Saturday, January 9, 2010

“Where to find the hard-bodies — and couch potatoes - msnbc.com” plus 2 more

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“Where to find the hard-bodies — and couch potatoes - msnbc.com” plus 2 more

Where to find the hard-bodies — and couch potatoes - msnbc.com

Posted: 09 Jan 2010 05:33 PM PST

For many locals and travelers alike, the path to good health and happiness is often found in a park, on a mountainside, or along a river that makes way for pedestrians and bikers.

This year, Travel + Leisure's America's Favorite Cities Survey asked the public to rate which U.S. cities have the most active/athletic residents — and the least. And the results are mixed, both predictable and startling.

Now in its fifth year, the survey spans 30 U.S. cities and delivers up-to-date opinions from the American public on such categories as local attractions and family getaways, even holiday travel and the intelligence quotients of residents.

Not surprisingly, the number of natural features, the quality of the cities' green spaces, walkability, and more were all factors in deciding which U.S. cities are in top form.

According to the President's Council on Fitness and Sports, "adults 18 and older need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy; children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health."

These goals are easier to reach in some cities than in others. Progressive, bike-friendly Portland, Ore. — a city that ranked near the top of this year's fitness list — has no shortage of scenic spots to get the blood pumping. Plus, the local culture practically demands you get moving — and break a sweat.

"Since moving to Portland 10 years ago, my attitude about fitness has changed," says well-toned 39-year-old Portlander Lia Brown. "Instead of being a chore or 'something to get out of the way,' it's become a way of life for my family and me. And because the city makes exercise so easy and accessible (everyone is doing it!), it's difficult not to get [and stay] in shape."

Sunny San Diego — a West Coast city that consistently cracks the top of the list — has its fair share of active locals, who take advantage of the city's perfect temps and many green spaces, such as Balboa Park.

Honolulu, too, benefits from near-perfect weather and a gorgeous seaside location — assets that surely contribute to the Hawaiian city's high ranking in this year's survey.

While buff bods abound in some towns, big waistlines and laissez-faire workout attitudes are the norm in others. Atlanta may have hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, but it appears the Georgia city still falls in the bottom third for athletics. St. Louis, too, needs to renew its gym membership.

And while survey takers were not kind this year to New Orleans — a town where all-you-can-eat crawfish boils are considered a sport — there are still a surprising number of ways to exercise and enjoy the Louisiana city.

"Not everyone in food-obsessed New Orleans falls victim to a 'po'boy belly,'" says Kettye Voltz, creative director of the popular local dance company Tsunami. "There are plenty of options for working off a night of overindulgence, like the brand-new 4.7-mile hybrid path that runs along the bayou."

No matter whether you're a type A endorphin addict or an exercise-phobe, there's a U.S. city to fit your lifestyle.


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The resourceful traveler: Reviews of new travel books - Ventura County Star

Posted: 09 Jan 2010 12:32 PM PST

Photo with no caption

Travel + Leisure Books

"100 Greatest Trips," DK/Travel + Leisure Books, $34.95

The editors of "Travel + Leisure" magazine have put together this fourth edition. It features iconic American summer vacation sites (that would be Cape Cod) and the epic landscapes of the Top End in Australia's vast Outback.

In between are many examples of other memorable places: the historic towns of the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York; retro candy shops and modern-day speakeasies in London; the handcrafted traditions — one-of-a-kind baskets, rugs, pottery and more — of Kenya; the modern reincarnation of the library of Alexandria, Egypt, which also houses museums, a planetarium and children's science center; and the incongruities of Bangkok, which combines a pulsating night life with the serenity of Wat Suthat, a Buddhist temple.

"The Treehouse Book," Skyhorse Publishing, $19.95

Although the treehouse is often associated with a backyard refuge for children, author Candida Collins calls the treehouse "one of the earliest forms of human protection." And, as this book makes amply clear, treehouses are no longer just for children. Indeed, since the 1990s treehouses have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. In this quirky book, Collins profiles various types of treehouses around the world. They include a high-tech hideaway (it features an advanced security system) on a private estate in Athens and a treehouse set inside a secret garden, complete with a spiral staircase, that is more like a fairy tale castle. Another functions as an inspirational home office, a short "commute" from the main house across a rope bridge. Collins also includes a section on building a treehouse. Depending on budget and skills, you can either build it yourself or commission a professional.

— Chicago Tribune

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Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines Continues To Receive Accolades From ... - Trading Markets (press release)

Posted: 09 Jan 2010 09:12 PM PST

Jan 08, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --

Singapore Airlines again emerged on top in 2009 as favourite airline among business and leisure travellers in numerous international rankings, highlighting its continued focus on product innovation and service excellence.

The repeat awards that Singapore Airlines has been winning over the years encompass categories such as in-flight entertainment, food and beverages, ground services, safety and company management. The awards reflect the Airline's philosophy to constantly innovate and keep pace with the changing tastes and preferences of consumers.

The Airline was recently named favourite for frequent business travellers in the annual global poll conducted by the respected Official Airline Guide organisation based in London. In the OAG Airline Industry Awards 2009, Singapore Airlines was voted "OAG Airline of the Year" for the 7th time. In addition, the Airline earned top placing in the following categories: Best Airline based in Asia, Best Europe to Asia/Australasia Airline and Best Transpacific Airline.

Conde Nast Traveler (US), a leading travel publication, named Singapore Airlines "Best Global Airline" for the 21st consecutive year in its 2009 Readers' Choice Awards.

The carrier also secured the "Best International Airline Award" in the World's Best Awards survey conducted by the US-based travel magazine, Travel & Leisure, for the 14th consecutive year.

Singapore Airlines earned the "Most-Admired Singapore Company" accolade in the Wall Street Journal Asia, Asia's 200 Most-Admired Companies survey in 2009, for the 17th consecutive year.

In the 2009 Zagat Airline Survey by the US-based Zagat organisation, Singapore Airlines was the Top-Rated International Airline for Premium and Economy Seating.

Readers of a leading regional travel magazine, Business Traveller Asia Pacific, voted Singapore Airlines the "Best Airline" for the 18th consecutive year. In addition, readers rated the Airline as the "Best Airline in the Asia Pacific" and the airline with the "Best Business Class", "Best First Class" and "Best Economy Class".

In the Swiss-based Bilanz Survey 2009, Singapore Airlines emerged as the winner in the following categories: Best Worldwide Business Airline (5th consecutive year), Best Airline for First Class and Business Class, Food, Service and In-flight Entertainment.

In AB Road magazine of Japan's Airlines Top 10 Ranking 2009, Singapore Airlines won in the Best Overall Airline (2nd consecutive year), Best In-flight Service (2nd consecutive year), Best Aircraft Products and Best In-flight Meals categories.

In Fortune magazine's The World's Most Admired Companies 2009 survey, the carrier was ranked 33rd.

In the Business Traveller UK Reader's Poll Awards 2009, readers rated Singapore Airlines as the Best Asian Airline. It was also voted the carrier with the "Best Cabin Staff", "Best Economy Class", "Best Business Class" and "Best Long Haul Airline".

Readers of the Guardian and Observer newspapers voted the Company as the Best Long Haul Airline (for the 6th consecutive year) and with the Best Business Class.

In the Readers Choice Awards 2009 annual survey by another prestigious travel magazine, Jakarta-based DestinAsian, readers gave top marks to Singapore Airlines in the following categories: Best Overall Airline, Best Airline for Premium Class Travel, Best Airline for Economy Class Travel and Best In-flight Entertainment for the 5th consecutive year.

For the 8th consecutive year, Singapore Airlines was inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame in the TTG Travel Awards 2009. In the Skytrax World Airline Survey Awards 2009, it was named the airline with the "Best First and Business Class". In Aviation Week's Top Performing Companies 2009, it was ranked 1st in the Mainline Carriers category.

In the Readers Digest Trusted Brands (Singapore) survey, the Airline was awarded the "Platinum Award - Airline Category in Singapore" and the "Gold Award - Airline Category in Asia". In the 2009Global Reputation Pulse Survey, the Airline was ranked 10th in the "The World's Most Reputable Companies" category.

At the Securities Investors Association of Singapore 10th Investors' Choice Awards 2009, Singapore Airlines received the "Most Transparent Company Award 2009" for the 5th consecutive year, in the Transport/Storage/Communications Category.

Singapore Airlines is grateful to its customers who have supported the Airline through the years and consistently accorded it high ratings in the various surveys. In the midst of these challenging times, the Airline has upheld its commitment to invest in product and service development. The numerous awards therefore attest to the dedication of the Airline's staff, and serve as an encouragement to them to build upon their outstanding work.

For more details on recent awards received by Singapore Airlines, please visit www.singaporeair.com.

CONTACT: Public Affairs Department, Singapore Airlines Tel: +65 6541 5880 (office hours) Tel: +65 9753 2126 (after office hours) Fax: +65 6545 6083 e-mail: Public_Affairs@singaporeair.com.sg WWW: http://www.singaporeair.com Nicholas Siew, Assistant Account Executive, Weber Shandwick Tel: +44 (0)20 7067 0478 Fax: +44 (0)844 826 8315 e-mail: nsiew@webershandwick.com WWW: http://www.webershandwick.co.uk

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.

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