Hard to beleive it’s been one year since the passing of Michael Jackson.

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?

I was covering Opening Ceremoines at Summerfest listening to officals at the podium when my phone started buzzing. It was a text message about the death of Michael.

Though I never had the chance to interview Michael, I did interview those who worked closely with him.

Like…

Orianthi - She was slated to be the guitarist for Michael Jackson on the, “This Is It” Tour.

Ken Ehrlich - He was the Executive Producer of the 52nd Grammy Awards and had talked to Michael about perfroming on the show. Instead a 3D Tribute was produced for the telecast.

Like I said I was covering Opening Ceremonies at Summerfest when I heard the news. Who better to get reaction from than the artists themselves. Gavin DeGraw, Pat Monahan from Train and others shared their thought about the late Michael Jackson.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us what Michael Jackson songs you’d like to hear on Friday, June 25th, 2010.

There are a ton of different ways to save yourself some $$$ and get into Summerfest for FREE! But you gotta know whats going on, that’s why I’m here. The following is a list of all the Admission Promotions that Summerfest offers.

Please know that all promotions, unless otherwise stated, will take place at the Mid-Gate promotions tent located across the street from the Summerfest Mid-Gate. All Admission Promotions start at Noon and run while ticket supplies last OR through 3:00 pm, whichever comes first, unless otherwise noted.

Ready for the madness? Here we go…

Thursday, June 24 is Johnson Controls Stomp Out Hunger Day with FOX 6. All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm who donate three (3) non-perishable food items will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket! Donations will be accepted at the Mid-Gate promotions tent as well as the North Gate. All donations will benefit the Hunger Task Force.

Thursday, June 24 is Miller High Life – Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life Day from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The first 2,000 patrons, 21 and older, who bring six (6) Miller High Life or Miller High Life Light bottle caps will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket! Visit Millerhighlife.com for details on the National “Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life” Program.

Friday, June 25 is Cedar Crest “Flip Your Lid at Summerfest” Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket at the Mid-Gate promotions tent when they turn in a lid and receipt dated June 1 – June 25, for the purchase of one (1) 48 oz. Cedar Crest ice cream. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.

On Friday, June 25, the first 5,000 patrons will receive two (2) U.S. Cellular®/Summerfest Gadget Grips with a special accessory offer compliments of U.S. Cellular® and Summerfest. The giveaway starts at 5:00 pm while supplies last.

Saturday, June 26 is Goodwill Industries Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons who make a donation to a Goodwill Store & Donation Center between June 1 – June 26, 2010 and bring in their original donation receipt will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket. One (1) admission ticket per person for each donation receipt. Only original receipts received at a Goodwill Store & Donation Center dated June 1 – June 26, 2010 will be accepted.

On Saturday, June 26, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) $15 Marcus Restaurant Group Gift Card redeemable at Mason Street Grill, Kil@wat and Milwaukee Chophouse. The giveaway starts at 5:00 pm while supplies last.

Sunday, June 27 is Jockey Family Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,000 patrons contributing $10 or more to the Debra Steigerwaldt Waller Foundation will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket and a Jockey Being Family® Bear.

Sunday, June 27 is Scout Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. All Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast in uniform will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket at the South Gate promotion booth and will enjoy a scout scavenger hunt.

Monday, June 28 is Sentry Foods and Dean’s Milk & Ice Cream Children’s Fest Day with TODAY’S TMJ4. All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm will be admitted FREE! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying free Children’s Fest activities including the Map of Fun and Family Ticket Package giveaways. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food & beverage items.

On Monday, June 28, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) Free Chips and Guacamole Card compliments of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Summerfest. Offer not valid on the Summerfest grounds. The giveaway starts at Noon while supplies last.

Tuesday, June 29 is Kapco’s 2 Buck Tuesday at Summerfest from Noon – 6:30 pm. All Patrons attending Summerfest on Tuesday, June 29 between Noon and 6:30 pm can purchase an admission ticket for only $2 compliments of Kapco! Purchase tickets now at Summerfest.com.

Wednesday, June 30 is Klement’s Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket at the Mid-Gate promotions tent when they provide a Klement’s product label (8 oz. or larger) and a non-perishable food item. Donations benefit the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

Wednesday, June 30 is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “Show Your Smile” Day from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. All patrons who arrive at the Summerfest Mid-Gate between 4:00 – 7:00 pm wearing a shirt with the “Show Your Smile” iron-on and present the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coupon will receive $7 off their $15 admission. Patrons who present only the coupon between 4:00 – 7:00 pm, but are not wearing the “Show Your Smile” iron-on will receive $5 off their $15 admission compliments of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Both the coupon and the “Show Your Smile” iron-on are available in the Sunday, June 20, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Be spotted wearing the “Show Your Smile” iron-on, on your shirt June 30 and win great prizes.

Thursday, July 1 is Northwestern Mutual “Make a Child Smile Day” from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons who donate any new, indoor children’s toy, art supplies or children’s G or PG rated DVD movie with a $5 minimum value will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket. All items collected will be used throughout the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin system. All items must be new with original tags attached and/or original packaging.

Thursday, July 1 is H.O.G.® Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. Patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket when presenting a valid H.O.G.® (Harley Owners Group®) card at the tent located on the northwest corner of Chicago Street and Harbor Drive. One admission ticket per card. NEW this year: H.O.G.® members will have exclusive access to the Harley-Davidson Hospitality Deck located at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse Stage between the hours of 4:00 – 9:00 pm on July 1. Limited space; first come, first served. Once the deck reaches capacity, access will be on a “one out, one in” basis.

Friday, July 2 is Malt-O-Meal Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket when presenting an original receipt from any Wisconsin grocer that specifies the purchase of any two (2) Malt-O-Meal Bag Cereals 10 oz. or larger. Receipt must be dated between June 24 and July 2, 2010. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted. To find the store nearest you go to Maltomeal.com.

Saturday, July 3 is CBS 58 Milwaukee / MDA Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons contributing $10 or more to the Muscular Dystrophy Association will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket.

Sunday, July 4 is Summerfest “Free ‘til Three Day” from Noon – 3:00 pm. All patrons attending Summerfest on the final Sunday (July 4) will be admitted for FREE…compliments of Summerfest!

Whew! There you go. All the different ways you can into Summerfest for free. Now you can use all that money you saved for more…(beer, sour cream & chive fries, corn, whatever!) :)

Be safe, drink lots of water and we’ll see you at Summerfest, The World’s Largest Music Festival!

Text BREWERS to 62582 to get updates sent to your mobile phone. Updates sent out at 4th, 7th, and Final.
*Standard Text Message Rates Apply.

BUCKS to 62582 for Bucks Playoff Updates.

The latest celebrity to cheat and then go to rehab is Jesse James…this storyline seems all to familiar. So Kidd and Elizabeth compiled a list of celebrities who couldn’t stay faithful and admitted themselves for treatment:

1. Jesse James
2. Tiger Woods
3. David Duchovny
4. Britney Spears
5. Eric Benet
6. Richie Sambora

Feel free to add to the list if there’s anyone we’ve forgotten.

For me, this interview seemed much more genuine than he scripted apology that I don’t think he even wrote. For his family and for himself, I hope he truly is sorry.

I’m still trying to get over the Sandra Bullock affair story - she’s America’s sweetheart who doesn’t deserve this at all!

But here’s a weird coincidence, Sandra isn’t the first Oscar winner who ended up divorce soon after she won the award.

Take a look at this list:

Halle Berry, Kate Winslett, Hillary Swank, Reese Witherspoon and now Sandra Bullock?!

What gives? Was the relationship doomed before the envelope was opened and read? Or were these women so busy working on their successful and busy careers, that their men were feeling neglected and in the background so they decided to cheat?

Hang in there Sandra, it’s his loss!

Check out this new website Groupon – it’s a fun, new way to save money on a lot of the cool places in the Milwaukee area.

Here’s how it works – every day a new deal is featured at an unbeatable price! You only get this deal if enough people join in that day (so tell your friends).

It’s called “collective buying power”.

I’ve tried it and it’s easy and the deals are very good!

I was digging around online the other day trying to figure out who can fix the potholes in our neighborhood – because they are BAD in some parts of Bay View.

I went to the city of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works website to report the potholes and this was on that page:

Our goal is to repair potholes within three days of finding them or hearing about them. Emergency situations are investigated immediately.

And guess what…I reported the potholes and less than 2 days later they were fixed! If you’re sick of your potholes, I’d recommend reporting them here (especially with their goal of fixing it in 3 days).

I have sources telling me that Kathy Griffin will open this years Pridefest on June 11th on the Summerfest grounds.   This is her second time playing Milwaukee Pridefest.  When I talked to her backstage in 2007 she told me she had never played an outside venue that accommodated so many people.  She was super impressed with Milwaukee.  It sounds like official word with ticket information will come from Pridefest on Wednesday.    You can find out more here.