5/20/08
$30 Million Renovation earns Crete's Elounda Village
the coveted Boutique Diamond Status
MARTIN BUEHLER
BOUTIQUE HOTELS & RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
786-276-2501
mbuehler@boutiquemail.com
MIAMI BEACH, FL, May 19, 2008 - Boutique Hotels &
Resorts International® announced today that the Aquila
Elounda Village Resort on Crete has achieved Diamond
CollectionT status in the worldwide network of genuine
boutique hotels. "We are proud to appoint Elounda
Village to a very elite group of hotels that can be
considered among the absolute best hotels in the world,
Boutique's Diamond CollectionT", said Martin Buehler,
Boutique's Chairman.
Elounda Village Resort has completed a $30 million
renovation, re-furbishing and re-designing guest rooms
and suites, restaurants, bars and public areas over the
entire resort of 50,000 square meters. Custom-designed
to spotlight its singular Cretan location, local style,
and unparalleled romantic nature, Elounda Village is the
cream of a select crop of world-class boutique resorts.
"Boutique's Diamond CollectionT has been our goal,
and this accomplishment speaks volumes about our
commitment to being not just the best boutique hotel on
Crete, but among the best boutique hotels in the world.
Elounda Village is dedicated to providing the best
experience to our guests, helping make memories to last
a lifetime", commented Dimitrios Tsounis, Managing
Director of Aquila Hotels& Resorts, and the mastermind
behind the project. "Our team has worked hard to attain
this status, and this recognition, and our guests are
the fortunate ones who will enjoy the fruits of our
labors."
Buehler continued, "Elounda Village has always been a
unique resort gem, with amazing views, exceptional
service and a true sense of romance, an outstanding
luxury resort. As a member of the Diamond CollectionT,
Elounda Village now takes its place where it belongs, a
Boutique Diamond and one of the world's crown jewels."
ABOUT
Boutique Hotels & Resorts International® awards a
distinct identity to boutique hotels around the world
that is recognized by travelers and travel professionals
for a genuine boutique lodging experience. To member
hotels Boutique is a full service strategic alliance
featuring inventive marketing and the very latest in
reservation and global distribution technology that
gives independent boutique hotels the ability to compete
with the major hotel giants. These unique, individual
boutique hotels and resorts are showcased in three
distinctive Collections: The Diamond CollectionT
(discreet world class service), The Emerald CollectionT
(the very best in their destination) and The Sapphire
CollectionT (distinctive style and décor of locale).
Make online reservations and find more information at
www.boutiquehotelsandresorts.com.
Aquila Elounda Village Resort is located on the
famous Mirabello Bay, on a secluded beach on Crete's
eastern coast. Seemingly the birthplace of romance, the
property feels more like an exclusive luxury village,
with four swimming pools, including an infinity pools
sporting a waterfall in three levels, 208 luxurious
guest rooms, suites, bungalows with shared pools and
Maisonettes with private pools. Learn more about true
romantic luxury at
http://www.boutiquehotelsandresorts.com/hotels/Elounda_home.cfm.
5/20/08
OHIO
FARM SAVED BY PAINTBALL
[Play Video]
Liberty
Township, Ohio – May 20, 2008
–The
Niederman Family Farm is being saved one paintball game
at a time.
What
began with a handful of locals asking to play paintball
in an old cow pasture on the 210 acre farm has turned
into nine sophisticated paintball courses attracting
several hundred players for some games.
“One
day we’re sitting around the supper table racking our
brains for ideas to save the farm and the next we’re
knee deep in paintball requests,” said Bob Niederman.
In
order to generate a new form of revenue to preserve life
on his family farm, Bob dove into the opportunity to
meet the demand of paintball enthusiasts. He signed up
for a paintball safety course having never played the
game of paintball in his life. Then he added bales of
hay and straw, old water tanks, cast off farm equipment
and anything else he could rummage to create bunkers for
players to seek protection from enemy fire.
The
early days in 2000 required a complete family effort.
The Niederman children were occasionally summoned to
play a game of paintball when teams needed an extra
player to have even sides. Players must be at least ten
years old and everyone participating has to sign a
waiver.
The
paintball venture snowballed.
In
addition to working the fields of agriculture Monday
through Friday, Bob Niederman now has to work the fields
of paint Saturdays and Sundays.
“We
have come a long way and now host major tournaments and
themed events that range from Star Wars to Wizard of
Oz,” said Bob Niederman.
Niederman Family Farm has everything anyone needs to
play paintball: Safety goggles, guns, paintballs and
anything else to suit up and join the fun. They get a
lot of walk-ins. Those players are added to groups
on various courses throughout the farm according to
skill level. Any size group can reserve a field of play.
Group events include church outings, bachelor and
birthday parties, and corporate team building exercises,
family reunions, youth day camps, and sports teams.
“One of
the nice things about reserving a field for a special
occasion is that the game goes on no matter the weather
conditions,” said Bethann Niederman. “Plus we have
covered pavilions, and barns to keep everyone dry for
parties while not on the field of play. Besides, some
believe the nastier the conditions, the more fun the
game.”
Niederman Family Farm’s paintball courses are open
year-round on weekends. There are about 50 players any
given Saturday or Sunday. Groups may also play weekdays
by reservation only.
About
Paintball
Paintball has rapidly become one of the world's most
popular outdoor participation sports. Players include
anyone from housewives to high-school students.
A
paintball has a thin outer skin with colored liquid
inside it resembling a gelatin-like capsule. The liquid
interior is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble and
biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin
with mild soap and water.
Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety
rules are followed. Referees on the field enforce safety
with strict game rules.
Each player is required to
wear safety goggles at all times. The rifle is an air
gun. Players are eliminated when a paintball splats on
them. Being hit by a paintball leaves a bright colored
paint mark on the clothes and can sometimes sting,
leaving a little bit of redness on the skin.
About
Niederman Family Farm
Niederman Family Farm, surrounded by a burgeoning
suburbia, is a working farm that invites the public to
see an American culture of yesteryear. In its fourth
generation, the Niederman’s have been educating
families, school children and groups about farm life for
more than a decade.
This
season, Niederman Family Farm’s 210 acres will offer
more than ever before. In addition to farm tours, the
Niederman’s provide hayrides and allow visitors to plant
pumpkins to come back and pick in fall during the
Harvest Moon Maze fall festival. There’s plenty of
livestock to see and fun to be had. After all, it is a
working farm.
Ongoing
activities feature barn rentals, bonfire pits, paintball
courses, and many seasonal events. Group accommodations
are routinely made for families, Mom’s clubs, school
groups, day care centers and home school groups. The
Niederman’s also accommodate large family reunions and
corporate events in a restored 1890s barn with modern
amenities.
If one
day isn’t long enough to take in the relaxing sights and
sounds of farm life, stay a night at the Gregory Creek
Inn Bed & Breakfast located at the farm.
Niederman Family Farm is located at 5110 LeSourdsville-West
Chester Road in Liberty Township, Ohio between
Cincinnati and Dayton. Reservations are required. Call
513-779-6184 or visit
www.ohiotraveler.com/niederman_family_farm.htm.
Key
Contacts:
Bethann and Bob Niederman
Niederman Family Farm
5110 LeSourdsville - West Chester Rd., Liberty Twp., OH
45011
Phone:
513-779-6184
eMail:
niederman@fuse.net
Web Site:
www.ohiotraveler.com/niederman_family_farm.htm
Or Frank Satullo at 513-207-6690
5/05/08
METEORIC RISE OF COMET
SKIPPERS
Record
Number Qualify for National Competition
Nine to
Compete in South Africa at the World Competition
PLAY VIDEO
Mason,
Ohio – May 8, 2008 –
The Comet Skippers in Mason, Ohio have catapulted to the
top of one of America’s fastest growing extreme sports –
competitive jump roping.
They arrived on the scene in an intermediate school
gymnasium less than four years ago and just qualified a
whopping 60 kids and nine adults to the U.S. National
Competition June 27 – 29, 2008 at the Wide World of
Sports complex at Disney in Orlando. In addition, the
team is sending nine kids to compete for World titles in
Cape Town, South Africa July 22, 2008.
“We have never had this many kids qualify for
nationals,” said Carmen Simpson, who co-head coaches the
Comet Skippers with her husband Mike Simpson. “And those
going to Worlds are going to have an experience of a
lifetime!”
The Comet
Skippers routinely draw crowds with their demonstrations
of speed jumping, three
person Double Dutch, and freestyle at festivals and
events throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. But
competitive jump roping is different from strict
freestyle groups. Competitive categories include Speed
Jumping and Triple Unders, where the rope is required to
consistently pass under the jumper three times between
feet hitting the floor. Individual Freestyle has been
likened to a figure skater combining power, speed,
placement and presentation among other criteria. Pairs
Freestyle requires the skill and endurance of
synchronized swimming. Double Dutch Freestyle is a
choreographed show that requires elements similar to
pair’s figure skaters who have to have everything timed
perfectly! One of the most spectacular displays of
incredible jump roping talent is Team Show. This
includes a little bit of everything and is choreographed
to music.
All these and several other different jumping styles
were on display at the
Ohio & Kentucky
Regional in Cleveland, Ohio and the U.S. Trials recently
hosted on the Comet Skippers home floor in Mason, Ohio.
There are only 13 regions in the U.S., including Hawaii,
Alaska and Puerto Rico. Nearly
1,000 kids will compete in the National competition in
Orlando, Florida.
First-time spectators at the regional event wore
jaw-dropping expressions as they tried to comprehend how
it’s physically possible to jump rope the way Comet
Skippers’ boys and girls do, especially considering the
team assembled for the first time less than four years
ago!
When Carmen and Mike Simpson decided to see if there
would be any interest in starting a jump rope team in
2004, they weren’t sure if anyone would even show up for
that first meeting.
“Carmen and I walked into the gym with our three kids
and a bag of ropes not knowing what to expect,” said
Mike Simpson, co-head coach of the Comet Skippers.
“As soon as we set foot in the gym and saw more than 100
kids, Carmen looked at me and said,
Wow!
we’re going to need more ropes!”
Ever since then, their mission has been to
spread awareness about
this sport they loved. They constantly seek
opportunities to share it with as many people as they
can. They are eager to help others form new teams
throughout Ohio and the surrounding states.
Their outreach has even extended across seas as the
Comet Skippers are becoming world ambassadors of the
surging sport of competitive jump roping.
“This is a rapidly growing sport that doesn’t get as
much publicity beyond good old-fashioned word-of-mouth
channels,” said Carmen Simpson.
“More and more, those in
the sport are recognizing that we need to employ a
sharing and caring attitude to grow interest and
participation, which benefits everyone involved.”
This was most evident when a former Comet Skipper moved
to Cyprus. This little girl was very disappointed that
there weren’t any jump rope teams in the country. Armed
with the knowledge of what it takes to inject interest
in jumping, the girl’s mother introduced jump rope at
the girl’s school to begin a club. Word-of-mouth rapidly
spread and reached the country’s Minister of Physical
Education. He was intrigued and wanted to learn more.
Originally, the Simpson’s and their three children were
summoned to help approximately two dozen kids get
started. But plans quickly changed to match the growing
interest and 15 Comet Skippers and members from other
teams made the trip overseas. They toured multiple
school districts putting on shows earning an invitation
to the World’s Fair.
“Our goal is to spread awareness about this sport we
love and share it with as many people as we can,” said
Carmen Simpson. “This is why we plan so many workshops
throughout the year. We want to help people get new
teams started in Ohio and the surrounding states as well
as continuing to make new friends overseas.”
Now, some
kids
on the Comet Skippers are facing a Hollywood-like plot
and are working hard for a storybook ending.
Soon after the Comet Skippers qualified nine members at
the U.S. World Trials to advance to the World
Competition July 22, 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa;
they realized they had a problem. This opportunity of a
lifetime will cost $39,000! The world championship is
only held biannually so the qualifying kids may never
have another opportunity to be part of this
life-changing experience.
“We immediately decided nobody will be left behind,”
said Carmen Simpson. “We decided to do what we had to do
so everyone that earned a spot on the national team gets
to represent their country without the added pressure of
fundraising to secure their presence.”
Still, at least one kid is trying to assist by
collecting cans, cleaning houses and babysitting.
“We do special events wherever people invite us to help
grow awareness for the sport, expand interest and raise
money,” said Mike Simpson. “We teach jump rope at
schools, organize workshops and perform at festivals.”
Since their humble beginning, the Comet Skippers have
amassed medals from the USA Jump Rope Nationals,
advanced members to the U.S. National Team to compete in
the World Championships, and have had team members
appear in an X-Box commercial and Disney’s film – JUMP
IN.
Disney’s JUMP IN increased interest in the sport much
like the workouts of legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard
drew crowds to watch his fancy footwork at jump roping
years earlier. Today, trainers
in other
sports recruit Jump Rope athletes because of their
endurance, quickness and conditioning which can enhance
play in soccer, basketball, football, hockey, track and
field.
But extreme jump roping can also be dangerous.
Several of the events for competitive jump rope are
speed events where the advanced jumpers use razor thin
wire ropes turning at incredible speeds. It’s not
uncommon to have cuts result with the slightest misstep.
The Comet Skippers are a co-ed team
with 65 kids ages 7 – 18 and nine adults. The team is a
competition/demonstration jump rope team affiliated with
USA Jump Rope (www.usajumprope.org),
the sport’s governing body. The team is also a member of
the Amateur Athletic Union (www.aausports.org).
The team’s head coaches, Carmen and
Mike Simpson, were introduced to the sport when they
lived in Texas and saw their son Stephen participate in
Jump Rope for Heart at his school in first grade.
Carmen, a U.S. Navy veteran, is a stay-at-home mother to
four children. Mike is a former U.S. Navy pilot and
currently an MD-88 Captain for Delta Air Lines.
“Carmen and I are not pros at this, just volunteers that
try really hard,” said Mike Simpson. He is currently
serving on the Board of Directors of USA Jump Rope and
the National Competition Committee.
Information about Comet Skippers workshops and events
are at
www.cometskippers.org.
Contact:
Comet Skippers
Carmen & Mike Simpson, head coaches
5406 Wheatmore Court
Mason, OH 45040
Phone: 513-259-1732
eMail:
coaches@cometskippers.org
Web Site:
www.cometskippers.org