MICROSOFT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL KEEP GUESTS CONNECTEDAT SHERATON’S NEWLY BRANDED SIGNATURE COMMUNICATIONS HUB:“LINK AT SHERATON EXPERIENCED WITH MICROSOFT”  WHITE PLAINS, NY – May 14, 2008 – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. announced today a partnership to implement products and services at the “Link @ Sheraton,” its signature communications hub rolling out in Sheraton lobbies this year. Under the agreement, Sheraton will also co-brand and rename the space “The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft.” The partnership is one component of a comprehensive effort to enhance and differentiate the guest experience at Sheraton’s 408 hotels across 75 countries, currently rolling out globally.   Sheraton’s Link is a unique virtual and physical lobby lounge space that meets the needs of Sheraton’s core guests by enabling them to work, relax and remain connected with friends and family during their travels. It offers a unique and convenient online experience, including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, to allow guests to email, search the Web, review local attractions and even print up boarding passes. Through its relationship with Microsoft, the new, enhanced “Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft” will offer Windows-based computers providing visitors with search, maps, email and information. In addition, many Link computers will also feature webcams, allowing guests to have free video-chats or email video postcards back home. Guests will also have access to televisions, daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.

April 26. Everything you need to know about diabetes and healthy living under one roof. Phoenix Convention Center South Halls D-E, 8:30am-3pm. Free and open to the public. For information, call 602 861 4731 or visit www.diabetes.org

In its ongoing efforts to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center is gearing up for its sixth-annual research conference on Friday, April 25th in downtown Phoenix.

The free conference runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arizona Club atop Chase Tower. The interdisciplinary center is part of the School of Social Work in ASU’s College of Public Programs at the Downtown Phoenix campus.

For more info about the Conference, contact Corey Schubert, Media Relations, ASU College of Public Programs at (602) 496-0406 or Corey.Schubert@asu.edu

I was very hungry at about 11 AM today and was in search of a place to grab some breakfast.  Drove by Matt's Big Breakfast but the line was way too long for me.  Had a "bright idea" that I would maybe stop at the Downtown Public Market and grab something to eat and check up on things there.  I happened on a Vendor Booth serving Breakfast Burritos, sorry I didn't grab their card or remember their name, but armed with my Breakfast Burrito, I headed over to the seating area where I proceeded to devour my Breakfast Burrito while listening to a very "smooth" jazz trio called MJS.  I'm assuming that MJS are the first initials of the trio's members.  Anyway, they were very talented and pleasant people as well.  They had some very attentive fans including a couple of "extremely young fellows" who you can spot in the photo in this post. 

As I was leaving, had the opportunity to take a photo of some lovely ladies visiting the Market from the Sun Lakes area.

The Downtown Public Market is open on Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM and Wednesdays from 4 PM to 8 PM.

You will learn how to combine herbs to create a culinary delight in a container or the ground. Herbs grow well in the heat. This class will focus on summer growing herbs. Learn how to select quality, healthy herbs. Where are the best places in the valley to buy seeds or transplants? Should you start seeds or use transplants? Does it matter if I plant certain herbs together in the same container? What if I live in a condo and don’t have a yard for a garden? All of these mysteries will be solved on this fun session. Bring paper and pen for notes. Outline of course available for students.

Wednesday, April 16th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Downtown Public Market Meeting Room - 721 N Central - SE Corner of Central & McKinley.

Fee for the class is $10. 

For more info contact Doreen at 602 275 5368 or gardengoddess@down2earthgardens.com

Classes are sponsored by the Phoenix Permaculture Guild

There will lbe ots of people on bicycles in Downtown Phoenix this Saturday, April 12th, competing for the State Championship Criterium sponsored by RideClean.  Races start as early as 6:30 AM for 10 year old folks and continue until mid-afternoon for all ages, even seniors.  I think you can still register if you want to race or you can show up and watch the action.

details online

March 29. This expo is about supporting a healthy, physical, emotional, spiritual and economic balance in everyday life. Phoenix Convention Center, 10am-6pm. For information & registration, call 480-279-0836 or visit www.azfocusmagazine.com 

Another free Seminar in the ASU Lunchtime Lecture Series:

Tuesday, March 25th from Noon to 1 PM at the Mercado - 502 E Monroe:

Free but must RSVP 24 hours before the lecture to asulectures@asu.edu

Presented by Karen S. Danner

Wellness coach Karen Danner has created a special follow-up program to her weight-loss presentation last January and is returning with more information to help you with your weight-loss goals. Karen will discuss how factors such as time, motivation, family, a starting point, etc. all contribute to the process of weight-loss. She'll clarify the practices that are essential for success and how to deal with the simple things that often trip you up on your way to a healthy, fabulous body.

About the Speaker

Karen S. Danner has been described as an inspiring and gifted lecturer, wellness coach and author. She is the Founder of Love Yourself Well, a wellness education and promotion company, and is an advocate of living well and living from the heart. Movement is at the core of her message.

Karen is adjunct faculty at Arizona State University in addition to other higher education entities. She has appeared on television stations across the U.S. as well as local and national radio, helping thousands to express and live in a state of greater well-being.

Ms. Danner is the author of "Life Moves," an exercise lifestyle integration book, which helps create depth around exercise.

The Link @ Sheraton will offer a unique and convenient online experience that will enable guests to surf the Internet, email loved ones, review local favorite attractions and even print up boarding passes. Customized features include free Wi-Fi and broadband Internet-enabled lounge installations in Sheraton hotel lobbies. The Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft was born out of guests' needs to have a sense of community and belonging while on the road.  In keeping with Sheraton's core values of warm, comforting, connections, the Link@Sheraton provides a place within Sheraton where guests can keep up with what's important to them, where they can work, relax, fit in and feel part of a community. 

The Link Café, which will be conveniently located next to the Link@Sheraton, will open early every day offering freshly brewed Starbucks® coffee, breakfast pastries, fresh fruit and sandwich selections. It's the perfect spot to relax over a cup of coffee, or grab one to go.

Wanna learn Hawaiian Hula?  

Phoenix Public Library partners with the Aloha Festival to present a series of programs highlighting Hawaiian dance, music and body art.

“The Art of Hawaiian Hula”-- Hula instructor Kaimi Valdez and dancers from the award-winning Kaimikahu’s Hale O Hula will demonstrate the energy, grace and style of Hawaiian Hula.

March 5 – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.

Get details about the rest of the lineup featuring "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" and "Polynesian Tattooing"