Globe Trotting

Firm praised for dolphin tours

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its partners are recognizing a Maui company for practicing responsible wild-dolphin tourism.

Trilogy Excursions is the fifth Hawaii business to be recognized under the Dolphin SMART program, the agency said Wednesday. Three companies are on Oahu while one is on Kauai.

Dolphin SMART operators refrain from feeding, touching or swimming with wild dolphins. They also stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins.

The agency says viewing wild dolphins up close could disrupt important behaviors, including feeding and nursing. Close viewing could negatively affect the health of dolphin groups and their young.

The agency encourages people to book tours with a Dolphin SMART operator. A list of operators can be found at www.dolphinsmart.org.

Bluesfest brings Nawlins to Illinois

CHICAGO » The Chicago Blues Festival’s headliners this year include Aaron Neville and Bettye LaVette.

The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the festival’s top performers Tuesday. A complete lineup will be released in the spring.

The free annual festival is set for June 13-15 in Grant Park. Blues singer LaVette performs June 14. Dr. John will help Neville close the festival June 15, bringing the sounds of New Orleans to Chicago. They will perform part of the evening together.

New museum celebrates Chavez

HAVANA » The presidents of Venezuela and Cuba have inaugurated a new museum in Havana dedicated to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The two-room museum in a Spanish colonial fortress covers the history of Venezuela and of Chavez, who died of cancer in March.

Permanent exhibits show personal objects, including a military uniform and shoes. Every month, a Communist youth group is to perform a public act in his honor.

Chavez was a close ally of Cuba and considered Fidel Castro a friend and mentor. Venezuela has supplied Cuba with billions of dollars in cut-rate oil in recent years.