“Tourism is a major sector of the economy not only for Myanmar but also for all countries around the world. It brings benefits to a country, boosts its economy and create employment opportunities,” said President Sein. “We therefore request that our membership of UNWTO be restored so that we can obtain the relevant knowledge to further promote and develop our tourism sector.”

Meeting with President Sein, Mr. Rifai assured him that UNWTO stood ready to support Myanmar in taking full advantage of its “tremendous tourism potential”.

“Myanmar is a country abundant in natural and cultural resources, the foundation of any tourism sector,” said Mr. Rifai. “Following talks with the Minister of Hotels, Tourism and Sport, U Tint San, UNWTO will lend its expertise in a number of areas, ranging from capacity-building to sustainable tourism practices and travel facilitation, to responsibly develop tourism for the benefit of all.”

During his visit, Mr. Rifai, presented President Sein with an Open Letter from UNWTO and the World Travel amp; Tourism Council (WTTC) on the importance of tourism to global growth and development. Accepting the Letter, President Sein stated that “tourism should be considered a ‘smokeless industry’” and one that “boosts growth, creates job opportunities, conserves the environment and helps to maintain traditional arts and crafts.”

And I should know. Something of a super groupie, Ive attended over 50 of The Bosss concerts, including two trips to watch the Jersey poet and his E Street Bandmates work their magic on their latest tour.

As also the parent of two beautiful daughters, I am often reminded of those life lessons built into the music and lyrics that are so engrained in me and have been a constant source of companionship and reference throughout out the many phases of my life. The common theme of overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself are a central theme in most.

Here, I’ve shared my interpretation of some of Bruce Springsteen’s words and wisdom that I’m working to incorporate into my own children’s lives for “this part of the ride.”

City Hall is just a few blocks from the federal courthouse where an acrimonious legal fight raised serious doubts about Fred Wilpon’s ability to hold on as principal owner of the Mets. That uncertainty ended two months ago when he settled the case that threatened his sports and real estate empire.

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Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Mr. Met (with whom he exchanged a high-four) and the Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon during the announcement that the All-Star Game would be played at Citi Field in 2013.

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On Wilpon’s return to Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, there were no legal issues to discuss or wrap up. Instead, he announced that the Mets would host the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field.

He stood with Commissioner Bud Selig and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg — an unlikely scene if Wilpon had lost at trial in which he and the Mets co-owner Saul Katz were accused by the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff of turning a blind eye to signs that Madoff was a fraud over their many years of investing with him. Instead, as part of the settlement, the willful blindness claims were dropped.

“I had great faith in the Wilpons,” Selig said, with Mr. Met behind him, “and I was very confident things would work out.” His confidence, he said, had been rewarded.

The news conference was the first public appearance together by Selig and Wilpon since the legal fight ended.

In their ride to City Hall on Wednesday morning, Wilpon said he told Selig, “Now that this case is over — and it’s been very painful, it’s in the rearview mirror — there are no challenges in life for me.”

He added, “I can take any challenge.”

Wilpon, 75, limped slightly into City Hall and carried a cane because of surgery two weeks ago to replace his left hip. He has had an artificial right hip for 21 years.

He disagreed that selecting the Mets to host the 2013 All-Star Game was Selig’s way of saying he believes in the Mets and his family. “I don’t even consider it that way,” he said. “I know Major League Baseball believes in the Wilpons and the Mets.”

The Mets recently repaid M.L.B. the $25 million they borrowed in 2010 out of the money raised by selling limited partnerships in the team.

With a record of 20-16, the Mets are performing better than expected. Attendance is down about 5 percent. and the team may still lose a lot of money this season. But their top player, third baseman David Wright, was hitting .408 going into Wednesday night’s game.

Last year, in a New Yorker article, Wilpon declared that Wright was “not a superstar.”

Asked if he wanted to change his opinion, Wilpon said, “I think he’s playing like a superstar now.”

Selig insisted that awarding the All-Star Game to the Mets was not a favor to a longtime friend and ally — and that announcing Citi Field as the host was not delayed because of the Mets’ financial problems.

Citi Field is the overwhelming reason for awarding the game to the Mets. Since 1991, M.L.B. has staged the All-Star Game at a new ballpark 15 times, the most recent one being Busch Stadium in St. Louis in 2009. This year’s game is being played at the recently renovated Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The All-Star Game will be returning to New York five years after it was played at Yankee Stadium — an unusually brief time between hosting the event in the same city.

The briefest period was three years: the game was held at Yankee Stadium in 1939 and the Polo Grounds in 1942. Then it was in Chicago at Wrigley Field in 1947 and at Comiskey Park in 1950.

The last time the Mets hosted the game was in 1964, four years after it was played at Yankee Stadium. It was the first season for Shea Stadium.

In that afternoon game at Shea 48 years ago, the National League won, 7-4, on a game-ending home run by Johnny Callison. The crowd of 50,850 watched a game that lasted 2 hours 37 minutes.

In those days, the All-Star Game was a one-day affair, not a five-day extravaganza as it is now.

The July 16, 2013, game in Flushing will be preceded by activities that start the Friday before. It is likely that two events that occurred five years ago will be repeated: the Fan Fest at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the parade of All-Stars and Hall of Famers in Chevrolets along Sixth Avenue.

#13;

According to the Youth Task Force, “This woman is great – you will be treated to an entertaining, realistic, resourceful presentation that promises to give you some insight and tools to guide your children through their development at any age.”

#13;

Martha B. Straus, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire, and adjunct instructor in psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School. She’s the author of numerous articles and four books including most recently, “Adolescent Girls in Crisis: Intervention and Hope,” and the highly acclaimed “No-Talk Therapy for Children and Adolescents.” She lives in southern Vermont.

#13;

This event was initially scheduled to happen at the YMCA, but has been changed to the MVRHS cafeteria. Free and open to the public! 6:30 pm – 8 pm.

Jean E. Lodge, 85, of Lake of the Woods, Locust Grove, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, following a brief illness.

Mrs. Lodge was born in Alton, Ill., June 11, 1926, to George Dillon and Nellie Van Schoelandt Dillon, and was raised by her stepfather, Jason Bramhall, and her mother.

In 1948 Jean married Warren J. Lodge of Alton, and soon began a busy life of world travel and responsibility as the wife of a career Army officer. After his retirement from the Army, Col. and Mrs. Lodge settled in Lake of the Woods, where he served as general manager for many years until his death, while Jean was involved in community work including membership in the Lionesses and as a driver and EMT for LOWs rescue squad.

Mrs. Lodge is survived by four children, John C. Lodge of Spotsylvania County, Candia Jean Earley of Locust Grove, Patrice Maureen Middleton of Denver, Colo., and Daria Anne Zellmer of Locust Grove; her brother, Hugh Bramhall of Nashville; ten grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered as a loyal and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 3 pm Wednesday, May 16, at Johnson Funeral Home, Locust Grove, followed by a memorial service at 3 pm Jean will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, with her husband, Warren, at a later date.

An online guest book and obituary are available at johnsoncares.com.

NACTA has entered the international market through its relationship with WD World Travel, Canada, and today is a global company our members and suppliers can be proud to be part of. It is exciting to see the growth in NACTA continue to build while maintaining our position as the most sought-after program for independent travel consultants, said NACTA vice president Ann van Leeuwen.

This agreement is a win for everyone involved, affording Canadian independent travel consultants the opportunity to work with one of the premier host agencies in Canada, while taking advantage of NACTAs comprehensive membership benefits, including independent and home-based travel agent education, said Tony Gonchar, CEO of ASTA, of which NACTA is an affiliate.

The partnership, which has already launched NACTAs Canadian chapter system, is expected to add 500 new NACTA members in the coming three years.

NACTA membership benefits include: complimentary access to NACTA sales and MasterMind webinars; special reduced rates to attend NACTAs educational trips, Destinationals, Seminars at Sea and NACTAs domestic and international conferences; exclusive invitations to attend Chapter Director meetings and events in the United States or Canada; a complimentary subscription to NACTAs bi-monthly Agent Life magazine and NACTAs monthly eZine newsletter; and the Voyager Travel Guides, which provide 750 destination guides, more than 50 videos and more than 100 travel articles that agents can use on their websites and social media programs, a $210 value at no additional cost.

The President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, U Thein Sein, has announced the country will initiate the process of restoring its membership of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The decision was confirmed during an official visit of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. On the occasion, highlighting the role of tourism in the future of Myanmar, President Sein joined the UNWTO/WTTC Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign (Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, May 7, 2012).

“Tourism is a major sector of the economy not only for Myanmar but also for all countries around the world. It brings benefits to a country, boosts its economy, and create employment opportunities,” said President Sein, “We, therefore, request that our membership of UNWTO be restored so that we can obtain the relevant knowledge to further promote and develop our tourism sector.”

Meeting with President Sein, Mr. Rifai assured him that UNWTO stood ready to support Myanmar in taking full advantage of its “tremendous tourism potential.”

“Myanmar is a country abundant in natural and cultural resources, the foundation of any tourism sector,” said Mr. Rifai, “Following talks with the Minister of Hotels, Tourism and Sport, U Tint San, UNWTO will lend its expertise in a number of areas, ranging from capacity-building to sustainable tourism practices and travel facilitation, to responsibly develop tourism for the benefit of all.”

During his visit, Mr. Rifai, presented President Sein with an Open Letter from UNWTO and the World Travel amp; Tourism Council (WTTC) on the importance of tourism to global growth and development. Accepting the Letter, President Sein stated that “tourism should be considered a ‘smokeless industry’” and one that “boosts growth, creates job opportunities, conserves the environment, and helps to maintain traditional arts and crafts.”

“Given the political support for tourism demonstrated today, Myanmar is set to significantly enhance its tourism sector over the coming years,” said Mr. Rifai, “At the same time, the international community has been greatly encouraged by recent reforms in Myanmar, and this will no doubt be reflected in an increasing numbers of tourists. These tourists will quickly prove a vital source of jobs and economic growth, helping to secure the country’s future prosperity. UNWTO is 100 percent committed to supporting Myanmar, to make sure that its tourism development is a success story.”

David Scowsill, President and CEO, WTTC said: “I am pleased that the significance of the travel and tourism industry is increasingly being recognized by Myanmar. With its rich eco-diversity, natural, and cultural heritage together with a commitment to responsible tourism, Myanmar is increasingly harnessing its travel and tourism potential. In 2011, the industry contributed MMK1435.4 bn to the GDP of the economy and contributed 726,500 jobs. By joining this global movement of heads of state and government through this signing of the Open Letter, the President demonstrates his commitment to support the growth and development of its travel and tourism industry.”

According to UNWTO’s long-term forecast, Tourism Towards 2030, international tourist arrivals to Asia and the Pacific will increase from 204 million in 2010 to 535 million in 2030. South Asia will be the fastest growing sub-region in the world, growing 6 percent a year. “Asia and the Pacific is the future powerhouse of global tourism, and Myanmar is in a strategic position to receive a significant share of these arrivals,” said Mr. Rifai.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Mexicos Ministry of Tourism and the Mexico Tourism Board are pleased to welcome this week, the leaders of the T20 and the WTTC, to Merida and the Riviera Maya for two high level events: the 4th T20 Ministers of Tourism Meeting and the WTTC Regional Summit of the Americas.

Mexicos Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara, emphasized that these two events are critical in strengthening the tourism sector as a pivotal driving force for the global economy.

Secretary Guevara stressed that these meetings will benefit the image of Mexico at an international level, and will be an opportunity to flaunt to the world Mexicos rich tourism offering including the Mayan World, the Gastronomic Routes, the Magical Towns, world renowned beaches and archeological sites.

The T20 meeting will be held on May 15th and 16th in Merida, Yucatan. At this forum, the Ministers of Tourism from the 20 most developed economies in the world will discuss the topic of Tourism: an Opportunity to Generate jobs.

This meeting will be a key part of the lead up to the G20 Leaders Summit which will take place in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, on June 18th and 19th. The objective of the T20 Meeting is to devise proposals, harnessing the tourism industry to fuel job creation.

In addition to the Ministers of Tourism from the G20, visiting countries who will participate include: Denmark, Spain, Chile, Colombia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica and Peru; as well as international organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), among others.

The UNWTO recently reported that in 2011, there was a flow of 980 million international tourists worldwide, representing a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Forecasts indicate that tourism will experience sustained development in the short to medium terms, reaching one billion international visitors in 2012 and 1.8 billion by 2030.

Mexico will also host the 1st World Tourism and Travel Councils Regional Summit of the Americas, from May 16th through 18th on the Riviera Maya, where more than 500 CEOs from international companies in the tourism industry will gather.

The WTTC is comprised of leaders in the travel and tourism industry globally, and comprises the top executives from the worlds main tourism and travel companies.

The WTTCs objective is to strengthen the travel and tourism industry, which is responsible for generating 260 million jobs and contributes to nine percent of the worlds GDP.

In attendance will be: Carlos Slim Helu, President of the Carso Group; Michael Frenzel, CEO of TUI AG travel group; Chris Rodriguez, Chairman of VisitBritain; Jim Compton, Executive Vice-President of United Airlines; Joe Berger, President of Hilton Worldwide; Dan Hanrahan, CEO of Celebrity Cruises; Tom Klein, President of Sabre Holdings; and Shannon Stowell, CEO Adventure Travel Trade Association, amongst others.

Additionally the T20 group of Ministers will participate.