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Distracted driving poses problem

An estimated 6,000 people were killed last year in crashes involving a “distracted or inattentive driver,” according to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 500,000 people were also injured in such crashes, the data shows.

“Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road – even for just a few seconds – they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, according to a news release. “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.

“We now know that the worst offenders are the youngest, least experienced drivers,” LaHood said. “Unfortunately though, the problem doesn't end there. Distracted driving occurs across all age groups and all modes of transportation, from cars to buses and trucks to trains. We must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes caused by driver distraction.”

Orbitz says fare thee well to change, cancellation fees on hotel bookings

Good news for anyone who needs to make a change to their travel reservation. Orbitz announced that it will no longer charge fees to change or cancel hotel bookings.

Company officials say the change – on reservations made anywhere in the world – will make it easier for travelers to change their schedules as needed.

“We are totally obsessed with ensuring Orbitz.com is the best place to book a hotel on the Web,” Barney Harford, president and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide, said in a news release. “Earlier this year we led the industry with the launch of Total Price hotel search results and Hotel Price Assurance delivering meaningful value and transparency. Now by eliminating change and cancellation fees on all hotel bookings we're giving customers yet another reason to book their hotel with Orbitz.com.”

Report: Rome’s Colosseum needs refurbishment

The Roman Colosseum needs more than $7 million in renovations, according to Italian government officials, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

“Some bits of it are falling off,” Francesco Giro, the government’s undersecretary for culture and heritage, said, according to a report in The Telegraph. The historic edifice needs “immediate restoration.”

Started in 72 AD, the Colosseum is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. This incredible building has lasted generations and is the best and most widely-known symbol of Rome’s past. The Colosseum could hold 50,000 people, had a retractable roof and could be emptied in a matter of minutes.

At times, the Romans filled the stadium with water to reenact sea battles for war-loving crowds. However, it is perhaps best remembered for the gladiator fights that once took place there. The Colosseum was used continuously for 145 years until it was damaged in a fire in 217.

Chili's Create-A-Pepper

Chili's Create-A-Pepper: Eat out for a good cause.

Survey: Room rates down compared to 2008

A new survey reveals that during the first six months of 2009 the average price of a hotel room in the U.S. fell 17 percent compared to the same time frame in 2008.

The new hotels.com Hotel Price Index indicated that room rates were $115 per night during the first six months, a decrease from $139 a year earlier.

“This is by far the most significant change in prices we've seen since we created the Hotel Price Index. Americans’ travel dollars have never gone farther than in 2009,” David Roche, president of hotels.com, said in a news release. “As properties continue to roll out discounts and other incentives to attract guests, the gap between the top star categories has narrowed, giving travelers more value and making luxury more accessible than any other time in the past five years.”

Globally, room rates were down 17 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period of 2008.

College Football Hall of Fame moving to Atlanta

ATLANTA – The College Football Hall of Fame is moving from South Bend, Ind., to Atlanta.

“Atlanta is a true mecca for college football. It’s our way of life, and we’re passionate about it,” Gary Stokan, president and CEO of the Chick-fil-A Bowl, said in an article on the Hall of Fame’s Web site. “Atlanta will showcase this national treasure like never before and provide fans superior access and an improved experience.”

The Hall of Fame is relocating to a 50,000-square-foot site near Centennial Olympic Park.

“The City of Atlanta is excited to welcome the College Football Hall of Fame to downtown Atlanta,” Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said in an article on the Hall of Fame’s Web site. “This major tourism venue will be a welcomed attraction to downtown where we already have the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, the CNN Center, Centennial Park and others. I’m especially proud of the work done by the Atlanta Development Authority and their partners in attracting the College Football Hall of Fame to our city.”

Amtrak offering double points to Rewards members

ATLANTA – Anyone looking to travel by train could see a little more bang for the buck. Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) members can earn double points on trips under a promotion that runs through Dec. 19.

Travelers can earn points on up to two “qualifying trips” per day — one roundtrip or two one-way trips.

“The fall season brings back a resurgence of both business travel and leisure travel for long weekends and holidays,” Michael Blakey, senior director, Loyalty Marketing, said in a news release. "We are pleased to reward our loyal customers with double points and hope to encourage new customers to become Amtrak Guest Rewards members.”

To take advantage of the offer, passengers must be AGR members. To register, log onto AmtrakGuestRewards.com and use registration code 91409 or call (800) 307-5000, select option 2 and enter the registration code.

Reservations may be made online at Amtrak.com or via phone at (800) USA-RAIL.

Train vs. motorists or pedestrians – the train will win

MARIETTA, Ga. – Now, a number of organizations – Operation Lifesaver, the U.S. Department of Transportation and major railroad companies – joined together to launch the Common Sense campaign. The initiative aims to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed and injured when trespassing around tracks and trains.

The campaign is targeted toward 18-34 year olds.

“Young adults also may be distracted by cell phones, texting, or listening to MP3 players if they’re near the tracks. This new public awareness campaign has a simple message: staying away from the tracks is common sense, and it can save your life,” Cliff Stayton, a former locomotive engineer, said in a news release.

The Common Sense campaign aims to teach the public how dangerous it is to trespass on railroad property through an interactive Web site, internet ads, videos and local events. It will be test-marketed in markets where pedestrian rail trespass incidents frequently occur.

States with the highest number of pedestrian rail trespass deaths in 2008 are California, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts and Georgia.

“If you are driving don’t try to beat a train at a crossing and if you are walking stay off the tracks-it's really just common sense,” Joe Deely, Amtrak General Superintendent, Pacific Division, said in a news release.

For more information, log onto www.CommonSenseUseIt.com.

Photo Essay: 'The smallest church in America'

Chili's restaurants helping 'Fight Childhood Cancer'

Special to The Travel Trolley

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is receiving a boost from Chili's Grill & Bar thanks to the launch of the sixth annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign.

Now through Sept. 30, Chili's restaurants around the country will observe National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by inviting guests to support the St. Jude mission to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases through research and treatment.

Guests at participating Chili's restaurants can contribute to St. Jude in multiple ways:

• Make a donation to St. Jude and receive a Create-A-Pepper chili pepper coloring sheet. Decorated sheets will be displayed in restaurants nationwide throughout September.
• Purchase Create-A-Pepper T-shirts that can be customized with permanent marker.
• Buy a customized Create-A-Pepper key that can be cut for use at home or the office.
• Eat at Chili's on Monday, Sept. 28, when Chili's will donate 100 percent of profits from participating restaurant sales to St. Jude.
• Visit www.createapepper.com to make an online donation.

"Each year the Chili's Create-A-Pepper campaign inspires Chili's guests to support St. Jude, and we are so thankful to have such generous and enthusiastic partners in our mission," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "We are so grateful that we can depend on Chili's support, and we appreciate every dollar given by their guests to help continue finding the cures and providing the treatments that will save children's lives."

To date, Chili's has raised $25 million of its $50 million over 10 years commitment to St. Jude. Once completed, the donation will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude history.

"We are excited about our commitment to St. Jude and our team members look forward to Create-A-Pepper every year," said Todd Diener, president of Chili's Grill & Bar. "Chili's considers ourselves part of the communities we serve, and communities band together in tough times. Particularly during these trying economic times, it's more important than ever to assist children and families with the inability to pay so they can get the medical attention they need."

For more information, to purchase Create-A-Pepper T-shirts and keys, to make an online donation to the campaign or to create an e-pepper, visit www.createapepper.com.

Play it safe when it comes to railroad crossings

MARIETTA, Ga. – It was the Fourth of July, and the town square was packed with revelers waiting to see the evening’s fireworks display.

The town square was closed for the event, and the nearby railroad tracks were quiet – or so it seemed.

Before long, that unmistakable sound ruminated in the distance. The warning bells started to clang. Red lights flashed. The gates started to lower.

A locomotive with freight cars in tow started to round the corner. The engineer sounded the customary warning horns – long, long, short, long. At that moment, it became obvious to some pedestrians that they were on the wrong side of the tracks.

So, they made a break for it – in plain sight of the approaching locomotive.

Fortunately, this episode had a happy ending, but it underscores an important issue. Many motorists and pedestrians are either oblivious to the dangers of railroad crossings or think they won’t fall victims to the dangers.

“Many Americans have no idea that walking or playing around train tracks, fishing from a railroad bridge, or riding their all-terrain vehicle on railroad tracks is potentially deadly, and always illegal,” Helen M. Sramek, president of Operation Lifesaver Inc., said in a news release.

Numbers from the Federal Railroad Administration show that the number of rail trespassers who died increased in 2008. More than 870 people were either injured or killed “in railroad-related trespassing incidents,” statistics show. There have been more than 9,000 such incidents over the past decade.

“Unfortunately, railroad trespass fatalities continue to occur far too often,” Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo said in a news release. Numbers show that 18-34 year olds account for roughly 36 percent of all rail-related pedestrian casualties in 2008.

Survey: Seat belt use on the rise

SMYRNA Ga. – An estimated 84 percent of people nationwide wear seat belts, according to the latest National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS).

That’s an increase from 83 percent in 2008. According to a report on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), NOPUS is “the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on seat belt use in the United States.”

Officials say seat belt use has been on the rise since 1994. At the same time, it’s no coincidence that there has been a “steady decline” in the number of daytime deaths attributed to people not wearing seat belts, according to the NHTSA.

According to the 2009 results:

• Seat belt use for occupants traveling during weekends increased to 86 percent in 2009 from 83 percent in 2008, which, officials say, is a “significant annual increase”
• More people wear seat belts in states where they can be pulled over “solely for not using seat belts” as opposed to states where that is not the case

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis conducts the NOPUS annually.

The FAA’s customers are …?

In case there was any question, the general public, not airlines, makes up the Federal Aviation Administration’s customers.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt clarified that last week in announcing the agency’s “new focus” on improving how it responds to “public safety complaints and whistleblower contributions.”

“These changes make it clear that the FAA’s number-one customer is the public,” Babbitt said, according to a news release. “We value the safety information we receive from our employees, the public and industry, and these actions reinforce that. We know we can improve how we all communicate technical safety information so we maintain a safe U.S. fleet and avoid flight cancellations wherever possible.”

Among the changes, is a newly established Office of Audit and Evaluation, which is charged with handling whistleblower contributions and public safety complaints.

Meanwhile, the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) and FlyersRights.org appreciated that the FAA is no longer referring to airlines as customers of the agency, but, it doesn’t go far enough.

“BTC and FlyersRights.org believe FAA should completely remove the term ‘customer’ from its lexicon as it will no doubt remain as a trigger for confused behavior as FAA culture still supports the airlines-as-customer construct,” the groups said in a news release.

“FAA needs to be a strong regulator with a mission to protect the flying public, period,” the statement added. “Moreover, and importantly, politically favored and powerful airlines should not be overseen any differently than smaller or less politically connected ones.”

Bill helps promote U.S. as ‘top international travel destination’

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation earlier this month to create a “public-private partnership to promote the United States as a top international travel destination,” according to a news release from Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.

The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 would be funded through “private sector contributions” and $10 “user fees” paid by international visitors. The bill does not rely on American taxpayer dollars and would result in a $400 million Travel Promotion Fund, its sponsors say.

“Our nation’s economy is struggling and international travel promotion is part of the solution,” Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a May news release. “This much-needed legislation will help the United States to create thousands of new jobs and welcome billions in new spending by international visitors.”

A number of the bill’s opponents say the legislation could actually hurt tourism because of the increased costs to visit the country. In an op-ed article published Sept. 7 in The Washington Post, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called the bill “Fannie Travel,” saying it is a “$400 million corporate welfare boondoggle.”

“The $400 million Travel Promotion Fund … is perhaps the perfect illustration of the disconnect between the American people and their representatives in Washington,” DeMint said in the op-ed, noting that the fund would be controlled by “leaders of America’s tourism industry.”

“The American travel industry already spends billions every year on advertising with tens of millions focused on international marketing,” DeMint said. “The purpose of the Travel Promotion Act is to subsidize that advertising.”

Proponents point to an Oxford Economics study that shows the bill’s passage could bring 1.6 million new international visitors to the country every year and create $4 billion in new economic activity annually.

“Even as global travel as a whole increased, the number of overseas tourists travelling to the United States has decreased since 2001,” Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said in a news release. “This bill will create a coordinated effort to encourage tourists to come to the United States, reversing that trend. And in addition to creating jobs, people from around the world who come to our country will leave with a positive view of America.”

The Senate voted 79-19 on Sept. 9 to pass the bill. The U.S. House of Representatives has not yet voted on the bill.

“How deeply into debt do we have to get before Congress kicks its addiction to hundred-million-dollar impulse shopping?” DeMint said in his op-ed. “Any senator who votes to create a $400 million program to subsidize billion-dollar, multinational corporations either doesn't understand the seriousness of America’s economic problems or just doesn’t care.”

UGA Pres: Please stop littering on game days

Please come to University of Georgia football games. Just clean up your mess.

That was the message of UGA President Michael Adams after last week's home game against the University of South Carolina when fans generated 70 tons of trash, a bulk of which was scattered across campus.

"We need some help in protecting the campus during and after gamedays," the Athens Banner-Herald quoted Adams as saying. "I do not want us to get the reputation of a British soccer crowd, but we were close to it this weekend.

"You would have liked the picture on Friday. You would have liked the picture on Saturday. You would have been appalled at the picture on Sunday," Adams said, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Cartersville's Tellus joins Smithsonian Affiliations Program

Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum is now a member of the Smithsonian Affiliations Program.

By joining the network, the science museum now has greater access to the collections and educational resources of the 47 museums, libraries and research centers in the Smithsonian network.

“We are proud to be a member of the program,” Jose Santamaria, executive director of Tellus, said in a news release. “We look forward to working with the Smithsonian to expand the museum-going experience for our visitors.”

Opened in January 2009, Tellus is home to one of only two digital planetariums in Georgia. The 120,000-square-foot museum also includes Science in Motion, a journey through the development of motorized transportation.

“Joining the Smithsonian Affiliations Program is validation that Tellus is a world-class museum,” Santamaria said. “Becoming an affiliate of the Smithsonian involves a rigorous process for qualification as they only accept museums who have the highest standards and who are capable of caring for projects as they would.”

Tellus was built on the site of the Weinman Mineral Museum, a 9,000-square-foot museum. By the end of 2009, Tellus officials expect that more than 150,000 people will visit the museum.

Don’t miss Disney: Cinderella Castle’s mural

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Most people who walk down Main Street, U.S.A., are so excited to catch that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle.

They stop for a picture or two, before heading off to a favorite attraction, often walking through the castle en route to their destination without spending a moment or two admiring the artwork. But, in that rush, many guests miss the five mosaic murals that tell the story of Cinderella located inside the castle’s archway.

Imagineer Dorothea Redmond designed the murals, and mosaicist Hanns-Joachim Scharff led a team of six artists who set the murals in place.

The murals, which measure 10 feet by 15 feet, took nearly two years to complete. They contain more than 300,000 pieces of Italian glass and “rough smalti” – glass Italian craftsmen use specifically for mosaics. In total, the murals contain more than 500 colors.

In making the mural, artists cut many of the tiles by hand and fused them with sterling silver and 14 carat gold. Some of the tiles are as small as the head of a tack.

Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters appear with a little added color – one sister’s face is “red with anger” while another is a “green with envy” as they watch Cinderella try on the glass slipper.

Cedar Point rated 'Best Amusement Park in the World'

Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, was named as the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in the Golden Ticket Awards, which are presented annually by the Amusement Today newspaper. This is the 12th consecutive year Cedar Point has won the honor.

“This year’s award means as much to us as the first one and all the ones in between,” John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point, said in a news release. “This is a tribute to our overall entertainment package and all of our employees who work hard to make it special for all of our guests.”

A panel of amusement park fans from around the world rates parks in about two dozen categories.

Three Cedar Point roller coasters were rated in the Top Ten in the “Best Steel Roller Coaster” category. Another two coasters were also ranked in the Top 25. Millennium Force, a 310-foot-tall roller coaster that debuted in 2000, ranked No. 2.

Cedar Point dates to 1870 and features 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters. The park boasts more rides and more roller coasters than any park in the world.

WDW’s ‘Temporary’ Toontown Fair closing with Fantasyland expansion

With the looming expansion of Fantasyland coming online by 2013, Mickey and Minnie Mouse could soon be evicted from their Toontown homes.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair opened as Mickey’s Birthdayland in 1988 in time for Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday. The land was originally intended to be a temporary addition to the Magic Kingdom, but it was so popular, Disney officials decided to keep the land.

Even though the land was intended to be temporary, Disney put a lot of effort into building the Magic Kingdom’s seventh land – including building a new station for the Walt Disney World Railroad and realigning the Tomorrowland Speedway to accommodate the toon area.

In 1990, the land reopened as Mickey’s Starland. Mickey’s Toontown Fair debuted in 1996 as a revamped version of its predecessors.

Over the years, the land was home to Grandma Duck's Farm and Minnie Moo – a cow famous for her Mickey Mouse ear-like spots on her side.

In addition to Mickey’s Country House and Minnie’s Country House, Mickey’s Toontown Fair is a popular character greeting area. The land’s “thrill” ride is The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farms, a pint-sized rollercoaster. Guests board a 1920s-era bi-plane to buzz around the farm.

Disney officials hinted that Mickey’s and Minnie’s houses could be relocated to elsewhere.

At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., last week, Disney announced that Fantasyland will soon be expanded to include a number of attractions themed on Disney princesses, including a Little Mermaid-themed attraction, similar to what Disney is building in California.

Fantasyland’s Dumbo attraction will relocate and double in size.

The expansion will be built in Toontown and on land once occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. That ride closed in the 1990s, and its remnants remained for many years; they have since been removed.

Walt Disney World officials also announced that an upgraded Star Tours is coming to Disney Hollywood Studios.

St. Paul's Chapel: A place of solace and refuge

NEW YORK – “If these walls could talk.” It’s a bit clichéd, but think for a moment about the many historic events – both good and bad – that the walls of St. Paul’s Chapel have seen during the past 240-plus years.

The chapel was completed in 1766 as a “chapel of ease” for those who could not make it to the Parish of Trinity Church. Ten years later, the church survived the Great Fire of New York. In 1789, George Washington attended services here on Inauguration Day and continued to attend the church for two more years as the city served as the nation’s capital.

Years later, on Sept. 11, 2001, the church was only yards away from the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

The church, which is the oldest surviving house of worship in the city, is perhaps the most moving of the churches in New York. On Sept. 11, 2001, and in the following weeks, the Chapel was used by emergency workers as a place to rest. Today, the Chapel is a memorial to that horrible day, including the pews emergency workers used when they need to rest, even if just for a few minutes.

WDW announces massive Fantasyland expansion

The Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland will soon be expanded. An announcement was made at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., according to a Disney news release.

The expansion is expected to include a Little Mermaid-themed attraction, similar to what Disney is building in California. The new land is expected to also include a number of attractions themed on Disney princesses.

The new and expanded Fantasyland is expected to open by 2013. According to the official news release, new attractions include:

• Guests can visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage or chateau
• Dine in one of three rooms inside the Beast’s castle
• Dumbo will now fly high above a brand new circus grounds – the new attraction will be twice the size of the existing one and will have an interactive, three-ring circus tent
• Journey under the sea with The Little Mermaid – this attraction is also opening at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011
• Meet Tinker Bell and friends in Pixie Hollow

“Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places,” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said, according to the release.

The expansion would be built, at least in part, on land once occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. Allegedly, it cost too much to refurbish the ride in the 1990s, so it sat idle for many years and was later used as a character greeting location. The remnants of the ride that remained for many years have since been removed.

Walt Disney World officials also announced that an upgraded Star Tours is coming to Disney Hollywood Studios.

WDW's Fantasyland to expand

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom could soon be expanded. An announcement was made at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., according to a number of bloggers.

The expansion is expected to include a Little Mermaid-themed attraction, similar to what Disney is building in California. The new land is expected to also include a number of attractions themed on Disney princesses.

The expansion would be built, at least in part, on land once occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. Allegedly, it cost too much to refurbish the ride in the 1990s, so it sat idle for many years and was later used as a character greeting location. The remnants of the ride that remained for many years have since been removed.

Meanwhile, the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority – known to many as the WEDway PeopleMover – reopened Friday, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Both the PeopleMover and Space Mountain were closed for refurbishments; Space Mountain is expected to reopen later this year.

Also in Tomorrowland, workers are demolishing the former Skyway station.

Walt Disney World officials also announced that an upgraded Star Tours is in the works.

S.I. memorial overlooks altered skyline

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Work on Staten Island’s Sept. 11 memorial began two years to the day after the worst terrorist attack in the nation’s history.

Located near the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George, the “Postcards” memorial stands with the forever-changed New York City skyline as its backdrop. The memorial was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2004, and honors the 270 Staten Island residents or former residents who were killed during the terrorist attack.

“Our memorial is designed to fly forward, not backward, and will look straight to the better future,” the Staten Island Advance quoted Masayuki Sono, the memorial’s designer, as saying in 2003.

The memorial’s two thin structures are supposed to resemble postcards. From afar, they are to appear as wings outstretched toward the sky.

“What we're going to do is what the people of Staten Island have always done,” the Staten Island Advance quoted former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as saying on Sept. 11, 2004, during the memorial’s dedication. “We’re gonna always be sad. We’re gonna always remember them. There will always be a scar in our heart. But we’re not gonna let them beat us. Don’t let them stop you from going forward with your lives. We owe it to the heroes that we lost to be brave and move forward.”

WTC Cross helped bring healing in wake of attack

NEW YORK – In the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the welded steel beams shaped like a cross provided solace to many.

The World Trade Center, a landmark on the New York City skyline since its completion in the early 1970s, was reduced to rubble, rescuers frantically trying to find signs of life. It was in that hell that a laborer discovered the beams – once part of the World Trade Center’s structure – that helped provide a glimmer of hope to the rescue workers and the nation.

“People have a very emotional reaction when they see it,” the New York Post quoted an FBI chaplain as saying about the cross in the weeks after the attack. “They are amazed to see something like that in all the disarray. There’s no symmetry to anything down there, except those crosses.”

As part of the World Trade Center clean up, the cross was relocated to St. Peter’s Church in October 2006, and remains outside the church (on the street between Barclay and Vesey Streets). A plaque reads: “The Cross at Ground Zero / Founded September 13, 2001 / Blessed October 4, 2001 / Temporarily Relocated October 15, 2006 / Will return to WTC Museum, a sign of comfort for all.”

“When I first saw it, it took my heart, and made me cry for about 20 minutes,” the New York Post quoted Frank Silecchia, the man who found the cross, as saying. “It helped me heal the burden of my despair, and gave me closure on the whole catastrophe.”

What’s with the anchor in the road?

By Todd DeFeo

ATHENS, Ga. – Driving along Broad Street into downtown Athens, a large gray anchor might be among the last thing people expect to see.

After all, the sea is how far away?

But the anchor is a monument to an important part of the Athens community – one that is about to be relegated to the history books: The Navy Supply Corps School.

The school has called Athens home since Jan. 15, 1954. However, it is scheduled to close by 2011 – selected for shuttering in 2005 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The anchor, weighing in at roughly 4,000 pounds, came to Broad Street in 1990. The anchor for a destroyer ship was apparently donated because its bent shaft left it unusable for naval purposes.

During its history, the school’s site has been used for education. University High School built on the land was supposed to serve as a University of Georgia adjunct for freshmen and sophomores. Although it never happened, the location instead served as military institute for sons of Confederate families during the Civil War. Later, a school for young crippled Confederate veterans operated at the location.

The State Normal School, founded in 1891, helped educate the state’s teachers. The school also operated as the Georgia State Teachers College, later known as Coordinate College.

The Navy purchased the land in 1953. There were 15 buildings formerly used by the Normal School when the Navy bought the land; today, only seven of those buildings remain, though the Navy built additional structures. Among the historic buildings is Winnie Davis Hall, which dates to 1902. The structure was designed as a memorial to Confederacy President Jefferson Davis’ daughter after her death Sept. 18, 1898.

After the Navy School closes, the site will be used for a medical school, jointly developed by the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia.

Terminal Station harkens back to city’s railroad past

By Todd DeFeo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – During the Civil War, the railroad was vital to Chattanooga, bringing supplies to the troops stationed in the city and also transporting reinforcements to nearby destinations. In April 1862, Chattanooga was the destination of the failed Andrews Raid — a Union raid aimed at destroying the Western & Atlantic Railroad that served the city.

Over the years, a number of major railroads served the city, including the Cincinnati Southern Railway, which on March 5, 1880, operated a southbound that departed Cincinnati bound for Chattanooga that was nicknamed Chattanooga Choo Choo, or so the story goes. During its heyday, the station had 14 tracks to serve the 68 trains that arrived and departed daily.

Chattanooga’s immortality as a railroad town was cemented in the history books with the release of Glenn Miller’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo” – a song he recorded in 1941 for the film “Sun Valley Serenade.” The song topped the Hit Parade chart, selling more than a million copies.

Today the famous train station is a Holiday Inn, and the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel boasts more than 360 rooms and suites. Of those, 48 rooms are located in restored train cars. There are also a number of restaurants and shops on the terminal station’s grounds. Other amenities include tennis courts and outdoor pools.

While trains no longer serve the station, visitors can hop a 1924 New Orleans trolley to tour the 24-acre hotel.

‘Pardon me boys,’ is that an historic train depot?

By Todd DeFeo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The events of 1970 could have spelled doom for Chattanooga’s Terminal Station.

On Aug. 11 of that year, the final train departed from the station. Over the past 170 years, Chattanooga is probably best known for its railroads. But, with the advent of cars and highways, rail travel was obsolete by the 1970s, and the station’s fate seemed sealed.

But in 1971, a group of local businessmen intervened and bought the station. After more than a year of renovations, the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel reopened in the former station following an April 11, 1973, re-dedication. The structure is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Southern Railways hired New York architect Don Barber to design the depot. The railroad dedicated the structure on Dec. 1, 1909. During its 61-year run as a rail terminal, a number of famous people passed through its doors, including Woodrow Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“Chattanoogans who have not visited the new terminal station since it has been practically completed have a big treat in store,” the Daily News newspaper wrote on Dec. 10, 1908. “Few persons, if any, who have not visited the station within the past few weeks have any conception of its grandeur and entire fitness for handling passenger traffic. To properly appreciate the new railroad plant a person should spend a few minutes at the Central shed and study the conditions there and then go to the new station. The contrast is great.”

The highlight of the building is the grand dome that spans a waiting room that measures 68 feet by 82 feet.

Ga. parks offer free day

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is offering free admission on Sept. 26 as part of National Public Lands Day.

“Our state parks and historic sites have been through a challenging year,” Parks Director Becky Kelley said in a news release. “Free Day in the Parks is our way of thanking the thousands of people who volunteer their time, spend their vacations in the parks, or even just visit for the day. Of course, while we are waiving the parking fee, voluntary contributions will help support our mission to protect, preserve and provide access to Georgia’s public green spaces.”

The Coca-Cola Co. and Verizon Wireless are among the sponsors. As part of the promotion, parks will not charge the normal $5 parking fee, historic sites will not charge and anglers will not need a fishing license, officials said.

“For less than a tank of gas, families can enjoy a full day of ranger programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, birding and more,” Kelley said in a news release. “All visitors will pay for are rental facilities, some events or programs, activities such as canoe rental and mini golf, and accommodations like cottages, lodge rooms or campsites.”

A full calendar of events is posted at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. For more information, log onto www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Fire, tornado not enough to destroy courthouse

Photos by Todd DeFeo

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – For years, the Montgomery County Courthouse stood as a bleak reminder of Jan. 22, 1999.

The building was nearly leveled at about 4:15 a.m. that day as an F3 tornado tore through town. The twister destroyed more than 160 buildings and damaged more than 500 more, causing $72.6 million in damages. But, instead of giving up on the historic structure, the county decided to rebuild the centerpiece of the community.

The courthouse is just one of a number of storied structures that have served the area.

James Adams built the county’s courthouse – a log structure – in 1796. The edifice was located near the present-day intersection of Washington Street and Riverside Drive. The county’s second courthouse was built in 1805 and a third courthouse was built the following year.

It wasn’t until 1811 that the county’s first brick courthouse was erected, and it lasted for about three decades. Another courthouse followed in 1843, but was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1878, prompting the county to build a sixth courthouse – the building that currently stands as the centerpiece of downtown Clarksville. The building’s cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1879; George W. Bunting of Indianapolis, Ind., designed the structure.

The building was destroyed or heavily damaged twice – by a March 12, 1900, fire and during the 1999 tornado. The structure was rebuilt both times, but on Jan 22, 2003, government officials rededicated the building as an office building rather than a justice center, opting to build an adjacent building to serve as a courthouse – the county’s seventh judicial center.

’72 ‘Happy Games’ marred by terrorist attack

By Todd DeFeo

MUNICH, Germany – The 1972 Summer Olympics aimed to present a drastically different view of the country than the last summer games held in the Nazi-led country in 1936 and overseen by Adolf Hitler.

The 1972 games fell during the middle of the Cold War – Germany was divided and moving on following the end World War II nearly three decades earlier. The games were nicknamed the “Happy Games.” Olympic security guards were unarmed and police dogs were out of the question given that the Dachau concentration camp was only miles away from the site of the Olympics.

There were athletic highlights at the Olympics – swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals – but any accomplishments were easily overshadowed by the tragedy. If Olympic officials wanted peace and harmony to serve as the games’ enduring image, they failed. Perhaps the most famous image of the games is that of a hooded-terrorist standing on the balcony of 31 Connolly Strasse.

Following the Olympics, the village was converted for residential use and is today home to about 10,000 people. The modern-looking structures earned the derogatory nickname “concrete citadel.”

The building at 31 Connolly Strasse is relatively anonymous, except for the small marker out front topped with stones – a Jewish tradition similar to leaving flowers on a grave. The marker includes the names of the 11 Israeli athletes killed during the 1972 games. The only sight to see is the exterior of a non-descript apartment building.

Residents seemingly come and go without worry or bother about the harrowing landmark that looms nearby. Surely, the events of Sept. 5, 1972, must remain in the back of their minds.

“Of course we all know what happened, but none of us knows exactly where the guys were murdered,” Sports Illustrated quoted an anonymous resident one of the apartments where the Israelis stayed as saying. “We don’t want to know. If we knew, it would make it very hard to live here.”

‘This is a trauma that will stay with us forever’

By Todd DeFeo

MUNICH, Germany – 31 Connolly Strasse is not a tourist attraction.

There are no T-shirts or magnets or other useless tchotchkes for tourists to buy. In fact, the apartment building at this address doesn’t stand out as particularly significant – if one doesn’t know the history of what happened here.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 5, 1972, eight Palestinian terrorists, known as Black September, stormed into apartments here, killing two Israeli athletes and taking an additional nine athletes of the country’s Olympic team hostage. The episode – known as the Munich Massacre – ended tragically hours later at the Fürstenfeldbrücke airport.

“This is a trauma that will stay with us forever,” The Los Angeles Times quoted then-Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert as saying in a 2002 article. “Of all the modern terrorist events we have had, the one in Munich remains the worst.”

The events of Sept. 5 started when Arab terrorists entered the Olympic Village by scaling a six-foot-tall fence – apparently a somewhat common occurrence as the scene did not strike witnesses as odd. The situation was exacerbated by authorities’ botched response following a 20-hour standoff, and the nine Israeli hostages were killed following a gunfight at the airport – news that stunned an already shocked world.

“When I was a kid, my father used to say, ‘our greatest hopes and worst fears are seldom realized.’ Our worst fears have been realized tonight,” sportscaster Jim McKay said on ABC. “They have now said that there were 11 hostages. Two were killed in their rooms this morning – excuse me, yesterday morning. Nine were killed at the airport tonight. They’re all gone.”

Columbus, Ohio: Zoo, science museum ranked No. 1

Special to The Travel Trolley

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Recently, USA Travel Guide named Columbus Zoo and Aquarium the No. 1 Zoo in America. In addition, Parents magazine named Columbus’ science museum, COSI, the No. 1 Science Center in the country.

Parents magazine selected COSI for its No. 1 pick after an exhaustive survey that included detailed information about exhibits, science demonstrations, special events, camps, and classes. The magazine also considered stroller-friendliness of the facility, dining options, the quality of the staff, conveniences like family restrooms and whether the center was a good value based on the admission price in relation to the number of exhibits.

COSI is a hands-on science center, featuring more than 300 interactive exhibitions and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. A seven-story Extreme Screen Theater boasts the largest screen in Ohio.

An outdoor science park, a special area for tiny explorers ages 0 through kindergarten and the country's only high-wire unicycle add to the center’s allure as a No. 1 family destination. COSI also offers a variety of special events, family programs, camps, and more.

One of the world’s top travel Web sites for information on US destinations, USA Travel Guide said that none of the zoos selected for its Top Ten Zoos list have achieved the positive worldwide reputation of the Columbus Zoo, calling it “arguably America’s favorite.”

The accolades went on to say that the zoo’s reputation grew to great heights under direction of the amiable Jack Hanna, one of America’s most beloved animal experts. USA Travel Guide called the Columbus Zoo “the aspiration of any traditional zoo,” pointing to its 7,000 animals and its recent expansion to include a waterpark, amusement park and golf resort.

Known as the home of Jack Hanna, a new baby elephant was just born at the Zoo in April. In addition to visiting the pachyderms and a renowned lowland guerilla exhibit, Columbus Zoo is one of just a few US zoos to house Queensland koalas, bonobos and manatees. A new Polar Frontier exhibit, featuring polar bears, is under construction and expected to open in 2010.

Columbus is also the only zoo in the nation to feature its own waterpark, Zoombezi Bay, offering even more memorable experiences for families. Detailed information about the Zoo is available at www.columbuszoo.org.

Web site: More toilets needed on aircraft

SeatGuru, which touts itself as “the web’s most comprehensive resource for airline information,” thinks waiting in line for the bathroom while flying stinks. So, they’re call for more bathrooms on airplanes.

“Airlines with too few bathrooms per passenger create frustrating lines that are a real safety concern,” SeatGuru Founder Matt Daimler said in a news release. The Web company thinks there should be one toilet for every 50 passengers on a plane; currently, there are no regulations dictating a passenger-to-toilet ratio, the site said in it release.

SeatGuru is calling for an increase in the number of bathrooms on airplanes, a federally mandated passenger-to-toilet ratio, accessible lavatories for wheelchair-bound passengers and mandatory bathroom checks (to ensure toilets are operational) prior to take off.

“A short 45-minute flight can easily become three hours or more on the plane due to delays, and not providing access to functional bathrooms is unacceptable,” Daimler said. “The airlines have already stripped away so many other amenities that we thought were givens – let’s make sure that we get some regulations for those who go regularly.”

SeatGuru also noted that the Beech 1900 aircraft, which is operated by Continental and US Airways, does not have any lavatories.

Survey: Family vacations worth the money

More than nine out of 10 Americans agree that “family vacations are worth the money” – even during tough times.

That’s according to a new survey from Expedia, which also found that 85 percent of Americans believe that family time is what makes a trip special.

“I’ve discovered that rather than forgoing a vacation this year, many people are taking shorter trips or hitting the road for a family car trip,” Lee Woodruff, author, travel expert and mother of four, said in a news release. “There are particularly good values available on hotels right now, so creating family vacation memories does not have to be expensive. There’s a lot you can do on a smaller budget.”

In addition, 27 percent of those surveyed say a spontaneous trip is more fun than an outing planned far in advance. The survey also confirmed that the car is a popular method of transportation – roughly seven in 10 said they appreciate the ability to make stops along the way and the chance to see interesting roadside attractions.

For more information, log onto www.expedia.com/drivegetaway.

Orbitz integrates Google Street View into site

Orbitz has integrated Google Street View into its mapping functionality, allowing travelers to check out a hotel’s neighborhood before making a reservation.

“With the launch of Google Street View on Orbitz.com, we are continuing to progress towards our goal of making Orbitz the best place for travelers to book a hotel,” Sam Fulton, GVP of retail merchandising for Orbitz Worldwide, said in a news release. “This launch comes on the heels of the introduction of Hotel Price Assurance and Total Price hotel search results, differentiating Orbitz from the competition.”

“We’re excited to see Orbitz implementing the Google Maps API Premier and adding Street View imagery to the hotel booking experience on Orbitz, giving consumers the ability to observe a hotel's surroundings as if they were there," Daniel Chu, product manager for Google Enterprise, said in a news release. “We’re glad to see partners like Orbitz bring this type of innovative technology to their millions of customers.”

To access Google Street View on Orbitz, select the Maps & area info tab on the hotel property page and click the Street View link. Any hotel address available for Street View on Google Maps will be available to view on Orbitz.com.