June 29, 2006
Nicolo Machiavelli
There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when everyone can tell you the truth, you lose their respect.Venice
Venice stretches across numerous small islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. Between the islands, there are about 150 narrow canals crossed by some 400 bridges. The Grand Canal, shaped like a reversed letter S, is the main traffic artery. Today a tourist, commercial, and industrial center, Venice was at its artistic peak during the Renaissance, and it owes its origin to the war refugees who sought safety on its islands in the late 7th century. What are traghetti? June 28, 2006
Surgeon General Calls for Smoking Ban in Public Places
According to a long-awaited surgeon general's report, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke; even a few minutes of exposure can harm nonsmokers. In the 670-page study, Richard Carmona cites "overwhelming scientific evidence" that secondhand smoke causes heart disease, lung cancer, and a list of other illnesses. Carmona calls for smoke-free buildings and public spaces, saying separate smoking sections don't protect enough. saprozoic
DEFINITION: (adj.) Feeding on dead or decaying animal matter.
SYNONYMS: saprophagous.
USAGE: The tiny saprozoic creatures were feeding on the decaying animal flesh.
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII, the 2nd monarch of the Tudor dynasty, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1509 until his death in 1547. He was and is famous for having been married 6 times and for wielding the most untrammeled power of any British monarch. Notable events during his reign include the break with Rome and subsequent establishment of the independent Church of England, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the union of England and Wales. Can you name Henry's wives?Vidovdan
Vidovdan is a religious holiday, St. Vitus' Day, that is observed on June 28th of the Serbian Orthodox calendar and coincides with a number of events that are significant in Serbian history: In 1389, the Ottoman Empire defeated Serbia in the Battle of Kosovo; In 1914, the assassination of the Archduke of Austria in Sarajevo triggered the outbreak of WWI; and in 1921, the Serbian king proclaimed the new “Vidovdan” Constitution. What other famous events took place on Vidovdan? O Henry
You can't appreciate home till you've left it, money till it's spent, your wife till she's joined a woman's club, nor Old Glory till you see it hanging on a broomstick on the shanty of a consul in a foreign town.Pointe Shoes
These ballet shoes have two important structural features that allow a dancer to dance on the tips of her toes, or en pointe. The box, a section of stiffened satin, traditionally supported by burlap and glue, encases and supports the dancer's toes. The end of the box is flattened into a platform, upon which the she balances. The shank runs along the length of the dancer's sole and provides support to the arch of her foot. What is the shank typically made of? June 27, 2006
Coffee May Reduce Diabetes Risk
After conducting an 11-year study, researchers found that women who drank 6 or more cups of decaffeinated coffee a day were 33% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The researchers suggest that this is because coffee is rich in antioxidants, which may protect the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, patients don't make enough insulin to keep sugar levels under control. witless
DEFINITION: (adj.) Lacking intelligence or wit; foolish.
SYNONYMS: nitwitted, soft-witted, senseless.
USAGE: He was a witless soul who never learned from his mistakes.
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