Today is National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day.

On this date in 1886, the first batch of Coca-Cola was brewed over a wood fire in the backyard of John S. Pemberton --

…it was launched as “an esteemed brain tonic and intellectual beverage, recommended for headaches and hangovers.”

Life imitated art 38 years ago today when Rolling Stone magazine featured this rock group on its cover following the group's hit song, "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone." Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.

The 101 number one song of the day was written by the same guys that wrote the song it replaced at the top of the charts. That happened twice before but never for two completely unrelated artists…even the whole sound was different. (That’s next) The writers were Kenny Nolan and Bob Crewe who was a onetime member and longtime producer for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. In fact the song that was knocked out of the top spot by today’s featured song was “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli. The song you’re about to hear was recorded by a group that had been around since the early sixties but with only limited success. Now with a new name – which they took from the their lead singer – they finally scored a huge hit. Unfortunately, it would also be their last although the lead singer is still very active to this day. On March 29, 1975 this song reached number one – “Lady Marmalade” LaBelle (Patti LaBelle)

Other Stuff:

Al Drucker, a retired IRS special agent, created TaxSqueal.com, a website that allows informants to alert the IRS anonymously about suspected tax fraud. One tipster had information about a tax cheat who inflated his charitable deductions. Another blew the whistle on someone who was running a construction business and was paid under the table. And there are three to five more allegations a day that trickle in from across the country – often from ex-employees, ex-friends and ex-spouses – about someone hiding money from the Internal Revenue Service. The site arrives at a time when the IRS has seen a surge in tax fraud investigations. There is a lot of money at stake. In a 2005 study, the IRS estimated that the “tax gap” – the difference between what taxpayers should pay and what they actually pay – was as much as $353 billion, enough to reduce this year’s federal deficit by 27%. Whistleblowers who offer tips that lead to a collection can receive 15% to 30% of what the IRS recovers.

Parents Need Spring Break Too

According to a recent survey by Travelocity, 35% of adults plan to increase their travel in 2011. Even though parents handle most of the vacation planning, kids have their own ideas about what constitutes a great trip. ORC International conducted a survey on behalf of Great Wolf Resorts to find out kids’ opinions about Spring Break. The results have one important thread in common: family. This poll of children ages 6 to 14 found that:

• More than 90% of kids agree that it’s important for their parents to have a Spring Break so they can be away from their jobs and just have fun.

• A third of all kids find it “very annoying” when their parents are always on their cell phones or laptops while on vacation. Bad weather and getting stuck in traffic were also rated “annoying” to “very annoying.”

• 85% of kids said it’s “very important” when choosing the ideal Spring Break vacation spot to pick a place where they can spend time with the whole family. Other important considerations include a destination with a variety of activities and adventures (61%) and a destination where they can interact and play with other kids their age (56%).

• 45% of kids also ranked an indoor destination that doesn’t depend on nice weather as “very important.”

NEED AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER?

England is putting one of their old aircraft carriers up for sale. The Ark Royal was once the flagship of the British Navy – but was taken out of commission earlier this year. The winning bidder will also get the ship’s mooring dock in London with the vessel.