June 08, 2007
AP9 Connections Helps Add Cool Fun to Hot Summer Nights
After all of the brutally cold months this winter, and even spring in some states, summer is finally here. And thanks to AP9 Connections, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, this summer should be one to remember for the whole family.
The summer should be a time for vacation even if you can’t get away from the office. It can be very difficult to take the edge off during the dog days of the season. Oftentimes, the heat will even prevent some people from having fun with their families after work. That’s why AP9 Connections is recommending the following easy activities to make each night this summer as enjoyable as possible.
--Throw a block party. This idea isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel, but a neighborhood party with friends and family could be the perfect solution to cure those summertime blues. When it comes to food, hamburgers and hot dogs are always the perfect combination for a summer night in the neighborhood. So bust out the grill, play some loud music and interact with neighbors, or at least the friendly ones, throughout the night.
--Organize a patio card tournament. It doesn’t have to be as competitive a tournament as ESPN’s World Series of Poker is, but it certainly doesn’t need to be in order to have an enjoyable night. A tournament feel will spice up a typical night of poker on the patio with friends. A card tournament can be a fun night for families as well, but you might want to play a game like “crazy eights” instead of poker.
--Gather the family for a wiffle ball game. There’s nothing more American than baseball in the summertime. So if you want to get in the action instead of watching your favorite team on television, round up the entire family for a friendly game of wiffleball. Make the game as big as possible by inviting friends and neighbors to play. With the right amount of people, a competitive game of wiffleball is a great way to spend a night. But remember that it’s supposed to be fun. Leave the arguing to Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella; don’t get suspended from the backyard. And for lazy folks that just don’t want to run around the bases, have a home run derby instead. If there’s not enough room in the backyard, go to a local park.
--Host a classic festival with summer drinks and finger foods. For those nights that are just too hot to be outside, invite family and friends over for a movie marathon. Make the night even better by offering cocktails and tasty appetizers from Buffalo wings to “pigs in the blanket” (tiny hot dogs). Vote on the movies beforehand so that everyone has their say on what films to watch.
--Have a scavenger hunt. Kids, and even some adults, have a passion for candy and searching for treasure. Combine the two in a candy scavenger hunt for a fun-filled summer night. Buy a lot of candy, hide it throughout the house or backyard, and let the games begin. A scavenger hunt is a great way to spend quality time with the family.
AP9 Connections is committed to providing consumers with useful tips on how to add fun to their lives. And for great savings on restaurant and retailer gift cards, theme park admissions, movie tickets and more, look no further than AP9 Connections.
June 8, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 28, 2007
AP9 Connections Provides Tips for Keeping Young Minds on Books This Summer
When the final school bell chimes later this month for select U.S. school districts, and then again in June for the rest of the nation’s kids, AP9 Connections advises parents to advocate summer reading. AP9 Connections a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, offers tips on how kids can make reading just one more part of summer vacation fun.
While summer thoughts turn to family barbecues, swimming lessons, day camps and the like, there’s no reason why books can’t make their way onto the docket. Even as “required reading” lists are shelved until the fall, school-age kids can discover a whole new world of reading before that first trip to the beach is planned or a family jaunt to a theme park destination is even discussed.
And for younger children, it’s especially important that reading remain a part of everyday activity. With that in mind, AP9 Connections offers the following suggestions for parents to ponder when it comes to keeping kids of all ages actively reading this summer:
-- Set the example. A recent public service announcement claimed, “Kids who love to read…have parents who love to read.” Try to remember that when you read newspapers and books this summer. Maybe not in all things, but when it comes to reading, kids will do what they see you doing.
-- Public Speaking 101: Practice reading aloud. Kids who have confidence in reading and learning have probably spent time reading aloud. Encourage that when possible. Pick a time of day that fits the family schedule where kids can read to parents, siblings, other family members and babysitters. No matter who the audience is — no matter how small — reading aloud develops a child’s confidence.
-- Visit the library. There aren’t too many towns in America that don’t have extensive summer reading programs. Chances are, there’s one nearby that can provide everything from story time and sing-alongs to puppet shows for younger children. Additionally, numerous summer workshops exists for older kids — programs that not only feature challenging and eclectic reading lists, but also encourage upper-aged kids to take an interest in other literacy-related skills, such as writing and research. Be sure to check them out.
-- Read and write the writing on the wall. With younger kids especially, take time to point out street and building signs when out and about this summer. Encourage kids to say things aloud, even if they are not yet able to read. Also consider drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, or in the sand at the beach. Kids will want to learn as long as they think it’s a game. Keep it fun, and reading and learning will be just like any other summertime activity.
Make book on one thing: Tricks and tips for summer reading are just a small part of AP9 Connections.
May 28, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 09, 2007
AP9 Connections Offers Riders Safety Tips to Follow During National Bicycle Month — and Year-Round
Bike riding is not only good for you, it’s good for the planet, reports AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®. Global considerations aside, though, bike riding is best enjoyed when you employ safe riding methods.
Millions of people each year hop on their bicycles for fun, exercise or even just to get to work. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors, from weather conditions to motorist errors to bicyclist errors, annual biking injuries typically run into the thousands. Bicycling is too enjoyable and worthwhile a pursuit to have it marred by scraped knees, broken bones or worse, which is why AP9 Connections offers cyclists the following safety reminders as May approaches and we celebrate National Bicycle Month:
-- Protect the noggin. Even a fall from a stationary bike can do damage to the head, so imagine how dangerous a fall might be at ten, twenty or thirty miles an hour can be. Fortunately, there are a variety of bike helmets on the market today that are designed to absorb high-speed impacts and protect the cranium. These helmets work best when they’re intact, though, so be sure to inspect the helmet after a crash and replace it if it’s cracked or otherwise damaged.
-- Respect the rules of the road. Traffic laws apply equally to bicyclists and motorists, so stay on the right side of the road, obey all red lights and stop signs, yield as instructed by road signs, and always use hands signals to alert traffic in all directions before making a turn.
-- Make your presence obvious. Motorists tend to pay more attention to other cars than to bicyclists or pedestrians, and this relative inattention can be perilous to a biker’s safety. Be sure to wear bright clothing at all times when cycling. For nighttime or early-morning cycling, make sure your bicycle has a headlight on the handlebars or above the front tire, as well as reflective panels or a red light beneath the seat or attached to the rear fender. Reflective tape can be easily applied to clothes for increased visibility.
-- Teach your children well. Youngsters are, by nature, inexperienced bike riders, unfamiliar with traffic laws, not to mention the laws of physics and the consequences of challenging those laws. If possible, enroll your kids in a bicycle safety class, then make sure they heed those lessons every time they ride. At the very least, make sure they always wear bright clothing, stay off heavily-trafficked roads and only ride their bikes in bright daylight. When taking the family out on a group ride, let the kids dictate the pace to ensure that no one gets left behind.
-- Tune up the bikes. Bikes run down and need tune-ups just as cars do, which is why most bicycle shops offer maintenance and repair services. Keep an eye out for worn brake pads, loose screws, dirty or unoiled chains, and other signs of disrepair.
Bicycling is good for the body, mind and planet, so head out on a bike this May and enjoy National Bicycle Month — safely and securely, urges AP9 Connections.
April 9, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 13, 2007
AP9 Connections Talks Oscar® Night Beyond the Red Carpet
Oscar® night has passed, and all you know about it is the fashion hits and misses pointed out by the entertainment shows? AP9 Connections, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, is the VIP pass that stranded moviegoers need to get back on track and see the Oscar®-winning and nominated films of ’07.
AP9 Connections enables avid and amateur moviegoers to receive substantial savings on the cost of their movie tickets at participating theaters nationwide. The savings AP9 Connections offer also include up to 20 percent off movie rentals, CDs and DVD purchases, for those who want to create their own movie-theatre experience at home.
AP9 Connections notes there might still be a chance for you to catch some of this year’s acclaimed Oscar® nominees at your local movie theatre. If that’s not the case, check out the shelves at your local rental store, and don’t wait another day to see the movies that created buzz on Oscar® night; including:
-- The Departed. Winner for Best Director and Best Movie, this police-and-mob thriller will keep you on your seat for all of its 151 minutes. Although Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg (nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role) give great performances, the one the Academy decided to acknowledge was one the public doesn’t see: the director award, which went to Martin Scorsese. After seven nominations in the last twenty-six years, “Marty” felt the embrace of the Academy and the public at the auditorium, who gave him a well-deserved standing ovation when he received the Oscar® from his friends George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola.
-- Little Miss Sunshine. A bittersweet family comedy that didn’t amuse critics but enchanted audiences, Little Miss Sunshine claimed two big Oscar® awards this year. Alan Arkin (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) and Michael Arndt (Best Original Screenplay) are part of a project that took over seven years to reach the big screen but ended up being recognized by the public and fellow actors.
-- Babel. This is an international movie in every sense of the word. Gustavo Santaolalla (Argentina) took home the Oscar® for Best Original Score. Co-produced by companies from France, Mexico and the United States, this drama weaves together stories taking place in Morocco, Japan, Mexico and the United States. Mexican, American, Japanese and Moroccan actors were involved in a movie that talks about human connections and how they can be found in the most unexpected ways. Critics give it great reviews or the ultimate axe; you be the judge.
-- Happy Feet. Winner of the award for Best Animated Feature, Happy Feet brought a refreshing moment to an evening splashed with tension every time one of the “big” awards was about to be announced. This is the kind of kids movie that everyone can relate to for its uplifting story and catchy tunes.
For discounts on movie tickets, movie rentals and many other entertainment needs, members can visit Connections123.com to access the money-saving benefits of AP9 Connections.
March 13, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 07, 2007
AP9 Connections Brings New Music to Your Ears
As the new season approaches, a wide range of musical artists will be coming out of hibernation with new albums, reports AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®.
The good news for several artists is that their fans are ready to hit the stores and online music sites to get those new CDs and jam their way through the day, wherever they are. Many fans like great deals as much as they like music, and to get the best of both worlds, they can turn to the money-saving entertainment benefits of AP9 Connections.
So what CDs are on their way to music outlets? AP9 Connections takes a look at some of the biggest releases this spring. (Please note that release dates are subject to change without notice.)
-- March 6: This is the tentative release date for one of the most awaited albums in years, Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy.” This album symbolizes the big comeback of one of the biggest hard rock bands of the ’80s, since their last album was released in 1991. Music critics, old and new fans can’t wait to hear what the new band can do in studio, since the only original member remaining is the one people love to hate but still listen to: frontman Axl Rose.
-- March 20: “Introducing Joss Stone” is the third album from the British soul singer who continues to wow fans with her style and impeccable voice. Written entirely by her -- “This album is truly me, these are my words, that’s why I’m calling it ‘Introducing Joss Stone,’” -- and produced by Raphael Saadiq, the album is a mix of vintage soul, ’70s style R&B and hip-hop grooves that also includes vocal collaborations with rapper Common and Fugees lead singer Lauryn Hill.
-- March 27: After earning a well-deserved reputation as an R&B producer, Timbaland hits the shelves in ’07 with a solo album: “Shock Value.” The first single, “Give it to me,” features Timbaland’s closest collaborators last year, Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. With this solo album, Timbaland wants to reach a new audience, hit the top-40 charts and introduce an innovative mix of hip-hop and electronic sounds. “Shock Value” features great contributors like Missy Elliot, Jay-Z and Elton John.
-- April 3: “Como ama una mujer” (The Way a Woman Loves) is the first full Spanish-language album from Jennifer Lopez. The album was produced by Estéfano, who earned a Grammy nomination with Jennifer’s husband, Mark Anthony, for the album “Amar sin mentiras” (Love Without Lies). With her new album, J-Lo aims to expand her fan base in Latin America and Spain, after a series of hit singles in Spanish over the years. Recorded in Puerto Rico, the album includes collaborations with Luny Tunes, Pharrel and reggaeton star Don Omar.
In addition to savings on purchases at major national music retailers, members can also enjoy significant discounts on DVDs, concert tickets, books, restaurant dining, theme park visits and much more through AP9 Connections.
February 7, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 17, 2007
AP9 Connections Helps You Pop the Big Question
When it comes to marriage proposals, there is nothing too cheesy or too over the top, reports AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®. The romantic factor is the one that should matter the most, and that factor varies depending on the style of each couple.
Along with the romantic touch, the certainty that she/he will say yes should be the first thing to check off the to-do list. AP9 Connections recommends coming up with a proposal that suits the couple, something that doesn’t need to be elaborate, but isn’t boring either. You can tailor your proposal by taking advantage of the money-saving benefits you have access to through your AP9 Connections membership. It will make it easier and much more fun.
Here are some ideas for you to consider, along with some tips, from AP9 Connections, that might help you narrow down your options or at least spark your imagination:
--Public vs. Private. Some girls would rather die than be proposed to in the middle of a baseball game. Some will never forgive the fiancé if he does it in private. If you know your partner, you’ll know what she likes, and that’s the first step. One public idea that can also be a little bit intimate is to arrange the proposal at a movie theater. Invite a group of close friends and family, and have the proposal be part of the advertisements before the movie begins. They can all join you two once they’ve seen (or heard) her affirmative reaction.
--Take a trip. Sometimes a weekend getaway can give your partner a hint, but you can still surprise her/him if you plan ahead. A tour guide can give you a perfect moment to express your feeling by saying things like: “And right here in front of this sculpture is where John proposed to Mary…” She’ll know they’re talking about her when she sees you down on one knee. Another trip-related idea is to take a drive and pretend you’re lost. Have your partner look at the map you keep on your car, in which you taped the ring and wrote the words, “I would be lost without you. Will you marry me?”
--Clueless proposal. Make a video with images of your life together, and be prepared to play it on a night when you decide to stay in and watch a movie. Tell your partner you think you’ve got the wrong movie from the video store, and have the ring nearby to propose with at the end of the video. You can also have a special cake made with the words “Will you marry me?” and have it delivered at an odd time, when she/he least expects it.
Trying an over-the-top scheme to propose will only add stress to an already stressful moment. Keep your sanity, and remember that fancy limos or dinners are not what make a proposal romantic and unforgettable. Just make it special in your own way, and use the resources you have on hand, recommends AP9 Connections.
January 17, 2007 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 11, 2006
AP9 Connections Takes You to the Movies this Winter
While the weather outside may be frightful, does the smell of freshly popped popcorn, the taste of a cool, crisp beverage and the chance to unwind and immerse yourself in a great storyline sound delightful? Well AP9 Connections, a leading membership discount program administered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, can assist avid movie goers from coast to coast by providing an inside look at upcoming movie releases – not to mention the members-only discounted movie ticket prices.
AP9 Connections suggests that with all the hustle and bustle associated with the holidays, everyone should take a little time out to recoup. And with pocketbooks feeling a bit lighter due to holiday spending, AP9 Connections provides discounts of up to 40% off box office prices – giving you and your budget a break from being Kris Kringle.
AP9 Connections takes a peek at upcoming movies scheduled to be released this winter:
Charlotte’s Web – (December 20) Starring: Julia Roberts (Charlotte), Dakota Fanning (Fern), Steve Buscemi (Templeton), Robert Redford (Ike), and Oprah Winfrey (Gussy). An all-star cast comes together to recreate E.B. Whites’ classic children’s tale about friendship, trust, sacrifice and love. Join in the fun and life lesson as barnyard animals unite to save the life of their friend, Charlotte the pig, from becoming “the Sunday ham.” This animated picture is the perfect for movie-goers of all ages during this holiday season. Rated G.
Night at the Museum – (December 22) Starring: Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson. Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is in for an adventure of his life when he accepts a job as a night security guard for a museum of natural history. When Larry’s watch begins, out-of-the-ordinary and comical events occur. The displays come to life and Larry, with a little help from a friend, must stop a wickedly evil plot to destroy the museum. This film is not yet rated.
The Good Shepherd – (December 22) Starring: Matt Damon, Angelina Joile and Robert DeNiro. This is the untold story about the start of the CIA. As one of the underground founders of the CIA, working in the middle of a society where deception is mandatory and nothing is taken at face value, Edward Wilson's (Matt Damon) idealism is steadily destroyed by a growing suspicious nature, reflective of a world settling into the long paranoia of the Cold War. Rated R.
We Are Marshall – (December 22) Starring: Matthew McConaughey. A true tale based on the events surrounding the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 Marshall University’s football players and staff. It is a story about determination, love of the game and healing as a young coach (played by Matthew McConaughey) tries to rebuild a team and community. Rate PG.
AP9 Connections members may access all their benefits easily and conveniently by logging on to Connections123.com. Here members will receive substantial discounts on a wide variety of entertainment choices including movie tickets, DVDs, CDs, electronics, theme park passes and much, much more – all through AP9 Connections.
December 11, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 06, 2006
AP9 Connections Presents Tips for Fighting off the Winter Blues
Short of moping around and simply waiting on spring, there are plenty of ways to cure what many people call “The Winter Blues.” AP9 Connections, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, offers its members and their families helpful hints that will make chilly temperatures, limited daylight hours and snow accumulations nothing more than an afterthought.
AP9 Connections takes pride in offering its members a wide variety of entertainment choices for the entire family. And members can access their program benefits by simply logging on to DealPass.com.
Whether your family consists of couch potatoes, activity nuts who like to keep things moving or some combination of the two, AP9 Connections offers the following tips to create family fun at every turn:
-- Start with the right attitude. If winter isn’t a personal favorite…it’s time to get over it! Shake off the funk and get in the game. Ice-skating, sledding and snowman-building are activities the whole family can do together. Dress warmly and forget about the cold. Besides, it’s a lot easier to get warm in winter than to get cool during the summer.
-- Look forward to longer days. For some, it’s the lack of daylight — not the cold — that brings spirits down during the winter months. So consider this: December 21st is the first official day of winter and the shortest day of the year. The good news? Every day after that features more daylight until the latter part of June. Share that thought with the family, and get an early start on Groundhog Day.
-- Attention, all couch potatoes: Lazing around the house does have its advantages during the winter months. Families with school-age kids can start informal reading groups, plan in-home movie nights and even organize mock spelling bees. Just because the body chooses to rest doesn’t mean the brain has to.
-- Attention, all activity hounds: The beauty of outdoor sports like skiing and skating is that, much like riding a bicycle, you never really forget how. Hit the ski slopes, the rinks and the ponds. Healthy activities make it easy to wave goodbye to the “Winter Blues.”
When it’s time to think about family fun and savings on great entertainment, including movie tickets, movie rentals and purchases and more, just consult the pros at AP9 Connections.
December 6, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 02, 2006
AP9 Connections Offers Ideas for Family Fun During the Holidays
During the holidays, in the midst of all the shopping, the gift-wrapping and the cooking, families also have a great opportunity to spend more time together. College students come back for a couple of days, cousins, uncles and aunts come to visit, and schools are closed. Members of AP9 Connections, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, don’t have to struggle to find ways to spend some quality -- and fun -- time together with relatives and siblings. All they have to do is use their benefits to access an ample selection of entertainment options, and each time they do, they save money!
Members log on to DealPass.com to access benefits like movie rentals and movie tickets, and gift cards to toy stores, restaurants, retail stores and many others. AP9 Connections offers all these fun resources to open up more entertainment options for families. While the stories Uncle Joe has been telling for the past 10 years are compelling, there’s also a world of games and activities that can engage the family and perhaps create new holiday traditions.
AP9 Connections offers some ideas for enjoying the holidays with the whole family:
-- Winter Olympics. If weather permits, play outside during the day or at night, and create the family Olympics. Set up a volleyball net, toss around a Frisbee, see who lasts longer jumping rope or flies higher on the trampoline. Team up cousins against uncles, create categories by age, and offer some rewards to encourage fair play, team spirit and fun time.
-- Broadway show. Talent runs in every family, in all sorts of ways. Organize a concert with those who play instruments, let the poet of the family read a couple of sonnets, get the wanna-be stars to sing their favorite songs, or have a mini-play recreating an event that is now part of the family’s history.
-- Red carpet event. Take a vote for movie theme night -- comedy, horror, animation or famous classics. You can rent the movie, buy a new DVD or make a short family trip to the movies. To keep the fun rolling, don’t close the curtain after the credits; ask everyone what scene they liked best, which characters were most convincing or what parts they would change if they made the movie themselves.
-- Hand-made creations. Visit your local craft store for ideas and supplies to spend an artistic evening together. Work on one large project, separating in teams and giving each one a responsibility. At the end of the night, all the parts will come together for a big creation made by the whole family. You can do the same by inviting the kids to cook. Some will take care of the salad, others the main course, and others can add a touch of sugar with a yummy dessert.
Board games are always a great alternative as well. Have out-of-town relatives bring some of theirs, and play a different one every night. AP9 Connections offers savings on all of these resources and much more, so every member of the family can offer up their two cents of family fun before, during and after the holidays. Happy holidays, wishes AP9 Connections.
November 2, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 03, 2006
AP9 Connections Celebrates National Book Month with Exciting New Releases
The fall season is back and with it brings cooler temperatures and longer nights. As the cool air rolls in, what better way for book-lovers to catch up on a little reading than celebrating National Book Month by curling up with a good novel in the cozy comforts of home. AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, reports that many blockbuster titles will be on bookshelves this season and some are now available for pre-order.
AP9 Connections members can save up to 20% on books, music and other media purchases when they log on to DealPass.com. These discounts really add up, which is great news for AP9 Connections members who are celebrating National Book Month and expanding their at-home libraries.
AP9 Connections announces the following titles available this fall at local and national bookstores and media outlets.
--Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier. From the author who penned the popular Cold Mountain, this story captures the journey of Will Cooper, an orphan living as an indentured servant and whose life becomes entangled with the local Cherokee nation.
--The End: Book the Thirteenth (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket. The much-awaited title wraps up this popular children’s series with fun extras contained in an attractive package.
--Lisey’s Story by Stephen King. Another probable novel from King begins with a widow’s tasks of sorting through her husband’s death and evolves into a suspenseful, dark journey into the world he lived in.
--The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. Known for his courtroom dramas, Grisham produces his first nonfiction legal thriller.
--New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. Meyer’s young adult sequel to bestselling Twilight combines romance and suspense in this supernatural tale of two vampires.
In addition to bestselling books and media, members can save money at nationally-known restaurants chains, hotels and popular entertainment retailers so they can entertain friends and family for less every month of the year through AP9 Connections.
October 3, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 01, 2006
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.
September 1, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 07, 2006
AP9 Connections Helps Consumers Make Healthier Fast-Food Choices
When most people think of fast food, “healthy” probably isn’t the word that springs to mind. While that may not change any time soon, many fast-food eateries are now offering healthier choices for diners concerned about what they eat, notes AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®.
AP9 Connections members know that they can enjoy great deals on meals just by logging on at DealPass.com and purchasing gift cards to various fast-food restaurants at a 20% savings.
On any given day, as many as one in four Americans eat fast food, and such dietary habits have been mentioned as a causal factor in America’s increased obesity rates. AP9 Connections therefore offers a few tips for making fast-food feasts a bit more healthy:
-- Check out the nutritional content beforehand. Go to the fast-food website of your choice to see whether they post nutritional information about their meals (many of them do now). Knowing what’s healthy and what’s not will help you make an informed decision the next time you’re placing an order.
-- Cut back on condiments and salad dressings. A grilled chicken or fish sandwich is a healthy choice; loading that sandwich with mayonnaise or tartar sauce significantly reduces its healthy value. Similarly, a salad with little or no dressing is a lot healthier than one that’s soaked in dressing.
-- Down-size your portions. This may be easier said than done -- it’s difficult to turn away from half a cheeseburger or two dozen fries -- but American restaurant portions tend to be “super-sized” compared to the rest of the world. Calorie-wise, they’re typically much, much larger than is recommended, let alone needed, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If your portions are big, plan to take half your meal home to reheat as a separate meal the next day. Learning how to say no -- and mean it -- is the key to dietary discipline.
-- Avoid fried foods and sodas. Fried food is often highly saturated in fat, offering very little nutritional value at the cost of a whole lot of calories. Likewise, most non-diet sodas are high in sugar content and are lacking in any nutritional value. (Studies also suggest that a diet high in fried foods and sodas can lead to increased acne problems.) If possible, order a baked potato (with a side of vegetables rather than butter, cheese or sour cream) and water instead.
-- Order from the light menu. Most fast-food restaurants now offer healthy meal alternatives, like salads, grilled chicken and fish, baked potatoes and more. Choose baked, broiled, steamed, poached or roasted entrees over fried entrees, and keep your side dishes and dressings to a minimum.
In addition to savings for their favorite restaurants, members can enjoy great deals on theme park admissions, movie and concert tickets, books, music, games and more -- offering them healthy fun at budget-conscious prices through AP9 Connections.
August 7, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 31, 2006
AP9 Connections Recommends Gift Cards for Money-Strapped College Students
The end of summer means a new beginning for college-bound students. For many, this away-from-home experience can pose both financial and emotional challenges. Members of AP9 Connections, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, can help family and friends of college freshmen save money on entertainment and academic needs throughout the semester with gift cards.
Whether it is re-stocking school supplies or taking a break from the books to catch a blockbuster hit, AP9 Connections members can access DealPass.com to order gift cards for a large variety of nationally-known entertainment retailers – all at a 20% discount. Members can send a heart-felt care package or a funny college survival greeting card filled with valuable gift cards from AP9 Connections. Financial prudence is usually a new frontier for college students so gift cards are a helpful way to promote wise spending strategies.
AP9 Connections suggests these gift card ideas for helping college-bound students stay on track while having fun.
-- Hit the books. AP9 Connections offers gift cards to national media retailers which students can use for textbook and media purchases at their favorite bookstores. Although any student would appreciate the extra spending power, those enrolled in majors such as English, Creative Writing or History – those that involve required reading assignments – will need to purchase books and media on a regular basis.
-- Weekend study breaks. Music and movie gift cards are a great opportunity for that stressed-out college student to have some fun. Students can catch a new flick at their local multiplex or rent their favorite laugh-out-loud classics to unwind after a week of tough exams. Students will probably miss Mom’s home cooking so gift cards redeemable at popular restaurants are a wonderful alternative to those mysterious cafeteria concoctions.
-- Plug it in. Some universities require college students to own a computer, making gift cards to an electronics store highly valuable. Other peripheral supplies like power cords, CD-ROMs and ink cartridges are necessary but expensive for students on a budget.
Members save all year long on admission to theme parks, travel resources, toys and gifts, plus so much more – all through AP9 Connections.
July 31, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 25, 2006
AP9 Connections Links Beginning Golfers with Tips and Savings
Golf has enjoyed a renewed interest in recent years, mostly due to popular talent like Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie on famous courses across the country. Members of AP9 Connections, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, will be delighted to know that when they pick up their clubs and head to the course this summer, they’ll be saving money on media purchases, movie rentals, toys and more.
Even if they’re not U.S. Open or Ryder Cup material yet, beginning golfers who are AP9 Connections members can save up to 20% when they make travel arrangements and shop bookstores for magazines and books about their newfound interest. AP9 Connections members have access to these savings at local and national retailers when they log onto DealPass.com.
AP9 Connections recommends these basic tips for new golfers when they head out to the course.
Learn from the best.
Take some lessons from a golf pro. He or she will teach the fundamentals and help perfect your technique. Get a recommendation from a friend or neighbor and look into group instruction to minimize the cost. Try out your new skills on the course.
Equipment acquisition.
Golf clubs and accessories can be very expensive. Before investing a lot of money on new set of clubs, ask a friend if he or she is willing to lend you their set for the first few visits to the course. Or visit yard sales for a bargain. When it’s time to commit to the sport, a golf pro can take measurements and analyze your swing to find the most appropriate set for a beginning golfer.
Keep it fun.
Head out to the course after a few lessons to prevent frustration. It’ll be more fun with a little knowledge about the sport and beginners can practice new skills learned in class, basic rules and course etiquette.
Get a grip.
When gripping a club, the fingers of both hands rather than the palms should be holding the club. The overall grip should be light, and not tight enough to squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube, as the saying goes. When having trouble on the right, golfers should strengthen their right-hand grip and vice versa for left-sided problems.
Take a test drive.
Many pros say that visualization is key when driving the ball. During the swing, think of following through and finishing down the target line. This motion should feel as if the golfer is throwing the driver straight down the fairway. On the downswing, be sure to accelerate and make sure the left hip doesn’t pass the left foot on the downswing.
Members enjoy savings on movie tickets, at their favorite restaurants, and theme parks so they save money on the activities they enjoy most through AP9 Connections.
June 25, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 23, 2006
AP9 Connections Takes a Look at New Movies Releasing this Summer
As summer cranks up the heat so are the silver screens with brand new movies to quench the thirst of movie enthusiasts everywhere. And AP9 Connections, an entertainment membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, will be right in the action by providing sizzling movie ticket savings to parched pocketbooks across the country.
Summer is definitely the time to get outside and do yard work, play with the kids or just have fun doing whatever, but on the days that require an escape from the unbearable heat, pile in the car and head for the local movie theater. AP9 Connections suggests that a little air conditioning, some tasty treats and an entertaining movie are just the ticket one may need to shelter themselves from those toasty days or just an opportunity to kick back, relax and immerse in a great storyline.
AP9 Connections provides a look into some of the summer’s hottest movies (please note that the release dates are subject to change):
Superman Returns – (June 28) Starring: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, and Kate Bosworth. After a long visit to the lost remains of the planet Krypton, the Man of Steel returns to earth to become the people’s savior once again and reclaim the love of Lois Lane. Rated PG-13.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest – (July 7) Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley. Captian Jack Sparrow owes an unpaid debt to Davy Jones and his army of sea-phantoms...his soul. Now, he must find a way to save himself from becoming one of them, and suffering forever. Not currently rated.
You, Me and Dupree – (July 14) Carl and Molly Peterson (Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson) are just starting their new life together-complete with a cute house, boring neighbors, stable jobs and the routines of newlywed existence. There's just one unfortunate hitch in their perfectly constructed new world…and his name's Dupree. Not currently rated.
My Super-Ex Girlfriend – ( July 21) Starring: Luke Wilson and Uma Thurman. What happens when an average guy decides to split up with his superhero girlfriend? He feels her super-powered wrath as she tries to put a kibosh on his new relationship. Rated PG-13.
Barnyard – (July 28) Starring: Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, Andie MacDowell, Wanda Sykes. This lighthearted animated movie will take you into the world of barnyard animals – what happens when the farmer is not around to witness their true talents. Rated PG.
Members of AP9 Connections receive not only exceptional savings on movie tickets but also DVDs, CDs, movie rentals, theme park passes and so much more simply by logging on to DealPass.com – all provided by AP9 Connections.
June 23, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 25, 2006
AP9 Connections Shares Popular Page-Turners for Summer Reading
School may be out for the summer, but hot fiction and interesting non-fiction titles can keep youngsters’ mental cobwebs away during their three favorite months of the year. Because members of AP9 Connections, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, save money on media purchases, they can add the latest books and award-winning classics to their children’s libraries all summer.
With upcoming trips to the beach, the grandparents or campground, books are a great way to keep grade-school children entertained and intellectually stimulated. AP9 Connections members can access their savings on magazines, books, music and other media at local and national retailers conveniently through DealPass.com. These discounts can help members add an extra day to that family summer vacation or a visit to a nearby theme park for a day.
If you’re looking for books that will take your kids on new adventures without leaving home, AP9 Connections has a few recommendations.
Kindergarten through third grade:
-- Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, is simply about a pig who loves the wide, open road. Young readers will soon find out, however, that Mercy’s joy ride takes a chaotic turn in this brightly illustrated tale.
-- Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, by Shel Silverstein, features a twist on poetic wordplay about a hare and his friends. Flip-flopped letters provide a rhythmic story that begs to be read aloud.
Grades four through six:
-- Blackbeard: The Pirate King, by J. Patrick Lewis and Michael Ed. Lewis, contains dramatic illustrations and 14 biographical poems about Blackbeard, the notorious 18th-century pirate.
-- Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen, adds another Florida-set, environmentally-conscious caper to his long list of novels — this time for young adults. One part detective story and one part comedy, this title will keep readers hooked.
Grades six through eight:
-- Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner, is a literary book about a young thief named Gen who’s released from prison and ordered to carry out a high-risk heist with the king’s scholar.
-- Chew On This: Everything You Don’t Want to Know About Fast Food, by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson, takes readers behind the scenes of the fast food industry. Eye-opening details will keep youngsters’ attention while the main mission of the book addresses the impact of fast food and the importance of healthy eating habits.
In addition to saving at their favorite bookstores, members can enjoy savings all year long on movie tickets, at popular restaurants, and theme parks — which means they stay entertained for less through AP9 Connections.
May 25, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 17, 2006
AP9 Connections Suggests Giving Gift Cards to Graduates
May and June mark the peak of the graduation season. As one can imagine, proud parents, family members, and friends will be searching high and low to find the perfect graduation gifts. Members of AP9 Connections, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, will not have to look too high or too low thanks to the wide variety of benefits offered through the program, including a 20% savings on gift cards for nationally known retailers.
AP9 Connections notes that giving the gift of gift cards is a real crowd pleaser for both high school and college graduates. In fact, a gift card gives graduates an opportunity to shop around and purchase items they want -- when they need it. At this stage of a grad’s life, what’s in and what’s out fluctuates on a regular basis, so it may be a good idea to give them something they can use when the opportune moment presents itself. AP9 Connections members can log on to Dealpass.com and buy gift cards for a wide variety of national department stores and retailers that are sure to satisfy any graduate’s tastes, hobbies and activities.
Here are some gift cards recommendations, brought to you by AP9 Connections:
-- The joy of reading: A bookstore gift card is an opportunity to open a door to an amazing new world. Graduates can select books based on their career choices or their interests. For college-bound high school graduates, bookstore gift cards can even assist with the hefty cost of textbooks.
-- Music from the heart: Good music is almost always a hit with young people. A gift card for a music or entertainment store allows a graduate to choose from a huge selection of music, videos and DVDs.
-- The name of the game: An entertainment store gift card is a movie or video game enthusiast’s ticket to a good time. They can cruise to the store to purchase the latest video game or save the gift card until they come across a special release of a favorite movie.
-- Meals at your service: For those students living on a limited budget, a restaurant gift card is always a much appreciated gift. Graduates can eat a decent meal without having to clean out their wallet, thanks to a thoughtful graduation gift.
In addition to savings on gift cards for major national stores, restaurants and entertainment retailers, members can also enjoy significant savings on movie tickets, concert tickets, theme park visits and much more -- all through AP9 Connections.
May 17, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 13, 2006
AP9 Connections Shares Date Night (and Day) Ideas for Warmer Months Ahead
Shake off those boring winter nights of pizza and television, too-familiar restaurants, and long admission lines at the theater. Spring and summer are the months to rekindle love and romance. And members of AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, can save money year-round on all their entertainment needs.
Don’t let another Friday or Saturday be wasted while trying to figure out what to do that’s different and fun. AP9 Connections members can add some magic to an ordinary weeknight or weekend with the money they save on entertainment when they visit DealPass.com. Every time they shop, either online or at local retailers, AP9 Connections members can enjoy discounts, which can add up for a memorable evening or afternoon with a loved one.
AP9 Connections members can save money on weekend outings and local shopping trips with these five hot date ideas for when they’re out on the town.
-- Laugh for love. A night at a local comedy club can be just the ticket to a fun evening of entertainment. Some clubs even offer dinner packages, so call ahead to find out times, seating arrangements and pricing. Fridays and Saturdays may be more difficult to reserve; consider a weeknight to break up the routine with some belly laughs.
-- Spice it up. Toss the takeout menus, and forget the frozen dinners. Take a culinary class or two, and cook up something tasty in the kitchen or on the grill. Cooking classes are a great way for couples to learn recipes and techniques to practice at home and to share with friends when hosting the next patio party.
-- Take a mini-adventure. Getting away for a week or even a couple of days may not always be convenient or budget-friendly. A small adventure, however, is a great way to spend a day together. Take a balloon ride for two, see the outdoors on horseback, or visit a vineyard by train. Don’t forget to pack that camera!
-- Make it a movie marathon. The most comfortable place to catch a flick is right at home. Visit the local movie rental store, or even a library for more obscure or classic films, and stock up on old favorites or the latest releases. Forego the popcorn, and whip up some appetizers and desserts for a fancier twist on a relaxing night at home.
-- Romance under the moonlight. Spring and summer bring endless opportunities to play outside. The sky and the stars provide the perfect backdrop for an outdoor nighttime concert or festival. Look for schedules and acts online or in the local newspaper. Whether it’s a popular band or a ride on the Ferris wheel, an outdoor event is a fun way to share a summer evening.
Members can enjoy savings for their favorite restaurants, concert tickets, luggage, movie theaters and more -- a cost-effective way to invest in some quality time through AP9 Connections.
May 13, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 29, 2006
AP9 Connections Announces Hot CDs Available This Spring from Sonic Youth, Jewel, Ice Cube and More
As temperatures increase across the nation so will cookouts and relaxing retreats — both of which involve hours of toe-tapping, hip-swaying tunes. Aside from what recreational activity a person chooses to partake in, members of AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®, know that they can save hard-earned dollars when they purchase CDs – new and old, readily available at popular retailers right in their community.
Adding to your CD collection for this spring or summer’s activities – whether you’re on the road or at the beach – doesn’t have to be a drain on your pocket book. AP9 Connections members can get more out of their sunny days with the dollars they save on their music and entertainment purchases by accessing DealPass.com. With discounts available even on sale-priced CDs, DVDs and portable electronics, AP9 Connections members can add the latest hits or popular classics to their stash and groove to the music on a new stereo or MP3 player.
AP9 Connections knows that music collections of all types are certain to grow this spring and summer with the following list of upcoming CD releases. (Please note that release dates are subject to change without notice.)
-- April 25: Godsmack, “IV”; Goo Goo Dolls, “Let Love In”; Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, “All the Road Running”; Bruce Springsteen, “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”
-- May 2: Jewel, “Goodbye Alice in Wonderland”; Thursday, “City by the Light Divided”; Tool, “10,000 Days”; World Party, “Dumbing Up”
-- May 9: India.Arie, “Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship”; Danielson, “Ships”; Live, “Songs from Black Mountain”; Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Stadium Arcadium”; The Stills, “Without Feathers”; Scott Walker, “The Drift”
-- May 16: Angels and Airwaves, “We Don’t Need to Whisper”; The Raconteurs, “Broken Boy Soldiers”; Radio 4, “Enemies Like This”; Twilight Singers, “Powder Burns”; Whirlwind Heat, “Types of Wood”
-- May 23 and beyond: Dixie Chicks, “Taking the Long Way”; Nelly Furtado, “Loose”; The Walkmen, “A Hundred Miles Off”; End of Fashion, “End of Fashion”; Ice Cube, “Laugh Now, Cry Later”; Sonic Youth, “Rather Ripped”
Members can also take advantage of benefits outside of the music and media realm. Discounts are available for restaurants, concert tickets, theme parks and more — making those spring and summer ventures even more exceptional, concludes AP9 Connections.
March 29, 2006 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 30, 2005
AP9 Connections Says Mark Your Calendars for the 2006 Gaming Conventions
Unless you are a gamer, you may not be aware of the unique and innovative gaming competitions that take place around the globe every year. The video-game business is a multi-billion dollar affair with its programmers and creators being given rock star status by gamers from sea to shining see, conveys AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®.
The video-game business has made many impressive strides since 1972 when Pong was first introduced to the public. The swift fine-tuning of computer graphics and other game-enhancing technologies over the last 30 years has created limitless opportunities for video-game creators, from true to life imitations of civilization to outer space fantasies whose only confines are those forced by the creator’s mind.
So where in the United States does the gaming entertainment business congregate to talk about and reveal the latest and greatest in video-game selections in 2006? AP9 Connections provides a few excellent choices for aficionados of the video-game variety:
-- The 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), scheduled for January 5-8 in Las Vegas, is an international event featuring 2,500 exhibitors and 130,000 attendees and showcasing a wide range of consumer electronics, including interactive entertainment. While it’s not a gamer-intense show, many of the technologies that grew the gaming industry have debuted at the CES since its beginning in 1967, including the compact disc player, digital audio technology and interactive CDs; in fact, the Microsoft Xbox made its first appearance at the 2001 convention.
-- The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2006, scheduled for March 20-24 at the San Jose (CA) Convention Center, is the official convention for game developers. Programmers, artists, producers, designers, audio professionals and others get together to share ideas, meet others in their profession, and showcase the latest development tools, platforms, and services. The event also hosts the annual Independent Games Festival, where the GDC hands out prizes and publicity for innovative, independently-created video games from around the globe.
-- The Electronic Entertainment Expo (“E3” to those in the know) is the big dog of gaming conventions. Scheduled this year for May 10-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, E3 brings together all of the big interactive-entertainment businesses for panel discussions, exhibitions and news conferences to roll out the latest innovations in the industry. Although the expo is a trade event that isn’t open to the general public, gamers impatiently await the product debuts and technological advances announced at E3.
-- DigitalLife 2006, scheduled for October 12-15 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, focuses on educating businesses and consumers about how to apply the latest technologies to their everyday lives. DigitalLife exhibitors show off the latest in home entertainment systems, gaming software and hardware, and other everyday business and personal electronic products.
Of course, gamers searching for competitions that allow hand to hand combat against their peers also have a multitude of events to choose from in 2006. For more information on these events, you can enter a variety of keywords -- video game, gaming, competition and other related terms -- into an online search engine to find opportunities to compete almost every weekend of the year.
AP9 Connections members can save money on the latest video games and software by logging on to DealPass to purchase discounted gift cards for a wide variety of entertainment and electronics outlets. Members can also save on dining out, tickets to movie theatres, admissions passes to theme parks and more, concludes AP9 Connections.
December 30, 2005 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 05, 2005
AP9 Connections – 2005’s Top 10 Star-Studded Storylines
In the entertainment business, it has been said there’s no such thing as bad publicity, notes AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC®. But with the sudden burst in unconventional media channels and the recent glamorization of the paparazzi, AP9 Connections suggests that 2005 may just be the end-all for that line. Whether it was in a court of law or the court of public opinion, dozens of celebs, A-list or otherwise, found themselves in the media glare.
AP9 Connections offers its own list of the top ten celebrity stories of the year, in ascending order:
10. You Had Me at Hello; Now Let’s Try Goodbye. Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger were wed in a secret, beachside ceremony in May, then had their marriage annulled four months later.
9. I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman, but a Mommy All the Same. Britney Spears gave birth to a baby boy on September 14, outshining the release of her new fragrance, Fantasy Britney Spears, which the singer describes as a blend of “enchanting scents and flavors” with “a hint of cupcakes.”
8. Bennifer II: The Sequel. Ben Affleck found longer-lasting love -- and a lot more privacy -- with a new Jennifer (Garner), whom he married in late June. The happy couple recently became the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl!
7. Something Old(er), Something New(er). Demi Moore, 42, and Ashton Kutcher, 27, married in a Hollywood home in late September. It is her third marriage, his first.
6. Freedom is a Good Thing. Martha Stewart got out of prison in March after serving five months for lying to the government about a stock sale. The news wasn’t all good after her release: NBC didn’t pick up a second season of Martha’s version of The Apprentice.
5. Don’t Do the Crime If You Can’t Do the Time. Robert Blake was cleared in March of charges that he murdered his wife. After the decision, Blake, who starred in the 1970s TV show Barretta but has done little of note since, joked, “You’re innocent until proven broke.”
4. I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror. Michael Jackson was found not guilty of child molestation accusations in June. Since his acquittal, he’s spent most of his time abroad.
3. Life Imitates Rumors. After denying reports of marital friction for over a year, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced their separation in November.
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith & Friends. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston filed for divorce in March in the wake of rumors that Pitt and Angelina Jolie, his co-star in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, were an item. It looks like Jen was also Derailed this year by a new love affair of her co-star, Vince Vaughn.
1. Cruise Control? When you’re in love, what else can you do but jump up and down for joy on Oprah’s couch? Tom Cruise did in May. He then proposed to the object of his affections, Katie Holmes, on the Eiffel Tower in June. They’re now on the fast track to parenthood, with a wee one due in 2006. AP9 Connections considers that whirlwind!
And the one celeb you’ll never hear AP9 Connections mention? The ultra-rich, over-publicized heiress to the Hilton Hotels empire. We simply don’t care what she wears, who she engages (and dis-engages) or where she parties. ’Nuf said.
AP9 Connections members are eligible to receive the latest releases from their favorite performers by accessing DealPass.com and purchasing discounted gift cards to a wide selection of entertainment stores. AP9 Connections also offers savings on restaurant dining, movie tickets, theme park passes and more.
December 5, 2005 in AP9 Connections | Permalink | Comments (0) |
