S: Is for Stories that Inspirer!

When life hands you lemons you make lemonade and that is exactly what 4 year old Alexandra Scott did. Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with childhood cancer. On her first birthday, the doctors informed Alex’s parents that if she beat her cancer it was doubtful that she would ever walk again. Two weeks later, Alex defined the odds. In 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, “When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.” She said she wanted to give the money to the doctors to help them find a cure. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, and they set up the first "Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July. They raised an amazing $2000 for “her hospital.” While bravely battling her own cancer, Alex continued to hold yearly lemonade stands in her front yard to benefit childhood cancer research. News spread of the remarkable sick child dedicated to helping other sick children. People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and donated the proceeds to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The year Aex turned 8 she knew this was her last year and she decided she wanted to raise a $1 million. In walks Tim Ritchey who had heard Alex's story. His horse Afleet Alex was running in the Kentucky Derby and he as his trainer and rider Jeremy Rose wanted to contribute Alfeet Alex's wins to her lemonade stand. Afleet ALex who was not scheduled to place came from the back to finish 3rd. Alex's Lemonade Stand was also invited to the Preakness and this time Alfeet Alex won. Alex made her goal of 1 million before she died, right before her 8th birthday. Afleet, Afleet Alex's sire, was auctioned for $37,000 -- all of it went to the lemonade stand. The winning bid was $37,000, by B. Wayne Hughes, who had two horses in the Derby. As of June 2008, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $19 million for childhood cancer research. The result -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!

Alexandra Scott who was diagnosed with cancer two days before her first birthday. Who started the stand when she was 4 to raise money for her hospital, died when she was 8 and she made a difference. She stands as a shinning example of someone who without health, without rights, without anything cared beyond herself to help others. I have always wondered why people like Alex die and others live for I know I would gladly give my life to someone with this much heart and life, that offers so much to humanity. We can all take a lesson from ALex and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Speaking our Truths!

There are people who speak our truths for us George Carlin was one of them. As a tribute to his death I am reprinting his message to a world bent on self destruction. Maybe this will change just one of those reading this and then change will begin. Are you be that one?

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because t hat is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George, you will be missed but the essence of who you were lives on. I for one have been changed because of you and that is a remakable F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Cars that run on Air!

With the price of gas holding the world captive alternative methods are sprouting up. I brought you the smart car but now air is an energy that can be utilized, in a viable way, to transport both people and goods. A Compressed air car is an alternative fuel car that uses a motor, but is powered by compressed air. They can be combined (as in a hybrid electric vehicle) with gasoline/diesel/ethanol or electric plant and regenerative braking. Several companies are on the verge of producing prototypes including Tata Motors. Like electrical vehicles, air powered vehicles would ultimately be powered through the electrical grid, making it easier to focus on reducing pollution. Other advantages of an air powered vehicle are lower initial cost than battery electric vehicles when mass produced. They start at $2,500 and compressed air not subject to fuel tax as of yet. As for the environment these cars carry zero pollutant emissions. With compressed air fire is no longer the hazard in an accident. Air turbine technology, is closely related to steam turbine technology and is a practice over 50 years old. Can you imagine the possibility of refill your air tank at home, by just using a common power socket. Lighter vehicles also mean less abuse on roads, resulting in longer lasting roads. A non polluting vehicle would eliminate the reason to buy gasoline from off shore companies. How great is that?

The Compressed Air Car developed by Motor Development International (MDI) Founder Guy Negre might be the best thing to have happened to the motor engine in years. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of the planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units. MDI says it should cost only around $2 to fill the car up with 340 liters of air! The Air Car will be starting production relatively soon, thanks to India's TATA Motors. The six-seater taxi should be available in India this year -2008! Forget corn! There's fuel, there's renewable fuel, and then there's user-renewable fuel! What can be better than air? This is the true car of tomorrow, now if we can just get It In the USA!

Here is an air car company to discover and invest in www.theaircar.com

Now that is smart business and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Art Abounds!

Art abounds this week in NYC. Here are some highlights to get you started.

Thinking of visiting the South Street Seaport? If you do an unusual installation by former Talking Head David Byrne called "Playing the Building" is there to entertain. Byrne has turned this Battery Maritime Building at 10 South St. into a musical instrument, connecting every key of an organ to beams and pipes in the building. Visitors can literally "play the building" by sitting down at the organ. The metal beams, pillars, the heating pipes and water pipes are all used to produce sound. The activation uses wind, vibration to resonate the inner harmonies, so few hear. You can play Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, noon-6 p.m for free.

Across the river in Long Island City, Queens, PS1 Gallery in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art in New York invites young emerging architects to propose a temporary structure for their Warm-up Music festival. This year Work Architecture Company has transformed a rock-strewn courtyard into a garden with vegetables sprouting from cardboard tubes.PF1 (Public Farm One) is an urban farm concept built with inexpensive and sustainable materials recyclable after its use at P.S.1. Cardboard tubes form a continuous surface creating multiple zones of activity including swings, fans, sound effects, innovative seating areas, and a refreshing pool at its center, as an Urban Beach. The installation opened June 20th, and will be hosting the 2008 Warm Up summer music series. The other finalists Matter Architecture Practice (New York), MONAD Architects - Eric Goldemberg + Veronica Zalcberg (Miami), su11 architecture + design (New York), and THEM/Lynch+Crembil (New York). An exhibition of the designs, organized by Andres Lepik, Curator, Department of Architecture and Design, will be presented in MoMA’s Louise Reinhardt Smith Gallery from July 15 to October 20, 2008.

Beginning July 20, Museum of Modern Art plays tribute to the history of prefab homes with "Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling." The past, present and future model's of the prefab home industry has set up shop on the Museum's vacant west lot. The fives homes erected on the vacant west lot are designed by Kieran Timberlake Associates (Philadelphia); Jeremy Edmiston and Douglas Gauthier (New York); Horden Cherry Lee Architects / Haack + Höpfner Architects (London/Munich); Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Planning / Associate Professor Lawrence Sass (Cambridge); and Oskar Leo Kaufmann (Dornbirn, Austria).

Look out! It's a bird, it's a plane..... nope, just Chris Burden's "What My Dad Gave Me," a 65-foot-high structure built from an Erector Set. Even at 62, you can not stop this boy from playing with his toys and wowing those who partake in his joy and tribute to the area's Art Deco skyscrapers. Walk to Fifth Avenue at Rockefeller Center look up and you will be astounded until July 19th.

No matter where you go in NYC peoples imagination flourishes and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I had heard about the Shecky events for years, but something always came up, until a reader asked me my opinion. Never thinking I could be a virgin again I attended my first Girls Night Out and was shocked at how much fun it was, more than expected. What I discovered is this is the perfect party night out with your best girlfriends or even your mom. With five nights to choose from, buy early as the word of mouth is making this one sold out event. Imagine emerging designers with their ware all heavily discounted, open bars abounding with mojitos, and selection of mixers from Friday's all gratis from Bacardi, Chambord margaritas and French martinis (add Finlandia), Wine from Little Black Dress and a beer pairing from Bud Light. For non alcoholic treats there was Borba skin balance water. Manicures with a free new color of polish by OPI all curtsy of Chambord (Thank-you Michele), hair stylist and make=up artists ready to make you look like you jumped off the pages of Vogue. Tips for the event: start early. The event begins at 5. This is the time to drop the fashionably late routine. Get there around 4:30. Check out what is available first and sign up, then go shop. For those into Nintendo you could play for free and check out the new games. Some of the highlights of the shopping includes: Fused Glass and Leather Bracelets by Fusing Colors: very unusual, a bohemian accessory with a rock n' roll vibe. TrueJeans.com. was a hit. Designed for women with small waists and slightly larger hips. Bags and clutches by Nikita Lynn Designs at an amazing discount, Eda and Betty's vintage jewelry and my favorite Booty Parlor. This is the best sex toys and accessories for women. Look for a column on the company in the near future.

The fabulous goodie bag alone is well worth the price of admission which is $30, however if you buy it in advance it is 2 for 1. Chock full of samples, full-size products it comes in a cute re-usable tote bag that was actually comfortable to carry. Here's what was in mine.

Hair products: a can of Redken Fabricate 03 heat-active texturizer, a tube of Redken Satinwear 02 blow-dry lotion (sample size), a can of Göt 2b Smooth Operator (sample size), a jar of Alagio Trend Starter twisting paste.

Cosmetics: Bioré blemish fighting ice cleanser (sample size), Avené soothing moisture mark (sample size), Roc daily microdarmabrasion cleansing disk (1), Avené foundation.

Personal hygiene: Schick Intuition, Dove beauty body (sample size), Dove body mist (sample zise), Aquafresh White Trays, DentaBurst freshening teeth cleaners,

Other: Glade plug in, packet of Boost immune booster, black Shine To Go shoe polisher (2), a booklet of Chambord cocktail recipes, Shecky's NYC Beauty Map and NYC Fashion Map.

The next event for our area is July 19th and August 30th in The Hampton's and again but this event has expanded and is also in the following cities: Las Vegas, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia,
Denver, and San Francisco.

This is one great night to spend with the girls and that is a F.A.C.T.