Desert Discovery at Old Mining Camp! Tucked away in the steep-walled canyons of the San Andreas Fault is a unique and breathtakingly beautiful desert paradise. This hidden ranch is a world away from the golf greens, yet close to most hotel properties, and the perfect spot to experience an out-of-the-ordinary California Gold Rush theme under the starry desert skies.

Campfires and softly glowing lights welcome your guests to the Old Mining Camp, a replica of the mining camps that popped up to support the fevered frenzy of early day prospectors as they panned for gold. Among other features, the camp includes a gold mine, telegraph office, stage coach office, saloon, sheriff's office and, of course, the town jail which makes for a great photo opportunity. Additional highlights include multiple stages and dance floors, two built-in bars, lighted dart boards and horseshoe pits, an old-time shooting gallery and a corral for "straw-cow roping." Guests will also enjoy a slow-cooked moonlight barbeque and roasting marshmallows over a roaring campfire while listening to a variety of country tunes, classic rock and oldies but goodies!

Talk to the ACCESS Palm Springs team about some special options such as the Medicine Wagon and Magic Show, costumed gun fighters, rodeo ropers and even optional jeep tours throughout the evening. Our team has many more surprises that can be incorporated into a high energy special event celebrating the early days of California's history, so give us a call today. Our team looks forward to designing an exciting lineup of events and entertainment during your next conference, meeting or incentive travel program to the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities!

How to ACCESS America's Cup - VIP Style! As the countdown continues to what promises to be an absolutely exhilarating 2013 America's Cup, it's all hands on deck at ACCESS San Francisco as we design events and excursions to help chart your course through the whirlwind of excitement surrounding competitive sailing's most prestigious regatta.

Working in collaboration with our ACCESS office in San Diego, host city to the America's Cup in 1988, 1992 and 1995, ACCESS San Francisco is at the forefront of creating customized events and activities to capitalize on the thrill of the 34th America's Cup, to be raced in San Francisco Bay in September 2013. This America's Cup will be sailed in a new class of 72-foot catamarans, a departure from the traditional sloops. Organizers hope the flashy, faster vessels, combined with up-close views and TV-friendly courses, will help reinvigorate the competition for the oldest existing trophy in sports.

With more than a year of on-water testing and 43 days of official racing, the Bay Area will be awash in America's Cup activity for the next two years so let the team at ACCESS develop a customized program for your clients and guests leading up to the big event.

The creative ACCESS San Francisco team is hard at work uncovering motivational speakers, designing America's Cup related themes and excursions while exploring all things nautical. Whether it's an America's Cup Protector boat showing your guests the course at racing speeds, a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the 15 syndicate compounds, learning about the new technology, a waterfront dinner hosted by a current or past America's Cup sailor, or the creation of a decor themed event highlighted by an actual America's Cup boat, let ACCESS bring this international sporting event to you.

Talk to our team today and set sail with ACCESS Destination Services. As the wind in your sails, let ACCESS lead you to the finish line!

Cookin' with ACCESS

Mario Batali's Spicy Black-Pepper-Coated Drumsticks
This Mario Batali recipe is from his book Italian Grill, where he describes his recipe as, "Buffalo wings go to Italy: drumsticks in a spicy buttermilk marinade, red wine-Gorgonzola dressing, and fennel sticks standing in for the celery. Set out bowls of the sauce for dipping, or let guests spoon it over their chicken and fennel. Either way, everyone will be very happy."

Serves 6

Ingredients:

- 12 chicken drumsticks
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce, preferably chipotle
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed in a spice or coffee grinder
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 fennel bulbs
- 4 ounces Gorgonzola dolce
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and season all over with salt. Bake unadorned for 20 minutes (25 minutes if your drumsticks are very large).

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Set a wire rack over a large plate or a small baking sheet.

As soon as the drumsticks come out of the oven, toss them, in batches, into the buttermilk mixture and turn to coat, then place skin side up on the rack to drain. Spoon a little of the mixture, with the fennel seeds and pepper, over the top of each one, and set aside. (The drumsticks can be baked and marinated up to a day ahead; leave them on the rack, cover, and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before grilling.)

Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.

Trim the fennel bulbs, cut lengthwise in half, and cut out most of the core. Cut into 1/4-inch-wide batonettes and toss into a bowl of ice water.

Crumble the Gorgonzola into a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add the red wine vinegar and stir with the fork until fairly smooth. Drizzle in the oil, stirring, to make a dressing. Pour into one or more shallow bowls for dipping.

Place the drumsticks on the hottest part of the grill, cover the grill, and cook, turning occasionally at first and then more often as they start to caramelize, until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

Put the drumsticks on a platter. Drain the fennel sticks, pat dry, and place on the platter next to the wings. Serve with the Gorgonzola dressing.

Enjoy!