Starwood doubles profit; Asia-Pacific soars - 2004-10-21 - Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

Starwood doubles profit; Asia-Pacific soars

Howard Dicus
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, the company behind the Sheraton, St. Regis, Westin and "W" lodging chain brands, more than doubled its profit in the summer quarter, the company said Thursday.

Travel has grown and Starwood has profited. Its revpars -- revenues per available room -- rose more than 12 percent from the same time last year, both across the United States and around the world. Asia-Pacific revpars were up 15.2 percent.

"The travel markets, both group and transient, remain strong," said outgoing CEO Barry Sternlicht, who this month has been handing the reins to former Coke executive Steve Heyer. "We remain optimistic. On the strength of our six brands, our global development pipeline is gaining momentum."

Third quarter at a glance:

Revenue: $1.37 billion. Year before: $1.14 billion.
Net income: $107 million. Year before: $48 million.
Per share: 50 cents. Year before: 20 cents.
One-time items inflated per share earnings, but they otherwise would have been 40 cents, still double last year and more than Wall Street expected.

In Waikiki, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is the largest single hotel campus, but the Sheraton brand accounts for slightly more rooms with four properties owned by Kyo-Ya, the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider and Princess Kaiulani.

Vacation ownership revenue, which excludes gains on sales of notes receivable, was up 36 percent to $175 million due to sales at resorts in Maui and three mainland locales.

New development planning continues for the owned Sheraton Kauai, the owned land at the Princeville resort in Kauai, and at properties in California and Mexico.

Marriott International earlier this month also reported 9 percent better revenues -- $2.2 billion -- and 45 percent better profits -- $133 million -- than in summer of last year. Hilton reports next week.

Reach Howard Dicus at hdicus@bizjournals.com

East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale

East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale

By Marija Potkonjak, Tribune
October 22, 2004
Now that it’s cooler, you want to hit the road this weekend and feel the wind in your hair, but the wheels in your driveway are more Al Bundy than Al Unser.

Or perhaps you’d like to explore the area in a way you’ve never done before — from the waters of Tempe Town Lake, or the sky above. Luckily, several companies offer the chance to tour the East Valley by land, water or air.

BY WATER

• RioLago Cruise, 990 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe Although the East Valley isn’t known for its waterways, RioLago Cruises offers novice boaters a chance to practice their nautical skills. Rent a kayak, paddle boat or electric-powered boat by the hour and explore Tempe Town Lake. If you’re looking for a group experience, RioLago offers 30-minute guided tours and a cocktail cruise 7:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Cruising the periphery of the lake is another way to view the remaining vestiges of ancient Salt River communities, said Roberta Brayer, general manger of RioLago Cruises. The details: Renters must be at least 18 years of age. When: 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Cost: $10 per hour for kayaks, $12 per hour for paddle boats, $40 per hour for electric-powered boats and $65 per hour for cruisers. Information: (480) 517-4050 or www.riolagocruise.com

BY LAND

• Rent-A-Vette, 1215 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe

Die-hard fans of the film "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" know there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than tooling around town in an exotic car. Rent-A-Vette in north Tempe offers everything from Porsches to Hummers and, of course, Corvettes.

"They’re fun cars," said Rick Cox, manager of Rent-A-Vette in Tempe. "It’s for status, for being seen."

For the most part, Cox’s clients are vacationers who drive these cars at home and aren’t willing to give up that luxury just because they’re on vacation. But "we get locals, moms and dads who don’t want to take the minivan out," he said. The details: Rates vary from $269 to $499 a day. Information: (888) 308-5995 or www.bnm.com/ravp.htm.

• Luci’s Joyrides, 4400 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 6, Scottsdale

You really can’t beat scooters and mo-peds if you’re looking for a no-hassle means of exploration, says Marguerite Williams, owner of Luci’s Joyrides in Scottsdale. Parking is easy, there’s no shifting and scooters usually get 100 miles to the gallon. They’re ideal for seeing the natural beauty of north Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree.

"I’d rather be in a scooter than a (BMW) Z4," says Ivan Hannel of Mesa. "As you drive around, you feel these microclimates. So in the summer you feel pockets of cool air, and in the winter you feel heat."

Hannel bought his first scooter from Williams, but keeps coming back to try out other models.

"It’s addictive," Hannel says. "Scooters are one of the best ways to get a feel for the East Valley. You can’t beat it. The views are fantastic, and you can stop on a dime."

The details: Day-rentals only. Anyone 18 and older can rent a mo-ped with a general driver’s license, but scooter renters must be at least 21 years of age and have a motorcycle endorsement on their license. Renters must also bring sunscreen, sunglasses and closed-toe shoes. When: 10 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. $75 for scooters, $45 for mo-peds. Information: (480) 990-1913

BY AIR

• Unicorn Balloon Co.
From the basket of a hot air balloon, you’ll see things you might miss from the road — the tops of saguaros, javelinas, coyotes and other desert dwellers.

"It’s pretty spectacular," says Greg Wellens, owner of Unicorn Balloon Co. "You’re only flying along at 2 miles per hour. You get a bird’s-eye perspective and a slow, tranquil, floating experience."

The balloons do climb above the tree line, reaching up to 3,000 feet. Balloon riders will see as far north as the snow-capped peaks of Flagstaff, says Wellens, a hot air balloon pilot for the past five years. The details: Hourlong balloon rides over the Sonoran Desert cost $150 per person, including a champagne breakfast. Company provides transportation to the launch site in Scottsdale. Information: (800) 755-0935.

Contact Marija Potkonjak by email, or phone (480) 898-6818

Five Reasons for a Family Nordic Ski Trip

Five Reasons for a Family Nordic Ski Trip

WINCHESTER, N.H., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A family ski trip evokes an image of fun and togetherness on the snow along with travel concerns about time, distance and affordability. A Nordic (also known as cross country) ski trip is a fun, enjoyable recreation for families, especially those with
infants, toddlers and school-age children. A Nordic ski trip eases family travel concerns. Cross Country Ski Areas Association,
an organization of over 200 North American Nordic centers, lists five reasons
to take a family Nordic trip.
1) Close to Home-With the demands on family time for work and play,
parents are hesitant to spend time driving to the mountains, waking
before dawn and returning after dark. The rising price of gasoline
has become a factor in destination decisions. Cross country skiing is
available on rolling farmland, local parks and golf courses. A CCSAA
member center offering groomed trails, rentals and lessons, is within
an hour's drive of most major metropolitan areas in the northern U.S.
2) Time Together-After a week in school or day care, there is no need to
separate the family during play. Infants can be carried in back
packs, toddlers drawn in sleds and kids as young as three can learn to
cross country ski or snowshoe. Even the family pet is welcome at
centers with dedicated dog trails. CCSAA centers provide rental
equipment, toddler sleds and lessons for kids.
3) Easy on the Pocketbook-Trail passes, rental equipment and lessons are
priced well below other winter recreation fees. Many cross country
vacation resorts include the use of the trails for free while staying
at the resort.
4) Develop a healthy lifestyle-According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, obesity has moved close to tobacco as the
number one health threat in the United States. An estimated 64.5% of
Americans are overweight or obese. The percentage of overweight or
obese children stands at 37%. A 150 lb cross country skier burns an
average of 572 calories per hour. The same weight downhill skier
burns 429, ice skater 500, snowmobiler 250 or TV watcher 71. Cross
country skiing burns more calories because more muscles are working.
5) Fun for all- Cross Country skiing is an activity that energizes the
body, spirit and mind while breathing fresh air, surrounded by the
beauty of nature. It is one of the only sports that a family can do at
its own pace-leisurely or vigorously, individually as a family unit or
socially with other families. Without the use of motorized equipment
and the force of gravity, cross country skiing and snowshoeing offer a
safer environment. Snow is soft, lessening impact on the joints. Cross
country skiing uses natural movements. It does not require special
skills to get started and has a short learning curve.

The Cross Country Ski Areas Association provides a descriptive listing of
Nordic centers and current trail conditions at http://www.xcski.org or
1-877-779-2754.

TheBostonChannel.com - News - Family Back From Vacation Finds Stranger Living In Their House

TheBostonChannel.com - News - Family Back From Vacation Finds Stranger Living In Their House

Family's Belongings Removed From House

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- A Georgia family is trying to figure out why a woman moved into their home while they were away on vacation.

Beverly Mitchell, of the Atlanta suburb of Douglasville, said she returned from 2½ weeks in Greece to find that her personal belongings -- including clothes, furniture and dishes -- had been removed. She said most of the carpet had also been taken out and the house had been redecorated.

"I was ready to strangle this woman," Mitchell said. "How could you not know someone lives here?"

Sheriff's deputies found Beverly Valentine, 53, in a bathroom and charged her with burglary. Police said Valentine told them she used a shovel to break into the house.

Mitchell said the woman had the electricity switched over to her name and also moved in a washer and dryer. She brought in her own furniture, clothes and decorations and even repainted rooms in the house.

"Now we have portraits hanging on the wall that we didn't have before," Mitchell said. "And we've got all kinds of new appliances."

Mitchell has moved all of Valentine's belongings out but doesn't know what to do with them. She hopes the woman's relatives will reclaim the goods.

"It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen," Mitchell said.

Investigators at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said they are unsure why Valentine moved into the woman's home. The suspect has not yet explained her actions.

"She's never met her before so we really don't know why this lady picked this particular house," said sheriff's Lt. Bobby Holmes.

Mexican President Vicente Fox Honors Ernesto Coppel with ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' Award for Tourism; CEO of Pueblo Bonito Hotels

Mexican President Vicente Fox Honors Ernesto Coppel with ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' Award for Tourism; CEO of Pueblo Bonito Hotels & Resorts Recognized for Company Growth

MAZATLAN, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2004--Mexico's President Vicente Fox honored Ernesto Coppel as "Entrepreneur of the Year" within the tourism category for his continued dedication, community involvement and the growth of Pueblo Bonito Hotels & Resorts.

Since the Coppel family opened their first property, Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan, in 1989, the success of its development has attracted a loyal following. Since then, Ernesto Coppel has opened four other properties, and a fifth on its way.

"It is a very special honor to be given this award by President Fox," said Ernesto Coppel, CEO of Pueblo Bonito Hotels & Resorts. "It has been my dream to build the most beautiful hotels in Mexico, and it is my great pleasure to give back to the community what they deserve."

Ernesto Coppel and Pueblo Bonito Hotels & Resorts have provided many communities with roads, schools, housing, bus transportation, and jobs as well as improving environmental development while minimizing their impact on ecosystems.

All Chambers of Commerce in Mexico nominated candidates for this award. Ernesto Coppel was nominated by the Baja State and Sinaloa State (Mazatlan). Award recipients were determined by an election.

Pueblo Bonito Hotels & Resorts are the leading hotels of Mexico, offering uncommon amenities, unsurpassed service, and the warmth of a luxurious Mexican home. The collection includes three properties in Cabo San Lucas -- Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Pueblo Bonito Rose, and Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos, two in Mazatlan -- Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan and Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, and one in Puerto Vallarta -- Samba Vallarta, an all-inclusive resort by Pueblo Bonito. In 2005, the company plans to open Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, a wellness-oriented luxury hotel in Cabo San Lucas and to break ground on Pueblo Bonito Punta Mita, a five-star resort in Puerto Vallarta. For information or reservations, call 800-990-8250 or visit www.pueblobonito.com.

Marriott Receives Top Honors From Two Travel Magazines

Marriott Receives Top Honors From Two Travel Magazines
Tuesday October 19, 1:15 pm ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Readers of Travel Savvy and Executive Travel magazines have given top honors to Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Rewards®, according to recent issues.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts was named by readers of Travel Savvy as the best domestic hotel chain, and Marriott Rewards as the best hotel rewards program. Travel Savvy is a travel lifestyle magazine that covers international and domestic destinations, fashion, design, food, travel news and celebrity travel trends.

Readers of Executive Travel, a lifestyle magazine for business travelers, gave Marriott Hotels & Resorts top honors in the following categories: best hotel chain; best for customer service; and best hotel chain for meetings. Marriott Rewards was selected as the best frequent guest program.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts is the company's flagship brand with more than 480 upscale hotels, including more than 40 Marriott Resort locations, 10 Marriott Conference Centers and 33 luxury JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott Rewards offers travelers the opportunity to get to the places they dream of 30 percent faster than other leading hotel programs can and offers more resorts, spas and on-site golf locations than any other program.* Marriott Rewards points may be earned and redeemed at more than 2,400 hotels in 66 countries. Points may also be redeemed for frequent flyer miles, car rentals, theme park passes, retail merchandise and more.

Based on seven nights at Starwood, Hilton, InterContinental Hotel Group and Hyatt full-service hotels of similar quality and points earned on dollars spent. Assumes standard award offerings for base-level members. All comparisons as of 6/04.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR - News) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 69 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Ramada International and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com

Anchorage Daily News | Tourism industry records a record

Anchorage Daily News | Tourism industry records a record
By BILL WHITE
Anchorage Daily News
(Published: October 20, 2004)

JUNEAU -- The Alaska tourism industry seems to have shaken off the doldrums induced by the 2001 terrorist attacks to post record numbers for the visitor season that just ended.

Ron Peck, president of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, gave that news during a briefing Tuesday at the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce annual conference.

Peck pegged the season's visitor count at 1.4 million, up 100,000 to 150,000 people from a year earlier.

"It looks like we've turned the corner after a couple of challenging years," Peck said. He was referring to a leveling off of tourism in 2002 and last year as some potential travelers stayed closer to home due to edginess after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.

He said the final count on Alaska's tourism summer could be even higher. Juneau is reporting more cruise-ship passengers than the cruise industry has cited, but Peck thinks the way the ships total passengers could have caused an undercounting in some cases, he said.

For the full year, he forecast that the state will see 1.9 million visitors.

Peck was a panelist on a program of representatives from Alaska's core industries -- oil, fishing, mining, timber and tourism -- speaking about their businesses.

Peck said most visitor indicators showed robust growth last summer, at least through August:

• Anchorage car rentals were up 8 percent, indicating the independent traveler is back.

• Airport arrivals in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan were up more than 10 percent, to 3.5 million total, a figure that includes Alaskans flying in-state.

• People crossing the Alaska-Canada borders in automobiles and recreation vehicles were up 2.5 to 3 percent. He said Lower 48 baby boomers are buying RVs like crazy, but few are taking the long vacation to Alaska yet. He noted that more Germans are flying a charter to Whitehorse, Yukon, and renting RVs there for less than the going rate in Anchorage -- he estimated 600 RVs were rented in Whitehorse this past summer versus 100 a year before.

• The cruise industry reports it carried 805,000 passengers, a figure Peck called very conservative. Last year the ships hosted 776,000 passengers.

Peck noted a couple of challenges for the visitor industry's future. One is an image problem, where Alaskans don't recognize the massive scale of the industry. According to Peck, 30,000 people work in the visitor industry, with 78 percent of the jobs filled by Alaskans. And he put the in-state spending by visitors from Outside at $2 billion annually.

Another problem is that the growing numbers of tourists are crowding the top Alaska destinations, he said. Denali National Park was full this past summer. Peck said his group is working on making more hotel rooms available, improving highways and developing other destinations such as Wrangell-St. Elias and Katmai national parks, Chugach National Forest and the south side of Denali.

Business editor Bill White can be reached at bwhite@adn.com or 257-4311.

SKI Magazine ~ Slicing Paradise

SKI Magazine ~ Slicing Paradise

About the last thing that Scott and Mary Smith expected when they reserved a $450-a-night luxury guesthouse for a December holiday fling in Beaver Creek, Colo., was the Ski Rental from Hell. "We walked through the front door and had the shock of our lives," says Scott. "It looked like a $700-a-month apartment. It was old and beat-up, it had shag carpeting, and it was full of undesirable furniture."

That was two winters ago. Today when the Smiths, professionals in their early 40s who live in Atlanta, head to Beaver Creek, they pull up to the front door of The Ritz-Carlton Club at Bachelor Gulch and know exactly what they're getting. The valet is there to unload their luggage, the bellman greets them by name when they check in, and a richly appointed two-bedroom suite-brimming with upscale appliances and electronics-is waiting for them. When the Smiths head to the lifts in the morning, another valet hands them their skis, which are kept in storage between visits. A concierge has booked afternoon spa treatments and made dinner reservations. For the Smiths, the Club represents a sure thing in a world of often dicey vacation rentals. "There's no guesswork at this place," says Mary. "We can just relax and enjoy ourselves."

The Smiths were among the first people to buy a fractional ownership unit at The Ritz-Carlton's third residence club, which opened in 2002. Memberships consist of one-twelfth interests, which entitle buyers to three weeks a year, and are priced from $195,000 to $490,000, depending on the suite. In addition,owners pay around $10,000 in annual fees. But the Smiths get plenty of extras with their membership, including lift tickets, half-price rounds of golf at Red Sky Ranch Country Club nearby and discounts at Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide. Scott says the numbers made fractional ownership an appealing alternative. "The least expensive places in Vail Valley that met our criteria were around $600,000," he says. "Then we'd have to add property taxes, maintenance fees, furnishings and the ongoing costs of upkeep. That kind of investment isn't worthwhile for us."

More skiers are reaching the same conclusion, particularly as the elite brands of the hospitality business-including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and Four Seasons-work to lend new luster to the once-tainted timeshare concept. Dick Ragatz, president of Ragatz Associates, a resort research and consulting company in Eugene, Ore., says it's absolutely the luxury market that's driving the current boom. "In a very short time, private residence clubs and high-end fractionals have taken over the market," he says. Of the half-billion dollars generated worldwide last year from sales of fractional interests, he adds, more than four-fifths came from residence clubs, representing a 38 percent growth over the previous year. There are now approximately 132 fractional-interest resorts in the United States, and almost half are located at ski destinations. Colorado alone has 27.

Luxury hoteliers are leveraging their brand identities to generate sales. And they've created a new business model: the all-in-one resort that combines a hotel, a residence club and a few whole-ownership penthouses. At Bachelor Gulch, for instance, a full-service hotel adjoins the 54 residences of The Ritz-Carlton Club, and all of the hotel's amenities, including restaurants, shops, swimming pool and spa, are available to club members. "This was a breakthrough for us-the first opportunity to design a club and a hotel together-and the configuration has worked so well that it's now the bull's-eye of our growth strategy," says Bob Phillips, senior vice president of business development for The Ritz-Carlton Club.

In a similar vein, the Four Seasons Resort that opened last fall at Teton Village in Jackson Hole, Wyo., consists of a 124-room hotel, a Four Seasons Residence Club with two- and three-bedroom shared-ownership units, and 17 private residence condominiums. Project director Ken Mason says the resort launched its fractional program with one-seventh interests, but has now added a one-fourteenth share (which works out to 14 nights a year, with an extra week every other year) because of demand for shorter intervals.

The timeshare business is also leaping into another relatively new model-shared ownership of detached, single-family homes. While ski-area realtors have been patching together makeshift deals among three or four families for years, East West Partners of Colorado has launched Old Greenwood in California near Lake Tahoe. Old Greenwood has a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and is close to the Northstar-at-Tahoe resort. Other ski areas, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, are 15 to 20 minutes away.

Old Greenwood includes custom home sites, townhouses, a clubhouse for the golf course and a swimming pool and fitness center, as well as luxury "cabins" that are being sold as fractionals, with 17 owners per building. Actually three- and four-bedroom chalets, the cabins are outfitted with such amenities as plasma TVs, pool tables, stainless steel kitchen appliances and private outdoor spas. Pricing is based on the specific week of the year an owner designates as the "primary use" week, though all owners are entitled to at least 21 days of use each year. Fractionals with winter primary weeks range from about $110,000 for a three-bedroom, 2,470-square-foot cabin, to $175,000 for a four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot layout, with annual dues of $3,000 to $5,000. Of course, offers project manager Bill Fiveash gamely, "you can always buy two shares if you want more time."

Alaska Airlines Files to Serve Loreto, Mexico in Partnership With Leading Developer Loreto Bay Company

biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041019/sftu156_1.html
Tuesday October 19, 7:44 pm ET

SEATTLE, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --Alaska Airlines today announced it has applied for authority to provide nonstop service from Los Angeles to Loreto, Mexico. The service will be supported by a marketing partnership with The Loreto Bay Company. The twice-weekly flights will begin February 17, 2005, pending U.S. Department of Transportation approval.

Located on the Sea of Cortez side of Mexico's Baja Peninsula about 150 miles north of La Paz, Loreto is one of five areas (the others being Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Huatulco and Ixtapa) identified by FONATUR, Mexico's tourist development agency, as prime tourism growth sites in Mexico. FONATUR selected The Loreto Bay Company as the primary developer of the destination.

"We are pleased to be partnering with The Loreto Bay Company to develop air service to Loreto in conjunction with the resort's development," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska's executive vice president of marketing and planning. "Our customers will be able to enjoy the warmth and uniqueness of a charming Mexico resort within same-day service from California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and western Canada."

Loreto is a seaside village sandwiched between the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains and the cobalt blue Sea of Cortez. Steeped in colonial history as the site of Mexico's first mission, Loreto is renowned for its marina, fishing, water sports, pristine beaches and authentic cuisine.

The proposed flights will operate Sundays and Thursdays. They will depart Los Angeles at 11:10 a.m. and arrive in Loreto at 1:59 p.m. Return flights will depart Loreto at 4:00 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 4:55 p.m. Alaska plans to use MD-80 series aircraft on the route -- seating 12 in first class and 128 in the main cabin.

Loreto will be Alaska Airlines' eighth destination in Mexico. Alaska currently serves Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo/Costa Alegre, Cancun and Guadalajara. Alaska Airlines Vacations plans to offer a complete range of vacation packages to Loreto.

Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. Upon government approval, reservations and vacations to Loreto may be found at www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com .

The Loreto Bay Company, a Canadian American corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is developing The Villages of Loreto Bay, a series of seaside villages built on 8,000 acres in the foothills near Loreto. For more news and information visit www.loretobay.com.

NapaNews.com | Napans invited to share a ride

NapaNews.com | Napans invited to share a ride

Napans invited to share a ride

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

An event promoting ride sharing will occur Thursday at Dr. Dwight Murray Plaza in downtown Napa.

The public is invited to fill out a carpool/vanpool match list application from between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the First Street plaza.

Participants can enter to win a trip to Cabo San Lucas, a $170 Wine Train gift certificate, restaurant meals and bus passes.

For more information, call the NCTPA at 259-8631 or visit Solano Napa Commuter Information at www.solanolinks.com/commuterinfo./Register"