Attention Cotton Candy Lovers!

Kids mention cotton candy to their parents will shake their heads in disapproval. For while, those spun sugar that melt in your mouth may be yummy, have absolutely no nutritional value. But what if you could somehow blend the cotton candy taste into a food that you parents will approve of? Say like for grapes instance? Think that's impossible.

            California horticulturist David Cain did not set out to create cotton candy flavored candy grapes. International Fruit Genetics, David Cain's lab in Bakersfield just wanted to provide customers with some choice in the flavor of grapes, similar to what they have when buying apples.

            Since, 2003 David Cain's team began experimenting various wild grape varieties. This was no easy task that the scientist wanted to create the new fruit without modern science.

            Also knowing that seedless grapes cannot reproduce on their own, so breeding them is difficult. Each plant had to first be grown in a test-tube in the lab until it out grows their test-tube and then place into the vineyard. It took more than 100,000 test-tubes grown plants, and over ten years, before one fruit tasted like cotton candy. The fact that the grapes taste like the sweet carnival treat with a hint of vanilla is a surprise.

            The first batch of cotton candy grapes was planted on 2 acres of land at The Grapery in Bakersfield. The company was so successful that the vinery decided to do 100 acres for the next batch. The company could not keep up with the demand so they decided to increase it to 200 acres next year.

            The best part about having cotton candy grapes it is completely natural and  weigh five grams of an ounce, the sugar in the grape is 12% higher than normal grapes. They have less sugar than raisins and of course are much healthier than cotton candy. Given, the unusual taste and the limited supply available, the grapes are a little steep, selling anywhere from $6-$10 United States dollars for a pound. But if folks are lucky enough to try it, they would realize that these cotton candy grapes are worth every penny.

            For David Cain and his team? They are just getting started! Who knows what would come next strawberry, pineapple and mango flavored grapes that are ready and waiting to be tested for commercial's on TV. We also been notified that David Cain and his team are working on lollipop flavored grapes, and who knows one day maybe even gummy worm flavored one? Just so delicious!

            This cotton candy grapes just sound so good that I am looking forward to get my hands on. I wonder how it will taste. David Cain must be such a successful person after inventing a grape flavored cotton candy. The best part is that these cotton candy grapes is only 12% sugar higher than normal grape. And the price is such a good range. 

A Record For The Most Twins

11-year-old twins Luke and Ryan from Illinois had a goal. The six graders wanted to set a world record. Some of their classmates had already tried to jump on a pogo stick longer than anyone else had. A student have even attempted to produce the loudest burp. But none of them came close.

          That was when Luke and Ryan realized that there were many other twins in their grade at Highcrest Middle School. They did a full count, and were pleased to discover there were 24 set of twins in all but most of the twins were non-identical. Out of these 24 sets of twins three are boy-boy, 11 are girl-girl, and 10 are boy-girl. There were only two pairs that were identical twins-all girls.

          "We were absolutely shock," Nancy Fendly, Luke and Ryan's mother said. The boys now figure out their world record: most pair of twins in one grade. The current record is 16 pairs, and is shared by Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in Iowa, Staples High School in Connecticut, and Maine South High School in Illinois.

          Earlier this year, Luke and Ryan sent an application to Guniess World Record with help from their parents. They added birth certificates, photos, and proof that all of the sets of twin attend Highcrest Middle School. They expect to hear back in several weeks on whether they actually set a new world record. "The whole school think it's the greatest thing. It's been such a fun, creative experience," said Nancy Fendley.

          Since 1980, twin birth rates have doubled in the United States, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control). The ages of mother has gone up over the years, and women in their 30's have a greater chance of giving birth to twins. In 2009, one in every 30 babies are born twins, compared with one in 53 babies in 1980. For Highcrest Middle School, that rise in twin births could be a ticket into record books.

          I think that it is awesome that the students at Highcrest Middle School research to discover great honor of Highcrest Middle School. It's a amazing thing that in one grade there could be 24 sets of twins in there. It's a pretty cool thing because I have a set of twin boys in the family. But sometimes it can get out of hand. 

The Story Of Princess Diana

Born as Diana Frances Spencer on July 1st, 1961, Diana became Lady Diana Spencer after her father "Johnnie Spencer" got the title of Earl Spencer in 1975.  She married to the heir of the British throne, Prince Charles on July 29, 1981. They had two sons and later divorced in 1996.  Diana died of a car crash after trying to escape from the paparazzi in Paris on the night of August 30, 1997. She survived the crash but died four hours later in a Paris hospital. A few years after his marriage, Prince William said that he would not let Kate suffer like his mother or in other words "I  not let the paparazzi hurt Kate like my mother."

            Lady Diana Spencer was born on July 1st, 1961 in Sandringham, England. Her Royal Highness Princess Diana of Wales was one of the most honors in the royal family. She was known as and always will be the daughter of Edward John Spencer and Frances Ruth Burke Roche later known as Honorable Frances Shand Kydd. Her parents were Viscount Althorp and Viscountess Althorp.

            The Spencer's marriage had been stressed since the death of their first son. In 1969, Frances and Johnnie Spencer divorced, and Johnnie Spencer was given full custody of his children. Soon after the divorce was official, Frances Spencer married Peter Shand-Kydd. Diana had many painful memories of the divorce. She always hear her mother cried when the children had to return home to their father after their weekend visits. After divorce her mother was no longer a Viscountess Althorp but became an Honorable Frances Shand Kydd.

            Princess Diana was known for her shyness as growing up. While growing up Diana did showed an interest in music and dancing. Diana also had a great fondness for children. After attending and finishing school at Institut Alphin Videmanette, she moved to London. She began working with children, and eventually became a Kindergarten teacher at Youth England School.

            Lady Diana was no stranger to the royal family. She has been reported playing with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as a child while her family rented Park House, an estate owned by Queen Elizabeth II.

           Diana and her friends dated many young wealthy men who were often bankers, stockbrokers, army officers, or heirs to the business fortunes. Diana and her friends dated many of those young men, although Diana never had a serious relationship with any of them. She told her friends that she was waiting for "Mr. Right." She hinted that "Mr. Right" might be in the royal family. Most of her friends guess she meant Prince Andrew, the second son of the queen, who was only one year older than Diana. But Diana had a different prince in mind. One day, Prince Phillip invited Diana to watch a game of polo involved with Prince Charles. After the game, Princess Diana and Charles talk. They decided to meet each other again.

            Finally, on February 6, 1981, Prince Charles invited Diana to Windsor Castle, one of the queen's official residence and asked her to marry him. Diana immediately accept even though as Diana warned her the pressure of royal life and sometimes could be out of control. Diana was full of joy and Charles seemed to be happy too. During the photo shoot was announced, a reported asked if Charles and Diana was in loved. Diana said she loved the prince, but Charles response was "Yes, whatever love means."

           A few days after Diana and Charles announce their engagement Diana flew to Australia with her mother and stepfather Peter Shand Kydd. The three spent ten days at a friend's house. Diana knew this would be her last chance for peace and quiet, but she missed Charles horribly and was lonely throughout her vacation.

            When Diana returned to London, she moved out of her apartment forever. Diana moved into a suite of rooms at Buckingham Palace. She spent her days learning how to talk to the public, how to shake hands, how to treat household servants, even how to wave to the crowd. Diana also spent time at the Clarence House, the London home of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother instructed Diana on proper royal behavior. The Queen Mother is the widow of King George VI and is the mother of the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.  Diana also had meant fashion designers, who guided her in updating her image from shy teacher's assistant to a popular princess.

            At the same time Diana was learning her new life, she also had to plan her wedding. The world was surprised when Diana picked two young and relatively unknown designers , David and Elizabeth Emanuel, to make her wedding dress. Charles and Diana also announced that their wedding would be held in St. Paul's Cathedral, rather than the traditional Westminster Abbey. They chose St. Paul's because it could hold more people and provided a longer route for Diana's journey to the wedding, which would allowed more people to catch get a glance of her as she passed. As Diana struggled to learn about her new role and plan the biggest day of her life, she was constantly in the public eye.  The public adored Diana, and newspaper were filled with stories and photographs of her.

            For many years, Charles had been very close to a woman named Camilla Parker Bowles. The two have dated in the early 1970s, and Charles have even asked Camilla to married him. However, Camilla married another man. The friendship between Charles and Camilla made Diana jealous. She knew that after the polo match, Charles was going to see Camilla to give her a gift. Diana was so upset by this she told her sister she was seriously thinking off calling off the wedding. However, everyone knew that it was too late for that. The wedding was only a few days away, all the preparations had been made, and the stores were filled with mugs, dishcloths, and other souvenirs in honor of Diana and Charles wedding.

            At last the big day arrived, July 29, 1981 arrived. Diana's room in Buckingham Palace faced an open area called The Mall, which on the morning of the wedding, was jammed by crowds of singing and cheering people. The sounds of their excitement filled the room as Diana met with her designers, hairdresser Kevin Shanley, and makeup artist Barbara Daly. By the time the designers and stylists finished their work, Diana did look like a fairytale princess.   

            Diana and her father climbed into a horse-drawn Glass Coach that would carry them through the streets of London and to the wedding. All the along the way they were surrounded by crowds of well-wishers that were cheering off the tops of their lungs. Diana was worried about her father, the 8th Earl Spencer would walk Diana down the aisle, but a stroke had suffered him a few years earlier making it difficult for him to walk. Diana focused all her attention on supporting her father as they made their slow journey up St. Paul's long main aisle. She knew her father was bursting with pride and enjoying every minute of this day. The wedding went smoothly, the only glitch occurring was when Diana mixed up Charles' name during the vows and called him "Phillip Charles Arthur George" instead of "Charles Phillip Arthur George."Afterward, the new happy royal couple walked down the aisle, the rode back to the Buckingham Palace through the crowd. They ceremony and the royal procession was watched by more than 750 million people in more than 70 countries. Diana was now the Princess of Wales and the future queen of England. The celebrations did not end when Charles and Diana arrived at Buckingham Palace. After going inside for a few minutes, Diana, Charles, and the royal family, and the members of the wedding party appeared on the palace balcony. The crowds cheered, then began calling for the couple to kiss. Diana and Charles complied, to the great joy of the crowd.

            On June 21, 1982, Diana and Charles had their first child: Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. More than two years later on September 15, 1984, he was joined by a brother Prince Henry Charles Albert David widely known as Prince Harry. Overwhelmed by her royal duties and the intense media coverage of nearly every aspect of her life, she began to develop her own interests. Diana is a strong supporter of many charities and worked to help the homeless, people living in HIV and AIDS, and especially children in need.

            Unfortunately, the fairy tale wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles did not lead to be a happily ever after ending. The two's marriage became stressful over the years. The couple's separation was announced in December 1992 by British Prime Minister John Major, who read a statement from the royal family to the House of Commons. The divorce was official and finalized in 1996.

            Even after the divorce, Diana was still very popular. She and her sons went to charitable efforts as the battle against the use of land mines. Diana used her international celebrity to help raise awareness of this issue. The paparazzi that haunt her haunt her to death during a vacation in Paris. Dodi Al-Fayed, Princess Diana, Henri, and Dodi's bodyguard were all involved in a car accident. The car crash took place on the night of August 30, 1997.

            Diana survived the car crash, but due to her rapid blood bleeding she died four hours later in a Paris hospital. Dodi and the driver, Henri was instantly killed. French authorities investigated the crash and the driver was found to have a high level of alcohol in his body at the time of the accident. The flashes from the cameras were going off crazy.

            News of Princess Diana's death shocked the world. Thousands turned out to pay dedication to the "people's princess." The funeral was held at Westminster Abbey, which was also broadcast on TV. Her body was later buried at the Spencer's estate, Althorp.

            In 2007, marking the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, her sons Prince William and Harry, honored their beloved mother with a special concert, that would have been seen on her 46th birthday. The money that was raised went to charities.

Prince George Alexander Louis

The world celebrates Britain’s new arrival

JULY 22, 2013

By :___________________

NEIL HALL—REUTERS

A notice formally announcing the birth of a son to Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is placed in front of Buckingham Palace in central London on July 22.

He’s here! With the world watching, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also known as Kate, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy on Monday.

The birth of the royal baby topped international news Monday and is expected to cause big celebrations throughout Britain. The media had been eagerly awaiting the baby’s arrival for the past month as Kate’s rumored due date of mid-July approached.

Already, the newest royal has a clear path to power. As the first child of Prince William and Kate, the baby is third in line to the throne. Under Britain’s monarch system, the only two people ahead of the baby are his father William and grandfather, Prince Charles. William’s brother, Prince Harry, will be bumped down to fourth in line.

Now that the royal baby is here, he will no doubt continue to draw international attention. The birth has already sparked big sales of baby-related merchandise at stores in London and throughout Britain. Stores in London have been selling clothes, plates, and other products related to the royal birth, just as they did for William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Crowds of tourists gather outside Buckingham Palace in central London on July 22 as they wait for news of the royal baby's birth.

A Day of Excitement

Royal officials announced early Monday morning that Kate was in labor, and traveled to St. Mary’s hospital in central London just before 6 a.m. The duchess gave birth in the private Lindo Wing of the hospital, where Princess Diana also gave birth to William and Harry.

Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets near the hospital and around Buckingham Palace, which is the official workplace of the British monarch system. TIME took to the streets outside of St. Mary’s Hospital and Buckingham Palace to ask the well-wishers what made them so excited about this royal birth. Many people, like 47-year-old Shaun Melass, a real-estate broker from Pretoria, South Africa, on vacation in London, said part of the thrill came from being a part of a historical event and all the hoopla that went with it. “I love the pomp and the ceremony,” he said. Peter Davenport, 82, from Richmond, southwest London, was also outside Buckingham Palace on Monday, waiting for news of the birth. “It is all tied back to tradition—it goes back for generations,” he said.

The birth was announced with a mix of tradition and social media. The public first heard the news when a royal aide emerges from the hospital with a signed notice. The notice was posted on an easel in public view in front of Buckingham Palace.

At the same time as the bulletin was posted, there was an official announcement on Twitter and the media was formally notified. The document gave the baby's gender, weight, and time of birth. The boy was born at 4:24 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz.

There was a great deal of speculation about the baby’s gender. The royal couple had revealed few details before the birth, preferring to keep Kate’s pregnancy as private as possible.

MAX MUMBY—INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during a ceremony marking the Queen of England's birthday on June 15 in London, England. This was Kate's last public appearance before taking time off from her royal duties to prepare for the birth of her baby.

Royal watchers were particularly interested in the baby’s gender because if the baby had been a girl, this would have been the first time she could have inherited the throne without being nudged aside in favor of a younger brother. Until 2011, rules dating back centuries stated that the crown passed to the oldest son and could only go to a daughter when there were no sons.

However, it could be a while still before the royal couple announces the new baby’s name. When William was born, a week passed before his name was announced. Charles's name remained a mystery for an entire month. Until then, he will be known officially as His Royal Highness, Prince of Cambridge.

A Royal Tradition

England is one of the few countries in the world that still has a monarch system. The Kings and Queens of England were once powerful, ruling over a vast empire. Today, the British monarch’s powers are more limited.

In the past, the royal children were kept apart from their peers and were often raised by governesses. Many royal children attended boarding schools far away from home. Prince Charles went to boarding school at age 8. Kate has said she does not want a nanny to raise her child, but the media has questioned whether that will be possible with all of the new mother’s royal responsibilities.

Cent Chant

Below is an link to a little cent chant for kids. JUst an F.Y.I. it is a PDF.
http://www.jmeacham.com/docs/shared.reading/coins/coins.poems.STUDENTS.pdf

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton

Hillary Clinton was born on October 26, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. She met Bill Clinton during her years at Yale Law School and married him in 1975. She served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001 an as US Senator from 2001 to 2009. Clinton announced her plans to run for the presidency in the early 2007. Shortly after winning the election, Obama appointed Hillary as Secretary of State in 2009 and she served in that position until 2013.

            Hillary Diane Clinton was born as Hillary Diane Rodham on October 26, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois located 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Hillary Diane Rodham was the eldest daughter of Hugh Rodham and Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham. Hillary has two younger brothers Hugh Jr. who was born in 1950 and Anthony born in 1954.

            As a young woman, Hilary was active in Republican groups and campaigned for Republicans presidential nominee Barry Goldwater in 1964. Hillary was inspired to work in some kind of public service after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King's speech in Chicago. Also after hearing Dr. King's speech she changed her political party to be a Democrat in 1968. Hillary Rodham attended college at Wellesley College, where Hillary was active in student politics at her school. Hillary was elected as senior class president before graduating in 1969 and moving on in her life. After attending Wellesley College, Hillary attended Yale Law School, where she met Bill Clinton. She graduate with honors in 1973; she went on to enroll at Yale Child Study Center, where she took courses on children and medicine and completed one post-graduate year of study. Hillary chose to spend her summers as a college student working at various jobs. 

            In the spring of 1974, Rodham became a member of the presidential impeachment inquiry staff, advising the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives during the Watergate Scandal. After President Richard M. Nixon resigned in August, Hillary decided to become a staff member of the University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville, where her Yale Law School classmates and her boyfriend Bill Clinton was there as well all teaching about law.

            Hillary Rodham married Bill Clinton on October 11, 1975 at their home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Before he done his proposal Bill had secretly purchased a small house that Hillary said that she liked. When Bill proposed to Hillary and she accepted; Bill revealed that they owned the house. The Clintons had one daughter, Chelsea Victoria who was born on February 27, 1980. In 1989 and 1991, The National Law Journal named her one of the 100 most powerful lawyers in the United States.

            In 1976, Hillary worked on Jimmy Carter's successful campaign for president while, her husband was elected to the Attorney General. Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978 at the age of 32. He lost re-election in 1980 but came back to win in 1982, 1984, 1986 is when the term of office was expanded from two terms to four terms and 1990.

            During Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign Hillary was a valued partner to her husband. The Clintons successfully won the election and the president named her to head the Task Force on National Health Reform in 1993.

            In 1998, the White House was engulfed in the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal. Though she publicly supported her husband, Mrs. Clinton considered leaving their marriage. He was impeached but the US Senate failed to do that and he remained in office.

            With her husband limited to two terms in the White House, Mrs. Clinton decided she would seek the US Senate seat held by Daniel Patrick Moynihan to the US Presidency. He was going to retire after four terms. Clinton became the first wife of a president to seek and win national office and the first woman to be elected to the US Senate from New York. She easily won re-election in November 2006.

            Hillary Clinton announced her plans to become the first female president in the early 2007. During the 2008 primaries, Senator Clinton gave up her nomination when it likely that nominee Barack Obama held a majority of delegate votes.

            Shortly after winning the US Presidential Election, Barack Obama nominee Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Hillary accepted the nomination; was officially approved to be the 67th Secretary of State by the US Senate. During her term as Secretary of State Clinton used her position to make women's rights and human rights to a central talking point of US initiatives. She became one of the most traveled Secretaries of State in American History. 

            On December 20, 2012, Hillary was hospitalized with a blood clot meaning a gelatinous or semisolid mass of coagulated blood. Hillary was released from a New York hospital on January 2, 2013 after receiving treatment and soon recovered and returned to work.