Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Quick hits: NASCAR, new room at the zoo and no problem for N.C. vineyards

First look at NASCAR Hall of Fame
"Design architects for the NASCAR Hall of Fame made an updated presentation to the Charlotte City Council Monday night. It was a 3-D look at the Hall of Fame and our first look at some of the interactive exhibits inside," according to News 14 Carolina.

"In the design, it shows all around the Hall of Fame from Brevard Street coming around to the great plaza. In the front, a large television, fountain, walk of fame and garden were present.

"At night, lights will illuminate the sides of the facility including some lighting that can be programmed to simulate an actual live race.

"Inside the hall, a first look of the exhibits and how fans can interact with the sport and their heroes were shown. It starts with the full throttle theater which gets fans into the experience. ..."

More room to roam
"A growing exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo will bring Africa closer to home," according to the Greensboro News & Record.

"The zoo is working on an $8.5 million expansion that will add more elephants, rhinos and antelope to the newly renamed Watani Grasslands exhibit.

"The exhibit, parts of which already are open, will be ready for a grand opening next spring.

" 'The visitors are going to benefit from seeing larger herds of animals and different age groups,' said Guy Lichty, curator of mammals at the zoo. 'There should be a lot of action.' ..."

Despite Easter freeze, vineyards will harvest grapes in 2007
"When an extended freeze struck over Easter weekend, Davidson County vineyard owners feared they might lose everything.

"Fortunately, things didn't turn out quite that badly," according to the Lexington Dispatch.

"Owners say grape yields will be down, and they will have to watch closely over the next few years to see if any of their vines suffered permanent damage. But unless something worse occurs, there will be a harvest this fall, and the fruit that is picked will produce new wines.

" 'All in all, we made out pretty well,' said Mark Friszolowski, the winemaker at Childress Vineyards in Lexington. 'Financially, this will be just a speed bump for us.' ..."

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