(From the Book: Where the Birds Don’t Sing)

New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door

Sydney, Australia: R & R

When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called New South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. there were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.

Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]

It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. But what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.

Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. But back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.

To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.

Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. The bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.

I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.

She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.

We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.

Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. her lips were thick and very sexy looking.

I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. What can you do? She simply laughed and said, Have fun, that’s what you’re here for. But I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.

As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild Bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. It was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. If she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.

I commented [soothingly], you are really fresh looking, stunning..

She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.

[Puzzled] How come you came on such a tour? I asked her.

[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,

Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.

The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.

She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.

As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.

[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] We don’t like hippie’s here that’s why Said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.

[Talking nervously, yet stern] you all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?

[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.

[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?

You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.

Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.

As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].

Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,

[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.

Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],

I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]

The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. We talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. But it wouldn’t work out that way. her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. It was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.

Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.

The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]

Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. The sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].

A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — The sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,

Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.

When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.

And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. What would I do with her anyway?

Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]

Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Travel Connection invite you to take an adventure in Moorea with a new seven-night package, including flights, accommodation, an all-day cruise and a four-wheel drive tour. the ‘the Perfect Pearl’ package is priced from AUD$3480 ex Sydney and Melbourne and includes return Economy Class flights with Air Tahiti Nui, two nights’ accommodation in Tahiti, five nights in Moorea, transfers, airport taxes, and daily breakfasts.the package also includes a day cruise and four-wheel drive tour, enabling you to explore Moorea by land and sea. the full day Circle Island Lagoon Cruise will take you to Moorea’s lagoons and bays, enabling you to get up close to marine life and beautiful coral before enjoying an island picnic lunch. you will also experience the island’s wilder side during the Aito 4 Wheel Drive Safari tour which will take you across Moorea’s incredible landscapes, including the internal volcanic crater.  Packages are priced per person, twin share and are based on low season travel between 1 April and 31 May 2012, 1 November until 20 Dec 2012 and between 20 January and 31 March 2013. High season packages are also available from $3750 for travel between 1 June and 31 October 2012. Prices include pre-payable taxes which are subject to change.  Packages must be booked 90 days prior to departure and bookings are subject to availability. Some conditions apply. 

Air Tahiti Nui offers one-stop flights from Australia to Papeete each Thursday and Sunday. 

Experience more of Moorea for less

ADAMS TOWNSHIP — Dominating play from the opening tip, the Clinton-Massie Lady Falcons defeated London, 53-36, Saturday in a South Central Ohio League game at the CMHS gym.

With the win, the 14th-ranked Lady Falcons remain unbeaten in SCOL play at 8-0 while improving to 15-1 overall.

Clinton-Massie scored 17 of the first 20 points in the game and led 29-11 at halftime.

Sydney Brackemyre was a scoring machine for the Lady Falcons, accounting for 19 of Massie’s first 22 points — including 15 of CM’s 18 points in the second quarter. she easily won the praise of Red Raiders’ coach Ben Ackley.

“she is such a dominant player and is virtually unstoppable,” said Ackley. “Not only does she score from all over the floor, but she hits the boards really well. by halftime I think she had seven offensive rebounds. to me, she’s a Division I prospect.

Reportedly, representatives from Michigan State were in attendance to witness Brackemyre’s play Saturday.

“When we execute like we did in the first half and play defense like that, we’re hard to beat,” said Clinton-Massie head coach Allen Wilkinson, who recently picked up his 200th career win. his career win total now stands at 205.

While Brackemyre saw limited playing time in the second half, several other players picked up the scoring pace for Massie. the Lady Falcons led 45-19 after three quarters before being outscored 17-8 in the final frame.

“Yes, we played much better overall in the second half,” said Ackley. “Massie just presents match-up problems for us because of their size. ‘Wilk’ does a great job with his kids and they’re showing great improvement.”

Clinton-Massie 53, London 36

LHS 3 8 8 17 — 36

CMHS 11 18 16 8 — 53

(36) LONDON (fg-3fg-ft-tp) M. Badger 1-0-0-2 Hiram 1-1-2-5 Crager 4-1-0-9 Long 2-1-0-5 Hiram 4-0-1-9 Zawodny 2-1-0-5 Cunningham 0-0-1-1. TOTALS 14-4-4-36

(53) CLINTON-MASSIE (fg-3fg-ft-tp) Moyer 1-1-2-5 Machado 1-0-1-3 Monnin 1-1-1-4 Uetrecht 3-0-0-6 Brackemyre 9-4-4-26 B. Smith 1-0-0-2 Frederick 2-0-1-5 Duncan 1-0-0-2. TOTALS 19-6-9-53

No. 14 Lady Falcons cruise to 53-36 win over London

Welcome to Sydney!…

Sydney, it doesn’t matter where your from it’s going high on your travel to destinations… And with good reason, sun, sand, beaches Australia has a lot to offer travellers and Sydney is no exception. From its Iconic harbour to its sun draped beaches there is plenty to see and do in Sydney.

What To Do

On your first day in why not go for a wonder around the city (why not try the walking tour mentioned below) Sydney’s CBD area isn’t to big and has water on 3 sides so it’s not likely you will get very lost for too long (just make sure you do have a map with you, you can pick them up from most City Convenience stores and Hotel Lobbies). if you don’t feel like walking around there is a couple of bus services that will take you for a tour around key sites of the city. Check out their websites for more information Hop On Hop Off Bus www.viator.com and Sydney Explorer Bus www.metrotransport.com.au/destination/view/sydney-explorer-bus.

A couple more Sydney must do’s are

• Monorail – Built for the Bicentenary its a unique Sydney experience
• Sydney Tower – Formally known Centerpoint Tower is the largest free-standing structure in Sydney it offers some great views of the city and some unique experiences including a 4D cinema experience and Skywalk off the top of the tower.
• Pitt Street Mall – if shopping is your thing then Pitt Street Mall has something for everyone.
• Botanical Gardens – if you want to escape the hassle and bustle of the city and see some unique Australia plants and flowers.
• Luna Park – Sydney’s original theme park, it has had a mixed history but it’s still open, worth checking out for a couple of hours one afternoon/evening.

Nights OutThere are plenty of great ways and places to spend a night out in Sydney, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, the Rocks and Circular Quay all have a great collection of Restaurants, Bars and Clubs to choose from so you’ll certainly be able to keep your entertained no matter what your idea of a good night is. if you’re looking to have a really big night out then your off to Kings Cross, it is famous for it night clubs and late night antics.

Day Trips

Where To Stay

Here I like to write about places I’ve personally stayed in, good bad or indifferent, and give you a little information based on my experiences at the time. the places I’ve stay in Sydney are the Metro Hotel, Base Hostel, and the Capitol Square Hotel.

The Metro Hotel located on Pitt Street (There is a couple more but I’ve only stayed in the one on Pitt Street) is a very nice hotel, very comfortable, centrally located and great if your going to be staying Sydney for more than just a couple of days. Like all hotels in the heart of Sydney it can be quiet expensive to stay at so you do need to keep an eye on deals, mid-week stays are always going to be cheaper than weekends. for more information check out their website www.metrohotels.com.au/sydney-hotels/metro-hotel-on-pitt-3

The Capitol Square Hotel is very centrally located, right next to the Capitol Theatre and a short stroll from Chinatown, George Street and Darling Harbour. It’s not as nice as other hotels I’ve stayed in but it is clean comfortable and great if your only planning on staying in Sydney for a couple of days. Check out their website for more information www.rydges.com/hotel/RNCAPS/Capitol-Square-Hotel-Sydney.htm

If a Hostel is more your scene (and budget) then the Base Hostel in Sydney is not a bad option, again it’s not the nicest hostel I’ve ever stayed in but it is centrally located and the rates are very reasonable. There are a couple of HI/YHA hostels in Sydney which are supposed to be a bit nicer and a little more expensive but I’ve never stayed at them. for more information about the Base Hostel in Sydney check out their website. http://stayatbase.com/hostels/australia-hostels/base-sydney.aspx

Transport

There are plenty of transport options to get you into, around and out of Sydney from Trains, Busses, Ferries, the Monorail and the Light Rail. the Ferry, Monorail and Light Rail are very unique Sydney experiences and worth fitting into your trip. I’d highly recommend using the Ferry to get to either Taronga Zoo and/or Manly. To get from the Sydney Airport to the City the train is the cheapest and easiest option although there are plenty of taxi’s if you don’t feel like carry your suitcase to your hotel. for more information about transport in Sydney check out www.131500.com.au

Money

In the Australia the currency of choice is the Australia Dollar ($). 1 Australian Dollar is made up of 100 cents and can be made up with 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins which are all silver (50?s aren’t round they’ve got 12 sides). Dollars come in 1 and 2 dollar coins which are gold and notes from there up.  A good thing to understand the exchange rate between the Australian Dollar and your own currency and that will help you make decisions an whats good value at the time of writing this the Australian Dollar was roughly the same as the US Dollar but it does fluctuate.

Walking Tour

I think the best way to really see any city is to take a stroll around it, so I’ve put together this walking tour which is purely a recommendation but it does cover most of the must see sights of Sydney. It will take about 3 and half hours to walk this route and that doesn’t include stopping to take in the sights along the way, and it covers about 16 kilometers (roughly 10 miles) so make sure you’ve got some comfy shoes and a map handy.

Tips/Useless Facts

• Sydney is not the capital of Australia, Canberra is.
• If your looking for a good quality cheap meal then head to a Pub, its nicer than fast food and cheaper than a restaurant.

Written By: Rhys Vandersyde | Photography By: Rhys Vandersyde | last Updated: 9th December 2011

About the author

City Guide: Sydney, Australia

This is one of the famous landmarks in Australia. It is called the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It has the best views, if you live close enough to the city you would be able to see it. they celebrate here in the city when it is New Year’s Eve and there are fire works everywhere. That is why the city is the most expensive suburb in Sydney.

It is better when you are there at nighttime you see different colour lights reflecting in the water beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge like a rainbow. That’s why people like it.

You should have a visit to here.

By Philip

Image: ‘reflections of sydney‘

Photo A Day = S = Sydney Harbour Bridge « 2012 AllStars Library Blog

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According to the Milanese woman's physicians, the intense psychological stress of the cruise ship evacuation was almost certainly exacerbated by an incident during the escape when her lifeboat smashed up against some rocks as it was being steered towards the shore.

Cristina and her husband, identified by the Daily Telegraph as a 40-year-old accountant, are using that testimony as a key part of their class action suit against Costa Cruises, the Genoa-based owners of the Costa Concordia.

In their official statement, they demand compensation for the “material, biological and moral injury” they both endured.

More Passengers Sue Costa Cruises

Nor are they alone in demanding satisfaction from the luxury liner company after the Costa Concordia sinking.

Costa Cruises has offered passengers a lump sum of 11,000 euros ($14,437.50) each in compensation, if they agree not to sue the company.

That deal has already been rejected, however, by a group of six who filed in the U.S. demanding $460 million in compensation.

A number of French tourists have filed in the French courts, while in Germany 19 passengers have so far filed against Captain Francesco Schettino, the man accused of sinking the Costa Concordia.

17 people have been confirmed dead so far in the Costa Concordia sinking. 15 are still missing from the tragic accident.

Captain Schettino is being blamed for the disaster. He is currently under house arrest.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: to contact the editor, e-mail:

Costa Concordia Accident: Woman Who Miscarried Sues For 1 Million Euros

Hiring a good boat hire service provider in Sydney has many advantages. A good service provider can make a cruise or fishing trip more comfortable and give great value for money.

Sydney is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Thousands of tourists visit this amazing city every year, attracted especially by Sydney Harbour, which is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Hiring a boat for private charter on Sydney Harbour can be a very daunting task if you do not have an idea about what kind of boat you should hire and from whom.

You will need to find something that fits into your budget and is good enough for your purpose. there are many private Boat Hire service providers at Sydney Harbor and all of them would claim to be just the one that you require but it is essential that you know what your requirement is and what you are looking for. for this reason, it is always better to hire a professional service provider that specialises in operating private boat charters.

You will find many agents for private Boat Cruises

All boats being offered come with a skipper and a well trained, professional and friendly crew. Quite often, the owner of the boat is the skipper. this is good from the point of the view of the customer as you get top quality service. another advantage of hiring private boats is that they hire qualified and trained crew who make the trip a memorable experience for you and your friends and family members.

There are catering services that offer their services for private boats. These catering services offer different options and menus for each individual boat. usually, menus are decided keeping in mind the type of the boat and its purpose. however, the menus offered by the caterers can be changed and modified according to your preferences and eating habits so that you get to taste the best cuisines during your cruise or fishing charters Sydney.

Sydney becomes a treat to visit and watch especially during new Year’s Eve celebrations. The boat charter services also organize special cruises for getting their clients a spectacular view of the celebrations from the Pacific Ocean with their cruises. Watching the fireworks display is an unforgettable experience and hiring a good boat charter service will ensure that you get the best view of it.

Advantages of Hiring Sydney Boat Charters

Nolan Smith remembers very little of this, of course. He was only 8 years old when his father, former Kings guard Derek Smith, went into cardiac arrest and died aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic.

Yet, as he travels between cities during his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers, he hears the anecdotes, he meets the people, he asks the questions. what was my dad like? was he fun to be around? And how good was he really?

“Bill Walton was at one our games the other day,” said Smith, a first-round draft pick from Duke whose Blazers play the Kings tonight at Power Balance Pavilion. “He had nothing but good things to say. the one thing he kept mentioning was how hard-nosed my dad was.”

There is a hint of legend in the Derek Smith story after all these years, this tale of a man who grew up in a rural Georgia home that lacked running water and electricity. Who earned his college degree and an NCAA championship at Louisville. Who was waived by his first NBA team (Golden State) and emerged as a star with another (Clippers). whose career came crashing down in seconds by a fluky collision in the old Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1985, months before he was traded to the Kings in a deal involving popular guards Mike Woodson and Larry Drew.

In a dramatic personnel move, the late Joe Axelson convinced Gregg Lukenbill that Smith could become the Kings’ first legitimate star. And, in fact, the arc of Derek’s triumph was almost as sudden as the descent.

There was that one improbable, spectacular 1984-85 season – coincidentally, the Clippers’ inaugural season in Los Angeles. In his second year on a team that included Walton, Marques Johnson and Norm Nixon, Smith averaged 22.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists and was acknowledged as the team’s best player. a powerful, bruising 6-foot-6 athlete, he would cup the ball in his massive hands and explode to the basket, often sneering as he threw down an assortment of nasty dunks.

Until he collapsed at the feet of Clippers owner Donald Sterling only months later, clutching his left knee and crying in agony, the native of tiny Hogansville, Ga., played with an edgy, at times joyous, ferocity. the injury stripped him of that joy, and turned a game into a job. He often became visibly irritated, frustrated by the need to reinvent his game and crushed by the reality that the best part of his career was not going to happen.

“We all knew if he hadn’t gotten hurt, he was going to be a superstar,” said Jimmy Lynam, the former Clippers coach who later hired Smith as an assistant with the Washington Bullets.

Instead, Smith never made the All-Star team, never made his millions, and never made Kings fans forget Woodson and Drew.

“There was a lot of pressure on Derek,,” said longtime Kings official Jerry Reynolds. “But he was always stiff, could never move fluid. it was just one of those things, honestly, that short of him being the Derek before the injury, just wasn’t going to work.”

Though he spent a significant portion of his three seasons with the Kings on the injured list, Derek’s wife, Monica (Smith) Malone, recalls plenty of good times. the Smiths and their toddler, Sydney, lived within yards of Curtis Park. Monica walked to her classes at nearby McGeorge Law School. Nolan Smith was conceived there.

Now 23, with a degree from Duke, the Blazers’ young backup point guard is averaging six minutes and itching for more, much as his father did during his rookie season with the Warriors. Yet apart from a striking facial resemblance, there is little physical similarity. at 6-2 and 185 pounds, Nolan lacks his father’s size, length and explosiveness. With a chuckle, his mother also suggests her son is not nearly as combative.

The love of the game, though? the willingness to defend aggressively? the desire to stand in, in a sense, for his father? That’s all there.

“I’m the son of the father who put the ball in my hands, who basically made his dream become my dream,” Nolan said. “I can remember him teaching me, working with me. now it’s my reality.”

He cherishes the chance meetings with his father’s former teammates and coaches, loves hearing the old stories. He speaks frequently with Lynam, the coach and mentor who was only feet away when Derek Smith died during the meet-and-mingle cruise for Bullets season-ticket holders. though initial reports indicated Smith died from a reaction to anti-seasickness medication, an autopsy later revealed a previously undetected heart disease. He was 34.

“It’s no secret that I think of Derek all the time,” said Monica, who has since remarried. “Sometimes I wonder what he would think of all this, his son in the NBA. He might be surprised, but he would be really proud.”

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Call the Bee’s Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208.

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Ailene Voisin: Portland rookie Nolan Smith learning about the NBA, his dad

THE Sydney Opera House is hoping to boost indigenous content with the appointment of its first head of indigenous programming.

Actor, journalist and television presenter Rhoda Roberts will take up two-year appointment, NSW Arts Minister George Souris said today.

Ms Roberts co-founded the country’s first national Aboriginal theatre company, the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust (ANTT), and worked as the creative director of Sydney’s new Year’s Eve celebrations.

She also produced and directed the Festival of the Dreaming in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

"this new role will address capacity-building in the indigenous performing arts sector," Ms Roberts said in a statement.

NSW Arts Minister George Souris said he looked forward to seeing Ms Roberts’ influence over the coming years.

"it is fitting that the Opera House – located significantly at Bennelong Point, named after an elder of Eora people – will be a hub for the development of new, exciting and breakthrough indigenous arts content," he said.

Mr Souris said Ms Roberts will oversee an expanded Message Sticks Festival in 2012, including talks, debates and live performances.

Sydney Opera House appoints first indigenous head

SYDNEY, Jan 31, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Virgin Australia has signed a multi-year full content distribution agreement with Sabre Travel Network to extend the airline’s reach through the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS). Sabre will provide all Virgin Australia fares and inventory, including fare families and ancillaries, to Sabre-connected travel agencies and corporations globally.

As part of the agreement, travel agencies and corporations will have real-time access to Virgin Australia and Virgin Australia International content without surcharges, ensuring the most accurate shopping and booking experience as part of the efficiency of the Sabre GDS.

the distribution agreement with Sabre goes into effect immediately, and builds on Virgin Australia’s upgrade to Sabre’s AdvanceConnect, providing both seamless availability and interactive sales to agencies and corporations. Additional merchandising capabilities will include fare families and ancillary sales fulfillment with Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD) to provide travel agencies and corporations with significant process efficiency and flexibility across sales, settlement and reporting.

“Sabre is committed to helping Virgin Australia realize its business goals by delivering powerful tools and solutions, like the vast and efficient Sabre GDS, so they can reach the largest number of customers with the products and services travelers want,” said Hans Belle, vice president of Sabre Travel Network — Asia-Pacific. “Virgin Australia is a terrific partner that truly understands and appreciates the value of the Sabre GDS and we look forward to doing all we can to help the airline flourish.”

Virgin Australia joins a number of airlines around the world, including Air new Zealand, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin America, Etihad, Alitalia, Finnair and South African Airways, who are or are planning to leverage Sabre’s innovative merchandising solutions in order to efficiently market and sell ancillaries to the largest number of travelers.

Sabre Travel Network provides technology solutions to the global travel industry. it operates the world’s largest travel marketplace, connecting travel buyers and sellers through the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Its innovative software connects more than 350,000 travel professionals to more than 400 airlines, 93,000 hotels, 25 car rental brands, 50 rail providers, 13 cruise lines and other global travel suppliers. More than 300 million people purchase airline tickets through this channel annually.

Sabre Travel Network is part of Sabre Holdings, a global travel technology company serving the world’s largest industry – travel and tourism. Its innovative technology is used by more than a billion people around the world to plan, book and get to their destination at a time and price that’s right for them. for more information, please visit: www.sabre.com .

SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network

Sabre Travel Network Nancy St. Pierre, 682-605-3864 nancy.st.pierre@sabre.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

Virgin Australia Signs Full Content Distribution Agreement with Sabre