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Actually, greetings from Boston and the conference of Airports Council International World/North America.

I spent the day roaming the exhibit hall in search of new services and amenities that might make a difference for folks stuck at the airport.

The good news: there are some intriguing new products and services coming to an airport near you.

The bad news: it may take a while for some of the best new ideas to actually get installed at an airport near you.

Let’s hope these two items (from two different companies) spread like…germs.

The Hygolet: automatic sanitary plastic seat covers. Brilliant.

(Candy-filled toilet for display only …)

Dyson Airblade Hand Dryer – super fast, super sanitary, (sort of loud) no-touch hand-dryer.

I’ve seen both of these products in a few airports (and hotels and restaurants) and the reps for each company promised to send me a full list of airport clients soon. In the meantime, if you’ve spotted these at your airport, let me know.

More from the exhibit hall tomorrow…

Categories: Bathrooms
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Summer is over. Fall is here. And any moment now, flu season will kick into high gear.

Time to think about getting a flu shot.

Last year I got my flu shot in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport at a kiosk set up on one of the concourses. It was quick and easy (can’t say fun) but it cost no more than it would have cost at home and it saved me a trip to the doctor. I even did a short radio story about the experience for National Public Radio.

This year, the UIC-O’Hare Medical Center is once again offering flu shots for $35 (Medicare accepted). No word yet on where those kiosks will pop up, but right now flu shots are available at the medical clinic on the upper level of Terminal 2.

Not traveling through O’Hare? Last year you could also get a flu shot at airports in Denver, Atlanta, Cincinnati and in and several other cities. So keep your eyes open – and get ready to roll up your sleeves.

Categories: Health
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Here – finally- are some photos from the two new unusual and whimsical exhibits on display at LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) through the first week of January, 2009.

The exhibit in Terminal 4 is work by Karyl Sisson featuring all sorts of notions, fixings from women’s clothing and items that are worn, such as bobby pins and hairpins.

On exhibit in Terminal 2 are more than 130 miniature buildings from the more than 5,000-piece collection put together by architects David Weingarten and Lucia Howard.

(All photos courtesy of the airport).

Enjoy!

Categories: Art
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Early this month I wrote a column for USATODAY.com about cheap, easy side-trips you can take from many U.S. airports. Since then, I’ve gotten email and tips on several more. Here are two of them:

Tampa resident Robert Danielson wrote with this tip:

“Adjacent to the south runway at Tampa International Airport (TPA) is “International Plaza,” Tampa’s premier shopping venue, with courtesy shuttles to the airport (about a five minute ride). Also, downtown’s Florida Aquarium is less than a 10-minute cab ride from the airport.”

And for folks with time to spare near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), there’s this story about the new airport-built 56.5 acre Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary park, a short ride from the airport.

The sanctuary has a reconstructed stream, bat houses, three observation decks, a half-mile walking trail, and three ponds that are now home to bass fish. Deer, turkey, nesting birds, and other wildlife have been seen on-site.

Why did the airport spend $5 million on the project?

“Federal law required the airport to complete the wetlands restoration project after constructing its fifth runway, which paved through 14 acres in the Flint Basin. The Clean Water Act Section 404 mandates the restoration for every acre of wetlands disturbed by infrastructure development. The Army Corps of Engineers gave the airport a permit to restore Sams Lake.”

Whatever it takes.

Categories: Environment, USA Today
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(Recycled shoes; photo by Erica De la Vega)

Folks flying into Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) for the National Coalition of Recycling conference (and all other passengers, of course) should leave time to see an art exhibit featuring fashions and accessories made from recyclables.

The pieces are part of Nancy’s Judd’s “Recycle Runway” project and these lovely, one-of-a-kind, recycled fashions will be on display through December 31, 2008.

Look for a fan skirt made out bulk mail and a rusty nail dress in the display cases in concourse C and shoes made out of recycled glass, nails, and pop cans in concourse D.

Don’t fret if you miss the exhibit in Pittsburgh. Recycle Runway moves to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and then to Orlando International Airport.

Approximately 12,000 pieces of crushed glass were glued to a 1930′s style evening gown made from upholstery fabric remnants.

(Photo credit: Don Marr)

Categories: Art
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