Stuttering Foundation Launches ID Card For People Who Stutter

The Stuttering Foundation has announced the creation of a free identification card available to all those who stutter. It is designed to help them identify themselves in a nonverbal way as someone who may have trouble speaking. The ID card is available in two downloadable formats on the Foundation's website at www.StutteringHelp.org. "We hope our free 'I Stutter Card' finds a place in the wallet, purse or backpack of every person who stutters," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. "It is designed to help people educate those who are not familiar with this complex disorder." The card was created in response to a recent incident involving Kylah Simmons, a U.S. citizen returning home through the Atlanta airport after studying abroad. According to media reports, Ms. Simmons, a person who stutters, was questioned repeated about her stutter by a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent. According to reports, Ms. Simmons was repeatedly told by the agent that she was "lying" about her stutter. "I looked him in the eyes and explained to him that my disability was not a problem but was simply a personal challenge for me that makes it difficult for me to communicate... I was continuously told that I was lying and that I was being dishonest. All my life, I have been bullied and silenced because of my stutter. I felt silenced today," said Ms. Simmons. Ms. Simmons worked with the Foundation to make the card available to the 70 million people worldwide who stutter. "When questioned by someone in authority, we all may have difficulty maintaining our fluency. For someone who stutters, it can be a much greater challenge. We hope this tool will make a difference," added Fraser. Foundation Spokesperson Jane Fraser Jane Fraser is president of The Stuttering Foundation and co-author of If Your Child Stutters: A Guide for Parents, 8th edition. She is also vice president of the Action for Stammering Children, Michael Palin Centre, London.   About the Stuttering Foundation Malcolm Fraser, a successful businessman and stutterer, established and endowed the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation in 1947. The Stuttering Foundation provides a toll-free helpline, 800-992-9392, and free online resources on its Website, www.StutteringHelp.org, including services, referrals and support to people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering.   The Stuttering Foundation offers 6 tips for speaking with someone who stutters.

Hilton Worldwide Adds Vintro Hotel South Beach To Curio – A Collection by Hilton

One Part Vintage, One Part Wine, and a Heavy Dose of Relaxation

in Iconic South Beach

 Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced that Vintro Hotel South Beach will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton™, a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their distinctive character and personality, appealing to passionate travelers seeking local discovery. Vintro Hotel South Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton is expected to open in March.

A high-design update of a classic Art Deco building, the 50-room Vintro Hotel South Beach is in the heart of the "new" South Beach emerging cultural center just two blocks from the beach, and steps away from the Bass Museum, Miami City Ballet, The New World Symphony, and the Miami Beach Convention Center, home of Art Basel.

“It’s no coincidence that this will be our second property in South Florida in such short order since we launched the brand just over a year ago,” said Matt Wehling, senior vice president, development – North America, Hilton Worldwide. “Travelers are looking for new ways to experience their favorite destinations, and we’re more than happy to oblige by welcoming remarkable properties like Vintro Hotel South Beach to the Curio collection.”

At the heart of the Vintro Hotel South Beach is a mosaic wall in the lobby that embodies the relaxed vintage personality of the hotel and restaurant that has been rated among the Top 25 Hotels in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.

The Mediterranean and Latin-inspired Vintro Kitchen Restaurant and Scorpion Bar are committed to ingredient-based, craft food and drinks, and serve artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, tapas, small plates, salads, wild-caught fish, and responsibly-sourced meats. And, of course, a wine selection from across the globe that underscores Vintro’s personality.

“Every single project has its own character, its own life, its own style - which inevitably comes from its location,” said Enrique Colmenares, owner and president of Vintro Hotel. “We succeeded in capturing that Miami Beach essence in the Vintro Hotel South Beach, and Curio will allow us to reach the independent-minded travelers looking for just such an experience.”

Alongside the Collins Canal, the hotel’s terrace, rooftop lounge and pool are the perfect places for either a quiet nightcap or private events for up to 50 guests. Guest rooms are designed with contemplative comfort in mind, featuring a custom-designed citrus palette with king beds, rain showers, natural bath amenities, plush robes and towels, 50” LED monitors and complimentary Wi-Fi.

“This property offers an authentic Miami experience, and we look forward to giving guests exactly that when the hotel joins the Curio collection in a few short months,” said Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton. “From its emphasis on fine wine to its artful design, the Vintro Hotel South Beach represents the allure of the South Beach neighborhood and reflects the individuality Curio is known for.”

As members of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, all Curio hotels, including Vintro Hotel South Beach participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn both Points and Miles on the same stay and no blackout dates on reward stays. In addition, HHonors members can use Points to purchase unique experience rewards, premium merchandise, make charitable contributions and more.

For more information on Vintro Hotel South Beach, visit curiocollection.com.   

About Curio – A Collection by Hilton

Curio – A Collection by Hilton™ (curio.com) is a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their unique character and personality; each one a part of the city they call home. Curio guests are passionate, independent-minded travelers seeking local and authentic experiences who value the added peace-of-mind that comes with the Hilton name and award-winning Hilton HHonors program. Curio joins a portfolio of world-class brands from Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Come discover the latest stories at news.curio.com, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or inquire about development opportunities at hiltonworldwide.com/development.

2 New Restaurants In Paris Awarded Michelin's 3 Stars

 

PARIS (AP) — Two of Paris' ritziest dining establishments received the ultimate consecration Monday when they joined the select list of three-star restaurants in the 2016 Michelin Guide, the little red guide to the great and the good of French gastronomy.

Chef Alain Ducasse regained a third star for his restaurant inside the Plaza Athenee hotel, while Christian Le Squer gained a coveted triple star for Le Cinq, his restaurant in the George V hotel.

The awards ceremony on Paris' chic Place Vendome began with a minute of silence for three-star chef Benoit Violier, who was found dead Sunday in his Swiss home of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

The guide's international director, Michael Ellis, said Ducasse's cuisine "offers an unprecedented marriage of flavors and shakes up the codes of haute gastronomy."

Airlines Restore Small Perks Including Expanding Complementary Entertainment, Cookies, And Pretzels

• 

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2016, file photo, a passenger talks on the phone as American Airlines jets... Read more

NEW YORK (AP) — After 15 years of near austerity, U.S. airlines are restoring some small perks for passengers crammed into coach.

Don't expect ample legroom or free checked bags. But fliers will find improved snacks, a larger selection of free movies and — on a few select routes — the return of free meals.

Monday, American Airlines became the latest carrier to add something back. It announced the return of free snacks in the economy section and more free entertainment options on some aircraft.

American, which recently merged with US Airways, hasn't offered free snacks since 2003. US Airways stripped passengers of snacks in 2008.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the subsequent recession, airlines removed almost ever perk imaginable. Hot meals disappeared along with legroom, blankets and pillows.

"It was really about survival," says Fernand Fernandez, vice president of global marketing at American.

When Continental Airlines stopped giving out free cookies and mini bags of pretzels in 2011 — after its merger with United Airlines — it said the move would save $2.5 million a year.

Since then, mergers have created four mega-carriers that control more than 80 percent of the domestic market. They started charging $25 for each checked suitcase. And more seats have been crammed into planes to maximize profits. Now the industry is making record profits.

"What has changed ," Fernandez says, "is that the airlines have been able to fix our core business and be able to reinvest in our customers."

That means new planes, larger overhead bins and for a long time, nicer first class cabins.

Now a bit of that wealth is trickling back to coach.

In February, American will start offering Biscoff cookies or pretzels to passengers flying between New York and San Francisco or Los Angeles. By April, those snacks will expand to all other domestic routes. In May, American will bring back full meal service for coach passengers between Dallas and Hawaii.

"We know that we have customers who select our airline based on price and we're really excited to offer them a product that is superior to choosing an ultra-low cost carrier," Fernandez says.

United recently announced the return of free snacks on its flights starting in February. Delta Air Lines — the other big legacy carrier — never removed snacks, even during bankruptcy.

American is also expanding its complimentary entertainment on domestic flights with in-seat TVs. Passengers will be able to choose from up to 40 movies, 60 TV shows and 300 music albums. Delta has taken a different path, focusing more on entertainment that passengers can stream to their own devices. It now offers about 67 movies and 138 TV shows for free.

"These are token investments in the passenger experience that will not cost airlines a lot of money but are small ways to make passengers a little bit happier," says Henry Harteveldt, the founder of travel consultancy Atmosphere Research Group. "American and United realized: We don't let other airlines have an advantage on price, why let them have one on pretzels."

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

The Most And Least Loved Safari Tourists

Over 400 African safari operators participated in the largest survey of its kind to reveal the most and least loved safari tourists. The results are in and Americans are the clear winner.

 

SafariBookings.com, the largest online marketplace for African safari tours conducted this extensive survey. In similar surveys for other destinations, Americans are often one of the least favored tourists. But not in Africa. They love Americans. No less than 85% of the surveyed operators rated Americans as pleasant to very pleasant. They indicated Americans are friendly, have great humor, and tip generously.

Italians are the least favored safari tourists
Although operators appreciate clients from all nationalities, Italians were the least loved. More than 18% of operators found Italians to be annoying, or very annoying. They indicated Italians are ruder, seldom on time, and often completely ignore the guide's instructions. On the bright side, the survey also shows Italians are easy to please.

Brazilians are notorious latecomers and the Dutch are least likely to tip
The survey also included other stereotypes. Brazilians love life… and are the 2nd worst latecomers, after Italians. A stunning 45% of operators indicated Dutch to be the worst tippers. Of all other nationalities, only the French came close to them in the “poor tipping” department.

British are hard to please, Germans most punctual
Overall, British tourists did very well. Operators hold them in high regard. They said British are polite, on time, and pay attention to the guide's instructions. The only point of criticism was, according to 55% of operators, the British are most hard to please.  Germans are considered to be most punctual. Over 61% of operators indicated Germans are always on time. Regarding punctuality, British and Germans scored significantly better than other nationalities.

Native English speakers are more friendly and more fun
Surprising was that nationalities who have English as their native language scored much better than non-English nationalities. We were unable to explain exactly why, but we suspect that having English as the native language makes it easier to communicate with the tour guide.

Differences between operators in East and Southern Africa
Operators in East Africa are especially fond of American tourists. In Southern Africa, operators are more charmed by British and Canadian tourists. In South Africa they like their national tourists least, although they do think South Africans have a good laugh and are fun to be with.

Source: https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/328/ 

Where To Go In Florence, Italy

By INGRID K. WILLIAMS, www.nytimes.com

In San Lorenzo, new spots with style and international flair are now attracting legions of foreigners and Florentines alike.

Abutting Florence’s main train station, San Lorenzo is a maze of mostly dingy streets that locals typically avoided, especially after dark. But since the district’s historic Mercato Centrale opened its gorgeous upper floor — a gleaming space filled with vendors of Tuscany’s finest artisanal foodstuffs— in 2014, the entire neighborhood has been looking better. By day, the streets surrounding Mercato Centrale are still packed with stalls peddling leather goods, cheap scarves and kitschy souvenirs to tourists. But at night,new spots with style and international flair are now attracting legions of foreigners and Florentines alike.

1. Photo

   

   CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times

   La Ménagère
   The rambling old building that housed one of Florence’s oldest housewares stores reopened last June as a genre-busting gathering place. Still called La Ménagère and spanning over 16,000 square feet, it is a cosmopolitan complex with a coffee bar, flower shop, restaurant, cocktail bar and, in a nod to the previous tenant, a retail area with handmade ceramics and housewares.
   Via de’ Ginori 8r; 39-055-075-0600; lamenagere­.it

2. Photo

   

   CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times

   Lo Sverso
   This convivial bar threw open its doors last May with live music, domestic craft beers on tap and creative cocktails mixed with house-made syrups and tonics.­
   Via Panicale 7/9r

3. Photo

   

   CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times

   Polpa
   A trend that began in Milan is evident in this “burger trattoria” opposite Mercato Centrale. It focuses on quality ingredients, like a Chianina beef burger topped with pancetta, herbs and pecorino.
   Piazza del Mercato Centrale 22r; 39-055-286-770;polpa.it/it/firenze

4. Photo

   

   CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times

   Sabor Cubano
   The heady scent of mint and a call of “Hola!” from behind the bar welcome visitors to this intimate cocktail bar, which was opened by a Cuban bartender. The house specialty is the mojito, best sipped at an alfresco table.
   Via Sant’Antonino 64r; 39-331-773-1536; saborcubanofirenze­.com

5. Photo

   

   CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times

   My Sugar
   Immediately after opening last July, this tiny artisanal gelateria catapulted to the top of best-gelato lists thanks to scrumptious flavors like melacotta (ricotta, apple, cinnamon and honey), which are made by hand daily on site. 
   Via de’ Ginori 49r; 39-393-069-6042