Dec 1, 2018
What's in a Name, Larry
The blue bird from the Twitter logo has a name:
Larry. The creators of the social network named the bird after
basketball player Larry Bird.
Minneapolis Food Ordinance
During 2016, Minneapolis enacted the Staple
Food Ordinance which requires all grocery stores, with few
exceptions, to keep on hand fresh produce, and other healthy
foods that city politicians felt they needed in order to change
the eating habits of the public.
Two years later the city has found no discernible increase in the amount of healthy food people are buying. It also found the healthy food mandate is leading to frustrated grocers and reports of food waste, due customers not buying the mandated items.
A survey of 3,000 customers outside selected convenience stores was conducted to see if the Ordinance was actually encouraging people to buy healthier foods. So far, it has not. The survey shows "We did not see any significant changes in the healthfulness of customer purchasing. We can't point to customer purchasing and say purchases are getting healthier as a whole."
In addition, a survey found just 10% of stores were compliant. The law requires, among other items, stores must keep six one-dozen containers of eggs on hand; 6-count or 18-count containers do not count toward this requirement. Nor do one-dozen containers if the eggs inside are medium or extra-large size. Stores must stock approximately 13 cans of beans, but baked beans do not count toward this requirement, nor do cans that mix beans and meat, despite canned meat being another requirement.
The rigid requirements are a large problem for ethnic grocers, who are forced to stock foods that are not used in their customers' native cuisines. Owners are questioning whether the law is perpetuating institutional racism and cultural bias.
After two years, the mandates in Minneapolis have produced few observable health gains, a number of upset store managers, increases in food waste, increased costs, and frustrated customers. The findings mirror some of the same problems as the school lunch dictates did.
Two years later the city has found no discernible increase in the amount of healthy food people are buying. It also found the healthy food mandate is leading to frustrated grocers and reports of food waste, due customers not buying the mandated items.
A survey of 3,000 customers outside selected convenience stores was conducted to see if the Ordinance was actually encouraging people to buy healthier foods. So far, it has not. The survey shows "We did not see any significant changes in the healthfulness of customer purchasing. We can't point to customer purchasing and say purchases are getting healthier as a whole."
In addition, a survey found just 10% of stores were compliant. The law requires, among other items, stores must keep six one-dozen containers of eggs on hand; 6-count or 18-count containers do not count toward this requirement. Nor do one-dozen containers if the eggs inside are medium or extra-large size. Stores must stock approximately 13 cans of beans, but baked beans do not count toward this requirement, nor do cans that mix beans and meat, despite canned meat being another requirement.
The rigid requirements are a large problem for ethnic grocers, who are forced to stock foods that are not used in their customers' native cuisines. Owners are questioning whether the law is perpetuating institutional racism and cultural bias.
After two years, the mandates in Minneapolis have produced few observable health gains, a number of upset store managers, increases in food waste, increased costs, and frustrated customers. The findings mirror some of the same problems as the school lunch dictates did.
Computer Size
This is a picture of a grain of rice next to the world's
smallest computer. It is built by the University of Michigan,
dwarfed by a grain of rice, and measures just 0.33mm on each
side.
Traffic Safety
The most important single traffic safety device, the painting of
lines down the center of roads was devised by Michigan, Wayne
County Road Commissioner Edward Hines in 1911 after he saw the
dotted drippings from a leaking milk wagon and struck on the
concept.
He ordered his road commission to begin center striping all danger spots, curves and bridges were first, and the immediate reduction of accidents was impressive. He then ordered the striping of all roads in Wayne County. When the rest of the state and the nation saw the results, they began center lining their roads as well. Incidentally, he was also responsible for the first mile of concrete roadway. It was in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
He ordered his road commission to begin center striping all danger spots, curves and bridges were first, and the immediate reduction of accidents was impressive. He then ordered the striping of all roads in Wayne County. When the rest of the state and the nation saw the results, they began center lining their roads as well. Incidentally, he was also responsible for the first mile of concrete roadway. It was in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
Arlington National Cemetery
Union soldiers buried their dead in
Robert E. Lee’s garden. Before Arlington was a national
cemetery, it was the Lee homestead, and then a tent city for
occupying troops.
Robert E. Lee inherited Arlington House from his wife’s late father. It was a hillside manse overlooking 1,100 acres, just across the river from the White House. Lee left Arlington in April 1861, after resigning from the Union Army and accepting the rank of major general of the Confederacy.
Union troops were preparing to claim the estate almost as soon as he left and his wife Mary, fled.
As the war raged, Arlington looked like a place to put a graveyard after the government acquired the estate in 1864, for $26,800. It became a cemetery during June, 1864. Today, Lee’s former estate is the final resting place for more than 420,000 people. Funeral services continue six days a week, with several dozen a day.
Robert E. Lee inherited Arlington House from his wife’s late father. It was a hillside manse overlooking 1,100 acres, just across the river from the White House. Lee left Arlington in April 1861, after resigning from the Union Army and accepting the rank of major general of the Confederacy.
Union troops were preparing to claim the estate almost as soon as he left and his wife Mary, fled.
As the war raged, Arlington looked like a place to put a graveyard after the government acquired the estate in 1864, for $26,800. It became a cemetery during June, 1864. Today, Lee’s former estate is the final resting place for more than 420,000 people. Funeral services continue six days a week, with several dozen a day.
Wordology
Push the envelope belongs to the modern era of the
airplane. The “flight envelope” is a term from aeronautics
meaning the boundary or limit of performance of a flight object.
The envelope can be described in terms of mathematical curves
based on things like speed, thrust, and atmosphere. You push it
as far as you can in order to discover what the limits are.
Go haywire relates to actual haywire. In addition to tying up bundles, haywire was used to fix and hold many things together in a makeshift way, so a patched-up place came to be referred to as 'a hay-wire outfit'. It then became a term for any kind of malfunctioning thing. The fact that the wire itself became easily tangled when unspooled contributed to the use of the phrase.
Go haywire relates to actual haywire. In addition to tying up bundles, haywire was used to fix and hold many things together in a makeshift way, so a patched-up place came to be referred to as 'a hay-wire outfit'. It then became a term for any kind of malfunctioning thing. The fact that the wire itself became easily tangled when unspooled contributed to the use of the phrase.
Why Vote on Tuesday
Americans always vote in federal elections on Tuesday and
it goes back to the time of horse and buggy.
Between 1788 and 1845, states decided their own voting dates and it resulted in different times to pick the electors. For instance, property owners would cast their votes for president on the first Wednesday of December. During 1792, a law was passed mandating that state elections be held within a 34-day period before that day, so most elections took place in November after the harvest was finished, but before winter began.
With the advent of the railroad and telegraph, Congress decided it was time to standardize a date. Monday was out, because it would require people to travel to the polls by buggy on the Sunday Sabbath. Wednesday was also not an option, because it was market day and farmers would not be able to make it to the polls. So it was decided that Tuesday would be the day that Americans would vote in elections, and in 1845, Congress passed a law that presidential elections would be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Between 1788 and 1845, states decided their own voting dates and it resulted in different times to pick the electors. For instance, property owners would cast their votes for president on the first Wednesday of December. During 1792, a law was passed mandating that state elections be held within a 34-day period before that day, so most elections took place in November after the harvest was finished, but before winter began.
With the advent of the railroad and telegraph, Congress decided it was time to standardize a date. Monday was out, because it would require people to travel to the polls by buggy on the Sunday Sabbath. Wednesday was also not an option, because it was market day and farmers would not be able to make it to the polls. So it was decided that Tuesday would be the day that Americans would vote in elections, and in 1845, Congress passed a law that presidential elections would be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Cooties
The
Military Order of the Cootie of the United States is a
non-profit Veterans Service Organization. It is known as "The
Honor Degree of the VFW" and members are comprised of the
officers and leadership of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
The Military Order of the Cootie was established on September 17, 1920, in Washington, D.C., by Fred Madden and F. L. Gransbury. The organization was modeled after the Imperial Order of the Dragon, an auxiliary to the Spanish American War Veterans.
The name "cootie" is a reference to the lice that plagued soldiers in World War I. Cooties were credited with keeping soldiers' heads down in the trenches. A meeting of cooties is called a "scratch", the local chapter a "Pup Tent", the state affiliate a "Grand", and national headquarters at Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, "The Supreme".
In the years after its founding, it took on several special projects designed to bring smiles to the faces of two special groups of people - hospitalized veterans and residents of the VFW National Home.
The official uniform of the VFW's Military Order of the Cootie is red pants with a white stripe running down each side; ruffled white shirt; lace-trimmed red vest emblazoned on the back with a gold-outlined, bug-like creature with flashing light bulb eyes; red, overseas-style cap worn sideways so that the tassels dangle beside the wearer's ears.
There are about 37,000 Cooties in 1,000 Pup tents. Membership is open to members in good standing in the VFW who have displayed their willingness to work for the parent organization.
The Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary draws its membership from the ranks of women eighteen and older who have been active members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for at least six months and who are the wife, widow, sister, half-sister, daughter, foster daughter, or granddaughter of an active VFW member in good standing. Today there are approximately 17,000 auxiliary members contained in 597 Pup Tents.
The Military Order of the Cootie was established on September 17, 1920, in Washington, D.C., by Fred Madden and F. L. Gransbury. The organization was modeled after the Imperial Order of the Dragon, an auxiliary to the Spanish American War Veterans.
The name "cootie" is a reference to the lice that plagued soldiers in World War I. Cooties were credited with keeping soldiers' heads down in the trenches. A meeting of cooties is called a "scratch", the local chapter a "Pup Tent", the state affiliate a "Grand", and national headquarters at Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, "The Supreme".
In the years after its founding, it took on several special projects designed to bring smiles to the faces of two special groups of people - hospitalized veterans and residents of the VFW National Home.
The official uniform of the VFW's Military Order of the Cootie is red pants with a white stripe running down each side; ruffled white shirt; lace-trimmed red vest emblazoned on the back with a gold-outlined, bug-like creature with flashing light bulb eyes; red, overseas-style cap worn sideways so that the tassels dangle beside the wearer's ears.
There are about 37,000 Cooties in 1,000 Pup tents. Membership is open to members in good standing in the VFW who have displayed their willingness to work for the parent organization.
The Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary draws its membership from the ranks of women eighteen and older who have been active members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for at least six months and who are the wife, widow, sister, half-sister, daughter, foster daughter, or granddaughter of an active VFW member in good standing. Today there are approximately 17,000 auxiliary members contained in 597 Pup Tents.
Nov 23, 2018
Happy Friday
Smiles are silent
conversations inducing increased happiness.
Smile every day, especially on a Happy Friday!
Smile every day, especially on a Happy Friday!
Dressing vs. Stuffing
In a throwback to yesterday's feast, I offer
the following. Dressing and stuffing do not correlate with how
the side dish is prepared. A turkey can be stuffed with
dressing, and stuffing can be served in a casserole dish.
Whether it has ever seen the inside of a bird is irrelevant.
Dressing seems to be the favored descriptor for southern states like Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, while stuffing is preferred by Maine, New York, California, and other northern areas. The one thing all agree is that both are stuffed in your mouth regardless if either has been stuffed in a bird first. This seems to loosely follow the soda vs. pop geographic spread.
Dressing seems to be the favored descriptor for southern states like Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, while stuffing is preferred by Maine, New York, California, and other northern areas. The one thing all agree is that both are stuffed in your mouth regardless if either has been stuffed in a bird first. This seems to loosely follow the soda vs. pop geographic spread.
Denmark Food Labels
A new label on Danish meat products will
encourage consumers to choose more animal-friendly, and likely
more expensive products. The label will inform consumers about
the living standards of pigs before the animal's meat is used
for pork steaks and bacon rashers. The idea is that it would
encourage Danes to reward farmers that made an extra effort for
pig welfare. Three-star pigs will have spent a stipulated
minimum amount of time outside and have slept on straw. The
label will give up to three stars depending on a number of
conditions relating to the welfare of pigs.
New labeling on other food packaging will enable consumers in Denmark to see the effect of their shopping on the environment. The Minister for the Environment wants to give consumers the means to assess in supermarkets the environmental impact of products. “My impression is that there is a demand for knowledge about how individual consumers can contribute to improving world climate,” the minister said. Based on voluntary climate markings on food packaging, the government will launch a campaign to make it easier for consumers to make climate-friendly choices, according to the plan.
Seems like the Ministry of Environment and Food (Miljø- og Fødevareministeriet) has been eating some of its own happy bacon.
New labeling on other food packaging will enable consumers in Denmark to see the effect of their shopping on the environment. The Minister for the Environment wants to give consumers the means to assess in supermarkets the environmental impact of products. “My impression is that there is a demand for knowledge about how individual consumers can contribute to improving world climate,” the minister said. Based on voluntary climate markings on food packaging, the government will launch a campaign to make it easier for consumers to make climate-friendly choices, according to the plan.
Seems like the Ministry of Environment and Food (Miljø- og Fødevareministeriet) has been eating some of its own happy bacon.
Two Macy Parade Tidbits
Macy's is the world's second largest consumer of
helium. The balloons were originally allowed to float away, and
those who found them got a gift certificate from Macy's.
Casting, Dies, and Molds
Casting is
a manufacturing process in which a molten metal is injected or
poured into a mold to form an object of the desired shape.
Molds tend to be used to produce products that need to be hollow in the middle, whereas dies are used to stamp solid products out of media such as steel.
A die is a block of metal with a special shape or with a pattern cut into it that is used for shaping other pieces of metal such as coins or for making patterns.
Tool and die makers are a class of machinists in the manufacturing industries that make jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools, gauges, and other tools used in manufacturing processes.
Molds tend to be used to produce products that need to be hollow in the middle, whereas dies are used to stamp solid products out of media such as steel.
A die is a block of metal with a special shape or with a pattern cut into it that is used for shaping other pieces of metal such as coins or for making patterns.
Tool and die makers are a class of machinists in the manufacturing industries that make jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools, gauges, and other tools used in manufacturing processes.
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