It was disappointing to say the least when Landis was caught dopping. Now it would appear the scorned cyclist wants to take others down with him.
The amazing statements WSJ has in a recent story is almost as shocking as the man losing his Tour Win. All we can say is this man needs to get a life.
These statements are going to refuel the Armstrong conspiracy theorists. Lance Armstrong at one time the most tested professionally athlete in the world.
From the WSJ: "Floyd Landis, the American cyclist whose 2006 Tour De France victory was nullified after a positive doping test, has sent a series of emails to cycling officials and sponsors admitting to, and detailing, his systematic use of performance enhancing drugs during his career. The emails also claim that other riders and cycling officials allegedly participated in doping, including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong." Source

During Wescotts welcome home on Saturday March 6, 2010, Governor John Baldacci named him an official state ambassador.

A long history of making people feel right at home. When the von Trapp family left Austria and first gazed on the sweeping mountain vistas of Stowe, Vermont, they knew immediately they had found their new home. And since then, the von Trapp family has invited families to join them in sharing the wonder of mountain living.
The very reason that the Von Trapp Family moved to Stowe is the reason Skiers and Snowboarders are dedicated to riding the mountain.
Years ago when I first skied Stowe The Trapp Family Lodge and 2 or 3 other Inn's where the only places to sleep. It was true ski bum life style.
Today Stowe has gone modern building slope side lodging and improving infrastructure.
The addition of a new inter-mountain transfer lift, new trails, a new beginner area, 2 new high-speed detachable quads and new fully-automated snowmaking on Spruce Peak has reinforced Stowe Mountain Resort's position as the East's premier skiing & snowboarding resort. Also, the new Stowe Mountain Lodge, the first mountainside luxury hotel to debut in the East in over 50 years is open.

Stowe Stats

Mount Mansfield Summit Elevation - 4,395'
Top of Lifts Elevation - 3,719'
Longest Vertical Drop - 2,160'
Average Annual Snowfall - 333"
Total Number of Trails - 116
Skiable Acres - 485
Total Miles - 39
Trail Count - 116
Percentages - Beginner 16%, Intermediate 59%, Expert 25%
Snowmaking Coverage - 90%
Total Lifts - 13 / More mile long lifts than any other resort in the East
1 Inter-Mountain Transfer Gondola, 1 high-speed summit Gondola, 3 high-speed Quads, 2 Triples, 4 doubles, 2 surface lifts
Total hourly lift capacity -15,516 passengers

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During the beginning of the 2009-2010 ski season hopes where high for early season skiing. Sunday River opened and Killington followed. After a month of on and off skiing these resorts where forced to give up on early season skiing in the North East.
To make snow on a large mountain can cost up tp $20.000K each day. Thats way you will never see resorts making snow after the season get going. Once the base is down the snow guns get turned off. Yes even if it looks like the season will end early. Making snow after Christmas is not a option as far as finances go.
We have been out and about over Thanksgiving 2009 and could not find even a patch of snow to ride on. Nothing to even hike too.
So as Skiers and Snowboarders wait to get the first run of the season in New England resorts are ready to turn the guns on. With a Noreaster hitting the area in the days after Thanksgiving resorts should be able catch up quickly. They have had time to optimaize the pump systems and will be more efficient than ever.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Alpine Ski Bindings
Units: About 10,000
Importer: Salomon USA, of Ogden, Utah
Manufacturer: Salomon SAS, of France

Hazard: The toe component of the ski bindings could fail to fully secure the ski boot to the ski binding, causing the binding to release unexpectedly. This could cause the skier to lose control or fall and suffer injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of injuries, including a broken leg and a knee injury.

Description: This recall involves the Salomon alpine ski bindings with models LZ 7, LZ 8, LZ 9, LZ 7 SR, LZ 8 SR, LZ 8 SC, and J LZ 9 and the Atomic ski bindings with model Evox 2.8, Evox 2.8+, Evox 2.8++, and FFG 8. “Salomon” or “Atomic” and the respective model number are displayed on the ski bindings. The toe components bear a production date code ending in “8” that can be found on the center plate where the toe of a ski boot contacts the toe component of the bindings.

Sold at: Authorized Salomon USA and Atomic USA ski dealers nationwide from September 2008 through October 2009 for between $90 and $160.

Manufactured in: Romania

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these ski bindings immediately and return the Salomon-brand ski bindings to any authorized Salomon ski dealer, or return the Atomic-brand ski bindings to any authorized Atomic ski dealer, for a free inspection and replacement of the toe component.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 789-5111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday; email qualityinfo.usa@salomon-sports.com, or visit the firm’s Web sites at www.salomon.com or www.atomicsnow.com

During the first week of October 2009 PBS premiered America's Best Idea by playing the complete series commercial free. We like to think of PBS always being commercial free but we all know it's not. The broadcasting of this Ken Burns Series is spreading the history of America's National Park's System told from the beginning. It includes letter, logs, diaries, photo's and much more. Everyone from the first park protectors (Calvary/US Army) to the first visitors and the first inhabitants have a place in this documentary.
Kens Burns style of documenting history shows through. As with his WW2 series and the Civil War Series he has tried to beat the clock. That is he understands that the people involved in these stories are coming to the ends of there lives. He wants to document these important times in American History before the people involved are gone.
Ken Burns is doing us all a favor by making this series. The great outdoors is part of American Life. As Skiers and Snowboarders we all understand this, but not all of American's do. We live in a age of computers, cellphones and text messaging which leaves lots of our fellow citizens sitting on there butts, Getting fat. hopefully some skipped American Idol, Got Talent or whatever show and watched America's Best Idea on PBS.
Since so many of America's National Parks are in the mountains this documentary should be a great interest to Skiers and Snow Riders. The Rockie Mountains and The Sierra Mountains have some of the best skiing in the world.

	Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $53.35 Used From: $50.00
	THE NATIONAL PARKS is the story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved for everyone. The series traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years, chronicling the addition of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them...

America's Best Idea on ebay.com

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	National Parks Americas Best Idea5 DISCNEW SEALEDR4			US $109.27

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
This years race for the cure marks the 20TH year since Sue Komen's fight with cancer began. For all these years people from around the world have joined together to rise money and awareness about breast cancer.
One of the biggest supporters of Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure is New Balance. This company has put itself whole heartily into this cause. Even designing sneaker for those in the race.
As you train for the 3-Day, you'll want shoes designed specifically for walking:

1. Walkers have a unique stride. New Balance walking shoes help guide your foot properly from heel strike to toe off.
2. Walkers experience 50% less impact than runners yet need cushioning where other athletes don't. New Balance walking shoes have thinner midsoles and offer the cushioning you need in the heel and forefoot.
3. Walkers need a more flexible shoe that can bend easily in the forefoot and generate the power to propel you forward with each stride. New Balance walking shoes feature flex grooves in the forefoot to increase flexibility and reduce the weight of the shoes.

In 2009, New Balance celebrates the 20th anniversary of association with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight to eradicate breast cancer. Four national components make up New Balance's commitment to Komen for the Cure®: Our national sponsorships of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® , Breast Cancer 3-Day , and Marathon for the Cure® as well as our in-store retail promotion, " Lace Up For the Cure® ".

New Balance will donate 15% of wholesale sales from the Pink Ribbon Collection with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000 up to a maximum of $1 million to Komen for the Cure.

New Balance has been a National Series Race Sponsor since 1991. In 2003, they expanded their sponsorship platform to include the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G Komen for the Cure® and continue to support this event to-date.

The great thing about New Balance is they know the fight go's beyond the race and donates and promotes throughout the year. So you could buy a pair of sneakers from them next week or next year and you can be sure some of the sale go's to cancer research.

On a personal note our family has two cancer survivors. We implore everyone to do your part in getting rid of cancer. Over the last decade almost every person we know has had cancer in there family. Cancer has or will affect millions of people. We need to pull together and fight cancer.

Do your part please. Whether its buying pink ribbon products or raising cash. Every little bit helps!

Please Retweet This Post And let others find out how they to can help New Balance meet their goals. Every year 1.5 million people are diagnoised with cancer. Of those a half million people will die from this horrible disease. Please spread the word