Atlanta plans Martin Luther King events

The birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is planning a series of special events in honor of his birthday.

The national holiday honoring King is observed this year on Jan. 15.

The Atlanta History Center opens an exhibit on Jan. 15 called "I Have A Dream: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection," which includes King's handwritten personal papers, documenting his political activism, sermons and speeches. His "I Have a Dream" speech, his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, and his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" will all be on display. The exhibit runs through May 13.

For more information, call 1-404-814-4000 or visit www. atlantahistorycenter.com. For hotel packages that include tickets to the history center, visit www.atlanta.net.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will feature the Morehouse College Glee Club on Jan. 11 at the 15th annual Martin Luther King Celebration at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel on the Morehouse College campus, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.atlantasymphony.org.

A conference about King's teachings and how ordinary citizens can make a difference will be held Jan. 13-15 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Summit. The conference will conclude with community service projects throughout Atlanta. Details at 1-404-979-2808 or visit www.handsonatlanta.org.

On Jan. 15, Ebenezer Baptist Church hosts "The Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service" at 10 a.m. in the historic Heritage Sanctuary.

If you can't make it to Atlanta that weekend, you can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site any time of year. The site includes the grave sites of King and his wife, Coretta, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King, his father and grandfather all preached. For more information on the national historic site, visit www.nps.gov/malu.

Healthier food at theme parks

Universal Parks & Resorts has started to add healthier side dishes to its food menus at its U.S. theme parks -- Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles.

In addition in 2007, the three parks will also begin cooking and frying with 100 percent trans fat-free oil throughout most of their facilities, the park operator said, and by the end of the year, the parks intend to be trans fat-free in all facilities.

Furthermore, Universal said it will work to make nutritional information about its food options available to guests.

Universal is the latest major hospitality company to announce plans to remove trans fats from its foods.

Earlier this month, Loews Hotels said it would no longer serve foods prepared with artificial trans fat at its 18 properties across the United States and Canada and plans to eliminate the fats by June.

Trans fat can be found in shortening and margarine and also are ingredients in such foods as doughnuts, cookies, most pastries, other processed foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Some trans fat is found naturally in small amounts in various meats and dairy products.

European rail travel expands

Railpass.com, the one-stop-shop for rail tickets and passes covering Europe, Australasia, Asia and the Americas, is encouraging customers to take advantage of 2006 Eurail pass prices before prices rise in 2007.

In addition to offering a wide selection of Eurail passes for travel within the first six months of 2007 at 2006 prices, which can offer savings of up to $150, Railpass.com offers free shipping on all purchases, as well as a free pre-loaded international cell phone on purchases over $500. The giveaways and specials end at noon today.

In other news, the Eurail National Pass, a travel option introduced in 2006 that's ideal for covering one country in depth, is expanding its reach for 2007. You soon will be able to use those passes for Croatia, Ireland, Italy and Portugal. It currently is available for Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain.

Study music, cooking, more

Elderhostel is shaking off its serious image with the Road Scholar travel-study program.

It's open to anyone 21 and older, and offers a wide range of classes, plus smaller group sizes (up to 24 participants instead of about 40 in many Elderhostel programs), more free time, and more behind-the-scenes access.

Topics include the Austin music scene, Southwestern cuisine in Santa Fe, and restaurants in Las Vegas. International programs are offered, too.

Information: www.elderhostel. org/programs/usa.asp.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

You may have made your New Year's celebration plans, but what about Chinese New Year? Feb. 18 marks the Year of the Pig, and from then until Feb. 6, 2008, the Langham Hotel, Hong Kong, is offering a $668 package that includes a two-night stay on the Club Floor, which means special amenities; a piggy bank, which symbolizes prosperity; a silk tie for him and silk pouch for her; and a $65 dining credit. The price is for double or single occupancy.

Visit hongkong.langhamhotels.com/.

-- Compiled from wire and Web reports