3500 Year Old Tree Destroyed by Fire

A 3,500 year old Palm Cypress Tree in Seminole County, Florida, was destroyed by fire. It is the oldest Pond Bald Cypress tree in the world. The tree, known locally as The Senator, after Senator M.O. Overstreet who donated the land the tree stands on. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the tree in 1929 with a presidential bronze plaque.

Firefighters indicated that much of the tree was dead and hollowed out, making it susceptible to fire. In this case, the fire, of unknown origin, burned inside the tree and toppled it. Until now, this tall and majestic tree had survived hundreds of hurricanes and brush fires during its long life.

To put the The Senator's age into perspective, when this tree was only a seedling, human civilization was in its infancy.

• Mycenaean Greece develops as a society.
• The beginning of the Shang Dynasty in China emerges with evidence of a fully developed Chinese writing system.
• The beginning of Hittite dominance of the Eastern Mediterranean region is seen.
• The New Kingdom of Egypt emerged.

Lady Liberty, considered a sister tree to the Senator, survived the fire. Lady Liberty is only 2,000 years old and approximately 89 feet tall.

 

Photo courtesy of Florida State Archives.

 

First Commercial Spacecraft to Visit International Space Station

The International Space Station is preparing for its first visit from a commercial space craft. SpaceX will be launching the Dragon space capsule from Canaveral Air Force Base on a supply mission. The craft will be carrying food and other supplies for the crew on the ISS. Unlike the unmanned Soyuz capsules that have been tapped to resupply the ISS, the Dragon will be able to return a significant amount of material to Earth for refurbishment or proper disposal.

Dragon is one of several attempts by the private sector to commercialize the space transport business. NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program is partially funding the flight.

(Via Space.com.)

Japanese And Russian Scientists May Be Able To Clone Mammoth | Fox News

Japanese And Russian Scientists May Be Able To Clone Mammoth | Fox News: ""

It appears that scientists from Russia and Japan think that they can clone a mammoth using DNA recovered from a thigh bone found last August in the Siberian permafrost. Didn't any of these people see Jurassic Park? Just because we can, doesn't mean we should. Scientists believe that can combine the DNA with egg cells from elephants, then gestate it in an elephant as they are close genetic cousins.

(Via FoxNews.)

Town Hall Lanes Hosts Duckpin Tour - Johnston, RI

Town Hall Lanes Hosts Duckpin Tour - Johnston, RI Patch: ""

The Women's National Duckpin Association (WNDA) and Duckpin Professional Bowlers Association (DPBA) held a combined Pro Tour event at Town Hall Lanes in Johnston, RI. The competition took place over the weekend of August 5 - 7 and had nearly 200 participants from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Canada. Susan Phillips earned her second victory in the WNDA while Peter Pierce grabbed his 15th Pro Tour win. There were a number of notable performances, including a new Rhode Island Men's 8-game record by Chuck Kramer of Laurel, MD. April Lotezcka made her way onto the women's ladder finals in her first outing with the WNDA. Kristi Lampman of Canada, who has been tearing up the circuit this season and finished on top at the Connecticut Pro Tour held at Johnson's Lanes, rolled her first official 200 game in the qualifying round.

(Via Johnston Patch.)