Archive for December, 2008

Bamboo

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Random Fact – Bamboo

The Bamboo plant is a member of the grass family, which has been used for years to make houses, furniture, boats, piping, baskets, and musical instruments. The plant looks like a tree and its most striking feature is that most produce seeds only once in their lifetime — but a bamboo plant can live for more than 100 years. In 1990, scientists announced that they are developing a way of producing bamboo flowers more rapidly, which may be very important to its cultivation. The woody, hollow aerial stems (culms) of bamboo grow in branching clusters from a thick underground stem (rhizome). The culms often form a dense undergrowth that excludes other plants. Bamboo culms can attain heights ranging from about 4 to 6 inches in the smallest species to more than 130 feet in the largest.

Livingstone

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Random Fact – Livingstone

A momentous meeting took place on this day deep in the African jungle. In 1871, journalist Henry M. Stanley met missionary David Livingstone. Though many think that Livingstone was lost – he was actually just sick. Stanley became famous for his “rescue” of the Scottish missionary and explorer when actually Stanley brought much-needed food and medicine, and Livingstone soon recovered. Livingstone remained in Africa for quite some time after Stanley returned to civilization. Stanley was also known for his discoveries in and development of the Congo region.

World War II

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Random Fact – World War 2

In 1942, U.S. and British forces invaded Nazi-held North Africa. This day was a major turning point in the outcome of World War II. The Allied forces switched roles from a defensive to an offensive position.

Bald Eagle

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

Random Fact – Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a large North American bird of the forest which catches most of its food victims live — including ducks, gulls, seabirds, fish from lakes or seas, and salmon from rivers. Bald eagles, which belong to the raptor family, also challenge ospreys, forcing them to abandon their catch. The bald eagle has been a symbol of power and courage and a symbol of the United States. Many birds of prey are becoming endangered species because pesticides poison their food or eggs, some are hunted, and others are losing their natural habitats. The nest of an eagle is called a aerie and it is either high in a tree or on a high rocky ledge. Female bald eagles are larger than males.