The Terrapin Times

Bush Visits I-35W Bridge Site

Three days after the bridge collapse, president Bush ‘flew over the Mississippi River’ in a chopper and had a bird’s eye view of the situation on ground. His marine helicopter circled over the mangled remains of the collapsed bridge several times, as he took stock of the rescue efforts on ground, in the 10 min long aerial tour of the disaster site.

Later, Bush, wearing an orange and red hard hat, walked around the bridge site and interacted with the rescue personnel. President also plans to receive briefings on the progress of the recovery/rescue efforts and meet some of the victim’s family members.
Severely criticized for the sluggish and slow response during Hurricane Katrina, Bush this time took no chances as he hurried to Minnesota to personally view the tragedy as soon as the I-35W bridge collapse news was reported to white house.

However, amid the safety concerns raised about the bridges in US in general, authorities have claimed that the lesser death toll – reportedly five – to the bridge design - that ensured minimal falling debris – and the rush hour traffic crawl at the hour of collapse.
Initial estimates show that it’ll take more than $250 million to rebuild the bridge.

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Cosmetics advertisers first used the word in the 60’s. It comes from the Greek prefix hypo, which translates to below or less. So the word translates to “less allergens”. Since it’s inception it has been widely adopted and used by advertisers, manufacturers, and marketers to sell products that claim to be gentler on the skin than other products similar to it. But is this really true?
The American Food and Drug Administration has stated, “ Hypoallergenic cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hypersensitive skin, and even those with “normal” skin, may be led to believe that these products will be gentler to their skin than non-hypoallergenic cosmetics. There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term “hypoallergenic.” The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA. The term “hypoallergenic” may have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers on a retail basis, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning.”
The FDA attempted to put regulations on products that claimed to be hypoallergenic in 1974. It stated that a product could be labeled hypoallergenic only if studies were conducted on human subjects and it showed a significantly lower reaction to allergies than products not making the claim. It then said the companies had to conduct these tests on their own and (most importantly) at their own expense. This of course caused major problems and companies immediately began lawsuits against the decision, claiming that the tests “would pose an undue economic burden on them.” The two biggest challengers of this attempt at regulation were Almay and Clinique, two manufacturers of “hypoallergenic” cosmetics.
The FDA tried again to regulate the use of the word on June 6, 1975 by still requiring companies to do scientific studies but the procedures for the tests were changed to reduce the cost to the manufacturers. This still didn’t sit well with the companies who apparently wanted no regulations on what they were producing. Cosmetic companies challenged the FDA decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals, which ruled that the regulation was invalid. The court said the FDA’s definition of “hypoallergenic” was unfair because a lack of evidence that consumers perceived the term in the way it is described by the organization. The result? Manufacturers can continue to advertise and label their products “hypoallergenic” without any kind of regulation or standard set forth by the government. Consumers have no assurance that a product labeled “hypoallergenic” is any less reactive than any other product. Theoretically, a company could put out a product that is “hypoallergenic” that is full of toxins and allergens.
The one small victory that the FDA seems to have had is that at least now manufacturers are now required to put the ingredients on the labels of the products so that consumers can avoid substances that they know they are allergic to or have had problems with in the past. There are certainly cleansers and products that are more gentle on our skin than others. Compare something like Proactiv Solution and Oxy-10; the two products are for acne treatment, but where Proactiv has moisturizers and leaves your skin soft and moist, Oxy-10 will often leave your skin dry and irritated. As consumers, we must be aware of ingredients in the products we use because apparently the companies who make them aren’t very concerned about our health over their profit margins. There is no doubt that some products out there that claim to be hypoallergenic actually are, but if you are a smart consumer and concerned for you and your family’s health, you’ll do the research yourself and not rely on these companies claims. Hypoallergenic? More like hypohonest.

If you are looking for fun activities to do with your pet this fall season, consider camping; it will be fun and relaxing for you and your pet. Though camping with your dog is fun, it is important you are fully prepared for the trip. Here are a few key camping tips for you and your pet:

1. Make sure you know your pet. Be aware of what excites your dog, what interests him, what riles him up and what calms him down. Also be aware your pet’s body language. Noticed perked up ears, widened eyes, twitching legs. These are simple signs that will clue you in on what may be going on in your doggie’s brain. Unless your dog is exceptionally well-behaved, I highly recommend keeping your pet on a leash at all times.

2. Make sure your dog is properly vaccinated. Because you will be camping in the great outdoors, your dog will encounter many different situations that breed opportunity for disease contraction. You dog will be running into other dogs who may or may not have been vaccinated, so it is imperative your dog is up to date. In addition to vaccinations, don’t forget to check your dog periodically for fleas and ticks while you are on your trip; though your pet may have had their routine flea and tick protection treatment, it is always a good idea to be on the safe side and take a look.

3. You will also need to bring plenty of food, water, and some comfy dog beds , as well as a few treats if you are concerned about your dog’s behavior. Most campsites have water spouts as well as tap faucets in bathrooms; however, you may want to bring a few gallons of jug water for your dog simply as a precaution. You may also want to put your dog food in a tin jar, because it is water proof and scent proof; you don’t want any other animals trying to get into your pet’s dinner! Go ahead and bring your pet’s routine bedding materials, so he can be comfortable and sleep well at night; the last thing you want is a dog barking late at night on a campsite. One more item that is always helpful to bring is a towel. Though you may not plan on going near water, your never what your pup may get into when scratching in the dirt or walking on a trail.

4. If you are planning on taking your dog hiking, it is a good idea to start with short and non-strenuous hikes so you will be able to properly gauge your dog’s endurance. Just as you need water on a hike, so does your dog; many dog supply stores offer several varieties of portable water instruments for pets. You may also want to bring a few doggie treats with you on the trail in case they get tired and need motivation to keep however. Be sure to be aware of your dog’s energy level, and stop and rest if your dog begins showing signs of fatigue.

5. Finally, you will need to bring a first aid kit for your pet. These kits are available at most pet supply stores. Pet supply kits generally contain items such as scissors, tweezers, gloves, antiseptic cleansing wipes, antibiotic ointment packs, burn relief packs, insect sting relief packs, gauze dressing pads, and tape. Again, the safety of your pet is key, and you will want him or her to have an exciting and safe camping trip. Happy camping!

Article provided by Discount Pet Mall - A site featuring dog steps and elevated dog feeders!

Balto is a name many people are familiar with. There is a statue of this famous Siberian husky in New York City, and a cartoon children’s film was released in 1995 titled Balto. Balto’s story is one worth being told, and it can serve as a wonderful example of several communities working together for a saving cause; however, without heroic mushers and faithful sled dogs such as Balto, there would not even be a story worth telling. Here is the story of the heroic efforts made by men and dogs in the 1925 serum run to Nome, AK.

The story begins in January of 1925 in the small town of Nome, Alaska, when the town’s only doctor, Curtis Welch, discovered the highly contagious symptoms of diphtheria in a 6-year-old boy. At the time, Dr. Welch only had enough serum to vaccine a total of 5 people; the town of Nome had a population of 1,429 people. This did not bode well for Nome. Caught in the thick of an Alaskan winter, the only available resource for travel were mushers and sled dogs, though even for them traveling was treacherous.

Dr. Welch sent out pleas of help by telegraph to Fairbanks, Seward, and Anchorage. Anchorage was the only town of the three that had enough serum to stop the spread of Diphtheria, and it was over 1000 miles away. The territorial governor decided to send out a relay of mushers and dogs to transmit the 20 lb package of vaccine in nearly –40 degrees Fahrenheit weather. The serum was first transported by train from Anchorage to the town of Nenana. There, on January 27, the train’s conductor handed the packaged serum to the first musher in a line of 20.

The antidote was handed off from musher to musher. These dog sled teams labored through treacherous terrain, moving through mountains, windy valley’s, and rushing rivers. They survived and pressed on through blizzards, whiteout conditions, and unbearably cold weather, day and night. As each day progressed, these dog teams and their mushers gained ground closer and closer to Diphtheria stricken Nome.

The musher who drove the longest stretch of the journey, as well as the most treacherous distance was the Norwegian Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog, Togo. They came from Nome and picked up the serum from musher Henry Ivanoff. Leonhard and Togo later handed off the serum to Gunner Kaasan, another Norwegian, who actually drove the serum into Nome with his dog sled team led by Balto. Due to these determined mushers and their loyal dog teams, the antidote made it to Nome in a total of 5 days, 7 hours, and roughly 30 minutes. On February 21, 1925, Dr. Welch was able to lift the quarantine off of Nome, nearly one month after he first noticed the symptoms in a patient.

Though Balto and Kaasan received the majority of praise and recognition for this relay, there were 19 other heroic mushers and hundreds of loyal, hard-working sled dogs that made this valiant feat possible, that saved hundreds of lives in a rural Alaskan town.

Sharon Michaels writes articles for Discount Pet Mall, a site featuring pet carriers and dog steps.

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Properly finished wood outdoor furniture can be as good as maintenance-free, a blessing for today’s busy gardener. Some wood outdoor furniture can be enameled, but left unpainted or coated with matte varnish, it steadily fades, attaining an elegant light blue finish. While almost maintenance-free, outdoor wood furniture does require a little work primarily a yearly cleaning to wash away any accumulation of grime. Most good-quality wood outdoor furniture can be kept up efficiently with monthly soapy water washings and seasonal applications of gloss. The bonuses of wood outdoor furniture cancel out the disadvantages, which can include a higher price as well as the weight of the pieces.

Rustic wood outdoor furniture, widely considered more stylish than metal porch pieces, can be found in garden stores, on the Internet, and at bazaars. A rustic log chair made by the Mennonites is generally made from regional timber and designed by one proficient carpenter, creating a bona fide heirloom work. At first, the sole existing wood outdoor furniture was a simple rocking chair, but presently you can buy seats, boxes, and complete patio collections. Well-built wood outdoor furniture is a popular part of to your porch or porch, regardless of décor. Wood outdoor furniture’s charm can be attributed to its weather-resistance and timelessness along with its utilization of environmentally friendly materials.

Wood outdoor furniture, a staple of patios for decades, is always an excellent selection when purchasing patio furniture. At first, the one findable wood outdoor furniture was a basic rocking chair, but lately you can find seats, armoires, and large courtyard outfits. Flexible wood outdoor furniture is securable in an array of cuts, from quite elaborate to unpretentious and smart. Obtainable in myriad materials, wood outdoor furniture is desired for grain, longevity, or the creative styles different species can be bent into. Inviting wood outdoor furniture, by many considered more beautiful than aluminum porch sets, can be found in home stores, electronically, and at antique shops. Properly lacquered wood outdoor furniture should be almost maintenance-free, a definite boon to today’s time-poor gardener.

Most well made wood outdoor furniture can be maintained conveniently with monthly soapy water rinsing and annual coats of varnish. Sometimes wood outdoor furniture can be stained, but left alone or treated with clear protectant, it gradually weathers, gaining an elegant silver-gray coating. Tawny teak patio furniture, if left bare, will weather to a silver-gray color, but won’t fracture as a result of this change. The inherent pigmentation of cedar furniture is a middle to dusky red and can easily be shielded by employing a furniture sealer.

High-quality wood outdoor furniture is a durable addition to to your garden or yard, whatever the décor. Wood outdoor furniture, a standard of patios for centuries, is always an excellent alternative when deciding on lawn furnishings. Often wood outdoor furniture can be enameled, but left unpainted or covered with glossy shellac, it steadily weathers, becoming an appealing gray coating. While mostly maintenance-free, outdoor wood furniture does require a little attention primarily periodic cleaning to remove any accumulation of dust. Wood outdoor furniture’s attraction is in its weather-resistance and charm together with its advantage of natural materials. Environmentally safe shorea furniture is built from a renewable resource; shorea wood harvested from Indonesia in government-managed farms is regarded as the highest grade anywhere besides teak.

First-class shorea outdoor furniture is made from mature, naturally grown trees; furniture made from developing trees is more prone to splitting and water damage. Fine shorea patio furniture is cherished not merely for its presence, but because the plant is quite scarce in the forest in recent years. Due to its natural oils, a shorea chair will not bend or break in wet situations. Teak garden furniture lasts a long time in the patio area; since shorea wood is extremely impenetrable, it is resistant to warping and withstands rain. People searching for exceptional outdoor wood furniture often pick established companies acclaimed for the reliability of their construction and the strength of the hardwoods they utilize. Obtainable in lots of colors, wood outdoor furniture can be chosen for pattern, strength, or the unusual designs different types of wood can be shaped into. A high-end shorea planter is always a stylish addition to to one’s patio or porch, no matter the style. Wood outdoor furniture’s appeal lies in its weather-resistance and beauty not to mention its benefits of sustainably produced materials.

High-end shorea outdoor furniture is preferred by many people before items constructed from alternative kinds of wood. One helpful feature of shorea outdoor furniture is that it does not need special treatment; without effort, the golden wood will fade to a smooth finish of silver-gray. Golden-brown shorea patio furniture, if left to nature, will weather to a sterling patina, but won’t crack with this exposure. Poor quality teak outdoor furniture is identified by irregularities in the colorations on one cut of timber; buyers should look for items with consistent coloring. The native color of shorea outdoor furniture is a middle to dark gold and can easily be maintained by using a teak sealer.

Properly treated wood outdoor furniture is as good as maintenance-free, a godsend to the overworked gardener. Procurable in a variety of colors, wood outdoor furniture can be selected for hue, longevity, or the unusual styles some species can be twisted into. Sometimes wood outdoor furniture can be painted, but left naked or treated with clear varnish, it slowly lightens, reaching an elegant light blue color. While virtually maintenance-free, shorea wood furniture does have to have a little consideration consisting of an annual cleaning to wash away any accumulation of dust.

The benefits of wood outdoor furniture exceed the limitations, which can involve a higher price as well as the weight of the items. Informal wood outdoor furniture, usually considered more attractive than metal garden furniture, can be found in hardware stores, on the Web, and at craft fairs. Electronic stores give the time-saver of pre-built garden shorea furniture brought all the way to one’s condominium.

Often utilized at expensive bed and breakfasts, fashionable shorea benches revamp a courtyard while its long life ensures sound value. Lounges are among the more prevalent variations of outdoor wood furniture and can be seen on verandas around suburbia. All-purpose wood outdoor furniture can be purchased in an assortment of cuts, from quite ornate to simple and smart.

Wood outdoor furniture’s charm can be attributed to its durability and timelessness in combination with its benefits of sustainably produced materials. Eco-friendly shorea garden furniture is produced from a replenishable supply; shorea wood harvested from Indonesia in government-run farms is believed to be some of the highest grade available besides teak.

Precious shorea outdoor furniture is favored by many people above items engineered with weaker kinds of timber. Expensive teak patio furniture is prized not just for its appearance, but because the tree is somewhat rare in the wilderness currently. Superior teak outdoor furniture is made from older, naturally grown trees; furniture manufactured from immature trees is more likely to breaking and water damage. Supplying the raw materials for greatly well-liked shorea outdoor furniture has developed into a very profitable enterprise for a handful of southeast Asian nations.

Supplementing the worth of the wood itself, an added compositional attribute of nearly all garden shorea furniture includes brass hardware, such as castings, which withstand the elements. Good quality shorea outdoor furniture is often chosen due to the fact that it is inherently able to withstand the weather, economical, able to withstand years of use, and attractive. Garden shorea furniture, common sixty years ago, has lately known a comeback of demand in the USA.

Wood outdoor furniture’s charm lies in its weather-resistance and warmth not to mention its advantage of natural materials. Precious teak outdoor furniture is sought-after worldwide before furniture built with weaker kinds of wood. Wonderfully durable and naturally suited for all weather conditions, teak rockers can be popular throughout numerous regions of the planet.

Centuries-old teak outdoor furniture has been uncovered in mint condition in numerous places of worship around the world, a testament to the long life of quality teak furniture. Because the wood for garden teak furniture can be stored underwater to augment its strength, some Continental items were in fact constructed from the wreckage of ships! Public recreational areas throughout Great Britain contain second generation teak wood furniture created from used lumber that was salvaged from ships.

Teak wood pieces reclaimed from remodeled buildings and sailing vessels often becomes some of the most prime types of teak outdoor furniture. As with many heirloom antiques, timeworn teak outdoor furniture typically sells for more than its newer counterparts. The retail price of a new piece of excellent teak outdoor furniture may range from around a hundred dollars up to more than a thousand dollars. Web stores make available the amenity of patio-ready garden teak furniture mailed right to one’s condominium.