The world's largest synthetic ice rink opened in December in Rockford, Ill., as part of the first Harris Winter Wonderland.  Synthetic ice is widely used around the world, but no one has attempted a rink of this size outdoors until now.  What makes this venue unique is the 12,000-square-feet of synthetic ice, which includes an 800-foot skating trail around the park.  The surface is great for beginners and children, and it can be used whether it's 10 degrees or 90.

An empty, unused park was transformed to create the new Harris Winter Wonderland, complete with the ice skating surface, benches, evergreen trees, a fire pit, warming area and hundreds of twinkling lights.  The construction of the rink took only four days thanks to the hard work of volunteer union laborers.

Admission to skate is only $3 and skate rental is $2.

(December 20, 2010) - Despite the recent winter like weather, Vander Veer Lagoon is NOT safe for ice skating.  There was a very thin layer of ice on the surface of the lagoon before snows of the last couple of weeks started.  The snow has since been an insulator stopping additional ice from forming.  In order for there to be a safe and suitable surface of ice, we will need significantly cold temperatures over a long stretch of time.

If ice conditions become safe, Davenport Parks and Recreation will work the ice to make it suitable for skating.  Check the Parks and Recreation website at www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks for updates on the ice conditions at Vander Veer. In the meantime, indoor skating is available at the River's Edge, 700 W River Drive in downtown Davenport.

To process your venison yourself:

* Have your equipment ready. Always carry: a deer drag; a sharp knife like the Pro Tool Hunt Utility Knife, made of 3/16-inch-thick carbon steel and featuring a finger grip below and scalloped thumb grooves above, that gives me a secure grip and ultimate maneuverability for field dressing; gloves; and Hunter's Specialties' Wild Gamekeeper Spray, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria by lowering the pH on the surface of the animal, creating an acid base where bacteria can't grow in your daypack.

* Look for a hill or a log that you can drag your deer to as soon as you recover it. Put the deer's head up and the body down to make field dressing easier. Gravity will help the entrails to come out easier.

* Use a Hunter's Specialties' Butt Out Tool, a product that disconnects the deer's anal alimentary canal easily.

* Wear field dressing gloves to open the deer's cavity and remove the entrails.

* Don't wash the open cavity with water, even after removing the entrails. Use Wild Gamekeeper Spray, and coat the cavity with it.

* Hang the deer in a cooler or the outdoors, if the area has below-40-degree temperatures for 2-3 days. Then the animal can cool-down and age, which will mean better-tasting meat.

* Remove the hide, and cut-up the meat.

* Use a very-sharp, clean knife like the compact, perfectly-balanced Pro Tool Hunt Utility Knife and a saw to separate the meat.

* Cut away all fat, connective tissue and gristle before packaging the meat for the freezer to ensure the very-best-tasting venison when you prepare it later.

In my new "Deer Hunter's & Land Manager's Pocket Reference" book that will be available in a few weeks at www.protoolindustries.net, there's a full chapter on how to clean and quarter your deer besides an abundance of vital information about deer. At the Pro Tool Industries website, you'll also find my book, "How to Make Jerky and Pemmican" and free venison recipes.

 PHOENIX (December 2, 2010) - The Harlem Globetrotters, who have contributed more innovations to the game of basketball than any other team in history, have implemented the first-ever 4-point shot as part of all of its games on the team's 2011 "4 Times the Fun" North American tour, the team's record 85^th season of touring.