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  • Ozzie Smith and Budweiser Want to Make Opening Day a National Holiday

    The White House’s We the People website is no stranger to odd petitions. After all, it was just last month when the White House was petitioned to allow beer drones for easy beer delivery and to deport Justin Bieber. Now, thanks to a joint effort by MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Budweiser, the White House has a new petition on its hands–to make MLB Opening Day a national holiday.

    The petition, which you can access through the Budweiser website as long as you’re at least 21 years old, or access via the We the People website, was started on Monday. Ozzie Smith and Budweiser will have 30 days from the time the petition was started to get the 100,000 signatures needed for the White House to review the petition. Once the petition receives the minimum number of signatures, the White House is supposed to issue a response.

    The reason provided for making MLB Opening Day a national holiday on the petition page is that Opening Day is a widely anticipated American tradition. Check out the full explanation provided for the petition below.

    MLB Opening Day is more than just the beginning of the season. It’s a symbol of rebirth. The coming of spring. The return of America’s national pastime. It’s a state of mind where anything is possible. You can feel the electricity in the air. Opening Day brings with it the promise of a new beginning. Every fan is in good spirits. It’s a day of celebration. It’s a day of hope. It’s a day that, for generations, has been looked forward to by baseball fans every off-season. It’s an American tradition, and it deserves to be recognized as an American holiday. Join us in our quest to make sure every American can exercise their inalienable right to celebrate the day those two magical words are uttered for the first time: “PLAY BALL!”

    Smith and Budweiser are promoting the petition on their Twitter pages, and judging from some of the responses, people are certainly enjoying the far-off dream that Opening Day, which is on March 31, could become a national holiday.

    “Coming from St. Louis, of course being such a baseball town, it’s sort of an unofficial holiday, Opening Day, so they thought it would be a good idea for Mr. Smith to just take a trip to Washington,” Smith told ESPN. “I don’t know exactly what the odds of success are. With the Budweiser machine behind it, I’m sure that we’ll get the 100,000 signatures.”

    That sounds about right, as the petition is only two days old and already has just under 25,000 signatures. While it is highly unlikely that the White House will act on this petition–as nice as it would be to have a paid holiday to stay at home and watch baseball–it is certainly a good way to drum up interest in the MLB.

    Image via Budweiser

  • Flowers Online: Fresh To… Death?

    Flowers Online: Fresh To… Death?

    What would your gent or lady love say after receiving a bunch of dying roses from you on Valentine’s Day?

    This is something online flower delivery customers are asking themselves. The amorous Hallmark holiday has a way of sneaking up on us and doing to our wallets what cupid does to hearts. Thus, shopping online might seem like a reasonable and convenient workaround when we save our tokenistic gestures until the last moment. But flower delivery is a unique form of commerce inasmuch as the petal patrons never actually get to see or assess the product prior to its arrival at the recipient’s abode.

    So, the question is: are you getting what you’re paying for?

    According to TODAY, some businesses leave much to be desired. After ordering from some of the larger floral delivery companies like 1-800-Flowers, Teleflora, and FTD they noticed gross inconsistencies. Some of the arrangements arrived dying, some didn’t have the number of flowers promised, and – depending on location – whatever was ordered might be totally different from what was described online.

    For example, a $59.99 payment for one arrangement from 1-800-Flowers arrived in Illinois and New York looking fairly similar to the ad’s summary. The recipient said it was, “Very cool and modern, and a lot like the picture.” However, in Los Angeles, the recipient noticed a disparity in the number of lilies from what was promised: “While the ad shows eight lilies, the bouquet that showed up only has five,” adding: “If I’m paying for eight lilies, I don’t want five.”

    The arrival of an arrangement from the Teleflora in New York also included inconsistencies.

    With brown, wilting lilies, the $54.95 bouquet fell short of being worth the cost. The same arrangement that arrived in Illinois was put in a totally different vase. The store’s response when it was brought to their attention was that they were sorry but they reserved the right to make such substitutions.

    As for FTD, their $49.99 assembly of blooms arrived at the door of the Illinois location looking “a little sparse” and “not as tall”, according to the contact there. In L.A., results were not much more impressive, as the individual there described them as appearing also aged. Then, the New York location failed to deliver – and that’s not a figure of speech; they literally never showed up. FTD sent flowers and a refund after that episode.

    Each of these companies claim they “guarantee satisfaction,” and will offer refunds or replacements if a customer isn’t happy. But can you truly refund a gesture gone wrong? Also, it’s hard to imagine a person telling someone they adore, “Hey, thanks for the flowers, man. They looked like something out of the Adams Family movie.”

    All is not lost, though. 1-800-Flowers is planning a more plausible solution. If all goes well, you could see an actual picture of your posies before they leave the store. The company hopes to have that new technology ready to go in the next few weeks.

    Also, some surmise that a rise in the buying of artificial flowers may ensue for the upcoming holiday. Between the rising costs for real flowers and discontent over their quality, co-owener of K Flower Talk, a faux flower company, said:

    “Customers would usually complain about the steep hike on prices of blooms as Valentine’s Day approaches,” adding, “we are expecting them to switch to plastic flowers,” concluding that she expected sales to go up by 50% from last year.

    Dupe blooms could be good… so long as you use a line like this:

    But if a faux-quet just isn’t your style, it appears that real online flower delivery services aren’t to be entirely eschewed. You may just want to check the reviews first for your area so you can weed out any ones that sound like they might be a few roses short of a bouquet.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Kwanzaa Greetings From The Man Himself, Pres. Obama

    Thursday marked the first day of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American culture.

    President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sent out their best wishes to those participating in the upcoming family activities and community festivities.

    “Michelle and I extend our best wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season.

    “(Thursday) marks the beginning of the week-long celebration of African American culture through family activities and community festivities that bring attention to Kwanzaa’s seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

    “Though each principle represents the essence of this holiday, they also represent the shared values that bind us as Americans.”

    Obama’s first greeting in 2011 followed a time when there were certain opinions toward showing appreciation for the holiday. The idea of the White House acknowledging Kwanzaa was seen as an absurd gesture during Pres. George W. Bush’s presidency.

    A recap to when the former president issued messages each year recognizing the holiday allegedly outraged conservatives.

    “I send greetings to those celebrating Kwanzaa.

    Kwanzaa celebrates the traditional African values of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. From December 26th to January 1st, people of African descent gather to renew their commitment to these seven principles, known as Nguzo Saba, and give thanks for the blessings of family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is also a time for Africans and African-Americans to honor their common heritage by participating in events based on early harvest gatherings called matunda ya kwanza, or first fruits.

    As individuals and families join together during Kwanzaa, their joy enriches communities in the United States and across the globe. By uniting people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, this holiday promotes mutual understanding and respect. These universal principles inspire us as we work together for a future of freedom, hope, and opportunity for all.

    Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a memorable Kwanzaa, and for peace, happiness, and success in the coming year.

    GEORGE W. BUSH”

    Nevertheless, this time the Obamas leave all those who believe in the spirit of Kwanzaa with a similar blessing for the New Year to come.

    “As families and communities across our country come together today to light the Kinara, our family sends our hopes for a prosperous and healthy new year.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas for Christmas

    Get creative this holiday season by wrapping up those presents with something other than the standard wrapping paper that you see everywhere! Below is a list of great ideas to keep your gift-giving even more unique and exciting.

    Burlap-Pickup some burlap from the craft store to give your presents a warm, southern charm.

    Seashells-Live near the coast or maybe have some extra seashells laying around from that last vacation to the beach? Grab them and zest up a boring gift with a touch from the sea.

    NewspaperTake that Sunday paper and turn it into something magical! Add a pretty, black bow and you’re all done.

    Candy Canes Use some of those leftover candy canes to add some festivity to your special packages! Just tie on with a bow or tape. Simple and tasty!

    Brown Paper Bag Use a brown paper bag to wrap those gifts up with this year. Write merry messages on the paper or find some white chalk to draw a snowman.

    Watch this video for some more helpful hints on wrapping this holiday season.

    No matter what’s under the paper, you’re bound to get great reactions with these creative ideas for gift-wrapping!

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Kohl’s Shooting Leads to Charges of Two Black Friday Shoplifters

    Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for what you do have, but for others, it’s a time to remember ALL the things they don’t have and partake in a little retail theft.

    Two men have been charged in a Black Friday incident that took place at a Kohl’s store location in Romeoville, Ill.

    At 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving, police received a call regarding shoplifting inside the store.

    When police arrived, one of the suspects ran out of the store and jumped into a Pontiac Sunfire in an attempt to flee the scene. An officer went after him and ended up being dragged across the parking lot after his arm was intentionally closed in the car door.

    According to ABC7 Chicago:

    Police say a backup officer ordered the driver to stop multiple times, and when he kept going, the backup officer fired three to four shots toward the driver. The driver was struck once in the shoulder area, and at that time, the car came to a stop…

    Robert Russell, 51, has been charged with retail theft, obstructing an officer and attempted murder. Twenty-eight-year old Gerald Chamberlain, who was still in the store during the confrontation, has been charged with theft. The driver was identified as 52-year-old Charles Hinch and he is being hospitalized for his injuries.

    The police officer was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital.

    (image)

    A returning customer told MyFoxChicago this morning that she was informed by her husband about the string of events that took place the night before.

    “What bothers me is it was over clothing,”  Karen Hasberger said. “So that’s upsetting that somebody felt they had to steal clothing, and a police officer put his life on the line for that. It’s not like a jewelry heist or a bank robbery.”

    Kohl’s spokeswoman, Sydney Hofer, declined to release any additional information other than the store was cooperating with the police department’s investigation.

    Despite the frightful events that took place, the store remained open today for Black Friday.

    Image Credit: Youtube, instantnews1 

  • Thanksgiving Storm Threatens Travelers

    The holidays are in full swing and, like every other year, travelers will be heading all across the United States to visit families. This year, however, a major storm will be a threat to those travelers, both driving and flying.

    The day before Thanksgiving is always the busiest travel day of the year, and coincidently, it is also the day that the worst of the weather is expected. People out West have already had up to a foot of snowfall and can expect more coming in the next few days. In the East, we can expect more snow, rain, as well as a winter mix.

    AAA predicted that 43 million people are expected to be traveling this holiday season with 3.1 million of those flying. This could cause for delays at airports in places like New York, Boston, Washington and Baltimore.

    While the weather will not be ideal, AAA Chief Operating Officer, Marshall L. Doney, says that travelers may experience cheaper gas prices and is calling this Thanksgiving, “the least expensive holiday of the year.”

    “While the economy continues to improve, the sluggish pace of the recovery is creating uncertainty in the minds of some consumers and therefore AAA is projecting a slight decline in the number of Thanksgiving travelers this year. For those traveling the good news is motorists will receive a holiday bonus in the form of lower gas prices which are at their lowest levels for the holiday since 2010.”

    “The primary focus of Thanksgiving, more so than any other holiday, is to gather with friends, family and loved ones and celebrate with each other. Travelers attempting to carve out a travel budget will be happy to know that Thanksgiving will be the least expensive holiday of the year,” continued Doney.

    So, if you plan on traveling this week, be sure to tune in to the local weather channel and keep an eye on the weather threats that are affecting your area. Happy Holidays!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Town’s Giant Mushroom to be Dropped for New Year

    Times Square in New York City has been home to the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop since 1907, 104 years total. (The ball did not drop in 1942-43 due to WWII blackouts.) Thousands of people from all over the world meet in Times Square every year to ring in the New Year in a seemingly odd celebration. Well, it’s time for New York to take a back seat for once. This year, the Borough of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is starting a New Year’s celebration of its own – the dropping of a giant mushroom.

    Kennett Square, Pa is known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” and rightly so; Mushroom farms in Southern Chester County account for 65% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States every year. Not only that, but Kennett Square hosts an annual Mushroom Festival, the mission of which is “to promote the mushroom, educate consumers about the health benefits of mushrooms and to promote tourism in Southern Chester County, all while financially supporting local and regional charities through a grant process.” Since its inception in 1985, the Mushroom Festival has given over $500,000 back to the community, raising $65,000 during the 2012 festival alone.

    The dropping of the giant mushroom, which will measure 8 feet by 7.5 feet and weight over 700 pounds, will be the culminating activity of the “Midnight in the Square” event taking place in downtown Kennett Square. Kathi Lafferty, the coordinator of the annual Mushroom Festival, stated that she was encouraged to pursue this venture by state representative John Lawrence.

    When asked why the town had chosen to drop a giant mushroom, Lafferty responded in the only way appropriate: “Being the mushroom capital of the world, I don’t know, why not.”

    As absurd as it is, the dropping of a giant mushroom is not the most outlandish New Year drop in the United States. Pennsylvania is home to at least 48 different drops alone, ranging from items such as a giant Peep in Bethlehem, Pa to a beaver in Beavertown, Pa, and even a yellow pair of “britches” in Lisburn, Pa.

    Other insane New Year’s drops include a 3 foot tall wooden flea in Eastover, North Carolina, a sardine in Eastport, Maine, a live opossum in Brasstown, North Carolina, and a a drag queen wearing a large, red high heel in Key West, Florida.

    [Image via The Mushroom Festival Website]

  • Holiday Dresses: It’s Time To Shop Ladies

    Holiday Dresses: It’s Time To Shop Ladies

    It’s that time of year again! So many holidays are just around the corner, and with that comes all the holiday parties.

    The L’Wren Scott collaboration with Banana Republic has many a lady thinking what she’ll be wearing to her holiday office party, her friend’s holiday party, and even preparing for what she’ll wear when the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve.

    No matter what holiday(s) you’ll be celebrating this season, hopefully you’ve set aside some money to purchase some attire with some sparkle and pizzazz.

    While many people tend to lean toward something red and/or green, which isn’t wrong if done the right way, there are also other options for holiday dresses. Anything with sparkle is always in when it comes to holiday parties, as well as velvet and lace. If you’re wanting to stay on trend, THE color of this season is oxblood, And you can of course always wear that little black dress and make it yours with some accessories.

    Here are a few examples of holiday dresses that are sure to peak your interest for this holiday season.

    This dress by Amanda Uprichard is perfect for a holiday party. The emerald green color combined with the silhouette and mesh sleeves and mesh V in the front makes the dress sexy without overdoing it. And at $172, it wouldn’t do too much damage to your budget.

    This RW&CO. dress brings in some detailing with a black lace applique on the sides. This black cherry dress is both sexy and sophisticated thanks to its form fit and a v-cut neckline. At $98, this dress could also be worn to work, just throw on a blazer and black tights, and you’re good to go.

    This little black dress, also by RW&CO., has some sparkle and also continues the peplum trend (which I am OBSESSED with). Also, at $98, this dress will fit most body types. The strapless bodice with sequins adds sex appeal to this dress.

    This dress from BooHoo Canada is on trend with it’s color (a close relative to oxblood and red) and texture (velvet). Of course, you don’t have to wear the jacket. Fur and faux fur isn’t for everyone.

    These three options from Original Penguin give you so much to choose from. I can’t help but sing “Silver and Gold” while looking at the dress on the left. This jacquard shift dress will have all eyes on you as you enter the room.

    While the middle dress may seem like just an LBD, its polyester/rayon blend with “jacquard fabrication” adds enough punch that you don’t need too many accessories to jazz it up.

    The delicate “scribble” print and evening blue hue of the dress on the right may be right up your alley if you prefer a more subdued dress to celebrate in. The shape and style will allow you to dance the night away without worrying about nip-slips or showing off your underwear.

    If you’ve really got some money to spend, this Christian Siriano creation is timeless and perfect. It’s got gold! It’s got sequins! It’s got tulle! What’s not to love? This dress screams “Happy Holidays!” in the most feminine way possible.

    Even if you don’t have money to spare on a new dress or outfit, you can always switch up your accessories to make something you already own look new and fresh. Already have a little black dress in your closet? Add a sparkly statement necklace, some black opaque tights and some suede booties and you’re good to go.

    Whatever you wear this holiday season, just make sure you’re comfortable. Can’t have fun if your dress is too tight to sit, dance, or eat.

    [Image via Original Penguin’s Twitter.]

  • Christmas Cards, Holiday Mail for Heroes

    Christmas Cards, Holiday Mail for Heroes

    Some may be wondering whether mailing Christmas cards is even worth it this year. Isn’t that the purpose of email and electronic Christmas cards, after all?

    However, for students at Spring Hill Elementary School, there is no doubt about the importance of actually mailing a physical Christmas card, especially to members of the military. The Tennessee students are participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes project.

    The campaign’s mantra is “Give Something That Means Something” during this holiday to soldiers as well as their family members. Many of the soldiers will be out-of-the-country this season and unable to celebrate with family. According to ABC 6 News based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, the students are involved in this initiative in order to provide holiday cheer.

    The students are not alone in wanting to spread cheer this holiday. Members of communities throughout the country are forgoing expectations to send electronic greetings and opting to send “snail mail” in the process so that soldiers feel appreciated.

    Anyone interested in contributing to the Holiday Mail for Heroes project should send letters by December 6 to the following address:

    Holiday Mail for Heroes
    P.O. Box 5456
    Capitol Heights, MD 20791

    [Image Via Wikimedia Commons and Courtesy of Alexandra Constantin]

  • Rosh Hashanah The Beginning of The Year

    A new year begins when the sun sets today. Rosh Hashanah is the famous Jewish holiday that literally marks the “head/first of the year” and symbolizes a period of reflection and hope for achieving personal improvements to live a renewed life. The schedule for a Jewish holiday as well as the typical Jewish calendar centers on sunset being the pivotal time slot as opposed to contemporary society where midnight is the focal point.

    According to the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated during the first two days of the seventh month (called Tishri) and marks the first official celebratory day within a period of many Jewish holidays. Historical and biblical references to this holiday are listed under a couple of different titles. The two historical titles used are Yom Ha-Zikkaron, which has the literal translation of “the day of remembrance” and Yom Teruah, which literally means the “day of the sounding of the shofar” whereby the shofar refers to a ram’s horn that is customarily sounded.

    Other Jewish holidays set to occur within close proximity include: Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. In 2013, Rosh Hashanah will begin on September 4, and mark the welcoming of year number 5,774 within the Jewish calendar.

    (image)

    While it is difficult to hear “New Year” and not have images conjured up regarding paper hats and champagne glasses, this holiday is vastly different from the New Year’s festivities happening on December 31st. While renewal is core to both holidays, Rosh Hashanah is a day devoted to prayer and used to metaphorically cast away sins. Some practices historically were devoted to casting away sins (Tashlikh) such as emptying pockets into moving bodies of water or dipping apples in honey. The act of specifically dipping an apple into honey had a twofold symbolization; one, serving as the manifestation of wishes for a pleasant and “sweet as honey” new year, and, two, an act of physically casting away possessions as though they were sins.

    (image)

    Work is not allowed on Rosh Hashanah where the daily schedule is instead expected to include time spent at the synagogue, and where thoughts and energies are to be directed to contemplation for a refreshed mindset.

    [Images Via Wikimedia Creative Commons with attribution to Dr. Avishai Teicher Pikiwiki Israel]

  • Groundhog Day Prediction to be Streamed Live Online

    Everyone snowed-in and sick of winter will be happy to learn that the yearly Groundhog Day prediction in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania will be live-streamed online this year. The Pennsylvania tourism website will stream Punxsutawney Phil’s annual “prognostication” from this website. The prediction is scheduled to take place around 7:25 am EST.

    According to the folk tale, six more weeks of winter are predicted by Phil if he sees his shadow. If not, an early spring is “just around the corner.”

    The tradition of Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day dates back to 1887. Since February 2 falls on a weekend this year, record crowds are expected to visit Gobbler’s Knob.

    In addition to live-streaming the event, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office has again teamed up with Foursquare to offer a special Groundhog Day badge. The first 500 Foursquare users to check in from Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 will receive a Groundhog Day-branded Slinky toy. The Slinky was declared the official toy of Pennsylvania in 2001.

    Last year, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, as is usually the case. Still, there is always hope that the groundhog will predict an early spring, and that the prediction will happen to be correct.

    For those who prefer to sleep in on their Saturdays, the movie Groundhog Day is currently streaming via Netflix Watch Instantly. It is, in every way, more entertaining than one of the real predictions. As proof, last year’s festivities (which consist largely of men in top hats making a spectacle of a terrified rodent) can be seen below.

  • St. Patrick’s Day Google Doodle Focuses More On Art, Less On Drinking

    It won’t be St. Patrick’s Day in the Western world until tomorrow, but our friends in Australia are already getting to celebrate the only holiday that actually encourages people to drink until they’re sick.

    The Google Doodle celebrating the holiday uses a traditional Irish design that’s more celebratory of their culture instead of the usual symbols we associate with the holiday like drinking and leprechauns.

    The holiday originally came to be in Ireland as a celebration of the life of St. Patrick. It’s passed down that he came to Ireland to spread Christianity and used traditional holiday symbolism like the shamrock to explain Christian doctrine.

    In the modern day, the holiday is still a highly religious one in Ireland. It’s celebrated by the Catholic church with services, wearing green and the lifting of restrictions on certain foods and drinking alcohol, which is where we get the rest of the world’s version of the holiday.

    In other parts of the world, the holiday is used to spread awareness of Irish culture and celebrate the contributions that the Irish have made around the world.

    Australia is no different and celebrates the holiday with the usual festivities. They even go one step further by illuminating the Sydney Opera House in green.

    St. Patrick's Day Google Doodle

    While our friends in Australia are already celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, you can bet your pot of gold that the rest of us are going to be out celebrating it tomorrow.