121609: Water Cooler News
Water Cooler News – December 16/09
It’s Wednesday which means we are half way through yet another week! We’re also rapidly approaching Christmas! Do you have all your shopping done yet? If you’re out standing in line today as you Christmas shop, here’s some fun facts, birthdays, and some off-beat news stories you can chat about with the person in line with you. Of course you can also use this material for the daily gathering around the work water cooler.
As for off-beat news here’s what you will find today!
- Tow Truck Driver Steals Cars From Cops
- Vanity Plate Bank Robbers Now Making License Plates
- Scammers Fail Driving Tests They Were Paid To Take
Off-Beat News
“Tow Truck Driver Steals Cars From Cops”
Police in New York City arrested a tow truck operator for allegedly stealing cars from a police vehicle impound lot. According to court documents 61-year-old Carmine Antonelle used his tow truck at a supposedly secure police impound lot to remove three cars which he then sold for scrap after forging ownership paperwork.
“Vanity Plate Bank Robbers Now Making License Plates”
Police in Cardiff, Wales had no problem tracking down the four bandits who robbed a bank — their getaway car had personalized license plates bearing the name of one of the men. Authorities say the gang smashed a bank window with a manhole cover as security guards were refilling a cash machine. The robbers threatened the guards and drove off moments later with cash in a BMW bearing a license plate that read “J4mes.” The car’s owner — James Snell — was arrested a short time later, along with his brother Wayne and two other accomplices.
“Scammers Fail Driving Tests They Were Paid To Take”
If you’re paying someone to take a driver’s license test for you, it’s a good idea to pick someone who can pass it. Police in Britain arrested two men for accepting money from individuals in exchange for taking DMV written and road test exams for them. Authorities say the accused men took a total of 43 written and road tests for people, but only passed ten of those exams.
Historical Notes
Today is…
Barbie & Barney Backlash Day – The one day each year when Mom and Dad can tell the kids that Barbie and Barney don’t exist.
Boston Tea Party Anniversary – 1773
Notable Birthdays…
Joyce Bulifant, 72, actress (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
Lesley Stahl 68/journalist, TV’s 60 Minutes
Steven Bochco 66/TV producer, Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue
Tony Hicks 64/lead guitar, The Hollies
Benny Andersson, 63, singer (ABBA)
Billy Gibbons, 60, singer-guitarist (ZZ Top)
Benjamin Bratt, 46, actor
Anna Popplewell, 21, actress (The Chronicles Of Narnia)
Born on this date…also known as the late…
Ludwig van Beethoven–1770-1827/German composer
Arthur C. Clarke–1917-2008/sci-fi author, 2001: A Space Odyssey
Movie History
1962 – Lawrence of Arabia premiered in theaters.
1970 – Love Story opened in theaters.
1977 – Saturday Night Fever hit theaters like a vat of hair gel.
1988 – Rain Man opened in theaters.
1994 – Dumb and Dumber hit theaters.
Music History
1986 – The number one single was “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles.
1978 – Kenny Rogers hit number one with “The Gambler.”
1974 – Mott The Hoople broke up.
1972 – Paul McCartney’s single “Hi, Hi, Hi” was released.
1966 – Jimi Hendrix released his first single, “Hey Joe.”
1964 – The Supremes were at number one with “Come See About Me.”
General History
1773 – The Boston Tea Party took place. Colonists disguised as Indians and led by Sam Adams, Paul Revere and others, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor — that’s about three shiploads of tea.
1969 – Tiny Tim married Miss Vicki on The Tonight Show.
1972 – The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season. The Dolphins went on to defeat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
1973 – O.J. Simpson became pro football’s first player to gain 2,000 yards rushing in a season. He had led his Buffalo Bills team to a 34-14 triumph over the Jets and finished the season with 2,003 yards.
1977 – The disco craze was unleashed upon an unsuspecting nation with the release of the blockbuster movie, “Saturday Night Fever.”
1985 – Fred Grandy, the actor who played Gopher on TV’s The Love Boat, declared his candidacy for Congress from Iowa. A year later, he was elected. He’s no longer in Congress.
1992 – Barbra Streisand signed a $60 million film/record deal with Sony.
1997 – Over 700 young TV viewers in Japan suffered nausea and epilepsy-like spasms after watching an animated cartoon that featured bright, flashing colors.
2001 – Cleveland Browns fans threw thousands of bottles onto the field after officials overturned a last-minute call, which helped the Jacksonville Jaguars win the game, 15-10.
Yours in Water Cooler News Fun!
Dr. Rus
