Lonely Planet has new guidebook series on trips

OAKLAND, Calif. - Lonely Planet is launching a new series of guidebooks in March called "Trips."

The first six titles in the series are "California," "Pacific Northwest," "Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon," "New York, Washington DC & the Mid-Atlantic," "The Carolinas, Georgia & the South," and "New England."

Each $20 paperback offers 50 to 68 itineraries and more than 1,000 places to see, organized by themes like "Food & Drink," "Outdoors," "History & Culture," "Offbeat" and "City."

Aquarium opens exhibit on seahorses

MONTEREY, Calif. - Dancing fish and pregnant daddies: That's the world unveiled in "The Secret Lives of Seahorses," a new exhibit opening at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on April 6.

More than 15 species of seahorses, sea dragons, pipehorses and pipefish will be on display. Four multimedia galleries will combine new live animal exhibits, interactive experiences and games.

Details at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/aa/pressroom.

Bermuda celebrates 400th anniversary

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Bermuda is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, and a new exhibition called "Jamestown and Bermuda: Virginia Company Colonies" looks at the shared history and links between England's first two permanent colonies in the New World.

The exhibit at Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg opens March 1.

Jamestown, Va., celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2007. A British presence on Bermuda dates to 1609 when the Sea Venture, the flagship of a fleet of nine ships heading from England to Jamestown, was caught in a violent storm. The Sea Venture's passengers survived, built two smaller ships in Bermuda and in 1610 sailed to Virginia, leaving two people behind on the island.

Charleston Food, Wine Festival set

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A four-day food and wine festival in Charleston is packed with events ranging from celebrity chef demonstrations and wine seminars to a cocktail cruise, gospel brunch and barbecue with blues music.

The BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival, March 5-8, includes 50 events and raises money for the MUSIC Children's Hospital and other charities.

The schedule kicks off with an opening night party March 5 where small plates from 21 of the city's best chefs will be served.

Skate facility opens for 2010 Olympics

RICHMOND, British Columbia - A 512,000-square-foot rink has opened near Vancouver in preparation for the 2010 Olympic speedskating events.

The Richmond Oval, in Richmond, about 7 miles from Vancouver, is open to the public when not in use for sporting events.

The building, which was completed in December, also houses facilities for indoor soccer, yoga, basketball, fitness and other activities.

The Richmond Oval will host 12 medal events during the Winter Games, but it will also be used for several Canadian and international speed skating competitions this year.

University museum opens Brown exhibit

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Papa's got a brand new place to put his bag.

An exhibit featuring the personal belongings of soul singer James Brown is open now through the summer at the I. P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium on the campus of South Carolina State University. It includes costumes, original sheet music, awards, trophies and other items that were in Brown's Beech Island home.

Daughter Deanna Brown says the exhibit shows an eclectic side of her father that many did not see. She says the items in the home will be the basis of a planned museum for Brown after legal issues over his estate are settled.

Brown died Christmas Day 2006.