Keener Today – March 14
Notable:
Today in 1956…The movie “Rock Around the Clock,” starring Bill Haley and His Comets, Alan Freed, the Platters, and Freddie Bell, had its world premiere in Washington, DC
Although ratings for the Academy Awards jumped 12% year over year, the 18 million viewers ranked 4th worst in the televised history of the event. HBO/MAX’s “The Last of Us” drew 8 million eyeballs in the same time period.
Keener Today – March 13
Worth reading:
Keep Running! Runners often hear the warning “Keep pounding the pavement and you’ll destroy your knees.” A new study found that runners were not more likely to develop hip or knee osteoarthritis the longer, faster and more frequently they ran.
Dogs smile, but only to appease us. In a recent interview with USA Today, veterinary behavior specialist Dr. Lore Haug broke down her interpretation of a dog’s smile. “It is essentially an appeasement greeting behavior that seems to be directed only at people,” Haug told the outlet. “Dogs don’t do this true smiling behavior to other dogs.”
Ever got a wrong number text? In 2009, Brenda Rivera sent an “uplifting” text to the wrong number, thinking it belonged to a friend she had recently made. Instead, she reached Isaiah Stearns. He was intrigued by her positive message. Today, the pair are married and share six children. “We had an immediate connection,” Rivera said of their unlikely introduction-turned-forever love story. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 13”
Keener Today – November 29
What’s Happening:
It’s giving Tuesday. How do you decide what to give and where? Mashable writes, Charity Navigator can help. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free access to data, tools, and resources (including a 4-star scale rating) to help donors make informed decisions about philanthropic giving. “In 2021, individuals (opposed to corporate or foundation giving) donated more than $326 billion to philanthropic causes and made up the industry’s largest portion of funding, according to the National Philanthropic Trust.” Continue reading “Keener Today – November 29”
Keener Today – November 28
What’s Happening:
We’re still wary of personal contact and Black Friday proved it. As Americans shied away from in-person shopping Online sales the day after Thanksgiving saw more than $9 billion dollars in transactions taking place on the Internet, that’s a record. (More)
Women now dominate the New York Philharmonic orchestra. An all-male ensemble for most of its 180 years, the organization now features 45 women and 44 men. 27 of 30 violinists are now female. (More)
A 700-pound statue of Mickey Mouse with giant lobster claws has resurfaced at the Concepts sneaker store in Boston, 17 years after disappearing as an icon at Quincy Market. Mickey was found in bad shape on a New Jersey lawn by an intrepid Boston Globe reporter who saw a sale listing on Ebay. (More) Continue reading “Keener Today – November 28”
Keener Today – November 27
Are you a Super Ager? Northwestern University is studying people over 80 who are extraordinarily active, with sharp minds and particularly healthy cells in the part of the brain where dementia often begins. Researcher Emily Rogalski tells CNN, Super Agers tend to be positive. “They challenge their brain every day, reading or learning something new — many continue to work into their 80s. SuperAgers are also social butterflies, surrounded by family and friends, and can often be found volunteering in the community.”
Today in History:
1895: Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established his prizes for achievement in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace. He ordered that the first prizes were to be awarded five years after his death. He died the following year, and the first Nobel Prizes were handed out in 1901.
1910: Pennsylvania Station opened in New York City.
1924: In New York City, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held. Continue reading “Keener Today – November 27”
Keener Today – November 26
Gotta hand it to Ringo. Ultimate Classic Rock reports Starr is selling chrome replicas of his family peace sign The life-size replicas of his hand, with prices starting at $2,000. (More)
The Greater Good Science Center suggests one way to feel more thankful for things is write them down. Stephanie Foo, a radio producer and author says a gratitude journal reminded her to focus on even small things like text messages that friends would send every day. Shesays, “It really let the love that I was receiving sink in.” (More)
Lipstick rules. Consumers may be cutting back on discretionary purchases but will keep shelling out for small luxuries like lipstick. The Wall Street Journal notes sales of the cosmetic product can be a bright spot in an otherwise bleak discretionary-goods environment. Spoilers: (More) Continue reading “Keener Today – November 26”
Keener Today – November 25
It’s Black Friday and our email boxes are brimming with ads. Experts are debating higher prices, possible supply chain issues and shoppers demanding quality over quantity. But one thing is certain: There will be a ton of deals.
Want to carry gratitude with you into the holiday season? Forbes lists 8 ways to do it, including hobbies and exercise. Both activities generate endorphins which boost your mood and immune system, making it easier to feel and express happiness. (More)
Axios’ 2022 survey of what we are thankful for distills down to three traits: humility, resilience and love. Here are 12 examples. (More) Continue reading “Keener Today – November 25”
Happy Thanksgiving 2022!
What’s happening:
Macy’s may be better known, but America’s Thanksgiving Parade takes place TODAY in Detroit! Here are the details.
In 1967, Arlo Guthrie released his debut album. The 18 minute cut on side one told the story of Arlo’s adventures one Thanksgiving in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Alice’s Restaurant became a counter culture anthem that launched the son of the legendary Woodie Guthrie to the upper echelons of 60s rock and roll culture. The 1969 Arthur Penn film cemented to story into our consciousness.
Arlo’s other notable film appearance came in 1970, documenting his performance at Woodstock during the summer of 1969. But he would only chart on the Top 40 with a Steve Goodman penned tale about riding the rails on the famous Illinois Central’s City of New Orleans. That album was Hobo’s Lullaby, a collection on the Warner Reprise label that made it’s debut right around the time that WKNR faded into history.
Every Thanksgiving, those of us who still own the LP dig it out of the closet, dust it off, pop it on the turntable and head back to a time when being a litter bug could get you into real trouble.
Keener Today – November 23
What’s Happening:
Worried about those inevitable Thanksgiving dinner table disagreements? Jim Otteson, a professor of business ethics at Notre Dame, tells Axios it’s OK to let those with differing opinions score some points. Author Melody Stanford Martin says, acknowledging that you might not agree before a debate even begins, transforms the pressure to win into a desire to understand. (More)
Will you get up early to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and recline after the meal to watch the Lions take on the Bills? TV ratings for both events continue to deliver viewers with some declines for the parade, but a record high last year for football. Continue reading “Keener Today – November 23”
Keener Today – November 22
November 22, Fifty-nine years ago, at approximately 12:30pm Central time, two shots rang out over Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas and a lone assassin took life of President John F. Kennedy. Keener’s new hit music format was barely a month old, but the WKNR News Team turned the station into a 24 hour news and information source as listeners from across Detroit tuned to radio and television for news of the president’s death and the events that followed. 28 years ago, we recorded a podcast about how Keener and the world covered the tragedy. Here it is.
Keener Today – November 21
What’s Happening:
Detroit’s Michigan Central Terminal isn’t the only classic train station getting a face lift. DC’s historic Union Station is in need of a 10 million dollar refurb.
Want to make a vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner? We’ve got some ideas from the NYT.
As Neil Young passes 71, he tells Rolling Stone, “I’m still a hippie at heart. And I still have hope.” These days he’s singing about clear skies, clean water, a world without war. Continue reading “Keener Today – November 21”
Keener Today – November 18
What’s happening:
It’s Friday!
Taylor Swift breaks Ticketmaster… again. Her concert tix were supposed to go on sale to the general public today. But now, due to, “extraordinarily high demands … and insufficient remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand,” they won’t.
Friendships are love stories, too. “The Shondaland series, The Art of Friendship,” tracks how relationships evolve over time and how to nurture them. The key to keeping things fresh? Adapt and adjust. Continue reading “Keener Today – November 18”
