It has its beginnings in the
early history of the United States. Weather has always been
important to the citizens of this country and especially during the
17th and 18th centuries.
The beginning of the National Weather Service we know today started
on February 9th, 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a
joint resolution of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War to
establish a national weather service. This resolution required the
Secretary of War "to provide for taking meteorological observations
at the military stations in the interior of the continent and at
other points in the States and Territories... and for giving notice
on the northern (Great) Lakes and on the seacoast by magnetic
telegraph and marine signals, of the approach and force of storms."
It was decided that this agency would be placed under the Secretary
of War, because military discipline would probably secure the
greatest promptness, regularity, and accuracy in the required
observations. Within the Department of War, it was assigned to the
Signal Service Corps under Brigadier General Albert J. Myer. General
Meyer gave the National Weather Service its first name: The Division
of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce.
Later that year, the first systematized, synchronous weather
observations ever taken in the U.S. were made by
"observing-sergeants" of the Army Signal Service at 22 stations and
telegraphed to Washington. An agency was born which would affect the
daily lives of most of the citizens of the United States through its
forecasts and warnings.
The National Weather Service, once known as the Weather Bureau, is
one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government. It
is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Climate Prediction Center is responsible for all of the NWS's
climate-related forecasts. Their mission is to "serve the public by
assessing and forecasting the impacts of short-term climate
variability, emphasizing enhanced risks of weather-related extreme
events, for use in mitigating losses and maximizing economic gains."
Their products cover time scales from a week to seasons, extending
into the future as far as technically feasible, and cover the land,
the ocean, and the atmosphere, extending into the stratosphere. Most
of their products cover the Contiguous U.S. and Alaska.
Additionally, Weather Forecast Offices issue daily and monthly
climate reports for official climate stations within their area of
responsibility. These generally include recorded highs, lows and
other information. This information is considered preliminary until
certified by the National Climatic Data Center.
Sep 21, 2013
Naked and Nude
Naked implies that a person is unprotected
or vulnerable. It also describes something that is unadorned or
without embellishment, as in the naked truth. Nude, on the other
hand, means one thing: unclothed.
Think of it this way: if you doff your duds to pose while descending a staircase for a tasteful painting done by a respected artist, then you are nude. If a bunch of paparazzi suddenly burst in through the studio door and take your picture without permission, you are naked.
Think of it this way: if you doff your duds to pose while descending a staircase for a tasteful painting done by a respected artist, then you are nude. If a bunch of paparazzi suddenly burst in through the studio door and take your picture without permission, you are naked.
Cracking Another Egg Myth
The nutritional value of the egg
and its yolk has been debated by nutritionists for years. Years ago,
the egg received a bad reputation with regard to cardiovascular
health, as one large egg contains approximately 187 milligrams of
cholesterol. However, most research has shown that cholesterol found
in foods isn't fully to blame for increased LDL cholesterol in the
body.
“Eggs are an animal product, and they do contain cholesterol, but actually, cholesterol in foods doesn't affect our blood cholesterol as much as saturated fat does. Cholesterol in food, in general you do want to avoid, but it’s not necessarily the main culprit of high cholesterol." Lisa Cimperman, registered dietitian for UH Case Medical Center.
Compared to other animal products, the average egg actually contains relatively low amounts of saturated fats – approximately 1.6 grams per egg yolk. Additionally, various studies from the Harvard School of Public Health and the British Nutrition Foundation have found that eggs have clinically insignificant effects on blood cholesterol, and are not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Many consumers are still concerned over the yolk’s fatty content, so rather than eat the full egg, they often eat just the egg’s albumin, the egg white. However, some dietitians argue it is important to consume both the egg’s fat and protein, as the combination can have positive health benefits for blood sugar.
“You want the fat, because it not only satiates you, but also slows the absorption of your food, so you stay fuller longer, and it won’t increase blood sugar. A lot of people have toast with just egg whites, but it’s giving them a quicker rise in their blood sugar, but if you have the yolk with it or a different form of fat like avocado, your blood sugar won’t rise as quickly, because it takes longer to break the food down.” Laura Cipullo registered dietitian. Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin A and iron, along with a host of other nutrients. Eggs are also good sources of B vitamin, thiamine and selenium. Eggs also pair very well with bacon.
“Eggs are an animal product, and they do contain cholesterol, but actually, cholesterol in foods doesn't affect our blood cholesterol as much as saturated fat does. Cholesterol in food, in general you do want to avoid, but it’s not necessarily the main culprit of high cholesterol." Lisa Cimperman, registered dietitian for UH Case Medical Center.
Compared to other animal products, the average egg actually contains relatively low amounts of saturated fats – approximately 1.6 grams per egg yolk. Additionally, various studies from the Harvard School of Public Health and the British Nutrition Foundation have found that eggs have clinically insignificant effects on blood cholesterol, and are not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Many consumers are still concerned over the yolk’s fatty content, so rather than eat the full egg, they often eat just the egg’s albumin, the egg white. However, some dietitians argue it is important to consume both the egg’s fat and protein, as the combination can have positive health benefits for blood sugar.
“You want the fat, because it not only satiates you, but also slows the absorption of your food, so you stay fuller longer, and it won’t increase blood sugar. A lot of people have toast with just egg whites, but it’s giving them a quicker rise in their blood sugar, but if you have the yolk with it or a different form of fat like avocado, your blood sugar won’t rise as quickly, because it takes longer to break the food down.” Laura Cipullo registered dietitian. Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin A and iron, along with a host of other nutrients. Eggs are also good sources of B vitamin, thiamine and selenium. Eggs also pair very well with bacon.
Wordology, Aptronym
Have you noticed that some people seem
to have very appropriate and entirely coincidental names? Names such
Usain Bolt (Jamaican sprinter), Lord Brain (brain surgeon), or Alto
Reed (saxophonist). This is called an aptronym, as in 'aptly named'.
Some people believe that the name can influence life decisions leading a person to work in a field relating to their name. This is called 'nominative determinism'.
Some people believe that the name can influence life decisions leading a person to work in a field relating to their name. This is called 'nominative determinism'.
Five Household Uses for Tea Bags
Tea is a great, natural way to
clean and polish wood furniture. Brew a full pot of tea and allow it
to cool to room temperature. Then dip a light colored, clean towel
in the tea and gently rub the wet end of the towel along the surface
of wooden furniture. The tea removes light stains and scratches and
leaves the furniture shining.
If you wipe mirrors down with room temperature tea, they will be clean and streak-free. A microfiber towel or newspaper both work well.
Empty wet tea leaves into a bowl and sprinkle them across the fireplace before cleaning. The wet tea leaves absorb the ash, making it easier to clean the fireplace and with less dust.
Add a few used tea bags to the bottom of a planter before adding soil. The tea bags absorb excess water.
Used tag bags actually absorb odors in small spaces, much like baking soda does. Let tea bags dry completely and add to sock drawers or toss a bag into shoes or sneakers. The bags soak up odors for a few weeks.
If you wipe mirrors down with room temperature tea, they will be clean and streak-free. A microfiber towel or newspaper both work well.
Empty wet tea leaves into a bowl and sprinkle them across the fireplace before cleaning. The wet tea leaves absorb the ash, making it easier to clean the fireplace and with less dust.
Add a few used tea bags to the bottom of a planter before adding soil. The tea bags absorb excess water.
Used tag bags actually absorb odors in small spaces, much like baking soda does. Let tea bags dry completely and add to sock drawers or toss a bag into shoes or sneakers. The bags soak up odors for a few weeks.
Henry VIII Wives
He actually had just two wives, not six.
Henry’s fourth marriage to Anne was annulled, as the marriage was
never consummated, also Anne was betrothed to Francis, Duke of
Lorraine. At the time ‘betrothal’ would bar the individual from
marriage. That leaves 5 wives. Henry’s second marriage to Anne
Boleyn was declared illegal by the pope, because the king was still
married to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. That brings it to
four. Henry, as the head of the church of England, declared himself
that his first marriage was invalid on the grounds that a man cannot
sleep with his brother’s widow. Now down to three. He did the same
with his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, leaving just two wives.
Close, But No Cigar
This means to fall short of a
successful outcome. It was first used in the United States in the
early 1900s and is likely the phrase originated at fairgrounds.
Much like fairs today, booths would be set up and fair workers would host difficult to win games for fair goers to try. Games of strength, accuracy, and skill were played by men and women. Back then, prizes were for mom and dad, and cigars were a very common prize given out to winners. The phrase apparently originated when someone came close to winning one of the games, but ultimately lost and so did not win a cigar. Workers yelled it out out when people lost, trying to draw crowds and encourage the person to try again. As the fairs traveled, the phrase spread rapidly and it began to be used any time someone did not meet expectations.
Much like fairs today, booths would be set up and fair workers would host difficult to win games for fair goers to try. Games of strength, accuracy, and skill were played by men and women. Back then, prizes were for mom and dad, and cigars were a very common prize given out to winners. The phrase apparently originated when someone came close to winning one of the games, but ultimately lost and so did not win a cigar. Workers yelled it out out when people lost, trying to draw crowds and encourage the person to try again. As the fairs traveled, the phrase spread rapidly and it began to be used any time someone did not meet expectations.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish have eyes shaped like the letter ‘w’.
Although they cannot see color, they can perceive the polarization
of light, which enhances their perception of contrast.
They have full use of their eyes before they are born.
They have full use of their eyes before they are born.
Sep 13, 2013
Seven Common Quotes Debunked
Wrong - Money is the root of all evil.
Correct - “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Wrong - Nice guys finish last.
Correct - “Why, they’re the nicest guys in the world! And where are they? In seventh place!“
Wrong - Play it again, Sam.
Correct - “Play it once Sam. . . play it, Sam.“
Wrong - Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die.
Correct - “Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.”
Wrong - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Correct - “Heav’n has no rage, like love to hatred turn’d/Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d.”
Wrong - Houston, we have a problem.
Correct - “Houston, we’ve had a problem”
Wrong - Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?
Correct - “Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”
Correct - “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Wrong - Nice guys finish last.
Correct - “Why, they’re the nicest guys in the world! And where are they? In seventh place!“
Wrong - Play it again, Sam.
Correct - “Play it once Sam. . . play it, Sam.“
Wrong - Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die.
Correct - “Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.”
Wrong - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Correct - “Heav’n has no rage, like love to hatred turn’d/Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d.”
Wrong - Houston, we have a problem.
Correct - “Houston, we’ve had a problem”
Wrong - Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?
Correct - “Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”
Who Owns What Auto Brands
During the 1990s Volkswagen
acquired Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti. VW also owns Audi,
Ducati Motorcycles, MAN (Uzbekistan), Scania, Porsche, SEAT (Spain),
and Skoda (Czech) brands, as well as 19.9% of Suzuki. All together,
Volkswagen owns 340 subsidiary companies, with 550,000 employees.
Interesting to know that Porsche produced the first VW Beetle. Seems
VW transformed itself from beetle to elephant.
Other interesting brand owners:
BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce.
Fiat owns: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram.
Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia. (It is pronounced Hun-Day, like Sunday)
Tata Motors (India) owns: Tata, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
Renault owns Nissan, which owns Infiniti.
Toyota owns: Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu, Hino Motors, Isuzu, and a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru's parent).
Geely owns Volvo (Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group).
Other interesting brand owners:
BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce.
Fiat owns: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram.
Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia. (It is pronounced Hun-Day, like Sunday)
Tata Motors (India) owns: Tata, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
Renault owns Nissan, which owns Infiniti.
Toyota owns: Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu, Hino Motors, Isuzu, and a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru's parent).
Geely owns Volvo (Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group).
Taco Bell Meat
Taco Bell says its meat is 88% beef. Other
ingredients include water to keep it juicy and moist (3%). Mexican
spices and flavors, including salt, chili pepper, onion powder,
tomato powder, sugar, garlic powder, and cocoa powder (4%). The rest
is oats, caramelized sugar, yeast, citric acid, and other
ingredients (5%).
Fruits and Veggies
Beans, corn, bell peppers, peas,
eggplant, pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes are all fruits.
That is because, botanically speaking, fruits are the part of
flowering plants that contain the seeds and are the means by which
such plants disseminate those seeds. So even nuts are fruits.
Grains, which are really over-sized seeds are also fruits.
Also, botanically speaking, vegetables are all the other parts of the plant, including the leaves (e.g. lettuce and spinach), roots (e.g. potatoes and carrots), bulbs (e.g. onions and garlic), flowers (e.g. artichokes, broccoli, and cauliflower), and stems (e.g. rhubarb and celery). Also, botanically speaking, some spices, such as allspice and chilies, are fruits.
If it is from a plant and has seeds (or would have seeds if it wasn't genetically engineered or cultivated to not have them, as with seedless grapes), it is a fruit; if it does not naturally have seeds, it is a vegetable.
The reason we learn peppers, corn, and cucumbers are vegetables and are found in the veggie section is due to tradition. Culinary traditions (with no scientific value) tell us the part of the plant we are eating does not matter, taste does. Fruits are generally sweet tasting and vegetables are more savory and less sweet. Fruits are also typically served as part of dessert or as snacks, and vegetables are often part of the main dish.
Scientific classification system makes a clear dividing line between fruits and vegetables, while the culinary system of classification is much more ambiguous. Not to be outdone, The United States Supreme Court entered the debate and gave a legal verdict about whether a tomato should be classified as a vegetable or a fruit. They decided unanimously, in Nix vs. Hedden, 1883, that a tomato is a vegetable, even though it is a botanical fruit. I use a much more simple method - If I like it, it's a fruit, if I do not like it, it's a vegetable.
Also, botanically speaking, vegetables are all the other parts of the plant, including the leaves (e.g. lettuce and spinach), roots (e.g. potatoes and carrots), bulbs (e.g. onions and garlic), flowers (e.g. artichokes, broccoli, and cauliflower), and stems (e.g. rhubarb and celery). Also, botanically speaking, some spices, such as allspice and chilies, are fruits.
If it is from a plant and has seeds (or would have seeds if it wasn't genetically engineered or cultivated to not have them, as with seedless grapes), it is a fruit; if it does not naturally have seeds, it is a vegetable.
The reason we learn peppers, corn, and cucumbers are vegetables and are found in the veggie section is due to tradition. Culinary traditions (with no scientific value) tell us the part of the plant we are eating does not matter, taste does. Fruits are generally sweet tasting and vegetables are more savory and less sweet. Fruits are also typically served as part of dessert or as snacks, and vegetables are often part of the main dish.
Scientific classification system makes a clear dividing line between fruits and vegetables, while the culinary system of classification is much more ambiguous. Not to be outdone, The United States Supreme Court entered the debate and gave a legal verdict about whether a tomato should be classified as a vegetable or a fruit. They decided unanimously, in Nix vs. Hedden, 1883, that a tomato is a vegetable, even though it is a botanical fruit. I use a much more simple method - If I like it, it's a fruit, if I do not like it, it's a vegetable.
Nestlé
Henri Nestlé, started his company as a pioneer in
the baby food industry. He was was likely inspired by his family’s
history as 7 of his 13 siblings died before reaching adulthood.
Nestlé sold the company to his business associates and retired just seven years after he founded the company. Though the name “Nestlé” has since gone on to be associated with many different products, mostly chocolate based products and other sweets, the only Nestlé to be involved with the company left when their only product was baby formula.
Nestlé sold the company to his business associates and retired just seven years after he founded the company. Though the name “Nestlé” has since gone on to be associated with many different products, mostly chocolate based products and other sweets, the only Nestlé to be involved with the company left when their only product was baby formula.
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