Interesting facts about the state of Nevada

Capital: Carson City

Governor: Brian Sandoval, R (to Jan. 2015)

Lieut. Governor: Brian Krolicki, R (to Jan. 2015)

Senators: Harry Reid, D (to Jan. 2017); Dean Heller, R (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 3

Secy. of State: Ross Miller, D (to Jan. 2015)

Treasurer: Kate Marshall, D (to Jan. 2015)

Atty. General: Catherine Cortez-Masto, D (to Jan. 2015 )

State abbreviation/Postal code: Nev./NV

Organized as territory: March 2, 1861

Entered Union (rank): Oct. 31, 1864 (36)

Present constitution adopted: 1864

Motto: All for Our Country

State symbols:

Flower: Sagebrush (1959)

Trees: Single-leaf pinon (1953) and bristlecone pine (1987)

Bird: Mountain Bluebird (1967)

Animal: Desert bighorn sheep (1973)

Colors: Silver and blue (1983)

Song: “Home Means Nevada” (1933)

Rock: Sandstone (1987)

Precious gemstone: Virgin valley black fire opal (1987)

Semiprecious gemstone: Nevada turquoise (1987)

Grass: Indian ricegrass (1977)

Metal: Silver (1977)

Fossil: Ichthyosaur (1977)

Fish: Lahontan cutthroat trout (1981)

Reptile: Desert tortoise (1989)

State artifact: Tule duck decoy (1995)

Nicknames: Sagebrush State; Silver State; Battle Born State

Origin of name: Spanish: “snowcapped”

10 largest cities (2010 est.): Las Vegas, 583,756; Henderson , 257,729; Reno, 225,221; Paradise, 225,167; North Las Vegas, 216,961; Sunrise Manor 189,372; Spring Valley, 178,395; Enterprise 108,481; Sparks, 90,264 ; Carson City , 55,274

Land area: 109,826 sq mi. (284,449 sq km)

Geographic center: In Lander Co., 26 mi. SE of Austin

Number of counties: 16, plus 1 independent city

Largest county by population and area: Clark, 1,951,269 (2010); Nye, 18,147 sq mi.

State parks: 24

Residents: Nevadan, Nevadian

2010 /2011 resident population est.: 2,700,551

Source: infoplease.com

Earth Day 2012

Every day, the saying goes, is Earth Day. But it’s popularly celebrated on April 22. April 22, 1970 was the first Earth Day.

What to Do on Earth Day?

1. You can pledge and act of green.
2. Make a public commitment to take an environmental action.
3. Commitment ideas promoted by the Earth Day Network include pledging to educate friends and family on global warming or buy green products such as energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

To find out more, and to do your part go to earthday.org today!

Friday the 13th

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th. Are you frightened or completely unaffected? How did this all start anyway? I decided to do some research and see if there is any validity to this claim.

The earliest known documented reference in English occurs in Henry Sutherland Edwards’ 1869 biography of “Gioachino Rossini” where it states: “Rossini was surrounded to the last by admiring and affectionate friends; why Friday the 13th is unlucky.”

But even with that mention in the 19th century, that reference really didn’t seem to resonate with our pop culture until the 20th century after the publication of Thomas W. Lawson’s popular novel “Friday, the Thirteenth” in 1907.

Consequently, several theories have been proposed about the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition. One theory states that it is a modern merger of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

The connection between the Friday the 13th superstition and the Knights Templar was popularized in the 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code. However, experts agree that this is a relatively recent correlation, and most likely a modern-day invention.

So other than those mentions – it looks like it is purely conjecture and folklore. But just in case don’t walk under any ladders or let a black cat cross your path.

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

Source: Wikipedia

4 Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss

Here is a secret behind healthy snacks: Eat foods packed with fat releasing nutrients to help your body lose weight quickly.

Instead of cheesy crackers... Try Ricotta Boats.

Cut a bell pepper into quarters, top each with 2 tablespoons of fat-free ricotta cheese and some black pepper.

Fat Releasers: Vitamin C, calcium, spices

Instead of an energy bar... Try PB & Crackers

Two teaspoons of natural peanut butter and 2 whole-grain crackers; serve with ½ cup of fat-free milk.

Fat Releasers: Fiber, resveratrol, healthy fats, protein

Instead of beef jerky... Try Cheesy Roll-Up

One reduced-fat mozzarella stick rolled up in 2 large, crunchy romaine lettuce leaves

Fat Releasers: Fiber, calcium, vitamin C

Instead of trail mix or potato chips... Try Mixed Munchies

One mini cheese, 10 baby carrots, 8 almonds

Fat Releasers: Calcium, protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamin C

Source: www.rd.com