Mommy Diva

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo, ©2009 - There’s a lot of Chicago immediately west of Chicago. Chicago’s western suburbs offer stimulating attractions, “A” class shopping centers, such as Oak Brook Center and Yorktown, with plenty of lovely open spaces and easy access to the city’s attractions, via the Eisenhower Expressway. I chose a Marriott property in this location on a recent trip to visit the new 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame, Forest Park, and the “ Italians in Chicago” exhibit at the Italian Cultural Center, Stone Park. Marriott’s Residence Inn Chicago Oak Brook, is perfect for extended stays and offers a high level of service, comfort and convenience. I love this all-suite hotel for its homey and convenient layout, complimentary cooked and cold breakfasts and afternoon “socials” with food and beverages and huge lounge, perfect for after-hours meetings on comfy sofas around the fireplace. The design of the registration and entrance area makes for very quick check-ins, putting guests in their rooms within minutes of arrival. There’s plenty of free parking and carts for handling luggage if needed. The spacious and comfortable suites provide a full living room, televisions, desk with internet connections, full kitchen, plenty of closet space and dining area with ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo ©2009 - They’re back! Sadly, there was no train exhibit last year at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA, and plenty of train enthusiasts were disappointed, especially those who had enjoyed the trains the previous two years. But this year the train exhibits have returned, bigger and better, thanks to the dedication of various model train clubs, including the Southern California LEGO© Train Club and Train Collector’s Association and Empire Railway Museum, Perris, California. This is a “must-see” holiday event for the entire family: A tradition to treasure. It’s hard to tell who is more thrilled by the 1,500 feet of track, 13” tall multi-layered landscapes with 14 trains running on six tracks – adults remembering their own toy trains as children or the children they have with them, experiencing the romance of trains as their fathers and grandfathers once did. The exhilarating displays call for repeat visits to fully appreciate the charm of the two rooms of trains. The entrance lobby is taken up with a ginormous LEGO© landscape, while the traditional mountain of trains keeps company with the George Washington “Crossing the Delaware” painting in a separate room. The LEGO© cityscape is spectacular, with ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo ©2009 - San Diego, like Shakespeare’s Cleopatra, “…age cannot wither nor custom stale her infinite variety…” enjoys a glamorous reputation.  The Southern California city,  is a sparkling jewel set about with water and dotted with lovely hotels, fabulously fun entertainments, and historical sites such as SeaWorld, San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo, architecturally adventurous Balboa Park with its many museums, the USS Midway,  and the first of the 21 California missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala, established by Franciscan Friars in the 18th century for the Spanish crown. It is true to say that  no matter how many times one visits San Diego there is always more to see and relish. Having written about San Diego for decades it is refreshing to know there is always something left unexplored to which one can look forward.  Though summer is past, fall offers continuing warm weather, with fewer tourists, online discount coupons and lower hotel rates. There are many special events to entice visitors: Fleet Week San Diego, actually runs into mid-October with many events, including US Navy ship tours; Miramar Air Show, Oct. 2, 3 and 4;  SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular; Little Italy Festa, Oct. 11 and SD Wine ...

Run 4 Her Life 5k / 10k for Breast Cancer Research will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. and feature a live musical performance by GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist and "Dancing With The Stars" contestant, Mýa. Registration fee is $35 in advance and $45 day of and includes a custom designed Affliction/Run 4 Her Life t-shirt ($82 value), gift bag and all event festivities, including entrance to the concert.  Team and Groups are also encouraged to participate.  Please visit www.Run4HerLife.com for additional details and to register. The Americana at Brand, located in the heart of downtown Glendale, will offer entrants and guests a variety of live entertainment, expo and post-event party. In addition to the competitive 5k / 10k races the event also offers a 5k Family Fun Run / Walk. "Caruso Affiliated is honored to support this inaugural event and its critical mission of funding for breast cancer research. Our team is working hard to ensure that it also will be a delightful day for the entire family," said Rick Caruso, president and CEO, Caruso Affiliated. To get in shape for the October 2009 Race, lululemon athletica Glendale will conduct complimentary Sunday morning fitness classes at The ...

By  Angela Rocco DeCarlo Before Galileo built the first complete astronomical telescope, 400 years ago,  humans were nearly universally unaware of the specifics of the solar system. In fact, it was accepted the Earth was the center of the Universe and only in imagination did man fly to the Moon. Yet, in 2009, the International Year of Astronomy as designated by the United Nations, in recognition of Galileo's first telescope observations, American men walked upon the Moon. It is a time to celebrate Galileo and his scientific decedents, the astronauts and scientists and builders of the NASA lunar projects Those of us fortunate enough to have been alive July 20, 1969, to watch a world-wide television broadcast saw Commander Neil Armstrong float down from Earth’s spacecraft, Eagle, onto the virgin surface of our Moon, enshrining man’s footprint with the words, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." It was wondrous. Beyond thrilling. Heroic. As a nation it was, as President Richard Nixon later said, in a phone call to the astronauts, “…proudest day of our lives…” As my babies slept, I, along with an estimated half a billion other persons, were privileged to experience the fulfillment ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo There’s still time to catch the captivating exhibit, “Novel Constructions – Artists Create Monumental Books” at the charming Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. The exhibit closes August 16 and I’m sorry I didn’t see it earlier. When I first walked into the exhibit I was, by turns, puzzled, confounded, but ultimately delighted, by the novel approach crafted by the six artists who created the works in the exhibit. I was taken by surprise by the circular wordy disks artist Cheryl Sorg created. At first glance it is not apparent there is text in the graceful shapes on what appears to be huge plastic panels. Upon closer inspection the monumental scope of her creation comes into view and one is charmed by the originality and celebration of the printed word. It is a monstrous task to cut and paste, all in a circular format, the printed pages used in the display. How she achieved the precise design is a wonderment. The museum brochure tells us “…she cuts the books apart line by line, sometimes word by word, and reassembles the text with acid-free clear tape on to the Mylar.” I was delighted by the ...

Written by: Josie Villa-Singleton , aka Travelista*** Let’s face it; travel and tourism have a big impact on the environment. As responsible travelers we have to acknowledge the toll that traveling exerts on the environment and look for ways to offset this impact. Flying The main offender to the environment when we travel is our flight to Europe. For example, my flight from DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport) to CDG (Charles De Gaul Airport in Paris) will release 1.79 tons of carbon dioxide into the air over a distance of 9,930 miles according to CarbonFund.org. Once you take into account radiative forcing the effect increases to a release of 4.83 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that can contribute to global warming. Almost makes me not want to step on a plane again…almost, but I’m not willing to give up traveling if there are other ways to alleviate the environmental impact. One simple tactic is to always fly direct. This is the most efficient way to travel and you won’t contribute to any excess emissions and you personally will not have to deal with another round of deplaning and boarding. Airlines are becoming increasingly aware of this impact and are also looking for ...

By Isabella Martiner Barcelona has it all:  beautiful architecture, high energy night life that be can as late, or as early as you want, outstanding restaurants, vineyards, and, of course, the ocean.  Interested in a non-traditional tourist experience with a personal touch?  Stay in style by the beach in Barcelona, walk to all the historic sites and city center within minutes at very affordable prices. At the Apartamentos Barceloneta - Banys De Mar , a family run apartment rentals,  you will find delightful apartments that will give you a real sense of history in what was once the fishing village of Barcelona. Tastefully decorated with a rustic feel and modern amenities, these studio and one-bedroom apartments with balconies are perfect for various periods from a few days to a few months.  Not to mention, they are much cheaper then a hotel with all the conveniences of a fully furnished apartment.   You’ll be close enough to all the city has to offer while still being able to relax in this one-of-a-kind place. All the apartments come with clean fresh linens and linen service is free of charge.  Calle Sant Miquel, where the building is located, is a traditional, colorful street in the Barceloneta, the ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo, copyright 2009 The ancient city of Pompeii, Italy, has fascinated the world since excavations began in 1748 on this city buried  more than 1700 years ago. Victim of Mt. Vesuvius' cataclysmic volcanic eruption on August 24, 79 AD, it remains one of the world's most important travel destinations. Today, visitors can get a taste of the lost city of Pompeii at Los Angeles County Museum of Art's (LACMA) exhibit, "Pompeii and the Roman Villa - Art and Culture around the Bay of Naples." The show runs from May 3 through October 4, 2009. It is testament to the voracious appetite ancient Romans had for all Greek culture and art. That single-mindedness resulted in priceless treasures being preserved for nearly two thousands of years. Fortunately, we know exactly what happened to the ill-fated people of ancient Pompeii thanks to the scholar, Pliny the Younger, who wrote a detailed eyewitness description of the sudden explosion, in 79 AD, of  Mount Vesuvius on the Bay of Naples, Italy. The powerful volcanic eruption, together with earthquakes and tsunamis, devastated the coastal area and the cities were covered under volcanic rock and nearly forgotten, until 1738 when the royal family of the region initiated ...

As heard on Mad Dog's radio show in Palm Springs: The Maui Prince, Hawaii -  Filled with enchantment and romance, this Hawaiian paradise will find its way into your hearts without emptying your pockets.  Rated one of the top hotels of the island, the Maui Prince is now offering amazing rates for all their rooms, including ocean front rooms.  Their amenities range from spa to complimentary valet to wi-fi in your room, should you need it. Take advantage of their Special Packages or let them take the worry away from planning a wedding!  That's right, lucky divas!  They also have wedding packages, complete with every detail, including the fabulous backdrop of Black Rock and red sunsets. Email us at diva@travelingdiva.com for more info and special rates not advertised on their website! and..... shhhhhh... the secret to their free upgrades!!!!!! Email us for the best secret rates imaginable!  diva@travelingdiva.com [gallery]