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NEW YORK, NY – Restaurants at Loews Hotels across the country will be celebrating healthy eating while promoting the importance of environmental awareness in a number of engaging ways through an “Adopt a Carrot” program for kids from August 16 – September 6, 2010.

Under Loews’ “Adopt-A-Farmer” program, an initiative supporting partnerships with area farmers, fishermen and independent purveyors, “Adopt a Carrot” is centered on an interactive menu that teaches younger restaurant-goers the importance of supporting farmers and saving the environment. In addition to healthy options featuring carrots – such as carrot muffins and carrot dippers – the colorful menu takes children on a journey through their surroundings and the impact they have on the planet. Fun facts and games incorporate recycling tips, energy-saving methods and other ways kids can help make a difference.

In partnership with Burpee, one of America’s oldest and most-trusted home garden companies, over 15,000 kids dining at 17 Loews Hotels in the U.S. from August 16 – September 6 will receive a complimentary package of carrot seeds with planting directions to bring the “Adopt a Carrot” experience home.

“Carrots are a tasty and incredibly healthy vegetable, rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, fat-free, low in sodium and a good source of fiber,” said Ellen Burke Van Syke, Loews Hotels creative director of F&B. “Because they are so good, and so good for you, carrots are the perfect extension for children of Loews’ ‘Adopt-A-Farmer’ program. Through the special menu and the partnership with Burpee, our younger guests can enjoy a well-rounded, engaging experience that they can continue to enjoy at home.”

“Adopt a Carrot” menus are featured in one of every Loews Hotels restaurants around the country. The special children’s menus feature multiple entrée and dessert choices, along with a variety of drink options. Prices vary by location and offer is good while supplies last.

Now that the summer reached its midpoint some vacation memories were already made and some are still waiting to happen. Many kids already went camping, fishing or canoeing with their families. All of them are invited to take part in a contest for the “most awesome summer story”.

Beata Antoszek from MomandDadcamping.com says: ”This is a contest for kids up to 16 years of age. It encourages their creativity and independent thinking. It is also a great way to practice writing skills during the summer months, when a lot of knowledge learned at school is idle or being forgotten. Now is a good time to put it in use in a fun way.”

The contest, first announced at the end of June, encourages children to write their own story about their most awesome summer adventure. Preferably it would be a story about a camping trip adventure, but other stories about outdoors and nature are also welcome. For full details about contest requirements go here.

Beata adds: ”We all love summer, but kids love it the most. It is their hard earned rest time and play time. Most kids have some wonderful memories they like to share with their families and friends back home, but they may need some encouragement to write about it. It is their parents’ job to give them a nudge to put words to paper. We would like to see some funny and inspiring stories from children, to see the world through their eyes again.”

All entrants will be rewarded by being published on the MomandDadCamping.com website. The two winners will get digital cameras. Maybe next year they will be able to enter a photo contest.

San Diego, CA – Innovators and leaders in providing Adventure Travel since 1997, the company specializes in customizing the best honeymoons while exceeding the expectations of even the most discerning traveler. They carefully select small distinctive properties, activities and locations where you will find less people, experience more culture, and indulge in the luxury a honeymoon deserves.

“One of the reasons couples choose Adventure Honeymoons is our unique ability to combine expertise in adventure travel with our interest and knowledge of honeymoons”. said Roseann Iovine, President of Adventure Honeymoons.

Adventure Honeymoons fills the often neglected but active honeymoon market by offering a dynamic selection of destinations, packaged with adventure options sure to please newlyweds looking for that little bit extra. “Almost 90% of our trips are personally designed by experienced adventure consultants who work with the couple every step of the way” said Roseann Iovine, President of Adventure Honeymoons. Popular adventures include diving the Great Barrier Reef, exploring majestic New Zealand, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, or simply indulging in a luxury Fiji Honeymoon.

Lexington, KY –
Hyatt Regency Lexington recently announced that BlueFire Bar & Grill is now open in the lobby of the hotel. The $1 million Lexington restaurant features a full bar as well as daily breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

Centrally located in the heart of downtown Lexington, BlueFire Bar & Grill’s menu features traditional Southern foods served in a contemporary way. Cuisine is prepared using the freshest ingredients from local farms whenever possible to complement area craft beers and Bourbons. Examples of the regionally inspired dishes include Kentucky-raised Bison Steak, Bourbon-glazed Salmon, traditional Kentucky Burgoo atop penne pasta and a Mint Julep Crème Brûlée. Dedicated to exceeding expectations, bartenders and servers are certified by the Kentucky Distillers Association in the history and distillation process of making Bourbon.

“The menu is fun and diverse with options for diners who want to have drinks and hors d’oeuvres or a full-course meal,” said David Lord, president of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The restaurant has dramatically changed for the better and offers a vibrant and sophisticated dining option that travelers to Lexington will enjoy.”

With its proximity to Rupp Arena, the Lexington dining destination is expected to be a favorite for downtown residents, concert-goers and University of Kentucky fans. The new restaurant and bar has an upscale ambiance with bamboo flooring, flat-panel HDTVs, sofa seating and free Wi-Fi service. The restaurant also features a unique color-changing LED lighting element and a soothing fountain in the main dining area.

“BlueFire’s open, upscale atmosphere feels inviting when you enter the hotel,” said Bob Quick, Commerce Lexington president and CEO. “Hyatt Regency has made a significant investment in Lexington that will continue to have a positive impact on our local economy. We’re excited to see improvements happening downtown that benefit both residents and visitors.”