WEDNESDAY, July 9 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025
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COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: A & M AUTOLAND – Spells Quality

TODAY IS …
(All days repeat annually on today’s date unless otherwise noted; days may or may not be called “National”/”International”/”World” depending on source; sources listed often have additional info. We generally do not list special days which were created by commercial companies for the purpose of marketing – including “holidays” created by the National Day Calendar and Wellcat websites to drive traffic to their websites – or the hundreds of disease awareness listings which occur each year. We present only those specially designated days we feel your listeners would find most interesting or significant.)

CALL OF THE HORIZON DAY
Celebrates the adventurous spirit within all of us and encourages us to explore the world and chase our dreams. It is believed that this day originated from an old sailor’s tradition, where a ship would set sail toward the horizon at sunset, symbolizing a new journey and new opportunities.

FASHION DAY
The Days of the Year website says this:
“Fashion Day’s first occurrence was in 2016, seemingly founded by a grass-roots movement through social media, with some people using the day for a revolt against the fashion houses and corporations that drive fashion and, instead, allowing individuals to express themselves in whatever fashionable ways they might like. For them, Fashion Day provides women and men, boys and girls with a fun way to celebrate their unique styles and show off their own ideas of what fashion means to them.”

NATIONAL SUGAR COOKIE DAY

July is:

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
Air Conditioning Appreciation Month
Baked Bean Month
Cell Phone Courtesy Month
Family Reunion Month
International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month
National Blueberries Month
National Grilling Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month
Melon Month

THE BUZZTODAY (WEDNESDAY) IS THE SHORTEST DAY EVER

Scientists believe that today – Wednesday, July 9 – could be the shortest day of your life as Earth’s accelerating rotation is expected to move quicker than ever before. They found that three days this summer, July 9, July 22, and August 5, are expected to be between 1.3 and 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the standard day. This is because Earth’s rotation has sped up in recent years. Although the exact reason is still a mystery, scientists believe there could be several factors that are making Earth spin faster, including changes in the atmosphere, the melting of glaciers, motion in the Earth’s core, and a weakening magnetic field. Earth normally takes 24 hours, or exactly 86,400 seconds, to complete one full rotation, which is called a solar day. Today, things are going a little faster. While the shortened day may seem insignificant, researchers have found that the time change can affect everything from satellite systems and GPS accuracy to how we measure time itself.
* I don’t know about you, but I’m knocking off early. Or putting in for overtime. I can’t figure out how to take advantage of this.
* Of course, if you work a night shift, just ignore the whole thing, you’ll sleep through it.
* How can we be spinning faster? Have you seen humans lately? We’re huge, so there should be more wind resistance.
* Only three days are shorter? So on those three days, the Earth speeds up and at the end of the day goes back to normal? See, there’s a reason some people don’t trust science.
* This is all Superman’s fault, when he made the world spin backwards to save Lois Lane.

U.S. NEWS

METHED-UP FLORIDA MAN STEALS KEY WEST TOURIST TROLLEY

In Key West, Florida, a man high on meth stole the locally famous Conch Tour Train on the Fourth of July. The Conch Tour is an hour-long tour of Key West that costs $45. Police say Jonathan Patrick Winslow, 57, took the sight-seeing tram on a meth-fueled joyride. Winslow walked up to an employee, claimed he used to work for the company years ago, and asked for a tour of the train. Then he got into the front car, designed to look like a little locomotive, and drove off. Officials were able to track the train using GPS and found it tooling around downtown Key West. Somewhere along the line, Winslow picked up two random passengers. Police caught up with Mr. Winslow, who was apparently very high, and arrested him. When told he was facing charges for stealing the Conch Train, he said it was his birthday. After checking his identification, it turned out that July 4 was, in fact, his birthday.
* “Apologies, sir, you are free to go.”
* Guy’s life is a train wreck.
* Even high on meth, the excitement of driving a tourist tram has to fade after about five minutes, no?
* 45 bucks! For a tram tour! I think they arrested the wrong guy.

TOWN OUTLAWS DIRTY DANCING

The city of Provo, Utah, has discontinued the Dirtylicious Dance Fitness program held at its recreation center, because the class did not align with the city’s standards, morals and values. The decision came after one resident complained, according to program owners Erica Tanner and husband Matson Tanner. Dirtylicious Dance Fitness has operated for three years out of the Provo Recreation Center. It’s basically an exercise class that teaches housewives how to dance like, well, strippers. Or Miley Cyrus. Or any female pop star these days. The removal of the class — a program described by its leader as “empowering,” especially for women — sparked community debate over the boundaries of acceptable recreation. It also underscored the concern over religious influence on public programs, with Provo having a large population of Mormons.
* That Reverend Moore never lets anyone have any fun.
* To align better with the city’s standards, morals and values, the Dirtylicious Dance Fitness program will be replaced by Cleantastic Dance Fitness, where women dance with a mop and bucket.
* There’s only one way to fix this, and that’s IF EVERYBODY CUTS FOOTLOOSE!
* This is really going to hurt Provo, Utah’s reputation as Fun City.

METS PRANK YANKEES, 1-0

Here’s a pretty good prank: Over the weekend, on Sunday, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees played at Citi Field in New York City in what’s known as the Subway Series, referring to the fact that both teams are based in NYC. During the game, the Megatron screens in the ballpark showed Yankees fans but, using an image filter, they were able to change the Yankees logo on their ballcaps into the Mets logo. Most Yankees fans were amused.
* Yeah, I can see this eventually causing riots in the street.
* But they did feel dumb when they kept taking their caps off to check them.
* Next time, leave the Yankees logos but have the caps be on fire.
* Yankees beat the Mets 6-4 that day, so maybe they should use some of that time dreaming up pranks for batting practice.

(SOME) FLYERS CAN KEEP THEIR SHOES ON AGAIN

The Transportation Safety Administration has decided to once again allow passengers at selected airports to keep their shoes on as they go through security checkpoints, although the TSA has yet to announce the move formally. Shoe removal has been part of the airport experience since 2006, after a man named Richard Reid tried — and failed — to ignite his homemade exploding shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami on Dec. 22, 2001. The Shoe Bomber’s evil plan was foiled as he struggled to light the fuse attached to his shoes. He was subdued by passengers and crew members.
* Were they nice shoes? Heck, they were Da Bomb.
* Still wondering how the Shoe Bomber got the lighter onto the plane.
* Can we also now require people keep their shoes on INSIDE the plane?
* Why don’t they crack down on the real threat to flying – The Armrest Hogger.
* The truth is, shoes have become so expensive, who can afford to blow them up?

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SNAKE SMUGGLER HAD BULGING PANTS

A Sri Lankan man is accused of trying to illegally smuggle snakes out of Thailand. Airport security in Bangkok noticed some bulges in his pants, and while searching his underwear they found three ball pythons in a sack. (* Who’s writing this?) The man had been previously arrested on wildlife crimes in Sri Lanka in 2024; in the past he had tried to smuggle wolves, meerkats, sugar gliders, porcupines, iguanas, frogs, salamanders, turtles and cockatoos.
* Yeah, I bet they found a cockatoo in his pants. Or three, even.
* Porcupines? Ouch!!!
* I guess it’s good the security people are checking out peoples’ crotches. Well, maybe “good” isn’t the word.
* Snakes On A Plane In Some Pants. Not a movie I’d want to see.
* While in his pants, one of the snakes had fallen in love.

TRENDING

SCARLETT JOHANSSON IS HIGHEST-GROSSING ACTOR EVER

Scarlett Johansson just passed her fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe co-stars Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. as the highest-grossing lead actor ever. Thanks to her role in the new hit movie “Jurassic Park Rebirth,” Johansson’s worldwide total for leading roles has jumped up to $14.61 billion, just surpassing Samuel L. Jackson ($14.60 billion) and Robert Downey Jr. ($14.3 billion).

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

Sept. 1, Monday – Labor Day
Sept. 11, Thursday – Patriot Day
Sept. 22, Monday – Fall begins (Autumn Equinox is 2:19 p.m. EDT)

BIRTHDAYS

Fred Savage (actor, “The Grinder,” “The Wonder Years”) … 49
Jack White (musician) … 50
Courtney Love (singer/songwriter/musician, actress) … 61
Tom Hanks (actor) … 69
Jimmy Smits (actor) … 70
John Tesh (TV personality, radio host, musician) … 73
Dean Koontz (author) … 80

Today’s Birthdays grade: Well, heck, what can you say about Tom Hanks? For decades he’s been the go-to actor to excel in character-driven starring film roles, while earning a reputation as “one if the nicest guys in Hollywood.” And only a few lemons among his movies which, let’s face it, he didn’t write the scripts for. There are other celebrities on today’s list but – come on – Tom Hanks! Grade: A.

[Want to try something different with the daily birthdays? Try grading them! Some days have “good” celebs, some have “great” celebs, some have “lousy” celebs. For fun, give the group an arbitrary grade: A-plus through F-minus. Sidekick will give you our take on it; you can to take the concept and run with it.]

BIRTHDAY QUOTE QUIZ – Ask your listeners “Who said it?” HINT: Today’s their birthday!

“Some people go to bed at night thinking, ‘That was a good day.’ I am one of those who worries and asks, ‘How did I screw up today?'”

(A) Jason Momoa
(B) Jack Black
(C) Tom Hanks

ANSWER: (C) Tom Hanks

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2017 – CEO Elon Musk became the first person to own one of Tesla’s first mass market electric cars – the Model 3.
* Don’t ask about Models 1 and 2.

2004 – A Senate Intelligence Committee report concluded the CIA had provided unfounded assessments of the threat posed by Iraq. It was these unfounded assessments that the Bush administration relied on to justify going to war.
* Oopsie!

2002 – The Senate voted to entomb thousands of tons of radioactive waste inside Yucca Mountain in the Nevada desert, rejecting the state’s fervent protests.
* ‘Cause, of course, the Senate doesn’t meet in Nevada.

2001 – “The Office” mockumentary created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, starring Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman, premiered in the UK. International syndication of versions of the show in multiple countries would make Gervais and Merchant multi-millionaires.
* At least SOMEBODY got something good out of working in an office.

1997 – Mike Tyson was banned from the boxing ring and fined $3 million for biting off part of the ear of opponent Evander Holyfield.
* So the fine ended up taking a pretty good bite out of HIM.

1912 – The paper plate first went on the market.
* “Here – YOU try it with hot baked beans.” “No, YOU try it!” “No, YOU!”

1792 – Washington, DC became the capital of the United States.
* Thus triggering the Great Hooker Migration of 1793.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2013 – Former Fugees singer Lauryn Hill began a three-month prison sentence in Connecticut for tax evasion after failing to pay tax on $1.8m of her earnings between 2005-07.

2004 – David Bowie, then 57, was forced to cancel a string of European shows after emergency heart surgery. Bowie had an operation in Germany, where he was on tour, to treat “an acutely blocked artery.” The star’s cancellation of 11 European dates was originally attributed to a shoulder injury.

1995 – The Grateful Dead gave their last concert with Jerry Garcia at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

1972 – Paul McCartney’s band Wings made its concert debut in Chateauvillon, France. It was McCartney’s first live performance since the breakup of the Beatles.

1956 – Dick Clark made his debut as host of “Bandstand” on a Philadelphia TV station. The name of the show was changed to “American Bandstand” when it went to ABC-TV.

X-TREME TRIVIA CHALLENGE

Every installment of X-Treme Trivia Challenge includes three mystery factoids. Create your own “Impossible Question” contest – great for listener giveaways and phone interaction starters! Also a perfect sponsorship opportunity!

1. 42% of women say THIS is the #1 thing they look for in a potential date. What is it?
Someone taller than they are

2. 60% of women say they are willing to kiss a guy on the first date if he does THIS. What is it?
Talks about his mother

3. 90% of single women say men who like THESE are more likely to get a date. What are they?
Cats

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