July 11, 2009
In an article entitled U.S. Debt Shrinking at Glacial Pace, USA Today reports that despite the deep recession, consumers have not made great strides in reducing household debt. This figure almost doubled from 2000 to 2008 peaking at $13.9 trillion. According to the Federal Reserve, household debt has dropped in 2009, to $13.8 trillion. This reduction is noteworthy as it marks the first time since World War II that Americans have reduced their debt. In addition, the savings rate increased dramatically to 6.9%, previously a negative number before the financial crisis.
click here for limerick
July 10, 2009
In June, a gas leak caused a fatal explosion at a North Carolina plant that is the sole manufacturer of Slim Jim snacks. Since that time, ConAgra, the manufacturer, has not been able to resume production and anticipates there will be a Slim Jim shortage later this summer. Harry Balzer of NPD Group, believes this shortage will partially be caused by Slim Jim fans hoarding their favorite snack. The popularity of Slim Jims is evident with Inc.com’s September 2008 poll of the best advertising slogans of all time. The 1992 “Snap Into a Slim Jim” campaign featuring wrestling stars Macho Man Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior was included on the list.
click here for limerick
July 9, 2009
London England is the latest stop for a street art project called Street Pianos. Dubbed “Sing London 2009“, thirty pianos were scattered about the city with a sign reading, Play Me, I’m Yours. The idea is to create impromptu sing-alongs and get strangers to socialize with each other. The pianos were donated or purchased on EBay and the installation will be in place for three weeks. The pianos are protected with a plastic tarp to avoid damage from England’s famous rain. They are locked at night and volunteers monitor them to prevent vandalism. Some residents feel it is the perfect cure for the recession blues as she reminds us that “the pleasures of life are free”.
click here for limerick
July 8, 2009
In Los Angeles, music icons, celebrities, family, friends and fans congregated at Staples Center for a public memorial for Michael Jackson. More than 17,500 tickets were issued to the public for this event. The understated event celebrated the life and career of “The King of Pop” and was expected to be viewed by people around the world. Jackson was introduced to America at age 5 as the frontman for The Jackson 5 and had early success with his solo efforts. On May 16, 1983 Jackson performed his new single “Billie Jean” from his latest release, Thriller at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever special. His five minute performance, wearing a single sequined glove, electrified both the live and viewing audiences and is notable for Jackson’s premiere of “the moonwalk.”
click here for limerick
July 7, 2009
Smokey the Bear, mascot of the United States Forest Service turns 65 years old in August. Created August 9, 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History. And that brings us to the issue of his name. His official name is and always has been Smokey Bear. However, in 1952 Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote an anthem in his honor and to keep the rhythm, they put “the” in his name and it has stuck. His original slogan “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” was updated in 2001 to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires“. Now, in addition to these changes, he has taken his message to the World Wide Web where he has a MySpace and Facebook page. Regardless of these updates, he still sports the same jeans, ranger hat, and shovel, and he still asks that we be careful when enjoying the outdoors.
click here for limerick
July 6, 2009
For the past 93 years, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs has hosted an eating contest on the Fourth of July. Held at their original location on Coney Island, contestants try to consume as many hot dogs and buns as possible in ten minutes. Takeru Kobayashi gained fame with six consecutive victories but was unseated in 2007 by Joey Chestnut. Chestnut continues his winning streak with victories in 2008 and in 2009 with a record of 68 hot dogs and buns. The Nathan’s July Fourth International Eating Contest is considered the centerpiece of the competitive eating circuit and it airs live on ESPN.
click here for limerick
July 5, 2009
On Friday, Sarah Palin made the surprising announcement that she will step down as governor of Alaska at the end of this month. On Saturday, Palin hinted at future plans on her Facebook page writing, “I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint”. Palin came to national attention as John McCain’s running-mate in the 2008 presidential election and has remained in the limelight. One billed as the “most popular governor” with approval ratings exceeding 90%, her popularity plummeted to 54% as of March 2009. When asked about Palin’s announcement, one Alaskan commented, “I think she has a game plan that’s not Alaska, and hasn’t been for awhile”.
click here for limerick
July 4, 2009
Semper Fidelis is Latin for “Always Faithful” and is the motto of the United States Marine Corps; although they shorten it to Semper Fi. That may explain why since World War I, their mascot has been the ultimate symbol of faithfulness – a dog. Specifically, a pure-breed English Bulldog. It was recently announced that a (yet unnamed) 11-week old female pup from South Texas will replace Cpl. Molly Marine as one of three official Marine mascots. She will be stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA and after obedience training, she will begin boot camp. She will have her own service record book, wear a tiny uniform, attend ceremonies and graduations, take the first taste of beef at officer’s dinners, and may even learn to salute with her paw.
click here for limerick
July 3, 2009
Columbus, Ohio was the site of the first Wendy’s restaurant in 1969. Dave Thomas, its founder, named the restaurant after his daughter. He was 35 years old at the time and had spent years studying the fast food industry under Colonel Sanders. In December 2006 it became the third largest fast food hamburger chain. However, after years of losses, the decision was made in March 2007, to close the original store. Recently, it was purchased by The Catholic Foundation and is being remodeled into their headquarters. The Foundation is a not for profit organization that accepts and manages assets so as to provide various, parishes, schools, and ministries with funds throughout the county of Columbus.
click here for limerick
July 2, 2009
U.S. Soldier Zachary Boyd became an unlikely celebrity when he was caught with his pants down…quite literally. In Afghanistan, his platoon came under fire while he was asleep. Hearing the gunfire, he jumped out of bed, put on his helmet and body armor, and ran to the fight. Other than those items he was only wearing a red T-shirt, flip-flops, and bright pink “I Love New York” boxers. An Associated Press reporter captured the moment and it landed on the front page of the New York Times. When the photo became front page on many newspapers (including his hometown Star-Telegram) he feared he would be reprimanded by the president for being out of uniform. As it happens, he has garnered lots of praise and the Army has even asked the soldier to donate the underwear to a museum.
click here for limerick
Older Entries
Newer Entries
Enter your email address below to