Amtrak: Anniversary May 1, 1971
Mother Goose Day May 1
Gloria Delamar is the Founder of the Mother Foundation and believes “Either alone or in sharing, read childhood nursery favorites and feel the warmth of Mother Goose’s embrace.” Call Gloria at 215-782-1059. But not between noon and 1 pm. She gets pissed when people call during The Beading Hour on HGTV.
Batman Day May 1
Frequent Flier Program Debuts May 1
On this date in 1981, American Airlines unveiled the first rewards market program.
Go Fetch! National Food Drive For Homeless Animals May 1-31
Teen Self Esteem Month May 1-31
This is the month to boost your teens self-esteem. www.teenselfesteemmonth.com This is not in any way affiliated with my website www.
Motorcycle Safety Month May 1-31
National Moving Month May 1-31
Did you know that over 43 million Americans will pack up and move each year, and over half of those will do that in the next 90 days? I’m so FULL of useful info that it could make you puke, right? Sponsored by Allied Van Lines at www.allied.com
Stepmothers Day May 1
A day to honor, and I quote, “stepmothers who really care.” Do you? Care? Call 902-446-9028. My friend Brad had a SMILF. Seriously. Ridiculously SMILF-like.
National Bubba Day May 1
Really Sick Months May 1-31
Fibromyalagia Education and Awareness 415-479-8628
Hepatitis Awareness 800-891-0707
Allergy/Asthma Awareness 415-479-8628
Arthritis 800-283-7800
Correct Posture 800-986-4636
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection Month 847-330-0230
Mental Health 800-969-6642
Tuberous Sclerosis 800-225-6872
Neurofibromatosis 800-323-7938
Stroke Awareness 800-STROKES
Osteoperosis 202-223-2226
Lei Day May 1
Only in the State of Hawaii. But you’ve gotta love the name. I wonder how many people are arrested every year at the Honolulu airport for misinterpreting the traditional “lei greeting”?
New Homeowners Day May 1
A great opportunity to let people call in with their “money pit” horror stories. Call Dorothy Zjawin at 908-241-6241.
Revise Your Work Schedule Month May 1-31
Finally; a month-long amnesty for cheating on your time sheets. Call Maggi Payment with The Center For Worktime Options. 619-232-0404.
Edible Months May 1-31
National Barbecue Month (!) 732-494-1111
National Egg Month 708-296-7043
National Hamburger Month Sponsored by White Castle 614-228-5781
National Pet Week May 7-13 www.petweek.org
National Salsa Month 800-433-PACE
National Salad Month 404-252-3663
Vidalia Onion vidaliaonion.org
Vinegar Month 404-252-3663
National Good Car-Keeping Month May 1-31
I’ve always liked those “car care seminar/remotes” when you hang out at an auto parts client and show listeners how to do basic car maintenance stuff like changing the oil and filters. Call the Good Car-Keeping Institute in Chicago at 312-944-3369.
School Principals Day May 1
Why? Because they’re our pals. Call Janet Dellaria at 630-232-0425.
Great American Grump Out May 1
A 24 hour moratorium on being in a bad mood. www.smilemania.com
National Day Of Prayer May 2
Jenna Von Oy Turns 42!! and Sarah Hughes Turns 33!!!! May 2
Lumpy Rug Day May 3
This has nothing to do with what you think it might. It has to do with taking unwelcome facts and shoving them under the rug. Robert Birch, who’s definitely off his medication, can try to justify this at 703-533-3668.
A wacky morning show feature that really never took off, it’s now been co-opted by the American Academy of Dermatology as a recognition of skin cancer prevention. 847-330-0230. Also, and very few people know this, the original working title of a Bangles hit.
Christopher Cross Turns 68! May 3
National Public Radio First Broadcast May 3, 1971
“Good times.”
Paranormal Day May 3
A day for people with normals that come in pairs, to get together and do, well, stuff. Call Bob O’Brien at 646-233-6610.
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day May 3
That darn Arlene Kaiser. Always trying to be different. [email protected]
Kansas Barbed Wire Swap & Sell May 3-5
Big fun in Lacrosse, Kansas as Barbed Wire Collector’s Association gets together to swap, sell and swab open wounds. Bring Bactine. Call 785-222-9900.
No Pants Day May 3
Only in America could someone like Roy Janik turn a misdemeanor into a burgeoning cultural fetish. The first Friday in May is, according to Roy, an opportunity to unburden ourselves of our pants and go to work in our underwear. Roy will soon be making an appearance on “Dateline” I’m sure. In the meantime, his website is www.nopantsday.com
Mariachi Day May 4
World Password Day May 4
I’ve always thought a fun morning show bit would be to try to guess each other’s passwords playing hotter/colder. But already have changed them, you know, because…
International Respect For Chickens Day May 4
Take one out for drinks. Give them a hug. United Poultry Concerns is an animal rights group that most likely has zero sense of humor. About anything.www.upc-online.org
Intergalactic Star Wars Day May the 4th be with you
World Naked Gardening Day May 4
Totally Chipotle Day May 5
Steve Jones will be taking the day off to get liposuctioned.
Cinco De Mayo May 5
Baseball’s First Perfect Game May 5, 1904
Tossed by Denton T. “Cy” Young of the Boston Americans.
National Anxiety And Depression Awareness Week May 5-11
National Pet Week May 5-11
I’ve e-mailed it before and I’ll e-mail it again: it’s pretty hard to screw up when you’re doing promotions with people and their pets. Why not an owner/pet look-a-like contest? Give away free pet food or vaccinations from a vet. Do a pet parade. Or pet your sibling. For the poop, call 847-925-8070.
National Tourism Week May 5-11
The “Tourism Works For America Council” uses this to remind us of the economic, social and cultural benefits of tourism. The group also releases an annual list of the stupidest inquiries that local chambers of commerce and tourism bureaus get. Call the council at 202-408-8422.
Tina Yothers Turns 46!! May 5
Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10
Take this week to honor and thank some of the hardworking teachers and educators in your market. Have listeners call in and talk about their favorite teachers and why they were. If these people are still teaching, maybe you could drop by the school and give them an apple from their former student. 202-833-4000.
No Homework Day May 6
Ditch your homework. Cut class. Slack. Back talk. All in preparation for an exciting career in Radio. Call 717-279-0184
Melanoma Monday May 6
No Diet Day May 6
Time to head to Sizzler for the all you can eat buffet! Call Francie at 701-567-2646.
Be Kind To Animals Week May 6-12
Call 303-792-9900. helping facilitate pet adoptions is always good. Or do the Wild/Tampa bit where they tested if cats really CAN land on their feet if dropped off a roof.
Traci Lords Turns 51!! May 7
No Socks Day May 8
Some mathematician somewhere has probably figured the savings in chemicals, detergent, water, electricity and cloth if all socks were abolished. Tom and Ruth Roy are trying, if only for one day. My feelings? You start with no socks and soon people will be smoking hash in the streets. Call the Roys at 717-279-0184.
The War In Europe Ends: Anniversary May 8, 1945
National Donate A Days Wages To Charity Day May 8
The 11th annual observance of this charitable campaign to determine what 1/365th of your gross wages would be and give it to a deserving organization. Or, if you can’t afford that, donate your time to a charity. [email protected]
National Receptionist Day May 8
Do you think that you get a lot of bone-head phone calls? You’re only getting a small percentage of the idiots that your receptionist has to deal with daily. It’s time to dredge out some of the ideas that you couldn’t get to for Secretaries Day. Put receptionists from different businesses on the air to tell some of the stupidest calls that they’ve had to field. For instance, the US Coast Guard still gets a couple of dozen calls a year from people concerned with the search for the survivors of the SS Minnow. I’m not kidding. Call Jennifer Alexander for more ideas that you can do with this. 203-323-1480.
National Third Shift Workers Day May 8
Maybe have your overnight person buy everyone who stays up all night listening, breakfast.
National School Nurse Day May 9
Without these individuals, 70% of adult films would be without a premise. 207-883-2117.
Stay Up All Night Night May 10
George Mahood believes that there is something satisfying and refreshing in staying up all night, talking, getting caught up on stuff and being awake to see the sun rise. It gives me 80’s flashbacks. Email him at [email protected]
Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 10
Signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1984. Honors their contributions and sacrifices.
Eat What You Want Day May 11
Here’s something that I can support. Ignore all of those health warnings and dietary restrictions and for one day, eat what you want. Call 717-297-0184.
Hostess Cupcake Day May 11
Letter Carriers Food Drive May 11
Every year since 1993 US Postal employees in 10,000 cities collect non-perishable foods left by mail boxes and in post offices. www.nalc.org
National Miniature Golf Day May 11
Root Canal Appreciation Day May 11
Martin Z. Mollusk Day May 11
They do this at Moorlyn Terrace Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. If Martin Z. Mollusk, a hermit crab, sees his shadow at 11 am EST, then Summer will come a week early. If he doesn’t, then Summer will arrive on time. If neither happens, then I guess Martin’s thrown into a pot of boiling water and served over rice. This year will be the 28th Anniversary of this annual observance. Mark Soifer is the person who coordinates this major event. Call 609-525-9300.
National Babysitters Day May 11
“Bad Babysitters”. A great morning show topic. Also a potential theme week on “Lifetime”. Call 210-695-9838. (“Joel! Get off the babysitter!”)
Spitting Prohibition: Anniversary May 12
Here’s a news flash. On this date in 1896 the New York City Department of Health passed an ordinance prohibiting spitting on sidewalks and in other public places. Swallowing, surprisingly, is still okay.
Mothers Day: 112th Anniversary May 12
Here’s some trivia: this was first observed in 1907 in Philadelphia at the request of Anne Jarvis. She asked her church to hold a service in memory of all the mothers on the anniversary of her mothers death.
National Stuttering Awareness Week May 13-19
Sponsored by the Stuttering Foundation of America. 800-992-9392
National Etiquette Week May 13-17
There’s a whole lot of new etiquette that perhaps people need to be reminded of. Like the woman who sat behind me and took cellphone calls during a movie last month. Email [email protected]
National Smile Month May 13 to June 13
Sponsored by the American Academy Of Cosmetic Dentists. www.aacd.com
American Craft Beer Week May 13-17
Million Mom March Anniversary May 14, 2000
This was the first of the marches against handgun violence. Call 888-989-MOMS for info on this year’s event.
Cate Blanchett Turns 50 and Amber Tamblyn Turns 36!! May 14
National Slider (burger) Day May 15
Turn Beauty Inside Out May 15
I saw them do this to an alien on “Galaxy Quest”. Today is the day to focus on inner beauty and not just outer looks. Call Mind On The Media at 952-210-1625.
National Foul Ball Week May 16-21
The stuff you did not know.
National Piercing Day May 16
Janet Jackson Turns 53 and Gabriela Sabatini Turns 49!! May 16
First US Same-Sex Marriages Anniversary May 17, 2004
National Pizza Party Day May 17
National Bike To Work Day May 17
Up to 2,000,000 million people a year take this opportunity to explore an alternative way to get to work. www.bikeleague.org
Electra Goat BBQ Cook-Off May 17-18
If your favorite Goat Barbecue place has closed down, and you’ve got a hankering for some good goat, then look no further. Pack your bags and head to Electra, Texas for this festival. In addition to all of your standard fair fare (dances, parades, etc.) they’ll have a Goat Cook-Off and Cow Patty Bingo. I’d make it but I’m having my appendix put back in that week. Call 940-495-3577.
Rhubarb Festival May 17-18
Intercourse, Pennsylvania is where they host this mega-event. It features food, games and contests relating to rhubarb. Ask if there’s a beauty pageant. Wouldn’t the winner be Miss Intercourse? (At my school, her name was Kerry.) Call Lisa Horn, who has probably heard them all, at 717-768-8261.
Mia Hamm Turns 48!! May 17
Mt. St. Helens Eruption: Anniversary May 18, 1980
Visit Your Relatives Day May 18
Nothing could be more appropriate then scheduling this on the same day as the anniversary of a major volcanic eruption. Conceived by A.C. Mueller of Clio,Michigan, who was an A.C. before it was cool to be an A.C. Call him at 313-687-0423.
Tina Fey Turns 49!!! May 18
Anthony Zerbe Turns 83!! and Bronson Pinchot Turns 60!!! May 20
National Backyard Games Week May 20-27
Celebrate the start of summer by taking the fun outside. Call Frank Beres at 608-362-6896.
“I Need A Patch For That” Day May 21
They have patches for nicotine and birth control and heart ailments. What about for people whose fashion sense is stuck irrevocably in 1978?
Lisa Edelstein Turns 53!! and Judge Reinhold Turns 62!! May 21
National Waitstaff Day May 21
Here’s another opportunity to recognize over-worked and under-paid employees. Have the morning show go out and wait tables at lunchtime, donating the tips to charity and giving some folks a much-deserved day off. As for morning show material, waiters and waitresses should have some pretty good tales to tell, i.e.: celebs who were cheap tippers. Call Gaylord Ward at 810-743-1108.
“There Went Johnny!” Night: 27th Anniversary May 22
After almost 30 years as host of the Tonight Show, Johnny Carson signed off in 1992.
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” Premieres May 22, 1967 (Lady Elaine creeped me out)
AJ Langer Turns 44!!! May 22
Gary Burghoff Turns 76! And Alyson Hannigan Turns 46!!!! May 24
International Tiara Day May 24
Brothers Day May 24
A day to call your brother up and say “I love ya man.” (My brothers, sadly, are both hospitalized for nervous disorders and don’t have phone privileges.)
National Missing Childrens Day May 25
Go out to a mall and do a Kid Print promotion. Don’t forget that experts are now saying that the best way of helping track down kids is with video. Coordinate with your local authorities and/or call 914-255-1848.
National Tap Dance Day May 25
“Star Wars” Released May 25, 1977
National Paper Airplane Day May 26
Memorial Day May 26
Philip Michael Thomas (the man with three first names) Turns 69!! May 26
Memorial Day May 27
Cellophane Tape Patented May 27, 1930
Peri Gilpin Turns 58!! And Bruce Wietz Turns 76!! May 27
Indianapolis 500 May 27
First Radio Commercial May 28, 1922
Crackers Over The Keyboard Day May 28
Lisa Whelchel Turns 56!!! May 29
Seinfeld Debuts: Anniversary May 31, 1990
“Survivor” Premieres May 31, 2000
World No Tobacco Day May 31
Brooke Shields Turns 54!! and Lea Thompson Turns 58!! May 31