Author: Lisa Mungovan

Last week in the Pacific Northwest, people reported seeing a spectacular meteor shower. It was actually the remnants of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, that had launched March 4th. Most space junk remains in orbit, drifting around the planet, but sometimes pieces break free and burn up in the atmosphere, producing an unexpected fireworks show.

A group of rheas has been running wild, in the streets of Three Rivers England. The birds are native to South America. Rheas are smaller cousins of the ostrich, reaching up to 5 feet tall. They’ve attacked dogs and deer, so police have warned residents to keep their distance, until they find the rheas’ home.

Today is Mom And Pop Business Owners Day. Visit a small, family-owned business the next time you need something, because they need something too. Your business! Where’s your nearest Magic Shop? It’s also Smoke And Mirrors Day, which are things magicians use to cover up their tricks. Presto-here’s-your-change-o!

It’s Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day! Each minute, more than 6,000,000 cubic feet of water gushes over Niagara Falls, a group of 3 waterfalls on the border of United States and Canada. On this day in 1848, the rivers feeding Niagara Falls froze and the water completely stopped for the only time in recorded history!

You could say 79-year-old Bob Kurtz, loves golf. He already held a world record, for golfing 1,850 holes in one week. Golf’s Ironman added another record to his title, at the TopGolf driving range. He hit 1,050 drives, in less than 12 hours. The drives had to stay in a 35-yard grid, and reach over 200 yards.

The UK has a new £50 bank note, featuring Alan Turing, the famous computer scientist, mathematician, and codebreaker. In honor of his skills, the money has a series of 12 puzzles on the back. Some riddles involve binary code, or symbols representing Turing’s work. If you want to try solving them, search Turing Challenge, at gchq.gov.uk.

Today is Black Forest Cake Day. The German dessert is a chocolate cake, layered and topped with whipped cream and cherries. If you make one, be sure to offer a piece to your neighbors, since it’s also Neighbor Day. By the way, did I mention I’m your new neighbor? Save a slice for me!

Spring is here, and so are the weeds. Luckily, it’s Weed Appreciation Day! Instead of putting weed-killer on your lawn, welcome weeds like dandelions and clover. They are some of the first flowers to bloom, and bees depend on them! You can eat dandelions, wild onions, chickweed, and purslane. Pick your own salad!

Put your forks away. It’s Something On A Stick Day! Pierce your peas with a toothpick, freeze your juice on a popsicle stick, and skewer your entire dinner on a kebab. Dip strawberries on a chopstick in chocolate fondue. Then roast marshmallows on a stick over a campfire. Everything’s better cooked on a stick!