CONGRATULATIONS, MAYA JOINT

With your talent, poise and your determination you have come out a winner playing against a multi tennis champion.  Serena Williams.  At one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world.  Wimbledon.  Continue with your good work and positive attitude.  On and off the tennis court and you truly have an opportunity to become one of the best tennis players in the world.  If not the best.  

CHANEY, GOODMAN AND SCHWERNER..."FREEDOM SUMMER 1964" ​ Summarize ​ James Chaney, an African American Congress of Racial Equality organizer. (CORE). Andrew Goodman, a white summer volunteer. And Michael Schwerner, a white CORE organizer sacrificed their lives on June 21st during "Freedom Summer 1964" for their part in registering African Americans to vote in Mississippi. Two years earlier, in 1962, only 5.3% African Americans were registered to vote in the state of Mississippi. After a two month search by federal authorities, the bodies of the three young men were finally found on August 4, 1964. Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner sacrificed their young lives for the right of African Americans to vote. James Chaney was 21, Andrew Goodman, 20. And Michael Schwerner was 24. 58 years later there seems to be a movement in certain states in America to "legally" set strict limitations on the ability to vote on all Americans. Though the main focus is on the Black vote, other ethnic and racial minorities are also being targeted. Today, in 2022, it is lamentable to think that the three young men who gave their lives, and thousands of others who were made to suffer, did so for nought. It is why it is extremely important for all Americans, registered voters, to not take the right to vote for granted. When it comes time to cast a ballot, no matter how difficult it may seem to be, go to the polls or vote by mail during each and every election period. It is critical in order to maintain a true and honest "Democracy" in the United States of America.

CONGRATULATIONS IGA SWIATEK!

You have more than prevailed with hard work, confidence and determination.  

Not only are you a WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPION.  BUT ALSO A TRUE INSPIRATION FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE GOALS TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE.  AND THANKS TO YOU, THE EXAMPLE YOU HAVE SET BEFORE OUR VERY EYES.  WE NOW PRESS ON UNTIL WE, TOO, WITH DETERMINATION, HARD WORK AND BELIEF IN OURSELVES.  WE CAN PREVAIL AND ACHIEVE ANY GOAL WE SET OUR MINDS TO.

THANK YOU, IGA!

  

THE IMMIGRANT Song Lyrics Written by NEIL SEDAKA and Phil Cody - 1975

 Lyrics

Harbors opened their arms to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty
Planes and open skies, billboards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived
Dreamboats carry the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river
It was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles
Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises
To find they've closed the door, they don't want him anymore
Isn't anymore to go around
Turning away he remembers he once heard 
A legend that spoke of a mystical magical land called America
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear

A PSALM OF LIFE

       LET US, THEN, BE UP and DOING

    With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

  Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

February 27, 1807 - March 24, 1882

 

BILL WALTON. AN ATHLETE and A GENTLEMAN

 We lost a great man today.  Bill Walton.  

This writer once met Mr. Walton while at UCLA.  I had just sat down for lunch at the last unoccupied table at Ackerman Student Union when he approached and asked if he could join me.  Of course I said yes.  Thereafter, we had a long conversation mostly about his life.  Which I truly enjoyed.  He was definitely an extremely humble gentleman and was not boastful.  Due to his amazing basketball career at UCLA and in the pros, he certainly had reason to be.  But as far as he was concerned, we were equals.  For me, it was a privilege to listen to him talk not only about his career.  But also about his personal life.  Even though he towered over me in more ways than one from where we sat together.  He was always polite and charming, with a great sense of humor.  As well as extremely intelligent and wise.  I will always remember Bill Walton and appreciate him for providing me with one of the best afternoons of my life!

BILLY CRYSTAL AT THE 2012 OSCAR CEREMONIES

 It was Billy Crystal's last time hosting the Oscar celebration.  This writer was sad that he would not be returning for another show the following year.

Below is one of his best jokes during the 2012 ceremony.  Hilarious as it was meant to be, many of the luminaries in attendance didn't know how to respond to Mr. Crystal's quip.  Oblique as it was.  Though, as the saying goes, it was, "Soo L.A".  And so true.

It could have been repeated during last night's presentations after Da'Vine Joy Randolph won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in The Holdovers.  As demographics in L.A. go, nothing much has changed in the last twelve years.

The 2012 Oscars, the last edition he presented.After Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Billy Crystal made a comment that caused many to chuckle uneasily and to squirm in their seats. 

“After seeing 'The Help,' I wanted to hug the first black woman I saw, which is a 45-minute drive from Beverly Hills.”