July 31st

Hawaii Day

Governor Linda Lingle

Don Ho

July 30th

City of Baltimore founded - 1729

Mayor Martin O'Malley

July 29th

My wife and I watched "Flightplan" on cable tonight.

Jodie Foster

Peter Sarsgaard

Sean Bean

July 28th

I saw "Clerks 2" today.

Kevin Smith

Jason Lee

Ben Affleck

July 27th

"Who Wants to be a Superhero" debuts on the Sci-Fi Channel

Stan Lee

Joe Kubert

A reply from Julius Caesar himself

Ciaran Hinds

Reference date: February 7th





After seeing the Academy Award nominated film "Munich" in February, I sent letters out to the cast members, who did an amazing job. Today I got a reply from Irish actor Ciaran Hinds, who not only palyed Carl in "Munich", but also stars as Julius Caesar on the HBO series "Rome." In addition, he played the role of Monsieur Firmin in the film version of "Phantom of the Opera" which means that I've now gotten responses from both the stage and screen actors who portrayed that part.

Here is Mr. Hind's letter, which he mailed from the set of his latest film, "There Will be Blood" in Marfa, Texas.

Dear Chris,

I've been travelling for quite a while and just catching up with my mail, which seems to be chasing me around the place.

Thanks for your letter, sent way back in February. It's always nice to know that one's work touches a chord in some people.

As for advice, I'm hardly qualified to hand it out as I sorta make the whole thing up as I go along. I never had any game plan, or particular ambition. I just went with the flow, and I've gotta say that I've been very lucky in that respect.

I know quite a few people who have the talent, but just haven't had the breaks, and that seems to be the rub of it all. It's way out of our control.

Just try and keep working, don't believe in the idea of success, it's really just the work that matters.

As for the daily habit that has contributed to my continuing in the business - RED WINE - to keep me sane!

I wish you well.

Ciaran Hinds


I sent a thank you to him on the set of his new movie the next day.

A "Beary" special reply

Maxine Clark

Reference date: February 14th




I wrote to the founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop to tell her how much my 3 year old son loves his new alligator doll (which he named Yankee) that he created at Build-A-Bear. In addition to the very nice reply, Ms. Clark also included a copy of her new book: The Bear Necessities of Business: Building A Company with Heart. The proceeds of this book go to charity, so I highly recommend picking up a copy for inspiration and motivation.

Here is her letter:

Dear Chris:

Thank you for your letter and picture of your son at Build-A-Bear Workshop. I am glad it is one of his favorite places.

I am honored that you have asked my opinion on your industry. Yikes, entertainment--that is really hard. I assume the same principles apply of hard work and relentless pursuit of your goals. I am enclosing a copy of my new book--I think it might be helpful and answer many of your questions. The book is about my career and the creation of Build-A-Bear Workshop but it is also about having big dreams and going after them.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Beary best regards,

Maxine Clark

Founder and Chief Executive Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop

I sent her a thank you the next day.

July 26th

Bank of England founded - 1694

Governor Mervyn King

July 13th

Etch-A-Sketch Introduced

Bill Kilgallon - CEO Ohio Art Co.

July 25th

Martin and Lewis debut in Atlantic City - 1946

Jerry Lewis

July 24th

"Pine Tar Game" NY Yankees vs. KC Royals - 1983

George Brett

Graig Nettles

LeeMcPhail

July 23rd

Record 7th Tour DeFrance won

Lance Armstrong

July 22nd

Brady Bunch marathon airs on TV Land

Sherwood Schwartz

Ann B. Davis

Barry Williams

Christopher Knight

Mike Lookinland

Maureen mcCormick

Eve Plumb

Susan Olsen

July 21st

Man lands on the moon - 1969

Neil Armstrong

Buzz Aldrin

July 20th

San Diego founded - 1769

Mayor Jerry Sanders

July 19th

First perfect 10 in Olympic Gymnastic history 1976

Nadia Comaneci

July 18th

U.S. Presidential Succession Act Established - 1947

Vice President Dick Cheney

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert

Senate Pro Temp Ted Stevens

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich

John Goodman - played a Speaker of the House who became President (temporarily) on "The West Wing"

July 17th

Disneyland opens - 1955

Marty Sklar

Dick Nunis

Roger Broggie, Jr.

July 16th

National Ice Cream Day

Doug Ducey - Cold Stone Creamery

Jonathan R. Jameson - Maggie Moos

James Conway, Jr. - Mister Softee

July 15th

1995 - 1st item ever sold on Amazon.com

Jeff Bezos

July 14th

Bastille Day, the official French holiday honoring their revolution.

Jacques Chirac

July 12th

21st Anniversary of Live Aid Concert

Bob Geldof

Bono

Tina Turner

David Bowie

Lionel Richie

Robert Plant

Jimmy Paige

My first gubenatorial reply!

Governor Frank Murkowski

Reference date: February 12







We get some snow here in New Jersey during the winter, but not as much as our northernmost state, Alaska. I've never been there, so I was extremely curious about life there. Who better to write to than the Governor? I did, and he replied with a very nice letter, as well as sending a brochure about his beautiful state. I will definitely visit there in the near future.


Dear Mr. Lucas:

Thank you for your letter. Alaska has many unique places to visit and things to do. I enjoy salmon fishing and boating through the beautiful green islands of our bays and ocean passages. I would recommend that you visit Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, located in our Denali National Park. One of the most popular and easiest ways to see as much of Alaska as you can is to take an Alaska cruise. It's the easiest way to see the beautiful land Alaska has to offer.

Being the Govemor of Alaska is a very demanding job, but it is also rewarding. I like being Govemor because I care about the issues affecting Alaska and I care about Alaska's future. Being Governor gives me power to approve or veto bills passed by the Legislature and introduce my own bills through a Legislative Committee. I am currently working very hard on building a gas pipeline that will travel 800 miles from the North Slope to the Canadian boarder then down to the lower 48 states. I hope that this pipeline is completed in the future because it is a way to better our state's economy and it will contribute to our nation's energy security by providing between 4.5-6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The most challenging part about being Governor is the time away I spend from my family. I keep in touch with my family through emails, photos, and phone calls while I am at the office.

Again, thank you for your letter. I have enclosed a travel guide for you to take a peek at some of Alaska's communities and travel destinations. I hope you can visit our great state someday.

Sincerely Yours,

Frank H. Murkowski

Governor of Alaska

I sent him a thank you email the next day.

A CEO replies

Julia Stewart

Reference date: February 28th (Shrove Tuesday)







The Tuesday before Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday, the last day to feast before the required fasting in the Christian calendar. Many people also call this "pancake Tuesday" because it was customary to use up all of your supplies (milk, eggs, flour, etc.) to make pancakes. The International House of pancakes (IHOP) brought that idea to an even greater level by celebrating National Pancake Day, and donating proceeds from sales that day to charity. My family went twice to eat at IHOP that day, and I wrote to the CEO, Julia Stewart to thank her for the philanthropic effort, and to ask her for advice. This was her reply:


Dear Mr. Lucas:

Thank you for your kind words in your recent letter. I enjoyed reading your account of your visits to IHOP and, in particular, your support of National Pancake Day.

While unable to answer all your questions in detail, my single piece of advice is to purchase and read a book called The Oz Principle. . I have read this book many times, and its simple message of accountability and personal responsibility always rings true.

Thank you again, and best wishes for continued success.

Sincerely,

Julia Stewart

I sent her a thank you email the next day

July 11th

"Brotherhood" Premiere on Showtime

Jason Isaacs

July 10th

25th anniversary of "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Karen Allen

Paul Freeman

John Rhys Davies

July 9th

Italy wins World Cup

Georgio Chinaglia

Franz Beckenbauer

July 8th

Wall Street Journal publishes first issue in 1889.

L. Gordon Crovitz

July 7th

"Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" opens.

Johnny Depp

Kiera Knightley

Orlando Bloom

Kevin McNally

Lee Arenberg

Jerry Bruckheimer

July 6th

"Prarie Home Companion" debuts in 1974

Garrison Keillor

July 5th

SPAM debuts in 1937. Hormel CEO runs it now.

Jeffrey M. Ettinger

A theatrical legend replies

George Lee Andrews

Reference Date: January 9th









I've seen "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway about seven times since it opened in January 1988. Through more than 7,500 performances (A Broadway record, not to be broken for a long time)there have been just a handful of actors who can say they have been with the show the entire time. The most visible cast member with such longevity is George Lee Andrews, who has spent most of his time playing one of the new opera house managers, Richard Firmin or Gilles André. (He spent nearly 11 years in the former, and began playing the latter in 2001.)

I wrote to him on the night of the record breaking performance in January, and finally got a reply by email. Here is the copy:

Hi Chris,

I'm finally getting back to you, to say thanks for your nice letter to
me in January.

An elephant never forgets.

You asked for words of advice.
The only thing I would say is...

sing every day - sing along with people who's voice you really like.

Work as much as you can, wherever you can. That's how you grow - doing
it every night - improving each night.

Enjoy life, don't worry, be happy.

Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

George Lee Andrews

I sent him a thank you email the next day.

July 4th

Grucci Family - largest and best known provider of fireworks displays

Donna Grucci Butler

July 3rd

"Back To The Future" released in 1985. One of my all time favorite films.

Michael J. Fox

Christopher Lloyd

Thomas F. Wilson

Crispin Glover

James Tolkan

Casey Siemaszko

Robert Zemeckis

July 2nd

1st Wal-Mart opens in 1962

S. Robson Walton

July 1st

In honor of Canada Day

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

My first Presidential reply

President Gerald R. Ford

Reference date: February 20th










President Ford wrote me a short note from his home in California. While it is an automatic reply, it's also written on stationery with the Presidential seal and his signature as the stamp. He's going to be 93 years old in a few days, so I understand the pre-printed reply. I'm just honored to have recieved it.

Here is his letter:

Dear Chris,

I am very grateful that you have taken the time to write, in regard to certain requests, and with your comments.

Unfortunately, the nature of my schedule, obligations, and the size of my staff preclude the time necessary to provide the thoughtful and substantiative reply your correspondence requires.

I hope the future provides me the time to individually answer more correspondence. until then, i thank you for your interest and understanding.

Best wishes,

Gerald R. Ford

I sent him a thank you card the next day