You may not recognize the image to the left or that she was born on this day in 1889. She didn't lead a country. She didn't fight for freedom. She didn't accomplish any great scientific feat. She simply wrote a poem. But that poem is perhaps one of the finest pieces of literature ever written or written on on paper. For this woman is Emma Lazarus, the poet who wrote the inscription for the Statue of Liberty. Those amazing words shine even today! "Give me your tired, your poor, your downtroden yearning to be free..." etc. Those words were immortalized in a musical written by Irving Berlin called "Miss Liberty"-- in which Mr. Berlin put music to these amzing words! The musical, itself didn't do that well, but it did give us one of Berlin's most famous songs "Let's Take An Old Fashioned Walk". As far as Emma's words go --they simply without question represent what our country is all about. They are not words to be taken lightly. Today is also the birthday of composer Alan Menken who turns 49 years old today. Menken with the late and amazing Howard Ashman wrote the scores for "The Little Mermaid" "Alladin" "Beauty and the Beast" and "Little Shop of Horrors" His newest musical "Sister Act" is currently slated for a tryout at the Pasadena Playhouse in October and November of this year. I look forward to seeing it, as I adored the movie! The weatherman claims we are going to have a record breaking HOT day here reaching 115 degrees. OMG-- I certainly hope he's wrong. This is the hottest summer, I have ever experienced in my life! It looks like there is some interest in "The Ghost Who Saved Broadway" in connection with my old friend Jimmy Chapel, but we will have to see what this becomes-- don't want to get too excited! Well, until next time!