ATHLETE PROFILE: Jessica Meng

The Carnegie Mellon track and field team's season began with the new semester. The team had its first competition Janurary 20 at Denison University, where the women's team won 11 of the meet's events. Two of these wins came from sophomore jumper Jessica Meng. Last week, Meng sat down with The Tartan to discuss her early success and the track season to come. Tartan: When did you first get involved with track? Meng: I started in middle school, probably seventh grade. Everyone originally made fun of me for it because I absolutely hate running. T: Is that why you became a jumper? M: Yeah, pretty much. Not only do I hate running, I am really bad at it. Seriously, every team I have ever been on, I'm pretty much the slowest runner on the team.

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Beat weather with exercise

Outside temperatures may be dipping, but that doesn't mean you have to put your athletic shoes and hiking boots in cold storage. In the Ozarks, outdoor fitness is a year-round pursuit for even the most senior of citizens. Undaunted by the cold, many people continue their weekly bicycle rides, neighborhood walks, trail hikes and caving. .

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Outdoor activities and tourism at consumer expo

This year's Rand Show, which opens its doors for the 112th year on Friday 30 March to Sunday 15 April 2007, will feature an extended outdoor living area, including camping and outdoor living equipment and products, as a result of research showing that visitors are looking for outdoor activities. So says Bryan Brett, manager of the Rand Show. Adds Brett, "Kagiso Exhibitions and Events are also introducing a brand new Domestic Tourism Hall at this year's Rand Show, underpinned and supported by South African Tourism (SAT). This exciting new addition to the show is aimed at increasing awareness of tourism in southern Africa featuring a variety of coastal, mountain and adventure destinations and attractions as well as comprehensive travel options." A host of activities are orchestrated each year aimed at keeping the younger visitors to the Rand Show entertained.

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Small businesses the staple of outdoor tradition

The hallmark of our outdoors traditions, whether fishing or hunting, trapping or the other outdoor recreational opportunities we enjoy, has always been that they are open to the small family business entrepreneur which has been so important in the building of our nation. The ingredients for a successful small business necessarily includes passion, a sincere love of everything involved in it. Like playing football. Like being a charter captain on the big lake or guiding for bear in the northwoods. It's rarely just about the money but it's always about the passion. Like operating a family bait shop out among the pits west of Wilmington or a large boat dealership in Morris, even a club hosted by volunteers who want nothing more than to share their love of archery or a special fishing philosophy with others.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2007 (Sunday Edition

Welcome back, fellow gear lovers to day two of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2007! I got to sleep in a little bit today, which is a good thing because weve got a big day ahead and lots of folks to talk to, so lets get going! Before we get too far, though, make sure that youve read through Saturdays blog by clicking here! .

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Trampers often ignore advice, say outdoor experts

Trampers heading into tough backcountry areas were usually warned about risks but some ignored advice and put themselves in danger, outdoor pursuits advocates said yesterday. Two Israeli trampers were airlifted off the Dusky Track on Monday after swimming through neck-deep sections of the Spey Valley, which flooded after torrential rain. Before being rescued, they had clambered up a tree to escape the water and set off their locator beacon. The rescue was at least the eighth air rescue from the arduous Fiordland track in the past nine years. One experienced Southland tramper told The Southland Times yesterday it was difficult to judge peoples' experience but that some trampers were being allowed on the Dusky with "sandals and plastic bags". Department of Conservation Te Anau community relations programme manager Beth Masser said the Dusky Track was classified as a backcountry adventure suitable for experienced trampers.

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Coloradan loves being an 'outsider'

Sometime this may, if all goes well, Mike Haugen of Denver, will complete a 5.5-mile hike that he hopes will inspire kids around the world to exercise, eat right and get outdoors on a regular basis. That seems like a lot to ask from a mere 5.5 miles until you consider Haugen is hiking them the hard way. He's climbing Mount Everest, at 29,035 feet the world's highest point, and the equivalent of exactly five feet less than 5.5 miles, straight up. Add the 6-foot-4 Haugen standing on top and there you are. Haugen, 30, is the point man for what is being called the "2007 Coleman Everest 5.5 Challenge," details of which will be discussed at a reception today at the annual Outdoor Retailer Winter Market at the Salt Palace.

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Scholz: Optimizers not optimal for getting site noticed

One of the latest, greatest debates on the search engine slogosphere recently has been whether search engine optimization is an art or a science. I mean the fur has really been flying. "Science!" shouts one side. "Art!" brays the other. Some solemnly chant "Both!"For the most part, search engine optimizers are do I dare say it out loud? crooks. They promise the sky and all the golden-top-10-Google-rankings beneath it. They make cold calls or send cold spam (yuck) to otherwise smart business owners and, within minutes, the owner is rattling off the company's credit card number to his or her new best friend.It happens all the time to businesses far and wide, and to businesses right here in the good ol' Black Hills. It is a very expensive and dumb mistake.If you are tempted to grab the handle of any of these holy grails, do yourself and your business a favor and do some research first.1.

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Get vertical

Forty meters up on a vertical cliff, I clench on to a small hold with aching, over-worked fingers. I scan the smooth surface with my eyes and hands in the hope of figuring out my next move. My calves and forearms hurt from holding the same position for too long. It is during these moments that keeping calm and composed is more important than ever. .

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Victim impact statements read at Ellison sentencing

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Four victim impact statements have been read at the sentencing of former high school teacher Tom Ellison. Ellison was found guilty in December of having illicit sex with his students. He faces sentencing for 5 sexual offences. He originally faced 16 sex related charges, and was found guilty on five. Ellison was convicted on two counts of gross indecency, two counts of indecent assault and one of common assault. The offences were committed back in the 1970's and 1980's when Ellison was one of the teachers running the Quest outdoor education program at Vancouver's Prince of Wales high school. Witnesses testified about how Ellison often had sex with them on board his boat, either at its False Creek moorage or during outdoor education program cruises along the west coast.

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Crocs, Inc. Introduces New Printing Process, Shoe Model at the ...

NIWOT, Colo., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) , today enhances its rugged outdoor product lineup with the addition of camouflage patterned prints to the color palettes for the Off Road and All Terrain models at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. Retailers can view these models, in addition to nine other new offerings for Spring 2007, at the Crocs booth #32114 at the Salt Palace Convention Center January 27-30, 2007. The new camouflage color marks the introduction of Crocs' new printing process, which will allow the company to print a variety of detailed graphics on its Croslite(TM) material. Croslite is a unique, non-marking, anti-microbial proprietary closed-cell resin from which all of Crocs' shoes are constructed. Initially, the camouflage pattern will be available in the Off Road and All Terrain models in the spring and fall of 2007.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Starts Saturday

(KCPW News) The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market opens tomorrow at the Salt Palace. More than 775 exhibiting companies will be in attendance - making it a record setter. The winter market and its summer counterpart pump nearly $50 million into the locally economy, and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) the produces the tradeshow has been willing to wield that power to win environmental concessions from Utah governors and lawmakers. Frank Hugelmeyer is president of OIA, and he spoke to KCPW's Lara Jones about the growing power of the industry: (Hugelmeyer = 5:24) Frank Hugelmeyer and other members of the Outdoor Industry Association will present their petition in favor of roadless forests to Governor Huntsman Monday. To hear a longer conversation with Hugelmeyer, including details about the OIA's carbon neutral traveler initiative, listen to the longer podcast below.

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Outdoor Retailer attendees descend on Utah

Gear manufacturer Mountain Hardware has booked the Silver Fork Lodge's bay-windowed dining room this morning, giving its guests a view over breakfast of the sun rising in Big Cottonwood Canyon. From there, most of those guests will go to Brighton Resort for a day of checking out varied sports equipment at the Backcountry Base Camp that kicks off the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. As the sun sets, a few of those guests will end up among the expected crowd of 400 at Brighton's Alpine Rose restaurant, site of the chili-and-beer fest known as the "Backcountry Bash." Yes, it's Outdoor Retailer weekend again, a time when roughly 16,000 people descend on Salt Lake City for five days of working hard promoting products - and engaging in a fair share of wining, dining and being merry.

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Outdoor Adventure In Texas - It's Not Just For Cowboys

TravelTex.com -- Whether you are looking to camp, hike, bike, golf, swim, fish, hunt, horseback ride, bird watch or experience just about any other outdoor activity you can think of, Texas is the place to be. With more than 267,000 square miles to explore, cyclists find many diverse and thrilling rides in Texas whether it is through the mountains of West Texas or on the trails of the Piney Woods. Texas also has a number of excellent spots to pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars. State parks, national parks, sandy beaches and nature preserves offer campers a vast variety of areas from which to choose. One of the most majestic sites for camping and hiking is Palo Duro Canyon State Park in North Texas. If adventure is on the agenda, visitors have their choice at Big Bend National Park in far West Texas that encompasses more than 800,000 acres of mountains and desert along the Rio Grande River, where visitors enjoy hiking, camping, wildlife and more.

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Outdoor Access Point extends transmission up to 7 km.

January 25, 2007 - With data transfer rate up to 54 Mbps, JetWave 2410 links 2 or more separate networks, typically located in different buildings, to create a single expanded LAN. IEEE 802.11 g/b device supports access point, point-to-point bridge, point-to-multipoint bridge, wireless client, or repeater modes. IP66 rated 2.4 GHz industrial wireless access point integrates 12 dBi flat panel antenna and 802.3af PoE port for installation in areas with non-availability of power outlets. .

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Finding The Perfect Outdoor Heater Posted By : Michelle Bery -

Theres something to the ability to sit outdoors no matter what the weather and enjoy the seasons year round. For homeowners worldwide, their outdoor space typically used seasonally can now be elevated to a year round enjoyment; a place where families can gather much like an extended living room. The advent of the outdoor heater has allowed us to enjoy the area outside our front or back door with little consideration of the weather; and, in so doing, has expanded our livin... .

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Collierville Furniture Owner Sent To Jail Over Outdoor Display

Eyewitness News has new information tonight about a patio furniture fight in Collierville. It's a story eyewitness news first told you about last September. Furniture store owner Bob Landshof will spend the next ten days in jail because he refused to remove merchandise from the front of his store. He says, "It feels lousy. I mean, this is prison." He adds, "I don't think the court of public opinion would approve of what's going on." A judge sentenced the Fox Land Furniture store owner to jail for contempt of court last Thursday. The judge ruled Landshof violated a town of Collierville zoning ordinance prohibiting the outdoor display of merchandise. Landshof had removed all but a few statutes and other items from his storefront. When we first aired this story in September 2006, Landshof had a cluttered storefront full of patio furniture and lawn ornaments.

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Safari Club to recognize Mizrahi

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE - A hide from a giant black bear lays across the floor of the Mizrahi game room. The heads of a Corsican ram and a wild hog are on the wall in Nick Mizrahi's bedroom. Until recently, the trophies may have been the most prized possessions of the 14-year-old La Ca ada High School freshman's life. But on Thursday in Reno, Nev., Mizrahi will step up to the podium at the annual Safari Club International's 35th annual Hunter's Convention, in front of his entire family and every attending delegate from around the U.S. to accept the SCI's Youth Hunter Award from NFL Hall of Fame running back, and Alaskan outdoor television host, Larry Csonka. Mizrahi, who has been hunting since he was 4-years old, is one of only two hunters to receive the honor. Cody Dye of Richfield Springs, N.Y., will also receive the honor, which recognizes youth who excel in outdoor sportsmanship, volunteer for outdoor pursuits and are active in SCI activities.

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Forrester Research: US Consumers Are Ready For Mobile Marketing ...

Although 79 percent of consumers find the idea of mobile ads annoying, early efforts at mobile marketing indicate consumer acceptance -- as long as marketers deliver valuable information or content, according to a study by Forrester Research. The researchers say a growing number of consumers are shifting from voice-only mobile services to other activities, creating a viable audience for mobile marketing -- at least, for those who avoid the stigma of spam. .

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