What do those lines on plastic Solo cups mean? Are they for measuring alcohol, measuring cooking ingredients, or just a design? Jersey Joe checks out why these cups have become so popular.
Solo cups were first introduced in 1936 in a paper version. The company was sold to the Dart Corporation and now sells more than $2.4 billion annually. What’s your favorite color, red or blue? Red is the clear selling winner!
THE 411
Name: Solo Cups
What: disposable plastic drinking glasses for parties and picnics
First sold: 1936
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
I always have a supply of these around. You never know when you will need them for an instant party!
Jersey Joe and his friends play a round of the hit TV game show, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Are these people smart enough to take the grand prize and win a round of the show?
This summer, FOX brought back their hit TV game show. Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, the show gives adult contestants the chance to answer questions from elementary school for a chance at a top prize of $1,000,000. Contestants can use actual school children to guide them on their way to answering the 11 questions.
Players are also given 3 lifelines. PEEK, where they can take a look at their student classmate’s answer, COPY, where they can copy their student classmate’s answer, and SAVE where if the contestant answers incorrectly – the classmate’s correct answer could save them. Each can only be used once.
Once a contestant misses two questions, they FLUNK OUT of the game with $0.
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader first premiered on February 27, 2007. Full hour episodes aired on FOX in prime time until 2009. A half hour condensed version was created for local stations that ran for two seasons from 2009-2011. This summer, the full hour version returned to FOX.
THE 411
Title: Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
What: TV game show
Network: FOX (2007-2009, 2015), Syndicated (2009-2011)
A great game show and I’m glad that FOX has brought it back. The ratings for the current prime time version are not as high as in the past. If viewers do keep tuning in, the show will be back. It’s up to you!
What do you think is the best TV game show? Join Jersey Joe and Patch Frasca as they chat live from downtown Jersey City in this special rebroadcast of a live show.
THE 411
What: TV game shows
For: allows contestants to win big money for playing a game on televisio n
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
What is your favorite game show? There are so many that I didn’t get a chance to talk about on this live show, that I want to do another episode! I love Family Feud… but, Match Game is still the best!
Jersey Joe and his friends gather at a local restaurant to sample a Moscow Mule. How this adult beverage became popular on the East Coast, before traveling to the West Coast, and back!
THE 411
Name: Moscow Mule
What: alcoholic adult beverage
Ingredients: ginger beer, vodka, lime juice
Traditionally served in: copper cup
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
It’s another one of those drinks that was popular in the past and is making a comeback. Craft cocktails are now all the rage, so more drinks like this will be added to bar menus. It’s interesting how this became a fad in New York City, then went west, only to be mostly forgotten in the East.
I still think it would be better frozen, though…
And remember… drink responsibility! Sorry kids, 21 and over – please!
Jersey Joe explores more hilarious images captured by the Google Maps Street View camera.
THE 411
What: Google street view
Purpose: online search tool
Launched: 2007
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
There have to be thousands of more hilarious images of people doing crazy things on Google Maps. They regularly update the images, so some may end up lost to time. If you see any — shoot me a message on twitter @JerseyJoe50 and let’s share them with everyone!
Who invented the stop sign? Which city was the first to install one? Jersey Joe has all you ever wanted to know and more about these octagon wonders that you find on roads and streets, all over the world.
Stop signs have been controlling traffic since 1915. While automobile traffic was lighter back then, many city streets were jammed with trains, horses, carriages, and pedestrians. All fighting for the right of way. It was clear that something had to be done and thanks to Detroit, the stop sign was born,
THE 411
Name: stop sign
What: traffic control device
Located: at street corners and intersections internationally
First erected: Detroit, 1915
A stop sign posted in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
Doing this blog over the years, I can honestly say I’ve learned a thing or two and here’s another example. I had no idea that stop signs were eight sided to indicate the level of danger on a highway. I guess we’ve come to take these things for granted and I couldn’t image our streets today without one.
Now, if we can only create an invention for those people who love to run right through these!
Jersey Joe celebrates 50 episodes of KICKING BACK WITH JERSEY JOE and 250 editions of his online blog!
THE 411:
What: Kicking Back with Jersey Joe
Type: blog and video blog
Number of episodes: 50 video – 250 blog
Premiere: September 19, 2014 (web show) May 31, 2010 (blog)
Website: you’re on it!
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
Thanks for watching the show and reading my words, each and every week! Please keep your thoughts and comments coming. I love sharing and making them part of the fun! See you next week!
Have you ever made mountain pies over the fire? Jersey Joe and his friends cook up these succulent treats and you can too!
THE 411
Name: Mountain Pies
What: campfire food and/or snack
Served: dinner, dessert, snack, anytime
Equipment required: mountain pie maker, campfire or fire source
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
I’ve shared some of my favorite recipes with you on this one – I’d love to hear yours!
Experiment with different meats and cheeses to create your favorite. For dessert, try different jellys, jams, or preserves. The possibilities are nearly endless! Just remember to spray down your iron, so the contents won’t stick.