Challenges in the news - 01/21/2008

Down & Dirty: Surf, turf and Old Man Winter. Spacious, clean campking sites and challenging swells are a big part of San Elijo State Beach’s draw, even in winder. But remember: Bring a jacket.

Walls of waves tackled at Maverik’s contest. Princeton By The Sea, CA – Maverick’s, a rock-studded, once-secret surf spot named after a dog, looked for all the world Saturday like the Super Bowl of big wave riding as thousands of people streamed to the fishing hamlet to see two dozen surfers challenge one of the world’s most dangerous breaks.

Sweet, affordable dreams. Santa Barbara – what’s not to love. Except maybe the prices, which means a weekend getaway can cost a pretty penny. The challenge to the Travel staff: Find nice hotels, good restaurants and enjoyable activities without breaking the budget. So we are, we slept, we played, all in the name of research. Here’s what we turned up.

THE Health Promotion Board and Malay/Muslim community group Clubilya have again put out a challenge to Malay smokers - abstain or quit smoking this month.

Working to build local government in war-torn Iraq and gaining public confidence is a considerable challenge because of the deplorable state of infrastructure left behind by the regime of brutal dictator Saddam Hussein.

At an age when most coaches are retiring to the golf course, one 66-year-old Midland coach is embarking on a new challenge and taking his coaching skills to the next level.

Next month's Super Tuesday primary is going to be a big day for the candidates, but it could be a challenge for voters who venture downtown to cast their ballots.

Seven local high school students are in Georgia today competing in a regional construction challenge that highlights infrastructure problems in the United States.

It's win or go home time for Fred Thompson, and he finally appears to be responding to the challenge by shedding his laid-back campaigning style and aggressively attacking his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination.

SINGAPORE: Over 500 people are taking part in an annual event that challenges them to stop smoking.

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - After a break out year in 2007, world number four Ana Ivanovic is convinced she now has the game to challenge the world's leading players and win her first grand slam title.