The Savery Auction: Ignorance is Bliss For Some

I'm amazed at the ignorance of some people. Classic example: Rita Ledbetter, organizer for an event to commemorate the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States, The event is held every year at the Pioneer Bar, Sitka, Alaska. This year the event is called the "Slavery Auction".

The Anchorage chapter of the NAACP issued a press release condemning that name."The connotation of buying and selling people against their will-that's nothing to glorify", says Wanda Laws, chapter president. Laws wants the event name changed but is not asking that the event be cancelled.

Ledbetter says she didn't understand what the problem was and confessed that she didn't even know what the NAACP was. "Tell them to stick their nose in their own business and leave us alone", she told the press. Alaska Day chairman Ted Allio told the Associated Press he doesn't see the big deal about the original name. The owner of the Pioneer Bar where the event will be held confirmed that the name will be changed to the "Alaska Day Auction".

The story was reported in the Gawker and the Grio. I wonder how many people reading about the incident don't understand what's the problem. Just think in 2015, there are those that say holding a "Slavery Auction" is okay. Afterall, it's for charity. Stop the madness!

Crime, Mysteries, Murder: Emerald Dynasty Family Style

Family time is important to my family, the Emerald Dynasty. For a number of years, we gathered to discuss the latest release of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. We spent time viewing the movies, discussing the characters and events, and comparing differences between the books and the movies. From these gatherings, we formed a group called the “Sin City Marauders”. During the recent Fall and Winter T.V. seasons, my family gathered every Thursday night to view the latest episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder”. We called ourselves “Gladiators”.

I miss these fun time and lively discussions and plan to propose a summertime activity.  Because of my love of mystery and crime novels and movies, I’m inviting the family to reserve one week night to view some of the genre’s classics. I plan to handle the selection of movies by using a “pot luck” jar. I’ll be placing a number of suggestions in the jar to get the ball rolling. My choices are based on listings from two Crime Companions, namely  “The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time” published in book form by the British-based Crime Writers’ Association and “The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time” published by the Mystery Writers of America. Family members can add additions to the “pot luck” jar at any time.

In case you’re curious, here are some of the selections I’ll put in the "pot luck" jar to get the ball rolling:

The Maltese Falcon, Dashiell Hammett (1930)
Archetypal tough guy, detective Sam Spade, risks his reputation by trying to help a beautiful young lady. As his partner gets killed Spade is suspected for murder. The story is a complex web of betrayal and deception, in which everyone tries to get the gold statuette of a falcon. Sam's masculine strength is refreshing in today's world of male insecurity. Also an excellent movie with Humphrey Bogart - but the book is better.

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier (1938)
The narrator, a young and shy woman, meets wealthy widow, Maxim de Winter, and falls in love with him. On his grand English estate, Manderley, she is immediately haunted by the powerful presence of the former mistress of Manderley, Maxim's flamboyant late wife Rebecca. This story of emotional horror and evil is classic masterpiece.

The Long Goodbye, Raymond Chandler (1953)
This is probably the best of Chandler's novels. His hero, P.I. Philip Marlowe, tries to help war veteran Terry Lennox, whose sex-obsessed wealthy wife has been murdered. This quickly gets Marlowe into trouble with cops and crazy gangsters. When Terry is also murdered, Marlowe becomes entangled in his friend's dirty family secrets. In his cynical and crisp prose Chandler delivered a gripping tale of moral corruption.

The IPCRESS File, Len Deighton (1962)
Cold war spy thriller that set the standards for the genre. Highly unusual, with a shrewd sense of humour.

Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
Turow's first courtroom thriller is one of the best legal fiction novels. As a former U.S. prosecutor, Turow has intimate knowledge of legal procedures and can draw the reader into the grittily realistic drama of a murder trial. A dark twist of events transforms prosecutor Susty Sabich from the accuser to the accused.

Anatomy of a Murder, Robert Traver (1958)
Traver's book tells a story of deceit and murder that ends in a sensational trial. Army Lt. Manion has obviously killed tavern owner Barney Quil, the man who allegedly raped his wife. A cunning prosecutor and a determined defense attorney are battling out the convoluted case, with a surprising end. Also a classic Otto Preminger film.

Postmortem, Patricia Cornwell (2003)
Patricia Cronwell's first book in the Kay Scarpetta series is about a brilliant serial killer who is strangling young women. Kay is applying latest forensic techniques to identify the killer, but someone is sabotaging the investigation.

Strangers on a Train, Patricia Highsmith (2001) (First published 1950)
In her first novel published in 1950, Patricia Highsmith introduced the character of a subtle, murderous, sociopath who lives unsuspected for years. Highsmith's psycho-thriller was the source of a famous Alfred Hitchcock film in 1953. The book is one of the great classics of psychological crime fiction.

The Hunt for Red October, Tom Clancy (1984)
Somewhere under the Atlantic, a Soviet submarine commander has made a fateful decision: the Red October is heading west. This trademark military thriller has launched Tom Clancy's phenomenal career.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee (1960)
First published in 1960, the novel is a classic. It is set in Maycomb, a fictional representation of Monroeville, Alabama. The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and within two years sold more than five million copies in 13 countries. Shame on you, if you have not read "the best novel of the century".

Silence of the Lambs, Thomas Harris (1988)
Hanibal Lecter, a brilliant psychopath whose nickname is "The Cannibal" because he likes to eat parts of his victims, helps FBI trainee Clarice Starling to get into the mind of a serial killer and hunt him down. The book was made into a terrifying film - starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.

The Firm, John Grisham, (1991)
About a law firm controlled by the Mafia. It’s one of the best legal thrillers on the market, fast-paced, smart, with believable characters.

Gone Girl: A Novel, Gillian Flynn (2012)
A portrait of a marriage so hilariously terrifying, we can only give you the initial premise: on their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne’s beloved wife Amy disappears, and all signs point to very foul play. Nick has to clear his name before the police finger him for Amy’s murder. Masterful storytelling.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson (2008)
Publisher Mikael Blomkvist ran a story accusing a prominent Swedish business leader of corruption. But the story is exposed as fraud and Blomkvist faces jail. He temporarily retreats to a small island supposedly for writing another industry leader's biography, but is actually hired to solve a family mystery. This multi-layered mystery is one of the smartest thrillers in recent years.

Eye of the Needle, Ken Follett (2004)
During World War II, The Needle, a ruthless German spy, a young Englishwoman and an investigator are linked together in a breathtaking tale of espionage. This superb thriller is one of the best spy novels ever written.

Queen of Crime Agatha Christie is the Best Selling novelist of all time. Her most famous creations are Miss Marpel (12 novels and 4 short stories) and Hercule Poirot (33 novels and 55 short stories). We could include “And Then There Were None”, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”, “Death Comes as the End”, or “Murder on the Orient Express”. “The Witness for the Prosecution” ranked #19 as one of the top mystery novel, but should not have been included on the mystery writers’ list. There is no such book. Those who voted for it presumably remember the superb stage play, the equally superb movie or the excellent story on which both were based. (The story’s ending is quite different from that of the dramatic presentations.)

The proposal on gathering the family for mystery/crime viewing and discussions hasn’t been finalized. I’ll keep you posted on our progress. However, why not use the list for summer reads on your own or start a group to view and discuss top mystery/crime novels. It could be fun. Don’t forget to share your adventure with the Emerald Dynasty via The Emerald Quill blog. Enjoy your summer!

 

Remembering Christa McAuliffe

Christa McAuliffe became the most famous teacher in the U.S. as she prepared to reach for the stars aboard the space shuttle Challenger. A social studies teacher at New Hampshire's Concord High School, she was selected as the first participant in the NASA Teacher in Space Project. She planned to conduct experiments aboard the space shuttle and teach two lessons from space. But tragedy struck, and Challenger disintegrated just 73 seconds after launch. Across the country, schoolchildren were eagerly watching the launch on school televisions, and they were devastated by the loss – but they also were inspired by her story. In the years since, she has been honored for her bravery with dozens of schools named for her, as well as an asteroid and a crater on the moon. We remember McAuliffe's life today as well as the lives of other notable people who died this day in history.

Let's also remember Zora Neale  Hurston, another notable person who died on January 28th. Read about her in the lead story in our Black History series beginning February 1, 2015.

Working Her Way Back: Paula Deen's Redemption

The last I heard on celebrity "chef" Paula Deen was the termination of various television and endorsement deals in the wake of her inappropriate comments which some considered racist. The race and gender based discrimination lawsuit got lots of media coverage and Paula lots big bucks in the wake of all the negative publicity. When I thought about Paula Deen after the fallout, I felt bad for her and wondered how things could go so terribly wrong in such a short time.

Harvard Honors Du Bois Medal Winners

Sometimes honors are bestowed amid lots of fanfare and publicity, i.e. the Oscars, the Emmy and the Tony Awards. Everybody know about the winners and the nominees. But, many worthwhile honors are bestowed on worthy recipients with little to no bluster and media coverage. Harvard's Du Bois Medals are worthwhile, but not widely covered. The awards have been given since 2000 and many have never even heard of them nor of its winners. This year's awards mark the launch of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research.

This year, Harvard's Du Bois Medal were awarded to six luminaries Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Director Steven Spielberg, and Georgia Civil Rights Activist and U. S. Rep. John Lewis. The Medal is awarded to those whose work contributed to African and African American culture. It is the highest honor in African and African American Studies.Other honorees were Sr. Presidential Adviser Valerie Jarrett, playwright (Lincoln) Tony Kushner, and NBA Commissioner David Stern. Congressman Lewis and Valerie Jarrett could not attend the ceremony, staying in Washington to address the government shutdown.

Justice Sotomayor, the first Latina Justice, was honored for inspiring children by telling stories of her upbringing, while Spielberg was honored, not only for his film making, but also for establishing a foundation to record oral histories of survivors of the holocaust and other genocides.

In 1890 Harvard awarded W. E. B. Du Bois, the first Ph. D. granted to an African American. Today, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the director of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute of African and African American Research.

More "Star Wars"-The Force Welcomes Lucas-Hobson Baby

The Huffington Post announced exclusively that on Friday, August 9, "Star Wars" filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, Ariel Investments president Mellody Hobson, welcomed a daughter into the world.

Everest Hobson Lucas is the first biological child for both parents, but she's far from an only child. The newborn, who was delivered via surrogate, is a little sister to Lucas' adopted children, Amanda, 32; Katie, 25; and Jett, 20.

Lucas and Hobson were married on June 22 at Skywalker Ranch, in Marin County, California. Journalist Bill Moyers officiated the ceremony, and director Steven Spielberg toasted the groom.

In addition to serving as president of Ariel Investments, Hobson, 44, is chairman of Dreamworks Animation and a financial contributor with CBS.

 Lucas, 69, sold his production company, Lucasfilm Ltd., to the Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion in October 2012. "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams has since signed on to direct the first in a series of planned "Star Wars" sequels, set to begin filming early next year.

Five Shocking Retirement Facts

Retirement is an opportunity to enjoy the things that make you happy. You need a solid strategy to help ensure you'll have enough income to live comfortably after you stop working. There are several retirement savings and planning strategies for you to consider.

Despite the Dow hitting all-time highs, millions of Americans still have a dismal outlook when it comes to their own ability to retire.

That Fabulous 1%: Richest Women in the U. S.

 

Each year Forbes Magazine releases its lists of the world's richest men and women. In the case of the women, much remained the same as the 2011 list including the fact that most of the women are not self-made, but instead inherited their money. Many of the richest women in the world are American.

Here's a list of the five richest women in the U.S.

 

Christy Walton-age 57 ($29.9 billion)

Christy Walton is the sixth richest person in the U. S. and the tenth richest person in the world. She is the widow of John Walton, son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. After John Walton died in a plane crash in 2006, Christy inherited his fortune including enough stock to make more than $220 million in dividends in just six months. With the recent price appreciation of Wal-Mart's stock, the Walton family's wealth has continued to grow.

 Alice Walton- age 63 ($27.1 billion)

Alice Walton is the daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and heiress to a portion of the Walton fortune. She recently opened an art museum with art being displayed from the Walton estate. Although she is actively involved in numerous charitable organizations, her reputation has been clouded by a series of DUI arrests.

 

 Jacqueline Mars-age 73  ($20.1 billion)

Jacqueline Mars made her money from M&Ms, Snickers, Dog Food and many of the other products we use every day. The Mars Company currently has revenue of $30 billion annually and is the world's largest confectionary company. Jacqueline Mars is the third generation of the Mars family after her grandfather, Frank Mars, founded the company in 1911.

 

 

Anne Cox Chambers-age 93 ($12.5 billion)

Anne Cox is the daughter of James Cox, the founder of Cox Enterprises. James Cox worked as a school teacher until buying a local newspaper in 1898 which sparked a media business that includes 17 newspapers, 15 TV stations and 86 radio stations.
 

 

 

Abigail Johnson-51 yrs. old ($12 billion)

Abigail Johnson's father, Edward Crosby "Ned" Johnson, controls Fidelity Investments which is the largest mutual fund company in the United States. Already one of the top executives at the firm, she was recently appointed President of the company which confirms the rumored succession plan. Abigail Johnson began working at Fidelity in 1988 as an analyst and she holds a Master's in Business Administration from Harvard University.

 

The richest women in the United States all have interesting backgrounds. Some are part of a long line of wealthy business owners and have had wealth passed on to them from generation to generation. Others inherited the money from their late husbands. Many of these women have chosen to do noble things with their money, like give to charity. Some of these women have seen their fortunes dwindle because of the decrease in value of their companies, or fighting with relatives over inheritances.

Source: Forbes; Investopedia; Wikipedia

Passing the U. K. Bar at 18: Gabrielle Turnquest

Florida has been in the news quite a bit lately and none of the reports were positive. Restrictive voting decisions, the Trayvon Martin murder trial, and failure to expand health care for citizens through Obamacare make the state seem unresponsive to those in need of assistance. But if you look over the pond to the United Kingdom, one Florida woman has made history.

Gabrielle Turnquest, from Windermere, FL, has become the youngest person to qualify as a barrister in the U. K. Demonstrating her superior academic prowess, she was called to the Bar of England and Wales after passing her exams with flying colors at just age 18. What makes this achievement extraordinary is that the average lawyer undertakes the rigorous Bar Professional Training Course when they are 27, according to University of Law records.  Gabrielle took the course , along with her older sister Kandi, who passed the exams at the age of 22.

"It is even more significant that she's (Gabrielle) is a person of color", says  Dr. Peter Herbert O.B.E., chair of Society of Black Lawyers, the oldest organization of minority lawyers in the U. K.  About 14 percent of African-Caribbeans and Asians qualifying as barristers. It is traditionally been one of the most segregated professions in the country. The Society of Black Lawyers was set up some 40 years ago because of "de facto apartheid in the legal system where the majority of minorities couldn't get a pupillage, the final stage of training to be a practicing barrister. If Gabrielle wants to pursue a career as a barrister in the U. K., she will still have to carry out a pupillage at chambers for at least a year and then be granted a tenancy.

Gabrielle's parents hail from the Bahamas which enabled her to take the British exam. She eventually hopes to work in the Bahamas as a fashion law specialist. She plans to qualify as a lawyer in the U. S. In the U. K. there are two types of lawyers: barristers who stand before a judge and represent clients in courts, and solicitors who put cases together working out of a law firm.

Courtenay Griffiths QC, a prominent, Jamaican-born, London-based British barrister was called to the Bar in 1980. He tells us that despite increases in women and minorities being called to the Bar, they tend to be concentrated in publicly funded work. Privately funded portfolios, Griffiths says, tend to be skewed toward "Public school educated or Oxbridge graduates" and "black faces there are still very much scarce."

"The nearer you get to the power and money the fewer of us (minorities) you'll see. So commercial law, for instance, is particularly restricted," said Dr. Peter Herbert.

Best of luck to Gabrielle and her sister Kandi in their chosen endeavors.

Las Vegas Twin Valedictorians Head to Stanford

 Marcus and Malcolm Allen were busy signing autographs to middle schoolers on Friday morning. The Centennial High School graduates and 18 year-old twins are anything but average.

Both have been named class valedictorians, graduating with 4.8 grade point averages. In the fall, they'll be heading to Stanford University with basketball scholarships in hand.

"It's been a very long road, academically and athletically," Marcus tells Action News. However, they both agree it's been well worth the effort.

In a talk Friday morning with middle schoolers at Del Sol High School, the twins pushed the importance of working hard to achieve success.

Mother Trina Wiggins graduated from Stanford University several years ago. "You have to have a plan. You can't just go day to day and think this is going to miraculously happen," she tells us.

She helped the two put their future plans into place when they were only seventh graders. Both started taking SAT prep classes in middle school.

"It all pays off and I feel like the earlier you start, the better you'll end up," adds Malcolm.

The two are excited to play basketball for the Stanford Cardinals. In the future, they hope to play in the NBA for the Lakers.

Obama's Disability Liaison: Meet Claudia Gordon

Last week, Claudia Gordon began her new role in the White House Office of Public Engagement as the Public Engagement Advisor to the Disability Community.  Her title is Associate Director. Gordon will be a liaison between the disability community and the Obama Administration, a role which was previously filled by Kareem Dale.

Previously, Gordon worked at the U.S. Department of Labor where she focused on improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She has held leadership positions at the National Council for Disability, American Association of People with Disabilities, and the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. She also worked for the U. S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

 

Gordon, who suddenly lost her hearing at age eight, hails from Jamaica and came to the United States when she was eleven.  She graduated from American University Washington College of Law in 2000, the first deaf student to accomplish that feat.

Congratulations to Claudia Gordon on her new position and we look forward to seeing her make a difference on issues impacting children and youth with disabilities and the professionals who work on their behalf.

Man Executed for Killing 2 Neices and 2 Nephews

Henry 'Curtis' Jackson, Jr.

A Mississippi man convicted of killing four young nieces and nephews in a 1990 stabbing rampage was executed Tuesday, despite pleas from his two sisters to spare the brother who killed their children.

Henry “Curtis” Jackson Jr. was pronounced dead after receiving an injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, officials said.

Jackson’s sister, Glenda Kuyoro, stifled a sob when she walked into the witness room earlier and saw her brother on the gurney. Jackson’s eyes were closed when the witnesses arrived and he never looked in the direction of his family.

Earlier, the 47-year-old inmate had spent the day receiving relatives, including one of the sisters whose two children were slain and who survived the stabbing attack. The slain children ranged from 2 to 5 and were killed as Jackson reportedly was trying to steal his mother’s safe while she was away at church, court records showed.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Republican Gov. Phil Bryant declined to stop the execution though he said he was “deeply touched” by requests for clemency from the sisters and his brother-in-law.
“There is no question that Mr. Jackson committed these heinous crimes, and there is no clear and convincing evidence that compels me to grant clemency,” Bryant said.

The attack took place Nov. 1, 1990, at Jackson’s mother’s home in the Delta region.
The mother was at church that day, and Regina Jackson was there with her two daughters and four nieces and nephews. She was stabbed five times and survived the attack.  Her two daughters and two nephews were stabbed to death, records showed. Another niece was so severely injured that she was a paraplegic until her recent death.

Jackson has said he doesn’t remember stabbing the children.

Source: The Grio

Communicating with the Class of 2016

It's been said that the Class of 2016 entering college this year measures their fundamental particles of life in bits, bytes, and bauds. They have less faith in government, worry about mounting student loans and getting a job after college, and question the value of a college degree. Those born in 1994 worry about high unemployment and the difficult economic situation.  The big question for seniors like me is how to communicate with this new generation.

Super Heroes Turn 50

Fifty years ago American crusaders had a banner year. "The Amazing Spider-Man" comic book first hit the newsstands in the spring, and the X Men and the Avengers debuted that autumn. It's hard to imagine these classic heroes with memberships in AARP.

Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man earned his own comic book in 1963, a year after his creation. Peter Parker, a teen bookworm, aka Spider-Man, got his signature abilities when he was bitten by a radioactive arachnid. First featured in "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15, Spidey as he is affectionately called, was a huge hit and graced the Marvel A-list ever since.

The original band of diverse heroes, "The Avengers" No. 1 appeared in 1963. The team convened at the cry "Avengers assemble" to stamp threats not even the mightiest warrior can conquer alone. This stellar group included Hulk, Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor and Iron Man.

Marvel's band of mutant crime fighters  appeared in" The X-Men" No. 1 in 1963. The original six members of the group were Marvel Girl, Angel, Professor Xavier, Beast, Cyclops, and Iceman. The X-Men have grown to legions since the original six and have taken on current issues through the years. last year openly gay X-Man Northstar married his longtime beau becoming the first same-sex marriage in comics and also the first mutant-human union.

Veteran heroes are well beyond their 50th year: Superman (1938), Batman (1939), Wonder Woman (1941), and Captain America (1941).

These heroes, each with their own personalities and unique skills, continue to fire up audiences at the box office, raking in billions with each offering. Future scheduled movie releases include The Avengers (Untitled) on May 1, 2015, The Amazing Spider-Man #2 on May 2, 2014, and The S-Men: Days of Future Past on May 23, 2015. These Superheroes have listened to Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame when he says "Live long and prosper".

Happy 50th, Superheroes!

"Best Man" Holiday Sequel

After fourteen years on the shelf, look for a holiday sequel to "Best Man" in November. Stars Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall, picks up when the group of friends reunite over the Christmas holidays.

The original film grossed over $35 million at the box office. Malcolm D. Lee, who wrote, directed and co-produced the original, will resume all three roles for the sequel.

Meet A Real Hero: Michael Patterson

In order to make the media notice you today, you have to do or say something outrageous, offensive, and over the top. If you do, you can be assured of at least three day of media attention. It's a sad state of affairs and tends to make me wonder where are the real people in this country. I often wonder where are the people that work hard, stay out of trouble, and live by "the good book". That's why I want you to meet Michael Patterson, a common man and a real hero.

Michael Patterson is the 43-year-old Georgia man who dived into a creek to save a 4-year-old girl from drowning. Because of his act of bravery, Javeah Jones was able to be resuscitated.

Patterson's dive was not the first time that he had demonstrated his bravery. A week before, he and another man had pulled a truck driver from his cab after the truck caught fire. His mother told WSB-TV that her son didn't see what the big deal was about his part in rescuing the man from the truck fire.

"He said he did what he thought, what he hoped anyone else would have done for him. That's not a very common thing anymore, for anyone to care about someone they don't know," she told the press.

Patterson's bravery was commended across the Web. Comments on the Yahoo News story after his injury reflected the immense respect people had for his actions. One commenter wrote, "there really are no words to express the character of this man." Another wrote, "now this is what a hero looks like."

"He jumped in head first and after I grabbed her, I looked back and he was floating on top of the water," Carlissa Jones told WSB-TV.com. Michael's son was at the scene that day.

 

During the dive, Patterson hit his head, broke his neck and severed his spinal cord and became paralyzed from the chest down during the rescue. He also developed respiratory acidosis, pneumonia and a bacterial infection after the injury. Michael Patterson died after spending three weeks in a hospital. The medical problems that came after the broken neck contributed to his death, Polk County Coroner Trey Litesey told news outlets.

The Patterson family shared the news on Facebook

Mike’s spirit and selfless actions inspired tens of thousands who sent cards, letters and emails and engaged in posts at the Friends of Mike Patterson Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Friendsofmikepatterson). His life and the lives of others are forever changed by his courageous, split-second decision to save another’s life. Mike’s tragic story made news headlines around the globe. His heroic act stirred an outpouring of emotion and a desire to help Mike in his time of need. His caring nature will forever be honored.

At this time, funeral or any other arrangements are not known. The Friends of Mike Patterson Trust will post additional information as it becomes available. Please keep Mike's family and friends in your prayers.

 

My heart goes out to Michael's family. He was a true hero and I'm glad he passed this way.

Star Wars Creator Jumps The Broom

People magazine reports Star Wars Creator George Lucas (69) jumped the broom with fiancee Mellody Hobson (44) this past weekend. The couple announced their engagement in January after dating for seven years. The pair tied the knot  at an intimate gathering in Marin, California, the same location as Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. The bride was given away by former U. S. Senator  and NY Knicks star Bill Bradley.

Lucas sold his "Star Wars" empire to Disney last year. his estimated net worth is about $7.3 billion. He was previously married to Marcia Lucas from 1969 to 1983.

With a Bachelor's degree from Princeton University, it seems that George Lucas isn't the only genius of the duo. Hobson earned her degree in 1991 from Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. This power couple is certainly an intellectual "force" to be reckoned with.

The new Mrs. Lucas probably makes a grand total of just under $ 1 million per year, so her net worth is probably several million dollars. According to Forbes, the bride serves as the President of Ariel Investments (Chicago-based investment management firm and adviser to the mutual funds offered by the Ariel Investment Trust) since 2000, and as President and Director of its governing member, Ariel Capital Management Holdings, Inc. She also serves as President (since 2002) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (Chairman since 2006, trustee since 1993) of the Ariel Investment Trust (registered investment company). Ms. Hobson has served as a director of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. since 2004 (Chairman of the Compensation Committee and member of the Nominating and Governance Committee), Starbucks Corporation since 2005 (Vice-Chairman of the Audit and Compliance Committee) and Groupon, Inc. since 2011. She also works with a variety of civic and professional institutions, including serving as board member of the Field Museum, the Chicago Public Education Fund and the Sundance Institute. 

 

Congratulations to the happy couple.

Alex: The New Guy on Sesame Street

For more than 40 years, “Sesame Street” has been helping kids tackle tough topics like death and divorce. With one in 28 kids having a parent behind bars, the show will now be tackling the topic of understanding jail time. NBC’s Erika Hill reports.

The Sesame Workshop says it created the “Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration” initiative, an online tool kit intended to help kids with a parent in prison find support and comfort, and provide families with strategies and tips to talk to their children about incarceration.

Travel Agents-Pros and Cons

That time of year has come for my honey and me to take our much loved vacation to Jamaica. We stopped by our local travel agency, expecting to make our travel arrangements through Donna, our reliable long term agent.  Much to our surprise, we were told that Donna no longer worked for the agency. We left the office, totally stunned and faced with the decision-travel agent or the DYI approach.

Happy Birthday, Mr. ZIP

Fifty years ago, the Post Office was in trouble due to an overwhelming increase in business mail. Luckily, Mr. ZIP came to the rescue.

In 1963, the agency rolled out the Zone Improvement Plan, a five-digit code that helped the mail sorting process for delivery to specific locations. The Post Office introduced "Mr. ZIP", who disguised as a caricature of a friendly postal worker helped deliver the message to the public: Remember your ZIP!