California Resident Holds Key to Curaçao’s Half a Million Dollar Treasure

Mother of four, Michelle Salge of San Jose, Calif. is half a million dollars richer today after embarking on a two-day treasure hunt on the island of Curaçao.  “Things are pretty tough in the US with the economy; I can send my kids to college, bills will be paid…oh God is good…this is amazing,” a tearful Salge said as she addressed the hundreds who gathered to witness the event.

Salge is among ten lucky North Americans who won a chance to participate in Curaçao’s island adventure through an online sweepstakes held by the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) earlier this year.

Stretching from California to New York, and as far north as Canada, the finalists represented a cross-section of North America: Stephanie Oswald from Atlanta; Sue Anne Howery from Mc- Farland, Wis.; Wayne Lehman of Calgary, Canada; Sabrina Booi of New York, N.Y.; Ron Effa of Bellingham, Wash.; Chester Baer of Arlington, Va.; Roland Philip of Van Nuys, Calif.; Beth Eckhardt of Cleveland, Ohio and Carol Brown of Buffalo, N.Y.

“I’m not going to lie I’m disappointed (that I didn’t win), but one of the other contestants said that this just means there is more good stuff to come for the rest of us,” said Oswald, who is no stranger to traveling as the editor in chief of TravelGirl Magazine. “All of the contestants had the right attitude. I love Curaçao and am definitely coming back.”

The Curaçao Hidden Treasure campaign was the CTB’s unique method of providing a big financial bailout for one North American resident, who may be struggling in this financial environment, and to build awareness for this up-and-coming destination.

The campaign kicked off by giving away a free vacation per day for 70 days. Those winners along with the Treasure Hunt finalists were among the nearly 400,000 unique entries on Curacaotreasure.com, the dedicated microsite created exclusively for the campaign. The on-island hunt allowed the contestants to experience Curaçao’s hidden treasures, including its historic capital city and beautiful beaches, while hunting for medallions that were later exchanged for keys, one of which opened the treasure chest worth $500,000.

“The Hidden Treasure campaign was designed to inform travelers about our wonderful island, often described as the Caribbean’s hidden treasure, and Michelle’s tears of joy left us with no doubt that this campaign was a success,” said Evita Nita, Executive Director, Curaçao Tourism Board.

For the latest Curaçao news, visit www.Curacao.com.

The Finer Points of Fine Dining (Part 1)

Below is a guest post from restaurant blogger Lex Egerton, who will be writing a weekly blog post on the fine and not so fine dining destinations in the US.  At CitySpur we like to focus exclusively on the best that a city has to offer, so we’ve hired a third party to do our dirty work each weekend.  Enjoy!

Greetings fine dining connoisseurs, when I was originally approached on writing this weekly feature I declined, due to the fact that CitySpur has the reputation for only writing about the best in the luxury space, and I have the tendency to be overwhelmingly blunt in my restaurant critiques.  However, upon further contemplation I considered that my unique perspective and experiences might be just what this upscale audience might need, so here we are.  If you prefer strictly positive and glowing perspectives, this is not the weekly editorial for you; however if you like to find an honest opinion in the world of cookie cutter travel blogs then we might have some fun together.

I thought I would start this series off with a review of a dining establishment in the city that CitySpur was born, Lubbock, TX.  This West Texas city of around 200,000 individuals has a surprising number of fine dining institutions.  When I was first approached about this writing opportunity, I was flown out to this windy town and taken to, what I was told, was the best restaurant in the city: Hayashi.  This was a brand new Japanese restaurant that was only a few months old, but had already become the new hotspot for foodies in the region.

Obviously new restaurants go through growing pains and so I forgave the poor service we were met with on our first venture to the establishment.  The sushi and Japanese cuisine was so much better than anything I had ever sampled from the area, practically anything could be forgiven.  Therefore, at the meeting we had decided to listen to the multiple recommendations that had been emailed to the local Lubbock site and list Hayashi as one of the best fine dining restaurants in the city.

However I went back there this evening to complete the review and was quite literally shocked at how poor the service was.  With food that rivaled some of my favorite Japanese restaurants from around the country such as NOBU and Koi, I truly expected to be met with at least adequate service, however for a second time the service was not only poor it was downright incompetent.  Below is a synopsis of the evening:

1. Seated - We were seated at the sushi bar immediately, the restaurant was packed so we were pleased to get in so quickly.

2. Drink orders - The waitress was quick to take our drink orders, and within 2 minutes we had our Chardonnay and martini.

3. Time to wait - Naturally we expected to be able to give our sushi orders soon, however it was 20 minutes until a waitress asked if we were ready to order.  Not unforgivable, except for the fact that it was if the staff disappeared from the the scene completely for this time, which was exactly what occurred the first time we tried the restaurant out.  Also, during this waiting period, one of the hostesses decided that we didn’t need any personal space and pushed two chairs into the already crowded sushi bar space, causing some awkwardness between myself and the stranger I was brushing elbows with the entire night.  Also, the forced confinement caused my dining partner to hit my chopsticks with hers, thus dropping a decent amount of Kani salad to drop on her blouse.

4. The food - As bad as the service was, the food made up for it in a big way.  Starting out with a mouth watering appetizer of Rock Shrimp brought out in a martini glass and finishing off with two servings of uniquely succulent spicy tuna rolls, this place knows how to treat their food.  We also sampled the Lobster roll, which was above average as well.

Overall, I would have to say that if you are the type of foodie who needs an equal helping of service to match the cuisine, this dining destination is not for you.  However if you can get past the poor wait staff and elbow bumping at the sushi bar, this West Texas establishment has Japanese cuisine that matches upscale restaurants from around the nation, and destroys them in price.  There aren’t too many fine dining choices that give two people their fill on drinks and sushi for under $75.

See you next week.

Get Ready for the 3rd Busiest Labor Day Weekend this Decade

If you are traveling this upcoming Labor Day weekend, you are not alone.  AAA today projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Labor Day weekend will be heavily impacted by when Labor Day falls on the calendar. Approximately 39.1 million travelers are expected to take a trip of 50 miles or more away from home, a decrease of 13.3 percent from 2008 when Labor Day travel was the highest this decade. Labor Day fell on Sept. 1 last year allowing for a long weekend trip before a new school year started in many regions of the country. This year, however, Labor Day is Sept. 7, when the school year has already started for many children.

Last year, 45.1 million Americans traveled during the Labor Day holiday weekend period; the most this decade. Despite this year’s sizeable projected decline of 6 million travelers, AAA said it expects more Americans to travel this holiday than were projected to travel over this year’s 4^th of July holiday weekend. AAA projected 37.1 million Americans would travel during the Independence Day holiday; typically the busiest automobile travel holiday of the year. This will also be the third strongest weekend for Labor Day travel this decade. The second busiest year was 2003 when 41.6 million Americans took a Labor Day weekend trip.

Last Labor Day weekend the nationwide average price of self-serve, regular gasoline dropped to $3.68 per gallon after peaking at an all-time record of $4.11 per gallon on July 17, AAA said. In Illinois and Indiana last year, gas prices were at $3.87 and $3.74 respectively. This combined with the earliness of the holiday and the emergence of end of summer discounts on travel, caused large numbers of travelers to make a last minute decision to take a holiday trip. This year, AAA expects the nationwide average price of self-serve, regular gasoline to be approximately one dollar per gallon less expensive than it was one year ago; or about $2.60 per gallon. In Illinois, drivers will pay about $2.68 per gallon and $2.54 in Indiana this Labor Day weekend. Continued discounts and deals offered by travel providers will also make Labor Day vacations attractive, AAA said.

“AAA expects this Labor Day holiday weekend to be the third busiest of the decade, even though the number of travelers will be down from one year ago,” said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago regional president. “However, with Labor day falling a week later this year when many children will have returned to school, the decline may more to do with the calendar than with the economy. Our forecast shows Labor Day travel will be up over this summer’s 4^th of July holiday and that’s a positive sign.”

Four percent of Holiday vacationers are expected to travel by airline for Labor Day trips, while those traveling by automobile will increase to 84 percent, AAA said. Automobile vacations will be taken by 32.9 million travelers and air trips by only 1.5 million travelers. This will be the lowest number of trips by air this decade for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Those traveling by other modes – which can include trains, cruises, buses, RVs, personal watercraft, motorcycles, or trips that use multiple modes of travel – are expected to account for 4.8 million or 12 percent of Labor Day holiday travelers.

In the East North Central Region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, 7.3 million people are expected to travel for the Labor Day holiday, a 15.4 percent decrease compared to last year. In Illinois it is anticipated that more than 17 percent of the population, or 2.3 million people, will travel this Labor Day, a 21.5 percent decrease compared to last year. An estimated 1.9 million people will travel by auto and another 54,000 people will travel by air. In Indiana, more than 1.9 million people, or just over 14 percent of the population will travel this holiday weekend, which is over 22 percent less than last year. More than 783,000 will travel by motor vehicle; and 22,000 people will be flying to their destination.

Labor Day travelers expect to spend approximately $968 per household this upcoming holiday weekend. Transportation and accommodations will account for 47 percent of trip spending, while food and beverage will absorb another 22 percent of the holiday budget. Shopping, entertainment and recreation will account for 27 percent of spending on average.

Labor Day travelers will journey an average of 645 miles roundtrip this upcoming holiday weekend. More than one third (37 percent) of travelers will stay relatively close to home, with expected round trips of 250 miles or less. Slightly more than one third (34 percent) of weekend travelers will log between 251 and 700 miles. And 28 percent will travel over 700 miles round trip.

Top 50 Restaurants with the Most Scenic Views in the US

If you are as much of a fan as I am of romantic dining destinations, you will be pleased to find the following news item.  OpenTable today announced the winners of its 2009 Diners’ Choice Awards for Most Scenic View. As the summer winds down, the list provides a handy guide for diners wishing to enjoy gorgeous views alongside delicious cuisine. The list of winners is derived from more than 3 million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners for nearly 10,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  “A spectacular view can turn a good meal into a standout,” said Caroline Potter, OpenTable’s dining expert. “From breathtaking sights to romantic sunsets, sitting beside a unique vista can be what makes some dining experiences the most memorable.”

Based on feedback collected from OpenTable diners between August 2008 and July 2009, the following 50 restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, received the highest scores from OpenTable diners, indicating that they were considered among the best restaurants for scenic dining. For more information about this list, click here.

The 2009 Winners of OpenTable’s Best Scenic View Awards

• A Caprice Kitchen – Tiburon, CA
• Alizé at the Top of the Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV
• Beachcomber Cafe – Crystal Cove – Newport Coast, CA
• Bertrand at Mister A’s – San Diego, CA
• Chart House Restaurant, Cardiff – Cardiff, CA
• Chart House Restaurant, Dana Point – Dana Point, CA
• Chart House Restaurant, Longboat Key – Longboat Key, FL
• Chart House Restaurant, Malibu – Malibu, CA
• Chart House Restaurant, Monterey – Monterey, CA
• Chart House Restaurant, Newport – Newport, KY
• Chart House Restaurant, Portland – Portland, OR
• Chart House Restaurant, Tower of the Americas – San Antonio, TX
• Chart House Restaurant, Weehawken – Weehawken, NJ
• Cite – Chicago, IL
• Coach Insignia – Detroit, MI
• Different Pointe of View – Phoenix, AZ
• Edgewood Restaurant – Stateline, NV
• Eiffel Tower – Las Vegas, NV
• elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain – Paradise Valley, AZ
• Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck – Dallas, TX
• Franciscan Crab Restaurant – San Francisco, CA
• Highlawn Pavilion – West Orange, NJ
• Island Prime – San Diego, CA
• McClintock’s – Tucson, AZ
• Miramar Beach Restaurant – Half Moon Bay, CA
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto – Pittsburgh, PA
• Moonshadows – Malibu, CA
• Nick’s Cove – Marshall, CA
• Orange Hill Restaurant – Orange, CA
• Pacific’s Edge Restaurant – Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
• Peaks Restaurant – Palm Springs, CA
• Peohe’s, Coronado Waterfront Restaurant – Coronado, CA
• Pier W – Lakewood, OH
• Portland City Grill – Portland, OR
• Republic of Texas Bar & Grill – Corpus Christi, TX
• River Cafe – Brooklyn, NY
• Scoma’s Sausalito – Sausalito, CA
• Severn Inn – Annapolis, MD
• Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge – Seattle, WA
• Skates on the Bay – Berkeley, CA
• The Marine Room – La Jolla, CA
• The Plantation House – Kapalua, HI
• The Sky Room – Long Beach, CA
• The Spinnaker – Sausalito, CA
• The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla – La Jolla, CA
• Top of the Hub – Boston, MA
• Top of the Riverfront, Millennium Hotel – St. Louis, MO
• West Restaurant and Lounge – Los Angeles, CA
• X2O Xaviars on the Hudson – Yonkers, NY
• Yamashiro – Hollywood, CA

“This list shows that no single state has a monopoly on scenic places to enjoy a meal. The locations highlighted are as diverse as the views. From urban restaurants nestled atop skyscrapers to those that offer oceanside tables dining along the Pacific, our diners have chosen 50 fantastic places that will inspire the senses,” added Potter.

The Top 20 Best Ticket Values in College Football

After a long summer of anticipation the 2009 college football season finally kicks off next week, much to the delight of fans across the country. Though there are preseason polls that rank teams’ on-field potential, StubHub has revealed which college football teams offer the best ticket resale for value for the season ahead. The rankings serve as a guide to highlight great teams that also offer great bargains.

While the ticket resale value on StubHub can sometimes run into the hundreds of dollars for some of the nation’s top programs, there are dozens of marquee teams that carry very attractive resale prices. Many of them are ranked in the preseason Top 25 polls, while others offer substantial values with a very attractive schedule of home games. All prices listed in StubHub’s Best College Football Values poll are the current average selling prices for tickets sold through StubHub as of Aug. 25 using a minimum benchmark of 1000 tickets sold for each team to validate trends.

Leading the way as the best value in college football for 2009 is the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, a team that boasts a home schedule of powerhouse Big Ten teams yet is still a sleeper pick to challenge for the conference title. Illini fans have a chance to catch superstar receiver Arrelious Benn and a high-octane offense led by Juice Williams for an average of just $38 per ticket on StubHub. Tickets for an October 17th matchup against Penn State are offered for as low as $26, and more exciting matchups against Michigan State and Michigan are similar.

The remainder of the StubHub’s Top 20 Best College Football Ticket Values feature preseason ranked teams like Oregon, California, Georgia Tech, BYU and North Carolina, along with other high profile programs like Michigan State, UCLA and Wisconsin. All feature an average ticket selling price of under $100 on StubHub to date this season despite their traditional high demand and preseason excitement.

StubHub Top 20 Best College Football Ticket Values of 2009

Team		Season Average			Best Game Value (Avg. Price)*
1. Illinois Fighting Illini		$38			10/03 – Penn State ($62)
2. Purdue Boilermakers		$42			10/17 – Ohio State ($89)
3. Vanderbilt Commodores		$43			10/31 – Georgia Tech ($48)
4. Pittsburgh Panthers		$47			12/5 – Cincinnati ($29)
5. Maryland Terrapins		$49			10/3 – Clemson ($47)
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs		$50			11/28 – Ole Miss ($61)
7. Michigan State Spartans		$57			11/21 – Penn State ($62)
8. BYU Cougars		$59			10/24 – TCU ($52)
9. UCLA Bruins		$60			10/10 – Oregon ($62)
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders		$62			10/31 – Kansas ($75)
11. North Carolina Tar Heels		$65			11/7 – Duke ($54)
12. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets		$68			9/10 – Clemson ($82)
13. Kansas Jayhawks		$71			11/28 – Kansas ($106)
14. Arkansas Razorbacks		$72			10/10 – Auburn ($86)
15. Texas AM Aggies		$80			10/10 – Oklahoma State ($102)
16. Wisconsin Badgers		$81			9/12 – Fresno State ($61)
17. Cal Golden Bears		$83			9/5 – Maryland ($49)
18. Kentucky Wildcats		$88			11/28 – Tennessee ($76)
19. Auburn Tigers		$90			10/31 – Mississippi ($94)
20. Oregon Ducks		$91			9/26 – Cal ($82)

*Best Game Value indicates game with greatest fan interest combined with most attractive current average ticket selling price

Individual Business Travel Expected to Be Strong

The fall 2009 business travel season will not be as bleak for individual, or “unmanaged,” business travelers, compared to industry-projected reductions in corporate, or “managed,” travel, according to a newly-formed Best Western advisory board.

A large majority of those surveyed, who spent more than 250 nights over the past five years, plan to hit the road for the same number of nights or more compared to a year ago. Though most do not foresee much change in their business travel schedules, only one-third are seeing signals of recovery in their respective industries.

These and other findings are included in a new report entitled “Taking The Pulse of Unmanaged Business Travelers: A Marketplace Research Report” which will be released later this week, toplines results from an August survey of Best Western Diamond 100 Advisory Board members. Other highlights include:

• 80 percent plan to travel for business as much or more than they did last fall
• 75 percent have not been asked to dramatically reduce business travel spending or provide more justification for trips in the last six months
• More than 80 percent have not made any permanent changes in their business travel habits due to the recession
• Fewer than one in five feel virtual alternatives such as videoconferencing are likely to replace business trips over the next six months

Henry Harteveldt, vice president and principal analyst of airline and travel research for Forrester who was interviewed for this report, says unmanaged business travelers will not only continue to account for a noticeable majority of all business travelers, but their numbers may even grow in the near future.

Tips for a Stress Free Back to School Season

With many kids heading back to school, Dana Hilmer has ideas and recommendations for how Mom’s can simplify their lives this season.

Her recommendations include:

StarKist Tuna Salad Sandwich Ready Pouches

For moms on the go, make sure to have convenient, healthy options available. StarKist Tuna Salad Sandwich Ready Pouches are a great option because each pouch comes in one serving size and it’s ready to go – there’s no mixing or draining. They come in two varieties – chunk light and albacore and have a fresh taste incorporating ingredients like celery and water chestnuts for a gourmet meal on the go. Plus it’s nutritious. Each pouch is 100 calories or less and packed with protein and Omega 3’s.

Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials

Another time of day you’ll want convenient, healthy options available is breakfast. Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials drink is a good option because it’s quick, easy and you can take it on the go. Each serving contains twice the protein of an egg, and twice the calcium of a cup of yogurt. It also contains 21 essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, with one glass of milk and one serving, it costs an average of 76 cents.

Oscillococcinum

Cough, cold and flu season is a concern for many moms this back to school season, but last year the FDA questioned the safety and effectiveness of antihistamines, decongestants and cough suppressants for use in young children. So what should mom’s look for this year? Oscillococcinum is a natural and safe alternative that does not contain any of the ingredients put into question and works with your body naturally to nip flu and flu-like symptoms in the bud. Moms have been using it for over 65 years, but you can now find it in the children’s aisle and it’s safe for children 2 years and older.

For more information and ideas, please visit www.coolfindsformoms.com

So Fresh Market Hosts “Back to School Bash”

So Fresh Market, an open-air, community market in Southern California is hosting a Back to School Bash the last weekend in August. The event begins Friday, August 28 and concludes Sunday, August 30 at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, CA.

The weekend event celebrates Back to School with free activities, games and entertainment suitable for the entire family. Beginning August 28 at 5:00 p.m. throughout the weekend, children may participate in a scavenger hunt to collect a variety of free school supplies. Torrance Police Explorer cadets will be on hand to prepare a complete fingerprint set for children and provide a card to parents in case of an emergency. In addition, each day a So Fresh Market chef will demonstrate delicious, easy-to-prepare dishes that children can make at home.

“Giving back to the community is at the heart of So Fresh Market, and a Back to School themed weekend is a great way to support families in Torrance and the surrounding area,” said Jin Ju Wilder, spokesperson for So Fresh Market. “With a scavenger hunt through the market, not only are we giving away school lunch bags and supplies, we are also making fresh produce and natural, wholesome foods part of a fun event for young children and teens to help promote a healthier lifestyle.”

The Back to School Bash also features free entertainment. On August 28, Hector the Magician will dazzle the crowd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Over the weekend, patrons will enjoy the sounds of S’Cool Daze, Save Me Stereo, Dividing by Zero and Not Like the Other.

So Fresh Market, located between Madrona and Hawthorne adjacent to the northern parking deck of the mall, is open for business every Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information, the schedule of activities and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.sofreshmarket.com.

10 Easy Ways to Keep Kids Safe as They Return to School

It’s back-to-school season across the U.S. with 56 million students expected to enroll in kindergarten through high school classes at more than 98,000 schools this year. That many students returning to school will mean increased congestion on the roadways and the need for motorists to use extra caution.  Nearly one-fifth of traffic fatalities of children below the age of 15 are pedestrians, with more school-age pedestrians killed between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. than any other time of day. As part of AAA’s annual School’s Open—Drive Carefully campaign, AAA offers 10 key tips for motorists to help keep kids safe as they return to school.

1. Slow Down. Two-thirds of motorists exceeded the posted speed limit during the 30-minute period before and after school, according to a 2003 national observational survey. Whether in a school zone or residential neighborhood, motorists should keep their speed low and be prepared to stop quickly for increased vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
2. Obey Traffic Signs. Obeying traffic signs is something all motorists should do no matter where they drive. However, a national observational survey found that many motorists violated stop signs in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Forty-five percent did not come to a complete stop with 37 percent rolling through and seven percent not even slowing down.
3. Stay Alert. Motorists should always avoid distractions while driving, but it’s particularly important in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Looking away from the roadway for just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash. Avoid talking on mobile phones, adjusting the radio or any other activities that might take attention away from the roadway. Never text while driving.
4. Scan Between Parked Cars. Nearly 40 percent of child pedestrian fatalities occurred in between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., mostly at non-intersection locations. Children can quickly dart out between parked cars or other objects along the roadway. Motorists should pay close attention not only at intersections, but along any residential roadways where children could be present.
5. Look for Clues of Children Nearby. Keep an eye out for clues that children are likely nearby such as AAA School Safety Patrol members, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds.
6. Always Stop for School Buses. For 23 million students, the school day begins and/or ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk they face is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving it. Flashing yellow lights on a school bus indicate it is preparing to stop to load or unload children, and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and children are getting on and off. Motorists are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.
7. Allot Extra Travel Time. Back to school often means increased congestion and longer commute times. Motorists should allot extra travel time when school is in session to avoid any temptation to speed or disobey traffic laws in an effort to ‘catch up’ after being delayed.
8. Review Your Travel Route. Motorists should consider modifying their travel route to avoid school zones and residential neighborhoods. A slightly longer route might actually be quicker by avoiding congestion and much lower speed limits in and around school zones.
9. Use Extra Caution in Bad Weather. Whether in rain, snow, fog or any other inclement weather, motorists should use extra caution. Reduced visibility can make it difficult for motorists to see children and children to see vehicles. It also can make it difficult to perform quick stops, if needed.
10. Use Headlights. Turning on the vehicle’s daytime running lights or headlights—even during the day—so children and other drivers can see them more easily. But, don’t forget to turn them off when you reach your destination to maintain your battery life.

Westin and the National Sleep Foundation Launch Free Sleep Hotline

A good night’s sleep is just a phone call away thanks to Westin Hotels & Resorts. A decade ago, the Westin released the iconic Heavenly Bed. Today, Westin celebrates this important milestone and its commitment to wellness by teaming with renowned sleep experts at the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) to help make a perfect night’s sleep a reality for the sleep deprived. The National Sleep Foundation Hotline debuted on August 17^th at 6:00 p.m. and, for 30 days, will help callers identify and troubleshoot common sleep issues.

The hotline, (888) TIME-4-SLEEP, will be staffed by NSF sleep center members, medically trained sleep professionals who will offer tailored solutions to callers with common sleep problems and will be open until September 15, Monday through Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The sleep hotline’s hours of operation were specifically chosen to coincide with the peak hours when people are getting ready for bed or experiencing problems sleeping.

Today, Westin Hotels also unveiled the results of a global sleep study of more than 12,500 people that underscores the importance of sleep to the public at large and revealed common sleep issues and eye-opening tidbits about people’s sleep habits. More than half of those surveyed would choose a great night’s sleep over great sex and 42% would prefer a sleeping pill on their pillow than chocolate and 60% said their Blackberry, PDA or other device has prevented them from catching much needed shut-eye. The findings were striking, pointing to the fact that sleep is more important to travelers than ever and that our 24/7 lifestyles are at odds with a healthy night’s sleep.

“10 years ago Westin Hotels made a commitment to better the hotel sleep experience for millions with the introduction of the Heavenly Bed. Today, we want to build upon this commitment and better the sleep experience for everyone,” said Nancy London, Vice President, Global Brand Management, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “Good sleep habits have such an impact on overall wellness and health and even though we have made great strides in the past ten years, modern pressures and other factors hinder the ability for many to get a good night’s rest. We are proud to partner with the National Sleep Foundation and offer the public a free resource to help them get a good night’s sleep.”

“Many people have questions about what normal sleep is,” said David M. Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “We hope that the hotline will encourage people to take more of an active interest in their sleep, and if we can answer a question for someone who needs help, we will have provided a real benefit. The National Sleep Foundation is thrilled to partner with the Westin to provide this public service.”

The sleep hotline will be staffed by professionals from NSF member sleep centers—individuals proficient in medical issues as well as lifestyle and environmental factors that might hamper a good night’s rest. Sleep professionals will provide screening for common sleep disorders and offer healthy sleep tips such as:

• Do not eat for two hours before bed
• Sleep in complete darkness in a cool environment
• Exercise regularly, but don’t exercise for at least 3 hours before bedtime – a workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages before bedtime
• If you’re lying in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing, like taking a warm bath, reading or meditating. Try to clear your mind; don’t use this time to solve your daily problems.
• When staying in a hotel, ask for a room with eastern or southern exposure for more morning sun to help reset your clock to new time zones
• When traveling, bring a nightlight or penlight if you get up at night to avoid disturbing the body’s circadian clock

NSF call-center associates will also recommend helpful sleep resources and refer callers to their physicians for medical advice.

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