Gettin' handsy with it

By this point in July in the summers of your youth, the boredom was starting to set in. You’d already done all the things you wanted to do, so you turned to old reliable: Cat’s Cradle. About 30 minutes later you were bored again 😂

It turns out that the dexterity you picked up making those string figures with your hands may have benefited you. Scientists have examined the way we communicate, and hand gestures go a long way towards making speech easier to follow.

Then again, not everyone likes them ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 eGift Card!)

FEASTING FRIDAYS

Kraft Heinz spices it up

The U.S. plant-based food market was valued at $8.1 billion as of last year, but sales fell 5% compared to the year before, according to the Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association.

Despite dwindling excitement for the transition away from animal products, Kraft Heinz isn’t slowing down when it comes to innovation, and is currently leaning into its existing offerings that have proven resilient in the face of shrinking demand.

“We are still seeing strong incrementality where shoppers are either new to the category as a whole or are purchasing in addition to their regular purchase,” Murphy said. “Empowered by these insights, we are focused on products, like Kraft NOTMac&Cheese, which are strategically positioned to meet consumer needs and capture market opportunities.”

It’s also making a play to tap further into the growing market for spicy flavors, with a plant-based spicy mayonnaise offering in the pipeline.

According to Daymon’s March 2024 Flavor Study, 60% of millennials regularly consume spicy condiments, and the spicy category is consistently growing faster than others.

TRAVEL

Another rule change coming?

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced last week that travellers flying in the United States will no longer need to remove their shoes when crossing a TSA security checkpoint.

This week, another post-9/11 rule may be on the chopping block.

TSA rule 3-1-1 requires passengers with liquids in their carry-on luggage to place them in transparent, one quart, resealable bags, limited to 3.4 ounces in volume. It was introduced in 2006 after terrorists attempted to detonate liquid explosives on transatlantic flights, but failed after the plot was discovered and terminated by British intelligence.

Like the shoe removal rule, Noem says this one may be axed due to the DHS and TSA innovating to find new and effective ways of maintaining passenger safety.

“Hopefully the future of an airport, where I’m looking to go, is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your flight,” Noem said. “It takes you one minute.”

COLLECTIBLES

Darth Vader’s lightsaber hits the auction block

According to sources that spoke to Hollywood Reporter, the lightsaber used by David Prowse and his stunt double, Bob Anderson, for the on-screen duels of Darth Vader in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi will be auctioned off by Propstore in August.

It’s the first ever authentic lightsaber actually used on set from the original Star Wars trilogy to be hit the block, and it’s expected to fetch between one and three million dollars (which, if you ask us, seems low 😜).

It will head out on a press tour prior to the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, visiting New York, London, and Los Angeles, before its sale overlaps with the 45th anniversary of the release of Empire Strikes Back.

“Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artifact in our September sale,” says Propstore COO Brandon Alinger. “It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.”

The auction will also feature a belt worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a neuralyzer from Men In Black, and Sauron’s helmet from Lord of the Rings.

MUSIC

Ozzy show sets charity record

There’s no better way to tie a bow on the enormous farewell show for Ozzy Osbourne than to reveal the show set a record for the most money ever raised at a charity concert.

Benefit shows were first popularized by the Concert for Bangladesh, hosted by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar in 1971. The world celebrated 40 years since Live Aid last week, and other historic shows, such as Farm Aid, Live 8, and Fire Aid followed in their wake.

According to Tom Morello, who curated Ozzy’s farewell concert, Back to the Beginning raised $190 million for three charities, surpassing the sum total of Fire Aid and Farm Aid combined; the former raised $100 million, and the latter $80 million.

The Back to the Beginning money is being donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson’s—a particularly meaningful organization for the event, given the its commitment to ending the disease that forced Ozzy to retire in the first place.

On top of that, each charity was able to raise additional tens of thousands of dollars from auctioning off tickets to the historic event, which 40,000 people attended live, and 5.8 million streamed live around the world.

STAKE TRIVIA

Luck of the draw

We’re closing out the week with another round of trivia à la carte! These questions are all over the place, but if you were born in the ’60s, they’re for you 😎 

From movies, to music, TV and more, get ready for a blast of the past with today’s trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified on Monday afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great weekend Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.