Star 99.9

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD: The CT Food Bank Is Getting Creative With Distributing This Much Needed Item

We are getting into that food drive time of year as Thanksgiving approaches. We have our Star Food Drive coming up in mid-November and the CT Food Bank obviously is working hard all year round to make sure thousands of Connecticut families don’t go hungry.

The one item that is much needed but can be a challenge to distribute is anything dairy related like milk. The CT Food Bank has come up with a new program called “Dairy Express” to try and meet this challenge. The way it works is that Food Bank volunteers drive refrigerated vans around the state with fresh milk. Since anything fresh and nutritious can go bad much quicker than non-perishables this is the only way to get these items to people.

The Dairy Express head out to the streets multiple days a week and makes two stops a day. Such a great idea!

If you want to donate or learn more about the program and how to help just go to ctfoodbank.org.

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Does Looking At The Sun Make Us Sneeze

You’ve probably done this more than a few times when you feel a sneeze coming on. You immediately try to find the sun and look directly into it. But why does this help you sneeze?

Sneeze are usually caused by something that gets in your nose to trigger the reaction. Dust, pollen, pepper, etc… most of the time you sneeze when something physically touches your nostrils. The nerve that controls all the senses in your face/nose is located very close to the nerve that affects your eyes. Scientists have discovered that because the two nerves are so close together any bright light that gets in the eye can accidently trigger that nose nerve. This tricks your body into thinking something is touching you nose when it’s really just the bright light causing the sneeze.

Feel one coming on? Quick! Look at the sun!

Photo credit: Getty Images

Things to Know Tuesday October 27th

Massachusetts craft beer giant to open distribution center in Stratford CT Post

‘Its natural state’ – Milford Land Trust cleans up newest property CT Post

Judge delays civil trial on Bridgeport top cop challenge CT Post

Lamont: Stricter enforcement of COVID rules possible after bar incidents CT Post

Today is the last day CT residents can register to vote ahead of this year’s election WFSB

No plans for CT to rollback any reopening phases despite spike in state COVID cases WFSB

Westport museum tries to set world record with largest abstract painting The Hour

Barrett confirmed by Senate for Supreme Court, takes oath The Hour

Pratt & Whitney chooses North Carolina for new factory, but reports big loss Stamford Advocate

Gov. Lamont cracks down on bars masquerading as restaurants amid pandemic restrictions WTNH

The Anna & Raven Show: Ghosts, Crocktober Continues and Costume Contests

Tuesday October 27^th, 2020

Have you ever seen a ghost before? Anna thinks that the appearance of a fly means a family member is around, while Raven remains a little skeptical…What about you? (0:00)

If you are an adult and you still wear t-shirts with THIS written on it, or if you send every one of your texts with the CAPS lock on, that’s all I need to know about you! (10:55)

Anna & Raven’s Crocktober continues! Today, Raven tries some Swedish meatballs with egg noodles. Find out what raven thinks about the dish and what difficulty Anna had cooking it. (14:24)

There are two full moons this month! It’s a rare sight, so we talk to Astrologist Anne Nordhaus-Bike about the occasion and find out a bit more about whether a full moon really effects your mood or not. (17:46)

All week we are playing ‘Candy Autopsy’! We read you a list of ingredients and if you can guess what candy we are describing than you win yourself a $50 gift card to Amazon! (21:34)

Have you ever won a costume contest before? Raven and his wife Alicia had won one last weekend, and Alicia made both costumes from scratch! What did they get as a prize? What costume contest did Anna win that she regrets? Catch up with the podcast! (25:15)

Dating is hard enough, but admits the pandemic, quarantining and social distancing; it’s gotten even tougher. So it’s time we talk with Single Olga and find out exactly what it’s like as she continues to date in a society where Zoom meetings and no physical interaction have been the new normal. (29:12)

Couples Court: Danielle and Peter are expecting their first child. Danielle asked Peter not to tell anyone until she reached the 12-week point. Peter told his friends and her MOM found out! Clearly, Danielle is upset but Peter says she’s being ridiculous. It was her fault for doing the whole “second trimester” announcement thing. It’s old school. Whose side are you on? (32:48)

Can Rich win the big $2,400 jackpot today, or will we add another $100 to make tomorrow our highest Can’t Beat Raven Jackpot yet?! (39:52)

Crocktober: Swedish Meatballs Over Egg Noodles

Today’s Crocktober recipe was sent in to us by Jerry DiPierro. Thank you Jerry!

Anna making Jerry’s recipe in her crock pot below!

What did Raven think about it when he tried it? Listen right here!

You can find the full recipe and directions below.

Ingredients:

-1 can of cream of mushroom soup low sodium
-1 can of beef broth low sodium
-1 packet of dry onion soup mix
-2 tablespoons of A1 steak sauce
-1 2 pound bag of frozen meatballs
-1 container of sour cream which is a cup
-1 package of egg noodles

Directions:

-Mix undiluted soup with beef broth, onion soup mix and steak sauce
-Stir well
-Add frozen meatballs
-Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours
-After meatball mixture has cooked, stir in sour cream
-Boil noodles and drain
-Mix noodles and meatballs together or serve meatballs on top of noodles

Enjoy!

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD: Kids Find And Return Woman’s Purse After It Was Stolen Three Years Ago

If you’ve ever lost your wallet, purse, or phone you know that instant feeling of worry that comes over you about all your info being out there in someone else’s hands. Imagine feeling that way for THREE years!

That’s what happened to this woman in Nebraska who had her purse stolen in 2017. Just recently a group of fourth grade kids who were playing in the woods came across the lost purse. They decided to do the right thing and hand deliver it to Mallory Pittman-Morris. Who had it stolen from her car when she was watching her son’s soccer game. She thought she would never see the purse again. When the boys showed up with it she says it restored her faith in humanity. That there are still good people.

Photo credit: Getty Images

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Are Pumpkins Orange?

Since today is National Pumpkin Day I figured we’d dive into one of this season’s great questions… why are pumpkins orange?

If you’ve been to a pumpkin patch this year for pumpkin picking you’ve probably noticed that pumpkins change color from green to orange. For pretty much the same reason you see tree leaves change color in the fall. They also change under the same conditions as leaves. Most pumpkins contain organic pigments called carotenoids. That’s what gives their flesh and skin that classic orange color we all know and love. But you’ve probably seen pumpkins are not orange. How does THAT happen?! Certain pumpkins are bred to be white, red or even blue on purpose. A lot of things factor in to making this happen like day length, temperature, and moisture in the air.

So when you’re sitting down to carve pumpkins this week now you can tell the whole family why they are orange!

Things to Know Monday October 26th

Garden Catering’s ‘Hotsy’ named Best Breakfast Sandwich in America CT Post

FD: 1 evaluated for smoke exposure after Milford fire CT Post

Report: Dunkin’ Planning to Go Private, Join Inspire Brands CT Post

We could see a bit of snow at the end of the week WFSB

Tomorrow is the final day to register to vote in advance of Election Day WFSB

Kendall Elementary, Silvermine Magnet switch to remote learning for two weeks The Hour

‘Tremendous amount of Legos’ focus of debate in Fotis Dulos estate The Hour

Norwalk mayor in quarantine after family members test positive for COVID-19 The Hour

Former home of Jennifer Dulos goes on the market for $1.75M Stamford Advocate

More than 650K absentee ballots in CT have yet to be returned WTNH

The Anna & Raven Show: Crocktober, Scary Movie Scenes and Candy Autopsy

Monday October 26^th, 2020

Every Monday we give you the credit you deserve for something you did that went unrecognized! What did you do over the weekend that you didn’t get credit for? Anna & Raven got you covered! (0:00)

Do you have a fear of spiders? We talk to Jennifer O’Donnell from the University of Richmond Virginia! An expert in everything spiders, and hear some reasons as to why you shouldn’t find them so scary! (7:00)

If you steal this from someone’s doorstep, or don’t throw away your paper towel after washing your hands, that’s all I need to know about you! (10:55)

Anna & Raven kick off Crocktober! But first, Food Networks very own Chef Plum gives you some useful tips on cooking with your crockpot. (13:13)

Anna & Raven try the first recipe of their Crocktober that was submitted. Anna had it for dinner so Raven is giving it a try for himself live in studio! (16:57)

All this week you have a chance at a $50 Amazon gift card by playing Candy Autopsy with Anna & Raven! Anna reads off a specific recipe and you guess the candy! You get it right and you earn yourself an Amazon gift card! (19:55)

It’s October which means it’s time for scary movies! What’s the scary movie scene you saw that has stuck with you your entire life? (22:10)

Couples Court: Joe has purchased all the items to recreate a “Political Debate Horror Show” in his front yard for Halloween. His wife, Andrea, says it’s not funny and all it will do is making their home a target. She says politics and Halloween don’t mix. Do you agree? Whose side are you on? (28:46)

Laura Jean is up in today’s Can’t Beat Raven! Would you have got any one of these five questions right?! (34:55)

Anna & Raven’s Crocktober Begins with Chicken Fiesta Soup!

We start off Crocktober with Chicken Fiesta Soup! Listen below to what Raven feels about it, watch Anna make it and eve get the recipe!

Listen to Raven giving it a try right here!

Curious to try the soup and want to make it yourself?! We have the recipe right here for you!

4 cups chicken broth (one 32 oz box)

2 to 3 large boneless chicken breasts

2 cans of Great Northern White Beans

2 medium Onions, diced

1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix

1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix

Red Pepper Flakes 1 tsp or more (if desired)

Put all the ingredients into the crock pot on low. Cook for 4 hours. Remove chicken to bowl and shred, then place back into pot. About an hour before you want to eat the soup, add in 1 bag frozen corn. If you want to eat right away, microwave the frozen corn according to directions on bag, then add into the pot.

When ready to serve, add in 1 cup milk (warmed) and stir.

If you like a thicker soup, take about 2 cups of the soup out, place into food processor and puree, then add back into soup pot. Serve with sprinkled shredded cheddar cheese and/or tablespoons of sour cream just prior to eating.