Ann Morrow Lindbergh

VOANews: Ann Morrow Lindbergh, 1906-2001: Pilot, Writer

On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: The wife of Charles Lindbergh flew airplanes with him as his co-pilot. She wrote books of memories, fiction, poetry and essays.

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China Attracts People from Africa

VOAVideo: China Attracts People from Africa
China's continuing economic boom has attracted a growing number of immigrants from around the world, who mostly come to do business. Africans are no exception. Stephanie Ho recently visited the southern commercial city of Guangzhou and reports on the African immigrants who live there.

Korean Changgo Drum Solo

VOAVideo: Korean Changgo Drum Solo

Sul-changgo is a musical composition that integrates farmers' band rhythms from different areas in Korea. The piece starts with the slow rhythm of Da-Seu-Rim, and eventually leads to the fast, high-energy rhythm of Hwi-Mori. Sul-Changgo is a great example of the broad rhythmic range and varying rhythms of the changgo used in a traditional farmers band. Sebastian Wang is the Director of the Korean Percussion Ensemble at the University of Maryland. This clip is from the May 6, 2009 celebration of VOA's Diversity Day.

Talking About Wealth

ESL Podcast 489 – Talking About Wealth

Everyone likes to talk about money and being rich. Learn how to do it in English in this episode. Download Podcast

ESL Discussions: Wealth

Benjamin Franklin said: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" What do you think of this quote?

Do-It-Yourself: Compost for the Garden

My Compost Pile--the Earthworms are fat and happy!

VOANews: Do-It-Yourself: Compost for the Garden

A natural way to improve soil and reduce pollution.

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Closing the "Doughnut Hole" and Lowering Drug Costs for Seniors

WhiteHouse.gov: Closing the "Doughnut Hole" and Lowering Drug Costs for Seniors

The President announces a deal with pharmaceutical companies to close the infamous "doughnut hole" in Medicare coverage and reduce costs by $80 billion over 10 years. June 22, 2009.

Diabetes Test: No Fasting Required

VOAVideo: No Fasting Required

The World Health Organization estimates that at least 180 million people around the globe have diabetes. It says the number could double in 20 years. The most commonly used test for diabetes is a blood test given after hours of fasting, and then more testing after a patient drinks a sweet tasting liquid. Now, however, diabetes experts are calling for wider use of a different blood test that may be more convenient and reliable. VOA's Melinda Smith has details.

Happy Father's Day!

My Dad, Gene Pio Gagliardi

ESL Holidays: Father's Day

Father's Day is celebrated all around the world to say thank you to dads. An old English proverb tells how important fathers are. It says: “A father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”

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ESL Discussions: Fathers

• What are the biggest differences between fathers and grandfathers?
  

Happy Birthday Aung San Suu Kyi!

VOAVideo: Aung San Suu Kyi spending birthday in prison

Burma's famous opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, spent her 64th birthday Friday at a high-security prison outside Rangoon. The pro-democracy leader has spent 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest by the military junta and is currently awaiting the re-opening of her trial on charges of violating her house arrest. Yet for all the government's attempts to silence Aung San Suu Kyii, her resilience has become the symbol of the movement to bring democracy to Burma. VOA's Julia Ritchey reports

Planning for Retirement

Dan thanking his friends and family at his retirement party.
Dan retired on June 19 after 30+ years as a teacher & administrator.
We will miss you, Dan!

ESL Podcast 444 – Planning for Retirement
If I keep working at this rate for the next 20 years, between Social Security and my savings, I should be sitting pretty for retirement. ...Download Podcast

ESL Podcast 486 – Having Limited Mobility

ESL Podcast 486 – Having Limited Mobility
Having physical limitations can be frustrating at times. Learn how to talk about them in English in this episode. Download Podcast

Their Fifty-Second Anniversary

White House Anniversary Greetings

Gene & Elinor Gagliardi display an Anniversary Greeting

from the President GW Bush and the First Lady ,

given in honor of their fifty-first anniversary.

Over fifty years ago, my parents Gene and Elinor Gagliardi met at the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana. They graduated on June 15, 1957, got married on June 16, and drove for the next four days across the country so that my father could accept his naval comission on the USS Hancock. Fifty-two years and five children later, they are still going strong.

Last year, I knew that I would be out of town on their anniversary, so I wanted to do something extra special. I filled-out a simple online application at WhiteHouse.gov, and six weeks later my parents were thrilled to receive anniversary greetings from President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

Instead of applying online, the Obama administration requests that people interested in receiving Golden Anniversary, Wedding, Birth greetings, etc submit their request in writing six weeks before the event to:

The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, DC 20502-0039

Please check EHow or USGovInfo for further requirements.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

More Practice: ESL Discussions: Marriage

• What is the secret to a happy marriage?

Shall we dance?

Mr and Mrs Yu met at a dance.

Mr Yu said that he was impressed by Mrs Yu's patience

when he repeatedly stepped on her feet.

ESL Podcast 485 – Being Clumsy
Shall we dance? Learn about how to talk about clumsiness in English in this episode. Download Podcast

Happy Flag Day!

US Citizen Fang Qing Fang

ESL Holiday Lessons.com English Lesson Plan on Flag Day
Flag Day is celebrated in the United States on June 14. It commemorates the birth of the country’s flag on June 14, 1777.

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Swine Flu Virus Spreads, US Prepares

Swine Flu Virus Spreads, US Prepares

The new A-H1N1 swine flu virus continues to spread worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus has sickened nearly 28,000 people in 74 countries and has killed at least 141. Most of the deaths have been in Mexico, but the United States is reporting more than half of all cases worldwide. Meanwhile, U.S. health officials are trying to calibrate their response to swine flu. VOA's Chris Simkins reports from Washington, D.C. where government workers are closely watching and planning for a potential pandemic.

US Hospital Starts Genetic Testing For All Cancer Patients

VOAVideo: US Hospital Starts Genetic Testing For All Cancer Patients

Gene testing is becoming a significant tool in standard medical care and perhaps most importantly in the search for the perfect drug to target a particular type of cancer. VOA's Melinda Smith has the story of one U.S. hospital that has introduced gene testing for all new cancer patients

Easy As Falling Off a Log: Not Much Effort Involved!

VOANews: Easy As Falling Off a Log: Not Much Effort Involved!
VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. (Transcript of radio broadcast: 05 June 2009)
Every people has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. Some of these expressions are easy to understand. The words create a picture in your mind. “As easy as falling off a log” is one such expression. It describes a job that does not take much effort.

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Summer Brings Out the Music at US Festivals

VOANews: Summer Brings Out the Music at US Festivals
A preview of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado, Midsummer Mozart Festival in California and more. Transcript of radio broadcast: 07 June 2009

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Hong Kong Candlelight Vigil Draws Thousands - A Video Poem

VOAVideo: Hong Kong Candlelight Vigil Draws Thousands - A Video Poem

For the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square events of June 4, 1989 upwards of 200,000people gathered in Hong Kong's Victoria Park for a candlelight vigil, honoring the many pro-democracy protestors who were killed 20 years ago. VOA reporters Heda Bayron and Pros Laput prepared this poetic look of this solemn event.

California Festival Celebrates Silk Road in Music, Dance

VOAVideo: California Festival Celebrates Silk Road in Music, Dance

The music and dance of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, India, Uyghur and other stops along the ancient trade route known as the Silk Road were recently on display at a cultural festival in California. As Mike O'Sullivan reports from San Jose, the Festival of the Silk Road (May 2) brought together immigrants and others to celebrate the cultures of the Eurasian trade route.

Contact Lenses Can be Implanted in the Eye

VOAVideo: Contact Lenses Can be Implanted in the Eye

Millions of people use glasses to correct their vision. Others turn to a surgical procedure called LASIK that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear part of the eye over the iris. But now there is another choice for people who are nearsighted. VOA's Carol Pearson explains.

Obama Addresses US-Muslim Relations

VOA: Obama Addresses World's Muslims (summary)

U.S. President Barack Obama says it is time for a new beginning in relations between America and the world's Muslims. VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson reports in a speech in Cairo, the president said Muslims and Americans should unite to confront violent extremism and promote the cause of peace.For more information, see: http://www.voanews.com/english/Obama_Cairo_Speech.cfm

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Tiananmen Mother Still Grieves for her Lost Son

VOAVideo: Tiananmen Mother Still Grieves for her Lost Son

When Chinese troops brutally suppressed demonstrations that had been growing on Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, hundreds of people were killed. As the 20th anniversary of the June Fourth demonstration approaches, one mother still clearly remembers her son's death and is calling on the Chinese government to reassess its officially upheld verdict, that the demonstrations were counter-revolutionary. Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.

American Grandmother Helps Educate Senegalese Girls

VOANews: American Grandmother Helps Educate Senegalese Girls

An American grandmother thought she was moving to Africa in order to homeschool her daughter's five children. As it turns out, Viola Vaughan is helping thousands of Senegalese girls with their school work, in a place where girls can often be left behind. VOA West Africa Correspondent Scott Stearns has this week's installment of our series "Making a Difference."

Bank Error Makes Customers Millionaires

Have you seen the Shen couple lately? If so, please contact the NZ police.

Breaking News English: Bank Error Makes Customers Millionaires

New Zealand police are hunting for a couple who received nearly US$8 million by mistake from their bank.

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