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President's Club. Winner's Circle. Sky-High Stars. Despite all the negative news coverage of incentives in recent months, these groups are still turning up at luxury properties. They've just gone undercover.
As companies seek to reward top performers while keeping programs off the radar of a disapproving public or squeamish shareholders, corporate logos and welcome banners are out. Directional signs using the program's theme are in, along with a whole host of other ways to keep these programs on the Q.T.
"In response to this whole 'AIG effect,' people have gotten much more conservative and clearly have shied away from publicizing any of the details of their events," says Michael J. Lyons, DMCP, president and CEO of GEP Philly, a Philadelphia-based destination management company.
"Companies don't want signage at the airport, don't want to be listed on the hotel board. We even have one corporation coming in the fall that has asked us to list them under a completely different name."
Nothing New, Really
Incentive programs have been toning things down for years. Since 9/11, corporate security concerns greatly reduced promotions like emblazoning buses with the company logo or writing the company's name in fireworks in the sky. But when word got out that AIG, on the heels of having received billions in government bailout money, had dropped nearly half a million dollars last fall for a sales incentive at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, the public demanded a scapegoat. Incentives were it, and now public backlash has made practically everyone planning trips wary.
"Over the past few years, many of our customers have been slowly shifting away from dramatic displays and ostentatious spending," says Dave Sonricker, senior vice president, MICE U.S. and Mexico, for BCD Meetings & Incentives, Chicago." They're still celebrating and rewarding top performers and customers, but they are doing so in a responsible manner. There is much more scrutiny now on every aspect of a program budget."
Scott Siewert, divisional vice president, sales, at USMotivation in Atlanta, agrees. "Flying to Europe or the Far East is out," he reports, adding that clients who had taken programs to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, or Maui in the past are now headed to Florida or Huntington Beach, Calif. He calls it right-destinating — like right-sizing. "It's selecting the destination that is appropriate for the times."
He suggests that perhaps incentives were due for an adjustment anyway.
"Two years ago, the only way to compete for mindshare was to be over the top," he says. Now with top achievers perhaps unable to afford as many personal perks any more, they are happy to be treated well by their companies.
Surprising Beneficiaries
While the Mauis of the world are suffering, some cities are benefiting from incentives gone undercover.
"People are bringing more incentive meetings to Atlanta because it's not as glamorous," says Susan Henderson, CMP, DMCP, president and CEO of Atlanta Arrangements, a DMC. "You can have a great incentive meeting here, but it's not on the tip of your tongue as a destination."
Philadelphia has seen a similar uptick, says GEP Philly's Lyons, who has had clients admit that they were considering a glitzy destination but ultimately chose Philadelphia because of its low profile. While not perceived as glamorous, there are a lot of terrific options in history, culture, and dining.
"You're not going to get fired for booking your meeting in Philadelphia," Lyons quips. To capitalize on this, the Philadelphia CVB has come up with a new marketing slogan: "Serious value for serious times."
Yet, even in the City of Brotherly Love, groups are fearful of poisonous press. One client recently canceled a gala dinner, instead opting to give attendees cash to go out and dine on their own — cutting costs while avoiding unwanted attention.
"It's completely changed from a wonderful evening that we had planned to a kind of potluck," says Lyons. "They'll have a nice time, but it will be a very different experience."
For groups looking to be a little fish in a big pond, DMC Karen Shackman of Shackman Associates, New York, suggests Manhattan. "The sheer size of New York City offers incentive meeting attendees relative anonymity," she says. "We have been able to schedule low-profile events that offer a unique experience to incentive audiences while avoiding unfair scrutiny and criticism."
Not to mention that the deals in Manhattan right now are unprecedented, Shackman says. "Not only are hoteliers renegotiating room rates for incentive travel groups, restaurants and downtime attractions are more accessible and affordable than ever."
For example, she says several notable French restaurants that would be wildly cost-prohibitive in the past are now offering special event options for mid-week groups. Shopping tours at high-end boutiques closed to the general public are featuring more designer and store discounts. Even museums are willing to further negotiate group admissions.
Skip the Resort
Incentive planners also may not be able to lean on the cachet of a luxury hotel to avoid accusations of undue expense. Some properties are even dropping the word resort from their names, in order to seem like a more serious business destination. BCD's Sonricker says one client actually canceled a contract because the property had the word in its name. And USMotivation's Siewart has a client that took matters into its own hands: In incentive promotions, the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa in Costa Rica has become simply the JW Marriott.
While Christie Hicks, senior vice president of global sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, White Plains, N.Y., says that none of her properties has taken the drastic step of dropping the words resort or spa from their names, her company saw a rash of cancellations in February and March — around the time bad publicity surrounded Wells Fargo's planned Las Vegas trips — at the company's luxury brands, which include St. Regis, W Hotels, and Le Meridien.
She has also noted the emergence of smaller incentive programs and individual incentives. "When you don't have to move a group of 1,000, it attracts less attention," she notes. Starwood properties are also crafting a variety of on-site group recreation and function options that are just as enticing as going off site, because customers want to avoid the expense of traveling off site.
That's also the case with cruises, says Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling, Miami. "We have seen more use of the ship activities, [which are] included in the cost, rather than customized shore events, an added cost," she says. "We've made creative use of teambuilding activities that already exist on the ship, like rock climbing and deck sports, rather than costlier shore events."
Keep the Face Time
As Shackman points out, an undercover incentive trip doesn't need to skimp on the one thing most qualifiers value above all else — time spent with top executives. Her company recently organized an after-hours bowling party hosted by senior executives that ended up being quite popular.
"A quieter celebration can still be highly effective," agrees BCD's Sonricker. "The key is to offer ample opportunity for executives to connect with attendees and their guests. That personal recognition carries tremendous value."
Next Page: Retool the Promo
Another new addition that can blunt the public perception impact of a high-end incentive program is the corporate social responsibility event. Many groups are swapping heli-skiing or spa afternoons for building playgrounds or working with Habitat for Humanity. It's also a great PR opportunity for the top execs.
"It's a way to put a positive spotlight on the program and also give back to the local community," Sonricker says. "For several of the programs we manage, this has become a highly anticipated signature event."
Unfortunately, the experts all agree on one thing — changes coming out of this recession are likely to last longer than in previous downturns. As USMotivation's Siewart says, "This is the worst I've seen in my 20 years in the business. Companies don't have the ability to change shareholder perceptions. This perception problem will be longer-lived than the fear problem in 2001."
Atlanta Arrangements' Henderson agrees. "It's definitely worse than before because of the perception issue. It's a shame that companies feel they have to go undercover to reward their best employees."
Retool the Promo
Dropping one gala group dinner from the program may not harm the overall experience, but how do you get winners ramped up about a subdued city destination versus an exotic resort?
Bill Boyd, president and CEO of Sunbelt Motivation & Travel, Dallas, says planners will have to work harder internally to generate excitement, perhaps even delay announcing the destination for a few months, or have an internal contest inviting participants to guess the destination. "You're going to have to spend more on promotion."
So instead of a destination that sells itself, planners may need to focus more on face time with upper management, or those unique experiences that only an incentive program can offer, like private museum tours or dinners in elegant mansions. After all, you can still host — and promote — such events with panache in any location.
For More Information:
Incentives Under the T.A.R.P.


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Blake Hobby Named ABCA/Rawlings Preseason All-American
Contact: David Beall, firstname.lastname@example.com
DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia starting pitcher Blake Hobby will start the 2012 season with plenty of high expectations after being named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Preseason All-American team announced on Tuesday afternoon.
As one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the Peach Belt Conference last season, Hobby tallied a 7-3 record with an earned run average of 1.76.
In his 14 starts, Hobby pitched into the 7th inning in 11 of those games, and went the distance three different times. Opponents hit just .201 against the right-hander in 102.1 innings of work, and Hobby recorded 88 strikeouts, while not giving up a single home run on the year in 376 batters faced.
Two of his three double-digit strikeout performances came against PBC teams, including 11 punch outs in 6.0 innings at Lander University on March 25, and 11 more strikeouts against Augusta State on April 16, in 8.0 innings of work.
The Macon, Georgia, native picked up plenty of awards last season for his stellar junior campaign, earning First-Team Peach Belt All-Conference honors, PBC All-Tournament honors, ABCA First-Team All-Region honors and First-Team Daktronics All-Region honors.
Hobby will open the 2012 season as the ace of the North Georgia pitching rotation once again, as the soon-to-be four-year starter for the Saints has 19 career wins and 187 strikeouts over the last three seasons.
The Saints will open the 2012 season with seven straight road games to open the year. Tournaments at Valdosta State and USC Aiken highlight the early-season action, while North Georgia will make their home debut on February 18-19, playing host to Northern Kentucky in a three-game series at Bob Stein Stadium.

subset: commoncrawl


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How 'Bout Them Apples?
Fuji, Granny Smith and Red Delicious, make room at the farm stand for SnapDragon and RubyFrost, the two newest apple varieties... READ MORE
Food Companies Change Labels to Keep Up With Health Trends
Do you ever feel like you're being hit over the head with food labels proclaiming "Low sugar," "Low cholesterol" or "Will put hair on your chest"?... READ MORE
Good Eggs links farmers, ranchers to San Francisco customers
All California rancher Doniga Markegard really wanted to do was work with her animals and raise her kids on the ranch... READ MORE
Survey: Cost, Lack of Motivation Barriers to Healthy Eating
Healthy eating may have gotten easier, but it still isn't easy, according to Shopping for Health 2013... READ MORE
Meet Nebraska Cattle Grower Hilary Maricle
Hilary Maricle and her family get their cows and calves ready to go to pasture for the summer. They are the sixth generation to live and work on the farm, on which they also grow crops... VIEW HERE ...and meet more farmers and ranchers HERE
The Dairyman's Blog
Alabama dairy farmer Will Gilmer's blog covers life with his wife, two children and 450 Holstein dairy cows. He's been known to sing, too... READ MORE
Play Games and Learn at My American Farm
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture's My American Farm project teaches agricultural literacy to consumers and the public through interactive computer games... READ MORE
The Dish
Reports from the field served fast and fresh.
Meet Your Farmers and Ranchers
Meet farmers and ranchers from across the country. Use the interactive map to see and hear growers talk about farm and ranch life.
Blogs Fresh From the Farm
Read blogs written by farmers, ranchers and others involved in agriculture around the country.
Learn the Facts
Find out why Americans have the greatest food and fiber system in the world. Learn the facts.
My American Farm
My American Farm is the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture's online interactive education program. Enjoy games and activities and learn more about agriculture.


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Clinton told business leaders, diplomats and students in a speech at Singapore Management University that she is hearing world leaders' concerns about how the United States might resolve its debt crisis and its international ramifications.
"Now I'm out of politics, but let me assure you that for all the difference between the political parties in my country, we are united in our commitment to protect American leadership and bolster our national security," Clinton said.
"Reaching a meaningful budget deal is critical to both," she added.
Clinton's reference to herself as being outside politics brought laughs from the audience. Clinton has said she doesn't want to serve another four years as secretary of state, and has already ruled out another presidential bid, even though speculation of a candidacy continues.
Congressional leaders from both parties voiced fresh optimism Friday after meeting with newly re-elected President Barack Obama about agreeing to a multitrillion-dollar deficit-reduction plan that can take the place of the across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts slated to take effect Jan. 1.
Clinton said Saturday that when she traveled through Asia last summer at the height of the political crisis over the American deficit, regional leaders asked her whether Congress would allow the United States to default on its debt.
"Let's be clear—the full faith and credit of the United States should never be in question," she said.
Singapore is the first leg of an Asian tour for Clinton that will also see her join Obama in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.


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Telski CEO Chuck Horning's current yammering about economic "sustainability" is impossible for me to understand. As one might expect from a real estate developer – by definition one who works to drive up the sale price of property – I believe he simply uses the word sustainability, with its fuzzy feel, in place of "profitability."
Unlike the "Lost People" of Mountain Village, we Telluriders hold "sustainability" to refer to the sum of practices required to keep the planet's air breathable and its oceans within their banks. And if we are to sustain this planet, Telluriders have learned, whatever some real estate speculator wants, humans should consider doing the opposite.!
Luxury recreational travel may exist for some decades more, but it is one of the most selfishly air-fouling activities our species practices. Doesn't that make Telski one of planet's most dangerous entities? Doesn't that mean humans should try to shrink Telski's business? Isn't this saying that whatever Mr. Horning wants for his company, whether more subsidies or continued favorable policy, Town of Telluride officials should resist with all their might?
Mr. Horning could emerge as hero, I suppose, if he decided to champion Earth's sustainability. He could supplant the region's current brand of tourism – realty tourism or Come for a Night, Stay a Lifetime tourism – with ecotourism. It's a simple decision, really: greed versus dignity. I've already handed him all the how-to guidelines we generated from Telluride's first ecotourism symposium, held in 1994, when international experts and regional land managers assembled here and decided Telluride had the perfect opportunity to become the leader in first world green tourism.
He could stop asking Telluriders to pay for flying his customers here, and then coordinate handing over the Telluride airport to what remains of the pro-growth lobby, as a private gig. Many here believe the facility was always better justified as a way for realtors to close luxury property deals in Mountain Village, Colorado, south of Telluride. We've been told forever that TRA was built for 37-50 seat airplanes, the same fuel-ish craft that are now being mothballed left and right. Furthermore, if there's one activity more damaging than recreational air travel, it's paying a company to fly empty seats somewhere. Ever hear of the Maldives?
Along with eliminating the airline guarantee program (that money could go to solar projects, for instance), Mr. Horning could refuse to accept the millions of dollars Telluride officials mindlessly funnel his way annually in the form of lodging taxes, sales taxes and business license fees. It should trouble us greatly that public money is used to prop up a place positioned as a mecca for rich folks who can't bring themselves to believe in man-caused climate change. If we champion the place, we champion the premise. To our shame.
Mr. Horning would be a semi-hero if he simply marketed Mountain Village separately, and let the historic mining town of Telluride do its summer thing. The impossible pairing of these two opposite value systems has confused the public and paralyzed Telluride officials for 30 years; surely a divorce is in order.
As a further service to potential visitors, this old NYC advertising guy will even volunteer to help the two destinations differentiate themselves from each other. Maybe stuff like Telluride: the funky hideaway that grew 7-11 percent per year in the Seventies, on $5,000/year, up until Mountain Village came along, perverted our cache with its Awakening Giant anthem and its horrid, computer-generated logo, and doomed our occupancy rates. Telluride: still a place of free-thinkers, who now want to reclaim their reputation as an alternative destination, a real community with outstanding values, the opposite of places like Mountain Village, Colorado. Telluride: a town of 2,500 which raised $55,000,000 to buy some wetlands and fields in order to protect them from, well, places like Mountain Village, Colorado.
And then we'd need some Mountain Village promotion. OK. Mountain Village, star of an award-winning short film (dislocation and soullessness were the plot lines). Mountain Village, the only Rockies destination where 100 percent of its would-be signature hotels proved to be humongous eyesores and went bankrupt. Mountain Village, where you can vote—let's say to make life more onerous for the poor – even if you don't live there. Mountain Village, where wetlands were illegally sacrificed for golf course design, generating the second largest EPA fine in the history of the Western Slope.
Or maybe the following is the only differentiation incoming guests need for their where-to-bunk decision: Mountain Village – and the Telluride Ski & Golf Company – proudly opposed to Telluride's acquisition and preservation of an important, threatened ecosystem, our Valley Floor.
– Romey Glenn, Telluride


text: Looking for an intimate evening for two, filled with decadent chocolate strawberries, an assortment of oils and other deliciously sinful surprises? This Saturday, enjoy a night of seduction with the Scandalous Affair Package at The Brown Palace. In honor of the infamous murder at the Brown, we've created this extraordinarily divine package, perfectly crafted for romance. During your stay, take time for a juicy historic tour of the hotel, and hear the dramatic, sensual and scandalous story of a tragic murder that took place within our walls, all over one beautiful woman.


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Ancient vice
In olden days kings, when they got old–when they could no longer fight–watch young people kill each other–just for fun-like playing chess. This sport as you might suspect is popular with old men, of course the players–killing one another–are young, and [the best part] goes by a hyphenated name, pregnant with interpretations, echoing (pun-alert) very old concepts: State-Terror[ism]. WAR got nothing to do with people; it is a geriatric mental illness (to complement teen angst).
Well, old-age is second-childhood, I heard my grandmother explain: Zeitgeist evolves-as one ages-in cumulative ways that the individual old consciousness once again finds irritating as if the first-time around wasn't enough. They are like deers frozen in front of all the sh** that's happening all around, and I have been thinking that this frozen deer would somehow police the traffic and that policing would in turn lead to less fatalities on the roads.
And with that I used up all my overdraft protection (banks are good people) on theologing.


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The deadline to register is Wednesday for a grand west coast tour, sponsored by First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, planned for Sept. 16-27. Call Bob and Eloise Crossley, senior adult directors, at 256-435-7263 for more information.
The annual Fort McClellan Chapter of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Regimental Association meet/greet social event will begin with cocktails from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Anniston Army Depot's Desoto Pastime Center. The deadline to order tickets is July 1. Call Mike Lanphere at 256-453-3553 or email email@example.com for more information.
The Jacksonville Photography Club is being formed, as part of the Jacksonville Public Library program, with its first meeting planned for September. If you are interested in learning about the meetings, contact John Allen at firstname.lastname@example.com to provide your contact information.
A free food preservation class will be held 1-4 p.m. July 17 at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Office, 1702 Noble St., suite 108. The canning of fruits and vegetables will be covered. Pressure-canning will be demonstrated. Call Patti West at 334-844-8090 for more information.
Chris Hill, of Anniston and a volunteer "ambassador" for Dogs for the Deaf, is available to make presentations to civic and community organizations, school PTOs, interested parents or other individuals. Dogs for the Deaf, located in Oregon, is a non-profit organization that for 30 years has rescued dogs from animal shelters and trained them to help adults and children with different disabilities, challenges and needs. Call 256-835-6918 or email firstname.lastname@example.com for more information or to arrange for a presentation.
Gentiva Hospice is looking for new volunteers to serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. To learn more about volunteering with Gentiva Hospice or to inquire about hospice services, call Andrea Turner at 256-831-2964 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Florists >Roxanne's Dried Flowers
2115 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA | Directions 1522240.452070 -79.982804
Neighborhoods: Strip District
Watch Your Language – Although this store is overpriced, I've bought a few items in the past. Actually, I've always enjoyed this place. However, on none of my previous visits did I have the 'pleasure' of meeting the owner. I stopped in while in the strip this week and had remembered seeing a small wooden doormat one of the previous times I had been in the store. I asked one of the workers if they still carried them. She politely said that we should check with the owner, Roxanne, because she wasn't sure. When asked, Roxanne very quickly and coldly said, 'no,' as though it was a silly question. I then began describing them by saying: "it was made of wooden strips..." when she cut me off and said: 'we've never carried them'. Then she remembered and said very snobbishly: 'You mean bamboo strips. They are not made of wood," in a, "It was your poor description, that made it hard for me to remember," tone of voice. She then said, "You also said 'doormat', but they come in different sizes. You shouldn't call them doormats when they are rugs." It turns out they did have a few left, even some, shockingly, 'doormat-sized,' but, needless to say, I did not purchase one that day. I left and will not be going back. Make sure you know the correct terminology if you visit this store, because if not, you may upset the owner, and she may think less of you for it. Although the shop has a nice atmosphere, I have no tolerance for snobby owners.
I REALLY like this place.... – For anyone who is skeptical about dried flowers having their place in a modern home, I would recommend a visit to this place to change your mind. (Although it's not all about the flowers.) I am not an avid shopper, but rather was walking through the Strip to see why it is on Pittsburgh's list of places to visit. There was nothing cottage-y or cluttered about Roxanne's. There were artsy arrangements, bamboo mats, paper lanterns etc....I would recommend stepping in here, even if for a breath of lightly- fragranced air. I walked away from there torn between buying a screen-printed dress or sandalwood balm.
Selling damaged goods without refund – I like to support locally owned businesses and ran across the store, where I purchased a table cloth that was on sale ($70 from $140). When I was showing it a colleague, noticed tea/light coffee colored stains about 2feet diameter in the middle. I'm not one to return items and make a fuss over such things, but this had to be dry cleaned. So took the cloth back for an exchange or refund. I explained the situation and the lady, which i can only assume is the owner, aggressively repeated that it was a sale item and that they do not give refunds, as written on the postcard taped to the register. I did not notice this note when I was purchasing the item, so Under the normal circumstances it would be perfectly understandable. But as she admitted, the item was discounted to clear inventory and not due to damage, she wasn't aware of the damage. Had it been marked as damaged, I would not have purchased it regardless of the discount. After her ranting of this policy, where I could not even respond to her. She said that I could have a store credit. Last thing I wanted at this time was to spend more time to look through her store looking for $70~ worth of other items. So I said that I'll just take the linen, but would most likely not return to the store. Where she replied, that she is not trying to compete with Walmart. If anyone plans on still purchasing things from here, make sure to unwrap and examine every inch before making the purchase. Beware, it's dim in there.
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Nice headline Editor...Milion? Really?
Report: Scott Boras still asking for $14-15 milion annually for Kyle Lohse
One week before the MLB regular season begins, ex-Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse — who finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting in 2012 — remains a free agent.
Teams throughout the offseason have reportedly been unwilling to meet Lohse and agent Scott Boras' hefty price tag and surrender first-round draft pick compensation, leaving the right-hander lost in the shuffle of the winter moves. But that price tag remains sky-high, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
Boras is still asking teams interested in Lohse for a contract worth $14-15 million per season, Olney is reporting.
Club officials say Scott Boras continues to ask for $14 million-$15 million a year from those interested in FA pitcher Kyle Lohse.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 24, 2013
The report comes just days after Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan reported Boras' asking price of three years, $45 million "continues to drop."
A week into spring training, Kyle Lohse's asking price was 3 years, $45M, two executives say. It continues to drop as he remains unsigned.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 21, 2013
The dwindling interest in Lohse has led many to believe he will have to wait until after June's MLB draft, so teams no longer have to give up their first-round pick to sign him.
His situation has called the terms of the league's most recent collective bargaining agreement into question, as clubs clearly view the penalty of signing Lohse as outweighing the benefits, even after the 34-year-old posted the eighth-best ERA (2.86) and best winning percentage (16-3 record) in MLB last year.


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read reviews [4]
Yields 40 rectangular cookies or 24 cookie wedges
Coffee and chocolate make shortbread feel less like a mid-afternoon snack with tea, and more like a full-fledged dessert, especially if dipped in melted chocolate as suggested in the variation.
For rectangular cookies, lightly butter the bottom of a straight-sided 9x13-inch baking pan. For wedges, lightly butter two 9-1/2-inch fluted tart pans with removable bottoms.
Combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl. Dissolve the instant espresso into the vanilla.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla-espresso mixture on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and the chopped chocolate and mix on low speed until the dough begins to form moist clumps, about 1 minute.
Turn the dough out into the prepared pan (if making wedges, divide the dough between the two pans). Using lightly floured fingertips, press the dough into the pan(s) to form an even layer.
For rectangular cookies, use a bench knife or a paring knife to cut the dough all the way through into 40 bars. With the tines of a fork, prick each bar twice all the way through, spacing the holes evenly and on the diagonal. Lightly flour the tines as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking.
For wedges, cut each pan of dough all the way through to form 12 wedges. With the tines of a fork, prick the wedges three times all the way through, spacing the holes evenly over the dough.
Freeze the dough while the oven heats. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.
Bake the dough, rotating the pan(s) halfway through, until the top(s) looks dry and golden-brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer the pan(s) to a rack. Using a paring knife or bench knife, immediately re-cut the cookies along the lines. Cool completely before removing them from the pan(s).
Once the dough is pressed into the pan and cut, it can be wrapped and refrigerated for 1 day or frozen for up to 1 month. If freezing the dough, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Baked and cooled cookies can be layered between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container and stored at room temperature for up to 4 days.
For chocolate-dipped shortbread, melt 6 oz. chopped bittersweet or white chocolate with 1 tsp. canola or vegetable oil. Brush any lose crumbs from cooled shortbread and dip two-thirds of each cookie into the chocolate. Dry on a cooling rack until chocolate firms, about 45 minutes.
Photo: Scott Phillips
by curlyhead,
4/9/2013My favorite cookie. I increase vanilla by half, double the espresso powder & only cook 18 min. per side. These are perfect for an after dinner treat. Not too sweet - confectioners sugar is less sweet than regular sugar.
My husband loves these! Also, very simple to make.
Love all Abigail Dodge recipes - she cannot be beat!
by bellaginger,
12/10/2012This is my new favorite Christmas treat! I made them last year & everyone loved them. Love the espresso flavor and they have a long shelf life. Yum!
by ILoveCandy,
5/1/2012These are very dry. Not much of a wow factor. The best way to describe them is a Russian Tea Cake or a Mexican Wedding Cookie without the yummy powdered sugar coating. In spite of the fact that I loaded it with yummy chips and nuts, these are just rather bla. I was told that with coffee they shine, but frankly if a cookie can't stand alone I don't think it's worth the effort.
I gave it 1 start because of the coffee assist.
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Main Stage
Watch authentic ethnic dances from over 30 different cultures performed on the Main Stage.
Cultural Exhibits
Stroll through the many Cultural Exhibits to learn about the rich history and traditions of different cultures.
Learn about traditional arts, crafts and cooking from international teachers at the Demonstration Booth.
Sidewalk Cafes
Taste your way around the globe with delicious food from our Sidewalk Cafes.
World Bazaars
Shop the World Bazaars for crafts and items from across the globe.
Visit our Biergarten to enjoy international bands and musical performances and dance the night away.
Sophia's Corner
Bring the kids to Sophia's Corner for face-painting, storytelling, games and other fun activities.
Naturalization Ceremony
Witness the spirit of America as new citizens take their oath at the Naturalization Ceremony.


text:
Main Content
Every subatomic particle of you will vibrate with attractiveness in the Physicist walkshorts from Hart and Huntington. These cotton twill walkshorts feature a classy herringbone pattern, logo embroidery at the left hem and a contrast patterned inner waistband. You're a master of the style universe.
- 23" Outseam
- 65% Polyester/35% Rayon
- Twill herringbone walkshorts
- Embroidered logo
- Single button & zip fly
- Two front pockets
- Angled back yoke
- Two back welt pockets
- Contrast printed interior waistband
- Woven logo tag
- Imported
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Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.