San Francisco Feeds its Guests Well

If you have a healthy appetite for good food and good drink, then visiting San Francisco is probably a great plan for you. While you are visiting, there are several places that you really should check out. Not only do these great places offer tours that will explain how they make their goodies, but many of them also offer samples. Even better, some of the tours are absolutely free.
While not every good thing in life is free, there is no doubt that some of the best things are. Among those outstanding freebies is a tour of the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory. I love dark chocolate and while I won't go so far as to say they have the best dark chocolate (can't do that as I haven't tried all the dark chocolate there is to have in the world), I will say that there dark chocolate is definitely among the best. The only drawbacks I have found is that children must be at least 10 years old to attend, you must make reservations and you have to wear close-toed shoes (I live in Birkenstock's so this is a minus for me). I really believe that their chocolate is worth the sacrifice however and will gladly send the husband off with the kids to the arcade for an afternoon while I enjoy learning more about this awesome chocolate, err, chocolate company. The tours are free which means if you don't have young children it isn't too difficult to talk your traveling companion into going with you. If for some odd reason there is resistance you can always use the divide and conquer rule. Let them do an activity that you don't relish while you enjoy yours.
Second on my list is Takara Sake. Another freebie, I can't seem to help myself. The Takara Sake Company has a museum that is free of charge and opened daily from noon until 6:00 pm. This museum contains historic implements for making sake as well as a history of sake making in the USA. This is the only museum of its kind in the USA and is well worth taking a look. While you are there, you should consider participating in a sake tasting, which is free as well.
Another must see freebie on my list is the Jelly Belly Factory. See how these renowned beans are made and have a nice relaxing lunch at the café. This is a great way to beat the heat and have a nice relaxing and educational afternoon. Your kids will love you for it.
If you like beer or just know someone who does, the tour of the Anheuser-Bush Brewery will surely be a highlight of your trip. This is another great freebie that will educate and entertain guests of all ages. All ages are welcome and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Samples are available to those who are legally old enough to partake. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and definitely worth checking out.
If these tours aren't enough to keep you happy and full, there are plenty of restaurants in and around San Francisco in addition to a many wineries that will be sure to satisfy your thirsts. San Francisco is a city that definitely wants its visitors to leave well fed and content with drink. The really great thing about visiting any of these places is the fact that most of them have stores where you can purchase plenty of their products to bring home with you.

The History behind the New York Post

New York is known for many things, the Statue of Liberty, New York fashion week and among other things, HBO's Sex and the City. But before we forget, oftentimes overshadowed by the immensely popular the New York Times, there's another popular New York daily newspaper that has actually been around as far back as in the 1800s.
The New York Evening Post or the New York Post, was actually founded by Alexander Hamilton, who then chose William Coleman to be its first editor-in-chief way back in the New York Post's humble beginnings. After William Coleman's short reign as the New York Post's editor-in-chief, he was then replaced by another William, a William Cullen Bryant, way back in 1829. A fruitful 50 year reign as the New York Post's editor-in chief, William Cullent Bryant was a staunch believer of defending the rights of those who are being enslaved, William Cullent Bryant also showed strong support for the emerging trade union back then. He even went as far as defending the strike of the Society of Journeyman Tailors by trying to link their strike with slavery back in June 1836.
The year 1881 had the New York Post welcoming Henry Villard at its helm. Henry Villard was a German immigrant possessing strong political views, had a profound influence on the New York Post. He then tapped Carl Schurz who was another German radical thinker to be the new managing editor of the New York Post. But Carl Schurz career with the New York Post was short-lived, he was actually replaced by the former editor of the Nation (another publication that was owned by Henry Villard), a man named Edwin Godkin stepped up to manage the New York Post.Henry Villard's death back in the 1900s brought the New York Post to the hands of Villard's son, Oswald Garrison Villard, who, like his father, also had radical views and opinions concerning politics, women's suffrage, reform in the trade union and (like his father) fighting for equal rights African Americans.
A true advocate for human rights, Oswald Garrison Villard was one of the founding members of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People or NAACP as well as the American Civil Liberties Union or ACTU. In spite of being headstrong with his advocacies, Oswald Garrison Villard was also a popular pacifist, he highly opposed for the American's participation in the first World War. But this proved to backfire on him as his readers were strong supporters of patriotism so Oswald Garrison Villard, due to the protests of his readers and the pulling out of his advertisers, was forced to sell the New York Post in the year 1918.1939 saw the New York Post with Dorothy Schiff at its helm. Schiff then asked Ted Thackrey as its new editor-in-chief, who actually turned the daily into a streamlined tabloid. Still its politics driven format was still being incorporated by the New York Post's new editor-in-chief, it highly supported progressive politics and was actually the only newspaper in New York City who openly supported the campaign of the democratic party's presidential bet, Adlai Stevenson.
But Schiff's stay with the New York Post ended with Australian Rupert Murdoch acquiring the newspaper back in 1977.

Excalibur Hotel and Casino Brings Magic to Life

If you are harboring thoughts of bringing the family for a Las Vegas vacation, then perhaps you should seriously consider a stay at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. This hotel will have you feeling as though you've stepped into the fairy tales of your childhood. From the moment you cross the threshold from the outside world to the charmed existence of life in the hotel you will find that you have truly been charmed and are leading a somewhat enchanted existence.
Not only is there the magnificent casino to enjoy, there is also the wonderful pool, links golf, the castle walk for your shopping pleasure, and the midway where you can play all kinds of fun and exciting arcade and carnival games. Perhaps one of the most memorable and impressive of offerings is the Tournament of Kings dinner show. This show is offered nightly at 6:00 and 8:30 and you will eat in the manner of those in medieval times, without utensils while watching the evil wizard Mordred as he invades the evening festivities. This show is quite enjoyable and relies heavily upon audience participation.
Dining in the hotel and casino can be quite the adventure without the assistance of horses and actors as there are several dining options including the Roundtable Buffet, The Steakhouse at Camelot, Regale Italian Eatery, Sherwood Forest Café, and how could we forget Sir Galahad's Pub and Prime Rib House?
If you're looking for the fairytale wedding of your dreams, then Excalibur has the package for you. You can even elect to rent medieval costumes in which to get married. There are many different packages available to fit various budgets and wedding needs. Wedding packages vary in price from around $400 plus $55 for the cost of the minister to around $1575 plus the cost of the minister. These are all rather basic packages and do not include extras such as costume rentals, extra poses for the wedding photos, or video and candle services.
Before your big day make sure you make liberal use of the spa services available at Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Of course this is a great idea even if you are just hoping to relax while on vacation. You remember relaxation right? That is what you did on occasion before you had children. You should definitely get the royal treatment that is available through the spa and enjoy every minute of your visit. Some of the spa services offered at Excalibur include: facials, wraps, Aveda facials, and various massages. There are add on services that can be purchased and packages available. This is a great way to spend an hour or three before your big day or any day.
Once you've finished getting pampered at the spa, step on over to Kristina's Salon and get primped. You can enjoy everything from manicures to full service hair styling services. Whether you are preparing for your big day and saying "I do!" or simply for a romantic evening on the strip this is a great place to begin.
Excalibur also offers full service catering and convention services. Whether you are hosting a wedding reception or a company convention we have the facilities as well as the expertise to keep everything operating seamlessly behind the scenes so that all eyes will be on the things that are important. Projections and profits for the corporate conventions and the bride and groom for wedding receptions.
Excalibur Hotel Casino can meet almost any lodging and accommodation needs for those staying and playing in Las Vegas, more than that we can provide a great 'fairy tale' atmosphere for your family vacation or just your big trip in general. If you haven't given proper consideration to the idea of staying here during your visit, I highly encourage that you do-especially if you have a little princess in your party that you are trying to impress.