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Short Takes

Museums & Attractions

  • This winter marks the annual migration of humpback whales through the waters around Hawaii’s Big Island. Groups can experience the migration onboard the Hula Kai Whale Watch Cruise, a 55-foot Technicraft power catamaran. Along the cruise a marine naturalist tells the story of humpback whales through lectures, visuals and firsthand commentary, teaching about Hawaii’s ancient ties to humpbacks and about humpback whale behavior in Hawaii where they mate and give birth. A special hydrophone allows guests to listen to whales’ underwater songs. Capacity is limited to 42 passengers and cruises run through the end of March. For more information, call 808.345.0268 or visit www.fair-wind.com.
  • As the Vegas skyline reaches new heights, Sin City is also expanding underground. In the works is the new $50 million Mob Museum, scheduled to open in 2010 in a 1933-built brick federal building. Just a few of the figures to be featured include Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, who opened the Flamingo casino hotel in 1946 and was rubbed out just a year later. Meyer Lansky, one of the underworld’s most powerful and influential figures who helped bankroll the Flamingo, will also be profiled. In addition, Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro, a Chicago mob enforcer who moved to Las Vegas in 1971 and partnered with Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, who ran several casinos, including the former Stardust, is also a museum subject. Spilotro and Rosenthal were the inspiration for characters in the 1995 movie Casino. For more information, call the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at 702.892.0711, or visit www.visitlasvegas.com.

Programs & Packages

  • The 320 Guest Ranch, located just outside Big Sky in Montana, is offering its Winter Fantasy Package for the first quarter of 2008. The package includes lodging, use of the ranch’s conference center, continental breakfast, luncheon buffet, dinner, a sleigh ride, and ski lift tickets to Big Sky or Moonlight Basin. The package, good for 20 or more meeting guests, can be upgraded to include dog sledding, snowmobiling and a private dinner for an added amount. The package runs through the end of March and has no blackout dates. For more information, call 406.995.4283 or visit www.320Ranch.com.
  • Mexico’s Las Brisas Ixtapa is offering a meeting package through the end of March. The package, available to groups booking 25 rooms or more, features one upgrade per 25 paid rooms, complimentary breakfast, five VIP amenities for every 25 paid rooms, complimentary use of gym facilities, and a 20 percent discount for golf at Club De Golf Palma Real. The price of the package is $205 per room, per night. For more information, call 011.52.755.553.2121 or visit www.brisas.com.mx.