CelebrateToday

2011-10-20T21:09:00.000-04:00

What scares you? I have been watching 'scary' movies for the past few weeks. Scary movies that I thought I remembered as being scary. Now, not so much. Is it because I know the movie? I know what's coming? I don't think so. I get the same 'eh' feeling from a scary movie I hadn't seen before.

A bit ago, I watched what many people considered scary when it was released in 1982...The Thing. Even now they call it the scariest movie of all time.

To summarize, it didn't scare me. In fact, I laughed. Some of the scenes were so comical, I laughed so hard I cried. I don't know why I wasn't scared. Have I been scared out? Can I not be scared anymore? Am I too old?

When I say scared, I mean scared - not startled. Yes, I will jump, catch my breath, maybe even yelp a bit if someone comes out from around a corner and says BOO. But that really isn't scary. Anyone have a good scary movie for me?

New Celebration

2011-10-16T13:46:00.000-04:00

What can we celebrate today? In the past, I have scoured the internet looking for already made up unique and bizarre holidays, read the History Channel web page and found famous people's birthdays. I think I would like to change the theme of this page.

Today, after a hard exercise of pressing the off button to the television set. I think I will celebrate that. I have been sitting on the front porch in this beautiful sunny weather. If you don't know me, which most of you do right now because no strangers have 'liked' this blog, I am a TV-aholic. Even if I am not watching it...if I am deep cleaning the bathroom, the television is on. I need it for background noise. Some say it is so I don't feel alone. Maybe. Who really knows?

So, I set myself up on the front porch. Yes, I brought my computer. I thought I might become inspired and write something. And, I have. This is my second blog posting (if you haven't already see my other blog www.handmedownthoughts.blogspot.com). AND I have been writing words, at Words with Friends, a new addiction.

The birds have kept me company, Blue Jays, Cat Birds, Sparrows and a couple of squirrels. It has been nice. I think I might be able to arrange for another no TV afternoon...but now, I have to go inside, this chair is killing my butt!

Wish me luck!

Space, the Final Frontier

2011-04-12T07:12:00.000-04:00

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of manned flight.

On April 12, 1969, Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gaugarian, stepped into a thin metal tube filled with an explosive liquid, crossed his fingers and said, okay, light it...(well, if he said those EXACT words they would have been in Russian, of course). Vostok 1 traveled around the Earth one time for a total spaceflight time of 108 minutes. Now just over an hour and a half in space is nothing, it probably seemed like forever. Especially at blast off.

I recommend that everyone celebrate this special time by taking 108 minutes and blasting your own mind into orbit while sitting at your desk or wherever you regularly work (unless you are a driver-DO NOT GO INTO SPACE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING!!!).

Happy flying!

Gardening

2011-04-09T06:05:00.000-04:00

It is Lawn and Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month and Garden Week. I have not found a National Garden Day but since it is Saturday, I am proclaiming today that special day. If you haven't already done so I recommend going to your favorite garden center (or Wally-world) and picking out a few starter flowers, shrubs and maybe even a tree or two. It will only take a bit of time to shred out the old overgrown weedy garden in front of the house and plant the new things. It will give your house a neat little face lift and make you feel great afterwards because of all the fresh air your steal from Mother Nature (don't worry she won't mind because the plants you just planted will refurbish the stale air and make new fresh air).

This year I will be unable to participate because I have moved into a condo and someone else is in charge of the gardens. Maybe I will get a cool deck garden for the corner. Nice.

Oh, if you have a mind to, my friend Grace has a cool page on FaceBook called Oh Pretty Flowers. A place you can look at and post pictures of pretty flowers from your yard or wherever. Go take a look and click like. Pictures of pretty flowers can't really take the place of real "in-person' flowers, but they give a close second feeling...http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Oh-Pretty-Flowers/144875168909477

Celebrate!

SeaBees

2011-03-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

On this day in 1942, the SeaBees were founded.

Today I celebrate this founding. Other than the fact that my mother's step-father was a SeaBee (maybe even one of the original members) what SeaBees do is awesome and essential during times of war and disaster (natural or otherwise).

A little bit of trivia for you...SeaBee...yes, they are seamen, sailors, understandable where the Sea part came from but what about the Bee...well, it might be part of that. But "SeaBee" is long (yeah, long instead of short for a change) for CB. CB is short (sorry it is a bit of a long story) for Construction Battalions. The SeaBee logo? Of course, a flying be carrying a hammer in one hand (?), a wrench in a second, and a rifle in two others. I wonder, what is in the other two?

So, to celebrate the founding of the SeaBees, I will remember Grandpa Rabbit, you stubborn SOG. Here's a Bud! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter

2011-03-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. I love Peanut Butter. Today is my day. I think I will have Peanut Butter toast for breakfast. Oh, no toaster guess that's out. Peanut Butter Sandwich for lunch. Yum, where's the jelly? What can I do with peanut butter for dinner, Any ideas?

Oh, I wonder if my Peanut Butter Tagalongs will come in tomorrow...how appropriate...

Captain Stubing

2011-02-28T00:01:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Gavin McLeod!

I know you were around before 1977 when I fell in love with your boat Pacific Princess. Because later I discovered you with one of my favorite people, Mary Tyler Moore, working at a TV station. I am glad that you were able to work your way up from Lieutenant to Captain in just 20 years especially after you were demoted on Pork Chop Hill to private. And then to Seaman while serving on Operation Petticoat.

No matter, you know where the fun jobs are and there can't be anything more fun than to cruise the high seas stopping at beautiful ports of call. Mazatlan, Acapulco, sigh.

I wonder, did you ever sail to Fantasy Island???

Bear Hug

2011-02-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bears are one of the world's most awesome creatures. What is your favorite type of bear?

American Black Bear; Cinnamon Bear; Kermode Bear; Asiatic Black Bear; Baluchistan Bear; Formosan Black Bear; Pakistan Black Bear; Brown Bear; Atlas Bear; Bergman's Bear; Blue Bear; Eurasian Brown Bear; European Brown Bear; Gobi Bear; Grizzly Bear; Himalayan Brown Bear; Hokkaido Brown Bear; Kamchatka Brown Bear; Kodiak Bear; Marsican Brown Bear; Mexican Grizzly Bear; Siberian Brown Bear; Syrian Brown Bear; Giant Panda; Qinling Panda; Sloth Bear; Sri Lankan Sloth Bear; Sun Bear; Polar Bear; Ursid hybrid; Grizzly–polar bear hybrid; Spectacled Bear.

This is a list of bears around the world I inventoried from Wikipedia. Do you see anything missing? Do you see one that you didn't expect to see? I was surprised by the hybrid bears. Although I knew it I figure many will be surprised that Koala Bears are not on the list.

I have a friend that will be upset that Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are not there along with the other bears...and another friend who will take offense that Yogi Bear is not there either.

Today is Polar Bear Day. Did you know that the powers that be believe all polar bears are left handed.

Viola

2011-02-26T17:53:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, in a land far away to many, lived a little girl named Viola. Viola loved purple and she especially loved purple flowers. She grew up in a pretty room painted purple, lilac and lavender. She loved purple so much she had a pair of purple lensed glasses so that no matter where she went she could see everything purple.

Viola loved to walk in the woods in the winter time with her purple shaded glasses. The trees were purple, the ground was purple and the sky was purple.

One Spring day Viola was walking near the Tower Caverns near Trilling Lake when she heard a loud echoing bang. Before she could identify it as the sound of gunfire from King's afternoon hunting party. Another noise came to her from above. It sounded like her stomach when dinner was delayed on days she missed lunch. Only louder.

Viola looked up at the approaching sound where she spied boulders falling quickly toward her. She was frozen in place. Suddenly, she was hit from behind and into the pond.

When Viola and her abuser-savior came up from below the surface of the water he held the little girl drenched to the bone but safe and sound.

"Are you okay?" he asked the stunned little girl.

"Yes, thank you," she said, not taking her eyes off the man. "You look...strange."

"Strange?" he replied.

The girl smiled. Her unshaded eyes glinted in the bright sunlight.

"You aren't," she looked at the other side of the mans face. "...purple."

He smiled. "No. I am not purple."

From that day forward Viola did not wear purple glasses. Oh, she still liked purple but she decided that the color she loved looked better when it lived next to other colors. Especially, her white wedding dress.

And she lived happily ever after.

The End.

Please help me celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day. Either make up your own, or tell someone your favorite fairy tale.

The Day The Music Died

2011-02-03T07:55:00.000-05:00

It has been 42 years since the death of Buddy Holley, JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens. Today, let us remember Chantilly Lace, Donna and Peggy Sue and wonder, what would these (then) superstars be doing today had fate turned tables and not take them away from the world.

Small Private Celebrations

2011-01-26T20:18:00.000-05:00

Today, a friends little 2-year old boy underwent surgery for a lump that was found by his mother on his shoulder. The family (and friends) have been riding a roller coaster of emotions for the past two weeks. When I think of that analogy, I always wonder what it means. Is it because the experience is so difficult, it is like trudging up hill so steep it seems unsurmountable? OR is it because your feelings rush down on you so fast and so furious that you feel like you are going to hit the ground in a horrendous crash?? Oh, well, I guess that doesn't matter. It could be either, it could be both.

Surgery, of any kind, is a serious event. I am not trying to minimalize it but I can't believe there weren't celebrations (albeit, silent maybe) the night before his surgery. Because a host of other tests were done including bone scans, cat scans, MRIs were read the day before. They revealed the mass was localized and had not spread.

Not that they all don't have a long road to hoe with chemo and radiation, but it all has to be easier to take knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. A very real possibility of a life free of cancer.

A celebration in the middle of a taxing, tense situation, no matter how small or private, can help the psyche, soul and mind.

Happy Birthday, Elvis

2011-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today would have been Elvis Presly's 76th birthday. On his 11th birthday, his mama bought him a gift from the local hardware store. It wasn't the most newly released hunting rifle, a new bike or a train set. She bought him a $6.95 guitar. With this gift, she started an unforgettably awesome life, not only for her baby boy, but also for the United States, the world, and who know, maybe even, the universe and beyond.

What if Elvis had gotten that bike he wanted for his birthday way back in 1946? Would he have eventually found his way to music? If you believe in fate, you would say yes.

Happy Birthday, Elvis, where ever you are.

Jane Austen

2010-12-16T13:02:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen.

It is funny. I hear (read) her name and smile. My heart seems to warm and be happy. I don't believe I have ever 'read' any of her works. Many titles are familiar and I may have watched films based on her stories. But I haven't read anything. So why am I so connected to her name?

A few days ago I opened a Christmas gift from my sister. She bought me a Kindle. I am thrilled with the things that it can do and am having a great time flipping through the lists of available title. So many classics that I haven't read that I should be able to catch up on. If only I could read more than a few pages before feeling the need to nap.

Now, off to look at a few more books to download. Merry Christmas!

Keith, Leon, Marie, Steve, Art, Craig, Jeannette and Thomas

2010-11-07T10:10:00.000-05:00

Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

Celebrate these Birthdays...

1959 - Keith Lockhart, the 20th conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, studied at Brevard Music Festival (15 miles from me!) and has conducted orchestras across the country, and now, internationally with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

1943 – Joni Mitchell, singer/songwriter known for songs such as Both Sides Now and Woodstock.

1938 – Barry Newman, actor, from Pretty Boy Floyd (1960) to The Edge of Night (1964-1965) to his breakout roll as Kowalski in the 1971 film Vanishing Point to his most recent appearance on The Ghost Whisperer (in 2009).

1922 – Al Hirt, jazz musician with 38 albums featuring his genius performances on the trumpet.

1918 – Billy Graham, evangelist, who has spread his message from his Southern Baptist pulpit in Charlotte,NC.

1913 – Albert Camus, novelist of such titles The Stranger, The Plague and The Myth of Sisyphus. He was killed in a car accident at the age of 46.

1879 - Leon Trotsky, a leader of Russia during the October Revolution

1867 – Marie Curie, chemist/physicist known for her work in radioactivity. She was the first person hw was honored with two Nobel Prizes, one in Chemistry and the other in Physics.

Notice these historical events...

1980 – Steve McQueen, start of many films including Bullitt and The Towering Inferno,died in Mexico while undergoing cancer (mesothelioma) treatment.

1965 – Art Arfons set the land-speed record of 576.553 miles per hour. He held the record for 8 days when Craig Breedlove set the land-speed record with 600.601 mph. For the next year, the two men passed the record between them. It is now held by Andy Green, set in 1997 at 760.343mph.

1944 – For the third time, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was reelected President of the United States of America. He served only three months before dying from a stroke.

1940 – The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the third longest bridge in the world (at the time) at 5,959 feet, collapsed due to high winds. One death was reported-an anonymous dog.

1916 – Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to be elected to serve in the US House Of Representatives.

1885 – Craigellachie, Canada hosts a “party” when the last spike of Canada’s first transcontinental railway was driven 5 years after the project began. The 4,600 kilometer line traverses bogs and mountains 6 years ahead of schedule.

1874 – The Republican Party welcomed (maybe not with open arms at the time) their new mascot. Thomas Nast drew an elephant to represent the group for a cartoon in Harper’s Weekly.

White Cane Safety Day

2010-10-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

In History:

1990 – Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

1965 – David Miller was the first person to burn his draft card.

1954 – Hurricane Hazel made landfall at Myrtle Beach SC and ran up the coast to Ontario, Canada. Effects of the storm were felt as far inland as Raleigh with recorded winds of over 100mph. Over $1billion in damage was recorded and more than 400 people were killed.

1951 – Premiere of “I Love Lucy”. It ran for 6 season and a total of 181 episodes.

1948 – For the murder of his wife 2-1/2 years earlier, Arthur Eggers was executed in the San Quentin gas chamber.

1917 – Mata Hari was executed by firing squad for her spying activities.

1863 – CSS Hunley sank to its death during a (second) trial run. The first test resulted in the death of 6 of its 8 crew. The second test was successful in that it planted an explosive devise on the hull of a Yankee ship, but sank on its return to Charleston killing all 8 of its crew, including the inventor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

1969 – Actress, Vanessa Marcil, I met her on General Hospital but she was cute in the Sean Connery/Nicholas Cage flick, “The Rock”.

1959 – Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. She is a descendant of King Charles II, albeit an one from a broken one, shall we say. Sometimes, that’s all there is.

1959 – Chef Emeril Lagasse. He was born in Fall River, Mass. Not that I am saying I wouldn’t eat his food, but he was born in the same town as Lizzie Borden!

1946 – Richard Carpenter, singer/piano player and sister of Karen Carpenter. The duo made up the group, The Carpenters.

1943 – Actress/director Penny Marshall. Some of my favorite directed movies are A League of Their Own, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Big, Awakenings, and Riding in Cars with Boys.

1924 – Lee Iacocca, savior of Chrysler Motor Company in the 1980’s.

1920 – Novelist of such stories as The Godfather, Mario Puzo.

1917 – Arthur Schlesinger, Jr, a historian in America and was known as the court historian to President Kennedy.

1908 – John Kenneth Galbraith, economist. I could list a few books he wrote, but I’m afraid that you might fall asleep and not finish reading, maybe drop the computer off your lap.

1881 – Novelist, PG Wodehouse was born. She created the infamously known butler, Jeeves.

October 14th

2010-10-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

Be Bald and Free Day & National Dessert Day

The History Book, Chapter:

1975 – Ronald DeFeo, Jr went on trial for killing his parents and brothers and sisters. In 1977, a book was published about the next owners of the house. A book called The Amityville Horror.

1964 – Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Martin Luther King, Jr.

1962 – The Cuban Missile Crisis began.

1957 - Wake Up Little Susie hit #1 on the charts for The Everly Brothers, their first.

1947 – Captain Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound, the first person ever. Does that mean he couldn’t hear himself think while he was flying?

1913 – An explosion in a Welsh coal mine killed 439 workers.

1912 – President Theodore Roosevelt was shot in the chest at near point blank range. Because of a glasses case and his evening speech folded up in his breast pocket, he merely received a flesh wound.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

…Rap singer, Usher (1979), I’ve never been a follower.

Fashion Designer, Ralph Lauren (1939), I’ve never been a follower.

…John Dean (1938), attorney known for being the White House council during the Watergate Scandal.

…James Bond actor, Roger Moore (1927).

Previous US Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop (1916).

…poet ee cummings (1894), with over 2,900 poems, I won’t attempt to list them.

…Dwight D Eisenhower (1890), 34^th president of the US.

…Elwood Haynes (1857). Mr. Haynes not only received patents for stainless steel, stellite (I don’t know) and a cobalt-chromium alloy, but he is known to have designed one of the first automobiles. He called it “Pioneer”. You can visit it at the Smithsonian.

…Founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644).

Suicide? Seriously?

2010-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

IN…

…2008, at a speed of 192mpg, Luc Costermans set a new land speed record…for blind drivers.

…2002, former US President, Jimmy Carter, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

…1984, The first American woman “walked” in space. Congrats Kathryn Sullivan. I wonder if she took her pedometer.

…1975, Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham marry.

…1975, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtain and Laraine Newman appear together for the first time. Saturday Night Live debuts on NBC.

…1975, Born to Run, by Bruce Springsteen, hit the top 40.

…1968, the first manned Apollo mission was launched.

…1809, Meriwether Lewis died under mysterious circumstances…with two gunshot wounds and a multitude of razor cuts from head to toe. Suicide is the most accepted conclusion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

Luke Perry (1966) Actor; Joan Cusack (1962) Actress; Steve Young (1961)Quarterback; Daryl Hall (1946) Half of Hall and Oates; Ron Leibman (1937) Actor; Dottie West (1932-1991) Country Singer; Elmore Leonard (1925) Author; Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) First Lady; Henry John Heniz (1844-1919) Has 57 favorite flavors, horseradish being his fave.

Good-Superman

2010-10-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is National Angel Food Cake Day

2004 (6 years ago) – Christopher Reeve, my generation’s “Superman” died of heart failure at the age of 52, 9 years after falling from a horse and becoming paralyzed.

1991 (19 years ago) – Joseph Harris went postal, when going postal was a literal event. He killed former postal workers at the post office. The night before, he had gone to his supervisors home and killed her along with her husband.

1985 (25 years ago) – Three days after terrorists hijack the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro, US Navy fighters force down the getaway plane. The terrorists were arrested by Italian police.

1973 (37 yeasrs ago) – Spiro Agnew resigned his position as Vice President of the United States, the first to do so.

1935 (75 years ago) – Porgy and Bess premiered on Broadway. It was written by George Gershwin and is considered to be the first great American Opera.

1877 (133 years ago) – General George Armstrong Custer was laid to rest at the US Military Academy in West Point, NY.

1845 (165 years ago) – The Naval School (US Naval Academy) opened in Annapolis, MD. Its first class included 50 students being taught by 7 professors.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATORS:

Dale Earnhardt, Jr-NASCAR driver; Brett Favre-NFL Quarterback; Tanya Tucker-Singer; Ben Vereen-Actor/Singer/Dancer; Dorothy Lamour-Actress; Helen Hayes-Actress.

Meteor or Meteorite?

2010-10-09T00:01:00.002-04:00

Curious Events Day Fire Prevention Day

Leif Erikson Day Moldy Cheese Day

In…

1992, a 28 pound meteorite struck an orange 1980 Chevrolet Malibu. Let me rephrase, it bore a hole in the car and the driveway beneath. Meteorite/car collisions has only happened (that we know of) twice before.

…1974, Oskar Schindler, German businessman who is generally known for saving the lives of 1,200 Jewish.

…1967, Che Guevara, socialist revolutionary, was executed by the army of Bolivia after having been captured the day before.

…1936, the Hoover Dam began transmitting electricity to LA.

…1888, Washington Monument was officially opened to the general public.

…1635, Roger Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. With help from the local Indians, he founded Providence, Rhode Island promising no punishment for religious dissension and no Indian land confiscation.

…1547, author, Miguel de Cervantes was baptized.

Happy Birthday: Zachary Ty Bryan, Scott Bakula, Sharon Osbourne, Jackson Browne, John Lennon and Russell Myers. I think y’all know everyone on the list except maybe Russell Myers who created the cartoon Broom Hilda, I remember her, she was funny.

Fires, Fired, Planes, Prizes and a Wedding

2010-10-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

American Touch Tag Day (you’re IT) and World Egg Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Matt Damon, Sigorney Weaver, RL Stine, Chevy Chase, Jesse Jackson, Paul Hogan, David Carradine and Eddie Rickenbacker.

On This Day In…

…1998, the US House of Representatives voted to proceed toward impeachment of President Bill Clinton.

…1970, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize in Literature. His early works included One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Cancer Ward and The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956.

…1957, (coincidentally?) Great Balls of Fire was recorded in Memphis, TN by Jerry Lee Lewis even though he felt that the song was too sinful for him to record. If it hadn’t been for Sam Phillips and a stubborn streak, this signature song for Lewis may not have been.

…1937, Dorothy Sayers’ fictional detective, Lord Peter Wimsey married Harriet Vane in Busman’s Honeymoon.

…1919, 15 airplanes left San Francisco, CA and 48 airplanes left NYC in the first US transcontinental air race. This round trip race was won by Lt. Belvin Maynard in less than 10 days or 24hrs, 59min 49 secs flying time.

…1871, the great Chicago fire began. Damages: 200-300 people killed, 17,450 building destroyed, 100,000 homeless, $200 million in damages (2007$=$3 billion). Was it a the O’Leary’s prized cow, someone who had it out for the O’Leary’s OR a comet??

Plug It In

2010-10-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Come and Take It Day and Mad Hatter Day and Physician Assistant Day.

1991 – Elizabeth Tayor walks down the aisle for the seventh time. No, she isn’t married to construction worker Larry Fortneski anymore, and she is still single after 14 years)

1981 – Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt, was assassinated.

1967 – The first Physician’s Assistants graduated from Duke University today. The program was created by Dr. Eugene Stead.

1866 – The Reno Gang successfully robbed a moving train, the first. They got away with over $10,000.

1847 – Jane Eyre (a book I am not sure I actually read all the way through) by Currer Bell (aka Charlotte Bronte) was published.

1683 – The first Mennonited arrived from Germany thanks to the open arms of William Penn and freedom of religion in Pennsylvania.

BIRTHDAYS:

Actress, Elizabeth Shue, 1963. You probably remember her in The Karate Kid (the one with Ralph Macchio), Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, Back to the Future II &III, Heart and Souls, Leaving Las Vegas or, maybe, The Saint with Val Kilmer.

Actress, Stephanie Zimbalist, 1956. I liked her in Remington Steele but she was also in Centennial, The Babysitter and The Man in the Brown Suit.

Explorer and anthropologist, Thor Heyerdahl, 1914. I love this story, Mr. H wanted to prove that there could be a connection between the South Americans and Polynesia so in 1947, he and a band (of merry men?) went to Peru, built a raft out of balsa wood and other native materials and set sail. Kon Tiki and the crew made it to Tuamotu Islands in 101 days.

Actress, Janet Gaynor, 1906. She was the first actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress (Seventh Heaven, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans and Street Angel). She also appeared in the original A Star is Born.

Engineer and inventor, George Westinghouse (1846). He invented the railway air brake and was instrumental in the development of AC (alternating current)...Plug it in, plug it in!

Firsts in TV and Radio

2010-10-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Do Something Nice Day and World Teacher’s Day

1990 – The first NC-17 film was released, Henry and June, starring Fred Ward and Uma Thurman.

1986 – The scandal known as Iran-Contra was revealed.

1974 – Minnesotan, David Kunst, completed the first round-the-world journey ON FOOT. It took 4 years and 21 pair of shoes.

1947 – The first televised presidential address from the White House was given by President Harry Truman.

1930 – Great Britain’s R-101, their largest dirigible, crashed in France killing 49.

1921 – The first radio broadcast of The World Series. Game featured NY Giants and NY Yankees.

1919 – Enzo Ferrari drove in his first car race.

1892 – Coffeyville, KS fought back against The Dalton Gang during a double bank robbery attempt. Only one gang member survived.

Birthday Celebrants:

Kate Winslet (1975) “Rose” in the most recent telling of the Titanic.

Mario Lemieux (1965) NHL hockey player.

Laura Davies (1963) LPGA golfer.

Glynis Johns (1923) “Mother” in the classic Mary Poppins.

Ray Kroc (1902) the founder of McDonalds.

Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882) The man known as the father of the Space Age was born.

Chester A. Arthur (1829) the 21^st US President. He was featured in the Bruce Wills movie Die Hard with a Vengence.

Only 53 Days To Go

2010-10-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Virus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Get Organized Week and Customer Service Week

1990 – 45 years after parting ways, East and West Germany reunite.

1995 – In the longest trial in California history, OJ Simpson is acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and a friend. (it feels longer ago than 15 years)

1967 – At the age of 55, Woody Guthrie died at Creedmore Psyuchiatric Center (probably) from complications of Huntington’s Chorea.

1951 – Bottom of the 9^th in the final game of the National League Pennant race. In what is called “the shot heard round the world” Bobby Thomson hit a 3 run homer to have radio announce Russ Hodges to become a broken record repeating “The Giants win the pennant” until he lost his voice!

1895 – Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage was published in book form (originally serialized in a newspaper).

1863 – Abraham Lincoln declared November 26, 1863 a day of thanks (in honor of victory at Gettysburg.

Today Jack Wagner (1959), actor who appeared on General Hospital as Frisco Jones he also is known for singing, not much I only recognized All I Need; Chubby Checker (1941) singer and fad creator of The Twist; Harvey Kurtzman (1902), created Mad Magazine.

Darwin and Schultz, McLean and Sumner and a Rock

2010-10-02T07:52:00.000-04:00

International Frugal Fun Day

National Custodial Worker Day

Name Your Car Day

After a short two months after publicly announcing that he had the ‘newly discovered’ virus, AIDS, Rock Hudson became the first major celebrity to die from the disease on this day in 1985.

A bunch of kids showed up in homes today in 1950 for the first time…Charles Schultz, a cartoonist, had his strip Peanuts published in national newspapers.

President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke. Although he survived, his health suffered and a cloud remained with rumours that his wife had taken over as presidnet.

In 1836, Charles Darwin, after a 5-year ocean expedition, returned to his native England. 23 years later, his masterpiece, The Origin of the Species by Beams of Natural Selection, was published.

Only a few birthdays I want to mention today, Kelly Ripa, from Live with Regis and Kelly was born today in 1970, oh, that makes her 40! Gordon Sumner was born in 1950 be has become one of the most watched singer/songwriter/musician in the world today oh, yes, he also became Sting. American Pie singer/songwriter Don McLean was born in 1945. In 1937, attorney Johnny Cochran, Jr was born, although he has worked for decades as a lawyer, he will probably go down in the history books as one of the lawyers for ill-fated OJ Simpson (is he still in jail?). Do you remember George McFarland (1928)? You may remember him as Spanky of the Our Gang films. Bud Abbott of the Abbott and Costello comedy team was born in 1928. And, finally, in 1890, Marx Brothers leader, Groucho Marx.

Eat Your Veggies

2010-10-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

October is National Vegetarian and Eat Country Ham Month. Which came first: Country ham or Vegetarians? Today is World Vegetarian Day.

On October 1:

1971 – The Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL, opened its gates for the very first time. Nearly six years later, I would visit the park with my Girl Scout Troop. Hi Pam, Vanessa and everyone else I can’t remember your names of right now!!!

1963 – Mark McGwire, MLB Baseball player who was also embroiled in a steroids scandal.

1962 – The Tonight Show introduced a new host Johnny Carson after its most recent host, Jack Paar, had quit on the air and returned a month later and then quit again within the month.

1950 – Randy Quaid, character actor seen in the “Vacation” series of films as well as the blockbuster hit Independence Day.

1959 – Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone premiered with an episode called “Where is Everybody?” starring Earl Holliman.

1935 – Julie Andrews, the woman everyone wanted as their nanny, governess and ‘queen mum’. Along with Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries and the “Shrek” films she has appeared in other films such as Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Victor/Victoria.

1928 – George Peppard, actor who started out in westerns and military films. His fifth movie was Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He will be best remembered as Hannibal Smith on the 80’s action series, The A-Team (now a major motion picture).

1927 – Tom Bosley, Mr. C, Happy Days; Sherrif Tupper, Murder, She Wrote; Father Dowling, Father Dowling Mysteries.

1924 – William Rehnquist, appointed to the Supreme Court by Richard Nixon in 1972 and remained on the court until 2005. He served as Chief Justice 1986-2005.

1924 – Jimmy Carter, peanut farmer and 39^th President of the United States.

1921 – James Whitmore, actor who started his career in The Undercover Man (1949). Can also be seen in Asphalt Jungle, Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, Planet of the Apes, The Shawshank Redemption and The Majestic.

1920 – Walter Matthau, actor. Atomic Attack (1950), King Creole, The Odd Couple (1968), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Earthquake, Little Miss Marker, Grumpy Old Men, Hanging Up (2000)…and that is only a few of his films…Don’t get me started on the stage and television shows.

1908 – Ford produced the first Model T. It was so successful it was produced until 1927, What a ride!

1903 – Vladimir Horowitz, classical pianist. His first solo recital in 1920 and he worked up until his death in 1989.

1890 – Yosemite National Park was “born” thanks to congress and President Harrison.

1856 – The first segment of the novel, Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, was published in the Revue de Paris. Later, he was acquitted of obscenity charges and the book became a smash.

Last Day of September

2010-09-30T00:01:00.001-04:00

National Mud Pack Day - No, I will not be celebrating...at least not on purpose, it has been raining a lot around here, I may slip and end up in the mud.

1955 – Actor, James Dean, was killed in a head on car accident at the age of 24. Two others involved in the accident survived.

1902 – Rayon was patented.

1889 – Wyoming approved their constitution which included giving women the right to vote.

1868 – Louisa May Alcott published the first volume of Little Women. It was an instant hit.

Births on this day:

Dominique Moceanu (1981), gymnast. In 1996, she became the youngest American gymnast to win a gold medal.

Jenna Elfman (1971), actress best known as Dharma in the TV series Dharma and Greg.

Crystal Bernard (1964), actress best know for her role in the TV series Wings, as well as her made for TV movie roles.

Fran Drescher (1957), actress known for her nasal voice seen in TV series, The Nanny, and the feature film, The Beautician and the Beast.

Barry Williams (1954), actor best known as the cool BMOC, Greg on The Brady Bunch.

Johnny Mathis (1935), smooth voiced singer (who even got my mom’s knees) known for the song Chances Are.

Angie Dickinson (1931), actress known as Pepper in the really old TV series Police Woman.

Truman Capote (1924), writer who wrote several stories including novella, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the non-fiction novel In Cold Blood.

Deborah Kerr (1921), classy actress seen in movies The King and I and one of my favorite films, An Affair to Remember.

Buddy Rich (1917), drummer, in his time, he was billed as the “world’s greatest drummer”.

Confucius Say...

2010-09-29T11:20:00.000-04:00

Confucius Day – Confucius say….fill in the blank as it suits you. He pretty much said everything.

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS:

1988 – Stacy Allison (Portland, OR) became the highest woman on Earth. She is the first woman to climb and reach Mount Everest.

1982 – Extra Strength Tylenol Capsules began killing and sickening people in the Chicago, IL area. By October 1^st, six had been killed and Tylenol would be pulled from the US’s retail shelves. The poisoner would never be caught but tamper proof packaging would begin to be found EVERYWHERE.

1954 – “The Greatest Catch in Baseball History” happened on this day. Willie Mays caught a would be home run fly ball by Vic Wertz. He caught the ball running to the back wall (his back to home plate), his arm reaching above his head. The ball just seemed to aim to his glove, like a pair of magnets who hadn’t seen each other in years.

1942 – JFK sent a letter to family friend, Clare Booth Luce, to thank her for a “good luck coin”. Tomorrow, Kennedy would leave for WWII duty station in the Pacific Ocean. This could be the only thing that kept Kennedy alive when his ship was attacked in August, 1942. Thanks Clare. I wonder, did he lose that coin in the fall of 1963?

1913 – Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the engine he claimed was the most efficient (of its time) dissappeared from the ship he was traveling on. His body was later found floating in the North Sea. His death was ruled a suicide but many felt he was murdered possibly by the British Government (patent issues) or Big Oil (efficent engine).

1780 –John Andre was hanged on this day as a British spy. His capture revealed the traitor, Benedict Arnold.

Emily Lloyd	1970	Actress	Wish You Were Here; A River Runs Through It; The Conservatory
Bryant Gumbel	1948	TV Journalist	The Today Show; The Early Show
Jerry Lee Lewis	1935	Singer	Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On; Great Balls of Fire; Chantilly Lace (1971)
Trevor Howard	1916	Actor	Odette; The Last Remake of Beau Geste; Superman (1978); Around the World in Eighty Days; Mutiny on the Bounty; Father Goose; The Unholy
Stanley Kramer	1913	Director; Producer	The Defiant Ones; Inherit the Wind; Judgement at Nuremburg; Ship of Fools; Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner; High Noon; Death of a Salesman
Gene Autry	1907	Actor	Known as the “Singing Cowboy”; Back in the Saddle Again; Tumbling Tumbleweeds; You Are My Sunshine; Have I Told You Lately That I Love You; Also wrote Here Comes Santa Claus and made it a hit Christmas song; also, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Enrico Fermi	1901	Scientist	Worked on the development of the first nuclear reactor, quantum theory, statistical mechanics and nuclear and particle physics.
Horatio Nelson	1758	British Admiral	The most celebrated naval hero in Britain.
Miguel de Cervantes	1547	Writer	Wrote 12 short stories and 3 (or 4) Novels the story known as Don Quixote was written in two volumes 10 years apart.

Rabbits Like Apples

2010-09-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

International Rabbit Day – Have a picnic with your pet rabbit, I don’t recommend having your pet rabbit for your picnic, PETA would frown upon it.

Johnny Appleseed Day – John Chapman was born on this day in 1774. He planted apple trees throughout the west – Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

HISTORICAL ANNIVERSARIES:

1914 - The Federal Trade Commission was established to prevent unfair methods of competition in commerce.

2008 – Paul Newman, one of the best loved actors in Hollywood appearing in classics such as The Sting, The Verdict and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Gotta love those blue eyes.

1969 – They came into our homes on a lilting tune, “Here’s the story, of a lovely lady…” you know the rest. The Brady Bunch premiered on ABC and showed 177 episodes before it was cancelled. It really has never left the airwaves.

1960 – Debates are virtually required for a presidential run, this is the anniversary of the first Kennedy/Nixon Debate.

1957 – West Side Story, composed by Leonard Bernstein, opened on Broadway. With the unfortunate coincidence of forced integration in the south happening at the same time, It received mixed reviews and only two Tony Awards (choreography and set design).

1928 – Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in Chicago officially began work. Using the basis of a previous venture, Paul Galvin began producing Motorola (motor meaning cars in motion and ola to make people think music, like in Victrola) Radios.

1820 – Daniel Boone, frontiersman, died in his sleep at home near Defiance MO at the age of 86.

1580 – Francis Drake, English seaman, became the first person to sail around the globe from Plymouth, England to, yep, Plymouth, England. The voyage took just over 9-1/2 months. I wonder how he proved it, cameras and video recorders hadn’t been invented yet. I guess they took his word for it.

HISTORICAL BIRTHS:

James Caviezel (1968) – His most controversial role of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ, but I really liked him in Frequency.

Linda Hamilton (1956) – Will be known as Sarah Conner from The Terminator series for the rest of her life. One of my favorite films she was in was Dante’s Peak or her role on the TV series, Beauty and the Beast.

Jane Smiley (1949) – Author most known for her fiction novels like Good Faith and A Thousand Acres but also writes non-fiction like Charles Dickens.

Olivia Newton-John (1947) – British singer who has had hits throughout the world with songs like I Honestly Love You, Have You Ever Been Mellow, Please, Mister, Please along with her movie career including Grease, Xanadu and A Mom for Christmas.

Lynn Anderson (1947) – Country music singe whose first #1 hit was (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden.

Jack LaLanne (1914) – Motivational speaker who has been called the “Godfather of Fitness” . He said, “I can’t afford to die, it will ruin my image.”

George Gershwin (1898) – Composer known for his work for with his brother Ira including Broadway musicals Strike Up the Band, Funny Face and Let ‘em Eat Cake and film scores of Shall We Dance, Delicious and The Goldwyn Follies.

T.S. Eliot (1888) – Poet of such works as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land and Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, which is the basis of the long running Broadway musical Cats.

Johnny Chapman (1774) – Known as Johnny Appleseed. Was a nurseryman by trade who went on the road planting trees.

Air Crashes, Gangrene, Ethan Allen and an Old Pitcher

2010-09-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

National Comic Book Day

1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female US Supreme Court Justice.

1978 – A Cessna, with a pilot in training, and a Boeing 727 with 144 people aboard collided in mid-air over San Diego. 7 people on the ground were killed along with all Pacific Airwest passengers and crew and the people in the Cessna.

1970 – The Partridge Family starring Shirley Jones and her step-son David Cassidy premiered on ABC.

1965 – Satchel Paige, 59-year old KC Athletics pitcher, pitched 3 innings, with only 1 hit. The oldest pitcher (at the time) to play a major league game.

1957 - Little Rock, Arkansas school, Central High School was integrated. 9-black students began school with the help of the US Army’s 101^st Airborne Division.

1867 – Oliver Loving died of gangrene. He had been trapped by Commanche braves and, while escaping, was shot. He made it to Fort Sumner, only to develop and infection. The Fort’s doctor had never amputated and declined to start with Loving.

1775 – Ethan Allan was captured by British forces. Once identified, he was shipped to England to be executed, which he was not ‘cause the British were afraid of reprisals.

1969 – Catherine Zeta-Jones, Actress, Bugsy Malone, The Phantom, The Mask of Zorro, Entrapment, The Haunting.

1968 – Will Smith, Actor, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Independence Day, Wild Wild West, I am Legend, Enemy of the State.

1961 – Heather Locklear, Actress, Dynasty, T.J.Hooker, Melrose Place, Spin City.

1952 – Christopher Reeve, Actor, Somewhere in Time, Superman, Deathtrap, The Aviator, Anna Karenina. (Roles he turned down: American Gigolo, The World According to Garp, Splash, Fatal Attraction, Pretty Woman, Romancing the Stone, Lethal Weapon, Body Heat, The Bounty).

1951 – Mark Hamill, Actor, The Partridge Family (1971 episode), Star Wars, Slipstream, Reeseville, now does lots of voice over work.

1947 – Cheryl Tiegs, Model, Seen on covers of Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Time and Vogue.. Also appeared in The Brown Bunny.

1944 – Michael Douglas, Actor, Hail, Hero!, Coma, Romancing the Stone, The China Syndrome, Wall Street, Wonder Boys, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Liberace.

1931 – Barbara Walters, TV Journalist, 20/20, ABC News, The View.

1917 – Phil Rizzuto, Baseball Player/Sportscaster. Yankee shortstop. As a sportscaster is known for his trademark yell “Holy Cow!”.

1897 – William Faulker, Writer, Soldiers’ Pay, The Sound and the Fury, Absalom, Absalom, As I Lay Dying.

American Cherries

2010-09-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Native American Day

National Cherries Jubilee Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

Nia Vardalos (1962) actress and screenwriter responsible for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Connie and Carla and I Hate Valentine’s Day.

Phil Hartman (1948-1998) comedian know for his 8-year stint on Saturday Night Live and his role on NewsRadio.

Linda Eastman (1941) fashion designer, heiress to the Lindner Department Store fortune and former wife of The Beatles singer, Paul McCarney.

Jim Henson (1936-1990) producer and creator of The Muppets, The Muppet Movie and a leading source behind Sesame Street.

James McManus (1921-2008) Known to most as Jim McKay. Often recognized voice during ABC’s Wide World of Sports and 12 Olympic Games.

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (1896-1940) St. Paul, MN native author finished four novels of the 1920’s including The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night. His unfinished, The Love of the Last Tycoon, was publish after his death.

John Marshall (1775-1835) Fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He is the Longest serving Chief Justice in the Court’s history serving over 30 years.

HISTORICAL ANNIVERSARIES…

1996 – Desperation and The Regulators were released today, one by Stephen King and the other, Richard Bachmann. Those of you who don’t know, they are the same man.

1988 – Canadian, Ben Johnson, won gold at the 1988 Summer Olympics running the 100-yard dash in 9.79 seconds. Three days later he was stripped of the award having tested positive for steroids.

1971 – Game Warden, Neil LaFeve, was murdered while on the job by repeat poacher, Brian Hussong.

1969 – The “Chicago Seven” went on trial for conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The group included Bobby Seale, Abbie Hoffman and Tom Hayden.

1948 – Soichiro Honda incorporated Honda Motor Company in Japan. Before incorporation the company was famous for its motorcycles.

1890 – Polygamy was officially renounced by The Mormon Church.

1789 – Article 3 of the US Constitution (Judiciary Act of 1789) established the US Supreme Court. All 6 appointed justices were confirmed with John Jay as Chief Justice.

King Me

2010-09-23T00:01:00.001-04:00

Checkers Day and Dogs in Politics Day

A great day to play checkers and to remember Richard Nixon’s “Checkers” speech in which Nixon explained some issues with mishandling certain campaign contributions. It Is called the Checkers speech because he mentioned that the girls had received a dog and they named it Checkers.

HISTORIES:

1972 – Mac Davis hit #1 with a “chauvinistic” little ditty (I personally don’t think it is that bad) called Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me.

1964 – Artist, Marc Chagall, revealed his painted ceiling at the Paris Opera House.

1875 – Billy the Kid was arrested for the first time for stealing a basket of laundry.

1846 – The planet Neptune was discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle.

1806 – Lewis and Clark returned to St Louis, MO after a two and a half year exploration of the western US.

BIRTHDAYS

1959 – Jason Alexander, actor – most known from his role as Jerry’s friend George Costanza in the TV series Seinfeld.

1949 – Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen, singer/songwriter – Is known as “The Boss” who had outstanding success with albums, Born to Run and Born in the USA.

1943 – Julio Jose Iglesias de la Cueva, singer – He has been making music since (at least) 1969 including To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before.

1930 – Ray Charles Robinson, singer/songwriter – Singer from Georgia who sang Georgia On My Mind onto the charts as well as Hit The Road Jack and You Are My Sunshine.

1930 – Joseph Yule, Jr, actor – As famous for marrying 8 times as well as the movies he made under the name Mickey Rooney including the Andy Hardy series, National Velvet, Words and Music and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, just a few of his over 300 credits!!!

1897 – Walter Pidgeon, actor – Made a successful move from silents to talkies for a career spanning 1926 to 1978 with credits in Mrs. Miniver, Forbidden Planet and Funny Girl.

Punch In

2010-09-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

National Punch Day

1975 – Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell debuted on NBC featuring a new Scottish band called The Bay City Rollers.

1973 – Battle of the Sexes is played out on the tennis court between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. “Women Won”.

1946 – The First Cannes Film Festival opened in Cannes, France.

1519 – Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Spain in search of the western sea. Two months later, he wept at the sight of the Pacific Ocean.

BIRTHDAYS:

Kristen Johnston (1967), actress known for her role in 3^rd Rock from the Sun.

Crispin Glover (1964), actor who is best known as George McFly in Back to the Future.

Gary Cole (1957), actor who brought Mr. Brady to the big screen.

Guy LaFleur (1951), NHL Hockey Player

Sophia Loren (1934), actress. See her in Quo Vadis, Two Women, Houseboat and Grumpier Old Men.

Joyce Bauer (1928), psychologist known as Dr. Joyce Brothers. First brought to the forefront when she won The $64,000 Question in 1955. And has brought psychology out of the closet by appearing in dozens of TV shows.

Upton Sinclair (1878), writer of novels featuring Lanny Budd including World’s End, The Presidential Agent and The Return of Lanny Budd. Oh, yeah, he also wrote The Jungle and The Gnomobile.

ARRGGH, Women Love Butterscotch Pudding

2010-09-19T09:45:00.000-04:00

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

National Butterscotch Pudding Day

National Women’s Friendship Day

HISTORICALS:

1995 – The Unibomber’s manifesto was published in the Washington Post. David Kaczynski recognized the writing style and turned in his brother, Ted Kaczynski.

1973 – Previous member of the bands The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, died of a drug overdose. He body was then ‘stolen’ along with a hearse, driven to Joshua Tree National Park and set ablaze.

1957 – The first underground nuclear explosion occurred at the Nevada Test Site.

1955 – Argentinian President Juan Peron was overthrown by a military coup.

1893 – Women were granted the right to vote in New Zealand, the first country in the world to do so.

1881 – Eighty days after being shot, President Garfield died from blood poisoning. His assassin was caught and hanged in 1882.

BIRTHDAYS

Jimmy Fallon (1974), actor/comedian/talk show host.

Joan Lunden (1951), ex-host of ABC’s Good Morning America.

Leslie Lawson (1946), model/actress who is known by the name Twiggy.

Cass Elliot (1941), member of the folk band Mamas and the Papas.

Paul Williams (1940), singer/songwriter of such ditties as: You and Me Against the World, We’ve Only Just Begun, Rainy Days and Mondays, An Old Fashioned Love Song, Rainbow Connection, Tiptoe Through the Tulips, and MANY more. As an actor you can catch him in Battle for the Planet of the Apes, Smokey and the Bandit and The Muppet Movie, not to mention his many TV series guest starring roles.

David McCallum (1933), actor seen in The Man From U.N.C.L.E and NCIS.

Rosemary Harris (1930), actress seen in Spider Man, The Boys from Brazil, Is Anybody There?.

Adam West (1929), the original “Batman”.

Beer and Burgers

2010-09-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

National Cheeseburger Day

Oktoberfest Begins

BORN ON THIS DAY:

Lance Armstrong (1971), Bicyclist. Frankie Avalon (1939), Singer of Venus and actor in films with Annette Funicello like Beach Blanket Bingo. Robert Blake (1933 ), actor most famous for his role in Baretta. John H Lebzelter (1920), gruff-voiced actor seen in 12 Angry Men, From Here to Eternity and While You Were Sleeping using the name Jack Warden. Greta Garbo (1905), Sweedish actress known for her silent films, sound films and the fact that she wanted to be left alone. Agnes DeMille (1905), dancer/choreographer known for her work in ballet and in films like Paint Your Wagon and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

HAPPENINGS ON THIS DAY:

1975 – Patty Hearst was arrested in San Francisco, CA for armed robbery. She had been kidnapped 18 months earlier from her home in Berkeley, CA. Was she a captor or conspirator?

1973 – Three years before being elected President of the United States, Jimmy Carter Filed a report with NICAP that he saw a flying saucer (UFO) in October 1969.

1961 – Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary-General to the UN, was killed, along with 15 others, in a mysterious plane crash in what is now known as Zambia.

1917 – Aldous Husley was hired by Eton to be a schoolmaster. Nearly blind, Huxley would teach and write the rest of his life. Books include Crome Yellow, Antic Hay and his masterpiece, Brave New World. When he moved to California, he wrote screenplays including Jane Eyre(1944), Pride and Prejudice (1940).

1846 – A group of settlers realize that their trek across the Sierra Nevada and send two men ahead of them to get food and bring back to the group. Apparently, the two men never made it back. We all know what happened to the Donner Party.

1793 – The cornerstone for the US Capitol building was laid on this day by George Washington. It would be nearly 100 years to complete.

Mayflowers Rock Plymouth

2010-09-16T00:01:00.001-04:00

Collect Rocks Day – Geologists unite! If you don’t like rocks celebrate with Rocky Road Ice Cream!

Step-Family Day – Families that marry into families, CELEBRATE!

Mayflower Day – Mayflower set sail for America from England on this day.

Mexican Independence Day – Mexicans revolted from their ruling country Spain led by Father Miguel Hidalgo.

National Play Doh Day – Invented by Joseph McVicker for his pre-school teacher sister-in-law.

Working Parents Day – For all you parents that both work and can’t be with your kids 24/7.

BIRTHDAYS:

1964 – Molly Shannon, Saturday Night Live comedian and actress.

1958 – Orel Hershiser, Major League Baseball pitcher who began and ended his career with the LA Dodgers.

1956 – David Copperfield, world class magician.

1949 – Ed Begley, Jr, 6’4” actor seen on screens of many sizes.

1927 – Peter Falk, Columbo actor. He also appeared in over 100 other features.

1926 – John Knowles, writer of A Separate Peace, his breakout novel.

1924 – B.B. King, blues singer and guitarist listed #3 on the Top 100 guitarists of all time behind Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman.

1924 – Betty Joan Perske, actress seen in many classic films including How to Marry a Millionaire using the name Lauren Bacall.

1832 – George Washington Custis Lee, future General for the Confederate States of America and son of Robert E. and Mary Custis Lee.

HISTORY:

1977 – Maria Callas, the first opera star dubbed “La Divina” or “diva” meaning goddess, died at the age of 53.

1932 – Gandhi began a fast protesting caste separation in the Indian government as proclaimed by the ruling British.

1908 – General Motors was incorporated by William Durant, head of Buick Motor Company.

1893 – An official of the US Government shot a gun into the air opening the land grab in Oklahoma to more than 100,000 possible settlers.

1845 – In an attempt to consolidate command after the killing of Mormon leader Joseph Smith, an alleged Christian spy named Phineas Wilcox was murdered (on order of new leader Brigham Young?) before Young moved his Mormon followers to Utah.

1620 – Heading for Virginia, The Mayflower and it 102 passengers leave Plymouth, England. In case you missed that day in history class, they landed in Massachusetts, Plymouth, Mass. Oops, the navigator should have been fired.

I Found a Positive Superstition in My PeanutButter Fortune Cookie

2010-09-13T00:01:00.001-04:00

Defy Superstition Day Fortune Cookie Day

National Peanut Day Positive Thinking Day

2004 – Oprah Winfrey shocked her audience of 276 people and handed them each keys to a new Pontiac.

1990 – Law and Order, the cop/lawyer drama debuted on NBC. Today, 20 years later, you can see the original or one of its spin-offs somewhere, sometime on television.

1943 – Chaing Kai-Shek was elected president of China.

1936 – 17-year old phenom, “Rapid” Robert Feller struck out 17 batters for the Cleveland Indians. He only allowed 2 hits during the entire game. He also holds the record for ‘winning’ more games than any other Cleveland Indian pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible (1962) one of only two pitchers to do so.

1814 – The words to the poem which would become the National Anthem of the United States of America, The Defence of Fort McHenry or The Star Spangled Banner, were written by Francis Scott Key on this day after the author watched a battle during The War of 1812.

1788 – The first capitol of the US was announced today…drumroll please…and the winner is….NYC.

1980 – Ben Savage, Little Monsters and Boy Meets World actor.

1959 – Fred Silverman, producer of television series such as All in the Family; The Waltons, Charlies Angels; Roots; Shogun and my personal favorite Scooby-Doo.

1944 – Peter Cetera, singer and member of the band Chicago, writing such songs as Where Do We Go From Here?.

1944 – Jacqueline Bisset, British actress seen in such classic films as The Deep; Airport; Bullitt; Casino Royal (she played Miss Goodthighs); Murder on the Orient Express; The Spiral Staircase; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? among others.

1938 – Judith Martin, author better known as “Miss Manners”

1925 – Mel Torme, singer and songwriter known as “The Velvet Fog”. The Christmas Song is one of my favorites by him…”Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose…”

1916 – Roald Dahl, author of children's books including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder rules as Willie Wonka) and James and the Giant Peach. He also wrote the screenplays to his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Ian Fleming’s stories Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and You Only Live Twice.

1903 – Claudette Colbert, actress who received and Oscar award for It Happened One Night and nominations for Since You Went Away and Private Worlds.

1860 – John J Pershing, Army General during World War I. He is the only person ever to be promoted to General of the Armies (the highest rank held) in his lifetime. (Trivia fact 2: Service number O-1)

1851 – Walter Reed, physician. As a Major in the US Army he confirmed his theory that Yellow Fever was transmitted by mosquitoes. This created new medical fields of epidemiology and biomedicine. Has several hospitals and clinics, a medal and even a song for him.

Grandparent's Day

2010-09-12T08:57:00.000-04:00

GRANDPARENT’S DAY

National Pet Memorial Day Chocolate Milkshake Day

1993 – The Lacey V Murrow Bridge over Lake Washington in Seattle was rebuilt after being destroyed by a flood. Originally built in 1938 and was the first concrete floating bridge in the world. I guess the first one floated away.

1978 – Ruben Studdard, second season American Idol winner, was born in Frankfurt, Germany.

1972 – William Boyd, aka Hopalong Cassidy died at the age of 77.

1957 – Rachel Ward, actress seen in The Thorn Birds, was born in Chipping North, Oxfordshire, England.

1953 – John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier were married in Newport, Rhode Island.

1951 – Sugar Ray Robinson defeated British native, Randy Turpin to win back his middleweight championship belt.

1944 – Barry White, singer of Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe and songwriter to the unheralded, under appreciated band ,The Banana Splits, was born in Galveston, TX.

1940 – Four unwitting French teens, following their dog, discovered a cave filled with 15,000-17,000-year-old cave drawings. There are 600 painted and 1,500 engravings in the stone wals, mostly of animals. The only ‘human’ figure had a bird head and ‘was a happy boy’.

1942 – Linda Gray, actress known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas, was born Santa Monica, CA.

1913 – Jesse Owens, athlete and Olympic star, was born in Oakville, AL.

1888 – Maurice Chevalier, actor seen in Gigi singing Thank Heaven For Little Girls, was born in Menilmontant, Paris, France.

1846 – Elizabeth Barret and Robert Browning eloped and lived happily for 15 years until her death (of a LONG undiagnosable-for-the-time illness) at the age of 55.

9/11

2010-09-11T00:01:00.002-04:00

Better Breakfast Month

Make Your Bed Day No News is Good News Day

2001 – Several planes are hijacked by Muslim extremists. Two aimed for the World Trade Center, each plane hitting one of the skyscrapers. One plane crashed into the Pentagon. The fourth plane was apparently heading toward the White House when passengers hijacked the hijackers and the plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. No one in the US is untouched by this terrorist attack.

1971 – Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev died.

1962 – Love Me Do was recorded by The Beatles, their first.

1921 – Silent screen star, Fatty Arbuckle was arrested for the murder of a young actress named Virginia Rappe. Although acquitted, the accusations killed his career.

1915 – Emily Post, a fledgling writer, published the second in a series of automobile themed essays called By Motor to the Fair, a memoir of her 27-day trip from NYC to San Francisco to visit the Panama-Pacific Exposition.

BIRTHDAYS:

1967 – Harry Connick Jr, singer/actor who appeared in the films Hope Floats, Memphis Belle and Copycat. And, in case you dind’t know, he has killer dimples.

1964 – Kristy McNichol, actress appeared in the TV series’, Family and Empty Nest and films like Little Darlings, Blinded by the Light, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Only When I Laugh and Love, Mary.

1940 – Brian DePalma, filmmaker known for his suspense films including Carrie, and Dressed to Kill as well as blockbusters such as The Untouchables and Mission: Impossible.

1924 – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys’ coach.

1913 – Paul “Bear” Bryant, Football coach.

1862 – William S. Porter, short story writer who used the pen name, O Henry. His stories are best remembered with twist endings like The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief and A Retrieved Reformation.

Swap Ideas, Use a Sewing Machine and Improve Yourself

2010-09-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

Self Improvement Month

Sewing Machine Day Swap Ideas Day

1977 – Damida Djandoubi, a man convicted of murder in France, was the last person executed by guillotine just 185 years after it was first used on a highwayman in revolutionary France.

1897 – George Smith was arrested for drunk driving after slamming his taxi cab into a London building. If he had been fined more than just 25 shillings, maybe there wouldn’t be as big a problem with driving under the influence now.

1845 – Elias Howe patented his sewing machine

1608 – John Smith was elected president of Jamestown, VA, just 9 months after being captured by Chief Wahunsonacock’s tribe and his life spared by the Chief’s daughter, Pocahontas.

DO YOU SHARE A BIRTHDAY WITH:

Ryan Phillippe (1975)? He is a pretty good actor appearing in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Crash and Breach. Not very smart in his personal life he divorced Reese Witherspoon.

Amy Irving (1953)? She is a good actress who has appeared in Carrie, Crossing Delancy and Yentl. Also may not be a good judge of male companionship divorcing Steven Speilberg (although she received a HUGE settlement).

Jose Feliciano (1945)? He is a virtuoso guitarist and composer known for Feliz Navidad, Light My Fire and Chico and the Man. Oh, yes, he didn’t let a little thing like blindness stop him!

Roger Maris (1934)? He is known for his 37 year record 61 home runs in 1961 (this broke The Babe’s 60 in 1927).

Charles Kuralt (1934)? This TV journalist is known for his CBS Eventing News segments known as “On the Road” and hosting CBS Sunday Morning for 15 years.

Arnold Palmer (1929)? A little golfer generally known as one of the greatest golfers of all time with 94 professional wins.

Fay Wray (1907)? This actress is best known for being beauty to King Kong’s beast.

Waldo Semon (1898)? This Alabaman is famous for inventing the second most used plastic, vinyl and 5,000 other synthetic rubber compounds including 116 patents.

Teddy Bears and Honey...Coincidence??

2010-09-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER 9^TH

Honey Month

Teddy Bear Day

1976 – Mao Zedung, long lived leader of China,died.

1971 – Prisoners at Attica prison rioted. Most of the prison was quickly retaken but nearly 1,300 inmates held 39 employees for 4 days. The standoff ended when state officials raided the yard killing 10 of the hostages and 29 inmates.

1956 – Ed Sullivan introduced a new singer to his audience, Elvis Presley sang Don’t Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, and Little Richard’s Reddy Teddy.

1919 – Boston Police Department went on strike. The strike proved to me more disastrous to unions than the safety of the city.

1893 – First lady, Frances Cleveland gave birth to the first daughter Esther in the White House.

1850 – California was admitted into the union.

1776 – The United States of America was born. Independence was declared in July, we were renamed, previously known as the United Colonies.

BIRTHDAYS:

1966 – Adam Sandler, actor/comedian. I liked him in The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates.

1960 – Hugh Grant, actor. I didn’t mind him in Music and Lyrics and Love Actually.

1952 – Angela Cartwright, actress. She appeared in the long running sitcom The Danny Thomas Show and 9 other programs before her appearance in The Sound of Music. She transitioned science fiction with Lost in Space.

1951 – Michael Keaton, actor…Night Shift, Mr. Mom, Gung Ho, Pacific Heights, Batman.

1949 – Joe Theisman, athlete. Washington Redskins quarterback.

1941 – Otis Redding, singer of the now classic Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay.

1934 – Sylvia Miles, actress. She received Oscar nominations for her roles in Midnight Cowboy and Farewell, My Lovely.

1925 – Cliff Robertson, actor I remember seeing him for the first time in Charly.

1890 – Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

1585 – Cardinal Richelieu, French statesman.

Pardon Me, would you like some Date Nut Bread or a Book?

2010-09-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

National Courtesy Month

Pardon Day, National Date Nut Bread, International Literacy Day

1974 – President Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon for any crimes related to the Watergate scandal.

1966 – Characters James T Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. Bones McCoy appeared in US homes for the first time in the science fiction drama Star Trek.

1935 – One time governor of Louisiana at 34, the youngest elected, Senator Huey Long was shot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

1981 – Jonathan Taylor Thomas, actor on the sitcom Home Improvement.

1957 – Heather Thomas, actress seen in the 80’s drama TJ Hooker and The Fall Guy.

1932 – Patsy Cline, singer who died in a plane crash at the age of 31. Known for her singles I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and Sweet Dreams.

1925 – Peter Sellers, actor seen in scores of movies including Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (it’s such a long title you’ll have to go to imdb.com for the rest of them)

1922 – Sid Caesar, comedian/actor, starred in variety shows including Caesar’s Hour and Your Show of Shows and appeared in movies such as Grease and Grease 2.

1900 – Killing between 6,000 and 12,000 people, a category 4 hurricane struck Galveston, TX. Known as the most deadly day in America.

1841 – Antonin Dvorak, composer of such works including New World Symphony and the Slavic Dancers.

1664 – New Amsterdam, New Netherland was surrendered to English rule and its name changed in honor of The Duke of York to New York.

1157 – Richard I, King of England for 10 years beginning in 1189. Richard the Lionheart also was Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, Gascony; Lord of Ireland and Cyprus; Count of Anjou, Maine and Nantes; and Overlord of Brittany.

Submarines, Grandmas and The Mona Lisa

2010-09-07T07:41:00.000-04:00

National Blueberry Popsicle Month

Neither Rain Nor Snow Day - Honoring the opening of the NY Post Office building in 1914

HISTORIES:

1996 – Rapper Tupac Shakur was killed. His drive-by shooter was never identified.

1986 – Two years after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Desmond Tutu became archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, the first black man to hold that position.

1977 – The US agreed to transfer control of the Panama Canal to, surprise, Panama.

1953 – Maureen Connolly won the US Open tennis championship making her the first woman to win the “Grand Slam” of tennis. Two years later, her tennis career would end tragically when her leg was crushed in a horse-riding accident.

1921 – Atlantic City, NU: 50 young women gathered today to compete for a college scholarship in what will be an annual event called The Miss America Beauty Pageant.

1911 – An arrest in the theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris of radical poet Guillaume Apollinaire. He was released 5 days later and two years later, former Louvre employee, Vincenzo Perggia, was arrested while trying to sell the painting.

1896 – The first auto race in the US was held. An electric car built by Riker Electric Motor Company beat out other vehicles powered by gas, steam and electricity.

1876 – Northfield, MN: Townspeople surround the James-Younger gang after the outlaws attempted to rob their local bank. All but Jesse James was wounded or killed. They escaped to Dakota Territory and then south to Tennessee.

1813 –Uncle Sam was adopted as the US nickname. A meat packer from Troy, NY, Samuel Wilson, stamped his barrels of packed beef “US..”, meaning to be shipped to US troops. Army soldiers began calling the food Uncle Sam’s. The most accepted rendering of Uncle Sam came decades later by artist James Montgomery Flagg.

1776 – Revolutionary War submarine (yeah, I said submarine) the Turtle was used to attempt to sink the British flagship HMS Eagle, unfortunately the time bomb would not attach to the hull. Each mission the Turtle was used, it failed, due to the complex functions. It was sunk during the Battle of Fort Lee.

BIRTHDAYS:

1954 – Corbin Bernsen, actor who made a mark on the 1980’s drama L.A.Law.

1950 – Julie Kavner, actress who is known as Rhoda’s sister in the 70’s sitcom, Rhoda and as Marge Simpson’s voice in The Simpsons cartoon.

1949 – Gloria Gaynor, singer of such tunes as I Will Survive.

1947 – Ann Beattie, writer of short stories and novels including Falling in Place, Chilly Scenes of Winter and Walks With Men.

1936 – Charles Hardin “Buddy Holly” Holley, singer of That’ll Be The Day who lost his life in a plane accident in Iowa, just two years after breaking into the music business.

1931 – Al McGuire, coach of Marquette University’s basketball team.

1923 – Peter Lawford, actor, member of “The Rat Pack” and brother-in-law to President John F Kennedy. You can watch him in Royal Wedding (1951), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) and Oceans’ Eleven (1960).

1909 – Elia Kazan, director of A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and East of Eden and known for introducing audience to James Dean, Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, Julie Harris, Andy Griffith, Lee Remick, Rip Torn, Eli Wallach, Eva Marie Saing, Fred Gwynne, Pat Hingle and Martin Balsam.

1908 – Michael DeBakey, doctor/surgeon. Had a hand in developing the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Research System. Invented the roller pump, which, 20 years later would become an essential part of someone else’s invention, the heart –lung machine, making open heart surgery possible.

1860 – Anna Mary Robertson, painter known as Grandma Moses. She began painting because arthritis caused her to have to quit her career in embroidery.

Don't Be Late

2010-09-05T08:32:00.000-04:00

International Square Dancing Month

Be Late For Something Day

Cheese Pizza Day

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS:

1975 – President Ford was nearly assassinated by Charles Manson follower Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme.

1972 – Israeli athletes and coaches were taken hostage by Arab terrorists.

1958 – Dr. Zhivago, Boris Pasternak’s novel banned in the Soviet Union, was published in the US

1877 – Crazy Horse, the Sioux chief responsible for the slaughter of the Seventh Cavalry, led by General George Custer, was stabbed during a scuffle with soldiers while imprisoned at Fort Robinson, NE.

1774 – The First Continental Congress was assembled in Philadelphia. This is the beginning of the separation from England.

Peter the Great, Russian Czar, imposed a tax on beards.

BIRTHDAYS:

1969 – Dweezil Zappa, Son of musician Frank Zappa and brother of Moon-Unit Zappa. Yes those are really their names. The one thing that I remember seeing Dweezil in was the Molly Ringwald movie, Pretty in Pink. He was not using his musical talent, only his dumb-blond acting talent.

1960 – Cathy Guisewite, the cartoonist who created the comic strip Cathy.

1940 – Raquel Welch, made a fur bikini famous (One Million Years BC, 1966)

1937 – William Devane,yeah, you know him, he usually plays the borderline skeeze-bucket like on Knots Landing, lately, he has been playing a shrink in the sting of Tom Selleck movies featuring the character Jesse Stone.

1934 – Carol Lawrence. Known as a “triple crown” performer pulling her own as an actress, singer and dancer.

1929 – Bob Newhart, is known for his average Bob look at life when performing in his comedy routine and his sitcom characters.

1912 – John Cage. A composer credited with development of modern dance, chance music, non standard use of musical instruments and electronic music.

1905 – Arthur Koestler, writer of fiction, non-fiction and autobiographies and biographies including Arrival and Departure, The Call Girls, The Trial of the Dinosaur.

1897 – Arthur C Neilsen, (at the age of 5, was considered a math genius, lol). Founded the market research company, AC Neilsen Co.

1847 – Jesse James, outlaw and bank robber who terrorized the American west in the late 1800’s.

Fall Hats and Newspapers

2010-09-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

It is Fall Hat Month

Newspaper Carrier Day – The very first newspaper carrier was hired on this day in 1833. The New York Sun’s Benjamin Day hired 10-year old Barney Flaherty to toss his penny press newspaper into his subscriber’s bushes. (Really that was the requirement for getting the job, throwing the paper into the bushes.) Good job, Barney!

BIRTHDAYS:

1981 – Beyonce Knowles, singer, member of Destiny’s Child and solo artist.

1970 – Ione Skye, actress. The daughter of Donovan was featured in Say Anything… and Return to Babylon.

1960 – Damon Wayans, comedian/actor, was featured in In Living Color, Blankman and Major Payne.

1951 – Judith Ivey, actress appeared in Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Devil’s Advocate and Flags of Our Fathers.

1949 – Tom Watson, athlete, professional golfer who has been a pro-player since 1971.

1930 – Mitzi Gaynor, actress/singer/dancer. Featured in films between 1949-1963 including My Blue Heaven, There’s No Business Like Show Business and For Love of Money.

1920 – Craig Claiborne, food critic/writer. Wrote books including Veal Cookery, Classic French Cooking, and Elements of Etiquette.

1918 – Paul Harvey, “Rest of the Story” teller.

1905 – Mary Challans, novelist who wrote under the name Mary Renault. Stories including The Bull from the Sea, Promise of Love and The Alexander Trilogy.

HISTRY:

1972 – Mark Spitz earned his 7^th gold medal of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.

1957 – Lincoln’s sister car brand, Edsel, unveiled four models known for their large ring in the middle of the front grille. The car brand was made for only 3 years before it folded. Good-bye to the “Pontiac pushing a toilet seat” and the “Oldsmobile sucking a lemon”.

1951 – The first transcontinental television broadcast was aired starring President Harry S. Truman officially accepting the treaty ending the US occupation of Japan in post WWII.

1886 – Geronimo, became the last Indian warrior to surrendered to US troops.

1596 – Kyushu, Japan was devastated by one of the first recorded tsunamis ever.

Beheadings, Surrenders and Mark Harmon

2010-09-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

Hispanic Heritage Month

VJ Day – The official end of WWII occurred upon the USS Missouri during a surrender ceremony.

National Beheading Day – Although named a “national” holiday, it really isn’t, in fact, there really won’t be any beheadings today, I hope.

HISTORY

1973 – John Ronald Reuel Tolkien died in Bournemouth, Dorset, England of a bleeding ulcer and a chest infection. He currently resides with the hobbits in Middle Earth.

1969 – Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, NY installed the first ATM. 40 years later, there are over a million machines across the globe.

1959 – The Ford Falcon was introduced by Henry Ford II as a 90 –horsepower 30mpg compact car.

1789 – Happy Birthday to the US Treasury, headed by Alexander Hamilton.

1666 – The Great Fire of London was started in a baker on Pudding Lane owned by Thomas Farriner. It finally was put out on September 5^th destroying the homes of 70,000 (out of 80,000) residents and an untolled number of deaths.

BIRTHDAYS:

1968 – Salma Hayek, actress, has appeared in films such as The Faculty, The Hunchback, Traffic, Frida and Spy Kids 3.

1964 – Keanu Reeves, actor starring in films beginning in 1985’s Letting Go as Stereo Teen #1 to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure to Little Buddha to A Walk in the Clouds to Speed, to 2011’s Jekyll. Pretty to look at…

1955 – Linda Purl, actress, known as being Fonzie’s steady girlfriend on Happy Days and as Ben Matlock’s lawyer daughter, Charlene on Matlock.

1952 – Jimmy Connors, athlete, considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

1951 – Mark Harmon, actor/hunny-bunny, Love watching him every week on NCIS. I won’t forget him on St. Elsewhere; as the Coors Beer spokesman; as serial killer, Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger. In the movies, check him out in Prince of Bel Air, Summer School , Freaky Friday (2003), and The Presidio.

1948 – Christa McAuliffe, teacher/astronaut. Wanting to teach about the experience of space travel. The school teacher signed up to fly into space upon the Space Shuttle Challenger. She would be unable to fulfill her dreams when the Challenger was destroyed upon take off in January, 1986.

1948 – Terry Bradshaw, athlete, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback turned football analyst.

1937 – Peter Ueberroth, executive. Was the 6^th commissioner of Major League Baseball in the United States.

1917 – Marge Champion, dancer/actress, best known for her dance work with her husband Gower Champion. She still teaches and is a choreographer in NYC and occasionally appears on television and on Broadway.

Classical Music Month & Emma M Nutt Day

2010-09-01T08:01:00.000-04:00

September is Classical Music Month

Emma M Nutt Day – Today we honor the first woman telephone operator. Yes, her name was Emma M. Nutt. Let’s all call the operator and wish them a happy day!

HISTORICAL REFERENCE:

1998 – The law requiring front seat airbags for automobiles and light trucks went into effect.

1969 – A military coup against King Idris I of Libya lead by Muammar al-Qaddafi, a 27-year old army captain, who was then named chairman oc the Revoluitionary Command Council, Libya’s new government.

1939 – World War II began on this day when Germany invaded Poland.

1864 - Atlanta, Georgia was evacutated when Union troops surround the city and cut off supplies.

1850 – The Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind, also known as the greatest opera singer in the world, was introduced to the American public by showman and circus entrepreneur, PT Barnum. Don’t understand the big deal? Think about another European arrival about 100 years in the future with the American arrival of The Beatles. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

1830 - One of the first poems a child learns, Mary Had a Little Lamb, was published.

1802 – Newspaper, the Richmond Recorder, reported that Thomas Jefferson, retired politician, was keeping a concubine. Sally Hemmings report survives today, but did you know that Hemmings was the half-black, half-sister of Jefferson’s deceased wife?

1807 – Former Vice President, Aaron Burr, was acquitted of treason. He was accused of plotting to establish an independent republic by annexing parts of Lousiana and Mexico (at that time part of Spain) and conspiring against the US. Although acquitted, public opinion of his guilt forced him to flee to Europe.

Born in:

1957 – Gloria Estefan, singer and founding member of Miami Sound Machine.

1950 – Phil McGraw, TV “Dr”.

1946 – Barry Gibb, singer/songwriter, member of singing group The BeeGees (just in case you didn’t know, it stands for “The Brothers Gibb”

1939 – Lily Tomlin, actress/comedianne, known for personas such as Edith Ann and operator, Ernestine.

1933 - Harold Lloyd Jenkins, singer. Yeah, that isn’t much of a name for a singer, how about Conway Twitty. Two pieces of trivia: He named himself by throwing a dart at a map, hitting Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas; AND he and his career/followers were the inspiration for the musical Bye, Bye Birdie.

1931 – Lecil Travis Martin, singer. Okay, another odd name not suited to public life, how does Boxcar Willie suit you?

1922 – Yvonne DeCarlo, actress. Other than playing Lily on the Mega-weird TV series The Munsters, she can also be found in The Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston and as Salome in Salome, Where She Danced.

1908 – Estee Lauder, business woman. Founded the cosmetics and fragrance company named after her.

Windy Weather

2010-08-23T07:13:00.002-04:00

Today is Ride the Wind Day. Yes, just go ahead and enjoy the wind from as high up as you can get. In a plane, balloon, parachute. If you can’t get into something that extravagant, then try using a kite, feel the wind play with the string, or a sailboat, motorcycle, or just drive around all day with the windows down in your car. Stick your head out the window, like your favorite puppy!

POSSIBLE BIRTHDAY PARTIES TODAY:

Kobe Bryant (1978), NBA player; Rick Springfield (1949), singer of Jessie’s Girl was once featured on General Hospital; Shelley Long (1949), actress known for her role as “Diane” on Cheers; Ronny Cox (1938), Do you remember him in Apple’s Way and Beverly Hills Cop?; Sonny Jurgensen (1934), NFL quarterback; Barbara Eden (1934), I Dream of Jeannie actress; Vera Miles (1929), actress seen in Psycho, The Searchers, Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle; and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Gene Kelly (1912), actor/singer/dancer featured in dozens of films such as, Singing in the Rain, For An American in Paris; Me and My Gal; and Xanadu; Edgar Lee Masters (1869); wrote what is known as the Spoon River Anthology. King Louis XVI (1754), those who can’t read foreign languages, XVI=16^th-Louie was married to ‘cake guru’ Marie Antoinette, they both lost their heads during the French Revolution.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, IN:

1989 – Pete Rose, manager of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, was banned for life from participating in baseball in any way for betting on baseball games.

1979 – Aleksandr Godunov performed in NYC during the Bolshoi Ballet’s US visit. He defected following his performance.

1926 – At the age of 31, Rudolph Valentino, Hollywood’s first male sex symbol, died of infection from a ruptured ulcer.

1904 – Harold D Weed patented his “Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires”. A non-skid chain system to use on automobile tires for slick conditions. Got to love those Canastota, New Yorkers!!!

1902 – Fannie Farmer opened Miss Marmer’s School of Cookery in Boston, MA. She standardized measurements in recipes…no more handfuls of this and bunch of that.

1784 – State of Franklin declared independence from the State of North Carolina. The four NC counties, Washington, Sullivan, Spencer (now Hawkins) and Green, set up their own independent government when NC ceded them to the US Congress and were afraid that the would be “sold” to pay of government debt. This did not happen, and the state eventually was returned to be governed by NC and soon became part of the State of Tennessee.

Tooth Fairy Day

2010-08-22T20:20:00.003-04:00

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day. There are songs about Santa and The Easter Bunny, so, why is there no song for The Tooth Fairy? Let’s see if we can work on that, okay?

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATORS…

Tori Amos (1964), singer/musician who’s best single on the charts, 1000 Oceans, made it to #22.

Cindy Williams (1947), actress best know as “Shirley” on the long running TV series, Laverne and Shirley.

Bill Parcells (1941), NFL football coach.

Valerie Harper (1940), actress best know for her role as “Rhoda” in the 70’s TV series’, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda.

Annie Proulx (1935), author of The Shipping News (her second novel), which won the Pulitzer Prize among other awards.

Norman Schwarzkopf (1934), US General who lead forces during the First Iraq War in 1981.

Ray Bradbury (1920), science fiction writer with credits including: Fahrenheit 451, The martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes plus multitudes of other novels, short stories, screen and teleplays, children’s literature and non-fiction works.

Dorothy Parker (1893), quick witted author who wrote over 300 poems, short stories, screenplays and reviews for the New Yorker Magazine.

Claude Debussy (1862), composer who wrote many works including unfinished short operas based on Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and The Devil in the Belfry.

Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834), astronomer and aviation pioneer. Invented the bolometer which measures infrared radiation. In aviation, he attempted to design a working, piloted heavier-than-air craft, including using a steam powered engine.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY:

(1989) Nolan Ryan through his 5,000^th strike out, the first pitcher in major league history. He accumulated a total of 5,714 in his entire career, his closest competitor is 1,500 behind him.

(1962) The OAS attempted to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle. The attempt failed thanks to the sleek design of the president’s auto, the Citroen DS 19.

(1950) Althea Gibson became the first black American player to compete in a US national tennis competition.

(1922) Finance minister of Sinn FEin, Irish revolutionary, Michael Collins was killed 8 months after his appointment.

(1862) Jean-Henri Dunant, a Swiss humanitarian, proposed The International Red Cross. He was awarded the first Nobel Peace Price in 1901.

(1848) Ulysses S Grant married his long time fiance, Julia Boggs Dent.

(1776) The Redcoats came, the redcoats came. Nearly 24,000 British landed on Long Island in NY, ready to kick butt! I wonder what happened.

Senior's Day

2010-08-21T08:31:00.000-04:00

Today is commonly celebrated as National Senior Citizen’s Day. In 1988, Presidnet Ronald Reagan (kiddies, he’s the one that used to be an actor, you know, back in the olden days before people had invented dye and make up and everything was black, white and grey.) I plan on celebrating by spending time with a senior citizen today… I hope Mom enjoys my company.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Alicia Witt, 1975 – This red-haired actress was cast as Zoe, Cybill Shepherd’s daughter in the TV series Cybill.

Steve Case, 1958 – Co-founder of AOL.

Jackie DeShannon, 1944 – Top 10 hits for this singer include What the World Needs Now and Put a Little Love in Your Heart.

Kenny Rogers, 1938 – Country singer known for his silver hair and growlly voice has popped out 36 albums in 30 years (not including compilations) featuring singles such as Lucille, Ruby, Lady, The Gambler, Coward of the County, Daytime Friends and Islands in the Stream. (21 went to #1 on US charts.)

Wilt Chamberlain, 1936 – 7’1” tall basketball player with the nickname “The Stilt” who began is basketball career with The Harlem Globetrotters before playing for Philadelphia and then LA Lakers.

Chris Schenkel, 1923 – Sportscaster for ABC. Most often heard on the Pro Bowler’s Tour, college football, Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, Golf, Tennis, Auto…oh heck, almost everywhere.

Christopher Robin Milne, 1920 – Most known as the model as the child in the book Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by his father, A.A. Milne.

William James Basie, 1904 – Jazz musician and bandlleader who gained his nickname “Count” at the age of 24.

1986 – Cameroon’s Lake Nyos spewed out a cloud of carbon dioxide gas killing nearly 2,000 in 4 villages.

1959 – Hawaii becomes the 50^th US state.

1911 – Mona Lisa, one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, was discovered missing. The painting was recovered 3 months later, unharmed.

1897 – Ransome Eli Olds founded Olds Motors Works in Lansing, MI. A fire destroyed his stock of cars in 1900 except a small, one-cylinder, curved-dash model. He took this car to the NY Auto Show in 1901 and it became a commercial sensation. Welcome to the world Oldsmobile.

1858 – The first of seven debates between Senator Stephen Douglas and his opponent, Abraham Lincoln. Although he lost the senate election, he would win the Republican presidential nomination two years later (and then the Presidency in November).

1841 – Venetian blinds patented by Edward and Frederick Bopp in Kansas City, MO.

1831 – Nat Turner, a slave in Southampton County, VA, launched an insurrection to capture the county’s armory in Jerusalem, VA. This plan did not succeeed, however, he and his followers did kill about 60 whites before he was captured. He was tried, convicted and then hanged on November 11^th for heading up the largest slave revolt in US history.

Radio and Space Missions

2010-08-20T07:53:00.000-04:00

Today is National Radio Day. Today, in honor of the radio, let’s put away our Ipods, MP3 players and Walkmans and pull out our old transistors! Happy Radio Day!

TODAY’S HISTORY:

1989 – Lyle and Erik Menendez ‘return’ from the movies to ‘discover’ their parents shot, according to a 911 call. Turns out, they had killed their parents.

1977 – Voyager II launched with a message to possible interaction with other world beings.

1975 – Viking I was launched on a mission to Mars.

1920 – American Professional Football was born. The American Professional Football Conference (Grandpa of the NFL) was formed by seven men, including Jim Thorpe.

1911 – The first around-the-world telegram was sent at 7pm from the 17^th floor of the New York Times building in NYC and arrived back at the office 16.5 minutes later having traveled around the world through 16 different operators. The message? “This message sent around the world.”

1866 – President Andrew Jackson officially pronounced that America’s civil war was over.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Joan Allen, 1956 – Actress seen in Pleasantville, Mists of Avalon and The Bourne Supremacy.

Al Roker, 1954 – Weatherman and Author

Connie Chung, 1954 – Journalist married to Maury Povich.

Rajiv Gandhi, 1944 – Son of Indira Gandhi, he became the youngest Prime Minister of India.

Isaac Hayes, 1942 – Songwriter, musician and singer best known for his Academy Award musical score for the movie Shaft (1971).

Don King, 1931 – What he didn’t do in his role as a boxing promoter, he did with his famous hairstyle.

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, 1890 – Author of horror, fantasy and science fiction novels including his first short story, The Tomb, and The Dunwich Horror. There are dozens of novels, short stories, juvenile aimed stories, poetry and even stories he wrote with other writers.

Jacqueline Susann, 1918 - Author of Valley of the Dolls

Benjamin Harrison, 1833 – 23^rd United States President. Retired Brigadier General, Union Army.

Oliver Hazard Perry, 1785 – Known as “Hero of Lake Erie” for his naval victories at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1813.

Poetry, Noetry

2010-08-18T08:10:00.003-04:00

Today is Bad Poetry Day. This day was created for so many people out there and they don’t even know it. Life is like a little rose, it starts out small, and then it grows, up and up along a wall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Actress, Madeline Stowe (1958). Although she made her start in the ’70s with TV appearances (including the blind painter, Annie Crane on LHOP), she has many movie credits including, Stakeout; The Two Jakes; Twelve Monkeys; The General’s Daughter; and We Were Soldiers.

Actor/Dancer, Patrick Swayze (1954). We will miss you, but, we can always see you in Dirty Dancing; Ghost; Red Dawn; Road House or any one of your other films.

Actor/Director, Robert Redford (1937). He seems to have a gentle soul, don’t you think. Some of my favorite films include The Sting, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid; The Way We Were; and Sneakers.

Baseball player, Roberto Clemente (1934). He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame less than a year after his death in an aviation accident while on his way to aid earthquake victims in Nicaragua)

Film director, Roman Polanski (1933). Polanski may be know for his directing Rosmary’s Baby, Chinatown, Tess, Pirates, Death and the Maiden, The Ninth Gate, The Pianist and The Ghost Writer. But he will probably be known for the trouble in his life, the slaying of his pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson Family, and the fleeing from a jail sentence after being convicted of a crime.

First Lady, Rosalynn Carter (1927). Not only did she make Jimmy look good, she is an advocate for mental health and care-giving and has written several books.

Actress, Shelley Winters (1922). Featured in almost 160 titles including The Great Gatsby, The Treasure of Pancho Villa, Lolita, The Poseidon Adventure, and as Nana Mary on the TV series Roseanne.

Executive/Politician, Caspar Weinberger (1917). Historical roles including VP and general counsel to Bechtel Corp; Secretary of Defense; Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

IN HISTORY:

1963 – The first black American graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in political science after just one year of attendance.

1958 – The controversial novel, Lolita, written by Vladimir Nabokov, was published in the US.

1940 – Walter Percy Chrysler, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at the age of 65. Chrysler Corporation was formed in 1925 after he worked at several companies including Buick, Willys-Overland and Maxwell Motors.

1931 – China’s Yangtze River crests during horrible flooding. By the end of this natural disaster, nearly 4 million people will have lost their lives and this would be known as the worst natural disaster of the 20^th century.

1920 – The 19^th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified (2/3 of the states had passed it). From this day forward, women would have the right to vote.

1590 – The governor of the Roanoke Island colony returned from a supply trip to England to find his colonists missing, including his daughter and grand daughter, Virginia Dare.

1227 – The death of Genghis Khan was felt throughout his empire. In order to keep his death a secret any one who set eyes on the funeral procession. He was buried in an unmarked grave, that is still a mystery.

Poetry, Noetry

2010-08-18T08:10:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Actress, Madeline Stowe (1958). Although she made her start in the ’70s with TV appearances (including the blind painter, Annie Crane on LHOP), she has many movie credits including, Stakeout; The Two Jakes; Twelve Mokeys; The General’s Daughter; and We Were Soldiers.

Actor/Dancer, Patrick Swayze (1954). We will miss you, but, we can always see you in Dirty Dancing; Ghost; Red Dawn; Road House or any one of your other films.

First Lady, Rosalynn Carter (1927). Not only did she make Jimmy look good, she is an advocate for mental health and caregiving and has written several books.

IN HISTORY:

1963 – The first black American graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in political science after just one year of attendence.

1958 – The controversial novel, Lolita, written by Vladimir Nabokov, was published in the US.

1920 – The 19^th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified (2/3 of the states had passed it). From this day forward, women would have the right to vote.

1590 – The governor of the Roanoke Island colony returned from a supply trip to England to find his colonists missing, including his daughter and grand daughter, Virginia Dare.

Thrifty Penny

2010-08-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

National Thriftshop Day…If you can’t find a “thrift shop” try a consignment shop, flea market, second-hand store or surplus store like Hotline, Goodwill, Friends of the Library, Salvation Army or whatever your favorite local charity organization. Have fun shopping.

How About Celebrating this...

1978 – Pilots, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman, flew across the Atlantic (3233 miles) in 6 days in a balloon calle Double Eagle II.

1969 – The end of the “Three Days of Peace and Music” outside a little town in upstate (hah) NY called Woodstock in Bethel, NY. The final act was Jimi Hendrix performing The Star Spangled Banner.

1961 – Work on The Berlin Wall began.

1933 - Lou Gehrig broke Everett Scott’s consecutive game record at 1308. He would not stop there, participating in 2,130 games in a row.

1915 - Charles F Kettering, Dayton Engineering Labrotories Company (DELCO), received a patent for his invention, the first electric ignition device for automobiles.

1877 – The first victim of Billy the Kid died, a blacksmith who was shot (in self-defense, not that I am sticking up for William Bonney) during a scuffle which started out with name calling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Sean Penn (1960), actor whose first credit was “Kid” the episode “The Voice of Tinker Jones” in the unparallelled family program Little House on the Prarie. His father directed the episode.

Belinda Carlisle (1958), lead singer of The Go-Gos. Although their first single, Our Lips are Sealed, only made it to 20 on the charts, it is one of my faves.

Robert DeNiro (1943), actor who is well known today, but have you seen his 1968 comedy Greetings?

Maureen O’Hara (1920), actress whose early roles include Esmeralda in The Huntchback of Notre Dame and Mary in Jamaica Inn.

Mae West (1892), larger than life actress who was featured in only 12 films, she may be best known for a life vest being named after her.

Samuel Goldwyn (1882), ambitious producer of Porgy and Bess, Hans Christian Andersen, The Kid from Brooklyn, Pride of the Yankees, Wuthering Heights and The Cinderella Man (1917). Also, famous for his Goldwinisms… “Gentlemen, listen to me slowly.”; “Modern dancing is old fashioned.”; “Our comedies are not to be laughed at.” ; “A bachelor’s life is no life for a single man.” Funny.

Davy Crockett (1786); larger than life frontiersman who is also A member of the US House of Representitives from TN, a pioneer, soldier, trapper and explorer. He was among the many killed during the seige at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio.

Creamsicles...mmmm!

2010-08-14T07:09:00.000-04:00

National Creamsicle Day!!! Just so there is no mistake. Creamsicles ROCK! A little vanilla ice cream surrounded by an awesome orange sherbet/ice milk concoction frozen on a stick. Can’t get a creamsicle where you are? Try vanilla ice cream floating in a glass of OJ or Orange Crush Soda. Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

AND

VJ Day. VJ is the acronym of the term Victory in Japan. Some celebrate this VJ Day on the 15^th, others on the 14^th. This discrepancy is do to the fact of the time difference and slow communications to US from Japan.

In History:

2003 – The 50 million people in the NE US and SE Canada were affected by a blackout. Some people were out of power for over 24 hours and still, nobody knows why!

1994 – Illich Ramirex Sanchez, aka Carlos the Jackal, was captured. He was affiliated with many terrorist organizations and linked to attacks between 1973 and 1992.

1985 – Michael Jackson out bid Paul McCartney for publishing rights to most of the musical catalog of the Beatles. Do you think he got his $47,000,000.00 worth?

1980 – Poland went on strike. It began with workers seizing control of the Lenin Shipyard. This movement gave rise to Solidarity and Lech Walesa.

1953 – Whiffle Ball was patented by David Mullany. How did it get its name? A slang term his son used for a strike out... "whiff".

1945 – Japan surrendered ending WWII.

1935 – The Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt. Did you know it was originally designed to combat unemployment?

1908 – The first (known) beauty pageant was held in Folkestone, England

1885 – The inventor of rust proof paint received Japan’s first patent.

1846 – A meteorite crashed near the town of Cape Girardeau, MO. I wonder if it was part of the Perseid Meteor Shower.

1751 – Francis Blandy is found dead. His daughter, Mary, was accused of poisoning him over a period of months using arsenic because he refused to allow her to ‘see’ a married man. She was tried, convicted and hung.

1040 – King Duncan I of Scotland was killed in battle. The rival army was lead by his cousin (and successor)…Macbeth.

BIRTHDAYS…

Executive Decision actress, Halle Berry (1968); The Brady Bunch actress, Susan Olsen (1961); Cats singer/actress, Sarah Brightman (1960); Athlete, Ervin “Magic” Johnson (1959); The Far Side cartoonist, Gary Larson (1950); Romance novelist, Danielle Steel (1947); Kate & Allie actress, Susan St. James (1946); Starsky and Hutch actor, Antonio Fargas (1946); Comedian, actor, neighbor, Steve Martin (1945); Jockey, Robyn Smith (1944); Crosby, Stills Nash & Young singer, David Crosby (1941); Seals and Crofts singer, Dash Crofts (1940); The Forsyte Saga novelist, John Galsworthy (1867); Casey at the Bat poet, Ernest Lawrence Thayer (1863); Gunfighter, Doc Holliday (1851); Historical novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771).

Creamsicles...mmmm!

2010-08-14T07:08:00.000-04:00

and

2003 – The 50 million people in the NE US and SE Canada were affected by a blackout. Some people were out of power for over 24 hours and still, nobody knows why!

1994 – Illich Ramirex Sanchez, aka Carlos the Jackal, was captured. He was affiliated with many terrorist organizations and linked to attacks between 1973 and 1992.

1985 – Michael Jackson out bid Paul McCartney for publishing rights to most of the musical catalog of the Beatles. Do you think he got his $47,000,000.00 worth?

1980 – Poland went on strike. It began with workers seizing control of the Lenin Shipyard. This movement gave rise to Solidarity and Lech Walesa.

1953 – Whiffle Ball was patented by David Mullany. How did it get its name? A slang term his son used for a strike out... "whiff".

1945 – Japan surrendered ending WWII.

1935 – The Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt. Did you know it was originally designed to combat unemployment?

1908 – The first (known) beauty pageant was held in Folkestone, England

1885 – The inventor of rust proof paint received Japan’s first patent.

1846 – A meteorite crashed near the town of Cape Girardeau, MO. I wonder if it was part of the Perseid Meteor Shower.

1040 – King Duncan I of Scotland was killed in battle. The rival army was lead by his cousin (and successor)…Macbeth.

BIRTHDAYS…

Middle Children

2010-08-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is Middle Child’s Day. Hmm, just what a middle child needs a day all to themselves. I think they are the luckiest kids in a family. As the first born, I can never know what it would be like to be a baby sister. And the third born, well will always be a baby sister, protected by her big sisters. The middle child, gets to be both a big sister and a little one in one package. What Luck!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Pete Sampras, 1971, tennis great.
George Hamilton, 1939, actor known mostly for his tan. Can be seen in over100 roles beginning in 1952 to today.
George Soros, 1930, financier. Known as the “man who broke the Bank of England”.
Buck Owens, 1929, singer who can be seen on the long running Hee Haw and heard singing Act Naturally, I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail, and Tall Dark Stranger.
Cecil B DeMille, 1881, producer of epics like The Ten Commandments, Cleopatra, and The Greatest Show on Earth.
James B Brady, 1856, philanthropist known as “Diamond Jim”.

IN:
1990 – The largest and most complete skeleton of a dinosaur was discovered in South Dakota. The remains of the Tyrannosaurus rex was 90% complete including a wishbone, tying ancient dinosaurs to current birds.
1978 – Darryl Stingley was left paralyzed after a hard hit during the Oakland Raiders vs New England Patriots NFL game. This is the only time a player would be permanently paralyzed, despite its rough reputation.
1964 – Ian Fleming, creator of the famous spy, James Bond (and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) died.
1961 – East Germany began the construction of the Berlin Wall.
1939 – The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, made its world premiere in Oconomowoc, WI.

It's a JOKE guys!

2010-08-11T00:01:00.001-04:00

Today is Son and Daughter Day…Spend time with your kids whether they are a day old or 92. And kids, spend time with your parents and be nice about it.
Today is Presidential Joke Day… No, today is not a day to make jokes about the president (of the us or any other organization…) it is a day for the President to yuk it up. The first Presidential Joke Day occurred on this day in 1984. It probably was not the first ‘live mike oops’ that ever happened, and it definitely was not the last. He joked: "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes." Since we are still living happily (enough) on Earth, I assume the Russians did not hear it, or got the joke!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Joe Jackson (1954), musician/songwriter. Known for his work in punk, ska, new wave, pop, jazz and classical genres and can play piano, keyboards, organ saxophone, harmonica, melodica, synthesizer, accordion and vibraphones, as well as sing!
Terry Gene Bollea (1953), professional wrestler known as Hulk Hogan.
Stephen Wozniak (1950), co-founder of Apple Computer.
Allegra Kent (1937), ballerina
Jerry Falwell (1933), TV evangelist.
Mike Delaney Dowd, Jr (1925), singer (Prince Charming in Cinderella, 1950), TV personality.
Alex Haley (1921), author of the novel Roots.

IN HISTORY BOOKS:
1994 – Major League baseball players strike. It would be the longest sports strike in history. There would be no World Series that year.
1973 – Hip Hop music was born.
1965 – Riots in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts began. At its height, 50-square miles of south central LA were overcome. Order was restored on August 16th.
1934 – Alcatraz Island opened as a maximum security prison facility (it had previously been used as a military prison).
1856 – Isle Dernier, a resort community off the coast of Louisiana, was completely submerged by hurricane storm surges. The hurricane killed more than 400. Bayou LaFourche, a nearby community, discovered a mysterious sea creature brought in with the surge.

S'more S'mores

2010-08-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

On this 10^th day of August (really? Already?) we should celebrate a couple of days that needs to be celebrated at least twice a month. Lazy Day and National S’mores Day. S’mores are one of my favorites. Want a quick fix. Get a graham cracker break into two squares, half a Hershey Bar and one marshmallow. In the center of a small plate (or napkin) position one square of graham cracker, then place the square of chocolate atop the cracker and the marshmallow on top of the chocolate. Microwave on high for 10-15 seconds. You should watch it. When the marshmallow begins to grow, stop the cooking. Open the oven door and immediately place the second cracker squarely on top of the marshmallow gently pressing to flatten. Wait a moment before devouring. Want a twist? Spread the second graham cracker with a layer (as thick as you like) of peanut butter. Heaven!

Interesting happening in history:

2003 – Heat wave attacks Europe. UK temperatures top 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time in since weather records were kept.

1977 – NY serial killer, “Son of Sam” (David Berkowitz) was arrested.

1948 – Smile, You’re on Candid Camera debuted starring Alan Funt.

1912 – Virginia Stephen married Leonard Woolf.

1846 – The Smithsonian Institution was created. As stated in the will of James Smithson his estate would go to "the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Even with this specificity, it took 10 years for the government to figure out what to do…hmmm.

1833 – The village of Chicago was incorporated.

1821 – The 24^th state, the first located entirely west of the Mississippi River, was admitted into the union. Welcome aboard Missouri.

Some famous people born on this day:

1967 – Riddick Bowe, Heavyweight Boxer.

1960 – Antonio Banderas, Actor; Philadelphia, Evita, Spy Kids.

1950 – Patti Austin, Singer; Jazz, Pop and R&B.

1947 – Ian Anderson, Singer; Jethro Tull.

1942 – Betsy Johnson, Fashion Designer.

1928 – Eddie Fisher, Singer; Wish You Were Here, Count Your Blessings, O, My Maria.

1928 – Jimmy Dean, Singer, Sausage Maker; Sang Big Bad John.

1923 – Rhonda Fleming, Actress; aka-“Queen of Technicolor”; Spellbound, The Spiral Staircase, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

1911 – Jane Wyatt, Actress; Father Knows Best, Star Trek (TV Series).

1874 – Herbert Hoover, 31^st US President.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

2010-08-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is Book Lover’s Day. I am a book lover, are you? In fact, I am just whipping through James Patterson’s I, Alex Cross. 2 days and I am nearly done! I love a quick read. I also have about 3 dozen boxes of books in the garage dating as far back as the mid-1800’s. I just can’t seem to get rid of them. The house is also loaded with books. Every possible shelf has at least one row of books on them. Hi, my name is Patti, and I am a bookaholic…

According to the History Books...

Ø Grateful Dead founding guitarist, Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack at the age of 53.

Ø Arthur Walker, a retired US Naval officer, was found guilty of spying for the USSR. His brother and nephew were also charges with similar charges and eventually plead guilty.

Ø After the resignation of President Nixon, Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as President. Ford was the only person not elected to serve as President. He was appointed Vice President earlier in the year and when Nixon resigned, he was given the oath of office as the VP successor.

Ø In 1969, the horrific discovery of five people, including pregnant Sharon Tate rocked the entire country. The still jailed “Manson Family” was convicted of this crime, among others. If you would like to read more into the mind of a nut job, pick-up the then assistant district attorney Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter.

Ø Betty Boop debuted in the short animated film, Dizzy Dishes in 1930.

Ø In 378, The Visigoths defeated the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople. Why is this important, I have no idea, I read about war stuff and basically hear in my head “blah, blah, 378, wow that was a long time ago!”

On August 9^th in…

1968, Gillian Anderson, the actress from X-Files was born. Has she done anything other than that? In 1967, cross-training football-baseball player, Deion Sanders was born. 1964 saw the birth of Brett Hull, Bobby Hull’s son and an NHL hockey player in his own right. In 1963, Whitney Houston began exercising her lungs. By the way, Dolly’s original version of I Will Always Love You is the best! Don Johnson’s ex and Antonio Banderes’ current, Melanie Griffith was born in 1957. Jonathan Kellerman, writer responsible for creating one of my favorite doctor detectives, Alex Delaware, was born. In 1944, slow talkin’ Sam Elliott was born. And, finally, poet John Dryden was born in 1631. Some of his works include: Marriage a la Mode; The Mistaken Husband; King Arthur and Fables, Ancient and Modern .

No Zucchini here

2010-08-08T08:04:00.000-04:00

Today is an interestingly named day...Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day. I personally will not be celebrating this day by placing or finding. I do not like it. I do not like Zucchini, Sam I Am! So keep it and enjoy it yourself. I know you have to like it, after all, you wanted to grow it!

1988- The Chicago Cubs host their first night game at Wrigley field, the star of the game the newly installed lighting system!
1974-The 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, became the first US leader to resign his elected office.
1963- yes 1963, not 1863, The Great Train Robbery occured. Using two stolen Land Rovers, Bruce Reynolds and 14 other masked men held up the Royal Mail train and made off with about $7million. 12 of the 15 were captured and sentenced to prison.
1945-The USSR (aka, Soviet Union) declared war against Japan, finally.
1890-The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) was created.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Joshua (no screaming please) Chasez (1976) member of NSYNC
Donnie (no snickering please) Most (1953) actor best known as Ralph Malph on Happy Days, in happier days.
Keith (no, not my brother David "Kung Fu" or my father John) Carradine (1949), actor known for his role in Revenge of the Nerds opposite Anthony "nerd turned doc" Edwards.
Concetta Rosalie Ann (no, not Francis) Ingogla (1938) Her stage name is Connie Stevens and has acted in multiple movies and TV shows including Hawaiian Eye, Maverick and Grease 2.
Dustin (no, I can't count falling toothpicks very fast) Hoffman (1937). His second role was portraying Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate.
Mel (let me sing it) Tillis (1932) country music singer of Who's Julie, I Ain't Never and Stomp Them Grapes. Want to see his funny side? Try The Villain starring Mel with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ann Margaret and Kirk Douglas!
Esther (the mermaid) Williams (1923) Best known for her roles in 'aquamusicals' such as Million Dollar Mermaid.
Rory (aka Smoke) Calhoun (1922) Great rags-to-riches story. He began his teens stealing a gun, "attending" reform school, escaping, robbing several jewelry stores, stealing a car, driving across state lines and ending up in the federal penitentiary. Spent time in San Quentin and then paroled just before his 21st birthday. Shortly thereafter, he met Alan Ladd and his western film star career began!
Agostino (aka Dino) De Laurentiis (1919) has produced films such as Barbarella in 1968 to several Stephen King based features in the 1980's to the Silence of the Lambs sequels in the 2000's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

2010-08-07T00:01:00.005-04:00

Today is National Lighthouse Day and National Mustard Day.
I am not that into mustard. Mom is. She loves mustard, anyway, she used to, until they invented Dijonaisse. A Dijon mustard and mayonnaise mix. For National Lighthouse Day, I will be remembering the lighthouses of the Outer Banks...go to www.handmedownthoughts.blogspot.com for a remembrance.

1959 - Explorer 6, an unmanned space craft began its orbit around Earth and took the very first photograph of our planet from 17,000 miles high. It took 40 minutes to transmit the image of the sunlit crescent shaped Earth. Mexico is clearly visible, well, as clear as a pic of that time could be.
1956 - Seven trucks loaded with army ammunition exploded in downtown Cali leaving 1,000 dead, thousands injured, a crater in the found and a 3-block area razed. They say the cause of the explosion is a mystery. I know what caused it...THE TRUCKS WERE LOADED WITH EXPLOSIVES! HELLO!
1947 - The Kon-Tiki, a raft built of balsa wood completed its 4,300 mile trek across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Raroia (a island near Tahiti). The 6-person crew, including Captain, Thor Heyerdahl, wanted to prove that South Americans could have colonized the Polynesian Islands.
1869 - Astronomer and Explorer George Davidson predicted a total solar eclipse to Native Alaskans.
1789 - The Federal Government, through an act of Congress, took over the creation and maintenance of the nation's lighthouses.
1782 - President George Washington created a new award called the "Badge of Military Merit" to be given out to those who "Let it be known that he who wears the Military Order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." It was awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. In October, 1927, this award usage was revived and is now called the "Order of the Purple Heart".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
1975 - Charlize Theron, actress seen in The Cider House Rules and Monster ; 1960 - X-Files actor, David Duchonvy, Don't miss him in Return to Me (GREAT flick!); 1955 - Wayne Knight, no not the guy that used to go fishing with my parents (and other friends) who is also the father of TR Knight, the guy who used to be on Seinfeld; 1944 - Actor, John Glover, of Payback, and Smallville fame; 1942 - BJ Thomas, country singer known for taking the song Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head to number1. Also is not dead yet, no matter what anyone says; 1942 - Marion Brown Duckett, The One And Only!; 1903 - Rudolf C Ising, animator and co-creator of Merrie Melodies and Loony Tunes cartoons. "Eh, What's up, Doc?" Nutin'? I guess, "That's all folks!"; 1876 - Dancer and famous female spy, Mata Hari.

Wiggle Your Toes

2010-08-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

August 6th marks the wonderful celebration we like to call Wiggle Your Toes Day. As described right in the name of the holiday, take off your shoes and wiggle your toes. It doesn't really matter if you have a pile of sand, a patch of grass or just your shag carpeting. Wiggle those little piggies all the way home!

HISTORY LESSON:
2009 - John Huges died. Beloved and influential director of the 1980s died of a heart attack at the age of 59. Many teens, pre-teens and post-teens of the 80s generation will remember Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Home Alone, counting them among their favorite movies of all time. I know I do.
1991 - Peugeot announced that it would stop producing cars for sale in the US.
1965 - The Voting Rights Bill was signed by President Johnson. The VRB guaranteed black Americans the right to vote.
1945 - Hiroshima Japan is rocked by the dropping of the Atom Bomb. I believe everyone learned a lesson on this one.
1926 - Gertrude Ederle swam 21 miles. This 19-year old would be the first woman to swim the English Channel.
1890 - Cy Young, pitching for the Cleveland Spiders, made his major league debut. He pitched a 3-hit shutout. Most believe he is the greatest pitcher baseball has ever seen.
1890 - William Kemmler, convicted of axing his common-law wife to death, was executed by the newly invented Electric Chair at NY's Auburn Prison.
1874 - Jim Reed, gambler and general outlaw, first husband of Myra Maybelle Shirley, friend of Cherokee outlaw Tom Starr was killed by law officers. Two years later Jim's widow married Tom's son, and continued his outlawing. We know her as Belle Starr.
1862 - CSS Arkansas was blown up by the crew on the Mississippi River on its 23 day anniversary. It was motoring down to Baton Rouge when it ran aground with engine troubles. It was apparently beyond repair under the stress of USS Essex bearing down upon them. They chose to skuttle the craft instead.
1786 - Robert Burns had his (questionable to beginwith) marriage disolved. He ended up marrying the woman anyway and having 9 children with her before his death 10 years later. He wrote the poem, For Auld Lang Syne.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Geri Halliwell (1972), Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls.
David Robinson (1965), Basketball Player
Dorian Harewood (1951), actor seen in such films as Full Metal Jacket, Gothika and The Falcon and the Snowman.
Andy Warhol (1928), Artist know for his cans. I think he was famous for 15 minutes.
Robert Mitchum (1917), Actor seen in films such as Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Going Home and The List of Adrian Messenger.
Lucille Ball (1911), Actress. Of course you know her in the early TV hit I Love Lucy, but she was 'In The Movies' too... Stage Door, Five Came Back (which I just happened to see last week, not too bad for a "B-flick"), The Long, Long Trailer and Forever, Darling.
Arthur Flegenheimer (1902), One of the biggest gangster in NY. You don't recall hearing about Bossman Flegenheimer? How about Dutch Schultz?

Sir Alexander Fleming (1881), Biologist/Pharmacologist best known for discovering penicillin.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809), was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdon during most of Queen Victoria's reign. Wrote The Charge of the Light Brigade; Tears, Idle Tears, Ulysses and The Eagle.

Working Dogs, Income Tax and Strikers

2010-08-05T09:34:00.001-04:00

Today is Work Like a Dog Day. I wonder who came up with this day. When I am employed, that is, I usually always work like a dog. It does bother me that many people do not. They just skate through their employment life, complaining about how hard they work and only work on the occasional Work Like a Dog Day or If You Get All Your Work Done Today You Don't Have to Come In On Friday or Monday Day.

IN HISTORY:
1998 - Marie Noe, aged 70, was arrested for killing her eight infant children between 1949 and 1968. There is no statute of limitations on murder.
1981 - President Ronald Reagan, in response to an illegal strike, fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers. I almost applied for a position but do not think that I could have handled the stress.
1962 - Marilyn Monroe was discovered dead in her home, ruled probable suicide.
1957 - Philadelphia based dance show, American Bandstand, began broadcasting nationally. I wonder, what ever happened to the host of that show?
1924 - Welcome to the world of comics Little Orphan Annie.
1914 - Cleveland, OH installed the world's first electric traffic signal at the corner of Euclid and East 105th.
1861 - President Abraham Lincoln imposed the first federal income tax. Persons making over $800 would be required to pay a 3% tax on their earnings. It was repealed in 1871 but Congress passed the current income tax system in 1909 (16th Amendment).
1858 - A fifth attempt at laying nearly 2,000 miles of telegraph line between England an the United States is successful. Cyrus West Field organized the efforts including British and American Ships (Agamemnon, Valorous, Niagara, Gorgon). Unfortunately, it stopped working in September. Wonder if Nessie had anything to do with that?

BIRTHDAYS TODAY:
Actors and Actresses - Jonathan Silverman (1966)-Weekend at Bernie's; Loni Anderson (1946)-WKRP in Cincinnati; John Saxon (1935)-Enter the Dragon, The Electric Horseman; John Huston (1906)- Chinatown, De Sade, Winter Kills ) he is also known for his screenwriting and directing;

Patrick Ewing (1962)-Basketball Player; Neil Armstrong (1930)-The original MoonWalker; Guy de Maupassant (1850)-writer of such stories as Bon-Ami, Yvette, and Mademoiselle Fifi.

HB Father of Country Music

2010-08-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is US Coast Guard Day. The Revenue Cutter Service was created by an act of Congress authorizing 10 cutter ships to be built specifically to enforce The U.S.'s tariff laws. In 1915, the RCS 'merged' with the US Life Saving Service creating what we now know as The United States Coast Guard.

On this day in...

1944 - Anne Frank and her family were captured. 7 months later, she died in a concentration camp of typhus.

1927 - Jimmie Rodgers recorded his first songs The Soldier's Sweetheart and Sleep, Baby, Sleep earning him the nickname "The Father of Country Music. " and taking hillbilly music up a notch and slinging into the mainstream.

1892 - Lizzie Borden took and ax, gave her mother 40 whacks, when she'd seen what she had done, she gave her father 41...NOT! It was her half cousin or brother...

1693, Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk, 'invented' Champagne.

Birthdays someone celebrates on this day in:

1971 - Jeff Gordon, NASCAR driver. We like the other Jeff...

1962 - Baseball pitcher, Roger Clemens. Mom likes him, who does he play for?

1961 - Barack Obama, 44th President of the USofA!

1958 - Track champion, Mary Decker. Run, Mary, Run!

1955 - Billy Bob Thornton, actor know for his role in Sling Blade (and for dumping Angelina Jolie so she could be with the Pitt-ster.)

1929 - Palistinian leader, Yasir Arafat, aka Mohammed Yasser Abdel Rahman Abdel Raoufal-Qudwa al-Husseini, breathe! Arafat

1910 - Composer, William Howard Schuman. At the age of 33, he won the inaugural Pulitzer Prize for Music for his cantata, A Free Song.

1901 - Louis Armstrong, trumpeter, What a Wonderful World, Dream a Little Dream of Me, When the Saints Go Marching In.

1900 - Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mum.

1792 - Poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley was born. Prometheus Unbound and To a Skylark are notable works.

The Beginning of aTrek...

2010-08-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

National Watermelon Day-With a slice, a sliver or a wedge celebrate with a napkin tied around your neck a bowl nearby so you can spit the seeds into and a friend sitting next to you, because National Watermelon Day is best when shared.

1958 – The USS Nautilus traveled beneath the Arctic ice cap.

1949 – The National Basketball Association was founded.

1936 – At the Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens defeated Ralph Metcalfe in the 100 meter dash.

1923 – Calvin Coolidge became the 30^th President of the US.

1900 – Fireston Tire and Rubber Company was founded.

1852 – The beginning of an endless rivalry, Yale and Harvard compete in a boat race. Harvard won and will not let Yale live it down to this day.

1783 – 35,000 people were killed in Japan when Mount Asama erupted.

1678 – Le Griddon was the first known ship built on the Great Lakes. She was built by Robert LaSalle.

1527 – The first international letter was sent from the New World.

1492 – The residents of Palos de la Frontera, Spain waved good-bye and wished Bon Voyage (really?) to Christopher Columbus and the crews of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

Inventor, Elisha Graves Otis (1811), who wants to go up and down?; Neva Morris (1895), Neva was a supercentenarian and died in this year-2010; 1900, American War Corespondent, Ernie Pyle; John T. Scopes (1900) , famous defendant; Mystery Author, PD James (1920); Novelist, Leon Uris (1924); 1926, Singer, Tony Bennett; Actor, Gordon Scott (1927), Ahhh-ahh-ahhhhh; Professional wrestler, Haystacks Calhoun (1934); 1940, actor, Martin Sheen, one of the best Kennedy portrayer’s ever; Professional homemaker, Martha Stewart (1941); John Landis (1950), film director; Dennis the Menace actor, Jay North (1951); 1963, Isaiah Washington, Actor; Football player, Tom Brady (1977); Lost actress, Evangeline Lilly (1979).

INTO THE LIGHT…

1460 – King James II of Scotland, at the age of 30.

1877 – William Butler Ogden (first Mayor of Chicago), at the age of 72.

1924 – Writer, Joseph Conrad, at the age of 67.

1954 – Writer, Colette, at the age of 81.

1966 – Lenny Bruce, Comedian, at the age of 41.

1983 – Carolyn Jones, actress who portrayed Morticia on The Addams Family television show, at the age of 53.

1995 – Actress and Director, Ida Lupino, at the age of 81.
2008 – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Russian writer, at the age 90.

Ice Cream Sandwiches with Sissy

2010-08-02T08:03:00.001-04:00

National Ice Cream Sandwich Day will be celebrated today by myself. I plan on taking a few cookies from the freezer and sandwiching chocolate ice cream between two of them, voila, ice cream sandwich. For those of you who have sisters, celebrate either with a meal out, a call on the phone, or a shout out on Twitter or Facebook, Happy Sister’s Day!!

1990 – Iraq invaded the tiny country of Kuwait. A week later, the United States came to its defense in what is now known as The First Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield.

1975 – The Superdome, New Orleans, LA, opened with a game between New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers. It is now famous for a non-sporting event.

1955 – The miracle zipper, Velcro, was patented.

1876 –The most famous poker hand of all time, Dead Man’s Hand (2 Aces and two eights) was born on this day. Unfortunately, someone had to die in order for its famous-ocity to come into being. Wild Bill Hickock was killed by the young Jack McCall who entered the No10 Saloon, snuck up behind the great gunfighter and shot him in the head.

1870 – London opened the world’s first underground tube railway called Tower Subway.

1869 – The novel Middlemarch was begun buy its author, George Eliot. Known as her greatest work, Middlemarch was published in eight parts from 1871 through 1872.

1610 – The large body of water that Henry Hudson discovered on this day was not as large as he hoped. Although he hoped he had found the Northwest Passage through Canada to the Pacific Ocean, we now know it as Hudson Bay.

216BC – Hannibal destroyed the Roman Army during the Punic Wars. It is now known as one of the great masterpieces of the tactical art.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Y'ALL...

Mary-Louise Parker,1964, actress most noted for her role in Fried Green Tomatoes; Joanna Cassidy, 1944, actress who can be seen in a multitude of sitcoms and TV dramas was featured in Stephen King's Tommyknockers and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead ; Wes Craven, 1934, prolific horror writer who’s most famous character is a nightmare named Freddie Krueger; Peter O’Toole, 1932, actor who portrayed TE Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, that LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG movie set in the desert about war or something like that…zzzzz; All in the Family actor, Carroll O’Connor (1924), also brought southern sheriff Bill Gillespie to the small screen in In the Heat of the Night; James Baldwin (1924) was an author and playwright, you may have read the semi-autobigraphical, Go Tell it On the Mountain or If Beale Street Could Talk; Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 1754, was the architect chosen to design Washington, DC. What do you think of the layout.

Friendship, Forgiveness and Cream Pies

2010-08-01T09:41:00.001-04:00

Today is Friendship Day, International Forgiveness Day, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

1790 - The first US Census was completed and accounted for nearly four million people.

1963 – Artis Leon Ivey, Jr was born in Monessen, PA. Some know him as rap singer, Coolio.

1981 – These words were spoken…”Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” Then the music video, Video Killed the Radio Star but The Buggles, and MTV was born.

1961 – Six Flags Over Texas, the first in a chain of amusement parks, opened on 212 acres in Arlington, TX. Featuring the first flume ride, mine train ride and all inclusive admission price, at the time, $2.75 for an adult and $2.25 for a child.

1953 – The greatest western movie (so say some), Shane, starring Alan Ladd, was released. “Come back, Shane!”

1943 – PT-109 was sunk when a Japanese destroyer rammed it. A 5 hour ‘swim’ to an island, then to another island, then a coconut shell message sent via South Pacific natives 11 of the 13 crewmen were rescued, including Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. For more info, please see, PT-109 starring Cliff Robertson.

1942 – Grateful Dead singer and guitarist, Jerry Garcia, was born in San Francisco, CA.

1937 – NY Senator, Alfonse D’Amato, was born in Brooklyn, NY.

1936 – Yves Saint Laurent, Internationally worn Fashion Designer, was born in French Algeria.

1933 – Comedian and actor, Dom DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, NY.

1819 – Writer of such novels as Moby Dick and Typee, Herman Melville was born in NYC, NY.

1779 – The Star Spangled Banner poet, Francis Scott Key was born in Carroll County, MD. Did you know he was a lawyer and is the grandfather of F.Scott Fitzgerald?

1774 – Joseph Priestly, a British minister, discovered oxygen was born. He also invented soda water and contributed to the founding of Unitarianism in England.

1770 – Partner of Meriwether Lewis, explorer, William Clark was born in Caroline County, VA. He was also the Governor of Missouri Territory (1813-1820).

1498 – Christopher Columbus landed on the Paria Peninsula (Venezuela) South America.

A Mutt is Great

2010-07-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is Mutt’s Day. A mutt is a dog. A mutt is sometimes the best kind of dog. He is the best of all of the breeds that he is a part of. Happy Mutt’s Day!

1990 – Texas Ranger pitcher, Nolan Ryan won his 300^th game. Throughout his 27 year career, he won 324 and lost only 292.

1975 – Labor leader, Jame “Jimmie” Hoffa disappeard in Detroit, MI. It is believed that the Mafia “hit” him. He has not been seen since and his body has yet to be recovered.

1966 – Dean Cain you know him from 1990’s TV series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was born.

1965- The birth of Joanne Rowling, a little known writer known for a character, Harry Potter, who is learning magic at a school called Hogwarts. Her Harry Potter is a series of 7 book, she’s no Agatha Christie who wrote 12 Miss Marple Novels and 33 novels and 51 short stories featuring Hercule Poirot not to mention the other 50 plus stories.

1964 – Ranger 7 crashed on the surface of the moon but not before sending back 4,300 close-up images, man were they ever pretty. I wonder who bought the moon and why they haven’t subdivided yet.

1963- Wesley Snipes, actor seen in Blade series of movies, Major League and Demolition Man, among others was born.

1951- Evonne Goolagong was born. She is an Australian tennis player who won 14 Grand Slam title.

1929- Don Murray, actor who made his debut in Bus Stop and can also be seen in The Outcast, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Hard Ride was born.

1919- Curt Gowdy, Sportscaster most often heard calling Boston Red Sox games was born.

1916- Louise Smith was born. She was the first woman inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame was born. In the late 40’s and early 50’s she WON 38 races and was dubbed the “Good Ol’Gal”.

1912- Milton Friedman, statistician and economist was born.

1875 – 16^th Vice President (under Abraham Lincoln) and 17^th US President Andrew Johnson died of a stroke while visiting his daughter.

1715 – Ten Spanish ships carrying 120 tons of gold and silver were sunk off the coast of Florida ina hurricane (I think they named it Felipe,after the king, who was thought to be mentally unstable, like the weather.)

1703 – Daniel Defoe, author of The Life and Strange Adventures of Robinson Crusoe in 1719, was sent to the pillory for the libelous publication fo a politically satirical pamphlet.

Cheesecake for Father

2010-07-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Today is National Cheesecake Day and Father-in-Law Day. Today is going to be a vacation for me as I don’t have a father-in-law, I would very much like to have one, well, the right one anyway. As for cheesecake, I don’t like cheesecake. Well, I probably don’t like cheesecake. When I was younger, just the idea of eating sweet cheese, turned my stomach, now the idea of how many calories is in cheesecake turns my stomach! Enjoy my piece, if you wish.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Lisa Kudrow (1963) – actress who played Phoebe on Friends

Lawrence Fishburne (1961) – actor who has appeared in the films, Matrix, What’s Love Got to Do With It, and many more.

Delta Burke (1956) – actress who played Susanne Sugarbaker in Designing Women.

Arnold Schwarznegger (1947) – Austrian bodybuilder turned actor turned politician. Don’t worry, He’ll be Back!

Paul Anka (1941) – This singer made Diana and Put Your Head on My Shoulder classics, but did you know he also wrote Tom Jones’ She’s a Ladyand the Theme to the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson???

Peter Bognanovich (1939) – Director of Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women, The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, Mask and The Cat’s Meow.

Bud Selig (1934) – Commissioner of baseball, beginning in 1992.

Henry Moore (1898) – Sculptor known for his reclining figures.

Casey Stengel (1890) – Major League Baseball outfielder for Robins, Dodgers, Pirates, Phillies, Giants, Braves and as a manager for the Dodgers, Braves Yankees, and Mets.

Henry Ford (1863) – Industrialist and automaker who got his start at the Edison Illuminating Company.

Emily Bronte (1818) – While studying to become a school administrator, Emily’s secretly written poems were discovered by her sister Charlotte. The two girls, along with their sister, Anne, combined their efforts and had Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell printed in 1846. In 1847, Emily’s Wuthering Heights was published. She died in 1848 of tuberculosis.

1976 – Bruce Jenner set a world record with 8,617 points in the Olympic decathlon event winning gold.

1971 – An All Nippon Airways flight was hit in mid-air by a Japanese F-86 Sabre piloted by a student with just a few flight hours.

1965 – Medicare bill was signed into law by President Johnson. Harry S Truman was the first beneficiary and first Medicare card holder.

1956 - President Eisenhower officially declared the US’s motto to be “In God We Trust”. Just two years after he changed The Pledge of Allegiance to include the words “under God”.

1945 – The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sank in shark infested waters. Her captain, Charles McVay was the only WWII Navy captain court-martialed for losing his ship. In 2000, his name was cleared by Congress.

1619 – The first elected legislative assembly in “The New World” convened in Jamestown, VA.

Wonder if Chuck and Di had Lasagna at the reception

2010-07-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

As promised I would tell you how Italians would celebrate today…I believe most will be mixing flat pasta noodles, meat sauce and cheeses. I am sure that you all will be invited…Today is National Lasagna Day. Cut me a slice, will you?

Only a few (famous) people share today as a birthday including, Independence Day singer, Martina McBride (1966); Journalist, Peter Jennings (1938); Politician, Elizabetg Hanford Dole (1936); Italian leader, Benito Mussolini.

In…

1981, The wedding of the century took place in London, England, when Prince Charles wed, Lady Diana Spencer. Luckily, they didn’t have to feed the over one billion viewers from across the globe at the reception.

1976, The .44 Caliber Killer, later known as Son of Sam, shot his first victims. One was killed, the other seriously wounded.

1958, the United States government established a civilian agency to coordinate American space expeditions. On this day, NASA was born.

1909, GMC bought CAC. General Motors Corporation purchased Henry Ford’s second (failed) company, Cadillac Automobile Company.

1862, Confederate spy, Belle Boyd was arrested (for the first time) and held in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, DC.

C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E!!!

2010-07-28T09:32:00.002-04:00

Today is National Milk Chocolate Day. Yes, you can drink chocolate milk today and pass it off as celebrating, but the best thing to do would be to just grab yourself a Hershey Bar (or Godiva, if you must) and savor every bite!

1996- Kennewick Man was discovered, you guessed it, new Kennewick (WA).

1990- After Maximo Menendez went into convulsions and slipping ito a coma, the FDA discovered the Colombian imported soft drink was laced with liquid cocaine. After a recall and inspection 45 more bottles were discovered. 3 years later, two men were charged.

1976- An Earthquake measuring approximately 8.0 mag, flattened Tangshan, China. More than 240,000 were killed and 164,000 injured.

1964 –Full House actress, Lori Loughlin.

1948- All in the Family actress, Sally Struthers.

1945- 14 people were killed when a B-25 bomber crashed into the 79^th floore of the Empire State Building after swerving to miss the Chrysler Building in thick fog.

1945- Garfield cartoonist, Jim Davis.

1929- Jacqueline Kennedy Onnasis.

1914- Austria-Hungray declared war on Serbia in response to the killing of Archduke Francis Ferdinand. “The War to End All Wars“ began (aka WWI).

1901- crooner/actor appearing in The Musical Doctor, Rudy Vallee

1868- The 14^th Amendment guaranteeing citizenship (and all its privleges) to blacks in America, was adopted.

1866- The Tale of Peter Rabbit author, Beatrix Potter

1866- The Metric Act of 1866 was passed. It allowed for the standardization of weights and measures in the US. Have they been trying for THAT long to get us to use Metric?!?

1493- Great fire in Moscow began in the Church of Nicholas on the Sand.

Stop by tomorrow to find out how the Italians have gotten into this celebration thing…

Walking Pants, Long or Short

2010-07-27T07:53:00.000-04:00

On Take Your Pants for a Walk Day will be celebrated by me today. Well, if it doesn’t rain anyway. With my job this week, I have gotten into a (I guess) nice habit of walking every evening. Hope you enjoy walking your pants today, and everyday.

2003 – America’s favorite funnyman, Bob Hope died at the age of 100

1981 – Six year old Adam Walsh was abducted from a mall in FL. Three years later John Walsh founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 1988, America’s Most Wanted, hosted by John Walsh, debuted.

1980 – Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, The Shah of Iran, died in exile of cancer.

1970 – The first steps to impeachment of President Nixon were begun.

1949 – The British De Havilland Comet took its maiden flight in England. It was the world’s first jet-propelled airliner.

1943 – Premier and dictator Joseph Stalin outlawed cowards his “not one step backward” Order no. 227.

1940 – A Wild Hare aired (teehee) featuring the new ‘actor’ Mr. Bugs Bunny (voiced by Mr. Mel Blanc). What’s up, Doc?

1921 – Fredrick Banting and Charles Best the beginning of the prevention of diabetes happened. They isolated the hormone insulin.

1824- La Traviata writer, Alexandre Dumas, fils; 1905- baseball player/manager, Leo Durocher; 1922- All in the Family writer, producer, Norman Lear; 1931- Coach actor, Jerry Van Dyke; 1942- Ode to Billie Joe singer/songwriter, Bobbie Gentry; 1948- Champion Olympic figure skater, Peggy Fleming; 1948- Hill Street Blues actress, Betty Thomas; 1949- The Morning After, singer, Maureen McGovern; 1975- MLB baseball player known as "A-Rod", Alex Rodriguez.