There are new travel screening checks getting lined up for foreign visitors to the US.

Europeans and others who travel visa-free to the United States can start registering in August for a new online security screening check that will become mandatory in January to enter the U.S., officials said this week.

The new security measure will replace current paper forms that foreign visitors from the 27 countries that participate in the U.S. visa waiver program have to fill out once they enter U.S. territory at airports and seaports. It will not apply to land border crossings into the United States, where authorities will continue to use the paper forms.

The Electronic System of Travel Authorization — or ESTA — “will help to modernize our pen and ink system and bring it into the 21st century,” said Jackie Bednarz from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “All travelers including children of all ages must have an approved ESTA beginning Jan. 12.”

No fee will be charged to fill out the online form, which will be valid for trips to the U.S. over a two-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires within that time.  Read more…

I was recently in the market for tires. I didn’t know what I needed exactly either. Some people said I needed Toyo tires and others said Nitto tires. I didn’t know what to do. I eventually found a tire store and they helped me choose exactly what I needed since I didn’t know how to choose tires.

I was able to find some great tire and wheel packages at Performance Plus Tire and Auto Center. They helped me to figure out what I needed exactly and to stay within my budget. The guys there even put them on my car and it didn’t take long at all. I even had fun. I don’t know anything about cars but now I feel like I could  do this on my own. I learned exactly what I should have always known and I feel confident in my tire and rim abilities now.

I think PPT really knows their stuff. They have a fantastic staff and an enormous selection. They even taught me how to change a flat tire. I will go back to them if I’m ever in this situation again.

Summertime in the U.S. means tennis because the U.S. Open tennis tournament takes place from the end of August through the beginning of September. The U.S. Open coverage will be shown on the Tennis Channel. They always have great commentary and their analysis is second to none. I predict that Rafael Nadal will play in the men’s singles final. I’m not sure who I think he will play against, though.

This tournament differs from the three other Grand Slam tournaments in that there are final-set tiebreaks. It makes the tournament last a bit longer. The U.S. Open tournament is played on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on an acrylic hard court. Each winner gets $1.4 million and it begins with about 600 males and female professional players. This year the prize money comes to a whopping $120.6 million.

It should be interesting because most all professional players will represent their respective countries in the Olympics beginning in August. They won’t get much rest between tournaments but this is fine for most players as they love the competition.

The downtown district of the City of Angels is in the midst of a revolution with the opening of the Nokia Theatre in October last year, the relatively new Staples Center, and a burst of construction bringing new shops and renovations to old ones in the area. There’s a lot to see and do in the downtown area of Los Angeles, for both business and pleasure. When resting from a long day of activities, wouldn’t it be ideal to stay some place nice?

Perhaps the most flamboyant of accommodations, the Figueroa Hotel stands tall in the heart of downtown. Entering the hotel is an experience like Alice entering the looking glass and being taken to a whole new world. Brightly colored tapestries and wall colors complement an abundance of detailed, textured wood in an amazing display of rich décor. The exotic ambiance even caught the eye of French entertainment troupe, Cirque du Soleil, for their Varekai private party. Leave your worries behind; you don’t have to be a world famous entertainer to stay at the Figueroa. Guest rooms are available and affordable as an alternative to the usual hotel chains.

However, if a more of the same hotel chain room suits your tastes, perhaps the best option is the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. Service truly is what separates the Bonaventure from the rest. The hotel boasts varying rooms for those on business and those just on vacation to ensure whatever your needs, they are met. Upon your arrival, a bellhop is likely to give you a warm welcome and provide swift assistance. Renovations have ensured the elegance of the restaurants and hallways are carried over into the guest rooms. The hotel has been an icon since opening in the 70s and prominently featured in movies like In the Line of Fire, Nick of Time, and This is Spinal Tap. More recently it can be seen in the popular CSI television show and this summer’s Hancock.

Getting new window blinds can be a daunting task. It sounds simple enough but if your window treatments are a part of your decor, then you probably want something a little different than the cheap plastic blinds that many people have. I wanted something different and something better. The problem was that I didn’t know what I wanted or where I wanted to get them.

I did a Google search for ‘blinds’ and found Next Day Blinds. I was able to go through their Website and find all different kinds of blinds. I settled on bamboo blinds for my guest bedroom because it has a sort of Asian theme. It’s not over the top or anything but now with the bamboo blinds, it is just right. For my living room I got plantation shutters. They are absolutely beautiful and they add a lot of personality to it. For my kitchen I got honeycomb blinds. I wanted to keep the heat out but not the light. The honeycomb blinds are perfect for that. The room stays sunny and my air condition bill stays low. Next Day Blinds really does have everything you could need for window treatments.

The Hotel Del Coronado is a famous resort located on the edge of the beach on the island of Coronado close to down town San Diego. The hotel is one of America’s most famous hotels with quite a bit of history attached to it and dates back to 1888. The hotel has a distinctly Victorian feel about it – although in many ways it is also has a contemporary and modern feel about it.

The resort defiantly has a romantic feel about it and during my visit to the resort I witnessed umpteen weddings. This is also the place for family vacations – with lots of things to do including special programs for children and teens. Examples include surfing lessons, smores parties and tie dying parties.

As it is a large resort in a wonderful location the hotel is popular with business meetings and seminars. It has over 65,000 feet of meeting and exhibition space.

The Hotel Del Coronado is a truly a classic American experience!