Lyndon B. Johnson creates Medicare and the Old 97′s at George’s | OU’s Weekend Crier for July 30 – Aug. 1, 2010

Forty-five years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law The Social Security Act of 1965.

That law provides medical coverage to all Americans who are age 65 and older.

The program is now widely accepted as a societal good, but President Ronald Reagan – a member of Operation Coffee Cup – before Social Security’s passage said: “[I]f you don’t [stop Medicare] and I don’t do it, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.”

Well, I was born in 1975 and feel pretty free. In fact, I feel more free now to try and run my own business after the latest health care reforms that make a government-run insurance option available.

But let us not sour this weekend with talk of politics.

Instead, let’s focus on these awesome events:

FRIDAY

• Madagascar 2 is playing for free at the Wilson Park Pool as part of the Dive-In movie series. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. with the movie starting at dark. Dive-In Movies are sponsored by the Fayetteville Fire Fighters Association.

• South Pacific begins a three-week run at the Rogers Little Theater starting tonight at 8 p.m. Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. The Walton Arts Center put on the show recently as well and Ozarks Unbound wrote a review.

• The Old 97s go onstage at 9:30 p.m. at George’s Majestic Lounge. Rhett Miller and Co. are bound to please your ear holes. Everything’s expected, Rhett told OU contributer Jon Cox in his recent article.

SATURDAY

• The nonprofit Bike City Recyclery is running a bicycle maintenance clinic starting at 10 a.m. $2 donation welcome – Fee for individual instruction.

• Learn “The ABCDs of Creating Community Gardens That Last” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Walker Park Senior Activity and Wellness Center. The community-building event offers tips on planning, building and managing community gardens. The event also serve as the kickoff for a community garden at Walker Park. The event is free and open to the public.

• Author Eyvonna Rains will be at Nightbird Books at 1:30 p.m. to read and present her picture book,Sleep My Child. After presenting the story, she will be available to visit with parents or children about her book.

• It’s Jerry Garcia Day in Fayetteville for George’s Majestic Lounge’s fifth annual Birthday Jam celebrating the life and music of Jerry Garcia. It starts at 8 p.m. with performances by Jeff Sipe and Mountain of Venus.

• Salsa Night with Neta Band: Everyone’s favorite band is back at Scarpino’s. Come and Dance to the best latin music live in NWA. Starts at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover.

• Grown Folks featuring Soundchild Crew, the multi award-winning group will be lighting up The Smoke and Barrel stage with Lucio and more. They start at 10 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Audible Chocolate with Bizar performs at 7 p.m. at Rogue Pizza Co. on Dickson. He’ll be bringing his flavor of chill to the Audible Chocolate stage. Plus residents ultrasonic nozzle and the erratic ninja. Drink specials, good food and good times. You won’t want to miss this one for sure.

• The Ozark Poetry Slam team is headed to nationals, but before they go they want to show off their stuff! So, as part of the weekly Jody’s Living Room event, they’ll be having a send-off party from 8 to 11:30 p.m. at the Lit Lounge. It’s free to get in, and there will be free pizza from Damgoode.

Community Announcements

• Join your neighbors and friends to kickoff the Walker Park community garden to explore ways to work together to start a community garden. “The ABCDs of Creating Community Gardens That Last” will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Walker Park Senior Activity and Wellness Center.

• Mark Horvath, founder of InvisiblePeople.tv will speak about homeless in NWA at 6 p.m. Saturday at the UA Global Campus.

• The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is having a photo contest. Submit your pictures for a chance to be in their First Annual BGO calendar. Entries will be accepted starting Sunday.

• Howie needs a home. If you think you might be great doggy parents, give this guy a chance.

This is your space. Send Ozarks Unbound your announcement and we will publish it here.

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