Earth Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

April 22nd is EARTH DAY.  Every year, more than 1 billion people in 175 countries will participate in various Earth Day events on this date.  It is the largest civic observance in the world.  The purpose is to raise awareness about important environmental issues.

The first Earth Day took place in 1970.  After witnessing the affects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, US Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a grassroots environmental teach in on college campuses across the country.  Many people believe that this first Earth Day celebration marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

Celebrate today – plant a tree, help clean up a beach or park and/or participate in an event near you.  Help to keep this world a better place for everyone!

And a little blast from the past you might remember that deals with Earth Day – Captain Planet and the Planeteers.  Do you remember this show?  It was an American animated environmental program created by Ted Turner, Robert Larkin III and Barbara Pyle.  It came out on September 15, 1990.

The basis of the program was set with Gaia – the spirit of the planet.  She is awakened by drilling which is above her resting chamber.  To control the damage, she sends out five magic rings to youths around the world who will become the Planeteers.

Kwame is from Africa and has the power of Earth with his ring.

Wheeler is from North America and has the power of Fire with his ring.

Linka is from the Soviet Union and has the power of Wind with her ring.

Gi is from Asia and has the power of Water with her ring.

Ma-Ti is from South America and has the power of Heart and telepathy with his ring.

All five can use their rings special powers to call the super hero – Captain Planet for help.

I think today would be the perfect day to check out this old classic of helping the environment!

 

Rocky’s Nut Brunch

Do you remember the cartoon The Flintstones?  It is often played here at the Hotel Thompson.  Bacon’s mom says it goes all the way back to her childhood way back in the 60’s.  Gulps.  That does tell Bacon’s moms age doesn’t it..ssshh we won’t tell her we said that.  Well the roll of Fred Flintstone was based off the character Ralph Kramden from the Honeymooners.  You know Ralph Kramden was played by Jackie Gleason.  Fred Flintstone’s character makes sense now, right?

Do you remember Fred’s catchphrase?  Yabba-Dabba-Doo!  In the original script, it called for Fred to just say, “Yahoo”.  Doesn’t have the same feel to it, does it?  Alan Reed was doing the voice over for Fred Flintstone at the time.  He said that his mother used to say, “A little dab’ll do ya”.  It doesn’t say if Reed ad-libbed the phrase or asked to change it to the ever knowing, “Yabba-Dabba-Doo!”, but it stuck and as they say… the rest is history.

Do you remember the other close characters in the show?  There was Wilma, Fred’s wife.  Then there was the close neighbors – Barney and Betty Rubble.  And let’s not forget the Loyal Order of Water Buffalos Lodge that Fred and Barney were members.  What a fun show it was.  I think I’m off now.  I gotta go catch up on Pebbles and Bam-Bam.