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Devastating fire

JaniceKathy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:02:33 GMT

Close friends of mine suffered a devastating fire yesterday. David and Anita run Zoo To You. a wildlife conservation organization. They take wild animals rescued by US Fish & Game that cannot be rehabilitated or returned to the wild and use them for wildlife education. They visit schools and other organizations. They have for instance a bald eagle that was blinded by hunters in Alaska (not in fire) and a spider monkey that was rescued from a dumpster in LA (Maya was nearly 50 and one of the oldest in captivity, she was lost in the fire). These two work closely with Jack Hanna of the Chicago Zoo. Most of the animals you see Jack with on the tonight show come from David & Anita's facility.

Yesterday the office caught fire and approx. 40 animals were lost. I am heart broken. I have known these two for 20 years and they are the most selfless people, dedicated to the preservation and education for wild life. Please join me in offering your condolences and any donation you see fit. Their web site is down because all their computers were lost. My boss is donating one to them tomorrow. You can get more info at:

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10241178

Is it too soon to start planning my next Olivia trip?????

SusyQ58 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:33:47 GMT

Let's see....

Alaska 2006 ..... awesome

Australia 2008...freaking unbelievable

Greek Isle 2010...?????

LGBT Travel Awards…Olivia was Left off the Ballot…What!?!

sleddog — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:54:57 GMT

As someone who travels a lot and likes to support "gay and lesbian" business…I believe that the true pioneer of gay/lesbian travel has been totally ignored.

That is Olivia - founded by Judy Dlugacz!

You can't vote for them as they've been left completely off the "ballot"

But you can voice your opinion!

http://www.tripoutgaytravel.com/vote-for-best-gay-tour-operator-2009-tripout-gay-travel-awards/

Here are those behind 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards

http://www.tripoutgaytravel.com/meet-the-academy-behind-the-2009-tripout-gay-travel-awards/

"The nominees for the 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards were chosen by an academy of esteemed and seasoned travel writers who cover LGBT travel for gay and mainstream publications alike. Between them, they’ve visited every continent and practically every country, state and gay hotspot on the planet.

Nominees were selected on the criterion of how popular they are among LGBT travelers as well as how welcoming each destination, airline, hotel collection or event is to the queer traveler. The TripOut Gay Travel Awards seek to honor those places we all love to visit (or hope to visit) and also locales who work hard to embrace gay consumers through media outreach, progressive legislation, public acknowledgement and inclusive employment policies. All of these factors were taken into consideration in selecting who you’ll be voting for.

And above all, the academy members chose nominees that will hopefully get your heart racing. Travel is a passionate experience, and we hope you feel enthused about our nominees.

Meet our academy – and visit their links to discover their work!"

And for those who don't know Judy or Olivia yet…or maybe you thought you did…

Women Of Olivia Create Sensation In Greece; Tour Of Greek Islands Makes Headlines

Date: November 6, 1992 Publication: PR Newswire

Almost 300 American women, called the "priestesses of Sappho" by the Greek press, visited Lesbos, Ephesus (in Turkey), Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos with Olivia Cruises of Oakland -- a touring company specializing in cruises and land vacations for women.

Television and radio stations in Crete covered the arrival and touring schedule of the group. Journalists and photographers from the Athens' Free Press caught up with the tour in Santorini and interviewed Olivia President Judy Dlugacz and several of the passengers, resulting in a two-page article in a widely circulated newspaper.

Readers were fascinated to learn about the freedom lesbians have in America and about the concept of their traveling together to distant parts of the world. The visibility, vibrancy and diversity of the women broke all existing stereotypes and won the hearts of the Greeks.

In Lesbos, the women participated in a special ceremony honoring Sappho at the ruins of the school she established in ancient times. They also donated money to open a fund in the town of Skala Errosos to promote tourism and provide information concerning the history and significance of Sappho. Townspeople, the mayor, members of the local Chamber of Commerce, and the "Women of Olivia" gathered in the square to enjoy songs and folk dances performed by the children of Lesbos in honor of Olivia's passengers. Town dignitaries presented Olivia's president with a statue of Sappho.

"The women of Olivia are positive ambassadors of the United States," says President Dlugacz. "Their warmth, enthusiasm and diversity create strong bonds and memories among themselves as well as among the local residents. The strength of our numbers and our presence melt away people's preconceived ideas about lesbians. It's an amazing and rewarding part of our trips."

Olivia Records was founded 20 years ago to give women songwriters, singers and musicians an opportunity to record and promote their music. Almost four years ago, the company expanded into the travel business and to date more than 5,000 women have traveled to places like the Bahamas, Alaska, Mexico and Greece. In addition to returning to some of these destinations, the 1993-94 itinerary includes the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and Canada, the Galapagos, the Yucatan and Africa. Call 800-631-6277 for more information.

Cruising for success

The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine) | April 24, 2001 | ROCHMAN, SUE

Are you aware that hundreds of lesbian shoppers were able to transform the Turkish economy in less than a day? If not, then you probably haven't met Judy Dlugacz, founder and president of Olivia Cruises and Resorts. And if you haven't met Dlugacz, then you probably don't know that her goal is to take every lesbian on the best vacation of her life and promote same-sex rights in the process.

"This is another way to create visibility and create freedom," Dlugacz says of the cruises. "There is nothing more freeing than these vacations. I feel in that way I'm still kind of a missionary. We go all over the world. We are well received and well respected wherever we go."

Dlugacz began her career as an entrepreneur in the lesbian community with Olivia Records, a women's music label that was once home to Cris Williamson and Tret Fure, among others. But her travel packages have brought her the sort of business success that any executive would love to have. Olivia Cruises has seen its revenues grow 10% to 20% each of the past five years, practically doubling the size of the company. As many as 1,200 sapphic travelers sign up for one of Olivia's offerings. At a cost that can run anywhere from $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy for early-bird booking on an Alaska cruise, to $3,899 per person for the owner's suite on a Tahiti excursion, the cruises provide fun for those attending and a healthy profit for the woman who has managed to bring together feminism and capitalism.

For many, the name Olivia brings to mind images of concert halls filled with lesbians reveling in women's music. And that shouldn't be a surprise: Nearly three decades ago Dlugacz and four other women founded Olivia Records. "We wanted to do something political together," Dlugacz recalls. "We were talking about what to do, and Cris Williamson came through town and said, `Why don't you guys just start a women's record company?' And so we thought, That's it. That will change the world."

Olivia did change the music world for women. But women were changing too. "The record company did a lot of work to develop women's music and culture," Dlugacz says, "but then there was a new generation and a new culture. It became clear to me that it might be time to stop doing Olivia Records, but I couldn't figure out what to do."

Fate, however, was on her side. On the first night of the Olivia Records 15th anniversary concert tour in 1988, a woman suggested to Dlugacz that she do a concert on the water. "I thought, Concert ... cruise. And then I thought, Vacations for women. I could do that!" Dlugacz recalls.

Dlugacz had never been on a cruise. But she quickly learned what she needed to know. Before long she'd chartered a ship for a four-night cruise from Miami to the Bahamas and had sent a letter to all of the women on the Olivia Records mailing list about her latest venture. The next thing she knew, 600 women had signed up. When even more voiced a desire to go, she chartered another ship for a second voyage.

Dlugacz found that she had discovered a niche market that no one had even known existed: lesbian travel adventures. So she began planning for her new business. Dlugacz began exploring the world, going on an array of straight cruises and planning unique itineraries. To date, she's organized about 50 excursions, and more than 30,000 women have traveled with Olivia to places such as Australia, New Zealand, the Mexican Caribbean, and Alaska.

Other than the destinations, there is little similarity to straight cruises. "We design all the activities that are on board," Dlugacz explains. "We bring our own entertainment, staff, musicians, comedians, and DJs. I've always treated each cruise like a multiple-night concert production."

And it's not just about exposing lesbians to new places but exposing these places to large numbers of women-loving women. Nowhere was that more clear than on the Olivia cruise to Greece and Turkey two years ago. At the time, Dlugacz explains, because of the war in Bosnia, there were few travelers in Turkey. So when the women disembarked in Kusadasi and began to shop and shop, everyone quickly noticed.

"The local media learned about the sudden economic infusion," says Dlugacz, and by the time the ship arrived in Istanbul two days later, "major articles had been on the front page of the local newspapers about the 400 women from the Olivia club who were on a cruise and had come to Turkey and spent haft a million dollars and saved the economy." As a result, Dlugacz says, everyone wanted their attention--and their money. "We were in the Grand Bazaar," Dlugacz says, "and the shop owners were screaming, `Lovely lesbian ladies, come to my shop!'"

Such experiences have fueled Dlugacz's interest in how communities respond to the women who travel with Olivia "That's the amazing thing about doing a cruise," she says, "You're not there for long. And by the time they figure out who we are, we're gone and we've left a lot of money in our wake--which is not to be underestimated."

Today, Dlugacz enjoys the perks of her success. She drives a flashy red BMW and lives with her life partner of 23 years in a newly purchased home in exclusive Marin County, Calif., complete with ocean views. And although Olivia Cruises and Resorts is housed in the same warehouse where Olivia Records used to be, little else is the same. The warehouse was recently completely renovated and now boasts a turquoise exterior and a lavender-and-gold interior. It's quite a contrast from the surrounding not-yet-gentrified neighborhood of stucco houses and low-rise office buildings. It's a continual reminder of where Olivia began--and how far Dlugacz has come.

And Dlugacz isn't done yet. She's determined to keep Olivia growing. "Olivia has been very successful," she says. "But at the same time, we take only about 4,500 women on trips each year. So I sit here sometimes and think, That's so many, yet so few. How many millions of lesbians are there? These are incredible trips. Why aren't they coming with us? And that's the challenge for me to figure out."

Congratu;ations Billie Jean

evergreen — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:10:03 GMT

http://nclrights.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/president-obama-names-medal-of-freedom-recipients-16-agents-of-change-to-receive-top-civilian-honor/

Southern Arizona

linniesgrl — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:01:23 GMT

My partner and I are considering a move to the Tucson/Green Valley area in the next few years and would love some information. How are lesbians accepted/treated in this area? Is there an active lesbian community for 50+yr olds? Are there areas that we should be careful of? Are there specific areas that we should look into? Is the Olivia community still in the works in Tucson? We currently enjoy a wonderful family of friends and would love to connect with a similar group in Arizona. Are there other areas in Arizona we should consider? Thanks for sharing! Kath&Linnie

Discover Sweet

AnnM — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:20:48 GMT

Does anyone know about Discover Sweet? Who are these people? Is this Amy's group? I saw the commercial on Logo and looked at there site. Looks like they are copying Olivia. Not that compantition is good is good but I have had some great cruises on Olivia and don't want there to be a dualing trip between the Womyn. I was just wondering if someone knows anything about who these people are. Olivia has supported our organization in Chicago and we have had great vacations on Olivia and I was wonder who the h*ll thes people are? Ever time we get on the ship we see Judy. We know who she is and I want to know whois behind Discover Sweet.

Favorite Quotations

OliviaCommForum — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:21:00 GMT

This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

I've noted over the past several months that many Forum writers have added "favorite quotes" to posts. Why don't we have a special thread to share them? Add your own favorites from time to time, won't you? :)

I'll kick it off with this one, a quote by someone whose name only you older-wiser-lesbians may know. I love it because it was a gutsy thing to say, back in her day!

"Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common".
DOROTHY PARKER

Happy Canada Day!!!!!

sleddog — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:39:46 GMT

Happy belated Canada Day!!!

HAPPY PRIDE!!!!!

sleddog — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:43:05 GMT

HAPPY PRIDE EVERYONE ! ! !

OLIVIA ~ You're back!!!!!

sleddog — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:17:26 GMT

You don’t know how much you miss something until it not there for a few days!

Where next?

evergreen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:44:16 GMT

OK, where is everyone going next?

Jana, you need not answer because I know that you don't even bother to unpack between "O" trips...not enough time!!

Same-Sex Marriage

evergreen — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:49:26 GMT

"California high court upholds same-sex marriage ban"

Oh poop!! This is terrible. Time to get into the 21 Century California!!

Survey

evergreen — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:12:44 GMT

If anyone receives an e-mail for a survey on Lesbian Travel, from Community Marketing, please know that it's being conducted for Sweet.

Olivia Connect Groups...

sleddog — Sat, 09 May 2009 05:29:18 GMT

Anytime anyone notices that the Connect site is down ~ even if it is just for a short time ~ let me know & I'll send the info onto Olivia. They have only been aware of a few times & only when someone reports it to them. So the more we let them know the sooner they can get a handle on what's happening and hopefully get it fixed. This has been an on going problem since the 9^th of April. Send me a message through my page http://www.olivia.com/Connect/members/sleddog.aspx

Thanks and don't give up!

Historic Vermont Vote to Legalize Gay Marriage!

brewmax — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:11:52 GMT

Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage

posted: 4 MINUTES AGO

comments: 5

filed under: Law News, National News

PrintShare

Text SizeAAA

switchFont(1,"smallText");

MONTPELIER, Vt. (April 7) - Vermont on Tuesday became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.

The House recorded a dramatic 100-49 vote — the minimum needed — to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto. Its vote followed a much easier override vote in the Senate, which rebuffed the Republican governor with a vote of 23-5.

Cornwell's books to be made into movies

evergreen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:47:45 GMT

Okay all of you Patricia Cornwell fans, what do you think of this? Personally, I don't see Jolie as Scarpetta!!

Jolie teams up with Cornwell on Scarpetta films

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | 3:25 PM ET Comments0 Recommend0

CBC News

Angelina Jolie, seen here in November, helped persuade writer Patricia Cornwell to adapt her Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel series to the big screen. (Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

It could be deemed a kind of Hollywood marriage made in heaven — bestselling murder-mystery writer Patricia Cornwell has signed a deal to develop a film franchise based on her Dr. Kay Scarpetta books, all set to star Angelina Jolie.

Fox 2000 studio has bought the screen rights to all 16 books featuring the crime solver, according to Hollywood trade paper Variety.

It's a double coup for the studio — snagging a global star such as Jolie and then persuading the usually reluctant Cornwell to allow her book series to be adapted to screen.

Cornwell changed her mind about a film franchise after meeting with Jolie and producer Geyer Kosinki to discuss the project, according to the report. She is said to be playing a key role in the development of the first film.

The report says the film series will be modelled after the Jason Bourne films, starring Matt Daman. Plots from many Bourne stories, originally written by Robert Ludlum, were merged into the first three films.

A fourth Bourne film, with no link to the original books, has been set in motion.

Previous attempts have been made to put Scarpetta on the big screen. Demi Moore had been set to star in a 1992 film based on the novel Cruel and Unusual. It never got off the ground.

The first book was published in 1990 and the latest, Scarpetta, was published last year.

The main character is an opera-loving coroner who loves to cook. First starting off as a state coroner for Virginia, Scarpetta relocated to Florida to become a consultant. In the latest book, she has moved to Massachusetts, where she is a medical examiner.

Cornwell once worked at the office of the chief medical examiner in Virginia as a technical writer and computer analyst. She has also written several cookbooks featuring northern Italian cuisine — which is where her main character's family comes from.

Ebar article

JaniceKathy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:03:19 GMT

there's a great article on ebar about the capital campaign being offered by Olivia.

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3879

Dogs … Cats … Fish … Birds ... ect ...

sleddog — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:38:46 GMT

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage..

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously not that smart.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now.........

~ Excerpts from a Cat's Diary

OH !!...Canada!

OliviaCommForum — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 04:11:00 GMT

This was originally posted by not_a_freud on the community forum.

OK. Having seen some threads that allow for others to discuss local and regional events, favourite artists, television shows, great vacation/weekend getaways etc in USA places,and even just have the opportunity to 'meet' others in the area, I thought it might be nice to have a similar thread for a 'Canuck' presence. To hang out now and again and ..well ..do what most Canucks do (pardon the following potential sterotype hazard)...talk politics, complain/rejoice about the weather (which one is seasonally dependent of course), name huge potholes, make fun of Americans ;) (JK on the last one..seeing if everyone is awake ;) ). And perhaps we may provide information that can clarify some misconceptions about our fine country (NO..I have never lived in an igloo but have been ice-fishing...it is pronounced 'tewk' [toque..thats a hard one], and "why is your money different colours"--that's easy...we drink so much beer to keep warm that if it wasn't different colours we would make too many mistakes paying the tab :p )

No..really...just thought maybe it was time for a thread for the N49ers (North of 49ers; not exclusionary of course). So hopefully others out there (and you KNOW who you are) will join in.

Umm...Evergreen???? <tapping microphone...um..can u hear me now?...haaaaallooooo>

Happy Easter Laydeeez! Hope to see you around.

The "L" Word - What do you think about it?

OliviaCommForum — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 00:19:00 GMT

This was originally posted by Jeri at Olivia Guest Services on the community forum.

Hi Everyone -

We just wrapped up our Mexican Riviera trip where we had the great pleasure of being one of the first to see the premier episode of The "L" Word" before it debuted on Showtime. Hopefully by now, all of us have seen it.

We also had the opportunity to do a little Q&A with three of the cast members as well as the show's creator. It was really amazing and our guests had some great questions.

I'd love to know what you think about the show -- I'm looking forward to reading your replies!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jeri

Favourite ship?

evergreen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:46:27 GMT

"O" cruisers, what is your favourite ship?

Brewmax knows mine!!!

newbie!?!

sleddog — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:59:19 GMT

What year were you an Olivia newbie!?!

We took Our first Olivia trip in November of 2002 to Cancun.

And we haven't stopped since ~ and it only gets better each time!

IOWA!

evergreen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:37:16 GMT

"Activists rejoice as Iowa court quashes same-sex marriage ban"

Congratulations Iowa!

Walk … or … ride???

sleddog — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:44:01 GMT

Do you think these dogs will ever decide????

http://media.photobucket.com/video/popular/allpopular/pbhomepage/video2/3PugsHeadTilting.flv?o=32

Determined Kitties!

sleddog — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:51:48 GMT

Exerc-kitties

http://media.photobucket.com/video/popular/allpopular/pbhomepage/TreadmillKittens.flv?o=38