APRIL 4, 1999

Full News Archive

• Headline: Challenges for China's Premier During U.S. Visit. Impact: Zhu Rongji's trip to the U.S. sparked an international diplomatic game of Twister. The resulting tension led to a series of trade wars and a sudden interest in yoga among Congress members as they tried to stretch the truth around their policies.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more volatile than U.S.-China relations in the '90s was the stock market?.
• Headline: Exploring Pindar's 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon. Impact: Howard Goldberg's review of a cabernet caused a whirlwind in the wine world, leading to the rise of hipster vineyards where grapes are hand-picked by artisanal squirrels wearing berets.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more pretentious than a wine review is a wine review on a blog called 'The Grape Escape.'.
• Headline: Theatre's American Classics: A Critical Perspective. Impact: Matthew Gurewitsch's article sparked a transatlantic debate about the flexibility of American characters, later resulting in the invention of 'character yoga'—a trend that never really caught on.. Fact: Did you know? The only thing more rigid than American theatrical dramas is the cast of a sitcom trying to do Shakespeare..
• Headline: Derek Jeter: The Pride of Kalamazoo. Impact: Derek Jeter's rise to fame created a butterfly effect that led to millions of parents naming their sons Derek, resulting in a generation of kids who couldn't live up to the hype and just ended up playing video games.. Fact: Did you know that Jeter's last name is so iconic that it’s now considered a verb? To 'Jeter' means to consistently succeed while making it look easy..
• Headline: Celebrating Spring With a Light Dinner. Impact: Moira Hodgson's light dinner recipes triggered a nationwide trend of health-conscious eating, which ironically led to a boom in the pizza delivery business for those who couldn't handle 'light' meals.. Fact: Did you know? The only light dinner that truly satisfies is one that comes with a side of garlic bread..
• Headline: Fury Over Diallo Case Barely Resonates at Giuliani Events Upstate. Impact: The Diallo case ignited a flame of outrage that flickered briefly before being snuffed out by Giuliani's political ambitions, leading to a series of 'what if' scenarios that historians still argue over today.. Fact: In a twist of fate, the outrage over police shootings would lead to a surge in the popularity of reality TV, proving that some people would rather watch drama than solve it..
• Headline: It's Never Too Late to Shoot the Jumper. Impact: The preparation for the National Senior Olympics inadvertently led to a spike in senior citizens taking up sports, resulting in the creation of the world's first senior yoga championship—where no one actually knew what yoga was.. Fact: Did you know? The real competition at the Senior Olympics is trying to remember where you put your glasses..
• Headline: Housing Developer's Plan Roils Stony Brook. Impact: The Stony Brook housing development plan sparked a fierce local backlash, leading to a new political movement: 'NIMBYism,' which has since spread like a wildfire across America, gaining traction in nearly every neighborhood.. Fact: Did you know? NIMBY stands for 'Not In My Backyard,' but it could also mean 'No Innovative Modern Buildings Yet'—an apt description of many suburban areas..
• Headline: State Backs Debated Plan For Turnpike Link With Route 1. Impact: The approval of Route 92 set off a chain reaction of environmental debates that led to the invention of the eco-friendly carpool vehicle—an actual car filled with people who were too cheap to pay for gas.. Fact: Did you know that New Jersey is the only place where traffic jams are considered an art form? The locals have even named their jams after famous musicians..
• Headline: Warnings Ignored. Impact: The health department's warnings about the Hudson River fish became an ironic meme, ultimately leading to a new trend in gourmet dining: 'PCB Sushi,' where the catch of the day is both toxic and trendy.. Fact: Did you know? Eating fish from the Hudson River is like playing Russian roulette, but with a side of mercury!.