Click-clack

If you grew up in the ’70s, you know this toy was actually your worst nightmare. Clackin’ them together made a cool sound, but boy did it hurt if you caught one in the wrist or face. Worst of all was when the plastic exploded 😱🤣

Whether you called them Clackers or Ker-bangers, that toy was bad news. You know what could be good for you though? Indoor plants! You can find a list of the benefits along with ways to keep them throughout the winter right here! 

Stevie knew how interesting plants are ;)

Congratulations to our Day 9 winner Terri! Now let’s get ready for Day 11 of our annual 12 Days of Giving. Each weekday between now and December 20th we’re giving away a $100 Amazon eGift card and all you have to do to get in on the fun is answer today’s poll question before 6pm (ET)!*

NOTE: If you’re checking us out here online and would like to take part in the giveaways, please subscribe to the newsletter. Good luck!

General Motors nearly went under during the 2008 financial crisis, losing billions in North America and Europe but propped up in part by its China operations. Today, the reverse scenario is the reality, with North American and European sales booming and its Chinese sales in steep decline.

The Detroit automaker announced sales are down 19% in China this year, it lost $347 million on joint ventures, and it will take a $5 billion to its overall net income as China continues to flood its domestic market with ultra cheap electric vehicles.

“You can look back 15, 20 years to when GM’s China operations was its life preserver. It certainly isn’t now. It’s a money pit,” said Jeff Schuster, global vice president of automotive research at research firm GlobalData. “Every international brand is suffering in China.”

China’s state-planned economy may have worked for international automakers for the last two decades, but Beijing’s EV incentives and subsidies are making it nearly impossible for foreign automakers to compete in the Pacific Rim.

“If you’re a seller of mass maker brands, you’re highly vulnerable in China,” said Michael Dunne, an auto industry consultant that’s been involved in China’s auto market for over 25 years. “Most (Western automakers) will be forced to exit the market in next five years if not sooner.”

Whiskey may be the classy old-fashioned remedy for symptoms of the common cold, but if you’ve got the sniffles this Christmas, the solution may already be under your roof in the festive form of mulled wine.

Most red wine is already packed with antioxidants, but mulled wine comes with the additions of polyphenols and flavonoids.

“Flavonoids have antiviral properties, which means they can help build up your immune system and, in theory, keep those winter colds at bay,” says Burlington, Ontario physician Dr. Deborah Lee.

Furthermore, the citrus fruit in mulled wine is plentiful in Vitamin C and also helps boost immunity.

Lastly, even if you aren’t sick, the beverage contains resveratrol, which promotes skin health.

“It triggers collagen production, which improves the skin’s elasticity, and its anti-inflammatory properties can relieve inflammation,” says Dr. Lee. “All have a positive effect on maintaining a youthful appearance.”

Postcard Cabins was founded in 2015 as Getaway by Jon Staff, and has enjoyed rapid growth over the decade. Having raised over $100 million from investors Certares and Starwood Capital, it now owns 1,200 tiny cabins within two hours of urban hubs.

The tiny cabins are just 137 square feet in size, and are designed to attract travellers looking for a place to stay while connecting with nature. Their small stature makes them appropriate as a cozy home base, but the whole point of this type of adventure is to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

In an effort to further wade into the outdoor travel market, Marriott International just bought Postcard Cabins, though the terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

“We’re seeing increasing interest in nature-immersive travel,” Leeny Oberg, Marriott’s chief financial officer and executive vice president of development, said in a statement. The acquisition will offer “more accommodations and experiences in awe-inspiring destinations” for both frequent hikers and people new to outdoor recreation.

Marriott has documented the growing popularity of outdoor-driven travel, making the Postcard acquisition just the next in a series of moves to entrench its position in the category.

The barn owl is a peculiar creature in that it has snowy white features on its face, chest, and wings, but puzzlingly, it’s still an incredibly effective hunter.

Snowy owls exist in regions that allow them to blend in with the snow, making it too late for their prey when they finally notice they’re about to be someone’s dinner. Barn owls, however, typically live in mild urban environments.

Yet, given how little sense this makes on the surface, researchers decided that must be part of what drives their effectiveness in the hunt.

“We started from the intuitive feeling that the outstanding whiteness of the barn owl is so shocking that it should imply some adaptive advantage,” said Negro, a research professor at Doñana Biological Station–Spanish National Research Council in Seville, Spain.

It turns out Negro and his team were right. The barn owl’s whiteness is a “shock and awe” feature, paralyzing rodents with fear when they see one coming, rendering them the easiest catch imaginable.

On top of that, though, these owls appear to also blend in with their surroundings occasionally.

“When the moon is visible, the sky has some brightness that varies depending on the observing direction. Under these conditions, a dark bird would be seen by its potential prey as a black silhouette against the sky,” said Negro, the study’s lead author. “But, if the ventral part of the bird is reflective enough, in other words if it is ‘white’ enough, it would reflect a good part of the moon.”

Kahhhhnnn!

Every year, 25 films enter the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, preserving some of the most popular, impactful, influential, and important American films. Some may not be particularly popular, but their significance in independent American filmmaking qualifies them.

Among the most popular this year, however, are Dirty Dancing, Beverly Hills Cop, Uptown Saturday Night, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Social Network, and Spy Kids.

"Films reflect our nation's history and culture and must be preserved in our national library for generations to come," said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in a statement. "This is a collective effort in the film community to preserve our cinematic heritage."

The cultural significance of the entries is paramount to their qualification. For example, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan will become the first Star Trek film selected by the National Film Preservation Board, partly because it’s widely considered the best of the original cast Star Trek films, and partly because it features renowned Hispanic actors, including Cheech Marin (who was also in Spy Kids, by the way).

The full list of this year’s 25 entries can be viewed here.

Thanks to all the Stakers who have been voiting in our 12 Days of Giving Polls! We’ve had a blast seeing the results and reading all your comments 🤗 

From John-Boy to Jim-Bob, there were plenty of folks in the Walton family. One you may not know though was Lee Rich, one of the executive producers of The Waltons.

Today would’ve been Lee’s birthday, and to pay homage, today’s trivia will focus on one of TV’s most beloved families ;)

Have a great day ahead Staker!

Trivia courtesy of funtrivia.com. Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL GIVEAWAY RULES HERE