Water Cooler News – December 15, 2011
Only 10 more sleeps until Christmas!
Are you excited yet? Christmas is getting closer!
As you ponder the things left to do as the big day rapidly approaches lets make sure you have fun chit-chat material as you stand in those long check out lines. In this edition of the Water Cooler News you will find some great historical notes as well as a list of notable birthdays for this day.
From the off-beat news department…
- Hunter Shot by Own Dog
- Margarine Thief Gives Police the Slip
- Homeless Guy Busted After Using Found Credit Card on Pedicure
Daily Mindbender Question
A poll on Match.com found 41% of people say this is the most tiring question for the holidays.
What is it?
Off-Beat News
“Hunter Shot by Own Dog”
A 78 year old Florida man is in the hospital after being accidently shot by his dog while on a hunting trip. Billy E. Brown’s bulldog Eli was riding in the front seat of Brown’s vehicle when he knocked over a loaded gun setting it off. Brown was transported to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his thigh.
—–
“Margarine Thief Gives Police the Slip”
Police in Elk Run Heights, Iowa are still looking for the thief who slipped away with a truckload of margarine. Authorities say the driver of the rig detached the trailer Saturday night and left it parked for another trucker to retrieve the next morning and then take the margarine the rest of the way to a Target Distribution Center in Cedar Falls. But, the truck never arrived at its destination. Investigators say the margarine cargo is worth approximately $50,000.
—–
“Homeless Guy Busted After Using Found Credit Card on Pedicure”
A homeless Florida man came across a lost credit card and immediately put it to use. But, he didn’t buy himself a meal, rent a hotel room or raid a liquor store. Instead 27 year old Jonah Lee Troutman used the card to get himself a pedicure. Authorities say when Troutman tried to pay for a nail salon’s services with the found plastic, it was declined. Eventually Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the scene and after some denials, Troutman finally told police he found the card he was trying to use.
Historical Notes
Today Is
Phonograph Day - In honor of Thomas Edison who patented the phonograph on this day in 1877
Notable Birthdays
Tim Conway 78/comedian, TV’s Carol Burnett Show
Cindy Birdsong 72/singer, replaced Flo Ballard in The Supremes
Dave Clark 69/drummer, Dave Clark Five
Don Johnson 62/actor, TV’s Miami Vice, Nash Bridges
Melanie Chartoff 61/actress, TV’s Rugrats
Paul Simonon 56/bassist, The Clash
Molly Price 46/actress, TV’s Third Watch
Michael Shanks 41/actor, TV’s Stargate SG-1
Born on this day also known as the late
Clyde McPhatter–1932-1972/singer, The Drifters and solo
Alan Freed–1922-1965/Pioneer rock DJ. Coined the phrase “rock ‘n roll.”
Music History
1988 – James Brown was sentenced to six years in jail after leading police on an interstate car chase.
1969 – John Lennon gave his last performance in England, a UNICEF benefit in London.
1968 – Grace Slick appeared in blackface when Jefferson Airplane appeared on the Smothers Brothers TV show on CBS.
1967 – The Beach Boys met Maharishi Yogi in Paris and learned transcendental meditation.
1944 – A plane carrying bandleader Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel en route from England to Paris.
1944 – Hank Williams married Audrey Gay at a gas station near Andalusia, Alabama.
General History
1791 – The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, went into effect following ratification by the state of Virginia.
1938 – President Franklin Roosevelt presided over the ground-breaking ceremonies for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
1939 – Gone With the Wind premiered at Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta.
1966 – Walt Disney died in Los Angeles at the age of 65.
2000 – New York Senator-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton agreed to accept an $8 million book deal with Simon & Schuster. The book was to be about her eight years in the White House. The advance was the highest ever to be paid to a member of Congress.
Daily Mindbender Answer
The most tiring question for 41% of people polled at Match.com during the holidays is “Why are you still single?”
Yours in Water Cooler News fun!
Dr. Rus
