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OR..........Necessity is the Mother of Mittens.
It’s not very often you see a grown man sporting mittens shaped like bear paws and a neck scarf adorned with a stuffed animal. In fact, can’t say I’ve ever encountered that before – until last week. Headed to a meeting in the Time Warner building in Columbus Circle, I passed through an area outside of Central Park where a variety of vendors were selling specialty gifts for the holidays. And there he was – up close and personal.
You simply have to stop and say hello to a man with bear paws on his hands. And it turns out, Jeff Golden wasn’t just modeling the winter accessory, he’s the co-owner and inventor of BearHands® & Buddies. He told me it was a ski trip a few years ago that inspired the concept for the gloves. Jeff and his partner Zach Golden, (father and son), recognized the need for a way to keep your hands warm and still access your fingers without removing your gloves. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention – or, in this case, mittens.
Jeff and Zach designed a unique, super-warm, Thinsulate™ lined, paw-shaped mitten that permits you to access your bare hand through a secret Velcro flap. The mittens come in a rainbow of colors as well as several fur patterns and range in sizes to fit the tiniest hands in your family all the way up to the adults. Three of my step-grandchildren are getting them for Christmas. (One is a teenager and Jeff and I decided, he might be too cool to appreciate the mittens right now.) The two girls are also getting the “Buddy” scarves – both hot pink, one with a French poodle and the other with a teddy bear.
Founded in 2002, BearHands® sells through children’s stores across the country and is beginning to expand globally. During the holidays, in addition to the booth at Columbus Circle, there is also one in Bryant Park. You can find a retail location close to you on their website. In addition, there are tons of testimonials, including a few from some well-known celebs.
The reason I wanted to share this story with you is not simply because it’s a cute entrepreneurial success story. It’s also not to justify my holiday shopping break during a normal business day. I’m writing about this because Jeff is a typical entrepreneur working hard to run a business.
You see, normally Jeff wouldn’t have been at the booth. He’s usually back at their Little Ferry, NJ headquarters. But as luck would have it, his car broke down that morning as he was delivering something to the Columbus Circle location. Jeff’s misfortune was my good fortune that day because I got to meet the man behind the paw. And there’s nothing better than a great small business story to pick up my spirits.
BearHands® has been featured on “The Today Show” and in “Parenting” magazine. The day I was there, the Fox network was filming a story.
If you have a great small business story, please share it with me. I believe small business is going to be the savior of our country’s economy in the next couple of years so I want to know what’s up in your world of entrepreneurship.
Even if you just have an idea for a business and need advice or resources, let me know. That’s what SBTV.com and I are here for – helping you succeed. Please consider joining our new SBTV.com community – Small Biz Central. That’s where you can interact with our experts, other business owners and me. You can also upload your video, audio and text content to become one of our contributors. I like to call it; YouTube meets LinkedIn with a purpose for small business.
Bearhands & Buddies produce products that are everyday items that have been recreated in a unique way and appeal to people of all ages. They are a great combination of fun and functionality and find smiles wherever they go!
Product Naming can be tricky
by Alex A. Kecskes owner ak creativeworks
Product naming is a key aspect of branding. The name you ultimately choose will reflect who you are, your company's personality and vision. But more importantly, it must unforgettably embody the promise of your product's main benefit to your potential customers. It can dovetail generically with your competition, but ideally, it should stand out from the crowd. Where to begin? Here are some basic guidelines.
If the field's too crowded, be unique
MSN Search, Netscape Search, AOL Search, they all stayed in the same category, so you could play it safe and go with Stupendous Search or Super-Duper Search. This works for a time, but as soon as the field gets too crowded, you'll be lost in the mush of sameness with ever diminishing name recognition. If you're in it for the long haul, better to break away from the crowd with a name like Google, Yahoo, or even Dogpile (though I'm not a fan of going into the scat category just to be unique). Even Kinkos, the founder's nickname (he had kinky red hair in school) is different enough to be memorable.
Avoid tongue twisters
There's a little part in all of us that hates to be embarrassed. When we ask for aproduct or talk about it with friends, we want to sound literate and not fumble over pronunciations. So be kind to your potential customers and avoid tongue twisters, or any name that's unusually long or foreign sounding. If you can't find a single-word name, don't go over two or three syllables.
Alliteration can help with longer names
Okay, so the president of the company likes all the longer names on your list. You can make them more memorable and/or easier to pronounce by using alliteration. Consider Circuit City (originally, the incredibly bland, monosyllabic, Wards). Or Downtown Disney, Or the most famous brand in the world, Coca Cola. All four syllables, yet they roll off the tongue with surprising ease.
Avoid abbreviations
Abbreviations lack personality and communicate very little in terms of benefit or brand character. Sure, IBM, MCI and ABC have big recognition and identity, but they also spent years and millions in virtually all media to promote their image-using images of people and situations that were warm and fuzzy. Even billionaire Bill Gates chose Microsoft over MS (which has some undesirable connotations).
Convey an implied benefit
If you don't have a lot of media dollars to spend on name recognition, try for a name that conveys a benefit or describes content. Snapple started out with a name that combined two of its original flavors: Spice N Apple. Silk-the soy-based milk brand-combines soy and milk. Benefit-oriented names include EasyOff oven cleaner, Miracle-Grow plant food, and Hearthwarmer (a fireplace insert).
Lost in Translation…or worse!
Most of us have heard the story of Chevrolet introducing their "Nova" in Spanish-speaking countries. The car tanked because 'nova' means "doesn't go." Fiat found they had to rename their "uno" in Finland, since "Uno" means garbage in Finnish. Canadian products require labeling in both English and French, which is why on some cookie boxes, the English phrase "without preservatives" has been unintentionally translated into the French "sans preservatives," which means "without condoms." ‘Nuff said.
Shun fads
The shelf life of a faddish name is short and sweet. It rises to the stratosphere of recognition then nosedives into obscurity faster than you can say, "radical," "tubular" or "outta sight." Another problem with fads is they're often limited to one demographic or clique. In a market as broad and diverse as the U.S., it's better to be safe than sorry.
Protect your image
If you're like most companies, you worked hard and spent some real moneycreating the image of your company. So it only makes sense to protect your investment with a product name that's consistent with your existing brands and image. Rolls Royce had to pull the name of its newest addition to the Silver Cloud line, which they tentatively named the "Silver Mist," since in German, "mist" means manure. So build on what you have. A good example: Google's entry into online shopping with Froogle. Incidentally, if you're wondering where "Google" came from, it's a variation on the math term googol, a huge number with endless zeros.
Don't forget legal
Once you've settled on a few ideal prospective names, hire a good lawyer to make sure they're not already being used and not confusingly similar to someone else's in your industry.
Hopefully, this brief overview will help guide you through the subtleties of productnaming. Remember, try to be unique and benefit oriented without being confusing or offensive. Avoid fads, abbreviations and tongue twisters. And, by all means, protect your image.
The French food is famous all over the world and has a rich history of fine cuisine that is taken very seriously, with Paris restaurants serving some of the finest food in the world.
Also, with thousands of different Paris restaurants like well known bistros to cafes or top table restaurants serving haute cuisine, you will not be disappointed with the quality of food, no matter how big or small your budget is.
But, choosing a restaurant in Paris can literally give you a real headache, as you will be spoilt for choice, then on the other hand it’s the kind of problem that is nice to deal with, as there is something to suit everyone’s palate, so why not try something a little different, like Japanese food in France, or you could opt for numerous other International varieties of cuisine from Mexican, American, Turkish, Italian, Brazilian like the very popular Brasil Tropical that also has a cabaret show, Spanish, Indian, and many more to excite those taste buds.
Now, of course the finest way of eating in Paris is at a top table restaurant that serves haute cuisine, but I would say that you will need a healthy bank balance for this, as this type of meal has elaborate preparations and presentations, which is reflected within the price, with many costing over 200 or 500 euros per person.
But do not worry too much, most Paris restaurants have a Menu du Jour, that normally means you can order a reasonably priced meal from a set menu, with the food prepared from the freshest produce that is available locally.
However, if you are looking at having breakfast out is more than likely to be at a Patisserie or cafes in Paris, where you can get croissants, bread, numerous varieties of cheese and cold meats, plus pastries that are usually accompanied by a cup of strong black coffee, but if you prefer white coffee, then just ask for cafe au lait.
Also, one quick point, whilst you are experiencing this fabulous city of Paris and its food, you will come across numerous different cafes and bistros in Paris that have indoor and outdoor dining, but if you do decide to eat outside on the terrace, there is often an additional charge added to your bill.
Do also please remember that most of the shops in France close for at least two hours at lunch time, which is when most of the French have their main meal, and today there are now lots of restaurants providing a Brunch type service, so it is a great time to re-fuel before continuing your sightseeing of the Paris landmarks.
But if you do need to have a snack in the afternoon prior to an evening meal, the best option is to go to a Brasserie as they are usually open all day and serve the same food, whatever the time.
Another great passion in France is having a glass of French wine, especially with a meal, in fact it is like a French tradition and is almost expected in most restaurants, and when you are served a normal table wine in France do not think that this is a cheap and hopefully cheerful option, as most of the table wines served are very good quality, but you if you wanted you can often purchase a more reasonably priced wine or even one of the a more expensive wines available.
But thinking about this, normally the wine is paired with your meal, so when dining at a good quality restaurant, it is customary to order a different wine to accompany each different dish served, to enhance the cuisine and not take away from any of its exquisite tastes.
With so many different Paris restaurants, which one is for you? You could try something a little different like the Musee du Vin, which is a wine museum, so you can learn about wine making and its history, plus of course do some wine tasting at the same time, then you can even enjoy a fabulous meal along with the wine.
Still not sure about where to go for your next evening eating out in Paris, then why not pick up the free restaurant guide called Le Carnet Gourmand, which lists around 200 restaurants in Paris, who are registered with the Tourism office,
One last point we would like to make, the Parisians tend to dress up for an evening meal and many restaurants require a jacket or even dinner attire, so do always check what the dress code is when booking, or you may be refused entry!
About the Author:
Martyn Davis European Traveller, Author, Photographer and Business Development Manager, For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France, with tourist information, landmarks and attractions - http://www.placesinfrance.com/eating_in_pa ris_restaurants.html
Paris has always been at the forefront of the world in terms of entertainment and variety from film, dance, opera, jazz, ballet, rock festivals and not forgetting the romance.
Also, with the romance that Paris perceives, it is the number one destination for UK tourists and with over 30 million travellers per year from around the world, it is no wonder that this city has so much to offer.
Paris entertainment has always been at the forefront of the world in terms of quality and variety and from film, dance, opera, jazz, concerts, ballet, rock festivals and cabaret, there is always some form of entertainment on offer to suit all tastes, no matter what the time of year you decide to visit this vibrant and cultural city in France.
There are two opera houses in Paris - the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier that hosts the Opera National de aris. There are also many different rock venues in Paris that play host to a large number of international performers and Paris is also popular for its many dance clubs, nightclubs, and cabaret shows such as the Moulin Rouge, which has become famous throughout the world for its can-can, plus a multitude of different festivals that are held in Paris every year.
Of course, there are the usual monuments and attractions which we all go an see when visiting Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, walking along the Avenue de Champs-Elysees with all its glitz and glamour and visiting the Bastille Square.
There are also some more recent landmarks that attract millions of visitors each year to Paris, such as La Grande Arche in the business district of La Defense or The Center Nationale d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, also known simply as the Beaubourg or the Pompidou Centre.
Another attraction are the Catacombs of Paris, which are a famous burial place with its network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located underneath Paris and you can go on an official tour through the old quarries.
And the banks of the River Seine in Paris will offer visitors an unforgettable experience by being able to get to see the sights from a completely different perspective, while cruising in a boat and perhaps sampling the French cuisine at the same time.
However, for those of us who would like to get away from it all, the Ile de France region of which Paris is at the centre becomes an ideal place, offering a multitude of nature, history, art and culture, but all within only a short distance from the periphery.
So, within the Ile de France region, you be able to discover more than 500km of navigable waterways, as well as many more kilometres of footpaths and historic sites along its beautiful rivers and canals.
But not far from Paris in the Ile de France region you will discover rich picturesque countryside and forests all within a short distance of the periphery and it boasts three National Parks and four National Forests that allow you to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of France along with the slow pace of French country life.
With stunning scenery, idyllic towns, peace and tranquillity, along with the abundant wildlife that await its visitors, it is the perfect setting for a drive in the country, an invigorating walk or a typical French picnic lunch in the open air.
And although Paris still tends to have that allure as a destination for lovers, there is also an enormous amount to do for children of all ages and the adults alike! Disneyland Paris with all of its magic is obviously one of those destinations, along with Parc Asterix, but there are also some great modern museums that provide interaction, making learning fun.
And from interesting, historic towns, to the centre of Paris, back to the forests and national parks, to amusements or glitz and glamour, Paris has something for everyone to enjoy, but make sure that you allocate enough time to experience this incredible region of France.
About the Author:
Martyn Davis European Traveller, Author, Photographer and Business Development Manager, For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France, with tourist information, landmarks and attractions - http://www.placesinfrance.com/paris_capital_city.html
In 1950, India ceased to be a British dominion and became the Republic of India, most populous democracy in the world.
In 2001, more than 20,000 people were killed when an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale rocked western India.
Show me a woman who's not full of herself and I'll show you a hungry woman.
-Nikki Giovanni
DOD Contractor on February 1st, 2008
IF PRESIDENT AND VICE WERE IMPEACHED DR. RICE IS NOT NEXT IN LINE.
Presidential Succession:
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of the Veterans Affairs
Secretary of Homeland Security
Are donkeys more lethal than airplanes?
More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
How long does a mockingbird live?
The life expectancy of the average mockingbird is 10 years.
Do rich people buy lottery tickets?
The more money a person makes, the less likely they are to buy lottery tickets.
How much Social Security did Ida collect?
Ida May Fuller of Brattlebor, Vermont was the first U.S. citizen to receive a Social Security check. She lived to be over 100 and collected her first check in 1940. She collected over $20,000 in total benefits.
How long can you live without water?
The average person can live up to eleven days without water, assuming a mean temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
In 1635, the oldest public institution in America, the Boston Latin School, was founded.
In 1945, allied firebombing of the German city of Dresden caused a firestorm that destroyed the city and killed as many as 135,000 people.
Also in 1945, Soviet forces captured Budapest, Hungary. The 49-day battle killed more than 50,000 German troops.
What did a luxury hotel cost in 1933?
In 1933 a night's stay in a double room at the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City was $9.00. A single cost $6 and a suite $20.00.
How much snow does Antarctica get annually?
It only snows about 2 inches per year over most of Antarctica. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was in Antarctica -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are most oysters male or female?
The oyster is usually ambisexual. It begins life as a male, then becomes a female, then changes back to being a male, then back to being female. It may go back and forth many times.
How many people live in NYC?
There are more people in New York City (7,895,563) than there are in the states of Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Hawaii, Delaware, and New Mexico combined.
When is a coffee bean not a bean?
Coffee beans are not beans, but the pits of a fruit that resemble beans.
In 2003, Dolly, the cloned sheep, was euthanized by the Scottish scientists who brought her to controversial life six years earlier.
In 2007, U.S. Department of Defense records showed the number of Army recruits with criminal backgrounds had risen 65 percent in the past three years.
In 1933, U.S. President-elect Franklin Roosevelt narrowly escaped assassination in Miami when a fanatic fired several bullets at him, fatally wounding Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak in the attack.
In 1965, Canada adopted a new national flag featuring a maple leaf emblem.
In 1997, Tara Lipinski, 14, defeated defending women's champion Michelle Kwan to become the youngest U.S. Figure Skating Champion.
In 2002, discovery of a human skull in a wooded area near a crematory in Georgia led investigators to remains of more than 300 bodies that were to have been cremated but instead were stacked in sheds and in the woods.
I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. Classic Quotes by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian Astronomer You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself.
How much pressure affects your body?
At sea level, there are 2,000 pounds of air pressure on each square foot of your body.
Do fresh apples float?
Fresh apples float because 25 percent of their volume is air.
How far can a sea lion swim?
The sea lion can swim 6,000 miles, stopping only to sleep.
In 1999, Germany announced that $1.7 billion would be set aside to compensate victims of the Holocaust.
In 2004, a draft survey showed U.S. children accused more than 4,000 Roman Catholic priests of sexual abuse in the years between 1950 and 2002.
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
-Khalil Gibran
In 1909, Apache leader Geronimo died while under military confinement at Fort Sill, Okla.
On February 18th, 1229, Emperor Frederick II signed a truce, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem for the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1967, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb," died in Princeton, N.J., at the age of 62.
In 1993, a ferry carrying more than 800 people capsized off Haiti's western coast, killing at least 150 people and leaving several hundred more missing and presumed drowned.
In 2005, a panel of experts voted to advise the FDA that popular painkillers Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx can cause heart problems.
Levi Strauss, who created the world's first pair of jeans, in 1829
Surgeon and cornflakes developer John Kellogg in 1852
Classic Quotes by Toni Morrison (1931- ) American Author
If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.
The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.
How much more strenuous is typing than sleeping?
There are 110 calories per hour consumed during an hour of typing — only 30 more than those used while sleeping.
Which language has the most letters?
The longest alphabet is Cambodian. It has 74 letters compared with the 26 in English.
How much oxygen does your brain use?
The average brain comprises 2 percent of a person's total body weight. Yet it requires 25 percent of all oxygen used by the body, as opposed to 12 percent used by the kidneys and 7 percent by the heart.
Which gems are the same, only different?
The ruby, sapphire, emerald, and aquamarine are not specific minerals. The ruby is the red and the sapphire is the blue variety of corundum. An emerald is the green variety and an aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl.
How large is a blue whale?
The blue whale weighs as much as thirty elephants, and is as long as three Greyhound buses.
How many ladybugs are there?
There are 4,300 known species of ladybug in the world.
How ethnically mixed is Dublin?
There are more Irish in New York City than in Dublin, Ireland; more Italians in New York City than in Rome, Italy; and more Jews in New York City than in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In 1828, a printing press later used to print the first newspaper for American Indians arrived at the Cherokee Council in Echota, Ga.
What was so offensive about Tet?
On January 31, 1968, North Vietnam attacked U.S. and South Vietnamese troops and reached the American Embassy in Saigon. It was a surprise to U.S. troops because January 31 was the Vietnamese New Year's Day, traditionally a day of celebration — not war. This attack was called the "Tet Offensive."
Why do we say 'checkmate?'
The winning term "checkmate" comes from the Arabic phrase shah mat, meaning the king is dead.
In 1819, a treaty with Spain ceded Florida to the United States.
Which fish is fattiest?
One of the fattiest fishes is salmon: 4 ounces of the delectable fish contains 9 grams of fat.
Which bird has the largest brain?
The hummingbird's tiny brain, 4.2% of its body weight, is proportionately the largest in the bird kingdom.
In 1920, a group of Germans organized the National Socialist party, forerunner of the Nazi party later led by Adolf Hitler.
In 1945, U.S. troops liberated the Philippine city of Manila from the Japanese.
In 1836, Samuel Colt patented a "revolving gun," the first of the six-shooters.
In 1870, Hiram Rhoades Revels, a Republican from Natchez, Miss., was sworn into the U.S. Senate, becoming the first African-American to sit in Congress.
In 1964, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston to become the world heavyweight boxing champion.
In 1870, Hiram Rhoades Revels, a Republican from Natchez, Miss., was sworn into the U.S. Senate, becoming the first African-American to sit in Congress.
In 1964, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston to become the world heavyweight boxing champion.
Quotes by John Foster Dulles (1888-1959) U.S. Secretary of State
The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.
How much water is in the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes contain 6 quadrillion gallons of fresh water, one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.
How much did Abe pay for Mary's pearls?
Abraham Lincoln paid $2,600 for a string of seed pearls and matching earrings purchased from Tiffany's for his wife, Mary.
On February 26th, 1797, the Bank of England issued the first pound note.
All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
How tall was Attila the Hun?
Attila the Hun was a dwarf. Pepin the Short, Aesop, Gregory of Tours, Charles III of Naples, and Pasha Hussain were all less than three and a half feet tall.
How muscles are in an elephant's trunk?
There are 40,000 muscles and tendons in an elephant's trunk. This makes it very strong and flexible, allowing an elephant to pluck a delicate flower or lift a huge log. The trunk is used for touching, grasping, sucking, spraying, smelling, and striking.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The height of the 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower varies, depending on the temperature, by as much as 6 inches.
Carl Holmes
"The older we get the more we realize that service to others is the only way to stay happy. If we do nothing to benefit others, we will do nothing to benefit ourselves."
On February 27th, 1827, the first Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans.
In 1982, an Atlanta jury convicted Wayne Williams of killing two of 28 young blacks whose deaths over a two-year period had shaken the city. Williams was sentenced to life in prison.
In 1992, Elizabeth Taylor celebrated her 60th birthday by closing Disneyland for an elaborate private party with her celebrity friends.
In 2004, two studies commissioned by the U.S. Roman Catholic church showed at least 4 percent of priests were involved in child sexual abuse between 1950 and 2002, with the peak year 1970 in which one of every 10 priests eventually was accused of abuse.
Henry Ford
"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it."
How long will our footprints be on the moon?
The footprints left by the Apollo astronauts will not erode since there is no wind or water on the Moon. The footprints should last at least 10 million years.
Why are electric eels different than other fish?
Unlike most fish, electric eels cannot get enough oxygen from water. Approximately every five minutes, they must surface to breathe, or they will drown. Unlike most fish, they can swim both backwards and forwards.
Where is the center of the U.S?
Rugby, North Dakota is the geographical center of North America, not the geographical center of the United States. That is located in Butte County, South Dakota, on the state's western border. If only the 48 contiguous states are included, the point is in Smith County, Kansas.
In 1986, U.S. warplanes struck Libya in the biggest U.S. airstrike since the Vietnam War. Libya claimed 40 people were killed.
In 1993, 12 top former Communist officials went on trial charged with treason in the August 1991 coup attempt that hastened the fall of the Soviet Union
How large is Antares?
The star Antares is 60,000 times larger than our Sun. If our Sun were the size of a softball, the star Antares would be as large as a house.
How much aluminum is recycled in can form?
Nearly 65 percent of America's aluminum cans are recycled. Aluminum is one of the simplest materials to recycle.
How much aluminum is recycled in can form?
Nearly 65 percent of America's aluminum cans are recycled. Aluminum is one of the simplest materials to recycle.
How much do you spend on chocolate?
Consumers spend more than $7 billion a year on chocolate.
How much toxic waster do we produce?
In one year, Americans generate enough hazardous waste to fill the New Orleans Superdome 1,500 times over.
In 1991, the Dow Jones industrial average closed at more than 3,000 for the first time.
In 2003, billionaire philanthropist John Paul Getty Jr. died at a London hospital. Getty, who was being treated for a chest infection, was 70.
Is a diamond worth more than an emerald?
While diamonds are usually considered the most precious of stones, a large, near flawless emerald is worth considerably more than a diamond of the same size.
Which are the world's oldest trees?
The Sequoias and Redwoods of the American West Coast are not the oldest living trees in the world. The honor belongs to the Macrozamia trees of Australia, which live 5,000 to 7,000 years and, some claim, may even reach 15,000 years.
Which is safer -- New York City or Arkansas?
Per capita, it is safer to live in New York City than it is to live in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Can you tell a horse's sex from it's head?
You can tell the sex of a horse by its teeth. Most males have 40, females have 36.
How many people live in Greater Tokyo?
The area of Greater Tokyo -- meaning the city proper, its port, Yokohama, and the suburban prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa -- contains less than 4 percent of Japan’s land area but fully one-fourth of its 123-plus million people.
In 2005, conservative German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, already a major power in the Roman Catholic Church, was elected pope to succeed the John Paul II. He chose the name of Benedict XVI.
What makes Maine unique?
Maine is the only state in the United States whose name is just one syllable.
How long have people worn shoes?
Anthropologists believe that people have been making and wearing shoes for more than 10,000 years. The Egyptians wore sandals woven from papyrus leaves.
How long is a nanosecond?
A nanosecond is one billionth of a second.
How high is the criminal recividism rate?
Nearly 43 percent of convicted criminals serving prison sentences in the U.S. are re-arrested within a year of being released from prison.
Has a Native American ever been vice president?
One Native American has served as vice president of the United States. Charles Curtis of Kansas was Pres. Herbert Hoover’s vice president. Curtis's mother was a full-blooded member of the Kaw tribe.
Which is the oldest horse?
Today's oldest form of horse is the Przewalski, or Mongolian Wild Horse. Survivors of this breed were discovered in the Gobi Desert in 1881.
Why has the Statue of Liberty's arm crossed the ocean so often?
The right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times. It first crossed for display at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and in New York, where money was raised for the foundation and pedestal. It was returned to Paris in 1882 to be reunited with the rest of the statue, which was then shipped back to the U.S.
In 1945, delegates of 46 countries gathered in San Francisco to organize a permanent United Nations.
In 1945, delegates of 46 countries gathered in San Francisco to organize a permanent United Nations.
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Today's Word Estados Unidos, los
Estados Unidos, los - United States, the
In 1945, fascist leader Benito Mussolini, his mistress and several of his friends were executed by Italian partisans.
In 2000, 17 U.S. states joined with the U.S. government in asking a federal judge in the Microsoft anti-trust case to break the company into two parts.
In 2001, California businessman Dennis Tito became the first tourist in space. He reportedly paid Russia's cash-strapped space agency as much as $20 million to give him a ride to the International Space Station.
In 2003, Iraqis said 15 people were killed and about 65 wounded when U.S. soldiers opened fire on a group holding an anti-America rally. U.S. officials said the soldiers were responding to gunfire.
How many insects will a toad eat?
It is estimated that a single toad may catch and eat as many as 10,000 insects in the course of a summer.
In 1864, Ashmun Institute in Pennsylvania, the first college founded solely for African-American students, was officially chartered.
Which state is highest in cremations?
Hawaii has the highest percentage of cremations of all other U.S. states, with a 60.6 percent preference over burial.
In 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States.
In 1803, the United States more than doubled its land area with the Louisiana Purchase. It obtained all French territory west of the Mississippi River for $15 million.
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.
-Dave Gardner
What was the significance of the Battle of the Alamo?
Although the military significance of the battle has been debated by scholars, the bravery of the Texan forces and their sacrifice inspired the battle cry "Remember the Alamo" used in the subsequent battles of the Texas Revolution. Since that time the structures that remain have traditionally been regarded with reverence by Texans.
. Mt. Rushmore, in South Dakota, bears the images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. The artist who did the carving was Gutzon Borglum.
Washington, DC is not a state, nor is it in a state. The whole point was to make the federal district an area free from more loyalty to any state(s) than any other(s). It's supposed to be completely unbiased.
That's why it's so ridiculous that Jesse Jackson keeps insisting it should become the 51st state! It makes him seem completely ignorant.
How do you make toffee?
Toffee is made by boiling together brown sugar, butter, and vinegar
When are you 'in the clover?'
"To be in clover", means to be living a carefree life of ease, comfort, or prosperity.
Wine is undoubtedly one of the great national treasures of France, which over the years has become an integral part of French culture and is rooted in history with around half a million vineyards.
Although you can find many great value wines and numerous different varieties to choose from whatever your palette, there are also some of the most expensive wines in the world that are produced in France, and the vast majority of people will never be able to experience in their lifetime.
In fact, a vintage Romanee Conti red wine produced from the pinot noir grape in Burgundy can cost anything upwards of 1,000 for just one bottle. And a rare vintage case of 12 sold at auction in London for a staggering 58,500 making this the most expensive case of wine sold at auction up until the year 2007.
Both Bordeaux and Burgundy have always contested that they produce the best wines and in their own ways the are probably both correct, and yet apart from the Champagne region, famous for the sparkling wine of the same name, Bordeaux wines are far more widely known than those from Burgundy.
No matter what region in France you go on holiday to, you will be able to sample a wide variety of different wines and it is a good idea to get to know your preferences before trying different ones. Whether you prefer a red wine or a white wine, sweet or dry, still or sparkling the choice is immense.
Going to a wine tasting session can be great fun trying out different varieties, yet for some it can also be a little daunting, especially if it is not on an arranged tour of which there are plenty to choose from. However, there are some general pointers that will get you through.
When wine tasting, you should always start off with the lightest wines such as sparkling wines and work through to full bodied whites, then through the reds from the light to the full bodied and end on dessert wines. This will help to keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine and in some places they even supply water in between so as to get the full flavour and texture of each wine you are tasting.
You should swill the wine round in the glass a couple of times, which will help aerate it and provide you with the full aroma. Plus it is customary to spit out most wine, rather than swallow it, although you can swallow a small amount on occasions to experience what it is like after it has gone down.
The Loire Valley is a massive wine producing region that produces a variety of wine such as Muscadet, Cabernet Franc, Gamay reds and even reasonably priced Sauvignon Blancs. And with the beautiful chateaux plus the tranquil winding river it makes the Loire region one of the most visited areas in France for experiencing wines and fine French food to accompany them with the stunning backdrops so synonymous with this region.
Yet for hundreds of years Bordeaux has had a long and internationally famous history of high quality wines and is also a very popular place to go, although you can still pick up a good value Bordeaux wine if you travel to the outskirts of the region.
And yes, who could not think about champagne, which is so tightly controlled for what can be classed as a true champagne, you will get to appreciate why some varieties are so expensive and are only produced in this region for consumption throughout the world. However, there are some vineyards that will charge far less for a bottle of their champagne with the same finesse, compared to that of the famous brands we have all come to know.
The Languedoc region in France is one of the biggest wine producing regions and to put this into perspective, it has over two times more land planted to vines than the whole of Australia! Even though in the past, they concentrated more on quantity rather than quality, this is changing where you can pick up a reasonably priced wine that can match up to some at double or even triple the cost.
But France is a country that has such a different range of wines from the many wine regions and each one will provide a taste, aroma and body like no other and some regions themselves offer such a diverse range it can be quite mind boggling, yet a fascinating experience.
Obviously, white wine has long been associated with fish and chicken, whereas red wine is normally paired with red meats and game. Yet when you are in France experiencing the fantastic culinary delights of the regions speciality French food, take the time to choose a wine that will enhance the experience or ask for advice and enjoy.
About the Author:
Martyn Davis European Traveller, Author, Photographer and Business Development Manager, For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France, with tourist information, landmarks and attractions
