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Best Jewish Delis in the World: Shapiro's in Indiana

April 24, 2009 at 8:56 AM | 0 Comments

When Shira Lazar went behind the counter at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal, it got us craving some overstuffed pastrami sandwiches and potato latkes with applesauce. So this week Jaunted is taking a look at the Best Jewish Delis in the World. Got your own suggestion for tasty goody delis? Let us know.

If there's one thing we've learned in researching our best Jewish delis series, it's that there are a boatload of genuine delis in places you wouldn't necessarily expect. So if you think everywhere between Katz's and Langer's is just deli flyover country, think again.

One such institution with an extremely devout following is Shapiro's, which opened way back in 1905 in Indianapolis. Unlike its coastal cousins, this deli is known more for its corned beef than its pastrami. Of course, the concept is not that different—hot, salty meat, sliced thin and piled high on rye, plus mustard, cheese and a pickle to boot.

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Get Tickets to Next Year's Final Four Now

April 7, 2009 at 9:16 AM | 0 Comments

Crushed by your team's performance in the Big Dance this year? Show your conviction that they'll be next year's Cinderella story by entering in the ticket lottery for next year's games. For lower rounds, check out the list of host cities (make sure to scroll down to "2010: Future Sites") and hit "Click for Ticket Info" to fill out a free request for tickets on Ticketmaster; the presale starts in May.

The 2010 Final Four ticket lottery for next year's finals, held in Indianapolis, is a bit more complicated because you have to back up your words with cash: Head over to this site and be prepared to keep clicking and clicking to put down your $160-$180/person payment.

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Indiana Airport Getting Too Big for Its Britches

January 28, 2009 at 1:10 PM | 2 Comments

Leave it to the little regional airports to develop grandiose ideas during a recession; South Bend Indiana's puny terminal is looking to ramp up their routes and reputation with a new $12 million addition and eight jet bridges. As a small town dead in the middle of Indiana's northern border and home to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend currently loses most of its student travel to Chicago airports and Amtrak.

Except for the university and the town's proximity to the Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market, South Bend doesn't get much national play. Expanding their airport may be one way to attract new tourists, but we hope they aren't putting their money on hosting Midwest Airlines. After all, even Gary, Indiana's airport failed during the days when it hosted the old Hooters Airline. Hopefully all that South Bend needs are more hydration options beyond vending machines, shiny new elevators and natural light. Flying through SBN soon? Watch out for the extra ticket taxes and airport fees implemented to support this project.

Related Stories:
· S.B. Regional Airport embarks on renovation [South Bend Tribune]
· South Bend Airport Hopes for 'Massive Renovation' [Today in the Sky]

[Photo: Tysto/Wikipedia]

New Terminals Travel: Indy's New Airport Opens November 11

August 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM | 0 Comments

Now that we've gushed about JFK's newest terminal, shouldn't we check on what's happening in Indianapolis? The brand-new building there will open to arriving flights on November 11, just a few days later than the originally planned date of October 28. Outbound passengers will check in at the new terminal beginning November 12.

Parking and getting around will likely be a mess those first couple days, but airport officials say they have plans to alleviate the stress. (And you can always mellow out with some public art.)

But on the heels of the Heathrow meltdown and JetBlue's own trial run, when can we expect a sneak peak inside the new IND?

Related Stories:
· Architecture Travel: The New Indianapolis Airport [Jaunted]
· Inside JetBlue's Terminal 5 Trial Run [Jaunted]

Patrick Swayze Hosts His Own Airport Photo Shoot

August 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM | 1 Comment

Patrick Swayze took over Gary/Chicago International on Wednesday to shoot an episode of his new show "The Beast." So far, we haven't seen any photos of him goofing off at GYY.

And the airport director says they aren't just filming inside:

I think they're using one of the repossessed planes we have out there, I think an older 737, for their shoot.

Luckily Swayze won't have to deal with passengers begging for autographs: GYY hasn't had commercial service since Skybus went bust back in April.

Related Stories:
· Gary Airport Offers Setting for Swayze [Post-Tribune, via]
· Very Funny, Johnny Castle, Now Get Back to Work [Jaunted]

Eero Saarinen Travel: What to Do on Sunday

July 24, 2008 at 10:50 AM | 0 Comments

As we continue to explore the works of Eero Saarinen and his architectural adventures, we move to Indiana. Like his father, Eliel Saarinen, who created the First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, the younger Saarinen designed the North Christian Church there as well. Completed in 1964, the church was the last building he designed before his death.

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Hose Monkey Escapes Chicagoland Zoo

June 16, 2008 at 1:45 PM | 0 Comments

A monkey escaped from the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Indiana by using a garden hose to climb the walls of the moat surrounding its enclosure. The mischievous monkey quickly made it to a nearby boat dealership and jumped on a speedboat. Sadly, he was apprehended by zoo workers before making it to the water.

Zoo Director Johnny Martinez assured residents of the surrounding Chicago suburbs that there was no need to worry:

The freedom-seeking monkey is sociable and was not any danger to people.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg need to get in touch with that zoo fast. That monkey is bound to escape eventually, and the Hollywood folks could give it an outlet for its talents as an extra in the Indiana Jones franchise.

Related Stories:
· Washington Park Zoo [Official Site]
· Monkey Uses Garden Hose to Flee Zoo [AP]
· Animals coverage [Jaunted]

Gary Airport Keeps Hanging Hopes on LCCs

May 12, 2008 at 2:15 PM | 0 Comments

Just a couple months ago, Gary/Chicago International was hyping Skybus as the spark that would turn the airport into the region's third air traffic hub. But the ultra-LCC only managed 23 days at GYY before flaming out, leaving the airport without a commercial carrier yet again.

Despite the setback, the airport is moving forward with a plan to link the South Shore Line commuter rail to the terminal, providing a seamless connection between GYY and downtown Chicago. That sort of easy-to-use public transportation is exactly what would make the airport a marketable alternative to O'Hare and Midway--if only passengers had the chance to use it.

The new Mexican LCC Viva Aerobus has applied to fly to Gary but can't start service to Monterrey until the DOT gives the OK. If and when that happens, maybe the combo of low fares and easy airport access will finally end the curse of the LCC at GYY. Or maybe not.

Related Stories:
· Airport Authority Outlines Train Station Plans [NWI Times]
· Skybus Travel: "Significant News Event" in Gary, Indiana Today [Jaunted]
· Bill Diffenderffer Says Skybus Is No Hooters Air [Jaunted]

[Photo: Google Maps]

Missed Connections in Indianapolis: The Never-Ending Primary Edition

April 25, 2008 at 4:00 PM | 0 Comments

So, Obama is Virgin America because his thing is change--but he doesn't have a lot of experience. That makes Clinton--an established player recovering from the slings and arrows of just a few years ago--United.

No wait, he's Skybus and she's Aloha because they're both stumbling right now. OK, fine, we're out of terrible metaphors for the Democratic presidential primary.

Whatever airline suits 'em best, the candidates are off to Indiana for the May 6 primary, so when in Indianapolis, hide out here:

Paradise Bakery and Cafe :: Indulge your wandering eyes--wandering over the double fudge brownies and 24 carrot cake, that is. 9510 N. Meridian St.

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Architecture Travel: The New Indianapolis Airport

April 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM | 1 Comment

The New Indianapolis Airport is set to open on October 28, 2008, with a brand-new terminal building designed by architectural firm HOK. The 40-gate airport will also feature a "Civic Plaza," which sounds a lot like "The Marketplace" at JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK.

True, you probably weren't planning on your next trip to Indy, but it's not often a city gets an entirely new airport. The project is close enough to finished that workers have already completed the first of a number of art installations: It's a 35-foot-high sculpture called Cardinalis that features a wing from an actual F-14 fighter jet.

Related Stories:
· New Indianapolis Airport [Official Site]
· Airports coverage [Jaunted]

[All Photos: New Indianapolis Airport]

First-Person Flight Reviews: Chi Trib Does Skybus

March 25, 2008 at 2:05 PM | 0 Comments

Chicago Tribune reporter John Hilkevitch recently braved sampled Skybus' service--now once-daily to Greensboro, NC--from Gary Airport "outside of Chicago" (in Gary, IN). The Trib's got two of his videos up, plus a written review. Just like Skybus itself, Hilkevitch's praise is simple and to-the-point.

He knows that the shilling onboard is, in fact, ridiculous (though he has a "soft spot for the beef jerky"), but was pleased enough, given the low fare and early arrivals:

On the day I booked the airfare on the Internet, the same non-stop itinerary to Greensboro from O'Hare International Airport was $756.48 on United Airlines and $1,118.97 on US Airways. And neither of those serves beef jerky.

It also didn't hurt that both my outbound and inbound flights landed 20 minutes early—and the two United flights to O'Hare were listed as delayed.

So what's in the trip to Greensboro for tourists from the Chicago area? Sayeth the report: "There are some connecting flights [in Greensboro] to places that people may actually want to go..." Hee. (He does later call Greensboro "beautiful.")

Related Stories:
· It's no flight of fancy... [Chicago Tribune]
· Skybus coverage [Jaunted]

Skybus Travel: "Significant News Event" in Gary, Indiana Today

January 9, 2008 at 8:00 AM | 1 Comment

Airport officials at Gary/Chicago International are hosting a press conference this morning at 10 am for "a significant news event." State Representative Charlie Brown (real name!) told The Times of Northwest Indiana that the airport will be announcing a deal with Skybus to start flights between GYY and Greensboro, North Carolina.

If the announcement comes through, this will be quite a move for Skybus. Gary airport is only a 27-mile drive from the very heart of Chicago, much closer to the city than say Stewart International is to New York. This will also be yet another route out of Skybus' new hub in North Carolina, probably to be operated with a newly delivered aircraft.

Skybus is certainly staying true to its new strategy of shorter flights, which don't burn tons of pricey fuel. But as a point-to-point airline still in the start-up stage, the 'bus is still hindered by limited destinations. To wit: For now, low fare fans in Chicagoland won't be flying direct to sunny Florida.

UPDATE: Skybus has officially announced Gary-Greensboro service. The airline has also confirmed what we expected: flights to Niagara Falls, New York and Wilmington, Delaware.

Related Stories:
· Skybus Airlines to Swoop into Gary [Times of NWI]
· The Skybus CEO Emails Us... and New Routes! [Jaunted]
· Skybus coverage [Jaunted]
· New Routes coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: atlaviation]