Go Fish Education Center Opens in Perry

Gov. Sonny Perdue, along with local community leaders, cut the celebratory ribbon at the official dedication of the Go Fish Education Center October 7 in Perry. Developed as part of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative, the Center, which opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 8, will promote better water stewardship and increased fishing participation around the state.

“The Go Fish Georgia Initiative will allow us to improve our fishing resources and boat access, drawing not only more tourists but also major fishing tournaments that will have a positive economic impact in communities across Georgia,” said Gov. Perdue. “It also promotes conservation and encourages families to spend time together outdoors, making memories that will last a lifetime.”

The Go Fish Education Center features an interactive and educational journey through Georgia’s diverse watersheds. It also serves as a great resource of fishing information for any level of angler, with tips on where to go, what gear to use and when to fish. With 76 species of fish on display in tanks and ponds, the Center offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn about Georgia’s aquatic wildlife and habitats. Boating and fishing simulators let visitors test their skills on the water. And a state-of-the-art fish hatchery offers a look at the science of fisheries management. The hatchery will expand research and increase fish production to improve the quality of fishing in Georgia.

The Center also will offer educational programs to school systems and to the public, including kids fishing events, on-site classroom programs and teacher development sessions. Classroom and educational programs are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards.

“Whether you are new to fishing, mentoring a young angler or are a seasoned professional, you will find exhibits here that educate, excite and encourage you to get outdoors and go fish,” said Chris Clark, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.

The Center is part of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative, a $30 million initiative that leverages $19 million in state bond financing with private donations and financial support from local communities. It includes development and improvements of mega-ramps and other access areas that improve the quality of fishing throughout Georgia and increases participation in fishing through active promotion and marketing of Georgia’s exceptional fishing resources.

Construction of the Center began in 2008 and was completed in September 2010. The Go Fish Education Center is part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (Fisheries Management Section).

The Center is located next to the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. The Center will maintain special hours Oct. 8-17, 2010, during the Fair: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-9 p.m. Sunday. Standard hours post-fair will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Fees are as follows: Adults - $5, Seniors 65 and up - $4, Children 3-12 - $3; Children 2 and under - free.

For more information, visit www.gofisheducationcenter.com or call (478) 988-7187.

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Expedia.com Announces Partnership with the National Park Foundation

/PRNewswire/ -- Expedia.com and the National Park Foundation today announced the launch of a new online resource to help travelers plan and book vacations to America's National Parks. The site, found at www.expedia.com/nationalparks, provides visitors with information about the National Parks and nearby lodging options available on Expedia.com, as well as suggestions for long weekend itineraries and in-depth articles on "Can't-Miss National Parks." It also features downloadable park maps and other editorial content from the National Park Foundation. Additionally, the site offers visitors a sneak peek video of Ken Burns' documentary, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," which premieres on PBS on September 27.

"Millions of people plan trips to our National Parks every year, and as the world's leading online travel site, we're in the perfect position to showcase these parks as amazing vacation destinations and offer all the tools travelers need to plan trips to experience them," said Tim MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. "Plus, with original content from the National Park Foundation, and more to come, we consider this site a new permanent online home for National Park travel."

"The national parks belong to us all. Whether you want to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon, sit in the shade of a sequoia, or visit Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home, each of us can find a way to connect with our shared heritage by traveling to a national park," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "We are very proud to work with Expedia to help people connect to their national parks, especially as Ken Burns' new documentary is about to re-introduce all Americans to the grandeur of the park system."

Expedia.com's National Parks site features an initial five "Can't-Miss National Parks" with photos and comprehensive details for Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park and Yosemite National Park. Just a few examples of the information available for Yosemite National Park include:

-- Location: Situated in the center of California, Yosemite Park
showcases the best of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Start your tour in
centrally located Yosemite Village.
-- Flora & Fauna: The mountains, valleys, and coniferous forests of
Yosemite Park harbor animals from bighorn sheep to bobcats.
-- Did You Know? Yosemite travel is best in spring, during the snowmelt,
when the park's famous waterfalls are at their peak.
-- Things to Do: Hike to Mariposa Grove where you'll discover hundreds of
giant sequoia--among the tallest and longest-lived trees in the world.
-- Stay In or Near the Park: The Ahwahnee in Yosemite Village, Calif.;
Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, Calif.


Also announced today is a new sweepstakes offering a chance to win a VIP vacation to Yosemite National Park. All travelers need to do to enter is book a stay at any participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts property - including brands such as Westin, Sheraton and W - by October 15, for travel through October 31, 2009, to be automatically entered to win a grand prize trip to Yosemite National Park, including airfare and VIP tours in the park. Travelers can also win one of 20 first prize autographed copies of "National Parks: America's Best Idea" by Dayton Duncan, from the film by Ken Burns. For more information about the sweepstakes or Expedia.com's new National Parks site, visit www.expedia.com/nationalparks.

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VacationRentals Redesign Promotes Budget Family Travel

(BUSINESS WIRE)--HomeAway, Inc., the world’s leading vacation rental marketplace, today announced a redesign of its site, VacationRentals.com and the “Florida Family Fun Giveaway,” which promotes budget travel in the most popular state for family vacations.

New features on VacationRentals.com include:

* Enhanced property details page featuring an interactive photo flip book, quick facts and traveler inquiry form
* Sliding scales to easily refine searches by minimum to maximum rental rate, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms and check boxes to indicate preferences for vacation rentals with hot tubs, pools and allow pets
* Travel Resources section highlighting ideas, tips, featured partners and information to help plan the perfect vacation
* More prominent placement of the HomeAway Rental Guarantee to encourage travelers to take advantage of this one-of-kind, free protection of payments (up to $5,000) booked through the site

Florida Family Fun Giveaway

Of the 35,000 vacation rental homes and condos advertised on VacationRentals.com, 14,000 are located in Florida. To highlight all the options for family-friendly Florida vacations and to encourage travelers to ditch hotels and discover first-hand how vacation rentals help dramatically cut travel costs, VacationRentals.com is offering the Florida Family Fun Giveaway.

Through February 26, travelers who book a vacation rental in Orlando, Miami, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Cocoa Beach or Panama City through VacationRentals.com and register their trip (it’s free!) with the HomeAway Rental Guarantee, are automatically eligible to win one of 80 prizes. Prizes range from $75 gas cards to a family four-pack of passes to popular attractions including Disney World and Kennedy Space Center.

Tips for Cheap Travel

VacationRentals.com also offers these tips for families to save money on spring break and summer vacation travel:

* Don’t settle for less (space) – By choosing a vacation rental instead of hotel, travelers can spend an average of 50 percent less per square foot on their accommodations.
* Eat in, save dough – Forego restaurants for kitchens found in most vacation rental homes which make it easier to cater to special dietary needs, please children’s fickle taste buds and create memories around the table.
* Invite a friend, grandparents or a whole other family – In vacation rentals, traveling with groups makes it possible to share the costs. Multiple bedrooms and living space means there’s room for everyone.
* Bring Rover right over – Many vacation rental homeowners designate their houses “pet-friendly” so families can travel with their furry-friends instead of spending money on expensive boarding.

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