Miss USA Universe - Fascinating Facts!

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Alabama - Camellia State

In July 1967, Sylvia Hitchcok, defeated Miss Venezuela, Mariela Balaguer, and was named Miss Universe in Miami, FL. She was the first American to win a MU title since 1960. Alabama's Miss Universe Sylvia Hitchcok visited South America in late 1967.

Alaska - The Last Frontier

In 1990, Miss Alaska, Karin Elizabeth Meyer made the top six in the American contest in Wichita, Kansas. Alaska -- the biggest State in America -- has never won a national beauty pageant.

Arkansas - The Razorback State

In May 1982, Terri Utley brought the Miss USA title to Arkansas for the first time. Shortly thereafter, Peru's magazine "Gente" had put Miss USA 1982 ,a voracious reader, in the top of its list of favorites to win the Miss Universe 1982 in Lima, Peru. Miss Utley, one of the world's most intelligent beauty queens, placed fifth in the global competition. In Peru, Utley was one of the two finalists from North America.

California - Golden State

The state of California is home to a number of world-famous beautiful girls, among them Lucie Arnaz, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, and Linda Gray, but Miss California did not even make the semi-finals in 1952 and 1956. In the late 50s and 60s, it won two American awards. In the mid-70s, Summer Robin Bartholomew, Miss California earned the national title. During Miss Universe 1975, she and Colombia's Lucia Echeverry were jointly award the Miss Photogenic title. In addition to the Photogenic Prize, Miss USA 1975, 23-year-old, made the top five in San Salvador,El Salvador.

District of Columbia - American Rose

DC -- the smallest territory in America - has won more Miss USA awards than Florida, Maryland, Arizona and New Mexico. In 1964, Bobbie Johnson became Miss United States and then competed in the Miss Universe contest in Florida, where she made the top 15. In the early 2000s, Shauntay Hinton won the national title in Gary (Indiana), but she did not make even the semi-finals in the Miss Universe competition in San Juan de Puerto Rico.

Hawaii -Aloha State

Between 1962 and 1997, Hawaiian representatives picked up a total of four Miss U.S. titles: 1962 (Macel Wilson), 1972 (Tanya Wilson), 1978 (Judy Anderson) and 1997 (Brook Mahealani Lee).

Iowa - Hawkeye State

Thanks to Carol Morris, Miss Iowa, the States won the internationally-recognized Miss Universe Contest in 1956, the second time an American woman had triumphed there.

Maryland - Old Line State

America's swimmer Michael Phelps, a sports icon on Earth, was one of the judges of the Miss U.S.A Universe Competition in Baltimore (Maryland) in 2005.

Minnesota - Gopher State

Miss United States 1976, Barbara Peterson, a native of Edina (Minnesota), did not advance past the first round in the MU competition in Hong Kong. Minnesota's Peterson was the first American to be eliminated in the preliminaries at the Miss Universe Pageant. She won the American title in Niagara Falls, NY.

Missouri -Show Me State

Shandi Finnessey placed first in the global event in Quito, Ecuador. Before that event, she had been crowned Miss U. S. Universe in Los Angeles, CA.

New York - Empire State

In the late 70s, New York's contestant Mary Therese Friel earned the national beauty pageant, but in May 1981,New York, Miss Universe City 1981, could not compete in the Miss USA Universe in Biloxi, MS. Miss New York, Deborah Fountain, had been disqualified in the Miss United States Pageant. Why? She had padded her swimsuit top in the preliminaries. It was one of the most embarrassing episodes of the Miss New York Pageant. For the first time, a Miss Universe City did not take part in the national beauty pageant.

North Carolina - Old North State

NC has won two titles in Miss USA history: 2005 (Chelsea Cooley) & 2009 (Kristen Dalton).

Pennsylvania - Keystone State

On May 22, 1971, Pennsylvania's delegate Michelle MacDonald, a blonde girl, earned the American prize in Miami Beach, FL. Meanwhile, Miss Texas, Benda Lyn Box, was first runner-up and Miss Arizona, Susan Elizabeth Pottenger, finished third. Miss Missouri, Nancy Rebecca Rich, and Miss Kentucky, Patricia Barnstable, also were finalists. MacDonald, a native of Buttler, was one of the 15 semi-finalists in the MU contest.

South Carolina -Palmetto State

South Carolina has produced many top beauty queens: In 1954,Miriam Stevenson was crowned MU in Long Beach, California, and then, 26 years later, Shawn Weatherly, who studied at South Carolina State University, became the fifth American citizen to win the universal award in Seoul, South Korea. Miss South Carolina 1980, a blue-eyed girl, qualified to compete for the Miss Universe title by defeating Miss Arizona, Jineane Ford, in the Miss United States finals.

Utah -Beehive State

Linda Bement, former Miss Utah, made unexpected international headlines in 1960 when she won the universal title. In addition to this, Utah has won two Miss USA trophies.

Virginia - Old Dominion

In the late 60s and early 70s, Virginia won the Miss U.S. Universe title two years in succession. Miss USA 1970, Deborah Shelton, was runner-up to Miss Universe in Miami, FL.

Medical Transcription Companies in the USA

As the demand for medical transcription work is increasing at a rapid rate, medical transcription companies are mushrooming in the USA. Documentation is a necessity in all healthcare facilities, whether they are clinics, hospitals, or other organizations. Medical transcription companies in the USA occupy a unique niche in the documentation field. No matter where you are located in the USA, these firms can help your practice in every stage of documentation process - all from dictation capture to document distribution.

Most of the medical transcription companies in the USA can provide superior quality, accurate documentation services as they employ highly skilled and experienced transcriptionists on staff. Moreover, these services are mostly cost-effective to cater to all kinds of budgets. These companies take care to apply and maintain up-to-date digital technologies to provide value-added transcription services.

In the USA, medical transcription companies provide services in almost all healthcare specialties. Professionals in these firms can undertake documentation of various medicinal reports including cardiology reports, operative reports, patient discharge summaries, emergency room reports, history and physical examination reports, chart notes, health evaluations, peer reviews, psychiatric evaluations, x-ray reports and many more.

The greatest advantage of availing of the documentation services from a standard MT firm in the USA is that you can get access to accurate and efficient services within fast turnaround time. Apart from this, other benefits that you can gain include:

o 99% accuracy
o Security and confidentiality of the medicinal records and documents
o Three-tier quality checking with assured high quality work
o HIPAA compliant medical transcription services
o Electronic Medical Record (EMR) solution
o Total dictation and transcription solution

If you need a complete medical documentation solution or if you are considering outsourcing your documentation assignments, you will be able to find companies online that can meet your needs. If you are interested in finding a standard medical transcription company in the USA, there are some important considerations that you need to take into account before making your choice. It is an excellent idea to conduct some research on your own in order to get the best deals.

USA Government Car Auctions - Where To Find Them

There are many different ways a person can buy used cars in their respective cities. One method to buy a new or used car is by making use of government car auctions. The great thing about government or seized car auctions is that you can pick up new or used cars for up to 85% off retail value. Whether you are searching for bargains for yourself or simply cars to resell at a profit, these types of auctions are a great way to save and earn money. You can easily find vehicles for prices like $ 600 in perfect condition. The reason why it is so cheap because most of these vehicles by people who were not able to pay taxes, and criminals have been seized. So the government is basically this has the vehicles at the best possible price to sell them.

If you've ever participated in a government auction have'm I'm sure they were probably not able to kind of prices on offer at first think. The idea of actually buying a position, your favorite carfor up to 90% off the retail value would only have been a dream up until then. You see, the government needs to rid itself of the high inventory costs for holding these seized luxury vehicles. When you attend these auctions for the first time you don't have to worry about having any form of experience as all you really need to do is hold up a bidding number to place a bid. Once you have won the auction there might be a small fee you will have to pay to the auction holder which is quite small.

So you can see that government auctions are really the way to go if you wish to get hold of your dream car. If you would like to get access to a database of all vehicle auctions taking place within the USA please visit the website below.

Take A Food Tour Of The USA For A Vacation With A Difference

In the modern age, travel is such a large part of people's everyday lives. In fact, given today's fast-paced lifestyle, it's hard to imagine that not so long ago, the idea of going on vacation was a rare luxury rather than a growing necessity. And, as the travel industry across the world has boomed, so too have the number of different types of vacations people in America are taking.

These days, holidays often revolve around a theme: skiing holidays in Lake Tahoe or Colorado are common, as are shopping holidays to some of America's most famous malls. But, if you really want a travel experience with a difference, why not take a food tour of the United States - you'll find a range of culinary delights available to tickle your taste-buds!

Take a trip to the Deep South on a food travel excursion and you'll find a wealth of fine foods to sample and enjoy on your vacation. The culinary landscape of America's southern states has always formed a large part of the lifestyle of its inhabitants; and if you're embarking on a food tour of America, make sure you don't miss out on its special and unique offerings!

Taste legendary American desserts, like Pecan Pie and Mississippi-Mud Pie, as well as authentic Kentucky fried chicken. Whether you're in New Orleans, Atlanta or Austin, you'll be able to sample some of the finest Cajun and Creole cuisine in the US, as well as partake in the long Soul Food tradition! From chitterlings (pig's tripe) to Gumbo soup and Jambalay, food tourists in the Deep South are sure to enjoy an enriching vacation!

Anyone interested in embarking on food tours through the USA should also explore the culinary realms of New England on their excursions. From Massachusetts to Vermont, New England's speciality foods are known for being simple yet high quality cuisine. For instance, New Haven boasts its reputation as the creator of the hamburger - and with a history that dates back to 1895, New Haven burgers are a must-have for any American food fan.

If you're visiting Maine, make sure to sample Maine lobster - the state's most famous export worth over $70 million a year. Legend has it that the lobster industry in the region was once so prosperous that lobster was even fed to chickens! And people visiting New England today will be able to taste this special lobster in one of the many roadside lobster shacks that adorn Maine's coastline.

If you're looking for more exciting destinations to visit on your trip around America's greatest food spots, visit San Francisco during the San Francisco Crab Season, which boasts some of the worlds best crab markets and crab festivals annually from mid-November to June. Inspired by a range of immigrant communities, be sure to taste the region's famous Dungeness crab, which is available in a variety of forms and flavours: from Italian dishes to Chinese and Vietnamese crab recipes, food lovers will adore the range of speciality crab dishes available in San Francisco during crab season!

While you're in California, why not also sample some of the state's local produce? Local farmers markets in California are well known for a range of foods, including artichoke, avocados, goat's cheese and a range of other green produce. And why not indulge in some of California's well-known Napa Valley wine while you're on your food tour? You'll experience the best wine and food the golden state has to offer - a pleasurable experience that is sure to round off your food tour of the USA nicely.

When embarking on a food tour of the US, you're sure to find a range of food and hotel packages to suit your palate - regardless of the destination you visit. So, why not prepare your taste-buds for an experience to savour?

Going to the USA? Then Don't Forget ESTA

A complete guide to the USA's new travel requirement

If you're planning a trip to the good old US of A, there's something new to add to your checklist of what not to forget before you leave. Aside from your passport, dollars and the 'three Ts' (that's ticket, toothbrush and travel insurance), British visitors will now have to go online and fill in the ESTA form before travelling.

What is ESTA?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is a web-based system used to determine the right of visitors to travel to the United States. What ESTA isn't, is authorisation to enter the United States. The final decision to authorise entry rests with Customs and Border Protection at the point of entry.

Is ESTA compulsory?

Yes. As of 12 January 2009, ESTA must be sought by all citizens of countries that have signed up to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). As Britain is such a country, the online ESTA form will have to be completed and approved before you travel to the United States.

Why has ESTA been introduced?

The US Department of Homeland Security - set up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks - implemented ESTA to help stop undesirable citizens of VWP countries from entering America. Currently, the US welcomes around 50 million people a year from these countries. ESTA is not intended to restrict commerce or tourism, but to filter out those people considered to be a security risk to the US homeland.

How do I apply?

The only way to apply is online. Follow the link to the ESTA website and complete their application form. As long as you have your passport details to hand it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
The 3 ESTA responses

Your application will generate one of three responses:

1. Authorisation Approved: You are cleared to travel to the United States;

2. Travel Not Authorised: You are not cleared to travel to the US and should apply for a paper travel visa at a US Embassy or Consulate;

3. Authorisation Pending: Your application requires more time before a decision can be made.

How long does ESTA take?

Once an ESTA form has been submitted, the application is then queried against US law enforcement databases. However, this only takes a few seconds, with the vast majority of applications determined within 4 seconds (99.6% approved in this time according to the US Embassy in London).

How long is ESTA valid?

The ESTA is valid for up to two years (less if your passport expires within two years) and allows for multiple entries of up to 90 days each into the United States. If you receive a new passport during the two-year entry period, you must reapply for ESTA approval.

Note: When entering the USA, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.

When Should I apply for ESTA?

Although your ESTA application can be approved in seconds, it's recommended that you apply at least 72 hours before departure. In fact, you may want to apply as soon as you decide on travel dates, just in case your travel authorisation is denied. This is because it can take up to six weeks to get an appointment at the US Embassy for a visa. You should also apply for ESTA before paying for your trip, just in case travel authorisation is denied.

In certain circumstances it may be worthwhile applying for ESTA even if you don't have specific plans to travel to the US. If, for example, the nature of your work requires last-minute travel to America, as ESTA is valid for two years, you may want to apply for authorisation in anticipation of future travel. Even though the online form asks for your airline, flight number and hotel in the US, this information is optional and won't stop the application being processed.

What if I need to travel immediately?

ESTA is not about restricting commerce or tourism - it is intended that last minute and emergency travellers will be accommodated.

What happens if I arrive in the USA without ESTA?

Travellers who have not registered will not be allowed to clear immigration and risk being detained and/or sent back home. In fact, travellers without ESTA approval may even be denied boarding at point of departure. The thing to do in this case is to quickly find an internet point, get on the ESTA website and hope your application is approved immediately.

What does ESTA cost?

ESTA is free of charge; all it costs is around five minutes of your time to complete the online application form. Note: apparently, some travel sites are charging a fee for sorting this out for you, so be aware and question any ESTA-related charges.

Do I still need to fill in the green immigration form?

Travellers from Visa Waver Program countries heading for the United States will be familiar with the small green card (form I-94) that was required to be filled in before hitting passport control. The ESTA replaces the need to fill in this form.
Spread the word - don't go to the USA without ESTA

So if you're off to the USA and you've read this article, you'll know to sort out an ESTA before travelling. However, as the Foreign Office is concerned that thousands of travellers could be turned away at US immigration because of their ESTA ignorance, you can do your bit by forwarding this article on to anyone that you know is planning a trip across the pond.

Telecoms in the USA

If you live in a country which has the strongest economy in the world, you would naturally expect it to come with benefits.

Probably one of the perks that Americans enjoy is the fact that when it comes to the telecommunications facilities available in the USA - almost all of the major telecoms have state-of-the-art facilities.

This means that sending e-mail messages, making cheap calls, international calls, sending fax messages - almost any form of modern communication is possible.

The Benefits of Modern Telecommunications

Whether you live in America or in any other developing country, it is good to know that telecoms provide a host of benefits to the world as a whole.

Take a look at the following benefits that people get to enjoy through modern telecommunications:

- In business, telecommunications eliminate the need for travel. This in turn makes the employees safer in a business environment, while reducing travel-related expenses.
- People from all parts of the world can easily call each other or send messages almost instantaneously, using state-of-the-art telecom facilities.
- The telecommunications industry as a whole brings employment opportunities.
- Telecommunications allow rich countries to help out poor countries, by immediately knowing what their needs are.
- Telecommunications enhance the systems of government as a whole, including education and health care.
- The telecommunications industry is a continuously evolving technology - which means that there is still much room for improvement for countries which are not yet using the latest that the telecom industry has to offer.

All about the Telecom Companies in the United States

Last 2006, the Eastern Management Group has ranked the 50 largest telecommunications service providers in the world. Verizon and AT&T, two major US telecoms, were included in the list.

In the survey, US and Canadian telecoms comprised 26% of the companies included in the top 50 list.

Types of Modern Telecoms in the US Today

Aside from Verizon and AT&T, there are a lot of small and large telecom services providers in the US today. To have an idea about how vast the telecoms industry in the US is, check out the types of providers which are in existence today:

- Cable television providers
- Internet Service Providers or ISP's
- Landline phone companies
- Mobile phone companies
- Satellite television providers
- Wireless communications provider
- Voice over Internet Protocol companies

A Final Look at the Two Major Telecoms in the US

First, there is Verizon Communications, Inc. This New-York based company specializes in offering broadband and telecommunications services.

Second, there is AT&T which is a direct competitor of Verizon. This company is the largest local and long distance telephone services provider in the US.

Based from the performance of two of the major telecoms in the US - there is no doubt that the trend of having continuous improvements in the industry is apparent.

No matter which type of telecoms service it is that you need, you can rest assured that there is a US telecom company that can give you exactly what you need in terms of service and technology.

History of Thoroughbred Racing in the USA

Settlers from Britain who brought horses and horse racing with them to the American New World, with the original race track laid out on Long Island as early as 1665. Although the sport became a popular local pastime, the burgeoning of organized racing did not turn up until after the Civil War. (The American Stud Book was begun in 1868.) For the next few decades, with the high-speed rise of an industrial economy, gaming on racehorses, and therefore horseracing itself, grew explosively; by 1890, 314 tracks were operational across the country.

The high-speed evolving of the sport without any predominant governing authority led to the domination of many tracks by corrupted elements. In 1894 the nation's most leading track and stable owners met in New York to form an American Jockey Club, modelled on the English version, which soon ruled racing with an iron hand and finished much of the criminality.

In the early 1900s, however, racing in the United States was almost wiped out by antigambling conviction that led almost all states to ban bookmakers. By 1908 the number of tracks had plummeted to just 25. That same year, however, the installation of pari-mutuel betting for the Kentucky Derby signalled a right-about-face for the sport. More tracks opened as countless state legislatures promised to sanction pari-mutuel betting in exchange for a percentage of the funds wagered. At the end of World War I, prosperity and great horses like Man o' War brought spectators flocking to race tracks. The sport prospered until World War II, declined in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, then enjoyed a resurgence in the 1970s triggered by the immense popularity of great horses such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed, each winners of the American Triple Crown--the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. During the late 1980s, another significant decline occurred, however.

Thoroughbred tracks exist in about half the states. Public engagement in the sport focuses primarily on major Thoroughbred races such as the American Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup races (started in 1984), which offer purses of up to about $1,000,000. State racing commissions have sole authority to license participants and administer racing dates, while sharing the appointment of racing officials and the supervision of racing rules with the Jockey Club. The Jockey Club retains authority over the breeding of Thoroughbreds.