Join Nancy J. Reid & Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Excellence in Tourism series on How to Put the “I” Back Into Community through a Responsible Tourism Plan that incorporates the 8 Keys of Excellence. This episode focuses on how a community maintains its integrity by defining its identity and showcasing its positive values.

Featured guests include:

- Bobbi DePorter - Co-Founder of SuperCamp, and creator of the 8 Keys of Excellence character education program.

- Glynn Burrows –  Owner of Norfolk Tours in England.

- Stephanie McMillin – Executive Director of Springfield Tourism Commission in Central Kentucky.’

- Dr. Jacqueline Eubany – Author of ‘Women and Heart Disease: The Real Story,’ and an avid world traveler.

Plus, Steve Schenickert recalls the Hollywood History of Travel Movies!

Located in the heart of California’s Sequoia Country, the city of Tulare is an agricultural community that offers a variety of shopping, dining and lodging opportunities. Boasting a charming historic downtown district with lovely tree lined streets, murals, boutique shops, and restaurants, it's a popular destination for travelers visiting Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. From luxury movie theatres and shopping outlets to museums, attractions and festivals, Donnette Silva Carter, CEO of Tulare Chamber of Commerce, talks about the fun events and activities to enjoy in Tulare this spring!

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for their Big Blend Radio conversation with travel writer Debi Lander, about Slow Travel for Boomer Women. 

Debi Lander, a freelance writer, and photographer specializing in travel, food, and lifestyle, will share some of her favorite lessons learned from the road, especially those garnered during her six-month European adventure in 2016. Her website, www.bylandersea.com, brings the best of her global journeys to readers via links to her published stories and highlights from her travel journal. Debi is an active member of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association. 

See Debi's article on Slow Travel for Boomer Women on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio!

On This Episode:

- Vocalist Sydney Brown – San Francisco Based pop singer-songwriter Sydney Brown and Grammy-winning producer Narada Michael Walden wrote and recorded the single “LOVE IS STRONGER THAN SMOKE AND FIRE” as a benefit for the victims of the 2017 California fires. Presently 16 years old, Sydney began her singing career in 2009 and has performed in over ten Broadway musicals with different local theatre companies, including her favorites Legally Blonde, West Side Story, and Sweet Charity. Sydney met Narada in 2010 and began performing with him at his Spring Fling with Strings Concert, singing a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me” for her first solo performance.

- Community Wildlife Conservation – Wildlife conservationist Adam M. Roberts “The Compassionate Conservationist” talks about his recent trip to Tanzania with the PAMS Foundation, which is working to help sustain and conserve biodiversity, wilderness, habitats and ecological processes through actions that benefit nature and communities. The organization’s mission is for Tanzania to be a country where the value of its natural resources and its benefits are understood and upheld by all, and for best practice management principles to be applied in conserving natural resources in an ethical manner in all the areas where they work internationally.

From favorite walking trails to picnic spots and date night destinations, Sheila Stone, owner of Sequoia Vacation Rentals, gives us the locals inside scoop on what it's like to live, work and play in Three Rivers, California. 

A gateway community of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Three Rivers is a four season destination that hosts a full calendar of events and festivals, and a variety of seasonal and cultural activities. Boasting four gentle seasons, the area provides year-round opportunity to enjoy Three Rivers and Lake Kaweah, along with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the Sequoia National Forest, which offer a number of recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, fishing, boating, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding and wildlife viewing, field tours and star gazing.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s SUCCESS EXPRESS business and career show.

On this episode, attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses California employment laws regarding Vacation Time and Sick Leave. Based in San Diego, California the Employment Law Office of Ward Heinrichs represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. He and his firm litigate cases that have been filed in many different parts of California.

Read Ward's article on Sick Leave & Vacation Time, here on NationalParkTraveling.com.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s National Parks & Travel show.

On this show, Park Ranger Elizabeth Hudick discusses the incredible ecological biodiversity and various habitats of Pinnacles National Park, which are home to over 140 birds species of birds, 49 mammals, 22 reptiles, 8 amphibians, 71 butterflies, 41 dragonflies and damselflies, more than 400 bee species! America's 59th National Park, Pinnacles is located in Central California.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Happy Hour variety show.

On This Episode:

- Singer-songwriter Jeremy Parsons -  Known for his Americana country-rock style, Nashville based singer-songwriter Jeremy Parsons talks about his latest album "Things I Need to Say” and current single “Burn This House Down”

- Visit Springfield, Kentucky – Stephanie McMillin, Executive Director of the Springfield Tourism Commission, talks about the spring events and activities in central Kentucky’s land of ‘Bourbon, Horses & History’.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Champagne Sundays variety show!

On This Episode:

- Closer Than You Know – Brad Parks, critically acclaimed and award winning author of ‘Say Nothing’ discusses his second riveting, emotionally-resonant stand-alone thriller, ‘Closer Than You Know’.

- Always a Rebel – Stockholm based indie songwriter, musician and producer Jon Magnusson talks about his new EP ‘Always a Rebel’, the follow-up to his EP ‘Psalms for Sinners’.

- Wishbone Ash – Guitarist and songwriter Andy Powell discusses the first official re-releases of the Wishbone Ash albums Twin Barrels Burning from 1982 and Raw to the Bone from 1985, and the band’s 2018 USA Tour!

Located east of Monterey in central California, San Benito County is the eastern gateway destination of Pinnacles National Park. Less than 2 hours from San Francisco and 4 ½ hours from Los Angeles, San Benito County is a year-round travel destination with outdoor activities such as bird watching and hiking, golf and tennis, as well as a wine tasting trail, variety of dining options, boutique shopping, historic parks and museums, and a full calendar of events, fairs and festivals, and parades.

From wildflowers and hiking to festivals and wine tasting, Juli Viera, Chief Executive Officer of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, discusses all the fantastic spring events and activities to enjoy in this beautiful region!