Do you know that the potato has a single origin in the area of southern Peru, however, over 99% of all cultivated potatoes worldwide are descendants of a subspecies indigenous to south-central Chile?
Do you know that the potato was only fed to pigs when white settlers in New England were introduced to the potato as a food by the American Indians, now America consumes more potatoes (especially as chips and fries) than any other country in the world?
Do you know that the potato chip was first invented in the Unites States?
In 1853, there was the choicest restaurant named Moon's Lake House in Saratoga, New York. There was a chef at Moon's named George Speck, who was the center of this invention-of-the-potato-chip story told by Commodore Vanderbilt, one of the most powerful tycoons of the age. He never could remember George Speck's proper name and always called him Crum.
Vanderbilt claimed to have been the picky patron who inspired the greatest snack on one summer evening. He sent his french-fried potatoes back to the kitchen TWICE complaining the potatoes too thick and not cooked enough. The touchy Chef Crum then sliced a potato into paper-thin coins, tossed them into boiling oil, and let them cook until they were hard. Finally he doused them with salt and sent the potatoes back into the dining room. The reaction was: "More, please. More of those Saratoga chips."
Within days, the Saratoga chip was all the rage. Before long, other restaurants in Saratoga were serving the chips, and then other restaurants in New York, and then other restaurants in the United States, and then... And then the Saratoga chip became known simply as the potato chip.
It is a great story but not necessary to be true in every detail. Still, the fact is that the potato chip WAS BORN in the United States of America!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
10 Best Cities in the U.S. for the Next Decade
Source: Kiplinger
Best Cities 2010: 10 Great Places for Your Future
In our search for top destinations for your future, we focused on cities where governments, universities and business communities work together to supercharge the region’s economic engine. And it's no coincidence that economic vitality and livability go hand in hand.
Creativity in music, arts and culture, plus neighborhoods and recreational facilities that rank high for "coolness," attract like-minded professionals who go on to cultivate a region's business scene. All of which make our 2010 Best Cities not just great places to live but also great places to start a business or find a job.
Compiled by Amy Pollak
No. 1: Austin, Texas
City Population: 777,783
Metro Population: 1,705,075
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.7(100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $59,221
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 11.5%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 7.1% (May 2010)
Austin is arguably the country’s best crucible for small business. And don’t discount the fun factor: It's the self-proclaimed live-music capital of the world.
No. 2: Seattle, Washington
City Population: 582,490
Metro Population: 3,407,848
Cost-of-Living Index: 123.3 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $66,465
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 12.3%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 9% (May 2010)
Seattle crackles with creative energy. The city is revising its tax, zoning and permit policies to make them more business-friendly.
No. 3: Washington, D.C.
City Population: 591,833
Metro Population: 5,476,241
Cost-of-Living Index: 137.9 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $85,824
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 5.4%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 6.7% (May 2010)
Eleven of the 25 richest counties in the U.S. are located in the region, which also boats a low unemployment rate. The diverse area offers a smorgasbord of lifestyles from which to choose.
No. 4: Boulder, Colorado
City Population: 98,238
Metro Population: 303,482
Cost-of-Living Index: 125.3 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $66,463
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 17%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 6.4% (May 2010)
Boulder is a wealthy, intellectual hot spot where environmental and scientific ideas blossom into businesses. The city is a mecca for those seeking healthy, active lifestyles.
No. 5: Salt Lake City, Utah
City Population: 185,411
Metro Population: 1,130,293
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $60,012
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 11.8%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 7.1% (May 2010)
You can’t beat the cost of living and doing business in Salt Lake City. Plus, downtown offices are just 15 minutes away from several ski resorts.
No. 6: Rochester, Minnesota
City Population: 101,659
Metro Population: 185,618
Cost-of-Living Index: 98.8 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $63,842
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 9.6%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 6.8% (May 2010)
Rochester is built on the world-renowned Mayo Clinic’s rock-solid foundation, and, in return, the community serves as great hosts and hostesses to 2.7 million visitors each year (many of them Mayo patients).
No. 7: Des Moines, Iowa
City Population: 200,010
Metro Population: 562,906
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.1 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $57,854
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 9.9%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 7.1% (May 2010)
There’s more to Des Moines than agricultural jobs. The city also has a deep entrepreneurial streak, and its low costs and educated workforce make it fertile ground for business.
No. 8: Burlington, Vermont
City Population: 38,989
Metro Population: 208,055
Cost-of-Living Index: 119.9 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $40,539
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 16.8%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 6% (May 2010)
Environmentalism isn’t just ingrained in the city’s diverse economy; it’s the driver for much of its economic growth. The town is also a haven for writers and artists.
No. 9: West Hartford, Connecticut
City Population: 63,908
Metro Population: 1,195,998
Cost-of-Living Index: 119.6 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $67,171
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 10%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 8% (May 2010)
A regional destination for shopping and dining, West Hartford is also focused on retaining its small-town charm. Location-wise, the town couldn’t be better situated.
No. 10: Topeka, Kansas
City Population: 128,486
Metro Population: 230,842
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.1 (100 is national average)
Median Household Income: $49,348
Salary Growth (2005-2008): 11.7%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 9.9%): 6.9% (May 2010)
In its reserved, midwestern way, Topeka has engineered a prosperity that most cities of similar size would envy. You'll find low unemployment and low housing costs.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Uncle Sam - American's National Symbol
When I first heard of Uncle Sam as the United States' nickname, I thought Sam has the letters A and M for America, and the U.S. government always tries to police the world, so Uncle Sam is short for the bossing United States of America. Until today...
In 1961, the U.S. congress declared: "Resolved by the Senate that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of American's National Symbol of 'Uncle Sam'". So who is Uncle Sam Wilson?
Back in 1812, the Unites States declared war on Britain. The government gave contracts for all sorts of provisioners - uniform makers, ship makers, biscuit bakers, and meat packers, to make sure all the soldiers and sailors well supplied and fed.
Up in Troy, New York, Sam Wilson's slaughterhouse won a contract for packing cured beef into barrels to ship off to the army. Each barrel intended for the government was stamped "U.S." for the United States. But since Wilson was known locally as Uncle Sam, people began joking "U.S." stood for Uncle Sam Wilson. And as the barrels rolled their way down from New York, the term rolled along with them.
"That's Uncle Sam's," people pointed out whenever they saw the country's initials. Eventually the entire nation adopted Uncle Sam as the nickname for the federal government.
In 1961, the U.S. congress declared: "Resolved by the Senate that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of American's National Symbol of 'Uncle Sam'". So who is Uncle Sam Wilson?
Back in 1812, the Unites States declared war on Britain. The government gave contracts for all sorts of provisioners - uniform makers, ship makers, biscuit bakers, and meat packers, to make sure all the soldiers and sailors well supplied and fed.
Up in Troy, New York, Sam Wilson's slaughterhouse won a contract for packing cured beef into barrels to ship off to the army. Each barrel intended for the government was stamped "U.S." for the United States. But since Wilson was known locally as Uncle Sam, people began joking "U.S." stood for Uncle Sam Wilson. And as the barrels rolled their way down from New York, the term rolled along with them.
"That's Uncle Sam's," people pointed out whenever they saw the country's initials. Eventually the entire nation adopted Uncle Sam as the nickname for the federal government.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Your Journey to US Starts Here!
I came to the United States over ten years ago. Back then, not many could afford and have the chance going to the U.S.A., a dream country for many youngsters. Scholarships from the U.S. colleges were almost the only sources and a US visa was granted for those lucky ones.
Nowadays, people have so many opportunities and the living expense is much affordable for the new generation.
Your journey to the Uinted States could start here! Join me and experience the American nature, culture, history, and more.
Nowadays, people have so many opportunities and the living expense is much affordable for the new generation.
Your journey to the Uinted States could start here! Join me and experience the American nature, culture, history, and more.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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