The Shirt Safe lets you hide your valuables in plain sight
http://pd.gophercentral.com/u/1102/c/186/a/469
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TRIVIA TODAY - Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Greetings Infomaniacs,
Yesterday was Mardi Gras, anyone do anything fun to
celebrate? I am past the days of going out on a weeknight...
heck I can't even remember when I've been out on a Friday
or Saturday night recently! One year, though, I would
really like to go to New Orleans for a real Mardi Gras
celebration. For now, I will have to imagine what it would
be like to be there. Come enjoy some fun Mardi Gras facts,
and live vicariously with me!
Enjoy!
Melissa
Email Melissa: mailto:melissa@gophercentral.com
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TODAY'S MYSTERY QUOTE
QUOTE: "It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the
world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may
say that an American has not seen the United States until
he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans."
HINT: (1835-1910), American author and humorist.
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RANDOM TIDBITS
The Romans' Lupercalia festival was held in mid-February to
honor the god of fertility and agriculture, Lupercus. The
party had definite Mardi Gras-like qualities, including
drinking, feasting and "pleasures of the flesh". During the
Crusades, the carnival-like Lupercalia became adopted as a
"last fling" of indulgence before the 40-day Lenten period
of penitence.
***
Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday." Some say the term
alludes to the over-indulgences of the day. Others explain
that the word "fat" refers to a fattened ox that was paraded
through town before being sacrificed at a mid-winter, pagan
fertility celebration.
***
Oval-shaped cakes known as King Cakes are a traditional
Mardi Gras food. The cake honors the three kings, and is
decorated in purple, green and gold colors, representing
justice, faith and power, respectively. A small plastic
baby, symbolizing the Baby Jesus, is baked into each cake.
Whoever gets the piece with the baby not only will have
good luck that year, but will also be responsible for
bringing the King Cake to next year's party.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
VIDEO CLIP
Make It Funky - Back Beat
In this clip Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville and Bob French
describe the music of New Orleans and a back beat. Come
find out what makes the music of New Orleans dance.
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=5771
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The popular beaded necklaces associated with Mardi Gras
came into play in the 1880s when one of the Krewes dressed
up a member as Santa Claus and had him toss out glass beads.
It was such a hit that by 1900, beaded necklaces had become
the Mardi Gras throw. Somewhere along the way, the glass
beads got replaced by cheap plastic and aluminum beads.
***
The first Mardi Gras parade was staged in the United States
in 1837. Supposedly there was just one float, which brought
great joy to the people of New Orleans. Today, the city
begins its cascade of parades the Friday before Ash Wednesday.
The parades feature hundreds of different floats from the
city's many parishes, each of which is sponsored by a
different Krewes, or club.
***
The tradition of Krewes tossing out handouts to parade
onlookers dates back to Renaissance Europe, where lords
and ladies would hurl mead and ale at revelers. Some
historians believe the tradition has even more ancient
roots. Pagan peasants would toss grains at their fields in
the springtime, as a show of gratitude to the deities for
allowing them to survive the bitter winters.
(www.holidays.net)
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*** Weekly Mind-Scrambler ***
I have legs but walk not, a strong back but work not, two
good arms but reach not, a seat but sit and tarry not.
What am I?
Submit your answer by visiting: http://gopherarchives.gophercentral.com/TheDailyTease.aspx
Answer will be posted in Friday's Trivia Today. Good Luck!
If your name appears in Friday's newsletter, EMAIL
michele@gophercentral.com your complete name and
address to be shipped your prize.
Be sure to put "Winner" in the subject line.
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QUOTE: "It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the
world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may
say that an American has not seen the United States until
he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans."
ANSWER: Mark Twain.
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