April 19, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 19

Garlic Day For one day only, put aside your concerns about bad breath and indulge in twenty-four hours of delicious, garlicky goodness – it is Garlic Day, a day to recognise this pungent little clove. The origins of this obscure holiday might not be entirely clear, but its purpose is obvious: take to the kitchen and celebrate the many uses of garlic by cooking up a feast of festivity!

Try your hand at whipping up a much loved classic – perhaps toasty garlic bread, or tender roasted garlic – or get creative and go for a more outlandish recipe (garlic-infused ice cream anyone?). True fans will also relish the opportunity to promote garlic’s health benefits, as this wonderful bulb has been proven to aid the management of high blood pressure and cholesterol. So what are you waiting for – why not join in the celebrations and pop a clove or two into your meal today? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/garlic-day/

National Amaretto Day If you've got almond-flavored liqueur on the brain, today was made for you. But don't let the name amaro, meaning "bitter" in Italian, scare you off - almonds keep this sip a sweet one.

Like other favorite liqueurs, amaretto has a legend, and a sentimental place in Saronno culture because of its Italian origin.

In 1525, one of Leonardo da Vinci's pupils, artist Bernardino Luini, was commissioned to paint frescoes in a Saronno church. Because of the church's dedication to the Virgin Mary, Luini needed a model to base her on, and he found his muse in a young innkeeper. The woman wanted to express her gratitude (and adoration) with a payment, but didn't have the money, so she steeped apricot kernels in brandy and gave him the concoction. Thus, amaretto's love story was born.

If you're cooking with amaretto, it's a great enhancer for desserts like tiramisu and even the whipped cream on your hot chocolate or coffee. Or, jazz up your favorite pastries by adding a shot or two to the batter. You can even go savory because amaretto is a great addition to almondine sauce and chicken dishes. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/04/19/national-amaretto-day/

Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day https://oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/april19.html

April 18, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 18

Animal Crackers Birthday The famous Barnum’s animal crackers box was originally a Christmas ornament hung by a string. The string can still be found on boxes.
A box of Animal Crackers sold for 5 cents in 1902.
Animal Crackers originated in England where they were known as animal biscuits.
54 different animals have been created as animal crackers. The most popular brand, Barnum’s Animal Crackers, has featured 37 different animals since 1902. http://foodimentary.com/2012/04/18/april-18-national-animal-crackers-day/

International Amateur Radio Day Amateur Radio Day celebrates the beginings of the IARU – the International Amateur Radio Union – back in 1925. They are best recognised for their contribution to disaster relief workers in areas where communications are little to non-existent. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/amateur-radio-day/

Record Store Day Record stores, eh? With digital music, iTunes and Amazon, they almost seem a thing of the past. But not quite!

Record Store Day is here for us to appreciate the wonderful pastime of flicking through albums, searching for bargains, finding something new, or perhaps something old that we lost a long time ago and completely forgot about. It’s an opportunity for us to reminisce (“Oh wow, I used to listen to this all the time when I was at school!”), to share (“I bet Kayleigh will love this, I’ll get her a copy”) and to ponder (“What was Fatboy Slim on when he wrote this one?!”).

Most of all, record stores allow us to take time out of our day and quietly enjoy who we are. Tastes and inspirations are specific to each of us, so let’s celebrate this individuality in a place filled with music and artwork, and where there’s always a human being to ask for a recommendation, one that isn’t based on the ‘Smurfs Go Pop’ CD you bought online as a joke gift for a friend. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/record-store-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/april18.html

April 17, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 17

National Cheeseball Day It’s National Cheeseball Day! Did you know that the term “cheeseball” can actually refer to two very different foods? The first type of cheeseballs are the bright orange, marble-sized snacks that turn your fingers orange (very similar to cheese doodles). The second type is the kind you might serve with crackers at a party.

A traditional cheeseball appetizer includes ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, nuts, salt, pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Gourmet versions use bleu cheese, olives, pineapple, sherry, or smoked salmon. According to legend, a man named Elisha Brown Jr. pressed the first cheeseball at his farm in 1801. It weighed 1,235 pounds! He presented it as a gift to President Thomas Jefferson at the White House.

To celebrate National Cheeseball Day, pick up a bag of cheeseballs at your local grocery store or make your own gourmet cheeseball as a dinner appetizer! Enjoy! http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-cheeseball-day

Bat Appreciation Day On Bat Appreciation Day, take a moment to consider the humble bat. Bats are mysterious, enigmatic creatures which are all around us, though we may not be aware of them. Some species are as small as a thumb, and yet are capable of flying hundreds of miles over land and sea to migrate each year. Bats navigate the dark areas they live in using echolocation, and they’re also responsible for keeping many pests at bay, including mosquitos.

Unfortunately, several bat species are facing extinction, due to many factors, including offshore wind farms and loss of their habitats. On Bat Appreciation Day, why not take the time to learn more about this amazing creatures, and how you can help in their conservation. Many zoos feature a nocturnal house where you can see bats. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bat-appreciation-day/

Blah! Blah! Blah! Day Sometimes it seems as if everyone is a critic. Are you fed up with your nearest and dearest suggesting you lose weight, give up smoking or paint that ceiling? Or, even if nobody is hounding you, are you all too aware that you’re putting off until tomorrow things that should have been done yesterday?

If any of these questions strike home, then Blah Blah Blah Day is the opportunity to stop procrastinating and get to grips with all those stalled projects and broken promises right now!

This unusual holiday was created by Wellcat, a holidays and herbs company. It is celebrated around the world – if celebrate is the right word for this particular day. The best way to mark it is by digging out and dusting off those forgotten New Year’s resolutions and making another start on them, before the blahs and the blues strike all over again. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/blah-blah-blah-day/

Ford Mustang Day Ford Mustang Day commemorates of the day the Mustang was first introduced to the public in 1964. Most new cars are released in fall of the year titled for the next year, so the first Mustang was titled a ’64 1/2.

National Haiku Poetry Day Haiku Poetry Day encourages you to try your hand at short, Japanese poems; stick to a syllable pattern of 5-7-5 and you’re off to a good start – but it’s much more complex than that!

To craft a perfect Haiku, you need to include an element of seasonality, and a ‘cut’ (either a word or through punctuation) to create a comparison between the themes and content of the haiku. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/haiku-poetry-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/april17.html

April 16, 2015

This Japanese festival is just like thousands of others — plus a lot of penis

Before Buddhism showed up on Japanese shores, there was Shinto, the country’s indigenous religion. And although most modern Japanese are not religious, Shinto is still alive and well.

There are tens of thousands of Shinto shrines scattered all over Japan, and most have their own festivals where the local spirit is taken out and paraded around in a portable shrine. There are food, games and boisterous fun.

That's how I came to be in Kawasaki Daishi, a town just south of Tokyo, for the Kanamara Festival earlier this month.

When I got there, there was a long line to get into the small shrine grounds. I asked 28-year-old Taro Tanaka and his friends what they were waiting for.

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-15/japanese-festival-just-thousands-others-plus-lot-penis

Seems to be a very thoughtful and well rounded festival and group of people not afraid of their sexuality.

April 16, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 16

National Eggs Benedict Day Eggs Benedict Day is an excuse to have a tasty treat! Eggs Benedict is traditionally made from a halved English muffin, topped with ham (or sometimes bacon), poached eggs and a hollandaise sauce. Everybody has their own versions, variations and favourites which change and swap out pretty much all of the components, from using bread instead of muffins, to cheese instead of sauce, or adding extra ingredients such as paprika. Whatever the choice, it’s always delicious! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eggs-benedict-day/

Day of the Mushroom http://www.averiecooks.com/2012/04/day-of-the-mushroom.html

National Stress Awareness Day Have you been assigned with extra work load by your employer in you holiday? Stressed, aren’t you? It is natural to find out stressed people around. National Stress Awareness Day focuses to promote awareness of these particularly modern challenges, and to aid individuals and organizations in changing behaviors and lifestyles which may lead to excessive stress. http://www.dates.abouttravelingtheworld.com/special-holidays/national-stress-awareness-day/

National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day The traditional Wear Your PJs Day "Sitting Around Drinking Coffee" with the Boss
Not showing up at the office at ALL
Traditional foods that accompany this holiday? We vote for doughnuts! http://nationalwearyourpajamastoworkday.com

Save The Elephant Day They might be wildlife icons, but, sadly, elephants are in crisis. Save The Elephant Day is a chance to show our love and support for these much-loved giants and raise awareness of the threats to their future in both Africa and Asia, ranging from ivory poachers and traffickers to loss of habitat.

Also known as World Elephant Day, the occasion was founded by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, based in Thailand, working together with Canadian film-maker Patricia Sims. The launch of this international initiative in 2012 saw the release of the documentary film ‘Return to the Forest’, narrated by Star Trek legend William Shatner.

The ideal way to mark the day is to donate to a charity helping elephants or organise an event in aid of these beautiful but threatened beasts. You could also watch a wildlife film about elephants or sign a petition to raise awareness. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/save-the-elephant-day/

April 15, 2015

Kroger Louisville workers approve new deal

Kroger Co. said associates in the Louisville, Ky., division ratified a four-year contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union local 227.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates. This new contract provides wage increases, affordable health care and investment in our associates' pension fund to support their retirement," said Calvin Kaufman, president of Kroger's Louisville division, in a press release.

"This agreement comes after thoughtful and productive work by both the company and union bargaining committees. I want to thank our associates for supporting the agreement and for the excellent service they provide to our customers every day."

The deal, which was passed with almost a 4 to 1 margin, also gave part-time employees more health insurance options, according to a statement on UFCW's website. The Louisville division includes 14,000 workers in 89 stores in Louisville and Southern Indiana.

http://supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/kroger-louisville-workers-approve-new-deal

April 15, 2015

Giant-Carlisle to increase hourly pay

Ahold’s Giant-Carlisle division said Tuesday that it would increase its starting associate wage to $9 per hour beginning in June. The company will also increase the hourly wage for current associates to a minimum of $9 an hour.

“Our associates are the foundation of our success, and we have always believed in paying competitive wages to attract the best talent,” Tom Lenkevich, president of Giant, said in a statement.

This change applies to the 197 non-union Giant and Martin’s stores. Approximately 10,000 part-time associates will be impacted by this wage increase, which goes into effect June 7. Around two-thirds of the company’s 33,000 associates are currently paid more than $9 per hour, Giant said.

Retailers including Wal-Mart Stores and Target Corp. previously announced plans to increase minimum pay this year.

http://supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/giant-carlisle-increase-hourly-pay

A step in the right direction, far from enough, but certainly a good thing.

April 15, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 15

National Glazed Spiral Ham
 Day Americans have become accustomed to serving ham on special holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but there’s no law that says ham can only be served in November and December. When you don’t have to worry about in-laws, five side dishes, three desserts and someone breaking a limb during the annual family flag football game, ham isn’t nearly as threatening to prepare at home.

Most of the hams you will find at the grocery store are cured, meaning they’re already cooked through and the hard work has already been done! These hams can still be glazed at home and usually will benefit from a couple hours in the oven.

There are many ways to do this, but more often than not you’ll see a sugar-based glaze; sugar caramelizes and makes the skin of the ham nice and crispy.

Most glazes contain dark brown sugar, molasses or honey. They might also have mustard or fruit juice or something spicy like a chili pepper in them. Whichever route you decide to take, the ham should be basted with the glaze every 20 minutes or so. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/04/15/national-glazed-spiral-ham-day/

Jackie Robinson Day Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated annually on April 15 with the aim of honoring Jackie Robinson - the first African American to play in Major League Baseball - and reminding younger generation baseball players about a great legend. To remember his brilliant career, in 1962, his name was recorded into the Baseball Hall of Fame. http://holidaysinyear.com/day/jackie-robinson-day/

Rubber Eraser Day On April 15, 1770 an English man named Joseph Priestley officially discovered the erasing properties of Indian rubber – a vegetable gum from North America – and elementary math homework has never been the same. So let’s celebrate National Rubber Eraser Day by stepping away from the computer, picking up a pencil (not the pen! drop it!), scribbling something, and enjoying that lovely eraser on the back of the pencil. https://ayearofholidays.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/april-15-national-rubber-eraser-day/

Take A Wild Guess Day There’s no prize for guessing what we’re celebrating today! As your intuition might just have told you, it’s Take A Wild Guess Day – which does exactly what it says on the tin. The aim is to turn the spotlight on hunches, brilliant leaps of deduction and outright guesswork.

Creator of the day Jim Barber made a lucky guess that it would be a hit – and he proved to be right, as many people have joined in celebrating the occasion. He decided the day should coincide with National Tax Day in the US, when information filed has to be exact. It makes a refreshing change from adding up rows of figures to give your imagination free rein.

A good way to mark the day is to make a fun bet with a friend, or guess the answer for a competition. Do you feel lucky? Then maybe you will be! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-a-wild-guess-day/

That Sucks Day Historically, a lot of bad things happen on That Sucks Day, not least of which is that it’s income tax pay day (this is also the day the Titanic sank and Abraham Lincoln died). https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/that-sucks-day/

World Art Day http://www.dates.abouttravelingtheworld.com/special-holidays/world-art-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/april15.html

April 14, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 14

National Pecan Day Celebrate Pecan nuts and their soft crunch and buttery flavor. Trivia: the pecan tree is the only nut tree native to North America. Photo courtesy of National Pecan Shellers Association. http://www.partyexcuses.com

National Dolphin Day This holiday is celebrated throughout the world and in the grand scheme of things, Dolphin Day is perhaps one of the most well-known unofficial holidays of the world. Having gained steam in the 1990s and continuing into the present day, this holiday focuses on the worldwide plight of the dolphins. Considering how similar dolphins appear to be to ourselves, we may even call Dolphin Day one of the more “human” holidays that are celebrated.

Gatherings and awareness meetings take place in major cities across the globe. Some of largest venues include San Francisco, New York City and Tokyo. Traditionally, Dolphin Day places a particular emphasis on curtailing Japanese dolphin hunts, as these have received much publicity during the last decade. Each year, this worldwide event continues to gain a growing number of supporters. Hopefully, the near future will see a complete ban of dolphin hunting and while this holiday may no longer be needed, it will indeed be a happy ending for both the dolphins and their human advocates! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dolphin-day/

Look Up in The Sky Day How often do you look upwards? Look Up at the Sky Day encourages you to stop for a moment, and to appreciate the beautiful blue sky, fluffy clouds and elegant, soaring birds… That’s on the assumption that it’s not grey, raining, cloudy, foggy, or that you’re indoors… https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/look-up-at-the-sky-day/

Library Workers Day Your local library is no longer just a place to check out a book or leaf through a magazine. Nowadays, you can also surf the web, rent a DVD, or even attend a community class. It is up to the dedicated library employees to keep everything running smoothly for the enquiring public. So, why not say thank you to your local library staff on Library Workers Day for their helpful service?

For without these champions of the Dewey Decimal System, whom have mastered the art of saying “shhh” and always know exactly where to find the item you need, the world would be a far less knowledgeable place. The childhood rite of passage of getting your own library card is made a lasting positive memory thanks to a (hopefully!) smiling library worker. They work quietly, efficiently and without fanfare – so, go ahead, stop by your local library and say thank you to them on Library Workers Day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/library-workers-day/

Equal Pay Day A day to show the difference between what men and women are paid in the US. This always falls on a Tuesday in April but official wage figures are not available until late August / September. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/equal-pay-day/

April 13, 2015

Daily Holidays -April 13

National Peach Cobbler Day The “World’s Largest Peach Cobbler” can be seen and tasted at the annual Georgia Peach Festival. This huge dish is 11 by five feet (about three by two meters) and eight inches (about 20 centimeters) deep.
The recipe requires 75 gallons (285 liters) of local peaches, 90 pounds of real butter, 32 gallons (about 122 liters) of whole milk, 150 pounds of wheat flour, and 150 pounds of sugar.
Some versions of Peach Cobbler are enclosed in the crust, while others have a drop-biscuit or crumb topping. http://foodimentary.com/2014/04/13/april-13-national-peach-cobbler-day/

Scrabble Day By far the best way to celebrate Scrabble Day is with Oxyphenbutazone.

That’s right, Oxyphenbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug – you already knew that – but it’s also the word that, in a single play, can give the highest possible score on a Scrabble board. The chances of it ever coming up are similar to the chances of winning this week’s lottery, as you’d need to join all seven of your tiles with eight already on the board across three triple word scores. Still, it’d be worth waiting for, scoring 1,778 points. You’d almost certainly win the game with that.

There’s no need to chase rainbows though; everyone loves Scrabble, so why not spend Scrabble Day with someone you like, in a friendly battle of words and wits? In the kingdom of Scrabble, the one ‘i’d man might be ‘king’, but the lady with the ‘q’ will definitely be queen. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/scrabble-day/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/april13.html