The Tutor.com Blog

We love celebrations and the 4th of July is always a favorite. Beaches, barbecues and fireworks are at the top of our list.  We started to wonder what does July 4th look by the numbers?  Just how many fireworks are launched and how many hot dogs are consumed?  Remember we’re a company that delivers close to a million math and science tutoring sessions a year so yes, we love this stuff!   Check out what we found and share some of your own July 4th numbers with us in the comments!

• 14,500 – The number of firework displays that light up the sky across the U.S. on July 4th ⁵
• $600 million – The estimated cost of the fireworks purchased nationwide ¹
• 40,000 – The number of shells launched in the 25 minute Macys Fireworks Display in New York City ³
• 1,600 – The number of shells launched per minute in the Macys Fireworks Display ³
• $10,000 – The estimated cost for a standard small town fireworks display ²
• $everal million – The estimated cost for a major city corporate fireworks extravaganza ⁴
• 78 million – The estimated number of Americans that host a barbecue on July 4^{th 2}
• 155 million – The estimated number of hot dogs that are consumed on Independence Day ²
• $182 million – The estimated cost of hamburger patties for barbecues on the 4^{th 1}
• $203 million – The estimated cost of the condiments to drizzle over the hamburgers and hot dogs ¹

How are you celebrating Independence Day?

1) http://kezj.com/the-cost-of-4th-of-july/

2) http://fastfood.ocregister.com/2009/07/02/july-4-food-facts-which-state-eats-the-most-hot-dogs/25807/

3) http://www.macysinc.com/pressroom/macys/press.aspx?cid=3&scid=7&mkid=606&pid=15457

4) http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/04/the-most-extravagant-fireworks-displays-on-july-4th/

5) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/07/100704-4th-of-july-facts-nation-july-4-fourth/

Today is Poem in Your Pocket day. A day to keep a poem close to you and celebrate this art form with family, friends or classmates. “What makes something a poem?” you may ask. Poetry is about any topic, takes any shape, and can be of any length. There is classic form, like iambic pentameter so famously used by William Shakespeare. Or simple rhyme, like the all time classic “Roses are red, Violets are blue…”

They can be humorous and witty, like Billy Collins’ Litney (poem begins at 1:55).

Or full of sadness, like Gottfried Benn’s Fragments 1953.

They can be artistic in form and structure, like Dylan Thomas’ work Vision and Prayer.

They can be under 140 characters, like those contributing to #micropoetry or #poetweet.

Or they can be epic works, like The Iliad & The Odyssey by Homer.

What kind of poem is in your pocket?

We caught up with the Tutor.com team to find out what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Check out their responses below and share what you are thankful for in the comments section. On behalf of the whole team, we wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

A big thanks to Evelyn Sullivan, our Onboarding Manager, for putting together this fantastic collage!

Sandi White will spend her Memorial Day Weekend here. Yes, we're jealous.

Memorial Day Weekend is a time to remember and honor all Americans who have served our country.  It’s also the unofficial first weekend of summer. Here at Tutor.com we’re stocking up on sun block, firing up the grill and getting ready to spend some quality time with family.   Here’s how we’ll be spending our first three days of summer.  What are you up to this weekend?

“I’ll be at the Washington Nationals game to watch my brother-in-law throw out the first pitch on behalf of the U.S. Navy.”  Bart Epstein, SVP

 “Going home to CT to visit my parents and my dogs. I’ll spend Memorial Day out on a boat at my aunt and uncle’s lake house.”   Lauren Lobdell, Client Services

“Time with family!”   Krissie Smith, Sales Director

 “Heading to the most beautiful place on earth—Lake Tahoe—And spending most of my waking hours for three days at the end of a beautiful dock!”  Sandi White, VP Sales

“Beach time with my family.” Tania Enders,  Marketing Manager

“BBQ at the lake and my local Memorial Day Parade.” Tom Squillace, Sales Director

“I’ll be at Fort Myer introducing students to Tutor.com!”  Jennifer Marsh, Client Services

“Barbecue and summer blockbuster movies.  Kung Fu Panda 2 with the kids, and The Hangover Part 2 with the wife” David Chin, Product Manager

“I’m doing the NYC-shuffle!  Moving from the East Side to the West Side for a summer sublet.”  Stephen Schrage, Marketing Coordinator  

“Sleep!”  Duane Romanell, sleep -deprived Creative Director

Have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

 - Jennifer Kohn, VP of Corporate Communications who will be visiting the Bronx Zoo and checking out Animals and Acrobats this weekend with her family.