Since that March 25 race, the 25-year-old Canadian with a healthy sense of humor has proved he can be a serious racer. Hes third in Izod IndyCar Series points entering the May 27 Indianapolis 500.

That sort of personality and performance is just what Andretti Autosport needed in a time of transition.

• PHOTOS: Hinchcliffes predecessor, Danica Patrick

IndyCar was bracing for life after Patricks full-time departure to NASCAR when Michael Andretti signed two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon to drive the neon green Go Daddy car. Wheldon died that day, Oct. 16, 2011, in a crash at the season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

That...

SUMMER FUN Fairs and festivals

May 18-20

Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off, Mill Creek MetroParks Wick Recreation Area, Youngstown. Live musical entertainment and activities for entire family daily. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Playground project at Wick Recreation Area. Hours: noon to 10 pm Fri. and Sat.; noon to 8 pm Sun. Admission is free before 3 pm $5 per person after 3. 330-702-3000.

May 25-27

Dulci-More Festival 18, BSA Camp McKinley, 37748 Furnace Road, Lisbon. Concerts, workshops, open stages and more. Group rates available. Children welcome. Hours: 5 pm to 9:30 pm Friday; 9 am to 9:30 pm Sat. and Sun. 330-332-4420.

National Button Accordion...

John Isner is standing taller than ever. Thats no small accomplishment for the nearly 6-10 North Caroline native, whose rise has positioned him well for a maiden Olympic appearance.

Isner shocked Roger Federer on red clay in the Davis Cup in February and dumped world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to reach the BNP Paribas Open final in March, pushing his ranking into the top 10 for the first time. This week, Isner is No. 10 in the world and the top American.

That also made the 26-year-old who played at the University of Georgia the first man in a quarter century to crack the ATP Tours top 10 with four years of college under his belt. Fellow Bulldog Mikael Pernfors of Sweden was the last...

8th Annual SBSD Mud Run Saturday

Organizers say the goal of the 2012 SBSD Mud Run is to bring together members of the community with Southern California public safety personnel for a fun day in the mud and sun. Event proceeds go to local charities throughout the Inland Empire.

For many years I thought fondant icing was some esoteric wedding-cake magic, far out of the technical reach of regular bakers.

Its not. Its easy to make, easy to work with, and fun.

The confusion rises from a couple of sources. First, theres more than one kind of fondant.

Cooked or poured fondant is sugar, water, acid and flavorings that have been cooked to the softball stage and whipped. The liquid mixture is then poured over the surface of a cake or petits fours. It can also be flavored and used to fill chocolate candies.

Fondant icing, or rolled fondant, is what were after. It is sold in tubs at specialty cake decorating stores (it is convenient and brightly...