We’re kicking off March with Japan Week, a celebration of Japanese cuisine and culture that aims to promote a deeper understanding of Japan through a positive image of its food. From March 1 – 3 in Vanderbilt Hall, look forward to eating enticing foods from diverse Japanese restaurants and companies hailing from NYC or Japan. There will also be cooking demonstrations (with free tastings!) and music and dance performances.

The celebration will continue at the Japan Pavilion at the Int’l Restaurant Show (http://on.fb.me/wVCaPh) from March 4 – 6 (open to the restaurant trade only), and on March 7 – 11 is Dine Out for Japan, which supports Japan’s recovery from the Tohoku Earthquake in honor of the one-year anniversary.

http://bimi.asia/japanweek/

https://www.facebook.com/JapanWeekNY

https://www.facebook.com/DineOutForJapan

Millions of Americans suffer from kidney disease and most don’t even know it. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, you're at risk. That's why the National Kidney Foundation will conduct a free screening on World Kidney Day, March 8th, at Grand Central Terminal in Vanderbilt Hall. Stop by any time from 8am-2pm to assess your risk, get free BMI and blood pressure checks and to ask your kidney health questions. Lifestyle maven B. Smith will also be on hand to offer her tips on the small changes you can make to protect your kidneys and prevent damage. The time to learn about your kidneys is now! Visit www.loveyourkidneys.org for more information.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is bringing the sights, sounds and flavors of destinations from across the region to the Big Apple June 3-9, 2012 for Caribbean Week New York.  As part of the week’s festivities, the Caribbean Travel & Cultural Fair, on Wednesday, June 6 from 10:00am to 7:00pm, will heat up Grand Central Terminal with an island-style wedding, exclusive travel deals and more.

The free event will be one of the biggest and most vibrant fairs as attendees will be thrilled by Caribbean entertainers.  Commuters, locals and travelers can enjoy a slice of Caribbean life with authentic music and dance performances.

The fair will showcase vendors from various Caribbean destinations, and consumers will have the opportunity to book exclusive Caribbean Week travel deals.  Also, one lucky couple will tie the knot in a Caribbean-themed ceremony in the iconic New York City landmark.  From the bride’s dress to the wedding cake to the honeymoon, the Caribbean has spared no expense to make their Caribbean dream come true!  For more, go to: www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

The International Thriller Writers board of directors is delighted to announce The Grand Thrill -- a book-signing to end all book-signings -- to be held in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, Thursday, July 12, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.. 

The event will kick off ThrillerFest VII and will be open to the public.   It will feature ITW authors as well as provide a launching pad for our new release, Love is Murder.