Maybe if it's a hit, they'll extend it beyond January 20: The DC city council passed some "emergency legislation" today that will allow bars, clubs and restaurants to serve booze until 5 am from January 17 through the morning of Obama's inauguration. That's three extra hours to knock back shots with fellow Democrats before heading back to your obscenely overpriced rental apartment!

Council members in DC, which has a reputation for lame nightlife partly because of its 2 am last call, think they've got to show inauguration visitors a good time when they come to town--as well as cash in on some free-spending tourists. But opponents say it's not likely the people who are still partying at 5 am are the kind of folks who need another beer.

For anyone planning to do the smart thing and use the Metro, this is actually terrific. The trains will be running later than usual--until 2 am--which until today would've put you on the last one out of the station with a bunch of wasted people. Now the booze hounds will still be at the bars, leaving you to ride the rails in peace!

Related Stories:
· DC Bars, Clubs to Be Open 24-Hours a Day [WaPo]
· Inauguration Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: &y]]]> pbb 2008-12-03T16:08:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/3/151558/291

This Sunday, mother-and-son team Toni and Dallas were booted from the Amazing Race after losing their passports and cash in a cab. It was a tough way to go, for sure, but it's hard to get to the next pit stop if you don't have a Russian exit visa!

But Dallas, in true reality TV form, tells BuddyTV:

They cut it and made it look like I kind of just lost this cab, which was not the case. I took three cabs before I even got to where my mom was there at the end of that road block. It wasn't until I got out of the second cab that I realized that it'd gotten left in the first cab, due to when they were changing my battery on my microphone, which is underneath my t-shirt, strapped around my chest. So they had to undo the fanny pack that was carrying everything.

Like we always say: When in doubt, blame the producers! But while it's great to hear Dallas' side of the passport debacle, all we really want to know is whether anything is happening with on-screen love interest Starr:

Me and Starr have been dating since the show ended in about May. So, we've been together; she lives in New York and I'm in California. Long distance, but we're just taking it one day at a time.

Guess his mom wasn't a terrible wingman after all!

Related Stories:
· Exclusive Interview: Toni and Dallas, from "The Amazing Race 13" [BuddyTV]
· You're Gonna Get Me Killed [Jaunted]
· Amazing Race 13 coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-12-03T15:35:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/3/142928/857

The self-obsessed polar bear that put the Berlin Zoo on the map will turn two Friday, but Knut's handlers say they won't be celebrating with a party. Even worse: They may ship the superstar to another zoo as soon as 2009, leaving Berliners only one outrageously adorable ursine amigo.

After helping rake in more than $6 million in profit in 2007, the least the zoo could do is throw a little party for Knut, says one of his fans, a 60-year-old who visits him every weekend and has started a petition to keep the bear in Berlin:

It's unbelievable that they're not throwing a party for Knut. More than 100 people are coming from all over Europe and even the US just to see this bear who has done so much for Berlin.

I think many people would even be prepared to donate money. He's come to symbolize the city just like the Brandenburg Gate does.

But maybe the bear is ready for a trip to LA to work out a movie deal with his agents?

Related Stories:
· Berlin Zoo Under Fire for Ignoring Knut [Spiegel, via]
· Polar Bears With Personality Disorders [Jaunted]

[Photo: Sacred Destinations]]]> pbb 2008-12-03T14:30:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/3/133812/241

It's not just a ringtone, you know: George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" oratorio, featuring the oft-played "Hallelujah" chorus, is traditionally performed this time of year--even though it debuted during Lent in 1742. Want to hear the passage that allegedly caused King George II to rise from his throne?

The Old Messiah: Trinity Church on Wall Street:
The first performance of "Messiah" was a benefit for inmates of debtors' prisons, but this Episcopalian parish, founded in 1697 at what then was the northern edge of New York, is one of the richest in the US because of its land holdings in Manhattan. Hear the Christmas section of "Messiah" in the site Nicolas Cage found an incredible cache of precious items in "National Treasure." Dec. 14 at 3 pm, Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm; 74 Trinity Pl. (Tickets here)

The Early Messiah: Brooklyn Contemporary Chorus:
Leaving New York for the holidays, or just in a hurry? Handel himself was in a hurry to write and conduct the "Messiah" because he was deeply in debt at the time and wouldn't get paid at all till it was finished. Get your sacred obligations out of the way, in Brooklyn no less, with the voices of your friends and neighbors (no auditions required!) Dec. 7 at 4 pm; Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Oxford St., Brooklyn. (Tickets at the door)

The Fancypants Messiah: Carnegie Hall:
Handel reportedly never left his house in the three weeks it took him to compose the "Messiah." No way are we going to recommend that kind of Christmas! Do it up in the classic style with soprano Deborah Vogt and a program that includes other festive faves like "O Holy Night" and "Santa Baby." (They're also playing host to the McGarrigle Christmas Hour, featuring Rufus Wainwright and family, this season.) Dec. 16 at 8 pm; 57th St. and 7th Ave. (Tickets here)

The DIY Messiah: The National Chorale Handel Messiah Sing-In:
So you think you can sing? There are several "Messiah"s going on at Lincoln Center this season, but only one of them encourages the entire audience to sing along--and brings 17 (!) conductors for that purpose. It's strictly BYO Handel, though, so stop by Patelson's Music House (160 W. 56th St.) beforehand to pick up your score. Dec. 16 at 8 pm; Avery Fisher Hall, 63rd St. and Columbus Ave. (Tickets here)

Related Stories:
· Stuff Your Stocking With Shamu [Jaunted]
· Southwest Is Apparently Your No-Fee Savior [Jaunted]
· 2007: Holidays in New York coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: antwrangler]]]> egw 2008-12-03T14:02:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/3/73440/0888

It’s doubtful that marine mammals come to mind when you think of Christmas. But SeaWorld is trying to change that, and the park hopes to get some of your holiday cash with some special events this month in San Diego.]]> kjb 2008-12-03T12:30:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/2/234240/131

We have more “Law and Order” news to report! The original L & O will be filming at the American Museum of Natural History today. They recently opened The Polar Rink, the first skating rink at the museum since it opened 140 years ago. This isn’t just any skating rink; it's made from a recyclable synthetic surface and is located on the museum’s Arthur Ross Terrace.

On the west coast, "Chuck" is filming outside of the local Red Cross Chapter on Madeline Drive in Pasadena, California. Perhaps becoming a regular blood donor will be part of Chuck's five year plan?

If you have any tips about where movies or TV shows are filming, send them our way at tips@jaunted.com.

Related Stories:
· American Red Cross San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter [Official Site]
· American Museum of Natural History [Official Site]

[Photo: Hulu]]]> cmb 2008-12-03T12:00:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/3/115421/201

Tucson International is the latest airport to have luggage scale irregularities after New York's Department of Consumer Affairs revealed just before Thanksgiving that scales used by American Airlines at JFK were inaccurate. The Arizona Department of Weights and Measures says all 15 scales used by Delta and United at TUS failed inspection.

While officials didn't say how inaccurate scale readings were, what we do know is that United charges $125 for bags over 50 pounds and Delta asks $25 for items between 50 and 70 pounds.

We'd normally say "You shouldn't be checking bags anyway," but that's hard advice to head if you're packing your skis or snowboards this winter.

Related Stories:
· Two Airlines' Luggage Scales Fail at TUS [Tucson Citizen, via]
· New York Airport Scales Now Accurate, No Thanks To American [Jaunted]
· Airport Hell coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Noël Zia Lee]]]> pbb 2008-12-03T11:55:20-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/