Big Boy to lay off 88 in wake of Listeria fears

Big Boy Restaurants International will lay off 88 workers and close its ready-to-eat-meals subsidiary in Warren, Michigan, after the government ordered a recall of its product due to fears of Listeria contamination.

The company notified the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth of the pending layoffs today, as required by law.

In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Big Boy Food Group, a subsidiary of the restaurant chain, was recalling almost 40,000 pounds of the ready-to-eat meal kits due to the health concerns.

In its notice to the state, Big Boy cited the problems with the ready-to-eat operation and a USDA order to shut down.

Mallie’s big burger — did they use a thermometer?

A Detroit-area restaurant owner said he believes he has broken the world record for ”largest hamburger commercially available.”

After 12 hours of preparation and baking, the 134-pound burger emerged Saturday at Mallie’s Sports Bar and Grill.

The ”Absolutely Ridiculous Burger,” made with beef, bacon and cheese, was delivered on a 50-pound bun, sells for $350, and orders require 24 hours’ notice. Flipping the burger required three men using two steel sheets.

That’s all nice, but did they use a thermometer to acquire data for doneness? Regardless of the size, stick it in.

Proper ferret care: Don’t throw it in a bathtub with a naked Jeff “The Dude” Bridges

The British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) has launched a new practical guide designed to enable owners to provide the very best of care for their pet ferrets.

Produced in association with the Ferret Education & Research Trust (FERT), the leaflet reflects the growing popularity of these intelligent and curious animals as household pets.

Carl Padgett, Chair of the BVA AWF Trustees explained that,

"while ferrets can sleep for a large period of the day, when they are awake they are very active and need a lot of stimulation to occupy their time. They live an average of eight to ten years so a high level of commitment and care is needed but our new guide should ensure that even the novice owner has all the information necessary to ensure their pet’s health and welfare."

Covering the basics such as housing, feeding, health care and toilet training, the guide also offers advice on ‘ferret-proofing’ your home and garden, advice on games – ferrets particularly love hide-and-seek – and, very importantly, breeding and neutering as well as vaccination against Canine Distemper should owners be tempted to take their ferret for a walk on a lead and harness.

The ‘Caring for your ferret’ leaflet is available to download from the BVA AWF website at http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/leaflets.

(Doug Powell and Ben Chapman, left, not exactly as pictured).