(Ouside Reading #1) Natural Disasters

The article that I read is about a horrible winter storm that took place in Murray, Kentucky. Many people had to move to shelters because of the risk of their houses collapsing or being torn apart. Many people still in their homes ran out of food and water in their powerless homes. At least 1.3 million homes and businesses were out of power. Utility companies were trying to make their way around to restore power, but it would take a while. People said they weren't worried about food, but keeping warm. Roads were filled with debri such as power lines, and trees. If I were in this situatuion I wouldn't exactly know what to do, I would just want my family and friends to be safe. I think the most important thing in a situation like that, is to get to a safe place whether it be your own home or a shelter.

KRISTIN M. HALL. "Residents Left without Heat, Food, Water After Ice-Storm's Lashing Rush to Warmth of Shelters." January 30, 2009. Star Tribune Inc. January 30, 2009. http://www.startribune.com/nation/38645727.html?elr=KArksUUUU

(Outside Reading #27) Barack Obama

For my outside reading I wanted to comment on Barack Obama officially becoming our new president. I am so happy for him and his family and think they will do very well in the white house. When I watched the inauguration I knew that he was going to be a great president. I would be a little embarrassed if I were him considering he messed up on his oath, but I think everything else went very well. I hope he really enjoys being president and makes good decisions. I don't think I could ever be president because it would be too much pressure and if I make one mistake, it could affect millions of people's lives.

(Outside reading #26) Breast Cancer

I read an article called "Keeping Abreast: Ways to prevent breast cancer" on Kare11.com. Recent studies say that having a healthier diet can benefit breast cancer. Also women that are already diagnosed with breast cancer should stay away from refined foods and red meat. I think this is a good idea because not only could it help women benefit from breast cancer but it also would make women more healthy. I think it is very important that every person, man or woman, eat many fruits and veggies because it could prevent you from many other diseases, besides cancer.

(Outside Reading #25) Frostbite

I read an article called "Shoveling leads to frostbite for Minneapolis man" on kare11.com. The article was about a man named Tony that was shoveling tuesday morning with sub zero temperatures outside. Problem was, Tony wasn't wearing any gloves because he couldn't afford him for himself. He had to make sure his kids had gloves so he didn't buy himself any. The metro area emergency rooms have been busy with patients coming in about related injuries like frostbite and hypothermia. The winter is supposed to get even colder so doctors are recommending to bundle up good. I think Tony is a really good father and shows that he cares a lot about his children. Especially in these harsh weather conditions, caring for his children and making sure they have the proper clothing on shows that he is a great parent. I can relate because when I went outside this morning immediately my hands became cold and i realized how fast someone could get frostbite. In the end Tony said: "can't wait for summer!" what can i say? i totally agree.

(Outside Reading #24) Portable Fish House

I read an article on Kare11.com called "Foley man creates truly portable fish house". I don't know much about fishing and what you do but one man built a portable fish house that can move across the ice with the angler still inside. The portable house allows the user to move between several fishing holes without the trouble of tearing down and setting up a collapsible house. It has a small heater and two buckets to hold gear and fish inside. I think it is a pretty good invention but again i don't know much about fishing. For people that fish I think it is a smart idea. THen you don't have to keep re-setting up your fishing house on the ice. And the big thing for me is that I wouldn't have to go out into the cold. They said the only disadvantage is that the more fish you catch, the heavier the house is to carry. I wouldn't mind because I'm not a very good fisher so it would be better for people who weren't so great at fishing.

(Outside Reading #23) Edina Living

I read an article on Startribune.com called "Come home to Edina? Easier said than done". Kids that grow up Edina spread out to many colleges but when they get married and have kids they think of home and move back to Edina. The trouble now a days is that the median price of a single family home in Edina is around $450,000 and that is expensive to people, especially young families. Many families have to settle outside Edina into the Twin Cities or other surrounding cities because Edina is just out of their financial reach. When I grow up and start my family, I wouldn't mind staying back in Edina. The schools are of the top in the nation and they have many beautiful neighborhoods. The problem is it's very expensive, like other families, it might be hard to afford to come back here.

(Outside Reading #22) Red River Flooding

I read an article called "As snow falls, flood worries grow" on Startribune. They say that since we've gotten so much snow this year that it might be triggering and early warning for spring flooding in Red River Valley. In 1996-1997 the same thing happened since that was a year that we got a ton of snow. I would be scared if I lived in Red River Valley. I'm sure when they last had flooding a lot of damage was caused and people might have been forced to move out of their houses. To go through something tragic like that again, it would be sad. Scientists said that if there is a gradual warm up and minimal snow for the rest of the winter the chance of flooding would decrease. The leave off saying global warming is hitting us hard.