111709: Water Cooler News
Water Cooler News – November 17/09
Welcome to the Tuesday Water Cooler News!
It’s time to make sure you have lots to talk about as you gather around the proverbial water cooler and waste time during the work day. In this edition of the Water Cooler News you will find the usual collection of fun historical factoids and birthdays for this date. You will also find some off-beat news!
- Man Drives Million Dollar Sports Car Into Marsh
- Overdue Library Books Returned 51 Years Later
- Golden Rings – Not Really Golden
Daily Mindbender Question
What city sells the most pairs of sunglasses, per capita, in the United States?
Answer at end of post!
Off-Beat News
“Man Drives Million Dollar Sports Car Into Marsh”
A Texas man blamed a low-flying pelican and a dropped cell phone for his veering his million dollar sports car off the road and into a salt marsh near Galveston. The man told police he was driving his luxury, French-Built Bugatti when the bird distracted him. He then dropped his cell phone and when he reached to pick it up, he veered off the road and went into the water.
“Overdue Library Books Returned 51 Years Later”
A high school libraian in Phoenix says a former student at the school returned two overdue books checked out 51 years ago! When the books arrived at the library, there was also a thousand dollar money order with them to cover the fines. Camelback High School librarian Georgette Bordine said the two Audubon Society books checked out in 1959 and the money order were sent by someone who wanted to remain anonymous.
“Golden Rings – Not Really Golden”
An Ohio jeweler says thieves who smashed their way into his store and got away with rings are in for a surprise when they try to sell them. Henry Triplett of Henry’s Jewelers in Toledo said what appeared to be thousands of dollars in gold rings in his display cases were actually rings made of brass and worth barely 25 cents apiece. Triplett said the rings were dealers’ samples in the style of genuine gold rings that are safely locked away out of view. He told police the real cost of the break-in will come from replacing the front window on his shop and the shattered glass on the display cases.
Historical Notes
Today is…
Homemade Bread Day
Notable Birthdays…
Gerry McGee 72/guitarist, The Ventures
Gordon Lightfoot, 71, singer (Sundown)
Martin Scorsese, 67, director
Danny DeVito, 65, actor / director
Rachel McAdams, 31, actress (The Notebook)
Born on this date…also known as the late…
Gene Clark–1941-1991/singer, The Byrds
Rock Hudson–1925-1985
Movie History
1989 – The movie Steel Magnolias, starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field and Julia Roberts, opened nationally.
1995 – Goldeneye (Pierce Bronsan’s first film as 007) premiered in theaters.
Music History
1990 – Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, aka Milli Vanilli, announced they would return their Best New Artist Grammy in the wake of revelations they only lip-synched their award-winning music.
1984 – “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by WHAM was at number one.
1980 – John Lennon’s Double Fantasy album was released.
1979 – The Commodores were at number one with “Still.”
1975 – “That’s The Way (I Like It)” by K.C. & The Sunshine Band was number one.
1974 – ABBA began their first tour of Europe. It was also their first tour outside of Sweden.
1970 – Elton John recorded a show in New York City that was later released as his 11-17-70 album.
1965 – The Supremes were at number one with “I Hear A Symphony.”
1963 – A grammar school headmaster in Surrey, England banned any of his pupils from having Beatles haircuts. He said, “This ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons.”
1962 – The Four Seasons had their second number one with “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
General History
1558 – Elizabeth I ascended the English throne upon the death of Queen Mary Tudor.
1968 – NBC cut away from the final minutes of a New York Jets-Oakland Raiders game to begin a TV special, Heidi. Viewers flooded the network in protest as the Raiders came from behind to beat the Jets, 43-32.
1973 – President Nixon told an Associated Press managing editors’ meeting in Orlando, Florida, “People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook.”
2006 – Sony’s PlayStation 3 went on sale in the United States.
Daily Mindbender Answer
Per capita, in the United States, “Seattle, Washington” sells the most pairs of sunglasses.
Yours in Water Cooler News!
Dr. Rus
