National Park Foundation Kicks Off First Bloom Program at Adams National Historical Park
National Park Foundation Kicks Off First Bloom Program at Adams National Historical Park
It’s not every day you can get your hands dirty in a President’s backyard … But that’s exactly what happened today at Adams National Historical Park when the National Park Foundation celebrated the first city-wide First Bloom program with more than fifty children from the South Boston and Charleston Boys and Girls Clubs. The exciting celebration followed a two day First Bloom training workshop (October 16th and 17th) at Boston National Historical Park where program partners gathered to participate in First Bloom lessons and activities developed to teach urban youth how to make a meaningful connection to nature and take ownership of Boston’s green spaces.
Together, National Park Service Rangers from six Boston parks, experts from the Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center and mentors from the Boys and Girls Clubs joined the children in learning about First Bloom and participated in various hands-on native plant lessons including “Shake a Shrub,” seed planting in compostable ecotainer(TM) cups, soil sampling and flower dissection. Children had the opportunity to plant more than 3,000 Giant Yellow Daffodil bulbs in the Adams National Historical Park meadow, the same flowers that were a part of the early landscape enjoyed by John and Abigail Adams when they lived at the home. Today’s event marked the largest bulb planting project ever undertaken within the park’s cultural landscape.
“I am tremendously proud to celebrate Boston as the first First Bloom city,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “With the enthusiastic support of National Park Service Rangers, community leaders, and these energetic young people First Bloom will help keep Boston’s national parks healthy and beautiful so they can be enjoyed by all members of the community.”
Superintendent Marianne Peak said, “We were thrilled when Adams National Historical Park was selected by the National Park Foundation to be a part of the First Bloom program. Today, as these children plant thousands of daffodil bulbs in the same fields John Adams and his descendants once farmed, they are helping carry on a great legacy of stewardship and service to the national parks.”
A collaborative partnership between the National Park Foundation, Boston parks and various community organizations, First Bloom stakeholders in the Boston area include — Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center, managing partner of First Bloom in Boston, South Boston and Charleston Boys and Girls Clubs, Community Teamwork, Inc., Community Gardens Greenhouse, Yawkey Club of Roxbury, Adams National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, Boston National Historical Park, Lowell National Historical Park, Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.
First Bloom was launched in 2007 by the Foundation’s Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush, at the historic National Park Foundation Leadership Summit in Austin, Texas. Since the Leadership Summit, Mrs. Bush has helped introduce the First Bloom program to urban children and communities across the country, teaching them the science of native plants, encouraging them to protect the environment in America’s celebrated national parks and in their own backyards.
With $1 million in initial funding secured by ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation, First Bloom launched programs in five cities in 2008: New York, Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The National Park Foundation will expand the program to serve 19 U.S. parks in 2009.
About the National Park Foundation The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. In 2007, the Foundation had its best fundraising year ever bringing in $43 million dollars in support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
Adams National Historical Park is the home of two Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams and four generations of the Adams family. Located in Quincy, MA, l0 miles from Boston, the park attracts some 200,000 visitors annually. The park contains 11 historic structures and l3 acres of open fields including an 18th century garden.
Source: National Park Foundation
Wireless Blender with eCouples Intelligent Wireless Power
Fulton Shows eCoupled Technology’s Use in High Powered Applications
Fulton Innovation (Fulton), the creator and exclusive licensor of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, today announced that it has integrated its technology in a blender as a demonstration of wireless power in a high-powered device (www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PC5DhpouaU). The blender works without a power cord or cable by simply placing it on an eCoupled-enabled countertop or work surface. Unlike low-powered devices such as cell phones and MP3 players that only need five watts or less, high-powered kitchen devices like blenders, grills, and coffee makers often require kilowatts of power - a much greater technological challenge.
Fulton’s interoperable approach to engineering is changing the way power is delivered in the workplace, at home, and on the road. The blender is just one example of how Fulton Innovation is making consumers’ lives a little easier by integrating eCoupled technology in low, medium, and high power devices. Not only is the blender able to operate without being plugged in, the safety advances and design-friendly nature of eCoupled technology allow manufacturers to completely seal their kitchen appliances in some instances, making it easier to manufacture-in greater durability and product safely while eliminating fragile power connections.
“We’re especially excited to demonstrate wireless power fully integrated into a high-powered everyday appliance like the blender,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation. “By demonstrating applications beyond charging cell phones or MP3 players, we’re proving there are limitless applications for wireless power to make life easier and more energy efficient.”
Fulton is currently working with various partners, including Motorola, Leggett & Platt, and Herman Miller, to make power and charging cords obsolete in everything from cell phones to power tools. New lines of kitchen products enabled by eCoupled’s technology will be available through Fulton’s network of partners bringing eCoupled technology to market.
About Fulton Innovation and eCoupled™ Technology
A subsidiary of Amway Corporation, Fulton Innovation is dedicated to commercializing new and innovative technologies that improve the way we live, work, and play. Fulton is working with a wide range of industry-leading companies to integrate eCoupled technology into infrastructure and electronic devices to enable consumers to live a truly wireless life.
The engineers behind eCoupled have been developing, advancing, and perfecting the technology for over 10 years. eCoupled technology has been incorporated into Amway’s eSpring™ water purification devices for seven years, with over 1.5 million devices sold in over 36 countries worldwide to date.
Amway employs more than 13,000 people worldwide, including over 450 engineers and scientists. Amway has sales of more than $7 billion annually. It is headquartered in Ada, Michigan and has operations in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide.
For additional information, please visit fultoninnovation.com or ecoupled.com.
Hasbro Launches New Halloween Puzzle Treats
New ‘Bite Size’ Halloween Puzzles From Hasbro Provide Themed Alternative to Traditional Treats
Fun Option Available at Toys R Us Stores
Surprise the little ghosts, pint-sized superheroes and make-believe princesses that cross your path this Halloween with a fun treat that will keep their hands busier than their mouths — puzzles!
“Puzzles are a timeless family activity,” says Belisa Anzalotti, Director of U.S. Marketing for Hasbro games. “Whether you live in Tombstone, Ariz., Pumpkin Center, N.C., or another spooky place in between, Hasbro’s Halloween puzzles celebrate this haunted holiday with an activity that kids — and parents — will love.”
Fill costumed visitors’ pumpkin pails with the Halloween Bag of Mini Puzzles from Hasbro. This festive bag includes twelve 50-piece puzzles that feature precious pets dressed up as ghosts, pumpkins and witches. After returning from a night of mischief,
trick-or-treaters can piece together these small puzzles while watching spooky movies. The Halloween Bag of Mini Puzzles is available at Toys”R”Us stores nationwide.
For some additional holiday fun that can also serve as a decoration, build the Puzz 3-D Haunted House, a rickety house made of foam-fit puzzle pieces. Customize the mansion with 20 moveable parts including gravestones, gargoyles and skeleton bones, and display the 3-D puzzle for trick-or-treaters. Find the Puzz 3-D Haunted House puzzle at Toys”R”Us.
If you’re hosting a ghoulishly fun party, have some of these fun puzzles on hand to entertain the crowd. As guests depart for the evening, hand them a gift bag filled with puzzles so they can continue the spirit of Halloween for weeks to come.
Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com/ (C) 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
Tiger Woods Design Announce Plans for Punta Brava Private Golf and Ocean Club
The Flagship Group and Tiger Woods Design Announce Plans for Punta Brava, Private Golf and Ocean Club Community with Woods First Oceanfront Course
Punta Brava on Pacific Coast of Mexico Unveiled by Tiger Woods, Red McCombs, Brady Oman and The Flagship Group Partners
The Flagship Group and Tiger Woods Design have announced plans for Punta Brava-a private golf and ocean club situated 65 miles south of San Diego that will include the first oceanfront course designed by Woods. The announcement was made at a press conference in Bel-Air, Los Angeles today.
Punta Brava, meaning ‘Wild Point,’ is at the tip of a peninsula that extends seven miles into the ocean on the Pacific coast of Mexico. With the ocean on three sides and a dramatic mountain peak on the fourth, Punta Brava is marked by high cliffs and rock formations that create both a secluded and dramatic setting.
Among plans for Punta Brava are: Tiger Woods’ 18-hole par 70 oceanfront course; 40 estate lots (three-quarter to three acres); 80 villa residences (4,500 to 7,000 square feet); and a 20-villa private hotel for residents and guests, each including a private pool. Punta Brava will also feature a private clubhouse, an ocean club, a wellness center and spa, multiple dining venues, and various recreational activities inspired by the environment and local culture.
“The goal for my design company is to create a select collection of amazing courses around the world, and that means working hard to pick the best sites, the best partners and create great designs,” Tiger Woods said. “I’m very excited about how Punta Brava fits into this goal and think it’s going to be a tremendous experience.”
Woods added, “Many of the holes are framed by natural rock outcroppings, steep cliffs and crashing waves. I really enjoy working with the land, especially at a site so spectacular, so I’ve designed 17 tees or greens on the water and eight holes that play over the ocean.”
The Flagship Group Chairman and Co-founder Brady Oman said, “Punta Brava will be a very special place because we’ve assembled a remarkable team including Tiger Woods. The opportunity to partner with Tiger Woods Design is exciting. Tiger brings the same intensity and passion to course design that he takes to his golf game, so it makes working with him a great experience.”
Oman continued, “At The Flagship Group, we’re always looking for unique pieces of land to work with, and we’re very fortunate to have found this one. Punta Brava’s site is spectacular - the natural setting and beauty of the land and sea are incredibly powerful. For a private golf and ocean club, we believe it will rival anything.”
The Flagship Group Co-founder Red McCombs said, “Anyone who knows me knows that, like Tiger, I play to win. We’re committing significant resources behind this because we know that our buyers and guests will demand a level of quality that exceeds the norm. That’s what we’ll deliver.
“With Punta Brava and future projects we’ll be announcing, we’re bringing to life our vision for a collection of properties that are extraordinary. Punta Brava is indeed an extraordinary opportunity and I’m proud to be a part,” McCombs said.
Joining Oman and McCombs in the creation of Punta Brava is The Flagship Group Co-founder Hal Jones who will lead conservation initiative efforts, and Partner Brian Tucker.
Renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and son Victor Legorreta will work with an esteemed architectural team, including Fernando de Haro of Abax and A5 Arquitectura from Mexico City on the design of Punta Brava. Don Vita of Vita Associates will oversee land planning and landscape architecture. Punta Brava will incorporate modern architecture that is deeply rooted in the landscape using indigenous materials, green roofs with native plants and an environmentally sensitive approach.
Cultural immersion and recreational activities will include hiking, world-class fishing, surfing, diving, children’s activities, health and wellness, as well as language and culinary programs.
“Our commitment at The Flagship Group is to create places that make a soft imprint on the earth, but a powerful impact on the individual,” Oman said. In conjunction with Punta Brava, he announced Project Sea Change, The Flagship Group’s conservation and philanthropic platform focused on: Marine and Land conservation; Village Rising (housing designed by Punta Brava architects for impoverished families); and, Family Impact.
Construction on Punta Brava is expected to begin in early 2009 with villas, golf course and amenities scheduled for completion by 2011. More information is available at www.puntabrava.com.
About The Flagship Group
The Flagship Group is a fully integrated development company that executes all phases in the creation of inspired communities, including the acquisition, entitlement, site planning, engineering, vertical development and marketing of all of its projects. The company’s mission is to create experiences that transform lives. Partnering with the world’s leading experts in hospitality and lifestyle innovation, The Flagship Group crafts private ownership experiences that are unforgettable. Sustaining the environment and indigenous cultures are integral to its core philosophy. For more information, visit: www.theflagshipgroup.com.
About Tiger Woods Design
Established in 2006, the mission of Tiger Woods Design is to utilize Tiger’s worldwide experience, his limitless pursuit of excellence and his love of golf to create a unique collection of amazing golf courses around the world.
Tiger believes that every project should be special and provide an outstanding golf experience. As a result, Tiger Woods Design seeks to find the best sites, select the best partners and create fantastic course designs. A cornerstone of every project, the Tiger Woods Design team works closely with each client to provide exceptional, customized service.
Complementing this selective approach are the company’s design goals. Tiger Woods is famous for setting a high standard and working hard to surpass it. Tiger Woods Design is no different. Every project incorporates its Chairman’s highest standards, personal vision and passion for golf as well as his international experience in the game. Currently, Tiger Woods Design is designing courses in Dubai, U.A.E.; Asheville, North Carolina; and Ensenada, Mexico. For more information, visit: www.tigerwoodsdesign.com.
Harrah’s Resort and Casino Selects Tim Hunter Design to Define the Wow for the World’s Largest LED Video Display
Getting attention in Atlantic City is an economic imperative requiring approaches that literally trump the adage of “bigger is better”. For Harrah’s Resort and Casino, the answer was to create the world’s largest Outdoor Video Display by covering their Waterfront Tower (the tallest hotel tower in Atlantic City) in linear LED fixtures and then look to Tim Hunter Design to provide the dramatic impact through their well-crafted media content. Leveraging their acclaimed talent in experiential design and their in-depth knowledge of content delivery technology, THD provided Harrah’s with the holistic solution that has made this property the ‘Star of the Waterfront’.
When the ownership of Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City came up with their vision for their 56-story Waterfront Tower, the goal was to create a sophisticated destination hotel, casino and resort that stood apart from its neighbors. The decision was made to cover the resort’s Waterfront Tower, the tallest structure in Atlantic City, with a horizontal array of LED lighting that could be seen across the skyline. Calling upon a team from Philips/Color Kinetics, Inc. and Production Resource Group LLC, a series of LED fixtures were installed across the four facades of the building measuring approximately 33,000 linear feet. On a square footage basis this installation is now the largest exterior LED display surface in the world.
But creating this brand “beacon” was really only the first step. The real challenge was how to take full advantage of this tremendous asset. Someone was needed who could see the whole picture: understand the technology, study the impact and manipulation of the light source, develop an aesthetic that could transcend the constraints of the installation and continually evaluate these elements against the need for sustainable operations. Based on their experience and talent, the Tim Hunter Design team was assigned the job of designing and specifying the control system and producing the digital content. “We knew that the message had to fit the medium,” said Tim Hunter, CEO of THD. “We understood the building, and the resources and created a new language, through real examples, to inform and educate the process.”
Hunter is the Founder and CEO of Tim Hunter Design, LLC, a 20-person studio in New York City. He also teaches and serves as the Associate Head of the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. What defines Tim Hunter Design is their holistic approach to design and experiential media that considers the technology and the execution when formulating long-term solutions for developers. Their goal is to bring their client’s vision to fruition by testing that vision under real limitations. In understanding how design functions within the real operations of the systems, THD can drive their energies to create a higher level of impact for their content that will result in a more visceral and emotional connection to the imagery.
The building design located the LED fixtures 10′ apart vertically and 1.2″ apart horizontally resulting in a challenging format for content creation and further complicated by the added impact of the atmosphere, timing, the scale and how the brain would read the image in this composition. The THD team needed a cost-effective, stable content management system that would enable the display of synchronous, motion-based content that could be read the same across a range of distances. The task was extraordinary and the THD team ended up creating thirty different 3-D digital models that revealed how the media would play synchronously across all four facades of this unique scale. The THD design engineers specified a control system that not only met these requirements but also brought the capital costs for the operating equipment down to one tenth of the original estimate. They leveraged their understanding of the physiology of vision - the unique spatial relationships between image and brain recognition functions - to create media content that could be understood as a seamless stream of emotion and evocative imagery across this broken surface. Incredibly, they demonstrated all of this to the client without the benefit of a completed structure.
Tim Hunter admits the most stressful aspect of the project was aligning the reality of the installation with the expectations of the client. But the final test came when the switch was thrown on July 3rd, 2008 and the system was turned on for the first time. “You could hear them gasp,” said Vern McKinney, THD’s senior project manager. “Tough construction crews stopped in their tracks and started cheering. I can honestly say these were the happiest clients we have ever had.”
About Tim Hunter Design
Tim Hunter Design is an experiential design firm based in New York City whose work centers primarily on the design of media-based experiential structures within architectural or public spaces. The goal of THD is to seamlessly incorporate digital imaging systems, digital media, audio and specialty lighting into compelling structures to create a unique, memorable and easily updateable guest experience.
NEIMAN MARCUS Reveals the 82nd Edition of its Legendary Christmas Book
The 2008 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Features Gifts Offering Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences, Including a Limited-Edition BMW, Life-Size His and Hers LEGO® Sculptures, Jack Nicklaus Golf Course Design and a 35-Year Collection of 45 RPM Records
Neiman Marcus Selects PLGA Foundation as this Year’s Featured Charity
The 2008 Christmas Book was unveiled today by luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The 82nd edition of this world-renowned book continues Neiman Marcus’s longstanding tradition of offering its customers the ultimate in awe-inspiring gifts.
This year’s edition of the Christmas Book caters to a broad range of consumer tastes and interests with gifts sure to delight both customers with the most discerning eye and shoppers in search of luxurious items to incorporate into their everyday life. A new selection of extraordinary fantasy gifts includes an array of amazing items and packages, including His and Hers life-size LEGO® sculptures, a Dallas Cowboys® Texas Stadium® end zone, the M-Velope® transformable structure, and medieval and Renaissance-era rings. This year’s featured car is the NM limited-edition 2009 BMW? Individual 7 Series sedan.
First published in 1926 as a 16-page booklet, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was initially intended as a Christmas card to the store’s best customers. Building on tradition through the years, the book has maintained its personal touch while evolving into a legendary source for alluring and mystical gifts. The arrival of the book has come to mark the official start of the holiday season for many of the Christmas Book’s subscribers.
“This year’s collection of remarkable fantasy gifts is sure to capture the imaginations of our loyal customers who have come to expect the unexpected from the Christmas Book and from Neiman Marcus,” said Burt Tansky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Neiman Marcus Group. “Every year we seek to exceed the expectations set by the previous year’s selection of gifts, and this year will surely not disappoint.”
Among the selection of extravagant gifts in the 2008 Christmas Book are some amazing items, including:
TITANIUM FIGHTER MOTORCYCLE
There’s the startling design that fuses raw power with crisp simplicity. It’s an evolution of the machine, at once taken back down to its core elements while being reinvented and re-engineered for optimal performance. It’s our street-legal sci-fi dream come to life, in the form of the limited-edition Fighter Motorcycle. Ours exclusively courtesy of Confederate Motor Company®, the first ever Fighter packs 190 mph of performance into its cutting-edge carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum chassis. There’s the 62″ wheelbase, 27″H seat, integrated braking system, lots of high-tech bells and whistles, and custom NM edition features. Only 45 of these raging, right-on machines are available.
($110,000.00; page 69)
DALLAS COWBOYS® TEXAS STADIUM® END ZONE
You can put 530 square yards of sporting history into your own backyard: An entire Cowboys Texas Stadium end zone. Our exclusive package also includes the VIP treatment for the last regular season Cowboys game in Texas Stadium. Your crew gets pre-game photos in your zone with Jerry Jones, a luxury suite for the game, a once-in-a-lifetime post-game tailgate party (with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders) on your soon-to-be new backyard, autographed memorabilia from Cowboys legends, and a VIP package to attend the opening of the new stadium in 2009. The Jerry Jones family and Cowboys organization will generously donate the entire purchase price to The Salvation Army®. A limited edition of 380 framed 26″ x 36″ collages with a touchable section of end zone is also available.
($500,000.00 and $500.00; page 70)
THIRTY-FIVE YEAR COLLECTION OF 45 RPM RECORDS
In this age of soulless digital downloads and MP3 mumbo-jumbo, we gleefully turn to that treasured icon of our American pop culture childhood: the 45 RPM vinyl single. We present our exclusive, definitive collection which contains each and every 45 RPM vinyl record that was listed on the Billboard Top 100® Rock and Pop charts from Jan. 1, 1955, through Dec. 31, 1990. Absolutely every disc for 35 years, every No. 100 up to every No. 1. There are some 18,400 records total. There are literally hundreds of extremely collectible 45s - Elvis, Joplin, Hendrix, you name it.
($275,000.00; page 71)
MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE-ERA RINGS
We’ve teamed up with Les Enluminures of Paris to put history in your hands, quite literally, with our exclusive collection of extremely rare original medieval and Renaissance rings. Hand-braided eleven centuries ago, our gold ring is a museum-quality example. Our 15th century English signet ring bears an engraving of the faithful and vigilant pooch. Our 16th century Western European ring graced a maiden’s hand with a sparkling, mysterious 13mm step-cut tourmaline set in enameled gold. Each arrives with its pedigree spelled out in writing.
($25,000.00, $35,000.00 and $45,000.00; page 72)
M-VELOPE® TRANSFORMABLE STRUCTURE
The M-Velope is a 15-foot high by 14-foot wide by 17-foot deep creation of functional art built with a steel frame. All its hinged wood panel frames open, move, and close at your whim. Michael Jantzen, an internationally famous architectural pioneer/artist, created it and is crafting just 10 structures for us exclusively. He’s a leader in rethinking how we live, and he’s been green since ‘71. He builds each M-Velope with new Accoya® wood products that are durable and completely sustainable.
($100,000.00; page 73)
HIS & HERS LIFE-SIZE LEGO® SCULPTURES
Acclaimed artist Nathan Sawaya fills his New York studio with more than 1.5 million LEGO? bricks, and he can sculpt anything out of them. Given the skill and depth of his devotion to his art, it makes perfect sense to immortalize your own magnificent self with our 2008 His & Hers gifts. Send in detailed photos and measurements, then Nathan gets to snapping and BOOM! One-of-a-kind, life-size sculptures of yourselves in LEGO? bricks. We priced our exclusive gift individually, so Nathan can “brickalize” you and/or anyone else you obsess about.
($60,000.00 each; page 74)
JACK NICKLAUS CUSTOM BACKYARD GOLF COURSE
Yes, THE Jack Nicklaus. Jack will study topography, aerial photos, and landscape maps for the site, then send his team to survey the property. He’ll create a formal design plan and color renderings for up to three holes and a practice area. Your construction crew builds from it, with supervision from Jack’s world-class design team. When the course is finished, the Golden Bear himself will stop by to play the first round with you, personally. He’ll sign his club and ball for your collection and throw in a custom set of Nicklaus clubs, including a personalized bag.
*Construction and site preparation costs not included
(Beginning at $1,000,000.00; page 76)
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS® ON-COURT EXPERIENCE
Here’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance to play on your dream team, joining stars like Scooter Christensen and Special K Daley on court with the Harlem Globetrotters. Your exclusive gift package includes a personalized official uniform, guaranteed playing time in a U.S. 2008-09 season game, introduction as a special guest, and insider access to the team.
($110,000.00; page 77)
PLATINUM WEDDING AT THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL®
There is a rare opportunity to make nuptials the stuff of family legends, with our exclusive turnkey luxury wedding experience at The Resort at Pelican Hill. The ultimate resort setting on the breathtaking coast of Newport Beach, California. A personal engagement coach to take care of every detail, a couture wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses custom designed by Carolina Herrera, up to 40 private ocean-view guest villas and every detail exquisitely executed from the magical cake to the perfect flowers to the private celebrity entertainment at the reception. Our experience also includes resort events for the bridal party, a rehearsal dinner event, an after-reception party, and gourmet breakfast the next day for family and guests.
(Beginning at $1,300,000.00; page 78)
AUTHENTIC GUINNESS® HOME PUB
In celebration of Guinness’ 250th Anniversary, the legendary brand is offering the ultimate gift for beer lovers - a fully functional traditional Irish pub custom-built for their home. The Authentic Guinness Home Pub will be handcrafted with Guinness artifacts and Irish architectural elements reflecting the brand’s rich legacy. The bar also comes with a keg dispensing unit and a one year supply of fresh Guinness draught - ideal for serving perfectly poured pints. Included in the gift package is a VIP trip for two to Dublin, with first-class airfare, luxury accommodations and insider access to the magic being made at the historic St. James’s Gate brewery. Whether out at the pub, or enjoying in the luxury of one’s home, Guinness is always best enjoyed responsibly.
($250,000.00; page 79)
NM LIMITED-EDITION 2009 BMW® INDIVIDUAL 7 SERIES SEDAN
The all-new BMW 7 Series has an ‘09 launch date, but to commemorate 31 years of the BMW 7 Series in the USA, we’ve got just 31 limited-edition 2009 BMW Individual 7 Series Sedans available for purchase. The inside is furnished with our exquisite BMW Individual Champagne Merino full leather and Alcantara® headliner. The outside finish: our exclusive, 31-autos-only iridescent Diopside Black and illuminated Neiman Marcus entry sills. Also part of the package is a once-in-a-lifetime European adventure. Our exclusive trip includes two business-class tickets on Lufthansa® from New York, gourmet meals, luxury hotel for four nights including Munich and the French Riviera, and rare insider access to BMW. The adventure is scheduled for April 2009. Available beginning at noon EDT on October 16, 2008. Call 1-866-303-2696 to order.($160,000.00; page 81)
THREE CHIMNEYS THOROUGHBRED RACING PACKAGE
You want a working, turnkey, in-the-running thoroughbred racing enterprise right out of the starting gate? You go to Three Chimneys Farm. For this exclusive package, you get the works because Three Chimneys means business. They will build you a stable of 12-15 thoroughbreds and with your input will train them, house them, select races, enter them in races, provide you a personal racing concierge, and manage the entire enterprise for you for the next four years. As the owner, you get to name your stable and any unnamed horses, design your own silks, attend races, pose for pictures, give quotes to the media… and keep all the purses and trophies.
($10,000,000.00; page 82)