The Squid Calendar

Today begins the 36th G8 summit held in Huntsville, Ontario in the heart of Muskoka.  The G8 Summit is a gathering of the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, and Russia. The theme for this year’s summit is “Recovery and New Beginning”.

Is there still a need for the G-8 or should the G-20 just take over as the forum for the world’s agenda? The G20 summit includes the leaders from these countries, plus those of guest countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

June is African-American Music Appreciation Month. African American musicians have shaped what music is today. Countless amazing artists have pushed music forward and created genre after genre of music, over the past 200 years. I would venture to even say that nearly all music made today in America has been influenced in some way by African American music. Read Obama’s official proclamation of African-American Music Appreciation Month

I wouldn’t even know where to start if I looked back at all the black musicians that have made an impact on me, so instead I’ll stick with a few current, less mainstream, artists:

Janelle Monae – A Cybergirl by BettyBroke
The Best Neo Soul Music by LivingInParis
Laura Izibor by Mazzer

Who is your favorite black musician? Feel free to leave a link to a lens on your favorite African American musician.

Today is the first day of summer. It is the Summer Solstice. After today the days start getting shorter – at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere.

Here are a few pages on the Summer Solstice as a pagan holiday:

Pagan Holidays – Summer Solstice by PJ_Deneen

Litha-Summer Solstice Sabbat by WhiteOak50

(Photo by thegarethwiscombe used with permission under CC 2.0.)

Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there.  Today is we honor Fathers.  We honor fathers, grandfathers, adopted fathers, step-fathers,  single fathers, expecting fathers, and men who “father” by mentoring and caring for the next generation.

Here are some tributes to Dad:
My Dad, My Hero by Heather426
Memories of Daddy by Rokusan
I love you Dad by aj2008
Ode to Dad by Wizard-Morton
The Story of A Vietnam Veteran by Jewelsofawe
My Dad-My Hero by mbgphoto
My Father – In Memoriam by Stazjia
Photographs Of My Father by CDT
I Love My Dad by Carmel_Aaron
A Dedication To My Dad by Ladymermaid
How I found my Dad by JanTUB

If you have a lens about your Dad, feel free to leave a link below.

Photo by Jon Ovington used by permission under CC 2.0.

Today is one of the biggest traditional holidays of China: The Dragon Boat Festival.  Jimmie has put together a great page explaining this holiday.  So make some Chinese food for dinner, and gather your kids to do come Dragon Boat Festival coloring.  You could even play some traditional Chinese music in the background.

The Dragon Boat Festival by Jimmie

(Photo by photophan2 used by permission CC 2.0)

These talented people were born on this day:

Neil Patrick Harris – actor, magician
Ice Cube – rapper, actor
Helen Hunt – actress
Jim Belushi – actor comedian
Jamie Johnson – Bluegrass musician
Courteney Cox – actress
Waylon Jennings – musician
Mario Cuomo – politician
Dina Meyer – actress
Harry Nilsson – musician

And sadly, on this day in 1996 Singer Ella Fitzgerald died at age 79.

Today is Flag Day In The USA!!!!

Flag Day may be overlooked in some parts of the country, but where I live – the home place of Uncle Sam, and the town that hosts the country’s largest Flag Day parade – it’s a big thing!

(Flag Day photo by lindsayshaver used by permission CC 2.0)

Today is World Blood Donor Day. The need for blood is universal. It is needed worldwide by the young and the old, the rich and the poor. If you are able to donate blood, you will find that it is a simple process that can help someone else go on living.

I am a blood donor, and since both my mother and my sister have received blood, this is an important issue to me.

Learn more about Donating Blood, it’s importance, and the process of blood donation from LeorG.

Also, JohannTheDog shares the importance of dog blood donation.

Photo by Herkie used by permission CC 2.0

Today kicks off The World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The world has been waiting for this event!

How To Host A World Cup Party by ElleDeeEsse

Who will win? No one knows, but take a look at prior winners:  World Cup Winners – List Of Soccer World Champion (by RedSportNiac).

BTW: Google has gone crazy for the World Cup – click here and scroll to the bottom – check out the google logo.

(Photo by André Gustavo used by permission CC 2.0)

On June 10, 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded.  Since that date, it has helped millions of people deal with their addictions, and improve their overall quality of living.

Joan4 has gathered some stories of recovery.  Take a look at their struggles, and how AA has made an influence on them.
Alcoholics Anonymous And Recovery – Squidoo Stories