Week in Review: The Five Most Notable Events You Should Know
Athletes process out of the arena after the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)
1. A Smooth Start to the Olympics
The Olympics this year have been cloaked in controversy. From gay rights to terror strikes and controversies over poor preparations, many were uncertain whether the Olympics would get off to a good start. Thankfully, the events have been running relatively smoothly, though there have been some notable moments, like a US bobsledder breaking through his bathroom door.
2. Los Angeles’s Latest Craze: Dumb Starbucks Opens Up
Customers waited in line for hours to get coffee from the new coffee shop, “Dumb Starbucks” that had just opened up this weekend, featuring drinks ranging from “Dumb Caramel Macchiato” to “Dumb Chai Tea Latte,” available in sizes ranging from “Dumb Tall” to “Dumb Venti.” All the drinks were free, as this parody shop is “shockingly” making fun of Starbucks. Sadly, the store was closed within 24 hours by the health department.
3. Beatlemania
Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of the day the Beatles became huge performing for millions on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” To commemorate this event, CBS aired a special February 9 entitled “50 Years: The Beatles” featuring many who played or worked with the Beatles.
4. CVS to Stop Selling Tobacco
It is an unprecedented and industry-changing move for CVS to stop selling tobacco products, costing them an estimated two billion in annual revenue. The nation’s largest selling drug store announced the decision February 5 that it it’s 7600 stores will be tobacco-free. Many speculate that the decision will likely pressure other drug stores to follow in CVS’s footsteps, since pharmacies have long been criticized for combining tobacco items with medical products.
5. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Distinguished Actor, Dies at 46
Sadly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the most widely respected actors of his generation, has died at the age of 46 to a heroin overdose. The academy award winner’s death was mourned by fans everywhere, and many of his current works, such as the third installment of The Hunger Games, will have to re-plan due to Hoffman’s death.