Last week I saw a story about some private colleges and the University of Maryland this year handing out “free” iPhones or iPod Touch devices to some of their students (any parent who has ever written a tuition check understands that the concept of “free” and anything related to their child’s education is dubious, at best).

 Spokesmen for the schools explained the move, stating that, among other things, it would allow for improved security (in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy) by allowing for a quick and accurate way to reach students with vital information. The technology was also being touted for its ability to help students maintain contact with professors regarding assignments and grades, do research and respond to surveys. It has also been suggested by some that participating schools may simply be trying to elevate their images as “cool”, cutting-edge institutions.

In searching for details on the story, I learned that while the hardware may be given to the students, they must pay for the monthly service fees. Also, the University of Maryland at least is emphasizing that theirs is a pilot program designed to answer specific questions about how both professors and students can integrate the new technology into the classroom, as well as enhancing safety and time management.

Nevertheless, there are concerns for misuse of the phones and the distractions they will cause. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we were hearing about colleges handing out PCs to incoming freshmen, and what a novel and even extreme move that seemed to be. I would imagine that, given a few years, we will wonder what all of the fuss over this latest issue was all about. Professors will still need to be engaging and informative in the lecture hall (if not, students have ALWAYS found ways to be distracted). Students who allow themselves to play games or text their friends instead of attending to their studies are the same ones who, 10 or 20 or 50 years ago, would have found some other way to goof off. And, finally, the “outside” world and its latest technologies and demands will be there waiting when the student leaves school and has to work in and survive that environment, whether they’ve been held at bay outside the ivy-covered walls or not. Better that those tools be invited in, studied and put to creative, positive uses than treated as a threat to the educational process.

Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader

Heading into the last official weekend of the summer, I recall one of my favorite summertime activities: attending an outdoor concert on a mellow evening with a great picnic, fine wine, close friends and of course, excellent tunes.

 One of my favorite memories is seeing Chicago in concert on the lawn at the Chateau Ste.-Michelle winery in Woodinville, Washington, a number of years ago. It had been cloudy and threatening rain earlier in the day, but as concert time approached, the sky cleared and we had a perfect view of Mt. Rainier glowing in the evening sun to the south, while hot air balloons drifted overhead and a full moon rose over the wooded foothills to the east. We brought our own home-cooked gourmet feast, purchased a bottle or two of the winery’s best, and laid back and basked in the ambience and the great music. I have to admit it was a little difficult to pull our blissed-out selves up to give the band its well-deserved ovation at the end of the night.

Another great spot in a breathtaking location is the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington, only about 45 minutes from my home in the north central part of the state. With a total capacity of around 20,000, it has the usual reserved seating in front of the stage, backed by an immense grassy bowl for general admission lawn seating. The stage backs up to the upper edge of immense basalt cliffs looming high over the Columbia River, so those seated have a magnificent view looking north upriver and west to the cliffs opposite and the sunset beyond. Last year my daughter and I took in a John Mayer concert there, and his comments about the immensity and timelessness of the landscape echoed our sentiments–and WE had the better view!

I know there must be scores of great outdoor concert venues all over the world (I’ve visited Red Rocks outside of Denver, for instance, but not gotten to attend a concert there), and I’d be willing to bet that most of you have your own great memories of summer evenings at some of them. I’d love to hear about them and start my list of not-to-be-missed venues in the summers to come.

 Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader 

Inspired by Alex’s blog on Tuesday, I was hoping to get your thoughts on a situation I encountered quite a few times recently, one caused by airport delays.

When I was on my back-to-back trips to Los Angeles and the British Virgin Islands, I flew in and out of Philadelphia International Airport eight different times in like nine days. Four of the flights were on Delta in first class and four of them were on American Airlines in economy. I think all 8 flights were delayed in some way, either boarding or waiting on the runway. I do not think the following situations are unique to these airlines in any way, and they are more general practices that I began to question.

When boarding was late, I noticed announcements being made that they were going to be eliminating certain services, mostly for first-class passengers, in order to board quickly and take off as close to our scheduled time as possible. They were not going to do the welcome beverage service for first-class passengers or other welcome perks that first-class passengers are technically paying for in the price of their ticket. And I am not complaining because I was in first class; to be honest, I don’t remember which carrier this was on, which leg of the trip it was or where I was sitting (it all kind of blended together!). It just seems to me that by delaying boarding and take off, you have inconvenienced passengers. I completely agree that this is out of the airline’s control, but beverage service is within the airline’s control. Eliminating services, in my mind, would only serve to inconvenience and anger the passenger even more, right? And, let’s face it, those tickets aren’t cheap! There must be a way to incorporate the service and still board the plane in a timely manner.

On another one of those flights, the airline wanted to reduce weight and was having problems with the water system, so they eliminated all hot water, including coffee and tea, and the water couldn’t be used in the bathrooms. This was an early-morning flight. Understandable that they were experiencing problems, but that is a bit disappointing to learn when you are already loaded and on the runway. Plus, can’t bottled water be boiled for coffee and tea? Or supplied in the bathrooms so passengers can wash their hands? With so many changes occurring in the airline industry and so many more charges being incurred by passengers, sometimes you wonder why the airlines don’t go the extra mile to accommodate passengers when things go wrong. I understand they are hurting, but making passengers happy when problems occur will build loyalty and keep people flying certain airlines when times are tough.

And, on a completely unrelated note, celebrities have now apparently jumped on the oil bandwagon. This week, Diddy, formerly Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and Sean Combs, music mogul, fashion designer, etc., complained to oil companies that prices were too high and were forcing him to fly commercially rather than on his private jet. I am sure everyone reading this blog feels very bad for him. I bet when Diddy is on board, the carriers don’t eliminate his beverage service or hot water!

-Kimberly Krol, circulation and PR executive

Next week I will be traveling to Palau, Micronesia, for a week on a press trip. As an island lover and scuba diver, I am very excited! I will be staying at the Palau Royal Resort and also the Palau Pacific Resort. Put together by the Palau Visitor’s Authority, I will see dolphins, waterfalls, scuba dive, snorkel, kayak and even receive spa treatments! The first and last time I visited the Pacific Islands was three years ago when I traveled to the Philippines for three months. I am very excited to return to a place that hosts my favorite outdoor activities, has beautiful, white sandy beaches and tropical weather. I will keep you posted!

-Courtney Centeno, account executive

The Olympics are over. The opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. There was plenty of great competition and drama all throughout the Olympics. While I am usually apathetic towards the Olympics, I do find myself now looking forward to the future, the 2016 Olympics, which I predict will be held in my hometown, Chicago.

As I wrote in the May 2008 issue of Global Traveler magazine (back issues are still available), the 2016 Olympics would really showcase the ascension of Chicago to world-class status. During the reign of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has evolved from a gritty city where things got done to a beautiful, smoothly functioning city where things are always happening. Chicago would be the perfect place for the event in 2016.

Of course, as a publication distributor, the Olympics would present a logistical nightmare beyond imagination for me. Several regular city events, like Jazz Fest, Venetian Night, etc. already wreak havoc with distribution. The Taste of Chicago is a 10-day traffic jam, which requires our distribution crews to reroute and reschedule their usual deliveries. Still, these events are part of the fabric of Chicago, and my inconvenience is a small price to pay.

The Olympics would make all of these other events look minor in comparison. Of course, my logistical headaches would be astronomical, but I am willing to make that sacrifice for the good of the city.

I do think it would only be fitting to bring softball back to the Olympics for 2016. As it stands now, softball (and baseball) will not be part of the 2012 event, but could be voted back for 2016. Chicago would be the perfect place to see softball reinstated.

If I may take a step further, I would like to see 16-inch slow-pitch softball be at least a demonstration sport. This is Chicago’s very own. It is a game of skill and strategy. Some may scoff at this version of softball (Fran), but I maintain that it is the most enjoyable and competitive version of the game. There is true beauty in this game.

I guarantee that if Chicago gets the Olympics, there will be plenty of television features on our pizza, beer, sausage, etc. They will highlight the Sears Tower, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier and Millennium Park. Oprah, Richard Roeper and Jim Belushi will scramble for the spotlight. However, if they really want to showcase the heart and soul of Chicago, softball must take its rightful place with the other sports.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist