Firecracker Hot Yoga and Patriotic Tunes

1. According to Weather.com, the Tolland forecast calls for clear skies in the morning, followed by a few scattered afternoon showers with the possibility of thunder. The high will reach 78˚F. Tonight, evening showers will eventually clear with a low of 57˚F.

2. Start off the new month with a peaceful mind and strong body at . The hot yoga class goes from 6-7:15p.m. at . According to WedMD.com, yoga has been shown to increase lung capacity and lower blood pressure. It is also known to be a great stress reliever and a fantastic way to build muscle strength and increase flexibility. The class costs $15.95 for drop–ins.

3. From the best-loved standards to rock anthems and country tunes, patriotic songs are numerous here in the good ole’ U.S. of A. So as you’re preparing for your July 4th festivities, don’t forget to download some songs to bring out those patriotic feelings in your guests. Chances are, you’ll have party-goers singing about “amber waves of grain,” playing air guitar to Jimi Hendrix, or drawling about “the hippies and the rebels and the Yanks,” a la Charlie Daniels. To help you make your music selections, here are some top-ten lists:

 
Ten Most famous and Beloved Patriotic Songs in U.S. History:

1. The Star Spangled Banner (karaoke version)
2. The Battle Hymn of the Republic 
3. America the Beautiful 
4. God Bless America 
5. The Stars and Stripes Forever
6. My Country Tis of Thee
7. Semper Fidelis
8. The Marine's Hymn (From the Halls of Montezuma)
9. God Bless the USA 
10. This Land is Your Land 

 
Ten Patriotic Rock Songs (in no particular order):

1. Song for America by Kansas
2. America by Simon and Garfunkel
3. Keep on Rocking in the Free World by Neil Young
4. America by Neil Diamond
5. R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. by John Mellencamp
6. America the Beautiful by Ray Charles
7. Red, White and Blue by Lynyrd Skynyrd
8. Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
9. Star Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix
10. Living in America by James Brown

 
Ten Patriotic Country Songs (in no particular order):

1. Only in America by Brooks & Dunn 
2. Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash
3. Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus
4. Bumper of My S.U.V. by Chely Wright
5. America by Waylon Jennings
6. Arlington by Trace Adkins
7. In America by Charlie Daniels
8. Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly by Aaron Tippin
9. American Soldier by Toby Keith
10. God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood 

 
4. There are many internet radio stations that can get you through your Independence Day festitivies, as well. AOL’s online radio offers a station dedicated to patriotic songs. Also try Pandora and Slacker.
 
5. As promised, here are some more random July 4th facts, courtesy of the Census Bureau:
 
Fireworks

• $190.7 million - The value of fireworks imported from China in 2010, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($197.3 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $37.0 million in 2010, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($6.3 million).
• $231.8 million - The value of U.S. manufacturers' shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) in 2007.

 
Patriotic-Sounding Place Names

• Thirty-one places have "liberty" in their names. The most populous one as of April 1, 2010, is Liberty, MO. Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.
• Thirty-five places have "eagle" in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas.
• Eleven places have "independence" in their names. The most populous one is Independence, MO.
• Nine places have "freedom" in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, PA.
• One place with "patriot" in the name. Patriot, IN.
• Five places have "America" in their names. The most populous is American Fork, UT.