Today would have been Valerie Harper’s birthday.  She was born August 22, 1939 and passed away August 30, 2019.  Rhoda was a great show and Valerie Harper made me laugh.  TV Guide had the following biography about the talented actress.

From TV GUIDE:

Fast Facts

Co-founded the non-profit L․I․F․E․ in 1983 with Dennis Weaver, a charitable organization aimed at feeding the homeless population of Los Angeles

Announced in early 2013 that she had been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer and that doctors had given her only months to live

Although her family moved frequently throughout her childhood, she eventually chose to stay in New York to study ballet before beginning her career on Broadway

Quote: “I used to get some ego thing out of saying I wasn’t a star, just an actress․ Forget it․ I’m a star․ I wanted it, I worked for it and I got it․”

Worked as a chorus girl on Broadway before landing the role of Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970, a character that would eventually land her own spinoff in 1974

Continued her career on television with “Valerie” in 1986, but would eventually be fired by production company Lorimar the following year, thus prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit in which she was awarded $1․4 million

Met Mary Tyler Moore almost a decade prior to being cast on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” after her husband Richard Schaal guest-starred on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in 1961

Ran for president of the Screens Actors Guild in 2001, but lost to Melissa Gilbert

SOURCE: TVGUIDE.COM

Today is David Crosby’s birthday (born August 14, 1941 and passed January 18, 2023). Southern Cross is one of my all-time favorite songs!

Today is Matt LeBlanc’s birthday (born in 1967) and I found this article on 15funfacts.com that details 15 fun facts about JOEY!

From 15funfacts:

Matt LeBlanc originally studied advertising before switching to acting, which shaped his creative approach.

Before fame, he worked as a waiter and a model in New York to support himself financially.

Despite playing a lovable goof on TV, Matt is an avid car enthusiast and collector.

He once participated in a professional car racing competition, showcasing his driving skills.

Matt’s middle name is Steven, a detail few fans know.

He has a keen interest in motorcycles and owns several vintage models.

Matt LeBlanc voiced the character of Duke in the animated “Cats & Dogs” film series.

He took a break from acting in the mid-2000s to focus on his family and personal life.

Although famous for comedy, Matt LeBlanc has appeared in dramatic roles, proving his range.

He co-hosted the British version of “Top Gear,” blending humor with passion for cars.

Matt is a certified scuba diver, enjoying underwater exploration as a hobby.

He supports various charities focused on children and animal welfare.

Matt LeBlanc once turned down a role that later became a Hollywood blockbuster, a surprising career choice.

His friendship with co-star Jennifer Aniston remains strong, even years after “Friends.”

Matt has a tattoo dedicated to his family, symbolizing his close bonds outside of work.

SOURCE: 15FUNFACTS.COM

Happy Birthday Matt!

New Mexico: Redefining indecent exposure

Let’s take a break to focus on what’s not illegal: walking around with your butt out. In New Mexico, “indecent exposure” is defined as “intentionally exposing [one’s] primary genital area to public view.” Buttocks are nowhere to be mentioned!

New York: Sales tax for sliced bagels

If you order a sliced bagel in New York City, fuhgeddabout getting a square deal: “altered” bagels (sliced, toasted, served with cream cheese) carry an 8-cent sales tax. This is one of the funny laws in the U.S. because the joke is that uncut bagels are typically tax-exempt.

North Carolina: Be careful with your doggie bag

In North Carolina, it’s a felony to steal more than $1,000 worth of grease, and a misdemeanor to steal under $1,000 worth. A USA strange law indeed. Grease theft, it turns out, was a big problem in the state before this law was passed in 2012, with midnight grease-bandits persistently preventing biodiesel companies from purchasing restaurants’ excess oil to convert into fuel.

North Dakota: No non-holiday fireworks

If you want to make a splash with your proposal or celebrate something big, you’d better plan it for the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve, because in West Fargo, North Dakota, those are the only two days in the year when you’re allowed to set off fireworks. Sparking a fuse the other 363 days in the year may result in “a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.”

Ohio: Toilet paper in coal mines, please!

Operators of underground coal mines in Ohio must provide “an adequate supply of toilet paper” with each toilet. If they don’t, their operation can be shut down and they can receive a fine of up to $2,000. (Too bad the letter of this odd American law stops at coal mines.)

Oklahoma: No cutting your own bangs

Want to help a friend with an at-home haircut? Not so fast. The state of Oklahoma demands that anyone who cuts hair have a cosmetology license. Otherwise, they may have to pay a fine of $50. So put the scissors down!

Oregon: No “tests of physical endurance” while driving

It is considered a speed racing offense in Oregon if you participate in any “test of physical endurance” while on the highway. Sorry, y’all: No more seeing how long you can work the steering wheel with your teeth. While a “test of physical endurance” is subjective, driving laws are pretty strict, so this one may result in you getting pulled over and cited with a ticket.

Pennsylvania: No bingo for kids

Planning a bingo night birthday party? Think again. According to this dumb law, any person “17 years of age or younger may not be permitted to operate or play games of chance.” The same rule applies to anyone who’s been convicted of a felony within the past five years. If you roll the dice, so to speak, you risk up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Rhode Island: Don’t impersonate an auctioneer

Rhode Island’s “false personification” laws deem it illegal to impersonate an auctioneer. Choose your Halloween costume accordingly, or you may be fined between $20 and $100.

South Carolina: Kids can’t play pinball

If you’re a kid at the arcade in South Carolina and see a pinball machine, just know that it’s technically illegal to play it unless you’re over the age of 18. Fortunately, this is a rule that’s never enforced.

SOURCE: READERSDIGEST.COM

Today is Luke Bryan’s birthday (born in 1976) and this is one of his newer songs that I really like!

Happy Birthday Luke!

Hawaii: Don’t put coins in your ears

Bad news for all you magicians in Hawaii: The state has outlawed hiding or placing coins in your ears. Though we don’t think this one is enforced today, it could be a good idea to limit your magic tricks to cards and handkerchiefs.

Idaho: No sabotaging tree cutters

There was a silly law passed in 1917 stating that “any person who willfully, maliciously or mischievously drives or causes to be driven or imbedded any nail, spike or piece of iron, steel or other metallic substance, or any rock or stone, into any log or timber intended to be manufactured” in Idaho may be punished with a minimum of six months in jail or a $5,000 fine. Timber!

Illinois: No “fancy” bike riding

Listen here, city slicker: Galesburg, Illinois, city law strictly prohibits “fancy riding” of any bicycle on city streets, particularly riding with both hands removed from the handlebars, both feet removed from the pedals or “any acrobatic” shenanigans on your velocipede. This petty offense may come with a fine, but it usually isn’t enforced unless public safety is at risk.

Indiana: No cold beer

If you wanted to crack open a cold one in Indiana, you’re out of luck. The ordinance states it’s unlawful for grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies to “offer, display or sell cold beer for carryout.” This is reserved for liquor stores only, so if you buy beer at your local market, you’d better stock up on ice too. This is heavily enforced—though the person paying the penalty would be the store chilling the Corona.

Iowa: No faking your butter

I Can’t Believe It’s Not a Misdemeanor! Any person who attempts to pass off margarine, oleo or oleomargarine as real butter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor in the state of Iowa that may come with a fine of $100.

Kansas: No couches on porches

If you want to get comfy on the sofa outside, you’d better read your rule book first. Lawrence, Kansas (along with a few other towns) passed an ordinance banning all upholstered furniture on porches, decks and patios. Lawbreakers will have to pay a minimum fine of $100, so think twice when picking out your patio furniture.

Kentucky: No dueling

All public officials and attorneys in Kentucky must swear an oath that they “have not fought a duel with deadly weapons” nor acted as a second in another person’s duel. Good to know now; unfortunately, when the oath took effect in 1848, many would-be duelists turned to murderous street brawls instead.

Louisiana: No crawfish stealing

In Louisiana, it is illegal to steal someone else’s crawfish—like, actually illegal. Breaking the statute, which has been updated to include all livestock, may come with a minimum sentence of two years in jail or a fine of up to $3,000 depending on the total value of the crawfish stolen.

Maine: Don’t park in front of Dunkin’ Donuts

In South Berwick, Maine, it’s illegal to park in front of a specific Dunkin’ Donuts. Legislation states that parking is prohibited at all times in front of the donut chain on Main Street West to “a point of 25 feet south,” “except when necessary or in a case of an accident or emergency.” The law was created with the intention of reducing traffic in a busy area, and failure to comply may land you in hot water, er, coffee, including a parking ticket or having your car towed.

Maryland: No cursing while driving

Making road rage even rage-ier, it is illegal to swear or curse upon any street or highway in Rockville, Maryland. Anyone caught swearing faces a misdemeanor charge, effectively having to add $100 to the city swear jar.

SOURCE: READERSDIGEST.COM

Today is Kevin Bacon’s birthday and in his honor, I found this article detailing things we ma not know about the Footloose star!

Philly Life

Kevin Norwood Bacon was born July 8th, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as one of six kids. His mom, a teacher and liberal activist, and his dad, a prominent architect, were highly respected in the community. 

East Coast FTW

Unlike most actors, Bacon spent the majority of his career not living in Los Angeles. He and his wife reside primarily in New York City, and also have a Connecticut vacation pad. 

Strong Start

At the age of 16, Bacon received a scholarship to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts at Bucknell University, where he studied theater. 

Headed for Broadway

Bacon left his parents’ home for New York City when he was just 17 to pursue a career in theater.

Big Break

Bacon got his acting debut in the 1978 flick “National Lampoon’s Animal House.”

Study Up

To help with his role in “Footloose,” Bacon used a fake name to enroll in high school as a transfer student. While there, he studied the teenagers around him in his classes. Now that’s dedication. But also kinda creepy.

On-Set Love

Bacon met his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, on the set of “Lemon Sky” in 1988.

Awkward or Nah?

Bacon and Sedgwick were featured on the genealogy series “Finding Your Roots.” Sedgwick was nervous that the two would be distantly related, and her fear came true! Turns out they are ninth cousins.  Does that count?

All The (Degrees of) Bacon 

Bacon inspired the game, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” where players connect him to any other actor or celebrity in no more than six steps.  Sound confusing? Kind of. Sound fun? YES. 

Big Loss

Bacon’s personal finances were affected by the Bernie Madoff scandal. If you aren’t familiar, Madoff ran a Ponzi Scheme disguised as a wealth management firm, and when he was busted in 2008, Bacon and several other wealthy individuals suffered heavy losses. While Bacon has yet to confirm the exact amount of cash he lost, he has admitted that it was “the majority” of his life savings.  Tragic? BEYOND.  

Side Gig

When he isn’t acting, Bacon and his brother, Michael, play music in a band they formed in 1995, The Bacon Brothers.

SOURCE: MOVIEFONE.COM

 Happy Birthday Kevin!

According to Reader’s Digest, these are the weirdest laws by state.

Alabama: No stink bombs or confetti

If you’re a stodgy school principal from a 1980s film, consider moving to Mobile, Alabama: Stink bombs or any “device, irritant, offensive-smelling or injurious substance” are strictly illegal there. Possession of stink bombs, which are considered a noxious substance, is a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry a sentence of a year in jail and up to a $6,000 fine.

Alaska: No getting drunk in a bar

In Alaska, it is illegal to be drunk … in a bar. According to the Alaska Bar Association, a person who is already drunk may not “knowingly” enter a bar to drink more, or remain in the bar that got them drunk in the first place. Confusing? Yes. Outdated? Sadly, no. Police actually enforce it, and drunk patrons may face up to a $500 fine.

Arizona: No killing the cacti

In Arizona, it’s not only people and animals that are legally protected from murder. The cacti are also included! The state’s native Saguaro Cactus is so endangered and takes so long to grow that you must obtain a permit to interact with it at all—those who don’t comply risk a hefty fine and even up to 25 years in prison.

Arkansas: No mispronouncing the state’s name

Visitors, beware: It’s against the law to pronounce “Arkansas” incorrectly. Per the state code, the only acceptable pronunciation is “in three (3) syllables, with the final ‘s’ silent, the ‘a’ in each syllable with the Italian sound and the accent on the first and last syllables.” Fortunately, this pretty dumb law, which was created in 1881, is seldom enforced and doesn’t impose a penalty.

California: No Christmas lights after January

You can ring in the holidays—but only for so long. In San Diego, there’s a code prohibiting residents from keeping their Christmas lights up past Feb. 2. Failure to take them down can result in a $250 fine, which is decidedly not festive.

Colorado: No snowballs

While there may be plenty of snow to go around, don’t expect to have snowball fights in Colorado. Some towns, including Aspen and Severance, prohibit throwing missiles—which snowballs (as well as catapults, slingshots and arrows) are considered to be. In 2018, a 9-year-old boy actually fought to have the law overturned. Though he didn’t win and the dumb law is still in place, it doesn’t usually come with a penalty, unless it causes an injury or accident.

Connecticut: Pickles must bounce

A pickle cannot be sold unless it bounces. According to a 1948 article, this law became a necessity after two scheming pickle packers tried to sell pickles “unfit for human consumption.” Connecticut’s Food and Drug Commissioner at the time proclaimed that a real pickle “should bounce” when dropped from the height of one foot. When the dumb law was first enacted, a man was arrested and fined $500, the maximum penalty back in 1948.

Delaware: No trick-or-treating after hours

To prevent “mischief of any sort,” children in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, may only go trick-or-treating between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. on Halloween—unless Halloween falls on a Sunday, in which case, “such going door to door and house to house for treats shall take place on the evening of Oct. 30” instead. Is this one of the silly laws in the U.S.? Certainly. But while it’s considered criminal mischief, breaking it may come with a fine, usually less than $1,500.

Florida: You can’t be annoying

Bad news for those distant relatives you barely see. If they come for a visit in Florida and begin to annoy you … they’re breaking the law. The state has a nuisance statute that says “all nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree” and may be punished as such. But since what’s considered annoying is subjective, one of the dumbest laws in the states isn’t actually enforced. Whew!

Georgia: Don’t let your chickens cross the road

The city of Quitman, Georgia, has an ordinance that states, “It shall be unlawful for any person owning or controlling chickens, ducks, geese or any other domestic fowl to allow the same to run at large upon the streets or alleys of the city or to be upon the premises of any other person, without the consent of such other person.” Guess your chickens won’t be getting to the other side of the road in Georgia—unless you want to risk paying a small fine.

SOURCE: READERSDIGEST.COM