How big is the solar system compared to, say, a soccer field?
Former NASA scientist Mark Rober was amazed by recent news that an unseen ninth planet is orbiting the sun. The planet can only be inferred to exist from…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
Travel Bag Large hotels are rethinking their ‘goodbye’ practices
Checking out of a hotel used to be a time-consuming effort, especially if extra-charge surprises are included. At large hotels today, the checkout process…
Airlines predict a record summer
U.S. airlines expect record passenger loads for June to August 15, a 4.5 percent increase over last year. With packed planes, customers should focus on…
NCAA College football expands use of technology
According to the NCAA’s expanded rules, replay officials will have the authority to make a targeting call from the booth, and also to determine whether…
Online retailers adding brick-and-mortar stores
Amazon.com is planning to open bookstores across the country, even though it was Amazon that killed the storefront book store. Large and small Internet…
‘Harmony of the Seas’ begins maiden voyage May 22
Travel: ‘Harmony of the Seas’ begins its maiden voyage on May 22 Cruise lines must think bigger is better. Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America…
Adults like scooters
Forget the hoverboard … Adults like scooters for trips too long to walk and too short to drive Some call them basic for multigenerational play, but…
Yeah, do laundry like a man
In a fundamental shift, more men are doing laundry. Marketers are adapting washers and soap formulas for those who won’t sort. Whirlpool added a cycle to…
Perennials make flower gardens bloom…again and again
If you’ll be starting a perennial flower garden this year, start with the Dianthus – Pinks. They are garden classics, appearing in many shapes and colors….
No place to dig a garden? Grow edibles on a patio, deck, porch or balcony
Container gardening has grown rapidly in recent years. Burpee.com is offering compact and dwarf varieties intended to succeed in small spaces. Containers…