Qasr Al Sarab Resort in Abu Dhabi

Marahaba from Abu Dhabi! It looks like the volcano has calmed down and everything is getting back to normal-thank God. I've been writing about my Europe/Middle East trip; last week I left off just after touching down at the AUH airport from Brussels. A quick recap for those that are new: I flew from Los Angeles to Berlin via Zurich on SWISS. I then drove to Wolfsburg, Germany, to check out the Autostadt (home of Volkswagen). A couple days later I took a train to Brussels and went on a chocolate factory tour, and last week I had a six-hour dream flight to the United Arab Emirates on Etihad Airways. Now it's time to hit one of the world's newest and most incredible resorts: Qasr Al Sarab! Wait until you see this desert oasis. To give you a little preview of the activities, check out this professionally edited video of yours truly on a desert safari. Read on ... http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/WheresJohnny04282010.html

TORNADO SAFETY: WHAT YOU CAN DO

TORNADO SAFETY: WHAT YOU CAN DO

Before the Storm:

· Develop a plan for yourself and your family for home, work, school and when outdoors.

· Have frequent drills.

· Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and a battery backup to receive warnings.

· Listen to radio and television for information.

· If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible.

If a warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches:

· In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.

· If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.

· Stay away from windows.

· Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead leave it immediately.

· If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.

· Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in our area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible in our area.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.
Remember, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect. Remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.

WHO’S MOST AT RISK?

· People in automobiles.

· The elderly, very young and the physically or mentally impaired.

· People in mobile homes.

· People who may not understand the warning due to a language barrier.

TORNADO MYTHS

MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.

FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980’s, a tornado swept

through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000-ft. mountain.

MYTH: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.

FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.

MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.

FACT: Opening windows allows damaging wind to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.

Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible. Remain alert for signs of an approaching tornado. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most deaths and injuries.

It’s up to you!

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them. The preparedness information in this section combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings, could save your life in the event a tornado threatens your area. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make!

Marilyn Jones Stamps

Emergeny Management Coordinator - www.Tourism.Alabama.gov

FREE ADMISSION TO L.A. AREA ATTRACTIONS FOR STRANDED UK TRAVELERS

The Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau (LA Inc.) announced today that the following museums will provide complimentary admission/tickets to UK passport holders stranded in Los Angeles as a result of the cancellation of airline flights because of the recent Iceland volcano.
From Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 23-25, 2010 only.

The Los Angeles Attractions in Los Angeles including:

Craft & Folk Art Museum
323-937-4230
www.cafam.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
323-857-6000
www.lacma.org

Peterson Automotive Museum
323-930-2277
www.petersen.org

The Page Museum At La Brea Tar Pits
323-934-PAGE

www.tarpits.org

Starline Tours will also provide UK passport holders with sightseeing tours of Hollywood and Los Angeles. Two tour buses will pick up these travelers today at 1:30 p.m. at Radisson Hotel At Los Angeles Airport 800-959-3131

www.starlinetours.com

Calgary's High Performance Rodeo

High Performance Rodeo - It's Not What You Think
By Dave Zuchowski

Hee-haw! No wonder Calgary hosts the annual Stampede for ten days each summer. Surrounded by cattle farms and cowboys, Calgary boasts the "greatest outdoor show on Earth" with the "roughest, richest rodeo."

Six major events - Bareback, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping are the backbone of the Stampede Rodeo. Add in Novice Bareback, Novice Saddle Bronc, Junior Steer Riding and Wild Pony Racing for the youngsters, and you've got what's reputed to be the best rodeo on the globe. Read on... http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/David-Zuchowski-Calgary-High-Performance-Rodeo-Canada-2010.html

Volcano & Etihad Airways

Greetings! What a crazy week it has been for air travelers. Who would have ever thought that an unhappy volcano in Iceland would make so many travelers appreciate how lucky we are to have airplanes. I bet most of those who had to jump in cars, trains or boats to get to their final destination, will never take air travel for granted again. I'm sure they also won't be complaining about airfares after the amount of money (and time) they spent on gas, food and lodging to get from point A to point B, which probably took days instead of hours. The ash is affecting my plans, too, and I'm not even sure I'll make it to my next stop tomorrow. For live updates of my travels and pertinent travel information, you can follow me on Twitter. Oh, and since the Icelandic volcano is a serious pain in all of our ashes, I made a helpful resource page to keep us all up to date.

Last week I left off from Brussels, but I didn't tell you that the real reason I was there was to catch an Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi! So if you want to see what it's like to fly the best airline you've never heard of, then come along for the ride. I'm also debuting my first, professionally produced video so please take two minutes to watch and let me know what you think. Be sure to read our newest contributor's piece on the best places to visit to learn about volcanoes and other forces of nature. And if you want to release some more steam, check out David Zuchowski's story on Calgary's High Performance Rodeo. Read on... http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/WheresJohnny04212010.html

Volcano Museums

Jen vs the Volcano: Our contributor rounds up the best places to visit to learn about volcanoes and other forces of nature
By Jenny Jet

She's moody, unstable, smothering and prone to major outbursts of anger. No, she's not your ex-girlfriend. She's someone you need to learn to embrace and respect…she's Mother Earth.

Earthquakes, and volcanoes, and hurricanes oh my! Well, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. Then again, if we're talking about tornadoes we could be in Kansas.

Whether or not you have/had plans to travel to Europe, we've all been affected by forces of nature beyond our control. As we approach the annual hurricane season we've already experienced the perfect 'storm' of natural disasters over the past 6 months including significant earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunami warnings. The earthquakes had tragic human consequences, the volcano eruptions have been mere disruptions, and Hawai'i was left unscathed by a major tsunami warning.

"Damn the volcano," declared a friend who works in the airline industry. How did another friend open our weekend brunch conversation: "Dude, Earth is so pissed."

But rather than continue to fret about whether Eyjafjallajokull will continue to erupt and if her angry sister Kalta will follow suit, let's use this time for fun and consider this one of life's 'teaching moments' because whether you're 4 or 74 you have questions and we know where to go to get answers! Take a look at our round-up of sites to visit and learn more about dear sweet Mother Earth's fury… Read on

http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/Volcano-Museums-2010.html

Check out Johnny Jet's Volcano Travel Resource Page

The Icelandic volcano is becoming a serious pain in our ashes so I made a helpful resource site to keep us all up to date. Check out Johnny Jet's Volcano Travel Page http://JohnnyJet.com/Volcano.html