FEATURED LINKS:

Embassy Suites Hotel - Mandalay Beach Resort - Oxnard

Highland Hall Waldorf School - Children are not rushed, but encouraged

A unique medi-spa specializing in Botox, Lasers, LipoSlim, IPL, Fillers and cosmetic surgery
www.dermatiqueskinspa.com 

Dr Kerner'
Specializing in Head and Neck Surgery, Sinus Surgery, Sleep Apnea and Facial Cosmetic Surgery www.Marckernermd.com 


Hawaii Snorkeling Tours
Hawaii Sunset Cruise

Observe Hawaiian Humpback whales while sailing the waters of the famous North Shore, the least crowded whale watching spot on Oahu. Our Small groups give you a personal and up-close experience

www.sailingcat.co




EEG INSTITUTE
22020 Clarendon St. Suite 305
Woodland Hills, CA
818.373.1EEG (1334)
www.eeginstitute.com







TO FLY L.A.
16303 Waterman Drive
Van Nuys, CA 91406
877.863.5952
www.toflyla.com

Cheers! A Wine Country Weekend
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg

A quick hop on a plane is all it takes for a getaway to the serenity of the Bay Area's Wine Country. Surrounded by gnarled oaks and majestic redwoods, verdant pastures and patchworks of trellised vineyards, the pace of life moves in sync with the seasons. Spring's hillsides slowly turn to shades of emerald as harbingers of summer's warm days. Wine lovers can raise a toast to the area's culinary treasures, wineries and restaurants. Eco-adventurers can indulge to their heart's content in water attractions, hiking, birding, bicycling, beach-side horseback riding, beachcombing, fishing, paddling, surfing, and scuba. There's an abundance of habitats from salt and fresh water marshes to woodlands and cliffs, and botanists will love uncovering rare wildflowers and plant throughout the county. The entire region is aglow with exciting things to see, hear and experience.

The newly renovated Inn Marin is at the crux of where the fun begins. The Inn is nestled on five acres surrounded by tree covered rolling hills. Four buildings surround a heated swimming pool and spa, and the Sky Chairs under the old magnolia are the focus of the charming lawn and garden setting. The cozy lobby is reminiscent of an intimate lodge, with a fireplace and boutique that leads to the Garden Room.

Seventy spacious guest rooms include two King Suites and two Jacuzzi Suites. All feature warm colors and textures of red and gold, sustainable bamboo flooring, flat screen TVs, rainfall showerheads, radios with MP3/iPod docking stations. The Inn Suite Spa treatments including the popular couple's massage is available through the Concierge. Inn Marin is proud of the distinction of being the first recipient of State Certification at the Leadership Level for California's Green Hotel Certification.

Tantalize your taste buds at Rickey's, the Inn's restaurant and lounge. Prepared by Chef Noe Martinez, the cuisine is designed to exude the California wine country experience, featuring the freshest regional produce, meat, poultry and seafood. Live jazz is featured on weekends.

Inn Marin is located at 250 Entrada Dr., Novato (800) 652-6565 www.innmarin.com

For some high-octane fun, and adrenaline sports Infineon Raceway is a world class racetrack where you can experience what it's like to ride with NASCAR. Race fans from around the world have been treated to some of the greatest racing highlights of all times at this unique facility. www.infineonraceway.com

Take in the views from a colorful hot air balloon ride with A Balloon Over Sonoma County (ABOS) that flies in the early morning when the winds are soft and gentle. www.aballoonoversonoma.com Kayak Tomales Bay is one of the most stunning places to paddle on the California coast as well as offering incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing. www.bwkayak.com

Wineries

Viansa Winery's beautiful Tuscan Villa is set in a courtyard surrounded by a colorful array of blooming flowers and olive trees. A walk through the winemaking process takes you from the fermentation room with hand-painted frescoes to the underground barrel aging cellar to learn how Viansa Winery blends state- of- the- art California winemaking technology with classic Italian techniques to produce world class Italian varietals and proprietary blends. You can sample Viansa fine wines & gourmet foods. www.viansa.com

The Roche Family Historic Ranch and Vineyards offers a guided horseback tour that leads through the heart of the beautiful 2100 acre vineyard estate and operating cattle ranch. Tours include complimentary tasting of award-winning Roche wines

www.rochewinery.com/horseback

More bells and whistles

The area is a vintage California golf destination. A winning score for golfers of all inclinations is at the nearby Stone Tree Golf Club. www.stonetreegolf.com

Cornerstone Festival Gardens is an eclectic collection of shops, wineries and a gourmet café set amidst nine acres of garden installations created by the world's leading landscape architects.

www.cornerstonegardens.com

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: The City of Unhurried Grace
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg

Reflections of sizzling orange sunsets pierce the gentle waters of Myrtle Beach the jewel of the southern east coast. Old live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, splendid palmetto, dogwoods and magnolia, border the pine framed fertile salt marshes and networks of lagoons and creeks.

The heart of the Grand Strand, it is a year round potpourri of both fun and adventure. Myrtle Beach is a sought after haven for its more than 100 championship golf courses, mini-golf courses, tennis courts, and sixty miles of wide sun-splashed beaches . Outdoor adventures run the gamut from wet and wild to pleasant and relaxing. There's a bounty of water amusements including waterskiing, wind surfing, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing and sailing. Cyclists can spend hours exploring the area along extensive bike trails, while nature lovers will find a wide range of options to fill their days. For those drawn more to culture, there's a flourishing range of performing arts, and for the shoppers there's a treasure trove of shops and boutiques sprinkled across the area.

Where to stay

In the heart of Myrtle Beach, the luxurious master planned resort community of Grande Dunes, is breathtakingly set amidst 2200 naturally beautiful acres. It encompasses classic and timeless Mediterranean style architecture, multi-million dollar homes, and a dazzling array of exceptional amenities At the helm, The Ocean Club is Grande Dunes' magnificent social and recreational focal point.

Set inside this exclusive enclave the AAA-Four Diamond Marina Inn at Grande Dunes is the perfect hub for your Myrtle Beach adventure. The hotel of choice of celebrities when in the area include the Eagles, former mayor Rudolph Guilliani, Pro golfer Anika Sorenstram and Senator John McCain.

There's a wonderful choice of luxurious accommodations. Grand guest rooms and suites boast exceptional views of the Intracoastal Waterway or marina from private balconies and lavish spa-like bathrooms. Two and three bedroom suites offer spacious living rooms and dining room, two or three full baths and equipped kitchens.

Resort amenities include an outdoor pool two soothing outdoor hot tubs, and an indoor pool with two swim-in-place stations, badminton, ping-pong and bicycles. The state-of-the-art Fitness Center is fully equipped with the latest in cardiovascular and weight-training equipment and a sauna for post workout relaxation.

The Tennis Club, a five-star racquet facility, has eight lighted Har-Tru courts.

For lovers of golf, the Resort Golf Cub offers a dramatic design featuring seven holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway. With its numerous elevation changes, and more then 34-acres of freshwater lakes, this course sets a new standard for world-class play. Guest of the Inn may also golf at the exclusive Members Club, a magnificent 18-hole layout that weaves throughout the area's natural pine preserves and along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Dining at the Inn includes: Waterscapes, casually elegant and showcasing the talents of Executive Chef James Clark and his imaginative modern American cuisine of local and regional specialties. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, service is warm, friendly and unobtrusive. Reflections offers a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying signature cocktails, fine wines, and tapas. Anchor Café (seasonal) is a lively waterfront bistro that serves up succulent burgers, and a delicious selection of fresh salads and sandwiches. Beach Cabana (seasonal) set in a secluded area of the beach offers an array of grilled specialties salads and cocktails.

Marina Inn is located at 8121 Amalfi Place in Myrtle Beach,
(866) 437-4113 or
www.MarinaInnatGrandeDunes. com

Golf is where it's at in Myrtle Beach

After undergoing a multi-million restoration Pine Lakes reopened the 1927 course and clubhouse to its glory days. www.PineLakes.com There are 50 Mini-Golf Courses wedged into the Grand Strand, each with a unique theme.

For additional information visit www.MyrtleBeach.com

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