It's a new dawn

It's a new day
It's a new life
...
And I'm feeling good...

You have to look back on the month of January 2009 and be optimistic. MIRACLES HAPPENED. CHANGE HAPPENED. Who knows, maybe even in the midst of all of the shortcomings occurring throughout the world right now, the Miracle on The Hudson and the Inauguration of Barack Obama are two of the starting points to the shift of good things to come to America and the world right now.

The weather stayed warm enough for the hundreds of thousands in Washington on January 20th as Joe Biden and Barack Obama took their oaths as the 44th President and Vice President...and all 155 passengers on flight 1549 survived their emergency landing on the Hudson River.

I believe that everything happens in threes... so what is going to be the third amazing news story of 2009??

Almost 10 Months later... and we're still giving (because of you)

It's almost summer again and Blizzle mania has not died down... at least on this end of the spectrum. Constant questions about the next Blizzle keep arising, but the only answer I have for them is that 'one day there will be another one.' You shouldn't plan every aspect in life. Instead, live life to the fullest day by day, dollar to dollar. This could be the reason I haven't written on THE BLURB in ages.

To make something truly impactful and special is to do it in moderation. We don't want a fundraiser to JUST be an annual event. We want to make it an event and memorable night unto itself.

Since last August, all of the musicians involved have toured, created videos and albums, and have expanded their careers in one way or another. They all brought something special to that night and it is amazing to see what just ten months can do.

The Sixers toured with O.A.R and Hanson. The Blaire Reinhard Band made a cameo on MTV and created their first music video. Emily Eddey debuted at The Bitter End. Pat McGee and John Taglieri continued to tour around the country and in NJ.

No matter how big and famous these bands and people in general become though- foundations and common causes bring everyone together for the GOOD.

One of our ongoing projects, CARE BLAIRS has continued massively in 2008. We were able to send a young girl to the front row of a Hannah Montana concert and help another girl experience her prom. The little things in life are what makes everyone strive for more and exhibit kindness and heart to others.

Next time you see someone who is worse off than yourself, please extend a hand, lend them a dollar, or just hold your tongue. I am not asking you to donate everything you own and have, I just want you to know that you can make a difference by just showing up, or making an effort.

The BBFF will have another fundraiser soon, but now we are taking all of the funds and gifts we have received and helping others. We are living our lives to the fullest everyday and even being a bit selfish at times- knowing that you need to keep hope in your life, but strive for what you truly want.

And what we TRULY want for everyone is for you to have happiness in your life...no matter how you obtain it.

"You put the Happy in my ness, you put the good times into my fun..."~ Ben Harper

~BBFF

Begin Again Again

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - Piano Man - Blizzle Fest

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - Milwaukee - Blizzle Fest

BLIZZLE HITS MORRIS PLAINS...

The First Blizzle Music Festival finally came and went this past weekend, and it could not have been a smoother and more perfect debut for the benefit concert.

Throughout the day on Friday, Rink #1 in Mennen Arena, slowly shifted from an ice rink to a concert venue, and a Blizzle Music Festival banner was hanging in the center of it all.

As Saturday came, instead of becoming a high stress environment, the bands and workers made everything as relaxed as I could have imagined. Actually, a game of wiffle ball broke out in the back of the rink and outside with Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, the Pat McGee Band, Ross, Matt, and some other workers, all playing.

In fact, all of the Artists could not have made the event any more easy-going and amazing. After signing several posters and t-shirts for a raffle, and taking pictures in the press room, the show started to begin and more memories were made.

Morristown's own Emily Eddey played first, kickstarting the performance part of the event off in the right way.

After witnessing a marriage proposal from John Taglieri to his girlfriend Laureen, an acoustic number from the floor seats by the Sixers, and a heartfelt Beatles' dedication from Pat McGee to Blair; the atmosphere of the show was turned into something I never experienced.

As five hundred people made their way in and out of Mennen Sports Arena on Saturday night, everyone seemed to say the same thing: you could feel the love in the room.

Thank you so much to everyone for sharing this event with our foundation. I hope everyone was able to make some new memories.

XOXOX
~BBFF

Just one more day would be....

You always hear about people who say that a book, a song, a person, a moment.... can change their life indefinitely.

I never agreed with this. How can someone else's thoughts and memories impact a viewer or reader?? How can you believe in something so much, that you gain a new perspective on life and love?

All of this pessimism left me, after reading Mitch Albom's book, 'For One More Day.' I read the entire book in two hours, during a delay at the airport. After I finished it, I was in a daze; I went and returned the book. (There was a special return policy at this store where you could read the book and return it for half price.)

Well... As I was sitting on the plane, just a few minutes later, I realized how much that book had affected me and I was mad at myself for returning it. Nothing I had ever read or watched had made me wonder about life so much.

For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?

It is based on a story about former baseball player, Charles 'Chick' Benetto experiences.

You can choose to believe his story or not, but if you do choose to believe that 'For One More Day' is real, I promise you WILL gain a new perspective on life.

Give Hope a Chance.

~BBFF