Some exciting news today here at b5media – the launching of Bizzia.com!

Bizzia is the one-stop destination for relevant and timely business information, insight and news, powered by 30 established b5media blogs.

You’ll find information related to themes such as finance, leadership, e-commerce, small business, sales and marketing, along with the latest news coverage on breaking business topics. 

News, interviews, commentary, videos, opinions and information – you’ll find it all at Bizzia.  Make it part of your daily must read!

Read the complete press release of the Bizzia launch.

Image credit:  b5media

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I’m spending a few days in Las Vegas, and over the weekend had an opportunity to go out to Lake Mead. 

It was my very first visit there, and I was surprised at how beautiful the lake was, and how nice the surrounding area is.  The water and sky were blue, and the rocks all sorts of interesting, and variated colors.  Quite remarkable!

There are lots of things to do there, both on and off the lake, and I’ll be writing about them in upcoming posts.  For now, I just wanted to share this photo from a lovely weekend.

Photo credit: Personal collection

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I love interesting or unusual places to stay. 

Don’t get me wrong, I need a certain level of creature comforts, but once those are met, I’m fairly adventurous.

Treebones Resort has caught my eye for some time now, and it’s moving up my to-visit list.  There are spectacular views, and it just seems like something a little bit different to try out.

Located on Highway 1 in Big Sur, Treebones features 16 yurts that overlook the Pacific Ocean, providing relaxing and majestic views of the Pacific Coast (see photo above).  Treebones also offers campsites for personal camping, a heated ocean view pool and hot tub and a small convenience store and gift shop where you can pick up some local wine.

A yurt is a combination tent and cabin, providing the accessibility to nature of a tent, with the comforts of a cabin.  It’s made of a tent-like fabric stretch over a wood lattice frame.  The yurts are spacious, containing queen-sized beds with cozy comforters (see photo left), heating, electrical lighting, and a sink with hot and cold running water, and have redwood decks. 

Shower and restroom facilities are nearby.

The resort’s main lodge has a dining room that features a wood-fired barbecue, providing delicious meals to guests.  If dining inside doesn’t appeal to you, head outside to the redwood bar, and watch the sunset over the ocean as you enjoy your meal.  Dinner prices range from $17-28.

You’ll be forced to relax at Treebones, as cell phone reception is not available.  So plan on an unplugged stay!  (You can do it — I know you can!)

Rates runs $155-220/night for double occupancy.  Additional guests are $30/night.  Rates include a self serve waffle breakfast, with coffee and juice.  A minimum two night stay is required April - October, and on all weekends.  Reservations available online.

Special considerations:

• No smoking in any of the yurts.
• Pets are not permitted.
• No children under six years of age, for safety reasons.
• Pack light, as the yurts are not car accessible.  This means you’ll be carrying your things from your car to your yurt.  A suggested packing list is available.

A yurt stay may not be for everyone, but it sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Photo credit: flickr (exterior), (interior)

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If you enjoy listening to music of watching movies while you travel, chances are that you have a couple splitters laying around the house.  I have a couple in my carry on; they’re small and they always come in handy.

Use them to share the movies you are watching, or music you are listening to, with your traveling companion. 

Some airlines carry these to offer to passengers, but most don’t.  A little advance planning, and a small purchase, may allow you to save on inflight entertainment rentals.

You can find splitters available at most electronic stores, and online at Amazon.  They vary in price, but are pretty cheap.

Image:  Amazon

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Pittsburgh bows to the gods of beer with the fun brew pub, Church Brew Works.  As the name implies, it’s set inside a church.  Well, a former church — St. John the Baptist — in the Lawrenceville part of Pittsburgh (3525 Liberty Ave, corner of Liberty & 36th).

After the church was abandoned in the early 1990’s, a rehab project began that would turn the unique venue into a restaurant.  The transformation made for a beautiful restaurant and brew pub, with many of the original pieces of the church re-purposed for a new use.

The original pews have been turned into booth seating in the dining room.  The extra planks salvaged from re-fashioning the pews were used for the top of the bar.  Large copper and stainless steel tanks were installed in the former sanctuary, and the original floors were restored and the stained glass windows were repaired and polished.  Attendees of St John’s may well recognize the original bricks, wood, and lighting, now rehabbed for use in previously unexpected ways.

Other parts of the former church have been put to good use as well.  The former rectory courtyard was converted into an outdoor patio, hidden a bit from the rest of the restaurant, to provide a pleasant outdoor hideaway.  And Church Brew Works merchandise is sold from a former confessional.

Okay, enough about the decor — what about the food and beverage?! 

Read more

Photo credit: flickr

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The USS Potomac was a 165-foot Coast Guard cutter before it was commissioned by the US Navy in 1936.  The ship was used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as his presidential yacht, and to this day it is affectionately referred to as the “floating White House.” 

FDR hated to fly, preferring to travel by ship or train, and the USS Potomac was outfitted to accommodate his mobility issues.  It could cruise along at speeds of 10-13 knots, and FDR would often hold informal strategy meetings aboard, enjoying the privacy and seclusion the yacht provided.  Visiting dignitaries were entertained on the yacht, and at least one of FDR’s famed radio broadcasts originated from onboard.  There were many “secret” meetings held aboard, only some of which have been made public.

The yacht was also used for recreational activities, at least up until the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Following the death of FDR, the Potomac went through a series of owners.  Elvis Presley owned her for awhile!  Eventually, though, she was used in more infamous endeavors, and was seized in 1980 as a front for drug smugglers.  Her hull was pierced one night and she sank — the once proud and majestic yacht had fallen.

After being refloated by the Navy, the Potomac was sold to the Port of Oakland (for a mere $15,000) and a $5 million restoration campaign was launched.  It took a cooperative effort between organized labor, maritime corporations, and a bunch of dedicated volunteers, to finally complete the restoration.

The task complete, the yacht was berthed at Jack London Square, 540 Water Street, in Oakland (California), and opened to the public in 1995.  It has been declared a National Historic Landmark, and is a Coast Guard certified, fully seaworthy vessel.

It sounds impressive and beautiful — where can I see it?

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Do you collect stuff as you travel?  I’m talking about mementos like brochures, ticket stubs, business cards, matchbooks, stir sticks, drink napkins, coasters, wine labels, and all sorts of “treasures” like that.

Many people keep their treasures for memorable additions to their scrapbook pages, or they work them into collage or other rubber stamping projects, or combine the treasures with other art supplies and art mediums and create beautiful works of art.

I’m not quite so creative.

I usually have a full folder or bag of treasures when I come home from a trip.  I consider my treasures part of the research that I do when I’m visiting some place, so I pick up things as I go along, and review everything when I return home.  If I’m organized, these things make their way into a file folder or file box upon my return home.  If I’m not so organized, it stays in a bag and gets tossed into a larger container where I keep my writing material.

If you want to keep some of your mementos, but realize that you’ll never create an arts and crafts project, consider an “as-you-go” project.

Continue reading for information on how to create a travel journal to make as you go!

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I’m going to mix it up a little on this week’s Flight Attendant Friday, and ask you a question. 

I’ll answer it, too, but I’m hoping you’ll chime in with your answers and comments as well.

Q.  What are your travel plans for Memorial Day Weekend?  It’s the kick off for the summer travel season, and with the high cost of fuel and the sagging economy, many people are opting not to travel.  So what are your plans, and why did you make that choice?

A.  I’m not going away for the weekend, although that decision isn’t based on the cost of travel, gas, or other expenses.  For me, it’s really more about avoiding what I expect will still be big crowds out traveling.

Sometimes when you work around people all day long, you don’t want to be around them on your days off.  And many times on my days off I really don’t want to go to the airport!

So I’m sticking close to home, taking in a few sights around the Seattle area, including a much anticipated viewing of Corteo by Cirque du Soleil, and will also be looking for a few new things to discover and experience.

Now it’s your turn — what are YOU doing this holiday weekend?  Please leave your response in the comments.

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We’ve got a new member of the b5media family here in the Travel & Culture Channel. 

Today, we launched the newest of our destination blogs — The South Florida Traveler, written by Katherine Lynch.

Whether you plan to be there for business or pleasure, or maybe you just want to do a little arm chair travel, The South Florida Travel will show you why this area is known as our Gold Coast.

Image credit:  b5media

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