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Showing posts from September, 2019

Siegfried and Roy: What Happened the Night of the Tiger Attack?

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At his lavish 59th birthday party in the Mirage Hotel theater that bears the duo’s name, Roy Horn, the dark-haired half of the team, ushered in the early hours of the morning with 500 friends and fellow entertainers. He had spent the evening table-hopping and dancing, and at midnight raised a glass to his partner, Siegfried Fischbacher, in celebration of their 44 years together. “He was in great spirits,” remembers impersonator Frank Merino, an invited guest. “All of his friends were kidding around with him, and he was making jokes and being very playful.” One of the jibes was about his age and eventual retirement. “I’ll retire only when I can’t do it anymore,” Roy shot back in his heavy German accent, alluding to the physical strength necessary to swing on ropes 30 feet above the audience and handle the 600-pound tigers that were the centerpiece of the act. To a man so fit and lithe, that day seemed a long way off. “It is incredibly dangerous, and we took Roy, this superman, for gra

When You Can Officially Stop Cutting Your Lawn

This Couple Bought Their Dream Home in New Jersey—Then They Started Getting Ominous Letters in the Mail

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After he’d finished painting one evening at his new house in Westfield, New Jersey, Derek Broaddus found an envelope addressed in thick, clunky handwriting to “The New Owner.” Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard, allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood. Buying 657 Boulevard had fulfilled a dream for Derek and his wife, ­Maria Broaddus. The house was a few blocks from ­Maria’s childhood home. Their three kids, who were five, eight, and ten years old, were already debating which of the house’s fireplaces Santa Claus would use. The typed note went on: My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out. The letter identified the Broadduses’ Honda minivan, as well as the workers renovating the home. I see already that you have flooded 657 Boulevard with contractors so that you can destroy the house as i

15 Scary Halloween Costumes That Will Give You Nightmares

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The weeping, wailing woman Nothing sends chills down your spine like a folktale that seems to have some truth to it—especially one that features a terrifying apparition like this. This La Llorona costume is based on a Mexican old wives’ tale about a cursed mother who desperately cries for her lost children in the middle of the night. The only thing is, this “weeping woman” apparently murdered those children in a fit of rage after her husband was unfaithful. This is the costume to wear if you want to give people the shivers whenever they think about it. For more scares, check out the spookiest ghost stories from every state . Shop Now The post 15 Scary Halloween Costumes That Will Give You Nightmares appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2nis33t

13 Things That Must Happen When a President Dies

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The vice president must take the oath of office When a sitting president unexpectedly dies, passing presidential power to the vice president is “the most urgent task to be accomplished,” according to Mike Purdy, a presidential historian and author of 101 Presidential Insults . “While the vice president automatically becomes president upon the death of the president, [taking the oath of office] telegraphs to the nation and world the official recognition that there is a new president,” Purdy says. If the VP cannot take the oath, the Presidential Succession Act calls for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, followed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, to become president instead. No need to be red-faced, we’ve got the answers to 15 questions about the American political system you’ve been too embarrassed to ask . The post 13 Things That Must Happen When a President Dies appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2o2C4Sa

Why Do People Say “Pardon My French” When They Swear?

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Of the many languages that grace our globe, why is French the one we’ve deemed capable of glossing over our more profane utterances sometimes slip out? We could be forgiving each other’s Finnish! Why not “absolve my Albanian”? “Dismiss my Danish” is right there! Alternatively, when the French let one fly during dinner, are they begging their guests to exculpate their English, lest their obscenity inflame beef over bourguignon? In a word, no. The phrase “pardon my French” is an idiom exclusive to the English language, stemming from the two countries’ own millennium-old beef—and not one of the bourguignon type. While the rapport between England and France has been a bit rosier in modern times, when it comes to getting along, historically, they do not. In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, seized not only the day but all of England, leading to a never-before-seen integration of French words into the English lexicon. According to Merriam-Webster , “William put French-speaking Normans in n

The Most Popular Halloween Candy in Every State

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Get this: The National Retail Federation estimates that shoppers will spend $2.6 billion on Halloween candy this year. If you’re spending that much money on goodies, you might as well make sure you’re the most popular house on the block. But how will you know which candy to buy in order to land those coveted bragging rights? Check out even more mind-blowing things you didn’t know about Halloween candy . Thankfully, you don’t have to crunch the numbers—because somebody already did. Researchers at Candystore.com analyzed ten years’ worth of sales data, playing close attention to its sales in the months leading up to Halloween, in particular. Then, they identified the best-selling treats, state-by-state. Skittles took the No. 1 spot in seven states: Arkansas, California, Deleware, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Reese’s Cups and Candy Corn were the top picks in five states each. And while trick-or-treaters in California devour nearly 1.6 million pounds of Skittles each

25 Best Cartoon Movies for Family Movie Night

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs One of the best-animated movies was adapted from a 1978 children’s book about a town where food falls from the sky. In the cartoon movie version, a young scientist invents a machine that causes clouds to rain cheeseburgers. Soon his invention goes awry and food storms abound. Families will love this movie’s wry humor and absurdly delightful visuals. Here are 12 more movies that your kids will love —and this list features classics from your own childhood. Shop Now   The post 25 Best Cartoon Movies for Family Movie Night appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2oLRP0o

10 Scary Facts Behind the World’s Most Adorable Animals

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Ladybugs are cannibals These brightly colored beetles aren’t afraid to turn on each other when food is scarce. If it’s a matter of survival, adult ladybugs will eat other freshly molted or newborn ladybugs. The beetles also have a wicked defense mechanism: When startled, ladybugs emit a foul-smelling fluid from their leg joints that helps scare away predators. These cute pictures of baby animals will make your day. The post 10 Scary Facts Behind the World’s Most Adorable Animals appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2H1Tovy

28 Secrets Cruise Lines Won’t Tell You

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No trip is all-inclusive That “all-inclusive” rate typically doesn’t include alcohol, tips, shore excursions, Internet, dining outside our dining room, and what you spend on casino or bingo play. And please, do come play: Your odds are often even worse than on land. If you’re going to pay that much, you should at least go on your dream vacation! Find out  your ideal destination, based on your zodiac sign . The post 28 Secrets Cruise Lines Won’t Tell You appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2CDebCY

The 15 Most Convenient Fast-Food Restaurants, According to Customers

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Fast-food is very convenient Almost anywhere you go in the United States, you’re bound to find a fast-food joint to serve you quick and tasty food. Fast-food French fries and shakes are classic favorites. Especially as a child, nothing beat the excitement of having your parents turn into the drive-through line at your favorite fast-food restaurant. But understanding why people choose to eat at some fast-food restaurants compared to others involves many factors, including price, loyalty to the brand, and convenience. Datassential, a consumer research brand, conducted a survey and reported on the percentage of customers who said their last visit to one of these fast-food joints was motivated by brand loyalty and not out of convenience. Reader’s Digest looked at the remaining part of the percentage to find out how many customers visited certain chains because of convenience. Below are the top 15 of the most convenient fast-food restaurants in the United States. The post The 15 Most

The Strangest Animal Found in Each State

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Alabama: Red Hills salamander This official state amphibian is a long lean mean burrowing machine. Much larger than its other lung-less salamander peers at 11 inches, the Red Hills salamander breathes through its moist skin. It’s on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife endangered species list because much of the 60,000 acres of suitable habitat (i.e., the steep slopes and moist ravines of hardwood forests) are threatened by logging and deforestation. Here are 14 other endangered animals that may surprise you. The post The Strangest Animal Found in Each State appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2KQ8uKl

51 Favorite Facts You’ve Always Believed That Are Actually False

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The truth about Napoleon Check out these nine famous moments in history that never actually happened . The post 51 Favorite Facts You’ve Always Believed That Are Actually False appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2vBTnHZ

31 Secrets Your Plumber Won’t Tell You

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If you need a recommendation, call a plumbing-supply or fixture store They don’t tolerate bad plumbers, so you know they’ll send you to the best of the best. If these plumbing tips are helpful, you’ll also want to know these secrets home inspectors won’t tell you . The post 31 Secrets Your Plumber Won’t Tell You appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2igcAKJ

12 Free Things That Used to Cost Money

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Wifi Of course, Wifi hasn’t been around all that long as it is. But when it first debuted, it was not as widely available as you’ll find today. “Businesses used to charge you for using their WiFi, but now tons of places offer free WiFi,” says Julie Ramhold, Consumer Analyst with DealNews.com . “And some even have the password posted so you don’t have to ask! Personally I feel like it’s good practice to still buy something, especially if you’re in a small cafe or you’re planning to be there for a while. But at least you don’t have to pay for your latte and the internet.” The post 12 Free Things That Used to Cost Money appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2o4ovla

16 Halloween Costumes You Can Get on Amazon for $25 or Less

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Lifesize banana costume Trick or treaters will be yellow with envy when they catch a glimpse of you in this super-sized banana costume. The lightweight design makes it a breeze for walking through the neighborhood. This unisex costume goes well with tights for the ladies or a smart pair of slacks for the guys. Shop Now The post 16 Halloween Costumes You Can Get on Amazon for $25 or Less appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2n4NPru

These 12 Famous Performers Have Had Some Pretty Wild Food Requests

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Frank Sinatra Before crooning “Moon River,” Frank Sinatra required an extensive spread of food and drink, from bottles of Absolut Vodka and Chivas Regal to three dozen rolls of Lifesavers and cough drops to his favorite egg salad sandwiches. Celebs aren’t the only ones with odd demands. Check out the craziest requests from VIP hotel guests . The post These 12 Famous Performers Have Had Some Pretty Wild Food Requests appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2nW0zAB

12 Horror Films That Are Inspired By True Stories

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Jaws (1975) Peter Benchley, who wrote the 1974 novel Jaws , got the idea for a killer shark story after chartering boat rides with a fisherman named Frank “Monster Man” Mundus (who claimed he was the inspiration for the gruff character Captain Quint). The book’s plot was inspired in part by the summer of 1916 when a rogue great white shark ( da-dum ) lurking in the waters ( da-dum da-dum ) off the Jersey shore ( da-dum da-dum da-dum da-dum ) killed five unlucky swimmers. Sink your teeth into these other scary movies that’ll make you afraid to go in the water . Shop Now The post 12 Horror Films That Are Inspired By True Stories appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2xr3dk0

Signs Your Refrigerator Is About to Die

How do you know when it’s time to buy a new refrigerator or when you can just call a technician to repair it? Sometimes it’s obvious, and other times, it’s not quite as clear. You may not even realize your problem is actually a problem at first, but when you do, it will cost you—and not only if you need to buy a new fridge. According to Puls’ 2019 National Appliance Repair Report , it costs an average of $242 to repair a fridge. If your fridge is on its deathbed, though, you may be paying that fee more than once. Plus, your malfunctioning fridge can increase your bills in other surprising ways. That’s why it’s important to catch potential problems early. To save yourself lots of time, money, and grief, you need to know these eight signs that your fridge is on the fritz—and what you should do about it. Your food is spoiling before its expiration date If your food seems to be going bad much faster than usual, it could mean your fridge is faulty—but not necessarily. First, check your te

15 Things That Make Your Phone An Easy Target for Hackers

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How mobile devices are becoming go-to targets for cybercrime Cybercrime is, unfortunately, a growth industry, and more and more, bad actors are using our phones as their point of attack. According to research conducted by the digital security company iovation , 59 percent of risky transactions in North America happen on mobile devices. “Fraudsters are like chameleons. They are always adapting their tactics to make it look like they’re legitimate customers,” said Melissa Gaddis, iovation’s Senior Director of Customer Success, of the study’s findings. The other problem is that most people don’t understand just how much their phones put them at risk. “There is a very common misconception that phones are not susceptible to hackers the same way computers are,” says Alexander M. Kehoe, co-founder and Operations Director of Caveni Digital Solutions . “While this may have been true when smartphones first became popular, it is simply no longer the case. In fact, in the United States, nearly 1

10 Best Home Security Devices Without Monthly Fees

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Canary Flex Indoor Outdoor HD Security Camera This easy-to-install advanced camera has night vision, weatherproofing, and a wide-angle lens. Canary has made it easy to install multiple cameras where you want them, and you can choose from various mounts and plug them in or use the wireless option. It’s also one of the few security devices that has an air quality sensor on the indoor camera, as well as a microphone, temperature sensor, siren and humidity sensor. Shop Now The post 10 Best Home Security Devices Without Monthly Fees appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2ndNsus

Grammar Rules You Still Have to Follow on Social Media

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Two, to, and too It’s a classic mistake, think: I went to the bar with two of my friends, then they wanted tacos, too. The real origin of this error, which can instantly make you seem a bit less than educated online, is an unclear understanding of the ways to use the double “o” in “too.” It can mean “also,” as in the example in the first sentence, or it can mean “very/excessively,” as in “there are too many confusing words in this language.” That’s no joke—here are 20 more of the most confusing grammar rules in the English language . The post Grammar Rules You Still Have to Follow on Social Media appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2nYrTOE

Many U.S. Seniors Are Going Hungry, Study Finds

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Almost 1 in 10 U.S. seniors doesn't have enough food to eat, a new study shows. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2mpgSWh Almost 1 in 10 U.S. seniors doesn't have enough food to eat, a new study shows.

Paper Books Beat Tablets for Parent-Child Interactions

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Parents seeking quality reading time with their toddlers would do well to choose an old-fashioned book over an e-reader, a new study argues. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2oJaObY Parents seeking quality reading time with their toddlers would do well to choose an old-fashioned book over an e-reader, a new study argues.

Controversial Studies Say It’s OK to Eat Red Meat

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A group of new studies that found no link between eating red meat and health problems is generating controversy among some researchers for how the study was done. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2n3BdAS A group of new studies that found no link between eating red meat and health problems is generating controversy among some researchers for how the study was done.

Pediatric Group Issues Updated ADHD Guidelines

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New research about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has prompted a leading pediatricians' group has updated to update its guidelines for diagnosing and treating the disorder for the first time since 2011. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2mlHqaL New research about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has prompted a leading pediatricians' group has updated to update its guidelines for diagnosing and treating the disorder for the first time since 2011.

Mattel Offers Gender-Inclusive Doll Collection

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Mattel has launched a new line of gender-inclusive dolls aimed at making all kids feel welcome during playtime, the company says. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2oGhwiT Mattel has launched a new line of gender-inclusive dolls aimed at making all kids feel welcome during playtime, the company says.

Deer Can Give You Tuberculosis: CDC

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People can get a rare type of tuberculosis, called bovine tuberculosis, from deer, according to the CDC. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2n8Lqf4 People can get a rare type of tuberculosis, called bovine tuberculosis, from deer, according to the CDC.

Raw Dog Food May Pose Salmonella Threat

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The FDA is warning people not to give dogs frozen Performance Dog Raw Pet Food because it has tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2mSZLfP The FDA is warning people not to give dogs frozen Performance Dog Raw Pet Food because it has tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

13 Attractions That Are So Creepy, They Are Off-Limits to Tourists

The post 13 Attractions That Are So Creepy, They Are Off-Limits to Tourists appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2ZJlfx6

Why Americans Use Fahrenheit Instead of Celsius

It’s no secret that the United States seems to enjoy doing things differently from other countries. It’s one of only three countries in the world that doesn’t use the metric system. It stubbornly insists on writing dates with the month before the day, something virtually no other country does, seemingly for no good reason. A few years after winning the Revolutionary War, Americans published a dictionary filled with words spelled deliberately differently from the British spellings . And, to top it all off, they also use a different temperature system than most of the world. You’d think that temperature would be something that pretty much the whole world could agree on a universal system for, like telling time. But this isn’t the case—there are not just two but three different temperature systems. Of course, it makes sense that many scientists measure temperature in Kelvin, which allows them to more easily chart temperatures that we don’t encounter in daily life, like absolute zero or t