Keener Today – March 21
Notable:
Detroit’s historic Book Tower is about to re-open as a retail, hotel, office and residential space. Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock companies purchased the long-unoccupied Italian Renaissance-style building at 1265 Washington Blvd in 2015. The original limestone and masonry façade has been renovated and more than 2,400 historically accurate windows were replaced. Book Tower will also be home to a 117 ROOST Apartment Hotel, 52,000 square feet of retail, offices, three dining options and over 220 residential space. There will also be co-working, meeting and event space. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 21”
Keener Today – March 20
What’s Happening?
A sign of Spring: The National Park Service’s “Peak Bloom Projection” says puffy blossoms will envelop the Tidal Basin this Wednesday through Saturday.
The American Kennel Club announced that, after a record 31-year reign, the Labrador retriever has been eclipsed as the most prevalent purebred dog in the U.S. — by the French bulldog.
Attending sporting events may be good for you. Sports fans will certainly love the findings of this study out of the United Kingdom. There’s good reason to attend your favorite team’s games in person — and it’s not to catch some potential sports history or enjoy greasy stadium food. Scientists at Anglia Ruskin University say that watching live sporting events actually improve well-being and can reduce feelings of loneliness. The findings come after a survey of more than 7,000 adults which shows that sports fans who attend games in person — be it professional or amateur — scored better than those who didn’t in terms of life satisfaction Continue reading “Keener Today – March 20”
Keener Today – March 15
Today in History:
1892 – The General Electric Company was formed by the merger of Edison General Electric of Schenectady, New York and Thomson-Houston Electric Company of Lynn, Massachusetts. The company was incorporated in New York, with the Schenectady plant serving as its headquarters for many years.
1912 – After midnight, two wireless radio operators at Cape Race, Newfoundland heard the last of the RMS Titanic‘s distress calls. At 2:27 a.m., the “unsinkable” ocean liner sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg the evening before. There were 711 survivors. A total of 1,517 people died, of which 328 bodies were recovered. Those too badly damaged or deteriorated were buried at sea, and the remaining 209 were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they were claimed from the morgues or buried over an 11-day period starting May 3. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 15”
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”
