At 50,000 feet, the future of the film and video industry in the Pacific Northwest is looking, well…up. But it’s not exactly even-steven between the three major metropolitan areas that make up the
bulk of film and production work in the region. The British Columbia Film Commission’s Web site posts seven feature fi lms, five “movie-of-the-week” TV series, two short films, and a myriad of commercials as it continues to reign as the heavyweight champion of the production industry here. It’s clear that the rest of the region will need to do some fancy footwork in the future to lure out-of-state production dollars to their local communities — but the dancing has begun.

Bob Schmaling, project manager of the Oregon Film & Video Office, talks about the
growing impact of three newly established production incentive programs in his state —
the “Oregon Production Investment Fund,” which offers qualifying productions a 10
percent rebate on production expenditures in Oregon; the “Greenlight Oregon Labor
Rebate,” which rebates approximately six percent of qualified wages to productions
and “Greenlight Oregon Vendor Rebate,” a vendor-paid incentive program designed to
offer another 10 percent rebate on goods and services purchased from participating
vendors. Projections for next year are an estimated $12 million in revenue and $4
million in rebates.

Washington State has been without a feature film or network TV series for the
last three years and has seen its industry revenue decline from $50 million in 2000
to $13 million in 2004, according to Suzy Kellet, director of the Washington Film
Office. But now it’s on the road to repair. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire
just signed a new competitiveness program, which creates a $3.5 million film fund to
rebate motion picture productions up to $1 million per project. Qualified productions must meet specific spending thresholds to guarantee that money is left behind in state, namely $500,000 for feature films,
$300,000 for television productions and $250,000 for commercials.

Beyond the dollars, there are some emerging trends and areas to watch. All three fi lm offi ces
talk about the switch from location-driven production work to cost-driven production work. What used to be location, location, location is now just location. And, if the budget calls for it, producers nowadays will do a “find and replace” in the script.

Newer technologies, like game development, are merging with film and video production —
with live action and animation marrying up to create digital motion pictures. And because this new combination of technology does not require facilities-based production resources, it levels the production playing field between the local markets.

The Pacific Northwest is also experiencing a vibrant indie film movement. While the monetary impact of this remains low, it has potential to burgeon. Pacific Northwest film offices report that adventure production is on an upward trajectory, as are reality-based TV programs — as well as specials such as the “Subaru Primal Quest” and others. Foreign production is also on the rise. And fi nally, just
as you might expect, politeness, friendliness, and a strong work ethic will remain a high
priority for those involved in the film and video production business in the Pacific
Northwest in the future — just as it is today.

On the ground and in the trenches, the future of the film and production industry in
the Pacific Northwest takes the form of the dream and vision of its leaders. Ask any one
of them the same question and you’ll get a different, but interesting answer.

Matt Chan, president of Screaming Flea Productions, a Seattle-based fi lm and video production company that develops and produces entertainment programming for cable channels, such as “Knievel’s Wild Ride” for A&E and “Gardening by the Yard” — now in its
12th season for HGTV — offers his thoughts.

“With new technologies and the ability to deliver programming through iPods, handhelds, and cable companies, there’s a whole new world of opportunity for production companies who are able to develop and deliver signature programs. It’s like the Wild West right now. If you’ve got a good idea,
and you know how to read the marketplace, you’re in business.” Per Chan, good ideas are the currency of tomorrow’s production business, and derivative works won’t cut it.

“So many people come to me and say, ‘I have a show idea,’ and it’s just like (insert name
of an existing show),” says Chan. “So why would I want to produce it? It’s already out
there, and believe me, the second version is never as good, or well received as the first.
It’s the new ideas that will make the waves.”

In Portland, Juliana Lukasik, the owner and executive producer for @Large Films, a full-service production company in the commercial arena with work for clients like Nike, Miller Paint and Taco Time, talks about growth potential for her company in the advertising and marketing world.

“For me, advertising is an indicator, and it’s definitely on the rise here in Portland. We
just had our best year ever. Advertisers are looking for new and different ways to reach
people, and the door is open for us to partner with them in a new way. To be creative problem solvers for them. It’s not just about the technology — and the mass of choices in delivery mechanisms. It’s knowing which director would best suit the project and how and where to deliver a particular message.”

While Lukasik says new technology allows more people to enter the production business, and provides them with the chance to follow their passion, she says that knowing how to tell a story matters most.

“People think it’s easy to make films, because the cameras are affordable, and portable,
and you can edit at home on your computer. But you have to know how to tell a story. True artists will always make it through, but I can tell you from experience that it’s difficult to make a living at it and I don’t see that changing any time soon.” When asked what she would like to see happen in the future,
Lukasik says that she wants more director reels from women. “There just aren’t a lot of
women directors out there now. Maybe the future will bring more.”

The Web site for Food Chain Films opens with a picture of a raw T-bone steak.
The image provides a constant reminder, says David Cress, executive producer and
owner of the company, that the production business is competitive. “In this business,
you never know where you are in the food chain. People cycle in and out of popularity,
and you have to stay on your toes. To be successful, you have to be able to custom
tailor yourself to the new models and modes of communication. My hope is that the
most creative wins.” Cress sees the future as interesting — especially with regard to
content because the rules have changed.

“Time formats are different now, and so are the rules about what you can say or do in
a public forum. You don’t have to be locked into 30-second TV commercial thinking.”
Cress tries to keep his mind open and his thinking flexible when he talks with clients
about production and ways to leverage the work he does for them.

“We recently worked on a scratch ticket campaign with Border, Perrin & Norrander
for the Oregon State Lottery. It was a spoofy piece involving a fruitcake toss and some
original songs that were quite funny. As the work unfolded, new opportunities just
popped up along the way — so we took advantage of them. For example, I included
a photo shoot in the production so that my client could get some still pictures of the
fruitcake. Then after the commercial aired, the agency put together a CD of the songs,
slapped the picture from the shoot on the cover, and sent it out to all the local radio
stations. People actually called in with requests for the fruitcake songs.” Cress
says that advertisers of the future want integrated messaging and less intrusive
advertising. “What would you want to watch?” And that kind of pressure, he says, invites
new creativity for those in the business.

Deborah Narine, executive producer and owner of SpyGirl Productions, a Seattlebased film and video production company that produces commercials, corporate videos, documentaries and TV programming, says that the industry’s new-found ability to be comfortable with newer technologies
both in developing and in delivering their work — is driving a change in the type of content created. “Technology is allowing us to grow in ways we never thought possible,”
says Narine. “Just think how far we’ve come — from “Roger Rabbit” to “The Matrix.

And the ways people receive messages is changing exponentially too. A good producer is tactical. The world is full of sophisticated consumers. Take a look at what they watch in the theater, on their iPods, or computer. We have to speak to them on a level they’ll listen to, and we have to be relevant to their world,” she says. Connecting with the audience is something Narine is passionate about.

“We were all affected by 9/11,” she explained. “It made us come closer together.
People understand now that moments matter. While there’s always room for the great rug pull (humor), the future I see is one where human stories are told. Through reality TV, and in producing film and video that allows people to make an emotional connection with what they’re watching.
For Narine, it’s the messaging that focuses on human truths that will make the most
impact in the future.

Because in a world immersed in commercials and constant change, all of us seek to find
that place where we can relate, where it’s safe, and we can be happy. Narine believes
that advertising of the future will have to work harder, and also, that there’s a new
requirement for producers — to create real-life human impact, or it won’t
be watched.

At 5:45 p.m. one January afternoon in Vancouver, B.C., Stewart Bethune, production manager of “X-3″ (working title for the third “X-Men” by FOX Pictures) is just leaving his office for the day. “X-3″ headed to post production in L.A. after a year of shooting and editing in Vancouver. The production crew is catching its breath, but only for a moment.

“The future in Vancouver is good. Great in fact. For the last four to five years, FOX
has been producing all its films here,” says Bethune who also began gearing up for the
‘Fantastic Four’ sequel in March. According to Bethune, the trend for blockbuster action
hero films isn’t subsiding anytime soon.

“There’s a large audience for this sort of material…anyone from age 11 to 29. I’m not just
talking about the Marvel stuff. There’s ‘Narnia,’ and ‘Harry Potter. It’s just a huge, and
highly engaged audience.” Bethune says that he’s seeing a lot more CGI work than in the
past. Upwards of 25 percent of a movie might be comprised of CGI today. But mega movies such as “X Men” have a downside too.

“There’s always a risk that the movie won’t turn out as a blockbuster, and with $100
million-plus spent, that’s a big loss. And the production of a blockbuster takes up a good
portion of the local talent, so that prohibits smaller productions from accessing local
production resources.” When I asked him if he thought that the movie business of the
future would become even more CGI focused, he offered his personal feelings.

“For me, I think people — kids and adults will eventually hunger for real stuff. What
we’re doing is cool, and trendy and interesting to watch, but people are savvy. They’ll want
real images again. And real faces. But then again, maybe I’m just a romantic.

31summer 2006 create magazine

Victoria Likes is a freelance writer and owner of FeatherWrite – a creative, writing and marketing services business. http://www.featherwrite.com

Author: Victoria Likes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Once more, “baby boomers” are contravening the rules. This significant group has bumped traditional retirement off its precedence. While retirees before flee to Leisure Worlds, boomers are considering what to do in the next phase and where. Studies estimated seventy percent of those forty-five years old and older are planning to continue working in their “retirement” years. Financial stability is not the only reason, pure enjoyment of work or desire to try something new are reasons that keep these boomers on the job.

Amongst those people aged forty to fifty-four, only 4.7 percent, which is fewer than one out of twenty, will move across county lines every year, although even a fewer will move across state lines. A large portion of them will stay put but with some occasional traveling here and there. The reason for this is that a lot of boomers see their homes as legacies. Still some would look for the best retirement cities where they can live, work, and relax all in one.

For those who decide to move, sometimes the draw of the “familiar” is an answer. A lot of them will move to be near family; the divergence between baby boomers and older “silent generation” is that the younger faction is not rebelling against their family ties, in fact remaining close to their family ties. Some of the most common settings or the best retirement cities surroundings that baby boomers look for include: college towns for a familiar feel; a new locale, one with appealing cultural and recreational activities; purchasing vacation homes with view to being there in the future.

A research team viewed ten criteria considering the interests, needs, and tastes of Americans age fifty and older to come up with some of the best retirement cities for the baby boomers. Although not all towns stand out in every category, each town ranked high in several and a lot scored high in nearly all. The criteria included: availability of jobs given that this group will work beyond the age of sixty-five; affordable housing; culture and entertainment; access to outdoor recreation; safety; colleges and universities; sense of community; proximity to complete well-regarded health care facilities; good public high schools since many of them will have teens at home; and ease of getting around.

The three of the best retirement cities from the set criteria include:
Loveland/Fort Collins Colorado is one of the best retirement cities both for its older residential areas of single-family homes under huge trees and the newer outlying neighborhoods the spring from grassland summons visitors with stunning mountain views and easy access to year-round outdoor fun. Both places are just forty five minutes from Denver and are neighboring cities facing the majestic Front Range of the Rockies.

Median house price: $198,655 in Loveland and $221,714 in Fort Collins

Bellingham, WA

This western find is located on a bay along the Pacific Northwest coast in the middle of Seattle and Vancouver. Set with a seaside marina, lush forests, freshwater lakes, Victorian historic districts, and to the east is the snow-capped Mount Baker. All the natural charms combined with affordable neighborhoods and recreational opportunities make it one of the best retirement cities, and have enticed a slew of transplants in recent years.
Median House Price: $163,000

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina

These places are deemed to be one of the best retirement cities with its dynamic city area anchored by the state-of-the-art and biotechnology facilities situated in its Research Triangle Park and through more then ten higher-education institutions, just three hours from seashore and close to mountains, plus the most affordable and flamboyantly diverse of three towns.
Median House Price: $147,000

Other best retirement cities include: Sarasota, Florida; Fayetteville, AR; Charleston, SC; Asheville, NC; San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX; Santa Fe, NM; Gainesville, FL; Iowa City, IA; Portsmouth, NH; Spokane, WA; and Ashland, OR.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Retirement information site. For more articles and resources on Retirement related topics, Retirement Plans, Retirement Communities, Individual Retirement Accounts and more visit his site at:

=>http://retirement.need-to-know.com

Author: Milos Pesic
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Select from the best luxury hotels on an island to cheap hotel prison deals.

When it comes to vacationing, the hotel itself can be as much a part of the vacation as the destination. Before you make hotel reservations at some luxury hotel, think of all the options out there. From a tree house to an ice house, here are some of the most unique hotels from all over the world.

Kamalame Cay: Your own private island

The Bahamas: Do you have Robinson Crusoe dreams of living on your own private island? Well, Kamalame Cay offers a private island getaway with Robinson Crusoe adventures and all the luxuries of a four star hotel. This 96-acre soft sandy island is located right off of Andros Bay in the Bahamas and can only be reached by the resort’s private ferry or seaplane. Dotted with private villas, guests can enjoy Caribbean cuisine, some of the best snorkeling and fishing along the island’s pristizne beaches and can go for a dip in the freshwater pool located on the island. Kamalame Cay feeds the need for adventure while offering romance, luxury hotel accommodations and natural beauty.

Utter Inn: Sleep with the fishes
Vasteras, Sweden
The Utter Inn, or the Otter Inn in English, is a small, floating Swedish red house with an underwater bedroom fitted with panoramic windows, so you can literally sleep with the fishes. The inn is an art project by Mikael Genberg who has done several other artistic hotels like the Hotell Hackspett or Woodpecker Hotel, which is a tree house, located over 40 feet above a Swedish park. Just hope you don’t get claustrophobic, because you get dropped off by boat and don’t get picked up again until morning.

The Jail Backpackers: A taste of the Big House at a small price
Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia
Built in 1864, this renovated jail now serves as a hostel for backpackers and travelers alike. Located in Mount Gambier, South Australia, the Jail Backpackers gives tourists a chance to spend the night or the weekend in the slammer for budget prices, $45 for a double room, $20 for a dorm room. Don’t worry though; you’re not locked down at night. This cheap hotel option offers a kitchen, TV lounge, pool tables, quiet lounge with a fireplace, walled garden spaces and a restaurant. The Mount Gambier area offers many outdoor activities, most well-known is Blue lake, which is a lake located in a volcano. There are plenty of hiking trails, cave tours and sand boarding opportunities.

The Queen Mary: Don’t jump ship on this haunted boat
Long Beach hotels
Queen Mary Hotel Reviews
If staying the night in a prison isn’t creepy enough, try spending the night in a haunted hotel/boat, the Queen Mary. This ocean liner and World War II troopship has a haunted history. One of the most haunted areas on the boat is the no longer used First-Class Swimming Pool. Women in vintage swimsuits have been seen wandering around and wet footprints have been found mysteriously leading from the deck to the changing rooms. The boat/luxury hotel offers more than hauntings, but historic tours, multiple world-class dining options, cabaret shows, a comedy club, spas and suites as well. For $459 you can spend the night in one of the haunted staterooms, but are you brave enough?

Parrot Nest Lodge: In a tree under the stars
Cayo, Belize
Staying the night here won’t be as creepy as the Queen Mary, unless you are afraid of heights and birds. The Parrot Nest Lodge consists of two thatched tree houses, four cabins and two bathhouses and is surrounded on three sides by the Mopan River, which offers a refreshing swim. As its name implies there are large numbers of parrots, as well as hundreds of other birds, making this a prime bird-watching destination. Giant iguanas are also another friendly garden visitor. Breakfast and dinner are also included with your tree house room for only $40-50 a night room rental, making this a cheap hotel with resort qualities. Hope you’re not afraid of the wild.

Heceta Head Lighthouse: On the cliffs
Yachats hotels
If staying the night in a tree-house was too high, try spending the evening in a lighthouse perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Heceta Head Lighthouse is over a hundred years old and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. Heceta is also the brightest lighthouse in Seattle, casting light 21 miles out to sea. The Queen Ann style keeper’s house has been renovated into a bed and breakfast where guests get to view the lighthouse at night, a rare opportunity. Also, a seven course breakfast is served in the morning, which is included with your room. Magical is the one word many guests use to describe the Heceta Head Lighthouse and bed and breakfast.

Beckham Creek Cave Haven: Eco-tourist Haven
Parthenon, Arkansas hotels
Taking over four years to create, the Beckham Creek Cave Haven was created with the philosophy that the on-going preservation of our environment is paramount. Set on a 530-acre estate in Buffalo National River country, this cave hotel offers solitude and plenty of outdoor entertainment among the Ozarks for eco-tourists. On the estate alone there is a mountain and plenty of hiking, biking and fishing places.

Ice Hotel: Freeze your ice off
Sweden A cave of sorts, the Ice hotel is a cavern of ice carved from 10,000 tons of crystal clear ice cut from the Torne River. Every year the hotel must be built from scratch, with new designs and new concepts; it is continually being re-birthed. This luxury hotel includes an ice chapel, an ice art exhibition hall, a cinema and the world famous Absolut Ice Bar. If you can brave the freezing temperatures, the Ice Hotel is well-worth the trip.

The Gladstone Hotel: 37 artist designed rooms
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Each room is not designed out of ice, but designed by a different artist. Located in Toronto, the Gladstone Hotel is a unique, urban hotel with artist designed hotel rooms, as well as short-term art studios and exhibition spaces. The hotel offers a unique insight to the diverse artistic environment of Toronto. Make hotel reservations for the Teen Queen room and relive your Jr. High years or spend the night in the serene Skygazer Room decorated with an amazing wall treatment of plastic relics in cloudlike forms.

The Burj-al-arab: Sail away with luxury
Dubai: Located in one of the fastest growing cities, this Dubai hotel is more than just a hotel; it is an experience. That is if you can afford to make the hotel reservations. Resembling a billowing sail, the Burj-al-arab dominates the Dubai skyline at 321 meters. Acknowledged by some to be the best hotel in the world, this all-suite luxury hotel caters to the affluent and offers around-the-clock attention from highly trained butlers, private reception desks on each floor and a spa and health club. At night, the hotel is surrounded by choreographed color sculptures of water and fire. The Burj-al-arab is luxury at its finest and most extravagant.

Jillian Scheeler

Provides you a list of unique hotels to spent your vacations. To receive your free minicourse visit the Luxury hotelswebsite.

Author: Jillian Scheeler
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Retirement plan

Standing in the airport in San Diego, I began to wonder exactly how long it was going to take to get to the city of Chita in Siberia. The combination of a vodka hangover, three flights, one train ride and a jump over the international date line didn’t help. At first glance, it looked like a total of two days, which wasn’t bad for going to the other side of the earth.

I should have paid more attention in math.

The itinerary for getting from San Diego to Chita read like this:

1. Fly from San Diego to Seattle.

2. Meet charity representative and other professor.

3. Fly from Seattle to Anchorage.

4. Fly from Anchorage on Aeroflot [gulp] to Khabarovsk, Russia.

5. Take train from Khabarovsk to Chita.

How bad could it be? Very, very, very bad. Did I mention “bad”?

Day 1

The flight to Seattle was no problem. I met Tom Dickinson, the founder of Siberian Intercultural Bridges, but we couldn’t find the other teacher. Turns out the flight to Anchorage wasn’t till the next morning, so it didn’t really appear to be a problem. Around midnight, our attitude changed and we had written off the teacher.

Day 2

At 8 a.m., Grea Waters from Kentucky appears out of the Seattle mist. We have our second professor and he speaks fluent Russian. This is a big relief as I had spent a lot of the previous evening contemplating my Russian skills. That is to say, I had none. I couldn’t even pronounce the name of city we would land in, Khabarovsk. I nearly had a panic attack during the night when I bolted up in bed upon the realization that I would have no way of knowing how to get to the train or when to get off. You see, the Russian language is based on the Cyrillic alphabet. There is no way to wing the Cyrillic alphabet. For example, the letter “y” is pronounced “ch” as in Charlie. I was in definite trouble. Would the rest of my life be spent riding around aimlessly on trains? The continued grinning of Tom Dickinson didn’t make me feel any better.

Our flight from Seattle to Anchorage was uneventful. Yes, we flew Alaska Airlines. While waiting for our connection in Anchorage, two thoughts kept running though my head. First, isn’t Aeroflot the airline with all the crashes? Second, how did a man from Kentucky become fluent in Russian? I mean, what about his accent? I was feeling less confident about my translator and decided to investigate. I started rubbing my temples when he told me that he had never been to Russia.

Alas, there was no turning back. Trust me, I tried. But that’s a story to be told in Part 3 of this nomad adventure travel series…

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com – makers of travel journals. Writing journals are the perfect travel accessories. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com to read more travel articles and travelogues.

Author: Richard Chapo
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Assisted living

The USA is one the most drivable countries in the world. Interstates connect every major city, even making most of Alaska accessible to anyone with gas in their car. When it comes to the cities in the USA, each one is very different. Some are bus friendly, some are car friendly, some are subway friendly. The best cities in the USA for a road trip are the ones that are easy to get to via car, have ample parking, and are worth the trip into the city. Which ones meet all of these criteria? Read on to see ten of the best places in the USA to plan a road trip, and see if you agree!

1. Boston. Before the Big Dig tunnel, driving into Boston was a nightmare. Now, it’s a little less of a nightmare. Driving into Boston isn’t for the weak of heart, but taking your car into the city is probably the quickest way to see the city. Parking isn’t always plentiful, but the sights are. Try eating in the famous North End, taking a Boston Harbor Islands cruise, or walk the famous Freedom Trail of historic sites in the city.

2. Seattle. This city was created with driving in mind. Unlike many of the older cities on the east coast that fall victim to poorly laid out highways, Seattle has an excellent highway system to get in and out of the city. Like any major city, you’ll have some traffic, but it’s a piece of cake next to traffic in New York or LA. Highlights of Seattle include Pike’s Place fish market, the Space Needle, and sightseeing cruises through the Seattle Locks.

3. San Diego. California’s southernmost major city fairs a little bit better than it’s metropolis to the north, Los Angeles. Yes, the I-5, I-8, I-15, and I-805 all converge within San Diego city limits, but the 8 lane highways are big enough to accommodate most of the traffic, most of the time. If you’re headed to San Diego, try visiting historic Old Town for authentic California style Mexican cuisine and architecture, the Gaslamp Quarter for the best shopping, and whatever you do, don’t miss the San Diego Zoo, the best zoo in the country.

4. San Francisco. On TV, it seems that San Francisco was made for trolley cars and walking. Spend a day there walking up and down the hills and you’ll realize that you’ll soon become exhausted, or broke from the cab fare! Luckily, if you’re staying San Francisco, most of the hotels have inexpensive parking, and sometimes free parking. If you stay along Fisherman’s Wharf, you can easily walk to most of the attractions along the waterfront.

5. Kansas City. Smack dab in the middle of the USA lies Kansas City, spreading itself over two states and the Missouri River. Nicknamed the city of fountains, Kansas City actually has the most fountains in the world outside of Rome. With a revitalized downtown area, and some of the best BBQ you can find in the country, Kansas City is home to some interesting architecture new, like the American Jazz Museum, and historic, like the Liberty Memorial (which houses the World War I Museum). In terms of drivability, the city couldn’t have been set up any simpler. I-70, I-35, and I-69 all are easy routes that head into the city, while I-435 makes a giant loop around the city.

6. San Antonio. Besides flying into San Antonio, you don’t have many other options to see this inland Texas city. San Antonio is located in the epicenter of Texas, and is a true cross section of Texan life. As you approach the city from I-10, the sudden shift from rural landscape to major city is abrupt. The city’s lack of a major metropolitan area sets it apart from many other US cities. Heading to the west of the city, the terrain starts to get rockier and more mountainous. Driving into the city is simple, with I-10 heading east-west, and I-35 heading north to south. San Antonio is home to the historic Alamo, and the beautiful Riverwalk area. Most hotels have free or reasonably priced parking. The best way to see the city’s major attractions are by foot, but you can easily navigate the grid style streets of the city if you need to drive.

7. Portland. One of the most beautiful riverfront cities in America, Portland lies on the banks of the Columbia River and Willamette Rivers in Oregon. The city is known for its fine arts, some of the best art galleries in the country, abundance of microbreweries (they call it “Beertown”), an active bike racing scene, and a booming restaurant scene. While the city has excellent public transportation, you can also easily navigate the backstreets and highways of Portland through the I-5, which heads north towards Vancouver Washington, and south towards coastal Oregon and California. I-84 heads east towards Idaho and Salt Lake City.

8. Denver. Chances are, you don’t live near Denver. That’s precisely why it makes a great road trip destination. Denver isn’t just a great city to stop through, it has some incredible scenery just to the north that make planning a road trip here well worth it. Rocky Mountain National Park, around 52 miles to the northwest, is best seen during the warmer months of the year, when the roads aren’t covered in boulders and snow. At the foot of the Rockies, you can find the booming art town of Boulder, Colorado. Denver itself is home to annual Great American Beer Festival each fall, and has plenty of art museums, clubs, and parks to keep visitors occupied. A road trip to Denver is easy planning. I-70, I-25, and I-76 being the major routes into the city. If you travel to the west of the city on I-70, check your brakes, you’re in for a mountainous journey!

9. Las Vegas. A road trip to Las Vegas might just be the road trip of all road trips. Heading into the secluded, barren landscape that surrounds Las Vegas offers up incredible scenery that seems to wrap itself beyond the horizon. The heat pounds the pavement and produces heat lines (just like you’ve seen in the movies), and the journey seems endless. Without notice, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Las Vegas, if headed north on I-15, tens of miles before you get there. What seems like a dot on the horizon will get bigger and bigger, until you run alongside the famous casinos and towering hotels Vegas is known so well for. It’s next to impossible to get lost in Las Vegas. There’s one major road in, and one out. Once you’re off the highway, you can take the cruise of all cruises, down the Las Vegas Strip. For a truly unforgettable experience, drive the 3.8 mile long strip at night, when the city really comes alive.

10. Salt Lake City. Like Las Vegas, a road trip to Salt Lake City is like an optical illusion. After driving on miles of dry salt beds (Bonneville Salt Flats State Park), heading east on I-80 will run alongside the intriguing Great Salt Lake, and lead to beautiful Salt Lake City. The skyline of Salt Lake City is set strikingly against a backdrop of tall snow capped mountains. The city itself is sloped, and has an interesting feel unlike any other in the country. The city stays relatively cool all year long, and has some world famous skiing nearby. You might recognize the city from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. If you’re staying at any of Salt Lake City’s hotels, parking usually isn’t a problem. However, destinations within the city usually must be driven to, since they are spread far apart.

You’ve probably noticed by now that there aren’t many east coast cities on this list. The east coast has some tremendous sights to see, but many of those are small towns, coastal peninsulas, islands, and hard to navigate cities that were built hundreds of years ago. That makes taking a road trip to cities like New York a little more difficult. The newer cities of the west coast kept driving in mind when the population really started to take off, setting them at a slight advantage for road trip goers.

I’ve traveled across the country several times back and forth, and taken some extended road trips over the past few years. If you’d like to read more about some of my road trips, get some advice on trip planning, and see what else the USA has to offer for road trippers, visit my how to plan a USA road trip page.

Author: Bill Torrey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Pension

“Howdy, dude.” Ernie the morning cook at Papa Ray’s Family Restaurant in Centralia greeted me as he slid into my booth. “How’s everything?” When Ernie sees me come in he throws potatoes on the grill. I always ask for my hashbrowns “burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them.” Ernie always complies, but likes to make sure that I got them like I want ‘em. “Perfect,” I said between crunchy, gravey covered bites.

This particular morning in late April Ernie had news for me. We both share a love for music. Ernie scours the thrift shops for rare “platters.” I go to concerts. “I just heard that there’s going to be a concert in Seattle with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Keb Mo.” It sounded like a strange paring, but I like strange things. Ernie knows that in addition to well-done hashbrowns I like Keb Mo and his Delta Blues.

As soon as I could get online I started looking for the concert. I found zip. I continued looking for the next couple of days and then cursed Ernie for his worthless, erroneous information.

A week before the concert in late May I saw a listing in Seattle paper for the concert at the Paramount. Ernie had been right and once again I had been let down by missing concert information on the internet. I tried to book tickets from the Paramount webpage (where there had previously been no information), but got no response. Phone calls to the Paramount only resulted in busy signals. My wife Peggy finally got tickets via scalpers at twice the listed price of $48.50 for the best seats. We had almost the same luck with accomodations. We like to stay in Seattle when we attend concerts rather than drive back to our home in North Tacoma.

Peg called our favorite hotels. They were all full. There were several conventions in town. She finally found a Bed & Breakfast, but they would only rent to us if we stayed for two nights. Later in the day after booking at the B & B we received word that another place could accomodate us for Friday evening, the night of the concert. We were amazed they had a vacancy especially after we checked into The Gaslight Inn.

We were up-graded to a very nice suite on the third floor of an old Capital Hill home. The suite is the third floor. The stairways get narrower and narrower as you climb from floor to floor. It was worth the climb. There is a picture window in the sitting room that looks out over Seattle. The furnishings are a nice mixture of antiques and modern. The kitchen came with tea bags, coffee, and a pint of half and half in the fridge.

The Gaslight is actually two homes that sit side by side. The main building has a nice pool is the backyard. Our building had a parking lot as a backyard. I’m not complaining. We could have used the pool. We did use the parking lot.

Both homes had plenty of art, on the walls, on the furniture and hanging from the ceiling. In our room there was a chandelier. It was wrought iron with a circular base. There were no actual lights on it. There was a round piece of clear glass with three pieces of overlapping hand-blown glass plates sitting on the base. Spotlights from the ceiling shown through the glass art. Other pieces of hand-blown glass (matching) are found throughout.

If you’re going to attend a concert in Seattle, you just have to eat in Seattle. We had dinner at the Desert Fire. We were short of time so we only ordered an appetizer plate. We’ve had it before, so we knew that it would be enough. It was served quickly. We ate and hurried off to the concert.

The concert was a benefit for the Songbird Foundation. The forests of Central and South America are being cut down. Some of our local songbirds winter in Brazil. Without their habitat, we may lose the songbirds. The forests are being cleared so that coffee can be grown. The best coffee is grown in the shade, but of course you can get a better yield by growing coffee in the sun. We can save the songbirds by drinking coffee that has been grown in the shade. Voting with your cup. That’s my kind of support.

The concert was one of the best concerts Peg and I have ever attended. The mood was relaxed, fun, and spontaneous. Keb Mo (Kevin Moore) was introduced early before the stage hands had the mics and stands set up. Kevin came out and started speaking into a microphone which was whipped out from under him. He moved to the next one and said, “Usually they just tell me to get out of the way.”

Almost everyone performed accompanied only by their own guitar. Instead of sounding hollow with missing background singers and instrumentation, however the music took on a homey feel. It felt like the performers were good friends who stopped by not to entertain, but to share their music. The concert felt comfortable. At one point Bonnie mentioned that she had changed the lyrics of one song. “I’ll be right back, ” she said as she ran off the stage. She came back a few seconds later and explained that even though she’s over fifty she doesn’t need glasses. She placed the lyrics on the floor about five feet in front of her and sat down at an electric piano.

Near the end everyone joined together. Bonnie called Kevin out to sing even though he didn’t know the song. Then Bonnie made Jackson take a verse that started out, “When I was a young girl.” The crowd as well as the performers were enjoying themselves. My favorite song was done by Keb Mo. It was “Victim of Comfort”. Aren’t we all?

The music was wonderful. The concert was fun. I owe Ernie an apology and my thanks. The next time I order hashbrowns I’ll make sure he gets a decent tip, if they’re “burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them.”

Author Don Doman: Don is a published author of books for small business, corporate video producer, and owner of Ideas and Training (http://www.ideasandtraining.com), which provides business training products. Don also owns NW Adventures(http://www.nwadventures.us), which tells stories and provides information on two day get-a-ways in the Pacific Northwest.

Author: Don Doman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In the present scenario a career in modeling seems very lucrative and a short cut to name and fame. The statement is both true and false! What does this mean? True, modeling will definitely bring name and fame to your doorstep but you really need to work hard for it. There is no substitution for hard work and experience. The modeling industry is not built on luck success comes from a client’s talent and skill. If you are not willing to work hard enough, modeling as career would not do any good. It can take many years before you are hired by well known companies.

Many models start out with doing local fashion shows, ad campaigns and commercial print work for catalogs and magazines. In this context, it is worthwhile noting that several established actors and personalities are sitting idle and waiting to get employed. Thus by this statement you can understand the gravity of competition in this arena. Thus for attaining your objective, you need to undergo training courses in modeling from reputed training institutes and organizations, Seattle modeling agency being one of them. Institutes functioning under Seattle modeling agencies provide state of the art training in modeling and will introduce you into a new dimension, where your aspirations of becoming a successful model becomes ground reality.

Statistically it has been observed that Seattle models have an edge over the others and continue to remain in employment even when their colleagues and co-models have lost theirs. Now coming to demographics, it has been observed that Hollywood, Los Angeles and California have become overcrowded, on account of the huge infiltration of aspirants aspiring to build a career for themselves; there are too many trying to share the same pie! Secondly the cost of living is astronomically high and is difficult for a new comer to survive here.

Instead of Hollywood, Los Angeles and California, people are now preferring to move to Seattle; but why? Firstly Seattle is the Los Angeles vicinity; so for a prospective and upcoming model this seems to be the ideal location. Seattle is a very happening place and is less crowded as compared to Los Angeles or California. The modeling industry is really booming here and the population group is younger here. Modeling opportunities are available abundantly and you will never be out of work.

The lower cost of living in Seattle benefits new models in terms of cost and expenses. They can easily live on a low budget as compared to an inflated one; so you can live quite luxuriously without having to tax yourself a great deal.

Nowadays, young girls aspire to become models and walk the ramp. For this they would need to be trained in the art. It is for this purpose that modeling agencies come into being to bring out aspiring young models. Thus with the help of these reputed modeling agencies, parents can be rest assured that they are in safe hands. With lots of hard work an aspiring model will one day become famous and earn a hefty income.

Connor Sullivan has a friend on the West Coast whose daughter works for a Seattle modeling agency. He heard that the Seattle modeling agencies have a great reputation.

Author: Connor R Sullivan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A holiday in Seattle

The movie “Sleepless in Seattle” gives a hint of the type of area that the tourist might find upon visiting. Essentially it is one of those generic locations in the USA which can be effectively used as a tourist location. The people that live in Seattle are not particularly high profile in the grand scheme of things. They do not have the haute couture culture or the exquisite cuisine that other areas have. However they have an American charm of their own. A visit to Seattle will reveal the full glory of the way that people live in this area. It will also give hints on the expectations that the visitors might have when they take that great trip to the locality. Here are a few pointers:

1. The tourists should take advantage of the snow in Seattle. Rather than complaining about the snow they should take to the ice rink and see where it takes them. They could also do some trawling on the snow cars. It is a place that seems to remind some people of Christmas. Certainly it is possible to create a festive atmosphere with the right planning and the systems in place to ensure that there are great deals for all the people concerned. The children will enjoy visiting and there are certain ways in which the parents can keep them occupied during the trip to Seattle.
2. The logging and camping traditions are alive in Seattle. This is not something that the average tourist will find attractive but there are people that like this sort of niche. They enjoy the hard work that is involved in leading such a lifestyle. They also believe that there is great room for improvement in terms of the things that are done to take the facility to the next level. It is a great addition that must not be ignored in the grand scheme of things. That is why Seattle will remain an interesting part of the American landscape.
3. The Seattle area is full of great examples of the local architecture. This is not the Paris of its time or the Greece of our age. Rather it is all about finding out how the local people live. It is almost like a geography tour but the fun is significantly higher than anything that is experienced before. That is why Seattle offers a unique window into the daily lives of the Americans including the ones that live there.
4. There is a city that is full of modern amenities that could be explored. That means that the visitor is not left with the decision to visit a backwater. This is a fully fledged modern location within the United States of America. The availability of the simple amenities means that the people that are living in the area have a great chance to enjoy some of the benefits of a town life but at the same time they are able to retain the country pursuits of their predecessors.

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Author: Matthew Anton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Renton is a city located in the state of Washington. It is specifically located in King County, and at the southeast side of Seattle. Renton has the 5th largest population in King County and 11th in the whole state. The city is also ranked 100th out of 522 areas in Washington based on per capita income. Considering these facts, you can expect that there are plenty of great Renton homes in the area.

The city is undergoing many developments in terms of major retail and residential. With a series of both pubic and private projects, Renton has surpassed the threat of urban decay. Downtown vicinities experienced a series of community developments that promote the flourishing of various neighborhoods. Some of the mixed-use residential and retail establishments that have been constructed in the city are the Burnett Station, Metropolitan Place, 95 Burnett and Revo 225.

The Landing, which is modeled as an urban village in Renton, is nearing its completion. Aside from industrial buildings, restaurants and entertainment spaces, the area is expected to serve as location for residential Renton homes.

More projects are envisioned for the city. All these are intended to make the city more a more appealing place and residential area.

If you are interested in the place and are planning to live in Renton, you can start by canvassing for various homes and residential areas. The easiest way is by scanning through classified ads in newspapers, magazines and real estate publishing. Also, there are many websites specifically intended for listings of available homes and residential properties in Washington such as in the city of Renton.

You can also visit the city and see the areas which interest you most if you have the time to see the place. Depending on your standards and ideals of a perfect home, choose among the available housing options.

At the end, I’d like to share cool website with more information on topics like Renton Homes for Sale. Visit for more information.

Author: Chris Cornell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As a professional barista I’m always thinking of how I love showing off a perfectly made, scrumptious, and utterly sinful cup of espresso at home to my guests during the heavy guest season after October. Making a home espresso or latte is a terrific holiday tradition for us.

Talk about a way to wow your family and friends. Everyone (at least everyone I know) loves a perfectly made espresso, either strait or as a latte or a rich, creamy mocha breve.

Making espresso at home has the benefit of being less expensive, you have better control over the espresso making process and you can make a variety of drinks just like they do at a good cafe, only better.

So how is it done? After you learn the secrets of making espresso at home, it all comes down to practice. Practice that nobody really minds too much!

Here are 5 tips that will help you churn out perfect espresso every time from your home espresso machine.

(1) It starts with *very* good espresso beans.

Espresso is only as good at the bean it’s extracted from. There are untold amounts of blends form a gaggle of roasters. Some are very proficient at what they do, while others have given up everything to pursue perfection, good taste, and espresso art.

That said, do not go on the cheap for espresso beans, nor should you pursue the “big roasters” as the ultimate authority on good espresso, because they generally are not.

Go online and look up some coffee roasters in Portland, San Fran and Seattle. Look for independent shops that have good reputations on coffee forums or have great chatter about the quality of their coffee on Facebook. contact the roasters and see if they are willing to send you a small sample of their espresso. You’ll be surprised how many will say yes, and even more surprised how many different flavors you’ll experience from each roaster.

Price is generally the same across the board, but expect a variance of about 1-3 dollars per pound. Except for Kona coffee, which you’ll pay almost $30 a pound.

Freshness is important as well. After roasting espresso should sit for a few days to “de-gass.” After that its “freshness” period begins. If properly sealed it should remain “fresh” for about 4 weeks. After that the flavor may begin to shift, though it may not be dramatic at first.

(2) High Heat For High Flavor

Coffee beans are about 12% oil so a fair amount of pressure and heat are required to extract the delicate flavors of espresso.

Espresso extraction temperatures should range from 198 to 201 degrees, and use about 9 bars of pressure (about 131 pounds of pressure) to unlock and otherwise force the flavor from the bean. Keep in mind that not all home espresso machines can do this properly or consistently, so follow the rule that, “you get what you pay for” when it comes to espresso machines.

(3) Grind Fine For Maximum Flavor

This gets a little tricky. Espresso requires a fine grind so that the water passing through the coffee filter can take its sweet time to heat the grind enough to extract the most flavor possible. Which is all fine and good, but getting the grind perfect is a trick.

Some home grinders have an “espresso” setting, but most are not nearly fine enough to truly be called an “espresso grind.” Espresso when ground properly is not quite powdery, but its pretty close. It should still have its gritty feeling to it, but not course like can-bought coffees.

Most home grinders will struggle to do the job. However if you purchase your beans through a reputable roaster just asked them to grind it for you. They may ask your machine type or purpose of the grind. Having a pro do it for you will ensure you’ll get the right grind for the right flavor and that you’re maximizing the experience and the cost.

(4) Seek The Crema

Crema is the dissolved oils and solids that are release during extraction that make up the espresso’s delicious sugars and proteins.

Crema is the foamy goodness at the top of a properly extracted espresso shot. Crema’s appearance will vary depending on the blend, temperature and pressure of the machine, but generally it should look rich in color, golden to deep brown, with a marbled look. Crema should take up at least 1/3rd to 1/2 of the shot glass after the extraction is complete, but will quickly reside due to the effects of air.

Crema is basically the good stuff. Keeping it preserved is critical for good home espresso. Therefore after the extraction is complete either drink the espresso right away, or get it into heated milk or a syrup to help “save’ the integrity of the flavor. After the shot is pulled you have about 5 seconds to make the decision or the shot begins to go bad – fast!

(5) Mix Your Flavors Carefully For Huge Taste

If your shot is just so, then why dump it into the cheapest flavor you can find on sale at FlavorWorld? It is so important that you consider the taste of the drink throughout the building process. Why spend so much time making the perfect shot only to void its flavor with bad syrups, sauces or poorly heated milk?

If you’re a vanilla latte fan, then buy the best vanilla syrup you can find that’s made for espresso. Personally I recommend the Monin line of espresso flavors. They truly concentrate on the flavor of the final product and make sure that it complements the taste of espresso perfectly. Its a little more expensive than the other brands, but not by much at all, and well worth the extra spend.

Sauces have a little more leeway. I’ve had some very good mochas made from some very cheap chocolates! Good espresso helps here, but again it comes down to mixing good espresso with other quality ingredients. Choose carefully and spend a tad more to make it the best in town (seriously).

Following these ideas you can have perfect home espresso from your home espresso machine every time. Be sure to shop carefully for an espresso machine that can sustain high temperatures and steam pressure, and one that is built to last. Investing a little more will ensure you’ll have the best experience making espresso at home, possible.

Home Espresso Latte discusses espresso creation, espresso drinks, and how to make perfect espresso at home using home espresso machines.

Professional baristas have contributed to these 5 tips for home espresso and latte enthusiast who desires to make better espresso at home using professional techniques and home espresso equipment.

Author: Miles Torres
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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