Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Phantom
Spade Card 9
Spade Card 9
Clubs Card 9
hockey team (SPADE/CLUBS)
Winnipeg Jets
Team Name: Winnipeg Jets
Founded: 1999 (as the Atlanta Thrashers), relocated to Winnipeg in 2011
City: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Franchise Background:
The Winnipeg Jets name carries a rich hockey legacy. While the current franchise began as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999, the team returned to Winnipeg in 2011, reviving the identity of the original Jets who played from 1972 to 1996 before moving to Phoenix to become the Coyotes. Since their return, the Jets have established themselves as a competitive and passionate team, energizing the city of Winnipeg with a loyal fan base and a fast, skilled style of play at the Canada Life Centre.
Biggest Achievement:
The team’s most significant accomplishment came during the 2017–2018 NHL season, when the Jets reached the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history. Although they were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights, this deep playoff run marked a major milestone for the modern Jets and signaled the team’s growing prominence in the NHL.
Famous Player:
A standout star for the Jets has been Blake Wheeler, known for his leadership, offensive talent, and consistency on the ice. Serving as team captain, Wheeler has been a driving force for Winnipeg, embodying the spirit and determination of the Jets organization.
Vegas Golden Knights
Team Name: Vegas Golden Knights
Founded: 2017
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Franchise Background:
The Vegas Golden Knights are one of the NHL’s most exciting modern franchises, established in 2017 to bring professional hockey to Las Vegas for the first time. Playing their home games at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip, the team quickly captured the city’s attention and built a passionate fan base. Remarkably, through a smart expansion draft and shrewd roster management, the Golden Knights became competitive immediately, helping to grow hockey’s presence and popularity across the southwestern United States.
Biggest Achievement:
In an unprecedented feat for a new team, the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural 2017–2018 season, setting an NHL record for the most successful debut by an expansion franchise. While they fell to the Washington Capitals in the Finals, Vegas has remained a consistent playoff contender and a symbol of rapid success in professional sports.
Famous Player:
Among the team’s standout stars, Marc-Andre Fleury stands as the most iconic. A veteran goaltender, Fleury was instrumental in leading the Golden Knights during their historic first season and continues to be celebrated for his skill, leadership, and role in shaping the team’s identity.
Hockey Team City
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
City Name: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Historical Background:
Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is a vibrant city with deep historical roots. Originally a meeting place for Indigenous peoples and later a key trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Winnipeg grew into a hub of commerce, culture, and transportation. Its strategic location at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers earned it the nickname “Gateway to the West.” Winnipeg has played a significant role in Canadian history, from the fur trade to its contributions in arts, politics, and sports. Today, it’s known for its diverse culture, festivals, and strong community spirit.
Popular Activities in Winnipeg:
- Explore The Forks
The Forks is a historic meeting place turned bustling market and entertainment district. Visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy seasonal events at this iconic riverside location, making it a must-see cultural hotspot.
- Visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
This striking museum offers interactive exhibits and powerful storytelling focused on human rights issues from around the world. It’s both educational and visually impressive, making it a centerpiece of Winnipeg’s cultural scene.
- Catch a Winnipeg Jets Game at Canada Life Centre
Experience the excitement of professional hockey by watching the Winnipeg Jets live. The energy of the crowd and the fast-paced action on the ice showcase the city’s deep passion for hockey.
- Stroll Through Assiniboine Park and Zoo
Assiniboine Park combines natural beauty with cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, gardens, and the Assiniboine Park Zoo, which houses a variety of wildlife and features the popular Journey to Churchill exhibit.
Las Vegas, Nevada
City Name: Las Vegas, Nevada
Historical Background:
Las Vegas, founded in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911, began as a small desert town along the railroad. Its growth exploded in the mid-20th century with the rise of casinos, entertainment, and tourism, transforming it into a globally renowned destination. Known as “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas has become synonymous with bright lights, world-class shows, luxurious resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Beyond its glitz, the city sits in the Mojave Desert, offering a mix of urban excitement and natural beauty.
Popular Activities in Las Vegas:
- Experience the Las Vegas Strip
Stroll along the iconic Strip to see dazzling hotels, themed casinos, and spectacular fountains. Visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one energetic stretch.
- Attend a Vegas Golden Knights Game at T-Mobile Arena
Catch the excitement of NHL hockey by watching the Vegas Golden Knights compete. The arena’s high-energy atmosphere and passionate fan base make it a must-do for sports enthusiasts visiting the city.
- Explore Red Rock Canyon
Just a short drive from the city, Red Rock Canyon offers hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives through stunning desert landscapes, providing a natural escape from the city lights.
- See a World-Class Show
Las Vegas is famous for its entertainment, from Cirque du Soleil productions to headline concerts and magic shows. Visitors can experience performances that blend creativity, spectacle, and innovation.
plant(SPADE/CLUBS)
Sweating mushroom
Type: Poisonous basidiomycete fungus in the Clitocybe genus.
Needles: No true needles; features a funnel-shaped white cap with decurrent gills
Lifespan: Fruiting bodies appear seasonally, typically in summer and autumn.
Habitat: Commonly found in lawns, meadows, and grassy areas in Europe and North America.
Uses: Not edible; contains muscarine, a toxic compound causing symptoms like excessive sweating.
Adaptations: Exhibits guttation, releasing moisture that can resemble sweating.
Ecological Role: Saprotrophic, decomposing organic matter and contributing to nutrient cycling.
Fun Fact: Despite its name, the "sweating" refers to the symptoms of poisoning, not the mushroom's behavior.
Morchella esculenta
Type: Edible fungus in the Morchellaceae family.
Needles: None—produces a spongy, honeycomb-like cap.
Lifespan: The fruiting body is seasonal, appearing in spring; the underground mycelium can live for many years.
Habitat: Grows in temperate forests, often near ash, elm, apple trees, and disturbed soils.
Uses: Highly prized edible mushroom for culinary purposes; rich in nutrients.
Adaptations: Forms mycorrhizal relationships with trees to exchange nutrients; can fruit in recently burned or disturbed soil.
Ecological role: Helps decompose organic matter and forms beneficial relationships with trees.
Fun fact: Morels are considered a gourmet delicacy and are so sought after that foragers often call the spring “morel hunting season.”
Falcon
Species and Family
Falcons belong to the family Falconidae and the genus Falco, which includes around 40 distinct species found around the world. Among the most recognized are the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), kestrels, and gyrfalcons. These birds are celebrated for their speed, precision, and mastery of the skies.
Appearance
Falcons are generally small to medium-sized birds of prey, known for their elegant, streamlined build. They typically measure between 25–60 cm (10–24 in) in length, with a wingspan ranging from 60–120 cm (24–47 in). Their bodies are sleek and aerodynamic, equipped with long, pointed wings and a sharp, hooked beak built for tearing prey. Plumage colors vary across species, displaying combinations of gray, brown, black, and rust tones, often with striking barring or speckled patterns.
Habitat and Range
Falcons have one of the widest distributions of any bird group, thriving across every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit diverse environments—from frozen tundras and mountain cliffs to dry deserts and bustling city skylines. These adaptable hunters often nest on high ledges, cliffs, tall trees, or even skyscrapers and bridges, using elevation to their advantage when spotting prey.
Social Life and Behavior
Falcons are mostly solitary, uniting only during the breeding season or when raising young. They are among nature’s most skilled hunters, using extraordinary eyesight and rapid flight to locate and capture prey. The peregrine falcon, in particular, is famous for its high-speed “stoop,” a steep dive that can exceed 320 km/h (200 mph)—making it the fastest creature on Earth.
Diet
Falcons are carnivorous predators with a diet primarily composed of small to medium birds such as pigeons, ducks, and songbirds, along with small mammals and insects. They hunt visually, relying on stealth, speed, and precision to catch their prey mid-flight or by surprise attacks from above.
Role in the Ecosystem
Falcons play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of smaller birds and rodents. As apex aerial predators, their presence helps stabilize food webs. Additionally, they serve as valuable indicators of environmental health, since declines in their populations often signal issues like pollution or habitat loss.
Relationship with Humans
Falcons have a long and respected connection with humans through falconry, an ancient practice where trained falcons are used for hunting. Once endangered due to pesticide use, particularly DDT, many species—like the peregrine falcon—have made remarkable recoveries thanks to conservation efforts. Today, these birds thrive even in urban settings, often nesting on skyscrapers and adapting to city life.
Fun Fact
The peregrine falcon’s hunting dive, known as a stoop, is the fastest recorded movement of any animal on Earth—reaching speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph). This incredible speed, combined with pinpoint accuracy, makes it the ultimate aerial predator.