Water Cooler News – February 10, 2012

Welcome to Friday! As you start pondering plans for the weekend it’s time to make sure you have fun chit-chat material not only for today, but also for the weekend as you find yourself standing in lines.

From the off-beat news department…

• Judge Sentences Man to Red Lobster, Bowling with Wife
• Squatters’ Arrests Turns Up Gun, Grenades, Drugs — and a Pig
• Man Pulls Gun on Roommate over Dirty Dish

Of course also in this edition of the Water Cooler News you will find some fun historical notes and a list of notable birthdays for this day.

Daily Mindbender Question
A million Americans had this for breakfast this morning, though most of us would never think of it.
What is it?

Answer at end of post!

Off-Beat News

“Judge Sentences Man to Red Lobster, Bowling with Wife”
A Judge handed down a unique sentence against a man who was arrested after a domestic abuse incident. According to court documents 47 year old Joseph Bray initially got into trouble when he forgot his wife’s birthday. The situation then got physical and ended up with Bray grabbing her neck and posing to, but not actually, punching her. During his court appearance a Fort Lauderdale Judge decided the couple needed to reconnect. As a result, Judge Hurley ordered Mr. Bray released, but only after sentencing him to a date with his wife. He was told to “Stop somewhere and buy flowers, go home and dress up and then take his wife to Red Lobster”. The Judge further said, “After dinner you will also take your wife bowling”.

—–

“Squatters’ Arrests Turns Up Gun, Grenades, Drugs — and a Pig”
An out-of-state homeowner who paid a visit to his Miami home this week immediately called the police when he found someone had been sleeping in his bed. When officers arrived on the scene they not only found a pair of squatters, but also drugs, a handgund, 10 grenades and a pig.

—–

“Man Pulls Gun on Roommate over Dirty Dish”
Two men in Port St. Lucie, Florida are looking for new roommates after one said the man he was renting a room from pulled a gun on him for leaving a dish out Monday night. Officials say 52 year old Ricky DeVonne Carraway was arrested after his roommate said he choked him and eventually pulled a gun on him in an argument that started when the victim didn’t clean a dish he used.

Historical Notes

Today Is
All The News That’s Fit To Print Anniversary - The familiar slogan appeared for the first time this day on page one of The New York Times in 1897.

Notable Birthdays
Robert Wagner 82/actor, TV’s Hart to Hart
Roberta Flack 75/singer, “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly”
Jimmy Merchant 72/singer, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Mark Spitz 62/Olympic swimmer, won seven gold medals at 1972 Summer Games
George Stephanopoulos 50/host, ABC’s Good Morning America
Laura Dern 45/actress, Jurassic Park
Emma Roberts 21/actress, her aunt is Julia Roberts

Saturday, February 11
Be Electrific Day - A day to honor the birth of Thomas Alva Edition and recognize his inventions including the lightbulb.
Satisfied Staying Single Day
White Shirt Day

Music History
1993 – Michael Jackson granted his first interview in 15 years, to Oprah Winfrey. In the interview, Jackson claimed he had a disorder that destroyed the pigmentation of the skin and that he had had very little plastic surgery.

1990 – Eric Clapton played the last of 18 shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. He played with three different bands, a 60-piece orchestra and blues guitarist Robert Cray during the concert run.

1986 – The Highwaymen album featured Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson was certified gold.

1980 – The number one single was “Do That To Me One More Time” by The Captain & Tennille.

1978 – Van Halen’s debut album was released.

1972 – David Bowie played his first gig as Ziggy Stardust With The Spiders From Mars at the Toby Jug Pub in Tolworth, England.

1971 – Carole King’s Tapestry was released.

1970 – Sly & The Family Stone had the number one single with “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” The b-side was “Everybody Is A Star.”

1968 – The Beatles turned all of their business affairs over to the newly formed Apple record company.

General History
1863 – In New York City, two of the world’s most famous midgets, General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren, were married.

1920 – Major League Baseball representatives outlawed pitches that involve tampering with the ball.

1933 – The first singing telegram was introduced by the Postal Telegram Company in New York.

1949 – Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman opened at Broadway’s Morosco Theater, starring Lee J. Cobb.

1998 – Monica Lewinsky’s mother, Marcia Lewis, testified before the grand jury investigating her daughter’s alleged affair with President Clinton.

Daily Mindbender Answer
Most of us would never think of this, but, a million Americans had “a Coke – or soda” for breakfast this morning.

Yours in Water Cooler News Fun!

Dr. Rus