Happy Hour Jigsaw Puzzle

Happy Hour Jigsaw Puzzle Item #937

Hi Puzzlers,

October has certainly kept up the old tradition of keeping everyone busy.  East coast farmers are hurrying to get the last of their crops in.  Mothers are preparing their homes for the long winter nights with a good fall cleaning.  Fathers are finishing last minute lawn care issues, tuning up snow blowers and filling buckets with sand and salt.  Children of all ages are back in school.  Fall sports schedules are in full swing; which means, parents are shuttling kids from game to game and field to field on top of all their other obligations and work schedules.  Just looking at the list gives me anxiety!  But then I gaze across my desk to our newest puzzle by Lori Schory and get taken away, as if magically transported into her colorful scene of a tropical “Happy Hour.”  Ah! Take a minute, kick back, relax and join me as we look back at the history of Happy Hour!

The beloved “Happy Hour” is said to have emerged from the United States Navy during the 1920’s.   The slang term represented a time when on-ship performances were scheduled and the sailors, after consuming a few alcoholic drinks, became a little “happy”. 

Back on shore, Prohibition had put an end to any public consumption of alcohol.  To circumvent the 18^th Amendment, people would serve drinks at home or would meet for illegal cocktails at speakeasies before going out to dinner.  The pre-dinner cocktail ritual continued in lounges even after prohibition ended.  The term “Happy Hour” would become extremely popular after the Saturday Evening Post featured an article on military life in 1959.

Within a few years “Happy Hour” would move from a prelude to dinner to an after-work ritual.  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres got integrated into the Happy Hour mix during the 1980’s as a way to reduce drunk driving.  In 1984 the military, in keeping with the anti-drunk driving laws, terminated happy hour at all US military base clubs.

Happy Hour is a ritual that extends to all corners of the globe and differs from country to country. In the Netherlands the price of alcoholic drinks are regulated; no half price deals here.  In Italy, customers are offered free finger-foods but pay full price for drinks.  In India, customers received reduced prices on appetizers and drinks.  But here in the USA we get the best of both, free finger-food and discounted drinks.

As the World’s Most Interesting Man says, “Stay thirsty my friends”.  Drive responsibly and enjoy Happy Hour!

Happy Puzzling!

Saving Money At The Pumps

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s topic is about the importance of regular car maintenance. My Dad always said to change your oil in your car every three thousand miles and if you do it without fail your car will last forever! He also said “Don’t listen to them (mechanics) when they say you can do it every five thousand miles.” My Dad was right most of the cars I’ve had have lasted at least 10 years! What my Dad didn’t mention was that with regular maintenance you also get better gas mileage. With gas prices cresting the four-dollar mark I thought this information was worth passing on.

My revelation began last week when we had one of our cars serviced. My husband Jack, being the diligent accounting professor he is, started to notice the mileage on his vehicle was considerably less then he had been getting. What could be wrong? The snow tires had been removed and the oil had been changed. Then it occurred to us that it had been quite some time since the air filter and spark plugs had been checked.

So off the car went to get a quick tune-up. After about an hour the mechanic came back and said the car was done and that the air filter was so clogged that he was surprised the car was even running! He said we would not only see an improvement in the mileage but in performance. Boy was he right! I thought the lack of pick up in the car was because it is a four cylinder. Wrong! It was the air filter. We also saw a 5-mile-per-gallon improvement in mileage!!! As a result, my car is scheduled for a tune-up next week too! The tune-ups will pay for themselves in saved trips to the pump. Here is a list of quick tips to help you save at the pumps too.

1) Tire Pressure: By having and maintaining the correct tire pressure you can expect to see a 2.8 % improvement in fuel efficiency. Your car owner’s manual lists the proper air pressure for your car tires. Also choose tires with the lowest rolling resistance. Maintaining tire pressure is a cheap fix. Most air pumps cost about 75 cents to use and you can do it yourself.

2) Proper Octane: Only 5% of all cars manufactured have engines that require high-octane gas. If you’re using high octane and your vehicle does not require it you’re wasting your money. Check you car owner’s manual for correct octane levels.

3) Slowing Down: Reduce your highway driving speed from 65 to 55 and use your cruise control as much as you can. Also, avoid fast stops and starts; you could see as much as a 15% improvement! This is a tough one for me-everyone calls me Mario Andretti.


4) Junk In Your Trunk: Remove anything you are not using, as extra weight decreases mileage. Also, remove any items that cause drag such as bike and ski racks when not in use. Place items inside the vehicle or trunk when ever possible and avoid using the vehicles roof rack. Washing and waxing your vehicle also improves the aerodynamics and mileage, and so does USING the A/C when traveling on the highway. Oh yes -- saving money can be comfortable!

5) Maintenance and Tune Ups: This is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Regular maintenance keeps your vehicle in top performing condition and will save you money now and in the long run - 4% on average in increased fuel mileage! If you are a do-it-yourselfer, make sure to check for spark plugs, low transmission fluid, dragging brakes, air filters. If you’re hearing a carbon knock, check and service the fuel injectors.

Puzzlers, just think about all the new puzzles you could buy with all the money you’re saving at the pumps.

Happy Puzzling!

American Red Cross

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s blog post was created from a conversation Jill had with fellow puzzler Chris P. who works for the American Red Cross. Chris orders puzzles to put in the rooms where people go to wait for processing or to recuperate after they donate blood. What a great idea we all thought. As most of you already know, puzzling is a great way to pass time and reduce stress-and having blood drawn can definitely cause stress. This conversation got us all thinking about the Red Cross, blood and blood types.

In 1901 Australian physician Karl Landsteiner discovered the first three human blood groups (A, B, O) and in 1940, with the assistance of Alexander Wiener and Philip Levine, discover the Rh blood factor.

Edwin Cohn, in 1940, developed cold ethanol fractionation, which is the process of breaking down blood into albumin, gamma globulin and fibrinogen. That same year “John Elliott developed the first blood container, a vacuum bottle extensively used by the Red Cross.” In 1941 the Red Cross began its National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military. This service was instrumental in the treatment of wounded soldiers; they were treated with dried plasma during WWII and with albumin for shock after the Pearl Harbor attack. In 1945, after collecting more than 13 million pints of blood, the Red Cross ended its WWII blood program.

The first civilian blood collection program began in Rochester, NY in 1948 and by 1949 there were 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers. What a difference a year makes!

Hang on puzzlers-here’s where it gets wild! Since 1901 there have been over 300 blood types discovered, each fitting into one of the major four groups which are A, B, AB and O, and, the Rh positive and Rh negatives are as important as the major four groups, especially if you are receiving a transfusion.

The oldest of the blood types is O. It comes from the birthplace of humanity, Africa, and is associated with the hunter-gatherer societies. If you’re a type O you represent about 45% of the American population. Next oldest is A. It is thought to have evolved from the agricultural societies and represents about 42% of the American population. Then there is type B, which makes up for about 8% percent, and the AB’s are at about 5%.

Thank you American Red Cross, and remember "Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation."

Happy Puzzling!