Yes, they do charge for the maps (to support FONZ -friends of the zoo). I just went to their site and printed one out, color and all. You can park in the lowest lot if that's available, walk uphill to tour zoo. Later walk down to small play area and picnic tables. There's a good mix of indoor (a/c) and outdoor exhibits. The habitats have improved very much from "olden days." Don't miss the orangutan "walk" across the aerial cables -- watch for scheduled times when they have access to the cables.... really cool. Shuttle buses are available. It's a great zoo, beautifully laid out over some rolling hills in a northwest DC neighborhood. Not too huge, with nice landscaping/large trees. It will be warm, possibly hot. For some of the indoor and smaller exhibits you stand in line for a few minutes so they can control the traffic flow. Kids love the misters and they do sell lemonade and ices. There are cafes and plazas with seating not far from the panda area. Have fun. : )

:lurk5:

This link was recently posted here wrt the RS4K questions. Hidden Agenda? Maybe I should add that I was blissfully unaware of any controversy or question of this curriculum/author. We just used RS4K for biology this past year. I would say it's one of the most neutral elementary science curricula out there and we've used a number now. The unit is presented, experiments conducted and recorded, very straight-forward. We supplemented with library books and some additional experiments and field trips. Hakim's series is lovely but more of a "history of science" that works well in tandem with your science. She covers theory, inventions, discoveries but the student doesn't explore or experiment, unless the teacher would be very creative in setting things up to mirror the book's path.....

Have you seen the A to Z cookbook put out by a CSA group? It really helped me with some of the less familiar veggies.

GREAT post! Thanks.

Go Ask Alice came to mind. Lol I was thinking sitcoms, music from that era would at least give a flavor for styles and sounds.

Great distinction, thanks. :iagree:

:lol: Seriously though, good points. From a Christian perspective, the birth of this country has meant many years of religious freedom and the growth of churches, Christian charities and charity in general. I understand that the blogger is tying it to guns and war and all, but really, he's also overlooking things like Matt. 21:12 and Eph. 6:10.

This may be true for a small percentage of the biggest companies just as it's true that a small percentage of actors make huge salaries (although many of the professional athletes make great salaries). But most companies are smaller and the owners and managers don't make huge salaries. They also work extremely long hours, especially in the early years getting the business off the ground. Another way to look at it is the risk involved too. Like the current financial regulations for banking -- the new laws that are being proposed supposedly result from recent abuses by the large institutions. But in fact, these regulations will harm small, local banks by adding fees and regulations and eliminate loans for small businesses, farms, etc. This will impact all of us. And it's really unnecessary.

Thanks for this key perspective....how the economy and regulations really do effect businesses that could and would be hiring more. In general -- I too would be reluctant to follow much of Krugman's ideas -- he supports additional (borrowed) stimulus and seems to be against deficit reduction proposals. Among other things in recent years, he sees a couple of peripheral people as the being singly responsible for the sub-prime mortgage crisis which helped to deepen the current economic recession. He completely ignores many of the key players who are Democrats. That's just intellectually dishonest. I think I'd want to read what they wrote or said rather than relying on the NP label.

Wonderful! Happy happy anniversary to you and dh! Have a great celebration! :001_smile:

Oh how desperately sad for your friend. There are no words for that kind of loss. It doesn't even feel right to address the rest of your post, but it shouldn't be ignored either. My post was mainly to sympathize with Carol and to thank her for her honest and gracious answers to the series of questions she encountered. It is apparent that she approached her situation with a clear appraisal of the conundrum. And Angela made a good point re: particular issues unique to infertility in this discussion. It looks like you're putting words in my mouth or assuming intentions/attitudes based on my short paragraph. You have no idea where I stand on this issue and yet throughout your paragraph describing your friend's horrific experience, you direct specific points at me ("this is exactly the attitude...," "you are basically saying...," "[you] tell that to...."). I understand that you wanted to say the points that you did here and that the vehicle was secondary. Perhaps the next time you might be more careful.

And yet Carol has hung in there and answered repeated questions about her opinions which, as she has shared, are at least in part based on her personal experience with the IVF procedure. Carol, you've been very open and gracious and have added much to this discussion. For many of us, I would venture that this is largely a theoretical debate. And I do agree, Angela, that it's difficult to have these discussions with people who have dealt with infertility. When others are able to conceive with such ease that they make "decisions" regarding pregnancy, these women (couples) are hoping for viable embryos and the possibility of a successful pregnancy. Again, Carol, thanks for being so gracious question after question. :001_smile:

That's certainly true -- on both sides. Those with more liberal views couldn't even acknowledge what a huge stride forward it was for young women (and men!) to see women in a presidential election. But my point was that Palin and H.Clinton were both the targets of huge attacks and the feminists were nearly universally silent. The recent crop of female candidates is a direct and positive benefit of these "feminists" on both sides of the aisle. And with so many, do you notice that we're discussing issues and political positions rather than "what's it feel like to be first?" questions. A refreshing outcome.

Good question. I read an article a few months ago by a feminist author who asked a similar thing. The sexual revolution has freed men from pretty much all responsibility wrt reproduction and the consequences of more casual relationships. Interesting family history, btw. :001_smile:

I'm right there with you, asta. I've met Steinem and attended her lectures. I've marched for women's rights, etc. My parents raised me to be a strong, successful person. So it really does irk the h*ll out of me to see her and so many of the feminist icons in the past couple years ranting on about who should and should not be a feminist. Your last sentence says it all. Not to take this down a bad trail (*please* if anyone responds to this, please stay with asta's point), but I was especially disheartened to see some of the Palin-bashing going on a couple of years ago too. Here was a woman who had it all -- successful political career, independent attitude, athletic, successfully juggling marriage and family with a fully-committed partner. But, stop the presses, she doesn't believe exactly as you (feminists) so she's got to be completely trashed?? Are you kidding me? I get that they saw/see her as a threat to feminist ideals and political positions -- so go after her on that. The diatribes and misogynistic vitriole by so many liberals and the complete silence of the feminists in the face of the same just left me with so little respect for those feminists that I'd met and marched with so many years ago. Hillary got a surprising amount of similar treatment. I was shocked. Their rhetoric was empty. :001_huh: :sad:

Thanks. This blogpost gives more perspective on this series, which really does require more time and research given its size (volumes), limited availability and price than others. Serendipity that the one book available to you was one that mirrors a time period you are recently (and personally) familiar with. Thanks for sharing your insight. :001_smile:

Thanks. I often hear Zinn come up in homeschooling circles as a reliable resource. It's good to get some perspective. Appreciate all the review comments in particular. :001_smile:

I am hopeful of being able to write this sentence next year...! Just got this for my spelling challenged child. :001_smile:

Thanks for this question. Perfect timing!

Haven't sold anything on these places, but I gather that positive feedback/ratings effects a lot for these sellers so they'd rather keep you quiet and happy than giving bad feedback.

I agree that a partial refund would've been sufficient -- basically knocking the book down from very good to good condition with a note about the cover. Had a similar experience with an ebay seller. I was very polite in my short detailed note about the difference in product description vs. reality. In my case, it was waaayy different. The seller responded very aggressively, to the point of being rude and nasty. When they react like that, it makes me wonder if they're not anticipating it because they know what they shipped wasn't as advertised. :glare:

:iagree: Exactly. Like Hillary said, the only way for OP to know is to speak with the group members/leaders. It's also quite possible that they've encountered something already that made them feel the need to do this. Homeschoolers are an independent lot. We go to a fabulous concert hall for matinee music programs several times a year. I've been amazed at the casual attire, including baggy grey sweat pants & shirts, that I've seen on kids and parents at these events.