Buddy Drew and his mom, Rhoda

(PRWEB) October 31, 2011

maXam Production Group announces that in his first few days of life, Buddy Drew – The Musical has joined the world of social networking and can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Fans of the musical will be able to follow the show’s progress all the way to Broadway. “We’d like to build a fan base on the internet and get people excited about the show,” according to Director of Social Media Director, Alexander Lowell, President and CEO Edge Efficiency (http://www.edgeefficiency.com), “So that when it comes time for Buddy Drew – The Musical to make the move to Broadway, we’ve already got people waiting to get their tickets.”

And want tickets they will, Buddy Drew – The Musical features a rock score by DC based composer Adam B. Levowitz (http://www.adamlevowitz.com) and book filled with wit and charm by and Houston based playwright Ashley Whitrock. This modern day Gilbert and Sullivan collaborating from different time zones, but unlike the infamous hate/hate relationship of the 19th century between G & S, L & W are good friends who have collaborated on a variety of projects including “Here’s Looking At You, Kid”, a not-yet-produced musicalization of the classic film Casablanca. And yes, the two dared to replace “As Time Goes By” with their own modern day classic with the title song.

The producers of the Buddy Drew – The Musical will bring the show to ife February 24 & 25 at the Soundry in Vienna, Va (soundry.net). Get your tickets now as this is an intimate affair with only 50 seats available for each night. Those that are lucky enough to be in attendance will have the opportunity to provide feedback after each performance with an open ended Q & A session with the cast and crew.

To reserve your spot email tickets(at)buddydrew(dot)com.

Based on the real life story of Drew Brown III, Buddy Drew – The Musical is a coming-of-age tale about a black kid from Harlem raised by his white, Jewish grandparents in Brighton Beach right smack dab in the middle of the prize fight known as the Civil Rights Movement. His black father, Bundini Brown, a street hustler from Harlem and also the corner man for the heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali, married Rhoda Palestine, a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn who reveled in the sights and sounds of the Harlem nightlife that Bundini reigned over. Together they made history and Drew Brown III. The three of them – Bundini, Rhoda and Buddy Drew – form a dysfunctional yet poignant love triangle with Bundini at the apex. And according to Buddy Drew, “to be loved by Bundini was like an addiction. Once you had it, you wanted it all to yourself. “

Growing up with a life as shaky as a yarmulke on an Afro, Buddy Drew must contend with an absentee father who spent the better part of his life fostering the career, affection and respect of his “other” son, Muhammad Ali. Buddy Drew finds himself sparing with the world’s greatest boxer for the love of Bundini. Like many father/son, love/hate relationships, Buddy Drew searches for his own identity and when is finally able to forgive, though he can never forget, fulfills his destiny prophesied at his own Bar Mitzvah speech and himself

becomes a Real Drew. And today he is a man.

On August 8, 2012, Buddy Drew – The Musical will be presented in concert-version at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. (harrispavilion.com) as part of that organization’s outdoor summer concert series. For the remainder of 2012 and into 2013 the musical will undergo

rewrites as needed gearing up for a 12 week run in the theater district of Houston, Texas and/or Philadelphia and from there, if Buddy Drew – The Man OR Musical has his way (and he always does)… BROADWAY.

This is not a Jewish musical like Fiddler on the Roof, or a black musical like The Wiz, but an American musical because as Buddy Drew will tell you: “I am not an African American! I am not an African American! I am not an African American! I am an American who happens to be black and Jewish and I keep Kosher and I eat pork rinds.”

Visit http://www.buddydrew.com

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House of Brides’ Halloween Midnight Madness Sale

Glen Ellyn, Illinois (PRWEB) October 24, 2011

House of Brides announces the date of the highly anticipated Halloween Midnight Madness Sale. The sale is October 28th and is available at all 10 bridal salons. Salons are opening one hour early at 11:00am until Midnight, excluding the Chicago store. The Chicago location is open from 10:00am – 10:00pm with the last appointment at 9:00pm. The Halloween Midnight Madness Sale offers once in lifetime sales on wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion gowns and Quinceanera gowns. There are additional storewide savings on headpieces and veils, flower girl dresses and accessories.

The Halloween Midnight Madness Sale also features a Free Headpiece and Shoes promotion with the purchase of a bridal gown during the sale. Some restrictions apply to the promotion. Customers can contact House of Brides for details.

The Halloween Midnight Madness Sale is exclusive to House of Brides. The first sale was held over 30 years ago and is well known among brides for its unrivaled discounts. Industry Consultant Dale Buziecki states, “The anticipation of the great deals draws a big crowd, especially because October usually doesn’t have Midnight Madness Sales.” The salons host the sale periodically throughout the year. However, the dates are a tightly kept secret. Management and staff are notified only two weeks prior to the event. The Halloween Midnight Madness Sale also offers specials on designer gowns from 2011 collections to make room for 2012 collections.

The wedding dress showcased in the Halloween Midnight Madness Sale is from Allure Bridals 2011 Collection. This ball gown is created from layers of soft organza. The ruched bodice features a sweetheart neckline with Swarovski crystals and a pearl brooch accent. This dress will be available to view and try-on at the sale event, at select locations.

The Halloween Midnight Madness Sale is Friday October 28th at all 10 locations. The event goes from 11:00am to Midnight at all bridal salons. The Chicago location is open from 10:00am – 10:00pm with the last appointment at 9:00pm. Visit http://www.houseofbrides.com for directions and store hours.

About House of Brides:

House of Brides established its first brick-and-mortar store in 1929 and has since grown to 10 Chicagoland stores and global E-Commerce website, http://www.houseofbrides.com. Millions of Brides and their wedding parties visit our salons and global website for over 30,000 wedding and special event products.

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IBISWorld Market Research

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) November 02, 2011

Party planners are increasingly emphasizing simplicity over extravagance at their events. As such, event budgets will remain under tight scrutiny, and the recovery of party supply demand will be relatively slow in the first few years leading to 2016. From 2011 to 2012, revenue for the Party Supply Rental industry is expected to increase 2.2%, according to IBISWorld, the nation’s largest publisher of industry research. Despite this relatively slow recovery, the industry will eventually benefit from stronger confidence in the economy and higher income levels, which will expand consumers’ party budgets. During the five years to 2016, revenue is forecast to increase at an average annual rate of 2.7% to total $ 2.7 billion.

The Party Supply Rental industry rents out tables, chairs, flatware, linens, centerpieces, stages, tents, canopies and other items for public and private parties and events. Major products include, wedding rentals, corporate event rentals, birthday rentals and other rentals.

The recession has caused people to put away their party hats and tone down their celebrations. While the Party Supply Rental industry experienced strong growth prior to the recession, the economic downturn caused households and businesses to cut back on their discretionary spending. This trend has forced consumers to reduce their event budgets and host fewer parties, leading to considerable declines in demand. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to fall at an average annual rate of 0.3% in the five years to 2011. Fortunately, demand conditions have been slowly recovering since late 2010, with consumer confidence in the economy rebounding and disposable incomes increasing.

According to IBISWorld analyst, Janet Shim, during tough economic times, many industry operators discounted their rental prices to bring in more clients. “This strategy was unsuccessful, since demand remained weak despite lower prices,” says Shim. “Instead, these price promotions actually reduced the industry’s average profit margins because firms brought in less revenue for every rental turn.” As such, profit has plummeted; IBISWorld estimates that the industry’s average profit margin has decreased from 2006 to 2011.

With margins falling, many smaller operators found it difficult to sustain their operations and closed up shop. As a result, the number of enterprises declined over the five years to 2011 to an estimated 3,300 businesses. The industry’s larger firms fared better during the period, because they were able to expand their operations through acquisitions. To this end, the largest player, Classic Party Rentals, acquired three local party rental suppliers to add to their national portfolio of more than 29 locations.

Continued economic recovery will likely aid growth in the Party Supply Rental industry through 2016. Armed with higher personal and corporate income, households and businesses are projected to expand their party budgets, which will allow them to spend more on rentals beyond basic necessities (e.g. tables and chairs) to full-service products (e.g. centerpieces and other decorations). Operators will likely focus on providing more value rather than competing solely on price, enabling them to bring in higher returns. As such, IBISWorld forecasts that revenue will increase at an average rate of 2.7% annually through 2016 to total $ 2.7 billion.

For more information, download the full report from IBISWorld on the Party Supply Rental industry

IBISWorld Industry Market Research Reports Contain:

About this Industry

Industry Definition

Main Activities

Similar Industries

Additional Resources

Industry at a Glance

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

Globalisation & Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Barriers to Entry

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

Jargon & Glossary

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld

Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189


About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) November 03, 2011

Elegant Linens now carries luxury table linens in over 100 different colors, making an unprecedented color palette available to the dinner-table designer this holiday season. While luxury table linens have been available in varied forms and colors before, as the luxury home textiles market continually changes to cater to a broader range of tastes, one now has more choices than ever when it comes to finding the perfect color combinations of table linens.

Among the premier linens now available in new colors, the Libeco Home line is offering one of the widest varieties of new colors. They provide the holiday table designer an unprecedented number of options to choose or combine. Considering the nuanced colors sometimes displayed in heirloom or wedding china, the new variety of luxury table linen colors available will make finding an exact match for those pieces much easier. Also consider Sferra table linens, or our wonderfully priced Bodrum linens.

The variety of colors available is not the only distinguishing factor in today’s luxury table linens. Customization in terms of shapes and dimensions of table linens is also much more encompassing. Luxury table linen designers offer square, circle, and rectangle shapes for tablecloths in different sizes. Luxury table napkins may also come in different sizes, including dinner, luncheon or cocktail sizes. If one has unique table dimensions, most luxury home textiles companies will be able to use those dimensions to create a custom table linen piece. For that level of customization, one may expect a slightly higher price point and longer wait for delivery.

Custom luxury table linens have been available for decades, and the history of table linen use predates Medieval times. Linen itself was a popular fabric in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs and was used for the sacred purpose of wrapping bodies for the great beyond. In tracing the roots of table linens, a few sources also point out that Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper, includes a depiction of a table spread with a classic, white table linen, demonstrating the historic significance of, as well as value placed upon, table linens. Hence, when dressing the table this season, one is following a long and beloved tradition.

Dressing the holiday table with luxury linens speaks of both honoring past traditions while creating future ones. Luxury table linens offer not only a supreme visual contribution to the dinner table, which is no doubt important, but they also add, along with heirloom china or fine silverware, a dimension of longevity to family gatherings. Luxury table linens, by the nature of their superior content and construction, will long outlast standard table linens. This lasting quality makes luxury table linens both a smart and a thoughtful investment, providing a family with an opportunity to both partake in a meaningful tradition of the past while creating a new tradition specific to that family.

Notably, luxury table linen designers are aware of the wash and wear needs of their clients, given the function that a table linen must provide and create variations in content of their luxury table linens. While some of those luxury table linens may contain 100% of one type of fabric, some luxury table linen designers will manufacture table linens with a partial poly blend to add a deeper “easy care” dimension to the table linen. Also, if one is serving a holiday dinner that has both an “adult” and a “kid” table, one can set the “kid” table with a higher poly content table linen that will better resist the potential staining that can occur within the younger dinner guest demographic.

Elegant Linens encourages their clients to measure their tables accurately when ordering both custom and standard dimension pieces, so the tablecloth or runner will have an appropriate drop. Generally, a floor-length drop equals 30 inches. A halfway drop, therefore, will measure 15 inches. Also, allow extra time for custom orders. Some custom orders may take anywhere between 4-10 weeks for delivery, depending on the vendor. With a little advance research and planning, one can enjoy receiving the perfect luxury table linen design combination for the holiday season.

For more detailed information about luxury table linens, please visit Elegant Linens at http://www.ElegantLinensPC.com/Tablewaresc.htm or call 1-800-735-5541.

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Undercover Lovers

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 3 November 2011

UndercoverLovers.com, the UK’s premier dating agency for philanderers, will have a stand at The UK Wedding Shows, to be staged in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Coventry and Harrogate in early 2012. The company will be offering advice sessions to the young couples attending the show, presenting a more realistic view of marriage than the rose-tinted version being sold elsewhere at the exhibition.

UndercoverLovers.com spokesperson Emily Pope comments: “Our motives for exhibiting at The Wedding Shows are entirely positive. Statistically more than 50% of the soon-to-be married exhibition attendees will eventually separate. We plan to attend the show with leading French relationship expert and authoress Dr Maryse Vaillant, with the intention of offering attendees guidance on some of the potential pitfalls that lie ahead in married life and ways to avoid their marriages becoming another statistic.

Emily Pope adds: “The French and English have traditionally had very different attitudes towards marital infidelity. Dr Vaillant, France’s most prominent female psychologist, believes wives should welcome their husbands’ extra-marital affairs as a sign of a healthy marriage.”

Dr Vaillant says “Most men don’t have affairs because they no longer love their wives. On the contrary, they simply need breathing space. Once women accept that fidelity is not natural but cultural and that infidelity is essential to the psychic functioning of certain men who are still very much in love, it can be very liberating.”

Emily Pope states for UndercoverLovers.com: “We’re aware that our exhibiting at The Wedding Shows will be controversial. But we are genuinely planning to present an alternative view of marriage in a sincere and honest way, with the intention of stimulating intelligent debate. We believe that British attitudes to adultery are often hypocritical. In a recent survey we conducted, 90% of 5000 British respondents said infidelity is wrong. Yet when asked if they would be unfaithful if guaranteed to get away with it, 55% of the same respondents said they would. We are seeking to challenge the orthodoxy, as often expressed in the British media, that affairs are necessarily destructive to marriages.”

She continues: “The success of Undercover Lovers proves that in reality more and more British spouses are adopting a more Continental approach to their marriages by having affairs, but are not necessarily being honest about it due to outdated societal mores. We aim to create a more open discussion about the issue and exhibiting at The Wedding Shows is intended to form part of this initiative.”

Show Dates

London Wedding Show: ExCeL, February 4th-5th 2012

Manchester Wedding Show: Manchester Event City, February 10th-11th 2012

Newcastle Wedding Show: Metro Radio Arena, January 28th-29th 2012

Midlands Wedding Show: Coventry Ricoh Arena, January 21st-22nd 2012

Harrogate Wedding Show: Harrogate International Centre, February 29th-30th 2012

About UndercoverLovers.com

UndercoverLovers.com was launched two years ago and is now the UK’s foremost extra-marital dating agency. With over 550,000 members, the site was created to provide a safe, discreet and non-judgmental environment, where married women and men can meet. The majority of the site’s members are 30 and 40 something professionals earning on average £10k more than the country’s average wage and have been married 5+ years. Unusually for a dating website, Undercover Lovers has an even 50:50 ratio of men and women.

Undercover Lovers members are generally seeking to fill the gaps in their marital relationships, be they of a physical or emotional nature. They often describe their relationships with their spouses as having become more like a friendship. For a variety of reasons they are not looking to dissolve their marriages (financial, children, much still OK with the marriage etc.). Meeting someone in a similar situation, and thus with the same expectations of a relationship, is for many the best solution.

Contact:

Emily Pope or Roger Dugarry

07415 854750

emilyundercover(at)gmail(dot)com

UndercoverLovers.com

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Puerto Morelos, Mexico (PRWEB) November 01, 2011

Condé Nast Traveler has announced that boutique Ceiba del Mar Beach & Spa Resort, a seaside property in sleepy Puerto Morelos, is the 2011 Gold List “Editor’s Pick” for Mexico’s Yucatan hotels. This latest recognition marks the third straight year that Ceiba del Mar has appeared on the Gold List, an annual directory of the world’s best hotels. The resort’s first two appearances, in 2009 and 2010 respectively, honored the property for earning perfect scores of 100 in the Best Rooms and Best Service categories of Mexico.

Ceiba del Mar’s inclusion onto Condé Nast Traveler’s annual list, which is compiled from the reader votes, stems from the resort’s service-first philosophy. “We are again honored to be part of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Gold List, as we take pride in and are committed to providing our guests with the highest quality experience,” said Eduardo Herrera, director of operations for Ceiba del Mar, located just 20 minutes removed from the Cancun airport in the heart of the Riviera Maya district.

Surrounded by a lush landscape, Ceiba del Mar sits on a private white-sand beach hugging shimmering Mexican Caribbean seas and draws its authentic Mexican character from the ancient Maya. Each of Ceiba del Mar’s 88 deluxe ocean-view suites, seven of which are high-end penthouses with butler service, is equipped with the following amenities:

    A balcony or terrace and hammock;
    Expansive sitting areas;
    A full bathroom with a shower and separate bathtub;
    Organic Bath products;
    Local wood accents and handcrafted furnishings;
    Complimentary wireless Internet;
    Twice daily housekeeping service;
    300 thread-count Premium Cotton linens and pillow menu;
    Complimentary in-room morning coffee daily;
    Nightly turndown service with Mexican handcrafted gift;
    International cable TV and DVD/CD player;
    24-hour room service; and
    Personalized mini-bar service upon request at an extra cost.

For rates and additional information about Ceiba Del Mar Beach & Spa Resort, visit http://www.ceibadelmar.com, or 1-800-490-0483.

Ceiba del Mar Beach & Spa Resort is an award-winning, oceanfront boutique resort in the Riviera Maya district of Mexico. This intimate resort is situated on half-mile of a private white-sand beach and offers 88 deluxe Ocean-View rooms and suites, seven of which are penthouses; two restaurants; a swimming pool; the wellness and aromatherapy Spa at Ceiba del Mar, and beautiful indoor/outdoor spaces for events, meetings and destination weddings.

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(PRWEB) November 01, 2011

The well-publicized Belizean honeymoon of Bachelorette star DeAnna Pappas and Steven Stagliano represents two emerging trends in travel – romance adventure and social networking word of mouth – according to a major Belizean resort’s marketing administrator.

And, as this recent example shows, the two trends are often linked.

Chaa Creek’s marketing administrator Larry Waight said that the eco resort has seen a rise in what it calls “romance adventure packages”, where couples opt to mix their celebrations with tropical adventures such as exploring Maya temples and archaeology sites, diving the Caribbean and Belize Barrier Reef, canoeing jungle rivers, horseback or mountain bike excursions and other activities.

“Of course, the emphasis is still on relaxation and spending that special time together,” he said.

Mr Waight said that an interesting aspect of this trend has been the use of social media to spread positive word of mouth.

“This allows family and friends to share in the experience while also promoting off the beaten track places like Belize through online networking,” Mr Waight said, pointing to the current publicity the Pappas Stagliano honeymoon is receiving through the couple’s use of Twitter.

“I’m having coffee with my husband overlooking the ocean feeling so truly blessed!” the new Mrs Stagliano tweeted, following her new husband’s tweet of, “You better Belize it!”

The couple were married in DeAnna Pappas’ home state of Georgia on October 22 before heading off to Belize for their honeymoon, keeping their fans abreast of their whereabouts and activities through tweets such as, “We beat out (Hurricane) Rina! It’s gorgeous here today!” and, “We just finished our couples massage on our private dock ooohhh lala!”

“It’s an interesting phenomenon. We’re seeing more couples choosing Chaa Creek wedding packages that offer options like exchanging vows in ancient Maya ceremonial spots, or Belize honeymoon packages that combine rainforest experiences with Caribbean beach holidays. We then realised that these are also the kind of people who tend to use social media quite a bit.

“It means that we’re getting more adventurous people who really enjoy what we have to offer and then spreading positive word of mouth through their social media. This is good news for more off-the beaten track locations such as Belize that offer something special. It also means that we’re being promoted in the best possible way – by happy customers.

“It’s great to be attracting a new kind of traveling romantic and having them tell the world about it,” Mr Waight said.

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More Beach Weddings Press Releases

Chef Angelo Auriana

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 01, 2011

Celebrated San Francisco Italian restaurant FARINA Focaccia and Cucina Italiana is hosting a cocktail reception and dinner party for invited members of the media to welcome FARINA’s new Executive Chef Angelo Auriana. Drinks on the architecturally rich rooftop terrace garden will precede a gourmet feast in the equally magnificent main dining room below on Friday, November 18 starting at 5:30 pm.

Executive Chef Angelo Auriana, who joined FARINA in June and officially took the helm on October 2, is the main attraction during the evening’s festivities. Auriana has developed his own style of selecting the perfect culinary components to create dishes that take guests on a gastronomic adventure. This approach, which he calls “cuisine of ingredients,” has gained him prominence in the global culinary scene, which began during his 18-year tenure as the executive chef of the critically acclaimed Italian restaurant Valentino in Santa Monica.

“Angelo’s nuevo Italian dishes are the perfect integration of high-quality, traditional and contemporary Italian cooking,” said Luca Minna, Farina co-founder. “FARINA is fast becoming the premier Italian casual chic destination restaurant in California, and the place to go for high-quality and high-energy dining.”

Precious few San Francisco Bay Area restaurants offer rooftop dining, and certainly none compare to FARINA’s newly unveiled rooftop terrace garden. As with everything at FARINA, every detail has been meticulously thought out in this delightful open-air space. It is at once an inimitable and functional work of art and an outdoor extension of the playful elegance of the dining room below.

Architectural team Brett Terpulak designed the steel and wood outdoor dining area, which features wind and privacy panels in sky-blue glass panes, solid wood bench seats, and oxidized steel frames unlike anything ever seen in San Francisco. Resplendent with succulents, grasses and native flowers and shrubbery, the xeriscape rooftop gardens were designed by landscape architect and FARINA co-founder Monica Viarengo.

The rooftop space is currently available as a charming San Francisco party venue for hosting small intimate weddings and private events. Plans are underway to open the terrace on select nights and through special arrangements with the host.

For queries about this special San Francisco fine dining experience, call FARINA at (415) 240-4824.

About Executive Chef Angelo Auriana

Angelo Auriana was born in Bergamo, Italy, where at the age of 17 he graduated with honors from the prestigious San Pellegrino Hotel School. He began his formal training in his hometown, working with Pierangelo Cornaro—one of the most influential maestros of Auriana’s career.

Auriana toured the varied cultural and wine regions of Italy, where he sought out highly regarded chefs who taught him the traditions and authenticity of their specific cuisines, before making his way to California in 1985. There he helped open Piero Selvaggio’s contemporary Italian restaurant, Primi, and became executive chef of “Valentino Ristorante.”

Coining the phrase “cuisine of ingredients,” Auriana developed his own style, which reflects an intense passion for selecting the best possible ingredients and using them to construct dishes that emphasize and enhance their individual flavors. San Francisco food critic Patricia Unterman once wrote of Auriana: “Beyond his dazzling technical skill, Auriana understands proportion and contrast, the aesthetic of the meal as a whole.”

At Valentino, Auriana developed his renowned proficiency for pairing his innovative dishes with wines from all over the world to take guests on a culinary adventure. 7×7 food blogger Jordan McKay once wrote of the chef’s talents: “Auriana’s wine knowledge is vast…and his palate is superb.”

As executive chef at FARINA, Auriana is already building upon the restaurant’s reputation for meticulously prepared, authentic cuisine. In his first month in this position, he brought his seasoned attention to detail and presentation to the FARINA table by developing his first Wine Celebration Dinner. This event, held on October 13, featured rare Italian wines brought over from the heir to the Jermann vineyard and winery.

About FARINA Focaccia and Cucina Italiana

FARINA Focaccia and Cucina Italiana is a San Francisco Italian restaurant that specializes in traditional Northern Italian, Ligurian cuisine. Grounded in tradition, FARINA is the antithesis of faddish here-today-gone-tomorrow hip food. From the chic-yet-functional design of the San Francisco Mission District restaurant to the innovative courses designed by celebrated Chef Angelo Auriana to the infinite well of ideas that spring from its founders, FARINA is redefining Italian dining in San Francisco.

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San Francisco, California (PRWEB) November 03, 2011

Best Destination Wedding (http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com) is celebrating its recent partnership with Palace Resorts by offering its members a chance to win a 3-night stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. To enter the contest, brides and grooms will simply name one reason they’d like to visit the resort before submitting their contact information.

Situated on one of the Caribbean’s most dazzling white-sand beaches, the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the perfect environment for a unique wedding celebration. Whether the preferred setting is lace and rose petals or cool and contemporary, the Hard Rock’s event planners work with couples to add glamour and distinction to every wedding.

With a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from and a staff committed to providing impeccable service, Palace is providing BDW Brides with complimentary access to a Wedding Coordinator who’ll answer questions about the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana; complimentary and optional honeymoon packages are also available.

To enter the contest, create an account on BestDestinationWedding.com, then visit BDW’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BDWForum) between November 1, 2011 and November 15, 2011. Click the contest form, and you’ll be asked to provide one reason you want to visit the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, along with the following information:

1.    Name of Bride

2.    Name of Groom

3.    Wedding Date

4.    Email

5.    Mailing address

6.    Phone number

“I’m very excited to partner with Palace Resorts,” said BDW founder Tammy Wright. “Many of the brides in our community are already planning weddings in the Dominican Republic, so the contest winner will have the trip of a lifetime.”

Accommodations, all meals, beverages, entertainment and taxes are included; airfare, tours and transfers are not included. For full contest details, visit this page: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/a/official-rules-hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-contest

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino contest is the first in a series of promotions to commemmorate BDW’s partnership with Palace Resorts. In upcoming months, Best Destination Wedding will award three-night stays at the Le Blanc, Aventura Cove, Aventura Spa and Moon Palace all-inclusive resorts.

About Best Destination Wedding

With more than 38,000 registered members and approximately 200,000 visitors each month, BestDestinationWedding.com is the largest online destination wedding site. BDW Brides use discussion forums and reviews of vendors and resorts to plan unforgettable destination weddings in exotic locations across the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Central America.

Stephanie Coleman

Marketing Director, Best Destination Wedding

stephanie(at)bestdestinationwedding(dot)com

About Palace Resorts

The premier resort operator in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Palace Resorts has 11 all-inclusive oceanfront resorts located in picturesque tropical settings including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. At Palace Resorts, exceptional service, abundant amenities and luxurious accommodations combine to create the ultimate all-inclusive vacation.

Linda Villafane

Public Relations Manager, Palace Resorts

lvillafane(at)palaceresorts(dot)com

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Acadian Ambulance, Texas Operations

Lafayette, LA (PRWEB) November 03, 2011

Acadian Ambulance Service will enter the Houston and Dallas markets with the acquisition of NorthStar EMS. The transition will begin immediately and will be completed in the next few weeks with no interruption in service to customers.

NorthStar, which has its home office in Humble, provides emergency and non-emergency transportation and is the sole 911 provider for Huffman. The expansion will add 150 full time employees, 30 ambulances and 10 wheelchair vans to Acadian’s Texas operations.

Acadian already provides emergency and non-emergency service to 14 counties in Central, South-Central and Southeast Texas. The company began operating in Texas in 2006. NorthStar EMS, founded in 1998, provides emergency and non-emergency transports throughout Harris County and in Dallas.

“We’re proud of our company and of the service we have provided to our patients and customers, and we’d like to thank our employees who made this possible,” said Donna Russell, CEO of NorthStar. “These employees now will have access to better compensation and benefits packages, and we’re happy that joining forces with Acadian will provide that for them.”

Mike Burney, Acadian vice president of operations for Southeast Texas, said, “For some time, we have known about the high quality of patient care and service that NorthStar provides. We look forward to working with our new partners to deliver that same level of care in the Houston and Dallas markets.”

Porter Taylor, a 25-year Acadian veteran who most recently was operations manager in Baton Rouge, will serve as vice president of operations for the Dallas area.

Acadian, which is owned by its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, plans to hire all qualified field personnel and dispatchers from NorthStar. The entire NorthStar management team will transition to Acadian to help ensure the continuity of quality service. All employees will be eligible for health insurance immediately and for the ESOP retirement plan in July.

Acadian, which also serves Louisiana and Mississippi, was established in 1971. The company has about 3,600 employees and is nationally accredited, one of only 122 ambulance services in the nation and one of six in Texas to have earned the prestigious designation.

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