Jul 14 2010
Hualapai Tribe’s Eldest Woman Cuts Ribbon at the Opening Ceremony of Grand Canyon West’s New Welcome Center and Air Terminal
GRAND CANYON WEST, AZ (July 13, 2010) Grand Canyon West, home of the world-famous Skywalk glass bridge, opened its new Welcome Center and Air Terminal with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this past Saturday July 10, 2010. Doing the honors of cutting the ribbon was the Hualapai Tribe’s Eldest Woman, Christine Cooney, age 94. The opening ceremony of the new facilities was in conjunction with Grand Canyon West’s 22nd Anniversary. The ceremony provided a rare opportunity for media and the community to speak with the Tribal Council members, Tribal Chairman and CEO of Grand Canyon Resort Corporation about the vision of the Hualapai Tribe. There were many other representatives of the Tribe’s past, present and future as hundreds of proud Hualapai people were in attendance. Many Hualapai dressed in traditional clothing and performed ceremonial dances throughout the day. Also during the ceremony, Tribal members who have contributed to the past and present successes of Hualapai Tourism were recognized and honored.
“The elders are not only representative of our past, but representative for all that are looking for a better future for their families and children. It’s truly an honor to have Christine Cooney cut the ribbon that symbolizes our recent successes,” said Robert Bravo, Jr., CEO of Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. “Our elders have gone though years of difficulties and challenges. Now they are here to see that an independent future for our youth is possible and that the world has cherished the beauty that we have shared.”
The Hualapai have been striving for an independent future particularly because before the progress the unemployment rate was in excess of 50%. The reservation is located many miles from the facilities and opportunities of a large city and deciding to move forward with their tourism ventures was complicated and riddled with challenges both internally and externally. However, it was determined a necessary stepping stone. The Tribe uses the revenue from tourism to build a better life for its children and elderly. The proceeds from these endeavors will enhance education, build necessary public buildings and help develop other social services programs.
The new facilities total nearly 20,000 square feet which will double the current amount of available space. The new and improved structures will contain all guest services including concierge, ticketing, gift shop, air tour terminal, hop-on-hop-off shuttle station, espresso bar and café.
About Hualapai Tourism: Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, which is wholly owned and operated by the Hualapai Nation, manages Grand Canyon West, Hualapai River Runners (whitewater rafting), and the Hualapai Lodge. Grand Canyon West is a collection of viewpoints and attractions spread over 9000 acres of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim in Northwest Arizona, just 120 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. Grand Canyon West is the only place in the Canyon where visitors can access a boat ride on the Colorado River via helicopter and is home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass walkway 4000 ft above the canyon floor. The site attractions are: Guano Point, with panoramic canyon views and the historic guano mine tram; Eagle Point, the location of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the Native American Village with authentic dwellings of multiple tribes, and live Native American performances; and The Hualapai Ranch, a western town with cowboy entertainment, horseback riding, wagon rides and overnight cabins facing the Canyon rim. Private cars are welcome or all inclusive tours are available from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Sedona by airplane, helicopter, coach, SUV, and Hummer. The Hualapai Lodge on Historic Route 66 and Grand Canyon West are open daily 365 days a year. Hualapai River Runners, the only one-day whitewater raft trip through the Grand Canyon, operates March – October. Visitors can view a complete list of activities, book reservations, and get directions at www.grandcanyonwest.com or by calling 1-888-868-9378 – internationally at (001)-928-769-2636.
Visit: http://www.trustedtours.com/store/Grand-Canyon-Skywalk-Deluxe-C818.aspx for tickets to the Grand Canyon Skywalk
Don’t worry. I had to look it up too. It means a song of praise, tribute or thanksgiving.

In May of 1822, Key West was established as a Port of Entry – requiring the salvage of all shipwrecks in surrounding waters to pass through its harbor. Wrecking became the primary business of our island city and by the middle of the 1800’s, it had made Key West the richest city per capita in the United States. Almost two hundred years later, guests at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum can explore four centuries of shipwreck history, beginning with the first Native American salvagers and continuing through Key West’s rich wrecking era to present day. Two floors of shipwreck artifacts ranging from Spanish treasure to exotic cargos from faraway lands are exhibited throughout a re-creation of the 19th Century warehouse once owned by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift.
(HOLLYWOOD, CA) – Dedicated to the premise that visiting Hollywood should be an experience equal to the emotion of meeting your favorite celebrities, Madame Tussauds is where fans go to see and celebrate the legendary and illustrious. Authentic lifelike figures, interactive experiences, themed areas and the best in quality and immersive guest interaction are just the beginning of the Madame Tussauds Hollywood experience, which took center stage in the entertainment capital of the world on August 1, 2009.
Bobby’s Bike Hike is off to our best start in our 8 year history, a beautiful Chicago spring has helped. The addition of two new and updated tours, the Bike Obama Tour of the Hyde Park and Kenwood Neighborhoods in Chicago and Bobby’s ‘Tike’ Hike: Kid’s Edition for families with young children, have been a wonderful compliment to our already popular Lakefront Neighborhoods and City Lights at Night Tour. Tours are designed for all ages and fitness levels and we provide everything including bikes, helmets, and the best tour guides in the industry. We also rent bikes if you want to go on your own and explore Chicago’s 18-mile Lakefront Bike Path. We’ll even throw in a lock, helmet, and wonderful Lakefront Bike Trail Map.
The distinguished Odyssey, festive Spirit of Chicago and cool Mystic Blue cruise ships will all celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday May 9 with unique, plentiful brunches and delectable, entertaining dinners each with their distinctive flair.
Atlantans can step back in time as Stone Mountain Park is transformed into living history at Georgia Frontier Days April 29 to May 2. The event includes an array of interactive and hands-on activities portraying life on the Georgia frontier from the 1500s to 1800s.
Dolphins in the Everglades? Most people don’t expect to see the playful marine mammals in the world’s greatest swamp, but many have the good fortune to do just that. The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin feeds, mates and plays in the shallow waters of Chokoloskee Bay where we take our 90-minute boat cruise through the Everglades National Park. Males can grow to be up to 13-feet in length and weigh nearly 1400 lbs.
April 13, 2010, Long Beach, Calif.—Did you know that sea lions and otters see their doctor for physical exams, sharks take vitamins, and sick fish take medicine and sometimes need surgery? The public will have the rare chance to dive into the fascinating world of aquatic medicine at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, starting Friday, May 21, 2010.

PALM SPRINGS, CA – April 20, 2010 – Peaks Restaurant will be serving a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, from 11am until 4pm on May 9th. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 760.325.4537 or visit our website at