Ty Barnett, stand-up comedian and finalist on NBC's hit "Last Comic Standing," will fill the Academy of Natural Sciences with laughter when he headlines the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2nd Annual Comedy Night at the Academy on Saturday, May 12, 2007. Read more...
Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of PBS' "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," will deliver the Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Memorial Public Interest Lecture at the Association's Thursday, June 7 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon. A lifelong champion of individual rights, Judge Higginbotham had a legal career that spanned nearly half a century. Since Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, delivered the first Higginbotham lecture in 1999, notables such as Juan Williams, Charles J. Ogletree, Chaka Fattah, Cornel West and Kweisi Mfume have filled the role. New members of the Association's 50-, 60-, 65- and 70-Year Clubs also will be honored at the event. The Year Clubs recognize attorneys who have been practicing law for 50 years or more.
Ifill is frequently asked to moderate debates in national elections, most recently the vice presidential debate during the 2004 election. She spent several years as a Washington Week panelist before taking over the moderator's chair in October 1999.
Getting ready for your first federal court appearance or perhaps your first big trial in federal court? Interested in learning some pointers from a terrific panel of seasoned trial lawyers and judges? Looking for an incredible networking opportunity? Need CLE credits? On Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 4 PM, come to the Federal Courthouse at 6th and Market streets for a program co-sponsored by the Federal Courts Committee, YLD and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute called "My First Federal Trial." This annual CLE program features experienced lawyers who are also good practical teachers, as well as a panel of the Eastern District's best judges, who will address topics such as: what to do in those last few hours (things that are not set out in the rules); what to expect at the final pretrial conference; the mechanics of a trial - where to stand, where to sit and what to do with exhibits; and what to do if you get in trouble.
This program is worth two CLE credits, followed by a reception with the opportunity to meet and talk to the judges. For further details and registration information, please contact Ellen Meriwether or Michael Adler or register here.
This week, Bill Larson talks about the buzz-worthy double-feature "Grindhouse." Read for yourself why he thinks this trip to the theater is money well spent. Read more...
Attorneys have the opportunity to gain valuable insights from senior practitioners under the Young Lawyers Division's Attorney Mentoring Program (AMP). A group of 25 senior lawyers have agreed to serve as mentors to members of the Young Lawyers Division. These distinguished lawyers come from diverse backgrounds and include solo practitioners, attorneys from large firms and attorneys who have been in government service.
If you are interested in being matched with a mentor through this program, please contact either Dan McKenna or Kate Skubecz. A luncheon hosted by the Young Lawyers Division will be held on May 8, 2007, for mentors and mentees. Thereafter, mentors and mentees will be able to develop an ongoing mentoring arrangement.
Ty Barnett, stand-up comedian and finalist on NBC's hit "Last Comic Standing," will fill the Academy of Natural Sciences with laughter when he headlines the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2nd Annual Comedy Night at the Academy on Saturday, May 12, 2007. In addition to a night filled with entertainment, attendees will join together to raise money for the Philadelphia Bar Foundation -the charitable arm of the Bar Association, supporting legal agencies assisting the indigent, elderly and disabled, as well as abused women and children. The event, which runs from 7-11:30 p.m., features comedy, dancing, an open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction.
Comedian and Philadelphia-native Chris Coccia will open for Ty Barnett and serve as emcee for the night.
The YLD Comedy Night is part of an annual mission to raise money for the Philadelphia Bar Foundation by promoting access to justice for all people in the community, particularly those struggling with poverty, abuse and discrimination. That mission is accomplished by providing grants and technical assistance in support of quality legal services, addressing unmet legal needs and providing education on matters in the public interest.
Tickets are $65 per person and the show is open to the public. All tickets are general admission. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
3 buckets out of 4
Everyone knows how much I was looking forward to "Grindhouse," a double-bill of exploitation thrillers presented as one full-length feature, with each of two individual films helmed separately by directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.
In Rodriguez's creature-feature "Planet Terror," a small-town sheriffs' department, a gun-legged woman named Cherry (Rose McGowan) and her martial arts-wielding boyfriend (Freddy Rodriguez) band together with the townsfolk to take on zombies. In Tarantino's "Death Proof," a psycho driver named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) stalks and kills beautiful women using his car.
"Planet Terror" is my favorite, with great humor, super-gross special effects (not for the weak-stomached) and a cast that winks to the audience so we know they "get it," too.
"Death Proof" drastically slows the momentum with really slow talkie bits. However, once we cut to the chase scenes this film is great! You'll wonder how exactly stuntwoman Zoe Bell can hang onto the hood of a car going 80 mph with just her hands. She was incredible (I love when women are the heroes in action pictures). I guess I needed just a little more "pulp" in this fiction, and I needed Russell's Stuntman Mike to be much more of a silent, deadly and mysterious threat.
The "fake" between-flick previews created just for "Grindhouse" are super cool. "Machete" is just great and you'll never look at "Thanksgiving" the same way again after what is carved up on that table.
But make sure you see this film in the best-sounding theater possible. The not-too-with-it staff at the AMC/Loews Cherry Hill thought a sound problem I mentioned was part of the film (which it wasn't).
Overall, you'll have a helluva good time in "Grindhouse," but at more than three hours and ten minutes, your butt sure won't feel "Death Proof" afterward.
Cast:
Naveen Andrews ... Abby (segment "Planet Terror")
Zoe Bell ... Herself (segment "Death Proof")
Michael Biehn ... Sheriff Hague (segments "Planet Terror"/"Thanksgiving")
Josh Brolin ... Dr. William Block (segment "Planet Terror")
Jeff Fahey ... J.T. (segment "Planet Terror")
Rose McGowan ... Cherry (segment "Planet Terror")/Pam (segment "Death Proof")
Michael Parks ... Earl McGraw (segments "Planet Terror"/"Death Proof")
Sydney Tamiia Poitier ... Jungle Julia (segment "Death Proof")
Freddy Rodriguez ... Wray (segment "Planet Terror")
Kurt Russell ... Stuntman Mike (segment "Death Proof")
Tom Savini ... Deputy Tolo (segment "Planet Terror")
Marley Shelton ... Dr. Dakota Block (segments "Planet Terror"/"Death Proof")
Quentin Tarantino ... The Rapist (segment "Planet Terror")/Warren (segment "Death Proof")
Danny Trejo ... Machete (segment "Machete")
Bruce Willis ... Muldoon (segment "Planet Terror")
Mary Elizabeth Winstead ... Lee (segment "Death Proof")
Runtime: 191 min
MPAA: Rated R
