posted by Charles H. Russo on Apr 21
By: Nancy Kinley
In the midst of Los Angeles County’s west side, Redondo Beach sets itself apart from the masses of southern California beaches in many ways while still reflecting the best of the laid-back lifestyle for which the area is legendary. Close to so many amusement parks and museums, Redondo Beach is certain to have something enjoyable for everyone.
Redondo Beach has been referred to many times as having “one of the most romantic sunset watching places in the entire world”- the Seafront Esplanade. The city that once was one of the busiest commercial ports in southern California now is home to a pleasure pier, lined with quaint, unique shops and restaurants and a sport fishing fleet. Don’t forget about the marinas, for what would a southern Cali beach destination be without them!
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Apr 19
Tastee Talent Trail blazing in Montego Bay tonight
Twenty semi-finalists will compete in the Tastee Talent Trail 2007 when the second concert happens tonight in Montego Bay.
Judges Amina Blackwood-Meeks, Anthony Cruz and Chantal Hylton-Tonnes will face the challenging task of selecting the five contestants who will move on to the finals and a chance to win the grand prize of $500,000 and a talent contract with Penthouse Records worth $500,000.
posted by Charles H. Russo on Apr 8
If you enjoy travel photography, a good logical step is to try and make money from your hobby. Selling your photographs takes time and dedication, but it is possible.
The nice thing part about selling photography is that anyone can do it
posted by Charles H. Russo on Mar 15
As with many ski towns, Park City was originally established as a mining town. In the 1860’s, flocks of people moved here to pursue riches in silver mining. At this time the streets were lined with saloons and featured a very popular red-light district. In the 1930’s mineral prices fell due to the depression, and the town felt the effect. Business collapsed and the population dwindled. Over time things got better and in 1963 Park City Consolidated Mines built the first chairlift on what was then known as Treasure Mountain. At this time, $3.50 would get you a weekend pass to go skiing and sledding. Times have changed a bit since then, but the skiing is still world-class, and the town offers many cultural events and festivals.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Mar 6
Robuchon’s crazy chateau plonked in the middle of Tokyo is one of the city’s eight 3-star Michelin restaurants
A major job action sends new shudders through the local economy, but that’s the least of Paris’ worries today. The big deal: Tokyo wins 191 Michelin stars, nearly twice as many as Paris. It’s the first guide to Tokyo. Also, this is more than three times the number of stars you’ll find in New York.
This is a good thing. After all, Tokyo’s enormouser than both cities, and its restaurants are incredible. (Shame that so few Americans will ever go.) According to Michelin, Tokyo was such good eatin’, every restaurant included received at least one star.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Feb 13
If you’re lucky enough to be in Denver this week - February 24 through March 2, 2007 - you’re just in time for Colorado’s biggest food-lover’s festival.
It’ll be hard not to eat yourself into a coma, with eateries throughout the Mile High City offering multi-course dinners at the mile high price of $52.80 for two or $26.40 for one. (A mile is 5,280 feet - get it?)
This year, 140 restaurants of all kinds are particpating in the city-wide culinary celebration. You can see the list of participating Denver restaurants online, view them by neighborhood and even peruse the menus each offers for their feast.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Feb 12
Previously, it was thought, islands of land could be preserved forever by simply drawing national park boundaries. Today, it is clear that this is untrue. National parks are not islands. They are greatly impacted by what happens outside their boundaries.
A wood stork silently wades shallow waters like a drum major in slow motion. Bill submerged, its great, dark head sweeps back and forth across shallow, murky waters like a robot on an assembly line. Mixed metaphors of wild nature and human technology befit this endangered wading bird. Its dramatic decline in numbers symbolizes the magnitude of environmental threats stalking today’s Everglades. “River of Grass” was the description affixed to this gently sloping, mostly level landscape in the 1940s by pioneering conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Within the park this river still flows slowly toward sea and gulf.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Feb 11
Park City lodging choices are numerous and diverse. Hotels, condos, private residence clubs and private homes are the most popular choices for travelers. Hotels can be found slope side or in the heart of the downtown area. Each hotel offers something a little bit different depending on how much you would like to spend. You will be able to find small budget hotels or very expensive high class luxury hotels. The high class hotels are well worth the money. From the moment you walk through the lobby doors, you will not have to worry about a thing. After staying at one of these types of hotels, you will never want to stay anywhere else. Another Park City lodging choice for large groups or families would be a condo rental or a private residence club. A condo rental can be a great choice for a family. Many times condo rentals don’t offer the full services of a hotel or a private residence club but offer full kitchens and all the main ingredients to make your family trip memorable and more affordable. Private Residence Clubs are becoming the lodging choice of the future. These clubs can offer 2, 3 and four bedrooms suites in large complexes. These can be quite luxuries with a full staff including concierge, bell staff, ski valet, and sometimes twice daily maid service. A private residence club can be a great choice for a family getaway.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Feb 11
Harry P. Leu grew up in Orlando, Florida and later became a successful businessman. Together, with his wife Mary Jane, he settled on an 1898 farmhouse and began to transform it. He traveled extensively with his wife all around the world to collect specimens of exotic plants and began planting them on his estate, thus creating Leu Gardens. They resided at that farmhouse until 1961, when they finally donated the gardens to the city of Orlando. However, they created a stipulation that their land be made available to the public. Today, in the center of Leu Gardens, there stands the Leu House Museum, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Feb 3
Here inLondon, young chef Oliver Rowe made headlines when he opened Konstam with the caveat that he would source everything within the M25. Some people thought the idea was bonkers but it works- and its a brilliant concept. 100 Mile Caf?© inMelbournehas a similar ethos. The restaurant sources 99% of its ingredients from within a 100-mile radius. On the menu diners will find plenty of Asian-Australian fusion cuisine, including tofu dumplings in a hot and sour broth of mussels and pan fried quail gallette. We like the look of the desserts too: there???s a chocolate tasting plate and organic yogurt panna cotta with a lemon verbena jelly, plus an extensive cheese plate. 100 Mile Caf?©, Level 3,MelbourneCentral,211 La Trobe St.,Melbourne03/9654-0808.
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