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When Bad is Good
Fittingly, Travel Guard, a provider of travel insurance and assistance services, is searching for the “World’s Unluckiest Traveler,” and will give away $10,000 to the person with the craziest tale. Throughout 2010, travelers can tell their stories by logging onto www.travelguard.com and uploading a video or photo with their tale of travel trouble. Each month, Travel Guard will give away two Flip UltraHD™ camcorders – one to the entry that receives the most votes, and one to a random person who votes for the winning entry. At the end of the year, each of the monthly winners will be posted for a final round of voting to decide who wins the $10,000 travel grand prize ultimate dream vacation.

Bonjour!
Becoming fluent in a language takes practice, practice, practice, but outside of the classroom, Minnesota doesn’t offer many opportunities to do that … until now. The Language Exchange, based on a concept popular in Europe and launched this year in Minneapolis, allows people to connect online or in-person to practice languages and learn about other cultures. Participants spend half their time together speaking in one language and the other half speaking the other. You can do this in-person, in a convenient meeting place or simply online. Visit www.exchangealanguage.com to learn more or plan to join the local group that meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at Sauce Spirits and Soundbar in Uptown. All levels are welcome.

Making a Difference
Looking for a way to give back?
One hundred volunteers are needed to tutor elementary, middle, and high school students at nine Hennepin County Library Homework Hubs during the fall semester. Former volunteers describe their participation as a rewarding, hands-on way to support education and the young people of the community. For more information visit: www.hclib.org/pub/info/homework.cfm. To apply online go to: www.hclib.org and click on Support Your Library.

Volunteers are being sought for a clinical study funded by The National Institute on Aging which will examine the subtle changes in the brains of older people many years before symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear. The study will follow participants over time, recording biomarkers and using imaging techniques to map the brain. Volunteers must be between ages 55-90, speak English or Spanish, have memory complaints and have a person willing to assist them. To volunteer or learn more about the study (being conducted locally at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester) contact the NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center by calling 1-800-438-4380 or by going to www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers.

Take a Hike
In a large, long-term study of female health professionals, with an average age of 54, it was found that compared to non-walkers, brisk walkers have a 37% lower risk of any type of stroke and women who walked for two hours or more a week at a normal pace had a 30% lower risk of any type of stroke.

Find more info and a list of local walking paths at: www.startwalkingnow.org.

–From the American Heart Association

The Minnesota Table
Recipes for Savoring Local Food
Throughout the Year
By Shelley N.C. Holl with recipes by B.J. Carpenter
The number, diversity and beauty of the myriad cookbooks that line bookstore shelves is dizzying. How is a curious cook to choose? May we suggest The Minnesota Table as a splendid choice. In a simple, but elegant style, the authors serve up a complete meal of mouthwatering recipes for every month, based on seasonal, locally produced foods. Not stopping there, they take you along on their travels to discover new taste sensations, offering an armchair road trip filled with curious characters, local lore and mark-the-page
destinations you will want to explore for yourself. A delightful read and valuable addition to your recipe collection. Hardcover, Voyageur Press, $25.00.

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www.simplyaudiobooks.com
Like Netflix, only for audiobooks, this online service offers a through-the-mail CD subscription service or the opportunity to download books for your iPod. Over 10,000 titles available with no late fees, due dates or shipping costs.

www.accesscamping.com
This portal provides information on more than 500 private and government campgrounds across the U.S, 70+ Canadian campgrounds and nearly 50 RV clubs, plus links to online databases of the major campground industry directories creating a rich resource for campers and Rvers of all levels.

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