1. Today is Friday, Dec. 30. Today there will be cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. The high is predicted to be 47 degrees, by The Weather Channel.
2. Happy Zoo Year! (Come Party with the Animals), Get ready to ring in the New Year at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Viktor, the adorable tiger cub born in 2004, is all grown up and he has come home for the holidays. Help welcome him back and, while you are at it, say hello to the two new Maned wolves, two new Canada lynx, baby pronghorn, and the rare Chacoan peccary piglet, too. Half price admission is available through today. Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, (203) 394-6565.
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3. It seems that Dec. 30 has been a pretty busy day in music history throughout the years. For your trivial enjoyment, here are some music-related facts.
Dec. 30, 1942 – Frank Sinatra opened at New York’s Paramount Theatre for what was scheduled to be a four-week engagement. An estimated 400 police officers were called out to help curb the excitement. Sinatra was dubbed fhe Sultan of Swoon, the Voice that Thrills Millions, and just The Voice. It is said that this was the start of modern pop hysteria.
Dec. 30, 1969 - Peter, Paul and Mary received a gold record for the single "Leaving On a Jet Plane," which had gone to the no. 1 spot on Dec. 20.
Dec. 30, 1970 - Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest. The suit touched off a bitter feud between McCartney and the others, especially John Lennon.
4. Music-related birthdays on this day in history include:
1928 - Bo Diddley
1939 - Del Shannon
1945 - Davy Jones of the Monkees
1946 - Patti Smith
1947 - Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra
5. Here's a list of top songs from this day in history:
2010 – “Firework” by Katy Perry
2005 – “Don't Forget About Us” by Mariah Carey
2000 – “Independent Women Part I” by Destiny's Child
1995 – “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
1990 – “Justify My Love” by Madonna
1985 – “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie
1980 – “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon
1975 – “Saturday Night” by The Bay City Rollers
1970 – “My Sweet Lord/Isn't It a Pity” by George Harrison
1965 – “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
1960 – “Are You Lonesome Tonight” by Elvis Presley
1955 – “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford
1950 – “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page
1945 – “Chickery Chick” by Sammy Kaye
1940 – “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw
