B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
DECEMBER 6, 2018
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The Week In News Buccaneers rank third-worst in the NFL in average attendance, sitting behind only the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers, who play in a soccer stadium. For now, those two free tickets were available on a first come, first serve basis and had to be reserved. It’s up in the air if the same deal will apply to the remaining two home games. One way to fill the stadium, though, would be to start winning.
Vegans Watch their Mouths
Those who subscribe to a vegan lifestyle do not let meat, chicken, eggs, or other animal-produced products pass their lips. According to Shareena Hamzah from Swansea University in Wales, the prohibition on animal-related products does not just refer to food. Hamzah suggests that certain phrases that reference animals turn vegans’ stomachs. Perhaps, she opines, those phrases will eventually be phased out of the English language as vegans and those who don’t want to offend their sensitivities will refrain from using them in conversation. Consider the phrases, “bringing home the bacon” and “flogging a dead horse.” Perhaps animal-lovers would be offended by their use. Or take the phrases, “taking a bull by the horns” or “putting all one’s eggs in one basket.” Better use them now before they go the way of the dinosaur (whoops! Can’t say that one either!). Writing on the academic website The Conversation, Hamzah claims the growing influence of veganism will raise awareness of animal cruelty and put an end to meaty descriptions. “In today’s reality, meat is repeatedly the subject of much socially and
politically charged discussion, including about how the demand for meat is contributing to climate change and environmental degradation,” she said. “Studies have indicated the negative effects of meat-eating on the human body. When concerns about animal welfare are added to the broth, the growth of vegetarianism and veganism threatens to dethrone meat from its position at the top of the food hierarchy,” she added. “The image of ‘killing two birds with one stone’ is, if anything, made more powerful by the animal-friendly alternative of ‘feeding two birds with one scone,’” she noted. PETA is right on her tail with this one. The animal-rights group has been pushing for “animal-friendly idioms” for some time, and has a list of suggestions people could use to avoid causing offense to vegans. Examples include “feeding a fed horse” instead of “beating a dead horse,” and “taking the flowers by the thorns” instead of “taking the bull by the horns.” “While these phrases may seem harmless, they carry meaning and can send mixed signals to students about the relationship between humans and animals and can normalize abuse,” PETA writes. “Teaching students to use animal-friendly language can cultivate positive relationships between all beings and help end the epidemic of youth violence towards animals.” Hold your horses – this story really gets my goat.
John stepped out of a restaurant in Times Square, got down on one knee, and proceeded to propose to Daniella. But the proposal went awry when John fumbled the ring and it dropped down a subway grate. The duo could be seen on camera on their hands and knee peering into the grate, desperately searching for the ring. They called over police officers who tried to help, but to no avail – the ring was lost. Enter the NYPD and their soft hearts. Special-ops officers proceeded to go into the bowels of New York after the couple walked off and were able to locate the shiny bauble. But then the police officers had trouble finding the couple who did not leave their contact information with the officers. “WANTED for dropping his fiancée’s ring in Times Square! She said Yes- but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate,” the NYPD News tweeted Saturday. “Officers rescued it & would like to return it to the happy couple.” Thankfully, twitter did its job, and John and Daniella were reunited with their ring. “So, so happy to have the ring back! G-d bless America!” John said. He also sent thanks to “so special little girl who gave my fiancé a big hug... So much love for New York City.” Sounds like they are truly grateful.
Dapper Delivery Lost & Found – in NYC Grate
Fumbling your engagement proposal in front of a crowd is embarrassing. Losing the ring in the process is aggravating. Having the police put out a BOLO for you, well, that’s a totally New York moment. Over the weekend, a couple from England were about to celebrate a huge event. On a visit to New York,
The oldest takeout delivery driver in Britain is a mere 82-years-old. Brian Loughans has not missed a single shift since he started his job around two-and-a-half years ago. He works around 18 hours per work delivering delicious Indian food to customers with a shirt and tie – and a smile. Mr. Loughans does things old
school. He doesn’t use a GPS navigation system to find customers’ homes. Perhaps his time in the Royal Air Force has given him good sense of direction. Loughans would deliver the Yellow Pages door to door and, several years ago, Kiplings restaurant asked him to deliver their flyers. The rest, as they say, is history. In recognition of his tireless work, Loughans was recently voted the best takeaway delivery driver in Britain. Funnyman David Walliams presented him with the coveted gong in front of a star-studded audience at the British Takeaway Awards ceremony in London last week. The judging panel commended Brian for his punctuality, reliability and cheerful attitude. “I believe I am probably the oldest person delivering Indian takeaways in the British Isles. People have asked how I do it but according to the medics I am 100% fit. I think the secret is not drinking or smoking,” the octogenarian said. Just a few months ago, Loughans drove a staggering 112 miles down to West Bromwich for a regular customer. “I was a taxi driver for 40 years so I know my way around and when I was offered the work here I thought it might be a bit of fun. I enjoy going out and meeting people. It’s nice to have won but I don’t like having my name up in lights really, I’ve always been a little bit more quiet, I just do the things that need to be done,” he added. “I’m not so much into spicy food, but the customers like it. My favorite is the grilled chicken tikka and rice.” During last winter’s big Beast from the East freeze Brian, who drives his own car, came across a woman stranded in the snow with her young daughter. Their car had broken down and their phone was dead so Brian gave them a lift home. It was only as he was dropping them off he discovered it was the same address he was delivering to. The husband was initially angry that his food had taken so long to arrive – until he realized Brian had brought his wife and child home safely. “Brian leaves an impression with the customer, he is not just an ordinary delivery driver,” his boss said. “When Brian delivers you remember your delivery.”