Chinook Winds Are Responsible For Wild Temperature Variances

Chinook winds are strong, warm, dry winds that blow down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. They occur when moist air is forced up and over the mountains, cooling as it rises and losing moisture along the way. These winds are best known for their ability to bring sudden variances in temperature. In places like Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, Chinook winds can cause temperatures to jump dozens of degrees in just a few hours, melting snow, breaking up ice, and dramatically changing conditions on the ground. Loma, Montana, holds the world record for the most drastic 24-hour temperature change, skyrocketing 103º from -54º to 49º in January 1972. Spearfish, South Dakota, holds the world record for the fastest increase and decrease in temperature. On January 22, 1943, the temperature increased from −4 to 45 °F, a 49 °F change in temperature, in just 2 minutes.

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Katz's Delicatessen in NYC and Their Unusual Ticket Policy

Katz’s Delicatessen is a Jewish deli on the Lower East Side of New York City. Since its founding in 1888, it has been popular among locals and tourists alike for its pastrami on rye, which is consider New York’s best. There is, however, an unusual policy at Katz’s that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. As each customer enters the deli, a door attendant hands them a printed, numbered ticket. As they receive their food from various stations throughout the deli — separate for sandwiches, drinks, etc. — employees compute a running total of the pre-tax bill. If a customer happens to lose their ticket, an additional $50 surcharge is added to their bill. Recently, a couple visiting the deli lost their ticket and were faced with the $50 penalty, which they promptly refused to pay. The story ignited a small war on social media, so the deli’s management was asked to explain why the policy exists. It’s simple: “We need it because if someone finds that lost ticket, they have any easy way of making purchases that they’re not really entitled to, without paying. There’s another twist to the tale — the NYC Consumer Protection Law says “Restaurants are prohibited from adding a surcharge to the cost of items listed on the menu.” Where does that leave Katz’s? It’s unlikely the Department of Consumer Protection is going to crack down on one of its top restaurants.

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The Common Medicine Cabinet Staple That Doctors Say You Should Stop Using

A tube of antibiotic ointment has become an almost automatic first-aid for a scraped knee, paper cut, or minor nick. Now doctors are saying you should stop using it. The issue is not that antibiotic ointments are useless in every medical situation. Rather, their routine use on small, clean cuts can expose people to potential downsides without providing much additional benefit. Allergic contact dermatitis is one concern. Someone trying to protect a tiny wound can potentially irritate the surrounding skin with the product intended to help it heal. So, what should you put on a minor scrape or cut? It’s simple: clean the wound, keep it moist with petroleum jelly, and cover it appropriately. The evidence doesn't mean that antibiotics should never be used. Deeper, contaminated or infected wounds can require medical assessment and, in some circumstances, antibiotic treatment. However, for the ordinary household scrape, the humble petroleum jelly sitting in the medicine cabinet may be all that’s needed.

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Apple Crisp: All the Comfort of Apple Pie, Without the Drama

Apple crisp isn’t pretty enough for a bakery shop window, but it’s still magic. The transformation of only four humble ingredients into a triumph of flavor and texture is a culinary feat. The beauty of apple crisp is that it doesn’t take much effort — just fresh fruit and a simple topping. There’s no decorative edging, no pretty pastry cut-outs, no flourish of buttercream — just simple, seasonal, delicious home baking.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

• ½ cup butter, cold and cubed

• 6 medium apples

Directions:

• • Preheat oven to 375º F.
• • Grease a 9-inch pie plate or 8-inch square baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
• • To make the topping, stir the brown sugar with the flour and cinnamon (if using) in a large bowl.
• • Add the butter and use your fingers to squish it into the flour mixture. You should end up with pea-sized lumps of butter, as well as some lima-bean-sized lumps.
• • Peel and slice the apples.
• • Put the slices into a large bowl and add about ⅓ cup of the topping mixture.
• • Stir well, then scrape the slices into the prepared baking dish, spreading them fairly evenly.
• • Top with the rest of the topping and smooth it into an even layer.
• • Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake 35-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly at the edges.
• • Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

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