I am pleased to announce that this week First Friday Main Line along with myself, Sherry Tillman, and Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx have been honored by the United States Congress for what we are doing with regard to Operation Angel Wings and for demonstrating the "true spirit of the United States" with regard to volunteerism including within the community.

It is gratifying that they are recognizing Lt. Col. Marx because is truly a wonderful earth angel for all that he does for people - he is devoted to the betterment of mankind and is selfless. And as for my First Friday Diva, Sherry Tillman - well it's no secret I adore her and I am honored to be her friend. She does so much good with her crazy creative brain and without her vision there would NOT be a First Friday Main Line.

It is also incredible for First Friday Main Line as an organization and very small non-profit to receive such an honor. We, as you know, work very hard to bring fun to all on a monthly basis, and in this economy, it is very challenging to be a small non-profit.

I think First Friday Main Line does a lot for Lower Merion because we DO bring people to the downtown business districts, and through our publicity and media coverage (including CNN Money in 2009) we are also tremendous positive publicity for Lower Merion Township as an area. We are, in truth, people power.

We are trying to walk the walk of revitalization monthly as we celebrate our local communities, small businesses and fabulous array of local artists and musicians. We have since inception inspired other First Friday celebrations in other neighboring communities and municipalities, and we welcome that as we all benefit from community to community – you see it’s not competition, it is in fact camaraderie. It is nice to have all those kindred spirits in neighboring municipalities.

This honor and recognition means so much to all of us, and we thank Congressman Jim Gerlach and his entire staff quite humbly. Congressman Gerlach is, as many know, a frequent visitor to First Friday Main Line Events along with his family and even sometimes members of his staff. It is gratifying that people like him believe in us.

Here is a link to the official resolution ( 111TH CONGRESS - H. RES. 1045: Recognizing First Friday Main Line and its executive director Sherry Tillman and publicist Carla Zambelli for launching ‘‘Operation Angel Wings’’. ), and below is the text. We hope to see many of you for Foodapalooza and many thanks to all of you who support First Friday Main Line

IV
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION H. RES. 1045
Recognizing First Friday Main Line and its executive director Sherry Tillman
and publicist Carla Zambelli for launching ‘‘Operation Angel Wings’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 27, 2010
Mr. GERLACH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned
RESOLUTION
Recognizing First Friday Main Line and its executive director
Sherry Tillman and publicist Carla Zambelli for
launching ‘‘Operation Angel Wings’’.

Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D. of Broomall, Pennsylvania,
is currently serving in Afghanistan and working to
help the innocent children of Afghanistan by collecting
items that United States soldiers can carry and distribute
while out on patrol;

Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D. is a shining example
of a United States citizen seeking the greater good by
volunteering to serve his country with the United States
Army Reserve a few days after 9/11, at age 48;
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2
HRES 1045 IH
Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D. was a physician in the
emergency room at Reading Hospital when he accepted
combat deployment, his first, when another physician fell
ill;

Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D. seeks to develop humanitarian-
assistance projects at the village level to support
the efforts of United States Armed Forces patrol
units to provide security and extend law, governance, and
social institutions by simple acts of human kindness that
will help the voiceless victims of a war-torn country and
the innocent children, collateral damages of any war
zone;

Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D. demonstrates to all
United States citizens and citizens of the world that the
United States Armed Forces is capable of not only great
strength, but great compassion;

Whereas Sherry Tillman and Carla Zambelli of First Friday
Main Line worked with Lt. Col. Marx M.D. and the
Lower Merion, Pennsylvania community to organize and
launch ‘‘Operation Angel Wings with First Friday Main
Line’’ in literally a matter of days;

Whereas First Friday Main Line not only seeks to foster a
greater sense of community by bringing local residents,
artists, and small businesses together, but to also make
time for other nonprofit and charitable initiatives within
their own mission;

Whereas Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx M.D., Sherry Tillman, and
Carla Zambelli demonstrate the true spirit of the United
States with their volunteerism;
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HRES 1045 IH
Whereas the Operation Angel Wings initiative will collect
items for Afghanistan’s children and needy, including
winter clothing, towels, toys, and reading glasses;
Whereas since launching the Operation Angel Wings initiative
on November 9, 2009, First Friday Main Line, through
the generosity of the Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, community
and extended community, has collected and sent
over 150 cartons of supplies to Afghanistan to date; and
Whereas it is true that every person in the United States can
make a difference in their community, and even the
world, through the smallest of efforts: Now, therefore, be
it
1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
2 (1) recognizes First Friday Main Line and its
3 executive director Sherry Tillman and publicist
4 Carla Zambelli for launching ‘‘Operation Angel
5 Wings’’;
6 (2) recognizes Lt. Col. Kenneth Marx, M.D. for
7 his service in Afghanistan and his efforts to help
8 United States troops connect with Afghan children
9 and to promote future peace; and
10 (3) congratulates First Friday Main Line staff,
11 volunteers, and the Lower Merion, Pennsylvania,
12 community for their support of Operation Angel
13 Wings.

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I am also going to get personal for a minute because to me personally it is quite unexpectedly vindicating as I sit through the tsunami of backbiting Lower Merion politics because I am -- oh my --- not only a blogger but because I dare have an opinion when the spirit moves me.