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THE MASONRY MONTHLY
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com | October 2018
THE MONSTERS SOME BELIEVE ARE REAL
3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History
T here are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination. The Jersey Devil
backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining, red eyes. The Bunyip
When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the
According to legend, the 1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the
lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described as an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain. The Loveland Frog One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.
-Dave Laverdiere
www.bostonbrick.com |
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Marketing Horror Stories Every marketing professional wants their campaign to be memorable. They want consumers to take notice — or take the bait — and make their company a big profit. But sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. The campaigns below certainly won the attention of consumers, but in each case, what started out as a marketing dream quickly turned into a nightmare. • Back when “Oprah” was the biggest show on television, KFC ran an ad offering a free two-piece chicken meal with two sides and a biscuit for anyone who went to their website and downloaded a coupon. Over 10.5 million coupons were downloaded, and KFC had to give away $42 million in free food. A Lesson in What Not to Do
“Just replaced two chimneys in our home. The best crew ever, led by Anthony Baer. Would not do it without him! Seamless execution, permitting, and cleanup. I sell real estate and have used Boston Brick & Stone for inspections and chimney work, but never in my own home. I can honestly recommend them highly to everyone having experienced their professionalism firsthand. Thank you for making this such a nice experience!” –Ma rci M . Rock-Solid Reviews • In the 1990s, Hoover Company in the United Kingdom offered two round-trip plane tickets with the purchase of a vacuum. Unfortunately, even in the ‘90s, most vacuums were still cheaper than plane tickets, and Hoover lost 50 million pounds in what remains the biggest promotional disaster ever. Cartoon Network Causes a Bomb Scare Guerrilla marketing can create valuable word of mouth — think about the success of the movie “IT” last year. The marketing for the film included simple red balloons tied to storm drains. But Cartoon Network didn’t have quite the same luck in 2007 when they tried to promote their show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” When the network put electronic devices featuring a character from the show all over Boston, city residents thought the strange contraptions looked like bombs and called the police. This triggered a terrorist scare that ultimately cost the general manager of Cartoon Network his job.
Fiat’s Direct Mail Disaster In 1992, women across Spain received anonymous letters inviting them to go on a “little adventure.” The letters stated, "We met again on the street yesterday, and I noticed how you glanced interestedly in my direction." Fearing a stalker, many women locked themselves in their homes. A few days later, another letter arrived, revealing the identity of the “secret admirer” as the new Fiat Cinquecento. Yes, the creepy letters were part of a marketing campaign by the Italian car company. Fiat apologized and ended the campaign after criticism from consumer protection groups, Social Minister Cristina Alberdi, and the 50,000 women who received the letters. KFC and Hoover Can’t Do Math A shocking number of companies hold giveaway promotions without calculating exactly how much they will cost. Here are a few examples.
CHIMNEY
•Inspection •Restoration and repair •Construction •Sweeping
FIREPLACE
•Inspection, restoration, or repair of an existing structure •Installation or reconstruction of new structures
HARDSCAPE
•Backyard patios •Outdoor kitchens and barbecues •Outdoor steps, walkways, and paths •Retaining walls •Outdoor fireplaces •Driveways
HISTORICAL RESTORATION Our previous restoration work includes the following:
•Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim •Repair and restoration of chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim •Historical chimney restoration for the lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park •Faithful restoration of the chimneys on the Nottingham and Arden properties in Beverly Hills
BRICK RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION
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An Important Reminder About the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide It’s That Time of Year
As more people begin to use their fireplaces during the fall and winter months, we want to turn our attention to an important topic: carbon monoxide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, deaths related to carbon monoxide, or CO, climb in October before reaching their peak in December. Most CO-related fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation. Smoke from wood-burning stoves and other combustible sources contains a high percentage of CO. When smoke inadvertently leaks into the home, CO comes with it. However, CO can leak into living spaces without smoke being present. When CO leaks into the home, it’s often due to an improperly utilized or maintained appliance, such as a fireplace, furnace, or water heater. Essentially, if an appliance combusts fuel — wood, pellets, natural gas, propane, etc. — it produces CO. This exhaust gas is usually vented out of the home through a chimney or exhaust duct.
In rare cases, CO is not properly vented. It may be due to a blockage, malfunction, lack of maintenance, or user error. When CO does get into the home, it’s not always apparent. CO is completely odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Many homeowners are not aware there is a problem until they begin to experience the symptoms of CO poisoning. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and shortness of breath. The longer a person is exposed to CO, the worse the symptoms will get. After some time or a high-concentration exposure, CO poisoning will result in loss of consciousness, brain damage, and, eventually, death. The best way to protect yourself and your family from CO exposure is to install a CO detector, if you do not already have one (or several). CO poisoning is 100 percent preventable. With CO detectors and regular fireplace and chimney inspections and maintenance, you can live with peace of mind that your home is safe.
MEME CORNER
‘Headless’ Apples on Horseback A take on the classic “devils on horseback” hors d'oeuvres, this recipe requires only three ingredients. These little bundles of flavor are the perfect finger food for your next get-together.
Ingredients
• 16 very thin slices of pancetta (or cured, unsmoked bacon) • 2 pink lady apples • 3 ounces manchego cheese, 1/4 inch thick • Toothpicks for skewering
Directions
1. Core apples and cut each into 8 wedges. Remove rind of manchego cheese and cut into 2-inch sticks. 2. Heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high. 3. On a cutting board, lay pancetta or bacon slices flat and place an apple wedge and piece of cheese in the center of each. 4. Roll pancetta tightly and skewer with toothpick. 5. Grill until cheese is melted and pancetta or bacon is golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. 6. Drain excess grease on a paper towel and serve hot.
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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SERVING THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA
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2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
INSIDE
page 1
3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History
page 2
Would You Survive These Marketing Nightmares?
page 2
Rock-Solid Reviews
page 3
An Important Note on Carbon Monoxide
page 3
Headless Apples on Horseback
page 4
Trick-or-Treating Safety!
Have a Fun and SAFE Halloween! Even the Most Frightening Ghouls Need to Be Careful
Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it's crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night.
across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there.
Choose Smart Costumes
Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right-sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins. Make a Plan
Practice Street Safety
Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run
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