In 2010, the newly-formed Common Core State Standards for English initiative did not include cursive handwriting instruction.  In 2011, 41 states adopted the Common Core standards, thus removing the requirement for cursive instruction in the respective state curriculum. When the system was revisited after the skill was taken out of the core requirements, school therapists reported that some students struggled with manuscript but excelled in cursive writing.  Many schools have adopted keyboarding as an alternative to cursive handwriting instruction.  Since 2016, several states have reintroduced cursive writing into their curriculum.  As of July 2024, there are 24 states that require cursive writing instruction in public schools.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursive_handwriting_instruction_in_the_United_States    

Scarlett Johansson Says This Too-Easy Party Appetizer Is “So Good”  Grab a bag of your favorite potato chips, or try making your own easy Air Fryer Potato Chips.  Pick up some flavorful cheese or make a delicious spread like hummus or a refreshing tzatziki sauce and top with pickled onions or fresh dill.  https://www.eatingwell.com/scarlett-johansson-charcuterie-chips-8780055    

Bursera simaruba, commonly known as gumbo-limbo, copperwood, almácigo, chaca, West Indian birch, naked Indian, and turpentine tree, is a tree species in the family Burseraceae, native to the Neotropics, from South Florida to Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.  Bursera simaruba is prevalent in the Petenes mangroves ecoregion of the Yucatán, where it is a subdominant plant species to the mangroves.  In the United States, specimens may be found in the Gulf of Mexico along the western coast of Florida.  Bursera simaruba is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 30 meters tall, with a diameter of one meter or less at 1.5 meters above ground.  The bark is shiny dark red, and the leaves are spirally arranged and pinnate with 7-11 leaflets, each leaflet broad ovate, 4–10 cm long and 2–5 cm broad.  Gumbo-limbo is semi-evergreen.  The gumbo-limbo is referred to, humorously, as the tourist tree because the tree's bark is red and peeling, like the skin of the sunburnt tourists who are a common sight in the plant's range.  See pictures at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bursera_simaruba   

Herman C. Krannert (1887–1972) was a businessman and philanthropist in the Midwest of the United States who made millions in the corrugated fiber products industry and subsequently made generous contributions to education and the arts.  In 1964, Herman and Ellnora Krannert announced the plans for Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois.  The Center is known for its four first class venues, including the Foellinger Great Hall, one of the most acoustically perfect performance spaces in the world, and it is also used as a laboratory space, housing classes, offices, and student productions for the University of Illinois Theatre Department, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, the School of Music, and the Dance Department.  The Krannert Memorial Library, located on the University of Indianapolis campus, opened in 1977 and completely renovated in 2015 to create a 21st-century active learning environment with collaborative space for research, scholarship and engagement.  Herman grew up on Chicago's West Side.  After graduating from Crane Technical High School, he spent two years saving enough money to attend the University of Illinois, Class of 1912, where he was a member of Chi Phi fraternity.  Working throughout his college career, he completely financed his education and sent extra money home to support his widowed mother.   After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Krannert was hired in 1914 by Sefton Manufacturing Company, a Chicago-based firm that made paper boxes.  At age 30, he was transferred to Anderson, Indiana, and became the youngest Sefton employee to be promoted to plant manager.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_C._Krannert    

Your Christopher Walken piece left out his best supporting actor Oscar win for “The Deerhunter” (1978), and his role as Diane Keaton’s brother in “Annie Hall” (1977).  Both those films were best picture Oscar winners and really established his career.  Thank you, Muse reader!   

Puppy Bowl 2025, the 21st installment of the beloved rescue animal event, will air on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. EST.  The 2025 Super Bowl kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST on FOX, meaning Puppy Bowl fans can watch the entire three-hour special and still have plenty of time to switch to the human football game before the national anthem starts.  The Puppy Bowl, the longest running television event promoting pet adoption, will simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+, so there are plenty of viewing options.  This year's event will be the biggest Puppy Bowl yet, with 142 rescue dogs from 80 shelters in 40 states and two countries competing on Team Ruff and Team Fluff.  Puppy Bowl 2025 will include the first Puppy Bowl Kickoff special.  The pre-game show will air before the canine game on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST on Animal Planet. The kickoff will include the Puppy Combine, where viewers will get a chance to watch 10 precious pups show off their skills in a series of cute challenges.  https://people.com/everything-to-know-puppy-bowl-2025-8785179    

http://librariansmuse,blogspot.com  Issue 2904  February 7, 2025