Calling All Families! Come Out and Play this Summer with Coca-Cola and The National Parks

/PRNewswire/ -- Remember the old refrain, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?" Who wants to be dull? Coca-Cola, the National Park Foundation and renowned medical/diet expert Dr. Ian Smith want you to add a little fun into your life by making playdates in the parks for you and your family this summer. The "America Is Your Park" campaign launches today to encourage millions of Americans to be active outdoors and to cast a vote for their favorite park to win a $100,000 recreation grant made possible by Coca-Cola's Live Positively initiative.

"We understand that more families are looking for ways to have fun and be active together, but might lack the resources or an outside space to do so," said Katie J. Bayne, President and General Manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. "Coca-Cola has supported America's national parks for the past 40 years through campaigns like this because of our belief that everyone needs a place to play and spend time with family and friends."

Through online engagement and community grants, Coca-Cola is donating more than $500,000 to national, state and local parks across the country to restore or rebuild places for people of all ages to play. The campaign also encourages people to support the national and state parks system by voting for their favorite park on LivePositively.com through August 31, 2010 or coming out to local park health and wellness events that Coca-Cola will host this summer - all with the goal of making their communities a better place to live.

"Being physically active and maintaining a balanced diet should be a very important part of every family's health plan," said Dr. Ian Smith, medical/diet expert on VH1's highly rated "Celebrity Fit Club" and creator and founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge. "National parks have been part of the American family experience for years, and playing in the park is a simple way for people to lead healthier and more balanced lives."

Through the support of individual parks and the partnership with the National Park Foundation, Coca-Cola has donated more than $13 million for restoration and renovation of our country's parks, including the restoration of more than 260 miles of "Active Trails" for families to hike and explore, and is developing the first sustainable recycling program at The National Mall, a national park in the heart of the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C.

"The rewards of our long-standing partnership with Coca-Cola lie in hundreds of miles of restored hiking trails, renovated landmarks and millions of dollars in renovated park facilities provided throughout the years," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO, National Park Foundation. "The positive impact of 'America Is Your Park' and similar campaigns will be felt for years to come by families who will have improved facilities to be active and have fun outdoors."

About the "America Is Your Park" Campaign

Every day should be a day in the park this summer. That's why Coca-Cola will be giving away fun prizes as well as annual passes and family vacations to America's 392 parks through programs on MyCokeRewards and the Summer Snapshot Contest on the Coke Facebook page. Consumers are also encouraged to visit MyCoke.com to upload their laugh to the Smile-izer. For every laugh submitted, a dollar will be donated to the National Park Foundation, up to $50,000.

What's more, from July 29 to August 31, people can go to LivePositively.com to cast a vote for their favorite park to win the title of "America's Favorite Park" and a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola for new activity equipment such as bikes and kayaks, or for the restoration and construction of activity areas. Additionally, Coca-Cola will work with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to host WNBA FIT Clinics at parks in select cities across the country, as part of a new multiyear marketing partnership agreement. To learn more about Coca-Cola's efforts in our nation's parks and to vote for your favorite park, visit www.livepositively.com.

About the National Park Foundation

You are the part-owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us - This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org.

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American Eagle Airlines Launches Nonstop Jet Service Between Dallas/Fort Worth and Columbus, GA

/PRNewswire -- American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today began twice-daily, nonstop jet service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG), using 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jet aircraft.

"American Eagle is pleased to introduce service to Columbus from our largest hub in Dallas/Fort Worth," said Gary Foss, Vice President - Planning and Marketing for the AA Regional Network. "With two daily nonstops, customers from both Georgia and Alabama can make a day trip to DFW or enjoy convenient connections to more than 250 destinations throughout American's global network."

Situated on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Columbus is home to several large corporations and manufacturers, as well as Fort Benning, a major U.S. Army post. Visitors to the area can enjoy numerous historic homes and museums, including the Columbus Museum and the National Civil War Naval Museum.

The schedule for flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and Columbus (all times local) is:

Dallas/Fort Worth to Columbus (DFW-CSG)



      Flight           Departs          Arrives            Days
       2977          12:45 p.m.         3:40 p.m.         Daily
       2984           6:40 p.m.         9:35 p.m.         Daily




  Columbus to Dallas/Fort Worth (CSG-DFW)



      Flight           Departs          Arrives            Days
       2980*          7:05 a.m.        8:15 a.m.          Daily
       2983           4:05 p.m.        5:15 p.m.          Daily

  *Flight begins July 16, 2010

Introductory Fares and Double AAdvantage® Mile Offer

Log on to www.aa.com and enjoy special introductory fares. Customers can also earn double miles flying between Dallas/Fort Worth and Columbus beginning today through Oct. 15, 2010. Customers must register prior to travel using the Bonus Code CSG2X. Register and obtain complete offer terms and conditions at www.aa.com/offers.

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Mayday Air Jamaica Advises the Travelling Public Against the Use of Foreign Carriers into Jamaica During Inclement Weather

/PRNewswire/ -- A former president of the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association (JALPA) has sent an open letter to both Spirit and American Airlines advising of the high potential for disaster, and requested that they exercise extreme care when dispatching flights into Jamaica in marginal weather and not use Jamaican airports as alternates under any circumstances until the NTSB report is final.

Wesley Sampson and his organization, Mayday Air Jamaica (http://www.maydayairjamaica.com/), had last month on Nov. 19, 2009, in an open letter to Spirit re: its bid to purchase Air Jamaica, expressed grave concerns over the safety of the international travelling public into Jamaica, and the callous attitude of the Jamaican authorities in this regard.

"We note where the FAA had previously downgraded the islands' airports, the status of which, although reinstated, remains questionable where emergency equipment and facilities are concerned, as this accident shows. It is not reasonable to assume or expect that two experienced American Airlines pilots, trained to the highest standards of aviation safety, simply flew into Jamaica and crash landed in routine operations," said Sampson.

Mayday Air Jamaica strongly advises the travelling public not to use foreign carriers in inclement weather conditions, and to await the findings of the NTSB and the supervision of the Jamaican government in implementation of the recommended corrective procedures.

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American Airlines Praises U.S. and Japanese Negotiators for Reaching Tentative Open Skies Agreement

/PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, today praised U.S. and Japanese government negotiators for reaching an agreement on Open Skies that will establish and foster a healthy global aviation framework in the Pacific Rim and replace the existing bilateral agreement that has governed aviation between the U.S. and Japan since 1952.

"By their nature, bilateral agreements create a system in which some airlines receive aviation rights while others do not," said Will Ris, American's Senior Vice President - Government Affairs. "Open Skies agreements, on the other hand, end discriminatory aviation policies and are in the best interest of American and Japanese people as well as the nations' airlines."

The existing bilateral agreement had provided a competitive advantage on routes to, from and through Japan for certain carriers for many years. American joins the other U.S. air carriers in the market to applaud government negotiators for effectively reaching an agreement to best serve the interests of the traveling public despite the last minute efforts by the dominant carrier in the market, Delta/Northwest Airlines, to derail the talks.

"This Open Skies agreement will effectively reset the playing field and enable new working relationships, particularly pro-competitive joint ventures granted anti-trust immunity by the U.S. and Japanese governments. Ultimately, the agreement will benefit not only the traveling public, but both countries in terms of tourism, trade and commerce - and traffic between the two nations can grow unimpeded," said Ris.

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Six New Express Tours Added to Holland America Line's 2009 Alaska Program

PRNewswire/ -- Debuting in 2009, six Holland America Line Express Tours entice travelers to Alaska to add a few more days onto their trip to travel inland and experience more of the great state of Alaska. Express Tours combine a weeklong cruise through the Inside Passage with two or three nights in Anchorage and Talkeetna.

"The Express Tours are for our guests who don't have enough time to do a full CruiseTour but still want to experience Alaska's interior," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "These six tours are an incredible value. Guests will get a taste of the beauty and vastness of the state."

All the Express Tours include a seven-day cruise between Seward (gateway to Anchorage) and Vancouver, British Columbia or reverse. Itineraries vary by ship but all include Inside Passage scenic cruising, a spectacular glacier viewing experience and port calls in Juneau, Ketchikan and either Haines or Skagway. Some itineraries also include a port call in Sitka.

Express Tours #79 (northbound) and #80 (southbound) combine the cruise with two nights in Anchorage, city sightseeing and a tour to the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC). The ANHC is a cultural center and museum with classes, demonstrations and exhibits exploring the traditional way of life of all the indigenous cultures in Alaska. An outdoor village site includes six life-size authentic Native dwellings along with artifacts used in daily life. Rates start at $899 per person, based on double occupancy.

Express Tours #81 (northbound) and #82 (southbound) combine a seven-day cruise with a trip on the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage for two nights. The scenic train ride to Anchorage passes through the Chugach Mountains and along Turnagin Arm. Guests will stay two nights in Anchorage and enjoy city sightseeing and a tour to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Rates start at $949 per person based on double occupancy.

Express Tours #83 (northbound) and #84 (southbound) combine a seven-day cruise with two nights in Anchorage, and one in Talkeetna. After spending the first night in Anchorage, guests will enjoy sightseeing on the luxurious McKinley Explorer train from Anchorage to Talkeetna. Spectacular views of Mt. McKinley can be seen from the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. A two-hour Wilderness Jet Boat Adventure in the afternoon takes guests on a thrilling exploration of the area. The McKinley Explorer takes guests back to Anchorage the next day for one last night. Rates start at $1,249 per person based on double occupancy.

Holland America Line has been leading tours in Alaska for more than 60 years and has eight premium ships offering a total of 156 cruises and 29 CruiseTours ranging from 10 to 20 days in length. The new Express Tours are now open for booking. For more information about booking, contact a travel agent or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

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Native American Festival at Indian Springs September 13-14

T2F Note: Join in the fun at Indian Springs on September 13 and 14 for the 2008 Native American Festival. It's only a day-tripper away!

The annual Native American Festival at Indian Springs promises to be better than ever this year. Come listen to the old stories, see the colorful Native American regalia, and enjoy the music. Hours are 10 am - 5 pm on September 13 and 14.

Free parking across the street from the Indian Spring Museum/Hotel.

Donations:
Adults: $5
12 and under: $3
Infants: Free

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Columbus Museum Acquires Major Art Collection of American Drawings

T2F Note: Columbus is showcased as our "day tripper" pick. The Columbus Museum is the second largest in the state of Georgia. Pop on down to view this exciting new art collection.

The Columbus Museum is pleased to announce the acquisition of a major private collection of American drawings. As a result, the Museum has established itself as one of the most significant repositories of American drawings in the nation. The recently acquired works were originally assembled by legendary collector Paul Magriel, and subsequently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Flom of New York. The 105 sheets represent rare and important examples of American master drawing by some of the nation’s most prominent artists, including Raphael Peale, Henry Inman, Sanford R. Gifford, Jasper F. Cropsey, Winslow Homer, William Paxton, Abbott Handerson Thayer, Theodore Robinson, William Glackens and Ben Shahn.

The works celebrate the rich history of American drawing from the late 18th through the middle of the 20th century, and chronicle the many ways in which artists have used the medium to portray the nation’s evolving character. The Columbus Museum defines drawing as any unique work on paper, and the collection includes the great variety of approaches to drawing such as pencil, charcoal, watercolor, gouache, pastel, ink and silverpoint. The entire collection was displayed for public view for the first time in the 2007 Museum exhibition Tracing the Nation: Recently Acquired American Drawings. The acquisition was made possible by the support of members of the Museum’s 105 Society and a grant from the Mildred Miller Fort Foundation.

Since the Columbus Museum opened its doors to the public in 1953, drawings have represented
a collecting area in which the institution could readily afford important works of art by leading
American artists.

Some of the more than 400 sheets in the collection were individual gifts and purchases acquired
over the years. However, the majority of this collection is new as recently as the last five years.
In 2002, the Museum’s collection rose to a level of national importance with the acquisition of
more than 125 American drawings owned by Dr. and Mrs. Philip L. Brewer of Columbus. The Brewer acquisition includes great works by many of the key artists in American art history. In order to bring greater visibility to the collection, the Museum curated the traveling exhibition, Lines of Discovery: 225 Years of American Drawings andpublished an illustrated text of the same name to accompany the exhibition on its national tour.

The Museum’s collection took another leap forward with this acquisition of 105 sheets owned by
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Flom, of New York. The drawings represent an extraordinary acquisitions
opportunity due to their high quality and great rarity. Visionary collector Paul Magriel
(1906-1990) purchased American drawings during the 1960s and early 1970s when great works
were much more accessible and by modern standards quite affordable. Claire Flom, in particular, viewed her role as the caretaker of this collection and sought to place it in a public institution when she could no longer adequately care for it.

One of the principal motives for the acquiring the Magriel/Flom Collection is that the drawings
strengthen the Museum’s collection in several ways. First, they add depth to the Museum’s
relatively few drawings produced before 1850. Second, they include great works by key
American masters such as John Vanderlyn, William Sidney Mount, Frederic Church and James
Abbott McNeill Whistler, whose drawings were not represented in the Museum’s collection and
which are nearly impossible to find in today’s art market. Works by Thomas Sully, Thomas
Hovenden, Eastman Johnson, Theodore Robinson and Isabel Bishop complement paintings by
artists already in the Museum’s collection. Other drawings in the acquisition enable the Museum
to represent the work of key artists in depth — three drawings by Benjamin West to add to the
two drawings already present; two sheets by John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Thursby and Madame Helleu, represent the first Sargent figure drawings acquired by the Museum and stand as an important complement to the Museum’s Sargent watercolor, Spanish Window. Winslow Homer’s pencil drawing, Head of a Girl, represents the artist’s important period in England during 1881-1882, and now joins the Museum’s charcoal drawing by Homer, Pond Lilies, done on American soil in 1884. Also, two drawings by Robert Blum of his brother provide
representation by this important artist.

The Magriel/Flom Collection demonstrates the essential role drawing has played in the formation and development of American art. While representing an overview of American art, this selection of works attests to the unique properties of drawing and its status as the most intimate, immediate and versatile art medium.

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