New tech advances in autos and home heating devices

Car-stopping Tech puts the brakes on crashes.
The good news about auto safety: vehicles are becoming more crash worthy. It’s largely because of SUV and pickup redesigns that take less of a toll on smaller cars during collisions. Fatalities have dropped by two-thirds from a decade ago.
Bigger safety gains are predicted as automakers focus on electronics that will help avoid collisions instead of making them more survivable.
The most promising are brakes that work automatically when sensors detect a crash is imminent. Similar intelligent braking systems are already on some high-end vehicles and on a few more affordable cars.
Brakes that work autonomously when a crash is imminent at highway speeds are expected to save lives and prevent far more serious injuries than the low-speed versions now available. But the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), says not enough vehicles are equipped with these systems yet for researchers to qualify how effective they are.
IIHS is studying the effectiveness of warnings that alert drivers they are leaving their lanes and indicate another car is in the car’s blind spot.

Revolutionary ‘Nest’ thermostat sold out in 2011

The Nest is the first thermostat in almost 60 years that’s designed in an entirely different way. That’s since the T-86 Honeywell came out in 1953.The Nest was designed by former Apple executive Tony Fadell in brainstorming sessions with several other technology experts.It has a round LCD screen that’s orange when it’s heating and blue when it cools. To set the temperature and perform other functions, you just turn the wheel. It has a Wi-Fi connection that enables you to control the temperature from afar with a smart-phone app.
The developers have designed a product that “learns” as well. It looks for patterns in the adjustments you make so it can program itself. For a week’s time, it will automatically adjust heating and cooling if you aren’t there. It also has built-in activity sensors that detect when the house is empty and doesn’t require as much heating or cooling.
USA Today’s Edward Baig notes that at $249, it’s expensive in the world of thermostats, but its makers say it pays for itself in two years through energy savings. If Nest is operating at what it considers to be an ideal energy-saving temperature, a green leaf appears on the screen. Changing the temperature even one degree can cut energy costs by 5 percent.
According to Time, it works in most homes and is supposed to be as easy to install as a light switch. It uses a lithium battery, which is supposed to last as long as its five-year warranty.

“TV: On. Change Channel.”

Television set manufacturers are racing to develop voice recognition systems for TV sets, set-top boxes and related products. They want to do away with remotes.
At Nuance Communications, the world’s largest supplier of voice recognition technology, they predict that many device makers will ship products that understand voice commands either this year or next.
Microsoft has the lead with technology developed for Kinect, an Xbox peripheral with cameras, motion sensors and sensitive microphones. After waking up the system by saying Xbox, subscribers to Microsoft’s $60-a-year Xbox LIVE service can search for shows, movies and games by speaking to Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
More than 3 million Comcast subscribers have downloaded an app that turns their smartphone into a remote control for the company’s Xfinity broadband service. Comcast is looking at adding voice-control features to the app, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
The biggest challenge is making software smarter. Kinect users are limited to preset commands, and iPhone 4S users often hear Siri tell them, “I don’t understand.”
Another problem, if all electronics within earshot responded at once, it would be a nightmare. What do you think?

The meaning of rose colors

The following are the rose colors and the general meanings they convey.
Red – Love, beauty, courage and respect
White – Purity and innocence, silence or secrecy, and reverence or humility
Pink – Appreciation, thank you, grace, perfect happiness and admiration
Dark pink - Appreciation, gratitude
Light pink – Admiration, sympathy
Yellow – Joy, gladness, friendship, delight, the promise of a new beginning
Orange – Desire and enthusiasm
Red and white - Given together signify unity
Red rosebud – Purity and loveliness
White rosebud – Girlhood
Thornless Rose – Signifies ‘Love at first sight’.
So as you are choosing your roses, chose wisely … You could send the wrong message.
There are plenty of local florists who will be able to offer you a multitude of elegant choices!

The history behind this “day of love”

Ever wondered how February 14 became, the day on which we celebrate and explore love in all its many ideals, Valentines Day?
There are many differing opinions on how Valentines Day started.
One story say that when the Roman Empire reigned, a festival every February was held in honour of the God of Fertility and during this time, young men would choose their mate. When a Emperor named Claudius came around, he outlawed all marriages in fear that the men would not be able to fight. Young couples still fell in love though and still wished to marry and they took these desires to the Catholic Bishop Valentine who, understanding love, began to secretly marry couples. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested and ordered put to death. While waiting in jail, Valentine began exchanging letters with the jailers daughter and soon had fallen in love with her. The day he was to be beheaded, he wrote her one last note and signed it: From Your Valentine.
Another story points to Christianity in 496 A.D outlawing the pagan Lupercian Festival and replacing it with a day in February to honour the martyr St. Valentine.
A third story as to the origin of passing out cards stems from a French Count who was captured and imprisoned in London. From his cell he wrote his wife letters, including a passionate set of poems which he sent to her in February.
At the turn of the century, a new form of Valentines Day card appeared the Penny Dreadful. Up until this point, cards were relatively expensive but the Penny Dreadful changed all that. They were just what the name implied, costing only one cent and completely bad. The cards were cheaply made, the artwork was amateurish and the colouring was uneven. On top of that the verses printed on them were not the most romantic of prose. They were more often insults, taking swipes at old maids, teachers and the like. Still their low cost kept them popular for years.
For hundreds of years, Valentines Day has been a day of symbols. You can hardly go through the day without seeing a rose (as a symbol to Venus, the Goddess of Love), images of doves and lovebirds (who mate for life) or hearts. The heart was thought to be the centre of all emotion. People believed that when they gave a heart, they were truly giving all of the love and emotion that they possibly could give.
Its past aside, Valentines Day is the second the most popular card sending holiday just behind Christmas with one billion a cards sent a year. When the calendar turns to February, we start to think of love. February has for centuries been designated the month for lovers, with the primary celebration being on February 14, St. Valentines Day. We send cards, flowers, and candy and our children give out Valentines in school.
Valentines Day reminds us to tell our loved ones just how much we care about them.

Valentines Day in other cultures just as sweet

Japan’s celebration of Valentine’s Day has a unique twist. On February 14, only the women give gifts of chocolate to the men. Some of these gifts, known as “giri (obligation)” chocolates, are given to bosses, male co-workers, and male classmates and friends. A special gift known as “honmei” chocolate is given to the womans sweetheart.
But fear not! The men reciprocate on White Day, March 14. On this day many men return the gift of chocolate by giving the women chocolates in a white box. If the gift is given to a girl friend, sometimes a gift of flowers or white lingerie is substituted or added.
White Day is said to have originated because a company that made marshmallows urged the men to repay their Valentine gifts with white marshmallows. Originally the day was called Marshmallow Day but was later changed to White Day. Candy companies joined the ranks by making white chocolates.
In China, The Night of Sevens is sometimes called Chinese Valentines Day. This day is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The day is also called The Festival to Plead for Skills. On this day, young women show off their skills in homemaking and make wishes for a good husband.
The Brazilian equivalent of Valentines Day is the Day of the Lovers (Dia dos Namorados) and is celebrated on June 12. The day is one day before the Feast of Saint Anthony known as the marriage saint.

Random Acts of Kindness Week: February 13-19

Random Acts of Kindness Week: Feb. 13-19
This celebration is held to increase awareness of kindness and its benefits to both the giver and receiver.
Anonymous acts make the giver feel good, maybe for the rest of the day or evening. The odd thing about it is that you can’t plan to do any particular type of kindness, all you can do is recognize an opportunity to kindly help someone.
Hence, the name “Random”. It really truly should be a spur of the moment ‘caring for the person next to you’ type of action.
Of course, if you want to plan some act of kindness out, that would be wonderful!
From February 13 to 19, you have an entire week to become something of a hero. A person overloaded with packages will be surprised and pleased when you offer to carry one. The co-worker who drops papers on the floor will admire your kindness when you help to pick them up.
A homeless person would enjoy a hot cup of coffee or chocolate, and maybe just a few minutes of your time to chat…

TOP TEN Romantic Valentine’s Gifts

Valentines Day is the one day a year where we get to show our loved one exactly how much we love him/her. Show your love with a special gift a one that comes from the heart and will last a lifetime. Here are 10 of the best both inexpensive and expensive. But remember Valentines Day is not about money it is about sharing your love with one another.
From spending a little moola to a LOT of moola (think Paris!) the key to a successful gift is the thought that is put into it. Gifts that are purchased that afternoon and delivered with a smile later that night don’t seem to go as far as one that was planned and thoughtfully executed…
1. A handmade Valentines Day card – a handmade card says much more then a shop bought one and will let your partner know exactly how much they mean to you.
2. Fresh flowers – the key to this is how they are delivered. You could have them delivered to his/her place of work, don her apartment with them, or a single red rose with a ring attached to it. What can be more romantic.
3. Chocolates – we are not talking about a box of roses, but more personal. Personalized chocolates are all the rage on Valentines Day and can be bought anywhere.
4. Plane tickets to Paris – Ah the city of love. Which girl would not like this one?
5. A romantic candlelit dinner – for two. Cook his/her favorite meal light some candles, stand the wine in ice and light background music will set the scene perfectly.
6. Jewelry – a heart locket for her with a photo of the 2 of you in side, or a piece of jewelry with a message on it. May be an engagement ring (hint, hint.)
7. Love songs – put together a compilation of both your favorite love songs.
8. Say it with words - Write him/her a poem about how much he/she means to you. If you can’t write poetry give him a book of poetry instead.
9. Lingerie – this one is for both of you to enjoy.
10. Picture perfect - have a favorite photo of the 2 of you blown up and mounted onto a nice frame.

The world has celebrated New Year’s Day for thousands of years

Happy New Year! On New Year’s Day, you join the multitudes of peoples who have celebrated the event throughout history. Though customs changed and people were vastly different through the ages, the thought was the same: The new year offered an opportunity for beginning again.
New Year’s Day is the oldest of all holidays, first observed in Babylon more than 4,000 years ago. The celebration began with the first visible crescent of the new moon after the vernal equinox or first day of spring. And it lasted for eleven days, each with its own type of festivities.
The Babylonians also claim first rights to the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. Their most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment!
The Romans observed the new year in late March, but in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, the Roman senate declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. To do it right, Julius Caesar had to let the previous year last for 445 days!
Using a baby to symbolize the new year was first done in Greece around 600 B.C. The Germans added a New Year’s banner to the infant.
Some thought the first visitor of the new year would bring either good or bad luck in the coming year. A dark-haired man was thought to be a lucky omen.
It was said that luck in the coming year was determined by what you ate on the first day. In Spain, people ate grapes. The Dutch believed eating donuts brought good fortune. In some parts of the U.S., black-eyed peas with ham are favored. The hog is considered lucky because some say it symbolizes prosperity.
Corned beef and cabbage are another lucky favorite, especially cabbage because the leaves symbolize prosperity. And in some areas, rice is the lucky food.
Whatever your choice of fare on this oldest of holidays, we wish you and yours the best of luck and happiness in the new year.

The history of the candy cane

The candy maker’s witness:
A long time ago, a candy maker wanted to make a something that would be a witness to his faith. He started with a stick of pure white candy. The color would symbolize the Virgin Birth, and the rock hard candy the foundation of the church and the firmness of God’s promises.
The candy maker formed it into a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as the Savior of all mankind.
The J also represents the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which He reaches down into the world to lift up his fallen lambs.
Then he colored the J with small red stripes to represent Jesus’ flowing blood before the crucifixion. One large red stripe was for His blood shed upon the cross so mankind would have the promise of eternal life.
As time passed, other candy makers made what has become known simply as the candy cane.
But it still bears witness to the wonder of God’s gift.

Mow – don’t rake fall leaves

Eco-friendly Landscape Tips for the Fall Season by Melinda Myers, gardening expert, TV & radio host, author and columnist.
Go green, or should I say brown.  Recycle fall leaves into compost, a soil amendment or a nutritious topdressing for the lawn.  It saves time, improves your landscape, and is good for the environment.
Shred fall leaves with your mower and leave them on the lawn. As long as you can see the grass blades for the leaf pieces your lawn will be fine.  Those shredded leaves will break down adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
It is also a good time to make your last application of fertilizer for your lawn.  Use a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite, that won’t burn the lawn. Plus, the phosphorous is non-leaching and recent research found when the micro-organisms break down this fertilizer some of the phosphorous and potassium tied up in the soil is released for plants to use.
Northern gardeners with bluegrass, fescue and rye grass lawns can make their last application in late fall before the ground freezes.  Those in the south growing Bermuda, St Augustine and other warm weather grasses can make their last fertilization about one month before the lawn goes dormant.  That’s about the time of the first killing frost.  Fertilizing later can result in winter damage.
Bag any leaves you don’t want to leave on the lawn and dig them into annual flower and vegetable gardens.  They will break down over winter improving the soil.
Use any remaining shredded leaves as mulch on the soil around perennials, trees and shrubs.  The shredded leaves help conserve moisture, moderate temperature extremes and reduce weed problems.  And once decomposed, help improve the soil.
Still leaves left?  Start a compost pile by mixing fall leaves with other yard waste.  Don’t add aggressive weeds or those gone to seed.  Leave insect and disease infested or chemically treated plant debris out of the pile.  Don’t add fat, meat and other animal products that can attract rodents. Moisten and occasionally turn the pile to speed up the process.  Soon you will have a wonderful soil conditioner to put back into your landscape.
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on 89 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio program for over 20 years as well as Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure.  Myers’ web site is www.melindamyers.com

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