August 10, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 10

National S'mores Day Thinking about S’mores Day is likely to give you a warm, gooey feeling! This sweet summer celebration turns the spotlight on a popular campfire treat – the S’more. It’s traditionally created by sandwiching together two graham crackers, putting marshmallow and chocolate in the middle, then melting them over a bonfire.

The S’more apparently got its name because anybody tucking into this wickedly delicious treat is likely to want “some more”. US Girl Scouts included a recipe for the dessert in a 1920s handbook, but it’s thought the sweet may actually be much older.

It’s not known exactly when S’mores got their own day, but the best way to celebrate is to invite friends to a campfire party. Either cook up the confections in your own back yard or head off on a camping trip. However, if this isn’t possible, you can also prepare S’mores in the microwave. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/smores-day/

National Duran Duran Appreciation Day Duran Duran Day celebrates 80’s rock icons, Duran Duran – a band who pushed the limits of acceptable music video content. Try listening to some Duran Duran at work, in the car, and at home; don’t worry, it’s officially ok for just one day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/duran-duran-day/

Skyscraper Appreciation Day Skyscraper Appreciation Day is the birthday of the famous architect William Can Alen, who is the genius behind the construction of the Chrysler Building, which is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

Skyscraper Appreciation Day was initiated and founded by Dr. Tom Stevens. Interestingly, it was created so that the general public could admire the structural and architectural brilliance of skyscrapers. Furthermore, it also celebrates the triumph of reason and man’s ability to construct industrial masterpieces. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/skyscraper-appreciation-day/

Lazy Day is an ideal excuse to take a break and enjoy some precious “me” time, without feeling guilty about it.

Now’s your chance to stop tearing around doing chores and organising events. Sit down and relax, or go back to bed for a nap. You could even mark the occasion by pampering yourself with a massage treatment or visit to a spa – if getting there doesn’t seem too much like hard work, that is.

The founders of Lazy Day aren’t known, possibly because they were too busy chilling out to keep a record of their efforts! However, their idea has caught on, with many people enjoying the chance to get away from everyday stress. So lie back on the couch, give your TV remote control some exercise, and enjoy a well-earned rest. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lazy-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august10.html

August 9, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 9

National Rice Pudding Day Nothing tastes quite as good as a homemade rice pudding from your favourite rice pudding recipe. Rice Pudding Day challenges you not only to indulge in more adventurous rice pudding recipes, from rum’n’raisin to more unusual ingredients like lychees and nuts. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/rice-pudding-day/

Book Lovers Day A day for those who love to read, Book Lovers Day encourages you to kick back and relax with a great book. From shaded spots under arching trees to being tucked up warm in bed, there’s no better way to celebrate Book Lovers Day than to while the hours away lost in a book. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/book-lovers-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august9.html

August 8, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 8

National Frozen Custard Day A delicious and refreshing cold dessert is celebrated each year on August 8th as it is National Frozen Custard Day.

Similar to ice cream, frozen custard is made with eggs in addition to cream and sugar.

Ice cream vendors, Archie and Elton Kohr invented frozen custard on Coney Island, New York in 1919 when they found that adding egg yolks to ice cream created a smoother texture and helped the ice cream stay cold longer. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-frozen-custard-day-august-8/

International Cat Day International Cat Day is a full 24 hours of recognition and veneration of one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved pets. The festivities were put together for the first time in 2002 by IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, among other animal rights groups, to celebrate the most popular pet on the planet.

An estimated 500 million cats are thought to be frolicking in neighbours’ gardens across the world, which means that most every extended family is bound to have an aunt with more kittens than former husbands, whatever the country or climate. And that’s great, because owning a cat has been shown to improve mental health and to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. So when it’s raining cats and dogs outside and you don’t have someone to cuddle with, any black, ginger, Persian, Siamese, Burmese, Bengal, Shorthair, Munchkin, Balinese, RagaMuffin or any old stray cat will do the trick.

So roll out the red carpet and the catnip for your furry feline friend, because International Cat Day is that one day a year when black cats bring good luck and cat eye sunglasses match your entire wardrobe. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-cat-day/

Happiness Happens Day Founded in 1999 under the name of “Admit You’re Happy Day” by the Secret Society of Happy People, Happiness Happens Day aims to spread the joy of being happy, and to persuade people to look on the brighter side of life.

Happiness is contagious, so if you’re happy, tell someone! If someone else is happy, listen to them! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/happiness-happens-day/

Odie Day Odie Day celebrates the fictional character from the famous Garfield comic strip created by the iconic cartoonist Jim Davis. Odie has also appeared in Garfield and friends, two live-action feature films and three amazing CGI feature length films. Odie is the only character to mature in the Garfield cartoon universe.

Odie is characterised as a tremendously credulous and brainless bog, but he is also shown as extremely caring and loving. Garfield is seen to play on Odie’s gullibility by pushing him off objects or by simply making fun of him! Nevertheless, their relationship is distinguished by their playfulness and love for one another.

It is time to get the streamers, party-poppers and oreo ice-cream cake out and celebrate the existence of this adorable pooch. Despite his inability to formally communicate, I am sure this beagle will be thinking about us in his undersized canine brain. Have an Odie themed party; where all guests dress up as a character from the beloved Garfield cartoon strip and raise your glasses to Odie! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/odie-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august8.html

August 7, 2015

Daily Holidays - August 7

National Raspberries in Cream Day is observed annually on August 7th. With Raspberry season in full swing, what better way to celebrate with this simple and delicious treat. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-raspberries-n-cream-day-august-7/

Lighthouse Day If you’re the captain of an ocean-faring ship and frequently navigate through heavy fog (or regularly pull the night shift), you’ll already no doubt be a huge fan of Lighthouse Day. For our less nautical readers, this one’s all about shining big, bright lights from peninsulas to help ships, boats and sailors find their way. Good ole’ lighthouses, eh? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lighthouse-day/

Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day Have you ever battled vainly to open a tightly sealed bottle of tablets – only to end up with a sprained wrist and an even worse headache? Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day aims to lift the lid on this kind of problem.

So, if you’re being forced to use knives or scissors to prise a toy or tool out of an impenetrable plastic case, don’t keep your feelings under wraps. Let the manufacturers know that their way of packing items just isn’t your bag.

As well as wasting customers’ time, unnecessary over-packaging also wastes precious resources. What’s more, it leaves us all with extra rubbish to dispose of. An ideal way to mark the occasion is to avoid unnecessary packaging as much as possible. This is a day to bypass burger cartons, say no to supermarket plastic bags and do some thinking outside the box! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/particularly-preposterous-packaging-day/

Purple Heart Day Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7th.

A decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk having a narrow edge of silver stitched with the word Merit across the face, was created by General George Washington on August 7, 1782. Considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces, this is called the “Badge for Military Merit”. The official successor decoration of the Badge of Military Merit is the Purple Heart. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/purple-heart-day-august-7/

International Beer Day Whether you’re a lager lover or a cask ale connoisseur, there’s no excuse not to raise a glass to another yearly installment of Beer Day – the perfect opportunity for beer brewers, sellers and buyers to raise their frosty glasses in celebration of the oldest, and most popular alcoholic beverage on the planet!

Bars, restaurants and pubs all over the world join in with the celebration, so it’s easier than ever to show your appreciation for the people who brew beer, and those who make it available for us all to drink on that parched summer’s afternoon. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-beer-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/august7.html

August 6, 2015

Businesses along West Florissant down but not out

The burned-out buildings are gone, but one year after Michael Brown’s death the scars at local businesses along West Florissant Avenue are still apparent.

At Zisser Tire & Auto Service in Dellwood there is plywood on several windows. Owner John Zisser said he’s just waiting on a city permit to change the window configuration.

"I hope to have glass in by winter," Zisser said. "The boards are a pretty good insulator, I think better than glass."

Zisser, who’s been at the location since 1987, maintains a good attitude. That’s after his business was broken into and looted in August and again following a St. Louis County grand jury’s decision not to bring charges against former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in late November. He said his business is down anywhere from 10 to 40 percent on a daily basis.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/businesses-along-west-florissant-down-not-out

August 6, 2015

Final curtain: The damaged Goldenrod Showboat poses for pictures one last time

The gloom of the skies over the Illinois River matched the mood aboard the historic Goldenrod Showboat Wednesday afternoon, as one of her loyal guardians ushered reporters and photographers around the creaky vessel for one last photo op.

The 106-year-old showboat appears to be headed for the salvage yard. The vessel suffered serious structural damage after it was moved on July 25 -- just feet from where it had been moored for years near Kampsville, Ill. Flooding on the river had put the showboat in a precarious position, and this was thought to be a safer -- and level -- location, said Jake Medford, vice president of the nonprofit Historic Riverboat Preservation Association.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/final-curtain-damaged-goldenrod-showboat-poses-pictures-one-last-time

August 6, 2015

Board rules Teach for America members in Detroit can be in teachers unions

DETROIT — The National Labor Relations Board ruled Friday that Teach for America teachers in a Detroit charter school have the right to be a part of a union.

According to a statement from the Michigan Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff, the NLRB said Friday 14 Teach for America corps members should have been able to vote in an election last spring. That election was held to determine if teachers at University Prep Schools, a charter school network in Detroit, wanted to form a union.

Detroit 90/90, the private company that operates the schools, argued the Teach for America members, as well as long-term substitutes, were not professional employees.

"We are really pleased to be recognized as professional teachers," said Patrick Sheehan, a TFA corps member and second grade advisor at the time of the election. "U-Prep hired us to teach just like other teachers. Making the legal argument that we are not professionals means one of two things — either Detroit 90/90 doesn't respect the work we do with students or they lied to prevent us from organizing a union."

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/08/board_rules_teach_for_america.html

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