| 1. HOW HOTELS ARE REVAMPING AFTERNOON TEA: Upscale hotels, including the St. Regis in New York and the Gore in London, are revamping their afternoon tea traditions to make them more contemporary for guests. The St. Regis now offers a spread inspired by Salvador Dalí and the Gore has introduced a spread inspired by classic rock ‘n’ roll bands. Bruce Richardson, a Kentucky-based tea expert, said the Berkeley hotel in London initially started the trend by launching a tea that changes seasonally based on runway fashion collections. The New York Times: “The Pembroke Room at the Lowell, a landmark 1920s hotel on New York City’s Upper East Side, has the rarefied, hushed air of a traditional tearoom. But this summer’s Garden Tea, which featured pink and purple cocktails and a giant raspberry Ladurée macaron, piqued the interest of a clientele that was about one-third millennial, estimates the general manager, Heiko Kuenstle. … Some hotels explicitly acknowledge the marketing potential. At the Sanya Edition, on Hainan Island in China, the decidedly meta Skybar Afternoon Tea references Edition’s first four locations; dishes include a lemon cheesecake (New York City) and a confection made with coconut, pineapple, and white chocolate (Miami Beach).” 2. HUNDREDS OF BIRDS DIE AFTER CRASHING INTO NASCAR HALL OF FAME: Hundreds of birds died after crashing in the Nascar Hall of Fame building in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to a local bird rescue, an estimated 310 birds, identified as chimney swifts, hit the building on Tuesday; about 100 of them survived and are undergoing medical treatment. NBC News: “The Nascar Hall of Fame thanked the rescue along with other city organizations for their response in a statement obtained by NBC affiliate WCNC. … To answer the many questions on their Facebook page about why the birds crashed into the Nascar Hall of Fame, Carolina Waterfowl posted a link from Cornell University explaining that birds flying at night can be attracted to light shining through windows.” 3. MIAMI’S HARD ROCK STADIUM TO HOST F1 GRAND PRIX: The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Formula One have entered an agreement to host a grand prix at the venue. F1 initially had a 10-year agreement with Miami to host an event near Bayfront Park this year, but was met with local opposition. The new plan is led by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. ESPN: “It appears progress has been made on the current discussions. On Tuesday, Tom Garfinkel, the vice president and C.E.O. of the Miami Dolphins and the Hard Rock Stadium, tweeted concept pictures of a circuit stretching around the stadium, which is set to host this season's Super Bowl." | 