Time to get your clown on
Published 12:01 am Monday, August 1, 2011
Ah, August 1. You know what that means. The start of International Clown Week.
In 1970, Congress passed a resolution declaring the first week of August as National Clown Week. (The week went global because “Many clown organizations have an international constituency and over time the National
Clown Week has expanded to be International Clown Week, according to Wikipedia.) The bill was sent to President Richard Nixon, and he signed it on Aug. 2, 1971.
Perhaps the week’s designation was lurking in Nixon’s subconsc
ious when he chose to announce that he would resign on Aug. 8, 1974, a day after the clown festivities wrapped up. It would be so undignified to be forced out of office during Clown Week.
A clownish look at the headlines:
•”Scientists say time travel is impossible“: So say some wet blanket scientists in Hong Kong, anyway. Another researcher, Mr. Wizard the Lizard, says his research, as well as innumerable movies and TV shows, demonstrate otherwise. Next week: The Nutty Professor proves Body Swaps are not just a plot device.
“Beatles’ first U.S. concert photos fetch $360,000“: An enterprising 18-year-old took pictures of the Beatles’ momentous first U.S. concert in Washington, D.C., USA Today reported. Few other photos of the concert exist, adding to their value. Simeon Lipman, Christie’s pop culture consultant, said Mike Mitchell’s black and white photographs were remarkable for their “animated” and “intimate” depiction of the Fab Four.
A concert today would bring the opposite result: Thousands of images taken, but all from cell phones, the quality of which can’t be enhanced.
•”‘Adults-only’ ice cream truck cools down Chicago“: Alas, it’s not as fun as it sounds. No Baileys milkshakes, no vodka popsicles. No scantily clad vendors. Instead, the Dove ice cream truck was giving away free dove bars, massages and manicures, USA Today reported.
OK, regular ice cream and massages are fine inducements for adult customers, if regulations rule out other adult options. How else is Dove trying to attract adult customers? According to the article, as if the massages and manicures weren’t enough, “Dove had Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid and a recent contestant on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, on hand to meet and greet.” Oh, my. That is enticing. Hearts are aflutter and ice cream is melting.
“We created a one-of-a-kind ice cream truck to help adults relive their childhood, but in a truly decadent, grownup way,” said Craig Hall, general Manager of Mars Chocolate North America. Exactly whose childhood included massages, manicures, Ralph Macchio and Dove Bars remains to be seen. But time travel will tell. “Karate Kid Goes Back to the Future of Beatlemania.”
