Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2012

CONTACT: Myrna Hayes, Festival Coordinator
CELL: 707-249-9633
EM: myrnahay@pacbell.net

http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com

16th Annual Flyway Festival Celebrates Return of

Millions of Migrating Birds to San Francisco Bay Area

Unique 3-day birding and wildlife festival at Mare Island draws an estimated 4,000 people each year.

[VALLEJO], CA – Both birds and people will be flocking to Mare Island in Vallejo to celebrate what has become a special annual ritual each winter: the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival. The 3-day event celebrates the return of over one million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese and hawks which migrate through or winter in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This year the Festival will be held Friday, Feb. 10th through Sunday, February 12th in Building 223, 500 Connolly St. on Mare Island. Admission is free. Festival-goers will be able to choose from hundreds of fun activities, including a Family Wildlife Exploration and Birding Expo with more than 100 exhibitors, guided nature walks including beginning birding outings for families and adults, birding and wild bird demonstrations, and art and photography exhibits. Once again, Mare Island Heritage Trust, the nonprofit sponsor of the Festival, welcomes Weston Solutions, Inc. an environmental remediation engineering firm which has played a lead role in the environmental cleanup of the former Mare Island naval base, as the Festival host sponsor.

Regional Outings

A complete schedule of the more than 50 regional outings, as well as Mare Island guided walks and the Wildlife Expo schedule will be updated on the festival website sfbayflywayfestival.com by January 25th.

Mare Island Guided Outings and Tours

As many as 20 guided outings are planned for Mare Island, along with a self-guided wetland walk to the Bay on the San Pablo Bay Walking Trail opened for daily public use in December 2010. For the 5th year the Festival will feature American Volkswalk Association sanctioned 5k and 10k walks on a route through the southern Island and in the historic and new neighborhoods of the former U.S. Navy shipyard founded in 1854. Mare Island outings will include Sierra Club guided walks to the Navy’s first ammunition depot in the Pacific founded in 1857 located on the Island’s south end in the 215-acre Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. St. Peter’s Chapel, home to the most Tiffany stained-glass windows in a single site in the West, will be open for tours Sunday, February 12.

Presentations and movies

Native Bird Connections, a wild bird rehab and education center based in Martinez, CA will once again give its “standing-room-only” live bird shows both Saturday and Sunday at the Wildlife Expo. For the first time in the Festival’s history, two feature length movies will be part of the weekend schedule. Two showings of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time, by filmmakers Ann and Steve Dunsky, from the U.S. Forest Service on Mare Island will take place during the weekend. The first showing is scheduled Friday evening, February 10 at 7pm immediately following the Festival and Art Show opening reception. The movie will also play Saturday evening, February 11 beginning at 6:30pm. Festival-goers will gather at the Mare Island Festival headquarters to view a movie highly relevant for Mare Island and the San Francisco Bay bioregion. Green Fire is the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The movie highlights Leopold’s extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land.

Flyway Festival Art Exhibition and Regional Wetlands and Mare Island Preserve Paintouts

Photographers and painters of all ages and skills will be exhibiting original work that depicts local wildlife, wetlands, marshes, and native habitats from San Francisco Bay to the ridgetops of Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo. Artists’ work will be available for purchase at the Art Show beginning with its opening reception Friday evening, February 10 at 5:30pm and continuing through the two-day show, Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Most Festival activities are free. Some require pre-registration. For more information and directions, call 707-249-9633 or 425-279-3502 or visit sfbayflywayfestival.com.

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For Immediate release

SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM ANNOUNCES NEW

ROLLER COASTER IN 2012 - SUPERMAN ULTIMATE FLIGHT

New Thrill Coaster is Park’s First DC Comics-Themed Attraction

VALLEJO, CA (September 1, 2011) -- The familiar refrain, “It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!” will become part of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s lexicon with the official announcement today of the park’s exciting new roller coaster, SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight. The ride, created in a partnership between Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, is slated to open in spring 2012.

This one-of-a-kind super launch coaster features the tallest inversion west of the Mississippi and will rank alongside the tallest coaster inversions in the world. At 150 feet high, riders will experience lightning speeds of 62 miles per hour, with two upside-down twists and two vertical rolls over a track length of 863 feet.

“We’re excited to bring this caliber of ride to Discovery Kingdom,” said Dale Kaetzel, Park President. “Since we opened our super coaster Medusa in 2000, the public has been waiting for a ride to match that intensity. We believe that SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight will satisfy even the most fearless thrill-seeker, and then some.”

As Discovery Kingdom’s first DC Comics-themed ride, the new addition is the perfect complement to the park’s unique collection of marine life, wildlife and wild rides. Thrill rides include the aforementioned Medusa, along with Kong, Roar, Vertical Velocity and Boomerang, and SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight’s addition solidifies Discovery Kingdom’s standing as Northern California’s best place to experience thrills of all kinds.

Brightly painted in Superman’s colors -- vibrant blue, red and yellow -- the steel coaster will be visible from Highway 37 and beyond from its location on the eastern side of the park. Construction on SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight will begin in early 2012.

SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight is being manufactured for Six Flags Six Flags Discovery Kingdom by Premier Rides.

For more information, including a video, on upcoming 2012 Six Flags attractions, visit sixflags.com/2012news.

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SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM KICKS OFF 2011 SEASON OPENING

CELEBRATING ITS 25TH YEAR IN VALLEJO

March 7, 2011 (Vallejo, CA) 2011 year marks the 25th anniversary of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., and opens a new season of family fun, thrills and adventure at America’s only combined marine life, wildlife and wild theme rides park.

It was in 1986 that the former Marine World Africa USA moved from its original Redwood City site to its current location situated between San Francisco and Sacramento. Over the years, changes, expansion and new directions have converged to become Northern California’s best family entertainment experience and at its heart, the best place to experience exotic animals up-close. To celebrate this milestone occasion, guests to Opening Day on Saturday, March 19 can pay just $25 for admission when tickets are purchased online with a promo code. The day will feature an array of festivities that hearken back to the original opening day in 1986 when a marching band welcomed guests. A kick-off ceremony will commemorate the occasion and guests will have an opportunity to view a photographic history exhibition in the Explorer Outpost building.

Some of the highlights and offerings this season include:

SkyScreamer – this breathtaking new tower ride takes the concept of spinning round and round to a new level of thrills. At 150’ in height, SkyScreamer will be equivalent to the park’s tallest roller coaster, Medusa and give passengers a bird’s eye view of the entire park. With a capacity of 32 guests sitting two across in open air swings, the “star points” upon which the swings are attached, will climb to the top of the tower, spinning as it ascends while riders orbit around. At full swing, guests revolve in a 98-foot circle at speeds of 43 mph for 2½ minutes. Once the sun sets, SkyScreamer will be lit from top to bottom, creating a stunning focal point. The new attraction is scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend.

Seaside Junction – A whimsical train depot and kid-friendly rides highlight this area with an underwater/marine life theme that complements its location between the Walrus Experience and Shark Experience animal attractions. The area features Seaside Railway, a two passenger car train with engine that seats up to 30 passengers; Merlin’s Seaside Tours, a 28-seat bus that rotates clockwise and counter clockwise at various speeds and Air Penguin, a helicopter ride that takes kids up and down via helicopter-style cars.

Extreme Wilderness Show – A variety of mammal species take center stage to educate guests on how to survive in the wild. Since animals know how to find food, protect and defend themselves, get water and create shelter in the most resourceful of ways, humans can learn from them and use these skills when they are out of their element.

Celebrate Shouka Show – Shouka, the killer whale, is the star of this celebration of her grace and beauty and in honor of the park’s 25th anniversary, each show will be preceded by a retrospective video celebrating the park’s colorful history.

Spring Break Presented by Stride® Gum – the park is open daily for this annual homage to time off from school. Guests that bring a pack of Stride Gum are eligible for a four-pack of tickets for just $99 during Spring Break. Each day of Spring Break will be highlighted by Stride-A-Thon, exclusive ridiculously long lasting ride time on Medusa from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for Season Pass holders. April 15 through May 1.

New Food Areas

Macho Nachos Burritos – this new fresh Mexican cafeteria-style grill located in the Lakeside Pavilion food area will surely please the palate with a variety of delicious options.

Primo’s Pizzeria – all new pizza kitchen serving the freshest of pizza favorites; located in the Lakeside Pavilion.

Primo’s Italy – while pizza is still the standard, find Italian wraps, fried mozzarella and more at Lakeside Pavilion.

JB’s Smokehouse BBQ – authentic smoked barbeque fare can be found with comfort food that includes turkey legs, pulled pork, tri-tips and smoked chicken quarters; located at the Lakeside Pavilion.

Icee Mix-It-Up – guests can create their own icee flavors in their cup; an ideal way to cool off during the summer heat. This kiosk can be found adjacent to the Looney Tunes Seaport.

Catering Kitchen – The addition last year of a new catering kitchen added a palate-pleasing taste dimension to group outings and will enjoy its second year of operation. Here, groups from 15 people to 5,000 can receive world class service, new and expanded menu options, plus secluded lakeside picnic groves that offer a private paradise for families, friends and co-workers.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is home to eight thrilling roller coasters, three children’s themed areas and meet and greets with Six Flags’ world-famous cast of characters, including Bugs Bunny and his friends. Shows and attractions include the Merlin’s Island Party dolphin show presented by Hawaiian Airlines, Pinnipeds of the Caribbean sea lion show, and Odin’s Temple of the Tiger, Birds of the World and Elephant Encounter educational demonstration shows.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom also offers unique animal interaction programs designed to educate, captivate and thrill guests of all ages. The park’s popular Dolphin Discovery is the only program in Northern California to experience swimming with a dolphin; guests can sign up to participate in the Trainer for a Day series, where they can actually shadow marine mammal trainers in this day-long program. During the overnight Sharks in the Dark program, guests can sleep among the sharks. With a Backstage Safari, guests can sign up to take a mini behind-the-scenes tour in three animal areas.

All season long, the park will host themed events that range from the explosive Fourth of July fireworks, cultural weekends to educational days such as Ocean Discovery Day and holiday extravaganzas like Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Scheduled events include:

May 19 – Opening Day, 25th anniversary

April 15 – May 1 - Spring Break Presented by Stride® Gum

May 6 – Math, Science & Physics Day

May 13 – Ocean Discovery Day

May 20 – Health & Safety/Career & Leadership Day

May 21 – Epilepsy Freedom Walk

May 28 – Safari Discovery Day

June 25 – A Walk in the Park fundraiser

July 3 & 4 – Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration

Sept. 3-4 - Festival Latino

Sept. 17 – Filipino Fest

Oct. 1-30 – Fright Fest

Nov. 25 - Jan. 1, 2012 – Holiday in the Park

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Bash

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is located at 1001 Fairground Drive in Vallejo, just 30 miles east of San Francisco and 60 miles west of Sacramento. Daily general admission is $49.99; children 48” and under - $35.99 and children two and under are free. Guests purchasing their tickets online for opening day weekend – March 19 & 20 -- can take advantage of a 25th anniversary special of $25 individual admission ticket by using the promo code VALLEJO. 2011 Season Passes are just $49.99 (when four or more are purchased) and a 2011 Season Pass parking pass is included if purchased by April 3, 2011. Season Passes offer unlimited visits to any Six Flags theme park in the United States, free tickets for friends (on select dates only) and more than $300 in savings on in-park food and fun.

More information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s purchasing Season Passes or tickets online, shows, rides, attractions and events can be found by visiting www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom and the park Facebook page at www.facebook.com/discoverykingdom.

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About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Nancy R. Chan

Communications Mgr.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Wk: 707-556-5227

Cell: 415-740-9745

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2010
Contact: Jim Reikowsky, Communications/Film Liaison (707) 642-3653

VALLEJO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU HONORED BY SPORTSEVENTS MAGAZINE IN ANNUAL READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

SportsEvents Magazine, the sports events industry’s only magazine dedicated to helping organizers of sports events be more successful and efficient with their events, has announced that the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has won one of the magazines Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The special feature is included in the January 2010 issue of SportsEvents Magazine and spotlights industry professionals from across the country who have exhibited a high level of professionalism, creativity and excellence in hosting sports events.

“We are extremely excited to have received this award since the winners were nominated by readers of the magazine and by our industry peers,” said Mike Browne, Executive Director of the Vallejo CVB. “Sports event planners were asked to nominate their favorite destinations and venues for hosting sporting events and we are happy that they recognized our bureau and the Vallejo area. Our location, affordable lodging and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom all help make Vallejo an ideal place to bring these events. We were acknowledged for excellence within Sports Destination Marketing Organization category and were one of only two California destinations so honored.”

“When we put the call out to readers to nominate sports planners and sports-friendly destinations and venues for SportsEvents Magazine’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked them to recommend only the best,” said J. Tally O’Connor, publisher of SportsEvents Magazine. “The Vallejo CVB, not only meets but exceeds the high demands of producing successful sports events today.”

In addition to being profiled in the Readers’ Choice Awards special feature, the sports planners and organizations will receive a certificate with a special “Sports Event Planning Excellence” seal to commemorate their award, along with special recognition at the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Symposium this April in Columbus, Ohio.

For more information about the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau, please call (707) 642-3653, (800) 4-VALLEJO, or visit www.VisitVallejo.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIDDENBROOKE GOLF CLUB HONORED WITH
2010 BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARDS

VALLEJO, CALIF., Jan. 26, 2010 – Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course located just 45 minutes from San Francisco, has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™ for its wedding venue. The annual Bride’s Choice Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from more than 500,000 newlyweds.

Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes more than 100,000 wedding professionals across the U.S. and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

”We are happy to be among the very best wedding reception sites within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings,” said Hiddenbrooke Golf Club General Manager Eric Thompson. “We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards. “

“It’s a great honor to be the only wedding reception site in Solano and Napa Counties to be recognized,” said Thompson.

Operated by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports since 2006, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is conveniently located off I-80 in Vallejo, Calif. The Arnold Palmer Signature golf course opened to the public in 1995 and showcases dramatic elevation changes and dynamic water features. Multiple sets of tees enable golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the par-72 layout. From 2000-2002, the tournament-tested venue hosted the Samsung World Championship, a prestigious LPGA event that featured the top 20 female golfers from around the world. Hiddenbrooke also features banquet facilities for wedding receptions and other social and corporate events.

About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSportsTM operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Harding Park, Desert Willow Golf Resort and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. Affiliate KemperSports Marketing & Communications,asports marketing, events and public relations agency,has produced and managedmajor national and international events, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational college basketballtournament. For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.

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Editor’s Note

High-resolution images of Hiddenbrooke Golf Club are available upon request.

Contact: Carmen Juarez, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club Marketing Director
707.558.0330 x208, cjuarez@kempersports.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2010
Contact: Jim Reikowsky, Communications/Film Liaison (707) 642-3653

VALLEJO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU HONORED

The Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) was recently honored as the Non-Profit Community Partner of the Year by the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 135th Installation Event. The award is recognition of the bureau’s efforts in promoting and marketing Vallejo.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this award,” said Mike Browne, Executive Director of the Vallejo CVB. “Vallejo is a great place to visit, live and work and everyone at the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to market our great city. We are fortunate to be able to represent our many members and market the unique and one-of-a kind attractions in this gem of a city in the North Bay. We are also proud of our efforts in leading the charge for a authentic community brand for Vallejo and to be recognized for our work in building economic development for Vallejo.”

For more information about Vallejo or the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau, please visit the bureau’s website at www.VisitVallejo.com

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