The Return of Purlie

The Pasadena Playhouse presents a 35th Anniversary run of Purlie

Music by Gary Geld • Lyrics by Peter Udell
Book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, Peter Udell
Directed by Sheldon Epps

June 24 - July 31, 2005

Also you would certainly want to make plans for A Conversation with Ruby Dee on July 2nd.

Ossie Victorious! Purlie Victorious!

Urban World Film Festival

PROUD will be screened at the Urban World Film Festival in New York City!

Jun 23rd 12:45 PM-2:15 PM at Loews Cineplex 34th Street, #13
Jun 25th 2:15 PM-3:45 PM at Loews Cineplex 34th Street, #13

Tickets are $9.50 and can be purchased through Fandango.

Congressman J.J. "Jake" Pickle

One of only six southern members of Congress to vote for the 1964 Civil Rights Act, former Congressman Pickle died on Saturday at the age of 91. You can read more about this legendary member of Congress in The Austin American-Statesman (registration required.) Also, read the New York Times story.

My wife worked for him for a time so I was able to spend some time around Mr. Pickle and his staff. For them, it was always the people. Always. It sounds at least old-fashioned to say something like that in 2005, but it was true. You could use Jake Pickle as a definition for the term "public servant."

In the online guest book, someone wrote that Mr. Pickle helped them when nobody else would. Does that sum it up?

If you made a request to his office, you would hear back from someone within three days. Test your Member of Congress with that one ...

Tommy Hilfiger Makes "the Cut"

PROUD would not have been made without Tommy Hilfiger. While developing possibly the most recognizable designer label in the industry his philanthropic efforts are conducted more quietly as well as entertainment projects like PROUD.

Now, Tommy steps out front with a new reality series, "The Cut," premiering June 9 on CBS. Here's an interesting New York Times story about the show as well as how TV shows go from concept to your cable menu.

Official "The Cut" Website

60th Anniversary of the End of WWII

There are a number of official events being planned around the US to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II and to again honor the veterans.

A rather stunning statistic from the site:

"Among all males aged 75 or over in 2005, 50 percent will be WWII veterans, while 1.5 percent of all women of that age will be WW II veterans."