AP9 Articles

AP9 Todays Escapes Takes You to Haunted Places All Over The Country!

Halloween, that ghostly time of year, is right around the corner, and kids of all ages will find the courage to become ghost busters … or at least try to have an out-of-this-world experience by visiting haunted places across the nation. These spooky-adventure seekers can arrange most aspects of their trip through AP9 Todays Escapes, a travel and entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®.

Are you one of those people who thrive on eerie encounters, intrigued by ghosts, goblins and paranormal activity? If so, this is the time to get out there and experience for yourself all those stories you’ve heard about. No matter where in America you want to go chase a ghost, AP9 TodaysEscapes offers instant savings on travel reservations and car rentals, along with discounts on hotel stays, family restaurants, theme park admission tickets and more.

AP9 TodaysEscapes offers a chilling list of places to visit if you’re looking for an eerie adventure:

--A phantom guest. San Diego, the city of blue skies and endless places to visit, is also the home of one famous ghost. Her name is Kate Morgan, and her permanent residence is the Hotel del Coronado, room 3502. This lady arrived before Thanksgiving in 1892, to meet with her estranged husband. He never came, and she disappeared for a couple of days, until she was found dead on the beach from a gunshot wound. Since then, staff and guests have reported seeing a pale young lady walking around in a black lace dress. Some say it’s her ghost that still haunts the hotel, and along with her sightings, they’ve reported weird noises and sudden chilly breezes that no one can explain.

--It’s a ghost town. The whole town of Story, Indiana, is now a country inn/bed-and-breakfast, and it’s considered the best-preserved example of a 19th-century small town in the American Midwest. Each cottage and room has its own name, and one of those is called the Blue Lady. The reason behind the name is simple: those who turn on the blue light next to the bed have had the “pleasure” of seeing the ghostly image of a woman. The same spirit wanders around the kitchen and the basement wine cellar. One guest had the courage to ask her who she was, and she simply replied “Allie” before disappearing in front of his eyes.

--Many wandering spirits. San Francisco, just like any other city in the country, has its own ghost stories. There’s even a ghost tour that takes place around the Pacific Heights district, the area with the most reported sightings and ghostly activity. A woman named Flora has been frequently seen over the years wandering California streets; Dominga, Gertrude and George Atherton still show up at their Atherton Mansion, even though they died in the 19th century; teacher Mary Lake is said to eternally haunt room 410 at a former school for girls, now the well-known Queen Anne Hotel; and last but not least, there’s the haunted island of Alcatraz, where paranormal experts have detected the spirits of former inmates who just can’t get out of their prison cells.

There should be nothing spooky about planning a vacation that include ghost hunting. Members can log on to DealPass.com for exclusive savings on travel arrangements, entertainment, meals, shopping and other benefits to maximize their vacation budgets and spend their time doing what they like best – all through AP9 Todays Escapes.

AP9 Galleria USA Recommends Spooky Halloween Activities for Kids

Black cats, goblins and witches will soon lurk on every corner. Halloween typically means costumes for the kids and candy near the door but AP9 Galleria USA, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, provides fun, simple crafts and recipes that will entertain the little monsters in the house.

By accessing DealPass.com, AP9 GalleriaUSA members get instant access to savings on today’s fashions, flowers and gifts, luggage and eyewear at their favorite national retailers. With these convenient discounts for the whole family, AP9 GalleriaUSA members can enjoy their “treats” without being “tricked” to pay full price!

AP9 Galleria USA shares these children’s craft projects and snack recipes that are sure to make this year’s Halloween creative and memorable.

--Gingerbread haunted house. Although they’re usually associated with Christmas, gingerbread houses can be just as fun for Halloween especially with the many candy decorations available. Use a family recipe for the gingerbread and assemble with icing. Food coloring can be used to dye the icing black, purple or orange. Decorate with candy corn, jellybeans and black licorice. Use yellow icing for the windows for a creepy glowing effect. Small plastic cake figurines like pumpkins, ghosts, spiders and bats will add a special Halloween touch.

--Spooky snacks. Halloween snacks are quick and fun to prepare for the upcoming party. Let the kids and their friends eat dirt. Fill 9-ounce plastic cups with softened chocolate ice cream, top with chocolate cookie crumbs and stick gummy worms in the “dirt.” Deviled eggs are easy to prepare – add green olives stuffed with pimiento to make Deviled Eyeballs.

--Gourd art. Elaborate pumpkin carving is easy with kits available at craft and grocery stores. These kits usually include several stencils and special yet safe carving tools to turn that pumpkin into a work of art. Glow sticks are safe alternative to candles. Don’t forget to save the seeds to roast for a tasty snack!

--Haunt the house. The sky is the limit for decorating the home in a spooky or fun Halloween theme. Fake spider webs can be applied inside and outside. Use Styrofoam to make tombstones for the yard. Drape white sheets with eye cutouts over small shrubs to create a flock of ghosts. Kids can make and paint cardboard cutouts of bats to hang from trees. Try using some old clothes to create a stuffed dummy mummy and place it near the front door to scare trick-or-treaters.

By using the program, members don’t have to wait for a full moon to make seasonal and everyday purchases for their families and friends through AP9 Galleria USA.

AP9 Simple Escapes Recommends Convenient Yet Memorable Destinations for Fall Getaways

Everyone needs a little rejuvenation from time to time, and fall is a great season for a quick, relaxing escape. This is the time to take advantage of seasonal discounts and less crowded attractions. AP9 Simple Escapes, a leisure and entertainment membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, helps members save even more on a long fall weekend.

AP9 Simple Escapes members enjoy savings of up to 20% at nationally known restaurant chains, discounts on car rentals, hotel rack rates, luggage and more when they log on to DealPass.com. Members can even access discounts to theme parks and other amusements – making the upcoming fall adventure even more budget-friendly.

The following destinations, suggests AP9 Simple Escapes, will help members decide what kind of fall weekend awaits them.

--In living color. New England is a popular autumn getaway for one simple reason – foliage. Check online to see when peak color will be in full effect; it will vary by area. Sample some authentic maple syrup, visit an orchard for apple picking and check local newspapers for fun local festivals and events. Quaint family-operated inns are unique accommodation options.

--Southern charm. The Southeastern coast makes for an ideal fall escape. With a rich history, renowned architecture and water still warm enough to swim in, the southern United States is a destination full of treasures. Charleston, Savannah, the Chesapeake Bay and Washington, D.C. will entertain history buffs as well as those who enjoy exploring a new place on foot. Take in live jazz, taste soulful southern cuisine and tour Civil War landmarks.

--Roller coaster weekend. Amusement parks are plentiful in the United States and make for easy and convenient family getaways. Whether it’s a Disney theme park, Busch Gardens, Six Flags or even a local water park, everyone can have fun at these destinations. Fall is a great time to visit since lines are shorter and some parks may offer off-season discounts on admission.

--Sip the weekend away. Although Napa Valley is considered the most ideal place for wine tasting amid sprawling vistas, many states have local vineyards that offer tours or getaway packages. A destination within driving distance is affordable. Consider traveling by train for a relaxing and scenic journey to the vineyard.

Whether it’s by plane, train or car, members can easily and inexpensively experience historical, scenic or just plain fun vacations through AP9 Simple Escapes.

AP9 Galleria USA Shares Make-Up Color Palettes for Fall

Autumn’s arrival usually lends itself to a new wardrobe packed full of this year’s trendy looks and sophisticated styles. It’s also the perfect time to update one’s make-up collection so that it reflects this fall’s lush, deep tones. Members of AP9 Galleria USA, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, always look their best each season with helpful tips and bargain-conscious discounts for today’s fashion.

With AP9 Galleria USA, members have access to discounts of up to 20% on clothing, flowers and gifts, luggage and eyewear at retailers they shop at the most. By logging on to DealPass.com, members who are on-the-go can access their discounts quickly and easily, which gives them more time and money to spend while shopping around town.

AP9 Galleria USA suggests these make-up color palettes for a chic and fresh autumn look.

--Skin. Temperatures are cooling off so apply a creamy foundation that provides more coverage than sheer or powder products. This will give the latest matte look for fall – just a light dusting of loose powder will set it in place. Avoid the shimmery, dewy summertime foundations.

--Eyes. For eyes, use lighter fall shades like white or near-white, creamy yellows or gold on the brow bone. Richer, darker shades like terracotta, suede, coffee or olive should be applied in the crease. Eyeliner should also be a rich hue that matches or complements the crease color.

--Cheeks. Consider soft, warm tones for cheeks. A cream blush will provide a more dewy, rich look while a powder blush will provide a “nude” or sheer look. Shades like cinnamon, paprika, mauve and other earthy colors will be ideal for fall. Apply blush with a full brush in circular strokes for even color.

--Lips. Kiss the glossy, glittery lip color goodbye – or at least hide it until summertime. Creamy, rich, matte lips are doing the talking this fall. Colors should reflect a little more of natural lip color. This requires a slightly-more-than-nude shade so some experimentation may be necessary.

--Nails. Don’t forget the nail polish. Smooth, shiny, saturated colors are autumn’s theme this year. Burgundies, rich browns, juicy reds and coffees will coat shorter, slightly squared nails. Members look great and pay less year-round with discounts on cosmetics, fashion apparel and accessories, health and beauty aids and more through AP9 Galleria USA.

AP9 HomeWorks Plus Shapes Up Cluttered Closets

Closets are almost every home’s weakness – whether large or small. The valuable space is often abused but can be the easiest to organize and maintain. AP9 HomeWorksPlus, a leading home and entertainment discount membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers commonsense steps to take the clutter out of closets without having to buy an expensive designer storage system.

AP9 HomeWorksPlus helps members save up to 20% on materials for home improvement projects, appliances, electronics, home furnishings, organizational purchases and so much more. Members access their benefits by logging on to DealPass.com. It is here they will find discounts at major home improvement stores and home retail stores across the country. And with savings like this, there’s no excuse to de-clutter all the closets in the house!

AP9 HomeWorks Plus suggests the following strategies for getting the most out of every closet in the house.

--Sort it out. It’s a good idea to take everything out of the closet and sort through it before installing a store-bought or homemade closet system. Get rid of clothes that haven’t been worn in the past year, no longer fit, impulse purchases and items that have gone out of style. Although popular styles return, they’re usually altered slightly so that even those formerly trendy items don’t quite fit in. Try to minimize wardrobes; it’s very easy to accumulate multiple white shirts and black skirts. It may be difficult to pick and choose what to keep and what to toss, but it will free up space for future purchases.

--Sketch and measure. Measure all dimensions of the closet and record measurements on paper. This will make shopping for shelving and other storage solutions easier. Then determine the number of rods, shelves and even baskets or drawer units necessary to maximize space. Consider installing two rods; in standard-sized closets, the top one should be about 80 inches above the floor and the lower one at 40 inches. This will help double the space for articles that hang like shirts, skirts, dresses, suits and dress pants. For maximum space, sketch shelf placements from floor to ceiling or at least from the highest rod to the ceiling. This will be convenient storage space for seldom-used items and clothing.

--Hang, shelve, fill. Rods and shelves aren’t the only ways to store clothing. The inside of the closet door can hold a hanging shoe, hat or tie rack. Visit a storage solutions retailer for handy baskets and drawer units designed to fit in closets and small spaces. Use these for awkward items like purses, belts, gloves and hats. Consider folding clothes like sweaters and jeans and storing them on the shelves. Don’t forget the available floor space, which is perfect for a shoe rack or other stackable storage bins.

Members can find savings as well as convenience when tackling a home improvement project – both large and small – through AP9 HomeWorks Plus.

AP9 Connections Takes a Look at Some Top Public Golf Courses Open to Vacationers This Fall

Even if you can’t play golf like Tiger Woods (and you can’t), you can still play on some of the same courses he plays, and autumn is a great time to do so, reports AP9 Connections, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®.

As the weather begins to cool down, so does the traffic on most golf courses in the U.S., which means more tee times are available for avid fall golfers. Whether they want to save on greens fees, golf carts, lessons or even other forms of entertainment, AP9 Connections members can enjoy great deals on a variety of fun activities by logging on to DealPass.com and accessing great deals on their favorite pastimes nationwide.

With its handicapping system and multiple tee-box options on almost every hole, golf allows professionals and hackers alike to play the same courses at similar levels of enjoyment (and/or frustration). If you’re interested in measuring your skills against the pros, AP9 Connections offers you a quick look at some top public golf courses that are also PGA stops in four parts of the country:

-- Northeast. The Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY, hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and will do so again in 2009. Designed by renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast, the course features narrow fairways, thick roughs, treacherous bunkers and small greens. High handicappers should opt for the regulation course (6,684 yards) rather than the championship course (7,297 yards), but either one will offer a true test of your skills. Call (516) 249-0707 for rates and reservations.

-- South. Pinehurst No. 2 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, NC, designed by Donald Ross, has hosted more championships than any other course in the country, including the 2005 U.S. Open. Mr. Ross called it “the fairest test of championship golf” he ever designed, but even the top players can be bedeviled by its crowned greens and strategically placed bunkers. The pros play from the Gold tees (7,305 yards), but the Blue (6,767 yards) and White (6,298 yards) tees are still plenty challenging for the rest of us. Call 1-800-ITS-GOLF (1-800-487-4653) for rates and reservations.

-- Midwest. The Straits Course at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Haven, WI, played host to the 2004 PGA Championship and will do so again in 2010 and 2015. Designed by Pete Dye and measuring 7,514 from the tips, the Straits Course is perched along two miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline and features huge sandy areas, deep pot bunkers, grassy dunes and undulating greens. The blue and green tees reduce the distances (6,909 and 6,459 yards, respectively) but retain the same challenging links-style terrain. Call 1-800-344-2838 for rates and reservations.

-- West. Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA, is the top public golf course in the 2005 Golf Digest rankings. Pebble Beach has hosted numerous professional championships, most recently the 2000 U.S. Open, won by Tiger Woods with an Open record-tying score of 12 under par. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course offers spectacular views of the Pacific coastline along with challenging greens and fairways bordered by oceanside cliffs. Call (831) 622-8723 for more information. In addition to significant savings on golf outings nationwide, consumers can access great deals at popular retailers, restaurants, theme parks, movie theatres and more through AP9 Connections.