Open Air Magazine Fall Issue Available September 5

McLEAN, Va. (Map) - MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Open Air Magazine continues to give its readers a unique perspective on the active lifestyle with its third issue, available on newsstands Friday, Sept. 5. Published by USA TODAY, the nation's top-selling newspaper, Open Air is available in Friday editions of the newspaper. The on-sale date for the winter edition is Nov. 7.

As Open Air reaches the end of its first year it has proven itself to be a hit with readers and advertisers alike. Advertising revenue for the fall issue has seen a 30% increase from the summer issue (May 2) and a 49% increase from the inaugural spring issue (March 7). Readers have described finding Open Air as "a serendipitous moment" and give it a "big thumbs up." This new issue of the magazine continues to meet reader expectations with a wealth of unique stories that illuminate the everyday adventures that surround us all.

Highlights of Open Air's second issue include the following:

- COVER STORY: MAN & NATURE (Page 24)

Paul Sipchen, deputy national communications director for the Sierra Club and editor-in-chief of Sierra Magazine, talks about how his passion for preserving the planet sometimes conflicts with his love for outdoor recreation. In this humorous but pointed commentary, Sipchen reflects on the fine line that exists between responsible sporting and reckless wasting of resources. What is the effect of all the fuel he has used driving to a mountain for a day of snowboarding or the beach for that perfect surf set? Should he break down and play just one round of golf on over-manicured and over-watered greens?

In the end he concludes, "Every day I try to become less of a burden on the planet. But I don't regret a gallon of the gas it took to immerse my family in nature. Or the compromises I make in engaging mind and body in our still glorious world."

The cover story is accompanied with tips to Green vacations highlighting eco-friendly hotels and rental car options. An earth-friendly sports guide follows with information on how biking, golf, running and tennis are all making a turn for the environmentally responsible.

- THE GREAT OUTDOORS SURVEY: YOU LOVE THE OUTDOORS! (Page 34)

A national survey conducted by Open Air, with co-sponsor CGPR (http://www.cgprpublicrelations.com), a public relations firm based in Marblehead, Mass., found that nearly half of surveyed Americans say their most cherished time on the weekends is spent "outdoors." That is just one of the findings from the survey of 1,027 adults by the International Communications Research polling firm. Full survey results and analysis can be found in the magazine, but some key findings show:

    --  If someone had a chance to spend a month alone in a cabin in the
        woods, 36.4% believe they would come away being rested and recharged
        and 24.4% would have a greater appreciation of their family or loved
        ones.
    --  If snowed-in in a cabin for a month 32.9% would want a bible, 20.8%
        would want their pet and 8.3% would need to have their Blackberry.
    --  If going on a pleasant daylong hike, 28.3% would most look forward to
        spending a day in conversation with Oprah Winfrey, compared to the
        22% who would prefer Bill Gates.
    --  37.3% of people would rather play golf with a friend, while only 3.7%
        want to hit the greens with their boss.
    --  47.1% of people say their running shoes are their most valued piece of
        sports equipment. 24.6% feel the same way about their bicycle.
    - MY FAVORITES: ISLAND GETAWAYS FROM SURVIVOR'S HOST (Page 22)

Over the past 16 seasons Jeff Probst, the host of the hit CBS show Survivor, has gotten a chance to travel to some of the world's most exotic locales. Probst, who lives in Los Angeles, feels a spiritual connection to water and that makes him perfect to give us a look at his five favorite islands.

    --  Bora Bora -- "One of the most beautiful places ever, Bora Bora is the
        place to go if you're on a honeymoon or rekindling a romance ...  It's
        a fun place -- kind of a sexy place -- and it can be very private."
    --  The Cook Islands -- "The Cook Islands are where I'd move to if I
        decided to become an island guy and plop down for some island
        living ... Everybody's laughing; everybody's beautiful."
    --  Palau -- "Palau is probably my favorite destination for an active
        vacation ...  Literally, in one day, you can scuba-dive with giant
        manta rays, then swim in Jellyfish Lake with thousands of
        jellyfish ... It's a completely bizarre, psychedelic experience."
    --  Panama/Pearl Islands -- "Panama has great islands and is close to the
        United States, especially for West Coasters ... I've dived for pearls
        several times and have never found one, but it's always fun. You go
        down, you find the right shell and you tear off the barnacles, and you
        crack it open on the boat, and you hope for magic."
    --  Vanuatu -- " ... Vanuatu is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which
        means there are active volcanoes. The one volcano you can almost
        always visit is Yasur. I got to go up on the edge ... to shoot the
        opening for Survivor, and it was unbelievable! It was one of the
        craziest, most exciting things I've done. And you can do it, too,
        unless it's really blowing hard or spewing a lot of lava."
    - READER PHOTOS: TRANSITION LENSES READERS' PICK CONTEST (Page 42)

We've made our selections, now you make yours. Of the hundreds of reader submitted photos we received, eight have been chosen as exemplary works of photography. Four were featured in the summer issue and four are in this fall magazine. Starting Sept. 5th, Open Air readers get to vote online for their favorite by going to openair.usatoday.com. The contest ends Sept 16.

Other highlights of the fall issue of Open Air include: First-round NFL draft pick Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders recalls triumph and pain in an inspiring editorial about his rise to the top; beer guru Scott Kerkmans and other experts pair warm culinary delights with cold ones and provide recipes; a father and son from San Francisco train for a major cycling event in the Sierras; destinations around Las Vegas that provide fresh air, great views and surprising educational opportunities for kids; advice from a doctor on working out through fall allergies; how to build your next weekend getaway around a 5K or 10K race in places like Chicago, Phoenix, Gettysburg, Boulder and Hawaii; the best binoculars on the market to enhance your adventures and the best soccer gear to improve your game; a look at timeshare and import car-buying vacations; and a book excerpt from Walking the Gobi by the legendary adventurer Helen Thayer.

About Open Air Magazine

Open Air is an active lifestyle magazine, published by USA TODAY. It is available four times a year in Friday issues of the newspaper (Circ: 2.5 million). Open Air celebrates the active lifestyle, and its rewards for the body, mind and spirit. The magazine is both inspirational and practical. With a unique voice and signature images, it guides readers to the adventure possibilities that surround us each day -- from daily activities to once-in-a- lifetime opportunities.

About USA TODAY

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 34 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI). The USA TODAY brand also includes: USATODAY.com, an award-winning news and information Web site that is updated 24 hours per day; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine for enthusiasts of college and professional football and baseball; USA TODAY Mobile, offering up-to-the minute news and information on a variety of mobile platforms and devices; and USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand that brings the spirit and quality of the newspaper to television.