Statue of Liberty’s Crown Will Reopen July 4

The Statue of Liberty’s crown, which was closed after the 9/11 attacks, will reopen to the public on July 4, the White House announced on Friday morning. The decision reversed the policy of the Bush administration.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar formally announced the decision at a news conference at 9 a.m. on Ellis Island. “On July 4, we are giving America a special gift,” Mr. Salazar said.

No more than 10 people will be allowed in the crown at a time, he said, and officials anticipate that will allow for 30 visitors an hour. He estimated that 50,000 people would be able to visit the crown in the first year and that the number would be increased later to 100,000 a year. A spokeswoman for Mr. Salazar said that the method for distributing tickets had yet to be determined but that the secretary was committed to making sure the process was fair and equitable. Early reports that a lottery system would be used were incorrect, she said.

The statue’s torch was closed in 1916 after being damaged by a saboteur’s bomb. The entire statue, including the crown, was closed after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The base of the statue reopened to the public on Aug. 3, 2004, after a $20 million effort to improve fire safety, security and evacuation routes. (The park service was criticized for its delays in reopening the base and for relying heavily on a private group, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, to raise money for the project.) But federal officials said the crown could not be safely reopened because of the difficulty of getting people out in an emergency.

Read more: Statue of Liberty’s Crown Will Reopen July 4

‘Anne Frank tree’ saplings may be planted in U.S.

Saplings from the tree Anne Frank used to measure the seasons while hiding from the Nazis could be planted in 10 cities around the United States.

The Anne Frank Center USA wants to plant the trees in 10 U.S. cities to symbolize the growth of tolerance.

The one-metre saplings would come from an ailing horse chestnut tree in Amsterdam.

Possible locations for the trees include the planned Sept. 11 memorial, the White House and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

The centre plans to issue a request for proposals for other sites.

Frank was among Jewish occupants of an Amsterdam building rounded up by the Gestapo. She died of typhus at age 15 in a concentration camp.

Read more: ‘Anne Frank tree’ saplings may be planted in U.S.

Photo: Flickr user Jon Shoemaker

Special Olympics bowler to President Obama: “Bring it on!” [Video]

What a unique and creative way to localize a national story. I love the positive way the local Special Olympics athlete took President Obama’s gaffe.

President Obama made headlines Friday for comparing his bowling skills to the Special Olympics.

On Thursday’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Obama said his bowling score of 129 was like “the Special Olympics or something.”

Before the show aired, the President called the organization’s chairman Tim Shriver to apologize and to invite the Special Olympians to the White House.

At least one athlete in Carmichael would love to take him up on that offer.

“Mr. President, bring it on,” said Patrick Underly, who has been bowling for two decades.

Underly, who is developmentally disabled, bowls an average of 175, far above the President’s 129. Underly’s father and coach Steve said he isn’t offended by Obama’s comment.

“The Special Olympics athletes teach us to honor people all the time and respect people,” said Steve Underly.

Steve said the Games have also given Patrick the confidence to work the lanes — even better than the Commander in Chief.

“I think I could challenge him to a game and teach him about bowling,” said Patrick Underly. “Teach him how to stay behind the ball and let the ball work.”

“Probably what (Obama) meant to say was that, if I could speak for the President, it’s a challenge to bowl a game as an adult, even to get a 129. It’s such a challenge like Special Olympics athletes, it’s challenge at sports and a challenge in life,” said Steve Underly.

Read more and watch this great story: Special Olympics Bowler to Obama: “Bring It On!”