We’ve all heard of recycling, the using of old things for new purposes. But what if you’re a large city with old railroad tracks (metal lines or rails that trains travel on)? What if they’re elevated (above the ground) and not easy to get rid of (throw away; made to disappear)? New York City came up with a great idea for one section of its old train tracks.
The High Line Park in the middle of New York city is a 1-mile (1.61-kilometer) park located on top of a stretch (section) of old freight (carrying goods, not people) train tracks. Originally, the High Line was a train that brought raw (not processed) and manufactured (made by people or machines) goods across the city, as well as milk, meat, produce (fruits and vegetables). The High Line opened in 1934 and ended its service in 1980.
With the urging (encouragement) of people who lived in the neighborhood, construction (building) on the new park began in 2006 and opened in 2009. The park includes walkways where people can stroll (walk slowly for enjoyment) and jog (run for health). It has many benches (long seats made with wood, stone, or concrete) where people can sit and enjoy the nice views. It also includes 210 species (types) of plants and flowers. Take a look at these photos of this interesting park, an excellent example of repurposing (making for a new use) an old eyesore (something ugly) into something useful and beautiful.
Are there examples of this type of repurposing of old buildings and other unused areas in the towns and cities where you live or have visited?
~ Lucy
Photo Credit: “High Line 20th Street Looking Downtown” from Wikipedia
Each spring colleges and universities in the United States have graduation ceremonies, where the students who have finished their studies celebrate the end of their time at their school. The ceremony is actually called a commencement, which means “a beginning.” Students are ending their time in school, but beginning a new life as working adults (or living at their parents’ house and eating their food).
Most schools invite someone famous to give the commencement address (speech), in which the speaker gives the graduates advice on their next stage (period) in life. This year, for example, the University of Southern California invited Stephen Ballmer from Microsoft, Columbia University invited former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, and President Obama was invited to Miami Dade College. It has become popular in recent years for universities to invite comedians and actors to give speeches. A television comedian and actor, Amy Poehler, gave the address at Harvard, and actor Tom Hanks was the speaker at Yale’s commencement ceremonies.
So what were the graduates told this year? Well, according to the New York Times, the words “world,” “country,” “love,” and “service” were more popular than “money,” “happiness,” or “success.” although I’m not sure exactly what this signifies (means).
Do universities where you live have a similar tradition of commencement speakers? What sort of speakers are invited, and what kind of advice do they give?
~Jeff
Photo credit: President Obama addressing Coast Guard Academy, 2011 – Public Domain/Flickr
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…………
ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 698 – Making Racially-Offensive Remarks
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to get carried away” and “to catch up.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Unacceptable Racial Slurs.”
“Languages change over time, and some terms that were “once” (in the past) “acceptable” (okay to use) are no longer acceptable. This is especially true for terms used to refer to “minority groups”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 300
Topics: American Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt; The Folk Tales of Uncle Remus; drug versus pill versus tablet; pronouncing ½; engagement versus commitment
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “The Origins of Teddy Bears.”
“Few children today grow up without playing with or owning a “teddy bear,” a soft toy in the shape of a “bear,” a large white, brown, or black animal. “Teddy bears” are actually named after President Theodore Roosevelt…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 699 – Dealing With the Paparazzi
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to stake out” and “to call off.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Anti-Paparazzi Laws.”
“Paparazzi can make a lot of money by selling photos of “top” (extremely popular) “celebrities” (very famous people, especially musicians or actors), but sometimes these “financial incentives” (money one receives for doing something) make them “go over the top”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
We’ve just returned from a fun weekend with family and friends near Santa Cruz, California. The occasion (event) was our oldest daughter’s wedding in a beautiful setting (location) at a vineyard (where grapes are grown for wine) atop (on top of) a mountain overlooking Santa Cruz and the Pacific Ocean. Our younger daughter said the house at the vineyard reminded her of the house in The Great Gatsby, a well-known book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 about the people who lived on Long Island’s North Shore and in New York City. (Long Island is an island that includes parts of New York City.)
The bride was beautiful. The mother of the bride (my wife) was beautiful. The setting was beautiful. Even the bear looked good: he was the ring bearer (the one who carried the bride and groom’s rings) and he was carried by our four-year-old grandson. The simple wedding ceremony was perfect. The weather was perfect. And the food was the best I’ve ever had at a wedding! All in all (when you consider everything), it was a great weekend.
One of the things that amused (made me smile) me during the weekend was that electronic gadgets (small, useful machines or tools) popped up (appeared) everywhere! Everywhere I looked I saw iPhones, Blackberries, Androids, iPads, and laptops – not all at the wedding, but in the days before and after. I used my iPhone for my notes when I toasted the bride and groom at the dinner after the wedding. A toast is a call to a group of people – “I’d like to propose (suggest) a toast to the bride and groom” – to raise their glasses and drink together in honor of someone, usually on a special occasion. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that someone had posted pictures of the bride and groom on Facebook before they exited (left) the area where the wedding was performed!
Stephen Abram recently wrote about a Pew Research report that found (discovered) that 90% of Americans own at least one computerized gadget. I know that my wife and I had seven gadgets in our car as we traveled – two laptops (MacBooks, of course!), three iPods, a Blackberry, and an iPhone!
The Pew study reveals (shows) that electronic gadgets have become popular across all generations (groups of people who are the same age). It also found that:
Cell phones are the most popular device (a machine or tool that does a special job). About 85% of all adults own cell phones, and 90% of Americans – including 62% of those 75 and older – live in a home where there is at least one cell phone.
Desktop computers are most popular with adults who are 35-65 (read: 35 to 65) years old. Millennials (the 18-34-year-old generation) are more likely than other generations to have laptops: 70% of them own laptops; only 57% own desktop computers.
Almost half of all adults own iPods or mp3 players. Again, more Millennials own them than anyone else.
Game consoles are popular with adults between the ages of 18 and 46: almost two-thirds of them own a console.
E-book readers and tablets have not been adopted (begun to be used) by a large percentage of the population yet. About 5% of adults own an e-book reader, and 4% own an iPad or other tablet.
The number of adults that do not own any electronic gadgets is very small, only about 9%. As you might expect, many of these people – about 43% – are more than 75 years old.
It was a memorable (worth remembering) weekend! And it was fascinating to watch people of all ages using their gadgets to keep up with (to write, etc., regularly so you don’t forget someone) friends, stay in touch with (to talk or write to) family, and share the excitement of the weekend with people around the world!
~ Warren Ediger – creator of Successful English, where you can find clear explanations and practical suggestions for better English.
Summer officially begins today, a time when school is out (there are no classes) and people take vacations. For many, vacation means more time for relaxing reading, and the term summertime reading usually implies light (easy), enjoyable books. (“Summertime” is also the name of a famous song we talked about a few years ago.) Summertime reading is the kind of reading you can take to the beach (sandy area next to a lake or ocean), one that perhaps does not need a great deal of concentration (focus; mental energy) to understand and enjoy.
Philosopher and author Peter Kreeft once said that there are four kinds of books in the world. The first kind are books that are clear (understandable; comprehensible) the first time you read them, and clear each time you read them again. We might call these “easy” books, although that doesn’t mean they are not good books. The second kind are books that are clear the first time you read them, but upon second reading (the second time you read them), you start to notice problems in the book – errors or poor writing – and the book becomes less clear. The third kind of book is unclear on the first reading, unclear on the second reading, and unclear on the third reading! These are simply bad books, where the author doesn’t do a very good job of explaining his or her ideas or telling the story.
Finally, there are books that are unclear upon first reading, but then become clearer on the second reading, and even clearer on the third. In fact, this fourth kind of book gets clearer and clearer each time you read it, with more and more meaning found on each pass (each reading of the book). Some people would say that this is the sort of book we call a “classic” (great book).
We can probably all think of books in each of these categories. Our summertime reading may be any of these four types, but most of us probably would choose a book in the first category, or at least one we think is of the first kind of book and not the second or third. (Unfortunately, you usually have to read the book first to determine if it is clear or not.)
What’s on your summertime reading list this year? For me, it’s The Dummies Guide to Lawn Care. This is a book for dummies (stupid people) like me who know nothing about how to take care of the grass in front of their houses. I need to learn more so my lawn (the area of grass near a house or building) doesn’t die. I hope it’s easier to read the book than to mow (cut) the grass with my new lawn mower (see the drawing)!
~Jeff
Graphics credit: Reel mower from 1888 edition of Garden and Forest (and Jeff’s actual lawn mower); Wikipedia PD
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ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 696 – Investing Your Money
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “return” and “fixed.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Licensed Financial Advisors.”
“Choosing the best type of investment can be very “complex” (difficult or confusing, with many factors), so many people “turn to” (seek guidance or advice from) “licensed” (with an official certificate recognizing a certain level of knowledge and experience) “investment advisors”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 299
Topics: McCarthyism and the House Committee on Un-American Activities; Famous Songs: Dixie; to overrate versus to overestimate; that versus so; the stakes are too high
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
“Arthur Miller (1915-2005) is considered one of the greatest “contemporary” (belonging to the present; living in the present period of time) American “playwrights” (person whose job is to write plays)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 697 – Eating a School Lunch
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “gross” and “to split.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “The Head Start Program.”
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services manages the “Head Start Program” to help low-income children and their families become ready for school. It focuses on education, health, nutrition, and “parent involvement”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
It’s June and the beginning of the summer travel season. Many of us will be traveling on airplanes and the airlines are hoping we’ll spend more than ever.
The airlines tell us that with the higher price of gasoline, they’re having to find creative ways to make more money. One of the main ways is to unbundle services that were once included in the price of an airline ticket. To bundle is to take several or many things and to fasten (tie; fix) them together. Behind my desk are a bunch of (many) computer and other cords (long piece of material that connects a machine to a power source) that need to be bundled together.
It’s not surprising that the airlines have decided to go this route (follow this plan). The profit margin (difference between how much something costs a company and how much they charge a customer for it) for add-ons (things added to the original item or service) is about 80%. In just the past two years, revenues or profits on add-ons have gone up 96% and some airlines get 10 to 30% of their revenues from add-ons alone (by itself).
Here are a list of just a few things that airlines are unbundling from the price of an airline ticket:
Overhead bin space: Overhead bins are the boxes above airline seats where people put their luggage. With some airlines, you can now pay extra to be among the first people to board (go onto) the airplane, so you won’t have trouble finding a place for your carry-on luggage. Cost: $10-$35
Pets: Do you want to bring your pet with you when you travel? Be ready to pay $125 each way.
Wi-fi: If you want to stay connected to the Internet while on board, you’ll have to pay for it. Cost: $5-$15.
Exit rows: In the past, if you were a savvy (knowledgeable) traveler, you know to arrive early at the airport to get a seat in the exit row, where the emergency doors are located. Those seats tend to (typically; usually) have more leg room for, well, your legs. Now, you have to pay for an exit row seat and the price is different depending on how desirable the location. Cost: $5-$35
Clean pillow and blanket: Have you ever wondered who used that pillow on the last flight? If you’re worried about germs (the very small things that can cause illness), you can pay for a sanitized (specially cleaned) pillow and blanket. Cost: $7
Meals: If you’re on a longer flight, meals used to be included, but not anymore. Airlines are now offering more options and sometimes better food, but you’ll have to pay. Cost: $5-$10
Baggage: It used to be that each passenger was allowed one checked bag (carried under the airplane, in storage) and one carry-on (carried onto the airplane). Now most airlines charge for each checked bag. Cost: $25-$45.
Do you think the airlines are trying to nickel and dime us (get the most money from us for every little thing) or do you think this is a legitimate (real; justifiable) way for the airlines to make money and stay in business?
What would you be willing and not willing to pay for on a flight?
~ Lucy
Photo Credit: Jet Airways 777 Premiere Cabin from Wikipedia
Bait is the food you use to catch or capture an animal. If you are trying to catch a fish, for example, you might use worms or pieces of corn or some other food fish might like to eat. Once the fish try to eat the food, you can catch (take from the water) them for your dinner.
More generally, the word bait can mean anything you use to lure someone (to get someone to go somewhere where something else will happen to them) to a certain place. Stores will often try to lure in customers (buyers) by offering a low price on something, hoping people will come in and buy other things as well. It is illegal, however, for a store to advertise (put an announcement in a newspaper, on television, or on the Internet) something for a low price that they don’t actually have and then, when the customers come in, try to “switch” or change them to another, more expensive product. This is called a bait-and-switch.
The New York Timesreported recently on what is not exactly a typical bait-and-switch, but another kind of fraud (attempt to cheat or steal from someone by tricking or fooling them) involving fish. According to DNA (genetic) studies, about 25% of all the fish sold in U.S. supermarkets (grocery stores) is not what it is advertised to be. It’s often a different (usually cheaper) kind of fish or not the quality that the store says it is. For certain kinds of fish that are popular, such as Atlantic cod or wild salmon, the percentage of falsely (incorrectly) advertised products is as high as 70%.
So when you go to the store and think you’re buying mahi-mahi, you may actually be getting yellowtail. That Atlantic cod you bought yesterday could really just be the much cheaper tilapia. What you think is gulf shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico may actually be from Thailand, and that red snapper may just be Vietnamese catfish.
In some cases, you might think that the customer would know the difference between these types of fish, and sometimes they do. But in general we don’t question (doubt) the food we are given. Who knows? Maybe that hamburger you ate yesterday was really something else.
Bon appetit!*
~Jeff
*We use this French expression in English also to mean “Enjoy your meal!”
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…………
ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 694 – Going to the Emergency Room
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “stitch” and “critical.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “How to Get Treated in an Emergency Room.”
“Emergency rooms are designed to provide “immediate” (very quick and responsive) treatment for “life-threatening” (risking death) injuries and illnesses, such as “heart attacks” (a condition where one’s heart stops beating) and “severe” (very serious and dangerous) car accidents…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 298
Topics: Famous Americans: Jesse Owens; National Science Foundation; plea versus appeal versus petition; somewhat versus somehow; Is that all?
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Sponsoring Athletes.”
“Being a top athlete requires a lot of work and “determination” (having a firm purpose and not stopping until one reaches a goal). “Devoting” (giving completely) one’s time to “train” (learn and practice) and the costs of playing some sports require that…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 695 – Being Late for an Event
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to settle for” and “very.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Etiquette for Arriving Late to a Performance.”
“In the United States, “punctuality” (one’s ability to arrive to places on time as expected) is very important in most situations. “Arriving late” (coming later than expected) is generally considered to be “rude” (impolite) and disrespectful…”
- READ MORE in the Learning Guide
The other street musicians on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, often call Roger Ridley “the voice of God.” Ridley is one of the world’s many musicians who come to the Promenade and locations like it around the world where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic (people walking). They stake their claim to a space (say the space belongs to them for a time) and play for donations (money gifts from listeners).
Every Saturday Ridley travels from his home in Las Vegas, Nevada – almost 300 miles – to perform at the Promenade and returns home when he finishes. One Saturday, while walking down the Promenade, Mark Johnson heard Roger singing Stand by Me in the distance and ran to where he could hear better. He was moved (had strong feelings) by Roger’s music and decided it needed to be shared with the world. At that moment Playing for Change was born.
Mark Johnson is an award-winning audio producer/engineer (someone who plans and makes music recordings) and film director. He has worked with some of the best musicians and producers in music, film, and television. As the co-founder (person who begins something with someone else) of Playing for Change, Mark has created a technique (method) for recording musicians all around the world in their natural environment (where they live), usually outside, and combining (putting together) the recordings to create Songs Around the World.
Playing for Change, the organization Mark founded, is a “multimedia (sound, video, etc.) movement (group of people with the same ideas) created to inspire (encourage), connect, and bring peace to the world through music.” He believes that music can “break down boundaries (things that keep people apart) and overcome distances between people.” It has the “power to transcend (go beyond usual limits) and unite us as one human race” in spite of geographic, political, economic, religious, or ideological (philosophical) backgrounds.
In 2007, Mark and his supporters created the Playing for Change Foundation to help the musicians and communities that had shared their music with the rest of the world. Through the support of the foundation, the musicians are “brought together to perform benefit concerts (concerts to make money to help someone) that help build music and art schools in communities” that need help. Thousands of people have been touched (feel happy and thankful) by these concerts and other Playing for Change activities. By them the world is being connected (brought together) through music!
The latest Song Around the World is Gimme Shelter (give me protection). It “expresses the urgency (immediate importance) we all face to unite together as a planet with the words ‘War, children, it’s just a shot away… Love, sister, it’s just a kiss away.’”
~ Warren Ediger, creator of Successful English, where you can find Something to read during June in addition to clear explanations and practical suggestions for better English.
We’ve all heard of recycling, the using of old things for new purposes. But what if you’re a large city with old railroad tracks (metal lines or rails that trains travel on)? What if they’re elevated (above the ground) and not easy to get rid of (throw away; made to disappear)? New York City came up with a great idea for one section of its old train tracks.
We’ve just returned from a fun weekend with family and friends near 
The other street musicians on the 
