On Nov. 15, 1969, singer Janis Joplin was arrested in Tampa, Florida, for using vulgar and indecent language at her concert. Joplin was released on bond, and the charges eventually were dropped.
Also in 1969, the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, closed. It’s where The Beatles performed in their early days.
In 1977, the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever” was released.
In 1980, David Bowie opened on Broadway in the title role of “The Elephant Man.”
In 1990, Milli Vanilli producer Frank Farian admitted that Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan didn’t sing a note on their “Girl You Know It’s True” album.
In 1996, Michael Jackson married dermatologist aide Debbie Rowe in Sydney, Australia. She was six months pregnant with his child. They later divorced.
In 2000, Michael Abram was acquitted of stabbing musician George Harrison in his home. Abram was found innocent by reason of insanity.
In 2004, rapper Dr. Dre was punched at the Vibe Awards by Jimmy “James” Johnson, who was then stabbed by rapper Young Buck.
Also in 2004, ABC ran a sketch during “Monday Night Football” showing Nicolette Sheridan in a towel trying to persuade Terrell Owens of the Philadelphia Eagles to spend the night with her. The sketch prompted an uproar that resulted in an apology from ABC.
Today’s Birthdays: Singer Petula Clark is 92. Actor Sam Waterston (“Law and Order”) is 84. Singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA is 79. Actor Bob Gunton (TV’s “24,” film’s “The Shawshank Redemption”) is 79. Actor Beverly D’Angelo (“National Lampoon’s Vacation”) is 73. Actor-director James Widdoes (“Animal House”) is 71. News correspondent John Roberts is 68. Bandleader Kevin Eubanks (“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”) is 67. Comedian Judy Gold is 62. Actor Rachel True (“Half and Half”) is 58. Rapper E-40 is 57. Country singer Jack Ingram is 54. Actor Jonny Lee Miller (“Elementary,” “Eli Stone”) is 52. Actor Sydney Tamiia Poitier-Heartsong (“Carter,” “Veronica Mars”) is 51. Drummer David Carr of Third Day is 50. Singer Chad Kroeger of Nickelback is 50. Drummer Jesse Sandoval (The Shins) is 50. Actor Virginie Ledoyen (“The Beach”) is 48. Actor Sean Murray (“NCIS”) is 47. Rapper B.o.B is 36. Actor Shailene Woodley is 33. Actor Emma Dumont (Film’s “Oppenheimer,” TV’s “Bunheads”) is 30.
Next week is Winter Weather Awareness Week and people should think ahead of precautions that need to be taken to ensure safety when winter weather strikes. The first snowfall of the season occurred on Halloween which was a wake-up call for many people.
Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze says there were several accidents that day and vehicles that went into the ditch. He says it’s important to slow down when there is snow and ice on the roadways, and that also applies to 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Sheriff Cruze says you can look at 511mn.org to find out about road conditions and maybe leave early or cancel a trip until the weather conditions improve. He says if you go in the ditch, it’s important to stay in your vehicle, but if you get a ride or leave on foot, put a note on your dash so that law enforcement will know where you are and not spend resources trying to find you.
Sheriff Cruze says it’s a good idea to have items in your vehicle that will assist you if you get stalled such as energy bars, a phone charger, extra clothing and blankets, a sleeping bag, candles, coffee can, etc. He says as the ice forms on bodies of water, make sure it’s thick enough to support you and remember that ice depth can vary on different parts of a lake.
Sheriff Cruze says you should make sure the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home are functioning and change batteries, if necessary. He says if you’re outdoors in the winter, wear layers, and don’t exert yourself if you are shoveling snow – take breaks. You can find more winter safety tips on Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s website (dps.mn.gov).
Cokato Museum Director Johanna Ellison will present information about butter thieves from the 1920s and 30s during a program on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. The free event will be held in the Centennial Room in Cokato, and everyone’s welcome.
Ellison says what thief doesn’t get twitchy fingers when coming across golden bars – of butter, that is. She says throughout the 1920s and 1930s, gangs of butter thieves robbed Minnesota creameries and stole their transport vehicles.
Ellison says around the same time, the Cokato villagers were divided into two groups the “drys” and the “wets,” battling each other over booze. She says not only was booze controversial and illegal for a time, but the lengths went to by these opposing sides to ban or distribute booze sometimes crossed the line into criminal.
The Centennial Room is located at 175 4th Street Southwest in Cokato (use the library entrance on Broadway Avenue). More information can be found on the Cokato Museum’s website at www.cokatomuseum.org or by calling the museum at 320-286-2427.
