It’s Baaaack!

Swap or Stop – the spring season - began this morning at 8:40. Here are three actual questions. See if you know the answers (in case you want to check those answers, they’re further down below.)

Level One: Name the nut that Stahmann Farms is famous for.

Level Two: What does DIY stand for as in the DIY network?

Level Three: Famous for recording Buddy Holly records, the Norman Petty Studios are located in what New Mexico city?

Another round of Swap or Stop this afternoon at 4:15 with Donna Dollar.

Answers:

1) Pecan

2) Do It Yourself

3) Clovis, NM

It’s April Fools’ Day.

A survey of business managers found almost 60% feel April Fools Day pranks are unsuitable for the office. But they say if you have to pull a prank remember a simple rule – ‘keep it clean – not mean’. They say shy away from obvious danger zones – like pranks that highlight age, race, religion or gender.

Today is National Fun Day and the beginning of Laugh at Work Week, a time to play clever, fun pranks on friends, family, and co-workers.

Today is National Hug Your Newsman Day.

The 101 number one song of the day was produced on a shoe-string budget but went on to earn a lot of money for its writer but not for many years after it was a hit. It was produced by Phil Margo, Mitch Margo, Hank Medress and Jay Siegal, better known as the Tokens who were famous for the “Lion Sleeps Tonight” who although signed to a production deal for Capitol Records, had exhausted their budget for any new recordings. So they paid for it out of their own pockets and played all the instruments in the session. Years later, a famous musician wrote and recorded a song which was determined to have plagiarized today’s featured record and a substantial sum of money was awarded to the estate of the late Ronnie Mack who had written the song. That was George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” which brings us to the song that was number one on April 1, 1963 – the Chiffons and “He’s So Fine”

Is your pooch pampered? It would be hard to be a Californian dog lover wo has built a $20,000 mansion with its own garden and picket fence for her pampered pooches. Modeled on owner Tammy Kassis's own home, it boasts a television, vaulted ceilings and air conditioning plus wallpaper and hand-made curtains. Her three dogs, Darla, Chelsea and Coco Puff, even have their own designer doggy beds if they don't fancy the lawn. Tammy, 47, said: "My dogs are my life." The former insurance exec, from LA, decided to give the dogs their own house after Coco Puff was almost kidnapped by an owl. She had the impressive 11-foot high home built by specialist Alan Mowrer's firm, La Petite Maison, which builds deluxe kennels. Other accessories include ceiling fans, heating and blinds for the windows. Tammy added: "My mother buys them most of the outfits - she treats them like they're grandchildren."

There was an earthquake in Carlsbad last weekend. Can you imagine touring the caverns when the earth starts shaking? Scientists have found a way to accurately predict earthquakes. First – you need a toad. It turns out toad behavior is the best indicator yet of an imminent earthquake. And the toads scientists have observed became agitated and fled…up to five days before the actual earthquake. Weird…when you consider they don’t notice the lawnmower coming straight at them when you’re cutting the grass.

There’s a new speeding crack down in the country – and it’s all because of the recession. A CBS News report found the usual 5 to 10 mile an hour ‘cushion’ you get before you’re pulled over for a ticket…is getting smaller. And they found fewer people pulled over – are getting away with warnings. The argument is the police are pulling more people over and writing more tickets – as a way for cities to generate additional income during tough times. Who among us didn’t suspect those red light cameras here in Las Cruces were more about revenue than safety?

Catch ya tomorrow at 6 am sharp!