cfc

^Sure--but you may not want to eat it once it arrives.

Based on what I've seen here, Carinval should use this as their mascot instead of Funship Freddie.

^How about this: "Hmm--if I keep my hand here all day, no one will notice the stain."

^You're welcome. It's been interesting seeing enthusiast opinions evolve about Verbolten. They've gone from "Phfft--It's just a lame family coaster" to "Wow--this could be a major ride." The new B&M "wingrider" coasters were getting most of the attention, but Verbolten has slipped in "under the radar" as the park released more details about it. We'll know for certain in a few months.

New Spidey stuff, great tacky mini-golf course--what's not to like?

^By drinking something other than Bud Light?

The mini-golf course looks like it's in surprisingly good shape.

^Yep: http://www.kingsdominion.com/hours-directions/kings-dominion

TPR's Klassy Kruise inspired me to hit Carrabba's last Friday night in search of a good meal, as opposed to a Klassy meal. The Sirloin Marsala was pretty damn good, and this got me to thinking: "Hey, don't I have a recipe for Chicken Marsala someplace?" As it turns out, I did indeed. Would you like to see how it turned out? Let's have a look. First, you're going to need the following ingredients: 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of margaine 1 1/4 lbs. of skinnless, boneless chicken breasts (Guy likes this recipe already) 2 tablespoons minced shallots or onion 2/3 cup of dry Marsala wine 1/2 cup of prepared chicken broth 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour sliced mushrooms (I didn't bother to measure these) 1/2 teaspoon salt (I left this out) 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Ingredients Assemble! May I have a volunteer from the shallots please? Thank you so much. This shallot died a horrible death so that I might have dinner. Show some reverence. Margaine! Do my bidding! Melt and get bubbly! OK, chicken breasts--you're up! Look--it's a "tong war"! "Marsala wine standing by. Awaiting further instructions, sir!" Sand by, wine. Shallots, ho! Cook! Cook, damn you! The recipe actually calls for seedless grapes, but I went with fungus. Hot enough for you, shrooms? Marsala wine--move into position! You orders are to get "syrupy." "SYRUPY! SIR, YES SIR!" You did combine your 1/2 cup of chicken broth with your 2 teaspoons of flour, correct? Commence . . . thickening! And dinner is served! I added some whole-wheat noodles and a can of ginger ale to make it extra Klassy. The verdict: pretty good, but I think I'll add garlic next time, even though the recipe doesn't call for it.

^I agree. Last year, they kept getting slammed for all those Mach Tower ads when they were having all those unexpected issues getting the ride up and running. Best to play it safe and sell Verbolten when its ready for prime time.

^Eww! This report has yielded one amazing photo and comment after another.

Johnny Rocket is gonna be kickin' chickens? PETA will all over him for flagrant fowl abuse!

It looks like the theming really "makes" this ride--very clever stuff.

^Time Machine is an "OK" ride, at best. Hell, it had that old "B&M rattle" during it's first season as Led Zepplin: The Ride. But I wouldn't object to another park giving it a good home.

There was a hint about Verbolten's possible opening day in the Daily Press this morning: The article, "Attractions Add Tech Touches" (Sunday, March 11), also notes that Verbolten is the most expensive attraction the park has built to date, that BGW will be speding "four times as much" to promote Verbolten than it did to promote Griffon, and that they'll be pushing their advertising beyond their usual markets (that is, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York, and North Carolina) into Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa. The park is planning to start shooting their new Verbolten commerials "next week." My guess is that they're shooting for a Memorial Day Weekend opening for Verbolten, as they did for Mach Tower last year.

As long as they can bring the place some "Klass."

I think KD runs Volcano as well as they can. It was a protoype to begin with, as I recall, and was nothing but trouble during its first season (well, still is, really).

^It should help take some of the heat off of Wildebeest--that sucker has hideously long lines shortly after opening.

I am intrigued by the "twisty breadsticks."

^I think so. I know Janice didn't go, based on what she's been posting on Facebook. So, they were probably both too bright to get suckered into this.

I think this thread could use a little more Klass now, don't you? Breakfast on the Klassy Kruise. While these items may look familiar, the actual food contents may surprise you! Guess what you think these items are. Best guess will win something Klassy! Whatever happens on the Klassy Kruise... Its Reed's fault! They served "French" fries, "French" dressing, "French" toast, and sparkling water! To complete the "Carnival = Golden Corral" food comparison... Yes, they have a chocolate wonderfall on the ship!!! The 1970s Las Vegas neon is totally hypnotic! I'll be here the rest of the cruise staring at it! This was the Klassy Kruise hairy chest and fat gut competition. What we saw cannot be unseen! "Am I on a Carnival Klassy Kruise ship or Golden Corral?" You decide!!! We are honestly not sure what today's mystery meat is! It's supposed to be some kind of "steak" but none of us can identify the animal! A cup of urine or salad dressing? You decide!!! It only took three days for Elissa to get plain pasta! Apparently this is a difficult to make, exotic dish on Carnival! Oh, no! KidTums has been attacked by Funship Freddie! She's going to need therapy the rest of her life!

^They mention that in the article, too. EDIT: Today's Daily Press (Sunday, March 11) mentioned that the Richmond International Raceway is interested in hosting the state fair again.

According to a story in the Daily Press (Newport News), there will probably be no state fair in Virginia this year, ending a "150-year run": You can read more about it here. The short of it is that the State Fair of Viriginia's (SFVAs) investment portfolio took such a hit from the recession that SFVA was unable to meet its obligations to its lenders. In 2009 the fair moved from its old ground near Richmond to a new facility in Caroline County, which is located on the same road as Kings Dominion. The fair is not a state-sponsored event.

Ahem. "Klassy femme-bot." And just how "tangy" was the romaine at the taco bar? Was it grown by inmates at a Guatemalan insane asylum, or something?

^Your embedded video is working fine now. Not sure what was going on when you posted it earlier--maybe just a temporary glitch? At any rate, the "new" DCA is looking good.