Don't you think we owe it to the lowly cucumber to honor its unique contributions to history? Okay, maybe not... but did you know:

• In the state of Connecticut, in order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce. Plus, you may not sell a pickle that will fall apart if dropped 12 inches.

• In Trenton, New Jersey, it is illegal to throw a bad pickle in the street.

• In Rhode Island, it is illegal to throw pickle juice on a trolley.

• In some parts of the south, it's illegal for women to eat pickles with their feet up on the porch railings!

• Pickles were mentioned at least twice in the Bible.

• The 57 on the Heinz ketchup bottle represents the number of varieties of pickles the company once had.

• Aristotle praised their healing effects.

• Julius Caesar made his army eat them, maybe because...

• Cleopatra's favorite food was pickles. She said they made her beautiful.

• John Lennon's first girlfriend was named Thelma Pickles.

• And our first president George Washington loved pickles.

Consumers still plan to spend about 40% of their tax rebate checks, sending $42 billion back into the economy, but what they plan to buy has shifted slightly from February, according to the findings of a National Retail Federation survey, conducted by BIGresearch. Due to increasing prices of gas and groceries, consumers plan to spend more of their rebate checks on necessities like gas and food rather than on discretionary items like electronics and apparel. What people are planning to use part of their tax rebate check on:

• 17.2 million people to pay for gas

• 21.2 million people to use some to pay for groceries

• 2.7 million people plan to buy furniture

• 2.4 million people plan to purchase a vehicle

• 2.9 million people plan to use it on "me" time at a salon or spa

• 43.5% of 18-24 year olds play to spend more of their checks more than any other age group

According to MSI's Gallup study here's the% of Americans who eat these foods for dinner:

• Chicken/turkey, 54%

• Hamburgers, 46%

• Steak/beef roast, 43%

• Pizza, 41%

• Pasta, 34%

• Pork chops/pork roast, 31%

From LiveScience.com - Here are the Top 10 most gratifying jobs and the percentage of subjects who said they were very satisfied with the job:

• Clergy -- 87%
• Middays on 107.9 the Bull -- 80%
• Physical therapists -- 78%
• Authors -- 74%
• Special education teachers -- 70%
• Teachers -- 69%
• Education administrators -- 68%
• Painters and sculptors -- 67%
• Psychologists -- 67%
• Security and financial services salespersons -- 65%
• Operating engineers -- 64%
• Office supervisors -- 61%

Hey, guys. Want your handsome face to feel as smooth as a baby's behind? The folks at razor-maker Schick know how to keep your kisser smoochable. And since the average male spends 3,000 hours -- that's four months -- shaving by the time he's 80, they offer these seven tips to help you along:

In the summer, shave in the evening. If you scrape those whiskers in the morning, you'll be sorry. Chlorine, salt water, sunscreens and sweat later in the day can be irritable to fresh, sensitive skin.

Soften your face first. This gives the hair time to swell, making it easier to remove. Shaving in the shower is the ultimate softener.

Always use shaving cream or lathering soap. These products reduce friction and help you keep track of what areas you've already done.

Use long, smooth strokes. First go one direction, then another to make sure you've erased any stray, stubborn hairs.

Rinse the razor regularly. That ensures that the blade won't clog and drag on your delicate skin.

Make sure your blade is clean and very sharp. Dull blades need more force to cut through hair, yanking it around, irritating skin. Also, you don't need as much hand pressure on a new blade as on an old one. Lighter strokes keep the red, raw syndrome to a minimum.

Always end your shave with a big splash of cold water to close up pores. Gently pat dry and add aftershave or a moisturizer. Avoid products with alcohol, which sting. Ouch!