What Makes Chicago a Famous Place?

While reciting a poetic verse “To Chicago,” Charles Frederick White said,

“Chicago, mistress of the lakes,
Controller of our inland trade,
The freest city of our states,
What wondrous strides thy fame has made!”

There are a lot many things that make Chicago a world famous city.

Some of the most important aspects of the city that brings fame to it are being discussed here. Chicago is one of the largest and third most populous cities in the United States with 2,851,268 residents living there.

Chicago was founded in 1833 and in 1837; it acquired the status of a city. Soon it outpaced the growth of any other city in Midwestern United States and became the biggest city in Illinois.

Because of its intense popularity and historical and contemporary importance, Chicago has been given many nicknames that explain the nature of the city.

Some of the very popular nicknames of Chicago are “The City that Works”, “Second City”, “Chi-town”, “City of Big Shoulders”, “The Most American of Big Cities”, and “Windy City.”

The city is famous for its innovative culture. The game of softball was invented in Chicago and the game gained immense popularity throughout the nation. Chicago gave some of the most impressive sports teams such as Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago is famous for some of the most wonderful engineering and technology successes. In 1900’s, engineers in Chicago created a wonder by successfully changing the flow of Chicago River, making it to run into the Mississippi River.

Earlier, the Chicago River used to empty its waters into Lake Michigan.

Chicago always remained first in the field of engineering and technology. The tallest building of the western hemisphere is Willis Tower which is 110 stories high and it is one of the important buildings of Chicago.

The oldest zoo of the United States is also situated in Chicago. Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the 3 free zoos of the county that entertains millions of visitors every year.

Chicago has also gained name in medical world and the very first public blood bank of the world was opened in Chicago in the year 1937.

In order to solve out the issue of blood shortage in Chicago, Dr. Bernard Fantus created that blood bank at Cook County Hospital.

The story of inventive and innovative Chicago is endless. In the year 1930, the very first planetarium of the entire western hemisphere was built in Chicago and in 1950; Chicago gave the first ever remote control for the television set.

Chicago is thus famous for its technological innovativeness, sports and a variety of cultural aspects. In addition, some of the highly talented people also make Chicago a famous city throughout the world.

Some of the Chicago celebrities are Oprah Winfrey, Roger Elbert, Jerry Springer, Harrison Ford, Michael Jordan, R. Kelly, Hugh Hefner and Barack Obama along with many others.

Around 32.4 million tourists made a visit to Chicago in the year 2008 in which 1.3 million visitors were from foreign countries.

Some major attractions for tourists include the eminent architecture of beautiful city along with impressive shopping centers and restaurants at State Street and Magnificent Mile.

The Chicago Cultural Center was established in 1897 and it worked as Chicago Public Library for many years.

Nowadays, visitors may enjoy attractive exhibitions, galleries and special services through Visitors Information Center. The Grant Park of Chicago is another attractive feature of the city which includes the Buckingham Fountain and Millennium Park.

The city offers a lot many attractions for people with different tastes and that is why it attracts such a large number of tourists every year.

Anna Kournikova Replaces Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser

Jillian Michaels enjoyed watching The Biggest Loser’s finale of season 11 with a smile and content.
She said, "To see the show wrap up with three female finalists and a female winner with a group of contestants whom Bob and I adored, it was the perfect ending."

Michaels is a veteran trainer of The Biggest Loser of the United States. In December, she announced that she will be leaving the series after the completion of season 11.

In a recent interview, she said, "I am grateful for what the show has given me, but it's no secret that I've been wanting to be in daytime for years now. To join Dr. Phil on his show and have him as a mentor – I couldn't ask for a better situation than The Doctors and Dr. Phil. So I'm just hoping to earn my keep over there and do a good job."

Michaels is 37 years old and she is looking to adopt a child. She said, "It's a waiting game. There is nothing I can do, which is not a familiar space for me. I'm so used to being able to affect change and be proactive and right now, it's like, the paperwork is in and you wait."

The other trainer of ‘the biggest loser’ is Bob Harper. He feels great about Michaels. He said, Michaels "has been my confidant, friend and foe, my wife at times. We have gone through so much together since season one and she's moving on, which is great for her."

Anna Kournikova, 29, is scheduled to fill the void which will be left as Jillian Michaels will move out of the show.

Commenting on Anna Kournikova’s role on The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper said, "She's a world-class athlete who is going to walk into the house and I think it's going to be great. It's going to be an adjustment for all of us but I am really excited."

On Tuesday, during the finale of The Biggest Loser, Kournikova introduced herself to the audience through a clip and said, "I know all about discipline, strength and conditioning, commitment. This is my chance to give back, the opportunity of a lifetime and a way to teach the contestants everything I know."

Historical and Cultural Importance of Boston

Boston is often called as the cradle of American history and it is because Boston is one of the oldest cities of the United States.

The city of Boston was founded in 1630 as the capital of Massachusetts. It is the largest city of New England and since it is the major economic and cultural epicenter of New England, it is often called as the capital of New England including the six states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

In 1770’s, British government tried to enforce stringent rules to attain total control over Boston along with other 12 important colonies in America through extreme taxation. During that period, Boston arouse as the hotspot for the upcoming American Revolution and Civil War.

The Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party were some of the most significant events of American Revolution that took place in the city of Boston following which, the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill and Siege of Boston were fought. Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride worked as the initiation of countrywide revolution.

The Boston National Historic Park preserves all the historic sites, documents and artifacts that are pertinent to the period of American Revolution.

Puritan colonists from England were the founders of the city of Boston and right from the beginning, Boston established itself as the epicenter of religious philosophy. At the South End, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is situated which served more than 300 parishes.

At Beacon Hill in Boston, headquarter of Protestant faith of Unitarian Universalism is situated while headquarter of Christian Scientist is situated at Mother Church in Back Bay, Boston.

Bostonians uses a popular dialect of non-rhotic Eastern New England accent which is the major language of Boston and is also known as Boston English.

Sea foods, dairy products and slat are the popular cuisines of Boston. Boston is also considered as the mother place of hardcore punk music. The culture of Boston is well guarded and boosted by the presence of numerous theaters and art museums in Boston. Boston Opera House, Culture Majestic Theatre, Citi Performing arts Center, the Orpheum Theater and the Colonial Theater are the major theaters situated in Boston.

Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Boston Early Music Festival, Boston Lyric Opera Company, OperaBoston and Handel Haydn Society are some significant organizations that devoted for promoting Bostonian culture.

The Boston city government is responsible for operating and maintaining all beautiful gardens and parks.

Presence of many green, beautiful and mesmerizing parks in Boston is the reason why it is also known as the city of beautiful gardens and parks. The Skyline of Back Bay from the shores of Charles River offers a great scenic view for visitors at Boston.

Some of the most important and finest arts museums of the US are situated at Boston and one of them is Boston National Historic Park. A few other significant arts museums are Museum of Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum.

Boston city is also famous for its Caribbean styled Boston Carnival which is celebrated in August. Just like the Carnival of Trinidad, the Boston Carnival is also famous for dances, colors, exotic costumes, fun activities and Soca music.

The Issue of Ever Increasing Prisoner Population in US

Overcrowded prisons are one of the emerging worries of the United States administration. Just like many of the American public schools, American prisons are a story of failure. The USA is often termed as a Police State and after the Patriotic Act, things certainly worsened to higher degrees.

Recently, Krittika Biswas, a girl of Indian origin, who is studying in New York City, sued the New York City government for $1.5 million and her claims were against a wrongful arrest on the suspicion of a crime that she didn’t commit. She was imprisoned for allegedly sending indecent, obscene emails to one of her teacher in Queen’s John Brown High School.

According to her lawyer, Krittika’s more than 24 hour arrest on February 8 was against international law, federal law, state law and the New York City law as well. The family of the girl was not informed about the arrest of the girl.'

According to Krittika, the police arrested her even though they had no evidence against her. She said, "They based it (the arrest) on basically nothing."

The things gets murkier by the fact that the actual culprit, a Chinese student who actually sent the emails to the teacher was neither suspended nor was he arrested. Krittika further said, "I don't know why he wasn't arrested... the principal pushed for my arrest."

Krittika further informed that police was hostile against her and tried to push her to confess for a crime that she never did. She said that a cop told her that if she didn’t confess, they will imprison her with prostitutes and HIV patients. She was brutally handcuffed in her school, she said, I was sitting there (school) with handcuffs on.”

Krittika actually experienced the ill-environment of jails in New York City. She said that she couldn’t drink water from the single water fountain present in her cell because some other person had vomited there. She also said that while it was too cold and she was shivering, she couldn’t use the blanket because the available blanket was too dirty to be used.

Krittika was in custody at 107th precinct and she was not allowed to use toilet for a long time. There was only a single and very small toilet in the cell which was occupied by other people and she was forced to pee in front of others. She said, "Eventually, I had to go in front of everyone."

While the incidence is indicating the harsh and rash attitude of New York Police against the citizens and the brutal behavior of the police against a student on mere grounds of suspicion, the major issue is about the ill-environment in American prisons.

Prisons in United States are notoriously famous for extremely unhealthy and unsafe living conditions and this may be one of the consequences of overcrowded prisons of US.

These prisons are not only overcrowded, some of them are used to imprison more than double of the maximum capacity of American prisons. As for example, in 2010, the number of prisoners in the California correction system was more than 160,000. However, the California correction system was built only for 80,000 prisoners.

Overcrowded prisons are a big problem for prisoners and especially for those prisoners who were imprisoned merely on alleged charges and suspicions while they are innocent in reality. However, the bigger is problem of overcrowded prisons is faced by those who are outside them and are forced to pay for maintaining those prisons. Obviously, it’s the tax-payers money which is used to maintain these overcrowded prisons. Wasting money on the imprisoning system of the United States is certainly a huge blot especially in current times when the nation is still trying to recover against the aftermath of 2007 economical turmoil. In 2009, the then governor of California, Schwarzenegger even proposed a plan for reducing the prison population by 36,000.

Overcrowded prisons become the effective reason for the failure of authorities to provide adequate physical and mental health services to prisoners. This results in high number of deaths in imprisonment. Situations become murkier if after the death of an imprisoned person, it is found that the person was wrongly imprisoned and he or she was absolutely innocent.

Recently, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for a 5 to 4 decision describing a prison system that failed to deliver minimal care to prisoners with serious medical and mental health problems and produced “needless suffering and death.”

On Monday, the Supreme Court commented that the conditions in California’s overcrowded prisons are so bad that they violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Supreme Court ordered the state of California to reduce its prison population by more than 30,000.

While it is a good move, I really wonder if the conditions in which Krittika was forced to spend 24 hours in New York City’s imprisonment were any better than those for which the Supreme Court ruled against the California State.

First thing is, the police or government should not have any right to imprison any person just on the basis of suspicion without proper evidences and without confirming that the accused is really a culprit. The rule of Innocent until proved Guilty should be strictly applied to maintain the respect and liberty of Individuals in the United States.

Making Celebrities Out of Teen Moms How Genuine Is It?

MTV’s Teen Mom 16 and Pregnant is a program basically meant to spread awareness against the evils and difficulties of teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is a genuine issue that needs to be discussed so that more teens may save themselves from the burden of motherhood at very early and immature age.

However, how genuine it is for Network channels to make personalities out of underage mothers?

This is a burning question. Another burning question is, in spite of their good cause, are MTV’s popular program Teen Mom 16 and Pregnant really doing the job of reducing the numbers of teenage pregnant by informing them about the problems involved? Or are they doing just the opposite work of promoting teen pregnancy and making it a popular fashion?

Some people believe that such shows like Teen Mom should be taken off from the air.

While commenting about ’16 and Pregnant, Lisa Lupner said, “It does no good-only promotes more teen pregnancy. It's sad the way these kids are being made famous for being irresponsible, and they will only be famous for their 15 min. then it's over. Then who's going to pay their bills?”

Her concerns are absolutely right and the current happening with Jordan Ward proves it.

Jordan Ward was 16 years old when she got pregnant first time. She gave birth to a son who is now 17-months-old and his name is Noah.

Her pregnancy was aired on MTV and she discussed about the burdens and problems she may face, she messaged that teens should avoid irresponsible sex activities and should about teen or early age pregnancies. However, just after 17 months, she is pregnant again. Obviously, her words don’t match with her deeds.

She is not the first Teen Mom who is facing pregnancy within a short period. Prior to her, Markai Durham also got pregnant for second time after her pregnancy was featured on the MTV’s show 16 and Pregnant.

However, Markai decided to abort her second child. She was certainly not in a position to provide suitable living conditions for second child.

One of the most troublesome issues for the society of the United States is teenage pregnancy. A lot many US teens get pregnant every year and they become single mother with little or no support. Obviously they lead a oblivious, poor and distressed lives. More problems occurs for their children as they never get the security of a family.

Many people have said that they hate this show; all it is doing is showing teenage girls that it’s okay to go out and get pregnant. It can land you on TV. Today’s society is totally different than it used to be”.

I just think it’s all pathetic.

It is hard to believe that teen girls are willingly becoming ready to be a baby producer outside marriage with no certainty of future. However, the case of Jordan Ward is certainly different.

When she got pregnant for the first time, she wasn’t married, she was underage, she was single and teen.

Yet now, she is neither a minor nor underage, nor is she a single. She is a married adult of age 18 and her husband is a linguist in the US Air Force.

However, is it right for a girl to be a mother of two children at the age of 18 years? I don’t think any sensible citizen of the United States will dream for a similar future for their daughters.

What if pregnancy brings your daughter, name, fame and glamor? MTV is doing exactly that.

U.S Patients Prefer High-Caliber and Cheaper Indian Medical Force

Last month, US president Barack Obama commented that it is not necessary for Americans to travel to India so that they may attain “cheap healthcare.” Guy Williams of Alaska, who is a basketball coach, didn’t agree with him. He laughed while mentioning that comment.

Williams said, "Obama must be crazy. Healthcare is extremely expensive in the US and so is health insurance, which is unaffordable for some 50 million Americans."

Williams recently enjoyed the prompt services of Apollo hospital in Chennai where he underwent a hip-surfacing surgery. He chose to travel from Alaska to Chennai for that surgery because it was impossible for him to afford that same medical service in US. The cost of same medical service in US is about $58,000. In India, he got much better and precise iPad navigating surgery for just $8,000.

The clinical strength of India is certainly able to offer much better results that a patient can achieve in the US and that too at much less fees. William is very happy about the outcome of his choice for India as his medical destination. He enjoyed his stay at the hospital and he is planning to get his brother to India so that he may also get benefited from the same treatment.
 
It is very common story. Many people from the United States prefer to travel to India for a medical tour. A few months ago, Ron Lemmer, a 65 years old American citizen decided to visit India so that he may live longer. He needed an immediate heart transplant which was seemingly difficult for him to achieve in the U.S. There were many people who told him that such a medical tour to a India may prove to be hazardous, however, Ron Lemmer paid no heed to such advices.

He visited India with his wife Shelly so that she may take care of him and proceedings when he goes through heart transplantation. He also chose to visit Apollo Hospital, a private health and medical care center situated at Chennai.

His doctors at Minnesota US warned them about the possible dangers of opting for heart transplantation in India. Shelly informed, "[They said] we were making a terrible decision: I'm going to come back with my husband in a box.”

However, those warning proved to be fake calls. Ron Lemmer achieved a successful heart transplant and Shelly now is quite happy as her husband is now completely healthy and both of them hope to enjoy life for long.

Ron said that he felt no pain when he woke up next morning after the heart transplant. Medical staff informed him about the success of transplant. They also informed him that he is now living with the help of the heart of a 36 year old Indian laborer. The laborer died in a road accident and so Ron got that piece of Indian heart. Feeling overwhelmed, Ron tried to seek the address of donor’s family. However, he failed because the donation was anonymous.

Back in US, there still were no chanced for Ron to get a heart transplant. Around 3,100 more people were on the US national list, who were desperately looking for a heart transplant. A donor’s heart is difficult to get. Once a heart becomes available for transplant, that patient gains it who is chosen by medical authorities according to his seriousness of illness. Other criteria is the period for which a person is waiting for the heart transplant. Ron Lemmer’s doctors informed him that it may take 18 more months for him to be able to achieve a heart transplant in US.

Last year, 359 heart patients died in the United States while waiting for a heart transplant. On an average, a person suffering the same critical conditions in which Ron Lemmer was (1 B priority level), may need to spend at least 73 days while waiting for a life saving transplant. However, the data of United Network for Organ Sharing suggest that many people wait for years and a good number of patients dies while waiting for a transplant.

As you can see, US president Barack Obama may comment again that Americans don’t need to visit India for gaining proper and cheap medical services, but the reality is just opposite. In America, medical services are not only rare, they are extremely costly.

Fighting against Drug Abuse Side Effects of Cocaine

Drug abuse is one of the most prevalent problem that the current generation of the United States is forced to face. Statistical records suggest that above six million people in the US are cocaine addicts. This drug can be taken by smoking, injecting, snorting or sniffing it. Substance abusers often take it either through crack cocaine pipes or in powder form. It is one of the most popular illegal drugs and this is because it can cause an intense euphoria like situation or sense for drug addicts. After taking this drug, a cocaine user may feel energized. Only a few people realize that this drug is highly addictive and most of the drug abusers just don’t know about the harmful side effects of cocaine.

Side Effects of Cocaine: Why Cocaine users Want it more and more?

Researchers say that cocaine acts as a stimulant and if taken in small amount, it is not necessary that cocaine will prove to be harmful or dangerous for human health. However, it is an addictive drug. Cocaine encourages people to take it more and more.

The initial effects of this drug are not harmful and in fact, a consumer enjoys euphoric pleasure. As a result, the user fells prey to its enticement and starts wanting it more and more of cocaine.

Heavier dosages of cocaine increases the risks of toxicity and gradually, the cocaine consumers start facing serious side effects of cocaine which may cause many health issues.

Serious Side Effects of Cocaine: Major Health Issues

Heavy dosages of cocaine causes severe stimulation of central nervous system which often results in convulsions and this may cause cardiac or respiratory arrest. Heavy usage of cocaine can be compared with the overdose of amphetamine; however, cocaine is much more dangerous and lethal than amphetamine. Cases have been observed in which people lost their life as a result of the very first heavy dose of cocaine. However, people often prefer to increase the amount of cocaine intake in a gradual manner and they do so because of human nature to attain the desired euphoric results.

In addition to severe cardiac and respiratory attack, cocaine may cause some uncommon lethal side effects such as sudden cardiac failure that often causes sudden death. The verges nerve is slowed down by cocaine. Verge nerve controls heartbeats. As heartbeats go slow, it may cause ventricular fibrillation resulting in sudden cardiac arrest.

Many drug addicts prefer to inject cocaine in their veins which may cause serious allergic reactions as side effects of cocaine. Either cocaine or the additives that makes it intravenously usable may cause these allergic side effects of cocaine.

Snorting cocaine may also cause troubles such as irritation and chronic runny nose. However, these are not as lethal side effects of cocaine as others. Snorting cocaine may also cause serious irritation, paranoid behavior, and restlessness. Paranoid-psychosis may also be caused due to higher dosages of cocaine and this may cause a breakage of the addict from any reality. Other side effects of cocaine also include auditory hallucinations. This drug also increases violent behavior.

Cocaine is lethal for heart activities and it may damage complete heart functioning which will result in sudden death. This drug is extremely dangerous for pregnant women. If taken during pregnancy, cocaine may cause sudden spontaneous abortion. It may also cause a torn placenta making a woman unable to be a mother ever.

A Pleasurable Vacation Tour to Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest State of the United States, and it is one of the most beautiful places on earth with its sun-drenched, mid-Pacific islands. You might have enjoyed glimpses of Hawaiian beauty in the Hawaii of South Seas literature and Hollywood films and when you will reach here, you will find that it is all true about this beautiful place. There are many palm fingered blue lagoons, hidden mystique gardens, lush green rainforests, cascading waterfalls, soaring volcanoes, wild rivers shaping the rugged canyons and above all this, you will find beautiful sea beaches with gold , black, red and green sands. You will certainly love the pleasure of the sand beaches caressed by endless strings of waves and surf.

Hawaii is one of the major tourist spot of United States and to increase the span of tourism, enough opportunities for adventures and relaxation are offered here to attract tourists from every part of the world. There are six main islands in Hawaii and each of them is distinct, separate and hugely complex.

The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu. There’s too much to see, enjoy and do on any 1 or 2 week vacation tour. And that is why many tourists return to Hawaii for next and then next trip to take full enjoyment of every Hawaiian color.
A few reasons for why you should opt for a Vacation tour to Hawaii

Affordability: we are still recuperating against the aftermath of economic turmoil of 2007. It is hard to manage a big amount for an expensive vacation tour. Many people put off their plans for summer holidays just because of high prices of travelling and staying at a new place. However, you will be surprised to know that a tour to Hawaii is inexpensive. Enjoying your summer holidays on a stunning Hawaiian island is certainly affordable. Spend a little time to research about the best Hawaii travel deals and grab the discount opportunities.
 
Beautiful Hawaiian Islands: If you are planning for your first tour to this beautiful natural place, the beauty of Hawaii will leave you stunned and breathless. It is no less than heaven on the earth. It is not only one of the best places to enjoy your vacations, but Hawaii is also a perfect venue for destination marriages, and is certainly a god’s gift for romantic newly married couples to enjoy their honeymoon. Hawaii destination weddings and Hawaii honeymoon tours are world famous and highly popular.

There are not much places on earth where you can enjoy and relax in the comfort of tropical climate along with the fun of enjoying the ocean while swimming at beaches, hike to see wonderful waterfalls, and explore and discover mysterious beauty of volcanoes. Hawaii offers you to do all these amazing activities.
Sports Activities and Adventures

Some people love to remain on land while some others grab opportunities to go under oceans water and some other people prefer to spend their time in adventurous activities in air. Hawaii is a place where you will be able to accomplish, see and enjoy every fun and adventure activity that you can think of on land, in waters or in air.

At beaches, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, surfing, scuba diving, spear fishing, boating, and many more. If you prefer activities at land, you will be able to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, sightseeing and horse riding. In addition, you can also choose to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii through air by hiring a private Hawaii helicopter tour.

There are six beautiful main islands in Hawaii and each of them offers excellent opportunities for more fun. One of the most popular tourists’ destinations in Hawaii is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is located on Large Island. In addition, you will love to visit Kauai, Molokai, Maui, Oahu, and Lanai.

Vintage Travel Posters are the Perfect Time Frames

Vintage travel posters are considered as one of the best forms of art that represent facts about history. This is the reason why history buffs and art aficionados across the world remain eager to attain more vintage posters. Poster vintage and luggage labels are also used as a travel inspiration. Just like any vintage article, vintage posters are also very rare and hence, these are valuable.

Vintage travel posters portray some specific places and moments of historical importance of a country that was captured or drawn and recorded by the artists in past during their travelling tours. Some vintage travel posters may depict specific cities of United States during the American Civil War.

Vintage travel posters are highly expressive and inspiring in nature and hence collectors across the world prefer to collect more and more posters vintage. However, now every travel poster is a vintage poster. A travel poster acquires the status and value of poster vintage only if they are 50 or more years old, that is, if they were drawn 50 or more years before.

These historical posters are considered of great historical worth because they work as the direct evidences of the living patterns, habits and tradition of the people of past. These days, travelling is very swift and comfortable; however, these vintage posters were drawn when the means of travelling were not so swift and easy. These vintage posters yet, succeed in increasing the wanderlust of people. Because of this specific characteristic of vintage travel posters, these posters are usually displayed on the walls and display boards of the office of travelling agencies and hotels.

How to select and store Vintage Posters

While buying a vintage poster, choose the posters of your own choice or you may choose such posters that are depicting attractive locations of some famous tourist spot in an innovative and interesting manner. Vintage travel posters are highly precious and that is why it is necessary to protect them as preserved property against any harm. You will need to protect posters vintage against dust, moisture, water, bright light and acidic environment.

If you have planned to display these valuable vintage posters openly, you need to preserve them by using proper Plexiglas or UV resistant glass and metal frames. However, if you are not going to display them and just want to store them, you may choose to store them in acid resistant tubes or flat sleeves.