104.3 The Hippo

11/28/2025

THE HIPPO'S, THANKSGIVING, QUESTION OF THE DAY:

While there are plenty of things that go into the "traditional Thanksgiving," every family puts their own spin on it. And sometimes, there are some real curveballs.

What’s your family’s trivial or extreme or weird Thanksgiving tradition?

Any unusual foods you don't think are on other tables?

Do you have strange rules? A specific seat at the table that sparks a fight every year? Any rules about shoes or phones or pets?

Maybe a family toast that gets a little … unhinged?

How about away from the dinner table?

Is there a Thanksgiving game — that's not football in the yard?

A turkey trot no one wants to run?

Are you cool with your family's quirky traditions? Or do you go along to get along?

11/27/2025

What's open on Thanksgiving? The days of businesses, stores, and large retailers remaining open on Thanksgiving appear to be over. Following a run of several years where retailers and large chain stores tried to get a jumpstart on Black Friday sales, it seems most of them have responded to criticism from employees and customers who called on them to put family time over profits. This year, the only businesses you'll see open, although some may have reduced hours, will be some grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, and chain restaurants.

Most major retailers will be closed all day, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kohl’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. For those looking to go out or bring in for their holiday dinner, most fast-food restaurants plan to be open. Some, including Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Raising Cane's, Taco, Bell and Pizza Hut will be closed. Chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel, Waffle House and IHOP will remain open, while Chili's, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, and Longhorn Steakhouse will be closed.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are right around the corner. Many stores will close for the holiday, but reopen early for Black Friday shoppers.

11/27/2025

HAPPY THANKSGIVING....

When to serve Thanksgiving dinner … Martha Stewart has spoken, and she says Thanksgiving dinner should officially be served at 2 p.m. She claims it keeps people from hovering in the kitchen all morning like starving vultures and helps the whole day flow better. You eat early, hang out, watch football, play games, and still have room for dessert later on. And if you get hungry again at night? Bring out the leftovers for Round Two. Who are we to argue with Martha?

24.5K likes, 984 comments. “ suggested a that starts in the early afternoon instead of at dinner time. What time do you serve your Thanksgiving meal?”

11/27/2025

THE HIPPO'S QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Right about now, your socials are probably starting to fill up with people’s "thankful" posts. This time of year is a good time to remember what we’re all thankful for.

So, let’s hear it ... what are you most thankful for this year?

Speaking of being thankful ...

According to a new YouGov poll, it seems what people are most thankful for are their loved ones. 47% said friends and family are what they are most thankful for. That was followed by good health at 19%.

On the other hand …

No thanks … Going around the table to say what your thankful for is a Thanksgiving tradition in many families, but it seems lots of people would rather skip that altogether. A survey found that 60% of respondents would rather do anything other than think about what they're grateful for on Thanksgiving.

11/26/2025

John Michael's "Did You Know" for Wednesday 11/26/25:

Did You Know that Using Aluminum Foil for Leftovers Could Kill You?!





How do you store Thanksgiving leftovers? Tupperware, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil? According to this, that last option could KILL YOU . . . probably not, but it's possible.





"Reader's Digest" talked to an expert who says aluminum foil might NOT be the best choice for leftovers. They listed a few reasons, but here's the main one.





If that leftover turkey is still WARM when you put it in the fridge, using aluminum foil will keep it warm longer than plastic wrap does. And that gives bacteria more time to grow.





The danger zone for food poisoning is 104 to 140 degrees. That's when bacteria grows the fastest, and foil can keep it inside the window for longer. It also doesn't create a great seal, so more air gets in.





That said, don't worry TOO much about it. Even with foil, you're probably fine. Especially if you eat all your leftovers within three to four days.





But using Tupperware or plastic wrap can lower your risk of getting sick.





(RD)

Turns out, aluminum foil is not ideal for storing leftovers. Here's why, and what you should be using instead.

11/26/2025

Leftovers for days … How long can you actually keep eating that leftover turkey and fixings? First, it all depends on how the food is stored and how long it sits out before it's put away and placed in the fridge or freezer. If the leftovers are put away within two hours of being served, and they're stored in airtight containers, experts say they will be safe in the refrigerator for up to four days. In the freezer, they can be stored for up to six months.

Planning on living off of Thanksgiving leftovers in the days following your celebration? Read this first.

11/26/2025

THE HIPPO'S CLASSIC CUTS: Refugee

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: "Refugee"

Hook: They couldn't get it to sound as good as the demo.

Album: Damn the Torpedoes

Year: 1980

Writers: Tom Petty and Mike Campbell

Stats: Peaked at number-15 on the Billboard Hot 100

Background: Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell says that getting "Refugee" to sound the way they wanted in the studio was an ordeal.

Guitarist Mike Campbell on recording Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Refugee."
"It was hell. It was a nervous breakdown getting that song on tape. 'Cause we had this great demo that I'd done on a 4-track, then we went into the big studio to try and make it sound like that and it just wouldn't. It always sounded too good, or the drums sounded too big and made the guitars sound teeny or the other way around. And it just took forever to get the sound that we liked. I mean, I can listen to it now, but for the longest time I couldn't even listen to it, 'cause it was too much pain. We knew it was a good song and we weren't gonna settle until we had it the way we wanted it. That's why we stuck in there for so long with it."

Tie-in: On this day in 1985 -- November 26th -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their first concert album, Pack Up the Plantation: Live!

https://www.funkystuff.org

11/26/2025

The Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights is a free community event where families, neighborhood groups and businesses come together to provide an outstanding, holiday themed lighted parade that is enjoyed by local families each year.

Come and see all the fun entries light up Main Street in Downtown Salinas, CA. Cheer on those marching in the parade and boost your holiday spirit.

Parade starts Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Acacia & S. Main St. at 6:00 pm and travels up Main Street towards the heart of our Downtown at the Salinas City Center - 1 Main Street.

Free for all ages to attend.

Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights 2025 Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Salinas, California

11/26/2025

TODAY IS:

Drinksgiving: The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a big day for drinking. In fact, it is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year — even rivaling New Year’s Eve. On Drinksgiving, also known as Blackout Wednesday or Black Wednesday, bars see liquor sales spike by more than 150%. Makes sense — people are home from college and meeting up with old friends, relatives are in town, and everyone is feeling festive about having four days off. So have fun! But be safe ... and don’t drive.

Tie One on Day: No, it’s not the same as Drinksgiving. It’s actually a day celebrating the person tying on an apron tomorrow and cooking your Thanksgiving meal.

Did you know … The average amount of time it takes for a host to prepare a Thanksgiving feast is 9.6 hours. That’s probably why 47% of Thanksgiving hosts will take time off of work in order to properly prep the feast.

Good Grief Day: A day to honor the birthday of Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. Also a good day to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

National Cake Day: A day to enjoy the goodness of cake.

YouTube:On November 26th, National Cake Day delivers a scrumptious treat for everyone to enjoy! Slide over pie, this day cake takes center stage as the desse...

11/26/2025

THE HIPPO'S QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and if you’re going any distance from home, you’re probably spending a night or two somewhere. For most people, that means staying with family — which can be a challenge in itself.

How comfortable is the place you're staying?

Are we talking sleeping on a couch or a blow-up mattress in the basement? Or, do you get your own room? Is it your childhood room that is now full of your mom’s hobby stuff and unused exercise equipment?

Any awkward family dynamics with multiple families sharing the same space? Would you rather just stay in a hotel? Do you not stay in a hotel because you’ll get a hard time about it from family? Or, have you laid down the law and said it’s a hotel or nothing?

11/25/2025

John Michael's "Did You Know" for Tuesday 11/25/25:

Did You Know that An Etiquette Expert Says Thanksgiving Hosts Shouldn't Have Their Christmas Tree Up Yet?!





Are you the holiday captain of your family? You're hosting Thanksgiving, and you've even got your Christmas tree up already?





Great job being so proactive . . . now maybe rip that thing down. (???)





"Fox News" talked to an etiquette expert who claimed putting your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving is fine . . . UNLESS you're hosting Thanksgiving.





Quote, "The appropriate timing depends on whether you are hosting." If you are, she says to wait and let Thanksgiving "have its moment" first. Having Christmas stuff up can overshadow it.





Some people online think she's right. Others say they LIKE seeing a Christmas tree up at Thanksgiving.





Either way, don't actually rip your tree down if it's already up. But if you were hoping to get it up before Thursday and haven't yet . . . maybe relax and just focus on all that FOOD you have to make.





(Fox News)

Experts reveal the best time to put up Christmas trees, with most recommending late November to early December. Balsam Hill and etiquette pros share timing tips.

11/25/2025

Look out for our sister station, 101.7 The Beach at the Lights on Celebration Presented by The Hollister Downtown Association - “Christmas Around the World” Saturday, November 29, 2024.