elcome
to 
lobal 
xpressMarch 18/05 Issue
Online Newsletter
Hello everyone! Staring off this issue with some Michigan Trivia submitted by Ruth:
Michigan Trivia
From 1910 to 1920, Hamtramck Michigan grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents, leading the nation in growth for that period.
During the lumber boom era, the row of saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City was known as "Hell's Half Mile".
In 1936, Escanaba, Michigan harvested and processed 100,000 sq. ft. of bird's eye maple to be used in the English Luxury Liner, the Queen Mary.
When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805, Detroit was chosen as its capital!
Bagley's Corner was the original name of Bloomfield Hills!
The world's only marble lighthouse is located on Belle Isle. (Livingston Lighthouse)
Hog's Hollow was the original name of Utica, Mich!
There are over 11,000 lakes in Michigan!
The home offices of Life SaversCandy, Beech-Nut Gum, and Squirt soft drinks are in Holland, Michigan.
In 1870, Detroit became the nation's first telephone customers to have phone numbers assigned to them.
Charles A. Lindbergh was born in Detroit on Feb. 4, 1902.
The Stars and Stripes first flew over Michigan soil on July 11, 1796.
In Sept. 1908, William C. Durant organized several independent automobile plants into what was to become General Motors.
Michigan began charging an annual license fee of 50 cents in 1905.
Michigan's first police woman began walking the beat in Detroit in 1893.
In 1942, the Davison Freeway in Detroit was completed and became the world's first urban freeway.
The first soft drink, (Vernor's Ginger Ale) was introduced by a Detroit Pharmacist, James A. Vernor, in 1866. Note: There were several "elixirs" on the market at that time, including what would later be called Coca Cola. These contained alcohol, whereas Vernor's didn't; thus the name "soft" drink.
The intersection of Woodward Avenue and Grand Avenue in Detroit proudly displayed the world's first traffic light in 1915.
In 1688, Father Jacques Marquette founded the first permanent settlement in what would later become Michigan.
The world's first shopping mall (Northland Mall) opened in the Detroit suburb of Southfield in 1954.
The world's first painted highway center lines were featured in Trenton, Mi. in 1911. They were used in other towns and was how Centerline, Mi. got its name.
Michigan ranks Number 1 nationally in the production of dog sleds.
The nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex is Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
Opened in 1904, the nation's oldest freshwater aquarium in the Belle Isle Aquarium.
The onion is Michigan's largest fresh-market vegetable crop.
DISCLAIMER: Do you have some trivia about your corner of the globe that you would like to share with us. Send it to me and I will publish it in the newsletter.
Meet the Members
Please say hello to
Jeanette, from The Land Down Under - Australia.
Jeanette lives in Melbourne on the on the Mornington Peninsula but she was born in Burwood, New South Wales (Sydney). She has been married for 45 years and has 3 children and 9 grandchildren. 
Her hobbies are gardening, craft, sewing, embroidery and reading. She would like to travel with her caravan with Graham and Jake and enjoy themselves, and to be healthy, to enjoy all of my grandchildren and my family. She would love us to come on down and visit her in the Land Down Under!
Do take a moment to visit all the wonderful member profiles and if you have not completed your survey yet do be sure to do so now -- you never know you may be the next one to be featured in Global Express!
Planet Kryzys
Be sure to check out our Recycle Message Board on our MSN Community.
Raising awareness is always the first step to action. Join our Planet Kryzys" (Crisis) Team today and come forward with things about your own area. We start off with awareness, and follow up with what we can do about it.
- Site manager, Daphne (BA,Argentina)
- Western Canada Coordinator, Sharon (BC,Canada)
- Eastern US Coordinator, Becky (Maryland, US)
- US Coordinator, Claudia (Chester IL)
The Planet Kryzys" (Crisis)site has been updated. Check out the latest news!
Member Photo Albums for your enjoyment!
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To find all the interesting and exciting news and information all you have to do is go to the Vital Stats Department where you will find all the links you need.
To check on the latest report from your Department of Vital Statistics Director BigSisPat click on the logo below:
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Culinary Corner
Shepherd's Pie
- 1 lb. (500 g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz/398 mL) creamed corn
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed
- 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
Check out all the wonderful recipes being collected in the WWWCOF Cookbook
HAVE A GREAT WEEK
In this issue...
- Planet Kryzys
- Culinary Corner
- Crafts
- Meet the Members
- Fun
- Department of Vital Statistics
- Friendship Bracelet Club
- News & Announcements
- Messages from Members
- Health
- Warnings
Fitness & Wellness
Oranges
ORANGE you ready for a bit of sweet sunshine to warm up your springtime? Whether picked from backyard trees or purchased at the market, oranges have a naturally tangy taste that makes for timeless treats whatever the season. They’re perfect for “squeezing” more flavor into your menu.
A fair-weather fruit, oranges thrive in semi-tropical regions such as Florida, California, Texas and Arizona, which means they’re available fresh in winter and spring.
Two popular varieties are Valencia and navel. Thin-skinned Valencias are nearly seedless and have sweet, golden juice that’s excellent in beverages and for cooking and baking. Valencias are in season from February into October.
Seedless navel oranges star in the winter. Their season is from November into June. Navels are the perfect instant snack—just peel, section and eat. They’re also great in salads and for cooking and baking.
Here are a few more fresh-squeezed facts about oranges:
- • To choose the pick of the crop, look for well-formed oranges that are heavy for their size and have healthy color.
- • Valued for their high vitamin C content, oranges also have more fiber than any other major fruit.
- • To make thin strips of citrus zest, shred the peel using a zester or the small slots on a hand-held grater. Be careful not to include the bitter white “pith” just below the peel’s surface.
- • If you’re using only orange segments or juice, remove the peel at the same time and freeze it for later. It can be frozen grated or in strips.
- • Candied citrus peel can be finely chopped and folded into cheesecake, gingerbread batter and ice cream.
Messages from Members
- Hello all,
Mom, (Florida Marie) went through her surgery fine. She ended up having a stint put in THANK GOD! She is home and a bit pale and tired but will be fine soon. Thank you ALL for your prayers. I have to keep her around a few
more years! LIKE 100! Dad will be having his tests and possibly surgery in the morning, the 18th. If they can't do the surgery tomorrow it will be scheduled very soon. Please put him in your prayers. May God Bless.
Love to all (Charla
- I've been making hand made cards for children in Hospitals across the USA and Canada. These are seriously ill children. I'm making cheerful cards such as Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Fun Days, Smiley faces, Holiday, Children playing and so forth. Anything that will make a child smile. No get well cards. These children know they are sick so we to stay away from that subject. I was reading an article in one of my craft magazines asking for donations of hand made cards. So I contacted the Keiki Card people on the computer and they answered. Well, I sat down and got busy. I mailed out a package to them in Hawaii. A few days later I received a Thank You letter for the beautiful cards I did send. Now I'm working on another batch to send.
Your not required to send any set amount or put on a deadline, except if they are cards for certain holidays. If anyone is interested in doing this, get on your computer and check out Keiki cards.com. You too can add a smile to some child's face. I enjoy figuring out what to design next. Carol in New York.
My daughter and husband were here for a visit last week. It was really nice to see them come & Go (LOL). I am going to start Spring House Cleaning next week. I fully intend to "De-stress" my house, by getting rid of A LOT of knick-knacks, I am tired of dusting them. I too have been on a diet/exercise program since last August - so far have lost 50 pounds and 4 dress sizes. I still have about 40 pounds to lose. I get together with a group of ladies in our development and exercise 3 times a week, then I have and AB Lounger that I use 3 times a week. I'm going to look for some of that TSP you talked about. We don't have a Home Depot, but we have a Lowe's, hopefully they will have it in stock. That is all I have at the present. It is always nice hearing from you. In Friendship & Love, Frances at Crossville, TN, USA.
Frances
Crafts
Edible Necklaces
Do you get hungry on neighbourhood hikes, walks to school, or watching a Saturday movie? With an edible necklace, you will never have to go hungry. Eat a little here and a little there, and when only the string remains, throw it away.
Children love to make these but you will have to help them thread heavy string into a wide-eyed needle. Be sure that you can slip the string over your head when the ends are tied together.
Here are a few ideas to start you on your way:
- a. string miniature marshmallows or mix them with larger marshmallows;
- b. any variety of cereal makes a healthy treat (cheerios are very easy to string);
- c. small spice gum drops are special, colourful treats. You will need an extra push of the needle to string them;
- d. bite-size licorice candies string well because most of them are hollow.
- e. Brown or yellow raisins are healthy and quite tasty.
- f. popped popcorn on a string tastes great and it lasts longer on a string.
Have fun and involve the entire family with this fast and easy activity!
Be sure to check out all the wonderful craft ideas in the WWWCOF Craft Site and add your own favourites or email Crafty Jayne from Kansas, USA, who will be happy to add them to our ever growing collection.
Warnings
Credit Cards
- A friend went to the local gym and placed his
belongings in the locker.
After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and
thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmmmmm."
He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.
Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000! He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen.
"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.
Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!- A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.
He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.
Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, thinking that it has to be theirs.FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION! - Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I
had called in. I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is
linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my
card, swiped it, then laid it flat on the counter as he waited for the
approval, which is pretty standard procedure.
While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture. He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons.
Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.
He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.
Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor. All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days.
When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off. Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of them are still putting the whole thing on there. I have already been a victim of credit card fraud and, believe me, it is not fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.
News & Announcements
According to what I can see, my daughter Lisa's bowling (taped last summer in Calgary) will be broadcast next Saturday March 19th, at 12:00 p.m. (noon EST) on TSN.
PINS Bowling: Women's 10 Pin This was a big day for her, and she has not told us how she did. So, I'm looking forward to watching it. If you get the chance, please tune in.
Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada.
Just for Fun
Technology Out-of-Control
10 Signs Your Life Is Getting out of Control- 1. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
- 2. You text message your son to let him know it's time to eat. He Instant Messages you back from his bedroom, "What's for dinner?"
- 3. Your daughter sells Girl Scout Cookies via her web site.
- 4. You chat several times a day with a stranger from South Africa, but you haven't spoken with your next door neighbor yet this year.
- 5. Your grandmother clogs up your e-mail inbox asking you to send her a JPEG file of your newborn so she can create a screen saver.
- 6. Your reason for not staying in touch with family is they do not have e-mail addresses.
- 7. You consider second-day air delivery painfully slow.
- 8. You hear most of your jokes via e-mail instead of in person.
- 9. You're reading this.
- 10. Even worse, you're going to forward it to someone else.
Be sure to visit our Computer Humour site! Email Daphne from Argentina with any computer jokes you have and she will happily add them to this collection.
I would like to close this week's edition, which I hope you have enjoyed, with the following that I received from Ruth from Michigan.
Omission From the New W.W.II Memorial
Today I went to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. I got an unexpected history lesson. Since I'm a baby boomer, I was one of the youngest in the crowd. Most were the age of my parents, veterans of "the greatest war" with their families. It was a beautiful day, and people were smiling and happy to be there. Hundreds of us milled around the memorial, reading the inspiring words of Ike and Truman that are engraved there.
On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor:
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy-- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked."
One woman read the words aloud:
" With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph."
But as she read, she was suddenly angry. "Wait a minute," she said. "They left out the end of the quote. They left out the most important part. Roosevelt said: 'So help us God.' "
"You're probably right," her husband said. "We're not supposed to say things like that now."
"I know I'm right," she insisted. "I remember the speech!" The two shook their heads sadly and walked away.
Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, "Well, it has been 50 years. She's probably forgotten."
But she was right. I went home and pulled out the book my book club is reading. It's "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley. It's all about Iwo Jima. I haven't gotten too far in the book. It's tough to read because it's a graphic description of the battles in the Pacific. But right there it was on Page 58. Roosevelt's speech to the nation ends, "So help us God." The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it on the memorial could have fooled me. I was born after the war. But they couldn't fool the people who were there. Roosevelt's words are engraved on their hearts.
WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE WORDS OF HISTORY ??
- A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.
ORLD
IRCLE
OF 
RIENDS
