Chances are, you’ve been re-gifted
December 18, 2007
Thursday is National Re-gifting Day (at least, according to Money Management International). After polling more than 1,000, MMI has drawn some conclusions about who you’re likely to re-gift and why.
1. Today, the majority of people (62 percent) say they re-gift because they think the gift is something the recipient would actually like. In 2005, just over half of respondents made that claim.
2. More than 4 in 10 people say they regift to save money - up from 33 percent in 2005.
3. 41 percent of re-gifters said coworkers were the recipients of their re-gifts (that’s right… the person sitting next to you). Only 12 percent of people said they re-gifted something for their significant other.
Alright, so we’ve realized maybe re-gifting isn’t the worst thing in the world. Curious about the etiquette? U.S. News & World Report says to make sure the gift is new, re-gifted to a different social circle than the one it came from, and most importantly: it will be liked.
Received a present that you don’t like? You can always host a re-gifting party (aka a White Elephant exchange) or “freecycle” it to people in your neighborhood.
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentThe Domino’s effect: Waiting for a knock
December 18, 2007
Once upon a time, Domino’s Pizza promised pizza delivery in 30 minutes or less. Then there was a car accident and a lawsuit over speeding delivery drivers. Exit the pledge.
Now, 14 years later, the company wants to bring back a little of the magic by reworking the retired theme: “You Got 30 Minutes.”
The Wall Street Journal writes: “The idea is to tell customers that ordering from Domino’s gives them back 30 minutes they would have spent rustling up a meal. But it stops short of promising delivery in a half hour.”
Fair enough. But does that really save me 30 minutes? The question came up in an afternoon editorial meeting. I suppose if I were sitting in a restaurant waiting for my order, I wouldn’t be able to perform any household chores. On the other hand, whenever I order food at home I end up sitting on the couch, hallucinating door knocks and worrying the delivery guy won’t have the right change. Thirty minutes of stress, is what it is.
So what about you? What would you do with those 30 minutes?
JOE BACCHUS, Web Specialist
Sphere: Related ContentTaney sits quietly in Baltimore
December 17, 2007
Monuments in Annapolis and Frederick to Roger B. Taney, the Maryland-born Chief Justice of the United States, came under sustained attack this year, the 150th anniversary of Taney’s pro-slavery Supreme Court decision against Dred Scott’s challenge to his servitude.
But the large statue of Taney in Baltimore — just across Mount Vernon Place’s cobblestones from the Washington Monument — has avoided the same scrutiny.
Wiley A. Hall III fulminated about the subject almost five years ago in the Afro-American newspaper, but recent coverage of the Annapolis and Frederick controversies barely mention the Baltimore statue.
The vice president of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association confirmed the statue sits on public land but said he was not aware of any complaints about the statue’s existence or its depiction of Taney.
Much like the statue in Annapolis, Baltimore’s memorial has a sitting Taney elevated on a platform, with a three-line plaque that simply reads, “Roger B. Taney / Of Maryland / Chief Justice.” No mention of the Dred Scott decision.
If the presence of Taney statues in cities like Annapolis and Frederick has inspired such protest, why has there not been similar outcry in the state’s largest city, which is also home to the national headquarters of the NAACP?
BRENDAN KEARNEY, Legal Affairs Writer
Sphere: Related ContentLaw blog round-up, 12/17
December 17, 2007
Good help is hard to find, as this South Carolina lawyer’s unfortunate hiring decision shows (hat tip to the Law Profs blog). Reminds me of a Baltimore lawyer’s serial bad luck with staffers and a Dundalk firm’s trouble with its bookkeeper (Subscriber-only links).
Here’s a bit of holiday season drinking-and-driving advice from the Maryland DUI lawyer blog: Even if your blood alcohol level is below the legal limit, the legal headache you might face if you’re pulled over might be worse than any hangover.
Lawyer listservs: Valuable support or enabling crutch? Carolyn Elefant thinks they’re great; critics say they encourage attorneys to get in over their heads by taking cases they’re not qualified to handle, knowing some more experienced attorney out in the ether can bail them out. How does this curious listserv request for advice affect your opinion?
BRENDAN KEARNEY, Legal Affairs Writer
Sphere: Related ContentShould high school athletes be drug tested?
December 17, 2007
With all the hubbub lately over steroid use in professional athletes, isn’t it a little surprising that random drug testing is so very rare in high school sports?
States including Texas and New Jersey have legislated the issue, but the programs are very expensive and difficult to implement, said Maryland Del. William J. Frank, a Baltimore County Republican.
Frank, who heads up Powered by ME!, a Towson-based nonprofit focused on steroid awareness in youth sports, said that for those reasons, he won’t bring the issue before his fellow lawmakers.
“You can get away with using substances and no one will catch you,” said Mike Gimbel, a substance abuse expert and consultant to Powered by ME!
Tell us what you think: Should Maryland require drug testing in high school sports?
KAREN BUCKELEW, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentSt. John’s College strives to attract minority students
December 16, 2007
WaPo has an interesting front-page profile today of Annapolis’s St. John’s College and its struggle to attract and enroll minority students. Its goal is shared by many academic institutions, including the University System of Maryland.
Only 35 of St. John’s 489 students are minorities - just over seven percent of the student body.
The story concludes by pointing out how the tables have turned: it’s no longer the school that needs to be convinced that it needs minorities; now, the minority students are the ones who need convincing that St. John’s is the best place for them.
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMore on Gonzales as “Lawyer of the Year”
December 14, 2007
Apparently, not everyone got that the ABA Journal’s “Lawyer of the Year” is kind of like Time’s “Person of the Year.” In other words: no, people, this is not an award honoring the erstwhile AG for being such a mensch.
CARYN TAMBER, Legal Affairs Writer
Party plans on Saturday night? You’re not alone.
December 14, 2007
Tomorrow night should be hopping.
At least, according to Evite.com, which reports that 100,000 e-mailed invitations have been sent through the site for 100,000 parties on Dec. 15.
Me? I’ll be home, avoiding the impending wintry mix.
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentScrooge McDuck tops Forbes’ fictional 15 Rich list
December 14, 2007
Soaring gold prices have lifted Duckburg’s Scrooge McDuck to the top of the Forbes’ “fictional 15″ this year.
Even Forbes notes that the duck’s hoard of coins and bullion - estimated at almost $30B - is “more than you can shake a tail feather at.” It’s worth following this link to read the rags-to-riches story of the Scottish-born duck.
Here’s the list:
Sphere: Related ContentOffice holiday parties: can’t-miss?
December 14, 2007
Our Maryland Business Friday feature story today highlights The Leffler Agency’s 400-person holiday soiree - one of Baltimore’s annual traditions.
I was struck by a quote from one attendee:
“I literally changed my vacation plans because I’ve missed the party for the last three years,” said Roy Deutschman, an account executive for WERQ–FM 92.3 and WOLB-AM 1010 in Baltimore who rescheduled a trip to Italy just so he could party down with Leffler and friends.
Now, I’m sure the party spared no expense - but rescheduling a trip to Italy? It’s hard for me to imagine that. If I hadn’t attended The Daily Record’s, I would have missed out on a great buffet, an open bar, and a few memorable karaoke performances. But I don’t think it could hold a candle to a trip to Italy.
Did your holiday party offer up a truly can’t-miss opportunity? (Remember, you don’t need to provide your name to comment here).
Maybe something as regrettable as this YouTube clip?
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
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