A GRAND WEEKEND

Whether it was America 250 or Freedom 250, this was truly a grand weekend for the USA.

• Sure, it was a bit too hot.
• And a lightning storm delayed the President Donald Trump's speech and the DC fireworks show.  However, the address was given and the show almost surely did break the Guinness World Record.  Officials are still reviewing the details.
• From New York City to Los Angeles to Hawaii, all went well.
• On the other hand, Super Typhoon Bavi did damage to American territories, the Northern Marianas Island and Guam, especially the island of Rota, with details later, and there were several shootings, killing 43 and wounding many others throughout the nation.
• A video of the 250th celebrations.  Two fireworks photos.

The FIFA World Cup had a bunch of highlights.  You can watch the best here.  Today:

• Portugal vs Spain at 6PM in Dallas.
• USA vs Belgium at 11PM in Seattle.
• Belgium is screaming mad, but FIFA gave American striker Folarin Balogun, the USA's leading scorer at this World Cup, a rare reprieve by rescinding  the red card suspension, allowing him to today play against Belgium,  President Donald Trump takes credit for convincing the officials.  The irony is that The Supreme Court last week went against Trump in their judgement of birthright citizenship, exactly what Balogun needed to qualify as a U.S. citizen.

Details have been sketchy about that Swift-Kelce wedding in the Madison Square Garden, but here is an article saying a few things.

• About a thousand were invited. 
• Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks performed.
• Here is a video.

The weekend at 15 Craigside was also grand.  First, a rainbow.

July 4th special lunch.  Pre-meal dance.

Lunch.

Then, at night, entertainment by the NoName Band.

Followed by a fireworks show.

Did Rota survive from Super Typhoon Bavi?  Not sure yet.  Here are some graphics.  The eye passed just north of the island, and initial reports indicate some severe damage.  A video.

The next threat is to Iriomoto Island.

Just this past April, Typhoon Sinlaku, with maximum winds of 130 MPH, struck this area, killing 15.  The eye never got all that close to these islands.

In 2023, Typhoon Mawar, also known as Super Typhoon Betty, became the strongest tropical cyclone in the month of May, attaining 190 MPH.

Okay, are you ready for this?  So much for the weekend.  Today is National Fried Chicken Day.  Specials galore.

• Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat to the southern United States. After its introduction to the American South, fried chicken soon became a staple. Over time, cooks added seasonings and spices to enrich the flavor of the chicken.

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  National Fried Chicken Day is packed with fast-food deals. KFC is offering a free sandwich with a $1 purchase, a 12-piece dark meat meal for $15, and 50% off chicken sandwiches all month. Popeyes is giving a free sandwich with a $10 purchase. Other chains like McDonald's ($2 McCrispy) and Shake Shack (free chicken sandwich with a $10 purchase) are also running specials. [1, 2, 3]

• Jollibee, Buy-One-Get-One-Freed deal on chicken sandwiches.
• Popeyes, $5 for 5 pieces.

This posting today is a bit late because I decided to go to the Kalihi Street Popeyes and get their special.

What a great lunch.  As the final photo shows, Spain beat Portugal, 1-0, and will play the winner of the USA-Belgium match on Friday.

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