Los Angeles California Downtown Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA September 14, 1781 is the city's official birthdate. After the territory changed hands from Spain to Mexico, the town was officially declared a city in 1835. Los Angeles has something for everyone. A diverse multi-ethnic populations distinguishes the city. People from abut 140 countries, speaking approximately 96 different languages currently call Los Angeles home. Los Angeles began as a sleepy pueblo, with no natural harbor and an inadequate water supply, and it became one of the largest and most influential cities in the world. Los Angeles events include: Buddha's Birthday, Cinco de Mayo, Hollywood Bowl Summer Festival, Little Tokyo's Nissei Week, Los Angeles County Fair, and Hollywood Christmas Parade. Detroit Michigan Detroit, MI Popularly known as Motor City and Motown, Detroit is the Midwest's oldest city. It was founded in 1701 by the French as a fur-trading outpost. The city boasts a rich ethnic makeup and includes rural farming, suburban neighborhoods, chic urban areas, and the excitement of a big city. Known as the "Automobile Capital of the World" and the "Potato Chip Capital of the World," Detroit has a diverse economy. There are nine universities, seven colleges, ten community college campuses, and numerous trade and vocational schools located in the greater Detroit area. Events include the International Freedom Festival, African World Festival, Festival of the Arts, Festival of Trees, and the Detroit Grand Prix. Austin Texas Austin's State Capitol Austin, TX The Texas state capital, the name honors Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas." The city, the heart of state government, is home to several educational institutions including the University of Texas at Austin. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World." Austin is the northeastern gateway to the Texas Hill Country. Austin events include: Spamarama, Austin-Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo, Cinco de Mayo, Green Mesquite Rhythm & Blues Festival, Fiery Food Show, Bastille Day at the French Legation, and Diez y Seis. Riverside California Riverside, CA Riverside is located at the heart of California's Inland Empire. Located between the desert and the sea, the city lies about 60 miles from Los Angeles and 45 miles from Palm Springs. The birth place of California's commercial citrus industry, Riverside dates back to 1870. With the importation of two navel orange trees from Brazil, the city became the center of a booming citrus trade. Today many citrus groves have been replaced with industry, suburban homes, and a growing population. Riverside events include: Sunday on Main Street, Orange Blossom Festival, Cinco de Mayo, and summertime Concerts in the Park. Tucson Arizona Tucson Tucson, AZ Tucson is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in the United States. Part of the original Spanish Presidio is preserved. Now a sophisticated city of 700,000 people, Tucson has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, urban cowboys, and culture vultures alike. The influence of a strong Spanish, Mexican, and Native American heritage is in evidence everywhere. Tucson events include: Tuscon Open, Indian Arts Fair, Copper Bowl, Pima County Fair, Ski Carnival, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Hollywood Florida Hollywood Hollywood, FL Located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood is known for its world- famous Boardwalk and natural resources. Whether strolling, bicycling, skating, or basking on the sand of Hollywood's beach, this recreational and residential community provides a relaxing atmosphere. Hollywood events include: Florida Renaissance Festival, Fiesta Tropicale, and the Hollywood Jazz Festival. Palm Beach Florida Palm Beach Palm Beach, FL The palm tree lined city of West Palm Beach/Palm Beach is located in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean, bordered in part by Lake Okeechobee. The name originated from the natural abundance of palm trees all over the area. A luxious vacationing winter resort awaits those visitors from the north in the winter months or all year round. Many fabulous houses and first class shops and Boutiques wait to capture and captivate. Founded by railroad tycoon in 1894 named Henry Flager, it has become known around the United States and around the world as one of the rich and lavish vacation areas to visit. Famous people such as the Trump and Kennedy familiy maintain residences here. Henry Flager made it a commercial and industry rich haven for the lavious and wealthy northern tourists as a first in Florida. Polo matches are held at the world famous, first class Palm Beach Polo and Country Clubs. Boutique and specialty shops that cater to the rich and famous are found on the famous Worth Avenue that is twelve miles long, This area is widely known for its ritzy mansions and elegant shopping. Famous shops such as Sak's Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Macys, and Burdines are just a few, among this rich and glitzy area. Major crop in the area is sugar and is very important to the growing economy. Other types of crops include winter vegetables and truck crops. Major types of manufacturing are chemicals, lumber and wood, rubber and plastics, metal products, machinery products, telecommunicatons and electronics, and food products. The area has the largest employers specializing in electronics and research and development industries. High profile companies such as RCA, IBM, United Technologies and Motorola are just to name a few. Tourism remains the #1 industry. Scuba diving is a main attraction in this tropical climate. The climate here is ideal for those who like it warm all year. It is one of the largest counties in Florida in population and size. Some attractions, aside from the shopping districts, include Henry Flagler's Mansion, which is now "Flagler Musuem." The Norton Gallery, located in West Palm Beach, has one of the finest collections of French Impressionist. The Dreher Park Zoo is a zoological garden containing over 130 species that includes endagered species as well as reptiles and primates. Up close animal views can been seen here. The Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park will take you back in history to Indian times with Indian villages as well as reptile exhibits and the "Bird's of Prey" exhibits. Undersea life can be seen at the South Florida Science Musuem and for the motor sport fan, we have the Metro-Dade Motorsports Complex featuring some of the world's finest racing, Major events here include the PPG Indy Car World series, the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami presented by Toyota, the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, the Jiffy Lube Miami 300, and the Florida Dodge Dealers 400 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. One of the most fascinating attractions is the "Lion Country Safari" where you can drive with your car windows closed and view hundreds of safari animals that roam free. For the Spanish history lovers, you can view Spanish- style architecture from the 1920's in the lavious "Boca Raton." The Royal Palm Polo Sports Club includes the International Gold Cup and it is where players can compete for pize money and awards. For the Art lover, the Cauldwell Theatre Company perfroms comedies, musicals and dramas. Little Palm Theatre performs children's shows. The Boca Raton Musuem of Art has arts and crafts, exhibits, and arts and craft classes and trips. Florida Atlantic University's Ritter Art Gallory has fine-art exhibits, community programs and competitions. The Philharmonic Orchestra of Forida has the Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale symphonies. In the Palm Beach area we have the Society of the Four Arts which has Art exhibits, musical events, lectures, films and programs for the youtth as well as the Society of the Four Arts Gardens which has different sciences and planetarium programs; The Royal Poinciana Playhouse has national tours of Broadway and off-Broadway hits. The Hibel Musuem of Art has lithographs, drawings, sculptures and tributes to the artist Edna Hibel. Annual Events held in the area include the South Florida Fair at the Palm Beach Fairgrounds; the Delray Dunes Pro-Am, a charity golf tournament with some PGA professional golf players; The "Great American Love Affair," the Boyton G.A.L.A., is an arts and entertainment fair at the Boynton Beach Civic Center. The Sunfest is a four-day festival celebrating the history of Palm/West Palm Beach; spring events include the Delray Affair with arts, crafts, food and entertainment on the first weekend after Easter. On Easter Weekend, the Easter Parade and Easter on the Avenue includes Easter Parades and festivals in Lake Worth. Fouth of July and the "Boca Festival Days is a one month celebration of recreational, cultural and educational events. The "Roots Festival," is a black heritage festival with food, music and art Indian name meaning grassy water. With all the glitz and glamour, West palm and Palm Beach are a great place to live, work and/or visit. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, known as "The City of Brotherly Love, is the birthplace of the United States and the site of the Republican Convention in the year 2000. During most of the Revolutionary War it served as the nation's capital. The largest city in Pennsylvania, the community is a colorful blend of the old and new and serves as a major deep-water port. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776. Events include The Book and the Cook Festival, Philadelphia County Fair, Fringe Festival, and the Festival of World Cinema.