Yona Williams
I apologize for my absence. I have recently returned from an exciting vacation on the other side of the country. Once I am able to post images - I will devote an entire week on the destination. Can you guess where I went? I will give you 3 clues.
2) Hot
3) Dry
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As mentioned in my previous post regarding e-club and birthday specials and freebies, signing up for restaurant newsletters and clubs can help you save money when celebrating your birthday on-the-go or right in your neck of the woods. I've come across a few other selections to consider, which are listed below.
Other Restaurant Birthday E-Club Freebies:
Damon's Grill – grilled chicken, seafood and ribs
Locations: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin Freebies: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Entrée for Birthday; $5 off any Dinner Entrée on Anniversary of Sign-up Date
Bennigan's – grill and tavern
Try the Turkey O'Toole with the Bennigan's Pretzel Roll – hmmm. They also send monthly Member Perks – like free desserts and appetizers. Locations Freebie: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Entrée for Birthday
Houlihan's – Exotic and creative dishes; fun drinks
Receive coupons on the anniversary of your sign-up date. Locations Freebies: Free Birthday Entrée; Three's Company Mini Dessert Trio or Large Dessert on Sign-up Date Anniversary
BD's Mongolian Barbeque – Create your own stir fry
It is truly a delicious experience! They also recently opened a restaurant in Louisville. Locations Freebie: Free Stir-Fry Meal
Ruby Tuesday's – Free Dessert
The next time you settle into a long US Airways flight, you may not have the chance to pass the time with an in-flight movie. As the airline tries to cut expenses on domestic flights, you'll find this welcomed feature axed by fall. Simply put, just another casuality of rising fuel costs with many more to come. While movie executives and Hollywood will suffer a slight blow from this decision, they do not predict other airlines to follow suit. On the bright side, you will have plenty of time to dust off that bestseller calling your name.
Yes, Timbuktu really exists! It’s a city located in the West African nation of Mali and has somehow found its way into the popular lexicon of Americans as a far-away destination – "from here to Timbuktu." However, what may surprise you is that the region possesses a deep culture and history – all of which is stored, hidden, and treasured throughout the entire city. There are thousands upon thousands of ancient manuscripts thriving about the land, some dating back to pre-Islamic times and the 12th century.
Travelers who come to Timbuktu find an educational goldmine that touches upon the thoughts of Mali Empire wise men to astronomy to music to botany to history. Sudanic accounts from the 17th century, the ins and outs of trade, religion, law, and the sciences are also discussed in the many manuscripts of Timbuktu. 
In 1970, the Mali government founded the Ahmed Baba Institute to restore some of the manuscripts and record their contents into digital form. The center has been able to collect more than 18,000 manuscripts, but it is estimated that between 300,000 and 700,000 manuscripts are located throughout the region. Some are protected by generations of inhabitants, while others are simply hidden in the desert, caves, and buried underground.
In town, there are 60 to 80 private libraries that have been preserving manuscripts in Timbuktu, including the Mamma Haidara Library, Mohamed Tahar Library, and the Fondo Kati Library, where close to 3,000 records hailing from Andalusian origin are kept – some dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. These libraries and their counterparts are part of what is known as the "African Ink Road," which stretches across West Africa to North Africa to East Africa.
How would you like to enjoy a stay at one of the greenest hotels in the country and I'm not referring to the color? The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina uses 40% less energy and 35% less water than your typical hotel. How do they accomplish this feat? 40,000 square feet of solar panels situated on the roof is responsible for heating the restaurant and supplying hot water throughout the hotel. The guestrooms are also outfitted with water conservation fixtures.
Many people are under the misconception that you must sacrifice luxury when choosing an eco-friendly establishment. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Proximity Hotel offers access to complimentary Wi-Fi, 32-inch flat-panel televisions, original art, and large windows that allow a rush of natural light to blanket your surroundings.
Hotel Details
- 147 Rooms
- Print Works Bistro Restaurant - classic European bistro dishes
- Outdoor Terrace
- Otis' Gen2 Elevator – offering regenerative drive
- 70+ Energy and Health Enhancements
- Custom Furniture and Magi Beds
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Average Rates: ~$179 per night