All About My Birthday!

As of September 4, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET:

* I am 52 years old.
* I am 625 months old.
* I am 2,714 weeks old.
* I am 18,993 days old.
* I am 455,831 hours old.
* I am 27,349,809 minutes old.
* I am 1,640,988,491 seconds old.

Fun Facts & Trivia:

* My date of conception was on or about December 12, 1957.
* I was born on a Thursday under the astrological sign Virgo.
* My opposition sign is Pisces.
* My ruling planet is Mercury.
* The moon's phase on the day of my birth was waning gibbous.
* My birth flower is Aster.
* My birth tree is Weeping Willow.
* My birthstone is Sapphire.
* My lucky day is Wednesday.
* My lucky dates are the 5th, 14th, and 23rd.
* My lucky number is 5.
* My opposition number is 3.
* My Life Path number is 9.
* I'm most compatible with people with the Life Path numbers 3, 6, and 9.
* I'm least compatible with people with the Life Path numbers 4, 8, and 22.
* My age is the equivalent of a dog that is 7.43326810176125 years old.
* My fortune cookie reads: Something you lost will soon turn up.

52 Candles:

The number of candles on my birthday cake produce 52 BTUs or 13,104 calories of heat. I can boil 5.94 ounces of water with that many candles-LOL!

Celebrities Who Share My Birthday:

Henry Ford II (1917)
Jason David Frank (1973)
Paul Harvey (1918)
Beyonce Knowles (1981)
Dan Miller (1980)
Mike Piazza (1968)
Dr. Drew Pinsky (1958)
Ione Skye (1970)
Tom Watson (1949)
Mitzi Gaynor (1930)
Damon Wayans (1960)
Richard Wright (1908)

Top Songs of 1958:

"At the Hop" by Danny & The Juniors
"It's All In the Game" by Tommy Edwards
"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
"All I Have to Do Is Dream" by The Everly Brothers
"Tequila" by The Champs
"Don't" by Elvis Presley
"Volare" by Domenico
"Modugno Sugartime" by The McGuire Sisters
"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" by Laurie London
"The Chipmunk Song" by David Seville & The Chipmunks

1958 in the United States:

* The President was Dwight Eisenhower.
* The Vice-President was Richard Nixon.
* It was not a leap year.
* The date of Ash Wednesday was February 19th.
* The date of Passover was Saturday, April 5th.
* The date of Easter was Sunday, April 6th.
* There were approximately 1,667,231 marriages and 385,144 divorces.
* A new person was born approximately every 8 seconds.
* There were approximately 4.0 million births.
* The population was approximately 150,697,361 people.
* One person died approximately every 12 seconds.
* There were approximately 1,452,000 deaths.
* Click here for more information...

Fired Because Of Facebook

According to a 2009 study done by the internet security firm Proofpoint, 8% of companies with more than 1,000 employees have fired someone for social media actions, a figure that is double what was reported in 2008. Yet, it probably comes as no surprise that Facebook firings, in particular, are on the rise. Cases of employers firing employees for social media slip-ups have been consistent in the news over the past few years. And, just in case you need a "refresher course" on what not to say or post (i.e. photos) online, here's a timeline of 12 ridiculous examples of how FB can get you fired...

1. November 4, 2008: New England Patriots cheerleader Caitlin Davis was cut from the squad over controversial pictures that were posted on her FB page. Davis, then 18 years old, was at a Halloween party when she posed for photos with a passed-out man who was covered in graffiti, including swastikas, anti-Semitic remarks, and profanity. Davis was fired from the squad after the pictures appeared on various websites and caught the attention of the Patriots' management team. She had been the youngest cheerleader ever to make an NFL squad.

2. February 26, 2009: A U.K. teenager was fired for calling her job "boring." According to The Daily Mail, Kimberley Swann posted comments such as... "First day at work. OMG (Oh, my God)! So dull! All I do is shred, holepunch, and scan paper!" Swann was canned after her boss discovered the comments.

3. March 9, 2009: Dan Leone, a stadium operations employee for the Philadelphia Eagles, was fired for voicing his opinion on the team's trading practices via FB. Leone reportedly updated his FB status with, "Dan is [BLEEP] devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver... Damn Eagles R Retarted!"

4. April 27, 2009: A Swiss woman was fired after calling in sick and then logging into FB on her "sick day." Apparently, the woman had a migraine and called out of work because she thought the light from a computer would bother her and she needed to lie in a dark room. When her employer caught her surfing FB, it was presumed that she was indeed well enough to sit in front of a computer, so she was let go.

5. April 28, 2009: A Minnesota nursing home employee was fired after rumors spread that she had posted photos of herself with nude patients on her FB page. Though no nude pictures were found, the employee did have pictures of herself with clothed patients, which violated the home's privacy policy and led to her termination.

6. August 27, 2009: Ashley Payne, a Georgia high school teacher, was forced to resign after the local school board came across pictures of her sipping beer and wine. The pictures, which appeared on Payne's FB page, were from a vacation she had taken that summer, which included a trip to the Guinness Brewery in Ireland. Payne was quoted as saying "I did not think that any of this could jeopardize my job because I was just doing what adults do and have drinks on vacation and being responsible about it." She sued the school district last November. The case is expected to go to trial this fall.

7. February 11, 2010: South Carolina firefighter and paramedic Jason Brown was fired for creating a three-minute long animated video and posting it on FB. The video, which showed a cartoon doctor and paramedic responding to an emergency in a hospital, was meant to be a spoof, Brown said. However, his department didn't find the video funny, calling it "an embarrassment", and Brown was fired.

8. March 3, 2010: Gloria Gadsden, a professor at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, was fired after updating her FB status with things such as... "Does anyone know where I can find a very discrete hitman? Yes, it's been that kind of day." The school said it was being overcautious because of the February 12th shootings at the University of Alabama, in which professor Amy Bishop was charged with killing three fellow professors.

9. May 17, 2010: North Carolina waitress Ashley Johnson was fired from her job at a Brixx Pizzeria after posting a negative comment about two of her customers. Johnson called the customers who left her a $5.00 tip after sitting at their table for three hours "cheap." Though she did not mention the names of the customers, Johnson did include the name of the pizzeria in her post. A few days later, management called her to tell her she was fired for violating the restaurant's social media policy.

10. May 24, 2010: The city of West Allis, WI fired a veteran police dispatcher of 21 years over a status update. Dana Kuchler was terminated after posting that she was "addicted to vicodin, adderall, quality marijuana, MD 20/20 grape and absinthe" on her FB page. Despite saying the post was a joke, Kuchler was terminated by the city. Her union then filed an appeal, claiming the punishment was too harsh for the crime. The arbitrator agreed, instead sentencing Kuchler to a 30-day suspension without pay. The city is currently in the process of appealing the new decision in an attempt to have Kuchler's termination reinstated.

11. June 10, 2010: Five California nurses were terminated after it was discovered that they were discussing patient cases on the site. The situation was investigated for weeks by both the nurses' employer, Tri-City Medical Center in San Diego, and the California Department of Health before the nurses were fired for allegedly violating privacy laws.

12. June 21, 2010: A Pittsburgh Pirates' mascot was fired earlier this summer, after posting a comment about the team's choice to extend the contracts of two of its managers. Andrew Kurtz, 24 years old, was fired within hours of posting the comment "Coonelly extended the contracts of Russell and Huntington through the 2011 season. That means a 19-straight losing streak. Way to go Pirates" to his FB page.

Whether you think the above examples are merely employees exercising their right to free speech or sheer stupidity, it seems that FB postings have become fair grounds for termination at many companies these days. And, like it or not, this will probably continue into the future as more and more employers develop strict policies regarding what you "can and cannot do" on FB, if you plan to remain in their employ. Considering the fact that most people join social networks for the benefit of "personal" interaction with family and friends or networking in general, much of the scrutiny of our FB pages by employers seems petty and they should have better things to do with their time... like run their companies. (There's a thought!) It's almost as though some of them are actually "looking for reasons" to terminate people. (Don't rule out that possibility!)

Until some of these cases are decided by the courts and the rights of all parties involved are clearly defined, I guess the best thing to do is watch what you say and the photos you post on social networks of any kind. Also, don't be afraid of your privacy settings and take full advantage of using them whenever necessary. Always remember that you can control what co-workers and/or employers see when they visit your FB page... and, for now, that might be your best defense. Of course, your ultimate defense would be to rethink your decision to "friend" anyone connected to your job... which in my mind, would also include clients, customers, constituents, etc. who can voice their opinions to your employer about something they saw on your FB page. I mean, is it really necesssary to "friend" them? Don't you have to deal with that kind of foolishness enough at work?

P.S. The ultimate defense can also be used for those people who constantly feel the need to judge you too harshly for merely being a "human being", based on the contents of your Facebook page. They have not been appointed by GOD to sit in judgement of you. Please, don't even get me started on them!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, and
a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silent, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Happy Birthday, Michael...

He would have been 52 years old today :(

A Message From Autism Speaks...

Mark Your Calendar!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia PA

Join us as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with Autism!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family-friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder. We need more volunteers to join our fight. Whether this is your first walk or the 10th, take the first step and register today.

Every 20 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has autism. Help us change that! Start fundraising today. Whether you strive to join our new "Grand Club" (walkers that raise $1,000 or more) or sell lemonade to boost your total, you become a piece of the puzzle! Don’t wait another minute. Start a corporate, school, or family team today. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

For more information about Walk For Autism Now and online registration, please visit the official website. For questions or comments, contact Autism Speaks via email.

"Happy Birthday" Wishes For The President

It has been reported that 1.2+ million people signed President Obama's online greeting card commemorating his 49th birthday on August 4th!

Did you know that you can also receive greetings from the president? The White House will send greeting cards signed by the President of the United States to commemorate accomplishments, milestones, or special events free of charge to U.S. citizens. To request a greeting card from the President, just follow these guidelines from the White House Greetings Office.

U.S. Citizens Only: The White House will send greetings to United States citizens only, for special occasions as outlined below.

Advance Notice Required! Your request should be received at least six (6) weeks in advance of the event date. Greetings are generally not sent after the event date, except for wedding congratulations and newborn acknowledgments.

Submitting Requests: Requests may be submitted through the office of one of the U.S. Senators from your state. Requests can also be mailed to: White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20502. Requests can also be faxed to 202-456-2461.

Anniversary Greetings: Anniversary greetings will be sent to couples who are celebrating a 50th, 60th, 70th, or later wedding anniversary.

Birthday Greetings: Birthday greetings will only be sent to people turning 80 years old or older or veterans turning 70 years old or older.

Other Greetings: A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important life events such as:

* Baby's birth or adoption of a child

* Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Ordination, or equivalent religious occasion

* Girl Scout Gold Award

* Eagle Scout Award

* Retirement after at least 30 years on the same job

* Wedding: Send your request after the event

Please include the following required information in your reqeust:

- name and home address of honoree(s)
- form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.)
- exact date of occasion (month, day, year)
- age for birthdays or number of years for marriage
- your (the requestor's) name and daytime phone number
- any other specific mailing instructions, if necessary
- Wedding: Include the couple's married name and current or new address

Update: The White House Greetings Office is swamped!

Since the announcement for greetings from the president was originally made in 2009, the response has been overwhelming and the Greetings Office has been informing citizens requesting greeting cards of the following: It is currently taking several months for the requests to reach the Greetings Office and to be mailed out. Because of this, they are no longer able to "guarantee" the on-time arrival of greeting cards, but they do promise that you will receive them. So, please send your requests in a time-sensitive manner that will ensure as much advance notice as possible.

A Summer White Midnight Kappa Kruise

Kappa Alpha Psi

The Spirit of Philadelphia

Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Motivational Poster Of The Day

These photos were taken by me and my daughter during a one-day trip to Giggleberry Fair at Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA on "Independence Monday", July 5th. In turn, I created a collage of the individual photos and went to the website Big Huge Labs to create this motivational poster, which you can click on for a larger view. Please forgive me, but these are my grandkids and I just couldn't resist the urge to have a little fun with these photos (smile)!

Happy Independence Day!

ART: "4th of July Night Sky" By Albert Howard

Somewhere In My Lifetime *

Remembering Phyllis Hyman
July 6, 1949 - June 30, 1995
Phyllis was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh. After leaving Pittsburgh, her music training started with a scholarship to a music school. On graduation, she performed on a national tour with the group New Direction in 1971. After the group disbanded, she joined All The People and worked with another local group, The Hondo Beat. At this time, she appeared in the film "Lenny" (1974). She also did a two-year stint leading a band called Phyllis Hyman and the P/H Factor. Phyllis was discovered in 1975 by internationally known pop artist and music industry veteran Sid Maurer, and former Epic Records promoter Fred Frank, and signed to their Road Show Records/Desert Moon imprint.

Phyllis moved to New York City to work on her career. She did background vocals on Jon Lucien's "Premonition" and worked in clubs. It was during one of these performances that she was spotted by Norman Connors, who offered her a spot as a vocalist on his album, "You Are My Starship" (1976). The duo scored on the R&B charts with a remake of The Stylistics' classic "Betcha by Golly Wow". Phyllis sang with Pharaoh Sanders & the Fatback Band while working on her first solo album, "Phyllis Hyman" (1977), which was released on the Buddah Records label.

When Arista Records bought Buddah, she was transferred to that label. Her first album for Arista, "Somewhere In My Lifetime" was released in 1978. The title track was produced by another famous artist on the Arista label, Barry Manilow. Her follow up album, "You Know How To Love Me", made the R&B Top 20 and also performed well on the club/dance charts.

In the late 1970s, Phyllis married her manager Larry Alexander (who is the brother of Jamaican pianist and melodic player Monty Alexander), but their personal and professional associations ended in divorce. Larry introduced Phyllis to cocaine which led to a life-long dependency and spent a lot of her money during the years. The relationship was tumultuous, to say the least.

Phyllis had her first solo Top Ten hit in 1981 with "Can't We Fall In Love Again", a duet with Michael Henderson. The song was recorded while she was performing in the Broadway musical "Sophisticated Ladies", a tribute to Duke Ellington. She performed in the role for almost two years, receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and winning a Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer.

The continued problems between Phyllis and Arista Records caused a pause in her recording career. She used the time to appear on movie soundtracks, television commercials, and guest vocal appearances, working with Chuck Mangione, The Whispers, and The Four Tops. Phyllis provided vocals for three tracks on jazz pianist McCoy Tyner's "Looking Out" (1982). She toured often and did a college lecture tour.

In 1983, Phyllis recorded the song "Never Say Never Again" as the title song for the James Bond movie of the same name, written by Stephen Forsyth and Jim Ryan. However, Warner Brothers informed Forsyth that Michel Legrand, who wrote the score for the film, had threatened to sue them, claiming he contractually had the rights to the title song. An alternate title song composed by Legrand was eventually used for the film and performed by singer Lani Hall, formerly of Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66.

Finally free from Arista Records in 1985, Phyllis released the album "Living All Alone" on Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International label the following year, capitalizing on the torch songs "Old Friend", "You Just Don't Know", "Screaming At The Moon", and the melancholy title track. Shortly afterwards, she appeared in the films School Daze and The Kill Reflex. She would also continue to lend her voice to albums for other artists and musicians like Grover Washington, Jr. and Lonnie Liston Smith, while at the same time doing international tours.

Again, on Philadelphia International Records, Phyllis released her next album called "Prime Of My Life" in 1991. It was the biggest album of her career. It included her first number one R&B hit as well as her first Billboard Top 100 hit, "Don't Wanna Change The World". The album provided two more Top Ten R&B singles, "Living In Confusion" and "When You Get Right Down To It". Just over a year later, she appeared one last time on a Norman Connors album, singing the title song, "Remember Who You Are", which became a minor R&B hit. "Prime Of My Life" eventually sold 454,000 copies. The album and debut single were both RIAA certified Gold in 1992.

On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Phyllis committed suicide by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital in her New York City apartment. She was found just a few hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre. She left behind a suicide note that simply read, "I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you." She was 45 years old. A memorial service was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Manhattan, NY. The following month would have been her 46th birthday.

Phyllis actually recorded her last album, "I Refuse To Be Lonely", on Philadelphia International Records prior to her death and it was an in-depth journey into her personal life. The album was finally released posthumorously in November 1995, five months after her death. Although the project had an overdrawn gestation, to combat the delay in its commercial release, she had begun performing the tracks, "This Too Shall Pass" and "I Refuse To Be Lonely" in concert. The delay in the album's release adversely affected her both emotionally and financially and the delay was said to be cited over "cost negotiations." Both the title track and the single, "I'm Truly Yours", became minor R&B hits.

Three years after her death, another posthumorus album of unreleased material came forth. The songs were pulled together from various recording sessions that took place from the mid-1980s into the early 1990s. The album was called "Forever With You" (1998) and contained love songs, torch songs, bittersweet ballads, smooth jazz offerings, and uptempo tracks, most of which showcased her usual interpretation of heartbreak and strife. Phyllis was quoted as saying that the songs were about "relationships gone bad". Much of the material on the album was initially intended for her "Living All Alone" (1985) release. The song "Funny How Love Goes" contains a posthumous "duet" featuring vocalist Damon Williams. Half of Phyllis's vocals were re-recorded with both singers alternating vocals and providing Williams with exposure.

In December 2003, Expansion Records, in association with Michael A. Grimaldi's The Other Artists' Entertainment (Canada), released the compilation album entitled "In Between The Heartaches: The Soul Of A Diva". This album contained more previously unreleased demos that Phyllis recorded during the 1980s. Included are the McCoy Tyner tracks, which remain Phyllis's most critically acclaimed recordings. Many anecdotes outlining his personal relationship with Phyllis, along with rare and insightful information about the songs, was included by Grimaldi, a personal and professional friend of the songstress. In September 2007, an authorized biography was released. The book entitled "Strength Of A Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story" is written by Jason A. Michael, in cooperation with the Estate of Phyllis Hyman.

In 2008, an original version of the James Bond theme "Never Say Never Again" that wasn't used in the film due to contractual issues, was released by the track's co-writer Stephen Forsythe. He explained that the legendary Phyllis Hyman was his first choice to sing the song and working with her was one of the highlights of his musical career. He personally auditioned and sang the song to her while she was having breakfast in her manager’s office. After agreeing to sing the song, she arrived at the studio and, without any rehearsal and only having heard the song sung once at the breakfast audition, sang the song in one perfect take. The year before she died, Phyllis called Forsythe late one night and told him that she felt "Never Say Never Again" was her best effort and favorite recording.

* This will always be one of my favorite songs by Phyllis Hyman.

Join The Celebration!

Friday, June 25th, 5:00pm - Taste of Philadelphia
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Interested in sampling cuisine from the region’s best chefs? Come and try amazing “tastes” from some of the most popular restaurants in the city and find new favorite menu items. Stroll the waterfront while you’re “dining” and listen to some great beats at the same time. Participating restaurants include: Hard Rock Café, Tony Lukes, Steaks on South, and many more.

Saturday, June 26th, 11:00am - Taste of PhiladelphiaPenn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Taste of Philadelphia continues with its first full day of music, food, and fun. Sample some of the best cuisine in the city. There’s music all day to enjoy and help you keep your appetite up.

Saturday, June 26th, 8:00pm - Morris Day & The Time Concert / Fireworks
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Brush off your bird dance, take one last look in the mirror, and head to Penn’s Landing to hear Morris Day & The Time perform “The Bird”, “Jungle Love”, and all their greatest hits.

Sunday, June 27th, 11:00am - Taste of Philadelphia
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Don’t miss the delicious bites from Philadelphia’s many restaurants. There’s more music and fun to be had, so bring your family and friends.

Sunday, June 27th, 4:30pm - Rev. Hezekiah Walker
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
The "Hip-Hop Pastor," Rev. Hezekiah Walker, graces the Taste of Philadelphia with a free concert presented by Praise 103.9, Philadelphia’s Inspiration Station. Blending the sounds of Gospel and Hip-Hop, Rev. Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir will surely have you out of your seat.

Sunday, June 27th, 6:00pm - Jeffrey Gaines
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Experience the critically-acclaimed sounds of Jeffrey Gaines who is called “the voice of a new generation” by Rolling Stone magazine. Jeffrey Gaines gives a free and special performance of all his most beloved songs.

Monday, June 28th, 10:00am - Go 4th & Learn About History
Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street
Mayor Nutter and local celebrities will share in a historical story time with children from across the region. Bring the little ones to this free morning event also featuring face painting, crafts, and interactive games, as well as chances to take your photo with a 1918 Wawa Antique Dairy Truck.

Monday, June 28th, 9:00pm - Philly @ The Movies
Rittenhouse Square, 18th & Walnut Streets
Featured Movie: "To Catch A Thief"
Join us in serene Rittenhouse Square for a free screening of a much-loved film.

Tuesday, June 29th, 10:30am - Go 4th & Learn About Science
Franklin Institute/Theatre, 222 North 20th Street
Children will participate in an interactive program on the science of fireworks. After this exciting program, participants are invited to enjoy the museum’s exhibits. Note: Admission will be free on a first-come-first-served basis, as there is limited availability for this event. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday, June 29th, 9:00pm - Philly @ The Movies
Love Park, 15th & JFK Boulevard
Featured Movie: "Grease"
Join us for the sing-along version of this musical favorite and groove to the hits from this classic tale of romance and teen angst.

Wednesday, June 30th, 10:00am - Go 4th & Learn About ArtPhiladelphia Museum of Art, 26th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Local youth will participate in a story time presentation by 2010 Caldecott Medal winner illustrator and Philadelphia native, Jerry Pinkney, and will enjoy interactive arts activities exploring summer scenery and the Philadelphia landscape. Note: Admission will be free on a first-come-first-served basis, as there is limited availability for this event. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday, June 30th - Wawa Hoagie Day & Philly @ The Movies
Philadelphia Art Museum, 26th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
7:00pm--Hoagie Day; 9:00pm--Featured Movie: "Rocky"
Join Wawa for an epic Philadelphia double feature: The famed Hoagie Day celebration followed by a special screening of Rocky, all free of charge. Wawa will serve a culinary masterpiece fit for display in one of the museum’s galleries - A mile-long hoagie! Enjoy a party atmosphere and fun before settling down for Philly @ the Movies at the foot of the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's a one-two combo that can't be beat.

Thursday, July 1st, 7:30pm - Philly @ The Movies
Pearl Theatre, 1600 North Broad treet
Featured Movie: "The Last Airbender Preview"
Philly @ The Movies provides an exclusive preview screening of “The Last Airbender,” based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series. This special premiere will be screened a day before the live-action feature hits theaters nationwide.

Thursday, July 1st, 8:30pm - Screening Under the Stars: "Avatar"
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
See one of this year’s blockbuster movies on the biggest screen we could find!

Friday, July 2nd - Picturing Liberty: Philadelphia’s Legendary Bell
Philadelphia International Airport, 8000 Essington Avenue
Whether you are heading in or out of town, check out this amazing new photography exhibit which highlights one of the most recognized symbols of America’s freedom. Ticketed passengers only!

Friday, July 2nd, 12:00pm - Independence Picnic
Historic Philadelphia
Come and celebrate Dietz & Watson Hot Dog Day in Historic Philadelphia and meet Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, and a host of other historic characters. While you’re there, visit other unique Philadelphia attractions like the Independence Visitor Center and the National Constitution Center, all located in this remarkably historic area. Stick around for the pre-opening of Liberty 360, the new 3-D, HD, 360 degree indoor show at the new Historic Philadelphia Center. Enjoy great food and history free of charge.

Friday, July 2nd, 8:00pm - Philly POPS on Independence
Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
Peter Nero & the Philly Pops will return to celebrate America’s birthday in a special “POPS on Independence” performance that commemorates the birth of our nation, with a free performance of great American music including stirring patriotic anthems, rousing marches, and holiday favorites, set against the fitting backdrop of Independence Hall.

Saturday, July 3rd, 12:00pm - Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Walnut Street
Nothing beats ice cream on a hot summer day! Make a $5 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund and help find a cure for Pediatric Leukemia while enjoying all of the cold stuff you can eat. The event is scheduled to last until 9:00pm, with an hour-long break in the festivities from 5:00-6:00pm.

Saturday, July 3rd, 12:00pm - Block Party in Chinatown
Enjoy cooking demonstrations, a festive open air market, and a multitude of exciting dance and musical performances as we celebrate Asian culture in Philadelphia’s own Chinatown, an urban village just north of the Center City district.

Saturday, July 3rd, 8:00pm - Philadelphia Orchestra Concert & Fireworks
Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Chestnut Street
Join The Philadelphia Orchestra for an evening of patriotic and classical favorites to enchant music lovers of all ages. After the free concert, enjoy a brilliant fireworks display.

Sunday, July 4th, 10:00am - Celebration of Freedom
Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
Join Mayor Michael A. Nutter and other local dignitaries as they kick off the day’s festivities at a ceremony honoring America’s 234th birthday.

Sunday, July 4th, 11:00am - Philadelphia Independence Day Parade
Historic Philadelphia
Bring your flags, patriotic spirit, and plenty of energy to America’s best July 4th parade ever and revel in the pageantry that has made this march through Historic Philadelphia a new local tradition.

Sunday, July 4th, 12:00pm - Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Walnut Street
Celebrate the holiday the right way with all-you-can eat treats. Make a $5 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund and take advantage of all the free ice cream you can eat.

Sunday, July 4th, 12:30pm - Happy Birthday America!
Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets
Join us as we celebrate America’s birthday and sample free delectable treats from our hometown favorite, Tastykake.

Sunday, July 4th, 1:30pm - Bell Tapping Ceremony
Liberty Bell Center, 500 Market Street
Descendents of the original Declaration of Independence signers honor their ancestors by ceremonially tapping this symbol of American freedom.

Sunday, July 4th, 12:00pm - Party On The Parkway
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval
The whole family will enjoy this afternoon of fun, free entertainment, and of course, lots of food.

Sunday, July 4th, 8:00pm - Life, Liberty & You Concert / Fireworks
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Eakins Oval
Get ready to rock out to the latest music from the Goo Goo Dolls, The Roots, Chrisette Michele, and Chuck Brown as a part of the largest free concert in America. But, come early because you won’t want to miss hearing the other great main stage acts. Directly after the concert, make sure to catch the most spectacular fireworks in the city.

Monday, July 5th, 12:00pm - Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard @ Walnut Street
Don’t miss out on your last chance to make a $5 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund and take advantage of all the free ice cream you can eat.

For more information, go to the Welcome America official website
www.welcomeamerica.com

The Road Less Traveled, But Paved Just The Same

The Lady (Bug) of the Household @
www.ladybughousehold.blogspot.com

One Year Ago Today, The Music Stopped...

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s unexpected death and several TV networks are providing coverage of the fallen superstar throughout most of the weekend. In addition to tribute specials, including the BET Awards, which will air and honor Michael this Sunday evening, there will be video countdowns, tours of Neverland Ranch, and various documentaries about him. There will also be specials on his entourage, children, family, and the conspiracy theories surrounding his death. Here is a listing of several programs about the "King of Pop" that will be airing this weekend, starting today. And, no doubt, his music will be in heavy rotation on radio stations across the globe for the next few days as well. Sometimes, I still can't believe he's gone. - :(

CBS: The Early Show (Friday, June 25th, 7:00-9:00am)--The entire 8:00am hour, billed as “The King of Pop: One Year Later”, will see Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, and Julie Chen & Company hosting a special tribute performance by James Morrison in London. Also on hand will be guest stars Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, and Smokey Robinson, who will share what Michael Jackson’s music has meant to them.

VH1 Classics: Famous Crime Scene-Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25th, 9:00-9:30am; 4:30-5:00pm)

VH1 Classics: The Jacksons-An American Dream (Friday, June 25th, 9:30am-2:30pm; 6:00pm-11:00 pm)

VH1: The Jacksons-An American Dream (Friday June 25th, 12:00-5:00pm)

BET: Michael Jackson-Life of a Superstar (Friday, June 25th, 1:00-2:00pm)

BET: Inside the Michael Jackson Mansion-Never Can Say Goodbye (Friday, June 25th, 2:00-3:00pm)

VH1 Classics: Michael Jackson-Video Retrospective (Friday, June 25th, 2:30-4:30pm)

VH1 Classics: Classic All Time Top 10 (Friday, June 25th, 5:00-6:00pm; 11:00pm-12:00am)

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Top 10 Video Countdown (Friday, June 25th, 5:00-6:30pm; Saturday, June 26th, 8:00-9:30am)--MTV determines MJ’s top 10 videos based on the number of views each has received on MTV.com. The special features running text commentary, Jackson’s VMA performances, and rare interviews he granted to MTV.

BET: 106 & Park (Friday, June 25th, 6:00-8:00pm)--The 106 gang devotes their "Freestyle Friday" to counting down Michael Jackson’s greatest videos.

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Influence on Music (Friday June 25th, 6:30-7:30pm)--A compilation of videos featuring top music artists discussing Michael Jackson’s influence on their work.

TV Guide: Michael Jackson-His Family Dynasty (Friday, June 25th, 7:00-8:00pm)

Hollywood 411: Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25th, 8:00-9:00pm)

CNN: Michael Jackson-The Final Days (Friday, June 25th, 8:00-9:00pm)--CNN’s Don Lemon talks with Jermaine and Tito Jackson about their brother’s death and drug abuse. Also on hand is Dr. Deepak Chopra and famed choreographer Travis Payne, who shares details about working with Michael Jackson on preparations for his "This is It!" tour.

FUSE: Michael Jackson-The Inside Story (Friday, June 25th, 8:00-9:30pm)--This new documentary examines claims, including those from father Joe Jackson and sister LaToya Jackson, that Michael was murdered.

BET: Michael Jackson History-The King of Pop (Friday, June 25th, 8:00-10:00pm)

TV One: Michael Jackson-30th Anniversary Celebration (Friday, June 25th, 8:00-10:00pm; Saturday June 26th, 12:00-2:00am)

ABC: 20/20 Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25th, 9:00-11:00pm)

NBC: Dateline (Friday, June 25th, 9:00-11:00pm)--The first hour of the show will include Michael Jackson coverage, including an exclusive interview with Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother.

TV Guide: Gone Too Soon (Friday, June 25th, 9:00-11:00pm)--Ian Halperin, New York Times’ No. 1 bestselling author of "Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson", spent five years researching Jackson and declared in December 2008 that the King of Pop had only six months to live. He was only off by one day. Halperin directs this documentary about the factors that he believes contributed to Jackson’s untimely death.

FUSE: Michael Jackson-A Tribute (Friday, June 25th, 9:30-10:30pm)

TV One: Man in the Mirror-The Michael Jackson Story (Friday, June 25th, 10:00pm-12:00am; Saturday, June 26th, 2:00-4:00am)

QVC: Michael Jackson Music & Memories (Friday, June 25th, 11:00pm-12:00am)

VH1: Famous Crime Scene-Michael Jackson (Friday June 25th, 11:30pm-12:00am)

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Music Videos (Saturday, June 26th, 6:00-8:00am)

BET: The BET Awards (Sunday, June 27th, 8:00-11:00pm)--Queen Latifah will host the 10th annual awards show from the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, with performances from T.I., Kanye West, Usher, T-Pain, Alicia Keys, and Eminem, a Michael Jackson tribute has been added to the lineup.

Much Ado About Feeding Children

USDA Summer Food Service Program

As schools close for the summer throughout the country, millions of children will start showing up at summer-feeding sites. This year, the federally-funded program has generated a lot of controversy on the internet after the radio commentator Rush Limbaugh recently bashed summer-feeding programs and suggested that kids "dive into dumpsters" for food.

According to a new report by the Foundation For Child Development, the rate of U.S. children living in poverty this year will be around 22%, which is up from 17% in 2006, before the recession began. At 19 Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) sites, as well as at nearly 1,000 neighborhood recreation centers, churches, schools and community centers, officials just started their summer battle against hunger on Monday, as the school year ended here on Friday.

Summer is the hungriest season in Philadelphia as it is elsewhere, because an estimated 150,000 public, charter, and Catholic school children who eat free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches during the school year are cut off. Estimates by the state Department of Education and others show that the meals distributed at these sites will feed approximately 80,000 children, which leaves around 70,000 children without free or subsidized meals.

Throughout America, more than 20 million students eat free or reduced-price breakfast and lunches during the school year; but just one in six will receive similarly subsidized summer meals. In South Jersey, where more than 70,000 students are eligible for free and reduced-price summer-feeding programs, there is little infrastructure in place to serve summer meals, advocates say. Making matters even more difficult, fewer people give to food pantries at this time of year because donors tend to believe that family food emergencies are cold-weather related.

Yet, the number of people flocking to pantries in the area continues to increase. People are hungry, struggling, and searching. Some parents will forgo eating, or eat just cereal for dinner so their children can have something more substantial. Some people have a hard time believing the situation is that bad, and one such person is Rush Limbaugh.

During his radio program last week, Limbaugh complained about summer-feeding programs to his huge audience. In order to help children find food, Limbaugh suggested they look inside "a thing called the refrigerator and in cupboards, where you're going to find Ding-Dongs and Twinkies. If that doesn't work, try a Happy Meal at McDonald's." He went on to say, "There's another place, if none of these options work to find food: There's always the neighborhood dumpster." He added that there are videos to help kids "dumpster dive and survive until school kicks back up in August."

Mariana Chilton, a child-hunger expert at Drexel University's School of Public Health, said she was livid. "What he said is calculated bigotry and, is there a word for hating children?" she said. "Fast food promotes obesity, and telling kids to jump in dumpsters conjures up the image of throwing children away."

Chilton said she finds Limbaugh's words especially galling given her research with Philadelphia women. Out of 40 women given cameras to document their lives, 38 took photos of empty refrigerators, freezers, and cupboards. "They told me how horrifying it feels to tell your children there's no food", Chilton said. She added that while the summer-feeding program is a short-term fix, the real solution is "paying parents living wages and giving low-income people access to credit to pull themselves out of poverty." Unfortunately, until that time comes, children will be eating at the summer-feeding sites funded by the federal government.

For more information about the summer food service program for children, click on the website screenshot or text link at the top of this post. If you would like to help in the fight against hunger for any and all Philadelphians who need assistance, go to Philabundance.org or call 215-339-0900. And, if you want to continue listening to the idiotic ramblings of Rush Limbaugh, go right ahead. But, once again, it seems to me that he is creating "Much Ado About Nothing!"