Photo by geoconklin2001

While most of us celebrate the fact that Monday, January 18^th is Martin Luther King, Jr, Day, did you know that it actually took 15 years for Congressman John Conyers and others to lobby for this day to become a nationally recognized day?

The bill was introduced to congress just 4 days after Dr. King was shot, but it wasn’t signed into law by President Ronald Reagan until Nov. 2, 1983. In the interim, several states (including Illinois, Massachusetts, and Connecticut) had passed their own versions of the holiday to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy.

Today, MLK day is designed to celebrate not only Dr. King’s birthday (which is actually on January 15^th) but also to recognize civil service, and, civil rights: two things Dr. King fought hard for and believed in.

Dr. King is most widely known for his “I have a dream speech” but he also often said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”

So on this day of service, reflection, and remembrance, what are you doing to help your community and those around you? Tell us by leaving a comment below!

To learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. read his mini-biography here.

Photo by Globovisión

On Tuesday, January 12, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, centered 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. The quake has caused widespread damage and casualties and structural damage. At this point, authorities are unsure as to just how much damage the quake has caused but know that its impact was vast and intense.

In times like these, it is important for communities to band together to provide support.

On Answers, we form a community of collective knowledge- but in the real world, together, we create a collective bound together by one thing: humanity, and the ability to endure. And in times like these, it’s important to remember that, and to help others persevere.

According to the Associated Press, “it was clear from a tour of the capital that tens of thousands of people had lost their homes and that many had perished. Many buildings in Haiti are flimsy and dangerous even under normal conditions.”

To learn more about how you can send your support to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti please follow the links below.

Unicef – Efforts in Haiti – Donate

American Red Cross -  Blog -  Donate

Full list of charitable organizations accepting donations

View more of Globovision’s photos from the quake. WARNING: photos contain images that may not be suitable for children.

Photo by jelene

I recently read an article that truly disturbed me.  Now, before I tell you what it is, let me confess that I am no health nut.  I suffer from a mild cheeseburger addiction, I can’t say no to a slice of pizza, and I’ve been known to put away more than my fair share of tacos al pastor.  I especially love anything fried –well, almost anything, which leads me into that disturbing article.  It was a feature from a Dallas/Fort Worth news site talking about the finalists for the Big Tex Choice Award at this year’s State Fair of Texas.  Topping the list, and I kid you not, was deep-fried butter.  Yes, take a moment if you need one.  Deep-fried butter.  Here’s the “tantalizing” description:

“100 percent pure butter is whipped ’til light and fluffy, then specially sweetened with a choice of several flavors. It is then surrounded by a ‘special dough’ and quick-fried.”

Listen, I know that state fairs aren’t exactly a bastion of healthy eating.  I know very few people, myself included, who would be satisfied to wander the midway gnawing on a celery stick and handful of goji berries, but this seems ridiculous to me:  gluttonous simply for gluttony’s sake.  Is this the dietary path we’re on?  Have we reached the point where we’re so beyond caring about what goes into our bodies that we’re ingesting the most decadent, non-nutritional, artery clogging thing we can think of?  I find it somewhat unconscionable that something so grotesque and unquestionably destructive could be considered for any award (other than, perhaps, “The Best Foods You Should Never Put into Your Body” award), especially in a state (not to mention an entire country) facing a huge obesity problem.

In the interest of balancing out the scales, so to speak, I’ve scouted out some delicious suggestions from Answers users on alternative methods for preparing some of our favorite fried foods, including chicken, fish, French fries, and falafel.  Here’s hoping that next year’s entries are a little more creative and a little less deadly.

What is your opinion of the latest food fad–deep-fried butter?  And what healthier alternatives can you suggest for preparing your favorite fried concoctions?

Photo by irina slutsky

I recently returned from a trip to visit friends in Los Angeles. They had recently relocated from New York and, like most New Yorkers, hadn’t had any use for a car until their move. Now they spend what seems like most of their lives in their car. It was surprising to see how quickly they fell back into that “car culture” state-of-mind. Their vehicle not only gets them from here to there, but is also a proxy backpack, locker, kitchen table, entertainment outlet, and communication station.

It had been a while since I have spent that much time in a car. The most notable difference since I last owned a vehicle is the prevalence of cell phones. I never owned a car and a cell phone at the same time, so rules about talking or texting while driving were nonexistent. The last time I drove regularly, it seemed enough of a distraction to be flipping over a cassette tape. I can’t begin to imagine fielding phone calls and texts while trying to merge onto a busy Southern California freeway (in spite of the fact that hand-held devices and texting are now an infraction in the Golden State).  Because drivers have the ability to talk on the phone, check email, surf the Web, and text back and forth (all while cruising down the highway,) I have to admit that riding in a car seems scarier than ever before.

There is a new public service announcement (PSA) in England that’s generating a lot of buzz right now, which graphically demonstrates (too graphically, some might say) just how dangerous using a phone while driving can be. (Here’s a link to it, but be warned: It’s not for the squeamish.)  It depicts a young driver and her friends getting into a terrible car accident while texting, and the video leaves nothing to the imagination. The ad’s detractors feel that it’s just too violent and disturbing to be shown on television, while supporters argue that these frightening images are just what the public needs to really grasp the dangers of indulging in these distracting behaviors while on the road.

Using cell phones while driving presents a very clear and obvious danger — just look at the terrible mass-transit accidents that occurred recently in California and Massachusetts, which were caused by drivers who were reportedly texting on their phones. And though our intentions to set our phones aside while driving might be honorable and good, it’s just too easy to get sucked into our communication devices. That little ringtone goes off and we think, “What if it’s an emergency?” And so we peek, only to be drawn in to whatever momentary drama is calling our attention away.

Many states have enacted various laws banning texting while driving, and requiring cell phone users to use hands-free headsets while driving, but are they enough? Do we need to outlaw using phones in cars altogether? Our hands may be free, but our minds are still occupied with the person or information on the other end. Of course, when radios were first put into cars, there were fears that they would be too distracting for drivers, but can you imagine a car without one these days? Perhaps we will adjust to managing these new distractions on the road.

How do you drivers out there manage the temptation to use your phones while driving? And what do you think of this controversial PSA? Do you think it goes too far in depicting the dangers of texting while driving, or do you think this is exactly what people need to see to change their behavior?

Photo by gapplewagen

A few weeks ago, Richard blogged about unseasonably inclement weather. Today I’d like to offer some tips to those of you who live in places where temperatures are spiking.

If you’re like me, and declare that as a “delicate blossom” you positively cannot tolerate extreme heat, you’re always finding more ways to keep yourself cool. Sure, if you have air conditioning you can keep your house cool, but that gets spendy, and isn’t nearly as fun as some of the other ways I’ve found to beat the heat. For example, there’s nothing that’ll cool you down like taking off your shoes and socks and walking through some grass, or (to take a page from nature’s other critters) mud—if it’s available. Skipping through the sprinklers can give you a quick endorphin boost and cool you off. (Really, nobody is ever too old to play in the sprinklers. It feels good!)

You don’t have any grass nearby? Try misting your feet (or the rest of you, for that matter) with a spray bottle. (If you have stinky feet, adding a touch of peppermint oil to the water will act as a natural deodorizer.)  Alternatively, you could search Yahoo! Answers for a local swimming pool to refresh yourself in.

If the outdoors holds no appeal for you, there are ways to keep the heat at bay without cranking up your air conditioner. For example, I’ve found that libraries, coffee shops, and movie theaters are often all air-conditioned. Staying cool is the added bonus when reading a book, stimulating the local economy, or catching a summer blockbuster! Alternatively, if you’re a do-it-yourself-er (and don’t live in a place that has AC) you could make your own, homemade air conditioner or prepare some cool meals to eat during hot weather. (I’m a big fan of lavash, tomato, feta, cucumber, and walnut sandwiches.)

Remember, if you’re a pet owner, our pets need to stay cool, too! Make sure that they are adequately groomed and brushed for hot weather, walk your dogs when it’s cooler outside, and keep their water bowls full. (My dogs especially like an ice cube in their water bowl, to keep it cool.)

How do you stay cool when temperatures are high?

Photo by Bob Jagendorf

As I’m sitting here, dampened by yet another rainy day in the middle of July, I can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on with the weather? This summer has been particularly strange, at least here in New York. We’ve always had the occasional summer thunderstorm, but this year it feels like we’ve been under a constant deluge since spring. I’m exaggerating of course, but I think we’ve certainly had more than our fair share of rain thus far. And according to the forecast, there’s plenty more sogginess to look forward to in the coming days.

With all the talk of global warming and people’s deleterious effect on the environment, the paranoid in me is getting riled up. I wonder whether this is just part of the natural cycle of weather patterns or if this is an indication of something worse. I’ve recently read that that El Niño is on its way. Could that have something to do with this infernal soaking? How will El Niño affect weather in various parts of the country in the coming months? What is El Niño anyway? There must be some weather-head Answers users out there to help me figure this out!

First, I guess I need to figure out exactly what El Niño is. For that, I turn to retired research meteorologist 1ofSelby’s, who has answered quite a few questions in the Weather section. His explanation is too detailed to reproduce here, but check out his answer to gain a better understanding of El Niño and how it differs from La Niña. Answers user uni-verse further helps us understand the mechanics of how El Niño and La Niña episodes are caused by ocean currents and global weather patterns.

As for the positive and negative effects of El Niño, both ridonculous and DustinDawind offer some interesting answers in response to that exact question posed by Ty. Matt answers a very similar question, focusing on how El Niño specifically affects the Atlantic hurricane season, a subject of particular importance in my region. I’ve learned that El Niño can be especially dangerous on the West Coast, in particular California, so for more on that I turn to our current top answerer in the weather section, cyswxman, who assures us that Southern California is probably in for an especially wet winter.

Thanks to all of these wise and informed weather experts, I can safely say that this irritating rain is probably just part of New York’s natural weather cycle and not indicative of anything more worrisome. I also have a clearer understanding of El Niño and La Niña events and realize that they are also just part of earth’s natural weather cycle. I guess I can safely lay my paranoid fears aside. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to run to the hardware store to buy some wood for my ark.

Have you been experiencing any unusual weather where you live? And how do you think this year’s El Niño will affect your area in the coming months?

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 was signed by President Obama on June 29. The program it outlines is officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) and is designed to help consumers pay for a new, more fuel-efficient car or truck. To qualify for the rebate, you must work with a participating dealer and purchase a new car that is more fuel-efficient than the old one you’re trading in.

The rules are still being determined, but the program should roll out by July 24 and will end November 1, 2009, or whenever the funds run out-whichever comes first. So if you think you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, you probably shouldn’t wait too long once the program kicks off.

In the meantime, here are some qualifications to keep in mind:

Your trade-in vehicle must have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 mpg or less, be in drivable condition, and have been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in. It must also have been manufactured less than 25 years before the trade-in date.

Top Contributor Shelby‘s Best Answer offers more in-depth information and step-by-step instructions–check it out here.

Shelby points out that this program is designed to benefit:

*Consumers – provides something tangible and useful in this economic environment
*The economy – supports the automotive industry which plays an important role in the overall health of our economy
*The environment – allows us to get greener faster
*New vehicle dealers – provides a tremendous opportunity to reach out to a huge base of customers

For the most current information, visit the official government site at www.cars.gov.  For the official (new) fuel economy ratings, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

We’d like to send a special shout-out to Shelby for taking the time to provide such a detailed and informative answer to a topic that so many of our community members have been asking about.

Do you have a gas-guzzler that qualifies for this program? Is the rebate enough of an incentive to get you seriously thinking about trading it in? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of CARS, aka “Cash for Clunkers.”

Photo by Tony the Misfit

I want a bike. I haven’t owned a bicycle since I lived at home with my parents, and probably haven’t actually ridden one (aside from the stationary model at the gym) in the intervening 18 years since moving out. But now I’ve been bitten by a summertime bicycle bug and I’ve become a wheel-obsessed pedestrian. I admit that I don’t know the first thing about bikes, which is where all of you intrepid Answerers come in.

Most of my former bikes were those BMX-style, gearless dirt bikes that you brake by pedaling in reverse. They might have been perfect for a scrappy 12-year-old with nothing but grass trails behind his house, but probably aren’t the best for tooling around NYC. Obviously, something larger with multiple gears is probably going to better suit my current needs, but that’s where I get stuck. What are the differences between mountain bikes, road bikes, and touring bikes? I’ll be doing most of my riding either around Central Park or on city streets, so what would be the best type for my needs? And what kind of protective gear will I need? Is a helmet enough, or do I need to the full regalia of knee and elbow pads?

Along with choosing the right bicycle for my specific riding needs, I need to choose one that I can store easily. I live in a pretty typical New York apartment, which translates to virtually no space to store a vacuum cleaner, let alone a bike. I don’t have a garage or backyard in which to keep it, nor do I have any available space in the entryway of my building. My only option is to rent a storage unit or to find a place inside the apartment, and that is going to be a bit of a challenge. What are my options regarding hanging a bike from the ceiling or on a wall? Are there any new and novel ways that you inventive cyclists have found to store your wheels in a tight space?

Someone recommended that I check out one of those portable, folding models-but to be honest, they look like more of a pain than they are worth. Granted, I’ve never ridden one, but they don’t seem much easier to ride than my old-school BMX bike. Their portability and size make them the ideal solution for a small space like mine, but would I be compromising performance and durability?

Can anyone help inform my quest for the perfect bicycle? And what safety and maintenance tips can you recommend for a new bike rider/owner?

This isn’t the first time I’ve been in this situation.  My best friend has been smoking since before we met, over 16 years ago.  I’ve watched him try to quit at least six or seven times, without success.  His father, a chief pathologist at a well-known hospital, has warned him over and over of the dangers he’s exposing himself to, but nothing seems to be sufficient motivation for him to quit for good.  He always starts up again within a few weeks of trying to quit.  At this point in our friendship, I’ve pretty much stopped trying to convince him to give up smoking – I guess I’ve resigned myself to the fact that he’s a smoker and will always be one.  But facing this dilemma with another friend has brought the issue up in my mind once again.

What do you think?  Should I just keep my opinions to myself or should I express my concern and try to convince him to quit?  And can any of you ex-smokers share your experiences with successfully giving up cigarettes?

Last week my daughter started a project for her archaeology class. She had to keep a log of every activity that took place in the kitchen. At the end of the week, she had to go through the garbage bags layer by layer to catalog and correlate the remains with the activity log.

She taped notes up everywhere to remind us to write down each kitchen task as we did it, whether or not it resulted in something getting thrown away. As we didn’t want to screw up her chance of getting a decent grade in the class, we complied.

Looking over the log yesterday, I was amazed at all that went on in the kitchen. I expected the usual stuff: fixing meals and cleaning the dishes. But this list included everything: feeding the dog and cat, opening mail, cutting tags off of clothes, planning the front garden, general discussions, talking on the phone, applying a bandage, making coffee, taking aspirin, washing hands, watering plants, reading, doing crosswords, cleaning shoes, paying bills, getting a glass to trap a bee, etc.

Granted, it wasn’t a very exciting list, but it was extensive and filled up many pages. The kitchen is definitely the hub of our house. Whether it’s just us or a group of family and friends, we always end up in the kitchen somehow. Our huge golden retriever likes to lie down in the middle of the kitchen floor so that we all have to constantly step over him–he likes to be in the center of all the action.

I don’t know how the archaeology project will turn out, but after seeing my daughter–armed with yellow rubber gloves-stoically picking through the garbage, I hope she gets an A. But I guess we’ll also find out if we’re really eating enough fruits and vegetables, and if we’re being as conscientious as possible with our recycling.

How about you? Is your kitchen the place to be? What do you think your garbage will reflect about your lifestyle years from now?