From grads to dads and brides, June is the triumvirate month of gift giving occasions. In this section we look at GRADS, from both high school and college. What’s the ultimate graduation gift? For some it’s a new car, for others it might be an adventure to an exotic destination and for those working their way through the summer either as interns in order to land that perfect first job or help pay for tuition, it might be something completely practical. We’ve pulled from our list of retailers to find gift ideas to congratulate the broad spectrum of grads in on their accomplishment…
For over 30 years, Lonely Planet has inspired and guided independent travelers to explore the world around them. Their teams of expert travel writers are all about on-the-ground research and no-holds-barred opinion. Lonely Planet is passionate about responsible travel and encourages people to make their impact as positive as possible. Whether it be through their trustworthy guidebooks, innovative downloadable digital guides, award-winning website or cutting-edge television programs, Lonely Planet aims to inspire life-changing travel. With an unmatched reputation for producing well-researched, up-to-date information that travelers can depend on no matter where they’re going, every minute along the way can hold a new experience.
By 2020 it’s estimated that 1.5 billion people will be traveling each year. It’s not hard to understand how each one of us needs to consider our personal contribution to sustaining the natural and cultural wonders of our planet so that future generations can enjoy the same life-changing adventures that come with an awesome travel experience. Today there’s no way of avoiding the importance of traveling responsibly. With information on the website and in the books, the writers and fellow travelers at Lonely Planet hope to inspire you to Travel Widely, Tread Lightly and Give Sustainably by trying a new, far more rewarding, way of traveling.
Through the Lonely Planet Foundation, 5% of all annual profits benefit their charity partners around the globe including, but not limited to, The Moriah Centre - Big Bend, Swaziland, Alola Foundation - East Timor, Conservation, Excavation and Development of the Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan and WaterAid - Africa and Asia.
It’s no wonder that The New York Times calls Lonely Planet, ‘The trusted companions for a generation of independent travelers.’
Video goggles are such a staple of science fiction that it’s hard to imagine anyone actually trying to build a pair. But that’s exactly what MYVU Corporation has done in designing what may very well be the best new high-tech product since the iPod. With their new generation of personal media viewers, MYVU’s shades or crystal video eyewear are the ultimate solutions for viewing broadcast and downloaded entertainment on cell phones and portable media players and is THE must-have accessory for any plane, train or automobile ride where one wants to experience the thrill of a personal and mobile screening room. Both new viewers feature Kopin’s Cyber-Display technology, offering the highest pixel density and the sharpest resolution for its size, a rechargeable battery with up to 10 hours of viewing time for shades and up to four hours of viewing time for crystal. The MYVU viewer takes the output signal from media players such as MP4, DVD and cell phone products and projects a floating image that the user can see around. Their unique glance-down sunglass-inspired design allows viewers to keep aware of their surroundings, maintains natural vision and awareness of the environment in all lighting conditions, while providing an awesome viewing experience for on-the-go lifestyles. Complete with in-ear earbuds for stereo sound, the personal media viewer represents a breakthrough in portable display technology. Definitely way cool!!
Wolfgang’s Vault is home for the past, present and future of live music. It’s the exclusive destination for The Bill Graham Archives, the King Biscuit Flower Hour and the Record Plant along with a dozen other archives. Within the Concert Vault are thousands of carefully restored and archived concert recordings to stream for free, hundreds of which are available for download. Along the walls, halls and inner vaults of Wolfgang’s Vault is the greatest collection of concert posters, rock photography, vintage and retro t-shirts for men, women and even babies, rock gear and concert related memorabilia. Whether you are interested in the performers of the 60s, 70s, 80s or later, or the greatest emerging performers of today, Wolfgang’s Vault is where you’ll find them, and the stories behind the scenes. They are an excellent resource in finding worldwide touring information and offer easy to use ticket sales on their internal box office, Mojam. In addition to all the great stuff above, they offer weekly rock reviews and criticism in the all-new Crawdaddy!: The Original Magazine of Rock – and for the music lover going away to college – Wolfgang’s Vault is also the spot for rockin’ wall décor, throws and more.
UnCommonGoods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. It combines the treasures of a specialty boutique, the great finds of a craft show, discoveries from a faraway bazaar, along with some enduring classics. Since their very beginning, they’ve featured products that contain recycled components and all the items sold are produced without harm to animals and have an eye to environmental responsibility. UncommonGoods believes that creativity and the expression of individuality represent two great human treasures. They recognize that people are looking for ways to express their individuality and creativity when shopping for themselves and others, a major challenge in today’s chain store-dominated retail environment and have set out to create a business that makes uncommon goods accessible to every one. Their product inventory offers an exciting selection of home décor items, as well as an assortment of distinctive personal accessories. Shopping with them is a true exploration of the different.
