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June 10, 2023
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1 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree1 CQ
Word of the Day
: June 10, 2023\AD-vuh-kayt\ verb
What It Means
Advocate means "to support or argue for (a cause, policy, etc.); to plead in ...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: June 10, 2023\AD-vuh-kayt\ verb
What It Means
Advocate means "to support or argue for (a cause, policy, etc.); to plead in ...
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8 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
It’s official: the S&P 500 is officially in “bull market” territory. We get this week’s Low-down on the recent market optimism with Christopher Low, chief ec...
It’s official: the S&P 500 is officially in “bull market” territory. We get this week’s Low-down on the recent market optimism with Christopher Low, chief ec...
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FREESports Daily CurioFree1 CQ
This race has run its last lap. After nearly two centuries, horse racing will come to an end next year in Singapore, according to an announcement by the Singapore Turf Club (STC). STC has been the only horse racing club in the Southeast Asian city state, and was founded in 1842 by William Henry Macleod, a businessman from Scotland. Originally called the Singapore Sporting Club, the STC has held races over three different tracks over the years, with the latest location opening in 2000. A name change and two moves hasn’t been enough to keep the club open, though, and the Singaporean government made the decision to close the club in order to utilize the land for other purposes. Singapore is running low on real estate, and horse racing is a sport that, by its very nature, takes up a lot of space. There’s the track and the stands, of course, but then there are the stables for the horses and other infrastructure. In all, it’s around 300 acres, and once the club is gone, the government has plans to build housing for its growing population. Of course, it wasn’t as much of an issue in the past, when the population was smaller and the crowds at the track were larger. Unfortunately for the club, attendance has been in decline for years, with races taking place only once a week. The last race is set to be the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, which will take place next October. At least the STC is getting a decent sendoff!
This race has run its last lap. After nearly two centuries, horse racing will come to an end next year in Singapore, according to an announcement by the Singapore Turf Club (STC). STC has been the only horse racing club in the Southeast Asian city state, and was founded in 1842 by William Henry Macleod, a businessman from Scotland. Originally called the Singapore Sporting Club, the STC has held races over three different tracks over the years, with the latest location opening in 2000. A name change and two moves hasn’t been enough to keep the club open, though, and the Singaporean government made the decision to close the club in order to utilize the land for other purposes. Singapore is running low on real estate, and horse racing is a sport that, by its very nature, takes up a lot of space. There’s the track and the stands, of course, but then there are the stables for the horses and other infrastructure. In all, it’s around 300 acres, and once the club is gone, the government has plans to build housing for its growing population. Of course, it wasn’t as much of an issue in the past, when the population was smaller and the crowds at the track were larger. Unfortunately for the club, attendance has been in decline for years, with races taking place only once a week. The last race is set to be the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, which will take place next October. At least the STC is getting a decent sendoff!
June 9, 2023
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8 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
The U.S. labor market has looked really good in the past year even as inflation bites in the wider economy. But an old theory that’s recently regained ground...
The U.S. labor market has looked really good in the past year even as inflation bites in the wider economy. But an old theory that’s recently regained ground...
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FREEMind + Body Daily CurioFree1 CQ
If the East Coast has a flavor, it’s surely briney and served on a bun! Lobster rolls are considered a must-eat item in states like Maine and Massachusetts, yet unlike some of the Friday foods we’ve covered so far, this succulent dish hasn’t been around all that long.
Lobster rolls are exactly what they sound like: a dish of lobster meat, served on a split bun or “roll”, usually seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Sometimes they also include butter, mayonnaise, and/or chopped veggies. Their connection to the East Coast is obvious, since the region has long been known for fishing and seafood. As for which state lobster rolls originate from, many historians believe that that honor goes to Connecticut, specifically a restaurant in Milford called Perry’s, where it was served starting in 1929. A portable dish popular with working people, many lobster rolls were served near East Coast beaches and docks, often in humble takeout containers or wrapped in paper. They weren’t mentioned in print for the first time until 1937, in The New York Times, when they were touted as a dish popular in Connecticut. By then, lobster rolls had spread through much of the East Coast, where they continued to be popular. A restaurant in Maine called Red's Eats sold a particularly popular version. Still, they weren’t yet a revered regional dish, as they are today.
That change didn’t come about until the 1990s, when a New York City restaurant called Pearl Oyster Bar began serving the dish. Food critics praised lobster rolls, and soon they began popping up all over the city. Their connection to Maine and Connecticut was a big part of their appeal, since both states were and still are famous for lobster. Throughout the early 2000s, the lobster roll received much acclaim, with Bon Appétit even calling it the dish of the year, in 2006. Today, lobster rolls can be found just about anywhere along the East Coast, from fancy restaurants to seafood shanties. Lobster lovers, rejoice!
[Image description: A lobster roll in a white, cardboard container.] Credit & copyright: Deane Bayas, PexelsIf the East Coast has a flavor, it’s surely briney and served on a bun! Lobster rolls are considered a must-eat item in states like Maine and Massachusetts, yet unlike some of the Friday foods we’ve covered so far, this succulent dish hasn’t been around all that long.
Lobster rolls are exactly what they sound like: a dish of lobster meat, served on a split bun or “roll”, usually seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Sometimes they also include butter, mayonnaise, and/or chopped veggies. Their connection to the East Coast is obvious, since the region has long been known for fishing and seafood. As for which state lobster rolls originate from, many historians believe that that honor goes to Connecticut, specifically a restaurant in Milford called Perry’s, where it was served starting in 1929. A portable dish popular with working people, many lobster rolls were served near East Coast beaches and docks, often in humble takeout containers or wrapped in paper. They weren’t mentioned in print for the first time until 1937, in The New York Times, when they were touted as a dish popular in Connecticut. By then, lobster rolls had spread through much of the East Coast, where they continued to be popular. A restaurant in Maine called Red's Eats sold a particularly popular version. Still, they weren’t yet a revered regional dish, as they are today.
That change didn’t come about until the 1990s, when a New York City restaurant called Pearl Oyster Bar began serving the dish. Food critics praised lobster rolls, and soon they began popping up all over the city. Their connection to Maine and Connecticut was a big part of their appeal, since both states were and still are famous for lobster. Throughout the early 2000s, the lobster roll received much acclaim, with Bon Appétit even calling it the dish of the year, in 2006. Today, lobster rolls can be found just about anywhere along the East Coast, from fancy restaurants to seafood shanties. Lobster lovers, rejoice!
[Image description: A lobster roll in a white, cardboard container.] Credit & copyright: Deane Bayas, Pexels
June 8, 2023
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2 minFREEHumanities Word CurioFree2 CQ
Word of the Day
: June 4, 2023\kahn-KAT-uh-nayt\ verb
What It Means
Concatenate is a formal word that means “to link together in a series or ...
with Merriam-WebsterWord of the Day
: June 4, 2023\kahn-KAT-uh-nayt\ verb
What It Means
Concatenate is a formal word that means “to link together in a series or ...
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29 minFREEWork Business CurioFree15 CQ
How did homelessness become such a defining and intractable economic issue in America? What are the root causes of the recent rise in homelessness, and more ...
How did homelessness become such a defining and intractable economic issue in America? What are the root causes of the recent rise in homelessness, and more ...
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FREEScience Nerdy CurioFree1 CQ
Two strange discoveries decades apart that seem to be similar but are unrelated? That might frustrate most people, but astronomers are a different breed. Astronomers at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences have discovered mysterious filaments at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, according to a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. What these filaments are and what they’re made of, exactly, is unknown, but that they’ve been spotted at all is an achievement. The lead author of the paper, Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, actually discovered similar filaments in the 1980s, but ones found recently seem to be unrelated. Notably, these filaments were able to be seen thanks to improvements in enhanced radio astronomy technology, and Yusef-Zadeh relied on the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (SARAO) MeerKAT telescope to observe them. Most of the one-dimensional filaments are vertically aligned to the galactic plane near Sagittarius A*, the galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, and appear to be encompassing particles that are traveling near the speed of light. There are some, though fewer, horizontally-aligned filaments, and all of them appear to emit thermal radiation, regardless of alignment. The lengths of the filaments are measured in light-years, with the vertical filaments measuring up to 150 light-years while the horizontal ones are around 10 to 15 light-years. Yusef-Zadeh believes that the filaments are the results of some unknown phenomenon related to the black hole itself, since they all seem to be pointing to it. Even though these new observations haven’t given any clearer answers to Yusef-Zadeh’s original discoveries decades ago, he’s far from discouraged. In a recent statement through the university, he said, “Our work is never complete. We always need to make new observations and continually challenge our ideas and tighten up our analysis.” What’s another few decades, when the galaxy is measured in light-years?
[Image description: A photograph of the Milky Way galaxy, taken from Earth.] Credit & copyright: theartofsounds2001, Pixabay
Two strange discoveries decades apart that seem to be similar but are unrelated? That might frustrate most people, but astronomers are a different breed. Astronomers at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences have discovered mysterious filaments at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, according to a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. What these filaments are and what they’re made of, exactly, is unknown, but that they’ve been spotted at all is an achievement. The lead author of the paper, Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, actually discovered similar filaments in the 1980s, but ones found recently seem to be unrelated. Notably, these filaments were able to be seen thanks to improvements in enhanced radio astronomy technology, and Yusef-Zadeh relied on the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (SARAO) MeerKAT telescope to observe them. Most of the one-dimensional filaments are vertically aligned to the galactic plane near Sagittarius A*, the galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, and appear to be encompassing particles that are traveling near the speed of light. There are some, though fewer, horizontally-aligned filaments, and all of them appear to emit thermal radiation, regardless of alignment. The lengths of the filaments are measured in light-years, with the vertical filaments measuring up to 150 light-years while the horizontal ones are around 10 to 15 light-years. Yusef-Zadeh believes that the filaments are the results of some unknown phenomenon related to the black hole itself, since they all seem to be pointing to it. Even though these new observations haven’t given any clearer answers to Yusef-Zadeh’s original discoveries decades ago, he’s far from discouraged. In a recent statement through the university, he said, “Our work is never complete. We always need to make new observations and continually challenge our ideas and tighten up our analysis.” What’s another few decades, when the galaxy is measured in light-years?
[Image description: A photograph of the Milky Way galaxy, taken from Earth.] Credit & copyright: theartofsounds2001, Pixabay
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FREEMind + Body Daily Curio #2668Free1 CQ
Peanuts—you either love them or hate them. Probably the latter, if you’re one of the millions of people who are deathly allergic to them. Soon, though, preventing a reaction to peanuts may be as simple as wearing a patch. As reported cases of peanut allergies have increased in recent years, few novel treatments have been developed to address the growing problem, with most sufferers relying on emergency epinephrine autoinjectors in case of emergencies. Unlike other food-related allergies, peanut allergies are particularly dangerous because peanuts are often processed in facilities that also process other, unrelated products like spices and grains. That means not only do patients have to avoid peanuts themselves, but a seemingly random assortment of pre-packaged grocery items that may have come in contact with them. Some people grow out of their peanut allergies, but for many others, it’s a lifelong medical concern.
Exposure can cause mild symptoms like a runny nose or an upset stomach, but peanuts are the leading cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, which causes constriction of airways and other deadly symptoms. Fortunately, a group of researchers working on a solution have published the promising results of a phase 3 trial for a new type of treatment in the The New England Journal of Medicine. Phase 3 clinical trials involve up to 3,000 volunteers who are monitored for up to 4 years, and it’s the penultimate step before a drug or treatment goes to market. In this case, the epicutaneous immunotherapy was provided to 300 children by way of skin patches over the course of 12 months, and at the end of the trial, 67 percent of the children developed a tolerance to peanuts, or twice that of the placebo group. That doesn’t mean that they’re ready to chow down on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but accidentally eating a few peanuts could now lead to milder, less deadly symptoms. Moreover, the trial proved that the skin patches are safe, so even if they’re ineffective, they’re unlikely to cause further harm. Let’s see this thing from soup to nuts!
[Image description: A white bowl of peanuts with shells.] Credit & copyright: Creativegen, PixabayPeanuts—you either love them or hate them. Probably the latter, if you’re one of the millions of people who are deathly allergic to them. Soon, though, preventing a reaction to peanuts may be as simple as wearing a patch. As reported cases of peanut allergies have increased in recent years, few novel treatments have been developed to address the growing problem, with most sufferers relying on emergency epinephrine autoinjectors in case of emergencies. Unlike other food-related allergies, peanut allergies are particularly dangerous because peanuts are often processed in facilities that also process other, unrelated products like spices and grains. That means not only do patients have to avoid peanuts themselves, but a seemingly random assortment of pre-packaged grocery items that may have come in contact with them. Some people grow out of their peanut allergies, but for many others, it’s a lifelong medical concern.
Exposure can cause mild symptoms like a runny nose or an upset stomach, but peanuts are the leading cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, which causes constriction of airways and other deadly symptoms. Fortunately, a group of researchers working on a solution have published the promising results of a phase 3 trial for a new type of treatment in the The New England Journal of Medicine. Phase 3 clinical trials involve up to 3,000 volunteers who are monitored for up to 4 years, and it’s the penultimate step before a drug or treatment goes to market. In this case, the epicutaneous immunotherapy was provided to 300 children by way of skin patches over the course of 12 months, and at the end of the trial, 67 percent of the children developed a tolerance to peanuts, or twice that of the placebo group. That doesn’t mean that they’re ready to chow down on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but accidentally eating a few peanuts could now lead to milder, less deadly symptoms. Moreover, the trial proved that the skin patches are safe, so even if they’re ineffective, they’re unlikely to cause further harm. Let’s see this thing from soup to nuts!
[Image description: A white bowl of peanuts with shells.] Credit & copyright: Creativegen, Pixabay
June 7, 2023
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FREESports Daily Curio #2667Free1 CQ
Anna Kournikova. Even if you don’t follow tennis, or sports in general, you likely know her name. This Russian Tennis player, born on this day in 1981, is one of the most famous athletes to ever live, and there are plenty of reasons for that. Born in the Soviet Union, Kournikova showed promise in tennis as a child and moved to the U.S. to train under legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Only 10 years old at the time, she already showed talent and began playing professionally just a few years later at age 14. Although Kournikova never won a singles title, she remained competitive at the highest levels of the sport at an early age, and went on to win several doubles titles with fellow tennis wunderkind Martina Hingis. But arguably Kournikova’s biggest contribution to the sport was drawing in new viewers and leading the way for another generation of female Russian tennis players.
Kournikova made millions in endorsement deals with companies like Adidas and seemed to model for magazine covers as often as she appeared on the court. The media attention she received was unlike anything else in women’s tennis at the time. As her modeling and commercial work increased, she was often criticized for what some perceived to be a lack of performance on the court. Still, the media attention she received proved to be a boon for her and for women’s tennis, which benefited greatly from increased interest. In a 2017 interview with a WTA correspondent, Russian tennis star Svetlana Kuznetsova stated, "For me, she brought really big popularity to Russian tennis, women's tennis. Everyone after her was just after her. For me, she was a big, huge push." After retiring in 2003 due to a back injury, Kournikova has largely kept a low profile except when doing volunteer work. Over the years, she has worked with the USO and campaigned for HIV and AIDS awareness in her home country. Even after retiring from professional tennis, she has continued to play for charity. Tennis champion, supermodel, and humanitarian? Not exactly a layabout!
[Image description: A tennis ball sits on a tennis court.] Credit & copyright: thaddeo, PixabayAnna Kournikova. Even if you don’t follow tennis, or sports in general, you likely know her name. This Russian Tennis player, born on this day in 1981, is one of the most famous athletes to ever live, and there are plenty of reasons for that. Born in the Soviet Union, Kournikova showed promise in tennis as a child and moved to the U.S. to train under legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Only 10 years old at the time, she already showed talent and began playing professionally just a few years later at age 14. Although Kournikova never won a singles title, she remained competitive at the highest levels of the sport at an early age, and went on to win several doubles titles with fellow tennis wunderkind Martina Hingis. But arguably Kournikova’s biggest contribution to the sport was drawing in new viewers and leading the way for another generation of female Russian tennis players.
Kournikova made millions in endorsement deals with companies like Adidas and seemed to model for magazine covers as often as she appeared on the court. The media attention she received was unlike anything else in women’s tennis at the time. As her modeling and commercial work increased, she was often criticized for what some perceived to be a lack of performance on the court. Still, the media attention she received proved to be a boon for her and for women’s tennis, which benefited greatly from increased interest. In a 2017 interview with a WTA correspondent, Russian tennis star Svetlana Kuznetsova stated, "For me, she brought really big popularity to Russian tennis, women's tennis. Everyone after her was just after her. For me, she was a big, huge push." After retiring in 2003 due to a back injury, Kournikova has largely kept a low profile except when doing volunteer work. Over the years, she has worked with the USO and campaigned for HIV and AIDS awareness in her home country. Even after retiring from professional tennis, she has continued to play for charity. Tennis champion, supermodel, and humanitarian? Not exactly a layabout!
[Image description: A tennis ball sits on a tennis court.] Credit & copyright: thaddeo, Pixabay
June 6, 2023
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
Tina Turner was known as the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, but she was also royalty when it came to lending her personal voice and style to already-recorded songs. Over her decades-long career, Turner put her own spin on tunes like Led Zepplin’s Whole Lotta Love and Dan Hill’s Sometimes When We Touch. In fact, it was a cover that pulled Turner out of relative obscurity after her divorce from Ike Turner upended her career. Her 1983 version of Let’s Stay Together, originally by Al Green, ended up on her 1984 album Private Dancer, her first truly successful solo album. Her rapturous, sometimes-sultry vocals were a perfect fit for the song. Turner’s version also leaned more heavily into the beat than the original, which helped its danceability and popularity. Private Dancer may be best remembered as the album on which Turner released What’s Love Got to Do with It, but the fact that Let’s Stay Together made it into the Top 40 doubtlessly encouraged Turner to continue releasing covers throughout her career. There’s more than one way to be iconic!
[Image description: A microphone in a dark recording studio.] Credit & copyright: Pexels, Pixabay
Tina Turner was known as the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, but she was also royalty when it came to lending her personal voice and style to already-recorded songs. Over her decades-long career, Turner put her own spin on tunes like Led Zepplin’s Whole Lotta Love and Dan Hill’s Sometimes When We Touch. In fact, it was a cover that pulled Turner out of relative obscurity after her divorce from Ike Turner upended her career. Her 1983 version of Let’s Stay Together, originally by Al Green, ended up on her 1984 album Private Dancer, her first truly successful solo album. Her rapturous, sometimes-sultry vocals were a perfect fit for the song. Turner’s version also leaned more heavily into the beat than the original, which helped its danceability and popularity. Private Dancer may be best remembered as the album on which Turner released What’s Love Got to Do with It, but the fact that Let’s Stay Together made it into the Top 40 doubtlessly encouraged Turner to continue releasing covers throughout her career. There’s more than one way to be iconic!
[Image description: A microphone in a dark recording studio.] Credit & copyright: Pexels, Pixabay
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FREEUS History Daily Curio #2666Free1 CQ
It’s just a bit of lighthouse cleaning, really. Lighthouses have largely become obsolete in the age of GPS and other reliable navigational tools. But devotees of these maritime landmarks need not worry: the U.S. government is giving some of them away for free, though the offer comes with a catch or two. Lighthouses used to be essential navigational beacons that prevented ships from sailing into hazardous waters or running aground. Sure, a paper map and a compass could be used to chart long voyages and track a ship’s position in open waters, but nothing beat being able to actually see a bright beam of light in the darkness when close to land. Today, though, computers and satellites have made these guardian angels less useful, and they’ve become financial liabilities since their maintenance offers few benefits to the people whose lives once depended on them. However, lighthouses have also become beloved landmarks over the years, and few want to see them gone completely.
That’s why in 2000, the U.S. government passed the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, giving the General Services Administration (GSA) the authority to transfer ownership of lighthouses that were deemed unnecessary to maritime safety by the U.S. Coast Guard to other government agencies, educational organizations, and private entities. Since the bill passed, the GSA has given away 80 lighthouses and auctioned a further 70 for prices of up to $900,000. This year, the GSA will be giving away six more lighthouses, while four more will be auctioned. However, the recipients of lighthouses aren’t given free rein to do whatever they please. Instead, they have to agree to take on the responsibility of maintaining the structures for historical preservation, and they must also allow access to the public. That’s rarely an issue, since many agencies, municipalities, and organizations that get their hands on lighthouses convert them into museums, parks, or other educational facilities. That’s one way to keep the lights on!
[Image description: A red-and-white lighthouse shining at night.] Credit & copyright: TheOtherKev, Pixabay. The lighthouse in this image is not necessarily associated with the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.It’s just a bit of lighthouse cleaning, really. Lighthouses have largely become obsolete in the age of GPS and other reliable navigational tools. But devotees of these maritime landmarks need not worry: the U.S. government is giving some of them away for free, though the offer comes with a catch or two. Lighthouses used to be essential navigational beacons that prevented ships from sailing into hazardous waters or running aground. Sure, a paper map and a compass could be used to chart long voyages and track a ship’s position in open waters, but nothing beat being able to actually see a bright beam of light in the darkness when close to land. Today, though, computers and satellites have made these guardian angels less useful, and they’ve become financial liabilities since their maintenance offers few benefits to the people whose lives once depended on them. However, lighthouses have also become beloved landmarks over the years, and few want to see them gone completely.
That’s why in 2000, the U.S. government passed the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, giving the General Services Administration (GSA) the authority to transfer ownership of lighthouses that were deemed unnecessary to maritime safety by the U.S. Coast Guard to other government agencies, educational organizations, and private entities. Since the bill passed, the GSA has given away 80 lighthouses and auctioned a further 70 for prices of up to $900,000. This year, the GSA will be giving away six more lighthouses, while four more will be auctioned. However, the recipients of lighthouses aren’t given free rein to do whatever they please. Instead, they have to agree to take on the responsibility of maintaining the structures for historical preservation, and they must also allow access to the public. That’s rarely an issue, since many agencies, municipalities, and organizations that get their hands on lighthouses convert them into museums, parks, or other educational facilities. That’s one way to keep the lights on!
[Image description: A red-and-white lighthouse shining at night.] Credit & copyright: TheOtherKev, Pixabay. The lighthouse in this image is not necessarily associated with the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
June 5, 2023
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FREEArt Appreciation Art CurioFree1 CQ
Need a light? Tiffany Studios was known for their stained glass work, particularly their lamps. More than just being aesthetically pleasing, some of their lamps, especially those made around the turn of the century, were also made with technological advancements in mind. The lamp above features a stained glass design that mimics the pattern of a peacock’s tail feathers. A light illuminates the glass above a bronze body with an intricately curved design. This particular lamp was designed by Clara Wolcott Driscoll, chief designer at Tiffany Studios, and it’s a great representation of the company’s products. However, one feature that isn’t readily visible is the lamp’s ability to be lit using either kerosene or electricity. The feature was included because founder Louis Comfort Tiffany rightfully believed that electricity would become more and more common in households, even if that wasn’t the case at the time of the lamp’s production. This particular lamp used a double wick set-up for kerosene and could accept an incandescent bulb, but the flexible nature of the appliance is cleverly hidden out of sight. When it comes to functional art, a little foresight can make the choice between form and function irrelevant.
Peacock Table Lamp, Clara Wolcott Driscoll (1861–1944) Tiffany Studios, 1902, Leaded glass, bronze, Diameter: 18.875 in. (48 cm); Overall: 25.56 in. (65cm), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
[Image credit & copyright: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Charles Maurer, CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication.]Need a light? Tiffany Studios was known for their stained glass work, particularly their lamps. More than just being aesthetically pleasing, some of their lamps, especially those made around the turn of the century, were also made with technological advancements in mind. The lamp above features a stained glass design that mimics the pattern of a peacock’s tail feathers. A light illuminates the glass above a bronze body with an intricately curved design. This particular lamp was designed by Clara Wolcott Driscoll, chief designer at Tiffany Studios, and it’s a great representation of the company’s products. However, one feature that isn’t readily visible is the lamp’s ability to be lit using either kerosene or electricity. The feature was included because founder Louis Comfort Tiffany rightfully believed that electricity would become more and more common in households, even if that wasn’t the case at the time of the lamp’s production. This particular lamp used a double wick set-up for kerosene and could accept an incandescent bulb, but the flexible nature of the appliance is cleverly hidden out of sight. When it comes to functional art, a little foresight can make the choice between form and function irrelevant.
Peacock Table Lamp, Clara Wolcott Driscoll (1861–1944) Tiffany Studios, 1902, Leaded glass, bronze, Diameter: 18.875 in. (48 cm); Overall: 25.56 in. (65cm), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
[Image credit & copyright: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Charles Maurer, CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication.] -
FREERunning Daily Curio #2665Free1 CQ
The Indianapolis 500 might claim to be the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” but some racing enthusiasts might argue that the title really belongs to the Coopers Hill Cheese Roll! This year, fans of the centuries-old competition were treated to a particularly eventful race, as the women’s cheese roll was won handily by an individual who wasn’t even conscious as she crossed the finish line. As absurd as it may sound, cheese rolling has been around for a while in Great Britain, with some proposing it may have started in pre-Roman times. The premise is simple: a 7 pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down a steep, 200-yard hill, and competitors must chase after it. Due to the challenging topology of the “track,” that almost always results in people tumbling down the hill alongside the cheese. Fortunately for the competitors, that doesn’t really matter; regardless of the form of locomotion, the first person to get to the finish line wins the wheel of cheese—all 7 pounds of it!
To vie for the enviable prize, competitors from all around the world gather at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire, where the race takes place every year. Onlookers chant “Roll that cheese!” before the race starts, and competitors waste no time in rushing down the hill once the master of ceremonies gives the signal. Chasing the cheese down the hill is no easy task, and plenty of people have been injured during the race. The winner this year for the women’s race was a Canadian named Delaney Irving, who traveled all the way from Vancouver Island to participate in the event. While making her way down the hill, she lost her footing and was knocked unconscious, but her body tumbled to the finish before anyone else. She told The Guardian, “I remember running, then bumping my head, and then I woke up in the [medical] tent. I still don’t really believe it, but it feels great.” Don’t worry, the wheel of cheese also survived intact.
[Image description: A wheel of cheese surrounded by cheese paper, being held aloft with one hand.] Credit & copyright: Federica Gioia, PexelsThe Indianapolis 500 might claim to be the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” but some racing enthusiasts might argue that the title really belongs to the Coopers Hill Cheese Roll! This year, fans of the centuries-old competition were treated to a particularly eventful race, as the women’s cheese roll was won handily by an individual who wasn’t even conscious as she crossed the finish line. As absurd as it may sound, cheese rolling has been around for a while in Great Britain, with some proposing it may have started in pre-Roman times. The premise is simple: a 7 pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down a steep, 200-yard hill, and competitors must chase after it. Due to the challenging topology of the “track,” that almost always results in people tumbling down the hill alongside the cheese. Fortunately for the competitors, that doesn’t really matter; regardless of the form of locomotion, the first person to get to the finish line wins the wheel of cheese—all 7 pounds of it!
To vie for the enviable prize, competitors from all around the world gather at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire, where the race takes place every year. Onlookers chant “Roll that cheese!” before the race starts, and competitors waste no time in rushing down the hill once the master of ceremonies gives the signal. Chasing the cheese down the hill is no easy task, and plenty of people have been injured during the race. The winner this year for the women’s race was a Canadian named Delaney Irving, who traveled all the way from Vancouver Island to participate in the event. While making her way down the hill, she lost her footing and was knocked unconscious, but her body tumbled to the finish before anyone else. She told The Guardian, “I remember running, then bumping my head, and then I woke up in the [medical] tent. I still don’t really believe it, but it feels great.” Don’t worry, the wheel of cheese also survived intact.
[Image description: A wheel of cheese surrounded by cheese paper, being held aloft with one hand.] Credit & copyright: Federica Gioia, Pexels -
9 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
China’s nascent civilian plane-making industry notched a recent win when the Comac C919, the country’s first domestically-produced passenger jet, carried a c...
China’s nascent civilian plane-making industry notched a recent win when the Comac C919, the country’s first domestically-produced passenger jet, carried a c...
June 4, 2023
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FREEMusic Appreciation PP&T CurioFree1 CQ
What’s love got to do with it? Everything! Many are mourning the recent death of music icon Tina Turner, a prolific recording artist, scene-stealing actress and all-around one of the most memorable live performers to ever grace the stage. Although she largely stayed out of the spotlight in her later years, The Queen of Rock n’ Roll’s popularity rightfully endures.
Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939 to sharecroppers in rural Tennessee. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri, at a young age where she began performing with her church choir, and later in the local, R&B-dominated music scene. In 1956, she met her first husband, Ike Turner, and all at once her professional career began in earnest. Taking on the stage name Tina Turner, she first performed with the Kings of Rhythm, Ike Turner’s band at the time. Although they were well-regarded as a live act, they didn’t find much success in the studio until the 1960 release of A Fool in Love. When the song’s original singer failed to show up for the recording session, Tina stepped in to sing lead. The song was a hit, and the band soon changed its name to the Ike and Tina Turner Revue to more prominently feature Tina.
Ike and Tina Turner married in 1962, and their joint career flourished with hits like their cover of Proud Mary. But their relationship was largely defined by Ike Turner’s abusive behavior behind the scenes. In 1976, after a particularly violent incident, their personal and professional relationship came to an end. Tina filed for divorce, but made an unusual legal request: she wanted to retain her stage name, Tina Turner, which Ike had given her. In return, she gave up her rights to any future revenue she was owed from performing in their shared band, and she didn’t request any other money or property. Eventually, it was agreed that Ike would not try to claim creative ownership of the name.
At first, Turner struggled to relaunch her career. She signed a deal with Capitol Records, but it wasn’t until 1984, with the release of her fifth studio album, Private Dancer, that things really turned around. The album contained several songs that are now some of her most iconic hits, such as Better Be Good to Me and What’s Love Got to Do With It. The album was a huge critical and commercial success, earning her Record of the Year at the 1985 Grammy Awards. What’s Love Got to Do With It won Song of the Year. Turner would go on to receive eight more Grammys throughout her career, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. She also has the rare distinction of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice; once in 1991 as part of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, and again in 2021 as a solo act.
Turner’s talent for performance extended to film and beyond, although she only took on a handful of screen roles. In 1985, she starred in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome as Aunt Entity, and also recorded We Don't Need Another Hero, another of her most recognizable hits. She also re-recorded several of her older hits for the soundtrack of the 1993 biopic movie based on her life, What’s Love Got to Do with It, which was based on her first memoir, I, Tina and follows her life up to the release of Private Dancer. Turner published several other books too, including Tina Turner: My Love Story in 2018, and the self-help book Happiness Becomes You in 2020. 2018 also saw the debut of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical in London and on Broadway the following year.
In a 2005 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Turner said, of her life and career, “I came into this lifetime with a job to finish. I finished it well. I’ve been told many reasons for why I lived through what I did. But I have never felt that I deserved it.” Though Turner passed away on May 24, this year, her countless fans have no doubt of how deserving she was of her fame. And there’s little doubt that her songs will continue to inspire for years to come.
[Image description: A concert crowd raises their hands as confetti rains down.] Credit & copyright: StockSnap, PixabayWhat’s love got to do with it? Everything! Many are mourning the recent death of music icon Tina Turner, a prolific recording artist, scene-stealing actress and all-around one of the most memorable live performers to ever grace the stage. Although she largely stayed out of the spotlight in her later years, The Queen of Rock n’ Roll’s popularity rightfully endures.
Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939 to sharecroppers in rural Tennessee. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri, at a young age where she began performing with her church choir, and later in the local, R&B-dominated music scene. In 1956, she met her first husband, Ike Turner, and all at once her professional career began in earnest. Taking on the stage name Tina Turner, she first performed with the Kings of Rhythm, Ike Turner’s band at the time. Although they were well-regarded as a live act, they didn’t find much success in the studio until the 1960 release of A Fool in Love. When the song’s original singer failed to show up for the recording session, Tina stepped in to sing lead. The song was a hit, and the band soon changed its name to the Ike and Tina Turner Revue to more prominently feature Tina.
Ike and Tina Turner married in 1962, and their joint career flourished with hits like their cover of Proud Mary. But their relationship was largely defined by Ike Turner’s abusive behavior behind the scenes. In 1976, after a particularly violent incident, their personal and professional relationship came to an end. Tina filed for divorce, but made an unusual legal request: she wanted to retain her stage name, Tina Turner, which Ike had given her. In return, she gave up her rights to any future revenue she was owed from performing in their shared band, and she didn’t request any other money or property. Eventually, it was agreed that Ike would not try to claim creative ownership of the name.
At first, Turner struggled to relaunch her career. She signed a deal with Capitol Records, but it wasn’t until 1984, with the release of her fifth studio album, Private Dancer, that things really turned around. The album contained several songs that are now some of her most iconic hits, such as Better Be Good to Me and What’s Love Got to Do With It. The album was a huge critical and commercial success, earning her Record of the Year at the 1985 Grammy Awards. What’s Love Got to Do With It won Song of the Year. Turner would go on to receive eight more Grammys throughout her career, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. She also has the rare distinction of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice; once in 1991 as part of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, and again in 2021 as a solo act.
Turner’s talent for performance extended to film and beyond, although she only took on a handful of screen roles. In 1985, she starred in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome as Aunt Entity, and also recorded We Don't Need Another Hero, another of her most recognizable hits. She also re-recorded several of her older hits for the soundtrack of the 1993 biopic movie based on her life, What’s Love Got to Do with It, which was based on her first memoir, I, Tina and follows her life up to the release of Private Dancer. Turner published several other books too, including Tina Turner: My Love Story in 2018, and the self-help book Happiness Becomes You in 2020. 2018 also saw the debut of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical in London and on Broadway the following year.
In a 2005 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Turner said, of her life and career, “I came into this lifetime with a job to finish. I finished it well. I’ve been told many reasons for why I lived through what I did. But I have never felt that I deserved it.” Though Turner passed away on May 24, this year, her countless fans have no doubt of how deserving she was of her fame. And there’s little doubt that her songs will continue to inspire for years to come.
[Image description: A concert crowd raises their hands as confetti rains down.] Credit & copyright: StockSnap, Pixabay -
9 minFREEWork Business CurioFree5 CQ
There are moves afoot in numerous states and cities to criminalize elements of homelessness, including living in encampments. As part of our ongoing “Finding...
There are moves afoot in numerous states and cities to criminalize elements of homelessness, including living in encampments. As part of our ongoing “Finding...