“A turkey is just an egotistical, oversized chicken,” confidently declared Anna Genna, one of seven actors in Westmont Theatre’s Holiday Improv Show. Organized by Sophia Orr, the unique production on December 8 allowed students from the department to try a new technique onstage. No lines, no preparation, no boundaries—the student actors, including MC Orr, created a hilarious night of comedy right on the spot.
This Day In History
1477: Battle of Nancy: Swiss Confederacy led by René II decisively defeats the Duchy of Burgundy, 7,000+ killed including the Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold.
1709: The Great Frost begins during the night, a sudden cold snap that remains Europe’s coldest ever winter. Thousands are killed across the continent and crops fail in France.
1836: Davy Crockett arrives in Nacogdoches, Texas, to aid the revolution.
1886: “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson published by Longmans, Green & Co.
1896: “Die Presse” newspaper (Germany) publicly announces Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays and their potential for new methods of medical diagnoses in a front-page article.
1914: Industrialist Henry Ford announces his $5 minimum per-day wage, doubling most workers’ pay from $2.40 for a 9-hour day to $5 for an 8-hour day.
1930: Mao Zedong wrote the essay “A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire” to criticize cadres for not creating rural revolutionary base areas.
1957: Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson announces his retirement rather than be traded to the NY Giants.
1971: The body of former world heavyweight boxing champion Charles “Sonny” Liston (40) is found by his wife Geraldine at their Las Vegas home; he had been dead for an estimated 6 days; foul play suspected.
2019: Golden State and Sacramento combine for 41 3-pointers in Warriors’ 127-123 win; set new NBA record for 3s in a game; Stephen Curry hits 10 triples while Buddy Hield leads Kings with 8, Justin Jackson adds 5.
Fun Facts
If you want to dig a hole through the world to China, it’s hypothetically possible if you start in Argentina.
Hamsters hibernate during the winter.
Pringles are not considered a potato chip.
The collar on men’s dress shirts used to be detachable.
The national animal of Scotland is a unicorn.
There is an island in Japan that is home to over 120 cats.
The most boring film is 10 hours long and it’s of paint drying.
Without saliva, humans can’t taste food.
Avocados are not considered vegetables.
Did you know if you click on the author’s name it brings you to more of their articles?
Article Highlights
When looking out across my local YMCA’s gym floor, I am often disappointed to find myself outnumbered, both in terms of gender and age. Feeling rather out of place and surrounded by middle-aged men bench pressing more than I weigh, I opt for the outdoor machines while I wait for the gym to clear out. Although my gym may be an extreme example of this phenomenon–the YMCA is known for its older members– disproportionate demographics of gym members can be found in most gyms. The reasons for this? “Gymtimidation”, caused by a variety of factors, as well as a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of working out. While many people boil down the solution to physical health and self-improvement to a simple mantra, “just go to the gym,” it really isn’t that easy for many.
Guac, a spectacular blend of avocado and lime, gently spread over a delicate and perfectly glazed donut; it has to be one of the best foods for breakfast, lunch, and possibly even dinner.
Driving home from an amazing trip to Disneyland, my best friend and I sat in the back of the car, singing songs and sleeping through the subtle hum of the car engine running. I woke up to the sound of the front window rolling down, and a sheriff talking to Jenn, my friend’s mom. “Unfortunately, this road is closed. Sorry for the inconvenience.” We pulled off of the road and looked for a different way home. We searched our destination on Google Maps, and shocking red numbers instantly appeared on the screen. 11.5 hours.
My First Grade Cheating Scandal
When I was in first grade, I had the genius idea to cheat on my spelling test. I made a notecard with all the correct word spellings and hid it under my little pencil box that sat on my desk. For every single word, I would peek under my pencil box to see if my spelling was correct. My retention of the spelling was very poor, so every few seconds I would go back to look at the notecard.
My first grade teacher, the wonderful Mrs. Hill, came over to me. I do not remember what she said to me, she was probably just checking in because I was doing weird things, but I ended up crying. Like fully bawling my eyes out.
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