The Kutuk River in Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park flowing orange.
Orange tide? Rivers changing colors in Alaska Imagine a beautiful river winding through a pristine forest. What color is that river? Most people would…
Author: The Smart Reader Staff
Briefs and quick reads selected and edited by The Smart Reader's editorial team.
Mystic Quest: A look at game phenomenon Myst’s creators
While Mario might be the most famous character and franchise in video game history, he’s far from the only trailblazer. Back in 1993, Myst hit the market…
Hot dog etiquette: Keeping it real
Nothing is more casual than a hot dog in the summer, and the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has eight tips to keep it that way: 1. Always put…
These guys take a bribe
If you’ve had trouble with squirrels digging up your bulbs and plants and eating your flower buds, the editors of This Old House magazine may have a…
Naz Reid becomes fashion accessory
In May, when fans were realizing the underdog Timberwolves were still alive in the post-season, tattoo apprentice JC Stroebel had a brain storm. “Will…
That’s a really long word
Let’s hope we don’t get pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis because it is a good bet we can’t pronounce it. According to the Oxford English…
The eyes don’t have it
It’s true because you saw it with your own eyes. And a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, if those sayings were ever true, they won’t be true long….
At last, Atari gets honors
About 45 years after its debut, Atari’s Asteroids video game was one of five games to receive top honors in The World Video Game Hall of Fame in…
Ellis Island gets makeover
About 40 percent of the people living in the U.S. today came through Ellis Island, according to the National Park Service. Today, anyone can go to the…
Easy way to artistic fame?
How do you get your painting in a famous museum? Years of toil in obscurity, perhaps? You could also just buy a few screws. No one looked twice when a…