Happy Birthday to Cree Summer Francks bka Cree Summer.
My boys know Cree Summer for her voicework in such gems as Elmyra from Pinky and The Brain , Numbah 5 from Code Name Kids Next Door and Cleo from Clifford the Big Red Dog. Us Older Folks all fell in love with her when she got her start in voicework as Penny from Inspector Gadget and finally got to see her pretty face as Freddie in the TV Sitcom A Different World.
Well, she never ceases to amaze me. I found this music video a few weeks ago and cannot get this song out of my head!!
Here is Cree Summer in her music video "Savior Self" produced for the Elevate Films Fest.
I LOVE IT!!
Enjoy!
This Saturday I headed down to the 18th annual Chosen Few Picnic at Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side/Lakefront. This is a musical celebration of classic and new-school house music that draws thousands of music lovers from all over the world for lotsa food, body jackin music and a whole lotta fun!!!
It's like a little city pops up in the middle of the park...folks with their tents and their grills and kids..it was Incredible!!
The picnic is hosted every year by the Chosen Few, a group of six DJs: Wayne Williams, Alan King, Andre and Tony Hatchett, Jesse Saunders and Hunter. The picnic started in 1990 with just a few hundred participants and has grown exponentially, attracting in excess of 5,000 people!!
Here are a few pics and video from the Biggest House Picnic in the Midwest!
Southwest Airlines is one of the only profitable airlines in the industry today, primarily because of the enterprising forethought of their management team to hedge their fuel costs at what are now below-market prices. The Dallas-based airline is currently paying a price equivalent to $51 per barrel of crude oil (that's a 75% savings over today's prices!!! ) For those not in the know, hedging is a financial strategy that lets airlines or other investors protect themselves against rising prices for commodities such as oil by locking in a price for fuel. Most analysts say Southwest Airlines will be the only one to earn a profit this year.
The same opportunity is available to the enterprising common man. Essentially peddling gas futures, MyGallons.com lets you pre-purchase fuel at today's prices, then put it on a card valid at 200,000+ stations across the country, saving you cash when prices goes up. The price you pay with MyGallons is calculated at the average price in your zip code on the day you lock in your price. The annual membership fee at MyGallons is $29.95 but they'll refund your annual fee if you don't manage to save any cash in the first year because of falling prices.
Check the cash-saving details and sign up today at: http://www.mygallons.com/
I saw Hannibal a few months ago at Jokes N Notes. The thing about Jokes N Notes is that a lot of comics come through to test out new material so sometimes, they bomb. Hannibal didn't get side splitting laughs that night and I'd almost written him off. Then, yesterday morning, on the drive to work, I heard him again on Chicago Public Radio's 848 and they played a few clips from his act. I had to reconsider my opinion because he had me giggling all the way to work.
Interesting comic, well known in Chicago and is playing this week at Zanies http://www.zanies.com/ in Vernon Hills
Find out more about him at http://www.myspace.com/comedianhannibal
Last year, I blogged about the Cocaine energy drink being sold in stores. Well folks, they ain't got nothin on controversy when it comes to I Love Blow, an energy-drink powder packaged in coke-like vials, that comes with a freebie mirror and fake credit card to mimic the process of snorting cocaine.
Check it out at http://iloveblow.com/
Protest Oil Dependency and Showcase Your Gorgeous Self Love
WNBR-C is a fun and conspicuous event celebrating the end of the oil era, and promoting positive body image. This event is global with dozens of cities participating world-wide, and Chicago routinely setting U.S. turnout records. This is a bare-as-you-dare event, with outfits ranging from body paint to fanciful costumes to beach-wear. Chicago's past rides rallied hundreds of cyclists and numerous skaters covering over a dozen miles of high visibility city tourism and recreation areas. The ride's atmosphere is extremely joyful and transcendently fun.
Bicycles constitute the best solution to reducing America's petroleum addiction and improving public fitness.
Potential riders in Chicago must join the Yahoo group http://ChicagoNakedRide.com for location announcement or call the hotline on ride day: 773-578-6289.
NonRiders can watch at the recommended VIEWING point, Halsted near Belmont some time after 10:15pm-ish and can text JOIN CGONAKEDRIDE to 8762 for announcements and en-route chatter to riders, fans, press, and stragglers.
For more information including where to find this event in your city visit World Naked Bike Ride
Today, Jeremiah graduated from kindergarten. Hallelujah!
We celebrated by going to a traditional English Tea at The Drake Hotel. I thought they might not enjoy it but even though it is a formal tea service, it wasn't stuffy at all. Live harp music plays while high tea is served with finger sandwiches, scones, and French pastries. Champagne, mimosas and bellini's are also available (and yummy) and they served peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to the boys.
The Harpist and Super Personable Maitre D' both came over to our table to talk with the boys and the boys were on their very best, most polite behavior; asking each other if they cared for more sugar or sandwiches, using their napkins and softly applauding after each harpist selection. It was a wonderful experience for all of us.
If you are in or plan to visit Chicago, Tea Time at the Drake should definitely be on your itinerary.
The Drake's Traditional English Tea Service is available daily from 1:00pm - 5:00pm and costs $29.00 for adults and $15.00 for children.
For more information go to visit http://www.thedrakehotel.com/
Here are a few pics from mere moments ago...
I remember when I was young, Mom would bring home yummy Garrett's Popcorn on payday. It was such a treat! Fresh warm cheese popcorn mixed with sweet caramelcrisp (a.k.a The Mix) is pure indulgence.
The Garrett's on Michigan Ave can have lines down the block, the one on State Street is always packed to the walls. Lucky for me, there's a Garrett's inside my office building (Citicorp at 500 W. Madison) and the lines are only long there during the evening rush when folks are grabbing a bag of The Mix before hopping on the Metra commuter trains....hopefully bringing that deliciousness home to their own eager little kids.
Today, the boys came downtown and before they left, we made a quick stop at Garrett's and enjoyed a few cheesy handfuls in the warm sunshine.
Find out more about this Great Chicago Foodie Tradition at http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/
Today, the boys and I along with my best friend Khary headed to the 18th annual Fiesta Back of the Yards. The event spans four blocks in the primarily Mexican community known as the Back of the Yards (1800 W. 47th St) and highlights the ‘hood’s diversity with more than a 100 vendors selling everything from tacos and tortas to jewelry and brews. Three stages feature local DJs, bands and dance groups, and there are carnival games and rides and tons of community outreach services (free condoms at the Planned Parenthood Booth).
The Fiesta is one of many neighborhood festivals being held this weekend and runs through Sunday.
As usual, here are pics from mere moments ago....
I went to High School with Paul. A true Comedic Poetic Genius! Enjoy and afterwards learn more about him at http://www.myspace.com/paulmabon
