Invitations: Red white and blue. Olympic symbol on the front and "USA"You have been invited to participate in the "your last name" Backyard Olympics!

Can send along a pre-made t-shirt for the event or give them out there. Stencil the Olympic rings on them along with "Backyard Olympics."

Decorations:
Decorations can be red, white and blue bunting with lots of balloons. Find and use a small tiki torch anchored to a high point (swing set, etc) Have a portable CD or cassette tape player and play music to put everyone in the mood to compete!

Cake and Food:
American: Hot dogs, chips, popcorn, American flag cake. Or make an Olympic Rings cake.
Goodie Bags: Fill bags if you choose (since the children will get their awards and pictures of them getting them) with stickers or pins of other countries, sunglasses, sweatbands, and plastic stop watches.

Events:
Need: Gold, silver & bronze medals from a craft store. Hang them from blue, red and white ribbons to place around the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each event. Presentation of the awards should be conducted with patriotic music in the background and picture taking. Make a platform with the 1st 2nd, & 3rd steps. For the events, if you are not too picky about your lawn you can spray paint the race tracks on it or find chalk used for chalking sports fields.

1. Discus throw -(Frisbee)
2. Long jump
3. 10 yard dash
4. Baton races
5. Potato sack race
6. Suitcase Relay: need at least two teams 2 suitcases 2 articles of clothing alike...2 hats, 2 scarves, 2 mittens, 2 sweaters,2 pants, 2 wigs, 2 pair boots, etc...
   Have kids get in a line, each with a suitcase full of clothesthey take off to a line across from them and drop and open the suitcase and start putting everything on, they then take the empty suitcase back to the line and take everything off and put it back in the suitcase and hand it to the next person...until the last person in line finishes.
7. The final event - a marathon (Everyone around the block...One supervisor on a bike in front and one in back).
   Every participant gets a medal and photograph for this event so no one is left out.

Any type of 'event' can be used for this party. You can use traditional games such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, running races, obstacle course, etc...
OR Try silly ones, like balancing an egg on a spoon, and an obstacle courses (triathlon-bike, run, crawl). Instead of 'medals' try making your own by spray painting large washers. Give all the kids a cord or ribbon and let them add their winnings to it.

Serenity
PG13, Science Fiction, 1hr 59min
Opens on September 30, 2005
Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres,
Alan Tudyk ...more






When the crew of the spaceship Serenity takes on two new passengers -- a young doctor and his unstable, telepathic sister -- they get much more than they bargained for. The two are fugitives from the coalition dominating the universe, and they will stop at nothing to reclaim the girl.

This is a list of items to store so your family can be prepared in case of an emergency. It is probably more important now, then ever before. As a former Eagle Scout: BE PREPARED!

Directions: Print this list and check off each item that has been put into your 72 hour kit.

Food and Water
(A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)

Protein/Granola Bars
Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc
("pop-top" cans that open without a can-opener are ideal)
Canned Juice
Candy/Gum
Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)

Bedding and Clothing

Change of Clothing
(short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
Undergarments
Rain Coat/Poncho
Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks
(that keep in warmth)
Cloth Sheet
Plastic Sheet

Fuel and Light

Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.)
Don't forget batteries!
Extra Batteries
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Water-Proof Matches

Equipment

Can Opener
Dishes/Utensils
Shovel
Radio (with batteries!)
Pen and Paper
Axe
Pocket Knife
Rope

Personal Supplies and Medication

First Aid Supplies
Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
Immunizations Up-to Date
Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)

Scriptures
Genealogy Records
Patriarchal Blessing
Legal Documents
(Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
Vaccination
Papers
Insurance Policies
Cash
Credit Card
Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Miscellaneous

Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in
(such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great)
Make sure you can lift/carry it!
Infant Needs (if applicable)

Notes:

• Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged.
• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.

CANCER
Seek out great challenges today. Try to get Johnny Dare to join your Sensitivity Training Class.
LEO
Up until today, your moon was in its third house. This morning, however, it moved out of its third house and bought a condominium on the beach... and forged your name to the mortgage.
VIRGO
Today you will shock the music world by announcing that you've discovered a copy of Mozart's legendary, long-lost "Concerto for Electric Guitar in E Minor."
LIBRA
Now is the time for a bold financal move. Try to corner the market on Nerf Balls.
SAGITTARIUS
Impress your date with how cultured you are. Ask her if she's ever seen that great play, "The Glass Menagerie," by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

This Sunday, Michael Romeo makes his debut on Mix 93.3 FM in Kansas City. After over two years on 105.1, Romeo is moving up in the world and down the dial. This week's show is 11a to 4p!

Start with an invitation for your guests to come to your "island" to tape the ONLY episode. Give your island a name - amusing, exotic, or scary.

Based on your positive replies, you need to develop the Tribes before the day of the party. Decide if it's male vs. female, or couples vs. couples, or totally mixed up. Some Tribal names could be: Rattle and Rollers, Boogie Bugs, Lounge Lizards, Shell Shockers. You may want to use colored armbands, or colored leis to designate which members belong to which Tribes.

For the entrance, place bamboo tiki torches outside your door as the first indication of the island flavor, or use luau luminarias. You may even want to adorn your porch rail or doorway with 3D tissue parrots and/or palm tree lights for a festive effect. Drape some fish netting for effect.
Beachcomber hats would be fun, and 6-ft. palm tree cutouts add to the decor. Serve tropical foods with flamingo and fruit picks. You can use raffia skirting for serving tables. Use candles everywhere - definitely votives but citronella also if you're outdoors.

For this event, just give points. No one is voted out (what fun is that at a party?)

The Immunity Challenges:
A gummy bug-eating competition: He who eats the most, wins. Try gummy spiders and beetles and stuff like that.
A rat hunt: Candy stores also have gummy rats or find plastic ones at a dollar store. Hide some of those foes in different places on your "island."
A treasure chest relay: they have to carry a treasure chest filled with rocks, back and forth, handing it off to different team members until they are done.
Race for the Rainbow - Give each team a plastic bag as well as a piece of paper containing a written list of all of the colors of the rainbow (Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). Each team has to find at least one object in nature (or anything outside) that matches each color of the rainbow. For example: A red apple, orange leaf, yellow weed (dandelion), etc. For each object they find they have to place it in their plastic bags. The first team to find objects that match each color of the rainbow is the winner. (Each item found can only count for one color.)
Hula Hoop Relay - For this race, you'll need even numbered teams and a hula hoop for each team. Begin by creating a course-a straight line to a goal (a chair or trash can, for instance) and back, or create a slalom-type trail around obstacles. When the race begins, the first player from each team rolls the team's hoop (using his hand or a stick) along the entire course before returning to the starting line and passing the hoop to the next player. The race continues until all of the players on one team complete the course.
Who's the Leader? - The object of this game is to find out who is the leader of the group. One player, the guesser, goes around the corner of the house while the remaining players sit in a circle and select a leader (quietly). The leader then initiates a series of motions-hand movements, claps, foot stomps and so on-which the other players copy. The guesser is then called back to watch the group. The leader must change the movements every 5 to 20 seconds. The followers try not to give away the leader with their eyes. The guesser gets three tries to identify the right person. This is a good alternative if the weather is lousy outside.
Dress-up Relay - Make 2 piles of the same type of clothing. Divide the group into teams and have the first players race to dress up in all the clothes from one pile. When finished, he/she must take all the clothes off and have the next player dress up. The team that dresses and undresses first wins the game. (You can get fun stuff from garage sales and thrift stores, and this is fun for both adults and kids.)

Lord of War
R, Action, 2hrs 2min
Opened on September 16, 2005
Nicolas Cage,
Jared Leto,
Bridget Moynahan




A wily arms dealer dodges bullets and betrayal as he schemes his way to the top of his profession, only to come face to face with his conscience. But it's not easy to leave a life of girls, guns and glamour when no body wants you to stop, not even your enemies.

VIRGO
People often talk down to you. Solve this problem by hanging around with shorter people.
LIBRA
You will find a lot of money today, but because you are an honest, upright person you will return it to its righful owner. And remember, I lost a whole bunch of money the other day, so if you happen to find some, it's mine!
SCORPIO
Today is your lucky day! Everything you touch will turn to gold - so be extremely careful while toweling off after your shower.
SAGITTARIUS
Today your moon is rising, your Mars is in Venus and your Sun is on the cusp. All of this means that two things will happen to you today. After they do, please let me know what they were.
CAPRICORN
Today is a good day to find out how trustworthy you are. Tell yourself a big secret and then see how long you can go without blabbing it around.

1. TWO WORDS: Hammer Pants
2. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
3. You watched the Pound Puppies.
4. You remember Popples
5. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
6. You had Rainbow Brite and all her little different colored furry friends
7. How about the first animated toys "Teddy Ruxpin" and "Cricket"
8. Remember making fun of "My Buddy" and "Kid Sister"
9. NINTENDO!!!
10. Does anyone remember Punky Brewster and Pippi Longstalking?
11. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
12. Legos and Transformers "Robots in Disguise"
13. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".
14. You can sing the entire theme song to "DuckTales " (Woo ooh!)
15. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
16. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
17. You remember things like Mr. Wizard, and Nickelodeon's Double Dare and You Can't Do That On Television.
18. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know youare, but what am I? "
19. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds or ShowBiz Pizza.
20. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen, and still know the turtles names.
21. You wanted to be a Goonie.
22. You remember watching both "Gremlins " "GhostBusters" and "E.T." movies.
23. Let's not forget "Howard the Duck" and "Beetlejuice"
24. Pet Cemetary and Freddy Kruger scared the pee out of you!
25. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
26. Your family nights around the T.V. with your Parents included Full House, Family Matters, America's Funniest Home Videos, and In Living Color.
27. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair " ....and can dothe Carlton". And who could forget "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summer, Summer, Summer Time...
28. You thought Kirk Cameron(Growing Pains), Michael J. Fox (Family Ties and Back to the Future) Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli (Who's the Boss) was hot.
29. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "SavedBy the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.
30. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"
31. You know that "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom
32. Your first soap opera was Beverly Hills 90210
33. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
34. Watching Reading Rainbow at School
35. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten. (She'struly outrageous.)
36. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
37. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
38. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing" and all the Ramona books.
39. You played the game "MASH " (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House)
40. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pal Kids in the schoolyard.
41. "Ice Ice Baby"
42. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and "spokey-dokes"or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.
43. You made Kooty Catchers, the piece of paper that was folded up so that the girls would ask you to pick a number and count while pinching their fingers back and forth to unfold the flap and read what was underneath to seal your fate!
44. You made paper footballs to launch at your friends to pass the time in school.
45. You remember Crystal Pepsi and how cool it was to pop the tabs off the pop tabs, with or without the holes filled!
46. Girls wore spandex shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy, Or heck even by themselves with an oversized t-shirt.
47. Umbro
48. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
49. You had those plastic link charm necklaces that you bought seperate charms like little fruits, bicycles, sunglasses to clip on to'em.
50. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF "
51. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like 24, probably in neon colors, too)
52. And girls, we couldn't twirl that baton to save our soul, but we had one, cause to watch that glitter go up and down was soooo cool.
53. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
54. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
55. You owned a banana clip
56. You wore more than one Swatch watch, and turned down so that you had to flip your wrist to see what time it was.
57. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
58. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe)
59. You thought your childhood friends would never leave you because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
60. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on
the side.
61. You remember boom boxes.. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
62. Your shirts had to be 5 sizes too big, and it was a bonus to have one shoulder showing.
63. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
64. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up "
65. L.A. Gear, Z. Cavarichi, Guess, Pepe....need I say more...
66. You tight rolled your jeans.
67. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks all different colors scrunched over tights or tight rolled jeans with high top Reeboks.
68. The Clapper "Clap On, Clap Off"
69. You remember "Where's the Beef?
70. You had a mullet!
71. You remember the comeback of overalls, but to make them cool you had to leave one strap down.
72. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
73. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
74. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
75. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
76. "Like Totally." (Valley Girl)
77. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
78. You just sang those words to yourself.
79. Madonna
80. You've ever ended a sentence with the words "PSYCHE " and "NOT".

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You go home after a long day at work and you still answer the phone in a businesslike manner.
7. You make phone calls from home and you accidentally dial "9" to get an outside line.
8. You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.1
0. You learn about your redundancy on the 11 o'clock news.
11. Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
12. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.
13. Every commercial on television has a website at the bottom of the screen.
14. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
15. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
16. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
17. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
18. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
19. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
20. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

For my husband's Birthday party, I decided to do Jimmy Buffett. I arranged it to be a surprise party and I had lot's of help from his best friend. My invitations were done via phone calls and emails.

We have a in-ground pool so it was suppose to be outside, but on the day before they called for rain, so I put it in our garage and bought some kiddy pools and arranged them in the garage. I bought rubber animals and those kiddy fishing polls that come with the fish that have the magnets on them and I put lawn chairs around the pools so people could fish. I bought water guns just for the fun of it and I got a parrot pinata. I also got paper palm trees, parrots, Mexican hats, Corona, I cooked Cheeseburgers in Paradise, I had one of his friends wear a grass skirt and coconut bra, I put signs on the walls with the names of Jimmy Buffett's songs, I made Margaritas and I had a cake made with an island on it with sharks swimming around it.

We played nothing but Jimmy Buffet and had a blast! My husband was very surprised and impressed. I worked very hard thinking of ways to make it fun, we even had a treasure hunt through the house. You don't know how many times I listen to his songs to get everything right!!

The Exorcism of Emily Rose
PG13, Horror,
1hr 54min,
Opens on September 9, 2005
Laura Linney, Campbell Scott, Tom Wilkinson




In this blend of psychological thriller and courtroom drama, Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter) is a 19-year-old college student who begins displaying bizarre and troubling behavior; as her actions became increasingly destructive and shocking, Emily begins speaking in strange tongues and destroys religious symbols that surrounded her. Emily's parents believe that their daughter has become possessed of the devil, and after frequent appeals, the Catholic Church agrees to authorize an exorcism of the young woman.

As Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson) attempts to drive the demons from Emily's body, the girl dies in the midst of the taxing ceremonies, repeated over several months, and Father Moore finds himself charged with negligent homicide, along with her parents. Attorney Erin Brunner (Laura Linney) is hired to represent Father Moore against prosecutors who intend to prove there were concrete medical explanations for Emily's behaviors, including epilepsy and schizophrenia, all leading to a heated courtroom debate between the notions of faith and science.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose was inspired by the real-life story of Annaliese Michel, a young woman from Germany who died in 1976 after priests in Wurzburg spent eight months attempting to exorcise demons from her body.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

By Frank Paiva
Special to MSN Movies
Like it or not, another school year is just around the corner. It's time to put away the beach bag and pull out the backpack. It's time to buy the latest fashions for that first day of class. For smart people, it's also time to create a plan to make this the most awesome school year ever. And what better place to go searching for ideas than the movies?

Hollywood needs the adolescent dollar in order to stay alive, and studios provide teens with a glut of high school movies to help students escape the horrors of a full eight periods of learning each weekday. Most of these films are mindless garbage, but some provide real gems of wisdom that can be applied to everyday life in school. Here are some basic survival tips for typical school situations inspired by great teens in movie history:

The Basic Mantra
The basic mantra of any school year is: Anything can happen. Just because you were friends with someone last year doesn't necessarily mean you'll be friends with them again. Just because you got good grades last year doesn't mean you can coast through this year. The wonderful thing about a new school year is that the possibilities are endless.

Remember that when the popular kids started being mean to Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) in "Carrie," they probably didn't think she had telekinetic powers and would go all crazy and burn down the school. Likewise, no one in "She's All That" would've predicted a shy, arty girl like Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) would become the girlfriend of the hottest boy (Freddie Prinze Jr.) in school. Expect the unexpected.

How to Pick an Outfit for the First Day of School
Pick something unique, but not so expensive or precious that if it's ruined you'll be out a lot of money. Those poor freshmen in "Dazed and Confused" probably didn't anticipate the elaborate, fabric-staining hazing rituals devised by the cruel seniors.

Underclassmen should be on the prowl for upperclassmen jerks looking for a little fun. Resist the mall's insistence that you subscribe to punk or preppy for the rest of the year on the first day of school. Go for something in between. Something that says, "I don't really want to be here, but I might as well look good since I have to be."

How to Greet New Students
This sounds terrible, but one should always be suspicious of new students, especially ones entering after the start of the school year. You never know when they could actually be undercover reporters looking for dirt, as in "Never Been Kissed."
This is especially true of social circles with high standing. Just look at what Winona Ryder did to The Heathers in "Heathers." Or what Lindsay Lohan did to The Plastics in "Mean Girls." If you have power, you have to protect it, and sometimes that means being exclusive.

How to Ask That Hot Guy/Girl Out
Remember that the worst they can do is laugh in your face and say no. While that sounds horrible, it's really a lot better than having someone tell you, "I ran over your dog" or "I love you, but you're just too ugly for me to sleep with" or "I think I have a big thing for your little sister." Movies have shown time and time again how two people can form a bond across the superficial lines of high school, whether it's the head cheerleader and the '70s punk guy in "Bring It On" or a geeky unpopular boy with the school's big soccer jock in "Beautiful Thing." Nothing is impossible.
A word of caution, however, to avoid overly melodramatic or difficult situations: Don't go crazy, like Natalie Wood in "Splendor in the Grass." Just suck it up and go for it! Or at least make them aware that you exist -- that way your situation isn't entirely sad.

How to be the Life of the Biggest Parties
Everyone goes to parties for different reasons, and as we've learned from "Can't Hardly Wait," they all have a story. Being funny and charming always works, but having a negative attitude will attract fewer people than "Grease 2." Get all the details about the party you're planning to attend. Know who's throwing it, and what types of people are likely to be there. A teenage party like the one in "Kids" means something very different from a teenage party in, say, "10 Things I Hate About You." With a little research beforehand, you can't go wrong. Also, sneak out without parental approval only if absolutely necessary. We all saw what happened in "House Party." Unfortunately.

How to Deal with Detention
Do I really have to say that "The Breakfast Club" is the blueprint on this topic? If you have the chance to interact with the other people in detention, do it. It doesn't matter if they're more or less popular than you, or if you have nothing in common. None of you want to be there, and it's always nice to have someone to commiserate with. Strangely, there's something about smoking illegal substances and discussing virginity stories while being forcibly held for punishment in a library that seems to bring people together.

How to Fake a Sick Day
For this most important of skills, we turn to the '80s classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," where our protagonist turns missing school into a high art. The key, as Ferris (Matthew Broderick) explains, lies in clammy hands. Don't try to go for a too specific symptom; otherwise there might be actual medical intervention. Whatever you go for, remember that you can only have so many sick days before parents start to get suspicious, so make sure you really need a day to yourself and make it count.

How to Get Your Parents Off Your Back and Do Good
Never underestimate the value of doing something good for someone else. In "Clueless," heroine Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is the poshest, richest girl in Beverly Hills, but she's still unhappy until she becomes involved in a school disaster relief drive. Community service is not only worthwhile in itself, it can also be a lot of fun if it's something you enjoy doing, or you're with friends. In more selfish terms, it also looks good on college applications and is a bargaining chip with parents. It improves you and the people you help. For whatever your reason, helping someone else could be the best thing you do this school year.

Have a happy and eventful school year everyone, whatever your goals may be.

AIRES
You've got to overcome your timid nature. Do something today you've never done before. If you're too timid to do something you've never done before, think of something you have done before — but don't do it.

TAURUS
Today your barber will surprise you by using your head to single-handedly bring back the Mohawk hairdo.

GEMINI
This afternoon disaster will strike ... demanding more wages, shorter hours and great fringe benefits.

CANCER
Today will long stand out in your memory as the least memorable day you've ever had.

LEO
Today your name will be romantically linked with a show business celebrity. You'll be named in a paternity suit by one of the Muppets.

Last year was a record year for responding to disasters, large and small. From floods and tornadoes to wildfires and residential fires...from hurricanes that devastated entire communities throughout the southeast U.S. to a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that caused a giant wave to crash into parts of southern Asia and eastern Africa destroying lives, families, homes and livelihoods.

Because of the public's generous support, the American Red Cross has been able to respond immediately whether the need was around the corner or halfway around the world...

But we continue to need your support as we provide relief for victims of local, national and international disasters. In the southeast, Hurricane Katrina has ripped apart thousands of lives and left thousands homeless. In response, the American Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster involving thousands of trained disaster relief workers, tons of supplies and shoulders to lean on.

Additionally, donations from you and other generous supporters will ensure that we meet the demand of collecting and supplying more than 6 million units of blood for over 3,000 hospitals around the country, provide classes to nearly 12 million people annually including CPR, First Aid and other life-saving skills, keep military families around the globe connected and prevent 1.2 million measles – related deaths by vaccinating 200 million children in Africa by the end of 2005.

Financial contributions to the American Red Cross are tax-deductible.

Please Note: -- Due to the overwhelming generosity of the American public, we have received volumes of gift activity not experienced since the events of the recent Tsunami and September 11, 2001. While we have worked to increase capacity, there will be delays in processing gifts received by phone and through the mail. As a result, it may take up to eight weeks for donors to receive acknowledgment letters and tax receipts.

Matching Gifts -- Your gift could be matched dollar for dollar! Many companies offer matching gift programs that will double, even triple a donation's value. If you have questions about your company's matching gift program, please contact your personnel office. Once you have determined that your company matches donations made to the Red Cross, obtain the appropriate form from your personnel/human resources office and send it with a copy of your gift receipt to the address below:

American Red Cross
PO Box 37295
Washington, DC 20013
Attn: J. Porter
The American Red Cross Tax Identification Number
(also known as Employee Identification Number or EIN) is 53-0196605

Please be sure to complete the entire donor portion of the form and to include a copy of your gift receipt (if available). If you would like to designate the gift to a specific disaster, please indicate that on the form. Last year was a record year for responding to disasters, large and small. From floods and tornadoes to wildfires and residential fires…from hurricanes that devastated entire communities throughout the southeast U.S. to a catastrophic earthquake and the tsunami that roared through southern Asia and eastern Africa countries destroying lives, families, homes and livelihoods.

Because of the public's generous support the American Red Cross has been able to respond immediately whether the need was around the corner or halfway around the world...

But we continue to need your support in the coming months as we provide relief for victims of local, national and international disasters. Additionally, donations from you and other generous supporters will ensure that we meet the demand of collecting and supplying more than 6 million units of blood for over 3,000 hospitals around the country. Provide classes to nearly 12 million people annually including CPR, First Aid and other life-saving skills. Keep military families around the globe connected. And, prevent 1.2 million measles – related deaths by vaccinating 200 million children in Africa by the end of 2005.

Your contribution means we can continue to provide these vital services. Please make a contribution today... and provide hope and relief for tomorrow. Thank you.

-If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
-If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

If this is your swimming pool...



















If this is your Ferris Wheel....
















If this is your Limo for your wedding...











If this is the reception...



















If this is your design for the new space shuttle...

If this is your limo leaving the wedding...

If this is your girlfriend...



















If this is your idea of a night out gambling...

If this is your weather channel...