Two Left

Over the next two weeks, we will se the final NFL playoff schedule fall into place. So many teams are on a short leash this weekend. It will end very badly for some.

All you can ever hope as a fan is for your team
to make the playoffs.

Who knows what happens after that.

Ken Weatherwax - Child Actor

Ken Weatherwax appeared as "Pugsley" on the "Adams Family" television series which ran from 1964-1966. He would spend the rest of his career in show business, working as a grip on several Hollywood productions.

Mr Weatherwax passed away on December 7, 2014 at his home in Box Canyon, CA from a heart attack. He was forced to retire a few years ago due to medical reasons.

Theodore Van Kirk - Crew Memeber of Enola Gay

Theodore Van Kirk was the last surviving member of the crew of the Enola Gay, the B-29 airplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. He died on July 28, 2014 in Stone Mountain, GA at the age of 93. Van Kirk was selected for the secret mission after distinguishing himself as a navigator during 58 combat missions in Europe. The devastation caused by the bomb forced Japan into ending World War II. He left the military with the rank of major. He enrolled at Bucknell University, graduating with a bachelor's and master's degree in chemical engineering. He spent his working years at Dupont where he became a marketing executive.

Conrado Marrero - Oldest Major League Player

Conrado Marrero of Cuba held the distinction of being the oldest former Major League Baseball player until his passing last week in Havana at the age of 102. He missed his 103rd birthday by two days.

He was a star pitcher in the Cuban League before making his MLB debut with the Washington Senators in 1950 at the age of 39. He compiled a 39-40 record over five seasons with an ERA of 3.97 and 296 strikeouts.

After he was released by the Senators in 1955, he returned to Cuba where he played through the 1957 season. He continued to work into his 80's as an instructor and coach and was honored as a Hero of the Republic of Cuba.

Alice Herz Sommer - Holocaust Survivor

Alice Herz Sommer was the oldest Holocaust survivor until she died in London on February 23, 2014 at the age of 110.

She was a classic pianist who mastered the works of Chopin. That allowed her to survive the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp run by the Nazis during World War II.

She was sent there in 1943 after her family was rounded up in Czechoslovakia. A certain death awaited her until her musical talent was discovered. She was forced to perform in over 100 concerts for prisoners and guards during her ordeal that saved her from the fate suffered by so many other prisoners.

After the war, she emigrated to Israel where she taught music until moving to London in the 1980's.

Ruth Robinson - Munchkin

Ruth Robinson was the last of the female Munchkins from the 1939 blockbuster movie "The Wizard of Oz". She died on January 16, 2014 at a hospice facility in Las Vegas at the age of 95. Her death leaves Jerry Marren as the only surviving Munchkin from the movie.

She was part of a cast of 124 little people who played one of the iconic roles in the movie. While working at MGM, she met her future husband.

During World War II, she worked as a riveter at an aircraft facility. Her small stature allowed her to work in small spaces.

She spent the rest of her life appearing at festivals and screenings celebrating the movie. Back in September, she appeared in Los Angeles at the world premier of the "Wizard of Oz 3D".

Walter H Stern - Fiscal Cliff

We have heard the expression "fiscal cliff" on numerous occasions to point out the dire economic consequences of the federal budget. The expression was dormant for decades until its use exploded in recent years.

Walter Stern, a former real estate writer for the New York Times, first used the expression on Oct 20, 1957 during a front page story in the paper. He referred to a home buyer as having the potential to be pushed off the fiscal cliff as a result of the purchase.

Sterns was with the Times from 1942-1961 before he left to pursue a career in public relations. He spent the 1970's and 80's doing media work for Mobil Oil.

He died on November 2, 2013 at the age of 88 while living in Florida.

James Vaught - Army Ranger

James Vaught was a distinguished Army commander who was a veteran of the Korean and Viet Nam wars as well as a graduate of Army Ranger school.

His biggest challenge came on April 24, 1980 when he lead an aborted rescue mission of 52 American hostages being held in Iran. It was a risky attempt and had the approval of President Jimmy Carter and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.    

Problems developed very early when a couple of helicopters became disabled. An accidental crash lead to the death of eight Americans. The mission was scrubbed after that.

The military took a big hit in the eyes of the public. As a result of the mission failure, an elite group of Navy fighters was formed to focus on counter terrorism. Thus began the history of the Navy SEALS.

Mr Vaught, 86, died on September 20, 2013 in Conway S.C. from an accidental drowning after falling out of his boat. It was revealed that he suffered from cardiac disease which most likely caused his death.

Margaret Pellegrini - Munchkin

Margaret Pellegrini parlayed a small movie bit into the roll of her life when she appeared in the 1939 classic, "The Wizard of Oz". She was one of the 124 Munchkins who appeared in the movie.

Ms. Pellegrini, 89, died on August 7, 2013 at a Phoenix area hospital after suffering a stroke two days earlier. Her passing leaves only two of the original Munchkins.

She was 16 when she appeared in the movie as a "sleepy head" youngster who wore a flower pot on her head. She spent the rest of her life doing guest appearances in her costume and telling stories about her time as a Munchkin.

Jiroemon Kimura - Oldest Man Ever

Jiroemon Kimura was recognized by Guinness World Records as being the oldest man in recorded history. He achieved that feat on December 28, 2012. He died at the age of 116 on June 12, 2013 in a Japanese hospital.

He was born on April 19, 1897 when Queen Victoria stilled reigned in the British Empire. Life expectancy in Japan was 44  years at that time. He was able to dodge tuberculosis and pneumonia, two of the bigger killers at that time.

He worked at post offices for 45 years before retiring in 1962 at the age of 65. He spent his remaining years reading and watching sumo wrestling on television. He also helped his son with his farm until he was 90.

He missed the record of the oldest person ever. Jeanne Calmet was 122 when she died in France in 1997.