1. Back in the day when there were only three channels plus PBS (public broadcasting), Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers seemed to always be on at our house during the day. Scrolling ahead to 2015, we find that Sesame Street is moving to HBO. The new 32 episodes for the upcoming season, all produced by HBO, will make there way to free TV - PBS - after nine months. In this day and age of streaming video to devices, I am sure that children watching the shows on PBS will not care that the episodes are nine months old. After all, kids today seem to watch the same videos over and over again. HBO will give Sesame Street some much needed cash to allow them to create content more in line with today's children. While it pains me that a pay service is producing this show, I am nonetheless OK with this move because it will allow Big Bird, Oscar, Ernie, Bert and Rosita to continue to be in households across the land. Sesame Street helped me learn my A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s and it looks like another generation will learn them too.
2. I like Apple products and BMWs, but I'm going to pass on buying a white 1995 325i convertible that's for sale in California. The third owner of this ultimate driving machine, which has a book value of $2,350, is selling it for $15,000. The seller admits that the price is high; however, he is asking a premium price because the first owner of this car was owed by Steve Jobs from 1995-1996.
3. New food items at this year's Iowa State Fair. Did I mention that they are sold with a Lipitor (R) chaser?
4. Jason Day (age 27) of Australia won golf's last major championship on Sunday by winning the PGA championship. Jason, full of tears, was greeted on the 18th green by his wife Ellie and their daughter Dash in one of the more memorable family celebrations that I've seen in professional golf. Just 15 years ago, Jason's father passed away. This tragedy lead Jason to drink at age 12. Fortunately, his best mate Colin, who is also his instructor and caddie, got Jason away from drinking and into playing golf. Their partnership has endured much in the past 15 years. It all culminated this past weekend when Colin was the first one to give him a hug after Jason tapped in the final putt. I took three lessons away from this story: 1) Family is important and must be together when celebrating life's triumphs 2) Everyone should have a best friend or confidant to keep them grounded and 3) Never give up pursuing your dreams and destiny.
5. Often, I use this space to quote Biblical scripture. I try and find verses for everyone - religious and non-religious - that inspire you (and me) to become better people while we are on Earth. Today's verses come from 1 Peter 4: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
6. GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump said yesterday, "I'm not eating any more Oreos." Trump is dismayed that the parent company of Nabisco, who makes Oreo cookies, is moving some of their Chicago operations to Mexico. Not sure what the Donald's proclamation will do to the sales of Oreos, but picking on the poor Oreo who did nothing to Trump is hitting below the belt. I wonder if those close to Sesame Street's Cookie Monster will have a response to this latest development?
7. At Camden Yards last night, 5 year old Hailey Dawson from Utah who suffers from Poland syndrome threw out the first pitch before the Orioles game. She used her specially designed and Orioles-themed prosthetic device called Flexy-Hand 2 to throw the ball to catcher Manny Machado. Hailey's older brother plays Little League Baseball for the Orioles and she said that someday, she wished she could see the big Orioles play. A huge shout out to the O's for making Hailey's dream come true. It warms my heart to know that we as a society are blurring the lines between those with disabilities and those who are deemed normal. Shouldn't we all be treated the same?
8. Like them or not, the Millenials - people born after 1981 - are becoming a force in society. In order to understand how they communicate, you first must learn their language: tweet.pin.snap.hashtag.selfie.follow. More information about Millenials are as follows:
9. I fondly remember playing Kick the Can on summer nights with the neighborhood kids. We are now approaching day 100 of the PA budget impasse. Even if a stop-gap funding measure is agreed upon to fund PA services, both parties will be just kicking the can down the road by avoiding settling the issues of pension reform and education funding. People in the know keep telling me that since I don't understand the political game in Harrisburg, I could not possibly do anything to solve these issues - even as an elected official - because its all about the leadership. Well, I am prepared to stand up against the leadership because in my view, they have failed us. Most importantly, they have failed the next generation by kicking the can down the road by saddling my kids with an unbelievable debt that is coming due.
10. Books I'm reading presently:
Have a wonderful week everyone! God Bless.
2. I like Apple products and BMWs, but I'm going to pass on buying a white 1995 325i convertible that's for sale in California. The third owner of this ultimate driving machine, which has a book value of $2,350, is selling it for $15,000. The seller admits that the price is high; however, he is asking a premium price because the first owner of this car was owed by Steve Jobs from 1995-1996.
3. New food items at this year's Iowa State Fair. Did I mention that they are sold with a Lipitor (R) chaser?
- Corn in a Cup: A heaping portion of grilled Iowa sweet corn cut straight off the cob
- Deep Fried Cherry Pie: A Hostess® Cherry Pie on a stick dipped in sweet mix and deep fried.
- Deep Fried Nacho Balls: Taco meat, diced jalapenos, taco sauce and cheddar cheese all nicely rolled in crushed Doritos® deep fried and served with nacho cheese.
- Donut Sundae: A cinnamon sugar donut sliced in half and filled with ice cream. This sugar explosion is then topped with sundae topping and whip cream. With this dessert, you can have your cake donut and ice cream too in Walnut Square.
- Golden Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly On-a-Stick: .A delicious un-crusted peanut butter and jelly sandwich golden fried to create a crispy bread exterior.
- Kernel Kluster: Delicious soft and chewy marshmallow based popcorn balls mixed with or without M&M candies and of course, served on a stick.
- Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster: A delicious combination of toasted coconut, caramel, fudge and bits of pretzel, then frozen on a stick and freshly dipped in chocolate.
- Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb: 8 oz. of fresh brisket trimmings infused with a light jalapeno cheese, blended with seasonings, and then wrapped in bacon.
- 27° Super Chill Beer: Steer 'N' Stein is debuting a super 27 degree beer that is sure to be a hit with fair goers on a hot August day.
4. Jason Day (age 27) of Australia won golf's last major championship on Sunday by winning the PGA championship. Jason, full of tears, was greeted on the 18th green by his wife Ellie and their daughter Dash in one of the more memorable family celebrations that I've seen in professional golf. Just 15 years ago, Jason's father passed away. This tragedy lead Jason to drink at age 12. Fortunately, his best mate Colin, who is also his instructor and caddie, got Jason away from drinking and into playing golf. Their partnership has endured much in the past 15 years. It all culminated this past weekend when Colin was the first one to give him a hug after Jason tapped in the final putt. I took three lessons away from this story: 1) Family is important and must be together when celebrating life's triumphs 2) Everyone should have a best friend or confidant to keep them grounded and 3) Never give up pursuing your dreams and destiny.
5. Often, I use this space to quote Biblical scripture. I try and find verses for everyone - religious and non-religious - that inspire you (and me) to become better people while we are on Earth. Today's verses come from 1 Peter 4: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
6. GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump said yesterday, "I'm not eating any more Oreos." Trump is dismayed that the parent company of Nabisco, who makes Oreo cookies, is moving some of their Chicago operations to Mexico. Not sure what the Donald's proclamation will do to the sales of Oreos, but picking on the poor Oreo who did nothing to Trump is hitting below the belt. I wonder if those close to Sesame Street's Cookie Monster will have a response to this latest development?
7. At Camden Yards last night, 5 year old Hailey Dawson from Utah who suffers from Poland syndrome threw out the first pitch before the Orioles game. She used her specially designed and Orioles-themed prosthetic device called Flexy-Hand 2 to throw the ball to catcher Manny Machado. Hailey's older brother plays Little League Baseball for the Orioles and she said that someday, she wished she could see the big Orioles play. A huge shout out to the O's for making Hailey's dream come true. It warms my heart to know that we as a society are blurring the lines between those with disabilities and those who are deemed normal. Shouldn't we all be treated the same?
8. Like them or not, the Millenials - people born after 1981 - are becoming a force in society. In order to understand how they communicate, you first must learn their language: tweet.pin.snap.hashtag.selfie.follow. More information about Millenials are as follows:
- 25% of the US Population are Millenials
- 50% of them are more willing to purchase from a brand that supports a cause
- 25% are parents
- They crave authenticity
- 70% of them feel responsible to share feedback with companies after a good or bad experience
- 85% own a smart phone
- They spend 5.4 hours per day on social media, checking their smart phones over 42 times a day
- In their lifetime, this group of young people will spend up to $10 trillion.
9. I fondly remember playing Kick the Can on summer nights with the neighborhood kids. We are now approaching day 100 of the PA budget impasse. Even if a stop-gap funding measure is agreed upon to fund PA services, both parties will be just kicking the can down the road by avoiding settling the issues of pension reform and education funding. People in the know keep telling me that since I don't understand the political game in Harrisburg, I could not possibly do anything to solve these issues - even as an elected official - because its all about the leadership. Well, I am prepared to stand up against the leadership because in my view, they have failed us. Most importantly, they have failed the next generation by kicking the can down the road by saddling my kids with an unbelievable debt that is coming due.
10. Books I'm reading presently:
- Destiny by T.D. Jakes
- Who Built That by Michelle Malkin
- The Bible (Books of James & Peter)
Have a wonderful week everyone! God Bless.
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