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Catch the Wave at Clarion Resort and Waterpark

By combining a hotel resort with an on site waterpark, the Clarion Resort and Waterpark in Kissimmee, Florida has brought together best of both worlds for Orlando area vacationers while saving them lots of money. The Clarion Resort and Waterpark is an ideal location for families, wedding parties, conventioneers, and travelers who seek an affordable, fun location with access to all of the attractions that Orlando is famous for plus a full scale waterpark that is only a few steps away from their hotel room.

 It’s no secret that waterpark tickets can be expensive—between $30 and $40 per person for starters—but guests of the Clarion Resort and Waterpark have full access to this aquatic attraction at no additional cost. The Clarion Resort and Waterpark in Kissimmee has more than 50,000 total square feet of waterpark, pools and slides, which include a lazy river with a zero depth entry, three main slides, six kiddy slides in a separate children’s area, an outdoor swimming pool, and a heated spa for teens and adults.

For guests who want to venture beyond the Clarion Resort and Waterpark during their visit to the Orlando area, all of the major attractions—including the Walt Disney World theme parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld—are within a 20 minute drive from the resort. And with the resort located only 15 minutes away from Orlando International Airport, a memorable Florida vacation can begin as soon as the plane touches down in the Sunshine State.

Since Orlando is an ideal location to combine work and play, the Clarion Resort makes it possible for business travelers to attend corporate meetings with the most up to date conference facilities while the rest of the family enjoys a waterpark that’s a destination in its own right. The Clarion Resort and Waterpark can accommodate events for up to 500 people, with state of the art audio/visual equipment rental, wireless Internet access, a 24 hour business center, and professional catering.

Party guests will enjoy the Clarion Resort and Waterpark just as much as the guests of honor, and the resort is well prepared to customize the event experience for weddings, anniversaries, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, family reunions and other events that require professional service and a personal touch.

Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to get the most out of their travel dollars. By bringing together the best of both worlds, the Clarion Resort and Waterpark offers a complete vacation experience all in one location for an affordable price. For more information about the Clarion Resort and Waterpark or to make a reservation, call 1-866-9-SLIDES or visit the hotel’s Web site at: www.clarionwaterpark.com. 

 

 

 

The 100 percent non-smoking Clarion Resort^® Waterpark is conveniently located at the junction of US192 and Florida’s Turnpike. This Kissimmee, FL hotel is within 20 minutes of the most popular Orlando attractions, including Universal Studios Florida theme park, Islands of Adventure theme park, SeaWorld Orlando marine adventure park, Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Wet ‘n Wild water park, Osceola Heritage Park, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, and Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water parks.

The hotel offers free transportation to the hub of Walt Disney World. Transportation to Universal Studios Florida and SeaWorld Orlando is available at an additional charge. Disney multi-day passes and other theme park tickets are available at the hotel’s concierge. The hotel is adjacent to Lake Toho Fishing Area and has dedicated electric hook-ups for boats and recreational vehicles.

Our private Mindy’O Waterpark features a lagoon-style heated pool and hot tub, as well as twisting drops and dark plunges through multiple three-story water slides. More than 50,000 square feet of activities are located right outside your door, including a large lazy river, six kiddy slides, jets, splashing fountains, interactive water play area and more!

This upscale Kissimmee, FL hotel resort offers guests many full-service amenities including:

Free wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the property

Free local calls

Free weekday newspaper

Fitness center

Business center The Best Of Orlando, Florida Lodging – Right In Kissimmee!

Join us at the Clarion Resort & Waterpark for your next Orlando, Florida vacation. Our 270-room destination hotel offers a full array of services and amenities to accommodate families and business professionals looking for full-service lodging, conveniently located in the Orlando area.

Clarion Resort & Waterpark delivers everything you’d expect, plus numerous amenities that would cost extra at most hotels in Orlando. No other Florida lodging quite compares to the experience awaiting you at Clarion Resort & Waterpark in Kissimmee.

Not Just a Hotel
Your Family Fun Destination

The Clarion is just minutes from popular Orlando Florida theme parks, but our guests don’t have to leave the hotel property to find amusement. Clarion Resort & Waterpark is a destination in itself!

For hours of fun in the Florida sun, our waterpark features a lazy river, A 30-foot tower, several slides and an interactive water play area, as well as a snack bar and poolside restaurant, several lounge chairs and shaded umbrella tables.

Rooms and Suites
Your Home Away From Home

After a thrilling day at the waterpark or out and about in the Orlando, Florida area, relax in your hotel room at Clarion Resort. We’ve taken care of the details by providing extensive amenities with your comfort and convenience in mind.

Every room is equipped with Serta® mattresses, a 27” Television, digital cable with HBO, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, full length mirror, large in-room safe, speaker telephone with voice mail & data jack, high-speed wireless Internet connectivity, a spacious desk with pull out table on wheels and an ergonomic desk chair, as well as a kitchenette with mini refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave. We also provide toiletries, coffee service in our ongoing effort to provide standard amenities that surpass other hotels in the Orlando, Florida area.

For other needs, Clarion Resort & Waterpark offers a gift shop, exercise facility, 24-hour business center, state-of-the-art audio visual equipmen, guest laundry facilities (coin operated). We even offer hook-ups for boats, motor homes and hybrid cars

The Casual Cuisine restaurant, located on site, offers a breakfast daily, buffet or a la carte menu, as well as delicious luncheon items every day. Our full-service lounge offers a complete selection of your favorite adult beverages. The poolside tiki bar serves cocktails and a variety of hot and cold food items.

Business travelers will appreciate conveniences like free high-speed Internet access in all rooms and access to copy and fax services. The banquet and convention center accommodates up to 300 people for events and business functions. We specialize in large groups for sporting, corporate and family gatherings.

All beautiful guest rooms and suites have luxurious pillow-top Sleeper by Serta bedding, microwaves, refrigerators, AM/FM clock radios, hair dryers, irons, ironing boards, voice mail and digital cable television. Sofa sleepers are available in some rooms. For special occasions, ask about rooms with private hot tubs. Handicapped accessible rooms are also available.

There is also a recreation and game room, kids craft and activity center, gift shop and laundry facilities located on the property. Pets are welcome with a deposit and nightly fee.

Guests are sure to enjoy the spacious accommodations, family-friendly service and excellent value at the Clarion Resort Waterpark. Our attentive, well-trained staff looks forward to having you stay with us on your next visit to the Kissimmee and Orlando, FL areas. Make your plans to visit us now!

Related Articles: Things To Do in Orlando Florida - Renting a Van at Orlando Airport- Faq - Disney Hotels - Group Specials Orlando Hotels - Orlando Water Park Hotel 

Millions of last minute shoppers used UPS to get their gifts delivered on time. The snow storms did not stop UPS. On December 22, I skipped the hour line at the post office, which was open on Sunday, instead shipping via UPS. I got my gifts to my brother by December 24.

Delivery giant UPS helps people drive less. UPS delivers over 16 million packages per day to over 200 countries. 70 percent of its volume is commercial; 30 percent residential. UPS operates nearly 100,000 ground vehicles, 600 airplanes, 3,000 facilities, and employs over 400,000 people.

UPS first put a hybrid-electric delivery van into operation in 1998. Although UPS has experienced over a 40% improvement in fuel economy with 50 hybrid-electric delivery vehicles, a new type of hybrid may be even better.

UPS will deploy two new hydraulic hybrid vehicles (HHV) in Minneapolis during the first quarter of 2009. The additional five HHV’s will be deployed later in 2009 and early 2010. The Navistar delivery truck uses an Eaton hydraulic hybrid drive system with the diesel engine in series. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to capture and store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in a hybrid electric vehicle. The engine periodically recharges pressure in the hydraulic propulsion system. Fuel economy is increased in three ways: vehicle braking energy is recovered; the engine is operated more efficiently, and the engine can be shut off when stopped or decelerating. Eaton Hybrid Systems

Delivery fleets are excellent early adopters of clean vehicles. UPS, FedEx, the United States Postal Service, and others are finding that hybrid technology is excellent at capturing braking energy from the frequent stops made by delivery vehicles. Plug-in hybrid Sprinter vans are achieving over 100 miles per gallon. These major carriers all have pilot programs using electric delivery vans and trucks can be parked.

UPS emitted 7.47 million metric tons of CO2 in 2007; other GHG emissions not reported (jets are responsible for emission of other GHG in addition to CO2). Over 87 percent of CO2 gas emissions were from its transportation use, rather than stationary power. Jet fuel represents 46% of U.S. Package Operations energy use; diesel 37%. Airplanes demand tremendous amounts of petroleum processed fuel and are probably responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions for the delivery giant.

When we read about energy independence and reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions, passenger vehicles get most of the press. In fact, it is fleets that lead in testing and improving vehicle technology. UPS has been a leader since the 1930s.

More…Clean Fleet Report with more about UPS hydrids and GHG reduction tactics.

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Because many Americans make their charitable contributions during the holiday season, I pause each year at this time to recall (often in nearly the same language as last year) several nonprofit organizations that perform services for our fellow human beings in the field of travel. Their identities scarcely change from year to year, yet their activities are as valuable as ever - and each accepts tax-deductible contributions.

– Wilderness Inquiry, now entering its 32nd year, is the Minnesota-based organization (808 14th Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55414, (800) 728-0719, www.wildernessinquiry.org) that enables disabled people (including those with slight mental disability) to go on adventure trips by inviting able-bodied volunteers to join them. On canoeing expeditions, treks and other active vacations, groups consist of both disabled and able-bodied people, the latter assisting their less-mobile fellow humans to enjoy the thrill of adventures in the out-of-doors. Charges are kept low by the contributions that others make to this extremely worthy nationwide tour program.

– U.S. Servas (1125 16th St., Suite 201, Arcata, CA 95521-5585, (707) 825-1714, www.usservas.org) hopes to promote world peace by encouraging travelers to mingle, converse and stay with foreign residents on vacation trips. It registers people willing to accommodate foreign visitors free of charge in their homes, and registers others desiring to enjoy such home stays, and then advises its carefully screened members of the identities of Servas members at their destinations. In continuous existence since 1948, it defrays heavy administrative expenses through contributions, among other funds.

– Wilderness Volunteers (P.O. Box 22292, (928) 556-0038, Flagstaff, AZ 86002, www.wildernessvolunteers.org) sends youthful, vigorous volunteers (mainly in their 20s to 40s) into the forest areas of America’s national and state parks and other public lands, mainly to repair the damage done by heedless visitors. They restore hiking trails, clean up debris and fire sites, plant strategically located trees and even take inventories of plant and wildlife species. Although the volunteer pays a charge (in 2008, the price was $259) for the weeklong stint, most of the other costs of Wilderness Volunteers are covered by grants and contributions.

– SATH, the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (its 13th World Congress takes place in Orlando, from Jan. 4-8) is the chief U.S. representative for disabled travelers, operating from 347 Fifth Ave., New York 10016, (212) 447-7284, and at www.sath.org. It advocates on behalf of the disabled seeking to travel, supplies information to them about travel programs and facilities for the disabled, and fights to make travel facilities accessible to them. If you have an acquaintance, friend or relative with a disability, you should not fail to advise him or her about SATH and its services, and you should also consider making a contribution to this remarkable travel organization.

– Hostelling International (8401 Colesville Road, Ste. 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 495-1240; www.hiayh.org) is an operator of low-cost lodgings (”hostels”) in America and around the world, charging the most nominal amounts for rooms that are sometimes multibed dorms, but often - and increasingly - are private units housing two people. Contrary to a popular misunderstanding, hostels are now open to people of all ages; and especially during periods when young people are in school, they often are heavily patronized by middle-age and even elderly people. The organization enables a great many people to travel who otherwise could not do so, and it obviously is dependent on grants and contributions for a large part of its expenses. Though you might never have thought of this institution as an object of charitable giving, you very definitely should. And keep in mind that hostels are more than mere lodgings; they are warm gathering places where people mix and converse without barriers of race, religion, age or income.

– American Hiking Society (1422 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (800) 972-8608 or (301) 565-6714; www.americanhiking.org) is a nonprofit that wages a never-ending battle against degradation of our nation’s hiking trails. To that end, it offers one- and two-week volunteer vacations, during which its participants pull weeds, remove fences, dig trenches and perform other useful tasks in some of America’s loveliest national parks. Like the other organizations we’ve listed, this idealistic group partially relies on donations from both individuals and the corporate world.

Arthur Frommer is a syndicated columnist. Prices and availability of discount packages are subject to change.

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Events in New Jersey

FOR CHILDREN

BRANCHBURG Raritan Valley Community College mr.
RAY, children’s singer/songwriter. Jan. 11 at 2 and 4 p.m. $8. Raritan Valley
Community College, Route 28 and Lamington Road in North Branch.
raritanval.edu 

/planetarium. (908) 231-8805.

CAMDEN Adventure Aquarium “Fishmas with Rudolph
Celebration,” featuring “Rudolph’s Fun Fish Fact Find” scavenger hunt, a Holiday
Mascot Dance Party, “Letters to Scuba Santa” station and more. Through Jan. 4.
Free with museum admission. Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive. (866)
451-2782;
adventureaquarium.com.  (
New Jersey
Oveview )

CAPE MAY Emlen Physick Estate “Family Treasure
Hunt,” self-guided family tours. Through Wednesday. $5. Emlen Physick Estate,
1048 Washington Street.
capemaymac.org; (800) 275-4278. (
NJ
Botanicla Gardens )

CHATHAM Sanctuary Concerts at Presbyterian Church
of Chatham The Tom Chapin Band, featuring child-friendly music. Jan. 3 at 8 p.m.
$15 and $25. Sanctuary Concerts at Presbyterian Church of Chatham, 240 Southern
Boulevard.
sanctuaryconcerts.org; (973) 376-4946. 
New Jersey
Shore Golfing

JERSEY CITY Liberty Science Center “The Polar
Express: An IMAX
Experience.”
Through Jan. 3. $8.50 and $11.25. “Indoor Sledding: A Hands-on Blend of Science
and Art.” Build your own hand-held miniature sled and test it on an indoor
slope. Through Thursday. Free with museum admission. “Penguin Pointers.” Come
see the penguins from Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Through Monday. Free with museum
admission. “The Science of Jewelry Making.” Join Angelina, a jewelry maker, as
she teaches you about the metals used to make jewelry. Monday through Wednesday
at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free with museum admission. “Music for Kids.” Learn about
the science of sound through song and make musical instruments from common
household items. Monday at 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. Liberty Science
Center, Liberty State Park, 251 Phillip Street. (201) 200-1000;
lsc.org.

MONTCLAIR Luna Stage “The Sword in the Stone,”
children’s musical. Through Wednesday. $14. Luna Stage, 695 Bloomfield Avenue.
lunastage.org. (973) 744-3309.

NEWARK Newark Museum Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,”
with a woodwind quintet and storyteller. Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. Free with museum
admission. Rolf Stang, a storyteller and singer, presents classic stories
including “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Thumbelina.”
Tuesday at 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. Newark Museum, 49 Washington
Street. newarkmuseum.org;
(973) 596-6550.

NEWARK Newark Museum “Little Red Riding Hood,” a
musical adaptation, will be performed by the Pushcart Players at the Newark
Museum on Monday at 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. 49 Washington Street.
newarkmuseum.org; (973)596-6550.

NETCONG Growing Stage Theater “Frosty,” children’s
holiday play. Through Dec. 28. $12 and $16. Growing Stage Theater, Route 183.
growingstage.com; (973)
347-4946.

PRINCETON Princeton Public Library Family Coloring
Sunday, with family-friendly activities. Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Free. Kenny Woods,
singer, songwriter and storyteller, performs a children’s concert. Dec. 28 at
3:30 p.m. Free. “Snow Day Monday,” featuring snow stories, snow crafts, snow
films, snowflake-cutting and other activities. Monday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
“Wall-E,” the animated Disney film. Tuesday at 2 p.m. Free. Princeton Public
Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. (609) 924-9529;
princetonlibrary.org.

SOUTH ORANGE South Orange Performing Arts Center
“The Velveteen Rabbit,” a musical featuring puppets, masked actors and magic.
Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m. $19. South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 Sopac Way.
(973) 313-2787; sopacnow.org.

MUSIC AND DANCE

MORRISTOWN The Community Theater at Mayo Center for
the Performing Arts “Ballet on Broadway,” featuring the New Jersey Ballet. Jan.
10 at 8 p.m. $20 to $40. The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing
Arts, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008;
mayoarts.org.

EAST BRUNSWICK East Brunswick Public Library Open
Mic Night, featuring music, poetry, monologues and comedy. Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Free. East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center. (732)
390-6950; ebpl.org/.

ENGLEWOOD Bergen Performing Arts Center “Best of
Vienna,” presented by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. $17 to
$55. Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 North Van Brunt Street. (201) 227-1030;
bergenpac.org.

MONTCLAIR Trumpets Jazz Club and Restaurant Enrico
Granafei and special guests, jazz. Jan. 10 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. $15; plus $10
drink minimum. Trumpets Jazz Club and Restaurant, 6 Depot Square.

trumpetsjazz.com; (973)
744-2600.

MORRISTOWN The Community Theater at Mayo Center for
the Performing Arts “Ballet on Broadway,” featuring the New Jersey Ballet. Jan.
10 at 8 p.m. $20 to $40. The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing
Arts, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008; mayoarts.org.

NEWARK New Jersey Performing Arts Center New Jersey
Symphony Orchestra, classical. Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. $20 to $82. New Jersey
Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street. (888) 466-5722;
njpac.org.

RED BANK Count Basie Theater Boz Scaggs, rock, jazz
and R&B singer. Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. $28.50 to $75. Count Basie Theater, 99
Monmouth Street.
countbasietheatre.org; (732) 842-9000.

SUMMIT Unitarian Church in Summit Toru Dodo, jazz
pianist, Joseph Lepore on bass and Rodney Green on drums. Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. $15
and $20. Unitarian Church in Summit, 4 Waldron Avenue. (908) 273-3245.

SEASONAL

CAPE MAY Cape May Stage “This Wonderful Life,” a
stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” written by Steve
Murray. Through Dec. 28. $12.50 to $35. Cape May Stage, Bank and Lafayette
Streets. (609) 884-1341;

capemaystage.com.

MADISON F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater “The
Winter’s Tale,” by William Shakespeare. Through Dec. 28. $29 to $53. F. M. Kirby
Shakespeare Theater, Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue.
njshakespeare.org; (973)
408-5600.

MILLBURN Paper Mill Playhouse “Tchaikovsky’s
Nutcracker,” featuring the Paper Mill Orchestra. Through Dec. 28. $19 to $57.
Paper Mill Playhouse, 3 Brookside Drive.
papermill.org; (973) 376-4343.

NEW BRUNSWICK Museum of the American Hungarian
Foundation 20th annual Festival of Trees, an exhibition of holiday trees from
around the world. Through Jan. 25. $5 suggested donation. Tuesdays through
Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Museum of the American
Hungarian Foundation, 300 Somerset Street. (732) 846-5777.

NEW BRUNSWICK State Theater “Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat,” presented by Middlesex County’s Plays-in-the-Park.
Through Dec. 28. $6. Jim Brickman Holiday Concert. Monday at 7 p.m. $35 to $65.
“Salute to Vienna,” featuring the Strauss Symphony of America. Wednesday at 6
p.m. $45 to $125. Jacqui Naylor in concert; with a Champagne reception at
intermission. Wednesday at 8 p.m. $79 to $295. New Year’s Eve Party, with a live
band, dance floor, open buffet, open bar and a
New Year’s Eve countdown on TV, live
from New York City. Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. $175 to $300. State Theater, 15
Livingston Avenue. (732) 246-7469;
statetheatrenj.org.

PRINCETON Morven Museum and Garden “Festival of
Trees: A Tribute to 1783.” The museum will be adorned with trees. Through Jan.
11. Morven Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton Street. (609) 924-8144;

historicmorven.org.

RED BANK Count Basie Theater “Best of Vienna,” a
traditional Viennese celebration featuring the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. $17 to $55. Count Basie Theater, 99 Monmouth Street.
countbasietheatre.org; (732) 842-9000.

SOUTH ORANGE St. Andrew and Holy Communion Church
CJ Sambach, part of Maplewood and South Orange First Night. Wednesday at 9 and
10:30 p.m. Free. St. Andrew and Holy Communion Church, 160 West South Orange
Avenue. sahcchurch.org; (973)
763-2355.

TOMS RIVER Ocean County Library New Year’s
celebration, featuring Steve Forbert, singer; with hors d’oeuvres and a
Champagne toast. Wednesday at 10 p.m. $25. Ocean County Library, 101 Washington
Street. oceancounty.lib.nj.us/; (732) 349-6200.

WEST ORANGE Turtle Back Zoo “Prudential Holiday
Lights Spectacular,” through Jan. 4. $3 and $7. Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield
Avenue. turtlebackzoo.org;
(973) 731-5800.

THEATER

FREEHOLD Center Playhouse “The Good Doctor,” by
Neil Simon. Jan. 9 through 25. $22 and $24. Center Playhouse, 35 South Street.
(732) 462-9093.

LONG BRANCH New Jersey Repertory Company “Cupid and
Psyche,” musical comedy by Sean Hartley and Jihwan Kim. Through Jan. 18. $41.50.
New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway. (732) 229-3166;
njrep.org.

NEW BRUNSWICK State Theater “Cirque Dreams Jungle
Fantasy,” featuring aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, acrobats, jugglers
and musicians. Jan. 7 and 8. $25 to $55. State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue.
(732) 246-7469; statetheatrenj.org.

NEWARK New Jersey Performing Arts Center “Aida,” by
Verdi, performed by Teatro Lirico d’Europa. Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. $23 to $92. New
Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street. (888) 466-5722; njpac.org.

PRINCETON McCarter Theater Center “Mrs. Warren’s
Profession,” comedy by George Bernard Shaw. Jan. 9 through Feb. 15. $43 and $49.
McCarter Theater Center, 91 University Place. (609) 258-2787;

mccarter.org.

RED BANK Two River Theater “A Year With Frog and
Toad,” musical based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Through Jan. 11. $24 to $48.
Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue. (732) 345-1400;
trtc.org.

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WEST WINDSOR Kelsey Theater, West Windsor Campus,
Mercer County Community College “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward
Albee. Jan. 9 through 18. $10 to $14. Kelsey Theater, West Windsor Campus,
Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road. (609) 570-3333;
kelseyatmccc.org.

WESTFIELD Westfield Community Playhouse “Death of a
Salesman,” by Arthur Miller. Jan. 10 through 24. $15. Westfield Community
Playhouse, 1000 North Avenue. (908) 232-1221.

VOLUNTEERING

MIDDLETOWN Middletown Township Public Library
Holiday gift drive, sponsored by Foster and Adoptive Family Services; bring a
new, unwrapped gift for children in foster care. Through Wednesday. Middletown
Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road. (732) 671-3700.

PENNSAUKEN Food Bank of South Jersey Local
nonprofit emergency feeding programs. Deliver food to homebound clients, restock
pantries, pack holiday baskets and more. Ongoing. Food Bank of South Jersey,
1501 John Tipton Boulevard. (856) 662-4884;
foodbanksj.org.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

CLINTON Hunterdon Museum of Art “Hank Murta Adams:
Sculpture.” Through Jan. 4. Donation: $3. Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Hunterdon Museum of Art, 7 Lower Center Street.

hunterdonartmuseum.org;
(908) 735-8415.

HAMILTON Grounds for Sculpture “A Twist of Art,”
featuring the woodturning of William Smith. Through Wednesday. $1 to $12;
members free. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grounds for Sculpture,
18 Fairgrounds Road.
groundsforsculpture.org; (609) 586-0616.

HANOVER Morris County Library “The Business of
Cooking: Corporate America Cooks,” a look at America’s corporate ideas for
marketing and packaging products. Through Jan. 25. Morris County Library, 30
East Hanover Avenue in Whippany. (973) 285-6939;

gti.net/mocolib1.

JERSEY CITY Jersey City Museum “Deliverance: The
Art of Ben Jones 1970-2008,” a retrospective. Through Feb. 22. Adults, $4;
seniors and students, $2; members and children under 12, free. Hours: Wednesdays
and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and
Sundays, noon to 5. Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery Street.
jerseycitymuseum.org.

MILLVILLE Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center “Living
Traditions Portrayed: Indian Folk Art and Crafts,” featuring ritual, decorative
and utilitarian objects from Indian and Indian-American artists and
craftspeople. Through Wednesday. “Tracing the Cultural Roots,” with glass works
by Sisir Sahana and paintings by Narendra Amin. Through Wednesday. “Treasures
From the Collection: Museum of American Glass,” an exhibition of 125 glass
pieces that have been collected over 40 years. Through Jan. 5. $7 to $10;
children 5 and under, free. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wheaton
Arts and Cultural Center, 1501 Glasstown Road (Route 55). (800) 998-4552;
wheatonarts.org.

MONTCLAIR Montclair Art Museum “Philip Pearlstein:
Objectifications,” retrospective including paintings, drawings and prints from
1940 to 2008. Through Feb. 1. “American Abstraction: Dialogue With the Cosmos,”
an exhibition that honors Native American women of the Northern Plains. Through
Feb. 1. $10 to $12; free for members and children under 12; free for everyone
the first Friday of the month from noon to 5 p.m. Hours: Wednesdays through
Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue. (973)
746-5555;
montclairartmuseum.org.

MORRIS TOWNSHIP Morris Museum “Stepping Out in
Style: Outerwear From the Past 150 Years.” Through Wednesday. “Doll Houses and
Dolls From the Morris Museum Collection.” Through Jan. 10. $6 to $8. Hours:
Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8
p.m. (free on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.); Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Morris Museum, 6
Normandy Heights Road. (973) 971-3700;
morrismuseum.org.

NEWARK City Without Walls “Metro 26,” a multimedia
group show. Through Jan. 14. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Without Walls, 6
Crawford Street. (973) 622-1188;

cwow.org.

NEWARK Newark Museum “Paths to Impressionism,” an
exhibition of French and American landscape paintings. Through Jan. 4. “Small
but Sublime: Intimate Views by Durand, Bierstadt and Inness,” works by Hudson
River School artists. Through Feb. 22. “Completing the Circle: The Fiber and
Beaded Art of Ina Golub,” 50 years of the artist’s work. Through May 3. “Glass
Beads of Ghana,” colorful designs of glass beads made with varied techniques and
materials. Through November. “Lenox Legacy: America’s Greatest Porcelain,
1889-2005,” highlights of the history of Lenox china in New Jersey. Through
March 2010. $3 to $9; members, free. Hours: Wednesdays through Fridays, noon to
5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Newark Museum, 49 Washington
Street. (973) 596-6550;

newarkmuseum.org.

PRINCETON Morven Museum and Garden “Picturing
Princeton 1783: The Nation’s Capital,” an exhibition commemorating the 225th
anniversary of Princeton as the temporary capital. Through Jan. 11. Wednesdays
through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Morven
Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton Street. (609) 924-8144; historicmorven.org.

PRINCETON Princeton University Art Museum “Frank
Gehry: On Line,” the architect’s drawings and models. Through Jan. 4. “Jasper
Johns: Light Bulb,” on the artist’s first sculpture. Through Jan. 4. “Felix
Candela: Engineer, Builder, Structural Artist,” an exhibition. Through Feb. 22.
Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Princeton
University Art Museum, Nassau and Witherspoon Streets. (609) 258-3788;
princetonartmuseum.org.

TRENTON The

New Jersey State Museum “Transformations,” an exhibition celebrating the
renovation of the museum. Through March 15. The New Jersey State Museum, 225
West State Street. (609) 292-6464; state.nj.us/state/museum.
van Rentals NJ

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS Bananas Comedy Club New Year’s
Eve three-act comedy show, featuring Vic DiBitetto, Paul Bond and Bob DiBuono.
Wednesday at 8 and 11 p.m. $25 to $40. Bananas Comedy Club, 283 Route 17 South.
(201) 727-1090;

bananascomedyclub.com.

MORRISTOWN The Community Theater at Mayo Center for
the Performing Arts “NBC’s Last Comic Standing Live Tour,” hosted by Bill
Bellamy. Jan. 9. $37 to $52. The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the
Performing Arts, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008; mayoarts.org

New Jersey
Overview

Atlantic City

Casinos
In Atlantic City

Atlantic
City Hilton

The Walk

Bally’s
Atlantic City

Boardwalk Hall

Borgata
Hotel Casino & Spa

Caesars
Atlantic City

Grounds for
Sculpture

Harrah’s
Atlantic City

European
Travel Guide

Planting Fields Arboretum

Sands Point
Preserve

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum

Keansburg Amusement Park

New
Jersey Shore Golfing

New Jersey State Botanical Gardens

Resorts
Atlantic City

Showboat
Atlantic City

Steel
Pier Atlantic City

The Jersey Shore

Tropicana Hotel and Casino

Trump Marina Hotel and Casino

Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino

Trump Taj MahalExotic
Car Rental NJ 15
Passenger Van Rental NJ Newark
Airport Car Rentals 

Van Rental Newark NJ

As the new year approaches, New York City gets ready for its annual Times Square celebration. The famous ball drop atop

 One Times Square has been a tradition dating back to 1906. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people descend upon Times Square to experience this free event. If you are planning to join the festivities, get there early and be prepared - you’ll be corralled into barricaded areas where you’ll have to stay for the duration. If you leave, you can’t get back to where you were.

 

Exotic Car Rental New York

ALBANY — After 26 years, the Albany County sheriff’s office is being forced to park its Safe Ride program for New Year’s.

A year ago, the program provided 961 people with free trips home from bars on the biggest party night of the year. But the program had four fewer buses than needed, and many patrons wound up waiting for two hours or more, Sheriff James Campbell said.

This year, Campbell said, the county had the $10,000 needed for the program but it could only find 15 buses, and a minimum of 25 is necessary. Worried that long waits might prompt people who had been drinking to get in their cars, the sheriff decided not to offer the free ride program.

“We knew we couldn’t do it. We were short last year with 21,” he said. “We average between 800 and 1,000 people so we know what we need.”

The sheriff’s department and other police agencies will have stepped up drunken-driving enforcement programs.

“We’re asking people to use some personal responsibility, to have a designated driver, to have someone who is sober with you,” he said.

The law firm of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti will provide some free rides New Year’s night. The firm can be reached at (800) 529-1010.

In Rensselaer County, the Safe Ride program runs from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. using three county vans. The county program is done in accordance with the Netters Fund, a year-round program to provide free cab rides from participating bars started in memory of Annette Balistreri, who was killed by a drunken driver in 2005.

Saratoga Springs has no Safe Ride program but Martin, Harding and Mazzotti is offering free rides too, said Police Capt. Michael Biss. “If they call and say ‘I am so plastered I can’t stand,’ we’ll make a call and find a family member or someone to give them a ride,” Biss added.

Albany County has not had a drunken-driving fatality on New Year’s in 25 years.

Staff Sgt. Leonard J. Crouch, who oversees the county’s STOP-DWI program, said he hopes the early notice will encourage people to make other plans for getting home.

“If we put one person behind the wheel of a car because they didn’t get picked up or because there was a two- or three-hour wait, what did we accomplish?” Crouch said.

Last year, Northland Transportation of Scotia offered the sole bid and initially said it could provide 15 buses.

“The company was good enough to scrounge around to get us six more people and six more vehicles,” Crouch said, but that proved to be insufficient.

Gary Valenti, general manager for Northland, said his firm also provides vans for Schenectady County’s free ride program. This year, Schenectady County cut the number of vans from 12 to six, he said.

He said he had hoped the 15 buses for Albany would be enough.

“To me, 15 is better than none,” he said. “People don’t mind if they have to wait for an hour. It’s a free ride. It’s a safe ride.”

Valenti said he is worried that Albany’s burgeoning bar scene downtown will mean people will drink and drive.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do. You go from 21 to 0. People aren’t going to stop drinking,” he said. “The volume of drinking has gone up so much. I am very concerned about it.”
Some people who waited for rides continued to drink, Crouch said, and the sheriff’s office feared a delayed ride might prompt drunken drivers to get in their cars.

“We’re putting you at risk,” he said. “The sheriff and I know we can’t work that way. There is a huge personal responsibility. We know last year we had people waiting two or three hours, and some of those people disappeared in the night.”

Staff writer Tim O’Brien can be reached at 454-5092 or by e-mail at tobrien@timesunion.com.

Anti-DWI programs cut back

Some counties are cutting back on their New Year’s Eve free rides. The law firm of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti will provide some free rides. Call (800) 529-1010.

Albany County: No county program

Rensselaer County: Safe Ride available 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. New Year’s Eve, with three county vans. Also, Netters Fund, a year-round program, provides free cab rides from participating bars

Saratoga County: No county program

Schenectady County: County provides some vans
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=754392
passenger van rental 15 passenger van rental in new york

-One great idea is to ship your gifts. With so many security regulations these days, you may have to unwrap your gifts to get through the security checkpoint. Plus, with many airlines having additional baggage fees, it may be cheaper to ship them to begin with. Many shoppers are turning to online stores and this time of year you can find a lot of free shipping deals. Rather than shipping gifts to your house, avoid the hassle altogether and ship them to your holiday destination.

-If you’re planning to fly, it might be a good idea to pack light and carry on your luggage. That way, you can avoid the possibility of losing your luggage, not have to bother with any additional baggage fees, save on check-in time and give yourself additional flexibility.

-So many travel problems occur when you miss your connection, get stuck in an unfamiliar city or have to rebook your flights. If you book a direct flight, you won’t have to worry about missing connecting flights and a good suggestion is to book the earliest departing flight possible.

-The day before and after a holiday are the most expensive times to travel. The reason for this is obviously because they are the busiest times as well. Allow for more flexibility with your travel dates so you can not only get a better deal, but also avoid the crowds.

- Rent a van and avoid the hassle of finding transportation around town. Just be sure to get a map of the city you are visiting so you’ll have a better idea of where you’re going. If possible, try to make car rental arrangements in advance.

-You’re always told to arrive at the airport early, but this statement is never more true than during holiday travel. With the added crowds, it’s important to arrive at least two hours before your departure time to allow for waiting at security checkpoints.

-Don’t forget to bring any important phone numbers that will help with your travel. For emergencies, it’s always important to bring the phone numbers of family members, but don’t forget the number for your travel agent, airline, rental car company or anyone else who may be able to help relieve headaches along the way.

For more information on car rentals during the holiday season, contact Image Rent a Car today or Image Van Rentals!

 

 

 

While gas prices are falling, the recession is causing a lot of cost conscious consumers to stay home this holiday season. According to a AAA survey, the number of people expected to travel 50 plus miles during the holiday nationwide is expected to drop by 1.4 percent in comparison to last year. Consumers are finding ways to cut in any way possible to ensure they have enough money for presents under the tree.

Even with the recession, an estimated 41 million people nationwide are still making plans to travel, with 81 percent of those travelers driving. U.S. airlines are taking a major hit. According to the Air Transport Association of America, this is the first time in seven years that the airlines have seen a drop in Thanksgiving travelers. This doesn’t mean that airports aren’t going to be busy around the holidays. If you’re planning to travel by air, you’ll still want to show up early for flights.

It’s no wonder so many people have decided to drive rather than fly this year. Currently, the national average gas price is $1.698. Look at this number in comparison to the highest average price that was recorded back in July at $4.114. It’s hard to believe that less than six months ago we were paying over double what we are paying today.

During the fuel spikes, several airlines began charging customers for luggage. Then the economy tanked, gas prices went down and many of the airlines never lifted the additional fees. And even with the lower gas prices, air passengers should expect to pay about 8 percent more than last year for tickets, according to an AAA report. However, you can find some airlines slashing fares to combat the weakened economy. If airlines are going to keep charging fees and don’t plan to drop prices, driving is looking like a pretty good option.

If you’d like to travel this holiday season and have time to drive rather than fly, it might be worth considering. With lower fuel prices and the potential to have less people on the highways, this is a good year to hit the road. A nice option for those driving long distances is to rent a car so you don’t have to put mileage on your own vehicle. Or, event better, rent a van and you’ll have plenty of space to stretch out during your long drive. Plus, if you’re traveling with a large family, you can rent a 15 passenger van and carpool to save on gas.

For more information on car rentals during the holiday season, contact Image Rent a Car today!

If you have been tasked with planning a birthday celebration, graduation, bachelor or bachelorette party, hammering out all of the details can be a difficult and stressful experience. If you’re planning a party with multiple destinations or would like to spend an entire weekend celebrating, finding transportation for the entire group should be top priority. Your best bet for an extended celebration might be renting a large van for the group to commute around town during your stay. Or, if you’re just needing transportation for an evening, you may consider a shuttle service. 

Whether you are planning a trip out of town or looking to stay in your hometown to celebrate, there are so many options for group activities. Obviously, your activities will depend on your location, but here are some popular ideas:

   

• Paintball is a great group experience that’s sure to be a lot of fun. Of course, if this is a bachelor or bachelorette party, make sure it’s not too close to the wedding as those paint pellets sure sting and have the potential to bruise! If you are concerned about the pain or bruising that goes along with paintball, another similar option is laser tag.
• Scavenger hunts can add to an evening’s festivities. If you’ve hired a shuttle service, make a stop at a restaurant, planned activity, a couple of night clubs and then back to the hotel. Pre-arrange to have small gifts or slightly embarrassing activities planned for the person-of-honor at each location.
• Head to a karaoke bar and sing the night away with your friends. Just keep in mind that some karaoke bars are frequented by regulars and there is an etiquette that is followed by audience members and singers. Sit back and listen to a few of the songs before hopping on stage and belting out your favorite tune.
  Who doesn’t like a good go cart ride every once in a while? Find a local race track and bring out that competitive spirit. Many race tracks also have arcades and other entertainment nearby, so when you think you’ve had enough racing, head to the other attractions with the group.
• Play a sport - whether it’s football, hockey or golf, nothing is more fun than getting the group together and exerting some energy while you’re at it. Try finding something that everyone in the group can play. Or, plan an alternate activity for those who aren’t interested so they can still have fun while the rest of the group is participating in the sporting activity.
• If you’re interested in traveling to another city for your celebration, New York City parties are high on the list of top cities. Whether you party in Manhattan or The Hamptons on Long Island, New York City is a happening place and offers a lot to partiers with nightclubs for every taste, party boats, and more. New York also has more restaurants per capita than any other city in North America. If you decide that New York is your destination of choice, hire a shuttle service to take you around town and you won’t have the added stress of driving in the Big Apple.

Once you’ve selected your destination and decided on your activities, the bulk of your work is complete. Since you will have a large group, it is always smart to contact restaurants, nightclubs or attractions in advance to ensure that you don’t need to make reservations. If you’re planning an extended weekend celebration, you’ll also want to find a place to stay that will fit the entire group. House rentals are always a good option or you can reserve a block of rooms at a hotel. You’ll also need to line up your transportation, whether it be renting a van or hiring a shuttle service. If you are planning a van rental, be sure to designate a driver in advance to ensure the safety of you and your guests.

While it may seem like a lot of work now, it will all pay off in the end. Planning the party is the hard part, but once it’s done, you can sit back and have a blast!