February 26, 2017

Daily Holidays - February 26

National Pistachio Day celebrates the popular nut, which are native to the Middle East. The largest producer of pistachio nuts today is Iran but they are also grown in other areas, including California and Mediterranean Europe. The Chinese are the greatest consumers of the nut. It is thought that pistachio nuts have been eaten by humans for at least 9000 years. Legend even has it that the Queen of Sheba restricted the eating of pistachios to the royal court and forbade commoners to grow them! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pistachio-day/

For Pete's Sake Day celebrates one example of a ‘minced oath’, where an offensive word or phrase is substituted by something more acceptable in society. Other examples include ‘For crying out loud!’, and ‘Sugar!’. Such euphemisms have been used for centuries whenever people hit thumbs with hammers, burn hands on hot plates, or sit on sharp things while in polite company. Why has Pete been singled out for special attention? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/for-petes-sake-day/

Levi Strauss Day Levi Strauss was a German-American businessman born in Bavaria on February 26th, 1829, who came to the United States with his family the mid-1800s when he was 18 years old. Strauss began as a dry goods wholesaler in San Francisco, California, where he sold various items such as clothing, bedding, bags and handkerchiefs to settlers, many of whom had arrived in California to take part in the gold rush. Needless to say, the hard physical labor required of the miners of the day and those building new railroads made it difficult for them to find clothing that would last for more than a few months without falling apart at the seams. One day in 1870, one of Strauss’ clients, a tailor named Jacob W. Davis was approached by a woman who needed a pair of exceptionally strong working pants for her husband, a woodcutter. Her request prompted Davis to make a pair of pants from the denim he’d bought at Strauss’ shop that he then strengthened with copper rivets to reinforce the stitching. Word of the new article of clothing and its endurance spread fast, and soon Davis was not able to keep up with the demand for his invention, nor did he have the resources to open a larger tailor shop or obtain a patent. Falling further and further behind and afraid someone else would steal his idea, Davis decided to ask for Strauss’ financial backing in the filing of a patent application. Strauss agreed, the patent was issued, the two men became business partners, and Levi Strauss & Co was born. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/levi-strauss-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february26.html

February 25, 2017

Daily Holidays - February 25

National Clam
 Chowder Day celebrates this popular broth; often made from clams, onion and potato, recipes vary by region and by country. How do you like yours? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clam-chowder-day/

Open That Bottle Night Since the millennium, one night in the dull, dark month of February has been immeasurably brightened for wine-lovers by the creation of a special day to celebrate cherished bottles of wine, champagne and spirits. Open That Bottle Night is dedicated to making sure that those bottles of fine wine put away for a special occasion, are used and enjoyed. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-that-bottle-night/

Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day hen it comes to the crunch, Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day is a great reason to celebrate a popular sweet treat. Dipping nuts and fruit into chocolate became popular from the 19th century onwards. However, the first nuts covered in chocolate were sold commercially in America in 1925, with Goobers being the oldest brand. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-covered-peanuts-day/

World Sword Swallower’s Day Dangerous, exciting and alluring, Sword Swallowers Day showcases the art of sword swallowing. Every year, the Sword Swallowers Association International organise events in association with Ripley Entertainment. Do we even need to tell you not try this at home? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sword-swallowers-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february25.html

February 24, 2017

Daily Holidays - February 24

National Tortilla Chip Day Tortilla Chip Day is best celebrated on a comfy sofa and a favourite film with a selection of tasty dips! Why not go all out and add some cheese into the mix, grilling or melting it on top to form a stringy, tasty tortilla chip maze! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tortilla-chip-day/

World Bartender Day is the day to appreciate the staff in your local bar. They work hard to keep their customers happy and often don’t get paid very well! Remember to always be friendly to the bartender, especially by being patient if you have to wait to be served. Give the bartender a smile and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ – the bartender will appreciate it and you are more likely to get better service next time you buy a drink. Most importantly, if you’re in a country where tipping is expected, make sure you tip appropriately! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-bartender-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february24.html

February 23, 2017

Missouri lawmakers vote to slash unemployment benefits

JEFFERSON CITY • The Missouri House on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to a plan that would cut the amount of time people can claim jobless benefits to one of the shortest periods in the country.

Shell Knob Republican Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick's proposal would shorten the benefits period for laid-off workers from 20 weeks to 13 weeks if the unemployment rate is below 6 percent.

Missouri's number for December 2016 was 4.4 percent and hasn't been above 6 percent since July 2014.

The Missouri Supreme Court blocked a 2015 version of the changes aimed at shoring up the state's unemployment trust fund on procedural grounds six months ago, but House Republicans have remained resolute.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-lawmakers-vote-to-slash-unemployment-benefits/article_f3f36cd0-76e8-50e3-8812-914fa9ecf66d.html

February 23, 2017

Missouri House advances paycheck deception measure

HB 251, sponsored by Representative Jered Taylor (R-Nixa) would require public employees to opt in each year for dues to be taken out of their paychecks by unions. It also specifies that information on how such deductions are used must be available to employees.

The House bill would impact public employees such as nurses, teachers, social workers, municipal workers, snowplow drivers and anyone working for state and local governments. Unlike last year’s legislation, it would also include police, fire fighters and first responders, groups Governor Greitens claims to support.

Representative Doug Beck (D-Affton), a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562, said the bill is another attempt to take away the voice of middle class workers.

“Workers already have this freedom, to join or not join a union,” Beck said during House debate on the measure. “They can do it any time during the year. We heard plenty of testimony on this. They make it real easy on public employees whether they want to join or not join; whether they want to give money to political cause or whether they don’t want to give money to political cause. I don’t understand why we care about what people do with their money after they earn it. It’s their money. They can do what they want with it.”

http://labortribune.com/missouri-house-advances-paycheck-deception-measure/

February 23, 2017

Daily Holidays - February 23

National Banana Bread Day Banana bread first started to become popular back in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression. Cultural historians suggest that resourceful and creative housewives of the era created the recipe as a way of not wasting over-ripe bananas. In fact, the riper the bananas, the better the taste of the banana bread, so it ended up being a very clever creation! It is traditionally known as a “quick bread”, but is actually more like a cake in both texture and flavor. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/banana-bread-day/

international Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day Every dog has its day – and this is it. Nobody seems to know the origins of Dog Biscuit Day, but every canine in the world knows the best way to celebrate it. Pets will be wagging their tails with glee when their owners serve up unusual or home-made doggy snacks to mark the occasion. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-dog-biscuit-appreciation-day/

Curling is Cool Day is not dedicated to those of us naturally or otherwise endowed with glistening spiralling locks of hair. Oh, no, no! This is the day George Clooney and Bruce Springsteen get to play their all-time favourite sport and call it cool. Most of us out there will probably wonder what the fuss is about, but if you’re a curling enthusiast, then by Jove do you owe the people who invented it a colossal thank you! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/curling-is-cool-day/

Chili Day Some like it hot, some like it mild, some like it on top of a baked potato and some prefer it without beans – but however you like it, Chilli Day is the perfect excuse for millions of spicy food fans all around the world to chow down on a bowl of the fiery favorite. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chilli-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february23.html

February 22, 2017

Industry: Philadelphia soda tax killing sales, layoffs loom

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Some Philadelphia supermarkets and beverage distributors say they’re gearing up for layoffs because the city’s new soda tax has cut beverage sales by 30 percent to 50 percent, worse than the city predicted.

An owner of six supermarkets tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he expects to cut 300 jobs, and a soft drink distributor predicts a 20 percent workforce reduction.

City officials expect business to rebound once customers get over sticker shock. They suggest the industry may be engaging in fearmongering to stop the spread of the tax to other cities.

Mayor Jim Kenney pushed through the 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened and diet beverages to pay for nearly 2,000 pre-kindergarten slots and other programs. He tells the Inquirer he didn’t think it’s possible for the industry “to be any greedier.”

http://wdtn.com/2017/02/22/industry-philadelphia-soda-tax-killing-sales-layoffs-loom/?cid=facebook_WDTN-TV

February 22, 2017

'Bathroom bill' draws parade of criticism in Senate committee

JEFFERSON CITY • If there was a crescendo in the long line of transgender people and their supporters speaking against the nation's latest "bathroom bill" Tuesday, it probably came when Samantha DeMichieli of St. Louis stopped talking and started crying.

With her black hair tied back in a ponytail, Samantha, 13, offered the Senate education committee her credentials as a "normal girl": a role on her school's cheer team, a love of drawing, a fondness for the family cats.

Then she revealed that she lived her first six years as Samuel before deciding to identify as female. At the school she goes to now, it's not a problem, she said. Her friends and teachers accept her and don't make a big deal about where she goes to the bathroom.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bathroom-bill-draws-parade-of-criticism-in-senate-committee/article_c716dd40-c7dd-5453-82ec-e4a1860e14bc.html

February 22, 2017

Muslims raise $55,000 to fix vandalised Jewish cemetery

A crowdfunding project launched by Muslim activists has raised more than $55,000 in one day to repair a vandalised Jewish cemetery in St Louis.

On Tuesday, Linda Sarsour of the grassroots civil rights MPower Change group and Tarek El-Messidi of the non-profit CelebrateMercy organisation called on people to donate after more than 100 headstones at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in the St Louis suburb of University City were toppled.

By early Wednesday, at the time of publishing, $55,341 had been raised.

According to reports, police said they did not yet know who was responsible for the vandalism.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/muslims-raise-55000-fix-vandalised-jewish-cemetery-170222060559511.html

February 22, 2017

Daily Holidays - February 22

National Margarita Day There is a drink that is the very essence of joviality, the patron saint of fun, the joyous expression of life at its absolute best. That drink would the Margarita, and when it’s a hot day and you’re gathering with friends, there’s nothing better to bring everyone together. Margarita Day celebrates this amazing drink, and the rainbow of colors and flavors it comes in. It just goes to show what a little salt, some ice cold tequila, and a wedge of lime can do! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/margarita-day/

World Thinking Day originated from a desire by Girl Guides / Girl Scouts to dedicate a day to thinking about and appreciating the global spread of these movements. Each year a participating country is selected and its culture and general living conditions pondered on for the day by all guides and scouts. The idea is to create a greater awareness and understanding of different cultures and any global concerns regarding that particular region. It sounds a little like those endless, global conferences attended at great cost by politicians, which rarely show results. The Girl Guides and Scouts Associations, however, do things differently. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thinking-day/

Be Humble Day Humility may be the most difficult of all the virtues to truly attain. There seems to be a paradox in that claiming to have humility may be an act of pride. Some people might be prideful in their humility… or something like that. Either way, Be Humble Day focuses on humbling yourself. There is no boasting allowed on Be Humble Day. Choosing not to brag about your successes and abilities can prove to be much more difficult than one might anticipate, as the culture surrounding us is often centered on self and the successes achieved by an individual. Throughout the ages philosophers and the average Joe alike have pondered humility and what it means to be truly humble. It is a difficult question to answer and the final answer may never fully present itself. But perhaps the seeking of humility is more important than the achieving. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-humble-day/

Cook A Sweet Potato Day Cook a Sweet Potato Day is our chance to recognise the important contributions that this vegetable has made to humanity. As with other food-related events, part of the fun of this day is that we can cook a sweet potato however we see fit. Whether it is boiled, steamed, fried or prepared with other delectable dishes, the sweet potato is both healthy and tasty. Sweet potatoes can be used in salads, pies and soups. They can be used as a side dish or serve as the main course when made into a casserole. They can be combined with flour, yeast and several other ingredients to be made into rolls, or they can be combined with eggs, sugar and spices like cinnamon to make a delicious pie. There are even recipes for sweet potato quesadillas, sweet potato pudding and sweet potato chip dip to be found. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cook-a-sweet-potato-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february22.html