When the snow and ice comes, it makes me think of getting out the snowblower. But a snowy city in Japan thinks, we could power our lights with this. Plus: a scenic train in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture is now running on a special kind of fuel that's made in part from leftover ramen broth.

Electricity from snow? A Japanese city believes it can be done (Nikkei)

This Japanese Train Ditched Conventional Fuel and Now Runs on Leftover Ramen Broth (My Modern Met)

Our Patreon backers keep us from running hot and cold 

A lot of products, even some otherwise green ones, still use a lot of disposable single-use plastic. But there’s a research project that aims to replace that plastic wrapping with a completely biodegradable version made from cranberries. Plus: Vollebak has some literally green-tech, a solar-powered winter jacket that gives off a green glow in the dark.

Could Dissolvable Cranberry Film Replace Plastic Packaging Someday? (Modern Farmer)

Vollebak’s Latest Puffer Glows in the Dark – But That’s Just One of Its Features Worth Noting (Cool Material)

Help our show grow - and glow - as a backer on Patreon

Today in 1913, the birthday of Richard Nixon, 37th president of the United States, and the only one who ever went a wild ride with the head of the Soviet Union. Plus: next month in Denmark, they’re opening a museum on the site of REGAN Vest, the country’s Cold War bunker.

Town Car Diplomacy – 40 Years Ago (Nixon Foundation)

Venture Into the Apocalypse at This Bunker-Turned-Museum in Europe (Thrillist)

It's always a sweet ride when we're with our backers on Patreon

Today in 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state in the Union. And so far, it’s the only one where a state lawmaker tried to make expert witnesses dress like wizards in court. Plus: tomorrow in Yuma, Arizona, the Yuma Medjool Date Festival!

Odd Law Alert: New Mexico Expert Wizard Amendment (University of Cincinnati Law Review)

Yuma Medjool Date Festival 

Our Patreon backers are magical 

Today was the birthday in 1914 of the man who brought spray can and whipped cream together: Aaron “Bunny” Lapin. Plus: today in 1895, the birthday of pioneering microbiologist Dr. Rebecca Lancefield. Some scientists mark her accomplishments by making her recipe for eggnog. 

Aaron 'Bunny' Lapin, 85, Dies (Washington Post)

Aaron S. Lapin, Reddi-wip Creator, Dies at 85 (New York Times)

More Evidence That Eggnog Goes Better With Booze (NPR)

We raise a toast to our backers on Patreon

It's the first Wednesday of the new year. How come many of us don’t pronounce it “WED-ns-day”? Plus: around this time in 1939, Lyra Ferguson of Missouri set a goal of traveling to each of the then-48 states and finding a job in each of them, for just one week.

Why 'Wednesday' Isn't Pronounced the Way It's Spelled (HowStuffWorks)

45 Jobs in 45 States (Weird Universe)

Our Patreon backers make our show possible every day of the week

We have some good news early in this new year: the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn’t leaning quite as far as it used to! Plus: today in 2020, people in Venice saw an unusual sight: two emu-like birds known as rhea or nandu took a train ride into the city and then roamed around like tourists.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa Now Leans Less, Its Infamous Tilt Having Been Reduced by 1.6 Inches Over the Last Two Decades (Artnet)

Emu-like birds' Venice day out earns fines for owners (The Guardian)

We lean on our Patreon backers, and they make every episode of this show possible

Most people have O, A, B or AB type blood, but there are dozens of rarer blood types, including Rhnull, which is sometimes called "golden blood." Plus: Today in 1978, a guy in a snowman costume ended up on fire?!? 

'Golden blood' - only 43 people in the world have this rare blood type (Jerusalem Post) 

Landry, Cowboy Coach, Enjoys Day at Movies (New York Times)

Our Patreon backers are as good as gold

Today in 1752, the birthday of the woman known today as Betsy Ross. The legend goes that after meeting with General George Washington, Mrs. Ross put together the very first version of what would become the flag of the United States. Historians are pretty sure that’s just a legend, but there are reasons why the story came to be. Plus: today in 2021, a village in Austria changed its name. When you know the name, you'll know why. 

Betsy Ross likely didn’t sew the first U.S. flag (National Geographic)

Betsy Ross (Museum of the American Revolution)

Austrian village of ‘Fucking’ decides to change its name (Deutsch Welle)

There are lots of winter sports, like snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, sledding, hockey and curling. One sport that used to be a big hit around this time of year? Competitive barrel jumping. Plus: tomorrow in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the 9th annual Chile Drop for New Year’s Eve.

The Wholesome Lost World of Competitive Barrel Jumping (Messy Nessy Chic)

Las Cruces Chile Drop

Thanks to our Patreon backers who have supported this show all through 2022!