Election results from New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Detroit add many firsts

I messed up when I wrote "I plan on re-examining ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel" today. No, that's tomorrow. Today, I'm looking at election results, beginning with Morning Joe on MSNBC declaring 'As big as it gets': Joe on why it was a massive, massive night for Democrats.

Democrats swept key races on Tuesday night, gaining momentum against President Trump. Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral race, while the party notched victories in Virginia and New Jersey governor's races. The Morning Joe panel discusses.

While I selected this video for the preview image, which made a great visual headline, I'm glad I selected it because the panel told a much bigger story of victories for Democrats, democracy, and diversity. In addition to Democratic wins in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, which added the first female Governor and Muslim Attorney General in Virginia, first female Democratic Governor in New Jersey, and first Muslim Mayor of New York City, former U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill listed victories for Democrats, voting rights, and gun control in Maine and Georgia. Joe Scarborough added that the Pennsylvania voters retained three Democratic State Supreme Court Justices in Pennsylvania. It's not just blue states that voted for Democrats and against Hoover Cleveland and his policies. Speaking of pushing back, Mika mentioned Proposition 50 passing in California, which counteracted Texas's redistricting to gain more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fight fire with fire!

One of the notable results in New Jersey was the swing of Latino voters toward Democrats. That reminds me of what I wrote last year.

Latino support for Trump was even more pronounced in Michigan, where exit polling showed 62% of Michigan Latinos voting for Trump. That could be enough to swing the state to him...For Latinos, there is nothing I can do that Trump and his core supporters would do more effectively except be a positive example. Who knows, Trump might actually overcome his bigotry and cater to his new voters. We should be so lucky.

We, including Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump, the rest of the Republican Party, and Latinos themselves, were not that lucky. As Scarborough pointed out, Hoover Cleveland and Stephen Miller couldn't help themselves. This is still a democracy and the voters pushed back.

That was the national picture, what about the local one? For that, I turn to Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV reporting History in Detroit: Voters elect first woman mayor with decisive victory.

Detroit made history Tuesday night by electing its first woman mayor, marking a significant milestone as the city continues its post-bankruptcy revival. The Associated Press called the race at 9:17 p.m., about an hour after polls closed. Mary Sheffield built on her primary success by securing more than 75% of the vote over Solomon Kinloch Jr. Sheffield addressed the city for the first time just minutes after the race was called, celebrating the victory and the opportunity to lead Detroit into its next chapter. But Detroit was not the only community making decisions Tuesday. More than a dozen other cities also voted on new mayors and important proposals that could shape their neighborhoods for years to come.

Congratulations, Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield! Add your victory to those of Mikey Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger to history-making wins by women!

WDIV's anchors mentioned other mayoral contests being decided last night. One that might take longer than the rest is the Hamtramck mayoral race: Why it’s too close to call, how a few rejected votes could change outcome.

The Hamtramck mayoral race remains undecided, with dozens of rejected ballots potentially impacting the outcome in what has become a razor-thin contest. Adam Alharbi currently leads Muhith Mahmood by just 11 votes with all five precincts reporting, but city officials say the final results could change as voters have an opportunity to correct rejected ballots.

File this story under every vote counts.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for Vox and the Marsh Family on free speech tomorrow.

Colbert, Stewart, Kimmel, and Meyers take closer looks at SNAP benefits expiring

I promised "a closer look post [today] — comedy about the news because it hurts too much to cry." I'm fulfulling that beginning with Stephen Colbert's MAGA Parties While Children Go Hungry | Trump's Shady Crypto Pardon | NEO The Housekeeper Robot.

President Trump, who hosted a lavish Halloween party while refusing to fund SNAP benefits for needy American families, told Norah O'Donnell on "60 Minutes" that he pardoned a man he knows nothing about. In tech news, a robot named NEO might be the next big thing in house cleaning.

If one of my readers had asked me if the shutdown would still be going on by now, I'd have said no. I was wrong. Neither side is ready to fold.

As for NEO the robot, I doubt I will ever pay $20,000 for a hi-tech puppet, not even a robot, operated by someone who thinks a walnut is an egg. Just the same, NEO is proof that we live in science fiction times, or, as my friend Nebris says, SciFi is now.

John Stewart examined most of the main issues in Trump Throws Gatsby Party as SNAP Funding Expires, Makes It Rain on Argentina | The Daily Show.

Between Trump throwing a lavish "Great Gatsby"-themed party on the night that SNAP benefits ran out for millions of Americans, dragging his feet to open court-ordered emergency funding for food stamps while throwing billions of bailout dollars at Argentina, and the GOP's general racism-tinged disdain for SNAP recipients, Jon Stewart seriously doubts that the president's "big heart" goes out to anyone but himself and the toadies on his VIP list.

Good news! The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled, but at least we get another season of The Daily Show. That will keep us entertained and informed as we deal with the Satan Sandwich of the Big Brutal Bill. I think people would rather have food and healthcare. I'm not looking forward to seeing the prices of my health insurance options when I get to my office this afternoon. I'm fortunate my wife and I are old enough that I qualify for Medicare; we have another choice.

Jimmy Kimmel examined the news from the West Coast in Trump Throws Great Gatsby Party as SNAP Benefits Expire, Blames Democrats for Shutdown & Dodgers Win.

The Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend to become back-to-back World Series champions, Los Angeles went crazy after Game 7 ended, Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate them, he spent the weekend posting photos of the awesome new toilet renovation at the White House, according to a new poll from CNN Trump's approval rating is at its lowest point since he re-took office, hours before millions of low-income Americans were set to lose their SNAP benefits Trump decided to throw a Great Gatsby themed Halloween party, today we learned that the Trump administration is only going to fund about half the monthly food benefits families on SNAP usually get, Donald sat down with "60 Minutes" where he was desperate to try to blame his shutdown on Democrats, Jimmy invites Trump once again to participate in a televised IQ contest against Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and our faith in humanity was restored thanks to a young man trick-or-treating on Halloween.

I grew up as a Dodgers fan, so I'm thrilled that they won the World Series again. Yay! I'm also glad Colbert and Kimmel clipped two of the most ridiculous and appalling parts of Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's 60 Minutes interview. I wonder if that will earn an Emmy nomination. I hope not.

Of course, it wouldn't be a closer look without Seth Meyers, so here's Trump Renovates White House Bathroom as Courts Rule Against Him on SNAP Funding: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the Trump administration trying to cut off funding for food assistance for struggling families while he renovates a bathroom in the White House.

No party, but lots of aircraft carrier catapults and toilets, both of which are Hoover Cleveland's obsessions, not Seth's.

I close by returning to The Late Show with last night's cold open, The President's Solution For Widespread Flight Cancellations.

President Trump explains how his revolutionary air transport system works.

*Snort!*

That's a wrap for today. I plan on re-examining ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel tomorrow. Stay tuned.

'Last Week Tonight' examines police chases

I haven't featured John Oliver here since 'Last Week Tonight' examines Presidential Libraries and makes an offer, so it's time to share the latest episode, Police Chases: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO).

John Oliver discusses the prevalence of police chases, why the risks involved can massively outweigh the benefits, and why everyone with a broken taillight needs to go get their laundry out of the dryer. Seriously, stop reading this and go get your clothes. They’ve been in there for days. We’re trying to help you.

Police chases were not a staple of local news in Los Angeles when I moved out of California 36 years ago. They are now. I'm not surprised that the screen captures of chase videos were from Los Angeles TV stations and the clip featuring the TMZ bus trying to stop a speeding driver was from L.A. At least I now know to blame O.J. Simpson. I was also relieved that Michigan police were not involved until the story from Warren, where the case against the police was dismissed — Michigan law and qualified immunity at work. Even when police were convicted, Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump pardoned them. The man seems to like police brutality.

I'm looking forward to the planned episode on police surveillance. The village where I live is getting traffic cameras, so I know they'll be watching. In the meantime, stay tuned for a closer look post tomorrow — comedy about the news because it hurts too much to cry.

'SNL' mocks the NYC Mayoral Debate in its cold open

Saturday Night Live returned after a week off with NYC Mayoral Debate Cold Open.

Zohran Mamdani (Ramy Youssef), Andrew Cuomo (Miles Teller) and Curtis Sliwa (Shane Gillis) debate against each other in the race to become New York City's next mayor.

That's an all-star cast of candidates and they plus the writers certainly captured the spirit of the contest. I don't agree with Sliwa on much, but he and I have the same bagel order, minus the garbage can. On the other hand, who do the writers think Sliwa is, a luckier Jimmy Hoffa? On the gripping hand, I watched parts of the actual debates and Mamdani impressed me as being most on top of the issues. That's something one would expect about Cuomo, but he's coasting on name recognition. Of course, it wouldn't be an SNL political skit without Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump crashing the party. At least it gave James Austin Johnson a chance to sing and add some Halloween content with his Phantom of the Opera impression on top of his Trump impression.

Hoover Cleveland returns as the subject of Weekend Update: Trump's Tone-Deaf Bathroom Remodel, S.N.A.P. Benefits.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Trump rating his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping a "12 out of 10".

At least he provided more Halloween content, even if it showed, as Colin Jost said, evidence that he never trick-or-treated in his life. He also demonstrated how innumerate he is. No wonder his businesses filed for bankruptcy six times.

The news portion took a break for interviews with Weekend Update: Two People Who Just Hooked Up Discuss the Government Shutdown.

Two People Who Just Hooked Up (Andrew Dismukes, Ashley Padilla) stop by Weekend Update to discuss the government shutdown.

The comments are all about their chemistry and I agree. Too bad that won't work for the actual members of Congress. Speaking of whom, Bowen Yang returned as George Santos on the New York City Marathon.

George Santos (Bowen Yang) stops by Weekend Update to discuss the New York City Marathon and how prison changed him.

As I last wrote in A closer look at Suozzi winning Santos's former seat and Mayorkas impeachment, "George Santos — that's a name I was hoping never to write about again," but Hoover Cleveland commuted his sentence. That put him back in the news, making another prediction of mine continue to come true: "George Santos will be a great inspiration for comedy as long as he stays in the news."

The news portion of Weekend Update returned and concluded with Prince Andrew Loses Royal Titles, Special Olympics Slam Kid Rock for Using Slur.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like a study finding that childhood peanut allergies are on the decline due to early exposure to peanuts.

The items about Kid Rock and Wicked alone qualified this as the Sunday entertainment feature, but follow over the jump for the rest of last night's show plus the rest of SNL's Emmy Awards, which will cement that status.

PBS NewsHour asks 'What is Día de los Muertos?'

Halloween is over, but spooky season continues for one more day with Day of the Dead. Since Monstrum on PBS Storied hasn't created a third video on Mexican monsters since last year, I'm returning to news coverage of the holiday, which I last did in 2022. Watch PBS NewsHour asking What is Día de los Muertos? An expert explains the holiday celebrating loved ones who have died.

Día de los Muertos is a celebration honoring the deceased that takes place in Mexico and other parts of Latin America on Nov. 1 and 2. The holiday is celebrated through ritual observations like constructing altars, ofrendas, filled with offerings to the dead and decorating family gravesites to commune with the dead. It is also commemorated through fiestas in which communities gather to celebrate by dancing, playing music, feasting, drinking and masquerading as death.

"The beautiful thing about Día de los Muertos is that it allows the pain and difficulty [of death] to be transformed through joyous celebration so that it's not about just sitting in the difficulty of death," Arizona State University researcher Mathew Sandoval told the PBS NewsHour's Casey Kuhn.

That's an explanation of the holiday like I last posted in 2021's Inside Edition and NBC News report on Day of the Dead. Of course, PBS covered it in a more intellectual way than Inside Edition, which is not the hardest news source.

PBS's story included clips of a Day of the Dead parade. Global News covered one of those in Day of the Dead: Skeletons parade through Mexico City in annual Catrinas march.

Hundreds of people dressed as “La Catrina,” the iconic skeletal figure associated with Day of the Dead, paraded through the streets of Mexico City on Sunday evening.

The parade is one of numerous celebrations held throughout Mexico City for Day of the Dead, or “Dia de Muertos” in Spanish. It is a day when families in Mexico honour their loved ones.

Day of the Dead is celebrated this year on Nov. 2.

It's also celebrated on November 1st, which is when National Day Calendar lists it, so I'm sticking with November 1st.

Watching these two videos reminds me of my experience celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.

I spent the week of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico during October and November, 2011. It was an eye-opening experience. I'll just concentrate on the public celebrations I observed.

First, I toured a cemetery during the night of Halloween. In the U.S., only the thrillseekers and vandals would be there. In Oaxaca, entire families were having picnics on the family plots. The atmosphere was festive with the local orchestra playing, fireworks, and vendors just outside the gates of the cemetery. Kids were trick-or-treating inside the cemetery, just as mentioned in the article. While they were wearing costumes, like American kids, they weren't going door to door asking for candy. Instead, they were begging strangers for coins. That's certainly an adaptation of an American tradition that makes it distinct.

The next night, I joined a grownup version of trick-or-treating. My hostess and her friend invited me to a parade of sorts. A bunch of revelers, most in costume, lined up in an alley behind a brass band. We then strolled down the street, stopped at a house, and asked for treats. We got tortas, Mexican sandwiches, which were passed out on a platter the size of a small door. I managed to get one of them. It was delicious. Also, plastic shot glasses of mezcal were being passed around. That made for a very entertaining evening, and is the reason I often describe the holiday as a combination of Halloween and Mardi Gras.

While waiting for that parade to form up, I watched another pass by. It was led by three young men in costume, a devil, a grim reaper, and a Mesoamerican death god. That image perfectly summed up the Mexican heritage of being a fusion of European and native elements. I wish Americans could be as comfortable with our hybrid origins.

Since I have gained many new readers during the past eleven years, I decided it was worth sharing my story again.

I close with WGN News presenting Tequila Cocktails for Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead is a cherished Mexican tradition honoring the lives of loved ones.

Brand Ambassador Ricardo Rodriguez joined us to share how Mijenta Tequila is celebrating this long-standing tradition.

Drink responsibly. This includes the anchors of the local morning shows, which engage in more day drinking while on the clock than I knew about before I started writing this blog.

That's a wrap for today's post and spooky season, unless tonight's Saturday Night Live has Halloween content, in which case I'll share it as part of tomorrow's Sunday entertainment feature. Stay tuned.

Broken Peach rocks out to Metallica and Talking Heads for Halloween

Happy Halloween! I continue my Halloween tradition on this blog of sharing songs by Broken Peach with this year's Broken Peach - Enter Sandman (Halloween Special).

"Enter Sandman" is a song by the American heavy metal band @metallica. It is the opening track and lead single from their self-titled fifth album, released in 1991. The music was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. Vocalist and guitarist Hetfield wrote the lyrics, which deal with the concept of a child's nightmares. The single reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and achieved a nine-times platinum certification for more than 9,000,000 copies shipped in the United States, spurring sales of over 30 million copies for Metallica and propelling Metallica to worldwide popularity.

"Psycho Killer" is a song by American rock band Talking Heads, released on their debut studio album @TalkingHeads: 77 (1977). The band's "signature debut hit" features lyrics that seem to represent the thoughts of a serial killer. Originally written and performed as a ballad, "Psycho Killer" became what AllMusic calls a "deceptively funky new wave/no wave song" with "an insistent rhythm, and one of the most memorable, driving basslines in rock & roll". The song was written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz & Tina Weymouth.

Metallica makes for a good Halloween band. Maybe next year Broken Peach will sing "Master of Puppets," which featured in Stranger Things 4. Also, no Duran Duran, but I'm sharing "Psycho Killer" for a third year just the same.

Speaking of repeats, I'm sharing Broken Peach - Call Me (Live at Twenty Century Rock), the live version of last year's Halloween special.

"Call Me" is a song by the American new wave band Blondie, and the theme to the 1980 film American Gigolo. Produced and composed by Italian musician Giorgio Moroder, with lyrics by Blondie singer Debbie Harry, the song appeared in the film and was released in the United States in early 1980 as a single. "Call Me" was Nº1 for six consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, where it became the band's biggest single and second Nº1.

"I Was Made For Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album, Dynasty. It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album, with "Hard Times" as the B-side. I Was Made for Lovin' You" was Kiss's first songwriting collaboration with Desmond Child, who also wrote songs for the albums Animalize, Asylum, Crazy Nights, Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, and Hot in the Shade. "I Was Made for Lovin' You" was the band's second Gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single was certified Gold in the U.S. on August 16, 1979, and in Canada on August 1, 1979. The song was one of the band's few singles to chart in the UK in the 1970s, peaking at No. 50.

"Joker & the Thief" is a song by Australian rock band Wolfmother. The song serves as the sixth track and sixth single from the band's eponymous debut studio album. It was released in Australia on 28 October 2006 and in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2006. "Joker & the Thief" has been featured in several films, video games and TV shows including The Blacklist, The Hangover, Shoot 'Em Up, NHL 14, Rock Revolution, Jackass Number Two, Impractical Jokers: The Movie, The Out-Laws, Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore 2, Here Comes the Boom, MLB 07: The Show, Need for Speed: Carbon, Shrek the Third, Lego DC Super-Villains, Preacher, The Man from Toronto, Ted Lasso, and The Artful Dodger. It is also available as downloadable content for the music video game series Rock Band.

My readers are not seeing things. There are six members of the band in the current video, but seven in this video from Halloween of last year. Erika Lewis left at the beginning of this year to pursue a solo career. She's missed, but the band carries on.

The members of Broken Peach channeled their inner Freddy Krueger in this year's video, so I conclude with Nightmare | Freddy Kruger Inspired Shot by Secret of the Booze.

Freddy Krueger will haunt your dreams and now it will also haunt your stomachs!
--------
Ingredients
Strawberry Syrup
Vodka
Midori
Bacardi 151
-------
Directions
Pour vodka and strawberry syrup into 1/2 of the shot layer on top midori. Then layer with 151 and ignite!

Drink responsibly and stay tuned as spooky season continues on this blog with Day of the Dead tomorrow. Trick or treat!

Big 'Ten' marching bands play 'Wicked' for National Wicked Day

I'm doing something new and different for today's spooky season celebration, observing National Wicked Day, the anniversary of Wicked's debut on Broadway. Of course, I'm doing it my way, which is to celebrate the day through the lens of marching music, capped by a drink.

I begin with "Wicked" - Sept., 13, 2025 - Michigan vs CMU - Michigan Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Percussion.

The Michigan Marching Band is excited to collaborate with the SMTD Dept. of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio for a “Wicked” performance! This thrillifying halftime show will feature iconic tunes from the beloved Broadway musical and films, and showcase the artistry of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Grab your dancing shoes and meet us at the Ozdust Ballroom as we celebrate one of the most popular musicals of all time!

Music Selections:
No One Mourns the Wicked
Popular
Dancing Through Life
Defying Gravity

Musical arrangements by Jason DeBord, Richard Frey, Matt Jordan, and Chuck Ricotta
Choreography by Sean McKnight; asst. by Raja Benz
Flag choreography by Joan Noble-Pruett
Drill by Corey Jahlas

This Michigan Marching Band would like to thank the Cozad Family for their generous support of this halftime performance.

The singers and keyboards added new dimensions to this performance, making it a special occasion. The singers steal the show, but I wish the band would keep the keyboards.

At least three other Big "Ten" bands played music from Wicked so far this season, including the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band: 10.25.25 Halftime vs. Penn State | Defying Gravity: The Music of Wicked.

Together, we’re unlimited, Hawkeye Nation! For our October 18, 2025 game vs. Penn State, we brought the music of Wicked to life under the lights in Kinnick Stadium, because everyone deserves the chance to fly!

Featuring the Iowa Dance Team, Herky the Hawk, and the Nittany Lion. This show was designed by Dr. Eric Bush, with music arrangements by Drew Bonner.

The Hawkeye Marching Band made some interesting choices, including having the drum major dress up as the Wizard, inviting the opposing team's mascot to be part of the show to play Glinda, and casting Herky as Elphaba.

The other band from the conference playing Wicked was the Marching Illini: Music from Wicked | IMBC 2025 Evening Performance 10.25.2025.

That's a good pure marching band show with a preview image appropriate for spooky season. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I know it's tradition, but it's something of a museum piece. The Illini are named after the Illiniwek and the fight song reflects that. At least the university has replaced the Native American logo on the field with an outline of the state of Illinois.

The fourth and final band hails from a university that just joined the conference, USC Trojan Marching Band + USC School of Dramatic Arts Wicked halftime 10/11/25.

A Wicked wonderful halftime, combining the talents of the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC School of Dramatic Arts. 10/11/25. Magnificent!

Well, the U$C Band can certainly put on a show and they used more technology than the Michigan band, although having the featured actors on the Jumbotron kept shifting focus.

I close with WICKED INSPIRED SHOTS by The Shot Queen.


Drink responsibly and stay tuned for one more Halloween post plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!

'Catacombs' and other spooky songs by the Harp Twins for Halloween

I'm continuing my celebration of spooky season with music from Camille and Kennerly, the Harp Twins. I begin with CATACOMBS (Gothic Celtic) - Harp Twins original.

CATACOMBS is from our new dark fantasy ORIGINAL album, Twin Destinies! The companion dark fantasy novel was written by New York Times Bestselling author, Debbie Viguié!
...
Book & album teaser:
When their great-grandmother Kaia, a world-famous harpist, dies, two sisters find themselves the heirs to twin harps, an ancient book of music, and a legacy that stretches back centuries.

The Harp Twins have still more songs from Twin Destinies I haven't shared yet, but I'm moving on to music from their latest collaboration with Debbie Viguié, Changeling - spooky Celtic - Harp Twins original.

CHANGELING is part of our new original epic dark fantasy album and novel collaboration with New York Times Bestselling Author, Debbie Viguié!
...
Celtic Charms book & album teaser
After arriving in Ireland to play their harps for a wedding at a mystical castle, twin Seers find themselves caught in a web of ancient feuds, family secrets, creatures of myth, and a seemingly doomed romance that only they can save.

A harpist played at my middle sister's first wedding reception. That was a story in and of itself, but not one I'll tell today. It took place on Valentines Day and I should save it for then.

I close with the Harp Twins' latest, Welcome to Your Wake - Harp Twins (Official Music Video).

"Welcome to Your Wake" is part of our new original epic Celtic fantasy album and novel collaboration with New York Times Bestselling Author, Debbie Viguié!

A wedding and a wake? How Irish! Speaking of Irish, the rest of the songs seem like they would fit better with St. Patrick's Day, so I'll be a good environmentalist and save them for then.

Since crypts share a connection to catacombs, I'm closing with The Crypt Keeper: A "Tales From The Crypt" Inspired Cocktail | 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN by Secret of the Booze.

Even though Tales from the Crypt got held up by HBO from releasing a rebooted series by M. Night we thought with the Halloween season we give you a drink from one of our favorite story tellers. Each day we are creating a new drink for 31 days of Halloween inspired by iconic characters that go bump in the night.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
3 oz. Brandy
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. honey whiskey
Dash of Angostoria bitters

INSTRUCTIONS
Set a piece of paper on fire and place the glass over it so that it fills with smoke.
Add brandy, juices, and whisksy to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
Strain into smoke filled glass.
Top with a few drops of bitters.

Drink responsibly and stay tuned for more Halloween posts through the end of the month plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!

The History Guy remembers 'History and the Headless Horseman.'

Last year, I shared The History Guy remembers 'Fact, Fiction, and Frankenstein's Monster' for a late Frankenstein Friday. I'm returning to The History Guy for History and the Headless Horseman.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving, has been called “America’s First Ghost story." It is, perhaps, the story that most represents the Halloween season. But it also works in a lot of history, history that deserves to be remembered.

My takeaway was that, while there was plenty of life influencing art, including several things I learned, the story is so powerful that it influenced life, as North Tarrytown renamed itself as Sleepy Hollow and lots of local lore inspired by the story as much or more as the other way around.

Speaking of life imitating art, Secret of the Booze has the perfect recipe for today's post, The Headless Horseman: A "Sleepy Hollow" Inspired Cocktail • 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN.

Headless Horseman is the perfect drink for this Halloween season. Mixing Pumpkin flavor and some sweet sweet chocolate. Each day we are creating a new drink for 31 days of Halloween inspired by iconic characters that go bump in the night.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
2 oz. pumpkin beer
2 oz. creme de cacao
2 oz. coffee liqueur
1 oz. vodka
moonshine

INSTRUCTIONS
Add creme de cacao, kahlua, and vodka to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
Strain over ice into a tall glass.
Pour pumpkin beer into a shot glass.
Layar Bacardi 151 on top of the shot glass.
Place the shot on top of the glass.
Light it on fire.

Drink responsibly and stay tuned for more Halloween posts through the end of the month plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!

CNBC and Company Man examine Spirit Halloween, spooky tales of the Retail Apocalypse for Black Cat Day

For today's spooky season post, I'm returning to CityNerd's 'How Spirit Halloween Transforms Strip Malls Into Vibrant Wonderlands,' a tale of the Retail Apocalypse, where I wrote "both Company Man and CNBC have recent videos about Spirit Halloween, but I'm going to be a good environmentalist and conserve my resources." Time to use those resources before they go stale. I begin with CNBC explaining How Spirit Halloween Became A Billion-Dollar Business.

Spirit Halloween occupies more than 1,500 storefronts and hires around 50,000 seasonal workers for just a few months of business. Spencer Spirit Holdings, which includes Spirit Halloween and long-time mall retailer Spencer's, brings in $1.87b of annual revenue, according to Moody’s Ratings. The company often targets struggling real estate to execute its niche retail operation. Watch the video to find out how Spirit Halloween became the ultimate pop-up store.

That had to be the most fun CNBC video I remember watching. In particular, I was looking for the Saturday Night Live Spirit Halloween skit and CNBC clipped exactly the part I wanted. Nothing like both CNBC and NBC having the same corporate ownership to make that convenient. As I last wrote in Closer looks at the Trump-Musk feud from Colbert, Kosta, Kimmel, and Meyers, "It's not just news value that's driving it."

CNBC's history essentially began in 1999, when Spencer's bought Spirit Halloween. Company Man Mike went back to the actual founding during the 1980s in Spirit Halloween - Why They're Successful.

Spirit Halloween is the popular Halloween store that pops up in empty buildings each year. This video outlines the main reasons behind its success.

It's a Company Man video, so there's a list. Here it is:


Company Man Mike uploaded this video just over a year ago, so he was too early to include Party City closing in the United States when he described Spirit Halloween's failing competitors, so it has one fewer competitor. Other than that, this is a comprehensive compilation of reasons for the chain's success.

Since today is National Black Cat Day and tomorrow is National Cat Day, I'm closing with Liqr Media describing How to Make a Black Cat Martini with Momo!

Today is #NationalCatDay and we're celebrating with Momo! She's gonna teach us how to make a Black Cat Martini. Me-ow!

We hope you enjoyed this video. Please like and subscribe! Tune in for a new drink recipe each weekday.

Black Cat Martini Recipe
2 ounces Black Vodka
1/2 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

Combine in shaker with ice. Shake and strain into cocktail glass.

Enjoy with your feline friends!

Have a drink recipe you'd like us to make? Want to see a particular character? Let us know in the comments below!

Please drink responsibly, and have a great Halloween-month!

Yes, that's what a real cat would do to the drink.

Stay tuned for more Halloween posts through the end of the month plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!