You don't have to be a fan of disco music to appreciate talent. Even if you didn't grow up in the dreadful disco era, we have to give credit to Donna Summer who passed away this morning in Florida from cancer.  She was a five time Grammy winner and set many records for music sales on the Billboard charts in the 70's and 80's.  She perfected a sound that hit at just the right time, as America was recovering from the disaster in Viet Nam.  Americans were looking for something to pick up their spirits and add some life to a turbulant time in our history.  Donna Summer provided a soundtrack to changing times and her Last Dance concludes at 63-years-old.

On a much brighter note, beautiful summerlike weather is here for the last weekend of the Lilac Festival at Highland Park. After last year's miserable monsoons that basically washed out the fest, vendors and organizers hit a home run this year.  Lou Gramm hits the stage for a free show Thur. night at 7.  At the same time, I'll be Master of Ceremonies in Canandaigua for the 11th Annual Taste of the Finger Lakes at the NY Wine & Culinary Center on Main St. by the lake.  Custom brewcrafters, Finger Lakes wineries and area restaurants will team up to raise money for the Canandaigua Business Improvement District which provides funding to keep the beautiful downtown in CA alive and well.  It's an honor for me to be invited back to my hometown.  And Friday I'll be PA announcing for the Red Wings game at Frontier Field at 7:05.  And people pay me to do this job? I am one lucky irish bastard!      

Today is a bittersweet day for those in uniform. While many are grieving the loss of US Army Capt. Bruce Clark who was eulogized at St. Mary's Church downtown this morning, many others are celebrating the return of Dan Brochu to the Rochester Police Dept. Yesterday, newly sworn Sgt. Brochu was back in uniform, successfully completing a long journey back to the job he loves. Many thought this day would never happen. Sgt. Brochu was shot with his partner Officer Luca Martini in December of 2009 when responding to a call on the city's westside.  A bullet in Sgt. Brochu's thigh shattered his leg bone in 20 places.  Logical thinking would suggest he would never return to duty. But after having a metal plate and screws inserted into his body and years of exhaustive rehab, including learning again how to walk, he passed the Sergents exam and was promoted to a job he always strived for.  His recovery and return to work is another example of dedication and perservearence, similar to what Officer Anthony DiPonzio went through after being shot in the head while on duty. Both of these fine representatives of the RPD are excellent examples to all of us in how to deal with adversity.  Both could have given up and rightfully retired after sacrificing for others. But with their inner strength and determination, along with constant love and support from family, friends and co-workers, they battled through the most difficult of circumstances to beat the odds. Both Officer DiPonzio and Sgt. Brochu are true inspirations to me, and I hope and pray that their comrade Officer Luca Martini will be able to follow in their boot straps and return to the RPD force someday.  So, as we bury Capt. Clark and thank his family for their ultimate sacrifice, we can look to these fine RPD officers and know that no matter how bleak things may look at some point, there is always hope that with inner strength we too can overcome long odds in life. God bless all of these fine warriors and all of our troops.        

The list of the most popular baby names over the last year is out and the winners are......Sophia and Jacob.  In 18 years many Sophias will be graduating from high school. And Jacob is the most popular of baby boys born this past year, It's the 13th straight year that Jacob is the favorite name for the boys.  Who knew Jake would be so popular?  This afternoon I'll be helping at a fundraiser for Emma Falk, a softball player at Mercy HS who has been battling her way through health issues. The Section 5 softball world has rallied behind Emma led by Mercy Coach Chuck Siortino who organized this afternoon's softball fundriaser at Mercy starting at 4:15 on the back fields. God bless Emma and our troops who continue to battle for our freedom everyday.