Sheila's Guide To The Good Stuff

A good pitch is timely, short, punchy and answers the question WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?) for the recipient.

If this sounds familiar, it should. A good pitch to bloggers is very much like a good pitch to any media person.

At BlogWorld and New Media Expo West in Los Angeles, I talked to Jared Degnan from Brandware Public Relations about pitching bloggers….the video is about a minute long, and here’s the direct link to it on YouTube in case you can’t see the embed box below.

Did I get it right, or was I too simplistic?  Leave a reply down in the comments….thanks!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Cities blog carnival, where we tour the world in a single post, via submissions from a variety of different blogs, all about any aspect of one, single city or fair-sized town.

The previous Carnival edition was hosted on the Perceptive Travel Blog, and you’ll find the next one (February 8, 2012) on Edutech Musings.

If you would like to host a future Carnival edition on your blog, please contact me at Sheila “at” sheilascarborough “dot” com. Thanks!

Off we go….

Cities in the Americas

Seattle, Washington, USA   Mary Jo Manzanares presents Tourist at Home: Visiting the Seattle Aquarium posted at Traveling with MJ, saying, “Fun for adults and kids. . . and the otters are just so darned cute!”

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA   Angela Gaitaniella presents Pittsburgh is “In” posted at The Burgh, Exposed.

San Francisco, California, USA   Byteful Travel presents What’s Hidden Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge? (Exploring historical Fort Point) posted at Byteful Travel, saying, “Even though you’ve probably never heard of it, something very old is hidden underneath the Golden Gate bridge; and one a sunny day in September, I had the opportunity to photograph it.”

Orlando, Florida, USA   Eileen Ludwig presents Artsfest FREE Ticketed Non-Ticketed Florida posted at Freelance Tourist: Travel Tips.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA   hello haha narf presents Still So Much posted at Midnight Cliff.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA   Tui Snider presents New Orleans? Cafe du Monde: A Taste of History posted at Mental Mosaic: Even Home is a Travel Destination, saying, “Coffee played a big role in New Orleans’ history, and at one point in the 1800′s there were nearly 500 coffeehouses in the French Quarter. Cafe du Monde is the sole survivor from that era, with a menu that is virtually unchanged since it first opened in 1862.”

Niagara Falls, Canada   Andy Hayes presents Top 10 Quirky Things To Do in Niagara Falls posted at eTourism Insight, saying, “Quirky things in what is perhaps the quirkiest place in Canada. ”

New York, New York, USA   Priya Mony presents My Reasons to Love New York: The Winter Edition posted at Let’s Take The Scenic Route, saying, “Great things to do and places to visit in New York even in the coldest months of the year.”

Cities in Europe

Panicale, Umbria, Italy   Ciao Bambino! presents Art Camp for Kids in Umbria, Italy posted at Ciao Bambino, saying, “Arte al Sol art camp is a great way for children to experience Italian Culture. It’s not just painting here. Activities may include glass blowing, cooking or even sheep herding – experiences that your kids won’t soon forget.”

Barcelona, Spain   Amanda Kendle presents Gaudi makes Barcelona beautiful posted at Not A Ballerina: A Travel Blogger’s Life.

London, England   Brooke Allen presents London Pub Crawl posted at Rambling Brooke.

Liverpool, England    Mr. Brightside presents [Come Dine With Us] Gusto! posted at The Wild Swans, saying, “One of the best Italian restaurants in Liverpool!”

Cities in Asia

Delhi, India   Mariellen Ward presents Delights of Delhi posted at BreatheDreamGo.

That concludes this Carnival edition, and thank you for visiting.

Please submit your (ONE, non-spammy) blog post to the next edition of the Carnival of Cities using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Are the holiday crazies starting to get to you?

Let’s take a moment to breathe.

It’s morning in Mississippi, near Greenwood, and the Tallahatchie River is oozing past….

My nearby cabin at Tallahatchie Flats was pretty comfy, too.

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While we mess around with our Facebook Pages, mobile devices and tweet-crafting, I’d like to pause for a moment and talk about books.

Lots of books, in a place that doesn’t have them, for people who want them very badly.

We’re talking about raising US$80,000 (yes, it’s a lot of zeroes) to build two libraries in Zambia …. the building construction, all the books and educational materials, teacher training and support for three years …. through Passports with Purpose, the annual travel bloggers’ fundraiser.

One of the PwP co-founders, Pam Mandel, is a dear friend of mine and a blogging kindred spirit, so I look forward to this every year. The #PwP hashtag is already jumping on Twitter.

Last year we raised enough money (mostly in US$10 increments) to build an entire village in southern India in partnership with Friends of LAFTI.  This year, PwP is partnering with Room to Read for the libraries.

I started my first travel blog in February 2006, and I’ve supported PwP since the beginning, but this is the first time that I’ve offered a sponsored prize as part of the fundraiser.

It works rather like a raffle – in addition to the goodie I’m showcasing below, you can browse through this full list of travel-related prizes and bid for chances to win whichever ones appeal to you.  At the end of the fundraiser – it runs through December 16, 2011 – one winner of each prize will be randomly selected from all of those who have bid.  A $10 donation per bid is suggested, but if you don’t want to make a donation, mail one self addressed stamped envelope to: Passports with Purpose, P.O. Box 16102, Seattle WA 98116.  Include the name of the prize you are entering to win.

Thanks to Nick from Guerrilla Packs, I get to showcase one of their top backpacks as the Sheila’s Guide PwP prize – the Voltij.  (Shipped to winners in the continental US only – bummer – but the winner can choose red, blue, or orange.)

This pack is designed for the serious traveler/hiker who needs cleverly designed storage space, comfort, and style.  My favorite feature is the detachable day pack, so you don’t have to look dorky wearing the whole framed backpack walking through, say the Uffizi in Florence or grabbing a bubble tea in Shanghai.

Here are some other Voltij specs:

- Detachable padded laptop sleeve shoulder carry bag
- Aluminum internal frame
- Fully adjustable EVERYTHING!
- Built in compass and thermometer
- Rain cover
- Passport pocket & cell phone pocket
- Supports H20 hydration system
- Sleeping bag / wet clothes pocket

Want to know more?

Here’s a helpful video about the pack (direct link to Voltij demo if you can’t see the embed box below:)

For a chance to win this prize or one of many others, go here to the PwP Prize List/Donate page and follow the directions.

Thanks for your support of Passports with Purpose, and I look forward to showing off some photos of the libraries in the next year or so.

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This is Billy Kounoupis, owner of the most excellent, most “not your ordinary diner” – Billy’s Downtown Diner in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley.

After a recent speaking engagement for the regional tourism organization, I asked my hosts for a breakfast recommendation the next morning….and boy, did they ever hook me up!

Billy himself (born and raised in nearby Easton PA) was greeting hungry patrons when we walked in, the place was jammed with all kinds of locals and the menu was one of the most fresh and imaginative I’d ever seen for a diner.

It was really hard to choose, but I went with the Tonga Toast - ”Sourdough bread dipped in our own French toast mix and topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and walnuts. Draped with low fat vanilla yogurt and dusted with cinnamon” for about US$8.00. I ate every bite of it.

My Discover Lehigh Valley host Mike Keller went with the Lil’ Havana Omelette – “Slow roasted pulled pork in authentic Cuban seasonings with grilled ham, Swiss and Pepper jack cheese wrapped by three fluffy eggs and topped with diced tomatoes” for about US$9.00.

I can’t remember what my other host Ryan had that morning, but Mike’s omelette is shown here on the right, before it completely disappeared.

Tomorrow (November 26) Billy has a book signing at the Moravian Book Shop (founded by the Moravians who settled in this part of Pennsylvania) for his new book on hospitality and entrepreneurship, Billy Cooks Like a Mother: A Guide to Starting Your Own Business by Someone Who’s Been There and Done That.

It would make a terrific gift for anyone in the hospitality business.

I love everything about places like Billy’s, and entrepreneurs who make things happen despite long odds and a tough economy.

Thanks for breakfast, Billy.

Disclosure: Discover Lehigh Valley paid for my breakfast, but awesome food that you don’t pay for is still awesome food.

(Direct link to the video below if you can’t see the embed box.)

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Thank you, Mom.

Both my mother (a long-time journalist) and I are members of the AWC (Association for Women in Communications.)

This year, Mom noticed that there was a new category, Personal Blogs, in the Online Media section of AWC’s annual Clarion communications awards.

She encouraged me to enter this blog in competition for a Clarion.

Like a good Mom, she then followed up just before the deadline to ensure I’d entered. I’d totally forgotten, of course, and had to race off to the post office to mail in my paperwork.

So, it was pretty cool to attend the 2011 AWC National Conference in Tulsa with Mom last month, have her in the room when I spoke with Maria Henneberry about more effective webinars, and then turn around and win the Clarion for Sheila’s Guide.

Thank you to all of my readers for your support since I launched the blog in September 2008, and thanks, Mom, for always encouraging me to excel.

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This is the Chikasha Inchokka’ (“Chickasaw house”) traditional village compound, authentically re-created at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

There’s a big council house, two summer houses, two winter houses, a corn crib and a ceremonial mound, all enclosed by a stockade fence.

Here’s the interior of one of the winter houses, with an opening for the smoke from the warming/cooking fire inside….

The Cultural Center is really well-designed and it gave me a new appreciation of the Chickasaw. I highly recommend jumping off of Interstate 35 and paying them a visit; here’s more info on Native American tourism in Oklahoma.

(If you like this post, please consider subscribing to the blog via RSS feed or by email – the email signup box is on the right sidebar near the Search box. Thanks!) 

Welcome to the Carnival of Cities blog carnival, where we tour the world in a single post, via submissions from a variety of different blogs, all about any aspect of one, single city (or fair-sized town.)

The previous Carnival edition was hosted on the Perceptive Travel Blog, and will return there on November 30.

If you would like to host a future Carnival edition on your blog, please contact me at Sheila “at” sheilascarborough “dot” com. Thanks!

Off we go….

Cities in the Americas

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA   Amy @ The Q Family presents Myrtle Beach With Kids: Guided Kayak Tour with Black River Outdoors Center posted at The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog.

Santa Cruz, California, USA   Eileen Ludwig presents Exploring Coastal Highway Santa Cruz California posted at Freelance Tourist: Travel Tips.

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA   Jennifer Miner presents Hawaii History and Culture: Princess Ka’iulani posted at The Vacation Gals, saying, “A vacation in Waikiki is enriched by attending a ceremony honoring the last crown princess of Hawaii.”

Ottawa, Canada   Zhu presents Rideau Hall posted at Correr Es Mi Destino, saying, “In a typ­i­cal relaxed Cana­dian fash­ion, the offi­cial res­i­dence of the Gov­er­nor Gen­eral of Canada is open to the pub­lic and it’s not rare to see hordes of pho­tog­ra­phers, cricket play­ers (!) and fam­i­lies pic­nick­ing there.”

San Francisco, California, USA   Kristin presents Breakfast at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market posted at SFTravel – San Francisco Underground Travel, saying, “A popular destination on Saturday morning in San Francisco becomes even better with savory and sweet offerings at gourmet breakfast stands.”

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA   Michael Turtle presents The Big Easy is harder than you think posted at Time Travel Turtle.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   Jason Noronha presents 10 Reasons to Pack Your Bags for Rio de Janeiro posted at theOrangeMango, saying, “Having spent 2 weeks in Rio de Janeiro recently, I fell in love with the city and decided that I’d have to move to this beautiful place at some stage in my life. Here’s why you need to pack your bags for Rio..”

Mountain View, California, USA   Byteful Travel presents Computer History Museum Review: 7 Striking Exhibits from the Digital Age posted at Byteful Travel, saying, “With over 90,000 objects, photographs, and films the Computer History Museum of Mountain View, CA has no equal in its field. In fact, the CHM contains the largest collection of computing artifacts on the planet! So, needless to say, we were in for a real treat, and in this article I reveal the 7 most memorable artifacts I stumbled across that day, including the “Godfather” of the iPhone and a 150 lb. computer that you just HAVE to get your loved one this holiday season. But we’ll get to that!”

Columbus, Ohio, USA   Joe Vargo presents Top Three Things to Do With Your Extra Hour of Darkness posted at The Columbus Experience.

Cabo Polonio, Uruguay   Michael Hodson presents Cabo Polonio, Uruguay in Photos posted at Go, See, Write – overland RTW adventure travel.

Laramie, Wyoming, USA   Angi Harper presents Wyoming Roundup: A Sunny Day in Laramie Town posted at Wyoming Roundup.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA   JoAnna presents Images: Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory | Oklahoma City posted at Kaleidoscopic Wandering, saying, “I never expected to find botanical gardens in Oklahoma City, and that’s what I love about cities like this: They continue to surprise me.”

Seattle, Washington, USA   Mary T presents Photo Friday: Teen’s View of the Port of Seattle posted at Travel With Teens and Tweens, saying, “A short cruise of Seattle’s harborfront uncovered all kinds of interesting views. Our traveling teen captured some great photos along the way.”

San Francisco, California, USA   Kirsten Larsson presents San Francisco’s Chinatown posted at Aviators and a Camera.

Cities in Asia/Australia/New Zealand

Kyoto, Japan   Erin McNeaney presents The Weird and Wonderful World of Vegetarian Cuisine in Kyoto: Part 1 posted at Never Ending Voyage, saying, “Our exploration of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine in Kyoto, Japan.”

(more…)

I’m fresh off of a short Southern road trip between the Tourism track at BlogWorld and New Media Expo West in Los Angeles, and the Symposium on Social Media in Tourism (SoMeT) in Tunica, Mississippi.

In between LA and Tunica, I landed in Jackson, MS, put on my travel blogger hat and drove north for a few days while working on an article for Automotive Traveler.

Allow me to give a HUGE shout-out and thank you to my hosts at the Jackson, MS CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) especially their Public Relations Manager, Marika Cackett.

Marika, Sophie McNeil and crew went well beyond the call of duty to ensure that I got a well-rounded view of their city, even though I didn’t have much time there. I was on the football field at a Battle of the Bands to hear the Sonic Boom of the South marching band from Jackson State University, I ate one fabulous meal after another all over town, I visited Civil Rights landmarks like Medgar Evers’ home and I heard the Central Mississippi Blues Society at local joint Hal and Mal’s.

The most wonderful moments, however, were with the enthusiastic and fun Marika as she connected me with the people who are creating an incredible renaissance in the historically African-American Farish Street district, and when she and I made happy fools of ourselves singing along with Marvin Gaye and Etta James on the jukebox at Peaches Cafe.

Here’s the above-and-beyond part: I didn’t organize my travel plans as well as I usually do, and I hadn’t properly lined up a FIAT 500 from Jackson’s Enterprise car rental (for the Automotive Traveler story.) I was swamped by BlogWorld preps and just blew it.

Marika said, “Hey, I’ll call Enterprise for you about the FIAT rental.”  I felt like such a disorganized moron that I tried to turn her down, but she cheerfully blew me off and made the call anyway. A few hours later, my phone rings in Los Angeles. “I got your FIAT!” she says. I’ll swear, I could have crawled through the phone and hugged her. She saved my bacon.

Thank you so much, Marika and all of the tourism folks who help us out even when we don’t really deserve it.

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This photo is of the ID tag that Loretta’s father wore during his 40 years working as a crane operator at Bethlehem Steel in Pennsylvania.

She wears it around her neck today as she gives guided tours of the industrial complex that once powered a nation, and is now a collection of rusting hulks and falling-down buildings.

Except, it’s not all falling down.

Today, the plant site is an incredible example of revitalization and industrial tourism called SteelStacks;  it includes a music pavilion next to a former blast furnace, the modern ArtsQuest performing arts building, a new building housing local public television station PBS39 and a bit down the road, a huge (and tastefully designed to fit the industrial theme) Sands Casino.

Loretta will tell you the history of the place during her tour – including fun stories about her Dad – but you’ll have to take care not to fall off of the sidewalk or into a fence while gawking at the renaissance taking place all around you.

Thanks, Loretta, and everyone in Bethlehem PA who honors the past, but believes in and builds a new future.

(Disclosure: I was in the Lehigh Valley as a keynote speaker for their annual regional tourism meeting, so my travel expenses were covered by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, but there was no cost to seeing SteelStacks.)

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