On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 a quiet settled over the trenches of the Western Front, ending the four-year slaughter of the Great War. After nine million combat deaths, twenty-one million wounded and five million civilians killed, Germany signed an armistice agreement with France and Great Britain stopping the carnage.
STFU or What I Learned in Arkansas
Johnny Cash grew up in Dyess, Arkansas, fifty miles northwest of Memphis. (Pronounced locally – somehow 
only one syllable – as “Dowus.”) Cross the Mississippi, turn north on I-55; exit at Highway 14, head west six miles, then left on 297 aka Johnny Cash Highway and you’re there. Johnny, known then as J.R., was three years old when he and his parents and four siblings moved into their new Dyess Colony home in 1935.
Fighting Urban Traffic
While you’re waiting for Amazon to deliver your latest purchase by drone, UPS is testing a more, umm, down-to-earth approach. The company announced it would begin delivering in Seattle’s downtown Pike Place area using pedal-powered tricycles. The trike-trucks have electric-motor assistance, presumably to help the operator make it up Seattle’s hills.
Voter-Suppression Factoid
The state of Florida, home to retirees from around the country, voted Republican Rick Scott to two terms as governor. The irony is rich here, as Scott is still the record holder for Medicare fraud. Governor Scott, now running for U.S. Senate, knows that Republicans cannot win elections if everyone votes.
Finally – Some Help for White People
In this digital age there is little chance of going off on a racist rant or other stupid behavior without someone recording it with a smart phone and causing embarrassment or even loss of employment. Niecy Nash decided it was time to help. Now white folks have a hotline to call when they observe African-Americans doing things that don’t seem to be right for persons of color to be doing.
A Tale of Two Breweries
Tony Magee started out brewing his beer at home. He opened Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma 
California in 1994. The brand grew quickly and became well known not only for beer but its support of non-profit organizations in Sonoma and Marin counties. Donated Lagunitas beer could be found at most fundraisers in the area. The Petaluma breweries also offered casual dining in a low-key atmosphere with friendly staff and live music at its adjacent outdoor venue.