Yes, that was some surprise birthday party that was held for me on July 22nd at Phil’s. It was to celebrate my 70th birthday. Son Brent, daughter–in-law Gina and wife Diane successfully planned the event. I had no idea something was being put together for me. My actual birthday was on July 18th.

Most of our staff was there as well as some very close friends, my 91-year-old mom and my brother and sister-in law. The theme for the evening was Elvis. The food was the type of fare you might find at a drive-in in the 1950s and 60s. You know, cheese burgers, onion rings, macaroni and cheese. It’s funny, for all the things in which I have been involved in this town over the past 40+ years, the thing I’m known best for is my Elvis impersonations back in the late 1980s and 1990s.

I still get requests to perform .

-------

There could be a night-time show worth staying up late for this Saturday, August 12. It’s the annual Perseid Meteor Shower.

I said “could be” since it always occurs the same time each year, which happens to be in the middle of Monsoon season. When I was younger, I would get up each year to go out and

see the meteor shower.

Every time I got up, it was cloudy. I finally gave up. And this year the most recent forecast I saw is for clouds that night. If you are willing to risk losing some sleep to see it, then by all means, stay up and see what is said to be the best meteor shower of the year.

The story I read said the best time to see it is around 1 a.m., Eastern time. That would be 10 p.m. here.

A NASA spokesman said there will be 40 to 50 per hour. Last year, there were an estimated 150 to 200 per hour that could be seen. They will appear as streaks of light against the dark sky. The effect is created as the Earth passes through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. The source of each streak is no larger than a grain of sand. They burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.

-------

We were in Las Vegas doing grandparents duty for Camden last week. His dad, Jason Yenglin, attended a convention in Chicago and daughter Toni had to work all week at the Jimmy Choo store in the Arias Mall. So, we gladly came to their rescue. On Sunday night upon Jason’s return, we all met at a new restaurant in their part of town.

When we were leaving, Camden fell in the parking lot, face down on the asphalt. He split his lip open and he didn’t cry much.

The next morning, grandma Diane was inspecting his wound and noticed his front tooth was split in half.

Toni got an appointment at a pediatric dentist office.

As it turned out, both of his front teeth were cracked and they had to be pulled.

At least they were only baby teeth. His permanent teeth should grow in normally.