Firm reaches milestone with opening of another dining destination by restaurateur Sam Fox

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 31, 2010) – Scottsdale-based public relations firm Olson Communications, Inc. (Olson) recently celebrated the opening of its 10th Fox Restaurant Concept (FRC) dining destination in the Valley with Zinburger, a wine and burger bar in Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park.

“This is a significant milestone for our firm,” said Michelle Olson, founder and president of Olson. “Fox restaurants have been wildly successful here for both their menus and their stylish décor, and Zinburger is no exception. The concept is positioned to be yet another homerun concept for FRC.”

Energetic, modern and fun, Zinburger centers on an American staple, gourmet burgers, combined with perfectly paired wine selections. A unique array of salads, side dishes, microbrews and hand-dipped milkshakes round out the menu. 

FRC began its partnership with Olson in November 2006 with the opening of Olive & Ivy at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The success of that restaurant opening led to an ongoing relationship during which Olson has cultivated awareness and built an affinity for FRC among media and Greater Phoenix dining enthusiasts.

In addition to this month’s opening of Zinburger and 2006’s opening of Olive & Ivy, Olson has managed the public relations program in opening the following FRC restaurants: True Food Kitchen, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Bar NoRTH, Zinburger, Sauce (two locations), Modern Steak and Culinary Dropout.

“We love FRC, and we’ve been delighted to work with Sam Fox to promote his fresh and thoughtful take on quality dining experiences,” said Olson. “The company has filled a much-needed niche in our Valley dining scene.”

Olson Communications, Inc. is a boutique public relations firm based in Scottsdale. Founded in 2002, the firm specializes in the real estate, healthcare and hospitality industries. Some of its clients include Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hidden Meadow Ranch, Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa, Talking Rock, The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons, Sundt Construction, Wildflower Bread Company and Woodbine Southwest Corporation.

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Buy a custom bike and Bicycle Ranch will help you make a vacation of it

            SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 25, 2010) – Cycling the many quiet roads of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert needs no longer to be a fantasy of cycling enthusiasts. Bicycle Ranch, one of Arizona’s most recognized bike shops, is offering a Custom Vacation package that will put riders on the seat of a Serotta, Guru custom road bike, or a Co-Motion custom tandem, and it will pay your airfare, hotel and take you on one of the most picturesque rides in the Southwest.

            The Custom Vacation package is offered during April and May, the desert’s most temperate and predictably sunny months. With the purchase of a custom road bike, the shop will pick up the buyer’s airfare within the continental United States, and hotel accommodations in Scottsdale, Phoenix or surrounding communities. The best value, however, is the custom fit and guided ride(s) from the shop’s owner and members of the Bicycle Ranch Racing Team.

            “We have one of the most highly acclaimed bike fitters in the country,” said Markus Zimmer, co-owner of Bicycle Ranch. “Chris Pulleyn will work with the buyer to ensure a perfectly balanced custom fit before the ride, and then tweak his settings afterward to make sure the bike acts as an extension of the rider. We’ll send home measurements and digital video of the fitting to make sure that once the bike is home, that it’s the exact settings Chris recommended,” he said.

            The promotion is limited to airfare within the continental U.S. and Canada. For more information or to plan your custom vacation, call Bicycle Ranch at (480) 614-8300.

About Bicycle Ranch

Bicycle Ranch is a full service cycling shop in Scottsdale, Ariz., that aims to promote the sport of cycling and provide complete customer satisfaction through access to quality products, unparalleled service, expert advice and a unique shopping experience.  Its group ride was recognized in a recent issue of Bicycling Magazine, and its custom fitting featured in the September 2009 Triathlete magazine.  Co-owned by Markus Zimmer and Andy Peshek, the store sells bikes and equipment for all levels of bike riders, and specializes in Serotta, Guru, Trek and Cannondale brands. Bicycle Ranch is located on the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, next door to Target and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.bicycleranch.com

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Home2 Suites by Hilton's guest suite

Brand to be introduced to Mexico market at May development forum

Home2 Suites by Hilton, a mid-tier extended-stay hotel concept targeting the savvy value-wise extended-stay guest, continues to build franchise momentum as it receives approval to develop in Mexico. This is the second approval Home2 Suites has received to develop in countries outside of the United States, with an announcement in fall 2009 allowing the hotel brand to develop in Canada.

“Franchising outside of the United States will play an increasingly important role in the growth of Home2 Suites,” said Bill Duncan, Global Head, Brand Management, Home2 Suites by Hilton. “We believe the ‘hip and humble’ design and footprint of less than two acres will translate well to a variety of audiences and have confidence that it will resonate with developers in Mexico.”

The Home2 Suites franchise development team will conduct their first annual development forum in Mexico City on May 19, 2010. “There are several markets in Mexico where future development opportunities exist for Home2 Suites and this brand has the right mix of attributes to really impress developers” said Duncan. “It’s an attractive prototype, cost-effective to develop and comes with all of the support and efficiencies that Hilton Worldwide has to offer.”

On average, Home2 Suites will be comprised of 90 percent studios and 10 percent one-bedroom suites, at 323 and 509 square feet, respectively. Public space will account for approximately 4,200 square feet.

Home2 Suites broke ground on its first hotel in December 2009 in Fayetteville, N.C. The brand forecasts 100 properties open by year-end 2013, with 60 to 70 per year thereafter. To learn more about Home2 Suites by Hilton, including site plans, room layouts and brand facts, visit www.Home2Suites.com. For information about franchising opportunities, visit www.HiltonFranchise.com.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For more than 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com

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Get Lucky with a Tasty St. Patrick’s Day Treat!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 2010) – We could all use a little luck.  On St. Patrick’s Day, at Wildflower Bread Company  you can have your luck and eat it too with a selection of delicious lucky charm treats, available through March 17.  All items can be ordered in advance to ensure availability.

Details of the items available include:

v      Irish Soda Bread. This traditional Irish favorite is baked one time a year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Popular since the mid-nineteenth century, soda bread is a “quick bread” or bread prepared without yeast.  Flavors are available in Original ($5.99) and Currant Caraway ($6.49) March 13 through March 17.

v      St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes.  Delicious vanilla or chocolate cake cupcakes are decorated with festive icing and shamrock sprinkles for the holiday ($2.89 each).

v      St. Patrick’s Day Cookies. Shamrock shaped homemade honey-vanilla cookies, are iced with creamy green frosting ($2.49 each).

Wildflower Bread Company serves award-winning food you knead™ for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features hand-crafted artisan breads and a specialty bakery.  Wildflower is well-known for its unique sandwiches, salads, soups, pancakes and pastas.  Breakfast is served weekdays until 10:30 a.m. and weekends until 2 p.m.  Pasta is served daily from 3 p.m. to close.  There are 10 Arizona locations including the newest in Flagstaff.  The second Scottsdale location at The Shops at Seville is set to open in summer 2010.  For more information, visit: www.wildflowerbread.com.

Media Contact: Dana Arnold, dana@olsoncomm.com

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Co-ed boarding school’s summer program offers ADHD teens opportunity to earn credits

WEST SEDONA, Ariz. (March 8, 2010) – Summer is just around the corner, and Oak Creek Ranch School (OCRS) is now accepting applications for its summer boarding school program.

OCRS is a private, fully accredited school near Sedona. Founded in 1972, the co-ed Arizona boarding school specializes in helping ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens ages 12 to 18 succeed through an innovative mix of traditional and experiential academic and extracurricular programs. The school offers year-round open enrollment. 

OCRS’s summer boarding school program includes options of four-, six- and eight-week sessions from June to August. The academic program is designed to help teens develop new study habits and organizational skills, earn credits toward graduation, and become motivated and build self-esteem. Students earn one semester’s worth of credits in two subject areas during a four-week period. Middle-school students work on reading, writing, math and science skills that prepare them for the next grade level. Classes in core subjects – English, Spanish, math, science and social studies – are available to students ages 12 to 18, grades 7 through 12. All credits are transferrable, and students are also welcome to enroll for personal enrichment.

“Because the OCRS curriculum is customized for ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens, the kids get to experience a new approach to coursework – one that works for them and puts them on the path to success,” said Headmaster David Wick, Jr. “At the end of every summer I hear from parents who are excited about their children’s academic progress and increased self-confidence.”

Students who enroll in the summer boarding school program attend classes for six hours each day. During the afternoons and evenings, they enjoy structured activities such as horseback riding, intramural sports, tennis, swimming and golf and more. On weekends, students may take part in fun off-campus outings, including trips to the Grand Canyon, hiking and more. During the time they spend in the classroom and on campus, teens also improve their social and leadership skills while learning to be responsible members of the school community.

Applications for the summer boarding school program are now being accepted. Tuition for a four-week session is $4,150, which is inclusive of classes, room and board, and textbooks and school supplies. Financing is also available.

“Many parents who are considering Oak Creek Ranch School for the fall choose to introduce their children to the boarding school experience with our summer program. It is relatively inexpensive, and allows students to become acclimated to a new learning environment,” Wick said. “Meanwhile, thanks to all the activities outside of the classroom, kids also have a lot of fun!”

To learn more about the summer boarding school program at OCRS, visit www.ocrs.com or contact David Wick, Jr. at 877-554-OCRS (6277).  

About Oak Creek Ranch School

Founded in 1972, Oak Creek Ranch School is a private, fully accredited co-ed boarding school near Sedona, Ariz. The school’s curriculum and programs are designed to help ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens ages 12 to 18 accomplish their academic goals while developing valuable social and interpersonal skills. www.ocrs.com • Twitter @ocrsnews

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Boarding school’s weeklong program highlights experiential learning, extraordinary adventures

WEST SEDONA, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2010) – In addition to benefiting from a curriculum that caters to teens with ADHD, students at Oak Creek Ranch School (OCRS) enjoy activities that are big on fun and rich with experiential learning. In that vein, OCRS is pleased to announce “Adventure Week 2010,” happening March 15 to 19. The week gives students at this Arizona boarding school the opportunity explore a mix of activities based on their individual interests. Among the available “Adventure Week” offerings are:

• Channel Island Coastal Explorations in the Galapago Islands
• Hiking the Grand Canyon
• Mural Painting
• Leather-Crafting Made Easy
• Movie Classics and Off-the-Beaten-Path Hikes
• Exploring Hills and Valleys by Horseback
• Mountain Biking in the Verde Valley
• The Mysterious and Unexplained
• Fishing Like an Expert
• Baseball, Hot Dogs & Apple Pie
• Job Shadowing

“Adventure Week” has been a staple of the school for nearly two decades, having bore a variety of names or titles – but always embodying an emphasis on interactive learning. According to OCRS Principal Nadine O’Brien, “This week was created to give students an experiential educational activity to stress that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. We are always learning no matter what we are doing.”

 “Furthermore, we know that our ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens learn best when they are exposed to a combination of traditional academics and hands-on endeavors,” added O’Brien. “‘Adventure Week’ provides a dedicated forum in which students can pursue their passions, try new things and learn something about the world, themselves and fellow students. It’s also a great time for sharpening social and leadership skills.”

OCRS is a private, fully accredited school near Sedona. Founded in 1972, the co-ed Arizona boarding school specializes in helping ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens ages 12 to 18 succeed through an innovative mix of traditional and experiential academic and extracurricular programs.

The school offers year-round open enrollment, welcoming new students throughout the year and for three separate four-week summer school sessions from June through August. The summer program, which balances academic and extracurricular activities, is designed to help teens develop new study habits, catch up on course work and earn up to one semester’s credit in two subject areas during a four-week period. Students may also enroll for personal enrichment. 

About Oak Creek Ranch School

Founded in 1972, Oak Creek Ranch School is a private, fully accredited co-ed boarding school near Sedona, Ariz. The school’s curriculum and programs are designed to help ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens ages 12 to 18 accomplish their academic goals while developing valuable social and interpersonal skills. www.ocrs.com • Twitter @ocrsnews

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Media contact: Amanda Fier, amanda@olsoncomm.com

Arizona mountain hideaway is selected as winner of prestigious 2010 Awards for Excellence                                                                

Greer, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2010) – Hidden Meadow Ranch, a White Mountains hideaway in northeastern Arizona, has been named a winner of the 2010 Awards for Excellence, a program of Condé Nast Johansens, the international luxury travel guide from the most trusted name in travel publishing, Condé Nast Publications Ltd. The program honors outstanding properties throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands.

The 2010 Awards for Excellence covered 31 categories, including Most Excellent Resort, Most Excellent Hotel and Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway. Hidden Meadow Ranch won the category of Most Excellent Ranch for the second time in three years.

Hidden Meadow Ranch is nestled on 150 pristine acres surrounded by two million acres of national forest, boasting 975 miles of trails. The Arizona mountain hideaway is home to 12 well-appointed log cabins that offer guests 900 square feet for R-&-R. Beyond cabin walls, guests enjoy gourmet meals at the lodge and activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing, snowshoeing, archery, skiing, hiking, horse-drawn sleigh rides and more.

“We’re thrilled to be listed among the 2010 award winners and to keep company with such an outstanding list of luxury destinations,” said Jane Lenci, Hidden Meadow Ranch general manager, lodge and club operations. “We’re very excited to bear the Condé Nast Johansens endorsement once again, knowing how it resonates with the world’s most discerning travelers.”

Votes for the 2010 Awards for Excellence were cast by hotel guests and the Condé Nast Johansens inspection team, as well as readers of the Luxury Travel Guide and other guides in the Condé Nast Johansens collection.

“Condé Nast Johansens recommends only properties that meet our standards, which means the Awards for Excellence winners represent the very best of the best,” said Lesley O’Malley-Keyes, vice president and publishing director of The Americas. ”Our readers are discerning, sophisticated travelers who know what they want when they travel – outstanding accommodations and exceptional service.”

The Luxury Travel Guide, as well as the other guides that make up the Condé Nast Johansens collection, features an easy-to-use format simplifies the independent traveler’s task of selecting and booking accommodations. All guides in the collection have attracted a loyal readership in the United States by guaranteeing that each Recommended property undergoes a rigorous annual inspection process to ensure exceptional quality is maintained.

The Condé Nast Johansens Web site (www.condenastjohansens.com), a vital part of the Condé Nast Johansens offerings, allows visitors to find a hotel by country, state, island or by keyword search. The site can send a reservation or availability request directly to hotels, and features a venue-finder, special and seasonal offers, online gift certificate purchasing and late-availability options.

About Hidden Meadow Ranch

Hidden Meadow Ranch is an exclusive boutique ranch hideaway featuring rustically elegant log cabins, exceptional amenities and service, and the year-round family-friendly activities of the mountain west. This premier guest ranch – situated at 8,500 feet in the pine and aspen forest above and beyond Arizona’s desert heat – provides an escape from everything urban, thoughtfully mixing creature comforts and Mother Nature’s amenities. A variety of ownership opportunities are available through The Club at Hidden Meadow Ranch, the state’s only high-end custom log home community with fractional ownership cabins and custom homesites. 866.333.4080, www.hiddenmeadow.com.

About Condé Nast Johansens

Condé Nast Johansens is owned by Condé Nast Publications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advance Publications and Condé Nast International, which publishes a portfolio of magazines worldwide, including Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, The New Yorker, GQ, Tatler, Vanity Fair, Brides, Glamour and Wired. The Condé Nast Johansens international collection of guides is available at select bookstores nationwide, including the 2010 Recommended Hotels, Inns, Resorts & Spas – The Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific. The Guide Web site, www.condenastjohansens.com, offers exclusive seasonal discounts and complimentary access to the international database of luxury accommodations. Consumers may purchase Condé Nast Johansens Guides by calling 800.564.7518 or online at www.condenastjohansens.com. Gift certificates are also available at the Web site.

 Media contact: Amanda Fier, amanda@olsoncomm.com

Dr. Andrew Weil & Fox Restaurant Concepts Showcase Nutritional Meals for All Day Parts

PHOENIX (March 2010) – Kick-start the day with a nutrient-rich breakfast now available for the first time at True Food Kitchen.  The breakfast menu showcases a variety of options for weekday and weekend brunch meals.

“The breakfast menu is perfect for people who are on-the-go during the weekdays and leisurely during the weekends,” said Executive Chef Michael Stebner.  “With so many people who appreciate dining out, but don’t want to compromise their nutrition, it’s natural for them to gravitate to these more tasty, yet nutritionally balanced options before a busy day.”

True Food Kitchen is now open for breakfast, Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. for to-go or casual dine-in service; brunch is being offered, in addition to lunch, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 3:00.  The breakfast and brunch menu consists of baked goods, smoothies and juices along with entree dishes with vegan and vegetarian options noted.  From the bakery, guests can enjoy items made with flax meal and spelt over traditional white flour, including the Banana, Espresso, Pistachio & Date Muffin or the Zucchini, Carrot & Parsnip Bread.  The signature juice bar features five smoothies including the Morning Glory: apple, strawberry, coconut and banana – which is both vegan and gluten-free; and the Junior Pom Date:  pomegranate, dates, vanilla and yuzu – also gluten-free.  Nutrition-boosting ingredients such as flax meal and olivello juice have been integrated in the Weekend Warrier and Green Monster smoothies as well.

Eleven breakfast entrees are available daily, including the Egg White Sandwich with turkey bacon, provolone and tomatoes; and the Wild Sockeye Salmon Lox with grain bread, Lebne cheese, capers and onions.  All of the eggs at True Food Kitchen are certified-organic.  Other favorites will include the Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oatmeal with brown sugar, milk and dried figs; and the Organic Yogurt & Fruit Parfait with True Food’s house-made agave granola.   The granola consists of whole oats, pistachio and Brazil nuts, dried cranberries and flax seeds mixed together with expellier-pressed canola oil and agave nectar.

Heartier dishes such as the Open-Faced Egg White Omelet with mushrooms, kale, truffle oil and parmigiano; quinoa (the highest source of plant-based protein)-blueberry Johnny cake with pure maple syrup and Greek yogurt; Chicken “Hash” with sweet potatoes, onions and two eggs; and Greek Frittata made with organic eggs, tomatoes, onion, Kalamata olives, feta and oregano will also be offered during this timeframe.

For the full breakfast menu, visit www.foxrc.com.

True Food Kitchen is located in the Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 135 and is open seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take-out  and catering is available for diners on the go. Reservations are available for parties of six or more. True Food Kitchen is the official caterer for the Phoenix Suns and will soon open expansion locations in Arizona and California. For more information call 602-774-3488 or visit www.foxrc.com or www.drweil.com.

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