30 April 26

Bugs Bunny first appeared in animation on this date in 1938, as a "Happy Bunny" in a cartoon titled Porky's Hare Hunt. He got his own story in July 1940. My tie's image focuses on the movie Space Jam, starring Bugs and Michael Jordan, which premiered in 1996. Warner Brothers and AMC Theaters are sponsoring special events this May to celebrate the movie's 30th anniversary.

24 July 23

Today I'm celebrating the first cartoon starring Bugs Bunny, released on 27 July 1940. I have a different event on Thursday, so I've hopped Bugs' "Space Jam" (1996) tie a few days early.

5 November 20

 Tomorrow (6 November) is the birthday of James Naismith, inventor of basketball.

6 November 18

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born on this date in 1861. Bugs Bunny is having fun with basketballs and stars, celebrating the movie "Space Jam." Tonight there's a fairly important men's college basketball game between Duke University and the University of Kentucky. Today is also election day, and I'm celebrating with a gummi snack called VoteWorms. The front of the bag says "OH GOD PLEASE VOTE"! and the back lists flavors like Due Process Cherry, Separation of Church and Grape, and Give Me Liberty or Give Me Blueberry. The candy's Web site is at http://www.voteworms.com.

6 November 17

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born on this date in 1861.

27 July 16

76 years of Bugs Bunny! His first cartoon was released on this date in 1940.

24 June 15

Today my oldest nephew Curtis Nolan Huizenga turns 48 years old! He is the associate pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. His peculiar loves in life include space travel, all genres of music, supporting people regardless of their life conditions, and rabbits. Today's "Space Jam" tie celebrates the first and fourth items on that list.

21 August 14

Today is the 108th anniversary of the birth of Isadore "Friz" Freleng, creator of Bugs Bunny and many other characters in the LOONEY TUNES cartoons!

16 December 13

December 15 marked the 122nd anniversary of the invention of basketball, by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts. Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan showed their enthusiasm for the game in the movie "Space Jam." My granddaughter Mallie already likes watching it on TV.

2 April 12

Today is the day when the University of Kentucky men's basketball team will win the university's eighth national championship. The Wildcats have already beaten every other team they've faced this season, including tonight's opponent, the University of Kansas Jayhawks. (The UK team lost two games this year, to Indiana and Vanderbilt, but they beat Vanderbilt twice during the regular season and beat Indiana during the NCAA Tournament.) I'm wearing BLUE to support UK, but the color also works if Kansas should pull off an unbelievable upset.

03 February 11

Today is Chinese New Year, marking the change from the Year of the Tiger to the Year of the Rabbit. Or we might say the Year of the Wascally Wabbit . . .

02 September 10

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Clyde David Burberry's birth. He is our former pastor, a great personal friend, and the "adopted brother" for my wife Beth. Since I don't usually wear a tie on Friday I asked him to select a tie for today, and he chose my "Space Jam" tie, featuring Bugs Bunny. When I said "Which tie?," he replied, "What's up, Doc?"

15 December 09

Dec. 15, 1891 – James Naismith introduces the first version of basketball, with thirteen rules, a peach basket nailed to either end of his school's gymnasium, and two teams of nine players.

05 April 09

Final Four weekend: This Sunday is part of the four-day conclusion of the college basketball season, finishing both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments. My favored teams weren't in the top tournaments this time but I still have enjoyed watching the "hoops."

15 June 08

If the Boston Celtics win their game tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers, it will end the NBA championship series for 2008. Then we can wait only two months for the beginnings of another basketball season!