In The Simpsons what position is held by Joe Quimby?

Joe Quimby | Simpsons Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia [ show ] Biography Despite being mayor for such a long time, Quimby does not know or care much about his city, often privately (or even publicly) showing his outright contempt for Springfield's citizens. He frequently takes overseas vacations, which take him out of town for extended periods of time, leading to the headline "Mayor Visits City" in the Springfield Shopper . He once referred to Springfield as Sprungfeld at a public meeting. However, he makes frequent, albeit short, public appearances for local festivities, events, business openings, etc. Mayor Quimby with Homer Simpson in Mayored to the Mob Among other corrupt behavior he displayed while in office was his frequently accepting bribes from the mafia and other groups. His constantly accepting and securing bribes from unsavory people while in office was notorious enough that when he declared while shutting down Fat Tony's rat-milking operation that "the Mayor's office is not for sale", the reporters proceeded to laugh at him, apparently the irony of his statement not being lost on them, causing him to request and fail to have the laughter edited out. If bending the law will suit Quimby's purposes, he will likely do so. He once arranged Marge Simpson's release after she was arrested for blocking traffic on a bridge after suffering a nervous breakdown, claiming that if she went to jail, Quimby could kiss the "chick vote" goodbye meaning all the women in Springfield would hate him and no longer vote for him since Marge's reason for blocking the traffic was understandable. He also resorted to bribing witnesses when assault charges were brought against his nephew, leading Bart Simpson to observe that "the system works: just ask Claus von Bülow". He was once implied to have stolen picnic baskets. [1] He is also willing to do corrupt things when he is confident that he would not get caught. A notable instance of this is when he funneled funds and cement mixings intended for road work to be used to create his swimming pool (which is shown as a lavish, almost Roman-esque design) and maintained this secret despite rumors to it existing until Mr. X leaked the rumor onto his website and the press confirmed the rumor upon questioning Quimby after noticing him subtly telling a guard to close the ajar door to the pool. [2] Despite his vices and general self-serving use of the law, he has at times attempted to utilize the law for the greater good of Springfield, such as enacting "Code Black" to clean up Lake Springfield, as well as the (albeit largely ignored) establishing of a 75 cent toll booth in order to gain enough tax money to "de-python the town fountain." In another time, during a St. Patrick's Day, knowing how alcohol makes people violent in the city, he PROHIBITS alcoholic drinks that day in order not to be held responsible for any incident (unfortunately, the plan backfired due the participation of actual Irish Catholics and Protestants caused havoc in Springfield anyway because, without the alcohol, they were unable to forget their differences). He also at one point sacrificed television to save Springfield after Sideshow Bob threatened to detonate a nuclear bomb if they didn't end television. His catch phrase is "Vote Quimby", which he always finds an opportunity to say, even in situations where it would be disadvantageous to identify himself, like inadvertently being caught by Homer in a motel room with his mistress. When he was young, he was at fat camp named " Camp Flab-Away " along with Comic Book Guy, Homer and other characters. Quimby is also extremely unfaithful to his wife, often womanizing and having extra-marital affairs with women who aren't his wife (especially Miss Springfield ). Ironically, he actually did attempt to spend quality time with his wife when his life was threatened by Fat Tony after he (albeit forced to by Homer, his bodyguard) shut down his rat milking operation when Homer tried to invite him out to avoid concerns about the mob. It is implied that he does womanizing because he wasn't h


What name is given to a savoury jelly made with meat stock, used as a mould for meat, seafood or eggs?

Aspic | Define Aspic at Dictionary.com C16: from Old French, a variant of aspeasp² Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for aspic Expand n. 1789, "savory meat jelly," from French aspic "jelly" (18c.), literally "asp," from Old French aspe (see asp ) + ending from basilisc "basilisk" (the two creatures sometimes were confused with one another). The foodstuff said to be so called from its coldness (froid comme un aspic is said by Littré to be a proverbial phrase), or the colors in the gelatin, or the shape of the mold. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper


Who was the President of the USA at the outbreak of the First World War?

Woodrow Wilson | whitehouse.gov Air Force One Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson, a leader of the Progressive Movement, was the 28th President of the United States (1913-1921). After a policy of neutrality at the outbreak of World War I, Wilson led America into war in order to "make the world safe for democracy." Like Roosevelt before him, Woodrow Wilson regarded himself as the personal representative of the people. "No one but the President," he said, "seems to be expected ... to look out for the general interests of the country." He developed a program of progressive reform and asserted international leadership in building a new world order. In 1917 he proclaimed American entrance into World War I a crusade to make the world "safe for democracy." Wilson had seen the frightfulness of war. He was born in Virginia in 1856, the son of a Presbyterian minister who during the Civil War was a pastor in Augusta, Georgia, and during Reconstruction a professor in the charred city of Columbia, South Carolina. After graduation from Princeton (then the College of New Jersey) and the University of Virginia Law School, Wilson earned his doctorate at Johns Hopkins University and entered upon an academic career. In 1885 he married Ellen Louise Axson. Wilson advanced rapidly as a conservative young professor of political science and became president of Princeton in 1902. His growing national reputation led some conservative Democrats to consider him Presidential timber. First they persuaded him to run for Governor of New Jersey in 1910. In the campaign he asserted his independence of the conservatives and of the machine that had nominated him, endorsing a progressive platform, which he pursued as governor. He was nominated for President at the 1912 Democratic Convention and campaigned on a program called the New Freedom, which stressed individualism and states' rights. In the three-way election he received only 42 percent of the popular vote but an overwhelming electoral vote. Wilson maneuvered through Congress three major pieces of legislation. The first was a lower tariff, the Underwood Act; attached to the measure was a graduated Federal income tax. The passage of the Federal Reserve Act provided the Nation with the more elastic money supply it badly needed. In 1914 antitrust legislation established a Federal Trade Commission to prohibit unfair business practices. Another burst of legislation followed in 1916. One new law prohibited child labor; another limited railroad workers to an eight-hour day. By virtue of this legislation and the slogan "he kept us out of war," Wilson narrowly won re-election. But after the election Wilson concluded that America could not remain neutral in the World War. On April 2,1917, he asked Congress for a declaration of war on Germany. Massive American effort slowly tipped the balance in favor of the Allies. Wilson went before Congress in January 1918, to enunciate American war aims--the Fourteen Points, the last of which would establish "A general association of nations...affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike." After the Germans signed the Armistice in November 1918, Wilson went to Paris to try to build an enduring peace. He later presented to the Senate the Versailles Treaty, containing the Covenant of the League of Nations, and asked, "Dare we reject it and break the heart of the world?" But the election of 1918 had shifted the balance in Congress to the Republicans. By seven votes the Versailles Treaty failed in the Senate. The President, against the warnings of his doctors, had made a national tour to mobilize public sentiment for the treaty. Exhausted, he suffered a stroke and nearly died. Tenderly nursed by his second wife, Edith Bolling Galt, he lived until 1924. The Presidential biographies on WhiteHouse.gov are from “The Presidents of the United States of America,” by Frank Freidel and Hugh Sidey. Copyright 2006 by the White House Historical Association. Learn more about President Wilson's first wife, Ellen Axson Wilson, who di


"Which author created, in a work of 1893, the fictitious gentlemen's club called ""The Diogenes Club""?"

Sherlock Holmes S Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who first appeared in publication in 1887. He is the creation of British author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle . A brilliant London -based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his intellectual prowess and is renowned for his skillful use of astute observation , deductive reasoning (though in reality, he uses abductive reasoning) and forensic skills to solve difficult cases. Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories that feature Holmes. The first story, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887 and Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890, respectively. The character grew tremendously in popularity with the beginning of the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine in 1891; further series of short stories and two serialised novels appeared until 1927. The stories cover a period from around 1875 up to 1907, with a final case in 1914. All but four stories are narrated by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson, two are narrated by Holmes himself and two others are written in the third person. In two stories ("The Musgrave Ritual" and "The Adventure of the Gloria Scott"), Holmes tells Watson the main story from his memories, whereas Watson becomes the narrator of the frame story. Conan Doyle said that the character of Holmes was inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, for whom Doyle had worked as a clerk at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Like Holmes, Bell was noted for drawing large conclusions from the smallest observations. Biography Early life Explicit details about Sherlock Holmes' life outside of the adventures recorded by Dr. Watson are few and far between in Conan Doyle's original stories; nevertheless, incidental details about his early life and extended families do construct a loose biographical picture of the detective. An estimate of Holmes' age in the story "His Last Bow" places his birth around 1854; commonly, the date is cited as 6 January. However, on her website, Laurie R. King gives an argument for a younger Holmes, with a birthdate somewhere between 1863 and 1868. Holmes states that he first developed his deduction methods while an undergraduate. The author Dorothy L. Sayers suggested that, given details in two of the Adventures, Holmes must have been at Cambridge rather than Oxford and that "of all the Cambridge colleges, Sidney Sussex [College] perhaps offered the greatest number of advantages to a man in Holmes’ position and, in default of more exact information, we may tentatively place him there". His earliest cases, which he pursued as an amateur, came from fellow university students. According to Holmes, it was an encounter with the father of one of his classmates that led him to take up detection as a profession and he spent the six years following university working as a consulting detective, before financial difficulties led him to take Watson as a roommate, at which point the narrative of the stories begins. From 1881, Holmes is described as having lodgings at 221B Baker Street, London, from where he runs his private detective agency. 221B is a flat up seventeen steps, stated in an early manuscript to be at the "upper end" of the road. Until the arrival of Dr. Watson, Holmes works alone, only occasionally employing agents from the city's underclass, including a host of informants and a group of street children he calls the Baker Street Irregulars. The Irregulars appear in three stories, "The Sign of the Four", "A Study in Scarlet" and "The Adventure of the Crooked Man". Little is said of Holmes' family. His parents are unmentioned in the stories and he merely states that his ancestors were "country squires". In "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter", Holmes claims that his great-uncle was Vernet, the French artist. He has an older brother, Mycroft, a government official, who appears in three stories; he's mentioned in a number of others. Mycroft has a unique civil service position as a kind of memory-man o


In Greek Mythology, who was the Mother of Andromeda?

Andromeda Andromeda See More Andromeda Pictures > Andromeda was a princess in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia , who ruled in the region of Aethiopia, which consisted of the Upper Nile region, along with areas south of the Sahara desert. Her mother boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids , daughters of Nereus and Doris , and companions of Poseidon ; thus, she committed hubris and Poseidon decided to send a sea monster, Cetus , to ravage the lands of Aethiopia. After consulting an oracle, the king and queen chained Andromeda to a rock, in order to be sacrificed to the monster. However, the hero Perseus was nearby and heard of the imminent death of Andromeda ; when the monster emerged from the sea, he managed to kill it, either by slaying it with a knife, or by exposing it to Medusa ’s head and turning it into stone. Thus, Andromeda was saved. Perseus married her and she followed him on his journey back to Greece. They had nine children together. After her death, the goddess Athena placed her on the sky as a constellation, nearby her beloved husband Perseus and her mother Cassiopeia .


Which Swiss city was the base for the early Protestant reformer Ulrich Zwingli?

Ulrich Zwingli: A Key Figure in Protestant Reformation Share By Jack Zavada Ulrich Zwingli seldom gets the credit he deserves in the Protestant Reformation , but he was a contemporary of Martin Luther and fought for change even before Luther did. Zwingli, who was a Roman Catholic priest in the Swiss city-state of Zurich, opposed the sale of indulgences, Catholic pardons that were supposed to free a person's soul from purgatory . In Catholic theology, purgatory is a preliminary state where souls go to be cleansed before entering heaven . Both Zwingli and Luther saw many abuses in the practice, in which Catholic officials sold indulgence documents to raise money for the church. Years before Luther attacked indulgences in his 95 Theses , Zwingli condemned the doctrine in Switzerland. Zwingli also blasted the use of Swiss mercenaries to serve in church wars, which made the Catholic church richer but killed many young men. Some believe Zwingli had a sort of awakening when he was struck with the plague in 1520. Nearly a third of Zurich's population died, yet Zwingli somehow survived. After he recovered, Zwingli fought for a simple theology: If it can't be found in the Bible, don't believe it and don't do it. Ulrich Zwingli Disagrees With Luther As Luther was leading reform in Germany in the 1500s, Zwingli was at the front in Switzerland, which was made up of small city-states called cantons. Religious reform in Switzerland at that time was decided by local magistrates, after they heard debates between the reformer and representatives of the Catholic church. The magistrates were partial to reform. Ulrich Zwingli, city chaplain of Zurich, opposed clerical celibacy and fasting during Lent . His followers scandalously ate sausages in public to break the fast! In 1523, statues and paintings of Jesus Christ , Mary and saints were removed from local churches. The Bible was given priority over church law. The next year, 1524, Zwingli publicly married widow Anna Reinhard, who had three children. Zwingli said he had married her in 1522 but kept it secret to avoid backlash; others said they had only been living together. The couple eventually had four children together. In 1525, Zurich continued reforms, abolishing the mass and replacing it with a simpler service. To try to unify Switzerland and Germany under one religious system, Philip of Hesse convinced Zwingli and Luther to meet in Marburg in 1529, in what came to be called the Marburg Colloquy. Unfortunately, the two reformers were at direct odds over what happened during the Lord's Supper . Luther believed Christ's words, "This is my body" meant Jesus was actually present during the sacrament of communion. Zwingli said the phrase meant "This signifies my body", so that the bread and wine were only symbolic. They had agreed on many other doctrines during the conference, from the Trinity to justification by faith to the number of sacraments, but they could not come together on communion. Luther reportedly refused to shake Zwingli's hand at the end of the meetings. Ulrich Zwingli Discovers the Bible Ulrich Zwingli grew up in an age in which copies of the Bible were rare. Born in 1484 in Wildhaus, he was the son of a successful farmer. He attended universities in Vienna, Berne, and Basel, receiving his B.A. degree in 1504 and his M.A. in 1506. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1506 and became enamored with the works of the Dutch humanist and priest Erasmus of Rotterdam. Zwingli obtained a copy of Erasmus' Latin translation of the New Testament and began studying it diligently. By 1519 Zwingli was preaching on it on a regular basis. Zwingli believed that many of the medieval doctrines of the Catholic Church had no basis in Scripture. He also saw that in practice there was much abuse and corruption. Switzerland in Zwingli's day was receptive to reform, and he felt theology and the church should conform to the Bible as closely as possible. His changes were well-received in a climate where several countries were trying to get out from under the still-powerful political control of the Ca


"Which drink takes its name from the Russian for ""little water""?"

White Russian Recipe - How to Make a White Russian How to Make a White Russian You'll need vodka, Kahlua, and a couple other ingredients. old-fashioned glass Directions Shake well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled Old-Fashioned glass (it'll look less wicked than in a martini glass; that's important). Some folks build this one on the rocks, floating the cream on top. No. The Wondrich Take: What is now in the center was once at the margin. In the history of ideas, the inquiring mind will identify a constant do-si-do between "no way" and "of course"; between stuff that nobody thinks and stuff that everybody thinks. One day the idea of a single god who created everything and sacrificed his own begotten son to rescue humankind from eternal damnation will get you turned into lion chow. Then, bam! Paradigm shift, and you get burned alive if you're not on the monotheism tip. Or take that guy Galileo...You get the idea. No matter which field of human knowledge you examine, which art or science, you find the same dynamic. The art of mixing drinks (or is it the science of mixology?) is no different. Case in point, the White Russian. Roll the clock back to 1930 or so, and, if you look hard enough, you might just turn up a couple of little gloom-lifters based on vodka, then a little-known novelty spirit from the land of Rasputin and tractor-building collectives. There's the Russian, which mixes the stuff in equal proportion with gin and crème de cacao. If you don't like that (and, truth be told, there's not much reason why you should), you can have a Barbara: two parts vodka, one part crème de cacao, one part cream. Of course, that one's even more marginal. Back then, cream was rarely found in drinks outside the uber-girly precincts of the Pousse Café (the multilayered liqueur anthology; it is, alas, still with us). Over the next 30 years, a lot of things happened that we really don't want to get into, and a few that we do, among them the Russian losing its gin (a lot of that going around) and trading in its dowdy old crème de cacao for the trendy new Kahlúa. And the Barbara getting renamed the Russian Bear (the fact that somebody felt that this deeply frilly drink needed toughening up namewise speaks volumes about the evolution of postwar American drinking), and then losing the "Bear" and doing the Kahlúa shuffle as well. By the end of the '50s, in other words, there are two vodka-Kahlúa Russians out there, with and without cream. This final stage is documented in the 1961 Diners' Club Drink Book, which pins a "Black" on the no-cream one, implying that there's a white one out there from which it must be distinguished. At any rate, this period of careful evolution was time well spent. By the end of the next decade, the White Russian assumed its present place: straddling the world of mixed drinking like the Colossus of Rhodes, one foot planted firmly among the folks who never drink, the other among those who always do. Lightweights and lushes. Now, this isn't as weird a constituency as it might appear. Like its cousin the Brandy Alexander, the White Russian so effectively lubricates the hefty dose of alcohol it contains that it goes down the hatch with no resistance whatsoever. That's good if you're not used to the stuff -- or too used to it (see The Big Lebowski, in which they provide the bulk of the Dude's daily nutrition). And besides, gargle down a martini every 20 minutes, and you might as well be sporting a scarlet "D" (for "Drunk"). But these sweet, creamy deceivers look so innocuous, it's hard to take them seriously. That's called denial. More recipes like this


Which series of books is set on the island of Sodor?

Where is Sodor, home of Thomas the Tank Engine? - BBC News BBC News Where is Sodor, home of Thomas the Tank Engine? By Trevor Timpson BBC News 4 July 2011 Close share panel Image caption Thomas the Tank Engine harks back to the age of steam Thomas the Tank Engine creator WV Awdry, born 100 years ago, set his railway engine stories in a sort of British Atlantis called Sodor. But where is it? In Sodor they are celebrating, according to the latest book in the Railway Series of stories started by the Reverend Wilbert (WV) Awdry in 1945. In the book written by WV Awdry's son Christopher and marking the centenary of his birth, the engines - after the usual crop of mishaps - transport a bust of their creator to the main station of Sodor where the Fat Controller supervises its unveiling. But how do you get to Sodor, home of Thomas the Tank Engine and the other locomotives, the Fat Controller and the Troublesome Trucks? According to WV Awdry, who died in 1997, it's easy. The Jubilee Bridge at Barrow in Furness actually goes there, he and his brother George wrote in their 1987 book The Island of Sodor. However, ordinary maps say it goes only to Walney Island. So when you have crossed the bridge, instead of Vickerstown on Walney, you are in "Vicarstown" - gateway to Sodor. But Awdry himself admitted that Sodor was an afterthought. In 1950, he writes in The Island of Sodor, after his first four Railway Series books had been written, that he was poring over maps to "find a suitable location for the Fat Controller's Railway and map it... standardise the scenery at any given spot, and so avoid troublesome questions". A preaching engagement on the Isle of Man made him aware that its bishop is officially Bishop of Sodor and Man - Sodor being an old name for the Hebrides whose ecclesiastical link to Man had long lapsed. So was born the new Sodor, stretching almost from Furness to Man and described with gentle wit and in enormous detail by the Awdrys in their 1987 book. But to go there, you need not cross the bridge at Barrow and hope that it will miraculously materialise like a British Atlantis. All over Britain, you find parts of Sodor. The Talyllyn Railway The narrow-gauge former slate railway running inland from Tywyn in mid-Wales was the world's first preserved line, its society being formed in 1951. WV Awdry was one of its earliest members. Image caption WV Awdry, his son Christopher and grandson Richard on the Talyllyn Railway, 1982 "He came and volunteered for the first time in '52. He and his family had a fortnight's holiday in Tywyn and he worked as a guard," says David Mitchell, the line's former managing director. "And that of course was the famous occasion when they left the tea lady behind, which got written into one of the stories. "He used to come and oil fishplates and work on the track and things like that in his younger days. And when he died he left us the contents of his study which we have recreated here." The Talyllyn Railway and its engines are the basis for the Skarloey narrow-gauge railway in WV Awdry's books - the first ever railway in Sodor. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Image caption Sodor scene? Small engines on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway The scenic narrow-gauge line which carries visitors in open carriages from the Cumbrian coast to the slopes of Scafell Pike inspired the Arlesdale Railway in the Awdry series. WV Awdry's first book on the line, Small Railway Engines, includes a visit by the Thin Clergyman (himself) and the Fat Clergyman (his friend the Rev Teddy Boston, who had a railway running round the grounds of his Leicestershire rectory). Three of the Arlesdale engines - Rex, Bert and Mike - are named after the Ravenglass and Eskdale engines River Esk, River Irt and River Mite. "It is not difficult to this day to still identify most pages with various sites on the line," says the railway's general manager, Trevor Stockton. A second book in the series, written by Christopher Awdry, is about Jock the New Engine - based on the line's fourth locomotive, Northern Rock. The Brighton connection Awdry


Which actress was the first wife of US President Ronald Reagan?

Nancy Reagan | American first lady | Britannica.com American first lady Alternative Titles: Anne Frances Robbins, Nancy Davis, Nancy Davis Reagan Nancy Reagan John Wayne Nancy Reagan, née Anne Frances Robbins, adoptive name Nancy Davis (born July 6, 1921, New York , New York, U.S.—died March 6, 2016, Los Angeles , California ), American first lady (1981–89)—the wife of Ronald Reagan , 40th president of the United States—and actress, noted for her efforts to discourage drug use by American youths. Nancy Reagan. Diana Walker—Time Life Pictures/Getty Images Christened Anne Frances, she was quickly nicknamed Nancy by her mother and used that name throughout her life. Her father, Kenneth Robbins, a salesman, and her mother, Edith Luckett Robbins, an actress, separated when Nancy was very young. Edith immediately resumed her acting career and began traveling a great deal, leaving Nancy in Bethesda, Maryland , where she was raised by Edith’s sister and brother-in-law. Nancy saw little of her mother over the next five years and had no contact with her father; her parents divorced in 1928. In 1929, when her mother married Loyal Davis, a wealthy Chicago neurosurgeon, Nancy went to live with the couple. Davis eventually adopted her, and she assumed his last name. After graduation from the Chicago Latin School for Girls, she enrolled at Smith College in Massachusetts and majored in drama . Her mother’s theatre friends often visited the Davis household in Chicago, fueling Nancy’s interest in the stage. After graduation in 1943 and a brief stint working at a department store in Chicago, she turned to acting. Her mother’s contacts helped her obtain a job with a touring company and then a role on Broadway. By 1949 she was working in Hollywood, and she eventually made 11 movies, including East Side, West Side (1949), Shadow on the Wall (1950), and Hellcats of the Navy (1957), in which she starred with Ronald Reagan. Nancy had met Ronald almost as soon as she arrived in California. He had just divorced Jane Wyman , also an actress, and showed no eagerness to enter quickly into another marriage. After a lengthy courtship, Nancy and Ronald were married on March 4, 1952; Nancy later said that her life began with her marriage to Ronald. Their daughter, Patricia Ann (“ Patti”), was born in October, and their son, Ronald Prescott, in 1958; Ronald was already the father of a daughter, Maureen, and had adopted a son, Michael, with his first wife in 1945. Ronald Reagan visiting Nancy Reagan on the movie set of Donovan’s Brain, … Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent During the 1950s Ronald’s political views became more conservative . Although a Democrat at the time, he supported the presidential candidacies of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956 and Richard Nixon in 1960. After switching his party affiliation to Republican in 1962, he became cochair of California Republicans for Barry Goldwater in 1964. Many people credit the influence of Nancy and her stepfather for Ronald’s shift to the right. Ronald launched his political career in 1966, winning election as governor of California by defeating incumbent governor Edmund G. Brown, Sr., by one million votes. During her eight years as the governor’s wife, Nancy developed the skills that later served her in the White House , but she also aroused controversy. She was criticized for her circle of wealthy, glamorous friends and her expensive, stylish clothing. Intensely protective of her husband, she also ran into conflict with journalists who wrote negatively about him and with staff members who, she felt, overscheduled him. Although she did not voice her opinions publicly and occasionally attempted to play down her influence, her husband and his staff took her seriously. When Ronald won the presidency in 1980, it was generally agreed that Nancy was one of his most trusted advisers. You Can’t Handle the Truth: Famous Movie Quotes Unlike Rosalynn Carter , her predecessor as first lady, Nancy often said that she admired the style and elegance of Jacqueline Kennedy , and she hired


In 2014 Stephen Harper was the prime minister of which country?

Canada will not be intimidated by Ottawa shooting, declares prime minister | World news | The Guardian Canada Canada will not be intimidated by Ottawa shooting, declares prime minister Stephen Harper says killing of soldier at war memorial and gunfire inside parliament do not weaken resolve to fight terrorism Stephen Harper addresses Canadians after the attack at the national war memorial and parliament in Ottawa. Thursday 23 October 2014 02.24 EDT First published on Wednesday 22 October 2014 22.57 EDT Close This article is 2 years old The prime minister of Canada , Stephen Harper, vowed a tough and uncompromising response to a brazen gun attack on the national parliament on Wednesday that left a soldier dead and a nation in shock. As calm fell on Canada’s idyllic capital, where hours earlier Michael Zehaf-Bibeau had forced his way into the parliament building in a hail of gunfire before being killed by a ceremonial official, Harper delivered a sombre television address declaring that the country would not be cowed by terrorism. It was the second time in two days that the country’s security forces had confronted an attack on the streets: on Monday a man described by authorities as having been radicalised ran down a soldier with his car in Quebec. “This week’s events are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terrorist attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” Harper said in his address to the nation. “We are also reminded that attacks on our security personnel and our institutions of governance are by their very nature attacks on our country, on our values, on our society, on us Canadians as a free and democratic people who embrace human dignity for all. But let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.” Police at the scene of the shooting at the National Memorial near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. Photograph: Patrick Doyle/AP Harper was in parliament when the attack began, addressing members of his party on the increased terror threat to Canada. He was rushed out of the building and evacuated to safety. His brief address to the nation on Wednesday night was delivered from an undisclosed location. The attack began just before 10am on Wednesday when Zehaf-Bibeau emerged from a car and opened fire on the ceremonial guard of Ottawa’s war memorial, across from the parliament buildings. Corporal Nathan Cirillo was hit as he stood guard over the tomb commemorating soldiers killed in battle. Amid the chaos, medics and bystanders battled to save the soldier’s life before he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Cirillo died from his wounds shortly afterwards. From there the attacker made his way across the street on to the front lawn of parliament. It remains unclear how the he made his way past the armed guards protecting the building but he got as far as the ornate Hall of Honour, before apparently being shot dead by Kevin Vickers, the House of Commons sergeant-at-arms. Vickers, a former officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was widely praised for his swift action that brought an end to the attack. The potential for further catastrophe was great: adjacent rooms were filled with MPs from the governing Conservatives and opposition New Democrats, both parties holding separate discussions on new efforts to crack down on homegrown terrorism.Officials have yet to suggest a motive for the shootings. Instagram photo of Nathan Cirillo who was killed in Ottawa while standing guard over the war memorial. Instagram Photograph: Instagram Wednesday’s attacks came two days after a man described as a recent convert to jihadi ideology ran down two soldiers with his car near Montreal – fatally injuring one, warrant officer Patrice Vincent. Harper offered his condolences to the families of Cirillo and Vincent. That the perpetrator of Wednesday’s attack was able to make his way to parliament and into the central building after killing a soldier in broad daylight has raised concern about whether Canada has been naive in its preparations for


Who was the Greek goddess of Retribution?

NEMESIS - Greek Goddess of Retribution & Indignation NEMESIS Dispenser of Dues Nemesis and Tyche, Athenian red-figure amphora C5th B.C., Antikensammlung Berlin NEMESIS was the goddess of indignation against, and retribution for, evil deeds and undeserved good fortune. She was a personification of the resentment aroused in men by those who commited crimes with apparent impunity, or who had inordinate good fortune. Nemesis directed human affairs in such a way as to maintain equilibrium. Her name means she who distributes or deals out. Happiness and unhappiness were measured out by her, care being taken that happiness was not too frequent or too excessive. If this happened, Nemesis could bring about losses and suffering. As one who checked extravagant favours by Tykhe (Tyche) (Fortune), Nemesis was regarded as an avenging or punishing divinity. In myth Nemesis was particularly concerned with matters of love. She appears as an avenging agent in the stories of Narkissos and Nikaia, whose callous actions brought about the death of their wooers. In some versions of the Trojan War, she was the mother of Helene, and is shown in scenes of her seduction by Paris pointing an accusing finger at the girl. Nemesis was often sometimes depicted as a winged goddess. Her attributes were apple-branch, rein, lash, sword, or balance. Her name was derived from the Greek words nemêsis and nemô, meaning "dispenser of dues." The Romans usually used the Greek name of the goddess but sometimes also named her Invidia (Jealousy) and Rivalitas (Jealous Rivalry). FAMILY OF NEMESIS [1.1] NYX (no father) (Hesiod Theogony 223, Pausanias 7.5.3) [1.2] EREBOS & NYX (Hyginus Preface, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.17) [2.1] OKEANOS (Pausanias 7.5.3, Nonnus Dionysiaca 48.375, Tzetzes on Lycophron 88) [3.1] ZEUS (Homerica Cypria Frag 8) OFFSPRING [2.1] THE TELKHINES (by Tartaros ) (Bacchylides Frag 52) ENCYCLOPEDIA NE′MESIS (Nemesis), is most commonly described as a daughter of Night, though some call her a daughter of Erebus (Hygin. Fab. Praef.) or of Oceanus (Tzetz. ad Lyc. 88; Paus. i. 33. § 3, vii. 5. § 1). Nemesis is a personification of the moral reverence for law, of the natural fear of committing a culpable action, and hence of conscience, and for this reason she is mentioned along with Aidôs, i. e. Shame (Hes. Theog. 223, Op. et D. 183). In later writers, as Herodotus and Pindar, Nemesis is a kind of fatal divinity, for she directs human affairs in such a manner as to restore the right proportions or equilibrium wherever it has been disturbed; she measures out happiness and unhappiness, and he who is blessed with too many or too frequent gifts of fortune, is visited by her with losses and sufferings, in order that he may become humble, and feel that there are bounds beyond which human happiness cannot proceed with safety. This notion arose from a belief that the gods were envious of excessive human happiness (Herod. i. 34, iii. 40; Pind. Ol. viii. in fin., Pyth. x. 67). Nemesis was thus a check upon extravagant favours conferred upon man by Tyche or Fortune, and from this idea lastly arose that of her being an avenging and punishing power of fate, who, like Dike and the Erinyes, sooner or later overtakes the reckless sinner (Apollon. Rhod. iv. 1043; Sophocl. Philoct. 518; Eurip. Orest. 1362; Catull. 50, in fin.; Orph. Hymn. 60). The inhabitants of Smyrna worshipped two Nemeses, both of whom were daughters of Night (Paus. vii. 5. § 1). She is frequently mentioned under the surnames Adrasteia and Rhamnusia or Rhamnusis, the latter of which she derived from the town of Rhamnus in Attica, where she had a celebrated sanctuary (Paus. i. 33. § 2). Besides the places already mentioned she was worshipped at Patrae (Paus. vii. 20, in fin.) and at Cyzicus (Strab. p. 588). She was usually represented in works of art as a virgin divinity, and in the more ancient works she seems to have resembled Aphrodite, whereas in the later ones she was more grave and serious, and had numerous attributes. But there is an allegorical tradition that Zeus begot by Nemesis at Rhamnus an


The Bishop of Durham traditionally signs himself as what?

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Durham (Dunelmum) Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > D > Durham (Dunelmum) Durham (Dunelmum) Help support New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download . Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more  all for only $19.99... Ancient Catholic Diocese of Durham (Dunelmensis). This diocese holds a unique position among English bishoprics . Owing to its geographical position on the Scottish border, the successive bishops were led to assume constitutional and political functions in addition to their spiritual office. Consequently their rights and privileges were peculiar and extensive; and even to this day the Anglican Bishop of Durham has precedence over all other English prelates except those of Canterbury , York , and London . The diocese is the lineal continuation of the Anglo-Saxon See of Lindisfarne , founded by St. Aidan in 635, when he came from the monastery of Iona at the request of St. Oswald, King of Northumbria, to evangelize that newly conquered heathen kingdom. He built his monastery on the Island of Lindisfarne, now Holy Island, off Northumbria. Thus Northumbrian Christianity was of Celtic origin and followed the Celtic use as to the observance of Easter and other matters. But in the south the Roman use prevailed and conflict became inevitable. The controversy arose in the time of St. Colman, the third bishop , and was settled in 664 at the Synod of Whitby when the Roman use was adopted. Shortly after, St. Colman resigned the episcopate and the see was transferred to York , with St. Wilfrid as bishop . In 678, St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury , cut off from it two new sees, one for the Lundiswaras of Lincolnshire and the other for Bernicia. In 680 the Bernician see was subdivided into the Dioceses of Lindisfarne and Hexham , while finally a separate bishopric was created for the Southern Pics. So that when St. Cuthbert became Bishop of Lindisfarne the diocese was only a fragment of what it had been under St. Aidan . In the ninth century when the Danes repeatedly harassed Northumbria, the Diocese of Hexham ceased to have a separate existance, and about 820 was merged in that of York. In 875, Eardulf, Bishop of Lindisfarne , was driven from his see , and taking the body of St. Cuthbert , he with his monks fled from the Danes. After wandering seven years they found a resting place at Chester-le-Street (882); and from here Eardulf and his eight immediate successors ruled the see . In 995 Bishop Aldhun again found himself defenseless before the Danes and fled with St. Cuthbert's body to Ripon. When peace was restored, he was returning to Chester-le-Street when miraculous signs were given that the body of the saint was to remain where the city of Durham now stands. A stone chapel was built to receive the remains of St. Cuthbert's body and Aldhun began a great church where the cathedral now is, which was finished and consecrated in 999. In this way Aldhun became the first Bishop of Durham. The following is a list of the bishops with the dates of their accession . Cuthbert Tunstall , 1530 The cathedral The first Norman bishop , Walcher, was murdered by the people in 1080, and was succeeded by William de S. Carilef, who began the present cathedral , the foundation being laid 29 July, 1093. He also replaced the secular cathedral clergy by Benedictine monks from Jarrow and Wearmouth . The situation of the cathedral is very remarkable, as it stands high on the cliff overhanging the river, and the building itself is most imposing, with its noble proportions, and what Dr. Johnson called its appearance of "rocky solidity and of indeterminate duration". Bishop Carilef died shortly after beginning it; but the building was carried on with energy by the next bishop , the infamous Rannulf Flambard. He built the nave and aisles and the lower part of the west front, and in 1104 the shrine of St. Cuthbert was transferred to the new cathedral . In 1143 the see was usurped by William Cumin, chancellor of the King of Scotland , who for sixteen months vi


Which Heritage railway runs between Caernarfon and Porthmadog?

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways | About Us About Us Train travel as it should be done Outstanding scenery, comfortable carriages and historic steam engines await      you here in the heart of Snowdonia. Glorious coastlines, ancient oak woodlands,      mountains, rivers and castles, all beckon as you embark on your journey on our      award winning railways. Double Fairlie 'David Lloyd George' steams through the Vale Of Ffestiniog With some of the most comfortable carriages on any preserved railway -      standard or narrow gauge - you can step back in time to a more civilised age. Relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of Snowdonia in comfort, with at-seat      buffet service, snacks, refreshments and a fully-licenced bar featuring      locally-brewed award-winning beers. As the oldest railway company in the world still operating trains, we know a      bit about what makes a journey special. Even a short trip on our railways will      help you unwind - so much so, we think you'll want to do it all over again... The Ffestiniog Railway is the world's oldest narrow gauge railway with almost      200 years of history, taking you on a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in      Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. We still operate three of our original locomotives - over 150 years old - and      original carriages, offering an unrivalled journey back into the golden age of      rail travel. Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains      through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls,      round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain      or tunnelling through it. Discover why engineers from around the world visited the Ffestiniog to see      how it should be done. A Welsh Highland Railway Garratt heads through the Aberglaslyn Pass towards Beddgelert The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest heritage railway and runs for      25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard      village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to      Porthmadog. Passengers ride in some of the most comfortable carriages on any      heritage railway in the UK, including first class Pullman luxury and      freshly-cooked food delivered to your seat. 2014 saw the opening of the new £1.25 million Porthmadog Harbour Station,      offering greatly-improved passenger facilities and a convenient cross-platform      interchange between the two railways. "The best British train journey ever!" - This railway is fantastic. I cannot imagine a much better train journey in the UK. We each sat in a large comfortable armchair with a great view. My kids loved it as did I" (TripAdvisor)


Chartreuse liqueur can be found in two colours. Yellow is one what is the other?

Top 10 Liqueur Brands and Best Liqueur - iCohol.com Top 10 Liqueur Brands and Best Liqueur What’s Liqueur? Liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that’s usually flavored with assorted flavors. Liqueur is bottled with added sugar. This added sugar is what defines it. You can’t simply go by a spirit being flavored to be classified as a liqueur because many spirts are flavored such as rum, vodka, etc. Like stated above, what really sets a liqueur apart from a spirit is that it contains the added sugar, which spirits do not. Liqueurs usually range from 14% to 35%. Desset Wines are not liqueurs, while cordials have become synoumous with liquers. 1. Arran Gold Cream Liqueur Winner of the World’s Best Whisky Liqueur back in 2007 so is deserved of being on this list. The color is a light brown that immediately makes a drinker think of chocolate which would be correct because one’s nose immediately carries that idea through the senses. Smelling of a chocolate milkshake, Arran Gold is great to mix with Whiskey because it is able to envelope the bold taste of the liquor and produce something both tasty and warming. If you try it on the rocks, you’ll realize just how creamy and smooth this treat is, but you’ll also be surprised to taste a hint of malt on the backend. Arran Gold finds a way to make a great Whiskey even smoother with its light body and full taste. Try it in: A glass with or without ice. Simple enough. 2. Chartreuse Yellow VEP liqueur Chartreuse is undoubtedly the healthiest liqueur on the list. But don’t think it loses any of its tastiness. Chartreuse is made by French monks who have been working on the brand for over 500 years. Chartreuse is more bold than the others on the list, stepping it up at 42% alcohol by volume. Off the nose, you’ll gather mainly licorice and fennel, but don’t be surprised if you begin picking out one or two of the 130 herbs used for this drink. The only liqueur to use oak castes to age the product, Chartreuse will give your tongue a bit more floral taste, pushing some of its other herbs like sage, saffron and thyme. Chartreuse is a popular liqueur, but understand that this is something you should use sporadically or when you’re dying to impress. At $123 a liter, the VEP is a hefty drink with awesome taste. Cocktails include: April Shower, Yellow Bird and the Torii Toddy 3. Frangelico First, can I just say this bottle reminds me of Aunt Jemima Syrup. Anyone else see it? It makes sense since the bottle is supposed to look like a monk in his habit. This Italian liqueur is popular already and I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Frangelico owns a light caramel coloring and is a hazelnut and herb flavored drink. When you open the bottle, wafts of hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon enter your nose, giving you a dynamic and strong idea of what is to come. The body is more light weight then most liqueurs and also differs in the fact that while its smooth, it doesn’t leave that feeling of cream or syrup on your tongue after a swig. Its flavors sit on the tongue quickly, producing chocolate, hazelnut and spice to your taste buds. Again, the smell is so delicious that you’ll want to keep inhaling this drinks aromas, even while you’re pouring some down your throat. An easy finish, and its easy to see why Frangelico is such a popular liqueur. Here are the cocktails to try: Chocolate Cake Shooter, Friar Tuck #2 and Procrastinator Shot 4. Tia maria Tia Maria is a liqueur made from Jamaica that encompasses two of my favorite things: Jamaican Rum and Blue Mountain Coffee. Ok, the Blue Mountain might be a stretch, but it actually is the finest coffee produced in Jamaica. Mix that with a rich Jamaican Rum and you have a thumbs up. The alcohol percentage is at 20% which makes this a great liqueur for adding to coco, coffee or sipping over the rocks. Tia Maria is a smoother blend with a hint of spice that can add a hint of something different to any drink you make it with and since it’s not made with cream, its perfect for those out there watching their caloric intake. Want to try it but not sure how? Here are a few options yo


In a nursery rhyme, where did Dr Foster step into a puddle right up to his middle?

Nursery Rhymes – Origin & History II | guernseydonkey.com Home » Literature » Nursery Rhymes – Origin & History II Nursery Rhymes – Origin & History II Published on Apr 27, 2012 in Literature As children we’re taught many different nursery rhymes. Most seem frivolous and amusing however behind every one is a history and story that’s every bit intriguing as the rhyme itself. Here are the origins of a few … Ride a Cock Horse Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross To see a fine lady upon a white horse; With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes. Some argue that only one historic figure could inspire such a rhyme. Step forward Lady Godiva, England’s favourite naked horsewoman. During the 11th century, Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, tried to impose heavy taxes on his countrymen, provoking outrage and near riots. Leofric’s wife, Godgifu (changed over time to Godiva), sympathised with the common people and urged her husband to lower the new taxes he had levied. Now, Leofric was obviously a man with a sense of humour because he told his wife he would lower taxes only after she had ridden naked through the streets of Coventry. But he hadn’t reckoned upon Godiva’s spirit and, much to his surprise, she agreed to the challenge. The delighted people of Coventry, as a show of respect and to spare her blushes, all agreed to stay indoors, close their shutters and face the other way as the lady passed by. She rode through the streets on her beloved white horse, completely naked apart from her wedding ring (rings on her fingers), and with bells attached to her toes to remind the people of Coventry not to look out of their windows. All the citizens kept their word, except for Tom the tailor, who couldn’t help himself and peeped out through the shutters – hence the expression ‘Peeping Tom’. According to legend, Tom was then struck blind. Doctor Foster In a shower of rain. He stepped in a puddle Right up to his middle And never went there again One theory runs that the origins of this verse stretch back more than 700 years to Edward I (1239-1307), who was known by the nickname of Dr Foster. (The doctor part perhaps because he was a learned man; the origins of Foster are unknown.) On a visit to Gloucester during a storm, the King rode his horse through what appeared to be a shallow puddle, but it turned out to be a deep ditch. Both King and horse became trapped in the mud and had to be hauled out – to Edward’s fury and embarrassment. The King, also known as ‘Edward the Lawgiver’ and responsible for much of the Tower of London , vowed never to return to Gloucester – and he remained true to his word. Baa Baa Black Sheep And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane. The final line of this rhyme until 1765 went like this: ‘And none for the little boy who cries down the lane.’ It is thought it was changed to make it more pleasant for young ears. But the original version is at the heart of the meaning of the rhyme, which, unsurprisingly enough, is all about sheep. Sheep have always been important to the rural economy, and by 1260, some flocks consisted of as many as 8,000 animals, tended by a dozen full-time shepherds. When Edward I returned from his crusading in 1272, he imposed new taxes on wool to fund his military campaigns. It was this wool tax that is said to be the basis of the rhyme. One-third of the price of each sack must go to the King (the master); one-third to the Church or the monasteries (the dame); and none to the actual shepherd (the little boy who cries down the lane). Rather than being a gentle song about sharing things out fairly, it’s a bitter reflection on how brutal life was for the working classes. Georgie Porgie Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry; When the boys came out to play, Georgie Porgie ran away. There is a sinister undertone to this nursery rhyme, but what – and who – is it all about? One possible candidate for Georgie Porgie is the Prince Regent George IV. Immensely fat (Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie), his corset-wearing was the source


Daniel Ortega at the beginning of 2015 is the president of which country?

Daniel Ortega Goes From U.S. Foe to Friend in Drug War Battle - Bloomberg Bloomberg the Company & Its Products Bloomberg Anywhere Remote LoginBloomberg Anywhere Login Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Advertising Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Daniel Ortega Goes From U.S. Foe to Friend in Drug War Battle Michael McDonald José Daniel Ortega Saavedra has been President of Nicaragua since 2007. Photographer: Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images Daniel Ortega, the Nicaraguan leader who overthrew a U.S.-backed dictatorship and then bore the wrath of rebels funded by American weapons sales to Iran, isn’t so bad after all, at least according to drug-policy experts. While the 69-year-old Ortega remains a fierce critic of the “Yankees” to the north, Nicaragua doesn’t give the U.S. the sort of drug, immigration or crime headaches brought on by closer allies in Central America or Mexico. Cocaine-filled planes heading to the U.S. are more likely to land in Honduras, where a U.S. military post exists, than Nicaragua, according to State Department reports. Gang-fueled crime that helped push tens of thousands of unaccompanied Central American children toward the U.S. last year is nearly non-existent in Nicaragua, the region’s poorest country, according to World Bank data. “The efforts of the government of Nicaragua to protect their territory and their people from the activities of drug traffickers have been quite positive,” William Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, told reporters last week. That came despite “various complicated elements” in U.S.-Nicaragua relations, added Brownfield, whose department is commonly referred to as “Drugs and Thugs.” Even grudging compliments from U.S. officials would have been unthinkable a generation ago, when the political controversy over U.S.-funded rebels fighting Ortega’s Sandinista government dominated foreign policy debates in Washington, where Ortega was seen as a puppet of the Soviet Union. ‘Freedom Fighters’ “Nicaraguan freedom fighters have never asked us to wage their battle, but I will fight any effort to shut off their lifeblood and consign them to death, defeat, or a life without freedom,” President Ronald Reagan told Congress in his 1987 State of the Union speech. “There must be no Soviet beachhead in Central America.” Now, U.S. military officials who would have strategized against Ortega’s government a generation ago work with it instead. The U.S. has donated equipment to Nicaragua and helped train its Navy to better detect airplanes and go-fast boats carrying South American cocaine. Most recently, the U.S. backed the Nicaraguan Navy’s “Christmas Without Drugs” operation , which led to the seizure of 630 kilograms (1,400 pounds) of cocaine between Dec. 22-24. ‘Less Corrupt’ Flights carrying drugs from Nicaragua to neighboring Honduras have also declined, said Eric Olson, Associate Director for the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program. “Nicaragua has been a very good partner on counter-narcotics efforts,” Olson said via e-mail, adding that trafficking routes might be shifting. “Nicaraguan police are less corrupt and more capable of carrying out counter-narcotics missions than security forces in other Central American countries.” If the positive comments from U.S. officials are softening up the former Sandinista rebel, it’s hard to tell from his rhetoric. At a regional summit in Costa Rica this month, Ortega slammed the U.S. for its continuing embargo of Cuba, criticized its “neocolonialism” in Puerto Rico and said the U.S. is plotting a “bloody, brutal” military coup to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, one of


Who was Britain’s only Track and Field gold medallist at the 1972 Olympics?

Seven wonders of Lewis' world | The Independent Seven wonders of Lewis' world Simon Turnbull talks to the versatile athlete about rivals to her golden vision Saturday 19 July 1997 23:02 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Denise Lewis laughed. "No," she said. "Britain versus Germany. I hadn't thought about that." It had been suggested to Britain's only female track and field medallist of the Atlanta Olympics that her quest for World Championship gold in Athens, just a fortnight away now, was likely to be a throwback to the great Anglo-German multi-events rivalry of the 1980s. In the absence of Syria's Ghada Shouaa, the injured Olympic and reigning world champion, the leading heptathlon contenders are Germany's Sabine Braun and Britain's Lewis. They head the world rankings for 1997, the German leading the Briton by 51 points. At 24, Lewis could be excused for not bringing Daley Thompson and Jurgen Hingsen readily to mind. She was, after all, a 13-year-old schoolgirl when they fought their last epic decathlon duel, at the European Championships in Stuttgart in 1986. The great Briton prevailed on that occasion, as he had done at the 1982 European Championships, the 1983 World Championships and the 1984 Olympic Games, each of which his German rival entered as the new world record holder. Thompson, in fact, was never outshone in competition by the great pretender he liked to call "Hollywood" Hingsen. Braun, having made her major championship debut as one of the beaten Hingsen's team-mates in the Los Angeles Olympics, would need no reminding of that. Before departing for a training camp in Lucerne last week, she acknowledged the looming prospect of another tussle for all-round athletic supremacy between the best of Britain and the greatest of Germany, this time over the seven-discipline programme of the heptathlon: shot, high jump, 100m hurdles, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m. "I expect Denise Lewis to be my toughest rival," Braun said. "There is not much between us in the world rankings. We have virtually the same points." Both contenders compiled their scores on the same weekend, 31 May-1 June, Braun's 6,787 in winning the German Championships at Ratingen, Lewis's 6,736 in winning the annual international contest at Gotzis in Austria. In Lewis's case, it was a lifetime best, an improvement of 91 points on her score at Gotzis last year, when she eclipsed the British record held for 10 years by Judy Simpson, "Nightshade" of Gladiators fame. It was also further confirmation that the young woman from Wolverhampton had a rightful place among the world elite of track and field. Lewis has been the rising star in the heptathlon firmament since she won the Commonwealth title in 1994. She looked to have fallen in Atlanta last summer when a poor showing in her best event - a 6.32m long jump - dropped her to eighth place with just the javelin and 800m to come. It was then, after a heart-to-heart with her coach Darryl Bunn, that the Midlander showed her true competitive mettle. She launched a personal best 54.82m on her third and final javelin throw and clinched the bronze medal with a determined 800m run. It was only the third medal won by a British woman all-rounder, following Mary Rand's pentathlon silver in Tokyo in 1964 and Mary Peters's pentathlon gold in Munich in 1972. The Birchfield star is still in her ascendancy, judging by her sparkling performance in Gotzis, where she beat Natalya Sazanovich, the Olympic silver medallist from Belarus. "I know there are a lot more points to come," Lewis said, breaking from her World Championship preparations at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. "I'm always learning new things. I'm like a sponge." Specialist advice has been gratefully soaked up from the Olympic high jump bronze medallist Steve Smith and from Erich Drechsler, father-in- law and coach of Heike Drechsler, the former world and Olympic long jump champion. "This year has gone better than I had hoped," Lewis added. "It's put me in good stead for the World Championships. With Ghada Shouaa not there, it's going to be close


"Which author used the pseudonym ""Boz"" in the 1830’s?"

A Journal of the Life of Charles Dickens - 1830 to 1834 At this earliest possible date, CD applies for a reader's ticket at the British Museum.   Begins to study the Gurney system of shorthand, and is tutored by his uncle.   CD joins a circulating library where books could be borrowed for a small price.   CD falls in love with Maria Beadnell .   CD takes an office at 5 Bell Yard and shares the expense with a proctor, so that he will have a place to transcribe his reports.   CD is admitted to the gallery of the House of Commons as a reporter.   John Dickens declares himself an insolvent debtor for the second time.   CD joins the staff of The Morning Herald.   CD's parents hold a birthday party for him.   03 Becomes a Parliamentary reporter for the True Sun, while continuing to work for the Mirror of Parliament.   Writes to George Bartley, manager of the Covent Garden Theatre, requesting an audition.   On the day that he was to audition, he was ill and could not appear.   He takes up lodgings in Cecil Street, in order to be near his work.   During this time, CD would attend the theatre in the evenings whenever he was not working, He would spend Saturday evenings with his friends, among them Thomas Beard (who remained his lifelong friend) and Henry Kolle (who also acquainted with the Beadnells). On Sundays he would go horseback riding with Kolle.   He moves back in with his parents at 13 Fitzroy Street.   CD resigns from the True Sun, which was not doing well financially.   CD has assumed some of the management duties of the "Mirror of Parliament.   Finds work as a polling clerk for Parliament member Charles Tennyson.   02 11 CD's parents hold a belated birthday party for him. Maria Beadnell insults him by calling him a "a boy".   04 23 Performance of three amateur plays, for which Charles was the stage manager and played the starring roles.   The end of his relationship with Maria Beadnell.   07 23 CD attends a dinner that was arranged by his uncle John Henry Barrow, for the purpose of having him meet John Payne Collier, a subeditor of the Morning Chronicle. Collier was impressed by the young Dickens, and did write a letter of recommendation, but no job offer resulted.   08? CD begins his first published writing, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, later retitled Mr Minns and His Cousin, when it was published as part of the Sketches by Boz.   12 CD's first published writing, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, appears in Old Monthly Magazine, unsigned and unpaid.   A week after it's publication, his first writing was pirated in the London Weekly Magazine.   The Morning Chronicle publishes the first of a series of five "Street Sketches."   Made the acquaintance of George Hogarth, who was about to become the editor of the Evening Chronicle. Hogarth "begged" him to write sketches for his new venture, and so for an extra two guineas a week, CD began to write what came to be known as "Sketches of London".   ? William Harrison Ainsworth visits the Chronicle office and makes the acquaintance of CD, and later introduces him to his publisher, John Macrone.   10 CD is sent to review a new farce, which turns out to have been plagiarised from his own "Bloomsbury Christening."   CD's income is now £275 a year.   11 John Dickens's financial affairs are overextended again and Charles steps in to avert his father's arrest by applying all his available cash to the debts, borrowing from his friends, mortgaging his own salary and arranging for cheaper lodgings for his mother and sisters at 21 George Street, Adelphi.   12 Takes a lease on chambers at Furnival's Inn with his younger brother Frederick, at a rent of £35 per year, paid in advance.   CD receives a visit from John Macrone, who brought American journalist Nathaniel Parker Willis. Despite his increased income, his father's debts result in CD making an impression of being poor.


"Which cathedra! city of northern England has railway stations called ""Westgate"" and ""Kirkgate""?"

Wakefield Map - Detailed Street Map of Wakefield Yorkshire Wakefield Map Wakefield map, view the West Yorkshire town of Wakefield, located to the south of the city of Leeds. Detailed Street Map of Wakefield Yorkshire & City Guide Wakefield Map Yorkshire: Interactive map of Wakefield, showing the location of the town situated to the south of Leeds in the county of West Yorkshire in northern England, United Kingdom. Use controls to view a detailed street map of Wakefield or see a town centre map of Wakefield (city centre map), showing Wakefield College, Claydon Hospital, Wakefield Sports Club, the Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield Cathedral and the 2 Wakefield railway stations (Westgate and Kirkgate). Also on this Wakefield map are Wrenthorpe, Newton Hill, Alverthorpe, Agbrigg, Thornes Park and the City of Wakefield Golf Club, zoom out to see Kirkhamgate, Outwood, Stanley, Altofts, Horbury, Calder Grove and Crigglestone. Wakefield is a large town located beside the River Calder in West Yorkshire, it has a population of around 77,000 and a history which stretches back to Anglo-Saxon times. Named in the Domesday Book as Wachefeld, its name probably derives from the Old English wacu feld or "field where a wake is held". Wakefield grew, along with many other Yorkshire towns, around the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution. Wakefield can be accessed via the M1 and A638, it is about 11 miles from Leeds , 34 miles from York and 185 miles driving distance from London .


Which flowers form the majority of the genus Helianthus?

How Do Sunflowers Reproduce? - ProFlowers Blog How Do Sunflowers Reproduce? By ProFlowers (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sunflowers_Sonnenblumen.jpg) Sunflowers include a large group of flowers belonging to the genus Helianthus. With more than 60 varieties including H. annuus, H. giganteeus and the H. maximiliani, these sun-lovers grow up to 12 feet high. Each plant produces a massive solitary bloom often reaching diameters of 2 feet. Growers harvest seeds from the center of the yellow, orange or black seeds. In nature, this show plant relies on bees and other insects for reproduction. Busy Bees Once the plant has flowered, usually in summer, it produces a sweet pollen mixture that lures bees and other insects. When the bees arrive, they get their feet wet with the pollen as they drink the plant’s nectar. The plant relies on the sperm-producing pollen coming into contact with the egg-containing stigma. The yellow pollen is transferred from the insect’s hairy legs to the stigma. This is the first step in sunflower reproduction. Sperm Meet Egg Once the pollen is forced down the stigma, it releases sperm into the stigma. An available egg receives the sperm, and the egg is fertilized with a meat-bearing seed. The pollen/sperm can belong to the original plant or may come from another sunflower. Self-Pollinating Self-pollination is a mechanism that this flower uses to stay alive. On the occasion where the stigma receives no pollen, the stigma will twist and wrap itself around its own pollen. Seeds created by self-pollination will only produce flowers that look like the original plant, so no hybridization will have occurred. (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Field_of_Sunshine_(2162456862).jpg) Time Factor Sunflowers are fast reproducers, and one plant can create dozens of others. Plant seeds about an 1 inch below the ground. Germination occurs quickly, usually between 5 and 10 days, but spring crops produce more plants than summer crops. Spring crops are planted in April and May. Summer crops go in the ground in June and July. When the back of the plant’s head turns brown, it is ready for harvesting. Share this post


"The Hector Berlioz opera ""Les Troyens"" is based on which of Virgil's poems?"

The Hector Berlioz Website - Berlioz Biography   Introduction     This page aims to provide a chronological outline of the main events in Berlioz’s career, with a listing of his major musical and literary works, and mention of the people who played an important part in his life; the page is not meant to be a full biography of Berlioz. Fuller details are to be found on other pages of this site, to which this outline provides numerous hyperlinks. It thus serves as a chronological index of Berlioz’s career as documented and illustrated on this site.     The text is divided into eight sections, each covering a distinctive period of Berlioz’s life: This page is also available in French  Copyright notice: The texts, photos, images and musical scores on all pages of this site are covered by UK Law and International Law. All rights of publication or reproduction of this material in any form, including Web page use, are reserved. Their use without our explicit permission is illegal. 1.  1803-1821: Childhood at La Côte Saint-André 1803 On 7 February Louis Berlioz , a young doctor from La Côte Saint André in the Département of Isère, and Marie-Antoinette-Josephine, daughter of Nicolas Marmion, a lawyer from Meylan, are married in her home town on. She is 18 years old, he is 27. Louis-Hector Berlioz is born at 5.00pm on 11 December at No. 83 rue nationale , La Côte Saint-André and is baptised in the chapel of the Church of Saint André (14 December). His paternal grand-father Nicolas Marmion and great-grand-mother Sophie Brochier are, respectively, his god-father and god-mother. Dr and Madame Berlioz will have five other children of whom two will reach adulthood, Nanci and Adèle .   ca 1811 Following the closure of the local seminary, Dr Louis Berlioz takes charge of his son’s education. ca 1815 He meets Estelle Dubœuf , his " first passion ", in Meylan , now a suburb of Grenoble. Berlioz learns to read Virgil in the original Latin and translate it into French under his father’s tuition. 1816 Berlioz learns to play the flageolet ; earliest attempts at composition. 1817 First compositions, including the Pot-pourri for six instruments, now lost. Imbert, the second violin of the Théâtre de Lyon and engaged by the Mayor of La Côte to give lessons to the musicians of the National Guard, becomes Hector’s music teacher . Hector learns to play the flute. 1818 Composition of two quintets for flute and strings. A theme from one of them is reused later in the overture to Les Francs-Juges . 1819 In January Dr Berlioz buys a flute and later a guitar for his son who begins lessons on the instrument with his new teacher Dorant . Berlioz composes Le Dépit de la bergère, which is published by Auguste Le Duc. The autograph is lost. The music was reused years later for the Sicilienne in Béatrice et Bénédict. Composition of a piece for voice and guitar, Je vais donc quitter pour jamais, text by Florian. It will be reused for the first movement of the Symphonie fantastique (bars 3-16). 2. 1821-1832: Student years in Paris and Italy  1821 Berlioz is made bachelier ès lettres at Grenoble on 22 March. He departs for Paris to read medicine in late October. First visit to the Opéra , where he sees a performance of Gluck’s masterpiece Iphigénie en Tauride (November). Shortly after he writes to his sister Nanci about this first experience. 1822 He frequents the Conservatoire library, where he seeks out the scores of Gluck , which are available to the public, and copies of large parts of Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride and Iphigénie en Aulide. These copies in Berlioz’s hand have survived. Berlioz hears Spontini ’s music for the first time when he attends performances of La Vestale and Fernand Cortez at the Opéra. Later he will meet the composer and become a champion of his music. When Spontini dies in 1851 Berlioz will write his obituary. He decides to devote himself to music. He is introduced by a friend to Lesueur , director of the Royal Chapel and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, who gives him encouragement. 1823 Berlioz


Which city is the capital of Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh, capital city of Saudi Arabia All... Riyadh, capital city of Saudi Arabia Once nothing more than a dusty, desert outpost, Riyadh has blossomed into one of the most influential and intriguing cities in the Middle East. The Saudi Arabian capital is home to soaring modern towers, high-rise hotels, fabulous fine dining and considerable culture. Although luxury cars speed down the boulevards and sparkling office buildings are added to the cityscape seemingly every day, Riyadh still maintains a conservative, slightly somber atmosphere. This juxtaposition only makes the capital even more interesting. The National Museum is hands-down one of the Middle East's best museums. The state-of-the-art space contains eight floors of galleries dedicated to Arabia's art, history and culture. Highlights include original rock carvings, a full-scale replica of a Nabataean tomb and the 180-degree screens that show films complementing the exhibits. Visitors leave the museum with a better understanding of Saudi Arabia and a context for appreciating Riyadh even more. Remnants of Riyadh's simple past still survive, although oil money has launched massive building projects in the last three decades. The most significant historic sight in the city is the imposing Masmak Fortress, once the heart of the old town. Built in the late 19th-century and stormed by King Abdul Aziz just years later, the fort was renovated in 2008 and today contains a museum filled with fascinating photos of old Riyadh. The museum's second half is dedicated to extolling all the virtues of Saudi education, architecture, art and agriculture. Permits were once required to explore the Murabba Palace, but visitors are now free to roam the mud-brick palace constructed by King Abdul Aziz following his conquest of the Masmak Fortress. The intimidating exterior gives way to two stories of marvelous objects, including the first royal Rolls-Royce. After getting a taste of the city's past, fast-forward to the present day by visiting the Al-Faisaliah Tower, built in 2000 by architect Norman Foster and the Bin Laden construction company. Marked by an enormous shining glass globe made of more than 650 panels, the stunning structure was one of the first to tower above the city's skyline. The 34 floors are filled with some of Saudi Arabia's most luxurious restaurants, apartments, shops and a five-star deluxe hotel. From the viewing platform, visitors can see nearly the entire city. The capital's newest landmark is the Kingdom Tower, rising 302 meters above the ground. The incredible example of modern architecture is especially breathtaking at night, when constantly-changing colored lights illuminate its steel and glass design. High-speed elevators fly visitors to the 99th-floor Sky Bridge at 180 kilometers per hour, offering unbelievable views of the city. Riyadh is a shopper's paradise, and the main roads are lined with one mall after another. Women can shop on the third floor Ladies Kingdom at Al Mamlaka without being disturbed by men, designer stores are abundant and most malls contain at least one Western-style department store. For a more traditional shopping experience, head to the Souq al-Thumairi. The maze of shops selling Arabic coffees, spices, carpets, jewelry and more is positively enthralling. Riyadh Geographical Location Riyadh is located to the east of the center of Saudi Arabia on a plateau. It is its largest city and has a population of approximately 6,800,000 within the metropolitan area. Riyadh Language Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Predominant Religion 100% Muslim Islam is the official religion of Saudi Arabia. Muslims who convert to another religion are subject to the death penalty. Riyadh Currency The Saudi Riyal is the official currency of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Climate There is very little precipitation in Riyadh and the summer temperatures are extremely hot. The winters cool down to warm temperatures and usually experience marginally more rainfall. Riyadh Main Attractions


"Who had a UK number One hit single with ""I Feel Love"" in 1977?"

Donna Summer - I Love You (Extended Version) Casablanca Records 1977 - YouTube Donna Summer - I Love You (Extended Version) Casablanca Records 1977 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 Jan 11, 2015 "I Love You" is a song by American singer and songwriter Donna Summer that became a number 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart and reached number 37 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1977. Originally featured on the highly acclaimed album Once Upon a Time, it was edited in length for its release as a single. The album is a double LP concept album telling a modern-day Cinderella rags-to-riches story, with I Love You featured toward the end of the album when the main character and the object of her desire declare their love for each other. Once Upon a Time is the sixth studio album by American singer Donna Summer. It was released on October 25, 1977, and peaked at No. 26 on the US Billboard 200, number thirteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart. The entire album charted as one entry at No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Disco chart. Once Upon a Time includes the singles "I Love You", "Fairy Tale High", "Once Upon a Time" and "Rumour Has It". The album was not as successful as Summer's previous album I Remember Yesterday'; it did not spawn a hit single as popular as "I Feel Love". The concept album was Summer's first double album, telling a modern-day Cinderella-themed story through means of disco music. The album's story concept was conceived by Joyce Bogart, Susan Munao and Donna Summer based on an idea by Al Bogatz. The songs were written in collaboration between Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. The album was recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich. Arrangements were handled by Bob Esty while electronic arrangements were the work of Moroder. The artwork was designed by Stephen Lumel and Gribbitt! with photography by Francesco Scavullo. Summer's previous two records were musical concept albums: 1976's Four Seasons of Love told the story of a love affair by relating it to the four seasons, while 1977's I Remember Yesterday presented a musical catalogue of musical styles and lyrical themes from the past, present and an imagined future. Once Upon A Time is another concept album—the first "disco opera" per Robert Christgau —developed by Joyce Bogart, Susan Munao and Donna Summer as a modern-day Cinderella narrative. Throughout the album and as described in the liner notes storyline, the songs tell the story of a young woman who lives in a fantasy world of make-believe in which she is seemingly trapped, but thanks to her belief in her dreams she embarks on an adventure that ends with the man she loves entering her life. The "rags to riches" story is brought into the modern day via the use of the electronic disco sound. The album sold reasonably well as it made the US Top 30 and was certified gold in the U.S. by the RIAA that same year. It spawned the European hit single "I Love You", which became her fifth Top 10 in the UK in less than two years, and it also hit the US Top 40. "Rumour Has It" was also a UK Top 20 hit. All songs written and composed by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Well he searched and searched for nights and days Till he found the one he loved And he wrapped her in his arms again And then he thanked the stars above That he found who he'd been looking for And he stared her in the eyes He said, "I love you" He said, "I love you" She stared him right back in the eyes With a look of disbelief Then she gazed off into somewhere else Was it real or just a dream? And she pulled him, oh so close to her And she whispered in his ear She said, "I love you She said I love you too So together they will always be Until the stars fall from the sky They said, "I love you Yes, I really do" They said, "I love you Yes, I do" So together they will always be Until th


Who served as senator for Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009?

U.S. Senate: Powers and Functions | Congress Base You are here: Home / Congress News / U.S. Senate: Powers and Functions U.S. Senate: Powers and Functions July 8, 2011 By Site Admin Leave a Comment The Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. To complicate matters, this duo is also known as the Legislative Branch. The Senate is the more powerful of the two with distinct powers and functions not shared with the “House.” In a nutshell, the Senate possesses the power to review and debate bills, treaties, and proposed legislation and to provide some oversight to the president’s administration. Their chief job is to represent the interests of each state in the political process versus the House, which is charged to represent the interests of the people. There are 100 senators at any one time, two for each state. They serve six-year terms and can be re-elected indefinitely. For example, Ted Kennedy served as a Massachusetts senator from 1962 until his death in 2009. About the U.S. Senate The U.S. Senate is broken down into various components including the following: The   Vice President of the United    States is directly associated to the   Senate. In theory he directs the Senate business, but on any given day an   alternate, called the president pro tempore, usually presides. Party   leaders or majority leaders represent their respective parties in   presenting arguments and leading debates. Committee   leaders preside over the various Senate committees. Committees   – there are 20 – deal with specialized areas of legislation, or laws and   statutes. Joint   committees – there are 4 – are made up of both Senate and House members   and are responsible for specialized topics of business, such as taxes   (Joint Committee on Taxation) and economics (Joint Economic   Committee). Unique Powers Article I of the U.S. Constitution declares that the Senate can wield the following special powers: Review   and provide advice on presidential appointments and nominations. Ratify   treaties by a majority vote. What does this mean? The senate has the power   to approve or deny an international agreement. It only needs a 2/3 vote of   members to move to the president who can then “ratify” it. Elect   the Vice President of the U.S.,   if necessary. This would only happen if state electoral votes were tied   and the House would have to be in agreement. Create   new legislation—bills, laws, etc. The House and Senate can introduce new   legislation–usually at the subcommittee level—but the Senate has the most   power to debate, modify, and even block proposed legislation. The   exceptions are the introduction of revenue-related bills or legislation   governing the use of federal money. Only the House of Representatives can   introduce these. Consider   any legislation and bills introduced by the president. “Try” any impeachment proceedings started   in the House of Representatives. The Senate also has extensive   investigative power and can hold official hearings, summon witnesses, etc.   A famous example of this is the 1973 Senate Watergate Hearings. Senate Committees The business of the Senate is so varied that there are committees created to handle topical areas of business. Committees are further subdivided into subcommittees and can change over time or as needed. For example, during the Watergate years a special committee—the Senate Watergate Committee– was formed and made responsible for investigating the incident. You can learn more about the U.S. Senate, read transcripts of hearings and daily business, and get additional information on the various committees, by visiting Senate.gov. [ http://www.senate.gov/ ]


The flavouring vanilla comes from a species of which plant?

It's About Time You Knew Exactly Where Vanilla Comes From | The Huffington Post It's About Time You Knew Exactly Where Vanilla Comes From 03/25/2014 07:00 am ET | Updated Nov 06, 2014 900 Alison Spiegel Food writer and editor Image Source via Getty Images Vanilla is one of those powerful ingredients we use all the time, but probably take for granted. Whether it's vanilla extract in your chocolate chip cookies or scraped vanilla beans for custard or ice cream, vanilla is called for in all kinds of recipes. With so many uses and so many different types of vanilla -- from "Bourbon" to Mexican -- vanilla is an omnipresent ingredient whose value cannot be overstated. As ubiquitous as vanilla is, however, its origin isn't known to everyone. Do you know where vanilla comes from? Vanilla's origin story is anything but... er... vanilla. Vanilla comes from an orchid. Dan Sams via Getty Images Vanilla comes from orchids of the genus Vanilla. While the major species of vanilla orchids are now grown around the world, they originally came from Mesoamerica, including parts of modern day Mexico and Guatemala. The vanilla orchid is a vine-like plant that grows up trees. Michael Leach via Getty Images Only 10 to 20 degrees ?! It's a very picky plant. Most vanilla today comes from Madagascar and the island of Réunion Dan Sams via Getty Images Seventy-five percent of vanilla on the market today is derived from vanilla plants in Madagascar and Réunion. It is commonly known as Bourbon vanilla, named for the island Réunion, which was formally named Île Bourbon. The rest of the world's vanilla crop comes from Mexico and Tahiti. Underwater & Nature Photography via Getty Images Vanilla from these countries is much harder to get ahold of. Mexican vanilla is supposed to be smoother, darker and richer than vanilla from Madagascar, and Tahitian vanilla is said to have more floral notes. Vanilla is the second most-expensive spice, after saffron. Daniel Hurst Photography via Getty Images Like saffron , vanilla is very labor intensive to produce. In order for vanilla orchids to produce pods (commonly referred to as beans), the plant must be pollinated by hummingbirds or a specific species of bees native to Central America. Furthermore, the flowers are only open for a short period of time. In order to harvest vanilla commercially, therefore, the plants must be hand-pollinated. While chocolate may be superior to vanilla in all ways, vanilla is still pretty great. The fact that it comes from a beautiful, delicate orchid makes it that much better. Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest and Tumblr . Also on HuffPost:


Which Marx Brothers film centres on a football-match between two US colleges, with Groucho playing the president of Huxley College, Quincy Adams Wagstaff?

Horse Feathers - Wikiquote Horse Feathers The Marx Brothers. Top to bottom: Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo. Screenshot of Thelma Todd and Chico Marx from the film Horse Feathers Horse Feathers is a 1932 film about Quincy Adams Wagstaff, the new president of Huxley University, who hires bumblers Baravelli and Pinky to help his school win the big football game against rival Darwin University. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod . Written by S. J. Perelman , Bert Kalmar , Harry Ruby , and Will B. Johnstone. The Maddest Comics of the Screen! Contents I don't know what they have to say. It makes no difference anyway. Whatever it is, I'm against it. [to Baravelli] You've got the brain of a four-year-old boy, and I bet he was glad to get rid of it. [about Connie] I'm the plumber. I'm just hanging around in case something goes wrong with her pipes. [To the audience] That's the first time I've used that joke in 20 years. (to Baravelli and Pinky, who have abandoned the football match in favor of playing cards) Do you realize what happpens if we lose? It means shame! Disgrace! Humiliation! And besides, you're crazy if you don't play the ace! Dialogue[ edit ] Wagstaff: Members of the faculty, faculty members, students of Huxley and Huxley students - I guess that covers everything. Well, I thought my razor was dull until I heard this speech. And that reminds me of a story that's so dirty I'm ashamed to think of it myself. As I look over your eager faces, I can readily understand why this college is flat on its back. The last college I presided over, things were slightly different. I was flat on my back. Things kept going from bad to worse but we all put our shoulders to the wheel and it wasn't long before I was flat on my back again. Any questions? Any answers? Any rags? Any bones? Any bottles today? Any rags? Let's have some action around here. Who'll say 76? Who'll say 17 76? That's the spirit! 1776! ... Wagstaff: [to a woman sitting on his son's lap] Young lady. Would you mind getting up so I can see the son rise? So, doing your homework in school, eh? Retiring President: I am sure the students would appreciate a brief outline of your plans for the future. Wagstaff: What? Retiring President: I said the students would appreciate a brief outline of your plans for the future. Wagstaff: You just said that! That's the trouble around here: talk, talk, talk! Oh, sometimes I think I must go mad. Where will it all end? What is it getting you? Why don't you go home to your wife? I'll tell you what, I'll go home to your wife and, outside of the improvement, she'll never know the difference. Pull over to the side of the road there and let me see your marriage license. Retiring President: President Wagstaff, now that you've stepped into my shoes... Wagstaff: Oh, is that what I stepped in? I wondered what it was. If these are your shoes, the least you could do was have them cleaned. Frank: Dad, let me congratulate you. I'm proud to be your son. Wagstaff: My boy, you took the words right out of my mouth. I'm ashamed to be your father. You're a disgrace to our family name of Wagstaff, if such a thing is possible. What's all this talk I hear about you fooling around with the college widow? No wonder you can't get out of college. Twelve years in one college! I went to three colleges in twelve years and fooled around with three college widows! When I was your age, I went to bed right after supper. Sometimes I went to bed before supper. Sometimes I went without my supper and didn't go to bed at all! A college widow stood for something in those days. In fact, she stood for plenty. Frank: There's nothing wrong between me and the college widow. Wagstaff: There isn't, huh? Then you're crazy to fool around with her. Frank: Aw, but you don't... Wagstaff: I don't want to talk to you again about this, you snob. I'd horsewhip you, if I had a horse. You may go now. Leave your name and address with the girl outside, and if anything turns up we'll get in touch with you...Where you going? Frank: Well, you just told me to go. Wagstaff: So that's what they taught you in


"Which golfer was nicknamed ""Mrs Doubtfire"" due to his supposed resemblance to the cinematic character?"

GarboForever - People inspired.... People inspired....   Gerda Taro Gerda Taro (real name Gerda Pohorylle; 1910 - 1937) was a Jewish German war photographer, and the companion and professional partner of photographer Robert Capa. Taro is regarded often as the first female photojournalist to cover the front lines of a war and to die while do so. She adopted the professional name of Gerda Taro, after the Japanese artist Taro Okamoto and Greta Garbo.   Manny Ramirez, the Greta Garbo of baseball Ramirez is an American professional baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. In 2005,   Manny has become the Greta Garbo of baseball, telling general managers of clubs who want to deal for him that, most of all, he wants to be alone.   Garbo the tarantula - 2008 Garbo is a tarantula being kept by the Reisterstown Library in Baltimore (USA) as a mascot for the Summer Reading Club theme, Catch The Reading Bug. Garbo the tarantula The name Garbo (as in Greta) was chosen from a list of over 140 submissions, according to library staff. Rejected names included Charlotte, Fang and Aphrobitey (like the Greek goddess). According to Mank, on an average day, six children visit Garbo every hour.   Wislawa Szymborska - The Greta Garbo of European poetry This Polish Nobel Prize winner is always spending her birthdays in the privacy and that earned her the nickname "the Greta Garbo of European poetry." Wislawa Szymborska, born July 2, 1923 in Kórnik, Poland) is a Polish poet, essayist and translator. She was awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature.   Catherine Deneuve - The Garbo of the modern times Catherine Deneuve born October 22, 1943, is a two-time Cesar Award winning, BAFTA Award, and Academy Award-nominated French actress. She has made her reputation playing a series of beautiful ice maidens for various directors, including Luis Buñuel and Roman Polanski. In the late 1968, while filming Mayerling with Omar Sharif, she was quoted as saying: "I am the Garbo of the modern times". Thanks to Georg   Françoise Dorléac -  A New Garbo Françoise Dorléac (March 21, 1942 ï¿½ June 26, 1967) was a popular French actress. Born in Paris, she was the daughter of screen actor Maurice Dorléac and Renée Deneuve, and the elder sister of the now better-known Catherine Deneuve. The two sisters starred together in the 1967 musical, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.   She was made famous by Philippe de Broca's movie L'homme de Rio, François Truffaut's La peau douce and Roman Polanski's Cul-de-Sac, but her career was cut short by her death in a car crash at the age of 25. Some French reprters titled her as the French Garbo.   Sari Maritza - A new Garbo At the height of the Garboesque vogue, some of the other imitations were: Sari Maritza, a Chaplin discovery who passed herself off as Continental, but was a British girl. Last reported living in Georgetown, MD. Sari Maritza (March 17, 1910 ï¿½ July, 1987) was an actress in British films of the early 1930s. Born Dora Patricia Detring-Nathan in Tianjin, China on March 15,1910. Maritza was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist and his Viennese wife. Her stage name was taken from the titles of two then famous european operettas: 'Sari' and 'Countess Maitza'. She entered films in 1930 and gained some notoriety for dancing a tango with Charles Chaplin at the premiere for his film City Lights in 1931. Although her behaviour was described as lurid, which was silly publicity, she attracted attention and was cast in several low budget, but relatively popular British films.   Isa Miranda - A new Garbo Paramount quickly signed up Isa Miranda when Marlene Dietrich departed (ï¿½38). Not only did this Italian star look like Dietrich, she starred in HOTEL IMPERIAL, originally planned as I LOVE A SOLDIER, a vehicle for Dietrich. She was bounced out of Cukor's ZAZA after five days of shooting and replaced by Claudette Colbert. Vivacious Isa Miranda was exquisitely photographed "But I did ZAZA abroad afterwards and also in the theatre with Vittorio De Sica," she later said. "It was one of my great