round-the-lake road trip can be planned in the Barrie or Orillia area. There are several side trips starting in the Barrie area that will take you to Georgian Bay and Wasaga Beach area via Horseshoe Valley Road. Additionally you can choose from two additional road trips Barrie to Wasaga Beach, or Barrie to Orillia.

A road trip around here provides several options with side trips including spectacular fall colour maple sugar bush areas in Simoce County such as Horseshoe Valley Wasaga Beach, Elmvale and Miniesing. You can also have fun on the way with recommended events, festivals and fall fairs. Its a glorious time to see fall colors around Lake Simcoe when you might also be tempted to take in one of Ontario’s historic towns. You could easily check out Toronto Downtown Hotels site to make reservations for a comfortable stay while you tarry around the countryside. Coming back to modern amenities would be really cool.

For some real outstanding Fall display you can take the Barrie to Horseshoe Valley to Orillia Return to Barrie Fall colors Route. Spectacular colors and views along the Horseshoe Valley Road are to be enjoyed by turning right through Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Coulson and Jarratt along the route. From Orillia to Barrie you can work your way towards the Lake for a combination of great water views and colourful shorelines. Then again for latest fall color changes you can always check out the official web site for Fall Colors Leaf Change Central Ontario.

A very interesting facet of this entire exercise is that you can have fun at various Fall Events and Festivals that are part of the Fall entertainment. Events like The Colors of Music Festival, Simcoe County Eco Farmers Market each Friday until Thanksgiving Weekend and the The Nine Mile Portage Heritage Festivals as also the Georgian College Auto Show at Elmval are all part of the fun and gaiety for enjoying the seasonal escapade. True. You can fall for Toronto every Fall.

St Louis : First Night Kaleidoscope

Posted by admin on Oct 20, 2008

I guess St Louis is really looking for a big change going by the size of the huge crowds that said it all. It was the largest domestic crowd that Senator Obama drew upon visiting St Louis on Saturday, October 18. Shortly after taking the stage before a 100,000 audience beneath the famed Gateway Arch of St Louis, the protagonist finished off his speech to the background score of Signed, sealed and delivered under perfect weather conditions - mostly sunny, cool, with an occasional light breeze. Gateway City looks all ready to welcome Change.

Seen as the East - West US dividing mark, St. Louis is referred to as the Gateway to the West on account of the mass migrations that had occurred through the city via the Missouri River along the wagon trails. Popularly abbreviated to “STL” in reference to its airport code, the interlocked version of STL is also the insignia of the city’s base ball team, St Louis Cardinals.

The sprawling city developed in response to its relationship to the river. Economic development that started off around the river bank on the levee has now emerged as the the landing, a great place to be around. This long, smooth bank of land has now been paved with cobblestone and slopes down to the river at an incline. At one time the place permitted river vessels of the time to beach onto it in order to be unloaded and loaded. Stevedoring has had a long haul here.

St. Louis with its diverse multi-cultural population is well known for architecture, festivals, sports, historical sites, and other aspects that draw visitors from around the world. Located at the confluence of two of the world’s greatest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, it is one of the world’s most influential river cities. The city named for King Louis IX of France is famous for its multiple French and German influences as well as couched to its Victorian past.

Touring around Saint Louis usually begins at the top of the Arch, the 640 feet tall structure that is the signature landmark of the city. And ideally a visit should take in a walk by the Mississippi along with lunch at the Landing. In between there are umpteen attractions that make this city immensely interesting. Even a stop over at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery to watch how they make Bud is a fascinating experience. With the festive season in the offing St Louis gets ready to focus on kid-friendly and family oriented festivities offering some good old fun around here.

All through October and November enjoyable events are lined up in St Louis to put you in a pre-holiday mood making your spirits soar to welcome the year-end festivities. St. Louis Zoo has the Boo at the Zoo show offering loads of family fun full of spooks, laughs, animals, night hikes and hauntingly fun entertainment! October 24 – 26 has the Fall Home Show at the Edward Jones Dome while October 25 is to see Halloween at Historic Daniel Boone Home. If you are interested in physical feats then November 15 should be your date for the, 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars at the Scottrade Center. November 26 can have you enjoying Holiday Festival of Lights at the Kiener Plaza in Downtown. Walkabout in Missouri Botanical Garden from November 26 to January 4 for the spectacular Gardenland Express.

If you’re going to be visiting St Louis it would do well to make note of other interesting events on board here. The 17th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival is to be on at the Tivoli and Hi-Pointe theatres and other venues from November 13th to 23rd. Screenings of films, shorts, features, documentaries and independent features from all over the world, with special emphasis on American independents, world cinema and prize-winning short subjects. The festival has achieved an official designation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a sanctioned short subject qualification event.

Also on the cards is the Downtown Holiday Parade on November 27 that is said to be the Midwest’s best holiday parade featuring colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus, as it winds through downtown St. Louis to kick off the holiday season. The parade begins at Broadway and Market Streets, marching west on Market Street to St. Louis Union Station. If you really are keen on a true Midwest experience then you could begin making your plans now. The St Louis Downtown Hotel site will give you a world of STL lodging conveniences that would suit all kinds of pockets.

And if you really want to kick off the new year in a great big American style then watch out for the First Night® St. Louis 2009: Kaleidoscope that begins 5.30 onwards until well beyond midnight of December 31, 2008 at the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District. Experience a winter celebration featuring visual and performing arts, musicians, storytellers, dancers, magicians, actors, puppeteers and visual and media artists. Festivities kick-off with a grand procession all the way to the main stage at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Lindell Avenue for a fantastic opening ceremony. Enjoy twin fireworks one for children at nine’o clock and then the Grand Fireworks at midnight. Guess some things never change in St Louis – not ever!

San Diego : Sea Side Rendezvous

Posted by admin on Oct 16, 2008

It sure sounded good to me. A family get together away from the family home. We siblings have been living in different parts of the country and could not remember when the four of us had last met up with. Busy in our own lives, the net for years had been the life line that held us together. San Diego would be the perfect destination for a good old family reunion sans work or chores! We had decided our only calling was going to be living it up. In the typically hot climes of San Diego even with the onset of an early autumn, we were bent on having a wonderful time to enjoy a long deserved heart to heart.

San Diego located in South California would be ideal with virtually no snow or ice in sight. The climate though dramatic could vary with the city’s topography that consists of the bay, the hills, mountains and the canyons. For us it was the beach that was the main attraction. San Diego’s coast stretches for miles of beaches for swimming and surfing. You have here some fine beaches like Imperial Beach south of San Diego, Coronado, the beach towns of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and up the coast of Northern San Diego County. Each beach is unique, ranging from popular white sand beaches to harsh surf spots to be found at Black’s Beach in La Jolla.

Having been raised besides the sea all of us share an affinity with the great waters, that goes back a long way. The whole idea was to go in for a complete turn around from our sedentary life styles and ride the waves in San Diego. Recollecting our passion for physicality it was time we relived the good old days when experiencing our physical limits of endurance would set us on a competitive edge with each other. Oh brother, here were going to be some great matches and terrific times again.

Looking up the net it appeared that San Diego had a wide range of accommodations to offer. Of course we did not mind splurging and seeing the number of luxury high rise hotels in Downtown as also numerous beach side hotels we decided to go for the best. A few clicks on San Diego Downtown Hotel site got the decision and the reservations made in a jiffy. The sea side activities that were coming to mind had us riding the crest of memories that only brothers know of. All the splashing and ribbing would soon follow in San Diego.

It turned out even better than we expected. The surfing was excellent with San Diego’s miles of beaches providing excellent opportunities. Conditions of course varied by beaches and we were pleased with having the seasoned instructor from the surf school around us. Both Mission Bay and San Diego Bay offer ample opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, boating, and jet skiing. The best fun we had was with hangliding. At the edge of cliffs towering above the Pacific Ocean, the Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla allowed us to soar over one of the most pristine sections of coastline in southern California. It took us some time to train and since expert help was close at hand it was a great way to spend an entire day.

Our scuba diving stint although did not turn out so good. Diving in San Diego waters we realized the water was pretty cold and even the visibility was not the greatest. But of course we did see kelp beds and much more. In addition our dive boat operator provided us with a run to the Coronados Islands off the Mexican coast where we again did some more diving. And this time with sea lions! We were told that San Diego has some great dives at the Yukon, Ruby E and other places in Wreck Alley. But a days scuba diving was good enough for us.

Out of the water activities for us had some great moments playing golf at a public golf course. There are many, both public and private golf courses scattered throughout San Diego and we were quite happy with the arrangement made by the organizers for our golfing sessions. In fact it felt great to be out on the greens and feel so bloody active. Simply breathing the air and walking felt good in ages. With some great weather thrown in for good measure San Diego turned out to be the ideal spot to get out and do some of the most prized outdoor activity. Getting energetic and feeling so peppy had never felt so good.

What added more fun to the different excursions was the fact that San Diego County lying north of the Mexican border, shares borders with Tijuana besides being in the southern vicinity of Orange County. Consequently its home to miles of beaches sharing a typically mild Mediterranean climate. What more could we have asked for. Tourism we discovered is a major industry owing to the city’s climate. Major tourist destinations include Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, nearby Wild Animal Park and Legoland, the city’s beaches and golf tournaments like the Buick Invitational.

Downtown San Diego has experienced an urban renewal. The Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Convention Center are the landmark tourist destinations. We did it all. San Diego’s downtown is a glittering showcase of waterfront skyscrapers, expensive developments, five-star hotels, and dotted with cafes and restaurants. Walking about in late hours, fancy free and footloose, had been a cathartic experience. Especially in familial fraternal company the place appeared an excellent escape from the work weary world of jobs and duties.

San Diego is a truly beautiful city with great weather, miles of beaches, and its Mexican border. With its rich heritage built around sailing alongside being the home base of the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy, it is also well known for its part in the wildlife conservation movement. It houses the SeaWorld theme park and the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. You would not believe this we even did the zoo! The place turned out to be amazing. None of had been to a zoo in the last so many years and the San Deigo zoo gave us some pretty serious joy even at this point in life! I think it had all to do with our mood and the way we wanted to wrap up this exclusive rendezvous!

Sacramento : Of Conventions and Galas

Posted by admin on Oct 16, 2008

Sacramento, the capital of California has come up all of a sudden on my radar. The Scrapbook EXPO to be held there on October 17 and 18, to be held at the Sacramento Convention Center is where I have to be. My amateur hobby for creating albums and making memories sacrosanct had been gaining some recognition of late in laid back Santa Barbara. But nothing prepared me for this opportunity to exhibit my work as a participant in Sacramento. It was reason enough for me to go delirious. But the fun part was that I had decided to drive up the 421 odd miles on CA-126 E State Highway, so that I could spend some time time exploring the place that was just a name on the map for me.

Sacramento, the county seat of Sacramento County is located along the Sacramento River. it is the oldest incorporated city in California having been incorporated on February 27, 1850. The location, weather and quality of life, I learn, are just a few of the things that make Sacramento a great place to live, work and visit. I would be taking my assistant Natalie as a Volunteer. Besides enjoying her jovial company she would be immensely valuable at the Expo. And although we are not novices we would be happy to be in the company of seasoned scrapbookers.

Scrapbook EXPO would be offering us the opportunity to learn all the newest and hottest scrapbooking techniques! Also top-notch workshops and basic classes were going to be taught by experts. Additionally exciting events, make & takes, contests, crop nights and more would keep us happily engrossed for two days. Scrapbook EXPO is considered one of the top rated shows in the State.

I also learn that the greater Sacramento area is one of the West’s fastest growing, most affordable, and attractive cities. It’s a small town with pretty friendly big-city amenities.The Sacramento Convention Center is located across the street from the State Capitol and is just 15 minutes from the Airport. Situated in the heart of downtown it offers flexible meeting and exhibit space that suit incoming participants immensely.

Designed for flexibility, the Sacramento Convention Center offers 134,000 square feet of contiguous Exhibit Hall space with 12 loading bays to provide easy access to the show floor. Speaking of easy access I look up the net to discover that there are very many centrally located hotels, restaurants and shops. The Sacramento Downtown Hotel site had me making quick reservations to avoid any last minute hassles.Wow I would be able to mix a little bit of business with a whole lot of fun!

And fun there was going to be with the Sacramento SPCA’s 22nd Annual Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala that was also to be on at the Convention Center Exhibit Hall on Saturday, October 18. Guess I would need to juggle the time schedules very adroitly indeed. Just as the Scrap event closes the Gala begins. I am quite looking forward to enjoy the festive Whisker Wonderland featuring delicious food from over 30 restaurants and beverages by an equal number of breweries.

All the big names in the food and beverage industry are going to be there. Andy Ngyuens, Dawson’s and Café Bernardo, along with Ironstone Vineyards, Bogle Vineyards and Oakstsone Winery. Entertainment is to be provided by AirAligned, Aerial Dance Group and Starling Strings quartet. I have already registered and booked advance tickets through the SPCA.

Sacramento being strategically located in Northern California is a hotbed offering a wealth of cultural activities besides a wide range of other attractions. I am going to take time off to walk about in the city and stroll through Capitol Park. Also Natalie and I would be visiting the many shops, relax on a riverboat and experience Old Sacramento that still has wooden boardwalks, cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. I am just waiting to be transported back in time. Perhaps the place would be giving me some more creative ideas to scrap about.

There are several major theater venues in Sacramento. The Sacramento Convention Center governs both the Community Center Theater and Memorial Auditorium. The Wells Fargo Pavilion is a recent addition. The Sacramento Ballet is to present a new rendition of Alice in Wonderland along with Mozart Divertimenti at the Theater on October 23-26. The theater buff in me has us booked for the evening performance on 23rd starting 7:30 p.m. onwards. Also on the anvil on October 28 is THE BACKYARDIGANS LIVE! Tale of the Mighty Knights, at Memorial Auditorium presenting just two shows. The concert will have audiences singing, dancing, and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship, and the power of imagination! Which is why I am taking a vacation for full ten days thats going to end with this grand show.

Reno : Ready to Rumble and Rock

Posted by admin on Oct 14, 2008

Life can never be forlorn if you have two trusty canines sharing broth with you every evening. Nero and Cher are life’s consolation to my biocentric existence that moves around tight schedules and late night dead lines. For long now I knew that we needed to break out of a rut that was driving us round the bend. Literally. Our only outing for months on end had been the nightly walks round residential blocks. Everything appeared black and white even to me and I was sorely in need of a change.

All through summer I had been reading about the unusual swarm of quakes that have been making news in Reno. The reporter in me decide to check out the place with Nero and Cher in tow. Dogs do know best after all. Reno sitting in the rain shadow of the Sierras would be perfect in Fall with the forecast of cloudy and sunny weather in store. Nothing else mattered - not even quakes. A quick click on Reno Downtown hotels had me looking for pet friendly hotels to settle for a good choice. It was just a matter of time before we found ourselves on the other side of the country. With Nero and Cher carefully leashed on to their collars at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport I was looking forward to some good times in the Biggest Little City in the World.

Putting aside antiquated notions of Reno’s casinos and divorce business of yore, I concentrated on the unusual Reno earthquakes that were turning into quite a mystery. Apparently the place is being rocked by a strange series of mini earthquakes since February this year. Scientists had been puzzled by the frequency. 500 in one week! Also there is no seismic fault zone either. But these nonstop tremors are rattling the city and no one can understand why. The mystery deepens since for the most part quakes have been limited to a three mile area. Thankfully only minor rumblings are on now with no threat to life or limb.

In fact all looked normal to me as I found the city preparing for Halloween activities. Already under way were the pumpkin patches and corn mazes. People were looking forward to the good times ahead and checking out things that were interesting around town. The news was all about things to do for children and families, haunted houses, safe trick or treating, and even strictly adult fare. Reno has recently seen the opening of many businesses that cater to socializing and after-work activities. Thankful of the extensive bus system here, called the RTC Ride I found myself getting into the spirit of things. The RTC also provides free bus service up and down Virginia Street in Reno called RTC SIERRA SPIRIT.

Reno, I discovered had a variety of recreation activities including both seasonal and year-round. Lake Tahoe splitting borders between California and Nevada gave me the opportunity to fish and water-ski. Many visitors were also enjoying wakeboard, parasailing and jet-skiing as well. The onset of winters shortly will add an element of joy to the season ahead. Skiing and snowboarding are going to draw in many tourists I am told. With eight major ski resorts located close at hand popular winter activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and snowmobiling would sure be a lot of fun.

By the way Reno offers outstanding western hospitality. The fine dining and entertainment that goes with it like stage shows and top-name performers add to your sense of enjoyment. Apart from the history and culture one might get on with the 24-hour gaming excitement. With the wide variety of outdoor recreation that includes golf and skiing, you actually have a choice to go play golf in courses by the lake, high desert, and in mountain settings. Lake Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts. An abundance of fun activities gets Reno placed on top cities for quality of life and business friendly atmosphere.

Downtown Reno glitters with brightly-lit casinos and 24-hour entertainment. In the middle of it all stands the city’s best-known symbol, the Reno Arch. The arch welcomes visitors with its slogan, “The Biggest Little City In The World.” But what attracted me most here was the extensive collections of antique cars on display at the National Automobile Museum or The Harrah Collection. Opened in 1989, more than 220 vehicles are featured, including horseless carriages, cars owned by celebrities, and experimental cars of the future. I also did the rounds of Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Bruka Theater, La Bussola, Sierra Arts as per the Reno Events Calendar that provided me all the details of the shows.

Also of interest to me was the Taj Mahal of Tenpins, or the National Bowling Stadium that is the only facility of its kind in the world. The stadium features 78-championship lanes, Paul Revere’s Kick’s Diner & Dance Club, and an IWERKS theater where giant screen movies are shown daily. Additionally the Wilbur D. May Center features a museum, an indoor arboretum, and a botanical garden surrounded by a beautiful park. Its an all in one recreational place par excellence.

Day trip excursions too provide visitors with a number of sightseeing options. Reno serves as a base camp to some of the most unique attractions on the West Coast. Pyramid Lake, just east of Reno, is shrouded in the mysteries of Indian legend and prehistoric past. Reno offers a seemingly limitless variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Then you have high desert, rolling hills and mountainous alpine terrain. Our hiking jaunt was a truly magnificent time with Nero and Cher enjoying the sprinting and walking.

Special events are plentiful and varied in Reno. October brings in the Eldorado’s Great Italian Festival and the Celtic Festival. Restaurants in Reno range from simple to extravagant. A local specialty is family-style Basque dinners and this was where we had our dinners most of the time. The people friendly place got me talking to locals who did have stories to tell about the rattlings that had been on. Everybody seemed to have something to explain what the tremors might mean. Seismic experts are still trying to gauge what they were all about. As yet though they have not identified any particular tectonics involved with these earthquakes. Ready to rumble anyone in Reno? And do remember its a very pet friendly place.

Portland : Promising Fall Pleasures

Posted by admin on Oct 13, 2008

I had never seen Sean so despondent. Ever since Taffy had been laid to rest he had completely lost his usual happy frame of mind. I knew he was crying at night too having heard him sniffling on my way up. The days were going by but the eleven years olds heart did not seem to mend. Taffy had been in the family for most of two years. It was just by chance that the answer came up on my laptop - Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs. World Forestry Center, Discovery Museum, Portland was running a three month exhibit on man’s best friend! Portland seemed be calling out loud and clear.

Before the chill set in to freeze us all out in hometown Fargo a brief stint to enjoy Fall pleasures would do us all a whole lot of good, I thought to myself. Collecting my thoughts I planned on a quick getaway with Gramps, Sean and six year old Katie. Maybe some good old fashioned fun was just what the four of us needed. Bridgetown beckoned and my mouse searched for more benign festivities that would see us through the winter ahead. Without a second thought I clicked on to Portland Downtown hotel site to book for reservations.

The weather was just about perfect as we landed into Portland. With morning fogs slowly disappearing and sunny afternoons in the offing for the next few days, even the winds were going to be calm offering respite from the freezing frosty conditions back home. I was doubly glad of my decision. And now we only had to find all the exciting things to do here in Portland. Located in North West US it is the greenest city of America. Perhaps the coming together of Williamette and Columbia rivers has something to do with this. Whatever but the climate is ideal for growing roses, and for more than a century, Portland is well known as “The City of Roses”

I had to tell Sean and Katie how the city got its name by the flipping of a coin to make the decision. What was actually a “the clearing,” on the banks of the Willamette turned out to be a commercial potential. The new city, that contending partners wished to name after their home town was decided with a coin toss won in a series of two out of three tosses! The coin used for this decision, now known as the Portland Penny is on display in the headquarters of the Oregon Historical Society.

But enough of this trivia. The downtown area of Portland where we had found comfortable lodgings appeared to have compact square blocks on a side with narrow streets providing a pedestrian-friendly combination. Most of Portland’s recreational, cultural, educational, governmental, business, and retail resources are concentrated here at downtown. And what is even more interesting is that Portland is one of only two cities in contiguous US with extinct volcanoes within their boundaries, the other being Bend also in Oregon. Mt Tabor Park built over it has scenic views besides the historic reservoirs.

Getting on with our plans we first visited Wolf and Woof the raison d’etre for our visit to Portland. Held for the first time the exhibit is all about facts on dogs and explores what makes their relationship with humans so unique. The hands-on, interactive components use our familiarity and love of our four-legged friends to explore science and biological concepts. Visitors leave the place with a better understanding of dogs and I am very sure I could not have found a better closure for Sean regarding Taffy.

Of course I had other “Twists and Turns” up my sleeve to let all of us have a real good time while here. The MAiZE is now into ten years in Portland to have become a regular feature. This great and weird Portland idea has grown into a Portland tradition and would be on from October 8 to 31, 2008. The MAiZE, a giant puzzle carved into a towering cornfield, has become a classic fall event for tens of thousands of visitors craving adventure and laughter and to connect with life on a family farm.

Craig Easterly, the artist-creator of the annual giant-sized maze at The Pumpkin Patch has designed the maze this year as celebrating Portland and its beautiful cityscape and surroundings. The “Bridgetown MAiZE” at The Pumpkin Patch features the city’s bridges, rivers, mountains and outdoor spirit. Easterly promises that crossing the newly built Sauvie Island Bridge, and finding The Pumpkin Patch, is the easy part. Finding our way out of the 5-acre labyrinth was both a physical and mental challenge for the family and a great way to enjoy each other.

Looking for a delightful time Portland provided us with the seasonal escapades that took us to the famous Pumpkin Funland that opened on October 1. To be on until November 11 I am very sure that all children including grand parents are going to love it here. I know we had the bestest time in a long long time. We also did the Pumpkin Time at Kruger’s thats going to be on until October end. It had us searching for the perfect pumpkin and along with it we enjoyed seeing acres of pumpkins. But what was really great were the hay rides, animal barns, caramel apples, corn stalks besides a whole lot of fresh autumn produce. For the pure fun of it there could not have been a better place.

Wrapping up the Portland vacation, Frogs – the exciting traveling exhibition at the Oregon Zoo had us having a swell time. The wonderful seasonal attraction had several frog species, including the White’s tree frog, Vietnamese mossy frog, fire belly toad and poison dart frog among others. Tadpole Tales Story Time, fun-filled educational activities and a kiosk emitting frog sounds had both Sean and Katie darting about like crazy. Yes Portland promise of fun and frolic proved just that. The Fall pleasure activities are like nowhere else but here. I’m so glad I listened to my heart.

Pittsburgh : Party Times Begin

Posted by admin on Oct 13, 2008

For all its size Pittsburgh appeared to be a very efficient and relatively quiet place. I decided to do this second largest city of Pennsylvania, having heard the wonderful changes wrought over time that has made the city completely reinvent itself. To be sure from olden factories to a spartan modern-day city, the transformation is clearly there to see. People have been relocating to Pittsburgh for work and I find more and more acquaintances and even friends moving in here to join health-care, technology, financial services and even fashion. So I decided to pay a visit to come be part of the merry making about to begin here.

Arriving at the Pittsburgh International Airport I was glad of the WiFi at the airport that immediately got me in touch with the reservations made through Downtown Pittsburgh hotel site guaranteeing smooth pick up besides ensconcing me in my hotel room. Satisfied with the arrangements I quickly browsed through the brief itinerary that was to allow me to make the most of my weekend getaway.

And so it was that I explored the town. The city gets demarcated into the downtown area known as the Golden Triangle with four main areas surrounding it. They are simply divided into North Side, South Side, East End, and West End. I loved the spatial clean lines around the city and realized that not for nothing did Pittsburgh get named as “America’s Most Livable City”.

The town center has an eclectic mix of activities that perhaps reach out to everyone. Downtown built on a triangular tract is where the Allgheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River. The skyline here features high-rise buildings and lots of bridges including two inclined railways. Add to this a pre-revolutionary fortification. The setting is beautiful and pretty apt for ‘The City of Bridges’.

The area is also the entertainment hub full of theaters and arts venues. Besides it also harbors residential apartments making it more lively in the evenings and late into the night. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a great big green community residential complex. The Firstside portion of downtown borders the Monongahela River and the historic Mon Wharf and the area is home to the distinctive PPG Place, a Gothic glass skyscraper complex.

Yes the razing and redesigning of congested areas has resulted in an absolutely stunning new look for the city. The architecture is truly modern and quite breathtaking. Nestled among the forested hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, the new Pittsburgh is a city of skyscrapers, parks, fountains, more than 700 bridges, and close-knit neighborhoods with a vibrant cultural life. The city has over 70 miles of urban riverfront—more than any other inland port city in America.

I am of course here for the Pittsburgh Festival of Lights, on from October 10 upto November 20. Being an early bird I see the crowds are yet to come in. However the lights are all up in Pittsburgh to salute the arrival of the trailblazers that will be making their way here at Great Allegheny Passage and the Point Start Park. With the days getting shorter, the jubilant lighting coming up early in the evening, transforms the area into a fairyland setting.

The bright lights add a touch of anticipation to the coming holiday season as well as coincide beautifully with the visual and performance arts events scheduled for Pittsburgh. Even as all the buildings in downtown get lit up with fantastic displays done by Lucette de Rugy, the French artist, Oakland too gets illuminated connecting both these cultural hubs. The very air in Pittsburgh sings out - come on everybody lets party! O yes everyones invited to join in with the festive spirits even as Pittsburgh readies itself for the season ahead.