Things I learned lately 18 March

• There's a feature in Google Maps that's been there a while, but many users probably don't give it a second look. It's called Plus Codes. Plus codes represent the exact geographical location of a spot and the code can be input into Google Maps to navigate right to that spot. You may have noticed that a lot of businesses on Google Maps have one. They are also handy for navigating to places that don't have an address. Or imagine this situation. You're parked somewhere off a highway and you want someone to come to your location. Open Google Maps, tap the blue dot representing your location, tap the Plus Code and paste it into an email or text. The recipient can put that code as their destination and Maps will guide them there. For example, Rocky's Burger Bus's Plus Code is 2XJ8+42, Calgary. Just sayin'.
  
  
  
• Before 1491 and the coinciding exploration of the New World, beans, corn, potatoes, squash, chili, cacao, tomatoes and vanilla were only found in the Americas.
• Elton John wore (someone else's) prescription glasses when he was 13 to imitate Buddy Holly. After 8 months, this damaged his eyesight and he needed an actual prescription to compensate.
• Coyote calls (howls and yipping) serve both to let one pack know where another pack is and as a form of birth control. If a pack rarely hears the howl of another pack on the wind, they'll have more babies. If they hear frequent calls, they'll have fewer babies since the resident population is fairly well balanced and resources may be more scarce in the area.
• There's a full-scale Styrofoam replica of Stonehenge located in Virginia called Foamhenge.
• You can't fool a breathalyzer test by chewing gum or eating mints. The alcohol vapors don't come from your stomach, but come from your blood and are diffused through the surface area of your lungs as you exhale.
• In America, an unidentified person is called John/Jane Doe. In France, they're named Jean Dupont. In Germany, they're named Max/Erika Mustermann. In Denmark, they're named Anders Andersen or Jens Jensen.
• Norway generates 98% of its electrical power from hydroelectric systems.