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Nature And The Children of Illinois

by Lonnie J. Lorenz on March 17, 2010

Today’s young folks of Illinois people are enjoying less and less time outdoors. As parents we know we can have a profound impact on the lives of your offspring. It is your responsibility to introducing your kids to the outdoors for the first time. They may have environmental knowledge about Illinois outdoors which you may enhance or you may just make it a play date. These outside experiences might even awaken a passion for the outdoors that will stay with them forever. The first step is to take a little time for planning, it goes a long way towards a successful and safe outdoor trip. An outdoor field trip is a great educational experience for all involved. So enjoy your time with your kids.

The state parks, natural areas, conservation areas, recreation areas, and fish and wildlife areas of Illinois has information on camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, state park lodges and resorts, interpretive programs and many great ideas for places to visit and things to do in Illinois. I visited www.dnr.state.il.us

Just to get you ready for your outdoor adventures, Did you know that Illinois has adopted may natural elements here a few:
Illinois State Mineral – fluorite
Illinois State Fossil – Tully monster
Illinois State Prairie Grass – big bluestem
Illinois State Reptile – painted turtle
Illinois State Amphibian – eastern tiger salamander

Illinois many places to take your children outdoors here are just a :

1) Truitt Hoff Nature Preserve
DuPage County
To reach it from Roosevelt Road (Route 38), turn north on Kress Road, then east on Downs Drive, then north on Industruial Drive.
Truitt-Hoff Nature Preserve is located in the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Illinois Morainal Natural Division. 120.3 acres in size, the preserve encompasses high-quality mesic prairie, wet-mesic prairie, freshwater marsh, mesic silt loam savanna, and wet prairie natural communities.

2) Ferson’s Creek Nature Preserve
Kane County
Location and Access:
From the jct of Rt. 64 and Rt. 31 in the center of downtown St. Charles, head north on Rt. 31 for 0.75 mile. The preserve is on the east side of Rt. 31 on the banks of the Fox River.
Ferson’s Creek Fen is a wetland ecosystem situated along the west bank of the Fox River. The preserve lies on a glacial outwash terrace and alluvial stream bed. Two natural communities featured here are sedge meadows and wet floodplain forests. Occupying the core of the natural area, sedge meadows are the prevalent community and range from undisturbed, very high quality portions to segments of moderate quality. Scattered in small “cameo-like” areas of the sedge meadows are the characteristic calciophilic species such as fringed gentian, grass-of-parnassus, Kalm’s lobelia, turtlehead and marsh wild timothy. Small bedstraw, great St. John’s wort and northern fringed orchid are found in the sedge meadows. Wild rice is located on the edge of the marshy sedge meadow and the floodplain forest. The preserve provides nesting habitat for prothonotary warblers, blue-gray gnatcatchers, common yellowthroats and swamp sparrows. Excellent bird watching opportunities occur during spring migration. Purple loosestrife, glossy buckthorn and native brushy species are serious problems here. A volunteer stewardship group, active for the past six years, is working closely with the Park District to address the management concerns.

3) Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve
Cook County
Hwy. 14 southeast about 1 mile. The nature preserve is south of Hillside Avenue and southwest of Hwy. 14.
Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve is a 209 acre area containing a 112 acre lake with an island and a stand of mature open-grown oaks. The area provides visitors with an example of a nature preserve which was dedicated primarily to protect a breeding area for rare and endangered birds rather than for its plant communities. The preserve protects a rookery for 4 species of colonial nesting birds; black-crowned night heron, great egret, double crested cormorant and great blue heron. The area also supports common moorhen, yellow-headed blackbird, and black tern. Other species, especially waterfowl, are present during migration.

One last pointer you know you kids should get outside but you are just not an outdoor sort of person. No problem their are many out door programs, classes and Illinois Summer Camps available in and around your home.

Finding Resident Summer Camps has never been easier. SummerCampAdvice.com is a wonderful online source for information.

Swift Nature Camp is a Coed Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional camp programs with that of a Science Summer Camp to promote a better appreciation for nature.

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Nutritional Advice For Cat Owners

by Phil Coughlin on March 14, 2010

If you are a pet lover you will know that your cats and dogs have completely separate dietary requirements and shouldn’t be confused. Cats in particular have special needs in their diet; here are some that you may not know.

Overfeeding is a common problem is that people think their cats are too thin. Cats are meant to be lean, so make sure you give it the amount of food that it requires. A general rule is that a cat needs about ounce of food for every pound of its body weight. So an average 8lb cat with no special dietary needs only requires 4 ounces of cat food.

Always ensure that you steer clear of the cheap cat food in favor of a top quality brand which will have all the nutrition and vitamins that your pet need to stay healthy.

One vital requirement to a cat’s nutrition is taurine. You will probably know this better as an ingredient in many popular energy drinks. To your cat, however, this amino acid can mean the difference between them keeping the eyesight they are famous for, and blindness.

Another essential nutritional requirement for you cat is Vitamin A. Like the taurine, they can’t synthesize it themselves, so we must ensure a regular supply in their diet.

Raw liver is loaded with Vitamin A, yet many cats simply don’t like it and refuse to eat it. A much simpler solution is the addition of cod liver oil to your pet’s food. You can do this every day, or a few times a week.

Although there are feeding guides on all cat food, these are just general and there are a lot of other things that you should take into consideration.

For example, an older cat will probably require a smaller amount of food which may also need to be lighter. The breed of your cat can also having a major bearing on this and the fact that your cat in an individual.

The most important of all, of course, is that you must avoid over feeding at all costs. Our modern pets have never had it so good, but rich treats are detrimental to their well being.

Aside from cats, the writer additionally frequently gives advice on car strobe lights and strobe lights for trucks.

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Long Distance Jogging Strategies

by Joel Blair on March 12, 2010

The after effects after a long, hard run are undeniably enjoyable. Pounding your legs releases endorphins, your happy hormones, so you will feel great. Your energy level will be a lot higher and your health will increase further the more that you run.

This is not a sport that suits everyone, but I would advise anyone to give it a go. It is very therapeutic, as a good long run really gets the air into your lungs and clears your head. Your overall health will increase greatly and those unwanted pounds will be shed.

There are various things you can do to ensure that your runs are fun and pain free. These are a few of favorites so give them a go.

First and foremost you must have food and water. These are essential to ensure you stay healthy as you are running. You need to eat so you have something to burn off and plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

There are three things that you really want to avoid while you running, dizziness, nausea and cramps. Too little food causes the first one, and too much the last two. Be sensible and your runs won’t include any of these unpleasant experiences.

There’s nothing like music to accompany you on your run. Select upbeat and motivating tracks to pump you up and get you really going.

Having music to take your mind off things can be a godsend when running long distances; it’s good to have something to distract you from the constant pounding of your feet on the pavements.

Morning is a popular time for running, the general consensus is that it wakes you up and puts you in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Others, however, prefer the evenings as they find they have a burst of energy they want to run off before a good night sleep. Some even prefer through the day, whatever time you prefer enjoying yourself is the main thing.

The writer additionally frequently publishes articless regarding subject such as a telescoping attic ladder and telescoping flagpole.

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Techniques To Have Your Pet Dog Know That He Is Respected

by Eric Courtney on March 10, 2010

If you are a dog lover and spend a lot of time with your pet, you must have noticed how much notice they take of how you behave and do their utmost best to please you. There are quite a few ways to show our love for your dog, these are just a few.

We can show our dogs that we love them in the same way as we would a child, with cuddles and a gentle touch. Dogs, like us, need to feel loved.

A touch is a lot more than a simple, physical contact. It taps into our psyche as we associate affectionate embraces with love. This is essential to show love for your animal as they cannot speak.

A small dog will thoroughly enjoy sitting on your knee and being petted. If they are too big for this; they can lie beside you while you stroke them.

Dogs can get very lonely, especially if left alone for long periods. If you haven’t seen them for a while give them a big show of affection and lots of hugs. You don’t need a reason to hug your dog, just as you wouldn’t need a reason to hug your loved one.

It’s a sad fact that many owners never think of taking their dogs for a walk, and it is one of the most enjoyable things you can do with your pet. You are spending time together away from the home and it’s a great way of pet and owner connecting. You are sharing a special time together to the exclusion of all others.

All dogs love treats, and another way of showing that you care is to surprise them with different or special treats. Keep a certain kind of treat as a reward and mix them up to just show that you care.

If you think they need the company, the ultimate way of showing that you care is to get them a companion.

Besides pets, the author also regularly pens articles regarding African baskets and basket weaving tools.

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US Minor Holidays And Occasions

by Owen Jones on March 8, 2010

Hereunder is a list of minor holidays and occasions in the United States. Some of them are virtually unknown, and others are quite obscure.

April Fools’ Day – (April 1): the day for practical jokes (only before noon in the UK). Its origins are obscure, but it bears a similarity to an ancient Roman festival for the goddess of nature.

Arbor Day – (last Friday in April): devoted to trees and their preservation. It is held on December 22 everywhere else in the world.

Armed Forces Day – (third Sunday in May): a day to honour the US armed forces.

Citizenship Day – (September 17): replaced Constitution Day in 1952 by presidential proclamation.

Daylight-Saving Time: was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, but became the Uniform Time Act in 1966. It is not observed in Hawaii, the Eastern Time Zone of Indiana, most of Arizona (except on the Navajo Reservation), American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

Election Day – (Tuesday after the first Monday in November): presidential elections are held in years divisible by four and elections for all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate in years evenly divisible by two.

Fathers’ Day – (third Sunday in June): was first celebrated in West Virginia in 1908, but this distinctively American holiday was not made official until 1972.

Flag Day – (June 14): was first celebrated in 1877, which was the centenary of the adoption of the modern design. Truman passed the Flag Day Bill in 1949.

Groundhog Day – (February 2): on this day the groundhog looks out of his burrow. If he sees his own shadow there will be six weeks of Winter to follow, otherwise Spring is just around the corner.

Halloween – (October 31): All Hallow’s Eve is the day before the feast of All Saints. It started as a pagan custom honouring the dead and a celebration of Autumn. ‘Trick or Treat’ is purely American with no historical basis.

Kwanzaa – is a secular celebration by African-Americans to commemorate their African heritage. It begins on Dec.26th when a candle in a candelabrum is lit every day for seven days. It was first practiced by Maulana Karenga in 1966.

Mothers’ Day – (second Sunday in May): was conceived by Anne M. Jarvis of Philadelphia as a way for children to pay homage to their mothers. It received presidential proclamation in 1914.

National Maritime Day – (May 22): was initiated in 1935 to commemorate the SS Savannah’s first successful transatlantic voyage by a steamship in 1819. It is also a day of remembrance of merchant mariners who died in defense of their country.

National Teachers’ Day – (Tuesday of the first full week in May): is when pupils are meant to honour the teaching profession.

St. Patrick’s Day – (March 17): has been borrowed from Ireland where it is their national saint’s day.

St. Valentine’s Day – (February 14): was originally to honour two saints martyred by Emperor Claudius (214 – 270), but has been dedicated to lovers since the Middle Ages.

Susan B. Anthony Day – (February 15): Anthony (1820 – 1906) worked for women’s rights and suffrage.

United Nations’ Day – (October 24): commemorates the endorsement of the UN Charter in 1945 by the then five permanent members of the Security Council.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with researching Franklin planner pages. If you have an interest in calendars, organizers or promotional calendars, please go over to our website now at Promotional Desk Calendars

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Things To Pack When Going On A Cruise To Watch Whales

by Keiji Toshiyuki on March 8, 2010

Going on a cruise to watch whales can be very fun for the entire family. That’s why you should ensure that nothing takes away the fun in the experience. And one way of doing so is by making sure you pack the right things for it.

It’s important to protect everyone from sunburn. About 30 minutes before boarding the boat, apply sun block lotion on exposed parts of the body. Take it with you for reapplication, especially when the cruise lasts for hours. Wearing tinted sun glasses and a wide-brimmed hat will protect your facial area from harmful UV rays of the sun.

Stash in your bag some extra layer of clothing to protect everyone from the frigid air. This is especially true when taking a whale-watching cruise during colder months of the year. When packing jackets, go for those out of water-proof fabrics. They sure will come in handy against getting sprayed with ocean water.

Never go on such a cruise without packing a digital camera with you. But make sure the batteries are fully charged. If your camera is bought just recently, it pays to be familiar with the features before the day of the cruise. This way, you can take snapshots close to being picture-perfect.

Everyone, most especially your kids, can get bored while the boat goes to where the whales are. To keep your kids’ impatience at bay, bring some form of entertainment. Books, playing cards or other mini board games will do. Steer clear of taking their electronic gadgets with them, as they may get splashed with water by the waves.

Check whether the cruise you signed up for got snacks and refreshments to provide. But still, it pays to pack your own snacks. This too will ensure that you kids will like them. However, remember to bring something that’s easy on everyone’s tummy. You may include nuts, crackers, oatmeal cookies, etc. Don’t forget water and fruit juices too.

When all the right stuff is in your bag, watching those lovable whales can be more fun. Of course you want the cruise to be very memorable because of the fun. And not because you forgot to bring something that’s essential.

For nearly 40 years Keiji Toshiyuki, who lives on the West Coast of America, has been studying whales and obtaining facts about whales.

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The Cause Of A Few Popular Automobile Malfunctions

by Terry Okaline on March 7, 2010

Just because you drive a car that does make you an expert on all the little things that go into making your car, well, a car! If you don’t know what everything does, a flashing light or a rattle can be quite disturbing. These are the top 5 things that you need to be aware of.

The first is a strange noise coming from your engine. Most undetermined noises that we hear in debris off the road that has become caught in the tire treads or possibly the clearance between the components in the valve train is too big. Take your garage to a car if there is a persistent knocking though.

Vibrations between components is the most common cause of squeaking brakes. There are 3 main options here; it could be vibrating between calipers and the pads, the calipers and the mounts or the pads and the rotors.

The light that tells you to check the engine always comes on at the most inopportune times. This is a reminder that has been built into your car that lights up if the computer thinks there may be a problem with your emission system. Nine times out of ten it is nothing serious, but if it red and your car may need looking at immediately.

Modern cars have in built computers which, when they think they detect a problem, cause a light to come on in the cabin. If you have never notice it before and it suddenly illuminates, it can be quite a shock! It is nothing to worry about most of the time but take it straight to a garage if it is a red light.

Another common problem is when the car starts pulling to the side while you are driving. This will probably be a simple of case of needing to be re-aligned. Watch out thought for it pulling to one side specifically.

The easiest way to tell if your shock absorbers or struts need looking at is if your normally smooth car becomes a very bumpy ride.

Take your car to a mechanic as soon as this problem becomes apparent. If you take it quickly is should be fixed fairly easily, if not you could be facing a hefty bill for new struts and shocks.

Read more of this author’s advice regarding subjects such as Kubota tractor parts and used tractors for sale.

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The Benefits Of Raising Pet Cats

by Patti Logan on March 7, 2010

Cats can be one of the most suitable household pets you could keep in your homes. A lot of pet owners treat them as a welcomed addition to their family. They are specifically referred to as domesticated cats in comparison to the ones in the wild which are generally unsuitable to be kept in our homes.

Domestic cats are best characterized by their soothing sociability. Many cat owners treasure their companionship to the point of considering them as a part of their respective families and not just animals that they keep.

A lot of people would prefer to keep cats as pets rather than other animals. The presence of pet shops, animal shelters and pounds has made it relatively easier to get one and today, cats are known to be one of the most suitable pets worldwide.

You may be wondering what advantages they can offer you as a pet owner should you go ahead and jump in with a new feline friend. If so then this article may just help and provide you with an insight with regards to raising a cat.

If you are the type who tends to feel really down at time, a cat can be a great companion in soothing your stress and cheering you up. If you’ve ever held a cat, you would know that they have one of the finest means of acting real cute towards their master. Their ability to relieve your stress can be considered an important health benefit.

House cats when toilet trained can also be a real advantage when it comes to keeping the house clean and rid of germs. They are known to exert great effort in keeping themselves neat.

In contrast, dogs need to have sufficient exercise and a walk at the park each day. That is if you don’t want them soiling your floor or your front yard.

Having no need for any walks in the park, cats are perfectly fine with staying indoors all day long. They can remain just as playful and active as they always are.

However, just as with other pets in the house, you must be willing to invest considerable knowledge and skill in teaching your cats your house rules and enforce some measure of discipline.

The author additionally regularly gives advice regarding things including massage shower heads and the best dual shower head.

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Several Of The Most Fascinating Zoo Species To See

by Rachel Gordon on March 7, 2010

Since I was a small child, I have been a great lover of animals. This love came about from the many visits to the zoo in my home town of San Diego. I never got bored of exploring the zoo, feeling like I was on a safari such was the variety of interesting animals on display. My interest in all animals grows forever stringer as I get older.

If you grew up, like me, is a city that housed a magnificent zoo like San Diego, you too will probably have a great love of these wonderful attractions. As a child, most of my spare time was taken up by return visits to the zoo, every time there seemed to be something different to discover. The sheer volume of animals of all different species awoke a passion in me that still exists today.

The first of my favorites is that magnificent aquatic mammal, the Dolphin. I could sit and watch them for hours. Supremely intelligent and incredibly friendly, I find it hard to believe that anyone could fail to find these gentle and affectionate creatures fascinating.

A trip to the primates is next. Chimps, Baboons, Orangutans, they all fascinate me. Their close resemblance to ourselves is quite remarkable, these rank right up there with the Dolphins.

These animals can actually make you laugh out loud, just watching their antics will entertain you for hours and really lift your spirits. I’m always in a better mood after watching them.

Last, but definitely not least, are those giants of the animal world known to you and me as Elephants. Their sheer size belies their sweetness and intelligence.

If you go to a zoo that has Elephants, make sure they are on your itinerary. These are creatures that can captivate an audience for hours.

So there you go, my top must sees on any visit to a zoo. These animals aren’t just incredibly smart but are also fascinating.

This writer also often gives advice on products such as affordable maternity clothing and plus size leggings.

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Role Of TGV In French Railway Network

by Pierre Fontaine on March 3, 2010

In France there is a high speed train called train a grande viteese or in short TGV that runs on five major tracks.

The south-east TGV line connects the cities of Avignon, Dijon, Lyon, Nice, Marseille and Perpignon of south east of France and this passes through the French Alps and also has a stop at Geneva in Switzerland.

The TGV Atlantic line connects Paris and the west coast. The stops for this TGV line comprise the French Basque, La Rochelle, Nantes, the Loire Valley, Toulouse and Bordeaux.

The TGV northern line is linked between Paris and Lille and Calais which are the major cities in northern France.

Eurostar, probably the most famous train line, runs between Paris and London through the Channel Tunnel, stopping at Lille, Calias and Ashford in Kent along the way.

TGV Thalys is the high speed line which makes it easy for the travellers to move between some principal cities of Europe like Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam and France.

The past several years have seen improvements in high speed train travel in France. It is no longer compulsory to go via Paris to travel between many of France’s major regional cities. The high speed TGV train in France now runs directly between Lyons and Nantes, Bordeaux and Lilles and several other destinations.

The highest speed record for the TGV is 515 km p/h; however, the TGV usually operates at between 280-300 km p/h when it is in service.

Buying a train ticket in France can be a difficult procedure with so many various types of special deals on offer. If you’re interested in buying a Eurailpass which allows you unlimited travel over a 2 week period, it’s advisable to buy this in your country as it will be 30% cheaper than purchasing it in France. The Eurailpass is designed specifically for non Europeans so EU nationals cannot buy it.

The Paris metro pass is a cheap and convenient way of travelling inside Paris. . If you want to know more about the TGV train in France click on the preceding hyperlink.

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