July 29, 2015

Indianapolis City Council Advances Support for Retail Workers

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis city council committee Monday advanced a resolution supporting a retail workers bill of rights after Republican councilors blocked the resolution earlier this month.

Democratic councilors tried to throw ceremonial support behind the bill of rights at the full council session earlier in July, but Republicans opposing the measure sent it to committee instead.

That gave retail workers and labor advocates the chance to formally testify to councilors. Jessica Dixon works a retail job while going to school. She says it difficult to balance both.

"On Numerous occasions, I’ve had to leave school because I had such an erratic schedule and not a living wage so I had to choose between finishing school and supporting myself," she told councilors. "And if I could get a steady job and a living wage, I would be able to finish my schooling."

http://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indianapolis-city-council-advances-support-for-retail-workers

July 29, 2015

Report: Pennsylvania employers stealing millions from workers every week

Every week in Pennsylvania, a troubling new report asserts, a large-scale theft takes place: Employers in the state are stealing between $19 million and $32 million from their workers.

It’s called wage theft — occurring in the form of minimum-wage violations, unpaid overtime, stolen tips, illegal pay deductions and other deliberate employer tactics.

And it regularly affects hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania employees, mainly low-wage workers who rely on every penny earned and see, on average, 15 percent of their weekly pay stolen, according to the recently issued 52-page report, titled “Shortchanged: How Wage Theft Harms Pennsylvania’s Workers and Economy.” from Temple University’s Sheller Center for Social Justice.

In the Philadelphia metropolitan area alone (including Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties), the report claims, an estimated 128,576 workers experience a minimum wage violation, 105,458 experience an overtime violation, and 83,344 experience an off-the-clock violation every week.

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2015/07/28/main_line_times/news/doc55b77f455b6c9980457267.txt

July 29, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 29

National Lasagna Day Celebrating Garfield’s favourite food, Lasagne Day champions the combination of minced meat and layered pasta. Add cheese, sauces, try vegetarian options and go wild! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lasagna-day/

Rain Day Throughout human history, people and cultures all over the world have celebrated rain and it’s life-giving power. All life is dependent on rain, and rain is what keeps our world green and fresh and beautiful. Rain is no less important today than it has been in the past, and now people around the world have Rain Day, a day to celebrate all things wet and wonderful.

You don’t have to be a farmer with your eye on the latest batch of crops to be concerned with rain, and there are many things the ordinary person can do to celebrate. If you’re lucky enough to be somewhere where it rains on Rain Day, you can head outside to dance, sing, or just walk in the rain. If it doesn’t happen to be raining, you can serve up a delicious meal of fresh greens and other things that depend on the rain to grow, and reflect on how lucky we are to live in a rainy world. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/rain-day/

International Tiger Day The tiger is the largest of the world’s big cats and this magnificent creature, with its distinctive orange and black stripes and beautifully marked face, has a day that is dedicated to it. This was first celebrated in 2010 and was founded at an international summit that had been called in response to the shocking news that 97% of all wild tigers had disappeared in the last century, with only around 3,000 left alive. Tigers are on the brink of extinction and International World Tiger Day aims to bring attention to this fact and try to halt their decline. Many factors have caused their numbers to fall, including habitat loss, climate change, hunting and poaching and Tiger Day aims to protect and expand their habitats and raise awareness of the need for conservation. Many international organisations are involved in the day, including the WWF, the IFAW and the Smithsonian Institute. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-tiger-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july29.html

July 28, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 28

National Milk Chocolate 
Day Milk Chocolate Day (not to be confused with Chocolate Day) celebrates everything that’s good about milk chocolate – one of the most common forms of chocolate in snacks, bars and drinks! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/milk-chocolate-day/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july28.html


Buffalo Soldiers Day Buffalo Soldiers Day is observed annually on July 28th. This day commemorates the formation in 1866 of the first regular Army regiments comprising African-American soldiers.

“Buffalo Soldiers” (one of many African-American regiments raised during the Civil War) were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army.

Mark Matthews, who is now buried at Arlington National Cemetery, was the oldest living Buffalo Soldier at 111 years old when he died on September 6, 2005.

The segregated regiments were disbanded during the 1940’s and 1950’s as the U.S. armed forces embraced integration. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/buffalo-soldiers-day-july-28/

July 27, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 27

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july27.html

Take Your Houseplant For A Walk Day Proud plant-owners can show off their leafy friends to the neighbourhood when Take Your Houseplant For A Walk Day rolls around. The idea behind this day is to celebrate plants, and to acquaint plants with their immediate environment, which is supposed to be healthy for them. Plant-owners can admire each others’ plants, and exchange stories and tips on plant-care.

For those who find this concept a little strange, there are more conservative ways to get involved. Plants grow throughout their lives, and you can use this day as an excuse to re-pot any plants that might be getting a bit big for their abode. You can take your plant for a walk to a new location within the house, perhaps one where it might get more sun. And if you don’t own a houseplant, there’s no better day to bring one home and introduce it to your family. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-houseplant-for-a-walk-day/

Walk on Stilts Day If you’ve ever been to the circus or a parade, you have without a doubt seen someone walking along high above the crowd on a pair of stilts. To the common man, stilts are the mainstay of theatrical performers, clowns, jugglers, and that odd looking fellow from the Liberal Arts College in their annual parade. What most people don’t know is that stilts have a long and august history in many cultures, for reasons varying from ceremonial to purely practical. Walk on Stilts Day is the perfect time to learn about this surprisingly useful tools, and maybe try out a pair for yourself! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walk-on-stilts-day/

July 26, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 26

National Bagelfest Day This crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle bread is very popular in the USA and Canada. Served with a variety of toppings as well as produced in a variety of flavors, bagel shops are a staple in most communities across the country.

Bagels were brought to the United States by immigrant Polish-Jews, with a thriving business developing in New York City that was controlled for decades by Bagel Bakers Local 338, which had contracts with nearly all bagel bakeries in and around the city for its workers, who prepared all their bagels by hand. The bagel came into more general use throughout North America in the last quarter of the 20th century, which was due at least partly to the efforts of bagel baker Harry Lender, his son, Murray Lender, and Florence Sender, who pioneered automated production and distribution of frozen bagels in the 1960s. Murray also invented pre-slicing the bagel. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

One Voice Day On One Voice Day, people all over the world unite to read the Universal Peace Covenant in one voice. Individuals and groups in all parts of the world unite spiritually to declare their commitment to global peace. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/one-voice-day/

Parent's Day Let’s face it, the most important people in many people’s lives tend to be their parents. Parents’ Day, then, is far from the horror of Parents’ Evening, and is actually a chance to say ‘thank you’, and to show how appreciative you are of the time, effort and love poured into your (assumable) successful upbringing and induction into normal society. Good work, parents. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/parents-day/

Aunt and Uncle Day is, as the name suggests, a day to celebrate a special set of relatives – your Aunts and Uncles.

The amount of aunts and uncles you have will vary from family to family. However, they often play a crucial role throughout your life; taking you to fun places, babysitting you when your parents are out, buying you birthday and Christmas presents and giving you important advice and support when you need it most. After all, there are some things we just don’t feel comfortable talking to our parents about.

So if you love your aunts and uncles, why not call them, spend the day with them, or send them a card or a gift? This is your day to show them how much you appreciate all of the effort they have put in, and all of the fun and laughter they have provided over the years. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aunt-and-uncle-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july26.html

July 25, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 25

National Hot Fudge Sundae Day On National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, we celebrate an ice cream dessert that combines hot and cold and is loved by most. Annually celebrated on July 25th, this tasty treat that has been served to many since hot fudge was first introduced in 1906.

A variation to the classic sundae, the hot fudge sundae is a creation of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, nuts (optional) and a single, bright-red maraschino cherry on top. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Carousels Day or Merry-Go-Round Day
July 25 is a day associated with carnival music and children’s laughter as we annually celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day.

The merry-go-round (also known as a carousel) is an amusement ride that consists of a rotating circular platform with seats on it for it’s riders. It’s seats are traditionally in rows and are made up of wooden horses or other animals mounted on posts. Many of they animals are made to move up and down to stimulate galloping and are accompanied by circus music. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Thread The Needle Day Can you sew? Thread The Needle Day is a chance to get dust off your sewing skills, or to learn how if you don’t know how. Why not organise a sew-a-thon, or sewing lessons with friends to celebrate? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thread-the-needle-day/

National Day Of The Cowboy is observed annually on the 4th Saturday in July. According to the National Day of the Cowboy organization, this is a day set aside to celebrate the contribution of the Cowboy and Cowgirl to America’s culture and heritage.

The NDOC organization is currently working to towards passing bills in many of the states to make this day an official designation. More information on their efforts on both the federal and state levels can be found on the NDOC website.

In the words of the former President Bush, “We celebrate the Cowboy as a symbol of the grand history of the American West. The Cowboy’s love of the land and love of the country are examples for all Americans.” http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july25.html

July 24, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 24

National Tequila Day There is no definitive answer as to who really invented this drink, but interesting stories abound. One of the earliest stories tells of a wealthy Dallas socialite inventing the drink at a Christmas party in Acapulco in 1948. Tommy Hilton of the Hilton Hotel chain reportedly attended the party, and took the recipe home to serve at his hotels. Another suggests that it is merely based on an American drink called the Daisy, which was made with brandy instead of tequila. The Spanish word for “Daisy” is “Margarita”; hence the name.

In any case, this popular drink, made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, plus the trademark salt rim, will bring a touch of the tropics to any get-together.

Cheers! (And don’t lose that shaker of salt!) https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tequila-day/

National Drive-Thru Day For one day, Drive-Thru Day encourages you to live on the wild side. Forget about buying locally sourced produce, organic vegetables, and getting your five a day; sometimes you don’t have the time or energy to cook good, nutritious food from scratch, and on Drive-Thru Day you can take a short-cut without feeling guilty! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/drive-thru-day/

Tell An Old Joke Day We all know someone for whom every day is Tell An Old Joke Day, but there’s now a day when we can all put aside our reticence and let rip with our own ‘I say, I say, I say’ and ‘Knock, knock’ chestnuts.

Tell An Old Joke Day is your opportunity to raise the nervous wreck from the quivering depths, bring the awful-smelling noseless dog back in from the cold, and press the button for the chicken stuck forever at the pedestrian crossing. Like any endangered species, old jokes must reproduce if they are not to die out entirely, and the old ones are supposed to be the best, anyway.

There may be a lot of groaning from initiates, but there’s no joke so old that at least one person hasn’t heard it yet. Why should they be allowed to escape the suffering of the rest of us? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-an-old-joke-day/

Cousins Day Remember those fun times at grandpa and grandma’s house when the whole family reunited and you spent countless hours playing with your cousins while the grownups discussed politics and mortgages? Many of us grew up around our cousins, spending summer and winter breaks with them and slowly walking into life together. Then came college and that amazing job opportunity out of state, and we gradually lost touch.

Because most of us found a best friend in our cousin at some point in our lives, Cousins Day was born. The origin of this unofficial holiday is unknown, but the reason for its existence is clear: it’s the time of the year to rekindle cousin affection and reestablish those beautiful and strong childhood bonds. Wherever you are on Cousins Day, take a minute or two to ring up or text your cousins near and far. They will surely be thinking of you then, too! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cousins-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july24.html

July 23, 2015

Daily Holidays - July 23

National Hot Dog Day A day for parades, events, and hotdogs in abundance. Celebrated all over the world, Hot Dog Day is an opportunity to raise money for charities whilst combining large quantities of sausages, bread, ketchup, mustard and onions. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-dog-day/

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day National Vanilla Ice Cream Day is observed annually on July 23rd. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!! As part of National Ice Cream Month and not too far behind National Ice Cream Day, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day honors one of the most popular of the ice cream flavors.

In North America, the most common use of vanilla flavoring is for ice cream and many people consider vanilla to be the ‘default’ flavor.

It is believed that Thomas Jefferson discovered the vanilla flavor when he was in France and then introduced it to the United States. Jefferson produced a handwritten copy of a vanilla ice cream recipe in the 1780?s, which is now housed at the Library of Congress. The Thomas Jefferson ice cream is available at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Gorgeous Grandma Day Many people around the world say that we do not do enough to honour our elderly. Just as well, then, that days such as Gorgeous Grandma Day exist.

Gorgeous Grandma Day is a time of the year in which we can celebrate the grannies in our lives. Everybody thinks that their grandma is gorgeous – so what could be better than an entire day devoted to acknowledging that fact? Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are well known, so Gorgeous Grandma Day is a natural progression.

Now that you know the day exists, hopefully you are already making plans to spend it with your own gran. No matter what your grandmother prefers to do with her time, this is the day in which you can be sure she will have plenty of time to do it – and plenty of people willing to support her. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gorgeous-grandma-day/

National Refreshment Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in July. This day is all about celebrating fun and refreshment during the hottest time of the year. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than those moments of simple refreshment, especially enjoying a nice, cold beer. These are the simple pleasures that we all love and cherish. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/july23.html

July 22, 2015

Task force wants $50 million in tax breaks for new St. Louis stadium

The Missouri Development Finance Board is mulling over a revised plan to build a new NFL stadium in St. Louis.

The new plan would use $50 million in tax credits, spread out over three years. The task force appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon presented the revised plan before the state finance board Tuesday. Co-chair Dave Peacock says they hope to have approval before NFL owners meet this fall.

"I would think they'll make a decision on Los Angeles in late (2015) or very early next year, which obviously impacts St. Louis," Peacock said, "so we've known all along that we need to kind of get this organized and get questions answered by the fall."

There will actually be three requests. The first is for $15 million in incentives this year, $17.5 million in 2016, and another $17.5 million in 2017. The state finance board is expected to decide on the first request in August or September.


http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/task-force-wants-50-million-tax-breaks-new-st-louis-stadium