July 4, 2014

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Friday, July 4, 2014        Edition: #5255


Thanks For Being a Bull Market!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Actor David Arquette is reportedly engaged to get married … just days after his ex-wife Courtney Cox announced that she is. Arquette reportedly proposed to his entertainment reporter-girlfriend Christina McLarty (“The Insider”) during a family dinner in Malibu, California this week. The news comes just a week after Cox announced she was engaged to Snow Patrol rocker Johnny McDaid. Arquette & Cox split in 2010 after 11 years together.
–  EOnline.com
★ Word has it that sorta singer/sorta actress Jessica Simpson is planning to wed again tomorrow at San Ysidro Ranch near Santa Barbara, Calfornia. Simpson and her former football player-beau Eric Johnson had to postpone nuptials last year when she fell pregnant with her 2nd child. The new rumor has merit … Simpson threw herself a bachelorette party in Los Angeles on June 8th. She was previously married to boyband singer Nick Lachey.
– “Entertainment Tonight”
★ And 10 years after romantic drama “The Notebook” had us weeping in movie theaters, director Nick Cassavetes has revealed some inside secrets. Most notable is the fact that stars Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling, who played the steamy onscreen couple, did not get along on-the-set. At one point Gosling even requested a replacement actress. The twosome were actually heard screaming at each other when told to work things out in private. Ironically, the couple became an offscreen item once the film wrapped, dating from 2005-07.
– WENN.com

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “A Capitol Fourth” (PBS) – Tonight 4th of July celebrations in Washington DC, with performances by Frankie Valli (Four Seasons), Jordin Sparks, Kendall Schmidt (Big Time Rush), Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros), Patti LaBelle, and Sara Evans.
• Essence Music Festival (New Orleans LA) – Prince headlines the 20th edition, which runs through Sunday at the Superdome. Other performers: Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Janelle Monáe, Mary J Blige, Lionel Richie, Nas, and Trey Songz.
NET: http://www.essence.com/festival#&panel1-1
• “Good Morning America” (ABC) – This morning Jason Derulo (“Talk Dirty”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Deap Vally (“Sistrionix”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Kanye West (“Yeezus”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Tonight Spanish Gold (“South of Nowhere”). Rerun.
• “Live From the Artists Den” (PBS) – Tonight Tim McGraw performs hits and songs from his new album “Sundown Heaven Down”, coming September 16th.
• “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (NBC) – Tonight starbursts blaze above NYC; performances by Ariana Grande, Hunter Hayes, Lionel Richie, Miranda Lambert.
• Mayhem Festival – Saturday the 7th annual traveling rock fest begins in San Bernardino CA, headlined by Avenged Sevenfold and Korn, alongside many others playing on 4 stages. The trek runs until August 10th in The Woodlands TX.
NET: http://rockstarmayhemfest.com
• “Miley Cyrus: Bangerz Tour” (NBC) – Sunday a backstage concert special focusing on Miley’s shows in Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal.
• Sasquatch! Festival (George WA) – Tonight-through-Sunday the 2nd weekend of what is now a twice-yearly event (the 1st was May 23-25) at The Gorge features Broken Bells, Frank Ocean, Kraftwerk, Local Natives, New Order, Soundgarden, Spoon, Tegan & Sara and more.
NET: http://www.sasquatchfestival.com
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – One Direction (“Midnight Memories”). Rerun.
• “Tavis Smiley” (PBS) – Tonight Yuna (“Nocturnal”).
• “Today” (NBC) – This morning Ed Sheeran (“x”) performs as part of the Toyota Concert Series.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Today Sam Smith (“In the Lonely Hour”). Rerun.
• Wireless Festival (Birmingham/London UK) – Bruno Mars, Drake, Kanye West, Outkast, Pharrel Williams, and Robin Thicke play this year’s 3-day, 2-site event at London’s Finsbury Park and Birmingham’s Perry Park. The acts alternate venues on different nights.
NET: http://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Bob Dylan – Over 100 rare recordings of him have been discovered by a record collector. “Rolling Stone” reports the acetates, which can be played on a normal record player, include Dylan’s notes and doodles on the record sleeves. Somebody’s gonna get rich on this!
• Ed Sheeran – He tops the new “Billboard” all-genre albums chart with his new release “x” (times) after the best sales week for a male British solo act in almost a decade. It’s his first #1 album. Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour” remains #2. (Last time British solo acts were at #1 and #2 on the chart was 1993 … Eric Clapton and Sting.)
• Jewel – She and her former rodeo star-husband Ty Murray have split after 6 years of marriage. The couple wed in 2008 and welcomed son Kase in 2011, but have now announced on her official website that they’ve decided to part ways.
• Lorde – Saturday her 8-date Australian tour finally gets underway in Perth after being postponed from April-May due to poor health. Her cross-country trek now wraps on July 20th in Brisbane.
• Madonna – She’s teased a new track titled “Messiah” via her Instagram account. Backed by a full orchestra, the new release is said to be ‘coming soon’.
• Rolling Stones – It’s just been revealed that when Mick Jagger left his underpants at historic British country home Knebworth House after a concert there in 1976, owner Henry Lytton Cobbold locked them in his safe (unwashed) as an odd investment. They are reportedly ‘very small’ … and red.
• The Roots – Once again they serve as the house band for Philadelphia PA’s famous 4th of July concert and fireworks display. Joining them this year on Ben Franklin Parkway: Aloe Blacc, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Hudson, Nicki Minaj, and Vicci Martinez.
• Willie Nelson – His annual “4th of July Picnic” is in Fort Worth today as the Texas tradition continues. The annual shindig began 41 years ago (1973) in the town of Dripping Springs. The 3-stage music and food event goes all-day today, rain or shine.

WE’LL DRINK TO THAT:
More evidence suggests some drinking may help your heart, but too much can harm it. Two new studies, one covering 52 countries worldwide and the other from Scandinavia, link low-to-moderate alcohol consumption to a reduced risk of heart attack. It’s as yet unclear whether all types of alcohol offer the same benefits but researchers are clear on what ‘moderate drinking’ entails: 2 glasses of alcohol per day for men, and no more than 1 serving per day for women. Both studies find increased risk of harm when drinking goes from moderate to heavy. In fact, having 6 or more drinks in the past 24 hours is associated with a 40% increased risk of heart attack, especially for those over age 65. (So you can’t hit the moderate mark by averaging out your consumption over 7 days … cheater.)
– Reuters

DOGGY FAT CAMP:
Corpulent canines and cats are increasingly being sent to special facilities that help pudgy pets slim down. Most luxury pet hotels and spas will customize a fitness program for a pudgy dog or cat but only a few schedule ‘fat camps’ for large groups. Morris Animal Inn in Morristown NJ, for instance, offers ‘Pawlates’ and ‘Doga’ classes, as well as nature hikes, treadmill trots, facials, massages, and swimming … while playing ‘Barko Polo’. In the US, 53% of dogs are overweight or obese, up from 45% just 4 years ago. Among cats, the figure is now almost 58%. One reason for the high numbers is that over 80% of pet owners offer up 2 or more snacks a day. (Helpful hint: ‘Garfield’ doesn’t need a second slice of pizza.)
– Associated Press

FOOD FEAR SPREADS ONLINE:
Fear of food containing controversial ingredients is being fueled by social media, according to a new Cornell University study. For instance, people who avoid additives like MSG, sodium benzoate, and so-called ‘pink slime’ are found to get most of their information from social media sites and elsewhere on the Internet, and they are more likely to share their food-related opinions with online friends. As the study points out, some food fears are merited; others, however, are the result of misinformation. Researchers suggest looking into the history of a controversial ingredient and learning how it is made in order to reduce your food-related worries. (What are you avoiding that you heard about online? That evil killer gluten, perhaps?)
– ScienceBasedMedicine.org

DID YOU KNOW?
Air trapped inside hedgehogs can make them blow up like a balloon. They should be carefully deflated with a syringe before they burst.
– “1,339 QI Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop”

BS CHRONOMETER 07.04.14


TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1971 [43] Al Madrigal, San Francisco CA, TV actor (“About a Boy” 2014)/comedian (regular correspondent on “The Daily Show” since 2011)

1982 [32] Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Staten Island NY, reality TV personality (“Jersey Shore” 2009-12, “The Choice” 2012, “Dancing With the Stars” 2010)

1983 [31] Melanie Fiona (Hallim), Toronto ON, R&B singer (w/Cee Lo Green-“Fool for You”, “It Kills Me”)

1998 [16] Malia Obama, Chicago IL, US presidential daughter/first offspring of Barack & Michelle Obama

SATURDAY –
Oldies singer Huey Lewis (“The Power of Love”) is 64; TV actress Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie”) is 51; Rock singer-guitarist Jason Wade (Lifehouse) is 34; Country musician Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) is 32; Rock bassist Nick O’Malley (Arctic Monkeys) is 29; Pop-electronica musician Adam Young (Owl City) is 28.

SUNDAY –
Former US president George W Bush is 68; Movie actor Sylvester Stallone (“The Expendables”) is 68; CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge (“The National”) is 66; Movie actor Geoffrey Rush (“Pirates Of the Caribbean”) is 63; Rapper 50 Cent (“In Da Club”) is 39; Comedian/movie actor Kevin Hart (“Ride Along”) is 35.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Barbecue Day”, celebrating the time-honored tradition of roasting flesh over an open flame.
• “Calgary Stampede”, the 102nd annual rodeo & 10-day festival through July 13th in Calgary, Alberta. This morning’s Stampede Parade is led by “Star Trek” icon William Shatner. This year’s entertainment includes Billy Talent, Gord Bamford, Keith Urban, Marianas Trench, Paul Brandt, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Tokyo Police Club, and The Trews.
NET: http://calgarystampede.com
• “Country Music Day”, celebrating the roots music movement that began in America over 80 years ago with the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Country is actually a mishmash of several other styles, including folk, Celtic, blues, gospel, hokum, and old-time music.
• “Running Of the Nudes” in Pamplona, Spain, the 10th annual protest of bullfighting organized by PETA just ahead of the famous annual “Running Of the Bulls”.
NET: http://www.runningofthenudes.com
• “US Independence Day”, celebrating the country’s declaration of nationhood in 1776. Among the more unusual 4th of July festivals: “Sidewalk Egg-Frying Challenge” in Oatman AZ; “World’s Greatest Lizard Race” in Lovington NM; and the vegan-inspired “Independence from Meat Day”.
• “World Wife Carrying Championships”, the 22nd annual in Sonkajarvi, Finland in which men from around-the-world tote their wives (or a female friend) around an 830-ft (250-m) obstacle course in hope of winning her weight in beer. The current record is 55.5 seconds.
NET: http://www.eukonkanto.fi/en/

SATURDAY –
• “Bikini Day”, celebrating the 1946 unveiling of the landmark swimsuit by designer Louis Reard at a Paris press conference, which he described as ‘4 triangles of nothing’. The bikini is named after a tiny Pacific atoll where early atomic bomb tests were performed.
• “Graham Cracker Day”, saluting the wafer developed in 1829 by Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham who believed consumption of graham flour suppressed ‘carnal urges’.
• “International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest”, the 40th annual expectorates in Eau Claire, Michigan. Entrants eat a cherry and then spit the pit as far as possible.
NET: http://www.treemendus-fruit.com/album_2_009.htm
• “Tour de France”, the 101st edition of the world’s premiere cycle race gets underway with the Grand Départ of 22 teams in Yorkshire, England. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Prince Harry appear at the opening ceremony. The race runs through July 27th in 21 stages, covering a total distance of 3,664 km (2,277 miles) before finishing on the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris. (Does the winner have to do a victory lap?)
NET: http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/
• “Workaholics Day”, a day to remove your nose from the grindstone … just once.

SUNDAY –
• “Fiesta de San Fermin” in Pamplona, Spain, infamous for its annual ‘Running Of the Bulls’. The 9-day event was made legendary by Ernest Hemingway in his novel “The Sun Also Rises”.
NET: http://www.bullrunpamplona.com
• “Fried Chicken Day”. Don’t know why. But then … who cares? Dig in!
• “International Kissing Day”, so presumably you can only kiss someone from another country?
• “Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day”, to show appreciation for the specialized geek responsible for your or your company’s website. (What a fascinating time this will be, huh?)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1970 [44] Casey Kasem begins counting down the “American Top 40” on 7 California radio stations with the #1 song being “Mama Told Me Not to Come” by Three Dog Night (Kasem dies at age 82 on June 15, 2014)

1982 [32] Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne marries Sharon Arden, his manager (with her numerous TV shows, Sharon Osborne might now be the bigger star)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2002 [12] Elvis Presley’s remixed “A Little Less Conversation” hits #1, 25 years after his death

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
2004 [10] The cornerstone of the ‘Freedom Tower’ (now known as One World Trade Center or 1WTC) is laid on the site of the 9/11 attacks in NYC

2009 [05] The Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to the public in NYC’s harbor after 8 years of closure due to security concerns following the 9/11 attacks

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2013 [01] Competitive eater Joey Chestnut wins his 7th straight Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at NYC’s Coney Island, beating his own record with 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day
[Mon] Global Forgiveness Day
[Mon] Tell the Truth Day
[Tues] Ice Cream Sundae Day
[Tues] Be a Kid Again Day
This Week Is … Beans & Bacon Days
This Month Is … Make a Difference to Children Month

BULL’S BITS


STRANGEST BS THINGS USED AS CURRENCY:
Some of the oddest objects ever used in lieu of cold hard cash …
✓ Beaver Pelts – Used to facilitate trade between Europeans and Native Americans beginning in the late 16th century. One of the few things that both sides found to be highly valuable.
✓ Buckskins – Along with beaver pelts one of the most popular currencies in the New World. In fact, the slang term for the American dollar, the ‘buck’, can be traced back to this practice.
✓ Candy – When Argentina ran out of coins in 2008, people used Tootsie Rolls or other small candies instead.
✓ Cocaine – In the mountains of Colombia there are places where coke is actually more convenient to use as currency than actual currency.
✓ Phone Credits – In parts of Africa where inflation is rampant and local currency has lost its value, mobile phone credit has become the currency of choice.
✓ Salt – In Roman times this was a very precious commodity. Even our word ‘salary’ is derived from the Latin word for salt, ‘salarium’.
✓ Tide Detergent – Known as ‘liquid gold’, the criminal underworld has resorted to using Tide as an alternative currency, perhaps because it appears harmless when transported in quantity.
✓ Whale Teeth – Fijian islands used sperm whale teeth as currency until they finally adopted paper notes. In order to convince people notes had value, whale teeth were inscribed on them.
– Adapted from List25.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ Which current celebrity in the news would you like to vanish from the public eye by the end of the year? How about Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Kris Jenner, or Robin Thicke?

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
You have ‘diastema’. What’s your problem?
a. A gap between your front teeth. [CORRECT]
b. A webbed foot.
c. An abnormal fear of virgins.
– Wikipedia.org

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. But he says he can stop any time.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 65% of people surveyed say THIS would be a deal breaker when it comes to dating someone.
Answer: He or she doesn’t like pets.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
The ladder of success is difficult to climb with your hands in your pockets.

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