ArtWalk
July 1 - August 31, 2008
A selection of Whistler cafes, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, commercial galleries and businesses throughout Whistler Village will become temporary host galleries through July and August for the fifth annual ArtWalk. These non-traditional gallery spaces will feature the works of over 50 artists from Lions Bay to Lillooet, with mediums including paintings, photography, glass, ceramics and jewelery. www.whistlerartscouncil.com.

Whistler Children's Art Festival
July 12 - 13, 2008
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Whistler Children's Art Festival - a magical fun-filled weekend for the entire family. Located in Whistler's Creekside, the festival features a multitude of hands-on workshops lead by professional artists for kids and families in fine arts, crafts, theatre, multi-media, dance and music. The weekend comes alive with numerous free activities and entertainment by roving musicians, zany characters and popular children's performers on the main stage. www.whistlerartscouncil.com.

LUNAFLIKS
Every Wednesday July 16 to August 28, 2008
LUNAFLIKS is Whistler's feisty summer outdoor film series. On Wednesdays in July and August, head down to Lost Lake on the free shuttle to enjoy the fresh mountain air and mountain backdrop at sunset by the beach. Listen to DJ tunes under the stars, and take in short films by local filmmakers and feature films shown on an oversized screen with a killer sound system. Bring your own seating and warm layers. In the event of rain, film screenings will be moved indoors. www.lunawhistler.com.

Whistler Music Festival
July 19 - 20, 2008
The Whistler Music Festival offers two incredible days of music featuring an eclectic line-up of acts including Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Thievery Corporation, Bedouin Soundclash, Broken Social Scene, The Roots and many more. With a unique location on the Tube Park at Base II on Blackcomb Mountain, this promises to be one of the hottest festivals of the summer. To purchase one- and two-day tickets, and for more information, visit www.whistlermusicfestival.com. Accommodation is available starting from $109 per night. Visit www.whistler.com for more information.

Get Reel Youth Film Program
July 21 - 25, 2008
Presented by the Whistler Film Festival, the Get Reel Youth Film program is designed to give Whistler youth, between 13 and 18 years old, access to professional equipment, and to provide mentorship during this practical hands-on workshop. Industry professionals will guide participants and provide feedback and technical support to help youth create their first films. This year's topic is "Whistler: A Sense of Place", requiring participants to develop a short film (no more than five minutes) about their own interpretation of what Whistler means to them. Program capacity is limited. www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.

Pemberton Festival
July 25 - 27, 2008
Get set for three unforgettable days of music, as the inaugural Pemberton Festival presents a heavy-hitting lineup of artists like never before seen in this region. The European-style festival will take place just a short drive north of Whistler in the beautiful Pemberton Valley, with majestic Mount Currie as the backdrop. With multiple stages, this summer concert extravaganza features over 50 artists including Coldplay, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, Jay-Z, The Tragically Hip, Death Cab for a Cutie, The Flaming Lips, Wolfmother and Sam Roberts. Ticket sales have exceeded expectations and the event is certain to sell out soon. www.pembertonfestival.com.

Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake
Various dates throughout July
Presented by Whistler Arts Council, the Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake feature two- to four-day workshops from beginner to intermediate level instruction in oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, sketching and life drawing. The program is inspired by the beautiful mountain environment of Whistler and Alta Lake Station House, the rustic heritage home located on the picturesque waterfront area of Alta Lake. For workshop dates and subjects visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com.

Alpine Hiking and Sightseeing on Whistler Mountain
Daily from June 28 - September 21 (then weekends only through to October 13, 2008)
An absolute must-do during a summer visit to Whistler is the 25-minute scenic journey aboard the Whistler Village Gondola, up almost a vertical mile to the Roundhouse Lodge (1,850 metres/ 6,069 feet). Once at the Roundhouse you can stop for a bite with a view, or travel further up the mountain via the open air Peak Chair (2,182 metres/ 7,160 feet). From here you can simply enjoy the seemingly endless view of the Coast Mountains, or come prepared to hike the alpine trail network which offers over 61 kilometres (38 miles) of trails, of varying length and difficulty. New this year is the Half Note Trail, intersecting the signature High Note Trail, providing a shortened route back to the Roundhouse via the Musical Bumps Trail.

Mountain Top BBQ dinners are served on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer at the Roundhouse. Enjoy southern style BBQ cooking, live music and an alpine sunset from 1,850 metres.

Alpine sightseeing is also available on Blackcomb Mountain through until July 27. Accessed via the Wizard Express, guests will travel on three open-air chairlifts and a short bus shuttle to reach Blackcomb Glacier - where summer skiing and riding is still taking place, as part of North America's longest ski season.

Summer Glacier Skiing and Snowboarding on Blackcomb Mountain opens
June 9 - July 27, 2008
The sun is shining, the lakes are sparkling, it's the perfect time to... ski and ride. Whistler Blackcomb enjoys the longest ski season in North America with spring skiing and snowboarding on Blackcomb Mountain continuing through July. Information is at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/summer/glacier/index.htm.

Whistler Farmers' Market
June 15 - October 13, 2008
The Whistler Farmers' Market hits the pedestrian streets of the Upper Village (near The Fairmont Chateau Whistler) every Sunday with artisans, crafts, organic and local produce from Pemberton Valley and beyond, jams, honey, baked goods, jewellery, live cooking demonstrations by Whistler chefs and much more. The market is held Sundays from 11a.m. - 4 p.m. until October 13. www.whistlerfarmersmarket.org.

Women's Nights in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park
June 18 - September 3, 2008
Women's Wednesdays were so popular in 2007 that we've added an extra night! Chicks rip it up in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Monday AND Wednesday nights. Whistler Blackcomb is growing the sport of downhill mountain biking for women with these fantastic girls-only clinics. Women's Nights are the perfect opportunity for women to experience lift-accessed downhill riding with friends in a relaxed environment. The program offers something for riders of every ability, whether it's your first time or 100th time in the Bike Park. Women's Nights run every Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8pm. Women's Nights tickets include rentals, lift tickets, bike guides, a beer at apres, and a chance to win great prizes. www.whistlerbike.com/camps-lessons/womens_nights.htm.

Whistler International All Star Hockey Tournament
June 21 - July 14, 2008
The Whistler International All Star Hockey Tournament is an elite youth tournament designed to bring together hockey players with a high level of commitment to their sport. For more details, visit www.whistlerallstarhockey.com.

Coming soon…
The Canadian National BBQ Championships - August 2-3, 2008
Kokanee Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival - August 9-17, 2008 www.crankworx.com
Slow Food Cycle Sunday - August 17, 2008 www.slowfoodcyclesunday.com
Campground "C" - August 23, 2008 www.campgroundc.com
Feast of Fields - August 30, 2008 www.ffcf.bc.ca/whistlerfeast
Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival - November 6-10, 2008 www.whistlercornucopia.com
Bizarre Bazaar - November 28-29, 2008 www.whistlerartscouncil.com
Whistler Film Festival - December 4-7, 2008 www.whistlerfilmfestival.com

The 2008 RV Road Atlas

2008 Campground Navigator 2-CD set.

com has become known as the RV parks and services 'bible' for active RVers; this year we are expanding technology resources and offering even easier trip planning," said Joe Daquino, senior vice president and group publisher, Affinity. "The Directory and its sister products continue to keep their focus on helping the active RVing community by providing relevant information that supports road travelers' changing interests and needs."

The Directory's Exclusive Triple Rating system has set the industry standard. Each year new inspections are performed on all private RV parks and campgrounds, encouraging parks to do even more to earn Trailer Life Directory's highest recommendations. RVers will know what to expect from RV Parks before they arrive by quickly glancing at the bottom of each listing to see a park's rating in bold.

The Directory's "At-A-Glance" features have expanded for the 2008 edition, making it easier than ever to quickly locate targeted information for RV park Internet access, RV service center and dealers and virtual tours. The "Internet-At-A-Glance" section lists RV parks that provide Wi-Fi and Internet access and indicates if it is free or if there is a charge. The "RV Service Center & Dealers-At-A-Glance" section provides a list of locations by state/province and city to help with your RV maintenance needs on the road. The new "Virtual Tours-At-A-Glance" section provides a list of the RV parks and businesses that have created visual tours to let travelers explore their locations online at www.trailerlifedirectory.com.

Also launching just in time for summer, the 2008 RV Road Atlas www.trailerlifedirectory.com contains all the RV parks and campgrounds found in the Trailer Life Directory. New for 2008 the maps have been updated with clearly identified truck routes so road travelers know where to avoid steep grades or low bridges.

The 2008 Atlas also has a newly expanded Grid Index, which lists all the campgrounds by city and state/province, providing graphic icons representing: Good Sam Club discount locations, service centers, tourist attractions, if the parks can support big-rigs and locations which provide internet access or Wi-Fi.

Additionally, Trailer Life Directory has released a complementary 2008 Campground Navigator 2-CD set, which provides the RV community with travel planning and campground search capabilities in an easy-to-use software program.

"Many RVers rely on the Internet for researching and planning their trips, but the remote places they travel to don't always provide adequate Web access," added Daquino. "This is when the Campground Navigator becomes such a valuable tool. No matter where they are, they can turn on their laptop, call up the Campground Navigator and plan their next stop or adventure."

The Campground Navigator has detailed street maps of the U.S. and Canada, trip planning tools www.trailerlifedirectory.com and a searchable database of all of the information found in Trailer Life's 2008 RV Parks, Campgrounds and Services Directory. The 2008 edition has an expanded search radius for campgrounds up to 100 miles around your selected destination. It also provides road slope and stop point elevations to determine if the route will work for today's larger RVs.

The Trailer Life Directory and support products are produced by Affinity Media, a division of Affinity, the nation's largest provider of outdoor recreation clubs, services, media and events.

Please visit www.trailerlifedirectory.com, for more information on RV travel planning products.

Failure to declare agriculture products, including firewood and kindling, will result in delays and could incur on-the-spot civil penalties of $300 or more.

Firewood and kindling can be purchased at many campgrounds, grocery stores and other retail outlets in the United States. More information about agriculture entry requirements can be found at www.cbp.gov “Know Before You Go” and www.aphis.usda.gov.

"

The campgrounds were selected based on testimonials, campground ratings and feedback provided by park rangers, regional park management and campers throughout the year. Nearly 4,000 parks were reviewed and the winners were determined based on specific family-friendly criteria ranging from educational programs and visitor centers to camping amenities and overall beauty and scenery. Factors including the quality and availability of hot showers, laundry facilities, hiking trails, family beaches, radio-free zones, children's events and location were also considered, Rosenberg said.

"We're thrilled and proud that 30 of our best campgrounds were included in ReserveAmerica's list of premiere parks in North America," said KOA President and Chief Operating Officer Shane Ott. "We also have more than 400 other great KOAs around the country that may not have made this list, but have certainly met our own stringent standards in order to fly the yellow KOA flag."

KOA campgrounds making the ReserveAmerica list of Top Parks for 2008 include:

2008 TOP FAMILY CAMPGROUNDS
Bristol/Kingsport, TN KOA
Hot Springs National Park, AR KOA
Petoskey, MI KOA
Shelby/Mansfield, OH KOA
St. Augustine Beach, FL KOA
Wisconsin Dells, WI KOA

TOP AMAZING SPOTS
Devils Tower, WY KOA
St. Mary/East Glacier, MT KOA

TOP BIKING TRAILS
Crescent City/Redwoods, CA KOA
Harpers Ferry, WVA KOA
Mt. Rushmore/Hill City, SD KOA

TOP CANOEING SPOTS
Bar Harbor, ME KOA
St. Mary/East Glacier, MT KOA
Stanton/Meramac, MO KOA

TOP EDUCATIONAL & HISTORICAL FACILITIES
Gettysburg/Battlefield, PA KOA
Washington DC/Capitol, MD KOA
Yellowstone Park/West Entrance, WY KOA

TOP FISHING SPOTS
Madison/Pittsburgh, PA KOA
Okeechobee, FL KOA
South Padre Island, TX KOA

TOP HIKING TRAILS
Cannonville/Bryce Valley, UT KOA
Winthrop/North Cascades National Park, WA KOA
Yellowstone Park/West Entrance, WY KOA

TOP KID-FRIENDLY PARKS
Bristol/Kingsport, TN KOA
Port Huron, MI KOA
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay, CA KOA

TOP 25 PARK BEACHES
Cape Hatteras, NC KOA
Sugarloaf Key/Key West, FL KOA

TOP ROMANTIC SPOTS
St. Mary/East Glacier, MT KOA

TOP SCENIC VIEWS
Bar Harbor, ME KOA
Hinton/Jasper, AB CANADA KOA
Waldport/Newport, OR KOA

TOP TOURS & EVENTS
Mt. Rushmore/Hill City, SD KOA
San Francisco North/Petaluma, CA KOA
Washington DC/Capitol, MD KOA

UNIQUE CABINS
Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain, NY KOA
South Padre Island, TX KOA
Twin Mountain, NH KOA

ReserveAmerica manages the largest reservable campsite inventory in North America, including hundreds of great Kampgrounds of America locations. For more information on KOA campgrounds, visit www.KOA.com.

We're seeing lovely Mediterranean cruises (http://www.cruisecompete.com/specials/regions/mediterranean/1 )with a balcony on a luxury ship being booked for as low as $3,000 or less for a couple."

Other extremely popular destinations include the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii and the Canada/New England region. Many Alaska cruises for this summer are already sold out and holiday season voyages to the Caribbean also are filling up.

Why is www.CruiseCompete.com so popular? www.CruiseCompete.com mixes Internet technology with the expertise of hundreds of experienced cruise specialists to provide consumers with great values as well as sage advice. It is the only Web site that allows consumers and groups, from corporate gatherings to wedding parties to family reunions and others, to submit a single cruise request and receive multiple, independent offers from cruise specialists, ensuring they find the best deal possible on their vacations.

CruiseCompete.com - www.CruiseCompete.com
-- World's only competitive cruise pricing Web site that enables consumers to obtain the best deals on cruise vacations.
-- Consumers secure quotes for cruise deals from hundreds of member cruise specialists, without having to contact each one separately.
-- A consumer can submit up to three cruise requests at one time, enabling them to compare various cruise lines and itineraries.
-- Since its launch in 2003, the Web site's cruise specialists have provided four million-plus customized cruise quotes in response to requests from over 425,000 registered users.
-- CruiseCompeteGroups.com ( www.CruiseCompeteGroups.com ) helps consumers planning any type of group travel events to obtain the best deal for their gatherings.
-- CruiseCompete LLC is an independent company not owned by or affiliated with any travel agency.

The website is also designed to reach the growing number of solo travelers, as more and more female baby boomers enter their retirement years and want to travel alone. According to AARP, 25 million singles age 42 and older will spend $28 billion on travel this year, with more women than men deciding to travel alone. This group is more likely to take weekend trips and spend proportionately more per person than other traveler.

"Not only do women earn, own and spend more than ever before, they also stay single longer, end unfulfilling relationships sooner and typically outlive their spouse", said Chickable(TM) Founder Maria Salvaggio. "As a result, women are experiencing a fundamental change in lifestyle and are spending more time and money on themselves, and one of the hottest self-fulfilling activities for such women is women-only travel."

To help launch the site, ChickableT is giving its members a chance to win a women-only trip of their choice by answering, with the most spirited and original answers, the question "Are you Chickable(TM)?" Those who sign up for ChickableT will be automatically entered into the contest as well.

About Chickable(TM)
Chickable(TM) is a privately backed internet company that utilizes the latest in content, media and social management technology to capitalize on the explosive growth of the women-only travel market. The company has created a single destination web portal powered by six free services - Chick Network, Chick Finder, Chick Travel, Chick Chat, Chick Gallery and Chick Gear. Chickable's mission is to enable women around the world to experience the many benefits of women-only trips. Chickable(TM) is headquartered in Winthrop, Massachusetts and is located at www.Chickable.com.

”

Out of 130,000 podcasts, Beautiful Places was ranked among iTunes’ top 21 “Best New Video Podcasts of 2007.” “We are delighted to bring Tony Farley’s original program to ON Networks and our growing viewership,” says Jen Grogono, ON Networks co-founder and chief content officer. “We remain committed to delivering on the promise of smart and entertaining shows that can be watched anytime, across any screen, anywhere.”

Beautiful Places joins ON Networks’ line-up of travel shows, which also includes the newly released City by City, that can be watched anywhere, on any device. Beautiful Places is available online at www.beautifulplaces.tv or as a free download from iTunes. To embed an episode on your website or blog, or to share the show with friends, click either the “embed HTML” or “share video” icon on the Web video player.

All of the attractions are fabricated from the same high-grade PVC material that is used to construct inflatable boats and other personal watercraft.

In addition, toddler-themed activities and attractions are available at the Dunes' Mother's Beach, a mile-long stretch of sand along the waveless waters of the Back Bay lagoon that features full-time lifeguards. Also, a limited number of private waterfront cabanas are available by calling (949)-729-1150. Newport Dunes Resort is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE or visit www.newportdunes.com.

Guests interested in joining the complimentary Best Parks in America affinity program – Best Guests in America – can click on the Best Guests page to learn about the special benefits of membership including free site upgrades at check-in and the Best Guests Rewards Program. This unique program allows Best Guests in America members an opportunity to accrue points redeemable for free camping nights after a minimum number of stays. Website visitors can also learn about the Best Guests program via FAQs and effortlessly sign up to become a Best Guest online, taking advantage of the many privileges and savings immediately.

Site navigation includes a “Deals & News” page delivering the latest news and information including park additions, dollar-off coupons and more. In addition, each park page has its own “Deals & News” area where individual parks post specials, resort news, details about new amenities, facilities or special events, and other special information it wants to share with its guests. There’s also an “About Best Parks in America” page describing the philosophy, unique benefits and amenities of the Best Parks in America system.

“In today’s busy world it is more important than ever to offer RVers an easy-to-use, convenient tool to determine the best park options for their RV and camping vacations. Our clean, crisp, visitor-friendly Best Parks in America website is not cluttered with cutesy pictures and unnecessary graphics that often confuse the park’s message and distract the RVer or camper from looking for vital information. Rather, prospective guests can effortlessly locate and review all the essentials necessary to make an educated campground resort decision - 24/7. Not only are our parks the cream of the crop, our online presence is bar none,” remarked David Gorin, President, Best Parks in America.

Amenity rich facilities, unsurpassed resort locations, superb service, and trademark warm hospitality with a smile – Best Parks in America’s 22 partners deliver upscale camping experiences. Best Guests in America members – a complimentary RVer and camper club – enjoy extra perks such as a free site upgrade at check-in (based on availability) and a points program redeemable for free camping. Explore www.BestParksinAmerica.com for further details.

"Americans are feeling the pain at the pump," said Mark Cipolletti, vice president of communications for Access America. "The travel index measures 10 factors that impact all kinds of travelers and so is, by design, very stable. In order to move the needle three points, as we've seen in the past quarter, there has to be a major shift in emotion. We're seeing that shift in a big way. It's hard to believe Americans could get more annoyed, but summer is still weeks away and gas prices continue to rise."

Among households with more disposable income ($75,000+), 85 percent report being frustrated with gas prices. That's up 10 percentage points from November 2007 when 75 percent of those households reported frustration, and from August 2007 when 76 percent of those households reported frustration with gas prices.

Among middle-income households, those in the $25,000-$50,000 range, the trend is steeper:

-- Quarter 3 2007: 81 percent of middle-income households reported frustration with gas prices

-- Quarter 4 2007: 83 percent of middle-income households reported frustration with gas prices

-- Quarter 1 2008: 95 percent of middle-income households reported frustration with gas prices

For travelers impacted primarily by driving issues and not by air travel, the aggregated Index score is up more than three points from last year. With a mean Index score of 42.7 out of a possible 100, the "driver's" frustration score registers at 44.7 for the first quarter of 2008 compared with the last quarter of 2007 where driving frustrations registered at 41.4. In the third quarter of 2007 (the other period for which data is available), driving frustrations were at 42.3.

Among travelers impacted by air travel issues only (airfares, airline service, homeland security issues, etc.), the overall frustration level was relatively flat compared with the third and fourth quarter of 2007. With a mean score of 36.8 out of 100, the air travel frustration score for January-March 2008 registered at just slightly above neutral at 37.4.

Weather conditions and illness or injury that causes cancellation or interruption of a trip contributed modestly to the overall rise in frustrations on the Index scale this part quarter. Both of these factors are seasonal, with storms across the Midwest and Northeast contributing to delays that cause headaches for thousands of travelers and the cold winter weather contributing to seasonal colds and the Flu that can results in cancelled plans.

"Unlike the cost of gas, those numbers are likely to go down again as we head into the warmer summer months," Cipolletti added.

The Travel Frustration Index was developed and launched in 2007 by Access America, in partnership with Ipsos Public Affairs, and monitors common areas of frustration among travelers, such as service issues, weather delays and prices. The next Index will launch in June 2008.

About the Survey
The Access America Traveler Frustration Index was conducted April 7-14,2008 by IPSOS Public Affairs, an independent global, survey-based research company owned and managed by research professionals. As part of its weekly U.S. Telephone Omnibus Study, IPSOS interviewed 876 adults ages 18 and older, who indicated they had traveled for business or leisure at least once during the previous three months. The margin of error for the entire survey is 3.3% at a 95% confidence level. The quarterly frustration index was created by first asking each of ten individual potential frustration items on a four point frustration scale to past three month travelers. The responses were then summed by each respondent. The sums were then aggregated and recalculated to a ten point index scale across all respondents.

About Access America
Access America provides travel insurance and assistance to millions of travelers each year and is a division and service mark of World Access Service Corp. A global leader in travel insurance and emergency assistance, Access America uses cutting-edge technology to deliver customized solutions to enhance value for resorts, airlines, travel agents, credit card companies and more. Access America is a division and service mark of World Access Service Corp., which is a member of the Mondial Assistance Group and part of the Allianz family of companies. Visit www.accessamerica.com.

26 junction, will remain unavailable until repairs on facilities damaged by last winter*s storms are finished later in May. All loops in the 294-site Detroit Lake State Recreation Area campground east of Salem are now cleared of snow and open for the season. Park staff report that the lake is filled to above 80 percent capacity.

East of the Cascades, campgrounds with tent sites at four small parks in northeastern Oregon will reopen today and May 2. These parks are Catherine Creek, eight miles southeast of Union; Hilgard Junction, eight miles west of La Grande; Red Bridge, 16 miles southwest of La Grande, and Ukiah-Dale, three miles southwest of Ukiah. Most of the campsites at Emigrant Springs in the Blue Mountains between Pendleton and La Grande remain closed because of snow and cold weather. The park's cabins, community group building and a few full hookup sites without water service are open all year.

OPRD operates 22 seasonal campgrounds and 28 year-round camping destinations. Up-to-date information is available on the web at www.oregonstateparks.org and by phone at 1-800-551-6949.

Reservations for group tent camping areas at Cascadia, Fisherman's Point at Fall Creek and Emigrant Springs, and for the Emigrant Springs cabins can be made through the Oregon state park reservations center, Reservations Northwest, by calling 1-800-452-5687 (cabins also reservable online through www.oregonstateparks.org).

“We have created a stunning and educational fusion of two very different things, art and aquaria,” said Burke. “The glass art was created specifically for each display based on the actual habitat structures and the requirements of the animals.”

The idea of Oddwater is to offer an experience that will educate, entertain and enlighten visitors about life forms and sub aquatic landscapes most people never see. The exhibit will demonstrate how extreme environments require specialized adaptations, resulting in strange appearances in some species. Among the species featured in Oddwater is the chambered nautilus, noticed for its unusual movement using jet propulsion. The lion fish, with its venomous spines is a fatal beauty to unsuspecting prey. Oddwater will take a look at these and many other ocean life forms, showing visitors how their unusual and sometimes bizarre adaptations help them survive.

As visitors enter Oddwater, they will see a giant screen showing video footage of the most peculiar marine life forms of all, which also happen to be the most inaccessible. Throughout the exhibit will be digital images and colorful murals painted by artist Michael Cole.

Oddwater’s interactive components will include a sting ray touch pool where visitors will be encouraged to touch sting rays, which are harmless when their barbs are trimmed. A crawl through tank will offer a close look at “lookdowns,” a silvery, round fish with a blunt forehead. Interactive audio stations throughout the exhibit will allow visitors to hear details about Oddwater species.

The animals for this exhibit were chosen by the staff because of their interesting adaptations, their distinctness or their oddness, according to Burke. “It is great to be part of this innovative effort and we are very proud of what we will be sharing with our guests beginning Memorial Day Weekend!”

The Aquarium gratefully acknowledges the major sponsors and friends of Oddwater. Major sponsors include Fred Meyer, Inc. and Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Friends of the exhibit include Jeanette Betea Hennings Foundation, Henry Hillman, Jr. Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Rose E. Tucker Charitable trust, Trust Management Services and Siletz Tribal Contribution Fund, which provided funds for interactive graphics. For more information visit www.aquarium.org.

com, as well as guidebook content, user ratings, awards, maps, and photos to make the travel planning process easier, quicker and more reliable.

NileGuide http://www.nileguide.com works with local experts in each destination to ensure that the information is accurate and relevant. The result is an incredibly large archive of broad and deep content that is both objective and transparent.

So, whether a traveler has children, budget limitations, or business needs, NileGuide is the authoritative resource where consumers can conduct their research and discover those must-see experiences or off-the-beaten-track hideaways. Individuals can find exactly what they are looking for quickly and easily, and have fun while they're at it.

There are 3 simple steps to using NileGuide:
Step 1: Travelers search for points of interest consistent with their personal preferences, and NileGuide makes instantaneous recommendations based on their specific interests, budget, activity level, and proximity. These recommendations include comprehensive details and descriptions from a rich collection of content, including lodging, restaurants, nightlife, and activities. Travelers can also start with existing trip plans created by other users or experts.
Step 2: Travelers turn their collection of points of interest into a real trip itinerary with helpful tools like drag-and-drop calendaring, interactive maps, and proximity functionality.
Step 3: A free customized guidebook is created for each traveler, complete with itineraries and maps that can be printed out, as well as accessed online forever. Each trip can also be shared with friends and family and published so it can be seen by the world at large.

"NileGuide http://www.nileguide.com is like having your own travel agent, tour guide, and concierge wrapped into one," said Josh Steinitz, CEO and co-founder of NileGuide. "NileGuide helps tourists become travelers and lets them spend more time enjoying their trips, rather than recovering from the hassle and time spent researching and booking it."

NileGuide http://www.nileguide.com CEO Josh Steinitz helped build the media business at Away.com, which was later acquired by Orbitz. Josh is an avid adventure traveler who has written about and photographed his travels in over 50 countries. NileGuide's COO and co-founder John Monson was the first investor and board member of PayCycle, and he built the Quicken brand as Intuit's first Vice President of Marketing. John is a wine and arts enthusiast, and was chairman of the board of Marin Headlands Center for the Arts.

"Online travel is no longer about simply booking flights and hotels, it's about the experience itself," commented Peter Horan CEO of IAC Media & Advertising, and a member of NileGuide's Board of Directors. "I am excited to be involved with NileGuide, as they are bringing much-needed innovation to the biggest and most sought-after online sector -- travel."

This will ensure they respond appropriately to each unique disablement situation and dispatch the necessary level of equipment and service.

"The joy of RVing is being able to enjoy the comfort and freedom of being at home while, at the same time, experiencing the great outdoors; part of this enjoyment is maintaining a sense of safety and security in the event of an emergency," said Mark Kupper, executive vice president, Affinity Road & Travel Club, Inc. "The new certification requirement puts RVers in immediate contact with coordinators who have the knowledge and background to quickly diagnose and resolve issues and get RVers back on the road with minimal hassle and downtime."

AC certification includes an ongoing education program that includes classroom instruction, individual and hands-on training, which is designed to expand the capabilities of technicians through an RV-specific curriculum.

Call centers in Columbus and Miami will establish, maintain and continually evolve an "ART Library" to house all training, reference and RV-related materials, such as technical manuals, manufacturer-specific brochures, component guides and training videos.

Good Sam RV ERS is available to members of the Good Sam Club, the world's largest RV owners' organization with more than one million member families, at a discounted rate. It is also available to non members. For more information on the benefits and enrollment, visit www.goodsamers.com or call 1-800-701-1406.

" It's grassroots marketing at its best, Williams added, “and guests to our Valley are the big winners.”

For a list of participating businesses, be sure to visit www.PalmSpringsSummerSplash.com.

Guide" provides pet owners the means to quickly locate a facility that is open and nearby. This is critical since every second counts in an emergency."

The "Pet E.R. Guide" provides the following information:
· State-by-state listings of 24-hour and after-hour veterinary facilities in the United States

· Name, address, city, county and state of facilities

· Local telephone and fax numbers within the listings

· Web site addresses and hours of operation American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) list of 10 of the most common poisonous and non-toxic plants

· Guidance on emergency and evacuation planning for pets

· Questions to ask when making initial contact with a veterinary facility

· Pet record pages to help document critical information about pets

· More than 100 delightful pet photos

Affinity, the nation's largest provider of outdoor clubs, media and events, is the parent company of Trailer Life Books. To learn more about "Pet E.R. Guide" or to order a copy of the book with a 10 percent discount off of the $19.95 cover price, visit http://www.TrailerLifeDirectory.com or http://www.tldirectory.com/shop/display.cfm?subcat=12 or call toll free at 1-800-766-1674.

Newport Dunes Waterfront RV Resort in Newport Beach, California

"We're delighted to host our inaugural summer RV Rally Weekend in conjunction with the Dunes' 50th anniversary celebration," said the resort's Vice President and General Manager Andrew Theodorou. "As more and more Southern Californians are exploring local travel due to soaring fuel prices, we expect this special 'weekend getaway' to be very popular."

Newport Dunes Resort is a 100-acre waterfront resort featuring a 386-site state-of-the-art RV park, 450-slip marina and a private waveless beach and playground that has been enjoyed by families since 1958. The Dunes also is home to 24 mobile cottages that the public may rent. The 400-square-foot self-contained units feature soaring ceilings, spacious bedrooms, full-service kitchens and private baths. In addition to such planned activities as water aerobics, ecological tours and sailing lessons, the Dunes offers rentals of kayaks, windsurfers, pedal boats, bicycles, 18-foot electric boats and, during the summer, an aquatic park filled with giant inflatable recreation equipment.

Marking its debut in spring 2008 will be the Back Bay Bistro, the resort's newly renovated onsite restaurant that overlooks the tranquil waters of Upper Newport Bay. Situated adjacent to the Dunes' six-lane boat launch, the restaurant will offer casual upscale dining with such amenities as a retractable roof that spans a large al fresco dining area. The resort also offers professional catering and event planning services for festive beach parties and for special events from 50 to 5000 guests.

Operated by the Newport Dunes Resort and Marina partnership, Newport Dunes Resort is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE or visit www.newportdunes.com.

YellowPages Corporation will be developing a 30 second television commercial around the video as well. To find out more or to submit a video please email: Contest (at) www.YELLOWPAGES.travel or call 1-866-YELLOWPAGES.

"I'm the first person ever in Navajo history to obtain this kind of resolution," said Rizzotto. On completion of Rizzotto's proposal through the proper government levels, one of several generous offerings Rizzotto plans to extend to several individual chapter communities will include a percentage of the net profits from that particular resort.

Furthermore, since Robert Trent Jones II has experience designing a golf course on a reservation, the course will be environmentally friendly, disturbing or altering the land as little as possible.

Of Course is designed for high-end motor coaches and will offer an array of lots that can accommodate park models, a recreational vehicle, or both the park model and the recreational vehicle. The resort will have more than 500 lots that will line the private golf course or offer scenic views of the area's mountains.

Rizzotto offers 99-year leases so that guests will never have to worry about utility bills, property taxes or other ownership hassles.

Rizzotto examined other high-end motor coach resorts to ensure that Of Course's amenities were their equal or superior. The resort will feature a clubhouse with shops, a market, a fitness center and a practice area. Rizzotto also plans for a valet service for golf carts and a beverage cart that will make its way around each guest's lot. In addition, guests will have access to all the amenities of the surrounding area, such as skiing, horseback riding, hiking and more.

Rizzotto, who runs an area real estate company, CENTURY 21, The Summit Inc., has already attracted more than 200 interested buyers for the resort lot leases. Her proposed plans include an 18-hole championship golf course and resort along the San Juan River (Hole In Juan RV Resort LLC) and another that will also include an 18-hole championship golf course and resort along the Grand Canyon (Canyon ParForFore). Presently, six proposed sites are in play.

To learn more or for advance registrations, visit www.ofcourservresort.com.

In addition, the Oregon Wine Board has partnered with eight regional wine organizations to create the new "Discover Oregon Wine Country" tool kit. This comprehensive package includes an overview brochure of the state, plus regional maps with winery/vineyard listings, and provides visitors with everything needed to plan a discovery trip. To view and order, visit http://oregonwinebrochure.org.

With 393 wineries and 16 winegrowing regions in the state, there is a multitude of itineraries for every type of traveler.

A key focus this year is sustainable travel. Praised for its environmentally-friendly efforts, Oregon is synonymous with green. This extends to the state's agricultural areas and wine country, where winegrowers and vintners are farmers and environmental stewards of the land. If you prefer environmentally-conscious travel, consider picking up a hybrid rental at Enterprise Rent-a-Car locations around the state and at all major Oregon airports and heading out to wine country to check out the many Oregon wineries and vineyards that have adopted green building practices, sustainable winemaking and agriculture and pursued certification. To learn more check out the Green Getaways package in the Portland-metro area, a partnership with the Oregon Wine Board and Travel Portland, at www.travelportland.com.

BTTG contains concise information for popular and off-the-beaten-path locations all over the world that helps to plan unforgettable vacations. Visitors can look at restaurant menus in Cairo, or check out a hotel in Bangkok, or see the tourist sites of Boston—all in one place, and all accessed by direct links. In fact, BTTG features more than over 19,000 direct, individually researched Internet links going to travel related businesses like lodgings, restaurants, car services, and travel agents.

Creator and owner Mike Richards began work on BTTG three years ago after a life-long slate of travel. A resident of Agoura, California, Richards has visited hundreds of destinations throughout the world, including the Peruvian peaks of Machu Picchu, South America’s Amazon River, and the holy sites of Jerusalem. “I firmly believe that travel is an investment in yourself,” he says.

BestTimeToGo Travel Tools
The BTTG website is compatible with all browsers, and it even works on Safari for Apple iPhone and Blackberry. The development team continuously updates the site with specific information gathered from avid travelers, government agencies, and other reliable resources. When visitors click on a potential vacation city, they’ll find easily manageable travel pages with concise information including:

* Full city profiles with weather patterns, videos, and a list of national holidays
* The ability to compare two cities side-by-side
* List of best cities around the world to visit based on the month of the year
* Destinations listed according to their best-weather months
* Direct links to hotels, restaurants, and other businesses
* Travel packages and transportation that can be arranged by professionals

Visitors to the site will also discover that BTTG has calculated a Tourist Cost of Living for each destination. This is a U.S. dollar amount based on a real tourist expenses. While budgets vary according to personal preferences, different attractions to be enjoyed, and even which part of a city to be visited, this calculation provides estimated totals of standard daily expenses.

A Free Service with Unbiased Information
BTTG is not a website for flight- or hotel-booking because it’s not a middleman. It has no preferences to travel services. The website links visitors to the restaurants and hotels so they can arrange directly from the sources without third-party booking fees.

The BTTG features will work for avid travelers and would-be globe-trekkers alike because considerable effort has gone into insuring that easy navigation is a top priority. No matter which itinerary is being built—whether it’s for one of the most traveled places on Earth or somewhere more remote and exotic, whether for luxury travel or vacation on a budget—BTTG travelers can research and compare potential destinations throughout the world in one place. For more information, please visit http://www.besttimetogo.com, or contact Mike Richards: mike@besttimetogo.com.

In the manufacturing process of RVs, formaldehyde is used as a component of the adhesives included in making particle board, plywood, and other synthetic wood products. Formaldehyde helps form strong chemical bonds that give these resins long-lasting effectiveness. Because its natural state is gaseous, formaldehyde is gradually emitted from the material over time. These emissions can increase in hot and humid conditions and can cause health problems when this occurs in confined spaces.

FEMA and the formaldehyde controversy are in the news again because the Center for Disease Control (CDC) performed air quality tests on over 500 of the trailers provided by FEMA to victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. What they found wasn't good. The tests yielded a wide range of results from very low concentrations of formaldehyde to concentrations not considered safe by current standards. The average concentration of formaldehyde in the tested trailers was measured at .077 parts per million, a level the CDC says may be a threat to health with long-term exposure.

Two congressional committees have opened inquiries into this matter. The House Oversight and Government Procurement Committee chaired by Representative Henry Waxman, D-CA, is investigating FEMA's response to the formaldehyde complaints. Manufacturers named in the investigation are primarily Pilgrim International, Gulf Stream, Forest River, and Coachmen.

Sources of Formaldehyde in a Home/RV:
Lawsuits against the trailer manufacturers may drag out for years, according to some experts. These experts say that the plaintiffs may have a difficult time proving that their health was adversely affected by outgassing of formaldehyde in their FEMA trailers at this late date. Yet FEMA is taking pains to move the remaining trailer occupants to new quarters by summer, when heat and humidity could cause further outgassing of any remaining chemical. FEMA needs to recognize that there is a reason why travel trailers have not been approved as "homes" by any government agency.

Manufacturers who sold to FEMA claim they have violated no standards - which is probably true since there are no set standards for formaldehyde content of building materials used in trailers. They claim that if the government does set a standard, they will comply. However, The Indianapolis Star's interview with Joseph Hagerman, an architect and civil engineer who studied the FEMA trailers for the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, reported that, "Many manufacturers used inexpensive plywood from China and employed sloppier production methods than are usual as a means to cut costs and make higher profits."

In view of all the problems stemming from this issue, and probably to avoid lawsuits and more government investigations, last year the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) along with the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) adopted formaldehyde emission control standards as established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the manufactured housing industry. Whether manufacturers of cheaper trailers adhere to such standards remains to be seen.

We'd like to hear from you if you have a new trailer that reeks of that "new car smell" and it doesn't dissipate readily, or if you are experiencing symptoms such as excessive wheezing, stinging eyes, or difficulty breathing. We need to know the brand name of your trailer and how long you've had it. Please contact RV Consumer Group at www.rv.org.

Many of our customers prefer to have a laminated, official card in their wallet so they can just hand it to the waiter. They ask the waiter to show it to chef and the rest is taken care of.”

Over 40 different food combinations
The Restaurant Chef Cards are available in more than 40 different foods from the standard food allergens – nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat, shellfish - to combination allergy foods - ‘nuts and peanuts’, “eggs, nuts and milk”, ‘shellfish, fish and nuts” and so on.

One customer’s feedback on using our international travel translation cards:
“Our entire family thanks you for your food allergy translation cards! We ordered some in Italian, French and Spanish due to our son's severe peanut and tree nut allergies. On our first night in Rome we handed one to our waiter, who promptly took it back to the chef who said they would make him something special since they did indeed use peanut oil in their kitchen. That was one of many situations when those cards came in very handy, since we aren't fluent in either language. Your cards were an immense help to us.”

Our customers are very diverse – business travelers, families, students, retirees, seniors, military personnel and vacationers. The cards are tailored to each individual. They are ordered directly through the SelectWisely web site, through the mail or over the phone.

The products:
17 types of cards are available for food allergies, gluten-free, diabetes, asthma, lactose intolerance, penicillin allergy and vegetarian.

15 standard languages are available (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc) plus an additional 25 languages through our Special Order program.

Over 40 common allergy foods are available including nuts, peanuts, wheat, milk, shellfish, soy, sesame and many others. Additional unique allergens include latex, penicillin, sulfites and bee stings.

For more information visit our web site – www.selectwisely.com or contact me directly at 973-729-6538 or by email.

“Campers can type in their own preferences, what kind of rig they have, how often they camp – even tell us if they have a dog,” said Jef Sutherland, KOA’s vice president of Information Services. “That’s going to allow us to speed up the check-in process and make sure our campers get just what they desire.”

Once campers accumulate enough points, the points can be redeemed for reward certificates for their next KOA stay. The membership cost of the new program is $24 a year.

There is even a special “VIP” level for campers who earn 20,000 points during a membership year.

Campers who earn 20,000 points during their membership year will be automatically upgraded to “VIP” status, allowing them to earn even more points and savings when they camp with KOA.

For more information on KOA Value Kard Rewards, call the number above or go to www.koa.com/valuekard/vkrewards.htm.

The Stamp Mill at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry

Admission prices are: $8 Adults, $7 AAA/Military, $6 Seniors/Students, $4 Children 3-12, and under 3 Free. Members are Free. The museum is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, off I-25, Exit 156A. Visit www.wmmi.org

"In that regard, My Med Stick provides more than peace of mind for those traveling the country's highways and byways. It serves as practical and affordable insurance for life's unexpected events."

An innovative software application, My Med Stick is designed to allow you to input important medical and personal information ranging from blood type and prescriptions to insurance information, Power of Attorney and emergency contacts. Once loaded, the stick can be transported via a key chain, wrist bracelet or necklace to medical professionals for additional uploads consisting of EKGs, X-rays, MRIs and other medical image files.

And, importantly, the information is secure thanks to encryption and password protection.

However, in a time of emergency, medical professionals can insert My Med Stick into any Windows-based computer to review emergency medical files to provide the right level of care and treatment.

In short, My Med Stick is for everyone. Young and old. Healthy or ill. Parent or child. Employee or employer.

"The more time we spent developing this product, the more we realized the broad and important applications for its use," said Chambers. "And no audience would seem better suited for My Med Stick than those who travel in recreational vehicles. For them, instant access to their complete medical history is just a computer click away."

The list of other potential users of My Med Stick is varied:

* A spouse of someone with a known medical condition.
* A son or daughter going off to college.
* Someone who's deaf or otherwise unable to communicate their personal needs.
* Outdoors enthusiast (runners, cyclists, backpackers, boaters, and more)
* A child's baby sitter
* A grown child's aging parent(s)
* Company employees who travel frequently (i.e. truckers, salesmen, airline attendants)
* Joint custody parents.

My Med Stick is currently available by calling a toll-free telephone number (877-646-5888) or visiting its Web-site, www.MyMedStick.com. Customers can choose from a host of USB product options designed to meet individual needs including:

* Different storage capacities and technical capabilities
* Single-user or multiple-user models
* Access to online database input and storage
* Lifelong medical history or current medical data
* Optional sizes, shapes and colors

Or customers have the option of ordering the proprietary software only, downloading a full My Med Stick program onto their computer and transferring it onto their own USB device.

My Med Stick, established in 2004, is owned and operated by InfoMed Technologies, Inc.-an emerging consulting, software development and technology firm based in Lakeland, Florida.

Jacobs also serves as Chairman of Genmar Holdings, Inc, a collection of 12 boat companies with approximately 5,000 employees and eight manufacturing centers in the United States and Canada. It is the largest independent builder of recreational power boats in the world.

By logging onto www.milliondollarfishing.com, participants can register to fantasy fish, and then will choose 10 anglers for each of the six Wal-Mart FLW tournaments and Forrest L. Wood Cup (the biggest fishing tournament in the world.) The person with the most points during the season will win $1 million cash grand prize. The winners of each individual tournament will pocket $100,000 cash.

The fantasy season begins February 28, 2008 in conjunction with the beginning of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Florida The season wraps up Aug. 14-17 at the Forrest L. Wood Cup in Columbia, South Carolina.

”

Reduce idling time; idling gets 0 mpg.

Use your cruise control when you can; it’s more reliable at maintaining a steady speed than your foot!

Use a cash-back rewards credit card or gas card to purchase fuel. Every little bit helps.

This website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/, is really handy. Just click on the state you’re wondering about and information about fuel prices and trends in that state is readily available.

The gas buddy website, www.gasbuddy.com/, includes the Canadian provinces.

To minimize your travel time and expenses, use your 2008 Escapees Travel Guide when planning trips. Visit us at any Rainbow Park to enjoy great sites and fellowship at great rates. Visit www.escapees.com for more great resources to make the most of your RV trips.

”

In September 2007, Progressive was the first to introduce pet injury protection to its car insurance customers. Additional new RV discounts and benefits available include:

* Original Owner Discount – 10 percent off Comprehensive and Collision if you’re the RV’s first registered owner;

* Claim Free Renewal Discount – 5 percent off the overall premium if you don’t file a claim during the previous policy period;

* Transfer Discount – 5 percent off the overall premium if you have more than six months of continuous RV coverage in the past year;

* Small Claims Forgiveness – No rate increase for claims less than $500.

For more information, go to www.rv.progressive.com.

Charleston near Las Vegas.”

The site is hosted within the Nevada Commission on Tourism’s main Web site, but its unique URL allows visitors to go directly to the information. They can get immediate ski conditions from the resorts and reliable weather forecasts provided by www.weather.com. Links to the Nevada Department of Transportation provide instant road conditions and chain control information. Skiers, boarders and snow enthusiasts can chime in with their own comments.

In the Reno-Lake Tahoe area, many hotels offer specially priced packages that include a room and lift ticket, and some include meal coupons and transportation to and from the ski resort. The tourism commission’s ski site includes a summary of each hotel package with links to the hotels for booking.

“Lake Tahoe is world-renowned for its incredible ski conditions and world-class resorts,” Maland said. “Our site puts visitors within a click or two of finding the ski resort that matches their needs and the hotels offering the best rates and package deals for each resort. And the best thing about our site is that it’s statewide including the ski resorts on the west and north shore of Lake Tahoe, which are in California. Visitors don’t need to visit multiple sites to get information on all the ski resorts.”

The site is constantly updated, so check often for snow reports and road and weather conditions. For more information, visit http://Ski.TravelNevada.com.