Thursday, November 1, 2007

 

Spotlight: Happy 50th birthday to singer Lyle Lovett. The lanky singer with the lopsided smile sings country and pop, big band and blues, jazz and folk music, often touring and performing with his Large Band. Lovett lives in what was his grandparents' house in Klein, Texas, where he was born and grew up, about an hour south of Houston. The town was named for his great-great-grandfather, Adam Klein, an immigrant from Germany and one of the founders. An enthusiastic horseman, Lovett's love for riding also extends to motorcycles and motocross.

Quote: "There's no bad luck/ There's just the luck you've found." — Lyle Lovett, from the song he wrote for his father, "You Were Always There"

Word of the day: stagflation
Term coined in the 1970s to describe an economic situation of stagnant economic condition with inflation. Example: In the 1970s stock market performance was poor because the economy caused weak corporate earnings and Interest Rates were high due to inflation. Tangible real estate without long-term fixed-income leases performed well during this period of stagflation. (© Barron's Educational Series, Inc)

Holiday: All Saints' Day (Christianity)

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Mexico — 2 days)

Today's News:

• Bigfoot: did a Pennsylvania photographer snap a Sasquatch or just a mangy bear? (story)
• Ratatouille: who wants a pet rat for the holidays? (story)
• Airbus 380: operator Singapore Airlines requests that the beds in first-class suites be used strictly for sleeping (story)

Today's History:

• Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo's ceiling paintings first seen by public (1512)
• Stamp Act: was imposed on the American colonies (1765)
• Axis: term was coined by Benito Mussolini (1936)

Today's Birthdays:

• Benjamin Guinness (1798-1868): Irish brewer, politician, philanthropist
• Stephen Crane (1871-1900): author, Red Badge of Courage
• Jenny McCarthy (35): tell-it-like-it-is model and actress