Today is...

[IceWizard]

02 Feb 2017

Groundhog day



It’s that time again! Time to gaze towards Pennsylvania and watch a little groundhog scurry out of its den to tell the masses when to expect a break in winter weather and the spring breezes to flow. Yes, a groundhog… predicting the weather. Oh come now, stop laughing! It’s tradition. It’s fun and who doesn’t feel the need for a little fun this far into winter? Come, sit and let’s have a chat about this enduring custom. I’ll bet by the end of our chat, you will be anxiously counting down the days until next Groundhog Day!

History of Groundhog Day

Beginning in 1887 in the United States of America, Groundhog Day has grown in size and scope from its humble beginnings. When the United States made the day an official holiday, Clymer H. Freas was the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit, a local newspaper in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania. He began to herald the town’s groundhog as the official “Groundhog Day Meteorologist”. Think about it. When you hear about this day who pops to mind? That’s right! Punxsutawney Phil! Did you know there are countless other groundhogs who take this duty of predicting the weather just as seriously as Phil? Head over to that search engine and check it out! How accurate are these furry weather people? There is some debate over that but for dear old Phil the professionals say that he is correct about 39% of the time (if it were me, I’d give him the point and say 40% but hey, that’s just my two cents!).



And



Hedgehog Day



Ouch! Hedgehog Day highlights these loveable creatures but heed this word of warning, don’t get too close. As we all know hedgehogs are covered in spines but what you may not have known is that these spines are actually hollow hairs stiffened by keratin. Hedgehogs use their spines as a defense mechanism when under threat by rolling into a tight ball so all the spikes point outwards, what is less well known is that they also use them for cheese and pineapple during cocktail parties (there is yet to be any photographic evidence of this).

Hedgehogs rely heavily on their sense of smell; they can smell food under an inch of soil and can often sense the presence of danger. They tend to search for food at night and can travel a distance of 2-3 KMs. One very strange fact about hedgehogs is that they self-anoint which seems to be connected with irregular smells or tastes making them create large quantities of frothy saliva which they flick over their spines with their tongue (please do not disturb a hedgehog in the middle of this process, it’s like catching someone in the shower).

There have been a number of famous hedgehogs in popular culture, the most famous probably being Sonic the Hedgehog, he’s certainly the fastest. Beatrix Potter created Mrs. Tiggywinkle, another well-known hedgehog who happens to be extremely good at laundry; however, she has never washed Sonic’s smelly trainers.

Enjoy hedgehogs responsibly:

It’s fine to offer food but cat/dog food is better than milk and bread
Always allow an escape route from your pond or water feature
Always check bonfires before lighting
Leave gaps in walls and fences to encourage the spiny visitors
Our research shows…
That Hedgehog Day is both a Roman tradition preceding the modern ‘Groundhog Day’, as well as the release date for Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in the USA, in 1994.

---

---

---

---

February 2 Birthdays


Farrah Fawcett - (1947 - 2009) (62)



Duane Chapman - 63



Shakira - 40






February 2nd

2007: Van Halen announced that David Lee Roth would be rejoining them as their singer for a reunion tour which kicked off in September of that year. It was also announced that Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang would be replacing Michael Anthony as their bassist.

2006: Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora & Heather Locklear announced that they had filed for divorce. Their divorce would be finalized in April 2007.

2003: Brian Johnson of AC/DC joined The Scorpions onstage during a concert at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa to sing “Rock You Like a Hurricane”.

1992: Todd Rundgren became a parent for the third time when his son Rebop was born. It was Rundgren’s first child with singer Michele Gray who later married Todd.

1991: Iggy Pop peaked at number twenty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Candy”, a duet with Kate Pierson of The B-52’s. This was Pop’s only top 40 single in the U.S.

1980: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Don’t Do Me Like That” which was their first top ten single in the U.S.

1979: Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose in New York City. He was 21 years old.

1976: David Bowie unveiled his Thin White Duke persona when he kicked off his tour at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.

1973: Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer injured his hands during a concert in San Francisco when a rigged piano exploded prematurely



Birthdays:

Graham Nash - Guitarist for The Hollies & Crosby, Stills, & Nash born in 1942

Ross Valory - Bassist for Journey born in 1949

Robert DeLeo - Bassist for Stone Temple Pilots born in 1966