Caneel Bay invites you to ‘disconnect’ in pristine natural surroundings and low-key luxury. The exclusive resort, nestled within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, remains faithful to the vision of founder Laurance Rockefeller and his reverence for the environment.

Seven secluded white sand beaches border 170 lush acres where Caneel’s accommodations have been artfully built to blend into the landscape. A true escape, the resort remains purposefully absent of modern glitz, digital distractions and the furious pace of the world at home.

Caneel Bay is a Rosewood Resort found on the pristine island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The resort recently took the top ranking in the category of Tennis Resorts and Camps in a survey taken by Tennis Resorts Online.

Caneel Bay was awarded the number one position in the Caribbean and number five overall. That makes it the only resort in the Caribbean region to make the Top Ten. Who knew you could find world class tennis on St. John’s?

The Top 100 rankings were recently posted on the Tennis Resorts Online website, and were compiled using survey data from “vacationers like you: people who pay for their holiday and have every reason to be objective about the experience.”

Site members were asked to evaluate tennis resorts and camps in 16 different categories, “including all aspects of the tennis experience.” The reviews from this survey scored Caneel Bay a “Gold Medal” overall, placing it in the company of the 25 best tennis resorts in the world.

For tennis lovers, Caneel Bay features an 11 court tennis facility that is managed by Peter Burwash International. A full schedule of tennis programs and round robins are implemented daily by the resort’s knowledgeable tennis staff, lead by the resident Tennis Pro, Patrick Alle.

Caneel Bay is set on 170 acres in Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. The property houses one hundred and sixty-six guest rooms, all of which are in close proximity to any of seven white-sand beaches that surround the resort.

Guests may dine at any of four distinct restaurants. The private Wine Room offer is available as well. In addition, guests may relax in the Self Centre, which is dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and spirit and the fitness center. Turtle Town is a dedicated facility just for the kiddies.

Wet Republic, an alluring 53,000-square-foot ultra pool combining an exclusive nightlife vibe with poolside pampering and relaxation.

An adults-only mecca for discerning party goers, the glitterati and celebrities, Wet Republic will feature distinct experiences within a series of intimate spaces and redefine poolside entertainment as the first ultra pool in the world’s sexiest city.

Elite VIP service, high-end amenities and renowned entertainers will be the standard at Wet Republic.

While Wet Republic’s main area will entertain the crowds, the highest level will serve as an exclusive escape with six VIP bungalows, three private spas and dedicated restrooms.

Bathed in beiges, browns and ruby red, the ultramodern bungalows will be decked out with plush offerings including a king-sized day bed, teakwood furniture, giant flat screen TV, video game console with the latest games, DVD library, fully stocked mini fridge, ceiling fan, telephone, personal safe and more. Complimentary Wi-Fi will be offered throughout Wet Republic. Sheer drapery will offer optional seclusion for moments of privacy.

Each bungalow will boast a panoramic view of Wet Republic and have pool-goers salivating for a chance to reign at the top of the party scene.  Full review

Have you ever peaked into a friend’s medicine cabinet and shocked to think you were staring into a pharmacy’s inventory stockroom?  Well you’re not alone.

Recent studies show that more and more Americans are taking prescription drugs, and in increasing quantities.

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that analyzes health care issues, says that from 1994 to 2005, it’s estimated that the number of prescriptions purchased increased 71% (from 2.1 billion to 3.6 billion) compared with a 9% growth in the U.S. population.
More recently, a study by Medco Health Solutions is showing for the first time that a majority of insured Americans, 51%, took prescription drugs to treat at least one chronic health problem last year, and one-fifth of the population used three or more chronic drug treatments.

So what is actually happening?  Are that many people really sick and require all these drugs?

Or it billions in advertising from the huge pharmaceutical companies who are brainwashing us into buying their pricey drugs?

Full article

Photo by: Dale Walsh

Bubba Gumps is a really fun place to dine. Shrimp heaven to say the least. Ocean front dining in Lahaina, Bubba Gumps is a great place to stop for lunch. The menu is moderate in price starting at $12.95 and capping at about $22.00.

Bubba Gump’s is like a box of chocolates!  You never know what the great tasting food you’re going to eat there.

Bubba Gumps is open for both lunch and dinner. The menu is the same all day, so take advantage of the ambience during the day for lunch, or and early dinner. The views are outstanding of the waterfront.

The fun at Bubba Gumps begins with the license plates on the table. The license plates (sign) flips up with one side stating “Run Forrest Run” and the other side stating “Stop Forrest Stop”.

If you want the server to stop the license plate must be showing “Stop Forrest Stop”. You will be surprised how quick they stop when you flip the sign over. The staff at Bubba Gump will also come around to the tables and quiz you on the movie Forrest Gump.

The very best thing about Bubba Gump’s is the view. Do whatever you can to sit at one of the tables that overlook the water. Then order a blue Hawaiian,  throw back some fried stuff, and enjoy the scenery.

Good food and good service. A must for dining in Lahaina, Maui.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s popularity soared in the early 2000s through the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) and since then he has crossed over into movie stardom.

Dwayn Johnson, born May 2, 1972, in Hayward, Calif., came to South Florida in 1990 to play football for the University of Miami Hurricanes, where he was a “walkon” non-scholarship player, playing defensive tackle behind Warren Sapp, an eventual first-round draft choice and all-pro.

After college, Johnson played football for two months with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL (Canadian Football League), then was released.Johnson next followed his famous father’s and his grandfather’s footsteps and became a professional wrestler.

After a short training stint in 1995, he competed for the WWF under the names Flex Cavana and Pidlaoan Rock, then Rocky Maiavia (a combination of his father’s and grandfather’s names), before turning “babyface,” in wrestling lingo and become the Rock.

His signature lines included: “If you smell what the Rock is cooking,” referring to himself in the third person. He also would raise just one eyebrow for “the People’s Eyebrow” and refer to wrestlers who continually lost matches as “jabronis.”

In Hollywood, Dwayne Johnson achieved success with The Mummy Returns (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), a remake of Walking Tall (2004) and Disney’s The Game Plan (2007).

Dwayne Johnson essentially retired from wrestling in 2003, although he makes guest appearances with the WWE. He also has appeared on Saturday Night Live numerous times, done commercial endorsements and organized a charity to help dole out a portion of the reported $33 million-plus he has earned as a professional wrestler.

Irony, as we know, is part of life. And death. Is there a better word to use regarding Lou Gehrig?

Think of his nickname: “The Iron Horse.” It implies endurance. It recalls an indestructible man, one who never called in sick for almost 14 years — 2,130 consecutive games, as if we could ever forget that number?

And yet, at age 35, in what should have been the prime of his life, the Yankees first baseman contracted an incurable disease. Two years later, at 37, The Iron Horse was dead.

See full article – ESPN

Sexy French fashion model Laetitia Casta was born in Port-Audemere in Normandy, France on May 11, 1978.

Laetitia Casta is a beautiful 5’7″ model and was discovered at the age of 15 years old when Casta was building sandcastles with her sister at a beach in Corsica.

Young beautiful Laetitia Casta was encouraged by a photographer to visit Paris for some test model shots.  In just a few short  weeks later,  Laetitia Casta was walking down the fashion runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier.

In addition to modeling, Laetitia  Casta has appeared in various French films. Back in 2001, Casta she gave birth to her daughter Sahteene, and Laetitia currently splits her time between two homes – one in London and the other in New York.

Those of you who think outside the box and have been fantasizing about a unique way to get married ….. you may want to try this new destination. Carrie Bradshaw found solace in the Registrar’s Office to get hitched, but you may want to try Space!

Japanese space transportation provider Rocketplane Kistler and wedding planner “First Advantage” have come together in this creative venture, that will allow soon-to-be-wed couples to take their vows in space.

The complete wedding package aboard the Rocketplane XP suborbital space plane will cost 240 million yen ($2.2 million). The price includes a wedding ceremony aboard a 1-hour space flight that reaches an altitude of more than 100 kilometers (62.1 miles), as well as a photo and video album, original dress, wedding certificate and other ceremonial items.
The price also includes cost of transportation to and from the launch site, accommodations, a live broadcast of the ceremony to friends and family at a reception hall on the ground, and 4 days of rehearsal.

The space wedding services are scheduled to begin in 2011, but you start applying early next month.

Sadly, a comedic legend has passed away.  George Carlin was a strong advocate of free speech. His work has been the cornerstone of comedy for decades.

He’s most famous for his hilarious routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television.”  The bit was so controversial, that it ended up being a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity.

Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, went into St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died later that evening, said his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. He was 71.

When his seven taboo words were played on a New York radio station, they resulted in a 1978 Supreme Court ruling upholding the government’s authority to sanction stations for broadcasting offensive language during hours when children might be listening.
“So my name is a footnote in American legal history, which I’m perversely kind of proud of,” he told The Associated Press earlier this year.

George Carlin produced 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, three books, a couple of TV shows and appeared in several movies, from his own comedy specials to “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” in 1989

Carlin was born on May 12, 1937, and grew up in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan, raised by a single mother.

Carlin’s first wife, Brenda, died in 1997. He is survived by wife Sally Wade; daughter Kelly Carlin McCall; son-in-law Bob McCall; brother Patrick Carlin; and sister-in-law Marlene Carlin.

Sarah Jessica Parker transitioned effortlessly into to a hectic and wide-ranging acting career. She has worked non-stop and shown her range and talent on stage, the big screen and television. She returns on the big screen, starring once again as Carrie Bradshaw in the hit movie “Sex and The City”.

Sarah Jessica Parker made the transition to feature films beginning in 1979, when she appeared in “Rich Kids”, followed by “Footloose” and “Firstborn”. Cast mostly as brainy or intense characters, Parker saw praise for her cleverly comic role opposite Steve Martin in “L.A. Story” in 1991.

Parker then returned to Broadway to co-star with future husband Matthew Broderick in the musical revival “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”.

In 1998, Sarah Jessica Parker returned to series television in the trendy comedy “Sex and the City,” winning awards for her role as the steadfastly independent but psychologically needy Carrie.

Parker would take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2001, and win Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.

Thanks to her stylish character’s fashion savvy, Parker also become one of Hollywood’s hottest sexy celebrities of the late 1990s and early 2000s, known for her exceptional taste, new age accessories and always magnificent footwear.

Parker then returned to comedy starring alongside Matthew McConaughey in “Failure to Launch” (2006) about a thirty something slacker who suspects his parents of setting him up with his dream girl so he’ll finally vacate their home.

The airline industry is a mess. Flight delays, poor customer service, soaring ticket prices, skyrocketing fuel costs.

But there’s one segment that’s flourishing like never before – private jets.  We’re not just talking about the sleek small versions, but these are commercial size aircraft that typically hold hundreds of passengers. These jets are now being customized and converted into luxury life-style playgrounds for the rich and famous.

“Money is not a problem,” said Tillman Paul, a designer with Jet Aviation in Switzerland, one of the largest firms for custom aircraft interior design.

Unlike conventional airlines concerned about fuel prices and a weakening economy, the luxury aircraft industry is fashioning aircraft into mansions in the sky.

Flush with cash from the greatest oil boom since the 1970s, Middle East patrons are increasingly spending their wealth on private aircraft. The number of millionaires in the UAE grew by 15 per cent in 2006 to 68,000, while Saudi Arabia topped 90,000, according to a recent study by Merrill Lynch, the investment bank, and Capgemini, a consulting firm.

Full article