Astronomy

Victor, NY (Vocus/PRWEB) March 14, 2011

Rochester hotel the Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor honored team member Jill Pow on her Spirit of Hampton Award on January 19, 2011. The prestigious Spirit of Hampton award is given to team members who exceed expectations and make outstanding contributions to guests, fellow team members, the outside community and/or their hotel?s financial performance. Employees are nominated by their peers and Hilton officials vote on all nominations presented. The international award is awarded annually to 2,400 Hampton employees and is the highest form of team member recognition.

?Jill Pow?s ability to connect with guests is out of this world,? states Alan Holt, the Rochester hotels General Manager. Having worked at the Rochester hotel for the past 2 ? years, Jill connected last year with a 12-year-old boy in a wheelchair. After talking to the boy, she found out that he was interested in space and astronomy, so she mailed him some things she thought would interest him.

The next year the family returned and the two immediately started talking where they’d left off, like old friends. ?Whether bringing in birthday cakes, giving out Halloween treats or volunteering for local organizations, Jill is always finding ways to connect with others. We thank her for making it Hampton for our guests,? further notes Holt.

The award was given at a luncheon January 19 with 25 team members in attendance where Jill received brand wide recognition, a plaque, $ 350 and a call from a Hilton brand executive as well as Brian Wismar, Regional Director of New Castle Hotels and Resorts representing the management company for the Rochester hotel.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Victor offers a broad range of services and amenities including Rochester restaurant TGI Friday?s conveniently located in the Rochester hotels parking lot, fully equipped suites with kitchens, full hot breakfast daily, fitness centre and pool. Complimentary wi-fi, USA Today weekdays and a suite shop convenience store for a late night Rochester dining snack make the Hampton very popular amongst Rochester hotels, with team members passionate about taking care of guests. The Hampton also offers free shuttle service to a 3-mile radius Monday through Saturday 8am to 8pm and is located next to the Eastview Mall for Rochester shopping.

The Rochester hotel offers meeting space for corporate events and has Rochester accommodations ideal or sports groups and family gatherings made easy to plan with planning and booking tools to make the process quick and organized. For more information on the Rochester New York hotels facilities to or book a special package for a weekend getaway, visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/specials.jhtml;jsessionid=2FYB2H2MSUNU2CSGBIX2VCQ?ctyhocn=ROCFPHX

About the Hampton Inn & Suites Victor/Rochester

The Hampton Inn & Suites? Hotel in Rochester Victor, New York occupies a special part of the Empire State in the Finger Lake region. The 100% non-smoking hotel features 123 rooms as well as spacious suites with kitchen facilities. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Greater Rochester International Airport and 60 minutes from Greater Buffalo International Airport, the hotel is close shopping, restaurants, attractions, championship golf courses and is a close drive to Lake Ontario. The Rochester hotel features a fitness centre, heated pool, business centre, laundry and on-site convenience store. Complimentary breakfast is included for all guests. With 2,200 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is also ideal for corporate meetings and smaller social gatherings. Visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ROCFPHX for further information and reservations.

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Related Astronomy Press Releases

Lakewood, Ohio (Vocus/PRWEB) March 28, 2011

What is ?redshift?? How old is the Sun? What is ?string theory?? Millions of people ask these and other questions about our Universe every day. Now, the new book Astronomy: Selected Topics (published by Trafford Publishing) by Dr. Charles H. Grace provides readers with a primer to better understanding these and many other inquiries regarding the universe.

Almost every child has asked ?why do we have summer and winter seasons?? Every night, people gaze up into the sky and ponder the scintillating, shimmering points of light. Curiosity about our surroundings and what lies beyond is hardwired into the human mind. Astronomy: Selected Topics endeavors to answer questions not only about the Universe around us, but about the scientists who study it as well.

While there are many books about physics, astronomy and the various theories regarding the mechanics of the Universe, most are written in a way that is hard for the average person to understand. Astronomy: Selected Topics presents information in an easy to understand format and in language that does not require an advanced degree in physics. For example, did you know that the sun is physically below the horizon at sunset while it is still visible in the sky?

?At sunset, when the bottom edge of the Sun appears to just touch the horizon, the Sun is actually entirely below the horizon, with its top edge geometrically at the horizon! Refraction in the atmosphere causes the ?rays? from the Sun to bend downward by about 1/2 degree, which happens to be the size of the Sun as seen from Earth. As a result, the entire Sun is still in sight even after it is entirely below the horizon.?

Astronomy: Selected Topics uses anecdotes, stories and simple explanations to better describe how the Universe around us works. Its straightforward text and easy manner make it ideal for anyone wishing to unravel the secrets of the Universe.

About the Author

Charles H. Grace earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and a law degree from Cleveland State University. During his career, he was an engineering manager, consulting engineer and supervisory lawyer. Dr. Grace is a member of several astronomy organizations. He currently lives in Lakewood, Ohio.

Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, Inc. author services provider, was the first company in the world to offer an ?on-demand publishing service,? and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. For more information, visit http://www.trafford.com.

EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:

Marketing Services

Tel: 1-888-232-4444

Fax: 812-961-3133

Email: promotions(at)trafford(dot)com

(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)????

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Arlington, Texas (PRWEB) April 18, 2011

After two days of nonstop, board game action in Albany, N.Y., American Mensa, the high IQ society, selected five Mensa Select winners at its 2011 Mind Games event. There were 58 entries in this year?s competition, but only these five will have the honor of displaying the coveted Mensa Select seal. This year?s Mensa Select games are:

InStructures: This is an exciting construction-themed game. (Jane’s Games, http://www.janesgames.com)

Pastiche: Explore the paintings, palettes, and pasts of artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family. (Gryphon Games, http://www.freddistribution.com)

Pirate versus Pirate: Pirates have discovered an island brimming with treasure; conquer the island by capturing the gold and silver, or by eliminating enemy pirates. (Out of the Box Publishing, http://www.otb-games.com)

Stomple: Outwit your opponents by stomping their marbles before they stomp yours! (GaZima Games, http://www.gazimagames.com)

Uncle Chestnut’s Table Gype: An abstract strategy game with a random element (Eternal Revolution, http://www.eternalrevolution.com)

?Mensa Select games are fun, challenging games,? said Greg Webster, Chief Judge of this year?s Mind Games event. ?You don?t have to be a genius to enjoy this year?s Mensa Select winners, but be prepared to have your mind teased while being entertained in the process!? For more information, or to purchase this year?s Mensa Select games, log on to http://www.mindgames.us.mensa.org.

American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized, intelligence test. The organization has more than 57,000 members in the United States and more than 110,000 members around the world. Members of Mensa attend local and national events, join special interest groups such as astronomy and philosophy, and help out in their communities through various projects. For more information about Mensa, or to apply for membership, visit http://www.us.mensa.org or call (800) 66-MENSA.

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Temecula, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2011

Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country is gaining well-deserved recognition for its premium, quality wines and becoming a desirable destination for green, eco-friendly travelers and visitors. The casual, picturesque region’s natural beauty includes three unique destinations, each of earth-friendly interest: Downtown Old Town Temecula with surrounding untouched, chaparral-covered hills and nearby, untamed river; Pechanga Resort & Casino nestled against majestic mountains that bloom with lilac in spring; and Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country where vineyards thrive in morning air, refreshing and still.

Efforts toward harmony with nature extend beyond and include local government, families, and schoolchildren. The City of Temecula is helping to preserve the night sky for nearby Palomar Observatory with its 6,500, dark-sky friendly, low-pressure sodium (LPS) arterial and streetlights. Slow Food Temecula Valley’s school gardens program has helped establish and keep growing, edible, organic gardens at more than a dozen, Temecula schools.

Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country

With 5,000 acres protected in an agricultural preserve, rolling hills, and a big beautiful sky overhead, the vineyards and wineries of Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country host a variety of sustainable practices. Many of these practices begin in the vineyards where the health and vitality of the vines are a precursor to the flavors of the wines. Throughout the valley, cover crops grow between vineyard rows to fortify the soil. Pest management is encouraged by red tail hawks during the day and by owls at night. At harvest-time, the grapes of many vineyards are picked during the cooler temperatures of night and early-early morning, both for energy savings and for the quality berries and juice night-harvesting helps to ensure.

Among Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country champions of sustainability is Ponte Family Estate, which manages its vineyards and winery under the sustainability standards of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Wine Institute. In the vineyards, natural cover crops limit carbon dioxide emissions, preserve soil integrity, enhance soil health, and prevent erosion. Bluebird boxes encourage bluebirds to help manage insects. Soil moisture is monitored; deficit and drip irrigation foster wine quality. Ponte’s ‘green team’ has implemented sustainability practices throughout the winery, tasting room, and restaurant, with its wine club shipping and estate landscaping; and is continually in the process of expanding these efforts. Ponte is also a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) weekly pick-up location.

Farm-elegant and widely recognized for its handcrafted estate grown wines, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery is certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), proud to be members of the Santa Margarita River Watershed monitoring program and active in promoting its overall health. Palumbo recycles grape winemaking by-product (grape skins, seeds, and stems) by nourishing the vineyards with composted grape pomace. Cover crops between vineyard rows include wildflowers to attract ladybugs. All Palumbo corks are derived from sustainable cork forests and are fire-branded, eliminating the need for ink branding. The tasting bar was built using recycled wood scraps found at a local guitar factory for Taylor and Gibson guitars.

The owners of family-run, Leonesse Cellars began as farmers. As a result, and as long-term farmers, Leonesse is earnest in its role as caretakers of the land. Leonesse vineyards are sustainably farmed incorporating practices such as deficit irrigation for quality fruit and for water conservation; organic composts under the vines for nutrients; cover crops – barley in every other row – to build the soil profile; and the encouragement of hawks, owls, and beneficial insects. At Leonesse, the “Touch the Vine, Taste the Wine,” tour and tasting includes a trek via jumbo electric golf cart to experience the vineyards firsthand. Leonesse is the host venue for Slow Food Temecula Valley’s annual Field To Fork, a premier wine, craft beer, and food-pairing event.

The vineyards of stunning estate, Monte de Oro Winery are also sustainably farmed as naturally as possible. Another example of Monte de Oro’s green commitment is its 9,000 square-foot, subterranean, wine cellar. Utilizing the environment and aesthetics of the structure maintains a proper, consistent temperature and constant humidity for wine barrel storage and cellaring. This dramatically reduces the need for electricity that would be required for an above-ground wine barrel facility.

With a deep farming history and passion for Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, boutique-winery, Stuart Cellars is clearly focused on sustainability. Vineyard land is fortified with legumes and barley, and composted grape pomace is used as a natural soil amendment. Deficit irrigation watering and soil moisture monitoring are practiced, and emitters with spaghetti tubing that directs water to the base of vines, eliminates trans-evaporation of the water (versus cordon drip systems) by 33%. Towering eucalyptus trees are home to nesting Red Tail hawks and a nesting Coopers hawk, and in Spring 2011, Stuart Cellars’ owl box was home to two adult barn owls and eight baby owls.

At all-Italian varietal, Cougar Vineyard & Winery, cover crops and composted lees (grape seeds, leaves, and skins remaining from the winemaking process) are used to fortify the soils. No pesticides and no herbicides are used in the vineyards, and only natural sulfur is used when necessary to control powdery mildew. By night, owls patrol the Cougar vineyards.

Popular for its unique wines including almond champagne, Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard’s sustainability efforts include monitoring and limiting soil moisture to conserve water; these efforts also control vine canopy growth, and reduce berry and bunch size, thereby improving grape quality. Wilson Creek is also participating in a vineyard water usage study in Wine Country that uses an ADCON network of weather and soil moisture sensing stations. Wilson Creek refrains from using any chemical fertilizers; instead, compost, green waste, and cover crops increase the available nutrients to the vines and retard moisture evaporation.

At South Coast Winery Resort & Spa (Best California State Winery two-years-running), sustainable vineyard growing practices include the use of vine-based compost (grape skins, grape seeds, leaves, and stems leftover from the winemaking process) to improve overall soil health and nurture the growth of future grape production efforts. Grape seeds, leaves, and grape skins (known as ‘lees’) are also recycled to create customized spa services at South Coast’s GrapeSeed Spa. Offered every year at ‘crush,’ the exclusively designed, Lees Mud Scrub is naturally filled with antioxidants from the grapes; the grape skins and grape leaves add an exfoliating texture to the treatment.

Mount Palomar Winery also incorporates sustainability practices in its vineyard management. Grape stems leftover from the winemaking process are used to prevent soil erosion; cover crops and composted grape pomace nourish the soil; and deficit irrigation is practiced. Owl boxes encourage the nighttime predators, and in Spring 2011, a pair of Red Tail hawks had made their home in Mount Palomar’s towering eucalyptus trees. Mount Palomar uses recycled pressed paper (instead of styrofoam) in packaging/shipping its wines.

At Callaway Vineyard & Winery, cover crops limit carbon dioxide emissions, inhibit weed growth, preserve soil integrity, enhance soil health, and encourage beneficial insects. Composted pomace also nourishes vineyard soils, and hawks and owls are effective in their patrols. Weather data and soil moisture monitoring help to limit water usage, and Old World winemaking techniques allow the wines to express themselves. Seasonal events with the winemaker feature an adopt-a-vine program and provide the opportunity to learn more.

Very small, family-owned and operated, Foot Path Winery is Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country’s only certified organic vineyard. Natural cover crops, no pesticides (an organic, chrysanthemum-based alternative is used instead), and hawks and owls on-patrol are practices in the production of Foot Path’s handcrafted wines. The Foot Path Winery also features a small stand with navel, Valencia, and blood oranges; tangerines; pomegranates; figs; apricots; and other tree fruit in-season.

The primary values of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance’s sustainability statement are exemplified throughout Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country but perhaps two values are best illustrated by pioneer Hart Winery. Those values: produce the best quality wine and/or grapes possible and honor the California wine community’s entrepreneurial spirit. While well-respected for a stellar array of estate and Temecula Valley appellation wines, Hart Winery also supports other Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country vineyards and grape growers by buying their grapes for Hart wines, a sustainability practice, indeed.

Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country wholeheartedly recycles glass, cardboard, wooden pallets, etc. For Earth Day 2011, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association and its 34 member wineries also launched a partnership with ReCORK. The natural cork, recycling program’s goal is to inform of the crucial role, renewable cork forests play in curbing climate change.

Dining in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country

Sampling a region’s wines while enjoying the local cuisine is a time-honored travel tradition. In Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, dining in a variety of winery restaurants where local ingredients are used to craft seasonal menus affords the opportunity to experience the natural affinity – and natural synergy – of Temecula Valley wines and foods together.

Among earth-friendly, winery restaurants in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country is Meritage at Callaway Vineyard & Winery, a genuine proponent of ‘shopping for the day’ using local, sustainable and organic ingredients. Based on the small plate/Tapas concept of big flavor and variety, seasonal menus feature tapas, salads, and entrees with a Mediterranean flair. Meritage is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

The Restaurant at Ponte Winery sources much of its fresh produce from Crows Pass Farm located across the street; olive oils and cheeses are also sourced locally. Poultry and meats are from sustainable farms, and all seafood selections are on the Seafood Watch from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The menu features Italian, French, and California-influenced seasonal selections, and is vegetarian-friendly.

The Creekside Restaurant at Wilson Creek Winery has an inspired menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and seasonal specials. Creekside utilizes organic and local produce, and is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. Creekside also serves a complete gluten-free menu.

Pechanga Resort & Casino

The Pechanga Band of Luise?o Indians have called the Temecula Valley home for more than 10,000 years. Within Pechanga Resort & Casino?s 445-acre footprint, there is a relaxed symmetry; the architecture is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright and infused with Luise?o tribal art and culture. The AAA 4-Diamond casino resort garners high acclaim as one of the premier live entertainment venues in Southern California. Lesser known is Pechanga?s alternative-energy creation station ? a cogeneration plant.

Using natural gas, the CoGen plant can produce up to 4 megawatts of power to produce 75% of the power that the Resort uses during the winter months. The plant has an automated system that uses waste heat to produce steam for domestic hot water heaters, and produces chill water for the air conditioning system. This translates to carbon dioxide reduction, and the relief of taking 1.5 megawatts of energy off the grid.

Pechanga’s interest in clean, renewable energy and regard as an authentically gracious, full-service resort were further demonstrated on Earth Day 2011. Six electric car-charging stations debuted and became available on the first level of the Resort’s north parking structure.

Journey at Pechanga

The championship 18-hole, golf course, Journey at Pechanga, is acknowledged with highly desirable accolades from top golf publications. Literally ?10,000 years in the making? and a union of nature, form and function, the spectacular course snakes through the awe-inspiring terrain of native canyons and along the boulder strewn mountain. The course includes 7+ miles of cart paths and many stunning vistas of the Temecula Valley and the surrounding mountains. Electric golf carts are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS systems; GPS and communications are solar-powered.

With respect for the natural habitat and Pechanga heritage, design and construction of the course on nearly 300 acres of unique, ancestral land, preserved most native, oak trees; those removed were moved and transplanted at great expense. Visible from the back 9 is the ancient Great Oak (namesake for the resort?s Great Oak Steakhouse fine-dining restaurant). The Great Oak is the largest, natural-growing, indigenous coast live oak tree in the United States. It is estimated to be 850 to 1,500 years old, making it one of the oldest oak trees in the world. The second-largest Pechanga oak is a deep-rooted feature on hole 9. Mature California oaks also stand on holes 1, 3, and 4; and are challenging obstacles on holes 2 and 7.

Each hole on the Journey course bears a Luise?o name from The Beginning Place/Chuxi? vonga at hole 1 through Eagle?s Nest/Aswut Potee?I at hole 18. The course also hosts cultural exhibits that chronicle the history of the Pechanga people.

Beside the Rainbow Gap: Temecula Creek Inn

Nestled against one of the Temecula Valley’s most recognized, geographic features, the peaceful elegance of Temecula Creek Inn sets on 350 acres of secluded, natural beauty. A recent recipient of the coveted Four Star rating Golf Digest Places to Play, the Inn’s 27-hole championship golf course includes a distinctive trio of course options. From the traditional adjoining fairways of the Creek Course, to the scenic beauty of the Oaks, to the dramatic elevation changes of the precision-demanding Stonehouse, each offers challenge and reward to players of all skill levels. Century-old oak trees and towering sycamores line the fairways.

At Temecula Creek Inn, birdwatchers revel in watching Red Tail hawks soar high above. For hikers and joggers seeking morning and late-afternoon jaunts, miles of well-marked trails wrap around the resort.

Unique to Temecula Creek Inn is the historic Stone House. Built circa 1825 and once used as a mess hall for hard-working quarrymen, the quaint, 870-square-foot granite and stone building is a perfect venue for cozy wine dinners, intimate retreats, and team-building activities. The structure with its cool, stone walls, rustic-beamed ceiling, wood furnishings, stone fireplace and antiques, sits beside towering, 100-year old oaks.

Old Town Temecula

The first people of the original village knew it as “the place where the sun shines through mist.” Years later, Butterfield stagecoaches rumbled into Temecula, stopping at Temecula’s first post office (established in 1859). Old Town Temecula was born with the arrival of the California Southern Railroad in 1882; those railroad days endured into the 1930s.

Today, more than a dozen historical properties dating as far back as the 1890s still exist and have been repurposed and reopened in the Old Town Temecula entertainment-dining-shopping district. The circa 1890, red-brick Burnham Store, later Temecula Mercantile, is now The MERC, a popular, small, concert venue and art gallery, adjacent the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Old Town’s newest landmark is the Mission Revival-style Civic Center and Parking Structure. Designed to meet the US Green Building Council’s Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification requirements, award from the USGBC is anticipated by Autumn 2011. An example of the new Civic Center’s conserving energy and being healthier and safer than conventional construction is its highly efficient, direct/indirect cooling system providing 100% fresh air, 100% of the time. Meanwhile, the parking structure’s top-level, photovoltaic/solar-panel installation generates 90% of the energy for the parking structure’s uses.

Old Town Temecula’s Tasting Trail

Gaining renown is Old Town Temecula’s Tasting Trail featuring merchants of local and artisan foods, olive oils, and luscious wines. Among Old Town purveyors is family-owned and operated Temecula Olive Oil Company which sustainably grows olives on its ranch 18 miles east of Old Town (tours by advance reservation the second and fourth Saturdays of each month; final olive oil pressings fuel the tractor); produces all its 100% California, 100% extra virgin olive oil products in Temecula; and offers complimentary olive oil tastings everyday in its Old Town Temecula location. Exceptionally fresh the way nature intended, savoring the purity dramatically illustrates that sustainable growing practices and the old world process indeed make all the difference. As popular as the rich, buttery Olivum (Late Harvest), are seasonal flavors like Citrus and Fresh Basil.

Among Old Town’s wine tasting rooms and wine bars is premium wine lounge, The Collective, representing a variety of small, Temecula Valley appellation, boutique wineries including Woodworth Vineyards. The unique micro-climate in the Del Luz area east of Old Town and attentive craftsmanship enable Woodworth Estate Wines to produce award-winning Pinot Noir. Woodworth Vineyards are sustainably farmed and self-assessed annually per California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) guidelines.

Farmers and specialty food artisans at Saturdays’ California Certified, Old Town Farmers’ Markets (8am to 1:30pm) are 99% local (within 100 miles). Products include organic and conventional, fruits and vegetables; honey, nuts, free-range eggs, cheese, pesto, garlic pastes, and olives. Local avocados and citrus are available year-round; strawberries, March-April-May; ; peaches, apricots, plums and other stone-fruit, June-July; sweet white corn by the 4th of July; tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peak in August; persimmons, guavas, September-October; sweet navel oranges, tangerines, as well as Dragon fruit, and Buddha?s hand/fingered citron, November-December; cherimoyas into January-February.

Dining and Shopping in Old Town Temecula

Dozen-block, Old Town Temecula is made for strolling; exploring the unique, specialty stores; and experiencing the independently owned restaurants, bistros, and coffee houses. Among earth-friendly, dining options are Old Town’s gastro-pub, The Public House where local, seasonal, and sustainable foods are served; and the menu and specials change regularly. Public House food and beverage sources include Old Town Temecula’s Spice Merchants and Caf? Bravo; and Temecula’s own microbrewery, Black Market Brewing Company. The Public House’s popular meatloaf is made with regional, all-natural, grass-fed beef. The Public House is also vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

Palumbo’s Ristorante prepares much of its Southern Italian cuisine with locally grown, organic produce; features seasonally-inspired specials (the Caprice salad and Margarita pizza are exceptionally delicious in summer when made with local, heirloom tomatoes); offers a nice variety of local Temecula Valley wines; and the bread, raviolis, sausage, meatballs, soups, and sauces are house-made. Palumbo’s is vegetarian-friendly and all soups including the minestrone are vegetarian.

Sharing a handsome, Old Town building are Baily’s Fine Dining (California/Continental cuisine) and Front Street Bar & Grill (upscale, casual, with patio dining). At Baily’s, local, seasonal ingredients are used and inspire the menu; the popular prix fixe menu changes weekly (every Tuesday). Like Baily’s, Front Street Bar & Grill is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, and the menu features local and seasonal ingredients.

The Edge Restaurant is sophisticated and trendy, and the menu reflects the use of local and organic ingredients, and certified, grass-fed prime beef. Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, The Edge also features local Temecula Valley wines.

Old Town’s specialty coffee house, Cafe’ Bravo locally fresh-roasts fair-trade/in-season whole bean coffee and serves up latte performance art in for-here porcelain mugs. Cafe’ Bravo’s coffee grounds are recycled to fortify the soil of customers’ gardens.

Down the block at Old Town Spice Merchants, recycled 100-year-old, barn beams support the shelves. Local source for teas and spices for many Temecula Valley wineries and restaurants, Old Town Spice Merchants also garners a following for its fine, spice and herb blends, and sea salts.

With its lavender fields in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, and its products made exclusively in Temecula, Temecula Lavender Company offers bath, body, and home products including sweetly scented soaps, lotions, and candles. Also available are novelty, lavender pepper, and culinary lavenders, both savory and sweet.

Back at Temecula Olive Oil Company, the line of locally made, nourishing, olive-oil bath and beauty products (body soaps, lotions, and butters) also includes shampoo bars. The shampoo bars eliminate detergent common in shampoos and involve no plastic bottle.

Natural Treasures in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve consists of 8,300 acres and protects unique ecosystems like ancient Engelmann oak woodlands (one of California’s rarest oak species), Southern California’s rare, bunchgrass prairie, and the region’s last remaining vernal pools – home to rare fairy shrimp, found nowhere else on earth. Small songbirds winter in the oak woodlands, and spring finds an abundance of native wildflowers in bloom and butterflies busy at work.

Formed from the confluence of the Temecula Creek and the Murrieta Creek, the Santa Margarita River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Southern California. The Santa Margarita River Watershed includes Temecula Gorge, a 5-mile canyon formed by the Santa Margarita River as it courses through the southern Santa Ana Mountains. Located on the upper Santa Margarita River is the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. Sycamore, cottonwood, and willow forests are part of a 30-mile protected riparian corridor.

With evidence of the region’s Ice Age environments, mastodons and mammoths are the hallmarks of the Western Science Center’s collection. The Center, awarded Platinum LEED Certification from the USGBC, hosts monthly Astronomy Nights providing opportunities to clearly see the moon, stars, and planets.

***Information is believed to be accurate but is subject to change. Please call ahead for the latest details.

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Find More Astronomy Press Releases

Duck, NC (PRWEB) May 19, 2011

The Sanderling Resort & Spa, an iconic beachfront resort in North Carolina?s pristine Outer Banks, joins their signature restaurant, The Left Bank, with a AAA Four Diamond Award. This honor distinguishes The Sanderling as the first and only AAA Four-Diamond resort in the Outer Banks.

?We are thrilled to be an AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort,? says Dick McAuliffe, general manager of the The Sanderling. ?Our staff is committed to providing impeccable service for each and every guest and we are honored by this remarkable distinction. The Sanderling has been a favorite retreat for generations of families and we look forward to continually improving the experience.?

Not a newcomer to prestigious honors, The Sanderling recently announced a 2011 AAA Four Diamond distinction for its destination restaurant, The Left Bank. The Outer Bank?s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant has received this award for seven years running.

AAA bestows Four Diamond awards to qualified hotels and restaurants in North America after specially trained evaluators conduct anonymous overnight stays or dine incognito.

Fresh on the heels of a refreshed new look to all guestrooms, The Sanderling kicks off the summer with a host of new experiences, from tracking wild horses in an open air jeep and astronomy lessons on the beach, to shrimp boils and pig pickin?s with live music and Sunday family-style dinners, the spring and summer of 2011 promises to be the most exciting yet.

Nestled into the Outer Banks between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, The Sanderling Resort & Spa is an independently owned beachfront property in Duck, North Carolina. The resort features 88 guestrooms and suites and five rental homes, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the serene Currituck Sound. Amenities include a tranquil spa showcasing healing treatments, fitness center and racket club and miles of nature trails. The resort is also home to the award-winning Left Bank Restaurant and The Lifesaving Station.

For more information visit http://www.thesanderling.com or call (877) 650-4812.

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Kochi, Kerala, India (PRWEB) June 01, 2011

Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd., a world leader in astrology software development, has announced the launch of a free to download application designed to help students and enthusiasts explore the cosmological system of Vedic astrology. The free astrology software is suitable for all users including beginners as well as expert astrologers.

Vedic astrology refers to the ancient Hindu system of astrology and astronomy comprising Siddhanta (astronomy), Samhita and Hora (mundane and predictive astrology).

Based on the sidereal zodiac, Vedic astrology serves to explain or explore the relationship between the macrocosm and the microcosm, which is a deeply entrenched spiritual and philosophical schema. Astro-Vision Futuretech aims to enhance peripheral understanding of the Vedic scriptures (the Vedas) through Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini, its highly accessible new astrology software.

COO of Astro-Vision Futuretech, Mr Manoj GS, announced: ?We are immensely excited to be able to offer Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini for free to our customers. Vedic astrology is an integral aspect of the Hindu way of life, but it is also a supremely beneficial system of knowledge and spiritual learning for all people. Our free software brings this ancient branch of astrology to the masses?.

Astro-Vision hopes its new application will introduce more people to the enlightened world of astrology. In particular, the company aims to attract people of various ages and from all walks of life to Vedic astrology, which is considered by many to be capable of enriching both mind and soul. In order to ensure that Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini achieves its objectives, Astro-Vision has released the software at no cost to users; furthermore, the application is available in a number of languages.

MD of Astro-Vision Futuretech, Mr Arjun RP added, ?We are delighted to supply the software for free ? charging users to download the tool would not have been right considering our aim to broaden the interest in Vedic astrology.

?Our developers worked extremely hard to ensure that we provided as much support as possible to a greater number of users. That?s why Lifesign Mini prepares astrological predictions in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali?.

Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini also provides horoscopes in Marathi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada, while chart styles adopt various formats, such as Bengali, Kerala and North or South Indian. The software is designed to support a range of ayanamsa options, which are explained to new astrology students and include Chitra Paksha, Lahiri, Raman, Krishnamurthy and Thirukanitham variables.

Lifesign Mini provides a selection of Panchanga predictions based on various settings (e.g., birth star, weekday, lunar day and karana), while Bhava predictions are available to explore how the cosmos affects an individual?s character, status, physical stature and so on.

Mr Manoj GS concluded: ?With so many options and settings available, we surprised even ourselves when we confirmed the decision to launch the software free of charge. Lifesign Mini is a comprehensive application that should help many people build and understand their horoscopes?.

Users can download Lifesign Mini for free by clicking here.

About Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd.

Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd. has been offering astrology software products and services to people across the globe for more than two decades. Astro-Vision?s current focus is on providing innovative astrology solutions using the latest technologies in the field of IT and communications. From Desktop PCs to internet portals and mobiles phones Astro-Vision?s range of Astrology solutions includes stand alone applications, online apps, mobile apps and astrology content services. Many popular websites today are powered by Astro-Vision?s web based astrology solutions and astrology content.

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Related Astronomy Press Releases

Naples, FL (PRWEB) June 02, 2011

INgage Networks is recognized as the leading enterprise social software vendor in a new research study published by independent analyst firm Hypatia Research, ?Benchmarking Social Community Platform Investments & ROI.? INgage Networks outscores all competing vendors on the attributes that drive the company?s award-winning platform: range of offering, product/service roadmap and corporate vision.

With over 300 businesses surveyed and 20 social software vendors evaluated, this comprehensive study provides organizations with the unbiased data and assessments needed to make the right social software investments.

?Our assessment is that INgage Networks is among the handful of social media platform providers?ranked as one of the top 20% in Hypatia?s Galaxy evaluations?that scored high in key attributes such as maturity of customer base, range of business functions supported, product vision and long term corporate strategy,? said Leslie Ament, Vice President of Customer Intelligence Research and co-author of the study. ?Moreover, INgage Networks is one of only two vendors evaluated to provide social commerce, reporting and analytics functionality ?which is critical for organizations that seek to justify enterprise investment in social platforms.?

INgage Networks is named #1 in recognition of the following characteristics attributed to top vendors:

????Most complete platforms by offering all four categories of functionality.
????A roadmap with frequent new product or feature releases and a vision of what organizations will want to do with social media in the future.
????Services that translate into several types of services – not just tech support or implementation but also strategic planning.

?What is particularly compelling about this research is that it reflects where the market has moved over the past nine months,? said Kim Patrick Kobza, President and CEO of INgage Networks. ?Organizations have shifted their focus from ?features and functions? to a more strategic view of social software, understanding the need for an enterprise-class platform that they can rely upon to support their business today, and in the future. We are honored to be positioned as the leader and commend Hypatia for the meticulous analysis that was clearly invested in this research.?

INgage Networks is pleased to offer this research to its customers and prospects. Click here to download a free copy of the 55-page report – which includes 20 vendor evaluations, four case studies and a dozen charts, tables and figures.

About Hypatia Research

Hypatia Research, LLC, http://www.HypatiaResearch.com, delivers high impact market intelligence, industry benchmarking, best practice, and vendor selection research for how businesses use technology and service providers to capture, manage, analyze and apply customer intelligence to enhance performance and to accelerate growth. Coverage areas include: CRM, Business Intelligence, Customer Analytics, Social Media, Marketing Automation, Database Marketing, and Information and Customer Data Integration and Quality. Since 2001, clients have relied on us for industry insight, expertise and independent market research for guidance in assessing various technology and service options. Hypatia of Alexandria (circa. 370-415 AD), was the first woman to make substantial contributions to the development of astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy.

About INgage Networks

Established in 1999, INgage Networks is a leading provider of enterprise social software solutions. The company?s award-winning platform enables enterprises to create more effective and profitable engagement with their networks of customers, partners and employees. Proven cloud-based solutions combined with an unparalleled commitment to the success of its customers through support and professional services, are just some of the reasons why customers like American Express, ABC News and Michigan State University trust INgage Networks with their business. The company has been honored with some of the software industry?s most prestigious awards, including the CODiE Award for the ?best social networking solution? for enterprises. For more information, visit http://www.ingagenetworks.com.

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Independence, Kentucky (PRWEB) June 04, 2011

NASA will host a Tweetup for approximately 120 Twitter followers at JPL on Monday, June 6 and 20 Twitter followers at Dryden on Wednesday, June 8th. BeTranslated works in partnership with The Brady Group LLC, a Woman/Minority Owned Small Business based in Independence, Kentucky, USA. BeTranslated provides professional translation services for documents and websites. The translation network focuses on translations for businesses, translations for the real estate and manufacturing industries, with professional translators also specializing in technology and of course, aerospace & aeronautics.

We will be available for interviews by phone or by Skype throughout our trip and will be broadcasting info/answering questions about our trip on various social media such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. NASA will also be broadcasting LIVE from JPL on June 6th. We will also use this opportunity to tweet about some great international charities and help draw attention to the great work they do.

EVENT SCHEDULE

JUNE 5TH Departure from Cincinnati/NKY Airport CVG to Los Angeles LAX

JUNE 6TH????NASA JPL TWEETUP AT JPL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA ? 8:00AM ? 5:30PM

JUNE 7TH????Meeting with NASA JPL SMALL BUSINESS TEAM

JUNE 8TH????NASA DRYDEN TWEETUP IN PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA ? 8:00AM ? 5:30PM

JUNE 9TH????Return from LAX to CVG

THE NASA JPL TWEETUP

With four space missions launching this year and an asteroid belt encounter nearly underway, 2011 will be one of the busiest ever in planetary exploration. Our BeTranslated Tweetup Team (@BETRANSLATED) will interact with JPL scientists and engineers about these upcoming missions: Aquarius, to study ocean salinity; Grail, to study the moon’s gravity field; Juno to Jupiter; and the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity rover. Participants also will learn about the Dawn mission and its upcoming encounter with the asteroid Vesta. The Tweetup will include a tour of JPL, robotics demonstrations and a last chance to see the Curiosity rover before it ships to Florida to prepare for a November launch. Tour stops will include the Spacecraft Assembly Facility where Curiosity is under construction, the mission control center of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and JPL’s new Earth Science Visitor Center.

Tweetup participants also will mingle with fellow attendees and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA, @NASAJPL, @MarsRovers, @AsteroidWatch and more.

THE NASA DRYDEN TWEETUP

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP (SOFIA) is an aircraft equipped with a German-built infrared astronomy telescope which is used when fuselage opening is fully open.

SOFIA is a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft fitted with a 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter telescope. It analyzes infrared light to study the formation of stars and planets; chemistry of interstellar gases; composition of comets, asteroids and planets; and supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies. Infrared observations are optimal for studying low-temperature objects in space such as the raw materials for star and planet formation and for seeing through interstellar dust clouds that block light at visible wavelengths.

NASA’s international partners in developing and operating SOFIA, the German Aerospace Center DLR and the German SOFIA Institute DSI, will fly educators as well. The DLR and DSI plan to announce their first two ambassadors later this month. You can see why translation for aerospace and technology is important to the cooperation of various space programs and scientists around the world.

SOFIA is a joint program between NASA and DLR in Bonn, Germany. The SOFIA program is managed at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The aircraft is based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SOFIA science and mission operations in cooperation with the Universities Space Research Association in Columbia, Md., and DSI in Stuttgart, Germany. Tweetup participants also will mingle with fellow attendees and the staff behind the tweets on @NASADryden

BeTranslated is proud to be part of the international business community and will use this opportunity to promote technology, aerospace, NASA, and international cooperation. We here at BeTranslated feel that our translation agency provides a vital service to communities and international organizations around the world. We feel that by supporting the international space programs and related contractors through translation for technology and science, we can do our part to further the cause of all countries in this amazing field.

You can follow the event & interact with us via Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/BeTranslated

NASA Television will broadcast portions of the Tweetup on June 6 and June 8th at:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-hd-tv

For more information about SOFIA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sofia

For more information about BeTranslated, visit:

http://www.betranslated.com

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Related Astronomy Press Releases

(PRWEB) June 09, 2011

Capturing a breath taking image with a telescope used to be very difficult, and it required somewhat expensive astronomy equipment to do the job right. Thanks to Orion Telescopes and other astronomy product dealers, things aren?t what they used to be. Better amateur astrophotography equipment is being mass produced now more than ever. The result is that consumers have access to more options and superior astrophotography products for a fraction of the cost as compared to just 5 years ago. The astrophotography market is growing and the constant addition of newer and better astrophotography equipment at affordable price points means more people are getting into this hobby. In other words, the industry is sort of going through a big bang of its own!

Buy-Telescope.com just published new information regarding the latest Orion Mini Autoguider package that was recently made available to consumers. In addition to its affordability, Buy-Telescope.com reports that it is a very accurate autoguider solution suitable for virtually all amateur astrophotography applications.

The function of the Orion autoguider is to help keep Orion telescopes on target while the picture is being taken. It compensates for the rotation of the earth by feeding data to a computer which then sends precise instructions to motor of the telescope mount. Without an autoguider setup, long exposure astrophotography without star trails just isn?t possible.

While there are many great Orion telescopes and accessories available for astrophotography, the main challenge when starting out isn?t with choosing the equipment. The web is full of product reviews and recommendations. Learning how to use the equipment, setting up the camera, processing and stacking images is not really intuitive however. Quality information in this specific area is still lacking. Thankfully, Buy-Telescope.com continues its tradition of providing high quality educational information by giving away a high quality astrophotography eBook called ?Getting Started in Astrophotography?. The information supplied in this free eBook really helps amateur backyard astronomers get started on the right track.

Follow Buy-Telecope.com on Facebook.

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More Astronomy Press Releases

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 15, 2011

Southern Stars, a 2010 MacWorld Best of Show winner, has just launched a major new version of its best-in-class SkySafari astronomy app for iOS. Southern Stars also announced that SkySafari has now been downloaded more than 400,000 times. To celebrate this milestone, Southern Stars is making the new SkySafari 3 release free around the world on June 15th, 2011. That date is SkySafari’s second anniversary, and it coincides with the longest, deepest total lunar eclipse in more than a decade.

To download SkySafari 3 now, go to the iTunes store by clicking this link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3/id437108143?mt=8

SkySafari 3 now comes in three versions – basic ($ 3), Plus ($ 15), and Pro ($ 60). The basic version is free until June 18th, 2011; Plus and Pro are at half-price on the iTunes Store until June 21st, 2011. At nearly 500 MB, the all-new Pro version includes the largest database of any mobile astronomy app. It contains over 15 million stars from the Hubble Guide Star Catalog; 740,000 galaxies to 18th magnitude; and more than 550,000 solar system objects – including every asteroid and comet known to science. SkySafari 3 Pro has been in the 10 top-grossing iOS education apps since its release, and has received the highest user ratings of any Southern Stars product, ever.

To download SkySafari 3 Pro now, go to the iTunes store by clicking this link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3-pro/id437112382?mt=8

Finally, June 15th, 2011 brings the longest total lunar eclipse since 2000. The eclipse will be visible from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. That date is also SkySafari’s 2nd anniversary. To help people track this eclipse, Southern Stars will release SkySafari 3 for free on the iTunes Store for three days, starting 24 hours before the event. SkySafari is the only iPhone astronomy app which can correctly simulate lunar eclipses and many other celestial phenomena. “We’re using the June 15th lunar eclipse to share our latest astronomy apps with the public, and to spark an interest in astronomy for millions of people around the world,” said Southern Stars founder Tim DeBenedictis. “It’s an event we couldn’t miss.”

More information, including video and a link to the app, can be found here:

http://www.southernstars.com/eclipse/index.html

About Southern Stars

Southern Stars is a world leader in mobile applications for astronomy, and has been developing planetarium software since 1993. In 2009, Southern Stars developed SkyFi, the first wireless iPhone-based solution for telescope control. That product, and the SkyVoyager iPhone app, won a MacWorld 2010 Best of Show award. Southern Stars was the also the first company to ship a Made-for-iPad serial cable for iOS devices (SkyWire). To date, Southern Stars’ iPhone apps have been downloaded more than 400,000 times.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Southern Stars has more than three decades of collective experience in developing astronomical software, telescope control systems, and instrumentation.

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