A Perfect Late Summer Weekend!

Now, THIS is what we need - a few more weekends like this to wrap up the summer.Beautiful weather, a lot of fun stuff to do, not 90-plus degree heat (not that I mind that- especially when it makes Lake Michigan easier to dip into without a major shock to your...uh...system...) The air and water show stuff is pretty impressive- seeing the Blue Angels flying overhead in such tight formations, right by our studios,is pretty stunning. How do you learn to do that? I mean, going so fast, flying so close- you CAN'T make a mistake...I am just amazed by these guys.However, please spare me yet another local TV news report with some giddy reporter getting to fly in one of the planes- it's become such a cliche, and rarely do they break any new ground from the reports everybody else has done.Do we really care if your air-sickness bag is empty? (Or not? Ewwww!) Was it last year that I suggested we follow up this weekend's shows with...the Errant Water Show? A bunch of confused water vehicle drivers who go in the wrong directions, get lost, and end up in Michigan or Wisconsin-or worse, the Deep Tunnel Project? Somehow I think it'd be a lot less interesting to watch. Another real-not imagined-summer fun feature you may want to hit is over at Brookfield Zoo-the big (and I MEAN big!) Xtreme Bugs exhibit is a lot of fun- just as their animatronic dinosaurs were a hit, this display of gigantic insects is another winner- it's like seeing special effects from a giant bug movie, with the towering moving creatures- as well as the chance to see some regular-sized- but still fascination- insects.From what I understand, the big guys will be gone after September 7- so, you might want to make a trip to the zoo soon... We got an interesting reaction to last night's "Mummy" show...although most viewers were favorable towards the movie,there's still a faction of our audience that feels we've run too many Mummy flicks, but- come on! This is Karloff in the original!It has a totally different feel than the sequels,but-people like-or dislike- whatever they choose. Once again, I should mention- that's it for this year as far as Mummy movies.Those "anti-embalmed Egyptians" club members can relax. The late Don Cornelius was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters' hall of fame Friday- on the exact day that his "Soul Train" show first hit the air 42 years ago- right on our very own WCIU!(When I first joined up with "the U", we used to tape our shows in the very studio where "Soul Train" took place.)Of course,Don took the show to L.A., syndicated it- and the rest is broadcast history.At the induction event, held at the brand new home of the Museum of Broadcast Communications downtown,among the highlights was a performance by-the Chi-Lites! It was very appropriate, since they appeared on the very first "Soul Train" show. One more bit of summer fun for you- the final stop on the Svengoolie summer appearance tour coms up next week- and brings us back to Joliet, where we got such a warm welcome at our visit with the Joliet Slammers.This time, we're heading for Bill Jacobs Auto Group -at their 2001 Jefferson location! We'll be there next Saturday from noon to two- and I hope you'll come out for all the fun, plus- a look at the great automotive deals they'll have for you as part of their "Backyard Sales Event"! I'll remind you about it again during the week- but, as always, please get there early to make sure I get to visit with you! Check out www.BillJacobsAuto.com for more details.