Don't you feel sometimes like just sitting, doing nothing. Ahh. Just relaxing ... for a minute or a few.
In this photo taken on Thursday, June 24, Sichuan Pandas rest on a wood at a zoo in Shanghai, China. The Pandas, which were moved from Sichuan specially for the Shanghai World Expo, were transferred to Shanghai Safari Park for better living conditions on Monday, June 28.

This photo provided by the Chicago Zoological Society shows, golden lion tamarins, Diabo, left, and Delilah, small, orange-colored primates that have been in a wooded area adjacent to Brookfield Zoo’s Indian Lake for the summer, Tuesday, June 29, in Brookfield, Ill. Diabo and Delilah are able to forage for food and explore the open woods on their own; they will use their long tail for balance when climbing through the trees as well as use their long fingers for grabbing branches, holding fruit, and reaching into crevices to catch insects. The tamarins, native to Brazil, are fitted with radio transmitters so Animal Care staff can track them if they are ever out of sight. (AP Photo/Chicago Zoological Society, Jim Schulz)

Today, Friday, June 25 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. And some locals did!

Here's a photo taken by our chief photographer Geoff Patton.

Aren't the pooches cute.

Tim McLaughlin is seen while on a conference call accompanied by Theo, left, as Jennifer Scheel walks past with Pepper at Roskahealthcare Advertising in Montgomery Township. There were a total of five dogs in the office for "Take Your Dog to Work Day."

A very proud mom called earlier this week about her daughter singing at the Phillies game this Saturday.

Here's the information she sent, along with a photo of her daughter. Congratulations to Heather and her family.

***

Heather Stinson, a recent graduate of Methacton High School, has been selected by the Phillies’ baseball organization to perform “Oh Canada,” the Canadian national anthem, at this Saturday’s baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Stinson was selected to sing the song after sending in an audition tape in February 2010.
Stinson is no stranger to singing: she has been singing at various functions for years, including her high school graduation and Pottstown’s “Relay for Life.”
In addition to singing, she has taken dance lessons for 13 years and performed leading roles in several of Methacton High School’s theater productions including The Secret Garden, Sweeney Todd, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Stinson will be attending Moravian College in the fall for vocal performance. She hopes to one day work on Broadway as an actress and singer.
Stinson will be attending the game with her mother, Kathy Urban; her father, David Stinson; and brother, Ryan Stinson in addition to 40 extended family members and friends.

When Heather is not performing, she has been volunteering her time for the past 5 years raising money for childhood cancer research through the organization Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

So, who's taking Fido to work on Friday (June 25)?

Here's some inspiration.

Jeanie Falcon, back, works at her desk as her dog "Zola" lays nearby at the offices of Replacements, Ltd., in McLeansville, N.C., Thursday, June 24, 2010. Friday is the 12th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

In our 24-hour day there are a few magical hours. A time when, if everything works out, we can discover the secret to becoming fabulous -- or close to it.
If you have been awakened, let's say around 3 a.m. or so, and could not get back to sleep you may have discovered this already. But if you haven't, make sure to check this out.
Can't sleep. Turn on the TV.
You'll discover the secret to being fabulous.
You just need some $$$.
If you buy the $19.95 (or something like that) book, you can become rich.
If you buy the sprinkles -- to sprinkle over your food -- you can shed pounds and have a new figure.
If you get the undergarment, you can have nice curves.
If you get the nifty gadget you can have skin free of unwanted hair, your skin will look smooth and beautiful.
If you get the creams and potions you'll get rid of zits and have a beautiul face.
If you get the special cream your legs will look young again.
If you pray with these people you will be delievered from your debt.
And, if you act quick, you will get the results faster, pretty much delivered to your door.
Who wouldn't want all of that, is the stuff of dreams.
Can't go back to sleep making plans to become fabulous?
Turn to the channel with the trauma center program, the horrendous cases the doctors and nurses have to work on will make you turn the TV off and go back to sleep.

Watching a World Cup soccer match this weekend reminded me of the sportscaster that was the talk of the sports world a few years ago ... here he is




And there is a tutorial .....

The International Museum of Women launched today a global photography show: Picturing Power & Potential: A Project of Economica. It is a juried exhibition featuring 50 photographic works by artists across the globe. The exhibit is open online at
www.imow.org/economica/picturingpowerandpotential and will also be on display at San Francisco City Hall today through – Aug. 27. More than 50 works by artists across the globe celebrate women as economic participants and agents of change.

Picturing Power & Potential is a project of Economica: Women and the Global Economy, an extensive and multi-faceted online exhibition presented by IMOW.

The jury reviewed works by 150 artists who responded to an international call for submissions. In the end twenty artists were selected: six artists from the Bay Area, four additional US artists, and artists from Japan, Kenya, Brazil, The Netherlands, China, India, Iran and Canada. The subject matter ranges from teen community leaders in Richmond, CA to entrepreneurs in Ghana, from opera singers in Brazil to seaweed farmers in Zanzibar.

“These photographs speak to the breadth of experience women have as participants in the global economy,” said IMOW Executive Director, Clare Winterton. “The exhibition shows that women are making incredible strides as powerful, economic change-agents, but that there are still significant challenges to be faced and more potential for growth than ever before.”

SFAC Gallery Director Meg Shiffler says, “This partnership has yielded one of the most diverse and stunning photo exhibitions we’ve ever created for City Hall. The artists have invested in their various subject matters and emerged with images that both inspire and take your breath away.”
Picturing Power & Potential is the first in a series of projects powered by IMOW’s current global online exhibition, Economica: Women and the Global Economy.
Economica showcases women’s diverse roles as economic change-agents, entrepreneurs, business leaders, caregivers, workers and investors, and offers vibrant photo slideshows, podcasts from leading activists and thinkers, museum curated content, and community submitted artwork.
Artists: Anne Hamersky (USA), Ariko Inaoka (Japan), Alex Kamweru (Kenya), Brenda Paik Sunoo (USA), Dana Whitaker (USA), Elizabeth Colton (USA), Isabela Senatore (Brazil), Jennifer Samuel (USA), Joanna Lipper (USA), Margaret Silverman (USA), Mark Tuschman (USA), Mathilde Jansen (The Netherlands), Mehran Afshar Naderi (Iran), Michelle McCarron (USA), Miranda Mimi Kuo-Deemer (China), Pattabi Raman (India), Rocio Russo (USA), Samyukta Lakshmi (India), Sanaz Mazinani (Canada), and Selvaprakash Lakshmanan (India)
Jurors: Catherine King (IMOW), Jasmina Bojic (United Nations Association Film Festival), Linda Connor (Artist/Curator/Educator), Meg Shiffler (SFAC Gallery)

The International Museum of Women –http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/4316157:6441566208:m:1:183431607:A752E34EFD45F32AB981D134173DC661- bills itself as a social change museum that aims to inspires global action, connect people across borders and transform hearts and minds. As a virtual museum, they use technology and multimedia presentations to inspire and connect a global audience.

PHOTOS ABOVE (FROM LEFT) Capitol of Hope by Mark Tuschman; Working for Just Salt by Selvaprakash Lakshmanan (black and white); and Seaweed farmers by Joanna Lipper.

So last night (Thursday night) I sat down and watched the TV show "Glee" for the first time.
There are not that many shows that I follow regularly, but I have been insisted upon to give this one a try, so I made a point of being there at 8 p.m.
The show had been recommended to me by a colleague -- Scott Miller -- who said to check it out, I may like it. He has a strong opinion about it, he has lots of opinions and "views," check his blog -- "The View -- A Male's Point" at http://reportertheview.blogspot.com/. (As I write this, he showed up asking if I liked it, I told him to read my blog).
Anyway, I watched. I cannot say I don't like it. I cannot say I like it either. It seems a cute show with a certain kind of appeal.
The show has a tween following. We've seen the term "Gleeks" floating around. Some parents question the show (for the story: Is 'Glee' too racy for its tween target audience? check http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2010/05/21/life/srv0000008322967.txt) A national tour is taking the show to the masses ( check National 'Glee' tour takes show to its Gleeks http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2010/05/21/entertainment/srv0000008322969.txt)

I see how the show would appeal to tweens -- as I watched, I was reminded of junior high school and high school. There's a lot of angst, frustration, envy, sexual tension, competition, you name it, it happens in middle school, junior and senior high school. I see why some parents may object or control its watching, as there are "romantic" scenes and such.

Did I watch the whole show, sort off. I kept flipping back and forth between it and the Food Channel where Alton Brown was discussing that most intriguing of subjects-- asparagus. ( I did pick up a couple cooking tips.)

Let me say, I was intrigued enough, that I may tune in to "Glee" one more time, and give it a try, again.

Many have a favorite Fourth of July tradition. Some like going on a picnic with extended family, others enjoy outdoor fireworks displays and others just stay home, relax and see the fireworks on TV.
What's your favorite tradition. Let us know ... we will share your comments with the community in the Lifestyle page of our Fourth of July edition.
Send your commets to reporterfourth@gmail.com

Help make news!

If YOU were an editor or a reporter, what stories would you be pursuing?

What questions would you pose to local or state governmental officials? What issues do you see as key for a better quality of life for area residents? The Reporter wants to know!

As part of our 'Ben Franklin Project,' we are opening the news process to everyone in the community. Instead of just telling our readers what is important, we want to know what is important to YOU, and let readers guide and participate in our reporting. So let us know what YOU want to know!

Based on reader feedback, these are some of the topics we are considering for our July 4th edition. What do you think?
Lansdale revitalization
- What are the challenges facing the revitalization of Lansdale?
- What do you think should be the focus of revitalization in Lansdale?
- What would you like to ask borough officials?

Unemployment
- Has your job been affected by the economy? Are you unemployed or under-employed? Would you like to share your story?
- What should local officials do to attract jobs to the area?

Independence Day
- What is your favorite Fourth of July tradition?

To respond to these questions, or to suggest any other topic you would like to see addressed in The Reporter and TheReporterOnline.com, please contact us at the following:

- Email: ReporterFourth@gmail.com
- Twitter: @lansreporter
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Reporter/207045996559?ref=ts

At The Reporter we want to hear from you, we want to cover topics that you care about and are concerned about. That is the focus of the Ben Franklin Project.
As part of it, we are planning a special Fourth of July edition and in our Lifestyle page we would like to feature patriotic-themed art by local artists. We will publish a selection. If you want to be part of this project, you are welcome to send us a high-res jpeg of your artwork to reporterfourth@gmail.com Or give us a call at (215) 361-8824.

I LOVE IT WHEN A PHOTO LOOKS JUST LIKE A PAINTING. Clouds rolls into Waynesville, Ohio as powerful storms hit the Miami Valley region Wednesday, June 2, 2010. (AP Photo/The Dayton Daily News, Teesha McClam)

FULL OF COLOR. An oriental poppy with semi-double, orange flowers that have wavy, crepe-paper like petals are seen in a flower garden in Arrowsic, Maine, on Monday, May 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)

LOOK AT ME. A black crowned crane looks on at the Dusit Zoo Wednesday, June 2, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU. A pair of Meerkats rest in the shade Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/David Longstreath).

This just in!
I received this press release from Spring House Estates ACTS Retirement-Life Community:

Spring House Estates ACTS Retirement-Life Community will host an all-you-can-eat strawberry festival and BBQ benefit event to honor local veterans, local fire, police and emergency first responders who service the retirement campus on Thursday, June 3 from 11 am -1 pm.
The event is open to the public and is part of Celebrating Seniors and Welcoming the Community to Campus during the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Homecoming Week. Senator Greenleaf & many Lower Gwynedd Township officials will be in attendance.
Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road in Lower Gwynedd. For more information, call (215) 628-8110.