| ||
Sunday, April 24, 2011
2011 Free Fishing Days - Tips for a Day of Fun
Friday, March 25, 2011
10 U. S. Places Every Kid Should See
By Nicole Frehsee
Not only are these attractions fun and (shhhh) educational, they're especially magical through the eyes of a child.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
During the day, stroll the 4-year-old Skywalk, a U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the canyon's West Rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Come sunset, hit Grand Canyon Apache Stables, where, for $25.50 per person, you can hitch a one-hour ride on a horse-drawn wagon that ends around a campfire. Tip: BYO marshmallows and hot dogs so you can cook up a nighttime snack. Skywalk Package including mandatory Legacy pass.
The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Riding the streets of Washington, D.C., in a boat on wheels might sound cheesy, but cruising the Potomac River in one is pretty sweet. Set in a WWII-era amphibious vehicle, the 90-minute D.C. duck tour covers both land and sea. The first leg hits the history-packed National Mall—look for the 19-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian museums—and then switches to a scenic river trip. Highlight: The boat pauses at Gravelly Point, a park located just a few hundred feet from the runway at D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, so you can watch roaring planes take off and land.
Redwood National Park, California
Ancient, sky-high sequoias aren't the only attraction in this lush California locale—there's cool aquatic life, too. Take a guided tide pool tour, where budding biologists can scramble between the coastal forest's rocks while hunting for underwater creatures such as orange and purple ochre sea stars and sprawling, green anemones. Free tide pool tours are offered during the summer through Redwood National Park.
Ellis Island, New York
Between 1892 and 1924, more than 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island; today, their descendants account for 40 percent of Americans. Go on a hunt for your ancestors at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, where for $5 you can search through millions of records to find the exact date your relatives sailed into the Port of New York, as well as which ship they were on and whether they traveled with other family members. (Bonus: copies of the documents are yours to keep.) And don't miss the construction of the Peopling of America Center, which cost $20 million to build and is slated to open in 2012. The new space focuses on U.S. immigration from 1955 (when Ellis Island closed) to the present, and houses interactive multimedia exhibits, like a touch screen that reflects demographic changes in American cities over time.
Niagara Falls, New York
Sure, your grandparents honeymooned there, but the majestic waterfalls straddling the U.S.-Canada border are worth a 21st-century trip. Ever wonder what it's like to be a rubber ducky in a massive bathtub? Sign up for the Cave of the Winds tour, which begins after you change into a complimentary yellow poncho and sandals (trust us, you'll need 'em). After riding an elevator 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge, you'll stand on the Hurricane Deck, where you'll be drenched by the tropical-storm-like spray from the 181-foot Bridal Veil Falls, where the water falls at a rate of up to 68 mph. Cave of the Winds operates May 1–Oct. 25.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Snag a Young Scientist Toolkit stocked with magnifying glasses, rock samples, and stopwatches to time geyser eruptions at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and hit the great outdoors for some investigating. The coolest toy: an infrared -thermometer gun that takes readings of thermal pools when pointed at the water. And there's lots of H20: The 3,472-square-mile park is home to more geothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mud spots) than any place on earth. The Young Scientist activity booklet and toolkit costs $5 (toolkit must be returned after use).
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Everyone in this living-history site likes to play dress-up, and visitors are no exception. At the Great Hopes Plantation—a re-creation of the town's original 1700s farm—a stash of old-timey accessories await, from tricorne (three- pointed) hats for boys and shifts and mop caps (bonnets) for girls. The costumes come in handy in the field, where kids can perform 18th-century household chores, such as picking bugs off potato crops, fetching water from the well, or hoeing the soil, that are likely to make clearing the dinner dishes seem like a breeze by comparison. Great Hopes Plantation can be accessed through regular admission tickets.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho
The National Park Service calls this Idaho preserve "the only officially weird park" in the country. And for good reason: The jagged, black landscape—formed by volcanic eruptions up to 15,000 years ago—boasts a 618-square-mile lava field, the biggest in the U.S. (The rocky surface is so moonlike that Apollo 14 astronauts trained at the site in 1969.) The park's most awe-inspiring feature is its lava tubes, underground passageways created by hardened molten rock. Grab a flashlight and head to Indian Tunnel, which, at 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, allows for comfortable exploring. Craving an even more intense experience? Exit the cave at the far end, a feat that requires mounting a big rock pile and squeezing through a small opening.
Independence Hall, Pennsylvania
Acquaint yourself with the spirits of America's founding fathers on Philadelphia's Ghost Tour, a 90-minute, candle-lit stroll that winds past landmarks like Independence Hall, where the Constitution was adopted; the Powel House, which hosted George and Martha Washington's 20th wedding anniversary celebration; and the 238-year-old City Tavern, John Adams's former watering hole. A cape-wearing, lantern-carrying guide points out "haunted" graveyards (St. Peter's Cemetery) and reports sightings of Benjamin Franklin, who's said to roam the city's streets. The best part: All the ghost stories are based on documented accounts, which makes them all the more spooky.
Alcatraz Island, California
Shiv collections and cramped jail cells don't exactly sound kid-friendly, but they offer a glimpse into America's most notorious island prison—and the National Park Service is all for bringing younger ones for a visit. Hop a ferry from San Francisco's Pier 33 and stroll the damp, gray halls of the maximum-security pen, which housed criminals like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly from 1934 to 1963. (You can even get behind bars in one of the cells, if you dare.) Don't miss the audio tour, which was updated in 2007 when former inmates and guards recorded their memories of doing time at "the Rock." If you're feeling brave, take the night tour, which lets you roam the prison after dark. Alcatraz Cruises is the official carrier for tours to Alcatraz Island.
Not only are these attractions fun and (shhhh) educational, they're especially magical through the eyes of a child.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
During the day, stroll the 4-year-old Skywalk, a U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the canyon's West Rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Come sunset, hit Grand Canyon Apache Stables, where, for $25.50 per person, you can hitch a one-hour ride on a horse-drawn wagon that ends around a campfire. Tip: BYO marshmallows and hot dogs so you can cook up a nighttime snack. Skywalk Package including mandatory Legacy pass.
The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Riding the streets of Washington, D.C., in a boat on wheels might sound cheesy, but cruising the Potomac River in one is pretty sweet. Set in a WWII-era amphibious vehicle, the 90-minute D.C. duck tour covers both land and sea. The first leg hits the history-packed National Mall—look for the 19-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian museums—and then switches to a scenic river trip. Highlight: The boat pauses at Gravelly Point, a park located just a few hundred feet from the runway at D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, so you can watch roaring planes take off and land.
Redwood National Park, California
Ancient, sky-high sequoias aren't the only attraction in this lush California locale—there's cool aquatic life, too. Take a guided tide pool tour, where budding biologists can scramble between the coastal forest's rocks while hunting for underwater creatures such as orange and purple ochre sea stars and sprawling, green anemones. Free tide pool tours are offered during the summer through Redwood National Park.
Ellis Island, New York
Between 1892 and 1924, more than 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island; today, their descendants account for 40 percent of Americans. Go on a hunt for your ancestors at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, where for $5 you can search through millions of records to find the exact date your relatives sailed into the Port of New York, as well as which ship they were on and whether they traveled with other family members. (Bonus: copies of the documents are yours to keep.) And don't miss the construction of the Peopling of America Center, which cost $20 million to build and is slated to open in 2012. The new space focuses on U.S. immigration from 1955 (when Ellis Island closed) to the present, and houses interactive multimedia exhibits, like a touch screen that reflects demographic changes in American cities over time.
Niagara Falls, New York
Sure, your grandparents honeymooned there, but the majestic waterfalls straddling the U.S.-Canada border are worth a 21st-century trip. Ever wonder what it's like to be a rubber ducky in a massive bathtub? Sign up for the Cave of the Winds tour, which begins after you change into a complimentary yellow poncho and sandals (trust us, you'll need 'em). After riding an elevator 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge, you'll stand on the Hurricane Deck, where you'll be drenched by the tropical-storm-like spray from the 181-foot Bridal Veil Falls, where the water falls at a rate of up to 68 mph. Cave of the Winds operates May 1–Oct. 25.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Snag a Young Scientist Toolkit stocked with magnifying glasses, rock samples, and stopwatches to time geyser eruptions at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and hit the great outdoors for some investigating. The coolest toy: an infrared -thermometer gun that takes readings of thermal pools when pointed at the water. And there's lots of H20: The 3,472-square-mile park is home to more geothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mud spots) than any place on earth. The Young Scientist activity booklet and toolkit costs $5 (toolkit must be returned after use).
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Everyone in this living-history site likes to play dress-up, and visitors are no exception. At the Great Hopes Plantation—a re-creation of the town's original 1700s farm—a stash of old-timey accessories await, from tricorne (three- pointed) hats for boys and shifts and mop caps (bonnets) for girls. The costumes come in handy in the field, where kids can perform 18th-century household chores, such as picking bugs off potato crops, fetching water from the well, or hoeing the soil, that are likely to make clearing the dinner dishes seem like a breeze by comparison. Great Hopes Plantation can be accessed through regular admission tickets.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho
The National Park Service calls this Idaho preserve "the only officially weird park" in the country. And for good reason: The jagged, black landscape—formed by volcanic eruptions up to 15,000 years ago—boasts a 618-square-mile lava field, the biggest in the U.S. (The rocky surface is so moonlike that Apollo 14 astronauts trained at the site in 1969.) The park's most awe-inspiring feature is its lava tubes, underground passageways created by hardened molten rock. Grab a flashlight and head to Indian Tunnel, which, at 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, allows for comfortable exploring. Craving an even more intense experience? Exit the cave at the far end, a feat that requires mounting a big rock pile and squeezing through a small opening.
Independence Hall, Pennsylvania
Acquaint yourself with the spirits of America's founding fathers on Philadelphia's Ghost Tour, a 90-minute, candle-lit stroll that winds past landmarks like Independence Hall, where the Constitution was adopted; the Powel House, which hosted George and Martha Washington's 20th wedding anniversary celebration; and the 238-year-old City Tavern, John Adams's former watering hole. A cape-wearing, lantern-carrying guide points out "haunted" graveyards (St. Peter's Cemetery) and reports sightings of Benjamin Franklin, who's said to roam the city's streets. The best part: All the ghost stories are based on documented accounts, which makes them all the more spooky.
Alcatraz Island, California
Shiv collections and cramped jail cells don't exactly sound kid-friendly, but they offer a glimpse into America's most notorious island prison—and the National Park Service is all for bringing younger ones for a visit. Hop a ferry from San Francisco's Pier 33 and stroll the damp, gray halls of the maximum-security pen, which housed criminals like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly from 1934 to 1963. (You can even get behind bars in one of the cells, if you dare.) Don't miss the audio tour, which was updated in 2007 when former inmates and guards recorded their memories of doing time at "the Rock." If you're feeling brave, take the night tour, which lets you roam the prison after dark. Alcatraz Cruises is the official carrier for tours to Alcatraz Island.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Potato Chips - Born in the U.S.A.?
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!
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!
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
