Fab Summer Activity: Volunteer

Earlier this week, the Obama administration unveiled their latest community service initiative. Through "United We Serve" President Obama is calling on all Americans to give back and volunteer this summer. Finding volunteer opportunities has never been easier; you can use the government site Serve.gov or others like volunteermatch.org, idealist.org, and liveunited.org to search for volunteer opportunities. Serve.gov is a really great site because it allows you register a volunteer event you planned on the website and people can sign-up through there. Giving back to your community is genuinely rewarding, but don't forget that volunteering is a great resume builder and networking tool.

Inside the Obama White House

Did you watch Inside the Obama White House last night on NBC? I never knew this was an NBC tradition and this is the first time I've seen a special like this. Brian Williams literally spent the entire day with President Obama and observed the ins and outs of a president's job. And of course they had to spend time with the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I was truly amazed to see how young and vibrant the West Wing staff is and how much fun working at the White House must be. Make sure to check it out tonight at 9 PM eastern on NBC.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

White House Correspondent's Dinner

The White House Correspondent's Dinner was this past Saturday. The dinner is basically a big party for members of the media that work for newspapers, magazines, radio, television, or other forms of media and regularly report about the White House. The Who's Who of the political, journalism, and celebrity world all come out to celebrate the White House Correspondent Assocation. But becoming a member of the WHCA isn't as easy as it sounds, you definitely have to apply and be accepted. Perhaps I'll get an invite to this dinner one day; I would love it.



Wanda Skyes was HILARIOUS!





Barack was getting it too





Michelle was oh so pretty in pink

Barack on 60 Minutes: AIG, Economics, and adjusting to the White House

Barack Obama is doing a great job of staying connected to the American people. He made an appearance on Jay Leno last week and was on 60 Minutes last night. Of course, the hot topic of this interview was the $165 million dollars in bonuses that AIG recently distributed to top executives. Some people need to learn how to down-grade their lifestyles, but the topic of greed in America and living within your means is for future post. I just want to ensure that we're informed about where some of our tax dollars are going to and Barack seems to think similarly. I really like this interview because he basically broke a very complicated issues down in a way anyone could understand. Thank you, Mr. President

Part 1:

Watch CBS Videos Online

Part 2:

Watch CBS Videos Online

White House Easter Egg Roll 2009

Once again, Barack and Michelle are taking the president and first lady role to a new level. For the first time ever, tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities will be available online. More people have a chance to get tickets and celebrate Easter on the White House's south lawn! The distribution starts this Thursday March, 26th and is open to children 10 and under (each child can be accompanied by two adults). This is a great event to take your little to if you have a Little Brother or Sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or if you have younger siblings or cousins or nieces or nephews. Come on, it's Easter at the White House with Barack and Michelle, you have to exercise all your options to possibly get in. More details here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll/

Thank You, Mr. President

Last night, President Barack Obama addressed congress with a hopeful and powerful speech. He spoke about the credit crisis, corporate American CEOs, the resiliency of the United States and its people, and education. For me, the highlight of the speech was when he referenced a young South Carolinian girl that wrote a letter to congress about her school and her life. She attends a school in horrible conditions but despite this, she told congress, "we want to be doctors, lawyers, and even the president; we're not quitters." I love it! I'm not quitting either!

This is surreal

I usually don't like to write about religion, but after watching what took place in Washington DC today, you can't help but believe that God is real and God is good. Can you imagine? Did you ever imagine? A day when an African American male would be sworn in as President of the United States of America? Could you even fathom the idea, the concept, of a an America with an united front? A place where white, black, gay, straight, and disabled would come together with so much passion, unity, and hope for a better America?



Less than 40 years ago, the Civil Rights Act was passed, less than 50 years ago black and white people protested and marched for freedom. Less than 40 years ago, the nation's most influential black leaders were assassinated in hatred and fear. But on this day, January 20th, 2009; an African American male spoke before millions of people about the progress of this great nation. An African American male brought our nation together like never before.



I still can't get my head around this; it's surreal. I couldn't really believe the announcer when he introduced President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. I really can't describe how I'm feeling right now, but I know I feel better about America's future.



All photos from Time
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872698,00.html

Wouldn't you have liked to have been on that train ride?

Yesterday, Barack, Michelle, Joe, Jill, and several other very lucky people traveled by train from Philadelphia to Washington DC. During this historic trip, Barack Obama retraced President Lincoln's train route during his journey to the White House in 1861. Obama and Biden gave speeches in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. CNN.com has great coverage of the story: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/



When I was watching Barack's speech in Baltimore on CNN, I just couldn't help but think that Obama and his camp have to be crazy to schedule all these events. He seems so unconcerned about his safety and more concerned about involving every American in this part of history. After his speech, he and Michelle went down to greet the crowd. I could see the concern and intensity on his Secret Service's faces, as the Obamas shook hands and hugged the on-lookers. But I think his Secret Service knows Obama pretty well by now and knows he believes in achieving the impossible. He truely has plans to make this an Inauguaration for the people to remember.

King Day of Service Tomorrow

Tomorrow is MLK National Day of service and Barack Obama is calling on all Americans to make this a "day on" instead of a "day off." It's not too late to sign up, there are so many places and organizations that need help tomorrow. Search for opportunities here:

www.volunteermatch.org

http://usaservice.org/page/content/calltoservice/

Pop Champagne for Barack Campaign

Get ready for inauguration! It may be a recession, but people will be popping champagne for Barack Campaign starting tomorrrow until Janurary 20th!

This Faternity of Presidents is Real Exclusive

President Obama, Bush Jr, Clinton, Bush Sr, and Carter all had lunch together in DC today. Crazy right? They had lunch like it was normal to have lunch with all the former living Presidents of the United States. This President business is definitely the most exclusive fraternity and I would like to know how they initiated Barack. Obama called it an "extraordinary gathering." I agree; I wonder what they ate and what they talked about. I bet George W was cracking jokes the whole time, look at that mischievous look on his face in the pic.



both photos from the AP

No Surprise: Barack Named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year"

Barack Obama is on yet another Time Magazine Cover, but this time he is "Person of the Year." The issue has really great pictures of Barack from college and the campaign trail. It's on newsstands now.

National Mall Open On Inauguration Day

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that for the first time in history, the National Mall will be open to the public during the swearing in ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. I am already getting chills thinking about this inauguration; it will definitely be the most historic event of my lifetime (well after November 4th, 2008).

http://www.pic2009.org/pressroom/entry/open_inauguration/

Essence Magazine Features Barack and Michelle

Barack


Michelle


Melissa, your magazine has done it again!!!! Barack and Michelle are each featured on the cover of a special January issue of Essence magazine. This double cover issue features a 56-page tribute to the President Elect and the First Lady Elect. It's on newsstands December 12th!! And major kudos to the hard working ladies (and gents) of Essence for getting this issue out only 2 months after the election.

Photos from: wwww.Essence.com

It's Offical: Hillary Clinton Nominated for Secretary of State!

Today, President Obama (I'm not calling him President Elect Obama because he's basically running the country) officially announced his nomination of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Obama isn't playing any games with this administration.

Barbara, Barack, and Michelle

The Barbara Walters interview with Barack and Michelle airs tonight on ABC at 10pm Eastern Time and 9pm Central Time. Barack is really making use of the media and internet to let people know he means business. Is George Bush even still the President???

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton????

Rumor around Capitol Hill is that Hillary is the favorite candidate for Secretary of State. No word on if she has accepted the job or not. Looks like Obama is trying to put together a political Dream Team and wants to keep his friends close and his enemies even closer.

Behind the Scenes on Election Night

I know I've been Obama posting like crazy, but I had to share this slide show. Fade emailed Melissa and I these photos from the Obama for America's offical photographer. He created a Flickr account with the photos; the images are amazing,click on the link and take a look.



The Link:

http://flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157608716313371/show/

The Obamas Meet the Bushes

Barack and Michelle Obama visited George and Laura Bush at the White House today. Barack and George talked about the Presidential Transition and Laura gave Michelle a tour of the White House. Off topic, but Michelle Obama looks amazing in that dress; and Laura was pretty fly as well.

Commemoratives/Limited Edition Issues

President-Elect Barack Obama has been on the cover of almost every major print media outlet since Tuesday. Here are a few more issues for you to collect. And do not be fooled by the people on eBay selling the magazines for $25 plus. You can go to any grocery store, retail pharmacy store, book store, or mass merchandiser and pick a copy at regular price. If you can't find any there, the I saw plenty of copies at the newsstands stores at 3 different airports this weekend.