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Showing posts from March, 2015

April is Autism Awareness Month

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April is Autism Awareness Month World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2nd every year.  This holiday is designed to increase awareness about the related spectrum disorder. It is officially observed by the United Nations as well as other non-governmental organizations across the globe. Not only is increased awareness important to activists, but it is also an opportunity for affected families to come together and support each other. What is Autism? Autism is a developmental disorder. Formally known as autism spectrum disorder, this medical condition develops in early childhood. By the age of three, affected children may exhibit numerous developmental delays. Treating autism requires a combination of treatments, such as behavioral, speech and occupational therapies. Some children may require medications for hyperactivity. While treatments help, there is no cure for autism. Therefore, early detection is crucial in the overall treatment of the disorder. How d

15 Delightful Facts About Saint Patrick's Day

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1. WE SHOULD REALLY WEAR BLUE Saint Patrick himself would have to deal with pinching on his feast day. His color was “Saint Patrick’s blue,” a light shade. The color green only became associated with the big day after it was linked to the Irish independence movement in the late 18th century. 2. SAINT PATRICK WAS BRITISH Although he made his mark by introducing Christianity to Ireland in the year 432, Patrick wasn’t Irish himself. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century. 3. THE IRISH TAKE SAINT PATRICK’S DAY SERIOUSLY As you might expect, Saint Patrick’s Day is a huge deal in his old stomping grounds. It’s a national holiday in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. 4. SO DO NEW YORKERS New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the world’s largest parades. Since 1762, 250,000 marchers have traipsed up Fifth Avenue on foot – the parade still doesn’t allow floats, cars, or other modern trappings. 5. CHICAGO FEELS LUCKY, TO

March Birthstone: Aquamarine

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The gemstone Aquamarine is the March birthstone, it is also the suggested gem to give on the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries. Aquamarine is a member of the  beryl  family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. It is 7.5-8 on the  Mohs scale  of hardness and gets its name from Latin words meaning water and sea. The most valuable aquamarines come from Brazil, but it is also mined in Kenya and Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia. . Aquamarines on the market today are usually faceted, but when cut as a cabochon, they may display a cat's eye effect known as  asterism . Aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that aquamarine w