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MID-LOS ANGELES' LEIMERT PARK GETS A NEW MUSIC CENTER
Opening June of 2009
The Mid-City Music Center will be opening its brand-new Music Series at the The Gallery with two Gala Inaugural Concerts the weekend of Friday, June 19 at 8PM and Sunday, June 21 at 3PM. The Gallery, an intimate concert venue, is located within 
Leimert Park's Lucy Florence Cultural Complex at 3351 W. 43rd Street, Los Angeles. The event will begin with a Piano Recital, follow with an Inaugural Ceremony, and end with a Champagne-Hors d'oeuvres Reception.
Leimert Park/Village is emerging as one of Los Angeles' premier cultural and commercial centers. More festivals are held in Leimert Park and its village than in any other community in Los Angeles, and the region is home to many businesses. In its heyday, Leimert Park was much like Harlem's golden era: jazz clubs, art galleries, and museums proliferated, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles lived in the neighborhood, and numerous celebrated poets and musicians frequented both the village and the park. Leimert Park remains the cultural heartbeat of African-Americans' Los Angeles. It is also home to Asian retirees, Caucasians, and increasing numbers of Latinos. The park hosts numerous news conferences: many convening either at the Lucy Florence Coffeehouse on West 43rd Street or in triangular Leimert Plaza Park; these events occur amidst a backdrop of fountains, fully occupied benches, and on some weekends, drummers.
The city has ambitious plans for the park, and several revitalization projects have been earmarked. These include (i) maintaining the character of the village, and adding business-owner booths, (ii) diversifying and increasing the capacity of businesses, (iii) increasing foot traffic, (iv) diversifying the patrons, (v) establishing Leimert Park as a tourist destination, (vi) making the area more multi-use oriented and multi-cultural, (vii) encouraging poets, artists, and musicians already within the community while attracting others from outside, (viii) establishing artist-housing - also useful for security measures, (ix) developing theatrical productions for various groups - youths and adults, (x) establishing an educational entity, an art library, and a museum - similar to Harlem's Schomberg Research Center, and (xi) bringing in investments - from the city, corporations, and private sources.
It is into this historic backdrop and cultural renewal that MMC intends to merge: both as a partner and as an innovator - as an extension of the established traditions as well as a beacon for the highest ideals in artistic achievement. Of late, change has come to America. Evidently, this spirit of change is alive and well in Leimert Park.
The management of MMC expressed "We look forward to seeing all music lovers at 'The Gallery' as often as they wish. In turn, our commitment is to bring the finest in music to mid Los Angeles. If you love great music and recognize the need for culture, we look forward to having you join us!"
KIAWAH ISLAND'S BEACH NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP TEN Latest in Long List of Accolades For Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort
For the second year in a row, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach (www.drbeach.org), named Kiawah Island one of the top-10 beaches in America. 
Leatherman is the director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research and has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety, facilities and environmental management.
This award is just the latest in a long list of accolades recently received by Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Just last week, for the third time in four years, the leading on-line tennis travel website, TennisResortsOnline.com, named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 tennis resort in the world. This ranking is based on Kiawah's overall tennis program including instruction, teaching staff, facilities, as well as other resort facilities such as lodging, cuisine, service and value. Tennis magazine ranks it as the No. 4 tennis resort in the U.S.
The prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently named Kiawah Island as the No. 2 island in North America and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as No. 3 resort in the U.S. Golf World magazine has named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 resort in the U.S. GOLF magazine lists Kiawah Island Golf Resort as one of its 10 "Platinum Resorts" in the U.S.
Both Golf Digest and GOLF magazines name The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the 4th best public course in America. The Ocean Course was site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and will host the 2012 PGA Championship.
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island Golf Resort includes The Sanctuary, 255-room hotel and spa, and close to 600 private villas and luxury homes, two tennis centers, five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course - host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA championships, nine restaurants, and features a world-renowned recreation and nature program. For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com or call (800) 654-2924.
41ST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL POW WOW A SUCCESS!
The U.S. Travel Association reports the most business sessions in Pow Wow history among the 4,800 delegates attending the 41st International Pow Wow held in Miami recently with both buyers and sellers of Visit USA travel indicating a high level of satisfaction with the brisk schedule of pre-planned appointments held during the show. Feedback on Miami from buyers of travel was excellent, according to the U.S. Travel Association, and Greater Miami is expected to see $350-400 million in future business as a result of hosting this year's Pow Wow. The Greater Miami CVB extends a sincere thank you to their many partners, sponsors, and the entire Greater Miami community for putting the WOW in Pow Wow Miami.
From the moment delegates arrived at Miami International Airport, where for the first time ever dedicated Pow Wow lines were provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, visitors were welcomed with Miami's commitment to customer service. As a result of the effort and energy put forth by Greater Miami's dedicated volunteers, hotel staff, taxi drivers, airport employees, tour guides, restaurants, attractions, shopping venues and many other "hospitality ambassadors," Pow Wow delegates experienced the Miami magic that makes it among the most popular destinations in the world. The business booked during the U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow Miami will benefit the Miami community for years to come. |