Results tagged “Marc Silver” from Intelligent Travel Blog

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (kicking off this weekend) isn't the only big spring show in town. The Ponderosa Stomp Festival and Concert may not have quite as high a profile, but for eight years the event, organized by anesthesiologist "Dr. Ike," has more than met its mission of "celebrating the unsung heroes of American music."

The 2009 edition, April 28 and 29 at the House of Blues and other venues, will feature the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, the horn section that backed up Al Green, Dan [he wrote "The Letter"] Penn, a tribute to the great piano man/singer Eddie Bo, who passed away this year, and the Jean Knight, whose 1970s hit, "Mr. Big Stuff," is part of the French Quarter soundtrack (you can listen to it here). Knight is hoping recent toe surgery won't keep her from climbing the steps to the stage this year. Marc Silver spoke with the singer about her plans for the show.

Your toe might keep you away?

I can't wear the shoes I want to wear.

What kind?

Oh, I like glitter shoes, I'll be glittering.

Is the Stomp a special kind of concert?

Oh yeah, it's fun. It'll be real packed, packed with people. They love it.

Is "Mr. Big Stuff" your favorite song to sing?

"Big Stuff" is my favorite. But let me tell you, when I came across that song, I didn't like the melody. It sounded like some kind of church song.

Life's not always a beach when it comes to getting scammed. Get advice from the experts.


Though updated statistics are not yet available, state attorneys general are reporting that complaints about travel scams are up. I spoke with Marc Silver, who reported a piece on travel scams in the April issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

How do you tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate travel offer?

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Whenever there's a 60-day time lag between the receipt of your credit card number and the date of the "free" trip, be wary--you may not be able to contest the charge on your credit card if things don't work out. Also, any legitimate company won't tell you that "if you don't sign up right now, you are out of luck."

Then there are the "giveaways" that ask for a $100 down payment for taxes and fees. It may seem like a small price to pay for what's billed as a three-day, two-night cruise or vacation. But what you may find is that a lot more money will change hands. Mike Weingard of the World Travel Agency in Houston has seen cases where people do send in the $100, and then are told that to get the dates they want or the level of service they want, they'll have to send in another check, and another. And of course there's no guarantee you'll ever get the free vacation. But you aren't likely to get back those so-called deposits.