Today is...

[IceWizard]

02 Aug 2017


National Ice Cream Sandwich Day



The cold twin bursts of chocolate with the soft hint of vanilla between, leading to a small explosion of flavor. A delight over a century old, and even more impressive is that it is still as liked today as it was back then. The very taste of delight for untold of summers, this is the celebration of Ice Cream Sandwich Day!

History of Ice Cream Sandwich Day

Nobody quite knows where the day originated from, or even the definitive place the ice cream sandwich itself started. There are pictures from 1900 of people eating them after paying nothing more than a penny! These delights come in many forms, but originally it was some vanilla ice cream pressed between two thin graham crackers. The current form of the ice cream sandwich is a soft chocolate wafer bracketing some vanilla ice cream. But no matter the origins, the ice cream sandwich has been a staple of summertime enjoyment for many a year. Sticky fingers and a mouth surrounded by white cream is the hallmark of many a child ‘s enjoyment, wanting another in the soft heat of summer. The mere memory of these treats seem to bring memories of summers past to mind, and the utter amazement every time we bit into one of these sandwiches of ice cream.


And




National Coloring Book Day

A box of new crayons! Now they’re all pointy, lined up in order, bright and perfect. Soon they’ll be a bunch of ground down, rounded, indistinguishable stumps, missing their wrappers and smudged with other colors. Sometimes life seems unbearably tragic.
– Bill Watterson

There is magic between the covers of a coloring book, a type of magic that can take us away and walk us into a million worlds. Further, coloring books make artists of us all, whether we decide to be Rembrandt with his realistic colors and patterns, or Picasso with his odd cubist designs and surreal colors. Coloring Book Day encourages us to get back to the days of our youth, and dive between the pages of a coloring book.

History of Coloring Book Day

The first coloring book was established in the late 1800’s by the McLoughlin Brothers when they first released ‘The Little Folks Painting Book’. From that point forward they continued to produce books of this sort right up until the 1920’s, when they joined forced with the Milton Bradley Company. Coloring Book Day encourages the recognition of this long history of coloring books and the joy they can bring to children and adults alike.

That’s right, adults can color too! There are highly detailed books specifically designed to be used by adults. No, these books aren’t pornographic in nature (well, not all of them), but they are definitely intricate and beautiful, and that’s before you start applying color to the page. Coloring books have been used for everything from educational purposes (coloring books are in every school), to aiding in therapy and health. There are even special coloring books intended to help a child what is going to happen to them during surgery, a little understanding can assuage a large amount of fear.

---

---

---

---

August 2 Birthdays




Wes Craven - (1939 - 2015) (76)




Mary-Louise Parker - 53









August 2nd

2004: Eric Clapton bought a 50% share in Cordings to prevent closure of the London gentleman’s outfitters where he had been a shopper since he was 16.

2003: Aerosmith & Kiss kicked off their co-headlining tour dubbed the Rocksimus Maximus Tour in Hartford, CT. This was Kiss’ first tour with Tommy Thayer playing guitar & wearing Ace Frehley’s makeup & costume. The tour went on to gross $64 million.

1986: Genesis peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with Invisible Touch which went on to sell six million copies which was their highest selling album in the U.S.

1980: Deep Purple reached the top of the U.K. Album Chart for the third time with their compilation album Deepest Purple which spent one week at number one.

1975: The Eagles reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time with “One of These Nights” which spent one week on top.

1971: Creedence Clearwater Revival kicked off their final North American tour at the Assembly Center in Tulsa, OK.

1969: Badfinger recorded their debut single “Come and Get It” which was written by Paul McCartney. The song went on to reach number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

1969: Bob Dylan & his wife showed up unannounced at Dylan’s ten year high school reunion in Hibbing, MN. They would leave early when a drunk tried to pick a fight with Dylan.

1962: Robert Zimmerman legally changed his name to Bob Dylan.



Birthdays:

Garth Hudson - Organist for The Band born in 1937

Jim Capaldi - Drummer for Traffic born in 1944

[IceWizard]

03 Aug 2017


National Watermelon Day



With a name like watermelon, one would expect it to be juicy, scrumptious and amazing. The watermelon meets, and in every case, exceeds that very exclamation. The presence of so much water makes this melon an impressive addition to the fruit family. Here it comes, the carefully procured but wonderfully amazing, Watermelon Day!

History of Watermelon Day

Whether it is the more than 90% water in the fruit, or the sweet flavor that explodes in your mouth with every bite, this fruit lives up to a crowned ‘favorite fruit’ of children the world over. That hard rind around the edge gives a smooth texture, easy to hold by even the youngest of hands, the soft inner red fruit easy to eat by young and old alike, and with a juicy burst of flavor, it is liked by most that do eat it. Even the seeds are an enjoyment, spitting them has become contests between family, friends and neighbors. But even the seeds do not detract from this wondrous fruit, merely giving us a reason to open our mouths for yet another bite of the succulent melon.


And




White Wine Day

”The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.”
~ Benjamin Franklin

There is a positive rainbow of wines in the world, but none so sweet and fair as those that are deemed white. Make no mistake, white wines are rarely if every truly white in color, but instead are beautiful varieties of straw-yellow, gold, or yellow-green. White Wine Day was created to help celebrate this wine that stands out from all others.

History of White Wine Day

The earliest evidence we have of wine indicates that it was being made as early as 7500 years ago in what is now Iran. We are fairly certain that the birth of wine dates a good long while before this, but no archaeological evidence has been able to determine precisely when. What we do know is that ever since its creation it has held a place of high esteem in society, being used in holy rituals and traded among the noble and wealthy. It has been deemed a gift worthy of Kings and Queens, and its vintages have been hoarded in dark cool places like ancient treasures.

White wine comprises the largest percentage of wines made in Germany and Switzerland, and the northern half of France is also known for its broad variety of white wines. They are considered to be some of the most delicious wines and are often paired with fish. In Catalonia, in fact, there is a special sort of white wine known as Cava, and champagne itself is truly a sparkling white wine that is only produced in the Champagne province of France. White Wine Day celebrates the antiquity of this golden wine and encourages us all to appreciate it throughout the year.

---

---

---

---

August 3 Birthdays




James Hetfield - 54




Martha Stewart - 76




Tony Bennett - 91




Martin Sheen - 77








August 3rd

2007: Queen guitarist Brian May handed in his astronomy PhD thesis at Imperial College in London, 36 years after he abandoned it to join Queen.

1991: Metallica held a listening party at Madison Square Garden for their self-titled fifth album, commonly referred to as the black album. Drummer Lars Ulrich mentioned in an interview with MTV that the only annoying thing was that album played the Garden before they did. Metallica didn’t play Madison Square Garden until March of 1997.

1987: Def Leppard released their fourth album Hysteria which went on to reach number one on the Billboard 200 Album Chart the following year & sell 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.

1985: Bruce Springsteen peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Glory Days”, Springsteen’s sixth top ten single in the U.S.

1971: Paul McCartney announced the formation of Wings, which included his wife Linda, ex-Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine, & drummer Denny Seiwell.

1969: Beach Boys guitarist Carl Wilson was indicted for failure to report for civilian duty instead of serving in the Army during the Vietnam War.

1968: The Doors reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the second and final time with “Hello, I Love You” which spent two weeks on top of the chart.

1968: The Newport Pop Festival kicked off in Costa Mesa, CA. It was the first concert to draw more than 100,000 paid attendees. Artists on the two day festival included Steppenwolf, The Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Sonny and Cher & Alice Cooper.

1963: The Beatles appeared at The Cavern Club in Liverpool for the last time, almost two years to the day after they started playing there as a regular fixture.



Birthdays:

James Hetfield - Singer & guitarist for Metallica born in 1963

[IceWizard]

04 Aug 2017


Assistance Dog Day



Assistance dogs improve the quality of life for countless people who live with disability or illness, and a special day celebrates these four-legged friends every year. Assistance Dog Day recognises and honours assistance dogs and their trainers, and aims to raise funds and increase awareness of the work they do. It is part of International Assistance Dog Week, a yearly event started by long-time paraplegic, Marcie Davis. There are many different kinds of assistance dogs, from the well-known guide dogs and hearing alert dogs that help people with vision and hearing loss, to lesser-known helpers like seizure alert and medical alert dogs that can recognise the signs of heart attacks, strokes and epilepsy. A range of events are held to celebrate Assistance Dog Day, including dog shows, sponsored dog walks, talks and dog graduation ceremonies. Many assistance dog training facilities hold open days and tours on this day to show the work that they do.


And




Single Working Women's Day

”Single is no longer a lack of options – but a choice. A choice to refuse to let your life be defined by your relationship status but to live every day Happily and let your Ever After work itself out.”
~ Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

The importance of single women to our economic and social growth cannot be understated. Every year millions of single women work in industries all over the world, doing the work for themselves and living for themselves. Single Working Women’s Day reminds us how important each and every one of them is, and that it’s not just men that make the world go round.

History of Single Working Women’s Day

Single Working Women’s Day was created by Barbara Payne with the intent of recognizing the importance of these women and raising awareness of this fact in the public eye. Their role has grown ever more important as being a single woman is no longer a stigma in many countries, and instead, is often encouraged or respected as these individuals work their way through life on their own. In spite of this, theirs is not a life free of the challenges brought on by generations of stigma.

Singlism is a present problem in society, being the idea that being single precludes your ability to live a whole and happy life, especially if you’re a woman. The opposite can, in fact, be true, given that single people tend to be far more social than those in relationships, and have more free time to pursue their passions. In relationships where it’s relevant, the addition of children obviously causes even more hardship in the area of socialization and can become the proverbial albatross around an individual’s neck in trying to pursue their dreams.

---

---

---

---

August 4 Birthdays




Barack Obama - 56




Louis Armstrong - (1900 - 1971) (70)




Jeff Gordon - 46




Billy Bob Thornton - 63




Louis Vuitton - (1821 - 1892) (70)




Elizabeth The Queen Mother - (1900 - 2002) (101)








August 4th

1990: Billy Idol peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Cradle of Love” which was Idol’s last top forty single in the U.S.

1984: Phil Collins married girlfriend Jill Tavelman. During the reception, Collins would jam with Eric Clapton & Robert Plant. Collins & Tavelman would divorce in 1996.

1980: Pink Floyd began a five night stand at Earls Court in London performing The Wall which would only be performed live in its entirety by Pink Floyd 29 times.

1980: John Lennon began recording what would become his final album Double Fantasy in New York City at the Hit Factory.

1979: Dire Straits’ sophomore album Communique reached its peak at number 11 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The album had already been certified Gold.

1975: Robert Plant and his wife Maureen were hospitalized after a car accident on the Greek island of Rhodes.

1975: Rainbow released their debut album Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow which went on to peak at number thirty on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

1970: Jim Morrison was arrested for public drunkenness in Los Angeles after falling asleep on a resident’s porch.

1966: Several American radio stations began pulling The Beatles records from their playlists after John Lennon’s “more popular than Jesus” comment.



Birthdays:

Louis Armstrong born in 1901

[IceWizard]

05 Aug 2017


National Oyster Day



Oyster Day is a celebration of this most versatile mollusc. Oyster is the common name for a number of different groups of bivalve molluscs. Some species of oysters are commonly eaten, either cooked or raw, as a delicacy. While other types of oyster, such as pearl oysters, are not normally consumed by humans, they are harvested for their pearls.

The history of Oyster Day is unknown, but the history of human’s relationship with oysters is very long, since Roman times there is evidence of people in the United Kingdom and France farming oysters. In the 19th century New York harbor was the largest producer of oysters in the world and provided nutritious food for thousands of people. Nowadays Oyster Day is most widely celebrated in America and the UK, with many festivals to celebrate this culinary delicacy. People celebrate by eating fresh oysters or buying oyster pearls for loved ones.


And




National Underwear Day



When it comes to understanding Underwear Day, it is not all about lace and leather. Cotton, Spandex, neoprene, polyester, velvet and so many more materials are used in many different types and styles of undergarments. From Bras to panties, corsets to boxers, one can always find some sort of garment to go between their skin and the outer clothing layer. This day is about celebrating those articles of clothing, and the body image we all attempt to cultivate with them. Revel in your undergarments, show them off and smile, for you should be happy with who you are, and embrace that body image!

History of Underwear Day

Originally founded by the company Freshpair in 2003, National Underwear Day was focused more on emphasizing the woman’s body image. Although men gladly stood beside women, the aim was to promote body image in a society where it is sometimes difficult to embrace such a concept. This has continued and become Underwear Day, as the movement has gone viral, spreading worldwide rather quickly. While underwear was originally meant to protect clothing from sweat stains,it is not always about just the bras and panties.

Included in this celebration are the aforementioned corsets, as well as bustiers, boxers, sports bras, briefs and yes, even some swimsuits fit into Underwear Day. If you wear it under your clothing, it is an under garment to be proud of!

---

---

---

---

August 5 Birthdays




Neil Armstrong - (1930 - 2012) (82)




Jesse Williams - 36




Maureen McCormick - 61




Patrick Ewing - 55




Pete Burns - (1959 - 2016) (57)




Rick Derringer - 70





Eddie Ojeda - 63









August 5th

2009: Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler fell offstage during a concert in Sturgis, SD. Tyler was dancing on the catwalk after the band’s sound equipment suffered an outage during “Love in an Elevator”. Tyler suffered a broken shoulder along with head & neck injuries.

1994: Billy Idol was admitted to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank, CA following an overdose of GHB outside of a Los Angeles nightclub.

1983: David Crosby was sentenced to five years in prison in Texas for cocaine possession and carrying a gun into a bar. Crosby slept through most of the trial & would later be allowed to enter a drug rehabilitation program in lieu of serving jail time.

1979: Def Leppard signed with Phonogram Records (Mercury Records in North America) with an $180,000 advance and 10% royalty rate during the first two years of their contract.

1978: The Rolling Stones reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the eighth & final time with “Miss You” which spent one week on top of the chart.

1975: Kim Fowley formed the first all-female hard rock band The Runaways which featured Joan Jett and Lita Ford.

1972: After seeing Aerosmith perform at Max’s Kansas City in New York City, Clive Davis signed them to Columbia Records for $125,000.

1972: Derek and the Dominos peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Layla” nearly two years after its initial release.

1967: Pink Floyd released their debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn their only album under the leadership of Syd Barrett.



Birthdays:

Rick Huxley - Guitarist for The Dave Clark Five born in 1942

Rick Derringer born in 1947

Eddie Ojeda - Guitarist for Twisted Sister born in 1955

[willie33]

Jesse Williams - those eyes...

[IceWizard]

06 Aug 2017


Friendship Day



Friendship day was originally founded by Hallmark in 1919. It was intended to be a day for people to celebrate their friendship by sending each other cards, but by 1940 the market had dried up, and eventually it died out completely.

However, in 1998 Winnie the Pooh was named the world’s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations (believe it or not!), and in April 2011 the United Nations officially recognised 30th July as International Friendship Day; although most countries celebrate on the first Sunday of August!

According to the Friendship Day declaration, we are invited to “observe this day in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities, including through education and public awareness-raising activities”.


And




Sisters' Day



Whether it is in the closest of bonds or the farthest of distance between us, our family is some of the closest ties many of us have outside of marriage and children. This day is to celebrate one of those very bonds, one that has sparked many stories, movies and songs; the bond of sisterhood. So here is to you, all the sisters out there that cared for us, helped us and even helped shape us into who we are today – Sister’s Day!

History of Sister’s Day

The history of sisters is something to view back as far as time goes back. A sister was one that you confided in, asked question to the older ones, guided the younger ones, and were there to help them either way during the bad times, and celebrate with them on the good times.

A sister may not be the ones born of the same mother or father, but those close enough that they might as well share your blood. In fact, the very idea of a sisterhood has been around for many a millennial, with churches, covens and even groups of traveling pants forming them. Just kidding, we all know it was a group of teenagers. But still, the idea shows merit and a bond between them that transcends even friendship.

---

---

---

---

August 6 Birthdays




JonBenet Ramsey - (1990 - 1996) (6)




Lucille Ball - (1911 - 1989) (77)




Andy Warhol - (1928 - 1987) (58)




Vera Farmiga - 44




Geri Halliwell - 45




Soleil Moon Frye - 41




Alexander Fleming - (1881 - 1955) (73)








August 6th

1999: Dick Latvala, the curator for the Grateful Dead’s bootlegs died of a heart attack at 56 years old. His collection of bootlegs was officially released as part of the Dick’s Picks series.

1996: The Ramones performed their final concert at The Palace in Los Angeles. This was their 2,263rd concert & it featured appearances by former bassist Dee Dee Ramone along with Motorhead singer and bassist Lemmy Kilmister, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder & Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell & bassist Ben Shepherd.

1996: During a concert at an Indiana club, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil left the stage after three songs. The concert began four hours late & Neil said he wasn’t feeling well & the audience of “rednecks” didn’t appreciate his talent. Refunds weren’t offered & police were called to the scene barely able to stave off a riot of 500 ticket holders.

1989: U2 bassist Adam Clayton was arrested in Dublin on charges of marijuana possession. His conviction was waived after making a $40,000 donation to the Dublin Woman’s Aid Centre.

1988: After 57 weeks on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction finally reached number one where it spent the first of five non-consecutive weeks on top of the chart.

1977: The Police performed their last concert as a four-piece at the Mont du Marsan Punk Festival in France.

1970: The Festival for Peace was held at Shea Stadium. Some of the artists who performed at the festival include Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, The James Gang, Paul Simon & Janis Joplin.

1965: The Small Faces released their debut single “Whatcha Gonna Do About It” which peaked at number fourteen on the U.K. Singles Chart.

1964: Rod Stewart appeared on British television for the first time on The Beat Room as a member of the Hoochie Coochie Men.

[IceWizard]

07 Aug 2017


Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day



Have you ever battled vainly to open a tightly sealed bottle of tablets – only to end up with a sprained wrist and an even worse headache? Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day aims to lift the lid on this kind of problem.

So, if you’re being forced to use knives or scissors to prise a toy or tool out of an impenetrable plastic case, don’t keep your feelings under wraps. Let the manufacturers know that their way of packing items just isn’t your bag.

As well as wasting customers’ time, unnecessary over-packaging also wastes precious resources. What’s more, it leaves us all with extra rubbish to dispose of. An ideal way to mark the occasion is to avoid unnecessary packaging as much as possible. This is a day to bypass burger cartons, say no to supermarket plastic bags and do some thinking outside the box!




And




National Lighthouse Day



A light that shines in the darkness to protect and alert. Sounds like something one would say about that friend or mentor whom helps us in the hardest of times, but alas, this is not that reference. This is a reference to the silent, but bright, guardians of our coastlines and ships, the majestic lighthouse.

History of Lighthouse Day

The lighthouse has been a staple of culture in the world since we built boats to sail the seas. Protection from fog, reefs, rocks and other hazards of the coastline have been signaled by these monoliths of light, even before the advent of electricity. Surprisingly, large fires were lit in the top of the early lighthouses, so ship captains knew not to sail to close to them in order to avoid dangers to their ships. Some even used early forms of light refraction to make the light spread farther out to see – mirrors were used in some cases, but in many it was actually metal polished to a shine that was used as mirrors were not as easily come by as they are today.

Electricity and the light bulb paved the way for current lighthouses – the rotating beam of light that is done with some creative positioning of mirrors, glass and a motor to spin a curved mirror in a circle around the light bulb. This effect channels the light outwards in a beam, rotating around and around to catch the eye, and help the light pierce the fog.

---

---

---

---

August 7 Birthdays




David Duchovny - 57




Bruce Dickinson - 59




Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer - (1927 - 1959) (31)




Tobin (JigSaw) Bell - 75




Charlize Theron - 42








August 7th

2008: The Police performed what they said would be their final concert ever at Madison Square Garden, which was a benefit concert for public television.

2006: Gene Simmons Family Jewels premiered on the A&E Network. The program follows the life of Simmons, his longtime partner Shannon Tweed & their two children.

1983: Black Sabbath released their eleventh studio album Born Again which was their first and only album with Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan singing for them as Gillan rejoined Deep Purple the following year.

1982: Fleetwood Mac reached the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the third time with Mirage which spent five weeks on top of the chart.

1981: Motorhead drummer Phil “Philty Animal” Taylor was fined $90 & found guilty of marijuana possession.

1976: Aerosmith peaked at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Last Child” their third top 40 hit.

1974: J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf married Faye Dunaway in Beverly Hills, CA. The couple would divorce in 1979.

1971: Frank Zappa & the Mothers performed at the Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA. This concert was later released the following March as a live album titled Just Another Band from L.A.

1970: The Goose Lake International Music Festival began in Jackson, MI. Approximately 200,000 were in attendance & the three day festival included Rod Stewart & The Faces, Jethro Tull, Chicago, Bob Seger, Ten Years After, The Stooges, Mountain, The James Gang, the MC5, & The Flying Burrito Brothers. Alice Cooper & Joe Cocker were originally on the bill, but didn’t appear.



Birthdays:

Andy Fraser - Bassist for Free born in 1952

Bruce Dickinson - Singer for Iron Maiden born in 1958

[IceWizard]

08 Aug 2017


Scottish Wildcat Day

”Every man in the wilderness is a hero or grand adventure, right until the night falls, the firelight crackles, and the wildcat calls.”
~ Anonymous

Have you ever stopped to wonder where modern domesticated cats came from? Surely there was once a wild variety that was something smaller than a lynx or bobcat? The Scottish Wildcat is one remaining species of the wildcats that used to roam the world before they became domesticated and joined us on our journey. Scottish Wildcat Day celebrates this species and raises awareness about the dangers facing the remaining populations in the wild.

History of Scottish Wildcat Day

The Highland Tiger has been roaming those lands since time immemorial, in fact, when it first appeared on Scotland it was clear that it had crossed the land bridge from Europe to the British Isles. As the lands became more civilized and man began competing for the wild game birds that live there, they also began killing off the native population of the Scottish Wildcat. They’re a beautiful and iconic part of Scotland, but they’re slowly disappearing. Every year they face threats that dwindle their numbers, from predation to being bred out by domesticated species.

In 1981 Scotland recognized the dangers its native wildcat was in and took strides to help protect it under the United Kingdom’s Wildlife and Countryside Act. In spite of their efforts, it’s unlikely that truly pure wildcats remain thanks to hybridization. Unfortunately, that’s not the only threat that domesticated cats pose to wildcats, their intermingling also brings disease to them, including feline calicivirus and the fatal feline leukemia virus. Scottish Wildcat Day reminds us of the importance of protecting species like this, that have a long and august history but are slowly dwindling from the world.


And




International Cat Day



International Cat Day is a full 24 hours of recognition and veneration of one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved pets. The festivities were put together for the first time in 2002 by IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, among other animal rights groups, to celebrate the most popular pet on the planet.

An estimated 500 million cats are thought to be frolicking in neighbours’ gardens across the world, which means that most every extended family is bound to have an aunt with more kittens than former husbands, whatever the country or climate. And that’s great, because owning a cat has been shown to improve mental health and to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. So when it’s raining cats and dogs outside and you don’t have someone to cuddle with, any black, ginger, Persian, Siamese, Burmese, Bengal, Shorthair, Munchkin, Balinese, RagaMuffin or any old stray cat will do the trick.

So roll out the red carpet and the catnip for your furry feline friend, because International Cat Day is that one day a year when black cats bring good luck and cat eye sunglasses match your entire wardrobe.

---

---

---

---

August 8 Birthdays




Dustin Hoffman - 80




Anton Fig - 66




Rikki Rockett - 55




The Edge - 55










August 8th

2006: Dennis DeYoung formerly of Styx & Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp served as mentors on Canadian Idol where they also performed.

1999: The Guess Who reunited with Randy Bachman & Burton Cummings for the first time in 16 years to appear at the closing of the Pan American Games in Winnipeg as a personal request from the Premier of Manitoba.

1992: During a Guns N’ Roses/Metallica concert at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Metallica frontman James Hetfield suffered second & third degree burns to his left arm after stepping too close to the pyrotechnics causing them to end their set early. Guns N’ Roses also cut their set short when Axl Rose claimed he had a sore throat & a riot broke out.

1987: U2 reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the second and final time with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” which spent two weeks on top.

1986: David Crosby was released from prison after serving eight months of a five year sentence for cocaine & firearm possession.

1986: Eddie Money released his sixth album Can’t Hold Back which went on to reach number 20 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart & sell one million copies in the U.S.

1981: MTV aired their first live concert stereo broadcast of an REO Speedwagon concert in Denver.

1970: Janis Joplin purchased a headstone for the grave of her biggest influence, Bessie Smith at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia.

1970: Christine McVie flew to the U.S. to join Fleetwood Mac shortly after announcing that she was quitting the music business.




Birthdays:

Anton Fig - Drummer for Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, Peter Frampton & Frehley’s Comet born in 1952

Rikki Rockett - Drummer for Poison born in 1959

The Edge - Guitarist for U2 born in 1961

[IceWizard]

09 Aug 2017


National Book Lovers Day



From the scent of a rare first edition book found in an old time book collection, to a crisp, fresh book at the local supermarket, the very sight of a book can bring back memories. Reading as a child, enjoying the short stories, the long books and the ability to lose yourself in a story so powerful that at the end your asking yourself where to get the next book in the series. This is for the reader in all of us, the celebration of Book Lovers Day!

History of Book Lovers Day

While the day’s origins may be shrouded in mystery and rumor, the books themselves are not. Started from carving on stone tablets, the book was designed to make portable the writings and drawings of those that could not carry around stone tablets. Originally it was parchment or vellum (calf skin, in case you were wondering)was bound tightly with a wooden cover. Often the wooden cover was tightly wrapped in leather to prevent the wood from getting wet and had clasps or straps to hold it shut.

In the more modern age, printing capabilities made books cheaper, and easier, to print. The printing press, the typewriter, and the computer all had an effect on the market of books. But more so than most, is the upsurge in electronic devices that can be used to read on. Computers, tablets, and most cell phones now have the ability to read books, making it that much easier to carry around a small library to enjoy not matter where you are.


And




Melon Day

”The charm, one might say the genius, of memory is that it is choosy, chancy, and temperamental; it rejects the edifying cathedral and indelibly photographs the small boy outside, chewing a hunk of melon in the dust.”
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Galia Melons, just to name a few. These are the fruits we celebrate on Melon Day, a day dedicated to all forms of muskmelon, and one in particular. If you’re a lover of fresh crisp melon on a hot day, then you already know why it deserves a day of its own.

But let us tell you of the Turkmenbashi melon, a melon of pride in Turkmenistan.

History of Melon Day

Turkmenistan? Where is Turkmenistan we hear you ask, and what does it have to do with melons? Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country on the shores of the Caspian Sea and has spent the majority of its lifespan as the crossroads of civilization. In its time it has served as an important trade stop between the West and the East, and its city of Merv was of great import on the silk road.

In 1994 an auspicious event happened in Turkmenistan, the establishment of Melon Day by its first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. The Turkembashi melon was named for his preferred name “Turkembashi”, which meant “Leader of the Turkmens.” In a speech praising the fertility of the Turkmenistan soil and the farmers who worked it, he raised the Turkmen melon as being a fruit so delicious it was a taste of paradise.

Melon Day is your opportunity to share in a taste of paradise and to celebrate this countries unique history, and the fruit that is its pride and joy.

---

---

---

---

August 9 Birthdays




Whitney Houston - (1963 - 2012) (48)




Elizabeth Hamilton - (1757 - 1854) (97)




Gillian Anderson - 49




Jessica Capshaw - 41




Kevin McKidd - 44




Sam Elliott - 73




Melanie Griffith - 60




Hoda Kotb - 53








August 9th

2003: Roger Daltrey made his Los Angeles stage debut at the Hollywood Bowl playing Dr. Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

1995: Grateful Dead guitarist & singer Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack caused by hardening of the arteries at a rehabilitation clinic in San Francisco. He was 53 years old.

1995: Kiss taped their appearance for MTV Unplugged in New York City. During this performance, they performed with Ace Frehley & Peter Criss for the first time since 1979.

1994: Peter Gabriel made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman as the featured musical guest.

1986: Queen performed their final concert with Freddie Mercury at the Knebworth in England in front of 120,000 people.

1980: AC/DC reached the top of the U.K. Album Chart with Back in Black which spent two weeks on top of the chart. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 Album Chart in the U.S. & went on to sell 45 million copies worldwide, making it the second biggest selling album of all time.

1975: Don Kirshner held the Rock Music Award Show in Santa Monica, CA. The top winners included Bad Company, The Eagles & Stevie Wonder.

1967: At the National Blues and Jazz Festival in the U.K., Jerry Lee Lewis had his set cut short after the overenthusiastic crowd caused a near-riot.

1964: Bob Dylan & Joan Baez performed onstage together for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival singing “With God on our Side”.




Birthdays:

Rinus Gerritsen - Bassist for Golden Earring born in 1946

[IceWizard]

10 Aug 2017


Skyscraper Appreciation Day



Skyscraper Appreciation Day is the birthday of the famous architect William Can Alen, who is the genius behind the construction of the Chrysler Building, which is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

Skyscraper Appreciation Day was initiated and founded by Dr. Tom Stevens. Interestingly, it was created so that the general public could admire the structural and architectural brilliance of skyscrapers. Furthermore, it also celebrates the triumph of reason and man’s ability to construct industrial masterpieces.

You can celebrate Skyscraper Appreciation Day by undertaking one of the following activities:

(1) Research the topic of skyscrapers on the internet and compile a detailed factfile.

(2) Venture to a skyscraper close to where you live and marvel at its architectural beauty.

(3) Sort through your favourite skyscraper photos and add them to the “Photos” section of the Skyscrpaer Appreciation Day Facebook page.

(4)Have skyscraper themed day where you and your friends dress up as famous skyscrapers from around the world.


And




World Lion Day



Lion Day aims to raise awareness of the majestic hunter, the ultimate feline, the king of the jungle, the big fluffy kitty of the Serengeti… Hmm, we should have left it at ‘king of the jungle’.

Basically, it’s all about lions, but you’ve probably got that from the name.

This celebration of the animal kingdom’s most beautiful and fearsome creature was founded by Big Cat Rescue, the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to big cats. August 10th is a day for people to come together from across the world to pay tribute to the mighty lion in as many ways as possible. Though a fun and exciting occasion for all, its foundations are based in a very serious matter: lion numbers have dramatically declined to the point where the species needs to be placed on the endangered list, just like its larger cousin the tiger.

How you celebrate is entirely up to you. You could change your social media profile pictures to a lion for the day, draw a sketch and share it with friends, find out who has the loudest roar, or even get your coworkers to sponsor you to wear a lion jumpsuit to work, then make a donation to Big Cat Rescue’s ongoing mission.

At the very least, please Like the official Facebook page and follow @BigCatRescue on Twitter, because the more we spread the word, the greater the chances of these incredible animals gracing our planet forevermore.


And


Duran Duran Appreciation Day






Duran Duran Day celebrates 80’s rock icons, Duran Duran – a band who pushed the limits of acceptable music video content. Try listening to some Duran Duran at work, in the car, and at home; don’t worry, it’s officially ok for just one day!

---

---

---

---

August 10 Birthdays




June Shannon - 38




Antonio Banderas - 57




Herbert Hoover - (1874 - 1964) (90)




Eddie Fisher - (1928 - 2010) (82)




Ian Anderson - 70









August 10th

2002: Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie married for the third time, marrying actor Nicolas Cage. They would divorce 108 days later & their divorce proceedings lasted longer than their marriage.

1995: Van Halen was the musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman where they performed “Not Enough”.

1992: Def Leppard kicked off the North American leg of their Seven Day Weekend Tour in support of Adrenalize at Madison Square Garden.

1985: Over nine months after its initial release, Reckless by Bryan Adams reached number one on the Billboard 200 album chart where it would stay for two weeks. This was Adams’ first and only number one album in the U.S.

1982: Frank Zappa & his daughter Moon Unit Zappa appeared on Late Night with David Letterman & quickly recited “Valley Girl”.

1976: Elton John began the first of seven sold out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where he set a then-record gate of $1.25 million for the seven concerts.

1972: After a Wings concert in Gothenburg, Sweden, Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested and fined $1,300 for marijuana possession.

1968: Cream reached the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the first and only time with Wheels of Fire which spent four weeks on top.

1964: Mick Jagger was found guilty of driving without insurance and breaking the speed limit. He was fined $50.




Birthdays:

Leo Fender born in 1909

Ian Anderson - Singer for Jethro Tull born in 1947[/b]