Traveling with Dr. M

San Francisco: On The Waterfront

2011-12-12T23:46:00.004-05:00

Situated on a peninsula, San Francisco is surrounded on three sides by water that has played a large part in the city's history and development. Bounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, water is still important to the people of San Francisco. Fishing and crabbing have been major industries dating back to the early days when Italian immigrants developed the fishing industry at the time of the Gold Rush. It was common, though, for fishermen to receive a portion of the catch as payment. They were then on their own to sell this seafood for cash. Fishing fleets are still an important part of the local economy. A port city, San Francisco has seen war ships head west to battle foreign countries. And huge container ships bring goods in from distant ports.

Dungeness crabs for sale! I can attest that they are delicious.

Think of all the goods in the containers on this ship. I wondered from what foreign ports they came.

A view of the bay showing lots of sailboats out for a day on the water. In the distance you can see the Golden Gate Bridge.

First I saw this statue of sea lions. What I didn't understand until a bit later is that sea lions bask in the sunshine on platforms in the water.

Here are the live sea lions that bark and frolic in the sun.

Fisherman's Wharf is visited by thousands and thousands of tourists each year.

On Pier 39 you can have a lot of fun.

I watched this performer juggle flaming batons.

Here you can have a cartoon of your face made.

There were so many street performers I lost count. This man wailed the blues and drew a crowd.

Painting for an audience ... that's an interesting way to make money. All the performers had prominent tip containers with signs to please drop in money.

There were lots of street vendors hawking their wares.

This bakery has been in business since the mid 1800s. My guide said that they have kept the sourdough starter alive since the beginning and continue to make bread today.

This man, making sourdough bread, captured my attention. He's making bread in large quantities, not just a few loaves at a time. The bread he makes may be used as soup bowls.

While all things related to being a seacoast town are evident in San Francisco, today Fisherman’s wharf has also become a major tourist attraction. Pier 39 is part of this area and contains a rabbit’s warren of shops, restaurants, and other attractions. A meal of fresh seafood is a few steps in any direction. Popular treats that can be seen eaten on the streets are sourdough bread bowls filled with steaming clam chowder and Dungeness crab.

On this pier you can buy a ticket for a ferry ride around the bay.

I didn't buy a ferry ticket but I enjoyed watching the ferry as it zoomed across the water.

A free museum! What could be better?

Ancient arcade machines were on display in the museum. The museum was free but the machines were not.

I saw about 100 machines, but was drawn to this old fellow.

From the pier you can see Alcatraz Island. It used to house a maximum security prison that was escape-proof because even though it looks like a short swim to the mainland, the water is too cold and treacherous.

This World War II submarine was on display. Large signs told about the sailors who lived on board while fighting for their country.

I saw this sign and wondered how many people sign up to sleep on the old submarine. Would you?

Guess who built this World War II ship. Women did! So many men were off fighting the war that women took over factory work. This was the first time that women, en masse, worked outside the home.

Now on land, this "ark" was once a houseboat that was docked on the water.

At one time the only way across the bay was by ferry.

Efforts are underway to preserve boats. This man is working on a restoration project.

An amazing story accompanied this vessel. In 2009, two men rowed this boat from Japan to San Francisco, a trip of 5,000 miles. It took 189 days. They had to take turns rowing around the clock and almost ran out of food.

The weather was quite cool, so I was surprised to see so many people out swimming.The bay water is frigid.

As I walked along taking in the sights, a man frightened me. It turns out I’m not alone as he has been doing this for 30 years and has become famous because of it! He is a street performer called The World Famous Bushman. He sits crouched on the sidewalk hidden behind some evergreen branches. As an innocent victim walks by, he jumps out from behind the branches while making a menacing sound. I let out a little shriek when he startled me, and he laughed raucously.

All in all, my time in San Francisco was far too short. But I greatly enjoyed every minute of my stay. I highly recommend it as a historical and picturesque place to visit. No matter what your interests are, you can find pleasant diversions in this lovely city by the sea.

San Francisco: The City By The Bay

2011-12-11T23:35:00.005-05:00

Carefully consider the three photos above. What do they tell you about San Francisco? Did you guess that the city is built on hills with steep streets? What you can’t tell from the photos is the number of people who reside here. A congested city with over 18,000 people per square mile, San Francisco is home to 800,000 residents. Because of this, houses are crowded together and many people live in apartment buildings. In the mid 1800s, though, only 500 people populated the city. The Gold Rush of 1849 drew throngs of people west and in one year, the total population soared to more than 25,000. San Francisco continues to grow and expand as people are drawn to the area. Tourists, too, flock to the City by the Bay, as it is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

When you have so many people in a relatively small area, mass transportation becomes a must. Even in the late 1800s, San Francisco had cable cars, but early ones were pulled by horses. In addition to cable cars there are buses and trains. BART—Bay Area Rapid Transit—has trains that speed people to where they need to go.

BART train

San Francisco is famous for its cable cars.

This unusual structure is the Trans America Pyramid. Built in 1972, for a time it was the tallest building in the west. If you see the Trans America building stretching high above the city, you know you are in San Francisco.

For many reasons, 1967 was called the Summer of Love. More than 100,000 young people descended into the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Several famous musicians lived in the area, too. Because of the Summer of Love, mainstream America became aware of the Hippie movement, which espoused peace and love and demanded an end to the Vietnam War.

For a time, this was the happening place to be.

Early residents of San Francisco included both Domingo Ghirardelli,a chocolate maker and Levi Strauss who came west to make tents. Strauss quicklyrealized that there was more money to be made manufacturing sturdy pants forminers to wear out of his denim tent fabric. Then he strengthened the pants byadding rivets at the pockets so that the pockets wouldn’t tear. Both productsare still popular all these years later. It is likely you have eaten Ghirardellichocolate or have worn a pair of Levis.

This pair of early Levi jeans is about 100 years old. Do they still look like this today?

These pretty old Victorian homes are built very close to each other because land is at a premium. They are called the Painted Ladies and are famous in San Francisco. Even a relatively small, simple house can cost half a million dollars or more. These larger houses are much more expensive.

San Francisco's City Hall, one of the most attractive in the nation.

Outside of Asia, San Francisco has the largest Chinatown and the oldest in North America. Sometimes called a city within a city, the residents of Chinatown retain their language, culture and customs.

If you get tired of walking, you ca always hire a rickshaw to take you where you want to go.

As I walked around San Francisco, I began to see Santa Clauses everywhere. At first, I figured it was seasonal workers on the way to their jobs. Then I saw hordes of them and then a city park filled with hundreds of Santas. Finally, it was explained to me that one day every year thousands of San Francisco's residents dress up like Santa for a day and then parade around town. I couldn't believe how many Santas I saw, and I wondered what little children must think.

This is one example of a building decorated with art work. I saw many.

In the heart of the city sits Union Square, a lovely gathering place. But it also is often the site of protests and there happened to be one going on when I visited the park, which was also decked out for the holidays. The next four photos show Union Square as it was on the day I visited it. In the center was a large holiday tree decorated and lit. The palms trees were festooned with white lights and when the breeze blew the palm fronds swayed back and forth. And there were the crowds of demonstrators. Why are people protesting across America this fall? What are the issues that are being debated? What does the Constitution say about our right to assemble? Look at the last two photographs and see if you can figure out what the issues are that are being brought to the city's attention.

In 1906 San Francisco was destroyed by a powerfulearthquake. As buildings fell, gas lines were ruptured creating massive firesthat burned for days. About 75% of the city was in ruin and half of theresidents left homeless. Tent cities quickly sprang up. But the people of SanFrancisco were not defeated, and the city was rapidly rebuilt. Earthquakes arestill a threat to the area. The last major one occurred in 1989. Now buildingsare constructed so that they have a better chance of surviving an earthquake,and the Golden Gate Bridge has been upgraded to make it more resilient in theevent of a quake.

California’s San Francisco

2011-12-09T23:26:00.001-05:00

A view from the Pacific Coast Highway. The ocean you see is, of course, the Pacific.

If you drive north from Los Angeles toSan Francisco, you can take the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenicbyways in our country. The road winds along the western border of Californiahugging the coast providing lovely scenic vistas. At one point I stopped to seethe elephant seals basking in the warm winter sun. I was surprised by how manyof these behemoths were beached by the Pacific Ocean. Huge animals, males canweigh 5,000 pounds. Torpedo shaped to better glide through the water, they arecovered with thick blubber that insulates them from icy waters. Their faces have sensitive whiskers, which help them locate prey. The elephant seals' birthingand breeding season stretches from December to March. This explains why theywere beached rather than swimming in the ocean.

The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean.

Elephant seals basking in the sun on a Pacific beach.

This gal may way as much as 1,500 pounds.

The opening of San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean is called the Golden Gate. At one time the only way across the bay was by ferry, but in 1935 construction began on a bridge that would span the bay making the trip from San Francisco to the other side much easier. When the Golden Gate Bridge opened two years later it quickly became one of the most famous and easily recognized bridges in the world. Some think it is the prettiest. Do you?

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County.

A view of San Francisco from the Marin County side.

John Muir said this about the John Muir National Monument: "The best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world."

Set among hills and often blanketed by fog, San Francisco isa feast for the eyes. Just north of the city across the Golden Gate Bridge is Muir Woods, named forconservationist John Muir, who worked tirelessly to save the redwood trees. In1908 President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation creating Muir WoodsNational Monument one day before axes were coming to cut down the majestic redwoods.These tallest living things can live for 1000 years and reach enormous heights.Some coastal redwoods are almost as tall as a football field is long and have acircumference of 45 feet. Only their cousins, the giant redwoods, grow taller.Surprisingly, the roots of the trees are only 10-12 feet deep. So, why don’tthe trees fall over? Because the roots extend up to 100 feet in all directionsand form an intertwined web. My car can hold 16 gallons of gas, but one coastalredwood tree can hold up to 15,000 gallons of water taking in 300-600 gallonseach day. It takes 24 hours for water to travel from the roots to the top ofthe tree. Each coastal redwood grows about 2-3 feet per year in height. Thetree bark is quite thick ensuring that the giant trees can survive forest fires. They areimpervious to insects because of the tannic acid stored in the trunks makingthe trees too bitter for most insects to like. It is estimated that some of thetrees in the Muir Woods are about 1000 years old. In the event that a coastalredwood falls over, it will take 800 years for it to rot. Because of this, thewood is prized for building material. But the trees in Muir Woods areprotected. No one can come and cut them down. Instead they remain for all of usto marvel at and treasure.

A majestic coastal redwood. The tree is too tall to photograph in entirety.

Coastal redwoods grow in groups. This stand of trees is hundreds and hundreds of years old.

Another stand of redwood trees

Coastal redwood trees have thick bark that protect them from fire.

This cross section is from a tree that was 900 years old. You can click on it to make it larger and read the various events noted in the tree rings.

Los Angeles: Seeing More Of What LA Has To Offer

2011-12-09T11:41:00.002-05:00

An exhibit outside the Los Angeles Museum of Art. It represents every type of street lamp found throughout the city. They remind me of street lights from long ago.

Southern California has a warm climate with sunny days most of the year. According to my guide, 75% of the time the temperature is between 70 and 80. In the summer it is hotter, and there are a few cooler days in the winter. After the cold days in Santa Fe where the temperature was in the 20s, I found the mid-60s temperatures of LA to be delightful. But, I had to laugh. The locals were bundled up as if it were freezing, some with down coats and wooly hats. A bus driver told me it was so cold he had to put on his “long johns” that morning. Here I was walking around in short sleeves with no jacket. I suppose it was not surprising that I received a few incredulous stares.

Petersen Automotive Museum

Have you ever seen a Mack Truck like this one?

I got my first car when I was 18. It was a 1955 Nash Rambler, a junk heap, but it represented freedom. I could now go where I wanted without having to check bus schedules or depend on someone else to drive me. I had somewhat of a love affair with cars when I was a little kid. I loved the big old behemoths of the 1950s with their huge fins. When I was very young, my parents had an old Pontiac station wagon that had a wooden body. These cars became popular with California surfers in the 1960s and were called woodies. Sometimes grass seeds would get into the cracks of the wood and after it rained the seeds would sprout. The car looked rather funny with grass growing out of the sides. Walking around Los Angeles, I passed a museum devoted to cars, both old and new, and I decided to check it out. After all, it might have a real woody inside.

I did find a woodie. This one is a 1939 Pontiac. Have you ever seen one on the road? I like the thick white sidewall tires. The front of the car--the hood and fenders--are made of steel but the side body is make of wood.

The Petersen Automotive Museum sits on Wilshire Boulevard along Miracle Mile in Los Angeles. Robert Petersen, founder of Hot Rod and Motor Trends magazines, established the museum with his wife in 1994. On display are about 100 vehicles ranging in age from the earliest automobiles to a brand new Bugatti. The museum owns another 100 vehicles that are not on display. All of the cars and trucks in the museum are fully functioning. Many of them are driven or shown at car shows. Below are pictures of a few of the cars on display.

Some early cars had wheels with wooden spokes.

I like the streamlined body on this old race car.

Where's the steering wheel? This very early car used a tiller instead.

In its day, this car was pure luxury. It is a 1911 American Underslung Model 50 Traveler.

How would you like to race this 1955 Cobra?

Built for speed this is a 1959 Ol' Yaller Mark III

Doesn't this car look elegant? Right behind the door, there is another small side door that opens to a compartment where you can store your golf clubs. In 1930, Nash made and sold this car to affluent drivers.

Where's the radiator? This car was way ahead of its time. It is a 1917 Detroit Electric Brougham Model 61. Marketed to ladies, the seats allowed passengers to face each other for conversation.

If I could have taken any car home with me, it would have been this 1939 Packard Super Eight Phaeton.

Engines have evolved over time. This 2007 Honda Indy V-8 engine was designed for race cars.

What WILL they think of next? Actually, this Mana La Solar Vehicle dates back to 1988.

As I left the Peterson Automotive Museum, I saw two city blocks filled with trucks serving restaurant food. These "meals on wheels" arrive and set up just in time for lunch before moving to a different location.

Griffith Observatory

If you go to Los Angeles, you might consider a trip to the Griffith Observatory. Perched high on a hill above the city, you can learn a lot about astronomy and the universe while exploring the many exhibits. From the terrace, you also will find a breathtaking view of the city below and a fairly close-up view of the Hollywood sign.

In the late 1800s, Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated more than 3,000 acres of land to the City of Los Angeles. He also left money in his will for the construction of an observatory, a planetarium, and an exhibit hall. It was not until the 1930s that the observatory was built. It opened in 1935 and quickly became a favorite spot for visitors. Two powerful telescopes afford astronomers opportunities to view the night skies and all that they have to offer.

From the observatory's terrace, you can almost see the mountains in the background. They are obscured by a thick layer of yellow smog created by the exhaust from gasoline-powered engines.

The Griffith Observatory. Each dome on the left and right contain powerful telescopes. The dome in the center contains the planetarium, and the exhibit halls are in the flat-roofed sections of the building.

This is what part of Los Angeles looks like from the Griffith Observatory. Why do you think the picture is not clearer? What is causing the haze?

Los Angeles: California Dreamin'

2011-12-08T23:57:00.003-05:00


What does this black, tarry goo have to do with Los Angeles. You may be surprised. Read on ...

The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits

It is important to remember that Los Angeles is much more than movie stars and expensive cars. It offers a lot for a sightseer, so much so that it was difficult deciding which sites to visit. The LA Lakers play at the Staples Center and they have a huge following. But the Lakers weren’t playing so that was not an option. Since I was a young child, I have collected fossils, so it made sense for me to spend time at the Page Museum. As hard as it might be to believe, in the middle of downtown Los Angeles is something quite amazing. Bordered on both sides by heavily traveled thoroughfares sit the La Brea Tar Pits. The tar, also called asphalt by paleontologists, oozes up from the ground and bubbles. It is black and sticky and gooey. As you walk along the pathways surrounding the Page Museum, you can see and smell the asphalt. You may be wondering what is so special about black, gooey asphalt bubbling up from the ground. Buried in the tar are fossils, so many Ice Age fossils that to date more than 3.5 million have been recovered. And these aren’t just any old fossils. Many are huge like the femur (leg bone) or tusk from a woolly mammoth or exotic like the skull of a saber-toothed cat that had deadly fangs 8” long. So, how did those fossils end up in the middle of our nation’s second largest city?

Saber-toothed cat skull with 8" fangs

Long ago, before there was a city, there was land. Under the earth’s crust were cracks and petroleum-based asphalt seeped into the cracks eventually bubbling to the surface. Large pools of this tarry substance formed; some were only a few inches deep and were covered by leaves. Picture this: An unsuspecting animal such as a mammoth wanders along in search of food. He accidentally steps onto leaves covering a bubbling pool of asphalt. Quickly the animal sinks into the pool perhaps only a few inches. But he is stuck. And he cannot escape. Eventually, the poor fellow dies and his body decays leaving behind his bones, which sink into the tarry pool. Before he decays a pack of wolves or other predators may come to make a meal of the animal’s remains and they, too, become stuck. This goes on for about 28,000 years. The bones of all these animals remain buried for thousands of years perfectly preserved by the asphalt. When they are recovered all these years later, the bones are a rich brown color because of contact with the asphalt. Through carbon dating scientists have determined that the fossils range from 10,000 to 38,000 years ago. This was well after dinosaurs were gone from the earth.

Reconstructed skeletons of two short-faced bears

When you think about it, 3.5 million fossils represent a huge amount of preserved life forms. And not all of the fossils have been recovered, as excavation of the site is ongoing and has been for one hundred years. More than 650 different species of plants and animals have been recovered so far. They include at least 36 different mammals; more than 30 birds; at least 11 reptiles, amphibians, and fish; 7 arthropods; more than 11 plants.

Pit 91, which is excavated for a few weeks each summer.

If you work in Pit 91, expect to get dirty.

During a few weeks each summer, the dig site, known as Pit 91, is excavated by paleontologists who unearth about 1000 fossils each year. A lack of funds limits the amount of time the paleontologists can work. Another area called Project 23 is also underway. When the art museum next door was being constructed, a treasure trove of more fossils was discovered. They filled 23 huge crates. Each crate will be carefully unpacked and the fossils restored.

Project 23 crates

In the middle of the Page Museum is an area called the Fish Bowl. It is a working laboratory surrounded by glass. Visitors can watch through the glass as the paleontologists and trained volunteers process fossils. Some work with large bones while others work with tiny fossils. I watched as a worker carefully sorted through what looked like extremely small pieces of gravel. She used a pointed tool to carefully sort through the pile removing any fossil material. These tiny fossils are called microfossils and they, too, tell an important part of the story of the plant and animal life that thrived here thousands of years ago.

Scientists at work in the Fish Bowl

Fossils being sorted in the Fish Bowl

Scientist sorting and identifying fossils

Sorting microfossils is a slow, meticulous process

A fossil being reconstructed in the Fish Bowl. What do you think it is? What clues help you decide?

Skull of an extinct western horse

So many dire wolves have been found that an entire wall of wolf skulls is on display.

A complete dire wolf skeleton

Look how long the tusks are on this Columbian mammoth. He stood 12' tall and weighed 1500 pounds.

This fellow is a Shasta ground sloth.

On the left is an American mastodon and on the right is an extinct camel.

This is my favorite of all the exhibits. It is a saber-toothed cat. Note: It is incorrect to call it a saber-toothed tiger.

Antique bison

Los Angeles, The City Of Angels

2011-12-07T12:57:00.004-05:00

What does this tell you about the city of Los Angeles? Can you tell why smog is such a problem, often making the sky look yellow and blocking out the view of the surrounding mountains?

A lot of people live in our nation’s second largest city—almost 4,000,000. Add in the population of the entire metro area and the number soars to about 13,000,000. According to one news source, the Los Angeles area is the most diverse metropolitan center in the United States. As you drive around the city, you see evidence of the many ethic groups who live here. As an example, signs in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish can readily be seen.

Usually called by its initials, LA is located in Southern California and is bordered by the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. The city is divided into a multitude of communities, each with its own post office. You probably have heard of the two famous ones--Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Beverly Hills is a wealthy place inhabited by many movie stars, while Hollywood is most famous for its movie industry.

Do you have parking meters where you live? Do they take credit cards like this one in Los Angeles?

My hotel is located in Beverly Hills, and a quick walk around the neighborhood helped me understand how important it is to the residents to look good. Youth and beauty are prized here. In two short blocks I found a European skin care spa focused on anti-aging products, “Fancy Hands” nail salon, a hair restoration salon, another salon specializing in wrinkle removal, a dance studio, a fitness center, a spiritual and wellness center, and an entertainment company with agents for hire. As I jotted down notes outside one of the anti-aging establishments, a woman came outside and asked in a thick European accent, “Sweetheart, are you interested in any of this?”

As I often do when in place I've never been before, I took a bus tour of the city. This provides a broad overview and helps me decide which attractions I want to explore more thoroughly on my own. The tour guide provided a lot of interesting information and was quick to point out the many ultra-expensive cars. “There goes another Bentley,” he would say. “That one costs about $250,000.” Or, “There’s a Rolls Royce. It cost about half a million dollars. Is that Martin Sheen’s car? Is that Martin Sheen sitting in that open-air restaurant?” Martin Sheen is a famous movie actor, and apparently it is common to encounter movie and television stars on the streets of both Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

This $2,000,000 car sits outside of Bijan, the most expensive shop on Rodeo Drive.

As we rode down the most expensive street in the United States—Rodeo Drive—I learned that the most exclusive shop of all is a men’s store called Bijan. It is not a store you can just walk into. Instead, you have to make an appointment to be allowed into the shop, and before they will give you an appointment, they run a credit check. You must prove that you have a large enough bank balance in order to shop there. It also costs $1500 just for the appointment. Yes, it costs the customer a large sum of money just to shop even if he does not buy anything! The guide said a man’s suit could cost $50,000. Parked in front of the shop was the owner’s Bugatti, a car costing $2,000,000, one of many in the owner’s fleet of automobiles.

Grauman's Chinese Theater

One of the most famous landmarks in Hollywood is Grauman’s Chinese Theater, opened by Sid Grauman in 1927. One notable tradition at Grauman’s that continues to this day is for famous Hollywood stars to put their footprints, hand prints, and autograph in wet cement outside the theater. Along the sidewalk outside Grauman’s on both sides of the street is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are now more then 2,400 large pink stars in the sidewalk. Each star has the name of someone who gained fame in one or more of these areas: radio, television, movies, theater, or music. If you are asked to have YOUR star added, get your checkbook ready. There is an upfront maintenance fee of $30,000 that you must pay to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce before you will be awarded your star.

This star and the one in the next photo are in honor of two famous movie stars.

On the ground near this star was a lot of camera equipment. An event was going to be filmed here later in the day.


Famous movie star, Clint Eastwood, will forever be remembered with his hand prints and autograph in the cement in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

This is one of the most famous and most recognizable signs in the world. Originally constructed of wood in 1927 this version is made of titanium so that it won't rot. Each letter stands 50' tall and is 35' wide.

Hooray for Hollywood! Also known as Tinsel Town, there are more than a dozen movie studios in Hollywood. Perhaps you have heard of Disney, Paramount, MGM, Universal, or Fox. The next time you watch a movie, look for the studio name at the very beginning. The Academy Awards, often called "The Oscars," are awarded every year for the best movies, acting, costume design, documentary, song, and so on.

Since 2002, the Academy Awards have been presented here in the Kodak Theater, which is used for other purposes throughout the year.

If you watch the Academy Awards on television, you will see the stars ascend this staircase. It was specially built with short risers so that actresses in long tight dresses and high heeled shoes can easily make their way to the top without tripping.

Are you star struck, that is, fascinated by famous people? If so Los Angeles might be a good place for you to visit. In addition to regular newspaper boxes, you can find boxes like this one with maps to the homes of the movie stars. This particular map costs $5. Do you think it's worth it? Knowledgeable tour guides also can take you on bus trips around swanky neighborhoods where movie stars live in homes costing millions and millions of dollars. Maybe you will bump into a star or two yourself as you wander through this expensive part of Los Angeles. Of course, Los Angeles is much more than movie stars, expensive cars, and exclusive shops. In my next blog entry, I'll focus on the other parts of LA which also have much to offer.

Indians of New Mexico

2011-12-04T23:32:00.000-05:00

When you think of Native Americans (Indians) what picture do you see in your mind? Too often, Americans assume that all Indians are alike, living in teepees and wearing headdresses. Long ago, there were some Indians who did those things. Today, however, natives to our great country live and dress the way modern Americans do while preserving their traditions. If you visit Santa Fe, you will see natives but you will not see them dressed as they did more than 100 years ago. You will see people who look and dress a lot like you.

Like Texas, New Mexico was once part of Mexico. Before the coming of the Europeans, the area was populated by native tribes. Archaeologists believe that American Indians first arrived in New Mexico between 12,000 to 30,000 years ago. The Indians hunted and gathered food moving from place to place throughout the Southwest. Life changed for the native more than a thousand years ago when some Indians—the Anasazi--began to grow their own food and establish permanent homes. These settlements were called pueblos. Not all tribes gave up their nomadic ways, however, and eventually these Indians became nomadic herders, tending to animals. Even today, in New Mexico, there are natives who raise animals as an economic venture.

Indian weaver

Today New Mexico’s American Indian cultures influence the art and architecture of Santa Fe. Many modern buildings are styled after the pueblo villages of long ago. Throughout Santa Fe and New Mexico you can find beautifully crafted items for sale. Particularly popular are hand woven baskets and cloth, pottery in a distinctive style, and jewelry. Both silver and turquoise are favored by many, though other natural materials are also used to create necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, and earrings.

Woven Indian key fobs

Silver and turquoise pin


Earrings

Hand weaving a basket

Folk Art

2011-12-03T18:12:00.000-05:00

Corpus Christi dancers in Ecuador wear ornate headdresses like this one.

Why do people create? Think about it and make a list. I’ve been thinking about this question for a long time, and some of the reasons I have come up with are these:

· To communicate and share ideas with others

· To provide others with visual experiences

· To make a record of what is happening

· To celebrate events

· To adorn bodies (clothing, jewelry, etc.)

· To do something that has not been done

· To express cultural traditions

· To make a record of a person or object

· To add beauty to the world

People from all cultures create and leave a record behind that highlights features of their cultures. And these people, no matter how different from each other, have much in common.

Think about the clothes you are wearing right now. Did you design and make them yourself? If not, who designed and made them? What made you choose these clothes? Are your clothes in the same style as clothes your grandparents wore at your age? If not, how are they different? What will the clothes you are wearing today tell kids one hundred years from now about life in the early 21^st century? What other cultural artifacts from your life will tell future generations about your culture?

In Santa Fe, there a place called the Museum of International Folk Art. Folk art from around the world is on display and it is fascinating to view how individuals around the world have left behind interesting artifacts they created for many reasons. Do you know what folk art is? It is art created by everyday people who are not trained artists. They use whatever materials are readily available to them. Often, these artisans create functional items that are also beautiful. Look carefully at each photo below. What does it tell about the artist? What does it say about the artist’s culture?

Portable boxes from Peru were created to illustrate local scenes. What can you learn about Peru by studying this box?

What object could be more common than a gourd? Consider how a folk artist has illustrated this gourd. What is the theme of this gourd? What time period do you think it is from? What clues help you determine this?

Wood toys with moving parts are common to the Andes region. Where are the Andes Mountains located and what countries stretch across these high mountains? This object is both a toy and a piece of folk art.

These flasks were used by horsemen in the 1800s to carry water. What do we use today to carry water? If you could have one of these flasks, which one would you choose?

Would you like to wear this necklace? Why or why not?

Here is another example of artistry being used when creating a functional object. These silver spurs were worn on the heel of riding boots and were used to spur the horse along. Leather straps went over the front of the boots and chains attached to the back were looped around the ankle to help hold the spurs in place.

Many cultures create pottery, functional items generally used for holding or serving food. This majolica pottery was made in Peru and features green designs on a white background.

What purpose do you think this fellow served? He is a house blessing ornament and would have been placed on the roof of a house in Andean countries.

I was struck by the amount of effort it took to create this outfit. There are thousands of stitches all put in by hand. The folk artist chose the colors and design and then used a variety of stitches to make this a one-of-a-kind article of clothing.

People all over the world from a multitude of cultures create and wear hats. What kind of hats do you wear? Look how the folk artist decorated this hat. What materials were used?

This colorful costume was used in Bolivia to celebrate the Easter season. Many places in the world have similar celebrations. Mardi Gras and Carnival are two you may know about.

This is another headdress worn by Corpus Cristi dancers in Ecuador. Try to imagine dancing while wearing this tall piece on your head.

Clothing can be considered folk art. These are bridal gowns from Macedonia. Each one is different and took a long time to create. The artistry and handwork are outstanding. How are wedding dresses in your culture different? Why do women wear special dresses when they get married?

This wedding coat was on display and available for trying on. It weighs 21 pounds! When I put it on, my shoulders sagged from the weight, but I felt very festive.

What are the features of this wedding outfit? It may seem very different to us, but our wedding dresses would seem strange to the Macedonians.

This amazing tapestry must have taken months and months (or years) to create. Each animal was created using a variety of stitches.

As I was leaving the museum, I spied a quote that I found to be significant: "The art of the craftsman is a bond between the peoples of the world"--Florence Dibell Bartlett. How do you think that art unites us a people no matter what culture we come from?

Santa Fe, New Mexico

2011-12-02T18:50:00.005-05:00

New Mexico became the 47th state in 1912. Next year the state will celebrate its centennial.

Before you read about Santa Fe, think about where you live. What does your area look like? Is it lush and green or brown and dry? What style are the buildings? Are they made of brick or wood? For what is your area known? What is the land like? What water features are prominent? No matter where you live in Virginia, you will find that Santa Fe is vastly different. One of New Mexico’s most famous artists once lived in Williamsburg, but she did not appreciate the Virginia countryside. She thought it was too green and sought refuge in New Mexico where she preferred the desert landscape.

The land outside of Santa Fe--what does this tell you about the geography of the area?

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains sometimes look red.

It was 28 degrees when I began my walkaround the heart of Santa Fe, and it didn’t warm up much throughout the day.Everything looked quite different from my hometown in Southwest Virginia, and Iwas struck by the beauty of it all. Settled in 1610, Santa Fe is the secondoldest city in the country. Only St. Augustine, Floridais older. The Spanish influence surrounds you as you walk among old Spanish andpueblo style buildings. Some are original adobe, and many look like they are built of adobe butare not. I learned at a museum today that adobe buildings have adobe brickunder the surface while the newer buildings are built of wood and are then coveredwith stucco. In the early days, there was little wood available here because treesdo not grow in the desert. Today, however, lumber can be more easily imported.

Santa Fe, thecapital of New Mexico, is located at 7199feet above sea level. This makes it the highest state capital in the UnitedStates. Compare that to Richmond, Virginia’s elevation of 166.45 feet. Yes,Santa Fe is more than a mile high! Both desert and mountains surround it. Onthe outskirts of the city you can see the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Spanishfor “blood of Christ” the mountains look red under certain conditions.

Like Texas, there are a lot of Latinosin New Mexico, so Spanish is frequently heard. Latinos now make up more than46% of the population while Native Americans comprise almost 10%. Santa Fe iswell known as a center for arts and they reflect the multicultural character ofthe area.

San Miguel Mission, purported to be the oldest mission church in the USA.

St. Francis Basilica Cathedral, 1869


How is this architecture different from where you live?

First Presbyterian Church

In the heart of the city is a large plaza and facing that plaza is the Palace of the Governors, which was built in 1610. Now a museum, the palace was the seat of New Mexico’s government for about 300 years. Another historic building is the San Miguel Mission, purported to be the oldest mission church in the United States.

The plaza was filled with these inviting benches.

Across from the plaza sits the Palace of the Governors.

The Palace of the Governors is now a museum. Every day artists and merchants set up selling their wares.

This man is setting out beautiful jewelry to sell.

More jewelry for sale. Pieces made of silver and turquoise are popular.

Some vendors sell small stone carvings.

As I wandered around, several things caught my eye.

I liked this old clock. Does your community have a large clock?

Some houses had statues in their yards.

This horse shows a lot of spirit.

If you have read any of my other blog entries, you probably are aware that I enjoy visiting museums. Humans reflect their culture and what is going on around them through the arts, so I am always drawn to art museums. While they all have something in common, you can get a sense of what a region is like by viewing the art. I found a small community art exhibit and went in to see what I would find that would be different from what I might see in Virginia.

This style of weaving was important to some Native cultures.

A modern piece, these peppers caught my eye. It turned out that everywhere I went, I encountered peppers.

Another beautiful weaving, this one with more muted colors.

Metalwork is also popular in Santa Fe.

Many cultures create pottery, but the designs on this pottery reflect the Southwest.

These sculptures also reflect this part of our country.

What do you think this modern piece represents?

How did the artist who created this piece illustrate his or her culture?

Everywhere I went, I found peppers. The ones in the photo below are Christmas decorations.

If you lived in Santa Fe, you might put these on your Christmas tree.

Look closely and you can see the strings of peppers decorating this restaurant.

More colorful wares for sale. Reds, yellows, and oranges are popular colors.

Peppers and gourds for sale!

Excellent advice from a famed artist.

Georgia O'Keeffe--1887-1986

On of my all-time favorite artists, Georgia O'Keeffe, lived for a while in Williamsburg, Virginia. Trained as an artist at a time when few women were recognized for their work, O'Keeffe worked as an art teacher before being discovered by Alfred Stieglitz, a photographer who eventually became her husband. O'Keeffe lived and painted in New York for many years. She is best known for her huge representations of flowers. Later, she relocated to New Mexico where she fell in love with the stark scenery and began painting both the countryside and the skulls she found while walking in the desert. O'Keeffe lived to be almost 99 and continued to paint well into her 90s. The photo below shows one of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings of Jimson weed.

Deep Within My Heart Lies A Melody, A Song of Old San Antone*

2011-12-01T22:19:00.002-05:00

The Torch of Freedom in downtown San Antonio

Wandering around San Antonio helped me better understand the place. I find that when you walk instead of drive, it is easier to feel a part of what is going on around you. The sights and sounds are vivid as are the aromas emanating from bakeries and restaurants. Everywhere I went I heard both Spanish and English spoken. Tejanos, Texans of Mexican decent, comprise a large part of the San Antonio population. The majority of restaurants that I passed on my walks served Mexican food, much like the Mexican food you can find in Virginia restaurants that are run by Mexican families. Along the way I also encountered quite a few homeless people. Many were elderly and sat on benches with their bags of belongings on their laps. They napped and chatted with other street people. Contrasting this were the swanky shops and upscale eateries encountered along the River Walk, an area for which San Antonio is well known.

How many symbols of Texas can you see on this holiday tree?

The River Walk meanders along the San Antonio River and is exceptionally scenic as it filled with interesting architecture and lush tropical plants. Considering that the land surrounding San Antonio is dry as dust and brown with few trees, the River Walk area was quite a surprise. It reminded me of Southern Florida. I took a boat ride along the river and was treated to a knowledgeable local guide who pointed out the various points of interest that we passed and also provided historical information. We floated past a large brick structure, and the guide told us that was the first air-conditioned hospital in the country. At one spot I saw people digging and the guide explained that an archeological team is uncovering interesting artifacts from long ago.

A view of outside restaurant dining from the boat

The boat passed under several pedestrian bridges that connect visitors to both sides of the river.

Lush foliage was a surprise.

After the boat trip, I continued my walk around San Antonio. When I encountered the statue in the picture above, I had to cross the street to learn more about it. It was of Samuel Gompers, a man who worked tirelessly for workers’ rights. During the early part of the 20^th century, workers had few rights. They had to work long hours for low pay often in unsafe surroundings. It was common for a man to work ten hours a day six days a week for a pittance of a few dollars pay. In order to gain better working conditions, a shorter workweek, and more pay, workers formed unions. Samuel Gompers clearly stated the goals of the workers he represented:

“What does labor want?

We want more schools and less jails,

More books and less guns,

More learning and less vice,

More leisure and less greed,

More justice and less revenge.

We want more … opportunities to cultivate our better nature.”

Without labor unions workers can lose these hard-won benefits. Unions allow workers to speak with a united voice and help them secure more of the fruits of their labor. Everyone deserves a livable wage, reasonable working hours, and safe working conditions.

The Alamo, once surrounded by farm land is now hemmed in by tall buildings

In the early part of the 1700s, Spain owned what is now Texas. They built missions and sent missionaries in order to convert Native Americans to Christianity. One such mission was located outside San Antonio. Seventy years later, the Alamo and its property were given to the local natives who farmed the land surrounding it. Then in the early 1800s the Spanish stationed a cavalry unit in the building. Called the Alamo, a famous battle took place there 175 years ago, one that lasted only thirty minutes and wiped out the 200 men who were garrisoned inside. Today, the Alamo stands on its original site, but is now in the middle of downtown San Antonio.

Live oak tree on the Alamo grounds

This tree has an interesting history. It can be found outside the Alamo on the grounds surrounding the old mission. A life oak tree, it does not lose its leaves in the winter, and instead, stays green year round. When the tree was 40 years old, a man decided to move it to its present location. Most people believed that you could not uproot and move a fully-grown tree, but the man was determined that he could do it. Using a wagon and four strong mules, the man moved the tree and replanted it. Did is survive? You bet it did. Today the tree’s trunk has a circumference of 12 feet and some of the branches extend more than 50 feet.

Built by Germans in 1868, St. Joseph Parish is a well-known San Antonio landmark. Services are held weekly, and once a month mass is presented in German.
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*San Antonio Rose is a song written and made popular by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys who were famous for their Texas Swing music. You can hear a version of the song on youtube.com. Here are the words:

Deep within my heart lies a melody,
A song of old San Antone.
Where in dreams I live with a memory,
Beneath the stars, all alone.

It was there I found beside the Alamo,
Enchantments strange as the blue up above.
For that moonlit pass, that only he would know,
Still hears my broken song of love.

Moon in all your splendor, known only to my heart,
Call back my rose, rose of San Antone.
Lips so sweet and tender, like petals falling apart,
Speak once again of my love, my own.

Broken dreams, empty words I know,
Still live in my heart all alone.
For that moonlit pass by the Alamo,
And rose, my rose of San Antone.

Broken song, empty words I know,
Still live in my heart all alone.
For that moonlit pass by the Alamo.
And rose, my rose of San Antone.

And rose, my rose of San Antone.
And rose, my rose of San Antone.

On The Road to San Antonio

2011-11-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

It's quite a drive from Southwest Virginia to San Antonio, so much so that it made sense to break the trek into two parts. With no stops and no slow-downs, it requires more than eleven hours to make to what is roughly the halfway point--Hattiesburg, Mississippi. But of course, there had to be stops for gas and food, so the first half of trip ended up taking more than twelve hours. After a night in Hattiesburg, an early start found me again on my way. After another twelve hours of car time, I was glad to finally be welcomed to the Lone Star State.


Crossing into Texas from Louisiana, this sign greeted me.

Before our largest state, Alaska, was admitted to the Union as the 49th state, Texas held the honor for size. Back then, it was common to hear the expression, "Everything's bigger in Texas" as as you drive across the state, you quickly realize that, indeed, Texas is huge and there are a lot of big, big things here.

What words come to mind when you think of Texas? Oil? Ranches? Cowboys? Tejano culture? Dallas football? Longhorns? How much of what we think we know about Texas is accurate? Too often, we rely on what we see on TV or what we know about sports teams to define a place. Texas is so big and so diverse that describing the state in a few words is not possible, and it is easy to rely on cultural stereotypes. And because I will be visiting only San Antonio--sometimes called San Antone--I will be giving you just a snapshot of one city in a large and diverse state. However, there are many excellent sources available to you to learn more about the rich and fascinating history of our 28th State.

This lone star is a symbol of the state of Texas.

Whenever I'm on a driving trip, I enjoy making notes about interesting things I see. As I drove along I-10 to San Antonio, the sun began to set and I saw the loveliest sunset. As light faded away, the horizon first turned a vivid red and then orange and yellow until the sky was dark. And because the land in eastern Texas is fairly flat, the sky seemed huge. Then there were the oil refineries; there were so many I lost count. Miles and miles of flat land with few trees defines the drive from western Louisiana to San Antonio. A pass through Houston revealed heavy traffic in our nation's fourth largest city. I neared San Antonio and saw a sign that made me laugh out loud: Woman Hollering Creek. How do you think it got its name?

The lone star on the Texas flag indicates that it was once a republic, an independent country. Have any other states been independent countries? How did Texas, a country, become part of our United States?

Tomorrow I'll focus on what makes San Antonio a special place.

New York City: First Stop Ellis Island

2011-10-03T10:03:00.007-04:00

The Statue of Liberty sits in New York Harbor. It is the most recognizable symbol of democracy in the world. Its official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.

A trip to New York City would not be complete without a focus on immigration. While the Native Americans were here first, we are mostly a nation of immigrants, and we arrived on the shores of the United States from a multitude of countries around the world. The huge wave of immigrants that poured into the United States after 1800 represent the largest mass migration in the history of the world.

When did your family first come to America? Unless you are a full-blooded Native American, someone in your family made the decision to come to the United States, often called The Land of Opportunity. Do you know where your ancestors came from and when they emigrated? If they arrived from Europe, it is likely that they came by ship. And if they came in the great influx of immigrants in the late 1800s or early 1900s, as your forbears sailed into New York Harbor they would have been welcomed by two important structures: The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Why are they sitting in New York Harbor and what was their purpose? What is their purpose today?

To demonstrate friendship, the people of France created and donated the Statue of Liberty to the United States in the latter half of the 19th century. Commissioned to design the sculpture was Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, who modeled the statue's face on his mother's. When Bartholdi sailed into New York, he passed Bedloe's Island and decided it would be a good location for the statue. The work, finished in 1884, has a copper skin attached to a skeleton framework. The statue was taken apart and shipped to the United States in pieces. It took four months to reassemble it. An agreement with the French resulted in the United States being responsible for building a base for the statue. By late 1886, it was installed on its base and has sat in New York Harbor ever since. After the destruction of the World Trade Centers on 9/11, Liberty Island was closed for one hundred days. The statue remained closed until 2004 when it reopened to the public.

This building housed the First Federal Immigration Station at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. More than 12,000,000 immigrants passed through this building between 1892 and 1954.

Immigrants flooded into our great country for many reasons, but all were seeking a better life. Most steamship companies transporting those in search of a new beginning arrived in New York Harbor. Before their passengers could be admitted to the United States, they had to be processed through an immigration station. First and second class passengers were allowed off at New York City piers where they easily passed through Customs. But those in steerage--the poorest immigrants--had to go to Ellis Island for medical and legal inspections. Processing took several hours if the passenger was healthy and had his or her papers in order. Only 2% of immigrants were not permitted entry into the United States. Two main reasons resulted in their being sent back to their country of origin: contagious diseases or the likelihood of becoming a public charge (on welfare). In one year, 1907, 1,250,000 newcomers passed through Ellis Island on their way to a new life in a new country.

Ellis Island closed in the fall of 1954, but in 1965 President Lyndon Johnson named Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Nineteen years later, major restoration of the facility took place. Since 1990, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum has been in operation. When you visit the main building and stand in the great hall, you can almost hear the voices of those who came before.

You can find out if your immigrant ancestors came through Ellis Island, and you do not have to go to New York to conduct your investigation. Go to the Ellis Island homepage and search for your family. When I did this, I had exciting results. I learned that family lore was wrong! I had always been told that my great grandmother came here from Germany with her young son and then her husband followed a year or two later. When I found a copy of the original ships' manifests, I discovered that my great grandfather arrived first. It is likely that he worked and saved the money to send for his wife and young son later. Then, when the family were reunited, my great grandmother gave birth to another son, a boy who grew to become my grandfather. What can you find out about your family history? The Internet makes genealogical research fairly easy.

Inscribed on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty is this oft quoted poem. For emphasis, the last lines are in bold, underlined font. Do Americans still believe these words today?

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, 1883

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

New York City: The Theater District

2011-09-30T11:55:00.006-04:00

The Theater District is one of the best known areas of New York City. Located in Midtown Manhattan it is home to about 40 theaters with live performances. Times Square also can be found here. When you hear the phrase "Broadway show" know that it is a reference to a stage play or musical production in The Theater District. Stretching from 40th to 54th Street, the area is a vibrant and crowded place filled with theaters and huge advertising signs. It is likely that you have seen the bright lights and crowded streets of the Theater District and Times Square on television or in movies.

The theater and advertising are both big money makers in New York and have a huge impact on the economy. People come from across the United States and around the world to see Broadway shows. The live action of a stage play or musical is vastly different from seeing the same play in movie format. As you sit in the audience, you are in the same room as the performers with all the live action surrounding you. In the photos below you can see the marquees of several theaters. What are some of the plays and live music shows currently in production?

Times Square got its name from the New York Times, the large metropolitan newspaper that made its home there in 1904. To celebrate their new headquarters in the Times Tower--set on a small triangle of land at the intersection of Broadway, 42nd Street, and 7th Avenue--a large New Year's party was held. After a daylong street festival, fireworks were set off and 200,000 revelers cheered in the new year. More than 100 years later, Times Square remains the site of a huge New Year's Eve celebration, and it is estimated that between 750,000 and 1,000,000 celebrants attend. Perhaps you have watched the ball drop at the stroke of midnight. The New York Times moved to a larger location in 1914, but the building has remained one of the most expensive advertising spots in the world. Today, the building itself remains empty and is used only to house the huge signs that are famous the world over.

How effective do you think advertising in Times Square is? If you had a product to sell, you would want the most people possible to see your advertising. More than 200,000 people work in Times Square and half a million people walk through the district every day. In addition, more than ten million people worldwide see live shots of Times Square advertising on television each day. Add to that the more than one billion individuals globally who watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve and you can readily see why the Times Square area is one of the most desirable sites for national and international advertising. The huge signs are certainly captivating. Look at the pictures below to view some of the advertising found in the Times Square area today. What goods and services are being sold? How much do you think it would cost to advertise on a large sign in Times Square?

Manhattan: Urban Living

2011-09-29T15:33:00.003-04:00

What's it like to live in a big city, one with relatively small land space but millions of residents? Where does everyone live? How do urban dwellers go about their daily lives?

It may surprise you to learn that big cities are usually "greener" than the suburbs or rural areas. A Manhattan resident's carbon footprint is 30% smaller than the average American. Why is this so? Because fewer people own cars so most residents walk, bike, or take mass transportation to work. And they live in large apartment buildings that require less energy to heat or cool. Consider the photographs below. What aspects of urban living do you see?

In the first seven photographs you can see large buildings that contain apartments. Many have store fronts on the first level. Look for the fire escapes. Why are these important? Would you like to live in a big city in an apartment? What would be the advantages?

Does this market look like the place where you buy your groceries? How is it the same? How is it different? Many markets dot Manhattan neighborhood streets. There also are street vendors that sell fresh fruits and vegetables from their carts.

In warm weather restaurants have outside seating or set up temporary places to eat. Where can you eat outside where you live?

Churches and houses of worship of all religions and denominations can be found around Manhattan. Many of them are old. You will notice that there is extremely limited parking. How do parishioners get to this church? How do people in your area get to church?

Sometimes, old buildings are used for new purposes. Once, this large structure housed a bank. Now it is home to a drug store. What buildings where you live are now used for things other than their original intent?

There are thousands of taxis in Manhattan. Are there taxis where you live? How common are they? Is there any kind of mass transportation available? With our highways becoming more and more crowded, and exhaust from vehicles polluting our air, perhaps it is time for mass transportation to again become common.

Manhattan Streets are usually crowded. It is common to see people walking their dogs or out for a stroll. Some parks have special sections for dogs to run and play. If you live in a big city and rely on mass transportation, you get a lot of exercise walking from your bus or subway stop to wherever you are going.

Restaurants abound in Manhattan. While there are some chains, most are locally owned and many serve ethnic foods. What locally owned restaurants serve your area? What kinds of foods are served in your local restaurants?

This school is located in the downtown area. Where do you think the children play at recess?

One advantage of living in Manhattan is the availability of goods. Anything you want to buy can be found. These store fronts also have apartments above them.

Living in Manhattan is exceptionally expensive. A tiny studio apartment (basically one room) can cost $2,000 per month in rent. Luxury apartments can cost millions. The tops of many apartment buildings have trees and gardens on the roofs. Often, you can see the trees from the street level.

In Manhattan, space is at a premium, which is why buildings have many stories. Skyscrapers are extremely tall buildings; the first ones had only ten to twenty stories and were built in the late 1800s. What inventions do you think led to the building of higher and high skyscrapers? Did you guess steel structures, elevators, central heating, and electrical plumbing pumps?

Street performers are common in the city. This man was tapping out rhythms on the railing using drum sticks.

Even though residents of Manhattan live in apartment buildings, they also enjoy visiting parks. There are a multitude of parks that provide space for people to relax and enjoy sitting on benches to read, talk to friends, or eat lunch. The parks are a nice place to take a break.

Washington Square Park is a well known park in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan. Washington Arch (above) and the large fountain (below) are two of the prominent features of this park. On a sunny day the park is filled with people enjoying the green space. For whom do you think this park was named?

On the pavement in Washington Square Park someone stenciled the sign below. It is true that homeless people often make the parks their homes. But many of the parks close before midnight. Where do you think the homeless people go when the parks are not open? How hard would it be to be homeless? Many people think homeless people are lazy, but it takes a lot of work to survive if you are homeless.

This aerial view of Central Park helps you see just how small Manhattan is and how much space was set aside in the park for everyone to enjoy.

Do you recognize this red tailed hawk? He is famous. His name is Pale Male and his mate is called Lola. New Yorkers care very much about him. Pale Male has been in the news for the past several years. Here you see him taking a twig to his nest that is located high on the side of a Manhattan building. What else can you find out about Pale Male?

New York City: Uptown in Harlem

2011-09-26T20:38:00.029-04:00

Harlem is an uptown neighborhood in Manhattan, one of New York City's five boroughs. Founded by the Dutch in 1658, it was named Nieuw Haarlem after a city in the Netherlands. Later, the British renamed the neighborhood Harlem. At first the economy was based on farming but once streets and the railroad stretched to the uptown area, the economy shifted and a housing boom ensued. By the early 1900s, Harlem was inhabited by African Americans, Irish, Germans, Hungarians, Russians, English, Italians, and Scandinavians. The population changed to mostly African Americans by 1930. Prior to the Great Depression, Harlem gained a reputation as the dominant economic success for African Americans in all of the United States.

Our president's father, Barack Obama, Sr., lived in Harlem before and after he graduated from Columbia University in 1983

During the Depression, Harlem, like much of America, suffered through difficult times. By the 1950s and 1960s, leaders like Malcolm X motivated residents to become active in improving their lives. From 1945 - 1971 Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Junior represented Harlem in Congress and was instrumental in the passage of Civil Rights legislation.

A statue in Harlem of Representative Adam Clayton Powell, Jr

In the 1920s and 1930s a movement called The Harlem Renaissance reflected a new optimism and pride in the African American culture. Spanning all areas of expression including art, music, dance, and literature, the era portrayed the black experience as had never been done prior. Among the artists of the time are several who are still well known today: blues singer Bessie Smith, actor and concert singer Paul Robeson, poet Langston Hughes, and jazz great Duke Ellington.

Langston Hughes' Harlem Home

Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now--

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin'

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Harlem Memorial to Jazz Great Duke Ellington

One of the most famous performance halls in the United States is the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The list of famous entertainers who have performed there is lengthy. Since 1934--long before American Idol or Star Search--Wednesday night has been amateur night. Contestants perform and are either booed or cheered. Those who are cheered can go on to fame and fortune. Lauryn Hill, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Frankie Lyman, James Brown, the Jackson Five (including a young Michael Jackson), the Isley Brothers, Jackie Wilson, Luther Vandross, Wilson Pickett, Gladys Night, Dionne Warwick and Pearl Bailey have all been amateur night winners.

The Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Mosque honors the work of Malcolm X.

One of the more colorful places to shop in Harlem is this outdoor market. Inside are booths specializing in goods from Africa. Vendors from Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and other African countries sell articles from their native homelands.

Sylvia Wood, known as the Queen of Soul Food, is the founder and owner of one of New York's most famous restaurants. In 1944 Sylvia became a waitress at a Harlem luncheonette. In 1962 she bought the luncheonette and transformed it into an extensive family enterprise that now includes her restaurant, a catering service, a line of food products, a couple of cookbooks, and a real estate firm. Sylvia has won many awards and has been featured on several television shows. The third generation of the Wood family now runs the restaurant.

New York: Manhattan and Ground Zero

2011-09-25T18:53:00.008-04:00

New York City is a vibrant, happening place. Comprised of five sections called boroughs—Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island--the city is home to more than 8,300,000 people. Many more come into the city to work. With this glut of people in a relatively small space, mass transportation is required. If everyone who lived and worked in New York City drove a car, no one would get anywhere. Subways, buses, and PATH trains are some of the ways people get from place to place. Public transportation is cheap and efficient. A round-trip train ride from New Jersey to downtown Manhattan costs only $4. The blog posts about New York City will focus mostly on Manhattan, which is only a little more than thirteen miles long and two miles wide.

To get a flavor of what Manhattan is like, consider the photographs below. What do you see? Do you recognize anything? In one picture you can see the ball that is dropped from Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

As you walk around the streets of Manhattan, you realize how crowded it is. People are bustling everywhere, and it is easy to overhear many different languages. Sidewalk vendors sell food and try to interest tourists in buying tickets for city tours, books about New York, scarves, jewelry, perfume, toys, and other goods. One man stood in the street hawking bubble blowing machines for $5. "Just $5. Get one now!" he shouted to everyone who hurried past.

It was obvious there were a lot of tourists dashing about because, like me, they often referred to maps and had cameras hanging around their necks. When you consider that New York has almost 50,000,000 visitors each year it is no wonder the city streets and sidewalks are crowded. In 2010 alone tourists spent more than 31.5 billion dollars in New York City.

Today I spent my time in two places—downtown (also called Lower Manhattan) and Midtown. When you think of downtown, there are two places that immediately spring to mind. One is Wall Street, the financial center of New York City and home to the stock exchanges, and the second is Ground Zero where the World Trade Centers collapsed after an attack on 9/11/2001. Midtown is where Times Square is. You probably have seen Times Square on television or in the movies. There are huge TV screens with ads, and on New Year’s Eve a ball is dropped to commemorate the beginning of a New Year. The theater district is also located in Midtown. Here you can see Broadway shows like The Lion King, Spiderman, or War Horse.

This morning I heard odd noises coming from the ground below my hotel window. I peeked outside and discovered The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk was in progress. I wondered who Stephen Siller was and did a quick Internet search to read about him. His story is sobering: "On September 11th, firefighter Stephen Siller had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn. He was on his way to play golf with his brothers on that bright clear day when his scanner told of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers. When he heard the news, he called his wife Sally to tell her he would be late because he had to help those in need. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, then took his final heroic steps to the World Trade Center. When Stephen drove his truck to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it was already closed to traffic . With sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back, he ran through the Tunnel, hoping to meet up with his own company, Squad 1." [Source: http://tunneltotowersrun.org/stephens_legacy.aspx] Sadly, along with 343 other firefighters, Siller lost his life that day. This walk/run is in honor of them.

Once in the city I went directly to Ground Zero. It was an extremely moving experience because I remember being downtown prior to 9/11 and marveling at The World Trade Center buildings. While there is construction going on to build new towers, it will take years before the work is complete. Then I went to the WTC Visitor Center a place where one can better understand the events of 9/11. Tears came to my eyes as I viewed the artifacts, some of which are pictured below.

This airplane window was recovered from the rubble.

More artifacts recovered from the site.

Seeing all these objects made the experience meaningful.

Firefighter's hat and coat

A piece of one of the towers

Part of an I-Beam

Images of those who were lost

Artwork by school children

A moving note left by a visitor

Paper cranes made by Japanese families as a wish for world peace

Outside, a makeshift memorial was attached to a fence at the construction site.

Trinity Church is located only three blocks from Ground Zero. On 9/11 as people were fleeing, many took refuge in this church to escape the huge debris cloud.

In the photographs below, you can see the construction in progress as new towers are being built.

An artist created this image to show what the new towers will look like when completed.

These photos show that we will never forget when our country was attacked.

Selected Quotes from People Who Survived the 9/11 Attack:

"I left my office right way. I saw a security guard I greeted every morning and I asked him, "Nana, what's going on? He looked me in the eye and said, 'Run for your life.'"

"The elevator to 104 began to fall. Flames came in and I beat them out with my briefcase. A fireball came through the crack and burned my face. When the doors opened on 78, I found the stairs and made my way down, one step at a time."

"I always told my kids focus on the twin towers if you can't find your way home, that way you can never be lost."

An artist's rendition of what the finished World Trade Center Memorial will look like.

Israeli architect Michael Arad is the designer of the World Trade Center Memorial, entitled “Reflecting Absence.” Included in the memorial is a plaza that consists of two massive pools that will be set within the original footprints of the Twin Towers. Each nearly an acre in size the twin reflecting pools feature the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States. Bronze parapets inscribed with victims’ names surround the pools, and more than 400 trees will be planted. This includes the Peace Tree, which was found in the 9/11 rubble and then tenderly cared for until it recovered. It is hoped that the memorial will be open in 2012 in time for the eleventh anniversary.

Fun Facts About Boston

2011-09-24T20:44:00.002-04:00

Fenway Park is a baseball field where the Boston Red Sox play. Built in 1912, it is the oldest professional baseball field in use in the country. Here are other interesting facts about the Boston, Massachusetts area:

-- Boston Common was America's first public park.

--Boston built the first subway in the USA.

-- Alexander Graham Bell placed the first phone call in his Boston machine shop.

--In the 1600s the Pilgrims outlawed the celebration of Christmas in Boston for more than 20 years.

--Harvard was the first college established in America in 1636. William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia was second.

--Boston's airport, Logan International, is built on land that was filled in. At one time it was part of Boston Harbor.

Boston Terrier

--According to several sources, the Boston Terrier was the first purebred dog developed in the United States.

--There is one place in our country where this can happen, and it is in Boston at the site of the Boston University Bridge. A boat can sail under a train going under a car that is driving under an airplane.

--More than one-fourth the population of Boston are college students. There are about 176 colleges and universities in the Boston area.

--Boston's Elias Howe invented the sewing machine.

--The Mather School, established in 1639, was the first public elementary school in the United States.

--Boston's best known dishes are baked beans, clam chowder, clams, and lobster.

Hancock Tower

--The John Hancock Tower is the tallest building in all of New England. Designed by the famed architect, I. M. Pei, the building has 10,334 windows and is 60 stories tall. There are about 13 acres of glass on the surface of the structure.

This map shows Boston's Big Dig. At a cost of more than 14 billion dollars, it was the most expensive highway project in the United States.

--The project excavated more than 16,000,000 cubic yards of dirt, enough to fill a stadium 16 times. More than half a million truckloads of dirt were removed. It would take 4,612 miles to line up all those trucks.
--The project used enough concrete to build a 3-foot wide sidewalk from Boston to San Francisco.
--So much reinforced steel was used that it could make a steel bar long enough to circle the earth at the equator.
--The Ted Williams Tunnel is 90 feet below the Boston Harbor, the deepest tunnel in America.
--The project created more than 300 acres of parks and open space for citizens to use.
--Because traffic can now move faster, exhaust from vehicles has been reduced by 12% making the air cleaner to breathe.
--The Big Dig was planned in the 1970s and was complete in 2007.

This shows the Big Dig in progress.

Boston is a wonderful place to visit. There is so much to see and do there, it would takes months or longer to do it all.

Boston: What To See

2011-09-23T17:39:00.001-04:00

Imagine a globe so big you can walk through it, a globe that is three stories high providing you with a view from inside its center. There is such a globe in Boston. You walk to the center on a glass bridge and the globe surrounds you. How such a globe was built is an interesting story.

Chester Lindsay Churchill, a Boston architect, designed the globe, called the Mapparium. Artists then traced a map of the world onto thick glass panels. Using a colored powdered glass mixture each panel was painted and then fired in a kiln to fuse the color to the glass. Kiln temperatures ranged from 1,000 to 1,350 degrees Fahrenheit. When completed there were 608 glass panels to install into a spherical bronze frame. The finished globe is the only one in the world visitors can walk through. The scale of the map is 1” = 22 miles.

Sound inside the Mapparium is surprising to visitors. Because the globe is spherical in shape, the glass creates an unusual acoustical property. When you speak aloud, it sounds as if you are talking into your own ears. And, there is what is called the whispering gallery effect. If two people stand on opposite ends of the bridge and whisper to each other, even though they are far apart, each can hear the other as if the two were standing side by side.

Today there are almost 200 countries in the world where 6,800 different languages are spoken. But did you know that the map of the world continues to change? Why do you think this happens? Since 1990 more than thirty countries have been added. The newest country is South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in July 2011. If you look at the giant globe in the Mapparium, you will notice that the globe was very different in 1935 from what it is today. Sri Lanka was called Ceylon and Belize was known as British Honduras. Many of the African countries had very different names in 1935. Why do countries change their names? Since 1935, what countries have changed their names? You can find a 1935 world map on the Internet and compare it to a map of today. See how many countries you can find that have changed there names and also how many countries exist today that did not exist in 1935 when the Mapparium globe was created.

Boston Museum of Fine Arts logo

This sculpture of a man walking across a beam can be found in the Boston Museum of Fine Art parking lot.

It is always exciting to see the originals of famous works of art. All of my life I have seen the two paintings below in various books I have read. Perhaps you have seen them, too. Both paintings are very famous and are of men you have learned about. When you see paintings in real life, you can see the artist's brush strokes and the play of light and shadow as well as the artist's use of color. In books, the paintings can appear flat and dull.

Who is this fellow? A big clue is the silver object he is holding. This man was a Colonial silversmith named Paul Revere. John Singleton Copley, a famous Boston artist, painted this portrait in 1768. You can read more about Copley on the Internet.

This is another portrait by Copley--John Hancock. Both of these paintings hang in the Boston Museum of Fine Art.

The interior courtyard of the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum has a glass ceiling.

The sign outside this building said, "Isabellas free forever." This means if your first name is Isabella you never have to pay to go into the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum. Every other visitor to the museum must pay an admission fee.

These fellows greet you at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum.

If you had millions of dollars, what would you do with it? Isabella Stewart Gardener chose to spend her money collecting things. She collected so much that she had to enlarge her home. Eventually, Mrs. Gardner decided that her collection belonged in a museum, so she decided to build one. By the time the museum was completed she had amassed a collection of 2,500 objects--paintings, sculptures, textiles, drawings, silver, furniture, ceramics, rare books, illuminated manuscripts, church artifacts, photographs, letters, and much, much more. Her vast collection includes treasures from ancient Rome, Renaissance Italy, Medieval Europe, Asia, the Islamic world, 19th century France, and America. The museum itself is designed like a 15th-century Venetian palace. There is so much to see, like in many museums, that it is difficult to see it all in one visit.

Would you like to be an artist? If studying art interests you, consider attending the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It is situated in the same neighborhood as the MFA and the Gardener Museum. Outside sits the sculpture of a rhinoceros shown in the photograph below.

Student artwork is on display in the school. I liked this cartoon and took a photograph of it because I think it gives good advice: STAY IN SCHOOL.

A student cartoon. (Can you find the mistake?)

Boston: One If By Land; Two If By Sea

2011-09-22T20:38:00.004-04:00

Downtown Boston

Boston is steeped in early American history, and it is evident throughout the city. Many events leading up to the founding of our country occurred here. One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston was founded in 1630. It is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in all of the New England states. What do you already know about Boston?

In 1860, American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, penned the following lines, the opening of his most famous poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere":

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,--
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm." Note: You can find the full text of the poem on various Internet sites or in your school or public library.

Had Longfellow not written this poem, Boston resident Paul Revere may have faded into history. On April 18th, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren instructed Revere and William Dawes to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams that British troops were coming to arrest them. He asked that a signal be given to the Charlestown militia so that they would know if the Red Coats would arrive by land or by sea. To alert the militia, one or two lanterns would be hung in the North Church belfry depending on the movement of the British army. The men hanging the lanterns were Robert Newman, the church sexton and Captain John Pulling. It is believed that a third man, Thomas Bernard, stood watch for British troops outside of the church. Find out how many lanterns were hung that night ... did the British come by land or by sea?

The Old North Church

The North Church, officially Christ Church, also became famous because of Longfellow's poem. Established in 1723, the church still holds services today. It is the oldest active church in Boston and the oldest standing church building in the city.

This plaque, commemorates Paul Revere's efforts to warn the militia of the arrival of the British army. In the photograph below, you can see the interior of the church. The box pews, encased in wood, have the names of the Colonial owners attached to the entry of the pews. Families would sit together in their box pew. In the bitter Boston winters, the boxes held in heat and kept parishioners warmer during the cold winter months before there was central heating.

The interior of North Church

This statue of Paul Revere is located behind the North Church.

On December 16, 1773--two year's before Paul Revere's ride--in Boston Harbor, a group of colonists destroyed shiploads of tea in protest. Called the Boston Tea Party, the colonists were angry at Britain for taxing tea. The patriots believed that without a voice in the British Parliament, the English had no right to tax them. The part of Boston Harbor where the tea was dumped is now dry land. Since the 1700s, the city has continued to create land where there was once water. About 75% of today's Boston is built on a landfill.

The Bunker Hill Memorial commemorates the battle that took place on June 17, 1775. The 221-foot obelisk reminds us of those who lost their lives early in the War for Independence.

Another important Colonial event that occurred in Boston was the Battle of Bunker Hill. The battle actually took place on Breed's Hill, and pitted the ragtag fledgling Colonial forces against the well trained and well equipped British Army. Though the British eventually won, they were surprised by the colonists' ability to repel them, resisting two major assaults that inflicted many casualties on the British. The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. What do you know about the Revolutionary War? Who won? What happened as a result of the war?

The Longfellow House

This spacious yellow home once belonged to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and today is known as The Longfellow House. However, long before the poet lived and worked here, the home was George Washington's residence and headquarters. Inside this house many decisions were made and alliances formed that eventually led to the formation of the United States and freedom from British rule. Washington and his officers met in a room that much later became Longfellow's study. While here, Washington also received correspondence from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Benedict Arnold. In addition, Washington invited the African American poet, Phillis Wheatley to visit him after she sent him an inspiring poem. Martha Washington joined her husband here in 1775 and the couple celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in this house.

The garden behind the Longfellow house

U.S.S. Constitution--"Old Ironsides"

In dry dock in the Charlestown Navy Yard sits the U.S.S. Constitution a naval war ship, nicknamed Old Ironsides. Launched on October 21, 1797, the ship has been involved in 33 naval engagements, but it has never lost a battle. The U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest commissioned war ship in the world. Today, the ship is manned by active duty United States sailors whose purpose it is to share the history and heritage of the old ship.

The anchor of the USS Constitution is on display in front of the ship.

Cassin Young

The Cassin Young is a World War II-era destroyer that is held in Dry Dock 1 at the Charlestown Naval Yard. Launched in September 1943 the ship was in active service until 1960. In 1945 the Cassin Young endured and survived kamikaze attacks. One kamikaze pilot crashed high on the ship's foremast exploding only fifty feet from the ship. Fortunately, only one man was wounded and another killed.

From Boston Harbor you can see downtown Boston in the distance.

What's not to love about Philly?

2011-09-21T19:10:00.025-04:00

Cheese steak sandwich

If you visit Philadelphia, you must try a delicious cheese steak sandwich. Shaved steak is grilled and piled high on an authentic Philadelphia roll, smothered in grilled onions, and then topped with cheese that melts over the hot meat. It is yummy and requires a lot of napkins. The sandwich was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s and quickly became a hit. If you are in Philly and order a cheese steak, do not ask for a "Philly cheese steak" because they will know you are from out of town, and the locals don't like it. Instead, simply request a "cheese steak" and then enjoy this scrumptious treat.

The Friendship Gate in Philadelphia's Chinatown

Slightly north of Philadelphia's city center you find yourself in Chinatown where there are over 50 restaurants. The third largest Chinatown in the United States, this small area has fifteen grocery stores that sell a wide variety of specialty foods from Asia. The Friendship Gate was built by artists from China to commemorate a cultural exchange with Tianjin, Philadelphia's sister city in China. The beautiful gate is recognized internationally as a landmark.

This massive building is Philadelphia's City Hall.

In the city center, you will find this beautiful building. It is Philadelphia's City Hall, the largest municipal building in the country. The structure stretches for an entire city block and took 30 years to build (1871-1901). It is the largest masonry load-bearing building in the world. A statue of William Penn sits atop; it is the tallest statue on any building in the world. Eighty-eight million bricks were used to create this mammoth edifice. What takes place in a city hall? What do people who work in city hall do?

This steel clothespin is 45 feet tall.

This giant clothespin is an example of the many artworks scattered throughout Philadelphia. The city has made a commitment to having art in prominent places for everyone to enjoy. They even passed a local ordinance requiring it called The Percent for Art Ordinance, section 16-103 of the Philadelphia Code. The Ordinance requires that one percent (1%) of the total dollar amount of any construction contract will be devoted to fine arts. If a building costs ten million dollars ($10,000,000), ten thousand dollars ($10,000) must be provided for the creation of fine art.

The water in the fountain behind the sculpture is sometimes dyed bright colors.

Love Park is the nickname of John F. Kennedy Plaza, a lovely place to relax. The fountain in the middle of the park sprays water high in the air. At times the water is dyed to celebrate an event. It was blue the other day because the Phillies are in first place. Does the large statue of love that overlooks the park seem familiar? Originally designed as a Christmas card in 1964 by artist Robert Indiana, a sculpture of his design was placed in the park in 1976. Three years earlier, the design appeared on a United States stamp.

When this stamp was created it cost eight cents to mail a letter. How much does it cost to mail a letter today?

Philadelphia is home to many professional sports teams. At the writing of this blog entry, the Phillies are in first place and are expected to play in the World Series next month. At present, Michael Vick from Virginia is the quarterback for the Eagles. The 76ers are the basketball team, and the Flyers play hockey. Unlike most cities, all the ball fields are located in one part of the city in a large sports complex.

Elfreth's Alley

Tucked away in the oldest part of Philadelphia not far from the waterfront is Elfreth's Alley. This National Historic Landmark dates to the early 1700s and has been inhabited ever since. Long ago the houses were owned by tradesmen--silversmiths, glassblowers, shipwrights, and pewter smiths. The original cobblestones still line the pathway between the two rows of houses. Called Our Nation's Oldest Residential Street the houses along Elfreth's Alley have been restored and preserved.

There are so many places to visit in Philadelphia, it could take months or longer to visit them all. There are too many museums to list, but you can find descriptions of them online. If your family is looking for an interesting place to visit, Philadelphia is a good choice. It is, after all, the birthplace of our great country, the United States of America.

Philadelphia's Famous Son: Benjamin Franklin

2011-09-20T18:15:00.015-04:00

Who is this man on our one hundred dollar bill? Why has he been honored this way?


This same man used to be on our half dollar. Did you guess Benjamin Franklin? Because of his many achievements, Franklin is one of our best known founding fathers.

Benjamin Franklin may be Philadelphia’s most famous citizen. Born the fifteenth child (of seventeen children) to working class parents in Boston, Franklin had only two years of formal schooling. Without wealth, privilege or an excellent education, his prospects for success seemed minimal. However by the time Franklin died at the age of 85 he had achieved so much it seems almost impossible that one man could accomplish so many things in such varied fields. A writer, a scientist, a statesman, an inventor, and a businessman, Benjamin Franklin will forever be remembered and revered.

The stove invented by Benjamin Franklin is used to heat a room.

One of the most interesting of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was an innovator who spent a lifetime finding ways to improve everything he touched. His inventions were many:

· Franklin stove

· Bifocal glasses

· Lightning rod

· Simple odometer to measure distances he traveled

· Glass Armonica—musical instrument

· Daylight Savings Time


This 9-foot tall bust of Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia was created by James Peniston. He talked to elementary students about Franklin and asked them to bring old keys from home to be used in the statue. Casts of the keys were incorporated into the surface of the bust.

Here you can see a closeup of the keys on the surface of the bust of Franklin. Why is Benjamin Franklin associated with keys?

Franklin worked to improve the lives of those around him. He founded the first surgical hospital in the United States. The building still stands in Philadelphia. Because there was no electricity, surgery could be performed only in the middle of the day when sunlight streamed through the skylight that lit the surgical suite. Operations were free to the patient. The hospital earned money by allowing spectators, for a fee, to watch surgery performed. Other of Franklin’s achievements include these:

--Colonial printer

--Experiments with electricity

--Introduced new crops to the United States

--Started the first insurance company

--Founded the University of Pennsylvania

--Started the first lending library

--Served as first postmaster of the United States

--Writer of Poor Richard’s Almanack and other works

--Established the first fire and police departments

--Started the American Philosophical Society

--Started the Leather Apron Club, an early union

--Drew the first political cartoon in an American newspaper

--Designed a phonetic alphabet

--Began printing America’s first German language newspaper

--Launched a project to pave, clean, and light Philadelphia streets

America's first surgical hospital is located in Philadelphia. If you look closely near the top of the building, you can see the large oval skylight that let in light so that surgery could be performed.

Franklin's political cartoon. What does it mean? Why is the snake cut into thirteen pieces? What does each piece represent?

Benjamin Franklin may be more widely known for his work inthe establishment of the United States. He was appointed to the “Committee of Five” whose job it wasto draft the Declaration of Independence.While Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft, Franklin provided much inputfor revisions. Saying, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shallhang separately,” Franklin voted to accept the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. For the fledgling government he served as Commissioner toCanada, Ambassador to France, and on the Committee of Secret Correspondence. He also convinced the French to support the American wareffort by providing money, supplies, ships, sailors along withmilitary leaders. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Franklin served as oneof three commissioners to negotiate the terms of peace with Britain. A delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787,Franklin was a signer of the UnitedStates Constitution.

Franklin's glass armonica can be heard at Colonial Williamsburg. This one, played by Dean Shostak, dates to Franklin's lifetime.

BenjaminFranklin held more than 20 public offices. A complete list of them is at the end of this post. It is hard to believe that one man could be responsible for so much. It clearly demonstrates that others held Franklin in great esteem and had much confidence in his abilities.

Considering his many accomplishments is it any wonder that Benjamin Franklin was featured on one of the first United States postage stamps in 1847?

There is much, much more to learn about Benjamin Franklin. Take the time to find out about him in your school or pubic library. There also are many good Internet resources devoted to Franklin's life and time.

If you are in Philadelphia, spend a day at The Franklin Institute, an interactive museum. Here you can see many excellent science exhibits. At present there is an informative exhibition about mummies. Also, as part of the permanent collect is an exhibit about the human heart that includes a model of the heart that is so large you can walk through it. And in the exhibit about flight, there is one of the original airplanes built by the Wright brothers.

Franklin Institute in Philadelphia

List of Public Offices Held by Benjamin Franklin:

--Clerk of the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly

--Deputy Postmaster at Philadelphia

--Common Council of Philadelphia

--Justice of the Peace for Philadelphia

--Representative from Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly

--Alderman of Philadelphia

--Deputy Postmaster General of North America

--Commissioner to Albany Congress from Pennsylvania

--Pennsylvania Assembly's Representative to the King of England

--23rd Speaker of the House of the Pennsylvania Assembly

--2nd time Pennsylvania Assembly's Representative to the king in England

--Colonial Agent to the King of England

--Colonial Agent from New Jersey to the King of England

--Colonial Agent from Massachusetts to the King of England

--Philadelphia's Representative to Second Continental Congress

--1st Postmaster General of the United States

--Commissioner to Canada

--Delegate from Philadelphia to Pennsylvania state convention

--President of Pennsylvania convention

--Delegate to Congress from Pennsylvania Convention

--United States Minister to Sweden

--6th President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love

2011-09-19T22:34:00.006-04:00


"RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: Dedicated to the people of the United States by the Order of B'nai B'rith and Israelites of America"

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Philadelphia was the home of the Lenape natives. William Penn, an Englishman and a Quaker, was granted a large piece of land by the King of England and, as a result, Penn established the Pennsylvania colony. He also planned the city of Philadelphia, which means “City of Brotherly Love”. Penn wanted his colony to be a haven from religious persecution, and as a result Pennsylvania was more tolerant and had somewhat better relationships with native tribes than did other colonies. During the Colonial Era Philadelphia was the largest city and busiest port in all the thirteen colonies. Like Pittsburgh, it was established on two rivers for easy transportation—the Delaware and the Schuylkill. Its importance led to Philadelphia being chosen as the site of the establishment of the United States of America where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were crafted.

Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were approved. The building is currently being restored and preserved.

It is awe inspiring to stand in the very room where George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, among others, worked to create the United States of America. The chair Washington sat in as he presided over the proceedings still sits in the room where this important work was accomplished. As visitors walk through Independence Hall they are stepping on hallowed ground. It is easy to picture Washington sitting in that chair overseeing the momentous events that were occurring around him.


This is the room where George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and others approved the United States Constitution.

The large chair behind the table is the very chair that George Washington sat in when he presided over the Constitutional Convention.

Originally built as the state house where Pennsylvania lawmakers met, Independence Hall became the chief meeting place of the Second Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Next door to Independence Hall sits Congress Hall, which served as a home for the United States Congress when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States (1790-1800). After that, Washington, D.C. was named the new capital and the government moved there.


Congress Hall sits next to Independence Hall.

In 1793, President George Washington was inaugurated for his second term as president in Congress Hall. Four years later the reins of power were passed from George Washington to John Adams, the first peaceful transition of government in the new country. When the ceremony ended, the new president, John Adams, waited for George Washington to exit first, but Washington insisted that the new president lead the way. Perhaps the most important thing to happen in Congress Hall was the ratification of Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution that provide Americans important freedoms.

This large clock is situated on the side of Independence Hall.

Congress met in this room, and George Washington was inaugurated for his second term as president here. The transition from President Washington to President John Adams also occurred in this room.

"I ask you ... to adopt the principles proclaimed by yourselves, by your revolutionary fathers, and by the old bell in Independence Hall." --Frederick Douglass

Liberty Bell

Before other means of alerting citizens were invented, large bells were used because their sound could be heard for great distances. Early on, the Liberty Bell, set atop what is now called Independence Hall, was used to notify citizens of important matters and public meetings. It also was used to call legislators to sessions.

In 1752, the Liberty Bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack. After it arrived in Philadelphia, the bell was tested, and it cracked. John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell, twice recast it. The lettering on the bell states, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The bell was used as a symbol for the women’s suffrage movement and was rung on August 29, 1920 to commemorate the signing of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution granting women the vote.

Timeline of Events Related to the Liberty Bell

1753 After arriving in Philadelphia from England, the bell was recast because it cracked while being tested.

1777 Patriots took the bell out of Philadelphia to keep the British from capturing it when they occupied Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.

1846 Workers repaired the bell after it cracked sometime in the early 1800s. The repair was only briefly successful so the bell was removed from service.

1852 The bell was moved from Independence Hall because it could no longer ring.

1915 A “spider” placed inside the bell has kept the crack from worsening.

2003 A new building to protect, preserve, and display the Liberty Bell was constructed. The bell is now housed there.

Measurements of the Liberty Bell:

--At its widest point the circumference is 12 feet.
--The bell's height is 3 feet.
--Length of clapper is 3 feet 2 inches.
--Thickness at the bottom is 3 inches.
--The bell weighs 2,080 pounds, a little more than a ton.

It Happened First in Pittsburgh

2011-09-18T17:10:00.001-04:00

Pittsburgh can be credited with many firsts. Here are a few:

In 1967 the first Big Mac was served. After being test marketed in other Pittsburgh area McDonald's, the Big Mac was available across the USA.
You know the Internet smiley? :-) It's called an emoticon and was created in 1982 at Carnegie Mellon University.
The first night World Series game was played in Pittsburgh in 1971.


Mr. Yuk

Mr. Yuk was created in 1971 at Children's Hospital to warn kids that certain things are poisonous and not to be consumed.
In 1989 the first heart-liver-kidney transplant was performed in a Pittsburgh hospital.
Does your local high school participate in the robotics competition? The first one was held at Carnegie Mellon in 1979.
The first pull tabs on canned drinks were created in Pittsburgh in 1962. Before that you had to use a can opener.
In 1954 the first public TV station went on the air in Pittsburgh.
The polio vaccine was developed in Pittsburgh by Dr. Jonas Salk.
Bingo was invented in Pittsburgh in the early part of the 20th century.
In 1913, the first gas station opened in Pittsburgh.
Forbes Field in the Steel City was the first baseball stadium in the nation.
The first movie theater, called a Nickelodeon, was opened in Pittsburgh in 1905.
The banana split was invented at a drug store in Pittsburgh.
The Klondike Bar, a favorite ice cream treat, hails from Pittsburgh.

What other famous firsts can you find that happened in Pittsburgh?

Are there any famous firsts in your home area?

What Makes Pittsburgh Special

2011-09-17T20:49:00.005-04:00

Would you pay $100,000,000 (one hundred million dollars) for a painting by this man? In 2009, his painting called Eight Elvises sold for that much. Who is this famous painter, one of Pittsburgh's most celebrated sons? His name is Andy Warhol. A museum dedicated to his artwork can be found in downtown Pittsburgh.

Eight Elvises

Warhol, born in Pittsburgh, was well known for his pop art creations and his paintings of famous people. He painted everyday objects such as a Campbell’s soup can and bottles of Coca Cola. Warhol began his career as a commercial illustrator, but later gained world renown as a painter, filmmaker, record producer, and author. He lived and worked in New York City and was a prolific artist. Sadly, Warhol died at a relatively young age in 1987.

This Warhol painting sold for $9,042,500.

Perhaps you recognize this fellow. Warhol painted Michael Jackson in 1984, and it appeared on the cover of Time Magazine on March 19 of that year. Time then donated the painting to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. where everyone can enjoy it.

This statue honors a very special man who also was from Pittsburgh. Fred Rogers was a man of many talents. In addition to being a minister, he also was a songwriter, an educator, and the television host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. He was dissatisfied with television programming for children. As a result, Mr. Rogers began to write and perform for children on local Pittsburgh television shows. Then, in 1968 PBS worked with Mr. Rogers to develop his own television show. At the beginning of each show, Mr. Rogers changed his shoes and put on a sweater. This became the basis for the statue that honors him. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood aired until 2001 and can still be seen in reruns.

In this photo you can see two rivers joining to create a third river at the Point in downtown Pittsburgh. The one on the left is the Allegheny and the one on the right is the Monongahela. Where they join the river becomes the Ohio.

As you travel around Pittsburgh, you begin to notice many, many bridges. You can see in the picture above several of them. Altogether, there are several hundred bridges in The Steel City. This makes Pittsburgh the city with the most bridges in the world!

Part of Pittsburgh is high atop Mt. Washington. One interesting way to reach the top of the bluffs overlooking the city is to ride the Duquesne Incline. You can see the red cable car in the photograph above. At one time there were 18 of these cable car lines along the Monongahela River that carried both passengers and goods. Today only two remain. The view from the top is spectacular. You can see for miles and get a grand overview of the entire downtown district.

No matter where you travel you can find interesting food, and Pittsburgh is no exception. Here are a few dishes that earned rave reviews ...

A tasty Italian sub

Delectable catfish over grilled onions and red peppers above a bed of mashed potatoes

A Primanti Brothers special sandwich, originally designed in the 1930s for mill workers. It is a meal that includes grilled meat, coleslaw, tomato, and French fries piled high on an Italian roll. Yum!

Lobster bisque (soup)

Seafood Trio--macadamia crusted shrimp with mango sauce, grilled salmon, and a crab cake with rice and steamed vegetables.

Also food related is this fellow, a dinosaur shaped Heinz Ketchup bottle:

Pittsburgh is the home to both Heinz and Del Monte food companies. With which Heinz and Del Monte products are you familiar? You can find many products by both companies at your grocery store.