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Only In America

Not all sets of encyclopedias are this worn, but even newer editions are out of date for the millions who look online for reference material.

Encyclopedias Survive by Going Online

The door-to-door encyclopedia salesman is obsolete, but his product isn't

A typical cubicle array, or “cubicle farm.”

US Worker Bees Toil in Cubicles

Today, module desks are ridiculed as symbols of conformity

Most people would probably agree that a little serenity is important to one’s quality of life.

Tough Times Test Quality-of-Life Quest in US

Americans question what's become of good life

A replica of the Amistad sails past Manhattan in New York Harbor.

Slavery Saga Lives On in Connecticut

Story of Amistad slave ship is told in northern museum

Hotel guests are reminded to save the planet, by keeping their used towels, when they step into the shower.

Earth-Conscious Hotel Guests Re-Use Towels

Visitors skip new towels, sheets to help conserve

Looks tasty, tempting and fattening. These two items probably exceed an average-sized American’s ideal caloric intake for the whole day.

Americans Pick Junk Food Over Veggieburgers

Making a profit on low-cost, healthy fast food remains a challenge

The Roxy in Lockport, Illinois, is an unintimidating, down-home sort of place where people with mental illness can chill out a couple of nights a week.

Illinois Nightclub Caters to Mentally Challenged

The Roxy offers a chance to get away from it all

The decorations at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, are fashioned from ears of corn.

South Dakota Retains Unique Vintage Charm

Many roadside oddities have survived several decades

This “Occupy” protestor may have thought his sign said “No More Corruption.”  Actually, as translated, it’s closer to “There isn’t any more corruption.”

Chinese Symbols Prove Popular in US

But not everyone gets the right message

Neither President Barack Obama, nor former US presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter or  the two President Bushes, appear on a postage stamp.

Presidential Trivia Intrigues Tourists

Book contains 650 brain-teasing questions and answers about US chief executives

The caloric report sent back about this item won’t have much good news.

Americans Try High-Tech Weight Loss Option

Dieting service allows people to email picture of meal

Maggie the elephant in Alaska: very big, maybe very cold, and possibly very lonely.

Elephant Leaves Alaska for Warmer Home

African elephant spent 24 years at Anchorage zoo

This photo of Avery Brewing Company’s “Out of Bounds” seasonal brew carries the skiing theme beyond the bottle

Beer Gets a Seasonal Twist on Taste

American brewers fill stores with special winter varieties

The University of Central Florida sports teams are called the “Knights.”  We might call this 2011 Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl championship team from UCF the “Brights!”

Ethics Get Workout in College Bowl Game

Student teams quizzed on issues involving morals

The Woolworth’s five-and-dime store is now a civil rights museum.

Historic Civil Rights Ruling Marks 50 Years

16 black students cleared of wrongdoing for sit-in protests

One can picture southern aristocrats sitting on the mansion’s veranda, sipping cocktails and looking out through the massive columns at the verdant landscape.

Historic Plantation Endures in Louisiana

Documents found in attic offer most complete family record of any old southern mansion

These days, yellow-page directories face stiff competition from Internet search engines and online business directories, including Yelp.

Yellow Pages Fight For Survival

Electronic alternatives have stolen many customers

The heirs of the turkey farmer who perfected the spring-loaded plastic sensor, which signals when the bird is cooked, sell more than 100 million of the timers annually.

Smart Turkeys 'Pop' When They're Cooked

Spring-loaded plastic sensor signals when bird is done

While holiday images are warm and fuzzy, the reality of the shopping crunch is something else entirely.

US Retailers Gear Up for Holiday Rush

Shoppers expected to spend slightly more than last year

Artificial speech will one day be so advanced that it will be difficult to differentiate beween real and made-up sound.

Artificial Speech Mimics Real Thing

Computer-created sound could have medical, entertainment applications


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