How Much Do You Know About Al Capone?
Apr 03
Mention Al Capone and visions of a vicious gangster likely come to mind. Trivia and facts you probably did not know about Al Capone likely contribute to the mystique and Hollywood-style fame of one of the most notorious gangsters of his time. Ira Riklis delves into some pieces of trivia about the infamous mobster. Early Life and Childhood Gangs Born to Italian immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New...
New Years Traditions Explained
Jan 04
The other day we celebrated the arrival of the new year, 2023, in the usual ways. Many people gathered in groups or for parties, some celebrated at home. Others, beyond my understanding, decided to stand for hours on end in the freezing cold in Times Square so as to witness the dropping of the crystal ball. Most of us filled glasses with Champagne (I don’t know why we choose Champagne for...
The Diversity Of The United States
May 09The United States was once thought to be a loose association of independent and sovereign states, as its name suggests. Prior to the Constitution, which established a considerably stronger link between the states, the states were governed by the Articles of Confederation, a very weak document. There was little to no Federal power, and a shipment of rice traveling overland from South Carolina to...
What’s In A Name?
Apr 10
The surname Riklis is not a common one; in the United States, it is the surname of around one in every ten million individuals, ranking past the 600,000th most common surname. Riklis appears to be more frequent in some nations, particularly Israel, where a sizable Jewish community bears the surname. Although there are a few records about Riklis emigrating from other countries, the majority of...
Have You Heard Of A Slush Fund?
Feb 07
Outside, it’s sweltering. Temperatures have been in the mid-80s to low-90s for the past ten days. Even when the sun sets, there isn’t much relief. So wouldn’t your thoughts turn to a Slush, that irresistible blend of half-melted ice and fruit flavorings? Yum! What is a Slush Fund, exactly? If a Slush is a fruit and ice drink, why has the term “Slush Fund” acquired a...
What’s In A Name?
Dec 16
Red Square brings us pictures of troops marching in massed formations, military vehicles and tractors dragging the latest Soviet rockets past the Soviet leadership standing atop Lenin’s tomb, the Kremlin wall with turrets capped by gigantic lighted red stars, and flags, red banners, everywhere. Since the mid-nineteenth century, we have associated the color red with Socialism and Communism....