Keener 13

Today we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, emerged in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The earliest recorded observance of Decoration Day took place on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina. As the practice of honoring fallen soldiers spread across the country, Decoration Day began to evolve. In 1868, General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an official proclamation designating May 30 as Decoration Day. However, Detroit’s first observance of the holiday actually occurred one year earlier on May 30, 1868 at Elmwood Cemetery. It became a day for the entire nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Over time, Memorial Day extended beyond honoring Civil War veterans to encompass those who perished in subsequent conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

The name “Memorial Day” gradually gained prominence and acceptance over the decades. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was signed into law, officially moving Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. This change aimed to create a three-day weekend and encourage more Americans to observe the holiday. The transition solidified Memorial Day as a national day of remembrance and allowed for more significant participation in commemorative events and activities.

Memorial Day serves as a timeless tribute to the men and women who gave their lives for our nation. As we enjoy the long weekend and partake in festivities, let us pause to honor the fallen heroes and express our gratitude for their unwavering dedication to the best ideals of our nation and her people.

Today in History:

1922 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that organized baseball is not subject to antitrust laws because it is a sport.

1942 – Bing Crosby, backed by the Ken Darby Singers and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, recorded Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” which became the biggest-selling single of all time until Elton John surpassed it with “Candle In The Wind (Princess Diana Tribute)” in 1997. Crosby re-recorded “White Christmas” in 1947 and that is the version heard most often on the radio at Christmastime.

1958 – In New York City, Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded “Tears On My Pillow.”

1959 – Ray Charles, the Drifters, B.B. King and Jimmy Reed performed for an estimated 9,000 people at Atlanta’s Herndon Stadium. It was one of the rock era’s first outdoor music festivals.

1962 – Former Negro League 1st baseman/manager John “Buck” O’Neil became the first African-American coach in major league baseball when he accepted the job with the Chicago Cubs.

1962 – Barbra Streisand appeared on CBS-TV’s “The Garry Moore Show.” She sang “When The Sun Comes Out,” a few bars of “Moanin’ Low,” and, for the first time in public anywhere, her classic slow-tempo version of “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

1963 – Del Shannon’s cover of the Beatles’ “From Me to You” became the first song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to appear on the American record charts.

1969 – “Crosby, Stills & Nash,” the trio’s debut album, was released.

1973 – Roger McGuinn, formerly of the Byrds, made his solo debut at New York’s Academy of Music.

1973 – Mike Oldfield released his “Tubular Bells” album. The title track later became the theme for the movie “The Exorcist.”

1974 – U.S. President Richard Nixon agreed to turn over 1,200 pages of edited Watergate transcripts.

1977 – In Orlando, Florida, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Kenny Logins performed at the Tangerine Bowl. Tickets cost $10-$12.50 each.

1984 – Tina Turner began her comeback with the release of the “Private Dancer” album, her first in five years. In 1989, it was ranked #46 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 100 Greatest Albums of the ’80s.

1989 – Future model and actress Danielle Riley Keough, Elvis Presley’s first grandchild, was born to Lisa Marie Presley.

1999 – U.S. space shuttle Discovery completed the first docking at the International Space Station.

Today’s Birthdays: 

1903 Bob Hope – English-born American actor, comedian and entertainer, born in London. (d. 2003)

1914 Stacy Keach, Sr.- American actor (Pretty Woman; The Parallax View), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2003)

1917 John F. Kennedy – 35th President of the United States (1961-63) and Senator (D-Mass), born in Brookline, Massachusetts. (d. 1963)

1935 Sylvia Robinson – American singer (Mickey & Sylvia – “Love Is Strange”; solo – “Pillow Talk”), record producer, and record label executive (Sugar Hill Records), born in Harlem, New York City (d. 2011)

1939 Al Unser – American auto racer (Indianapolis 500 1970-71, 78, 87), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (d. 2021)

1939 Sir Monti Rock III / (Joseph Montanez Jr.) – Flamboyant Puerto Rican-American performer, musician and 60s TV entertainment show guest, opened the disco era with the LP Disco Tex And His Sex-O-Lettes (1975) with producer Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons), scored the hit “Get Dancin’” (#10, 1975) and several others, performed on the Vegas club circuit through the 00s

1941 Roy Crewsdon – Guitarist for British Invasion novelty/comedy pop-rock ‘n’ roll Freddie & The Dreamers, “I’m Telling You Now” (#1, 1965), now operates a bar in Tenerife

1945 Gary Brooker – Co-founder, chief songwriter, multi-genre keyboardist and lead vocalist for prog/psych rock Procol Harum, co-wrote the powerful hit “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” (#5, UK #1, 1967) and wrote nearly every other song for the group and was its driving force over fifty years, during several hiatuses worked as a bandmember and/or session/touring musician for George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Alan Parsons Project, Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band and Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, released a Procol Harum album in 2017 and two new songs in 2021, died from cancer on 2/19/2022, age 76.

1947 Joey Levine – Unabashed bubblegum pop music songwriter, record producer and vocalist, as part of the Jerry Kasenetz/Jeffrey Katz team sang lead vocals for studio group Ohio Express (“Yummy Yummy Yummy,” #4, 1968) and other groups comprised of studio musicians, wrote and produced multiple pop hits by The 1910 Fruitgum Company, The Music Explosion and others, formed his own branding company and wrote jingles for national or global brands including Pepsi, Chevrolet and Anheuser-Busch

1947 Junior Campbell / (William Campbell, Jr.) – Lead guitar for pop/rock the Gaylords, then Marmalade, “Reflections Of My Life” (#10, 1970)

1949 – Francis Rossi – Co-founder and lead guitarist for Brit psych-boogie rock Status Quo, “Pictures Of Matchstick Men” (#12, 1968), solo

1953 Danny Elfman – American singer-songwriter (Oingo Boingo – “Weird Science”), and Emmy and Grammy Award-winning composer (The Simspons Theme; Good Will Hunting; Tim Burton films), born in Los Angeles, California.

1956 LaToya Jackson – American singer (“If You Feel the Funk”), and model, born in Gary, Indiana

1958 Annette Bening – American actress (Grifters, Bugsy, American Beauty), born in Topeka, Kansas

1961 Melissa Etheridge – American Grammy and Academy Award-winning rock singer-songwriter and guitarist (Never Enough; Come To My Window), born in Leavenworth, Kansas

Singles released on this date:

• “Twist and Shout” by The Isley Brothers (1962)
• “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge (1966)
• “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison (1967)
• “Get Back” by The Beatles with Billy Preston (1969)
• “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton (1970)
• “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers (1971)
• “Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites (1972)
• “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon (1973)

Who was Carly singing about in “You’re So Vain?” It’s been a subject of speculation and intrigue for many years. She has never publicly confirmed the exact person the song is about, but one popular theory is that the song is partially inspired by actor/director Warren Beatty. In several interviews, Carly has stated that the song is not solely about Beatty. Other names that have been speculated include Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, and even James Taylor, who Carly Simon was married to at the time.

From the late 19th century until the turn of the millennium, the corner of Michigan and Trumbull served as the hallowed ground for the Detroit Tigers, witnessed historic events, and left an indelible mark on American sports.

The story of this renowned corner begins in 1896 when Bennett Park first opened its gates to baseball fans. It became the home of the Detroit Tigers for the next fifteen years, witnessing the rise of legends and the triumphs of the team. But as time progressed, so did the stadium. In 1912, the impressive Navin Field replaced Bennett Park, setting the stage for a new era of baseball in Detroit. The stadium’s name changed to Briggs Stadium in 1938, paying tribute to Walter Briggs Sr., the team’s owner. And in 1961, it reached its final incarnation as Tiger Stadium, etching its name into the hearts of sports enthusiasts for generations to come.

Tiger Stadium wasn’t just a baseball stadium; it also played a significant role in football history. From 1938 to 1974, the Detroit Lions, a staple of the National Football League (NFL), called this stadium their home. The echoes of roaring crowds and the thunderous collisions between football titans filled the air, making it a cherished place for football aficionados.

Throughout its existence, Tiger Stadium was the backdrop for numerous historic events that captivated sports fans worldwide. It proudly hosted four World Series championships, witnessed the dazzling displays of talent in three MLB All-Star games, and provided the stage for two NFL championship games. This legendary corner, affectionately known as “The Corner,” also bore witness to remarkable individual achievements.

One such moment was when baseball icon Babe Ruth smashed the longest home run in history at Tiger Stadium, leaving spectators in awe. It was also where he achieved the remarkable feat of hitting his 700th home run, forever etching his name in the annals of sports history.

Tiger Stadium was the setting for both triumph and tragedy. In 1939, boxing legend Joe Louis defended his title with a resounding 11th-round knockout of Bob Pastor. This remarkable victory elevated “The Corner” to even greater heights, solidifying its place in the sporting pantheon.

However, the stadium also experienced somber moments. It was here that baseball legend Lou Gehrig’s incredible streak of 2,130 consecutive games came to an end. In a poignant twist of fate, this final game marked the end of Gehrig’s illustrious career due to the debilitating effects of the disease that would later bear his name.

Tragically, Tiger Stadium also became the site of the untimely passing of Chuck Hughes. In 1971, during an NFL game, Hughes  collapsed on the field and became the only NFL player to die during a game.

“The Corner” of Michigan and Trumbull stands as a testament to the enduring power of sports and the memories they create. From the humble beginnings of Bennett Park to the glory days of Tiger Stadium, this corner of Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts. It witnessed the triumphs, tragedies, and remarkable achievements of countless athletes, etching its name in history. Today, as we remember the legends and historic events that unfolded at this iconic venue, we pay homage to the lasting impact it had on the sports world and the collective memory of Keenerfans everywhere.

Notable:

In April, 1906, the first Yellow Pages appeared in the Detroit Telephone Directory. Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse still stands on Oakman and Woodrow Wilson, now owned by the Neighborhood Service Organization helping the homeless and is a rehab center.

The Tigers are 0 for 3 against the Rays. They play the Astros tonight at 8:10 Continue reading “Keener Today – April 3” →

Notable:

Dundee got some wind. An EF0 tornado with 80 mph gusts damaged the village Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. No injuries have been reported. At least 21 were killed across the nation as dozens of likely tornadoes cut through the South and Midwest.

Flag football is one step close to becoming an Olympic sport. The International Olympic Commttee Executive Board proposed that the International Federal of American Football (IFAF) — the association which oversees international flag football — be approved by the full IOC.

It’s Maize by a hair. Michigan’s Maize team coached by Mike Hart defeated the Jay Harbaugh and the Blue team, 22-21 at Michigan Stadium on Saturday. The Wolverines have one practice left in spring ball.

McKinsey reports that book sales have increased in both the U.S. and U.K. year over year. And a surprising bit of data from the report shows that 70% of Generation Z, digital natives born between 1997 and 2012, actually prefer the printed word to electronic books.

A nose by any other name… The Washington Post reports two scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University are working on a bionic nose that could help Covid patients and others who have lost their sense of smell. A solution is still years away but the research brings us another step closer to The 6 Million Dollar Man.

You’re never too old to carry the weight. 84 year old Brian Winslow, who can deadlift as much as 331 lbs, has qualified for a national weightlifting competition in the U.K. He is a former deck chair attendant who got into the sport by “seeing how many [deck chairs] I could lift at a time.” Continue reading “Keener Today – April 2” →

Notable:

The artificial intelligence job market is hot — The AI industry is offering salaries of up to $335,000 a year for people who can help sharpen the technology of the future. And you don’t necessarily need to be a coder to do the job. AI whisperers are tasked with writing prompts to teach AI’s like ChatGPT to produce smarter results. And they also help train companies on how to best use AI.

There won’t be a single 1, 2 or 3 seed in the men’s Final Four today. And all eyes are on the women’s championship matchup, set for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET — No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 3 LSU. The Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark delivered a second consecutive 41-point game, one of the greatest individual performances in Final Four history, upsetting South Carolina’s undefeated season, 77-73.

The Rays  thumped the Tigers in Tampa 12-2. The last game in this series starts Sunday at 1:1opm.

Shoplifting has become big business. It costs retailers nearly $100 billion a year, according to a National Retail Federation report. And organized retail theft increased 26.5% in 2021, with ripoffs in bulk that get tagged for resale. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 1” →

Notable:

The Tigers opened their 2023 season with a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday. Game two of the three game Florida stand takes place at 1:05pm on Saturday. Opening day at Comerica Park is set for April 6 versus the Boston Red Sox.

Automate 2023, North America’s largest robotics and automation event, is scheduled for  May 22-25 at Huntington Place. More than 700 exhibitors will be on hand to show how robots are changing the way we live and work. Once upon a time, the notion of robots replacing workers left a bitter taste in many mouths. But with more job openings and fewer applicants, tech coming to the rescue has modified the narrative.

We have all heard the term “watch your language,” and a new startup is doing just that the detect the first whispers of Alzheimer’s disease. Accexible posits that it may be possible to sense dementia in our speech patterns well before other symptoms manifest.

Can artificial intelligence cook for you? ABC reporter Kelly McCarthy recently used the AI bot ChatGPT to make dinner, inputting some ingredients she had on hand and claims the Mango Shrimp bowl that resulted was “better Tia. Expected.”

The American statement that “all men and women are created equal,” may contribute to a longer, healthier life. A recent international study found that improvements in gender equality in education were associated with longer life expectancy in both women and men.

Pepsi is celebrating its 125th birthday with a new logo. Unlike the I’ll fated New Coke, this design balances retro with the now. Here’s a look at Pepsi Cola branding through the ages. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 31” →

Notable:

It’s opening day for Major League baseball. The Tigers open on the road in Tampa at 3:10pm. Their first home appearance at Comerica Park happens April 6 vs the Boston Red Sox. Today’s featured image is how we remember baseball in Detroit, at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull.

Speeding up the games: MLB is implementing four major rule changes in an effort to decrease the length of games and increase the action:

1. Pitch clock: There’ll be a 30-second timer between batters and 15 or 20 seconds between pitches depending on whether the bases are empty.
2. Shift restrictions: In an attempt to increase the batting average on balls in play, defenses must have a minimum of four players on the infield dirt, with at least two on either side of second base.
3. Limited pickoffs: Pitchers may only disengage from the rubber twice per at-bat with a man on base. If they try a third time and the pickoff is unsuccessful, the runner advances a base.
4. Bigger bases: 15-inch bases have been replaced with 18-inch bases, reducing the distance between first and second (and second and third) by 4.5 inches to promote more steals.

Bandages that heal: A new group of “smart bandages” medicate wounds and monitor healing progression, according to a study published last week.

Springsteen in Motown: By the numbers – Two hours and forty-one minutes, 26 songs, 18 band members. 17,000 satisfied customers, including UM football coach Jim Harbaugh and former NBC news anchor Brian Williams.

The tattoo that can measure blood pressure: Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have developed an ultra-thin, temporary tattoo that can be used to accurately monitor blood pressure for 300 minutes. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 30” →

Notable:

Today in 1982, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney released their duet single “Ebony and Ivory.” The single reached number one on both the UK and the US charts and was among the top-selling singles of 1982. But some critics say it has not aged well. In 2007, BBC 6 Music listeners voted “Ebony and Ivory” the worst duet in history.

Tomorrow is opening day for Major League Baseball. The Tigers debut on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays at 3:10pm with Eduardo Rodriguez facing odd against Shane McClanahan. Detroit hosts the Red Sox to kick off the home season at Comerica on April 6.

Taking the fam out to the ballgame vista a lot more than it used to. Four adult tickets, parking, drinks and hot dogs averaged $256 dollars last season.

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus align in the evening sky this week. The best viewing is right around sunset, with the quintet sinking toward the horizon after about 30 minutes.

Electricity generated from renewable sources surpassed coal in the United States for the first time in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewables also surpassed nuclear generation in 2022 after first doing so in 2021.

Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton will host the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards.  The event will take place on Thursday, May 11th at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX, and stream live exclusively on Prime Video.

Want a Mammoth Burger? A cultured meat company claims to have grown a meatball from the DNA of a very-extinct woolly mammoth. According to The Guardian, the DNA sequence was placed in stem cells from a sheep to grow the meatball. No one has tasted the mammoth meat, Professor Ernst Wolvetang, who worked with Australian company Vow to make the meat said, since “we have no idea how our immune system would react.” Continue reading “Keener Today – March 29” →

Notable:

Today’s deep dive takes us back to 1966. Newspaper headlines warned of continuing inflation as conservatives called for budget cuts. Sound familiar? Page-one of the Detroit Free Press this week in that year detailed multiple sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects. We’ve got the story, after a review of today in history and our usual birthday celebrations.

37 years after Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,  Matthew Broderick and Alan Ruck reconnected for a series of photo booth pics (left) at the season three premiere of HBO’s Succession.

Nothing stays the same. We knew when the popular royalty free photo site Unsplash.com was bought by Getty Images that what was once free would begin to elicit fees. Unsplash Plus now gives contributors a chance to earn revenue by offering some of their work for a price.

Once upon a time, LastPass was the gold standard for those of us who have trouble remembering passwords. Not anymore. Continue reading “Keener Today: March 28” →

Notable:

Everybody’s brackets are busted. With a win over Texas yesterday, Miami joins San Diego State, Connecticut and Florida Atlantic in the NCAA Men’s 2023 Final Four.’ Meanwhile: Caitlin Clark put up 41 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds as No. 2 seed Iowa beat fifth-seeded Louisville 97-83 to send the Iowa Hawkeyes to their first women’s Final Four in 30 years.

What’s the ultimate competitive advantage? Keener’s curator-in-chief shares the secret.

Think Tik Tok is troublesome? The top four smart phone apps downloaded during the last 30 days have roots in China.

There’s one CMU professor who gets uniformly great student ratings. He’s Chad, an eight year old labrador service animal who assists his master, Melba Vélez Ortiz with her communication classes. Ortiz earned her doctorate in communications ethics at the University of Illinois. And Chad, whom she introduces on the first day of class as “Professor of Unconditional Love and Service,” Continue reading “Keener Today – March 27” →

Notable:

Ski resorts around Lake Tahoe are extending the ski and snowboard season into summer — as late as July 4 — thanks to the Sierra Nevada Mountains’ second snowiest season in 77 years of record-keeping.

Tired of the social noise? Let us teach you how to mute it.

If you are sick of how hard it is to cancel subscriptions, The US Federal Trade Commission may enact a rule requiring businesses to make it as easier. The proposed rule change announced this week would apply to vast swaths of the US economy, covering both digital and physical subscriptions. Products subject to the new rule would include gym memberships, digital streaming and e-commerce, cable TV service, traditional print media and more. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 26” →