JUDY GARLAND “GET HAPPY” (SUMMER STOCK, 1950)

JUDY GARLAND “GET HAPPY” Though it’s called Summer Stock, this marvelous “let’s put on a show” musical – the final one that showcased the peerless pair of Judy Garland and Gene Kelly – is a delight for all seasons. The story is simple: a homespun farm family allows a Broadway production company to rehearse its new show on their property – if the performers “pay” their way by pitching in with all the farm chores! But the pleasures are abundant: a show-stopping, all-star “Battle of the Dances” that starts out as a square dance and blossoms into a cavalcade of high-stepping dance favorites; Kelly’s marvelous song and later dance to “You, Wonderful You;” four of the most popular comedic screen actors ever: Phil Silvers, Eddie Bracken, Hans Conried and Marjorie Main; and Garland’s incomparable “Get Happy,” a smashing sequence that’s one of her peak movie moments.

Happy 50th Anniversary American Honda!

Honda marked its first 50 years in America June 11, 2009, commemorating the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in a small Los Angeles storefront on June 11, 1959. “On behalf of the tens of thousands of Honda associates in America, past and present, we offer our deepest thanks to our customers for placing their trust in Honda over the past 50 years,” said American Honda President & CEO Tetsuo Iwamura. “Today, in the face of new challenges, including the preservation of our environment, we renew our commitment to exceed the expectations of our customers and society.” Starting in 1959, with the fuel-efficient Honda 50 motorcycle, to the newly launched 2010 Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid vehicle, Honda has introduced new technologies and business strategies that have shaped the industry and the growth of Honda, including: •First automaker to meet US Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter Civic CVCC (1974) •First vehicle to top US EPA list of most fuel efficient cars Civic (1977) •First Japanese automaker to build motorcycles (1979) and automobiles (1982) in America Marysville, Ohio* •First Japanese automaker to establish a luxury automobile brand — Acura (1986) •First mass produced gas electric hybrid car introduced in America — Insight (1999) ••First government-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle — FCX (2002) Honda has steadily expanded its US presence to encompass a broad range of products and operations. Today, Honda employs more than 27000 US …