1st of the Month

First of the month: February 2010

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From France to Friendship Heights, we welcome the 2nd month of the Gregorian calendar: frigid and frantic February. Despite being less than 4 weeks away before it disappears into March’s Madness, February has lots to cover during the next 28 days.

That includes another major snowstorm or two; Groundhogs' Day; Superbowl XLIV between the Saints from New Orleans and Colts from Indianapolis; and of course every government worker's favorite holiday: President's Day. So as you bundle up during this more likely-than-not cold winter evening think about what’s on the horizon.

Besides the Super Bowl, American sports fans will be glued this month to the NBA All Star game in Dallas; will tuned into Nascar's return to Daytona; and will be joined by the world as the glob sets its eyes on Vancouver as the flying tomato and the rest of the Winter Olympics' participants go for the gold.

Now, for those if you not in Washington and unable to celebrate that weeklong "district work period" during the middle of the month, you have to remember that love is in the air when roses triple in price and Valentines Day 2010 comes on the 14th. And lets not forget that February is American Heart Month; American History Month; Black History Month; and National Snack Food Month. Did I forget to mention that the third is the "The Day the Music Died." Oh, let's not forget the 16th, when Mardi Gras concludes in New Orleans the day before Ash Wednesday. (Don't be freaked out when a bunch of people have black stuff on their forehead.)

And what would February be without birthdays? It just wouldn't be right: like Tom Izzo having his voice during the Big Ten basketball season. Tomorrow Puxy Phil shares his birthday with Shakira who'll shake her way to 33 exactly five days before James Spader celebrates the 50 as he recalls his greatest hit "Mannequin." On Valentines Day, Love must share its celebration with Jimmy Hoffa, who will turn 97 and Carl Bernstein who’ll probably unravel something about Nixon as he turns 66. And at the end of the month, Gilbert Gottfried will be turning 55 and probably hoping a Problem Child 24 comes out.

Have a safe and great month!

1st of the Month: December 2009

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Before we can close another chapter, we have to welcome the 12th month of the Gregorian Calendar -- Demanding December. Yep, here we are in the Yuletide season, when everyone is driving themselves nuts to get their shopping finished, studying to end their classes for holiday break and watching those pesky fellows in Washington attempt to finish something that amounts to something. (Whatever that means.)

Depending how you look at it, December is one of the brightest, happiest and stressful months of the year. It also can be a downright blizzard. (Just ask all those people who were stranded in Denver last year.) For you Romanian fans, today is known as Union Day, which coincides with Bono's favorite World AIDS Day. (See you in Spartan Stadium in June.) On the 10th, we'll see Nobel Prizes be handed out the same day as Human Rights Day. And the biggest day of all comes on the 26th, when Canadians celebrate Boxing Day. Oh yeah, there's something called Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice.

December also brings us a new Heisman winner hoping to make it big in the NFL (Crouch II?); the return of college bowl season and angry fans; some bigtime basketball game with Kobe Bryant; and just about anything else you can think of that could make money on TV.

And what would December be without birthdays? It'd be East Lansing without the color green and Madison without the color red. Let's wish a happy 74th to Mr. Woody Allen today, who is exactly 46 years and one day older than Britney Spears. On the 10th, cookin-classic Bobby Flay turns 45. (But to be honest, he's no Bob Griffin.) On the 11th, you're more than likely to be "rockin around the Christmas tree" on some radio station with Brenda Lee as she turns 65 exactly 10 days before Andy Dick turns 43 the same day JOEPA turns 183. ( I mean 83.) And to round out the year, Val Kilmer will be Batmanning his way way to bday 50. (Is he really thinking about running for Governor?)

Have a great and safe month!

1st of the Month: November 2009

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Let's forget October and "fall" into November as we welcome the 11th month of the Gregorian Calendar. Yep, we've all enjoyed an extra hour of sleep today, meaning you may have nursed any regrets that occurred during last night's mayhem. We also can look forward to the ever-redundant Holiday songs about to bombard our airwaves, the final getaway before winter and Tuesday"s conclusion of an odd-year's election cycle. (Go get em Virginians and New Jerseyeans.)

Now, let's celebrate some historical moments in November history. On the 26th, pumpkin pie will be on American tables as they welcome another Thanksgiving to their homes; on the 22nd, news agents will remind us of that fatal shot in Dallas 46 years ago; and on the 9th, world historians will analyze the world 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. So take a little piece of what you have today and think about where you'll be two decades from now?

November also is home of aviation month for those wanting to surf the web from 30,000 feet above. It is good nutrition month for those hoping to get those little tykes into shape and on the 11th, we salute our vets exactly four days before we salute all Americans who recycle. And let's not forget that the whole month is Peanut Butter month.

And what would October be without birthdays? It'd be baseball in December. Happy 67 Mr. Larry Flynt, who shares his bday on November 1st with Jenny McCarthy, who turns 37 exactly seven days before Parker Posey turns 41. On the 11th, "Sister" Calista Flockhart turns 45 on the same day that Ms. Ashton Kutcher turns 47. Later in the month, on the 17th, "twin" Danny DeVito will turn 65 on the same day as SNL man Lorne Michaels turns the same age. (Now, that's a combo.) On the 28th, Mr. Motown Barry Gordy Jr. turns 80, exactly two days before Dick Clark rocks in the same age on a different date.

1st of the Month: October 2009

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Holy Cow! We're in the 10th month of the Gregorian Calendar, which means another postseason without the Cubs. Oh yeah, and Happy Fiscal New Year!

But no worries, in their free time, they can do other things than watch the race for the pennat. Let's see, in sports there's always football games, the start of hockey and basketball, and of course the highly anticipated announcement of who will be chosen as the Olympic Host City for 2016. (Maybe Washington D.C.? Nah, the capitol city is out of the running and leaders there would probably wouldn't let great athletes contribute because of budget reasons.)

Oh yeah, hey Harey Carey fans (and there is no reason to really pick on you), let's not forget those uber-good holidays like Columbus Day, Halloween, which happens to be on a Saturday this year, and everyone's favorite, Sweetest Day, which allows us to have a "Hallmarken" good time. And there's more great reasons to celebrate: October is Clergy Appreciation Month; it hosts National Popcorn Popping Month; and for all you funny skepticals out there, its Sarcastic Month.

Let's not forget about Oktoberfest, which ends on the 4th (the official Germany one; Name Your "Cash for Clunker" Car Day (OK, I made the clunker part up), which is tomorrow; the 18th is No Beard Day (but don't worry, no one has to trash that stash and I even found a random photo of someone to celebrate);
the 19th is Evaluate Your Life Day; and to round the month, we have Increase Your Psychic Powers Day.)

And what would October be without birthdays? It'd be a train driving on something else than a track. So happy birthday Ms. Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, who turns 74 today, the same day a former peanut-farmer-turned-president-turned-humanitarian from Plains, Georgia, turns 85.
Later than month on the 10, Bones star Emily Deschanel turns 33, exactly three days before the "Wizard of Westwood" turns 99. (John Wooden's still kicken it!) On the 28th Joaquin Phoenix will give a rap shout-out to his homies when he turns 35, exactly three days before the "Fonz" turns 64.

First of the month: September 2009

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Welcome to the ninth month of the Gregorian Calendar: Synchronizing September. You’re probably wondering why synchronizing comes up during this month. Well, the answer is simple: September brings together many people, dates and simply stated, things. (OK, maybe not best word, but it starts with S.)

Anyway, on the 22nd turns summer into fall (forming a politically incorrect Indian Summer); on Saturdays and Sundays football fans reunite for their favorite teams; students across the world are once again tasked with hitting the various subjects (Contract Law; Music Appreciation with Andy Katzenmeyer; and sharp shooting with any of those folks opposed to DC Gun Ban). The month also brings Baby Safety Month for those young parents (Happy 1st Bday on September 20th to Benjamin Robert Mulder); Better Breakfast Month for those not getting the nutrition they need from “Legg Eggos”; and Cable TV month for anyone still happy they spent that long ago one-time Government rebate check on a flat screen. The month also has its anniversaries: Today marks the 741st anniversary of when Rabbi Moses Ben Nachman established a Jewish community in Jerusalem; the 11th marks 8 years since the terrorists attacks; and on the 30th rural Indiana will once again say farewell to James Dean, who died on that day 54 years prior.

And what would August be without birthdays? It wouldn’t be synchronizing, that’s for sure. Today we go late night with oldie Lily Tomlin who turns the big 70 and tomorrow we go bighead with Terry Bradshaw and big XXXX (you get the point) with 30 rock star Salma Hayak, who turns 41. (And if you are still offended by the last comment, I suggest you go watch the show and see what the producers want you to laugh at.) On the 16th “The Wrestler” (no not Tim Starks or David Miller or Patrick Yoest) Mickey Rourke turns 53, exactly five days before Rickie Lake (remember her) turns 41. And to close out the month, former tennis star Martina Hingis will turn 29 on the 31st.

First of the month: August 2009

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Prague, Czech Republic

Welcome to the eight month of the Gregorian Calendar: Awesome August. Yep, we are once again traveling through another month. But we should raise our glass this time around because its on a Saturday night. (Perhaps some of you are at a summer wedding; others might be visiting family and friends; and if you're lucky, you could be canvassing a part of the world you have never seen before.)

So what exactly is this awesome August? Well, each year it is home to the last vacations for family's preparing for the school year; it is home to the time when those pesky college students have to get back to the books; and of course it brings us one last trip to the lake. In the world of sports, August is home to the start of pro and college football season (Go State! and the LSU Tigers for my friend Ridge), Golf's PGA Championship; and one of those final swims in a pond. On August 6th a few will recall how we are just 54 years removed from the bomb drop on Hiroshima and on the 15th even fewer will say " wow in 1914 the Panama Canal opened its lanes." August is also home to America's "Back to school month;" women's small business month; and immunization awareness month - so get those shots refilled.

And what would August be without birthdays? It would be a depressing time when we forgot about all those special loved ones. On the 1st we can count "1, 2, 3, 46" when Coolio turns that age, which is exactly three days before Tom Brady hits the big 32. On the 9th, Whitney Houston turns 46 -- for all those "children of the future" -- just five days before Earvin "Magic" Johnson turns 46 so all the Spartan faithful can say "COOOOOKIE!" And a few days before - the 13th to be exact - Hajnalka Tanczos turns a year older.

On the 21st, the gambler Kenny Rogers will be wished a happy 71st bday by Mel Gibson, James Garner and Jodie Foster just 10 days before high-flyer wrestler Jeff Hardy turns 32.

First of the Month: July 2öö9

2009-06-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

(Zalaegerszeg, Hungary) Welcome to the seventh month of the Gregorian Calendar: jackhammering July. Yep, we have crossed on over to the second half of 2009. I hope your new year resolutions are going well and I hope you're ready for the best of your life. (We have to be a bit optimistic, right?) This July brings us long known staples like the Tour De France; Wimbledon; the British Open; and America's favorite 4th of July. But as the red, white, and blue sweeps in, others across the county and world are celebrating their own piece of history. For example, this month that was named after Julius Ceaser is home to Independence Daz in Belarus (July 3rd) and Peru (28th). The second Sunday of July kicks off another Showboat week for residents of Chesaning, Michigan, USA, and on the other side of the world, citizens of Zalaegerzeg, Hungary, will be reminded by someone wearing a tshirt with Gewirtz on it. July is the time when families kick back with a BBQ sandwich, some tater salad and a nice cold one - like Hungarians BRAHA. And when your toasting to past celebrations, don't forget that its baked bean month; hot dog month; and blueberry month.

And what would July be without birthdays? It would be a sad, sad 31 days for people who love to take in the summer heat with their favorite cake and ice cream. Today we can wish Missy "Get Your Freak On" Elliot a happy 38th and remember how now 75 year-old MASH actor Jamie Farr brought us to our feet with his love for the Toledo Mudhens. (His character liked them right?) Tomorrow Juicing man Jose Canseco turns 45 just five days before Wolfgang Puck eats his way to 60, one day before LAuren engel turns 22 and two days before Wonder Boy Fred Savage turns 33. On July 17th Phillis Diller turns something and to close the month J.K. Rowling with be celebrating her 44th days after Potter invades the screens again.

(Please excuse typos on Hungarian keyboard and time constraint.)

First of the Month: June 2009

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Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the 6th month in the gregorian calendar: Jovial June. Each year June brings another chance that we are about to embark on the 'greatest summer ever.' It brings students on permanent spring breaks and families to that great Chevy Chase vacation. Oh, and for many in the Midwest it brings Kid Rock's overplayed but locally-loved "It was summertime in Northern Michigan," as they "sip whiskey out of the bottle" and "catch walleye from the dock."

June also brings us the NBA and NHL Finals (Go WINGS!!!); the conclusion of Tennis' French Open; Golf's U.S. Open; and of course NASCAR's favorite holiday -- Father's Day -- from Brooklyn, Michigan. Those same NASCAR fans celebrate our nation's most sacred cloth as they

watch veterans dispense of Old Glory on June 14th's Flag Day.

June's also got its various celebrations. Carnivores rejoice all month long for National Steakhouse Month; environmentalists celebrate the great waters during National River Month; and the gay community celebrate Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

So go get yourself a Weber grill, throw in some classic rock and gear up for the month that brings Americans the longest day of the year, June 21st.

And June without birthdays would be like having a camping experience without a BBQ. So let's give a shout out to those celebrating the big one -- whatever one that is -- this month. Today, Morgan "Twinkie" sounding Freeman hits the big 72 , exactly three days before our former "Dr. Carter," Noah Wyle, tur

ns 37. On the 10th, the hottest devil ever, Elizabeth Hurley, turns 44 exactly three days before great American Todd Drenth celebrates the big 26 on Saturday the 13th and word on the street is that the man is having a blast bash. And toward the end of the month, everyone's favorite George Michael turns 46 on the 25th, exactly five days before we end the month and celebrate last year's "Mr. American" Michael Phelps' 24th birthday.