Jetsettersblog

Outdoor Traveler Destinations is celebrating the official launch of its website, OTDestinations.com. As part of the kick-off festivities, Outdoor Traveler Destinations is inviting prospective travelers to “like” the company’s Facebook page to receive an array of perks, discounts, giveaways, exclusive outdoor travel offers, and much more. The new website offers information about a vast range of outdoor activities available throughout North America and gives consumers access to the most diverse range of outdoor-focused vacation accommodations that can be searched and booked on one site.

“With nearly 100 experiential vacation properties now showcased on our website and exciting options being added every week, we are thrilled to officially launch OTDestinations.com. Our goal is to become the leading choice for outdoor enthusiasts to find their ideal outdoor-focused lodging,” said Evelyne Oreskovich, Director, Operations and Member Services for Outdoor Traveler Destinations. “The launch of our website presents a new, valuable resource for information about all kinds of outdoor activities that individuals, families, and couples can experience on vacation. It also provides prospective travelers with the opportunity to search for and book the best accommodations to fit their specific vacation needs and recreational interests.”

Truly unique in the hospitality arena, at OTDestinations.com travelers can access an ever-expanding range of outdoor-focused vacation properties, information, and special offers; engage in communication with other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts via the site’s online Community, as well as book their next outdoor vacation experience. From fishing, boating, hiking, and bird-watching, to paddling, biking, hunting, mountain climbing, camping and more, prospective travelers can find outdoor recreation travel information by selecting their favorite outdoors activities or they can search by their preferred geographic location across North America. In addition to traditional leisure hotels and resorts, OTDestinations.com features diverse accommodations offerings that are all outdoor-focused places to stay on vacation – including hunting and fishing lodges, dude ranches, and vacation rental properties as well as more upscale cabins and lodges, luxury glamping yurts, bunkhouses and much more.

As part of the official website launch celebration, Outdoor Traveler Destinations is inviting prospective travelers to become fans of the company’s Facebook page and clicking “Like.” Fans of the Outdoor Traveler Destinations page on Facebook get access to an array of perks, discounts, giveaways, exclusive outdoor travel offers, and much more.

About Outdoor Traveler Destinations
Outdoor Traveler Destinations is a premier collection of authentic outdoor lodging experiences. Set within the scenic backdrops of North America, properties presented by Outdoor Traveler Destinations are noted for their diverse activities and amenities dedicated to the outdoor-minded traveler. In addition to hotels and resorts, the company presents dude ranches, mountain and lake properties, hunting and fishing lodges with not only guestrooms, but with cabins, glamping yurts, treehouses, bunkhouses and more. Outdoor Traveler Destinations continues expanding and currently features lodging options along mountain, river and lake areas; by national and state parks; and in camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, water adventure and winter sport locales across the U.S. and Canada.

The VMC® SpinShot™ hook has been honored with the Best Terminal Tackle Award at the 2011 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) in Las Vegas.

VMC – the expert in hooks – has transformed drop shot rigging with the introduction of the new VMC SpinShot hook.

“We are very excited to receive the Best Terminal Tackle Award,” said Mark Fisher, Rapala director of field promotions and tournament veteran. “The VMC SpinShot hook has changed the landscape of drop shot rigging. Once anglers tie on a SpinShot, we know they’ll be amazed by its innovative design that will keep them in the game longer.”

The SpinShot hook is the first of its kind to completely eliminate the worry of line twists when drop shot rigging. To do this, VMC incorporated a light, but super-resistant, high-carbon steel black nickel spinning system into its premium VMC drop shot hook. The hook features a nimble swiveling wire structure that guarantees 100 percent free rotation of the hook with any size lure attached.

To rig, simply tie on the SpinShot as a traditional-style drop shot rig; the result is zero line twist with best-in-class lure presentation and action. Utilizing the SpinShot not only prevents line twists and increases hook rates, but completely eliminates the need for an expensive hook, ball bearing and snap swivel combination — components that make finesse rigs bulky and limit rigging possibilities.

The one-of-a-kind design of the SpinShot hook features a Technical® bend, which increases resistance to the opening that transfers energy toward the point of the hook, holding the fish firmly in place when set.

The SpinShot hook is forged from Vanadium® steel that melds the perfect balance of lightness and resistance, with a sticky-sharp VMC Spark Point®. The SpinShot is available in five drop-shot hook sizes including 1/0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Suggested retail price: $3.99

The VMC® SpinShot™ hook has been honored with the Best Terminal Tackle Award at the 2011 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) in Las Vegas.

VMC – the expert in hooks – has transformed drop shot rigging with the introduction of the new VMC SpinShot hook.

“We are very excited to receive the Best Terminal Tackle Award,” said Mark Fisher, Rapala director of field promotions and tournament veteran. “The VMC SpinShot hook has changed the landscape of drop shot rigging. Once anglers tie on a SpinShot, we know they’ll be amazed by its innovative design that will keep them in the game longer.”

The SpinShot hook is the first of its kind to completely eliminate the worry of line twists when drop shot rigging. To do this, VMC incorporated a light, but super-resistant, high-carbon steel black nickel spinning system into its premium VMC drop shot hook. The hook features a nimble swiveling wire structure that guarantees 100 percent free rotation of the hook with any size lure attached.

To rig, simply tie on the SpinShot as a traditional-style drop shot rig; the result is zero line twist with best-in-class lure presentation and action. Utilizing the SpinShot not only prevents line twists and increases hook rates, but completely eliminates the need for an expensive hook, ball bearing and snap swivel combination — components that make finesse rigs bulky and limit rigging possibilities.

The one-of-a-kind design of the SpinShot hook features a Technical® bend, which increases resistance to the opening that transfers energy toward the point of the hook, holding the fish firmly in place when set.

The SpinShot hook is forged from Vanadium® steel that melds the perfect balance of lightness and resistance, with a sticky-sharp VMC Spark Point®. The SpinShot is available in five drop-shot hook sizes including 1/0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Suggested retail price: $3.99

GOGO Vacations is expanding its My Time Vacations program, designed to offer extra amenities and special touches. The program was launched in February with seven properties and is expected to include 130 properties by summer’s end. “In today’s industry, it’s important that we offer more than just a vacation, but an experience. It’s the experience from start to finish that can’t be found anywhere else but through a travel agent that will make travelers realize the value of the agency community,” said Michele Kish, president of GOGO Vacations.

My Time exclusive amenities include restaurant pre-booking service, reserved Balinese bed, reserved sun bed, guaranteed access to room or suite by 3 p.m., exclusive My Time check-in and check-out area, daily welcome party for new arrivals with My Time representative, exclusive My Time resort desk staffed by a My Time representative and late check-out to 2 p.m. subject to availability. For more information, call 888-567-0600 or visit www.gogowwv.com

Flamingo Las Vegas plans to open the first West Coast location of Mexican eatery Carlos ’n Charlie’s, which will make its debut later this winter. Located adjacent to the Race & Sports Book, Carlos ’n Charlie’s will span more than 8,000 square feet serving lunch and dinner nightly.

The dining room will have seating for 150, and an outdoor terrace will overlook the Flamingo pool and gardens complete with umbrellas and cooling misters, accommodating an additional 150. The large bar will seat up to 40 guests bringing the venue’s full seating capacity to 340, with additional space for gathering and dancing.

Carlos ’n Charlie’s opened its first location in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1970, immediately attracting tourists and locals alike with its great food, loud music and party-like atmosphere. The concept quickly caught on, and there are currently 11 Carlos ’n Charlie’s locations throughout Mexico, including outlets in Cancun and Cozumel. The restaurant concept was created by Grupo Anderson, the team behind Mexico’s tourist hot spot, Señor Frog’s.

The food menu will offer a wide variety of authentic Mexican favorites such as tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, fajitas and other traditional Mexican fare. Guests can also create their own tableside guacamole with Carlos’n Charlie’s interactive guacamole cart, for the perfect unique blend. A selection of American favorites such as Chipotle BBQ ribs, burgers and spicy chicken wings will also be offered.

For more information on the Flamingo Las Vegas, visit www.flamingolasvegas.com

OSHKOSH – Sturgeon spearers have until Aug. 1 to apply for a 2012 Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing lottery tag. Participation in the Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing season on Lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan, is controlled through a lottery. Those people selected in the lottery will be notified by Oct. 1 that they are authorized to buy a license to participate in the Upriver season and must buy that tag by Oct. 31, 2011.

Applications can be made through the Online Licensing Center on the Department of Natural Resources website, at all license sales agents, and at DNR Service Centers (Hours for service centers vary; check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation; DNR Service Centers are not open on Saturdays),

Group lottery applications of up to four people are also accepted, but can only be submitted through the DNR Online Licensing Center.

Spearers who applied for but were not authorized to purchase an Upriver Lakes license receive a preference point toward the following lottery, and they can still purchase a license to participate in the Lake Winnebago spearing season that runs at the same time.

DNR biologists are considering increasing the number of licenses authorized in 2012 and will be meeting to discuss a potential increase on Aug. 4 with the Winnebago Citizens Sturgeon Advisory Committee, according to Ron Bruch, DNR fisheries supervisor in Oshkosh. Any increase that may occur in the number of licenses authorized in the Upriver Lakes fishery will not change the harvest cap allocation there or on Lake Winnebago, according to Ron Bruch, senior sturgeon biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Upriver Lakes sturgeon spear fishery receives a small portion of the overall Winnebago System lake sturgeon harvest cap – 20 percent of the juvenile female cap, 10 percent of the adult female cap, and 20 percent of the male cap. Due to sexually distinct physiology and migration patterns, nearly two out of three fish from the Upriver Lakes harvest are males, whereas two out of three fish harvested from Lake Winnebago during the February spearing season are females.

2011 license sales for the season set a new record at 12,423 (including the 490 sold for the Upriver Lakes fishery

A record number of fish weighing more than 100 pounds, a full 16-day season, and difficult travel conditions were the stories during the 2011 Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season that wrapped up Feb. 27.

Spearers harvested 1,426 fish, close to the average of 1,405 since the harvest cap started in 1999, but the fish were bigger than they’ve been since the 1950s, with 94 fish, or 6.6 percent of the harvest, exceeding 100 pounds. That compares to 1 percent a generation earlier.

The overall success rate was 9 percent for Lake Winnebago, below the average of 13 percent for that water body. Success rate on the Upriver Lakes was better, as it usually is, at 66 percent.

The growing popularity of the two seasons – there’s been a 20 percent increase in spearing licenses in recent years –and recent research work showing that lake sturgeon mature more slowly than originally thought underscore the importance of using a lottery to manage the harvest on the Upriver Lakes, Bruch says.

The Upriver Lakes have had exceptionally high success rates: 2 of every 3 spearers get their fish compared to Lake Winnebago, where only 1 of 8 get their fish; Bruch says.

In 2009, 4,031 people applied for the Upriver Lakes lottery, and the DNR sold 10,239 licenses for spearing on both Winnebago and Upriver lakes. The 2009 Upriver season ran five days, and the Winnebago system season was open three additional days.]

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Scheidegger (608) Ron Bruch (920) 424-3059

In Fifth Year, Valley-wide Dining Event Expands to Two Weeks
Las Vegas, NV—For the fifth year, Las Vegas Restaurant Week will provide locals and tourists the unique opportunity to dine at many of the city’s best restaurants at affordable prix fixe prices while helping to support Three Square Food Bank. Las Vegas Restaurant Week 2011 will be held August 29 through September 11, with more than 80 restaurants throughout the Valley participating.

Taking part in Las Vegas Restaurant Week 2011 is simple. Diners can visit any participating restaurant during the specified timeframe and enjoy a multi-course, prix fixe menu specially created for Las Vegas Restaurant Week. Each restaurant will create their own delicious menu offering at one of the following price points: $20.11, $30.11 or $50.11 with a fixed portion of the proceeds benefiting Three Square and the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada.

“We are thrilled for the continued support of the Las Vegas culinary community who make this fun and interactive fundraiser possible year-after-year,” said Brian Burton President and CEO of Three Square Food Bank. “In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Las Vegas Restaurant Week, diners will have the opportunity to enjoy some of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants at amazing prices for two entire weeks.”

The Capital Grille at Fashion Show Mall, Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay, Comme Ça at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, TAO at The Venetian, Panevino located off strip and Diego Mexican Cuisine at MGM Grand are a few fine examples of the more than 80 restaurants participating in this year’s restaurant week festivities. Offerings range from succulent steaks and seafood to French cuisine, decadent desserts and more. For a complete list of Restaurant Week participants and menu details visit www.helpoutdineoutlv.org; the new site allows diners to search by type of cuisine, restaurant location or donation amount.

Diners are encouraged to share their experiences and be a part of the conversation on Twitter by following @threesquarelv and using the hashtag #LVRW2011, and on Facebook by ‘liking’ the Las Vegas Restaurant Week page.

About Three Square

Three Square was established to end hunger in the valley by providing wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans in need. A national model project inspired by Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with the gaming industry, businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the CCSD, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 22 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of nearly 16 million meals – per year to more than 600 Program Partners including non-profit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites throughout Southern Nevada. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org

American Safari Cruises next year will again offer week-long cruises in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands in Washington and British Columbia. The cruises will operate out of a new homeport — Seattle. Beginning Sept. 14, 2012, the 22-guest Safari Quest will sail 10 week-long cruises roundtrip from Seattle. The yacht will return the following spring for six more cruises beginning March 29, 2013.

The “Pacific Northwest Passage” itinerary visits Victoria, Jervis Inlet, the Harmony Islands, Princess Louisa Inlet, Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island and Stuart Island. The yacht passes through the historic Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to Puget Sound. In Victoria, guests can visit Butchart Gardens for a traditional British high tea, the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Empress Hotel.

A flexible itinerary allows time to search out and view wildlife such as orca whales, eagles, seals, sea lions, porpoise, black bears and deer. Expedition — or gunkhole — cruising means the yacht freely explores the inlets and islands. An onboard expedition leader provides narration while leading waterborne or land-based adventures including kayaking, hiking, beachcombing and skiff rides. Paddle boards are also available.

Cruise fares start at $3,995 per person, double occupancy, and include from-the-yacht activities and equipment, transfers, meals, wine and spirits, and port charges, taxes and fees. For more information, call 888-862-8881, email sales@americansafaricruises.com  or visit www.americansafaraicruises.com

A Nine Night Lodge & Golf Package at Kauri Cliffs | The Farm at Cape Kidnappers | Matakauri Lodge

Two of the world’s top-ranked golf courses – Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers have announced their ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND GOLF PACKAGE, incorporating the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands in one all-inclusive offer.

The package includes nine nights across three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed luxury lodges – Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, & Matakauri Lodge – and golf at four of the country’s top courses. It is truly golf heaven, combining the best of luxury New Zealand lodging and world-class golf.

The package includes two rounds at Kauri Cliffs, two at Cape Kidnappers, and one round each at The Hills Golf Club and Jack’s Point. Also included are premium golf club rental equipment, electric cart and ground transfers to the golf courses in Queenstown.

Three nights accommodation each at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge also includes daily pre-dinner drinks and hors d’ oeuvres, gourmet dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines), WiFi, and use of lodge facilities. The package also includes a complimentary lunch for each night’s stay, which can be taken as three courses in the lodge dining rooms or packed as a picnic (on course or off).

Per-person pricing ranges from $8,197 NZD in the low season (May through August) to $12,742 NZD in the high season, which runs November through March.

The nine night package was enabled by the opening of Kauri Cliffs & Cape Kidnapper’s latest sister property, Matakauri Lodge, in the scenic South Island haven of Queenstown. The family of properties now offers lodging of the same high standard from one end of the country to the other, with great golf either on-site or on the door step.

While Matakauri Lodge does not have a golf course, Queenstown is a very popular stop on most N.Z. itineraries. Matakauri has partnered with two superb courses in Queenstown, The Hills Golf Club and Jack’s Point, to complete The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package.

Per-person pricing breaks down as follows, based on double occupancy and excluding international and domestic airfare and ground transfers:

• 1 July 2011 through 31 August 2011: $8,197 NZD
• 1 September 2011 through 30 September 2011: $10,852 NZD
• 1 October 2011 through 31 October 2011: $13,822 NZD*
• 1 November 2011 through 31 March 2012: $12,742 NZD

While airfare is not included in the Package, convenient, affordable domestic air travel is a Kiwi calling card. There are 4-6 short flights every day from Auckland to Kerikeri Airport (serving Kauri Cliffs) and Napier (serving Cape Kidnappers). Queenstown is easily accessible from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

To Reserve: Contact any one of the three properties to co-ordinate your stay on The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package.

Kauri Cliffs +64 9 407 0010 www.kauricliffs.com
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers +64 6 875 1900 www.capekidnappers.com
Matakauri Lodge +64 3 441 2180 www.matakaurilodge.com

*October 2011 pricing reflects the demand created by New Zealand’s hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, scheduled for sites across the country, Sept. 9 through Oct. 23. Package pricing represents savings of up to $1080 NZ$ per person. The above pricing excludes 15% Government Goods & Services Tax (GST).Conditions: Package is based on double or twin occupancy of a Deluxe Suite at Kauri Cliffs, Ridge Suite at Cape Kidnappers and a Deluxe Suite at Matakauri Lodge and does not include travel to or from New Zealand and between the three lodge locations. A holiday season surcharge of $200.00 NZ$ per person per night applies to guests staying 23 December 2011 – 5 January 2012

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali now features personal butler services that are on call 24 hours for Villa guests. All of Ayana’s butlers undergo training from the Guild of Professional Butlers’ Certification Program, the same program implemented at the Royal Palace of England. The program trains them to anticipate guests’ needs and respond with speed and efficiency.

Available 24 hours a day, the staff is on standby to do everything from packing and unpacking suitcases to shining guests’ shoes. Among the signature butler services offered is the Floating Brunch, a three-course gourmet breakfast served on a special bamboo tray in guests’ private plunge pool, accompanied by a bottle of Champagne. For reservations or more information, email reservation@ayanaresort.com  or visit www.ayanaresort.com

Season includes performances by violin superstar Itzhak Perlman,
and Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!

Las Vegas, Nev. – The Performing Arts Center at UNLV, Southern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue for more than 35 years, recently announced its 2011-2012 season, which includes the longstanding Charles Vanda Master Series, New York Stage & Beyond Series, and UNLV Classical Guitar Series.

The season opens on September 16 with the New York Stage & Beyond performance of Corea, Clarke & White: Forever. Pianist Chick Correa, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White re-define the jazz landscape with incredible improvisational skills and musicianship, acoustic bliss, and funky “jazzitude.”

Additional performances within this season’s New York Stage & Beyond Series are Complexions Contemporary Ballet on November 5; Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday on December 3; and the legendary Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight! on May 19. Within 14 hours of material, Holbrook tailors each performance to the times and the town he’s visiting, making every Mark Twain Tonight! performance brand new.

October 1 opens the Charles Vanda Master Series with the Utah Symphony, featuring conductor David Lockington and pianist Jeremy Denk. Called “one of the best pianists of his generation” (Denver Post), Denk joins the Utah Symphony for a stunning concert that includes Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

Other performances within the Charles Vanda Master Series include Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter and 19-year-old cellist Julian Schwarz with the UNLV Symphony Orchestra on November 22; the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on January 7; Europa Galante with Fabio Biondi, featuring mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux, on January 26; master classical musician and international superstar Itzhak Perlman on February 11; and Houston Ballet II on April 14.

The UNLV Classical Guitar Series, held in the Doc Rando Recital Hall of the Lee & Thomas Beam Music Center, features The Falla Guitar Trio on October 12; Elena Papandreou on November 9; Xuefei Yang on March 14; and Luis Zea on April 11.

For information on purchasing a season subscription, please call 895-ARTS (2787) or visit pac.unlv.edu.

UNLV PAC FACTS:

Arts organizations, like the Desert Chorale, Las Vegas Master Singers, and Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society, have longstanding traditions here.

With productions by the College of Fine Arts, including productions presented by the Nevada Conservatory Theatre and the dance and music departments, Southern Nevadans can enjoy the arts nearly every day of the year.

The PAC continues to be good community citizens:

- hosting more than 50,000 Clark County School District students yearly for productions, concerts, and festivals;

- donating over $100,000 in production costs to the CCSD Fine Arts division to give students a quality performance experience at limited expense;

- and granting fellow not-for-profit organizations major discounts on facility rental fees.

Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue. Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in three distinct series – the Charles Vanda Master Series, the New York Stage & Beyond Series, and the Classical Guitar Series. UNLV and KLVX Channel 10 are graciously sponsoring the season.