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Entry bubble An Open Letter to Punxsutawney Phil (THE Groundhog)

By: Colleen | February 04, 2009 | Category: Fun

Dear Mr. Phil from Punxsutawney,phil

I'd like to commend you for all your years of season-predicting service. I often wonder what it must be like to be the most famous groundhog in the world. While it seems that you have a pretty cushy set-up in that den of yours, it has to be a bit unnerving to be yanked from one's cozy bed in the frigid early morning hours of every February 2nd.

While your service record is impressive, I can't help but notice a consistent pattern when reviewing your performance. You tend to always see your shadow and retreat back into your comfortable abode, thus leaving us common-folk with yet another six more weeks of winter.

Perhaps it should be brought to your attention that your anxiety about your shadow has dismal consequences for those of us who must leave our cozy beds EVERY frigid early morning, and not just on the second day of February.

Have you considered counseling? I have a somewhat unreasonable disdain for grocery stores, so I sympathize with your apprehension when confronted with your shadow. However, my fear doesn't have the same consequences as yours - think of all those other who are, quite frankly, dreading another six weeks of winter. Surely something can be done to ease your fears. Our new President has asked us as a nation to help each other. So, on behalf of millions of shivering Americans, please let me know of any way which I can be of service, or aid in your plight. I would never suggest you had adopted this behavior as the easiest means to return to slumber in your hollow. I just want to volunteer to help.

We'll all be rooting for your next February 2nd - you can do it! Don't let the shadow get the best of you!

With respect and optomism for a shorter winter in 2010,

Colleen

 

| Post a Comment | View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: anxiety   colleen   groundhog   groundhog_day   president   punxsutawney   punxsutawney_phil   service   weather   winter  

 

Entry bubble A Night of Music and Celebration

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Cantigas singing at Inaugural Ball at the Organization of American StatesLast night my colleague Laura Godfrey, a Bilingual Web Content Manager for GobiernoUSA.gov, attended the Latino Inaugural Ball. Here's her report...

The Organization of American States (OAS) is used to opening the doors of its magnificent building to dignitaries and celebrities. But last night was a first. The OAS hosted The 2009 Latino Inaugural Celebration to honor grass roots organizations that worked tirelessly to encourage Hispanics to exercise their civil right to vote. And vote they did, 10 million of them. For me, last night was also a first, I was there for two very important reasons: to sing with Cantigas, my choir, during the opening reception; and to cover the event for GobiernoUSA/USA.gov. It was also the first Presidential Inaugural Gala I attended in my life. What a rush!

I didn’t have to brave the cold weather, or long lines at the Metro, instead, several members of Cantigas carpooled and got to park at the OAS. That was a definite plus.  Inside, as people arrived I could see the excitement and the celebratory spirit of the group as I scrambled to take some pictures before we went on stage. After the opening reception around the majestic fountain of the lobby we were moved upstairs for speeches and entertainment. The MCs were Univision anchor and host of “Aquí y Ahora” Teresa Rodriguez, and radio El Zol host of “Pedro Biaggi en la mañana” Pedro Blaggi. Don Francisco and Gerardo Rivera were also on hand to talk to attendees and pose for pictures, but did not deliver any speeches.

Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, was loudly cheered and applauded when he took the stage. He was there to thank the work of so many volunteers that delivered the record number of Hispanic votes. The crowd chanted: Sí, podemos and Sí al cambio (Yes, we can; and Yes to change).

As the event went on, I had one recurring thought: Unity. A short but very powerful word. What an amazing feeling to see people from so many different countries and backgrounds (not all were Hispanics) come together for a common purpose.

But the account of the evening would not be complete without some very important facts. The official drink of the Gala was “PiscObama” (derived from the famous Peruvian drink Pisco Sour). A young Obama made an appearance and I took a picture with him (well, he is not really Obama, but take a look). And yes, my feet hurt to the point of numbness.  But was it worth it? You bet!!!

I've posted my video of the event on YouTube.

Barack Obama look alike with Laura and a friend at the Organization of American States Inaugural Ball

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: american   biden   cantigas   inaugural   joanne   laura   oas   obama   organization   president   states  

 

Entry bubble United We Celebrate: The Latino Inaugural Ball 2009 Event

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Last night my colleague Leilani Martinez, a Bilingual Web Content Manager for GobiernoUSA.gov, attended the Latino Inaugural Ball.  Here's her report...

Yes, I admit it, as a Hispanic and as a long-time resident of D.C., the capital not only of the U.S., but also of all kinds of receptions and networking events, I’ve attended many Latino social networking events since I first moved here over 10 years ago. Fortunately, I’ve not only attended many of them, but I’ve also helped organized quite a few. But nothing compares to the celebration I attended on Sunday, January 18, at Union Station here in Washington, D.C. The Latino Inaugural Gala 2009 was a festivity like no other as Latinos this time came together to celebrate a night of history in the making as the voices of Hispanics everywhere were heard in unprecedented numbers in this presidential election.

The party felt at times more like a “Premio Lo Nuestro” event, the Hispanic equivalent of the Grammy Awards, than an Inauguration Ball as top-notch Latin artists were the center of attention…and to be honest, the red carpet occupied most of my time and energy as the GobiernoUSA.gov official correspondent for the night.

At 5:30 pm I got to the event, and after registering as a media representative, I sat down for a couple of minutes to study the media advisory and tip sheet. The list of confirmed artists was impressive. So I realized right away that I needed to be ready for the long list of celebrities and politicians who were set to walk down the red carpet…as ready as I could be with my Kodak Zi6 video recorder, Canon digital camera and BlackBerry World Edition. My strategy was not to try to compete with Univision, MTV Latino or CNN en español, but to befriend them. However, I was also determined that I was going to do whatever it took to take a great shot of Jennifer Lopez, better known as J. Lo (especially after the twins!), Alejandro Sanz, a singer from Spain, and my personal favorite, and of course, Shakira. So before the red carpet started I decided to walk around and mingle with my media colleagues. I joked with them and for a moment, I actually thought that we were all a big happy family until the red carpet started. One of the first person to walk down was Geraldo Rivera, followed by Angelica Vale, a very famous Mexican actress, David Archuleta (the kid who almost won American Idol), Lila Downs, and many others. Things were pretty under control until the infamous couple came around. We all started to jump over bags and get on chairs (me included!) as there was no way we were going to miss the opportunity…not only because it was J. Lo and Marc Anthony, but also because all these artists were there talking about and celebrating the election of President Barack Obama.

After the red carpet was done and after finally realizing that I could barely walk due to how numb my feet were from working all those hours, I turned around and saw a sea of people, a very diverse group of people all dressed up and so excited about being there. I took the opportunity to ask people to share with me their stories and their thoughts. A young invitee, Carlos from NY, told me that he took the train down to D.C. to come to this Gala as he wanted to be part of this celebration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfX5oGeJUkc). His companion Amy was convinced that the trip was so worth it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG5-Q190Xr4). It was at that time, when stories like those were shared with me by some of the attendees, that everything came full circle. Don’t get me wrong I’m still very proud of myself for getting those shots of J. Lo and Shakira, but what made it all really meaningful was the fact that this was a night where we all came together– community leaders, activists, politicians, celebrities and regular people – just like you and I - for one purpose: to celebrate a historic moment the Latino way...

See other videos taken at the event:

Chris, co-producer of Mambo for Obama Ball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvbACw4P6x4

For all videos, visit http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1DB84BE6C8D75B0A

For all pictures, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/34401844@N04/

| Post a Comment | View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ball   gobiernousa.gov   inaugural   joanne   latino   leilani   obama   president  

 

Entry bubble Inauguration Day

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Michelle ObamaToday, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be sworn-in as President and Vice President of the United States. You can watch the Swearing-In ceremony live online beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

In the evening, there will be the first-ever Neighborhood Ball, a nationwide celebration -- and you don't have to be in the nation's capital to join in the festivities.

ABC will broadcast the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, and people at Neighborhood Balls across the country will be sending in photos and videos of their celebrations. Some may even be featured in the official Inaugural book.

You are encouraged to share your own photos and stories.

You can also text OBAMA to 56333 for instructions on how to send in messages and pictures from your mobile phone.

I think it's going to be an interesting day!  What are your plans?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [26] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: barack   biden   inauguration   joanne   joe   obama   president   vice  

 

Entry bubble Kids in the White House

By: Nancy | January 15, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

Just two streets from Gov Gab Headquarters, they're making a lot of preparations to welcome the new kids on the block.

By this time next week, Malia and Sasha Obama will have joined the exclusive list of kids who have called the White House "home." And while they won't be as little as John John and Caroline Kennedy, who danced at their daddy's feet in the Oval Office, or as mature as the college-bound Bush twins when they moved onto Pennsylvania Avenue, at seven and 10, the Obama girls are the perfect age for Kids.gov.

the Obama family

See, I'm figuring that among the bikes and stuffed animals that will be carted into the Executive Mansion over the next week, there will probably be a computer or two for the girls as well. And like every school kid, they'll have reports to write about art or astronauts, the 50 states or the environment and "going green." They'll definitely be curious about the news for kids that's coming right out of their new home. And they're going to want to take a break, kick back and play a few games.

Malia and Sasha may not be inheriting Amy Carter's tree house or Tad Lincoln's pet goats when they move into the Executive Mansion. But they will be the first "First Kids" who'll grow up online in the White House, learning about the country their dad leads, and the great stuff that the government has for them—and for every kid—online, from Kids.gov.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: change   kids.gov   nancy   obama   president  

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