WTVS News

Archive for June, 2010

There are almost 100 museums between the few islands of Hawaii. Picking one to visit really has more to do with were you are located. You can pick the best resorts Hawaii has available and then find a great museum near where you are staying. Finding local museums is always fun and interesting. Besides just sleeping on the beach all day and after doing all those high energy water sports you may find wondering through a museum relaxing and entertaining.  

If you are on the big island near Captain Cook, you can check out the preservation of the local history at the Kona Historical Society . This is a chance to step back in time and see how the people lived and worked. See an old Hawaiian village with the old general store, and an old coffee farm. This historical preserve is filled with many stories of people who worked in the coffee industry that were as rich as the special blends they made. It is the only historical coffee farm in America and it is fascinating.  

When in Hilo, you want to stop in at the Pacific Tsunami Museum and see how these powerful storms have effected the islands. Learn how a Tsunami is generated in the ocean and how, over the years, people have been learned how to know when one is coming. Learn about the many Tsunami’s that have taken place on the island and around the world. They have some amazing stories that come from the survivors of these devastating water storms.  

Laupahoehoe has the Laupahoehoe Train Museum for the locomotive enthusiasts who enjoy seeing how the train has influenced the growth of an area. The museum is the old home of the station agent and is furnished in decor of the early 1900s. Much of the train railway of the past has been destroyed by Tsunami’s but this museum has been able to collect some artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia from the old railway days.

Sports are one of America’s greatest pastimes . We love playing sports, we love watching sports, and we love collecting all sorts of sports memorabilia. From baseball to basketball to football, everyone has their favorite sport and their favorite team. In such a sports obsessed society it is hard to tell the difference between an average fan and a sports addict.

Everyone starts out as a fan, usually early in childhood. Many of us have memories of growing up playing t-ball and other club sports as well as going to the ballpark to watch the professionals play. Eventually these memories are shared and recreated with our children and the past time continues.

The typical characteristics of a fan include watching the games on television, attending games in person, and collecting some team apparel and accessories. A fan tracks the teams progress, celebrates with the wins and is disappointed with the losses. However, there is a point when some fans take it a step farther and cross into the realm of sports addict.

Sports addicts can be hard to identify at first because they often resemble many of the same characteristics as a fan – watching and attending games, collecting team ware — only they take it a bit farther. A sports addict will spend hours watching games on television and online. They track the results of every team and attend every game that they can. As far as team memorabilia is concerned, they not only have a collection of t-shirts, hats, and Boston Red Sox watches but they will typically have at least one room of their house dedicated to the team.

Maybe it is built into us since birth, but we are all sports fans on some level — just some of us more so than others. We all have the teams that we love and the teams we love to hate. Perhaps we all have a little bit of the sports addict inside of us.

Memphis is well known for a large number of reasons and perhaps the most famous of all is that it is the location of Elvis Presley’s mansion Graceland. This is now the property of his daughter Lisa Marie Presley who has only retained a portion of the ownership. And while millions of people visit Graceland every year and it is the number one tourist destination in the city, there are a great number of other attractions and cultural establishments to entertain and interest visitors while they are in town. And one of the great aspects of the city, which is also something that is frequently only discovered once people arrive there, is the incredible barbecue restaurants that exist there. People may decide to visit Memphis to tour Graceland but they will return for the great barbecue.

One thing many vacationers overlook is the tremendous resource their hotel can be for finding the best food and entertainment as well as cultural attractions and landmarks in any city. And the hoteles Memphis are great places to gain information on the most popular barbecue establishments. However, the following is a short description of some of the great restaurants in the city to give you a sort of head start before you arrive there yourself.

Neely’s Bar-B-Que in East Memphis was built on by two brothers with a passion and it has become the popular establishment it is today. They have an extensive menu that includes delicious sides and an assortment of sandwiches. Of course you can also order just a slab of barbeque if that’s what you’re in the mood for. They advertise large televisions that are mounted to the ceiling and create a great atmosphere for watching weekend sporting events while enjoying their great barbeque. Rendezvous Charcoal Ribs has been around since 1948 and has won numerous awards and recognitions for their great barbecue. On any Saturday night the basement restaurant expects to see thousands of customers. In addition to the great taste, the food also has a great price.

Panama Beach has been one of Florida’s top tourist destinations for a long time. And while many people decide to come there for some of the expected quiet and more peaceful beaches, there is also an extremely exuberant nightlife and many cultural attractions in the city that contribute to fabulous vacations. In addition the opportunities for deep sea fishing, sailing and other water oriented activities are plentiful and the golf courses all have incredible views. All of the combined cultural dynamics and attractions make the hotels Panama Beach the prefect location for almost any family, couple or group of friends ideal vacation.

Shipwreck Island Water Park is a great family oriented theme park and is fun for everyone. It opened in the summer of 1983 and since that time has been serving up wet fun for children and adults of all ages. In addition to the great rides there are some incredible food vendors and cafes and snack stops in the park, which are not only great opportunities for good food, but are extremely convenient for people who are out working up a hearty appetite. One of the assuring factors for parents is that the park features fully trained aquatics staff and they are there not only to keep the place running but also to ensure everyone’s safety and well being.

If you like to golf and you plant to visit Panama Beach, you will definitely want to check out the courses that are located here. There are plenty of public courses , though as is true for any other city, you will want to check in advance to determine any particular rule or regulation standard and assure your access. You will also want to make sure they have a pro shop and can lend clubs. And after that general public service announcement we can get to the beauty and tremendous views that accompany most if not all of the city’s courses. The courses range from the standard nine to eighteen hole set up and each has its own hazards and challenges.

Blinds have a long and interesting history. Originally they graced the windows of the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. The archaic practice of hanging reeds or bamboo from the windows is a far cry from the current styles. Even in the past 50 years, the styles have changed greatly from aluminum mini blinds to the more earth friendly natural wood blinds. While the look has certainly changed over time, the purpose of blinds has stayed the same.

One of the biggest reasons that people have for deciding to have blinds installed is privacy. Especially in the United States, people are very private about their personal lives and don’t want just anyone to be able to see inside their home. It is also a security issue . Blinds help protect older children who may be staying home alone as well as the home itself when the occupants are away either at work or on vacation.

A big plus to having blinds is that they can help save money. Traditional vertical blinds do a small part in helping to block out UV rays from the sun; however new modern shades are now being designed with this exact purpose in mind. Not only do they block out the light but they block out the heat as well, helping to lower the monthly energy cost.

Finally, blinds help give a room that finishing touch. They can help to complete or enhance an existing style or they can be the focal point of the room. Whatever the case, blinds and window treatments are an important part of completing the look of a room.

Unlike our ancient Asian ancestors, blinds and window treatments are an assumed accessory for most homes; even though the purpose is often subconscious. However, when we stop and think about the importance of blinds we can be more grateful for where we came from and where we are going in the future.

If you are going to pick any country to see in Northern Europe it should be England . This isn’t just because the American tourist without a second language will already know about 80 percent of the native tongue but because there’s a wonderful amount of history and modern sites to see scattered throughout the British Isles.

One could spend weeks exploring London and still have missed something key they’d have to stay longer just to see. You’ll definitely want to find a hotel London has to offer that’s right off the London Underground because while this is a city to see by foot, you really will like the convenience of rapid travel. A shop-a-holic will spend days finding and being awed by the sheer number of London boutiques. The best shopping in London is found all over but a tourist shouldn’t miss Dover Street Market or a trip to Camden Lock. If you’re a history buff you’ll be all over the city from the site of the Globe Theater to Buckingham Ppalace. Maybe you have a special historical site that few know off the beaten path to visit even. If you have a whimsical streak you might have to visit sites mentioned by your favorite authors or BBC television shows. Go find a blue box, you know you want to.

If you are a fan of prehistory sites then just east of London where you will find several standing stone circles which experts are still arguing over as to the original uses. These are awe inspiring sites for many and some even make spiritual pilgrimages to visit Stonehenge or Avebury though they are far from the only stone circles in England and definitely not the only ones in Europe. If you prefer something a little more recent or are a music history buff you’ll be sad if you miss a chance to visit Liverpool, the birthplace of rock and roll. The Beatles have become the most played and cherished band on Earth and this is where they started. Liverpool is dotted with sites that are familiar names from songs and a visit to this city will make you feel closer to them.

This island country off the European mainland has so much to see and you might have to just come back for a second trip to England because you may decide that there’s just too much to see.

If you’re in California and staying at Indio, come by The River at Rancho Mirage , located in Rancho Mirage not far from Palm Desert just of the I-10; located at the intersection of Highway 111 and Bob Hope Drive. At The River you’ll find that it’s more than a shopping and entertainment center, it’s a destination. You may even consider, once you’ve experienced what The River is all about, that you’ll much prefer booking a hotel Rancho Mirage rather than staying at a hotel in Indio or Palm Desert.

The River provides a park-like waterfront with fountains , cascading waterfalls, an amphitheater and live music. The River’s environment, style and beauty is unmatched by anything Indio or any of the other California desert cities can offer. It’s a great place to spend several days shopping and eating, then at night, it’s a great place for fine dinning and entertainment. You’ll enjoy such shops as Blonde, Borders Books and Music, Cohiba Cigar Lounge, Bang & Olufsen, Diane’s Beachwear, British Invasion, Optica, Bobby Chan, Tulip Hill Winery, Robann’s Jewelers and Caddyshack. There’s also Spas and Health & Beauty shops. The dinning offers something for every one’s tastes, like Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, which is dedicated to the art of eating well with a wide array of the finest prime beef and steaks, The Yard House, Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewery, famous for its non-regional hickory smoked meats, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Piero’s Pizza, which offers 15 types of creme brule and one of the world’s largest selection of tequilas.

For entertainment, The River offers a movie theater , but they are also proud to sponsor the ‘Met Goes to the Movies’ featuring Metropolitan Opera HD Simulcasts, where you’ll be able to actually watch the Met perform live, but on a huge movie screen. At The River Amphitheater, many local performances are held free for all to listen and enjoy, with it’s state-of-the-art facilities creating one of the best places for musical events. You’ll find that spending one day or evening at The River isn’t enough, and you’ll want to come back over and over again.

Knowing what you want in your window treatments can be one of the hardest things but it is necessary to know before you buy window treatments. Here are a few questions that you can take to your local Next Day Blinds or other window covering store and find out what they can do to help.

Do you need privacy or decoration more?
If you need privacy more you are going to want something darker, or at least something with a little more substance. Decorative window coverings are more likely to be a light covering over the window. This might help keep out some of the light, or it might play with the light that does come in the window. If you want decorative you will want to think about what you want it to do when light or breeze blows into the house. You will also want to think about if light comes in through the window you are thinking of putting it on.

Do you need light control?
This is important for a number of people including those with serious home entertainment centers who would like to use them at all hours of the day or night and feel that outside lights ruin the feel, or those people who work the graveyard shift and need to block out the light during the day so that they can get some sleep.

Do you want a layered look?
This can be a couple of things. If you want just decorative you may want a layered look in order to combine colors, let differing amounts of light in, or just for the decoration that it provides. If you want light control you can do it either by putting heavy blinds up, or by putting up several lighter blinds. These lighter blinds can serve to give you differing amounts of light depending on your needs. If you have them set to a timer they can even go up one by one if that is something you need. If you need both decorative and light control you may want a layered look this option can also be for you with light control blinds that are hidden by the decorative blinds. When you no longer need them they disappear, but can be lowered by remote or by hand when you would like the lights to go away.

This should help any window treatment expert know which of the many blinds you need for your home.