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Budget Truck Rental will offer customers who book a one-way Budget Truck rental online and pay for it with any American Express Card a $50 American Express branded reward card. Budget Truck Rental’s fleet includes cargo vans, 10-foot trucks, 16-foot trucks with ramps, 16-foot trucks with lift gates and 24-foot trucks. All trucks feature automatic transmissions and have free 24/7 roadside assistance.

For more information, visit www.budgettruck.com/get50

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - For the second consecutive year, the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, AK, will host the 2009 U.S. Distance Cross Country Championships at Birch Hill the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association

The event will hold the final 30 and 50k events prior to Olympic selection events beginning. The entire U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is expected to compete and will feature World Cup winner and native Alaskan Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK) as well as Olympians Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI), Kris Freeman (Andover, NH), Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA) and Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT).

“The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks race organization has earned an outstanding reputation for putting on events,” said USSA Nordic Program Director John Farra. “They did a great job this year, and we are looking forward to another great championship series in Fairbanks. The snow and the weather were perfect this year, and we expect the same in 2009.”

The event, which will take place at the Birch Hill Recreation Area five minutes from Fairbanks, will also be a part of the Tour of the Golden Heart ski festival. The event includes two days of competition from the nation’s best distance cross country skiers on Birch Hill’s 30k of groomed trails.

The NCSF, which hosted the 1977, 1995 and 2003 Junior Olympics and a FIS Men’s Cross Country World Cup in 1984, is excited to be a part of the national event again.

“Racing is just a part of what the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks does, and we do it very well,” NSCF President Dan Johnson said. “We are thrilled to have the U.S. Ski Team coming to town for a visit, and excited to have the opportunity to host another set of National Championship events at Birch Hill.”

2009 U.S. Distance Cross Country Championships Schedule:

March 27 - Women 15km Pursuit, Men 30km Pursuit
March 29 - Women 30km Classic, Men 50km Classic marathons

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships will return to the slopes of Alaska’s Alyeska Resort this spring, March 24-31, announced the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.

Alaska will host a flurry of competitive ski events this winter as other venues around the state are also hosting national title events as well, including the ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships at Kincaid Park in January and the U.S. Cross Country Distance Championships outside Fairbanks in March.

“Alaska is a great place to host U.S. championships,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President of Events Calum Clark. “The state is passionate about skiing.

“For alpine, Alyeska has an ideal set-up as the mountain challenges athletes and the venue is easily accessible for the public to watch the skiers cross the finish. Plus, they have always shown a commitment and great enthusiasm to host the best possible alpine championships.”

The 2009 alpine title races will feature the country’s best ski racers, including ‘08 World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), Olympic gold medalists Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) and Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) as well as past U.S. champions Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), Stacey Cook (Mammoth, CA), Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) and hopefully newly-crowned FIS World champions.

“I can’t wait to be back racing in Alyeska,” said Cochran who won a slalom title at the 2007 championships. “Good snow, a great hill, a fabulous bakery, and people with a sense of spirit.”

No stranger to hosting major competitions, Alyeska Resort, located less than an hour outside of Anchorage, first hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships nearly 30 years ago, in 1981, 2004, and most recently in 2007. It was at the ‘81 championships that Phil Mahre, fresh off winning his first overall World Cup title, won the U.S. giant slalom title while brother Steve won the slalom. In 1989, Alyeska played host to the Junior World Alpine Championships where the U.S. team captured eight medals, including gold in super G and combined by Alaska racer Tommy Moe.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the U.S. Alpine Championships. This is a great opportunity to showcase our resort on a national level with some of the best talent in the world. Our rich ski racing tradition provides the backdrop for what should be a fantastic event leading up to the Olympic Games,” stated Jason Lott, Director of Sales and Marketing for Alyeska Resort and the Hotel Alyeska.

U.S. Alpine Championships are considered a right of passage for many young racers who are hungry for the opportunity to ski in front of the national coaching staff and at the highest level of domestic ski racing. The championships match the best U.S. Ski Team athletes with hundreds of aspiring American skiers looking to measure themselves against world-class racers as they aim for spots on the U.S. Ski Team.

“Winning a national championship is very important and a goal that a lot of the athletes strive for,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of pride involved in being a national champion in the sport.”

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships schedule:
March 24 - Downhill training
March 25 - Downhill training
March 26 - FIS downhill race
March 27 - U.S. Championships men’s and women’s downhill
March 28 - Men’s and women’s super G
March 29 - Men’s and women’s slalom
March 30 - Women’s giant slalom
March 31- Men’s giant slalom

The Nature Valley title races will be broadcast on Versus. Schedule details will be released closer to competition.

So many skiers fell in love with their sport when a ski area was a family affair, with the owners running the rope tows and neighborhood kids running the hot cocoa shack.

That experience in has not been lostin the Finger Lakes, where great family resorts let you say goodbye to $100 lifttickets, 30-minute lift lines and spending the day trying to find your family instead of skiing with your family

Syracuse Area

Greek Peak, in Virgil, with 32 trails, six lifts, and a vertical drop of 950 feet. All day lift ticket (adult) is $58. http://www.greekpeak.net

Song Mountain, just south of Syracuse, with 24 trails, five lifts, and 700 feet of vertical drop. All day lift ticket is $39. http://www.songmountain.com

Toggenberg Mountain, in Fabius, with 24 trails, five lifts, and a 700 foot drop. All day lift ticket is $40. http://www.skitog.com

Labrador Mountain, in Truxton, with 22 trails, four lifts, and a drop of 700 feet. An all day lift ticket is $38. http://labradormtn.com

Four Seasons, in Fayetteville, has four trails, two lifts, and a 100-foot vertical drop. An all-day ticket is $17. http://www.fourseasonsgolfandski.com

Rochester Area

Swain Resort, in Swain, with 23 trails, four lifts, and 650 feet of skiing. Four hour ticket is $37. For the real old-time skiing experience, Swain also operates a rope tow at Monroe County’s Northampton and Powder Mills Parks, where an all-day ticket costs only $6 and a season pass $35. http://www.swain.com

Bristol Mountain, in Canandaigua, with 33 trails, five lifts, and a vertical of 1,200 feet. An all-day ticket is $54. http://www.bristolmountain.com

Brantling, in Sodus, with 10 trails, six lifts, and a vertical of 240 feet. An all-day ticket is $30. http://www.brantling.com

Ski Clubs

Harkening back to the original days of North American skiing, these clubs are families of ski enthusiasts banded together to build their own ski slopes.

Hunt Hollow, in Naples, with 24 trails, three lifts, and a vertical of 825 feet. See their web site at http://www.hunthollow.com  for more information.

Skaneateles Ski Hill, in Skaneateles, with four trails, two lifts, and a vertical of 361 feet. See their web site at http://www.skiskaneateles.com  for more information.

Ski a lot, for a little, and not far from home, in the Finger Lakes.

All this comes to life in the Finger Lakes: the most beautiful lakes, valleys, and waterfalls surrounding historic villages and rural countryside, with the world-class wines and fresh, local food.

The eleven narrow and deep ice-age lakes run north and south through 9,000 square miles of rolling hills and plunging gorges, and the best hiking, sailing, hunting, and fishing to be found. Rochester and Syracuse bookend lively small cities like Auburn, Ithaca and Geneva, and charming small towns like Skaneateles and Canandaigua - places that gave birth to Women’s Rights and Abolition and continue to create new ideas today. More than 80 wineries and winemakers produce world’s best Riesling and other wines that pair perfectly with the area’s abundant fresh and organic food. Learn more about the Finger Lakes are www.fingerlakes.org

For more information or to arrange a visit, please see Matt Montague, 607.257.7000, cell 740 803 5005, matt@onlinesms.com

Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
CONTACT: Chris Fogg
TEL: 207-288-5103
E-MAIL: cfogg@barharborinfo.com
WEB: www.barharborinfo.com

BAR HARBOR, Maine —The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce just rolled out a new twist for the biggest retail event of the year. On November 22, following the annual Early Bird Sale, the Chamber is staging its first bed race!

While bargain hunters will still have to roll out of bed before the sun creeps above Cadillac Mountain for “first dibs” on reduced merchandise offered at the 6-9 AM sales event, the bed race following the sale will see folks from all over New England competing to push their bed and rider across the finish line in the fastest amount of time.

Each team in the zany contest is made up of five participants. One individual is assigned the “riding” position while four members of the team push the bed. Teams are to line up at The Village Green no later than 10:00 AM. All entries will then form a festive bed parade starting at the Village Green, down Main Street to Cottage Street and up Cottage Street past the Criterion Theatre. The staging area for the race will be between the Criterion Theatre and Rodick Street. All beds will be inspected there before each heat. Teams are asked to decorate beds in a tasteful manner “appropriate for youth viewing.” The race route is along Cottage Street to where it intersects with Main Street, then back on the same route to the finish line.

There will be a series of heats pitting one team against another followed by a series of “race-offs” until just two final beds remain in the running. The first place team will be awarded $500.00 in Bar Harbor gift certificates and a trophy. The second place team will also receive a trophy and $200.00 in gift certificates.

A prize will also be awarded in the category of “Best Decorated Bed” for which winners will receive a “Dinner and Movie” prize package containing five single admission movie tickets to the Criterion Theatre and gift certificates to The Thirsty Whale.

Anyone over 14 years of age is welcome to compete but at least one member of the team must be 18 years of age or older. A $20.00 entry fee per team goes to fill the prize coffers. Entry forms, rules and more details of the first annual Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce bed races can be found on the Chamber’s website with a deadline for entry by November 17, 2008. Each team registering and submitting an entry fee gets a coupon worth 10% off the cost of supplies at either Bar Harbor Trustworthy, EBS, or Paradis True Value.

CONTACT: Charlene Browne
TEL: 603-356-2694
E-MAIL: info@farmbytheriver.com
WEB: www.farmbytheriver.com

NORTH CONWAY, N.H.—Come enjoy great hospitality, wonderful food and exciting snow adventures with Farm by the River Bed & Breakfast with Stables; the only public stables in the region open year round. Whatever your winter fantasy may be, the Farm by the River can accommodate it. Located in the White Mountains, you have access to downhill skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice climbing and ice-skating. At the Inn, enjoy this family estate on 70 acres with panoramic mountain views and have direct access to snowshoeing, sleigh rides and yes, even winter horseback riding. The stables are open to the public daily.

Enjoy an authentic New England experience while hitting the slopes with the Snow Much Fun skiing and snow sport package. For the 2008-2009 ski season you will get two nights lodging, two one day ski vouchers at any of the Nordic or Alpine ski areas, two full breakfasts and complimentary snowshoeing at the Inn.

Or for your holiday pleasures, be sure not to miss The Polar Express; a magical journey to the North Pole. Bring the kids, grab your pajamas and bring the magic alive with the Polar Express package. Lodging packages including tickets are still available on the first and second extended weekends in December. This storybook train ride includes a two-night stay at the Inn, tickets for the Polar Express for each person and a full fireside breakfast. Add a sleigh or wagon ride to add to the winter fun of all the great activities going on in nearby North Conway Village.

While staying at the Inn, take advantage of the peaceful, picturesque atmosphere and propose to that special someone on a sleigh ride for two. Or plan saying “I do” by the glow of the fireplace in an intimate circle of your closest family and friends with our on site Justice of the Peace. Farm by the River’s secluded 70 acres is perfect for any kind of romance you have in mind. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, proposing, planning an elopement or wedding or just planning a romantic trip Farm by the River will take good care of you.

Farm by the River Bed and Breakfast with Stables is an award -winning inn for historic preservation and award-winning stables. The Farm by the River is currently taking reservations for all winter packages so hurry before they’re gone.

Immerse yourself in authentic culture and local cuisine with Summit Hotels & Resorts, a highly-acclaimed collection of international hotels and resorts offering first-class amenities and services for the sophisticated traveler. Summit Hotels & Resorts are offering a tempting array of culinary packages for those who wish to travel and taste the world.

Taste of Summit tantalizes taste buds with deluxe packages that highlight local produce and regional specialties, together with authentic cooking techniques and unique culinary styles. Epicureans can delight in these delectable offers, which include daily breakfast and a dinner for two at participating properties.

Whether it is a weekend on the French Riviera for fine foie gras, a retreat to sunny Sorrento for crispy, wafer-thin pizza, or an incredible adventure to India to indulge in mouth-watering Madras curries – Taste of Summit has a multitude of gourmet surprises to delight all guests and the taste buds.

Here are just a few Summit Hotels and Resorts offering Taste of Summit packages:

The Metropolitan Hotel, New Delhi, India
The Metropolitan is perfect for exploring the hustle and bustle of New Delhi. With well-appointed suites and rooms, 24 hour concierge and great gastronomy, guests can entwine a serene stay with the vibrant vibe of New Delhi. For exotic spices and rich curries with hot peppers and delicious home-grown vegetables, Chutney restaurant serves authentically Indian cuisine with a modern and exotic twist – with over 200 types of home-made chutneys using rare fruit, vegetables and herbs.

The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand
Luscious blue-green waters, rainbow-colored fish, white sandy beaches – find paradise at The Tongsai Bay. This idyllic retreat features stunning beachfront cottages and villas set amid lush tropical gardens. Chef Chom has taught over 500 chefs and cooks and now graces the Tongsai Bay with her culinary skills - serving fresh platters of prawns, crab and sea food delicacies with Thai flavors and spices.

Star City Hotel and Apartments, Sydney, Australia
Situated in the heart of this exuberant city and overlooking Sydney harbor, the acclaimed Star City Hotel and Apartments welcomes guests with an elegant array of penthouses and apartments. Take advantage of world-class opera and theater nights while sampling tasty flambéed steaks and grills, and maybe for the adventurous traveler – a kangaroo burger.

Hôtel Gray D’Albion, Cannes, France
Home to many of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, fine foie gras and vintage vin rouge – France is a foodies dream destination and the cuisine is par excellence at the Hôtel Gray D’Albion. Guests are invited to relax in style at this stunning French Riviera retreat, and embrace magnificent Mediterranean cuisines of freshly grilled fishes, French cheeses and fresh vegetables à la provencale, all served over azure-blue waters.

Hotel Parco dei Principi, Sorrento, Italy

This five-star hotel is paradise by the sea. Hotel Parco dei Principi boasts exquisite guestrooms with spectacular ocean views, a private beach and fabulous Italian Mediterranean cuisine served at restaurants Gio Ponti and La Spiaggia – freshly caught sea food is delicately served alongside wafer-thin pizza drizzled in local olive oil and accompanied by a drop of full-bodied fruity Montepulciano.

The Colonnade, Boston, United States
Positioned in the leafy Back Bay quarter amid charming boutiques and fine-dining bistros, the newly renovated Colonnade features the city’s only rooftop swimming pool, beautifully appointed guestrooms and great gastronomy - for the traveler with taste. Brasserie Jo serves authentic French cuisine using local organic produce, fresh fish and tasty dishes à la carte such as Steak Tartare and Coq au Vin - and all prepared by world-renowned chef Jean Joho.

For more information or to make reservations please visit:
www.tasteofsummit.com or www.summithotels.com

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is working to increase awareness of a new trusted traveler pilot program, Global Entry. The program allows expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk frequent international travelers (U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents) to the United States coming in through the following airports:

Dulles (Washington, D.C.), JFK (New York City), George Bush Intercontinental (Houston), LAX (Los Angeles), Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta), O’Hare (Chicago), and Miami International (Miami). Global Entry is a harmonized program that allows applicants to complete a single application and pay one fee. The Global Entry program is an important next step in building upon the foundation of CBP’s other trusted traveler programs, such as NEXUS and SENTRI, and extending expedited processing to low-risk, international air travelers.

For more information, visit www.globalentry.gov

NYLO Providence/Warwick, in Warwick, R.I., is offering a selection of getaway packages. Valid year-round, the packages include a romance offer for which rates start at $199.

The offer features overnight accommodations for two; a bottle of champagne; dinner in The Loft, the hotel’s signature restaurant; and a complimentary in-room movie.Also available is the Wine Tour package, the Dinner and a Movie package, the Park & Fly package, the Stay & Play Golf package, the Retail Therapy Getaway package, and the Dining Getaway package.

For more information, visit www.nylohotels.com