Issue 8 2009: August
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE HOUSE
For the first time in more than a decade, the size of the average newly built American house has shrunk, to 2,065 square feet. The 7 percent decline is the equivalent of one average-size room. ..... CNNmoney.com
DIPLOMACY
During her recent trip to Africa, a Kenyan man offered Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 20 cows and 40 goats in exchange for her daughter Chelsea's hand in marriage. "My daughter is her own person," Clinton replied. "I will convey this very kind offer." ..... The Week
CHEWING GUM
In the classroom, gum chewing is as frowned upon as passing notes and napping. Teachers hate the smacking, the popping, the bubble blowing, and the inevitable disposal of the gum on the undersides of desks. But researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (my alma mater) say that kids have a legitimate educational reason to chomp their Bubble Yum in school. Their study found that kids who chewed gum had a 3 percent increase in scores on standardized tests, and significantly better final math grades than non-gum chewers. Chewing gum, author Dr. Craig Johnson tells the Los Angeles Times, appears to improve concentration through an unknown mechanism. "There is research demonstrating an increase in blood flow in the brain during chewing," he says. ..... The Week
VACATION IN VENICE
A hotel near the Italian city of Venice owned by Intercontinental Hotels Group accidentally advertised a room rate of 1 cent per night. "IHG is commited to honoring the 1 cent rate for guests who have valid confirmation," said spokeswoman Monica Smith. About 230 people took advantage of the offer. ..... The Week
COCAINE AND DOLLAR BILLS
A Drug Enforcement Agency study has found that 85 percent to 95 percent of bills circulating in the U.S. and Canada contain traces of cocaine, up from 67 percent in 2007. ..... The Week
LOBBYISTS AND HEALTH-CARE REFORM
There are 3,300 registered lobbyists working the halls of Congress on health-care reform legislation, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That's six lobbyists for every member of Congress. ..... Bloomberg.com
BAGGAGE
More than 31 million bags checked by airlines last year - about 1.4 percent of all bags - did not arrive at destinations at the same time as the passengers. About 1.8 million bags were lost altogether. ..... The Wall Street Journal
SENIORS RULE
Within 10 years, for the first time in the history of mankind, the number of people in the world age 65 and older will be greater than the number of people age 5 and younger, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report. ..... The Washington Times
MILT'S MORSEL OF THE MONTH
"One of the disadvantages of wine is that it makes a man mistake words for thoughts." ..... Samuel Johnson, quoted in the Portland Oregonian
JIM'S STETHASCOOP
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them how you please." ..... Mark Twain, quoted in The Des Moines Register
