Exactly 10 months from today, we'll be hitting the After-Christmas sales. Figure skater Oksana Baiul turns 42 today which is like 294 in skater years. I always thought her name sounded like something you'd be asked to say at a sobriety check. Oksana also won a special award for the skater with the most vowels. It was always tricky when she skated. Whenever the judges announced her name, it sounded like they were getting sick. Greg Germann turns 61 today. Oh, you've seen him. He was in "Ally McBeal." Think smarmy... yep, that's the guy! Michael Bolton turns 66 today. There was a time he was all that. Now, some of that has receded. There was a time when he was the hottest thing going. Now he's just going. Mitch Ryder who will forever be known for singing "Devil in the Blue Dress" turns 74 today. National Pistachio Day -- Grab a handful of pistachios. People who snack on them, or any kind of nut, are 20 percent less likely to die from any cause, acc...

On this date in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from the island of Elba to begin his second conquest of France. Sort of the El Chapo of his time, just shorter. On this date in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the National Currency Act. Afterwards, he only had one word to say: "Money!" Later, he signed another bill that made dollars. In 1869, the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was sent out to the states. It guaranteed the right to vote and that there would be a 16th amendment. On this date in 1895, Michael Owens of Toledo, Ohio, patented a glass-blowing machine. This helped prevent glass-blowers from getting the hiccups while blowing, accidentally inhale the glass and developing a pane in the stomach. Yes, I said pane. On this date in 1907, the salary of a congress person was raised to $7500 a year, while the Vice President's paycheck went up to $12,000. These days, those aren't even effective bribes. It was in 1919, congress approved the money to make ...

In 1905 "Yankee Doodle Boy" by Billy Murray is #1 on the charts. In 1956 "Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle Orchestra hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 4 weeks. In 1957 Buddy Holly records his first hit "That'll Be The Day" at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, NM. In 1961 Elvis Presley plays a charity concert in Memphis, his first since leaving the Army. In 1963 VeeJay releases the Beatles' U.S. debut single "Please Please Me." It doesn't hit the charts until the following year. In 1966 Nancy Sinatra receives her first gold record for the single "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'." In 1967 The Beatles' film clips "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry FieldsForever" air on TV's "Hollywood Palace." In 1967 "Dedicated To The One I Love" by the Mamas & Papas and "Jimmy Mack" by Martha & the Vandellas both enter the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1968 The Ne...

In 1570 Pope Pius V excommunicates England's Queen Elizabeth I. In 1793 President Washington holds his first Cabinet meeting. In 1836 Samuel Colt patents the revolver. In 1870 Hiram R. Revels, becomes the first black member of the U.S. Senate as he was sworn in to serve out the unexpired term of Jefferson Davis. In 1901 U.S. Steel Corporation is established by J.P. Morgan. In 1913 The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, is adopted. In 1919 Oregon is the first state to tax gasoline (1 cent per gallon). In 1922 L.T. Brown sets a high-jump record at 6 feet, 4.75 inches. In 1933 The Ranger, the first U.S. aircraft carrier, is launched at Newport News, Virginia. In 1940 A hockey game is televised for the first time on WXBS/New York. In 1943 During World War II, U.S. troops reoccupied the Kasserine Pass. In 1948 Communists seize power in Czechoslovakia. In 1950 "Your Show Of Shows" starring Sid Caesar ...

In 1778 Jose de San Martin, liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru In 1841 French impressionist painter, Pierre Auguste Renoir In 1848 Businessman, Edward H. Harriman (founded Union Pacific railroad) In 1866 Italian philosopher/historian, Benedetto Croce In 1869 Russian chemist, Phoebus Levene (nucleic acids) In 1873 Italian opera singer, Enrico Caruso In 1876 Art collector, Charles Lang Freer (Freer Gallery) In 1895 Football Hall-of-Famer, Bert Bell (second NFL Commissioner) In 1901 Actor/comedian, Zeppo Marx (Horse Feathers, Duck Soup) [d: 11-30-79] In 1904 Record store founder, Sam Goody [d: 8-8-91] In 1913 Actor, Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo, Gilligan's Island) [d: 7-3-89] In 1913 Actor, Gert Frobe (Goldfinger) [d: 9-5-88] In 1915 Actress, Brenda Joyce (Jane-Tarzan movies) [d: 7-4-09] In 1917 Writer, Anthony Burgess (Jesus of Nazareth) [d: 11-25-93] In 1918 Tennis Hall-of-Famer, Bobby Riggs [d: 10-25-95] In 1919 Baseball Hall-of-Famer, Monte Irvin (NY Giants) [d: 1-11-16] In 1920 Dipl...

New Study: Carbs Help You Live Longer! Yep! We'll take this one with a grain of salt but new research may indicate that eating a diet heavy in carbs might lead to a longer life. British scientists trying to uncover the "elixir of life" found that residents on Japan's Okinawa Islands, where the average life-span is 100 or more, tend to live off a carb-heavy diet. The study says that while Okinawans do eat a diverse diet, they consume an abnormally high ratio of carbohydrates to protein. In fact, research suggests they get the majority of their calories from eating sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, nothing is etched in stone here. Scientists involved in the study think Okinawans' high carb diet might help fight against the aging process, but can't say for sure. Even so, researchers said it's important to keep a balanced diet. So when you head back to the kitchen for a second helping of that sweet potato casserole, make sure you get a spoonful of greens while y...

65% of people surveyed said they've paid the full sticker price at a car dealership, even though they didn't have to. The average four year old asks "why?" about 48 times a day. Only 12% of U.S. adults wear sun screen year round even though they know they should. 20% of neighbors are jealous of their neighbor's lawn. Regular exercise will make you happier and wealthier according to a study done for Freeletics. Those that make regular exercise a habit are not only happier, but make more money than those who don't. 68% of women feel guilty if they leaving dishes in the sink in the morning before going to work. A recent survey shows that 53% of kids receive a cell phone by age 6. According to health experts, if you do this 3 times a day, you reduce your chance of getting a cold by 40%. Gargle.