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Issue 520
SNIPPETZ EXAMINES CREDIT… COULD YOUR CREDIT USE A LITTLE PLASTIC SURGERY? By Megan Barrette Credit is more than just the American Express or Visa taking up space in your wallet. And it’s more than the temporary fun fix obtained from purchasing that expensive pair of boots or set of golf clubs that you buy with the intent of paying it back later. In the big picture, credit makes the world go ‘round. According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. consumer debt amounts to $2.43 trillion; $777 billion of which is made up of revolving debt, i.e, credit cards. That’s a lot of plastic. Buy Today and Save It seems like we went right from barter to credit when in 1730, a furniture merchant by the name of Christopher Thompson offered his customers the option of purchasing furniture on a weekly payment plan. Even clothing was sold on a weekly payment plan. The term “tallymen” came from the merchants who sold the clothing and kept a tally of customer purchases on a wooden stick. That stick was the precursor to the credit card statement – on one side it tallied the purchases and on the other, payments were recorded. Soon everyone was jumping on the bandwagon including Ford Motor Company which also recognized that customers couldn’t afford to purchase a car for cash and started providing financing through small finance companies. AT&T followed suit along with railroads and airlines. Once World War II commenced, the use of credit came to a screeching halt. Then when the war was over, however, the flood gates opened. Everyone wanted all the good things in life and they’d like it right now, please. Not Always Plastic The actual credit card didn’t start off as plastic. In the early 1900s, Western Union issued a metal credit card to their best customers and called it “Metal Money.” Not to be outdone, the General Petroleum Corporation also issued metal money to their employees and eventually their best customers for the purchase of gas and other auto services. Don’t Leave Home Without It American Express made that slogan famous, but they were not the first. Credit (no pun intended) for being first goes to Diner’s Club, Inc. In 1950, the company introduced the first credit card that could be used at different stores and businesses. The “Charge-It” cards were great for business travelers especially, but the demand grew from there. Eventually American Express, Bank of America, MasterCard (started as Master Charge), Visa (started as BankAmericard) and Discover came along … along with charging interest. Now What? The current economic condition in our country has made Americans more and more dependent on credit. While most people consider using credit as a tool for living the life they desire, many don’t know how important it really is. While credit cards do play a role in establishing financial standing, credit itself can be thought of as a bank's trust in their customer to repay a loan. It is very important to create a trustworthy standing with banks by making on-time payments when borrowing money or using credit. A borrower’s ability to pay back what is owed helps in the long run when it comes time to financing a house or that shiny new Porsche as well as for those smaller purchases such as appliances, furniture or even that name-brand pair of boots. Big Brother Is Watching Banks are free to decline credit or charge higher interest rates to a consumer with a less than stellar credit rating. Renting an apartment, signing up for utilities or services and even getting a dream job can all be affected by credit history. A future landlord and potential employer may use credit reports to determine whether an applicant will be a good tenant or employee. Who would have thought that paying back your credit card would determine whether or not you get hired? Credit Score FICO is the name of the credit score calculation that was created by Fair Isaac Corporation in 1956. Their software program was developed as a way to determine how big of a financial risk an individual is to banks and financial institutions. The extremely complicated mathematical formula takes several factors into account in order to determine a credit score:
Based on the above mentioned factors, there are three types of credit scores that banks and other lenders will use to determine how much money and at what terms they will lend. There are three FICO scores considered, one for each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Each FICO score is based on the information credit bureaus have on file. With changes in credit activity, the credit score changes too. For FICO scores to be determined, each of the three reports must contain at least one account that has been open for at least six months. Each report must also contain at least one account that has been updated in the last six months. Good Credit 101 You may be saying to yourself, “good credit sounds fantastic but what if I don’t have any credit at all?” There are many steps to take for building and establishing good credit.
Maintaining good credit is hard work. There are many things that people can do to maintain a good credit score.
No Such Thing As a Free Lunch We have all seen the commercials with the catchy jingles promising a free credit report if you just visit a website. However, be cautious of websites offering free credit scores. Many companies do not provide your credit report without requiring payment for subscription fees or other services. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows access to your credit report from each of the three reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax – once every 12 months. A website that assists with obtaining your credit score for free is www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your credit report once a year allows the opportunity to correct any errors and find any unauthorized activity. Folks Don’t Owe and Tell Eighty-one percent of people surveyed will not talk to a new acquaintance about their credit card debt. Similarly, 77 percent will not disclose information about their salaries; and 72 percent do not tell about their mortgage or rent payments. Issue 521
SNIPPETZ TAKES A LOOK AT TEENS… FROM THE 1950'S TO THE PRESENT By Megan Barrette Do you own a pair of dungarees? What about a petticoat? Does the name Frankie Avalon make your heart flutter? How about this… Do you own a pair of Uggs? What about a pair of skinny jeans? Does the name Justin Bieber make your heart flutter? Teens from the fifties and modern day teens have many things in common: their love of music, their love of fashion, the need to be entertained and the need to be social. Fashion Teens in the 1950’s were experiencing more freedom and expressed this new freedom through their fashion choices. In addition to their increased freedom, teenagers were bombarded by influences ranging from peers to media. Teens found that in order to afford the latest and greatest fashions, they needed to get a job. An American teenager during the 1950’s had many options when it came to fashion. Greasers: Think Marlon Brando in “The Wild One.” Greasers wore lots of leather and denim. Their hard appearance was often accompanied by slicked back hair. They could be seen around town making lots of noise on their motorcycles. Preppies: Preppies were neat, tidy and dressed to the nines. Preppies sported cardigans, petticoats, pleated skirts and jeans (only when not at school). Their outfits also consisted of polyester, a new fabric at the time that helped keep skirt pleats sharp and orderly. Today’s teens can be seen wearing vastly different clothing. Girls are no longer criticized for wearing jeans to school and young men are no longer required to wear a tailored coat when they leave the house. Teen fashion today also has many different styles and teens use clothing choices as the ultimate expression of who they are. Ugg boots are wildly popular and skinny jeans can be seen on both young men and women. Fashion today takes many influences from the fifties, however. Look at any teen clothing store and you will see cardigans, denim and pleated skirts; proving that fashion from the fifties never really died. Literature When teenagers were not spending their time watching TV or socializing with their friends, they could be found reading a book. Popular contemporary literature during the fifties included science fiction and fantasy. These two genres saw a rise in popularity during the 1950’s. Due to the fear of nuclear war during this time, many of the science fiction books were set in worlds that had been destroyed by nuclear warfare. Some popular books during this time included:
Fantasy novels were also popular to teenagers during the fifties. Books such as “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” by JRR Tolkien and “The Chronicles of Narnia” were published and soon became classics. The Beat Movement was a literary movement that took place during the 1950’s that was so influential it became a social movement capturing the attention of the teenage population. The writers of the fifties shared an aversion to American culture and society after World War II and came together to protest consumerism and materialism. These non-conformists were dubbed beatniks. The beatniks took pride in expressing themselves in non-traditional ways. They invented their own slang: “Daddy-O, cool, man, cool and strictly dullsville” were sayings that could be heard coming from a beatnik during this time. Beatniks had their own sense of style, too. They sported goatee’s, fringe, loose T-shirts, and never left home without a poetry book in hand. The literature-driven movement became a lifestyle of many teenagers that carried into the sixties. Today, fantasy, mystery and graphic novels reign supreme among teenagers. Books such as the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling are among the most popular fantasy series written for a teenage audience. These books were so popular that they were made into mega-hit movies and have proven they are more than just a fad. Mystery and graphic novels are also very popular and the Young Adult Library Services Association has given out many awards to books falling under these genres. Entertainment Elvis Presley. This one name may sum up the entire music scene from the 1950’s. The birth of rock came when America’s post-World War II optimism was still high. The teenagers of the fifties never experienced the war years and thought the music of that time to be too innocent for their liking. They were looking for something more exciting. Add Elvis’ gyrating hips and smooth voice, and you can see why teenagers listened to rock and roll almost exclusively. Elvis and Rock and Roll were synonymous with excitement and vitality. Just what the teens were looking for! Although rock and roll was not the only type of music that teens listened to in the fifties, it was by far the most popular. Today, many teens listen to pop, hip hop, country and alternative music (just to name a few genres). Much of what teens listen to today is determined by what their peers are listening to. In fact, studies show that teens often feel anxious when they like music that their peers do not. So when that teenage boy with the awful, blaring music drives down the street, it can be assumed that he is aware of his very own “culture” and is just doing what helps him fit in with his peer group. Social Life Teens during the “nifty fifties” enjoyed going to the soda shop with their friends or sweethearts to catch up on gossip over a delicious ice cream cone or shake. They would also spend time with their friends in their big fancy cars. In the fifties, people believed the bigger the car the better. Especially if that car had chrome, fins and shiny paint. Going to the movies was also a great way to spend time with friends or a significant other. Since more people had TVs at home, less people were going to the movies. To draw in crowds, the theaters started making 3D movies. It was nowhere near as popular as 3D movies today, but it was exciting! Teens today are more connected to their peers than ever before. Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, emails and text messaging are just a few examples of how teens stay in contact with their peers when they are not able to be with them face to face. It is estimated that more than 17.7 million teenagers between 12 and 17 year old will be using social networking sites by the end of 2011. With the need to feel connected and have a sense of belonging among their peer groups, it is easy to see why the Internet and cell phones are so important among today’s teens.
Although social media and cell phones are far more important to today’s teens than they have been in the past, teenagers today still find time to communicate face-to-face! Issue 522
SNIPPETZ HAS SCARED UP A FEW FACTS ABOUT HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS By Megan Barrette 
The candy-filled, costume-laden holiday that is celebrated on October 31st has roots extending back 2,000 years ago to the Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1st, a day that marked the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of a cold, dark winter. The Celts associated winter with a time of human death and believed on the night before the New Year, the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead were blurred. On the night before the new year (October 31st), they celebrated Samhain. The celebration was held to allow the dead to return to earth and allow the Celtic priests to make predictions about the future. On this night, the Celts wore costumes, often consisting of animal skins, and predicted each other’s futures.
Once Christian influences came to the Celtic lands, Samhain was transformed into a church-sanctioned holiday known as All Souls Day. All Souls Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain, honoring the dead with bonfires, parades and dressing up. Angel, saint and devil costumes replaced animal skins, however. The celebration was also called All-hallows, All-hallows eve, and eventually, Halloween. Halloween came to America by way of immigrants in the second half of the 19th century. Americans began to dress up and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually turned into today’s “trick-or-treat” tradition. By the late 1800’s, Halloween became a community and neighborly event in which ghosts and witchcraft were absent. Parents were encouraged to take anything frightening or grotesque out of Halloween celebrations. Because of this effort, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious nuances by the beginning of the twentieth century. Trick-or-Treat! What would Halloween be without children dressed in costumes ringing doorbells and asking for treats? This tradition dates far back to All Souls Day in England in which poor citizens would beg for food. Families gave out “soul cakes” to the beggars in return for their promise to pray for dead relatives. The practice was known as “going a-souling.” The tradition fizzled out, but was revived between 1920 and 1950 in the United States. Trick-or-treating became an inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday and families could prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with treats. The tradition grew and became the basis behind the holiday. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion dollars on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday.
Pumpkin Carving Carving a pumpkin is a tradition that comes from Ireland and Scotland. Hollowed out turnips with burning candles or embers placed inside became a popular Halloween decoration a few hundred years ago. People believed that the carved turnip would ward off the dead. Like many traditions, this one traveled to America by way of immigrants. Instead of using turnips, families used pumpkins which were easier to find. Today, many families and children still carve pumpkins as a way to decorate for Halloween. Tips for choosing the perfect pumpkin
With the perfect pumpkin in hand, it can be tempting to rush home and carve it right away. However, once carved, a pumpkin only lasts four to five days before it begins to rot. Creepy Songs Need a few songs to get you in the Halloween mood? Here are some suggestions that are sure to get your creepies crawling.
Haunted Places to Visit Lots of scary things can happen in a hotel. Bad food, insane movie charges and housekeeping staff barging in on you in the bathroom. But on Halloween, scary hotels take on a whole new meaning. People love a good ghost story and what better way to get a Halloween spook than sharing your room with an unpaying otherworldly visitor? Many hotels now offer packages that allow guests to take ghost tours, allowing them to get up close and personal with ghosts from years past.
Issue 523
SNIPPETZ CAN GET A BIT WORDY WHEN WE HAVE FUN WITH PUNS by Deborah Stumpf Sharpen your pun cells, O pun pals. Let's get to wit. Ladies and gentlemen, get your puns in gear and get ready to grumble, because Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Abet and Aid Punsters Day. We say if you can’t beat ‘em, pun ‘em right back. That’s right – anyone can be a punster, at least for a day. You are probably thinking this is just a lot of silliness, but puns are serious business and have been around for eons. There are a lot of big words used to describe what a pun is as well as types of puns, such as homophonic, homographic, heteronymic, homonymic, polysemic, metonymic, graphological, morphological and metaphorical. Feel free to look these up, because we’re not going to define these for you, as we’re going to jump right in and enjoy the pun. Punctionary Please According to Merriam Webster: a pun (noun) is the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound. Two examples: The delicatessen is sandwiched between two stores. She’s a skillful pilot whose career has really taken off. Synonyms: wordplay, quibble, quirk, play on words, paronomasia Puns Upon a Time Ancient civilizations even used puns – most notably the Egyptians used them in interpreting dreams. Literature is fraught with cunning punning. Think William Shakespeare who used the pun to its fullest as another way of pulling his audiences into the story. In Richard III: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son (sun) of York.” In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio says after being fatally wounded: “Ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” And the Bible is not without its puns. In Matthew 16.18, Jesus says “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” In the Greek version, the name Peter is Petros, which means stone and the word rock is petra. Benjamin Franklin, during the signing of the Declaration of Independence, said, “We must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll: “And how many hours a day did you do lessons?” said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject. “Ten hours the first day,” said the Mock Turtle, “nine the next, and so on.” “What a curious plan!” exclaimed Alice. “That's the reason they're called lessons,” the Gryphon remarked: “because they lessen from day to day.” The International Save the Pun Foundation Not that the pun was lost, but there is indeed an organization named the ISTPF whose chairman of the bored (his term, not ours) is Norman Gilbert, a financial planner in Ontario, Canada. The organization was founded in 1979 by John Crosbie and boasts a membership of 1,600 serious punsters. They publish a monthly newsletter, appropriately titled “The Pundit,” host dinners and get-togethers for punning around with others, as well as hosting the annual Pun-Off Championships where they bestow the Punster of the Year Award upon a skilled punmeister. The May, 2011 championships were held in Austin, Texas. New Yorker John Pollack won the Punster of the Year Award (P.O.T.Y Award) in 2011. Pollack is no ordinary punster and is a true example of how far a punster can go in life. He was a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, a foreign correspondent in Spain and has authored three books. Earlier this year, Pollack published “The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History and Made Wordplay More Than Some Antics.” This man is serious about the almighty pun and word. One Punny Example The symphony orchestra was performing Beethoven's Ninth. In the piece, there's a long passage, about 20 minutes, during which the bass violinists have nothing to do. Rather than sit around that whole time looking stupid, some bassists decided to sneak offstage and go to the tavern next door for a quick one. After slamming several beers in quick succession, one of them looked at his watch and said, "Hey! We need to get back!" "No need to panic," said a fellow bassist. "I thought we might need some extra time, so I tied the last few pages of the conductor's score together with string. It will take him a few minutes to get it untangled." A few moments later they staggered back to the concert hall and took their places in the orchestra. About this time, a member of the audience noticed the conductor seemed a bit edgy and said as much to her companion. "Well, of course," said her companion. "Don't you see? It's the bottom of the Ninth, the score is tied, and the bassists are loaded." A Good Pun is its Own Reword Shirley, you didn’t think we were a one-pun pony, did you?
A Little Punwriter Humor A punster entered a local paper's pun contest. He sent in ten different puns, with the hope that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did. A hungry lion was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat. He came across two men: one was sitting under a tree and reading a book; the other was typing away on his typewriter. The lion quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him. Even the king of the jungle knows that readers digest and writers cramp. This One’s for the Punster And for my friend, Paul, a punster extraordinaire in San Diego, one of his often used favorites: Melissa: I’m going to go change. Paul: Don’t change too much; I like you just the way you are. …and let the groans begin. Issue 524 - 11/14/2011
SNIPPETZ FALLS FOR THE AUTUMN MENU! by Deborah Stumpf 
The onset of fall bestows upon us an array of rich, brilliant colors like the golden hues of Colorado’s Aspen trees. The colors of fall extend beyond Mother Nature’s framework into the vast realm of autumn’s abundance of fresh foods, from deep orange pumpkins to fire engine red apples.
Pumpkins are a sign that the holiday season is knocking at the door. Speaking of knocking on the door, carved pumpkins line residential doorsteps at Halloween, welcoming the little goblins and ghosts begging for candy. The mere mention of fall foods must include a tad bit about Snickers and candy corn. Trick or treat The National Retail Federation estimated that Americans spent about $18 on candy for Halloween in 2010. The most popular treat is arguable, but inarguably chocolate in various forms dominates the top 10 lists. The favorites appearing on most Halloween candy top 10 lists include these goodies (in no particular order): Tootsie rolls, Snicker bars; Baby Ruth bars, Reese’s pieces, Milky Way bars, M&M’s, Nestle Crunch, Three Musketeers and Hershey’s milk chocolate bars, Hot Tamales and candy corn. Halloween might be a boon to dentists everywhere, but perhaps the seasonal height of the crisp, juicy apple offsets the sugar-laden treats. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doc Away In the “old” days, people actually handed out apples as Halloween treats. Try it today and the tricksters might be knocking down the door. Johnny (Chapman) Appleseed created acres and acres of apple orchards, making the apple what it is today – an American staple. The United States is the top apple producing country in the world. The state of Washington grows the most apples, and the freshest apples are available from September through November. Thus, apple-based recipes highlight fall menus, from apple pizza to apple pie. But the best thing about whole apples is their health value. Apples contain antioxidants and benefit the digestive system, skin, teeth and heart. One apple a day can reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of other illnesses. From Apples to Squash The best oranges of the season are yet to come, but a fall food that has the orange color in common is squash. There is summer and winter squash, the latter entering the market in the fall. Besides orange, squash comes in all colors, shapes and sizes and also alternates as a table decoration! The following can be part of the menu or adorn the dining room as décor. (Except for one, the other squash varieties mentioned are available year round, but their peak seasons are late summer through fall.)
Veggie’s of Fall Fall is a great time to pack in veggies for a jump start to that health-related New Year’s resolution. Although most are available year round, vegetables are at their best when the temps start dropping in early autumn. For example,
Putting it all Together A bowl of soup on a snowy fall evening, a chili cook off, everything pumpkin; from pie to bread to beer – they’re all visions of fall. When fall arrives, our taste buds change. Somewhat gone are cravings for ice cream cones, pineapple smoothies and everything and anything barbequed. Here’s a list of the top 10 fall foods chosen by fans on the Weather Channel’s Facebook page. No. 1: Pumpkin – pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake roll, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies were among the catalog of mouth-watering pumpkin-based foods No. 2: Cinnamon and spice – cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger rule the fall spice season. Ginger snap cookies, cinnamon French toast and gingerbread go hand in hand with the turning of the leaves, according to those polled. And then there’s hot spiced wine. No. 3: Anything apple, from dumplings to fritters to apple crisp, apple pie, apple juice, apple wine and those all-time kid favorites – taffy apples. No. 4: Apple cider – because of its popularity, apple cider gets its own place on the list. Whether hot or cold – or spiked – apple cider wets the whistle when fall is in bloom No. 5: Chili, soups and stews: Chili comes in at the top but with a chill in the air, the body begins aching for warm foods; and chili, soups and stews do more than heat it up; they’re also thought of as comfort foods. Nothing like a bowl of soup and a slice of warm pumpkin bread on a frosty evening. No. 6: Mac and cheese – now that it’s cool enough to turn on the oven, longings for baked casseroles tempt the bellies of many. Another comfort food, macaroni and cheese is especially good when there’s a chill in the air. No. 7: Hot chocolate – who can argue with that? Hot chocolate and high school football games go together like peanut butter and jelly. There’s nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate to warm up the senses. No. 8: Thanksgiving fare – Halloween brings thoughts of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries and whatever else makes up the Thanksgiving table. Some are salivating at the mouth as early as September and can’t wait for Thanksgiving. There are quite a few Thanksgiving “trials” before the real day. No. 9: Sweet potatoes – recipes that call for sweet potatoes are endless, and fall is an excellent time to try them. Besides baked sweet potatoes with butter and cinnamon and sweet potato pie, the orange cousin to the potato is a great companion to recipes for bread, soufflés and casseroles. Dare to get hooked on a black bean and sweet potato burrito. No. 10: Eggnog – this rich, smooth drink is reserved for fall and the holidays. No one drinks eggnog in the spring or summer – really. Eggnog is right up there with hot chocolate as a revered fall drink. One fan suggested substituting eggnog for milk in hot chocolate – just know thy calories. Strictly for the 21-and-over crowd is eggnog laced with a bit of rum. OK, is your mouth watering yet? Fall foods should keep you going during the long winter months as well. Happy eating! Issue 525
SNIPPETZ GETS PSYCHED OVER SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY by Deborah Stumpf 
"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping."
-Bo Derek Do you feel like holiday shopping arrived before the Trick-Or-Treaters were safely tucked in bed on Halloween night? You would be right about that. The malls were already decorated, the department store aisles were loaded with tempting sales, yes sales, as well as decorations galore. Even the local grocery store had their 50 percent off Halloween items in baskets in the front of the store and their seasonal aisle was full of all things red and green. So, what’s the rush? Retailers have likely convinced themselves they are helping the American consumer by offering more bargains earlier to help our dollars stretch. Maybe it’s more of rushing good old Black Friday along. Black or Black & Blue Black Friday has been called such because it signified the day of the year that retailers went from the Red (or loss) on their books to Black (or positive cash flow). Back when the books were done painstakingly by hand, the accountant would use red and black to signify the loss versus profit status of a company. Mall security staff or city police have a whole different opinion as to what Black Friday is all about. Pushing, shoving, trampling can be the order of the hour and many people have suffered cuts, bruises and even death on the biggest shopping day of the year. In Valley Stream, N.Y. in 2008, the worst happened at the local Walmart when bargain hunters busted through the doors just before 5 a.m. and knocked over the security guard, Jdimytai Damour, crushing him to death. All for a great deal on an Easy Bake Oven or the latest Harry Potter DVD. Imagine getting a call from your wife on Black Friday from the local jail. And it’s not from drinking and starting a brawl at the corner bar, although it would make for a better story. It happens quite often and a couple of years ago, eight frenzied shoppers at a suburban Chicago mall spent their Black Friday under arrest for “mob action” and damaging property. There were several fights in those wee hours that morning – all bargain basement, sale-price-induced fights. The Numbers Don’t Lie According to the National Retail Federation, the 2010 Black Friday shopping weekend saw $45 billion total spent, $365.34 per person, up from $343.31 per person in 2009. The number of shoppers in 2010 was up, too, at 212 million, 17 million more than the prior year. About 33.6 percent of shoppers let their fingers do the surfing online. Those are numbers for the entire shopping weekend, but what about Black Friday itself? Here are some eye-opening numbers from 2010:
The Race Is On It used to be that stores competed to see who could open the earliest on the day after Thanksgiving – 7 a.m., 6 a.m., even 5 a.m. Those were the good old days. Now, Thanksgiving is no longer a real American family holiday – it’s a shopping day! Shoppers fueled by a hefty turkey, stuffing and mashed potato dinner followed by the healthier pumpkin pie, can now work up a sufficient appetite for a second helping of pie by racing through the malls and big box stores before the football games are even over. Toys R Us opens at 9 p.m.; Walmart at 10 p.m. Several more open at midnight including Target, Best Buy and Macy’s. So, So Smart Today’s smart phones and iPads have brought about a new generation of shoppers. Oh, so that’s what you do with those “apps!” No longer does one have to make a choice between shopping at the mall or shopping online. Now we can shop in the mall while shopping on our smart phones. For Black Friday, 2010,
It’s a Sport There’s loads of bargain-hunter websites out there and Bradsdeals.com is one of them. Brad Wilson started his site in 2001 as a poor college student always looking for a bargain wherever he could find one. He’s become such an expert in all things discounted that he has appeared on The Today Show, Oprah and ABC Chicago to name a few. He offers lots of tips for managing the Black Friday experience on his website, if you feel you absolutely must participate. Brad's Top 10 Tips for Black Friday Sales
Buy Nothing Day If you’re sick of all the Black Friday hype, then Buy Nothing Day is the holiday for you. It’s a 9-year-old tradition started by Canadian artist Ted Dave, in protest of over-consumption and all its effects, whether they be economic, environmental, social or others. Adbusters, the Canadian magazine, continues to promote Buy Nothing Day, and quite successfully. It’s now a globally recognized event. In North America, it is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving and everywhere else on the Saturday after. Thanks, I’ll Wait for the Movie They’re not about Black Friday as we think of it, but there are two films with the same name to stay home and watch on Black Friday.
Happy shopping! Issue 526 - 11/28/2011
SNIPPETZ WRITES A LETTER TO SANTA by Deborah Stumpf 
Dear Santa…I’ve been mostly good this year, so could I please have a Barbie, an Etch-A-Sketch and a Wii for Christmas? What do the reindeer like to eat? How do you get down the chimney? Please try to be very quiet this year and not wake up daddy. He gets cranky when somebody wakes him up…And, Santa, please be good to all the Snippetz advertisers. Oh, and one more thing: My mommy needs a new car. And I almost forgot – can you make everybody be kind to one another?
What child doesn’t write a letter to Santa in the weeks before Christmas? And then there are some adults who give it a shot as well. No one knows exactly how the tradition started, but it’s been since at least the late 1800s that Santa has been the recipient of millions of letters from all over the world this time of year. Where do the letters go? When not intercepted by Santa’s local elves, they likely land in the post office. During the early 1900s, postal workers informally volunteered as elves to answer those letters and the practice grew. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock gave official authorization for the program now called Operation Santa Claus. Operation Santa Claus Postal workers originally contributed their own money to purchase gifts for children whose letters to Santa were clearly a plea for help in difficult situations. A child might ask for one toy to share with four siblings; another might ask for a winter coat because his mother can’t afford to pay the heat bill; many ask for clothing and shoes. One homeless child reportedly asked for diapers and a warm blanket for his baby sister. Desperate parents write to ask for help paying the heating bill or providing clothing for their children. Operation Santa Claus has grown to include the handling of hundreds of thousands of letters each year. Postal workers track the letters and citizens come to pick out a letter or letters to make someone’s wish come true. Many organizations and businesses are more formally involved by donating time and money, such as Macy’s and local charitable organizations. One mother wrote for help with her child who was born without an ear. Doctors Leif Rogers and Sheryl Lewin of Beverly Hills, Calif., answered that call and donated surgery in February of this year. Luckily, there are Santas everywhere. According to http://operationletterstosanta.com, Operation Santa Claus post office locations are in California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. A Few Rules Like any other large program, there are a few rules for Operation Santa Claus in order to protect the identity of the children who write to Santa. Interested parties wishing to adopt letters must complete a form, provide valid photo identification and adopt letters in person at a participating post office. For more information, go to the postal service Web site at http://usps.com. Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Dear Santa, Please give me a doll this year. I would like her to eat, walk, do my homework and help me clean my room. Thank you, Jenny Dear Santa, You can send me one of everything from the boys' section of the Sears catalogue. But nothing from the girls' section. I can't wait for Christmas to come. Kent Dear Santa, I need a new skateboard for Christmas. The one I got now crashes too much. Band-aids would be OK too. David Dear Santa, Mommy says that you only bring presents for the good little boys. That isn't fair. Brian Dear Father Christmas, My mother told me to write to you and say thanks for the train set. My dad plays with it all the time. Mike What type of fuel do you use for your sleigh or are your reindeers just hyper? Either way, I hope you won't miss our house. Matt My Dad did the naughty/nice test and was called a little stinker. Please give him somthing he did'nt mean to be bad. Saoirse And The Heartfelt Can you please help the homeless children have a good Christmas with at least something really good to eat and maybe a small toy for them to love. Andrew Dear Santa, I would love all the presents I asked for but my mom deserves them more. I have been getting presents all year from my mom and she works hard to get them for me. My mom doesn't know how much I love her that's why I want her to have all my presents. Love, Victoria I want everyone in the world to play nicer with each other. Mommy wants everyone to take better care of the world and Daddy just wants to read his Sunday paper in peace. Ellis I have tried to be very good all year, I only messed up a few times, but I tried my best, and thats what my mom and dad said counts. Heather I help my mom with the dishes and i help my grandma and grandpa by giving them lots of hugs .......So please give them something nice too! Katelyn Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus That saying came from a New York “Sun” editorial written in 1897 by Francis Pharcellus Church. The editorial was in response to 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon’s letter wanting to know if there really was a Santa Claus. The original correspondence: DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O'HANLON 115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. Merry Christmas, all you Santas out there! Issue 527 - 12/5/2011
SNIPPETZ TAPS A BARREL: HEY BROTHER, POUR THE WINE by Deborah Stumpf 
"A book of verses underneath the bough,
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou." -Edward Fitzgerald Wine is a $20 billion plus industry in the U.S. alone. Americans consumed 784 gallons of wine in 2010 or 2.54 gallons per person, according to the Wine Institute. Just over two-and-a-half gallons of wine per year per person doesn’t seem like a lot, but in the wine drinking business, it’s the 20/90 rule: Twenty percent of the adult population drinks about 90 percent of the wine. These folks are called the “core” wine drinkers who imbibe daily to weekly. For the 31 million of us who are considered “marginal” wine drinkers (those who partake of the grape periodically throughout the month or year), the holidays tend to send us off to our local liquor store to gaze at the shelves and wonder what to buy that will please everyone at the Christmas dinner table. Snippetz is not even going to consider an attempt at telling you what to buy – that’s what your favorite wine store is for. But we will give you some Snippetz of the topic to swirl around (pun intended) in your brain. Just Like Lucy and Ethel…Sort Of Remember the “I Love Lucy” episode when Lucy and Ethel found themselves in a vineyard, tying their skirts above their knees and stomping grapes to make wine? Believe it or not, there are a few select wineries that still use the stomping technique to produce high quality port wines. Now it’s mostly machines that do the work. Most wines are made from grapes that are crushed and put into a stainless steel or oak container to ferment. Simply stated, yeast is added to the crushed grapes, which meets with the sugar from the juices and converts the juice to alcohol. There is much variation involved in this process – ripeness of the grapes, type and size of container, length of time left to mature (weeks to years) – all affect the taste of what we pour in our glass. Largest Producers
Largest Consumers
About 72 percent of the wines we produce in the U.S. stay here. In order from largest to smallest, our largest volume imports are from Italy, Australia, France, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and Portugal. In order of volume, we export to UK, Italy (really), Canada, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong and China. We wonder if Italians sit around drinking American wines with their friends, saying: “These American wines can be quite amusing and interesting, don’t you think?” What We Pay Surprisingly, more than 42 percent of the wine consumed in the U.S. in 2009 cost less than $5 per bottle; about 43 percent between $5 and $10; and only about 10 percent run over $10 per bottle. To Chill or Not to Chill The simple rule has been chill the white and keep the reds at room temperature. Of course, it’s much more complicated than that. Whites should be chilled at 45-55 degrees F in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to serving; generally speaking, reds should be chilled to about 65 degrees. However, much depends on the type of red. A fruity red, for example, should be chilled. Consult your local oenologist for how to serve the wine you are purchasing. An oenologist is an expert in the science of wine and winemaking. 
Colorado – A Wine Mecca?
Colorado must be the sleeper in the American wine industry. Our state boasts about 80 wineries. It’s no wonder with the number of sunny days, cool nights and dry climate being perfect conditions for raising grapes. Wineries are located all along the front range and westward. Some of the more notable areas are in the Grand Valley (Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade); Four Corners (Mesa Verde and Cortez); Black Canyon around Gunnison and Paonia; Rocky Mountain area (Vail, Idaho Springs, Glenwood Springs); and the Front Range northward from Fort Collins all the way down through Colorado Springs, Canon City and Salida. Many are located in the Denver Metropolitan area. Most wineries offer tours and wine tasting. A quick visit to the Web Site http://Coloradowine.com will provide the tour seeker enough locations to spend months touring and tasting. Who would have thought? More Wine Snippetz
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” -W. C. Fields Spend enough time watching the Food Network and you’ll definitely get the idea that the quality of the wine that is used in a recipe is everything. As the saying goes, “if you don’t like drinking it out of a glass, don’t cook with it.” Red Wine Caramel Try a little of this sauce over your ice cream ¾ cup sugar 2 tablespoons water ¾ cup red wine In a medium saucepan, bring the granulated sugar and water to a boil over moderately high heat, washing down the side of the pan with a moistened pastry brush. Cook without stirring until a pale-amber caramel forms, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully add the red wine. Cook, stirring to dissolve the hardened caramel, until it is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Transfer the caramel to a pitcher and serve warm. The red wine caramel can be refrigerated for up to 1 month. Bring it to room temperature before serving. Hot Spiced Wine Make this recipe ahead of time and reheat quickly for impromptu guests or that Christmas Eve party. 2 bottles light-bodied red wine 1 1/4 cups sugar Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 lemon 3 black peppercorns, crushed 2 cardamom pods, crushed One 3-inch cinnamon stick, crushed 1 clove, crushed 1/2 cup kirsch (a cherry brandy) In a large saucepan, combine the red wine with the sugar and the orange and lemon zests. Put the spices in a tea ball and add to the saucepan. Bring the wine to a very slow simmer over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat, discard the tea ball and stir in the kirsch. Ladle the spiced wine into heatproof glasses and serve at once. The spiced wine can be kept overnight at room temperature. Reheat before serving. Issue 528
SNIPPETZ FOLLOWS THE RABBIT: ALICE IN WONDERLAND! by Deborah Stumpf 
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?”
- Alice in “Alice in Wonderland” In 1865, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under the pen name of Lewis Carroll, wrote “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (later shortened to “Alice in Wonderland”), which became not only a popular tale of fantasy for children but also an influence in real life issues. In short, “Alice in Wonderland” is the story of a girl who follows a fully dressed rabbit, wearing a pocket watch, into the bushes. Alice ends up falling deep into the rabbit’s hole and into the fantasy world of Wonderland, where she encounters a myriad of brilliantly cultivated creatures. From the Madd Hatter to the hookah-smoking caterpillar, the characters and twists and turns of the story are often analyzed as parables about the ups and downs of growing up or the crazy cycle of drug addiction. Some have said Carroll had to be on drugs to write such a crafty, innovative story. However, Carroll never mentioned drugs in his diaries, and today’s drug laws did not exist in the Victorian Era. LSD did not exist, and drugs like opium and cocaine were regularly used for medicinal purposes, available from a pharmacist. If Carroll was under the influence of drugs, it was by accident. Those who have studied Carroll say his purpose for writing “Alice in Wonderland” was strictly to entertain children. But years later, others would view the book in terms of their own experiences, whether personal or observed. To understand what some might have garnered from the book, it’s important to take a peek inside “Alice in Wonderland.” In the Rabbit Hole The first few chapters make it possible to understand the various interpretations of “Alice in Wonderland.”
Reading the above, it isn’t a stretch to think that Carroll was on drugs writing this story. The aforementioned are also examples of why a rock ‘n roll legend might have interpreted Alice in Wonderland as an expose into the world of drugs. Inspired by “Alice” “Alice in Wonderland” influenced songwriters, authors and movie producers – even psychiatrists. The “Alice” Syndrome “Alice in Wonderland” was labeled as a genre of literary nonsense, but one outcome of the story line was its impact on the no-nonsense field of psychiatry. The Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is an actual neurological disorder that affects one’s perception. Signals that are sent from the eyes to the brain are disturbed, causing hallucinations and distortions of space, time and body image. John Todd, a psychiatrist, introduced the disorder in 1955 and named it after Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” A key symptom associated with AIWS is a migraine headache, which also afflicted Carroll. White Rabbit – the song The book “Alice in Wonderland” also inspired the 1960s hit song by Jefferson Airplane – “White Rabbit,” which hit No. 8 (the album, Surrealistic Pillow, was No. 3) on music charts in the U.S. in 1967. Grace Slick wrote the lyrics to the song while she was under the influence of LSD. Slick believed that many characters like the hookah-smoking caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland” were references to drugs, and her lyrics show it. One pill makes you larger And one pill makes you small And the ones that mother gives you Don’t do anything at all Go ask Alice When she’s 10 feet tall Slick’s translation to her fans: You don’t have to be dropping acid to be 10 feet tall. Go ask Alice While Alice in Wonderland spawned Slick’s “White Rabbit,” in turn, “White Rabbit” gave birth to the book, “Go Ask Alice,” by Beatrice Sparks. The book is told from the perspective of a 15-year-old girl’s diary in which she writes about all the normal aspects of teenage life like social acceptance and challenges with her parents. The book also takes the reader into the darker side of the diary, as the teenager describes her unforeseen exploit into a world of drugs and danger. From the first time she unknowingly drinks a glass of soda laced with LSD at a party, the author of the diary – never named in the book – becomes a victim of addiction. The once-innocent teenager is faced with choices that conflict with feelings of guilt and her desires. Her attempts to get sober fail over and over. A planned Christmas reunion with family is short-lived when she succumbs to drugs again; this time, rendering her to prostitution and a life among the homeless. When a priest takes her under his wing and brings her home to family again, she is taken to an insane asylum, where she finally kicks the drug habit and finds peace with family. When she feels rewarded by her newly found ability to communicate with family and friends, she no longer feels the need to journal in her diary – and the story ends. However, in the epilogue, Sparks notes that the diary’s owner died three weeks after her final entry – death by an overdose, whether accidental or suicide. But the main character in the story is still never revealed. Alice in Wonderland – the movie “Alice in Wonderland” the book prompted a Disney cartoon movie; but it also generated a string of films and television movies. To mention a few:
Film director Tim Burton was the latest to bring the book to the screen. Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” released in March 2010, featured 19-year-old Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska, who, while attending a lavish party, sees a white rabbit all dressed up with his pocket watch and follows him into the bushes. She, too, tumbles far down into the rabbit hole and discovers Underland, which is inhabited by a cast of creatures hoping to escape the Red Queen (Helen Bonham Carter), who decapitates anyone who disagrees with her. When the Red Queen kidnaps Alice’s new friend, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Alice saves Underland by slaying the dragon Jabberwocky and giving the throne back to the White Queen, played by Anne Hathaway. While the visual effects pleased audiences, the reviews were disappointing. Many thought the movie was too predictable and conventional, given Carroll’s ingenious and wildly imaginative story. Charles Dodgson Charles Dodgson’s ingenuity grew in part from entertaining the children of Henry George Liddell, the dean of Christ Church in Oxford. As the oldest son with eight younger siblings, Dodgson was easy and comfortable with children. His affection for children was heightened when he could relate to them despite suffering from a challenging stammer. Under his pen name of Lewis Carroll, Dodgson also wrote a sequel to “Alice in Wonderland.” “Through the Looking Glass” was published in December 1871. Dodgson also penned many poems and essays. While many writers and artists lean toward the creative side of their brain, Dodgson was just as adept using the analytical side of his brain. As an undergraduate, Dodgson excelled in math and divinity studies in 1852 at Christ Church. He received a scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree and was later appointed as a fellow and mathematics tutor. Under his birth name, Dodgson authored numerous books on mathematics. Dodgson was also an accomplished photographer. He died in 1898, with the titles of English logician, mathematician, photographer and novelist – but best known for “Alice in Wonderland.” Issue 529
SNIPPETZ TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD FOR CHRISTMAS by Deborah Stumpf In the 18th century in America, Christmas celebrations were uncommon. On Dec. 25, 1789, Congress was – unbelievably – in session. It wasn’t until June 26, 1870, that Christmas was declared a federal holiday. Early in the 19th century in America, even before the Civil War, the North and South were divided about celebrating Christmas. Southerners embraced it, while Northerners thought celebrating Thanksgiving was more appropriate. Christmas celebrations often were thought of in the North as sinful. But after the Civil War, Christmas traditions caught on across the country. Toward the end of the century, Christmas trees and decorations, Christmas carols, cookies and Christmas Eve services were holiday seasonal rites in America. Americans have garnered many Christmas customs from Europe and other countries around the world, so many celebrations and traditions are similar. Take a look at some dissimilar international Christmas festivities. Ethiopia Because most of Ethiopia uses the old Julian calendar, Christmas – or Ganna – is celebrated Jan. 7. On Christmas Eve, Ethiopians fast before they rise at dawn to attend Mass. They dress in traditional “shammas” – white cotton with colored stripes – worn like togas, although some residents of bigger cities wear “western” clothes. The main focus of Christmas in Ethiopia is religious. During church, the Ganna celebration includes candles, processions and a center circle where the priest serves Holy Communion. Although gift giving is not a tradition, the Christmas meal consists of “wat,” a thick and spicy stew containing meat, vegetables and eggs. Wat is eaten on a plate of “injera” or flatbread. Twelve days after Ganna, on Jan. 19, Ethiopians begin a three-day celebration centered on the baptism of Jesus Christ. Children wear crowns and robes and walk to church services in a procession to the sounds of instrumental music. A sistrum, for example, is a popular instrument, much like the tambourine. Holland Holiday traditions in Holland begin Dec. 5, the eve of the birthday of St. Nicholas, known in Dutch as Sinterklaas, which is the origin of the name Santa Claus. On Dec. 6, St. Nicholas, wearing his red bishop robes and accompanied by his servant, Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), travels by boat to a city in the Netherlands. When they arrive on shore, all the local church bells ring in celebration. St. Nicholas then hops on a white horse and rides through town, bearing presents for the children. Zwarte Piet keeps a journal that includes information about the children’s behavior throughout the year. If a child was good, Sinterklaas leaves presents; if the child was bad, he or she will be chased by Zwarte Piet, who has a stick in tow – probably a little more incentive than the threat of coal in a stocking. The night before Sinterklaas’s arrival, the children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. It’s also customary to leave hay and carrots for the horse in exchange for candy. Some children receive all their presents on Dec. 5, the night before St. Nicholas’s birthday. There are always parties on that evening, complete with treasure hunt games and riddles that provide clues to the hiding places of Christmas presents already left by Sinterklaas. Biscuits are a traditional food served at the parties. Favorite biscuits include banketletter, which is made from marzipan or pastry, and pepernoot, a biscuit with cinnamon and spices added to the pastry mix. Dec. 25 is quiet for the Dutch. They usually attend church and enjoy a family meal afterward. India Only 2.3 percent of people in India are Christians, but the population is more than one billion so there are still plenty of Christians – many of them are Roman Catholics. For Catholics all over the world, Christmas Eve midnight Mass is a big part of the holiday season. It’s especially important in India. Families walk to mass, and celebrate afterward with a variety of curry dishes, followed by gift giving. Instead of a Christmas tree, people in India decorate a banana or mango tree, often using mango leaves to decorate their homes. In Southern India, Christians place a small oil-burning clay lamp on the flat roofs of their homes to show that Jesus is the light of the world. Christians in Mumbai display mangers in their front windows. These nativity scenes have become highly competitive works of art among neighbors. Father Christmas; or, as some refer to him, Santa Claus, delivers presents to the children via a horse and cart. Mexico During the nine days preceding Christmas, from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24, Mexico is known for its posadas (meaning inn or shelter). The posadas are actually processions in neighborhoods, where people walk down streets reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. The processions end up at a different home every night. The last posada is held on Christmas Eve, or Nochebueno. From the last house on the nine-day procession route, Mexican friends and families attend midnight Mass; after, the night-long festivities begin as everyone awaits the anniversary of the birth of Christ. During this time, theatrical presentations of the shepherds (los pastorelas) traveling to see the baby Jesus are held throughout Mexico. In the old days, the presentations were a way to teach people about the dogmas of the Catholic religion; but today they are often comedies. The Epiphany is celebrated in Mexico on Jan. 6, which is also the day children normally receive Christmas presents often brought to them by the three wise men. But Santa Claus has found his way to Mexico as well, adding Dec. 25 as another day for Christmas presents. Snippetz of Christmas ‘Round the World
Feliz Navidad! |
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