Wine connoisseurs and novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND aboard Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam when the ship debuts in April 2016. In collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and most acclaimed winery, the intimate venue will enable guests to blend their own wine and enjoy it at dinner or in the privacy of their stateroom.
BLEND — the first of its kind for Holland America Line and the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea — will have a tasting table that accommodates 10 guests who can create their own blend from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. In addition to participating in the blending process, guests also will learn about wine from the ship’s wine expert, who leads the blending session.
“At the core of every Holland America Line cruise is our desire to offer unique, immersive and innovative experiences, and BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle is all of those things and more,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “The BLEND experience on Koningsdam is designed to appeal to everyone, and it will be exciting for our guests to create an exclusive wine tailored to their personal taste that they can enjoy onboard with our exceptional cuisine.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7363852-holland-america-line-ms-koningsdam/
When Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast last October, it not only left thousands of miles of devastation, but it also uprooted the lives of all in its path – including millions of pets.
PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief team sprang into action to help more than 60,000 displaced pets in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, West Virginia and Maryland. Sherrie Buzby, a photojournalist for PetSmart Charities and New Jersey native, captured this unique relief effort in photos.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63818-petsmart-charities-historic-pet-relief-effort-hurricane-sandy-anniversary
Top Hybrids and Electric Cars Must Buy 2016 [ Buying Guide ]
Top Recommended Hybrids and Electric Cars
List Car you need to buy:
====== 2016 Tesla Model S ========
We owned a 2013 Tesla Model S for 18 months and despite numerous dealer visits and maintenance issues, we were ultimately sad to see it go. It's quick, comfortable, quiet, spacious, and can tote as much cargo as some crossover SUVs. The "85" version can go 265 miles on a charge, so range anxiety is a nonissue. We even drove ours from L.A. to New York in less than three days using Tesla's free Supercharger quick-charge network. We definitely have gripes, including some underwhelming interior trim pieces and a lack of small item storage. There's also the below-average reliability, although our dealer experiences were exceptional. So even though it's not perfect, the Model S remains our favorite electric car.
============2016 Kia Soul EV============
Kia's first real foray into the electric vehicle world is a success. In fact, the funky Soul is arguably more appealing when it swaps out its internal combustion engine for an electric motor. In our testing, the Soul EV went farther on a charge than its similarly sized and priced competitors, and then recharged quickly thereafter. It also doesn't suffer a reduction in cargo space versus the non-EV Soul, meaning it provides the utility of a small SUV rather than that of a small hatchback like its rivals. A long warranty and generous features are other benefits.
===============2015 BMW i3=============
BMW's i3 is a remarkable vehicle. Its main structure is made of light yet strong carbon fiber instead of the usual steel or aluminum. This helps reduce the i3's weight, which pays dividends for both electric range and performance. With its electric motor in back and the battery under the floor, the i3 boasts sporty acceleration and handling.
======= 2015 BMW i8 ===========
You want your plug-in hybrid to be a head-turning sports car? Look no further than the BMW i8, the two-door supercar for the environmentally conscious. Like the more attainable BMW i3, the i8 is built around a carbon-fiber passenger cell. But in the i8 an electric motor drives the front wheels and a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine pushes from behind.
===== Luxury Hybrid 2016 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid =====
Porsche's flagship sedan is the Panamera, a low-slung four-door with a hatchback trunk. The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid version, and it offers 16 miles of pure electric driving before the supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 engine takes over. Acceleration, handling and braking are pure Porsche, which is something of a trick for a car this large. It's perfect for those shoppers
======= Hybrid SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid =========
No other automaker bothers to offer a hybrid version of its three-row SUV. But Toyota's Highlander Hybrid doesn't earn a spot in our Buying Guide purely by default. It continues to show just how well the hybrid formula can be applied to a big, family-friendly crossover SUV. The hybrid version earns a 28 mpg combined estimate, or 7-8 mpg better than the V6-powered Highlander. In addition to that, the Highlander Hybrid offers solid build quality, respectable acceleration, a sophisticated and quiet ride quality and plenty of standard and available features.
====== 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2016 Toyota Prius =====
Substantial changes last year vaulted the Toyota Camry Hybrid onto our top-recommended list. Although it doesn't quite match the fuel economy of some competitors, the real-world cost of that difference is negligible. Plus, dismissing the Camry simply because of an mpg or two would mean missing out on an otherwise compelling sedan. Comfort remains a Camry priority, but this latest Camry Hybrid also handles pretty well.
====== Hybrid Cars 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Energi =====
The 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great choice for car shoppers who are new to hybrids. It's quiet, comfortable and feels very much like a normal family sedan, while delivering the fuel economy you expect from a hybrid. It's also a Ford Fusion, which means you also get impressive refinement, good road manners and plenty of standard and available high-tech features.
======= 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf =====
Among entry-level EVs, the Volkswagen e-Golf is our favorite. It handles well, has a handsome interior, delivers class-competitive range and has the optimal equipment for quick battery recharging. What's even better, cargo space is unchanged from the non-EV Golf because the batteries are located under the floor.
Mary Rose just wants to fit in and make friends…but that’s not that easy when you’re carrying around a deadly secret. Find out more at dearnobodydiary.com. YA, Non-Fiction
Anyone who's ever survived a severe weather storm or natural disaster knows that the damage to home and property can be overwhelming, emotionally and financially. Although it is impossible to know exactly when a disaster will strike, State Farm® wants you to be prepared and quickly recover from the unexpected. Your ability to weather the storm may depend on the measures you take today. As the largest property insurer in the nation, State Farm has been helping families manage the risks of everyday life since 1922.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/65822-state-farm-severe-weather-disaster-preparedness/
Ringo, a new international calling app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, is now available – making international calls simple and inexpensive. Whether you are a business user, an international traveler, or living abroad, Ringo is affordable and easy to use. It offers landline call quality at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional long distance calling and VoIP services. Ringo is a simple and inexpensive way to keep in touch with colleagues abroad.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400533-say-hello-to-ringo-international-calling-app
This year Glen Grant is releasing an exceptionally rare edition, the Glen Grant 50 Year Old – a fitting tribute to the innovation and whisky craftsmanship woven into the legend of Glen Grant.
On 28 October 1963 a rather special cask was hand filled by a young man who, at the time, was unaware that this liquid gold would ultimately shape his destiny. It would slowly mature for 50 years until 25 November 2013, when it reached its zenith – a robust, full-bodied and perfectly balanced single malt of distinction.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/65033-campari-glen-grant-50
Royal Caribbean International – the cruise line known for pushing the limits of what’s possible at sea with industry-leading ship design, amenities, programming and activities – has teamed up with athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones to create a game plan for active cruising onboard its newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, when she launches from the New York area in November 2014. As Quantum Experience Advisor for Sports and Fitness, Jones is the latest celebrity expert to suit up for the cruise line’s Quantum Experience Advisors program, whose roster also includes interior designer and HGTV-star Genevieve Gorder. Royal Caribbean is documenting the creative process with both Jones and Gorder and fans can tune in to RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas to follow their progress.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55596-royal-caribbean-international-dhani-jones-former-nfl-quantum-of-the-seas
Originally, this recording was never meant to be presented as a actual song but just with me goofing around with my music gear and my guitar "The DOG" just after I picked him up from the music pound. It started soon after my new friend at the time who hooked me up with the gear that I now use, must have thought that I was telling dog tales when I told him that punks used to brag that they would know someone who could blow me away with their guitar skills and I have never seen the day to which that has happened. I don't possess any particular guitar skills but when I put the Dog on my lap, he doesn't act like a traditional lapdog and he doesn't take kindly to strangers. Especially to cats who try to invade and rule the house. Well, a few days later he brought a 16 year old cat going by the name of Brandon...or Brendon along with some other cats to watch the event as B Boy was supposed to blow me away with his PRODIGY SKILLS. It was amazing to watch the boy perform Beethoven stuff and the kind of stuff you see on Youtube.
After he played his act with my Dog, he then handed the Dog over to me..."Hey hey..chuckle chuckle" ...I don't walk the Dog...He walk's me...I just tickle his neck and belly and then he'll pull off his Dog tricks to which I have no control over. I explained to my friend later that there's more to playing the guitar than just sitting a dog on your lap to perform tricks. You've gotta have some music to back you up to see how your dog keeps up with the beat and so I made this song up to show him how that's done. I made this one up real fast and tried singing for the first time and arranging vocal parts and just talked about whatever came to mind and just let the Dog do whatever he wanted to do. This is about as raw as it get's. The whole song took me about a week to do.
The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® encourages families in the Northwest to understand their unique winter flood risk and prepare now to protect property and possessions from flood damage.
Floods are a year-round hazard, and the risks do not end when cold weather begins. Heavy seasonal rains and snowmelt often lead to flooding during the winter months. Even areas that receive less snow and rain this winter season might experience drought-like conditions that ultimately can lead to flash flooding when it does rain.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59559-federal-alliance-for-safe-homes-flash-winter-weather-flood-risk
