[3d Amanda A Dream Come True 13
Tommye Hope
Thank you Chris for inspiring a young teenage girl to follow her dreams and become what I got a chance to become. Thank you for the lyrics that inspired me and lifted me out of dark times. For your voice, that was the voice of my generation.
As it turns out, an untold number of my friends have secretly been petitioning the Springsteen organization for months on my behalf to help make a dream come true on Saturday night in Virginia Beach. Many of those friends didn't even want me to know they were involved (because they seek no credit), but I have spies, and I now know most of the names involved. I won't name any names out of respect for those who wish to remain anonymous, but you all need to know how much I love you for doing what you did for me and Amanda: acting as my own personal Make-a-Wish foundation.
Consequently, upon arrival at the venue, we were met by Sean Magovern, son of Bruce's longtime personal assistant and much-missed dear friend, Terry Magovern. Sean, who clearly has a heart as big as the Big Man, and who is President and Executive Director of the Joan Dancy and PALS Foundation (which benefits ALS sufferers), then proceeded to give a small group of us a tour of the backstage area, providing a fascinating window into all the work that goes on behind the scenes to put on an E Street show. (After our tour, Sean told us more about the PALS Foundation and generously invited us to take advantage of their resources and knowledge base for assistance as my disease progresses.)
During the tour, Sean introduced us to several key crew members including Kevin Buell [above], booking agent Barry Bell, video director Chris Hilson, and manager Barbara Carr, who couldn't possibly have been any lovelier to us, in addition to the Reverend Everett Bradley [below], a super-sweet guy with whom I was able to share a personal story.
Next, Sean himself graciously took a picture of our group at the rear of the stage behind Max's drum setup, and then we were asked to reduce the size of the group because we were very close to showtime and things were happening quickly. A couple of friends were able to stay behind with me and Amanda, and it's them we have to thank for the pictures of what happened next.
First, as the band began to assemble, Barbara brought Charlie Giordano over and introduced him to us, and he was also as welcoming as could be during our brief chat, during which with I was again able to share a personal story.
Bruce warmly thanked us for coming to the show and said that he didn't think he'd ever played Virginia Beach before (I replied that I was pretty sure he was right). We talked about the last show I'd seen (Charlottesville 2012, which he also enthusiastically recalled as having been "a good one!"), and he said that whenever they come South, the shows tend to be great, which he attributed largely to the energy of the crowds. I agreed and replied, "Here's to another great one tonight in Virginia Beach." Bruce's response was a hopeful, "We'll see!"
And then... and then... then Sean came over with Bruce's mic, said that Bruce needed to go to work with it in a few minutes, but that I should officially hand off the mic to him (!!!). And then Sean presented the mic to me with an air of ceremony, and I passed it to Bruce, not believing it was happening even as it was happening.
Bruce then crouched down next to my wheelchair and requested that my friends capture the moment in photos. They happily obliged as Bruce and I gripped his mic together, both smiling for the cameras. He asked how the pictures came out, and thoughtfully suggested another round as a backup. We then thanked him profusely, bade him farewell, and then he went straight from talking with us to join hands with his wife and the rest of the band, and led their prayer circle. (I'm not going to write about that though, because it was a private moment that we were privileged to witness.)
From there, the band walked through the stage door and Bruce and his freshly-inducted-into-the-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame E Street Band commenced to deliver as thrillingly mind-blowing a performance as I've ever seen. This was Bruce Springsteen totally off the chain, chugging a fan's entire (large) beer during the longest-ever "Sherry Darling" sax solo. That kicked off an inspired summertime-themed mini-suite of songs for the Virginia Beach setting that included what had to be the best "Talk to Me" of all time, "Seaside Bar Song" (preceded by words that are music to any hardcore fan's ears, "More obscurities!"), and a beautiful "Jersey Girl." The songs from the new album all sounded fantastic live (including the E Street premiere of a moving "The Wall"), the classics were electrifying as always (that's why they're classics), and the covers were a joy. The show was so ridiculously good, and Bruce's mood so ebullient, that I was half-expecting Tom Waits to come out and guest on "Jersey Girl"... but Bruce and the band didn't need any outside help to take us all to the other side with them on this magical night.
I only wish it had been possible for all of my Bruce blood brothers and sisters to be with us on Saturday, but as has been correctly pointed out to me, "If Bruce is there, and we're there, they're there."
BACKSTREETS #91
Our most recent issue honors a very Big Man. More than half of the 116-page, perfect bound Backstreets #91 is a tribute to the life and music of... do we have to say his name?
Rodriguez did not speak English when he arrived in the United States but he became a successful business owner and his dream was for his family to become educated. That dream has come true as Amanda prepares to graduate at the top of her class from the College of Business and Administration at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Saturday, Aug. 4.
At SIUC, Amanda was president of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national society that honors the academic excellence of freshman students. She also participated in The Achieve Program, which involves tutoring students with learning disabilities. In 2005, Amanda won the 2005 Multi-ethnic Academic Excellence Award.
All day event - Morris Library's First Floor Rotunda: The Wildflower Art ShowVisit Morris Library's First Floor RotundaMay 10 - August 10Featuring these local artists: Jan York, Jen Wharton, Julie O. Murphy, Beth Martell, Shannon Green, Cathy Daesch, Kathy Wides, Lisa Lennox, Laura Marjorie Miller, Jonny Gray, Jeannie Ravenscraft, and Rhonda BranumThe real wonder of wildflowers is that they adapt so effortlessly to the different conditions they find themselves in. If ever there was a flower that epitomizes the idiom "bloom where you are planted," it's the wildflower. We could all take a cue from these wild, free and yet still rooted plants. They are resilient, untamed, beautiful, surprising, colorful, and unpredictable. There's a lot to love about them.
What attracted you to UNI?
I received my superintendency certificate from UNI and enjoyed my time spent in those classes earning my degree. The people I met and the education I received was of superior quality. The opportunity to work for UNI's College of Education to promote and support others in the field of administration and education is a dream come true!
Describe an experience that reinforces why you enjoy what you do.
The team that I will be working with is made up of impressive people in Iowa education. I am excited to learn from them and build relationships with them to support Iowa educators and administrators.
What drove your interest in your selected discipline?
I have always wanted to be a teacher. After teaching for a few years, I realized I wanted to affect more than just the students in my classroom. I wanted to support the adults that surrounded the students and guide more people to excellence. Administration and leadership were the next steps. After being a principal, I wanted to become a superintendent. Now that I have the opportunity, through UNI, to support many district administrators, I am excited about this new avenue of leadership and support.
We here at Magnificent Moments Weddings simply love what we do. There is little that brings us more joy than helping our clients make their wedding dreams come true. But it would be wrong to say the job of a wedding planner is all glamour and fun, as it is often portrayed in the media? Our profession, like most, has its own challenges and struggles. So in a moment of transparency, we thought we would get real and share with you, our clients, the hardest part of our jobs. This month Amanda and I will share the struggles we face as part of our job.
We hope this look at reality helps our clients understand our dedication to them and our desire to help make their wedding day the best we can. Want more help planning your big day? Contact Magnificent Moments Weddings we would love to set you on the right path!
Two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor will once again face Amanda Serrano on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the co-main event of the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, officials told ESPN.
The card, promoted by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), will air live on Netflix globally with no added paywall. It's the first live combat sports event distributed by the streaming service and has a chance to be one of the most watched fight cards of the modern era.
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