"Who hosted the show ""No Reservations"" on the Travel Channel?"

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Besides the chef's hat, Anthony Bourdain wears many others: TV personality, best-selling author, public speaker, weary world traveler, gourmand, punk-rock aficionado, proud New Yorker and, most recently, doting father.  He's even kicked his lifelong smoking habit. That's right: Anthony Bourdain is no longer a chain smoker. However, the fans that know him best can rest assured that the infamously grumpy, sharp-tongued host of No Reservations has become anything but pedestrian. As he continues to explore every corner of the globe on his Emmy Award winning Travel Channel series, Anthony Bourdain encounters the weird, wild and downright outrageous personalities and places that help define the international cultural landscape. Whether it's eating the raw eyeball off a bloody seal carcass on a kitchen floor, flying through the treetops of Vancouver on a zip-line, or hunting for lizards in the desert of Saudi Arabia, Bourdain refuses to yield to middle age or tar-stained lungs when adventure comes calling. However, it's the foreign food that best captures our host's attention. In the world of a cook, an understanding and appreciation of how others eat is akin to discovering secret societies and cryptic subcultures. Cooks have special access. As always, the food is only the first glimpse of a wider view of how people live their lives in faraway lands and unfamiliar territories. In the fog-shrouded highlands of Papua New Guinea, the last vestiges of a World War II cargo cult, or the jarring light show that is Las Vegas at night, "No Reservations" dives headfirst into life's colorful and rich pageant. Join Anthony Bourdain as he circumnavigates the globe on his conquest to discover the cities, villages and countries that provide life's truest surprises. See behind-the-scenes photos from No Reservations and watch exclusive video of Tony's #Bourdainisms.


What gemstone has a blue-green color and is common in the Southwest United States?

US Gemstone Mines: Arizona Oregon Idaho Montana Arkansas Nevada Home » Gemstones » Gemstone Mining in the United States Gemstone Mining in the United States A wide variety of gemstones are found throughout the United States U.S. Gemstones: A diversity of gemstones are produced from mines throughout the United States. Top row: malachite and azurite cabochon (Arizona), a rough ruby (North Carolina), a faceted orange sunstone (Oregon), a teardrop variscite cabochon (Utah). Second row: a Vesuvianite cabochon (California), a freshwater cultured pearl (Tennessee), a cabochon of Montana Moss Agate (Montana), a handful of diamonds (Arkansas). Third row: two pieces of aquamarine rough (Colorado), an opal cabochon (Idaho), a faceted bicolor tourmaline (Maine), a faceted fire opal (Nevada). Scroll down to read more about these gems and others. A Diversity of U.S. Gemstones A surprising diversity of gemstones are produced within the United States. Did you know that Montana is the home of world-famous sapphire localities, and that emeralds , rubies , and sapphires are all found in North Carolina? Have you ever seen an " Oregon sunstone " that flashes with a copper aventurescence, or a cultured freshwater pearl with a golden luster produced in Tennessee? These are just a few of the unique gemstones produced in the United States. State   Utah The United States Geological Survey reports that notable quantities of gem-quality beryl , coral, garnet , feldspar, opal , quartz , sapphire, ruby, shell, pearls, peridot , topaz , tourmaline , turquoise , and other gem materials are currently produced in the United States. Ten states with a long history and nice diversity of gemstone production include: Arizona , North Carolina , Oregon , California , Utah , Tennessee , Montana , Colorado , Arkansas , and Idaho . Did You Know? If you attend the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (held every February), you can purchase rough or cut stones from most of the important gemstone mines in the United States - and often purchase directly from the person who did the mining. Don't be afraid to ask - they usually enjoy telling you all about their operation. Sometimes the same person mines, cuts, and markets the stones! Small Mines and Recreational Miners Although the United States produces a diversity of gemstone varieties, the quantity produced is very small. In calendar year 2011 the total gemstone production of the United States was only $11 million. That amount is very very small compared to the $23.5 billion in gemstones that were imported. The United States has greater than a 99.9 percent dependence on foreign  gemstone supplies. Most of the gemstone production in the United States comes from very small mines with just two or three employees who are often part-time or seasonal workers. Very few of the mines have more than a dozen employees and operate during all four seasons of the year. In 2011 only about 1000 to 1200 people in the United States worked in the gemstone mining industry. Much of the gemstone mining in the United States is done by rockhounds (amateurs who search for rocks , minerals , gemstones , and fossils as a hobby). Many of them do their rockhounding on public land (areas owned by the government where individuals can collect if they observe the rules).  Others go to fee mining sites . These are proven gemstone deposits where visitors can pay a fee, look for gemstones, and keep any that they find. U.S. Gemstone Production Values 11,300 9,570 ND - value not disclosed because it would reveal proprietary information of a small number of producers - included in totals. Data from USGS Minerals Yearbooks. Why Is Production So Low? Some of the gemstone deposits in the United States have been associated with major metal deposits which are much more valuable. The gemstone deposits, which are generally very slow to mine, were removed because the disruption that they cause is more costly than the value of the gem materials.  Other gemstone deposits are not operated because they are extremely labor intensive. They would be mined in cou


What South Dakota drug store is advertised on road signs for hundreds of miles in either direction?

March | 2009 | Gas • Food • No Lodging | Life on the Road Chinatown Restaurant Birds March 20, 2009 Chinatown restaurants love to hang animal carcasses in their windows. Birds, in particular. Bad for the birds, good for the photography—and the eatin’. X Marks The Spot: South Dakota Signs March 16, 2009 Driving through South Dakota, eventually you notice the signs. It's not immediately clear what they mean, but they're all over the place. “X Marks The Spot,” they say. “Think! Drive Safely.” On the other side, the same design, but instead of “Think!” it's “Why Die?” Wall Drug March 14, 2009 You’ll see the signs for Wall Drug long before you get there. Hundreds of signs, for hundreds of miles in either direction of Wall, South Dakota, on Interstate 90. It's not just a drug store. Abandoned America: Twin Arrows, Arizona March 5, 2009 On Interstate 40, west of Winslow, Arizona, you’ll find Twin Arrows, an old Route 66 trading post. Situated where the Route 66 alignment meets up with the Interstate, the trading post has its own highway exit, but has been abandoned for some years, the price of a gallon of gasoline forever frozen at $1.36. Fun with the DNG Profile Editor March 2, 2009 With the DNG Profile Editor, you can create camera profiles to be applied to your images in Lightroom or Camera Raw. As it turns out, we can abuse this feature to generate a profile that is intentionally wrong in exactly the way we want.


"Whose trial featured the quote ""If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit""?"

Privacy policy | More Newsletters AP FILE - In this Wednesday, June 21, 1995 file photo, O.J. Simpson holds up his hands before the jury after putting on a new pair of gloves similar to the infamous bloody gloves during his double-murder trial in Los Angeles. The return of O.J. Simpson to a Las Vegas courtroom next Monday, May, 13, will remind Americans of a tragedy that became a national obsession and in the process changed the country's attitude toward the justice system, the media and celebrity. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci, Pool, File) O.J. Simpson arose from the counsel table at his murder trial and approached the jury box with the famous leather gloves. As he struggled to get them past his knuckles, he held his hands up to jurors and stated the obvious: "They're too small." Next to me in the front row of the courtroom sat gadfly writer Dominick Dunne, who came to the trial believing the football hero was guilty of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. But in that moment the playing field had changed. Life and Times: OJ Simpson "Did you see that?" Dunne whispered to me. "He took those gloves and he ran with them as if he was running down a football field. This case is over." As if encased in amber, that moment from Simpson's "Trial of the Century" lives on in my memory. The OJ Murder Case in Photos Stunned by the scene, I called prosecutor Chris Darden on the phone at the day's end, asking why he had Simpson try on the gloves. "What did it look like to you?" he asked me. "It looked like they didn't fit," I said. "Well," Darden said, "I looked at his hands and I looked at the gloves and I thought they would fit." Darden had violated a cardinal rule of courtroom law: Don't demonstrate something in front of a jury unless you know the outcome. That day, Simpson's charismatic lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, coined a phrase that would become an enduring motto in pop culture: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." There would be months more testimony, but that was a turning point. It was June 15, 1995, a year and two days after the slashed bodies of Nicole Simpson and Goldman had been found outside her home. Police said they found a bloody glove at the scene and many hours later a lone police detective, Mark Fuhrman, scaled a wall outside O.J. Simpson's house and said he found a match. Now, the gloves appeared not to fit the suspect and the credibility of Fuhrman would be irrevocably damaged when tapes revealed him making disparaging remarks about blacks. Were the gloves planted? Was it a setup? Those questions would haunt the case forever. No knife was located and there were no bloody clothes at Simpson's home. DNA evidence was compromised by shoddy police work. Lead prosecutor Marcia Clark, who was watching her case fall apart, came to my courthouse office one morning and asked, "Do you think we even have a chance?" In the intervening year, the Heisman Trophy winner, sportscaster, movie star and commercial pitchman had been transformed in the public mind from national treasure to murder defendant. Gone was the dazzling smile and legendary charm of a black man whose race rarely entered any conversation about him. His legend was towering, and he became a beloved figure to all. Nevertheless, his defense would argue that racism had led police to frame him for a crime he didn't commit. O.J. and Nicole were once golden, blessed with two beautiful children, living in a world of privilege. Their bitter divorce sent the perfect marriage into the ash heap of failed celebrity unions. There were rumors of domestic violence. But O.J. Simpson remained a recognizable hero. To his fans he was "The Juice," the nickname he won on the gridiron, where he broke records for running. And in the summer of 1994, when he ran again in a white Bronco, trailed by slow moving police cars, those who clung to his legend lined the freeways with the familiar phrase scrawled on placards, "Go, Juice!" They were rooting for him to win again. Some would argue that he did win. After all, he was acquitted. But from hindsight of 20 years,


Fill the blank in the quote: Will it ____ in Peoria?

Popular Fill Blank Quizzes & Stories See if you remember the lyrics in the Broadway musical Hamilton. Fill In The Blanks - Ariana Grande - Every look, every touch, makes me wanna give you my ___, I'd be crushing on you, baby stay the way you are - Don't need permission, made my decision, to test my ____, Cuz its my _____, god as my witness, to test my limits. - Midnight, shadows, when finding ___ is a ____, but daylight is so close. - So baby come ____ me up, and maybe I'll let you on it.   13 more questions Just For Fun   Celebrities & Fame   Can You Ace This Quiz? Panic! at the disco (hardest version) - Fill in the blank of the song title- ___ Calender - Name the song-  Accidents. Let the evening in the back-door, Filled the room ceiling to the floor. - Name the song- 'Hey mister' the bellman says 'I can only recall and spend some time I said' So he replies 'Then how do you mana - Fill in the blank- In December, ____ Though I had the thoughts, no one ever heard them right Fought resistance nearly my entire life Then I awoke,   6 more questions Panic! at the disco (hardest version) Music   This quiz consist of guessing the song that the lyrics that are shown are to, and filling in the blanks of lyrics in song titles and lyrics. It also has many old songs by Panic! so that's a reason why this quiz should be hard. The ULTIMATE Hetalia Quiz - True or False: Over the years, Hetalia has been seen in the forms of a manga, a webcomic, drama CDs, an anime, a movie, two musicals, and a video game - True or False: Hetalia Day is on October 24 which corresponds with Untied Nations Day. - True or False: Volume 1 of Hetalia did not top The New York Times manga bestseller list, however, volume 2 did. - True or False: Hetalia won the 2003 NEO Award for "Best Manga" in a public vote.   46 more questions The ULTIMATE Hetalia Quiz Just For Fun   Anime & Manga   This quiz will test even the most senior Hetalian's knowledge. There are fifty questions: ten true/false, ten quotes, ten pictures, and ten multiple choice, and ten fill in the blank questions. Fill in The Blank - Wakin' up, I don't feel _____. How fucked up are we inside? Breaking up in your empty eyes Where's the truth to all the lies? - Watch you cry, you felt me die. These tears could fill up an empty tide. Looking for a ______ goodbye. - If I could do it again, would it be _____ ? Or am I living a sin just being by your side? - Love isn't good enough. And the _____ in the sea. They slip away just like me.   3 more questions A Song From Hollywood Undead How well do you know anime english covers? - Fill in the blank to the lyrics on the screen Let's start with something simple,   sever all the pain, from memories plagued - And all along the way, you struggle and ____ You're going mad. - I admit it, with my _____ shivering in fear. - Though I ask, you just laugh, ___________. Smiling at me, oh so perfectly, oh.   4 more questions How well do you know anime english covers? Music   Anime & Manga   Lyrics for English covers of anime theme songs. Read the lyrics and fill in the blank and you'll be winning in no time. How Good Do You Know 1D Songs? - Alright let's begin with an easy one!  You're ______, don't know what for, you're turning heads when you walk through the _____ - Holding on your hand, _____ in the dark, cause I was the only one who love you from the ______. - ____________ is on replay she's on replay, DJ got the floor to ____. - And we danced all night to the ____ song ever, we knew every ___, now I cant remember.   2 more questions How Good Do You Know 1D Songs? Music   Just For Fun   FILL IN THE BLANKS EVERYBODY! Let's see how well you know one direction songs ;) hope you pass BABY! p.s: if you got a bad result don't blame me or kill me it's just a quiz enjoy xx This Is Gospel Lyric Quiz - This is gospel for the fallen ones locked away in _________________. - Assembling their philosophies from pieces of __________________. - Their gnashing teeth and __________ tounge conspire against ________ but they haven't seen the best of us yet. - If


"What is the ""twin city"" of Minneapolis?"

The Twin Cities Why are St. Paul and Minneapolis called "Twin Cities"? The Answer: According to the Minnesota Historical Society ,     the nickname "Twin Cities" originally had nothing to do with St. Paul , the state capital of Minnesota . The term was first applied to two settlements on either side of     the Mississippi River—St. Anthony's Falls on the east and Minneapolis on the west—in the     1840s. The two towns were later linked by a suspension bridge.     Minneapolis was chartered as a city in 1867 and in 1872 it and St.     Anthony's Falls were united to form one city. As a result, nearby St.     Paul assumed the nickname while it and the new Minneapolis grew during     the 20th century to become Minnesota's two biggest cities. —The Editors


What were the Spruce Goose and the Spirit of St. Louis?

Spruce Goose Team Throws a Wingding - latimes Spruce Goose Team Throws a Wingding November 07, 1987 |Paul Dean They were a unique, boisterous clan, this young team that blueprinted and glued and bolted and assembled the Spruce Goose like some monstrous homebuilt. They even shared a little of the wildness of Howard Hughes, its dreamer-in-chief. That's why he picked them. He knew the type. He needed men who thrived on 36-hour shifts and good bourbon and who were ready to follow him anywhere, because they were just cussed enough to finish something that the rest of the world said should never have been started. They sacrificed weekends, early nights, hobbies, postgraduate studies, career changes, a little of their livers and most of their marriages. But they did it. They built an immortal airplane, a statue to man's endeavor as true as the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis or Glamorous Glennis. Of the eight dozen men who built the Hughes Flying Boat in 1947, fewer than two dozen remain. Those are bonded, a closed club. Cards are exchanged each Christmas. Free admission to the Spruce Goose exhibit at Long Beach is a perk they exercise frequently. Each Nov. 2, the anniversary of the first and only flight, they gather for champagne in its shadow as guests of Wrather Port Properties, keepers of their airplane. They were there Monday. In their 60s and 70s and not drinking quite as much good bourbon. But still grinning and sharing. And still finding--despite all the books, all the articles, all the films--something new to tell of those 60 seconds at 70 feet over Long Beach Harbor 40 years ago. Van Storm, 72, now retired to Westchester after 40 years with Hughes' organizations, was a systems mechanic on the flight. He remembers a particularly bumpy, shaking high-speed taxi before takeoff and two newspaper reporters who asked to be returned to shore on a chase launch. "They kept claiming they were on deadline, but they were as white as sheets," Storm remembers. "Howard grinned at me and we had the same thought. They wanted off this thing before it killed 'em." Merle Coffee, 70, of San Pedro, was the radio operator on the Spruce Goose. He thinks he knows why the airplane's first test was not developed into a full-blown maiden flight at altitude. "I don't think Hughes was physically, and I might add the word mentally, up to it," Coffee said. "He was 42, he had been terribly injured in a plane crash a year or so before . . . and he just didn't feel right about it (a full flight)." Phil Thibodeau, 66, of Garden Grove, rode the flight crouched inside the left wing to check for gas, oil and hydraulic leaks. His only view was through a half-inch drain hole in an engine nacelle. "All I could see while we were taxiing was a little piece of water and a little piece of hull," he said. "When I saw a little piece of daylight, I knew we were flying." Mel Glaser, 66, of Hemet, was in the right wing. "I was lurking behind engines 5 and 6," he recalls. "I was also right behind the landing light. As we lifted off, I moved the light and had a king-size seat, as good a seat as Howard Hughes, right in the leading edge of the wing." Chuck Jucker, 70, of Las Vegas, flew as crew chief. He knew that as an experimental aircraft, the flying boat could not carry non-crew members aboard. Federal aviation regulations required the airplane to carry life jackets. Further, all crew members should use seat belts. "There were no life jackets on board," Jucker said. "We had 15 non-crew members, mostly reporters, on board. When we took off, nobody was sitting down, nobody was strapped in . . . hell, I had a guy up in the tail on a ladder." Stan Sodeberg, 62, was in charge of the flying boat's fabric skin. He tended the great white during decades of seclusion and remains maintenance supervisor of the airplane on display. That gives him 41 years of continuous service--and an untapped supply of Spruce Goose secrets. "But I'm saving them for my book," he said. "It's going to be called: 'The Last Mechanic.' " The Spruce Goose is at Pier J, Long Beach. Call (213) 435-35


What is forbidden by the Fifth Amendment, but happens on a game show hosted by Alex Trebek?


What fraternal organization is known for wearing fezzes and driving miniature cars?

Shriners may be forced 'out of the hospital business' within 5 years - USATODAY.com Shriners may be forced 'out of the hospital business' within 5 years Updated   Enlarge By Mary Ann Chastain, AP Brooklyn Myers, 14, of Greenville, S.C., poses with a bucket that she made to raise money for Shriners Hospital. She and her mother Bridget Myers have collected $92 in the past two days and hope to raise awareness for the need of donations to the Greenville Shriners Hospital fund.  DAILY HEALTH BLOG � Watercooler -worthy bits By Katrina A. Goggins, Associated Press GREENVILLE, S.C.  Shriners hospitals, which have provided free care since before the Great Depression, are considering closing a quarter of their facilities as donations stagnate, costs increase and the charity's endowment shrivels. The group's director says it's the only viable option. Officials at the Florida-based organization say it is siphoning $1 million a day from its endowment to balance the budget for 22 hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, they say, that fund has fallen to $5 billion from $8 billion in less than a year because of the sputtering stock market and a charitable giving slump that has hurt philanthropies nationwide. The fund has been declining since 2001. The group will vote this summer on the closures. BETTER LIFE: Health news in brief: Shooting psychology, lice zapper, middle-school sex and marital stress "Unless we do something, the clock is ticking and within five to seven years we'll probably be out of the hospital business and not have any hospitals," Ralph Semb, chief executive officer of Shriners Hospitals for Children, told The Associated Press. In cities where hospitals may close, supporters and hospital staff are scheduling fundraisers and posting online messages of support on social networking websites. In Greenville, S.C., Bridget Myers and her daughter are turning to churches and friends, collecting money in a bucket tagged with pictures of X-rays and Shriners patients. "I've collected $92 dollars in two days," said Brooklynn Myers, 14, who received scoliosis treatment at the Shriners' Greenville hospital. "Me and my mom feel like it's heartbreaking we'd have to drive all the way to Lexington (Kentucky) and we've made special bonds here." Widely known today for burn and orthopedic care for children, the Shriners Hospitals system opened in 1922 with a facility in Shreveport, La., that specialized in treating polio. By the 1960s, the group had hospitals nationwide and expanded its care to include spinal cord injury rehabilitation, cleft lip and palate care and medical research. More than 1 million children have been treated at the hospitals, which were created by the fraternal organization of the same name whose members are known for wearing red fezzes and driving miniature cars in parades. The care is free to all. In 2007, the fraternal group was hit with accusations it used money intended for the hospitals to throw parties — but only a fraction of the hospitals' funds are raised by the group. Most of the money to operate the hospitals has come from interest from the endowment, Semb said. Semb said this year's operating budget for the hospital system is $856 million. The budget has risen by $100 million each of the past two years while donation levels remained static, he said. Last month, the Shiners' board of trustees voted to close four of the group's eight research centers and lay off about 40 people at its administrative office. At the organization's annual meeting July 6-8 in San Antonio, about 1,200 Shriners will vote whether to close hospitals in Shreveport, La.; Erie, Pa.; Spokane, Wash.; Springfield, Mass., and Greenville. Semb said they were chosen mainly because of too many vacant beds. The system would shed around 225 hospital beds with the closures, according to data from Shriners hospitals websites. Patients would be sent to other Shriners hospitals that specialize in their ailments. The organization also will consider whether a hospital in Galveston, Texas — closed temporarily after damage from Hurrican


"What city in Kansas did people need to ""get the hell outta""?"

Urban Dictionary: get the hell out of dodge get the hell out of dodge To leave somewhere immediately, to evacuate or scram. "Get the hell out of Dodge" is a reference to Dodge City, Kansas, which was a favorite location for westerns in the early to mid 20th century. Most memorably, the phrase was made famous by the TV show "Gunsmoke," in which villians were often commanded to "get the hell out of Dodge." The phrase took on its current meaning in the 1960s and 70s when teenagers began to use it in its current form. Awesome. We're done here, so lets get the hell out of dodge!


"What TV program once concluded with ""A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney""?"

Andy Rooney, Mainstay on ‘60 Minutes’, Dead at 92 - The New York Times The New York Times U.S. |Andy Rooney, a Cranky Voice of CBS, Dies at 92 Search Andy Rooney, a Cranky Voice of CBS, Dies at 92 By RICHARD SEVERO and PETER KEEPNEWS NOV. 5, 2011 Continue reading the main story Photo Andy Rooney at his desk in 1978, his first year as a commentator on "60 Minutes.". Credit Carlos Rene Perez/Associated Press Andy Rooney, whose prickly wit was long a mainstay of CBS News and whose homespun commentary on “60 Minutes,” delivered every week from 1978 until 2011, made him a household name, died on Friday in New York City. He was 92 and lived in Manhattan, though he kept a family vacation home in Rensselaerville, N.Y., and the first home he ever bought, in Rowayton, Conn. CBS News said in a statement that Mr. Rooney died after complications following minor surgery. In late September, CBS announced that Mr. Rooney would be making his last regular weekly appearance on “60 Minutes” on Oct. 2. After that, said Jeff Fager, the chairman of CBS News and the program’s executive producer, he would “always have the ability to speak his mind on ‘60 Minutes’ when the urge hits him.” But a little more than three weeks after that appearance, CBS announced that Mr. Rooney had been hospitalized after developing “serious complications” from an unspecified operation. Continue reading the main story Mr. Rooney entered television shortly after World War II, writing material for entertainers like Arthur Godfrey, Victor Borge, Herb Shriner, Sam Levenson and Garry Moore. Beginning in 1962, he had a six-year association with the CBS News correspondent Harry Reasoner, who narrated a series of Everyman “essays” written by Mr. Rooney. Advertisement Continue reading the main story But it was “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney,” his weekly segment on “60 Minutes,” that made him one of the most popular broadcast figures in the country. With his jowls, bushy eyebrows, deeply circled eyes and advancing years, he seemed every inch the homespun philosopher as he addressed mostly mundane subjects with varying degrees of befuddlement, vexation and sometimes pleasure. He admitted to loving football, Christmas, tennis, woodworking and Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the few politicians who won his approval because, as an Army general during World War II, he had refused to censor Stars and Stripes, the G.I. newspaper for which Mr. Rooney worked. He also claimed to like shined shoes and properly pressed pants and had machines in his office to take care of those functions, although somehow he always managed to look rumpled. But he was better known for the things he did not like. He railed against “two-prong plugs in a three-prong society,” the incomprehensibility of road maps, wash-and-wear shirts “that you can wash but not wear,” the uselessness of keys and locks, and outsize cereal boxes that contained very little cereal. “I don’t like any music I can’t hum,” he grumbled. He observed that “there are more beauty parlors than there are beauties” and that “if dogs could talk, it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one.” He made clear that he thought Gen. George S. Patton and Ernest Hemingway, both of whom he had known personally, were gasbags. He disliked New Year’s Eve , waiting in line for any reason and the bursars at whatever colleges his children attended. He once concluded that “it is possible to be dumb and be a college president,” but he acknowledged that “most college students are not as smart as most college presidents.” On the subject of higher education, he declared that most college catalogs “rank among the great works of fiction of all time,” and that a student of lackluster intellect who could raise tuition money would find it “almost impossible to flunk out.” Time magazine once called him “the most felicitous nonfiction writer in television.” But Mr. Rooney was decidedly not everyone’s cup of tea. Advertisement Continue reading the main story The New York Times columnist Anna Quindlen, for example, took strong issue with Mr. Rooney’s dismissive comments


What animal appeared on the back of a nickel from 1913-1938?

US Coins (United States Coins) US Coins United States Coin Collecting US Coins were first produced in 1792 when the US government established the first mint at Philadelphia. Since that time many different varieties and denominations of United States coins have been produced by the U.S. Mint. Present day United States coins produced for circulation include the penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cent), dime (10 cent), quarter dollar (25 cent), half dollar (50 cent) and dollar coins. United States Coins Besides the coins now in circulation, there were also half cents, two cent pieces, and three cent pieces. 20 cent pieces were also made for four years, from 1875 to 1878. Bullion and Commemorative Coins are also minted today by the United States Mint. If you are interested in United States coin collecting, you can see that you will find a huge variety of coins for your collection. Many people like to narrow down their collection to a certain typeType Set of years coin was minted with a specific design and denomination. of US coins and some collect several different types of coins all at once. My favorite type of coin to collect is the Morgan Silver Dollar, but I will add anything to my collection that I find interesting. I have recently started to collect the Presidential $1 coins and I also like the state quarters . Below you will find a list of the different US coins along with a brief introduction to each. Click the links for pictures and more information for each particular coin type. Hint: click on the images below to see a larger image of the coin Half Cent Coins click to enlarge Half Cent Coins (1793-1857) - Half Cents, also known as the half penny, were one of the earliest US coins (1793-1857). They were first minted in 1793, just as George Washington was getting started on his second term as President of the United States. One Cent Coins click to enlarge Large-Cents (1793-1857) - Large cents have earned a spot in history as the first US coins ever minted by the United States government on its own equipment and premises. They were minted from 1793 to 1857 at the mint in Philadelphia, the only U.S. Mint at the time. Find out more and see more images........... click to enlarge Flying Eagle Cents (1856-1858) - The flying eagle penny was produced from 1857-1858. It was the first small sized penny or one cent us coin. It gets its name from the eagle on the obverse (front) of the coin. On the reverse the words ONE CENT are surrounded by a wreath. Find out more and see more images........... click to enlarge Indian Cents (1859-1909) - The Indian Head Penny is a one cent coin that was produced for fifty years by the United States Mint, from 1859 through 1909. On the front of this US coin is the head of a Native American wearing a feather head dress with the word "LIBERTY" on it. Find out more and see more images........... click to enlarge Lincoln Cents (1909 to date) - If you choose to collect Lincoln cents you will find lots to work with and study as it is the longest-running US coin series as well as being very popular in United States Coin Collecting. The Lincoln cent replaced the Indian Head Penny in 1909 and is still being produced today. Two Cent Coins click to enlarge Two Cent Piece (1864-1873) - The United States two cent coin was produced from 1864 to 1873. It was made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc and is a little bit smaller than the quarter we know today. Three Cent Coins click to enlarge Three Cent Piece (1851-1889) - Three cent coins were produced from 1851 to 1889. The earlier of these coins were made of 75% silver, then beginning in 1865 other three cent coins were made of a copper/nickel alloy (as shown in the photo here). These coins were referred to as the Three Cent Nickel. Five Cent Coins - Nickels click to enlarge Shield Nickel (1866-1883) - Shield Nickels were made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, and were produced from 1866 to 1883. A shield is featured on the front (obverse) and the numeral 5 surrounded by stars on the reverse. The shield nickel was the first nickel five-cent piece minted in the United Stat


What are forbidden on Michigan's Mackinac Island?

Mackinac Island | Michigan Mackinac Island: The Jewel of the Great Lakes Mackinac Island Enjoy beautiful vistas, shopping, and carriage rides during the day, and watch the city transform at night with its happening music and bar scene. When you step off the Island Ferry Dock, you will be in a living Victorian village. Mackinac Island is the truly "all natural" theme park of America.  Limited to transportation of horse and buggy, bicycle or foot, surrounded by water, it has escaped the vast changes of time. On this four-square mile island, experience bustling, quaint downtown shopping, skipping stones into Lake Huron or miles of tree lined trails on the island interior.  Explore the historic Fort Mackinac, enjoy the hustle and bustle of the downtown, try the different varieties of homemade fudge or relax at the Grand Hotel, famous for the movie "Somewhere in Time."  Once you've visited our beautiful Island, you will find that it is your island, too. Weddings Scenery Escape your everyday. Experience the breathtaking views of the harbor, incredible sunsets under The Mighty Mack, over 80 miles of lush hiking and biking trails and crystal clear water. Mackinac Island is the ultimate place to unplug, relax and experience beauty the way nature intended. Embedded video Hustle & Bustle Escape your everyday. Mackinac Island's hustle & bustle look distinctly different than what you may be accustomed to. Feel yourself becoming more relaxed on the ferry ride over to the island. Once you arrive take in the sights, sounds and smells that ARE Mackinac Island. Take a walk through 82 miles of state park. Embedded video Commute Escape your everyday. Commuting on Mackinac Island is unique. Get around by water vessel, foot, horse or bike - no cars allowed on our island. Relax and submerge in the natural beauty that surrounds you. Come discover why Mackinac Island is voted one of the best islands in the United States. Embedded video Island Life Leave the ordinary at home this summer and set sail for picturesque Mackinac Island. A place filled with forts and uncharted paths. Horse rides, bike rides and games we play all day. Come immerse yourself in the majesty and sanctuary of Mackinac Island. Embedded video Under The Radar Join Pure Michigan and Under the Radar for a free virtual trip around Mackinac Island Embedded video Related Stories


What movie was about a crashed U.S. military helicopter in Somalia?

Screen Junkies The 6 Most Epic Helicopter Crashes In Movies something here Helicopter movies are awesome. Normally when movies feature helicopters, they are involved in rescue missions, combat, or devastating crashes. Some movie helicopters are simple military craft, while others are rescue choppers, but we don't care either way as long as it gives a good show when it crashes. Here we've compiled six of most epic helicopter crashes in movies.    "Black Hawk Down" The most epic helicopter crash goes to "Black Hawk Down," the 2001 movie based on the Battle of Mogadishu. The story centers around a mission to rescue a black hawk that was shot down in the streets of Somalia. In an attempt to extract the survivors, the Rangers, Delta Force, and 160th SOAR not only suffer heavy casualties, but have another helicopter get shot down.    "Courage Under Fire" Another helicopter crash movie associated with a military battle, "Courage Under Fire" starred Meg Ryan, Denzel Washington, and Lou Diamond Phillips. This 1998 film took place during the Gulf War, where Lieutenant Colonel Serling (Washington) was ordered to investigate whether or not Captain Karen Walden deserved to be the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor after she was killed while leading a rescue mission to evacuate the survivors of a downed black hawk.    "Independence Day" "Independence Day" is a popular 1996 science fiction movie starring Will Smith and Bill Pullman. Aliens invade Earth, killing a large portion of the world's population. While Smith, Pullman, and others fight aliens throughout the movie, a pivotal part of the film is when the First Lady's rescue helicopter crashes when it gets caught up in an explosion.    "Cloverfield" One of the most overrated monster movies of recent years is "Cloverfield." This 2008 film features a monster from the sea that wreaks havoc on New York City. The movie was filmed as though it was shot from a hand-held camera. One of the beauties of the movie is that it stars a few hot women . It also features an epic helicopter crash scene at the end when the monster jumps up, knocking the chopper out of the air.    "Battle: Los Angeles" Another alien attack movie, "Battle: Los Angeles" is one of the most underrated action films in quite some time. Starring the sexy Michelle Rodriguez , "Battle: Los Angeles" is about a group of Marines and an airman (Rodriguez) who try to rescue as many civilians as they can before the city gets nuked. However, while they manage to gather a few citizens, a rescue helicopter gets shot down by an alien space craft that comes out of nowhere.    "Lake Placid" This epic monster movie starring Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, and Betty White was a box office success. Taking place in rural Maine, a large crocodile goes on a feeding frenzy, which includes cows, bears, and humans. There were two sequels made, and while they feature more tits and ass than the original, the first movie has the best helicopter crash scene when the crocodile grabs the helicopter and pulls in into the lake.


What were installed on the White House roof by Jimmy Carter (but removed by Ronald Reagan)?

A Brief History of White House Solar Panels A Brief History of White House Solar Panels By Tom Murse Updated August 23, 2016. President Barack Obama's decision in 2010 to install White House solar panels made environmentalists happy. But he wasn't the first president to take advantage of alternative forms of energy in the living quarters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . The first solar panels were placed on the White House more than 30 years earlier (and removed by the very next president), but there's been little explanation as to why nearly two decades later. What happened to the original White House solar panels? Here's a look back at a strange saga spanning six presidential administrations.  PhotoQuest/Contributor/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1.  1979 - President Jimmy Carter Installs 1st White House Solar Panels President Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels on the presidential mansion amid the Arab oil embargo, which had caused a national energy crisis. The Democratic president called for a campaign to conservative energy and, to set an example to the American people, ordered the solar panels erected in 1979, according to the White House Historical Association. Carter predicted that “a generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people; harnessing the power of the Sun to enrich our lives as we move away from our crippling dependence on foreign oil.” More » 2.  1981 - President Ronald Reagan Orders Solar Panels on the White House Removed President Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, and one of his first moves was to order the solar panels removed. It was clear Reagan had a completely different take on energy consumption. "Reagan's political philosophy viewed the free market as the best arbiter of what was good for the country. Corporate self-interest, he felt, would steer the country in the right direction," the author Natalie Goldstein wrote in " Global Warming ."  George Charles Szego, the engineer who persuaded Carter to install the solar panels, reportedly claimed that Reagan Chief of Staff  Donald T. Regan "felt that the equipment was just a joke, and he had it taken down." The panels were removed in 1986 when work was being done on the White House roof below the panels.  3.  1992 - White House Solar Panels Moved to Maine College Half of the solar panels that once generated energy at the White House were installed on the roof of the cafeteria at Maine's Unity College, according to Scientific American. The panels were used to warm water in summer and winter. 4.  2010 - President Barack Obama Orders Solar Panels Reinstalled on White House President Barack Obama, who made  environmental issues  a focus of his presidency, planned to install solar panels on the White House by spring of 2011. He also announced he will also install a solar hot water heater on top of the living quarters at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. "By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the president is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States," said Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  Administration officials said they expected the photovoltaic system will convert sunlight into 19,700 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. More »


"What singer, nicknamed Bocephus, sang the theme song to ""Monday Night Football""?"

Hank Williams Jr. lashes out at media in new song | Reuters Mon Oct 10, 2011 | 5:48 PM EDT Hank Williams Jr. lashes out at media in new song Singer Hank Williams Jr. points into the crowd at a campaign rally with U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in Columbus, Ohio October 31, 2008. Reuters/Brian Snyder By Tim Ghianni | NASHVILLE, Tenn NASHVILLE, Tenn Country singer Hank Williams Jr., whose theme song was pulled from "Monday Night Football" after he compared President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler, lashed out at the media on Monday with a topical song called "Keep the Change." The track, which borrows its title and certain themes from another song released by Williams' daughter, Holly, in 2009, was offered as a free download on his website. Williams sparked an uproar when he appeared on the Fox News Channel show "Fox & Friends" on October 3 and said Obama's pairing with Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner in a June golf summit was "like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu." He also referred to Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as "the enemy." That day, ESPN publicly rebuked Williams and dropped his "All My Rowdy Friends" song as the opening theme for its weekly "Monday Night Football" broadcast. He subsequently issued a statement saying he was sorry for anyone who took offense, but the Disney-owned sports channel and Williams later said they were parting company after an association of more than 20 years. Williams had introduced "MNF" since 1991 on both ABC and ESPN. In his new song about the controversy, Williams took aim at both ESPN and Fox News. "So 'Fox & Friends' want to put me down/Ask for my opinion/Twist it all around/Well two can play that gotcha game," he sings on the track. Williams, a longtime supporter of Republican causes, also sings that the United States is becoming "socialist" and takes a dig at Obama's 2008 campaign theme of "change." "I'll keep my freedom, I'll keep my guns/Try to keep my money and my religion too ... Keep the government out of my business/ and y'all can keep the change," he sings. The song ends with the 62-year-old Williams, nicknamed Bocephus by his country music legend father, urging fans to join him in a boycott. "Yeah you can keep 'Fox & Friends' and ESPN out of your homes too. 'Cause Bocephus and all his rowdy friends and his song is out of there," sings Williams, who is selling "Hank Jr. for President" T-shirts on his website. Fox News declined to comment on the song, and a representative from ESPN could not be reached for comment. The new Williams track borrows its title from a song called "Keep the Change," which released by his daughter, Holly Williams, in 2009. While Holly Williams did not write the song, her version gained solid radio play with lyrics that present a more subtle but still biting critique of the Obama administration. Hank Williams Jr. is slated to hit the TV talk show circuit on Tuesday, including appearances on the ABC daytime program "The View" and the conservative Fox News show "Hannity." (Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Steve Gorman) ADVERTISEMENT


Ducks, Beavers Battle To A Draw - GoDucks.com | The University of Oregon Official Athletics Pac 12 Ducks, Beavers Battle To A Draw EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon soccer team battled the Oregon State Beavers to a scoreless draw on Saturday evening at Pape' Field in Eugene. The Ducks are now 1-1-1 overall this spring exhibition season. Oregon has two matches remaining this spring. UO will play a road match against Portland State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, before closing the exhibition calendar with a neutral-site contest against UC Davis on Saturday, May 11. The UO-UC Davis match is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be played at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore. Oregon opened the exhibition season on April 6 with a 7-1 home win over Southern Oregon. The Ducks dropped their most recent outing on April 21, a 1-0 loss at Pac-12 foe Washington. UO returns 23 players, including seven starters, from last year’s squad which finished the regular-season 8-10-2 overall and 3-7-1 in Pac-12 Conference action.


What criminal was famously pursued by Eliot Ness?

Al Capone biography | birthday, trivia | American Gangster | Who2 Al Capone Biography   Name at birth: Alphonsus Capone Alphonse “Al” Capone was one of the most famous U.S. gangsters during the 1930s, a Chicago-based boss involved in illegal gambling, bootlegging (illegal alcohol) and prostitution. Al Capone got his start in New York, working as a thug and bouncer (where he got the three scars that spawned his nickname, “Scarface”). He moved to Chicago in 1919 and quickly moved up in the ranks of Johnny Torrio’s gang. Capone was known for his smarts and brutality, and by 1925 he was in charge of one of Chicago’s biggest criminal gangs. It was Capone’s men who gunned down seven rivals in 1929 in what was called the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.” Arrested many times over the years, Al Capone was famously pursued by federal agent Eliot Ness and ended up finally going to jail for income tax evasion in 1931. After serving eight years in federal prisons, Capone was released on good behavior (and because he’d been suffering from syphilis-related ailments). Capone retired to his estate in Florida and died in 1947 of heart failure. Extra credit Al Capone has been portrayed in the movies by by Rod Steiger (Al Capone, 1959), Neville Brand (TV’s The Untouchables, 1959-63), Robert DeNiro (The Untouchables, 1987) and William Forsythe (TV’s The Untouchables, 1993).


What 2008 Presidential candidate was not born in a U.S. state?

Other past and future presidential candidates and birthplace issues Other past and future presidential candidates and birthplace issues March 25, 2015 The debate over Senator Ted Cruz’s birthplace has raised some interesting questions about other folks who sought, or make seek, the White House, with parents who were born outside the United States. Chester Arthur Cruz was born in Canada in 1970, with his father being from Cuba and his mother coming from Delaware in the United States. The Constitution’s Natural Born Citizenship Clause states that “no person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.” Recent thoughts from constitutional experts on Cruz’s situation seem to clearly point to one fact : Since Cruz’s mother was born in the United States as a citizen, Cruz is a “natural born” citizen through his mother’s own status back in 1970. Sarah Helene Duggin from Catholic University, who is an expert on this topic, wrote at length for us about a potential Cruz candidacy back in October 2013, and she explained why scholars believe Cruz is eligible. “There is a strong argument that anyone who acquires United States citizenship at birth, whether by virtue of the 14th Amendment or by operation of federal statute, qualifies as natural born,” she said. Former Solicitors General Paul Clement and Neal Katyal made the same argument in the Harvard Law Review recently about Cruz. “Congress has recognized since the Founding, a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent is generally a U.S. citizen from birth with no need for naturalization. And the phrase “natural born Citizen” in the Constitution encompasses all such citizens from birth,” they said. Clement and Katyal also explained the same logic applied to three past presidential candidates who were born outside of a specific state: John McCain (Panama Canal Zone), George Romney (Mexico) and Barry Goldwater (Arizona Territory). But another argument cropped up in these “Natural Born” debates: What about candidates born in the United States with parents who weren’t United States citizens at the time? This is actually a debate that goes back to 1880, when Chester Alan Arthur ran as the vice presidential candidate on the James Garfield ticket for the Republican Party. Arthur became President after Garfield’s death in 1881 and there rumors that Arthur had been born in Canada, and not Vermont, as he claimed. Arthur’s father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in the United States. If Arthur was born in Canada, some claimed, there may have been a citizenship issue. Marquette Law professor J. Gordon Hylton pointed out in a 2009 blog post if Arthur was born in Canada “he was technically foreign-born, and in 1829, citizenship in such cases passed to the child only if the father was a United States citizen, and, of course, at this point Arthur’s father was still a citizen of the British Empire.” Hylton also pointed out that the Supreme Court’s 1830 ruling in Inglis v. Trustees of Sailor’s Snug Harbor and other cases made it clear that having a father as a United States citizen wasn’t mandatory in such cases. Justice Joseph Story’s concurrence in the Inglis decision cited Blackstone’s commentaries, saying that “nothing is better settled at the common law than the doctrine that the children, even of aliens, born in a country while the parents are resident there under the protection of the government and owing a temporary allegiance thereto, are subjects by birth.” Soon after Arthur’s time in the White House, the Supreme Court made it clear in the case of Wong Kim Ark in 1898 that a child born in the United States automatically became a citizen regardless of the parents’ citizenship status. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” said Justice Horace Gray. There was also a birthplace controversy over the 1916 presidential candidacy of Charles Ev


In what city is NASA's mission control center located?

NASA - NASA Facilities NASA Facilities By Frank Seitzen “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” Bold goals - President George W. Bush announced new space exploration goals for the agency at NASA Headquarters on Jan. 14, 2004. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls When a city’s name is one of the first words spoken on the surface of another world, the link between that city and NASA through its Johnson Space Center is rather obvious. And as the site of the memorable vista of Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle launches, Florida’s Space Coast has a clear connection to NASA and its Kennedy Space Center as well. But when many people think about NASA, places like Moffett Field or Hancock County, Miss., may not immediately come to mind. Yet these locations are also home to vital parts of NASA. Spread out from coast to coast, NASA’s centers and facilities are as diverse as the many different elements of the agency’s missions. That’s no coincidence – each location is home to different areas of expertise, supporting different elements of those missions. Today, for example, Stennis Space Center in Mississippi is conducting rocket engine testing in support of NASA’s exploration mission. At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, scientists are reviewing information being sent back to Earth from distant reaches of the solar system, supporting the space science mission. Expertise in supercomputing and the search for life beyond Earth is a hallmark of the Ames Research Center in California. Satellites managed by Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland provide atmospheric data vital to NASA’s Earth science research. Ideas for advanced space propulsion are tested at the Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Langley Research Center in Virginia, America’s first civilian aeronautics research laboratory, plays a key role in space transportation for small payloads and satellites. The Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama develops rockets, spacecraft and instruments for space exploration and scientific discovery. And new remotely piloted aircraft recently delivered to Dryden Flight Research Center in California will not only support the aeronautics research mission, but will also serve as scientific research platforms. NASA’s 10 major centers, plus its headquarters in Washington, D.C., are joined by eight smaller facilities -- Goddard Institute for Space Studies (New York City), Independent Verification & Validation Facility (West Virginia), Michoud Assembly Facility (New Orleans), NASA Shared Services Center (Mississippi), Plum Brook Station (Ohio), Wallops Flight Facility (Virginia), White Sands Test Facility (New Mexico) and Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility (California). As NASA undertakes the monumental task of returning humans to the moon and then exploring farther into the solar system, the agency will draw from all of these diverse areas of expertise. Every one of NASA’s centers has been assigned duties in the development of the new architecture that will return humans to the moon. Each center also has a vital task relating to establishing a productive ongoing presence there once that return is accomplished. An exciting future awaits, and it will take all of NASA, working together, to make it happen. NASA Headquarters (Washington, D.C.) NASA Headquarters, located a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol building, is the leadership nerve center for the agency’s activities. Headquarters management has steered U.S. civil space and aeronautics policy throughout the agency’s history, setting in motion some of the most far-reaching and history-making events in the Space Age. First located in the Dolly Madison House a stone’s throw from the White House, NASA Headquarters has seen its share of history, including visits from Presidents Lyndon Johnson, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In popular literature, the current headquarters building is the setting for intrigue in Dan Brown’s novel “Deception Point.” Under the agency’s first two administrators, T. Keith Glennan and James E. Webb, the headquarters leadership team made the criti


Smarter than the average bear | The Economist Smarter than the average bear The first case of ursine tool use Mar 10th 2012 Tweet Ready for my close-up, Dr Deecke PRIMATES apart, few mammals employ tools. Sea otters use rocks to smash clams open, dolphins wrap sponges around their noses to protect themselves while they forage on the seabed, elephants swat insects with branches and humpback whales exhale curtains of bubbles to trap schools of fish. Until now, these four examples had been thought the extent of the non-primate mammalian tool-users club. But a study just published in Animal Cognition, by Volker Deecke of the University of St Andrews, in Britain, has added a fifth and rather surprising one. That epitome of rugged wildness, the grizzly bear, seems to be the only species other than humans to have invented the comb. Dr Deecke made this discovery while studying grizzly-bear behaviour from a small boat in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, on July 22nd 2010. After a period of play-fighting with another bear and a short bout of feeding on a beached whale carcass, a bear of between three and five years of age, sex unknown, waded into the shallows of the bay. Once there, it picked up a fist-sized rock and carefully rotated it for about a minute before dropping it back into the water. Moments later, it picked up another, of similar size, and again rotated it. This time, rather than discarding the stone, it held it against its muzzle and started to rub. Using its left paw to press the rock against its skin and its right paw to support the rock's weight, the bear rubbed away at its muzzle and face for roughly a minute before dropping the stone back into the water. Then it grabbed a third stone of the same size, rotated it and rubbed its face, muzzle and neck for a further two minutes before discarding it. This done, it spent two minutes grooming its right paw with its teeth before returning to the whale carcass. In this section Reprints Dr Deecke found, upon close examination of his photographs, that all three rocks were encrusted with barnacles and he reckons these were acting as the functional equivalent of the teeth of a comb. He thinks the bear was probably using its makeshift combs for comfort, rather than vanity. But crucially for the concept of tool-use, the animal's rejection of the first rock it picked up shows a discriminating understanding of what was required to get the right amount of scratching from a comb; which rock, in other words, was the tool for the job. An important question from a biological point of view is whether this animal's behaviour is unique. Other tool-using mammals are social species. That means one individual's chance invention is easily copied by others of its group, resulting in a primitive culture. Grizzly bears have not been considered particularly sociable in the past, but if others in Glacier Bay are seen combing themselves in this way that view might have to change. It might, though, be that Dr Deecke's preening animal is unique. That would suggest it came up with the idea of using rocks as combs by itself, rather than copying someone else—truly smarter than the average bear.


"Who was the original host of ""America's Funniest Home Videos""?"

America's Funniest Home Videos - Show News, Reviews, Recaps and Photos - TV.com America's Funniest Home Videos Sunday 7:00 PM on ABC Premiered Nov 26, 1989 In Season USER EDITOR Kaitlin Thomas - Mar 03, 2016 Previously Aired Episode EDIT America's Funniest Home Videos is ABC's longest-running comedy series. The show began with original host Bob Saget (Full House)The series was an instant sensation on Sunday nights and ran for seven successful seasons. The show was re-launched with new hosts John Fugelsang (a stand up comedian with a one man show called Junk Male) & Daisy Fuentes (Loving), with a new hour long format, and moved to Monday nights where it would once again become a ratings success and then aired on Saturday. Then, after several years of being shown as an occasional special hosted by D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys) and Richard Kind (Spin City), ABC brought the series back on Friday nights with new host Tom Bergeron (Hollywood Squares). In September 2003, it was moved back to Sunday nights. Once again, the series has become a success. On This Show First Price is 10,000 and second is 5,000 and 3,000 for third also there is a 100,000 grand price show every so often where the 10,000 winners compete for 100,000. moreless


Who tried to jump over Snake River Canyon in a rocket-powered motorcycle?

Evel Knievel Biography (Daredevil) Best known as: The motorcyclist who tried to jump the Snake River Canyon Name at birth: Robert Craig Knievel Evel Knievel brought the spirit of P.T. Barnum to daredevil motorcycle jumps in the 1970s. Dressed in his signature red, white and blue jumpsuit, Knievel would race his motorcycle up steep ramps and over obstacles, including the fountains in front of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas (in 1968) and a row of 13 double-decker buses at London's Wembley Stadium (in 1975). Often he crash-landed, thrilling viewers while breaking dozens of bones. His most famous stunt was an attempted jump over Idaho's Snake River Canyon in a rocket-powered "motorcycle" on 8 September 1974. The attempt failed when the craft's parachute opened prematurely, but Evel Knievel survived. He retired in 1981; his son Robbie Knievel succeeded him as the family motorcycle daredevil. Evel Knievel received a liver transplant in 1999, due to hepatitis C presumably contracted through blood transfusions after his many crashes. He was in poor health in his last years, thanks to a combination of hepatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes and the remnants of his daredevil injuries, and he died in 2007. Extra credit: George Hamilton portrayed Evel Knievel in the 1971 movie biography Evel Knievel… George Eads played Knievel in the 2004 TV movie Evel Knievel… Evel Knievel played himself in the 1977 film Viva Knievel. Copyright © 1998-2017  by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved. Advertisement Advertisement


What is the highest level of security clearance in the United States?

Highest Clearance Level in the United States of America | eHow Highest Clearance Level in the United States of America Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) only shares certain information regarding national security with specially chosen officials who have security clearance. There are three levels of security clearance in the United States: confidential, secret and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level in the United States, and only individuals with this classification are privy to the most sensitive information within the United States government. People with top secret security clearance have access to "need-to-know" information that other law enforcement personnel do not. Origins of Security Clearance Executive Order 10450 gave certain United States agencies the legal right to determine who is trustworthy enough to have access to sensitive government information. Executive Order 10450 was signed into legislation by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 17, 1952. Each government agency that provides top secret clearance has the obligation to ensure that recipients are loyal to the United States, display good character and conduct, and pose no threat to national security. Federal Agency Approval Only federal government agencies can provide someone with top secret security clearance. These include federal law enforcement agencies (DEA, NCIS, FBI and Secret Service personnel), intelligence gathering agencies (NSA and CIA), diplomatic agencies (State Department) and civilian military agencies (DIA and DSS). Certain organizations such as research facilities and think tanks can also provide top secret security clearance, but only if they have a contract with a federal agency that is authorized to provide the clearance. Top Secret Clearance Eligibility In order to be eligible for top secret security clearance, you must be a United States citizen. You cannot simply apply for top secret clearance; the agency for which you are applying will determine which positions require top secret clearance. When you apply for one of these positions, an extensive background investigation will be conducted to determine if you are right for the position. Limited access to some information may also be granted temporarily to foreign national employees in rare circumstances. Obtaining Top Secret Clearance The process of obtaining top secret security clearance involves a comprehensive background investigation. Research is conducted to discover a person's criminal history, as well as their credit history. United States citizenship will be verified, along with birth date, education and employment history, military service and residence. Interviews may be conducted with an individual's family, spouse, neighbors and co-workers. Public records are searched for divorces or civil actions. Medical history may be reviewed if the individual has a history or substance abuse or mental illness. The candidate will also be involved in a personal interview.


Meet Denise, Kermit the Frog's new girlfriend. Piggy will be peeved. FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Meet Denise, Kermit the Frog's new girlfriend. Piggy will be peeved. Just in time for new 'Muppets' show, and only weeks after splitting from Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog already has a new girlfriend, Denise. Piggy will be peeved. Post to Facebook Meet Denise, Kermit the Frog's new girlfriend. Piggy will be peeved. Just in time for new 'Muppets' show, and only weeks after splitting from Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog already has a new girlfriend, Denise. Piggy will be peeved. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/1FhUF9R CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 32 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Meet Denise, Kermit the Frog's new girlfriend. Piggy will be peeved. Maria Puente , USA TODAY Published 6:23 p.m. ET Sept. 1, 2015 | Updated 2:35 p.m. ET Sept. 2, 2015 CLOSE x Share After ending their 40-year relationship in August, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy appear to be pursuing other love interests, but Kermit took to social media to clear the air about the newest pig in his life, Denise. USA TODAY Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy (R) promoting 'Muppets Most Wanted' in Berlin, in March 2014. (Photo: Stephanie Pilick, EPA) 22833 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 32 COMMENTEMAILMORE No moping over lost love for Kermit the Frog: He's got a plush new girlfriend, Denise, and just in time for the start of his new show, The Muppets, on ABC this month. Only weeks ago we learned the shocking news: Kermit and Miss Piggy had split after 40 years of bickering and banter. Kermit and Piggy Split Coming in the midst of a spate of celebrity divorces — Ben and Jen, Miranda and Blake, Gwen and Gavin, etc. — the news was another blow to true believers in the joys of togetherness and inter-species relationships (you know, pig and frog, pink and green). Why all the celebrity divorces lately? But never mind and hello, Denise! Who looks kinda like...you-know-who, only with reddish hair. And better taste in work-appropriate apparel. The word is out: Kermit is seeing Denise. We're bracing for Miss Piggy's forthcoming wrath. See more here: http://t.co/hXPXvbglHZ — The Muppets (@TheMuppets) September 1, 2015 Conveniently, Denise is an ABC  marketing exec  — maybe even the marketing genius who dreamed up this brilliant new ploy to promote The Muppets, premiering on Sept. 22.  (Photo: Andrea McCallin , ABC) Celebrity worshiping People claimed to have the exclusive on the news but it was all over Twitter in a flash. Naturally, there was some concern for the tender tootsies of Miss Piggy, diva of doom. But the hashtags were amusing:  #theFrogMovesOn. #NoMoreMissPiggy. The pig will freak! Kermit the Frog photographed w/ new girlfriend after split. #muppets http://t.co/1pq0IAK6nK


"Whose fitness videos are called ""Sweatin' to the Oldies""?"

1980s Workout Videos|Richard Simmons Workout Videos|Richard Simmons Exercise videos - YouTube 1980s Workout Videos|Richard Simmons Workout Videos|Richard Simmons Exercise videos Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jun 8, 2013 1980s Workout Videos Richard Simmons exercise videos ... Disco Sweat is one of the best. The dance moves are easy to follow, and Richard Simmons instructions is really easy to follow. Sweating to the oldies was one of Richard Simmons best compilations series. The songs are still fun to listen to , and time goes by quickly. In my opinion this is still one of the best 1980's workout videos. richard simmons workout


"Who wrote ""The Star-Spangled Banner""?"

9 Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner” - History in the Headlines 9 Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner” September 12, 2014 By Christopher Klein Share Why does the American flag have 13 stripes? Get all the facts and figures on "Old Glory." Share this: 9 Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner” Author 9 Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner” URL Google By the dawn’s early light on September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through a spyglass and spotted an American flag still waving over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry after a fierce night of British bombardment. In a patriotic fervor, the man called “Frank” Key by family and friends penned the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Two hundred years later, learn nine surprising facts about the national anthem of the United States and the man who wrote its lyrics. 1. Francis Scott Key intended his verses to be song lyrics, not poetry. “The Star Spangled-Banner” was not a poem set to a melody years later. Although Key was an amateur poet and not a songwriter, when he composed his verses, he intended them to accompany a popular song of the day. “We know he had the tune in mind because the rhyme and meter exactly fit it,” says Marc Leepson, author of the new Key biography “What So Proudly We Hailed.” The first broadside of the verses, printed just days after the battle, noted that the words should be sung to the melody of “To Anacreon in Heaven.” Key was quite familiar with the tune, having used it to accompany an 1805 poem, which included a reference to a “star-spangled flag,” he had written to honor Barbary War naval heroes Stephen Decatur and Charles Stewart. Although Key composed the patriotic lyrics amid a burst of anti-British euphoria, “To Anacreon in Heaven” was ironically an English song composed in 1775 that served as the theme song of the upper-crust Anacreontic Society of London and a popular pub staple. 2. Key was not imprisoned on a British warship when he penned his verses. In his capacity as a Washington, D.C., lawyer, Key had been dispatched by President James Madison on a mission to Baltimore to negotiate for the release of Dr. William Beanes, a prominent surgeon captured at the Battle of Bladensburg. Accompanied by John Stuart Skinner, a fellow lawyer working for the State Department, Key set sail on an American sloop in Baltimore Harbor, and on September 7 the pair boarded the British ship Tonnant, where they dined and secured the prisoner’s release under one condition—they could not go ashore until after the British attacked Baltimore. Accompanied by British guards on September 10, Key returned to the American sloop from which he witnessed the bombardment behind the 50-ship British fleet. The garrison flag that was raised over Fort McHenry, on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. 3. The flag Key “hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming” did not fly “through the perilous fight.” In addition to a thunderstorm of bombs, a torrent of rain fell on Fort McHenry throughout the night of the Battle of Baltimore. The fort’s 30-by-42-foot garrison flag was so massive that it required 11 men to hoist when dry, and if waterlogged the woolen banner could have weighed upwards of 500 pounds and snapped the flagpole. So as the rain poured down, a smaller storm flag that measured 17-by-25 feet flew in its place. “In the morning they most likely took down the rain-soaked storm flag and hoisted the bigger one,” Leepson says, “and that’s the flag Key saw in the morning.” 4. The song was not originally entitled “The Star-Spangled Banner.” When Key scrawled his lyrics on the back of a letter he pulled from his pocket on the morning of September 14, he did not give them any title. Within a week, Key’s verses were printed on broadsides and in Baltimore newspapers under the title “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” In November, a Baltimore music store printed the patriotic song with sheet music for the first time under the more lyrical title “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Key's handwritten draft 5


On what island would you find the Haleakalā volcano?

Haleakala Volcano National Park in Maui Haleakala Volcano National Park in Maui Haleakalā National Park Haleakalā National Park is set on the island of Maui and covers 30,183 spectacular acres of volcanoes, forests, and coastline, of which more than 24,710 acres of the park is purely wilderness area. Originally created as part of Hawaii National Park in 1916, Haleakalā was separated from the volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa in 1961, which then became Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Today, Haleakalā National Park is divided into the coastal Kipahulu area and the summit area formed by the volcano crater. Haleakalā means "house of the sun" in Hawaiian and refers to ancient Hawaiian folklore that tells the tale of the sun god being captured and imprisoned by the demigod Maui, who wanted the sun to take more time to cross the sky. The name of the park was changed to Haleakalā National Park by order of the Hawaiian National Park Language Correction Act of 2000, which is dedicated to restoring the traditional Hawaiian spelling of names and places. To learn more about the history of Haleakalā National Park, visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haleakalā_National_Park . Haleakalā Volcano Crater Haleakalā Crater is the main attraction at Haleakalā National Park and the park’s most famous feature. The dormant volcano last erupted in the late 1600s and today forms a spectacular crater that can be hiked into via two main trails. The Halemau'u and Sliding Sands trails will take you past cinder cones and various volcanic features and deep into the interior of the Haleakalā volcano crater, which is nearly 7 miles in diameter and more than 2,500 feet deep. An unforgettable journey, the Haleakalā Crater and volcano summit can be accessed from Hawaii state road 378 and is known for especially breathtaking views at sunrise and sunset. To learn more about seeing the volcano crater at Haleakalā National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm Haleakalā National Park Hotel The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa offers the ideal location for experiencing adventure on the Road to Hana. The four-star Maui resort blends elegant Hawaiian style with stylish contemporary amenities to create an unforgettable luxury beachfront Maui resort. Guests enjoy 40 acres of lush tropical playground along Ka'anapali Beach, sleekly styled guestrooms with private lanai overlooking the ocean and mountains, an award-winning spa, fitness center, four restaurants and five lounges, Son'z Maui wine cellar, Drums of the Pacific Luau entertainment, , atrium lobby, championship Kaanapali Golf Course, activity desk, Wi-Fi, gift shops, as well as on-site recreation, half-acre swimming pool surrounded by waterfalls, a lava rock grotto, a 150-foot waterslide, plus a business center and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of elegant event and wedding space. Kipahulu Coastal Region Kipahulu is the coastal region of Haleakalā National Park. Inaccessible from the Haleakalā summit area, visitors must drive for 12 miles along the famous Hana Highway to reach Kipahulu. Amazingly, Haleakalā National Park is home to more endangered species than any other American national park. As a volcano ecosystem, many of the flora and fauna species present have undergone unique adaptations in order to survive. To protect these precious species, many areas of the Kipahulu coast are highly restricted to visitors by car but there are miles of self-guided hiking tours, which you can receive more information about at the Kipahulu Visitor Center. Try the 4-mile Pipiwai trail, which goes through the black lava of `Ohe`o Gulch, but take care to observe weather warnings and sudden flooding. Kipahulu offers a chance to see whales, dolphins, and turtles, as well as countless forms of sea life. To learn more about Kipahulu attractions, visit www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm . Haleakala High Altitude Observatory Site The Haleakala High Altitude Observatory site is located nearby the Haleakala visitor center. One of world’s most important scientific observation sites, the Haleakala Observatory has offered scientist


"What type of animal was the subject of the movie ""Blackfish""?"

Blackfish Reviews & Ratings - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 8:34 AM, PST NEWS 167 reviews in total  161 out of 179 people found the following review useful: Hearing a harsh critique of SeaWorld only seems right coming from the people it meant the most to. from Toronto, ON 20 July 2013 Without a doubt Blackfish is one of the most horrific theatre experiences you'll have this year. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite presents a very carefully constructed case on the effects of inhumane treatment of Orcas in captivity. The one-sided argument is that the untimely human deaths caused by captive Orcas were not their fault but rather the fault of their captors; SeaWorld, and the evidence proving this point is so disturbing and so shockingly obvious that it's no wonder SeaWorld refused to be interviewed. The story centers on Tilikum, a 12,000 lbs. Orca that is directly responsible for the death of 3 people, including Dawn Brancheau the former senior trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando. The film explores the reasoning behind the likely "psychosis" Tilikum has experienced in captivity, and the disgusting cover up executives have tried to make. While SeaWorld naturally refused to be interviewed, the films perspective mostly derives from former trainers/employees of SeaWorld and other various experts. Their experience working with Orcas - most having dedicated their lives to it - is truly heart breaking. Presenting the theory, the evidence and finally a solution to the topic at hand, Blackfish is a marvellous story that will have you as tearful as the trainers that sincerely care for the well being of the creatures. Blackfish doesn't just show a bunch of disgruntled former employees bashing SeaWorld either. The greatest technique employed in this film is its use of footage from shows featuring these trainers when they were younger. There's something so mesmerizing about watching the smiling young trainers play with their best friend while hearing their older self reminisce in voice over. Hearing a harsh critique of SeaWorld only seems right coming from the people it meant the most to. While we've always known Orca's are intelligent creatures Cowperthwaite dedicates a lot of the film to demonstrating their capacity for emotions as well; watching them over time build connections with their trainers and each other. So by the time they show us their capture and captivity and witness the pain felt the whales, Tilikum especially, we know that their violent behavior is a direct result of SeaWorld. Killer Whales having never harmed a human in the wild. I want to go through every point made by the movie but I won't. You need to see this for yourselves. The facts aren't what drive this film, the emotion behind them do. This is one of those movies you just won't stop talking about, and for the subject matter that's the best compliment it can receive. In the end sharing this information is what's going to help these Orcas. Between the gripping footage and the distressing stories Blackfish effectively proves its point. There are very few movies like this; a must-see. There is no way after seeing this movie that you'll ever want to go to SeaWorld again, and for the sake of the animals that's the only thing we can do for them. Since it's made quite clear; the only thing affecting their decision-making is: how many Shamu dolls and tickets they've sold. Our Rating:10/10 Let me know on Twitter @thejoshl what you thought of Blackfish! Was the above review useful to you? 101 out of 112 people found the following review useful: The human inhumanity from London, England 30 July 2013 Let's go to the theme park to see the Orcas. Playful, interacting with their trainers who swim with them carefree it is a guaranteed spectacle and fun time. Do we ever consider, that these intelligent creatures spent a lifetime enclosed in a large bathtub so that we can be entertained? Imagine going to see a show of children ballerinas knowing that those children spent their entire lives locked up in a room when not performing. Would anyone stand for this? Surely not, I would hope. This


Who did Gerald R. Ford famously pardon in 1974?

Gerald R. Ford | whitehouse.gov Air Force One Gerald R. Ford When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974 as our 38th President, he declared, "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances...This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts."  When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts." It was indeed an unprecedented time. He had been the first Vice President chosen under the terms of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, was succeeding the first President ever to resign. Ford was confronted with almost insuperable tasks. There were the challenges of mastering inflation, reviving a depressed economy, solving chronic energy shortages, and trying to ensure world peace. The President acted to curb the trend toward Government intervention and spending as a means of solving the problems of American society and the economy. In the long run, he believed, this shift would bring a better life for all Americans. Ford's reputation for integrity and openness had made him popular during his 25 years in Congress. From 1965 to 1973, he was House Minority Leader. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1913, he grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He starred on the University of Michigan football team, then went to Yale, where he served as assistant coach while earning his law degree. During World War II he attained the rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids, where he began the practice of law, and entered Republican politics. A few weeks before his election to Congress in 1948, he married Elizabeth Bloomer. They have four children: Michael, John, Steven, and Susan. As President, Ford tried to calm earlier controversies by granting former President Nixon a full pardon. His nominee for Vice President, former Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, was the second person to fill that office by appointment. Gradually, Ford selected a cabinet of his own. Ford established his policies during his first year in office, despite opposition from a heavily Democratic Congress. His first goal was to curb inflation. Then, when recession became the Nation's most serious domestic problem, he shifted to measures aimed at stimulating the economy. But, still fearing inflation, Ford vetoed a number of non-military appropriations bills that would have further increased the already heavy budgetary deficit. During his first 14 months as President he vetoed 39 measures. His vetoes were usually sustained. Ford continued as he had in his Congressional days to view himself as "a moderate in domestic affairs, a conservative in fiscal affairs, and a dyed-in-the-wool internationalist in foreign affairs." A major goal was to help business operate more freely by reducing taxes upon it and easing the controls exercised by regulatory agencies. "We...declared our independence 200 years ago, and we are not about to lose it now to paper shufflers and computers," he said. In foreign affairs Ford acted vigorously to maintain U. S. power and prestige after the collapse of Cambodia and South Viet Nam. Preventing a new war in the Middle East remained a major objective; by providing aid to both Israel and Egypt, the Ford Administration helped persuade the two countries to accept an interim truce agreement. Detente with the Soviet Union continued. President Ford and Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev set new limitations upon nuclear weapons. President Ford won the Republican nomination for the Presidency in 1976, but lost the election to his Democratic opponent, former Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia. On Inauguration Day, President Carter began his speech: "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." A grateful people concurred. For more information about President Ford, please visit


In what New York neighborhood would one find the Apollo Theater?

Apollo Theater (New York City): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor Neighborhood Profile Harlem As a hub of African American culture, Harlem has played a vital role in the history of New York City. Today, the neighborhood is as vibrant as ever as new businesses and developments go up next to local institutions. The heart of the neighborhood is bustling 125th Street, where street vendors and historic landmarks like the Apollo Theater mingle with big-name stores. Turn down almost any corner, and you’ll discover some of the most beautiful blocks in the city, filled with handsome brownstones, soul food restaurants, corner shops, and scenic parks. For a taste of a real New York neighborhood, it’s hard to top a visit to Harlem.


What are all the children in the town of Lake Wobegon, Minnesota?

National Geographic: In Search of Lake Wobegon - Garrison Keillor | Garrison Keillor National Geographic: In Search of Lake Wobegon Original Publish Date: December 2000 Originally published in National Geographic, with photographs by Richard Olsenius from the book In Search of Lake Wobegon Twenty-five years ago, for amusement, I invented a small town where the women are strong and the men good-looking and all the children above average and started telling stories about it on the radio, and ever since then people have asked me if it’s a real town, and if it is, then where is it exactly? I used to say it’s fiction. “Oh,” they said. “Sure.” But they were disappointed. People want stories to be true. They don’t care so much about your gifts of invention as the fact that your story reminded them of people they knew when growing up. They want you to say, “The character of Darlene is based about 95 percent on my cousin Charlotte in Dubuque. I only changed the hair from auburn to blonde and made her more chesty.” So I started telling people that the town is in central Minnesota, near Stearns County, up around Holdingford, not far from St. Rosa and Albany and Freeport, northwest of St. Cloud, which is sort of the truth, I guess. Thirty years ago I lived in Stearns County with my wife and little boy in a rented brick farmhouse south of Freeport, an area full of nose-to-the-grindstone German Catholics devoted to their Holy Mother the Church and proud of their redneck reputation. We moved there for the cheap rent—$80 a month for a house and half-acre vegetable garden, a great boon to a struggling writer. Beyond the windbreak was a couple hundred acres of corn, Cows stood in the pasture and studied us. The Sauk River was nearby to canoe on, and Watab Lake to swim in. It was a land of rolling, well-tended hog and dairy farms punctuated by tidy little towns, each with a ballpark, two or three taverns, and an imposing Catholic church with a cemetery behind it where people named Schrupp, Wendelschafer, Frauendienst, Schoppenhorst, and Stuedernann lay shoulder to shoulder. There were no Smiths to speak of. When I invented Lake Wobegon, I stuck it in central Minnesota for the simple reason that I knew a little bit about it, and most people, if they know Minnesota at all, know the scenic parts—the North Shore, the Boundary Waters, the Mississippi Valley—and nothing about Stearns County. This gave me a fairly free hand. I said that Lake Wobegon (pop. 942) took its name from the Ojibwa word that means “the place where we waited all day for you in the rain,” and if anyone asked why the town appeared on no maps, I explained that when the state map was drawn after the Civil War, teams of surveyors worked their way in from the four outer corners and, arriving at the center, found they had surveyed more of Minnesota than there was room for between Wisconsin and the Dakotas, and so the corners had to be overlapped in the middle, and Lake Wobegon wound up on the bottom flap. (In fact, the geographic center of the state is north of there, in Crow Wing County, but never mind.) To the German Catholics I added, for dramatic interest, an equal number of Norwegian Lutherans. The Norwegians, ever status conscious, vote Republican, and the Germans vote Democratic because the Norwegians don’t. The Catholics worship at Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility and the Lutherans at Lake Wobegon Lutheran Church (David Ingqvist, pastor), home of the National Lutheran Ushering Champions, the Herdsmen. “Gateway to Central Minnesota” is the town slogan. And through the gateway over the years came a procession of characters. The three boys who drive to Iowa one February morning when they hear of Buddy Holly’s plane crash and discover his blue guitar in the snowy field. The stolid Father Emil who says, in regard to abortion (and much else), “If you didn’t want to go to Minneapolis, why did you get on the train?” and the town handyman Carl Krebsbach who repairs the repairs of the amateurs, and Bruno the fishing dog, and the irascible Art of Art’s Bait & Night O’Rest Motel,


"In the show ""The A-Team"", what was the only thing that B.A. Baracus was afraid of?"

"The A-Team" Reviews & Ratings - IMDb from Las Vegas, Nevada 26 December 2003 "The A-Team" is a guilty pleasure for the two generations of viewers who have embraced the series. It never attempted to be "Masterpiece Theater", but 'cotton candy for the brain', with the best episodes replaying the same scenario over and over (Underdog gets mauled by Big Bad Villain and his Baddies...calls in Our Heroes, who end up defending the Underdog on a 'deferred payment' plan...Our Heroes Stomp the Baddies, then get themselves captured...in true "MacGiver"-like fashion, they use the materials at hand, creating homemade lethal, yet non-fatal weapons in insanely short order...the Baddies are Crushed, and Our Heroes split, seconds before the Authorities arrive to arrest them). What made the series so popular was never the 'ritual' of the plots, however; if you loved the show, it was because of the chemistry of the stars. Hannibal, B.A., Face, and Murdock were all likable guys, and seemed to enjoy every moment together...and fans of the series have always 'picked up' on that camaraderie. The brainchild of Stephen Cannell and Frank Lupo, NBC loved the concept of the show, and gave the series a prime 'starting' point, airing the pilot episode after a Super Bowl, guaranteeing great initial ratings. Featuring Tim Dunigan as 'Face' (Dirk Benedict was unavailable for the pilot), the show benefited enormously from Mr. T's presence, as ROCKY 3 had made him an overnight star. Another 'plus' was George Peppard's return to weekly television; his "Banecek" had been a much loved NBC series, until he walked off the show (Cannell, one of the writers of the earlier series, understood the ex-alcoholic Peppard's occasional mood swings, and offered him a large salary and a lot of creative control in the new series, resulting in one of the happier periods in the actor's tragic life). A major discovery for "The A-Team" was Dwight Schultz, as 'Howling Mad Murdock'. A remarkably versatile actor, Schultz was adept at accents, physical humor, and rapid-fire one-liners, and his exchanges with Mr. T were funny without ever being demeaning. Peppard took a liking to the young actor, as well, and the warmth between the pair could be seen in nearly every episode. With Benedict's arrival (he had been the break-out star of "Battlestar Galactica", and had a large female following), Peppard had all the elements he felt were needed to make "The A-Team" work...which didn't bode well for the one female regular, Melinda Culea, as reporter Amy Allen. Although she gave the show a more balanced slant, and was excellent in her role, Peppard always considered her a 'fifth wheel'...and when Cannell did not renew her contract for the third season, it was generally assumed that George Peppard used his leverage to oust her. A new female character was introduced, played by Marla Heasley, but her character would remain less active, and would have a story 'arc' that would have her leave the series in 1985. A television show with a single concept, no matter how enjoyable the cast, can't run indefinitely, and by the end of the fourth season, "The A-Team" had pretty well exhausted all the variations the writers could imagine. Entertainment figures (Hulk Hogan, Boy George and the Culture Club, Rick James, Isaac Hayes) appeared in weak efforts to bolster ratings, and NBC pressured Cannell to make major changes to the series. Bowing to network pressure, the fifth season began by having the A-Team finally captured and court-martialed. Escaping with the aid of new regular Frankie Santana (Eddie Velez), the team soon found themselves 'prisoners' of a secret government agency run by Gen. Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn), who offered them full pardons if they would take on a number of assignments "too risky" for the U.S. intelligence community to handle. The episodes sank to formulaic "Mission Impossible" clones, with George Peppard's authority lost to new boss Vaughn, and the 'blue-collar' charm of the earlier seasons sadly absent. When the series was canceled, while fans mourned, few were surprised.