Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Category: Press Releases

  • Dollywood Company Announces—


    http://www.tnvacation.com/press

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melanie Beauchamp
    DATE: Aug. 21, 2013 Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development
    Public Relations Media Manager
    Melanie.Beauchamp@tn.gov
    615-532-0484

    THE DOLLYWOOD COMPANY ANNOUNCES $300 MILLION IN INVESTMENTS, DEVELOPMENT DURING NEXT 10 YEARS
    Capital investments include FireChaser Express coaster in 2014 and
    Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort set to open in 2015.

    PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Entertainment legend Dolly Parton announced today plans for $300 million in capital investments in The Dollywood Company over the next 10 years. The investment includes new attractions, resorts and the creation of more than 2,500 jobs.

    Construction is under way on the new FireChaser Express rollercoaster, opening in March 2014 at Dollywood. To mark the company’s 30th anniversary in 2015, the 300-room Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort will open adjacent to Parton’s award-winning Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark, both located in Tennessee’s famed Great Smoky Mountains.

    “I’ve always been a big dreamer just like I’ve always wanted to do more for my home here in these beautiful Smoky Mountains,” Parton said, “This is where I nurtured my heart’s dreams, and I want to share more of them. My plans for the next 10 years are to expand my Dollywood properties to offer families more opportunities to play together and grow closer while they make their best memories. It’s truly the culmination of this country girl’s wildest dreams!”

    “With Dolly Parton’s vision and world-class properties like Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark as our foundation, The Dollywood Company is poised to become a family vacation destination like no other,” said Craig Ross, president of The Dollywood Company. “Dolly welcomes folks into her home and her heart, and our plans to grow and expand The Dollywood Company are steeped in her desire to bring families closer together by creating experiences delivered from the heart.”

    The scope of the company’s future developments resonates in Parton’s native Sevier County and throughout the contiguous counties in East Tennessee. An independent economic impact study commissioned by The Dollywood Company projects that Dollywood and its hospitality investments will add $150 million annually to the local economy. Additionally, more than $11 million in state and local taxes will be generated by the company’s 10-year investments. Approximately 2,500 jobs will be created, primarily in the hospitality and construction industries, due to the addition of the resort.

    Scheduled to open summer of 2015, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is situated on 100 acres and features a design reminiscent of the iconic Southern gathering spot, the front porch. With rocking chairs that invite guests to linger and admire pristine mountain views, the property is nestled amid the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and offers the best of both worlds—tranquility and adventure—throughout the sprawling resort and surrounding grounds.

    The variety of accommodations sleeps up to six guests. Two reunion suites in one- or two-bedroom configurations include a parlor that serves as the family center filled with games, drive-in television and a food and beverage zone. Each was designed specifically with families, girlfriend getaways and other groups in mind. The property’s eleven specialty suites on the ground floor offer private porches with outdoor pool access.

    Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort includes more than 8,000 square feet of indoor meeting space complete with state-of-the-art technology. Outdoors, the property can accommodate groups as large as 500.

    The property’s crown jewel is the 2,200-square-foot Dolly’s Suite Dreams celebrity suite, with décor inspired by Parton.

    A full-service restaurant, fashioned after an old farmhouse, provides indoor and outdoor dining opportunities, including a wrap-around veranda with views of the pool and surrounding mountains while an indoor pool, carefully situated amid all-glass windows, invites the outdoors inside. An intimate amphitheater nestled in the rolling countryside offers outdoor entertainment while an event lawn welcomes craft demonstrations and special entertainment. Fire pits, hammocks and story spots allow guests to take full advantage of the outdoors. The resort’s spa and salon will offer both a serene indoor and outdoor spa experience.

    Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is just minutes from neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited in the U.S. The property joins Dollywood Cabins as the company’s second venture in the lodging industry. Launched in 2009, Dollywood Cabins offers luxurious, amenity-rich cabins just two miles from Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country.

    FireChaser Express is the latest addition to The Dollywood Company’s list of innovative new rides. In March 2012, Dollywood opened the $20 million Wild Eagle, the country’s first wing coaster. In 2013, Dollywood’s Splash Country followed with the addition of RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster. The nation’s first dual-launch family coaster, FireChaser Express travels forward and backward on a winding 2,427-foot track, leaving the loading station in one direction and returning in the opposite direction. Perched 12 stories above the park’s Wilderness Pass area, the coaster’s 39-inch minimum height requirement invites families to ride together.

    To find your next vacation sweet spot explore tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers following us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

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  • Augusta, GA September’s Brown Bag History Series Lecture


    PRESS RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    STOP: SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    NANCY J. GLASER
    AUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY
    (706) 722-8454
    amh@augustamuseum.org

    Business, Southern-Style
    September’s Brown Bag History Series Lecture
    AUGUSTA, GEORGIA (8/20/13) – As part of its continuing Brown Bag History Series, the Augusta Museum of History presents, Business, Southern-Style a talk given by Dr. Marc Miller, on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. His talk will include the economic history of the United States which began with trade, merchants, and agriculture. He will address what made doing business southern style over the years so unique.

    Dr. Miller is the Dean of the Hull College of Business, Georgia Regents University, Summerville Campus. The Hull College has a network of over 7,000 alumni located across the United States. Over the last six years, the Hull College has initiated key programs in response to the educational needs of the Augusta and the state of Georgia as a whole. These initiatives include the Knox School of Accountancy, the MIS Undergraduate Degree, the Blanchard Center for Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility and a revamp of the Hull College study abroad programs.

    He is currently the chair of the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization and on the board of directors for Junior Achievement and the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce. His research interests include e-Commerce, Technology Transfer, and Higher Education Administration.

    Dr. Miller, a Texas native, was raised in Augusta and graduated from the business school when it was known as Augusta College. He received his doctorate from Auburn University. His career in academia includes the State University of West Georgia where he was chairperson of the Department of Management and Business Systems.

    The Brown Bag History Series is an educational lecture series provided monthly by the Augusta Museum of History, and is an ideal lunch-time break for downtown professionals, retirees, and students. The lectures are free to Museum members and $3 for non-members. Participants should bring a lunch and the Museum will only be providing beverages. Lunch can begin as early as 11:30 a.m.; the lecture runs from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

    Augusta Museum of History, the only Museum in the CSRA accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, was established in 1937 for the purpose of preserving and sharing the material history of Augusta and the region. From a 10,000 year-old projectile point to a 1914 locomotive, to James Brown memorabilia the collections chronicle a rich and fascinating past. The museum is located at 560 Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta. Please call (706) 722-8454 for more information or visit our website http://www.augustamuseum.org.
    Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Closed Monday-Wednesday
    Admission: Adult: $4 • Senior: $3 • Child (6-18): $2 • Child (5 & under): Free

    The 1797 Ezekiel Harris House¸ said to be “the finest eighteenth-century house surviving in Georgia”, is located at 1822 Broad Street and is an excellent example of early Federal architecture. Fully restored in 1964 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Ezekiel Harris House is a reminder of the days when tobacco was the primary cash crop of Georgia. For more information, call (706) 722-8454 or visit http://www.augustamuseum.org.
    Hours: Guided tours by appointment Tuesday – Friday, with the last tour beginning at 4:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, with the last tour beginning at 4:00 pm; Tours by appointment only Tuesday – Friday; Closed Sunday & Monday. To schedule tours call (706) 722-8454.
    Admission: Adult and Senior: $2 • Child: $1

  • Welcome to Greenville and Euphoria!


    From September 26-29, 2013 Greenville’s most celebrated chefs will intermix with the following guest chefs:
    Dale Talde – TALDE in Brooklyn, NY
    Jeff McGinnis – Yardbird in Miami
    James Boyce – Cotton Row in Huntsville, AL
    Anthony Lamas – Seviche in Louisville
    Ryan Smith – Empire State South in Atlanta
    Rob Newton – Seersucker in Brooklyn
    Mike Lata- FIG
    José Gutierrez of River Oaks Restaurant in Memphis
    Here’s a highlight of the new events this year:
    Swine and Dine: A whole-hog roast in NOMA Square kicks off the euphoria weekend with a combination that is second to none. Craft beer from Sierra Nevada, craft spirits from Six & Twenty Distillery, delectable wines and tasty bites from Roost! It’s a soil to city party that sets the scene for a lively 2013 festival season. And yes, of course there will be live music..it’s euphoria, y’all!

    Traffic Jam: A traffic jam you’ll want to get stuck in! Come get gridlocked with us in an evening full of live music, craft beer & spirits, and an array of delicious food truck cuisine from Greenville and Atlanta. Don’t miss the chance to jam out at our first annual Traffic Jam!

    Wine Auction/Reserve Tasting at Soby’s: euphoria for sale! Reserve tastings from Schug Winery with host Axel Schug, as well as Justin Vineyards, and an array of large format bottles and one-of-a-kind experiences that a true wine lover won’t want to miss. Enjoy tasty bites from Soby’s Chef, Shaun Garcia, and commemorative Riedel glassware to the first 100 guests.

    A Night in Paris at Passerelle Bistro: Say “bonjour” to a progressive dinner with action stations, butler passed food and an evening that is tres magnificent! Featuring Chef Teryi Youngblood and Guest Chef Jose Gutierrez from River Oaks Restaurant in Memphis, TN with perfectly paired wines from Joseph Drouhin.
    Musical Talent features:
    Kim Carnes
    Josh Leo
    Adam Craig Band
    Mark Rapp
    Bob DiPiero
    Tim Nichols
    You can see the full event schedule at http://www.euphoriagreenville.com

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    Taryn Scher
    The Sparkle Boss
    TK PR

  • Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas Announces a Fund-raising Cookbook


    ImageMarch 1, 2013

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    Contact:

    Barbie Perkins-Cooper, creativepr@bellsouth.net or srccookbook@aol.com

    “Doggone Good Cooking”, Cookbook scheduled for production — filled with delicious dishes for humans and animals alike.

    Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas [SRC] would like to announce the latest fundraiser for our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – “Doggone Good Cooking”, Recipe Book, filled with 150 recipes and many images and collages of the rescue animals saved by SRC. The first edition cookbooks are on sale now for $20.00, with free shipping included. Profits from the “Doggone Good Cooking” Recipe Book will assist SRC with the vetting, rehabilitation, medical needs and rescuing of animals, including Schnauzers and other rescue animals that need our immediate care and fostering to save their lives.

    Imagine living a life fearful of humans, hungry, wet or tied by a chain to a tree, without water or food, or someone to care. Imagine human hands striking you, or using water hoses, or gardening tools to get you to move to the next area to do your business as a stud. Imagine a hoarding situation where animals are piled high, forgotten. Imagine a stranger or a family member removing you from a loving home, leaving you at a killing shelter. Such is the life of rescue animals no longer wanted by their families. Rescue animals used for breeding, puppy mills and other abusive, neglectful situations.’

    There are many heartbreaking situations that cause Schnauzers and other rescues to be treated in such a manner. When this occurs, Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas, [SRC] steps up to save these precious animals. According to their website, http://www.schnauzerrescueofthecarolinas.org “All of our adoption donations go back into helping with the care for other rescues. We are a group of volunteers within North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, and Northern Georgia whose sole purpose is to rescue and secure loving, permanent homes for displaced Miniature, Standard and Giant Schnauzers. We foster our rescues in a loving family environment and spend many personal hours working with them to ensure that they are ready for a new home in an approved, adoptable family. We rescue because many animals would otherwise die. The average rate of animals killed each year by animal control facilities is 75% of all animals that enter their doors, the other 25% includes dogs and cats that are returned to their owners as well as those that are adopted.” The volunteers for SRC are a group of dedicated, loving members who strive to open their homes and hearts to these precious animals. The goal for SRC is to find adoptable homes for each animal. Fundraising helps to assist with the care, medical treatments and other necessary needs to give each animal a quality of life they deserve. SRC has opened their hearts to other animals, not necessarily of the Schnauzer breed.

    Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas is proud of their latest non-profit project which will provide additional funding to save the lives of abused and neglected rescue dogs. The 150 recipes included will be a great gift idea, including Soups, Salads and Sides, The Main Course, Sweet Treats, and Appetizers, Snacks and Critter Cuisine, ideal for people and pets.

    To purchase your copy of “Doggone Good Cooking”, please make checks in the amount of $20.00 payable to:

    Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas

    2323 Metts Avenue

    Wilmington, NC 28403

       

       

      

     

       

     

       
       

        

    For additional information, or to arrange an interview,

    Contact: Barbie Perkins-Cooper

    creativepr@bellsouth.net or srccookbook@aol.com


                           

     

     

  • 1st Annual Ventura Oysterfest on Saturday, October 12 at San Buenaventura State Beach


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          Media Contact:

    September 17, 2012                                                                            VC Oysterfest

          vcoysterfest@gmail.com

    First Annual Ventura Oysterfest Celebrates Oysters, Sustainable Living

    Ventura, CA – The uniquely Ventura Oysterfest is an event that will show off the best of what’s local: exceptional cuisine, great music, crafted beers and outstanding local wines. The theme of the event is oysters and there will be representation from Oyster Farms throughout California and Greater California with the local The Jolly Oyster, Drakes Bay Oyster Company, Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Pickleweed Point Oyster Co. and Carlsbad Aquafarm all attending.

     Some of Ventura County’s top restaurants who have a history of purchasing locally and sustainably have signed on to be food vendors. To date The Sidecar Restaurant, Osteria Monte Grappa, Twenty88 Food & Drink, Ventura Meat Company, Loo Hoo’s Asian Comfort Food, Watermark Restaurant and Chef Gabe Garcia with Rio Gozo Farm have confirmed with more to follow.

    Five bands will play the main stage throughout the day with local favorites Rey Fresco headlining. Other acts include The Silent Comedy and Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats and Charles Johnson.

    Beverages continue the local theme with crafted beers from Surf Brewery, Anacapa Brewing Company, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and Ouroboros Brewing Co.

    Old Creek Ranch Winery, Vino V Wines, Four Brix Winery, Ojai Vineyard, San Vicente Cellars, Magnavino Cellars and Malibu Family Wines from the Ventura County Wine Trail will delight with wines perfectly selected for the foods available.

    Other items of interest:

    This a “green” sustainable event. Only compostable or reusable beverage containers will be used, only compostable food containers and utensils, paperless ticketing, and reusable signage. Cooking oil will be recycled, there will be free parking for bikes and car poolers. No bottled water will be served at the event which has a goal of 5% maximum landfill.

    A kid’s area will be provided by Friends of Channel Coast State Parks and all kids under 14 are free accompanied by an adult.

    Putt frisbee golf, horseshoes, bean bag games and novelty photo booths will be throughout the event for patrons amusement.

    The Marquee Tent will include cooking demos from three renowned chefs, a shuck and suck competition and a town hall forum on sustainable farming featuring Mark Reynolds from The Jolly Oyster, John Fonteyn from Rio Gozo Farm, Erik Oberholtzer from Tender Greens Restaurant Group, and Brian Brennan from the California Coastal Commission (South Central Coast). This will be chaired by Lisa McKinnon from the VC Star.

    Proceeds from the event will be channeled back into the community through the non-profit Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. Their work benefits the environment through their invaluable, educational and voluntary contributions.

    What: Ventura Oysterfest

    When: Saturday, October 13, 2012 11am-6pm

    Where: San Buenaventura State Beach Park, Ventura, CA 93003

    Who: Rey Fresco, Amanda Shaw, The Silent Comedy, Jeff Hershey & The Heartbeats, Charles Johnson Cost: $20.00 (kids under 14 free)

    Website: http://www.vcoysterfest.com Email: vcoysterfest@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/venturaoysterfest