• Books can be a major source of information. This includes children’s books that are read primarily for pleasure. For example, Ann M. Martin wrote a Baby-Sitters Club book titled The Truth About Stacey, for which she did much research about juvenile diabetes. One young reader discovered that her symptoms matched those of Stacey, so she was tested and discovered that she had juvenile diabetes. Now that she knows she has the disease, she can take steps to manage it. Other young readers with juvenile diabetes have written Ms. Martin to say that they use The Truth About Stacey to teach their friends about the disease.
• While E.B. White was attending Cornell, he took a composition course from William Strunk Jr., who wrote a short book that gave rules for writing. One of the rules was “Omit needless words.” This is a rule that Professor Strunk followed so rigorously that he sometimes seemed to have “shortchanged himself,” according to Mr. White; however, Professor Strunk solved the problem by saying everything three times. Therefore, when he lectured on brevity, he would tell his class, “Rule Seventeen. Omit needless words! Omit needless words! Omit needless words!”
• When children’s book author Barbara Park — creator of Junie B. Jones — was in high school, her mother worked as a secretary in Barbara’s high school library. This worked in Barbara’s favor one day when she realized that she had forgotten to read a book she had to write a report about. Barbara went to the high school librarian and asked for help. Since the librarian knew both Barbara and Barbara’s mother, the librarian gave Barbara enough information about the book that Barbara was able to write a book report that got a passing grade.
• While attending Vassar, Edna St. Vincent Millay occasionally got into trouble and was called into the office of Vassar President Henry Noble MacCracken, who disliked these “talks” because Ms. Millay would often get angry and frustrated, cry, then run out of the room. On one memorable visit to the President’s office, Ms. Millay cried so hard and so long that she borrowed two handkerchiefs from Mr. MacCracken, returning them later to his wife with a note saying, “Tell him that I washed and ironed them myself.”
• Robrt L. Pela (yes, that is how he spells his first name) was a little weird when he was growing up. In 1972, Mrs. Newville, his 6th-grade writing teacher, read his composition book and wrote in it, “I’m sure you know there are certain subjects that are inappropriate to write about.” Mr. Pela writes that he cherishes that note. Mr. Pela grew up gay and wrote such books as Filthy: The Weird World of John Waters. Mr. Waters, aka the Prince of Puke, is the movie director of such cult gross-outs as Pink Flamingos.
• Some students are manipulative. For example, a student may cry instead of producing the work that is due. Germaine Greer, author of The Female Eunuch, has been a special lecturer and fellow at Newnham College, Cambridge. Ms. Greer says that this was her standard response to these manipulative, crying students: “Don’t you dare cry. I’m the one who should be crying. It’s my time and effort that’s being wasted.”
• When young people’s author Beverly Cleary was a child, she entered a contest in which the best essay about an animal would win $2. She won the $2, and she found out that she had been the only person to write and send in an essay. Ms. Cleary says, “This incident was one of the most valuable lessons in writing I ever learned. Try! Others will talk about writing but may never get around to trying.”
• In the 18th century, Richard Porson was Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge University. During a discussion of Greek poetry with Greek historian John Gillies, Dr. Gillies said, “We know nothing of the Greek metres.” Dr. Porson replied, “If, Doctor, you will put your observation in the singular number, I believe it will be very accurate.
• While at Trinity College, Dublin, Oscar Wilde read a poem, causing the class bully to sneer. This made Mr. Wilde angry, so he asked the bully to explain himself. Once again, the bully sneered. To settle the dispute, the two decided to fight. No one gave Wilde, who avoided competitive sports, a chance, but he soundly beat up the bully.
James D. Ployhar was commissioned by the North Dakota Band Directors Association to compose a march appropriate for official state functions. He wrote "Spirit of the Land," which was designated the official North Dakota State March in 1975. But this title was nearly identical to an existing march, so the title was changed to "Flickertail March" (the change was approved by Legislative Assembly in 1989).
Source
and
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Billy in Cypress was first, and correct, with:
North Dakota
Mark. said:
North Dakota.
Alan J answered:
North Dakota.
Dave wrote:
North Dakota. The march is inspired by the tail movements of a species of rodent common in North Dakota. Richardson’s Ground Squirrel is a critter what digs burrows, is about 12 inches long and tops out at about 1 pound. I have never seen one so I don’t know if the movement of their tails when alarmed and about to haul ass to their holes is dramatic enough to inspire a march or not? I know the Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrels that infest my Michigan yard only inspire me into thinking of ways to evict them. When I was a kid, our Airedale terrier caught them by the dozen without wiping them out, but he dug bigger holes than the squirrels did.
Photos: Richardson’s Ground Squirrel | Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel | Airedale Terrier- vermin remover
Mac Mac responded:
North Dakota
zorch replied:
North Dakota.
Kevin in Washington DC, hiding in Lost City, WV from the Million MAGAt Squirrely-tail March wrote:
North Dakota. Apparently, a Flickertail is a nickname for a Ground Squirrel. So, they gots funny accents, interesting murders, two U.S. Senators, and are proud of their ground squirrels in North Dakota.
David of Moon Valley said:
and the answer is...
…what is North Dakota?….i’d like useless state facts for 200, please, Marty….
Deborah, the Master Gardener replied:
North Dakota, a state that I’ve not visited. And these days I have no plans to do so.
Jim from CA, retired to ID, responded:
"Flickertail March" ("Spirit of the Land") was adopted in 1975 as the North Dakota State March.
Cal in Vermont wrote:
North Dakota. I got a better question. How do you pronounce the capital of South Dakota?
Jacqueline said:
North Dakota
Daniel in The City answered:
North Dakota
DJ Useo responded:
Youse got me on that one. A stumper.
Randall replied:
North Dakota
. . . or . . . as THEY pronounce it:
Nordakoda
(I live in South Dakota, NorDakoda's smarter neighbor)
Joe ( -- Vote Blue, No Matter Who -- ) wrote:
Well. North Dakota, who knew. I don't know much of anything about North Dakota, is in the United States?
mj took the day off.
Michelle in AZ took the day off.
Stephen F took the day off.
Jon L took the day off.
John I from Hawai`i took the day off.
Leo in Boise took the day off.
Dave in Tucson took the day off.
Rosemary in Columbus took the day off.
Barbara, of Peppy Tech fame took the day off.
Roy, Lifelong member of Antifa, in Tyler, TX took the day off.
Doug in Albuquerque, New Mexico, took the day off.
-pgw took the day off.
Kenn B took the day off.
Micki took the day off.
Ed K took the day off.
Angelo D took the day off.
Harry M. took the day off.
George M. took the day off.
Gary K took the day off.
Roy the (now retired) hoghead (aka 'hoghed') ( Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ~Frank Zappa ) took the day off.
Saskplanner took the day off.
Gateway Mike took the day off.
Steve in Wonderful Sacramento, CA, took the day off.
MarilynofTC took the day off.
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Brian S. took the day off.
Gene took the day off.
Tony K. took the day off.
Noel S. took the day off.
James of Alhambra took the day off.
BttbBob has returned to semi-retired status.
~~~~~
Watching an old 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour', and finding it somewhat disconcerting to hear Richard Dawson speak with an American accent.
Tonight, Monday:
CBS opens the night with a FRESH'The Neighborhood', followed by a FRESH'Bob Hearts Abishola', then a FRESH'All Rise', followed by a FRESH'Bull'.
Scheduled on a FRESHStephen Colbert are Jake Tapper and BENEE.
Scheduled on a FRESHJames Corden, OBE, is Maria Bakalova.
NBC begins the night with a FRESH'The Voice', followed by a FRESH'Weakest Link'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Fallon are Erin Andrews, Chance the Rapper, and G Herbo.
Scheduled on a FRESHSeth Meyers are Kaley Cuoco, Cazzie David, and Valerie Franco.
On a RERUNLilly Singh (from 11/20/19) are Ginnifer Goodwin and Chase Bernstein.
ABC starts the night with a FRESH'Dancing With The Stars', followed by a FRESH'The Good Doctor'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Kimmel are Ryan Phillippe, David Cross, and Wallows.
The CW offers a 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', followed by a RERUN'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', then a FRESH'Penn & Teller: FU'.
Faux has a FRESH'LA's Finest', followed by a FRESH'Filthy Rich'.
MY recycles an old 'L&O: SVU', followed by another old 'L&O: SVU'.
AMC offers the movei 'Scrooged', followed by the movie 'Elf'.
BBC -
[6:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - BABEL
[7:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - CAPTIVE PURSUIT
[8:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - Q-LESS
[9:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - DAX
[10:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - THE PASSENGER
[11:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - MOVE ALONG HOME
[12:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - YESTERDAY'S ENTERPRISE
[1:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - THE OFFSPRING
[2:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - SINS OF THE FATHER
[3:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALLEGIANCE
[4:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - CAPTAIN'S HOLIDAY
[5:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - TIN MAN
[6:00PM - 12AM] LAW & ORDER
[1:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - YESTERDAY'S ENTERPRISE
[2:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - THE OFFSPRING
[3:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - SINS OF THE FATHER
[4:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALLEGIANCE
[5:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - CAPTAIN'S HOLIDAY (ALL TIMES ET)
Bravo has 'Below Deck', followed by a FRESH'Below Deck', then another FRESH'Below Deck', 'Real Housewives Of SLC', followed by a FRESH'Watch What Happens: Live'.
FX has the movie 'Jurassic World', followed by the movie 'Transformers: The Last Knight'.
History has 'Pawn Stars', another 'Pawn Stars', followed by a FRESH'Pawn Stars'.
IFC -
[6:00am] Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Merlin's Shop Of Mystical Wonders
[7:00am] Escape From L.A.
[9:15am] The Running Man
[11:30am] Terminator 2: Judgment Day
[2:30pm] 2012
[6:00pm - 12:30am] Two And A Half Men
[1:00am - 5:30am] Parks And Recreation (ALL TIMES ET)
Barack Obama would not take a position in Joe Biden’s cabinet if the president-elect offered it – because if he did, he fears, Michelle Obama would leave him.
The 44th president made the remark in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, two days ahead of publication of his memoir, A Promised Land. He was due to speak to CBS again, for 60 Minutes, on Sunday night.
Asked how he will help Biden, Obama said: “He doesn’t need my advice, and I will help him in any ways that I can. Now, I’m not planning to suddenly work on the White House staff or something.”
Asked if he would consider a cabinet position, Obama said: “There are some things I would not be doing because Michelle would leave me. She’d be like, what? You’re doing what?”
Newsmax TV, the conservative, pro-Donald Trump (R-Uncouth) television network whose ratings have lately jumped as its rivals leaned to the left, may be a takeover or acquisition target, the Wall Street Journal reported today.
The WSJ said that allies of President Trump (R-Inadequate) have been looking for a vehicle to challenge Fox News, which some on the right believe is gradually moving away from conservatives. Whether Donald Trump himself would be involved if he fails in his bid to overturn the election results was not mentioned. However, Trump has long been rumored to be interested in his own conservative network platform.
The report indicates Hicks Equity Partners, a private-equity firm with ties to a co-chair of the Republican National Committee, has held talksabout acquiring and investing in Newsmax. The WSJ cited “people familiar with the matter,” and said any move would be part of a larger effort that could also include a streaming-video service.
Fox Rupert Corp., which owns the WSJ, had no comment.
Universal/Blumhouse’s Freaky is coming in lower than expected at $3.7M after a $1.4M Saturday that dipped 6% from Friday’s $1.5M. With overseas totaling $1.9M from 20 territories, including Australia, Freaky‘s global start stands at $5.6M. It’s the 14th time that a Blumhouse movie has led the box office in the studio’s history. Blumhouse’s last No. 1 pic was The Invisible Man, with $28.2M before the pandemic threw the box office into the dumpster.
While Wall Street and exhibition stocks got excited about the potential of a COVID-19 vaccine in the near future, with the Pfizer trials at over a 90% effective rate, those good vibes weren’t seeping into the box office this past weekend. Moviegoers continued to be jarred by TV news chatter of increased lockdowns and record spikes across the country.
It’s clear, given the numbers, that the major studios aren’t investing in these movies, given the broken- down marketplace (17% of all U.S. theaters are closed). The No. 1 results for a movie since Columbus Day weekend are in the $3.6M-$4M range. Freaky is another example of this. It will be interesting to see if grosses are higher over Thanksgiving when the studio opens DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods: A New Age, which is part of the NBC Universal symphony marketing program. That pic is primed to get a proper blast across the conglom’s vertical tentacles, i.e. cable, TV networks, etc.
Also slowing business was word-of-mouth, despite Freaky notching an 85% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with Cinemascore at B-, and the PostTrak exits standing at 77% positive and a 54% definite recommend.
101 Studios’ My War With Grandpa now stands at $15.2M in its domestic tally in weekend 6, and has a good chance with Thanksgiving of making it to $20M. Even though the pic lost 203 locations, along with the Sacramento and San Diego cinema shutdowns, the movie only dipped -12%, which exceeded the distributor’s expectations. The Saturday to Saturday dip was only -5%, with $639K. Grandpa was notable in the West, Mountain, Midwest and East, with over-indexing markets being Salt Lake City, Houston, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Seattle, Kansas City , Pittsburgh, Des Moines, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
Arizona has been a Republican stronghold for decades — out of the reach of Democrats with the brief exception of 1996 when Bill Clinton won the state.
In 2016 Donald Trump (R-Grifter) carried the state by four points, but this year Joe Biden pulled ahead and won the state by just 0.3 per cent.
Between 60 per cent and 90 per cent of the 67,000 eligible voters in the Navajo Nation voted for Joe Biden according to Vox.
The Navajo were not alone, as other tribes also leaned towards the Democratic Party ticket, including the Hopi, the White Mountain Apache, the Pascua Yaqui, and the Tohono O’odham Nation, whose burial ground was desecrated to make way for Donald Trump’s border wall.
The giant, aging cables that support one of the world's largest single-dish radio telescopes are slowly unraveling in this U.S. territory, pushing an observatory renowned for its key role in astronomical discoveries to the brink of collapse.
The Arecibo Observatory, which is tethered above a sinkhole in Puerto Rico’s lush mountain region, boasts a 1,000-foot-wide (305-meter-wide) dish featured in the Jodie Foster film “Contact” and the James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” The dish and a dome suspended above it have been used to track asteroids headed toward Earth, conduct research that led to a Nobel Prize and helped scientists trying to determine if a planet is habitable.
Last week, one of the telescope’s main steel cables that was capable of sustaining 1.2 million pounds (544,000 kilograms) snapped under only 624,000 pounds (283,000 kilograms). That failure further mangled the reflector dish after an auxiliary cable broke in August, tearing a 100-foot hole and damaging the dome above it.
Officials said they were surprised because they had evaluated the structure in August and believed it could handle the shift in weight based on previous inspections.
Some new cables are scheduled to arrive next month, but officials said funding for repairs has not been worked out with federal agencies. Scientists warn that time is running out. Only a handful of cables now support the 900-ton platform.
New Kim is worth her weight in gold and then some — actually much, much more.
A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan put down a record price of 1.6 million euros ($1.9 million) for the Belgian-bred bird, saying a lot more than merely what kind of money can be made in the once-quaint sport, which seemed destined to decline only a few years back.
During a frantic last half hour Sunday at the end of a two-week auction at the Pipa pigeon center, two Chinese bidders operating under the pseudonyms Super Duper and Hitman drove up the price by 280,000 euros ($325,000), leaving the previous record that Belgian-bred Armando fetched last year well behind by 350,000 euros ($406,000).
Super Duper got the hen, and behind the pseudonym is said to be the same wealthy Chinese industrialist who already had Armando, allowing for breeding with the two expensive birds.
It was proof again that an age-old hobby in Western Europe identified with working-class men now has a new, elitist foreign lease on life. Top breeders relying on generations of family experience can now sell their birds for prices unheard of merely a decade ago, and often China is their destination.
The head of an ancient statue of the Greek god Hermes has been unearthed during excavations for sewage system improvements in central Athens, the ministry of culture said Sunday.
The "original artwork dating late 4th century BC or early 3rd century BC" is in good condition, a statement said.
The marble head, found just 1.3 metres (four feet) under the pavement on the busy Aiolou street on Friday, "depicts the god in a mature age and is obviously a part of a herm", the statement added.
Herms or Hermas are sculptures, usually of the head of Hermes, and sometimes a torso, which were set on a squared column erected at road crossings as signs.
A man searching for mushrooms in a forest in the Czech Republic found much more than he was looking for when he uncovered an ancient sword and bronze axe, both thought to date from around 3,300 years ago.
Roman Novák was "mushrooming" in spring on a forested hillside near his home in the eastern Jesenicko region soon after it had rained, according to Radio Prague International.
Searching for edible mushrooms is a popular pastime in rural areas of the Czech Republic, and the fruiting body — the part of the fungus known as a mushroom — quickly swells with rainwater while the rest of the organism stays buried. Perhaps because he was looking at the ground, "I saw a piece of metal sticking out of some stones," Novák told RPI. "I kicked it and found that it was a blade, part of a sword. I then dug some more to find a bronze axe."
Novák reported his find to archaeologists, and a formal excavation of the site is now planned by a team from the nearby Silesian Museum in the city of Opava.
The ancient sword is especially striking in appearance: Its pommel and hilt are intricately decorated with engraved circles and rows of crescent-shaped marks, and although the blade is broken near the hilt it is otherwise complete.
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was first, and correct, with:
has returned to semi-retired status.
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