Finger-licking: For its 2011 Tailgating Awards, Parade magazine names LSU No. 1 in the category of Most Finger-Licking Food. “Forget burgers and brats—outside Tiger Stadium, you’re more likely to find French Quarter favorites like spicy alligator, gumbo and shrimp étouffée,” says the magazine. “No wonder Sports Illustrated once gave the school an A rating for tailgate eats.”
Everybody’s Buddy: Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer’s long-shot bid for the GOP presidential nomination has thus far garnered the most attention from Roemer’s refusal to take any campaign contribution exceeding $100. Lately, however, Roemer has been making headlines for being the lone GOP candidate publicly backing the Occupy Wall Street movement. Roemer mingled with protesters in New York last week, prompting coverage by CBS News and The Wall Street Journal, among others. It also prompted Danny DeVito to tweet, “Keep your eye on Buddy Roemer.” The attention is leading to donations, as Roemer says in this tweet he posted Sunday evening: “Getting lots of donations, can’t thank you enough for the support! Not easy running campaign on contributions of $100 or less, but worth it!” According to OpenSecrets.org, Roemer leads all GOP candidates and President Barack Obama in collecting small donations—which account for 80% of his $233,000 war chest. Read the report here.
Higher on the hog: The global luxury market continues to surge as experts project 10% growth in 2011. Bain & Company says in a report commissioned by Italian luxury producers that a resurgence of growth in the U.S. and European markets coupled with strong performance in China and Latin America are driving growth in the sector. Japan also returned to growth. Bain also revised its 2010 figures to €173 billion, or a 13% growth, from a year earlier, compared with earlier figures of €172 billion. Bain forecasts growth in 2011 is being driven by jewelry and watches, up 18%; accessories, up 13%; and apparel, up 8%. The Fondazione Altagamma association of Italian luxury producers released the report today.
