Interesting Things #542: "Datil Pepper" - Sweet, fruity, tangy chili from Florida. Unique flavor, slightly hotter than Jalapeno, staple in St. Augustine cuisine.

Interesting Things with JC #541: "Punxsutawney Phil" - the most famous groundhog in the world, from one of the worlds most charming towns, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Interesting Things with JC #540: "The Shard" - a 310m tower in London, opened on Feb 1, 2013 with 72 floors. Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, The Shard is a mixed-use structure that includes offices, residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants, and a three-story observation deck. This true work of art was inspired by the spires of London's historic churches and the masts of tall ships as painted by Canaletto in the 18th century.

Interesting Things with JC #539: "NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY" is celebrated annually on Jan 31st, honoring a timeless cold-weather treat with a rich history and health benefits.

Interesting Things with JC #538: "Collagen age reversing therapy" - Scientists use naturally occurring cell carriers for new mRNA protein therapy.

Ref - https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/scientists-develop-novel-mrna-delivery-method-using-extracellular-vesicles.h00-159615489.html

Interesting Things with JC #535: "Disc of Sabu" - a mysterious 5000-year-old artifact in Cairo's antiquities museum, discovered by British Egyptologist Walter Bryan Emery.

Interesting Things with JC #528: "Antarctic Meteorite" - International scientists discover 5 meteorites, including one weighing 16.7 pounds, in Antarctica using satellite imagery.

Ref - https://actus.ulb.be/fr/actus/recherche/mission-en-antarctique-decouverte-dune-meteorite-de-7-6-kg

Interesting Things with JC #527: "Debt Ceiling" - In the United States this is a pretty big current event. What exactly is the Debt Ceiling though? Let's find out!

Interesting Things with JC #520: "Cracking your Knuckles" is not proven to cause harm but may lead to discomfort and can develop into a habit resulting in grip loss, but no studies have linked it to arthritis.

Ref - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28699710/

Interesting Things with JC #518: "Edge of the Milky Way" - Astronomers find stars in the Milky Way's halo that are more than a million light years away, nearly halfway to the Andromeda galaxy.

Interesting Things with JC #516: "Hippos Sweat Red" - they secrete a reddish fluid, mistakenly believed to be sweat or blood, that has antibiotic and sunscreen properties. Some biologists say it could be a great lip balm for people. Thank you to Haley at Applebees in Cheektowaga, New York, for suggesting the topic for today.

Interesting Things with JC #514: "53 Skateparks in One Day" Matt Kaleta and his friends from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada set a world record skating 53 skateparks in one day.

Interesting Things with JC #513: "World's Largest Human Hairball" named Hoss breaks world record weighing in at 102.12 kg/225.13 lbs & is recognized by Ripley's and Guinness.

Interesting Things with JC #509: "Harry Chapin & Jim Connors" - In this unique and profound 33-minute interview, we're given a window into the world of #HarryChapin and #JimConnors, two iconic figures in the music and radio industries. Jim Connors, renowned as the morning host at #WJET in #Erie, #WMEX in #Boston, and #WYSL in #Buffalo, had a keen eye for talent, significantly influencing the careers of numerous artists, including the gifted singer/songwriter Harry Chapin.

The discussion opens with how they first met in the Boston area, blossoming into a friendship that deeply influenced Chapin's early career. This interview not only highlights their personal bond but also delves into the creative process behind Chapin's third album, #ShortStories, released in #1973. The album features the international hit #WOLD, which brilliantly captures the intricate demands of the radio business while echoing a universal yearning for a more grounded, ordinary life. This song not only resonated with #radio personalities but also reportedly inspired #HughWilson to create the beloved #TV show #WKRP in #Cincinnati.

Further enriching this conversation, Harry Chapin shares the inspiration behind his hit song "Taxi," revealing the emotional depth and personal experiences that fuel his songwriting. The dialogue explores the struggles and successes within the music industry, highlighting the pivotal role of authenticity in creating music that genuinely connects with listeners. Chapin's approach to songwriting seeks to mirror the emotional authenticity of artists like Jacques Brel, whose profound impact on French music is well recognized.

Both Chapin and Connors discuss the importance of maintaining artistic integrity, even in the face of commercial pressures and the challenges of controversial lyrics. This segment sheds light on their views of the music industry, emphasizing the value of telling genuine stories and staying true to one's artistic vision.

Throughout their careers, both men have navigated the complexities of fame and the music industry, always striving to keep a strong connection with their audience and to remain grounded despite external pressures. This dialogue is a must-hear for anyone interested in the intricacies of songwriting, the history of radio broadcasting, and the enduring impact of genuine musical storytelling.

Interesting Things with JC #506: "Fat Dogs" - Overweight dogs are more likely to become obese, which can lead to inflammation and disease. Overweight or obese dogs account for 59% of dogs in the United States and 63% of dogs in the United Kingdom.

Interesting Things with JC #496: "Microwaved Grapes" - grapes literally explode in the microwave.

Interesting Things with JC #495: "Sled Dog Racing" - Sled dogs are bred and trained for racing, and different breeds are better suited to different racing conditions. Alaskan Huskies, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyeds are among the most popular breeds for sled dog racing.

Interesting Things with JC #494: "Genomics and AI" - An exciting development in genomics has been the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and interpret large amounts of genomic data.

Interesting Things with JC #493: "Nutrition and the Aging Process" - proper nutrition is an important factor in reversing the aging process and improving the overall health of our bodies. By making healthy eating choices and incorporating a variety of nutrient-rich foods into our diet.

Interesting Things with JC #492: "Telomeres and Aging" - We might be able to control aging through gene therapy in the near future.

Aguado J, d'Adda di Fagagna F, Wolvetang E. Telomere transcription in ageing. Ageing Res Rev. 2020 Sep;62:101115. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101115. Epub 2020 Jun 18. PMID: 32565330.