Today is...

[IceWizard]

Tuesday 13 Dec 2016



National Violin Day



The violin is easily the most popular bowed string instrument across the world, and we’re really not all that surprised to see that the violin does in fact have a day dedicated to its existence. After all, everything from Western and Indian classical music to bluegrass and jazz would be unimaginable today without the violin.

It’s quite possibly the most versatile instrument in the world in terms of repertoire, and that’s why there’s a Violin Day to celebrate it!

History of Violin Day

The violin itself evolved from medieval fiddles, and came into a distinct form by the 15th century (most violins today are copies after either Stradivarius or Amati, the latter being active as a violinmaker in the 16th century), becoming the most popular virtuoso instrument in Europe by the 1660s.

Today, the violin not only remains an indispensable feature of western classical music, but has found its way into various forms of classical and folk music around the world as well as various other genres.

There are a lot of violinists and fiddle players throughout the world today, so it we can see why Violin Day caught on. In fact, the violin is present in the most prestigious musical groups in the world, including the Venetian

Philharmonic Orchestra! Imagine an instrument with such humble beginnings becoming such an important mainstay of modern classical music.



December 13 Birthdays


Taylor Swift - 27



Jamie Foxx - 49



Dick Van Dyke - 91



Steve Buscemi - 59



Ted Nugent - 68



Mary Todd Lincoln - (1818-1882)



Emily Carr - (1871-1945)



Christopher Plummer - 87








December 13th

2000: After former Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore delivered his concession speech to George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., Gore held a party in his home with a performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which featured guest appearances by Jon Bon Jovi and Stevie Wonder.

1996: Jerry Maguire directed by Cameron Crowe opened in North American theaters. The film featured cameos from Glenn Frey of the Eagles and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains.

1993: Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash joined Billy Joel onstage during a concert at the Los Angeles Sports Arena to contribute a solo to “Shameless”.

1986: Billy Idol peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with his third full length studio album Whiplash Smile which went on to go Platinum in the U.S.

1983: Jimmy Page joined Robert Plant onstage during Plant’s concert at London’s Hammersmith Odeon for a rendition of Roy Head’s “Treat Her Right”. It was the first time they publicly performed together since Led Zeppelin’s breakup.

1982: Motley Crue invited every manager they knew to see them perform at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. After the concert they signed with Doc McGhee and Doug Thaler of McGhee Enterprises Inc.

1976: Three days after its release, Wings over America the first and only live album by Wings was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1974: George Harrison met with President Gerald Ford at the White House after Ford’s son Jack invited Harrison while Harrison was in town for a concert.

1966: The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded “Foxy Lady” in London.



Birthdays:

Irving Azoff - Manager for The Eagles, Steely Dan, amd Van Halen born in 1947

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter - Guitarist for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers born in 1948

Ted Nugent born in 1948

[IceWizard]

Wednesday 14 Dec 2016

Monkey Day



Monkeys are interesting creatures – cute, mischievous, and sometimes downright obnoxious (anyone who disagrees has obviously never had their laundry torn down by a family of primates when it’s hanging to dry).

Many species of primates are also endangered, and then there are questions of animal rights and the usage of primates in medical research.

That’s why there’s Monkey Day, a day that’s been dedicated to raising awareness about non-human primates.

History of Monkey Day

Back in 2000, Casey Sorrow was an art student at Michigan State University, and he ended up writing “Monkey Day” on his friend’s calendar as a prank. But then they actually celebrated the occasion with other art students at MSU, and Sorrow later started collaborating with fellow MSU student on the Fetus-X comic strip, where the holiday was mentioned and popularized.

Since then, Monkey Day has been observed internationally as a day to celebrate primates (including monkeys, but also apes, lemurs, and tarsiers).

Sorrow himself still does much to promote the holiday and the cause of primate welfare, and in addition to the Monkey Day website, he also maintains a “Monkeys in the News” blog which discusses primate-related news around the world and comes out with a list of the top ten primate-related news stories from the past year every Monkey Day.



And



Roast Chestnuts Day



In the chill of December, there’s one warming treat that is especially popular across the world to keep the cold away. Roasted chestnuts are often seen this time of year being cooked by street vendors, and the earthy, spicy scent is more than enough to get anyone into the Christmas spirit.

On the 14th of December, it’s time to honor the humble chestnut. Or specifically, mark the time-honored tradition of roasting chestnuts round about the season of good cheer.

The History of Roast Chestnuts Day

Roast Chestnut’s day is a relatively new day in the calendar, but the practice of roasting chestnuts has been around for donkey’s years.

Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when they started to become so popular, historians pencil the 16th century in as being a turning point, when the nuts would be sold by street vendors to anyone wanting a quick and warming snack.

It has also long been a tradition in Portugal to eat them roasted on Saint Martin’s Day, and in Tuscany on Saint Simon’s Day.

When chestnuts are carefully roasted, the natural sweetness of the nut is revealed. This makes them an ideal snack if you want something to stave off a sweet tooth that also happens to be quite nutritious, chestnuts being comparatively low in calories and being a good source of fibre.

They are also very rich in vitamin C, which may come as a surprise to you.

Although they are technically nuts, they taste very unlike other nuts – the sweet, earthy taste is certainly worth a try if you’ve never had one before – and Roast Chestnuts Day is the perfect time to try that first one.

Chestnuts are often roasted on a grill, which helps to remove their bitter, shiny skins, but you can make them at home using your conventional kitchen oven.

All you need to do is cut a cross into each nut, put them on a roasting tin and bake them until the skins open. They are eaten after peeling away that tough, shiny skin..

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December 14 Birthdays


Cliff Williams - 67



Patty Duke - (1946-2016)



Nostradamus - (1503-1566)








December 14th

2006: Founder of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun died after slipping into a coma. He slipped and hit his head at a Rolling Stones concert weeks earlier. He was 83 years old.

2003: Ozzy Osbourne reached the top of the U.K. Singles Chart for the first time with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” remade as a duet with his daughter Kelly.

1999: Paul McCartney performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool for the first time since 1963. During the concert, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice joined McCartney onstage.

1997: Kurt Winter, former guitarist for The Guess Who died of kidney failure. He was 51 years old.

1985: ZZ Top peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Sleeping Bag” which was their second and final top ten single in the U.S.

1984: George Harrison joined Deep Purple on stage during their concert in Sydney, Australia.

1980: Yoko Ono asked for a ten-minute silent vigil to take place around the world at 2 p.m. EST. Over 100,000 people gathered in Central Park and 30,000 people assembled in observance in Liverpool.

1979: The Clash released their third album London Calling which went on to reach number twenty-seven on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, sell one million copies in the U.S. and became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time.

1974: Styx re-released “Lady” which went on to become their first top ten hit in the U.S. peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.



Birthdays:

Cliff Williams - Bassist for AC/DC born in 1949

[Spanky]

Wednesday 14 Dec 2016

Monkey Day



Monkeys are interesting creatures – cute, mischievous, and sometimes downright obnoxious (anyone who disagrees has obviously never had their laundry torn down by a family of primates when it’s hanging to dry).

Many species of primates are also endangered, and then there are questions of animal rights and the usage of primates in medical research.

That’s why there’s Monkey Day, a day that’s been dedicated to raising awareness about non-human primates.

History of Monkey Day

Back in 2000, Casey Sorrow was an art student at Michigan State University, and he ended up writing “Monkey Day” on his friend’s calendar as a prank. But then they actually celebrated the occasion with other art students at MSU, and Sorrow later started collaborating with fellow MSU student on the Fetus-X comic strip, where the holiday was mentioned and popularized.

Since then, Monkey Day has been observed internationally as a day to celebrate primates (including monkeys, but also apes, lemurs, and tarsiers).

Sorrow himself still does much to promote the holiday and the cause of primate welfare, and in addition to the Monkey Day website, he also maintains a “Monkeys in the News” blog which discusses primate-related news around the world and comes out with a list of the top ten primate-related news stories from the past year every Monkey Day.



And



Roast Chestnuts Day



In the chill of December, there’s one warming treat that is especially popular across the world to keep the cold away. Roasted chestnuts are often seen this time of year being cooked by street vendors, and the earthy, spicy scent is more than enough to get anyone into the Christmas spirit.

On the 14th of December, it’s time to honor the humble chestnut. Or specifically, mark the time-honored tradition of roasting chestnuts round about the season of good cheer.

The History of Roast Chestnuts Day

Roast Chestnut’s day is a relatively new day in the calendar, but the practice of roasting chestnuts has been around for donkey’s years.

Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when they started to become so popular, historians pencil the 16th century in as being a turning point, when the nuts would be sold by street vendors to anyone wanting a quick and warming snack.

It has also long been a tradition in Portugal to eat them roasted on Saint Martin’s Day, and in Tuscany on Saint Simon’s Day.

When chestnuts are carefully roasted, the natural sweetness of the nut is revealed. This makes them an ideal snack if you want something to stave off a sweet tooth that also happens to be quite nutritious, chestnuts being comparatively low in calories and being a good source of fibre.

They are also very rich in vitamin C, which may come as a surprise to you.

Although they are technically nuts, they taste very unlike other nuts – the sweet, earthy taste is certainly worth a try if you’ve never had one before – and Roast Chestnuts Day is the perfect time to try that first one.

Chestnuts are often roasted on a grill, which helps to remove their bitter, shiny skins, but you can make them at home using your conventional kitchen oven.

All you need to do is cut a cross into each nut, put them on a roasting tin and bake them until the skins open. They are eaten after peeling away that tough, shiny skin..

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December 14 Birthdays


Cliff Williams - 67



Patty Duke - (1946-2016)



Nostradamus - (1503-1566)








December 14th

2006: Founder of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun died after slipping into a coma. He slipped and hit his head at a Rolling Stones concert weeks earlier. He was 83 years old.

2003: Ozzy Osbourne reached the top of the U.K. Singles Chart for the first time with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” remade as a duet with his daughter Kelly.

1999: Paul McCartney performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool for the first time since 1963. During the concert, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice joined McCartney onstage.

1997: Kurt Winter, former guitarist for The Guess Who died of kidney failure. He was 51 years old.

1985: ZZ Top peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Sleeping Bag” which was their second and final top ten single in the U.S.

1984: George Harrison joined Deep Purple on stage during their concert in Sydney, Australia.

1980: Yoko Ono asked for a ten-minute silent vigil to take place around the world at 2 p.m. EST. Over 100,000 people gathered in Central Park and 30,000 people assembled in observance in Liverpool.

1979: The Clash released their third album London Calling which went on to reach number twenty-seven on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, sell one million copies in the U.S. and became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time.

1974: Styx re-released “Lady” which went on to become their first top ten hit in the U.S. peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.



Birthdays:

Cliff Williams - Bassist for AC/DC born in 1949

Thanks Ice,

Gotta try chestnuts.  See them every year and never have roasted one.  My oven is used for storage, but I did get a toaster oven for four dollars in Coos Bay at the Salvation Army store.  It was just dirty.  Looks and works like new now.  So I can no do some chestnusts this year, for sure.  In Coos I tried for the first time parsnips, rutabaga, clams in the shell, and an amazing array of mushrooms--most of which didn't look like mushrooms, ha.  Always looking to eat something different, and chestnuts are on the top of the list now.  Thanks for  celebrating the day.  I don't think I want to eat a monkey, though lots of cultures do, and chimps too.  I'll stick with trying the chestnuts, ha. 



Spankster

[IceWizard]

Great to see ya around Spankster ... And do hope the ole road an't takin too much of a tool on ya as well ....

Just stay safe and post when ya can ...

Ice

[IceWizard]

Thusday 15 Dec 2016

National Cat Herders Day



You’ve probably heard the saying that something is as impossible as “herding cats,” used in reference to a seemingly futile or difficult task.

Granted, if you have actually attempted to literally herd a bunch of cats for some reason or the other, you would know exactly how impossible this task actually is.

All of that said, as far as we know, there’s no one out there who’s actually a professional cat herder. If there were, this day would actually be for those folks. This is a day for everyone who has to face the frustration of trying to manage the unmanageable, anyone whose day to day life involves insurmountable tasks.

History of Cat Herders’ Day

While the idiom that something impossible is “like herding cats” is a popular saying now, the phrase has relatively recent origins – one story has it that IT expert Dave Platt popularized the phrase when he said that “managing senior programmers is like herding cats”.

What we can say is that the phrase is pretty suitable for what it describes. And while cats are independent, solitary, and easily distracted, many humans also share this characteristic. So you may well have to complete tasks that are in fact as difficult as herding cats, even if you’ve never seen or heard of a cat until now.

Anyway, we know that Cat Herders’ Day was invented sometime in the last decade, and is basically one of those cheeky holidays that you can celebrate however you want.



And



Lemon Cupcake Day



On December 15th, it’s time to pay special attention to cupcakes – one specific type, in fact. Lemon is a favorite flavor in the cake and sweets world, and this day is the perfect excuse to enjoy a sweet treat with that distinctive citrus twang.

Lemon in cakes can give them a refreshing kick, and when added into the miniature treat of a cupcake, it’s especially tasty. That’s why lemon cupcakes deserve their own day!

The History of Lemon Cupcake Day

Exactly when Lemon Cupcake Day started popping up is under some debate, but there’s no doubt that cupcakes themselves have been around a good long time.

The first written record we have of what would become a cupcake is in the 1796 book ‘American Cookery’ by Amelia Simmons, the first American to write and publish a cookery book. One of the recipes called for the use of small cups to bake a small, light cake. The term ‘cupcake’ was first printed in ‘Seventy- five receipts for Pastry, Cakes and Sweetmeats” by Eliza Leslie in 1828.

The term came about thanks to them being baked in their small molds or ramekins, and soon enough they became popular as a snack cake. And of course, their bite size would help people monitor their cake intake a little better, if you were diet-conscious.

Cupcake flavours are endless – no matter what your sweet tooth craves, there’s a cupcake for that. From chocolate to all kinds of fruit, simple vanilla or maybe a twist of peanut butter, these little cakes have the potential to be flavoured any way you like.

But one of the most delicious has to be the humble lemon cupcake.

[IceWizard]

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December 15 Birthdays


Paul Simonon - 61



Carmine Appice - 72



Dave Clark - 74



Nero - (37-68)



Don Johnson - 67



Tim Conway - 83



Gustave Eiffel - (1832-1923)








December 15th

2001: Joe Walsh received an honorary Doctorate of Music in recognition of his musical achievement and involvement in environmental and humanitarian causes from Kent State University in Kent, OH where Walsh attended from 1965 through 1967.

1994: Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora married Heather Locklear in a civil ceremony at his Red Bank, NJ home. The couple would later divorce in 2006.

1992: Nirvana released Incesticide a b-sides, demos and outtakes collection released due to the songs circulating as bootlegs. Kurt Cobain agreed to the release of this compilation due to having complete control over the album’s artwork.

1984: U2 reached number thirty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Pride (In The Name of Love)” which was their first top forty single in the U.S.

1979: Pink Floyd reached number one on the U.K. Singles Chart for the only time in their career with “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” which spent five weeks on top of the chart.

1977: The Sex Pistols were denied entry into the U.S. two days before their scheduled appearance on Saturday Night Live. Elvis Costello would fill-in for them.

1973: Aerosmith made their first appearance on American Bandstand where they performed “Dream On”.

1969: John Lennon performed his final concert in the U.K. with the Plastic Ono Band as part of a benefit concert for UNICEF.

1968: Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick appeared on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in blackface for a performance of “Crown of Creation”.



Birthdays:

Dave Clark - Drummer for The Dave Clark Five born in 1942

Carmine Appice - Drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart born in 1946

Paul Simonon - Bassist for The Clash born in 1955

[IceWizard]

Friday 16 Dec 2016

Day Of Reconciliation



They say that all good things come to an end, thankfully this remains true for horrid atrocities as well.

One such ending took place in 1991 with the ending of apartheid, a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa on the back of legislation introduced by the National Party.

The Day of Reconciliation was introduced in 1994 as a way to heal the rift between the people of South Africa, and bring harmony to a nation still suffering from decades of injustice.

History of Day of Reconciliation

The history of the Day of Reconciliation is the history of a nation suffering under the auspices of colonialism and the inherent racism that existed as a part of this practice.

While apartheid became legislated in 1948, racial segregation had been a reality in South Africa since the reign of the Dutch Empire in 1652, and saw no change when the British took possession of the country in 1795.

Things only got worse in 1950 when non-white political representation was abolished in the country.

While it served to deeper entrench the policies of racial segregation, it also sparked off a series of rebellions, violence, and a trade and long arms embargo against the country.

The date for the Day of Reconciliation was selected due to its significance to both the Afrikaner and African people.

For the Afrikaner it was known as the Day of the Covenant, a religious holiday celebrating a victory over the Zulus by the Voortrekker’s in 1838 at the Battle of Blood River.

For the Africans it was a day of one of an important protest in 1910 against racial discrimination.

In 1961 the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the “Spear o the Nation”, was established, an armed force of the ANC. The first acts of sabotage and violent resistance against the apartheid leaders also happened on that day in history.



And



Underdog Day



Honour the world’s greatest unsung heroes, runners up and unlikely winners who have pulled off the unexpected on Underdog Day!

For those that may not know, an “underdog” is a person in a competition or other event who is popularly expected to lose or fail. The individual expected to win is called the favorite or top dog.

The History of Underdog Day

Originally, an underdog was a shipbuilder who stood in a dark pit and helped to saw planks of wood from beneath whilst the overdog, a supervisor of sorts, sawed the planks from above. The underdog got all dirty and covered in sawdust, yet the overdog got all of the credit for the hard work carried out.

The first recorded uses of the term occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century; its first meaning was “the beaten dog in a fight”. An “underdog bet” was a bet on the underdog for which the odds were always considerably higher.

Established by Peter Moeller in 1976, Underdog Day is the time to honour all of life’s unrecognised hard-workers.

Nowadays, the underdog character has become quite popular in pop culture, from Forrest Gump to The Karate Kid. Famous unlikely winners, such as Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle or Paul Potts have also been especially liked for their underdog status.

In fiction, some famous underdog winners include characters like Rocky Balboa or William Wallace in Braveheart–despite the rather thin or simply unlikely plots of both of these movies, they have both become cult classics, proving the status of the underdog character.

In fact, mankind has always rooted for the underdog. Perhaps there is something central to the human experience that means we all feel a bit like our lives consist of collecting the sawdust of life, and so we dream about the prospect of one day emerging from this filthy, splintery mess victorious.It would seem that people find it much easier to identify with the imperfect underdogs whose accomplishments often go unnoticed than the heroes everyone talks about and revers.

It is hard to identify with the perfect, infallible characters who always know exactly what they’re doing and make no mistakes, the simple reason for this being that that’s not what reality looks like.

Nobody is perfect, so seeing people being presented as such can actually make us dislike them. And the truth is that a lot of those heroes would not be who they are, and would not have achieved what they’ achieved, if it wasn’t for their humble sidekicks, the underdogs.

Imagine Batman without Robin, or Sherlock Holmes without Watson.

Not quite the same, right?

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December 16 Birthdays


Billy Gibbons - 67



Ludwig van Beethoven -(1770-1827)



Jane Austen - (1775-1817)



Quentin Blake - 84








December 16th

2005: U2’s Vertigo tour was declared the top grossing tour of 2005 grossing $260 million and drew 3 million people to 90 sellout concerts.

1989: Bon Jovi peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Living in Sin” which was their eighth top ten single in the U.S.

1989: Whitesnake peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with Slip of the Tongue which was their second and final top ten album in the U.S.

1983: A spokesperson for The Who announced that they were disbanding. They would go on to reunite in 1989 and 1996 before permanently reforming in 1999.

1979: Kiss performed their last concert with their original lineup at the Toledo Sports Arena until their reunion tour in 1996.

1974: Mott the Hoople publicly announced that they had split up.

1970: Creedence Clearwater Revival received their first Gold records and singles as the RIAA certified their first five albums, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Down on the Corner”, “Up Around the Bend”, and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” Gold.

1967: NME in the U.K. announced that The Rolling Stones were launching their record label Mother Earth and that Marianne Faithfull was their first signing. The label never appeared.

1966: The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their debut single “Hey Joe”.



Birthdays:

Tony Hicks - Guitarist for The Hollies born in 1945

Billy Gibbons - Guitarist for ZZ Top born in 1949

[IceWizard]

Saturday 17 Dec 2016

Wright Brothers Day



Show your appreciation for the current airline system and the freedom to travel to all parts of the planet by celebrating Wright Brothers Day.

The brothers Orville and Wilbur, tenacious American inventors, recorded the first manned, powered flight in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They were not the first to build experimental aircraft, and news of fatal glider crashes involving other aviation trailblazers influenced the direction of their research and development.

The Wright brothers focused their efforts on pilot-activated flight-stabilizing controls. Their discoveries form the basis of modern flight. In 1903 when aviation was in its infancy, sustained flight was measured in seconds and piloting was a developing skill, and although early flight lacked sophistication, it threw open the doors for the evolution of the aviation industry, and set the stage for the global travel system that we take for granted today.



And



National Maple Syrup Day



Oh, hey! Did you know that maple syrup had its own holiday? No? Neither did we!

So, before we delve into the history of and the most popular thing to put on pancakes, waffles, French toast and more, let us take a moment to thank the maple trees for the sap that becomes the sweet syrup we know and love today!

That’s the whole focus of Maple Syrup Day!

The History of Maple Syrup Day

Maple Syrup Day was created to celebrate the amber substance we have all come to know and love. While the maple syrup that we all know today is almost always manufactured in Canada, but even the United States has its own maple syrup production area, and that area is in Vermont.

Maple syrup is a syrup that’s usually made from the xylem sap of a sugar maple, red maple, or black maple tree, although it can be made from other species of maple.

In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in late winter and early spring.

Maple trees are tapped by drilling holes into their trunks and collecting the exuded sap, which is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup. In earlier times, maple syrup was first collected and used by the indigenous people of North America and according to aboriginal oral traditions, as well as archaeological evidence, maple tree sap was being processed into syrup long before the Europeans arrived in the region.

Legends exist of when maple syrup was first created, one of the more popular legends tells of how maple sap was used in place of water to cook venison served to the chief of the tribe.

Skip ahead to the future and you have the Canadian province of Quebec, which is by far the largest producer of maple syrup, contributing to more than seventy five percent of the world’s output.

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Paul Rodgers - 66



Mike Mills - 58



Pope Francis - 80



Manny Pacquiao - 38



Sarah Paulson - 42



Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell - 47



Eugene Levy - 70




December 17th

1999: Keith Richards stole a guitar from a fan outside of Richards’ party at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. The fan never pressed charges.

1995: Sting’s wife Trudie Styler gave birth to their fourth child, a son named Giacomo Luke was born at a London hospital.

1987: Robert Plant performed Led Zeppelin songs for the first time as a solo artist at a concert in Folkstone, U.K. He performed “Misty Mountain Hop” and “Trampled Underfoot”.

1982: The Who performed their first farewell concert at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The concert was filmed for an HBO special and recorded for a live album, titled Who’s Last.

1973: Aerosmith began recording their second album Get Your Wings at New York City’s Record Plant Studios. The album was released the following March.

1971: David Bowie released his fourth album Hunky Dory which was his first album for RCA Records. Bowie himself considers it one of the most important albums of his career.

1970: The Beach Boys gave a Royal Command Performance for Princess Margaret at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

1968: The Who performed their Christmas party at London’s Marquee Club. Yes were also on the bill, performing one of their first concerts.

1968: Pink Floyd released “Point Me at the Sky” which was the last single they released in the U.K. for eleven years. The song wasn’t released in the U.S. and some members of Pink Floyd declared the song to be one of their most embarrassing moments.



Birthdays:

Paul Rodgers - Singer for Free and Bad Company born in 1949

Mike Mills - Bassist for R.E.M. born in 1958

[IceWizard]

Ok ... After the 2016 attacks, I'm attempting to "re-do" what was eaten up... So please bear with me ... I'm s l o w

Sunday 18 Dec 2016

International Migrants Day



Migration has been a courageous expression of the individual’s will to overcome adversity and to live a better life. Today, globalization, together with advances in communications and transportation, has greatly increased the number of people who have the desire and the capacity to move to other places.

This new era has created challenges and opportunities for societies throughout the world. It also has served to underscore the clear linkage between migration and development, as well as the opportunities it provides for co-development, that is, the concerted improvement of economic and social conditions at both origin and destination.

So, now let’s jump right into the past of what is International Migrant’s Day!

History of International Migrant’s Day

International Migrants Day is an international day overseen on the 18th of December as International Migrant’s Day, which was appointed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 4th 2000, after having taken into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world.

On December 18th 1990, the General Assembly adopted the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. International Migrants Day is observed throughout many countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations through the spread of information on human rights and fundamental political freedoms of migrants, and through sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure the protection of migrants.

Migration, in the case of human beings is the act of moving from one place to another. Mainly moving from a country of origin to a new country to start new lives as permanent residents in their new home.

Now, Nomadic movements are normally not regarded as migrations as there is no intention to settle in the new place and because the movement is generally seasonal.

Only a few nomadic peoples have retained this form of lifestyle in modern times. Also, the temporary movement of people for the purpose of travel, tourism, pilgrimages, or the commute is not regarded as migration, in the absence of an intention to live and settle in the visited places.



And



Bake Cookies Day



Bake Cookies Day occurs in the middle of the holiday season, and is a great excuse to bake some delicious cookies to help you get through the cold, winter days! Why not try some cinnamon flavored cookies (such as the snickerdoodle) to get your kitchen smelling of winter festivities?

Or there’s always the classic ‘sugar cookie’ with brightly colored royal icing, silver candy balls and sprinkles, cut into a myriad of seasonal shapes. Bake Cookies Day is your excuse to indulge in the art (and eating) of cookies of every stripe and measure, especially those that remind you of the season.

History of Bake Cookies Day

Cookies arrived in America in the 17th century, although the word arrived much later with the Dutch in its original form of “koekje”, meaning “little cake”. This was soon shortened to “cooky” or “cookie”, although cookies themselves seem to date back as far as 7th century Persia!

Since then they’ve become a global phenomena that come in more varieties, flavors, and styles than you can possibly imagine. From fruit filled cookies to the simple but delectable sugar cookie (Yep, got a sugar cookie fixation, tis the season!), these “little cakes” are simply the most amazing thing to come out of an oven since bread·

Every year people get together to celebrate Bake Cookies Day by baking dozens of cookies for charity drives, orphanages, and generally bringing joy to family and friends everywhere.

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December 18 Birthdays


Brad Pitt - 53



Stone Cold Steve Austin - 52



Joseph Stalin - (1878-1953)



Steven Spielberg - 70



Keith Richards - 73



Ray Liotta - 62



Ty Cobb - (1886-1961)



Betty Grable - (1916-1973)



Katie Holmes - 38








December 18th

2004: A guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon sold for $570,000 at a New York auction. The Gibson SG guitar was used by Harrison during the recording of Revolver and by Lennon during sessions for The White Album.

1992: A Toronto radio station removed the Beatles’ song “Run for Your Life” from their playlist, 27 years after its release saying that promoted violence against women.

1983: Keith Richards married model and actress Patti Hansen in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger was Richards’ best man.

1981: Rod Stewart’s concert at the Los Angeles Forum was beamed worldwide via satellite to a television audience of 35 million. Kim Carnes and Tina Turner made guest appearances during the concert.

1978: Led Zeppelin completed recording of their final studio album In Through the Out Door in Stockholm, Sweden.

1975: During a press conference in London, Rod Stewart announced his departure from The Faces, due to Ron Wood joining The Rolling Stones and Stewart thinking he was better off as a solo artist.

1972: Bob Dylan arrived in Mexico to start filming his role as Alias in the movie Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

1970: Creedence Clearwater Revival received a Gold record for their sixth album Pendulum which was their final album with rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty.

1966: Pink Floyd made their debut at London’s Blarney Club. Five days later, the club changed their name to the UFO Club and they became the house band.



Birthdays:

Chas Chandler - Bassist for The Animals born in 1938

Keith Richards - Guitarist for The Rolling Stones born in 1943

Elliot Easton - Guitarist for The Cars born in 1953

[IceWizard]

Monday 19 Dec 2016

Oatmeal Muffin Day



Oatmeal Muffins, a combination of food that make oatmeal jealous of itself. To find the history of this delectable breakfast, we must delve deep into the oven for the tasty past of the day that is Oatmeal Muffin Day!

History of Oatmeal Muffin Day

While muffins have been a staple for quite a few centuries, starting with English style muffins which are yeast raised and cooked on a griddle, and have been dated back to the 10th or 11th century in Wales.

American style muffins are known as quick bread muffins, which are made in individual molds. Quick bread muffins were not developed until close to the end of the 18th century, where pearlash, a refined form of potash, was discovered.

In the very first American Cookbook titled American Cookery, author Amelia Simmons published recipes using pearlash, and in 1792 we exported eight thousand tons to Europe. Baking powder was not developed commercially available until 1857.

Quick bread muffins really need to be baked in molds because they are created with a batter instead of a dough. While there is not much history for the Oatmeal Muffin, there are plenty of recipes for it that all vary ingredients.



And



Look For An Evergreen Day



Every year one thing remains the same around the holidays, people everywhere have to decide at what point before the big day they’re going to go out and hunt down a Christmas tree·

Look for an Evergreen Day is about the last opportunity you have if you haven’t already gotten yours to ensure you have a tree for the Holidays· Even if you’ve already got your tree for this year, this is a great opportunity to go out and familiarize yourself with the other types of Evergreens in your neighborhood, and discover that these regal giants are around you all year round.

History of Look for an Evergreen Day

Look for an Evergreen Day was originally established by the National Arborist Association to create a day to appreciate the beauty of these trees outside of the confines of merely being bedecked with glittering lights and ornaments· Even in the depths of winter these noble trees keep their foliage, providing that wonderful green and white contrast that is so representative of deep winter.

Evergreens have played an important role in many societies throughout the ages, selected for religious observances due to their seemingly eternal nature even in a season of death· But that’s not the only place they’re represented, the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest were entirely reliant on the red cedar for multiple aspects of their culture·

Whether they were making clothing, fishing line, ropes, or building their homes or canoes, the red cedar was vital a vital part of their lives.

Going back even further, most people have heard about how Socrates was made to drink a glass of hemlock tea, which he did with his normal unflinching nature· Hemlocks are a shade tolerant evergreen with short striped needles· As you can tell, knowing the difference between your evergreens could one day save your life!

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December 19 Birthdays


Alyssa Milano - 44



Criss Angel - 49



Maurice White - (1941-2016)



Mike Lookinland - 56








December 19th

2003: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Nils Lofgren were among the mourners attending the funeral of Wall Street tycoon John Mulheren. Springsteen led the assembly in Christmas carols and Lofgren sang “Wind Beneath My Wings”.

1999: E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons made a guest appearance on The Simpsons as the narrator of The Simpsons’ Christmas.

1994: Aerosmith performed the final concert of their 240 date tour in support of Get a Grip at their Mama Kin’s Music Hall in Boston which was broadcast on radio stations across North America.

1993: The Byrds’ drummer Michael Clarke died of liver failure at his home in Treasure Island, FL. He was 47 years old.

1987: Whitesnake peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Is This Love”, their second and final top ten single in the U.S.

1981: The Rolling Stones finished their North American tour in support of Tattoo You at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA. The concert was broadcast on closed-circuit cable.

1981: The Cars peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with their fourth album Shake it Up which later went on to sell two million copies in the U.S.

1979: Elvis Presley’s personal physician George Nichopoulos was charged with prescribing over 12,000 doses of amphetamines, barbiturates and painkillers for Presley in the two years prior to his death. Nichopoulos would later be acquitted on this charge.

1955: Carl Perkins recorded “Blue Suede Shoes” which was based on an incident Perkins spotted while performing a dance where he noticed a couple dancing and the boy cautioned his date “don’t step on my suedes.” The song would go on to be covered by artists from Elvis Presley and Pat Boone to Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath.



Birthdays:

Professor Longhair born in 1918

Alvin Lee - Guitarist for Ten Years After born in 1944