News for Week Ending Friday, Dec 2, 2016

1.   Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz announced that he will step down from his position but will stay on as executive chairman and focus on the most critical strategic issues, such as innovation, social impact   ***  and the design of Starbuck’s annual holiday cup.

2.   By using an MRI machine to study people’s brain response, researchers at the University of Utah found that intense religious experiences trigger the same part of the brain as drinking, drugs and sex.  ***  Wow—that MRI machine must have been huge.

3.   A 700-foot Krishna temple under construction in India will be the tallest religious structure in the world.  ***  Well, at least the tallest one financed entirely with funds solicited at airports.

4.   Researchers at Emory University found that dogs prefer belly rubs over treats.  ***  This discovery led to the Emory University Diet—you’re not allowed to eat much, but you get your belly rubbed all day long.

5.   Police in Utica, Michigan arrested a 74 year old man for impersonating a dentist.  ***  Several witnesses reportedly saw him wearing gold chains, driving a Lamborghini and trying to pick up beautiful young women.

6.   On this date in history:  Dec 2, 2014 – Stephen Hawking claims that artificial intelligence is a "threat to mankind" and could spell the end of the human race.  ***  Although he did admit it will be tough for mankind to choose between artificial intelligence and no intelligence whatsoever.

7.   On this date in history:  Dec 1, 1929 – Edwin S. Lowe invents the game of Bingo.  ***   It was the only way he could get his elderly mother out of house on Tuesday evenings.

8.   On this date in history:  Nov 30, 1981 – Porn star John Holmes is arrested on fugitive charges   ***   He’s still the only felon whose wanted poster was X-rated.

9.   On this date in history:  Nov 29, 1942 – The U.S. begins rationing coffee.  ***  To get a coffee voucher, people had to prove that they needed to wake up in the  morning.

10.  On this date in history:  Nov 28, 1933 – A Dallas grand jury delivers a murder indictment against Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.   ***  The jury also pointed out that the pair’s exploits would make a heck of a movie.