The Marshall Plan Press Releases

THE ORLANDO ON THIRD HOTEL SAYS, “WHO NEEDS A GUY?”

2012-01-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

THE ORLANDO ON THIRD HOTEL SAYS, “WHO NEEDS A GUY?”
A Girlfriends’ PJ Party Getaway Just in Time to Banish the Valentine Blues

Los Angeles, CA (January 12, 2012) – This candy-coated, heart-shaped holiday comes around every year, laughing in the face of singles, but at The Orlando Hotel-- in Los Angeles’ vibrant dining, shopping and nightlife district on West Third Street – single gals have something to celebrate too! So, grab your best girlfriends and make your own holiday escape with the relationships you know will stand the test of time. Hand stirred cocktails, adorable p.j.’s, in-room mani-pedi’s and a chance to learn a new skill – The Orlando’s new Girlfriends Getaway package gives single ladies a great excuse to fall in love with their lives this Valentine’s Day.

Since we all know that girls just want to have fun, The Orlando on Third is offering a Girlfriends’ PJ Party Valentine’s Getaway for up to four friends from February 1st through 28th. Who needs champagne & chocolate? Start off your stay with hand-crafted cocktails at uber-hip eatery, The Churchill. To help create the perfect slumber party, the package includes in-suite manicures & pedicures and even 15% off at famous Los Angeles sleepwear designer Bed Head (named “Best Overall” by The Wall Street Journal) on any of their cozy p.j. creations! And nothing helps you forget the one that got away like expanding your mind and your skill set. You and your gal pals can try your hand at skills ranging from jewelry making to silk screening, from mosaics to “fascinator” hat creation at the chic little neighborhood craft studio just across the street called Hands on Third.

Specifics of this new kind of Valentine’s Day Package include:
o One night’s accommodation for up to four friends in a two-bedroom suite.
o Four hand-crafted cocktails at The Churchill
o Four in-suite mani-pedi’s
o 15% discount at Bed Head Pajamas
o Four, $50. 00 gift certificates for classes at Hands on Third craft center.

More…
The Orlando Hotel’s PJ Party Getaway Package…page 2

The Orlando’s Girlfriend’s PJ Party Valentine’s Getaway for four is priced at $1450 – a savings of $230 or $362.50 each. Additional nights are $850.00. The Girlfriends’ Getaway can be booked online or by calling 1-800.62.HOTEL.

And, for a more traditional Valentine’s, ask about The Orlando’s Couple’s Package for Valentine’s which includes a three course prix fixe dinner at Chuchills, a special amenity and breakfast in bed.

Flanked by The Grove Shopping Center on the East and the Beverly Center on the West, the 95-room Orlando Hotel is in the middle of a street filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques, vintage stores, ateliers, jewelry designers and popular eateries. Stroll down to Joan’s on Third for lunch & celeb watching or try out the hot new restaurant Son of a Gun – from the famed chef’s Jon & Vinnie (best known for Animal.) Check out the West Third Street Blog to find out about special offers and special events in the eclectic, very walk-able neighborhood that’s one of L.A.’s best-kept secrets.

With The Orlando as your base, you’ll enjoy sleek, newly renovated rooms with marble bathrooms,
42-inch HD flatscreen t.v.’s and bath products courtesy of Angelo Caroli. Save time to experience the hotel’s hot new eatery and bar, The Churchill -- featuring sustainable, seasonal American cuisine and inspired classic and contemporary cocktails.

About the Orlando
The only hotel on Third Street in West Los Angeles, The Orlando Hotel is a landmark member of a community filled with creativity and authenticity – like Alexis Bittar Jewelry, Le Labo Perfumery, the Magnolia Bakery, Joan’s on Third and more. With staff eager to share insider information on shopping, dining and local events, guests get a real taste of L.A. living. And, it’s pet friendly!

The recently completed $6 million renovation means sleek new guest rooms with bigger bathrooms; high-tech, two-bedroom suites; a redone saltwater pool, an updated fitness center and massage room; all new lighting, enhanced small meetings space, a fully equipped business center and an all-new street-facing restaurant with Take Out Window. A 24-hour concierge, Wifi, morning paper and evening turndown are complimentary with every room

Originally opened in 1984 as The Beverly Plaza Hotel, The Orlando has been a constant in a neighborhood that has evolved into the trendy, urban destination that it is today. The fashionable but friendly hotel is known for hosting entertainment and retail business travelers during the week and savvy L.A. visitors on the weekends.

The Orlando on Third is located at 8384 W Third Street, Los Angeles, California 90048. Reservations can be made online or by calling 800.62.HOTEL. Find The Orlando at www.theorlando.com and on Facebook.

DIMENSION ONE SPAS DEBUTS AQUASPORT SWIM SPA

2011-09-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

"Not only does swimming slow down the aging process – by upwards of 20% in
some cases -- in terms of respiration, muscle mass, bone density, cardiovascular
activity and neurological function, but there’s also evidence to suggest that it
increases mental health and even spiritual and social health.”Dr. Joel M. Stager, Medical Director,
St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, Spokane Washington

Sporty, Fun, Versatile and Full of ‘Firsts’ in its Class - Answer to Today’s Fitness Trends

Vista, CA – Dimension One Spas, the leading innovator in the home spa industry, announced today a fourth model in its Aquatic Fitness Systems line of underwater gym/swim spas – the smaller, more versatile AquaSport, offering a compact AFS option with the best features in its class. This dynamic, fun, fitness-oriented swim spa was created with exercise science input from Mary Sanders, PhD., the world’s leading expert on water exercise.

While the other 3 AFS models range in price from $25,000 to $45,000 and measure 16 to 19 feet long, the new AquaSport is 13 feet long and retails for approximately $18,000. Unique features of the AquaSport:

• The largest swim lane in its class.

• A DuraTex shell that won’t crack or blister, even in direct sunlight – the only one of its kind in the industry.

• A built-in exercise step for lunge exercises and built-in exercise bars for stretching exercises.

• A standard HydroSport Kit for resistance moves. Optional: Stretch and Train Kit for weight bearing exercises and a Water Pilates Kit for core work, yoga and other low impact exercises.

• A boxed steel frame guaranteed for the life of the product.

• The only AFS available with the Ultra Pure Water Management System – D1’s award-winning UV light and ozone water purifying system, giving consumers the cleanest, clearest water ever offered in a swim spa.

The website of the Hot Tub Council (HTC) of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) - www.hottubliving.com - highlights findings from the latest scientific research that shows aquatic exercise benefits those suffering from fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis, depression, weight management, back pain and more.

“The new AquaSport is really health in motion, explains D1 Senior Designer, Victor Walker. “It allows people of all ages to experience the benefits of aquatic exercise. “

The new AquaSport also addresses a number of today’s consumer trends including:

- Aging boomers looking for low-impact, joint-friendly exercise options.

- At-home exercise as rehab from injuries and illness.

- Consumers downsizing from high-maintenance, in-ground pools but still wanting an at-home swimming/exercise option. And, homeowners can take swim spas with them if they move.

- Energy and cost efficiency: while the water temperature can easily be adjusted, swim spas have one-half to one-third the energy costs of a regular pool. The AquaSport is the only AFS with patented UV light and ozone water cleaning system.

About Mary Sanders, Phd FSM

Professor at the University of Nevada’s School of Medicine and Public Health is known in fitness circles as the “water fitness guru.” The research her team has done with groups of aquatic exercisers over the years underscores the fact that water can be used as a liquid weight machine with unique benefits. “Water’s buoyancy reduces impact and supports the body for increased range of motion,” she explains. “And, the natural resistance of water (the harder you press the harder, the water presses back) provides an individualized personal training environment. Water’s viscosity or “thickness” -- being about 800 times greater than air – makes it an effective exercise environment in which to build muscular endurance. And using resistance tethers, like those featured in the AFS pool, provides additional core stabilization work.” www.waterfit.com
About D1 Spas

Dimension One’s constantly evolving list of environmentally and ergonomically friendly innovations gives homeowners a wide range of smart, responsible lifestyle choices.

Founded in Vista, California by Bob and Linda Hallam, D1 spas and aquatic fitness products are now sold through a network of more than 250 dealers in the United States, and 450 dealers worldwide in 30 countries. The company's three product lines include a range of home hydrotherapy and aquatic fitness products that meet a variety of consumer needs and budgets: D1 Reflections®, D1 Bay Collection®, AFS- Aquatic Fitness Systems® and @ Home Hot Tubs®. Innovations include: hydronomics – design based on human anatomy, ergonomics, acupressure, reflexology and fluid mechanics -- a wireless, totally submersible hot tub stereo system; a spa-within-a-spa lounge chair aqua massager; clean energy systems; and patented fountain & lighting systems. For more information about Dimension One Spas, its products and practices, visit: www.d1spas.com.

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THE LEGENDARY ISLAND OF BORA BORA IN TAHITI FEATURED ON E!’s HIT SHOW KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS

2011-08-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

“Vacation Like a Celebrity” Six-Day Luxury Bora Bora Package Starting from $2699 Per Person

LOS ANGELES (August 17, 2011) The island of Bora Bora, located in the famed islands of Tahiti in the South Pacific and known for its world-renowned blue lagoon, will be featured in three episodes of E! ’s hit show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The Bora Bora episodes air on Sundays, August 21st and 28th and September 4th . The two-part finale airs Sunday, September 4th and Monday, September 5th at 10pm ET/PT on E! Keeping Up with the Kardashians is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions and Bunim/Murray Productions.

The Kardashians began their dream vacation on Air Tahiti Nui, Tahiti's luxurious, award-winning international airline. Officially known as French Polynesia, the islands of Tahiti are much closer than many people think. Only eight hours from Los Angeles, located in the same time zone as Hawaii, and the same distance below the equator as Hawaii is above the equator. Covering a vast area of the South Pacific - about the same size as Western Europe - Tahiti is comprised of 118 islands and atolls broken up into five distinct archipelagoes. Bora Bora is one of the main islands in the Society Islands archipelago. Other islands included in the archipelago are Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine and Taha'a.

Featuring some of the most romantic, beautiful and adventurous locations on earth, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians season finale episodes were shot on the breathtaking Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, built above what author James Michener coined as “the most beautiful lagoon in the world.”

While the entire family stayed in Tahiti’s signature overwater bungalows, Kris and Bruce Jenner and Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries enjoyed Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa’s two $5,000-a-night Presidential villas, the only two-story overwater villas in French Polynesia.

As one of the top-rated honeymoon destinations in the world, Bora Bora has long been a location for filming and the playground for many celebrities. To learn more about Tahiti and her islands, visit www.tahititourisme.com

Air Tahiti Nui and its partners have launched the “Vacation Like a Celebrity” package, a value-driven six-day luxury Bora Bora vacation that makes it easy to turn a dream family vacation into a reality.

“Vacation Like a Celebrity” package includes:

• Round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles on award-winning Air Tahiti Nui
• One night at Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti in a deluxe ocean view room
• Four nights at Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa in a lagoon view suite (including one free night)
• Free American breakfast daily
• Round-trip inter-island air transportation on Air Tahiti, Tahiti's domestic airline
• Meet and greet and shell lei upon arrival
• All transfers and baggage handling

Book the “Vacation Like a Celebrity” package for $2699 per person for travel between November 1 – December 14, 2011 and must be booked by November 23, 2011. Additional restrictions may apply please visit www.airtahitinui-usa.com/absoluteparadise for more information.

***

About the islands of Tahiti:
Easier to travel than often imagined, Tahiti is eight hours by air from Los Angeles with daily nonstop flights. The islands of Tahiti are halfway between California and Australia, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America and in the same time zone as Hawaii. There are a total of 118 islands and atolls that comprise this beautiful South Pacific country. Tahiti’s varied landscape ranges from just-above sea level coral atolls to volcanic mountain peaks. Tahiti is renowned for warm waters, white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons, lush green hills and abundant flowering plants. For more information about the islands of Tahiti, to request a vacation guide or to find great deals, please visit tahiti-tourisme.com

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 540 hotels in 78 countries and the brand remains synonymous with "hotel."

Access the latest Hilton news at www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltononline, www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/hilton. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.

About Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui, with a route network linking the South Pacific to four continents, is the leading carrier to French Polynesia featuring daily non-stop service from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui has won many awards for their services and was named one of the “World’s Best” international airlines by Travel +Leisure in 2008. The airline is headquartered in Papeete and operates from Faa’a International Airport on the island of Tahiti. The company was founded in 1996 and commenced flight operations in 1998.

About E! Network
E! is television’s top destination for all things entertainment and celebrity. E! is currently available to 98 million cable and satellite subscribers in the U.S. and the E! Everywhere initiative underscores the company’s dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms anytime and anywhere from online to broadband video to wireless to radio to VOD. Popular programming includes E! core franchises, “E! News,” “The Soup,” “Chelsea Lately” and “Fashion Police” as well as the network’s hit series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami, “Kourtney and Kim Take New York,” “Kendra” and “Holly’s World.” Additionally, E!’s “Live from the Red Carpet” signature events keep fans connected to their favorite stars on Hollywood’s biggest nights. E! is a network of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

The Hilton French Polynesia Summer 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

UNIQUE FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEA: “LIQUID FURNITURE” - ELEMENTAL HOME SPA

2011-06-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Customizable Home Spa Designed to Complement Outdoor Furniture
Appeals to Both Men & Women

San Diego, CA (May 23, 2011) – Go beyond ties, cologne or backyard barbeques this Father’s Day and give the special man in your life a gift you can enjoy together. The portable, plug & play, softly square Elemental home spa– introduced this year by Dimension One Spas – is completely customizable and fits well anywhere from expansive backyards to condo patios. This low-maintenance hot tub retails for $5,995.00, has an average monthly heating cost of under $7.00 and offers couples a destination in their own backyard for communication and relationship building. www.myelemental.com

Interestingly, retail research shows that when shopping for outdoor living items, men typically pay attention to the price and durability while women focus first on texture and color. Elemental satisfies the major criteria for both sexes.

This affordable, design-driven tub was created specifically to blend in seamlessly with patio furniture. Elemental is available in an array of colors including Snow, Moss, Ore, Canvas, Canyon and a “design- your-own” white Canvas model. Exteriors are textured with a water-based, zero-VOC acrylic. Each tub features an easy-to-use matching cover, wrought iron bases and accent pieces in artesian or classic styles and a choice of panel inserts to decorate the exterior walls. With a width of 32 inches and a dry weight of only 350 pounds, Elemental fits through a standard doorway, plugs into a 110 outlet and is as at home on condo/apartment patios and balconies as it is in expansive outdoor rooms.

“No outdoor room is complete without all four elements – earth, fire, wind, and water” explains Bob Hallam, founder of D1 Spas. “Elemental was created to add the essential element of water to an outdoor room, while satisfying the needs of both the male and female consumer.”
_________
Designed to break the paradigm of hot tub design, Elemental utilizes patio-appropriate colors and textures to create a spa that can match virtually any backyard. Understated and stylish, Elemental uses softened geometry and artisan details to create the ultimate accent for your backyard oasis.

Elemental is the newest product line designed by Dimension One Spas, a luxury goods manufacturer who also make composite materials, hot tubs, and aquatic fitness systems. In business for over 30 years, Dimension One has a history of innovation and quality. Distributed globally, Dimension One holds over 40 patents, more than any other manufacturer in the industry. www.d1spas.com

Dimension One Spas have joined with Jamie Durie from HGTV’s The Outdoor Room to Create the ‘Just Add Water’ Facebook Trivia Game

2011-05-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Only One More Week to Play for a Chance to Win an Elemental Home Spa, Jamie’s Newest Book, and more!

Vista, California (May 11, 2011) – To celebrate three different models of Dimension One Spas being featured in three episodes of this season’s THE OUTDOOR ROOM WITH JAMIE DURIE on HGTV, D1 joined with jamiedurie.com to create the “Just Add Water” Facebook Trivia Game that launched April 14, 2011 and runs for five weeks. Our philosophy is that water is an essential element in an outdoor space, and this trivia game gives Facebook followers the chance to add a sleek water feature to their own outdoor rooms with a grand prize of a new, $5,995 Elemental home spa from D1. Players can find rules and all ten questions on the Jamie Durie Website: www.jamiedurie.com . Answers can be submitted until 12:00 pm PST Thursday, May 19, 2011.

In addition to the grand prize of a new design-driven home spa, players also have the chance to win a weekly prize of Jamie Durie’s newest book, JAMIE DURIE’S THE OUTDOOR ROOM, which releases May 17, 2011, as well as a runner up prize of a signed collection of Jamie’s most popular books.

The trivia game, which started Thursday April 14, 2011, runs for five weeks -- with two trivia questions posted each week for five weeks on the Dimension One Spas, HGTV’s The Outdoor Room, and Jamie Durie Facebook pages -- and ends at 12:00 pm PST next Thursday, May 19, 2011. Players can start the game at any time before it closes and are invited to use the participating partners Websites to research each question and submit their answers to a landing page located in the forum section of Jamie Durie’s website http://www.jamiedurie.com/site/forum_home/forum.aspx. Weekly winners will be selected from all correct answers. At the end of the contest, one winner -- who participated for the entire five weeks, answered each question correctly and “liked” the D1 Facebook page -- will be selected at random for the grand prize. One winner and one runner up will be announced by 5:30 pm PST on Monday, May 23, 2011.

In addition to the ‘Just Add Water’ Trivia Game, Dimension One Spas’ Elemental was also featured as a prize in the Jamie Durie Showcase on the Price Is Right, which aired on CBS on April 26, 2011 http://www.priceisright.com/videos.

ABOUT JAMIE DURIE
As host of HGTV’s wildly popular series “The Outdoor Room,” Jamie’s contemporary and stylish design ideas capture the imagination while inspiring a whole new generation to rediscover their gardens and outdoor living spaces. A native of Australia, Jamie grew up with a love of the outdoors. His commitment to the environment and his passion for conserving our natural surroundings has taken him around the world campaigning and lecturing for environmental and charity organizations. As a qualified horticulturalist, award-winning landscape designer, furniture designer, television host, producer, and seven-time bestselling author, Jamie Durie is the ultimate authority on outdoor style.

ABOUT ELEMENTAL
Designed to break the paradigm of spa design, Elemental utilizes patio-appropriate colors and textures to create a home spa that can match virtually any backyard. Understated and stylish, the portable, plug & play Elemental uses softened geometry and artisan details to create the ultimate accent for your backyard oasis. www.myelemental.com
ABOUT D1 SPAS
Dimension One Spas® (D1®) was founded in 1977 in Vista, California by Bob and Linda Hallam. By combining innovations in materials science and water handling technology, D1 has set an industry benchmark and today is the leader in designing and manufacturing luxury home hydrotherapy and aquatic fitness products. D1 spas and aquatic fitness products are now sold through a network of more than 200 dealers in the United States, and 450 dealers worldwide in 35 countries. Holding more than 30 patents – more than any other company in the industry – D1 has earned accolades and awards from Consumer’s Digest, Robb Report, Poolandspa.com, Quality Buy and more. www.d1spas.com

For more information contact: Kim Marshall, 310-452-1234, kim@themarshallplan.com

HILTON MOOREA’S FIVE-WEEK TAHITI TRIVIA GAME TRIPLES RESORT’S FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

2011-01-17T16:26:00.001-08:00

Long time Fan of French Polynesia Wins Five Night Stay & R/T Flights on Air Tahiti Nui
Moorea, French Polynesia (December 2, 2010) – Continuing the trend of hotel contests on Facebook, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa completed its five-week Tahiti 20Ten Trivia Game with the announcement of a winner of a five night stay and roundtrip tickets on Air Tahiti Nui. Underscoring why hotels spend time creating such contests, Facebook followers for the beautiful South Seas resort -- known for its thatched roof overwater bungalows and crystalline blue lagoon – grew by nearly five times over the course of the game which ran from December 6, 2010 to January 10, 2011.

The final winner, Ed Starowicz --the Deputy Commission of Pittsford, New York and long time fan of French Polynesia – saw one of the ads about the contest on the side of his Facebook page and decided to play. Answers from nearly 2,000 players were reviewed and the final winner needed to answer each question correctly and submit the answers using the same Email address. In the end, only 350 players were eligible and Starowicz’s name was chosen by a random generator.

“My wife and I had stopped by Tahiti on a cruise nearly 30 years ago before we had children and our dream was always to go back,” he explains. “We finally did last year for our anniversary and saw how well the destination had matured so we figured why not try and make our dreams come true one more time. It’s just amazing that we won!”

Starowicz said the game was fun and didn’t take him long to play – some answers he knew right away and some he would research for a few minutes online. The game consisted of ten questions about the destination, the hotel and the national airline, posted twice a week for five weeks on the Hilton Moorea, Air Tahiti Nui, Tahiti Tourisme North America and Hilton Facebook Fan Pages.

When asked his favorite thing about the destination he said the incredibly blue and crystal clear water. He said everyone is surprised that the country is only an 8 hour flight from Los Angeles and even though they started out in New York and connected in L.A., the minute they stepped off the plane into that tropical paradise, they started to relax and wind down. “I didn’t even take my cell phone last time I was there. The people are so gracious and elegant, it just calms you down. And then walking out into the lagoon is like walking into an aquarium and being surrounded by beautiful, tropical fish.”

In addition to the grand prize, the runner up won a beautiful Tahitian black pearl and there were also weekly winners who were awarded prizes ranging from a DVD of unity Universal Pictures Couple’s Retreat (filmed in Tahiti) to special Tahitian gifts like vanilla beans, manoi oil, pareos (beach wraps).

ABOUT THE HILTON MOOREA

Recipient of a 2010 Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa has long been a favorite of discerning world travelers. The 10-year-old Hilton Moorea teems with Polynesian “mana,” or spirit, and unfolds between a 10-acre aquamarine lagoon and velvet green mountains on the heart-shaped island that is just a 30 minute ferry ride from French Polynesia’s capital city of Papeete.

The resort’s $11 million renovation was completed last May with interiors of each of the 104 signature thatched roofed bungalow accommodations – whether overwater, beachfront or in the garden -- re-imagined in a contemporary island motif. The soothing new color palette uses tropical earth tones that accent a blending of wood, glass, marble, silk and woven materials. Bathrooms feature sleek Italian granite countertops; two separate bowl sinks, marble tubs and a rain cascade style shower. Each room has all new furnishings as well as 37” flat screen T.V.’s with DVD players and iPod dock music systems. The resort update also includes the plunge pools on private decks in each of the resort’s 47 garden bungalows, 2 lavish, suite-sized Garden Bungalows.

The Hilton Flag flies over another award-winning resort in French Polynesia, the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa on the island of Bora Bora, a 40-minute flight from Moorea. For the latest packages and specials at both hotels visit: www.hilton.com/frenchpolynesia or choose from a list of Tahiti travel specialists at www.gototahiti.com

ABOUT AIR TAHITI NUI

Air Tahiti Nui, with a route network linking the South Pacific to four continents, is the leading carrier to French Polynesia featuring daily non-stop service from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui was named the “Best Airline – Pacific Region” and recognized as having the “Best Cabin Staff – Pacific Region” in the 2008 Skytrax World Airline Survey® for the sixth consecutive year; it was also named one of the “World’s Best” international airlines by Travel +Leisure in 2008. The airline has headquarters in Papeete and operates from Faa’a International Airport on the island of Tahiti. The company was founded in 1996 and commenced flight operations in 1998.
The web site www.airtahitinui-usa.com helps travelers plan and book flights and vacation packages to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Rangiroa, the Marquesas, and Tuamotu. In addition to featuring special honeymoon, cruise and diving packages, flights to Paris, Auckland, Sydney and Tokyo are bookable online or by calling Air Tahiti Nui toll-free at 1-877-824-4846.

GAME CONNECTIONS

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hilton-Moorea-Lagoon-Resort-and-Spa/104845252881997
www.hilton.com/frenchpolynesia
http://www.facebook.com/#!/airtahitinui.usa
www.airtahitinui-usa.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/TahitiTourismeNorthAmerica
www.gototahiti.com
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Solair Wilishire To Be Featured In Upcoming Season of ABC's Hit Romance Reality Series THE BACHELOR

2011-01-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles, California (January 11, 2011) -- Solair Wilshire, an ST Residential Collection luxury high rise, will provide the location for a group date in Episode 3 of The Bachelor airing on January 17, 2011. The episode will feature an exclusive after party on the building’s 7th story pool deck, with the newest Bachelor, Brad Womack.
Womack, who shocked Bachelor fans by rejecting both of his final bachelorettes in one of the most controversial finales in the series’ history, returns three years later, having undergone a radical personal transformation he feels sure has readied him to make a genuine commitment to a relationship. Tune in to watch Womack on his search for true love as the 15th season of The Bachelor continues on Mondays (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
ABOUT SOLAIR WILSHIRE
Solair Wilshire is a 22- story luxury residential high rise at the intersection of Wilshire and Western in the heart of Los Angeles. Utilizing concrete, glass and steel, Solair brings together clean lines and contemporary architecture to become a vital part of L.A.’s cityscape. Standing sentinel in front of a red line Metro Stop and across from the historic Wiltern Theater, the building features residences designed and finished with natural materials, luxurious amenities and breathtaking views ranging from Hollywood to the Pacific Ocean. www.solairwilshire.com Solair is a member of the ST Residential family of luxury condominium properties. ST manages its portfolio with an unmatched level of dedication to enhancing every aspect of ownership at each of its unique locations. www.stresidential.comThe new season of The Bachelor, from Warner Horizon Television, airs 8/7 Central on ABC. For more information on The Bachelor visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor. To learn more about (VENDOR) go to www.solairwilshire.com
ABOUT THE BACHELOR
In the hit primetime reality series The Bachelor, one lucky man is offered the chance to find true love. A single and eligible Bachelor embarks on a romantic journey, getting to know a bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, gradually narrowing the field to the one woman to whom he may propose marriage in the dramatic season finale. Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelor is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.
Contact:
Kim Marshall
The Marshall Plan
(310) 452-1234
kim@themarshallplan.com

2010-03-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

BORA BORA NUI RESORT & SPA NOW FLIES HILTON FLAG & UNVEILS FRENCH POLYNESIA'S FIRST TWO-STORY OVERWATER BUNGALOWS, IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

Rebranded Resort Celebrates with Lagoon Safari Family Adventure Package; Kids Under 12 Fly Free

BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA (December 2009) –- After the economic challenges of the past year, a “fantasy island get-away” in a dream destination like Bora Bora is more attractive than ever. The good news is, this typical couples’ retreat is becoming more family friendly, with amazing travel specials. In fact, the newly rebranded Hilton Bora Bora Nui – lauded in its 2002 debut as the most luxurious resort to open in French Polynesia in 40 years – has unveiled the first ever two-story overwater bungalow, ideal for families and designed for 4 adults and 2 children. And, Air Tahiti Nui, the national airline of the region, has extended their “Kids Fly Free” special through 2010! www.hilton.com/frenchpolynesia

Bora Bora’s amazing two, new, two-story overwater Presidential Suites are a first for the islands – complete with 3,400 square feet of special features like a private plunge pool on the deck, a choice of three bedrooms and a sleek bathtub-with-a-view. Children under 12 stay free and enjoy free meals from the Children’s Menu throughout their stay. However, Bora Bora Nui’s rooms are all literally thatched roofed villas – famous for being a minimum of 1,000 square feet each – and travelers have a choice of Lagoon View, hillside, beachfront or overwater rooms, all with ocean views. For those who choose the boat-like feel of an overwater bungalow villa, they’ll delight in watching tropical fish swim by in the “windows in the floor” or stepping right off the balcony into the famous blue lagoon.

And the resort has just announced a special “best of the island” package for families called the Lagoon Safari Family Adventure Package. With this special five-night package, kids of all ages can get up close and personal with wildlife in what author James Michener called “the most beautiful lagoon in the world.” Starting at $4,100, the package includes five nights for four in a Lagoon View Suite; a four-hour Lagoon Safari with shark feeding, sting-ray petting and snorkeling over coral gardens; breakfast every morning and complimentary kids meals, plus Bora Bora airport transfers via yacht.

LAGOON SAFARI FAMILY ADVENTURE PACKAGE
• Five Nights for four in a Lagoon View Suite, starting at $4,100 USD (Approximate) Upgrade to an Over-Water Bungalow, starting at $5, 900 USD (Approximate)
• Lagoon Safari that features shark feeding, sting-ray petting and exploration of coral gardens (3-4 hour duration)
• Complimentary Kids’ Meals, Daily
• Daily Island Breakfast
• Return Airport Transfers – 30-minute water transfer via hotel’s yacht
• Baggage Handling
• Room, VAT & City Taxes

The package is valid through March 31, 2011. Package Booking Code: FAMILY ADV. Web Site and Phone Number for booking the package: www.hilton.com/frenchpolynesia / +689 86 49 00
Air Tahiti Nui’s “Family Special” runs through 2010 and includes free roundtrip airfare for 2 children under age 12, per 2 paying adults. Details available www.flyatn.com

Mom & Dad can take kids to play in the resort’s 1,000 square foot infinity pool or along its half mile-long white sand beach that has complimentary water toys including paddle boats, kayaks, Hobie Cats and two-person catamarans.

About Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa
Named “Best Resort in French Polynesia” by the 2007 World Travel Awards, the resort single-handedly raised the bar on luxury resort accommodations in French Polynesia with its October 2002 debut. The resort not only doubled the size and luxury quotient of the signature thatched-roof bungalows this South Pacific paradise is known for, but it also created a setting that honors Polynesian tradition. Located on a private island around a sacred cove, the Bora Bora Nui features 122 suite-sized villa bungalows and a 30,000-square-foot hilltop Spa.

With its picture-perfect hillside setting, the Bora Bora Nui combines over-the-top luxury with hand-crafted materials like carved kahia & coconut wood, roof thatching woven on the island, tapa cloths pounded from breadfruit trees and chandeliers of Tahitian black pearl shells. A favorite of experienced world travelers, the Bora Bora Nui has received a number of industry accolades since its opening from publications including: Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveler, The Robb Report, and Elite Traveler.

This award-winning, authentic Polynesian resort is known for setting firsts, from being French Polynesia’s first all-suite resort; having the first floating lobby and overwater check-in; the first half mile long white sand beach; the first full-service spa; being the only resort with a hilltop wedding chapel and a private islet ideal for romantic dinners, and now the first two-story overwater bungalows in French Polynesia.

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2009-11-18T15:28:00.000-08:00

GREEN SPA NETWORK CONGRESS REFLECTS SHIFTING PARADIGM
Definition of Spas Coming Full Circle; for Personal & Planetary Health
Spas Need to be Vitality Centers for Community and Global Resilience

Tecate, Mexico (November 10, 2009)—Fifty spa professionals from all segments of the industry gathered for five days last week at historic Rancho La Puerta destination spa—the original destination spa in North America—to define the spa role in the healthcare debate and the planet’s sustainability. www.greenspanetwork.org

The grand dame of spas in North America, Deborah Szekely, welcomed Green Spa Network (GSN) to the spa that she and her late philosopher husband, Professor Edmond Szekely, founded nearly 70 years ago. www.rancholapuerta.com Visionary environmental and business authority, Paul Hawken, opened the congress with a compelling message of hope and challenge. www.paulhawken.com Presenters also included green lifestyle expert Danny Seo who suggested ways GSN could spread its message through Social Media www.dannyseo.com and Ted Ning, Director of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health & Sustainability), www.lohas.com who announced a strategic partnership with GSN.

Experts were on hand from the worlds of organic skincare, interior design, sustainability, spa operations, spa suppliers, organic food, education and marketing. Together they worked on action plans for the next 12 months as well as visioning what the industry could look like in the year 2012.

“This event was a true turning point for GSN,” explained Michael Stusser, founding president of the non-profit organization. “We brought together a group of like-minded professionals and worked very hard to imagine our future and widen the scope of what we need to accomplish for the earth and its peoples. From here forward we will be part of humanities immune-system response to what is happening on the planet by playing a visible role in the effort to transform mankind’s destructive tendencies affecting the environment and human health.”

Sarah Livia Brightwood, daughter of Deborah Szekely, reminded everyone of the principles of proactive wellness that the Ranch was founded on and helped showcase inspiring examples of sustainable spa practices. Participants were given an extensive tour of the Ranch¹s bio-intensive organic farm that covers nearly six acres and supply nearly 70% of the food served at the ranch. RLP’s farm has a highly evolved system of companion planting, crop rotation and optimal stewardship of soil and water. The devotion and enthusiasm of the organic farm workers and managers underscored the importance of their work.

Participants visited the Ranch's “Parque Professor” (Professor’s Park) in Tecate—a recreational and educational facility that provides services to 60,000 people annually. The GSN group learned about environmental education programs, festivals and recreational programs which Fundacion La Puerta, the Ranch's nonprofit arm, provides to Tecate's families. GSN also visited a community outreach program in a marginalized neighborhood, witnessing the 10-year transformation of an illegal dump site into a thriving community garden providing income to twenty families. Brightwood explained that Rancho La Puerta has been cycling 10% of before tax profits into community projects for decades.

“It was so very appropriate that this powerful event was held at the birthplace of true spa-ing in North America,” Stusser adds. “With Rancho LaPuerta’s mind and body fitness programs fortifying us and its community outreach programs inspiring us, it was like holding our congress at a bona fide University of Wellness!”

Many vital connections were formed over the days as the group hiked together in the early mornings, enjoyed superb organic vegetarian meals and took part in the sessions and classes. Everyone left with a high level of intention and plans to evolve their green spas into vital places of health and wellness that will extend into our communities and support a graceful transition to the post carbon era.

About the Green Spa Network
Green Spa Network (GSN) is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, trade association whose purpose is to evolve sustainable operating practices for the spa industry, and to promote the natural connections between personal wellbeing, economic sustainability, and the health of our planet.

###

Photos:
#1 – Deborah Szekely and Paul Hawkin
#2 - GSN Congress group photo
#3 – Tara Grodjesk, GSN Board Member; Mark Wuttke; Ted Ning and Danny Seo – winners
of drawing after Mr. Seo’s presentation for Rancho La Puerta guests.

2009-11-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

OLD GROWTH FOREST TREASURES, CUSTOM-CRAFTED FROM ANTIQUE BARN WOOD
PRESERVE HISTORY, CREATE SUSTAINABILITY AND GUARANTEE DURABILITY
Olde Wood Limited’s One-of-a-Kind Wide Plank Flooring & Hand-Hewn Beams

Malvern, OH – It takes centuries to make these floors and ceilings. The reclaimed wood offered by Olde Wood Limited – a manufacturer of custom-milled antique hard woods, based in Northeastern Ohio – is a breathtaking example of old-world craftsmanship for new-world thinking. The picturesque antique barns dotting the farming region’s rolling hills hold a treasure trove of old growth forest wood – dating back as much as 400 years – that OWL’s craftsmen recycle into steel-strong, custom-made wide plank flooring and hand-hewn beams of unmatched beauty, patina and character. The result: one-of-a-kind “trophy” floors, ceilings and cabinets that are eco-friendly. www.oldewoodltd.com

Grown and crafted in America’s heartland, Olde Wood Limited’s lines of solid, reclaimed and precision-engineered hardwood flooring are constructed of 100% virgin timber taken from existing barns and other antique wooden structures. Harnessing the beauty and strength of this naturally-aged wood is what makes this flooring unique. Unmatched in modern lumber yards, the hand-crafted wood from OWL features beautiful colors and character that can only be bestowed by time, giving vibrant, new life to antiquated materials. The wood – from ancient, slow growth, canopied forests with trees towering to heights of 100 feet and measuring 40 inches around – is denser and stronger than other wood, creating “lifetime floors.” And, reclaimed wood is the only way to find species like heart-pine and American chestnut, since most of it was harvested by the early 1900’s.

“When I started tearing down barns out of high school and saw the beauty of the wood that was uncovered and the story behind each piece,” explains OWL CEO Thomas Sancic, whose 13-year-old company now has a nationwide network of dealers, “it was clear to me that there would be a real demand for this material from consumers who care about history, quality and character.”

As his company grew and evolved, Sancic also saw the growing trend of sustainability and the collective power of the eco- and ethically-minded buyer – the market segment defined by the Natural Marketing Institute as 40 million-plus consumers who make buying decisions based on not only quality but also on ethical, earth-friendly standards. In direct response to this market development, OWL is now in the process of becoming FSC-certified so the sustainability of their products is official.

Whether chestnut or pine, cherry or oak, walnut or hickory, when the wood comes into OWL’s headquarters from the “tear down,” it is sorted, de-nailed and hand-inspected. It is then rough cut with a band saw, the older exterior face is removed and the beautiful wood patterns beneath are unveiled. The boards are kiln-dried, bringing the moisture content down to as low as 6% which
eliminates any worry about mold or insects. Next this pre-Civil War wood is planed and straight-lined and then sized and end-trimmed by hand. A wood molder makes the tongue and groove marks.

Sancic likes to compare the process of creating his company’s high-end, custom wood to raising Kobe beef. “Those cows are massaged every day, hand brushed and hand fed,” he explains. “That’s the care we give to each and every piece of wood we bring in. Each board is handled and cared for by master craftsmen who are passionate about their work.”

While OWL does offer the option of prefinished wood, most of their product is shipped unfinished, allowing for custom finish options by the installer like: hand-scraping, wire-brushing, hand-easing of the edges and “pillowing” for a well-worn look, all helping to further create a one-of-a-kind, showpiece flooring for consumers.

OWL also offers standard precision-engineered flooring that combines a FSC-certified Baltic Birch with their current lineup of reclaimed hardwoods. This produces environmentally-friendly engineered flooring boards that possess all the beauty, history and character of OWL’s solid wood line, with the added strength and stability of the engineering process.

In brief, the competitive advantages of Olde Wood Limited’s products include:

-- OWL is a high-end, custom flooring company, not a mass-producing wood floor mill.

-- The owner of the company knows where each plank comes from. He is collecting and preserving this exotic, historic and limited local resource.

-- Every order is custom-made and hand-inspected. Inventory is kept in rough or blank form until an order is placed, not only helping to achieve the greatest material efficiency but also allowing for job-specific customization.

-- Because of the factory’s location, the lead time is shorter for each order.

-- Superior finishing machinery produces better boards.

-- They have more craftsmen than machinery.

-- The OWL team inspects and signs off on each piece before shipping.

-- Reclaimed solid, precision-engineered and old growth flooring available in unfinished or prefinished form.

With their hand-hewn beams and timbers and 100% reclaimed wide-plank antique flooring, the craftsmen at Olde Wood Limited continue to preserve pieces of American history, board by board, reclaiming the past and enhancing the future for savvy homeowners.

For more information, please visit www.oldewoodltd.com.

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2009-11-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

JAMES SAAVEDRA – LIFESTYLE ARTISTE, PHILANTHROPIST, MENTOR
Rising Star Designer Known for Meticulous Approach
and a Heartfelt Desire to Enrich Lives with Beauty & Style

Los Angeles, CA – Rising star designer, James Saavedra, uses his meticulous, graceful approach to design to enrich lives in unexpected ways. The lifestyle artiste explains that interior design is his vehicle for sharing his philosophy that “Everyone deserves a life infused with beauty & style.” As a result, he is equally as comfortable working on a wine country estate as he is bringing beauty to those often ignored at places like a skilled nursing center or inner-city women’s shelter. www.saavedradesignstudio.com

Saavedra’s 11-year career is rich with the experience needed to bring trustworthy insights to any project. His background includes teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, consulting with Pottery Barn, winning a coveted host spot on TLC’s Clean Sweep television program, co-creating a high-end, eco-furniture line and helming his own online design magazine.

Known for his laser eye for details and the well-edited elegance of his design work, Saavedra is able to pinpoint the most important element of each project – his clients’ connections to their spaces. He professes that it is the smallest details that inform the whole and insists that the success of each project hinges upon those fine points.

“I believe the spoon you use each day is as important as your custom sofa,” explains Saavedra. “Each piece is an opportunity to express one’s individuality, and one does not hold more importance than the other. This simple idea that each and every element is just as valuable as the next is the guiding principal by which I design. When you walk into a room, you should have an instinctive connection – it should tug at your soul, be felt in your core, and in the tips of your toes!” For Saavedra, “A room is nothing if you can’t instantly recognize the human touch.”

“Great design goes beyond a pretty room. Great design has the ability to touch every aspect of our lives,” he says.

While firmly rooted in the classic values of quality, integrity and style, this multi-media designer is keen to recognize how new technologies have enhanced his work. Not only have Power Point presentations replaced cumbersome color & fabric boards, but, his clients and fans can keep up with his projects through Social Media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter page, and Décor Fellow blog, http://decorfellow.blogspot.com

It was his desire for people everywhere to live rewarding, effortless chic lives that gave Saavedra the impetus to create his own online magazine called Fellow, which is accessible through his blog. Devotees of design can also see colorful, real world examples of his philosophy and favorite people, places and things on the pages of his e-zine. Not surprisingly, this lifestyle artiste shot most of the photos in the magazine, writes all the copy, does the layout and invites fellow bloggers, weekend decorators and readers to experience the fresh, new publication.

Having made his mark on developing product for national retailers as well as on residential projects throughout the West Coast and abroad, Saavedra has a diverse list of inspirations that include: beautiful basics, nature-made luxe materials, modern art, culinary delights and sixties soul music. Saavedra notes the inspiring work of designers Vincente Wolf and Thomas O’Brien as well.

“James settles for nothing less than perfection in his work,” explains childhood friend and noted eco-interior designer Kelly LaPlante. “It’s wonderful that such a wide range of people and products can benefit from the passion and heart he puts into each and every detail of his designs.”

CURRENT PROJECTS

-- Mariner Health Care Services – Saavedra has been enlisted to take healthcare to new heights with his brand of sophisticated chic in a project that sees the designer reinventing and renewing the interiors of 10 Mariner skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities throughout California. His blog includes surprising before and after shots of his ongoing work at Mariner facilities in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Hayward and Inglewood. Saavedra, who firmly believes that a beautiful environment has healing effects, is transforming each location with a residential approach to guarantee its own look and sense of place. His work with Mariner proves that even medical environments can embrace the shift from institutional to beautiful. www.marinerhealthcare.com

-- Wine Country Estate – Having already worked on the client’s Malibu home, San Francisco waterfront loft and a small getaway in Heraldsburg, CA, Saavedra is presently designing their 16,000 square foot residence on a 36-acre estate in Northern California’s wine country. He explains that this luxurious home will epitomize the California lifestyle with a less formal and approachable aesthetic.

-- Downtown Women’s Center – DWC is committed to providing the resources homeless women need to reconnect with their sense of self and reclaim goals and dreams that have become lost in their day-to-day struggle for survival. As part of the process of restoring dignity and honor to their lives, Saavedra is committed to bringing beauty to the living spaces of this downtown L.A. community of women. His volunteer work on this non-profit project is slated to be completed in Spring 2010. www.dwcweb.org

-- jak studio collection – The recent launch of jak embodies the shared vision of James Saavedra and Kelly LaPlante to provide an option for designer furniture that is both sophisticated and sustainable. The July 17, 2008 edition of the Los Angeles Times stated “The line of upholstered furniture and accent tables merges Art Deco silhouettes with Hollywood Regency glamour.” And, Interior Design magazine nominated the new collection’s DeLeon Barrel Chair in 2008 for the “Best of the Year” award in the eco-products category. Each piece is made of FSC-certified wood, non-toxic water-based finishes and adhesives, organic or 100% recycled upholstery fabrics, natural latex and wool, and organic cotton cushions and stuffing. Further underscoring their commitment to environmental responsibility, a donation is made to various eco organizations with each jak purchase. www.jakstudiocollection.com

-- HGTV Design School – The designer mentors the star students of tomorrow as an expert in visual display and furniture design during the show’s premiere season.

-- Saavedra Private Label for Healthcare – A collaborative effort with Harbor Linen, Saavedra is currently working on developing an edited collection of chic, sophisticated and durable items for the healthcare industry to include bedding, sleep pillows, cubicle curtains and more.

# # #

* Three Photos Above Headline:
-- Redone Lobby of Mariner Health Care Facility |Palm Springs, CA
-- James Saavedra
-- Embarcadero Loft | San Francisco, CA

2009-11-18T14:47:00.000-08:00

SPABERRY MAKES U.S. DEBUT AS BRIGHT, FUN OUTDOOR HOME APPLIANCE FOR THE 21st-CENTURY
Intimate Home Spa Features Vibrant Hues & User-Friendly Ease –- at Recession Prices

Vista, Calif. (June 2009) –- The SpaBerry, which made its U.S. debut as the iMac of hot tubs in Spring 2009, is lending functional comfort to outdoor living with its bright hues and “plug and play” portable ease that make it a home appliance for the 21st century. The SpaBerry, which is manufactured by Dimension One Spas for VisionWerx of Canada, is characterized by hassle-free performance features that allow a garden hose to fill the spa and a regular 110V outlet to power it. www.thespaberry.com

“Customers were asking for a portable spa they can easily use at home and also take to the cottage or lake home for the summer,” says Jeff Knight, CEO of Canadian-based VisionWerx who has been a close associate of Bob Hallam, CEO of D1 Spas, for 18 years. “Today, the most popular appliances –- from stoves and refrigerators to washer/dryers -- are not only offered in vivid colors, but they are adaptable to many different lifestyles. So, we created the same conveniences with our exciting new SpaBerry.”

SpaBerry was created in 2008 by Jeff Knight, who enlisted D1 Spas to manufacture the colorful spas at its Southern California headquarters. Knight and Hallam, who share a passion for fusing creativity with practical innovation, were happy to collaborate on creating the affordable, user-friendly SpaBerry.

The two-seater SpaBerry features soothing massage jets, a waterfall, molded drink holders and colorful LED lighting, as well as and an eco-friendly, biodegradable water cleaning system. Available in bright shades like StrawBerry and CanaryBerry, this outdoor lifestyle accessory is priced from $4,999.

“With the SpaBerry, homeowners can transform their backyard into a lively outdoor living room,” explains Bob Hallam, founder and CEO of D1 Spas. “Not only does a SpaBerry hot tub act as a loveseat for one’s outdoor living space, but it offers all the therapeutic and relaxation benefits of warm water.”

DIMENSION ONE SPAS
Dimension One Spas® (D1®) was founded in 1977 in Vista, California by Bob and Linda Hallam. By combining innovations in materials science and water handling technology, D1 has set an industry benchmark and today is the leader in designing and manufacturing luxury home hydrotherapy and aquatic fitness products. The family-owned business is dedicated to bringing customers the most advanced spas in the world -- engineered to rejuvenate both body and mind.

D1 spas and aquatic fitness products are now sold through a network of more than 200 dealers in the United States, and 450 dealers worldwide in 35 countries. The company's four product lines include a selection of home hydrotherapy (ranging from $5,000-$18,000) and aquatic fitness products (ranging from $25k-$40k) that meet a variety of consumer needs and budgets: D1 Reflections®, D1 Bay Collection®, AFS- Aquatic Fitness Systems® and @ Home Hot Tubs®.

Holding more than 30 patents – more than any other company in the industry – D1 has earned accolades and awards from Consumer’s Digest, Robb Report, Poolandspa.com, Quality Buy and more. In 2004 Bob Hallam was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2009 he was a finalist for San Diego Business Journal’s CEO of the Year. www.d1spas.com

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2009-06-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

“Just what the area has long needed – a daring, stylish hotel restaurant in the South Beach vein. Chef Carlos Jorge's menu has an Asia-meets-the-Caribbean feel that pairs perfectly with the hip, waterfront setting.”

– Charles Passy, Restaurant Critic, The Palm Beach Post, December 14, 2007

THE RESORT AT SINGER ISLAND’S SOLU SHINES WITH GLOWING REVIEWS
& BEST NEW RESTAURANT AWARDS

Singer Island, FL (January 2008) – Just nine months after opening in April 2007, Solu at The Resort at Singer Island – helmed by executive chef Carlos Jorge – garnered the prestigious “Best New Restaurant” 2007 Award from The Palm Beach Post. This caps an impressive list of accolades earned by the South Beach-style eatery, whose recognition list also includes a “Best Dessert” award and “Best Design” runner-up honor from The Palm Beach Post. This news, coupled with rave reviews from numerous publications, has cemented Solu’s reputation as the most critically-acclaimed new restaurant in Palm Beach County.

“We’re thrilled to have received this news,” says Ron Lamers, general manager of The Resort at Singer Island. “We’ve carefully and diligently built a solid foundation, with exciting menu selections and attention to service and presentation in a chic oceanfront setting. Chef Jorge and the entire Solu team are to be congratulated. This honor only reinforces our commitment to developing and maintaining the best restaurant in the county.”

Glowing Solu reviews include:

-- THE PALM BEACH POST: October 12, 2007 – In his original review, restaurant critic Charles Passy notes that “This newly opened jewel of a restaurant, situated in the coolly designed Resort at Singer Island, could alone revive Singer Island’s culinary reputation.”

-- NEW TIMES BROWARD-PALM BEACH: May 2008 – Solu is named “Best Restaurant in Palm Beach” for 2008, and enjoys a glowing review with raves including “…Chef Carlos Jorge has put together a menu of Asian and Caribbean-inspired haute cuisine as sparkling as the polished windows overlooking the sea, as brilliant as the uplighting that makes everybody look so gorgeous.”

-- VIVE MAGAZINE: September 2007 – “…every dish here truly sings. These dedicated pros consistently create sublime dishes that will delight your eyes and your palate.”

-- OK! MAGAZINE: July 2007 – Says Chef Jorge has “…culinary magic…”

-- NEW TIMES BROWARD-PALM BEACH: May 10, 2007 – Gail Shepherd declares that “…Jorge doesn't fool around — every plate he sends out exudes a professional polish and subtle flair but without a lot of silliness.”

Shepherd goes on to say, “Jorge's menu is small and precisely focused. You get the sense of harmonies deftly woven – there is no appetizer, for instance, that wouldn't make a terrific starter for any of the entrées. The flavor profiles of each dish are distinct, yet the whole menu is of a piece. It's a quiet, modest vision that's immensely pleasing when you realize how rare it is for chefs these days to exert such self-control.”

-- DINE MAGAZINE (Florida): November 2007 – “The newly opened resort at Singer Island offers more than just a fabulous view of the ocean and the most luxurious amenities; it offers South Beach stylings and the hottest new restaurant in North Palm Beach County: Simply named, Solu.”

-- DINING OUT MAGAZINE: November 2007 – “This stylist Asian infused Caribbean grill, with an airy interior and striking ocean views, is THE place to see and be seen. Only six months old the restaurant is collecting rave reviews and powerful word of mouth.”

Named from the Latin word Sol that means “sun,” Solu is Singer Island’s premier, oceanfront restaurant that features Asian-infused Caribbean cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal menus, seafood from local waters, and the use of only the freshest ingredients. The Resort at Singer Island’s signature contemporary restaurant features Hirsch Bedner interiors designed to feel like a yacht on the sea at sunset; with colors of tropical spice accented by splashes of blue. Solu also features sleek wood throughout, soaring white walls that accent the impressive art collection, an exhibition kitchen, dramatic ocean views, and al fresco dining beneath a covered loggia.

Executive Chef Carlos Jorge is known for his consistent, modern culinary style that fuses the soulful cuisine from his family’s Puerto Rican heritage with his own surprising blend of clean, Asian-inspired flavors. Prior to joining Solu, Chef Jorge enjoyed stints at The Raleigh Hotel Miami, where he worked directly with Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin, and New York’s Mercer Kitchen and Butter.

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2009-06-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

GREEN VALLEY SPA & RESORT
FACT SHEET

St. George, UT -- Green Valley Spa & Resort, one of the country’s original luxury adventure spas, has thrived for two decades as a progressive center for spiritual and physical wellness. Green Valley offers dynamic hiking, biking and rock climbing through the red rock canyons of southwestern Utah, plus state-of-the-art tennis and golf schools and indoor and outdoor pools. Luxurious, suite-sized casitas with southwestern décor, plush pillow-top beds, fireplaces and private patios offer a dreamy haven from the resort’s inspired fitness & wellness classes that range from cardio boxing and tai chi to healthy cooking classes and life coaching programs. (http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/)

Hailed one of the “Top Ten Healthiest Spas in America” in the July 2008 issue of Health Magazine and the only AAA Four Diamond resort between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, the 50-room Green Valley heals the body and soul with Native American spiritual wisdoms, daily meditation gatherings, weekly wellness seminars and soulful spa treatments indigenous to the mineral-rich desert landscape where mighty dinosaurs once roamed.

OWNERS: Alan & Carole Coombs. Real estate developer and wellness therapy expert combined their skills to create a high desert haven for the senses.

LOCATION: Nestled in the red rock country of St. George, Utah, which has its own airport. Closest international airports are Las Vegas, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Green Valley Spa & Resort
1871 West Canyon View Drive
St. George, UT 84770
1.800.237.1068 / 435.628.8060
http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/

SERVICES & AMENITIES:
-- Modern Southwestern Suites –- Junior and Grand options in 750- and 1,500-square feet
-- Five Spa Residences –-3,000-square-feet of indoor & outdoor living space
-- Dining Room
-- Rose Garden –- 45,000 roses
-- Business Center & Conference / Lecture Room
-- Clubhouse, Gift Shop & Snack Bar

Mind & Body

-- Spa Center –- 10 treatment areas across 20,000 square feet
-- Yoga Room
-- Fitness Studio
-- Meditation Room

Sport
-- 14 Tennis Courts –- outdoor & indoor
-- 8 Tennis Practice Lanes
-- 2 Racquetball Courts
-- 6 Pools –- 1 indoor, 5 outdoor
-- Wilson Golf Learning Center –- 4,000 square feet
-- Golf & Tennis Video Analysis Rooms
-- Basketball Courts

SPA: Reflecting the wild beauty of its desert and mountain surroundings, the spa is rooted in the indigenous treatment traditions of the region’s Native American tribes. With a color theme that changes daily and offers new spiritual wisdoms, the spa infuses desert-born botanicals into a diverse array of classic treatments and visionary therapies that are as indigenous as they are effective.

While signature treatments include the Painted Desert Clay Body Treatment, Pearl Skin Polish, Dinosaur Sea Salts Bath, Cinnamon Sugar Facial, and Rapunzel’s Secret Hot Oil Treatment, Green Valley specializes in one-of-kind wellness therapies that feature waterfall and color light therapies, aura and chakra balancing, foot & hand reflexology, heart and body structure consultations, and hot oil hair treatments. The spa’s Native American therapies, which include Shaman Card Reading and a Shamanic Journey meditative experience with native drumming and animal symbols, reflect the offbeat soul of Green Valley’s personal care approach.

HIKING: Say “Good Morning” with daily guided hikes that offer majestic views from jagged sienna bluffs and body & soul fitness that can’t be simulated in a gym. Participants can choose from three hiking levels –- Trail, Fitness & Strenuous -- that wind through breathtaking locations including world-renowned Zion National Park, Snow Canyon, Padre Canyon and Silver Reef.

hCG WEIGHT-LOSS
CLINIC: In August 2008, Green Valley debuted a highly-effective hCG Weight Loss Program based on Dr. ATW Simeons’ groundbreaking Pounds and Inches study that is effecting awe-inspiring results: Participants in the hCG hormone diet program lose an average of a pound a day by pairing a low-calorie diet with doses of the natural hCG hormone that eases hunger, resets one’s metabolic rate, and prompts fat to be released and thus burned instead of muscle –- all with lasting results. To learn more about the program from Green Valley participants, please visit the interactive forum: http://www.mygreenvalleyspa.com/.

TURNINGLEAF
EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SEMINARS:
Developed and endorsed by psychologists and therapists, Green Valley’s TurningLeaf seminars help individuals contemplate the habits, behaviors and thought patterns that may be hindering success and inner peace. Seminars specialize in:
· Mental Health Treatment
· Substance Abuse Treatment
· Family Centered Teen Treatment
· Emotional Growth Seminars
· Body Image Improvement Program
· Corporate & Scholastic Workshops

GOOD
MEDICINE: The spa offers organic beauty remedies with its signature Good Medicine skincare line that is "wildcrafted" from desert plants and minerals. Good Medicine is a Native American phrase used to honor things that uplift the spirit and nourish the body, soul and mind. Green Valley co-owner Carole Coombs, a 25-year veteran of the beauty industry, is the creative force behind Good Medicine. Carole's knowledge of Native American herbal wisdoms inspired the organic skincare line that is infused with living plants that have never been cross-bred, fertilized or irrigated -- a first for North American spas.

Made on-site at Green Valley's beauty lab, the Good Medicine skincare line is created from minerals that were once part of southwestern Utah’s ancient inland sea, as well as from living plants and flowers gathered from the fossil-rich canyons and valleys. Products are individually formulated by Green Valley’s skincare experts and hand-bottled in glass containers so ingredients stay fresh and pure.

NATIVE AMERICAN
THERAPIES: Gwen Moon bridges two worlds, bringing deep experience of tribal healing practices and a highly-developed intuition to a modern understanding of how healing the body involves the heart, our direct access to spirit, and allows deep respect for the Earth and all her children.

Native American Therapies include:
-- Energy Balance: Harmonizes your being while opening and activating the chakra energy system
-- Shaman Card Reading: Uses the sixth sense for insight to the panorama of your life as it unfolds before you
-- Shamanic Journey: Powerful practice for evolvement of the conscious state that uses the beat and cadence of native drumming to move ordinary awareness deep into the inner heart where hidden knowledge and talents are held, and animal symbols are discovered.

DINING: Organic, multi-ethnic food that proves low-fat fare can be high in flavor and taste. Green Valley’s healthy meals, which feature balanced portions and only the freshest ingredients, offer organic produce and free-range poultry, meat and dairy products. Enjoy breads made from whole wheat grounded daily, quiche and breakfast burritos, personal pizzas, homemade soups and dishes including Asian Chicken Salad, Tilapia Fajitas, Apricot-Lime Port Tenderlolin, Crab Cakes, Vegetarian Tofu, Chicken Pad Thai, Grilled Dilled Salmon, Spiced Halibut, and Sesame Crusted Tuna.

TENNIS: The Vic Braden Tennis College, which has specialized in tennis instruction for more than 18 years, is rated one of the world’s Top 5 tennis camps by Tennis Resorts Online. Providing tennis lessons to players of all levels with a three-day clinic, Vic Braden also offers private and group classes that Green Valley guests can purchase. Tennis facilities include: 10 outdoor and 4 indoor tennis courts; 13 programmable ball-hitting lanes; high-speed color cameras that offer performance & technique analysis; and color-coded practice lanes.

GOLF: In November 1998, Green Valley joined the Golf Digest family of seven world-class golf schools in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon and Utah. This is the nation’s newest and largest indoor golf learning center, boasting over 14,000 square feet, hitting stations, indoor chipping and putting green, state-of-the-art digital video analysis, and expert coaching.

WEATHER: Southwestern Utah enjoys year-round temperate weather and high desert/red rock scenery. Bright skies, warm days, cool nights, less than 11 inches of rain per year and bone dry humidity make for ideal outdoor adventures.

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Contact: Kim Marshall
The Marshall Plan
310.487.3554

2009-06-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

LUXURY SPA COMPANY BLAZES AHEAD WITH ECO FRIENDLY HOT TUBS

D1 Spas’ Hot Tubs Are Good for the Body and the Planet

San Diego, Calif. (May 2009) – In an age when going green is deemed paramount, Dimension One Spas is leading the environmental crusade in the home hot tub market by creating products that exemplify sustainable luxury. D1 Spas brings wellness to the backyard by offering a diverse line of high-end hot tubs and swim spas that are good for the body and good for the planet. The line’s earth-friendly features include:

· 100% foam insulation so spas use up to 85% less energy than traditional in-ground, non-insulated hot tubs.

· Hot tub and swim spa exteriors are made with recycled plastic milk containers. This 100% recycled material is environmentally stable (HDPE), does not give off any harmful fumes and requires no staining or painting.

· The industry’s first water purification system that not only uses Ultraviolet light combined with ozone as a germicidal agent to reduce chemical usage, but also returns 84% of its power back to the water as heat.

· D1’s patented 5-step filtration system – using earth-friendly options like an Ozonator, UV light, a zinc and silver mineral cartridge, and a filter – requires less chlorine to stay pure than is contained in most city drinking water and uses less electricity than a 100 watt bulb.

· Certified renewable forestry sources, as defined by the FSC, are used for all wood components in the structural frame of the spa.

· Proof of energy efficiency: While prices for these luxury hot tubs range from $15,000 to $40,000; monthly heating costs are only $15 to $25.

And in April 2008 the San Diego Gas & Electric Company has also presented D-1 Spas with a certificate of recognition for Excellence in Energy Conservation. This certificate recognizes Dimension One Spas’ leadership in participation in the region’s demand-response programs, which are designed to conserve energy resources and manage energy reliability. Their participation in these events helped SDG&E manage electricity demands during several critical times, helping make a difference for the region’s communities and environment.

Known for its design innovation, D1 Spas has secured over 30 patents in its 30 years of operation, providing home owners with premiere lifestyle accessories that underscore an eco-savvy mentality as much as an affinity for the good life. D-1 Spas thinks out-of-the-box to help consumers honor the environment – in ultimate aquatic style.

Dimension One’s extensive green features are deemed the real deal by Michael Galica, owner of the Marin Outdoor Living showroom in Northern California. Environmental advocate Galica, who fills his sleek and eco-friendly San Francisco Bay-area showroom with cutting-edge products including 100% clean-burning fireplaces, UV fighting sunshades and wood furniture approved by the Forest Council, carries just one line of hot tubs – D1 Spas.

“Marin’s average consumer is extremely educated and environmentally-aware…this county has the most Prius cars per-capita of any in the United States,” explains Galica. “My customers choose products that leave a small footprint, and I haven’t seen any other pool or spa companies that come close to Dimension One’s environmental efficiency and stability. They are by far the best-in-class in the green luxury spa market, so I specifically chose them as the only line to carry in my store.”

Bob Hallam, CEO and founder of Dimension One sets the tone for innovations at the company. “Our green initiative began in earnest in 1999 when we first built our own facility here in Vista,” he explains. “We worked closely with our local electric company to make sure the building was energy efficient and we were also able to custom design the factory to provide the most efficient production possible. And our spa designers love to rise to the challenge of constantly improving our products,” he continues. “It isn’t enough just to sit back and admire our eco-friendly accomplishments. At every level of our organization employees are constantly bringing new sustainability ideas to the table. At D1 being green is an attitude, and we will never stop getting better.”

Specifics of how D1 Spas are good for the body and the planet:

CLEAN ENERGY

· Envirotect™: The Ultralife slip-resistant interior of each tub is surrounded by a durable, all-weather exterior made from 100% recycled plastic. EnviroTect, is the most environmentally-friendly exterior available for spas today. This 100% recycled material is environmentally stable (HDPE), does not give off any harmful fumes and is highly recommended by the Healthy Building Network, a national organization of green building professionals and environmental health activists. EnviroTect requires virtually no maintenance and unlike wood, the all-weather EnviroTect requires no staining or painting.

· Vision® System Cartridge: This specially design cleaning cartridge lasts up to 6 months; minimizing chlorine usage while destroying 99% of bacteria on contact, leaving your water sparkling clean and feeling soft while significantly reducing chemical maintenance.

· Less Chlorine: D-1 water management technology cuts down the need for chlorine in their
spa water from 3-5 parts per million to 1 ppm, which means no more dry, itchy skin; faded swimwear, irritated eyes or strong odors from chlorine. In fact, the San Diego City municipal water report shows that the local drinking water has more than 300% more chlorine concentration than what is required in a D1 tub.

· UltraPure PLUS Water Management System: Purifies the spa water 24/7 and includes the smart use of an ozonator, a Germicidal UV light, minerals, chlorine (to totally eliminate surface bacteria) and a filter. D-1’s patented system provides the cleanest, clearest spa water in the industry…customers even say the water is so clean it’s polished. Without this balanced, carefully engineered system more chemicals and maintenance time would be required and the water would still not look as clean and clear.

· Fast Flo Heater: The most durable and reliable spa heater on the market. The variable electrical output on this stainless steal heater provides just the necessary amount of heat for the situation. The circulation pump that runs the filtration and heating systems also returns 84% of its energy in the form of heat to the water.

· 100% Insulated: In 1981 D1 Spas was the first company to manufacture a fully insulated spa for in-ground or above-ground use. Today their hot tubs are 100% foam insulated with closed-cell urethane -- like commercial freezers -- not only absorbing equipment noise for the quietest operation possible, but also minimizing heat loss to ensure the lowest energy costs. Additionally, high-density foam covers are precision fitted with linear heat seal seams to prevent heat loss. D1 spas and swim spas use up to 85% less energy than traditional in-ground, non-insulated pools!

· HydraMax® Pumps: Every D1 aquatic massage system is backed by powerful HydraMax aquatic jet pumps. These pumps are expertly engineered and plumbed for 100% efficiency. This means a smaller, more efficient and nearly silent pump that retains the jet power of its larger counterparts.

WELLNESS

Hydronomics: D1’s extensive study of human anatomy, ergononmics, fluid mechanics, aquatic massage, acupressure, and reflexology led them to develop a new field they named "hydronomics." Using state-of-the-art modeling software, D1 engineers design hot tubs in virtual space, giving them unprecedented control over materials, and thus ensuring the ultimate in comfort.

Dynamic Massage Sequencer: Introduced in 1999, DMS was the world’s first programmable hydrotherapy massager. The built-in massager focuses on 6 specific therapy zones and offers pause and speed controls.

Ultralounge: This "spa-within-a-spa" lounge chair-inspired section of the tub features patented Bioform seating in a no-float design, sculpted leg contours and acupressure therapy for wrists and hands, providing the ultimate in full-body hydrotherapy.

Neck Jet Pillow: The first and only height-adjustable spa neck jet pillow.

Aquatic Fitness Systems®: The AquaFit® 19 Dual Temp, the line’s flagship model, is the ultimate hybrid of fitness and hydrotherapy. The unique 19-foot high-tech tub makes it possible to swim stationary laps; row for a robust upper body and arm workout; attach specially designed bands for resistance training; run or jog in place for cardiovascular conditioning – all in cooler water -- and then when your routine is done, muscles can be soothed with a relaxing hydrotherapy body massage in the hot tub section of the pool. This watery workout is an ideal environment for low impact exercises to tone, shape and enhance flexibility, while the body is suspended in buoyant security. Ideal for weekend warriors; aging boomers; overweight exercisers and athletes needing rehabilitation, the AFS retails for about $37,000.

Dimension One’s constantly evolving list of environmentally and ergonomically friendly innovations gives homeowners a wide range of smart, responsible lifestyle choices. http://www.d1spas.com/

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Contact: Kim Marshall
310.452.1234
kim@themarshallplan.com

2009-06-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK – WCI HOMES COME COMPLETE WITH COMMUNITIES AND OVER-THE-TOP AMENITIES AT UP TO 40% OFF

Bonita Springs, FL (February 4, 2009) -- Smart shoppers who are looking for the most value for their dollar are finding jaw dropping value with WCI Communities, a 60-year veteran of the real estate and development industries that filed for reorganization in August. In these economically uncertain times, consumers can now benefit from home prices discounted from 20 to 40% for resort style living and service in over 20 different communities – complete with golf pros, social directors and concierge – in coveted destinations like riverfront on the Hudson, on a Florida nature preserve, in an exclusive Palm Beach County Golf Club and oceanfront on the Atlantic.

As a leader in the real estate and development industries, WCI built its reputation on exquisite craftsmanship, the use of quality materials – such as granite, marble, onyx and rich woods – public spaces with lush interior designs and extraordinary lifestyle experiences in lavish community settings. WCI’s housing communities of high rise and single family homes includes such over-the-top amenities as: championship golf courses or sophisticated golf simulators, state-of-the-art fitness centers, rejuvenating spas, lavish screening rooms, opulent business centers and social rooms, wine rooms, cigar humidors, indoor/outdoor pools, yacht slips, and more.

Even after a year of required cost cutting measures, owners surveyed in June 2008 showed a 26% increase in satisfaction with their WCI lifestyle amenities. In a recent survey, as many as 90% of residents polled said they would recommend a WCI Community purchase to their friends.

“One result of the reorganization has been a management team more determined than ever to deliver on service, the key thing they can control, so the consumer wins again with WCI,” explains Interim President and CEO David L. Fry. “The company has been through a number of economic cycles since it was established six decades ago and we are determined to use that experience in the marketplace to weather the present economic climate. Selling and servicing a lifestyle remains our priority.”

WCI’s busy sales staff say that consumers walk in with their homework done, nearly prequalified for the home type they’re looking for. Specials featured on http://www.wcicommunities.com/ include:

-- Hammock Bay, Naples, Florida – residences from the $550,000’s
-- Westshore Yacht Club, Tampa, Florida – homes & residences from the $310,000’s
-- Parkland Golf & Country Club, Parkland, Florida – from the $580,000’s
-- The Resort at Singer Island, Singer Island Florida – residences from the $350,000’s
-- The Plaza at Oceanside, Pompano Beach, Florida – residences from the $440,000’s
-- The Watermark on Hudson, North Bergen, New Jersey – residences from the $500,000’s

About WCI Communities, Inc.:
WCI is a fully-integrated homebuilding and real estate services company with more than 60 years experience in the design, construction and operation of leisure oriented, master-planned communities. Known for the high-quality craftsmanship in its single home and high-rise condominium communities, WCI projects are located in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. WCI Communities moved to restructure its debt and capital in August 2008 in response to the major downturn in the real estate market. Since then, realtors, brokers and customers have continued to experience the dynamic, customer-oriented service the company is known for. For more details about WCI Communities, please visit http://www.wcicommunities.com/ or call 1.800.WCI.4005.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer:
Certain information included herein and in other company reports, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, statements and presentations is forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements about the company's ability to operate its business while in Chapter 11 proceedings, anticipated operating results, financial resources, ability to acquire land, ability to sell homes and properties, ability to deliver homes from backlog, and ability to secure materials and subcontractors. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect actual results and cause them to differ materially from expectations expressed herein and in other company reports, filings, statements and presentations. These risks and uncertainties include WCI's ability to compete as a going concern in real estate markets where we conduct business; WCI’s ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11 proceeding prosecuted by it from time to time; the ability of WCI to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for WCI to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to chapter 7 cases; WCI’s ability to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; WCI’s ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the chapter 11 cases on WCI’s liquidity or results of operations; the ability of the WCI to fund and execute its business plan; the ability of WCI to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; WCI's ability to maintain or increase historical revenues and profit margins; WCI's ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals for the development of its lands; the availability of capital to WCI and our ability to effect growth strategies successfully; availability of labor and materials and material increases in insurance, labor and material costs; increases in interest rates and availability of mortgage financing; the ability of prospective residential buyers to obtain mortgage financing due to tightening credit markets, appraisal problems or other factors; increases in construction and homeowner insurance and availability of insurance, the continuing negative buyer sentiment and erosion of consumer confidence; the negative impact of claims for contract rescission or increasing cancellation rates by contract purchasers; adverse legislation or regulations; adverse legal proceedings; the ability to retain employees; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; natural disasters; adverse weather conditions; and changes in general economic, real estate and business conditions and other factors over which the company has little or no control. If one or more of the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements proves incorrect, then the company's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This statement is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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Contact: Kim Marshall
The Marshall Plan
310.452.1234 / kim@themarshallplan.com

2009-06-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

ecologique: The Style of Sustainable Design

By Kelly LaPlante

Los Angeles, CA -- Long before national magazines had entire issues dedicated to green; before it was hip to drive hybrid cars; before movies about global warming won Oscars, Kelly LaPlante was busy teaching clients how to repurpose their existing furnishings to diminish their carbon footprint. LaPlante (LEED AP) has been demonstrating for nearly 10 years that “green” is a standard, not a style. She has captured that practicality and foresight in her new book écologique: The Style of Sustainable Design (July 1, 2008, Hardcover, $50.00, http://www.kellylaplante.com/).

This lush coffee-table book showcases elegant, eco-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces in the homes of actors, politicians, innovators and entrepreneurs across the country that are using organic fabrics, sustainable materials, and creative recycling. écologique features her work on the homes of actors Tiffani Thiessen, Michael Rapaport, Amy Smart, Grant Show and Ally Sheedy, best-selling author Alexandra Robbins, and acclaimed photographer Christophe von Hohenberg, among others.

Through beautiful photographs of stunning rooms and the extraordinary people who reside in them, écologique illustrates the many possibilities in green design. Sacrificing nothing in the way of aesthetics, quality or the environment, 31-year old LaPlante has designed green spaces in styles ranging from Victorian to ultra-modern.

LaPlante has led the way in the field of eco-luxury interior design, recently becoming a strategic partner of Lexus Hybrid Living. In 2008, LaPlante has partnered with Lexus and Fairmont Hotels to design two Lexus Hybrid Living Suites at the Fairmont Hotels in San Francisco and Washington D.C. http://www.fairmont.com/ Her work has also been featured in the Venice Beach Eco-Cottages -- three, green-from-the-ground-up, week-stay cottages that opened last year in Los Angeles. The cottages are showcased in the last chapter of her new book and were featured in Kelly’s interview on a 2008 episode of the Sundance Channel’s groundbreaking program, “Big Ideas for a Small Planet.”

écologique is designed by award-winning publishing designer, Deborah Daly, and is printed sustainably on acid-free paper with soy-based ink. 100% of net proceeds from the book will be donated to causes close to LaPlante’s heart: Global Green (http://www.globalgreen.org/), which stems climate change through the creation of green buildings and cities, and The Blank Theatre Company (http://www.theblank.com/), whose goal is to become Hollywood’s first regional, LEED Certified theater. Lexus Hybrid Living is helping to offset production and tour expenses so that these deserving non-profit organizations can receive maximum benefit from this endeavor. www.lexus.com/hybridliving

Coinciding with the release of her first book will be the debut of Brilliant Green, which Kelly will host for the Ovation Network. In July she launched a not-for-profit Web site that presents an expert review of various green furnishing companies, their strengths and their weaknesses-- thegreengrades.com is the first website of its kind. Her blog is available to read at kellylaplante.com.

ABOUT KELLY LAPLANTE
After working for top design firms in San Francisco, Kelly LaPlante began her eco-design business to make a positive difference in the world. Early in her career, she developed Interior Transformation, a process designed to utilize a client's existing furnishings to create fresh new atmospheres in the home.

LaPlante moved her business to Southern California in 2000, and opened a design firm and store in Venice Beach, CA. with a mission to educate clients and the public about the benefits of sustainable and organic products.

Her new studio collection, jak, a collaborative effort with designer, James Saavedra, debuted on the Sundance Channel set of Project Greenhouse at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was formally launched in July 2008 in Los Angeles.

LaPlante appeared as an expert on television programs including Discovery Home Channel’s Greenovate and Sundance Channel’s Big Ideas for a Small Planet. Kelly’s design work has also been featured at Global Green's annual Oscar Party and the Jane Goodall Institute's 30th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles.

She has been featured in Elle, Travel + Leisure, California Home + Design, Zink, Metropolis, Interior Design, Lucky Magazine, Hospitality Design, Flaunt Magazine, and Los Angeles Times Magazine and online at LA Bite, Apartment Therapy, Sprig, Treehugger, Cool Hunting, Blackbook Magazine, Prairie Tree Project and SpaTube.

ABOUT LEXUS HYBRID LIVING
As the only luxury automotive company selling low-emission hybrid vehicles, Lexus is a leader in offering products that minimize the impact on the earth without sacrificing style and luxury. Lexus is bringing like-minded individuals and companies together through its Hybrid Living initiative, a series of events and a web portal that showcases luxury products made with sustainability top-of-mind. Lexus Hybrid Living helps to define and inspire a new eco-luxury lifestyle by featuring furniture, fashion, art, food, architectural structures and other products that are kinder to the environment. For more information, please visit www.Lexus.com/hybridliving.

Contact: Kim Marshall
310.452.1234
kim@themarshallplan.com