Travel Q Hemingway in the Midwest

HEMINGWAY IN MIDWEST?

Q I'm heading to Michigan's mainland this fall, and I've heard that Hemingway was from the

region. If it's true, I'd love to explore his 'hood.

A Ernest Hemingway was raised in Oak Park, Ill., which did put him within easy reach of Michigan,

and he spent the summers of his youth there, near Petoskey, a tad north of Traverse City. (Read

about another reason to travel there on G5). The area is so rich in Hemingway history, in fact,

that there is a Michigan Hemingway Society. As luck would have it, the group is having its annual

meeting Oct. 14-16 in Petoskey (www. Grab a treat from the soda fountain at the Horton Bay

General Store in Horton Bay (www. American Airlines last week began offering pajamas, slippers,

quilted bed toppers, duvets, pillows and travel kits to passengers in first-class cabins on Boeing

777 flights from the United States to London. The airline plans to expand the offerings to first-

and business-class cabins on other international flights Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines is

offering free wireless Internet service this month to fliers with smartphones and iPod Touches,

and those who rent the airline's in-flight entertainment system. California-based Virgin America

upgraded its entertainment offerings last month by adding free broadcasts of professional

baseball, hockey and football games on the entertainment gadgets installed in the back of seats.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

2-for-1 theater deal in NYC

Theatergoers can snag two-for-one tickets to shows on and off Broadway during Broadway Week

Sept. 18-30 and Off-Broadway Week Sept. 26-Oct. 9. In June, the country saw a 36.8 percent

decline in the number of foreign travelers compared with the same period last year. Hotels and

tour operators are offering discounts on trips, and tourism officials are declaring most major

cities safe for travel.

The True Utility keychain flashlight is an LED flashlight with a compartment for

stashing a note of currency, pills or waterproof matches. Made of aircraft aluminum, it's a tough,

well-made light with enough power to use as a backpacking light. Plus, the stash compartment

isn't going to attract anyone's attention, and it's water resistant because of its neoprene O-rings

The suggested retail price is $16.39.