Jazz Day encourages jazz fans all over the world to attend or start jazz festivals, events and parties. Why not take up the trumpet, saxophone, piano or Clarinet? Presumably not all at once, but you get the idea.
Word of the Day
| |||
| Definition: | (noun) A small bunch of flowers. | ||
| Synonyms: | bouquet, corsage, posy | ||
| Usage: | The wedding was informal and intimate, with the bride wearing a simple white dress and holding a nosegay of daisies. | ||
Idiom of the Day
in(to) shape— In good, robust health; strong or fit. |
History
Casey Jones Dies on the Cannonball Express (1900)
Jones was an American locomotive engineer whose main claim to fame, until his fateful run on the Cannonball Express, was his punctuality. On April 30, 1900, he was driving the Cannonball Express south on a dangerous, accident-prone run when he suddenly saw a stalled freight train ahead. Instead of jumping to safety, he stayed to slow his train, saving his coworkers and passengers but losing his own life in the process.
Willie Nelson (1933)
Nelson is an American musician who helped create the blues-rock-country genre known as "outlaw music." In his five-decade career, he has made more than 200 recordings. In the 1960s, he became a successful songwriter in Nashville but was not recognized for his own singing until he moved back to Texas and adopted the unique image that made him an icon. He is known for raising money to aid farmers and for his generous appearances at benefit concerts.
The Gym Class Where Nodding Off Is the New Working Out
What if you could go to the gym and swap spinning for sleeping? David Lloyd health clubs are offering "napercise" classes this weekend aimed, predominantly, at exhausted parents.READ MORE:
The gym class where nodding off is the new working out - BBC News
1789 - George Washington took office as first elected U.S. president.
1803 - The U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.
1812 - Louisiana admitted as the 18th U.S. state.
1889 - George Washington's inauguration became the first U.S. national holiday.
1938 - Happy Rabbit appeared in the cartoon "Porky's Hare Hunt." This rabbit would later evolve into Bugs Bunny.
Lou Gehrig leaps over a bat held by Joe DiMaggio
1939 - Lou Gehrig played his last game with the New York Yankees.
1940 - Belle Martell was licensed in California by state boxing officials. She was the first American woman, prizefight referee.
1947 - The name of Boulder Dam, in Nevada, was changed back to Hoover Dam.
1952 - Mr. Potato Head became the first toy to be advertised on network television.
1998 - United and Delta airlines announced their alliance that would give them control of 1/3 of all U.S. passenger seats.
2015 - NASA's Messenger spacecraft crashed into the surface of Mercury. The space probe sent back more than 270,000 pictures to earth.
READERS INFO
April 30, 1889
The Bible upon which George Washington took the oath of office.
2.
O, Miami Poetry Festival 2017
Apr 1-30, 2017
Miami, FL
The O, Miami Poetry Festival is a city-wide event that promotes the appreciation and overall appropriation of poetry as an art form. The festival began as an attempt to revitalize public interest in poetry and create new platforms on which to present the work of established as well as unknown poets. Festival goers and Miami residents can rediscover poetry in a fun an accessible environment that offers public projections of poetry, live readings and poetry karaoke, where attendees can perform the works of literary legends such as Shakespeare.
further information: Events
3.
Vegas Uncork'd 2017
Apr 27-30, 2017
Multiple Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip
S Las Vegas Blvd & E Harmon
Las Vegas, NV
Celebrity chefs, innovative mixologists and expert sommeliers join forces to offer guests a sensory experience for the ages. Presented by Bon Appétit Magazine, Vegas Uncork’d is the ultimate wine and food experience, consisting of over a dozen unique events taking place at a variety of upscale venues over a four-day period. Guests can enjoy tastings featuring over 100 wines and 60 participating restaurants, try their luck in a blackjack tournament and attend wine seminars to hone their sommelier skills.
further information: Vegas Uncork'd 2017
4.
Arkansas Literary Festival 2017
Apr 27-30, 2017
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas' premier event for readers and writers, including readings, sessions, panels, workshops, activities and special events.
further information: 14th Annual Arkansas Literary Festival - Little Rock
Pictures of the day
Franz Lehár (1870–1948) was an Austro-Hungarian composer mainly known for his operettas, the most successful and best known being The Merry Widow. He also wrote sonatas, symphonic poems and marches.
BOOK FROM 1908 DEDICATED TO BLACKBOARD ART
In 1908, Frederick Whitney, an artist and teacher in Salem, Massachusetts published Blackboard Sketching, a book dedicated to the art of blackboard chalk drawings. As the book’s forward states: Ability to draw easily and well on the blackboard is a power which every teacher of children covets.
knit
knit, 6 - 24 mths
thanks, Judith
knit
thanks, Sandy
 | |||||||
Pansy Path Knit Sock Pattern
These sweet Pansy Path Knit Socks are perfect for keeping your toes warm and toasty during the cool fall and winter months. With a sweet striped pattern ...
| |||||||
knit
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/402/Issue402.php
crochet
 | |||||||
Super Squares Tote II pattern by Annie Modesitt
Super Saver Solids by Red Heart Aran / 10 ply 100% Acrylic 364 yards / 198 grams average rating from 13730 votes 195928 projects stashed 64124 times
| |||||||
Preview by Yahoo
| |||||||
crochet
thanks, Sally
 | |||||||
Crochet Radish Egg Cosies pattern by La Messer
Petra Crochet Cotton 3 by DMC Creative World Fingering / 4 ply 100% Cotton 306 yards / 100 grams average rating from 58 votes 245 projects stashed 1...
| |||||||
Preview by Yahoo
| |||||||
crochet
crochet
http://donnascrochetdesigns.com/morefree/daisy-box-poncho-free-crochet-pattern.html
RECIPE
thanks, Shelley
CROCKPOT RECIPE
SWEETS
thanks, Patsy
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
thanks, Zoey
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... find the one that is different!
PUZZLE
Japanese Bell Jigsaw Puzzle
WORD SEARCH
| activate castle closed connect could dance | empty eons escape feeling first glossary limit | meeting movie music necessary nothing palace pens permit | reach redeem restroom sand scene self shove sport strange | utility valet wrong |
QUOTE
CLEVER
EYE OPENER
thanks, Patty
The Weirdest Food Rules From Around Europe
Your table manners may not be as good as you think they are when you bring them to a different country.
afar
As full-grown human beings, we like to think we have a solid understanding of dining and drinking etiquette. But as it turns out, even though everyone everywhere eats, food rules are far from universal. For example, growing up, I was taught to leave my hands in my lap on top of my napkin when I wasn’t twirling (though never cutting) spaghetti. But in Greece and France, good manners dictate your hands be visible above the table—luckily, those rules about noodles do hold true in Italy.
No matter where you go, sharing a meal is the best way to connect with locals, and that is much easier without the distraction (and awkwardness) of unintended rudeness. Here are a few food rules from around Europe you may want to get familiar with before your next trip.
DON’T drink water with soup in Spain
While drinking water, in general, is perfectly acceptable in Spain, sipping agua with a couple of specific dishes is culturally taboo, especially among older generations and people from smaller communities. Tradition dictates that you skip water when eating octopus or soup because the combination will make your stomach hurt. If you’re really thirsty, don’t worry—wine and soft drinks are fine.
While drinking water, in general, is perfectly acceptable in Spain, sipping agua with a couple of specific dishes is culturally taboo, especially among older generations and people from smaller communities. Tradition dictates that you skip water when eating octopus or soup because the combination will make your stomach hurt. If you’re really thirsty, don’t worry—wine and soft drinks are fine.
DO put your bread directly on the table in France
Unlike in many other countries, in France, bread is traditionally laid directly on the table (not a bread plate) and must be placed right side up. Bread placed face down is considered bad luck—bakers used to do this to mark a loaf reserved for the local executioner. It’s also important to note that when sharing a meal in France, no matter how ravenous you are, bread isn’t served as an appetizer—it should be eaten with your meal. Furthermore, you should break it into pieces with your hands, rather than bite right into it.
Unlike in many other countries, in France, bread is traditionally laid directly on the table (not a bread plate) and must be placed right side up. Bread placed face down is considered bad luck—bakers used to do this to mark a loaf reserved for the local executioner. It’s also important to note that when sharing a meal in France, no matter how ravenous you are, bread isn’t served as an appetizer—it should be eaten with your meal. Furthermore, you should break it into pieces with your hands, rather than bite right into it.
DON’T ask for extra cheese in Italy
At many Italian restaurants outside Italy, servers walk around offering freshly shredded cheese to add to your pasta or pizza, but in Italy it’s just not acceptable to smother your food with Parmesan. This is partly because a lot of dishes prepared with Parmesan stateside are actually made with pecorino cheese in Italy, and partly because asking for more cheese makes it seem like you’re trying to disguise the taste of the dish you ordered. Whatever you do, don’t commit the cardinal sin of requesting cheese on a seafood dish.
At many Italian restaurants outside Italy, servers walk around offering freshly shredded cheese to add to your pasta or pizza, but in Italy it’s just not acceptable to smother your food with Parmesan. This is partly because a lot of dishes prepared with Parmesan stateside are actually made with pecorino cheese in Italy, and partly because asking for more cheese makes it seem like you’re trying to disguise the taste of the dish you ordered. Whatever you do, don’t commit the cardinal sin of requesting cheese on a seafood dish.
DO eat your food exactly as it’s prepared in Portugal and Spain
Looking for salt and pepper at the table? Forget about it. In Portugal and Spain, asking for salt and pepper to add to your food is an insult to the cook. In most restaurants (and in many homes) the two seasonings are not even brought to the table.
Looking for salt and pepper at the table? Forget about it. In Portugal and Spain, asking for salt and pepper to add to your food is an insult to the cook. In most restaurants (and in many homes) the two seasonings are not even brought to the table.
DO fold lettuce—DON’T cut it—in Germany and France
No matter how big the pieces of romaine in your German or French salad, remember this simple rule—fold and spear, never cut. To slice your lettuce may be considered a negative comment on the salad’s preparation.
No matter how big the pieces of romaine in your German or French salad, remember this simple rule—fold and spear, never cut. To slice your lettuce may be considered a negative comment on the salad’s preparation.
DON’T waste bread in Russia
Around Europe, wasting bread is generally considered pretty bad form because in most countries, it’s a sacred component of every meal. But in Russia, it’s especially important to be judicious about how much bread you serve yourself, because the consequences could be dire: Tradition holds that when you die, all of the bread you’ve wasted over the years will be weighed and added to the balance that decides whether or not you get into heaven.
Around Europe, wasting bread is generally considered pretty bad form because in most countries, it’s a sacred component of every meal. But in Russia, it’s especially important to be judicious about how much bread you serve yourself, because the consequences could be dire: Tradition holds that when you die, all of the bread you’ve wasted over the years will be weighed and added to the balance that decides whether or not you get into heaven.
NEVER take the last bite of a shared dish in Denmark
Sharing a piece of cake with a friend? Social custom among Danes dictates that the parties divide the last bits of a shared dish equally among all parties until the dish in question is reduced to crumbs.
Sharing a piece of cake with a friend? Social custom among Danes dictates that the parties divide the last bits of a shared dish equally among all parties until the dish in question is reduced to crumbs.
DO tilt soup away from you in the United Kingdom
In England and Scotland, the correct way to eat soup is to tilt the bowl and even the spoon away from you, then sip from the side of the spoon after it’s brought up to your mouth.
In England and Scotland, the correct way to eat soup is to tilt the bowl and even the spoon away from you, then sip from the side of the spoon after it’s brought up to your mouth.
DON’T chew gum after dark in Turkey
Chewing gum isn’t as popular in Europe as it is in the United States and is even considered not-so-polite behavior. In Turkey, chewing gum after dark isn’t just rude—it’s taboo. According to local legend, after the sun goes down, gum turns into the flesh of the dead in your mouth. So if you’re looking to freshen your breath after a late dinner, you would be best advised to switch to mints.
Chewing gum isn’t as popular in Europe as it is in the United States and is even considered not-so-polite behavior. In Turkey, chewing gum after dark isn’t just rude—it’s taboo. According to local legend, after the sun goes down, gum turns into the flesh of the dead in your mouth. So if you’re looking to freshen your breath after a late dinner, you would be best advised to switch to mints.
ALWAYS pass the port to the left in the United Kingdom
It may seem a bit arbitrary, but in the United Kingdom, port is always passed to the left, after you’ve poured a drink for the person on your right. If someone forgets, the English tradition is to ask, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” If the person hogging the bottle is in the know, he or she will take the hint, apologize, and pass it on (to the left, of course). If the person doesn’t get it, the next step is to say, “He’s a terribly good chap, but he always forgets to pass the port.”
It may seem a bit arbitrary, but in the United Kingdom, port is always passed to the left, after you’ve poured a drink for the person on your right. If someone forgets, the English tradition is to ask, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” If the person hogging the bottle is in the know, he or she will take the hint, apologize, and pass it on (to the left, of course). If the person doesn’t get it, the next step is to say, “He’s a terribly good chap, but he always forgets to pass the port.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY KIDDO!
