An airline stewardess struggling to lift her bag at a German airport led to the discovery of a 6-million euro ($8.4 million) coin fraud. The customs officer who stopped the stewardess in early 2010 found thousands of one and two euro coins in her bag, Bild newspaper reported in its Thursday edition.
The incident sparked an investigation that has uncovered a forgery ring stretching to China and potentially implicating employees of German airline Lufthansa, the paper said.
The Frankfurt prosecutors' office said on Thursday it carried out dawn raids on offices and residences and arrested six people, four of whom are from China.
It suspects them of having smuggled coins that had been taken out of circulation or bits of those coins into Germany from China, where they had been sent as scrap metal.
The suspects then put the coins back together and exchanged them for a total of 6 million euros at the Bundesbank from 2007 to 2010, the prosecutors said.
Airline cabin crew do not have a weight limit on their baggage, prosecutors highlighted in a statement.
There was no suspicion of any wrongdoing on the part of Bundesbank employees, the prosecutors' office added.
The Bundesbank said in a statement it was aware of the investigation into the use of scrapped coins. It also said that no Bundesbank employees were subject to the investigation.
A Lufthansa spokesman on Thursday said it was aware that individual employees were under investigation, but said the group could not comment on the investigation.
Old euro coins are taken out of circulation by removing the inner part of the coin from an outer ring and thus effectively turning them into scrap metal.
The investigators recovered around 3 tonnes of coin pieces as well as a machine for putting them back together, prosecutors said in the statement.
The Bundesbank is the only institute in Europe that exchanges damaged euro coins for free, replacing them with new ones of the same value.
($1=.7110 euros)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Rubber duck search leads to high seas yarn
Men have gone to sea in search of adventure since history began but few have searched for toy ducks and then written a book on the environment, the commercialization of childhood and consumer society.
"MOBY-DUCK: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of Them" is Hohn's tale of doing just that.
Hohn, 38, now a features editor for GQ magazine, was a high school English teacher in Manhattan when he first learned of a cargo of plastic toys washing off the deck of a cargo ship in reading a student's essay.
Later he had an idea for a book, a map in his hands and a vision of a journey.
"Perhaps the craziest thing I did -- forget the seafaring and walking around in the habitat of polar bears -- was quit my job and give up employer subsidized health benefits," said Hohn.
All told the book consumed some five years of his life, and that was more than a dozen years after the ducks disappeared.
A travel narrative, a journey across the oceans, and a mock heroic with a solid dose of science, Hohn said it was largely the book he intended to write.
Starting with the position of the January 1992 toy spill, which was actually 7,200 red beavers, 7,200 green frogs, 7,200 blue turtles and 7,200 yellow ducks, he scoured the places the toys were found, where they should have been and in a factory in China, from whence they came.
The title is a joke but Hohn said he thought of himself as a kind of 'Ishmael', the narrator of the American literary classic "Moby Dick". And there are other literary parallels.
Nature has always been a subject important in American literature from at least the time of Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, a fact which Hohn is inherently aware.
What he didn't intend to do was write an environmental story but after seeing for himself man's destructive impact said, "No one now could write a book about the ocean and leave the environmental concerns out."
Expressing concern rather than an activist viewpoint, Hohn hopes the book is a "vicarious education" that entertains.
"We have changed the ocean, its chemistry and ecology," he said. "Oceans used to seem divine, a vision of the eternal. Not now."
Hohn concedes that despite the book's cover, which features yellow toy ducks floating on ocean waves, it's a deep book.
He ruminates on several mysteries of life, including childhood and the ocean and how ubiquitous yellow rubber ducks, now made from plastic, were and are in U.S. childhood and society.
Married since 1999 and with two young sons, he left on the initial journey even as the birth of his first born was imminent, with a promise to return on the next flight if need be. Hohn said he had "a little bit of the sense of being chronically juvenile" when his wayfaring began.
Perhaps, that's what allows him to follow flotsam and global trade routes, explain the history of the rubber duck and imagine his own childhood watching "Sesame Street" from the vantage point of a shag rug.
It also leaves him able, at story's end, to throw pine cones into New York's Hudson River and romanticize with his son where the currents may take them. His odyssey over, Hohn admits it was less than satisfactory in some ways, more so in others.
"There was some sense of disappointment," Hohn said. "You go back to the early clips and they talk about a break away group (of toys) on the way to Britain. They take as fact what was mostly fable. But the story I did find left me with as much wonder, if not more."
"MOBY-DUCK: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of Them" is Hohn's tale of doing just that.
Hohn, 38, now a features editor for GQ magazine, was a high school English teacher in Manhattan when he first learned of a cargo of plastic toys washing off the deck of a cargo ship in reading a student's essay.
Later he had an idea for a book, a map in his hands and a vision of a journey.
"Perhaps the craziest thing I did -- forget the seafaring and walking around in the habitat of polar bears -- was quit my job and give up employer subsidized health benefits," said Hohn.
All told the book consumed some five years of his life, and that was more than a dozen years after the ducks disappeared.
A travel narrative, a journey across the oceans, and a mock heroic with a solid dose of science, Hohn said it was largely the book he intended to write.
Starting with the position of the January 1992 toy spill, which was actually 7,200 red beavers, 7,200 green frogs, 7,200 blue turtles and 7,200 yellow ducks, he scoured the places the toys were found, where they should have been and in a factory in China, from whence they came.
The title is a joke but Hohn said he thought of himself as a kind of 'Ishmael', the narrator of the American literary classic "Moby Dick". And there are other literary parallels.
Nature has always been a subject important in American literature from at least the time of Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, a fact which Hohn is inherently aware.
What he didn't intend to do was write an environmental story but after seeing for himself man's destructive impact said, "No one now could write a book about the ocean and leave the environmental concerns out."
Expressing concern rather than an activist viewpoint, Hohn hopes the book is a "vicarious education" that entertains.
"We have changed the ocean, its chemistry and ecology," he said. "Oceans used to seem divine, a vision of the eternal. Not now."
Hohn concedes that despite the book's cover, which features yellow toy ducks floating on ocean waves, it's a deep book.
He ruminates on several mysteries of life, including childhood and the ocean and how ubiquitous yellow rubber ducks, now made from plastic, were and are in U.S. childhood and society.
Married since 1999 and with two young sons, he left on the initial journey even as the birth of his first born was imminent, with a promise to return on the next flight if need be. Hohn said he had "a little bit of the sense of being chronically juvenile" when his wayfaring began.
Perhaps, that's what allows him to follow flotsam and global trade routes, explain the history of the rubber duck and imagine his own childhood watching "Sesame Street" from the vantage point of a shag rug.
It also leaves him able, at story's end, to throw pine cones into New York's Hudson River and romanticize with his son where the currents may take them. His odyssey over, Hohn admits it was less than satisfactory in some ways, more so in others.
"There was some sense of disappointment," Hohn said. "You go back to the early clips and they talk about a break away group (of toys) on the way to Britain. They take as fact what was mostly fable. But the story I did find left me with as much wonder, if not more."
Unusual sleepovers to preserve former slave homes
Armed with a sleeping bag, whistle, flashlight and journal Joseph McGill is ready to spend another night in a strange place -- a building that once housed slaves.
This week, the program officer with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will sleep in a former slave dwelling in Egypt, Texas.
The unusual sleepover is part of his push to preserve buildings that once housed slaves, and it's just one of the overnight excursions the Charleston, South Carolina, man has planned around the country this year.
"It is usually those iconic places -- the big house, the house on the hill, the architecturally significant houses -- that are saved, and very few of the places that tell the story of African Americans," said McGill.
"Slave dwellings certainly tell that story," he added. "It's not one of those happy stories."
McGill's independent project is in its second year. Last summer, he spent the night in 10 slave cabins in South Carolina and Alabama.
This year, which marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, he has expanded the project to Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Maryland and Missouri.
McGill, 49, first had the idea for the project in 1999 when he slept in a slave cabin at Boone Hall Plantation near Charleston as a Civil War re-enactor in the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.
He feels that maintaining the buildings is an important aspect to preserving the story of slavery in America.
The Atlantic slave trade ended in 1808. But the domestic slave trade continued, and many slaves were not freed until months after the Civil War ended in 1865.
"There are a lot of plantation houses left, but a lot of those plantations don't have the outbuildings anymore," McGill said. "They deteriorated. They fell, demolition by neglect. That's forgivable.
"But if someone intentionally got rid of them trying to forget or erase that part of history, I can't forgive that," he said.
During his overnight stays, McGill said he thinks about the lives of slaves who shared the space. He's found shards of glass, animal bones and other artifacts in the buildings he has visited.
Given that the slaves likely had no beds, "I always sleep on the floor," he said. "I may change that in Texas because of scorpions."
This week, the program officer with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will sleep in a former slave dwelling in Egypt, Texas.
The unusual sleepover is part of his push to preserve buildings that once housed slaves, and it's just one of the overnight excursions the Charleston, South Carolina, man has planned around the country this year.
"It is usually those iconic places -- the big house, the house on the hill, the architecturally significant houses -- that are saved, and very few of the places that tell the story of African Americans," said McGill.
"Slave dwellings certainly tell that story," he added. "It's not one of those happy stories."
McGill's independent project is in its second year. Last summer, he spent the night in 10 slave cabins in South Carolina and Alabama.
This year, which marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, he has expanded the project to Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Maryland and Missouri.
McGill, 49, first had the idea for the project in 1999 when he slept in a slave cabin at Boone Hall Plantation near Charleston as a Civil War re-enactor in the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.
He feels that maintaining the buildings is an important aspect to preserving the story of slavery in America.
The Atlantic slave trade ended in 1808. But the domestic slave trade continued, and many slaves were not freed until months after the Civil War ended in 1865.
"There are a lot of plantation houses left, but a lot of those plantations don't have the outbuildings anymore," McGill said. "They deteriorated. They fell, demolition by neglect. That's forgivable.
"But if someone intentionally got rid of them trying to forget or erase that part of history, I can't forgive that," he said.
During his overnight stays, McGill said he thinks about the lives of slaves who shared the space. He's found shards of glass, animal bones and other artifacts in the buildings he has visited.
Given that the slaves likely had no beds, "I always sleep on the floor," he said. "I may change that in Texas because of scorpions."
FBI probes possible bullet hole in plane
The FBI is investigating what might be a bullet hole, discovered in the side of a US Airways Group Inc plane this week, the airline said Wednesday.
The small hole in the Boeing 737-400 was found by a pilot Monday at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
"The pilot was doing his standard, pre-flight walk-around and noticed a small hole in the rear, left fuselage," said US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr.
An FBI spokeswoman in Charlotte was not immediately available to comment on the investigation.
The aircraft had arrived in Charlotte from Philadelphia carrying 84 passengers and was scheduled to fly to Hartford, Connecticut, when the hole was found.
The plane, designed to carry 144 passengers and five crew members, was taken out of service Monday and was scheduled to be back in service Wednesday, Mohr said.
The small hole in the Boeing 737-400 was found by a pilot Monday at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
"The pilot was doing his standard, pre-flight walk-around and noticed a small hole in the rear, left fuselage," said US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr.
An FBI spokeswoman in Charlotte was not immediately available to comment on the investigation.
The aircraft had arrived in Charlotte from Philadelphia carrying 84 passengers and was scheduled to fly to Hartford, Connecticut, when the hole was found.
The plane, designed to carry 144 passengers and five crew members, was taken out of service Monday and was scheduled to be back in service Wednesday, Mohr said.
Thieves steal diamonds worth millions from fair
Thieves stole four diamonds worth several million dollars from a trader's stand at the world's biggest watch and jewelry fair in Basel on Wednesday, prosecutors said.
"Three men engaged the staff in a sales talk while one or two others opened the showcase," said Markus Melzl, spokesman for the Basel prosecutor's office. "These were real pros who had done some research ahead."
Watch and jewelry makers meet retailers from all over the world at the Basel fair which closes its doors on Thursday.
"Three men engaged the staff in a sales talk while one or two others opened the showcase," said Markus Melzl, spokesman for the Basel prosecutor's office. "These were real pros who had done some research ahead."
Watch and jewelry makers meet retailers from all over the world at the Basel fair which closes its doors on Thursday.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
POP QUIZ
They delivered for the Phils
A certain team starts its season this week, and one spot in the lineup stands to get quite a bit of attention this year.
Match up Phillies past and present with their on-the-mound win-loss record for the Fightin's.
1. Grover Cleveland Alexander. A) 89-73.
2. Joe Blanton. B) 7-4.
3. Jim Bunning. C) 60-45.
4. Steve Carlton. D) 49-37.
5. Roy Halladay. E) 56-40.
6. Cole Hamels. F) 190-91.
7. Kyle Kendrick. G) 21-10.
8. Cliff Lee. H) 73-63
9. Ryan Madson. I) 241-161.
10. Tug McGraw. J) 101-78.
11. Jamie Moyer. K) 234-199.
12. Brett Myers. L) 25-14.
13. Roy Oswalt. M) 35-24.
14. Robin Roberts. N) 7-1.
15. Curt Schilling. O) 43-28.
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Answers : 1. F ; 2. L ; 3. A ; 4. I ; 5. G ; 6. C ; 7. M ; 8. B ; 9. O ; 10. D ; 11. E ; 12. H ; 13. N ; 14. K ; 15. J
A certain team starts its season this week, and one spot in the lineup stands to get quite a bit of attention this year.
Match up Phillies past and present with their on-the-mound win-loss record for the Fightin's.
1. Grover Cleveland Alexander. A) 89-73.
2. Joe Blanton. B) 7-4.
3. Jim Bunning. C) 60-45.
4. Steve Carlton. D) 49-37.
5. Roy Halladay. E) 56-40.
6. Cole Hamels. F) 190-91.
7. Kyle Kendrick. G) 21-10.
8. Cliff Lee. H) 73-63
9. Ryan Madson. I) 241-161.
10. Tug McGraw. J) 101-78.
11. Jamie Moyer. K) 234-199.
12. Brett Myers. L) 25-14.
13. Roy Oswalt. M) 35-24.
14. Robin Roberts. N) 7-1.
15. Curt Schilling. O) 43-28.
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Answers : 1. F ; 2. L ; 3. A ; 4. I ; 5. G ; 6. C ; 7. M ; 8. B ; 9. O ; 10. D ; 11. E ; 12. H ; 13. N ; 14. K ; 15. J
Age of Equality: Who pays on the first date?
More than half of British women pay for themselves on a first date, even though men still want to pay, according to a survey on Monday.
A poll of 1,924 adults for online bank first direct found that 58 percent of women expect to split the bill on a first date, double the proportion of men (29 percent).
Additionally, 14 percent of women think it should be whoever suggested the date.
Only a quarter of women said that they thought men should pay for a first date, while three percent said they themselves should foot the bill, suggesting that women feel they should not be beholden to men, but that men should also pay their way.
Male respondents on the other hand believed that chivalry isn't dead, with 55 percent expecting to pay the full bill on a first date, and men spending an average of 65 pounds ($104) on a first date compared to women who spend 50 pounds.
Shouldering not just the financial burden but also the organizational responsibility, more than nine in 10 males (94 percent) said they would organize the first date, compared with just 65 percent of women.
Highlighting the financial considerations behind dating, 38 percent of people would use discount vouchers on a first date, a figure slightly higher for men (41 percent) than women (36)
"As we approach the wedding season, the couple on everyone's lips is Kate Middleton and Prince William," first direct Senior Savings Product Manager Richard Brown said in a statement. "It would be fascinating to know if they split the bill or if William paid and pulled out a discount voucher on their first date."
A poll of 1,924 adults for online bank first direct found that 58 percent of women expect to split the bill on a first date, double the proportion of men (29 percent).
Additionally, 14 percent of women think it should be whoever suggested the date.
Only a quarter of women said that they thought men should pay for a first date, while three percent said they themselves should foot the bill, suggesting that women feel they should not be beholden to men, but that men should also pay their way.
Male respondents on the other hand believed that chivalry isn't dead, with 55 percent expecting to pay the full bill on a first date, and men spending an average of 65 pounds ($104) on a first date compared to women who spend 50 pounds.
Shouldering not just the financial burden but also the organizational responsibility, more than nine in 10 males (94 percent) said they would organize the first date, compared with just 65 percent of women.
Highlighting the financial considerations behind dating, 38 percent of people would use discount vouchers on a first date, a figure slightly higher for men (41 percent) than women (36)
"As we approach the wedding season, the couple on everyone's lips is Kate Middleton and Prince William," first direct Senior Savings Product Manager Richard Brown said in a statement. "It would be fascinating to know if they split the bill or if William paid and pulled out a discount voucher on their first date."
Men more likely to overrule satnavs than women
Men are more likely to ignore directions given by their satellite navigation systems than women, a survey has found, confirming the old stereotype that men hate asking for directions.
While 83 percent of male drivers regularly rebel against their sat navs, less than three-quarters of women disobey the devices which UK drivers branded as "untrustworthy" and "inaccurate" in the study by insurance retailer Swinton.
"A sat nav should aid your own navigational abilities rather than replace them," said Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton, which found drivers were often right to mistrust the global positioning systems.
Over one third of drivers said their navigation system had led them between one and five miles astray, while more than half said directions provided by global positioning systems had triggered an argument with a passenger.
Of 3,000 motorists surveyed, almost two-thirds said they kept a route map in their vehicles "just in case."
While 83 percent of male drivers regularly rebel against their sat navs, less than three-quarters of women disobey the devices which UK drivers branded as "untrustworthy" and "inaccurate" in the study by insurance retailer Swinton.
"A sat nav should aid your own navigational abilities rather than replace them," said Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton, which found drivers were often right to mistrust the global positioning systems.
Over one third of drivers said their navigation system had led them between one and five miles astray, while more than half said directions provided by global positioning systems had triggered an argument with a passenger.
Of 3,000 motorists surveyed, almost two-thirds said they kept a route map in their vehicles "just in case."
KEEP YOUR ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY
Changing your engine oil as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer is one of the least expensive ways of keeping your car in god working order for many years.
In addition to keeping your vehicle's moving parts well lubricated, engine oil helps draw heat away from the combustion chamber and prevents carbon and varnishes from accumulating in the engine parts.
Oil by the numbers
Your owner's manual will denote the proper viscosity (thickness) of oil your engine needs. You also may be able to find the information printed on the oil cap under the hood. Engine oil comes in several different viscosities, such as 10W-30, 20W-50, 15W-40, SAE 40 and 5W-30. The numbers represent oil thickness as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) during hot and cold testing, wrote Joe Bruzek of automotive website http://www.cars.com/.
"For 10W-30, the first number (10) is the oil's viscosity when cold; 10 weight is thinner than 30 weight and beneficial when cold, because thinner engine oil allows easy start-up and less strain on the engine," Bruzek wrote in his article "Choosing the Right Engine Oil."
The second number (30 in the above-noted case) is the oil's viscosity when it's warm and is typically a heavier oil, thus providing better protection at higher temperatures, Bruzek continued. And the 'W' paired (as in 10W) designates an oil certified by SAE for low-temperature use in winter.
It's important that you use the manufacturer's recommended oil, Bruzek noted. If you don't you may void your car's warrenty if any damages can be shown to have been caused by your use of the wrong engine oil. Other ways to void your warrenty include:
* using a heavy oil weight, like 20W-50, in a car that recommends 5W-30;
* using a synthetic oil that's not approved by the automaker;
* using oil that's not approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in a car that requires API certification (look for the API starburst on the oil container).
API certifies oil based on performance criteria that have been determined by oil and engine producers and automakers, noted Mike Hanley of Cars.com in his article "Why Oil Matters." The highest API oil category for gas engines is SM. "It's designed for all gas engines, and according to the API, oils with this rating offer improved oxidation resistance, improved deposit protection, better wear protection, and better low-temperature performance over the life of the oil," wrote Hanley.
Other gas-engine categories in use include SL, which is designed for engines built in 2004 and ealier, and SJ, which is for 2001 and older models.
Avoid off-brand motor oils that tout the API's SA category, Hanley wrote. "This is an obsolete designation that shouldn't be used in cars built after 1930. There are no specifications for SA oil, so there's no way to know what's in it.
In addition to keeping your vehicle's moving parts well lubricated, engine oil helps draw heat away from the combustion chamber and prevents carbon and varnishes from accumulating in the engine parts.
Oil by the numbers
Your owner's manual will denote the proper viscosity (thickness) of oil your engine needs. You also may be able to find the information printed on the oil cap under the hood. Engine oil comes in several different viscosities, such as 10W-30, 20W-50, 15W-40, SAE 40 and 5W-30. The numbers represent oil thickness as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) during hot and cold testing, wrote Joe Bruzek of automotive website http://www.cars.com/.
"For 10W-30, the first number (10) is the oil's viscosity when cold; 10 weight is thinner than 30 weight and beneficial when cold, because thinner engine oil allows easy start-up and less strain on the engine," Bruzek wrote in his article "Choosing the Right Engine Oil."
The second number (30 in the above-noted case) is the oil's viscosity when it's warm and is typically a heavier oil, thus providing better protection at higher temperatures, Bruzek continued. And the 'W' paired (as in 10W) designates an oil certified by SAE for low-temperature use in winter.
It's important that you use the manufacturer's recommended oil, Bruzek noted. If you don't you may void your car's warrenty if any damages can be shown to have been caused by your use of the wrong engine oil. Other ways to void your warrenty include:
* using a heavy oil weight, like 20W-50, in a car that recommends 5W-30;
* using a synthetic oil that's not approved by the automaker;
* using oil that's not approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in a car that requires API certification (look for the API starburst on the oil container).
API certifies oil based on performance criteria that have been determined by oil and engine producers and automakers, noted Mike Hanley of Cars.com in his article "Why Oil Matters." The highest API oil category for gas engines is SM. "It's designed for all gas engines, and according to the API, oils with this rating offer improved oxidation resistance, improved deposit protection, better wear protection, and better low-temperature performance over the life of the oil," wrote Hanley.
Other gas-engine categories in use include SL, which is designed for engines built in 2004 and ealier, and SJ, which is for 2001 and older models.
Avoid off-brand motor oils that tout the API's SA category, Hanley wrote. "This is an obsolete designation that shouldn't be used in cars built after 1930. There are no specifications for SA oil, so there's no way to know what's in it.
GAS PRICES GOT YOU DOWN ? THESE TIPS SHOULD HELP
Gasoline prices recently have dropped a few cents. That's the good news.
But with the average price of a gallon unleaded in Pennsylvania at $3.55, AAA Mid-Atlantic has published a list of gasoline myth busters.
The automobile trade group warns that cash-strapped and stressed-out motorists should be leery of some.
Here are some myths to consider:
But with the average price of a gallon unleaded in Pennsylvania at $3.55, AAA Mid-Atlantic has published a list of gasoline myth busters.
The automobile trade group warns that cash-strapped and stressed-out motorists should be leery of some.
Here are some myths to consider:
- Boycotting filling stations one day a week will cause oil companies to lower fuel prices. False. This one makes the rounds via e-mail chains and is the favorite of Facebook users every time pump prices soar. Unless you stop driving altogether, unless everyone stops driving, boycotts are a bust. In 2009, Americans used 137.93 billion gallons of gas, AAA said.
- Driving the most fuel-efficient car you own will save $4,400 in fuel costs over five years. True. Assuming a car gets 20 mpg and a second car gets 30 mpg and you drive 15,000 miles annually. With a fuel cost of $3.52 a gallon, the U.S. Department of Energy says you will save $4,400 in the next five years.
- Trading in your gas-guzzling SUV or large sedan for a more fuel-efficient car makes economic sense. False. It is cheaper to keep it, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Unless your car is paid off, you are simply accumulating more debt. "About 82 percent of new-car loans today have terms of 60 to 77.9 months," according to J.D.Power and Associates. The average owed at trade-in is $4,221, more than the vehicle is worth.
- Paying cash at the pump can yield significant discounts. True. Some stations offer 5 cents off a gallon if you pay cash. Why? Credit card fees usually account for 2 percent of the transaction, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.
- Premium grade gasoline is better than regular gasoline. Depends. Premium costs about 30 cents per gallon more than regular. But if your vehicle's owner manual calls for premium, then use it. Not many do, except some high-performance cars. In 1988, 15 percent of the cars sold here required premium. Today, premium gas accounts for only 9 percent of the gas sold.
FUEL -- SAVING STRATEGIES TO TRY
Filling your gas tank have you shaking your head in exasperation? Some oil industry experts are warning of $5 per gallon gas in 2012. Yikes! What's a vehicle owner to do? Here are some tips on how you can save a few dollars each time you're at the pump.
Learn to coast
Coast to a stop when you can (this, of course, requires that you're not already speeding). If you drive in a lot of traffic or on city streets with many stop lights, learn to take your foot off the gas and coast safely between slowdowns and stops.
Don't drive aggressively
Jack-rabbit starts from a traffic light or stop sign waste fuel. Period. There are times when you have to speed up, such as when merging onto a busy highway. But if, when looking ahead, you're just going to have to stop at the next traffic light, why rev up to speed there? Seriously, where are you going? No one, except you, cares how fast your vehicle can acceerate from one traffic light to the next.
Adopt "calm driving" practices
Automotive editors at website http://www.edmunds.com/ tested many fuel-saving tactics and looked at basic car-maintenance tips and vehicle aerodynamics. They reported that --- by far --- the greatest fuel-saver was to switch to calm driving. Fast lane-changing followed by sharp braking used 35 percent more fuel than driving the speed limit and adopting other smooth driving habits. Also, don't needlessly idle your engine. And be aware that your vehicle's fuel efficiency usually decreases markedly at speeds of more than 60 mph in most car models, noted the U.S. Department of Energy. So resolve to drive at, or a little slower than, the posted speed limits.
Keep your tires properly inflated
Driving on underinflated tires can reduce your vehicle's fuel efficiency by an average of 3.75 percent, reported Edmunds.com editors.
Learn to coast
Coast to a stop when you can (this, of course, requires that you're not already speeding). If you drive in a lot of traffic or on city streets with many stop lights, learn to take your foot off the gas and coast safely between slowdowns and stops.
Don't drive aggressively
Jack-rabbit starts from a traffic light or stop sign waste fuel. Period. There are times when you have to speed up, such as when merging onto a busy highway. But if, when looking ahead, you're just going to have to stop at the next traffic light, why rev up to speed there? Seriously, where are you going? No one, except you, cares how fast your vehicle can acceerate from one traffic light to the next.
Adopt "calm driving" practices
Automotive editors at website http://www.edmunds.com/ tested many fuel-saving tactics and looked at basic car-maintenance tips and vehicle aerodynamics. They reported that --- by far --- the greatest fuel-saver was to switch to calm driving. Fast lane-changing followed by sharp braking used 35 percent more fuel than driving the speed limit and adopting other smooth driving habits. Also, don't needlessly idle your engine. And be aware that your vehicle's fuel efficiency usually decreases markedly at speeds of more than 60 mph in most car models, noted the U.S. Department of Energy. So resolve to drive at, or a little slower than, the posted speed limits.
Keep your tires properly inflated
Driving on underinflated tires can reduce your vehicle's fuel efficiency by an average of 3.75 percent, reported Edmunds.com editors.
F. Y. I.
Still on the Books
At Dublin's Trinity College in Ireland, students can demand a glass of wine at any time during an exam, provided they are wearing their sword.
Of Note
Antarctica is the only continent with no owls.
Quotable
by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African activist
"Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and expose sham and humbug for what they are."
No Kidding
Vanilla is used to make chocolate.
Busy Bee
A queen bee can lay 800 to 1500 eggs per day.
Future Oriented
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backward.
At Dublin's Trinity College in Ireland, students can demand a glass of wine at any time during an exam, provided they are wearing their sword.
Of Note
Antarctica is the only continent with no owls.
Quotable
by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African activist
"Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and expose sham and humbug for what they are."
No Kidding
Vanilla is used to make chocolate.
Busy Bee
A queen bee can lay 800 to 1500 eggs per day.
Future Oriented
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backward.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
FOR LENT, IOWA MAN PLANS TO ONLY DRINK BEER
'It's not like a joke,' says editor, who is getting guidance from pastor and doctor.
CORNING, Iowa - Instead of fruits and vegetables, why not stick with beer?
That's what a man in Corning is doing, and he said it's for religious reasons.
J.Wilkson is attempting to recreate the way Fransiscan monks marked the holy season of Lent centuries ago. Until Easter, he'll live on only water and four hearty pints per day of his own Doppelblock creation.
The newspaper editor is getting guidance from both a local doctor and a pastor. He knows living on 1,200 calores a day will be a challenge, but his goal is to never become drunk.
"It's not something I'm taking lightly. My health is important to me. I've got a wife and two kids that are very, very important to me. So, it's not like a joke," Wilson said.
CORNING, Iowa - Instead of fruits and vegetables, why not stick with beer?
That's what a man in Corning is doing, and he said it's for religious reasons.
J.Wilkson is attempting to recreate the way Fransiscan monks marked the holy season of Lent centuries ago. Until Easter, he'll live on only water and four hearty pints per day of his own Doppelblock creation.
The newspaper editor is getting guidance from both a local doctor and a pastor. He knows living on 1,200 calores a day will be a challenge, but his goal is to never become drunk.
"It's not something I'm taking lightly. My health is important to me. I've got a wife and two kids that are very, very important to me. So, it's not like a joke," Wilson said.
THE BLACK HOLE MYSTERY
Have you heard amazing tales about black holes?
Black holes are the most powerful forces in the universe. A black hole is so mighty that nothing can escape it, not even light. It is so powerful that it bends time and space. But no one will ever see one. We have no way of discovering what goes on inside one.
The newspaper talked with the curator of astronomy at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum to discover more about this mysterious cosmic superpower.
A shining star goes dark
A super-big star might be millions of miles wide. At the end of its life, it collapses into a point only a few miles wide. This crunched star core becomes a black hole.
The Crab Nebula is the glowing gas from a supernova, formed after a star exploded.
A change in power
A star is a burning ball of gas. When the star is "alive," gravity tries to pull the star matter into the center, or core. At the same time, nuclear explosions in the star push out.
The star stays balanced this way until it runs out of its nuclear fuel. Then the star heats up until it explodes.
The outer gas is blown into space as a supernova. The star's core collapses in seconds. If the star is big enough, the smashed core becomes a black hole. (Our sun is a star, but it is too small to ever become a black hole.)
Types of black holes
A black hole formed from a dying star is called a stellar black hole. A star would need to be at least 25 times heavier than our sun to form a black hole when it dies and explodes.
There are also supermassive black holes that area million to a billion times bigger than our sun. They may have grown and grown by "eating" stars and gas over billions of years. Or maybe, two black holes collided, joining into one super black hole.
Black holes are the most powerful forces in the universe. A black hole is so mighty that nothing can escape it, not even light. It is so powerful that it bends time and space. But no one will ever see one. We have no way of discovering what goes on inside one.
The newspaper talked with the curator of astronomy at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum to discover more about this mysterious cosmic superpower.
A shining star goes dark
A super-big star might be millions of miles wide. At the end of its life, it collapses into a point only a few miles wide. This crunched star core becomes a black hole.
The Crab Nebula is the glowing gas from a supernova, formed after a star exploded.
A change in power
A star is a burning ball of gas. When the star is "alive," gravity tries to pull the star matter into the center, or core. At the same time, nuclear explosions in the star push out.
The star stays balanced this way until it runs out of its nuclear fuel. Then the star heats up until it explodes.
The outer gas is blown into space as a supernova. The star's core collapses in seconds. If the star is big enough, the smashed core becomes a black hole. (Our sun is a star, but it is too small to ever become a black hole.)
Types of black holes
A black hole formed from a dying star is called a stellar black hole. A star would need to be at least 25 times heavier than our sun to form a black hole when it dies and explodes.
There are also supermassive black holes that area million to a billion times bigger than our sun. They may have grown and grown by "eating" stars and gas over billions of years. Or maybe, two black holes collided, joining into one super black hole.
THE BIG CRUNCH
Any size will do
Scientists believe a black hole can be any size. But they don't know for sure. They believe a black hole can be smaller than a pinpoint or have millions of times more material, or mass, thanour sun.
What they know for sure is that the massive black holes in space were probably all formed by dying stars.
It's really dense
A black hole is formed when a whole bunch of material (as from a star) is crammed into a tiny area (like a ball a few miles wide).
The more material that's smashed into a small volume, the more dense something is. The more dense an object is, the stronger its gravity is. A black hole is super dense.
If the Earth were smashed into the size of a marble, it would be dense enough to be a black hole.
They're everywhere
Scientists have discovered evidence that millions of stellar black holes are in every galaxy, including our own, the Milky Way. (But don't worry, they can never pull us in.)
There is probably also a supermassive black hole in the Milky Way appears to weigh 2 million to 3 million times more than our sun.
Some experts believe that supermassive black holes may have helped form galaxies by pulling star material into their neighborhood.
When stars collide
Another idea scientists have is that when stars are coming together, supergigantic stars may collide and form supermassive black holes. Or galaxies may collide, forming a supermassive black hole.
Scientists believe a black hole can be any size. But they don't know for sure. They believe a black hole can be smaller than a pinpoint or have millions of times more material, or mass, thanour sun.
What they know for sure is that the massive black holes in space were probably all formed by dying stars.
It's really dense
A black hole is formed when a whole bunch of material (as from a star) is crammed into a tiny area (like a ball a few miles wide).
The more material that's smashed into a small volume, the more dense something is. The more dense an object is, the stronger its gravity is. A black hole is super dense.
If the Earth were smashed into the size of a marble, it would be dense enough to be a black hole.
They're everywhere
Scientists have discovered evidence that millions of stellar black holes are in every galaxy, including our own, the Milky Way. (But don't worry, they can never pull us in.)
There is probably also a supermassive black hole in the Milky Way appears to weigh 2 million to 3 million times more than our sun.
Some experts believe that supermassive black holes may have helped form galaxies by pulling star material into their neighborhood.
When stars collide
Another idea scientists have is that when stars are coming together, supergigantic stars may collide and form supermassive black holes. Or galaxies may collide, forming a supermassive black hole.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION
Get your mind around this
The closer anything gets to a black hole, the weirder everything gets. Normal rules don't apply. Space and time act differently than they do in the normal universe.
The point of no return
If anything gets too close to a black hole, it will disappear forever. Anything that goes past a certain point will be sucked into the black hole. Nothing, not even light, can ever escape past that point.
This imaginary boundary is called the event horizon. The size of the event horizon depends on the density of the black hole. Event horizons can range from about 6 miles wide to millions of miles wide.
Now it gets weird
Black holes distort, or warp, space. If you could orbit near the event horizon, you could actually see the back of your head. The light reflecting from, or bouncing off, the back of your head would be bent around the black hole to your eyes.
We will never be able to see a black hole because light cannot escape from beyond the event horizon.
Imagine
NASA experts and others like to imagine what would happen if we could get near a black hole. This helps us understand the mysteries. For example, we could never really fly into a black hole. Our friends could not really watch it happen.
But just imagine if we could. If you decided, for some strange reason, to jump out of your spaceship near a black hole, your shipmates safely far away would see you appear to move slower and slower as you got close to the event horizon. But your friends would never see you actually cross it. To them, you would appear to stay frozen in one place forever.
To you, time would seem to move normally until all the little bits of you were made part of the black hole.
Science fiction, or is it?
A black hole is also called a singularity. All of the star's matter, and anything else that falls in, is packed into this super-tiny point that can't really be measured.
Some scientists think a black hole might be joined by a kind of bridge to another universe, called a wormhole. It's impossible to travel through a wormhole now. But who knows what we'll figure out in the future?
The closer anything gets to a black hole, the weirder everything gets. Normal rules don't apply. Space and time act differently than they do in the normal universe.
The point of no return
If anything gets too close to a black hole, it will disappear forever. Anything that goes past a certain point will be sucked into the black hole. Nothing, not even light, can ever escape past that point.
This imaginary boundary is called the event horizon. The size of the event horizon depends on the density of the black hole. Event horizons can range from about 6 miles wide to millions of miles wide.
Now it gets weird
Black holes distort, or warp, space. If you could orbit near the event horizon, you could actually see the back of your head. The light reflecting from, or bouncing off, the back of your head would be bent around the black hole to your eyes.
We will never be able to see a black hole because light cannot escape from beyond the event horizon.
Imagine
NASA experts and others like to imagine what would happen if we could get near a black hole. This helps us understand the mysteries. For example, we could never really fly into a black hole. Our friends could not really watch it happen.
But just imagine if we could. If you decided, for some strange reason, to jump out of your spaceship near a black hole, your shipmates safely far away would see you appear to move slower and slower as you got close to the event horizon. But your friends would never see you actually cross it. To them, you would appear to stay frozen in one place forever.
To you, time would seem to move normally until all the little bits of you were made part of the black hole.
Science fiction, or is it?
A black hole is also called a singularity. All of the star's matter, and anything else that falls in, is packed into this super-tiny point that can't really be measured.
Some scientists think a black hole might be joined by a kind of bridge to another universe, called a wormhole. It's impossible to travel through a wormhole now. But who knows what we'll figure out in the future?
Refused a smooch, 92-year-old woman fires gun?
Helen Staudinger, 92, wanted a kiss.
But authorities say after her 53-year-old neighbor refused, the central Florida woman aimed a semi-automatic pistol at his house and fired four times.
"If my head would have been over just a little bit further, (a bullet) probably would have hit me in the back of the head," the neighbor, Dwight Bettner, told Reuters.
Staudinger remained in jail on Tuesday, a day after being arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into a dwelling. Her next court date is April 26.
The case of the kiss that wasn't occurred in Fort McCoy, Florida, about 20 miles northeast of Ocala.
Bettner, a former law enforcement officer and boilermaker, said his elderly neighbor has seemed attracted to him since he moved in six months ago. He's not sure why.
"I've taken her trash out for her, just neighborly stuff," Bettner said. "I guess she just took that as something else."
He told Marion County Sheriff's deputies that Staudinger threatened to shoot him recently when he told her he had a girlfriend but didn't follow through.
Just after noon on Monday, Bettner argued with Staudinger when she came to his house and refused to leave, according to an incident report.
"I want a kiss before I leave," Bettner said Staudinger told him.
No, he said.
"Just go back to your property, and leave me alone," Bettner recalled saying.
Bettner was on the phone with his father when he heard gunshots moments later. One bullet went through a window, spraying him with glass.
Staudinger told deputies that she fired at Bettner's new Mitsubishi 3000GT, a car "that he loved so much," the incident report said.
Bettner said on Tuesday that he would probably move out of his rented home.
"I just don't need the stress or the hassle," he said. "I thought this only happened to younger people."
But authorities say after her 53-year-old neighbor refused, the central Florida woman aimed a semi-automatic pistol at his house and fired four times.
"If my head would have been over just a little bit further, (a bullet) probably would have hit me in the back of the head," the neighbor, Dwight Bettner, told Reuters.
Staudinger remained in jail on Tuesday, a day after being arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into a dwelling. Her next court date is April 26.
The case of the kiss that wasn't occurred in Fort McCoy, Florida, about 20 miles northeast of Ocala.
Bettner, a former law enforcement officer and boilermaker, said his elderly neighbor has seemed attracted to him since he moved in six months ago. He's not sure why.
"I've taken her trash out for her, just neighborly stuff," Bettner said. "I guess she just took that as something else."
He told Marion County Sheriff's deputies that Staudinger threatened to shoot him recently when he told her he had a girlfriend but didn't follow through.
Just after noon on Monday, Bettner argued with Staudinger when she came to his house and refused to leave, according to an incident report.
"I want a kiss before I leave," Bettner said Staudinger told him.
No, he said.
"Just go back to your property, and leave me alone," Bettner recalled saying.
Bettner was on the phone with his father when he heard gunshots moments later. One bullet went through a window, spraying him with glass.
Staudinger told deputies that she fired at Bettner's new Mitsubishi 3000GT, a car "that he loved so much," the incident report said.
Bettner said on Tuesday that he would probably move out of his rented home.
"I just don't need the stress or the hassle," he said. "I thought this only happened to younger people."
Police: Gunman tried to use girl as human shield
Police in Wilmington are investigating a gun battle in the city in which one of the triggermen tried to use a little girl as a human shield.
Investigators say the 5-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop with her 26-year-old aunt around 3:00 p.m. Wednesday when the gunman approached them.
Police say the man tried to grab the girl, but she was rescued by her aunt.
When he couldn't use the child to shield himself from gunfire, police say the man left as a second gunman opened fire on him. The first suspect returned fire as he fled.
Investigators believe the gunman was being chased for an unknown reason, and attempted to use the 5-year-old girl as a human shield during his escape.
The suspect was last seen running north on Van Buren Street.
He was described as a black male approximately 5' 05" tall and weighing 150 lbs.
The second gunman was last seen fleeing west on Read Street. He was described as a black male approximately 6' tall and weighing 180 lbs. He was wearing a light blue jean jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt.
A car, occupied by a 42-year-old man and his 14-year-old son, was hit by gunfire as it drove through the scene. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
SPRING CLEANING TIPS
The long, hard winter has officially come to its end, signaling the return of baseball season, evening sunlight and the annual spring clean. Open the windows, let in some fresh air and tackle your yearly chores. While you can dive right in and start scrubbing, adding a little method to your madness will ease the process.
It's a lot of work to purge, scrub, scour, dust, organize, wash, spray and shine. Don't expect to start and finish your checklist in a day or two, unless you have an army of helpers. Break up the work to make it more manageable. For example, you could clean one room from top to bottom before moving on to the next. Or you could tackle outside chores in one weekend and interior tasks in the next. It might be wise to survey your home and write up a checklist so you can group similar chores together.
In each room, clean from ceiling to floor. Dust ceiling fan blades and room corners before surfaces, baseboards and floors. Take the time and move furniture around in order to clean every inch of your home.
Consider renting or borrowing equipment, or hiring professionals for some tasks. Sure, you can scrub the front porch for hours, but a power-washer will eliminate dirt in minutes. The carpeting might look like new after a steam cleaning. And a trip to the dry cleaners could breathe a new life into your window treatments and linens.
It doesn't take long to vacuum the coils on your refrigerator, but it can greatly improve its efficiency. Then empty the fridge and scrub it inside and out with warm water and baking soda. Set up some coolers with ice and use them to store perishable food temporarily.
It's a lot of work to purge, scrub, scour, dust, organize, wash, spray and shine. Don't expect to start and finish your checklist in a day or two, unless you have an army of helpers. Break up the work to make it more manageable. For example, you could clean one room from top to bottom before moving on to the next. Or you could tackle outside chores in one weekend and interior tasks in the next. It might be wise to survey your home and write up a checklist so you can group similar chores together.
In each room, clean from ceiling to floor. Dust ceiling fan blades and room corners before surfaces, baseboards and floors. Take the time and move furniture around in order to clean every inch of your home.
Consider renting or borrowing equipment, or hiring professionals for some tasks. Sure, you can scrub the front porch for hours, but a power-washer will eliminate dirt in minutes. The carpeting might look like new after a steam cleaning. And a trip to the dry cleaners could breathe a new life into your window treatments and linens.
It doesn't take long to vacuum the coils on your refrigerator, but it can greatly improve its efficiency. Then empty the fridge and scrub it inside and out with warm water and baking soda. Set up some coolers with ice and use them to store perishable food temporarily.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
SIMPLE BATHROOM UPGRADES
Living in a home with a dated, dingy bathroom is no fun. Aside from the embarrassment you suffer every time a guest asks to use it, an ugly washroom isn't an energizing place for your morning routine or for a hot soak in the tub after a long day. If gutting the room and starting over isn't in your budget, give your bathroom a remodeled look without actually remodeling.
Remove or hide any eyesores. If possible, put the trash underneath the sink. The same goes for any cleaning supplies. Get rid of old or nearly empty toiletries that are cluttering up the bathroom cabinets, drawers and shelves. Use decorative baskets, boxes, bins and dishes to conceal countertop and display items like cotton swabs, hand soaps, towels and makeup brushes.
Repurpose items from around the house, or pick up sale items and find uses for them in the bathroom. For example, a vintage cookie jar can hold cotton balls. Turn a ceramic saucer into a funky soap dish. Or roll up towels and displays them in a wine rack.
Replace an old showerhead with a brushed or satin nickel oversized rainfall showerhead. Match it with a new shower arm and flange, tub spout and handle. If the plastic handles for your sink make you cringe, invest $50 to $100 into a matching modern sink faucet.
Remove or hide any eyesores. If possible, put the trash underneath the sink. The same goes for any cleaning supplies. Get rid of old or nearly empty toiletries that are cluttering up the bathroom cabinets, drawers and shelves. Use decorative baskets, boxes, bins and dishes to conceal countertop and display items like cotton swabs, hand soaps, towels and makeup brushes.
Repurpose items from around the house, or pick up sale items and find uses for them in the bathroom. For example, a vintage cookie jar can hold cotton balls. Turn a ceramic saucer into a funky soap dish. Or roll up towels and displays them in a wine rack.
Replace an old showerhead with a brushed or satin nickel oversized rainfall showerhead. Match it with a new shower arm and flange, tub spout and handle. If the plastic handles for your sink make you cringe, invest $50 to $100 into a matching modern sink faucet.
BARGAIN SHOP FOR YOUR HOME
Whether you're furnishing a room or an entire home, getting function and style out of your finds at a decent price is the ultimate goal. Stretch your budget for home decor with the following tips.
Go ahead and ask.
Shopping in a store and don't like a price tag? Ask if it's negotiable. Why not? The worst thing that can happen is the sales clerk will say, 'no,' if he or she does have some wiggle room on the price, you'll never know if you don't ask.
Love an item, but can't afford full price? Ask when the next sale is coming. See if you can get a discount by purchasing multiple items. If the store will be receiving a ton of new items son, the store owners are looking to clear out a lot of the current merchandise, which means big savings for you.
On Sunday you bought a desk for $200 and on Friday you discover it's on sale for $150. Go back to the store with your receipt and ask for a price adjustment. Some stores will grant your request with cash or store credit within a 10-day time frame, for example.
Shop second-hand stores, estate sales and curbs.
Sure, you want to furnish the house from attic to basement with new or collectible furniture, but consider how much more you can afford if you shop second-hand. Check the newspapers and online at www.philly.com/marketplace, for bedroom sets, dressers, antiques and flooring. Whileyou're there, look for estate and yard sale listings in your neighborhood. Vintage clothing stores are often full of household trinkets and antiques, and sometimes they sell furniture, as well. Look for wall art, fabric and figurines.
Like they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. If your willing to put in some elbow grease and fix up some furniture, check the street for free items. Also, home demolitions can bring about quality goods at cheap prices.
Go ahead and ask.
Shopping in a store and don't like a price tag? Ask if it's negotiable. Why not? The worst thing that can happen is the sales clerk will say, 'no,' if he or she does have some wiggle room on the price, you'll never know if you don't ask.
Love an item, but can't afford full price? Ask when the next sale is coming. See if you can get a discount by purchasing multiple items. If the store will be receiving a ton of new items son, the store owners are looking to clear out a lot of the current merchandise, which means big savings for you.
On Sunday you bought a desk for $200 and on Friday you discover it's on sale for $150. Go back to the store with your receipt and ask for a price adjustment. Some stores will grant your request with cash or store credit within a 10-day time frame, for example.
Shop second-hand stores, estate sales and curbs.
Sure, you want to furnish the house from attic to basement with new or collectible furniture, but consider how much more you can afford if you shop second-hand. Check the newspapers and online at www.philly.com/marketplace, for bedroom sets, dressers, antiques and flooring. Whileyou're there, look for estate and yard sale listings in your neighborhood. Vintage clothing stores are often full of household trinkets and antiques, and sometimes they sell furniture, as well. Look for wall art, fabric and figurines.
Like they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. If your willing to put in some elbow grease and fix up some furniture, check the street for free items. Also, home demolitions can bring about quality goods at cheap prices.
GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP. HERE'S HOW.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep is vital to your health and well-being. Sleep helps to regulate your mood and assists with learning and memory functions.
"Not only will getting enough sleep help you learn a new skill, stay on task or be productive, it may also be a critical factor in your health, weight and energy level," noted officials at the National Sleep Foundation (NSF; http://www.sleepfoundation.org/), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who suffer from sleep problems and disorders.
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep during a 24-hour period. Each night you don't get enough sleep adds to your "sleep debt," the accumulation of which can make you feel tired and less alert during your busy days, thus decreasing your productivity and mental function. And yet 43 percent of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 report rarely or never getting a good night's sleep on weeknights, according to the recently released results of NSF's 2011 Sleep in America poll.
If your doctor has ruled out a recognized sleep disorder (e.g., apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, sleepwalking), or a disorder that can affect sleep quality (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, allergies), but you're still having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try the following strategies.
Turn off the technology
A full 95 percent of those who participated in the NSF 2011 survey reported using some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed several nights per week. This included watching television or using a computer, video game or cell phone. And 9 percent of those ages 13 to 18 reported being awakened every night or almost every night after they go to bed by a phone call, text message or e-mail.
"Artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed at night suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, enhances alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour ---- making it more difficult to fall asleep," said Charles Czzeisler, Ph.D., M.D., Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
So try shutting off the cell phone, computer and other digital distractions an hour before bedtime to see if that improves sleep quality.
Cap the caffeine
Caffeine's impact can be felt up to 10 hours after consumption. So lay off the caffeinated soda, hot chocolate, coffee, tea and other beverages in the late afternoons and evenings.
Stub the smoke
Also a stimulant, nicotine taken before bedtime can rev you up and disrupt your sleep. Don't smoke in the hour or two before hitting the pillow.
"Not only will getting enough sleep help you learn a new skill, stay on task or be productive, it may also be a critical factor in your health, weight and energy level," noted officials at the National Sleep Foundation (NSF; http://www.sleepfoundation.org/), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who suffer from sleep problems and disorders.
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep during a 24-hour period. Each night you don't get enough sleep adds to your "sleep debt," the accumulation of which can make you feel tired and less alert during your busy days, thus decreasing your productivity and mental function. And yet 43 percent of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 report rarely or never getting a good night's sleep on weeknights, according to the recently released results of NSF's 2011 Sleep in America poll.
If your doctor has ruled out a recognized sleep disorder (e.g., apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, sleepwalking), or a disorder that can affect sleep quality (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, allergies), but you're still having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try the following strategies.
Turn off the technology
A full 95 percent of those who participated in the NSF 2011 survey reported using some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed several nights per week. This included watching television or using a computer, video game or cell phone. And 9 percent of those ages 13 to 18 reported being awakened every night or almost every night after they go to bed by a phone call, text message or e-mail.
"Artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed at night suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, enhances alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour ---- making it more difficult to fall asleep," said Charles Czzeisler, Ph.D., M.D., Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
So try shutting off the cell phone, computer and other digital distractions an hour before bedtime to see if that improves sleep quality.
Cap the caffeine
Caffeine's impact can be felt up to 10 hours after consumption. So lay off the caffeinated soda, hot chocolate, coffee, tea and other beverages in the late afternoons and evenings.
Stub the smoke
Also a stimulant, nicotine taken before bedtime can rev you up and disrupt your sleep. Don't smoke in the hour or two before hitting the pillow.
F. Y. I.
Short on Time
The average housefly lives for one month.
Quotable
by Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning American author
"You can't test courage cautiously."
Fast Catch
The roadrunner chases after its prey at a blurring speed of up to 25 mph.
Still on the Books
In Indiana, hotel sheets must be exactly 99 inches long and 81 inches wide.
Dual Purpose
Blackberry juice was once used to dye cloth navy blue and indigo.
Behind the Name
In Hawaiian, actor Keanu Reeves first name means "cool mountain breeze."
The average housefly lives for one month.
Quotable
by Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning American author
"You can't test courage cautiously."
Fast Catch
The roadrunner chases after its prey at a blurring speed of up to 25 mph.
Still on the Books
In Indiana, hotel sheets must be exactly 99 inches long and 81 inches wide.
Dual Purpose
Blackberry juice was once used to dye cloth navy blue and indigo.
Behind the Name
In Hawaiian, actor Keanu Reeves first name means "cool mountain breeze."
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Huge lobster saved from the pot
One of the biggest and oldest lobsters ever caught in Britain has been saved from the pot and will live out the rest of its long life in an aquarium.
The massive crustacean measures close to one meter (3 feet) in length and weighs more than 4 kg (9 lb).
"He's a fantastic specimen and by his size alone he has got to be at least 50 years old," said Lindsay Holloway of the Blue Reef aquarium in Portsmouth, southern England where the lobster now lives.
"He is an amazing creature and it's quite an achievement to have reached such an impressive age," he added.
The lobster was caught in around 14 feet of water by a compassionate angler fishing for sole in Bracklesham Bay, off the coast of West Sussex.
Lobsters are among the planet's oldest inhabitants with fossil remains found dating back more than 100 million years. They are also extremely long-lived with some reaching ages of over 80 years.
The aquarium said the heaviest recorded crustacean is an Atlantic lobster nicknamed Mike who was caught in 1934 and tipped the scales at an awesome 19 kg.
The massive crustacean measures close to one meter (3 feet) in length and weighs more than 4 kg (9 lb).
"He's a fantastic specimen and by his size alone he has got to be at least 50 years old," said Lindsay Holloway of the Blue Reef aquarium in Portsmouth, southern England where the lobster now lives.
"He is an amazing creature and it's quite an achievement to have reached such an impressive age," he added.
The lobster was caught in around 14 feet of water by a compassionate angler fishing for sole in Bracklesham Bay, off the coast of West Sussex.
Lobsters are among the planet's oldest inhabitants with fossil remains found dating back more than 100 million years. They are also extremely long-lived with some reaching ages of over 80 years.
The aquarium said the heaviest recorded crustacean is an Atlantic lobster nicknamed Mike who was caught in 1934 and tipped the scales at an awesome 19 kg.
The magic of North Korea a disappearing plane
North Korea, renowned for its secrecy and incredible artistic performances, is now planning the ultimate magic show -- complete with disappearing aircraft.
The North's state-run KCNA news agency reported that the capital Pyongyang would host a "new form" of magic show in which the aircraft, a bus full of passengers and elephant would be made to disappear.
The Pyongyang Circus, which has conducted 250 tours around the world, has won more than 70 awards including 36 gold prizes at 38 international circus festivals, KCNA reported.
Impoverished and isolated North Korea is famous for its mass gymnastics and dancing performances, with children trained from the age of five to perform in mass games such as the Arirang Festival to mark the birth of the state's founder Kim Il-sung.
The North's state-run KCNA news agency reported that the capital Pyongyang would host a "new form" of magic show in which the aircraft, a bus full of passengers and elephant would be made to disappear.
The Pyongyang Circus, which has conducted 250 tours around the world, has won more than 70 awards including 36 gold prizes at 38 international circus festivals, KCNA reported.
Impoverished and isolated North Korea is famous for its mass gymnastics and dancing performances, with children trained from the age of five to perform in mass games such as the Arirang Festival to mark the birth of the state's founder Kim Il-sung.
U.S. millionaires say $7 million not enough to be rich
A million dollars ain't what it used to be.
More than four out of ten American millionaires say they do not feel rich. Indeed many would need to have at least $7.5 million in order to feel they were truly rich, according to a Fidelity Investments survey.
Some 42 percent of the more than 1,000 millionaires surveyed by Fidelity said they did not feel wealthy. Respondents had at least $1 million in investable assets, excluding any real estate or retirement accounts.
"Every person in the survey is wealthy," said Sanjiv Mirchandani, president of National Financial, a unit of Fidelity. "But they are still worried about outliving their assets."
The average age of respondents was 56 years old with a mean of $3.5 million of investable assets. The threshold for "rich" rose with age.
"They compare themselves to their peer group ... and they are also thinking about the long period they will have in retirement and want more assets" to fund their lifestyle, said Michael Durbin, president of Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services.
Still, millionaires are slightly more optimistic now than they were in 2009, when 46 percent did not feel wealthy.
Respondents were also more optimistic about the U.S. economy. While they thought the current U.S. economy remained very weak, they think it will improve by the end of this year.
Fidelity noted the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans hold more than 55 percent of the nation's wealth.
More than four out of ten American millionaires say they do not feel rich. Indeed many would need to have at least $7.5 million in order to feel they were truly rich, according to a Fidelity Investments survey.
Some 42 percent of the more than 1,000 millionaires surveyed by Fidelity said they did not feel wealthy. Respondents had at least $1 million in investable assets, excluding any real estate or retirement accounts.
"Every person in the survey is wealthy," said Sanjiv Mirchandani, president of National Financial, a unit of Fidelity. "But they are still worried about outliving their assets."
The average age of respondents was 56 years old with a mean of $3.5 million of investable assets. The threshold for "rich" rose with age.
"They compare themselves to their peer group ... and they are also thinking about the long period they will have in retirement and want more assets" to fund their lifestyle, said Michael Durbin, president of Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services.
Still, millionaires are slightly more optimistic now than they were in 2009, when 46 percent did not feel wealthy.
Respondents were also more optimistic about the U.S. economy. While they thought the current U.S. economy remained very weak, they think it will improve by the end of this year.
Fidelity noted the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans hold more than 55 percent of the nation's wealth.
WHEN MEMORY LOSS IS AND ISN'T A PROBLEM
Forgetting where you left the dog leash is unlikely to signify you have Alzheimer's disease. But if, while walking the dog, you're unable to retrace your steps to figure out how got somewhere, this may be a sign you should see your doctor for a neurological evaluation.
Alzheimer's, a disease that experts estimate afflicts as many as 5 million Americans, is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the abilty to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer's symptoms first appear after age 60.
Not allcognitive impirment can be attributed to dementia, a disease class of which Alzheimer's is just one form. Forgetfulness can be a side effect of a newly prescribed drug or caused by stress or sleep-deprivation. Following are the signs that your memory loss is and isn't serious enough to seek medical advice.
Probably not serious: If your forgetfulness doesn't interfere with your everyday life, you're probably OK. For example, mismembering the name of a movie star or your childhood baseball coach, or not being able to recall what you just came into a room to retrieve, are not signs of dementia, noted Paula Spencer, a writer with Caring.com.
"Slowed recall of information from time to time is normal, caused by the naturally aging brain and other lifestyle factors (like trying to cram too many tasks into one day)," she wrote in her article "Worried About Your Memory? 5 Signs It's Not Serious."
May be serious: Forgetting steps in your normal routine,such as turning off the oven after cooking, feeding the cat or putting on a coat before you head out the door in winter, could be signs of a more serious condition.
Probably not serious: If you recently were started on a new medication, or the dosage of one your medications has been changed, and you've noticed you're more "fuzzy-brained," talk with your doctor to see if minor neurological problems are potential adverse effects.
"Drug side effects happen to be one of the more common, unexpected causes of memory trouble," wrote Spencer. Some culpritdrugs include those that treat anxiety, heartburn, incontinence, high cholesterol and depression, to name a few.
Alzheimer's, a disease that experts estimate afflicts as many as 5 million Americans, is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the abilty to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer's symptoms first appear after age 60.
Not allcognitive impirment can be attributed to dementia, a disease class of which Alzheimer's is just one form. Forgetfulness can be a side effect of a newly prescribed drug or caused by stress or sleep-deprivation. Following are the signs that your memory loss is and isn't serious enough to seek medical advice.
Probably not serious: If your forgetfulness doesn't interfere with your everyday life, you're probably OK. For example, mismembering the name of a movie star or your childhood baseball coach, or not being able to recall what you just came into a room to retrieve, are not signs of dementia, noted Paula Spencer, a writer with Caring.com.
"Slowed recall of information from time to time is normal, caused by the naturally aging brain and other lifestyle factors (like trying to cram too many tasks into one day)," she wrote in her article "Worried About Your Memory? 5 Signs It's Not Serious."
May be serious: Forgetting steps in your normal routine,such as turning off the oven after cooking, feeding the cat or putting on a coat before you head out the door in winter, could be signs of a more serious condition.
Probably not serious: If you recently were started on a new medication, or the dosage of one your medications has been changed, and you've noticed you're more "fuzzy-brained," talk with your doctor to see if minor neurological problems are potential adverse effects.
"Drug side effects happen to be one of the more common, unexpected causes of memory trouble," wrote Spencer. Some culpritdrugs include those that treat anxiety, heartburn, incontinence, high cholesterol and depression, to name a few.
PREPARE YOUR FAMILY WITH A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
You may have smoke alarms installed, but can your family escape if a fire breaks out inside your home? The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) believes a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you and your family's safety if a fire occurs, according to www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/escape.
If you haven't already, install smoke alarms on every level of your house. The USFA recommends testing them monthly and replacing the batteries at least once a year. Also, replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years, or according to manufacturer guidelines.
Get the family together and discuss what to do in case of a fire. Draw a floorplan of your home and indicate the escape routes from each room in the house. The USFA recommends designating two escapes routes from each room in case the primary exit is blocked by flames or smoke. A window with a collapsible ladder may be a secondary route, for example. The USFA advises families to purchase "only collapsible ladders evaluted by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL)." Also, ensure everyone knows how to open windows and remove screens from windows, and only install or use security bars with quick-release devices.
Designate a spot outside that is a safe distance from the home. Everyone should meet at the spot immedately after exiting the home. Underneath a specific tree across the street or at the end of the neighbor's driveway are possible locations.
Practice your escape plan. The USFA recommends doing so every month. Also, practice crawling to avoid smoke, and feel your way of the house with your eyes closed in case a fire breaks out at night and in the dark.
Teach children how to test a door forheat before opening. "When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side," the USFA advises. "If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route."
Afte you escape the home, notify the fire department by calling 911. Do not place the call from inside the home first and then exit. Also, never go backinto a burning home for any reason. "If someone is missing, tell the firefighters," advises the USFA. "They are equipped to perform rescues safely."
"It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames."
For more on fire prevention, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev.
If you haven't already, install smoke alarms on every level of your house. The USFA recommends testing them monthly and replacing the batteries at least once a year. Also, replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years, or according to manufacturer guidelines.
Get the family together and discuss what to do in case of a fire. Draw a floorplan of your home and indicate the escape routes from each room in the house. The USFA recommends designating two escapes routes from each room in case the primary exit is blocked by flames or smoke. A window with a collapsible ladder may be a secondary route, for example. The USFA advises families to purchase "only collapsible ladders evaluted by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL)." Also, ensure everyone knows how to open windows and remove screens from windows, and only install or use security bars with quick-release devices.
Designate a spot outside that is a safe distance from the home. Everyone should meet at the spot immedately after exiting the home. Underneath a specific tree across the street or at the end of the neighbor's driveway are possible locations.
Practice your escape plan. The USFA recommends doing so every month. Also, practice crawling to avoid smoke, and feel your way of the house with your eyes closed in case a fire breaks out at night and in the dark.
Teach children how to test a door forheat before opening. "When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side," the USFA advises. "If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route."
Afte you escape the home, notify the fire department by calling 911. Do not place the call from inside the home first and then exit. Also, never go backinto a burning home for any reason. "If someone is missing, tell the firefighters," advises the USFA. "They are equipped to perform rescues safely."
"It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames."
For more on fire prevention, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev.
SHARE THE ROAD SAFELY WITH TRUCKERS
You're driving south on I-95 and see another vehicle cut off a tractor trailer in the right lane. The truck's brake lights come on, but the driver can't stop in time. The ensuring crash is on the nightly news.
It's easy to blame truck drivers, but in fact, most of them are careful and experienced professional drivers. Of course, there are exceptions, but for the most part, they drive responsibly, as their livelihoods depend on them getting their freight safely to its destination and on time. Indeed, tractor trailers carry nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States.
Each year about 5,000 fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks are recorded, and the vast majority of those fatalities are suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles thatcollided with trucks. If you're regularly on roads that you must share with tractor trailers, following are some driving tips that can help you and your passengers stay safe.
Don't ride in the trucker's blind spots
Trucks have blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle; on the right front cover; and on the mid-left side of the truck. Stop for a second to visualize those spots on a truck, so the next time you're driving near one, you can instantly see where the blind spots are.
If you want to pass a truck, do it as swiftly and safely as possible. Don't ride alongside a truck with your cruise controlset at about the same speed the truck is traveling.
Use this rule of thumb: if you can't see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably can't see you either.
Don't cut off a truck
Don't squeeze in front of a truck ---- and especially don't do it and then hit your brakes to make a turn (oh yeah, truckers just love that little maneuver). Trucks can take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car. You're risking your own life by cutting off a truck and then slowing down in front of it, noted Michael Taylor of the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College, River Grove, Ill. Instead, put on your turn signal, wait for the truck to pass you, and then move into the lane when it's clear.
It's easy to blame truck drivers, but in fact, most of them are careful and experienced professional drivers. Of course, there are exceptions, but for the most part, they drive responsibly, as their livelihoods depend on them getting their freight safely to its destination and on time. Indeed, tractor trailers carry nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States.
Each year about 5,000 fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks are recorded, and the vast majority of those fatalities are suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles thatcollided with trucks. If you're regularly on roads that you must share with tractor trailers, following are some driving tips that can help you and your passengers stay safe.
Don't ride in the trucker's blind spots
Trucks have blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle; on the right front cover; and on the mid-left side of the truck. Stop for a second to visualize those spots on a truck, so the next time you're driving near one, you can instantly see where the blind spots are.
If you want to pass a truck, do it as swiftly and safely as possible. Don't ride alongside a truck with your cruise controlset at about the same speed the truck is traveling.
Use this rule of thumb: if you can't see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably can't see you either.
Don't cut off a truck
Don't squeeze in front of a truck ---- and especially don't do it and then hit your brakes to make a turn (oh yeah, truckers just love that little maneuver). Trucks can take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car. You're risking your own life by cutting off a truck and then slowing down in front of it, noted Michael Taylor of the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College, River Grove, Ill. Instead, put on your turn signal, wait for the truck to pass you, and then move into the lane when it's clear.
F. Y. I.
Change of Place
St. Patrick was not born in Ireland, but in Britain. He was kidnapped by Irish brigands at 16 and brought to Ireland.
Quotable
by Thomas Jefferson, third US president (1743-1826)
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I work, the more I have of it."
Going Green
Although it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day in the US, the color was long considered unlucky in Ireland, where, according to folklore, those who wore too much of it would be stolen by the faeries.
Still on the Books
In Las Cruces, N.M., you may not carry a lunchbox down Main Street.
Famous Firsts
Colonial New York City hosted the first official St. Patrick's Day parade in 1762.
No Kidding
Cats cannot taste when things are sweet.
St. Patrick was not born in Ireland, but in Britain. He was kidnapped by Irish brigands at 16 and brought to Ireland.
Quotable
by Thomas Jefferson, third US president (1743-1826)
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I work, the more I have of it."
Going Green
Although it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day in the US, the color was long considered unlucky in Ireland, where, according to folklore, those who wore too much of it would be stolen by the faeries.
Still on the Books
In Las Cruces, N.M., you may not carry a lunchbox down Main Street.
Famous Firsts
Colonial New York City hosted the first official St. Patrick's Day parade in 1762.
No Kidding
Cats cannot taste when things are sweet.
Monday, March 14, 2011
TIPS ON PURCHASING USED AUTO PARTS
Buying used replacement parts for your vehicle often can be less expensive than purchasing new. Perhaps you have an older model vehicle for which new parts are scarce, or you want to reduce lanill waste by using recycling parts, or you simply want to save money --- whatever your reasoning, following are some buying tips offered by Consumer Reports (CR) magazine.
Getting started
Begin by getting a baseline price for the part from your local dealer, repair shop or retailer, if possible. Then use that for comparison once you start shopping for a used replacement part.
Also try to determine the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part number, and have your vehicle identification number ready, as well. Lastly, try to discern if the part meets OEM specifications, advised the CR editors in their article "How to buy used car parts," in the March issue of the magazine.
Where to look
Today's salvage centers remove, clean and package parts for resale. To find a nearby location, type "Philadelphia area salvage yards" into a web browser. Call ahead with your part number to see if the salvage center has what you need.
You also can try shopping for the part online. "Many salvage yards have pooled their inventories into networks, and you can find parts by searching those sites, "wrote the CR editors. Search for sites by typing into a web browser the part you need, such as "2004 Mustang Cobra Mach MP3 CD changer." Or try searching by the part number, if you know it.
Also consider an online auction site (e.g., eBay), but keep in mind that those sales venues may not have the breadth of product selection a dedicated salvage website would have.
When shopping online, pay attention to shipping charges, return policies and warranties, advised the CR editors.
Getting started
Begin by getting a baseline price for the part from your local dealer, repair shop or retailer, if possible. Then use that for comparison once you start shopping for a used replacement part.
Also try to determine the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part number, and have your vehicle identification number ready, as well. Lastly, try to discern if the part meets OEM specifications, advised the CR editors in their article "How to buy used car parts," in the March issue of the magazine.
Where to look
Today's salvage centers remove, clean and package parts for resale. To find a nearby location, type "Philadelphia area salvage yards" into a web browser. Call ahead with your part number to see if the salvage center has what you need.
You also can try shopping for the part online. "Many salvage yards have pooled their inventories into networks, and you can find parts by searching those sites, "wrote the CR editors. Search for sites by typing into a web browser the part you need, such as "2004 Mustang Cobra Mach MP3 CD changer." Or try searching by the part number, if you know it.
Also consider an online auction site (e.g., eBay), but keep in mind that those sales venues may not have the breadth of product selection a dedicated salvage website would have.
When shopping online, pay attention to shipping charges, return policies and warranties, advised the CR editors.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Bank robbery thwarted when teller says no
A would-be thief's attempt to rob a suburban New York bank was thwarted when the teller refused his demand for money. Police said the man remained at large after the attempted robbery on Wednesday in New Rochelle, about 25 miles north of New York City.
"He slipped a note through the teller's slot that said 'money in bag,'" said police Captain Joseph Schaller said. "She refused and with that, she activated the alarm, turned away from the window and he ran out the door."
The bank closed briefly but soon reopened for business, police said.
"He slipped a note through the teller's slot that said 'money in bag,'" said police Captain Joseph Schaller said. "She refused and with that, she activated the alarm, turned away from the window and he ran out the door."
The bank closed briefly but soon reopened for business, police said.
Not getting enough sleep? Turn off the technology
Dependence on televisions, cellphones and laptops may be costing Americans dearly -- in lack of sleep.
The national penchant for watching television every evening before going to sleep, playing video games late into the night or checking emails and text messages before turning off the lights could be interfering with the nation's sleep habits.
"Unfortunately, cell phones and computers, which make our lives more productive and enjoyable, may be abused to the point that they contribute to getting less sleep at night leaving millions of Americans functioning poorly the next day," Russell Rosenberg, the vice chairman of the Washington DC-based National Sleep Foundation (NSF), said in a statement.
Nearly 95 percent of people questioned in an NSF study said they used some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed, and about two-thirds admitted they do not get enough sleep during the week.
Charles Czeisler, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said exposure to artificial light before going to bed can increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.
"Technology has invaded the bedroom," Czeisler explained in an interview. "Invasion of such alerting technologies into the bedroom may contribute to the high proportion of respondents who reported they routinely get less sleep than they need."
Baby boomers, or people aged 46-64 years old, were the biggest offenders of watching television every night before going to sleep, while more than a third of 13-18 year-olds and 28 percent of young adults 19-29 year olds played video games before bedtime.
Sixty one percent also said they used their computer or laptop at least a few nights each week.
And a propensity to stay in touch means that even people who have managed to fall asleep, are being woken up by cellphones, texts and emails during the night.
"One in 10 kids report they are being awoken by texts after they have gone to bed. People don't turn off their Blackberries," said Czeisler, adding that much of this is happening at the expense of sleep.
Generation Z'ers, 13-18 year olds, were the most sleep-deprived group, with 22 percent describing themselves as "sleepy," compared to only nine percent of baby boomers.
Sleep experts recommend that teenagers get 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep a night but adolescents in the study were only averaging 7 hours and 26 minutes on weeknights.
"I am the most concerned about how little sleep 13-18 years are getting," said Czeisler. "Kids today are getting an hour and a half to two hours less sleep per night than they did a century ago. That means that they are losing about 50 hours of sleep per month," said Czeisler.
Americans' lack of sleep is negatively impacting their work, mood, family, driving habits, sex lives and health, according to the NSF.
All age groups are coping by consuming caffeinated drinks -- about three 12-ounce (354 ml) beverages per person -- per day, and taking naps, sometimes more than one during the day.
"Parents should get these technologies out of the bedrooms of kids if they want them to do well (in school)," said Czeisler.
The national penchant for watching television every evening before going to sleep, playing video games late into the night or checking emails and text messages before turning off the lights could be interfering with the nation's sleep habits.
"Unfortunately, cell phones and computers, which make our lives more productive and enjoyable, may be abused to the point that they contribute to getting less sleep at night leaving millions of Americans functioning poorly the next day," Russell Rosenberg, the vice chairman of the Washington DC-based National Sleep Foundation (NSF), said in a statement.
Nearly 95 percent of people questioned in an NSF study said they used some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed, and about two-thirds admitted they do not get enough sleep during the week.
Charles Czeisler, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said exposure to artificial light before going to bed can increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.
"Technology has invaded the bedroom," Czeisler explained in an interview. "Invasion of such alerting technologies into the bedroom may contribute to the high proportion of respondents who reported they routinely get less sleep than they need."
Baby boomers, or people aged 46-64 years old, were the biggest offenders of watching television every night before going to sleep, while more than a third of 13-18 year-olds and 28 percent of young adults 19-29 year olds played video games before bedtime.
Sixty one percent also said they used their computer or laptop at least a few nights each week.
And a propensity to stay in touch means that even people who have managed to fall asleep, are being woken up by cellphones, texts and emails during the night.
"One in 10 kids report they are being awoken by texts after they have gone to bed. People don't turn off their Blackberries," said Czeisler, adding that much of this is happening at the expense of sleep.
Generation Z'ers, 13-18 year olds, were the most sleep-deprived group, with 22 percent describing themselves as "sleepy," compared to only nine percent of baby boomers.
Sleep experts recommend that teenagers get 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep a night but adolescents in the study were only averaging 7 hours and 26 minutes on weeknights.
"I am the most concerned about how little sleep 13-18 years are getting," said Czeisler. "Kids today are getting an hour and a half to two hours less sleep per night than they did a century ago. That means that they are losing about 50 hours of sleep per month," said Czeisler.
Americans' lack of sleep is negatively impacting their work, mood, family, driving habits, sex lives and health, according to the NSF.
All age groups are coping by consuming caffeinated drinks -- about three 12-ounce (354 ml) beverages per person -- per day, and taking naps, sometimes more than one during the day.
"Parents should get these technologies out of the bedrooms of kids if they want them to do well (in school)," said Czeisler.
Nearly third of young texted while driving?
A new poll shows young drivers are more likely to use cell phones while driving, and that 30 percent of them have recently texted from behind the wheel, U.S. transportation officials said.
The release of the poll came as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving "a deadly epidemic."
The poll comes from the magazine Consumer Reports, which is working with the U.S. Department of Transportation on creating awareness about the dangers of cell phone use while driving.
Among the findings are that 63 percent of respondents under 30-years-old reported using a handheld phone while driving in the past 30 days, the Department of Transportation said.
And 30 percent of the drivers texted from behind the wheel in the same time period according to the survey, which had a total of 1,026 respondents.
Older drivers were less likely to talk on the phone behind the wheel, and only 9 percent of those over 30 years-old reported they had recently texted while driving.
LaHood, appearing at the Yonkers, New York, headquarters of Consumer Reports, said teens are more likely to drive distracted because of peer pressure.
The release of the poll came as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving "a deadly epidemic."
The poll comes from the magazine Consumer Reports, which is working with the U.S. Department of Transportation on creating awareness about the dangers of cell phone use while driving.
Among the findings are that 63 percent of respondents under 30-years-old reported using a handheld phone while driving in the past 30 days, the Department of Transportation said.
And 30 percent of the drivers texted from behind the wheel in the same time period according to the survey, which had a total of 1,026 respondents.
Older drivers were less likely to talk on the phone behind the wheel, and only 9 percent of those over 30 years-old reported they had recently texted while driving.
LaHood, appearing at the Yonkers, New York, headquarters of Consumer Reports, said teens are more likely to drive distracted because of peer pressure.
The 7-year itch is now the 3-year glitch
The "three-year glitch" has replaced the "seven-year itch" as the tipping point where couples start to take each other for granted, according to a new survey.
Weight gain, stinginess, toe-nail clippings on the bathroom floor and snoring are a few of the passion-killers that have led to a swifter decline in relationships in the fast-paced 21st century, said the study commissioned by Warner Brothers to promote the release of comedy film "Hall Pass" in UK cinemas.
The survey of 2,000 British adults in steady relationships pinpointed the 36-month marker as the time when relationship stress levels peak and points to a new trend of "pink passes" and "solo" holidays away from partners and spouses that many Britons resort to in order to keep romance alive.
"Longer working hours combined with money worries are clearly taking their toll on modern relationships and we are seeing an increasing trend for solo holidays and weekends away from marriages and relationships in order to revive the romantic spark," said pollster Judi James who oversaw the survey.
The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (defined as less than three years) and people who were married or in longer-term partnerships.
The findings showed that 67 percent of all of those surveyed said that small irritations which are seemingly harmless and often endearing during the first flushes of love often expand into major irritations around 36 months.
More than half of the Brits surveyed (52 percent) who were in younger relationships said they enjoyed sexual relations at least three times a week, compared to just 16 percent of those in relationships older than three years.
This suggests that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55 percent of busy people in longer-term relationships admit that they now have to "schedule" their romantic time.
The report also said that those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners -- a figure which falls to an average of a single weekly compliment at the three-year high tide mark.
The prognosis gets worse the longer we stay in relationships, three in 10 of those surveyed that have been in a relationship for five years or more said that they never receive any compliments from their partners.
The findings also showed that more than three quarters (76 percent) of all people surveyed responded that "individual space was important" within a relationship and pointed to a rise of individual activities.
A third (34%) of those who have been seeing their partners for longer than three years have at least two evenings a month defined as a "pass" or a "ticket" where it is accepted that they can pursue their own interests and 58 percent of the same sample group enjoy regular holidays without their partners.
The top 10 everyday niggles and passion-killers: 1. Weight gain/lack of exercise, 13 percent 2. Money & Spend thriftiness, 11 percent 3. Anti-social working hours, 10 percent 4. Hygiene issues (personal cleanliness), 9 percent 5. In-Laws/extended family - too much/too little, 9 percent 6. Lack of romance (sex, treats etc), 8 percent 7. Alcohol - drinking too much, 7 percent 8. Snoring & anti social bedtime habits, 6 percent 9. Lapsed fashion-Same old underwear/clothes, 4 percent 10. Bathroom habits - Stray nail cuttings etc, 4 percent
Weight gain, stinginess, toe-nail clippings on the bathroom floor and snoring are a few of the passion-killers that have led to a swifter decline in relationships in the fast-paced 21st century, said the study commissioned by Warner Brothers to promote the release of comedy film "Hall Pass" in UK cinemas.
The survey of 2,000 British adults in steady relationships pinpointed the 36-month marker as the time when relationship stress levels peak and points to a new trend of "pink passes" and "solo" holidays away from partners and spouses that many Britons resort to in order to keep romance alive.
"Longer working hours combined with money worries are clearly taking their toll on modern relationships and we are seeing an increasing trend for solo holidays and weekends away from marriages and relationships in order to revive the romantic spark," said pollster Judi James who oversaw the survey.
The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (defined as less than three years) and people who were married or in longer-term partnerships.
The findings showed that 67 percent of all of those surveyed said that small irritations which are seemingly harmless and often endearing during the first flushes of love often expand into major irritations around 36 months.
More than half of the Brits surveyed (52 percent) who were in younger relationships said they enjoyed sexual relations at least three times a week, compared to just 16 percent of those in relationships older than three years.
This suggests that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55 percent of busy people in longer-term relationships admit that they now have to "schedule" their romantic time.
The report also said that those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners -- a figure which falls to an average of a single weekly compliment at the three-year high tide mark.
The prognosis gets worse the longer we stay in relationships, three in 10 of those surveyed that have been in a relationship for five years or more said that they never receive any compliments from their partners.
The findings also showed that more than three quarters (76 percent) of all people surveyed responded that "individual space was important" within a relationship and pointed to a rise of individual activities.
A third (34%) of those who have been seeing their partners for longer than three years have at least two evenings a month defined as a "pass" or a "ticket" where it is accepted that they can pursue their own interests and 58 percent of the same sample group enjoy regular holidays without their partners.
The top 10 everyday niggles and passion-killers: 1. Weight gain/lack of exercise, 13 percent 2. Money & Spend thriftiness, 11 percent 3. Anti-social working hours, 10 percent 4. Hygiene issues (personal cleanliness), 9 percent 5. In-Laws/extended family - too much/too little, 9 percent 6. Lack of romance (sex, treats etc), 8 percent 7. Alcohol - drinking too much, 7 percent 8. Snoring & anti social bedtime habits, 6 percent 9. Lapsed fashion-Same old underwear/clothes, 4 percent 10. Bathroom habits - Stray nail cuttings etc, 4 percent
Lady Gaga may sue over breastmilk ice cream name
Pop singer Lady Gaga has threatened to sue a specialist ice cream parlour in London for naming its breast milk ice cream "Baby Gaga," the shop's owner said on Wednesday. Matt O'Connor, founder of The Icecreamists in London's Covent Garden, said he had received a letter from Lady Gaga's lawyers informing him that the singer planned to sue him over the name.
"She's threatening to bankrupt us and she's also threatening me personally, saying she'll seize my personal assets and property," he said.
Lady Gaga's London solicitors, Mishcon de Reya, said they would not comment.
O'Connor denied the flamboyant singer -- whose meat dress and other strange outfits have promoted her quirky image and delighted her fans -- had inspired the name he chose for the dessert made from breast milk blended with Madagascan vanilla pods and lemon zest.
"It's just the first noise a baby makes -- it's nothing to do with anyone else," he said, adding that he was working on a response to the letter.
London's Westminster Council briefly confiscated supplies of "Baby Gaga" ice cream last week on health concerns, but gave it the all-clear on Wednesday.
"We're pleased that the safety checks we've undertaken on the products have come back clear," Westminster Council's cabinet member for business Brian Connell said in a statement.
O'Connor told Reuters he was considering taking legal action against the council for reputational damage.
"They made the damaging assertion that breast milk ice cream isn't safe," he said, adding that it was an overreaction to the safest food in the world.
"She's threatening to bankrupt us and she's also threatening me personally, saying she'll seize my personal assets and property," he said.
Lady Gaga's London solicitors, Mishcon de Reya, said they would not comment.
O'Connor denied the flamboyant singer -- whose meat dress and other strange outfits have promoted her quirky image and delighted her fans -- had inspired the name he chose for the dessert made from breast milk blended with Madagascan vanilla pods and lemon zest.
"It's just the first noise a baby makes -- it's nothing to do with anyone else," he said, adding that he was working on a response to the letter.
London's Westminster Council briefly confiscated supplies of "Baby Gaga" ice cream last week on health concerns, but gave it the all-clear on Wednesday.
"We're pleased that the safety checks we've undertaken on the products have come back clear," Westminster Council's cabinet member for business Brian Connell said in a statement.
O'Connor told Reuters he was considering taking legal action against the council for reputational damage.
"They made the damaging assertion that breast milk ice cream isn't safe," he said, adding that it was an overreaction to the safest food in the world.
Single-sex lunches benefit school children
Single-sex lunches introduced in three schools in America's heartland have helped to reduce misbehavior among students and improve eating habits, authorities said.
The Wichita, Kansas middle schools, for students aged 11 to 14 years old, started the separate lunches for boys and girls to reduce teasing, rough-housing and flirting.
"The girls really seem to like it because they get their girl time without having to worry about boys," said Michael Archibeque, principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School. "And the boys don't show off for the girls. I think it's the perfect age for this."
But what Achibeque likes most is that more students are finishing their food, which means less waste and fewer students having to study while hungry in the afternoon.
"I could not believe how many kids are actually eating," Archibeque said.
At Truesdell Middle School in Wichita, which has had single-sex lunches for two years, the positive impact lasts even after lunch is over, according to Principal Jennifer Sinclair.
The students seem to have adapted to the single-sex lunches, Sinclair said. When a mixed-gender lunch was offered recently as incentive to encourage school fundraising, the kids were not interested.
"They said, 'Yuck, why would we want that?'" Sinclair said.
It is not clear how many schools in the United State have single-sex lunches. A spokesman for the Kansas Department of Education said Wichita is the only school district she has heard of in the state with that policy.
Single-sex education is growing rapidly in the United States following evidence that boys and girls may do better academically and socially by being in separate classrooms.
In January, at least 524 public schools had classrooms that were single sex, up from about a dozen in 2002, according to the National Association for Single-Sex Public Education.
The association did not have figures on how many schools with co-educational classrooms have single-sex lunchrooms. School principals generally do not require approval of the school board or state departments of education to have single-sex lunches.
The Wichita, Kansas middle schools, for students aged 11 to 14 years old, started the separate lunches for boys and girls to reduce teasing, rough-housing and flirting.
"The girls really seem to like it because they get their girl time without having to worry about boys," said Michael Archibeque, principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School. "And the boys don't show off for the girls. I think it's the perfect age for this."
But what Achibeque likes most is that more students are finishing their food, which means less waste and fewer students having to study while hungry in the afternoon.
"I could not believe how many kids are actually eating," Archibeque said.
At Truesdell Middle School in Wichita, which has had single-sex lunches for two years, the positive impact lasts even after lunch is over, according to Principal Jennifer Sinclair.
The students seem to have adapted to the single-sex lunches, Sinclair said. When a mixed-gender lunch was offered recently as incentive to encourage school fundraising, the kids were not interested.
"They said, 'Yuck, why would we want that?'" Sinclair said.
It is not clear how many schools in the United State have single-sex lunches. A spokesman for the Kansas Department of Education said Wichita is the only school district she has heard of in the state with that policy.
Single-sex education is growing rapidly in the United States following evidence that boys and girls may do better academically and socially by being in separate classrooms.
In January, at least 524 public schools had classrooms that were single sex, up from about a dozen in 2002, according to the National Association for Single-Sex Public Education.
The association did not have figures on how many schools with co-educational classrooms have single-sex lunchrooms. School principals generally do not require approval of the school board or state departments of education to have single-sex lunches.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
BE A BETTER HOUSEGUEST
Staying with friends and family can save a bundle of cash, but don't skimp on the courtesy and gratitude, Pay attention to the following tips and you'll be invited to stay again and again.
Don't overstay your welcome. You know the saying about houseguests and fish----they start to stink after three days. If you're planning to stay longer than that, clear it with your hosts beforehand and try to stay out of their way, never show up unannounced, or with an unannounced friend, child or pet.
Bring a gift for your host. A bouquet of flowers, potted plant, gourmet coffee or bottle of wine is an appropriate gift. Something uniqueto your city or region is thoughtful, as is a book or album you think your host would enjoy. A thank-you gift isn't necessary, but a card is. Whether it's a handwritten note or e-mail with photos of your trip attached, express your gratitude after your stay.
For visits longer than a night or two, pitch in on groceries. Either shop with your hosts or go to the store without them, as they'll likely refuse straight cash. And while it's not absolutely necessary, it's thoughtful to take your hosts out for a meal once, or stay in and cook for them one night. Also, if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, give your host a heads-up before you arrive, or supply your own food.
Your friend's or family member's place may feel like a second home, but it's not your domain. Maybe at your house it's OK to put your feet on the furniture, leave the windows open when you leave, or eat breakfast in the living room, but don't assume it's kosher at your pal's place.
Always, always, always clean up after yourself. This means being tidy at all times, even in the guest room. Make your bed in the morning and leave the bathroom spotless. Failing to pick up after yourself might send a message to your host that either you do not care about your host's belongings or home, or that you expect your host to pick up for you. You don't need to fold hospital corners in the sheets or scour the tub every time you use it, but you should be neat and clean.
Don't overstay your welcome. You know the saying about houseguests and fish----they start to stink after three days. If you're planning to stay longer than that, clear it with your hosts beforehand and try to stay out of their way, never show up unannounced, or with an unannounced friend, child or pet.
Bring a gift for your host. A bouquet of flowers, potted plant, gourmet coffee or bottle of wine is an appropriate gift. Something uniqueto your city or region is thoughtful, as is a book or album you think your host would enjoy. A thank-you gift isn't necessary, but a card is. Whether it's a handwritten note or e-mail with photos of your trip attached, express your gratitude after your stay.
For visits longer than a night or two, pitch in on groceries. Either shop with your hosts or go to the store without them, as they'll likely refuse straight cash. And while it's not absolutely necessary, it's thoughtful to take your hosts out for a meal once, or stay in and cook for them one night. Also, if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, give your host a heads-up before you arrive, or supply your own food.
Your friend's or family member's place may feel like a second home, but it's not your domain. Maybe at your house it's OK to put your feet on the furniture, leave the windows open when you leave, or eat breakfast in the living room, but don't assume it's kosher at your pal's place.
Always, always, always clean up after yourself. This means being tidy at all times, even in the guest room. Make your bed in the morning and leave the bathroom spotless. Failing to pick up after yourself might send a message to your host that either you do not care about your host's belongings or home, or that you expect your host to pick up for you. You don't need to fold hospital corners in the sheets or scour the tub every time you use it, but you should be neat and clean.
CHILDREN'S ALBUMS TO CHECK OUT
Ok, so the wheel's on the bus go 'round and 'round, you got it. And, yes, Old McDonald did have a farm with a bunch of noisy animals. You're also pretty sure you're not a little teapot and you have no desire to skip to your lou. Sounds like you may be burnt out on children's songs. If your kids dictate the playlists in your home or car, introduce them to some child-friendly tunes by your favorite artists.
"B is for Bob" by Bob Marley
If you love Bob Marley, bring your kids into the fold.
This 2009 collection of his music features original songs as recorded and new mixes re-imagined and produced by Marley's Grammy-winning son Ziggy, sure to please kids and adults alike. Sing along with your kids to your favorite tunes from the reggae legend like "Three Little Birds," "Jamming," "Satisfy My Soul" and "Could You Be Loved."
"Family Time" by Ziggy Marley
According to http://www.ziggymarley.com/ (the famed musician's official website), "An easygoing journey of original tunes and a fewcovers, the album offers a full collection of family-oriented songs for those already familiar with Marley's beloved work in the genre, and may serve to introduce today's youngest generation to reggae. Highly listenable many times around, a quality that parents will appreciate, 'Family Time' resonates with themes of love, responsibility, unity, freedom and fun (not to mention generosity----proceeds from the sale of 'Family Time' will benefit Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica).
"For the Kids" by Various Artists
Give backwith this collection of classic and original children's music performed by an all-star lineup of popular and powerful performers. A portion of the proceeds benefits the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, "a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education," according to http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/. Bands and artists include Barenaked Ladies, Cake, Dan Zanes, Sarah McLachian and Tom Waits, among others.
"B is for Bob" by Bob Marley
If you love Bob Marley, bring your kids into the fold.
This 2009 collection of his music features original songs as recorded and new mixes re-imagined and produced by Marley's Grammy-winning son Ziggy, sure to please kids and adults alike. Sing along with your kids to your favorite tunes from the reggae legend like "Three Little Birds," "Jamming," "Satisfy My Soul" and "Could You Be Loved."
"Family Time" by Ziggy Marley
According to http://www.ziggymarley.com/ (the famed musician's official website), "An easygoing journey of original tunes and a fewcovers, the album offers a full collection of family-oriented songs for those already familiar with Marley's beloved work in the genre, and may serve to introduce today's youngest generation to reggae. Highly listenable many times around, a quality that parents will appreciate, 'Family Time' resonates with themes of love, responsibility, unity, freedom and fun (not to mention generosity----proceeds from the sale of 'Family Time' will benefit Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica).
"For the Kids" by Various Artists
Give backwith this collection of classic and original children's music performed by an all-star lineup of popular and powerful performers. A portion of the proceeds benefits the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, "a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education," according to http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/. Bands and artists include Barenaked Ladies, Cake, Dan Zanes, Sarah McLachian and Tom Waits, among others.
A NEWSPAPER READER
Are you a newspaper reader?
Newspapers are valuable tools at home and at school.
Celebrate newspaper in Education Week, March 7-11, with a quiz to find out what you know about newspapers. You don't have to answer all the questions to be a newspaper reader, but discovering the answers might make the paper a little more interesting for you.
With your classmates or family, try to do the activity that goes with each question. Good luck!
1. The line at the top of a story that names the writer is the:
a) author
b) byline
c) autograph
d) copyright
To do: Cirle 10 of these in your newspaper. How many are women and how many are men? Make a graph comparing the number of men to the number of women.
2. The words that comic strip characters say are usually in a box or circle, which is called a:
a) saying
b) ballon
c) quote
d) talkie
To do: Cut the circles or boxes out of several comic strips. Ask a partner to put themback in the correct strip. Write a paragraph about your favorite comic strip character.
3. Ads that are short and usually paid for by the word are called:
a) shorts
b) want ads
c) briefs
d) classifields
To do: Make a list of 10 abbreviations that you find in these ads. What does each of them mean?
4. Ads that usually have pictures and prices to advertise stores, foods and services are called:
a) display ads
b) store ads
c) big ads
d) picture ads
To do: Look through these types of ads. Find the highest-priced item. Compare it with the lowest.
5. Lines that tell readers the page, section and column where the story continues are called:
a) go-to lines
b) follow-me lines
c) jump lines
d) what's-next lines
To do: Circle five of these lines. Find the continued story inside the paper.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. b ; 2. b ; 3. d ; 4. a ; 5. c
Newspapers are valuable tools at home and at school.
Celebrate newspaper in Education Week, March 7-11, with a quiz to find out what you know about newspapers. You don't have to answer all the questions to be a newspaper reader, but discovering the answers might make the paper a little more interesting for you.
With your classmates or family, try to do the activity that goes with each question. Good luck!
1. The line at the top of a story that names the writer is the:
a) author
b) byline
c) autograph
d) copyright
To do: Cirle 10 of these in your newspaper. How many are women and how many are men? Make a graph comparing the number of men to the number of women.
2. The words that comic strip characters say are usually in a box or circle, which is called a:
a) saying
b) ballon
c) quote
d) talkie
To do: Cut the circles or boxes out of several comic strips. Ask a partner to put themback in the correct strip. Write a paragraph about your favorite comic strip character.
3. Ads that are short and usually paid for by the word are called:
a) shorts
b) want ads
c) briefs
d) classifields
To do: Make a list of 10 abbreviations that you find in these ads. What does each of them mean?
4. Ads that usually have pictures and prices to advertise stores, foods and services are called:
a) display ads
b) store ads
c) big ads
d) picture ads
To do: Look through these types of ads. Find the highest-priced item. Compare it with the lowest.
5. Lines that tell readers the page, section and column where the story continues are called:
a) go-to lines
b) follow-me lines
c) jump lines
d) what's-next lines
To do: Circle five of these lines. Find the continued story inside the paper.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. b ; 2. b ; 3. d ; 4. a ; 5. c
YOUR NEWSPAPER IS.........
- A teacher.....helping you learn many skills you will be using for the rest of your life. Papers always teach.
- A reporter....giving you local, state and national news.
- A grocer and a meal planner....telling you about foods, prices and recipes.
- A record keeper....putting facts and figures in print.
- A career adviser....helping you find a job.
- A community helper....linking readers together with the same stories and information.
- A salesperson....selling everything from shoes to cars to houses.
- A weather reporter....telling you what to expect outside.
- An editorial writer....giving opinions about the news.
- An entertainer....giving you comics, movie and TV schedules and reviews.
BE A NEWSPAPER EXPERT
1. Today, about how many daily newspapers are there in the United States?
a) 350
b) 1,400
c) 15,000
d) 6,000
To do: Visit the website of the Newspaper Association of Amercia (http://www.naa.org/). Click on "Newspaper Websites" to visit different newspapers online.
2. What was the name of the first popular comic strip, which appeared in 1895?
a) "Mutt"
b) "Blondie"
c) "The Yellow Kid"
d) "Billy the Kid"
To do: Can you dra your favorite comic strip character? Ask a friend to see if he or she can tell you who it is. Now draw a comic strip character of your own creation.
3. This newspaper reporter became the editor of the Pennsylvania Gazette. What's his name?
a) Tom Paine
b) John Adams
c) Ben Franklin
d) James Madison
To do: He was an inventor, too, Can you find pictures in the paper of at least eight things that have been invented since his time?
4. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of the press?
a) First
b) Second
c) Fifth
d) 18th
To do: Write an editorial (an expression of a thought or opinion) about what freedom of the press means to you.
5. In the late 1800s, the use of this machine in newsrooms helped speed up reporting. What is it called?
a) printer
b) paper holder
c) typewriter
d) Linotype
To do: Look through your newspaper for different sizes of type. Discuss why some might be bigger than others.
6. The "op-ed" page presents opinions about differentissues affecting the community. Why is it called "op-ed"?
a) It stands for "opinion-editorial."
b) It stands for "open editors."
c) It stands for "opposite editorial."
d) It stands for "Operation education."
To do: Find the op-ed page of your newspaper and read a letter or column that interests you. Now write a letter to the editor in response.
7. Information usually found on the editorial page, which gives the address of the newspaper office and a list of the owners and managers, is called:
a) who's who list
b) top people
c) masthead
d) nameplate
To do: Find the name of the editor and publisher of your newspaper. Now find the staff list of the newspaper.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. b ; 2. c ; 3. c ; 4. a ; 5. c ; 6. d ; 7. c
a) 350
b) 1,400
c) 15,000
d) 6,000
To do: Visit the website of the Newspaper Association of Amercia (http://www.naa.org/). Click on "Newspaper Websites" to visit different newspapers online.
2. What was the name of the first popular comic strip, which appeared in 1895?
a) "Mutt"
b) "Blondie"
c) "The Yellow Kid"
d) "Billy the Kid"
To do: Can you dra your favorite comic strip character? Ask a friend to see if he or she can tell you who it is. Now draw a comic strip character of your own creation.
3. This newspaper reporter became the editor of the Pennsylvania Gazette. What's his name?
a) Tom Paine
b) John Adams
c) Ben Franklin
d) James Madison
To do: He was an inventor, too, Can you find pictures in the paper of at least eight things that have been invented since his time?
4. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of the press?
a) First
b) Second
c) Fifth
d) 18th
To do: Write an editorial (an expression of a thought or opinion) about what freedom of the press means to you.
5. In the late 1800s, the use of this machine in newsrooms helped speed up reporting. What is it called?
a) printer
b) paper holder
c) typewriter
d) Linotype
To do: Look through your newspaper for different sizes of type. Discuss why some might be bigger than others.
6. The "op-ed" page presents opinions about differentissues affecting the community. Why is it called "op-ed"?
a) It stands for "opinion-editorial."
b) It stands for "open editors."
c) It stands for "opposite editorial."
d) It stands for "Operation education."
To do: Find the op-ed page of your newspaper and read a letter or column that interests you. Now write a letter to the editor in response.
7. Information usually found on the editorial page, which gives the address of the newspaper office and a list of the owners and managers, is called:
a) who's who list
b) top people
c) masthead
d) nameplate
To do: Find the name of the editor and publisher of your newspaper. Now find the staff list of the newspaper.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. b ; 2. c ; 3. c ; 4. a ; 5. c ; 6. d ; 7. c
Thursday, March 10, 2011
ARE YOU OLDER THAN 40 ?
When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning....barefoot....up hill....BOTH ways. And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch a crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!
But now that I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it.
See! That's exactly what I'm talking about. You kids today have it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1970 or any time before!!!
But now that I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it.
- I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!
- There was no Email! We had to actually write somebodya letter -- with a pen! Then you had to walk allthe way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents.
- Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all our friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!
- There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes. If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitch hike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!
- Or you had to wait all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players. We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone, rendering it useless. Cause, hey that's how we rolled. Baby! Dig?!
- We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!
- There weren't and freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends" OH MY GOSH!!! Think of the horror....not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.
- And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, the collection agent...you just didn't know!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
- We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600. With games like "Space Invaders" and "Asteroids." Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screen....Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died!!! Just like LIFE!
- You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to to the TV to change the channel!!!! NO REMOTES!
- There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons.
- And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove. Imagine that!
- And our parents told us to stay outside and play....all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside....you were doing chores!
See! That's exactly what I'm talking about. You kids today have it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1970 or any time before!!!
AS WE IMIBIBE (AND ENJOY) A GREEN BEER ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY WE ASK....WHAT EXACTLY IS "DRY BEER?"
"Dry" beers are similar to dry wines, in that they are not sweet in taste, Dry beer also leaves little aftertaste. The "dry brew" method of brewing is a longer, natural process, in which more of the malt and grains are converted to fermentable sugars. The sugars interact with yeast and the subsequent fermentation process produces a beer with the unique dry taste.
In Japan, where the first dry beer was brewed by Asahi, most dry beers contain about 10 percent more alcohol than regular beers. American dry beers have no increased alcohol content.
In Japan, where the first dry beer was brewed by Asahi, most dry beers contain about 10 percent more alcohol than regular beers. American dry beers have no increased alcohol content.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY ( MARCH )
- March 1: Yellowstone becomes the U.S.'s first national park. (1872)
- March 2: Texas declared its independence from Mexico. (1836)
- March 3: The Star Spangled Banner becomes the National Anthem. (1931)
- March 4: The Constitution of the United States of America goes into effect. (1789)
- March 5: The Boston Massacre occurred. (1770)
- March 8: President Ronald Reagan calls the USSR an "Evil Empire" (1983)
- March 10: The U.S. government issues paper money for the first time. (1862)
- March 11: The most famous storm in American history begins...the Blizzard of 1888. (1888)
- March 13: Senate begins impeachment trial of President Andrew Jackson. (1868)
- March 15: "The ides of March" Julius Caesar is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus. (44 B.C.)
- March 16: The Mai Lai Massacre takes place in Vietnam. (1968)
- March 19: Congress approves Daylight Savings Time. (1918)
- March 23: Patrick Henry declares "Give me liberty, or give me death!" (1775)
- March 30: The 15th amendment goes into effect giving black men the right to vote. (1870)
EVER WONDER WHO COINED THE MAXWELL HOUSE SLOGAN "GOOD TO THE LAST DROP" ?
In 1873, a grocery salesman named Joel Cheek became interested in coffee and came up with his own unique blend. Realizing that he had created a fine brew, he decided to sell it. One of the South's best hotels, the Maxwell House, liked his coffee and began to serve it to guests; hence the name Maxwell House Coffee.
In 1907, on returning from a bear hunt in Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt was a guest of the Ladies Hermitage Association at Andrew Jackson's homestead in Nashville, Tennessee. He was served a cup of Maxwell House Coffee. Upon being offered a refill, he remarked on the excellent quality of the coffee and uttered the now famous line, "Delightful. This coffee is good to the last drop."
Apparently when Roosevelt talked, people listened!
In 1907, on returning from a bear hunt in Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt was a guest of the Ladies Hermitage Association at Andrew Jackson's homestead in Nashville, Tennessee. He was served a cup of Maxwell House Coffee. Upon being offered a refill, he remarked on the excellent quality of the coffee and uttered the now famous line, "Delightful. This coffee is good to the last drop."
Apparently when Roosevelt talked, people listened!
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