Description: No one thought Republican Richard M. Nixon would run for office again. In 1960, Nixon lost to John F. Kennedy, and just two years later, Nixon lost to Edmund Brown in his bid to be governor of California. It looked like Nixon would be out of politics for good, but in 1968, Richard Nixon won the presidency in a hard-fought campaign, and would be reelected by a landslide four years later. Nixon's victory in 1968 was one of the most improbable comebacks in American political history, and Nixon made it happen by working three times harder than any other candidate, proving that Nixon really was 'the one.'
Description: Renting a scooter and knocking back Bermuda Swizzles is a given when visiting the tropical British Overseas Territory, though it's best to not do both at once. Also called a Bermuda Rum Swizzle, this rum-based cocktail that dates back centuries, long before cocktails were even called cocktails. Dating back to the mid-18th century, when it was made with one part rum mixed with six parts water. The magic was in the making of it, and not the ingredients. A good recipe was mixed with a swizzle stick made from the stem of a native Quaranbea Turbinate tree. Also known as the Swizzlestick Tree, the wood had an aromatic bark that added a spicy, bitter flavor to the drink, making the Bermuda Swizzle not only very tasty, but very easy to drink.
Description: Just about everyone is familiar with the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th, but did you know there was a supernatural, mythical creature attached to this date? The Friday the 13th Jinx is said to be a demonic-looking, but often comical, spirit who delivered a curse or bad luck on people when the 13th day of the month lands on a Friday. This depiction of the Friday the 13th Jinx was common in early 20th century newspapers to help shake the curse of the date by making a mockery of the Jinx.
Description: Creepshow 2 is a 1987 sequel to the 1982 horror anthology film, Creepshow. Unlike the original, in which five tales of terror from the 1950s comic book series of the same name are presented, Creepshow 2 only contains three stories. The first is about a cigar store Indian named "Old Chief Wood'nhead" who avenges the beloved store owner's death. The second sees a group of college students swim out to a floating dock in an off limits lake, only to be terrorized by a creature that inhabits the waters. The third and final story is about a wealthy woman who runs down a transient and flees the scene, but finds herself haunted by the man all the way home. Despite having just three live action stories, a running animated story buffers each one.
Description: Richard Nixon's presidential election win in 1968 had climaxed a career that included both his early success and his comeback after being defeated both for President in 1960 and for Governor of California in 1962. He was reelected in 1972, but would soon become embroiled in the infamous Watergate scandal, that would lead to his resignation just two years later. Fast-forward to 1988, and a small camp that was unhappy with the Republican candidates running for president began floating the idea of Nixon throwing his hat into the ring using a "he's tan, rested, and ready" slogan. At 75 years of age, Nixon played his cards close to his vest, but ultimately didn't bite. This left the path clear for incumbent Vice President George H. W. Bush.
Description: A-P-A Transport Corp. (also known as APA Transport) was a North Bergen, New Jersey based trucking and shipping company, that was at one point, the nation's fourth-largest interstate freight trucking company. Founded in 1947 by Arthur Imperatore Sr. and his brothers Eugene, Arnold, George, and Harold in West New York, New Jersey, it started as a local trucking business with a single military surplus truck, originally called "Imperatore Bros. Moving and Trucking." Later that same year they bought a second surplus truck, and then the name and two trucks of A&P Trucking Corp. for $800 from Albert Amorino. In the 1950s, after a few years of legal wrangling over the name by the A&P grocery chain, they simply added a trailing A.
Description: In this chilling adaptation of the horror novel of the same name, 1976's Carrie sees withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White as she faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by the empathetic Tommy Ross, Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn, and she makes everyone pay.
Description: The Tremont Hotel, more commonly known simply as 'The Tremont,' is a fictional hotel located in the equally fictional town of Sulphur Springs, Louisiana. Established in 1842 as a plantation by the Tremont family. The Tremont opened as a hotel in 1944, and quickly became famous for the hot springs that flowed through the woods behind the hotel. In 1960, the hotel began hosting a summer camp called Camp Tremont. The popular camp ran successfully for 30 years until a young camper named Savannah went missing in 1990. Her disappearance led to The Tremont closing down later that year, amidst rumors that she was haunting the hotel.
Description: The sweet leaf of the marijuana plant would become a totem of rebellion during the '60s, when cannabis emerged as a defining force in a culture. Once confined to America’s lower socioeconomic strata, the illicit weed smoked by marginalized races jumped racial boundaries and suddenly found favor among white middle class youth. As physicians routinely prescribed highly addictive hypnotics and tranquilizers, many Americans found marijuana's natural high more enticing, if not more effective. Even today, as legalization increases, the culture war marches on, but those who imbibe won't be swayed, enjoying the original organic supplement.
Description: Despite millions of people taking Ritalin, very few are aware that the drug had a mascot at one point. Meet Ritalin Man, an anthropomorphic potato looking fellow dreamed up in 1975 by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation to help market and promote their wonder drug, Ritalin. He appeared in doctor's offices and pharmacy's as a series of 7" plastic figurines in various incarnations ranging from gleeful and dancing, to depressed and confused. The idea was to help hyperactive and depressed young children relate to him more easily. With a hollow head and dilated pupils, Ritalin Man seems to be in a good place here, and a reminder of the good things that drugs can do for people.
Description: Pandamonium is an animated television series that was part of the Saturday morning cartoon line up in 1982. The story begins with a cosmic villain called Mondraggor as he tries to gain possession of the Pyramid of Power, a magic object that would give the possessor ultimate power. However, the Pyramid shatters and its pieces scatter around the Earth. Two kids witness this event and travel to China to find a piece. There, they meet three talking pandas, who agree to help them recover all the pieces. Meanwhile, Mondraggor is out to stop them using his mind control powers. However, the pandas have their own power to merge into one as 'Poppapanda,' which can repel any attack. The series was canceled before all of the pieces could be found.
Description: Based in San Diego, California, Peyote’s Baja Shop was an off-road enthusiast's toy store. Offering a wide array of off-road accessories from tires and wheels to lights and suspension components. While they stocked plenty of stuff that the 4x4 truck guys could use, their claim to fame was their Baja kits. They both sold the fiberglass body parts, and installed them, as well as complete conversions in varying levels of performance, from street cruiser to all out Baja-ready racer.
Description: Formed in 1987, Vengeance Rising was a Christian thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The group was a groundbreaking as a Christian band, but were also one of the best bands to come out of the Sanctuary Christian metal movement of the '80s. The band released four albums, giving Christians a thrash metal band they apparently didn't know they wanted, but Vengeance Rising is probably best known for the lead singer turning from Christianity to Satanism and then to atheism. The band's history has been described as one of the most entertaining and bizarre stories in the realm of heavy metal, a statement that few would dispute.
Description: "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." - Abraham Lincoln. Voting is not only a right, but our duty. Take value in not only your American right, but duty to vote. Show up to the polls and let your voice be heard... our country can't function without it.
Description: The 2000 presidential campaign of Ralph Nader, political activist, author, lecturer and attorney, began on February 21, 2000. He cited "a crisis of democracy" as motivation to run as the nominee of the Green Party against Republican, George W. Bush and Democrat, Al Gore. He was also nominated by the Vermont Progressive Party and the United Citizen's Party of South Carolina. The campaign marked Nader's second presidential bid as the Green nominee, and his third overall, having run as a write-in campaign in 1992 and a passive campaign on the Green ballot line in 1996. Nader's vice presidential running mate was Winona LaDuke, an environmental activist and member of the Ojibwe tribe of Minnesota.
Description: Established in 1965 by Jesse Hodges, Hollywood Sound Recorders was a recording studio, occasional live music venue, and television/film complex located at 6367 Selma Avenue in Los Angeles. The studio's legendary recording history includes countless artists of just about every musical genre, spanning over five decades.
Description: Often cited as one of the most dangerous places in the world, Juárez, Mexico has been named the 5th most dangerous city for its high murder rate due to cartel violence in the Chihuahua state. While most crime is far removed from the tourist areas, the reputation is a hard one to overcome. Home to 1.8 million residents, Juárez is a short walk across the border from El Paso, Texas. For decades, a streetcar ran across the border, taking Americans to gamble in the casinos, drink during Prohibition, and party at the nightclubs. The trolley is long gone, but you can still walk into Juárez from El Paso and enjoy all that this fast-growing border city has to offer.
Description: Originally released in 1972, the stand-up Jet Ski was the first commercially successful personal watercraft (PWC) in America. Through a series of improvements and refinements, it wasn't until the early/mid '80s that these PWCs really came into their own. Their high performance two-stroke engines became available in increasingly higher displacements with user-friendly features like automatic fuel /oil mixing. Eventually, runabout-style sit down PWCs that could carry two to three people were released, making them even more appealing to families. With their small size and reasonable cost, PWCs remain a popular alternative to boat ownership to this day, as they are easy to store and can be transported with most passenger vehicles.
Description: Burpin' Burger is a fictional burger joint that is located in the equally fictional town of Royal Woods in the allegedly real state of Michigan. Hungry y'all? Look no further! If the name isn't gross enough, their advertising jingle really delivers: "Come on down to Burpin' Burger! Grade B beef and special spice, when it comes back up, it's twice as nice! [belch]"
Description: Another Wasted Night was the first full-length album from the biggest name to emerge from the Boston hardcore scene, Gang Green. These guys were an unabashed party band, specializing in drunken, warp-speed, three-chord thrash. Obsessed with beer, skateboarding, girls, and more beer, the group slowly added hints of heavy metal as they wore on, but otherwise maintained much the same blueprint both musically and lyrically.
Description: The US Festival (US pronounced like the pronoun, not as initials) was the name of two early ’80s music festivals held in San Bernardino, California. Created by Steve Wozniak, who believed that the ’70s were the “me” generation, he intended the US Festivals to encourage the ’80s to be more community-oriented and combine technology with music. The first event was held over Labor Day weekend in September ’82, and the second was less than nine months later, over Memorial Day weekend in May ’83. The ’82 event had a mix of bands slotted over the three-day event, but ’83 added themed days. While the US Festival events were hugely popular with concert-goers, both events managed to lose $12 million, making them commercial failures.
Description: State nicknames often appear to be completely made up, but that's definitely not the case with Hawaii. Known as "The Rainbow State," Hawaii's nickname is totally appropriate, as the islands that make up Hawaii have the optimal conditions to create perfect rainbows. Everyone knows a rainbow is made when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air, the light refracting and splitting into different wavelengths, creating the arc of colors. Hawaii's clean air, lush valleys with plenty of moisture, and daytime heating all work together to create the ideal conditions for rainbows. Who knew?
Description: K-Bar-S Bronco Specialties was founded by Hal Sealand and John Karp in the late '70s in Las Vegas, Nevada. The name of the shop is from their last names – K for Karp, S for Sealand. As the name implies, K-Bar-S specialized in custom Bronco parts. They also had a complete shop where they built some pretty amazing rigs, many of which went on to tough truck and Baja race events. Word is that the shop closed in 2001, but most of their rigs and exclusive aftermarket parts are still out there.
Description: Rupp Industries was born in 1959 when Mickey Rupp began assembling and selling go-karts from his basement in Mansfield, Ohio. Originally called Rupp Manufacturing, the name Rupp Industries was adopted in 1971. In that year, Rupp employed 400, with 23 engineers in the R&D department and sales in the millions. In addition to their popular go-karts, Rupp began producing minibikes and snowmobiles in the early 1960s and as the popularity of their rides grew, so did the informal 'Rupp Riders Club' of Rupp owners and enthusiasts. Mickey Rupp sold the company in 1973 when it ran into financial trouble as the market turned. Although the Rupp would continue to produce dirt bikes, minibikes, and snowmobiles, they would never regain stability.
Description: My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (often shortened to Thrill Kill Kult or TKK) is an American electronic industrial rock band originally based in Chicago and founded by Groovie Mann (born Frankie Nardiello) and Buzz McCoy (born Marston Daley). They became known in the 1980s as pioneers of the industrial music genre – although by the early '90s, they had changed to a more disco-oriented sound – and as a frequent target of censorship groups, including the PMRC, which objected to the band's humorous and satirical references to Satan, Jesus, and sex in their lyrics and stage shows. Thrill Kill Kult had several hits on the U.S. dance club and alternative charts, and also contributed songs to several movie soundtracks during the '90s.
Description: Designed as a value brand, Plymouth was well-suited to serve the post-war baby boom youth market as young men (and women) began taking to the streets, but Plymouth knew that customers wanted more. The combination of a line of lightweight vehicles with low price points, and easy access to some serious powertrains would propel the brand’s ascension from economy car nameplate to muscle car legend. Taking these lightweight cars and jamming a 426ci Max Wedge Hemi into them made for instant drag strip missiles, and professional racers saw what Plymouth was going and got behind them in great numbers. By 1970, Plymouth’s line of affordable muscle cars had blossomed into the Rapid Transit System, a group of serious performers.
Description: The Amazing Blacaman billed himself as a “Hindu Animal Hypnotist,” though despite his intense afro and claims of middle eastern origins, he was actually an Italian circus performer. Blacaman made appearances around the world, and was a featured attraction of the Hagenbeck Wallace Circus when he came to America. Advertisements routinely featured Blacaman’s bulging eyes radiating mysterious beams to seemingly control savage beasts ranging from alligators and lions to snakes and bears. In addition to his circus performances, Blacaman appeared in the 1939 W.C. Field’s movie You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man.
Description: The Aktiv Fischer Snow Trac is a tracked vehicle, which was manufactured from 1957 to 1981 in Sweden. It runs on two rubber tracks powered by an air cooled flat 4 industrial boxer style engines and is suitable for both deep snow and soft surface use. The engine developed about 40 horsepower, but that varied from year to year as the earlier models developed 36 hp, and later models developed 54 hp. With a length of approximately 12' and width of 6'2" the vehicle is the size of a small car. In the standard cabin configuration, only the driver is facing forward. The interior is equipped with side-facing bench seats and there are enough seats for 7 people (including the driver). The entrance is by a door attached at the tail.
Description: The Munsters is a sitcom depicting the home life of a family of benign monsters. The series was a satire of American suburban life, the wholesome television family fare of the era and traditional monster movies. The show centers around a Transylvanian-American family named Munster living at 1313 Mockingbird Lane in the fictional city of Mockingbird Heights. The series' running gag is that the odd-looking family with strange tastes considers itself to be an average American family. Herman is the family's sole wage-earner, although Lily and Grandpa make short-lived attempts to earn money from time to time. While Herman is the head of the household, Lily makes many decisions. According to episode 44, Herman and Lilly were married in 1865.
Description: Bluesman Robert Pete Williams was born in Zachary, Louisiana, the son of sharecropping parents. He never attended school, instead working the fields with his family. He began playing blues in his late teens after making himself a guitar out of a cigar box. Williams only came to prominence during the late '50s, when he was recorded for posterity by the musicologist Harry Oster at Angola prison in Louisiana, where Williams was serving a life sentence for murder. Williams became one of the great blues discoveries during the folk boom of the early '60s, though his disregard for conventional patterns, tunings, and structures kept him from a wider audience, but his music remains one of the great, intense treats for blues aficionados.
Description: Intercourse, Pennsylvania was founded in 1754 as "Cross Keys," after the sole business in the area, a local tavern. Intercourse became the name in 1814, though the origins of the suggestive name remain somewhat of a mystery. Today, Intercourse is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Leacock Township, Lancaster County, 10 miles east of Lancaster on Pennsylvania Route 340. With a population of just under 1,500, Intercourse is a popular stop for tourists because of its location in Amish country and thanks to its unusual name, signs for the town are frequently targeted by thieves.
Description: Ghosts ‘n Goblins, known in Japan as Makaimura (Japanese: 魔界村, lit. “Demon World Village”), is a run-and-gun platform video game series. The first entry in the series was Ghosts ‘n Goblins, released in arcades on July 7, 1985. The series has subsequently been ported to and released on a variety of personal computers, game consoles, and mobile platforms and spawned several sequels and spin-offs. The main series focuses on the knight Arthur’s quest to save princess Prin-Prin from the demon king Astaroth. In most of the main series, once completing the game, the player is forced to re-play the game’s stages at a higher difficulty level in order to receive the game’s true ending, lending to the series reputation among gamers for its intensity.
Description: After leaving the Army on a medical discharge in 1952, a 19-year-old Norm Grabowski built a hot rod based on a shortened 1922 Model T touring car mated to a similarly shortened Model A truck bed. With a powerful OHV engine from his parents' sedan, the vehicle that resulted had a unique appearance and stance, which inspired many hot rods created afterward. The car was first featured on the cover of the October 1955 issue of Hot Rod and then underwent further modifications, including a greater rake, tilted windshield and blue paint with flames. Grabowski's hugely influential hot rod became known as the 'Kookie Kar' after it was used in the television show 77 Sunset Strip, and driven by the character Kookie in just about every episode.
Description: There's not a whole lot of skiing in Texas. Ok, there's no skiing in Texas, though word on the street is that an indoor ski resort of some kind is planned for the DFW area, but I digress. One thing Texas has plenty of is armadillos, so who says you can't strap a couple to your feet to create an impromptu Lone Star State cross country skiing experience?
