Tyler's interview on "Oprah's Next Chapter,"

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/30/tyler-perry-president-obama_n_3353447.html?1369925703&ncid=webmail16


As a Hollywood mogul, Tyler Perry has been around his fair share of powerful people. But even celebrities experience surreal moments that leave them in awe. For Perry, there were two distinct moments in his life that made him realize the magnitude of his success. One, which he reveals in the video, involved Oprah and Tina Turner. The other involved President Barack Obama.
In this clip from Tyler's interview on "Oprah's Next Chapter," he recounts the private conversation he had with President Obama inside the president's motorcade. President Obama had just visited Tyler Perry Studios before attending a fundraising event Tyler was hosting, and the President invited Tyler to ride to the event with him in the motorcade.
"I get in the car with [the president] and he's talking to me in the motorcade. There is not a soul on the freeway... And he's talking, [but] all I'm hearing is... Charlie Brown time in my ear," Tyler recalls, mimicking the "Peanuts" teacher whose words were always too muffled to understand.
Recognizing how monumental the moment was, Tyler wanted to make sure he fully experienced it. "I finally stop and I say, 'Listen. I know this is your everyday. But this moment, for me, I've got to just take it in. I've got to really just breathe,'" he says he told the president.
That's when the two had a conversation that Tyler will never forget. "I said, 'What a great country that something like this could happen, that you could become president,'" Tyler remembers telling Obama. "And he said, 'What a great country that you could become Tyler Perry.'"
Tyler Perry's two new shows -- The Haves And The Have Nots and Love Thy Neighbor -- air on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, respectively, on OWN.

Scripps National Spelling Bee 2013 Winner Arvind Mahankali Triumphs With 'Knaidel'

OXON HILL, Md. -- After years of heartbreakingly close calls, Arvind Mahankali conquered his nemesis, German, to become the champion speller in the English language.
The 13-year-old from Bayside Hills, N.Y., correctly spelled "knaidel," a word for a small mass of leavened dough, to win the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. The bee tested brain power, composure and, for the first time, knowledge of vocabulary.
Arvind finished in third place in both 2011 and 2012, and both times, he was eliminated on German-derived words. This time, he got one German word in the finals, and the winning word was from German-derived Yiddish, eliciting groans and laughter from the crowd. He spelled both with ease.
"The German curse has turned into a German blessing," he said.
Arvind outlasted 11 other finalists, all but one of whom had been to the National Spelling Bee before, in nearly 2 1/2 hours of tense, grueling competition that was televised nationally. In one round, all nine participants spelled their words correctly.
When he was announced as the winner, Arvind looked upward at the confetti falling upon him and cracked his knuckles, his signature gesture during his bee appearances. He'll take home $30,000 in cash and prizes along with a huge cup-shaped trophy. The skinny teen, clad in a white polo shirt and wire-rimmed glasses pushed down his nose, was joined on stage at the Washington-area hall by his parents and his beaming younger brother.
An aspiring physicist who admires Albert Einstein, Arvind said he would spend more time studying physics this summer now that he's "retired" from the spelling bee.

Fast Food Workers In Another City Strike: 'We've Been Pushed To The Edge

Fast food workers in Seattle walked off their jobs late Wednesday and Thursday. That made Seattle the seventh city where fast food workers have gone on strike in recent months. A Taco Bell server in Seattle explains here why she (along with her co-workers) walked off the job Wednesday night -- shutting down a Taco Bell restaurant. Taco Bell didn't comment, referring inquiries to the National Restaurant Association.


By Caroline Durocher

My employer has pushed and pushed my co-workers and me and gotten everything they can out of us. This week, we joined together and pushed back.

I was one of the first fast-food workers to walk off the job Wednesday night in Seattle, and on Thursday more workers are continuing to take a stand for a $15 an hour raise and the right to organize without retaliation.

We work in one of the fastest growing industries in the nation, and our companies are making huge -– even record -– profits, but we don't see enough of that money. We barely earn enough to pay for basics like rent, food and transportation to and from work.

I have worked low-wage jobs since I was 16 years old, and now, at 21, am reluctantly sharing a studio apartment with my dad, working the late shift at Taco Bell.

More: McDonald's Pushes Employees To Be Cheerier

That's not the life I envisioned for myself three years ago, when I was working full time, while studying for an associate of arts degree. I was planning to continue my education and become a psychologist. That was the plan, and that's still the plan. But my school costs became too much of a burden, and I had to leave, just a few credits shy of my degree.

And now I feel stuck in this trap -– the trap of low-wage work. I work the night shift at Taco Bell in Ballard –- running the register for the drive-through, ringing up one customer while taking the order of another. It's fast-paced, hard work, but at the minimum wage of $9.19 per hour and only 27 hours per week, I don't earn enough to make ends meet.

When I ask for more hours, my boss always says the same thing: hours are competitive -– the harder you work, the more hours you'll get. But I work hard, and I haven't gotten any more hours.

I am stuck in a tough spot. I can't get enough hours to get health insurance, but I only qualify for $16 a month in food stamps, which I finally decided wasn't even worth the transportation costs to continue to get them. I can't get a better-paying job, especially without a degree, but I can't afford to go back to school. So when I had the chance to join a group of workers starting to organize and take a stand, I jumped at the opportunity. I didn't hesitate a second.

Right now, one of my checks goes to my half of the rent, and once I buy groceries and pay my bills, there isn't really anything left to save up. I shouldn't have to barely scrape by. I should be able to start saving some money to go back to school, but I can't.

So what do I have to lose? For me and my colleagues working fast–food jobs across Seattle, the answer is, 'Nothing.' Our backs are firmly against the wall. By joining with my co-workers, I can envision a future in which I earn enough to live, eat and go back to school.

We have been pushed to the edge, and now we are taking a stand, and I could not be more excited, or more hopeful.

Caroline Durocher works at a Taco Bell in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood and is part of Good Jobs Seattle, a campaign by a coalition of groups working to raise fast-food workers' pay.

Mariah Carey is officially leaving "American Idol," the singer's publicists announced via Twitter

Mariah Carey is officially leaving "American Idol," the singer's publicists announced via Twitter on Thursday -- a message that the singer then retweeted.

@PMK_BNC
PMK•BNC

W/ global success of “#Beautiful” (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol http://t.co/ww2q8xmocr

May 30, 2013 9:07 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

In a statement, Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment said of Carey's departure: “Mariah Carey is a true global icon -- one of the most accomplished artists on the planet -- and we feel extremely fortunate that she was able to bring her wisdom and experience to the 'American Idol' contestants this season. We know she will remain an inspiration to 'Idol' hopefuls for many seasons to come.”
The news follows Randy Jackson's recent departure from Fox's reality juggernaut, with fellow judge Nicki Minaj announcing her "Idol" exit a few hours later. Keith Urban remains the last judge standing, but is not expected to return. Even before Carey's exit, there were rumblings that "Idol" producers planned to replace all four judges and start fresh for Season 13, potentially with a judging panel made up of "Idol" alums such as Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert. Don't hold your breath for Clarkson to be involved, though rep for the former winner told The Hollywood Reporter that she will not be judging Season 13.
Despite Carey's vocal pedigree, she and fellow judging newcomers Minaj and Urban failed to reinvigorate the aging franchise, with "Idol" hitting an all-time ratings low for its recent Season 12 finale.
Many contend that Carey's highly publicized, season-long feud with Minaj soured viewers to the new panel and contributed to the ratings erosion, resulting in rumors that Fox executives and "Idol" producers attempted to replace Carey with former judge Jennifer Lopez to stem the flow of departing fans.
Are you sad to see Carey go?

Jacque Sue Waller's Body Found Two Years After She Went Missing

ST. LOUIS -- Nearly two years to the day after Jacque Sue Waller was last seen alive, the body of the southeast Missouri mother of young triplets has been found, prosecutors said Thursday.
The Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office issued a one-paragraph statement saying police had found the body on Wednesday.
"It has been confirmed that the body is that of Jacque Sue Waller," the statement read. It didn't say where or how the body was found. A woman answering phones at the prosecutor's office said no further comment would be made, citing an ongoing investigation.
Waller and her estranged husband, Clay Waller, had nearly finalized a divorce when she disappeared on June 1, 2011. He was charged last year with first-degree murder and faces trial in September.
Jacque Waller's sister, Cheryl Brenneke, has custody of their 7-year-old triplets.
In a statement on their Facebook page Waller's family confirmed "with a heavy heart" that Jacque Waller's remains were found. The statement said funeral arrangements have not been made.
"We thank everyone of you who has supported us and assisted us in this terrible nightmare," the statement read.
Messages seeking comment from a spokeswoman for Waller's family were not returned, but Brenneke told the Southeast Missourian newspaper that she was in shock.
"You anticipate how you're going to feel for two years," Brenneke said. "You just can't prepare yourself, really. You just can't."

Michaela Pereira, CNN's New 'Good Day' Anchor, Says Goodbye To The Southland

When she first came to Los Angeles, Canada-native Michaela Pereira had a difficult time pronouncing "Wilshire," "Sepulveda" and "Cahuenga."
Her role as co-anchor on the KTLA Morning Show quickly changed all that. Nine years later, the broadcast journalist ruled Southland media with Frank Buckley as anchors on LA's top-rated morning news show -- until she announced she was leaving for CNN.
Pereira will join co-anchors Chris Cuomo and Kate Bolduan on "New Day," CNN's third recent attempt at morning news programming. The show, set to debut June 17 from 6-9 a.m. EST, means that the California Girl has to move from her beloved neighborhood in the San Gabriel Valley to New York.
While she's excited about the national platform, Pereira is going to miss Los Angeles. In a phone interview with The Huffington Post, she rattled off the things she would miss about SoCal life:
"There's the Rose Bowl flea market. The Newport Beach Jazz festival. Going to Clippers games. Hanging out at The Grove with my girlfriends. Going shopping at all the boutiques and things we have around town. The after school programs I support," said Pereira. "I can't tell you, the list is so gigantic."
But most of all, said Pereira, she's going to miss the residents who welcomed an "outsider" with open arms.
"I've had a welcome mat to every single one of those events," said Pereira. "It feels a little like I've been given the keys to the city."
She chatted with HuffPost LA about the major change, and the interview turned into an impromptu counseling session for a certain Huffington Post editor who is still struggling with a Pereira-less KTLA show. Read the Q&A below to see the craziest things she's ever reported on and what she really thinks about her KTLA "work husbands."
HuffPost: I just want to start off by saying I'm a major fan of the show, and when I heard that you were leaving, I was seriously bummed out for a long time.
Aww, do we need to do a quick little therapy session? Because I've been counseling some of my friends and I've got some good words for you.
HuffPost: You've covered the Southland for nine years. What's the craziest thing you've seen on the job?
Given the fact that we are a three-hour, Monday-to-Friday broadcast, we have seen some crazy things. Just recently, we had this bear that we caught live from our helicopter. We followed the bear for 45 minutes and we were all kind of cheering on the bear and hoping that it's not going to get killed. Thankfully Fish and Game was able to tranquilize it and take it back to the Angeles Forest and release it back into its own natural habitat.
And then sadly, on the other end of it, one of the craziest things that we all watched and were shocked by in recent times was the whole Christopher Dorner case. That was like a movie script sadly playing out. It was horrifying and compelling.
HuffPost: If you had a work husband at KTLA, I'd say it was co-anchor Frank Buckley. But do you have another person in mind?
They kind of all are. It's kind of an oddly weird "Big Love" situation -- that's probably completely inappropriate to say. But I have three work husbands. So with Frank, he's my TV husband for sure because we're like the parents. We've got a couple of teenagers in Mark [Kriski] and Sam [Rubin]. We've got to make sure they make it in for curfew and what have you.
My relationship with Mark is that we have such a very strong bond, but I'm Mark's secretary! Mark never checks his emails, he never knows how to use his computer -- well, he's pretty good on his cellphone actually. I have to remind him of things, I have to put things in his schedule. I have to tell him when meetings are happening, if he has to find an autograph for somebody. I'm the one who has to handle Mark. He's going to be a mess when I go.
And for Sam, there's his personal grooming. You know, sometimes a haircut reminder, tuck in your shirt. It's really like being his mom.
HuffPost: You're going to be an East Coaster for the first time. What will you miss about LA?
There's so many things. I have some palm trees along our street and just the sound of those rustling in the wind.
I take a picture almost every morning when I'm walking from our studio in KTLA, or from our office's parking lot to the studio, with the Griffith Observatory in the background, palm trees in the foreground. The visuals of Southern California are stunning.
HuffPost: "New Day" is up against a lot of well-established morning news shows. On network there's ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today Show," while on cable you're up against "Fox and Friends" and "Morning Joe" on MSNBC.
I think we're joining some fantastic company nationally. We're going to be up against some fierce competitors doing a really great job, but we're hoping to do something a little different. We've said it time and time again: we're not trying to re-invent the wheel. Hello! It's TV, first of all. It's news, second of all.
It's morning TV. We know what people need. They need the right mix of information and to be updated. They want a little bit of buzz to share with friends around the water cooler and they want to feel good. It's their entry point to the day. I'm hoping to bring a refreshing new voice to that.
HuffPost: What advice do you have for others who want to get into broadcast journalism?
One of the things that always worries me when I see people get the stars in their eyes is not realizing that they have to put their back into it as well. There's research, study, late nights, early mornings. You have to sacrifice fun things with your friends, you might have to pick up and move across the country away from your family.
I would remind them that it's really important to know who you are and to have a really good sense of yourself. Keep your feet planted firmly on the ground, and build a really good support system around you. Because otherwise all of those other things will be impossible. You can't do it alone.
HuffPost: Anything you want to close with?
I want to say, "thank you" to you and to all the people who have chosen to spend their mornings with us at KTLA. It's been so great and I really do understand that I'm messing up the routine of the morning, but change is good and change is constant. And you're going to be fine, baby girl!
Interview was edited for length.

George W. Bush Bikes With Injured Vets, Reflects On White House

RAWFORD, Texas -- George W. Bush had been riding his mountain bike for almost four hours, and he was out of gas.
I was 12 riders behind the former president as we cycled, single file, along a winding trail cut through Bush's 1,500-acre ranch. We had been riding almost nonstop, in 90-degree heat, for 30 miles, over terrain that was at times technical, challenging and potentially hazardous. Rocky sections delivered a pounding to both bike and rider. Roots threatened to upend us. At one point, a narrow path along a ridge line dropped off steeply to the right, 50 to 75 feet to the gorge below. Bush had called the section "hairy."
It was the second day of Bush's third annual Warrior 100K, a three-day mountain bike ride that he has hosted at different locations since leaving the White House, to which he invites military veterans, many of whom had been seriously wounded in the wars he initiated. It's a ritual of thanks and bonding that might seem fraught from the outside, but that everyone who takes part seems to enjoy.
This year, 75 riders participated in the event over Memorial Day weekend, 13 of them veterans wounded physically or psychologically, or both. The rest of the peloton was made up of a few guests of the veterans, Secret Service agents, mechanics, medics, an assortment of people who have ridden with Bush over the past several years, and a few odds and ends, like me, the only reporter along for the entire ride.
There are 41 miles of mountain bike trail on Bush's property, and ranch staff, along with volunteers, had created 21 miles of those trails in the six weeks or so leading up to this event, his ranch manager told me. We saw most of them that day, and rode another 14 miles the day before and then 21 miles the day after.
Bush, who always rides at the front, pushed the pace, yelling and cajoling his fellow cyclists. At 66, he takes great pleasure in smoking riders who think they can hang with him. "Get moving, Stork!" he shouted at Ed Lazear, using the nickname he had given his former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.
At rest stops, Bush was impatient to get going again. He'd pause, drink some Gatorade, chat, grin, bask in the endorphin rush, make a few jokes, and then hop back on his carbon frame Trek Superfly 100 Elite.
"Yah, baby!" he'd exclaim.
By the end, however, he was exhausted. "I was gassed," Bush admitted to me the next day. "Thirty miles is a long way on a mountain bike. I was tired."

10 Worst-Paying College Majors

 



You probably already know that college grads have an easier time finding jobs, and earn more those who only have a high school diploma. But that's not the whole story. Some college majors offer a much worse return on investment, with starting salaries that are no better than high school grads' pay, according to a new study released Wednesday. The study, conducted by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, looked at 2010 and 2011 salaries and unemployment rates among college grads between the ages of 22 and 26. The startling conclusion: Some majors have starting salaries no better than the average salary of a high school graduate, which is about $29,900 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

More: Employer's Tough-Love Letter To New College Grads

Low Pay And High Unemployment: The worst-paying majors tended to be in the arts, where the low pay in creative work is matched by high unemployment rates, with an average of roughly 9 percent unemployment for arts majors. In fact, the overall unemployment for all recent grads is 8.9 percent. Several arts disciplines, however, lead to double-digit unemployment, according to the study.
But that doesn't mean those who major in those fields are worse off in every way. In fact, as Forbes has reported, studies of college graduates show that liberal arts majors are "are as satisfied or more satisfied with their lives as their classmates in other disciplines." And several majors in technical fields have high unemployment rates, too, despite relatively high salaries.
Below are the 10 worst-paying majors, with average starting salaries and unemployment rates. (See also the 10 highest paying college majors.)
10. Music
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 9.2 percent.

Find a job now in music.

9. Film Video and Photographic Arts
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 12.9 percent.

Find a job now in film, video or photography

8. Liberal Arts
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 9.2 percent.

Find a job now in liberal arts.

7. Psychology
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 7.6 percent.

Find a job now in psychology.

6. Philosophy/Religious Studies
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 10.8 percent.

Find a job now in philosophy or religion.

5. Social Work
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 6.6 percent.

Find a job now in social work.

4. Fine Arts
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 12.6 percent.

Find a job now in fine arts.

3. Physical Fitness / Parks Recreation
Starting Salary: $30,000.
Unemployment Rate: 8.3 percent.

Find a job now in physical fitness or parks recreation.

2. Anthropology / Archaeology
Starting Salary: $28,000.
Unemployment Rate: 10.5 percent.

Find a job now in anthropology or archaeology.

1. Drama / Theater
Starting Salary: $26,000.
Unemployment Rate: 7.8 percent.

Boston Benefit Concert Features Aerosmith & Other Local Favorites

BOSTON — Aerosmith, James Taylor and Jimmy Buffett are joining other artists for a benefit concert for victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Tickets for the show scheduled Thursday at the TD Garden sold out in minutes after they went on sale May 6. Proceeds will benefit One Fund Boston, the compensation fund established by Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to help those injured in the April 15 bombings and the families of three people killed.
Other confirmed acts include Jason Aldean, Boston, Extreme, Godsmack, The J. Geils Band, Carole King and New Kids on the Block.
Comedians Dane Cook and Steven Wright are also included in the lineup.

PHILADELPHIA — The wife of a Philadelphia abortion doctor

PHILADELPHIA — The wife of a Philadelphia abortion doctor, a cosmetologist who admitted helping him perform very late-term abortions at his corrupt, grimy clinic, said Wednesday that she was sorry for trusting her husband and was sentenced seven to 23 months in prison.
Pearl Gosnell had pleaded guilty to racketeering and performing an illegal abortion past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit. She said her husband, Kermit, told her the abortions were all performed within the legal limit and she believed him. He was convicted this month of first-degree murder in the deaths of three infants born alive.
"I am the wife of Kermit Gosnell, I am not happy about that now and I haven't been for a long time," Pearl Gosnell, 51, told Common Pleas Judge Benjamin Lerner at her sentencing hearing.
She said her husband took the "cowardly" path for not speaking at his trial or apologizing for his crimes.
The judge gave her time credit for nearly three months she spent in jail after her arrest.
Former employees testified that Kermit Gosnell routinely performed illegal abortions past the 24-week limit; delivered babies who were still moving, whimpering or breathing; and dispatched the newborns by "snipping" their spines, as he referred to it.
Gosnell was also convicted in the death of patient Karnamaya Mongar, who was given a fatal overdose of painkillers.
The case became a flashpoint in the nation's polarized abortion debate. Foes said it exposed the true nature of abortion in all its disturbing detail. Abortion rights activists warned that Gosnell's practice foreshadows what women could face if abortion is driven underground with more restrictive laws.
A former clinic employee, who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges, was sentenced Wednesday to time served after being jailed for 28 months.
Adrienne Moton, 36, had pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges. Lerner said he was sending Moton home and she has shown remorse for her crimes.
In an emotionally wrought statement, Moton told the court she thought she was helping women but never thought about the babies at Gosnell's clinic.
The judge rescheduled the sentencing dates for clinic workers Lynda Williams, 43; Sherry West, 53; and Tina Baldwin, 47, because the women still have unresolved federal drug charges.
West and Baldwin are now scheduled to be sentenced June 24. Williams is due in court July 1.

Also on HuffPost:

RICHMOND, Va. -- Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. has agreed to buy Smithfield Foods for approximately $4.72 billion

By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM

RICHMOND, Va. -- Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. has agreed to buy Smithfield Foods for approximately $4.72 billion, the largest acquisition of a U.S. company by a Chinese company.

Hong Kong-based Shuanghui owns a variety of global businesses that include food, logistics and flavoring products and is China's largest meat processing enterprise. Smithfield, the world's biggest pork producer, owns brands such as Armour, Farmland and its namesake label.

Shareholders of Smithfield will receive $34 a share under terms of the deal announced Wednesday -- a 31 percent premium to the Smithfield, Va., company's closing stock price Tuesday of $25.97.

Both companies' boards have unanimously approved the transaction, which still needs approval from Smithfield's shareholders. The transaction may also be subject to review by the U.S.'s Committee on Foreign Investment.
 The companies put the deal's total value at about $7.1 billion, including debt. Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD) has about 138.8 million outstanding shares, according to FactSet. Smithfield's stock will no longer be publicly traded once the deal closes.

Its shares surged $7.23, or 27.8 percent, to $33.20 in premarket trading Wednesday.

Shuanghui has 13 facilities that produce more than 2.7 million tons of meat a year. Under the agreement, there will be no closures at Smithfield's facilities and locations, including its Smithfield, Va., headquarters, the companies said.

Smithfield's existing management team will remain in place and Shuanghui also will honor the collective bargaining agreements in place with Smithfield workers. The company has about 46,000 employees.

"This transaction preserves the same old Smithfield, only with more opportunities and new markets and new frontiers," Smithfield CEO Larry Pope said in a conference call. "This is not a strategy to import Chinese pork into the United States ... this is exporting America to the world."

With China and U.S. being "the most important markets," Zhijun Yang, managing director of Shuanghui, said in a conference call with investors, "together we can be a global leader in animal protein. No other combination has such a great opportunity."

In recent months, Smithfield's second-largest shareholder, Continental Grain Co., has been pushing Smithfield to consider splitting itself up, saying it was time for the company to "get serious about creating shareholder value." Following a March letter from Continental Grain, Smithfield said it would review the suggestions "in due course." Representatives from Continental Grain did not immediate provide comment regarding Wednesday's news.

In its most recent quarter, in March reported its net income rose more than 3 percent, helped by gains in hog production, its international business and its packaged meats such as deli meats, bacon, sausage, and hot dogs -- a large growth area for the company.

Still pork producers like Smithfield have been caught in a tug of war with consumers. The company needs to raise prices to offset rising commodity costs, namely the corn it uses for feed. But consumers are still extremely sensitive to price changes in the current economy. By raising prices, Smithfield risks cutting into its sales should consumers cut back or buy cheaper meats, such as chicken.

---

AP business writer Michelle Chapman in New York contributed to this report.

TED Stage Let's Talk About Suicide

My sharing of John's story was my first attempt to spark a conversation about the taboo subject of suicide, and in particular the challenge of coming back from an attempt and choosing life. It worked well enough to bring more than a half million viewers to see it. It's been lovingly translated into 39 languages by volunteers and shown at numerous TEDx events around the world. I said in the talk that I was trying to "start a conversation worth having about an idea worth spreading." That idea is determining how best to support the many people who attempt suicide but fail and seek to return to life.
What I've learned since the privilege of delivering this talk and then having TED put it online has been profound.
1) Breaking the silence is not an event, but a process. Through hundreds of emails and thousands of comments on various websites, it is clear that attempt survivors don't just break the silence one time, but over and over and over again. Or they don't, and live in the silence after once having a bad experience with sharing their secret with another.
2) Tough questions don't have easy answers. I'm a layperson with no training in the healing arts. I attempted to start a conversation, but then could mostly just listen (or rather) read as others were inspired to share about their journey. Where possible I pointed people to the best resources I knew but felt inadequate to do more.
3) Conversations are a crucial, but slow path to change. In my own life I've witnessed the self-inflicted deaths of several people I've loved and known. While I wanted their closest friends and family members to share their stories too, I was powerless to cause that. I simply remained open to the conversation, replied to each email or invitation to chat, and urged strugglers to find or build the network of committed listeners in their own lives to further the conversation.

My TEDTalk may have begun a conversation, but the challenge now is how to continue that dialogue. JD Schramm

My TEDTalk may have begun a conversation, but the challenge now is how to continue that dialogue. The first book I know of that treated this topic directly was Richard Heckler's 1996 Waking Up Alive. Just this month he published a second edition and in the preface he offers encouragement for all of us to continue this conversation:
"Perhaps no other life-threatening condition on the planet can be so positively impacted by honest, forthright and intimate conversations with friends, loved-ones, clients and colleagues. As we do this, we demystify suicide. We render it approachable by creating a net of understanding so strong and a willingness to intervene imbued with such resolve, that people can no longer fall through the cracks."
And yet no conversation, no matter how meaningful and powerful, can bring back the millions we've already lost to suicide. The loved ones of these victims also have a thirst for conversation and our efforts to engage with them may very well prevent the next loss to suicide if we can all continue to break the silence and share our journeys. For it is in the sharing of these journeys that we become vulnerable and open to healing.
In my mind ending the taboo of suicide remains a conversation worth having and an idea worth spreading. Join me in continuing to make that possible for others.
Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TEDWeekends will highlight some of today's most intriguing ideas and allow them to develop in real time through your voice! Tweet #TEDWeekends to share your perspective or email tedweekends@huffingtonpost.com to learn about future weekend's ideas to contribute as a writer.

Swizz Beatz treats baby’s mama, wife and kids to Disneyland Paris

Swizz Beatz kept in all in the family this Memorial Day weekend as he flew in his baby’s mama, wife, Alicia Keys, and all four of his babies to Disneyland Paris to celebrate his daughter Nicole’s birthday. Check out the happy family here. –ruthie hawkins

Spanish Pork Burgers

 

 

 Ingredients

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cup thinly sliced Spanish onion
¾ tsp freshly ground pepper, divided
¼ tsp salt, divided
1 lb lean ground pork
1 Tbsp finely chopped Spanish green olives, such as Manzanilla
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp Pimenton de la Vera (see shopping tip) or Hungarian paprika
¼ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp lemon juice
pinch of saffron (see ingredient note)
¼ cup shredded Manchego or Monterey Jack cheese
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
2 whole jarred piquillo peppers (see shopping tip) or jarred pimientos, halved lengthwise

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Set aside half the onion for topping; finely chop the other half.
2. Preheat grill to medium.
3. Place the chopped onion in a large bowl; add pork, olives, garlic, paprika, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 4 equal patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice and saffron in a small bowl.
5. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the burgers, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes total. Top with cheese and cook until it is melted, about 1 minute more.
6. Assemble the burgers on toasted buns with the lemon-saffron mayonnaise, some of the reserved onions and a half a Piquillo (or pimiento) pepper.
Shopping Tip: Spain is known for its superb paprika called Piment³n de la Vera, which has a smoky flavor, and for intensely flavored peppers called Piquillos. Look for these specialty ingredients in well-stocked supermarkets or gourmet-food shops.
Ingredient Note: Literally the dried stigma from Crocus sativus, saffron is the world's most expensive spice. Each crocus produces only 3 stigma, requiring over 75,000 flowers for each pound of saffron. Fortunately, a little goes a long way. It's used sparingly to add golden yellow color and flavor to a wide variety of Middle Eastern, African and European-inspired foods. Find it in the specialty-herb section of large supermarkets, gourmet-food shops and tienda.com. Wrapped in foil and placed in a container with a tight-fitting lid, it will keep in a cool, dry place for several years.
Tip: To oil the grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to spray the food with cooking spray.

A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship Monday

BALTIMORE — A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship Monday did enough damage that the rest of the cruise was canceled and the company said the more than 2,200 passengers will be flown from the Bahamas back to Baltimore where the trip began.
The fire that began at 2:50 a.m. Monday was extinguished about two hours later with no injuries reported. A cause wasn't immediately known. The Grandeur of the Seas, which left Baltimore on Friday, never lost power and was able to sail into port in Freeport, Bahamas, Monday afternoon. It had been planned to be a seven-night cruise.
Royal Caribbean said on its website and through social media that executives met with passengers in port and that the cruise line is arranging flights for all 2,224 guests on Tuesday. It said passengers will receive a full refund of their fare and a certificate for a future cruise.
Aboard ship early Monday, the captain announced that passengers needed to go to their muster stations, rousing Mark J. Ormesher from his stateroom. Ormesher said in an email to The Associated Press that immediately after the announcement, his room attendant knocked on the door and told him and his girlfriend to grab their flotation devices. The attendant said it wasn't a drill.
Ormesher, a native of England, who lives in Manassas, Va., said he and his girlfriend smelled acrid smoke as they went to their muster station, the ship's casino. The crew quickly provided instruction.
"This encouraged calm amongst the passengers," he said. Passengers were required to remain at their stations for four hours, he said, and the captain "provided us as much information as we needed to stay safe."
Ormesher, who is 25 and on his first cruise, said the air conditioner had been shut off, and as the hours passed and the ship got hot, bottled water was distributed. The crew and passengers remained calm, and helped those who needed it. Crying babies were given formula and held while their parents used the bathrooms.
In Freeport, Bahamas, passenger Andrea Sanders of Washington, D.C., said she slept on the deck with hundreds of other passengers as smoke billowed out of the stern of the ship. "I was terrified with it being my first cruise," Sanders told The Freeport News as she ate lunch in port.
Royal Caribbean said all guests and 796 crew were safe and accounted for. Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said in an email that the company was arranging 11 different charter flights for passengers. Photos show a substantial area of the stern burned on several decks of the ship the length of about three football fields.

Good Morning! Happy Memorial Day

Good Morning! Happy Memorial Day.....Today we remember the those courageous men and women that lost their lives protecting our country in battle. SPMG Media salutes those individuals and continues to stand in prayer for comfort for their families and friends.

While most of us don't really take the time to focus on the meaning of Memorial Day; let's keep remember a total of 4,486 U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2012. This is our most recent conflict and many of us know someone within our own families and friends families that experienced a loss. These numbers represent real lives - real fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts. They were REAL LIVES that impacted and were loved by their families. Take a moment and say a prayer for that family. For today will be a very difficult day for them.

U.S. Workers Trail Rest Of Developed Countries In Vacation Time: Report

 

WASHINGTON -- As millions of Americans pack their cars ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the United States remains alone among the world's advanced economies in its lack of guaranteed paid vacation time for workers, according to a new report.
In an update to an earlier analysis, the left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research looked at the vacation policies in 16 European countries, along with Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S. Among the 21 countries, the U.S. was the only one without a mandate that employers provide some kind of paid time off.
Most U.S. employers do actually offer paid vacation of their own volition. But with this common benefit remaining a prerogative for businesses, the report's authors estimate that roughly one in four U.S. workers have no paid vacation time, and that those workers are employed disproportionately in low-wage jobs that lack other benefits like health care or sick leave.
John Schmitt, an economist and one of the report's authors, argued that the lack of a mandate exacerbates America's growing economic inequality.
"It's time to bring them into the fold," Schmitt said of the estimated 23 percent who don't enjoy paid vacation. "There are firms that are profitable and do provide vacation. Frankly, it concerns me that someone's business model or success relies on not giving employees vacation."
The European system is far more generous when it comes to giving workers a break. Countries there guarantee at least 20 vacation days per year, and some as high as 25 or 30. Canada mandates at least 10 days per year for workers.
In addition, most of the other countries examined require that workers receive paid time off on certain national holidays, with many European countries providing 10 or more such days in a year. The U.S., however, has no such mandate.

How To Throw An Unforgettable Destination Party

 
10 Tips for Throwing a Terrific Milestone Party

1. Create your own planning team Even (especially!) if you nix the professional planner, delegation is the key to success. And it’s essential when you’re organizing something in a foreign locale, where time zones and language barriers might hamper planning. Designate one dependable local individual to be your point person, and be clear about what help you need. Galley recommends weekly then daily calls with that person as the event draws near.

“Having help from locals in the area made all the difference in the world,” says Sarah Berger, who planned a girlfriend’s surprise 50th birthday party in Oaxaca, Mexico, with the help of friends who were living in the area. “They hired a band, found caterers, invited some of their fun friends and even tracked down the best flourless chocolate cake in town,” she says.

2. Give guests plenty of notice Send “save the date” announcements as soon as you have a date and place -- ideally months in advance -- even if you’re unsure of exact details. This gives people a chance to book accommodations, monitor airfares and take advantage of flash sales.

3. Pick the location wisely You may love the idea of a family reunion on a remote island, but if the only accommodations are in an uber-expensive resort, be prepared to compromise. Because of different travel budgets, a location with a variety of lodging options will improve your chance of having a greater number of guests. And the more activity options available, the more appealing the destination will be. It may be your party, but it’s also their vacation.

Another thing to consider is weather. For example, it’s not a smart idea to plan an event in the hurricane belt during peak storm season. “Factors to keep in mind are the time of year that will allow full participation, ease of travel to the location, weather and affordable airfares,” says Earl Lizana, director of catering for the Roosevelt New Orleans.

4. Honor the guest(s) of honor There’s a difference between throwing a party for your 80-year-old parents and your 50-year-old friends. You might want a live band, but your parents would be just as happy with a DJ spinning golden oldies. Make sure your choices represent their preferences. If the party is a surprise, ask their friends.

5. Come up with a theme Some of the best parties recreate an era, like the ’50s or ’60s. Decorations, music and even dress code can all revolve around a creative motif. Lizana recalls one rehearsal dinner for a multigenerational family, held in the Roosevelt Hotel's Blue Room, that recreated the early days of the Rat Pack, with invitations, matchbooks and drink coasters printed with a late 1940's theme. “The photographer wore period clothing and used a vintage camera to shoot all the guests, who were each given a black-and-white commemorative photo,” he says.

6. Make goody bags for guests Pick up some unique, appropriate little gifts at a craft or discount store (or look online). Guests leaving a party in D.C. might enjoy faux soap dishes or toothbrushes with “White House” insignia; beach partygoers could put flip-flops or a tote bag to good use. If your party is overseas, check customs regulations and packing restrictions -- and never give out favors that will be difficult to transport home.

7. Have one fun, unexpected element Whether it’s an unannounced guest (maybe a childhood best friend or a relative from far away), a unique gift or a celebrity performer, having an element of surprise makes a party all the more memorable.

8. Know your budget and prioritize costs Decide what's critical to making your celebration a success and spend accordingly. Flowers can often send a budget through the roof. On the other side of the coin, do spend the money for a quality photographer; the results will help you relive this once-in-a-lifetime event.

9. Have a present plan Some honorees resist gift registries, but when presents are desired and travel is involved, having an online present center makes logistical sense. Gifts can be shipped directly to the guest of honor’s home. Even if you specify “no presents,” some people will want to give something, so consider pre-selecting a charity for donations.

10. Make it memorable Renting a photo booth is a fun and (relatively) affordable way to let your guests create their own photo memories. Or hire a friend with a video camera to record personalized messages during the party. Have a scrapbook on hand for guests to inscribe their favorite memory of the honoree. Include a note with the party invitations asking for photos, and urge anyone unable to attend to send a scrapbook contribution nonetheless.

After the fact, use social media to give guests a place to put comments and photos. (You could create a special Facebook or Pinterest page just for the party.) This way the celebration and memories can last long after the last guest boards a flight home.

Saving $1 million for retirement

 

Almost anyone can become a millionaire using these strategies
Saving $1 million for retirement is a realistic goal for most workers, but it will take a considerable amount of effort to get there. And there are plenty of fees, taxes and penalties that could make it even more difficult to hit this worthy savings target. These strategies will help you to save $1 million over the course of your career:
[Read: 7 Obstacles to Saving for Retirement.]
Start young. The easiest way to save $1 million is to begin saving at your first job. If you start saving at age 25, you could save just $4,682 per year and reach $1 million by age 65, assuming 7 percent annual returns, according to calculations by David Fernandez, a certified financial planner for Wealth Engineering in Scottsdale, Ariz. "You could do that by maxing out a Roth IRA or saving in a 401(k)," Fernandez says. "If you wait until 35, the amount you need to save more than doubles." Beginning at age 35, you will need to save $9,894 each year to accumulate $1 million at age 65. If you further delay saving, you'll need to tuck away $22,798 annually beginning at 45 or $67,643 at 55 if you hope to be a millionaire upon retirement at 65.
Set intermediate goals. While saving $1 million might be your ultimate retirement goal, it helps if you set some intermediate goals along the way. "If you've gotten to save $50,000 or $100,000, then you can do something significant that is important to you to celebrate," says Mary Brooks, a certified financial planner for Brooks Financial Planning in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Your enthusiasm is renewed because you really feel like you have gotten someplace."
Keep expenses low. Pay attention to the expense ratio of each investment you choose, and try to select those with low fees and expenses. "Always go for low-cost investments. The only thing you can control is what you pay for stuff," says Walter Romatowski, a certified financial planner for Castellan Financial Advisors in Palo Alto, Calif. "For most people, it probably makes sense to invest in index funds because they typically have lower expenses as compared to actively managed funds. You can pay 0.1 percent or 1 percent, and that makes a huge difference over your lifetime."
Minimize taxes. Saving in a traditional 401(k) or IRA can reduce your current tax bill and will allow your savings to grow without the drag of income tax. For example, a worker in the 25 percent tax bracket who contributes $5,000 to a traditional IRA will save $1,250 on his current tax bill, potentially allowing him to save that extra $1,250 for retirement. You won't have to pay the taxes until you withdraw the money in retirement. Alternatively, you could pre-pay the income tax using a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), and no additional taxes will be due on the growth when you withdraw the money in retirement or leave the money to heirs.
Get your employer to chip in. If your employer offers a 401(k) match or makes other contributions to your 401(k), you will get to $1 million much faster than by saving on your own. "If you have an employer 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan, get the employer match if your employer matches," Romatowski says. "If you don't do that, you are just giving away free money."
Don't inflate your lifestyle. As you get raises, try not to increase your spending. Instead, save at least a part of the extra income. "Every time you get a raise, bump your company 401(k) contribution up by another percent or two," Fernandez says. "That way, you don't even notice it that you are saving more." Also, consider saving a portion of other windfalls, including inheritances and tax refunds.
Avoid early withdrawals. Obviously, if you tap into your 401(k) and IRA accounts before retirement, it will be more difficult to accumulate a significant nest egg. The negative effects of early withdrawals also include missing out on valuable compound interest, paying the income tax that will be due on the amount withdrawn and incurring a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59 1/2.
[See 10 Secrets of Successful Retirement Savers]
Don't spend it too quickly. While $1 million may feel like a lot of money, spread over a 30-year retirement, it is likely to provide a modest income. "One million bucks gives you roughly $40,000 of income per year," Romatowski says. "If you save diligently, you can get to $1 million. It just takes a lot of discipline." While becoming a millionaire isn't likely to produce a lavish retirement, gradual withdrawals combined with Social Security payments will likely be enough to provide a comfortable retirement in many parts of the country.

Keys to Aging Well

Keys to Aging Well

While maintaining your physical health is important to healthy aging, it’s also key to value the experience and maturity you gain with advancing years. Practicing healthy habits throughout your life is ideal, but it's never too late reap the benefits of taking good care of yourself, even as you get older.
Here are some healthy aging tips that are good advice at any stage of life:

• Stay physically active with regular exercise.
• Stay socially active with friends and family and within your community.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet — dump the junk food in favor of fiber-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating.
• Don't neglect yourself: Regular check-ups with your doctor, dentist, and optometrist are even more important now.
• Take all medications as directed by your doctor.
• Limit alcohol consumption and cut out smoking.
• Get the sleep that your body needs.

Finally, taking care of your physical self is vital, but it’s important that you tend to your emotional health as well. Reap the rewards of your long life, and enjoy each and every day. Now is the time to savor good health and happiness.

 

McDonald's Server On Strike: 'We Worry About Going Hungry'

A lot of people have been asking me why I went on strike. I have a simple answer: Because I'm not a teen anymore.
I work at McDonald's, 
and I hear a lot of people talk about how fast-food jobs are for teenagers. Well, I'm not a teenager. I'm 33 years old. And I work with a lot of people in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are working to pay their rent and put food on the table. I worked fast-food as a teen to make a few extra bucks for clothes and a cellphone. My job didn't pay me enough to support myself, but I didn't need to support myself. I thought I'd go on to get a "grown-up" job, one that would pay all my bills and not have to choose between food and keeping the lights on.

I did get that "grown-up" job, selling skin products at a brand-name skin-care store. I got to use my people skills -- working with customers to figure out which products were best for their skin. The more I listened to and connected with customers, the more I sold. I was good at my job. I ended up being a top salesperson.

More: McDonald's Pushes Employees To Be Cheerier

I made $16.50 an hour plus some commission. I felt good knowing that I was helping the company be profitable and helping myself. I made enough in base salary to be able to afford a roof over my head, food on the table and decent clothes. And if I worked really hard and made a lot of sales, I got more money, too.

I had that job for 6½ years. Then the economy crashed, and people didn't have money to spend on face lotions anymore. At first, I thought I'd get another decent-paying job in a month or two. I had good sales experience and great references.

I couldn't find another decent sales job, no matter how hard I tried. So I finally did something I never thought I'd do. I got another fast-food job.

I make $7.25 an hour, less than half of what I made in my last job. That's OK if you're 16 and you want to buy a phone or sneakers, but it's not OK if you're supporting yourself. Even though I serve food at my job, I can't afford to buy enough food. I have to rely on food stamps. I'd go hungry without them.

More: McDonald's Server Would Need To Work 550 Years To Earn CEO's Pay

When I went on strike last week, I was in a crowd of other workers who are struggling just like me. Most of us are older and have rent and bills to pay. Some of us have kids. All of us have to make hard choices between food and medicine, lights and rent. We all worry about going hungry or ending up homeless.

We don't make enough money to take care of ourselves or to help our neighborhoods. If we had a few extra dollars in our pockets, we'd spend it and help create jobs and help get the economy going again.

It gets to me. I was a pretty happy person when I worked at the skin care store, but now I have panic attacks. I went on strike last week because I can't stand the stress of trying to live on minimum wage. Worrying about the future is the hardest part, because at $7.25, I don't have a future.

Stephanie Sanders is a McDonald's worker and a member of the Milwaukee Workers Organizing Committee, fast-food workers who have joined together to seek fair pay and the right to form a union. Her story was originally published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

 

Style in Beverly Hills Eddie Murphy Daughters

Eddie Murphy may be a funnyman, but you know what isn't funny? His daughters' sense of style! 
The sisterly Murphy duo, Bria and Shane, were spotted out doing their beauty rounds in Beverly Hills, stopping to get manicures and enjoy a little girl-on-girl time. But what's most impressive isn't their whereabouts, but just how good they are at mastering effortless street style.

The sisters looked both comfy and cute with a little Rihanna edge, as they both opted for oversize tops and short shorts to show off their gams.
Shane opted for a beanie with her denim shorts, while Bria kept it straight NYC in a 40oz Van cap and a pair of Jordan Bred fours.
We're definitely keeping these beauties on our style radar.
Photo Credit: Splash News

More on: bria murphy, concrete catwalk

Global Grind ~~

Kim & Kanye West "Baby Shower"

Kim Kardashian knows how to use her words pretty well.
The 32-year-old pregnant reality star is having her baby shower soon, and while Kanye West wasn't going to come (cus it's a girl thing), she was able to convince him otherwise.
According to RadarOnline, Kanye didn't want to come to the shower being that cameras for Kimmy's show Keeping Up with the Kardashians are going to be on the scene, but she found a way for him to be there to support her.
A source told the site that Yeezy had "to stop by the baby shower which is taking place on June 2. The baby shower will be filmed for Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and he just doesn’t want to appear on the show at all, period."
They continued:

“Kim nagged him until he agreed when she said it would look really bad if he didn’t show up. Kanye thinks it’s silly to even go to the baby shower since he will be the only man there. He will be there for less than ten minutes, tops. It was important to Kim that he go, so he agreed.”

Even though there will be cameras there, as there has been throughout Kim's whole pregnancy, Kanye laid down the law and said that there won't be cameras around the new parents and their baby after he or she is born.

Read more: http://globalgrind.com/entertainment/pregnant-kim-kardashian-convinces-kanye-west-come-baby-shower-details#ixzz2UGrByMZJ

PHOTO CREDIT: WENN

 

President Barack Obama forgot protocol

President Barack Obama forgot protocol while boarding Marine One en route to Annapolis, Maryland, CNN reported on Friday.
Obama did not salute the Marine standing at the bottom of the helicopter while boarding. Upon realizing the faux pas, the president jogged back down to shake hands with the Marine and spoke privately with him before entering the helicopter again.
Obama may have had plenty on his mind, as he was on his way to speak at the U.S. Naval Academy graduation, just a day after delivering a major speech on national security, drones and the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

FORBES "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women

As they do every year, the editors at Forbes magazine picked "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" for 2013. Based on money, media presence and impact, Forbes narrowed their list down from 250 candidates to include heads of states, CEOs, philanthropists and yes, even celebrities.
"We've selected women that go beyond the traditional taxonomy of the power elite (political and economic might)," explains Forbes. "These change-agents are actually shifting our very idea of clout and authority and, in the process, transforming the world in fresh and exhilarating ways."
Below, find the top 5 most powerful celebrity women according to Forbes, and click on over to Forbes.com for the full list and explanations on how these fierce ladies made the cut:

Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti wins LA MAYOR election ...L.A. first elected Jewish mayor

Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti on Wednesday described himself as a "street-level mayor" in his first appearance since winning Los Angeles' highest office, saying he will focus on the city's economy while also working to restore basic services.
Surrounded by supporters, Garcetti met with reporters on a basketball court in Echo Park, a neighborhood represented by the councilman since 2001. His main priorities, he said, will be luring businesses to L.A. and creating job growth, and bringing back services like tree trimming and street paving.
"This is a place where we are ready to put the recession in the rearview mirror, and move forward with prosperity once again," Garcetti said.
The Echo Park event came hours after Garcetti's win in the mayor's race, a decisive victory that makes the city councilman L.A.'s first elected Jewish mayor.
The former City Council president bested rival Wendy Greuel by a 54-46 margin, according to the city elections division. He earned 181,995 votes, compared to Greuel's 155,497 ballots. There are still 82,185 ballots left to be counted, but they are not expected to swing the outcome. City officials have until June 11 to certify the count.
Turnout in Tuesday's election was 23.7 percent, up slightly from the March primary election, which had 20.79 percent, city officials said Wednesday.
City controller Greuel, who sought to become the city's first woman