AMERICAN MOSAIC
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美国美食的英文介绍作文$$The Delicious World of American Cuisine$$American cuisine, a vibrant mosaic of flavors and traditions, is a testament to the country's rich cultural diversity. Spanning from the savory barbecue of the South to the fresh seafood of the coasts, and from the hearty stews of the Midwest to the innovative fusion dishes of the West Coast, American food offers a diverse and delicious array of culinary experiences.At the heart of American cuisine is its dedication to freshness and simplicity. This is evident in the popularity of dishes like burgers, made with freshly ground beef and topped with a variety of condiments and cheeses, or the classic grilled cheese sandwich, a simple yet satisfying meal. These dishes highlight the use of quality ingredients and the art of cooking them to perfection.The influence of immigrant cultures is also profoundly felt in American cuisine. From Italian pizza and pasta to Mexican tacos and burritos, and from Chinese fried rice and noodles to Greek salads and gyros, the United States hasembraced and adapted these international flavors, making them uniquely American.The Southern region of the United States is renownedfor its barbecue, a slow-cooked feast of meats that are smoked to perfection over wood fires. From Texas-style brisket to Carolina pulled pork, each state has its own signature barbecue sauce and cooking method, creating a diverse and delicious range of barbecue experiences.The coasts of America offer a bounty of seafood that is fresh, diverse, and delicious. From the lobster rolls of the Northeast to the crab cakes of the Chesapeake Bay, and from the Pacific Coast's salmon and tuna to the GulfCoast's shrimp and oysters, seafood lovers will find plenty to savor.The Midwest, known for its hearty stews and casseroles, offers dishes like chili con carne and pot roast that are both filling and flavorful. These dishes, often made with locally sourced ingredients, reflect the region's agricultural heritage and its commitment to sustainability. On the West Coast, chefs are at the forefront of culinary innovation, blending traditional American flavorswith international influences to create unique and exciting dishes. Fusion cuisine, which fuses elements of different culinary traditions, is particularly popular in this region, offering diners a taste of the world in every bite.Desserts in American cuisine are as diverse anddelicious as the main courses. From classic apple pie and chocolate cake to more modern creations like cheesecake and ice cream, American desserts are both sweet and satisfying. American cuisine is not just a collection of dishes;it's a reflection of the country's history, culture, and people. It's a celebration of diversity and a testament to the power of food to bring people together. Whether you'rea foodie exploring new flavors or a homesick traveler longing for a taste of familiarity, American cuisine has something for everyone.In conclusion, American cuisine is a vibrant anddiverse culinary landscape that offers a wide range of delicious experiences. From the savory barbecue of theSouth to the innovative fusion dishes of the West Coast, American food is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and its dedication to quality, freshness, andsimplicity. Whether you're a food lover or a cultural explorer, a meal in America is sure to leave you satisfied and wanting more.。
By Dana Demange2008-8-28HOST:Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.(MUSIC)I'm Doug Johnson.Today we play music from the British band Coldplay ...Answer a question about the circus ...And tell about a wet and wild public art project in New York City. (MUSIC)New York City WaterfallsHOST:Visitors to New York City this summer have the chance to see four special art installations that are making a big splash. The Public Art Fund group hiredDanish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson to create the New York City Waterfalls. Faith Lapidus has more about this interesting public art project in the East River.FAITH LAPIDUS:Olafur Eliasson's waterfall under the Brooklyn BridgeThe four New York City Waterfalls range in height from twenty-seven to thirty-six meters tall. They are made from common industrial materials like scaffolding, pumps and piping. One waterfall is under the Brooklyn Bridge, while another flows between Piers Four and Five in Brooklyn. There is one on Pier Thirty-five in Manhattan, and another on the north side of Governors Island. Together, these waterfalls move one hundred thirty-two thousand liters of water a minute.The public art project cost more than fifteen million dollars and took two years to plan.There are several ways to get a good look at the waterfalls. The New York City Department of Transportation organized a bicycle route that suggests riding across the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Or you can sit and enjoy looking at them from several parks. You can even see some of them while riding some public transportation trains between Manhattan and Brooklyn. We decided to take a Circle Line boat tour to fully experience the view from the water.(SOUND)TOUR GUIDE: "Now, here we go into the East River, looking for waterfalls. They are the work of the artist forty-one-year-old Olafur Eliasson, born in Denmark, grew up in Iceland and now works in his studio in Berlin. He heads up a team of thirty.Not just artists but mechanics, architects and even plumbers."Olafur Eliasson chose the form of the waterfall because he says it is easily recognizable. He wanted people to think of the water of the East River as more than just a simple surface surrounded by buildings. He wanted people to have anature-based experience within a city environment. He said by lifting the water up into falls, he called attention to the physical presence of the water. He wanted people to see the natural forces of gravity, wind and daylight changing the water.At the opening ceremony in June, Eliasson said the waterfalls are about public space and belong to the people of New York City. The falls were carefully built so that they do not harm organisms living in the river. The materials used to make the falls will be reused. And the waterfalls are temporary. Visitors have until October thirteenth to enjoy this unusual public art project.(MUSIC)History of the CircusHOST:Our listener question this week comes from Ukraine. Olga wants to know more about the history of the circus.During the civilization of ancient Rome, the circus was a building for large events. These included horse racing, athletic competitions and wild animal hunts.The eighteenth century British horse expert Philip Astley is often called thecreator of the modern circus. He opened a riding school in London where he also performed dangerous tricks for the public. His shows grew to include performances by acrobats, jugglers, clowns and strong men.Circuses are usually performed in a circular area called a ring. In fact, the word "circus" comes from the Latin word for "circle." Circuses became very popular in Europe during the nineteenth century. Some European cities still have circus buildings which date from this period. These include Paris, France; Stockholm, Sweden, and Blackpool, England.In the United States, P.T. Barnum developed a circus show that included animals performing tricks and people with unusual skills. P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus began in eighteen seventy. At the time, it was the largest circus in American history. Two years later Barnum was calling his circus "The Greatest Show on Earth."The two most famous American circuses were Barnum and Bailey and the Ringling Brothers. By nineteen hundred seven, the two companies merged into one. But they performed separately for twelve years.A circus performance with Gunther Gebel-WilliamsIt was a major event when a circus such as Ringling Brothers came to perform in a city or town. During the early twentieth century, this circus required about one hundred railroad cars to carry equipment, one thousand workers and hundreds of animals.Some of Ringling's most famous circus performers included the acrobat Lillian Leitzel, the clown Lou Jacobs and the animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams.Today, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus has two separate shows which travel across the United States by train. Another smaller show travels by truck.Several other groups have reinvented the circus with artistic performances that do not include animals. These include the Cirque du Soleil from Canada, Circus Baobab from Guinea and the Pickle Circus in San Francisco, California.Coldplay(MUSIC)ColdplayHOST:The British rock band Coldplay is making history with its fourth album, "Viva la Vida." The album sold more than seven hundred thousand copies in the United States during the first week it was released in June. It also became the most paid-for downloaded album in history. Barbara Klein plays three songs from this popular record.(MUSIC)BARBARA KLEIN:That was the song "Lost." It is a good example of Coldplay's skill in creating dramatic rock melodies that are hard to forget. The lead singer, Chris Martin, often sings in a warm and recognizable high, falsetto voice. The title "Viva la Vida" or "long live life" comes from a painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Chris Martin says he has great respect for the boldness of her work.Coldplay said it wanted to try something different with "Viva la Vida." The album includes heavier drum sounds and more serious songs. The band hired the famous record producer Brian Eno to help them with the album. Eno is best known for working with the Irish rock group U2. Here is the song "Strawberry Swing."(MUSIC)Coldplay has used creative methods to advertise the album. For one week, they released the song "Violet Hill" free of charge on the Internet. They also gave free performances in New York City, Barcelona, Spain, and London, England. Coldplay even appeared in an advertisement for the iTunes online music store. We leave you with "Viva la Vida," the title song of Coldplay's best-selling album.(MUSIC)HOST:I'm Doug Johnson. I hope you enjoyed our program today.It was written and produced by Dana Demange. To read the text of this program and download audio, go to our Web site, .Join us again next week for AMERICAN MOSAIC, VOA's radio magazine in Special English.。
AMERICAN MOSAIC - November 23, 2001HOST:Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC — VOA’s radio magazine in Special English. This isDoug Johnson. On our program today:We play some award-winning country music ...answer a question about Muslims in the United States ...Lee Ann Womackand report about a historic museum in the southeastern state of North Carolina.Wright Brothers MuseumHOST:Americans Orville and Wilbur Wright will always be remembered in history as the inventors of modern flight. They made the world’s first flight in a machine that was heavier than air and powered by an engine. Shep O’Neal tells us more about the brothers and a memorial that honors their success.ANNCR:The Wright brothers did most of their research and test flights on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was a place with strong winds, hills from which to launch their flying machines and a soft place to land.Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled powered flight in history on December Seventeenth, Nineteen-Oh-Three. They carried out four tests in their first airplane they called the Wright Flyer. The first flight traveled thirty-seven meters and lasted twelve seconds. The longest and most historic test flight flew two-hundred-sixty meters and lasted fifty-nine seconds.Visitors to the Outer Banks in North Carolina can see a memorial to the Wright brothers. It is built on the same fields where they did their research. An eighteen-meter high rock memorial was completed in Nineteen-Thirty-Two. It sits on top of Kill Devil Hill. The brothers used this sand hill for more than one-thousand test flights.Two other buildings near Kill Devil Hill show how the Wright brothers lived while doing their research. One building shows where they ate, slept, and built test equipment. The other is similar to the place where they kept their flying machines.A large rock near the memorial marks where the Wright Flyer first left the ground. Numbered signs show the landing points for the first four historic test flights. Following those tests, the Wright Flyer was damaged by the wind. It never flew again. However, a model of the plane is in the visitors center at Kill Devil Hill. Today, the real Nineteen-Oh-Three Wright Flyer belongs to the Smithsonian Institution. It is hanging in the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D-C.Islam in the United StatesHOST:Our VOA listener question this week comes from Indonesia. Suherman Rosyidi asks about Islam and Muslims in the United States.There are more than one-thousand-million people around the world who are Muslims. They practice the religion Islam. About six-million Muslims live in the United States. Only about one in five Muslims in the world are Arabs.Yet some people from the Middle East are having a difficult time in the United States since the terrorist attacks September eleventh. The men responsible for the attacks were Arab. They were part of the Muslim al-Qaeda group led by Osama bin Laden. He is Muslim and has declared a holy war against the United States and the West.Some Americans believed that all Muslims agreed with what the terrorists did. Because of this, many Muslims and other people from the Middle East have said they are being treated unfairly in the United States. For example, the newspaper USA Today reported that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received about seventy charges by Muslim workers. The commission says forty of those charges involve workers saying they were wrongly dismissed from their jobs. Some workers say the reason they are being treated this way is because of their religion or nationality.After the terrorist attacks, President Bush told Americans not to blame all Muslim people for the acts of a few. He said the United States-led war in Afghanistan is against terrorism, not Islam. However, the United States government has begun to use unusual measures to find and stop future terrorists.Last week, the State Department said it will carry out increased investigations of Arab and Muslim men seeking permission to come to the United States. The Justice Department said it will question more than five-thousand young men. The young men are in the United States as visitors from countries where terrorist groups are active.Civil rights groups and groups representing Arab-Americans have expressed concern about this. They want to make sure that people are not treated differently because of their religion or nationality.However, not all Muslims in America have reported unfair treatment since the September attacks. Some say the tragedy has given them a chance to educate other Americans about their religion. And they are able to show that Islam does not agree with what the terrorists did.Country Music Association AwardsHOST:The Country Music Association held its yearly awards ceremony earlier this month at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Shirley Griffith plays music by some of the award winners.ANNCR:The Country Music Association honored Lee Ann Womack with her first Female Singer of the Year Award. Mizz Womack was emotional as she thanked the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry. She told them she thought her chance for the award had passed. Here is Lee Ann Womack singing “Thinkin’ With My Heart Again.”((CUT ONE: "THINKIN' WITH MY HEART AGAIN"))The Country Music Association presented songwriters Larry Cordle and Larry Shell with the award for Song of the Year. Their winning song criticizes the music industry. It says producers are destroying the traditions of country music. Larry Cordle and his band Lonesome Standard Time perform “Murder on Music Row.”(CUT TWO: "MURDER ON MUSIC ROW"))A collection of music from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” won Album of the Year. The movie takes place in the United States during the Nineteen-Thirties. It includes traditional country songs by several performers. The awards also honored The Soggy Bottom Boys, a group of musicians in the movie. We leave you now with their performance of the song that was named Single of the Year, “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”. ((CUT THREE: "I AM A MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW"))HOST:This is Doug Johnson. I hope you enjoyed our program today. And I hope you will join us again next week for AMERICAN MOSAIC —VOA’s radio magazine in Special English.This AMERICAN MOSAIC program was written by Jill Moss, Nancy Steinbach and Caty Weaver. Our studio engineer was Tom Verba. And our producer was Paul Thompson.Email this article to a friendPrinter Friendly Version。
少儿英语口语:头胎生的孩子比弟弟妹妹有出息B: Welcome to American English Mosaic, I'm Mike Bond!A: And I'm 蔚然。
杨琳休假,我带班。
B: Losing a job is a horrible experience. So, how do you make the most out of it?A:头胎生的孩子比弟弟妹妹有出息?你同意这种结论吗?B: And in words and idioms, we will learn what "to death" and "to no avail" mean!A: All coming up on this edition of American English Mosaic!B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn-a-word!Learn A Word 1898 giveaway今天我们要学的词是 giveaway. Giveaway is spelled g-i-v-e-a-w-a-y, giveaway. Giveaway 是名词,意思是免费赠品。
Fast food chains always use cheap toys and giveaways to draw in kids.快餐连锁店往往依靠廉价玩具和免费赠品吸引孩子们前来消费。
In order to lure students into coming to its women's basketball season opener, Kansas State University is offering a giveaway that they cannot refuse--free bacon. 为了吸引学生前来观看女子篮球校队的赛季首场比赛,堪萨斯州立大学让看比赛的学生免费享用培根,使他们无法拒绝诱惑。
AMERICAN MOSAIC - Making Art Out of Common Materials: The Boxes ofJoseph CornellBy Melissa Etheridge / Broadcast date: Friday, February 23, 2007HOST:Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC, in VOA Special English.(MUSIC)I'm Doug Johnson. On our show this week:We answer a question about the Everglades ...Play some music nominated for an Academy Award ...And report about an artist who builds boxes.Joseph CornellHave you ever heard of art in a box? Joseph Cornell was an important artist bestknown for his beautifully constructed boxes. A large collection of his interesting artwork was shown recently at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Faith Lapidus tells us more.FAITH LAPIDUS:You could say that Joseph Cornell became an artist because ofhis love of collecting. Cornell used to spend his free timeexploring the street life of New York City in the nineteentwenties. He soon started collecting old books, prints, postcardsand even three-dimensional objects that he found in stores thatsold used books.Cornell also attended many museum shows, gallery openingsand dance performances. He was influenced by a group ofartists called the Surrealists who combined images in unusualand often strange ways. An unnamed work by Joseph CornellJoseph Cornell started making his own works by cutting out different pictures and putting them together in creative and magical combinations. Soon, he started making boxes inside of which were carefully arranged pictures and objects. He worked on his art at night after finishing his day job. Later, when his boxes and images started selling and receiving public recognition, he worked on his art full time.Joseph Cornell died in nineteen seventy-two.The Smithsonian exhibit showed almost two hundred works made during his forty-year career. One work is called "Soap Bubble Set." A box with a glass window shows a map of the moon, several pictures of sea creatures, two glass cups and two white pipes for smoking. In another box, Cornell combines an image of a cockatoo bird with a music box and watch faces.Joseph Cornell once said his art was based on everyday experiences. He said thatwith his art he showed "the beauty of the commonplace." Visitors who came to this special exhibit found magic in regular objects - and even saw beauty in a box.The EvergladesHOST:Our listener question this week comes from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Nguyen Thanh Duc wants to know about the Everglades National Park in the southern state of Florida.in the mainland United States. President Harry S. Trumanofficially established the national park in nineteen forty-seven.He placed almost two hundred thousand hectares of land in thearea under federal control.The parkland has since been expanded several times. ThePart of the EvergladesUnited States now protects more than six hundred thousandhectares of the Everglades. This is only about twenty percent of the Everglades ecosystem.The Everglades was the first national park established to protect only biological resources. The wetlands are famous around the world for their diversity of wildlife. The United Nations has called the area "a world biological treasure."The Everglades is really a slow-moving, extremely shallow river that flows south to the ocean. It is filled with sharp, thin sawgrass. This is why the Everglades is sometimes called the River of Grass. The area was also once called the "liquid heart" of Florida. Forests of palm, cypress, mangrove and pine are also a part of the Everglades. It ishome to beautiful plants and sweet-smelling flowers. These include several kinds ofthe highly prized and rare flower, the orchid.Many kinds of animals live in the Everglades. Many colorful birds and butterflies livethere. So do snakes, frogs, foxes and even big cats, called Florida panthers. But the alligators and crocodiles are probably the animals most identified with the Everglades. No other place in the world is home to both.However, the Everglades is one of the most endangered national parks in the United States. Human activities and development around the edges of the park threaten the area's health and future. Many of the animals are in danger of disappearing.More than one million people visit the Everglades National Park each year. The park will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary next December.Oscar Nominated SongsThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present its seventy-ninth yearly Academy Awards on Sunday. These awards are known as the Oscars. They honor writers, directors, actors and others who helped create the best motion pictures last year. They also honor songs written for those movies. Barbara Klein has more.BARBARA KLEIN:One of the five nominated songs was written by Randy Newman for the animated movie "Cars." It is called "Our Town," and is performed by James Taylor.(MUSIC)A second nominated song was written by Melissa Etheridge. It is called "I Need To Wake Up." It is from the documentary about global warming called "An Inconvenient Truth."The final three nominated songs all were written by Henry Krieger for the musical movie "Dreamgirls." The movie is about a group of female singers who become famous during the nineteen sixties. One of the songs is called "Listen." Beyonce sings it in "Dreamgirls." This song is called "Patience." Eddie Murphy sings it in the movie. (MUSIC)We leave you now with the third song nominated from the movie "Dreamgirls." Jennifer Hudson sings "Love You I Do."(MUSIC)HOST:I'm Doug Johnson. I hope you enjoyed our program today. It was written by Dana Demange, Nancy Steinbach and Caty Weaver, who was also our producer. To read the text of this program and download audio, go to our Web site, .。
When it comes to writing an essay about Americans, its important to consider the diverse aspects of American culture, history, and society. Heres a sample essay that touches on these themes:The American Mosaic: A Nation of DiversityAmerica, often referred to as the melting pot of the world, is a nation built on the principles of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of happiness. The United States is a vast tapestry woven from the threads of various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, creating a unique and vibrant society.Historical Roots of DiversityThe story of America begins with the indigenous peoples who inhabited the land for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The Native American tribes, with their rich traditions and deep connection to the land, laid the first cultural layer of what would become the United States. With the influx of settlers, particularly from Europe, the American landscape began to change. Each wave of immigration brought new languages, religions, and customs, enriching the cultural fabric of the nation.The American DreamOne of the most enduring aspects of American culture is the concept of the American Dream. This idea, that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination, has attracted people from all over the world. The stories of immigrants who arrived with little more than hope in their hearts and built successful lives for themselves and their families are the backbone of the American narrative.Cultural ContributionsThe cultural contributions of Americans are vast and varied. From the arts to science, from sports to technology, Americans have made significant impacts on the world stage. The music of jazz and blues, born from the African American experience, has influenced music globally. The innovation in technology, with Silicon Valley at the forefront, has revolutionized communication and information sharing.Challenges and OpportunitiesDespite the many successes, the United States also faces challenges related to its diversity. Issues of racial and social inequality, immigration debates, and cultural misunderstandings are part of the ongoing dialogue in American society. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and unity. The nations ability to embrace its diversity and work towards a more inclusive society is a testament to its resilience and adaptability.ConclusionIn conclusion, the United States is a nation of immigrants, a place where the old and the new coexist, and where the past and the future are constantly being shaped. The English language, as the common thread that binds Americans together, is itself a reflection of this diversity, with its incorporation of words and phrases from many different languages. The story of America is the story of its people, a story that continues to evolve and enrich the world.This essay provides a broad overview of American culture and society, highlighting the importance of diversity and the American Dream. It also acknowledges the challenges faced by the nation while emphasizing the opportunities for growth and unity.。
美国节日英语作文Title: Celebrating American Holidays: A Cultural Mosaic。
In the heartland of America, celebrations echo through the year, weaving a tapestry of culture and tradition that reflects the diverse mosaic of its people. From coast to coast, each holiday holds a unique significance, embodying the values and beliefs cherished by generations. In this essay, we will explore some quintessential Americanholidays and delve into their cultural importance.To commence our journey through the American holiday calendar, let us first turn our attention to the iconic Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. This day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the birth of the United States of America. Across the nation, communities come together to celebrate with grand fireworks displays, lively parades, and spirited gatherings. It is a time for patriotic fervor, as citizens reflect on the principles of freedom and democracy uponwhich the nation was founded.Moving forward, Thanksgiving stands as a cornerstone of American tradition, steeped in history and gratitude. Originating from the harvest festivals of early settlers and Native American communities, Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather, feast, and express gratitude for the bounties of the past year. The centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal is the roasted turkey, accompanied by an array of side dishes like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Beyond the culinary delights, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder to pause and appreciate the blessings of life.As the winter chill sets in, the holiday season ushers in a sense of warmth and joy with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Christmas, observed on December 25th, is celebrated by Christians across the country, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Families decorate their homes with twinkling lights, festive ornaments, and evergreen trees, exchanging gifts and spreading cheer. Meanwhile, Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is observedby the Jewish community, symbolizing the miracle of the oil lamp in the ancient Temple. During the eight nights of Hanukkah, families light the menorah, sing songs, and enjoy traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot. Similarly, Kwanzaa, which runs from December 26th to January 1st, honors African heritage and culture. Each day of Kwanzaa is marked by lighting a candle on the Kinara, representing principles such as unity, self-determination, and creativity.As the New Year dawns, Americans usher in fresh beginnings with the vibrant festivities of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. On the eve of December 31st, cities across the nation come alive with glittering fireworks displays, lively parties, and the iconic countdown to midnight. It is a time of reflection on the past year's achievements and anticipation for the possibilities of the year ahead. On New Year's Day, many Americans partake in the tradition of making resolutions, setting goals for personal growth and improvement in the coming months.Beyond these hallmark holidays, the American calendaris adorned with a myriad of cultural celebrations, from the solemn observance of Memorial Day and Veterans Day to the exuberant revelry of Mardi Gras and Halloween. Each holiday carries its own significance, reflecting the rich tapestry of American culture and history.In conclusion, American holidays serve as a testament to the nation's diversity, unity, and resilience. From the patriotic fervor of Independence Day to the warmth of Thanksgiving and the joy of Christmas, these celebrations bind communities together and reaffirm the values that define the American spirit. As we continue to honor these traditions and forge new ones, let us embrace the richness of our cultural heritage and celebrate the mosaic of identities that make America truly great.。
AMERICAN MOSAICBroadcast: August 27, 2004(MUSIC)BOB DOUGHTY: Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC, in VOA Special English.This is Bob Doughty. On our show this week:Music from the group Seven Mary Three ...A question about presidential term limits ...And a report about an action sport that Olympic fans haven't seen in Athens, except maybe on the local streets. SkateboardingThe Summer Olympics end Sunday in Athens. Over the years, new sporting events havebeen added to the Games. Others have been taken away. It all depends on popularity. Butone popular activity that is not in the Olympics -- at least not yet -- is skateboarding.Phoebe Zimmermann has our story.PHOEBE ZIMMERMANN: Skateboards were developed in Southern California in theearly nineteen fifties. Children, mostly boys, built their boards themselves. They attachedfour clay or metal wheels to a long, narrow piece of wood.The earliest versions were said to have been about thirty centimeters wide and close totwo meters long. They would have looked much more like surfboards than modernskateboards. In fact, the first skateboarders were probably surfers. Back then,skateboarding was called “sidewalk surfing.”Skateboarding was popular through the early sixties. There was even some competitiveskateboarding. But the boards were relatively slow and difficult to turn, and the ride wasrough. By the end of the sixties, skateboards took a bad fall in sales. All that changed in nineteen seventy with a young man named Frank Nasworthy. He was a skater in Virginia. He discovered that wheels made of a plastic called urethane created a faster, smoother ride. Soon all skateboards had urethane wheels and the number of fans began to grow again.Today, skateboarding is popular internationally. Skaters from Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands and othercountries competed last year in the X-Games Global Championship in San Antonio, Texas. X, as in “extreme ” -- maybe too extreme for Olympic traditionalists.But skateboarding has grown up in the past thirty years. Many skaters now wear helmets and other protective equipment. Also, there are parks built especially for their sport. These parks usually include smooth concrete hills, bowl-shaped areas and jumps. In fact, a skate park is being built right now in the area where FrankNasworthy often skated. The local government in Arlington, Virginia, plans to open it in October. And as for Frank, we understand he is now an engineer … in California.Presidential Terms in OfficeBOB DOUGHTY: Our VOA listener question this week comes from two places: Mysore, India, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mohamud Abdi and Vincent Nguyen both want to know why American presidents cannot serve more than two terms in office.This is a good time to answer that question. The Republican Party opens its presidential nominating convention It's not just for kids: An employee known as Dr. Skateboard demonstrates a ''reverse wheelie'' at Family Day 2002 at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.on Monday in New York City. Delegates will nominate President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for a second term in the elections in November.The United States Constitution never said anything about how many times a president could be re-elected. The idea of serving only two four-year terms began with the first president, George Washington. He chose not to campaign for a third term. The presidents who followed him did the same. But there was no law that would have stopped them from serving longer, had they sought more terms.Franklin Roosevelt did not follow this tradition. He served longer than any other president, from March of nineteen thirty-three until April of nineteen forty-five.Political opponents criticized his elections to a third term and a fourth. They said noone person should have so much power for so long. But others b elieved his leadershipand experience were needed during the Great Depression and World War Two.Franklin Roosevelt died during his fourth term. After his death, Congress proposed toamend the Constitution to limit the number of years a president could serve. Statesapproved the change in nineteen fifty-one.The twenty-second amendment to the Constitution says no one may be elected president more than two times. It also says no one who has served as president for more than two years of someone else ’s term may be elected more than once.All this guarantees that no American will serve as president for more than eight years, unless the Constitution is ever changed again.Seven Mary ThreeHOST:A new school year means a new chance to make friends -- and maybe even start aband. The group Seven Mary Three started that way. Gwen Outen has more.GWEN OUTEN: Three of the four current members of the band met in nineteenninety-two at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. They started with afourth member who also went there.The name of the band comes from a television show from the late nineteenseventies. It was a police show about California Highway Patrol officers onmotorcycles. The show was called "CHiPs." But one of the actors used the radio call sign "Seven Mary Three." Seven Mary Three released its first album with a record company in nineteen ninety-five. The album was called “American Standard." It included this single, “Cumbersome.”(MUSIC)In two thousand one, the band released an album called “Economy of Sound." One of the songs was used in the movie “Crazy/Beautiful.” The name of the song is “Wait.”(MUSIC)The members of Seven Mary Three live in Orlando, Florida. But they travel a lot. In fact, drummer Giti Khalsa asked his father to take care of his dog for a little while, which has stretched into ten months.Last month, Seven Mary Three appeared in a show during Major League Baseball's All Star Week in Houston, Texas. They performed two songs from “Dis/Location," their newest album. We leave you with one of those songs, “Settle Up.”(MUSIC)BOB DOUGHTY: This is Bob Doughty. Send your questions about American life to mosaic@. Or Franklin Roosevelt From left: Giti Khalsa, CaseyDaniel, Jason Ross and Thomas Juliano.write to American Mosaic, VOA Special English, Washington, D.C., two-zero-two-three-seven, USA. Please include your name and postal address. We'll send you a gift if we use your question.Our program was written by Nancy Steinbach and Caty Weaver. Paul Thompson was our producer. And our engineer was Jim Sleeman.I hope you enjoyed AMERICAN MOSAIC. Join us again next week for VOA’s radio magazine in Special English.Email this article to a friendPrinter Friendly Version。