Sea Turtle Swims for Help

Check out this sea turtle who swam to the doorstep of one of the only places in the entire world designed to treat animals of its kind.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Sick-Sea-Turtle-Pays-Unexpected-Visit-To-The-Doctor.html

Extreme Fishing

Check out this extreme fisherman who jumps out of a helicopter to catch a marlin.


http://www.comcast.net/data/fan/html/popup.html?v=1070703958&pl=949661177.xml&plc=949661177&launchpoint=Cover&cid=fancover&attr=default_headline&config=/config/common/fan/default.xml

A Jackpot at the Box Office

You've heard the hype! Check out the opening weekend information for Monsters Vs. Aliens.


http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/monsters-vs-aliens-hurtles-582m-debut-ap

Tail Chasing Dog Study

March 24, 2009 -- A team of veterinarians has found a surprising link between compulsive tail-chasing in dogs and high cholesterol, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice.

The finding adds to a growing body of evidence -- mostly from studies on humans -- that high cholesterol may be a marker for behavioral problems such as panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder, which could be expressed by frequent tail-chasing falls in dogs.

Bouts of tail-chasing can also occur after a dog experiences physical trauma, surgery or illness, noted Hasan Batmaz, a member of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Turkey's University of Uludag, who conducted the study along with a team of colleagues.

Certain breeds, such as bull terriers and German shepherds, seem to chase their tails more often than others.

For the study, the researchers took blood samples from 15 otherwise healthy dogs that were compulsive tail-chasers. To serve as controls, 15 dogs that rarely chase their tails were included in the study as well.

America's Top Ten Touris Attractions Trivia

Here are some clues to the top ten tourist attractions in America. Some are more difficult to figure out than others. Answer as few or as many as you can. You can turn your answers in beginning Monday, March 23 for tickets.

10) Opened in 1916, this Chicago landmark on the shore of Lake Michigan has served as a campus and military training facility. Today it hosts 50 acres of shops, restaurants and exposition facilities. The Chicago Children's Museum is here, along with a full calendar of nighttime fireworks shows. Over 8.5 million people visit each year. What Chicago Landmark am I?

9) America's most visited national park is neither the Grand Canyon nor Yosemite. With more than 800 miles of protected trails, this natural wonder hosted approximately 9 million hikers, birders and drivers last year. Located in the Southeast, it can be found in parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. Over nine million people visit each year. What National Park am I?

8) The thundering waters are visible from observation towers, by boat and from various hiking trails and, on the Canadian side, from the Whirlpool Aero Car, an antique cable car. These falls straddle the Canadian and United States border. Over 12 million visit each year. What is the name of these falls?

7) Bonus - This is San Francisco's number one visitor's attraction. There is great sea food, cruises, wildlife, and fun to be had at this location. Over 14 million people visit each year. What is the name of this San Francisco tourist destination?

6) This is the original Disney Park in Anaheim, California has been a stalwart American tourist attraction since its opening in 1955. Its well-known rides range from Space Mountain to the Pirates of the Caribbean. Over 14.5 million people visit per year. What is the name of the theme park?

5) This is the most popular of Disney's Florida attractions, followed by Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, and we've used it as a watermark for traffic to Disney Florida's multiple theme-park complex. Magic Kingdom Park includes beloved rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Country Bear Jamboree. Over 17 million visit each year. What is the name of the theme park?

4) Bonus - Located in Boston, this market has been around for centuries. It has even been the site of famous speeches by people such as Samuel Adams. Over 20 million shoppers visit this location each year. What is the name of this Boston attraction?

3) The Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials, and the Korean and Vietnam War Veterans Memorials are all found here. The Smithsonian Institution's 19 museums are also adjacent to this place. Over 25 million people visit each year. What is the name of this Washington D.C. place?

2) Located in the west region, this place offers much more than just gambling. This road offers a pirate ship, exploding volcano, a pyramid, a castle, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, and so much more. Over 30 million people visited last year alone. What is the name of this famous road/place?

1) Over 37 million people visit this "Big Apple" location each year. It is known as the "crossroads of the world." What is the name of this famous New York location?

Happiest States Trivia Style

Recently a survey was conducted of Americans well-being. Included in the survey were ratings on mental, economic, and physical health. Can you name the top three happiest states? Take a look at the clues below and turn in your answers for tickets beginning Monday, March 23.

Happiest States

3) Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world is located in this state. This state also contains Devils Tower, designated as the first national monument by Theodore Roosevelt. It is located in the West region. What is the number 3 happiest state?

2) Located in the west region, this is the only state that grows coffee. More than 1/3 of the world's pineapple supply comes from this state. Under-sea volcanoes erupted years ago forming the islands of this state. What is the number 2 happiest state?

1) This state's name comes from the Native American "Ute" tribe and means people of the mountains. It is also home to The Great Salt Lake that covers 2,100 square miles, with an average depth of 13 feet. The deepest point is 34 feet. What is the number 1 happiest state?

Monkeys Riding Rodents

Check out video in which these squirrel monkeys interact with a giant rodent.

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000086?v=4551368&l=100000085

Breathtaking Views....

Check out this article in which the author takes you around the world to some places that provide the world's most breathtaking views.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-25565465;_ylt=ApMKv0NF0lYj1p89WDhdPckazJV4

Overvalued points in Scrabble?

Hey 4A! Although this article is a bit difficult to read, check it out. It talks about how certain words in Scrabble are a bit unfair to the competition.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123731266862258869.html?mod=yhoofront

A Tasty Treat?

Check out this article about a "tasty treat" that is becoming more and more popular.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/dining/18whoop.html?no_interstitial

Undersea Volcano

Check out this video on the eruption of an undersea volcano this week.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/;_ylt=AnhvLigmcTFQTe.HSR8y1_sazJV4?rn=3906861&cl=12563483&ch=4226714

A Deadly Spider?

Hey 4A! Check out this link to an article about what some thought was a deadly spider that was found at a grocery store in Oklahoma. Turns out the spider had been misidentified. Check it out below!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090320/ap_on_re_us/deadly_spider

Are You Kidding Me?

Believe it or don't: Golfer hits hole-in-one on her first swing ever
By Jay Busbee

Okay, ready for your you-gotta-be-kidding-me story of the week, if not the year?
Your setting: lovely St. Petersburg, Florida. Your heroine: 62-year-old Norweigan native Unni Haskell, who, after two months' worth of golf lessons, teed up her first-ever shot on a real live golf course.

On the first tee of the nine-hole par-3 Cypress Links in St. Pete, Ms. Haskell pulled out a driver -- this is a hundred-yard hole, but remember, Ms. Haskell had never played before -- and drilled a 75-yard corker that bumped, ran and ended up right in the hole.

That's right ... on the first swing of the first hole of the first course she ever played, Unni Haskell hit a hole-in-one.

"I didn't know it was that big of a deal,'' she told the St. Petersburg Times. "I thought all golfers do this.''

"She stood there and I could tell she was thinking about her grip and posture and everything,'' said PGA teaching pro Rick Sopka, who was with Haskell on the tee. "Then she makes her swing and hits it about 75 yards in the air. It kind of trundled up to the green and I'm like, 'Go in! Go in!' And then I go crazy, screaming and yelling. I give her a big hug. She didn't believe me. Then I said, 'Unni, here's the problem. There's nowhere to go from here but down.' ''

Now, our bitter and cynical culture is such that the immediate reaction is to call shenanigans, to put it politely, on this story. It's got echoes of the infamous Jacqueline Gagne 16-aces-in-six-months story, yes? And much like the two kids who hit back-to-back holes-in-one -- also in Florida, strangely enough -- it's too good of a story to believe. Plus, since the vast majority of us have never hit an ace -- and, obviously, could never match Unni Haskell's feat -- let's admit it, we're jealous as heck.

But it's honestly not that tough to believe. Apparently, Ms. Haskell has played tennis for quite some time. And a 100-yard hole isn't that tough to reach, particularly with a driver. Think about how many people spray golf balls around the course; doesn't it make logical sense that one of them would eventually drop the ball into the hole? It's the golf equivalent of the infinite monkeys on infinite typewriters eventually banging out the works of Shakespeare.

Still, I'm thinking Ms. Haskell missed an opportunity here. After she hit that shot, she should have dropped her clubs and walked away from the game, retiring as The Greatest Golfer In The History of the Universe. Nobody could ever top that.

A Cat in a Couch?

Check out this strange news story of a woman who bought a donated couch only to find out there was a cat inside.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090313/ap_on_fe_st/odd_couch_cat

New IPOD Shuffle

Check out Apple's new IPOP Shuffle! Read all about it at the link below.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/43468

Shattered

Check out this article about a boy whose dunk before a high school basketball game might have cost his team a shot at the state title.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=922635

Lower Number of Iditarod Entries

Hey 4A. Check out this article that details why there has been a smaller amout of teams that have entered this year's race than in previous yearas.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_iditarod;_ylt=AmFaR02EikzXfUnBCx21.WLNaMYA

Iditarod Slide Show

Check out these early pictures of the mushers and their team from this slideshow taken right before and during the start of the race.

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Iditarod-Trail-Sled-Dog-Race/ss/events/sp/030709iditarod#photoViewer=/090308/483/6704e26cb3ae4bbc8d2b813c98df8c0e

Do You Have a Poll Question to Ask Your Classmates?

Hey 4A! Do you have a poll question to ask your classmates? If so, go ahead and leave it in the comments section or drop it in the notes bin. I will post your question on the blog and your classmates will be able to vote on it. Remember, your poll question should have four choices for others to vote on.

Top Ten Wii Party Games

Recently. a list of the Top Ten Wii Party Games was released. Wii Sports is not included in the list, since it comes bundled with the pack and many people love it already. What do you think of the list? Post your comments below if you've played any of the games or if you would have your own suggestion....

10) Wii Play 9) Tetris Party 8) Boom Box 7) Lego Games 6) Rock Band 2

5) Wii Music 4) Raying Raving Rabbids 3) Guiness World Records 2) Mario Party 8

1) Swordbird... just kidding 1) Smarty Pants

Amazing Dribble

Check out this amazing dribble by the NBA's Chris Paul during a recent basketball game!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Chris-Paul-YouTubes-Jason-Terry-Maveri?urn=nba,146324

Unbelievable Hockey Goal

Check out this goal in the Minnesota Wild Hockey game last night. You have to watch about three minutes into the video. The wild were down 3 to 2 at the time of the goal.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=12350637&ch=240479&src=sports

Happy Birthday ______________________?

Created in March of 1959, this toy is celebrating its 50th birthday/anniversary. Ruth Handler originally developed the toy with inspiration from a German toy which she modeled hers after. This toy is manufactured by Mattel. What is the name of this popular toy? Turn in your answers to me beginning today.

Animal Babies

Check out this slideshow of pictures from baby zoo animals all across the United States and the world. Click on the link below.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/the_scene/Zoo_Babies.html

Did You Know Chicken Style and Trivia

Enjoy these fun facts about chickens. Also, check out the trivia below for a chance to earn tickets.

Did You Know....

It takes a hen 24-26 hours to lay an egg.

The Latin name for chicken is Gallus Domesticus.

The closest living relative of the T-Rex is the chicken.

Each year, a person will eat approximately 250 eggs.

The most common types of poultry in Illinois are chickens and turkeys.

A chicken can have 4 or 5 toes on each foot.

About 240 million laying hens produce 5.5 billion dozen eggs per year in the United States.

Trivia....

#1 This is often used to help hatch eggs. What is it?

#2 This is the room that chickens are put into once they hatch. What is the name of the room?

#3 This city in Georgia is known as the chicken capital of the world. What is the name of the city?


Super Bonus...

#4 There are four cities in the United States that have the word "chicken" in their name? What are they

Did You Know Horse Style and Trivia

Hey 4A! Here are some agricultural did you know's regarding a horse. There is an opportunity to also earn some tickets. Enjoy!

Did You Know....

A horse's stomach can hold up to 4.5 gallons of food.

A horse drink s 10 to 12 gallons of fresh water each day.

There are more than 350 different breeds of horses and ponies.

The smallest breed of horse, the Falabella, grows to only 30 inches in height.

The oldest horse on record lived to be 62. The average lifespan for a horse is 20-25 years.

Trivia...

#1 What is a newborn horse called?

#2 This is the name of the long heavy hair that is found on a horse's neck. What is it?

#3 This is the name of a horse that is found in the western plains. What is it?

#4 This is a large enclosure to hold a horse. What is the name of this enclosure?

World's Healthiest Countries - Trivia Style

Hey 4A! Similar to the last post, a recent study was conducted of the world's healthiest countries. Again, here are clues for the countries that finished in the top five of the study. You may want to use your social studies book, an atlas, or a world map to help you identify the countries based on the clues. You can turn in your answers beginning tomorrow for tickets.

#5 - This is a country in West-Central Europe. Bern is it's capital and Zurich is the largest city. Men have a life expectancy of 71 and women have a life expectancy of 75. What is the name of this country?

#4 - This is a country in North Central Europe. Berlin is the largest city as well as the capital of the country. In this country, you do not have to pay for a taxi to go to the hospital. What is the name of this country?

#3 - This is a country of northern Europe bordering on the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is the capital and the largest city. On average, people in this country have doubled their intake of fruits and vegetables in the last year. What is the name of this country?

#2 - This is a country of norther Europe. Stockholm is the capital as well as the largest city. What is the name of this country?

#1 - This is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean near the Arctic Circle. It is known for its glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes. It is the least polluted out of the healthiest countries. Reykjavík is the capital and the largest city. What is the name of this country?

World's Friendlies Countries - Ticket Style

Hey 4A! There was a recent study conducted over four continents and 48 countries that asked people to rate just how friendly their country truly is to visitors and "outsiders". The results are in and listed below are clues to help you figure out the top five. You can turn your answers into me beginning Tuesday, March 3 for tickets. You may want to use your Social Studies book or another resource with a map to help you out. Enjoy!

#5 - This country is in Asia. It is bound by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east. It has a coastline of 7,517 kilometers (4,671 mi), and is bordered by Pakistan to the West. What is the name of this country?

#4 - This is an island country. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. It is commonly referred to as the Great Britain. What is the name of this country?

#3 - This is a country in the Southern Hemisphere whose mainland is the smallest continent. Neighboring countries include Indonesia to the North and New Zealand to the South-east. What is the name of this country?

#2 - This is a country in central Europe. It is bordered by Denmark to the North, Poland to the East, Switzerland and Austria to the South, and France to the West. What is the name of this country?

#1 - This is the world's second largest country by area and and extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the East, to the Pacific Ocean to the West, and northward to the Arctic Ocean. What is the name of this country?

P.S. - Look for more country trivia tomorrow. Topic: World's Healthiest Countries.

April Diversity Calendar

April - National Poetry Month

Begun by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month brings together many literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Visit www.poets.org/index.php

April 9 - 10 Passover, First Days

Jewish families traditionally mark this festival - which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt - by gathering together for a special dinner called Seder.

April 12 - Easter Sunday

Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ on the first Sunday, following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.

April 19 - 25 Public School Volunteer Week

Encourage your parents to visit www.projectappleseed.org and to sign the online Parental Involvement Pledge.

April 22 - Earth Day

March Diversity Calendar

March - National Women's History Month

Visit the National Women's History Museum online at www.nwhm.org . The latest exhibit is Women Wielding Power: Pioneering Female State Legislators.

March - Irish American Heritage Month

This month is a time to remember the many ways America is enriched by contributions from people of Irish heritage.

March 2 - April 18 - Orthodox Lent

During this period, members of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches fast and do penance prior to Easter Sunday (April 19 in the Orthodox calendar).

March 11 - Johnny Appleseed Day

The Nature Conservancy hopes to plant a billion trees in the Amazon to help replenish the rapidly diminishing rain forest.

March 16 - Publication of First Black Newspaper in America

In 1827, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm debuted Freedom's Journal, the first African-American-owned and operated newspaper published in the United States.