National High Five Day

Today is National High Five Day! This, of course, is very near and dear to my heart because I, along with hundreds of others, will be trying to break the world record for the most simultaneous high fives at this year's Fun Fourth Festival!

I wasn't too surprised to find out that there is such a thing as National High Five Day. If you really think about, there are days for everything. I bet just glancing at your desk calendar will reveal a national celebration of just about any topic or event that you could imagine. The thing that really caught me off guard was how much this day has been turned into a celebration of helping others. Just Googling "National High Five Day" will give you a bunch of results of people raising money for cancer research and and giving away scholarships, all in the name of this simple gesture. What a great thing!

Now of course this day is also about high fiving anyone and everyone. Instead of a "good job" or a hug, how about using a high five. And it doesn't just have to be someone you know. Everyone could use a good high five now and then.

So in honor of this day, and the fact that it is not only about slapping palms, but about giving back, give someone a high five who really needs it. Have a friend who's down in the dumps? High five! Know a college student stressing about exams? High five! And if you are really motivated, look into some of the National High Five Day charity projects and give to those in need. A simple high five can go a long way!

And after you have gotten plenty of high five practice doing good deeds, come join us in breaking that world record on July 4th. For more info, visit www.high5onthe4th.com or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/High5on4

Spring Has Sprung!

I have heard it said many times that the only bad thing about living in a place like California is the lack of seasons. Friends of mine who have relocated to the West Coast always talk about the lack of snow and humidity and of any real change in the weather at all.

What may be surprising to you, is that I have the very same complaint about North Carolina. The way I see it, we have two seasons. Freezing cold winter and burning hot summer. Every now and then we get a week in October that is cool, but sunny. And here and there we have a week in May that is warm, but not too hot or humid. But those are rare. Most of the time the weather goes from dreadful heat to freezing cold and icing, stays cold until June, and then becomes like the surface of the sun again.

Except for this year. This year we barely had a snow. Just a tiny little bit. And now we are having a true Spring. The flowers are having a chance to bloom and be beautiful before they are scorched to death. We can pull out the sandals, but don't have to pack up the long-sleeved shirts just yet. It is a wonderful, splendid thing.

Unfortunately for us, because of our state's lack of any mild seasons, we tend to end up only having events in either the freezing cold or the burning heat. And while I am certain that no amount of Spring-time weather now will make the weather any less hot at the Fun Fourth, we do have a ton of exciting activities at Center City Park throughout the entire month of May. Which, so far, is promising to actually be a Spring month. Yay!

Also, don't forget to join us in kicking off the Spring season at the Greensboro Collegiate Biscuitville Bowl on April 21. It is going to be messy and awesome all at the same time. And, fingers crossed, the weather is going to be beautiful. See you there!