First of the Month: July

God Bless America. And God Bless the seventh month in the Gregorian calendar – July. July has long been known for being deeply rooted with patriotism and giving us all we ask for during its 31 days. This year, like every year since 1776, we will celebrate the nation’s birthday on July 4^th. So you Uncle Sam fans from Troy, New York, get your rations out and then wave your American flag. (If you don’t know this reference, I urge you to google it.) Ten days after our nation celebrates its birth, the French celebrate Bastille Day in the heart of the Tour De France without our cancer-survivor Viva La Viva Lance as a rider. Today, though, is a day to commence and give thanks for Matt Johnson’s one weakness – ice cream. In fact, Matt and the many of us who have this weakness can do it all month without a single ounce of guilt. Today is creative ice cream flavor day. So you Goonies’ Rocky Road lovers and Superman fans – go forth and celebrate, but save room because the ice cream festivities last all month long. Let’s gobble some more on July 7^th – National Strawberry Sundae Day; July 17^th – National Peach Ice cream Day; and July 23^rd – National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. And for you sports fans out there, we have Wimbledon; the British Open; baseball’s All-star game; and the joy of Nascar, which never ever dies. So keep on riding you great American.

And what would July be without birthdays? Today, Bruce Willis’s Armageddon kid, Liv Tyler, turns 31, and Tommy Lee/Kid Rock romance friend Pamela Anderson turns 47. Three days later Yankees owner turns 71 on the same day the nation celebrates its birthday, which is exactly four days before Lauren Engel hits the big 21 and a week before figure skater turned dancing star Kristin Yamaguchi turns 37. On July 22^nd, former Canadian citizen Alex Trebek turns 67 (you thank me later for finding this photo) exactly nine days before Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling turns 43.