There are two sides to every story

TSA offers tips for faster airport screening

(Washington Post) Here's advice from the Transportation Security Administration about what you can expect at airports - and how you can make the process a bit smoother. --The TSA's new screening techniques are in place at all domestic airports, even if security is handled by a private company instead of the agency. --Only passengers who set off a walk-through metal detector or advanced-imaging technology machine, or who opt out of the scanning machine, receive a pat-down. --Items that might set off an alarm on the metal detector include: keys; loose change; cellphones; pagers; heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards and bolo ties); clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs; metal barrettes or other hair accessories; belt buckles; and underwire bras. --Travelers are required to remove their shoes and put them through the X-ray machine for inspection. Slip-on shoes ease the process. --Prepare for screening by removing the contents of your pockets and alert the security officer if you have a hidden medical device. Less than 3 percent of passengers end up needing a pat-down, the TSA says. --Pat-downs will take longer than body scans. According to the TSA, body scans take about five seconds, with an extra 15 to 20 seconds for processing. Pat-downs take one to two minutes. --Pat-downs are conducted by TSA officers who are the same sex as the person being screened. --Children age 12 and younger who require extra screening will receive a "modified" pat-down. The TSA has declined to provide specifics of its pat-down procedures. Read more Today is "National Opt Out Day" at airports across the country. An estimated 24 million people will pass through airports over the extended Thanksgiving weekend. It's anyone's guess how many of them will opt out of the machines in favor of the pat downs to send a message to the TSA. Here's the group behind the protest: www.optoutday.com It doesn't take very many people to cause huge delays. The full body scan takes about 10 seconds. According to the TSA an enhanced pat down can take up to four minutes. In other words, it would take a total of around 15 minutes to put 100 people through a body scan - but at least 6 hours to pat down the same number of travelers. What if you aren't trying to make a statement? What if you just want to get to grandma's house as fast as possible? Ask any travel expert for advice. We have a couple of clients who can help and they've available for interviews today: Bob Diener (he's in Miami) Travel Expert (cell) 305-496-5774 bdiener@getaroom.com David Litman (he's in Dallas) Travel Expert (cell) 214-499-5986 dlitman@getaroom.com

Twenty Michigan Ski Areas to Honor the Hall of Fame’s Ski Michigan Gold Card

 

November 17, 2010 (ISHPEMING, MI) - One of the best deals each year for the enthusiastic skier and snowboarder in Michigan is the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s Ski Michigan Gold Card.   This year it is an even better deal as a record twenty ski areas across the state have agreed to honor the card. 

For $500 a skier literally has a season’s pass to his choice among the twenty participating areas and under certain conditions can even share it with friends, family members and associates.  It is also exclusive as only a limited number (75) of the cards are available and already half of these have been sold.

Moreover, Gold card purchasers have the added benefit of being recognized as supporting members of both, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the International Skiing History Association and will receive the popular and internationally acclaimed magazine Skiing Heritage, as well as a subscription to SKI magazine.

The ski areas and resorts that will recognize the Ski Michigan Gold Card this year are:

            Apple Mountain                                   Freeland, MI

            Big Powderhorn Mountain                   Bessemer, MI

            Blackjack Ski Resort                            Bessemer, MI

            Boyne Highlands Resort                       Harbor Springs, MI **

            Boyne Mountain Resort                       Boyne Falls, MI **

            Cannonsburg Ski Area                         Cannonsburg, MI

            Cross Country Ski HQ                          Roscommon, MI

            Crystal Mountain Resort                       Thompsonville, MI     

            Indianhead Mountain Resort                Wakefield, MI

            Marquette Mountain                            Marquette, MI

            Mont Ripley                                         Houghton, MI

            Mount Holly Resort                             Holly, MI **

            Norway Mountain                                Norway, MI

            Pine Knob Ski Resort                           Clarkston, MI

            Pine Mountain                                     Iron Mountain, MI

            Shanty Creek Resort                             Bellaire, MI

            Ski Brule                                              Iron River, MI

            Snow Snake Mountain                         Harrison, MI

            Swiss Valley Ski/Snowboard                Jones, MI

            Treetops Resort                                    Gaylord, MI **

** Only owners of the Ski Michigan Gold Card can use it at these areas.

Ski Michigan Gold Cards can be ordered by going to the Hall of Fame’s web site:

www.skihall.com or by calling 906 485-6323.

If Only… by Katie Hallett

Contact: Katie Hallett

586-484-4947 (phone); 517-548-9586 (fax)

khallett@ifonlybook.com; www.ifonlybook.com

If Only… by Katie Hallett

Brighton, MI Author of newly released children’s story pledges 25% of book’s profits to St.Judes Children’s Hospital

“Timmy spotted his friend, Mr. Elephant, first,

And the envy he felt made his heart want to burst!

‘If only I were like you, Mr. Elephant, so strong and large,

Then I would always be the one in charge.’“

~ Excerpt from If Only…

No doubt every child at some point or another has looked at another and thought, “If only.” Author Katie Hallett takes this universal sentiment and lovingly explores it from the perspective of a sad little mouse who wishes he could be someone else.

Timmy’s day begins well enough, but as his morning progresses, one thing after another bruises his spirit. As Hallett’s rhyming verse explains,

“Feet first, he swung fast over the edge of his bed.

Jump, thump, bump – he fell down on his head.

“Why?” Timmy wondered, “Why am I so short?”

“It’s because you’re a mouse,” was his brother’s retort.

After an unsatisfying breakfast replete with a few more mishaps, Timmy wanders over to see his friends in the zoo. One by one, he wishes out loud he could be like them, and one by one, he learns that even though their unique qualities are special, there are things they can’t do.

Mr. Elephant says,“I can’t fit in small spaces or walk without sound.

It’s hard to move when you’re this big and round,” while Miss Giraffe notes, “There are times when it feels lonely up here. When others are talking it is never quite clear. Sometimes I think they forget I am here.”

To his surprise, Timmy’s morning at the zoo gives this contemplative creature something new to think about, and he realizes it’s not so bad being himself after all.

Children the world over will agree, and like Timmy, will come away with a keener appreciation for their own unique differences and their abundant blessings.

#          #          #

Author: Katie Hallett wrote “If Only…” with the help of her husband and children and notes, “It was a family affair.” She lives in Howell, MI.

Who is Hunting Who at this U.P. Camp

ya never know who'll come knockin' at yer huntin' shack!! (those are bear-claw marks!)  - Roy & Betty Nye near Cederville

Thanksgiving Week Weather May Be a Preview of Winter

State College, Pa. -- 12 November 2010 -- AccuWeather.com reports wintry weather seems to be getting off to a slow start over much of the nation, but it could soon make up for lost time and cause trouble prior to Thanksgiving in the form of storms and blasts of cold air.

While granted the pattern setting up for the heavy travel days prior to Thanksgiving now looks less like one big arctic blast sweeping much of the nation, cold will make substantial inroads into the northern states and may spin up stormy weather in the process.

The weather due to evolve over the next 10 days may give us a look as to what much of the winter of 2010-2011 may be like, thanks in part to the La Nina in progress over the Pacific.

AccuWeather.com meteorologists are suspicious that computer models do not have a good handle on what will transpire beyond the next seven days.

There is concern that multiple intrusions of arctic air have potential spin up multiple storms with rain, ice and snow over the northern half of the nation.

Exactly where the rain/snow line would set up for each storm is impossible to say at this point. However, we can say the autumn bliss continuing over the eastern third of the nation will not last much longer.

In addition, there will be several storms with snow, ice and rain cruising eastward across the northern part of the nation through Thanksgiving weekend as divisions of warm and cold air battle.

The wintry events would include potential for two blizzards over the northern Rockies and High Plains and two bouts of significant lake-effect snow.

Areas from I-80 northward away from the coasts appear to be where most of the wintry weather travel problems and gusty winds will reside. However, while snow and ice are the most feared for a travel-heavy holiday, wind, rain and fog may cause delays as well in coastal and more southerly areas.

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com

If you have questions or want to speak to a meteorologist, contact:

Roberti@AccuWeather.com

Once we were Warriors Original Veteran's Day 2010 Military Tribute