Even the best of intentions have pitfalls, but there are ways you can avoid them.
Also: 
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Fun of Urban Foraging
Who says you can’t go on a nature hike just because you’re in a big city? There’s plenty of edible plants growing right there in the streets of Washington, DC!During two expeditions on Friday, adventurous eaters, amateur botanists, and a handful of curious locals descended on the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of the Nation’s Capital in search of edible plants and wild foods with the renowned forager, ‘Wild Man’ Steve Brill. Our tour, co-hosted by Roadside Food Projects, Atlas Obscura, and Think Local First D.C., covered all of one block. But the number of foods we found, many of which were weeds you’d walk by without a second glance, didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the available bounty growing between the city’s streets.Read about the safari and the things they found at Atlas Obscura.
Police Start Giving Angry Drunk People Lollipops to Calm Them Down
The city of Victoria, British Columbia, is taking a new approach to handling drunken, out-of-control revelers causing trouble in public places. The police hand such people lollipops. Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe explained why it works:Ms. Thornton-Joe said after the men popped a lolly in their mouths, their nasty energy all but dissolved. “They got calmer after taking the lollipops,” she said. “It had an immediate effect.” [...]
The sucker punch works for several reasons, she said. First, it’s difficult to yell while sucking a lollipop.
Altercations happen due to verbal exchanges, but with a sucker in the mouth, there’s less talk, which results in fewer fights.
The lollipop’s sugar hit calms those who’ve drank too much, she said. And the lolly’s pacifier effect can’t be denied.
Russia classifies beer as alcoholic
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a bill that officially classifies beer as alcoholic. Until now anything containing less than 10% alcohol in Russia has been considered a foodstuff.
The move, signed into law on Wednesday, will allow ministers to control the sale of beer in the same way that spirits are controlled. Russian alcohol consumption is already twice the critical level set by the World Health Organization.
Although vodka has long been the traditional tipple in Russia, beer has soared in popularity, being marketed as a healthier alternative to spirits. Over the past decade, beer sales in Russia have risen more than 40% while vodka sales have fallen by nearly 30%.
Correspondents say it is common to see people swigging beer in the street and in parks as if they are drinking soft drinks. It is not restricted to certain stores and is sold around the clock. "The law brings some order into the sale of beer," Vadim Drobiz, director of the Centre for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Studies, said.
The move, signed into law on Wednesday, will allow ministers to control the sale of beer in the same way that spirits are controlled. Russian alcohol consumption is already twice the critical level set by the World Health Organization.
Although vodka has long been the traditional tipple in Russia, beer has soared in popularity, being marketed as a healthier alternative to spirits. Over the past decade, beer sales in Russia have risen more than 40% while vodka sales have fallen by nearly 30%.
Correspondents say it is common to see people swigging beer in the street and in parks as if they are drinking soft drinks. It is not restricted to certain stores and is sold around the clock. "The law brings some order into the sale of beer," Vadim Drobiz, director of the Centre for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Studies, said.
Nazi exhumed from grave
The tomb of Adolf Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess is razed to thwart neo-Nazi pilgrimages.
Also: 
German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and his personal representative Rudolf Hess, right, during a parade in Berlin, Germany, on Dec. 30, 1938. Hess' grave was dug up on Wednesday in attempt to stop neo-Nazi pilgrimages.
Twenty Things You Need To Know About Albert Einstein
Seventeen Real Life Mysteries
There is a world of incredible mysteries around us, all of which are amazing. Science and history just add to wonder and weirdness of that world. These 17 mysteries are all very real, very wonderful, and don't need the supernatural to try and figure them out.
The Crooked Forest
In Poland there is a small forest of pine trees that grow with a bend in the middle of their trunk and no one knows why. They kind of look like a cartoon tree that is trying to avoid being chopped down, bending whenever the lumber jack swings his ax.
In a tiny corner of western Poland a forest of about 400 pine trees grow with a 90 degree bend at the base of their trunks – all bent northward. Surrounded by a larger forest of straight growing pine trees this collection of curved trees, or “Crooked Forest,” is a mystery.
Tank Survives a Nuclear Blast
This is an unbelievable story of a tank that was used by the British to conduct nuclear tests and not only survived the blast, but went on to be used in several high profile missions. That’s one tough tank.
The test was codenamed Operation Totem, and was one of a number of British atomic tests carried out in remote areas of Australia during the 1950s. While the primary focus of these tests was the performance of the atomic weapons, there was also the opportunity to measure the blast effects on various types of military equipment. Although Centurion Mark 3 tanks had only been in service with the Australian Army since September 1951, and there were plenty of obsolescent Second World War tanks available, it was decided that an expensive current issue Centurion tank only a year old would be provided. With every expectation that the damage would be so severe as to effectively destroy the vehicle, the provision of a Centurion was certainly a measure of the importance placed on the atomic tests by the Australian Government.
At Woomera, the tank was stowed with a complete issue of ammunition, including grenades and 2-inch smoke bombs, before the convoy commenced the 300 mile move across rough desert tracks, Spinifex and sand dunes to Emu Field.
The tank was in position at the test site by early August, and over the next two months was subjected to various inspections and measurements. It was also fitted with sensors and makeshift dummy crewmen.
Positioned to face the low-yield atomic blast head on, 169041 was less than 500 yards from the epicentre.
Ghost Town From 1974
The population of the city of Nicosia dropped everything and evacuated the war torn zone. Now 37 years later these photos have emerged of the city in its current state. See full gallery at the link.
In 1974, the Cypriot capital of Nicosia was divided in two by a U.N. Buffer Zone designed to quell violence between the island’s Greek and Turkish populations. Those living in the Zone quickly evacuated the area, creating an urban time capsule that’s been devoid of residents for nearly 40 years.
These photos were taken by Welsh Army photographer Sergeant Ian Forsyth, who is part of the UN peacekeeping force that overseas the 134-square-mile Zone. According to those who patrol this eerie area, it’s as if the past 37 years had never happened.
Mallard Peabody
The Peabody hotel in Memphis is seeking an assistant "duckmaster" to help care for its five famed mallards.
White shark leaps into boat
A researcher hears a splash, turns around, and sees the scary giant in midair.
Also: Jellyfish Invade Spain, Beaches Close
An invasion of Aussie jellyfish has forced Spain to close six beaches at popular holiday resort areas after more than 100 swimmers were treated for stings.
A cream that slows down snakebites
Aaron Rowe found a recent research paper describing successful rat and human trials of an ointment that could help save the lives of people who get bit by poisonous snakes while far away from medical treatment. He says:
Aussie researchers have cooked up a really interesting new way to treat snakebites. They developed a cream that slows down the lymphatic system, and thus slows the spread of the venom. It is not a cure, but it could buy people more time to get to a hospital.
You can read more at Nature.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Daily Drift
The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:The line between your family and your career is starting to get blurry -- and that might not be such a bad thing.
Blending these two worlds right now will allow you to operate more efficiently in both of them.
You will be able to be your entire, whole self all the time -- which means that your ideas will be more valuable and your emotions will be more complete.
Embrace this change in your life, and try to push any anxieties away.
There are good things coming.
Some of our readers today have been in:
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
as well as Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Israel, Finland, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia, Bangladesh, Latvia, Greece, Scotland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Wales, Iran, Singapore, Poland, Taiwan, Sweden, Afghanistan, Belgium, Tibet, Croatia, Pakistan, Romania, Paraguay, Sudan, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Qatar, Brazil, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, China, Iraq, Ecuador, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Paupa New Guinea, Moldova, Venezuela, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Norway, Finland
and in cities across the United States such as West Newton, West Chester, West Chicago, Westminister and more.
and in cities across the United States such as West Newton, West Chester, West Chicago, Westminister and more.
Today is:
Today is Thursday, July 21, the 202nd day of 2011.
There are 163 days left in the year.
Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:
There isn't one.
Don't forget to visit our sister blog!
Brutal heat wave continues
Even zoo animals felt "really crabby" as the heat index topped 119 degrees in Minneapolis.
Also: 
The best new BBQ joints
Fans of smoke, fire, and ribs will love these additions to the national roster.
Also: Restaurant food criticized
The worst offenders include Denny's, The Cheesecake Factory, and others.
Also: Relaxation drinks popular
Sales of drinks like Vacation in a Bottle, Dream Water, and Just Chill are increasing.
Also: 
Superfan's costumes amaze
Victoria Schmidt spends months perfecting her outfits for the Comic-Con gathering each year.
Also: 
LDS Warning
Attention journalists. An LDS spokesman says: Don't call Mormonism a 'cult'.
By the way, he didn't mention Mormon Underwear, so it's still OK to ridicule that aspect of the cult.
Dude, If you're a member of a cult, it's your problem, not ours.Michael Otterson is warning journalists not to use the term “cult” in describing Mormonism or to allow sources to label The cult of jesus christ of latter-day saints that way, either.
“I have a message to political journalists who over the course of the current [presidential] campaign may be tempted to throw out this nasty word with abandon,” writes Otterson, head of public affairs for the Utah-based cult, in the Washington Post's On Faith section. “Expect to be challenged.”
Writers should not “perpetuate this kind of shallowness,” he writes. “Rather than continuing to parrot it, it’s time they pushed back against those who choose to use it.”
By the way, he didn't mention Mormon Underwear, so it's still OK to ridicule that aspect of the cult.
Skull Discovered At Pearl Harbor
Scientists believe a recently discovered skull is from a Japanese pilot who died in the 1941 attack.
Also: An excavation crew recently made a startling discovery at the bottom of Pearl Harbor when it unearthed a skull that archeologists suspect is from a Japanese pilot who died in the attack.
Texas inmate executed for fatal shooting he says was retaliation for 9/11 terrorist attacks
A Texas inmate was executed Wednesday for killing a Dallas-area convenience store clerk during a shooting spree that he claimed was retaliation for the Sept. 11.
In The News
Nazi doctor Josef Mengele's diaries are for 
Woman attempts to Cameron denies staff tried to halt hacking probe
Prime Minister David Cameron emphatically denied claims that his staff tried to stop an inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World and defended his decision to hire one of the tabloid's editors as his communications chief.
Faux News Has A Brain Room?
Who woulda thunk? Former Faux News producer claimed network’s ‘Brain Room’ led to phone hacking.
Of course, you know, Faux News has no 'brain room' there isn't a brain at Faux to begin with.A former producer with Faux News claimed in a lengthy essay gaining new traction this week that the conservative television station has a "Brain Room" in its New York headquarters which enables employees to view private telephone records with ease.
Though published years ago, the allegations have returned to relevance in the wake of the phone hacking scandals that have rocked News Corporation to its very core, threatening to topple one of the world's largest and most powerful media conglomerates.
According to former Faux News executive Dan Cooper, whose gripes with his former employer run quite deep after being fired in 1996, Faux News chief Roger Ailes allegedly had him design the so-called "Brain Room" to facilitate counter-intelligence efforts and other "black ops."
A 130 repugicans raised Debit Limit for the shrub
White House and congressional negotiators are currently in the process of striking a deficit reduction deal,
as most repugicans are refusing to raise the federal debt ceiling without deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare. repugicans are essentially holding the country hostage, threatening us with default unless Democrats agree.
Yet these repugicans were not always demanding hostages in exchange for allowing the country to pay its bills. In November of 2004, Congress voted in both the House and Senate to hike the U.S. debt limit by $800 billion, which raised the total ceiling to $8.1 trillion.
A whopping 130 congressional repugicans voted to hike the debt ceiling that November. These members of
Congress did not demand draconian cuts in public investment that would’ve driven up unemployment and
threatened the economy in return.
Of course, there was one other difference between then and today.
The shrub was white.
as most repugicans are refusing to raise the federal debt ceiling without deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare. repugicans are essentially holding the country hostage, threatening us with default unless Democrats agree.
Yet these repugicans were not always demanding hostages in exchange for allowing the country to pay its bills. In November of 2004, Congress voted in both the House and Senate to hike the U.S. debt limit by $800 billion, which raised the total ceiling to $8.1 trillion.
A whopping 130 congressional repugicans voted to hike the debt ceiling that November. These members of
Congress did not demand draconian cuts in public investment that would’ve driven up unemployment and
threatened the economy in return.
Of course, there was one other difference between then and today.
The shrub was white.
Don't overpay for key items
Switching to cheaper brands is often like finding change in your sofa cushions.
Also: Brick Jacking
If you think crime is bad in your neighborhood these days, ask yourself this: are people stealing bricks from houses on your street? If the answer is no, then your hood’s got nothing on St. Louis, Missouri, where things have gotten so bad people are literally stripping houses to the ground for a few extra bucks.
There’s a video all about it at Laughing Squid.
Navy's costly 'ghost ships'
Two oil tankers get sent to the dump without ever being used — or even completed.
Also: 
Fields to balance work, life
These career options let you work from home or choose nontraditional hours.
Also: Dream vacation plan's pitfalls
Some companies put no limits on the amount of time employees can take off.
Also: How Can Dentists Diagnose Undetected Diabetes In Their Patients?
The next time that you visit your local dentist and they ask you to open wide for your exam, the dentist may find something more than a couple of unfilled cavities.
Glow Stick Goo For Your Guts
A new rave scene is about to kick off in your local doctors office, but this time the glow sticks won’t be the only things that are glowing-your guts will be too. That’s because researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University recently developed a fluorescent protein that will illuminate the inside of our bodies like never before, making internal organs far more visible, even if they appear downright toxic, and eliminating the need to cut the patient open in order to see what’s going on inside.Can Playgrounds Be Too Safe?
When I was a kiddo, my favorite playground activities were climbing to the top of the monkey bars and spinning way too fast on the merry-go-round. Since then, playgrounds have become increasingly more safe, and according to the New York Times, less mentally stimulating. The article argues that these changes have resulted in kids being less willing to take risks and more of them developing life-long fears -things that are a lot worse than an occasional broken bone.
Why a WWI Warplane Sits On Top a Manhattan Office Building
Though a WWI British warplane appears to have just landed on top of 77 Water Street in Lower Manhattan, the antique plane has resided on top of the office building since 1969. Film location scout Nick Carr only recently uncovered why: the owners of the building just figured they might as well do something interesting with the otherwise unused top of the building. In fact, other buildings owned by the William Kaufman Organization also sport interesting but completely unnecessary details, including a three-story chess board on 767 Third Avenue.
A Temple Made From Beer Bottles
The "Beast" gets fined
The president's motorcade raises the ire of locals during his visit to London.
Also: 'Geyser' rocks parked car
A car is tossed about when a manhole in Montreal erupts with a wave of water.
Also: 
Sand drawing seen from space
A wealthy sheik employs a crew of workers to write five letters in the sand of his private island.
Also: Nature's record breakers
Nature's record breakers
Meet the biggest, the fastest and the deadliest the natural world has to offer.
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