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| (Public Domain) |
After receiving a generous amount of “pre-Christmas gift card sales,” Leo Keka passed $30,000 along to staff members. He credits them plus his “loyal customers” with the ability and desire to do this.
Keka owns two Alba steak-and-seafood places, one in Quincy Center and the other in Hanover, Massachusetts.
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| Admiral Kibben in 2014 (Public Domain) |
Retired Navy Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben has held a multitude of illustrious titles in her day, including Chief Chaplain of the Navy and Chaplain of the Marine Corps.
She has recently been appointed Chaplain once again, this time of the U. S. House of Representatives. This makes Kibben the very “first female congressional chaplain” in all of U. S. history.
She will be leading House members in prayer and ceremony, as well as offering them counseling. Kibben’s extensive pastoral background includes a “doctorate of ministry and a master’s of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminiary.”
Resources
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/31/952424427/pelosi-names-1st-female-chaplain-to-serve-congress
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| Quarterback Josh Allen (Photo by Erik Drost) |
Perhaps 2021 will be better, after all. In a surprise move, New York’s Governor Cuomo not only approved the attendance of more than 6,700 fans at the Buffalo Bills home playoff game, but also plans to be there himself.
Calling this “a first-in-the-nation pilot program,” Cuomo outlined the stipulations that go with it. All “must test negative for COVID-19” before entering the stadium. Drive-through rapid testing will occur in parking lots and will cost an additional $63 per ticket. “There will also be required contact tracing after the game.”
Cuomo emphasized the experimental nature of this program. He hopes that it can successfully pave the way for a reopening of “other events and businesses.”
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| Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius (Photo by Qfl247) |
Back in ancient times, Mickey D’s might just as well have been Mickey P’s. That’s certainly a lot easier to pronounce than “thermopolium.”
One such fast-food site was recently unearthed from the ruins of Pompeii. Customers back then could choose from a variety of hot-food vessels, reminiscent of today’s buffet containers. Counters were decorated with brightly-colored images, similar to modern advertising ploys.
Do we know what was being served on that fatal day? We sure do. Remnants of ducks, “goats, pigs, fish… snails [and] fava beans” hint at shattered lives.
Resources
https://oklahoman.com/article/5679171/dig-of-pompeii-fast-food-place-reveals-tastes
Copyright January 1, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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| Groote Eylandt, circa 1933 (Public Domain) |
Around this time of year, the mindset is often “out with the old, in with the new.” And “new” is often interpreted to mean “young.”
Kudos to Australia for recently changing a key word of its national anthem. The country had been pegged as “young and free,” but is now described as “one and free.” This oneness includes indigenous peoples that were there long before the colonial settlements began.
A lot more remains to be done before oneness is truly achieved. Yet words do matter, especially those which seek to represent an entire nation.
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Copyright January 1, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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| Parker and Presley in 1969 (Public Domain) |
It could have been worse. It could have been “off with the head.” Yet Tom Hanks is still not happy with his new “do” (or don’t).
Because he’s playing the part of Colonel Tom Parker in an “upcoming Elvis Presley biopic,” Hanks is required to look the part. That has meant sporting a semi-bald pate.
Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining. Not the graying tufts that remain, but the ease with which hair washing can now be completed.
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Copyright January 1, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
There’s long been a Yellow Rose of Texas, but just this once there’s going to be a Rose Bowl Game in the longhorn state.
Because of Southern California’s pandemic spike, the AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host the 2021 game. Sixteen thousand fans will be allowed to sit in the stands. According to a recent agreement, Pasadena will be paid $2 million to help offset lost revenues.
The media has been emphasizing the temporary nature of this move. Pasadena hopes to be rosy again by 2022.
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Copyright January 1, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
