Comment from Treasure - September 5, 2009 at 8:33 AM

Indy Car racing coming to Alabama
From the article “It’s official: 3 Indy car races coming to Barber Motorsports Park” by Michael Tomberlin in The Birmingham News:

The Barber Motorsports Park will be the third stop on theIndy Racing League calendar next year, state and local officials confirmed at the racetrack today. The Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is slated for April 9-11, the third stop on the IndyCar Series schedule and two races before the Indianapolis 500 in 2010. “The Barber Motorsports Park is the finest road track in North America and deserves an event of this caliber and prestige,” said Gene Hallman, president of Zoom Motorsports, which will present the race. “This will be the only IndyCar Series race in the Deep South, meaning it is a great tourist draw for the region.” The three-day event is expected to draw around 100,000 race fans and have an economic impact of $30 million, according to the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. The CVB was part of a team that included the racetrack, Zoom, State of Alabama, City of Birmingham and others.

“We are pleased to bring the speed and excitement of the IndyCar Series to Barber Motorsports Park, the greater Birmingham area and the state of Alabama,” Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division for Indy Racing League, said in a statement. “The nearly two-year pursuit to bring IndyCar Series racing to Birmingham only reinforces the professionalism and planning put into this by our newest scheduling partner.” Gov. Bob Riley and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford praised George Barber’s vision to invest his own money developing the $70 million facility, making it possible to win the event. Riley said the race will showcase the state the rest of the world and Langford said it shows what can be accomplished through teamwork. Indy racer Dan Wheldon weighed in on the announcement via telephone. He said the 2.38 mile road track at Barber is both beautiful and challenging and coming back for a real race after the two testing runs in the past is generating a buzz among drivers. “It just seems to have a little bit of everything,” Wheldon said. Tickets will go on sale in September.

Comment from Treasure - September 10, 2009 at 9:38 PM

The Barber Vintage Festival is a great way to celebrate the motorcycle and the motorcycle
enthusiasm that we all share. The festival offers access to motorcycles and the legends that
made the sport what it is today. Also available is the motorcycle parts swap meet that
can help you locate that part needed to get your latest project back on the road.
Several special programs take place in the museum during this event.

Comment from Treasure - September 10, 2009 at 9:44 PM

Nutrition, academic performance linked to healthy morning meal. Experts say breakfast improves concentration and can keep off weight gain in college.

Experts say breakfast is crucial to college students, even though most rely on last night’s pizza to get through the day.

For many students, the routine is not uncommon: roll ot of bed, rush to class, and skip breakfast entirely — save for little more than a cup of coffee. But this daily ritual (or, rather, lack thereof) may contribute to more than just a hectic morning.
Nutrition experts such as Dr. Christina Economos, associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, warn that skipping breakfast can have negative consequences on weight and academic performance. It is part of the larger problem of college students’ questionable nutritional habits.
It is no secret that college students are frequently sleep deprived, so when one has to choose between breakfast and sleep, breakfast often gets pushed to the wayside.
Sophomore Sam Sazer said he usually skips breakfast because his first class is at noon this semester. “Between sleep and breakfast, sleep wins out,” Sazer said.
According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, less than 30 percent of college students get the recommended eight or more hours of sleep a night. Experts like Economos, however, warn that skipping breakfast for an extra 15 minutes of shuteye is no way to get more energy for the day ahead.
“When people [skip breakfast] and their blood sugar or blood glucose levels fall overnight and they wake up and try to perform on low blood glucose, they tend to get really irritable, and they’re so hungry that the next time they do eat, they might overeat,” Economos said.
Forgoing bowls of cereal or scrambled eggs can also adversely affect academic performance. “It depends on how long you’re going to try to perform with low blood glucose levels, but your brain certainly relies on a certain level of circulating blood glucose or blood sugar, and when that starts to dip, you can’t focus [or] maintain that focus for long periods of time,” Economos said.
Sophomore Robyn Jong said that breakfast usually helps her feel energized in the morning, even if it comes at the cost of a few minutes of sleep. “If I don’t eat breakfast, then I tend to fall asleep in class,” she said.
Senior Claire Stevenson says she also never skips breakfast. “I’m always hungry when I wake up,” she said in an e-mail. “You’re going to start thinking about food, and your mission, biologically, is going to be to get food, so it’s a real distraction.”
Other students, like sophomore Austin Glassner, don’t prioritize their morning meal. “I skip breakfast all the time,” Glassner said. “I always eat late at night, so I’m never really hungry when I wake up, and it holds me over until lunchtime.”
For students like sophomore Katrina Knisely, breakfast is practically sacred. One semester, Knisely made it to Dewick every morning by eight so that she had time for a “relaxing” meal before her 8:30 calculus class. But for those who can’t stop hitting the snooze button, there are more portable solutions.
“During the school year I try to make sure I eat a full breakfast,” sophomore Aaron Bartel said in an e-mail. “I would rather be a little sleepier and avoid hunger. If I don’t have enough time to sit down, I will just drop by a dining hall and leave with a mug of coffee and bagel to eat on the way to class.”
Economos stressed that students should avoid falling into a pattern of skipping breakfast and at the very least should follow Bartel’s strategy and have something small to eat in the morning, even if they are in a rush. Otherwise, they run the risk of frequently overeating at lunch or dinner. “Small, frequent eating is actually better,” she said.
Economos added that breakfast is only part of the problem when it comes to college students’ nutrition and health habits.
“A lot of times, students sacrifice their nutrition for other things that feel more pressing at the time, like studying or socializing, or doing laundry or something they might not have been responsible for earlier,” Economos said.
Students often replace the calories they would get from healthful foods eaten at home, like fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy, with calories obtained from late-night snacks, salty or fatty foods and alcohol.
Economos said that the so-called “freshman 15” is actually usually closer to a five-pound weight gain over the course of freshman year. “It’s still significant for a lot of students,” she said. “And the weight often remains with students through the rest of their college years.”
“It’s something to be really aware of when you arrive at school and try to remain in energy balance by consuming the same [number] of calories that you expend,” Economos said. College students are often less active than they were in high school, particularly if they no longer participate in organized sports.
Students do play a role in shaping the university’s food options, according to Economos, who encouraged students to be aware of this. “The more students request certain foods, the more [likely] those demands will be met, so students really need to speak up,” she said.
Luckily for junior Yein Kim, the dining halls are doing fine with her most important meal of the day.
“Breakfast is the only meal I actually like here,” she said.

Comment from imthduke - September 12, 2009 at 5:16 AM

Looking to add some meaning and direction to your next road trip? Then pick an interest and follow the trail.

The number of themed U.S. driving itineraries is growing, targeting everyone from bluegrass fans winding down Virginia’s Crooked Road to cheese heads nibbling their way along Vermont’s Cheese Trail.

North Carolina has a Barbecue Trail. Oregon touts a Fruit Loop in the fertile Hood River Valley. Connecticut promotes an Art Trail. In southeastern Arizona, the Salsa Trail is king. New Mexico will launch a Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail this fall.

These routes typically are organized by tourism bureaus hoping to drive traffic to off-the-beaten-path spots. On their own, the small towns and hidden byways might not rate as a destination, but as part of a larger journey they offer big rewards.

These road trips won’t break the bank, either. Maps and other complimentary interpretive material show the way to the best a region has to offer, including free festivals and other events. Here are four geographically diverse routes ideal for fall travel.

Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail

What: A route that encompasses the peninsula and leads to 24 waterfalls in northwest Washington

Why go: Rain-forest valleys, wilderness coastline, alpine meadows and friendly rural towns. The waterfalls are thundering this time of year, foliage is starting to turn, and you’re likely to spot elk as they saunter to the lower valleys. Many falls are short walks from roadways (though some require hikes). Madison Creek Falls is wheelchair accessible.

Don’t miss: Sol Duc Falls, a signature sight in Olympic National Park. The falls are viewable from a pretty bridge, less than a mile from the road. If you’re game, hike the 6 miles from Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort (open through October).

Staying over: Within the national park, historic Lake Quinault Lodge (Teddy Roosevelt slept here) has fall/winter rates starting at $110 (800-562-6672; visitlakequinault.com). Lake Quinault also has smaller independent lodgings and vacation rentals, as does Port Angeles.

Dining out: Michael’s Seafood & Steakhouse in Port Angeles serves local oysters, clams and salmon, free-range beef, plus pizza and pasta.

Events: The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles Oct. 10-11 features seafood, wine tasting, a beer garden and the popular Grab a Crab Derby.

Information: 800-942-4042; visitolympicpeninsula.org

Alabama Civil Rights Trail

What: A four-day itinerary to significant sites in Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma and Tuskegee

Why go: President Obama’s election has elevated interest in the trail, which has an expanded and updated brochure and website. Among the iconic sites: the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church; the Rosa Parks Library & Museum; the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Don’t miss: The Dexter Parsonage Museum in Montgomery. The city is the civil rights movement’s ground zero, but while many visitors see the places related to the 1955 bus boycott and the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as senior pastor, they miss this gem. The home where King lived from 1954 to 1959 is furnished with period and original furniture and still bears scars of the civil rights struggle — damage to the front porch caused by a bomb thrown during the boycott.

Staying over: On a bluff overlooking downtown Montgomery, the Red Bluff Cottage B&B (888-551-2529; redbluffcottage.com) has rooms from $110-$155. In downtown Birmingham, try the boutique Redmont Hotel or the historic Tutwiler Hotel.

Dining out: In Birmingham, the Highlands Bar & Grill, a 2009 James Beard Award finalist, serves Southern fare at its best. In Montgomery, the fried chicken at Martin’s Restaurant draws raves.

Events: The African Extravaganza on Oct. 23 in Selma highlights African food, music and crafts.

Information: 800-252-2262; alabama.travel

Heritage Trail

What: A 90-mile loop through northern Indiana’s rural Amish Country

Why go: Quilt gardens, Amish buggies, open spaces and free pie! The popular Quilt Gardens (16 flower gardens planted in giant quilt patterns) are fading now, but there’s color of another hue in acres of green-to-amber corn and soybean fields, where some of the area’s 20,000 Amish residents are reaping the harvest.

Don’t miss: Bonneyville Mill County Park near Bristol on 223 acres of rolling hills, with hiking trails and the state’s oldest operating gristmill. This weekend is the annual Bonneyville Celebration, an old-fashioned country fair.

Staying over: Das Dutchman Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center in Middlebury (800-455-9471; essenhausinn.com) has weekend rates starting at $107, double, with continental breakfast. Moderate- to budget-priced chain lodgings are clustered around Elkhart. Middlebury and Nappanee are B&B central.

Dining out: Hearty family-style meals are a mainstay here. (Two popular spots: Amish Acres in Nappanee and Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury.) For lighter fare, try Kelly Jae’s Cafe in Goshen for Spanish tapas with an Asian twist.

Events: The Nappanee Apple Festival Sept. 21 features the world’s largest apple pie (600 pounds, 7 feet around), with free samples for attendees. It’s created by a local bakery with an assist from the fire department in retrieving it from the oven.

Information: 800-250-4827; amishcountry.org/heritage.trail (downloadable audio tour)

Pennsylvania Civil War Trails

What: Two distinct itineraries highlighting Civil War stories circa 1863 in south-central Pennsylvania

Why go: 40 “story stops,” plus 24 Civil War-related attractions viewed along scenic back roads. The trail, which made its debut in April, is informally billed as the largest Civil War theme park. The two routes spotlight different wartime strategies as they played out in the fields and towns of Pennsylvania, and tell the stories of ordinary people via explanatory signs at significant sites. Each itinerary takes about three days, at a leisurely pace.

Don’t miss: Lincoln Cemetery in Gettysburg. It was founded by Basil Biggs, an African American who made enough money burying the dead at Gettysburg (1,100 bodies at $1.25 each) to establish a cemetery there for black soldiers and a benevolent society for African-American families.

Staying over: The Inn at Westwynn Farm near Hershey (877-937-8996; westwyndfarminn.com), on a 32-acre horse farm, has 10 rooms; rates $109-$179. Gettysburg, Harrisburg and York have plenty of chain lodgings.

Dining out: Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen in Columbia, run by Paul Prudhomme’s nephew, serves Louisiana-spiced fare in a historic building.

Events: Remembrance Weekend in Gettysburg Nov. 21-22 commemorates the 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address with a parade, balls and an illumination in which candles are lit for each soldier buried in Soldiers National Cemetery.

Information: 800-847-4872; visitpa.com

Comment from Earl - September 26, 2009 at 8:04 AM

MICHELIN U.S. MOTORCYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP POSTS $87,500 PURSE FOR PRO, EXPERT AND AMATEUR RACERS

The Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship, set for October 3-4, 2009 at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala., will be an exclusive, invitation-only event for sportsman-level racers who compete on MICHELIN® racing tires. The event will offer $87,500 in prize money over two days of racing.

The Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship will be co-sanctioned by both WERA and CCS/ASRA, and will comprise three classes recognized by both organizations: 600cc Supersport, 1000cc Superstock and Thunderbike/Twins. Within each class, racers will be divided into pro, expert and amateur divisions, with separate purse payouts for each. In addition, the Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship will feature a women’s category with its own $8500 purse.

“This is the first time that WERA and CCS have come together to sanction a single event,” said Bernard Jarrousse, Michelin North America’s director for motorcycle road racing. “We want to provide an opportunity for regional racers who compete on MICHELIN® racing tires to test themselves against riders from across the country, and to possibly finish the 2009 season with a big payday.”

Points earned over the Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship weekend will be compiled to crown a Grand Champion in each class. Pros, experts and amateurs are all eligible to become Grand Champion. The Grand Championships in 600cc supersport and 1000cc superstock are each worth $5000, while the Thunderbike and women’s champions take home $3000. These payouts are in addition to individual race purses.

Racers can earn an invitation to the Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship in one of two ways. First, any licensed competitor who commits to using MICHELIN® racing tires by signing a national contract with a Michelin racing tire distributor before May 31, 2009, will automatically qualify to race at the Championship.

Racers may also qualify through regional series in which Michelin offers contingency awards. Michelin will designate specific race classes in each series, through which Michelin riders may qualify for the Championship. Any rider who uses MICHELIN® race tires and is in the top ten overall in these designated qualifying classes as of July 31, 2009, will earn an invitation to the Championship. Qualifying classes will be announced shortly and posted on http://www.MichelinMotorcycle.com.

Female racers attempting to qualify under this rule will earn invitations based solely on their results against other women in their class. Regardless of the class in which the rider qualifies, any bikes competing at the Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship must comply with applicable WERA or CCS rules.

The Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship is scheduled for a week before the WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, and two weeks before the CCS Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway. “This offers Michelin racers a unique opportunity to compete in three major championship events on consecutive weekends, all of them in the southeastern U.S.,” Jarrousse pointed out.