Wednesday, April 14, 2010

4/15 - Vince Brunetti, Larry Lipson, Doug Stallings, Joe Sartore

Joel Sartore -  "RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species"
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has spent two decades on a mission to record North American species facing extinction. Sixty-nine of these animals and plants are poignantly profiled in a new book from National Geographic, RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species. Sartore is the global spokesperson for the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, which will celebrate the variety of life on Earth.  The species range from condors to crocodiles, wolverines to woodpeckers, snails to sea turtles, plovers to pitcher plants. Some, like the bald eagle, are so iconic that it’s easy to see why we would take the trouble to save them. Others, like the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly or the Higgins eye mussel, are probably unknown to most and have no immediate iconic appeal except for their own intrinsic beauty.One of the featured animals, the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, actually went extinct while the book was being made. There is still hope though. By giving voice to creatures both great and small, Sartore believes that people will be moved to protect them and their habitat. The final chapter celebrates populations “on the rise.” Endangered species making a comeback include the gray wolf, now numbering 4,128, the bald eagle, with a population of around 20,000, and the American alligator, which has rebounded from the verge of extinction to more than 1 million individuals.  Joel Sartore is winner of the 2010 North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) “Outstanding Photographer of the Year” award, and award winner at the 2010 Pictures of the Year International (POYi) competition for images that form the foundation of this book. He has been a National Geographic photographer for more than two decades and is the author of several books, including “Face to Face with Grizzlies” (2007) and “Photographing Your Family” (2008) and is a regular contributor to “CBS Sunday Morning” with Charles Osgood. His work has been featured on NBC’s “Nightly News,” CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” NPR’s “Weekend Edition” and in an hour-long PBS documentary, “At Close Range with National Geographic.”

DOUG STALLINGS - FODOR'S "NO NONSENSE TRAVELER" 
According to Fodor’s Senior Editor Doug Stallings, an important key for making the most of your vacation and keeping costs down is making sure you’re choosing a vacation that caters to your individual interests and not paying for amenities that you’ll never use.  In this interview Stallings - “The No-Nonsense Traveler”-, will share some of his top travel tips on everything from the best time to travel to how to get the best value for your money. He will also debunk a few common spring/summer travel myths

Vincent Brunetti  FB Director - Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Vince is a 15 year industry veteran of Hyatt and now runs one of the largest food & beverage operations in the world.  Surround yourself with the magnificence and beauty of Hawaii at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Our welcoming Waikiki hotel offers the ultimate combination of personalized service, outstanding amenities and a perfect location close to all that embodies our island. Stroll to such landmarks as Diamond Head, Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium from our spectacular setting fronting Waikiki Beach. Surrender to the total pampering of our Waikiki, Hawaii hotel spa, or awaken your adventurous side with surfing lessons. Reward yourself with a stay at our Hyatt hotel in Waikiki, and experience the true meaning of Hawaiian hospitality.

Larry Lipson - Live from Costa Rica
Larry is live from his research facility in Costa Rica and talks about Easter & Passover around the world and some interesting wines for holidays. Larry checks out international wines and this veteran wine expert also talks about wine & food pairings for the religious observances.