The Ever-Increasing Obama-Effect Has Americans Thinking Again in a First Step to the Nation's Recovery

The NY Daily News features a terrific shot of the Obamas in their seats at 'Joe Turner's Coma and Gone' on Broadway last Saturday night.

Per the DN, Miriam Childs, 38, visiting from New Orleans was inspired to buy tickets to the August Wilson show, too. Our first instinct is to say that Childs was exhibiting the normal desire to achieve celeb status, hanging out with the Obamas.

Miriam said: "Their time is about the most precious time in the world, so if they made time to see it, it must be worth it," she said.

The Daily News dubs her decision the Obama effect. I believe in it, too -- the O-effect -- and the impact on the nation's brainpower and thinking processs, to say nothing of the foods that we eat and way we style our fashions, could be significant.

Politico reported yesterday that POTUS is a major influence on book sales, leading with a headline Move Over Oprah?

At the risk of offending some, I believe that the Obamas will inspire more book sales than prior presidents. In fact, our talk of an arts renaissance -- even a brainpower renaissance -- under the Obamas is real.

Click to read more ...

Attacking the Obamas Will Not Enhance the Republican's Popularity. The Citizen Center Is Not Amused.

Photo via Huff PoWithout asking, I pulled some comments off of Mrs.-O and Huff Po, just now, sharing the articulate responses that I believe represent how the majority of Americans feel about the Obamas flying to New York last night.

Not only do Mrs-O's readers not fault the Obamas, they stress how it's important for Americans to see the First Lovebirds being just that -- a romantic, happy couple experiencing the pleasures America offers.

Americans want a vision of happiness and a good life, in the midst of all our economic challenges. If Michelle were dripping in diamonds and fur, it would be one thing. But both Obamas were totally toned down visually (not that they are ever over the top).

Click to read more ...

Obamas Dine at Manhattan's Blue Hill Restaurant

via Christian Science MonitorObamaFoodorama will do a better job of talking up Blue Hill restaurant for you. Actually, there are two Blue Hills. The Obamas ate at 75 Washington Place in Greenwich Village.

The original Blue Hill is located in Westchester County, in Pocantico Hills, which is Rockefeller Estate Country. I waited months for a dinner reservation there.

Eco Biz - Blue Hill at Stone Barns

BlueHill is deeply entrenched in the local food movement, with about one-third of their food coming from Stone Barn, which they also own. The Blue Hill concept operates on all the food principles that matter to the Obamas, and foodies will be raving about their choice of restaurant.

Click to read more ...

Next Time Mayor Bloomberg, Please Send Your Jet. Republicans Are All Hot and Bothered

NEW YORK Loves the Obamas. Broadway NEEDS the publicity! So does the CITY. Republicans never cared about New York anyway. I've had it!

Please note that POTUS and FLOTUS did not fly in Air Force One, as the RNC states. They took a much smaller Gulfstream, presumably to save money and avoid controversy. I got that part right this morning, based on the Daily News report.

I repeat, the Obamas DID NOT gas up a 747 to go to the theater in New York.

This trip is not the ultimate extravagance. The Obamas can't exactly get on the Delta Shuttle, for heavens sake. Just today, some madman posted a classified ad in Pa, wanting POTUS assassinated. 

For 10 years of my life, I flew in Gulfstreams constantly. This is craziness from the Republicans and an attempt to pit Americans against each other. Let's not fall for it. We hang together.  Anne

via Politico:

The Republican National Committee slammed the outing in an "RNC Research Piece": "As President Obama prepares to wing into Manhattan’s theater district on Air Force One to take in a Broadway show, GM is preparing to file bankruptcy and families across America continue to struggle to pay their bills. ... Have a great Saturday evening – even if you’re not jetting off somewhere at taxpayer expense. ... PUTTING ON A SHOW: Obamas Wing Into The City For An Evening Out While Another Iconic American Company Prepares For Bankruptcy."

The RNC's Gail Gitcho added: "If President Obama wants to go to the theater, isn’t the Presidential box at the Kennedy Center good enough?” more

The First Lovebirds Are Coming Today: Obamas Date Night in New York and More???

Let me tell you -- if POTUS and FLOTUS show up at the Harlem Children's Zone with Prince Harry this morning, I get 5-stars. And why is there no word from the press pool on what's happening! (Note: at 10:30 POTUS was at a soccer game. No word on which daughter.)

All I read is that we live in this Twitter world, but everybody's sleeping in this morning. Which daughter? Perhaps too many characters, to report at Twitter. What happened to Who-What-Where-When-Why journalism? Hmmm.

12:29 pm Sat. New facts re soccer: the game was Malia's and Michelle was also there. Reporters weren't allowed to see the game.

The Obamas would be moving already, so I doubt they will appear in Harlem. Prince Harry will be there this morning, then leave New York right after the polo match on Governor's Island.

Such a great PR oppty to promote both POTUS's plan to use Harlem Children's Zone as a prototype in America, and also to increase American awareness of devastation in Africa. If would be perfect, though. Darn.

FLOTUS and POTUS are not traveling in Air Force One but one of the smaller planes in the Air Force VIP flight. Good thinking.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

I'm reading and scurrying around. What we know now is that the Obamas plan to see "Joe Turner's Come and Gone", nominated for six Tony Awards, and showing at the Belasco Theater.

The August Wilson drama chronicles the struggles of African-Americans in the early 20th century. The revival of the play is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house. Here's a clip.

I love how POTUS and FLOTUS are so full of surprises, always keeping us on our toes! Anne

Prince Harry Will Visit Harlem Children's Zone Before Joining the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic, to Raise Money for Sentebale

British royalty has arrived in Manhattan. Actually, Prince Harry has been up for hours and his two-day schedule is in full swing.

This is the prince's first official trip to New York, where he's playing in tomorrow's Veuve Clicquot polo match at New York's Governors Island.

For details, see Prince Harry Arrives for Veuve Clicquot's Manhattan Polo Classic and the Reopening of Governor's Island on Anne of Carversville.

Harlem Children's Zone

I'm thrilled to read that Prince Harry will be visiting the Harlem Children's Zone tomorrow, an initiative that I shared with you a few weeks ago: The Harlem Children's Zone Eliminates Racial Achievement Gap.

Click to read more ...