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Thursday, October 31, 2013

American Bald Eagle:National Bird of USA



American bald eagle
The regal bald eagle; photo by Andrew Price on Flickr
(noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).
\

National Bird:

The American bald eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) was adopted as the official bird emblem of the United States of America in 1782. The bald eagle was chosen because of it's majestic beauty, great strength, long life, and because it's native to North America. In the wild, an eagle will live 30-35 years (up to 50 years in captivity). A full-grown bald eagle has a wingspan up to 7 feet. They fly up to 30 miles an hour and can dive at 100 miles an hour! Eagles feed primarily on fish, supplemented by small mammals, waterfowl, and carrion.
Eagles mate for life, and an established pair will use the same nest for many years. Over time some nests become enormous - they can reach a diameter of 9 feet and weigh as much as 2 tons! The female lays 2 or 3 eggs and both parents share incubation and guard them diligently against predators (such as squirrels, gulls and ravens). While the chicks are small, the parents move about the nest with their talons balled up into fists to avoid harming them.
In 1782 there were between 25,000 and 75,000 birds in the lower 48 states alone. But farmers considered bald eagles vermin and shot them on sight. As people started moving west, much of the nesting territories and food sources of the eagle diminished. By the late 1800's, eagles were becoming very scarce.
In 1940 the Bald Eagle Act was passed and eagle populations began to recover. But pesticides were starting to be used extensively about this same time. Plants sprayed with DDT were eaten by small animals, which in turn were eaten by eagles. Both the adult birds and their eggs were affected. The eggshells were too thin to withstand incubation and were crushed (or simply did not hatch). Large quantities of DDT were found in the fatty tissues of dead eagles, and by 1963 their numbers had fallen to a mere 417 nesting pairs.
The Endangered Species Acts of 1966 and 1978 helped to protect the bird, but banning of DDT in 1972 was the most effective in the bald eagle's recovery. By the year 2000 the US Fish & Wildlife Service proposed that the eagle be declared fully recovered, but as no plan to manage the species exists, it is still listed as threatened.
Founding father Benjamin Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be adopted as our national emblem (read the famous satirical letter Franklin wrote to his daughter on the Massachusetts State Game Bird page).
Source:
American Bald Eagle: National Wildlife Federation
Bald Eagle Fact Sheet: Smithsonian
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): National Parks
Bald Eagle: USGS
Bald Eagle Information: American Bald Eagle Foundation
The Bald Eagle - An American Emblem: Bald Eagle Info.com
Links:
Symbols of U.S. Government-The Bald Eagle: Ben's Guide
All Official State Birds
www.statesymbolsusa.org

Conservation Status

In 1782 there were between 25,000 and 75,000 birds in the lower 48 states alone. But farmers considered bald eagles vermin and shot them on sight. As people started moving west, much of the nesting territories and food sources of the eagle diminished. By the late 1800's, eagles were becoming very scarce.
In 1940 the Bald Eagle Act was passed and eagle populations began to recover. But pesticides were starting to be used extensively about this same time. Plants sprayed with DDT were eaten by small animals, which in turn were eaten by eagles. Both the adult birds and their eggs were affected. The eggshells were too thin to withstand incubation and were crushed (or simply did not hatch). Large quantities of DDT were found in the fatty tissues of dead eagles, and by 1963 their numbers had fallen to a mere 417 nesting pairs.
The Endangered Species Acts of 1966 and 1978 helped to protect the bird, but banning of DDT in 1972 was the most effective in the bald eagle's recovery. By the year 2000 the US Fish & Wildlife Service proposed that the eagle be declared fully recovered, and the Department of Interior took the American bald eagle off the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened on June 28, 2007.
credit/source: http://statesymbolsusa.org/National_Symbols/Bird_bald_eagle.html
All rights reserved to the writer's sources and references.


Saturday, October 26, 2013

8 Body English Idioms

Provided by Kaplan
1. All ears - awaiting an explanation, listening eagerly and carefully
- Tell me how you managed to pass the exam, I’m all ears.
- She was all ears to find out where her husband had been the night before.
2. Cold shoulder (give sb the cold shoulder, get the cold shoulder) - paying no attention to something, a deliberate act of disrespect, an attitude of rejection
- I hoped she would come to the cinema with me, but I just got the cold shoulder.
- The manager has given the cold shoulder to our proposal to buy a new company car.
3. Itchy feet - a strong impulse to travel, restlessness, desire to leave
- Seeing a boat always gives me itchy feet.
- No wonder she’s got itchy feet. She’s been working in the same office with the same people for more than twelve years. 
4. Long arm of the law - the far-reaching power of the authorities; the police, the law
- Stop this dirty business, the long arm of the law will reach you some day.
- He tried to live on shoplifting, but long arm of the law caught him in a week.
5. Old hand - a person with a lot of experience in something
- Our boss is an old hand in the car business, you can’t cheat him with this broken engine.
- The new chef was an old hand at making Italian dishes.
6. Sweet tooth - a great liking for sweet-tasting food, a weakness for sweets; someone with a liking for sweets
- She has a sweet tooth, but as she’s rather fat, she must resist eating chocolate too often.
- I’m a sweet tooth, I couldn’t help eating all the remains of my birthday cake after the party.
7. Elbow room - enough space to move or work in; freedom to do what you like
- There’s so little elbow room in our office that you must stand up from your desk if somebody wants to go out.
- The agents were given as much elbow room as they needed to increase the sales.
8. Eye-catching - tending to attract attention, visually attractive, striking
- There were lots of eye-catching posters at the entrance of the cinema.
- Her dress was so eye-catching that we couldn’"t do anything but stare at her for minutes.
credit/: ByAnastasia Koltai

Thursday, October 24, 2013

How to Hard-Boil an Egg

How to Hard Boil Eggs
photo: http://celebrating-family.com/
Hard-boiling eggs is almost as easy as boiling water, if you know the right process: Cooking eggs too long or too vigorously can result in cracked shells, tough whites, and green-gray, sulfuric-smelling yolks. The gentle method shown in this video works every time.

WHAT YOU NEED
  • eggs
  • saucepan with lid
  • cold water
  • timer
  • bowl
  1. Place eggs in a pot filled with cold water
    Set eggs in a single layer in a saucepan. Water should cover eggs by one to two inches.
  2. Boil the water
    Bring the water to a full, rolling boil, and cover the saucepan. Turn off the stove, remove the pot from the burner, and let it stand, covered, for 12 minutes (set the timer).
    note:others suggest 10 minutes
  3. Submerge the eggs in cold water
    Drain the pot, and transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water, to stop the cooking process.
  4. Crack and peel the eggs
    Tap each egg a few times to crack its shell, then roll it on a work surface to break the shell completely. Start peeling, dunking the egg into the bowl of water as you go to wash away any bits of shell.

    Get more hard-boiled egg recipes.
    source and click for the complete video instruction on how to boil the egg:
  5. CREDIT/http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/cooking/hard-boil-egg-00000000002333/

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Nintendo Officially Shuts Down Wii Console Production

credit/By -Yahoo GamesPlugged In 

Wii
photo: Nintendo:http://games.yahoo.com
Nintendo Japan made the news official today with a short statement on the system's product page that read simply "production over." It marked a particularly subdued ending for a console that had such a dramatic impact on the gaming world.
Prior to its formal debut as the Wii in 2006, Nintendo used the codename "Revolution." No one had any idea how descriptive that term would prove to be. While core gamers may mock it today as being too focused on a mainstream audience, the Wii was something we see all too rarely from console makers: an innovative risk.
Without the Wii, there would be no Kinect or PlayStation Move. Without the Wii, game publishers might still be exclusively chasing the core gaming market, throwing nothing but cheap shovelware at the mainstream audience. And without the Wii, there's no telling where Nintendo would be today.
Rather than focusing on a generational graphical leap, Nintendo opted to re-imagine basic gameplay elements through the lens of the system's then-revolutionary motion controls. The strategy worked with not only gamers, but with their parents and grandparents as well. It proved so immediately successful that it was still hard to find a Wii store shelves the holiday season after it launched.
Nintendo predicted all of this before the system was released, though no one believed them.
"Until now, within a single household, we've had family members who play video games and family members who don't play video games - and they've been very separate," said president Satoru Iwata in 2005. "Gradually, the barriers between those two have gotten stronger. ... Today, if you don't understand the controller, you're not able to enjoy video games. ... We expect [the Revolution controller] to become the standard in video game controls."
It never went quite that far, but it did force Microsoft and Sony to alter their game plan.
Of course, the shine soon faded for the Wii. A few years after its launch, third-party publishers began realizing that gamers were largely only interested in games made by Nintendo and began to back away from the system. The lack of HD graphics began to catch up with the company the longer the generation wore on. Eventually the Wii would find itself outsold by the Xbox 360 and PS3 on monthly sales charts, and by 2011, the biggest games of the year weren't even making a Wii port.
These days, it's the Wii U that Nintendo wants to focus on. And while that system hasn't lived up to its predecessor's success in any measurable way -- it's been a rough ride, to say the least -- the Wii U enjoyed a respite from the doom and gloom with an uptick in sales in September. It's got a long way to go to recapture the magic of its forbear, however.
source:http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/nintendo-officially-shuts-down-wii-console-production-182930255.html

Sunday, October 20, 2013

5 "Facts" About Drinking that Just Are Not True

Alcohol Myths
 credit and: By:  | Shine Food 
There's something great about tossing back a few (or several) brews with friends - but then you may be left to deal with the most miserable hangover you have ever experienced in your life the following morning. So you do your best to prevent that by avoiding the typical things: no beer before liquor, drinking a cup of coffee so you can sober up efficiently before bed, and staying away from the Red Bull and vodkas that you used to love so much. But sadly, none of these things are actually going to help you out. 


Alcohol is alcohol no matter how you consume it. While some drinks may be more alcoholic than others, it has nothing to do with their color, even though many believe darker beers are automatically higher in alcohol than their light counterparts. And as for those alcoholic energy drinks you're steering away from, that's probably a good idea, but it's not necessarily going to keep you from getting less intoxicated. People like to believe they can curb the side effects of a hangover by vomiting up the rest of the alcohol in their systems before hitting the hay or consuming lighter colored alcohol rather than dark whiskeys and cognacs, but in reality, if you overindulge at all, you're going to be hungover. Unless you have some super-secret trick up your sleeve we're unaware of. In that case, leave them in the comments section so we can create a whole new story for you! 

The reality of any alcohol-related situation is that drinking can impair your judgment, and can often lead to some pretty gruesome Instagrams and drunk tweets. The best way to avoid a hangover, and embarrassing hazy memories, is to not overindulge at all. Don't get us wrong - we encourage you to enjoy all that alcohol has to offer, but we think it's best to enjoy it in moderation so you don't have to worry about the hangover at all! But in case you had one too many last night, take an aspirin, a Tums, and load up on the fatty foods - these are things that actually will help you, and not just myths. 

 But we promised to debunk the myths, and that we did! We rounded up ridiculous alcohol myths and set the record straight. If you have more alcohol-related myths, add them to the comments section and we'll do our best to get to the bottom of your boozy questions! 

'Beer Before Liquor, Never Been Sicker' 

 This myth explores whether or not the order in which you drink different alcohols will make you sick. We left it to MythBusters rather than doing our own hands-on research and they reported that, "If you knock back the same alcohol content by chugging brewskies as you would switching between beer and liquor, you'll be at risk for the same aftereffects: dehydration, memory loss, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound - in other words, a hangover." Regardless of whether you drink your beer before your liquor or your liquor before your beer, you'll still end up with your head in the toilet if you drank too much. 

Vomiting Helps to Sober You Up 

 This is another myth that does have some gray lines. Health Guidance reported that vomiting does expel the alcohol that is in your stomach and will stop it from further entering your blood stream, but the part of the vomiting myth that isn't true is that it will sober you up. The alcohol that is already in your blood stream needs to metabolize, which means that you might not continue to get drunker but you will in fact remain drunk until your body has completely processed all the alcohol in your bloodstream.

 Drinking Lighter-Colored Alcoholic Drinks Will Prevent a Hangover
 

 Drinking lighter-colored drinks like vodka and gin won't necessarily prevent a hangover the next morning, but it may help. The Mayo Clinic reported that congeners, products of alcohol fermentation and one cause of a hangover, are more prevalent in dark liquors such as brandy, whiskey, darker beer, and red wine than they are in clear liquors such as vodka, gin, and lighter beers. The same article reported that drinking too much of anything is going to make you hungover, though - so whether you're drinking light or dark alcohol it probably won't matter if you've had too much to drink anyway. 

Alcohol Kills Brain Cells
 

 This myth is unnerving for college students who binge drink regularly. But thankfully, those who overindulged in college can now rest easy - it didn't harm your brain cells. The New York Times reported that former researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo Dr. Roberta  J. Pentney found that "alcohol disrupts brain function in adults by damaging message-carrying dendrites on neurons in the cerebellum, a structure involved in learning and motor coordination. This reduces communication between neurons, alters their structure, and causes some of the impairment associated with intoxication. It does not kill off entire cells, however." So there's nothing to worry about when it comes to your brain cells and alcohol, but that shouldn't give you the go-ahead to binge drink. 

 Dark Beer is Higher in Alcohol Content
 

This myth made us laugh a little bit when we came across it. Not all beer is created equal - you are truly in the hands of the brew master when it comes to the alcohol content of the beer you are drinking. You may very well have picked a lighter ale with a higher alcohol content than the dark lager your friend is drinking. Some lighter colored beers have a high alcohol content that can easily stand up to a big, bold, dark colored beer. So don't feel less bad ass because you ordered something lighter in color than the beer veteran standing next to you. 
source: http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/5-facts-drinking-just-not-true-145600285.html
www.yahoo.com

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

First-hand Accounts of the Visayas Earthquake

RELATED CONTENT

400 year old tower collapsed in Bohol.
ANCcredit/Photo By Robert Michael Poole (@tokyodrastic on Twitter)
click link :http://anc.yahoo.com/photos/magnitude-7-2-quake-hits-visayas-mindanao-photo-1381802669569.html

Triathlete shares photos of devastation and his experience in quake-hit Bohol
TV commercial Director Sid Maderazo shared online his composite photo of the damage on Bohol roads, bridges, houses and churches after the quake. He also posted a photo of how the centuries-old Baclayon church looked like before and after the tremor.
Maderazo was biking with friends when the quake struck and he said the shaking was so strong one of his friends was knocked off his bike.
When ANC was interviewing Maderazo this afternoon, Maderazo was feeling some tremors still. He was at the airport waiting for his flight. He said some people there were trying to go outside the building to go out into an open area.
please click the link  to watch the complete video clippings:  http://anc.yahoo.com/news/first-hand-accounts-of-the-visayas-quake-052751429.html

Banana Split cast and crew recount quake experience in Bohol
Kapamilya actor Jayson Gainza and his crew were inside a bus when the powerful earthquake rocked Bohol. In a video clip he sent to ABS-CBN, the Banana Split cast and crew were seen rushing out of their vehicle to seek a safety.

Gainza said at least one person may have died from the collapse of a portion of a building in the area.
Gainza and the other cast members of Banana Split stayed in an open area near the Tagbiliran City Hall as aftershocks shook the area. The actor said they felt at least 5 aftershocks as of 11:46 pm.

Meantime, Cynthia Jordan, Production Manager of Banana Split said they were all safe. Jordan says buidings were caving in, "Talaga pong bagsak," she told ANC. 

Renato Solidum, Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said a Magnitude 7 quake is equivalent to the energy of 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs.
please click the link  to watch the complete video clippings:  http://anc.yahoo.com/news/first-hand-accounts-of-the-visayas-quake-052751429.html

Church in Loboc, Bohol collapses due to quake
The centuries-old Loboc Church in Bohol collapsed as a result of the quake.

Robert Michael Poole, the Japan Bureau Chief for Blouin Artinfo, an online site for arts and culture was visiting Bohol when the earthquake struck. 
He posted on his Twitter account photos of the collapsed church, as well as houses damaged by the tremor.
please click the link  to watch the complete video clippings:  http://anc.yahoo.com/news/first-hand-accounts-of-the-visayas-quake-052751429.html

Gov. Chatto: Monitoring water levels, but no expected tsunami in Bohol
Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said the strong quake damaged several old structures in the province including churches and government buildings.

Chatto added they are monitoring all the areas in the province for reports of damage.

Chatto meanwhile advised the public not to panic saying a tsunami is unlikely.
please click the link  to watch the complete video clippings:  http://anc.yahoo.com/news/first-hand-accounts-of-the-visayas-quake-052751429.html

Cebu may declare state of calamity following earthquake
The local government of Cebu may declare a state of calamity following the powerful earthquake that struck the province this morning. 

Governor Hilario Davide III said teams have already been sent to affected areas. Initial reports reaching him indicate one person was killed in Mandaue.

A child also died in a stampede in midwestern Cebu while 5others were hurt.

Davide said a distribution program was being held at a gymnasium when the earthquake occured. About a thousand people were at the distribution center.
source and please click the link  to watch the complete video clippings:  http://anc.yahoo.com/news/first-hand-accounts-of-the-visayas-quake-052751429.html


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Questions to ask before you Bundle Internet, Cable and Phone

By   and credit to: Lisa Manterfield | Yahoo Homes

Bundling your cable, Internet, and phone is a great way to reduce your monthly cable bill. But, is it really a money-saving option for everyone?

In this age of technology, it's hard to keep up with the high monthly bills that come with services like cable, satellite, Internet, and phone. However, thanks to "bundling" services, which refer to buying all your digital services from one provider, you might be able to stay within a reasonable budget.
In this age of technology, it's hard to get by without digital services. But, it's also hard to keep up with the high monthly bills that come with these services, whether it's cable, satellite, Internet, or phone.
However, thanks to "bundling" services, which refer to buying all of your digital services from one provider, you might be able to stay within a reasonable budget.
"Bundled service packages frequently offer excellent deals, and can save consumers a lot of money," says Andrew Schrage, editor of the consumer-savings website, MoneyCrashers.com. 
 "It's convenient due to the fact that you only have to pay one bill per month instead of several bills for separate services," adds Schrage, who has bundled his digital services for years. 
Depending on the provider you choose, your bundle options could include services such as home telephone, cable, internet, and cell phone. But is bundling really worth it? 
That depends on your specific situation. If you're considering bundling your digital services, read on to learn what questions to ask before you buy.

Question #1: Do I Need the Services?

High-definition channels, high-speed internet, and free nationwide calling might sound too good to pass up, but do you really need them?
"Don't sign up for a bundle if it includes a service you don't currently use or will not need in the future," says Schrage. Before you sign up, he says, be sure to fully investigate the offerings to make sure you won't spend more money by paying for services you don't actually need.
For example, Schrage says that many bundles include home telephone service with unlimited nationwide calling as part of their triple-play bundle.
However, "If you're doing fine by just using your cell phone, don't be lured in," cautions Schrage.
Instead, consider opting for a double-play bundle with just TV and Internet.

Question #2: How Long Does the Introductory Rate Last?

You've probably seen ads and fliers offering low rates for digital service packages. But will they last the duration of your contract?
"Find out if the package includes an introductory rate, and if so, ask when the rates increase, and by how much," says Schrage.
Advertised rates can typically last for six to 12 months, depending on the provider. However, some bundles require that you sign a one- to two-year contract, which means you could then find yourself locked into a higher rate once the special rate ends.
If that's the case, the initial low-rate offer may not make up for the higher rate down the road.

Question #3: Are There Any Additional Fees that Aren't Advertised?

The offer of lower monthly rates and added perks in a bundled package can appear enticing, but are there other costs that could derail your bundling savings?
"Bundled packages often come with fees for equipment, set up, and installation that are not included in the advertised price," says Schrage. These fees vary between providers, however they could make a big difference to your overall cost. Be sure to ask what's included...and what's not.
Examples of fees to inquire about:
  • Cable Modem Rental Fee
  • Change of Service Fee
  • DVR Rental Fee
  • HD Technology Fee
The good news is that competition between providers can be stiff and companies may be willing to waive these fees.

Question #4: What Happens if I Cancel?

What if you get a great job offer out of state and have to move? Or let's say a rival service provider starts offering new technology that you simply must have. Is your contract cast in stone?
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an early termination fee (ETF) is often incorporated in a variety of service contracts for sectors that include wireless telephone service, cable, and satellite TV
"Most bundles require that you sign a contract," says Schrage. If you need to break the contract, he suggests consumers "know what those costs could be first."
And while cancellation fees will vary depending on your service plan and provider, the FCC says an early termination fee for wireless telephone service may be over $300, for example.
For this reason, Schrage recommends calling the service provider and asking to receive a bundle rate without having to sign a contract. If you do sign a contract, make sure to ask about any cancellation fees.

Question #5: Is this the Best Rate You Can Offer?

Recognize the expression, "You won't know if you don't ask"? This can apply to bundle discounts, too.
"Even promotional rates are negotiable," says Schrage. In fact, he says he has requested and received discounts from his carrier several times.
Bargaining for a lower bundling rate also worked for many Consumer Reports readers. 
In fact, according to a 2013 telecom survey conducted by the Consumer Reports Research Center and reported by Consumer Reports Magazine, "Only one in three survey respondents with a triple or quad play negotiated with their carrier, and many of them got a reduction in their monthly bill, fees waived, or an upgrade in service. About 44 percent of bargainers reported savings up to $50 a month, and 7 percent chopped more than $50 off their monthly bill." 
If asking for a lower rate doesn't work, consider shopping around and checking rates with competitors.
My note:It does not only applies to U.S. but also to everyone who is in-depth with the modern technology. The bundle for higher speed internet computer,unlimited browsing for cellphone,
wi-fi for Ibundle of Ipad,cellphone and computer apps for cellphone(smart phones), internet with free landline, HD channels for Tv cables and many more,,OMG-Oh my Gulay just thinking of it my head aches together with my wallet. In the end just avail of what you really need not want because we will never stop wanting for more.
credit/source: http://homes.yahoo.com/news/must-ask-bundling-questions-210154030.html

Note: This is an old article the (cable,,internet and phone providers) may have better better options to offer at lesser price just be wiser.