Tuesday Travel Ticker: What’s SUP in Truckee

Truckee police are now using stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) to patrol Donner Lake, making the department one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to use the popular new recreational equipment. “Anything we can do that gets officers out of their vehicles and invites interaction with our community is a step in the right direction,” Police Chief Adam McGill says . . . . Tom Parsons of bestfares.com warns travelers to stay away from these expensive flying days: At Thanksgiving: Nov. 16, 17, 21, 24 and especially Nov. 23 and 26. At Christmas: Dec. 20, 22, 26 and 28 . . . . London Heathrow airport-owner BAA Ltd. will sell Stansted Airport in London, in a forced breakup of its assets ordered by antitrust regulators. Stansted, the main base for discount giant Ryanair, attracted 18 million passengers last year, compared to 69 million at Heathrow and almost 34 million at Gatwick . . . . Overall trans-Atlantic air traffic was down in July, continuing a four-month trend of little or negative growth . . . . Yosemite National Park will celebrate the park service’s 96th birthday with a Saturday program on ranger skills. The activities will be held at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center from 9-11 a.m. and include presentations on search and rescue and fire management . . . . San Diego’s Little Italy expects 120,000 folks to turn out for its FESTA! celebration Oct. 14. The annual event attracts more than 160 artists to compete in an Italian tradition of chalk art . . . . Parking and admission are free at the Pine Mountain Club fall festival, Sept. 1 and 2, off the I-5 north of Castaic. For more information and a map, visit www.pmcfallfestival.com . . . . If you’re heading to San Francisco for the America’s Cup World Series from Oct. 2-7, catch the action aboard a Red and White Fleet’s day cruise. For info, go to www.redandwhite.com or call (415) 673-2900 . . . . Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is offering a third night free in its “Every Day is a Holiday” package Nov. 23 – Dec. 30. Info: (702) 590-8888 or www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas . . . . Temecula winegrowers are circling a Save Wine Country petition asking the Riverside County Planning Commission to “prioritize vineyard development over any incompatible interest” . . . . Travel quote of the day: “Wine to me is a passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art.” (Robert Mondavi)