Home Alone

 It has been difficult to write our Holiday blog this year of 2020. Not much to cheer about. But we will stay away from too many negatives of 2020 in this installment (wait until next week’s blog).

We have spent 41 weeks in COVID-19 crisis. Forty-one weeks of Zoom, WebEx, “Can you hear me???”, binge watching, three haircuts in forty-one weeks, “I did not know you had that much grey hair!” Bubble sport events, the horror of University of Michigan football, local news broadcasts, Fox, CNN, MSNBC news, and getting to know Sidney Powell (scary).

Immediate family only has been the theme of 2020, except for many, it has been home alone.

Yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the longest freaking year of our lives. The good thing, it was 82 degrees in Claremont, CA. The bad thing I was home alone.

I am looking forward to the freeway in front of my office of UPS, Federal Express, Amazon, Uber, and United States Postal service vehicles to end soon.

HISTORY 101 – The Holidays:

Hanukkah - Sunset, 10 December –nightfall, 18 December

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

Christmas – December 25

Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life.

Kwanzaa – December 26 – January 1

Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States that honors African heritage in African-American culture. ... Celebrations often include singing and dancing, storytelling, poetry reading, African drumming, and feasting. Dr. Karenga created seven guiding principles to be discussed during the week of Kwanzaa.

Diwali – November 12 – November 17

In India—and for millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all across the world—Diwali marks the biggest celebration of the year. The religious holiday, also referred to as the Festival of Lights, is an auspicious occasion that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair.

 

MARKET WEEK - In a year that saw a pandemic upend financial markets and economies around the globe, U.S. companies and their largest shareholders raised a record $435 billion with stock sales. That’s far above the previous high of $279 billion set in 2014.

Telsa joins S&P 500, the electric car maker is the biggest company ever to join the S&P 500, the most widely tracked broad stock-market benchmark. Shares of Tesla have surged 70% since S&P Dow Jones Indices announced its planned addition in November, boosting the company’s market value to more than $650 billion.

That’s more than three times the value of Berkshire Hathaway, the second-biggest addition to the index by market value, when it was added to the S&P 500 in 2010. Tesla is currently the sixth-largest publicly listed firm in the U.S. by that measure.

But on its first day, Tesla stock took a hit — Monday was its first day of being included in the prestigious S&P 500, and it didn’t go well. Shares tumbled 6.5 percent to $649.86 even though the index as a whole lost only 0.4 percent. The stock hit a record high last Friday.

Leading products delivered this 2020: (1). Toilet Paper, (2). Sony Play Station 4, (3). Hand sanitizer, (4). Exercise bands, (5). Wireless chargers.

DRIVING THE WEEK - Late last night in D.C., the yeas had it and Congress, after much, much ado, passed a stimulus package. It’ll bring back extra federal unemployment benefits ($300/week) and one-time $600 payments for millions of Americans, but tucked into the $900 billion package are some big benefits for businesses, too.

Here’s what did get funding

Small businesses. The Payroll Protection Program will get another $285 billion. What’s different this time? Nonprofits and news outlets can now apply, and Congress is allowing businesses to use the money for expenses outside payroll, including PPE for employees.

The bill extends employee retention tax credits first set up under the CARES Act. They cover up to $5,000 in wages for eligible employees whose work was suspended because of government restrictions. There’s also a tax credit for employers who offer paid sick leave.

Clean energy. More than $35 billion will go to energy R&D and the extensions of tax credits for solar and wind projects.

 

Sweetgreen. Well, kinda. The tax break, pushed by the White House to help revive the restaurant industry, offers deductions for business meals, including delivery and carryout. It’s been criticized as a subsidy for “three-martini power lunches” for execs.

Your local Battle of the Bands host. Independent movie theaters, live-venue operators, and other cultural institutions are getting $15 billion.

Transportation. The bill has set aside $15 billion for the airline industry; $10 billion for highways; $16 billion for transit and city buses; $2 billion for airports; and $1 billion for Uncle Joe-beloved Amtrak.

Odds and ends. Schools and colleges are getting $82 billion to update air systems and $10 billion for child-care assistance. About $7 billion will help expand broadband access. A permanent tax break for brewers, winemakers, and distillers. And expanded eligibility for federal unemployment benefits for contract and gig workers through mid-March.

Lawmakers have been wrestling over a new stimulus deal since the first round of benefits started expiring in July. In the months it’ll take to get vaccines to most of the population, this aid bill (and additional ones the Biden administration is expected to pursue) should help ease the pain of businesses and workers.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Laurie Hill …the only reason why I cheer for Michigan State, Lennie McKinnon …. famous St. Lawrence alumni and special person, Nancy Newman …. famous photographer and administrator, Richard Reed …famous basketball coach and mentor.

 

TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS GOLF COURSES –

·         Santa Claus Golf Club: Rovaniemi, Finland

·         Holly Hill Golf Club: Holly Hill, South Carolina

·         Ivy Hill Golf Club: Forest, Virginia

·         Mount Snow Golf Club: West Dover, Vermont

·         Christmas Lake Golf Club: Santa Claus, Indiana

 

CHRISTMAS SONGS –

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Did you know? Every time one of the most popular holiday tunes is played, it helps support St. Lawrence students. Learn more about the generosity of songwriter J. Kimball “Kim” Gannon, Class of 1924, (Video by Paul Frederick), sung by the St. Lawrence Choir.

https://youtu.be/OWKTpuUbEzU

 

COLLEGE CHRONICLES - Pacific Lutheran for the 2021-22 academic year will offer a minimum of half-off tuition (at least $23,408) to incoming students whose parents are nurses or educators.

Wooster is launching the Wooster Plus Program to allow eligible students the opportunity to complete their studies in a ninth or tenth semester tuition-free.

Manchester is freezing undergraduate tuition for the 2021-22 academic year.

Wabash will freeze tuition and fees at $45K and $850, respectively for the 2021-22 academic year.

The SCIAC is canceling conference competition, including championships, for all fall and winter sports for the 2020-21 academic year. Institutions maintain the autonomy to schedule other forms of competition at their discretion. SCIAC Conference: La Verne, Whittier, Cal Lutheran, Chapman, Cal Tech, Occidental, Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont-Mudd Scripps- Harvey Mudd.

DAVE…DAVE’S NOT HERE - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that would decriminalize marijuana and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions. The measure passed by a bipartisan vote of 228-164 and marks the first time either chamber of Congress has endorsed the legalization of marijuana. The bill would remove the drug from the Controlled Substances Act and authorize a 5% tax on marijuana that would fund community and small business grant programs to help those most impacted by the criminalization of marijuana. Congressman Nadler (D-NY) explains the idea behind the legislation is “you want to make whole these communities, and you want to compensate. You want to shed light on what was done.” Despite its passage, the bill is likely DOA in the GOP-led Senate, but victories by Democratic candidates in Georgia’s runoff election could deadlock the chamber, leaving all tie-breaking votes to Vice President-elect Harris.

Due to the “unusual circumstances” of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA said it will focus its random testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse rather than marijuana during the 2020-21 season. The league also didn’t test for marijuana during the Orlando bubble.

Of the 123 teams across the NBA, MLB, NHL and NFL, over 100 play in states or provinces where either medical or recreational marijuana use is currently legal.

 

BET WITH YOUR HEAD NOT OVER IT - Americans legally bet an estimated $3 billion on sports in one month for the first time ever in October, according to the American Gaming Association.

New Jersey set the national sports betting record for the third month in a row, taking in over $803 million in bets.

Sports betting revenue is up nationwide 53.5% year-over-year to $237.5 million.

Betting Stocks Are Booming Too:

DraftKings — up more than 39% in the last month

Penn National — up more than 46%

Betz ETF — up more than 27%

Year-to-date revenue for the broader gaming industry is still down 33.5% to $24.12 billion, but six states generated more gaming revenue in October 2020 than a year ago: Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

COVID VACINE BREAKDOWN - Pfizer’s vaccine, which has a 90% efficacy rate, costs $20 per dose (two doses required), and the company estimates it can manufacture up to 50M doses this year and 1.3B in 2021. Pfizer has already applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA. Moderna’s vaccine, which has a 94.5% efficacy rate, also requires two doses at $32-37 per dose. The company estimates it can manufacture 20M this year and up to 1B in 2021. Moderna plans to apply for an EUA in the next few weeks. AstraZeneca’s vaccine is by far the cheapest at $3-4 per dose (1.5 doses required) with an efficacy rate of 62-90% depending on the dosage (70.4% average). The company estimates it could manufacture 3B doses annually.

 

NBA BEGINS - Los Angeles will be the center of the NBA universe for a second straight season, with an empty Staples Center hosting two of the league's three best teams.

Favorite: Lakers

On their heels: Bucks, Clippers, Nuggets

New York City basketball is back in the spotlight. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leading the way in Brooklyn, the Nets are legit title contenders.

Real contenders: Nets, Heat, Celtics, Mavericks

Fake contenders: 76ers, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Raptors

Playoffs or bust: Suns, Warriors, Pacers, Rockets, Pelicans

On the bubble: Hawks, Wizards, Grizzlies, Spurs, Magic

Lottery-bound: Bulls, Timberwolves, Kings, Hornets, Thunder

The doldrums: Knicks, Pistons, CavaliersSWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS –

NFL Football Pick of the Week – Sunday 12/27, 1:25 PM (PDT), Los Angeles Rams (9-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (10-4). Will the rams or the lambs show up on Sunday, the winner takes the west. Seahawks win 24 – 21.  (Season to date 9-3)

2020 Season to Date (36 – 21)

OUT AND ABOUT – We received an email this past week from our old Sykes Hall Resident Assistant, Dave Yoshida. Yosh is urging all the hockey boys to think about a get together once this virus puke is over, stay tuned. Also heard from Peter Blair (Pete writes us every week), Joe O’Rourke, Cat Morrison, Tony Mariano, Jet Welch, Ron Harris, Mike Flannigan, Tom O’Connor, Al MacCormack, and Bill Shannon. Also, we regularly hear via text from Hugh Lappe and Peter Hewitt. Isn’t that an ugly list of St. Lawrence alumni?

Stay safe and be well to all.  

Have a safe and heathy Holiday

 

Next Blog: Transition and Jack Ass of the Year (I wonder who???)

Until Tuesday December 29, 2020 Adios.

Claremont, California

December 23, 2020

#XI-19-425

2,116 words, six-minute read

 

CARTOON OF THE WEEK – The New Yorker

 

 

 

RINK RATS CHRISTMAS POLL – Best Christmas Movie

____ Holiday Inn (1942)

____ A Christmas Carol (1951)

____ Christmas Vacation (1989)

____ Die Hard (1988)

____ It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

____ Love Actually (2003)

____ Home Alone (1990)

____ Other

 

QUOTE OF THE MONTH – "You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights." ----- Maya Angelou

 

Rink Rats is a blog of weekly observations, predictions and commentary. We welcome your comments and questions. Also participate in our monthly poll. Rink Rats is now viewed in Europe, Canada, South America and the United States.

Posted at Rink Rats The Blog: First Published – May 3, 2010

Our Eleventh Year.

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