S: Is for solidarity

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will not get married until all can. Now Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster and will join Oskar Eustis, Cleve Jones, Gavin Creel and David Stone onstage at Central Park's Delacorte Theater (enter at
81st Street and Central Park West or 79th Street and Fifth Avenue). The rally, being held in advance of October's National Equality March in Washington, D.C., will take place today, Friday, August 28, from 2:30-3:30 PM and is open to the public.

The producers of the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR previously announced, in an unprecedented move, they are canceling the show's Sunday, October 11th performance so that the entire cast can join the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.

Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater and producer of HAIR, said “The Public Theater has always aspired to make theater that matters, that speaks to the great social issues of our time. HAIR has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!” These are words that should be FA.C.T.S

T: T is for Ted

In this country killing someone is illegal, unless you are rich, then new rules apply. The world is morning Ted Kennedy, but I am not, nor am I sure are the parents of Mary Jo Kopechne. In the summer of 1969 on Chappaquiddick, a small island connected by ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, Mary Jo, 28, was attending a party. She had worked on Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign. At 11:15 she left with Ted Kennedy who had offered her a ride to catch the last ferry to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, where she was staying. Taking the keys of his car from his chauffeur, Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo left the party. In brief Ted Kennedy made a wrong turn onto an unlit dirt road. Kennedy drove over the side of the bridge with the car landing upside down and underwater. Kennedy supposedly was able to swim free of the vehicle, but Mary Jo Kopechne was not. Ted Kennedy left Mary Jo to die, spent the night in his hotel room and didn’t even report the accident to police until 10:00 am, after a fishermen found the submerged car and Mary Jo dead body. It was a little bit after 8:00 am. There was an air bubble. If divers had known, had been able to get to her, some say she would be alive today.

After the incident, Ted Kennedy entered a plea of guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury. He was sentence to 2 months in jail but that was suspended.

This is a man who was kicked out of college for cheating. Who in 1981 accompanied his nephew William Kennedy Smith to a nightclub in Florida. Where 29-year-old Patricia Bowman, accused Smith of rape. Smith testified that the sex was consensual. Although three women were willing to testify that Smith had sexually assaulted them but had not reported to the police, their testimony was excluded Smith was acquitted of the charges. In 2004, Audra Soulias, alleged that Smith had sexually assaulted her in 1999, and brought a civil action against him. Smith denied her charges. On January 5, 2005, the court again dismissed Soulias's lawsuit. Laura Hamilton was paid a large sum of money by Smith in an out-of-court settlement for the same charges.

Ted Kennedy may have seen important laws reach fruition, but does the good outweigh the bad? That would be a weighty F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Cheese and hidden treasures

Nestled in the heart of Murray Hill is a well known sandwich and cheese shop called Lamazou. During lunch time the customers flock for it's delicacies. What is in a Lamazou sandwich that makes it taste so good? Is it the bread? The meat, or the cheese? It's pretty simple, it takes the high quality of all components that makes Lamazou's sandwiches so outstanding. High quality ingredients. Great meats that are piled on, great cheeses, and great bread. Then there's the combinations: smoked salmon, served with red onions, capers, cornichons, and a delicious lemon oil sauce. Or try smoked turkey with roasted peppers, pesto and brie on a rosemary ciabatta. The owners truly care about their customers and their products. Nancy and Azia Lamazou hail from Lebanon and Tunisia. Azia spent years as a foreign diplomat, and it shows with the care and love each customer receives. Besides being a sandwich shop, make no mistake Lamazou is also a gourmet paradise. With over 150 cheeses to cured meats vary from Italian proscuitto’s salami’s mortadella’s and Pancetta, to Serrano Ham and Chorrizo from Spain, to Bresaola from Switzerland, to French Ham, to Sausage and Bacon from Ireland and a variety of Pate, Terrine, Smoked Breast of duck and Foie Gras. They also carry the finest smoked fish and caviar. Their retail also includes: a selection of preserves, biscuits, chocolates, crackers, olive and truffle oils, teas, coffees and so much more. Looking to throw that talked about party? They also cater events. Lamazou Cheese is located at 370 3rd Ave (212) 532-2009 www.lamazoucheese.com

Sometimes to find the best places we have to discover a different neighborhood and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the Arts for kids...Rosie's Kids

So you want to be on Broadway....but your a kid....where do you go? ...Rosie's Broadway Kids, is the answer. I watched, as a chorus and soon to be principals of young performers strutted their stuff. I was amazed at the level of expertise. The performance was part of their summer intensive. I caught Steven Jamil's (music and lyrics) and Sara Patterson's (book and additional lyrics) show "My Life Today." This show was better than "High School Musical" and we all know what a rage that was. The show was based around a day in the life of a high school, and the scenario's were real and emotion based. The kids were honest in their portrayal's and the events could of been taken from any school in America. Like in life, during the first number "Another Day," you could tell by the vocals and dancing who was going to take the leads. Daniel Estrella's voice and presence was a shinning example of a star in the making as was the talent of Mary Dunkley. The song "Perfect" is a terrific song about parents expectations and how they can drive a kid insane. Sarah Mennell, was a terrific Louey, but she needs a number of her own. All in all, I went expecting a kid show and what I got was the making for a show that should be developed for Off-Broadway or at the very least a school tour. I think a lot of kids could relate to the material. Rosie's Broadway Kids is an excellent place to start and to grow and New Yorkers are lucky to have it.

Rosie's Broadway Kids (RBKids) is a not-for-profit arts education organization founded by Ms. O'Donnell in 2003 enriches the lives of children through the arts. Using professional teaching artists, Rosie's Broadway Kids provides New York City fifth graders with in-school classes in dance and music, and a professional theater experience for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. The program's mission is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit and install a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Students attend classes Monday through Friday from 9:30-3:30. In addition to their regular curriculum of classes, students have private vocal and acting coaching, and instrumental music classes, under the direction of founder Lori Klinger.

These are F.A.C.T.S that grow dreams.

F: Beer and soon food German style

Here’s the latest in alfresco boozing: The Standard opened its beer garden, complete with a Ping-Pong table. The patio is open from 4 p.m. till midnight Sundays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. till 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, it won’t open fully (i.e. with food, an official name, and a second bar) until late September. This is the Standard Hotel third splash with sprawling German action. White plastic furniture keeps pretense in check, as does menu's focus on draughts. Under-the-Highline plenty of seats await so it will be hard to be exculively chic. The Standard Beer Garden, The Standard Hotel, 848 Washington St.; 212-645-4646, Now that is a thirst quenching F.A.C.T.