SEPTEMBER 2018
THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY More Than Just a Day Off
work comes at a perfect transitional
Work ethic is a fundamental value upon which our country is built. Every day, hardworking people go out in their communities and pour their hearts into what they do. It serves as an inspiration and drives our experiences as Americans. In recognition of this cultural core value, we celebrate Labor Day every September. But what you might not know is that Labor Day is a fairly new holiday. The History of Labor Day The first Labor Day was initially proposed in the late 1800s. The idea stemmed from a conversation held by unions in New York. Organized labor movements were becoming popular at the time, and the most significant dialogue was between the Central Labor Union of New York and its constituents. In September of 1882, multiple unions gathered together for a public parade in honor of the hard work of their members. Shortly after the event’s success, the labor union proposed a national labor holiday on the first Monday of September. The First Labor Day While the unions of New York continued to press for national recognition of a formalized labor holiday, other states started flexing their rights. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday for its residents. Many other states quickly followed suit, and by the time the day was officially sanctioned as a national holiday in 1894, over 30 states had already adopted it. The Holiday’s Cultural Significance Since its inception as a holiday, Labor Day slowly started to take on extra meaning by symbolizing the end of summer. With school starting back up, fall sports kicking off, and the weather starting to cool off, this recognition of hard
period for American families. In fashion, the holiday is
acknowledged as the last day it’s acceptable to wear
white. Labor Day is often considered the unofficial end of grilling season as well. Of course, no holiday is exempt from consumerism; Labor Day sales are often second only to Black Friday. ‘I Have a Dream’ In his last speech, Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for the rights of African American garbage workers and their right to form a union. Dr. King had long been a supporter of workers’ rights; in 1963, he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to 250,000 supporters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, King hoped to promote equality for all Americans. He described his vision for what freedom would look like when it was separated from ignorance, and when the speech was over, the civil rights movement changed forever. Not everyone has the opportunity to take the day off, so all of you who worked during the Labor Day holiday, we appreciate your sacrifice and dedication. Now it’s time to get back to what we do best as Americans: work hard.
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BEEF GRADES DECODED Understanding USDA Beef Guidelines USDA Select: This grade of meat is decent quality, but it doesn’t have the level of marbling found in Prime and Choice cuts. Because of this, Select cuts are usually less tender and flavorful. These aren’t great options for steak, but if you’re making a stew, you can’t go wrong with Select. Standard and Commercial: These cuts of beef don’t always make it to the supermarket, but when they do, they’re often priced lower. They also have limited marbling, which can mean a tougher texture with less flavor. Keep in mind that these cuts are not often labeled anywhere on the packaging, so if you see beef packaging that lacks a grade, it may be a lower-grade cut.
If you’ve ever purchased a cut of beef or strolled past the meat counter at your local grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the different grades of beef. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has guidelines for the meat sold in stores across the country. Before the meat is sold, it receives a grade. As a shopper, it can be difficult to understand what these grades really mean. Here’s how the grades break down: USDA Prime: If you want a high-quality cut of beef, you should get USDA Prime. These cuts of meat tend to be more expensive, but for the price, you get a tender, flavorful, well- marbled cut of meat. For a fantastic steak, you should reach for Prime. USDA Choice: A lot of people purchase USDA Choice when they want a good cut of beef but don’t want or cannot afford to pay the USDA Prime price. These cuts generally have less marbling, but they are still fairly high quality. When you just want to throw a few steaks or burgers on the grill, Choice will serve you well.
Utility, Cutter, and Canner: Many people never encounter these grades at the supermarket. These are cut from very lean, older cattle and are usually sold directly to food manufacturers to make processed meat products, such as hot dogs. These grades are also used in dog food.
CLIENT of the MONTH! OMAR SANCHEZ 3 ENERGY SAVING TIPS FOR THE END OF SUMMER
Don’t Let September’s Utility Bill Sneak Up on You
insulation. If you don’t, contact a contractor or find a simple solution at your local hardware store to keep the heat of summer from leaking through the cracks. Use the Grill The grill isn’t just for making great food. It also provides a perfect opportunity to save on your energy bill. The more you use an oven or stove, the more energy it takes to combat that heat. By cooking outside, you keep the inside of your house cooler for longer before the air conditioning has to kick on. Landscaping One of the best ways to protect your home from using too much energy is to keep it cool with landscaping. Trees, shrubs, and other bushes can protect your windows and other hot spots from the sun beating down on them. What you pay upfront in sun blockage you make up for in long- term savings. We strongly encourage air conditioning inspections before the end of summer to prepare for next year. If you haven’t had your system inspected, reach out to us today. Our team of technicians specializes in making sure everything about your HVAC is running smoothly for all of Florida’s seasons.
As we enter into the later stages of summer, most homeowners believe they can start to back off using the air conditioner and look forward to cooler temperatures. But September in Orlando is just as hot as August, and if you don’t watch out, your air conditioning bill can shoot through the roof. That’s why we wanted to provide three tips for you to save energy and, subsequently, cash. Insulate Open Areas Door jams are some of the most problematic areas where residents lose cold air and hot air enters. Houses will shift over time on their foundations, meaning that once-airtight sections of your home could be newly exposed to the elements. Inspect your door jambs, windows, and attic hatches to ensure you have an airtight fit, complete with
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CLEAN AIR MEANS AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM 2 Benefits to a UV Filter
mean they don’t exist. It’s not uncommon to think that germs only occur on surfaces like bathrooms or kitchen countertops, but in fact, they are just as prominent in the air. Viruses and microbiological elements that circulate in the air can cause unforeseen illnesses. By installing a UV filter, you not only limit exposure, you completely eliminate it. Protect Your System When your HVAC system has to fight through dust and poor air quality, it has to work harder. The harder your system works, the more years you shave off its shelf life. By eliminating harmful elements, you can elongate the life cycle of your AC unit and furnace and the overall efficiency of your system. If you’re interested in learning more about UV, reach out to us today. Our team of experts is here to help you figure out the best solution to your air quality needs.
Being able to control the temperature in your house is certainly a luxury in the Orlando area, but while many people are focused on the thermostat, they lose sight of their home’s air quality. Residents elect for the ineptitude of paper filters while a highly effective alternative waits in the wings. Ultraviolet (UV) filters are a game-changing addition to any HVAC system. Where paper filters may catch dust and small allergens, they only do part of the job. Imagine an offensive line in football that just blocks a couple of players on every play. Would you want your team to function that way? A UV filter not only catches, but it kills everything by scrambling its biological makeup. It’s like having an offensive line that never allows a sack, and that’s just the beginning. Here are two significant benefits to installing a UV filter to your system. Protect Your House Just because you can’t see mold and allergens swirling around your home’s jet stream doesn’t
NEW CLIENT of the MONTH! TOM AND TRACY ADAM BEANS & GREENS RIGATONI Ingredients
• Juice of 1 lemon • Salt, for pasta
• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed • 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
BRAIN WARM-UP
water and to taste • 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
Directions
1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and 2 tablespoons of oil to skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
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inside
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The History of Labor Day
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What Do USDA Beef Grades Really Mean? 3 Energy Saving Tips
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Have You Thought of a UV Filter Beans and Greens Rigatoni
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Yo Ho Ho, Landlubbers!
Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day
Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom. The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 19, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally. Did Pirates Really Talk Like That? The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in
centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this. Learn the Lingo, Landlubber Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately.
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