“Happiness is to look at what we have and feel grateful.”
Isabella Rossellini
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Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
Isabella Rossellini, 66, walked the runway with her daughter, son, and grandchild in the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan this weekend that featured models of all ages and sizes. She says "Happiness is a discipline" and says of her iconic red lipstick: "It can’t save your life, it can be a step toward feeling good."
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Eats
A Taste of Autumn
It’s officially Fall. Time to bring on pumpkin spice, well, everything.
But don’t let those tastebuds fool you, there’s no pumpkin in that pumpkin spice.
Oh. My. Gourd.
Eats
How Did We Get Here?
First pumpkin spice reference dates back to 1796, but it was McCormick & Co. who brought it to store shelves in 1934.
McCormick uses cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & allspice – not pumpkin.
Starbucks debuted its pumpkin spice latte in 2003, which is credited for the craze as we know it today.
Eats
“It represents a sense of goodness, natural abundance and old values that people think are good.”
Eats
Peak Pumpkin Spice?
- Americans spent $500M on pumpkin-flavored food in the last year, a new all-time high & up 15% vs. 2017.
- In 2005, pumpkin-flavored items were on 6% of U.S. restaurant menus. By 2015, the number grew to 14.5%, with the most in the northeast.
- Fastest growing pumpkin-spiced product? Dog food. Seriously.
Eats
Starbuck's sprang forward this fall, debuting its famed pumpkin spice latte in late August. The #PSL drink, now in its 15th year, does include actual pumpkin puree and even has its own Twitter account (@TheRealPSL) boasting 110K followers.
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Quick Quotes
“They’ve changed the science… I don’t think any two people come close to the impact they have had.”
Quick Quotes
“I am writing to request an immediate postponement of any further proceedings related to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh.”
Quick Quotes
“The Europeans have a decision to make…. So yes we will have decisions to make in terms of whether they get exemptions or not but I’ll tell you right now we’re gonna be really tough on Iran.”
Quick Quotes
“We will overcome this situation and America will regret choosing the wrong path.”
Quick Quotes
“Everyone will want to know if Cosby is given a pass after all this. If the answer is no, that’s a message that will reverberate.”
Quick Quotes
“I sort of feel like Amazon is playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers…”
Quick Quotes
“I had a hard time not crying coming up the last hole.”
Quick Quotes
“We are trying to make the world a better place by taking as much pain out of it as we can.”
Quick Quotes
Have a great week!
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Now You Know
HOMECOMING…
at The United Nations
Once a year, 193 nations meet under one roof, where each country has one seat & one vote, for one big face-to-face “dance”.
Why the UN General Assembly matters (and why it doesn’t).
BTW You Pay For It...
Now You Know
“WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights…”
Now You Know
General Assembly: General Debate
- Tuesday: One huge meeting where every leader gets to speak.
- Brazil gave first speech in 1947 & that tradition continues. USA, the host country, speaks second.
- In reality, very little substantial decisions happen during this time, BUT it allows for informal conversations between leaders that can have a lasting impact.
Now You Know
What To Watch For:
- Pres. Trump’s speech on Tues. In the last year, the U.S. arranged a historic summit w/North Korea & withdrew from Iran Nuclear Deal.
- S. Korea will reportedly deliver a secret msg. to U.S. from NoKo: a condition of nuclear disarmament.
- Pres. Trump will chair UN Security Council meeting Wednesday. Topic of discussion? Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Now You Know
Something To Consider:
- America pays for 20% of the UN’s total budget. Last year: $1.2B
- We pay more because of a formula in the UN charter tied to country size and wealth.
- Critics say the UN doesn’t achieve its goal aimed at bringing world peace and actually works against America’s interests; Gallup poll = majority of Americans agree the UN is not helping solve problems.
Now You Know
On Tuesday, Pres. Trump and the First Lady will host a cocktail party for current & future members of the UN Security Council. *Permanent* member nations include Russia, China, U.K., France and the U.S. - 10 additional countries serve 2 year terms.
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Quote of the Day
“It taught me about the importance of prayer. It taught me the importance of surrendering to God, surrendering your fears to Him, and just knowing that whatever happens, whether it’s going to be a bad outcome or a good outcome, He is going to be there to help you get through it.”
Kristen Masciantonio
Quote of the Day
Kristen's daughter, Gianna was born with a deadly brain stem tumor. Given nearly no chance at survival, Gianna defied all odds. As Kristen describes in this week's podcast, a miraculous chain of events led to this outcome. Listen:
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Podcast
The True Story Behind
The “Miracle On Market”
Click Here To Listen
Podcast
3 years ago, Gianna Masciantonio, suffering from a terrible brain tumor, was kissed by Pope Francis on Market Street in Philadelphia. Weeks later, she began to make a miraculous recovery that earned her the nickname "Miracle On Market" . But that's NOT the true story. Listen to it as told by her mother Kristen and be forever changed.
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Quick Quotes
“Whether overseas or right here at home in D.C., we didn’t think — we just knew we needed to act. That’s the Marine in all of us.”
Quick Quotes
“This shy lady walks in and sings ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ and the show turned into full color.”
Quick Quotes
“… the world would start to rot.”
Quick Quotes
“She wishes to testify, provided that we can agree on terms that are fair and which ensure her safety. A hearing on Monday is not possible and the committee’s insistence that it occur then is arbitrary…”
Quick Quotes
“What’s going to happen after fentanyl?”
Quick Quotes
Watch Now“The power of food is more than just the meal itself — it is the story behind it. And when you get to know the story of the recipe, you get to know the person behind it.”
Quick Quotes
Have a great weekend!
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Now You Know
PRICELESS CULTURE
What do Van Gogh, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, &
a WWII aircraft carrier have in common?
Well, typically, not very much… but this Saturday is the exception.
SEE IT FOR FREE
Now You Know
MUSEUM DAY
Saturday, September 22nd
- 1,500 museums & zoos in all 50 states will offer FREE admission.
- Sponsored by Smithsonian magazine to encourage free entry as its DC-based museums do.
- Visitors must download one ticket per email address that’s worth free admission for two people.
Now You Know
How Much Should It Cost?
- About one-third of America’s 35,000+ museums are free.
- But with funding under pressure, museums struggle with how much to charge.
- Ticket prices are crucial: Admissions represent 7% of museum’s financial support, behind endowments (22%) & museum store purchases (8%).
Now You Know
This year's Museum Day theme is “Women Making History" recognizing female trailblazers in arts, sciences, innovation, and culture. Click to find participating museums in your area.
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Quick Quotes
“United States is prepared to engage immediately in negotiations to transform U.S.-DPRK relations.”
Quick Quotes
“When you have two 500-year floods within two years of each other, it’s pretty clear it’s not a 500-year flood.”
Quick Quotes
“I’ll be doing things over the next two weeks having to do with immigration, which I think you’ll be very impressed at.”
Quick Quotes
Watch Now“I can give you lots of reasons but they don’t matter. What matters is it was my responsibility it didn’t happen and I have to be held accountable for it.”
Quick Quotes
“When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that her voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on Judge Kavanaugh. It did so. I now implore Dr. Ford to accept the invitation for Monday, in a public or private setting. The committee should hear her voice.”
Quick Quotes
“Here’s why we chose her: She’s not crazy.”
Quick Quotes
Have a great day!
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On This Day
September 20, 1973
“BATTLE OF THE SEXES”
90M across the globe watched Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in what is still one of the most-watched tennis matches of all time.
Why King Is Still Queen
On This Day
Battle of the Sexes
Riggs (55), a tennis champion and self-proclaimed male chauvinist, challenged King (29) a year earlier.
After the match, Riggs said “Billie Jean was just too strong for me. She was too quick in the exchanges. I thought I had her out of court many times but she made the shots.“
On This Day
Why King Matters
In 1971, King was the first female athlete to win over 100K in prizes.
In 1972, Congress passed Title IX, banning gender discrimination in school programs (including sports) that receive federal fund$.
After her victory against Riggs, King said “I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn’t win that match.”
On This Day
King’s Lasting Legacy
- Ranked #1 in women’s tennis worldwide six times
- Awarded 39 Grand Slams & the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Founded Women’s Sports Foundation & magazine
- First female with a major sports arena named in her honor
Her advocacy for gender equality on and off the court continues.
On This Day
“We always put our hands up for Billie. We love her. She has a tremendous history, not just in women’s tennis, but in leading rights for people, in general, no matter who they were.”
On This Day
King recently sat down for her first television interview since Serena Williams alleged sexism at the US Open. King said sexism still exists in tennis, but that "crisis creates opportunity" and this is an opportunity to get things right.
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Now You Know
To A Certain Degree
About 33% of adults over 25 have a Bachelor’s degree.
Why the future of college education may be ditching the traditional campus.
Ivy League ...Online?
Now You Know
The Future of Learning?
- Univ. of Pennsylvania (Penn) will offer an online bachelor’s degree next year through its College of Prof. & Liberal Arts Studies.
- First Ivy League college to offer online bachelor’s degree.
- 2 paths to admission: general application *or* “prove your way” in 4 foundation courses.
- Costs 30% less than on-campus.
- Visit campus twice before degree.
Now You Know
“When you’re working and raising a family or you’re part of the sandwich generation, it really makes it very difficult to get through the 30 to 36 courses needed to get an undergraduate degree. And it’s not terribly affordable.”
Now You Know
Why It Matters
- Higher education without the higher cost.
- Increasing demand for less expensive degrees from top-tier schools
- Penn sees more colleges offering online bachelor’s.
- National unemployment rate for those with college degree (2.1%) about 1/2 what it is for those with only a high school degree (4.3%).
Now You Know
Several Ivy League universities offer online degrees at the graduate degree level, including Penn, but its undergraduate offer is a first. Approx. 80% of online-only students are over age 25, unknown if younger students will be interested.
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Current Events
Mark Your Calendars
We will all get the same text message…on the same day…from the President of the United States.
(no, you cant text back)
Current Events
What’s Going On?
FEMA testing a “Presidential Alert” – an announcement from the President for use only in the event of national emergencies.
The “text test” was scheduled for THIS Thursday Sept. 20 at 2:18 p.m. EST, but will instead go out on October 3rd because FEMA says it’s focusing on Hurricane Florence recovery.
Current Events
Why Now?
- 95% of Americans own a cell phone.
- Congress authorized “emergency wireless alerts” to communicate with the public. Amber alerts for kidnapped children or tornado warnings often use this system.
- You can opt out of receiving Amber Alerts but NOT for this national alert.
Current Events
Some argue this is a great tool for communicating with the public during dire times; others say it presents a risk for hacking or abuse. Either way, this will be the first wireless emergency alert directly from an American President.
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