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Richard "Dick" Biondi (1932–2023) was a legendary radio disc jockey, best known as one of the original rock ’n’ roll DJs and for helping shape Chicago’s radio sound. Nicknamed “The Wild I-tralian” for his high-energy style, quick wit, and playful personality, Biondi became a household name in 1960 at WLS-AM 890, where he was among the first U.S. DJs to play the Beatles. Over his seven-decade career, he worked at powerhouse stations across the country, including KRLA Los Angeles, WIBG Philadelphia, WKBW Buffalo, and WCFL, WJMK & WLS-FM in Chicago. Beloved by listeners and artists alike, Biondi was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1998. His larger-than-life presence, boundless enthuasm, and passion for rock ’n’ roll earned him the title of “The Screamer” and made him one of radio’s most enduring icons.
The “Dick Biondi for Mayor” movement began after a September 30th, 2010 episode of the Late Show with David Letterman. During a discussion of Rahm Emanuel’s announced run for Chicago mayor, Letterman began thinking of name of past Chicago Mayors, during which the Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer shouted “Dick Biondi!” as a joke. The joke inspired WLS Historian and radio personality, Scott Childers to create the campaign button and the image was posted allover social media. Though Biondi had no plans to run for Mayor of Chicago, the button was a fun piece of radio memorabilia.

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Ishtar is a 1987 American adventure-comedy film starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman. The film centers around two lounge singers who travel to Morocco and accidentally end up getting involved in a plot to overthrow the Emir of Ishtar. Despite being considered one of the worst films ever made it has gained more support over the years. 

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During the European Football Association (F.A.) Cup final back in 1964, Eddie Chapman, the club secretary created a drawing that originally read; "Good morning! Got any Cup-final tickets.” Smiling guys all over the area were looking forward to the biggest game between Manchester United versus West Ham United. Because there were so many requests to attend the game, Chapman came up with a ballot featuring the drawing found on the button. The West Ham United football clubbers that were lucky enough to gain entrance to the uproarious game, smiled as their team won the game at Wembley in 1964. And the rest is history. 

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In 1971, Governor Frank Licht of Rhode Island announced a state-wide effort to reduce venereal disease which had reached high proportions in the state, going by the name, “Let’s Get V.D.” The three-month effort promoted an ongoing program of free and confidential medical assistance to persons affected by a venereal disease. The program came out over concerns of large number of people affected by venereal disease but not treated for it, which resulted in doubling of known cases of venereal disease. The program reached into schools, neighborhood health centers, hospitals and through public service messages in newspapers, on the radio, television, outdoor advertising and bus advertising. The program was directed at the 14-25 age group where the incidents of venereal disease were the greatest to let them know they could be treated without parental approval and in the strictest confidence. The program was meant to supplement efforts already underway to inform the public about the dangers of venereal disease and geared towards those who didn’t read newspaper articles or brochures already distributed in the state. The campaign purposely built shock into the message to draw the attention of people to the problem and how it can be treated in a confidential matter.

The campaign and slogan went beyond Rhode Island as other states brought attention to the matter during National Pharmacy Week in 1971 on October 3-9. Other efforts included a VD telethon in Pennsylvania where a committee of high school students promoted the event with buttons with the slogan, “Let’s Get VD…Information,” posters, assemblies, student newspaper articles and public address announcements.

Brown illustration of an ape with a red mouth on a white background and a blue outer edge with black text

“Go Ape” is an idiom that came into popularity in the 1950s, and is used similarly to expression like “to go bananas”. It can be used to describe both excitement (The crowds go ape for the Beatles!) or unhappiness (Cubs fans went ape when their team lost 14-0!). 

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The American alternative rock group, the Pixies, released their second album Doolittle, which debuted in the Spring of 1989. The album was distributed in the U.S. by Electra Records in collaboration with the U.K. record label; 4AD. The Pixies formed in 1986 when two friends, Joey Santiago and Black Francis, who were neighbors while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst initially created the group. They later advertised to find fellow members Kim Deal and David Lovering. After the four members were in place, they chose their group name from the dictionary, finding that they liked the definition; “mischievous little elves,” so the name Pixies stuck. In 2009, the group got together in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of their edgy Doolittle album by touring Europe again for their fans, and in 2013 replaced one of the original members while continuing to tour today. 

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The Oregon State Beavers are the athletics teams of Oregon State University. The mascot of the teams is Benny the Beaver and the school colors of orange and black. The main rivals of the Beavers are the Oregon Ducks of the University of Oregon. The rivalry between the two football teams is known as the Civil War, with 118 contested games as of the 2014 season. Fans, alumni, and supports are known as the Beaver Nation. The Beaver Sports Radio Network broadcasts Beaver athletic events across dozens of frequencies in Oregon. 

Black silhouette of a beaver holding a red maple leaf.

The Canadian flag in its current form, a maple leaf with red and white stripes, was approved by Parliament and made official on February 15, 1965. The red color is a symbol of Canadian sacrifice during World War I and the maple leaf had already been a national symbol for around 100 years.

The beaver, much like the moose, has been considered a Canadian symbol for more than three centuries. Beavers are native to Canada and can be found in wooded areas throughout the nation. They do, however, have limited ranges due to being historically overhunted for their thick fur.