Frontier to Remain Frontier

Last week, Frontier announced that Republic Airways has agreed to pay almost $109 million for the equity in Frontier Holdings, which includes Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation. Today, Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder said that the Denver-based air carrier will continue operating as Frontier Airlines. Word from inside Frontier is, "I'm thinking it's a good thing. They don't fly [Airbus] 318s, 319s or 320s, so I don't think they'll fire all of us and sell the planes for parts. Also, their employees aren't trained on these aircraft so I think the in-flight crews are safe. Time will tell..."

Time will tell indeed. Whether Republic Airways keeps the Frontier headquarters in Denver or moves it to Indianapolis is the big question. Frontier's future may be up in the air, but at least it's still flying.

Denver's Hometown Airline

As an airline that is actually turning a profit, Frontier is in a class of its own and is in a good position to emerge form bankruptcy. Yesterday, Frontier announced that Republic Airways Holdings has offered to purchase Frontier Holdings, which includes Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation, for slightly less than $109 million. Stay tuned for word from inside Frontier Airlines as the story develops. As it stands, the proposal hearing is scheduled for July 13. If the deal goes through, should Frontier still be called Denver's low-cost carrier? (Republic Airways is based in Indianapolis, Ind.)

Ice cream hot spots

Interconnectivity is the wonder of social media, is it not? Which brings me to my point. I just became a fan of Ralph's Italian Ices on Facebook. Therein lies the inspiration for this original content post. For all two of you reading this here they are in extremely important order -- the best ice cream joints in the world are:

Giolitti, Rome, Italy
Ralph's Italian Ices, Staten Island, NY
Leopold's, Savannah, GA

And winners for best local ice cream hot spot goes to Powell's Sweet Shoppe in Boulder and the Walrus in Fort Collins, Colo.

Staycation, business trip or romantic honeymoon, these fine establishments belong on every must do list.

Hold the Bucket!

A slight departure from air travel, but a daily travel nonetheless. Yesterday was my first driving range experience. My dear husband and I split a large bucket of golf balls at Buffalo Run Golf Course. I got the privilege of pushing the token into the machine to release the practice balls. Lesson number 1: Hold the ball bucket when collecting the balls from the machine. No One wants to have to dodge those tiny terrors before even making it to the practice pitch. I've heard of water hazards, but these tripping hazards add a whole other element to the game.

Luckily, thanks to my catlike reflexes, I saved the bucket just before it tipped over. The whole experience did highlight why the ball machine is located off the beaten path -- away from all turf -- practice or otherwise.

Sacred Showtime

Last night I went to mass at my childhood parish while I was visiting my parents. It was interesting to look around and see all the familiar faces...faces that I thought were ancient when I was ten and still look the same a decade and a half later. What was even more interesting was the music.

The same father and son combo provided the music last night that has been doing the music on Saturday evenings since before I graduated from high school. The father, who reminds me of Mr. Magoo plays the piano while his son leads the singing. What I find humorous is that everyone complains about the music, but no one else steps up to take over. It's the classic church dilemma.

Last night, while the priest and eucharistic ministers were cleaning the chalices, Mr. Magoo launches into what can only be described as lounge music. I swear I recognized strains of Rhapsody in Blue wafting their way up into the vaulted ceilings and over the congregation. My dad leaned over, snorted his displeasure and asked, "I wonder what hymn this is."

"Take me out to the ball game?" I facetiously suggested.

Music is a form of prayer, yes, but in my little hometown church, the sanctity of showtunes is being rediscovered to the disappointment of many.