Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!New Passport Fees in U.S.
By Linda Tancs
Nothing may be certain but death and taxes, but you can rest assured that fees for governmental services will rise with the tides (especially when economic conditions dictate). So the following represents the proposed fee increases on U.S. passports arising from a federal rulemaking back in February:
• $135 for a first-time U.S. Passport for adults (age 16 and over)
• $110 for U.S. Passport renewal (age 16 and over only)
• $105 for a U.S. Passport for minors (under age 16)
• $55 for a first-time U.S. Passport Card for adults (age 16 and over).
Note that the Department of State reported that 658 U.S. Passport Cards issued on March 29, 2010 were found to be defective and therefore invalid at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Affected individuals are being contacted and provided with passport card replacement procedures.
• $30 for a U.S. Passport Card for adults (age 16 and over) who currently hold a fully valid U.S. Passport
• $40 for a U.S. Passport Card for minors (under age 16)
• $82 for additional visa pages
The fee for expedited service will remain $60.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Old Masters in London
By Linda Tancs
Now through 13 June enjoy Old Master paintings, antiques, furniture and jewelry at Olympia International Art and Antiques Fair, London’s oldest and largest summer international fine art and antiques fair. Vetted by a team of 200 experts, the offerings are diverse enough for every level of collector. Olympia Exhibition Hall, the venue, is outside the city’s infamous congestion zone. Pre-book parking or take the tube to Kensington Olympia.
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Poker Faces Galore in Las Vegas
By Linda Tancs
They’re making history at the World Series of Poker championships at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For only the second time in WSOP’s history, a pair of brothers made it to the final table for the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy and $1.55 million in prize money. The action is hardly over, however. The biggest poker gathering of the year runs until 17 July, culminating in the 13-day No-Limit Hold’em Championship. Wanna play? Better pre register to guarantee a seat at the pot of your choice.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Man’s Best Friend Unleashed at Sydney Film Festival
By Linda Tancs
Sydney’s film festival has gone to the dogs, as 2010’s theme, Unleashed, suggests. On the festival’s home page you’ll find a pageant of pooches, including Derek the stuntman (or stunt pooch). Well, they do say the festival is open to everyone. Now in its 57th year, it’s one of the longest running festivals. From 2 June to 14 June, you can experience a good share of thrills, chills, passion, humor, action and traction in a variety of venues at the heart of Sydney’s business district and along the harbor. In fact, 150 feature-length films from around 45 countries, including features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, a silent film presentation, and films for families await you. And with fares at historic lows, you have no reason to bow out of this one.
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The Four-Footed Van Gogh
By Linda Tancs
Van Gogh remarked, “Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.” Who better to love nature than those who dwell in it? I’m talking about members of the animal kingdom, some of which are budding artists at animal arts programs like the one found at Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana. There you can meet and greet your pachyderm Picasso, penguin Pannini or sea lion Storck and take home your own custom masterpiece. The marine animals will paint through May and in autumn; the elephant program runs through October.
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‘Tis The Season
By Linda Tancs
‘Tis the season, and I don’t mean Christmas. As summer rounds the corner, Britain kicks into high gear with a series of glam events characterizing what is known as The Season, starting with the Chelsea Flower Show in London through 29 May. If your plans don’t permit attendance at one of the world’s foremost horticultural shows, don’t worry. It isn’t over until the fat lady sings, as the expression goes. That would be on 29 August, the close of Glyndebourne Festival, an annual opera festival near Lewes, East Sussex. In the meanwhile, you can enjoy the pomp and circumstance at such staples as Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta and Cowes Week.
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Island Life Increases in Borneo
By Linda Tancs
Conservationist group WWF has reported the discovery of new species in Borneo, the world’s third largest island. The newest inhabitants include a lungless frog, a flying amphibian and a slug that shoots love darts. Cupid, you’ve met your match. In the past three years, 123 species of plant and animal have been discovered in this Southeast Asian island paradise about the size of Texas. In particular, there are 66 new plant species, 17 fish, 5 frogs, 3 snakes, 29 invertebrates, 2 lizards and a bird sharing space in what Charles Darwin described as “one great luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself.” In an effort to prevent overcrowding, efforts are underway to protect 85,000 square miles of rainforest. You can bet at least one frog gives a flying leap about that.
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Dreams for Sale
By Linda Tancs
In the movie Field of Dreams, an Iowa corn farmer interprets voices he hears as a command to build a baseball diamond in his corn fields. Well, the diamond that Universal Studios built for the film, along with a two-bedroom house, six outbuildings and 193 acres in Dyersville, Iowa, is for sale. Apparently, the owners are ready to retire and let someone else carry on the tourist attraction summoning over a million visitors since the movie’s release two decades ago. Time to ask yourself: if you buy it, will they come?
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Mark Twain Slept Here
By Linda Tancs
Mark Twain, the celebrated creator of such classic characters as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, lived from 1874 to 1891 in a nineteen-room Victorian mansion in Hartford, Connecticut. A National Historic Landmark featuring interior decor designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (of lamp fame), the property commemorates this year the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death and 125 years since publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Visit the billiard room where Twain did his writing and see the bed carved with angels where he slept. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch some inspiration.
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The Yacht Industry’s Finest
By Linda Tancs
This Saturday’s 5th Annual World Superyacht Awards at London’s Guildhall demonstrates just how much size really does matter. The gala awards show and dinner showcases the best of the best in superyacht design this year. Fourteen Neptune awards will be issued, including best long distance voyager, best young designer, outstanding contributor to the industry, and yachts of the year in categories such as motor, refitted and sailing. Interested in attending? Alas, priority goes to yachtsmen. The rudderless can always watch the video.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 