Monday, July 08, 2013

“I read the news today, oh boy ...” (Elizabeth of Aragon Edition)

Today, the traditional Roman calendar celebrates the feast of St Elizabeth of Portugal, also known as Elizabeth of Aragon, also known as Isabel, who lived from 1271 to 1336, was Queen Consort of Portugal during the reign of King Denis of Portugal, and who was a third order Franciscan known for her great charitable works. Closer to the present, if you want to have your awareness raised about every cause with a colored ribbon, check out our handy guide featured here. Collect the whole set. Or read the musings of someone who begs to differ. Don't ask me why.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on planet Earth:

Holy Toledo, Batman! A sinkhole in northwest Ohio swallowed a car going down the street, briefly trapping the driver, who climbed out on a ladder. (AP)

And speaking of sinking to new depths, the state of Washington has eliminated the word "freshman" from its educational vocabulary, to be replaced by "first-year student." In an equally bold move, "penmanship" is replaced by "handwriting." No word yet on a proposal to respell the word "woman," which is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "wif-man." That's why it has "man" in it. (Reuters)

Elsewhere on the Left Coast, a medical marijuana dispensary billed as the world's largest cannabis store will be allowed to stay open, according to a Federal judge, but not if the City of Oakland can help it. (Reuters)

In a related story, a Pennsylvania woman who had her newborn taken away because she failed a hospital drug test, after she ate a poppy seed bagel, has settled a lawsuit over the case. (AP)

After years of being phased into non-existence by compact discs and digital downloads, the cassette tape is making a comeback in the homegrown music market. (BBC)

And finally, in what has become a unique company perk, a Dairy Queen franchise in Minnesota has installed a treadmill for its employees. No word on whether the service will be extended to customers. (KARE-TV)

And that all the news that fits. As the week goes on, stay tuned, and stay in touch.
 

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