Happy New Year! Fireworks Celebrations Around The World | E-Neighborhood Advisor

When the Chinese invented fireworks, they used them during celebrations to keep the evil spirits away. The practice still rings true today because all around the world, fireworks are still used to celebrate major events. Of course New Year celebrations top the list for using fireworks, but fireworks are the guest of honor at many other celebrations around the world too. Below is a list of some of the famous celebrations and festivals which are known for their fantastic fireworks displays. New Year’s Eve (worldwide) Throughout the world, the New Year is ushered in with a lot of excitement. Many, many countries celebrate it with massive fireworks displays. Sydney, Australia, is one of the first countries to celebrate it due to their location relative to the worlds time zones. You can be sure almost anywhere you go in the world on New Year’s eve, you’ll be treated to a beautiful fireworks display. Fourth of July (United States) As you know, this is a holiday celebrating our country’s declaration of independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. Throughout the United States, fireworks displays are held especially in the major cities such as Washington DC, New York, Las Vegas and LA. Singapore Fireworks Celebrations (Singapore) This is an annual event held in celebration of the country’s National Day. Pyrotechnics teams are invited to this event to create fireworks displays on different nights. In 2019 the schedule looked something like this: Fireworks were estimated to go off from 8pm to 8.20pm on the 6, 13, 20 and 27 July, and 3 and 9 Aug 2019. Guy Fawkes Night (Great Britain and several former British colonies) In 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate the King of England by placing some 30 barrels of gunpowder in the cellar of the Parliament of England. He failed and was captured. On the same day every year, people from Great Britain and some of its former colonies celebrate the event by having fireworks displays. Of course, any time you can add fireworks to a celebration, you’re sure to have a crowd pleaser. We’re looking forward to a great celebration for the New Year holiday coming up! Stay safe out there, and Happy new Year! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160 P.S. Here's a joke for you to start the new year with a laugh! What do you cows celebrate on December 31st?  Moo Years Eve.

Why We Give Gifts | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Giving is enriching and it's good for us. For starters, genuine giving - doing something good for another - makes us feel good. Plus, it releases oxytocin, the love hormone, into our body. This hormone induces feelings of warmth and a closer connection to others. To be a better giver, make it a priority. Giving is not all about money and giving things, it can also include time as a volunteer or helping someone in need. Whichever form of giving you choose, set giving goals. Decide how much you will give, spend, or time allocated. Then make sure to take the first step, even if it’s a small one. Make giving easy. The simpler giving is, the more likely you are to continue the habit. Financial giving can be automated between you and the organization you're donating to. Schedule in your calendar the day and/or time you will give to charity,  another person, or shop for gifts. In fact, to shop you don't even need to leave home when online shopping. Bring a friend along Volunteering with a friend our joining a local organization that gives services, food, clothing, etc is sometimes a great way to start the habit of giving. New habits can have a bumpy start, but the more we keep at them, the more ingrained they become into our daily lives. Developing the habit of becoming a better giver can be like that at first. Yet, over time, it gets easier and it's good for our mental health too. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160 P.S. Here's a festive joke to get you in the spirit of the holidays! How do you know when Santa’s around? You can always sense his presents.

Christmas Trivia Quiz | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Do you love the Mega Trivia Contest in our Neighborhood Advisor (print edition)? We don’t often include trivia in our eNeighborhood Advisor, but our QuizQueen found a few good Christmas Trivia questions this year that we thought it might be fun to give you a bit of trivia to throw out during your various holiday festivities this year. Enjoy! Q: Which Christmas tree fact is NOT true? A. Artificial Christmas trees have outsold real ones every year since 1991. B. Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting Christmas trees. C. Franklin Pierce was the first president to decorate an official White House Christmas tree. D. The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven. A: D. The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven. QQ: OK, so maybe it’s true, but the QuizQueen can’t prove that fact, as reasonable as it sounds, because it wasn’t in any of the literature she dug up for this quiz. Q. Can you name the popular Christmas song that was actually written for Thanksgiving? A. Jingle Bells B. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear C. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus D. Away in the Manger A: A. Jingle Bells QQ: The song was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called One Horse Open Sleigh. When you think about the words make a lot more sense that way. Q. Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in what year? A. 1865 B. 1895 C. 1905 D. 1932 A: B. 1895 QQ: American Ralph E. Morris had the bright idea that electric Christmas lights would be safer than using candles. Q: Can you name Scrooge’s dead business partner from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol?” A. Jacob Marley B. Tiny Tim C. Bob Cratchett D. Old William A: A. Jacob Marley QQ: The first of four spirits to appear to Scrooge that fateful Christmas Eve was that of Jacob Marley, his old business partner. Note from the QuizQueen: did you notice that one of the trivia questions listed here is actually our Mega Trivia question in the Neighborhood Advisor this month? It’s my Christmas gift to you! Quick, submit your answer before those who are not on our email list do! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160 P.S. Here's a festive joke for you! What do you call a blind reindeer? I have no eye deer.

Your new favorite podcast(s) | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Are you addicted to podcasts yet? We are! And we’d love to share some of our favorite podcasts from 2019 with you. You can access any of the podcasts listed here on your smartphone. Just go to your podcast ap, click search, and enter these titles. We take no blame in whatever happens next. Here’s our list of favorite podcasts of 2019 1. Serial  One of the best true crime podcasts of all time! In their first season, Sarah Koenig investigated the case of Adnan Syed (this case was also covered in a great documentary that streamed on HBO, Hulu and other platforms). Now Sarah covers various court proceedings in Cleveland. 2. Radiolab True entertainment with a side of education. The team at WNYCStudios covers topics you probably never thought about – at least not as deeply as they do. The society we live in will have a whole new look after a few episodes of Radiolab! 3. Stuff You Should Know Yep, you know it – or you should. This podcast from How Stuff Works covers a wide range of topics from every day life that you probably don’t know enough about. Have a question about almost any topic? Check the episode list, you’ll likely find your answer, and more! 4. On Being  This meditative podcast by host, Krista Tippett will put you in close touch with your inner self. Krista’s calming, conversational nature makes this podcast an easy listen. Come here if you want to find some peace and  tranquility. 5. Radio Cherry Bombe  The Foodie in us wouldn’t allow this  podcast to be left off the list! Grab a snack and listen in as the hosts interview female movers and shakers in the food industry. From the creators of Food Magazine, you know this one’s gonna taste good! 6. Atlanta Monster This is a captivating story of the city’s darkest secret, told originally in 2019, but is still a favorite this year. The story is told week by week by a great story teller, Payne Lindsey. He has other great podcasts as well so be sure to check them out after you’ve binged this series. Put your headphones on and enjoy! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Welcome to December 2019 | Capell Flooring and Interiors

Dear friends,

The end of the year is often a time of reflection and of planning for the coming year. At

Capell Flooring, we want our customers to have a great experience with everything we do, whether

that’s putting together the Neighborhood Advisor or helping you choose the right flooring

option. And we love hearing from you, too! If you have a suggestion for how we can better

serve you – or a story about a great experience you’ve had working with us – we’d love to

hear it. Referrals and word of mouth are the most important ways for any independent

business to grow, and we want to ensure that every time you recommend us, you’re confident

that we’re going to provide a world-class experience.

From all of us at Capell Flooring, we want to wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New

Year!

Your friend,

Matt Capell