U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for July 15

July 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Following is the daily “Profile America” feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

THURSDAY, JULY 15: WATER GARDENS

Profile America — Thursday, July 15th. Many homeowners have discovered the pleasure of having a garden pond in their backyard. That’s why this is National Water Gardening Month, featuring home tours, seminars, and festivities at garden centers around the nation. While the installation of a pond is hard work, the peaceful sounds of a fountain or waterfall, and the colorful water lilies and other plants are a source of lasting beauty and enjoyment. Many ponds are stocked with either Koi or goldfish, which can survive through the winter even in colder climates. Ten percent of U.S. households have a water feature as part of their gardens and they spend close to a billion dollars a year on their hobby. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1205

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

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U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for July 15

July 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Following is the daily “Profile America” feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

THURSDAY, JULY 15: WATER GARDENS

Profile America — Thursday, July 15th. Many homeowners have discovered the pleasure of having a garden pond in their backyard. That’s why this is National Water Gardening Month, featuring home tours, seminars, and festivities at garden centers around the nation. While the installation of a pond is hard work, the peaceful sounds of a fountain or waterfall, and the colorful water lilies and other plants are a source of lasting beauty and enjoyment. Many ponds are stocked with either Koi or goldfish, which can survive through the winter even in colder climates. Ten percent of U.S. households have a water feature as part of their gardens and they spend close to a billion dollars a year on their hobby. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1205

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

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Lasuboon Festival celebrated in Shillong

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Shillong (Meghalaya), May 21 (ANI): A large number of people celebrated Shillong’s two-day Lasubun Festival in style, with the objective of promoting the region as a tourist-friendly destination.

Hundreds of visitors thronged the Mawphlang sacred grove to join in the festivities.

Stalls showcasing flowers, pottery, beekeeping, loofah processing, weaving, local food and zorbing were set up.

The state’s art and culture was on display for the visitors.

Edward Pakyntein, a visitor, said: “There are lots of traditional items that are shown from the Garo Hills, the Khasi Hills and other art and craft forms from our state. Also music and other things were really up to the mark.”

The Government of Meghalaya’s Department of Tourism promoted the event.

Visitors also appreciated a fashion show and a rock concert that formed part of the event.

Syrpai Khonglah, another visitor, said: “We all support tourism in urban Shillong and people really do not get to see real tourism. The main idea of tourism is seeing landscapes and other things, including culture and art. This is a true way pf promoting tourism. We see the beauty and take part and find that entire combination is fantastic.

The festival provided the people of Shillong a chance to experience both traditional and contemporary art forms on a single platform. (ANI)

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Marriage festivities over, now my focus is on cricket: Shoaib

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.30 (ANI): Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has said that with festivities of his wedding with Indian tennis star over, he would now concentrate on his cricket.

Shoaib, who is currently in India, said he is eagerly waiting to hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) inquiry committee on the ban imposed on him, so that he can start planning his comeback.

Shoaib said his bride Sania was overwhelmed by the reception received in Pakistan and greatly enjoyed the stay in the country.

He said there is complete understanding between him and his wife, and hoped that both would get along well in the future. (ANI)

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Marriage festivities over, now my focus is on cricket: Shoaib

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.30 (ANI): Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has said that with festivities of his wedding with Indian tennis star over, he would now concentrate on his cricket.

Shoaib, who is currently in India, said he is eagerly waiting to hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) inquiry committee on the ban imposed on him, so that he can start planning his comeback.

Shoaib said his bride Sania was overwhelmed by the reception received in Pakistan and greatly enjoyed the stay in the country.

He said there is complete understanding between him and his wife, and hoped that both would get along well in the future. (ANI)

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Devotees throng a religious festival in Jodhpur

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jodhpur, Apr 26 (ANI): Thousands of devotees, locals as well as tourists, are performing the pilgrimage of ”Yogi Shale” in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur.

Dozens of elephants are also part of the festivities.

The fair is a grand religious festival, held after every three years.

Thousands of devotees, holy men and pilgrims, come from all over India to complete circumambulation of 125 – 150 kilometers during the seven-day festival.

“This fair is a Maha Kumbh fair of our Rajasthan, and by completing this circumambulation, all our wishes get fulfilled and I have also come here with the same purpose and I want people to visit such spiritual place,” said Shanti Devi, a devotee.

Devotees believe they will be blessed with good fortune if they complete this circumambulation.

“In this month the devotees come from Jodhpur but other districts also to pay obeisance to thirty three crore gods and goddesses of India. The devotees walk on foot for seven days to complete the pilgrimage and take with them the blessing of the gods,” said Amritram ji, a holy man.

Some compare the fair with Maha Kumbh Mela and believe a complete round of this yogi shale fair is as good as taking a round of four important religious places–Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath. (ANI)

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Police blitz nabs drink drivers

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Police say they caught a number of drug and alcohol-affected drivers during a weekend traffic operation in Geraldton.

More than 1,000 motorists were tested as part of an operation organised to coincide with the Geraldton Cup.

Ten drivers were charged with drink driving offences while three were caught driving with cannabis in their system.

Mid-west Gascoyne Inspector Garry Cunningham says, while most people who attended race round festivities did the right thing, some were not so sensible.

“It was a ranged spectrum from a novice driver, so that’s someone with a brand new licence, still having alcohol in their system, to a number of people that were driving under the influence, so they had consumed considerable amounts of alcohol and still got behind the wheel of their vehicle, so the message probably still isn’t getting out to the public,” he said.

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Date for next year”s Oscars confirmed

March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 27 (ANI): The date for next year”s Academy Awards has been confirmed as February 27, 2011.

The event will be held a week earlier than the 2010 Oscars, which was delayed so as not to clash with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, reports the BBC.

Nominations for next year”s awards will be announced on January 25, with final polls closing on February 22.

The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood will once again play host to next year”s festivities, to be broadcast live in the US on the ABC network. (ANI)

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Grand celebrations to mark 200 days ahead of Games

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Come Sunday and Delhi will see well-known artists like Satish Gujral paint a 200-foot canvas on the theme of Commonwealth Games at the India Gate lawns to mark the 200 days that are left for the Commonwealth Games in October.

Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the organising committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Tuesday said: ‘As we get closer to the Games, the sense of anticipation and excitement is growing. We are also more and more confident that we will deliver the best Commonwealth Games ever.’

‘I take this opportunity to renew our commitment to producing successful Games,’ he said.

The festivities Sunday will include art and culture events that will make for a fun-filled day for the capital’s residents. Along with artists, eminent sports personalities will also paint the canvas in an effort to attract people’s attention and get them more involved.

Talking about the completion of various incomplete projects, Kalmadi said: ‘We have set our own deadlines in planning and in getting together teams of personnel to ensure that we will meet our objective of delivering a world class event that all participants will enjoy.’

A special kite flying festival will also organised on the day.

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Residents of Pak’s Bara district flee homes following Lashkasr’s warning

September 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Landi Kotal (Pakistan), Sep 19 (ANI): Following a warning issued by the leader of a terrorist organization, hundreds of Bara residents fled their houses to move to safer places before the last day of Eidul Fitr festivities.

On Friday morning, Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) chief Mangal Bagh issued a warning over his illegal FM radio station, saying that people should take cover as his armed outfit was about to retaliate the military operation in Bara, The Dawn reports.

Earlier, the militant leader had said that his private miltia would not resist the operation in the area.

Traders and shopkeepers of Bara bazaar have shifted their merchandise to safer places, it has been learned.

Meanwhile, the bullet-riddled body of Wahid son of Hanan, who was kidnapped by Lashkar activists a day earlier, was found in Jamrud Khwar area.

A note was found with the dead body saying that anyone found assisting the security forces would meet the similar fate.

Earlier, the FC media cell had appealed the locals to help security forces in their operation against militants. (ANI)

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Stephanie Rice finally celebrating birthday with a bang today

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Sep 19 (ANI): Australian swimming beauty Stephanie Rice is all set to celebrate her 21st birthday today-almost two months after her actual birthday-in a grand bash.

The Olympic star had to postpone festivities because of the world champ meet in Rome in July.

But, today, she will start her birthday celebrations at the Marriot Hotel, and roam across town with her gang in a giant luxury Hummer.

The party will swing over to Portside at Hamilton, where she will be cutting her birthday cake, reports the Courier Mail.

The swimmer celebrated her real birthday with a single piece of cake at a family do back on June 17.

According to reports, Rice has sold the rights to cover the bash to New Idea magazine. (ANI)

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Hundreds take part in ‘Ram Baraat’ in Agra

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Agra, Sept 17 (ANI): Hundreds of people here took part in ‘Ram Baraat’, which is a part of the Ramlila celebrations.

Jeetander Chauhan, a worker, who erected the decorations for the celebrations, said that people were happy that god was among them.

“We are feeling that Lord Ram has appeared among us. Hundreds of people have come to witness this famous god’s marriage,” said Chauhan.

Maya Sharma, a devotee, said that women were also excited about this deity marriage.

“I’m really feeling good that ‘Baraat’ procession of Lord Rama and Sita is taking place. We are feeling good that god himself is present here,” said Sharma.

Every year, a new locality is chosen in Agra and festivities last for three days and the area is elaborately decorated with lights and flowers. The area is given a major face-lift befitting the venue for the divine marriage.

The marriage procession sees marriage between saint Shaligram who represents Lord Ram and holy Basil plant, which represents Sita, his wife.

The place is lit up with thousands of lights and non-stop music. The cinema theatres run film shows throughout the night to accommodate the migratory crowd.

These three days are like a carnival when people from all walks of life come together to have a great time.

The history of Ram Baraat is said to be around 125 years old, when Lala Kokamal, a cloth merchant, started the tradition of three-day festivities, revolving around the royal wedding. (ANI)

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Soaring gold prices worry Kerala jewelers, customers

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kochi, Sep 10(ANI): With gold prices soaring across the country, bullion merchants, jewellers and even customers are a worried lot in Kerala.

The disappointment looms large particularly in the context of the ensuing festival season. In the past, people used to buy gold well before the festivities, but, with gold now priced at Rs16,000 per 10 grams, buying it was becoming difficult.

Normally, the demand for gold rises between August and October in anticipation of the festivals of Dussera, Deepavali and Dhanteras, followed by the Christmas and New Year.

Kerala has one of the highest consumptions of gold and silver ornaments in the country, but the global upsurge in the gold prices has adversely affected the business.

“Traditionally, gold had been the most ideal mode of investment among the people of Kerala and also as jewellery. However, of late, particularly in the context of global trends of rising prices, to a great extent, our business has been severely hit since the purchasing power of the public has slid down and we are the worst sufferers,” said N P Tony, the manager of a jewellery showroom. (ANI)

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Political parties set up Ganesh Puja pandals in Rajkot

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Aug.27 (ANI): In a bid to cash on one of the biggest gatherings of devotees during the ongoing Ganesha festival, political parties have set up pandals or makeshift temples here.

The 10-day festivities mark the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, signifying good omen and prosperity.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set up a huge ‘pandal’ for Ganesha followers, anticipating devotees converging in large numbers.

People are turning up in these pandals fascinated by the life-size Ganesha statues and to participate in prayers.

BJP’s local unit in Rajkot has planned grand celebrations during the days ahead with various cultural programmemes and competitions scheduled on this occasion

Political activists and organisers of the Pandal say that the objective behind all this set up is nothing but to encourage people’s participation in religious programmes such as this one.

“We are organising it for the second time. This programme is based on our religious sentiments. The people of Rajkot are aware that even though the programme is organised on behalf of the BJP but the motive is to encourage participation of Hindus and to propagate religious sentiment,” said Nitin Bhardwaj, City President, Bharatiya Janata Party.

Organisers deny it has anything to do with politics or publicity.

“This is not a political programme, it is a religious programme. Rajkot, Saurashtra, is the land of Mahatama Gandhi, Krishna and so on…This is a religious programme in honour of Ganesha,” said Dhansukh Bhanderi, organiser.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena party has set a huge prayer tent and is drawing hundreds of devotees.

“The faith in Ganesha is such that people come here themselves. It is completely a public affair. There is no political intention in it,” said Jimmy Adwani, President of Shiv Sena’s Rajkot unit.

Initially, Ganesha Chaturthi was a personal or domestic affair, celebrated within homes. At the turn of the last century, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a revolutionary freedom fighter and crusader against the British colonials proposed it become an even of bringing people together and promote unity. By Suresh Soni (ANI)

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Sand sculpture of Ganesha spreads awareness on global warming in Puri

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Puri, Aug.23 (ANI): On the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi and the 10-day festivities ahead, noted sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has made an image at the Puri beach to evolve devotion and spread public awareness on global warming.

Patnaik has sculpted a 40 feet-long Ganesha and a tree on His palm alongside a message ‘Reduce Global Warming’ written next to the image.

To spread general awareness and make this sand image of Lord Ganesha, Patnaik and his team have used around 70 tonnes of sand.

“We are conveying a message of climate change through the sand idol as Ganesha is highly revered here in Orissa. That’s why we have shown a tree in Ganesha’s palms to encourage people to plant more trees. Climate change has affected the entire globe and people are talking about it and its effects,” said Sudarshan Pattnaik in Puri.

Patnaik hopes that the message conveyed through highly revered Lord Ganesha will motivate people towards environment conservation.

A large number of tourists visit the famous Puri beach. They are appreciating the artist’s effort to utilise a religious occasion for spreading social awareness on issue like global warming.

“He (Sudarsan Patnaik) is a good and renowned sand artist of our country. I felt great after seeing his work of art and it’s helping to create the festive atmosphere and we have also become a part of it,” said Jaideep Barman, a tourist.atnaik is today known not just in India but also across the world for his unique themes and captivating sand images. By Sarda Lahangir (ANI)

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Jamshed-e-navroz | Parsi New Year | Parsi New Year 2009 | Zoroastrians | Jamshed-e-Navroz Rituals | Jamshed-e-Navroz Traditions | Sal Mubarak

August 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Jamshed-e-navroz | Parsi New Year | Parsi New Year 2009 | Zoroastrians | Jamshed-e-Navroz Rituals | Jamshed-e-Navroz Traditions | Sal Mubarak | Pateti | Pateti Festival

Jamshed-e-Navroz is a festival celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Zoroastrian year. The new year of the Parsis corresponds with vernal equinox or with the advent of spring. The time is decided in Iran which is then passed on to the world of Zoroastrians.

This festival was first celebrated by King Jamshed after whom the festival is named. It is celebrated to commemorate the ascent of the King on the day of Navroz. ‘Nav’ means ‘new’ and ‘roz’ means ‘day’.

The day coincided with that of vernal equinox meaning equal day and equal night. The day also marks the transition from winter to summer.

Jamshed-e-Navroz Rituals and Traditions

Parsis wear new clothes and wear gold and silver kustis and caps. Jamshed-e-Navroz is a festival symbolizing the spirit of friendship, happiness and harmony. They decorate their houses with auspicious symbols like stars, butterflies, birds and fish. They welcome guests by sprinkling rose water and rice and by applying tilak.

Food forms an important part of their festivities. The most traditional drink during this time is falooda prepared from milk and flavored rose water. They also have ‘Ravo’ for breakfast which is prepared from suji, milk and sugar.

People visit Fire Temple or Agiary for a special thanks giving prayer called, ‘Jashan’. After the ceremony people greet each other by saying, ‘Sal Mubarak’.

People exchange gifts on account of Jamshed-e-Navroz. Parsi festivals bring people from all classes together which is a sign of equality.

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Lindsay Lohan earns $70K for hosting pre-birthday party

July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New York, July 1 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan will be one rich girl by the time she celebrates her 23rd birthday on July 2, for she was paid a whopping 70,000 dollars by MGM Grand for an all-day “pre-celebration” bash at the hotel.

According to sources, the Las Vegas hotel paid the amount to the ‘Mean Girls’ star to host the pre-birthday bash at the hotel’s Wet Republic pool party last Saturday.
At the event, Lohan changed into five bathing suits before throwing on club gear, and dancing to Michael Jackson songs for the rest of the night.

The party doubled as a promotion for her Sevyn Nine self-tanning mist.

However, her friends have said that the event was less of a celebration, and more of an urgent attempt to pull in some cash.

“None of her really close friends were there. The only person who was even known was Brittny Gastineau,” the New York post quoted an insider as saying.

The source revealed that ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson was also missing from the festivities.

Lohan didn’t drink at the party, and even allowed her photo to be taken.

While the source has said that the hard-partying actress is planning to have “a small private party with friends in LA” tomorrow, her mom Dina, and sister, Ali, have been asking her to spend the day with her family in Long Island.
A representative for MGM refused to comment on the reports. (ANI)

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Strawberry sausages with cream to serve up an ace on Wimbledon menu!

June 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, June 19 (ANI): Wimbledon’s much-loved snack is set to get a delicious twist with the introduction of a limited-edition sausages that allow tennis fans to combine two summer food favourites: strawberries and cream and barbecued meat.

The Berry Banger combines strawberries and cream and barbecues, reports Sky News.

The exotic mix will only be available during Wimbledon fortnight.

Brainchild of Waitrose, the supermarket chain hopes to serve an ace with its exotic concoction of strawberry sausages, combining the fruit with creme fraiche, mint and sausage meat.

Anna Lloyd, Waitrose Sausage Buyer, said: “Brits love the tennis and strawberries and cream have become accepted as an integral part of the festivities.”

The limited edition edibles cost about 45p each.

“Waitrose wanted to embrace the flavour of the season and the Berry Banger was the perfect answer. We hope they’ll be a big hit this summer,” she said. (ANI)

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Barcelona holds third big party in two weeks

May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Barcelona holds third big party in two weeksBarcelona – Barcelona fans celebrated Wednesday their third big party in two weeks, as their team claimed the Champions League in Rome to seal a historic treble.

Thousands went out onto the streets in the Catalan city to celebrate the 2-0 win over Manchester United. The Champions League trophy joined those of La Liga and the King’s Cup, which Barca also claimed in the past 14 days.

This was the team’s first treble in its 110-year history, and also the first treble ever for a Spanish team.

Fans gathered at Canaletas Square, the traditional place for Barcelona’s title celebrations.

However, the real festivities were expected to take place Thursday. The victorious squad coached by Pep Guardiola was set to arrive in Barcelona at 6 pm to show off their trophy around the city.(dpa)

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Band member denies having sex with director of famed US marching band

May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 6 (ANI): The young woman, whose alleged affair with the band leader of the famed Brooklyn Steppers caused him to be booted, has denied having sex with him.

The head of the famed Brooklyn Steppers marching band — a group whose high-profile gigs peaked this year with a spot in President Barack Obama’s inauguration, has been bounced for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old band member.

Although 31-year-old Tyrone Brown admitted to school investigators that his relationship with the girl was inappropriate, he denied rumours that things had turned sexual during a band trip to Bermuda last year.

“I never had sexual relations with him. I am not a victim. I am angry that this got him fired,” said the band member, now 18.

The Steppers were the only New York marching band invited to Obama’s January 2009 Inauguration Day parade and had the honour of leading the festivities, the Daily News reported.

“I feel sorry for Ty. He really tried to help me. My father wasn’t around, and people on the outside don’t understand. I am in shock. It hurts,” the band member said.

An official report detailed many times that the two were seen being unusually friendly, including swapping 3,000 text messages in a single month and taking adjoining hotel rooms on the Bermuda trip.

Other students said they were inseparable.

Brown, who led the Brooklyn Steppers to national fame over the last decade, is known as a mentor to troubled kids, whom he would help with everything from paying the rent to getting a hairdo before a performance. (ANI)

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