MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why is the Academy Award Statue Called an “Oscar”?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why is the Academy Award Statue Called an “Oscar”?

The Academy Awards are this Sunday night. Or as most people casually refer to them, The Oscars. Which is also the name of the gold statuette the winners receive. But why is it called an “Oscar”?

The Academy officially started using the name “Oscar” for the trophies in 1939. One of the most popular stories behind the whole thing is that Margaret Herrick who was the Academy executive secretary, first saw the award in 1931 and said the statuette reminded her of her “Uncle Oscar”. Which was also a nickname her family called their cousin Oscar Pierce. Then it just stuck ever since.

If you’re wondering, the Oscar is made of metal and coated with 24 karat gold!

Now you have these two fun tidbits to impress your Oscar Party guest with.

 

Photo credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

 

Things to Know Friday April 23rd

Things to Know Friday April 23rd

SpaceX launches 3rd crew with recycled rocket and capsule WFSB

Teacher who raised money through Facebook – and got a $16,000 tax bill – is off the hook CT Post

Why it took days for one CVS store in CT to stop vaccinating New Yorkers CT Post

Caitlyn Jenner is officially running for California governor CT Post

Quassy Amusement Park prepares to open this weekend WFSB

Capitol rioter arrested after being turned in by match on online dating app Bumble WFSB

Norwalk awarded $3M grant to aid MLK Corridor revamp The Hour

Demand for vaccines is CT is waning, with 1.2M more people still without a shot The Hour

Police: Shoplifting suspects flee the scene, hit police cruiser in Greenwich Stamford Advocate

National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down in Kent New Haven Register

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Steve Nesius

Raven’s Report Card: Was Raven Helpful Enough This Week To Earn Himself A Good Grade?

Raven’s Report Card: Was Raven Helpful Enough This Week To Earn Himself A Good Grade?

Every Friday, Raven’s wife Alicia calls in to the show to give Raven a grade on how he has been as a husband this week! This week, Raven and Alicia threw a surprise party for his mom. Was Raven helpful and supportive, or did he leave Alicia to plan his own mother’s birthday? Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but it wasn’t all that good either…

Friday, April 23, 2021:  Raven’s Report Card; Oscar Interview Face-Off; Mommy Margaritas

Friday, April 23, 2021: Raven’s Report Card; Oscar Interview Face-Off; Mommy Margaritas

What’s your policy on hand-me-downs?  When Anna’s tween was a baby, she refused all hand-me-downs!  Her baby was only going to have the newest, most stylish apparel!  Now, with her second baby, she’s a little less worried about it…  (:30)

Anna and Raven have had a competition going all week.  Who can get the most interesting Oscar winner interview?  They’ve each found a recipient of the golden statue, and now the decision is up to you!  Which interview is more interesting?  Find out who won in the podcast!  (2:52)

Every Friday, Raven’s wife Alicia calls in to the show to give Raven a grade on how he has been as a husband this week!  This week, Raven and Alicia threw a surprise party for his mom.  Was Raven helpful and supportive, or did he leave Alicia to plan his own mother’s birthday?  Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but it wasn’t all that good either…  (17:00)

Moving heavy furniture can be difficult, especially if it’s just you and couple friends with a pickup truck.  But if you try to use THIS to secure the stuff you’re moving in the back of the truck, that’s all I need to know about you!  (20:49)

If you heard a strange sound in the middle of the night, what would you do?  13% of people are like Anna and automatically assume that the noise is a ghost or a demon.  Most people don’t do anything and just go back to sleep.  Raven’s wife on the other hand, is ready to throw down, and you won’t believe what she has next to her bed in case of an emergency!  (24:04)

What did you do this week to earn your Margarita? Every Friday, Anna gets together with her two friends for happy hour, and talks about all the ways her kids drove her crazy this week! One caller had to be a videographer for her daughter’s Tiktok video, and this kid was demanding!  (27:23)

Have you ever finally voiced an unpopular opinion and thought to yourself, “There, I said it”!  Anna and Raven want to know what it is!  Anna is not a fan of bacon. There, she said it!  On caller might be the only person in the world who hates these two incredibly popular Disney movies!  (31:20)

Couples Court: James doesn’t approve that their friend’s nanny “touches” their son. It’s completely harmless and helps their three-year-old son on swings, the slide, etc., James strongly feels that he never wants a stranger to touch their child even if it’s just to help them on the playground. His wife, Marie, says he’s out of touch. Who cares if the nanny is helping with their son? Her job is to care for children! She’s not going to tell the nanny to not touch their child when she’s outside playing with them! Whose side are you on?  (34:48)

Donna thinks she’s got what it take to win $3400!  All she has to do is beat Raven in pop culture trivia!  (42:14)

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD: Two Pandemic Pen Pals Finally Meet In Person

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD: Two Pandemic Pen Pals Finally Meet In Person

You could argue one of the biggest words of this last year or so living through a global pandemic has been “Connection”. Human connection, connecting to each other through technology, connecting with others through compassion and friendship. That’s why a story like this one is so special.

Two first graders in Las Vegas became friends online during the pandemic. Just recently they were able to actually meet up in person!  One of the kids knew about the meetup, but the other girl’s mom kept it a secret. When they both saw each other in the park they meet in it was this amazing moment of joy and surprise on their faces. So sweet.

Read the whole story here

 

Photo credit: Getty Images

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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we celebrate Earth Day on April 22?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we celebrate Earth Day on April 22?

Happy Earth Day! I hope you’re recycling or planting a tree later to celebrate.

I always thought we had Earth Day on April 22nd because it’s Spring and the weather is nice enough to plant something or go outside and do earth-y things. But that’s not the reason at all actually.

Back when the first Earth Day happened over 50 years ago in 1970 (which by the way I definitely thought it had been around long before that) they set the day as April 22 because it fell between spring break and final exams for colleges. Their reasoning behind that strategy was hoping it would make it more likely for all the college students and young people to participate in Earth Day activities. Smart idea!

 

Photo credit: Getty Images

Anna & Raven’s Producers Are Dressed For Success!

Anna & Raven’s Producers Are Dressed For Success!

Have you ever heard the phrase “Dress for the job you want”? Producer Sean and Producer Jon dressed up today to see if they would be more productive, but Anna & Raven have some other ideas of what they look like they are dressed up for. What do you think?

Kids Describe The “Best Picture” Nominee’s

Kids Describe The “Best Picture” Nominee’s

Most “Best Picture” nominee’s are artsy, serious movies that no one has actually seen. Anna and Raven certainly haven’t and they don’t know what most of them are about! So they asked bunch of little kids to describe the movies for them. The kids don’t know what the movies are about either, but that just makes their answers better!