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Sherman A1

Sherman A1's Journal
Sherman A1's Journal
August 6, 2015

NLRB Finds Retaliation After Capitol Food Worker Strike

http://blogs.rollcall.com/hill-blotter/nlrb-finds-retaliation-after-capitol-food-worker-strike/?dcz=

The National Labor Relations Board has found that the Capitol’s food-service vendor likely violated labor laws when supervisors retaliated against workers who went on strike.

In two separate cases, the NLRB found merit in allegations of retaliation, which included charges of interrogation and coercive statements. Workers in the Capitol Visitor Center and the Dirksen Senate Office Building filed unfair labor practice charges against Restaurant Associates in April and May, respectively, following an April 22 strike for higher wages and union representation.

After the cases were filed, the NLRB proceeded with an investigation, which included conducting confidential interviews with the workers involved. The NLRB found all but one of the charges, which was voluntarily withdrawn, had merit, and the parties involved reached a settlement on July 31.

In the CVC case, workers alleged their manager threatened their jobs; required them to work later “without reasonable or customary notice;” imposed more onerous duties on the workers who participated in the strike; stated the striking workers were unreliable; and ordered employees not to speak with representatives of Good Jobs Nation, a coalition of labor groups that has been organizing the federal worker strikes.
August 6, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 6

National Root Beer Float Day Root Beer Float Day is celebrated on August 6th every year. Between the luxurious vanilla ice-cream and the sumptuous root beer foam, how can any individual resist this delightful beverage? This amazingly refreshing summer treat has its own special day to celebrate its undeniable brilliance.

Towards the end of the 19th century, a gentleman named Frank Wisner created the first root beer float. Strangely, this float was nicknamed the “black cow.” If you are wondering how to make one of these superb drinks, then simply add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream to a cold glass of root beer. The taste of root beer float makes the taste buds tingle with utter excitement.

To celebrate Root Beer Float Day why not create your own float? Make the float colourful and presentable so that other people can see you have really made an effort for this special occasion! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/root-beer-float-day/

National Fresh Breath Day Nobody likes having a close quarters conversation with that one person who’s just had onions and garlic for lunch, so Fresh Breath Day was created to promote fresh breath.

Did you know that over 50% of the bacteria found in the mouth contributes to bad breath? Brushing twice a day and using mouthwash is the obvious way to fight this, but many people don’t know that mints and chewing gum that contain sugar can actually (in the long term) have the opposite effect than you want.

Why not offer the mints around the office (just don’t single out that one person who loves the peculiar lunches, or it could end badly), and spread the joys of fresh breath on Fresh Breath Day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fresh-breath-day/

Wiggle Your Toes Day is an excellent opportunity to let your tootsies see the daylight and indulge in some public wiggling adventures. With so many opportunities to let those ten little piggies get some action, Wiggle Your Toes Day means it’s time to plan something special to celebrate. Whether you chose to wiggle alone, or use the occasion as a chance to join with like-minded friends, family or colleagues in a glorious session of communal wiggling, no one can afford to let the day go by unmarked.

There are numerous ways to show your support for Wiggle Your Toes Day; sandals at the office are an obvious start, with some discreet toe flexing getting your digits limbered up for the rigours of later wiggling. Why not plan a group wiggle at a lake or beach? Simply dip those feet in the water and luxuriate in a fun-packed toe workout. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wiggle-your-toes-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august6.html
August 5, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 5

National Oyster Day Oyster Day is a celebration of this most versatile mollusc. Oyster is the common name for a number of different groups of bivalve molluscs. Some species of oysters are commonly eaten, either cooked or raw, as a delicacy. While other types of oyster, such as pearl oysters, are not normally consumed by humans, they are harvested for their pearls.

The history of Oyster Day is unknown, but the history of human’s relationship with oysters is very long, since Roman times there is evidence of people in the United Kingdom and France farming oysters. In the 19th century New York harbour was the largest producer of oysters in the world and provided nutritious food for thousands of people. Nowadays Oyster Day is most widely celebrated in America and the UK, with many festivals to celebrate this culinary delicacy. People celebrate by eating fresh oysters or buying oyster pearls for loved ones. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oyster-day/

National Underwear Day in an effort to publicly shine light on “unmentionables”, Underwear Day is a day to celebrate underwear, and all the garments that we keep so well-hidden. Hundreds of people have participated in yearly flash mob in New York City with people in their underwear, coming together in order to celebrate their confidence! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/underwear-day/

Work Like A Dog Day As dogs seem to spend most of their life dozing, it can be difficult to see how activity on Work Like A Dog Day could be anything other than leisurely. In reality, Work Like A Dog Day is a chance to display the inner grit and determination normally demonstrated by canines when seeking sustenance as you go about your daily workplace chores. When was the last time you were really productive? Give colleagues and the boss an occasion to remember when you turn up early and dig in to that work pile with enthusiasm and drive.

If that all sounds like too much hard graft, Work Like A Dog Day is also an opportunity to reward those in your life who really do Work Like A Dog. Why not give the breadwinner a treat? Or take some of the load off their shoulders so they can enjoy some well-earned rest?

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august5.html
August 4, 2015

As Nabisco Ships 600 Jobs Out of Chicago to Mexico, Maybe It’s Time To Give Up Oreos

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18259/oreos-union-busting

I may have to give up one of my longest-standing indulgences: the dunking of an Oreo cookie in cold milk (whole is preferred). I don’t do this lightly, as I have been dunking those deliciously wicked rounds of chocolate and what I choose to believe is cream since I’ve been three.

Why give them up? Because this week, Irene Rosenfeld, the head of Mondolez (the food conglomerate based in Illinois that has Nabisco in its portfolio), a woman touted for breaking the glass ceiling upon becoming the head of Kraft Foods and then its spin off, announced that rather than invest $130 million in modernizing the plant in Chicago, where Oreos have been lovingly produced for the past 100 years, she will instead move the jobs to a new factory in Mexico. The result: a loss of 600 well-paying and community-sustaining jobs on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Is giving up Oreos a foolish and futile gesture? Of course, I know that other Chicago-born companies have made similar moves. I, like many Chicagoans felt a loss when Frango Mints were no longer hand made on the top floor of Marshall Field’s—and felt worse when Marshall Field’s ceased to exist at all. I was saddened when Klaus Suchard chose to take Brach candy production from Chicago, and in so doing ended Chicago’s title as candy capital of the world. I even regretted the loss of the city’s steel mills and stockyards, despite the cleaner air that their exodus brought.

But this seems different. Perhaps it was reading the May stories of Rosenfeld’s report to shareholders in which she touted the upward trajectory of the company’s profits through cutting back on procurement and customer service and her plans to make it even more profitable by a restructuring that would realize a gain of $1.5 billion for stockholders.
August 4, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 4

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day What is the celebration of one of the world’s favorite forms of chocolate… You guessed it, chocolate chips!

From cookies to brownies, we all love those tasty hidden nuggets of blended cocoa, and whether you’re a fan of dark, milk or white chocolate this is definitely a day for everyone to appreciate. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-chocolate-chip-day-august-4/

Assistance Dog Day Assistance dogs improve the quality of life for countless people who live with disability or illness, and a special day celebrates these four-legged friends every year. Assistance Dog Day recognises and honours assistance dogs and their trainers, and aims to raise funds and increase awareness of the work they do. It is part of International Assistance Dog Week, a yearly event started by long-time paraplegic, Marcie Davis. There are many different kinds of assistance dogs, from the well-known guide dogs and hearing alert dogs that help people with vision and hearing loss, to lesser-known helpers like seizure alert and medical alert dogs that can recognise the signs of heart attacks, strokes and epilepsy. A range of events are held to celebrate Assistance Dog Day, including dog shows, sponsored dog walks, talks and dog graduation ceremonies. Many assistance dog training facilities hold open days and tours on this day to show the work that they do.https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/assistance-dog-day/

Coast Guard Day honours the courageous work of coast guards. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Atlantic coast of America, the US Coast Guardsmen saved over 33,500 lives, an estimated 24,000 of these were rescued from peril in severely dangerous conditions.

In America, there are thousands of events nation-wide for you to get involved in and show your support. In the UK, although not directly associated with HM Coast Guard, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) are a charity organisation with the sole aim of rescuing those in distress at sea. They launch over 6500 times a year, and have saved over 134,000 lives since their founding. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/coast-guard-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august4.html
August 3, 2015

Ferguson's yesterdays offer clues to the troubled city of today

The photo is an iconic image of post-World War II America: A bustling downtown main street lined with sturdy Chevys, Fords and Chryslers. Pedestrians strolling past a hodgepodge of storefronts with flashy light-up signs: Barbays Self-Service Market, King Drugs, Florsheim shoes, Coca Cola.

This was Ferguson, Mo., in the late 1950s, just past the midpoint of its 120-year history.

It was a city on the upswing. The population doubled between 1950 and 1960 — to just over 22,000, and the city was also expanding geographically. In 1964, annexation would land the primarily residential community an industrial plum: The Emerson Electric plant that was built outside the city limits in 1940.

But by the end of the 1960s, city leaders were eyeing the future with wariness.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/fergusons-yesterdays-offer-clues-troubled-city-today

It is a long article, but offers an insight into some of the history of Ferguson and has some interesting photos.

August 3, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 3

National Watermelon Day Join the trend and enjoy a slice of watermelon for Watermelon Day! Did you know, watermelons are over 90% water, making them a very aptly named fruit! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/watermelon-day/

Grab Some Nuts Day There are many “nut” days throughout the year such as National Almond Day, National Pistachio Day and National Pecan Day. On August 3rd, we enjoy them all on National Grab Some Nuts Day. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-grab-some-nuts-day-august-3/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august3.html
August 2, 2015

Former KMOV-TV news anchor Robin Smith to run for Mo. Secretary of State

Former KMOV anchor Robin Smith will run for Missouri Secretary of State in 2016, (as a Democrat) she announced Sunday morning.

"What Missouri needs now, more than ever, is a public servant who checks their politics at the door. That has been my life's work and my training. I look forward to giving Missourians straightforward, professional service as their Secretary of State.", said Robin Smith in announcing she'll file organizational campaign documents with the state this week.

Smith, who is a lifelong Missouri resident, is "looking forward to traveling to every corner of the state to earn the trust of Missouri voters, sometimes assisted in campaigning by her husband," the media release stated.

Robin's retirement from KMOV was announced last week and her last day was Friday. She had worked in St. Louis television for over 40 years.

http://www.kmov.com/story/29689545/former-kmov-tv-news-anchor-robin-smith-to-run-for-mo-secretary-of-state

August 2, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 2

National Ice Cream Sandwich Day What better way to celebrate the height of summer than with Ice Cream Sandwich Day? Get out of the sun and enjoy a cool, creamy treat in the form of rich ice-cream layered between sweet biscuit bases. Delicious! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ice-cream-sandwich-day/

Friendship day was originally founded by Hallmark in 1919. It was intended to be a day for people to celebrate their friendship by sending eachother cards, but by 1940 the market had dried up, and eventually it died out completely. However, in 1998 Winnie the Pooh was named the world’s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations (believe it or not!), and in April 2011 the United Nations officially recognised 30th July as International Friendship Day; although most countries celebrate on the first Sunday of August!

According to the Friendship Day declaration, we are invited to “observe this day in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities, including through education and public awareness-raising activities”. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/friendship-day/

Sisters Day is your chance (if you have a sister, that is) to show your appreciation for that special family relationship. All siblings have the odd argument here and there, but deep down there’s little way around the natural bond of siblings.

Make this day a special celebration for your sister, by however you feel is best. If you don’t have a sister, you can still celebrate the friendships of sisterhood by having a girl’s night out! Similarly, you can also celebrate Sibling Day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sisters-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august2.html
August 1, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 1

Raspberry Cream Pie Day Raspberry cream pie is an often-overlooked kind of dessert, which is why we should celebrate Raspberry Cream Pie Day.

Many people use a pre-made pie base to save some time, but others prefer to make their own crust with crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits. The one thing that can’t be compromised or altered, however, is the filling, which demands heavy cream, sugar, a dash of vanilla essence and, of course, some jewel-like raspberries.

Some recipes call for the cream to be mixed with a smooth raspberry syrup, while others opt for the marbling effect of crushed fruit. Whatever option is chosen, the whole amazing concoction must be dotted with fresh raspberries to finish it off. Once these ripe, succulent berries are in place, the whole thing can be topped off with icing sugar, melted dark chocolate, or a few sprigs fresh mint. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/raspberry-cream-pie-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august1.html

Girlfriend’s Day It’s time to buy flowers – Girlfriends Day celebrates special relationships around the world by paying tribute to girlfriends (and, to a lesser extent, boyfriends) everywhere. Show your partner how much you care and treat them to an incredible day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girlfriends-day/

Mustard Day was founded on a whim by Jill Sengstock in 1988, before changing hands to the National Mustard Museum in 1991. It’s aim is rather self explanatory; to celebrate and honour one of the world’s most popular condiments. From Dijon to English, or a liberal helping on an All-American hotdog, this day your chance to voice your love (without looking a bit odd) for your favourite combination.

Mustard itself is believed to be over 5000 years old, originating in India when it was first cultivated in 3000BC. It was then brought to Britain by the Romans who were the first to use it as a condiment and pickling spice!

We definitely think this day cuts the mustard! (Pun very much intended). https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mustard-day/

World Wide Web Day World Wide Web Day is a global celebration dedicated to web browsing, the online activity that brings the world at your fingertips and a wealth of knowledge at your feet.

The World Wide Web was conceived by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 at the CERN centre in Geneva, Switzerland, as a way for him to communicate with co-workers via hyperlinks. A quarter of a century later, WWW has become the main means of interaction, transaction and communication among humans, opening the door of opportunity for people in ways that would have been unimaginable to previous generations.

We celebrate World Wide Web Day by getting online, taking hasty selfies to post on social platforms, arguing with trolls on blogs, taking notes from podcasts, holding VoIP conferences to discuss the weather, backing up our data to servers across the world, syncing photos for the whole family to see, booking our doctor’s appointments online and generally expressing our opinions in discussions which are oftentimes much ado about nothing. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-wide-web-day/

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