ON THIS DAY

It was on this date back in 1620 that Samuel Fuller became the first doctor to arrive in America. Shortly afterwards, our county also opened it's first golf course.

On this date in 1699, Peter the Great ordered the Russian New Year to be changed from September 1 to January 1.

• The folks at the Rose Bowl were much happier about having the game at the end of the season. 
• He changed it so that he could have more time for his Christmas shopping. 
• Obviously, with ideas like that, it's no wonder he got the nickname 'Great.' 
• Mostly because it seemed silly to have the bowl games at the beginning of the football season. 
• Obviously, it was well-received, or he would have known as "Peter the What The Heck Were You Thinking?" 

The first cotton mill opened in the U.S. on this date in 1790. Everything was fine until the first rain, when the building became all mushy. So the next time, they made it out of wood... instead of cotton.

On this date in 1820, Missouri imposed a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men between the ages of 21 and 50. Some preferred to pay that penalty over marriage. Those opposed to the law formed their own political group, "the Bachelor Party." I've attended several of their meetings.

In 1842, the very first built-in bath tub was installed in a Cincinnati home. The neighbors were so delighted they threw a shower for them.

Harvey Firestone was born on this date in 1868. There was one guy who never had to worry about re-tiring.

On this date in 1879, Thomas Edison demonstrated his invention, the light bulb with a private showing of his incandescent light.

• Great -- Tupperware, candles and now light bulb parties. 
• It started a barrage of "Watts up?" jokes. 
• The homeowners finally said, "Hey, it's 3am! Can you turn that thing off? We're trying to sleep here!" 

On this date in 1922, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed. Of course, these days, all those countries are (pretending to be) separate from Russia.

In 1945, the United States ended tire rationing. Yes, 1945 was a good year for Goodyear.

TODAY IS

Jonah Hill is 34 today. He dropped his weight by getting a trainer, hiring a nutritionist and eating mostly sushi. Thus, the nickname, "fish breath." He actually got his name before he lost all that weight while laying down on a beach one day.

Singer Anita Ward turns 61 today. Her name may not be familiar, but her hit song was "Ring My Bell." Now, her name doesn't even do that.

• Aw, for the days of disco and repetitive lyrics. 
• Remember everytime "Ring My Bell" is played, an angel gets its wings. 
• Have a shot every time she sings "Ring My Bell" and you'll never hear the end of the song. 

Illusionist Uri Geller turns 71 today.

• He first became famous for bending spoons, using only his mind. Then, as he got older he realized, "Hey! I could just use my hands!" 
• He's a mentalist who can bend spoons and make clocks run backwards just by using his mind. Of course, try to eat soup or figure out the right time whenever you're over at his house. 
• He became famous by bending spoons and stopping watches, which explains why no one invites him to formal dinner parties anymore. 

Peter Criss, co-founder, original drummer, and occasional vocalist of KISS, turns 72 and he's still wearing makeup.

Games Day -- What kind if games do you most enjoy, board games, card games, or maybe video games? How about some new board games to get kids ready for real life... just in time for Christmas:

• The Cell Phone Bill Game -- The Object? Find the hidden fees that screw you. 
• Divorce Court, The Board Game -- Believe it or not, not a single boy has ever won this game. 
• Oh, That Nasty Neighbor -- The object? Don't lose all your money dealing with Nasty Neighbor Ned. Avoid squares like: Nasty Ned just got a new girlfriend and won't close his window, pay $200 for sound proofing. Or Nasty Ned just got another bulldog, pay $500 for new fence. 
• My Career Sucks, The Board Game! -- The objective is to pay back your student loans before getting downsized. How do you handle office challenges? For example, here's a card that says: Your boss walks by and slaps you on the butt, do you A) Smile -- move ahead 5 squares, or B) Slap him with a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit. Sorry, you've been downsized! You lose! 
• IRS Monopoly -- A game where you never pass go, and never collect $200.