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What To Do In Brooklyn}
Here’s An Opinion On:
What To Do In Brooklyn
by
H.D. Bien
Brooklyn is the most populated borough in New York City. It’s also popular among tourists, offering amazing views of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Heights Promenade. But there’s more to do than to just look at Manhattan! Brooklyn is full of culture and fun activities. Here’s my short guide on what to do in Brooklyn for tourists.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge opened its entrances on May 24, 1883. During its opening, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It’s 6,000 feet in total length and connects Brooklyn to Manhattan. Almost 2,000 vehicles pass every day along with over 150,000 pedestrians. There’s a reason so many pedestrians walk across the bridge everyday. It offers amazing views of both the Manhattan skyline and the East River.
Did you know that only six days after its opening, there was a stampede on the Brooklyn Bridge? A silly rumor had spread and people on the bridge believed it was going to collapse at any second. Whispers became confusion, confusion turned into panic, and the panicking pedestrians began to stampede. The crowd trampled and killed twelve people. Of course, there was no danger of the bridge collapsing.
Go for a spin on the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island
Coney Island saw its peak as a vacation spot between 1880 and 1945. Crowds would come on weekends, from busy Manhattan, to enjoy the amusement park rides and sandy beaches. The rides are still here, but sadly, the crowds have disappeared.
The Wonder Wheel is a 150 feet tall steel ferris wheel, weighing in at 4,000 tons. It holds 144 people. Opening in 1920, it was a fun ride for the attendees of Coney Island. It was declared a New York City Landmark. There are also other rides you can enjoy, such as the Cyclone Roller Coaster or the various haunted houses.
Take in the views at Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Perhaps the best spot in all of New York City to take in breathtaking views is at Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Just a quick glance at the Manhattan skyline is worth a trip to this 1/3 mile long platform. Remember to bring your camera to capture this memory.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade’s construction was partially completed in 1950 when the southern half was open. The platform was simply added as an afterthought to the Brooklyn-Queens expressway. It quickly became popular among residents and tourists, offering gorgeous views of lower Manhattan.
Smell the flowers at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded in 1910. It’s very popular among tourists, brining in close to one million visitors every year. The entire garden includes the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden, the Cranford Rose Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and the Fragrance Garden.
The Shakespeare Garden includes over 80 plants, every single one mentioned in at least one of William Shakespeare’s plays and poems. The Fragrance Garden was created for the vision impaired. It has flowers and plants with strong fragrances. Visitors are encouraged to rub the petals and leaves between their fingers to smell the fragrances.Looking for more things to do in Brooklyn?
Visitors to Brooklyn might enjoy my guide at What To Do In Brooklyn
that offers a list of things to do in Brooklyn mixed with a bit of history. If you’re also planning to visit Manhattan, be sure to check out
What To Do In Manhattan
.
Article Source:
What To Do In Brooklyn
}
News briefs:June 11, 2010
Luxury Cars: Paying A Premium For Safety Features}
Here’s An Opinion On:
Submitted by: Chris Carter
It is believed that a car is an extension of ones self. The rich and the famous take this belief to heart and so they purchase premium vehicles, which make them the envy of the common man. The meaning of luxury cars varies depending on whose point of view is being considered. For the masses, anything beyond their price threshold for a car is considered a luxury car. To the privileged few, its about the brand.
There are car brands that conjure up images of sports cars zooming around a racing circuit burning rubber, while other brands are much more connected to royalty and the ruling class. Automobile manufacturers like BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes Benz have car models that specifically target wealthy individuals. The pricing scheme is rather oppressive, but such is the appeal of prestige cars, at least to the insanely rich.
It is a given that cars that command high prices between $60,000 and $100,000 are beyond the reach of the members of the middle class, so the most they could do is gawk and dream of cars that only a few people have the resources to own. But beyond pricing and social class status, luxury cars are pretty much the same with vehicles in other segments in terms of usability and drivability. The difference is largely in safety features and customization. Safety has always been an important factor in deciding on which car to buy. Evidently, the more safety features in place, the higher the standard retail price.
While an ordinary entry-level car would have one or two airbags, prestige cars are very well cushioned in case of accidents. There are cars with airbags all around to ensure the safety of the driver and the passengers. Of course, no one would argue with this kind of built-in safety feature, but it does further create a disturbance in the price points. It has to be emphasised that safety is not just limited to sticking plenty of airbags when they get the chance. More often than not, luxury cars are the first to introduce safety features that would make other cars pale in comparison.
To keep cars under the prestige category, more features are added that are not necessarily needed in a car, but they do make things much more appealing to the prospective buyer. The addition of nifty gadgets is considered discretionary and not an outright requirement to keep the vehicle moving. There is this perception that these features make the car more important and more valuable.
These additional features include voice-activated GPS, back up camera, monitor, and USB ports. Although some of the high-end cars have these as optional features, prestige cars list them as standard features. It goes without saying that cars with loaded features tend to be regarded highly by both manufacturers and prospective buyers. This is even more pronounced if the features are related to safety and security. When it comes to safety, luxury cars are considered the safest in all segments.
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Man auctions his life on eBay, is disappointed at sale price
Monday, June 30, 2008
After auctioning off his entire life on eBay for A$399,300 (€244 912.148) Ian Usher says he is “a little bit disappointed” at the final selling price.
The 44-year-old British immigrant living in Perth, Australia, put all of his worldly belongings up for sale on the popular auction website, including his three-bedroom house and all its contents, his car, motorcycle, jetski, skydiving gear, and his job at a rug store, for which he offered a two week trial period. He even offered introductions to his friends living in Perth.
Usher made the decision to sell his life after his five-year marriage suddenly ended. On his website, alife4sale.com, he explains that “despite my life being busy and fulfilled, I still miss my wife so much. Everything in my home is a reminder of the wonderful past we shared. So, after a year in this house I decided that it is time to sell it and move on.”
| It was as much about moving on as it was about selling it for as much as I could get. | ||
During the 7 day auction, which ended on Sunday, there were several bogus bids which brought the sale price as high as A$2.2 million, but the final price ended up at A$399,300, which was around A$100,000 less than Usher had hoped for. “I’m a little bit disappointed, but I’m still excited. It’s still enough to move forward and do what I said I was going to do, which is move on to the next part of my life,” Usher said. “It was as much about moving on as it was about selling it for as much as I could get.”
According to Reuters, the winning bidder, whose username is “mslmcc”, also lives in Australia, and has a 100 percent feedback rating. Usher says he hasn’t yet been able to figure out who the buyer is, because of the TV crews lined up in front of his home. “I’m trying to find some time to get on the computer and check it out … I haven’t looked (up) anything about them yet,” he said.
Usher now plans to go off in search of a new life. His initial plan, as he describes on his website, was to just walk out his front door with just his wallet and a passport and board a train, with no idea of where to go. He has since launched 100goals100weeks.com, which will document his attempt to complete 100 of his life goals in a span of 100 weeks. Some of these goals include getting a pilot’s license, climbing the Eiffel Tower, learning to play the didgeridoo, and shaking hands with billionaire Richard Branson.
“I was pretty aimless when I started this, and I had a vague notion of adventure, but I’ve come up with a much more solid plan, which is still very adventurous,” Usher says. He invites anyone who is interested to join him on his adventures.
Bomb hits northwestern Pakistan; at least 30 killed
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A suicide car bomb attack in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 30 people, including some children.
Investigators say the bomb exploded Tuesday on a busy street near a market in the city of Charsadda, 40 kilometers north of Peshawar. The blast wounded dozens of people and destroyed several buildings.
“The death toll has gone up to 32 and more than 100 people have been wounded in this suicide attack,” said Bashir Bilour, the Senior Minister of North West Frontier Province.
Hazrat Ali, a shopkeeper, was a witness to the event. He recounted his experiences to the Agence France-Presse news agency. “I was buying something before closing my shop. A car was parked on the other side of the road and all of a sudden there was a huge blast. There was smoke and darkness everywhere. I passed out.” Ali sustained shrapnel injuries to his forehead and torso.
This was the third bombing in the area in three days. On Monday, a suicide bomber in a rickshaw blew himself up at a checkpoint in Peshawar, killing three people. A suicide bomber killed thirteen people in a crowded market outside the city on Sunday.
Charity haircuts and collaborative art at spring festival in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Cambridge, Massachusetts —The 22nd annual Mayfair took place in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 1. The event, which ran from 12-6 pm, featured work from local artists, performers, as well as a large cadre of tents selling beads, ceramics, and fried foods. After light rain in the early afternoon, the sun came out around 4 pm.
Local streets were closed to cars, and vendors and artists set up along the curbs. Church Street was blocked off and dedicated to chalk drawings, which were drawn by professional artists and amateurs alike. One of the largest drawings was a reproduction of Hokusai’s “In The Hollow of a Wave off the Coast at Kanagawa,” known colloquially as “The Wave.”
The Alice Hoffman Breast Cancer Center and Locks of Love held a “charity shave,” in which members of the public were encouraged to donate to the charity. Upon donating they would have their heads shaved, or at least 10″ of their hair trimmed “in support of those who lose their hair to chemotherapy.”
Several bands played in succession on a stage set up in front of the offices of Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe. Performers included Toussaint and the China Band, as well as The Walkmen.
Self-described “voice collector” Halsey Burgund brought his portable recording studio and successfully recorded samples from many passersby. At one point, his small box was packed with five youths who wanted to record a collaborative performance. Not everyone was interested in Burgund’s box, though. “I don’t want to give my name and some crap out,” said one youth, pictured at right, who preferred not to give his name.
Hire Demolition Brisbane For Commercial Demolition Service
Here’s An Opinion On:
Hire Demolition Brisbane for Commercial Demolition Service
by
John Gorman
When we take a look in few years back, then we can say that there was only one option called bob cat services. It offered services regarding the heavy duty equipment made by the Bobcat Company. Most of those heavy duty machinery were hydraulic equipment, compact excavators, compact tractors, skid steer loaders and compact utility vehicles and the like, often required for demolition, excavation, grading and hauling tasks
However, demolition, excavation, grading and hauling contractors take on the demolition, excavation, grading and hauling jobs in all kinds of residential, commercial as well as civil engineering construction projects. If you are living in Brisbane and looking for Commercial Demolition then you just need to go with search of Demolition Brisbane and you will have a great list of commercial demolition service providers of Brisbane. Demolition experts are required for many services like cleanup of buildings, construction works like site work, roadwork, etc. All of these jobs need highly professional demolition consultants who will make sure the job is carried out in the best manner.
Moreover, demolition service contractors are wrecking not only single storey buildings; however, they work for the high rise structures of multiple storey. For such contractor there no task is too small or too large. That s why in many areas they are famous as demolish foundations, footings and vaults made of concrete as well as different kinds of paving. Swimming pool removal is also a task that belongs to demolition contractors although this particular task requires excavation work, too.
Commercial Demolition contractor task includes excavation service, under which they have to dig up materials buried in the ground through the use of heavy duty machinery specifically meant to move earth, like hydraulic compact excavators, cranes and backhoes. Tree removal, for example, is an excavation task. Demolition contractors are a must not only because of the fact that they know all the processes involved, but also for liability and insurance considerations. If you hire a professional company with the proper liability insurance, they will be the ones responsible for any potential injuries or damages that occur while on the job.
List of service included by Commercial Demolition contractor:
Construction work
Conceptual demolition plans of closure
Management of Site project
Commercial demolition
Bulk excavation
Identification and reporting of Asbestos and hazardous materials
Management of Demolition systems
Marine demolition experience
Environmental Management Plans
Safety conscious
Final land use analysis
You just need to give single call for required commercial demolition service to reputed firm which are leading in the industry for offering the best demolition Brisbane service. Actually, there are many commercial demolition companies in Brisbane; however, choosing one can be difficult as it has to be a combination of quality services as well as realistic rates. To hire the required and perfect demolition contractors is one way of saving money. They know what they are doing and they are attributed by the state to conduct implosive, volatile, and non-explosive jobs. There are also ecological policies as well as building guidelines that need to be observed in order to avoid trouble from the city.
If you are living in Brisbane and looking for Commercial Demolition then you just need to go with search of “Demolition Brisbane” and you will have a great list of commercial demolition service providers of Brisbane. Commercial Demolition contractor task includes excavation service, under which they have to dig up materials buried in the ground through the use of heavy duty machinery specifically meant to move earth, like hydraulic compact excavators, cranes and backhoes
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com
Smoke from massive warehouse fire in Buffalo, New York USA can be seen 40 miles away
Monday, May 14, 2007
Buffalo, New York — A massive warehouse complex of at least 5 buildings caught on fire in Buffalo, New York on 111 Tonawanda Street, sending a plume of thick, jet black colored smoke into the air that could be seen as far away as 40 miles.
As of 6:40 a.m., the fire was under control, and firefighters were attempting to stop it from spreading, but could not get to the center of the fire because of severe amounts of debris. Later in the morning, the fire was extinguished.
“The fire is mostly under debris at this point. It’s under control, but it’s under some debris. We really can’t get to it. We’re just going to have to keep on pouring water on it so it doesn’t spread,” said Thomas Ashe, the fire chief for the North Buffalo based fire division who also added that at one point, at least 125 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze. One suffered minor injures and was able to take himself to the hospital to seek medical attention.
Shortly after 8:00 p.m. as many as 3 explosions rocked the warehouse sending large mushroom clouds of thick black smoke into the air. After the third explosion, heat could be felt more than 100 feet away. The fire started in the front, one story building then quickly spread to three others, but fire fighters managed to stop the flames from spreading onto the 3 story building all the way at the back.
According to a Buffalo Police officer, who wished not to be named, the fire began at about 7:00 p.m. [Eastern time], starting as a one alarm fire. By 8:00 p.m., three fire companies were on the scene battling the blaze. Police also say that a smaller fire was reported in the same building on Saturday night, which caused little damage.
At the start of the fire, traffic was backed up nearly 4 miles on the 198 expressway going west toward the 190 Interstate and police had to shut down the Tonawanda street exit because the road is too close to the fire.
At one point, traffic on the 198 was moving so slow, at least a dozen people were seen getting out of their cars and walking down the expressway to watch the fire. That prompted as many as 10 police cars to be dispatched to the scene to force individuals back into their cars and close off one of the 2 lanes on the westbound side.
One woman, who wished not to be named as she is close to the owner of the warehouse, said the building is filled with “classic cars, forklifts, and money” and that owner “does not have insurance” coverage on the property. The building is not considered abandoned, but firefighters said that it is vacant.
Officials in Fort Erie, Ontario were also swamped with calls to fire departments when the wind blew the smoke over the Niagra River and into Canada.
It is not known what caused the fire, but a car is suspected to have caught on fire and there are reports from police and hazmat crews, that there were also large barrels of diesel fuel being stored in one building. Firefighters say the cause of the blaze is being treated as “suspicious.” The ATF is investigating the fire and will bring dogs in to search the debris.
Here Are Some Great Tips To Help You Succeed At Losing Weight.
Here’s An Opinion On:
Here Are Some Great Tips To Help You Succeed At Losing Weight.
by
Danzenbanneh
Losing weight is something that almost everyone would like to do, but most people find the topic intimidating, or aren\’t sure where to start. If you\’re one of these people, read on to learn how to take some simple steps toward weight loss. You deserve to lose weight and feel better.
To lose weight, most people simply must eat less and move more. Eating fewer calories is very helpful when losing weight, but burning more calories by increasing the level of activity works in combination with the reduction in calories to help people shed weight. People are encouraged to continue the regimen once they see that this method is successful.
A good way to lose weight is to reconsider how you cook your food. Frying foods is very unhealthy whereas baking food is considered very healthy. Next time you decide to eat some chicken, try baking it instead of frying it. Something small like this can make a big change.
It is important to reduce your sodium intake if you are trying to lose weight. Most people are aware of the impact salt has on high blood pressure, but it can also make weight loss more difficult too. Excess sodium can cause your body to retain water or become dehydrated.
Eating protein is a great way to fix the damage caused by exercise and other strain on the body. For this reason, it\’s great to eat it before a workout or any exertion. Some sources of protein include meat such as beef, chicken and pork There is even protein in dairy foods such as milk and cheese.
Ask for help when you need it. If you\’ve been trying to lose weight and have reached a plateau, it can be helpful to talk to someone about it. You can get in touch with a trainer, or even just a friend who has lost weight in the past. Talking about how you\’re feeling and asking for help will help you keep going on your weight loss journey.
When trying to lose weight, you should try to completely avoid fast food. Most fast food contains a lot of grease and fat along with loads of calories that you don\’t need. The fat from these fast food restaurants can really build up in your body and will make it harder to lose weight.
Take up meditation. Meditation can be a great way to deal with stress. Stress can trigger you to eat when you are not hungry. It can also be the driving force behind a lot of your cravings. Try adding a short meditation session to your daily routine. Alternatively, just try meditating when you feel hungry between scheduled meals.
While you are trying to lose weight you should get into the habit of chewing your food well. Food should be in a liquid or near liquid state when you swallow it. Not only will this help you feel satisfied, but it allows your body to digest the food easily.
To aid in weight loss, consider joining an online weight loss forum. There are many great, fee sites available to help you in your journey. Some sites even offer things like free food and exercise diaries and recipes. You not only gain the support of a community that knows what you are going through, you also have access to a variety of tools to help along the way.
A wonderful fall treat for someone that is trying to lose weight is pumpkin seeds. Make sure you are eating the type that are unsalted. Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, which will help lower your blood pressure. You can also make your own pumpkin seeds after you have carved your halloween jack-o-lanterns.
Buying smaller plates and bowls can be great for weight loss. Let your eyes trick you. If you have a plate that is large, you are more likely to put more food on the plate. When using a smaller plate, you will also use smaller portion sizes. This can be a great way to cut back on the amount of food that you take in, which can result in weight loss.
As you read at the beginning of this article, weight loss is something that almost everyone would like to do. If you\’ve read this article, now you know the secrets that you can use to get ahead of the game and start losing weight. Get on the road to a healthier life now!
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ArticleRich.com
Traces of radiation found where Litvinenko ate
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Traces of radioactive material that apparently killed former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko were found at restaurants where he met other spies just before falling ill and at his home, Scotland Yard said Friday.
Litvinenko, a former KGB agent who was investigating the death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya suddenly fell ill on November 1. In interviews, he stated that he had met with two former KGB officials earlier in the day, and then had had lunch at Itsu, a sushi restaurant on Piccadilly in London. He died two days later at the age of 44.
“Traces of Polonium-210 were found at the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, and at Mr. Litvinenko’s home in Muswell Hill, London,” Scotland Yard said in a statement. “We are not prepared to discuss further.”
Roger Cox, head of the HPA’s radiation protection branch, confirmed that the radiation was found in Litvinenko’s body.
“A large quantity of alpha radiation from polonium-210 was found in the urine of Mr. Litvinenko”, Cox said, adding that it was “unlikely” that the radioactive material came from natural sources.
Litvinenko, in a statement written before his death and read Friday, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind his murder, a charge Putin denied.
“You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life,” Litvinenko said in his statement.
Doctors all around the world have been explaining to the media how harmful Polonium-210 can be to a person.
“Only a very, very small amount of polonium would need to be ingested to be fatal, but that depends on how pure the polonium is,” said Dr. Mike Keir, a radiation protection adviser at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.