As we head into the Father's Day weekend, don't forget, among all the great activities, is the Rhythm and Ribs Jazz Festival at 18th and Vine starting Friday afternoon. I get the special honor of introducing the legendary McFadden Brothers this afternoon about 5:00. They are absolutely the best. Over the years, they have been guests on many shows on KMBC, including the kids' show Jellybeans, where they wowed everybody by actually dancing to my rhythm-challenged piano playing. Over the Memorial Day weekend, during the Saturday version of FirstNews, they tried to teach me how to dance. As I've mentioned before, my mom is a great dancer...my oldest brother is terrific, too...but, I missed out on the terpsichore talent. When I try to cut a rug, it usually ends up being more like the dirty, raggedy piece of cloth on the floor of the laundry room. But, forget all of that, and come down to 18th and Vine this afternoon for the McFadden Brothers. Despite the 90+ heat, they will make us all feel cool...real cool! We will all be hep cats...I'm too old to be hip, but I might make a run at hep.

Live music would be a great gift for dad. About 95 million cards will be given this year, which sounds pretty impressive until you realize it is fourth on the list of card-selling occasions, behind Mother's Day...Christmas....and, I think, Arbor Day. A girl named Sonora Dodd of Washington State thought of having a day for dads back in 1909 while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church. Sonora's mother had died and left her dad to raise six kids. Sonora's idea was eventually embraced by President Calvin Coolidge, who, when asked if he thought fathers should be commended, said "Yes." Stirring. The third Sunday in June didn't become the permanent, official home of Father's Day until a proclamation was signed by President Richard Nixon...who suggested a moment of silence in honor of dad...actually, 18 minutes of silence.

The best present I gave my dad is not something I would ever suggest to any young person today. Remember, this is back about 40 years and times were different. Dads were a little different, too, I think. Over the years, I had given my dad enough Aqua-Velva to float a ship full of freshly-shaved but slightly smelly fathers. I had handed him stuff made of construction paper that looked like the DNA from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Once I bought him the latest Charley Pride 8-track which was fine until he put on the headphones, back when headphones were huge, like you're part of Mission Control in Houston, and started singing along at the top of his lungs. My dad could dance, he was very funny and handy around the house, but singing was not his thing. He used to say that he couldn't carry a tune in a basket. The tape was fun for him but I am still having flashbacks. Whenever I hear Kiss An Angel Good Morning my ears try to physically disconnect themselves from my head. And, frankly, it hurts. Well, that brings me back to a gift he really seemed to like. Again, I do not recommend this as a gift. We're smarter now, I hope.

After listening carefully and observing my father in the weeks leading up to the holiday I just couldn't get my six year old head to come up with a great gift that I could afford. Finally, one of my brothers had a suggestion that made sense. He told me I could find the two treasured items at the drug store and he'd loan me money, if need be. So, with his and my money in hand, I jumped on my bike and rode to the drug store. Of course, in my town, everyone knew everyone, so the clerk said "Hi, Joel. Looking for a Father's Day present? The Aqua-Velva is right this way..." I explained that I was doing something different this year and then told her what I wanted. "I need to get a carton of Kents and one of those magazines you keep behind the counter, " I stated confidently. "And, could you wrap it up nice for me...paper with boats on it would be great." The woman looked at me for a moment and her cheery disposition evaporated as she asked if I was sure of my choice. I was. My brother had assured me this would be perfect. I didn't share my brother's influence with the clerk as I wanted, and received from her, full credit. I plopped my money on the counter as she haphazardly wrapped the goodies. If memory serves, she started to hum Onward Christian Soldiers rather forcefully at that point. I hurried home with my sure-to-be great gift.

A couple days later, on Father's Day, my dad opened his presents. A tie-clasp from one brother...a comb from another. The one who had helped me with my selection, gave our dad a tacklebox. Then, it was my turn. As he opened the sail-boat paper, I could tell he was expecting something special. There it was...a carton of Kents and, what my grandma would call, a "girlie magazine." As my brothers started to howl and my mom joined the chorus of Onward Christian Soldiers, my dad just looked at me and said, "Thank you." Then, he invited my helpful brother outside to more closely examine the new tackle box...in the privacy of the garage. Later, whenever you would mention rods, reels, tackle, sinkers, bobbers or worms, that brother would flinch.

Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend and a great next week as I am not going to be around to write these things or be on FirstNews. That is my gift to all of you. You really deserve the break!