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Showing posts from February, 2022

Family Dollar distribution center found infested with rodents.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about potentially contaminated food, lipstick, and other products from Family Dollar stores in six southern states following a significant rodent infestation at one of its distribution centers in Arkansas. Live rodents, dead rodents in "various stages of decay," rodent feces and urine, evidence of gnawing, nesting, rodent odors, dead birds, and bird droppings were found inside the Family Dollar distribution center in Arkansas during an inspection in January. Family Dollar temporarily closed 400 stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. (MSN and syracuse.com)

Huge opal sells for nearly $144,000 at an Alaska auction.

On Sunday, a gemstone billed as one of the largest gem-quality opals in existence was sold for $143,750 in Alaska. The opal, dubbed the "Americus Australis," weighs more than 11,800 carats. It was recently kept in a linen closet in a home in Big Lake, north of Anchorage, by Fred von Brandt, who mines for gold in Alaska and whose family has deep roots in the gem and rock business. The opal is more significant than a brick and is broken into two pieces, which von Brandt said was used decades ago to prove gem quality. Von Brandt said the stone has been in his family since the late 1950s when his grandfather bought it from an Australian opal dealer named John Altmann. Altmann's granddaughter researched the stone and located records indicating it came from the same field as the 1,700-carat opal known as the "Olympic Australis," which is displayed in their family shop. (AP News)

Missing dog reunited with family after 12 years in California

Authorities in California said a dog that went missing from its owner's home in 2010 was reunited with the family 12 years later when the canine was recently left abandoned on a rural property. The sheriff's office said the dog appeared to be old and unwell. When they found a microchip, the company reported the dog 'deceased' since it had been missing since 2010. The shocked owner, who has another 13 year old dog at home, hopes to nurse her back to health. (UPI)

Mystery kangaroo caught on camera next to Danish road.

A driver in Denmark captured a video of a kangaroo hopping loose next to a road Monday morning, and local police said they do not know where the animal came from. The driver provided police with cellphone footage of the camera. Police said they are hoping the kangaroo owner will come forward to assist with the capture. A nearby safari park said a Monday count of its kangaroos confirmed none of the animals was missing. (UPI)

Runner takes on a Canadian half marathon while wearing 90 T-shirts.

A runner in an Alberta half-marathon attempted a Guinness World Record by taking on the 13.1-mile course while wearing 90 T-shirts. David Eliuk ran Sunday's Hypodermic Half Marathon in Edmonton while wearing 90 T-shirts in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record of 76 shirts, which was set by British runner David Smith in 2019. Click said he trained for five months before the attempt but still hit some unforeseen difficulties from the weight and constriction of his wardrobe, which he said was painful and caused tingling in his left arm. His attempt is being submitted to Guinness World Records for official recognition. (UPI)

Iowa Angler Lands Massive Catfish During Stunning Sunset

Gavin Campbell, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was out ice fishing at Lake Manawa back in January when something unexpected happened. The 24-year-old felt one of the most vigorous tugs he's ever felt while on the ice. Turns out he had hooked a 34-pound flathead catfish - the biggest fish he's ever caught while ice fishing. Campbell told Field & Stream it was a fight, unlike anything he'd ever seen through the ice. It was constant power. His Instagram-posted pic with the 40 inches 34-pound catfish in front of red, and orange sunset caught the attention of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which congratulated him on the monster catch. (Outsider)

The MyPillow Guy Planned to Drop Pillows From the Sky

After his initial Tuesday shipment of MyPillow products was denied entry into Canada, Mike Lindell said he had a backup plan to get free pillows to Canadian truckers: drop them from the sky via a helicopter with little parachutes attached. When asked when or where exactly he intended to drop the pillows, he said he could not give out the exact location, but already had the helicopter lined up for delivery. (DailyBeast)

Husband Upgraded to Business Class on Flight and Left Wife in Economy

A man has garnered criticism online after revealing how he upgraded himself to business class for a 12 hour flight to Japan but left his wife sitting back in economy. They first bought tickets together for the trip, but he had the option to upgrade due to miles, so he did. When his wife wanted him to change back to economy to sit with her, he said she was just jealous and that it shouldn't matter if they sat together. He posted the story to Reddit, seeking some affirmation after his wife told them that he was rude to choose business class over being with her. However, public opinion apparently surprised him with many people commenting that his oblivious selfishness and lapse in judgement could not even be countered by upgrading his wife's ticket now. (Newsweek)

New Study: Eating Vegetables 'Unlikely' to Protect Against Heart Disease

Eating vegetables may not be a sure way to prevent heart disease, a new study has found. Researchers from the University of Oxford who looked at data from nearly 400,000 people challenge previous research which suggests a higher vegetable intake could be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prior research may not have taken into account other lifestyle factors like meat intake, drinking alcohol and smoking, or socioeconomic factors like wealth, income and education. Despite the study's claims, researchers have stressed that eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight are the most important factors when it comes to reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. (Independent)

Music Calendar...

In 1957 "Teenage Crush" by Tommy Sands, "Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline, and "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox all enter the U.S. top 40 In 1957 Porter Wagoner joined the Grand Ole Opry. In 1959 3 weeks after being killed in a plane crash with Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper's album "Chantilly Lace" was released. In 1959 "Never Be Anyone Else But You" by Ricky Nelson entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1963 "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1964 Newsweek featured a front-page article about the Beatles. In 1964 The Beatles appeared for the third time on "The Ed Sullivan Show," becoming the first group to perform three times on the program. In 1965 Shooting began in the Bahamas on the Beatles' second film, "Help!" In 1966 The Rolling Stones began the second leg of their South Pacific tour with a concert in St. Kilda, New Zealand. In 1970 In his first solo

Today In History...

In 1822 Boston was granted a charter to incorporate as a city. In 1836 The siege of "The Alamo" began in San Antonio, Texas. In 1847 U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor defeated Mexican General Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista in Mexico. In 1848, the sixth U.S. president, John Quincy Adams, died of a stroke at 80. In 1861 President Lincoln arrived secretly in Washington, DC, to take office. In 1870 Mississippi was readmitted to the union. In 1886 The aluminum manufacturing process was discovered. In 1887 America banned the import of opium from China. In 1904 The U.S. bought control of the Panama Canal Zone Panama for $10 million. In 1905 The Rotary Club was founded. In 1917 The Smith Hughes Act provided funds to states to begin Vocational Education activities for trade and agriculture. In 1917 The Russian Revolution began in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). In 1927 President Coolidge signed a bill creating the Federal Radio Commission, now the Federal Comm

Born On This Day...

In 1400 Printer, Johannes Gutenberg (invented moveable type print) In 1417 Religious leader Pope Paul II (1464-71) In 1685 Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel In 1744 Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the House of Rothschild In 1787 Emma Hart Willard pioneered higher education for women In 1823 Businessman, James Batterson (founded Travelers Insurance Co.) In 1846 British manufacturer William Horlick (founded Malted Milk &Company) In 1868 Civil rights leader Wiliam Edward DuBois (NAACP founding member) In 1883 Director, Victor Fleming (Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind) In 1884 Scientist, Casimir Funk (coined the term Vitamin) In 1894 Astronomer, Jan Schilt (measured distance of stars from the earth) In 1904 Author, William L. Shirer (Rise & Fall of Third Reich) [d: 12-28-93] In 1913 U.S. pentathlete, Charles Leonard (Olypmics-1936) [d: 2-18-06] In 1919 Actor, Kenneth Tobey (Chuck Martin-The Whirlybirds) [d: 12-22-02] In 1929 Baseball player Elston Howard (Yankees, 1963

Music Calendar...

In 1946 Dizzy Gillespie first recorded his best-known compositions, "A Night in Tunisia." In 1960 "Puppy Love" by Paul Anka entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1960 "Theme From A Summer Place" by Percy Faith hit #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for nine weeks. In 1963 The Beatles formed Northern Songs, their own music publishing company. In 1964 The Beatles arrived back in England after their first U.S. visit. In 1967 The Beatles wrapped up recording on "A Day In The Life" with their roadie Mal Evans striking the famous final E-major chord on three grand pianos. In 1968 Jefferson Airplane performed on "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson." In 1968 Genesis' first single, "The Silent Sun," was released. In 1969 David Bowie opened for T-Rex in England at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. He didn't perform a musical act, but rather a silent 1-man mime telling the story of a young Tibetan Buddhist m

Today In History...

In 1630 Popcorn was introduced by an Indian named Quadequina to the English colonists at their first Thanksgiving dinner in America. In 1784 A U.S. clipper, the "Empress of China," left New York City for the Far East. In 1819 Spain ceded Florida to the United States. In 1856 The first national meeting of the Republican Party took place in Pittsburgh. In 1865 Tennessee adopted a new constitution abolishing slavery. In 1879 F.W. Woolworth opened his five-cent store in Utica, New York. In 1889 President Cleveland signed a bill to admit South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington state to the Union. In 1892, Oscar Wilde played "Lady Windermere's Fan" was first performed at London's St. James Theatre. In 1900 Hawaii became a U.S. Territory. In 1902 Major Walter Reed showed that mosquitoes carry yellow fever. In 1920 The Emeryville, California, dog track introduced the first mechanical rabbit. In 1924 Calvin Coolidge delivered the first preside

Born On This Day...

In 1403 King Charles VII of France (1422-61) In 1732 George Washington, the first U.S. president (1789-1796) In 1749 Johann Nikolaus Forkel, the first biographer of Bach In 1778 Historical painter, Rembrandt Peale In 1788 German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer In 1810 Composer/pianist, Frederic Chopin In 1819 American essayist/poet, James Russell Lowell In 1857 Philanthropist, Lord Robert Baden-Powell (founded Boy Scouts) In 1857 Physicist, Heinrich Hertz (first radio broadcaster) In 1874 Baseball Hall-of-Famer, Bill Klem (first umpire elected) In 1876 Pauline Musters became the shortest adult known (58.9 cm, 1' 11.2") In 1896 Actress, Enid Markey (first Jane in Tarzan movies) In 1899 Actor, Dwight Frye (Dracula, Frankenstein) In 1900 German engineer, Paul Kollsman (altimeter) [d: 9-26-05] In 1900 Greek poet, Giorgios Seferis (Nobel-1963) [d: 9-20-71] In 1901 Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Whittaker (1957-62) [d: 11-26-73] In 1903 Cartoonist, Bill Holman (Smokey Stover) [d:

Music Calendar...

In 1904 Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" premieres in Milan, Italy. In 1952 Johnny Cash earned his first #1 record with "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen." In 1955 Little Richard sent his first audition tape to Specialty Records. In 1958 "Good Golly Miss Molly" by Little Richard and "Sweet Little Sixteen" by Chuck Berry entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1960 Elvis Presley received his first gold album for "Elvis." In 1962 "Surfin'" by the Beach Boys entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1962 "Duke Of Earl" by Gene Chandler hit #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for three weeks. In 1964, the first Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass concert took place in Los Angeles, CA. In 1967 The Beatles' single "Penny Lane" b/w "Strawberry Fields Forever" was released in the U.K. In 1968 The Temptations performed on T.V.'s "Hollywood Palace." In 1969 Bob Dylan and J

Today In History...

In 1801 The U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president and Burr vice president. In 1817 A street in Baltimore became the first to be lighted with gas from America's first gas company. In 1865, Columbia, South Carolina, burned as the Confederates moved out and Union forces moved in. In 1876 Sardines were first canned in Eastport, Maine. In 1897 The forerunner of the National PTA, the National Congress of Mothers, was established in Washington, DC. In 1909 American Indian Geronimo died in prison at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. In 1929 Universal Air Lines showed the first in-flight movie. In 1933 Newsweek Magazine began publication. In 1934 King Albert of Belgium was killed while mountain climbing. In 1935 Germany established the eight-hour workday. In 1947 The Voice of America began broadcasting into the USSR. In 1949 Chaim Weizmann became the first Israeli President. In 1959 U.S. launched Vanguard II

Born On This Day...

In 1633 Italian composer, Arcangelo Corelli In 1766 English economist/demographer, Thomas Malthus In 1774 American painter, Raphael Peale In 1781 Physician, Rene-Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec (invented stethoscope) In 1843 Businessman, Aaron Montgomery Ward (founded Montgomery Ward) In 1857 Irish-American newspaper editor, Samuel McClure In 1864 Singer, Arthur Collins (Alexander's Ragtime Band) In 1874 Industrialist, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (founded IBM) In 1884 Comedian, Joe Smith (Smith & Dale) In 1888 Physicist, Otto Stern (Nobel-1943) In 1896 Opera singer, Marian Anderson In 1905 Singer, Orville "Hoppy" Jones (Ink Spots) [d: 10-18-44] In 1908 Sports announcer "Red" Barber (Dodgers, Yankees) [d: 10-22-92] In 1910 Actor/singer Marc Lawrence (Man With The Golden Gun) [d: 11-28-05] In 1914 Actor, Arthur Kennedy (Fantastic Voyage, Peyton Place) [d: 1-5-90] In 1914 Actor, Wayne Morris (Star of Texas, Lord of the Jungle) [d: 9-14-59] In 1916 Actor, Raf Vallone (Ro