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Issue 500 - 5/30/2011
SNIPPETZ SUGGESTS IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE, READ ON... by Deborah Stumpf “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
- Mark Twain Did your mother ever say: “If you can’t say something nice to somebody, don’t say anything at all?” Maybe that’s what Mayor R. Keith Summey of North Charleston, S.C. was thinking when he proclaimed June 1 as Say Something Nice Day back in 2006. Or it might be possible that National Compliment Day came from Debby Hoffman and Kathy Chamberlin’s book “Find Something Nice to Say-The Power of Compliments,” published in 1998. Our compliments to the authors – compliments and random acts of kindness are spreading around the world and the world could sure use them. The Obvious Compliments are a powerful tool. They also are great motivators for desired behavior. Delivered with sincerity, they make a person feel good as well as valued, boosting one’s self-esteem to the heavens. They also make the deliverer feel good. They create positive energy. Just as a coworker’s bad mood can rub off on you and the rest of the office, so can a good mood. Given that, would you rather use the power of the word to generate a positive environment or a negative one? Hmmmm…. Our Compliments to the Chef, Coworker, Sibling If you’re feeling that June 1 is creeping up on you and you’re not sure what kind of compliment(s) to deliver, or to whom, here are a few ideas to get you started. Who?
Say What?
Learn to Take a Compliment For some, taking a compliment gracefully is much harder than giving one. Along with hearing “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” many of us learned that when given a compliment, it is best be humble and show humility – it’s bad form to accept a compliment, so better to repel or deflate it. Have you found yourself saying after a friend complimented you on the dress you are wearing, “Oh, this old thing?” Or at the office, “I just threw that report together; it was nothing.” Elvira G. Aletta, Ph.D. offers seven steps to accepting a compliment with grace, which sends the message that you believe in yourself enough to trust the sincerity of the giver of a compliment.
Not All Compliments Are Created Equal First, there’s the insincere compliment. It does more harm than good and there’s nothing more that can be said about that. The left-handed or backhanded compliment is one that is not flattering because it is really an insult disguised as a compliment.
Compliments of Hollywood Some famous movie lines:
From the Songwriters
A Close Cousin – Random Acts of Kindness As a response to “random acts of violence,” the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation was born. This nonprofit organization is financed anonymously. They take no donations and exist to encourage people to engage in random acts of kindness. Their programs are found in schools, neighborhoods and workplaces around the world.
To our Snippetz readers: Darlings, you look marvelous! Issue 501
SNIPPETZ IS SERVING OUR READERS A SPOT OF TEA by Deborah Stumpf “There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.” - Bernard-Paul Heroux Tea, from hot to iced to herbal, is a staple in America. In 2010, more than $7 billion worth of tea was sold in the United States; Americans consumed more than 65 billion servings of tea – or three billion gallons. More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese introduced tea to the world. Legend has it that an early emperor, Shen Nung, had demanded that his servants boil his water for hygienic reasons. One day, as the servant boiled the water, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the pot and what became brown liquid intrigued Shen Nung. He drank some of the brown water and thought it was refreshing. According to the most cited version, the Chinese called the brown water drink “Kia;” which evolved into “Cha” and later in England it was called Te; thus, the modern reference. Regardless, it’s one word that is universal worldwide. The Roots of Tea Actual tea is made from the young leaves of variations of the camellia plant, native to the Far East. The plant thrives in tropical climates, and major plantations are found in India, Sri Lanka, Tibet and China. Tea is categorized into four types: white, oolong, green and black teas, depending on the fermentation process. Black tea, for example, is fully fermented; the leaves are crushed to increase the amount of sap from the leaves. The sap oxidizes to a dark color and has a sharp flavor. Brewing tea is an art akin to cultures, from the Russians, who often make their teas as strong as espresso coffee and then dilute them to taste, to the most common technique of boiling water and adding tea to a cup of water. In some cultures, the brewing of tea is ceremonious. Tea – Art in Japan After realizing its enhancing effects on meditation practices in China, a Buddhist priest brought tea to Japan. As tea grew in esteem within the imperial society of Japan, making and drinking tea became a well-practiced ceremonial act, influenced by Zen Buddhism. Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish-Greek journalist granted Japanese citizenship, wrote that the tea ceremony required “years of training and practice … yet, the whole of this art … signifies no more than the making and serving of a cup of tea … the act must be performed in the most perfect, most polite, most graceful, most charming manner possible.” The Japanese enthusiasm for tea led to architectural designs based on tea ceremonies called tea houses. The societal hostesses of Japan, the Geisha, began specializing in tea ceremonies, and somewhere the Zen concept of tea turned into more of a Wall Street-type concept. The tea ceremony became competitive when Japan’s wealthiest began holding tea tournaments, where nobles had to guess the various tea blends. They competed for rich material items like silk and jewelry – the opposite of tea’s Zen philosophy. On to Europe and England Tea remained the fashionable drink of the wealthy in the Dutch capitol of Hague. Portugal had gained the first right of trade with China and developed a route to ship tea to Lisbon. Tea was sold for more than $100 a pound at the time. Dutch ships transported tea to France, Holland and the Baltic countries. As the price fell with the increase of tea shipments, tea became available in apothecaries and area food shops. By 1650, the Dutch were trading throughout the West. Dutchman Peter Stuyvesant brought the first tea to America to colonists in the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam (known today as New York). When England acquired the colony, the Dutch consumption of tea was more than all of England. Samples of tea reached England around 1653, and tea became so popular there it replaced ale as the national drink of England. Afternoon tea in England The tea craze had engulfed England as it earlier had in France and Holland. All levels of society were drinking tea. At the time tea was introduced to the British, there were two main meals in England – breakfast and dinner. There was a long period in between, until Anna, Duchess of Bedford, invited friends to an additional “meal” that included small cakes, bread and butter, assorted sweets and tea. The “meal” usually took place at 5 p.m.; and soon other socialites followed suit, and tea service emerged. The Brits had developed their own ceremony. Servants made the tea and brought it to the hostess, who was practically draped in China porcelain, as she awaited her guests. The afternoon tea cuisine progressed to tiny sandwiches, pates, toasted breads with jams and traditional British pastries like scones and crumpets. Tea service grew into two forms – high and low. Low tea was served in the earlier part of the afternoon in wealthy homes, where they served gourmet snacks. High tea – late afternoon – became the main meal of the middle and lower classes and consisted of dinner items like roast beef and mashed potatoes. Whether high or low, tea was the mainstay. Little did the British know that tea would eventually become the stimulus that set the American Revolution in motion. The Boston Tea Party When the tea trend spread throughout the colonies, it became a chief commodity of trade between the colonies and England. By 1720, tea trade had centered in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. As English Parliament imposed high taxes on tea, among other things, the colonists rebelled. Independent merchants began smuggling tea to the colonists, mainly from the Dutch. The giant trade company in England, the John Company (eventually known as the East India Co.) was losing profits because of the independent merchant trade; they pressured Parliament to allow them to sell tea directly to the colonists (they had been selling it to merchants who sold it to the colonists). Protests only heightened, as colonists rebelled not only against high taxes but also against the John Company monopoly. On Dec. 16, 1773, a group of colonists dressed as Native Americans boarded ships loaded with tea from England and began throwing the tea overboard.
From Tea to Shining Tea The Tea Party in America has been gaining momentum from coast to coast. Although popular in thought, the Tea Party is not based on the Boston Tea Party. The Tea Party began creating a stir in 2009 when the leader of Young Americans for Liberty, Trevor Leach, organized protests against New York taxes. Since then, the Tea Party has risen in the political arena as a viable threat to the two-party system. A Teacup Full
Issue 502
SNIPPETZ IS SWOONIN' OVER THE CROONIN' by Deborah Stumpf Oh, but you’re lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft There is nothing for me but to love you Just the way you look tonight Just the way you look tonight - Bing Crosby, “The Way You Look Tonight” The advent of amplifier systems spawned a new genre of music. Crooners – solo music artists – pulled at the heartstrings of audiences with songs like “You’re Breaking my Heart” by Vic Damone or “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin. Crooners were suave and sexy, with soul and savvy. Webster’s defines crooners as those who “sing or speak in a gentle murmuring manner … who sing in a soft intimate manner adapted to amplifying systems.” Prior to microphones, vocal entertainers had to belt out songs using their entire body so audiences could hear them. Big bands and jazz groups were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, but crooners gained fame toward the beginning of World War II. After the war, crooners were in high demand on radios throughout the country. The 1940s catapulted some of the best to a revered place in music’s history, and the crooner’s sound has been everlasting through the decades. Bing Crosby Toss a coin for the title of “original crooner,” but Bing Crosby stands out for his album, appropriately called, “The Original Crooner,” which featured iconic songs like “Pennies from Heaven,” “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Crosby was a household name, especially around the holidays. Crosby’s “Silver Bells,” “Silent Night and “White Christmas” (the latter was at the top of the charts for most of 1942) have more than withstood the test of time. His annual televised Christmas show became an American holiday ritual. Also an actor, Crosby won an Oscar for best actor in the 1944 movie, “Going My Way.” Crosby made more than 1,500 records during his career, which lasted until he died Oct. 14, 1977, while playing golf in Madrid, Spain. Did you know? Crosby studied law at Gonzaga University in Washington and left law school two months before graduating. Tony Bennett Tony Bennett is 85 years young and going strong, really strong. Bennett will release a new album in September. “Duet’s II” is a joint effort with some of this country’s most glorified musicians. Singing Bennett’s greatest hits with him on his new album are Andrea Bocelli, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, K.D. Lang, Lady Gaga, Natalie Cole, John Mayer, Willie Nelson and more. As Crosby and many of the other crooners, Bennett got his start in jazz, integrating jazz into his solos by imitating the instruments with his own voice. Today, Bennett has been embraced by the music industry in an unprecedented way. He’s appeared on reality shows like “American Idol,” and has sung with music icons like Bono, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Elvis Costello. His resilience also has won him roles in movies: “Analyze This,” “The Scout” and “Bruce Almighty.” Bennett’s signature song is a classic: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Other hits include “Because of You,” “Blue Velvet,” “Rags to Riches” and “Stranger in Paradise.” Among other awards, he received the Kennedy Center Honor, and the United Nations recognized him with “Citizen of the World.” Bennett was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997. Did you know? In 1949, Bob Hope invited Bennett on a concert tour, suggesting that he use the name Tony Bennett, instead of his birth name, Antonio Benedetto. He also is an accomplished painter and has an art studio in New York City. Nat "King" Cole Who can forget Nat King Cole and his signature song, “Unforgettable?” Years later, Cole added his daughter Natalie’s vocals to “Unforgettable,” which it was indeed. Also known for his Christmas songs, Cole has been touted as one of America’s finest crooners, with a “voice as rich as black velvet.” He had a host of No. 1 hits, including “Mona Lisa” and “Love is the Thing.” Cole started early, leaving school at age 15 to pursue a career as a jazz pianist. He had been playing piano since he was 4 years old. His first professional gig was in Los Angeles, and when the show closed, he found work in a club on Santa Monica Boulevard. The rest, as they say, is history. At a time when black singers were identified with jazz and bebop, Cole had a presence and voice that led him beyond the black community. He was the first black man to host a television variety show, although short lived because the network couldn’t find sponsors. Cole also became fast friends with Sinatra and adjusted well to the white world, much to the chagrin of many civil rights activists. However, Cole was always a champion for the rights of blacks and others and a passionate advocate for justice throughout his entire life. Did you know? Television producers often put makeup on Cole to make him look more “white” to please the white audiences. Cole felt the prejudices of the 1950s, especially. He was once attacked on stage in Birmingham, Ala., and promised from then on he would never play another club in the South. Article on Nat "King" Cole The List Goes On – and On Many of America’s beloved crooners were versatile, spanning musical styles; but the following memorable artists fit the bill as those who also “sing (or sang) in a gentle murmuring manner.” Perry Como In 1946, Billboard voted Perry Como second best male vocalist, with Crosby grabbing the No. 1 spot. Como had his own television show, “The Perry Como Show,” and like other crooners, his Christmas specials were as much of a tradition as mistletoe and Santa Claus. One of Como’s hit songs: “Catch a Falling Star” Johnny Mathis Johnny Mathis’ latest release, “Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville” was nominated for 2011 in the category of “best traditional pop vocal album.” Mathis’ first album was released in 1956, “Johnny Mathis, a New Sound in Popular Song.” Besides longevity, Mathis is an eclectic singer as well, from jazz to crooning. In December 2010, Mathis sang a Christmas medley with pop-classical music star Josh Grobin on the “Oprah Winfrey Show.” To quote the title of one his huge hits, Mathis has had a “Wonderful, Wonderful” run as an entertainer. Bobby Darin In 1959, Bobby Darin received a Grammy for “best new artist” and “record of the year” for his notorious hit, “Mack the Knife.” In 2010, Darin received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His son accepted the award for his dad, who died at age 37 in 1973 following heart surgery. Darin’s heart – and music – lives on forever. Today’s Crooners Amid hip hop, pop, rock, country, blues; crooners remain a big part of modern-day music culture – like these artists. Julio Iglesias When a car accident ended Julio Iglesias’s dream of becoming a professional soccer player, he turned to the guitar. In 2010, the Latin idol had sold more than 300 million records. In 1983, Iglesias joined the Guinness Book of World Records for having sold the most records in the most languages in history. Iglesias is still touring worldwide. Harry Connick Jr. At age 5, Harry Connick Jr. was performing in his hometown, New Orleans. Since then, Connick has received a plethora of awards, including Grammy awards and an Emmy. He first reached widespread fame with the score to “When Harry Met Sally.” The film led to Connick’s first multi-platinum album. Barry Manilow “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” “Can’t Smile Without You” – it’s crooning – Barry Manilow style. In the 1970s, Sinatra said of Manilow, “He’s next.” In 1978, Manilow lived up to Sinatra’s prediction when five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously – an accomplishment that put him in the same exclusive circle as Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Mathis. Manilow has also produced and arranged music for other renowned singers like Bette Midler, as well as musicals, films and commercials. He has entertained Las Vegas crowds for years. In 2004, Oprah Winfrey reported that Manilow was one of the most requested guests of all time on her show. Article on Barry Manilow These crooners and others like Mel Torme, Dean Martin; and, not to leave out the ladies, Judy Garland are inscribed in the music scene forever and a day. Issue 503
SNIPPETZ IS TWISTED UP ABOUT TWISTER SEASON by Deborah Stumpf “The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless movie; it’s hard to forget the ominous scene where a tornado whips through Kansas and hurls Dorothy and Toto into the sky, whisking them off to the Land of Oz.
Movie and television shows about natural disasters garner huge audiences; however, no matter how authentic the screen portrayal, the real deal can be terrifying and life changing. Residents of Joplin, Mo., witnessed Mother Nature’s devastation first-hand when an F3 tornado ripped through their city in May, killing at least 142 people and injuring more than 900. The tornado, with 200 mph winds, was the deadliest in the United States since 1950. In April 2011, tornadoes tore through six southern states, killing 210 people in Alabama alone. As of June, tornadoes in the U.S. this spring have killed 536 people, adding up to the deadliest season since 1950. In stark contrast, there were 45 tornado-related fatalities in 2010. Stormy Beginnings Tornadoes are born from thunderstorms and categorized into two types: “supercell” or “non-supercell.” Supercell tornadoes are the most common and long-lived (more than one hour) and begin as a highly organized storm that gains momentum from an updraft or a rise in the current of air. The tilted and rotating updraft can be as large as 10 miles in diameter and up to 50,000 feet tall, usually whirling around about 20 to 60 minutes before the actual tornado forms. Most of the violent tornadoes come from supercell thunderstorms. Non-supercell tornadoes form without the rotating updraft. A commonly known non-supercell tornado is the landspout, which is a narrow, “rope-like” condensation funnel that forms as the thunderstorm clouds build. Because there is no updraft, the spinning motion begins near the ground. Waterspouts are the same, but they occur over water. Most of the non-supercell tornadoes are F2 or less. Tornadoes develop when rising warm, moist air meets colder, dry air and wind directions are at certain angles and speed, creating wind shears. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cites this example of a wind shear that can spawn a tornado: “Winds are coming from the southwest at 5 mph, but higher up – at 5,000 feet above the same location – winds are blowing from the southeast at 25 mph. An invisible tube of air begins to rotate horizontally, and rising air within the thunderstorm tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.” Tornadoes can form when the updraft is rotating and fueled by warm, moist air. The intensity of tornadoes is measured by the F scale (named for Ted Fujita, former professor at the University of Chicago,) based on the amount of damage the tornado does to the affected area. The higher up on the scale the worse the tornado. An F5 tornado has wind speeds between 261 and 318 mph and just about plows down or lifts up everything in its way. An F1 tornado has wind speeds between 23 and 112 mph. Tornado Alley The flat lands of the Great Plains are ripe for tornado activity, as cold air from Canada meets warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. When the two air masses join, a significant number of tornadoes develop along what is known as the “dryline” – a boundary that divides hot, dry air to the west from warm, moist air to the east. The strongest and most violent tornadoes most consistently occur in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas and eastern Colorado – known as Tornado Alley. In comparison to other states, Colorado ranks No. 9 for frequency of tornadoes; and No. 38, 31 and 30 for the number of deaths, injuries and damage costs, respectively. The latest state-by-state comparison is from 1950 to 1995. Each year from 1999 to 2009, Colorado experienced an average of 60 tornadoes that touched land. Myths
Tornado Snippetz
Storm Chasers In the 1996 movie, “Twister,” actors Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton played a husband and wife storm-chasing team. True-to-life storm chasers lauded the visual effects of the movie but criticized the script. At the time, meteorologists Richard and Daphne Thompson of the NOAA were real storm chasers and between the two of them had chased more than 70 tornadoes. Although they were adamant that no storm chaser would ever get as close to the tornado as Hunt and Paxton, today’s dare devils often defy the odds. Watch the Discovery Channel as storm chasers drive directly into the funnel. Their only safety net is the cramped space underneath the car seats. They’re risking plenty. Scientists and meteorologist can only provide tornado warnings and watches but are unable to predict the strength of a tornado – until the damage is done. For sanity and safety sake, it’s best to move away from the storm instead of toward it. Tornado Warning A tornado watch is a notification that conditions are prime for a tornado. A warning means one has been spotted. So, when the T.V. weather person is issuing a warning, heed the following:
Otherwise, you could end up in the Land of Oz! Issue 504
SNIPPETZ SCORES A HOLE IN ONE AT THE BROADMOOR by Deborah Stumpf “Good golf is easier to play -- and far more pleasant -- than bad golf.”
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias, athlete and Olympic gold medalist (1914-1956) In 1995, acclaimed golfer Annika Sorenstam won her first tournament as a professional at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship, held that year at the Broadmoor. The United States Golf Association has once again chosen the Broadmoor to host the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open, and Sorenstam, who retired in 2008, will be there as the honorary chair. Top players vying for the Women’s Open title this year: Cristie Kerr, Suzann Pettersen, Karrie Webb, Stacy Lewis, Sandra Gal, Morgan Pressel, Michelle Wie and defending champion Paula Creamer. On Par for the Open There were 1,295 entries worldwide for this year’s Women’s Open. Eighty-two women were exempt from having to qualify; qualifying rounds for the rest began May 16 and ended June 5 on 20 different golf sites. The field was whittled down to 156 golfers, who will play four rounds July 7 through July 10. After the first two rounds, players with the low-60 scores, including ties, and anyone within 10 shots of the leader will advance to the third and fourth rounds. Practice rounds will be played July 4 through July 6. A Boost to the Pocketbook Last year, the purse at the Women’s Open was $3.2 million, with $585,000 to the winner. Besides the money, the title holder receives a gold medal, possession of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for the year and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Women’s Open championships. The Colorado Springs area is a winner as well. According to the Gazette, tournament officials estimated an economic impact of more than $25 million. Women’s Open: a Snippetz of History This year marks the 66th U.S. Women’s Open championship. The first was played in Spokane, Wash., at the Spokane Country Club in 1946. At the time, the Women’s Professional Golf Association conducted the tournament, until the newly formed Ladies Professional Golf Association assumed the responsibility in 1949. The LPGA ran the Open for four more years, and then requested that the USGA pick up the championship. The youngest winner of the Open was Inbee Park, who, at age 19, won the 2008 Women’s Open. Born in Seoul, Korea, Park moved to the U.S. at age 10. The oldest winner was Texas-born Babe Zaharias, who won the 1954 Open at age 43. Catherine Lacoste won the Women’s Open in 1967, the first and only amateur to do so. She was propelled by good genes, as the daughter of French tennis player Rene Lacoste and 1927 British Ladies Amateur champion Simone Thion de la Chaume. More About Sorenstam Sorenstam is an icon in the world of women’s golf. She has 89 victories worldwide, including 10 major championships. Following her 1995 win at the Broadmoor, she won the U.S. Open in 1996 and 2006. The Golf Writers Association named Sorenstam the American Female Player of the Year eight times, and the Ladies Professional Golf Association presented her with the prestigious Rolex LPGA Player of the Year award a record eight times. She became the first player in LPGA history to exceed $22 million in earnings. Sorenstam was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. Today, Sorenstam has a family and is as successful off the course as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and golf ambassador. The Course The Women’s Open will be played on the Broadmoor’s award-winning East Course, which is one of just 12 North American and Caribbean golf courses to receive a five-star rating from Golf Digest. The course was also ranked No. 1 in customer service by Golf Digest. In 1916, Spencer Penrose, who had just purchased the Broadmoor, asked a prominent architect by the name of Donald Ross to design an 18-hole golf course for the hotel property and resort that was then under development. When the course was completed in 1918, it was the highest golf course in the U.S. at 6,400 feet in elevation. Ross designed the first six holes and the last three, and Robert Trent Jones Sr. created holes seven through 15. The East Course is well-known for wide fairways and large greens, not to mention the beautiful trees and mountain views. The East Course has hosted numerous tournaments and golf greats. Besides Sorenstam’s win in 1995, Jack Nicklaus got his first major win on the East Course with the 1959 U.S. Amateur. Ross and Jones also designed the Broadmoor’s West Course, which is higher in elevation at 6,800 feet and overlooks the mountains and the city. The West Course hosted the 1998 PGA Cup Matches. Jack Nicklaus’s company, Nicklaus Design, redesigned the Mountain Course, which opened in July 2006. More Championships Throughout its long history, the Broadmoor has been the site of many golf tournaments, starting in 1918 with the Red Cross Matches Fundraiser. Penrose and his friends were responsible for raising more than $1 million during that championship. The Trans-Mississippi Championship was first played in 1927; they came back six times between 1927 and 1996. Others:
The Broadmoor Beyond golf courses, the Broadmoor has a rich history that includes a dairy farm, a casino and, of course, Penrose’s dream resort. It has been one of Colorado’s defining destinations for business and tourism, and a get-away for renowned celebrities, dignitaries and U.S. presidents. Presidents Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have all walked the halls of the Broadmoor. The list of movie stars and dominant sports figures who have dined at the Broadmoor’s A-listed restaurants or shopped at the unique gift stores or gotten a massage at the spa are endless. Football legend Terry Bradshaw and Lance Armstrong of bicycling fame are among them. Others include Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Sir Elton John, Cher, Ted Turner and Michael Douglas. Oh, if those walls could only talk. Historical accounts of human activity at the Broadmoor have included a few amusing; nonetheless, interesting stories. John Wayne In the 1950s, John Wayne took a break from filming for some R & R at the Broadmoor. Staff members at the time told this story about Wayne. One afternoon, as they were bringing up a large tray of shrimp to a party of people in one of the suites, John Wayne met them in the elevator. As they rode up the elevator, Wayne started taking the shrimp from the tray and eating them. When they reached the suite, the workers were prepared to tell the party they would have to get a new tray of shrimp. But Wayne took the shrimp tray and walked into the suite and said, “Here’s your tray, and I ate the shrimp.” The party didn’t care about the shrimp at that point, but Wayne had another tray sent to the suite and stayed to sign autographs. The Prohibition Story On the lobby level of the hotel is an area called Bottle Alley, where many bottles of liquor from the Prohibition era are stored. Spencer Penrose and his wife were well-known anti-prohibitionists. Spencer Penrose was especially noted for inviting hoteliers and the press to his hotel property, asking them to bring a few bottles of their “favorite cologne,” which referred to illegal alcohol. He also used the reference “gasoline.” The invitees were mainly men of wealth and besides dining with their “cologne," they enjoyed all the amenities of the hotel and nearby attractions. Broadmoor Chief Executive Officer Steve Bartolin discovered that Penrose had hidden three “flatcars” of his “gasoline” in the tunnels that ran from the original casino to the “houses of ill repute.” When Bartolin and a few staff members opened the door hidden behind some filing cabinets, they were taken back by the stench of “rotting hay and fermentation.” Prohibition is long past, and a few golf enthusiasts will most likely enjoy some fresh libations at the Women’s Open. A Hole in One for Colorado The USGA conducts 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. This is the third time Colorado has been the venue for the Women’s Open. The Cherry Hills Country Club near Denver hosted the Open in 2005. The 2011 Women’s Open is the 30th USGA championship played in Colorado. Issue 505
SNIPPETZ VISITS THE NATIONAL PARKS TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY by Deborah Stumpf "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir One person can make a difference, even if it does take awhile. On a trip to the Dakotas in 1832, artist George Catlin was so concerned about westward expansion on wildlife, the wilderness and the American Indian civilization that he planted the seed for a national park system when he wrote: “By some great protecting policy of government … in a magnificent park … A nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild and freshness of their nature’s beauty!” Few could argue the beauty of and the pride Americans have for our national parks. And we just don’t talk about them. In 2010, more than 281 million of us visited national parks. In The Beginning Before the National Park Service came along to operate these parks in 1916, there was some movement toward establishing national parks starting with Yosemite Valley, which Congress donated to California to preserve as a state park in 1864. In 1872, Congress then reserved Yellowstone “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Yellowstone sprawled through Wyoming and Montana and was kept under the care and feeding of the Department of the Interior. Eventually, California returned Yosemite and in the late 1800s and early 1900s, more parks were brought into the fold to include Crater Lake, Glacier and Sequoia. During this time, Congress was also working to preserve prehistoric Indian ruins and artifacts. The first, in 1989, was Casa Grande Ruin in Arizona followed by Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park in 1906. This is when Congress also passed the Antiquities Act which gave American presidents authority to “set aside” such lands, structures and objects of historic or scientific significance. The movement for conservation of these lands continued, but had the added support of capitalism. There were those who promoted preservation for the sole purpose of making money through tourism. The short story is that on Aug. 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the legislation that created the National Park Service under the Interior Department within the federal government. From West to East The first parks in the National Park Service were all located in the west, except for Acadia National Park in Maine. Eventually, in 1926, Congress authorized the Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah and Mammoth Cave national parks in the Appalachia’s. Then there was the goldmine of the east full of the War Department’s treasures in historic battlefields, memorials and monuments. After Franklin D. Roosevelt became president in 1933, he transferred the War Department’s parks and monuments to the Park Service. Roosevelt employed thousands in conservation work involving national and state parks with his New Deal to provide relief from the Great Depression. Long Story Long The National Park System houses 394 “units” that cover a span of 83 million acres. Units are categorized into types of national parks and include national monuments, recreation areas (RA), historic sites, military parks, battlefields and seashores. For example, Ford’s Theater, the site where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, is a designated National Historic Site and included in the purview of the National Park System; as well as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The NPS designations have been known to be confusing to many. Although all of these have equal legal standing in the national park system, they have different things to offer. The NPS provides these definitions.
Most Visited According to The National Geographic, the most popular parks are:
Notable Presidential Additions
Notable Snippetz
Issue 506
SNIPPETZ ASKS WHO EXACTLY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION? by Deborah Stumpf “An amazing invention - but who would ever want to use one?” - Rutherford B. Hayes, after a call from Washington to Pennsylvania with Alexander Graham Bell's telephone, patented on March 7, 1876 August became National Inventors month starting in 1998, and was sponsored by the Academy of Applied Science, Inventors’ Digest magazine and United Inventors Association of the USA. What would we do without disposable tissue, glue and Teflon? It all came from some ingenious minds that spent hours, days, months or years dedicated to making our world a better place with modern conveniences. President George Washington was the first president to sign the Bill that established the American Patent System in 1790. Since then, more than 6 million patents have been issued – some great and some, well, at least interesting. Hot Enough For You? If you’re finding yourself seeking comfort from the summer heat near the air conditioning of your home, office or car, you can thank Willis Haviland Carrier who invented the formula and apparatus that would eventually become air conditioning in the early 1900s. Carrier was an engineering graduate of Cornell University and his formula continues to be the basis of all fundamental calculations within the air conditioning industry. The first plant to house this new “Apparatus for Treating Air” was a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1902. Achoo! Although many still use the fabric handkerchief, most of us modern folk tend to grab for the disposable tissue, or Kleenex® these days. Those soft little throwaways were invented in the 1920s by Kleenex® Brand. They became quite popular in Canada during the 1926 flu season. Kleenex® smartly used some Hollywood greats such as Jean Harlow and Helen Hayes to promote their product, practically stamping out the monogrammed hankie. Eventually the product came in easy to use cartons with more and more varieties and colors to choose from, as well as other brand names. The Best Nose Scratcher A Swiss electrical engineer, George de Mestral, was inspired by how cockleburs could cling to clothing and quickly began experimentation with the hook and loop process. He received his patent in 1955 and called the product VELCRO®, which is derived from the French words velour (velvet) and crochet (hook). De Mestral first used cotton for his invention, but later turned to other more durable substances. Now VELCRO® is made from various substances such as nylon, plastic, Teflon and glass. Yes, glass. NASA uses an extensive amount of Velcro made of Teflon, polyester and a glass backing for anchoring equipment, such as a meal tray attachment and to temporarily hold things in place within the shuttle’s weightless environment. There is also a small piece of VELCRO® inside the helmets of the astronauts to be used as a nose scratcher. The Glue That Keeps On Binding Harry Coover was a research chemist working for Eastman Kodak during World War II. While trying to produce a substance that would be clear enough to use for gunsights, he discovered a chemical class called cyanoacrylates. Not particularly good for use as a clear plastic, over time Coover discovered the amazing adhesive power of these substances. His “superglue” was used to spray onto wounds to stop the bleeding during the Vietnam War. The substance continues to be used in medical science today. It’s also a pretty handy item around the house for permanently gluing together just about anything including your fingers. Duck or Duct Another product inspired by the needs of the military, duct tape was originally called “duck tape.” The tape was used to seal ammunition boxes during World War II and was named after ducks’ feathers that repel water. Johnson & Johnson Company designed and manufactured the amazing tape in 1942; however, there is no record of any individual or group within the company given credit for the invention. During the post war housing boom, duct tape found its way into homes and was used to secure ducting. Hence, the name change to ‘duct tape.’ Now duct tape is used for many practical purposes as well as creative items (think duct tape wallets) and comes in many colors including pink. Nuthin’ Sticks Telfon coating was discovered in 1938 by an American chemist at DuPont, Roy J. Plunkett while researching refrigerants. Plunkett came across this strange substance while testing tetrafluoroethylene. A mistake led to a cylinder of the substance that had solidified into a white powdery solid. The gas had become polymerized and thus became polytetrafluoroethylene. It was slippery, had a very high melting point and was essentially impenetrable. The first products that used Teflon were machine parts and the military used it for artillery shell fuses and nuclear bombs. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that Marc Gregoire of Paris, France figured out a way to use Teflon on his fishing line so it wouldn’t tangle. We can thank his wife who put it on her pots and pans and Gregoire’s friend, a UPI reporter, Thomas Hardie, who brought it to the United States. No one wanted to purchase the product, but Hardie finally convinced Macy’s to take 200 of the slippery jewels. They sold in two days and quickly became a household necessity. Very Interesting, Watson
And if you think those are silly, how about the “Pet Rock?” Developed by Gary Dahl because he didn’t like live pets, he came up with his own pet for which he even wrote a training manual. Neiman-Marcus purchased 500 of these adorable creatures and sales soared thereafter in 1975 and 1976. Eventually sales quickly dropped like a rock. A Few More Handy Dandy Items
Issue 507
SOMETHING TELLS US IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT THE ZOO by Deborah Stumpf “Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings.” - Evan Esar Humankind has been fascinated with animals for centuries. Whether to satisfy a curiosity or a need for nonhuman companionship, early on in society animals were taken out of their natural habitat into captivity. Eventually, the enclosures that housed the animals became known as zoos. Zoos worldwide have evolved over thousands of years. Steel-bar enclosures and cement cages are for the most part long gone. Most zoos today try to emulate the animals’ natural environment, and most of the animals are no longer taken from the wild. Zoos have adopted captive breeding programs, with education and species restoration as part of their goal. More than 150 million people visit America’s accredited zoos each year, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The First Zoos On July 1, 1874, the Philadelphia Zoo opened its gates to more than 3,000 visitors. Located on the grounds of the home of William Penn’s grandson, John, the zoo was the first in the U.S. Gatekeepers charged 25 cents for admission (10 cents for children). During its first year, more than 228,000 people visited the zoo, which housed 813 animals. Today, the 42-acre zoo has more than 1,600 rare and endangered animals and receives about 1.1 million visitors annually. The Victorian gates and gatehouses are the same today as they were in 1874. The Philadelphia zoo is often cited as one of the top zoos in the country. The oldest zoo in the world is the Schoenbrunn Tiergarten zoo in Vienna, Austria. The zoo was built in 1745 and opened around 1752, but only to scientists. In 1765, the zoo opened to the public. Legend has it that Napolean took great pride in the zoo, which made him feel powerful and further enhanced his desire for world dominance. The zoo is also well-known for housing one of the first-ever “ape artists.” Different Strokes for Different Folks In the early 1950s, the Schoenbrunn Tiergarten Zoo provided Johnny the chimpanzee with a set of paints, and Johnny took to it like an impassioned artist. When Johnny died in 1992, Nonja, a female orangutan, inherited his paints and became an acclaimed artist when three of her pictures sold in London for more than $20,000. Nonja paints for about 30 minutes at a time, and her method is unique. When she’s not using nontoxic, water-based markers, Nonja dips a paintbrush in a variety of nontoxic food coloring dissolved in water and placed in yogurt cups. Nonja chooses her colors and always tastes it as well. She also likes to pour all the liquids together and “splash” them onto the paper using a hand/wrist action. Her boyfriend, Vladimir, tries to eat her finished piece. Perhaps he’s jealous – his method is not quite as sophisticated. As a pencil artist, Vladimir is one of a kind. He first breaks his pencils and then rolls the pencil pieces over the paper. Other Famous Zoo Critters Knut In December 2006, a polar bear gave birth at the Berlin Zoo in Germany and then abandoned her little cub. Zookeeper Thomas Dorflein became the surrogate mom, bottle-feeding and raising the cub they named Knut. When animal rights activists decried Knut’s captivity, the cub became a worldwide sensation. Knut received quite a bit of attention and care throughout his short life. He often interacted with other polar bears, too, but early this year Knut suffered convulsions and fell into a pool as horrified visitors watched. It is believed that brain damage contributed to Knut’s death. Harriet In 1835, Charles Darwin snatched a tortoise from the Galapagos Islands. Animal experts estimated that Harriet was 5 years old at the time of capture. Captivity must have agreed with her because Harriet, who lived out her last years at the Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia, was one of the oldest known living creatures when she died of a heart attack in 2006. She was 176 years old. Paul This psychic octopus predicted the winner of eight World Cup matches in 2010. Paul lived at the Sea Life Center of Oberhausen, Germany. Before each World Cup game, his caregivers gave Paul two underwater boxes – each containing a different flag representing one of the teams playing in the next match. Paul picked out (swam to) the winner’s box every time. Who knew? Koko Probably the most renowned among zoo inhabitants in the U.S., Koko the gorilla rose to stardom by learning more than 1,000 signs based on American Sign Language. Koko also understands about 2,000 words in spoken English. Although her language accomplishment was sufficient enough to catapult her to glory, Koko also achieved acclaim because she is a gentle and loving pet owner. Koko’s teacher, Penny Patterson, revealed in the book she wrote, “Koko’s Kitten,” that Koko actually asked her for a cat. Koko chose a gray male Manx from a litter of abandoned kittens and named it “All Ball.” That same year – 1984 – All Ball escaped from Koko’s cage and ran into the path of a car. All Ball died and when Patterson signed to Koko that the kitty was gone, Koko signed the words “bad and sad; frown and cry.” Patterson wrote in the book that Koko cared for the kitten as if it were a baby gorilla. Patterson also reported that she heard Koko make sounds like those of a human crying. The next year, Koko picked out two new kittens, naming them Lipstick and Smokey. Koko was born at the San Francisco Zoo on the Fourth of July in 1971; thus, her full name – Hanabi-Ko, which means “fireworks child” in Japanese. Her favorite foods: nuts, gourmet tofu dishes, apples and corn on the cob. Zoology Fun Facts
Zoo Snippetz
Top-Five in the U.S. The top-10 lists of zoos are most often arguable and dependent on who’s doing the picking. However, the following zoos consistently appear on the lists.
Zoologistics at Home Cheyenne Mountain The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo boasts beautiful views of the area and houses more than 800 animals of more than 150 different species, including more than 30 endangered species on 40 acres of its 145-acre site. Spencer Penrose established the zoo in 1926 because he needed a place for his large brood of exotic animals. In 1938, Penrose deeded the zoo to the citizens of Colorado Springs. The zoo lost one of its beloved residents in May. Elson, the zoo’s 16-year-old male African lion, born in the wild, died when his heart stopped while he was under anesthesia for treatment of a dental infection. Elson sired and raised four litters – totaling 13 cubs – with his mate, Angie. The zoo staff has called Elson a “gentle father,” even though among the pride he was the macho leader. Denver The Denver Zoo has also been listed among the top-10 best zoos in the country. The League of American Bicyclists presented the Denver Zoo with a silver-level “Bicycle Friendly Business” award – the first zoo in the U.S. to be recognized with the award, as well as the first business in Denver to achieve the honor. Another claim to fame for Denver is resident rhinoceros Mshindi. Move over ape artists – Mshindi is a 3-ton Picasso who paints with a brush. As with most accredited zoos in the U.S., the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Denver Zoo gear many of their efforts toward preservation, education and conservation. Issue 508
SNIPPETZ ROLLS OUT THE BARREL, WE'LL HAVE A BARREL OF FUN! by Deborah Stumpf “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
- Benjamin Franklin Americans – the 21-and-over-crowd – drank almost 29 gallons of beer per person in 2010, making beer a boon to the economy. The industry contributed more than $223 billion to the U.S. economy in 2010, including $44.7 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes; and employed more than 1.8 million Americans, which accounted for about $71.2 billion in wages. Alongside humans, beer has evolved from a staple on Noah’s Ark to a key industry worldwide. Beer before Bread
David G. Yuengling established the first brewery – Eagle Brewery – in the U.S. in Pottsville, Penn., in 1829. Yuengling changed the brewery’s name in 1873 to D.G. Yuengling & Son, and during the 13-year Prohibition era, they survived by brewing near beer. Today, the brewery is among the largest in the nation. Beer Colorado Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper once said, “Beer is in Denver’s DNA.” He should know – before Hickenlooper ascended (or as some would say “descended”) into politics, he was owner of the first brewpub in Colorado – the Wynkoop Brewing Co. In 1868, a smart brewing apprentice in Germany named Adolph Coors immigrated to the U.S. in search of the best place to establish his own brewery. His journey led him to Golden, Colo., where he discovered quality water from the Rocky Mountains. Coors and his partner, Jacob Schueler, opened the Coors Brewing Co. Coors bought out his partner in 1880 and became the sole owner. In 1893, Coors won its first award at the Chicago World Fair. Coors survived Prohibition, focusing on malted milk, near beer and porcelain. From 1873 to 1991, Coors distribution in the U.S. was limited, which created a hankering for the beer nationwide. In 1975, President Gerald Ford stocked Air Force One with a number of cases of Coors and the company reached more audiences when a couple of movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” included cases of Coors as part of the script. In 2008, the Miller Brewing Co. joined forces with Coors and established Miller/Coors. In Colorado, the beer industry contributes $12 billion to the economy, employs about 67,000 people, pays $3 billion in wages; and $1.6 billion in federal and local taxes. The State of Beer Some would argue, but according to The Beer Institute, Colorado is not the beer-drinking capitol of the country. First place in beer consumption goes to New Hampshire. It appears that a cold beer is as good in the winter as it is in the summer because the next three states known for frigid temps come in at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4, respectively: North Dakota, Montana and South Dakota. The rankings also reflect that states with fewer people are consuming larger quantities of beer than the more populated states. Not much else to do in the Dakotas and Montana? Taking fifth place is Nevada. No big surprise: Beer and gambling go together like beer and pretzels. There are a few surprises at the other end of the beer-drinking spectrum. However, Utah coming in at No. 51 is not too hard to imagine. Connecticut is No. 50 on the list, and the heavily populated states of New York and New Jersey are listed in the No. 49 and 48 spots, respectively. Maryland is No. 47. Perhaps folks in the eastern part of the country prefer martinis or Manhattans? Colorado places at a respectable No. 20. The Breweries Colorado is better known for topping the charts for its breweries, coming in No. 3 for the largest number of breweries per state nationwide, according to the American Brewers Association. Vermont is No. 1, Oregon No. 2, Montana, No. 3 and Maine No. 5. Brewing beer is a popular pastime, and has become highly lucrative for a few home brewers. About 1,753 microbreweries or craft breweries operated in the U.S. for some or all of 2010. Colorado is home to more than 120 craft breweries. Although the differences between them are blurry, microbreweries and craft breweries are categorized separately.
The New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colo., is a perfect example of a microbrewery turned craft brewery. From developing a couple of brews in a basement to producing about 700,000 gallons of beer per year distributed in 26 states coast to coast, the brewery is an archetype of an environmentally responsible, savvy and successful business. Owner Jeff Lebesch engineered his flagship beer – Fat Tire – in his basement. Today, the brewery produces more than 31 beers. As environmental stewards, in 1998, by a unanimous vote of employees; the New Belgium Brewery began switching to wind power. The brewery became the first in the country powered by wind. The company is all about sustainability and recycle and reuse. New Belgium is all about employees as well. When an employee reaches his or her first-year anniversary at the brewery, they’re rewarded with ownership in the company and a cruiser bicycle. The Best Beer Party Denver plays host to the Great American Beer Festival held this year September 29 through October 1, as well as the Denver Beer Fest September 23 through October 1. The Great American Beer Festival is recognized as the largest beer festival on earth by Guinness World Records. The Denver Beer Fest includes rare beer tastings, beer-paired dinners, brewer vs. brewer contests, beer tappings and brewery tours. Ale or Lager Malt and malt grains from wheat or barley or rice or corn, hops and yeast are the basic ingredients in the beer brewing process. A beer is either a lager or an ale. The difference between them is the yeast used in brewing.
Brewing techniques are different for the ale and lager.
The two beers vary, kind of like red vs. white wine.
Those Funky Suds Check out these beer titles:
Beer Snippetz
Enjoy beer, drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive! Issue 509
SNIPPETZ IS SIZZLING... SOME LIKE IT HOT! by Deborah Stumpf “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” -Harry S. Truman As temperatures soar this summer, the word “hot” is a cliche. Some like it hot and some don’t. But the threadbare phrase “some like it hot” conjures up images of everything from a movie to a song to a heat index to cool cars to salsa dip. Hot Hollywood In March 1959, the legendary screen goddess Marilyn Monroe starred in arguably her best film ever: “Some Like It Hot.” The film, a gangster-type comedy directed by Billy Wilder, also featured Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Lemmon and Curtis play two down-and-out musicians who witness a brutal massacre. Chicago gangsters, knowing the two saw the murders, are in pursuit of them. Curtis and Lemmon leave town to escape them. The plot thickens when they take a job, disguising themselves as females, to play in an all-girl band bound for Florida. Monroe plays the vocalist, and the two female imposters – Josephine and Geraldine – fall hard for her and end up competing for her affection. There are a few twists and turns that get good laughs, but Lemmon and Curtis in drag is enough comedic buffoonery. The movie was nominated for many Academy awards and Golden Globes. Some Like It Hot won the Golden Globe for best motion picture comedy. Monroe won the Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy, and Lemmon won for best actor. In 1989, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. Turn Up The Heat Music fans might remember Robert Palmer’s single “Some Like It Hot,” which became a “hot” hit in the 1980s. Palmer wrote the lyrics for the song. Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on. Some feel the heat and decide that they can't go on. Some like it hot, but you can't tell how hot 'til you try. Some like it hot, so let's turn up the heat 'til we fry. When it was released in 1985, “Some Like It Hot” hit the top 20 in the UK and No. 6 on the charts in the U.S. The Heat is On That also was a song. Glenn Frey recorded “The Heat is On,” and it, too, became an international hit. As part of the soundtrack for the 1984 film “Beverly Hills Cop,” the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1985. But for the sake of this article, the “heat is on” is about weather. It’s summertime, and some like it hot (and some don’t). People in Arizona, Texas and Florida must like it hot; whereas, Coloradans are perfectly OK with wearing a light jacket after the sun sets in the summer months. However, sticking to heat, here’s an example of sticky heat nationwide.
The top 5 cities in the U.S. with 99 degrees or above more days than most:
The top 5 cities with a daily mean temperature above 65:
Some Love it Hot (And Spicy) Those who like food that sears the tongue and mouth are called pyro-gourmaniacs. These hot-food maniacs get their kicks from a collection of compounds called capsaicinoids – chemicals in chili peppers that determine the amount of “heat.” In 1912, Wilbur Scoville wanted more than human opinion when it came to the heat in peppers and hot sauces so he developed the Scoville Organoleptic Test. Volunteer tasters tried ground-up chilies diluted and neutralized by sugar water. The heat of the pepper was measured by the amount of sugar water needed to quell the heat. The hottest pepper recorded scored 577,000 Scoville heat units, which took 577,000 cups of sugar to neutralize the heat in one cup of the pepper. Still called the Scoville heat unit today, the subjective human taste test has been eliminated. Instead, the capsaicinoids are extracted from the pepper and tested through a highly technical device. Hot pepper eating contests exist worldwide for the daring pyro-gourmaniac, but how many could eat the hottest pepper in the world? According to the Guinness World Book of Records, the chili pepper called the Bhut Jolokai has earned its No. 1 place in the record book, measuring in at 1,001,304 Scoville heat units at New Mexico State University in 2006. The Guinness Book of World Records, however, has rejected all claims for eating the pepper, although many try. Anandita Dutta Tamuly of India ate 51 Bhut Jolokia peppers on April 13, 2009, as celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey watched and cheered. Then 26 years of age, a homemaker and mother, she also smeared the seeds of 25 chilies in her eyes in one minute. Hot Sauce Stuff
Women Like it Hot … As in cars – hot cars According to researchers at the University of Texas in San Antonio, men who wear expensive clothes and drive “hot” cars attract more women who are interested (supposedly) in short term relationships. The guy with the Lamborghini usually gets the girl, as opposed to the guy with a Ford Escape. 10 of the Hottest Cars
Imagine Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis in the front seat of a Ferrari listening to Robert Palmer’s “Some Like it Hot” on the radio in the heat of the summer, eating chili peppers. Now, that’s hot – or just plain weird. |
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