Actor Randy Quaid and his wife, former model Evi, got out of jail Thursday night. They landed in the Texas pokey because of a $10,000 hotel bill they didn’t pay in California. Each is out on $20,000 bail. They were arrested in Marfa, 160 miles southeast of El Paso.
Authorities in Santa Barbara, California issued a felony warrant – burglary, defrauding an innkeeper and conspiracy – for the Quaids. The couple disputed a charge of more than at a local hotel, prompting the hotel, San Ysidro Ranch to file a complaint. The police, hotel and Quaid family aren’t talking, according to a USA Today report.
The hefty infusion, a risky move because revenues are down and this is not a trivial amount of debt, has already prompted announcements of schedule changes … for the better. American is planning to increase flying in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami, though there will be fewer flights in Raleigh/Durham and St. Louis. Look for 57 new daily flights at O’Hare, six more from JFK, two in Los Angeles and anther 19 in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The news comes at a time when most airlines are cutting back service as a way to control costs due to reductions in passenger traffic.
Since we’ve seen what fewer flights can mean – more crowded flights, less legroom and higher odds of getting stuck in a middle seat – the financial breathing room that American has gained could actually give you more actual breathing room the next time you fly. If American fill these extra seats (at the expense of your throwing up the armrest and claiming two), it will generate more revenue, which could turn into real growth. Maybe some of that cash will be used to bring back some amenities.
Way out in West Texas, near the sleepy little town of Marfa, there is an unexplained phenomenon that can often be seen on the darkest of nights, when strange, colorful lights appear in the sky, giving the surrounding landscape an otherworldly glow. These “ghost lights” of Marfa have been manifesting themselves for decades, with some saying they date back all the way to the 1800’s, and yet they still remain a mystery today.
Described as roughly the size of a basketball, the lights generally appear along U.S. Route 67, just east of Marfa, near an area called Mitchell Flat. The orbs have been reportedly spotted in a variety of colors, including white, red, green, yellow, and sometimes even blue. The strange lights are said to hover just above the ground, generally motionless, although some witnesses claim to have seen them moving very slowly, and in regular patterns.
There doesn’t seem to be any way to predict when the lights will appear, but sighitngs do occur, on average, between 10 and 20 times a year. Those that have seen them claim that they may hang around for as little as a few seconds or a long as several hours, with their appearance coming anytime between dusk and dawn. There are a number of theories as to what exactly the lights are. Some say that they are reflected from traffic moving through the area, while others blame them on some unusual astronomical phenomenon or atmospheric disturbance. The existence of the lights has been confirmed by several independent studies however, there just doesn’t seem to be a consensus on what they are exactly.
For Marfa, the lights are another tourist attraction for a town that has a thriving art community and plenty of outdoor activities as well. There is an official viewing platform for the lights and even a plaque to mark the best place to look for the odd phenomenon, and each year, thousands of X-Files fans drop by just wanting to believe. So, if you head to West Texas, pack an open mind, and be ready for some fun in the dark.
As I sipped a glass of red wine at Harpersfield Winery in Geneva, Ohio on the last Saturday in August while listening to the Hollywood Slim Band, one of my favorite Ohio-based groups, I thought what a perfect finale evening to the last month of summer. The setting sun that cast its warm glow over the scene–plus the plate of cheese, meats and olives served up with warm bread cinched the thought.
When music is mixed with wine and an outdoor winery patio, the combination is unbeatable, particularly when the weather is favorable. September and October offer similar opportunities. Even as temperatures cool in the evening, there are still days left to enjoy a fine glass of wine where grapes hang in luscious bunches nearby and music plays.
Here are 9 more suggestions for wineries with patios or porches that offer live music entertainment. Several have been in business for years, and others are newcomers. At some, when the temperatures cool, music moves indoors.
Arrington Vineyards, Arrington, Tennessee. With its “Music in the Vines” this winery serves up music regulars on various weekend days through October. From the covered deck you can savor wine while taking in a sunset over the Tennessee hills.
Easley Winery, Indianapolis, Indiana. Kids are welcome at Groovin’ in the Garden, this winery’s weekend music happenings. Through September you can listen to music, drink wine and enjoy food while your kids are indulged with grape juice
Greenvale Vineyards, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. At this winery situated on an historic farm, jazz music is paired with wine tasting. For $15, visitors enjoy the music while sampling 6 different award-winning wines. At the end of the tasting, you keep the glass. Outdoor enjoyment comes in the form of daily wine tours.
La Buena Vida Vineyards, Grapevine, Texas. Spanish tiles and flowing fountains are part of the allure that capture a sense of place. There’s live music every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Mount Pleasant Winery, Augusta Missouri. Established 1859 in the first Appelation Wine District in the United States, this winery offers live music and more. There are murder mystery performances and specialty dinners throughout the year. Click here for music schedule.
Oak Glenn Winery, Hermann, Missouri. The winery sits on land once owned by George Husmann who was instrumental in the early beginning of American wine production.The music schedule is through October.
Sharrott Winery, Winslow, New Jersey. This family-owned winery that focuses on sustainable practices is one of the newest of winery offerings. Listen to live music through September from the lawn and the patio. Click here for the live music series.
Simon Creek Vineyard, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. With cheese and wine making a fine pair, Wisconsin makes sense as a place to head. At this winery, live music is added to the mix each Sunday through September 20. There are free tastings and tours daily.
Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery, Warwick, New York. Located in the gorgeous scenery of Hudson Valley, this winery offers live music each weekend afternoon. Five times a year the winery also hosts music festival weekends.
Here’s a short clip of the Hollywood Slim Band at Harpersfield Winery and Vineyard this past July thanks to Koskim 23 who happened upon the band on a do-it-yourself winery tour of northern Ohio.
State fairs have long been the best destination for good carnival style food – kettle corn, ham and hot dogs have always been on offer, but in recent years, competition for the most insane food has heated up.
Things started with the Scottish invented deep fried candy bar, then people started deep frying Twinkies, cookies and other sweetness.
But more recently, vendors have gone to great lengths to compete for the most insane fried food imaginable. Deep fried bacon and deep fried PB&J sandwiches won’t really impress anyone anymore.
The Texas State Fair is where the best in deep fried delicacies are presented, and the current 8 finalists for this years contest have the ultimate in deep fried goodness.
Deep fried butter is the one that stands out, and it is exactly what the name describes; whipped sweetened butter, battered and deep fried. Served on a stick.
Other dishes include cherry peppers, filled with shredded chicken and guacamole, then battered and deep fried. Or, how about deep fried peaches and cream? You’ll find a full list of the finalists here.
For those of you with a good appetite, the Texas State Fair is held from September 25th till October 18th, in Fair Park, Dallas. Check out their site for a list of all the activities.