Eric on The Road

Journeys into the offbeat, off the beaten path, overlooked and forgotten - by Eric Model

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Backyard Folk Art Thrives In Michigan (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Celeste Headlee
Day to Day, July 30, 2008

"From anywhere in Michigan, you're only a day trip away from a Styrofoam, 13-foot scale model of Stonehenge. There's also a menagerie of farm and circus animals constructed from car parts. We visit some of these artists and innovators".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93065917

Victoria's brewpubs

From The CanWest News Service:

By Adam McDowell , Canwest News Service

"The B.C. capital is probably the best place in Canada to order a local pint, and if you didn't know that already, it's probably because you won't often catch the locals boasting about their brews".

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/canada/story.html?id=042b1061-59ce-43e6-9673-268a8b44b659

Waterfront trail cuts through United Empire Loyalist land (Montreal Gazette)

From The Montreal Gazette via canada.com:

By DAVID YATES

The United Empire Loyalists are a wave of migrants of European descent who arrived from the newly independent United States more than 200 years ago because they wanted to remain loyal to the British crown.

Their history is very much in evidence during a seven-day cycling trip along Ontario's Waterfront Trail in mid-May from Niagara-on-the Lake to Rivière Beaudette on the Quebec border - a distance of almost 730 kilometres.

The Loyalists settled the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, exerting a profound influence on the social, political and business life of Ontario for more than two centuries and playing a major role in the development of Canada. Evidence of the Loyalists is everywhere - Loyalist College, Loyalist Parkway, Loyalist Township and even Loyalist Motel.

Today it is known as grape country.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/canada/story.html?id=1963a23c-d6c1-467e-851b-dcefcf84ecc4

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Rice-A-Roni: The Armenian-Canadian-Italian Treat ? (NPR)

From NPR:

by the Kitchen Sisters
Morning Edition, July 31, 2008

The birth of Rice-A-Roni is the story of a friendship in the 1940s between a Canadian immigrant and a survivor of the Armenian genocide. Soon after, an Italian family made "the San Francisco treat" into a popular side dish.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93067862

In New Orleans, A Fried Chicken Institution Revived (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Neda Ulaby
All Things Considered, July 30, 2008

It took almost three years and thousands of dollars of private donations for Willie Mae's Scotch House to reopen. The 92-year-old proprietor, Willie Mae Seaton, became a cause celebre for chefs around the nation.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93025471

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Michigan village holds a rubber ducky extravaganza (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

The village of Bellaire in Northern Michigan is holding its Rubber Ducky Festival, Aug. 6-17, including a quarter-mile race on Aug. 16 in which 2,000 yellow ducks float along the Intermediate River.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-29-rubber-ducky-festival_N.htm

Florida lighthouse lost to the sea now stands again (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press Writer

The lighthouse fell over in 2005, smashing to pieces in the gulf. Members of the St. George Lighthouse Association decided to save it.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-28-cape-st-george-lighthouse_N.htm

Farewell, Airport Lounge (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By JANE L. LEVERE
Published: July 29, 2008

The latest amenity to disappear in the beleaguered airline industry is the airport lounge.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/business/29lounges.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Sunday, July 27, 2008

'Perfect storm' hits Canada's tourism market (CP)

From The Canadian Press via The Globe and Mail:

By JOSHUA CLIPPERTON
The Canadian Press
July 27, 2008

A summer of record oil prices, a strong Canadian dollar and a slowing world economy are creating a “perfect storm” that's putting a dent in Canada's tourism market this summer, industry officials say.

Canada's three major tourist destinations — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver — all reported noticeable declines in visitors in July, and experts say it's because of a myriad of factors.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080727.wtourismwoes0727/BNStory/National/home

It's the Midwest's 'Appalachian Trail' (Chicago Tribune)

From The Chicago Tribune via the Hartford Courant:

By Cliff Terry
July 20, 2008

"...Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail, which runs along Lake Superior north from Duluth to the Canadian border......Best of all, I explained, you don't have to camp out under the stars and mosquitoes. Through its Lodge to Lodge Hiking program, each evening you check in at a bed and breakfast or inn, from which you are driven to the next trail head the next morning".

http://www.courant.com/travel/chi-lake-superior-trail-0720_rq_jul20,0,1878950.story

Seven Wonders of Maryland (Baltimore Sun)

From The Baltimore Sun via sunspot.net:

Baltimore Sun readers name 7 man-made wonders of Md., including the Basilica of the Assumption and Deep Creek Lake (slide show).

http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-mdwonders-pg,0,6734098.photogallery

Taking city's pulse on a 24-mile artery (Chicago Tribune)

From The Chicago Tribune:

By Charles Leroux and Patrick T. Reardon
July 27, 2008

The blue-collar core of Chicago, the city's most magnificent miles run along Western Avenue, the setting for births, schools, jobs, marriages, deaths—and a lot of history.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-western-overture-0727jul27,0,3994574.story

Hockey game has changed, Howe says (CanWest News Service)

From the CanWest News Service through teh Montreal Gazette:

By CORY WOLFE, Canwest News Service

"....It's a different game with the way they call it now. I don't know if some of them could have played (with the style) back then, and I don't know if some of us would be fast enough to play now. It's very quick..."

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=6097c2a0-2613-455b-bb16-cb564afc47db&p=1

Maritimes revisited (The Edmonton Journal)

From The Edmonton Journal through canada.com:

By Ray Turchansky , Freelance

"....Contrary to the adage that things are never as good when you return to an old haunt, this journey resurrected marvellous coming-of-age memories, and refreshed an appreciation for the culture and history of people living off the land and the sea, drawn together by the isolation of being a small picturesque community in the Annapolis Valley along Nova Scotia's northwest coast...."

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/canada/Atlantic/story.html?id=33405c68-0618-43c4-8a96-8cea8e7911e9&p=1

O’Malley and Kuhn Enter Hall, Forever Linked by Bold Moves (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By RICHARD SANDOMIR
Published: July 27, 2008

"...O’Malley was the consummate politician who exploited his sport’s manifest destiny, whether as a visionary or a business opportunist. But the patrician Kuhn often seemed buffeted and besieged by the gales of change, like the toppling of the reserve clause and free agency, which he said he thought would destroy baseball, and the angry labor wars in which he was outmaneuvered by Marvin Miller, who led the players union...."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sports/baseball/27hall.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

Who Is An American ? (NPR)

From NPR News:

"All this month, NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday has been asking what it has meant to be an American at various times in our nation's history".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92872090

Friday, July 25, 2008

Heard on the Radio: Beervana

Portland, Oregon is considered by many near, if not at the top of the list of most liveable places in the United States. Climate, scenery, politics, "quality of life" are all cited as reasons.

Another reason to love Prtland is the city's passion for beer. Portland has been described as “Beervana”. It has been estimated that in Portland craft beer represents 40-50 % of the beer sold.

Some state that Portland may in fact justifiably claim the title of “Beer Capital of the World”. The are some 71 microbreweries or pubs in Oregon – 26 within Portland city limits.
There are brewery-hotels and the movie theaters serve craft brews with popcorn – there is a micro-brew strip joint.

Consider this: Milwaukee, the fromer beer capital has one big brewery left (SABMiller) and about half a dozen brewpubs. Cologne, Germany has ten-eleven brewpubs. These other cities produce more beer, but it is all one style: lager. Portland does everything.

Celebrating its 21st year in 2008, the Oregon Brewers Festival is regarded as one of the finest craft beer festivals in the world. Seventy-three craft breweries offer handcrafted brews to more than 60,000 beer lovers during the four-day event.

Art Larrance founder of Portland Brewing Company, who also established the Oregon Brewers Festival talks about Portland as Beervana in this "Beer America" segment. He has been a fixture in Oregon's craft brewing scene since its inception, and is a wealth of knowledge and stories.

If you miss the interview on the radio ("Left Jab" on XM Satellite Radio Channel 167 - Saturday at 11 am; repeated Sunday at 1 pm), you can later catch it as a podcast at http://leftjabradio.com

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Caped Crusaders Descend On San Diego (NPR)

From NPR News:

Morning Edition
July 24, 2008

Every kid who ever felt like a dork for obsessing over comic books can feel at home today. The annual Comic Con Convention begins Thursday in San Diego. More than 125,000 people are expected. Many dress as superheroes like Batman. Others attend panel discussions on subjects such as the "Klingon Lifestyle," based on Star Trek.

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=23689397

Altitude With Attitude in Colorado (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By HELEN OLSSON
Published: July 25, 2008

At a lung-searing 10,152 feet, the old mining town of Leadville is postcard of a city cradled by soaring peaks.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/travel/escapes/25American.html?ref=escapes

Charleston on the Cheap (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By CHRIS DIXON
Published: July 25, 2008

WHEN celebrities and other well-heeled travelers fell in love with Charleston, S.C., drawn by its air of 19th-century elegance and its palm-fringed seacoast setting, the $400-a-night hotel room and the $100 dinner entree inevitably followed. But this progressive and mystically lovely city, surrounded by water and wilderness, can still be a destination for the budget-conscious, too.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/travel/escapes/25charleston.html?ref=escapes

Agents of celebration for FBI centennial (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

One Washington attraction is commemorating the FBI's 100th birthday with a new exhibit.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-24-newseum-fbi-centennial_N.htm

The Model T marks its own milestone (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

Ford's Model T is marking its centennial with a celebration at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond, Ind.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-07-24-model-t-party_N.htm

After 25 years, image of Brett's pine tar game is still vivid (Kansas City Star)

From The Kansas City Star:


By SAM MELLINGER
Posted July 23, 2008

"The scuffle that surrounded umpire Tim McClelland’s (upper left) call after George Brett had homered was memorable, but Brett’s wild-eyed charge out of the dugout was unforgettable".

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/718029.html

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

New Mexico Boosts Economy With Rodeos (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Eric Mack
Day to Day, July 23, 2008

Three years ago New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson formed the New Mexico Rodeo Council in an attempt to boost his state's economy. The effort is beginning to pay off. This week, the state hosts the National High school rodeo finals, billed the "world's largest rodeo."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92823581

A State That Never Was in Wyoming (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By KIRK JOHNSON
Published: July 24, 2008

The Times's Kirk Johnson and Tyler Hicks traveled to Wyoming in search of Absaroka, a territory that attempted in 1939 to become the 49th state.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/us/24wpa.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

New Podcast Posting: Rappie Pie: A Culinary Gateway to Acadian Nova Scotia

Rappie pie is a traditional Acadian meal. Its name is derived from the French “patates râpées” meaning “grated potatoes”. Potatoes are grated and the water removed, a hot broth made from chicken or pork is then added along with meat and onions and then layered over with more of the grated potatoes to make a casserole-like dish.

It is said to be Acadian “comfort food” to be found these days in an area of Southwest Nova Scotia - in the Clare area - towns such as Yarmouth, Pubnico and Wedgeport.

In this area the food is a staple at home and in restaurants, but travel in any direction 40 miles, it is probably not to be found nor will you find many who even know what it is.

We speak with Nicole Boudreau from Clare, Nova Scotia about Rappie Pie, its role in history & Acadian culture, and just what makes and keeps it so unique to this area.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Thousand Islands International Bridge celebrates its 70th birthday (AP)

From The Associated Press thrpugh USA Today:

COLLINS LANDING, N.Y. (AP) — The Thousand Islands International Bridge is marking 70 years since its opening with a celebration planned for Aug. 16.

The celebration will run from noon to 3 p.m. and will include an ice cream social, a vintage car display and prizes. At night a fireworks display is planned over Boldt Castle, a six-story, 120-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion.

More than 85 million vehicles are estimated to have passed over the bridge system since President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King cut the ribbon on Aug. 18, 1938, before a crowd of 25,000 people.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-23-thousand-islands-bridge_N.htm

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A tasting tour of America’s best ice creams (Forbes Traveler)

From Forbes Traveler through NBC News:

By Jennifer Murphy
Frobes Traveler

Scoops from across the country.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25192687/

Passing: Estelle Getty of 'Golden Girls' (AP)

From The Associated Press through The Los Angeles Times:

Estelle Getty, the diminutive actress who spent 40 years struggling for success before landing a role of a lifetime in 1985 as the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia on TV's "The Golden Girls," died on July 22, 2008. She was 84.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-getty23-2008jul23,0,6560661.story

Monday, July 21, 2008

Passing: Jerome Holtzman, ‘Dean’ of Sportswriters (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By BRUCE WEBER
Published: July 22, 2008

The Chicago sportswriter and columnist and the author of “No Cheering in the Press Box” was a venerated presence in press boxes around the country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/sports/baseball/22holtzman.html?ref=obituaries

Where Research and Tourism Collide (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By MICHELLE NIJHUIS
Published: July 22, 2008

Coping with growth, science can find itself at odds with society and must decide whether to study the changes or fight them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/science/22lab.html?ref=us

A Shipyard Fire Shakes a Tradition-Rich Town to Its Core (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By KATIE ZEZIMA
Published: July 22, 2008

When the Washburn & Doughty Associated shipyard was destroyed by a fire, it struck at the heart of a village where shipbuilding has been the dominant industry for 150 years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/us/22boothbay.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Magazine puts the spotlight on Tulsa's Art Deco architecture (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

By Justin Juozapavicius
Associated Press Writer

Preservation magazine profiles the city's deco style in a cover story for its July/August issue.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-18-tulsa-architecture_N.htm

Sunday, July 20, 2008

From Rags to Riches (Canwest News Service)

From the CanWest News Service:

By Richard Foot
Published: Friday, July 18, 2008

Boom times for the 'have nots' are redrawing Canada's economic and political map.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=97a3f7f2-1ece-40f6-ab19-a8f3c81cd3e6

Top 10 things to do at the Gilroy Garlic Festival (LA Times)

From The Los Angeles Times:

By Catharine Hamm
July 14, 2008

Annual 'stinking rose' event celebrates 30 years.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-gilroy15-2008jul15

Dorothea Lange: 'Daring To Look' (NPR)

From NPR News:

All Things Considered
July 20, 2008

"No country has ever closely scrutinized itself visually," said the legendary photographer. A new book documents Lange's descriptions of many of her iconic Depression-era images.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92656801

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Small town's simple sweetness isn't a pose (Star Tribune)

From The Star Tribune (Minneapolis):

By BERIT THORKELSON
July 19, 2008


After a lifetime of visiting my grandparents in Granite Falls, I know to count on certain town occurrences. Each winter, the lutefisk and lefse will arrive at Willie's Korner Store, and all the houses along the main drag will stake oversized, personalized wooden holiday cards in their front yards. Come spring, a four- sided cone proclaiming "Baseball Tonite" will pop up, with regularity, at the heart of the central-most intersection. Then there's my favorite --the teeny downtown popcorn stand will open on warm summer evenings, while nearby, pelicans lounge on boulder outcroppings at the foot of the pretty little falls.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/25575004.html?location_refer=Travel:highlightModules:4

Passing: Jo Stafford (NY Times)

Singing voice of World War II era...biggest hit "You Belong to Me".

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/arts/music/19stafford.html

Tiny Texas Cafe Fills Up After Barbecue Award (NPR)

From NPR News:

by John Burnett
All Things Considered
July 18, 2008

Every five years, Texas Monthly chooses the best barbecue in a state that reveres smoked meat. Snow's BBQ in Lexington was unprepared for the onslaught of customers following its first-place win.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92677223

Where the Fans Once Roared, Demolition Crews Now Have Their Day (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By NICK BUNKLEY
Published: July 19, 2008

Demolition has begun on Tiger Stadium, once home to the Detroit Tigers, even as a conservancy group works feverishly to preserve the field and part of the stands.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/19tigers.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

Friday, July 18, 2008

Spend the Night in an Authentic Navajo Hogan (Arizona Highways)

From Arizona Highways:

By Sam Lowe

"...The family has been renting out the hogan as a B&B for almost 10 years and hosts about 25 visitors per year. They don't advertise, relying on word of mouth to spread the word...."

http://www.arizonahighways.com/static/index.cfm?action=group&contentID=486

Richmond thrives by keeping life on a human scale (Vermont Life)

From Vermont Life Magazine:

By Susan Elizabeth Reid

In tight-knit Richmond, people power creates alternative to nearby big-box center

http://www.vermontlife.com/current_issue/su08-d10-downtowns.htm

Destination - Brown County, Indiana (Chicago Tribune)

From The Chicago Tribune:

Covered bridges, galleries and festivals

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/midwest/indiana/chi-brown-county-indiana-tourism-storygallery,0,4338332.storygallery

Chicago's Beaches (Washington Post)

From The Washington Post:

By Christina Talcott
Sunday, July 20, 2008

"Chicagoans are a little like Northern Europeans: After the snow melts and the sun comes out, they go outside and stay there all summer".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071801542.html?hpid=travelpromo

In Boston Harbor, but a World Away (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By C.J. HUGHES
Published: July 18, 2008

Exploring the 34 islands and peninsulas that make up the 12-year-old Boston Harbor Islands National Park is a striking juxtaposition between modern and 19th century visions of the city.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/travel/escapes/18boston.html?ref=escapes

134 Miles of Yankee Charm (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By MAURA J. CASEY
Published: July 18, 2008

On a meandering road trip between two standard tourist spots — Sturbridge Village, Mass., and Newport, R.I. — a less known, often achingly beautiful New England reveals itself.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/travel/escapes/18mile.html?ref=escapes

Destination - Prince Edward County (WSJ)

From Wall Street Journal:

"From a visit to the sand dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park to cycling up to Lake on the Mountain, Editor Peter Miller on how to enjoy this corner of Canada's Southern Ontario".

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121607161329152189.html?mod=2_1367_leftbox

Pittsburgh forges ahead (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Jayne Clark
July 18, 2008

PITTSBURGH — After undergoing three renaissances, placing in the top ranks of "most livable cities" and hosting one of the nation's largest concentrations of eco-friendly buildings, this river town still can't seem to shake its bum rap.

As it approaches its 250th birthday later this year, Pittsburgh is used to being maligned and misunderstood.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-17-pittsburgh_N.htm

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A Facelift for Ottawa (Montreal Gazette)

From The Montreal Gazette:

The nation's capital is to undergo a facelift to enable it to tell more of Canada's and the city's history, National Capital Commission documents say. Among the projects, the Rideau-Sussex-Wellington-Colonel By intersection near Parliament Hill would become a grand gateway into downtown, complete with a national monument. The work is part of a long-range plan expected to take 10 to 20 years to complete.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=a495d4c9-5dd4-46ed-9c9b-39fd78e8b29d

Baseball buzz left town with Expos (Montreal Gazette)

From The Montreal Gazette:

By STEPHANIE MYLES, The Gazette
Published: July 17, 2008

"I was the kid who hid her transistor radio under her pillow to listen to the Expos, and morphed into the grownup who lived and breathed every dying moment of their last eight years while on the beat for The Gazette.....But I don't really care about baseball anymore....I never thought that would happen, but it has. And it's okay".

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=c9304066-7a0d-4de9-8673-88d3f926ea04

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

New Podcast Posting: More Than A Festival - The World Comes to the D.C. Mall in Folklife Festival

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall of the United States in Washington, D.C., by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

The Festival takes place for two weeks every summer overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational presentation that features community-based cultural exemplars. Free to the public, like other Smithsonian museums, each Festival typically draws more than one million visitors.

Initiated in 1967, the Festival has become a national and international model of a research-based presentation of contemporary living cultural traditions. Over the years, it has brought more than 23,000 musicians, artists, performers, craftspeople, workers, cooks, storytellers, and others to the National Mall to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and aesthetics that embody the creative vitality of community-based traditions.

We speak with Steve Kidd from the Smithsonian about the Festival from its origins to this year’s edition to how they plan years in advance.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

New Podcast Posting: Uncle Miltie

Milton Berle would have turned 100 on July 12, 2008 (He died on March 27, 2002).

Berle (born Mendel Berlinger on July 12, 1908) was an Emmy-winning comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC’s Texaco Star Theater of from 1948–1955, he was the first major star of television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie or Mr. Television to millions during TV’s golden age.

We speak with former network executive, now author and television historian, Tim Brooks about the life and legacy of Milton Berle.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

New Podcast Posting: Hot Enough to Fry An Egg

Oatman, Arizona has undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years thanks to burgeoning worldwide interest in Route 66.

In addition to the old Route 66, Oatman is famous for the wild burros freely roam the town . They can be hand-fed carrots and “burro chow,” both readily available in practically every store in town. The burros are descended from pack animals turned loose by early prospectors, and are protected by the US Department of the Interior.
Oatman is also famous for its unique Independence Day celebration that includes a contest where participants attempt to cook an egg on the sidewalk with the aid of solar devices.

We spoke with Jackie Roland of Oatman about how they fry eggs at High Noon on July Fourth, what it means to the town and the burros who hang out there too.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Alberta's Cowboy Trail follows the past and embraces the present (Calgary Herald)

From The Calgary Herald through canada.com:

Yvonne Jeffery , Calgary Herald

It's not just a place -- it's a feeling. The Cowboy Trail extends along the eastern slopes of the Rockies, bumping up against mountains and rolling out to forests, grasslands and (south of Calgary) the Porcupine Hills.

From fur trading routes to ranches, and from historic oilfields to lines of wind turbines spinning gracefully in the wind, this landscape traces Alberta's economic history better than any other.

This is also a place where the pace slows down, where the welcome is warm and where you'll never lack for things to see and do. The Cowboy Trail goes south to Cardston, but don't forget it extends north, too, all the way to Mayerthorpe. We've included attractions in both directions.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=f48887c2-7adb-4470-885b-1c3ab5d3791c

Lord & Taylor Owner Buys Hudson's Bay (CanWest)

From The Canwest News Service:

Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

TORONTO - Hudson's Bay Co., Canada's oldest retailer, has been bought by the U.S. parent company of the distinguished Lord & Taylor chain.

The acquisition by NRDC Equity Partners of Purchase, N.Y., which unites North America's two oldest department stores under the same corporate structure, will see upscale Lord & Taylor launch 10 to 15 stores throughout Canada.

http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=38fc7500-30ca-43e4-bb24-db2ca1baaee0

The mystery and history of ghost towns draw visitors (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

By Heather Clark, Associated Press Writer

Ghost towns are prevalent in the West with 100 to more than 200 per state, but even states in the Midwest and several Eastern states have between 10 to 100 ghost towns apiece, said Todd Underwood of Prescott, Ariz., who hosts a website for ghost towners, www.ghosttowns.com.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-15-ghost-towns_N.htm

Passing: Red Foley, Scorer in 10 World Series (AP)

From The Associated Press through The New York Times:

Red Foley, who was an official scorer in major league baseball for almost four decades, working in more World Series, 10, than any other scorer in modern history, died on July 14 in Flushing, Queens. He was 79.

Foley was a sports writer for The Daily News in New York for 34 years, retiring in 1981. He covered baseball almost exclusively from 1970 on, mainly the Mets. During those years, he had a question-and-answer column, “Ask Red,” which ran in The New York Post after he left The Daily News.

He served for many years as an officer of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and was chairman of the New York chapter in 1969-70.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/sports/baseball/16foley.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries&oref=slogin

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Places Captured in Time, but Not Frozen There (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By WILLIAM YARDLEY
Published: July 15, 2008

Retracing the routes of travel guides conceived as part of a 1930s jobs program reveals how much the nation has changed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/us/15wpa.html?hp

Monday, July 14, 2008

American Icon Goes Abroad: Farewell to the "King of Beers" (STL Post Dispatch & NYT)

From The St. Louis Post Dispatch & The New York Times:

Anheuser-Busch has agreed to sell itself to the Belgian brewer InBev for about $52 billion, the two companies confirmed Monday in a joint release, putting control of the nation’s largest beer maker and a fixture of American culture into a European rival’s hands.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/41A0370FA33CF543862574860015569F?OpenDocument

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/business/worldbusiness/15beer.html?hp

American visits to Canada hit 36-year low (CSM)

From The Christian Science Monitor:

By Colin Woodard
From the July 7, 2008 edition

Passport confusion, a weak US dollar, and high gas prices appear to be fueling the steady decline.
The number of Europeans visiting the city appears to be holding steady.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0708/p07s01-woam.html

10 great places to flag down a fabulous feast (USA Today)

From USA Today:

"Eager chefs have taken the wheel, and they are steering food in a whole new direction. The growing demand for fresh local bounty has led to more food trucks and carts working the streets nationwide, especially during summer. Dana Cowin, editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, shares her favorite movable feasts with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY".

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2008-07-10-food-trucks_N.htm

Passing: Clem McSpadden, Voice of Pro Rodeo (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN
Published: July 14, 2008

Clem McSpadden, known as the voice of professional rodeo, his Oklahoma intonations a familiar presence through six decades as the sport grew from a rural pastime to a spectacle showcased in Las Vegas, died July 7 in Houston. Mr. McSpadden, also a former United States congressman and an Oklahoma state legislator, was 82.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/sports/othersports/14mcspadden.html?ref=sports

A Farewell to the Best Seat Not in the House (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By MANNY FERNANDEZ
Published: July 14, 2008

Across seven decades, the big plays of wealthy Yankees stars half a block away have filled dimly lighted hallways and cramped rent-stabilized apartments on Gerard Avenue in the Bronx with the roar of 50,000. Tenants and their friends have congregated on the rooftops, running extension cords through open windows to watch the games on television, on account of the mostly obstructed views.

And for people everywhere else, the tan-brick facades of the three buildings with the best views — 825, 831 and 845 Gerard Avenue — have achieved a kind of split-second fame, regularly appearing on television as tenement backdrops when cameras follow the arc of home-run balls into the outfield bleacher seats in right-center.

But as Major League Baseball prepares to play a farewell All-Star Game at the stadium on Tuesday, a way of life on Gerard Avenue is quietly ending.

Next April, the Yankees will move into a new $1.3 billion stadium directly across the street from the old one at East 161st Street and River Avenue. But the new stadium is too high, too far and facing the wrong way for the people on Gerard Avenue to get a look inside. And so the rooftop and fire-escape tradition, a quirky little footnote of Yankees history that dates to the early 1930s, when two of the three buildings were built, is in its final days.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/nyregion/14bronx.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

Blue Bonnets may have had its last race (Montreal Gazette)

From The Montreal Gazette:

PAUL DELEAN, The Gazette
Published: Sunday, July 13

Racetrack rituals haven't changed much in 101 years, which is how long Blue Bonnets racetrack (now known as Hippodrome de Montréal) has been part of the fabric of this city.

But live racing at Hippodrome de Montréal was abruptly cancelled at the Décarie Blvd. oval two weeks ago after racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques filed for creditor protection.

With no word on when it will resume, if ever, there's been a quiet exodus of horses from the barns adjacent to the racetrack.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/insight/story.html?id=604647a2-ad97-4f24-981c-ebec5d38b3aa

Alamo survivor's Austin home gets new life (AP)

From the Associated Press through USA Today:

The home is "symbolic of (Susanna Dickinson's) triumph" in downtown Austin building is little more than a shell, with dirt floors, crumbling walls and missing windows. But work is to begin this month on a $500,000 renovation that will fix those problems and add electricity to the 140-year-old stone home, the Austin American-Statesman has reported.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-14-alamo-survivor-home_N.htm

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Carousels Make A Comeback (CBS News)

From CBS News:

CBS Sunday Morning
July 13, 2008

Restoring Vintage Merry-Go-Rounds Offers Nostalgia, Artistry And Fun.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/13/sunday/main4256564.shtml

The Greenbrier (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

From the Post Dispatch:

A fascinating slide show history about the famous West Virginia resort of Presidents.
Narration and photgraphs by Tom Uhlenbrock.

http://www.stltoday.com/mds/lifestyle/html/1354

Savannah, Ga., is packed with good eating — and places to walk it off (McClatchy Newspapers)

From McClatchy Newspapers through The Kansas City Star:

By LYDIA MARTIN
McClatchy Newspapers
June 28, 2008

SAVANNAH, Ga. It’s a good thing there are so many gorgeous green squares to amble through in Savannah, America’s first planned city and one of its most historic.

It also happens to be a capital of soul-soothing Southern cooking, and if you’re here to sample the stellar eats — from Low Country favorites to upscale takes on down-home classics — you’re going to need a few long walks.

http://www.kansascity.com/270/story/681138.html

Colorado mountain towns boast a fine tradition of opera (AP)

From The Associated Press through the Kansas City Star:

By ROBERT WELLER
The Associated Press

In all, about 150 opera houses were built in Colorado between 1860 and 1920. Thirteen are still in operation, including several in once-struggling mountain mining towns such as Aspen and Crested Butte. Three operas will be staged this summer as part of the Aspen Music Festival: “La Cenerentola,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “Cendrillon.” The Crested Butte Music Festival is staging “Falstaff.” Opera Fort Collins offers “La Boheme.”

http://www.kansascity.com/270/story/671386.html

'Swing and a high fly ball' (Boston Globe)

From The Boston Globe:

By Andrew Ryan
Globe Staff / July 12, 2008

Red Sox games on the radio fan waves of joy across New England.

With accompanying video.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/07/12/swing_and_a_high_fly_ball/

Yankee Stadium & Fenway Park (Boston Globe)

From The Boston Globe:

Excerpt of Article entitled "Historic home nears endgame: Bronx hardball cathedral, the site of Tuesday's Midsummer Classic, hosted some of the game's greatest moments, and many of its legendary stars" - By Gordon Edes - Globe Staff / July 13, 2008:

Janet Marie Smith is in the business of preserving the past, not tearing it down. She thinks of Yankee Stadium being dismantled - dis-Marised and dis-Berraed, dis-Reggied and dis-Jetered, too - and shudders to think that Fenway Park faced a similar death sentence until it was commuted by John W. Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino.

"It's hard to imagine how to bundle that history and take it with you," said Smith, the architect of the Fenway restoration.

The first time Smith visited Yankee Stadium, site of the All-Star Game Tuesday night, was in 1979, the summer before she graduated from architecture school. Originally from Atlanta, she had grown up a National League fan.

"Yankee Stadium is monumental," she said. "Everything about it is monumental. The facade, the approach, the scale, everything about it is monumental. Yankee Stadium, even when you say it, it has such a monumental, thundering image that it conjures up.

"Fenway is the exact opposite. Fenway is very intimate. It has always been a neighborhood ballpark. Yankee Stadium has always been a destination. Our park blends in with the surroundings. Yankee Stadium always was meant to be on a pedestal. From an architectural approach, the parks are almost polar opposites. I doubt either one of them thought or looked at the other. They just were what they were.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2008/07/13/historic_home_nears_endgame/


Also:
Edes' Top 10 Sox-Yankees games at Yankee Stadium - With Yankee Stadium hosting its final All-Star game this week, Globe Red Sox writer Gordon Edes gives us his Top 10 Red Sox-Yankees games in Yankee Stadium history.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/gallery/07_12_08_edes/

Duluth Maritime Festival: Great Lakes, great ships (Star Tribune)

From The Star Tribune (Minneapolis):

Multimedia Presentation
July 13, 2008

Beneath Duluth's tourist veneer, it's still a working port town. Steel girders, rusty hulls and grain elevators are staples of the cityscape.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/24454524.html

Disney's new monorail, its transportation of the future . . . still is (LA Times)

From The Los Angeles Times through the Chicago Tribune:

By David Haldane
July 6, 2008

" (Disneyland's new) Mark VII monorail, otherwise known as Monorail Red, is the seventh generation of the ride that's been entertaining visitors since 1959 when it made its entry as the nation's first electric train system on a single rail".

".....'Walt was a visionary,' Drake said. 'He wanted to showcase this as a future device for mainstream transportation.' Nearly half a century later, it's a vision that never materialized...".

"....At http://www.monorails.org,the/ official website of the Monorail Society, an organization based in Fremont, Calif., dedicated to promoting single-rail technology as a safe, environmentally friendly and a cost-effective alternative to modern mass transit, lists only 10 monorail systems currently operating in the U.S. Six are in amusement parks, airports or zoos...".

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/la-me-monorail6-2008jul06,0,4627709.story

Passing: Bobby Mercer, Yankee (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

"Bobby Murcer, 62, Yankee on Field and Air, Dies"
By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN
Published: July 13, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/sports/baseball/13murcer.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

"Beloved Yankee Remembered as an Example"
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: July 13, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/sports/baseball/13bobby.html

"A Great Teammate to the End"
By RICHARD SANDOMIR
Published: July 14, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/sports/baseball/14sandomir.html?ref=sports

Slide Show: Bobby Murcer’s Baseball Career
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/07/12/sports/0713-MURCER_index.html

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Quebecer ineligible for French citizenship (Montreal Gazette)

From the Montreal Gazette:

The French consulate in Montreal says Marie Mance Vallée isn't eligible for French citizenship because the land she considers her mother country lost the battle of the Plains of Abraham.
The consulate sent an email to The Gazette in response to a report in yesterday's paper that the Montreal woman was trying to reclaim her French citizenship because her ancestors came from France.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=c3453d5e-9bfa-401c-9bde-9e3b8bafbb1f

All In The Family (WBUR/NPR)

From WBUR & NPR:

Art Rooney started a franchise back in 1933 that today is said to be valued at almost 1 billion dollars. Now some of his children want to sell the Pittsburg Steelers. Bob Smizik of the Pittsburg Post-Gazette talks to Bill Littlefield about the potential sale of the Steelers.

http://www.onlyagame.org/index.php/2008/07/10/playing-petanque-no-stopping-the-rays-and-the-highs-and-lows-of-the-national-league-west/

Brace yourself, Huntsville. The G8 is coming (Globe and Mail)

From The Globe and Mail:


DAVID ANDREATTA, Globe and Mail
July 12, 2008

Locals will face security lockdowns, heads of state – and a run on souvenirs. This Ontario town has two years to get ready.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080711.whuntsville12/BNStory/Front/home

Gable's Quebec Sketchbook (Globe and Mail)

From The Globe and Mail:

Brian Gable on Quebec's 400th birthday - A slide show.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/v5/content/features/audioslideshows/Gable_Quebec/index.html

Friday, July 11, 2008

Heard on the Radio: Mountain Man Rendez-vous

Since 1936, residents of Sublette County in western Wyoming have united in July to re-enact events of the early 1800s that opened up the American West to trade and settlement. Rugged trappers and explorers like Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Jedediah Smith and John C. Fremont carved their legends in this historic region. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Wind River Mountains, Pinedale's dramatization brings together mountainmen, America Indians, Father Jospeh DeSmet and many others who played a pivotal role there.

The event is staged in downtown Pinedale "on the green" as it has been called since those earlier days. There are also events at the Museum of the Mountain Man nearby.

In this Left Jab "Hidden America" feature we speak with Laura Hartwig of the Museum of the Mountain about the Green River Rendez-vous, the history and tradition of the mounatin man. We also speak with Mountain Man Mike "Silverhawk" Powell about what it means to be a Mountain Man.

If you can't catch the feature on radio (Left Jab, XM Radio Channel 167, Sturday at 11 am, Sunday at 1 pm (Times Eastern), it can later be found at the Left Jab website:

http://leftjabradio.com/

Nova Scotia: a circle tour (Vancouver Sun)

From The Vancouver Sun via canada.com:

Shelley Fralic , Vancouver Sun

A journey of discovery through South Shore's bays and headlands.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=fb3c8580-07ba-4b95-8b3b-cf0ec259ddaa

Why Disneyland Is Thriving In Rough Economy (KQED/NPR)

From KQED through NPR News:

by Rob Schmitz
Day to Day, July 10, 2008

Disneyland is gearing up for a record number of visitors this season. Many are locals scrimping on gas money. But travelers are also coming from abroad to enjoy their spending power against the weak dollar.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92415034

Books that beat the road-trip blues (USA Today)

From USA Today:

"The license plate game can go only so far in remedying a bout of white-line fever. Several new books suggest other ways of combating monotony on the road, from divining historical meaning from geographic boundaries to digging into a heap of travel trivia to contemplating the Zen of commuting. USA TODAY's Jayne Clark looks at three books that might help pass the time on summer road trips — both close to home and far away."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-07-10-road-trip-books_N.htm

A Good Old-Fashioned Thrill Ride (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By CINDY PRICE
Published: July 11, 2008

Exploring the swoops, drops and curves of the roller coasters of Pennsylvania, where there are more wooden coasters than in any other state.

With accompanying slide show.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/travel/escapes/11roller.html?ref=escapes

Old Port Town’s Appeal Reaches Beyond Northwest (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By Matthew Preusch
Published: July 11, 2008

Port Townsend offers a range of cultural activities in a place with a small-town feel.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/greathomesanddestinations/11havens.html?ref=escapes

Echoes of an Earlier Time on a Glimmering Lake (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By JOHN MOTYKA
Published: July 11, 2008

Long before there was a Baseball Hall of Fame, Copperstown was a pilgrimage site as the home of James Fenimore Cooper, the early 19th-century superstar author whose wildly popular novels, including “The Deerslayer” and “The Last of the Mohicans,” put a haze of romance on an upstate New York frontier that had already vanished.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/travel/escapes/11american.html?8dpc

Thursday, July 10, 2008

'Arc d'Atlanta' ... or a new bit of kitsch? (WSJ)

From The Wall Street Journal:

By Patrik Jonsson
from the July 7, 2008 edition

Some find the city's new classically designed monument beautiful; others say it reflects a cultural inferiority complex.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0707/p03s03-ussc.html

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Rockwell Re-enlisted for a Nation’s Darker Mood (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By DAMIEN CAVE
Published: July 9, 2008

A new exhibition in Florida features 60 artists’ responses to Norman Rockwell’s wartime “Four Freedoms” series.

With slide show.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/arts/design/09rock.html?ref=arts

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

New Podcast Posting: Summer Music & Food Appalachian Style

Summer at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville, NC is a little different. A little special.
Like many places there is music filling the summer air. The music reflects the region - bluegrass, folk and old-time music.

But there’s more before the concert - specifically an authentic Appalachian community dinner of homemade mountain favorites.

In this conversation, we go to the hills to learn more about a summer of community music and food at ”An Appalachian Evening Concert Series”.

At:
http://conversationsontheorad.com

Orchards and Farms May Vanish, but Their Festivals Survive (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN
Published: July 9, 2008

Even as apricot orchards disappear, a 38-year-old tradition hangs on in Patterson, Calif., known as the “apricot capital of the world.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/us/09apricot.html?ref=us

Baseball teams love their statues (LA Times)

From The Los Angles Times:

By Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 7, 2008

Monuments honoring players have been around for a long time, but you don't have to be a Hall of Famer to get one. Just ask Frank White.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-statues7-2008jul07,0,7239917.story

New botanical gardens offer a taste of Maine (AP)

From The Associated Press via USA Today:

By Clarke Canfield, Associated Press Writer

At the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, you'll find nearly 1,300 varieties of plants, world-class sculptures and a restaurant that uses herbs grown on the grounds. The garden also has trails that offer classic Maine scenery, from evergreen trees to lobster boats....

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-08-maine-botanical-gardens_N.htm

Monday, July 07, 2008

Unusual places to lay down your weary head (National Post)

From The National Post through canada.com:

By Camilla Cornell , National Post

"Top 10 oddest places (in Canada) to spend a night sleeping"

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/guides/story.html?id=52fb33cb-ecea-4881-85db-38c856550fa9

Top 10 weird attractions (canada.com)

From canada.com:

List of World attractions. Here are two from North America:

3. Eeyore's Birthday - Austin, Texas

4. Sourtoe Cocktail - Dawson City, Alaska

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/guides/story.html?id=737be434-aba7-4a20-aa14-290dd0e3c03d

Cherry-Spitting Contest Pits Father Against Son (NPR)

From NPR News:

Weekend Edition Sunday
July 6, 2008

Every first Saturday of July since 1974, people flock to a cherry farm in Eau Claire in southwest Michigan to see who can spit a cherry pit the farthest. For the past few years, a father and his son have been dueling for the championship.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92267946

Model T: 'Universal Car' Sparked Gasoline Demand (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Renee Montagne and Dustin Dwyer
Morning Edition, July 7, 2008

"This year is the 100th anniversary of perhaps the most famous car ever made. Henry Ford's Model T put America on wheels and helped forge a manufacturing revolution. But the current energy mess can be traced back to that car's gasoline engine".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92216092

Sunday, July 06, 2008

How does Canadian culture influence your way of life? (culture.ca)

From culture.ca:

by Roch Carrier

The Canadians' worldview has a certain naïveté that I find very appealing. It's founded on optimism: we're pioneers, we inhabit a vast expanse of land and nothing is impossible.

http://www.culture.ca/perspective-pointdevue-e.jsp?data=200405/tcp01300052004e.html

What lingers are the stories, not just the stuff (Globe and Mail)

From The Globe and Mail:

By JULIE OVENELL-CARTER
July 5, 2008

A sneak peek at Whistler's multimillion-dollar tribute to Squamish and Lil'Wat cultures

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080704.wsquamish/BNStory/specialTravel/home

State Shapes (CBS News)

From CBS News:

CBS Sunday Morning
July 6, 2008

"Charles Osgood takes us on a journey through the evolution of the U.S. map. Have you ever wondered why your state is shaped the way it is? Some are boxy, some have “panhandles,” and some are so small their names don’t fit inside them on a map! Many state borders were drawn as a result of heated negotiations, skirmishes, and even war!"

Links:

Library of Congress Geography & Map Division http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/

US Geological Survey http://www.usgs.gov/

Mark Stein’s “How the States Got Their Shapes” http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061431388

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/09/sunday/main13562.shtml

Bill Geist Goes To Hot Dog U. (CBS News)

From CBS News:

Sunday Morning
July 6, 2008 (Rebroadcast - originally aired November 18, 2007)

(CBS) Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist is pursuing a lifelong dream of running his own hot dog stand by enrolling in Hot Dog University. This is his story.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/18/sunday/main3518428.shtml

Train Travel is Greener Than Air Travel (SF Chronicle)

From The San Francisco Chronicle:


by Catherine Watson
Sunday, July 6, 2008


Another bonus: Amtrak's free baggage limit. So writes -- in this SF Chronicle piece entitled, "Romance of the Rails". It describes how more and more travelers are discovering how pleasant travel by train is. In fact, so many people have are riding the rails that Amtrak carried more passengers than ever in 2007.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/04/TR1C11GC4S.DTL&type=travel

New England clam shacks (Boston Globe)

From The Boston Globe:

A Slide Show: "Few food destinations are more synonymous with summer on the New England coastline than the region's many clam shacks, which incidentally do little for the waist line with the promise of your choice of seafood, battered and fried to perfection. With so many to choose from, where to start? Here are some of the best of the New England coast".

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/galleries/new_england_clam_shacks/

In Maryland, a Dip Down Memory Lane (Washington Post)

From The Washington Post:

By Christina Talcott
Sunday, July 6, 2008

Remember when summer meant relaxing by the shore, not a care in the world? Camp Merryelande, a privately owned campground in Southern Maryland, captivates the young and young at heart.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070303186.html

Philadelphia, The Original American Melting Pot (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Joel Rose and Liane Hansen
Weekend Edition Sunday, July 6, 2008

A visit to Philadelphia offers a glimpse of how Americans have changed since the 18th century.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92155970

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Classics From Hawaii, Japan Collide In Spam Sushi (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Neva Grant
Morning Edition, July 4, 2008

Hawaiians consume more Spam than any other people in the United States. Cookbook author Muriel Miura explains why and shares one of her favorite Spam recipes.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92181231

'Celebrating four centuries of courage' (CanWest News Service)

From The CanWest News Service via canada.com:

Marianne White, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, July 04

Dignitaries pay tribute to Samuel de Champlain who founded the permanent French settlement at Quebec on July 3, 1608.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=db6a364c-b1cf-4f43-9c0e-0b9f1b71afb2

"Tears of joy mark emotional show" (Montreal Gazette)
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=523a7f30-3aba-4202-8cf8-0adca31fb333

If It’s Wooden and Old and Once Kept Time, Call Him (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By KATIE ZEZIMA
Published: July 5, 2008

Robert Coffin of Harrington, Maine is at age 90 among a dwindling number of craftsmen who fix antique wooden clocks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/us/05clocks.html?ref=us

Friday, July 04, 2008

In Nashville, a Barbershop Battle (NPR)

From NPR News:

By Blake Farmer
All Things Considered, July 4, 2008

The Barbershop Harmony Society is holding its annual international convention and competition this week in Nashville, Tenn. All is not harmonious, however. The "kibbers" —as in "Keep it Barbershop" — and the "libbers" — as in Liberal Interpretation of Barbershop" are finding it hard to get along.

http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1051

Passing: Larry Harmon, Who Popularized Bozo, Dies at 83 (AP)

From The Associated Press through the New York Times:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry Harmon, who bought the rights to the character Bozo the Clown and turned him into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died on July 3 at his home here. He was 83.

Although he was not the original Bozo, Mr. Harmon portrayed the clown in countless appearances and, as an entrepreneur, licensed the character to others, particularly dozens of television stations around the country. The stations in turn hired actors to be their local Bozos.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/arts/television/04bozo.html?ref=obituaries

Renewing a Rivalry While Looking Up at the Rays (NYT)

From The New York Times:

By GEROGE VESCEY
Published: July 4, 2008

It looked so good on the season schedule — four straight dates in early July, BOS@NYY. Mark it down. Save the date. Be there. Why, then, did it feel so anticlimactic Thursday night?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/sports/baseball/04vecsey.html?ref=sports

A July Fourth Passing

James Monroe died on July Fourth. So did Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on the same day - July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the United States. Charles Kuralt, a personal favorite and icon of the american road, died on July 4, 1997.

Now on July 4, 2008 a controversial yet indisputedly American figure, Senator Jesse Helms died at the age of 86. For better or worse, he will now be associated as another famous American who died on the Fourth of July.

Honoring the Spirit of the Fourth

If one is not careful, like many things in life, July Fourth can become a caricature - just another of many rituals we engage in without thinking. Parade, Hot Dogs, fireworks. But there is more at stake here.

It is a time to pause and consider how hard "freedom" and independence was to win and maintain.

In his inauguration speech of 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke of the "four freedoms":
* Freedom of speech
* Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way
* Freedom from want
* Freedom from fear (A world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor - anywhere in the world).

What does freedom mean to you these days ?
What do these "freedoms" say to you today ?
Do we practice what we preach ?
Is there an American version of freedom - is it a universal value ?
Who decides ?
What shape is our democracy in today ?
Is the system working for you ?

For me, as I wrestle with these questions and others, a good place to start is to actually read a source itself of these freedoms, the Declaration of Indepedence (an old NPR reading of it - a favorite of mine):

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/jul/declaration/020704.declaration.html

July 4th: A Time when "Red" and "Blue" almost manage to come together for the Red, White and Blue

There are those (i.e.politicians, some in the media) who try to paint the U.S. as a place that is unified (or should be) in its outlook and perspective. Fact is rarely are we uniform or unified.However, for one day a year one starts to feel that perhaps we might be more unified than we might otherwise think - that day: July Fourth.

Independence Day is a day of diverse celebrations throughout the land. But it is truly a day where be you in a "red" state or a "blue" state, you might actually feel some connection to those on the other side of the now large political divide. It really is a day of red, white and blue.

WHY IS IT JULY FOURTH ?

Though the Fourth of July is almost iconic to Americans, some claim the date itself is somewhat arbitrary. New Englanders had been fighting Britain since April 1775.

The first motion in the Continental Congress for independence was made on June 8. After hard debate, the Congress voted unanimously (12-0), but secretly, for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain on July 2 (see Lee Resolution). The Congress reworked the text of the Declaration until a little after eleven o'clock, July 4th, when thirteen colonies voted for adoption and released an unsigned copy to the printers. (New York abstained from both votes.)
Philadelphia celebrated the Declaration with public readings and bonfires on July 8.

Not until August 2 would a fair printing be signed by the members of the Congress, but even that was kept secret to protect the members from British reprisal.John Adams, credited by Thomas Jefferson as the unofficial, tireless whip of the independence-minded, wrote his wife Abigail on July 3:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams was off by two days, however. Certainly, the vote on July 2 was the decisive act. But July 4 is the date on the Declaration itself. Jefferson's stirring prose, as edited by the Congress, was first adopted by the vote of the 4th. It was also the first day Philadelphians heard the official news of independence from the Continental Congress, as opposed to rumors in the street about secret votes.

SOME CELEBRATIONS AROUND AMERICA:
"The Big Ones":
* Washington, DC: Parade down Constitution Avenue, "A Capitol Fourth" concert with the National Symphony, large fireworks display over the Mall and a Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall.
* Boston: Turnaround of the U.S.S. Constitution, Chowderfest, and free concert along the Charles River by the Boston Pops highlighted by 1812 Overture, Stars & Stripes and fireworks.
* Mount Rushmore: Fireworks display at this patriotic setting.
* New York & Chicago: Large fireworks show sponsored by Macys.
* New York: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.Some Unique happenings:
* The "Oldest Continuous Homecoming", Pekin, IN* "The Oldest July Fourth Parade", Bristol, RI
* "Human Flag", Huntsville, AL
* Boom Box Parade (No live marching bands, Willamantic, CT
* "American Redneck Day", Centreville,MD
* World's Greatest Lizard Race; Lovington, NM
* Ducktonia 500; Sheboygan Falls, WI where they raceplastic ducks in the lagoon at Riverside Park. There is also a "Kiss the Pig" contest.
* The Twelve Mile Lawnmower Races, Twelve Mile, IN
* And in Oatman, Arizona, they fry eggs on the sidewalk atthe annual Sidewalk Egg Frying Contest. Held at "high noon" on Old Route 66 participants can only rely on solar heat to fry eggs on the sidewalk during the course of 15 minutes of "cooking". There are also a variety of "Old West" activities.

For more see: www.hiddenamerica.com

Thursday, July 03, 2008

10 great places to declare your love of liberty (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Buzzy Gordon, USA TODAY

With the Fourth of July less than a week away, Clint Johnson, author of Colonial America and the AmericanRevolution: The 25 Best Sites, shares with Buzzy Gordon for USA TODAY his choices of historic places best suited for contemplating the significance of our nation's struggle for independence. "These Colonial sites, from New England in the north to the Carolinas in the south and even the Midwestern frontier, evoke the sacrifices of those who fought in the defense of liberty," Johnson says.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2007-06-28-liberty-sites_N.htm

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Washington’s Boyhood Home Is Found (NY Times)

From The New York Times:

By JOHN NOBLE WILFORD
Published: July 3, 2008

Researchers say the remains of the farm in Virginia may yield insights into George Washington’s formative years.

With accompanying slide show.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/science/03george.html?ref=us

Saving Money With A Summer 'Staycation' (NPR)

From NPR News:

Day to Day
July 2, 2008

Many families are finding traditional summer vacations unaffordable this season. That's where the "staycation" comes in. A "staycation" is when you take time off to see the sights of your own town.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92140802

Free Things to Do in DC (WSJ)

From The Wall Street Journal:

By DEBRA BRUNO
July 2, 2008

Free attractions abound in Washington, D.C. Here, a few attractions off the well-trod path.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121493790467320149.html?mod=2_1367_topbox

Deep In The Heart Of Texas Barbecue (NPR)

From NPR News:

Kitchen Window By Bonny Wolf
NPR.org

"It's the Fourth of July and time for a barbecue — but don't just throw some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Take a stab at making real Texas barbecue — and all the fixings."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92030958

High gas prices threaten to shut down rural towns (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Judy Keen, USA TODAY
July 2, 2008

Rising gas prices are hitting rural Americans from Maine to Alaska particularly hard.

Soaring gas prices are a double-whammy for many rural residents: They often pay more than people who live in cities and suburbs because of the expense of hauling fuel to their communities, and they must drive greater distances for life's necessities: work, groceries, medical care and, of course, gas.

"....at the Forks General Store, Hanley cringes when she's asked how much higher gas prices might go. 'I don't see any end, to be honest,' she says. 'I think this country is headed into a depression.'"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-01-small-town-gas_N.htm

Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrates 75th anniversary with website (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

The site invites visitors to share photos and stories of their experiences in the country's most-visited national park.

The site at www.greatsmokies75th.org invites visitors to share photos and stories of their experiences in the country's most-visited national park.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-07-02-smoky-mountains-website_N.htm

Hot Wheels hits the road for 40th anniversary (AP)

From The Associated Press through USA Today:

A free event featuring life-size versions of the beloved toy cars will be held at locations around the country.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-06-30-hot-wheels-road-show_N.htm

Summer Fun with a 1958 Airstream Trailer (NPR)

From NPR News:

Weekend Edition Sunday
June 29, 2008

Michael Merriman of Napa, Calif., recently bought and renovated a 1958 Airstream trailer, which he took to Bozeman, Mont., for the 51st International Airstream Rally. He describes a sea of vintage RVs at Montana State University.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92008351

Best National Park lodges (Forbes Traveler.com)

From Forbes Traveler.com through USAToday.com:

By Jeff Wallach, ForbesTraveler.com

Several of the oldest and most classic lodges were built by the railroads to entice civilized folk to venture out to see the Wild West—and by so doing increase rail traffic.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-06-30-national-park-lodges-forbes_N.htm

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

The Smallest National Park Site (NPR)

From NPR News:

by Robert Smith
All Things Considered, June 30, 2008

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial is a mere .02 acres and is inside a Philadelphia row house. Kosciuszko, an American Revolutionary War hero, spent 7 months in the room that serves as the main exhibit area.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92035186

The Meaning of Patriotism (WNYC)

From WNYC:

The Brian Lehrer Show
July 1, 2008

Phone-in segment on what patriotism means to you. Also on this podcast excerpts of Barack Obama's speech about what patriotism means to him, with Stanley Crouch, columnist at the New York Daily News.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2008/07/01

Canada Day Photo Gallery (canada.com)

From canada.com:

Images from aross the nation on July 1, 2008 - Canada's 141st birthday.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/photogalleries/template.html?topic=canadaday070108

Canada Day quiz (cbc.ca)

From cbc.ca:

Think you know Canada, eh ? Take CBC News' test.

http://www.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/quiz/quiz.cgi?quiz=canada-day-2008

What does Canada Day mean to you? (cbc.ca)

From cbc.ca:

"From small town parades to fireworks over Parliament Hill, Canadians will celebrate 141 years of nationhood on Tues., July 1."

"Canada Day means many things to people. Some will relax at the cottage, enjoying the lakes and mountains. Others will take in the festivities in Canada's multicultural cities. For many Quebecers — it's moving day!"

"Whether you're barbequing on the Bras d'Or, sipping beer in Scugog, cruising through Cadillac or kicking back in Enterprise — we want to know what Canada Day means to you".

To submit your video or to see those of others go to:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/25/yv-canadaday.html