Discover Our Town

The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast of Bellefonte, PA

Spring, an absolutely perfect time to visit The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The gardens are in full bloom and looking stunning! Take home some Victorian style when you spend the night– choose 3 perennials, trees, shrubs from a large variety, as available, to name a few: ferns, cone flowers, sedums, red raspberries (bare from July–Nov), horsetail, ivy,  iris, myrtle, euonymus, sage, chives, oregano, mint, thyme, heritage hydrangea, hellebores, peonies, columbine, laities, weeping Japanese tree, crabapple, balsam, lady’s mantle, lamb ear, day lilies, bee balm, bachelor’s button and much more!!!

Senators and Stars at Phoenix Park Hotel - Washington DC

  Washington DC – Phoenix Park hotel, a standout Washington DC hotel near Capital Hill, has used its genuine Irish accommodations and 18^th-century countryside charm to attract some of the biggest names in the country, as well as eager DC tourists, since 1922, and with courteous hospitality and service beyond other luxury Washington DC hotels, they’re already in the middle of another star-struck year.

Earlier this year, New York senator and current presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY) choose the illustrious lodging in Washington DC to host a photo shoot for her campaign staff. Cordial and fun-spirited, Senator Clinton kept things light with a joke here and there and was even gracious enough to star in some photos herself with the hotel staff. Allowing the dedicated employees of this distinct boutique hotel in Washington DC, from the general management to the bellmen, to be photographed with the country’s biggest icons has long been one of Phoenix Park’s guilty pleasures.

While Senator Clinton’s momentous bid for the presidency was no doubt foremost on the minds of many, talk of the campaign was kept to an appreciated minimum.

Hailing from the opposite coast, academy-award winning actress Marcia Gay Harden joined the company of senators and congressman at a training and information summit for the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) hosted this last February in one of the luxury Washington DC hotel’s gorgeous banquet rooms. Accompanied by several members of Capitol Hill including Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), the star of such films as Mystic River, Pollock, Meet Joe Black, and Mona Lisa Smile was eager to show her support for the grassroots organization.

SPAN USA, founded in 1996, promotes the prevention of suicide by focusing on community education and awareness and state-level political advocacy. During the summit at Phoenix Park downtown hotel in Washington DC, guests were treated to an enlightening tour of Capitol Hill and a fascinating presentation of Lifekeeper Memory Quilts, and of course, they managed to sneak a few photos with Ms. Harden.

Phoenix Park Hotel, the leading luxury hotel in Washington DC, couldn’t be more proud and excited to have entertained these magnanimous guests.

About Phoenix Park Hotel:

Proudly leading hotels in Washington DC for the rich accommodations and unbeatable location that DC visitors of all kinds desire, Phoenix Park Hotel stands apart with a genuine Irish feel infused into every last detail. Experience the stately service you’d expect on the Celtic countryside while enjoying the convenience of modern amenities including HD television and complimentary high-speed Internet access and an unrivaled Capitol Hill location. It’s your only choice for exciting Washington DC vacations. Visit us here.

Stratos Jet Charters, Inc.

Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. Announces their Empty Leg Flight Match Program

Stratos Jet Charters has made available to their air charter clients; industry wide empty leg options for their chartered flights.

Orlando , Florida – May 5, 2008 – Stratos Jet Charters, Inc., an air charter service provider for private and business jet luxury charters, today announced that they will begin offering to their jet charter clients, the option to purchase empty leg chartered flights that are available industry wide. 

As a result of strong relationships within the jet charter industry, Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. is able to offer their clients a wide range of empty leg options for their charter flights.  With access to countless private jets, Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. has provided excellent service and competitive prices for those seeking a private charter plane.  By expanding their relationships with numerous air charter service providers, Stratos Jet Charters is now able to provide more one-way charter flight options than ever before. 

Joel A. Thomas, President of Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. commented on their new program saying; “By working together with charter plane operators and air charter brokers, Stratos Jets is able to take advantage of the private jet industries traffic; increasing the efficiency of the luxury jet charter market.”  He went on to say that, “We now have the ability not only to purchase empty leg charter flights, but also have the ability to create, market and sell these empty leg charter flights for the benefit of our charter clients.” 

Another great benefit of Stratos Jet Charters Empty Leg Flight Match Program is; that the program will contribute to the efficient use of charter aircrafts.  “The increase in efficient use of charter planes is a wonderful added bonus.  The program seeks to match clients with aircrafts industry wide that have the same or similar routing demands” said Thomas.  Mr. Thomas continued pointing out some of the highlights of their new Empty Leg Flight Match Program stating “That by matching clients with repositioning aircrafts that would otherwise fly empty we can cut down on wasted fuel and harmful carbon emissions.”

Stratos Jet Charters has long been interested in the environmental impact of private jets.  Early in 2007, Stratos Jet Charters began purchasing carbon offsets through TerraPass for their chartered flights and made available the option to fly carbon neutral to their clients. Mr. Thomas noted that “By matching clients with empty leg charter flights, we are maximizing the efficiency of each chartered flight, which reduces the demand on chartered aircrafts (as well as the costs), helping also to reduce the total amount of carbon emissions industry wide.

To learn more about Stratos Jet Charter Inc. Empty Leg Flight Match Program or their Eco-Jet Charter Program, visit them on the web at www.stratosjets.com.

Nancy Noll of Innkeeper of The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast of Bellefonte, PA

Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association Announces Nancy Noll, Innkeeper of The Queen, A Victorian Bed & Breakfast, as a Recipient of the Spirit of Hospitality Award.

The PA Tourism & Lodging Association held its Annual Spirit of Hospitality Awards Reception on April 28, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding performance, commitment, and achievements in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The event featured the Vivace String Quartet and an outstanding selection of fine Hors DʼOeuvres prepared by the extraordinary culinary staff of the Holiday Inn.  The presentations were made by; J. Mickey Rowley, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Tourism Office and James Purdum, CHA, General Manager, Hospitality Services, The Pennsylvania State University and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, PA Tourism & Lodging Association.

The Association is pleased to announce Nancy Noll, Innkeeper of The Queen, A Victorian Bed & Breakfast, as the recipient of the Spirit of Hospitality Award as the 2008 Innkeeper of the Year. This award honors an innkeeper who has demonstrated professionalism in operating a bed & breakfast, country inn, or farm vacation property and has taken a leadership role in the lodging industry by actively participating in association, community, or industry programs.

For Nancy Noll, owner of The Queen, a Victorian Bed & Breakfast in Bellefonte, and a day off is a rarity. Sheʼs always on duty, attending to guestsʼ needs or keeping things running smoothly at the establishment. Since opening her doors in the early ʼ90s, Nancy has developed a reputation for exemplary customer service, a positive attitude and a can-do spirit. That spirit has never waned, despite facing multiple health problems over the years. Believing in helping others, Nancy has also dedicated her time and talents to numerous community organizations, including serving as a member of the Disaster Action Team of the Red Cross, when she traveled to Southern California to help victims of the stateʼs wildfires. Her commitment to the Red Cross has also included training to become a disaster instructor specializing in client casework and assistance, where she will train other volunteers to respond when needed.

She does all of this while also running a successful and time-consuming bed and breakfast that is known for its impeccable style and beauty.

Redwood Adventures Announces the Second Annual National Trails Day

  ORICK, Calif. - April 17, 2008 - Redwood Adventures, a division of Redwood Parks Lodge Company, today announced it will host its the Second Annual National Trails Day, in conjunction with the American Hiking Society, on June 7, 2008 at the Redwood Adventure Center, located approximately three miles north of Orick, Calif., on Highway 101.

"Last year's National Trails Day event was enjoyed by more than 200 local residents and park visitors, alike," said Grant Roden, general manager for Redwood Adventures Tours. "Families and individuals took advantage of local trails by participating in bike rides, horseback rides, kayak trips and interpretive hikes guided by wildlife experts and biologists. With additional tours, new businesses participating in the festival and local entertainment, this year's event is shaping up to be just as successful."

The National Trails Day celebration is designed to inspire the public to visit the trails in and  around the Redwood National and State Parks and to discover, learn about and celebrate the area while participating in guided tours, gear demonstrations, educational exhibits, art, food and music. New tours for 2008 include a history tour of Orick in the Fun Bus, a cross-country fun run and a Native American interpretive hike, among others.

Exhibitions and demonstrations will be presented by health professionals, schools, historical societies, hospitals, transportation planners, youth groups, natural history educators, businesses, artists, environmental organizations, senior citizen groups, fitness programs and other community-based organizations and associations.

Redwood Adventures' National Trails Day is part of the American Hiking Society's National Trails Day, where more than one million hikers, bikers, equestrians and others celebrate America's trails. While the American Hiking Society helps to promote events nationally, the majority of events are planned and carried out at the local level by conservation and recreation organizations, trail clubs and land management agencies. www.americanhiking.org

Space is limited on the tours. To reserve a spot, please email Grant Roden at grant@teamredwood.us.

For more information about National Trails Day hosted by Redwood Adventures (i.e. locations and details of the different tours, hikes and rides), please visit www.redwoodadventures.com.

About Redwood Adventures Tours
Redwood Adventures Tours, a division of Redwood Parks Lodge Company is one of a few companies permitted to conduct guided tours within the Redwood National and State Parks. Available tours range from one-hour orientation tours to customizable day tours and multi-night backcountry adventures. For more information or to book a tour please visit www.redwoodadventures.com or call 866-733-9637.

About Redwood Parks Lodge Company
Based in Orick, California and formed in 2002, Redwood Parks Lodge Company, Inc. is poised to become the leading lodging, hospitality and entertainment company serving outdoor lovers, vacationers, adventurers and travelers visiting the Redwood National and State Parks. The company owns approximately 68 acres of land on three parcels adjacent to or near the Redwood Parks system and bordered by Highway 101 in Orick.

The company's first phase development is completed, and it has totally refurbished six existing sawmill employee houses into luxurious, 1,200-square foot vacation cabins at Redwood Adventures Village, with each cabin featuring three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a full kitchen, a living room, an attached garage and more. Additionally, the company has secured permission to conduct guided tours, hikes and excursions throughout Redwood Parks and Humboldt County, as well as hold special events/festival services within the parks system.

In the future, Redwood Parks Lodge Company plans to develop a luxury lodge, resort hotels/meeting centers, restaurants, stores and recreational facilities on its three properties adjacent to/surrounded by Redwood National and State Parks. For more information, please visit www.redwoodparkslodge.com or www.redwoodadventures.com, or call 866-733-9637.

Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast of Lancaster PA

Experience a journey through several of the most celebrated culinary venues of Italy

Chef/Innkeeper Carl Kosko offers invaluable advice and recipes

New Holland, PA. – With the excitement of the 2008 season in the air, Chef/innkeeper Carl Kosko of Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast brings to light ways to WOW your dinner guest with specific detailed regional Italian Cooking.  In a weekend filled with not only cooking advice, but fine dining experiences and informative tours, Harvest Moon B&B’s, “Bella Luna Weekend” (Beautiful Moon) offers the ideal “edutaining” getaway.  Learn how to expertly prepare the simplest of ingredients into a work of art in your kitchen.  The Harvest Moon Bella Luna Weekend is scheduled for May 16^th and 17^th and October 17^th and 18^th.  These weekend packages include recipes for traditional takes on classic Italian Cooking and demonstrations on how to prepare them, along with an evening of fine dining topped off with a tour to the Central Market where the Amish sell their produce and meats each morning.  All of this is set at The Harvest Moon B&B, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, where the clip clop of Amish buggies is heard in tune with the chopping of fresh herbs, and both combine to offer the perfect culinary excursion.

At the heart of Harvest Moon’s Tuscan Retreat Cooking Weekend is a demonstration of wonderful new ways to prepare traditional Tuscan dishes.  Watch as Chef Carl prepares the following recipes, which all participants will take home.

Guests who take part in the weekend package will enjoy a four-course gourmet meal at a local gourmet restaurant and also a wonderful cheese tasting back at Harvest Moon.  Suggestions for pairings with wines will be included, and guests are welcome to bring their favorite wines to enjoy with the Antipasti tasting.  The weekend will conclude with a tour of Lancaster’s Central Market, where Amish and Mennonite farmers bring their produce and meat to sell each day.

Top this culinary adventure off with romantic accommodations including two-story suites and Jacuzzi tubs, and the Harvest Moon B&B’s “Bella Luna Weekend” will be the perfect way to enjoy your culinary vacation.

The “Bella Luna Weekend” includes:

• Breakfast each morning
• A collection of Italian Recipes extracted from personal travels and well loved cookbooks
• “Bella Luna” cooking demonstration
• Four course dinner one night
• Antipasti tasting
• Tour of Lancaster’s Central Market
• A fine gift from Harvest Moon

All for $275.00 per couple (not including tax)

In order to keep the weekend personalized, limited space is available.  Book now by calling 888-824-3763 or visit www.harvestmoonbandb.com

On Saturday, May 10, three area bed and breakfasts will guide tourists and locals on a path sure to please all five senses.

With the help of local experts and nurseries, they will explore all facets of herbs – starting with aesthetically pleasing additions to gardens, whether in containers, traditional herb gardens or intermingled with favorite perennial partners.

They’ll learn the medicinal properties, new ways to use both the fragrance and taste of herbs and finish the day with a feast of a five-course herb-inspired dinner on Saturday night.

Not to be overlooked is the obvious “green” benefit of growing your own herbs and having them at hand whenever the inspiration arrives to make your own salad dressing, marinade, seasoning, or add an element of crisp flavor to any dish.  The fresh quality will certainly be the favored alternative to driving to the local store and buying plastic-encased herbs that have sat in warehouses, trucked across the country, or shipped from outside the US.

The package is offered at $250 per couple and includes all tours, tastings, lunch, dinner and transportation.  The event is open to the public.  Guests can arrange to stay at any of the bed and breakfasts and receive a special herb-inspired gift basket.

Mother's Day at The Whale and Ale, San Pedro, CA

The Whale & Ale Mother's Day Menu, Sunday, May 11th    2008. 

(Try to book early; this will sell out)
Chef David has gone overboard to make this year's menu exciting and different, and our menu prices are down to help you keep your expense low! 

From 1 till 8 p.m.  Children $7.95 to age 9, & half adult price to age 15

Homemade Butternut Squash Soup or
New England Clam Chowder; with diced smoked bacon, & ocean clams
The Whale & Ale house salad of fresh mixed lettuces with blue cheese, mushrooms, walnuts & peppery homemade creamy dressing
Whale & Ale Crab Cakes; served with mixed greens and citrus dressing
Grilled Tiger Shrimp: six jumbo shrimp marinated in chile oil breaded, grilled & served with mango butter sauce
Ploughman's plate: one grilled English 'banger' sausage, small house salad wedge of English Cheddar cheese, Branstone pickle

Fish & Chips: Atlantic Cod deep fried in beer batter & English chips 14.95
Petrale sole with lemon/caper/butter sauce - fresh petrale sole breaded in panko bread crumbs, sauteed & served with fresh vegetable 16.95
Blackened Salmon with corn salsa: Fresh salmon dipped in Cajun spices served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables   17.95
Baked Salmon: fresh Scottish salmon filet with spinach & tomatoes baked in herb butter sauce; steamed potatoes 19.55

Carved Fresh Roast Turkey: Mashed fresh potatoes, gravy, stuffing & cranberry Sauce 14.25

Twice-roasted Duckling & Cumberland sauce (redcurrants simmered in port wine with citrus juices); green beans, mashed potatoes 18.50
Bangers & Mash: two large English Pork sausages grilled & served with mashed russet potatoes, gravy & Coleman's mustard 14.75
Roast Rack of New Zealand Lamb: rubbed with garlic, mild mustard & rosemary; rolled in fresh breadcrumbs, baked to your liking; mashed fresh potato & creamed spinach  24.00
Shepherd's Pie: our famous pie with ground roast leg of lamb, ground filet, peas & carrots topped with mashed potato; browned in the oven 16.55
Roast Prime Rib of Beef au jus, chive mashed potatoes & creamed spinach...
English cut (eight ounces) is thinly sliced 14.95   & King's cut 16oz 19.25
Grilled Filet mignon under melted blue cheese, vegetables, mashed potatoes 22.65
Desserts & Puddings
Cumberland Sticky Toffee Pudding & vanilla ice cream
English Sherry Trifle with whipped cream
Queens Apple* in pastry with cinnamon & brown sugar; vanilla custard cream
Seasonal Fresh fruit with marscapone cheese & raspberry sorbet
Old Fashioned Raisined Bread Pudding & homemade caramel sauce
Tea and English scone, whipped cream and jam

The Whale and Ale - San Pedro, CA

LA Harbor International Film Festival

The LA Harbor International Film Festival (LAHIFF) showcases film and video that reflects the harbor & all that it embraces - shipping & commerce, fishing, sailing, water sports, sea life & the area's rich ethnic & cultural influences - to create a cinematic bridge between the people of the region & the people of the world.

This is the fifth LAHIFF, a non-competitive, non-juried festival, with programming by invitation. It includes a variety of film & videos from around the world; & educational programs for youth & the general audience.

Film Festival Dates 2008: April 24th, 25th, & 26th.

Visit the website & go to Press Room for latest announcements.
Get Involved! Become a Volunteer

At The Warner Grand Theatre San Pedro,CA

Saturday April 19, 2008 
LIVE! Onstage at the historic Warner Grand Theatre @ 8:00 PM
478 West 6th Street, San Pedro
Don't miss this exciting performance by Jason and Nolan Livesay - live on stage at the historic Warner Grand Theatre!

Presented by San Pedro's Golden State Pops Orchestra, this is an evening of unparalleled entertainment in an unique setting & is sure to delight music lovers of all ages.

You will be overwhelmed by the talent of Jason & Nolan Livesay.  Singers - Composers - Song Writers - Violinists - Stage Personalities - the list goes on & on.  You will not want to miss this experience!  The only other place you can witness a show of this caliber is if you're lucky enough to be scheduled for a cruise when they happen to be booked as performers. Many regulars have been looking forward to this concert since last season.

            Golden State Pops Orchestra $25/$15 

Buy tickets at: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=150938

LA Harbor International Film Festival:  April (24), 25, 26, 27

Sat May 3   The Band's Visit (Israel) Foreign film series 7:30 p.m.            

Tickets:  http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=149465

Sun May 4   Mary Poppins SING-ALONG event! (1964) 2 p.m.  $10            

Tickets:  http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=148804

Sat May 10 Da Camera Society performs 4 p.m.- $43/$39/$35 Billy Childs' Chamber Jazz"

Visit the Whale and Ale for even more information.