Briefly.
DYK? You can tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile by paying attention to whether the animal sees you later or in a while.
Trivia #1: In what game, in 1954, did the Milan Indians defeat the Muncie Central Bearcats, 32-30.
Trivia #2: What rock band had their first six albums all on the US billboard 200 at the same time in 1975.
Trivia #3: Who won the 2015 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 2015)?
Trivia #4: What are “gate lice?”
Stop complaining: Unless you work in, or eat at, fast-food restaurants in California. Fast-food job losses in the state spiked after passage of the $20 minimum wage for some workers, according to a new study. Not only were there 10,700 jobs lost between June 2023 and June 2024 in the sector, but prices at the establishments soared by 14.5% after the new minimum wage became law.
On this date: February 28, 1646, Roger Scott tried in Massachusetts for sleeping in church
February 28, 1844, 12-inch gun aboard USS Princeton explodes, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer, and other high-ranking U.S. federal officials
February 28, 1931, British politician Oswald Mosley founds the New Party (Peaky Blinder fans might recall Oswald)
February 28, 1939, The erroneous word “Dord” is discovered in the Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition, prompting an investigation.
February 28, 1983, Final TV episode of “M*A*S*H”, a 2-hour special directed by series star Alan Alda titled “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen”, airs (CBS); record 125 million watch in the US.
February 28, 1983, U2 releases their third studio album “War” featuring the protest song “Sunday Bloody Sunday”.
Go away: Karen Read (A repeat offender here)
When I was young (9-11 years old?), on rainy Saturdays, several of us would go to another’s house and watch Creature Double Feature (on channel 56). Little did we know at the time that we were having watch parties.
I have no interest in the NFL Combines. Just get me to the draft.
The Bruins are sinking. The Celtics? Meh, just get me/them to the playoffs.
I was driving down the road on Wednesday. The windows were down, the sun shining in and the Red Sox were on the radio. It was a beautiful day.
This week’s sign of the apocalypse: “California sober”, or “Cali sober”, is a thing. It originates with the idea that people transition away from alcohol to a “safer” alternative using cannabis-based products, a term some people also use when they quit everything but weed. You don’t have to be from California to be “California sober.”
I hate the Yankees. Now they’ve gone and dropped their “facial hair” restriction. The new, gutless regime will ignore the longstanding rule and totally disregard a standard that the team once stood by.
They said it: “Until someone comes along and eclipses what she’s done, then yes, she is the GOAT.” – Long-time NCAA women’s basketball coach, Geno Auriemma on Diana Taurasi, who recently announced her retirement from the WNBA. Check out this resume: Scoring (10,646 points in the regular season, nearly 3,000 clear of the runner-up, Tina Charles), Taurasi hit more three-pointers than anyone in WNBA history and is fourth all-time in assists. She won a trio of WNBA championships (in 2007, 2009, and 2014), three in the NCAA, six Euroleague titles during her 12-year overseas career in Russia and Turkey, and six Olympic golds, an all-time record for a basketball player. She was the 2009 WNBA MVP, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP, a three-time Euroleague MVP, and a three-time Russian League Player of the Year. Wowza!
A few months ago, the Tampa Bay Rays announced that they will play their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. The roof at Tropicana Field was decimated by hurricanes Helene and another one whose name escapes me…
Good news: The Pope is apparently getting better.
Not-so-good-news: Hurricane (April 26, 2009 – February 18, 2025) was a Special Operations canine of the United States Secret Service. He was a black Belgian Malinois recognized for his valor and bravery in 2014. He was considered the most decorated dog in American history.
Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: On February 28, 1970, bicycles were first permitted to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
Article I’ll skip: Girl Scouts defends cookies amid ‘toxic’ concerns in ongoing controversy over ingredients.
Article I’ll skip, part deux: Travis Kelce appears to make retirement decision after months of speculation. (I can wait…)
R.I.P. Eugene Allen “Gene” Hackman (95). I am kinda getting away from this section but Hackman was one of my personal favorites. Sad, continuing story of his, his wife’s and one of his dog’s death.
Trivia #1 answer: In what game, in 1954, did the Milan Indians defeat the Muncie Central Bearcats, 32-30. – It was the 1954 Indiana High School State Championship basketball game, which would later inspire the movie “Hoosiers.”
Trivia #2 answer: What rock band had their first six albums all on the US billboard 200 at the same time in 1975. – Led Zeppelin with Physical Graffiti (#1), Led Zeppelin IV (#83), Houses of the Holy (#92), Led Zeppelin II (#104), Led Zeppelin (#116), Led Zepplin III (#124)
Trivia #3 answer: Who won the 2015 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 2015)? – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Golden State Warriors (NBA), Kansas City Royals (MLB), New England Patriots (NFL)
Trivia #4 answer: What are “gate lice?” – “Gate lice” refers to passengers who attempt to cut the line and board the plane earlier than their proper boarding zone. (Don’t be that guy!)
“I love you guys.” – Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman, Hoosiers)
Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!) Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!
My friend Sarah left her bottle of Pepsi at a rest stop about 60 miles south of Tampa. That’s where Sarah’s soda is.
Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! I won’t be on the bar this afternoon but will gladly meet you on the other side.
Almost 2 years to the day, March 17, 2023, I ran “Sunday Bloody Sunday” here. So here’s another from U2’s album, “War.”
“Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspaper says, says
Say it’s true, it’s true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one”
– U2 (New Year’s Day)
Ed's Head On Friday 