A voice in your head

We've all heard a little voice telling us to be careful not to drink too much. Most of the time we didn't know where it was coming from. If you're a guy and find it happening in New Mexico, there's a simple explanation.

The state has shelled out $10,500 for 500 talking deodorizer cakes to be used in men's room urinals in bars and restaurants.

Recorded messages embedded in the sanitary supply tell the patron, in a woman's voice, "Hey, big guy. Having a few drinks? Think you had one too many? Then it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home. Remember, your future is in your hand."

The program is an offshoot of the sort of thing used in anti-drug capaigns in various parts of New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania and in Australia.

New Mexico had 143 alcohol-related deaths in 2005, the country's eighth-highest rate, and men have 78% of all drunk-driving related convictions in the state.

ON THE WEB
• Order a New Mexico travel guide
• Maps of the state
• New Mexico Travel
• Visitors's Guide to Northern NM
• Santa Fe
• Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau
• New Mexico Magazine

Wineries, 'dineries' team up in Pa. Dutch country

A "sneak preview" of sorts will be offered during March at the 11 wineries of Pennsylvania's UnCork York Wine Trail as part of their 2nd annual Tour de Tanks.

Visitors will be able to sample wines taken straight from the barrel or tank at the wineries in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
Tickets are available online or at participating wineries for the event, scheduled for each Saturday-Sunday in March, are $15 with one ticket good at all participating wineries for all five weekends. Ticketholders get a 10% discount on wine purchases.

One difficulty with touring any wine country with which you're not familiar is finding decent dining. The Tour de Tanks has set up 11 "dineries" to go with the 11 wineries, offering all-inclusive menus every Friday through Sunday in March for $30 per person. The full list is available online. It looks like a fairly convenient way to visit what is a rambling tour area covering parts of three contiguous counties -- Adams, York and Dauphin -- in the Harrisburg/Lancaster/York/Getysburg region of south central Pennsylvania.

Participating wineries are, aplhabetically, Adams County Winery, Allegro Vineyards, Four Springs Winery, Fox Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Glen Mere Winery, Marburg Estate Winery, Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Naylor Wine Cellars, Nissley Vineyards, Seven Valleys Vineyard & Winery and West Hanover Winery.

ON THE WEB
• York County Convention & Visitors Bureau ("Factory Tour Capital of the World")
• Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Pa. Dutch Country Welcome Center
• Dauphin County Visitors Network