Music in the Vineyards

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Saturday in July and August, join Penn Shore Vineyards (10225 East Lake Road, Route 5, North East, PA) for its summer concert series.

All of its performances are held on Penn Shore's back patio overlooking the vineyards. Wine is available to purchase by the glass or bottle, along with light food choices. Bring out your favorite blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the show. No outside alcoholic beverages allowed.

Here's the schedule:

July 2: Dollar Bill and the Spare Change (Blues/Rock)
July 9: Cover Story (Classic Rock)
July 16: Kevin Howard Trio (Jazz)
July 23: Dave Callaghan Jazz Group (Jazz)
July 30: Tri This (Contemporary)
August 6: East Ave (Rock)
August 13: The Breeze Band (R&B)
August 20: The Stealth Blues Band (Blues)
August 27: Duke Sherman Blues Band (Blues)

Penn Shore Winery is one of the largest and longest established wineries in Pennsylvania. The winery is located in the largest and finest grape-growing region in the East. Good wines begin with nature. Being located directly on the shore of Lake Erie has allowed Penn Shore to utilize the fruits of the bountiful land to produce wines of superior quality.

Make the Ripe Choice

Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

I hope everyone celebrates the unofficial start of summer. It's time for picnics and summer foods.

Three easy steps to choosing a ripe watermelon:

1. Check the weight. Heavier is better. A good watermelon is 92% water.
2. Look for the yellow ground spot. A ripe watermelon has a deep green rind with a buttery yellow spot where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
3. Look for a smooth rind. Make sure it's free of cuts, dents, and bruises.

I hope these tips work for you!

Chocho and Concerts

You are invited to the Romolo Chocolates Summer Music Series every Saturday from June 4 through August 27 to enjoy great live music played outdoors with ice cream, chocolate, espresso drinks, and more.

Each Romolo Chocolates Summer Music Series concert will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Italian-inspired piazza at 1525 W. 8th St. in Erie.

“We’ve expanded the musical genres to be more diverse this year,” Romolo Chocolates owner and certified master confectioner Tony Stefanelli says of the concert series’ 2011 season. “The emphasis this year will be more on groups and people will be able to experience a different type of music every week,” Stefanelli explains.

Last year was the the first music series and it had an emphasis on jazz music. As Stefanelli is a long-time jazz aficionado and bass player with jazz ensembles.

The concert lineup is:

June 4: Matty B and the Dirty Pickles rockabilly and roots rock
June 11: Is What It Is Steve Trohoske’s jazz, funk and soul trio
June 18: Tom Principato Blues Band a nationally known blues master
June 25: Pete Mills Quintet jazz from his new, highly praised CD Fresh Spin
July 2: JD Jazz with guest artist swingin’ jazz
July 9: Dollar Bill and the Spare Change local blues favorites
July 16: Young Artists Debut Orchestra Summer Music Academy side-by-side student, artist and faculty classical
July 23: Is What It Is Steve Trohoske’s jazz, funk and soul trio
July 30: Matty B. Unpickled entertaining solo performance
Aug. 5: Lake Erie String Quartet classical excellence
Aug. 13: Organik Vibe Trio Caribbean jazz from nationally acclaimed musicians
Aug. 20: Is What It Is Steve Trohoske’s jazz, funk and soul trio
Aug. 27: JD Jazz with guest artist swingin’ jazz

The concerts are expected to have more than 100 people in attendance. This year, a portion of the parking lot will be cordoned off, filled with chairs, and a tent will be provided in case of light rain.

Beginning today, Friday, May 27, Romolo Chocolates’ Cocoa Café will be serving your favorite drinks, ice cream, and more until 10 p.m., and continuing every day throughout the summer.

Water for Elephants

Staci, Katie, Amy, Nikkie, and I started a book club. Did I tell you that?

We are reading our second book Water for Elephants. I received the book from Nikkie during our secret S.K.A.N.K. gift exchange this winter. (Apparently, it was on my amazon.com wishlist. I wish for a lot of things, plus I have a bad memory, so I was surprised.)


Photo by Stace

We are blogging about each book and the book club experience over at All Booked Up. But a quick review: I finished it last night and I really enjoyed it! It was a quick easy read (definitely a book that can be finished in a month... if you are looking for one for you book club).

There were two moments that stick out in my mind that I really enjoyed in Water for Elephants. My favorite was at the end, when the 93-year-old main character was overjoyed by kindness. It was a tearjerker. But that's all I will say, so I don't spoil anything. I also enjoyed a part in about the middle of the book, when the main character and two of his friends were just doing their daily routine on the train car. It really showed how much they each cared for one another. It was a endearing moment for this roughneck guys.

Have you read the book? What did you think?
Do you have any advice for notice bookclubbers?
Any books you would like to recommend?

Wild Wednesday: New Bird Species

A group of birdwatchers woke up at dawn on May 1 in order to see the new bird species for Greece: the Pallas’s Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus) at Mt. Ymittos in Athens, where the bird had arrived from distant Siberia!

The species had been discovered by Michael Kotsakis, a Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) member and volunteer, just the night before: “I didn’t dare to think that it was a Pallas’s Warbler! At first, I overlooked it thinking that it was a common species. However, after a while, I discerned certain special characteristics. I thought it was a Yellow Browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus), a rare species which had already been monitored in Greece. But when I sent its photos to the HOS’s birdwatching forum, the more experienced birdwatchers identified the species as the Pallas’s Warbler. It is a lifelong dream for every birdwatcher to spot a new species, let alone if it is just few kilometres away from the centre of Athens!” the volunteer said.

The Secretary of the Hellenic Rarities Committee, Nikos Probonas, commented: “After the – official – approval of the Committee, the Pallas’s Warbler is the 444th species monitored in Greece. This is a pleasant surprise for all of us, especially if we consider that this small bird (10 cm long and weighing just a few grams) has travelled such a long distance. At the same time, this is further evidence for the value of Mt. Ymittos and the surrounding areas of Athens”.

Birdwatching is an increasingly popular activity that satisfies the need to be in touch with and also learn more about nature in both an entertaining and educational manner. Contrary to the widely held impression that birdwatching is an activity that can only be done in protected areas, it can also take place in urban environments, where green spaces are becoming more and more rare. Moreover, it is an activity that contributes to the protection of wildlife, which is also of social and financial value.

Source: Birdlife.org

Geese, eh

On a recent walk up near Penn State Behrend, Daisy and I spotted some Canada geese and goslings. The one goose was honking at us and stayed in front of the family. It was very protective. The other goose stayed close to the goslings, keeping them rounded up. It was cute. Daisy was curious, but more curious about all the goose droppings around us (sigh).



The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a wild goose native to arctic and temperate regions of North America. It has a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body.

This species breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of habitats. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population of Canada Geese.

Canada Geese are primarily herbivores, although they sometimes eat small insects and fish. Their diet includes green vegetation and grains. The Canada Goose eats a variety of grasses when on land. It feeds by grasping a blade of grass with the bill, then tearing it with a jerk of the head. The Canada Goose also eats grains such as wheat, beans, rice, and corn when they are available. In the water, it feeds from silt at the bottom of the body of water. It also feeds on aquatic plants, like seaweed.

During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese find a mate. They are monogamous, and most couples stay together all of their lives. The female lays 3-8 eggs and both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate. The incubation period, in which the female incubates while the male remains nearby, lasts for 24–28 days after laying. Adult geese are often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one parent at the front, and the other at the back. While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures.

Monster Monday: Four Career Risks Worth Trying

Taking calculated risks in your career can help you reach your goals. Below are some of the common career risks assembled by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs, that you may grapple with, and how to weigh your options.

Risk: Going Back to School

Making the financial and time commitment to go back to school for an advanced degree or certification can feel overwhelming. Factoring into the equation family responsibilities or not being able to quit your job to focus on school can make furthering your education feel like a heavier burden.

Weighing Your Options: "First you need to know your end goal and what you are trying to achieve by going back to school, such as a raise or changing career paths," advises career coach Hallie Crawford. "Next, determine if going back to school helps you achieve this goal by talking to your boss and mentors. In some fields an advanced degree matters; in others it really doesn't."

Risk: Changing Careers

So many people hate their jobs yet toil away daily because sticking with the familiar feels safe. People are unhappy on the job for a number of reasons, including being in a profession that does not utilize their passions and interests.

Weighing Your Options: With increased company layoffs, no one is immune to losing a job. Finding work you love should be a priority in your career. Mitigate the risk of career change by doing research before you make the leap so that you'll know what to expect from your new career in terms of salary ranges and what the work is really like.

"There's always some amount of risk, but if you are truly unhappy the risk is worth it," says Crawford.

Risk: Saying 'No' to Added Responsibility

If your boss is saddling you with more responsibility with a project or promotion, be sure you understand exactly what that will mean for your success. Not all promotions are created equal, and you can quickly become the office doormat if you constantly take on projects that may not have high enough visibility to move your career forward.

Weighing Your Options: Saying no to more money or recognition is often hard to justify. Your friends, family and colleagues may think you're crazy for passing up a promotion. But you have to follow your gut instincts. In weighing your options, ask yourself if this project or promotion will really move your forward.

Risk: Starting a Business

More people than ever before are going into business for themselves. Many dream of being their own boss but find the risk of giving up a regular paycheck, health insurance and retirement accounts too high.

Weighing Your Options: Do your research (including healthcare options for the self-employed), save money and build contacts in your industry while you're still working in your current job.

"Business ownership is a risk and it's not for the faint of heart," says business coach Dresdene Flynn-White. "However, the risks can be mitigated by financial and mental preparation. If someone wants to learn about business ownership, they should work part-time in a small business to get that reality check."

Source: Monster.com

Foto Friday: How to Photograph Wildlife through a Window

It's no secret that photographing wildlife can require an enormous amount of patience. But did you know you can do it from the comfort of your home, on your own schedule? The window in your kitchen or living room can be one of the best vantage points for photography. You don’t need expensive, complicated equipment—even point-and-shoot cameras produce excellent images. Here are some ideas to get you pointed in the right direction:

Eliminate reflections: To help reduce reflections from the glass, darken the room as much as possible where your equipment is set up. The auto-focus capabilities of the camera should not be affected by the window; the camera will focus through the glass on the subject outside as it should. Place the flash as close to the window as possible to eliminate any bounce-back reflection.

Avoid glass problems: Most modern home windows are made of high-quality glass. Even thermopane (double-glazed) windows, with gas between the panes, provide high-quality visibility. Storm windows may cause problems because the space between the inside glass and outside window is greater. So it’s best to remove the outer storm window before attempting photography. Avoid tinted-glass windows.

Keep steady: To eliminate camera motion—the greatest cause of out-of-focus images—use a tripod or other stabilizing device to keep the camera from moving when you click the shutter. Tripods work well against windows, because you can lean the camera forward until the lens is touching the glass.

Use the house as a blind: Perhaps the greatest advantage to shooting through windows is that you are inside, warm or cool depending on the season, and less visible to the wildlife. Birds become accustomed to seeing movement inside the house and eventually pay no attention to a photographer. They also will get used to seeing the camera beside a window if you leave it in place for an extended period.

Bring the subject up close: You don’t need a long telephoto lens to take close-up pictures. You can get the same effect if you position a bird feeder, birdbath or birdhouse close to one of your windows. Consider where the sunlight will fall so you can get attractive, natural light on your subjects. Sunlight coming in from the side usually is good; light coming in from behind the subjects may require using a flash from inside to eliminate shadows.

Keep settings natural: If you want photographs of birds in a natural setting, place a twig, branch or flower above or to the side of your feeders or birdbaths. The creatures will land there naturally before moving in to feed or bathe.

Look at backgrounds: Before taking a picture, look through the camera’s viewfinder to make sure you’re happy with the background that will be included in the scene.

Source: National Wildlife Federation and National Geographic

U.S. Land Mass Shrinks

The Census Bureau says the U.S. land mass has been shrinking since 1940. The U.S. land mass was 3,554,608 square miles in 1940; in 1990 it had declined to 3,536,278, The New York Times reported.

However, geographers said most of the difference is a result of improved satellite imagery and other mapping technology that makes it easier to distinguish land from water.

If America's land mass is shrinking, its territorial waters are growing. Since 2000, the nation's official measurement of territorial waters rose to 264,837 square miles, from 256,645.

The report also said the Borough of Queens in New York shrank by 1 square mile since 2000, possibly as a result of erosion and rising sea levels in the Jamaica Bay unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

"For area measurement purposes, hydrologic features identified as intermittent water, glacier, or swamp are reported as land area," the Census Bureau said. "Identification of land and inland, coastal, territorial, and Great Lakes waters is for data presentation purposes only and does not necessarily reflect their legal definitions."

Source: Terra Daily

Turtle Taxi

Check out this video of the baby lion catching a ride on a sea turtle!

i play with dead things

Sort of gross, but also very endearing, the video below shows a little girl gleefully carrying around the body of a dead gray squirrel while her parents nonchalantly record the incident on camera.

Love A Tree

Today is Love A Tree Day! It comes during Garden for Wildlife Month and wildlife gardeners everywhere know how important trees are to a good wildlife garden. So here are five awesome ways you can show the love!

Release your inner “tree hugger.” Just get out there and wrap your arms around your favorite old arboreal pal. You might want to pick a time when your neighbors are sure to see you so that, when they ask if you have finally cracked up, you can tell them all about Save A Tree Day and suggest they participate. Even if they quickly look at their watch, announce they have to go and avoid eye contact for the next two weeks, you will have briefed them on Love A Tree Day. You can just bet that next year they will have some dogwood in firm embrace.

Give your tree a long, cool drink. In the garden setting, trees are the tall silent type. They are not usually crying for attention the way those bratty flowers and shrubs do. Think of them as nature’s middle child. But, trees have needs too and one of the main ones is for more water. Watering a tree means soaking the root system. It takes time and patience but the result is a regular root soaking will make a world of difference to a tree’s long-term health. NWF has a tree care guide and so does Casey Trees for urban areas.

Provide some wildlife-friendly ornamentation. Even if trees are fairly stoic they can be a tad vain. Every tree enjoys a little nature-appropriate ornamentation. And, there is no better compliment than a good bird feeder or bird house. Think of it as higher elevation jewelry shopping.

Give it a friend (or several). NWF has a terrific program for the tree-planter in you called Trees for the 21st Century. It involves ordering a group of trees in either the Spring of Fall that you can plant or, if you would prefer to pick one from your local nursery, it provides you with tree planting guidance and some fun tree-based lesson plans for you and the kids.

Add your tree to a wildlife sanctuary. This may seem far-fetched, but NWF has a very popular program designed to make you home garden into a certified wildlife habitat. You need water features such as a birdbath, a bird feeder, some flowers and shrubs and – one or more trees. What tree wouldn’t be proud to be able to whisper in the wind that it was part of a refuge for wildlife, pollinators and lots of other leafy creatures.

Happy Love A Tree Day! (even if your friends and neighbors do look at you funny for awhile.)

Monster Monday: Maximize Your Long-Term Salary Growth

Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs, posted an article on Monster.com about how to maximize your salary potential. And as we enter another tough year in the job market, especially for government and government-related positions, I thought this article would be relevant.

Steen writes, if you want to make sure your earnings keep rising over the long term, you need a strategy to protect against salary plateaus and unemployment.

Experts offer the following tips for maximizing your earnings over the course of your career.

Watch Industry Trends Carefully

"If your professional area is vulnerable to economic shifts, don't cling to it just because it is familiar and comfortable," said Libby Pannwitt, principal of the Work Life Design Group in San Carlos, California. Take a class or even get an advanced degree to arm yourself with skills that are more enduring.

For example, Marianne Adoradio, a recruiter and career counselor in Silicon Valley, said she sees otherwise excellent candidates for human resources positions who don't have global HR experience -- something that is a requirement for more and more positions. She advises people in the field -- even if they aren't currently job hunting -- to make sure they're working on projects with a global component. If they aren't, they need to ask their boss how they can gain this experience.

If You Reach a Salary Plateau, Understand the Reason

In many fields, people start out their careers with a succession of rapid salary increases. These increases taper off after a time, though, unless they enter management. Some companies have career paths for nonmanagers with highly specialized skills, so if you're not interested in management, you may want to pursue one of those.

If the problem is that your field of expertise is no longer in as much demand as it used to be, then you may need to look at a move to a related field.

Make Yourself Marketable Inside -- and Outside -- Your Company

"The most successful people develop themselves to add a lot of value to any company in the industry, not just their company alone," said Steve Levin, principal of Leading Change Consulting & Coaching in Portola Valley, California. This will give you more leverage in internal negotiations -- and more options if you decide to leave your current company.

One tip for being marketable across an industry: Try to work for "name-brand companies," Adoradio said. Recruiters often prefer candidates who have worked for industry-leading companies. Having one on your resume will help your long-term career prospects.

Consider Multiple Income Streams

Some people branch out from their main job to take on consulting work or teach a course in their field. This may help advance your primary career if the work helps you stay current or showcases your expertise. If your second job is in a different field, the second income will increase your earnings and help shield you from the downturns in your main industry.

Don't Focus Too Narrowly on Money

"Raises and promotions are given to people who generate trust and demonstrate competence to handle more complexity," Levin said. Focus on this, and the money will likely follow.

And remember that learning new skills in a job can be just as important as the money.

"When that learning stops, when that development stops, it's time to move," said Leslie G. Griffen, managing partner of Career Management Associates in Overland Park, Kansas.

Source: Monster.com

How to Chop an Onion Without Any Tears

We've all been there, prepping for a meal and tearing up so bad it looks like we are watching the aftermath of the stampede during Lion King; or the last scene in Homeward Bound when Shadow doesn't return with the two others; or the hunting scene when Bambi's mother isn't behind him anymore. (Seriously, I cried so bad during those scenes. Why do they make children's movies so sad. It still makes me melancholy.)

1. First, it is very important to use a good, sharp knife, especially for the following techniques. If your cutting knives are dull, you will need to apply more pressure to make a cut in the onion and risk slipping and hurting yourself. Please be cautious!

2. Your onion has two ends, the root and the “blossom.” The root end is flat and brown, while the blossom end tends to be pointier. Remove the blossom end and the papery outer layer. By keeping the root intact, you’re not only helping to hold the onion together while you cut, you’re also minimizing the release of chemicals into the air that irritate your eyes!

3. Cut the onion in half and immediately place the two halves flat on the cutting board. Take one half of the onion and hold it so that the root end is pointing away from you.

4. Keeping your fingers bent away from the blade, hold the onion steady while you make a series of vertical slits in the onion towards the root. It is very important that you DO NOT chop all the way through the onion! Leave about an inch between the end of your cut and the root of the bulb. Again, this will hold the onion together while you finish cutting and make your life much easier.

5. Rotate the onion so that the blossom end is facing the hand holding the knife, with your fingers gripping the root end. Hold the onion steady while you make horizontal cuts into the onion towards the root (parallel to the table). Do not cut all the way through; stop cutting when the blade is an inch away from the root. Make two or three of these horizontal cuts, depending on how big or small you’d like your onion pieces to be.

6. Last step! All you need to do now is take the knife and chop vertically down towards the cutting board, releasing the perfectly-sized and even onion pieces! Repeat with the other half of the onion.

Once you’ve mastered this technique, you’ll notice that you can chop both halves of an onion in under a minute! (Just be cautious and don’t get too cocky, remember that speed in the kitchen can be a dangerous thing). Using this cutting method will not only impress your family and friends, you’ll also be saving them some tears.

Source: CSN Stores

Meat Eater

Hilarious Video! Enjoy:

Troika Russian Festival

Erie's Third annual TROIKA Russian Festival is May 27-29 at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity (109 German St. Erie, PA). Free admission and free parking.

Friday, May 27: Noon-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 28: Noon-4 p.m.
Sunday, May 29: Noon-9 p.m.

This fundraiser helps the church pay off the mortgage for the expansion to its Community Center, which houses a food pantry for those in need.
The entertainment will feature the Barynya Russian Dance Ensemble, a world-renowned, professional singing and dancing troupe, showcasing additional segments such as interactive dance lessons, language lessons, and storytelling!

Homemade food will be for sale. Items like:
Borscht (Ukrainian Beet Soup)
Russian Mushrooms
Potato Pancakes
Vareniki (Stuffed Dumpling)
Kotlety (Russian Hamburgers)
Keibasa (Russian Sausage)
Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad)
Chicken Kiev Dinner (Breaded and Stuffed Chicken Breast)
Blinchiki (Russian Pancakes) with frest fruit sauce
Russian Tea Balls
Apple Jellyrolls

Other things to check out are the Russian Marketplace, Russian Tea Room, Bakery, Children's Area, and, of course, the Siberian Vodka Ice Bar and Imported Russian Beer station.

For more info check out the website at http://www.troikafestival.com/

Fire: Victorian Princess

Fire fighters responded this morning to a fire on the Victorian Princess, as crews were working on it at Erie Sand and Gravel along Erie's Bayfront. The Victorian Princess was being worked on, on private property.

According to Erie's Chief Fire Inspector, Guy Santone, welding crews were working on the outside of the Victorian Princess, when the heat transferred to the inside, and caught some paint and insulation on fire.

Santone says there was a lot of damage to the engine compartment of the boat, but fire fighters were able to keep flames from spreading to the passenger compartments.

The Princess was supposed to start cruising last week. And this Wednesday the Princess was supposed to take a group of graduating seniors from Behrend out for a celebratory cruise. No word on whether this cruise will happen or not.

Source: WICU12

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom and I recently went on a trip, just the two of us, to the Grand Canyon (among other places in Arizona). We only had one fight. We had a great time overall. Even though my mom was just wrapping up a cold. And I came down with a cold (coincidence?).

We took lots of pictures, which I have yet to sort through. Mainly because I don't have a home computer at this moment and had to upload the photos on my mom's old (but much younger than my) laptop.

It was a very nice trip and I was so fortunate to be able to go! Thanks, Mom! I'll remember the trip forever!

Baked: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

It only took me 362 days to finally bake cookies at my house. I was inspired to bake cookies for Daisy's (maybe) birthday in April. I wanted to make peanut butter cookies since she loves PB. Well. I missed her birthday because I was sick and I didn't have any shortening for the recipe.

So then I was motivated by Mother's Day. I still didn't have any shortening, but I found this recipe for Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies and figured I could just substitute butter for the shortening. I also didn't use margarine like the recipe calls for, just butter. Shortening would have helped give this cookie some heft and crispiness, but the butter adds a delicious flavor, which I know my mom will like.

I also added dried cranberries to some of the cookies. Yummy! The tartness is a great contrast to the sweet and salty cookie.

One recommendation, add more oats if you like them. I wish I would have, it would have given more texture and substance to the cookies. And made them (at least in my mind), seem healthier.

All in all, it's a yummy cookie that isn't too sweet.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies Yield 4 dozen
Prep Time: 15 Min     Cook Time: 10-15 Min     Ready In: 1 Hr

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together shortening, margarine, brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the oats until just combined. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until just light brown. Don't over-bake. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information:
Amount Per Serving Calories: 120
Total Fat: 7.1g
Cholesterol: 9mg

What's in a Name: Most Popular Names for CEOs

LinkedIn evaluated more than 100 million user profiles to come up with a list of the top names for CEOs around the world.

The most popular name for a male CEO is Peter, followed by Bob, Jack, Bruce and Fred.

LinkedIn attributes men's use of nicknames to "denote a sense of friendliness and openness."

The most popular CEO names for women are: Deborah, Sally, Debra, Cynthia and Carolyn.

When it comes to women chief executives, they use their full names to "project a more professional image."

Long names of seven or more letters, Thierry, Philippe and Laurent were popular in the food-service industry.

Engineers also typically have longer names of six or more letters. Topping the list for engineers were Rajesh, Jeremy and Andrew.

The top name for a pro athlete: Ryan.
For a cop: Billy.
And for human resources manager: Emma.

Source: ABC News

365 Days of Homeownership

Happy Cinco de Mayo! One year ago, today, I was signing contracts and paying large sums of money to buy my first house. So, with 365 days of owning my house, here are 365 things I learned.

Just kidding.

I'm not even sure I can come up with Ten Tips.

1. Don't pay all your savings towards the down payment of the house. Even if the house is in good shape, little cosmetic changes add up quickly.
2. Homeownership requires the owning of junky clothes and shoes. And if you don't already own them, you will as soon as you paint, clean, mow, etc.
3. Selecting paint colors for an entire house is a challenging decision. By the end, all the colors of different brands look the same and you will be tired of making decisions.
4. Painting is tough. Painting in a straight line is tougher. Textured walls soak up more paint. Paint costs a lot.
5. Painting in small spaces and behind toilets is the worst.
6. Wallpaper should die.
7. Vinegar/warm water mixture, elbow grease, a putty knife, and patience took down my wallpaper. Then more vinegar/water mixture and patience took down the glue from the paper.
8. Start small with renovations. The bigger the job, the longer it will take for you to get to it. And the longer it will take to be completed.
9. To save money, spray paint hardware to match your tastes.
10. After painting, hire professional carpet cleaners right away. I put it off and still haven't had the carpets cleaned.
11. (Okay, I made it beyond 10 tips) When buying light fixtures, consider what type of bulb they take and if an energy efficient one will fit. Energy efficient bulbs are different in shape, so sometimes they will not fit into a covered fixture or they will hang below a sconce.
12. When changing the light fixtures, switch the light bulbs to energy efficient. The bulbs should last five years, so you won't have to get on a ladder for awhile.
13. Change all your door locks. And hide a spare key somewhere. Otherwise you may have an uncomfortable meeting with your neighbors while wearing your pajamas.
14. Change your heating/AC unit's air filter. (Actually you should do this every six months.)
15. If your house did not have a garbage disposal, consider how much stuff might be semi-clogging your kitchen pipes.
16. Do not put large amounts of pasta down the drain (even if you have a garbage disposal).
17. Before calling a plumber, call Dad. We bought an inexpensive, 25-foot, use-your-muscles snake tool and were able to unclog my kitchen pipes. (You can read between the lines - or rather read the above lines - to figure out the cause.)
18. Stick to your lists when at the hardware stores. It easy to buy things. Browse online and in the stores for the style and price of hardware, light fixtures, appliances, flooring, etc. Go with a plan.
19. Don't put off mowing the lawn. Don't mow when the grass is wet. Longer, wetter grass is much more difficult to mow. Wear sneakers and pants that you don't mind dying green. Wear gloves (like weight lighting gloves) that will protect your hands from blisters.
20. Don't mow uphill. Mow across a hill (not up and down).
21. Apparently, changing the direction you mow your lawn keeps the grass green and healthy. Healthy grass grows faster, just saying.
22. When making a turn with your push mower, tilt the mower on its back wheels to make it easier.
23. Don't plant too many flowers your first year. Wait to see what plants sprout and make a plan for the additional colors and sizes you want for the next season.
24. Acorns suck! I still haven't figured out a way to rake/pick up all those little, round buggers.
25. If you don't live is a neighborhood, don't rake up a ton of leaves; the wind is great at getting rid of them.
26. Insecticide is a single woman's best friend.
27. Consistently check your basement for dampness. Run a dehumidifier (on a timer to keep energy costs lower). And learn how to check to make sure your sump pump is working. I check mine daily and more than once on the rainy days.
28. Keep flashlights handy.
29. Learn where your fuse box is and, if not marked, determine which fuse controls what appliance, room, etc.
30. In your basement, look up. Look at wires, cables, phone lines, pipes, etc. Know what rooms you are standing under.
31. Know where your water shutoff valve is and how to turn it off.
32. Learn how to adjust your water heater's settings.
33. Shoveling snow sucks. I have no tips. What I learned: I prefer to push the snow rather than picking it up and throwing it. I have two shovels for my driveway - a push shovel and a bent handle one for picking up. I need both depending on the type of snow and how much there is. Don't let the snow pile up and try not to pack it down with your car wheels.
34. Keep a shovel at every exit. Keep your exits clear.
35. Knock snow drifts off your roof. I couldn't reach. I called Dad.
36. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the heat automatically depending on the hours you are home.
37. Nightlights are not only for children. Leave some light sensing nightlights plugged in for when you come home to a dark house.
38. Always have batteries handy.
39. Empty your vacuum regularly. It will work better.
40. Empty your dryer's lint catch after every use.
41. Huggable hangers really do give you more space in your closet.
42. Search Craigslist.
43. Sell or donate the unwanted light fixtures, window treatments, etc. from the previous owner.
44. Use a squeegee to clean your windows inside and out.
45. Invest in work gloves.
46. Take the time to iron your new window treatments.
47. Redirect the Mail. Pay the $1 and forward your mail. Also learn "Return to Sender: No Such Name." Send the prior owner's mail back.
48. Donate to your local volunteer fire department. Good Karma = No Fire
49. Save money. You never know when something important will break, crack, leak, rust, peal, chip, snap, crumble, or wear out.
50. Homeownership is difficult, but it's fun! And it's nice knowing that I am doing this on my own (plus Dad and Mom). Quite an experience.

Wow. I made it to 50. Sorry, if you started reading these tips expecting only about ten. Thanks for sticking it out and reading!

It's only been a year, so what have you learned in your homeownership? Any tips you can share?

Any questions I can try to answer?

Wild Wednesday: Pygmy Rabbits Reintroduced to Wild

Rare pygmy rabbits are being reintroduced to their native Columbia Basin in the United States, bringing them back from the brink of extinction. It will be the first time that the endangered species has been seen in the wild since 2004, after a mere 16 of the remaining little fluff balls were taken into captivity in an attempt to save their species in 2001.

With adults weighing in at under 500g, pygmies do not breed capriciously in the wild. That’s one of the reasons why bringing them back from the extinction feared in the 1990s is such an achievement for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Conservation biologists within the department found that the rabbits’ breeding difficulties were down to a vicious cycle of dwindling numbers. Fewer rabbits caused a level of inbreeding within the species, which resulted in a lack of genetic diversity which subsequently lowered reproductive rates and increased the rabbits’ susceptibility to parasites.

Fortunately, the rabbits had southern cousins in Idaho that belong to the same species — although they are genetically distinct and have shown to be separated for more than 10,000 years by fossil and genetic evidence.

Like the Columbia Basin pygmies, the southern rabbits have also been enlisted as endangered but their numbers have improved in recent years. By cross-breeding the Idaho pygmies with the Columbia species the resultant offspring have had better health and their numbers have increased to around 100 rabbits.

These new rabbits, with a genetic makeup of three-quarters Columbia Basin genes and one-quarter Idaho genes, are being gently re-established into the area. Biologists are wary of following the failure of an experimental reintroduction in 2007, when raptors and coyotes killed rabbits let into the wild.

Instead, a “soft release” strategy is being adopted. First, captive-bred rabbits will be moved to a six-acre enclosure to develop the foraging and burrowing habits needed to survive in the wild while protected from hungry predators. Step by step, the rabbits will move to smaller enclosures while they adjust to the wild, with individual rabbits being released as they become acclimatised.

Newborns will be better-equipped to deal with the wild than their parents raised in captivity, so those pygmies that give birth in the enclosures will have their offspring released before they adapt to human interaction.

Source: Wired UK

Earth has 657 more islands than the last time we counted

Researchers have found that the Earth has 657 more barrier islands than previously thought.

Orrin Pilkey, professor emeritus of geology at Duke University, and Matthew Stutz, assistant professor of geosciences at Meredith College, conducted a global survey of barrier islands using satellite images, topographical maps, and navigational charts. To their surprise, they found 657 new barrier islands, including islands off the coast of Columbia, Brazil, Siberia, Alaska and Canada’s Arctic. A previous survey in 2001 had pegged the number of barrier islands at 1,492.

The 2,149 barrier islands are found along all continents except for the Antarctica. They measure a total of 20,783 kilometres in length and make up approximately 10 percent of the Earth’s continental shorelines.

Pilkey said the islands hadn’t been noticed or were too remote to be included in the last count. The previous survey was conducted without the help of satellite images.

A barrier island often forms as a chain of long, low, narrow offshore deposits of sand and sediment. They run parallel to the coast line but are divided by lagoons, bays and estuaries. They are defined as an unconsolidated body of sand that is surrounded by water and usually has an inlet at either end that lets water in and out of a lagoon. Islands have a unique role in the ecosystem, protecting low-lying mainland coasts against erosion and storm damage. They are often important wildlife habitats.

“These are fascinating things,” said Pilkey, the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Geology at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“They usually occur in chains, and each island depends on the other islands on either side. They exchange sand back and forth.

“They depend on storms to survive. The storms bring sand up to the island and build it up. Without storms they can’t survive.

Many of the barrier islands in the survey are two to 4,000 years old. But many of the islands will soon be threatened by the rising sea levels that have come with climate change.

“The sea level is rising everywhere, and barrier islands are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise,” Pilkey said.

And the sea rise is threatening not only the barrier islands off the Florida coast, but also off the Canadian Arctic and the north slope of Alaska. Compared to aerial photos taken in the 1950, these islands “have moved back off themselves,” said Pilkey. The shoreline is now behind what used to be the lagoon side of the islands, he said.

“We have basically another 50 years before the erosion rate becomes impossible to respond to,” he said.

Source: TheStar.com

Green Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is less than a week away. You're welcome for the reminder. If you are still shopping for a gift and your mom likes to garden or has an interest in the environment or was a hippie, here are some environmentally friendly gifts that will please Mom and Mother Earth.

Organic Flowers
Surprise mom with a bouquet of beautiful flowers at home or send them to her office for an early Mother's Day gift she can show off to her co-workers. Either way, send organic blooms.

Natural Perfumes
Perfumes are a perfect Mother's Day gift, but they're often filled with unregulated chemicals -- not a great gift for Mom or Mother Earth. Try more natural options like those from Pacifica ($20 at amazon.com) or Burt's Bees, which makes solid perfumes perfect for moms on the go.

Breakfast in Bed
Let her wake up to the smell of coffee brewing, the sound of a sizzling skillet, a delicious breakfast served in bed—even better, and (best part) the knowledge she doesn’t have to clean up the kitchen! Pour some shade-grown organic coffee, like Audubon's rainforest blend and surprise mom with a favorite breakfast recipe made with organic ingredients.

Green Kitchen Gear
If you can't get mom out of the kitchen to cook for her, try outfitting her with some updated and unique culinary equipment. If she's still using that non-stick pan, upgrade her to an Earth Pan skillet—a durable eco-friendly alternative, ($45 at amazon.com). Or you can get her one of these floral and functional One Mango Tree aprons made by women in war-torn Uganda ($20 at worldofgood.ebay.com) and these Red Onion Woodworks cutting and serving boards made from salvaged bigleaf maple ($59 and up at etsy.com).

Sustainable Jewelry
Think about jewelers' commitment to the sustainable manufacture of their jewelry when you're shopping. The two major components of which are using reclaimed or recycled metals and using either fare-trade or lab-grown stones; or even better – stones from other pieces of jewelry.

Organic Home Spa Treatments
There are lots of organic beauty products available like Weleda, Kaia House, and Pai or you can make your own. Check out The Daily Green's DIY recipes.

The Gift of Gardening
Sure, what you'll hand to your mom will be the seedlings you picked up from your local farmers' market or nursery, but the real gift is the time you'll spend together planting. Need gardening advice? Try The Daily Green's 9 Easy Steps for Organic Gardening, or get mom started with a garden kit.

Source: The Daily Green