Now that we've gushed about JFK's newest terminal, shouldn't we check on what's happening in Indianapolis? The brand-new building there will open to arriving flights on November 11, just a few days later than the originally planned date of October 28. Outbound passengers will check in at the new terminal beginning November 12.

Parking and getting around will likely be a mess those first couple days, but airport officials say they have plans to alleviate the stress. (And you can always mellow out with some public art.)

But on the heels of the Heathrow meltdown and JetBlue's own trial run, when can we expect a sneak peak inside the new IND?

Related Stories:
· Architecture Travel: The New Indianapolis Airport [Jaunted]
· Inside JetBlue's Terminal 5 Trial Run [Jaunted]

So, Obama is Virgin America because his thing is change--but he doesn't have a lot of experience. That makes Clinton--an established player recovering from the slings and arrows of just a few years ago--United.

No wait, he's Skybus and she's Aloha because they're both stumbling right now. OK, fine, we're out of terrible metaphors for the Democratic presidential primary.

Whatever airline suits 'em best, the candidates are off to Indiana for the May 6 primary, so when in Indianapolis, hide out here:

Paradise Bakery and Cafe :: Indulge your wandering eyes--wandering over the double fudge brownies and 24 carrot cake, that is. 9510 N. Meridian St.

The New Indianapolis Airport is set to open on October 28, 2008, with a brand-new terminal building designed by architectural firm HOK. The 40-gate airport will also feature a "Civic Plaza," which sounds a lot like "The Marketplace" at JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK.

True, you probably weren't planning on your next trip to Indy, but it's not often a city gets an entirely new airport. The project is close enough to finished that workers have already completed the first of a number of art installations: It's a 35-foot-high sculpture called Cardinalis that features a wing from an actual F-14 fighter jet.

Related Stories:
· New Indianapolis Airport [Official Site]
· Airports coverage [Jaunted]

[All Photos: New Indianapolis Airport]

Back when America was much smaller than it is now, and none of us had yet known the exquisite hell of airline travel, the city of Indianapolis was a major train hub known as "The Crossroads of America." Which beats its 1960s reputation of "The City In Indiana That Was Not Named In A Song From The Music Man."

Maybe if you meet someone at one of these spots, you can restore the glory that was this capital city! Because you can't find any of these establishments in Louisiana, Paris, France, New York or Rome:

Mickey's Irish Pub -- Saloon, restaurant, or concert venue? You'll find all three in this Purdue-famous joint, where it's never too late to start over. 13644 N. Meridien St., Carmel

Tiki Bob's -- A small sliver of Hawaii in the cold Midwest? Hey, when it comes with 50 cent drink specials and "amazingly sweet" boys, we're buying. 231 S. Meridien St.

Lulu's -- Take some Asian-Cajun fusion and add a jaw-dropping selection of cocktails and a good conversation. Hey, we just planned your night tonight! 8487 Union Chapel Rd.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Indianapolis coverage [Jaunted]
· Indianapolis Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo of Robert Indiana's "LOVE" Sculpture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art: hanneorla]

For no reason at all yesterday we sat down and decided to watch the Bravo channel's marathon of Work Out, Season 2 starring some trainer to the stars named Jackie Warner. We can't say we learned anything useful from the show except that trainers like to sleep with other trainers, one trainer looks like Angelina Jolie, trainers like to push their clients hard to see results and Jackie had to go to Indianapolis to meet with some clothing execs about her new line of gymwear.

And that is where we do learn something useful. Jackie and her friend stay in a funky inn/B&B called the Yellow Rose Inn. Run by a woman named Betty Davis, the Yellow

Add this to the Mommy Moon files....

The Conrad Indianapolis is offering Moms-to-be a "Pregancy Turndown" service which is actually much more than a regular turndown service. The service includes:

· A prenatal listening system to monitor the baby's heartbeat, kicks, hiccups and more.
· Internet access so that the mother-to-be can email the sounds of the heartbeat, kicks and hiccups to loved ones at home.
· Extra pillows for elevating legs and releasing pressure from the lower back.
· Unlimited bottled water to keep the body hydrated.

The service starts at $279 a night but if you want something a little more you can get the "Indulging Mothers-to-Be" package which starts at $319 and includes a 60-minute prenatal massage at the Spa

Were it not for Gridskipper's recent "Indianapolis for Beginners" guide, we might not have gotten to idea to wander over there this weekend. But wander we did, and we've brought back an addendum for that list. Newbies to the city will want to check out Missing Link Records, should they be in the market for some tunes.

If a respectable shop is only as good as its basement might suggest, Missing Link delivers. Below its main floor is a classically rank record store basement loaded with discount vinyl. Above, on the main floor, you'll find used and new vinyl and CDs--lots of punk, oldies, and metal. Missing Link also prides itself on its hip hop collection.

What the store won't tell you outright is that it actually has some freaky, magical voodoo powers. How else to explain the fact that we found a CD here for $.25? One we'd previously paid $7 for online. Please excuse us while we weep.

Related Stories:
· Missing Link Records [Official Site]
· Beginner's Guide to Indianapolis [Gridskipper]

Large portions of the cities of Chicago and Indianapolis will be on the move this weekend, along with scores of other Americans, traveling to Miami to watch the Bears face off against the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. Needless to say, airfares are through-the-roof from either of the competing cities, check out today’s episode of The Map for the full story. There are still hotel rooms to be had, though, if you have another way to hie yourself to Florida before Sunday. Hotel Chatter has been running for play-by-play of the latest Miami room rates all week – as of this morning there were still rooms for $199 at the Summerfield Suites, only 19 miles from the stadium.

Americans overseas face a different challenge: in most other places in the world “Football” means the World-Cup variety, and the locals can’t be bothered to watch or screen the NFL version. Expat Yanks with broadband access, can always watch the game online –PC World has the lowdown on how to find streaming coverage–as long as they’re willing orient their Sunday night/Monday morning schedule around the kickoff time. But if it just won’t feel like the Super Bowl if you’re not in a sports bar with a brew in hand and a crowd of other screaming Americans, here’s a list of links to expat bars and parties around the world:

Budapest
Buenos Aires
Copenhagen
Frankfurt
Hong Kong
Lima
London
Melbourne
Paris
Prague
Shanghai
Tokyo

– The Map: Super Bowl Weekend
– Tagged: Sports
– “Around the globe, it really is a Bears world (Chicago Tribune)
– “Super Bowl Weekend in China? No Problem!” (PC World)
– “Super Bowl: Show me the money” (Guardian)