Never Throw Away Your Boarding Pass

Hacker alert...

Your boarding contains a wealth of information about you.

When we fly it's mandatory to have a boarding pass to get on the plane, luxuryandglamor.com reports.

Before boarding we hold onto boarding passes as if our lives depend on them. But after we board, many, if not all of us, no longer care about the pass.. Sometimes we leave it on the plane, other times we toss it in the hotel room waste basket, or we just chuck it. But this kind of careless can get you into so much trouble.

According to “Krebs on Security” there is personal information encrypted on your boarding pass. If you took a screen shot of the bar code on the ticket, you would be amazed at how much personal information it contains: your home address, banking info, email address, phone number.

Do yourself a favor and thwart hackers by taking some of the boarding pass precautions recommended in this eye-opening video:  http://www.luxuryandglamor.com/why-you-should-never-throw-your-boarding-pass-away-not-even-after-your-flight-the-reason-i-had-no-idea/

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Apple Unveils New "Spaceship" Headquarters.

The Loo? The Origin of Odd Bathroom Names

Trending topic: public restrooms...

Finding restrooms closed for maintenance can be stressful.

The Loo?  Where do all those bizarre names for the bathroom come from?

For an excellent video tracing the history of odd bathroom names: https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/835740451499999236/video/1 If audio doesn't play, stop and restart video.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Never Throw Away Your Boarding Pass.

Smile: We're Off to a New Week

Fun...

Gottcha.

Fun videos to start off your new week:

-- Progressive:  Peer pressure:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LF-wLESgVs

-- Progressive: Motorcycle misunderstanding:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC82qj30VAg

-- Progressive: Heros: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMpO2v112mk

-- Progressive: Super diner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrezzhrQkSQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVAjm8b7YFg

-- Old Spice: Five Year Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVAjm8b7YFg

-- Allstate: Mayhem, cleaning lady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s2fvO_30BU&feature=youtu.be

-- GEICO: Bowling: MIA:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waEZV_6Tph0

Photos: Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: The Loo and Other Odd Bathroom Names.

Musical Moments: Bizet, Carmen

Terrific...

The gang's all here.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's feature is the video of a terrific group of talented children in Paris, who have a ball with Bizet's Carmen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eee4-d7FUis

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Smile: It's a New Week.

Darien Sees Real Estate Upturn

Weekly update:

Darien saw an upturn in residential real estate activity in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were: 

-- 19 new listings of property for sale;

-- Ten price changes;

-- Seven accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Six closings.

For more:

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Bizet's Carmen by some wonderful and talented children in Paris.

Revolution: Russian Art 1917-1932

Powerful exhibition...

Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili...

aka Koba and Stalin

One hundred years on from the Russian Revolution, this powerful exhibition explores one of the most momentous periods in modern world history through the lens of its groundbreaking art, reports royalacademy.org.

For an intriguing video and more: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/revolution-russian-art

Russian Revolution, 1917.

Photos: Tumblr, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

Who Are The Richest of the Rich?

A select few...

The best of times.

The top 10 — nine from the United States, one from Spain — have a combined net worth of $582 billion, Paul Sullivan reports on nytimes.com.

While their wealth would certainly be enough to save the world from Dr. Evil, what they do with it in real life is the subject of great interest and debate, Sullivan wrote.

For a fascinating look at a select few: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/19/your-money/who-are-the-richest-of-the-rich.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&referer=https://t.co/z9bGKlbjO2

They had it all.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Russian Revolution Art.

Designers: Choosing The Best Red Paint Colors

Go for sultry, not stop sign...

Let's give it a touch of red while we're at it.

Red: It's the color of passion, love and striking design interiors, Kelsey Kloss reports on elledecor.com.

But if approached incorrectly, it can make a space seem overwhelming or harsh -- not exactly the adjectives you want to wake up to, Kloss added.

See how interior designers solve the tricky problem of selecting the right red for the right spots: http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/g8942659/red-paint/

Adding an attractive red accent to a room.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Who Are The Richest?

Beware of Facebook Fake Friends' Requests

A request from "myself"...

Be careful out there.

A few weeks ago, I got a Facebook request from “myself,”  Jennifer Jolly reports on usatoday.com

I recognized it right away as a common Facebook cloning scam, Jolly wrote.

For more, including a video on how to deal with a risky and annoying ploy that can ruin your day:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2017/02/17/attack-of-the-facebook-fakes/97764610/

Think before clicking.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Designers' Tips on Choosing the Best Red Paint Colors.

The Rarely Attempted, Slow-Motion Bike Flip

Impossible, skeptics said...

We did it!

Enjoy your new week:

-- Smokey The Bear: Campfire:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02qzeV00-EQ

-- Smokey The Bear: Bonfire:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4b6d6Kd_34

-- Smokey The Bear: Tow chains:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFXD_4rDZj0

-- AllState: Wiper Blade Mayhem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnxRQBelKl4

-- Progressive: Wake Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a24w2u-3kOg

-- BMW: Trunk opening:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpNke_yU2v0

-- Chase: John Batiste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2xAiDVf7gA

Photo: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Beware of Facebook Fake Friends' Requests.

Musical Moments: Flack, The First Ever I Saw Your Face

Unforgettable...

Roberta Flack.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

For a great video of Roberta Flack and her unforgettable, The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqW-eO3jTVU

Photo: Pinterest.  

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Smile and Enjoy Your New Week.

Darien Adjusts Housing Inventory, Sees Modest Sales

Weekly update...

Parking Air Force One with the help of a sharp Marine.

Darien adjusted housing inventory and saw modest residential real estate sales in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- 16 new listings of property for sale;

-- Six price changes;

-- Four accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- One closing..

For more: 

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: Musical Moments with Roberta Flack.

The Fascinating Evolution of the Mall in Washington

200-year transformation...

On and near the Mall in Washington.

The original idea for the Mall — a grand, tree-lined avenue flanked by imposing buildings — goes back to the very origins of the capital city, Pierre L’Enfant’s plan conceived for George Washington, Aaron Steckelberg, Philip Kennicott, Bonnie Berkowitz and Denise Lu report on washingtonpost.com.

 But in Washington, plans rarely go as planned, so the Mall has been a work in progress for more than 200 years. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the most recent addition but possibly not the last. 

For an fascinating, in depth report on the Mall's evolution:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/lifestyle/the-evolution-of-the-national-mall/?tid=sm_fb

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial and the Capitol.

Photos; Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report:  Commemorating Presidents' Day.

Amazing Snowmobile Flipping and Jumping

Daniel Bodin at work...

The single snowmobile flip has been surpassed by Daniel Bodin; see below.

Snowmobiles weigh over 450 pounds so flipping them once in mid-air is already insanity, but Daniel Bodin wanted to do something nobody else has ever done, so he went for it and nailed a double backflip, Casey Chan reports on gizmodo.com.

It's a helluva trick that's been attempted back in 2009 and 2011 at the X-Games but hasn't ever been landed before like this, Chan wrote.

The video of Bodin's celebration is almost as fun to watch as the trick itself.  And don't miss another video of his jump off a ski jump with a snowmobile:  http://sploid.gizmodo.com/watch-the-worlds-first-double-backflip-on-a-snowmobile-1791589627

Daniel Bodin during his historic double back flip.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: The evolution of the fascinating Mall in Washington, D.C, a magnet for tens of millions of visitors annually.

Etiquette's in the Spotlight at The Plaza

Popular series...

.

Oops.

Think you know how to sit property, tie a modern knot, and maintain proper eye contact?

Think again, Rina Raphael reports on fastcompany.com

I was having tea at The Plaza with Myka Meier, founder and director of the Beaumont Etiquette school. Meier has launched The Plaza Hotel Finishing Program with the iconic New York City hotel, Raphel wrote.  It’s where business enthusiasts, mostly in their 20s and 30s, can go to learn manners.

See why bottles on the mantel and dinner table as well as elbows on the table and more matter: https://www.fastcompany.com/3067637/most-innovative-companies/why-the-plaza-hotels-business-etiquette-lessons-are-selling-out

Manners are remembered.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Tomorrow on The Allen Report: A new record for a snow season sport.

The Mighty Submerged Part of the U.S. Nuclear Triad

Stealthy and awesome...

Test launch of a Trident submarine-based ballistic missile

Submarines are, arguably, the most important boats in the U.S. Navy, cnet.com reports.

They participate in seek-and-destroy missions, surveillance missions, and "irregular warfare."  Most importantly, though, some submarines hold half of the United States' thermonuclear warheads in secret locations throughout the globe..

With new tensions in Korea and elsewhere, here's a timely slide show about this mighty component of the U.S. nuclear triad: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/submarines-keepers-of-the-nuclear-apocalypse/

The powerful USS Michigan, a Trident-equipped, nuclear-powered submarine.

For the video of the launch of a Trident:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIuDGrhkEY

Skyline Magazine featured my report, Think Deep, about the first deployment of Polaris-equipped nuclear submarines in the Pacific as a cover story.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest, youtube, Google.

Preview: Watch for tomorrow's Allen Report item about a hot etiquette course in New York.

Smile: A Super Way to Start Your New Week

Among the best...

The come-back kid.

Start your week with fun commercials from the Super Bowl and more:

-- GEICO: Bagpipes Crushed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyTEfD9IXPA

-- GEICO:  Grocery Store Crushed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar68sfnPq0E

-- GEICO:  Easier Done Than Said:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx0LlCCjc10

-- GEICO:  Getaway Car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=170B1UmJbTM

-- Hyundai: A Better Super Bowl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7n-GxJBw1k

-- Coca Cola: It's Beautiful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhP5sDUnF6c

-- Buick: Cam Newton, Miranda Kerr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06QXBWK39lY

-- Kia: Hero's Journey:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dQ9a5EFZeI

Photos: Google, Pinterest.

Preview:  With tensions building in Korea, watch for The Allen Report's item tomorrow on America's mighty Trident-equipped, nuclear-powered submarines.

Musical Moments: Master and Commander Final Song

Famous...

Fire!

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is the famous final song from Master and Commander by Boccherini:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l78VNe_dhAM

Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander.

Photos: Tumblr, Pinterest.

163

Darien Ends Busy Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Darien ended a busy residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- 11 new listings of property for sale;

-- 11 price changes;

-- Eight accepted offers;

-- Two properties going under contract, and

-- Two closings.

For more: 

How They Paint Commercial Planes

Artists at work...

Giving an airliner a new look.

Ever wonder how the airlines make their planes look so great?

For a video on how Southwest decked out one of its planes with a new look:  https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/824135725348110336/video/1  (If audio doesn't play, stop video and restart it.)

Unveiling the freshly painted plane.

Photos: Giphy, Google.

The American Shopping Mall is in Crisis

Changing shopping habits...

A trip through a mall.

The American shopping mall is in a crisis. One of the largest malls in Pennsylvania sold for just $100, businessinsider.com reports.

For a video on why malls across the U.S, are closing more than ever:  https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/828846765054976000/video/1  (If audio doesn't play, stop video and restart it.)

Shoppers in an American mall.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

How to Boost Your Immune System

Super-powering foods...

Fruits and vegetables help build immunity.

In the spirit of boosting white blood cells, make a habit of incorporating cold-fighting foods into your diet whenever you're fending off the sniffles, Laura Newcomer reports on cnn.com.

Better yet? Eat them on a regular basis so your immune system is always firing on all cylinders, Newcomer wrote.

For a slideshow and tips on fueling your body's immune system:  http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/06/health/foods-boost-immune-system-diet-partner/index.html?sr=twCNN020717foods-boost-immune-system-diet-partner0900AMVODtopLink&linkId=34200139

Fruits and vegetables are good sources for vitamins A, C and E.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Getting White Paint Right

Best shades of white...

t

Fresh paint can work wonders.

White paint can make or break a room, Amy Preiser and Kelsey Kloss report on elledecor.com.

Some tips about the best shades of white:  http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/advice/a3448/the-right-white-a-70889/?src=TrueAnth_ELLEDECOR_TW&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=5891509a04d3010e19998498&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

White for a beautiful kitchen.

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Smile: It's Super Bowl Sunday

Fun...

Good one.

Fun ways to start your new week:

-- Old Spice: Radio daze:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3V6vcmjv20XJcK80g5K5ow?v=YHzdmZqojDI

-- Mercedes: Born to be wild:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEM-9n9m310

-- GEICO: Tarantino parody:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQWu5LrHrCA

-- Budweiser: Born the hard way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmlRtpzwos

-- Avocados From Mexico: Secret society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VneoEvAJX0g

-- Allstate: Modern businessman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyYr3UxAMsQ&feature=youtu.be

-- Mr. Clean: Cleaner of your dreams:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDzMxlw2Fgo

Let the game begin.

Photos:  Giphy, Pinterest.