Earthquake in Haiti

The situation in Haiti is growing worse and worse by the minute.

Tuesday's earthquake has affected three million people, and the Red Cross estimates as many as 50,000 may be dead. Survivors are doing what they can to rescue those who are trapped, but they need help.

If this happened here, we hope people would give anything they could to help out.

Please take a minute to donate to these reputable charities that are providing care to fund their emergency efforts:

Doctors without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Oxfam America
https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3560&3560.donation=form1

The Red Cross
http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection

And a super-easy way to donate with your mobile phone:
Donate $10 to the Red Cross to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."

Thanks for your time.

Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg Adding New Penguin Exhibit to Attraction

Ripleys Aquarium Gatlinburg is adding a new exhibit to its aquarium attraction – a penguin exhibit.

Approximately 20 African Black Footed penguins are set to arrive for a March opening. This species is considered vulnerable as there are only 150,000 African penguins in the world today.

This multi-million dollar exhibit will feature acrylic crawl spaces for visitors, which will allows guests to pop up inside the exhibit itself, so guests will be inches from the animals. This is a unique feature that is not featured at any other penguin exhibit. Visitors will be able to crawl through the habitat's large, clear acrylic underwater tunnels as penguins swim above, around and under them. Another see-through tunnel will position humans at the penguins' beach. Acrylic floors will let visitors see the birds swim between interior and exterior pools.

The Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg has been open for 10 years. This is the first permanent exhibit to be installed since its inception.

2nd Annual Gatlinburg Screenfest set for March

The Second Annual Gatlinburg Screenfest is scheduled for March 26-28, 2010. This independent film festival focuses on promoting the artists and filmmakers and bringing their craft to the local residents and tourists of eastern Tennessee.

The Gatlinburg Screenfest accepts any genre of filmmaking including documentary and short films. All films, regardless of genre, are judged by the same standards. All submissions will be viewed and judged by an evaluating panel. The highest rated 10 films will be screened at the festival. The submitted films are judged based on ten factors: story, script flow, cinematography/use of camera, lighting, acting, music, sound quality/effects, originality, aesthetics and editing style.

Advanced tickets for the Gatlinburg Screenfest will be available after the schedule of selections and show times are announced.

The festival is held at River Terrace Resort. In addition to the film screenings, there will also be seminars, guest speakers, director question and answer sessions, and new idea development assemblies, as well as parties designed to let everyone mingle and learn from each other.

If you plan on attending the Gatlinburg Screenfest, reserve your room today for the best discount prices on Gatlinburg hotels.

Festival of Christmas Past presented at Sugarland Visitor Center

The Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee will be hosting its 34th Annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration. Scheduled for December 12, 2009, from 9am-4pm, this event celebrates Christmas and the traditions that surrounded a Smoky Mountain Christmas in days of yore. Those traditions included gathering in churches, homes, and schools, and many celebrated the holidays through music, storytelling and crafts. This year’s festival will include mountain music, harp singing and demonstrations of basketmaking, quiltmaking, spinning and apple butter making. This event is free to the public.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• 9:30 am - 11:00 am - Harp Singing and Old Time Hymns
• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm - Lost Mill String Band
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Storytelling with Cuz and Jan Headrick
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Stories of the Past From Local Residents
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Bill Proffitt and South of the River Boys
• 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Boogertown Gap Band

Craft Demonstrations In and Around the Visitor Center

• Berry Bark Baskets with Bill Alexander
• Spinning with Dale Lyles
• Blacksmithing with master blacksmith Clayton Sharp
• Mountain Basketweaving with Connie and Bertha Clabo
• Lye Soap Making with Sallie Swor
• Historic Toys and Games with Roy Henson
• Christmas Craft Table with Vicki Law
• Apple Butter Making with Vonda and Carrol Ogle

11 Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg Tennessee is known as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. This picturesque mountain town is a gem of a vacation destination, offering visitors the best in outdoor activities and fun family attractions. Surrounded on three sides by the natural beauty of the National Park, Gatlinburg prides itself in its mountain heritage, and the arts, crafts, and retail shops of the area reflect that heritage to a large extent. There are a variety of FREE things to do in Gatlinburg too, so a trip to the Smoky Mountains can be fun and budget-friendly.

1) Clingman’s Dome: At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The outdoor attraction is a short drive from Gatlinburg through the national park, and although there is a steep ½ mile hike to the top lookout, views can also be enjoyed from the base of the parking lot area. However, to fully experience the area, the hike is recommended.

2) Gatlinburg Festivals: The City of Gatlinburg presents a variety of festivals throughout the year, including Gatlinburg Winter Magic, Gatlinburg Springfest, Gatlinburg Fine Arts Fest and Gatlinburg Family Fest, among many other exciting festivals that are completely free.

3) Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community: This historic 8-mile loop is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Established in 1937, this area has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Visitors will find artisans creating unique and treasured pieces, including pottery, glass, leather, paintings, candles and many other varied crafts. A visit to this Gatlinburg community is absolutely free, and only costs something if you decide to buy.

4) Shopping in the Smokies: Downtown Gatlinburg is home to over 400 shops and 5 malls. The area is reminiscent of old-style villages and the shops are stocked with unique treasures you can only find in the Smoky Mountains. Strolling through downtown Gatlinburg is fun and free. Of course, it might be hard to pass up some of the great deals and unique finds.

5) Cades Cove: Cades Cove is a scenic 11-mile one-way loop located in a lush valley that is surrounded by mountains. It features abundant wildlife, historic buildings that date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and hiking, biking and horseback riding facilities are available.

6) Newfound Gap Road: Newfound Gap Road is the only mountain route that completely traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 33-mile drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina takes visitors through the heart of the mountains and is one of the area’s top rated “auto-touring” routes.

7) Gatlinburg Space Needle: This attraction towers over downtown Gatlinburg at 407 feet and provides spectacular views of the mountain area. There is a small admission fee of $7.25 for adults and $3 for children.

8) Roaring Fork Motor Trail: This trail is located just outside of Gatlinburg and is another great “auto-touring opportunity. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well- preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. It is a favorite of Smoky Mountain visitors.

9) Hiking: There are more than 800 miles of hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, many of which lead to fantastic scenic views, historic homesteads, natural creations and splendid waterfalls that are simply breathtaking. With over 50 marked trails, visitors find something new to explore each time they visit. A few to choose from include Abrams Fall Trail, Chimney Tops Trail and Cove Mountain Trail.

10) Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill: This historic area is located about 30 miles outside of Gatlinburg and features a unique collection of farm buildings assembled from locations throughout the park. Visitors can explore a log farmhouse, barn, apple house, springhouse, and a working blacksmith shop to get a sense of how families may have lived 100 years ago.

11) 2nd Day Free at Dollywood: If you're in the area and visit Dollywood, located in neighboring Pigeon Forge, take advantage of the 2nd Day Free program. Guests that arrive after 3pm on the first day, get their next day FREE!

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains are a great place to visit during the winter months. Winter Magic lights up the cities of Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, with beautiful light displays and decorations illuminating the area. This winter wonderland makes Gatlinburg the perfect place to celebrate the holidays, including New Year’s Eve. Moreover, Gatlinburg pulls out all the stops for New Year’s Eve as they host a street party that features music, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

The fun begins around 11pm December 31st in the streets of downtown Gatlinburg. The Space Needle in Gatlinburg is the focal point of the New Year’s Eve celebration. Standing over 400 feet high, this attraction is home to Gatlinburg’s 22nd Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Street Party. The Space Needle is located at traffic light #3 on the parkway.

At the stroke of midnight, the night sky lights up with a terrific fireworks display over the Space Needle. Gatlinburg hotels offer great views of the fireworks from their respective balconies. Just be sure you’re able to see the top of the Space Needle, and you’ll be guaranteed a great view of the celebration. Visitors can all get a good vantage point from Park River Road, is the party atmosphere isn’t for you.

Voted one of the “Best New Year’s Eve Shows in the South,” Gatlinburg’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks is a fantastic way to welcome the New Year of 2010.

There are various Gatlinburg shows available on New Year’s Eve, including Dixie Stampede, Hoot N Holler Christmas Dinner Show, Black Bear Christmas Spectacular, The Miracle and The Comedy Barn, among others. Visitors might also want to take a tour on the Trolley Ride of Lights, which is a fun way to experience the beauty of Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic.

Ripleys Aquarium presents Lethal Weapons Exhibit

Lethal Weapons is a new exhibit at Ripleys Aquarium Gatlinburg that features dozens of the most shocking and deadly creatures of the sea, along with a variety of interactive displays. The Lethal Weapons exhibit gives guests the opportunity to witness the deadly environment that exists in the seas. It explores the struggle between the sea’s peaceful population and the lethal animals that share the same waters.

As the name Lethal Weapons implies, the exhibit is loaded with examples of those survivors. Everything from a Portuguese Man of War who stings everything it touches to crowns of thorns starfish the most lethal coral predator on the planet are on display.

• Tangle with a golf ball sized warrior that packs enough poison to kill 26 humans!
• Match skills with an insect assassin that shoots down tree-bound bugs!
• Challenge a boxing shrimp that lands a punch with the force of a bullet!
• Marvel at a lethal snail that catches and devours fish!
• Experience an electric eel that generates a 500-volt jolt!

The aquarium is located at traffic light #5 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg and is open 365 days a year.

The exhibit, which is on display through 2009, is free with regular admission to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Ripleys Aquarium tickets are on sale now.

Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade Showcases Holiday Spirit

The 34th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 4 in Downtown Gatlinburg. This year’s parade is presented by Land O’ Lakes Half and Half.

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the Smokies superintendent Dale Ditmanson will serve at the Grand Marshall of the parade. Classic motor cars and period dancing routines will begin the salute to the Smokies and the lead of the parade.

More than 100 parade entries are schedule to appear, including marching bands and giant helium balloons. The parade begins at 7:30pm at Traffic Light #1A on Hwy 321 ends about an hour-and-a-half later at Traffic Light #10.

Before the parade starts, Santa’s Autograph party will be held at 6pm at Riverbend Mall, near Traffic Light #3. Pre-parade performances by Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, Ginger Brown’s Academy of Performing Arts, Elizabeth Williams Dance Academy and the Winter Tunes & Tale characters are also planned.

Gatlinburg hotel reservations are available now for the holiday season.

Winter Magic Tunes & Tales begins Nov. 27 in Gatlinburg

The city of Gatlinburg presents Winter Magic Tunes & Tales November 27 – December 20, on Friday and Saturday nights.

The magic of the holiday season comes to life thanks to award-winning designer DeWayne Kirchner’s Whimsical Elves. They enchant the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg with singing, dancing and storytelling. The elves, who hail from the Land of Elfdom add a dash of holiday cheer to the patrons who visit the city of Gatlinburg.

Children of all ages can meet as many as 20 charming and affable characters hailing from such locales as Jolly Town, Cinnamon City, Gum Drop Lake, the Nutwood Forest and the Village of Belldom, including distinct personalities like Jilly Bean, Cinny Mon, Jingle R. Bell, Holly Berry, Mayor Wally Nutt and Professor Tant E. Baum.

The festive fun of Winter Magic Tunes & Tales provides the perfect setting for yuletide memories and Christmas cheer.

Holiday Events presented in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg has plenty to offer this holiday season. There are special festivals, holiday-themed shows and unique craft events to discover this November & December.

Gatlinburg Festival of Trees
Scheduled for November 24 – 28, the Festival of Trees features numerous ornately decorated Christmas trees at the W. L. Mills Conference Center. This winter wonderland is open from 4pm-7pm, and admission is free.

The Nutcracker “Sweet”
The Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company presents the Nutcracker “Sweet” November 27 & 28. Performances are at 7pm at the W. L. Mills Auditorium. Reservations are suggested.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the Christmas Craft Show, held November 24 through December 6, 2009. Doors open daily at 10am and admission is free to everyone. The show, located at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, will have unique crafts, holiday décor and talented artisans on hand.